There have been too many new mobile phones released this October, delighting digital enthusiasts. Leikeji has also experienced an exceptionally busy month, and it can even be said that this has been the busiest month in the mobile phone market in recent years: the arrival of new generation flagships from vivo, OPPO, Xiaomi, Honor, and others has been dazzling. Leikeji was invited to report on-site and conducted a series of professional evaluations of related products (welcome to search Leikeji on the Internet to view).

However, the top flagship phones are not the end of this wave of new phone releases. Many people are looking forward to the flagship series from sub-brands, as they offer lower prices and better value for money with similar specifications.

As of now, many new flagship products have been scheduled for November, with realme GT7 Pro officially announcing an online launch event on November 4th. The Nubia Z70 series, Redmi K80 series, and iQOO Neo10 series have also received the latest updates and will compete on the same stage this month. Leikeji has also received some invitations and new phones.

So, what are the highlights of these new phones coming in November? What are their unique features compared to the nearly all-powerful top flagship phones? Let's take a closer look.

iQOO, Redmi, old rivals clash again?

When it comes to sub-brand flagships, most people will likely first notice iQOO and Redmi, as they both offer impressive specifications, performance, and design, making them top choices for students or those on a tight budget who want flagship chipsets.

However, this year is different. Due to the cancellation of the Pro model in the iQOO digital series, the Neo series, which was originally scheduled for release two or three months later, has been brought forward to November, pitting it against the Redmi K series.

(Image source: Leikeji photography)

The iQOO Neo 10 series is still divided into two models: iQOO Neo 10 and iQOO Neo 10 Pro. The former is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 mobile platform, while the latter is the first to use the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 mobile platform. This is a familiar strategy for the iQOO Neo series, using one old and one new flagship chipset to dominate the 2K to 4K price range.

The most noteworthy model in these two devices is the iQOO Neo 10 Pro. According to sources, in addition to being the first to use the Dimensity 9400 mobile platform, it also offers many premium features in its peripheral configuration, such as a metal frame, Ocean Battery, and ultrasonic fingerprint recognition.

Furthermore, iQOO may consider equipping the Neo 10 series with satellite communication capabilities. This means that following Honor's introduction of satellite communication to the mid-range market with the X60 Pro, another manufacturer is now attempting to do the same.

(Image source: Leikeji photography)

As a formidable competitor to the iQOO Neo 10 series, the Redmi K80 series has also made significant improvements.

The chipset configuration for the Redmi K80 series remains similar to the previous generation, with the standard K80 using the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and the K80 Pro using the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 3. Since the repositioning of Redmi's entire product line this year, the Turbo series has officially separated from the Note product line, allowing Redmi to launch its flagship performance devices on the Turbo line first, leaving room for the K series to upgrade its positioning.

In terms of peripheral configuration, the entire K80 series features metal frames, 120W fast charging, and optical/ultrasonic fingerprint recognition. The K80 Pro's 2K screen will use a new light-emitting material in collaboration with BOE. Both performance and peripheral configurations have been comprehensively upgraded for the K series.

Compared to iQOO, another difference for Redmi lies in its camera capabilities. It is clear that Xiaomi pays close attention to the camera performance of the K series, as evidenced by Redmi's acquisition of a flagship-level camera sensor last year. According to sources, Redmi is likely to introduce a new custom telephoto lens for the K80 Pro to enhance overall camera performance and telephoto capabilities.

Of course, both the iQOO Neo 10 series and Redmi K80 series have their own strengths. Considering that both will increase their launch prices in this generation, their cost-effectiveness may be slightly weaker than their predecessors.

Nubia vs. realme's super flagship showdown?

As Qualcomm and MediaTek both chose to release their flagship chipsets in October, many manufacturers opted to launch their new flagship phones in the same month. However, Nubia and realme, who took their time, delivered some of the most eye-catching products despite being slightly slower than their competitors.

realme's flagship series this generation skipped the number 6 and went straight to realme GT7 Pro, unifying the product generations of the GT series and GT Neo series, making it less confusing for consumers. The design of the realme GT7 Pro, which skipped the number 6, has also undergone significant changes. As can be seen in the promotional images released earlier by realme, this generation abandons the previous centered large circle Deco design in favor of a camera module in the top left corner, giving it a cleaner look.

(Image source: realme)

In terms of performance, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 3 is a familiar choice, and Leikeji has provided in-depth analysis of this chipset before. In brief, it offers a 45% improvement in both single-core and multi-core CPU performance over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, a 62% boost in browser performance, a 40% increase in GPU performance, a 35% enhancement in ray tracing capabilities, and a reduction of approximately 40% in overall power consumption. If all goes well, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 3 will be a top choice for many users.

Similarly, the Nubia Z70 Ultra is also positioned as an all-round flagship, but what stands out most about Nubia is its true full-screen display. Nubia has customized a new panel for the Z70 Ultra, which offers significant improvements in resolution and color accuracy. The under-display camera is better hidden, and AI algorithms have been used to solve imaging issues such as selfies and face recognition.

Nubia's official Weibo account has also released several macro photos taken with the Z70 Ultra. If all goes as planned, Nubia's telephoto and macro telephoto capabilities will be one of its core selling points in imaging. Meanwhile, realme GT7 Pro is also touted to feature a 120X AI super-clear telephoto lens, suggesting that the battle for mobile imaging's telephoto capabilities has just begun.

(Image source: Weibo)

These two new devices are likely to be the only "super flagship" models among this batch of flagships, offering more refined performance, imaging, and design. According to current information, realme GT7 Pro may also be the only model this year that does not increase in price compared to its predecessor, making these two super flagships even more cost-effective.

Huawei Mate 70 grand finale: Pure HarmonyOS, stunning debut

The Huawei Mate 70 series will consist of three models: Mate 70, Mate 70 Pro, and Mate 70 Pro+. These models not only offer 1.5K straight screens and 2K curved screens but also feature BOE's 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and 3000 nits peak brightness, significantly enhancing the overall viewing experience. In fact, since the Mate 20 series, Huawei has collaborated with BOE, and their partnership has gradually matured, delivering consistently stable results.

However, many bloggers have revealed that the Mate70 series may adopt a side fingerprint + 3D face recognition solution, sparking heated discussions. In fact, Leikeji believes that Huawei's choice of biometric technology differs from the general public, primarily to cater to the future development of the HarmonyOS ecosystem. Moreover, Huawei's face recognition belongs to a high-security level, not the common 2D face recognition we often see, so security is not an issue.

In terms of imaging configuration, the Mate 70 Pro+ is likely to feature a 1-inch main camera and telescopic lens module, while the Mate 70 and Mate 70 Pro are no less impressive, adopting the OmniVision OV50K ultra-large variable aperture sensor with LOFIC technology. This technology optimizes light capture, enhances tolerance and stability in complex scenes, and maintains a true and natural tone. Huawei's flagship series in recent generations have favored a natural, filter-free imaging style, which is quite appealing.

(Image source: Huawei)

Regarding the HarmonyOS ecosystem, the Mate 70 series runs on the pure HarmonyOS NEXT system, finally resolving the long-standing issue of application compatibility for users. In particular, Tencent apps such as WeChat and QQ are fully compatible, providing real convenience to domestic users. With more native HarmonyOS applications being launched, the Mate 70 series is not only a hardware upgrade but also strengthens Huawei's ecosystem moat, making it difficult for competitors to breach.

It is reported that the Mate 70 series will begin its pre-heating campaign in mid-November, with the official launch scheduled for the end of the month. The entire campaign will be relatively long-drawn-out, unlike the surprise launch of the Mate 60 series, providing some comfort to long-time fans.

When new flagships meet the Double 11 sale, how should we choose?

One of the major drawbacks of the accelerated iteration of flagship phones is that consumers often hesitate when confronted with both old and new flagship models during the 11.11 shopping festival. This is especially true this year, as flagship phones have generally increased in price with insignificant upgrades in peripheral configurations, making the decision even more difficult.

Firstly, in terms of imaging, the vivo X200 series, OPPO Find X8 series, and Honor Magic7 series are all flagship models that emphasize imaging, but each has its unique selling points. The vivo X200 series stands out with the X100 Ultra's 200-megapixel telephoto lens, which has an improved structure and faster focusing speed. However, if a full-focal-length imaging experience is more important, the vivo X100 Ultra may be a more comprehensive choice, especially during the promotional period.

The OPPO Find X8 series focuses on creative features such as LivePhoto and vintage film filters. According to OPPO, these colors are not simply filters but are achieved through extensive in-camera calculations. It seems unlikely that the Find X7 series will enjoy these new features in the short term. If you prefer creative camera features over raw hardware capabilities, the Find X8 series could be an excellent choice.

(Image source: Leikeji photography)

Secondly, in terms of performance, both the Dimensity 9400 and Snapdragon 8+ Gen 3 use TSMC's 3nm process technology and prioritize big-core performance and power consumption balance. Therefore, if you have high requirements for flagship phones' energy efficiency and extreme performance, you should choose the new flagship models released this generation.

Overall, the trend for November's new phones continues to be the trickle-down of flagship technologies, such as the Ocean Battery and ultrasonic fingerprint technology in the iQOO Neo 10 series, and the Light Hunter sensor in the Redmi K80 series. In fact, many of the new phones launched this year have essentially adopted the technologies and configurations of flagship models.

Is this a good thing? In Leikeji's opinion, technology inherently evolves from high to low, from a select few to the masses. Many years ago, performance-oriented phones rarely came equipped with excellent camera sensors, leading to a severe imbalance in their practical applications and making them easy to overlook.

(Image source: vivo)

Among the new phones to be released in November, some are initial attempts at new technologies, such as Nubia's 1.5K resolution true full-screen display and Huawei's first use of a side fingerprint + 3D face recognition solution. Others, like iQOO, Redmi, and realme, have adopted their flagship hardware and technologies, almost all using top-tier configurations from their respective flagship lines.

The only pity is that due to changes in upstream supply chain prices, almost all new phones launching in November will increase in price, potentially pitting them against their predecessors. For example, the iQOO Neo 10, equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, has similar specifications to the iQOO Neo9S Pro+. If the former's starting price is higher, consumers may opt for the latter.

So, if new phones in November collectively increase in price, will you choose a previous-generation Pro model or follow the rule of "buy new, not old" for electronic products?

Source: Leikeji