5 main smartphones of December

Usually December is the most boring month in terms of new smartphones. Buyers at the end of the year traditionally

head is spinning:everyone is trying to finish things, prepare for the celebration of Christmas and the New Year. Plus, the media space is already packed with New Year's advertising, so it's extremely difficult not to get lost against this background.

However, here to the rescue in the last couple of yearsChinese manufacturers are coming. Surprisingly, they also somehow didn't want to present new devices in December, trying to play by Western rules. And then, apparently, someone smart said: “Chinese! After all, we don’t celebrate the New Year at the end of December, we have holidays in February, which means that December is the best month to launch new smartphones!”. And away we go!

Formally, the market is divided into several price segments:

Ultrapremium These are, for example, smartphones with a flexible screen.

Premium - This includes Apple products and all major Android flagships.

Medium+ — quite a large segment of the market, in the upperwithin which there are light versions of flagships (or OnePlus 10 Pro), and in the lower ones there are strong middle peasants with above-average characteristics (these used to be smartphones from 30 thousand rubles).

Average - it is also quite large and heterogeneoussegment, at the bottom of which are basic, but good smartphones (for example, Samsung Galaxy A23 and A33), and at the top - quite universal devices like Samsung Galaxy A52. All smartphones of the Redmi Note line usually got here.

Economy - these are cheap smartphones (previously these were devices below 10-12 thousand rubles).

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Oppo Find N2
Xiaomi 13 Pro
vivo X90 Pro+
Oppo N2 Flip
TECNO Phantom X2 PRO 5G
Conclusion

Oppo Find N2

Rating: player

Price: 1100 euros

Specifications:

CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm), Adreno 730 graphics
operating system: Android 13, ColorOS 13
Memory: 12/16 GB / 256/512 GB, no memory card slot
Screen internal: 7.1" LTPO AMOLED flex, 1792 x 1920 dots, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits
Screen external: 5.54 inches, AMOLED, 1080 x 2120 pixels, 120Hz, 1000 nits, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Battery: Li-Po 4520mAh, 67W charging, 10W reverse charging
Main camera:
- 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56″, 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS
- 32 MP, f/2.0, 47mm (tele), 1/2.74″, 0.8µm, 2x optical zoom, PDAF
- 48 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 115˚ (ultra wide), 1/2″, 0.8µm, AF
- Video recording 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, gyro-EIS, HDR
Front camera: 32 MP, f/2.4, 22mm (wide), 1/3.14" + 32 MP, f/2.4, 22mm (wide), 1/3.14" (one inside, one outside
SIM card: 2 Nano SIM
Network and data transfer: 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB Type-C 2.0
Navigation: GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
Sensors: fingerprint scanner (side), accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity, compass, color spectrum
Other: no 3.5mm jack, no wireless charging, no water resistance, stylus support
materials: glass, plastic, aluminum, eco-leather
Dimensions: 132.2 x 140.5 x 7.4mm, weight 233g

So far, the smartphone is sold only in the territoryChina. Oppo Find N2 proves that the Chinese can not only copy, but also rethink. In my opinion, it was Oppo who managed to best realize the concept of a foldable smartphone. After all, when folded, the device is compact. And if you open it, it will be almost a mini-tablet. So be it!

It is unlikely that Oppo Find N2 is waiting for massive sales.Rather, this smartphone is a kind of exhibition of achievements. Like, we know how to make folding smartphones no worse than Samsung, and the crease on the screen is less noticeable. In China, it will be bought by the most advanced and stylish.

We published a separate material about the entire presentation and the smartphone itself. I recommend to get acquainted.

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Xiaomi 13 Pro

Rating: bestseller

Price: 5800 yuan (61,000 rubles) for 12/256 GB

Technical Xcharacteristics:

CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm), 8 cores (1×3.2GHz Cortex-X3 + 2×2.8GHz Cortex-A715 + 2×2.8GHz Cortex-A710 + 3×2.0GHz Cortex-A510), Adreno 740 graphics
operating system: Android 13, MIUI 14 shell
Memory: 8/12 GB / 128/256/512 GB, no card slot, UFS 4.0 storage technology (256/512 GB options)
Screen: 6.73" LTPO OLED, 3200 x 1400 dots, 20 x 9 aspect ratio, 1200 nits, 1900 nits peak brightness, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1 billion colors, 1-120 Hz dynamic refresh rate, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Battery: Li-Po 4820mAh, fast charge 120W (PD3.0, QC4), wireless charge 50W, reverse wireless charge 10W
Main camera:
- 50.3 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide angle), 1.0 inch sensor, 1.6µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, laser autofocus, OIS
- 50 MP, f/2.0, 75mm (tele), phase detection autofocus (10 cm - ∞), 3.2x optical zoom
- 50 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 115˚ (ultra wide), AF
- Video recording 8K@24fps (HDR), 4K@24/30/60fps (HDR10+, 10-bit Dolby Vision HDR, 10-bit LOG), 1080p@30/120/240/960fps, 1080p@1920fps, gyro-EIS
Front camera: 32 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide angle), 0.7µm
SIM card: 2 Nano SIM
Network and data transfer: 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 (A2DP, LE), NFC, Infrared, USB Type-C 2.0
Navigation: GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
Sensors: fingerprint scanner (under the screen, optical), accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity, compass, barometer, color spectrum
Other: no 3.5mm jack, no memory card slot, IP68 protection
materials: glass/ceramic/resin plastic, aluminum frame
Dimensions: 162.9 x 74.6 x 8.4mm, weight 210g

Formally, Xiaomi introduced two smartphones: Xiaomi 13 Pro and Xiaomi 13. But now I propose to talk about the older model, since the differences are only in the cameras.

With the 13th series, Xiaomi takes new heights on the waytowards becoming the top supplier of premium smartphones in China. For me, perhaps, almost the main novelty is the introduction of IP68 water protection even in the base Xiaomi 13 model, and not only in Xiaomi 13 Pro.

It is easy to assume that this year the entire 13th series will receive IP68. For example, the T-series smartphones.

To some extent, what is happening is logical.About 3 years ago, Samsung implemented the IP68 standard in the older A-series models. Now Xiaomi has stepped up. In another 3-4 years, the rest of smartphones will catch up.

Another point to which I would like to drawAttention, these are cameras. Finally, manufacturers have begun to move away from the megapixel race, focusing on the size of the matrix and pixels. But, of course, not everything is so rosy.

1-inch sensors are already pretty toughmarketing that does not reflect the real size of the matrix. But now the marketing departments will start focusing on this topic, introducing new terms, coming up with standards and abbreviations… I won’t be surprised if in 2024 smartphone ads talk about 2-inch sensors… But in fact there will be not 2 inches or even an inch.

Also, pay attention to the screens. Brightness indicators go beyond all reasonable limits. Peak brightness reaches 1900 nits. I would like to see this, of course, live.

Be that as it may, Xiaomi 13 Pro is a powerfulupdate. I wonder at what price smartphones will be delivered to the international market. But if you look at the current cost, then, in my opinion, Xiaomi 13 Pro is much more interesting than the not yet presented Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus.

vivo X90 Pro+

Rating: player

Price: 1000 dollars

Specifications:

CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm), Octa-core (1×3.2GHz Cortex-X3 & 2×2.8GHz Cortex-A715 & 2×2.8GHz Cortex-A710 & 3×2.0GHz Cortex-A510), Adreno Graphics 740
operating system: Android 13
Memory: 12 GB / 256/512 GB UFS 4.0
Screen: 6.78 inches, LTPO4 AMOLED, 3200 x 1440 dots, 120Hz, 1 billion colors, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1800 nits peak brightness
Battery: Li-Po 4700 mAh, fast charge 80 W, wireless charge 50 W, 100% in 33 minutes
Main camera:
- 50.3 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide-angle), 1.0″-type, 1.6µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, Laser AF, OIS
- 64 MP, f/3.5, 90mm (periscope), 1/2.0″, 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.5x optical zoom
- 50 MP, f/1.6, 50mm (tele), 1/2.4″, 0.7µm, no AF, 2x optical zoom, OIS
- 48 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 114˚ (ultra wide), 1/2.0″, 0.8µm, AF
- Video recording: 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, 14-bit RAW video
Front camera: 32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8″, 0.8µm
SIM card: 2 Nano SIM
Network and data transfer: 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, Infrared, USB Type-C 3.2
Navigation: GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
Sensors: fingerprint scanner (under the screen, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyroscope, lighting, proximity, color spectrum, compass
Other: yes IP68, no 3.5mm jack, stereo speakers
materials: glass, metal, eco-leather/plastic
Dimensions: 164.4 x 75.3 x 9.7 mm, weight 221 g

I would like to immediately draw your attention to the fact thatand vivo's flagship is now water resistant (IP68). This is a rather important point, since earlier Chinese manufacturers still preferred not to bother. The fact is that protection from water implies rather high requirements for the quality of production: here and about equipment, and about manual labor, and about subsequent certification with tests.

IP68 from Chinese manufacturers indicates thatthat the market has taken another level of quality. If Xiaomi and vivo managed, then the conditional TECNO is just around the corner. Which, in turn, means that there are fewer and fewer reasons to overpay for a brand in the Android smartphone market. Why, if everyone gives the same quality? Once again, we emphasize that a mountain of problems is growing in front of Samsung. The company has a couple of years of strength left. If nothing is changed, then even the most ardent fans of the brand will be wondering why overpay.

The rest of the vivo X90 Pro + is a typical flagshipbeginning of 2023. 1-inch matrix at the camera. And, judging by the reviews, the smartphone gives excellent quality in night shooting. The chipset here, of course, is Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, and the screen can also shine at almost 2000 nits.

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Oppo N2 Flip

Rating: player

Price: 800 euros

Specifications:

CPU: MediaTek Dimensity 9000+, Mali-G710 MC10 graphics
operating system: Android 13, ColorOS 13
Memory: 8/12/16 GB / 256/512 GB, no memory card slot
Screen internal: 6.8 inches, flexible AMOLED, 2520 x 1080 resolution, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits
Screen external: 3.26 inches, AMOLED, 382 x 720 pixels, 800 nits, Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Battery: Li-Po 4300 mAh, 44 W charging, 10 W reverse charging
Main camera:
- 50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide angle)
- 8 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 115˚ (ultra wide), 1/2″, 0.8µm, AF
- 4K@30/60fps video recording
Front camera: 32 MP, f/2.4, 22mm (wide)
SIM card: 2 Nano SIM
Network and data transfer: 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, 5G Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB Type-C 2.0
Navigation: GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
Sensors: fingerprint scanner (side), accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity, compass, color spectrum
Other: no 3.5mm jack, no wireless charging, no water resistance
materials: glass, plastic, aluminum
Dimensions: 166.2 x 75.2 x 7.5mm, weight 191g

An interesting smartphone that has every chancebecome a competitor to the Galaxy Flip if it goes on sale in the world, and not just in China. However, like the Oppo Find N2, this is still a product for the domestic Chinese market. If you forget, Samsung once lost to China, and the company's share there is less than 1%. Galaxy Flip (thanks to its cheapness) turned out to be the best-selling smartphone with a flexible screen in the world. Accordingly, Oppo took advantage of the situation and introduced its counterpart, since Samsung is still not in China.

It will be very interesting to see how the chipsetDimensity 9000+ behaves in the device, because Flips on Snapdragon rolled into hard throttling, leaving only 40% of the performance of the nominal value.

Well, in general, the smartphone looks nice. The large external screen can be used as a viewfinder to take portrait shots with the main camera.

TECNO Phantom X2 PRO 5G

Rating: challenger

Price: 43 990 rubles

Specifications:

CPU: MediaTek Dimensity 9000 (4 nm), Mali-G710 MC10 graphics
operating system: Android 12, HIOS 12 shell
Memory: 12 GB / 256 GB, no memory card slot
Screen: 6.8 inches, AMOLED, 1080 x 2400 pixels, 120 Hz, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Battery: Li-Po 5160 mAh, charging 45 W
Main camera:
- 50 MP, 1/1.3-inch sensor size, 1.2 micron large pixels
- Portrait retractable module 50 MP, 1.28 micron pixels, 65 mm, aperture f1.49
- 13MP ultra wide module
- 4K@30/60fps video recording
Front camera: 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide angle), 1/2.8″, 0.8µm
SIM card: 2 Nano SIM
Network and data transfer: 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, 5G, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB Type-C 2.0
Sensors: fingerprint scanner (under the screen, optical), accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity, lighting, compass
Other: no water protection, no 3.5mm jack, no memory card slot, stand case included
materials: glass, aluminum, plastic
Dimensions: 164.6 x 72.7 x 9mm, weight 201g

The main smartphone of the month for the Russian market, since all other devices are launched exclusively in China.

Despite a brief acquaintance, the smartphone left an extremely positive impression. Of course, the camera impressed me the most. If you like to take pictures, then you will definitely enjoy your smartphone.

I read a lot of opinions about the design in the comments. As usual, you know better. But I like. Looks odd but good.

Of course, it was not without drawbacks.For example, the beautification mode makes you yell like a beluga, but only when you open photos on the big screen. On a smartphone and on social networks, where everything is compressed, it looks normal. But on the monitor, these are some kind of “zero”, when all the photographers in Photoshop sculpted “peach” skin.

Plus, some people still have a smartphonereview, and managed to measure the brightness of the screen. It turned out to be low - only 505 nits. However, here, of course, it would still be possible to measure it yourself and on a completely commercial sample, because engineering samples were handed out to journalists. I would visually estimate the brightness at 700 nits in my sample. And on a sunny winter day, I had no problems with the screen while taking photos at VDNKh.

Perhaps the most TECNO Phantom X2 PRO 5GI am glad that TECNO did not just try to make an interesting smartphone, but actually made it. And it turned out well. A smartphone cannot be called game or nonsense on the table. No, it's a great device, buying which the owner will not feel deceived or disappointed.

Conclusion

Thank you Chinese New Year for an interestingDecember. I think next year we will be able to get acquainted with clamshells from Oppo. At least in the form of demo samples, they will bring something. But, most likely, it will be closer to the summer. China is in trouble right now. As one of the managers with whom we talked about computers wrote to me, lockdowns were canceled, because of which many employees immediately fell ill, and then the Chinese New Year, so it’s not worth waiting for samples before spring ...

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