As an ordinary person, how should you choose among so many new phones and chips? No need to get tangled up in parameters; today, we will clarify this from three perspectives: market changes, actual experiences, and purchasing suggestions, based on the newly released Android devices.

The Market Has Changed: MediaTek Dominates Mid-Range, Qualcomm Pushes High-End, Huawei Slowly Catches Up

In the past, everyone thought “high-end phones could only choose Qualcomm,” but that’s no longer the case. Data from the first quarter of this year shows that MediaTek’s market share has surpassed Qualcomm, becoming the global leader, especially in the mainstream price range of 2000-4000 Yuan, where there are many phones using MediaTek chips.

The Chinese market is even more interesting: Huawei’s HiSilicon chips have seen a gradual increase in market share with the hot sales of the Mate 70 and nova 13 series, getting closer to Samsung. In August, Huawei released the Mate 80 series, which uses the new Kirin 9030 chip, selling particularly well, with chip shipments increasing by nearly half in just one month.

Now, let’s look at the situation across different price ranges:

• High-End Phones Above 5000 Yuan: Qualcomm remains the main player, having just released two new flagship chips at the end of September, with the Xiaomi 17 series being the first to use the top-tier model, followed by Samsung and OnePlus. However, MediaTek and Huawei are also catching up, so high-end options are no longer limited to Qualcomm.
• Mid-Range Phones 2000-4000 Yuan: This is MediaTek’s territory, with the latest Dimensity 9400+ chip almost becoming the “standard” for this price range. New models from Realme, OnePlus, and iQOO all use it, offering strong performance at an affordable price.
• Entry-Level Phones Below 2000 Yuan: Qualcomm and MediaTek each hold half the market share, sufficient for daily video streaming and WeChat chatting, with some options from UNISOC in the budget segment.

In short, when buying a phone now, there’s no need to focus on a single brand’s chip; there are reliable choices across different price ranges, and with increasing competition, consumers benefit more.

No Need to Understand Parameters! Remember These Three Experience Keywords to Know if a Chip is Good

Every year, manufacturers claim “our chips have XX black technology,” but ordinary users don’t need to worry about that; just remember these three practical experience points:

1. Full Big Core Architecture: Smooth Multitasking, Faster Task Processing

Previously, chips would divide into “big cores and small cores” to save power, but this year, high-end chips are trending towards “full big core”—simply put, all cores are powerful enough, whether you’re running dozens of apps simultaneously, editing short videos, or attending online meetings, there won’t be any lag.

For example, the MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ chip used in the OnePlus ACE5 Supreme Edition allows for smooth switching while running WeChat, Douyin, and navigation simultaneously; Qualcomm’s newly released Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen5, used in the Xiaomi 17 series, exports a 5-minute short video nearly 50% faster than last year’s phones. For those who are often busy and multitasking, this experience improvement is particularly noticeable.

2. On-Device AI: Smartphones Can Perform “Intelligent Tasks” Locally Without Waiting for the Cloud

We’ve heard a lot about “AI” in the past two years, and this year it’s finally usable. Now, high-end chips can run “large models” locally without needing an internet connection, which means they can perform smarter tasks:

For instance, the Xiaomi 17 series can convert handwritten notes directly into editable documents without typing; the Realme GT7’s AI night photography can automatically brighten dark details without blurring; and iQOO’s phones can use AI to manage battery life, allocating power based on your usage habits, allowing heavy users to have some battery left at the end of the day.

The Huawei Kirin 9030 is even more impressive, providing real-time portrait blurring while shooting 4K video, with editing speeds faster than the iPhone; Qualcomm’s new chip offers low-latency real-time translation, making phone calls with foreigners almost instantaneous. These features don’t require understanding “how many TOPS of computing power”; they just need to be convenient and user-friendly.

3. Ray Tracing Technology: Mobile Game Graphics Like Consoles, Gamers Don’t Need to Spend Extra

Previously, “ray tracing” was exclusive to computer graphics cards, but this year is different—phones in the 2000 Yuan range can support ray tracing, making the lighting effects in games particularly realistic.

For example, playing “Genshin Impact” on the Xiaomi 17 series with ray tracing enabled, the character’s shadow changes with the light, and the water surface reflects surrounding scenery, with the device staying cool at just over 40 degrees; the OnePlus ACE5 Supreme Edition playing “Peacekeeper Elite” shows bullet trajectories and wall reflections similar to console games, and it doesn’t harm the battery while charging and playing.

When playing “Honkai: Star Rail” on the Huawei Mate 80 series, it can run both “ray tracing” and “ultra-high-definition rendering” simultaneously, with graphics more detailed than some gaming phones. For gaming enthusiasts, this year’s mid-range phones already provide experiences that previous flagship phones couldn’t offer.

After the New Phone Wave, How to Choose with Different Budgets? This Article is Enough

With a slew of new phones released in September, there’s no need to hesitate; just choose based on your budget, and I recommend experiencing each model in person.

1. Budget Above 5000 Yuan: For Ultimate Experience, Choose from These Four New Models

If you want to select a high-end phone, focus on these models, each with its own advantages:

• Xiaomi 17 Series: Includes standard, Pro, and Pro Max versions, all equipped with Qualcomm’s latest top-tier chip. The standard version starts at 4499 Yuan for the 12GB+256GB variant, providing stable gaming performance, maintaining 60 frames even at maximum settings in “Genshin Impact”. The screen is 2K 120Hz, comfortable to look at and responsive to touch; the camera features Leica lenses, with night scene details significantly improved compared to last year. The top-spec Pro Max version starts at 5999 Yuan for the 12GB+512GB variant, suitable for those seeking a “fully capable” and top-tier experience.
• vivo X200s: Uses the MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ chip, with the biggest advantage being strong battery life, featuring a 7200mAh battery that lasts 2 hours longer than the Xiaomi 17 standard version, and supports Wi-Fi 7 and dual SIM dual standby, ensuring stable connectivity while on business trips. It starts at 5299 Yuan, ideal for business professionals who prioritize battery life and balanced performance.
• Huawei Mate 80 Series: Equipped with the Kirin 9030 chip, which works particularly well with the HarmonyOS, allowing for seamless file transfers between phones, tablets, and computers without waiting, just drag and drop. Privacy protection is also robust, blocking app tracking. It starts at 6499 Yuan, suitable for those who support domestic technology and prefer the Harmony ecosystem.

2. Budget 2000-4000 Yuan: Best Value for Money, Three Models with Dimensity 9400+ Are a Safe Bet

In this price range, it’s almost all “Dimensity 9400+”; each of the three new models has its strengths and is worth considering:

• Realme GT7 (starting at 2499 Yuan): Strong performance, suitable for daily use and gaming; it has a large battery of 7200mAh with 100W fast charging, enough for heavy users to last a day; the screen is a 144Hz flat display, also IP69 waterproof, and the camera features a Sony main sensor with optical stabilization. It’s slightly heavy (203g), but has no significant drawbacks, making it a great choice for students.
• OnePlus ACE5 Supreme Edition (starting at 2399 Yuan): Designed specifically for gaming, the Dimensity 9400+ is overclocked, ensuring smooth gameplay in “Honor of Kings” team battles; it has a high touch sampling rate for responsive controls, and a metal frame for better feel compared to plastic; the battery is 6700mAh with 100W fast charging, providing both endurance and quick charging, though the camera performance is average, making it a solid choice for pure gamers.
• iQOO Z10 Turbo+ (starting at 2199 Yuan): The standout feature is its battery life, with an 8000mAh battery that can last two days on light use without charging; performance is sufficient for gaming; the screen is a 1.5K eye-care display, comfortable for long viewing, though the frame is plastic and camera performance is average, making it suitable for older users or those with extreme battery life needs.

3. Budget Below 2000 Yuan: Good Enough, Two Entry-Level Models Recommended

If your budget is limited or you want a backup phone, these two models are sufficient:

• Redmi Note 14 (starting at 1599 Yuan): Smooth for daily use like Douyin and WeChat, with clear photos from its 50MP main camera, and a 5100mAh battery that lasts a day on a single charge, making it suitable for older users.
• Realme Q6s (starting at 1799 Yuan): Offers slightly better performance than the Redmi model, capable of playing “Peacekeeper Elite” at low settings, with a comfortable 120Hz screen and fast 67W charging, making it a good option for budget-conscious young people.

In Conclusion: Don’t Be Trapped by “Launch” and “Parameters”

With so many new models, it’s easy to feel like “not buying the latest means losing out,” but that’s unnecessary. The Xiaomi 17 series has strong chips, but if you mainly use WeChat and watch videos, the 2000 Yuan Realme GT7 can also meet your needs; no matter how advanced ray tracing technology is, if you don’t play games, it’s no different from an ordinary phone.

The truly good phone is one that “meets your needs and fits your budget”:

• If you have a sufficient budget and want to try the top configuration, you can choose between the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max and Huawei Mate 80;
• If you want a high-end experience within 5000 Yuan, the Xiaomi 17 standard version at 4499 Yuan offers better value;
• If you enjoy gaming and have a moderate budget, the OnePlus ACE5 Supreme Edition is your “dream phone”;
• If you’re buying for older users or as a backup phone, the Redmi Note 14 offers the best value.

The greatest significance of advancements in chip technology is that it allows different users to find suitable phones without overspending, ensuring a good experience—that’s what truly matters.

Do you have plans to change your phone this year? Between the Xiaomi 17 standard version and Pro Max, which one do you prefer? Feel free to discuss in the comments!

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