This year, there's no denying that domestic smartphones are going head-to-head with Apple. It all began with Xiaomi rebranding its latest flagship as the 17 series, setting off a flurry of activity across the entire sector. The most straightforward form of competition is, undoubtedly, through naming conventions, with the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leading the charge. Despite some criticism, the results for Xiaomi have been undeniably positive. Not only has the entire series shattered sales records, but the Pro series' innovative back screen has also garnered widespread praise. Given Xiaomi's success, it's only natural that other manufacturers are eager to follow suit, as exemplified by OPPO, which we'll delve into today.

When it comes to taking on the iPhone, Xiaomi is relatively high-profile. However, in terms of the sheer intensity of competition, OPPO is every bit as formidable as Xiaomi. Online reports suggest that OPPO's upcoming mid-range Reno15 series will introduce a Pro Max variant. In my view, the addition of a more premium model is likely aimed at competing with Apple.

Many might argue that, given the product positioning, the Reno 15 series pales in comparison to the iPhone 17 series, and that the forthcoming Find X9 series would be a more apt rival. Firstly, the flagship model is on the verge of release, leaving no room for alterations. Meanwhile, reports indicate that the Reno15 Pro Max will hit the market before the year's end, providing some wiggle room. The crux is that several functional configurations of the Reno15 Pro Max are truly impressive, giving the impression that it has the mettle to go toe-to-toe with Apple's latest flagship.

Firstly, the imaging setup is quite remarkable, featuring a 200-megapixel HP5 main camera, a 50-megapixel telephoto lens, a 50-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 50-megapixel front-facing camera. In the mid-range smartphone arena, such a configuration is undeniably at the cutting edge. From this vantage point alone, it already exudes the prowess of a Pro Max model. The battery life improvement is modest, with a 6,500mAh capacity that doesn't offer a significant edge over competing models in the same category.

Fortunately, the Reno 15 Pro Max is expected to maintain a body thickness of around 7.5mm, ensuring a relatively lightweight and sleek profile. Other aspects are equally commendable. For instance, in terms of the CPU, this series has consistently utilized Dimensity chips. Taking the existing Reno14 Pro as an example, it employs the Dimensity 8450. The next-generation model might opt for the 9300, so the Pro Max version will likely feature the 9400, guaranteeing dependable performance. Under-display fingerprint recognition is a given, although whether it will be optical or ultrasonic remains to be seen. I believe it's unlikely to offer the full spectrum at once.

WiFi-7 and NFC are definitely on the table. In terms of design, large rounded corners are a definite inclusion. Another question is whether the Reno15 Pro Max will follow the trend set by the two existing Pro Max models on the market, which sport a rear horizontal large matrix design. In my opinion, the Reno15 Pro Max will likely embrace this trend and may even incorporate some unique features of its own, such as a 'liquid glass effect' and an 'island'.

As for the starting price, given that the Reno14 Pro begins at 3,499 yuan, the 15 Pro Max is likely to reach 3,999 yuan.