Latest Smartphone News December 2025: Samsung, Apple, OnePlus Updates
Published by TechMilkyWay | December 7, 2025 | 8 min read
The smartphone industry is buzzing with exciting updates this December. From Samsung’s design leaks to OnePlus’s record-breaking battery, here’s everything you need to know about the latest developments from major smartphone brands.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Series: What’s Coming in 2026
Design Leaked Through Software Update
Samsung accidentally revealed the Galaxy S26 series design in their One UI 8.5 software. This early glimpse shows significant changes coming to Samsung’s flagship lineup.
Key Design Changes:
Standard Models (S26 & S26 Plus):
- Three vertical rear cameras in a unified camera island
- Cleaner, more streamlined appearance
Ultra Model (S26 Ultra):
- Main camera housing with additional sensors on the side
- More advanced photography capabilities
Samsung Galaxy S26 Specs & Features
The base Galaxy S26 is getting notable upgrades:
- Display: 6.3-inch screen (upgraded from 6.2 inches)
- Battery: 4,300mAh capacity
- Charging: The S26 Ultra will feature 60W wired charging branded as “Super Fast Charging 3.0”
This charging upgrade breaks Samsung’s long-standing 45W limit, matching competitors in the fast-charging race.
Samsung S26 Release Date
Launch timing remains uncertain with sources suggesting late January 2026 or February 25, 2026 in San Francisco. Samsung typically announces flagship devices in February, making the latter date more likely.
Apple iPhone News: iOS 26.2 & Record Sales
iOS 26.2 Release Date & New Features
Apple will roll out iOS 26.2 between December 8-16, 2025. The update brings over 15 new features.
Top iOS 26.2 Features:
Reminders App Upgrade The Reminders app now includes alarm functionality with an “Urgent” option that sounds an alarm at the scheduled time.
Default Assistant Options (Japan) Japanese iPhone users can now set third-party assistants like Google Gemini or Amazon Alexa as their default voice assistant instead of Siri.
iPhone 17 Sales Break Records
The iPhone 17 series is driving unprecedented growth for Apple:
- 2025 Forecast: 247.4 million iPhone shipments
- Year-over-year Growth: Over 6%
- China Performance: iPhone 17 ranked first in October and November with 20%+ market share
This success marks a significant rebound in the Chinese market, where Apple faced challenges in recent years.
Apple Foldable iPhone Update
The long-awaited foldable iPhone has reached the engineering validation stage with target production in the second half of 2026, though it could shift to 2027 based on hinge design decisions.
OnePlus 15R: December 17 Launch Event
First Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Android Phone
OnePlus confirmed the global launch of the OnePlus 15R on December 17, 2025. This device will be the first Android smartphone powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset.
OnePlus 15R Specifications
Display Features:
- Panel: AMOLED technology
- Resolution: 1.5K
- Refresh Rate: 165Hz (ultra-smooth scrolling)
- Peak Brightness: 1,800 nits (excellent outdoor visibility)
Battery & Charging:
- Capacity: 7,400 mAh
- Record: Largest battery ever in a OnePlus phone
- North America: Reportedly the biggest battery in any consumer smartphone in the region
Durability:
The OnePlus 15R features comprehensive water and dust resistance with IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K ratings.
Additional OnePlus Launches
December 17 will also see the OnePlus Pad Go 2 tablet and OnePlus Watch Lite smartwatch, strengthening OnePlus’s ecosystem offerings.
Xiaomi & Huawei: Innovation from China
Xiaomi Tri-Fold Phone Coming 2026
Xiaomi is developing a tri-fold smartphone that appeared in the GSMA database, potentially called the Xiaomi Mix Trifold, with an expected launch in Q3 2026 targeting the premium foldable segment.
Xiaomi Market Performance
Q3 2025 China results show 10 million smartphone shipments, securing fourth place with 14.7% market share.
Huawei Continues Strong Comeback
Huawei’s resurgence in China continues with impressive Q3 2025 numbers: third place ranking with 10.4 million unit shipments and 15.2% market share. The company recently released the Mate 70 Air, competing directly with Apple’s iPhone Air lineup.
HarmonyOS Evolution
Huawei plans to make HarmonyOS Next standard on all new devices by 2025, achieving complete independence from Android-based systems and building a self-sufficient software platform.
Google Pixel December 2025 Update
Android 16 QPR2 Security Patch
Google Pixel devices are receiving the Android 16 QPR2 update with comprehensive December 2025 security patches covering over 130 fixes across Android system and Pixel-specific components.
Important Bug Fixes:
The update fixes the issue where the 80% charge limit setting wasn’t being respected and resolves display problems affecting Pixel 10 series devices.
Smartphone Industry Trends Q3 2025
The smartphone market shows strong momentum with Q3 2025 production reaching 328 million units, representing 9% quarter-over-quarter growth and 7% year-over-year growth. This surge is driven by seasonal demand increases, exciting new product launches, and market recovery in key regions.
Final Thoughts: What to Expect Next
December 2025 brings exciting smartphone developments across all major brands.
Short Term (December 2025):
- iOS 26.2 releases December 8-16
- OnePlus 15R launches December 17
- Google Pixel security updates rolling out now
Looking Ahead (2026):
- Samsung Galaxy S26 series (January/February)
- Apple foldable iPhone (second half)
- Xiaomi tri-fold device (Q3)
The smartphone industry continues to innovate with faster charging, larger batteries, better displays, and new form factors.
Last Updated: December 7, 2025 | TechMilkyWay
