As Lu Weibing once said, "Flagship products focus on technology, while entry-level products focus on conscience." Budget smartphones are inevitably constrained by costs and have to make compromises in certain areas. However, many budget models in the past couldn't be called "conscientious". With the current serious competition among mid-range models, the price difference between some budget smartphones and mid-range ones is only two to three hundred CNY, but the specifications differ significantly, making some budget smartphones seem lacking in cost-effectiveness.
Especially after last year's fierce battle in the mid-range smartphone market, I believe many people still have fresh memories. Manufacturers competed fiercely in specifications, and undoubtedly, it was us consumers who benefited. Following the mid-range market, the intense competition in the smartphone market has finally turned to budget smartphones, given their huge existing market share.
For instance, the recently launched Realme 12 Pro series has popularized the inclusion of periscope telephoto lenses in the sub-thousand-yuan category. Additionally, the latest leaks reveal that OPPO is testing an IP68 dust and water-resistant feature on one of its budget smartphones. Reportedly, this model will boast a 5500mAh large battery, focusing on waterproofing and durability, targeting the market around 1000 CNY.
Companies like Realme and OPPO are increasingly adopting the strategy of bringing features previously exclusive to flagship models down to the budget segment. Currently, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ already supports IP68 dust and water resistance in the sub-thousand-yuan price range, and with OPPO joining in, we can expect more manufacturers to follow suit.
As we approach the second quarter, the market is gearing up for a new wave of smartphone releases, including the iQOO Z9 series, a new series from Redmi Note, and new models from Honor. This time around, the iQOO Z9 is introducing a Turbo version, which ditches the LCD screen for a 1.5K OLED flat display, supports a 144Hz high refresh rate, and eliminates the plastic bracket.
Clearly, the iQOO Z series, which targets the mid-range market, is also stepping up its game in terms of screen quality and overall build. A key selling point of the iQOO Z series has always been its large battery and long battery life, and this feature is set to continue in the new models.
Speaking of batteries, the high-density battery technology we've discussed before is expected to be introduced to the Redmi Note 14 series, potentially reaching up to 6000mAh in capacity. We can anticipate seeing high-density batteries progressively make their way into mid-range and budget devices within this year.
Given the intense competition in the mid-range market nowadays, features like metal frames, branded camera partnerships, in-screen fingerprint sensors, and wireless charging... are all likely to become increasingly common in non-flagship models. For those planning to purchase a new device, it might be worth waiting for the new releases coming in the second quarter.
Source: Gizmo Cat
