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Yesterday — 18 December 2025Main stream

iQOO 15 Mini reportedly cancelled as compact phones receive lukewarm response

18 December 2025 at 10:21
iQOO 15

There are a couple of new compact phones in the works. These include the Honor Magic 8 Slim / Mini, the Vivo X300s, the Oppo Find X9s, and the OnePlus 15s / 15T. There have been mixed reports on the existence of the iQOO 15 Mini. In November, tipster Digital Chat Station revealed that iQOO had stopped developing it, but a leak that surfaced a few days later said that it was still in development. However, a new Weibo post by DCS again states that the phone may not see the light of day.

iQOO 15 Mini may have been shelved

As can be seen above, a Weibo user asked DCS whether there was any news about iQOO’s compact phone, which is dubbed the iQOO 15 Mini by the rumor mill. DCS responded by saying, “The project is currently suspended. (machine translated).”

So, what could be the reason behind killing this project? In another Weibo post, the tipster suggests that compact smartphones are losing momentum, prompting two major parent brands to plan larger flagship models for 2026. These devices will sit above standard flagships, offering better cameras, stronger performance, and bigger batteries, possibly carrying “Max” or “Plus” branding.

From a broader industry perspective, compact flagship phones often face practical challenges. Developing a small handset capable of housing Pro-level hardware involves higher research and engineering costs, yet such devices still tend to compromise on sustained performance and battery capacity. As a result, they often end up being priced higher without offering clearly superior specifications, making it harder for compact flagships to appeal to a wider audience.

For instance, the upcoming OnePlus 15s / 15T is still rumoured to lack some essential features, such as an ultra-wide camera and wireless charging, despite being positioned as a top-tier flagship. This reality helps explain why brands may be stepping back from small-screen projects like the iQOO 15 Mini.

As far as rumored iQOO 15 Mini specs are concerned, it was said to feature a 6.31-inch OLED 1.5K display, a Dimensity 9500 or 9500+ chip, a 7,000mAh+ battery, a metal middle frame, and an ultrasonic in-screen fingerprint sensor. It was speculated to launch in April 2026.

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Realme Neo 8 specs leaked again, could be OnePlus 15R / Ace 6T killer

18 December 2025 at 09:40
realme-Neo7-submarine

OnePlus unveiled the OnePlus Ace 6T earlier this month in China. It debuted as the world’s first phone powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chip. The OnePlus 15R, which landed in India and the global market, is a tweaked version of the same phone. Rumors suggest that Realme is preparing a new Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 phone for China, which may rival the OnePlus Ace 6T.

Realme Neo 8 specs tipped again

Realme Neo 8 specs leak again

The above leak states that the upcoming Realme phone equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset will have a durable and premium build, featuring a fully water-resistant body with a metal frame and a glass back.

It is said to be equipped with an ultrasonic in-screen fingerprint sensor and a massive single-cell 8,000mAh battery. Unfortunately, the tipster has not specified the name of the device.

This could be the forthcoming Realme Neo 8, which is expected to feature a Samsung AMOLED flat screen with support for a 1.5K resolution. It is expected to ship with Android 16 and Realme UI 7, but the rest of its specifications are under wraps.

The Realme Neo 8 is one of the many Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 phones expected to release in China in the coming days. Vivo has already launched the camera-focused Vivo S50 Pro Mini powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5. The Moto X70 Ultra and iQOO Z11 Turbo are also expected to feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5.

realme-Neo7-submarine
Realme Neo 7

Realme is currently silent on the arrival of the Realme Neo 8. In China, the Realme 16 Pro and 16 Pro+ have already received TENAA certification, indicating that these phones may debut in the coming weeks in the home market. The Neo 8 may launch after the Realme 16 Pro series, likely in January 2026.

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From 55 inches to 115 inches, Samsung’s Micro RGB TVs are going big in 2026

18 December 2025 at 07:35
Samsung-Micro-RGB-TVs.peg_

The Samsung Micro RGB TVs are set to expand in 2026, signalling the company’s push to bring ultra-premium display technology to a wider range of screen sizes. The new lineup aims to bridge cinematic-scale displays and premium living room televisions under one advanced display platform.

Samsung expands Micro RGB TV lineup for 2026

From 55 inches to 115 inches, Samsung’s Micro RGB TVs are going big in 2026

Samsung has confirmed that its Micro RGB TV range will grow significantly in 2026, with new models spanning 55-inch, 65-inch, 75-inch, 85-inch, 100-inch, and 115-inch sizes. Building on the 115-inch Micro RGB TV introduced in 2025, the upcoming lineup introduces refined display architecture designed to deliver more accurate colors, improved clarity, and smoother motion across all sizes.

At the core of the lineup is Samsung’s Micro RGB display technology, which uses independently lit red, green, and blue LEDs that are smaller than 100 microns. This structure allows for precise light control and better colour accuracy compared to conventional LED panels. Samsung is also pairing this hardware with advanced picture processing features such as AI-based upscaling and motion enhancement to improve brightness control and real-time visual refinement.

The 2026 Micro RGB TVs will be powered by Samsung’s new AI engine, designed to enhance frame-by-frame clarity and realism. Features such as expanded color enhancement and advanced HDR processing aim to improve dynamic range and preserve fine details in complex scenes. Samsung has also confirmed that these TVs achieve full coverage of the BT.2020 colour space, ensuring accurate reproduction of a wider range of colours.

In addition to visual upgrades, the lineup introduces improvements in smart features and audio. Samsung’s updated Vision AI platform enables conversational interactions through Bixby, content discovery, and access to AI-driven tools such as live translation and generative wallpapers.

Samsung plans to showcase the new Micro RGB TV lineup at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, offering a closer look at how the company intends to reshape premium home entertainment across varied screen sizes.

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Official: Xiaomi 17 Ultra is launching next week

18 December 2025 at 06:47
Xiamoi 17 Ultra to launch next week

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra has officially been confirmed for launch next week, marking the arrival of Xiaomi’s next ultra-premium smartphone. With Xiaomi and Leica deepening their long-standing partnership, the upcoming flagship is expected to introduce meaningful changes rather than incremental updates, setting the stage for what could be Xiaomi’s most ambitious phone yet.

Xiaomi 17 Ultra launch timeframe officially confirmed

Xiamoi 17 Ultra to launch next week
Xiamoi 17 Ultra to launch next week

Xiaomi founder, chairman, and CEO Lei Jun has confirmed that the Xiaomi 17 Ultra will be unveiled next week in China, likely following the company’s usual Thursday launch pattern. Alongside the launch confirmation, Xiaomi also announced a global upgrade to its imaging partnership with Leica. This new phase moves beyond joint development into a “strategic co-creation” model, where both brands collaborate from the earliest stages of product design to reshape mobile photography experiences.

As part of this upgraded collaboration, Xiaomi has introduced a new optical system for smartphones. The highlight is the industry’s first Leica APO-certified telephoto lens for mobile devices, designed to deliver improved colour accuracy, reduced chromatic aberration, and better clarity at long focal lengths. Xiaomi claims this system significantly improves night photography, high-contrast scenes, and telephoto image quality.

Leaks suggest the Xiaomi 17 Ultra returns to a flat display design and uses a high-efficiency panel that delivers clarity exceeding traditional 2K screens while consuming less power. At its core, the device is said to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, paired with a battery close to 7,000mAh.

Charging capabilities are tipped to include 100W wired and 80W wireless fast charging. The phone is expected to support ultrasonic fingerprint authentication and maintain IP68 dust and water resistance.

The camera setup reportedly shifts to a triple rear camera system. The primary sensor is expected to be OmniVision’s new 50-megapixel OV50X 1-inch sensor with large pixel size and advanced HDR processing. This is likely to be joined by a 50-megapixel ultra-wide camera with macro support and a 200-megapixel periscope telephoto camera, possibly offering up to 5x optical zoom.

In addition to the smartphone, Xiaomi may also unveil a new NAS product at the same event, signalling broader ecosystem expansion alongside the Xiaomi 17 Ultra. For those who are unaware, the 17 Ultra’s blind pre-orders have already started in China. Globally, it is expected to launch in March along with the standard Xiaomi 17.

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Honor Magic 8 Slim / Mini key specifications, color variants revealed

18 December 2025 at 06:10
HONOR Magic 8 Pro

Honor is reportedly working on a compact phone with a slim and lightweight build. Since the official moniker of the device is under wraps, it is being referred to by different names, such as Magic 8 Slim and Magic 8 Mini. In a new Weibo post, reliable tipster Digital Chat Station has revealed the key specifications of this phone, along with its color variants.

Honor Magic 8 Slim / Mini key details tipped

Hoonor Magic 8 Slim / Mini specs tipped

Starting from the front, the Honor Magic 8 Slim / Mini (codenamed Lindy) will feature a 6.3-inch display with a flat design. A previous leak from the same source revealed that it will be an OLED LTPO panel delivering a 1.5K resolution.

Under the hood, the Magic 8 Slim / Mini is expected to feature the Dimensity 9500 chipset. Considering that MediaTek is already gearing up to launch the Dimensity 9500 Plus chipset as its overclocked variant in March or April 2026, the Magic 8 Slim may debut much earlier, probably after the Honor Power 2, which is expected to launch in January 2026.

Without going into details, the tipster mentions in the new leak that the Magic 8 Slim / Mini will offer decent imaging capabilities, a metal frame, and an ultrasonic in-screen fingerprint sensor. It will be available in four finishes, such as Feather White, Shadow Black, Light Orange, and Fairy Purple. He added that the device is ready, and its development and launch are being accelerated.

In a previous leak, the tipster revealed that this slim phone has a thickness of only 5 to 6.x mm despite packing a 5,500mAh battery. At present, there is no information about its fast-charging capabilities, but it is said to support wireless charging.

A previous leak claimed that the Honor Magic 8 Slim / Mini may feature a 200-megapixel main camera, but a newer leak claimed that this sensor could be replaced by a 50-megapixel lens. The camera setup is also expected to feature a periscope telephoto camera.

Previous reports have also suggested that Honor is also working on the Honor Magic 8 RSR (aka Honor Magic 8 Ultra). This will be the company’s ultimate flagship phone powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. The Magic 8 RSR and 8 Slim / Mini are expected to debut together.

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Honor Win to offer 10,000mAh battery, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

18 December 2025 at 05:49
Honor Win color options

Honor is all set to launch the Honor Win series of smartphones on Dec. 26 in China. The lineup will include dual flagship phones, namely the Honor Win RT and the more powerful Honor Win. There have been reports that these phones will pack huge batteries, and a new official teaser has revealed that the Honor Win will arrive with a 10,000mAh battery.

Honor Win key specs confirmed

Honor Win
Honor Win’s About Phone page

A Weibo user shared an image of the ‘About Phone’ page of the Honor Win, claiming that its 10,000mAh battery is incredible and that it is practically a power bank. The said post was reposted by Honor Performance Optimization R&D Engineer A Yong, bolstering the authenticity of the image.

The ‘About Phone’ image confirms that the Honor Win will feature an OLED panel that offers a 1.5K resolution of 2800 x 1272 pixels. Under the hood, the device is equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset.

At present, the Red Magic 11 Pro (Chinese edition) is the only Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5-powered phone to pack an 8,000mAh battery. The upcoming Honor Win is even more powerful than the Magic 11 Pro, as it offers an extraordinary combination of a 10,000mAh silicon-carbon battery and the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.

The Honor Win also features 16GB of LPDDR5x Ultra RAM, coupled with 16GB of virtual RAM. The device is also equipped with Honor’s self-developed chips, such as the C1+ RF enhancement chip and the E2 power efficiency enhancement chip.

Recent reports have revealed that the Honor Win will have a triple camera setup headlined by a 50-megapixel sensor. Its display size is said to be 6.83 inches and is expected to support a 1.5K resolution. It will be available in three shades, such as black, white, and blue.

Honor Win color options
Honor Win color options

In related news, Honor is also working on the Honor Power 2 equipped with a 10,050mAh battery. However, this upper mid-range phone is expected to feature the Dimensity 8500 chip and is likely to debut in January 2026 in China.

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Before yesterdayMain stream

OnePlus Turbo series may redefine performance smartphones

17 December 2025 at 09:59
OnePlus-Ace-6T

Yesterday, OnePlus President Li Jie Louis confirmed that the brand will unveil the all-new OnePlus Turbo series in January 2026 in China. While the company has not officially revealed full specifications yet, multiple credible sources suggest that the upcoming series will target users who prioritize sustained performance and endurance. A recent leak by tipster Digital Chat Station has shared few more details about the new series

OnePlus Turbo series: What to expect?

According to DCS, the OnePlus Turbo series will introduce a newly developed native 165Hz refresh rate display. This panel is said to be exclusive within its price category and has reportedly been redesigned with larger rounded corners for improved visual consistency. Unlike previously used high-refresh panels, this screen is believed to be a fresh implementation rather than a reused solution.

The device is tipped to run on a Snapdragon 8-series chipset, with several reports pointing towards a customised Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 variant, also referred to as a performance-tuned version. Built on a 4nm process, the platform is said to work alongside OnePlus’ in-house gaming optimization engine, enabling better thermal control and more stable output during extended gaming sessions.

Other reports indicate that the phone may pack a battery close to the 9,000mAh range, a figure rarely seen in performance-focused smartphones. OnePlus President has previously hinted that the Turbo series will deliver unusually strong performance and battery life for its segment, positioning it directly against similarly priced performance-centric phones.

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