Phone users are waking up from the Samsung and Apple flagship dream

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is now available for up to $720 off

$579 ⁹⁹

$1299 ⁹⁹

$720 off (55%)

The Galaxy S26 Ultra has been announced, bringing a Privacy Screen feature, insanely fast processor, and multiple Galaxy AI enhancements. Right now, you can save up to $720 at the Samsung Store with eligible trade-ins. Alternatively, you can get the phone for $200 off without any trade-ins.

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The Galaxy S26+ is now available for up to $480 off

$619 ⁹⁹

$1099 ⁹⁹

$480 off (44%)

The Galaxy S26+ is here, bringing improved software and a more powerful processor. The device can now be yours for up to $480 off with eligible device trade-ins. A $175 discount is alternatively available without trade-ins.

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Galaxy S26 is now available for up to $380 off

$519 ⁹⁹

$899 ⁹⁹

$380 off (42%)

The Galaxy S26 is currently available at the Samsung Store with an exciting trade-in discount. Right now, you can buy the model with a $380 maximum price cut. There's also a $100 price cut available without a trade-in.

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Apple and Samsung are falling behind

For a tech enthusiast, it’s no secret that Samsung and Apple phones are falling behind in certain aspects when compared to Chinese smartphones. A key area where both companies are lagging severely is battery capacity: while Chinese budget smartphones cross 10,000 mAh, Apple and Samsung are playing a game of never exceeding the 5,000 mAh barrier. Even the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 8 is said to have a battery with that capacity.

In a recent poll about the Oppo Find X9 Ultra, you were asked whether you would buy the X9 Ultra if it launched in your region or not. Leaked images of the Oppo Find X9 Ultra reveal a ridiculously massive camera bump that will almost certainly help it claim the camera phone crown for the year.

Surprisingly, over 55 percent of you said that you would buy the phone in a heartbeat. Meanwhile, almost 41 percent of you were open to the idea depending on how the global version is priced.

Only 2.5 percent of voters said that they would probably not switch because of being unfamiliar with the interface and only 1.45 percent of respondents pledged their allegiance to Samsung and Apple. What about you, would you buy an Oppo Find X9 Ultra over another Galaxy phone or an iPhone?

This marks a massive shift

In many regions around the globe, Galaxy flagships and the latest iPhone models are the most commonly seen devices in people’s hands. On the other hand, the iPhone is less prevalent in countries with decreased buying power, but low-end and mid-range Galaxy phones still give Chinese phones a run for their money.

The results from this poll might just be signaling a massive shift that is underway in regions that have primarily bought phones from Apple and Samsung. Chinese companies have been aggressively expanding into these regions in recent years and have been marketing their phones incessantly, so this is to be expected.

I’ve peered behind the curtain

Dramatic proclamation aside, I’ve given Chinese smartphones a very fair chance to impress me. There was even a time when I used to wish for more Chinese smartphones to start competing with Samsung and Apple phones in the U.S. I’ve used phones from various major Chinese companies and they have always fallen short on the most basic features.

I’m sure that, for most consumers, the majority of Chinese phones are perfectly functional devices. As someone who focuses on the finer details, however, I have to say that there is a reason for Samsung and Apple’s popularity across the world.

Most recently, I noticed that Xiaomi’s new HyperOS 3 has started failing to sync audio with Bluetooth earphones on some models. This is a problem I’ve had with Chinese phones in the past as well, and it is not the only such issue with completely breaks a very basic feature.

I always say that more competition is better, but I’ll stick with One UI from now on. Besides, Liquid Glass gives me a headache.