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top 646.ph login MAX Power Arranges Targeted Strategic Private Placement To Raise Up To $1 MillionHONG KONG , Nov. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — On November 21 , China Telecom Gulf was officially launched in Riyadh . This milestone marks a significant step in China Telecom’s efforts to provide deep services under the “Belt and Road Initiative” and to promote the building of a “China-Arab Community with a Shared Future.” It signifies another solid advancement on China Telecom’s path toward internationalization. Mr. Liu Guiqing, Executive Director and EVP of China Telecom Corporation, delivered an opening speech, along with Mr. Fawaz, Representative of Contact Office of Chinese Companies in the KSA, Deputy General Manager of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Riyadh Branch. Over 100 guests and leaders from the Economic and Commercial Office of Embassy of the PRC of the KSA, Saudi Telecom Company(STC), Bank of China , Huawei, and others attended to witness this momentous occasion. In his address, Mr. Liu Guiqing emphasized China Telecom’s commitment to openness, cooperation, and mutual benefit. He expressed the company’s willingness to share its experiences in cloud-network integration, cloud transformation, intelligent operations, and technological innovation. China Telecom aims to work closely with various levels of Saudi governments, enterprises, and partners to actively participate in the development of local digital infrastructure, drive the rapid advancement of next-generation information technologies, and establish a robust bridge for cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia in the field of information technology. Leveraging its extensive resources and global operational capabilities, China Telecom plans to bring its strengths in 5G, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and other fields to provide innovative, high-quality communication products and services to Saudi enterprises, institutions, and consumers. Mr. Fawaz extended his warm congratulations on the opening of China Telecom Gulf. He highlighted that as a leading global provider of communication services, China Telecom possesses abundant cloud-network resources and mature international service capabilities. The establishment of China Telecom Gulf is a significant step toward supporting the digital transformation of businesses in the region. He expressed confidence that through joint efforts, the company will seize opportunities in the digital era and contribute to Saudi Arabia’s socio-economic development and practical cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia in various fields. China Telecom showcased its global resources, business capabilities, and its investments and partnerships in the Middle East and Africa . Key services introduced included eSurfing Cloud, computing power solutions, quantum technology, and customized 5G networks. Currently, China Telecom operates branches in 42 countries and regions worldwide, owns 53 international submarine cables, and manages 27 self-operated Internet Data Centers (IDCs). Its cloud-network integrated infrastructure and customer-centric digital service systems provide coverage across the globe. During the event, China Telecom Gulf signed strategic cooperation agreements with Saudi Telecom Company (STC), Huawei Saudi Arabia, and Baud Telecom Company. The parties committed to deep collaboration, leveraging their respective strengths to provide optimized and convenient digital experiences to Saudi customers. The establishment of China Telecom’s presence in Saudi Arabia marks a major milestone in the company’s entry into the Middle Eastern communications market, representing a key development in its global strategy. Moving forward, China Telecom Gulf will leverage China Telecom’s robust digital infrastructure and resource integration capabilities. We will collaborate closely with local Saudi enterprises, Chinese businesses expanding internationally, and global companies to strengthen cooperation and enhance exchanges. The company aims to contribute to the growth of Sino-Saudi and Middle Eastern industrial cooperation, continuously offering more smart solutions for the development of the Middle East’s digital economy, while striving to become a world-class provider of digital and intelligent technology services. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/china-telecom-gulf-officially-launches-in-saudi-arabia-for-business-302314739.html SOURCE China Telecom Global

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West Yellowstone police did not release new information as of 3 p.m., Friday regarding the recent death of one of their officers. However, officials did post information online offering help on getting through the grieving process. “The family of Officer Ashlee Stoneburner has requested that in lieu of flowers donations be made to bluehelp.org , an organization dedicated to supporting law enforcement officers and their families who are affected by trauma and loss,” the department stated on Facebook. West Yellowstone Police Officer Ashlee Stoneburner “Your generosity can help honor Officer Stoneburner’s legacy and provide vital support to those who serve and protect our community,” the Thursday posting states. Also, on Thursday, West Yellowstone police reminded the public about the 988 suicide and crisis hotline. “It's important to know that there is someone to listen and support in your grief,” officials said. “You are not alone, and reaching out for help is a sign of strength,” the posting states. “Let's spread the word and make sure that everyone knows about this important resource. Take care of yourselves and each other.” The West Yellowstone Police Department announced Stoneburner’s death on Wednesday, adding that an investigation is underway. Circumstances surrounding her death are being investigated by the Madison County Sheriff's Office/Coroner's Office, officials said. Officials said updates will be posted on the West Yellowstone Police Department’s official social media. The department is staffed by 13 people, including a police chief and five officers, with one being a school resource officer, the department's webpage states. The department has seven 911 telecommunicators, one serving as the 911 center manager. If you or someone you know are in a mental health crisis, the Montana Crisis Lifeline is free and staffed 24 hours by trained crisis responders who answer every call and text message. Dial 988. Online: https://dphhs.mt.gov/suicideprevention/988 Assistant editor Phil Drake can be reached at 406-231-9021. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Assistant Editor {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Luke Kromenhoek threw for 209 yards and tossed three touchdown passes as Florida State halted a six-game losing streak and routed Charleston Southern 41-7 on Saturday. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Luke Kromenhoek threw for 209 yards and tossed three touchdown passes as Florida State halted a six-game losing streak and routed Charleston Southern 41-7 on Saturday. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Luke Kromenhoek threw for 209 yards and tossed three touchdown passes as Florida State halted a six-game losing streak and routed Charleston Southern 41-7 on Saturday. Kromenhoek completed 13 of 20 passes in his first college start, including a 71-yard touchdown pass to Ja’Khi Douglas, as the Seminoles (2-9) won for the first time since Sept. 21. The true freshman also connected with Amaree Williams for a 4-yard TD and Hykeem Williams for a 10-yard TD. Florida State had the nation’s lowest scoring offense at 13.3 points. The Seminoles hadn’t scored more than 21 points or surpassed the 300-yard mark in 2024. But Florida State overwhelmed FCS Charleston Southern (1-11), accumulating 415 offensive yards. Kaleb Jackson completed 22 of 32 passes for 218 yards, including a 7-yard touchdown pass to Landon Sauers, and an interception for the Buccaneers. The takeaway Charleston Southern: While the Buccaneers found some success through the air, they couldn’t sustain drives and managed just 57 rushing yards on 29 carries. Florida State: The Seminoles picked up a season-best 176 rushing yards, scoring 17 points in the second quarter and 14 points in the third quarter to take control. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Up next Charleston Southern’s season is over. Florida State plays host to Florida on Nov. 30. ___ AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football. Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25 Advertisement AdvertisementMANKATO — Gov. Tim Walz took 26 flights and did 38 rallies in the last 10 days of the Harris-Walz campaign, and he’s glad to be back to being governor of Minnesota, planning a budget, talking to committee chairs and appreciating the state more than ever. Walz offered reflection on his recent campaign as vice president on the Harris-Walz ticket in an interview Thursday with The Free Press. “It was the honor of a lifetime to be on that ticket. It was 90 days. It was surreal in so many ways. I got to see an America I never would have, and it just deepened my appreciation for Minnesota,” Walz said. “I get to come back here and be governor of Minnesota, which is a privilege. On a personal basis from a mental health perspective, it’s just great to get back in here and get the work done.” Walz was chosen to be Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate 20 years to the day he first made news as a teacher taking his students to the President George W. Bush rally in rural Mankato. That day he and his students were denied access to the rally because the students were displaying stickers or wore T-shirts supporting Democrats. Two years later, he was elected to Congress in an upset victory over longtime 1st District incumbent Republican Gil Gutknecht. Walz says his short trajectory was truly something. “I think it speaks more to Minnesota’s politics and what American (politics) used to be.” That story didn’t get much traction on the campaign trail, but he noted the Wall Street Journal did rate him the least-wealthy candidate on the trail, which he thought was a fitting way to describe him. He never planned on running for Congress and running on the national ticket was beyond his wildest imagination. “It seems pretty cool to me that Americans would allow you to be on the ticket as a school teacher. That’s how I see myself.” As a high school coach, Walz acknowledged one can look back at a lost game and evaluate what went wrong. For the Harris-Walz game, it was a number of factors. “I’m proud of the work we did,” he said. Pundits have been asking him if there are things he could have done differently. “I said ‘yeah, win.’” But post-game analysis includes that he knew the game would be tough, but he did think they would win with the momentum that had been growing. “We ran on a message that was more hopeful, more unifying, but that’s not the one that the public chose.” He said post game that Democrats have to “figure out what young men, what Hispanic men and white men without college degrees — why did they not feel our message for higher wages, access to health care, bringing down housing costs. What is missing in that message?” He acknowledges his narrative of roots in small-town Nebraska, teacher and coach should have helped draw voters who normally wouldn’t vote Democratic or at all. He’s uncertain it helped. “I would think so. Look, we were trying to get those very folks and you’d think that it would have mattered. My claim to fame again is The Wall Street Journal saying I’m the poorest person that ever ran. I’m not poor, but I’m just like these folks.” But some longtime supporters say the Walz genuine narrative did draw voters. “I think Walz really helped the (Harris) campaign. He was more mainstream” said Jim Hepworth, former 1st and 2nd District DFL chair, who noted he was speaking only for himself and not the DFL. Hepworth has known Walz for 20 years. Walz wondered if the changing media landscape, with podcasts and social media dominating legacy media, played a role. “Did we miss the place they’re getting their news?” He noted that podcasters and social media, where more campaigns seem to be turning, is just like paid campaign ads. “That’s not anybody doing journalism. That’s a different way to have a rally. And that, I don’t think, we got,” Walz said. He also noted facts didn’t seem to matter. The Harris-Trump debate favored Harris with only two misleading or false statements to 38 by Trump. “It didn’t matter ... As an American we’re going to have to understand what that means.” Social media outlets that offer confirmation bias are powerful. “If you know how to work those confirmation bias media outlets better, I think you can win. And that’s what we didn’t figure out.” Hepworth agreed the media landscape is changing but the message also needs to get better. He said the uphill challenges for the campaign included a late entry into the race and little time for Harris to differentiate herself from President Joe Biden. The GOP, Hepworth said, was good at talking about inflation and how everything is more expensive, though he also notes the message of the busiest Thanksgiving travel day and robust Black Friday sales didn’t get through to voters that the economy was doing well. The Democrats have to come up with another strategy if they feel their policies and message and leadership was right but yet didn’t get those groups to vote for them, Walz said. These trends will likely continue. “We’re going to have to figure out, is that the best way to elect our leaders in a post-truth world?” Walz notes he’s been in public office longer than he was a teacher, but still sees himself as a teacher. His lesson might change if he were to go into the classroom once again, after the experience on the presidential campaign trail. He would talk about the “obscene amount of money” in campaigns and that the country is “deeply divided,” but that “the system is still better than any other.” And he echoed a refrain of his national campaign: “They should not lose faith.”

Efforts to reduce the nation’s persistently high maternal mortality rates involve state panels of experts that investigate and learn from each mother’s death. The panels — called maternal mortality review committees — usually work quietly out of the public eye, but that’s not been the case recently in three states with strict abortion laws. Georgia dismissed all members of its committee in November after information about deaths being reviewed leaked to the news organization ProPublica. Days later, The Washington Post reported that Texas’ committee won’t review cases from 2022 and 2023, the first two years after the state banned nearly all abortions. In Idaho, the state let its panel disband in 2023 only to reinstate it this year. “They’ve become more of a lightning rod than they were before,” said epidemiologist Michael Kramer, director of the Center for Rural Health and Health Disparities at Mercer University in Georgia. Here’s what these committees do and what might happen next: “Maternal mortality review committees are important because they are the most comprehensive source of information about maternal mortality that we have,” said David Goodman, who leads the maternal mortality prevention team at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The panels review deaths that occur during pregnancy or within a year after it ends, whether related to the pregnancy or not. Causes of death can range from hemorrhage during childbirth to drug overdoses to traffic accidents. The goal, Kramer said, is to examine maternal deaths and help “decide what we can do about them.” All states, a few cities and Puerto Rico have these committees. Their membership varies and may include OB-GYNs, maternal-fetal medicine doctors, nurses, midwives, mental and public health experts and members of patient advocacy groups. Most have representatives from several areas of expertise, which the CDC recommends. How members are selected also varies; people may apply, submit letters of interest or be invited to serve. The selection shouldn’t be politically motivated, Kramer said, because “if there’s a systematic exclusion of certain data or certain perspectives” it’s difficult to truly understand what’s happening. The panels work with state vital statistics offices and epidemiologists to identify deaths associated with pregnancy by examining death certificates and looking for a pregnancy checkbox or a related cause of death. They also may search for links to birth and fetal death records, or delve into hospital discharge data, media reports and obituaries. Once they identify cases, they collect as much information as possible, such as prenatal care records, hospital and social service records, autopsy reports and interviews with family members. Professional “abstractors” distill all this into case narratives, which committee members pore over. Most use a standardized review process developed by the CDC — and all panels can get help and guidance from the agency. They consider questions such as: Was the death pregnancy- related? What was the underlying cause? Was it preventable? What factors contributed? States generally have privacy rules that protect committee members and people who provide information on the deaths. The groups then issue public reports that don’t name mothers or hospitals but include overall findings, trends and recommendations. Some come out a couple of years or more after the deaths. Across the nation in 2023, Goodman said, 151 recommendations from those reports were implemented by communities, hospitals, medical professionals and policymakers. Georgia will rebuild its committee through a new application process, the state public health commissioner said. Texas’ committee has been reviewing 2021 deaths and will start on 2024 cases at its next meeting, Texas Department of State Health Services spokesperson Lara Anton said. “Reviewing cases is a lengthy process and legislators have asked for more recent data. Starting the next review cycle with 2024 cases will allow us to provide that in the next report,” Anton said, adding that maternal and child health epidemiologists will continue to analyze and publish data for 2022 and 2023. In Idaho, the reconstituted review committee now falls under the state board of medicine, which licenses doctors, instead of the state’s health and welfare department. It will operate like it always has, said Bob McLaughlin, spokesperson for the medical board. Members met for the first time in November and plan to issue a report by Jan. 31. Because the legislature wanted the most up-to-date information, McLaughlin said the first report will cover only 2023 cases, and the group will review 2022 deaths next. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

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Trump asks Supreme Court to delay TikTok ban so he can weigh in after he takes officeUpstart Holdings chief legal officer sells $446,284 in stockIowa quarterback Cade McNamara released a statement Friday slamming the "100% false" media reports that suggested he had thrown his final pass for the Hawkeyes. McNamara has been sidelined since sustaining a concussion during the Oct. 26 win against Northwestern. Backup quarterback Brendan Sullivan has started the last two games for the Hawkeyes (6-4, 4-3 Big Ten) but is out with an ankle injury for Saturday's game at Maryland (4-6, 1-6). Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said earlier this week that Jackson Stratton will be the likely starter against the Terrapins if McNamara is unavailable. McNamara's cloudy status prompted speculation on a podcast this week that he was "not mentally ready to play." The podcast hosts from the Des Moines Register and The Athletic also suggested that McNamara -- who played three years at Michigan (2020-22) before transferring to Iowa -- is not "fit to play quarterback in the Big Ten right now." "We don't want to bury his career yet, but it does seem like that interception against Northwestern was his last snap as a Hawkeye," Leistikow said. McNamara, who passed for 1,017 yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions in eight games this season, released a statement updating his current status. "My status is the same as it's always been -- a proud member of this football team," he said. McNamara said he has not yet been cleared to play. He said he was cleared to practice on Sunday but suffered an "adverse reaction" and was unable to practice this week and therefore unable to travel with the team to Maryland. "I have been working with the University of Iowa doctors and trainers, a concussion specialist focused on vision training, as well as engaging in hyperbaric treatments as frequently as possible," McNamara said. "I have every intention to play versus Nebraska next Friday night and I am confident that my teammates will return from Maryland with a win." Including his time with the Wolverines, McNamara has completed 60.9 percent of his passes for 4,703 yards with 31 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 34 games. --Field Level Media

HALIFAX — A Nova Scotia charity is serving at least 600 free traditional dinners over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to spread a little bit of holiday cheer. The Souls Harbour Rescue Mission is offering a sit-down turkey dinner with all the fixings for people who need "food or friends" at mission locations across the province. It's the first time the group is serving the meals over the holidays since it started providing community service in 2010. Michelle Porter, the CEO, says the charity has been raising funds for Christmas festivities since November and estimates the cost for events during the holiday season is around $1 million. Meals will differ slightly at mission locations across the province, but Porter says all plates will have turkey, potatoes, cranberry, gravy and some vegetables. People who attend will also get a Christmas stocking that includes a mini hygiene set and a few treats like chocolate, gloves and socks. About 400 people will eat today in Lower Sackville, Bridgewater, Truro and Sydney Mines, while Porter estimates 200 people will share a meal together in Halifax on Christmas Day. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 24, 2024. The Canadian PressAfter serving Kelowna for six and a half years, Vice and Virtue Brewing is shutting its doors. The brewery announced on Dec. 9 that it'll be closing its doors on Dec. 21 and new owners will take over. Those new owners are the same as those who own Red Bird Brewing and will take over the lease on Jan. 1, 2025. According to Vice and Virtue co-owner Matt Wentzell, the sale has been in the works for the last few months. "We put a lot of work into this, so it's not like a decision that we took lightly by any means," said Wentzell. "We have five different owners and then all of us have different jobs and careers, but we've put a tremendous amount of effort into the brewery." Wentzell did admit that raising costs played a role in the decision as well as a decline in tourism this year. "To be honest, it's been difficult after COVID to have a brewery. Times are not good for restaurants or breweries or hospitality in general these days, right?" said Wentzell. "I'm sure I'm not the first person who's mentioned that. It's been challenging times, margins have been thinner and thinner. We had an opportunity where a new buyer came along with a very clear vision and the finances to be able to pull it off." But Wentzell and the other owners are happy with the sale and what Red Bird's plans are for the future. "We were really happy to be able to pass the torch to a new ownership group that's going to keep the space of the brewery and that definitely has a great vision," added Wentzell. "We're a community growing and thriving in the way that it should." The owners of Vice and Virtue were unified in the decision of the sale, despite how tough of a choice it was. "It's super bittersweet. Like we started this brewery in one of the original partner's garages, we were home-brewing," said Wentzell. "We identified an opportunity for craft beer here in town because it was kind of under-serviced here in Kelowna at that time. We wanted to give people some opportunity to give people another delicious craft beer option. And we did and I think we did a great job with that." Vice and Virtue opened on June 11, 2018, and Wentzell stated it wouldn't have stayed open without the help of the community. He added one of his highlights from the last few years is seeing people around town drinking their beer, whether at restaurants or buying them at a liquor store. As for the outcry and support the owners have received since Monday's announcement, Wentzell said it's been heartfelt. "I don't spend tons of time on social media these days, but I had to go on it and check out the responses," he said. "We have regulars who are so sad to see it go. It's honestly emotional to think about. The response has been overwhelmingly positive." Wentzell pointed out one story he heard, where one person reached out to them saying they had their first date with their partner at Vice and Virtue and now they're married. As for the future, the five co-owners have no involvement in what Red Bird is going to do with the space but say it will be kept as a brewery. Vice and Virtue is also giving its brewing recipes to Red Bird, so beers like Love Potion and Brave New World might live on. Additionally, Wentzell is encouraging the public to continue to support local. "People want to continue to have small independently run businesses, whether that's breweries like ours or distilleries, wineries, restaurants, clothing stores, anything, the time is now to support these local businesses before they cease to exist," said Wentzell. "It's tough times for a lot of local small businesses right now, and people in Kelowna really need to get out and vote with their wallets. Go support your favourite local things, because I know, you know, all of them can use their help right now. Whether that's buying a gift card gift over the holidays, or just going and spending money where you can."

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Samsung is the world's largest smartphone vendor, according to Statista , and it's likely that you have heard nothing but praise for its devices in recent years, especially the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra . However, a benefit of not being as constrained as iOS is the fact that Android comes in various flavors, from different manufacturers, and at every price point. Each manufacturer throws its own skin on top of Android and bundles in exclusive features. While Samsung itself boasts a wide catalog of devices, some people might not enjoy the One UI skin, or could find the designs of most current-gen Samsung phones uninspiring and similar. Thankfully, worthwhile competition from brands like OnePlus, Google, Asus, and others means options go far beyond a Samsung Galaxy. For this list, we've stuck with smartphones that feature premium specifications — but don't worry, there is a healthy selection of budget friendly Android phones as well. From a device that folds in half, to a smartphone geared towards gaming, here are some of the best Android phones you can buy that aren't made by Samsung. We've based our list on reviews from experts in the industry, and you can find out more about our methodology at the end of this read. Amidst countless forgotten Google products that tend to get shelved, the Pixel lineup of devices has surprisingly stuck around. Being manufactured by the same company that develops Android has its benefits, including day one software updates and an experience devoid of any bloatware. The Pixel 9 Pro rivals the likes of the iPhone and Galaxy S24 Ultra, and features a 6.3-inch 120 Hz OLED display, capable of soaring way up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness. Our review of the Google Pixel 9 Pro talks about its excellent and reliable-as-ever camera setup, and how the suite of AI features hopes to add value to an already mature operating system. For big phone lovers, the 6.8-inch screen of the Pixel 9 Pro XL, and its bigger battery, should bring an enjoyable media consumption experience. Both phones are powered by Google's in-house Tensor G4 chip, which, while not known for the highest of numbers in synthetic benchmarks, still offers one of the smoothest ways to enjoy Android. Google promises up to seven years of Android updates for its Pixel 9 series, which, alongside 16GB of RAM, should help with future-proofing. The smaller Pixel 9 Pro starts at $999, and you can max these devices up to a terabyte of storage. You also get access to a year's worth of Gemini Advanced for free, so at least you get to experience all the AI features before handing out a separate subscription fee to Google. Since the brand's inception in 2014, OnePlus phones have never skimped out on their internals. The OnePlus 12 is a similar story, and packs in performance that matches flagships from Samsung and Apple — all the while undercutting most premium smartphones by a decent margin. Pricing starts at $799, for which you get 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, with an option to double the internal capacity and bump the RAM to 16GB. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 under the hood delivers enough power to run demanding titles like "Genshin Impact" smoothly. The OnePlus 12 also sports one of the most impressive smartphone displays — a 2K 120 Hz LTPO panel with an insane peak brightness of 4,500 nits. The phone runs on top of OxygenOS, which is an interface that has garnered a name for being snappy, despite slowly straying away from the look and feel of stock Android over the years. As explored in our review of the OnePlus 12 , the 5,400 mAh battery makes this a two-day phone, and OnePlus' signature fast charging technology means you'll be able to top it back up in just minutes. Cameras have always been a sensitive topic for OnePlus smartphones, and while the OnePlus 12 isn't coming on top of other flagships, it has a commendable setup consisting of wide, ultrawide, and periscope sensors. Starting out humbly with a pair of transparent wireless earbuds, Nothing now manufactures a variety of products, including smartphones. The Nothing Phone 2 prides itself on being a looker, thanks to the glyph interface and a unique see-through back panel. The front of the smartphone houses a 6.7-inch 120 Hz OLED display. To achieve its price tag of $599 while maintaining high-end specifications, the Nothing Phone 2 opts for an older Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor and 8GB of RAM, which is upgradable to 12GB alongside extra storage. We tested games like "Call of Duty: Mobile" and "Asphalt 9" in our review of the Nothing Phone 2 , and the device managed to keep up without dropping any frames. An unintended advantage of being a smaller brand is the fact that Nothing hasn't spent copious resources on designing a heavy layer on top of Android. Nothing OS sticks close to how Google envisioned Android, but doesn't shy away from adding a touch of personality in the form of widgets and subtle UI tweaks. Despite being launched a while ago in 2023, there is nothing (pun intended) quite like this device, unless you're fine with the less powerful yet newer Phone 2a and 2a Plus. The rumored Nothing Phone 3 should follow the same principles and offer a unique way to experience Android. While any modern smartphone with relatively decent specifications can handle games, there exists a niche for dedicated gaming handsets — and the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro is the latest in the series. It builds on top of its predecessor and brings upgrades under the hood. The phone is powered by the new Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, and comes with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. The phone will start at $1,199 and is slated for release in early 2025. Where most phones max out at 120 Hz, the ROG Phone 9 Pro takes its refresh rate all the way up to 185 Hz. With a peak brightness of 2,500 nits, the 6.78-inch AMOLED screen of the ROG Phone 9 Pro should suffice any content consumption needs as well. Asus has been trying to refine the ROG Phone ever since its inception, such that it doesn't cater to just gamers. The ROG Phone 9 Pro has a 50-megapixel primary shooter, and as highlighted in TechRadar's review the six-axis gimbal stabilizer helps capture sharp images even in poorly lit environments. Gamer-specific features of the phone include two ultrasonic buttons on the side that can replicate the R2 and L2 trigger buttons in games that support customizable controls. You also get a secondary USB-C charging port and a grid of LEDs dubbed "AniMe Vision" at the back that can be used to display text, GIFs, and even interactive games. Despite myths surrounding foldable smartphones , we've been seeing more options in the market than ever before. The OnePlus Open is the company's first foldable, and reviewers everywhere have had nothing but praise for its combination of premium hardware and thoughtful software. The device starts at $1,699 and comes with 16GB of RAM and half a terabyte of storage. Powering the OnePlus Open is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, while the circular camera housing features a triple-lens setup. The cover display is a 6.31-inch AMOLED 120Hz panel, which is just as useful as any other slab-style phone. The nearly square 7.82-inch display on the inside boasts a 2K resolution and refreshes at the same smooth 120Hz. Both displays bring 2,800 nits of peak brightness, and feature LTPO technology, allowing them to dynamically adjust the refresh rate to preserve battery. Tom's Guide praised the OnePlus Open for its overall value proposition, since folding phones don't come cheap. Moreover, OxygenOS brings features like Open Canvas that makes it easier to multitask on the OnePlus Open's display when unfolded. A major omission with this device is the lack of wireless charging, but as explored in our review of the OnePlus Open , it lasts a full day and then some on a single charge, and the 67W fast charging comes in clutch. We've seen some of the best and worst Samsung phones over the years, and while it's true that the company's lineup of devices is stronger than ever before — it would be unfair to turn a blind eye to the dozens of other great releases that happen each year. This list was crafted based on reviews from trusted sources like TechRadar and Tom's Guide. We conduct detailed testing of many smartphones here at SlashGear as well. Major points of consideration include specifications, display quality, and battery life — all of which are factors that differentiate good smartphones from the best ones. For this list, we picked Android phones that each have something unique to offer. Foldables like the OnePlus Open rival Samsung's own Galaxy Fold series, and bring a new way of interacting with your apps, while phones as pure as the Pixel 9 Pro are proof that you don't need a ton of bells and whistles to attract prospective buyers. Options like the Nothing Phone 2 and OnePlus 12 offer flagship-grade internals for less money, too. Even though the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro isn't here in the U.S. yet, it's worth waiting for its release in January 2025 since it does bring meaningful improvements over its predecessor.Elon Musk’s preschool is the next step in his anti-woke education dreams