While major players like Google, Apple, and Samsung release premium high quality smartphones every year, but in the Asian markets brands are getting creative.
In North America, Apple and Samsung hold an overwhelming share of the smartphone market. Due to this domination and severe lack of competition, there are a lot of great Android phones you’re likely unfamiliar with. However, carrier restrictions, government blacklisting, and different mobile frequency bands limit overall accessibility. For example, Xiaomi phones aren’t sold in the U.S. because of pushback from the American government regarding security concerns and a lack of partnership with U.S. carriers.
Now, you may very well be happy with your Pixel, Galaxy, or iPhone, but you’re missing out on a lot. Companies like Xiaomi, Vivo, and Huawei are constantly pushing the envelope with unique hardware, such as top-of-the-line camera systems, ultra-fast charging, and a fair share of unconventional features. In this post, we’ll look at five standout phones from Chinese manufacturers, devices that are quirky, ambitious, and in some cases downright futuristic. Even if you never buy one of these phones, it’s certainly interesting to see how the Chinese phone market is evolving.Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Design
There are plenty of practical reasons to avoid foldable phones, but Huawei makes a compelling argument in their favor. The Mate XT Ultimate has all the makings of a flagship: capable cameras, a premium build, and fast charging. All of that is given for a premium phone, but a triple-folding display certainly isn’t.
When closed, the Mate XT Ultimate is just a standard phone with a respectable 6.4-inch display. Unfold once, and you get a larger 7.9-inch display inside. In this form factor, you can unfold the cover display at the back and bring it forward for the Mate XT Ultimate’s final form: a high-resolution 10.2-inch tablet. This flexibility is possible due to the dual-hinge mechanism, which is a bold engineering choice for a phone.
When fully unfolded, you essentially have one of the thinnest tablets out there, but with the benefit of being able to fit it into your pocket. Other than the obvious party trick, this phone encourages you to handle tasks you otherwise reserve for bigger screens. This includes running multiple apps side by side, editing documents with multiple tabs open, or managing video calls while referencing notes.
The Mate XT Ultimate isn’t perfect, though. GSMArena’s review stated that while the trifold display and camera system were impressive, mediocre battery life, a steep price, and no dust/water protection held it back. Even so, it’s intriguing to see how foldables are evolving and where they might be heading next. Xiaomi 17 Pro
When massive companies borrow ideas from each other, tech enthusiasts are always quick to point it out.
