Several major Chinese phone makers launched flagship handsets within days of each other in September, packing advanced cameras, fast charging and on-device AI into premium devices sold first in their home market. The clustered timing reflects fierce competition, with each brand racing to match the others' features season by season.
Intense competition among makers tends to push features down into cheaper models faster, benefiting buyers who do not need the very latest device.
What it means: the features that debut in this year's flagships usually reach mid-range phones within a year or two at a fraction of the price. For a business equipping staff, waiting one generation and buying mid-range often captures most of the benefit for far less money.