A new industry post shared by Chinese tipster Digital Chat Station suggests that several once-common phone features may be circling back into the market, including 8GB plus 512GB storage configurations, a 90Hz notch display, and SIM plus microSD card support.
The post also claimed that some mid-range models around the 3,000-yuan class are again using plastic frames and short-focus fingerprint solutions. Put together, the message is that a few older design choices aren’t gone for good after all — they may simply be reappearing in different price tiers and product categories.
As a current point of reference, IT Home noted that recently released phones with an 8GB RAM and 512GB storage option already include Apple’s iPhone 17e and Xiaomi’s global-market POCO X8 Pro.
The article also pointed to vivo’s newly listed Y37+, which uses a Dimensity 630 chip and pairs it with a 6.74-inch LCD display running at 160 by 720 resolution and 90Hz. Its entry version comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage at a listed price of 1,599 yuan.
Another example is the OPPO A6i+, released in February. That model also uses the Dimensity 630 platform, but with a 6.75-inch 1520 by 720 display running at 120Hz and using a punch-hole design. Its base configuration is likewise 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, with a launch price of 1,499 yuan.
IT Home also referenced the standard Redmi Turbo 5 from January, which uses a Dimensity 850-Ultra processor, a 6.59-inch 2756 by 1268 120Hz AMOLED display, and a starting configuration of 12GB RAM plus 256GB storage priced at 1,999 yuan.
One more comparison point is the WIKO Hi Enjoy 80 Plus, released in January with a Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chip, a 6.67-inch 1604 by 720 120Hz LCD punch-hole display, and a launch price of 1,499 yuan. IT Home noted that its entry configuration ships with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
None of that proves every legacy hardware choice is suddenly becoming mainstream again, but it does suggest the market is getting less uniform. Instead of pushing everyone toward the same spec sheet, brands may be bringing back a few older combinations when they still make sense for pricing, storage flexibility, or mass-market appeal.
