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Xiaomi’s next flagship smartphones will be joined by a whole host of other devices. (Image source: Xiaomi)
Xiaomi continues to tease its first Snapdragon 8 Elite-powered smartphones before their release early next week. While the Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Pro are not ready for primetime just yet, many details about both devices have been posted on social media.
Xiaomi is only a few days away from unveiling the Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Pro. While many smartphone manufacturers would confirm a release date and leave it at, Xiaomi operates in a different manner. As with its recent Redmi Note 14 series release, it continues to share promotional materials for both of its forthcoming flagships on Chinese social media.
To recap, the company shared official renders of both devices earlier this week. Now, Xiaomi has confirmed a few details about the Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Pro while also sharing alleged camera samples taken with both devices. Unsurprisingly, the company advertises the pair as utilising Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, although that much was already known.
Moreover, Xiaomi hopes that its new HyperCore architecture will help the Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Pro surpass its previous flagships like the Xiaomi 14 not just in terms of speed but also in terms of efficiency. Specifically, the company reports that this new architecture will improve app launch speeds and efficiency by up to 45% and 52%, respectively.
Similarly, the Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Pro are said to boast longer battery life, with 23% longer runtimes than its predecessor for the former and 38% for the latter. For reference, Xiaomi has only confirmed the Xiaomi 15 Pro’s battery capacity so far, which will sit at an impressive 6,100 mAh. On top of that, the company has installed a reputedly exclusive M9 AMOLED display that will deliver a native 2K resolution with full DC dimming and up to 3,200 nits peak brightness.
Meanwhile, a 5x periscope telephoto is headed to the Xiaomi 15 Pro, too. Allegedly, this new camera boasts 10x lossless digital zoom capabilities thanks to Xiaomi’s computational photography algorithm (AISP 2.0). As ever, we would recommend waiting for independent reviews to land before passing judgement in this regard. Unfortunately, it seems that the Xiaomi 15 completely misses out on this new telephoto camera.
Although the latest iPhone is always likely to slot neatly into our list of the best smartphones for photographers, the competition at the moment is fiercer than ever.
One of the best models on the market right now is the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, which comes packed with a host of photographic features that are very tempting to those who crave the very best camera on their smartphone. But can it beat the iPhone 15 Pro Max?
All signs point to yes during our individual reviews of the two models, but what happens when we put them head to head – let’s find out…
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra: Camera specs Both of these flagship models have excellent camera specifications for photographers, but it’s fair to say that – on paper at least – the Xiaomi has a superlative set up thanks to its quadruple 50MP sensors fronted by Leica-branded lenses.
Not only that, but the main 1x camera (23mm equivalent) has a variable aperture of f/1.6-4 (not something we usually see in smartphones) and also has a large 1-inch type sensor – something we also don’t usually see in smartphones. It is joined by an ultrawide (12mm, f/1.8), and two telephoto lenses (75mm, f/1.8 and 120mm f/2.5). All of the other sensors have a 1/2.5” sensor, while all of the lenses have Leica Summilux branding. Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s cameras look a little more pedestrian by comparison. There are just three cameras, with only one offering high resolution (48MP). This is the 1x – 24mm equivalent – f/1.8 lens. It is joined by two 12MP sensors, one with a 13mm f/2.2 ultrawide lens and one with a 120mm f/2.8 telephoto lens.
Both smartphones have selfie cameras – of course – with the Xiaomi 14 Ultra having a 32MP f/2.0 selfie camera, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max having a 12MP selfie camera. While the Xiaomi 14 Ultra’s is higher resolution, it doesn’t have AF (the iPhone’s does).
So it’s safe to say that here the Xiaomi is the overall winner, but what results will they deliver in real-world shooting…?
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra: Camera apps and shooting modes As with many other Android models, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra has a much more comprehensive native camera app than the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Along with a standard shooting mode, there’s an array of special modes. Some are fairly commonly found on most phones, such as “Night” mode for shooting in low light, but there are others which are a bit more unusual. The Portrait mode for example includes the ability to recreate the look of Leica lenses, rather than being a straightforward Portrait mode. It should be noted however that Leica recently introduced an app which allows the same for iPhone, so this is no longer strictly a unique selling point in the comparison.
Enthusiast photographers may wish to take advantage of the “Pro” mode which gives you a range of different shooting parameters which you can change, such as white balance, ISO, focus mode, shutter speed and if you’re shooting with the 1x lens, aperture. This is also where you can shoot in raw format if you wish.
(Left: iPhone 15 Pro Max Right: Xiaomi 14 Ultra)
By contrast, the iPhone’s native camera app has a little less going on. You still have a Portrait mode and various video options, but other things are missing. There is a Night mode, but it comes on automatically when low light is detected, it’s not something you can select yourself. There is no Pro mode, but there is the option to switch on raw format shooting from the main Photo mode.
An interesting thing to note here is that as well as the dedicated Photo mode, when the phone detects that you’re photographing a portrait subject (human, dog or cat), then it will automatically save the data needed to convert it into a portrait later on. This has been incredibly useful when quickly photographing such subjects.
(Left: iPhone 15 Pro Max Right: Xiaomi 14 Ultra)
So do we have a clear-cut winner here? That largely depends on what you’re priorities are. If you really want a Pro mode in your native app, then it’s the Xiaomi that wins, but if you’re happy enough to have a fairly simple app and download a more comprehensive one separately, then the iPhone is still a good shout.
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra: General image quality
In this scene, both look great, but I’d say that the Xiaomi has more pleasing colours, while the iPhone shot has a slightly green cast. The same colour issue can be seen in the ultrawide shot too, although on the plus side at least the colours are matched between lenses.
Detail is good from both models, though it’s worth pointing out that the standard output from the iPhone is 24MP when using the standard lens, compared to 12MP from the Xiaomi, so there’s a little more potentially for cropping with the iPhone. Exposures are well balanced with both models, with both demonstrating a good blend of highlights and shadows.
When there’s artificial lighting present in a scene, both do a pretty good job. Here, the Xiaomi has corrected what the scene actually looked like to produce a pleasing result. The iPhone has kept things more accurate – the light looked yellowish in real life, but it could be argued that therefore the result is slightly less pleasing to look at.
We’ve got a bit of a tie-break situation here, with both producing excellent images in everyday conditions. It might be easier to pick things apart when looking a bit more closely at specific shooting scenarios.
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra: Macro
If you’re into taking close-ups, both phones here have suitable modes to allow for that, and both put in great performance. It’s only the Xiaomi however which has a floating telephoto which has been specifically designed to create good macro images.
There are two ways to create macros using either phone. You can simply move your phone closer to the subject and the phone will automatically switch to the ultrawide lens. Or, if you want to fill the frame a bit more, you can also switch to the 5x lens.
In my test, the iPhone puts in a reasonably good performance when shooting with the ultrawide after automatically switching to it, but the Xiaomi’s is noticeably better, being cleaner and brighter. However, I have been extremely impressed by what the Xiaomi is capable of from the telephoto – here it blows the iPhone out of the water, producing an image which I think would be easy to pretend came from a “real” camera. It’s crisp where it needs to be, has plenty of detail, but also has a beautifully blurred background.
Here I have to give top marks to the Xiaomi, if you regularly shoot close-ups, I’d probably say it’s worth buying the Xiaomi for that purpose alone.
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra: Screen and Design Both of these smartphones are pretty large, with both having a 6.7” screen. The overall sizes of the phones are both reasonably close in size to each other, with the Xiaomi 14 Ultra measuring up at 161.4 x 75.3 x 9.2mm and 219.8g, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max coming in at 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.25mm and 221g. If you’re after a small phone, neither of these devices are going to be for you – but it’s hard to deny these large screens are great for viewing your photos on.
(Left: iPhone 15 Pro Max Right: Xiaomi 14 Ultra)
If you do want a smaller iPhone, you can opt for the iPhone 15 Pro (6.1” screen), which has most of the same specifications as the Max version, but the telephoto lens is only 3x, rather than 5x. Similarly, you can also get a smaller Xiaomi, in the shape of the Xiaomi 14 (6.3” screen), but here – among other things – you lose the fourth (telephoto) lens.
Size aside, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra has a 3200 x 1440 pixel screen with 3000 nits maximum brightness and a 120Hz refresh rate. This makes it higher resolution and brighter than the iPhone 15 Pro Max which has a 2796 x 1290 pixel screen with 2000 nits maximum brightness (it has the same 120Hz refresh rate). The difference isn’t hugely noticeable in real-world usage though.
Both are IP68 rated, meaning that they can withstand water and dust exposure. The Xiaomi has “Xiaomi Shield” for the screen, while the iPhone uses a “Ceramic Shield” – it’s hard to say exactly how these two compare, but either way, neither phone has succumbed to scratches while I have been using them.
(Left: iPhone 15 Pro Max Right: Xiaomi 14 Ultra)
In terms of design, the Xiaomi make some slightly odd aesthetic choices – but it does look a bit more like a “real” camera, with its large ring around the four lenses. The iPhone looks like, well, an iPhone. Some people feel these are aesthetically pleasing – but they’ve been a bit boring for a while now. Look at the pictures and decide for yourself which you prefer the look of.
Here I’d say it’s a bit of a tie when it comes to design. Both are large, both are high resolution, both have waterproofing. So, it might come down to which you personally feel is the more attractive of the two.
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra: Battery life, charging and storage The Xiaomi 14 Ultra has a 5000mAh battery and boasts both wireless charging and super quick charging (separate chargers will need to be bought, they don’t come in the box). It uses a USB-C connection, as is standard now. Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 Pro Max also fast charging and wireless capabilities – again you will need to buy a charger for that capability. Apple doesn’t disclose the size of its batteries but says that it is rated for 29 hours of video play back, which gives an indication that it’s probably reasonably close in size to the Xiaomi’s.
Either way, in real-world usage, both phones usually easily last a full day, even with reasonably heavy usage and spending a lot of time using the camera.
In terms of storage, the Xiaomi only has a 512GB option, which should be plenty for the average user. For the iPhone, you can go for a lower amount (256GB), or a higher amount (1TB), with price variations accordingly. For most photographers, the 256GB version is likely to be adequate – especially if you make use of cloud storage, but for content creators shooting video, the higher storage might be a better option.
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra: Verdict
So after all that testing, what’s the conclusion?
It’s safe to say that both these flagship models are excellent for photographers, and despite high prices for both of them, represent good value for money considering the quality you get.
However, it has to be said that the overall trophy quite probably belongs to the Xiaomi 14 Ultra. It does extremely well in all areas, beating the iPhone in most of them quite easily. There are some caveats depending on what you like to shoot and how you like your images to look. Some might prefer the warmer tones of the iPhone for example, but it’s hard to deny that the Xiaomi keeps very close to accurate.
If you’re into macro photography, the Xiaomi is nigh-on perfection, while in some low light conditions, the iPhone’s inbuilt night mode seems to perform just a touch better than the Xiaomi’s – so if either one of those things is your bag, then it might sway you in either direction.
Of course, there will be many who simply prefer the look of one or the other, and many more who prefer using iOS compared to Android (or vice versa). If that’s you, then it’s likely to be hard to push you one way or the other, but if you’re OS agnostic, then certainly don’t dismiss changing sides.
As for cost – as mentioned, they are both expensive. However, like for like prices for both models when you consider storage makes the Xiaomi better value. That said, when it comes to resale, it’s probably fair to say that an iPhone will almost certainly hold its value better than the Xiaomi, so that’s something to consider too.
In the end, the answer is – as is so often the case – a solid “it depends”, but, if pushed to make a final decision on which is the best smartphone for photographers, I’d give it to the Xiaomi 14 Ultra.
Choosing between flagship smartphones often comes down to subtle differences in features, performance, and design that significantly influence the user experience.
In this comparison, we’ll explore two of the latest high-end smartphones: Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro and Xiaomi’s 14 Pro. We’ll break down their design, display, media, software, performance, battery, and cameras, and see which phone provides a better overall experience.
The iPhone 16 Pro features a premium build with a glass front and back protected by Corning-made glass, encased in a Grade 5 titanium frame. It’s also IP68-rated for water and dust resistance, allowing it to survive submersion in up to 6 meters of water for 30 minutes. The device is available in multiple SIM configurations, including a dual eSIM setup in the U.S. and a dual Nano-SIM model in China.
On the other hand, the Xiaomi 14 Pro offers a similarly premium design with a glass front and back, surrounded by either an aluminum or titanium frame. It also holds an IP68 rating, though it’s only water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes, making it slightly less durable in extreme conditions compared to the iPhone.
Similarities: Both phones feature premium materials like glass and titanium, ensuring a sturdy yet elegant build. They are IP68-rated, meaning both devices offer solid protection against water and dust. Neither phone includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, a feature that has become rare in modern flagship phones.
Differences: The most significant difference lies in the water-resistance depth, with the iPhone 16 Pro able to survive greater submersion. Additionally, the iPhone uses Apple’s proprietary Ceramic Shield glass, which is known for its durability. Meanwhile, Xiaomi employs its custom Longjing Glass, which may offer similar protection but lacks the same brand recognition.
Advantages: The iPhone 16 Pro has a clear advantage in terms of water resistance and the use of Corning-made glass for its build. Xiaomi’s 14 Pro, with its more affordable titanium variant, offers flexibility in materials, which might appeal to different user preferences.
Which is Better? For those who prioritize durability, the iPhone 16 Pro takes the lead with its stronger water resistance and more established protective glass. However, Xiaomi’s flexible design options might be appealing to those who want choices in their premium experience.
The iPhone 16 Pro comes with a 6.3-inch LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED display. It supports HDR10, Dolby Vision, and a 120Hz refresh rate, with brightness levels reaching 2000 nits for outdoor visibility. The screen is protected by the new Ceramic Shield Glass (2024 gen) and offers an always-on display feature. Apple’s iOS 18 powers the phone, offering a refined, secure, and exclusive software ecosystem.
The Xiaomi 14 Pro features a larger 6.73-inch LTPO AMOLED display, also supporting Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and a 120Hz refresh rate. Xiaomi edges out Apple in brightness, with peak levels reaching an impressive 3000 nits. The display is protected by Xiaomi’s Longjing Glass. The phone runs on Android 14 with Xiaomi’s new HyperOS, blending customization with performance and offering users an open-source software experience.
Similarities: Both devices deliver top-tier AMOLED displays with 120Hz refresh rates, Dolby Vision, and high brightness levels. They also come with always-on displays and support a wide color gamut for enhanced media consumption.
Differences: Xiaomi’s 14 Pro has a slightly larger display, higher resolution (1440 x 3200 pixels compared to the iPhone’s 1206 x 2622 pixels), and a significantly brighter screen with a peak brightness of 3000 nits. The iPhone’s display, while smaller, provides a more compact and refined viewing experience. In terms of software, the difference lies in the ecosystems: Apple’s iOS 18 offers more security and optimization, while Xiaomi’s HyperOS provides more freedom in customization.
Advantages: For media consumption and outdoor visibility, the Xiaomi 14 Pro holds a slight edge due to its larger, brighter display. However, if software smoothness, security, and app optimization are priorities, the iPhone 16 Pro remains the better option with its seamless iOS experience.
Which is Better? For media lovers and those who value a bright, immersive display, the Xiaomi 14 Pro wins this round. However, for users deeply invested in Apple’s ecosystem and who prefer a more optimized software experience, the iPhone 16 Pro may be the better choice.
Performance and Battery Features:
The iPhone 16 Pro is powered by the Apple A18 Pro chip (3 nm), with a Hexa-core CPU and Apple’s custom 6-core GPU. Paired with 8GB of RAM, it ensures top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications. The battery capacity stands at 3582 mAh, with wired PD2.0 fast charging and up to 25W wireless MagSafe charging.
The Xiaomi 14 Pro utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm), featuring an octa-core CPU and Adreno 750 GPU. It is available with up to 16GB of RAM, making it a powerhouse for multitasking and gaming. Its 4880 mAh battery supports ultra-fast 120W wired charging, which promises a full charge in just 18 minutes, and 50W wireless charging.
Similarities: Both devices offer cutting-edge processors, ensuring smooth performance in daily tasks and high-demand scenarios. Neither phone supports expandable storage, although they offer substantial internal storage options.
Differences: The Xiaomi 14 Pro comes with a significantly larger battery and much faster charging capabilities. The 120W wired charging speed is one of the fastest in the industry, while the iPhone 16 Pro, though offering solid charging options, lags behind in terms of raw charging speed and battery size.
Advantages: If you’re seeking a phone with outstanding battery life and the ability to quickly recharge, the Xiaomi 14 Pro is the better option. However, Apple’s A18 Pro chip remains one of the most efficient and powerful processors on the market, which could mean better long-term performance for iPhone users.
Which is Better? For sheer power and battery management, the Xiaomi 14 Pro stands out. However, the iPhone 16 Pro may still appeal to those who value efficiency and the long-term reliability of Apple’s chips.
Cameras Features:
Photo is from：iPhone 16 Pro
The iPhone 16 Pro is equipped with a triple-camera setup, featuring a 48 MP main wide sensor, a 12 MP periscope telephoto with 5x optical zoom, and a 48 MP ultrawide lens. It also has a TOF 3D LiDAR scanner for depth sensing. Video capabilities are exceptional, with 4K recording at up to 120fps, Dolby Vision, and 3D spatial video.
TheXiaomi 14 Proalso boasts a triple-camera system, including a 50 MP wide-angle lens with variable aperture, a 50 MP telephoto lens with 3.2x optical zoom, and a 50 MP ultrawide sensor. It features Leica optics and advanced video recording options, including 8K at 24fps, 4K at up to 60fps, and gyro-EIS.
Similarities: Both phones offer triple-camera systems with wide, telephoto, and ultrawide lenses. They also support advanced video recording technologies like Dolby Vision and high frame rates.
Differences: TheiPhone 16 Profeatures a more advanced LiDAR sensor for depth and spatial video recording, while Xiaomi’s14 Prooffers a unique variable aperture on the main lens for greater control over exposure. Xiaomi also supports 8K video recording, which Apple currently lacks.
Advantages: For photography, theXiaomi 14 Prooffers more control with its variable aperture and advanced Leica optics, while theiPhone 16 Proexcels in depth sensing and video recording, particularly with its 3D spatial video feature.
Which is Better?If photography is your priority, theXiaomi 14 Prooffers more flexibility and customization. For videographers and those invested in Apple’s ecosystem, theiPhone 16 Prois a better fit.
Which is the Better Buy? Both the iPhone 16 Pro and Xiaomi 14 Pro are exceptional flagship devices that cater to different audiences. The Xiaomi 14 Pro shines in terms of display quality, battery life, charging speeds, and flexibility in photography. Its aggressive pricing compared to the iPhone makes it a strong contender for users seeking value without sacrificing premium features.
The iPhone 16 Pro, however, offers unmatched software optimization, stronger water resistance, and long-term performance, making it a better choice for users already integrated into the Apple ecosystem. Its camera features, particularly for video and depth sensing, are also more advanced.
Our Opinion: If you’re an Android enthusiast who doesn’t want to break the bank and need good battery and charging speed, then Xiaomi 14 Pro is the best option. However, if you’re invested in Apple’s ecosystem and value software reliability, then go for the iPhone 16 Pro.
Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset in a box, sitting on a tropical beach Qualcomm announces Snapdragon 8 Elite platform with Oryon CPU and much-improved power efficiency – here’s why I’m not thrilled At its annual Snapdragon Summit in Maui, Qualcomm finally put to bed the discussion about what its new flagship chipset will be called by unveiling the Snapdragon 8 Elite. This new smartphone System on Chip (SoC) has plenty of flashy features and impressive benchmarks to talk about, which I’ll get into below, but my first reaction was to think back to 2021.
A little under three years ago, I was covering the latest chipset from Qualcomm and discussing its new name. It was the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, heralding a new naming system that was designed to demonstrate a clear hierarchy among Qualcomm’s increasingly cluttered lineup of mobile platforms. Things looked good when it was succeeded by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, and then Gen 3, but somewhere in the mix, the message of clarity was lost, with the likes of the 7s Gen 2 and 8 Plus Gen 3 muddying the waters.
And now we have the Snapdragon 8 Elite, which could either be a grand finale for the 8-series ahead of the Snapdragon 9 Gen 1 launching next year, or yet another tier in the increasingly convoluted Snapdragon family. Before we get too into the weeds with my concerns, let’s go over what exactly the Snapdragon 8 Elite is and what new features it brings to the table.
Snapdragon 8 Elite: What’s new? The Snapdragon 8 Elite appears to just be the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 by another name. It’s a top-of-the-line flagship mobile chipset that will likely be the most sought-after platform for many of the biggest phones of 2025. The name change is no coincidence, either, as it uses a version of the Oryon CPU that features in the Snapdragon X Elite PC platform.
The Adreno GPU is also getting an upgrade, with a new sliced architecture, 12MB of local memory and, in a first for mobile, support for the Unreal Engine 5.3 and the Nanite Virtualized Geometry system. According to Qualcomm, the new GPU will deliver performance up to 40% better than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, with 35% improvements to ray-tracing and up to 40% better power efficiency.
Rounding out the chipset is the improved Hexagon NPU (Neural Processing Unit), which handles all things AI. This upgraded NPU is said to deliver 45% improvements to both performance and performance per watt, compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, making the multimodal Gen AI more adept and efficient at addressing your queries. Qualcomm’s AI engine can also now accept much longer token inputs – examples used were entire book chapters or technical documents – allowing it to digest more complex tasks.
The AI upgrades carry over to photography, too, with the AI Image Signal Processing (AI-ISP) capable of “limitless” segmentation, splitting images into over 250 separate layers (that still sounds to me like there’s a limit…) and adjusting each one individually. It also claims to be able to capture and replicate natural skin tones in even the most challenging conditions – though we’ll have to see how that pans out when we test phones that run on the Snapdragon 8 Elite. Speaking of which…
Snapdragon 8 Elite: What phones will use it? As part of the announcement, Qualcomm teased several manufacturers that would soon be incorporating the Snapdragon 8 Elite in their upcoming smartphones. Brands such as Honor, Motorola, OnePlus, Oppo, Samsung and Xiaomi are all poised to release devices powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite in the “coming weeks”. Unless certain release schedules are drastically different to previous years, weeks might be a stretch, but here are a few that we will likely see within the next few months.
Honor Magic 7 series – This one is dead cert because Honor took the stage at the Snapdragon Summit to announce that its upcoming Honor Magic 7 series will make use of the 8 Elite. The follow-up to the Honor Magic 6 Pro is launching in China on October 30th.
OnePlus 13 – The OnePlus 13 has long been rumoured to be the first phone to use 8 Elite but Honor has beaten it by a single day. The OnePlus 13 has a launch set for Halloween, and once again you can expect it to come to the NZ in the first couple of months of 2025 – the OnePlus 12 arrived in late December, for reference.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra – In the past, Samsung has used Snapdragon for all of its S-series flagships, but this past year, only the Galaxy S24 Ultra used it, so it’s anyone’s guess what they’ll do next year. Either way, the S25 Ultra is all but certain, and this will likely launch towards the end of January 2025.
Xiaomi 15 series – While rumours have it launching in China as soon as 23 October.Last year, the Xiaomi 14 launched in Europe at the end of February, so we can expect the 15-series to follow a similar schedule in 2025.
Snapdragon 8 Elite: What’s the problem?
The fact that the Snapdragon 8 Elite exists is not a problem – it’s a natural upgrade to the 8 Gen 3 and has plenty of exciting features that could make next year’s flagships formidable in both the performance and power efficiency stakes. My issue is that Qualcomm’s attempts to keep naming simplified – to a point where a layperson could easily parse the lineup and quickly understand whether a chipset was better or worse than those around it – have been abandoned in less than three years.
It’s messy enough right now but I’m wondering what’s going to happen next year. Will we see a Snapdragon 9 Gen 1 join the fray? Or will it be Snapdragon 9 Elite, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 or Snapdragon 8 Plus Elite? Will we see a slightly underclocked Snapdragon 8s Elite? It’s exhausting even thinking about it.
Admittedly, this likely won’t be much of a problem for a lot of people, as not everyone pays close attention to exactly what chipset is tucked away inside their new phone, but I still find this kind of obfuscating setup to be inherently anti-consumer. When the options are so chaotically laid out, how is anybody supposed to easily assess them and make an informed decision?
Regardless of my feelings on the Snapdragon naming systems, I’ll be getting my hands on all of the above-mentioned devices soon, so be sure to check back in then to see if Qualcomm’s claims about the Snapdragon 8 Elite hold up.
A new leak has revealed the alleged launch date for the Xiaomi 15 series. Reportedly, the Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Pro will arrive in under a week’s time with Hyper OS 2.0 to boot.
The Xiaomi 15 series may be official in under a week’s time. (Image source: Xiaomi)
Xiaomi has had a rather busy week regarding the Xiaomi 15 series, even if it has not revealed any specifics about its forthcoming flagships yet. To recap, the company confirmed during Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Summit that the Xiaomi 15 series would be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite.
Following that, it began accepting reservations for the series in China, albeit without revealing full pricing or even a launch date. However, it seems that the latter may now be official, assuming recent reports are accurate.
Specifically, an official-looking poster is now floating around online that the likes of SmartPrix and Xiaomi Time have reposted citing the Xiaomi Community App as its source. Based on the image contained within the image, it would appear that the Xiaomi 15 will debut on October 29 at 11:00 UTC (19:00 CST).
Moreover, Xiaomi’s ‘see every light’ event is also slated to showcase HyperOS 2.0, which will likely come pre-installed on the Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Pro at launch. Unfortunately, we cannot find the original image within the Xiaomi Community App at this stage. Thus, it remains to be seen whether it is accurate or an elaborate fake.
More support for Samsung’s “Flex Window,” after it was clear that it needed to be more flexible.
What you need to know
A discovery in the YouTube Music app’s code suggests the company is working on bringing “Flex Window” support to Samsung’s clamshell foldable, the Flip.
The widget will likely give users quick playback controls like play/pause and skip forward/back buttons.
When Samsung debuted “Flex Window” in 2023, it was clear that it needed some work as users were limited through this “curated, optimized experience.”
YouTube Music could be working on support for clamshell foldable phones to refine its user experience.
According to Android Authority, the YouTube Music mobile app’s latest version (v7.24.51) holds clues that point toward a “FlipWidgetProvider.” The publication conducted an APK teardown of the app and found a string that directly mentions a widget for a “flip” device, which is reportedly confirmed to be Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip series.
The post states the app’s code shows that the “music player” widget can be enabled via Settings > Cover Screen > Widgets once YouTube rolls it out. Users may find this useful as such a widget isn’t supported on the Flip series. However, it is on your standard slab phone like the Galaxy S24 series for the home screen. The widget gives options like play/pause, skip forward/back, and thumbs up/down options. With its expected arrival on the Flip series’ cover display, users can have enhanced access to their music without opening the phone. Considering the size of the Galaxy Z Flip cover display, this widget will give users more mileage. Speaking of, it’s unclear which devices will grab YouTube Music’s widget support.
The widget will likely debut on the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Flip 5; however, it’s unclear how far back Samsung is willing to go.
Samsung dubbed the larger screen of its Flip series the “Flex Window” when the Flip 5 launched in 2023. It was clear from the beginning that the “window” needed to be more flexible. Users couldn’t open any app they wanted on the cover display. Samsung implemented a “curated, optimized experience,” limiting your options. Originally, the Flip 5’s cover screen supported the following apps: Google Messages, Samsung Messages, WhatsApp, YouTube, Netflix, and Google Maps.
The ability to open more apps was tucked behind Samsung’s Good Lock app launcher. The launcher gave users control over almost every app they had. This YouTube Music widget with Flex Window support will likely give users a more refined music control experience. In other news, YouTube Music was busy rolling out a Gemini Extension for desktop and Android users. Users will find a series of suggested commands for the AI for music lookup, album discovery, or specific radio genre. After Gemini locates the song, users are thrown into YouTube Music for the playback or continuous radio stream.
Samsung is gearing up to expand its foldable lineup with a new tri-fold smartphone, potentially launching in 2025. The device, featuring a screen that folds twice, has already seen its components developed, indicating readiness for commercialization. However, the final decision rests with Samsung’s Mobile eXperience division led by TM Roh.
Samsung’s tri-fold could be the first tri-fold for global market
Currently, Huawei’s Mate XT is the only tri-fold on the market, currently limited to China. If Samsung releases this model globally, it could be the first tri-fold available worldwide. The new form factor would transform from a tablet-sized display to a compact phone, providing versatile usage for various scenarios.
There’s no word yet on specifications, but industry patents suggest innovative hinge mechanisms and sensor integration, hinting at a device designed for flexible use cases.
Recommended：EB-BF741ABE Battery for Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 Based on Samsung’s track record of foldable phones, the premium tri-fold will also likely use the latest Qualcomm flagship, the Snapdragon 8 Elite.
For those curious about the multitasking capabilities, key advancements in the Snapdragon 8 Elite include a 40% boost in GPU performance and a 35% enhancement in ray tracing capabilities as compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 of the existing Galaxy Z Fold 6. These improvements, coupled with a 44% increase in power efficiency, make the chipset ideal for demanding tasks like gaming and multitasking, ensuring a reasonable performance upgrade for the upcoming Samsung tri-fold.
The chipset features an upgraded NPU (45% improvement in AI capabilities), ensuring more complex Galaxy AI features for the tri-fold phone.
However, the tri-fold will also likely need to be slimmer than the existing Galaxy Z Fold 6, so no larger camera sensors are expected inside as well. Readers should expect a camera setup similar to the company’s existing book-style foldable. For reference, the Galaxy Z Fold 6’s camera setup is noted below:
The rumor mill is beginning to grind the sheafs of Sony speculation into the flour of fact
If you’re think that the Sony WH-1000XM6 must be due soon, to replace the now-several-years-old current model, you might be right. The Sony WH-1000XM5 rank among the best noise-cancelling headphones you can buy today – but this is an incredibly competitive market and there’s no shortage of contenders for the crown, and Sony’s own headphones are so good that the previous model, the Sony WH-1000XM4, are currently atop our best-buy guide.
That means Sony needs to keep improving its flagship over-ears if it wants to keep selling new pairs to people. And the rumour mill says that it’s going to do just that, and that the Sony WH-1000XM6 will be with us soon… but not too soon.
Given that the WH-1000XM5 got five out of five stars in our review, which also noted that the WH-1000XM4 were so good that the improvements were “more marginal than before”, what on earth could Sony be planning for the next generation? Here’s what we think we know so far.
Sony’s WH-1000XM6 release date rumors
Back in June, GSM Arena reported two key stories: one, the Sony LinkBuds and LinkBuds S would get a 2024 update at tge same time; and two, the WH-1000XM5 and WF-1000XM5 earbuds would not. Instead, Sony was most likely “targeting the first six months of next year” for its flagships.
Given that the first story proved to be exactly correct when Sony announced two new LinkBuds models, and that the second story was from the same source, we’re inclined to think that the prediction of a launch in the first half of 2025 is probably sound too. And another leak on Chinese social media site Weibo said that Sony wants to synchronize the update cycles for the two flagships, which again would mean a 2025 launch, since that’s when the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds will hit two years and be due an update, under Sony’s usual cadence.
We haven’t seen much leak evidence of this yet, until recently, perhaps. The Sony watchers at The Walkman Blog have spotted a new wireless Sony headset code in import documents. It has the product code YY2984, and according to the blog it “could be” one of the XM6 models. Then again, it’s simply listing some kind of wireless headset with a plastic shell, so it could be anything.
That said, when the current models were about three months from release they showed up in FCC regulatory filings; devices need a lot of paperwork before they go on sale, so it’s not impossible that YY2984 are indeed these future candidates for the best Sony headphones. It’s pretty weak sauce, I know, but that’s the exciting world of headphones for you. It’s the FCC filing you really want to be on tenterhooks for – that will start the countdown. Perhaps that’ll come in in December for March-ish launch.
Sony’s WH-1000XM6: what we’d like to see Bose-beating noise cancellation: Sony has gone from being a total leader here to being merely very good. Bose’s latest noise cancelling headphones have exceptional ANC that beats Sony, so let’s see if Sony can reclaim the crown.
Better battery life: Sony has basically dictated the average for this for years now, hitting 30 hours consistently. But when the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless and Cambridge Audio P100 can hit 60 hours, Sony should really offer us more. I’m not holding my breath for this, though.
Water resistance: This is something that’s increasingly common among rivals, and it would be nice to see some official IP ratings.
The return of the fold: The XM5’s revised design made the headphones less portable, which was a surprise – they could return to our list of the best travel headphones with this tweak. The headband could do with a bit more padding too, while I’m complaining.
Dolby Atmos spatial audio: No doubt Sony’s 360 Reality Audio will be here again, but with Dolby Atmos supported by several music services and – even more importantly, all the big movie services, we’d love to see support here. Especially if it comes with Dolby’s own head-tracking, which is excellent on the Sonos Ace and LG Tone Free T90S.
USB-C audio: Easy true hi-res audio from phones and laptops? Many of the best wireless headphones offer this, but Bose doesn’t, so Sony can get one up on its old rival.
Android fans have a lot to look forward to in 2025
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra (left) and Honor Magic 7 Pro (right) (Image credit: Future / Honor) Qualcomm debuted its Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset at Snapdragon Summit 2024, and various phone makers have since come forward to confirm that their upcoming flagships will be powered by the all-new (and all-powerful) mobile platform. Qualcomm flew TechRadar to Hawaii and hosted us at the Snapdragon Summit to hear all of the latest news.
Both Xiaomi and Honor joined Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon on stage in Hawaii to announce that the Xiaomi 15 and Honor Magic 7 series, respectively, will launch this month (likely in China) with the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset.
Asus, too, confirmed that the upcoming Asus ROG Phone 9 will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, and Samsung mobile chief TM Roh also appeared at Snapdragon Summit to reaffirm his company’s ongoing partnership with Qualcomm. Roh didn’t mention the Samsung Galaxy S25 series by name, but you can bet your house that the best Samsung phones we see in 2025 will come packing the Snapdragon 8 Elite (disclaimer: that’s not serious financial advice).
Xiaomi SVP Adam Zeng announcing the Xiaomi 15 on stage at Snapdragon Summit(Image credit: Future)
Honor CMO Ray Guo announcing the Honor Magic 7 Pro on stage at Snapdragon Summit(Image credit: Honor)
In other words, it’s highly likely that many of next year’s best Android phones will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, with Samsung’s Galaxy S25 series being the first of that number to ship in the US, UK, and Australia (we’re anticipating a January release date). Those aforementioned models from Xiaomi, Honor, and OnePlus will presumably debut in China first, before launching internationally at a later date in 2025.
As for how the Snapdragon 8 Elite stacks up against its predecessor, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, it’s the first Snapdragon mobile chipset to feature Qualcomm’s second-generation Oryon CPU, and has been designed to “handle the complexities of multi-modal AI” much more efficiently.
Any phones equipped with Qualcomm’s latest chipset will deliver faster app launches, more seamless multitasking, and more powerful generative AI capabilities than their Snapdragon 8 Gen 3-equipped predecessors, and mobile gamers, too, will benefit from sharper images, smoother gameplay, and longer gameplay sessions thanks to the 8 Elite’s improved Adreno GPU.
iQOO 13 will launch on October 30 in China (Image source: iQOO)
Qualcomm has just made the Snapdragon 8 Elite official, and it seems that the iQOO 13 will be the first gaming-focused flagship smartphone to feature it. The company has announced that the phone will be released on October 30 in China. iQOO has announced the launch date of its new flagship gaming phone, the iQOO 13. Powered by the newly announced Snapdragon 8 Elite, the smartphone will be fully unveiled on October 30 in China. The company has also officially revealed the device’s color options.
This new gaming smartphone will launch in four color options: white, black, gray, and green. They all come with the RGB halo light that leaked a couple of days ago. This light surrounds the rear camera island of the iQOO 13, and it’s a unique design element of the device.
Previously, iQOO confirmed that the gaming phone will come with a 6.82-inch OLED display with 144 Hz refresh rate. It’s a BOE Q10 display, and it will feature an under-display ultrasonic fingerprint scanner, something that the OnePlus 13 is also expected to feature.
The company has also confirmed that the iQOO 13 will pair the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset with an in-house Q2 gaming chipset. This combination is said to offer PC-level super-resolution and allow the smartphone to deliver native-level 144 FPS gameplay.
While the official pictures confirm a triple-camera setup on the back, the company has yet to detail the sensors. However, past reports suggested that the iQOO 13 will feature the same primary camera as the other Vivo flagships. iQOO hasn’t shared the pricing details either. The good thing is that the launch is about a week away, so you don’t have to wait long to find out all about this gaming phone.
