A rival to the Galaxy S26 is rumored to have a 2.1 sound system with a subwoofer and a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip.

The Redmi K90 Pro Max will have strong audio capabilities and other impressive features. It will contain a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset and a triple camera setup, including a primary sensor with a 1/1.31” type. Common among Chinese devices, it will also have a large 7,560 mAh battery with 100W wired and 50W wireless charging capabilities.

Meanwhile, Apple and Samsung are expected to maintain similar specs in their upcoming phones. The Galaxy S26 series probably will not present substantial audio enhancements, and the iPhone 17 series is expected to be similar to the iPhone 16. The Redmi K90 Pro Max will initially be exclusive to China, unless Xiaomi decides to release a global version with a different name.

Improved phone speakers may be a double-edged sword. While better sound is desirable, the widespread use of phone speakers in public can be bothersome. Quieter phones might encourage headphone use, reducing unwanted noise.

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