iPhone 16 is underwhelming, and domestic brands are set to compete head-on with Apple.

In the recently concluded September, Huawei unveiled the world's first mass-produced tri-fold phone, the Mate XT, while Apple released the iPhone 16 series, pushing the mobile phone scene to a climax.

However, these two new phones are merely the beginning of a new round of competition in the mobile phone industry. Amidst fierce competition, MediaTek, which released the Dimensity 9300 in November last year, has advanced the launch of the Dimensity 9400 to October 9th this year. Qualcomm, on the other hand, will hold its 2024 Snapdragon Summit from October 21st to October 23rd, introducing the all-new flagship chip, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 (which may also be named "Snapdragon 8 Elite").

(Source: MediaTek)

Meanwhile, mobile phone manufacturers are gearing up, set to launch their new flagship phones in mid-to-late October, accelerating their efforts to capture the high-end mobile phone market. Thanks to the preheating efforts of manufacturers and the leaks from tech bloggers, many details about the upcoming new flagship phones have already been exposed.

Influenced by market trends and competition among manufacturers, the new flagship phones from various brands are packed with even more features, seemingly aiming to boost market share through more cost-effective devices. Even features that were previously exclusive to models like Pro, Pro+, Ultra, and others are gradually being introduced to standard versions.

Without further ado, let's take a look at some of the new phones that may be released in October this year, and see if any catch your fancy with Lei Tech.

Huawei: No Mate, but Still Surprises

Unfortunately, those eagerly awaiting the Mate 70 and Mate X6 may have to wait a bit longer, as both phones are expected to be released in November. However, in October, Huawei has still prepared the nova 13 series as a pleasant surprise for consumers.

Huawei maintains a high level of secrecy around its products, and even for the nova series, which is positioned below the Mate and Pura series, there is limited information available at the moment. According to leaks from bloggers such as Kansei Uncle, Digital Chat Station, and Dingjiao Digital, the nova 13 series is set to be released on October 22nd.

(Source: Weibo)

The series offers three models: nova 13, nova 13 Pro, and nova 13 Ultra, with the latter supporting satellite calls. In terms of specifications, the nova 13 Pro may feature a 1.5K 120Hz LTPO display, a front camera with OV60A, and a rear camera with OV50E as the main sensor. It also includes a telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, an ultra-wide-angle macro lens, and is equipped with a 4700mAh battery and 100W fast charging.

The nova 13 Ultra upgrades the front camera to dual OV60A sensors, adds 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse charging, and otherwise shares similar specifications with the nova 13 Pro. The starting price of the nova 13 Pro is expected to be around 4,000 yuan. While its specifications may be slightly inferior to those of the Mate and Pura series, the nova 13 Pro offers a more affordable price point, making it a great choice for experiencing Huawei's ecosystem and communication technology.

The biggest highlight of the nova 13 series isn't its hardware configuration but rather its system version. The pure-blooded HarmonyOS NEXT will enter public beta testing on October 8th, and there is hope that the nova 13 series will be the first to ship with HarmonyOS NEXT. However, Huawei has also previously stated that HarmonyOS NEXT will debut on the Mate 70 series.

Whether the nova 13 series will wait for the Mate 70 series to debut HarmonyOS NEXT first or lead the way with its own debut remains to be seen. Huawei fans can certainly look forward to it.

Xiaomi: Even the Standard Version is Going Pro

Known for its exceptional value for money, Xiaomi has not disappointed its fans with its new phones. Similar to last year, the Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Pro have already been certified and will be released first, while the Ultra version may not be available until next year.

In terms of specifications, the entire Xiaomi 15 series supports 90W wired fast charging, 50W wireless fast charging, a 5200mAh battery, and a custom 50MP main camera sensor with a 1/1.3-inch super large sensor from OmniVision. The difference lies in the screen sizes, with the Xiaomi 15 continuing the small-screen flagship design featuring a 6.39-inch 1.5K domestic screen, while the Xiaomi 15 Pro boasts a 6.73-inch 2K screen.

Starting with the Xiaomi 12 series, Xiaomi's flagship standard versions have embarked on the path of small-screen flagships. However, while the size may have shrunk, the specifications remain on par with the Pro versions. Data from market research firm Counterpoint shows that in the first quarter of this year, the Xiaomi 14 ranked fourth globally and first among domestic models in terms of AI phone sales, with a market share of 7.7%.

(Source: Counterpoint)

This data suggests that there is a significant demand for small-screen flagships. With the even more Pro-level Xiaomi 15, Xiaomi is poised to gain more market share in the flagship segment by the end of this year and in 2025. Additionally, there are rumors that the Xiaomi 15 Pro's telephoto lens may be upgraded to 5x optical zoom.

In previous years, the domestic mobile phone industry witnessed a wave of competition focused on telephoto lenses, with companies like Xiaomi, Huawei, and OPPO introducing models supporting up to 10x optical zoom. However, manufacturers have since cooled down and placed more emphasis on practical value. Top-tier flagships typically feature 5x or 6x optical zoom cameras, while the Xiaomi 14 Pro settled for a secondary 3.2x optical zoom camera.

(Source: Lei Tech Photography)

The upgrade to 5x optical zoom in the Xiaomi 15 Pro could signal a return to the telephoto lens competition in the industry. Is the era of mobile phone 'bird photography' about to make a comeback?

Furthermore, Lu Weibing previously stated that while other phones merely incorporate AI technology, Xiaomi, with its Pengpai OS 2.0, is a true AI phone. Xiaomi fans can also look forward to the AI capabilities of the Xiaomi 15 series.

(Source: Weibo)

The specific release date of the Xiaomi 15 series is not yet confirmed but is likely to be in late October, closely following the Qualcomm Snapdragon Summit. It is expected to debut with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 (Snapdragon 8 Elite). Lei Jun stated at the Xiaomi 14 launch event that to create better phones, Xiaomi would no longer stick to the 3,999 yuan price point, making the Xiaomi 14 the last Xiaomi phone to start at that price. Therefore, I predict that the starting price of the Xiaomi 15 may be around 4,299 yuan.

vivo: First to Launch the Dimensity 9400, Scheduled for October 14th

vivo is currently the only manufacturer that has confirmed the release date of its new phones. Lei Tech has received invitations for the vivo X200 series, which will all be released on October 14th. However, by announcing before the Qualcomm Snapdragon Summit, it means that the vivo X200 series will not include Snapdragon chip versions in its initial batch and will instead ship with the Dimensity 9400 across the board.

(Source: vivo)

The vivo X200 series currently has three models certified, namely the X200, X200 Pro, and X200 Pro mini. The vivo X200 features an IMX921 sensor for the main camera, a JN1 ultra-wide-angle lens, and an IMX882 telephoto macro lens supporting 3x optical zoom. The vivo X200 Pro and X200 Pro mini, on the other hand, will debut with the Sony LYT-818 main camera sensor, boasting a CMOS size of 1/1.28 inches.

The vivo X200 offers a comprehensive range of features, including 100W fast charging, IP69 rating, a 6000mAh large battery, and a 1.5K HD screen. Even in terms of design, the vivo X200 has undergone significant improvements, featuring a four-sided equal-width curved screen on the front and an improved back design that abandons the asymmetric circular ring for better coordination and texture.

(Source: vivo Han Boxiao)

Interestingly, perhaps inspired by Xiaomi's success in the small-screen flagship market, the vivo X200 series has also introduced a small-screen version with just a 6.31-inch screen, the vivo X200 Pro mini. Apart from its size, its specifications are similar to those of the vivo X200 Pro and are likely to be slightly superior to the Xiaomi 15. However, the price of this phone will also be higher than that of the Xiaomi 15.

On October 10th, vivo will hold a developer conference to detail the OriginOS 5 system. The conference has already previewed the Virtual Graphics Card 2.0 feature, and AI capabilities will also be a focus.

Additionally, the iQOO 13 series has entered the preheating stage. iQOO Product Manager @GelanV indicated that the iQOO 13 series might be the only high-end 2K straight screen model released during the same period, debuting with BOE's latest generation of light-emitting materials. The loudspeaker and imaging capabilities have also seen significant upgrades, and it is possible that Zeiss lenses will be equipped.

(Source: Weibo)

The iQOO 13 will also feature IP68 water resistance, a 6100mAh large battery, 120W fast charging, and single-point ultrasonic fingerprint recognition. The camera module is confirmed to have three 50MP cameras. As a product focused on performance, the iQOO 13 series has made significant progress this year, catering to various scenarios such as daily use, gaming, and photography.

According to Counterpoint's statistics, vivo ranked first in domestic mobile phone sales with a market share of 17.9% in the first half of this year. Based on its new flagship models, vivo is expected to maintain its top two position in domestic sales in 2025 and achieve a sales breakthrough in the high-end market.

OPPO: More Features, Less Weight, Standard Configurations as the Theme

According to Zhou Yibao, head of OPPO Find series products, the Find X8 series will come standard with features such as IP68/IP69 water resistance, periscope telephoto lens, 50W wireless charging/reverse charging, infrared remote control, smart NFC, and a three-stage silent button. The OPPO Find X8 has achieved a thickness of less than 8mm and a weight of less than 200g, with the camera bump reduced to within 4mm. The Pro version, due to its higher specifications, will be slightly thicker and heavier but still represents a significant improvement over the previous generation.

(Source: Weibo)

Digital blogger @DigitalChatStation revealed that the Find X8 series will offer both single-cell and dual-cell battery options, with a maximum capacity reaching 6000mAh or even 6500mAh, standard 80W wired fast charging, and BOE screens. OPPO has also taken inspiration from Apple, and the new phones will support the magnetic ecosystem across the board.

(Source: Weibo)

It's worth noting that the Find X8 series will come in three versions: Standard, Pro, and Ultra. However, the Ultra version is expected to be released separately, while the Pro version will include a satellite call version.

Perhaps even more anticipated than the hardware of the OPPO Find X8 series is ColorOS 15. Chen Xi, the Design Director of ColorOS, stated, "ColorOS 15 starts from the bottom, reconstructing the Android graphics framework. It boasts the industry's first parallel rendering architecture, enabling parallel response for multiple animations and unified rendering, resulting in smoother and more precise animation effects."

(Source: Weibo)

Chen Xi also revealed that the AI capabilities of ColorOS 15 have been significantly enhanced, making it easy for everyone to use and enjoy. At the developer conference on October 17th, OPPO will comprehensively introduce the various upgrades of ColorOS 15, allowing us to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the highly praised ColorOS 15.

There are fewer leaks about the OnePlus 13 series, but it is confirmed to feature a BOE 2K screen and 100W fast charging, and it will also support the magnetic ecosystem. The phone may also offer features such as IP68/IP69 water resistance, 3x periscope optical zoom, and a storage combination of 24GB+1TB. "Plus people" can look forward to it.

(Image source: Weibo)

Overall, OPPO's strategy is to decentralize technology, with many configurations standard in both the standard and Pro versions. This move is expected to enhance the competitiveness of the standard version. Recently, OPPO executives responded to concerns about declining offline sales. Unlike online sales, where customers cannot physically touch the product, offline customers' first impression of a product comes from its appearance and feel. The OPPO Find X8 series has been upgraded in terms of thickness and weight, significantly improving its hand feel. This is expected to lead to a higher market share offline, thereby boosting OPPO's flagship sales across the board.

Honor: AI Takes Center Stage

To be honest, there isn't much information currently available about Magic 7's hardware specifications. What is confirmed is that it will be equipped with Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon flagship chipset, BOE's display, and OmniVision's OV50H main camera. The Pro version features a centered pill-shaped cutout, quad-curved display, right-angled metal frame, and red power button. In addition to the standard and Pro versions, there are also two satellite communication variants. The reason for the lack of hardware leaks for the Magic 7 series is that AI is its main selling point, and current pre-launch promotions have focused on its AI capabilities.

@DigitalChatStation has revealed that the internal codename for the Magic 7 series is "J.A.R.V.I.S.". In the sci-fi movie "Iron Man," J.A.R.V.I.S. is Tony Stark's intelligent assistant, responsible for managing his daily life, work, and battles. During the recent IFA conference, Honor CEO Zhao Ming shared his understanding of AI agents and announced that the Magic 7 series will be the first to feature Honor's AI Agent.

With this feature, users can complete tasks such as booking tickets or canceling auto-renewals with a single voice command. Notably, the cancel auto-renewal button is often hidden deep within menus, making it difficult for users to find. The ability to cancel auto-renewals with a single command demonstrates that Honor's AI Agent possesses advanced cross-application capabilities and a stronger ability to interpret natural language.

The Magic 7 series was one of the first flagships to begin pre-launch promotions, but its release date is not expected until late October at the earliest, or possibly November. As a result, there have been limited hardware specifications leaks. While other flagships have revealed some specifications, they likely still have many surprises in store for future pre-launch promotions or during their official launches.

Domestic Brands Go Head-to-Head with Apple: Four Clear Trends

Based on the information released about new flagship phones from various manufacturers, I have identified four clear trends.

First, decentralizing configurations has become the norm. Features such as periscope telephoto lenses and IP69 water resistance, which were once exclusive to top-tier flagships, are now available in mid-tier models. Some manufacturers have even added wireless charging to their mid-tier flagships, which previously lacked this feature. Even more surprisingly, satellite communication, once exclusive to the top-of-the-line ultra-premium models, is now being offered in premium flagships.

In the face of fierce competition, lowering prices and upgrading hardware configurations are the best ways to enhance product competitiveness. However, decentralizing configurations also means increased production costs. Coupled with reports of price hikes for Qualcomm and MediaTek's latest flagship chipsets, it is likely that the starting prices of flagship phones from various manufacturers will also increase this year.

Second, there is a trend towards adopting domestic hardware. Almost all standard versions of the flagship phones mentioned above feature BOE displays, and several models also use OmniVision CMOS sensors. The upcoming Mate 70 series, expected to be released in November, is rumored to come in three versions, all equipped with OmniVision's OV50H main camera.

(Image source: Lei Tech Productions)

Although domestic suppliers have lagged behind industry leaders like Samsung and Sony for a long time, they have continuously upgraded their technology with the support of phone manufacturers and finally shed their image of being behind the curve. From being shunned to being eagerly adopted by flagship phones, this represents the rise of the domestic supply chain and the overall technological strength of China.

Third, there is a growing focus on the small-screen market. The performance of Xiaomi's 12/13/14 series has highlighted the importance of the small-screen flagship market, prompting other manufacturers to follow suit. Vivo has launched the 6.31-inch X200 Pro mini, and OPPO's Find X8 has also shrunk in size to 6.5-6.6 inches, signaling their intention to tap into the small-screen market.

Fourth, AI has become a core competitiveness. Whether it's Lu Weibing claiming that Xiaomi is the true AI phone, Honor's launch of AI Agent, or the AI features revealed by OPPO and vivo, it is clear that AI has taken center stage.

From cloud-based AI to edge AI and finally to AI agents, AI is constantly evolving. The features demonstrated by Honor's Magic 7 show that AI is already capable of helping users solve more complex tasks. With upgrades in AI technology and enhanced AI performance from chipsets like Dimensity 9400 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 (Snapdragon 8 Elite), consumers can expect an even better AI experience from manufacturers' new flagship phones.

Last month, Apple and Huawei's latest devices garnered significant attention from netizens. However, the new devices set to be released by Huawei and Android manufacturers in October are equally compelling.

In the past, Android manufacturers typically unveiled their new flagship phones in the first half of the year. However, in recent years, this timeline has been steadily advancing, now approaching the release dates of Apple's new devices.

I believe this trend is driven by the intense internal competition among Android manufacturers, who are seeking to expand their markets. Moreover, after multiple generations of upgrades, Android flagships are now capable of rivaling iPhones in terms of user experience. This explains why manufacturers are continually advancing their release dates to compete head-to-head with Apple. The fact that iPhone sales fell out of the top five in China in the second quarter of this year also indicates that Apple's influence has waned. With a flurry of new flagship phones Coming to market soon in clusters , Apple is likely feeling the pressure.

As Android manufacturers accelerate their release schedules, a flagship battle is looming on the horizon. With Double 11 just over a month away, consumers stand to be the biggest winners in this unprecedented melee.

Source: Lei Tech