News
Samsung Galaxy S9 steals the crown from iPhone X as best-selling phone
Xiaomi is part of the list!
Apple took the lead in the smartphone market with the iPhone X taking the title as the best-selling smartphone during the first three months of 2018. But, it looks like Samsung is picking up speed with the Galaxy S9 phones because the new Android flagships managed to grab top positions in April.
According to the latest report from Counterpoint Research, the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ took the number one and two spots, respectively, although both phones are equally popular based on estimated numbers. The two Samsung behemoths captured a global market of 2.6 percent each. Their growth has been driven largely by buyers in the Asia-Pacific region and North America. Even the predecessor, the Galaxy S8, joins the spotlight and became the 10th best-selling phone worldwide.

Of course, the latest iPhones from Apple are still very popular among consumers. The iPhone X, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone 8 managed to take the third, fourth, and fifth spot — the first two captured a global market share of 2.3 percent each, while the latter got 2.2 percent. Just like with flagship Galaxy phones, older iPhones are still popular with the iPhone 6 at seventh place and the iPhone 7 at ninth — both with a 1.4 percent share.
The third most popular phone manufacturer on the list is Xiaomi with two budget phones. The uber-cheap Redmi 5A placed sixth with a 1.5 percent share while the Redmi 5 Plus took the eight spot with 1.4 percent.
Looking at the numbers in the report, we noticed the growing trend among budget and former flagship devices. Even Apple fans preferred the almost four-year-old iPhone 6 over the iPhone 7 from 2016. The entry of Xiaomi is also noteworthy even though they are just budget devices, especially the Redmi 5A which is priced under US$ 100. Despite their massive popularity in Europe, Huawei still didn’t manage to make it but it shouldn’t be too long before they begin to appear on the chart.
SEE ALSO: Apple lowers iPhone supplies this year, worried about not selling enough
Samsung has announced the Galaxy S26 FE, the newest addition to its Galaxy S26 lineup. It is also the first phone in the series to launch with One UI 9.
Samsung says the phone focuses on the features users value most. It combines enhanced cameras, more context-aware Galaxy AI, and a thin and light design.
Sharper capture and easier editing
The Galaxy S26 FE features an enhanced triple rear camera system. Samsung says its improved image processing helps users capture both still scenes and fast-moving subjects.
The phone also gets My FanCam, which first appeared on Samsung’s latest foldables. The feature automatically tracks a selected person and keeps them centered in the frame. It can then reframe the video as the scene changes.
For video, Super Steady with Horizontal Lock helps keep footage smoother and more level. Samsung positions it for everything from fast-moving activities to travel and everyday scenes.
The Galaxy S26 FE also supports 3x optical zoom. Its upgraded 12-megapixel front camera captures a wider 80-degree field of view.
Samsung’s Nightography returns for low-light photography. It aims to produce brighter and clearer shots while retaining detail in challenging conditions.
Photo Assist also makes its way to the phone. Users can edit photos with natural language prompts. They can change the time of day, add elements, or restore missing parts. Samsung also lets users review edits step by step and undo them.
The phone also supports Gemini Omni for creating and editing video clips from photos and videos stored in the Gallery. Samsung says this can turn existing media into polished, ready-to-share videos.
One UI 9 brings smarter AI
The Galaxy S26 FE launches with One UI 9 and a range of context-aware Galaxy AI features.
Samsung has updated Now Brief with customizable briefing cards. These can include information such as weather and wellness insights. Users can also create their own cards with a simple prompt.
Now Nudge now extends to select third-party apps and notifications. It surfaces timely suggestions throughout the day to help users act on relevant information.
Samsung has also expanded Circle to Search with Google. Users can now search for multiple items in an image at the same time.
Built for all-day use
The Galaxy S26 FE packs a 4,900mAh battery. Samsung says it can reach up to 69 percent charge in around 30 minutes with a 45W adapter.
It also has a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. Samsung says the screen is designed for streaming, gaming, browsing, and creative work.
Samsung has also improved the setup experience. Smart Switch can wirelessly transfer data from Android and iOS devices by scanning a QR code. This includes passwords, passkeys, call history, accessibility settings, and eSIM data.
The company promises up to seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates. Samsung Care+ also provides additional coverage and device support.
The phone also comes with a six-month trial of Google AI Pro. The offer includes expanded AI capabilities and 5TB of cloud storage.
Price and availability
In the Philippines, the Galaxy S26 FE starts at PhP 46,990 for 128GB. The 256GB model costs PhP 53,990, while the 512GB model costs PhP 67,990.
The phone comes in Blueberry, Graphite, and Pistachio. It is now available at Samsung Experience Stores nationwide. Samsung.com availability begins September 11.
Samsung is also offering introductory discounts until November 30. The 512GB model gets PhP 7,000 off, while the 256GB model gets PhP 5,000 off. The release also lists a PhP 4,000 discount for 256GB, which appears to be a duplicate in the supplied press release.
Customers can also get up to 15 percent off for up to 36 months through select bank partners. Trade-ins come with up to PhP 6,000 in guaranteed savings.
Just a month after its Mainland China release, Xiaomi reveals the refreshed REDMI Note 17 and Note 17 Pro series for global markets.
Boosted all around
REDMI is giving the Note 17 series a major endurance boost!
The headliner is none other than REDMI Note 17 Pro Max with its monstrous 10,000mAh battery capacity — or 9210mAh for other regions.
That’s followed by the REDMI Note 17 Pro with a 8,340mAh battery. For context, the 15 Pro+ and 15 Pro models only had 6500+mAh batteries.
The 5G and 4G versions of the REDMI Note 17 weren’t left behind as well with their 7700mAh tanks. These two base models rely on Xiaomi’s 45W Turbo charging.
On the other hand, the REDMI Note 17 Pro features a speedier 67W HyperCharge while the Note 17 Pro Max has the fastest of ’em all at 100W HyperCharge.
All models support 22.5W wired reverse charging.
More than just big batteries
The REDMI Note 17 Pro and Pro Max both rock a 6.83-inch 1.5K CrystalRes 1.5K AMOLED display. They also feature up to 3,500 nits peak brightness, 12-bit color depth.
Meanwhile, the REDMI Note 17 5G and Note 17 4G share the same 6.99-inch Full HD+ AMOLED screen.
More display feats include a 120Hz refresh rate, 240Hz touch sampling rate, plus instantaneous touch sampling reaching 3200Hz — as long as you enable Game Turbo.
The base Note 17 models share the same camera system: 50MP f/1.8 main plus 16MP f/2.5 selfie camera. The Pro series also possess a similar rear camera system: 50MP f/1.8 + 8MP f/2.2 Ultra-Wide Angle (UWA).
Selfie shooters are different though. 16MP f/2.4 for the Pro model while a larger and brighter 32MP f/2.2 for the Pro Max.
Furthermore, each models differ a lot based on what’s in their cores:
| REDMI Note 17 Pro Max | REDMI Note 17 Pro | REDMI Note 17 5G | REDMI Note 17 4G |
| Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 | Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 | Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 | Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2 |
| LPDDR5X memory + UFS 4.1 or 2.2 storage | LPDDR4X memory + UFS 3.1 or 2.2 storage | LPDDR4X memory + UFS 2.2 storage | LPDDR4X memory + UFS 2.2 storage |
| 8+128GB 8+256GB 8+512GB 12+256GB |
6+128GB 6+256GB 8+256GB 8+512GB 12+256GB |
6+128GB 6+256GB 8+256GB |
4+128GB 4+256GB 6+128GB 6+256GB 8+256GB |
| 10,001mAh / 9210mAh 100W HyperCharge |
8340mAh 67W HyperCharge |
7700mAh 45W Turbo Charge |
7700mAh 45W Turbo Charge |
All phones ship with Xiaomi HyperOS 3. Other than Google’s Gemini and Circle to Search, Xiaomi’s built-in AI Creativity Assistant.
However, the Note 17 Pro Max takes it up a notch with Xiaomi HyperAI features:
- AI Writing
- AI Interpreter
- AI Speech Recognition
- AI Dynamic Wallpapers and more
Built to take a beating
Both models of the REDMI Note 17 Pro series boast the reinforced Titan Structure for utmost durability. Moreover, they bear multiple IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K ratings. Certified resistance to immersion of up to 2 meters for 72 hours.
REDMI also claims certified drop resistance of up to 3 meters onto granite surfaces.
It doesn’t stop there. The Pro displays are protected by the flagship-grade Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
Eye safety wasn’t compromised too with its 3840Hz PWM dimming. Even so, it brags three TÜV Rheinland certifications for low blue light, flicker-free, and circadian-friendly use cases.
Wet Touch Technology 2.0 also allows the display to remain responsive when used with wet, oily, foamy, or even sweaty fingers.
Lastly, the base REDMI Note 17 models are limited to IP65 rating. They also have dedicated microSD card slots that the Pro models lack.
Pricing and Availability
The base pricing and color options of the REDMI Note 17 series are as follows:
REDMI Note 17 Pro Max
- starts at US$ 499
- Cloud Blush, Green, Purple, Black colorways
REDMI Note 17 Pro
- starts at US$ 399
- Sky Blue, Satin Orange, Purple, Black colorways
REDMI Note 17 5G
- starts at US$ 299
- Celestial Purple, Sky Teal, Black colorways
REDMI Note 17 4G
- starts at US$ 249
- Celestial Purple, Sky Teal, Black colorways
Additionally, prospective buyers of the REDMI Note 17 Series in eligible markets will enjoy several benefits at no extra cost:
- 6-month trial / Google One + 200GB cloud storage
- 2-month trial / YouTube Premium
- 3-month trail / Spotify Premium
Gaming
Samsung Display’s QD-OLED panels help demos at gamescom 2026
Hundreds of gaming monitors feature company’s QD-OLED panels
Samsung Display is showcasing the gaming performance advantages of QD-OLED at gamescom 2026 through hundreds of monitors helping with playable demos.
Samsung Display partnered with CAPCOM, KRAFTON, and CD PROJEKT RED, with their highly anticipated titles being showcased at gamescom 2026 (August 26 to 30, Cologne, Germany) on several gaming monitors featuring Samsung Display’s QD-OLED panels.
This demonstrates the outstanding picture quality of QD-OLED to gamers from around the world.
In addition, the company has announced that it will begin the mass production of 24.5-inch QD-OLED panels optimized for eSports and FPS games by the end of the year.
At CAPCOM’s booth, visitors can get a hands-on experience with the upcoming Onimusha: Way of the Sword and Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen.
Other playable titles include PRAGMATA, Street Fighter 6, and Mega Man: Dual Override.
Samsung Display is supplying a total of 90 QD-OLED gaming monitors, including the EVNIA 32MN8900, GIGABYTE MO32U24 and MSI MAG 321UP QD-OLED X24, for the hands-on gameplay.
Meanwhile, KRAFTON will showcase three of its five upcoming titles on 85 Alienware QD-OLED gaming monitors.
Visitors will have the opportunity to preview the multi-team tactical arena game Project ZETA, two-player coop AG Twisters, and the action RPG TARAE: The Unbound.
Lastly, at the CD PROJEKT RED booth, a trailer for Songs of the Past, the third expansion pack for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt will be shown on eight QD-OLED TVs.
Visitors can also watch gameplay demonstrations on monitors equipped with similar displays. This gives Samsung Display the chance to highlight the QD-OLED Penta Tandem technology.
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