High-end ultra Android phones may disappear from the market
The next generation of ultra-tier Android smartphones may never make it to the global markets, and some models could get cancelled altogether. According to an X post by leaker Kartikey Singh, several Chinese brands are reconsidering the release strategy for their upcoming flagship phones.
Xiaomi has reportedly made the most drastic decision by scrapping the Xiaomi 18 Ultra altogether. The company appears to have decided against launching the phone even in China, which signals a more profound issue than other brands.
Meanwhile, both Oppo and Vivo may still make new “Ultra” flagship phones later this year. However, unlike this year’s models, the sequels to the Oppo Find X9 Ultra and Vivo X300 Ultra are allegedly not getting global premieres and may launch only in China.
What type of smartphone do you plan to buy next?
Good news for Samsung, probably
The Galaxy S26 Ultra's successor may meet much smaller competition. | Image by PhoneArena
If this turns out to be true, Samsung may remain the only manufacturer to offer its Ultra model globally. The Galaxy S27 series is expected early next year, and there’s no reason to expect the S27 Ultra to be cancelled.
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Samsung won’t remain alone on the flagship Android smartphone market, even if it enjoys selling one of a very few Ultra models. While the continuing memory price crunch and supply chain issues may make Ultra models too expensive to make, Chinese companies are still said to launch Pro Max flagships.
This could be just a slight upgrade to the concept of models like the Vivo X300 Pro and Oppo Find X9 Pro or a more direct attack on Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro Max and the current iPhone 17 Pro Max. Xiaomi already changed its approach with the Xiaomi 17 series, and it has a Xiaomi 17 Pro Max model, so others may follow.
This would leave the camera question wide open, though, and that could be important. In his review of the Vivo X300 Ultra, my colleague Preslav was left surprised by how much better the camera experience was in comparison to the X300 Pro. Would a future X400 Pro match the current Pro or Ultra model and would that turn people off remains to be seen.
Would anyone even notice?
As much as I like playing with the fanciest phones out there, I don’t think Chinese ultra-flagships have that many fans in the global markets. Not that the phones are bad, but they come at such outrageous prices already that hardly anyone can even afford one. With the RAMageddon become even worse, I don't even want to imagine the potential prices of future models.
I can only hope the crisis gets resolved quickly and the “ultras” come back. But until then, I’ll be just as happy with whatever Pro Max model comes my way, especially if prices remain in reach.
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Ilia, a tech journalist at PhoneArena, has been covering the mobile industry since 2011, with experience at outlets like Forbes Bulgaria. Passionate about smartphones, tablets, and consumer tech, he blends deep industry knowledge with a personal fascination that began with his first Nokia and Sony Ericsson devices. Originally from Bulgaria and now based in Lima, Peru, Ilia balances his tech obsessions with walking his dog, training at the gym, and slowly mastering Spanish.
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