I’ve been saying this for a while, but I think Samsung and Google have gone into their own little comfort zones.
With OnePlus leaving the US, I’ve talked about how Motorola is becoming a great alternative, bringing support for things like GrapheneOS while also delivering top-tier specs and hardware.
But that’s not the only area where I think Samsung and Google are falling behind.
Over the past two months, I’ve used three special-edition Android phones that look and feel completely different from the usual smartphones we get every year. And it’s made me realize how little Samsung and Google experiment with special-edition devices.
That’s particularly surprising considering both companies partner with some of the biggest brands and franchises out there.
Yet while other Android manufacturers build unique phones for different fanbases, Samsung and Google mostly stick to new colors.
After using several special-edition phones recently, I really wish they’d start having some fun with their hardware again.
Motorola Razr 2026 Swarovski Edition
Swarovski somehow works perfectly on a Razr
Motorola is one of the closest competitors to Samsung and Google in the US, and the company has already shown that, in addition to challenging them with foldable and slab smartphones, it isn’t afraid to go out of its way to make special-edition phones that appeal to a more niche audience.
The most recent one I’ve used is the Motorola Razr 2026 Swarovski Edition, which the company showcased at IFA 2026.
Functionally, it’s the same Razr 2026 that launched earlier this year, meaning you get the same 6.9-inch OLED foldable display and 3.6-inch cover screen.
It also packs a MediaTek Dimensity 7400X chipset, a 50MP main camera, and a 4,800mAh battery, but the outside is where things get more interesting.
The Razr 2026 Swarovski Edition features 35 hand-positioned Swarovski crystals, a 3D quilted leather-like finish on the back, and a 32-facet crystal on the hinge.
It may not do anything different from the regular Razr 2026, but the unique finish gives it a more premium and special-edition feel. It’s available on Amazon for around $900, just $100 more than the standard model.
Tecno Pova 8 Pro Tonino Lamborghini Limited Edition
Tecno didn’t stop at adding a Lamborghini logo
Tecno collaborated with Tonino Lamborghini for a special edition of its Pova 8 Pro smartphone, and it looks absolutely gorgeous.
The back panel features a geometric pattern that shifts from black to vibrant red depending on how the light hits it. The iconic raging bull logo is also physically embossed onto the back, but that’s not even the most interesting part of the design.
The phone also features 177 independently controlled mini-LED pixels on the back, which Tecno calls the Alive Matrix LED. It’s somewhat similar to what we’ve seen on Nothing phones, but you can configure the LEDs to display the Lamborghini logo, while they also light up for incoming calls, notifications, and other alerts.
The Lamborghini treatment isn’t limited to the hardware. You’ll find custom UI elements throughout the software, including themed icons and wallpapers, while the Tonino Lamborghini logo appears when you boot up the phone.
Underneath the special-edition treatment, you’re getting a capable phone. The Pova 8 Pro is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7400 Ultimate chipset and features a 6.78-inch 144Hz AMOLED display up front. It’s backed by a massive 6,500mAh battery and comes with a 50MP primary camera on the back.
Realme 16 Pro 5G Harry Potter Edition
This might be every Potterhead’s dream phone
For Potterheads, the coolest smartphone I’ve used over the past month is the Realme 16 Pro 5G Harry Potter Edition. The design is centered around Hogwarts, and it starts before you take the phone out of the box.
The box looks like Harry’s Hogwarts trunk and is packed with themed accessories, including a Hogwarts acceptance letter, Platform 9¾ ticket, bookmarks for each Hogwarts house, and more.
The phone features all four Hogwarts house crests on the back, alongside an etched Harry Potter logo. It also has a soft, brown leather-like texture that fits the overall Hogwarts theme.
Like the other special-edition phones, the customization carries over into the software. You get Hogwarts-themed wallpapers, custom icons, and other Harry Potter elements throughout the UI, making it feel like more than a regular phone with a different back panel.
Underneath it all, it’s largely the same Realme 16 Pro. You get a 6.78-inch AMOLED display, the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Max chipset, up to 12GB of RAM, and a massive 7,000mAh battery.
Unlike the Motorola Razr 60 Swarovski Edition, you can’t buy this phone in the US, similar to most other Realme smartphones.
Samsung and Google seriously need to start experimenting again
Using these smartphones has made me realize Samsung and Google could be doing a lot more. It’s not only about fixing the issues that have plagued their phones for years, but also making their hardware feel a little more exciting again.
These kinds of collaborations can get regular consumers and fans of different franchises interested in a phone they might otherwise never consider. Sure, Google has collaborated with different brands to bring new themes to Pixel phones, but clearly, that isn’t enough.
