Core Viewpoint - The general manager of Red Magic gaming phones, Jiang Chao, criticizes the industry's new product promotions, stating that simply adding a fan and shoulder buttons does not qualify a phone as "Ultra" [1][3]. Group 1: Industry Standards - The term "Ultra" should represent a significant technological advancement beyond the current industry standards, not just basic features like fans and shoulder buttons [2][4]. - Features such as fans and shoulder buttons have been standard in Red Magic's offerings for years and do not justify the "Ultra" designation [2][4]. Group 2: Product Naming and Development - During the internal discussions about naming the Red Magic 11 PRO+, there was a debate on whether its unique water cooling design and high performance warranted the "Ultra" label [5]. - Ultimately, the decision was made to retain the PRO+ name, emphasizing that the "Ultra" designation should be reserved for future products that truly redefine expectations in the gaming phone market [5].

Core Viewpoint - The gaming smartphone industry is facing significant cost pressures due to rising storage chip prices and enhanced product features, leading to an inevitable trend of price increases across the sector [1] Group 1: Company Insights - The General Manager of Red Magic gaming smartphones, Jiang Chao, acknowledged the overwhelming inquiries regarding product pricing and expressed personal concern over the situation [1] - Red Magic is experiencing increased production costs due to the incorporation of high-end features such as flagship full-screen displays, new cooling fans, transparent body designs, and large-capacity batteries [1] - Despite efforts to manage these rising costs, Red Magic is unable to fully absorb the pressure, indicating that price hikes are a common challenge faced by the entire industry [1] Group 2: Industry Trends - The gaming smartphone industry is collectively grappling with similar cost challenges, making price increases a difficult trend to reverse [1] - Red Magic aims to maintain a price floor while ensuring that every cost increase translates into a tangible improvement in user experience [1] - An announcement regarding product updates is expected to be made the following day, indicating ongoing developments in response to these challenges [1]

Core Viewpoint - The general manager of Red Magic gaming phones criticizes the industry for its trend of copying designs, particularly calling out the lack of originality in new product releases [1] Group 1: Industry Critique - The gaming phone industry is accused of lacking innovation, with products being mere iterations of existing models rather than offering new features [1] - Specific examples of copying include imitating the iPhone 17 Pro and Air, as well as minor modifications to previous models [1] - The general manager expresses a desire for competitors to be more sincere and put more effort into their designs [1] Group 2: Upcoming Product Launch - Red Magic is set to launch the Red Magic 11 Air on January 20, which will feature a "fully transparent design" for the first time [1]

Core Viewpoint - HTC, once a leader in the Android smartphone market, is attempting to pivot back to the smartphone industry by launching a budget-friendly esports phone, despite previous setbacks and a lack of alignment with current market trends [1][4]. Group 1: HTC's Market Position and Strategy - HTC has faced significant challenges, including a patent lawsuit loss and poor pricing strategies, leading to a diminished brand presence in the smartphone market [1]. - The company is now focusing on the virtual reality sector, hoping to regain its status as an innovator [1]. - At the GITEX 2025 tech exhibition, HTC unveiled several new devices, including a uniquely designed esports phone aimed at budget-conscious consumers [4]. Group 2: Understanding of the Esports Market - HTC's understanding of the esports market appears outdated, as the company is launching a budget esports phone that may not meet current consumer expectations [7]. - The esports industry has evolved significantly since its inception, with players now seeking high-performance hardware rather than just visually appealing designs [9][10]. - Early esports hardware was often criticized for being overpriced with minimal performance differences compared to standard products, focusing instead on flashy aesthetics [9][10]. Group 3: Performance and Features of the New Device - The new HTC esports phone features the Unisoc T765 chipset, which offers performance comparable to Qualcomm's Snapdragon 695, but may not deliver the high frame rates and smooth gaming experiences that modern gamers expect [10][12]. - Current gaming demands require devices to not only look appealing but also provide superior performance, which HTC's new offering may lack [12][14]. - Successful gaming phones, such as those from Red Magic and ROG, incorporate advanced features like high-end SoCs, optimized cooling systems, and dedicated gaming functionalities, which HTC's device does not seem to match [12][16].