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Performance Evaluation of Top Asian Android OEMs in 2025: Achievements and Obstacles in the Face of Fierce Rivalry

Most Asian smartphone companies achieved remarkable success in 2025, yet one thing became apparent this year: OnePlus is fading away.

This year has seen an impressive lineup of smartphone launches, with Vivo, OPPO, and Huawei standing out with their offerings. The tri-folding Mate XT kicked off the year with a bang, and camera-centric models like the Vivo X200 Ultra and Find X8 Ultra demonstrated the potential of Chinese brands investing in this domain.

It’s not solely about camera capabilities; the latest flagship models reveal how advanced these smartphones have become. Battery technology has progressed significantly in the past year, with 7,000mAh batteries becoming quite common. I had the opportunity to test all the devices released by Chinese phone makers this year, and I will assess the performance of each brand based on their 2025 launches. Let’s dive in.

Vivo: A+

Without a doubt, Vivo is currently my preferred Android brand. It has produced top-notch cameras over the past two years, and in 2025, it revamped its software with the global launch of OriginOS. The Vivo X300 Pro is my top recommendation for the best cameras currently available, and it excels as an all-around device as well. Vivo is making all the right moves in the mid-range segment with models like the V50 and V60, while the foldable X Fold 5 remains competitive against the Galaxy Z Fold 7.

OPPO: A

OPPO also enjoyed a remarkable year, with the Find X9 Pro being an exceptional device — it serves as my daily phone, and I don’t foresee myself switching to another device for at least another month. The brand has re-entered Western markets, which is a positive development.

I appreciate OPPO’s approach to foldables as well; the Find N5 launched nearly a year ago, yet it still holds its ground remarkably well. The only area where the brand could improve is wearables; it produces decent smartwatches, but they remain limited to China — I would love to see these introduced in more global markets.

Huawei: A

Huawei is not letting the trade ban hinder its ability to produce remarkable phones. The Mate XT is the most innovative device I’ve encountered, and the tri-folding design is nothing short of amazing. The Pura 80 Ultra boasts one of the finest zoom lenses available, and the newly released Mate X7 elevates foldable camera tech. Although Huawei’s software is still catching up to industry norms, its hardware design is clearly ahead.

I also appreciate Huawei’s efforts in creating a more extensive ecosystem. The Watch Ultimate 2 is my favorite smartwatch, the 12-inch MatePad Pro is the finest Android tablet I’ve ever used, and this year the brand launched several impressive earbuds. Additionally, with recent models like the Mate X7 allowing MicroG installation during the initial setup, accessing Google services on Huawei devices has never been easier.

POCO: B

I genuinely can’t criticize POCO’s performance this year. The F7 Ultra highlighted the brand’s imaging capabilities, the X7 Pro emerged as a fantastic budget option, and the F7 managed to compete effectively against its rivals. With the F8 Ultra, the brand now possesses a strong contender in the $700 price range.

POCO must enhance its presence in India, its largest international market. By not launching the F8 Ultra in India, it is conceding ground to Realme. Besides that, the software requires a revamp, but that primarily rests with Xiaomi rather than POCO.

Realme: B

I began to take renewed interest in Realme in 2025, and I admire what the brand is achieving. As a Formula 1 fan, it’s thrilling to see Realme collaborate with the Aston Martin F1 team, and the GT 7 Pro and GT 8 Pro Dream Edition models are impressive. I’m also enthusiastic about the Ricoh partnership; as demonstrated by other Chinese brands over the years, collaborating with a leading camera company can yield significant advantages, and I’m curious to see how this evolves for Realme.

If anything, Realme seems to be the brand now receiving all the limited edition models within the BBK portfolio. This used to be OnePlus’ niche, but that has changed in 2025, as illustrated by the Realme 15 Pro Game of Thrones edition.

Honor: C

Honor continues to produce solid smartphones, but its software initiatives trail behind its competitors. I’m not referring to update policies — Honor aligns with Samsung and Google for flagship updates — but the actual user interface experience. Although Honor claims its software is developed entirely internally, it still retains elements of EMUI, lacking coherence.

While Honor devices have competent cameras

2025: iPhone Advancements, Samsung’s Sleek Design, and OnePlus’s Significant Achievement

This year has been a wild ride for the smartphone sector, with innovation and inertia competing fiercely. On one side, we’ve witnessed remarkable breakthroughs that have stretched the limits of smartphone capabilities. From sleeker designs and enhanced processors to improved accessibility features and AI functionalities, the industry has progressed significantly. Firms such as Google and Apple have rolled out solutions to combat display flickering, a positive for those sensitive to such problems.

Foldable devices have returned to the spotlight, with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Motorola’s Razr Ultra spearheading the movement. These gadgets have reignited excitement in the foldable category, providing more choices and refined designs. At the same time, OnePlus has surprised many with its OnePlus 13, garnering enthusiastic reviews and establishing a new benchmark for the brand.

Nonetheless, the sector also encounters obstacles. Tariffs and international tensions have affected distribution and pricing, while a movement toward uniformity in design has left some consumers desiring greater variety. The North American market, in particular, continues to be heavily shaped by carriers, restricting the availability of certain models.

AI has emerged as a key focus, with companies incorporating AI features into their products. This encompasses dedicated AI buttons and applications, enabling users to tailor their experiences. However, only a select few firms, such as Samsung and Google, provide offline AI capabilities, a crucial factor in an age of data privacy issues.

In summary, although the industry has witnessed remarkable innovations, it also struggles with challenges of stagnation and market restrictions. As we gaze into the future, the hope is for ongoing advancements that tackle these obstacles and present consumers with a wider array of diverse and inventive options.

Activating Expanded Dark Mode on a Google Pixel Device

The newest Android 16 QPR2 update for Pixel devices brings a fresh feature that enables users to impose dark mode on apps that do not inherently provide it. This update is part of Google’s persistent initiatives to improve Pixel smartphones via consistent Pixel Drops and Quarterly Performance Release updates. The Enhanced dark mode, presented as an accessibility option, is advantageous for users who favor a dark interface or have visual impairments or photosensitivity.

This feature is accessible on Pixel phones that support the Android 16 QPR2 update, including the Pixel 6 and subsequent versions. Users can verify their build version by heading to Settings > About phone and checking for the build number BP4A.251205.006. To activate Enhanced dark mode, users need to launch the Settings app, navigate to Display and touch, select Dark theme, and opt for the Enhanced choice.

Although this feature offers a provisional fix for apps without native dark mode capabilities, Google cautions that not all applications may operate correctly when forced into dark mode. The update is a positive enhancement for dark mode fans and acts as a temporary solution until app developers implement native dark themes.

Top 5 Enhancements Sought for the Samsung Galaxy S26 Following the Evaluation of the Galaxy S25

The Galaxy S26 possesses the potential to be outstanding, but Samsung must tackle these facets.

Samsung opted for a conservative approach with the Galaxy S25, which, to be honest, turned out to be a rather appealing Android device. I would have preferred a bolder design overhaul, enhanced cameras, and advancements in battery and charging technology. Even lacking those enhancements, the Galaxy S25 proved itself as one of the finest phones available in 2025.

I anticipate significant developments from the Galaxy S26, though rumors and leaks indicate it could be disappointing. Samsung is following the introduction of the iPhone 17 and the Google Pixel 10, which featured trend-changing upgrades such as increased base storage and magnetic charging capabilities. To remain competitive, Samsung must match these features and more.

Here are the five enhancements I wish to see in Samsung’s Galaxy S26.

1. A sleeker and lighter design with Qi2
Reports suggest that Samsung will release the Galaxy S26 with a slightly larger display next year. I want Samsung to focus on preserving the in-hand feel while refreshing the design. Magnetic charging is now a crucial feature for any Android flagship aiming for serious consideration. Samsung should utilize its R&D prowess to integrate Qi2 while keeping changes to the Galaxy S25’s dimensions, thickness, and weight minimal.

2. Smart AI functionalities
Samsung’s AI capabilities are underrated, and I want to see an expansion of this for 2026. Features like Circle to Search and multimodal Gemini Live represent the kind of innovative software enhancements I wish to see launch alongside the Galaxy S26. Samsung should revisit its strategy and potentially collaborate with Google to envision new software upgrades for the Galaxy S26.

3. A fully upgraded camera system
Samsung must make substantial advancements to the entire camera system for the Galaxy S26. A camera system based on a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide with a 120-degree field of view, and a 12MP 3x telephoto lens seems inadequate as we approach 2026. Samsung should invest more in computational photography and color science to enhance the Galaxy S26’s photo quality without requiring hardware alterations.

4. Increased base storage (without a price increase)
Samsung can proactively impress with the Galaxy S26 by including 256GB of base storage. Apple gained attention with the iPhone 17 by making 256GB standard without increasing the price. Samsung should mirror this strategy, giving it an advantage over the Pixel 10.

5. Enhanced efficiency and battery performance
The Galaxy S25 comes with only a 4,000 mAh battery. With a power-demanding processor and display, the Galaxy S26 must enhance battery life in some manner. This could be achieved through capacity boosts, efficiency improvements, or faster charging speeds to facilitate mid-day power-ups.

While these are my primary requests, share your thoughts in the comments about what you wish to see in the Galaxy S26, anticipated to launch in just a few months!