February 2024 Smartphone Market Review: Thinness and Imaging Take Center Stage, Several Notable New Releases Worth Attention

February 2024 Smartphone Market Review: Thinness and Imaging Take Center Stage, Several Notable New Releases Worth AttentionFebruary's domestic Chinese smartphone market continued its post-holiday recovery trend, although the number of new phone releases was relatively limited, with only around five, including the Chinese versions of the Samsung Galaxy S25 series. However, these few new releases were all heavyweight contenders, each boasting impressive innovations

February 2024 Smartphone Market Review: Thinness and Imaging Take Center Stage, Several Notable New Releases Worth Attention

February's domestic Chinese smartphone market continued its post-holiday recovery trend, although the number of new phone releases was relatively limited, with only around five, including the Chinese versions of the Samsung Galaxy S25 series. However, these few new releases were all heavyweight contenders, each boasting impressive innovations. "Thinness" and "imaging" emerged as the key selling points. If you prioritize these aspects, the few phones released in February may be worth your careful consideration.

OPPO Find N5: The Pinnacle of Thin Foldable Phones

The OPPO Find N5 was undoubtedly the most dazzling new phone in February, achieving a breakthrough in thin design. Compared to its predecessor, the Find N5's thickness and weight have been significantly reduced, making it one of the thinnest large-fold flagship phones currently available. Its stunningly thin design makes the OPPO Find N5 one of the most worthwhile models to purchase in February.

It's available in three storage versions: 12GB+256GB priced at 8999 yuan, 16GB+512GB at 9999 yuan, and a 16GB+1TB satellite communication version at 10999 yuan. We recommend the 16GB+512GB version; its larger storage capacity and relatively high value for money make it the best option. This phone is strongly recommended for existing Find N series users or Apple users, especially with the added subsidy of up to 1800 yuan, making its cost-effectiveness even more prominent.

The OPPO Find N5's most appealing aspect is undoubtedly its unparalleled portability. With a closed thickness of 8.93 mm and a weight of 229 grams, it feels as light and comfortable to hold as a flagship straight phone. The adjusted outer screen size is also more suitable for one-handed operation; whether browsing videos or typing, there's no discomfort. The unfolded 8.12-inch inner screen provides a much wider field of vision, offering a superior visual experience for watching full-screen videos, playing games, or using applications compared to smaller-screen phones. Larger application windows make multitasking more convenient and smoother. With the AI panoramic virtual screen function, the Find N5 transcends screen size limitations, enabling more efficient multitasking.

It's worth noting that in pursuit of thinness, the OPPO Find N5 hasn't sacrificed quality or durability. OPPO has used titanium metal to significantly enhance the robustness of the internal components. Combined with Celestial Architecture and Crystal Shield Ultra-Ceramic Glass technology, the Find N5 balances lightness with reliability, achieving all-around drop resistance and IPX6+IPX8+IPX9 all-around waterproof rating.

In terms of specifications, the OPPO Find N5 is equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Plus processor and a large 5600mAh battery in its slim body, offering satisfying performance and battery life. The OPPO Find N5 solves the problem of poor portability in foldable phones, leading to its rapid rise in popularity. If you want to experience a foldable phone, the Find N5 is the perfect choice.

iPhone 16e: Lightweight Design, but Excessively Priced

Apple's iPhone 16e, also launched this month, focuses on a lightweight design. Although the screen size has increased, it maintains a slim profile, and the battery capacity has also been improved. Apple has also reduced communication power consumption through its self-developed C1 chip. However, we do not recommend this phone, primarily due to its poor value for money.

The iPhone 16e significantly downgrades from the standard iPhone 16, removing the Dynamic Island feature, reducing the processor by one GPU core, and lacking MagSafe functionality. Although the 128GB and 256GB versions are eligible for government subsidies, the price after the subsidy is still as high as 3999 yuan, and these storage capacities are insufficient for most users. The 512GB version, priced at 7499 yuan, is prohibitively expensive.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra: Imaging Flagship, but Sacrifices Thinness

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is a phone focused on imaging capabilities, almost entirely foregoing thinness. This phone upgrades to a large-sensor periscope telephoto lens and invests heavily in the optical path, resulting in photos with fewer software artifacts and greater realism. Other aspects are largely similar to the Xiaomi 15 Pro. If you prioritize photography, consider the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. Otherwise, the Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Pro are more suitable options.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Series: Chinese Version Arrives, Thinness Upgrade

The long-awaited Chinese version of the Samsung Galaxy S25 series also brings significant improvements in thinness. The Galaxy S25 Ultra, in particular, is 15 grams lighter, offering a considerably more comfortable grip. Among the series, we only recommend the standard and Ultra versions. The Galaxy S25 Ultra, as a flagship model, offers balanced performance across the board, but at a relatively high price. The Galaxy S25 standard version boasts a slim body and excellent feel for a small-screen flagship; we recommend the 12GB+256GB version, which costs approximately 5499 yuan after government subsidies.

Summary

In summary, the several new phones released in February each have their strengths and weaknesses, showcasing significant advancements in thin design and imaging capabilities. Consumers can choose the appropriate model based on their needs and budget. For those seeking lightweight portability, the OPPO Find N5 is a good choice; for those focusing on imaging, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is worth considering; and for those seeking balanced performance and a slim feel, the Samsung Galaxy S25 standard and Ultra versions are also good options. However, due to significant specification reductions and high pricing, we do not recommend the iPhone 16e.