Introduction
Over time, IR Blasters have become one of those features that are a rare commodity in the modern smartphone world. Yet, they still retain their value in providing comfort to those who want to manage home electronics with the use of their phone. IR was until recently widely available in the flagships of smartphones, given that this allowed them to double as universal remotes: users could manage TVs, air conditioners, and other infrared-controlled devices without having to juggle multiple remotes. Nowadays, it has been mostly phased out from most major smartphone brands, at least those that dominate the market in North America.
In fact, other brands like Samsung and Apple have moved on not to include IR blasters in their devices. IR last appeared on the Galaxy S6 from Samsung. However, IR blasters have still proved useful for manufacturers like OnePlus, Xiaomi, and Huawei of China, and a couple of their recent models still pack this feature. These phones might not be that easily available in most regions, but they will feature an IR blaster for users who actually need it.
What Are IR Blasters?
It works like an infrared remote using an IR blaster.
Most remotes work just by sending infrared light to devices, from simple televisions to complex home theatre systems. By stuffing an IR blaster inside of a smartphone, device makers may quickly give users the ability to control everything from TVs to air conditioners from an app that works like one common remote.
This gets rid of the fiddly task of handling many different remotes; it also makes the management of your home electronics quite easy.
The Best Phones with IR Blasters
While fewer phones now tote IR blasters, a number of Chinese manufacturers continue to include them on their devices. Here are some of the best available today:
1. Oneplus 12
If you are looking for a smartphone that sports an IR blaster, then the OnePlus 12 might be one of your best options.
It is a powerful, flagship-level gadget that comes with all the premium specifications: a 6.82-inch 2K OLED display, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, and a big 5,400 mAh battery for longevity. Apart from this IR blaster, there is another neat feature of the OnePlus 12, its fast charging: 80W wired and 50W wireless make it one of the most convenient devices for users on the go.
Some of those sensational features include excellent battery life and fast charging. Poor low-light camera performance with not too many AI-powered features decreased its viability against other rivals. However, this would be good for those users who require an IR Blaster with a competitive price tag of SAR3,200.
2. Xiaomi 14
While the Xiaomi 14 at least on paper is a strong contender for IR blasters, sending hot competition right out of the water, this phone boasts up to the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor paired with an FHD+ 6.36-inch screen. There is default 12GB RAM for flawless and lag-free multitasking on the phone, while its triple-lens rear camera assembly housing a 50MP wide-angle, ultrawide-angle, and telephoto lenses helps it become quite satisfactory in the camera department.
Probably the most distinctive feature of the Xiaomi 14 is the ripple effect, one of the fastest charging systems: 90-watt wired and 50-watt wireless. The very big battery capacity, 4,610 mAh, should last through a day with just a single charge. If you need a flagship phone that would also have an IR blaster inside, then such a model-Xiaomi 14-would carry a price tag of about SAR 2,800.
3. OnePlus Open
A feature separating this OnePlus Open from just being another foldable phone is that it's one of the few foldables in the market featuring an IR blaster. The device comes fitted with a premium design, offering a gapless hinge while housing a large 7.82-inch AMOLED display suitable for nearly immersive viewing. The folded aspect will let multitasking be extremely easy, where you will be able to run up to three apps at a time with the Open Canvas feature. The OnePlus Open is basically a dara at SAR 4,500 and is a great performer in terms of battery life. It will install the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor in it, making it quite capable for running heavy usage.
Without the wireless charging, the addition of the IR Blaster will make it a perfect gadget for those who await having a different kind of smartphone.
4. LG G5
On a budget but unwilling to give up IR blaster capabilities? The LG G5 is still one device to consider. This 2016-launched device was one of the last flagships from LG to sport an IR blaster.
It features a 5.3-inch LCD display and a Snapdragon 820 processor. While the 2,800 mAh battery is pretty tame by today's standards, it's removable for swapping in replacement batteries-a nice retro feature should you ever need one.
When launched, the LG G5 was unique with its modular design, and while it is no longer a top-of-the-line performer, at SAR 500, it's reasonably priced. It would be a good choice for those people who do not mind settling with an older device provided it is to be used mainly as a universal remote.
5. OnePlus 12R
The OnePlus 12R simply nails it-in fact, for any budgeteer in the market in search of a budget phone featuring an IR Blaster: a 6.78-inch AMOLED display, housed by a chipset like Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, and thus comes with a juicy 5,500 mAh battery that keeps this device running for a very long period, which of course warrants its endorsement at this price tag of SAR 2,000.
It was at least a winner when it came to battery life and general speeds, as its cameras-even OK-would not take photos as good as high-end cameras in low light.
How to Choose a Phone with an IR Blaster Your options became limited when it was time to choose a phone with an IR Blaster because the feature has grown rare these days. Finally, that will all boil down to how much priority you give to the IR blaster over other specifications of the phone. While obviously older models are cheaper, such as the LG G5, be advised that such phones may not get even software support anymore and lag in performance.
If you're buying from an international company, including but not limited to Xiaomi and OnePlus, make sure that it supports the network bands your carrier requires. Overall, GSM networks-like those of Saudi Arabian carriers STC and Mobily-are highly compatible with imported phones, while some CDMA networks are less so.
Conclusion
While IR shooters have become a rarity in modern smartphones, they remain one of the most in-demand features for a number of users who find it rather easy to manipulate their electronics with. In fact, a phone with an IR shooter practically turns your gadget into a universal remote for everything, from televisions down to air conditioners. That much level of flexibility surely comes in handy for those who would want everything at single control, sans having to manage separate remotes of devices or committing to smart home ecosystems.
Phones like the OnePlus 12 fit the bill with high-end performance and have thrown in the added IR Blaster bonus for tech-savvy users who want the latest and greatest but still want this retro capability.
But this is also available in much more pocket-friendly models such as the OnePlus 12R or even content devices like the LG G5. However, regarding choosing one that comes with an IR Blaster, one should see long-term software support and hardware limitations in the case of older models. Bottom line: Be it a flagship or a budget variety, IR Blaster upscales the ease with which you perform the task of operating home electronics. Just weigh your needs against your budget and compatibility to get the best suiting your lifestyle.
FAQs
1. Why are IR blasters becoming less common in smartphones?
The reason is actually that the drop in popularity of IR shooters in smartphones is basically due to the support for smart home ecosystems and their respective devices for Wi-Fi. In the time of the connected world, most of the people have actually moved to using gadgets for smart purposes that can be operated through apps or voice commands with no need to use an IR blaster.
The manufacturers are doing a deal by providing features a bit more relevant to today's user demands: better camera systems, faster processors, and 5G connectivity. Additionally, the trend for smartphone design currently is towards slender, compact devices which may be compromised by the IR Blaster.
Companies have moved with much interest to the life of the battery, enriching Bluetooth connectivity, improvement of NFC wireless technologies, and hence forth completely exclude the IR Blasters. Even though IR blasters remain an easy way out for some people, it would appear that the company has opted to get rid of the feature in favor of innovations that please the greatest number of customers.
2. Without IR Blaster, is it?
It will still be able to use my phone to surge everything with my TV?
Sure, you still can control almost every modern smart TV with apps serving that very purpose if your phone lacks IR blasters.
These are Wi-Fi-enabled applications provided by the very TV makers themselves, let you control not just basic functions like volume and channel changing but also a host of advanced features such as streaming, voice commands, and casting on your TV directly from your phone. But here's the catch: this is possible only when both your phone and your TV are using the same Wi-Fi network.
For those with older TVs or other home electronics without smart capabilities, this won't be an option. This is where an IR blaster is a universal solution since it will generally work across devices, all without any need for internet connectivity. But in case you want to be able to control more devices, which are not WiFi-enabled, then an IR Blaster phone or some sort of a separate universal remote application with some sort of external IR accessory might better fit your needs.
3. Are the phones with IR Blasters more expensive?
IR shooters pop up in phones at all price rounds, from the really lowly priced to truly highly priced flagships. In fact, their flagships have sported high-resolution displays, complemented by suitably high-octane processors and other advanced features like camera systems.
Generally speaking, they're pretty reasonably priced, but that price is there because of the IR blaster; it's part of a full suite of higher-end features that any tech head would want to have in their phone.
On the other hand, budget phones-say, the OnePlus 12R or even older ones like the LG G5-do come up the IR blaster wherein comparable premium pricing is not commanded. Such phones do come with basic features with the capability to use an IR Blaster, and all these will be in your pocket without hurting much.
But even while high-end models featuring an IR blaster are on the pricier fronts, you can usually find budget options that provide the same services at a lesser up-front cost. All in all, it comes down to just how much you'd want or need an IR Blaster versus what you're looking to budget in features in your smartphone.
4. Is Buying an Old-School Phone with IR Blaster Worth It?
It might very well be worth the investment in an older phone carrying an IR Blaster-if for you, that is-so, as to say, it will be the primary use of the device being a universal remote. An LG G5 or even an IR Blaster from some generations-older Xiaomi devices would still work perfectly fine as a remote for the most basic functions. In the first place, you also must remember that you will seriously miss a lot of modern features in this older phone: new software, better system security, plus the full camera potential.
They may also have shorter battery life, a slower processor, and limited support for newer apps and services. If the above-mentioned limitations are not of great importance, and the major requirement is just an IR blaster for the control of devices like TVs, air conditioners, or some sort of stereo system, then the old phone will work fine for you. Just keep in mind the performance issues and reflect on the complete absence of future software updates when you make your choices. The older phones could be a solution for modest needs in a cost-effective way.
5. Will an imported phone with IR Blaster work in Saudi Arabia?
Well, yes, you can normally use an imported phone with an IR Blaster in Saudi Arabia if that supports the required network bands for the local carriers, including STC, Mobily, or Zain. Most modern smartphones, especially the flagships, have a wide range of network compatibility, which enables them to work almost anywhere in the world. In any case, one needs to check if the phone sports certain bands and whether these are matched by the chosen carrier in Saudi Arabia.
Besides compatibility with the network, while importing a phone, one has also got to consider warranty, software updates, and access to local apps and services, among other things. Other than the feature of the IR Blaster itself, which would function universally irrespective of the region, the whole phone experience would be different. Moreover, if the device is being imported for use in Saudi Arabia, it should check the regional settings besides Arabic support and if it can provide local application ecosystems.
