The iPhone XR led the way, accounting for three percent of sales during this period. In fact, Counterpoint says that with the exception of its launch quarter (Q3 2018), it’s been the top smartphone globally in every quarter so far. Apple also made an appearance in the number five spot, with its iPhone 11 accounting for 1.6% of sales.
Samsung put in a strong performance too, with its Galaxy A10 in second place (2.6%) and the most popular Android phone in Q3 2019. This wasn’t the only Samsung device in the top ten, with the Galaxy A50 (third) and Galaxy A20 (seventh) raking in the sales too. It all suggests that the firm’s decision to refocus on the budget segment is paying off, with the Galaxy A10 being the cheapest device in its new A series.
Oppo was another surprise performer in this quarter, with the Oppo A9 in fourth place, the Oppo A5 in sixth place, and the Oppo A5s in eighth position.
It’s interesting to note that the Huawei P30 was the only Android flagship in the top ten (and the only Huawei phone), with the likes of Samsung and Oppo only bringing budget wares to the table. Counterpoint has an explanation for the poor Android flagship representation.
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The tracking firm says the combined sales of the top ten models increased 9% year on year compared to the combined sales of Q3 2018’s top ten phones. But the combined revenue fell 30% year on year, as people opted for budget phones over flagship phones. Furthermore, the tracking firm says there were five flagship phones in the top ten a year ago, compared to just three now.
The trend towards budget phones isn’t surprising either, as a flood of traditionally premium features make their way to cheaper phones. Between triple cameras (or even quad shooters), in-display fingerprint sensors, and OLED screens, you could even argue that 2019 was the most impressive year yet for cheap phones. Things are only going to pick up steam in 2020, as 5G dips below the flagship segment for the first time.
What’s in a name? Most smartphone names are presumed to simply follow a numerical sequence so when companies break a series, people take notice. That happened with the iPhone X, which skipped the “9” to mark the smartphone line’s tenth birthday. The Samsung Galaxy S series isn’t older but it is now believed to be skipping its “11” next year. Instead of the Galaxy S11, Samsung will apparently call its early 2020 flagship the Galaxy S20.
It’s definitely a puzzle why Samsung would suddenly make such a sudden change but @Ice universe does have a track record for accuracy when it comes to rumors and leaks. His first explanation is how “20” matches 2020, the year of the phone’s release, but also talks about it being a new beginning.
If anything, the sudden break does suggest that there might be big changes ahead, at least in marketing if not in actual technology. The specs leaked for the Galaxy S11, or in this case the Galaxy S20, haven’t really been revolutionary to warrant such a jump in naming. Sure, upgraded processors and cameras are big news but those are also expected for new premium phones.
The Galaxy S20/S11 is naturally expected to come with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 and its Exynos equivalent while the camera set may welcome a new macro lens. The design is undergoing a change, mixing the Galaxy Note 10’s middle punch-hole front camera and a new rectangular camera bump. Whether those alone deserve a “20” instead of an “11” is still up for debate.
The naming change also raises questions about the Galaxy S phones of the future. Will the 2021 flagship be called the Galaxy S21 or, taking after Huawei, the Galaxy S30 instead? Suffice it to say, Samsung may want consumers to see a break from the past but it will need more than a name change to prove that.
Whether you’ve just gotten a new gaming PC, are building a new PC for yourself, or have just decided to gift yourself with some new games, we have ten suggestions to make your gaming experience fun. Not all of them are new or the most graphically demanding, but they should provide you with hours of enjoyment.
Unlike gaming on a console, there are several ways for PC gamers to get their fix, from Steam and Origin to Epic Game Store and GOG. It’s important to know that not all platforms offer the same games. When they do, shop around — you might find a better price on one versus the other.
We’ve rounded up our favorite and most-used games, apps, and entertainment. Check out our app picks for iPhones, Android phones, PCs, Macs and TVs; our favorite mobile games from Apple Arcade and Google Play Pass; and our top choices for the PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. We’ve also listed our favorite streaming shows on Disney+, Hulu and Netflix, some great sci-fi books, and exciting new podcasts. (Note: pricing was accurate at the time of publishing, but may change.)
Destiny 2
If you’re looking for a first-person shooter that masterfully mixes the satisfying mobility, responsive controls, and sci-fi lore of the Halo series (it’s made by Bungie, after all, the same developer that makes Halo) with the endless replayability found in games like Borderlands, Destiny 2 is easy to recommend. The game is now free to play on Steam, so there’s no cost required to play through the base game. After that, you can pay for even more content.
Hades
Hades is the latest game from Supergiant, the developer of Bastion, Transistor, and Pyre. Right now, it’s in Early Access on Steam and Epic Games, which means that it’s technically incomplete. But it already offers a lot — and the developer aims to keep adding to the game in 2020. Hades is a rogue-like (every attempt is different in some way, including shuffled item drops, enemy encounters, and level layouts), similar in a sense to The Binding of Isaac. As such, it offers tons of depth, the writing is excellent, and the controls are responsive on keyboard and mouse, or with a controller. It will likely make its way to consoles at some point, but right now, the PC is where you can play it.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Rockstar’s sequel to Red Dead Redemption landed on consoles in 2018, but it only recently graced the PC platform. Now that it’s had a few months to shake out some annoying bugs, you should check it out. It’s a technical marvel, and it’s a fun game, too. Unlike the prior entry in the Red Dead franchise, or recent Grand Theft Auto games (which it bears some similarities to), Red Dead Redemption 2 is a more slow-paced adventure that takes its sweet time unrolling, with plenty of twists along the way. The fun gunplay is still a constant presence, though, and when you finish the long campaign, you can hop into the free Red Dead Online component of the game that comes included with it.
Remnant: From the Ashes
At the core of Remnant: From the Ashes is loot, and a lot of it. But it’s not just another loot shooter; this title has similar squad co-op and controls to what you’d find in The Division 2, but with a world that’s steeped in fantasy. This game has a reputation for being difficult — and difficult, it is — though it’s much easier and more fun to make your way through with a trusty group of friends. If games like Destiny 2 and Borderlands 3 are up your alley, you should give this one a try.
Outer Wilds
If you want to play through an awe-inspiring first-person adventure that lets you travel through space but doesn’t require you to shoot at things, Outer Wilds is a worthwhile game. Just don’t call it a walking simulator. It’s a game that can deceive you with its simplistic look and unassuming first half-hour of gameplay. After a little more time, though, you’ll be hooked, trying to discover every last secret floating around in Outer Wilds’ universe. And while I mentioned that there’s no shooting in this first-person game, it’s still plenty tense in ways better left unsaid if you want to go in fresh.
Hunt: Showdown
It’s tough to make a list of PC games you should play without mentioning a game in the popular battle royale genre. There’s a good chance you’ve already played Fortnite and PUBG, but Crytek’s Hunt: Showdown is one that may have escaped you. This game puts you and a few friends, along with plenty of other random players, into a sprawling, dangerous, and gorgeously designed map that’s filled with monsters that want to kill you. In addition to standard Player vs. Player gameplay, the other big goal of the match is Player vs. Enemy: dispose of the map’s baddies efficiently and quietly in order to score the most experience points and make your escape with the loot in tow. Neither is easy to do, especially since it’s a battle royale game wrapped in survival horror aesthetic, but the feeling of barely escaping with your life feels fantastic.
Disco Elysium
Disco Elysium is the kind of game made for people who want the freedom of choice, and want to see their actions have an impact on the in-game world. This PC exclusive (until it arrives on consoles later in 2020, at least) is a modern take on the classic RPG genre. It features a stirring whodunit story filled with open-ended conversation paths and memorable characters. It also has plenty of intricate game systems that let you have a personalized experience, and it rewards multiple playthroughs.
Halo: The Master Chief Collection
The Halo series is coming — in full — to the Windows PC. I don’t really need to tell you why that’s exciting, but I’ll go ahead anyway. Only the first two Halo titles ever came to Windows — long before the advent of digital game platforms — but now all six of them will conveniently be in a single pack on Steam for $39.99. There are two things worth noting, though: only Halo: Reach is available to play right now (with glorious 4K/ 60 FPS support), with the others coming to the collection in 2020. And if you’d rather not buy the whole collection, you can play Halo: Reach with a subscription to Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass for PC.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
FromSoftware’s latest game runs best on PC, and this means you can enjoy more detailed visuals compared to the console versions, as well as faster load times. Faster load times doesn’t sound crucial, but in a game like Sekiro, where you’ll die again and again, it’s really nice not to be punished by long load times. Another note (which might be controversial to some): the PC version can be modded to allow for cheats. Cheats for Sekiro caused a stir earlier in the year, spawning the incredible “you cheated not only the game, but yourself” meme. Don’t feel bad if you need to cheat, though, especially if you just want to have fun in this tremendous action game without suffering too steeply.
Apex Legends
OK, we’re adding a second battle royale title, but this one is well worth having on the list. Apex Legends is a first-person shooter from Respawn Entertainment, the same crew that developed Titanfall and, more recently, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. Like Overwatch and Team Fortress 2, Apex Legends puts a class-based spin on an already-popular genre. With the studio’s pedigree, this game is, unsurprisingly, very fun to play. The progression systems in place are rewarding and will keep you playing for a while. Better yet, this game is free.
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If you just got a brand-new Android phone for the holidays, you probably want to play some games on your shiny device. Luckily, that’s especially easy to do this year with Google’s $5-per-month Google Play Pass games and apps subscription service, which offers free access to hundreds of games without pushing ads or demanding in-app purchases.
We’ve looked through what’s available on Play Pass, and it has a lot of good games to check out. Here are just a few that we recommend. And since all of the games are also available individually — either free with ads and in-app purchases, or for specific prices — we’ve included their Google Play links as well.
We’ve rounded up our favorite and most-used games, apps, and entertainment. Check out our app picks for iPhones, Android phones, PCs, Macs, and TVs; our favorite mobile games from Apple Arcade and Google Play Pass; and our top choices for the PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. We’ve also listed our favorite streaming shows on Disney+, Hulu, and Netflix; some great sci-fi books; and exciting new podcasts. (Note: pricing was accurate at the time of publishing, but may change.)
Cut the Rope
Cut the Rope (and its sequels Cut the Rope 2 and Cut the Rope: Time Travel) are charming physics-based puzzle games that let you feed candy to a cute little dinosaur by manipulating Incredible Machine-like contraptions. The puzzles are short, but getting three stars in each level adds a nice extra challenge.
Limbo
Limbo is a slow, spooky platformer that will only take you a couple hours to play through. But if you haven’t played it before, find a cozy spot on the couch in front of the fire, grab some headphones, and get lost in its world. Honestly, I wouldn’t exactly describe Limbo as fun, but it’s a one-of-a-kind experience that’s worth your time.
Monument Valley
Ustwo’s perspective-bending puzzlers, Monument Valley and Monument Valley 2, are somehow engaging and relaxing all at the same time, and both games are absolutely beautiful. The levels are wonderfully designed, and you’ll typically only need a few minutes to get through a level, so you might be able to sneak in a puzzle or two between bites of holiday leftovers.
Reigns
All three Reigns games — Reigns, Reigns: Her Majesty, and Reigns: Game of Thrones — are available on Google Play Pass, and each offers new opportunities to rule your kingdom with an iron thumb (if you choose). Though, I hope your Reigns: Game of Thrones runs are more satisfying than Game of Thrones’ final season.
Stardew Valley
This year, everyone’s favorite farming game finally came to Android, and it’s guaranteed to be an incredibly addicting way to get you through the holiday doldrums. I’ve lost hours to this game playing just another day over and over again as I tend my crops, visit my farm animals, and make friends with every townsperson that I can.
Star Wars: KOTOR
It’s Star Wars season, and there’s no better way to celebrate than sinking hours into Star Wars: KOTOR, which remains one of the best Star Wars games. Will you be a hero and become a Jedi, or go full dark side and embrace your inner Sith? The force is still strong with this beloved RPG.
Terraria
Terraria, the famous side-scrolling action-adventure sandbox game, was first released for PCs all the way back in 2011, and it’s still being updated over eight years later. The Android version’s touchscreen controls can be a little clunky, but don’t let them stop you from the potential hours of dungeon-crawling that await you in Terraria.
Honorable Mention: Fortnite
Fortnite, which remains one of the world’s most popular games, isn’t available on Google Play Pass, but it’s free through the Epic Games App. Its touchscreen controls might not be the easiest way to play the game, but if you want to get in a couple drops off the Battle Bus while you’re away from your console or PC, they’ll do the trick.
Vox Media has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. For more information, see our ethics policy.
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