Xiaomi is close to launching the Xiaomi 17T series, and a new report may have spilled the beans on two upcoming phones in the lineup. According to information shared by tipster Digital Chat Station, Xiaomi is working on two new mid-range phones expected to launch in Q2 2026.
While the leak doesn’t reveal the phones’ names, they are expected to be part of the Xiaomi 17T series.
According to the tipster, the vanilla Xiaomi 17T could feature a 6.59-inch flat display with a 1.5K resolution. It may also pack a battery of around 7,000mAh and could be powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8500 processor.
Meanwhile, the higher-end 17T Pro variant is expected to feature the more powerful MediaTek Dimensity 9500. On the camera side, the Pro model may include a periscope telephoto lens.
Software-wise, the devices are likely to run a newer version of HyperOS, though specifics remain unclear.
What else do we know?
A previous report also hints that the Xiaomi 17T and Xiaomi 17T Pro are expected to feature Leica-tuned cameras. The phones are tipped to include a triple rear camera setup consisting of a 50MP primary sensor, a 12MP secondary sensor, and a 50MP telephoto sensor.
Xiaomi 15T
The primary and telephoto sensors may differ between the two models. The Pro version is also expected to include a periscope telephoto camera. For selfies, both devices could feature a 32MP front camera.
According to reports, the Xiaomi 17T could launch in India within the next two to three months. The device is expected to be priced at around ₹55,000. The tipped price may include launch offers that Xiaomi usually provides during the initial sales period.
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Alongside the Find N6 foldable, Oppo also announced a new wireless charger, called the Oppo Magnetic Turbo 2 AIRVOOC 50W. As the name suggests, it’s a 50W wireless charger, but with a built-in cooling system and a desktop stand. The charger is priced at 349 yuan (~$50) in China.
According to the company, the wireless charger can charge the Oppo Find N6 to around 50 percent in about 34 minutes. Oppo recommends pairing it with a SUPERVOOC adapter rated at 80W or higher and an official fast-charging cable to achieve those speeds.
The charger has a cooling system inside!
One of the main features here is the cooling system. The charger uses chip-level active turbine air cooling combined with a built-in TEC cooling chip and a centrifugal fan. Oppo says this multi-layer heat dissipation setup helps keep the device cool during charging.
The Magnetic Turbo 2 also introduces multiple operating modes. Users can double-tap the device to switch between high-power cooling charging, a quieter charging mode, and a cooling-only mode that focuses purely on heat dissipation without charging. The charger has indicator lights that show which mode is currently active.
Another practical addition is the built-in stand. The charger includes a 360-degree rotating desktop stand, allowing it to function like a charging dock on a desk. This makes it easier to place a phone upright for video calls, notifications, or general use while it charges.
Despite being designed for Oppo’s magnetic ecosystem, the charger is also compatible with Apple devices. It can wirelessly charge iPhones and supports the Standby feature introduced in recent versions of iOS.
The charger itself is relatively compact, measuring about 63mm in diameter and just over 22mm in height. It connects through a USB-C port and supports Oppo’s AIRVOOC charging protocol.
After weeks of teasers, Poco has finally introduced its latest X-series smartphones, the Poco X8 Pro 5G and the Poco X8 Pro Max 5G. There’s also a themed Poco X8 Pro Iron Man Edition if you’re a Marvel fan.
As expected of the X-series, the two phones are all about performance. Both are powered by MediaTek Dimensity chipsets with a large battery inside. Poco X8 Pro and X8 Pro Max will go on sale in India starting March 23.
Poco X8 Pro Series Specifications
The standout here is clearly the Poco X8 Pro Max 5G. It comes with a large 9,000mAh battery, which Poco claims can give three days of run time in moderate use. The standard Poco X8 Pro 5G, meanwhile, sticks with a still-large 6,500mAh battery.
Both phones support 100W wired fast charging, along with 27W reverse wired charging.
The Poco X8 Pro Max 5G features a 6.83-inch AMOLED display with a 1.5K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. It also reaches up to 3,500 nits of peak brightness and includes high-frequency PWM dimming.
The Poco X8 Pro 5G gets a slightly smaller 6.59-inch AMOLED panel, but it retains the same refresh rate and similar display characteristics.
Under the hood, the Pro Max model is powered by a 3nm MediaTek Dimensity 9500s, paired with up to 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB of UFS 4.1 storage. The standard Pro uses a Dimensity 8500 Ultra processor, built on a 4nm process, with slightly lower storage ceilings.
Both phones also include Poco’s 3D Ice Loop cooling system, though the Pro Max version gets a larger cooling area. It’s a detail that may matter more for sustained gaming or heavy workloads than everyday use.
Cameras and durability
On the camera side, Poco is sticking with a simpler formula. Both devices feature a dual rear setup led by a 50-megapixel primary sensor with optical image stabilization, alongside an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera. On the front, there’s a 20-megapixel selfie shooter capable of handling video calls and basic content capture.
Both models are also rated IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K for dust and water resistance. The phones run on Android 16 with HyperOS 3 layered on top. The Pro Max variant also includes an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner.
Pricing and variants
The Poco X8 Pro 5G starts at Rs. 29,999 for the 8GB RAM and 256GB storage version, going up to Rs. 32,999 for the 12GB variant. The Iron Man Edition is priced slightly higher at Rs. 34,999 and comes in a single configuration.
For the Poco X8 Pro Max 5G, pricing begins at Rs. 39,999 for the 12GB + 256GB model, while the 512GB version goes up to Rs. 43,999.
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Samsung is reportedly preparing to wind down one of its more experimental foldables just months after introducing it. The company’s first tri-fold device, the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold, is expected to be discontinued following a final round of restocks in its home market of South Korea.
To be honest, the TriFold was never positioned as a mainstream device. Samsung wanted to test whether such a device could gain traction, which explains why it was limited to just a few markets.
Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold
According to reports, Samsung will restock one last batch of the Galaxy Z TriFold before discontinuing it. We haven’t heard from leaks or rumors about any immediate plans for a follow-up model either.
What the Galaxy Z TriFold offers
The Galaxy Z TriFold uses a G-shaped folding mechanism, unlike the S-shaped mechanism of the Huawei Mate XTs. Samsung’s mechanism folds the display inward on both sides, protecting the inner display while offering a larger usable screen when fully opened.
It has a 6.5-inch external display for regular phone use and a much larger 10-inch internal screen that turns the device into something closer to a tablet when unfolded.
Under the hood, the phone runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite platform and supports dual SIM functionality. It also packs a 5600mAh battery. Despite that complexity, Samsung has managed to keep the weight at 309 grams.
The physical design is arguably the most impressive part. The device measures just 4.2mm thick when unfolded and 12.9mm when folded, which is thin considering the multiple layers of folding components inside.
Even so, the TriFold’s use cases were fairly narrow. You either used it fully opened for a large-screen experience or relied on the outer display when closed. There wasn’t much middle ground, which may have limited its appeal beyond enthusiasts and early adopters.
A new leak is adding to the growing pile of early details around Xiaomi’s next flagship lineup. According to frequent tipster Digital Chat Station, the upcoming Xiaomi 18 Pro will feature two 200MP cameras alongside a big battery.
In particular, this “small-screen” flagship is said to feature a 200-megapixel main camera paired with a 200-megapixel periscope telephoto lens. Both these lenses are an upgrade from Xiaomi 17 Pro’s 50MP main and telephoto setup.
The successor is also expected to feature a 7000mAh battery, a slight improvement over the 17 Pro’s 6300mAh cell. And of course, for a flagship, wireless charging is a must.
Apart from this, the leaked prototype is said to include features like IP68/IP69-rated water and dust resistance, and a 3D ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor.
Xiaomi 18 Pro could also retain the rear screen
Perhaps more interesting is the fact that the Xiaomi 18 Pro is also rumored to retain the rear display alongside the cameras. This would be impressive, if true, given that the company is also using larger camera sensors and a bigger battery. And mind you, this is a 6.3-inch flagship, not your regular 7-inch slab.
Xiaomi 17 Pro
Previous leaks have also indicated that the Xiaomi 18 series could be powered by Qualcomm’s next-generation flagship chipset, widely expected to be the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6. The lineup may launch in China around September next year, while an Ultra variant could arrive later.
For now, these details remain early and subject to change. But if Xiaomi does move forward with a dual 200MP camera setup and a 7,000mAh-class battery, the Xiaomi 18 Pro could end up being more about refining extremes. We’ll keep you in the loop as more details emerge.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Xiaomi is preparing for a multi-product launch event in China, where it will unveil a new laptop, a smartwatch, and an electric vehicle. The event is scheduled for March 19 at 7 PM Beijing time, and ahead of that, the company has started sharing early details about what to expect.
Xiaomi Book Pro 14
At the center of the announcement is the Xiaomi Book Pro 14. The device is confirmed to feature a 14.6-inch OLED panel with a 3.1K resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and 1600 nits of brightness.
The Book Pro 14 is light at just 1.08kg and is paired with a thin chassis design. Powering it is Intel’s third-generation Core Ultra X7 358H processor. And storage option goes up to 4TB via multiple drive slots and an additional M.2 SSD slot.
Moreover, the laptop has a large pressure-sensitive touchpad designed to support gesture controls. Its port options include Thunderbolt 4, USB Type-C, USB Type-A, HDMI 2.1, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
For cooling, Xiaomi is using a vapor chamber system with dual fans and a triple air-duct setup. The company says it can sustain up to 50W of performance under load.
Xiaomi Watch S5
Alongside the laptop, Xiaomi will introduce the Xiaomi Watch S5. The wearable features a redesigned sensor system that uses multiple light sources and photodiodes to improve biometric readings. Xiaomi claims its updated heart rate algorithm can achieve up to 94 percent accuracy.
Sleep tracking is done via a new algorithm designed to better detect when users fall asleep and wake up. On the fitness side, the watch supports over 150 sports modes and uses a dual-frequency GNSS chip for more accurate location tracking across multiple satellite systems, including GPS and Galileo.
Xiaomi says the Watch S5 can last up to 21 days in Bluetooth mode, or around 14 days when using eSIM connectivity, thanks to a large 815mAh battery.
The March 19 event will also include the debut of the next version of the Xiaomi SU7 electric car.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Apple today officially unveiled the second-generation Apple AirPods Max 2. The new over-the-ear headphone brings upgrades to active noise cancellation, sound quality, and several new smart features powered by the company’s H2 chip.
At first glance, the new model looks quite familiar. Its design remains largely unchanged from the original AirPods Max, but most of its improvements are inside.
Apple AirPods Max 2 Specifications
It now runs an H2 chip, enabling features like adaptive audio, conversation awareness, and voice highlighting. We have seen these features in newer AirPods, and they are now making their way to the company’s flagship headphones, too.
According to Apple, active noise cancellation on AirPods Max 2 is now 1.5 times more effective than the previous generation. The company says the improvement comes from a combination of the H2 chip and updated computational audio algorithms.
Transparency mode is also getting an update. Apple says the system uses new digital signal processing tuned for the H2 chip and the headphone’s microphone array, which should make outside sounds feel more natural when users want to stay aware of their surroundings.
AirPods Max 2 also introduces a new high dynamic range amplifier designed to produce clearer audio while maintaining the sound profile the original model is known for. The spatial audio now gives more accurate instrument placement and improved balance across lows, mids, and highs.
A few extras
The headphones support 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio when connected with the included USB-C cable. Apple says creators can use the headphones in professional workflows inside apps like Logic Pro, including music production and track mixing with head-tracking spatial audio.
The AirPods Max 2 has a Game Mode that the company claims can deliver a more responsive audio experience while gaming.
AirPods Max 2 also introduces a few less typical features for headphones. Users can remotely control a camera by pressing the digital crown while the Camera app is open on an iPhone or iPad. Apple is also adding studio-quality audio recording, which the company says could be useful for interviews, podcasts, or vocal recordings.
Other additions include personalized volume that adjusts listening levels over time based on user preferences, as well as a new Siri interaction method that allows users to nod or shake their head to respond to notifications from Siri.
On the environmental side, Apple says the headphones include several recycled materials. Magnets are made with 100 percent recycled rare earth elements, ear pads use fully recycled polyester, and Apple-designed circuit boards include recycled gold plating and solder. Packaging is also entirely fiber-based.
Price and Availability
Apple AirPods Max 2 color options
AirPods Max 2 will be available in Midnight, Starlight, Orange, Purple, and Blue. Preorders begin March 25 at $549. The headphones will ship with the Smart Case included with the previous generation.
This year’s MWC was packed with announcements from all the big tech and hardware brands. As usual, the big-name devices received most of the attention. Foldables, concept devices, or the camera shootouts.
But every year, some of the most interesting things to come out of Barcelona end up buried under the noise. This year was no different. So here are ten announcements from MWC 2026 you may have missed.
Motorola × GrapheneOS
One of MWC’s most surprising announcements came from Motorola and GrapheneOS.
As you might know, GrapheneOS is the hardened, Google-free version of Android that has always run exclusively on Google Pixel phones. But this changed at MWC 2026.
Motorola Edge 70 Fusion
Motorola signed a long-term deal with the GrapheneOS Foundation to bring the OS to a future Motorola device. The first compatible hardware is expected to be based on the Signature, Razr Fold, or Razr Ultra lines, built around a future Qualcomm SPU, and is targeted for 2027.
But the deal goes beyond one device. Select GrapheneOS security features will roll out to existing Motorola phones, too. There is also a new “Private Image Data” tool in rollout that automatically strips location data and device metadata from every photo you take before it leaves your phone. Lenovo’s ThinkShield enterprise security stack ties the whole thing together.
Qualcomm Snapdragon X105
As always, Qualcomm had a busy MWC, and there were a lot of announcements from the chipmaker. One such is the new Snapdragon X105 modem designed for the upcoming wave of Android flagships.
The X105 is 15 percent smaller than its predecessor, 30 percent more power-efficient, and has baked-in support for agentic AI tasks. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS are bundled in the same package.
The headline feature, however, is satellite connectivity that now extends to emergency satellite video calls, not just text and voice. It can also predict RF conditions with the help of sensing software to try to maintain a stronger connection.
Lenovo AI Workmate
Lenovo brought a lot of concepts to Barcelona this year, but the AI Workmate might be one of the coolest among all.
It is a motorised desktop robot arm. It has sensors. It has a projector head. It points at your desk and displays interactive notifications, tools, and information directly onto the surface in front of you. It also has expressive animated eyes, which either sounds charming or unsettling, depending on your tolerance for personality in office hardware.
Lenovo also announced an AI Work Companion Concept to go along with the Workmate. Its a smart display and clock that syncs your tasks across devices and helps plan your day.
Lenovo has a decent track record of turning its MWC concepts into shipping products within a year or two. Here’s hoping that the AI Workmate shows up in a ThinkSmart lineup before 2028.
Starlink becomes “Starlink Mobile” and shows what V2 satellites actually mean
SpaceX gave a proper keynote at MWC this year, which is notable in itself. The headline out of it was the official rebrand of their direct-to-device service to “Starlink Mobile.”
The more interesting part was what they shared about the V2 constellation. The next generation of Starlink satellites targets up to 150 Mbit/s mobile data speeds using globally harmonised S-band spectrum. That is roughly a 100× improvement in data density over the current fleet.
Starlink Mobile already operates across 32 countries with 10 million monthly active users, and the company has set a target of 25 million users by the end of 2026.
Deutsche Telekom × Starlink
This one got a brief mention in a few places, but the full picture is worth spelling out.
Deutsche Telekom officially signed on at MWC as the first European carrier partner for Starlink’s V2 constellation.
The plan is to use satellite connectivity to plug the coverage gaps that tower infrastructure simply cannot solve. The service is targeting a 2028 launch in Germany. It is being designed so that existing Deutsche Telekom SIM cards work without any changes.
Vodafone × Amazon Kuiper
Amazon Kuiper is the counterpart of Starlink from Jeff Bezos, and it also made an announcement at MWC 2026.
It signed a partnership with Vodafone to use LEO satellites to deliver backhaul capacity to 4G and 5G base stations across Europe and Africa. With over 200 Kuiper satellites already in orbit, the network can already deliver up to 1 Gbps download and 400 Mbps upload to ground infrastructure.
Rollout begins in Germany and other European markets in 2026, before expanding through Vodafone’s Vodacom subsidiary across Africa. The goal is to replace the expensive and slow-to-build fibre runs that currently hold back rural coverage.
AMD Ryzen AI 400 desktop
AMD chose MWC — a mobile-focused event — to launch its Ryzen AI 400 and Ryzen AI PRO 400 desktop processors.
These are the world’s first desktop chips to meet Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC requirements, meaning they can run the full suite of on-device AI features that Microsoft has been building since 2024.
They are built on Zen 5 architecture with AMD XDNA 2 NPUs that deliver up to 60 TOPS of AI compute. Copilot+ demands 40 TOPS of AI compute. The top configurations go up to 8 cores, a 5.1GHz boost clock, and Radeon 860M integrated graphics.
Dell, HP, and Lenovo have all confirmed systems using these chips, expected in Q2 2026.
Oukitel WP61 + RG14-P
Oukitel is not a brand that gets much mainstream coverage, but their MWC lineup this year was genuinely remarkable, and the WP61 specifically is a first-of-its-kind device.
The WP61 is the world’s first smartphone to combine NTN two-way satellite connectivity, a thermal imaging camera, and a DMR digital walkie-talkie in a single chassis. The device is for emergency responders, construction teams, and field workers who currently carry multiple devices.
Alongside it, Oukitel announced RG14-P, a solar laptop powered by an Intel Core 7 150U processor, with a dual-battery system (3,000mAh internal plus a swappable 5,200mAh pack) and a 14.1-inch touchscreen. It is built for people who work where power outlets do not exist. The RT10 Pro industrial tablet, with a built-in projector and a 25,000mAh battery, rounds out the lineup.
AWS commits $33 billion to Spain: Europe’s AI infrastructure hub takes shape
Amazon’s Chief Global Affairs and Legal Affairs Officer, David Zapolsky, used MWC as the venue to announce that AWS is expanding its Spain infrastructure investment to $33 billion, an increase of $18 billion over a prior commitment.
The plans are specific and large. Amazon plans to build seven new solar facilities, a new manufacturing plant in Aragon that will serve as the hub for European server and server rack production.
GSMA × ESA
The final story is also the most forward-looking one.
At MWC, the GSMA and the European Space Agency jointly announced up to €100 million in new funding to accelerate convergence between space infrastructure and terrestrial mobile networks. The goal is to fund projects that combine LEO satellite capacity with 5G and 6G ground systems.
This kind of institutional backing makes satellite-mobile convergence happen on a faster timeline than the market would manage on its own. The immediate applications are emergency connectivity and rural coverage.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
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