Samsung has dethroned Apple to regain its top spot in the global smartphone market in Q1 2024. The South Korean firm defeated Apple just by one quarter after it was pushed down to the second position, all thanks to impressive sales of the Galaxy S24 series, which was launched in January earlier in 2024.

In the fourth quarter of 2023, Apple became the world’s biggest smartphone company in terms of unit sales. Samsung was beaten by Apple in second place during that quarter. However, Samsung has returned strongly in the first quarter of 2024, riding the wave of the successful Galaxy S24. 

According to market research firm IDC, it sold 60.1 million smartphones during Q1 of 2024. That’s slightly lower than Samsung’s 60.5 million sales from last year, marking a 0.7% drop compared to Q1 2023 figures. Apple sold 50.1 million iPhones in Q1 2024, a 9.6% drop in sales when compared to Q1 2023. It was the second-biggest smartphone brand in Q1 of 2024. Previous reports suggest, that most of its sales drop might have come from China.

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289 Million Smartphones Shipped In Q4 2023

Xiaomi has also shown a strong comeback, ranking third in the global smartphone market with sales of more than 40.8 million smartphones during Q1 2024. That’s a huge improvement of 33.8% compared to Q1 2023. However, what’s impressive is Transsion’s huge 84.9% sales jump to 28.5 million units during the same period. OPPO’s sales declined last quarter by 8.5% and it sold 25.2 million smartphones globally.

Overall, 289.4 million smartphones were shipped globally in the first quarter of 2024. That is a 7.8% rise in shipments compared to the muted sales figures from 2023’s first quarter. Smartphone sales are growing globally, and the recovery seems to be happening compared to disastrous market conditions from last year.

Huawei has reportedly witnessed a great comeback in China’s domestic market. However, the company won’t be in the top five anytime soon due to the US sanctions on the firm.

Nabila Popal, Research Director of IDC's Worldwide Tracker team, said, “In contrast, while the Top 2 players (Samsung and Apple) both saw negative growth in the first quarter, it seems Samsung is in a stronger position overall than they were in recent quarters.”

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Samsung’s New Strategy To Take On Apple

While next-gen VR devices such as the Samsung XR headset are yet to see the light of day, Qualcomm is said to be preparing for the next-gen models, including the Meta Quest Pro 2 and Meta Quest 4.

Users will likely witness some XR2+ Gen 2-powered models coming out later this year. However, some of the much-anticipated devices like Samsung’s XR headset, Sony’s headset, and an HTC device might be delayed if a Gen 3 is in the offing so they can use the latest tech. 

Recently, Oppo launched its flagship Find X8 series including the Find X8 and Find X8 Pro, in China. The company has also confirmed that the device will be launched globally soon.

As the anticipation builds for the global launch of the Oppo Find X8 series, let’s take a quick look at what users can expect. Since the company has already unveiled the series in China, the global variants are likely to feature similar specifications.

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Oppo Find X8 Series Under The Hood

In China, Oppo has unveiled the new Find X8 with a 6.59-inch LTPO OLED display, offering a 1256 x 2760 resolution and a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. Meanwhile, the Find X8 Pro comes with a bigger 6.78-inch LTPO OLED display with micro-quad curvature, to offer more of a premium edge-to-edge feel.

One standout feature of the Find X8 series is the camera system, made in collaboration with Hasselblad. The smartphone comes with a 50MP main camera with a Sony LYT-700 sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide camera, and a 3x telephoto camera with a 73mm periscope lens for zoomed-in shots.

The series also brings an exclusive Quick Button - a customizable feature that activates the camera, functions as a shutter button, and lets users zoom with ease. This feature resembles Apple’s new Capture Button introduced with the iPhone 16 series.

As for the performance, the Find X8 series is powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 9400 chipset, a next-gen SoC that for now has been getting positive impressions for its benchmark performance.

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Oppo Find X8 Series Price And Availability

The Oppo Find X8 is powered by the 5630mAh battery, while the Find X8 Pro comes with a larger 5910mAh cell. Both models use the company’s silicon-carbon battery technology and support 80W wired and 50W wireless charging. Both devices are also IP69-rated for dust and water resistance, adding durability in various environments.

In China, the smartphone comes in Starfield Black, Floating Light White, Chasing Wind Blue, and Bubble Pink colors, with a starting price of CNY 4,199 (approx Rs 49,551). The Find X8 Pro, available in Hoshino Black, Cloud White, and Sky Blue, starts at CNY 5,299 (around Rs 62,536).

As for the Indian market, pricing is said to be competitive with similar offerings from other brands. The Find X8 might arrive at around Rs 50,000 for the 12GB RAM + 256GB storage variant, while the Find X8 Pro could range from Rs 60,000 to Rs 65,000, depending on the configuration.

Apple is reportedly planning to refresh the MacBook Pro in 2026. According to a report from 9To5Mac, citing Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the MacBook Pro will not receive a “true overhaul” next year; customers might have to wait another year for significant upgrades across the board.

The report suggests that the MacBook Pro’s 2025 model with a new M5 chip will likely be “just another chip upgrade,” with a “total redesign” planned for 2026. Gurman noted that Apple had previously aimed for the next MacBook Pro overhaul in 2025, but delays related to display technology have pushed the schedule.

One of the highlight changes expected for the 2026 model of the MacBook Pro is the transition to an OLED display. According to the report, the MacBook Pro will feature a similar OLED display to the M4 iPad Pro launched earlier this year.

Also Read: Apple Teases M4 Mac Launch Date: What To Expect

What To Expect From MacBook Pro in 2026

The M4 iPad Pro comes packed with a Tandem OLED panel, which encompasses two layers of red, green, and blue (RGB) organic light-emitting layers stacked atop one another. The display tech enables higher brightness while consuming less power.

The report also stated that the 2026 MacBook Pro will likely have a “thinner design.” Apple increased the width of its MacBook Pro when transitioning from Intel processors to its own Apple Silicon; however, the company might revise to a sleeker form factor with the next major design update in 2026.

Also Read: iPhone SE 4 Tipped To Come With Apple’s In-House Modem

M6 Series Chip To Power MacBook Pro

Mark Gurman mentioned that the 2026 MacBook Pro will be powered by the M6 series chipset. The new chip would be based on 2nm architecture, making it more powerful while improving power efficiency. As for the 2025 update, the MacBook Pro will likely transition to M5 series chips without any other major changes.
 
 

MacBook Pro 2024: Variants and Pricing

• 14-inch MacBook Pro with M4: Starts at Rs 169,900
• 14-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro: Starts at Rs 199,900
• 14-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Max: Starts at Rs 319,900
• 16-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro: Starts at Rs 249,900
• 16-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Max: Starts at Rs 349,900
   

All models are available in space black and silver. After the MacBook Pro launch, the MacBook Air with M2 and M3 now comes standard with 16GB of unified memory and is available in midnight, starlight, silver, and space grey, starting at Rs 99,900.

A day after Realme launched the India launch date of the GT 7 Pro, the smartphone was launched in China. The GT 7 Pro is the first smartphone to come with Snapdragon 8 Gen Elite. However, that is not the only thing that is special about the device.

It comes packed with a 6500mAh battery, which is even bigger than the 6000mAh battery found on the OnePlus 13. The smartphone will be launched in India on November 26, most likely with the same set of specs.

The Relme GT 7 Pro is priced in China starting at CNY 3,699 (around Rs 43,800) for the model with the 12GB RAM and 512GB storage. The 12GB + 256GB variant is priced slightly higher at CNY 3,999 (approx Rs 47,400).

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Realme GT 7 Pro Under The Hood

The Realme GT 7 Pro is a cutting-edge smartphone offering top-end performance and sleek design. It supports GSM, HSPA, LTE, and 5G networks. The smartphone comes with a sturdy build with a glass front and aluminum frame.

The smartphone measures 162.5 x 76.9 x 8.6 mm and weighs 222.8 grams, providing both durability and portability. It comes with an IP68/IP69 for water and dust resistance, it can withstand submersion in up to 2 meters of water for 30 minutes, adding extra reliability in various conditions.

The Realme GT 7 Pro sports a 6.78-inch LTPO OLED display with a rich color palette of one billion colors, a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and Dolby Vision. The display remains vivid even in direct sunlight. It offers a high-resolution experience with 1264 x 2780 pixels and a dense 450 ppi, making sure visuals for all content.

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Realme GT 7 Pro Feature To Check Out

The smartphone is powered by Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset (3nm). It runs Android 15 with Realme UI 6.0 on top. It is an octa-core processor that includes powerful Oryon V2 Phoenix cores clocked at up to 4.2 GHz, while the Adreno 830 GPU delivers smooth graphics for gaming and multimedia. The device is available in storage variants of 256GB to 1TB with up to 16GB of RAM and UFS 4.0 storage, it offers ample space and fast data speeds.

Speaking of the camera, the Realme GT 7 Pro features a versatile triple rear camera setup. The primary camera is 50MP with optical image stabilization, while a 50MP telephone lens offers 3x optical zoom, and an 8MP ultrawide lens provides a 112Ëš field of view. Users will be able to shoot up to 8K at 24fps, along with 4K and Full HD recording options. The front-facing camera is 16MP, capturing clear selfies and 1080p video at 30 fps.

Rumors of a cheaper Apple Vision Pro mixed reality headset have been going on for several months, sparking anticipation among tech enthusiasts. However, known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has now suggested that this lower-cost version won’t hit the market until at least 2027.

Instead, Apple is reportedly gearing up to release an upgraded Vision Pro model equipped with an M5 processor as early as next year. In a recent post on X, Kuo highlighted that the company’s strategy to launch a budget version of its Vision Pro has shifted. “Apple has delayed its plans for a lower-cost Vision Pro to beyond 2027,” Kuo wrote, noting that a new version featuring the M5 chip is planned for 2025.

Kuo also anticipates a budget model for the HomePods mini, which, despite being a more affordable option, did not significantly boost Apple’s smart speaker market share. “Even after launching the cheaper HomePod mini, Apple’s smart speakers failed to become mainstream products,” he stated.

Also Read: Apple Launches MacBook Pro With M4, M4 Pro and M4 Max Chips

What To Expect From a Future Affordable Vision Pro

The analyst suggested that simply lowering the price might not be enough to drive success for the headset. The move seems to showcase Apple’s understanding that cost-cutting alone won’t create compelling use cases for new technology.

The budget-friendly version, should it eventually be released, is said to come with a price tag of around $2,000 ( around Rs 1,68,00). To achieve this lower cost, Apple might employ less expensive materials, equip the device with a less powerful chip, and remove features such as  EyeSight—a highlight feature of the current Vision Pro that projects the user’s eyes onto the front display. The quality of the internal displays might also be reduced to maintain a more accessible price point.

Also Read: Apple Launches Smaller, Redesigned Mac Mini: Price, Features

Apple Prioritizing High-End Vision Pro

The first-generation Apple Vision Pro, launched at WWDC 2023, comes with a starting price of $3,499 (approx Rs 2,90,000) for the base 256Gb model. It also offers higher storage options of 512GB and 1TB. The premium headset runs on the company’s in-house M2 chipset and R1 chip and operates using visionOS, supporting both augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) functions.

Kuo’s insights suggest that the company is prioritizing the refinement of its high-end Vision Pro lineup rather than rushing a budget model to market. This approach could be tied to ensure robust user engagement and showcasing the practical applications of mixed reality technology before expanding its offerings. The company’s Vision Pro has already rolled out in a few markets, including the US, China, Europe, and Japan.

Samsung could launch a more affordable variant of its flagship Galaxy Z Flip series smartphone dubbed the Galaxy Z Flip FE next year, as per a tipster. The South Korean technology giant unveiled a Special Edition model of its top-tier Galaxy Z Fold 6 in select markets a few weeks ago, but that was priced considerably higher than the standard variant.

Meanwhile, the alleged Galaxy Z Flip FE is said to come with toned-down internals to reduce costs. In a post on the South Korean blogging platform Naver (via Android Authority), tipster @yeux1122 hinted that the company might be developing a more affordable variant of the Galaxy Z Flip series. The said device is expected to hit the market in 2025.

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What To Expect From Affordable Galaxy Z Flip FE

While its launch date remains unknown, the tipster claimed that it would be a “simultaneous release,” suggesting that it could make its debut alongside the next-generation Samsung foldable - the purported Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 — in the latter half of the year.

This development delves upon the recent announcement during Samsung’s Earnings Call for Q3 2024 where they said they are exploring “ways to lower entry barriers so that more customers can experience foldable products.” This suggests the potential development of more affordable versions of the Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Fold series smartphones in development.

Moreover, the tipster also hinted that Samsung might launch two more devices next year: Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim and an additional model in the Galaxy Z Fold 7 series. While the former has a tentative launch timeline of “before and after” April 2025, the latter is speculated to be a simultaneous release, which means it could be another smartphone making its debut alongside the company’s seventh-gen foldable.

Also Read: Samsung Galaxy S25 Leak Hints At Dimensions Of Three Models

Samsung Could Launch Triple-Screen Foldable Phone In 2025

Huawei swept headlines when it unveiled the Mate XT earlier this year. This might be the beginning of the dual-folding triple-screen phones, although it’s currently limited to China. So, when will other brands release their own commercial devices?

Well, ZDNet Korea (via SammyGuru) reports that Samsung is planning to release a triple-screen foldable phone next year. And it seems like the pieces are in place for mass production.

“Samsung Display’s partners have also completed the development of parts for the trifold model and are already ready for commercialization,” an industry insider was quoted as saying by the outlet. “Of course, the final release of the product depends on the decision of Samsung Electronics’ MX division, so we will have to watch the trend a little more closely.”