Highlights

• Top-tier smartphone brands including Samsung, Google, OnePlus, OPPO, and Xiaomi 
• Foldable phones make a strong showing with innovative designs from OnePlus and OPPO.
• Google’s Tensor G3 chipset and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC lead the way 

The month of October, popularly known in tech circles as ‘Techtober,’ has been a whirlwind of smartphone launches.

From flagship offerings to breakthrough foldable designs, this month has had it all.

With top-tier brands like Samsung, Google, OnePlus, OPPO, and Xiaomi entering the arena with their latest and greatest, the market is now flush with options that cater to virtually every need and preference.

Here, we delve into the best smartphones launched in October 2023, aiming to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of what each device has to offer.

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE

Price: Rs 59,999 for 8GB/128GB, Rs 64,999 for 12GB/256GB

• 6.4-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED display
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Samsung Exynos 2200
• 50MP primary sensor, 12MP ultra-wide, 8MP telephoto

Samsung breathed new life into its Fan Edition series with the launch of the Galaxy S23 FE on October 4th.

Making its debut alongside other high-profile releases this month, the S23 FE is still offering premium features to its user base.

The smartphone comes with a 6.4-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED display, offering sharp visuals and rich color reproduction that would impress even the most discerning users.

The display is perfect for anything from watching high-definition movies to playing graphics-intensive games, ensuring an immersive experience all around.

Depending on the geographical market, the Galaxy S23 FE is offered with either the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC or Samsung’s proprietary Exynos 2200 chipset.

This level of choice allows Samsung to cater to different user preferences and network compatibilities across the globe, without compromising on performance or efficiency.

The device is optimized for multitasking and can handle virtually any computational task you throw at it with ease.

Photography is another area where the Galaxy S23 FE shines brightly.

The device offers a versatile camera setup that includes a 50MP primary sensor, allowing users to capture high-resolution, detailed images effortlessly

Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro

Price: Rs 75,999 for Pixel 8, Rs 1,06,999 for Pixel 8 Pro

• 6.7-inch OLED display for Pro, 6.2-inch FHD+ OLED for Pixel 8
• Tensor G3 chipset
• 50MP primary camera, 12MP ultra-wide, 48MP telephoto for Pro

Google’s Pixel 8 series, unveiled on October 4th, has clearly been developed to challenge the competition and set new industry standards.

Both the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro come loaded with Google’s custom Tensor G3 chipset, a significant milestone for the company, as this hardware facilitates smarter on-device AI computations.

This chip is the third iteration of the Tensor line and promises to bring users optimized software experiences, from camera capabilities to energy efficiency and overall system performance.

The Pixel 8 Pro takes things a notch higher with a dazzling 6.7-inch OLED display, which sports a 120Hz refresh rate.

This enables smoother scrolling and more fluid animation rendering, enriching the user experience.

The high-quality OLED panel ensures vibrant color reproduction and deep blacks, making it a prime choice for multimedia consumption.

Additionally, the Pixel 8 Pro comes with a battery life that’s built to last and a camera system that could very well be a game-changer in mobile photography.

On the other hand, the Pixel 8 is no slouch either.

It features a slightly smaller but equally impressive 6.2-inch FHD+ OLED display that also carries a 120Hz refresh rate.

Although smaller in screen size, the Pixel 8 doesn’t compromise on the quality of the display or the user experience.

It’s designed to offer a balance of performance and portability, thereby catering to a broad segment of users who may prefer a more compact device without sacrificing flagship capabilities.

Price: Rs 1,39,999 for 16GB + 512GB

• 7.82-inch and 6.31-inch 2K AMOLED displays
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC
• 48MP primary, 64MP telephoto, 48MP ultra-wide

OnePlus made a bold move into the foldable phone market with the introduction of OnePlus Open on October 19th, signaling the brand’s ambitious foray into this rapidly evolving segment.

Designed for both form and function, the device features a robust ‘Flexion’ hinge with single-spine architecture, which minimizes the number of components to a mere 69 parts. 

This engineering marvel enhances durability while maintaining a sleek profile.

The use of premium materials like titanium alloy and carbon fiber further adds to the device’s durability, providing a sense of luxury and sturdiness in hand.

When it comes to display technology, OnePlus didn’t cut any corners.

The Open features not one, but two AMOLED displays, each with a buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rate, delivering an unparalleled viewing experience whether the device is folded or unfolded.

These screens offer vibrant colors and sharp details, making them perfect for productivity and entertainment.

Under the hood, the device is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, ensuring top-of-the-line performance and efficiency.

Whether you’re multi-tasking, gaming, or streaming, the OnePlus Open is engineered to handle it all with ease, marking it as a formidable entry in the foldable smartphone market.

OPPO Find N3 Flip

Price: Rs 94,999 for 12GB + 256GB

• 6.8-inch AMOLED main display, 3.26-inch cover display
• MediaTek Dimensity 9200 processor
• 50MP primary, 48MP ultra-wide, 32MP telephoto

Unveiled on October 12th, the OPPO Find N3 Flip marks the company’s latest iteration in its foldable smartphone lineup, succeeding the Find N2.

The device takes a significant leap in display technology, featuring a large 6.8-inch AMOLED main display that provides stunning visuals and a smooth user experience.

But that’s not all; the phone also offers a smaller 3.26-inch AMOLED cover display, adding a layer of convenience for quick interactions and notifications.

Performance is another area where the Find N3 Flip shines.
Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9200 processor, the device offers brisk and efficient multitasking capabilities, be it browsing, gaming, or content creation.

The chipset is coupled with the ARM Immortalis-G715 MC11 GPU, which ensures high-quality graphics and a smooth visual experience.

Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or a casual user, the OPPO Find N3 Flip promises to meet a wide range of needs, solidifying its place as a notable entrant in the expanding universe of foldable smartphones.

Xiaomi 14 and 14 Pro

Price: CNY 3,999 to CNY 4,999 for Xiaomi 14, CNY 4,999 to CNY 5,999 for Xiaomi 14 Pro

• 6.73-inch 2K LTPO C8 AMOLED display for Pro, 6.36-inch 1.5K C8 LTPO OLED for 14
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset
• 50MP primary, 50MP ultra-wide, 50MP telephoto for Pro

Closing out the tech-packed month of October, Xiaomi unveiled its latest flagship series, the Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Pro, on the 26th.

Both devices come equipped with the cutting-edge Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, ensuring top-notch performance across a variety of tasks.

While the base model, the Xiaomi 14, sports a 6.36-inch 1.5K C8 LTPO OLED display, its more advanced sibling, the Xiaomi 14 Pro, goes a step further with a 6.73-inch 2K LTPO C8 AMOLED screen, setting new standards for visual clarity and brightness.

But the display isn’t the only area where the Xiaomi 14 Pro takes the lead.

The device also boasts a camera system in collaboration with Leica, featuring three 50MP sensors for various photography needs, from wide-angle shots to telephoto zoom. 

This level of camera sophistication places the Xiaomi 14 series not just as a powerhouse in terms of internal hardware but also as a versatile tool for content creators and photography enthusiasts.

Whether it’s gaming, multitasking, or capturing high-quality images, the Xiaomi 14 series aims to offer a comprehensive smartphone experience, making it a standout finale to a month filled with significant tech launches.

FAQs

What are the standout features in Google’s Pixel 8 series?

Google’s Pixel 8 series is powered by the custom Tensor G3 chipset. The Pro version features a 6.7-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, aiming to offer a superior multimedia experience.

How is OnePlus making its entry into the foldable phone market?

OnePlus has introduced the OnePlus Open, featuring a ‘Flexion’ hinge for durability and dual AMOLED displays, each with a 120Hz refresh rate. It’s designed to offer a premium and versatile experience.

What sets the Xiaomi 14 series apart from the competition?

The Xiaomi 14 series, particularly the Pro version, features a camera system in collaboration with Leica, along with a 6.73-inch 2K LTPO C8 AMOLED display. It offers a comprehensive experience, from performance to photography.