Core Viewpoint - Multiple smartphone brands are expected to adopt a "four-tier" product layout next year, refining flagship series into four levels: Standard, Pro, Pro Max, and Ultra, with the Ultra version being launched separately to emphasize its premium positioning [1][4]. Group 1: Product Strategy - The flagship series will expand from three models (Standard, Pro, Ultra) to four (Standard, Pro, Pro Max, Ultra), with the first three models anticipated to launch between September and October, while the Ultra version will be delayed [1][4]. - Qualcomm's next-generation Snapdragon 8 series will be divided into standard and Pro versions, with most standard flagship models expected to use the basic chip, while Pro and above will utilize the more powerful Snapdragon 8 Pro version, enhancing differentiation within the flagship product line [1][4]. Group 2: Market Trends - The naming convention "Pro Max" is no longer exclusive to one brand, as Xiaomi and Huawei have introduced their own Pro Max models, which occupy different positions in their product lines compared to Apple's iPhone 17 Pro Max [3][5]. - The trend indicates that other manufacturers will likely focus on the configuration and price range between Pro and Ultra for their upcoming Pro Max models, creating a more comprehensive and multi-tiered flagship product system to meet high-end user demands [3][5]. Group 3: Technology and Pricing - Next year's flagship models are expected to feature chips based on a new 2nm process technology, while rising memory and storage costs are predicted to lead to a new round of price increases in the high-end smartphone market [4][5]. - The three-tier progression of Standard, Pro, Pro Max, and Ultra is set to become the mainstream model for flagship smartphones next year, reflecting manufacturers' efforts to enhance competitive barriers in the high-end market through more complex product matrices [4][5].