The end-of-year phone replacement wave is here, and many friends have asked me: with a limited budget but wanting a flagship experience, what are the good options? To be honest, this year’s new phones start at three to four thousand, which is indeed a headache. But don’t worry, the Snapdragon 870, this “God U”, is still powerful, and with the support of a dedicated graphics chip, the performance skyrockets to 830,000 points, and the price is really attractive.
Realme GT Neo2: A Balanced Choice
The current price for the 8+128 version is around 1599 yuan, and the 12+256 version is just 1899 yuan, offering excellent value for money.
In terms of hardware, it features a 6.62-inch Samsung E4 display, 2400×1080 resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and a 600Hz touch sampling rate. The Snapdragon 870 is the main processor, with a rear 64MP triple-camera system, and a built-in 5000mAh battery that supports 65W fast charging.
In actual use, the display quality is indeed impressive, with sufficient brightness and relatively accurate colors. The gaming performance is particularly noteworthy; in “Honor of Kings” at 120 frames mode, it runs at nearly full frame rate, and the heat dissipation is well managed, keeping the device temperature under control during long gaming sessions. The camera, while not top-tier, is sufficient for daily life recording, and the night scene performance is average.
Motorola Edge S Pro: Imaging Champion
The 12+256 version is currently priced around 2199 yuan. Although it is a bit more expensive than the previous model, it has a more comprehensive configuration.
It features a 6.7-inch 144Hz display, with the same 2400×1080 resolution. The processor is still the Snapdragon 870, but the camera specifications have significantly improved: a 100MP main camera + 16MP ultra-wide + 8MP telephoto, with a battery capacity of 4520mAh and 33W fast charging.
The biggest advantage of this device is its camera; the 100MP main camera can indeed take impressive shots in well-lit environments, retaining a lot of detail. The 144Hz high refresh rate feels very responsive, making daily scrolling and gaming operations very smooth. However, the fast charging power is relatively conservative, taking about 50 minutes to charge from 0 to 80%.
iQOO Neo5: Gaming Powerhouse
The 8+256 version is priced around 1799 yuan, and the 12+256 version is 2099 yuan, focusing on gaming experience.
It has a hardware configuration of a 6.62-inch AMOLED display, 120Hz refresh rate, and Snapdragon 870 processor. The camera is a 48MP triple-camera setup, with a battery capacity of 4400mAh and supports 66W fast charging. The key feature is the addition of a dedicated graphics chip, which is also a significant reason for the 830,000 benchmark score.
The gaming experience is indeed the strong point of this device; the addition of the dedicated graphics chip allows for more stable performance in large games like “Peacekeeper Elite” and “Genshin Impact”, significantly reducing frame rate fluctuations. The 66W fast charging is also very practical, reaching over 70% in half an hour. The device weighs 196g, making it feel manageable in hand, and the gaming experience is comfortable over long periods.
Redmi K40: Established Powerhouse
As last year’s popular model, the price for the 8+128 version has now dropped to 1399 yuan, and the 12+256 version is 1699 yuan.
The core configuration includes a 6.67-inch E4 display, 120Hz refresh rate, Snapdragon 870 processor, 48MP triple-camera, and a 4520mAh battery with 33W fast charging. Although it lacks a dedicated graphics chip, the basic experience remains solid.
The biggest feature of this device is its stability; the system optimization is quite mature, with very few lags during daily use. The screen quality is top-notch for its price range, providing a good experience for watching videos and browsing social media. The camera tuning leans towards realism, avoiding excessive beautification, making it suitable for users who prefer a natural style. The only downside is the average fast charging power, taking over an hour to fully charge.
OnePlus 9R: Lightweight Feel
The 12+256 version is currently priced around 2199 yuan, with the main selling points being its feel and system experience.
It features a 6.55-inch flexible flat display, 120Hz refresh rate, Snapdragon 870 processor, 48MP quad-camera system, 4500mAh battery, and 65W fast charging. The thickness is controlled at 8.2mm, and the weight is 189g.
The first impression is its lightweight design, noticeably lighter than the other models. The system is close to stock Android, with high animation smoothness and minimal pre-installed software. The fast charging speed is also good, taking about 35 minutes to fully charge. However, the camera performance is average, especially in night photography, which still has room for improvement.
These Snapdragon 870 devices each have their own characteristics, but they all face a common problem: with the new generation of processors becoming mainstream, how long can they still “fight”? Looking at it from another angle, if your current needs are met by these devices, why spend extra money on performance you won’t use?
Feel free to leave a comment with your thoughts. Do you think it’s a wise choice to buy a Snapdragon 870 model now, or should one go directly for the new generation of processors?