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The end of the year brought several striking smartphones aimed at niche audiences: Genshin Impact collectors, fans of rugged “tanks,” and buyers who want maximum battery life for a reasonable price. Here are the most interesting launches.
OnePlus Ace 6T Ayaka Edition — A Genshin Impact Collector’s Dream
OnePlus partnered with HoYoverse to create a limited edition of the Ace 6T themed around Kamisato Ayaka. This was far more than a simple sticker pack — the entire device was redesigned to match the icy aesthetic of Inazuma.
The bundle comes in a premium blue suitcase. Inside are the customized phone with unique engraving, a themed case, a 100 W SuperVOOC charger with a special cable, a SIM tool shaped like the Mistsplitter Reforged sword, collectible cards, pins, and stickers. When powered on, the phone loads a fully reworked ColorOS theme with Ayaka-inspired animations, icons, and charging effects.
Technically, it remains the same Ace 6T: Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, a 6.83" 1.5K 165 Hz AMOLED display, and an 8,300 mAh battery with 100 W charging. The price in China is $699, with no global version yet.
realme P4x 5G — An Affordable Gaming Compact for $178
realme introduced the P4x 5G, a budget gaming smartphone focused on stable frame rates and strong battery life. It runs on the Dimensity 7400 Ultra, paired with a vapor-chamber cooling system and a GT Boost mode that supports up to 90 FPS in BGMI/PUBG Mobile. Features include a 6.72" FHD+ 144 Hz screen with 1000-nit brightness, a 7,000 mAh battery with 45 W charging, stereo speakers, and IP64 protection.
The cameras are basic — a 50 MP + 2 MP rear setup and an 8 MP front unit — but for a starting price of 15,999 INR (about $178) in India, it is an excellent choice for mobile gaming and everyday use. It is not yet sold officially in Russia.
DOOGEE V Max LR — A Rugged “Superman” Phone with a 20,500 mAh Battery and a Laser Rangefinder
DOOGEE released one of the most durable smartphones of the year, the V Max LR. It features a massive 20,500 mAh battery with 45 W charging and 10 W reverse charging, a Dimensity 7300 chipset, 16/512 GB memory, and IP68/IP69K plus MIL-STD-810H durability ratings.
Key features include:
- a built-in laser rangefinder (8 mm to 40 m),
- two 1,200-lumen flashlights,
- a 130 dB speaker,
- a 200 MP main camera paired with a 20 MP night-vision module.
Priced at $580, it is designed for extreme environments, from hiking and construction to survival scenarios.
OnePlus Ace 6T — The First Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Phone with an 8,300 mAh Battery
The standard Ace 6T (sold globally as the OnePlus 15R) became the first smartphone powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5. It offers a 6.83" 1.5K 165 Hz AMOLED display (1,800 nits, Dolby Vision), 50 + 8 MP cameras, IP66/68/69K protection, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 6.0. The 8,300 mAh battery with 100 W charging is a class-leading specification.
Chinese pricing ranges from $365 (12/256 GB) to $525 (16 GB/1 TB).
In Brief
December 2025 delivered several niche standouts: the collectible OnePlus Ace 6T Ayaka Edition for Genshin fans ($699); the budget gaming-focused realme P4x 5G ($178); the rugged DOOGEE V Max LR with a record-setting 20,500 mAh battery ($580); and the first Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 phone, the OnePlus Ace 6T with an 8,300 mAh battery starting at $365. From aesthetes to adventurers, everyone got their hero device this month.
