Technology Trends in March 2024: Flagship Phones Compete with Each Other
Unknowingly, 1/6 of the year 2024 has already passed. In the first two months, the market has been flooded with new smartphone releases, with various manufacturers going all out, especially in the flagship segment, focusing on aspects like imaging, performance, and self-developed chips. At the end of February, the release of the Meizu 21 Pro was hailed as the “culmination of smartphones, the entry ticket to AI smartphones.” As we step into March, the trend of new phone releases continues, with brands like Huawei, Honor, OPPO, vivo, and others gearing up to launch a series of highly anticipated flagship devices. Which of these new phones are worth the wait? In our usual fashion, Tech Lei brings you a summary of the upcoming new phones for this month.
Honor Magic6 RSR: Porsche Design, Major Imaging Upgrade
If you’ve been following Tech Lei, you should be familiar with this model. This device was previously introduced in an article on February 7th, where it was predicted to be launched at MWC on February 25th. Unexpectedly, Zhao Ming did not unveil any new phones at MWC24; however, it has now been confirmed that the Honor Magic6 RSR will be launched in March.
(Image Source: Honor)
The Honor Magic6 RSR replaces the Ultimate Edition as the “super-sized cup” model in the Magic series. The most significant difference lies in its design compared to the “medium cup” and “large cup” models. As the second collaboration between Honor and Porsche Design, it will incorporate elements of Porsche racing and speed, while the curved back pays tribute to the body curves of the Porsche 911.
(Image Source: @Portrait Digital)
Most of the specifications of the Honor Magic6 RSR are consistent with the Magic6 Pro. It is equipped with the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor as the Magic6 series, providing users with a smooth experience. In terms of battery life, the Magic6 RSR features the same solution as the Pro version, with a 5600mAh battery and support for 80W wired fast charging and 66W wireless charging.
(Image Source: @Hello Fan Student)
What makes the Magic6 RSR most anticipated is its imaging capabilities. To deliver better imaging results, the Honor Magic6 RSR will debut the OV50K sensor from Haowei Technology. This sensor boasts a 1-inch large sensor size and an f/1.4 large aperture, setting the stage for a showdown between domestic Haowei sensors and Sony sensors.
From the official exposure images released by Honor, the Magic6 RSR will feature a 1:1.4-inch periscope telephoto lens, supporting up to 100x digital zoom. With the support of the large sensor, the long-range shooting capabilities of the Magic6 RSR are expected to be clearer, with richer details.
(Image Source: @Honor)
Huawei P70 Series: Addressing Some Shortcomings of Mate60
As Huawei’s flagship models making a return to 5G, the Huawei Mate60 series has been constantly in demand; however, some users still believe that the Mate60 series is not perfect. The upcoming P70 series in March may help address some of these shortcomings.
(Image Source: @Digital Chit Chat Station)
According to tech blogger @Digital Chit Chat Station, the Huawei P70 series is expected to be launched at the end of March, featuring bold innovations in its design. The medium, large, and super-sized cups will adopt a square-shaped camera module, while the Art version will feature an innovative triangular camera module. Little Lei believes that the design of the P70 series this time indeed looks better than the previous generation.
Regarding the screen, all models in the Huawei P70 series will feature a 1.5K quad-curved screen, but with variations in sizes for the medium, large, and super-sized cups. The bezel control of the screen is excellently executed, providing users with an immersive visual experience.
The major improvement in the Huawei P70 series this time is once again in the imaging department. It will no longer use the “ancestral” IMX766 sensor; instead, it will adopt the new domestic OV50H sensor (1/1.3 inches). The Art version’s imaging upgrade is more significant, directly using a one-inch IMX989 sensor, further enhancing the camera performance.
(Source: Experience More)
In terms of performance, the Huawei P70 series will feature the Kirin 9000S processor for the regular and large variants, similar to the Mate 60, while the Art version is expected to come with the new Kirin 9010 processor, offering users even stronger performance. If this leak turns out to be true, the Kirin chip lineup will once again have a significant new member.
OPPO Find X7 Ultra Satellite Communication Edition: Innovative Concept
During the OPPO event on January 9th, Liu Zuohu introduced the Find X7 and X7 Ultra models, but did not unveil the Satellite Communication Edition. He announced at the end of the event that this model would meet the public by the end of March.
(Source: OPPO)
Currently, when using smartphones in the market that support satellite communication, users need to locate the satellite position and angle and then make calls using the speakerphone. The OPPO Find X7 Ultra Satellite Communication Edition not only supports speakerphone calls but also allows satellite calls through the handset, making the calling experience more convenient with better communication privacy protection.
According to Xiao Lei, it was a wise move for OPPO to separate the Satellite Communication Edition from the top configuration of the Find X7 Ultra. Features like earthquake communication and NFC, which are considered “redundant,” may have varying usefulness to individuals. Satellite calling caters to a niche, low-frequency need; many users may never have the opportunity to use it. Therefore, by selling the OPPO Find X7 Ultra Satellite Communication Edition only to those who truly need satellite communication, the standard version can save a considerable amount of costs. This approach enables a higher cost-performance ratio or profit margin.
OPPO has successfully captured user demands, and Xiao Lei recommends other competitors to follow suit, suggesting that equipping satellite communication as a standard feature across the board is unnecessary. However, offering cost savings to consumers would be even better.
(Source: OPPO)
Regarding other specifications, apart from the exclusive 16GB+1TB storage of the Satellite Communication Edition, all other configurations are identical to the OPPO Find X7 Ultra, so I won’t delve into them further here.
(Source: OPPO)
vivo X Fold3 Series: Extreme Weight Reduction, Crazy Material Stacking
Foldable phones are a battleground for manufacturers. Apart from Apple, who is used to following trends, almost all smartphone companies are exploring this territory. vivo’s foldable phone products are powerful, but due to their late entry, they only rank fourth in the domestic foldable screen market.
(Source: iResearch)
To compete with the leading brands in the foldable screen market, vivo must make a significant move this year. The most significant drawback of vivo’s large foldable screen phone? Many might say it’s “bulky.” With a thickness of 13.2mm and a weight of 279.5g, the vivo X Fold2 was indeed quite bulky compared to other foldable phones released in the same year.
(Source: vivo)
Hence, the upcoming vivo X Fold3 Series might focus on weight reduction. Leaked information suggests that the new models will feature a body made of brand-new fiberglass material, improving the phone’s appearance and reducing its weight. The Pro version is rumored to weigh between 220-240g, making it very lightweight and thin, meeting users’ daily needs perfectly.
Regarding performance, the standard vivo X Fold3 model is said to come with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, while the Pro version will feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. Additionally, the screen resolution of this device has been upgraded, offering users a more clear and detailed visual experience with a 2K+ resolution for the inner screen and a 1.5K resolution for the outer screen. **
(Source: @Digital Chat Station)
Closing Thoughts
As we approach the upcoming smartphone showdown in March, it’s clear that major brands are actively seeking breakthroughs and innovations, striving to stand out in this wave of new devices:
Honor Magic6 RSR is emphasizing upgrades to its display and camera systems, reinforcing its presence in the high-end market.
Huawei’s P70 series aims to address the imaging shortcomings of the Mate 60 series, accelerating to reclaim the throne of smartphone supremacy from Apple.
OPPO Find X7 Ultra Satellite Communication Edition showcases a unique product concept: unnecessary features are not all included to avoid waste.
vivo X Fold3 aims to compete for market share in the foldable phone segment by significantly reducing weight and piling on innovative features.
(Source: Lei Tech Production)
It can be said that the new smartphones in March are highly anticipated. Lei Tech will closely monitor the developments and provide on-site coverage at the launch event, delivering professional reviews firsthand. Stay tuned for more updates.