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Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is set for release in a few months and one of its upgrades will mark the end of an era. It will bring a completely different look yet much closer to the iPhone.
It’s about the ‘Curve’ Samsung was the first company to introduce curved edge screens in smartphones. The company picked up this display as a revolutionary technology to offer something different. The Galaxy S and Note series introduced curved display variations from 2015 to 2018.
Since then, the unique display outlook has been well received by customers. However, it isn’t the only thing in previous flagships, it is also the frame.
These devices were sold with a curved/rounded frame, creating an arc between the rear and front. This build helps to support device grip and improve aesthetics.
This was certain However, the upcoming change was not imminent, instead, it was gradual. That brings me to the S9 and S10+. These two models are the turning point for this entire conversation.
The Galaxy S9 and Note 9 have the largest curved edges in Samsung’s flagship lineup. This display feature was highly noticeable and the same goes for the Galaxy S10+ but for a different reason.
Its display curves shrunk to almost 30-40% alongside the frame. Afterward, these curves keep on shrinking not only for display but also for the frame to date.
In the meantime, there’s one more thing that happened, Samsung ended the Note series and merged its features into the S flagship including the S-Pen.
S24 Ultra – The Final Milestone Earlier this year, Galaxy S24 Ultra unveiled a flat screen, which completed the last step in this flat device transition.
Compared to Ultra, the standard and Plus models already received a new makeover and a similar frame. Compared to these two phones, the S24 Ultra retained its curved frame but the message was clear for the successor.
S25 Ultra – Completing the Circle A month ago, OnLeaks collaborated with Android Headlines to share the first Galaxy S25 Ultra CAD renders. These images have revealed a whole new chapter for the Ultra model and the entire S series lineup.
Samsung introduced titanium with the S24 Ultra but still looks identical to its predecessor. The S25 Ultra has implemented this material with a flat side but no curves in either direction.
The rear, the front, and the frame are creating a complete flat phone experience just like the s24 (base and Plus model).
This new design has also removed those clear sharp corners. Instead, S25U has rounded all four corners. This gives us an iPhone vibe but there’s another side to look at it.
Existing and previous Ultra models come with low bezels but its round frame completely overshadowed this display feature. That means the frame’s radius (curve) contributes as an extra bezel outside of the display.
With a flat frame, the phone looks thin on corners and sides. This change will highlight the slim bezels and full-view visuals. The phone maker has already experimented with this change with the S24 and S24 Plus and well received by customers.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Release Samsung decided the end of this curve era years ago and the S24 Ultra set the course straight. Now, Samsung is ready to complete this flat-screen flagship transition with the S25 Ultra and there’s a high chance that we’ll see this change in action with the phone’s release early next year.
We pick the best student laptops for different needs and budgets, from value options to creative powerhouses.
(Image credit: Apple / ASUS / HP) The best student laptops will provide everything you need to get through your course, keep up with project deadlines and help you prepare for tests. Whether you’re pursuing a subject that requires a lot of computing power, such as 3D animation or editing video, or you just need to write essays, do research and keep up with emails, it’s an investment that’ll pay for itself many times over.
Right now, our top pick is the MacBook Air (M2) 2022, which offers speed and power without incurring the sky-high price tag of the latest M3 models. But if you don’t need a very powerful laptop, we’ve also listed some alternatives. Either way, don’t forget to make the most out of student perks like Apple student discounts and Samsung student discounts.
What you need to know: The Acer Swift 3 is our pick as the best budget laptop for students right now. It’s not the latest laptop, in that it isn’t stuffed to bursting with largely unasked-for AI features and more computing power than you need. However, it is a capable laptop for the majority of tasks that students are likely to throw at it.
Design and build: Built with an aluminum body in classic silver, the laptop features a traditional 16:9 display with slightly thicker bezels than premium models. At just 1.19kg, it’s highly portable. The keyboard offers good resistance with white backlighting, and the device includes thoughtful features like a fingerprint reader and Kensington lock slot. Port selection includes USB-C with DisplayPort support, two USB-A ports, and HDMI.
Display: The 14-inch Full HD IPS screen is good without being exceptional, though gamers may be put off by the 60Hz refresh rate. In our tests, it delivered 320 nits brightness and respectable color accuracy (100% sRGB, 76% AdobeRGB, 76% P3). While not suitable for professional color work, it’s more than adequate for general use and basic photo editing.
Performance: This laptop did come in a little under-par in our benchmark tests, and so it’s not going to be anyone’s laptop of choice for intensive 3D modelling. However, for general design work it’s more than fine – our reviewer did various Photoshop tasks on it without any problems.
Buy it if
✅ You need a reliable everyday laptop:Perfect for students and office work with good battery life. ✅ Portability is a priority:Weighing just 1.19kg, it’s ideal for carrying between classes.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You need graphics power:The integrated graphics make it unsuitable for 3D work or gaming. ❌ You’re a creative professional:Limited colour accuracy and processing power may frustrate serious creators.
The bottom line
🔎The Acer Swift 3is affordable, reliable and basically capable. For all but those with the most intense needs, it’s realistically going to be more than adequate, and it comes at a tempting price point for students. ★★★½
02. Asus Vivobook Pro 15 OLED The best laptop for students on creative courses Specifications CPU: 14th Gen Intel Core Ultra 7 155HGraphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPURAM: 16GBScreen: 15-inch 2880×1620 OLED, 120Hz, 617 nits peak brightnessStorage: 1TB SSD Reasons to buy +Fantastic screen +Serious power +Great ergonomics Reasons to avoid -No touchscreen -Speakers aren’t the best
What you need to know:As a photography student, this is the laptop that I owned while studying for my Master’s. I highly recommend it for students as an excellent choice for multitasking as it offers a great balance between professional and personal use. For example, I used it for essay writing, photo editing, online lectures and Teams meetings, plus it could handle light gaming sessions in the evening.
Design and build:The laptop maintains the sleek and minimal metallic-lid design of its predecessor, coming in Earl Grey and “Cool Silver” color options. It weighs 1.8 kg and retains a slim profile, making it portable without compromising power. The keyboard is ergonomic, with a numpad that feels slightly cramped but still manageable. Port options are excellent, including Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, USB-C, USB-A, an SD card reader, and more, ensuring connectivity for a range of devices.
Display:The 15-inch, 3K OLED display is a highlight, reaching a peak brightness of 617 nits in our tests, exceeding ASUS’s own brightness claims. With 120Hz refresh rate, 100% DCI-P3 coverage, Pantone certification, and near-infinite contrast ratio, the screen is excellent for creatives working with color-sensitive projects. However, the lack of touch capability could be a drawback for some.
Performance:Powered by Intel’s 14th-gen Core Ultra processor and a GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, the Vivobook Pro 15 OLED performs excellently in both creative tasks and gaming. I love that it has enough processing power to run any creative software, including 3D modelling slicers as the image above demonstrates, as well asAdobe’s suite of Creative Cloud apps. I loved the small design features like the built-in privacy shutter, fingerprint reader, and backlit keyboard for late-night essays.
Buy it if
✅You do either creative work or gaming:It’s ideal for 3D work, video editing, and graphic-intensive games. ✅You need strong connectivity: Thunderbolt 4, HDMI and more make this a solid travel-friendly workhorse.
Don’t buy it if:
❌You need a touchscreen:This laptop’s display isn’t touch-sensitive. ❌You want a compact device:At 1.8 kg, it’s portable but not as light as some ultraportable options.
The bottom line
🔎ASUS Vivobook Pro 15 OLED (2024)is a compelling choice for creative professionals and gamers who need powerful specs, excellent screen quality, and the ability to switch between work and play seamlessly. ★★★★½
03. MacBook Air (M2, 2022) The best MacBook for students overall Specifications CPU: Apple M2 chip with 8‑core CPUGraphics: 8- to 10-core GPURAM: 8GB – 16GB unified memoryScreen: 13.6-inch Liquid Retina displayStorage: 256GB – 2TB SSD Reasons to buy +Powerful performance with M2 chip +Excellent battery life +Beautiful new design Reasons to avoid -Replaced by the Air M3 model -Gets hot when under pressure
What you need to know:We think the M2MacBook Airis perfect for students looking for a balance between price and performance. For the price, it offers exceptional value with a great processor, larger screen (13.6-inch) and lighter build than itsMacBook Prosibling.
Design and build:The Air abandons the classic wedge shape for a modern, uniform design that’s super-thin at 11mm and light at 2.7 pounds. Available in Space Gray, Silver, Starlight and Midnight Blue, it features MagSafe charging, two Thunderbolt ports, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The design is particularly impressive as it houses a large display in a small footprint.
Display:The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display offers a 2,560 x 1,664 resolution with 500 nits brightness, supporting one billion colours. The screen is both larger and brighter than its predecessor, with slimmer bezels that incorporate a notch for the 1080p FaceTime camera.
Performance:It might not have an M3 chip, but we doubt you’ll need one. To be honest we only recommend models with an M3 processor to creative pros who will really notice and benefit from the difference in power and performance. In our tests, we found this laptop can perform well enough to handle most students’ needs, no problem. While it lacks fans, which can lead to thermal throttling during intensive tasks, it handles creative applications likePhotoshopand 4K video editing with ease. Battery life is exceptional too, lasting over 16 hours in video playback tests.
Buy it if
✅ You need a powerful yet portable laptop:The M2 performance and ultra-thin design makes it perfect for creative work. ✅ You value display quality:The larger, brighter screen with thin bezels makes it ideal for visual creative work.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You’re on a tight budget:It’s certainly not the cheapest laptop on the market. ❌ You need sustained performance:The lack of active cooling means performance throttling on intensive tasks.
The bottom line
🔎MacBook Air M2 2022has a gorgeous design, superb battery life, and large, brighter display, making it a compelling choice for students with a healthy budget. ★★★★½
The best Chromebook for students
04. Acer Chromebook Spin 514 The best Chromebook for students Specifications CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3500U processor quad-core 3.7 GHzGraphics: AMD Radeon Graphics shared memoryRAM: 8 GBScreen: 14in Full HD (1920 x 1080) 16:9 TouchscreenStorage: 128GB eMMC Reasons to buy +Fast and reliable performance +Large 14-inch FHD touchscreen +Sturdy aluminium frame Reasons to avoid -Flash memory rather than SSD
What you need to know:If you’re a student on a tighter budget, or you only need a laptop for simpler tasks such as taking notes and writing essays, aChromebookmay be all you need. These excellent value stripped-back laptops run ChromeOS, which means you won’t be able to use some of the desktop software that you would use on a Windows or Mac computer; however, there is now a wide range of apps available for ChromeOS.
Design and build:Built with a brushed aluminum chassis, the device feels solid and durable. The keyboard offers slightly raised keys, which should be comfortable enough for those writing essays for university, and the solid metal chassis and sturdy hinges make this a reassuringly solid option for lugging around in a bag. There are plenty of ports on this laptop too for those who need to connect peripherals.
Display:Our reviewer found the 14-inch Full HD IPS touchscreen to be a standout feature of the Spin 514, offering 1920 x 1080 resolution with a 16:9 aspect ratio. It delivers vibrant colours, crisp whites and ultra-narrow side bezels, making it suitable for both productivity and entertainment. The screen’s size allows for comfortable multitasking with multiple apps and tabs. It could even please student artists, who can make use of the tablet mode function, although it is a little heavy to hold.
Performance:We tested the quad-core AMD Ryzen 5 configuration and found that it could easily handle all the tasks that ChromeOS is capable of. It achieved impressive benchmark scores, with Kraken showing 887 milliseconds, making it one of the faster Chromebooks we’ve tested. Battery life extended to nearly 10 hours of continuous video streaming. It’s not suitable, however, for demanding creative applications or AAA gaming.
Buy it if
✅ You need a versatile 2-in-1:The robust build quality and flexible design make it perfect for laptop and tablet use. ✅ You want a premium ChromeOS experience:It has a large, high-quality display and offers solid performance.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You need professional creative apps:A Chromebook won’t run full Windows or Mac software. ❌ You want a light tablet:At 1.5kg, it’s a bit heavy for extended use in tablet mode.
The bottom line
🔎Acer Chromebook Spin 514offers excellent value for those seeking a premium ChromeOS experience. With its quality build, vibrant display and reliable performance, it’s a compelling choice for students. ★★★★
Best lightweight laptop for students
05. ASUS Zenbook S 13 OLED The best lightweight laptop for students Specifications CPU: Intel Core i7-1355U (10 cores, 12 threads)Graphics: Intel Iris Xe GraphicsRAM: 8-32GBScreen: 13.3in, 2.8K (2880×1800) OLED, 16:10 aspect ratioStorage: 512GB-1TB SSD Reasons to buy +Extremely light and portable +Fantastic screen +Good for photo-editing Reasons to avoid -Only integrated graphics
What you need to know:One of the smallest and lightest laptops we’ve ever tested, the ASUS Zenbook S 13 OLED is a dream for any students who like to travel light. It also packs in plenty of power and performance.
Design and build:The Zenbook S 13 OLED’ is a marvel of compact engineering, featuring a sustainable chassis made from post-industrial recycled aluminum and magnesium alloys, with keycaps from recycled plastics. At only 1.09 cm thick, it’s designed for those who want a high-quality laptop in a tiny, portable package. Despite its light weight, the laptop feels solid and durable.
Display:ASUS likes to make claims about producing the best OLED screens on the laptop market, but honestly, use the Zenbook S 13 OLED for a spell and you’ll be hard-pressed to disagree. It’s incredibly bright and beautifully sharp, with 100% DCI-P3 colour coverage and a Pantone Validated certification.
Performance:Power-wise, the Zenbook acquits itself well. For 2D design tasks in programs like Photoshop and Krita, we found it to be perfectly smooth and responsive. You’ll get a little fan noise, but nothing anti-social. With moving images though, you start to feel the limits of the integrated GPU, meaning video editors and animators will probably be better off with something else. Plus there’s the impressive battery life, clocking in over 13 hours during our video streaming tests.
Buy it if
✅You want a small, light laptop:This ultraportable is a great choice for commuting and travel. ✅You’re seeking a gorgeous screen: This display is one of our top favourites.
Don’t buy it if:
❌You need a ton of graphics power:It’s a bit too limited for video editing and 3D work. ❌You want a lot of ports:There aren’t many, so you may need to connect a dock.
The bottom line
🔎ASUS Zenbook S 13 OLEDis an excellent option for those prioritising portability. Its lightweight design and beautiful screen make it an appealing choice for students looking for an ultraportable. ★★★★½
Best 2-in-1 laptop for students
06. HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) The best 2-in-1 laptop for students Specifications CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 155HGraphics: Intel Arc integratedRAM: 32GBScreen: 14-inch HDR OLEDStorage: 2TB SSD Reasons to buy +Great OLED touchscreen +Comes with a stylus +Excellent design Reasons to avoid -A little heavy -Noticeable fan noise
What you need to know:A lot of students opt for 2-in-1 laptops for college and university as an alternative to using both a laptop and a separate tablet for drawing and note organising. If you enjoy using a touchscreen or require a touchscreen for your course, then a 2-in-1 laptop is usually a more affordable option (and very classy too).
Design and build:The device features a robust design that’s a great choice for student, as it’s super sleek and weighs just 1.44kg, making it portable enough for travelling around campus. The 2-in-1 design is super-flexible and it has a strong hinge so you can feel confident that it will fold smoothly, plus ou can also use it in tent mode for watching movies hands-free. The port selection includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a slim-design USB-A port.
Display:The 14-inch HDR OLED touchscreen is a a standout feature of this laptop, offering a resolution of 2880 x 1800, a 120Hz refresh rate, 100% P3 color coverage and i Gorilla Glass. The display quality delivers the deep blacks and vibrant colours characteristic of OLED technology, and you also get a magnetic stylus for digital artwork or note-taking.
Performance:With powerful components, our reviewer found this laptop handled productivity tasks with ease. The only thing that really lets it down was the Intel Arc integrated graphics cores, which could prove problematic down the line, as it has the potential to slow down graphics-heavy tasks. With that said, our reviewer found that it responded very well to Photoshop software, and didn’t tax the GPU too much at all. Battery life extends to approximately 8.5 hours under typical work conditions.
Buy it if
✅You prioritise display quality: The touchscreen is a standout feature, offering a resolution of 2880 x 1800. ✅ You want the latest AI features: This comes with Intel Core Ultra processors that boast AI capabilities.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You like silence: We found the fan a little noisy. ❌ You need a discrete GPU: This doesn’t have one, isn’t the best choice for gaming or graphics-heavy tasks.
The bottom line
🔎HP Spectre x360is a good choice if you’re looking for a 2-in-1 device with AI smarts. More generally, you’ll be getting an excellent laptop for productivity tasks, creative work and watching content. ★★★★½
Best powerful laptop for students
07. MacBook Pro 16 (M3 Pro, 2023) The most powerful student laptop Specifications CPU: Apple M1 Pro / M1 MaxGraphics: Integrated 14-core or 16-core GPU with M1 Pro / M1 Max chipRAM: 8GB – 64GBScreen: 13.3in, 2,560 x 1,600Storage: 512GB – 8TB Reasons to buy +Top-of-the-line Apple hardware +Great battery life +Can run iOS apps Reasons to avoid -No USB-A port -Exceedingly expensive for many student budgets
What you need to know:The MacBook Pro 16 isn’t just one of the best laptops for students right but one of the best laptops period. As such, it comes with a pretty hefty price tag, and it’s a lot more than almost any student needs. That said, power uses on courses in 3D animation, video editing and other graphically demanding disciplines will without doubt appreciate the power and efficiency on offer here.
Design:The Pro is sleek and streamlined, just like you’d expect fromApple, and the overall design is little different from its predecssor. In terms of connectivity, you get two USB-C ports on the left, a single USB-C, an HDMI and an SDXC card slot on the right. The base level M3 are USB-C 4 while the Max supports Thunderbolt 4.
Display:The Liquid Retina XDR display is one of the best things about this laptop. It’s big and bright, with a peak brightness of 1,600 nits if working in HDR (compared to 1,000 otherwise). Our tests found the colour accuracy was extraordinary, with a 116.70% sRGB color gamut. And the 16-inch screen gives you plenty of space to work on.
Performance:Running benchmarks using Blender, we concluded that the Pro 16 is a viable replacement for a desktop machine in many scenarios. It feels smooth and fluid, interactive rendering runs with ease and high polygon and model count scenes showed no signs of slowdown and when video editing – even 8K or multicam timelines are responsive. Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve and Fusion projects feel super smooth. While many rival workstation laptops often sacrifice battery life in exchange for power, in our own tests we worked for 10 hours inCinema 4Dbefore the power indicator turned red. And the laptop never got uncomfortably hot.
Buy it if
✅ You have a heavy workflow:If your work uses a monster amount of apps and 3D or motion work, the M3 Pro and Max power does the job with zero lag.
✅ You want a glorious screen:See your work in crystal clear definition, and at a peak brightness of 1,600 nits for HDR work.
✅You want the latest Apple chips:The M3 Pro/Max means you won’t have to upgrade for a good while.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ Your apps aren’t optimised for Apple:Some 3D and CAD-based apps aren’t available for macOS. This won’t bother most graphic designers, but it’s something to be aware of.
❌ You don’t need top-spec power:For graphic design alone, this laptop may be overkill for many people.
❌Price is an issue:The newest, most powerful MacBook comes at a high price. There are more affordable options.
The bottom line
🔎MacBook Pro M3 Procan’t be beaten if you’re a professional. It will handle any graphic design task with ease, no matter the assets or apps (even if there is 3D crossover). The screen is excellent, and the battery lasts all day. ★★★★½
How to choose the best student laptop
Choosing the best student laptop will depend on your needs and budget. Naturally, different students will have very different requirements for a laptop depending on what they’re studying. Many will not need massive amounts of power, while those studying subjects such as video production and 3D design will have greater needs.
Students of creative subjects are likely to need at least 16GB of RAM and possibly a laptop with a dedicated GPU. They’ll likely also have greater demands for the display of their laptop, requiring a good colour gamut for visual work. Other students can better prioritise value and portability.
We’ve considered these different needs when selecting the options to include in our guide above. In our experience, there are three major factors to consider:
Portability:If you’re ferrying your laptop to lectures, seminars and the library for all-night cram sessions, you don’t want it to be giving you back problems. A laptop that doesn’t weigh too much and can easily fit into a standard backpack or shoulder bag should definitely be a priority for a student.
Battery life:The last thing you want is your laptop running out of power at a critical moment, and if your laptop can’t get you through the day, it’s probably not going to be hugely useful to you as a student.
Affordability:Of course, everyone is looking for value with any purchase they make, particularly tech, but for many students, affordability is a more important factor than it is for working professionals who still need a solid laptop. Thus, getting as much computing power on the dollar as possible is paramount.
FAQs
How much computing power do I need for a student laptop?
Different laptops offer varying levels of computing power, and different students will have different needs in this area. If your area of study doesn’t require the use of demanding creative software for things like video editing or 3D rendering and you’ll be using your laptop mainly for online research, writing essays or programming, you don’t need a lot of power.
In this case, one of the Chromebooks or 2-in-1 hybrid laptops on our list with RAM in the 4GB to 8GB range should serve you just fine, still providing enough memory to handle entertainment needs outside of study time .
However, you may be studying a course that requires more intensive processing power, in which case a student laptop won’t necessarily be a budget option. If you’re editing video, for instance, or working with 3D software, you’ll need 16GB of RAM or more.
A laptop with a good dedicated graphics card can also be a useful investment for those working in visual arts or design (or just if you plan to do a fair amount of gaming in your downtime). The products featured in ourmost powerful laptopsguide may be worth checking out if this is the case.
Which laptop brand is best for students?
When buying a student laptop, you want a device that is well built, affordable and reliable. For that last point, we generally recommend opting for brands that have a good reputation – you want your laptop to get you through at least your whole course of study, if not a lot longer.
Good brands for reliability that have consistently done well in our own testing over the years include Dell, HP, Acer, Asus and Microsoft for Windows laptops, and, of course, Apple. For creatives, Asus’s VivoBook range offers good prices on devices built with creative work in mind, and we recommend considering these if you’re starting a course for video editing or digital illustration.
It’s also always worth checking whether your college has a particular policy or recommendation. Some recommend using Windows-based laptops to reduce software incompatibility issues or facilitate technical support.
OnePlus has announced the OnePlus 13, and we now know the impressive battery life upgrades it brings along. We have an even larger battery than before that utilizes new battery materials to help keep the phone thin while still increasing the battery capacity.
There are no charging upgrades this year besides the support for reverse charging via a cable. But it is not like we were hoping to see any improvements in this are; the predecessor already offered very fast 100W of wired and 50W of wireless charging, which is also what the OnePlus 13 is capable of.
A new breed of batteries that will change world of smartphones
For a long time now, phone manufacturers have been using batteries made out of graphite. Graphite is good at storing energy, but it is not the best. Recently, the mobile tech industry has began using a new type of batteries for smartphones, they are called silicon-carbon or also silicon anode batteries.
This is exactly the tech OnePlus has utilized to manage to back a 6,000 mAh battery inside the OnePlus 13, while making it even thinner and lighter than the OnePlus 12!
Silicon-carbon or silicon anode batteries are better than graphite batteries because they can store more energy in a smaller space. This is because silicon atoms can store more lithium ions than carbon atoms.
Here’s a simple analogy: Imagine you have two boxes. One box can hold 10 marbles, while the other can hold 20. The box that can hold 20 marbles is like a silicon anode battery, while the box that can hold 10 marbles is like a graphite anode battery. Because silicon-carbon batteries can store more energy, they can make devices like smartphones and laptops last longer on a single charge.
Does the OnePlus 13 have better battery life? OnePlus hasn’t given any numbers on its website about the battery life of the OnePlus 13, but given increase in capacity we suspect it will last at least as long as the predecessor. For reference, we gave the OnePlus 12 an estimated battery life of 8 hours and 9 minutes, which placed it at the 7th spot among all phones we have tested.
It wouldn’t be too far-fetched to see the OnePlus 13 offer even longer battery life thanks to its innovative battery, especially if the Snapdragon 8 Elite proves more power efficient.
How much battery does the OnePlus 13 have?
The OnePlus 13 comes with the astonishing 6,000 mAh battery capacity, which is well above the average for modern flagship phones. This is also a 10% increase over last year’s generation, which came with a still pretty large 5,400 mAh battery.
How fast does the OnePlus 13 charge? OnePlus says that the OnePlus 13 will charge to 50% in about 13 minutes, while about 36 minutes is how long it takes to charge it to 100%. Here are all of the OnePlus 13 charging specs:
Wired — 100W
Wireless — 50W
Reverse wired — 5W
Reverse wireless — 10W
What charger does the OnePlus 13 use?
Just like with previous flagship OnePlus phones, theOnePlus 13comes with a 100W charger inside the box. In order to utilize the full charging speed of theOnePlus 13you need a Supervooc charger, which is developed by OnePlus’ sister company Oppo.
As for the wireless charging, you don’t get the Airvooc 50W wireless charger when you buy theOnePlus 13. That one you have to purchase separately, as long as you want the 50W of wireless charging. The phone will still charge with less powerful wireless chargers, it will just be slower.
We know that Apple is expected to replace what would have been the iPhone 17 Plus with a new ultra-thin phone that was at first dubbed the iPhone 17 Slim and has since been given the possible moniker of iPhone 17 Air. While the early rumors call for this phone to have the highest starting price among all of the iPhone 17 models, this pricing must be due to the design since there is nothing in the rumored spec sheet that would act as an incentive for buyers to pay up for the device.
Alao:EB-BS928ABY Battery for Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra For example, instead of being powered by the A19 Pro application processor (AP), the iPhone 17 Air is said to be equipped with the A19 AP. While the phone will have 8GB of RAM, enough to support Apple Intelligence, the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will both feature 12GB of the stuff. And there will supposedly be just one rear camera on the phone which leads us to believe that the design of the iPhone 17 Air will be spectacular.
Now, we’ve often seen other smartphone manufacturers copy Apple when it comes to a major change. For example, after Apple removed the 3.5mm headset jack from the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, other smartphone firms followed. Five years later, Apple decided to remove the battery charger from the boxes for the iPhone 12 line and this also w copied by other companies.
(Render of the ultra-slim iPhone 17 Air expected during Q3 2025. | Image credit-FPT)
Apple’s decision to offer an ultra-thin iPhone could be the next big change to Apple’s most important product that other companies will copy. For example, ETNews reports that Samsung is reportedly working on an ultra-slim phone that would be based on the Galaxy S25 model but would be released after the launch of the regular Galaxy S25 flagship device in January 2025.
The report adds that Samsung would produce a limited number of Galaxy S25 Slim units in order to get a read on the demand for such a device. Samsung would then decide whether it should make any changes to the Galaxy S26 series. The Galaxy S25 Slim could hit the market during the second quarter of 2025 ahead of next year’s Q3 release of the iPhone 17 Air. If that’s the case, Samsung might be copying Apple even though Samsung’s slim phone would be released first.
Following the success of the 14 series, Xiaomi has officially announced the Xiaomi 15 phones which includes the Pro model and two editions not seen before.
Both the regular Xiaomi 14 and 14 Ultra were up there with the best phones you can buy, with the latter offering a compelling DSLR alternative for many people.
The new Xiaomi 15 models have big shoes to fill, though note that the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is yet to be unveiled. Xiaomi did unveil the Pad 7 and Pad 7 tablets, though.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Xiaomi 15 series, from its release date and pricing to detailed specs and features.
When will the Xiaomi 15 be released? The Xiaomi 15 series, including the regular Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Pro, were unveiled on 29 October 2024.
The both phones are currently available for pre-order in China, with general sales set to begin on 31 October 2024.
While this release date applies to the Chinese market, Xiaomi has not yet announced specific details for a global launch.
Lei Jun, CEO of Xiaomi, posted on X that “we’re bringing the Xiaomi 15 Series to global markets soon.”
And as with all Xiaomi phones, don’t expect any of the 15 series to ever be officially sold in the US. Your best bet there will be to try and import one or buy a ‘global’ model from the likes of Amazon.
How much will the Xiaomi 15 cost? The Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Pro come in multiple configurations, offering different storage and RAM combinations to cater to diverse needs.
Each model offers a variety of colour options, with the Xiaomi 15 Pro providing a more premium Rock Silver version and the Xiaomi 15 featuring an additional Custom Edition with up to 20 colour choices.
What specs and features will the Xiaomi 15 have? Design The standard Xiaomi 15 maintains a compact design at 152.3 x 71.2 x 8.08mm, slightly smaller than its predecessor but with a minor weight increase to 191g.
The device is protected by Xiaomi’s new Dragon Crystal glass, boasting 10x the durability of Gorilla Glass Victus (according to Xiaomi’s Lab.)
The Xiaomi 15 Custom Edition prioritises personalisation, designed for users seeking a device that reflects their unique style.
With 20 colour options available for the back panel, along with the choice between two bezel types, this edition offers an impressive variety of 40 possible combinations.
The Custom Edition maintains the core specifications and design language of the Xiaomi 15, including the ultra-narrow bezels, quad-curved frame, and lightweight build.
The most eye-catching is the Xiaomi 15 Diamond Edition which boasts a diamond-studded frame, offering a distinct shimmer that elevates the aesthetic appeal. This edition is available in three exclusive colour options: Glacier White, Elephant Gray, and a bold Orange.
The back panel features a premium crocodile-skin textured Corna leather. The diamond-studded frame extends around the device’s quad-curved wrapped metal frame, seamlessly blending into the glass-covered back, creating a continuous, unified look.
This edition also includes a specially designed packaging box and exclusive gift, underscoring its status as a limited, premium offering.
The Xiaomi 15 Pro, on the other hand, features a slightly larger 6.73-inch screen with micro-curved edges for a sleek look and comes with Dragon Crystal Glass 2.0 for enhanced scratch resistance.
Both models are IP68-rated for dust and water resistance.
Display
The Xiaomi 15 features a 6.36-inch flat OLED panel with a 1,200 x 2,670 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, capable of reaching a peak brightness of 3,200 nits with DC dimming.
Meanwhile, the Xiaomi 15 Pro upgrades to a 6.73-inch LTPO OLED panel with a 1,440 x 3,200 resolution, a 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and the same peak brightness of 3,200 nits.
Both phones incorporate an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner beneath the display for added security.
Performance
Both models of the Xiaomi 15 series are powered by theSnapdragon 8 Elitechipset, paired with 12GB or 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and storage options ranging from 256GB to 1TB with UFS 4.0 technology.
Cameras
Xiaomi continues with a triple 50Mp camera setup for both models but introduces different enhancements.
The Xiaomi 15’s primary camera is the 50Mp OmniVision Light Fusion 900 sensor with 1.2µm pixels and 23mm focal length, equipped for 5x lossless zoom. The telephoto lens offers a 60mm focal length for portraits and macro shots, while the ultrawide camera has a 115° field of view.
For the Pro version, Xiaomi has worked with Leica for camera tuning, and it includes the same 50Mp main camera, a new 50Mp periscope camera with 5x optical zoom, and a 50Mp ultrawide lens.
The Xiaomi 15 Pro’s camera system also benefits from the AISP 2.0 computational photography system, boosting overall image quality and enabling 8K video recording at 30fps and 4K at 30/60fps with Dolby Vision HDR across all cameras.
Battery & charging
The Xiaomi 15 packs a 5400mAh battery with Silicon-Carbon technology for longevity, while the Xiaomi 15 Pro houses a massive 6100mAh battery.
Both phones support 90W wired and 50W wireless charging, optimized by the Xiaomi G1 battery management chip, ensuring that each device retains at least 80% capacity even after 1,600 charging cycles (according to Xiaomi).
Software
The Xiaomi 15 series is confirmed to ship running the company’sHyperOS 2 software, which is based onAndroid 15.
It introduces three significant innovations – HyperCore, HyperConnect, and HyperAI – enhancing performance, connectivity, and AI-driven user experiences across its ecosystem.
It’s not yet clear if Xiaomi will continue offering the four major Android updates and five years of security updates available on the 14 series.
With a dedicated team optimising over 25,000 usage scenarios, HyperCore includes a custom scheduler that reduces CPU idle time by 19%, dynamic memory management, and Storage 2.0.
HyperConnect, on the other hand, fosters seamless cross-device integration, allowing Xiaomi devices to share apps, files, and even dual-camera feeds for multi-angle video recording.
Lastly, HyperAI elevates user interaction with AI-driven features such as animated lock screens, real-time transcription, and AI-generated call summaries.
Additional AI tools include sketch-to-art conversion, bilingual translation, and fraud detection.
This is all we currently know about Xiaomi’s upcoming flagships. We will update this article when we hear about global launch details including the UK.
In the meantime, see our guides to the best phones and the best Xiaomi phones to see what the Xiaomi 15 series will be up against.
Samsung is taking an aggressive approach to its products and offerings. It is constantly working on improving its technology to better compete with others in the smartphone industry. The company is said to be contemplating a new branding strategy that could mark a significant evolution from its classic approach. It is said to be considering moving away from the Galaxy branding for its flagship phones, which has been there since 2009, in an attempt to create a distinct identity.
Samsung might drop its Galaxy branding for its premium phones and is aiming to revamp the brand identity
When it comes to Samsung’s Galaxy lineup, the company is best known for its flagship models. However, the past year has seen the competition intensify. This year, the lineup of products did not manage to leave a lasting impression on users, who were rather left dismayed by the lack of innovation for the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 models that rolled out in July.
The South Korean tech giant did not hold back from accepting their shortcomings. It even extended an apology and started developing other products to make up for it. It seems that the company will not stop here when it comes to rebuilding the brand, as a report by E-Today shared by a South Korean publication mentioned that Samsung is considering dropping the Galaxy branding for its top-of-the-line smartphones and most likely would include the S-series as well as Z-series.
Samsung’s shift in branding approach is to build a more premium image for its top-tier devices and put them in a better position to compete with Apple and Google’s flagship models. It is not just Samsung that is putting more head on its high-end products to appear more premium. This seems to be an overall trend in the industry where the focus is on building a strong brand identity that resonates with users, especially for the premium models.
The report points towards the discussions regarding a pivoting in a new direction that has been ongoing in the company for a year now. The Head of Global Marketing at Samsung, Lee Young-hee, at CES 2024 said:
Galaxy has so many lineups that I understand people are expecting a new name when there is an innovative turning point.
Given that the Galaxy branding has an array of devices under it, this move does seem important for the premium devices to truly stand out. While many factors would need to be considered before undergoing this change, it could be a game changer for the company.
Xiaomi has unveiled the Xiaomi 15 Pro alongside a whole host of other devices today. Arriving as one of the first devices powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite, the Xiaomi 15 Pro also packs a massive 6,100 mAh battery and a new 120 mm telephoto camera.
The Xiaomi 15 Pro complements Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset with a huge 6,100 mAh battery. (Image source: Xiaomi)
Xiaomi has now fully introduced the Xiaomi 15 Pro, which effectively replaces the Xiaomi 14 Ultra as the company’s premier smartphone. For context, the Xiaomi 15 Pro has arrived alongside the smaller Xiaomi 15, which clocks in with a 6.36-inch display.
By contrast, Xiaomi equips the Xiaomi 15 Pro with a 6.73-inch display that helps it measure 161.3 x 75.3 x 8.4~8.7 mm and weigh 213~219 g. Please note that while the Xiaomi 15 Pro outputs at 1440p and 120 Hz like the Xiaomi 14 Pro, it gets 200 nits brighter thanks to a 3,200 nit peak brightness. Moreover, this brighter display is joined by a 6,100 mAh Silicon Carbon (Si/C) battery and Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset.
Unfortunately, wired charging capabilities have dropped from 120 W to 90 W; 50 W wireless and 10 W reverse wireless charging remain, though. The Xiaomi 15 Pro offers a comprehensive camera system too, although there are upgrades and downgrades compared to theXiaomi 14 Pro.
On the one hand, Xiaomi has swapped last year’s 75 mm telephoto camera for a new 120 mm and 50 MP periscope option powered by a Sony IMX858 sensor. On the other hand, its 50 MP primary camera lacks the variable aperture support its predecessor provided. Seemingly, the underlying sensors inside its primary, ultra-wide-angle and front-facing cameras are unchanged, too.
The Xiaomi 15 Pro is exclusive to China for now. For reference, the handset starts at CNY 5,299 (~Nz $1244) with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage. Alternatively, the Xiaomi 15 Pro can be configured with up to 16 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage for CNY 6,699 (~Nz $1572) in its ‘Bright Silver Version’ colour option. As it stands, it remains to be seen whether the Xiaomi 15 Pro will receive a global release.
Google has joined Apple and Samsung in offering certified refurbished models of its phones. These phones come with a warranty and even a charger in the box. However, retailers may sometimes offer better deals.(Google is currently only selling refurbished Pixel phones in the US)
Google is selling refurbished Pixel 7 and Pixel 6 smartphones.
This year Google announced a handful of phones including the budget Pixel 8a and the foldable Pixel 9 Pro Fold. However, it hasn’t stopped selling older models like the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 7a from last year, both of which are available to purchase on the Google Store. Now, it has begun selling certified refurbished units of some older models, too.
Interested buyers can now purchase certified refurbished units of the Pixel 7 for $429 and the Pixel 7 Pro for $629 on the Google Store. There are also refurbished units of the Pixel 6a for $249, the Pixel 6 for $339, and the Pixel 6 Pro for $539.
Google says each device has undergone a careful inspection process and has also been tested to ensure premium quality. Devices that are found to have issues are repaired with original Google parts, and each device is shipped with the latest Android software before repackaging. This should mean the phones will run Android 15 out of the box.
Each refurbished device also comes with a brand-new, one-year warranty and full customer support. In addition, Google is shipping a charger with the refurbished Pixel phones. This is a surprise since Google stopped shipping its phones with a charger since 2021’s Pixel 6 series. The refurbished phones also ship in a 100% plastic-free packaging like the Pixel 9 series.
The refurbished Pixel smartphones will come with the latest version of Android and a charger in the box. (Image source: Google)
Google is selling the refurbished Pixel phones in the US only for now and has not said if they will be available in other regions. However, what it has confirmed is that it plans to update the generation of available refurbished Pixel phones.
While it is nice to see Google sell refurbished Pixel phones, whether they are worth buying is a different question entirely. Buyers will surely find better deals on newer products on online stores. As an example Amazon currently has the Pixel 8 for $499 which is a better deal than the $429 refurbished Pixel 7.
Heck, you’ll even find renewed and refurbished models for much less, such as this Amazon renewed Pixel 7 that’s available for $249. Although it doesn’t come with a charger in the box.
DxOMark’s display analysis for the iPhone 16 Pro is now available, and the results leave much to be desired. Both the S24 Ultra and Pixel 9 Pro pulled ahead of the iPhone 16 Pro, and not by a small margin.
iPhone 16 Pro is outpaced by both its arch rivals – the S24 Ultra and the Pixel 9 Pro XL in DxOMark’s display rating. (Image source: Apple)
DxOMark’s analysis of the iPhone 16 Pro’s display is now online, and, oh dear, Apple fans might want to brace themselves. Similar to the standard iPhone 16, the results are rather disappointing, with the iPhone 16 Pro not only losing to Samsung’s S24 and Google’s Pixel 9 Pro lineup but also to its predecessor, the iPhone 15 Pro.
With a score of just 150 points, the iPhone 16 Pro snags the 17th place in DxOMark’s global ranking and lags well behind the chart-topping 158 points scored by the Pixel 9 Pro XL. The Samsung S24 Ultra rakes in 155 points, while last year’s iPhone 15 Pro managed 151 points in the same test.
It’s not all bad news, however. The iPhone 16 Pro’s display is plenty admirably for a flagship smartphone, and as DxOMark notes, boasts pleasant as well as accurate colors both indoors and outdoors, thereby delivering a visually delightful experience.
That said, there is plenty to chew on in DxOMark’s criticisms. For starters, the luminance and contrast figures of the display are relatively low in certain conditions, which adversely affects the display’s readability. Moreover, the average brightness values for HDR 10 as well as SDR videos were also rather inconsistent.
One of the notable improvements specific to the iPhone 16 Pro lineup was the reduction of the bezel thickness, which seems to have backfired. DxOMark states that the thinner bezels lead to frequent accidental touches, negatively affecting the user experience.
Despite its flaws, however, the iPhone 16 Pro continues to be a robust candidate in the flagship category, as indicated by DxOMark, who, in summary, termed the iPhone 16 Pro’s display as ‘impressive’. However, it is hard to argue that the Pixel 9 Pro XL as well as the S24 Ultra being so far ahead in this category might be a little hard to digest for those who were expecting a better show from this year’s iPhone lineup.
OnePlus has released more details of the OnePlus 13 ahead of the launch later this week. The new official teasers cover communication features such as Bluetooth, network signals, NFC, etc.
The OnePlus 13 will have better communication features. (Image source: OnePlus)
OnePlus is gearing up for the launch of the OnePlus 13 which is scheduled for October 31 in China. Ahead of the launch, it has been posting details of the phone’s features such as the display. More details have now surfaced about the phone, covering features such as connectivity and audio performance.
According to new teasers shared by OnePlus, the OnePlus 13 will come with what it calls ‘Super Signal Engineering 2.0’ which seems to be an updated version of the OnePlus 12’s Smart Link technology. OnePlus says the feature brings enhancements to Bluetooth and network signals.
Like the OnePlus 12 , the OnePlus 13 will have Bluetooth 5.4. However, OnePlus claims that its new flagship has a Bluetooth range of 400 meters and can cover an area of 100m2, thus allowing users to enjoy a strong connection when streaming audio even when their phone is not nearby.
The OnePlus 13 will have improved communication features. (image source: OnePlus)
The improved communication features also extend to connection to cell towers. With a new subway mode, users can expect to see a reduction in lags or buffering when using streaming apps or making video calls during train rides.
In addition, the OnePlus 13 is also confirmed to have 360° communication antennas, multi-function NFC which doesn’t require users to tap specific sides of their phone against a payment terminal, and a USB 3.2 Gen 1 port. OnePlus has also revealed the upcoming flagship will have updated stereo speakers, and an AI-assisted 4-mic call noise reduction.
It will also have an infrared blaster for controlling compatible electronics, and users will be able to easily add a device’s remote by simply taking a photo of the remote. The phone will automatically recognize the remote from the image and add it to your list of remotes.
In addition to the above, the OnePlus 13 will also launch with an upgraded display, the new Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, up to 24GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, 100W fast wired charging, 50W fast wireless charging, and an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner.
