As September and October approach, the new generation of Snapdragon and Dimensity flagship chips are about to be released, and mobile phone manufacturers are actively preparing to launch their annual flagship products. These new products will undoubtedly be equipped with the most advanced performance configurations and excellent imaging systems, presenting a “eight immortals crossing the sea” in the technology world.
“Technology Spring Festival Gala”
According to the blogger “Digital Chat Station”, two models equipped with Dimensity 9400 processors and two models using Snapdragon 8 Gen4 mobile platform will be released in October, with all the specifications everyone wants. Although the blogger did not directly specify the specific brands, based on information from multiple sources, Xiaomi 15 series, vivo X200 series and OPPO Find X8 series will firmly occupy three of the four seats.
As for the fourth model, there is uncertainty. It may be iQOO 13 or OnePlus 13, but considering the “all the specifications everyone wants” mentioned in the leak, and the rumors that iQOO 13 may not be equipped with a periscope lens, this may lead to limited improvement in its imaging system compared to its predecessor. Therefore, CNMO is more inclined to the addition of OnePlus 13, but it does not rule out the possibility that both will have the opportunity to debut in October.
This competition indicates that the mobile phone market in October will be extremely fierce. Any company that is slightly inferior in configuration may miss the market opportunity. However, competition is not limited to hardware configuration, and pricing strategy is also crucial. In the case of similar configurations, the price will directly affect consumers’ purchasing decisions, and overpricing will undoubtedly lead to an embarrassing situation.
It is worth noting that this time the new Dimensity 9400 phone is expected to be released before Snapdragon 8 Gen4, breaking the normal rhythm of previous years.
In fact, this is not just a competition between mobile phone manufacturers, but also an invisible performance showdown between MediaTek and Qualcomm. Last year, MediaTek’s Dimensity 9300 performed well, and its “4+4” core architecture – 4 X4 super cores and 4 A720 large cores, even surpassed Snapdragon 8 Gen3 in performance.
However, despite the impressive performance of the Dimensity 9300, there are still many doubts in the market, and people unconsciously equate “Dimensity” with “poor imaging”, which reflects the “stereotype” left by historical positioning differences. Since MediaTek entered the smartphone chip market in 2011, it has initially focused on the mid-to-low-end field and worked with brands such as Redmi. Although it has successfully entered the mid-to-high-end market and achieved good results, the inertia of early impressions, coupled with the gradual accumulation of market acceptance, makes it difficult to dissipate this prejudice immediately.
Now, as the reputation of the Dimensity series continues to grow and consumer recognition increases, whether the Dimensity 9400 can make another breakthrough and surpass the Snapdragon 8 Gen4 is not only about the display of technological strength, but also a key step in breaking the inherent prejudices of consumers.
Dimensity 9400 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen4
According to the leak, Dimensity 9400 uses TSMC’s second-generation N3 process, and its core configuration has many highlights, including a Cortex-X925 (as the successor of Cortex-X4, with a main frequency close to 3.4GHz), three Cortex-X4 and four Cortex-A720. This chip has achieved more than 30% improvement in single-core performance, while reducing power consumption by 30% in the same scenario. Its Geekbench 6 single-core score falls in the range of 2900-3000, comparable to the performance of Apple A17 Pro.
On the other hand, the Snapdragon 8 Gen4 integrates an Adreno 830 GPU with a frequency of up to 1250MHz, which is 25% higher than the previous generation, making it the most aggressive GPU in Qualcomm’s history. The processor is also based on TSMC’s second-generation N3 process and uses Qualcomm’s self-developed Nuvia CPU architecture, with a main frequency exceeding the 4GHz mark.
In terms of AI, the Snapdragon 8 Gen4 is equipped with the sixth-generation AI engine with a computing power of up to 40 TOPS, which is a 54% increase over the previous generation. In addition, the Snapdragon 8 Gen4 is expected to be launched in two versions: the standard version SM8750 and the performance version SM8750P. The latter may have further improvements in core frequency and cache capacity. The running results on Geekbench show that the single-core score of the Snapdragon 8 Gen4 is 2884, and the multi-core score reaches 8840, which is a significant upgrade compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen3.
The two processors have their own characteristics. The Snapdragon 8 Gen4 is particularly outstanding in peak performance. Its super-large core frequency exceeds 4Ghz, but the heat control problem associated with the high frequency has yet to be verified. In contrast, the Dimensity 9400’s all-large core design is more robust in terms of energy efficiency. However, these are only preliminary information. The true performance of the two processors will only be revealed after the real machine is launched and optimized and adjusted by the manufacturer.
The vivo X200 series is expected to be the first to launch the MediaTek Dimensity 9400, followed by the OPPO Find X8 series, which will also be equipped with the Dimensity 9400. The Xiaomi 15 series is planned to be the first to launch Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen4, and the OnePlus 13 may be the last of the four series to be released.
Which configuration is better?
At present, the configurations of flagship phones of major brands have been basically determined, and they are ready to enter the factory production stage and prepare promotional materials, indicating that there should be no major changes in the final specifications. Therefore, the latest leaked information about these products has a high degree of accuracy.
Xiaomi Mi 15 Series
The Xiaomi Mi 15 series will first launch the standard and Pro versions, and the super cup version is expected to be released next year, as are other models. Standard version configuration: The screen will use a 6.3x-inch straight screen with a 1.5K resolution, retain a metal middle frame, and the body material may be glass/ceramic, designed for users who prefer small screens. The main camera is 50 million pixels, and the telephoto lens structure has been changed from periscope to vertical. Battery capacity and fast charging power information are not yet clear, but are expected to increase.
Pro version configuration: The screen will be equipped with a new substrate full-depth micro-curved screen with 2K resolution. The screen size is close to 6.73 inches. It adopts a curved design to enhance the visual experience, and the frame design is more compact. The imaging system has been significantly upgraded, including a 50-megapixel ultra-large bottom main camera, a 50-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 50-megapixel periscope telephoto lens. The new machine will be equipped with a 6000mAh large-capacity battery. The camera module design is consistent with the standard version, using a square Deco, and the flash is external. The entire series uses ultrasonic fingerprint recognition technology.
vivo X200 series
The vivo X200 standard version will use a 6.3x-inch screen with a resolution of 1.5K. This is the first time vivo has launched a small-screen flagship in recent years. In terms of battery life, the phone may have a built-in 5500mAh large-capacity battery and support wireless charging technology.
The vivo X200 Pro is further upgraded and will be equipped with a 6.7-inch 1.5K curved screen, and its battery capacity has jumped to 6000mAh. Both models are equipped with vivo’s self-developed imaging chip, a periscope macro telephoto camera and a Sony customized main camera using 22nm advanced process, which significantly improves the photography ability.
However, in terms of fingerprint unlocking, the vivo X200 is expected to adopt a short-focus fingerprint unlocking solution, which may affect the user’s unlocking experience to a certain extent. In contrast, the Pro version will adopt a more advanced single-point ultrasonic fingerprint unlocking solution. At this point, the Xiaomi 15 series appears to be more competitive.
OPPO Find X8 Series
The OPPO Find X8 will feature a 6.7-inch straight screen on the front. In terms of photography, it integrates a 50-megapixel main camera, a 50-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera, and a 3x periscope telephoto lens. The battery capacity has jumped to 5600mAh, and it supports 100W wired fast charging. The model is available in four colors: black, white, blue, and pink.
The OPPO Find X8 Pro will use a 6.8-inch four-sided micro-curved screen, and the rear camera system is more powerful, including a full-focus 50-megapixel quad-camera dual periscope combination, covering the main camera, ultra-wide angle, 3x and 10x telephoto focal lengths. Its battery capacity has been slightly increased to 5700mAh, and it also supports 100W wired fast charging. It is available in black, white and blue.
It is worth mentioning that OPPO Find X8 Ultra will introduce an exclusive imaging kit and imaging handle, indicating that it will compete fiercely with Xiaomi 15 Ultra in the field of high-end imaging.
OnePlus 13
The rear camera module design of OnePlus 13 is expected to be adjusted, with a centered ring lens module, which integrates the main camera, periscope telephoto and ultra-wide-angle lenses to form a three-camera system, and each lens may reach 50 million pixels. At the system level, OnePlus 13 is expected to be pre-installed with ColorOS 15, and equipped with single-point ultrasonic fingerprint unlocking, IP68/69 dust and water resistance, and high-performance vibration motor.
In terms of screen, OnePlus 13 will use BOE 8T LTPO 2K iso-depth quad-curved straight screen. In terms of battery life, the phone is planned to be equipped with a glacier silicon negative electrode battery with a capacity of more than 6000mAh. This battery technology increases the energy density of lithium ion content to 763Wh/L and the silicon-carbon content to 6%, achieving an increase in battery capacity while maintaining or even reducing the volume. It is expected to support 100-watt fast charging.
Final Thoughts
The vivo X200 standard version is expected to pose significant competitive pressure to the Xiaomi 15. Although it may lack fingerprint technology, it may make up for this shortcoming in other aspects. Overall, the smartphone market in October will be extremely eye-catching, with the four flagships each having their own characteristics.
