The article highlights the best Black Friday smartphone deals in the US, focusing on flagship models like Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, Google Pixel 10 Pro XL, foldables such as Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7, and refurbished iPhones including the iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Pro Max, emphasizing discounts, features, and comparisons to help consumers make informed holiday shopping decisions.
The article lists five Android smartphones to avoid in 2025, including the Moto G 2025, Samsung Galaxy A36, Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro Fold, and Galaxy S25 Edge, mainly due to their shortcomings in features, software support, or value compared to better alternatives from other brands like Samsung, Google, and OnePlus.
Xiaomi announced the Xiaomi 17 series in China, featuring the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, with models including the Xiaomi 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max, which boast innovative rear displays and large batteries up to 7,500 mAh, with global release expected around February.
Xiaomi has announced the 17 Pro Max, a flagship smartphone that directly competes with the iPhone 17 Pro Max by featuring a similar camera plateau design, a rear display, and a third Leica-branded lens, all within just six days of Apple's release, showcasing Xiaomi's aggressive innovation in smartphone design.
The Google Pixel 10 Pro is positioned as a strong competitor to the iPhone 16 Pro, offering superior AI integration, a better telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom, and more vibrant color options, making it an appealing choice for Android enthusiasts. However, the iPhone 16 Pro remains lighter, with a smoother social media experience, and might be preferable for those prioritizing comfort and app stability. The decision largely depends on user preferences for AI, camera capabilities, design, and ecosystem compatibility.
The upcoming Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to feature a significant RAM upgrade, potentially offering 16GB of RAM globally, ending a four-year stagnation in RAM capacity for the Ultra series and maintaining Samsung's lead over competitors like Apple.
HUAWEI has rebranded its P series to "Pura" and will release the first set of devices under the "HUAWEI Pura 70" branding, including four phones in the lineup. The company aims to continue its success in the global market, but the lack of Google integration remains a challenge. The HUAWEI Pura 70 series may not all be available outside of China, and the company must address this issue to compete globally.
Samsung is set to introduce select Galaxy AI features to older flagship phones and tablets through the One UI 6.1 update next month, with the S21 series and other 2021 flagships receiving two new Galaxy AI features. The Galaxy AI features from 2022 will be available on the S22, S22 Plus, S22 Ultra, Z Fold 4, Z Flip 4, Tab S8, and Tab S8 Ultra, while Instant Slow-Mo, introduced with the S24 line, will also be accessible on S23 models.
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max were compared in a camera shootout, with the Xiaomi 14 Ultra showcasing impressive photography capabilities, including a 120x zoom range and vivid colors. While the Xiaomi won or drew in five out of nine comparisons, the iPhone's overall performance and availability make it the better choice for most users, especially for point-and-shoot purposes. However, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra may appeal to photography enthusiasts looking for a phone that acts more like a pocketable DSLR.
The OnePlus 12 and iPhone 15 Pro Max are compared in a detailed face-off, highlighting their design, display, cameras, performance, battery life, and special features. While the OnePlus 12 offers great value with impressive battery life and fast charging, the iPhone 15 Pro Max excels in display brightness, camera versatility, and overall performance. The iPhone's water resistance, longer update support, and superior performance make it the better choice for most users, despite its higher cost.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max are two of the most popular flagship phones on the market, with the S24 Ultra being slightly more expensive. They differ in screen size, design, camera capabilities, performance, and battery life. The S24 Ultra boasts a larger 6.82-inch screen, a 200MP main camera lens, and the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max features a 6.7-inch screen, a 48MP main camera lens, and Apple's A17 chip. Both phones offer high-quality photography and performance, but the choice between them ultimately depends on individual preferences and needs.
The OnePlus 12 outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max in battery endurance and charging speed, boasting a larger 5,400 mAh battery and 80W wired charging that reaches 60% in 15 minutes and 100% in 30 minutes. With the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip's improved power efficiency, the OnePlus 12 achieves an impressive 17 hours and 41 minutes of battery life, setting a new benchmark for flagship phone battery performance. The return of 45W wireless charging further enhances its appeal, positioning the OnePlus 12 as a top contender in the flagship phone market.
The OnePlus 12 and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra are flagship phones with high-end specs and features, but they differ in various aspects. While the OnePlus 12 offers great value with fast charging and high specs, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra focuses on AI integration and includes an S Pen. The S24 Ultra also excels in zoom capabilities, but comes at a higher price.
The Asus ROG Phone 8 series marks a shift away from prioritizing gaming, with the new iteration focusing more on features beyond gaming. The phone retains powerful hardware and a high refresh rate display but removes some defining gaming traits, opting for a slimmer design, wireless charging, and improved camera quality. This move suggests a shift towards serving as Asus' new mainstream flagship device, reflecting the evolving competitive landscape of mobile gaming and the broader appeal of gaming-capable smartphones.
Chinese brand Vivo has announced the global launch details for its X100 series of phones, which are powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9300 flagship chipset. The X100 series will be available in India, Indonesia, and Southeast Asia, while Europe will only receive the X100 Pro model. Pricing and launch timelines for these markets have not been disclosed yet. The X100 Pro features a 5,400mAh battery with fast wired and wireless charging, a flexible triple rear camera setup, and a cinematic portrait mode. The standard X100 offers a 5,000mAh battery with fast wired charging and a slightly less capable triple camera setup.
