Mobile Buyer’s Guide: Top 3 Smartphone Picks for the New Year
As the New Year swiftly approaches, many are looking to celebrate with a fresh start and perhaps a new smartphone. With an array of new models launched by manufacturers at the year’s end, it’s easy to be dazzled by the choices available. If you’re considering an upgrade but unsure about which phone to pick, take a look at these three recommendations that cover a range of needs and budgets.
OnePlus 12
The OnePlus 12, Huawei nova12, and iQOO Neo9 are our top picks, with starting prices of CNY 4299, CNY 2999, and CNY 2299, respectively. Some of these are flagship models with balanced configurations, excelling in gaming and photography; others feature exceptional camera capabilities and support HarmonyOS’s smart communication; while some offer great value for money with standout gaming performance and significant improvements in imaging over their predecessors.
Whether you’re a gamer seeking a flagship experience, an artist with a keen eye for photography, or a pragmatist who demands excellent value, these smartphones aim to please.
The OnePlus 12 was unveiled in December 2023 and, despite the lack of “Pro” in its name, it boasts pro-level specs. It comes with what could be the world’s best display, leading the pack in terms of quality, brightness, eye comfort, and smoothness. Featuring the new X1 luminous material and the Display P1 chip, it achieves a peak brightness of 4500 nits.
The OnePlus 12 is particularly eye-friendly with its debut of advanced eye protection technologies, reducing blue light harm to retinas by moving blue light peak to a safer wavelength. It’s the only phone in the industry that maximizes the Safety for Vision (SVM) under two major DC dimming eye protection modes, balancing eye care, smoothness, and display quality without compromise.
In terms of photography, the OnePlus 12 sports a next-generation Ultra-Lighting Imaging System with specially custom Sony sensor LYT-808, including a 50MP main camera, a 48MP ultra-wide camera, and a 64MP telephoto lens. The new image processing engine ensures crystal-clear quality and natural Hasselblad color solutions, enabling every snap to have that signature Hasselblad feel, making it highly recommended for photography enthusiasts.
Additional features include a third-generation Snapdragon 8 chipset for stellar performance, ultra-fast app launching, a 5400mAh battery that retains capacity even after four years, and super-fast charging options that can replenish the battery to 100% in just 26 minutes.
Huawei nova12 Series
Moving on to the Huawei nova12 series, which features the industry’s first integrated embossed vegan leather design, sure to capture hearts with its looks. It continues the lineage of slim and sleek design, measuring just 6.98mm in thickness for a comfortable grip.
The Huawei nova12 has a 6.7-inch OLED display supporting 120Hz smart refresh rates for a smooth experience and uses Display Turbo technology for vivid, true-to-life colors.
The camera setup includes a 50MP Ultra-Sensing primary lens and an 8MP ultra-wide macro lens for versatile shooting, while the front features a 60MP 4K ultra-wide portrait camera, facilitating high-quality selfies with natural skin tones and sharp contours.
A 4600mAh high-density battery with improved battery life and a 100W Turbo fast charging capability can quickly “revive” your phone. The new nova gaming engine enhances gaming experiences with reduced touch latency. Additionally, the smartphone runs on HarmonyOS 4 and supports smart communication and other innovative features.
iQOO Neo9
Lastly, the iQOO Neo9 is perfect for any gaming enthusiast on a budget. It’s thinner and stronger than its predecessor, boasting a sleek design with a flagship-level four-curved frame for better grip. The camera module is cleverly designed to prevent accidental touches, and it’s equipped with a large 6.78-inch immersive display with ultra-narrow bezels.
Powered by the second-generation Snapdragon 8 chipset with LPDDR5X+UFS 4.0, the performance is top-notch, reaching over 1.71 million points on AnTuTu benchmarks. It also boasts a self-developed eSports chip for a full-throttle gaming experience with low latency and high-quality graphics.
Moreover, the iQOO Neo9 features a 6.78-inch eSports display, certified by ZREAL and HDR 10+ for its high-quality display attributes. With a battery equivalent to 5160mAh and support for 120W ultra-fast charging, you can get up to 40% charge in just 9 minutes.
Conclusion
These are the top three smartphones we recommend today, catering to those seeking a flagship experience, professional-grade photography, or outstanding value for money. Consider selecting one as your New Year’s gift and start your new year with a new smartphone experience!