mobile

Chinese mobile phones conquered the market by dividing into a thousand different brands. Now they are doing just the opposite.

by

A few days ago OPPO made it official: after the merger with OnePlus (although with “independent” operation“), now brings Realme under its umbrella. Thus, both Realme and OnePlus go from going on their own to becoming sub-brands within a differentiated organizational chart. If the beginning of the decade was one of separations, with the division (forced by circumstances) from Honor and Huawei and the “independence” of POCO and Xiaomi following the steps of Redmi and Xiaomithe roaring 20s have taken a turn of the script to do just the opposite: associate even more (with one exception that swims against the current: Nothing and CMF). The quotes are important insofar as these separations, although announced with great fanfare, hid a reality of sharing certain processes and technologies to a greater or lesser extent. Why is it important. OPPO is the fifth best-selling mobile brand in the world, according to CounterPoint data for the third quarter of 2025. And if we go to 2024, Canalys data They show that OPPO (at that time together with OnePlus) had a global market share of 8%. With the merger, the three teams will work together although each continues to develop their own devices to share resources and thus reduce costs. But also, the direct consequence can be sensed in this graph: there is a small piece of Realme’s 4% pie that increases OPPO’s portion. Canalys As confirmed by OPPO and Realme to Xataka Mobilethis decision is a strategic measure to “make better use of resources and amplify synergy (…). This allows OPPO, Realme and OnePlus to present a unified and improved offer, offering more innovative and differential products and more optimized and user-focused customer service worldwide.” In short, to be more competitive. The context. Oppo’s share grows and approaches the top 3 of Apple, Samsung and Xiaomi. In a saturated market with reduced margins, competitiveness low-cost It’s brutal. and with runaway RAM pricessurvival depends on being strong to negotiate in the supply chain and reinforcing an ecosystem to build loyalty. Xiaomi already did it when POCO website loaded to integrate with the matrix in a simplification movement. In fact, OPPO is doing a Xiaomi by differentiating its sub-brands: the main one is the premium one, POCO is the one that offers some groundbreaking features at an eye-catching price and Redmi for tight budgets. The brand has not yet commented, but the history of each one leads us to think of premium devices with the OPPO seal, the good cost-performance ratio of Realme and OnePlus as a kind of flagship killer with differential functions. Inthree lines. In the complex ecosystem of Chinese mobile manufacturersthe huge conglomerate BBK Electronics It makes up a series of brands of different importance: there are the strong ones, led by OPPO and Vivo, and other smaller brands that have been developing their trajectory such as OnePlus and Realme, but also Iqoo. Although each had their own communication, sales and marketing strategies and some development elements, shared production, logistics and R&D&I processes. With this move, OPPO, Realme and OnePlus will share a structure. In Xataka | In the midst of a protectionist retreat, Xiaomi wants to be the new Huawei and knows where to start: with its own chips In Xataka | “The mobile industry was boring and monotonous.” Oppo is willing to change it Cover | Xataka and Wikipedia

Years ago we ridiculed China for copying Western mobile phones. The fact is that now they copy them… and improve them

by

We Europeans have integrated into our culture that copying is something negative, an act of theft according to tech industry figures such as John Ive. In China, the culture of ‘shanzai’ It tells us the opposite: learning and replicating what the best teachers do is the best way to reach (or surpass) their level of knowledge. In China, the logic is different. The culture of ‘shanzhai’ It starts from a much more pragmatic premise: learning by replicating the best is the fastest—and most effective—way to reach their level, or even surpass it. For years, seeing Chinese brands copying giants like Apple was a source of ridicule on social networks. Until the country’s technological advance has made the outcome inevitable: copies that no longer only imitate, but also technically improve the products from which they are inspired. The Honor Magic 8 Pro…Air. Apple sets the conceptual pace for where industry trends will move. And, although Samsung was the first with its Galaxy Edge, the race to create increasingly thinner flagships has been started by Apple with its iPhone 17 Air. A model that It is not working very well on a commercial level.precisely because of the sacrifices that supposedly entail creating such a thin mobile phone. It only has one camera. It is the iPhone with the worst autonomy of the entire family iPhone 17 It is, in practical terms, inferior in some key aspects to a base iPhone The most talked about mobile phone this week is the Honor Magic 8 Pro Air, of which we have leaks through JD’s own pageand whose presentation date and part of the design are already confirmed by Honor itself. We will meet him on January 19 in China. Don’t take away my basics. “I’m willing to lose two cameras and suffer with the battery in exchange for a thinner phone.” Said nobody, ever. According to the information leaked, this Honor It has three cameras It has a 5,500mAh battery The rest of the specs will be those expected in any high range honor Power 2. The Honor Magic 8 Pro Air will not be the only Honor model “inspired” by Apple for this 2026. Recently, the company presented its Power 2a mid-range with just 8mm thickness and only 216 grams of weight. In addition to having specs that border on the first line, it is practically a humiliation in terms of battery for all its rivals: it has 10,000mAh, the same as the powerbanks that I have at home for my trips. It’s not a player thing. Xiaomi has even renamed its star flagship from Pro to “Pro Max”, in a model in which even the case of an iPhone 17 Pro Max fits almost perfectly. Differences with the Apple model? Battery… 7,500mAh. In less thickness. Screen with more peak brightness. Double the base memory. Three keys. China It is in one of the best moments to lead the smartphone race. The generational leap in batteries is leaving Western manufacturers behind. The maxim is clear: add all the hardware that fits in the body of the phone. A strategy focused on volume. Giants like Apple or Google need to hit the mark with their flagship model to make their mobile division profitable. Chinese manufacturers maintain their profitability thanks to broader catalogs, with dozens of models that cover all price ranges. A market of traditions. The data of Counterpoint in Q3 2025 They make one thing clear: the lack of technological innovation does not affect Samsung or Apple. The two leading companies maintain their position, followed by Xiaomi, which is already practically traditional in markets such as Europe. Despite this, China is demonstrating something key in a market that aspires to win in the coming years. He not only knows how to copy: he knows how to improve what already exists. In Xataka | China has a replica of 12 European cities with Parisian neighborhoods and part of the Alhambra. And it belongs to Huawei

A Google mobile with an irresistible price and another with a gift, a robot with an arm cheaper than ever and more. Hunting Bargains

by

Today is Bargain Hunting Friday, our particular weekly article in which we discuss which ones have been the best deals we have found in recent days. If you want to renew your mobile phone or are looking for a robot vacuum cleaner that will lighten your cleaning load at home, you may be interested in these offers. Google Pixel 9 by 499 eurosa very reasonable price for the previous generation Google mobile. LG OLED55C55LA by 899.10 euros upon registering in the store, a high-end television with an OLED screen. Xiaomi Poco F7 by 379.99 eurosa phone with a 6,500 mAh battery and 512 GB of storage. Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra by 649 eurosa robot vacuum cleaner that incorporates a very practical arm to clean corners. Google Pixel 9a by 549 eurosa smartphone that includes the brand’s headphones as a gift. Google Pixel 9 If you didn’t get to take advantage of the many offers we found during the Christmas season, we can still find very good prices on mobile phones like the Google Pixel 9whose price has fallen on MediaMarkt to 499 euros. It is ideal if you are looking for a small mobile phone (6.3 inches), but that will also be updated for many years—until 2031— and that incorporates a good photographic section. In addition, it is also very attractive both for its screen and its speakers. The price could vary. We earn commission from these links LG OLED55C55LA By taking advantage of MediaMarkt’s LG Days campaign and registering in the store, you can access double discounts on the LG OLED55C55LAa high-end television that remains 899.10 euros. Its screen is 55 inches and has OLED technology, reaches a refresh rate of 120 Hz, incorporates HDMI ports and is compatible with Dolby Vision and Atmos. The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Xiaomi Poco F7 If you are not convinced by the Google mobile and are looking for a model that has a good battery and a lot of storage, the Little F7 of Xiaomi has dropped on Amazon to 379.99 euros. Comes with a 90W charger, includes a 6,500 mAh batteryhas 512 GB of storage, its screen offers a 1.5K resolution and is powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor. The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra It won’t be especially cheap, but the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra Right now it has the best price we have seen on Amazon so far. By 649 euros (before 1,099 euros), we are talking about a robot vacuum cleaner that stands out above all for its robotic arm that allows you to clean corners. It is also interesting to mention that its suction power is 10,000 Pa, it has a LiDAR navigation system and comes with a good 5,200 mAh battery. The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Google Pixel 9a Maybe the Google Pixel 9a It is not on sale in the official store, but if you buy it right now you can get some headphones Google Pixel Buds 2a totally free. You can select the 128 GB configuration (549 euros) or the 256 GB (649 euros), and after doing so, the option to add headphones will appear. This mobile is also quite compact (6.3 inches), it will be updated for many years (2032) and its screen looks great outdoors. Google Pixel 9a (128GB) + Google Pixel Buds 2a The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Some of the links in this article are affiliated and may provide a benefit to Xataka. In case of non-availability, offers may vary. Images | Google, LG, Xiaomi, Roborock In Xataka | The best mobile phones, we have tested them and here are their analyzes In Xataka | Best robot vacuum cleaners in quality price. Which one to buy based on use and six recommended models

This is the mobile phone that brings them back with a BlackBerry scent

by

From time to time, technology allows itself to doubt itself. In 2026 it does so by recovering elements that many considered amortized, such as the physical keyboard or the headphone jack. It is not a gratuitous gesture nor a simple nostalgic provocation. There are those who believe that we have made too many compromises in the name of screen and simplicity. To understand why this discussion is so striking today, we must go back to 2007, when the original iPhone marked a before and after in the way we understand the smartphone. In that scenario, Steve Jobs was very explicit when marking distances with devices like BlackBerry: “They all have keyboards that are there, regardless of whether you need them or not. And they all have fixed plastic control buttons, the same for any application.” The touch screen was not just a technical novelty, but a way to free up space and adapt the interface to each use. The screen won. Beyond the design, the triumph of the on-screen keyboard has to do with the daily experience. It does not require you to reserve a fixed space, it adapts to the language, the context and the type of text, and it has proven to be surprisingly effective. Even intensive users have ended up writing quickly on a touch surface, supported by automatic corrections and increasingly refined suggestions. The keyboard returns to the center of the design. In the case of Clicks Communicatorthe keyboard is not an addition or an accessory, but rather the starting point of the device. The company has opted for an Android phone with an integrated physical keyboard, accompanied by a 4.03-inch AMOLED screen designed to complement, not replace, writing. The terminal executes Android 16 and is supported by a functional technical sheet, with a 4,000 mAh battery, 50 MP main camera with optical stabilization, expandable storage via microSD and increasingly less common details such as the 3.5 mm jack. Clicks Communicator Beyond the hardware, Clicks tries to differentiate the Communicator by the way it is interacted with on a daily basis. The physical keyboard incorporates touch sensitivity to scroll through messages or pages without lifting your fingers, while a side button allows you to convert speech to text, start recordings or transcribe meetings. Added to this is a visual notification system using a configurable LED and a “message hub” that groups conversations from different applications on the same screen. The company itself frames it with a clear idea: “Designed to do things, not to surf the Internet.” Clicks Communicator The reversible option. Before launching its own phone, Clicks became known for its Clicks Keyboard Casea case that adds a physical QWERTY keyboard to the bottom of the phone, BlackBerry style. The idea is simple: keep your usual smartphone and add a keyboard when you need it, without making it a final decision. This case connects via USB-C, or Lightning in older models, and is available for several iPhones, including the iPhone 17 Pro, as well as some Androids such as the Google Pixel and the Motorola Razr. Clicks Keyboard Case (left), Clicks Power Keyboard (right) The third piece in the catalog aims at an intermediate point between both proposals. Clicks Power Keyboard It is a magnetic accessory presented at CES 2026 that adheres to the back of the phone and deploys only when you need to write. Unlike the traditional case, it does not replace the case nor is it permanently fixed. In addition, it works as a 2,150 mAh external battery and is compatible with MagSafe and Qi2, which extends its reach to a wide variety of iPhones and Android phones. Pros and cons. In the end, Clicks’ approach puts a very clear exchange on the table. Bringing back the physical keyboard means accepting smaller screens. Magnetic cases and keyboards allow you to explore that idea without definitive commitments, while the Communicator requires a more conscious commitment to another way of using your mobile. Price and availability. The Clicks Communicator can now be reserved with a promotional price of $399, compared to the usual $499, as long as the reservation is formalized before February 27. The company plans to begin shipments later this year, without a specific date for now. Spain is among the countries included in the European deployment, although the definitive deadlines will be specified when production enters its final phase. Images | Clicks In Xataka | Expensive and premium mobile phones are not a fad: they are the new standard, and Motorola knows it

what you can do to reduce what AI can do on your mobile

by

Let’s tell you how to limit Gemini on your Android mobileso that the artificial intelligence Google does not have access to so much data. Gemini It is integrated into current Android phones, and you can limit access to your emails, personal information or Google searches. Although Google’s artificial intelligence is implemented in Android to help you with your content and to make everything easier for you, not all of us like that it has access to the entire system and applications such as Gmail, Google Drive and Google Calendar. There is no button to turn off Geminibut there are ways to put some limits on it. Prevent Google from accessing your applications Gemini currently has access to your Google applicationsspecifically in Gmail, Google Docs, Google Calendar, Google Drive, Google Keep or Google Tasks. Access to Chrome and YouTube is also beginning to be implemented in some countries. You also have access to third-party apps such as WhatsApp, Spotify and more. To limit Gemini’s access to your apps, go to the Google AI app and tap your profile image in the top right. In the menu you arrive at, you have to click on the option Connected apps that it will appear to you. You will go to a screen with the list of applications that Gemini has access to, and you can deactivate access to the ones you want. This way, you can control the apps that Gemini can interact with. Turn off the Gemini gesture Many mobile phones have a gesture to activate Gemini, for example by holding down the power button. You can also change this on some mobilesalthough everything will depend on each manufacturer and brand. For example, on many Androids you can go to the Gestures in the device settings, and there change the function of pressing the power button so that it does not launch the assistant. On other devices, such as Samsung, you will have to go to their Advanced Features. Each mobile can have a different route. Use Google without AI Overview Finally, if you want use the Google search engine without AI summaries For a more classic experience, this is something you can do as well. Of course, here you no longer have to make changes to the settings. What you have to do is search for what you want on Google. You will see that below the search bar and above the AI ​​Overview several tabs appear, and in them you have to click on the tab Web. When you do, you will go to a view with only the results. In Xataka Basics | The best prompts to save hours of work and do your tasks with ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot or other artificial intelligence

Motorola has perfectly understood what it needs to continue growing: expensive mobile phones

by

If there is a manufacturer putting all its efforts to achieve a premium product that is far from its competition (for better or worse), it is Motorola. The smartphone market has taken giant steps in the last five years with the arrival of AIthe folding mobiles and recently high density batteries. A tug of war between Asian manufacturers and the rest of the world, with two clearly marked identities: China betting everything on the latest technology and the rest being more conservative. Along the way, we have a Motorola (now owned by the Chinese Lenovo, but maintaining its identity as an American company), striving to achieve a premium identity, trying along the way not be a clone of the rest of your rivals. And, at this CES 2026, we have two good proofs of this. The missing fold. It started RoyoleSamsung consolidated it, and manufacturers such as OPPO and Xiaomi refined the concept. The Fold-type folding devices are still alive as an alternative for users who want a pocket tablet, and Motorola has wanted to fully enter this field. A new Razr. Motorola Razr Fold is the name that the company has given to its first book-type folding, after years of betting on the clamshell type. The bet is clear: 8.09-inch AMOLED external screen, with 2K resolution and LTPO type technology. 6.56-inch AMOLED external screen. Triple camera system: 50 megapixel Lytia main sensor, 50 megapixel ultra wide angle and three optical magnification telephoto lens and also 50 megapixels. 32-megapixel external and 20-megapixel internal selfie camera. Bet on Pantone colors: Blackened Blue and Lily White. Optimized software with adaptive interface. Support for the Moto Pen Ultra pen. Little secrets to discover. Motorola has not revealed the rest of the specifications, but we can sense one of the best Qualcomm processors inside (Snapdragon 8 Gen 5), as this chip manufacturer is one of Motorola’s main partners. It will not be able to come short on memory configurations if it wants to be competitive, and the big unknown is reserved for the battery, one of the critical points in clamshell-type folding devices, with panels larger than 8 inches. The premiumization of Motorola. Xiaomi was clear that to make money it had to put cheap mobile phones in the background and bet on premium terminals. Something that Motorola also knows very well. For some time now, Motorola’s main bet is on your Edge familyolder brothers of the Moto G classics. Mid-premium range and high range with the software as the main star feature and an alliance with Pantone so that the design is a key point and differential compared to its competition. Edge, Edge Fusion, Edge Pro… And, to go one step further, The Signature family arrives now. Motorola Signature. Motorola’s new high-end is not an Edge Pro, it is a Signature. The design tells us that this model inherits quite a bit of essence from the Edge (it is practically identical to the brand’s latest models), but betting on even more ambitious specs. The latest Qualcomm chip. Memories up to 1 TB. Zoom up to 100x. 5,200mAh silicon-carbon battery. 6.8-inch screen with peak brightness of up to 6,200 nits. A key year. 2026 will be a very important year for Motorola. Its year-on-year growth in shipments was 24% in 2024. Still far from the global podium, but managing to gain a foothold little by little. Image | Motorola In Xataka | Motorola Edge 60 Fusion, analysis: I had been waiting for years for a worthy heir to the legendary Moto G. I just found it

This is one of the most complete controls with which you can turn your iPhone or Android mobile into a portable console

by

If you usually play a lot on mobile and you are tired of doing it through the touch screen, having a good mobile controller is the best option. He Razer Kishi V3 It is one of the most popular and works for both iPhone and Android. Razer Kishi V3 – USB-C haptic gaming controller for iPhones and Android smartphones The price could vary. We earn commission from these links A very complete controller that offers a complete gaming experience on mobile This Razer Kishi V3 mobile controller is, without a doubt, perfect for playing with your mobile as if you were playing on a portable console. This is thanks to your full size controller designwhich allows you to comfortably play games on your mobile for hours. Offers mobile ergonomics iPhone and Android and features full-size TMR joysticks with interchangeable covers. In addition, you can perfect your aim with the anti-slip control levers high precision, superior to Hall effect designs. It also features dual mouse click rear buttons and pincer grip top buttons. Plus, thanks to Razer Neus Game Launcher, you can discover thousands of games for iOS and Android and save your games. The best thing about this controller is that it is Plug & Play typeso you just have to plug it in and start using it, without having to download any software. You may also be interested Utilify RGB Gaming Mobile Cooler with 2 Modes The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Logitech G G435 LIGHTSPEED The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Some of the links in this article are affiliated and may provide a benefit to Xataka. In case of non-availability, offers may vary. Images | Razer In Xataka | Best controllers to play on the computer. Which one to buy and 10 recommended PC gaming controllers for all budgets In Xataka | The best mobile phones, we have tested them and here are their analyzes

Threads has surpassed X in daily users on mobile. The paradox is that this has not changed.

by

Threads and X play, in essence, the same game. Short messages, public conversations and the ambition to become the place where the things that matter are discussed. On mobile, Threads is already moving very close to X in daily active users on a global scale, to the point that, on specific days, it was ahead. But when you look beyond the numbers, the feeling is different. The conversation that jumps to the media and public debate continues to be born, almost always, in the same place. The most cited photograph comes from Similarweb data and focuses exclusively on mobile use. That’s where Threads has closed the gap significantly. According to this analysis firm, both platforms converge in very close figures of daily active users on a global scale, around 130 million. In the week with data until September 20, 2025, Threads was ahead of X on three of the days analyzed. Even so, the series as a whole does not allow us to speak of consolidated leadership, but rather of a very tight and localized equality in time. Daily active users on iOS and Android. Threads approaches X on mobile phones globally | Source: Similarweb What does this data measure and what is left out. When talking about daily active mobile users, it is advisable to sharpen the focus. Similarweb accounts daily use on iOS and Android, counting each person only once a day, even if they open the app multiple times. Additionally, any user who performs a minimal action, such as opening the app or logging in, is considered “active.” This metric reflects access habits, but does not distinguish between reading, interacting or publishing, nor does it measure what type of accounts concentrate the activity or what content is amplified outside the platform. Daily web traffic on a global scale. X maintains a very large advantage over Threads in browser visits | Source: Similarweb That balance that appears in mobile use is broken as soon as the focus is expanded. When looking at web trafficthe distance between both platforms is once again very marked. Similarweb data shows that It is not a minor detail, because web access is usually more present in professional contexts, newsrooms and news monitoring. Changing metrics also changes the story the data tells. Information consumption follows another map. When the question is not how many people enter each day, but rather where users get information, the scenario changes. The conclusions of the Digital News Report 2025 of the Reuters Institute point out that The difference is not so much size but function within the media ecosystem. Part of that difference has to do with the type of use. A academic study published in 2024 describes X as a “passive sensor” especially useful for detecting opinion leaders, by combining public visibility, active community and clear temporal traceability of messages. This architecture makes it easier for statements, reactions or controversies to be followed in real time and reused in other contexts. For media and analysts, X not only works as a social network, but also as a tool for observing public conversation. A growth pushed from within the ecosystem. The progress of Threads is largely explained by its integration with Instagram and, in general, with the Meta ecosystem. Direct access from an already massive application reduces barriers to entry and makes it easier for many users to try out the platform without additional effort. That push helps explain why mobile usage numbers have grown rapidly. However, this dynamic does not guarantee that users adopt Threads as a central space for public or informative debate, nor that they transfer there the practices that they currently maintain in X. Not even the recurring controversies surrounding Elon Musk have been sufficient to displace X from its role as an informational reference point. Threads advances in usage and visibility, but the center of gravity of the conversation remains where it was. For that to change, it will not be enough to add users or rely on the Meta ecosystem. It would require a deeper transformation of professional, media and political habits that, for now, is not appreciated. Images | Mohamed Nohassi | Kelly Sikkema In Xataka | Neither board games nor karaoke: ‘Word on Beat’ is the new king of the living room and proof that we prefer rhythmic chaos

Some of the best mobile phones of 2025 at a historic low, Nintendo Switch 2 with a good discount and more. Hunting Bargains

by

We start another year and we do it, as it could not be otherwise, with a Hunting Bargains. This first Friday of 2026 comes with quite interesting offers, especially on some top mobile phones. In addition, other discounts are also still active on the most diverse devices, such as consoles, super-automatic coffee machines and more. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra by 890.10 eurosthe best super high-end phone in its 512 GB version. Krups Roma EA81K870 super-automatic coffee machine by 239 eurosa top option if we are looking for good value for money. nintendo switch 2 by 432.46 euros with the coupon ESCD13, in a pack with ‘Mario Kart World’. Xiaomi Redmi Pad 2 by 95.74 euros with the ESCD13 coupon, a great option if we are looking for a new tablet for less than 100 euros. Google Pixel 10 Pro by 854.10 eurosoutstanding device and highly recommended if we want the purest Android experience. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra We start this Bargain Hunting with the Galaxy S25 Ultraphone that took the award for best super high-end mobile of 2025. It is true that its successor will not take long to be announced, but it is still a top option if you are looking to have one of the best Android phones. Outstanding 6.9-inch screen, plenty of power and a great camera system. Plus, it’s loaded with AI and offers seven years of guaranteed updates. Registering at myMediaMarkt (it’s free and only takes a couple of minutes), go out to 890.10 euros in its 512 GB version. Galaxy S25 Ultra (512GB) The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Krups Roma EA81K870 super-automatic coffee machine If you are a lover of good coffee or want to give a gift to a person who is, this Krups super-automatic coffee maker is a great option. Not only because of the price it has right now (it is reduced to 239 euros), but for the very good results it offers. It has a grinder that allows you to achieve different textures, a steam nozzle to give that final touch to drinks and a tank that allows you to prepare up to 9 coffees without having to refill it. Super-automatic coffee maker – Krups Roma EA81K870, 1450 W, 15 bar, 1.7 L, 3 temperatures, 2 cups, Thermoblock System, Cleaning kit included, Black The price could vary. We earn commission from these links nintendo switch 2 One more week, nintendo switch 2 is back in Bargain Hunting. In recent weeks we have been seeing it on sale repeatedly, although it is true that not at the same prices that we saw during last Black Friday. However, this AliExpress offer is not that far away: it costs 432.46 euros with the coupon ESCD13 in your pack with ‘Mario Kart World‘, so we would already have a great game as standard to debut the console. Nintendo Switch 2 + ‘Mario Kart World’ The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Xiaomi Redmi Pad 2 If we are in the middle of searching for a cheap tablet that is perfect for simple tasks like studying or simply watching movies on the couch, this one Redmi Pad 2 It can fit us very well: it comes out 95.74 euros with the coupon ESCD13 on AliExpress. It has an 11-inch screen with 2.5K resolution and a 90 Hz refresh rate. Its battery is 9,000 mAh, so it has enough autonomy to give us a day of use without problem. In addition, it has a good speaker system. Xiaomi Redmi Pad 2 (128GB) The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Google Pixel 10 Pro We start this Bargain Hunting with a great mobile from 2025 and we end with another. He Google Pixel 10 Pro It is an ideal device if we want the best Android experience in a compact mobile. It has a 6.3-inch screen, a Google Tensor G5 chip that performs well and 16 GB of RAM. In addition, its camera system is quite balanced. By registering in miMediaMarkt, we can get it for 854.10 euros in its version with 256 GB of storage. Mobile – Google Pixel 10 Pro, Obsidian, 256 GB, 16 GB RAM, 6.3″ Super Actua OLED, Google Tensor G5, 4870 mAh, Android 16 The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Some of the links in this article are affiliated and may provide a benefit to Xataka. In case of non-availability, offers may vary. Images | Samsung, Krups, Nintendo, Xiaomi, Google In Xataka | The best mobile phones (2025), we have tested them and here are their analyzes In Xataka | Best tablets in quality price. Which one to buy based on use and recommended models

On the ByteDance mobile, Android is secondary. AI is the real operating system

by

The Doubao AI smartphone, a Chinese mobile that we saw arrive a few weeks agois not another mobile phone with AI functions crammed in, but a serious attempt to turn AI into the device’s real operating system, one capable of relegating Android to mere infrastructure. ByteDance’s bet is clear: whoever controls the assistant that executes the tasks will be the one who controls the user. Although I don’t control the app store. That breaks with the model of the last seventeen years. Why is it important. The model has not changed since 2008: The operating system funnels the user into its ecosystem of applications. That app store is capital for 99% of users: without it, you wouldn’t see the value. And that store allows the platform to capture traffic, data and transactions. Doubao’s proposal wants to change the model towards one in which the user speaks and the AI ​​executes crossing applications without the user having to enter them. Chinese super applications become invisible infrastructure for the user. Doubao itself has been pointing in that direction for some time with other devices, like headphones. Between the lines. Those same super apps are not happy with this proposal, and in fact when Doubao simulates taps to complete tasks, WeChat or Alipay interpret it as an attack, so they block attempts and close sessions. WeChat has built its empire Regarding experience control and payments, Alipay has invested a lot of money in reaching total user retention. An AI that compares prices between rivals breaks its desired captivity. ByteDance has copied the Seres-Huawei model: ZTE provides the shell, ByteDance provides the brain. And that’s how you get operating system privileges. Doubao has permission for everything by default and Android becomes more like just another application, because the manufacturer and AI layer control everything. Yes, but. Accuracy is around 50% in complex tasks that involve several applications. It works in simple scenarios, it fails when the user requests something that requires coordinating three different applications. Traditional manufacturers such as Samsung, Xiaomi or Oppo cannot adopt a model like this because it would mean handing over control to a third party. The alternative path is to build a framework where AI can coordinate applications, but with those applications maintaining control through APIs. The money trail. ByteDance does not have the business model of selling mobile phones at mid-range prices. Its model is based on behavioral data, traffic to its services and commissions on transactions executed by AI. The smartphone is the gateway and AI is its big bet in which use TikTok as a springboard. And now what. This is not a battle between assistants but between models: The app-centric that has been operating for seventeen years. The AI-centric where applications tend to become invisible. ByteDance is betting on the second, which changes the entry point for the user. That entry point has been on the application icon for three decades. ByteDance believes it will be on the microphone tomorrow. Featured image | Doubao In Xataka | They have dismantled the latest Huawei phones and what they have found is bad news for the US: 57%

Log In

Forgot password?

Forgot password?

Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password.

Your password reset link appears to be invalid or expired.

Log in

Privacy Policy

Add to Collection

No Collections

Here you'll find all collections you've created before.