Samsung has released an update for One UI 8.5 Theme Park, a key module in the Good Lock suite. The app is now at version 1.1.01.31 as of December 15, and the update arrives shortly after the One UI 8.5 beta program began last week.
The new version adds several features that make customization easier and more flexible.
Galaxy smartphone users can now mark favorite themes with a heart icon. Bookmarked themes can launch directly from a home screen shortcut. This saves time for those who switch between different looks often.
The icon editing interface of One UI 8.5 Theme Park has been improved. It is now divided into three sections: Shape, Effect, and Image. This separation makes it simpler to adjust each part without scrolling through long menus.
The update also introduces an emboss effect for icons and a monochrome option for images. These tools give more control over how icons appear. Other changes include an updated preview for quick panel icons.
This shows exactly how changes will look in the notification shade. A new setting allows control over home screen badge colors, but it requires One UI Home in One UI 8.5.
Many Good Lock modules need updates to work fully with the new One UI versions. The timing of this Theme Park update aligns with the beta program.
Samsung continues to expand customization options through Good Lock. Theme Park remains a popular tool for those who want a unique setup beyond stock themes.
To get the update, open Good Lock, go to the Theme Park module, and check for updates in the Galaxy Store.
The MSI Claw A8 with the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme launched in August 2025, but the gaming handheld has yet to make a proper debut in the US. Well, it seems that the US launch may be around the corner, as the device has been listed on Newegg.
Seiko’s winter-themed Seiko 5 Sports SRPM11K1 and SRPM13K1 watches are now available via Seiko Singapore. Both Thong Sia Group exclusives are priced at SGD 473.10 (~$367) and limited to 1,000 pieces for select Southeast Asian markets.
Rumors about the Xiaomi 17 Ultra’s launch point to an early announcement on December 26, and well-known tipster Digital Chat Station has now leaked all of the devices that are expected to launch alongside Xiaomi’s top-tier flagship.
As per the latest rumor, Xiaomi will announce its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5- powered Xiaomi 17 Ultra alongside two Redmi midrange offerings, which are most likely the Redmi Turbo 5 and Turbo 5 Pro.
The former is expected to utilize MediaTek’s upcoming Dimensity 8500 chipset, while the Turbo 5 Pro will get the Dimensity 9500 SoC. The Pro model is also...
Samsung releases Wear OS 6-based One UI 8 Watch update for Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic. It’s the last major upgrade for the company’s first-generation Wear OS smartwatch lineup.
Wear OS 6 update’s arrival wasn’t anticipated for the Galaxy Watch 4 models. These smartwatches have already completed their software updates support in August 2025; however, Samsung hasn’t ousted the devices.
While releasing the One UI 8 Watch, Samsung officially confirmed to provide the update to the Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 series. As promised, the rollout has begun in 2025 itself, but the expansion will take some time.
Users of the Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic in South Korea can identify the latest update through the PDA version number JYK4. The firmware also brings newer security patches that elevate the reliability of the smartwatch.
The rollout has just started in Korea, with Global availability anticipated by the end of this month. As of December, Watch 4 series is still listed to receive new software updates, but it’s unlikely to last much longer after One UI 8 Watch.
With the One UI 8 Watch, Galaxy Watch 4 users receive Tile System, watchface enhancements, and Mindfulness as key features. Now Bar is also provided that Samsung hasn’t highlighted even though it’s a significant development.
One UI 8 Watch is based on Wear OS 6, which is another advantage. The new operating system improves support for third-party apps. You can expect a better experience and faster app launches due to core optimizations.
Samsung Wearable is the key to getting the latest update through your Galaxy phone. You can also trigger an update right from the watch. Swipe up and open Settings, followed by Software update and Download and install.
Seiko's new Astron Starry Sky limited-edition watches with black titanium cases and spiral galaxy dials are now official. The lineup includes two radio-controlled Solar models and two GPS Solar models, with fixed production limits.
The Huawei Nova 15 series China launch date has been confirmed. The lineup includes the Nova 15, Nova 15 Pro, and Nova 15 Ultra. The company also revealed the design and color options of the upcoming phones.
Huawei will unveil the Nova 15 series in China on December 22. Similar to the Nova 14 series, the new lineup will include three models. The Nova 15 Pro and Nova 15 Ultra will offer a redesigned rear camera module.
The Huawei Nova 15 Ultra
The company has revealed the color options and design of the upcoming phones. The Nova 15 Ultra will be available in Phantom Night Black,...
Xiaomi has quietly signed a deal to preinstall new apps (bloatware) on its smartphones. Starting in 2026, the company will begin shipping new phones with a crypto wallet and discovery app developed by Sei Labs, as part of a new global partnership focused on pushing blockchain technology to more people.
The app is tied to Sei, a Layer 1 blockchain designed specifically for digital asset trading. It will come pre-installed on all new Xiaomi phones sold outside mainland China and the United States. And that is a lot of devices.
Xiaomi is currently the world’s third-largest smartphone brand after Apple and Samsung, covering more than 13 percent global market share. In numbers, that is around 160 million devices.
The Sei app works as a crypto wallet and a gateway to Web3 services. According to Sei, users will be able to send peer-to-peer payments, interact with decentralized applications, and explore other blockchain-based products without downloading anything extra.
Sei is also planning to expand this partnership beyond smartphones. The company says it wants to enable stablecoin payments across Xiaomi’s 20,000-plus retail stores, starting with Hong Kong and parts of the European Union. This will eventually allow customers to buy Xiaomi products using stablecoins like USDC, with transactions settled on the Sei blockchain.
It’s just another bloatware
In a press release shared with CoinDesk, Sei says the deal could introduce crypto to millions of people, especially in markets where Xiaomi has a dominating presence.
For instance, the company holds 36.9 percent of the smartphone market in Greece, and around 24 percent in India.
However, for users, this is just another bloatware.
Preinstalled apps have long been a sore point for Xiaomi phones. The situation was particularly bad a few years ago, as the phones came loaded with apps most people never asked for.
Xiaomi has since tried to be more transparent and has made some improvements, but this partnership feels like a step backward. Installing crypto apps by default that most users are not aware of or won’t use is not right.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Motorola has launched the Motorola Edge 70 in India, expanding its premium Edge lineup with a strong focus on slim design and balanced performance. The smartphone arrives with a 1.5K pOLED display, Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset, triple 50MP cameras and a large 5,000mAh battery with fast wired and wireless charging. It also brings long-term software support and enhanced durability features. Read on to know the full specifications, features, and pricing details of the newly launched Edge 70.
Motorola Edge 70 specifications and features
Motorola Edge 70
The Motorola Edge 70 features an ultra-slim body measuring 159.9 x 74.3 x 5.9mm and weighing just 159 grams. On the front, it sports a 6.7-inch pOLED display with a 1.5K resolution of 2712 x 1220 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate. The screen supports HDR10+ and reaches up to 4500 nits of peak brightness.
Powering the Edge 70 is the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset, paired with 8GB LPDDR5x RAM and 256GB UFS 3.1 storage. It packs a 5,000mAh battery that supports 68W fast charging, 15W wireless charging, and reverse charging, ensuring reliable all-day usage. A large 4600mm² vapor chamber is included to keep temperatures under control during heavy tasks.
The Edge 70 runs Hello UX based on Android 16 and is confirmed to receive three Android OS updates along with four years of security updates. In the camera department, it features a 50-megapixel front camera, while the rear setup includes a 50-megapixel main camera with OIS and a 50-megapixel ultra-wide plus macro camera.
Other features include an in-display fingerprint sensor, dual stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.4, USB Type-C, and extensive 5G band support. When it comes to durability, its screen is protected by Gorilla Glass 7i, and it carries IP68 certification and MIL-STD-810H durability, offering resistance against dust, water, and accidental drops.
Motorola Edge 70 price and availability
The Motorola Edge 70 is available in a single 8GB RAM and 256GB storage variant priced at Rs 29,999. It comes in Pantone-curated colours such as Gadget Gray, Lily Pad, and Bronze Green. The smartphone will go on sale from Dec. 23 via Flipkart, Motorola’s official website, and offline retail stores. Buyers can also avail a Rs 1,000 bank discount, bringing the effective price down to Rs 28,999.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Casio appears to be gearing up for another high-profile collaboration for upcoming G-Shock watches. The brand is partnering up with Coca-Cola once again, and this time, the collaboration is bringing the bold makeover to the popular CasiOak lineup. So here’s what we know.
New Casio x Coca-Cola G-Shock Collaboration on the Way
The latest info arrives from a popular Casio leaks account on Instagram. In a recent online post, geesgshock claims that a new limited edition, which carries the GA‑2100CC‑3A model number. The CC in the model number hints at a partnership with Coca-Cola once again, since the previous collaboration also had this in its model numbers. To recall, the DW6900CC23‑3 was released with a semi-transparent design that was made to resemble a classic Coca-Cola glass.
Casio x Coca-Cola G-Shock Watch Collaboration
Now, the GA‑2100CC‑3A leak also hints at a similar limited edition entry in the G-Shock lineup. As the name suggests, the GA-2100 series is often unofficially referred to as the CasiOak line. So the classic octagonal design is probably getting a Coca-Cola branding on the dial, along with either a green or red paint job. While the design of this watch is still unknown, we can expect it to be inspired by the brand’s recognizable color scheme.
OPPO has started rolling out the stable ColorOS 16 update based on Android 16 for the OPPO F27 5G in India. The update is available as an official version starting December 5. Users must be on the detectable build CPH2637_16.0.1.300(EX01) to receive the update. OPPO has confirmed that users in other regions will be covered later.
Before updating, OPPO advises users to back up important personal data to avoid any loss due to incompatibility or unexpected issues. After installation, the phone may heat up, lag, or drain the battery faster while the system runs background optimizations.
Some third party apps may not work properly on Android 16 at first and could show issues like lag or crashes. Updating these apps from the App Market is advised. Users can report bugs by dialing *#800# and submitting feedback through the menu.
ColorOS 16 brings several new OPPO AI features. AI Mind Space lets users save quick ideas by long pressing the Snap Key to record a 60 second voice note. Notes can be grouped automatically using Smart Collections. With Google Gemini integration, users can ask questions like retrieving saved project ideas, combining saved notes with web search results.
The AI Recorder Assistant adds automatic titles and short summaries to recordings and applies AI noise reduction to make voices clearer. This is useful for lectures, meetings, or interviews where key points need to be reviewed quickly.
AI Writer focuses on content creation. Users can upload images to social media apps and get auto generated captions suited to different platforms. It can also convert text into mind maps or tables to help structure ideas and plans.
ColorOS 16 improves device connectivity with iPhone call, message, and notification sharing. When an iPhone is connected via Bluetooth, calls, SMS, and app notifications can appear on the OPPO phone using the OPPO Dialer. Phone screen mirroring to a PC is also supported through cloud or USB connections, with up to five app windows cast at the same time.
Performance upgrades include the Trinity Engine for stable frame rates during heavy multitasking and gaming, and the Luminous Rendering Engine for smoother system animations. Camera and editing tools include AI Portrait Glow, Motion Photo Collage, slow motion editing, and a full video editor. Design updates include Flux Themes, more home screen options, expanded Aqua Dynamics support, and a refreshed Luminous Design across the system.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
The Infinix XPad Edge is set to launch officially on Dec. 18 in Malaysia. Ahead of its debut, Infinix has shared early details around the tablet’s design and positioning, highlighting its focus on productivity and entertainment. Here’s a look at what to expect from the company’s next tablet.
Infinix XPad Edge launch details and official features
Infnix XPad Edge
Infinix has confirmed that the XPad Edge features a slim 6.19mm unibody metal design and weighs 588g, giving it a lightweight and premium build. The tablet sports a 13.2-inch display with a resolution of 2,400 x 1,600 pixels and a typical brightness of 450 nits.
Audio duties are handled by a quad-speaker setup, which the brand claims deliver significantly louder sound output compared to conventional tablet speakers. On the software side, the XPad Edge comes with WPS Office pre-installed and supports several productivity-focused tools such as split screen, parallel windows, phone casting and a PC secondary display mode.
The XPad Edge also introduces a suite of AI-based features, including the Folax voice assistant, Hi Translation, AI Smart Screen Recognition and AI Creation. Infinix has additionally confirmed support for both 4G and Wi-Fi connectivity.
Infinix XPad Edge Shopee listing details
Ahead of the official launch, the XPad Edge appeared briefly on Shopee Malaysia, revealing specifications that have not yet been confirmed by Infinix. The listing suggests that the tablet is powered by the Snapdragon 685 chipset and runs Android 15 out of the box. It also points to an 8GB RAM and 256GB storage configuration, with expandable storage support of up to 2TB.
Additional details from the listing include 8-megapixel cameras on both the front and rear, an 8,000mAh battery with 18W wired charging, and availability in a single Celestial Ink grey colour. The tablet was listed at MYR 1,329 (~$325) on Shopee, though official pricing will be announced at launch.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Oppo has effectively confirmed the Find X9 Ultra. Zhou Yibao, who heads Oppo’s Find series products, responded directly to a user online asking him to “quickly reveal” the Find X9 Ultra. His reply was short—just two words—but clear: “Unprecedentedly powerful” (translated from Chinese). While he didn’t share any specs, the comment confirms the device is in development.
The tease lines up with recent reports about Oppo’s upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5–powered phone, which is widely believed to be the Find X9 Ultra. According to IT Home, the device is expected to feature a heavily upgraded camera system, led by a 200MP main sensor (around 1/1.12″ in size). The setup reportedly also includes a 50MP ultra-wide camera, a 200MP periscope mid-telephoto lens, a 50MP periscope super telephoto lens, and a multispectral sensor, pointing to a strong focus on high-end photography.
In other words, the Find X9 Ultra is upgrading both the main camera and the mid-telephoto lens from 50MP to 200MP. The new 3x telephoto sensor is seemingly getting a size bump too, increasing to 1/1.3″ from the 1/1.56″ sensor used on the Find X8 Ultra. The main sensor, however, appears to be slightly smaller this time, dropping to around 1/1.2″ compared to the 1″ sensor on its predecessor.
Earlier leaks from October described a high-end engineering sample that many believe matches the Find X9 Ultra. Those reports mentioned a large 2K flat display with 2.5D glass, a battery rated above 7,000mAh, and support for up to 100W wired and 50W wireless charging. Other rumored features included an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner, IP68/IP69 water and dust resistance, and a large vibration motor.
Oppo hasn’t officially confirmed any of these specifications yet, but combined with Zhou Yibao’s comment, the picture is becoming clearer.
More details are expected to surface in the coming weeks as Oppo moves closer to an official launch.
The Huawei Nova 15 series is set to debut in China on Dec. 22, and ahead of the official launch, Huawei has revealed several key details about the upcoming lineup. The company has confirmed the presence of three models and showcased their exterior styling, color choices and storage configurations. While the complete hardware details remain under wraps, the early reveals put strong emphasis on design changes and visual identity. Here is a closer look at what has been disclosed so far.
Huawei Nova 15 series design and colour options revealed
Huawei Nova 15
Huawei has listed the Nova 15, Nova 15 Pro and Nova 15 Ultra on its official store, offering a clear view of their final designs. The standard Nova 15 sticks to a familiar look that closely resembles its predecessor, featuring a single punch-hole display and a simpler rear camera layout. This approach keeps the base model visually consistent with earlier Nova phones.
The Nova 15 Pro and Nova 15 Ultra, however, mark a noticeable design shift. Both models adopt a horizontally aligned camera matrix, a first for the Nova lineup, giving them a more distinctive appearance. The Nova 15 Ultra goes a step further with a dual circular camera ring layout, enhancing visual symmetry and recognition. Official posters also hint at a metal middle frame on the Ultra, suggesting a more premium in-hand feel compared to earlier generations.
Huawei Nova 15 Pro
Across all three models, Huawei is offering four colour options: Dynamic Green, Easy Match Purple, Zero Degree White and Phantom Night Black. The green and purple variants feature a striped rear panel finish, making them stand out with a more vibrant and youthful look, while the white and black options keep things understated and clean.
Huawei Nova 15 series configurations
Huawei Nova 15 Ultra
The Nova 15 and Nova 15 Pro will be available with 12GB+256GB and 12GB+512GB options. Reports have revealed that these devices will be powered by the Kirin 8020 chipset.
The Nova 15 Ultra adds a higher-end 12GB+1TB variant alongside the same base configurations. It is speculated to feature the Kirin 9010S or 9020A chip. All three phones are already listed on Huawei’s official store and will open for pre-orders today, ahead of their formal launch on December 22.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Realme is currently gearing up to launch the Realme 16 Pro series of smartphones for the global market. While the company is also said to be working on the 16 series in China, it is also believed to be developing the Neo 8 lineup. A new leak, courtesy of tipster Digital Chat Station, has seemingly revealed the key specifications of an upcoming Neo 8 model.
Realme Neo 8 series phone incoming
Alleged Realme Neo 8 specs leak
To recall, the Realme Neo 7 series includes four models, namely the Realme Neo 7 Turbo, Neo 7, Neo 7 SE, and Neo 7x. These devices are powered by the Dimensity 9300 Plus, Dimensity 9400e, Dimensity 6400 Max, and Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 chipsets, respectively. It remains to be seen whether the Neo 8 lineup will have successors for all four Neo 7 models.
The new leak reveals that an upcoming Realme phone will feature a large, flat Samsung AMOLED display with support for a 1.5K resolution. Under the hood, it is said to feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset.
While the official of the device is not known, it could be called the Realme Neo 8 when it hits the Chinese market. A previous leak claimed that the device could be equipped with other features, such as an ultrasonic in-screen fingerprint sensor, a metal frame, and an 8,000mAh+ battery.
Realme Neo 7
The inclusion of this chip suggests that the upcoming Realme phone is designed to take on the likes of the OnePlus Ace 6T, Moto X70 Ultra, and iQOO Z11 Turbo Pro, which are also powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5. The Vivo S50 Pro Mini also features the same chipset, but it is a camera-focused phone, while the others are more performance-oriented.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Honor is officially teasing a brand-new smartphone lineup, and yes, it’s really called the Win series. After months of rumors, the company has now confirmed the name by sharing its first teaser on its official Weibo handle.
Honor announced today that it will host a communication event for its new e-sports-focused phones on December 16th, which is tomorrow. The event carries the slogan “Exceptional Strength, Born to Win.”
The teaser image posted on Honor’s official website shows a screen filled with the word “WIN,” leaving little doubt that this is the branding the company is moving forward with.
For those unaware, the Honor Win series is set to replace the Honor GT lineup, which itself only debuted in 2024. The next phone that many expected to launch as the Honor GT 2 will now reportedly arrive under the Win name instead. In other words, GT is out, and Win is in, at least for now.
Two devices powered by Snapdragon chips
According to rumors, the line will have two devices, called the Honor Win and Honor Win Pro.
We have also seen images of both phones sporting a rectangular camera module with Win branding placed at the bottom-right corner. The module appears to include three cameras on both sets.
Honor Win render
The standard Honor Win is said to come in multiple colors, including beige, black, white, and cyan.
Meanwhile, the Honor Win Pro also has a built-in cooling component next to the top camera lens.
Honor Win Pro render
On the hardware side, the Honor Win could be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, while the Win Pro may use the more powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Both phones are expected to feature a 1.5K OLED display, a 50-megapixel main camera, and a massive 8,500mAh battery with 100W fast charging support.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Xiaomi has started rolling out HyperOS 3, its latest Android skin based on Android 16, and on paper, it looks like a solid upgrade. The company is pitching a lighter system, smoother animations, and better overall responsiveness across a wide range of phones and tablets.
For many users, that seems to be true. Day-to-day performance reportedly feels snappier, with fewer background slowdowns and a generally smoother experience than previous HyperOS versions.
But for a specific group of users—Android emulation enthusiasts using the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro—the update hasn’t been entirely smooth.
Shortly after HyperOS 3 began rolling out, posts started appearing on forums like r/EmulationOnAndroid, with users reporting reduced emulation performance after updating. One user of the Pad 6S Pro showed visible flickering and instability that reportedly wasn’t present before. Similar complaints have popped up from owners of other Xiaomi devices as well, suggesting the issue isn’t limited to a single model.
That said, the situation isn’t universal. Some users say their emulated games continue to run just fine on HyperOS 3, hinting that the problem may depend on specific hardware or GPU configurations rather than the update as a whole.
For those affected, a potential fix has emerged — switching to the Turnip v25.3.0 (Revision 5) GPU driver could help reduce the visual glitches. But turnip drivers currently don’t support devices powered by Qualcomm’s newer Snapdragon 8 Elite and newer flagship chips, limiting their usefulness for the recent flagship phones and tablets.
In short, HyperOS 3 appears to be a win for general performance, but it’s not without trade-offs. If emulation is a big part of how you use your Xiaomi device, it might be worth waiting for future updates—or at least checking community feedback for your specific model—before jumping in.
As always, Xiaomi could smooth things out with upcoming patches, but for now, HyperOS 3’s impact on emulation remains hit or miss.
vivo has started teasing its upcoming S50 series, and this one is about the vivo S50 Pro mini. The brand has confirmed on Weibo that this compact device will be among the first to use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chip.
vivo also says the phone will use LPDDR5X Ultra RAM and UFS 4.1 storage, the same setup found on its top-tier flagships. The brand has further revealed that all S50 models will come with 3D ultrasonic fingerprint 2.0 and an eye-protection display focused on high brightness and clarity.
The company has already locked in a launch date, confirming that the vivo S50 series will be unveiled on December 15 in the home country. Ahead of the event, both the S50 and S50 Pro mini have shown up in China Telecom’s product database, which gives us a clearer picture of what to expect.
The regular vivo S50 is listed with a 6.59-inch display at 2750 × 1260 resolution, a 50MP selfie camera, and a triple rear camera setup made up of 50MP + 50MP + 8MP sensors. It measures 157.52 × 74.33 × 7.59 mm, weighs 197g, and packs a 6,500mAh battery. The phone is powered by the SM8635 chipset, better known as the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3.
The vivo S50 Pro mini takes a different approach. It’s smaller at 150.83 × 71.76 × 8.10 mm and lighter at 192g, but still manages to fit a 6.31-inch display with 2640 × 1216 resolution. Camera hardware remains the same, including a 50MP front camera and the same triple rear setup. Interestingly, vivo hasn’t compromised on battery size either—the Pro mini is also listed with a 6,500mAh cell.
More details, including pricing and regional availability, should surface at the launch event tomorrow.
OnePlus Turbo series has officially entered the conversation after fresh confirmation from the brand’s top leadership in China. What began as speculation around a new product line a couple of months ago has now taken a clearer shape, with early hints pointing towards a strong focus on performance and battery life. While the company has not shared full specifications yet, the official statement gives an idea of what OnePlus is aiming to achieve with this upcoming lineup.
OnePlus Turbo series: What to expect?
OnePlus Ace 6T
OnePlus China President Li Jie Louis confirmed the arrival of the all-new OnePlus Turbo series during the brand’s 12th anniversary event. He stated that the new series will carry forward OnePlus’ flagship performance DNA while pushing battery endurance to the top of its segment.
According to him, the Turbo lineup is being developed to deliver a level of gaming experience rarely seen at its expected price positioning. He also highlighted that OnePlus recorded over 40 percent year-on-year growth in 2025, largely driven by its focus on performance and gaming-oriented users, especially younger buyers.
Li Jie further shared that OnePlus would continue exploring the upper limits of gaming performance in 2026, and the Turbo series is part of a broader refresh of the brand’s product portfolio.
Tipster Digital Chat Station recently added clarity, claiming that OnePlus’ new mid-range Turbo series is already in advanced testing. The new series is reportedly being prepared to launch ahead of rival Turbo-branded devices. According to the leak, the series will bring down flagship-level capabilities to the mid-range, particularly in performance and battery life.
Industry chatter suggests that upcoming Turbo models could be powered by platforms such as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 or customised Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 variants. Battery capacity is expected to be a major highlight, with claims pointing towards a 9,000mAh-class unit.
Displays are tipped to be 1.5K panels, with higher-end versions possibly featuring metal frames and ultrasonic fingerprint sensors. Reports also suggest that the brand may also release a Turbo-branded tablet in the near future.
As competition heats up before the Chinese New Year, the OnePlus Turbo series looks set to play an aggressive role in the mid-range performance segment. Some reports suggest that the Turbo series may go official by the end of this year or in January 2026.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
The iQOO 15 Ultra may not be arriving as soon as enthusiasts had hoped. Fresh commentary from a well-known Weibo tipster suggests the device’s timeline has shifted, raising new questions about when—or even if—the ultra-premium model will make its official debut.
iQOO 15
The tipster was asked directly about the release timing of the iQOO 15 Ultra. The response was brief but telling, stating that the phone “seems to have been delayed.” No additional explanation was provided, but the comment fueled speculation around the status of iQOO’s most anticipated high-end variant.
The standard iQOO 15 was officially launched on October 20 this year. It is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip and includes a dedicated Q3 gaming chip, a 3x telephoto camera, a refined camera island design, and a 7,000mAh battery. On the front, the phone features a Samsung 2K M14 OLED display that reaches up to 2,600 nits in high-brightness mode and peaks at 6,000 nits. Cooling is handled by an 8K vapor chamber system—the largest VC solution ever used by the brand. You can check out our full review of the phone for a deeper look.
Coming back to the rumored “Ultra” model, the branding alone suggests it will be even more spec-heavy, at least in some areas—potentially offering a more capable camera system. Like the regular model, the iQOO 15 Ultra is expected to target a specific user base.
Taken together, the latest remarks reinforce the idea that iQOO’s Ultra model remains in limbo. For now, the iQOO 15 Ultra appears to be delayed, with its future hinging on internal decisions that have yet to be finalized.
Recently, iQOO unveiled the iQOO 15and iQOO Neo 11v flagship phones in China. The brand is said to be working on the iQOO 15 Mini and iQOO 15 Ultra, but these phones are expected to launch a bit later in the first half of 2026. A new leak now suggests that the brand may announce a new Z-series phone in the next few weeks.
Alleged iQOO Z11 Turbo Pro in works
To recall, the iQOO Z10 series, which debuted earlier this year in China, included models such as the iQOO Z10x, iQOO Z10 Turbo, iQOO Z10 Turbo Pro, and iQOO Z10 Turbo Pro+. As can be seen, a reliable tipster has mentioned that iQOO is testing a new Z-series phone. It is still not clear whether it will be yet another addition to the Z10 lineup or an all-new Z11 series device.
The leak reveals that the upcoming iQOO Z-series phone will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, which recently went official. Considering the fact that it is a brand-new chip, this phone could be part of the next-generation Z11 Turbo Pro lineup, to be more precise.
The leak further reveals that the alleged iQOO Z11 Turbo Pro will have a 6.59-inch OLED panel offering a 1.5K resolution. Unfortunately, there is no other information available about this phone at the moment.
iQOO Z10 Turbo Pro
The alleged iQOO Z11 Turbo Pro is expected to rival the recently unveiled OnePlus Ace 6T, which also features the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, in China. The Realme Neo 8 Pro and Moto X70 Ultra, which is expected to launch globally as the Motorola Edge 70 Ultra, are also tipped to feature the same chipset.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Huawei Nova 15 series news has finally moved beyond speculation. After weeks of leaks and mixed timelines, Huawei has now confirmed that the Nova 15 lineup is ready to debut in China. The brand has released official teaser images that give a first look at the design while also locking in the launch window. While these visuals do not reveal full specifications, they clearly indicate that Huawei is preparing a noticeable update to its popular Nova range.
Huawei Nova 15 series launch date
Huawei has confirmed that the Nova 15 series will launch in China on Dec. 22. At present, there is no clarity on whether these phones will be introduced in global markets or remain China-exclusive.
The official image reveals a redesigned rear camera layout for the Nova 15 Ultra. The phone features a rectangular camera module that houses two separate circular sections. One circle contains the three rear cameras, while the second circle accommodates the LED flash along with the “XD Portrait” branding, giving the device a more distinctive and premium visual identity. Likely, the other Nova 15 models may sport the same design language.
Huawei Nova 15 series: What’s known so far?
According to leaks, the Nova lineup will include three models: Nova 15, Nova 15 Pro, and Nova 15 Ultra. The standard Nova 15 is expected to feature a 6.7-inch display, while the Pro model could arrive with a larger 6.84-inch screen. Both are tipped to use 1.5K LTPO OLED panels for smoother visuals and improved efficiency.
According to tipster Bald Panda, both the Nova 15 and Nova 15 Pro are expected to be powered by the Kirin 8020 chipset. The Nova 15 Ultra, however, may use a more powerful Kirin 9010S processor, with a Kirin 9020A also mentioned as a possible alternative.
The Nova 15 Pro may come with a dual front camera setup featuring 50-megapixel and 8-megapixel sensors, while the standard model could stick to a single 50-megapixel front camera. On the rear, the Pro variant is said to include a 50-megapixel main camera, a 50-megapixel periscope telephoto lens, an ultra-wide camera, and a multispectral sensor for better colour accuracy. All three models are said to pack a 5,700mAh battery.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
In November, Oppo unveiled the Reno 15 and Reno 15 Pro in China. At that time, the brand confirmed that it would unveil a third model called the Reno 15c in December. The day has finally arrived, as the Reno 15c has been officially launched. Here’s a look at its specifications and price.
Oppo Reno 15c specifications and features
Oppo Reno 15c
The Oppo Reno 15c sports a 6.59-inch flat OLED display with 1.5K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, offering smooth visuals and sharp clarity for everyday use and media consumption. For security, it has an in-screen fingerprint sensor.
Powering the smartphone is the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 processor. It is paired with 12GB of RAM, while storage options include 256GB and 512GB variants. The Reno 15c packs a 6,500mAh battery and supports 80W fast charging, aimed at reducing downtime during heavy use.
For imaging, the Oppo Reno 15c features a 50-megapixel front camera for selfies and video calls. On the rear, there is a 50-megapixel Sony LYT-600 primary camera, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera using the IMX355 sensor, and a 50-megapixel telephoto camera with the Samsung JN5 sensor.
Oppo Reno 15c
The Reno 15c runs Android 16 out of the box with ColorOS 16 on top. Other features include an under-display fingerprint scanner, stereo speakers, and an x-axis linear motor. It supports dual SIM 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, an IR blaster, and a USB-C port. The 15c features a glass back design and comes with IP66, IP68, and IP69 ratings for dust and water resistance. It measures 158 x 74.83 x 7.77mm and weighs 197 grams.
Oppo Reno 15c price and availability
The Oppo Reno 15c is priced at 2,899 Yuan (~$410) for the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage variant, while the 12GB RAM and 512GB storage model costs 3,199 Yuan (~$450). Scheduled to go on sale from Dec. 19 in China, it will be available in Starlight Bow, Aurora Blue, and College Blue color options.
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OpenAI has been hinting for a while that ChatGPT would eventually loosen its strict content rules for adult users. Now, the company has finally put a timeline on it. According to OpenAI, ChatGPT’s much-discussed “Adult Mode” is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2026.
The update was revealed during a recent briefing on the GPT-5.2 model, where Fidji Simo, OpenAI’s CEO of Applications, shared new details about how and when the feature will arrive.
FILE PHOTO: OpenAI and ChatGPT logos are seen in this illustration taken, February 3, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
For years, ChatGPT has been criticized for being overly restrictive, especially when it comes to mature topics, sexuality, or adult-oriented conversations. While those guardrails were designed to keep users safe, many adults have complained that the chatbot felt “less useful” or even “less enjoyable” because of them.
Adult Mode will change that by allowing more open, mature conversations, including erotica and less filtered language, for verified adults. But OpenAI says the biggest challenge isn’t the content itself, it’s making sure minors don’t access it.
Age verification is the real hurdle
Before Adult Mode can go live, OpenAI needs a reliable way to tell whether a user is under 18. Simo stressed that the company’s top priority is accuracy, especially avoiding a situation where adults are mistakenly flagged as teenagers, or worse, minors slip through the system.
Right now, OpenAI is in the early testing phase of its age prediction model. The system uses AI to analyze user behavior and estimate age, rather than relying only on simple “Are you 18?” checkboxes. According to Simo, testing is already underway in select countries to see how well the system identifies teenage users while minimizing false positives for adults.
In some regions, OpenAI may also introduce government ID verification through third-party services, adding an extra layer of protection where required by law.
Opt-in, not automatic
Importantly, Adult Mode won’t be switched on by default. Even after the feature launches, users will need to explicitly opt in and pass the age verification process to unlock it. Teen users, meanwhile, will remain under stricter safety rules and content limitations.
OpenAI says this cautious approach is necessary given the risks involved. Traditional age verification systems have often failed to stop minors from accessing explicit content online, and the company is trying to avoid repeating those mistakes.
If everything goes according to plan, ChatGPT will have Adult Mode in early 2026. We hope OpenAI takes the necessary steps to ensure that it’s used in the way it should be.
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TSMC’s dominance in advanced chip manufacturing has been good for consistency, but it also comes with downsides. When one company controls most of the cutting-edge process nodes, chipmakers have fewer options, and that usually means higher prices.
TSMC has also revealed its plans to raise foundry prices over the next three years, which puts even more pressure on companies that rely on it.
So it’s not surprising that brands are looking elsewhere, and Samsung seems to be a safe bet for many. The company recently signed massive deals with Apple and Tesla, and a new report suggests AMD could be its next client.
AMD could use Samsung’s 2nm fabrication
According to reports from South Korea, AMD might use Samsung’s 2nm process for some future chips. In fact, Samsung chairman Lee Jae-yong is expected to meet AMD CEO Lisa Su to discuss the partnership.
This isn’t entirely out of the blue. Su has hinted before that AMD wants more manufacturing options, but Samsung’s past issues related to yields made it a hard sell. For a long time, Samsung’s leading-edge nodes didn’t inspire enough confidence for large, high-value orders.
That seems to be changing at 2nm. Samsung’s manufacturing process is now more stable, with its first 2nm chip receiving a positive response in terms of yield and performance, at least so far.
More importantly, AMD isn’t expected to jump in at the very start. Instead, the company is said to be targeting Samsung’s second-generation 2nm node, known as SF2P.
This is the higher-performance version of the process and comes with noticeable improvements. Samsung claims SF2P delivers better performance, significantly lower power consumption, and a smaller chip footprint compared to its first 2nm offering.
Mass production of SF2P is expected to begin in 2026, followed by an improved SF2P+ version in 2027. If talks go well, AMD and Samsung could finalize a deal as soon as next month. For Samsung, AMD would become another high-profile customer for its 2nm line after Tesla.
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CORSAIR has announced a new limited-edition gaming and creator peripheral lineup inspired by Nuka Cola, the fictional drink from the Fallout franchise. The collaboration spans products from CORSAIR, Elgato, and Drop, bringing Fallout-themed designs to headsets, keyboards, microphones, streaming tools, and desk accessories.
The launch comes at a time when Fallout continues to attract a growing audience through its long-running game series and the recent television adaptation. CORSAIR says the collection is aimed at fans who want their gaming or streaming setups to reflect their interest in the franchise.
The CORSAIR HS80 RGB Wireless Gaming Headset: Nuka Cola Edition is one of the highlights of the lineup. It supports 3D spatial audio to help players detect in-game movement and direction. The headset features a custom Nuka Cola design with Nuka Girl artwork on the earcups, Cappy and Bottle characters on the headband, and Fallout branding across the body. It keeps the same wireless performance, comfort, and audio tuning found on the standard HS80 model.
Drop’s Nuka Cola Collection focuses on mechanical keyboards and desk accessories. The Drop CSTM80 Mechanical Keyboard is a tenkeyless, hot-swappable keyboard with Fallout-themed key designs and mascots. It includes multiple sound-dampening layers, such as PORON plate foam and IXPE switch foam, to improve typing sound and reduce noise. The collection also includes a 90 x 40 cm desk mat, an MT3-profile keycap set, and four artisan keycaps. These artisan keycaps are designed as Fallout-themed items, including Nuka Cola Power Armor, the Thirst Zapper, a Nuka Cola vending machine, and a crate of Nuka Cola bottles.
Elgato’s Nuka Cola lineup targets streamers and content creators. It includes a 15-key Stream Deck, the Wave:3 USB microphone, and the Wave Mic Arm LP. Stream Deck allows users to control apps, games, and hardware using customizable keys and built-in integrations. The Wave:3 microphone offers professional-grade audio through a USB connection and works with Wave Link software for audio mixing. The Wave Mic Arm LP is a low-profile boom arm designed to position microphones without blocking screens or desk space. All three products feature a matching Nuka Cola-themed design.
Pricing & availability
The CORSAIR Nuka Cola Collection is available now in limited quantities through CORSAIR and Amazon. Pricing is as follows: the 10-piece bundle costs $1,099.99 or €1,129.99. Individual products include the Nuka Cola Stream Deck at $159.99 or €179.99, Wave:3 microphone at $159.99 or €179.99, mic arm at $109.99 or €119.99, HS80 RGB Wireless headset at $169.99 or €159.99, CSTM80 keyboard at $299.99 or €299.99, MT3 keycap set at $119.99 or €119.99, desk mat at $49.99 or €49.99, and vault-crafted artisan keycaps at $69.99 or €69.99 each.
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OnePlus is preparing to launch the OnePlus 15R next month, and new leaks have now revealed its storage options and expected pricing for India. The smartphone is set to launch on December 17, 2025, and will arrive alongside other OnePlus products.
OnePlus 15R colors
According to information shared by X tipster @passionategeekz, the OnePlus 15R will be sold in two storage variants in India. Both models will come with 12GB RAM. Buyers can choose between 256GB and 512GB internal storage options. The tipster claims that the 12GB and 512GB variant could be priced above Rs 52,000 based on an internal source. This places the base 12GB and 256GB model in the Rs 47,000 to Rs 49,000 range.
OnePlus is also expected to offer launch-day bank discounts. These offers could bring down the price by Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000, lowering the effective cost for buyers. Final pricing and offers will be confirmed at launch.
The OnePlus 15R will launch in India and other global markets on December 17. The phone will be available in Black and Green color options. OnePlus will also introduce an Ace Edition variant in a Purple color. On the same day, the company will launch the OnePlus Pad Go 2 tablet for Indian and global users. The OnePlus Watch Lite will be unveiled for customers in European markets.
OnePlus has already confirmed that the 15R will feature a 32 megapixel front camera with autofocus support. This is the most advanced selfie camera ever used on an R series phone. Last year’s OnePlus 13R featured a 16 megapixel front camera. The new sensor supports 4K video recording at 30fps, while the 13R was limited to 1080p video. The phone also includes the DetailMax Engine, which uses advanced computational photography to improve image quality.
With this upgrade, the OnePlus 15R matches the OnePlus 15 in selfie camera resolution. However, the two phones use different sensors. The OnePlus 15 uses a Sony IMX709 sensor, while the OnePlus 15R is rumored to feature an OmniVision sensor.
Other confirmed specifications include a 1.5K resolution display with a 165Hz refresh rate, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor, and a 7,400mAh battery with 80W fast charging. The phone will run OxygenOS 16 and feature a Plus Key. It will also include a 50 megapixel main camera with 4K 120fps video recording support and an IP68 and IP69 rated dust and water resistant body.
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According to a new report from Counterpoint Research, global shipments of foldable smartphone panels are expected to grow 46% year-on-year in 2026. The growth will be largely driven by Apple’s entry into the foldable market, as the company begins sourcing panels for its first foldable iPhone.
Image Credit: macrumors
Apple’s move is expected to reignite interest in the foldables category. Counterpoint believes this will lead to a sharp increase in demand across the supply chain and push average selling prices higher next year. The report states that Samsung Display will be the biggest winner, with its market share projected to reach 57% in 2026.
The research firm also expects the book-style foldable design to solidify its dominance. These devices feature large, inward-folding screens and are gaining popularity among consumers who want more productivity and bigger display areas.
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 already showed signs of this trend. During the early sales window in the second half of 2025, the Fold model outsold the clamshell-style Flip model for the first time. Counterpoint noted a similar trend in China, where consumers are now prioritizing larger foldables despite higher prices.
On the supply side, panel makers are expected to experience uneven growth. BOE could see an 8% year-on-year decline in shipment share, while Visionox is forecast to grow 8%. TCL CSOT is expected to grow 47%, and Tianma may post a 580% year-on-year surge.
Counterpoint estimates that overall foldable smartphone shipments will grow 14% in 2025 and 38% in 2026. With Apple’s foldable iPhone on the horizon, the market is set for a significant boost in both volume and innovation.
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At this point, most of the Realme 16 Pro’s hardware isn’t much of a mystery. The device has already surfaced on China’s TENAA certification, which has revealed nearly all of its key specifications.
The main missing detail was the chipset, and that gap has now been filled thanks to a recent Geekbench listing.
Realme 16 Pro could use Dimensity 7300
The Realme 16 Pro showed up on Geekbench under the model number RMX5120. The listing reveals an octa-core processor with four performance cores clocked at 2.5GHz and four efficiency cores running at 2.0GHz, paired with a Mali-G615 MC2 GPU. Based on those details, the phone is likely powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 7300 chipset.
What’s interesting is that Realme 15 Pro is powered by Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, a more powerful SoC than what’s on its successor. In other words, the newer model may take a step back in raw performance, at least on paper.
That said, Realme has already confirmed that the higher-end Realme 16 Pro+ will use a Snapdragon chip.
As for the rest of the hardware, the Realme 16 Pro features a 6.78-inch OLED display with a 1.5K resolution. The rear camera setup is a pair of a 200-megapixel primary sensor and an 8-megapixel secondary camera. Up front, there’s a 50-megapixel selfie camera.
Software-wise, the device is expected to ship with Realme UI 7 based on Android 16. The Realme 16 Pro also packs a large battery. TENAA lists its rated capacity at 6,830mAh, which likely translates to a typical capacity of around 7,000mAh. It will charge via an 80W adapter.
The certification listing also mentions an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor and an IR blaster.
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GameMT has officially teased its new budget gaming handheld, the EX5. The device features a 5-inch 1080p IPS LCD display and runs on MediaTek’s Helio G81 chipset. The company revealed the EX5 through a teaser video on the Roybeila YouTube channel, showing off a design that resembles Sony’s PlayStation Vita but introduces some unconventional elements.
The EX5 is powered by a 12nm Helio G81 processor, which includes two Cortex-A75 cores and six Cortex-A55 cores, along with a Mali-G52 MP2 GPU. GameMT pairs this chipset with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. It also comes with a microSD card slot for expandable storage.
The EX5 handles connectivity through dual-band Wi-Fi 5, supporting both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. Its 5-inch display has a 1920×1080 resolution, which is relatively high for a device in this price segment. The handheld runs Android and supports a variety of gaming platforms. According to the teaser, the handheld supports cloud gaming, native Android titles, and popular emulation frontends like ES-DE and Pegasus.
In terms of design, the EX5 includes a D-pad, face buttons, shoulder triggers, and a single thumbstick on the left. Instead of placing a second thumbstick on the right, GameMT has added a physical switch that allows users to toggle between three performance profiles: Performance, Balanced, and “Pwrsave-Auto.” This switch resembles a mechanical dial, which adds a unique touch to the otherwise familiar layout.
The EX5 will be available in three color options: white, black, and dark blue. GameMT has not yet announced a specific release date or price, but the teaser confirms that the device is “coming soon.”
In related news, Ayaneo has recently introduced the Pocket DMG Silver Limited Edition powered by the Snapdragon G3x Gen 2, and also unveiled the Pocket Vert featuring a 3.5-inch LTPS LCD, a dual-mode hidden touchpad, and a 6000mAh battery.
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Realme has already started teasing the new Realme 16 Pro series. So far, we have only heard news of its imminent release and Luma color imaging tech. But now, the Realme 16 Pro and Realme 16 Pro+ models have just had their availability revealed and even showcased the gorgeous design.
World renowned designer sculpts the Realme 16 Pro series
Realme 16 Pro in Master Gold
The Chinese brand is expected to debut in the Indian market on 6th January 2026. But ahead of the official release, the Realme 16 Pro models are confirmed to be released via Flipkart, a popular e-retailer platform in India. Looking at the teaser image posters, the Realme 16 Pro series can be seen in an attractive new look. Naoto Fukasawa, a master designer, helped design the Realme 16 Pro.
Interestingly, the camera module of the smartphone looks quite similar to the OnePlus 15, just flipped horizontally. So you get a dual tone look with a matte finish on the rear panel and a shiny camera module. The Realme 16 Pro series was also teased in multiple color options, which include Camellia Pink, Orchid Purple, Master Gold, and Pebble Gray.
Realme 16 Pro in Camellia Pink and Orchid Purple
Based on what we know so far, the Realme 16 Pro+ model is expected to be equipped with the Snapdragon chipset. Rumors hint at a massive 7,000mAh battery pack that could support 80W wired fast charging. On the front, this model could sport a tall 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 1.5K resolution, a 144Hz refresh rate, and a 50MP selfie shooter. Meanwhile, the rear packs a triple camera setup that includes a 200MP main camera, an 8MP ultra wide angle lens, and a periscope telephoto shooter.
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Amazon currently offers the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally handheld at $489.99 with free shipping. This base model from Microsoft’s latest portable Xbox lineup launched at $600 just months ago, and the $110 discount sets a new all-time low. It surpasses the previous $499.99 seen briefly at Best Buy during Black Friday by $10. Such aggressive early pricing on a new Xbox-branded console is rare and ideal for holiday handheld seekers and is enhanced by the included three months of Game Pass Premium at no extra cost.
Xbox ROG Ally Handheld Features and Specifications
The Xbox ROG Ally is a good choice for casual gamers as an entry-level variant. Microsoft confirms seamless performance powered by the AMD Ryzen Z2 chip, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD. It mirrors the pricier Xbox All Access with a 7-inch FHD 16:9 IPS touchscreen (120 Hz VRR, 500 nits), a shared form factor, an all-white chassis, Xbox-inspired controls, and a microSD slot.
The Xbox ROG Ally gaming handheld brings Windows flexibility, ROG craftsmanship, and Xbox power together in a portable design. Developed with Xbox, it delivers a unified experience across Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games, and other platforms in a single device. Powered by the AMD Ryzen Z2 processor, it ensures a fluid, responsive performance for cloud streaming and active games alike.
Equipped with 16 GB LPDDR5 6400 MHz memory and a 512 GB SSD, the ROG Xbox Ally handles indie titles and demanding AAA games effortlessly. A 60 Wh battery supports extended sessions. A 60 Wh battery supports extended sessions, complemented by improved ergonomics and Xbox-style grips for all-day comfort. The 7-inch FHD 120 Hz display with FreeSync Premium offers sharp, smooth visuals, while a dedicated button launches the full Xbox interface instantly.
The Xbox Ally handheld featured prominently in this year’s PC gaming holiday gift guide, making this deal a clear standout and also a perfect holiday gift. If you want to know more deals on gadgets, just go through our deals section.
As tempting as the Galaxy S25 Ultra may look on paper, all signs point to its successor, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, being the real flagship to wait for. With launch expected in February 2026, the S26 Ultra is shaping up to be Samsung’s most refined and forward-thinking phone in years. The leaks make a compelling case for patience.
Refined Design
For the first time since the Galaxy S22 Ultra, Samsung is rethinking the visual identity of its top-tier phone. The Galaxy S26 Ultra may ditch the signature floating camera rings in favor of a cleaner, pill-shaped camera island. This move aligns it more with the Galaxy Fold series. It could make the S26 Ultra feel like a more cohesive and premium device in hand, especially as it also gets rounder corners and a slimmer frame at just 7.9mm thick. The rear camera bump may grow in height, but that is likely to accommodate new sensors.
Samsung is also reportedly using a next-gen Gorilla Armor glass with improved anti-reflection and durability, along with a 15% larger vapor chamber for better cooling. These tweaks might not sound revolutionary, but they point to a phone that will feel cooler, sharper, and more balanced to use, especially during long gaming or video editing sessions.
Smarter Display
Leaked details suggest the S26 Ultra’s 6.9-inch AMOLED screen will be backed by a new CoE depolarizer layer that improves brightness and efficiency by letting more light through the panel. There is also talk of AI Magic Flex Screen technology, where AI dynamically adjusts pixel angles to create built-in privacy filters. Think of it as smart screen dimming that kicks in only when needed.
And yes, the S Pen is still here, though it is now more of a writing tool than a full-blown remote. Rumors suggest this might be the last Ultra phone to feature the built-in stylus before Samsung turns it into an external accessory.
Subtle But Crucial Camera Upgrades
Samsung isn’t doing a complete camera overhaul this year. The S26 Ultra will likely retain the 200MP ISOCELL HP2 main sensor but bump the aperture from f/1.7 to f/1.4 for significantly better low-light shots. There are whispers of improved coatings on the lenses and possibly a new 12MP telephoto camera, though you should not expect a zoom revolution.
The real game-changer could be Samsung’s AI-enhanced imaging. Plus, the debut of APV Codec, a rival to Apple ProRes, could turn the Ultra into a mobile filmmaking machine.
Hardware Improvements
Unlike the S25 Ultra, which came exclusively with a Snapdragon chip, the S26 Ultra could split between the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and Samsung’s in-house Exynos 2600 depending on the region. Early benchmarks suggest both are powerful, with Samsung’s 2nm GAA Exynos chip possibly more efficient on paper.
Paired with up to 16GB RAM (no small commitment in today’s memory market), a massive vapor cooling system, and faster storage, the S26 Ultra should feel significantly more responsive, especially with heavy multitasking and Galaxy AI features that benefit from more memory headroom.
Faster Charging
Where the S25 Ultra capped out at 45W charging, the S26 Ultra is rumored to support up to 60W or even 65W. That would be a long overdue upgrade. If the leaks are accurate, Samsung is also embracing Qi2 wireless charging, enabling MagSafe-style accessories. You may lose reverse wireless charging, but for many, the trade-off will be worth it.
So Should You Wait?
The Galaxy S25 Ultra is a great phone, but if you’re buying now, you’re likely committing to a device that could feel outdated in just a few months. With the Galaxy S26 Ultra poised to bring a sleeker body, more intelligent display, faster charging, enhanced AI software, and serious camera refinements, it makes sense to wait.
February 2026 isn’t that far away, and based on what we’ve seen so far, the wait will be worth it.
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As holidays are coming, so are the deals at various retailers. Meet the JBL Flip 7, your fist-sized fun machine that laughs at “small talk” with blooming bass and bold vibes! The compact beast turns beach hangs, road trips, or shower jams into epic sound parties.
Now, the JBL Flip 7 will cost you around ₹12,000 (effectively), whereas the MRP of the product is ₹18,999. If you make the payment through the selected bank cards, you can get 7.5% instant discount up to ₹1500. Which makes the JBL Flip 7 price just ₹12,000.
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JBL Flip 7 Features and Specifications
The JBL Flip 7 portable speaker packs 25W of dynamic driver power into a cylindrical purple design measuring 2.8D x 7.2W x 2.7H in cm and weighing 558g for easy handling. It features a 3-inch woofer, 0.6-inch tweeter, 16-ohm impedance, and 80 dB signal-to-noise ratio, with Bluetooth wireless connectivity, app control, and stereo pairing for immersive 2.0 surround sound. AI Sound Boost analyses music in real time for peak acoustic performance and minimal distortion
Built tough with IP67 waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof ratings. It suits indoor/outdoor use like parties, travel, gaming, or music on smartphones, tablets, TVs, and more. The 4800 mAh lithium polymer battery delivers 16 hours of playtime and 2.5 hours of charge via 5V input, complete with a quick guide, safety sheet, and warranty card.
The compact size and budget friendliness make this a perfect gift for this holiday. If you want to know more deals on gadgets just go through our deals section.
Xiaomi’s upcoming release cycle seems fairly packed. According to digital blogger Digital Chat Station, the company is prepping to launch everything from flagship smartphones to wearables and IoT devices ahead of the Spring Festival in China.
According to DCS, the upcoming lineup includes a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5-powered imaging flagship, two midrange smartphones powered by MediaTek Dimensity chips, a new smartwatch, two pairs of earbuds, a midrange tablet, and several IoT devices.
Here’s what’s coming
Unsurprisingly, the Snapdragon-run flagship is the Xiaomi 17 Ultra. The phone is reportedly set to be announced as early as next week, with a full release planned for later this month.
The 17 Ultra will feature a 1-inch Leica main camera, which is likely a domestically produced OmniVision OV50X sensor. It joins a 50-megapixel ultra-wide lens and a 200-megapixel periscope telephoto lens on the rear.
Xiaomi is also expanding its midrange portfolio with two new devices. The Redmi Turbo 5 is expected to be the first smartphone to use the Dimensity 8500 chip. Whereas the Redmi Turbo 5 Pro will move further up the stack with Dimensity 9500e.
Wearables aren’t being left out either. The new Xiaomi smartwatch has been revealed to run Android with Xiaomi’s HyperOS and feature a 930mAh battery. It also supports eSIM technology via an independent eUICC chip, making it fully capable of functioning without a smartphone.
Rounding out the lineup are two pairs of earbuds, a midrange tablet, and several IoT devices, though details on those remain sparse.
It’s still unclear whether all of these products will launch at the same time or across multiple events. Xiaomi is likely to plan a dedicated launch for the 17 Ultra, and if not all, we expect some of the other devices to debut on the same day.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Xiaomi appears to be moving closer to launching the REDMI Turbo 5 series. A new Xiaomi phone, listed under the model number 2602BRT18C, has cleared radio certification in China, a step that usually points to an upcoming launch.
According to Weibo tipster Smart Pikachu, the certified device belongs to the REDMI Turbo 5 lineup and is likely the REDMI Turbo 5 Pro. While Xiaomi has not confirmed the model yet, certification activity suggests launch preparations are already underway.
The REDMI Turbo 5 series is expected to include two models: the standard Turbo 5 and Turbo 5 Pro. The base model received its approval back in October. The reported Turbo 5 series launch window falls around January or February, ahead of the Chinese Spring Festival. @DigitalChatStation has also said that the Turbo 5 Pro is expected to arrive before the holiday.
Xiaomi 2602BRT18C radio certification
As per @DigitalChatStation, this generation of the Turbo series is being positioned more aggressively than before. The Turbo 5 Pro is said to feature a flagship-class chipset, along with custom performance tuning. The phone is also tipped to include the largest battery in its segment, paired with 100W fast charging.
Additional leaked details point to a metal frame. Other reported features include a 3D ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, full water resistance, and symmetrical stereo speakers. The overall design is said to lean toward a clean, minimal look.
For comparison, the previous REDMI Turbo 4 Pro was the first smartphone to launch with the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset. It featured a 6.83-inch 1.5K flat display, a 50MP + 8MP rear camera setup, and support for 90W wired charging with 22.5W reverse charging.
More details about the REDMI Turbo 5 series are expected to surface in the coming weeks.
TicNote Pods, launched on Kickstarter, is an entirely new category in the wearables space. It is the world’s first 4G AI note-taking earbuds. Designed by Mobvoi, these earbuds are built to do far more than play music or take calls. With built-in 4G eSIM and a customized Shadow AI system, TicNote Pods can record, sync, and transcribe conversations completely on their own. There is no need for a smartphone, Bluetooth pairing, or manual uploads, making them truly independent and always connected.
Smart Recording, Wherever You Are
TicNote Pods are designed for real-life use across both personal and professional settings. When worn, the earbuds can clearly capture in-ear conversations, online meetings, Zoom calls, phone calls, interviews, and classroom lectures. They work seamlessly while you are actively listening or speaking, ensuring important details are never missed.
Even when you are not wearing the earbuds, the charging case itself doubles as a standalone recorder. Simply placing it on a table allows it to capture ambient room conversations. This is especially useful for group discussions, workshops, meetings, and spontaneous conversations, offering flexibility that traditional recording devices cannot match.
Real-Time AI Powered by 4G
Thanks to built-in 4G connectivity, TicNote Pods sync recordings instantly and process them in real time. Audio is uploaded and transcribed on the fly, delivering live transcripts and summaries with virtually no delay. Everything happens automatically in the background, removing friction from note-taking and allowing users to focus on the conversation instead of the technology.
Built for Professionals and Daily Workflows
TicNote Pods are tailored for professionals across many fields, including journalists, students, researchers, corporate teams, and content creators. AI tools include real-time translation, professional summary formats, and an understanding of industry-specific terminology. Over time, the system builds a personal knowledge base that becomes more useful with continued use.
Engineering, Testing, and Quality
Developing TicNote Pods required combining 4G connectivity, high-quality audio, and professional-grade recording into a compact design. Mobvoi went through multiple design revisions, acoustic simulations, and lab tests to ensure a balance between sound quality, microphone clarity, and signal stability. Final products undergo strict quality checks, including drop tests, humidity exposure, battery aging, and 4G signal testing, ensuring durability and reliability.
Powered by Mobvoi’s Experience
Backed by Mobvoi’s decade-long expertise in AI and wearables, TicNote Pods represent the next step in human-tech interaction. They are built with a clear goal: to make recording, transcribing, and translating conversations effortless, directly from your ears.
Price and Availability
TicNote Pods are available on Kickstarter with Super Early Bird bundles and worldwide shipping. Prices start at US$199 for a single 4G set, with higher tiers adding 600 minutes of monthly transcription and a 3-year 4G plan from US$299. Combo and multi-unit bundles (2–10 sets) range up to US$1,990, all with delivery expected in January 2026. Quantities are limited, so secure your order before stocks run out.
Only the last 15 days of 2025 remain, and Honor appears set to close the year with a bang by announcing the all-new Honor Win series, formerly known as the Honor GT 2. The lineup is expected to include two models that were previously dubbed the Honor GT 2 and GT 2 Pro. These new devices are likely to be called the Honor Win and Honor Win Pro. Images of the Honor Win series are currently doing the rounds on Chinese social media platforms, revealing a design similar to the Redmi K90 series.
Honor Win series images emerge
There are two sets of images circulating on Weibo. Both models feature a rectangular camera module with Win branding placed at the bottom-right corner. The module appears to house three cameras along with an LED flash. The handset that seems to be the base Honor Win could arrive in shades such as beige, black, white, and cyan.
In the other set of images, the LED flash is positioned toward the right side of the rectangular camera island. Alongside the camera setup, there appears to be a built-in cooling component, which suggests that this could be a performance-focused model. Its inclusion points to it being a higher-end offering, likely to be called the Honor Win Pro.
Readers should note that the images mentioned above are not verified, and it is unclear whether they are official renders. Additionally, the final marketing names of these devices have yet to be confirmed.
Based on reports, the Honor Win and Honor Win Pro could be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite and Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipsets, respectively. Both devices may feature a 1.5K OLED screen, a 50-megapixel main camera, and an around 8,500mAh battery with 100W charging support.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Samsung AI Energy Mode in select washing machines has been verified by Carbon Trust Assurance for real-world carbon reduction. The validation comes from the Decarbonizing the Use-Phase of Connected Devices (DUCD) specification.
This is the very first product feature ever validated under this global standard, proving measurable GHG savings during actual consumer use.
Key verified results (July 2024–June 2025):
Total energy used via SmartThings: 12.28 GWh → 5,266 tCO2e emitted
Thanks to AI Energy Mode: 5.02 GWh saved → 2,084 tCO2e reduction
That’s equivalent to the daily electricity needs of ~169,000 US households. Samsung will showcase these energy-saving solutions at CES 2026. The company will also unveil new futuristic home appliances at the exhibition.
Samsung AI Energy Mode works when your appliance is paired through the SmartThings app. It’s available for free on the Play Store for Android and the App Store for iOS devices. It offers a great experience, realizing Smart Home vision.
“At Samsung, we continue to design our products and services with environmental factors in mind,” said Jeong Seung Moon, Executive Vice President and Head of the R&D Team for Digital Appliances (DA) Business at Samsung Electronics. “AI Energy Mode is a key example of such efforts, and with this verification recognizing its effectiveness, we will strive to further improve our products, features and services during their actual use.”
The DUCD (Decarbonizing the Use-Phase of Connected Devices) initiative is led by the Carbon Trust, a global climate consultancy, which partners with businesses, governments, and financial institutions to drive positive climate action.
Deal | Humble Bundle is offering yet another rebundle, and this time, it's a top-selling collection that's curated with games from Warner Bros. The titles included are playable on the Steam Deck, and most of them have great player reception.
Deal | Casio’s runner-focused WS-1400H-2AV watch has been discounted by 28% on Amazon for a limited time. The digital watch has a sporty design and features a 1/100-second stopwatch, world time, 10 years of long battery life, 10 bar (100 m) water resistance, and a dedicated stopwatch button.
Oppo has finally unveiled the Reno 15c in China. The phone was originally teased during the Reno 15 and Reno 15 Pro launch back in November.
The Oppo Reno 15c is powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 SoC and paired with up to 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage.
It comes with a flat 6.59-inch AMOLED display that offers a refresh rate of 120Hz and a resolution of 2760×1256 pixels. The panel is rated to deliver a peak brightness of 1,200 nits. The phone also features an in-display optical fingerprint scanner.
At the back, the Reno 15c gets a triple camera setup with a 50MP...
As the smartphone market takes a breather ahead of the holiday season we saw a very familiar face return as the most popular in our database. In the absence of big name announcements, the Samsung Galaxy A56 managed to add another gold medal to its unrivaled cabinet.
The Poco F8 Ultra thus settled for second place after two weeks on top, while another long-time favorite completes the podium - the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max.
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Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra took fourth, while OnePlus 15 climbed up to fifth position.
We then have the Galaxy A17 in sixth and the...
Samsung Good Lock One Hand Operation + module is gaining One UI 8.5 Beta support. With the latest update, the app will now function perfectly on devices running One UI 8.5 Beta firmware, as it also includes bug fixes.
Good Lock One Hand Operation + is a pretty useful plugin, but Samsung fans were having issues with it on the One UI 8.5 Beta release. The software’s early access is available for the users of the Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra.
Samsung is rolling out One Hand Operation + version 7.4.19.0. It brings support for the latest Beta software and provides bug fixes plus stability improvements. It’s a decent update that will ensure users make the most out of their devices.
Recently, Samsung revealed Home Up and QuickStar are being optimized for One UI 8.5. All the other apps and plugins are working as usual on the Beta firmware; however, users may face issues with LockStar and NotiStar.
One Hand Operation + wasn’t on the list of supported and unsupported plugins. Meanwhile, the rollout of the latest update makes the module function accurately. You can check the changelog below; download the app here.
Supports One UI 8.5 Beta
Bug fixes and stability improvements
If you already have the app installed, update it through the Galaxy Store. Open the app from the apps screen, hit Menu, followed by Updates. This page will let you know about the apps pending to be updated on your device.
Samsung is nourishing the entire ecosystem while testing the new software. Galaxy users have received the first Beta update on December 8th, while the next Beta update will likely arrive by the end of this month.
The ultralight subnotebook has surprisingly long battery life and respectable performance considering the weight and small size, but cut features elsewhere are notable.
iPhone will mark its 20th anniversary in 2027, and Apple aims to launch true all-screen products. Long ago, the company requested its display partners, Samsung and LG, to develop the required solutions, mainly the display.
A new industry report sheds light on the fact that Samsung isn’t paying much attention to the Apple all-screen iPhone expected to arrive in 2027. LG Display seems way more active than Samsung when it comes to investment.
Strategic silence
LG Display is reportedly pouring 400 billion won (~ $270 million) into the panel production of Apple’s 2027 iPhone. The South Korean company is preparing to initiate preparations for mass-producing the OLED screen.
While LG is moving swiftly, Samsung’s silence speaks volumes. The company may have been prepping for investment or uncertain about the adoption of such screen technology by Apple in its 20th anniversary iPhone in 2027.
Focus elsewhere
Samsung is focusing on foldable iPhone display supplies. A recent report revealed that around 11 million panels could be supplied by Samsung Display, which the company’s spokesperson denied in a statement conveyed to us.
It’s said that Samsung Display is the sole supplier of foldable iPhone screens. The first product is coming next year, and it will sell like hotcakes. Samsung’s Z Fold 7 has hit a level of maturity, and Apple’s entry is a validation.
True all-screen iPhone
Apple wants Samsung and LG to develop a bezel-less screen. Not just bezels, but the OLED may not have any cutout for FaceID and selfie camera. Apple could bring an under-display selfie camera to the iPhone Pro models in 2027.
iPhone in 2027 could adopt four-sided bending technology. It may not just cover the front but all four edges of the border with the display. The solution doesn’t match the edge/curved display technology, which used earlier.
Producing a four-sided bending display requires extensive modification of existing lines. This is why the scale of LG’s investment is inevitably large. There are rumors that LG Display has been allocated about 10 lines by Apple.
The screen Apple wants requires a process to fold the panel circuit in the bezel area, and the Thin-Film Encapsulation (TFE), which blocks the ingress of moisture and oxygen into the OLED panel, must also be significantly thinner.
Samsung announced that the Samsung Wallet app’s Money and Points service has surpassed 1 million subscribers. The service has gained rapid growth following its debut in October this year; it all happened within two months.
At launch, Samsung presented Wallet Money and Points as “All-in-One Experience.” The service allows users to handle payment, charging, point accrual, and point usage within a single platform, making it receive great response.
Samsung specifically revealed that the “Gift” feature of the “Benefits Tab” is very trending among users in South Korea. To mark this major milestone, Samsung revealed plenty of benefits for users across the country.
Starting today, Samsung Wallet users who make payments with Money & Points will receive up to 10% of the payment amount. Users will also receive 1,000 points toward three Samsung Wallet Money payments and 2,000 points for five.
“Samsung Wallet Money & Points has significantly enhanced customer convenience and benefits by integrating digital payment and reward services,” said Vice President Chae Won-chul, Head of the Digital Wallet Team at Samsung Electronics MX Business. “We will continue to expand the Samsung Wallet ecosystem and persistently increase customer value by providing even more diverse and practical benefits in the future.”
Samsung Wallet Money & Points
Wallet Money
It’s a method of payment that doesn’t require a physical card. Users can easily use it by linking their existing bank account with Samsung Wallet Money.
Wallet Points
It is a rewards service where a certain amount is automatically collected as points upon each Samsung Wallet payment, and the points can be used as cash.
The benefits of these two features include:
An unlimited accrual structure with no limit on the accumulation amount.
The ability to pay, accrue, and use points at all offline card merchants.
A recent study suggests that most smaller galaxies may not have supermassive black holes in their center. This new finding goes against what scientists have previously known about galaxies and black holes. If proven to be true, it could reshape our understanding of how black holes form and even affect future space missions.
With DDR5 RAM prices skyrocketing, some mid-range laptops could soon ship with budget-level specs. TrendForce expects companies like Dell and Lenovo to stock more notebooks with 8GB of memory. These reasonably priced options may no longer handle intense office and gaming tasks.
The memes about RAM prices are funny and all, but the consequences of the memory supply crunch are anything but. Word on the street is that 16GB RAM phones will become extinct next year and we will see the return of budget phones with 4GB RAM.
We've already seen some flagships with hiked prices compared to their predecessors, and we are now hearing that Samsung plans to bump up the prices of its mid-range lineup in India.
However, raising prices is not a universal fix. In price-sensitive markets, smartphone manufacturers will choose to cut costs instead of going up the price ladder....
The Osmo Pocket series is long overdue for a new release. Now, various sources have obtained updated launch details relating to the DJI Osmo Pocket 4, which could launch later than previously expected.
A new Casio G-Shock limited edition watch is now available at some third-party retailers in the US. The MRGB2000KT-3A is a premium watch with a hand-engraved titanium bezel and sapphire-set screws. Features include radio-control, Bluetooth connectivity and Tough Solar charging.
Casio has released the G-Shock GM-5600M-1 and GM-2100M-1A watches in several European countries. These Modern Industrial watches each feature a distinctive, textured bezel made from stainless steel, as part of an otherwise minimalist design. The GM-5600M is a digital watch, while the GM-2100M is a hybrid model, both featuring black background displays.
Fewer third-party studios are committing to Xbox consoles while turning down the PS5. Aniimo is bucking that trend after announcing that it’s an Xbox exclusive game. Putting a different spin on Pokémon and Palworld, the title has unique elements that have piqued curiosity ahead of its release date.
New leaks have identified that Garmin is working on a new fitness tracker with built-in GPS connectivity. Not only that, but it looks like the unreleased device could arrive early next year.
The Pixel Watch 4 is Google’s latest stab at the premium smartwatch market. As the successor to last year's Pixel Watch 3, the new model may not look all that different on the surface. But underneath that domed exterior is a slew of improvements, including a new display, an updated chipset, longer battery life with faster charging, improved fitness tracking, and Google's latest Wear OS software with Material 3 Expressive design.
Starting at $349 for the 41mm version, the Pixel Watch 4 appears poised to claim the title of the best Android smartwatch on the market. But is it any good?...
Long-lost NES puzzle game Xcavator, initially developed in 1991 by Chris Oberth and never released, is being resurrected as a fully polished cartridge edition through a collaboration between iam8bit and the Video Game History Foundation. Priced at $100, the 2025 release includes an authentic NES cart and a detailed manual that chronicles the game’s troubled past, Oberth’s career, and the broader challenges of preserving 8-bit history, with profits supporting VGHF’s archival efforts.
Postage times go crazy this time of year, but there is still time to buy a new phone and have it arrive before the holidays.
Well, not this one. The OnePlus 15 is still “coming soon” – the company’s US site is showing January shipping times. It’s also up on Amazon at the same $900 starting price for the 12/256GB model.
OnePlus 15
coming soon
Read our review
12/256GB - $900 at Amazon US
Another alternative brand is Nothing – its first flagship isn’t as...
The Motorola Edge 70 generally left a good impression in our test, but it’s still too expensive, and users have to accept a few compromises compared to its predecessor. We summarize the most important findings from our recent review.
Less than €400 for a lightning-fast tablet with a bright display and unibody design, does this mean high-end tablets should just give up? Not exactly, because the Xiaomi Pad 8 is missing a few features that could be important for some during everyday use.
The modular design of the Beelink ME Pro NAS has been showcased in a new teaser video. This system, which can also double as a mini PC, comes with a drawer-style slot, which allows users to swap between AMD, Intel, and ARM-based main boards.
A leaker emphasizes that the Chinese launch of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra will happen in just a few hours time. Chinese customers can already put down a deposit to become an early adopter of the ultimate Leica camera flagship, while leakers and even Xiaomi boss Lu Weibing share further details about the new Leica camera.
With foldable phones being so popular, you expect many third-party apps to be optimized for the said form factor. Even more so when it comes to system apps. That's why Google is improving the Camera experience for Pixel 9 Pro Fold users with an update by adding a neat Pixel 10 Pro Fold feature.
Pixel 9 Pro Fold Camera app
This particular functionality allows you to preview your photos on the left half of the screen and keep the camera viewfinder on the right side. Honestly, it's surprising how much time it took for Google to catch up since this is pretty much a standard feature for...
Deal | There have been numerous new free games on Steam in the last few weeks, and many of them have been spotted. Among them, there are a handful that already have a decent player rating, implying that they might be worth a try.
Limited Run Games is reviving the 1987 NES cult classic Jaws with Jaws: Retro Edition for PS5 and Nintendo Switch, combining the original game, now enhanced with save-anywhere, rewind, and bonus features in addition to a newly expanded multi-chapter mode drawing from all four films. Offered in Standard and deluxe “Bigger Boat” physical editions, the release targets both retro enthusiasts and collectors ahead of the movie’s 50th anniversary in 2025.
Deal | Kingdom Come: Deliverance is an open-world RPG in which you will discover many aspects of life in the Middle Ages. But that's not all, because fierce battles await you, and you will need to know how to wield a sword.
Xiaomi introduced HyperOS 3 with a handful of promised improvements, and performance is one of them. However, per recent user reports, it seems that the Android 16 update isn't an ideal option for those who play emulated games.
The Google Pixel 10a, which will arrive early next year, will have identical core specs to the 9a - a 6.3-inch 120Hz AMOLED display, a 13MP selfie camera, and the same dual camera on the back. Next up is a 5,100mAh battery (same as 2025's a series phone), same 23W charging, and possibly even the same Tensor G4 SoC.
Speaking of same, many rumors have painted a picture of a very same-same Galaxy S26 series. But one of the few upgrades will seemingly be the addition of MagSafe. Samsung will likely call it something different (like Pixel Snap for the Pixel 10...
Deal | Seiko’s Presage SSA464 automatic watch has dropped to $519 on Amazon - 17% below its usual $625 price - for the first time. This is a great deal on a Style ’60s model with an open-aperture dial and 4R39 movement.
PlayStation's 30th anniversary celebration isn't over, despite beginning in 2024, as Anicorn has announced two new watches in celebration of the milestone. The two watches will be released on December 18, with one of them available in very limited quantities.
Where Winds Meet Mobile has been tested on the iPhone 17 Pro Max, RedMagic 11 Pro, and Apple’s M5-powered iPad Pro in a recent performance comparison by YouTube channel Dame Tech. While all three devices aim for 60 FPS, the test reveals notable differences in optimisation, resolution handling, and gameplay stability across iOS, Android, and iPadOS.
With the Asus NUC 15 Pro+, Asus is launching a new attack on the top class of mini PCs. More performance, many connections, and the latest Intel Core Ultra processors are intended to prove that real high-end power no longer requires a large case. But how much of a desktop replacement is really in this compact powerhouse?
Okay, it’s time to settle this – which Android skin is the best? Every company has its own implementation (yes, even Google), although some are much more heavily customized than others.
Google is the lead developer of Android and as such it sets the tone for everyone else. It’s not just that: recently we’ve seen features like Circle to Search gain wide adoption by brands.
Samsung is the biggest Android maker in the world and is the developer of the very influential One UI. Android 16’s desktop mode is built on the foundation of DeX and this is not the first time that Samsung has...
Samsung signed massive deals with Apple and Tesla in the recent past, and AMD is likely to be the next significant 2nm foundry client victory.
A new report says that Samsung is in talks with AMD for contract manufacturing using its cutting-edge 2nm process. Exynos 2600 turns out to be a big success for Samsung Foundry in attracting major tech companies.
Exynos 2600, crafted for the Galaxy S26 series, is the first product fabricated using Samsung Foundry’s 2nm GAA process. The company would utilize the cutting-edge node for Tesla’s AI chips, and AMD is expected to join the list soon.
Samsung plans to offer the second-generation 2nm process (SF2P) for AMD chips. Industry insiders say it’s a more mature process than Exynos 2600. Meanwhile, future Exynos chips will be even more powerful and efficient.
DS Division could soon manufacture a trial production of AMD chips via a Multi-Project Wafer (MPW). The chip designer would assess whether the outcome meets the performance and efficiency required in products.
If the process secures greenlight, Samsung and AMD would finalize the contract next month. It’s going to be a significant win for Samsung Foundry as securing AMD as a contract production client will attract a billion-dollar income.
After Tesla and Apple, Samsung Foundry’s comeback was ensured. With AMD potentially joining the list, it would further solidify the company’s return in the market. Nvidia has also sealed deals with Samsung for HBM chips.
Deal | Humble Bundle has made an addition to its long list of rebundles for this holiday season — Phunky Physics Encore. The bundle, which made its first appearance back in September, is back for a rerun, but it is short one game.
Warhammer: Dark Omen, a cult RTS from the 1990s, has been improved more than 27 years after its release, with smoother graphics and compatibility issues resolved. But beware, because the gameplay is unchanged and still dates from that era.
Casio's new G‑Shock full-metal square is reportedly getting a Rainbow Ion Plated makeover in 2026, with a new leak pointing to a limited‑edition GMW‑BZ5000RC‑1 that will build on the new BZ5000 platform’s solar, Bluetooth and radio‑controlled spec sheet.
Casio's next G-Shock x Coca‑Cola collab may already be leaking. A trusted G‑Shock tipster reported that a GA‑2100CC‑3A limited edition is planned for 2026, likely bringing the green "glass bottle" design of the DW6900CC23‑3 to the CasiOak line.
Deal | The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus is part of the company's flagship Galaxy Tab S lineup of Android tablets. The tablet's key highlights include an aluminum body, MediaTek's Dimensity 9300+ chipset, and support for S Pen and Samsung DeX. Currently, the tablet is available at a 25% discount in a limited-time deal.
Retailers and couriers are slammed right now, so orders take longer to arrive than usual. Still, most of these you can pick up and have them arrive before the holidays, so it’s not too late.
With the Pixel 10 generation, Google finally adopted magnetic charging and accessories. It uses the “Pixelsnap” brand for its first-party products. You can grab a Google Pixel 10 at a solid €250 discount and score a free Pixelsnap wireless charger.
Google Pixel 10
€250 offfree Pixelsnap Charger
Read our...
The Honor Magic 8 series is currently exclusive to the Chinese and Malaysian markets but that is set to change shortly, with the Magic 8 Pro now tipped to launch across Europe. The flagship's pricing has also been leaked.
Oppo's most premium device for this generation, the Find X9 Ultra, is in the works. The Find X9 Ultra will sit above the Find X9 Pro and rival devices like the Xiaomi 17 Ultra and Galaxy S26 Ultra, with a new leak now revealing some of its key details.
The Galaxy A37 and A57 are expected to drop next month, and usually, the current models become more affordable. However, according to the latest tip, the company is planning to hike the prices of Galaxy A models in India by around INR 1,000.
The Galaxy A56, on the other hand, will see its price go up by INR 2,000. The new prices will go into effect next week as early as Monday.
The most probable reason for the price hikes is the cost of memory chips. You've probably already seen the memes online. They are all about a shortage in the memory segment due to soaring demand for HBM and...
The year 2027 will mark the 20th anniversary of Apple’s iPhone. Reports suggest that while the brand will announce the iPhone 18 series in 2026, it may skip the iPhone 19 lineup in 2027. The iPhone 19 series is said to be replaced by the iPhone 20 lineup in celebration of the 20th anniversary. A new report suggests that Xiaomi could also adopt a similar approach for its flagship series.
Xiaomi 19 could be skipped
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max
Last year, Xiaomi launched the Xiaomi 15 lineup, including the Xiaomi 15, 15 Pro, and 15 Ultra. These models were followed by the Xiaomi 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Ultra, skipping the Xiaomi 16 series entirely.
Xiaomi skipped the “16” in its flagship line to jump straight to the Xiaomi 17 series, primarily to create parity with Apple’s iPhone 17 lineup. This move positioned Xiaomi as a direct competitor and signaled a major leap in premium features, as confirmed by company President Lu Weibing.
The new report by XiaomiTime, which claims that the Xiaomi 19 series will be skipped, does not provide any concrete proof to support this claim. However, the possibility remains, as such a strategic numerical jump carries implications beyond marketing alone. Just as Xiaomi deliberately skipped the 16 series to launch the Xiaomi 17 in a clear, market-savvy move aimed at direct, name-for-name competition with the iPhone 17, it would not be surprising for the brand to repeat this tactic by bypassing the Xiaomi 19 series.
While Xiaomi is not celebrating a major anniversary in 2027 that would align perfectly with Apple’s potential move, such a calculated leap could ensure that Xiaomi’s next flagship, the Xiaomi 20, arrives alongside the rumored iPhone 20 in 2027, maintaining branding consistency and competitive positioning.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
The Poco F8 Pro and Poco F8 Ultra have debuted a couple of months earlier than expected. Recent certifications suggest that the M8 series could be next in line to break cover in multiple markets. A new report by XiaomiTimesuggests that Poco has reportedly decided to skip a couple of major models next year.
Poco X8 Pro Max incoming, Poco X8 takes an exit
Redmi Note 15 Pro+
The report, which is based on Mi code, claims that the following devices will be rebranded as Poco models.
Poco M8 5G: Rebranded version of Redmi Note 15 5G
Poco M8 Pro 5G: Rebranded version of the Redmi Note 15 Pro+ 5G
Poco X8 Pro Max: Rebranded version of the Redmi Turbo 5 Pro Max (heading to China, yet to launch)
The standard Poco X8 is missing from the above list. The device hasn’t appeared in the GSMA IMEI database yet. This device, which was expected to be a rebranded version of the Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G, has reportedly been cancelled.
Previously, Poco offered up to three models in its X-series, including an entry-level Neo-branded model. In 2026, the X8 series will be shrunk to two models, such as the Poco X8 Pro and the X8 Pro Max. The report also claims that the X8 Pro will have a special Iron Man Edition.
Poco F8 may not exist
The China-exclusive Redmi K90 Pro Max and Redmi K90 have been rebranded as the Poco F8 Ultra and F8 Pro, respectively, for the global market. The report claims that the Poco F8 does not exist but has not concrete evidence to support this claim.
It will be interesting to see how these claims play out in reality, especially since the F8 was expected to be the only F8-series phone to launch in India, which remains one of Poco’s key markets.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Huawei has started rolling out a new HarmonyOS update for the Mate 80 series. The update, version 6.0.0.120 SP9, is going live and focuses mainly on camera behavior, gallery features, cross-device sharing, and system navigation.
Camera-related changes make up a large part of the update. Huawei says shooting has been optimized in movie effects and moon modes, with better stability when capturing moving subjects. Dynamic photo stabilization has been adjusted, and the Red Maple camera system now uses updated color tuning in certain scenes, improving results from telephoto and wide-angle lenses.
The Gallery app adds a new option that lets users delete photos only from the device while keeping them stored in the cloud. This is aimed at freeing up local storage without removing backups. Gallery desktop cards now support light dynamic effects, and a new custom album card allows multiple photos to be selected for playback from the home screen.
Huawei is also expanding Huawei Share support. Mate 80 devices can now send photos, videos, files, and contacts to iOS, iPadOS, and macOS devices, as long as the receiving device installs Huawei’s HarmonyOS Galaxy Interconnect app. Setup details are listed under Help & Feedback.
Privacy controls have been updated as well. Users can now limit app access to device orientation data, which helps prevent “shake” actions that can trigger unwanted ad redirects. The setting is located under Privacy and Security.
On the system side, the update introduces Outdoor Exploration Mode, adding gesture shortcuts for multitasking, quick app switching, split screen, and floating windows. Huawei also notes general performance and stability improvements.
The Weather app now shows dynamic icons that change based on local conditions.
The update is rolling out in stages, so availability may vary.
As mobile gaming continues to surge in popularity, 2025 has emerged as one of the strongest years yet for gaming-centric smartphones. With powerful chipsets, high-refresh displays, advanced cooling systems, and massive batteries, the latest flagships aren’t just phones anymore; they are pocket-sized gaming rigs. Whether you’re into competitive shooters, open-world RPBs, or intense battle royales, there’s plenty of great gaming smartphones to choose from.
So here’s our list of the best gaming smartphones of 2025.
Red Magic 11 Pro+
There are only a few brands that have a pure gaming pedigree, like Red Magic. So if you want a phone built from the ground up for performance and long gaming sessions, look no further than the Red Magic 11 Pro+. Unlike modern flagships that aim to offer a balanced experience, the Chinese brand goes all in on gaming.
Red Magic 11 Pro+
It features a tall 6.85-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate for an immersive gaming experience. Powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, it pairs up to 24GB LPDDR5T RAM and up to 1TB UFS 4.1 storage, more than enough for even the most demanding mobile titles. But what truly sets it apart is the dual cooling system. Not only does it have an active cooling system with a physical RGB fan, but it also features a vapor chamber liquid cooling. You can even see this system in the words as the liquid moves around in the pipes on the back.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
While Apple isn’t known to brand any of its devices as a gaming phone, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is a premium phone that delivers true flagship performance. Not only can you play some of the most intense mobile game titles, but Apple has also ported actual console-level games to its iOS platform.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
So you can play popular games like Resident Evil 4, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Death Stranding, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, and many more. So you have access to an impressive catalogue of games without relying on any particular streaming service.
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iQOO 15
If you want flagship-class power without the premium flagship price, the iQOO 15 emerges as one of the best value flagships for gamers in 2025. It ships with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset that brings cutting-edge performance. Pair this with a tall 6.85-inch LTPO AMOLED display, and you get a smooth gameplay experience.
iQOO 15
One of its highlighting aspects is the massive 7,000mAh battery pack that promises long, uninterrupted gaming sessions. While it may lack some of the dedicated gaming-phone trappings like active cooling or shoulder triggers, its value-for-money positioning makes it attractive for casual and competitive gamers who don’t want to overspend.
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OnePlus 15
The OnePlus 15 strikes a sweet balance between raw performance, everyday usability, and gaming-ready hardware. It is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 as well, but it pairs it with an even higher 165Hz refresh rate. The smooth display kicks in while you run certain titles, which brings an advantage in various competitive games.
OnePlus 15
This model outshines the iQOO 15 with its gigantic 7,300mAh battery pack that supports 120W wired fast charging as well as 50W wireless fast charging. It even supports bypass charging, which allows the device to run on a wired connection to prevent any overheating, so the battery doesn’t get damaged, and there is no performance throttling.
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Honor GT Pro
Rounding out the list is the Honor GT Pro. A device that often flies under mainstream headlines but deserves attention if you’re serious about mobile gaming. While not always hyped, the Honor GT Pro has built a reputation for balancing performance, display quality, and capable cameras.
Honor GT Pro
Just like the rest of Android flagships in this list, you get the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite and a huge 7,200mAh battery pack. Honor announced this model earlier in the year, so it arrived ahead of the current flagship generation. However, the brand marketed this as a dedicated gaming smartphone since it packed the Leading Edition variant of the Snapdragon 8 Elite along with a three stage cooling system that includes a 3D vapor cooling chamber, thermal conductive adhesive, and AI powered temperature control system.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Vivo has already completed the global rollout of its X300 and X300 Pro smartphones, but the lineup is not finished yet. In 2026, the company will add a third model to the mix, called the Vivo X300 Ultra.
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, the talk of this phone is the camera. It is expected to have a pair of 200MP lenses, one for wide and another for telephoto duties, along with a 50MP ultrawide unit.
But the X300 Ultra might not be the only imaging product Vivo has planned for next year. According to a prominent tipster, Digital Chat Station on Weibo, the company is also working on a standalone action camera.
Vivo action camera incoming in 2026
The device is said to be tentatively scheduled for launch in the first half of 2026. Although not certain, there’s a possibility that it could debut alongside the X300 Ultra. The tipster refrained from sharing any technical specifications of the action cam, though.
Still, Vivo entering the action camera space wouldn’t be entirely out of character. The company was among the first smartphone brands to experiment with hardware-based stabilization, debuting a micro-gimbal system on the Vivo X50 Pro.
Vivo continued to use gimbal-based stabilization on its rear cameras until the X80 series. However, the technology was phased out as camera sensors became physically larger and heavier to be moved by previous micro-gimbal mechanisms.
So the history suggests Vivo already has meaningful experience in both hardware and software stabilization — two of the most critical elements of any action camera. Turning that expertise into a dedicated product feels like a logical next step.
Given Vivo’s recent success in smartphone camera innovation, it will be interesting to see what the brand brings to the action camera market.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
OnePlus is gradually confirming the key specs of the OnePlus 15R, which is set to break cover on Dec. 17. The brand has recently confirmed that the 15R will have an upgraded front camera. It offers the same megapixel count as the OnePlus 15’s front camera.
OnePlus 15R selfie camera revealed
OnePlus 15R’s front camera revealed
The OnePlus 15R is officially confirmed to feature a 32-megapixel front camera with autofocus support. It is the most advanced selfie camera on an R-series phone. This is a major upgrade, as last year’s OnePlus 13R featured a 16-megapixel front camera.
The 15R’s front camera is capable of capturing 4K videos at 30fps. This is also an upgrade, as the 13R’s front camera was limited to 1080p video. The 15R is also equipped with the DetailMax Engine, which offers advanced computational photography algorithms that enhance captured shots.
With the new selfie camera onboard, the OnePlus 15R levels itself with the OnePlus 15, which will also feature a 32-megapixel front camera with autofocus support. While the OnePlus 15 has a Sony IMX709 sensor powering the selfie camera, the OnePlus 15R is rumoured to be equipped with an OmniVision sensor for its front camera.
OnePlus 15R specs confirmed so far
So far, the brand has confirmed that the OnePlus 15R’s screen supports a 1.5K resolution and a 165Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, it has the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chip and a 7,400mAh battery with 80W charging. It will also have other features such as OxygenOS 16, a Plus Key, a 50MP main camera with 4K 120fps video recording support, and an IP68/69-rated dust- and water-resistant body. It will be available in three shades: black, green, and violet.
The Oppo Find X9 Ultra has already been rumored to feature a rear camera setup that includes a 200MP main sensor, a 50MP ultrawide, and two 50MP periscope telephoto cameras. This information is from back in October, but a new leak suggests Oppo may be rethinking part of that setup.
According to tipster Digital Chat Station, Oppo is considering replacing one of the telephoto cameras with a higher-resolution 200MP sensor. If that plan moves forward, the Find X9 Ultra’s rear camera system could look something like this:
200MP 1/1.12” main camera
50MP ultrawide
200MP 1/1.3” mid-telephoto
50MP super-telephoto
That said, this configuration doesn’t appear to be locked in yet. The leak suggests that mass production of a 200MP telephoto sensor is still uncertain. So if supply issues persist, Oppo may fall back on the previously rumored 50MP telephoto camera instead.
For selfies, the company is expected to use another 50MP unit.
Oppo Find X9 Ultra: other specs
While the Oppo Find X9 and Find X9 Pro feature the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset, the Ultra variant is tipped to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.
Reports also claim that the Oppo Find X9 Ultra will sport a large 6.8-inch 2K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor. The phone is expected to run ColorOS 16 based on Android 16 out of the box.
It is also said to pack a sizable cell of around 7,000mAh. In fact, it could be the Ultra-phone with the largest battery in 2026. Like the Pro model, it may support 80W wired charging and 50W wireless charging.
The smartphone is likely to launch in China in early 2026, while the global debut is expected by late Q1 2026.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
The idea of a one-person company run almost entirely by Artificial Intelligence sounds like the inevitable future of work. But a recent experiment suggests that reality is far messier than the vision Silicon Valley often promotes.
Journalist Evan Ratliff put that idea to the test by creating HurumoAI, a startup where every “employee” except the founder is an AI agent. Using AI assistant platforms, Ratliff gave each agent its own email address, Slack account, and even a phone number. At first, the results were impressive. The AI staff could write code, build spreadsheets, and even help create a small app that attracted thousands of early users.
The problems started when the novelty wore off. Ratliff quickly discovered that his AI employees lacked basic boundaries and common sense. A casual question like “How was your weekend?” triggered hours of nonstop Slack messages, burning through API credits until he intervened manually. Even then, the AI often ignored stop commands or kept responding about why it was stopping.
This behavior wasn’t an isolated incident. Left unsupervised, the agents would either do nothing at all or spiral into excessive activity—sending emails, messages, and calendar invites to each other while accomplishing very little. Managing them became a balancing act: give enough instruction to make progress, but not so much freedom that chaos followed.
Despite the company’s “all-AI” label, HurumoAI couldn’t function without human help. A Stanford computer science student assisted Ratliff in building the underlying technical architecture and managing memory systems the AI couldn’t handle on its own. Even with those safeguards, the agents struggled with long-term planning, subjective decisions, and accurately reporting what they had actually done.
Ratliff compares today’s AI agents to early self-driving cars: useful in narrow situations, but far from fully autonomous. His takeaway is clear: AI can accelerate work, but removing humans from the loop doesn’t eliminate management—though that may change over time.
Huawei’s Nova 15 series is expected to arrive soon, but the launch schedule remains unclear. Reports from China have offered different timelines, with some pointing to a year-end debut and others suggesting Huawei pushed the release back to allow more time for hardware and software refinement.
Huawei Nova 14 Vitality Edition
A new update from tipster Fixed Focus Digital Cameras (定焦数码) now narrows the window. The source mentioned three dates in December: the 15th, 22nd, and 28th. While no official context was shared, online discussion suggests Huawei could begin promotions around December 15, hold the launch event on December 22, and open sales on December 28. If this plan is accurate, early teasers should surface within the next few days.
(Source:
Design changes are also part of the discussion. The Nova lineup has followed the same visual identity for several years, with only small adjustments to camera placement. Most models feature a circular camera ring placed either at the top or within a vertical pill-shaped module. Back finishes have varied between solid colors, leather textures, and patterned glass, but the structure has remained largely the same.
This could change with the Nova 15 series. According to the leak, Huawei is preparing more noticeable updates to the phone’s design. While specific details are not yet known, the shift may be similar in scale to recent design changes seen in Huawei’s higher-end models.
Earlier information from Digital Chat Station suggests the Nova 15 lineup will include three devices: Nova 15, Nova 15 Pro, and Nova 15 Ultra. The standard Nova 15 is expected to feature a 6.7-inch display, while the Nova 15 Pro could come with a slightly larger 6.84-inch panel. Both models are said to use 1.5K LTPO OLED displays.
Camera hardware is expected to see upgrades as well. The Nova 15 Pro may feature a dual front camera setup with 50MP and 8MP sensors, while the base model is likely to use a single 50MP camera. On the rear, the Pro model is tipped to include a 50MP main camera, a 50MP periscope telephoto lens, an ultra-wide camera, and a multispectral sensor to improve color accuracy and low-light performance. Both models are expected to be powered by new Kirin 8-series processors.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
OPPO began deploying stable ColorOS 16 based on Android 16 for the Find N2 Flip in India on December 9. Users on build CPH2437_16.0.1.310(EX01) can access the update, with international rollouts scheduled subsequently.
The update triggers background optimizations that may temporarily cause overheating, lag, and accelerated battery consumption for several days. OPPO recommends backing up data beforehand and updating third-party apps through the App Market to address potential Android 16 compatibility issues. Users can report bugs by dialing *#800#.
ColorOS 16 centers on AI functionality through the OPPO AI suite. AI Mind Space captures 60-second voice notes via long-pressing the Snap Key, automatically organizing entries into Smart Collections. Google Gemini integration enables natural language searches and summarization of saved content.
AI Recorder Assistant generates automatic titles and summaries for recordings while applying noise reduction for enhanced clarity. AI Writer provides content creation tools, generating social media captions from images and converting text into mind maps or tables.
Cross-device connectivity receives substantial upgrades. Users can receive and respond to iPhone calls and SMS on the Find N2 Flip when Bluetooth-connected. iPhone notification mirroring replicates app alerts to the OPPO device. PC screen mirroring supports simultaneous control of five app windows.
Performance enhancements arrive through the Trinity Engine, maintaining stable frame rates during intensive multitasking, and the Luminous Rendering Engine, delivering fluid system-wide animations.
Imaging features include AI Portrait Glow for enhanced facial lighting, Motion Photo Collage with slow-motion editing capabilities, and a comprehensive video editor offering clip trimming, speed adjustments, and format conversion.
The interface introduces Flux Themes, expanded widget selections, live Aqua Dynamics alerts, and refreshed Luminous Design aesthetics.
Security advances through OPPO Lock’s Call to Lock and SIM Lock functions. Call to Lock enables remote device locking for users in supported regions including India, while SIM Lock immediately secures the phone upon SIM card removal.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Samsung Foundry has a new thermal packaging solution called Heat Path Block (HPB), aiming to solve one of the most critical issues in advanced semiconductor design, heat buildup. The company is preparing to license this innovation to external clients, including Apple and Qualcomm, as it works to reestablish its position in the foundry market.
What is HPB and Why Does It Matter?
HPB is a copper-based thermal plate that sits directly above the application processor. In previous designs, Samsung placed the DRAM stack directly on top of the processor using Fan-Out Wafer-Level Packaging (FOWLP). The new Exynos 2600 design moves the DRAM to the side to make room for the HPB block, which now makes direct contact with the processor cores.
This repositioning improves heat transfer efficiency. Samsung claims a 30% reduction in average chip temperature compared to the previous generation. The thermal improvements are expected to help maintain peak performance in mobile processors during extended workloads, particularly in gaming and other intensive applications.
Rebuilding Trust with Apple and Qualcomm
Samsung plans to license HPB to potential clients, including Qualcomm and Apple. Both companies shifted major chip orders to TSMC in recent years. Qualcomm moved its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Plus production in 2022, and Apple made the switch with the A10 back in 2016. Samsung now sees HPB as a potential draw to win back these customers.
The timing may work in Samsung’s favor. Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 reportedly consumes 19.5W under full load, significantly more than Apple’s A19 Pro at 12.1W. This high power draw results in greater heat generation, creating demand for better cooling at the chip level. Samsung’s HPB could directly address this concern.
Samsung’s own MX division, which buys Snapdragon chips for Galaxy devices, has already requested cooling performance at HPB levels. This request signals that the market is taking the technology seriously.
Strategic Timing with 2nm and GAA
HPB will debut with the Exynos 2600, which also serves as Samsung’s proof-of-concept for its 2nm chip manufacturing process. The company has already implemented gate-all-around (GAA) transistor architecture with its 3nm node and will continue using it at 2nm. TSMC, by contrast, plans to adopt GAA starting at the 2nm node.
Reports from South Korea suggest Samsung’s 2nm yield has reached between 55% and 60%. The company expects profitability in its foundry division by 2027, once its new Taylor, Texas fab ramps up. The fab is scheduled to begin operations in 2026 and will help double Samsung’s 2nm capacity by the end of that year.
Samsung’s early use of GAA and new thermal solutions could give it an edge as more chipmakers explore alternatives to TSMC.
The Bigger Picture
Samsung is using HPB as part of a broader strategy to revive its foundry business. The company has reorganized its packaging teams under the foundry and memory divisions to focus more closely on advanced chip integration.
Samsung has also taken a more flexible pricing approach to attract new clients. TSMC’s 2nm wafers are reportedly priced 50% higher than previous generations due to strong demand from clients like Nvidia and Apple. Samsung is using competitive pricing to secure contracts with smaller AI semiconductor firms such as Charbright, Anaplash, and South Korea’s DeepX.
In July, Samsung also secured a $16.5 billion deal to manufacture Tesla’s next-generation AI6 chips. The company is producing image sensors for Apple, ASICs for Chinese mining companies, and smartphone APs for its System LSI division. These contracts signal early momentum as Samsung works to diversify its client base.
Samsung is betting that HPB, combined with its 2nm and GAA advancements, will help close the gap with TSMC and restore confidence in its advanced nodes. If the Exynos 2600 performs well, it could mark a turning point in Samsung’s efforts to regain share in the global foundry market.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Anker has officially kick-started its 2025 Christmas sale! Discounts of upto 58% on a wide range of its most popular charging accessories can be availed during this offer period.
The offer covers everything from high-capacity powerbanks to versatile docking stations.
Christmas Deals on Prime Series
One of the most notable sale is the Anker 240W 8-in-1 Prime Charging Station, now priced at $89.99 (originally $150). This 40% discount brings the unit back to its Black Friday price, offering two AC outlets, four USB-C ports, and two USB-A ports.
Other notable Prime Series discounts include:
14-in-1 Prime Docking Station: Now $175 ($270), offering 160W of total output.
3-in-1 25W Qi2 Prime Charging Station: Now $161 ($230).
300W 3-in-1 26,250mAh Prime Power Bank: Now $171.50 ($230).
Portable and Compact Solutions
For those who prioritize portability, Anker’s Nano and MagSafe lines are also seeing significant price cuts. The Anker Nano 45W 10,000mAh Power Bank is down to $43, while the ultra-slim 5K MagSafe Power Bank is available for $41. Additionally, the 140W 4-port USB-C Laptop Charger, featuring ActiveShield 2.0 safety monitoring, has been slashed to $64.99 from its usual $100 price tag.
Exclusive Incentives
In addition to the direct price cuts, shoppers purchasing directly through Anker’s website can benefit from:
Free Holiday Gifts: Included with qualifying orders placed through the official site.
Bundle Savings: Extra discounts are available for customers purchasing multiple items.
Member-Only Perks: Exclusive deals for registered Anker members.
Most of these deals are also being matched on Anker’s official Amazon product list, providing flexible shopping options. However, with these likely being the final major discounts of the year, stock is expected to move quickly as the holiday deadline approaches. If you missed out on Black Friday or Cyber Monday, this sale represents another opportunity to secure these popular charging gear at better prices.
Oppo has begun the stable rollout of ColorOS 16 based on Android 16 for select smartphones in India. The update is currently limited to Indian users. Oppo has not confirmed when it will roll out to other regions, but the company says wider availability is planned.
Oppo K13 Turbo series
The stable ColorOS 16 update is now available for the OPPO K13 Turbo Pro 5G and OPPO K13 Turbo 5G. Users can apply for the official version starting December 9. For the OPPO K13 Turbo Pro 5G, the required detectable version is CPH2731_16.0.1.301(EX01). For the OPPO K13 Turbo 5G, users must be on version CPH2761_16.0.1.300(EX01).
Oppo recommends backing up all important data before installing the update, as system incompatibility or unexpected issues could result in data loss. After installation, the system will run background optimizations. During this period, users may notice heating, lag, or faster battery drain. Oppo advises charging the device overnight with the screen turned off or continuing normal usage, as performance should return to normal within a few days. Some third-party apps may not yet support Android 16 and could crash or lag until updated. Bugs can be reported by opening the dialer and entering *#800#.
ColorOS 16 introduces several AI-powered features under OPPO AI. AI Mind Space allows users to capture ideas by long-pressing the Snap Key to record a 60-second voice note. Notes can be grouped automatically using Smart Collections. Integration with Google Gemini allows users to retrieve saved notes and combine them with web search results using voice queries.
The AI Recorder Assistant automatically generates titles and summaries for recordings and applies AI noise reduction to improve voice clarity. AI Writer can generate platform-specific social media captions from images, convert text into mind maps, and organize content into tables.
ColorOS 16 also improves cross-device connectivity. When connected via Bluetooth, iPhone calls and SMS messages can be synced to Oppo phones using the Oppo Dialer. iPhone app notifications can also be mirrored on Oppo devices. Phone screen mirroring to PC is supported through USB or cloud connection, with support for casting up to five individual app windows at the same time.
Performance upgrades include the new Trinity Engine, designed to maintain stable frame rates during heavy multitasking, and the Luminous Rendering Engine, which delivers smoother system animations across the interface.
Camera and creation tools include AI Portrait Glow for improved facial lighting, Motion Photo Collage with slow-motion playback, and an all-in-one video editor with clip trimming, speed control, resolution adjustment, frame rate selection, and background music support.
Design updates include Flux Themes with Motion Photo or video lock screens, expanded icon and widget sizing, app drawer category sorting, enhanced Aqua Dynamics live alerts, and new Luminous Design visuals. Security additions include OPPO Lock with Call to Lock support in India and SIM Lock, which locks the device instantly if the SIM card is removed.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Google’s Pixel phones are known for offering a stock Android experience and using Google’s own Tensor G-series processors. However, their performance has historically been somewhat underwhelming. That may be changing, as the latest Android 16 update has brought a noticeable improvement to Pixel 10 Pro XL performance.
Over the past few days, Google has rolled out the Android 16 QPR2 update to Pixel phones. Unexpectedly, users and testers discovered that device performance has improved significantly, especially in graphics performance.
Android Authority tested the Pixel 10 Pro XL and found that CPU performance gains were modest. In Geekbench 6, single-core performance improved by 2%, while multi-core performance increased by 5%, which isn’t a dramatic change.
PCMark’s Work 3.0 score, however, showed a much more substantial improvement, rising by 19.6%. This benchmark simulates everyday tasks such as web browsing and image editing, making it a better reflection of real-world usage.
Graphics performance also saw gains. In 3DMark’s Wild Life test, scores improved by around 5% to 7%, averaging roughly 6%.
Interestingly, despite no change in the GPU driver version, the OpenCL benchmark shows a score jump from the previous 3,063 to 4,061. That’s a nearly one-third improvement.
The possible reason for the gain
So how can a simple Android system update deliver such a performance boost?
According to AndroidPolice, the gains may come from deeper optimizations in Android 16, which introduces a more advanced and efficient memory garbage collection mechanism. This reduces CPU load during garbage collection, minimizes lag, and improves overall smoothness.
The good news is that these improvements aren’t limited to the new Pixel 10 series. Some users report that older models, such as the Pixel 8a, have also seen higher benchmark scores and better frame rates in 3DMark tests (via Reddit).
What remains unclear is whether these optimizations are exclusive to Google’s in-house Tensor processors. If the changes are more broadly applicable, other Android phones could also see meaningful performance gains through future updates.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Phones in 2026 are certain to have a price rise due to the increasing cost of memory modules. We are already seeing its effects with recent flagship launches like the iQOO 15, which saw a whopping 33% price increase over its predecessor in India.
Raising prices, however, won’t work in all markets. In a price-sensitive economy like India, it would be harder for brands to justify higher costs when the actual device might not bring any major improvements.
A new leak suggests manufacturers may instead look for savings elsewhere, by shipping phones with less RAM, that is.
16GB RAM might go extinct in 2026
According to a tipster on Naver, smartphones equipped with 16GB of RAM could nearly go extinct in 2026, except for some manufacturer-specific models.
The source also claims that 4GB RAM models may become far more common than they are today. More concerning, some phones could still end up costing more than current models despite being equipped with less memory.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra mockup (modified image of S25 Ultra)
The leak goes on to say that smartphones with 12GB of RAM could be reduced by 40% and will be replaced by 6GB/8GB models. Meanwhile, 8GB models could see a 50% reduction and be replaced by 4GB/6GB variants.
Much of this pressure comes from the growing demand for memory across multiple industries. This has created a supply crunch that consumers are now starting to feel. And it may not be limited to new and upcoming phones.
A recent report suggests that Samsung is also planning to hike prices for its existing Galaxy phones in India.
The memory crunch is also spilling over into the PC market. According to a TrendForce report, major PC brands like Dell and Lenovo have begun notifying customers about upcoming price hikes. Dell, in particular, is expected to raise PC prices by 15 to 20 percent.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Asus has introduced the RT-BE58 Go in China, a compact WiFi 7 portable router that was announced earlier this year. The device is priced at 899 yuan ($127) and supports power bank input for on-the-go use.
Asus RT-BE58 Go Specifications
The RT BE58 Go supports dual-band WiFi 7 (802.11be) and offers a combined wireless throughput of up to 3600 Mbps. It delivers up to 2882 Mbps on the 5GHz band and 688 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band. Asus includes features like 4K QAM modulation and Multi-Link Operation to enhance speed and efficiency, especially in dense environments.
The router runs on a Broadcom 2.0GHz quad-core processor paired with 1GB DDR4 RAM and 256MB of flash storage. This hardware allows it to manage multiple devices and tasks simultaneously. It also includes two independent front-end modules (FEMs) to improve signal strength and stability.
Measuring 9.8 × 9.4 × 3.1 cm and weighing just 232 grams, the RT BE58 Go fits easily into a backpack or pouch. It includes foldable antennas and supports USB-C 18W PD input, allowing it to operate using a standard power bank. Asus says the router is ideal for outdoor work, hotel stays, road trips, and compact living spaces.
The router is equipped with multiple network access options. It includes a 2.5Gbps WAN port for wired broadband, USB tethering for 4G/5G smartphones or dongles, and a WISP mode that converts public WiFi networks into private secure hotspots. It also supports Asus AiMesh, which allows it to extend an existing mesh network using a single SSID.
For security and customization, the RT BE58 Go features AiProtection for real-time threat detection and malicious site blocking. It supports up to five guest SSIDs with branding support, as well as isolated child and IoT networks. VPN support is also built in for secure remote access.
Asus includes additional features such as smart scenario acceleration for streaming, gaming, and online meetings. The router also provides a dedicated USB-A port for mobile network tethering and a Gigabit LAN port for wired connections.
The Huawei MatePad 11.5 S 2026 with 12GB RAM, 256GB storage, and a detachable keyboard is priced at 479 euros. The PaperMatte Edition with the same configuration costs 529 euros. Both variants are available in Green and Space Gray.
The tablet features an 11.5-inch LCD display with a resolution of 2800 x 1840 pixels. It supports a 30Hz to 144Hz adaptive refresh rate and reaches up to 500 nits of brightness. Huawei claims an 87 percent screen to body ratio, a 1500:1 contrast ratio, and P3 wide colour gamut support. The PaperMatte Edition uses nano-level etching to reduce glare and surface sparkle by 50 percent and eliminate 99 percent of light interference, making it suitable for outdoor use. It carries TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light and Flicker-Free certifications, along with SGS Low Visual Fatigue 2.1 certification, which applies only to the PaperMatte model.
The MatePad measures 261.0 x 177.3 x 6.1 mm and weighs around 515 grams. It uses an all-metal body design. The tablet runs HarmonyOS 4.3 and comes with 12GB RAM, paired with either 256GB or 512GB storage.
Huawei Notes is pre-installed and supports AI equation recognition, AI handwriting enhancement, note replay, and a built-in resource centre. Creative users also get the GoPaint app with studio-style brushes. The tablet supports the M-Pencil Pro stylus and a detachable keyboard, both sold separately.
For cameras, the device includes a 13MP rear camera with autofocus and an 8MP front camera. It is powered by an 8800mAh battery with support for up to 40W wired fast charging.
Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, NearLink, USB Type-C 3.0, and quad speakers tuned with Huawei Histen 9.0 audio.
Samsung’s Galaxy A-series phones could soon get a little more expensive in India. According to information shared by tipster Abhishek Yadav on X, Samsung is planning a price hike across its Galaxy A lineup, with the changes expected to take effect starting Monday.
As per the tip, Samsung India will increase the prices of most Galaxy A-series smartphones by ₹1,000. The Galaxy A56, however, is set to see a larger bump, with its price rising by ₹2,000.
Scoop: Starting Monday, Samsung India will increase prices of its Galaxy A-series smartphones by ₹1,000, while the Samsung Galaxy A56 will see a higher hike of ₹2,000.
It’s not surprising given the current market conditions
Samsung is expected to launch new Galaxy A-series phones next month, including the Galaxy A37 and Galaxy A57. Price adjustments just ahead of new launches aren’t unusual, but they typically make older models more affordable to make way for the new ones.
This time, though, it’s going in the opposite direction. And if you guessed it, yes, the primary reason behind the increase is rising memory costs.
The global semiconductor market is currently dealing with a memory shortage, largely driven by soaring demand for High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) and DDR5 DRAM used in AI data centers. As big tech companies are pouring money into AI infrastructure, smartphone makers are left competing for the same memory components at higher prices.
Sasmsung Galaxy A56 (left) and Galaxy A36 (right)_
We’ve already seen the impact of this trend at the high end of the market. Recent flagship launches such as the OnePlus 15, Vivo X300, and iQOO 15 arrived with noticeably higher price tags compared to their predecessors.
The iQOO 15, in particular, saw the maximum price rise of 33% over its predecessor. What’s changing now is that these cost pressures are starting to trickle down to midrange phones as well.
What’s more concerning is that this situation doesn’t appear to be temporary. Industry expectations suggest that memory prices are unlikely to cool down in 2026. If that happens, phones launching next year, be it budget, midrange, or premium, could all see further price increases.
In fact, executives from multiple smartphone brands like Realme and CMF have already acknowledged that price hikes are becoming unavoidable.
OnePlus has started rolling out the stable OxygenOS 16 update for the OnePlus Open in North America, nearly a month after the update first arrived in India. Indian users received the stable build in November, followed by a smaller update in early December, while other regions were left waiting.
The update is being released in stages, so it will not reach all devices at once. OnePlus has said the rollout will expand to more regions over the next few weeks. For North America, the update arrives with build number CPH2551_16.0.1.300(EX01).
OxygenOS 16 is largely focused on improving how the system feels in daily use. Animations are smoother and more consistent across the interface, with better timing when opening, closing, or switching between apps. Drag and drop actions on the Home screen, widgets, folders, and the Smart Sidebar feel more fluid, and scrolling now follows touch input more closely. Transitions in the status bar, notification shade, and Quick Settings are smoother and can be interrupted mid gesture. Common actions such as charging, fingerprint unlock, audio controls, and long press actions across system apps now use updated animations with softer lighting effects.
Under the hood, performance improvements come from the updated Trinity Engine. It adjusts system resources in real time to keep performance steady during gaming, video playback, and long camera sessions. Background activity is better controlled during heavy use, helping reduce power drain. Games benefit from more stable frame rates, while pop up windows and video calls are handled more efficiently. Apps open faster from the Home screen, photo albums load quicker, and cached video previews appear sooner in supported third party apps. Power Saving mode now scales performance based on the remaining battery level.
OnePlus has also expanded its AI features across OxygenOS 16. Mind Space now supports voice memory recording by pressing and holding the Plus Key, including landscape capture. A new Mind Assistant makes it easier to search saved content and manage collections. The Photos app has been redesigned with simpler navigation, improved album sorting, and expanded video editing tools such as trimming, transitions, speed controls, filters, and background music. Motion photos can be turned into slow motion clips or collages without losing HDR quality.
Notes now supports block based editing, richer text formatting, image view switching, and one link sharing for full notes. The Recorder app gets a new layout, AI noise cancellation, automatic context detection, and easy sharing of audio files, transcripts, and summaries. AI Translate has been refined for smoother real time use. AI Writer is now available system wide, allowing users to generate text, summaries, tables, and mind maps directly inside apps. AI VoiceScribe and Call Summary also offer better context detection and more export options.
Design changes include the new Flux Home screen with light field style icons, customizable grids, folders, widgets, and a cleaner layout without icon labels. AI powered Flux themes add motion wallpapers, adaptive icons, Always On Display updates, and real time customization. Core apps such as Clock, Calculator, and Compass have also been refreshed.
The update also improves connectivity with features like Touch to Share, better OnePlus Connect PC mirroring, cross device clipboard and search, improved in car Bluetooth, My Devices controls, stronger network sharing, and smoother data transfer from iOS. On the security side, OxygenOS 16 adds warnings for risky apps and new options to lock or hide apps directly from the Home screen.
If 2024 was a year of incremental updates, 2025 was the year the foldable form factor truly matured. We moved past the era of engineering curiosity and fragility into a time where these devices stood confidently alongside and often surpassed traditional flagship phones.
From Samsung’s meticulous refinement of its ecosystem to Huawei and Oppo pushing the physical limits of camera optics and hinge mechanics, this year’s lineup proved that foldables are no longer just experiments. They are now among the very best smartphones money can buy.
Here are our picks for the best foldable smartphones of 2025.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
Samsung’s seventh-generation book-style foldable feels like the device the series was always destined to be. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 eliminates previous compromises, most notably in its weight; at just 215g, it is the lightest Fold yet, thanks to a new titanium-backed display and slimmer FlexHinge. The viewing experience has been significantly upgraded with an 8-inch main display featuring thinner bezels and the removal of the under-display camera, which has been swapped for a sharper 10MP sensor.
However, the headline feature is the camera system. For the first time, Samsung has integrated a 200MP flagship-grade sensor, allowing the Fold 7 to capture images that rival the best slab phones on the market. On the software front, the device acts as a premier mobile workstation. Running One UI 8 and Android 16, it leverages Galaxy AI for seamless multitasking, such as side-by-side editing and context-aware interactions with Gemini Live.
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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7
Samsung also elevated its Flip line this year, turning the clamshell form factor into a productivity tool. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 introduced the biggest and brightest cover screen ever seen on the series, a 4.1-inch FlexWindow that genuinely feels like a standalone phone. This expanded real estate allows users to reply to messages, run full apps, or interact with Gemini Live without ever needing to unfold the device.
Beyond the screen, the Flip 7 is a powerhouse in its own right. It is the first in the series to support Samsung DeX, allowing it to double as a desktop computer, and it packs a larger 4300mAh battery despite being slimmer than ever. This combination of portability and power ensures that the Flip 7 offers a premium flagship experience that goes far beyond simple nostalgia.
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Huawei Mate X7
While others focused on refinement, Huawei chose to experiment with aggressive hardware. The Mate X7 turned heads with its unique Yun Brocade Collector’s Edition design, but it is the camera system that truly sets it apart. It features a 50MP main sensor with a variable aperture, a 50MP telephoto lens with 3.5x optical zoom, and Huawei’s Red Maple color sensor, all of which combine to deliver stunning results in any lighting condition.
The display technology is equally impressive, with a foldable OLED screen that reaches a peak brightness of 2500 nits. Running on HarmonyOS, the device makes excellent use of this extra screen real estate with improved multitasking features and satellite messaging support. To top it off, the 5600mAh battery and titanium-reinforced body make the Mate X7 one of the most rugged and longest-lasting foldables released this year.
If Samsung and Huawei aimed for raw performance and camera versatility, the Find N5 focused on ergonomic perfection. This was arguably the most comfortable and polished foldable to hold in 2025, featuring a crease so shallow it is barely noticeable. This is made possible by an aerospace-grade titanium hinge that is both lighter and tougher than anything Oppo has shipped before.
The experience is just as premium on the inside. The 8.12-inch LTPO inner display supports stylus input, while the outer display has been upgraded for higher brightness. The Hasselblad-powered triple camera system, which includes a 50MP periscope lens and 6x optical zoom, holds its own in low-light and portrait scenarios. Furthermore, Oppo addressed battery anxiety by packing a massive 5600mAh silicon-carbon battery into the device, complete with fast wired and wireless charging, features its predecessor sorely lacked.
Huawei’s Pura X took the idea of a flip phone and flipped expectations. The device features a unique 6.3-inch inner display with a 16:10 aspect ratio, a rarity in foldables, while the 3.5-inch outer OLED is a perfect square, giving the phone a distinctive, mirror-like aesthetic. Both screens are top-tier, supporting high-frequency PWM dimming and full 120Hz LTPO refresh rates.
Unlike many flips that compromise on cameras, the Pura X is a serious imaging device. It houses a 50MP RYYB main camera, a 40MP ultra-wide, and a 3.5x telephoto lens, offering flagship versatility in a playful form factor. When you add in IPX8 water resistance, satellite communication support, and a 4720mAh battery with 66W wired charging, the Pura X stands out as a flip phone that feels like a true flagship.
Samsung’s first tri-fold smartphone is making headlines—but not just for its ambitious design. New repair pricing details suggest that fixing the Galaxy Z TriFold’s main display could cost nearly as much as buying a brand-new Galaxy S25 Ultra outright.
The Galaxy Z TriFold launched last month as Samsung’s boldest foldable yet, introducing a complex tri-folding screen that expands into a tablet-like canvas. Interest has been intense: the device reportedly sold out within minutes of becoming available, despite extremely limited stock. But that flexible inner screen comes with a downside if anything goes wrong.
According to a recent report, replacing the outer display will cost between KRW 137,000 and KRW 226,000 (roughly $90–$150), which is broadly in line with the Z Fold 7. The real shock comes from the inner tri-folding panel. Replacing that display could set owners back anywhere from KRW 1,657,500 to KRW 1,834,500 (about $1,120–$1,240), depending on the extent of the repair.
To put that into perspective, Samsung’s own Galaxy S25 Ultra—the company’s top-tier bar-style flagship—currently retails in South Korea for around KRW 1,673,100. In other words, repairing the TriFold’s main screen could cost as much as, or even more than, buying an entirely new S25 Ultra.
The report also notes that availability is extremely limited. Samsung is said to be stocking just 15 to 30 units per major store in South Korea, with only around 700 units available nationwide so far. Total sales are reportedly expected to reach between 2,500 and 5,000 units by early next year, suggesting this is very much a controlled, experimental release.
It’s worth stressing that these details come from an unverified blog report, so final pricing could change. Still, if accurate, they underline a familiar truth about foldables—especially bleeding-edge ones. The Galaxy Z TriFold may represent the future of smartphones, but repairing that future won’t come cheap.
As Holidays are coming, there are many deals out in the market. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 returns to post-Black Friday pricing on the compact 40mm model, ideal for everyday wear with its lightweight design available for only $249. That is $100 off from its standard pricing and a matching record low.
Samsung’s Newest smartwatch, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, comes with Wear OS 6 and One UI 8 Watch. It also features a wrist Gemini support and a long list of added functions. Galaxy Watch 8 comes with an ergonomic, versatile, & ultra-sleek (8.6mm slim-fit) design that’s built to last with Sapphire glass and Armor Aluminum. It features a Super AMOLED display with up to 3000 nits of brightness is easy to read even is bright light. The smartwatch also has features, such as a Running Coach, Antioxidant Index, Vascular Load, and more, making it Samsung’s most sophisticated wearable yet.
For this generation, Samsung has redesigned the strap system, so standard watch bands are no longer compatible. The updated bands are designed to help the watch hug your wrist more closely instead of lying flat. And users can’t agree more. Complaints flooded social media. Some of them were claiming the comfort of the band is far better than the flagship Galaxy Watch Ultra.
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Despite packing a larger battery, Samsung still rates the Galaxy Watch 8 for around two days of use on a full charge. However, the company notes these battery estimates are intentionally conservative. So many users can expect to squeeze out even longer runtimes in daily use.
The holiday season is around the corner, and this is the right time to get a valuable gift for your loved ones. If you are planning to gift a smartwatch or get one for yourself, then the Galaxy Watch 8 is a great choice. For more deals, just visit our dedicated deals section here on Gizmochina.
Just last month, the POCO F8 Pro was released as the brand’s latest flagship smartphone, while the highly anticipated POCO X8 Pro is set to debut soon. However, both the X8 and F8 series might be skipping out on a more affordable base variant. A recent rumor has hinted that Xiaomi might skip the POCO X8 and POCO F8 models.
Is Xiaomi Killing the POCO X8 and POCO F8?
According to a Xiaomi Timereport, the Chinese tech giant doesn’t have plans to launch the POCO standard F8 and POCO X8. In other words, the POCO F8 Pro and POCO F8 Ultra are the only models in the F8 lineup, while the POCO X8 Pro could be followed by a POCO X8 Pro Max model. To recall, the POCO F8 Pro and POCO X8 Ultra are rebranded smartphones of the Redmi K90 and Redmi K90 Pro Max.
POCO F8 Ultra
Similarly, the new POCO X8 Pro Max might replace the base X8, and is expected to be a rebadged version of the POCO X8 Pro Max. Meanwhile, the POCO X8 Pro is basically a renamed Redmi Turbo 5 Pro. Keep in mind that Xiaomi has yet to release the Redmi Turbo 5 lineup either, so the POCO versions are likely the global version, while the Redmi branded phones are China exclusive.
The report adds that the brand is making this move as it is working on expanding the affordable POCO M8 series. It is worth noting that this is still just speculation based on IMEI database registrations. So take this report with a pinch of salt for now, and stick around for more.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Honor made a last-minute branding change to its upcoming midrange phone. What we were expecting to be the Honor GT 2 will now be the Honor Win smartphone, as revealed in a previous report.
Ahead of the launch, the first renders of the Honor Win have surfaced on the web, and they show a few features that immediately stand out.
Here’s your first look at Honor Win
The renders show the Honor Win in black, blue, and cyan color options. On the back, there’s a horizontal matrix-style camera module that houses three cameras. The layout stretches across the width of the phone and extends all the way to the edge, similar to how recent iPhones integrate their camera islands. The module also includes an LED flash and a visible WIN branding.
What’s more unusual or interesting is an active cooling fan that sits in a cutout that visually blends with the camera module. Active cooling fans are still rare outside gaming phones, so this hints that Honor will position the Win series as a performance-focused device rather than a typical flagship.
On the inside, leaked information suggests the Honor Win series could be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 mobile platform. The chip uses a 2+6 core architecture, with two super-large cores clocked as high as 4.6GHz.
Moreover, the phone is expected to feature a 6.83-inch flat display with 1.5K resolution, paired with a metal frame. Honor may also include 3D ultrasonic fingerprint recognition and high-level water resistance.
Camera-wise, the Honor Win is tipped to use a 50MP large-sensor main camera, while charging could go all the way up to 100W fast charging. Perhaps the wildest claim is that it could come with a 10,000mAh battery, which would be massive for a phone of this class.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Last week, Samsung opened the One UI 8.5 Beta Program and initiated the December patch rollout. Samsung is expected to continue the pace of new software update rollout for Galaxy users in Week 3 of December 2025.
New Samsung software updates expected in December Week 3:
One UI 8.5
Samsung has started the development of the second One UI 8.5 Beta update. The target devices are the S25, S25 Plus, and S25 Ultra. Rumors say the Beta 2 would arrive on December 22, but Samsung may also drop it early.
The first One UI 8.5 Beta was dropped on December 8. The second update’s rollout will also mark its expansion to India and Poland. The Beta Program is currently limited to Germany, South Korea, the UK, and the US.
One UI 8
Samsung could expand its One UI 8-based December security patch. Devices highly likely to get the software are the S24, S23, and S22 series. The rollout will take place in the Global market as the initial release has already happened.
More Samsung flagship, mid-range and budget devices will receive the latest security patch update.
Global Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro should start receiving the Stable One UI 8 Watch update. Samsung’s Wear OS 6-based upgrade has been rolled out in South Korea and the US in the past couple of days.
Users of the Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic are also waiting for the One UI 8 Watch update.
Galaxy Z TriFold
On December 12, Samsung opened the first sale of the Galaxy Z TriFold in South Korea. It’s coming to the US early next year, and the response would be massive.
The first TriFold is gaining striking traction in Samsung’s home ground. Minutes after opening the first sale, the company went out of stock and put a notice on the official website.
Last week’s poll ends with interesting results – the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold is surprisingly popular. Okay, the plurality of people is turned away by its price, but those people still find the form factor appealing.
Add those who are willing to spend as much as necessary to get into the new form factor early plus those who are on the fence and are waiting and the Z TriFold crosses the 50% mark. It’s rare to see a fresh idea in the mobile space get so much support out of the gate – super-slim phones experienced the exact opposite situation.
What we find particularly interesting is how...
With so many Steam bundles for sale, buyers often miss out on deals. Valve now notifies them of lower prices before finishing the checkout process. Social features already warn players about issues with new Steam games, giving the marketplace an advantage over the Epic Games Store.
A mysterious Intel GPU has revealed itself in shipping manifests with a 300 W TDP. At the same time, Intel itself has been caught teasing that the long-rumoured Arc B700 delivers 'seriously exicting' performance, as do its Nova Lake and Panther Lake architectures.
The OnePlus Open received the Android 16-based OxygenOS 16 stable update in India and Europe last month, and now the rollout has expanded to North America.
The foldable is receiving the OxygenOS 16.0.1.300 update in North America with firmware version CPH2551_16.0.1.300(EX01). The update introduces fluid drag-and-drop animations for Home screen icons, widgets, and folders, while the Trinity Engine optimizes the workload and resources to maintain smooth performance across different usage scenarios.
Furthermore, the Photos app gets a visual update for an immersive experience, while...
A major Chinese shipbuilder aims to revolutionize maritime trade with a zero-emission, nuclear-powered vessel capable of carrying 25,000 containers, though regulatory hurdles remain.
Xiaomi has updated its Redmi TV X 2026 series with three new Smart TVs. Available in 55-inch, 65-ich and 75-inch sizes, all three Smart TVs feature Mini LED local dimming zones, 4K resolutions and special 288 Hz game modes.
Convenient but cramped. | The Abxylute M4 Snap-On mobile controller is a compact and easily-pocketable Bluetooth controller designed for MagSafe-compatible phones. While the controller is easy to carry around and pop on, its small size proves to be a hurdle for those with larger hands.
Deal | As we discovered in our review of the keyboard, the Iqunix Magi65 Pro delivers an excellent typing experience and phenomenal battery life, making it the best low-profile mechanical keyboard we've tested so far, especially for those who prioritise typing sound and feel, and it has just dropped to a record-low price on Amazon, thanks to a new limited-time deal.
The Naya Connect is a new ecosystem of desktop input devices based around a low-profile mechanical keyboard and a standalone wireless module that can be used with a four different input devices, including a track ball, touch pad, rotary knob, and a 3D navigator. The Connect ecosystem and accompanying low-profile mechanical keyboard will launch on Kickstarter with a sizeable VIP discount on January 13.
The answer to the question “what charger should I use for my phone?” used to be simple – the right charger came in the box. That hasn’t been true for a while now, at least not for most phones in most regions. Now you are expected to go out and buy your own charger. But which one?
The main problem is that the U in USB is a lie – it’s universal only if you are okay with outdated data speeds and slow charging. If you want more than 480Mbps and 10W, then things are a lot more fractured.
There are standards that come from the USB Implementers Forum and all phones do support them as a...
Samsung has pushed the December 2025 security update for 7 popular Galaxy flagship smartphones in the US. These devices include Galaxy S25, S25 Plus, S25 Ultra, S25 FE, S25 Edge, Galaxy Z Fold 7, and Galaxy Z Flip 7. This update improves system security and stability for a better Galaxy experience.
December 2025 security update for these devices is live in the US on the Verizon network carrier, and other carriers could get it in the coming days. Users of these 7 Galaxy devices can verify the latest update via the One UI build versions given below.
F966USQS6AYKF – Galaxy Z Fold 7
F766USQS6AYKF – Galaxy Z Flip 7
S931USQS7BYJ9 – Galaxy S25
S936USQS7BYJ9 – Galaxy S25 Plus
S938USQS7BYJ9 – Galaxy S25 Ultra
S937USQS4BYJ9 – Galaxy S25 Edge
S731USQS3AYK1 – Galaxy S25 FE
Source – Samsung Mobile Press
Samsung’s December update fixes plenty of issues. The company specifically highlighted 68 CVE and SVE items earlier this month. It gives the Android OS and One UI skin a top-notch level of security and privacy.
This update is based on Android 16 and One UI 8. However, these devices will also get the One UI 8.5 update. Recently, Samsung rolled out the One UI 8.5 Beta update for the Galaxy S25 series in limited countries and could expand to more Galaxy devices, including Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Galaxy Z Fold 7, soon.
At the moment, you can install the latest security patch with some easy steps and make your device ready for future updates. For that, visit Settings >> Software Updates >> Download and install.
Samsung Galaxy users may soon get a helpful new feature, Motion Assist, with One UI 9. One UI 9 will be based on Android 17, and Google is reportedly working on this feature to make using phones in moving vehicles easier and more comfortable.
Several people feel dizzy or get headaches while travelling in cars, buses, or trains and using a phone. Motion sickness occurs because your eyes perceive a still screen while your body senses movement.
To resolve this issue, Google is developing a Motion Assist feature, which displays small dots on the screen that move in sync with the vehicle’s motion. These dots use the phone’s motion sensors to match to reduce motion sickness.
The feature has been spotted by Assemble Debug, who found that Motion Assist, also called Motion Cues, already exists inside Google Play Services but is not yet active. Currently, this feature cannot appear over the lock screen, notifications, or Quick Settings due to Android’s overlay limits.
Image via Android Authority
Android 17 update might make these appear dots safely on all parts of the screen. Google might make it a part of the system rather than a separate app. It could also work with Transiting mode, which changes phone settings automatically while commuting.
Based on Android 17, Samsung’s One UI 9 is also expected to bring the Motion Assist feature to Galaxy devices. Stay tuned for more information.
Samsung is currently preparing to launch its next Galaxy S series, the Galaxy S26. We have already seen several leaks, renders, and rumors about this flagship series. Now, new information hints that the Samsung Galaxy S26 series is moving closer to launch.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra smartphone has been spotted (via tipster Mohammed Khatri) on the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) database. The smartphone appears with the model number SM-S948B/DS, which confirms that Samsung is planning to launch the Galaxy S26 series in India soon.
BIS certification is required for smartphones to be sold in India. This listing usually appears months before launch and confirms that the device is planned for the Indian market. In addition to this, the Galaxy S26 series has already been spotted on several other certification platforms.
Image via Mohammed_K_2010
Aside from this, Samsung confirmed to launch the Galaxy S26 series with stable One UI 8.5 next year. The Galaxy S26 Ultra will reportedly feature a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Processor, 60W wired fast charging, improved camera, new features, and more.
Some reports suggest that Samsung may launch the Galaxy S26 series in February 2026. However, Samsung hasn’t confirmed anything yet. As the new year gets closer, more details about the Galaxy S26 series are likely to be revealed. Stay tuned.
Gamers had assumed that the Steam Machine would be available by early Spring 2026. Unfortunately, there are rumors that the memory shortage may interfere with its release date. An insider has heard that, along with a higher Steam Machine price, a delay is not out of the question.
8BitDo may soon announce a refresh of the Arcade Controller it released in July. A listing spotted on Amazon has provided a few details of the upcoming controller which seems to have a transparent design.
The Vivo X300 Pro impressed in our review, particularly with its strong camera setup. However, it also showed a few weaknesses and caveats in terms of features. Read on for a summary of our most important findings.
Apple has released watchOS 26.2, which comes with a refined Sleep Score classification and an updated score range.
Here's what the updated Sleep Score classification with the new score range looks like: Very Low (0-40), Low (41-60), OK (61-80), High (81-95), and Very High (96-100).
In addition to the new Sleep Score classification, watchOS 26.2 comes with "Enhanced Safety Alerts," which can notify users of imminent threats such as natural disasters, floods, and other emergencies. The alerts will include "rich information like a map of affected areas and links to additional safety...
Google is testing a new image feature for its Gemini AI, and it aims to make working with pictures much easier. This new tool allows users to mark, circle, or draw on images before asking questions. By doing this, Gemini can clearly see which part of the image the user wants to talk about.
The new image feature is currently under testing in the Gemini mobile app and also on the web version. When users upload an image to Gemini, they can now highlight or mark certain areas in the picture. It means users can point to just one ask question about it, if there are many people or objects in one image.
On Android devices, Gemini shows a short message when an image is added, which explains the new markup action. Users can use this tool not only for analysis but also for editing images. Early testing shows that Gemini understands marked areas well, even if it sometimes makes small mistakes.
Image via Android Authority
Google has been working on this feature for the past few months. First, signs of it were found in app updates, and later it appeared in leaks showing Gemini on the web. Now, some users have started to see it live, which means Google is likely testing it more widely.
At the moment, not everyone has access to the image markup feature. Google has not yet confirmed when it will be available to everyone. So stay tuned for more information.
A new leak has confirmed that the Galaxy S26 Ultra will be launching with faster charging capabilities than its predecessor. In the meantime, Samsung has already been spotted selling the new 60 W charging adapter ahead of the smartphone's full launch.
The EX5 is a 5-inch gaming handheld quite clearly modelled after the PS Vita. Equipped with a reasonably powerful MediaTek processor, the GameMT EX5 will surpass many of its rivals visually thanks to its 1080p IPS display.
Deal | Feudal Alloy immerses you in a medieval world in which you must face the forces of evil. And to achieve this, you will embody a robot, which is controlled by a fish in an aquarium, and collect many weapons and resources.
The first mystery free game of the holiday season 2025 is now live on Epic Games Store. While recent reports have suggested that there will be 15 more, the storefront has just confirmed that a total of 17 mystery freebies will be given away.
The OnePlus 15R featuring Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 is confirmed to release in the global market. Ahead of the launch, a new leak has revealed the camera specifications, indicating that the phone will miss out on the telephoto lens from its predecessor.
Samsung is reportedly preparing to wind down its SATA SSD business, and a notable hardware leaker warns the move could have broader implications for consumer storage pricing than Micron’s decision to end its Crucial RAM lineup. The report suggests reduced supply and short-term price pressure may follow as the market adjusts.
OnePlus has released the OxygenOS 16.0.2.401 update for the OnePlus 15. It comes with the December 2025 Android security patch and adds a "Neon" filter to the default Camera app, recreating the CineStill 800T film effect.
With the new update, the filter in the Photos app now supports "Motion Photo," "Screenshots & screen recordings," and "Edited" options, making image and video filtering easier. Moreover, the update enables the bypass charging feature on the OnePlus 15 for gaming and non-gaming activities.
You can read the full changelog of the OxygenOS 16.0.2.401 update below for...
Timex has launched the Huckberry x Timex 1979 Black Max - a modern reissue of its late-1970s sports watch. The 41 mm stainless steel model uses a quartz movement, features a black dial with tachymeter, and is water resistant to 100 meters.
Deal | Tails of Iron is a hand-drawn 2D action RPG with clear Soulslike influences, combining a dark fantasy setting with a demanding, timing-focused combat system. The critically acclaimed title is now available on Steam for the first time for around $2, thanks to a 92% discount.
McDonald’s Christmas ad, created entirely with AI, was intended to poke fun at the stress of the holiday season. Instead, many viewers described it as cold, unsettling and "soulless." The company has since removed the video, although it can still be found on other YouTube channels.
Introduction
Hi, I'm Ivan, one of the editors and the person who takes the vast majority of phone pictures here at GSMArena.com. I’ve been around for a few years now, getting an extremely privileged vantage point for overseeing the world of smartphones. And, I'm noticing some fundamental changes to our smartphone lives. Smartphones have become more nuanced than ever before.
Most of my colleagues and I choose a flagship phone as our daily driver. That choice was down to the brand and its way of doing software. There was a time when we were evenly split between the current iPhone and the...
Samsung is testing One UI 8.5 Alpha and Beta for various phones. On December 8, Samsung officially launched the Public Beta Program for the Galaxy S25 series, ahead of the official update rollout is likely to start in 2Q25.
One UI 8.5 testing isn’t just underway but also expanding its scope to even more Samsung phones. The company has already joined a number of Galaxy devices to the internal testing, regardless of the plans for the Beta rollout.
The testing is still underway, and we will see more changes and tweaks throughout the Program. Samsung may also invite even more devices like the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 as well as the S24 series, to test the software.
Devices in Public Beta
The Public Beta testing is currently limited to the Galaxy S25 series. However, the S25 Edge and S25 FE are not eligible for the Beta Program.
Galaxy S25, S25 Plus and S25 Ultra
Devices in Internet ‘Alpha’
While Public Beta has very limited availability, the internal testing has been expanded to plenty of newer and older Samsung phones.
Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7
Galaxy S25 Edge
Galaxy S24, S24 Plus and S24 Ultra
Galaxy S24 FE
Galaxy S23, S23 Plus and S23 Ultra
Galaxy A17
Galaxy A36
Galaxy A56
Apart from this, Samsung is also working on One UI 8.5 firmware for the upcoming Galaxy S26 series, A37, and A57 smartphones.
The list of devices is expected to grow.
Image – SammyFans
Samsung’s One UI 8.5 is based on Android 16 (One UI 8). It comes with a user interface redesign and applies blur across various aspects. The majority of stock apps have also received dynamic tweaks that make the UI beautiful.
Nighthold: Number 1 is a brand-new free-to-play title on Steam. Players have to survive Sandrax-66b's Rot attacks via base-building & full destruction. Positive early reviews are all for the tension in the game.
2025 has already welcomed three flagship chips, including Apple A19 Pro, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, and MediaTek Dimensity 9500. Samsung has also confirmed Exynos 2600, which would be launched early next year.
The three chips compete with each other in terms of performance and efficiency. Apple’s chip exclusively powers the iPhone, while Qualcomm and MediaTek provide AP solutions to Android smartphone makers.
Recently, X user Kurnal shared an image that shows a size comparison of Apple A19 Pro, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, and Dimensity 9500. Apple’s silicon beats both of its rivals in terms of die efficiency, being the smallest.
Chip size – Apple vs Qualcomm vs MediaTek
Apple A19 Pro – 98.69 square millimeter
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 – 126.2 square millimeter
Notably, these chips are fabricated on TSMC’s 3nm process technology. Samsung’s upcoming Exynos 2600 is manufactured using its cutting-edge 2nm node. It would surely be smaller than Qualcomm and MediaTek chips.
The image also sheds light on the chip’s components, including CPU, GPU, and NPU. Overall, it’s a pretty nice showdown of Apple’s incredible engineering. Despite being the smallest, it doesn’t compromise performance and efficiency.
Source – Kurnal / X
Apple’s latest iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are equipped with the A19 Pro chip. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 powers Android flagships such as the OnePlus 15 and is confirmed to be featured in the Galaxy S26 Ultra in early 2026.
Chinese vendors also utilize MediaTek’s Dimensity 9500 in their flagship devices. Samsung’s upcoming Exynos 2600 is slated to power Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus either in South Korea or in a handful of countries.
Samsung reportedly showcased a passport-style foldable phone design in a survey. It turns out the company is exploring a new design language for its future foldables as it prepares to expand its product portfolio in the years ahead.
Korean media revealed Samsung’s plans to bring a wide-opening foldable phone in 2026. Later, we’ve seen the GSMA database listing of the alleged device. Now, some concept images have emerged online with a new design.
Samsung showcased a passport-like foldable phone concept in a survey, SammyGuru reports. The outlet has also published a handful of images of the device, which looks a lot like the OG Pixel Fold but has no such thick bezels.
The Korean tech giant may have been pursuing consumer opinion on this new design.
The device mimics the design and dimensions of passports. Folded, it offers a pretty useful screen, which turns almost square when unfolded. It’s a major difference from the existing Galaxy Z Fold design, which doesn’t unfold such wide.
Thanks to its already wide cover screen, the phone turns into a tablet when unfolded. It’s a similar design Apple has been considering for its foldable iPhone. Samsung is seemingly preparing an additional model as an iPhone rival in 2026.
The survey just showcased images of a concept device. Users were not informed about specific details such as display size and dimensions. However, reports suggest that the cover screen could be 18:9 folded and 18:18 unfolded.
Samsung has recently released its first Galaxy TriFold phone, which has gone out of stock in minutes. The availability is currently limited to South Korea, while an expansion to some more countries will take place sequentially.
Soxai has launched the Ring 2 smart ring in Japan with a slimmer 6.7 mm design, a new Deep Sensing PPG sensor, and up to 14 days of battery life. The ring focuses on sleep tracking and health insights, with no subscription fee.
New information has been unveiled, and a new game from the Alien franchise is currently in development. And that’s not all, because several details have already been revealed, allowing us to have an idea of this future game.
Lucas Sifoni built a pocket-sized, 3D-printed Dobsonian telescope around a 76 mm mirror, and was kind enough to detail its compact mechanical design, materials, optical testing, and limits, showing it is small but genuinely functional.
Tesla is trying to boost the sales in its holiday quarter any way it can. After introducing 0% Model Y APR financing and stacking it with inventory discounts and free options, it is now readying a drastic lease price increase for Q1.
It’s the holiday season, which means that you’ll be able to find some good discounts on smartphones. If you’re looking to buy a new phone, check out the deals currently available on Amazon UK.
Most of the devices in Samsung’s Galaxy S25 lineup are available at a discount. You can save £200 at checkout when purchasing the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25 Ultra, and the Galaxy S25 Edge.
Samsung Galaxy S25
Save £200 at checkout
Read our review
12/256GB - £659 at Amazon UK
...
Samsung impressed once again with its near-monopoly performance in the Q3 2025 South Korea smartphone market. The company seized an almost-entire portion of shipments, which Apple wasn’t able to face with its slice.
According to Counterpoint Research (via Chosun), Samsung surpassed an 80% market share in South Korea for the 2nd time in a row.
The report reveals that the Korean tech giant flagged an impressive 81 percent share in the third quarter. The company’s market share has increased from 80 percent in the same quarter of the previous year.
While Samsung improved its tally YoY, it faced a 3 percent decline over the second quarter. During the April-June period, the company’s shipments were 84 percent, while the July-September period slipped to 81 percent.
On the other hand, Apple’s market share in the same period was 18 percent. The iPhone maker reported a decline of 1 percent YoY; however, it grew 2 percent QoQ.
Decisive factors
Samsung maintained its growth momentum driven by the success of the Galaxy Fold 7 and sustained demand for mid-to-low-end models like the Galaxy A36, which was released in the second quarter of this year.
Apple’s sales increased due to upgrades in the iPhone 17 series. Counterpoint analysts predict that the gap between Apple and Samsung will narrow in the fourth quarter, reflecting iPhone 17 sales released this September.
Apart from this, the report highlights Xiaomi’s efforts in South Korea. The Chinese vendor opened official stores at Guui Station and Magoknaru Station in September, but is still struggling to establish a presence in the market.
Deal | Just Ignore Them, a 2D adventure and horror game that is highly appreciated by gamers, which immerses you in a unique story, is free on Steam. And you can keep it in your library if you add it before December 15, 2025.
Terminator 2D: No Fate launches on Steam after 3 delays from September to December 12, 2025. Bitmap Bureau's pixel-art run-and-gun recreates T2 action with short, intense levels as Sarah, John, and T-800. Most reviews praise controls and the level design, but aren't big fans of the $30 price tag.
Deal | The latest Humble Bundle holiday rebundle is here — June Tunes Encore. This rebundle is loaded up with 7 games, all of which are rated Steam Deck Playable or Verified, except for Rhythm Fighter.
Casio has now released the GM-S2110-1A1 and GM-S2110-1A7 in the US at $200. The compact metal-bezel G-Shocks present the octagonal design, crosshatch dials, 200m water resistance, and core GM-S2110 features in a smaller, lighter case.
Today Apple has released both iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 for supported iPhones and iPads. iOS 26.2 brings with it an option to activate an alarm when a reminder is due, an option to change the opacity of the time on the lock screen, improved AirDrop functionality, and new features inside the Podcasts app.
It also makes Live Translation work on AirPods in the EU, and adds support for alternative app stores and third-party voice assistants in Japan.
iPadOS 26.2 continues to improve multitasking by letting you drag and drop apps from the dock, Spotlight Search, and the App Library to...
Not sure which portable power station is right for you? We’ve curated a list of the best portable power stations, which helps you to pick the best power station for any budget.
I put my Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 Aura Edition's touchscreen to the ultimate test: using it exclusively for a week. Can it really replace your traditional mouse? Find out the pros, cons, and surprising results.
SpaceX has dropped its 'Residential 100Mbps' plan from Starlink's US site. This sudden change likely stems from high demand filling up network capacity in the areas where it was available. However, the plan is still available for users in Australia and Canada.
According to new leaks, Xiaomi could be set to phase out the vanilla Poco F8 and Poco X8 models, with the Poco F8 potentially being replaced by the Poco X8 Pro Max in the company's hierarchy.
Another affordable Moto G-series smartphone has started to receive the Android 16 update. I’m referring to the Moto G67 Power, which is now receiving its first major Android update.
The Android 16 upgrade for the Moto G67 Power is tagged with the firmware version W1VN36H.60-30 and has a download size of 1.33GB, as noted by Ytechb. If the update notification hasn’t arrived yet, navigate to Settings > System updates > Check for updates to manually check for available updates.
While it is a major upgrade, you won’t notice many visual changes. However, it does bring many improvements to enhance the software experience.
After upgrading to Android 16, Motorola users should see a new Notification cooldown on their devices. This prevents users from getting annoyed when an app sends too many notifications in a short time. It basically lowers the volume of such incoming notifications. The upgrade also introduces a Flash notification feature within the Settings app, which can be configured to flash the camera or screen upon receiving calls and notifications.
The Settings app in Android 16 also introduces Custom modes, allowing users to create profiles for different activities. Additionally, the update brings Advanced protection, a suite of security features designed to protect you from various vulnerabilities and security issues. Improvements have also been made to compatibility with Bluetooth LE audio devices, Wi-Fi connection, and device stability.
No more OS upgrades beyond Android 16
While it’s good to see the Moto G67 Power getting a major upgrade just a month after its launch, it’s also disappointing that it wasn’t released with Android 16. The latest Android OS was released by Google back in June, but Motorola shipped the G67 Power with a year-old OS, that too in November, when some brands are moving towards wrapping up their Android 16 rollout.
Also, Motorola promises just one major upgrade for the Moto G67 Power. This means the device won’t receive Android OS updates beyond Android 16. However, it will continue to receive security patch updates for three years.
You can visit the Android 16 section on Gizmochina regularly to stay up-to-date with the latest news and developments. Or, if you prefer instant updates, don’t forget to join our Telegram channel.
Lenovo has just launched a high end new gaming laptop that is inspired by a popular gaming franchise. The company’s Legion Y9000P is getting a new Diablo IV makeover, bringing cutting edge hardware and a design that is made for fans of the iconic action RPG series. So let’s check it out.
Lenovo x Diablo IV Legion Y9000P: What makes it special?
What sets the new gaming laptop apart isn’t its specs and features, but the unique design. The powerful notebook has an aesthetic drawn from Diablo IV. It isn’t a simple recolor either, you get a customized Legion brand logo on the back along with a custom Lilith textured. Complimenting this is a special theme and wallpaper on the software and a custom backlit keyboard.
Lenovo Legion Y9000P Diablo IV Edition Gaming Laptop
Talking about the specs, the Legion Y9000P Diablo IV Edition features Intel’s Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 GPU. While this is a mobile GPU, it has a TDP of 175W. Meaning, you get near desktop level performance out of this gaming laptop. You also get 16GB of GDDR7 memory from this GPU. There is even a lower RTX 5070 Ti model.
You also get 32GB of RAM and 1TB of internal storage. On the front, you get a 16-inch OLED display with a 2560 x 1600p resolution and a 240Hz refresh rate. Owing to its hefty hardware, the new Lenovo Legion Y9000P Diablo IV gaming laptop starts from 16,999 Yuan (roughly 2,410 US Dollars) for the RTX 5070 Ti variant, while the RTX 5080 option costs 21,999 Yuan (roughly 3,120 US Dollars).
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Xiaomi has a new update for its wearable users in China. The company has confirmed that it is the first brand to integrate Alipay’s “Tap to Pay” feature into its smart bands, enabling easier contactless payments.
The update was shared by Zhang Lei, Vice President of Xiaomi Group’s Mobile Phone Division and General Manager of its Wearable Devices Division. According to Zhang, Xiaomi is currently the only manufacturer supporting this feature in the band category.
Xiaomi Smart Band 10 Glimmer Edition
Alipay’s Tap to Pay works much like other contactless payment systems: users can tap their smartwatch or band at a supported terminal to pay, without pulling out a phone.
However, Zhang says that enabling this feature wasn’t as simple as it might seem. According to him, each product has to go through its own research and development process, testing, and approvals from multiple parties. As a result, different devices receive support at different times.
Xiaomi wearables that support Alipay Tap to Pay
Some Xiaomi wearables already support Tap & Pay. The list includes the REDMI Watch 6, the Xiaomi Band 9 NFC / Ceramic version, and Xiaomi Band 10, including the NFC model, Ceramic version, and the Shining Gold Special Edition. For users of these devices, the feature is already live.
Other products are still in what Xiaomi calls “gray-scale” pilot testing, meaning the feature is being rolled out gradually to a limited group of users. The Xiaomi Watch S4 lineup, including the standard version, eSIM version, 41mm model, and the 15th Anniversary Edition, is currently in this testing phase. The Xiaomi Watch S4 Sport is also included. Xiaomi says full support for Alipay Tap & Go on these watches is expected to arrive in December.
Looking further ahead, Xiaomi has outlined plans for additional devices. Both the standard and eSIM versions of the REDMI Watch 5 will begin gray-scale rollout in December. Meanwhile, the Xiaomi Mi Band 9 Pro is scheduled to enter gray-scale testing much later, starting in February 2026.
HONOR is expanding the cross-device features of MagicOS, and iPhone notification sharing is now rolling out to users. The feature first appeared in the November MagicOS 10 update, which also added Face Unlock support for the Dynamic Capsule and video lock screen wallpapers.
MagicOS Product Director Kaopu Guige confirmed that iPhone notification sharing is already supported on several HONOR phones and tablets. Compatible devices include the Magic V5, V3, and Vs3 series, the Magic 8, 7, 6, and 5 series, and the HONOR 500, 400, and 300 series. It is also available on the HONOR GT, GT Pro, and MagicPad 3. More models will receive support through future system updates.
The feature is designed to sync notifications across devices. Once paired, users can view iPhone system alerts and app notifications directly on their HONOR device. This helps users who carry both devices stay updated without switching screens all the time. HONOR says the goal is to keep the experience stable and useful in daily use.
To use the feature, HONOR devices must be running MagicOS 10 or later, and the iPhone must be updated to iOS 15.6 or above. The setup process is simple. Users install the HONOR Connect app on the iPhone, create a QR code inside the app, and scan it with the Smart Connectivity option on the HONOR device. After pairing, users can choose which notifications they want to sync.
Early user feedback says the feature works smoothly, with alerts coming in on time and without changing how notifications behave on either device. HONOR says it will continue improving the feature based on user feedback and plans to add more cross-device functions to make MagicOS work better with other platforms.
Samsung is positioning the Exynos 2600 as more than the main chipset for its next flagship phones. The chip also acts as Samsung’s first large-scale showcase of its 2nm process, which the company hopes will help bring major customers back to its foundry business. After struggling to win meaningful 3nm orders, Samsung is relying on the Exynos 2600 to prove that its new node can deliver stable performance and better efficiency.
A new report from South Korea says Samsung has introduced a cooling method for the Exynos 2600 that is drawing interest from Apple and Qualcomm. Both companies have relied on TSMC for their recent mobile and desktop chips, largely because Samsung’s previous flagship chipsets faced consistent thermal and stability issues. Samsung now claims it has addressed those concerns with a packaging method called Heat Path Block technology.
The Heat Path Block design uses a copper heatsink placed directly on top of the mobile AP. To enable this layout, Samsung moved the DRAM to the side of the processor instead of stacking it above the die. This gives the heatsink direct contact with the main chip, allowing heat to move out of the package more quickly. According to the report, internal testing shows up to a 30 percent improvement in thermals compared to the previous Exynos generation.
Samsung missed most of the 3nm demand because its early process did not inspire confidence among top-tier customers. The company is now more cautious with its 2nm rollout but believes this node has a better chance at competing with TSMC. Samsung expects the Exynos 2600 to act as the first real demonstration of what its 2nm line can achieve in a consumer device.
If the Exynos 2600 delivers the thermal and performance gains that Samsung is targeting, it could help the company rebuild trust with major chip designers. That outcome would be important for Samsung as it looks to secure future 2nm orders and re-establish itself as a competitive alternative to TSMC in advanced chip manufacturing.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
ASUS has just teased the arrival of a new dual display laptop. The Zenbook Duo series is getting a new 2026 edition with a bunch of upgrades across the board, which could make it a more compelling option for those looking for a notebook with a larger screen real estate. So let’s check it out.
ASUS Zenbook Duo 2026: All the new upgrades
The Zenbook Duo OLED was the last model in the lineup. But now, we are finally getting a sequel, and it appears that ASUS has plans for a bunch of upgrades. The brand has just shared a new video trailer on X (formerly Twitter) which showcases the design elements and some of the key upgrades. ASUS showcases a stronger hinge that houses the two displays. These screens likely offer a similar 14-inch size but might get thinner bezels.
ASUS Zenbook Duo 2026
With the newer Zenbook Duo 2026 model, ASUS has also shifted to a dual cell battery setup, which could bring notable upgrades in terms of total battery life. To recall, the predecessor was powered by a sizeable 75Wh battery. The last generation of ASUS Zenbook Duo packed Intel’s Arrow Lake architecture, packing the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H processor.
So we might also be getting the Panther Lake lineup which is set to debut early next year. Looking at the video trailer, the Taiwanese tech giant plans on unveiling the Zenbook Duo 2026 model during the CES 2026 event on 6th January 2026. This is all the information we have at the moment, so stick around for more.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Vivo’s OriginOS 6 update has been rolling out for various smartphone models over the last few weeks. Just recently, the Vivo X300 series started receiving the global version of this update. Now, iQOO’s last year flagship, the iQOO 13, has finally received the major software upgrade as well. So here are all the details.
iQOO 13 receives OriginOS 6: What you should know
The Chinese brand just started rolling out OriginOS 6 for the iQOO 13. This is a massive update that carries a hefty download size of 4.05GB. It brings the Android 16 OS along with various other additions and upgrades. To improve the overall user experience, OriginOS 6 packs the new Origin Smooth Engine to help boost app launch speeds, stabilize frame rates, and much more. UI has also been enhanced with smoother system animations and improved system resource management.
iQOO 13
Apart from just visual upgrades, OriginOS 6 also made improvements to the responsiveness and added more personalization as well. The cleaner animations are coupled with new home screen and lock customization options, adaptive app folders, and even new AI features. There are a bunch of new AI powered tools like Gemini Live, Retouch Suite, and even image editing tools. Other notable features include Origin Island (inspired by Apple’s Dynamic Island), performance optimizations, and more subtle UI tweaks.
At the moment, iQOO is rolling out the iQOO 13 update in a staggered manner. So only a few units are receiving the OriginOS 6 update. This makes sense since it allows the company to catch any major software bugs, vulnerabilities, or other issues. The majority of iQOO 13 owners are expected to get the update soon after.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Google thinks the future of the web isn’t just about making it agentic; it’s also about letting your browser build things for you. That idea is now real with “Disco”, the company’s experimental new AI-powered browser that vibe-codes an app based on what you are doing online. This feature of Disco is called “GenTab,” and is powered by Gemini 3.
As you might’ve guessed, GenTab takes your tab and chat history into consideration. It analyzes your tabs, your searches, and your chat prompts to generate tools that fit what you’re doing.
Google showed off a few examples, and they’re honestly pretty impressive. If you’re researching science topics like Entropy, Disco might spin up an “Entropy Explainer” app. The official video also shows a vibe-coded bunk bed comparison site and a memory match brain game.
Google’s new AI browsers vibe codes an app based on your tabs
GenTabs sit alongside regular tabs, but they get their own Gemini-like icon instead of a favicon. One demo showed a travel planner with calendars, route maps, crowd-level predictions, and quick-action buttons like “Book Nearby Stays.” Tap anything inside that app, and the GenTab reshapes itself in real time.
Disco greets you with a homepage containing a chatbox rather than the usual address bar. That’s where the chat history comes from, although you can also paste a URL in it.
If you end up conversing, Google will first suggest you relevant webpages, and after a few conversations, it pops up a prompt to create a GenTab based on what you’re searching.
Google Disco HomePageDisco browser with Create GenTab prompt based on chat history
AI is definitely changing the way we search and consume content. And it won’t surprise me that features like GenTabs are the next evolution of it.
You don’t need to write code; you just describe what you need, refine it in plain language, and the browser does the heavy lifting. Google says Disco is meant to help people “learn faster” and experiment with what browsing could become. And yes, the company admits the best concepts from Disco might eventually show up in Chrome.
For now, Disco is an early experiment. Google Labs has opened a waitlist, and the first version is rolling out only on macOS.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Motorola is gearing up to unveil its next gen flagship smartphone soon. But while rumors predicted that the Edge 70 Ultra is on its way, a fresh leak claims otherwise. The next premium phone from the brand could be dubbed the Motorola Signature. So here’s what we know.
Motorola Signature: New flagship vision from Moto?
The news of Motorola’s shift in flagship branding arrives from known tipster Evan Blass. In response to a recent tweet related to the alleged Edge 70 Ultra renders leak, he claimed that the company’s next flagship carries the codename Urus and will be the first model in the new Motorola Signature lineup. Although, it is unclear if the branding is dedicated to a certain region or will be uniform across the globe.
Motorola Edge 70 Ultra leaked renders
Motorola devices from the Edge and Razr lineup usually have a slightly different names than their global counterparts. Furthermore, another leak from a Weibo tipster confirmed some of the high end specs of this upcoming smartphone. The Motorola Signature will reportedly sport a tall 6.7-inch flat OLED with a 1.5K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate.
Under the hood, it might be equipped with the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 SoC. For photography, the Motorola Signature is expected to feature a 50MP triple camera setup that likely consists of a main, ultra wide, and periscope telephoto shooter. Lastly, three of the color options were also revealed, including black, green, and bronze. Some of these specs are similar to the Edge 50 Ultra, which was the last Ultra model from the brand. But unfortunately, this is all the information we have at the moment, so stick around for more.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Sony’s BRAVIA 2M2 series 55-inch 4K Ultra HD Smart Google TV K-55S25BM2 comes under the mid-premium segment aimed at users who want cinematic visuals, a smooth Google TV experience, and reliable brand backing without jumping to flagship OLED pricing. It combines Sony’s image processing with a modern smart TV platform, making it suitable for mixed usage like OTT streaming, sports, and console gaming.
Specs and Pricing
The pricing for the base model with a 55-inch screen starts at around ₹57,990, with additional discounts of up to ₹7,000 off with HDFC CC No Cost EMI, and on top, of that, apply a ₹1,500 off Coupon, which will bring the effective pricing to ₹49,490.
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Sony’s BRAVIA 2M2 series is packed with premium specs. It comes with a 60 Hz display with 4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160) resolution. The TV combines a sharp 4K LED panel with the processor X1, Live Colour, 4K X-Reality PRO, MotionFlow XR 100 and HDR10/HLG support to deliver detailed, vibrant, smooth, and high dynamic range visuals ideal for movies, sports, and streaming. The device has 4 HDMI ports and 2 USB ports. And the best thing is that it supports gaming consoles too. It supports 20W Dolby Atmos with DTS Digital Surround.
The TV has all the essential smart kits in it. Like Google TV, Watchlist, Google Assistant, Google Cast, and Google Menu. And on top it also supports Apple AirPlay 2, Apple HomeKit, and Alexa. Sony provides a one-year warranty from the date of purchase.
Currently, the product is running at its lowest price. If you don’t want to miss this. Sony’s BRAVIA 2M2 series 55-inch 4K Ultra HD Smart Google TV is now available at a great deal.
The seventh round of the Realme UI 7.0 Early Access program has gone live, bringing the latest features and upgrades to six more Realme smartphones ahead of the stable rollout. The latest beta round includes devices like the Realme 13 5G, Realme 12x 5G, Narzo 70x 5G, Narzo N65 5G, Realme C65 5G, and Realme C63 5G.
The sixth wave of Realme UI 7.0 beta access is currently live in India, with no official confirmation regarding its expansion to other regions. If you have one of these eligible Realme devices and live in India, you can sign up for the beta program to access the latest features and upgrades without waiting.
How to get the Realme UI 7.0 beta update?
The Realme UI 7.0 Early Access program is already live for all six Realme phones. You can participate in the program right now, but note that Realme is only accepting a maximum of 200 applications for each of these models. Therefore, you must hurry to secure a slot, as they are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Step 1: Ensure that your device has the required firmware version
To be eligible for the beta access, your Realme device must be running on the required firmware version:
Realme 13 5G: RMX3951_15.0.0.1610
Realme 12x 5G: RMX3998_15.0.0.1610
Realme Narzo 70x 5G: RMX3998_15.0.0.1610
Realme Narzo N65 5G: RMX3997_15.0.0.1610
Realme C65 5G: RMX3997_15.0.0.1610
Realme C63 5G: RMX3950_15.0.0.1610
You can verify the software version by navigating to Settings > System & Updates > Software Update. Now that we have completed this step, let’s proceed to the beta registration part.
Step 2: Sign up for the Realme UI 7.0 Early Access program
You must enable the developer settings first. If you haven’t already, go to Settings > About device > Version > Version Number and tap the version number seven times in quick succession. This should enable developer settings.
Now, you’re ready to sign up for the beta program. Follow these steps in the same order:
Open the Settings app on your Realme phone.
Go to System & update and tap Software update.
Tap the three dots icon in the top-right corner and choose Beta program.
Tap the Early Access option and click Apply now on the next screen.
Accept terms and conditions and tap Submit.
After submitting the application, you will soon receive the Realme UI 7.0 beta update via OTA. To manually check for updates, go to Settings > System & update > Software update.
The beta rollout has already begun for these Realme devices included in the 7th wave of beta access, so the wait should not be long. Since this is a major upgrade with a hefty download size, the brand recommends keeping at least 15GB of free storage and a battery level above 60% for a smoother installation.
Be sure to check the Android 16 section on Gizmochina regularly for fresh updates. Or, if you prefer your news instant and on-the-go, hop into our Telegram channel for rapid-fire software updates and all the biggest tech headlines.
Redmi’s popular Note series of mid range smartphones is arriving in India soon. Xiaomi recently unveiled the Redmi Note 15 5G, Note 15 Pro 5G, Note 15 Pro+ 5G, Note 15 4G, and Note 15 Pro 4G in the global market. The brand just confirmed the launch of the Redmi Note 15 5G in India, and a fresh teaser has even revealed its camera and battery details. So lets check it out.
Redmi Note 15 5G teased: What to expect?
Xiaomi plans to release the Redmi Note 15 5G in the Indian market on 6th January 2026. But ahead of the official release, the device had some of its key specs revealed. The Chinese tech giant confirmed the new 108 MasterPixel camera in the previous teaser, which was showcased again. Unlike the 50MP camera in the Chinese variant, the global version has a higher resolution 108MP shooter.
Redmi Note 15 5G
The sensor will offer OIS (Optical Image Stabilization), 4K video recording, and it was even teased as a multifocal portrait legend. Apart from this, Xiaomi also claimed that the smartphone will bring a long battery life thanks to its 5,520mAh battery pack, which promises up to 1.6 days of usage and up to 5 years of total battery lifespan. The Redmi Note 15 5G supports 45W wired fast charging.
This appears quite similar to the specs of the Note 15 5G model that debuted in the European market. To recall, this model features Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 SoC under the hood, sports a tall 6.77-inch AMOLED display with an FHD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, an in-display fingerprint scanner, and an IP65 rating for water and dust resistance.
The Galaxy S26 series is at the centre of a developing supply situation that has drawn attention across the industry. A report from South Korea has revealed that Samsung is preparing for high-level discussions with Micron as it aims to secure stable mobile DRAM for its upcoming flagship. With the smartphone’s launch window nearing, rising memory prices and unsettled contracts have triggered a series of urgent developments that set the tone for what follows.
Samsung seeks emergency talks at CES 2026
TM Roh
TM Roh, who heads Samsung’s DX division, is reportedly scheduled to meet Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra on the opening day of CES 2026 in Las Vegas. Such meetings are rarely arranged during the event, but the growing strain on LPDDR5X supply appears to have made this one unavoidable.
Industry insiders say the price surge has been unusually steep. LPDDR5X 12GB modules that were trading at around 30 dollars earlier this year have reportedly jumped to nearly 70 dollars by late November, creating uncertainty in Samsung’s negotiations with both its DS division and Micro. The two suppliers have yet to finalize terms for the Galaxy S26, leaving the smartphone unit under pressure as it approaches mass production deadlines.
Several Korean reports note that memory manufacturers prefer quarterly supply agreements during price upswings rather than longer commitments. This has added another layer of difficulty for Samsung’s mobile division, which is already dealing with increased expenditure on application processors. The situation has elevated Micron’s importance in Samsung’s flagship portfolio, especially after the company supplied a large share of mobile DRAM for the Galaxy S25 series.
New DRAM technologies and internal challenges
Samsung’s DS unit is simultaneously advancing its next-generation LPDDR6 technology, expected to offer higher bandwidth and improved efficiency. Early signs suggest the company may showcase it at CES 2026, although commercial deployment could arrive later. Meanwhile, internal adoption of the Exynos 2600 remains limited, further tightening the mobile division’s budget as it negotiates memory procurement.
With the Galaxy S26 set to debut in early 2026, the outcome of TM Roh’s CES meeting may influence how smoothly Samsung can secure DRAM supply for its next flagship. While the company has declined to comment on its memory plans, the urgency around negotiations underscores the broader industry pressure caused by rising demand and limited production capacity.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
So yes, HUAWEI did it too. The Mate Pro+ series has now been renamed as Pro Max this year. Xiaomi taught us through its own sales numbers that, as long as the product is powerful enough, the name doesn’t matter. In fact, HUAWEI probably thinks the same way, which is why the Mate 80 Pro Max has become the new peak of HUAWEI smartphones. Also, this is the most impressive Pro Max I’ve ever seen. With a major redesign and a launch price lower than last year’s Mate 70 Pro+, there’s no reason the Mate 80 Pro Max would be anything less than great.
Design & Features
Let me answer the question you’re most curious about. No, this ring on the back doesn’t support magnetic accessories. Why the Mate 80 Pro Max has such a ring here it’s simply to prevent the functions of the wireless charging coil from being blocked by its metal back cover.
Compared to the Mate 70 series, the frames of the Mate 80 series have changed from round to flat. The benefit is that it looks slimmer. As for the downside, your hand will tell you.
The Mate 80 Pro Max is a phone with many holes. The three holes on the screen are nothing new; basically, the 3D facial recognition module and the front camera.
There are also five holes along the frame, including the microphone, speaker port, and SIM card slot—most of them are familiar to us. But what is this hole on the side for? HUAWEI told us that this is also one of the speakers. The difference is that it’s mainly used to cancel out the sound waves leaking during calls, to protect your privacy during phone calls.
Many of HUAWEI’s target users are outdoor explorers, so HUAWEI also designed new features for them. The Mate 80 Pro Max adds a new Expedition mode, which turns a modern smartphone into a professional outdoor tool. In addition to satellite communication and emergency messaging, it also extends battery life a lot. The map has also been optimized, automatically recording your path and allowing you to retrace your route anytime.
With IP68 and IP69 ratings, and the second-generation Kunlun Glass, treating the Mate 80 Pro Max as an ultimate rugged phone is absolutely justified.
Display
If you have the budget to buy the Mate 80 Pro Max or RS Ultimate version, your display will be upgraded from regular OLED to a Tandem one. Tandem OLED is not a new technology. The iPad Pro and HUAWEI Mate 70 RS Ultimate both use Tandem OLED.
The benefits of this panel are obvious—higher brightness, wider color gamut, and lower power consumption. Higher resolution may not be noticeable for everyone, but higher brightness is something you will definitely feel. I placed it next to several flagship phones we own, and at a glance, you can see how high the Mate 80 Pro Max’s brightness is.
Not only is it easier to read under sunlight, but it also excels at HDR content. The blinding highlights are hard to capture in video. Trust me, if you get a chance to see the Mate 80 Pro Max’s display in a store, you’ll definitely feel tempted to buy it.
The only downside of Tandem OLED is expense; however, the Mate 80 Pro Max is probably the cheapest Tandem OLED phone at launch right now. So this should be one of the strongest reasons for you to buy this phone.
Performance & Battery
The Mate 80 Pro Max uses the latest and most powerful Kirin 9030 Pro platform. Compared to the Kirin 9020, the 9030 Pro has one extra P-core, and both CPU and GPU frequencies have been improved. It’s worth noting that the four phones in the Mate 80 series have three different Kirin processor models. If you want the highest performance from a HUAWEI phone, you need to get the 16GB RAM Pro version at least.
Since the benchmarks we commonly use are all blacklisted by HUAWEI, we won’t be running benchmarks this time—the scores can’t prove the strength of a chipset anyway. So let’s jump straight to gaming performance.
Fortunately, miHoYo developed a HarmonyOS-exclusive version of Genshin Impact. This makes it one of the very few games that can fully unleash the Kirin 9030 Pro’s performance. And when you enable high-performance mode, you can disable frame interpolation.
HUAWEI also designed a new performance monitoring tool for all HarmonyOS phones: HiSmartPerf. With this, we can finally capture accurate frame rate curves from HarmonyOSI devices.
Wow, look at this perfectly straight frame rate graph—can you believe this is from a HUAWEI phone? This is the native frame rate without interpolation. I can’t believe that. It’s beautiful. Thanks to the full metal back cover, heat is evenly distributed. From this, the gaming experience seems comparable to other Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 phones.
Well, the Kirin 9030 Pro has indeed made great progress, but there is a cost—its power consumption still has room to improve. And with the battery capacity only increased by 300mAh compared to the previous generation—less than we expected—so battery life in gaming does indeed fall behind. Fortunately, under light workloads, it’s power-efficient enough to rival phones with 7000mAh batteries if you don’t play games.
Wired charging supports 100W, and wireless charging goes up to 80W. It only takes 50 minutes to fully charge in our tests. Overall, I think battery and charging performance are still satisfying.
Camera
All four camera sensors on the Mate 80 Pro Max come from SmartSens Technology. Honestly, I’m very happy with all four of them. The ultra-wide has a sufficiently wide field of view, and 2 telephoto lenses let me capture subjects far away.
There are two things to note: First, the ultra-wide camera is not compromised like in many other flagships. It uses the same sensor as the two telephotos, meaning image quality at every focal length remains excellent. Secondly, every sensor uses an RYYB filter, increasing light intake and greatly improving low-light performance. And the color shift caused by RYYB can be corrected with the second-generation color temperature sensor. Combined with the variable aperture on the main camera and SmartSens’s new HDR technology, this is the most feature-rich and balanced camera system I’ve seen. Whether it’s dynamic range, white balance, or focal coverage, I can’t find any faults.
Some phones try to use a 200MP mid-telephoto camera, rely on in-sensor zoom to cover longer focal lengths. Although in most cases, the cropped photos look similar to the Mate 80 Pro Max’s 6.2x optical zoom, this approach has two major drawbacks you might not know: One, their telephoto cameras cannot shoot macro photos. The Mate 80 Pro Max’s 4x telephoto has a minimum focusing distance of 5cm—the best macro performance we’ve ever seen on any phone, period.
Two, if you need to shoot video using the telephoto lens, the quality difference becomes huge. So, between a single large-sensor telephoto and two smaller-sensor telephotos that cover longer ranges, I’ll always choose the latter.
Speaking of video recording, the Mate 80 Pro Max has improved a lot as well. Shaking caused by stabilization has been reduced significantly. The ultra-wide sensor is also larger than that of other flagships, performing better than expected in low light.
The front camera is also from SmartSens, but with a smaller sensor. Selfie quality is average.
Conclusion
After reviewing this phone, I realized I like it more than the time I bought it. Although it looks more ordinary now, and its performance can’t compete with other Pro Max devices, HarmonyOS 6 is very smooth, and battery life is excellent if you don’t play games. The camera system is my favorite—full-range quad cameras—and it also has the brightest display I’ve ever seen.
Add long-held advantages like signals and Face ID, and you’ll understand why HUAWEI phones remain popular. Oh, and it’s also cheaper now, so for longtime HUAWEI users, this is the perfect time to upgrade.
The stable rollout of Nothing OS 4.0 began last month, starting with the Nothing Phone 3, and it quickly expanded to the Phone 2, Phone 2a, Phone 2a Plus, Phone 3a, and Phone 3a Pro towards the end of November. However, many users are still waiting for their turn to receive the Android 16 update.
In the midst of users reporting delays in the rollout, a screenshot of a chat with Nothing’s support team surfaced on Reddit, leading to further disappointment among users awaiting the update. The screenshot (see it on Reddit) suggested that the Nothing OS 4.0 rollout has been temporarily suspended due to critical bugs requiring an urgent fix.
Finally, we now have an official update from Nothing’s team on the matter (via Android Authority). Here’s the official statement:
We use a phased rollout for every major software update so we can identify potential optimisations for users, these are often related to third-party apps.
Such optimisations were identified as part of the Nothing Phone (2a) Series and were rolled out on 1 December 2025. The rollout across all devices is progressing as planned and continues gradually.
If users have questions or feedback on Nothing OS 4.0, we invite them to reach out to our Customer Service team directly.”
So, Nothing has completely denied any claims regarding the rollout suspension. Instead, the company says the rollout is progressing as planned. If you’re among those waiting for the Nothing OS 4.0 update, note that the brand employs a phased rollout for every major upgrade, which means it may take some time for the update to reach all users. You can manually check for updates by navigating to Settings > System > System updates.
We’ll continue to post fresh updates about Nothing OS 4.0 in the Nothing section. If you prefer your news instant and on the go, hop into our Telegram channel for instant notification about the latest software updates and all the biggest tech headlines.
Vivo is likely to launch the V70 series phones in early 2026. So far, we have heard about two phones of the lineup: the Vivo V70 and V70 Lite. Both have appeared in at least one certification platform to confirm their existence.
A new leak suggests that these phones will be joined by another two devices called the Vivo V70 Elite and Vivo V70 FE.
No Vivo V70e or V70 Lite 4G
Words for this come from tipster Paras Guglani on X, who claims that the 2026 Vivo V70 lineup will not include any Pro or Pro Plus models. Not much is surprising, as the predecessor lineup didn’t have them either. What’s interesting, however, is the addition of Elite and FE models, with no mention of a V70e.
For comparison, the V60 series was quite different, comprising the V60 itself, the V60 Lite 5G, the V60 Lite 4G, and the V60e.
Vivo S50
Another detail from the leak is that all V70 phones are expected to have 5G connectivity. Vivo traditionally offered Lite models in multiple connectivity options to appeal to different markets, but that may no longer be the case.
Moreover, the tipster says that not all phones will launch in the same market. The standard Vivo V70 seems destined for India, while the Lite and Elite models might launch globally. The V70 FE, meanwhile, could see a release in India, though that’s less certain.
What we know
There’s not much detail available on any V70 phone. However, rumors suggest the standard V70 could be a rebrand of Vivo S50 from China. Given that, it might feature a 1.5K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate.
The back will include a triple-camera setup, including a 50MP main sensor, an ultra-wide, and a 50MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. A 50MP selfie camera is reportedly on board as well.
Rounding out the list are a 6,500mAh battery, 90W wired charging, and an IP69 rating.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has been certified through Singapore’s IMDA, with the listing revealing connectivity details. The smartphone has cleared another certification hurdle, paving its way for launch in Southeast Asia.
According to the info, Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra supports 5G connectivity. It has all the necessary network hardware, including WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, and UWB. These specs back different features like internet and payments.
The model number SM-S948B/DS also confirms that the Asian version supports dual SIM. However, specific details about the 5G cellular capabilities, such as supported bands, haven’t been listed by IMDA on the website.
WiFi and Bluetooth are pretty much important for internet and data transfers. Modern file sharing tools leverage WiFi and Bluetooth to establish connections between devices and ensure seamless sharing of data and files.
Chips like NFC and UWB are important for digital payments and identification. Samsung Wallet makes use of these technologies to offer contactless payments through NFC and digital keys through UWB (ultra-wide band).
Via – TheTechOutlookEarlier, the device appeared on the FCC database, which confirmed a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor. It also surfaced on China’s 3C, confirming its 60W charging support and a model with satellite connectivity features.
Galaxy S26 Ultra exclusively uses the Snapdragon chip, while the other two hand some share to Exynos. Samsung has just unveiled Exynos 2600’s Heat Path Block technology, which attracted Apple and Qualcomm.
Samsung Unpacked may be held in February in San Francisco. At the event, the company will unveil Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra. Their software, the One UI 8.5, is already available for Beta testing in select countries.
Deal | Apple's top-of-the-line AirPods Pro 3 wireless in-ear earbuds have received their biggest discount ever on Amazon after a $50 price cut. The AirPods Pro 3 arrived with new heart-rate monitoring, improved active noise cancellation, live voice translation, and longer-range lost-earbud location detection.
With HDR enabled, the latest ThinkPad workstation can reach brightness levels up to three or four times brighter than most other laptops in the market.
Deal | As we discovered in our review of the keyboard, the Iqunix Magi65 Pro delivers an excellent typing experience and phenomenal battery life, making it the best low-profile mechanical keyboard we've tested so far, especially for those who prioritise typing sound and feel, and it has just dropped to a record-low price on Amazon, thanks to a new limited-time deal.
A couple of days ago, Redmi officially started its teaser campaign for the upcoming Note 15 5G, revealing that it has a 108MP main camera just like its predecessor.
Today, the brand has also revealed that the Redmi Note 15 5G comes with a 5,520 mAh battery. That capacity was already rumored, and it's good to see it confirmed. For what it's worth, it's 410 mAh larger than the Redmi Note 14 5G's.
The battery will support 45W wired charging, and Redmi claims it will last you 1.6 days of usage, whatever that means. It also promises "up to 5 years battery life", which we assume means it...
Samsung One UI 8.5 expands the application of dynamic colors to the lock screen PIN interface. This beautiful visual remamp has arrived with the first Beta update that Samsung distributed on December 8th.
Lock screen PIN interface now features dynamic colors in One UI 8.5, via SMASithick. The numeric keypad that appears for the entry of PIN now displays colorful buttons. The colors aren’t just random but derived from wallpaper.
Based on the lock screen wallpaper, the PIN screen keypad adopts gradient colors. The blur is still there to separate the keys from the background. The new color engine also covers the Emergency call button at the bottom.
The new design language is a major improvement over the blurred buttons in One UI 8. Samsung has turned the solid colored keys into dynamic ones. It offers a clean and visually pleasing appearance to the lock screen.
It’s just an initial version that can’t be considered final. Samsung might make tweaks to further refine the new design. The changes will be applied keeping in mind they shouldn’t consume a significant portion of the battery.
It’s just an example; Samsung has made tons of related changes across the UI. One UI 8.5 feels like a major design upgrade over One UI 8. It adopts Glass UI, a floating navigation bar, redesigned apps, and colorful backgrounds.
Galaxy S25 users can get it early, as the official rollout is expected in Q2 2026. Samsung launched the Beta Program in four countries (Germany, Korea, the UK, and the US), with India and Poland joining later this month.
The problem with Google Play system updates has returned on Samsung phones. Various Galaxy devices (phones and tablets) have stopped receiving new updates from Google, leaving them behind in this important aspect.
It came to light that many Samsung phones have not received new Google Play system updates for months. A handful of Galaxy models are stuck on July and August releases, which raises concerns of security and reliability.
Well, it’s not the first time we’re reporting such news. Galaxy users complained many times about the issue with the Play system updates. Even though new One UI updates are coming, Play system updates feel totally stuck.
Samsung’s Galaxy S25 series, Z Fold 7, and Z Flip 7 have September’s Play system update. A newer version is available on One UI 8.5, which is a follow-up to One UI 8. Hopefully, the stalled rollout will kick-start soon.
It’s not Samsung’s fault but Google’s.
Samsung is providing timely security updates to Galaxy devices. The company is already expanding the latest December patch. However, Google isn’t matching Samsung’s standards and keeping the Play system updates on hold.
Some Samsung devices have received September’s Play system update. It’s the latest mark on the majority of Galaxy devices, which falls significantly behind. There seems to be an internal collaborative issue, holding key updates.
Samsung and Google should work closely to find the problem, if there’s any. A collaborative work will ensure Galaxy users also get the latest Play system updates and don’t fall behind Pixel phones in this software release part.
The 8BitDo NES-inspired Retro Cube 2 speaker is now available to purchase, after being on pre-order since its announcement in October. Exclusive to the 8BitDo eShop, the speaker has support for Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, and USB-C connection modes. It also has a wireless charging dock and all-day battery life.
The Naya Connect is a new ecosystem of desktop input devices based around a low-profile mechanical keyboard and a standalone wireless module that can be used with a four different input devices, including a track ball, touch pad, rotary knob, and a 3D navigator. The Connect ecosystem and accompanying low-profile mechanical keyboard will launch on Kickstarter with a sizeable VIP discount on January 13.
Samsung has officially revealed One UI 8.5 in Beta, but it appears that many features and AI tools are reserved for the Galaxy S26 series.
On December 8, the One UI 8.5 Beta Program was officially launched, and the Stable update is set to be available in the first half of 2026. The software’s final version would pack plenty of more features and AI upgrades.
Leaker @chunvn8888 has just shed light on the fact that the current stage of One UI 8.5 lacks lots of features. Many tricks are not currently available, and Samsung may have planned to reserve them for the Galaxy S26 series.
The tipster specifically highlighted the AI-powered notification summary feature. It should have arrived with One UI 7 last year, but plans were changed.
The feature will summarize notifications for up to the last 24 hours. Samsung’s Gauss AI model reportedly powers the AI notification summary. It would function on-device to give consumers peace of mind on their data and notification privacy.
Supported languages at launch could include English, Korean, Spanish, German, French, Portuguese, Polish, simplified Chinese, Japanese, Hindi, Vietnamese, and Thai.
It will now be available in the official version with the new phones. Also, Samsung has not finalized whether the AI summarize feature will be provided to the Galaxy S25 series.
It’s just one example; there are reportedly many.
Looking back at Samsung’s strategy, the latest input makes sense. Major features and big AI tools would initially be limited to the latest flagships. It will be nothing but an attempt to present newer models superior to older ones.
Offering sandbox MMORPG gameplay, Ashes of Creation attracted curiosity since a Kickstarter campaign. However, its Steam early access launch has produced complaints about inadequate servers. Players who argue that the game’s release date was premature cite examples of censorship in their reviews.
The Lenovo Legion Y9000P gaming laptop has been updated with a Diablo IV-inspired variant, which is currently available only in China. Powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU and up to an RTX 5080 Laptop GPU, the OLED gamer is easily among the fastest available in the market.
Today Google is finally revamping Google Translate, infusing it with Gemini capabilities in order to improve translations, especially on phrases with nuanced meanings like idioms, local expressions, or slang.
This, Google says, is state-of-the-art translation quality, and you can find it in Google Search and in the Translate app on iOS and Android. The update is rolling out in the US and India today translating between English and "nearly 20 languages" including Spanish, Hindi, Chinese, Japanese, and German.
There's also a new beta experience that lets you hear real-time...
An enterprising developer has published a new free browser-based tool for splitting large 3D models into multiple parts, replete with a built-in jigsaw generator and an impressive number of quality of life features. The splitter is 100% free to use, and the dev says that it is also privacy-focussed, with all of the processing happening locally.
Apple has found itself in the crosshairs of the European Commission many times over the past few years, and now it's also being investigated by the Swiss Competition Commission (SCC).
This has to do with access to NFC on iPhones. Apple started to allow third-party access to the NFC chip last year, following an initial opening up in the EU. But if you want to use the iPhone's NFC chip, you need to enter into a commercial agreement with Apple and pay the fees it requests, and that is precisely what the SCC is investigating.
Namely, the SCC is trying to ascertain whether Apple's terms...
Google is rolling out a big upgrade for Gemini AI, Gemini 2.5 Flash Native Audio, and it’s all about making conversations feel more natural and human. The new update makes voice interactions smoother, smarter, and far less robotic.
The update comes with major improvements in how Gemini handles tasks while you’re talking. Now, the AI helps to recognize when it needs real-time information without breaking the flow of the conversation. Instead of awkward pauses or replies, you will now get a smooth response after this update.
Moreover, it also enhances instruction following. Gemini used to follow developer instructions correctly about 84% of the time, but after the update, it now reaches around 90%. This means it can better understand complex steps and give more accurate and dependable responses.
The update also makes conversations more connected and natural. Gemini can now remember earlier parts of the conversation more effectively. It helps to stay on topic even if the discussion is long.
Image via Google
Google has also added two small but helpful features for Gemini Live. First, it won’t cut you off if you pause while speaking. Second, you can mute your microphone while Gemini is talking so you don’t interrupt them by mistake.
These new improvements are already rolling out. You can experience the updated Gemini 2.5 Flash Native Audio in Gemini Live, Search Live, Google AI Studio, and Vertex AI. With this major upgrade, Google aims to make AI conversations feel more natural and user-friendly.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is known for realism, not supernatural thrills, but a surprise crossover with Netflix’s Stranger Things changes that. A free update lets players explore a faithfully recreated Hawkins, Indiana, blending grounded aviation with missions straight out of the Upside Down.
Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold went on sale in Korea today, promptly selling out despite its huge price point (around $2,400 at the current exchange rate). Speaking of huge price points, we just found out how much a replacement for the inner folding screen will cost for the TriFold.
In Korea, this repair will be priced at KRW 1,657,500 at the lowest level. That's approximately $1,122, which makes this officially the most expensive Samsung smartphone screen replacement in history, but given the type of display we're talking about here, that's not really surprising, is it?
Luckily,...
Samsung is preparing to launch three new 5G smartphones, including the Galaxy A07 5G, Galaxy M07 5G, and Galaxy F07 5G, in India. These devices have just appeared on India’s BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) website.
The Galaxy A07 5G is expected to launch either later this month or in January 2026. The BIS listing shows its model number as SM-A076B/DS. The “/DS” means the phone will support two SIM cards.
Samsung has also created support pages for this phone. This device has appeared on Bluetooth SIG, Geekbench, and Samsung’s test servers, all signs that the launch is close.
The Galaxy M07 5G and F07 5G have also been certified by BIS, with model numbers SM-M076B/DS and SM-E076B/DS. They are listed on Bluetooth SIG but have not appeared on Samsung’s test servers or Geekbench yet. This suggests that these two phones may launch slightly later than the A07 5G.
As for specifications, the Galaxy A07 5G is expected to come with 6GB of RAM, an Adreno 610 GPU, and Android 16. All three devices are likely to come with Samsung’s One UI 8. Later, they should get an update to One UI 8.5, probably around April 2026, after the Galaxy S26 series launches.
These new phones are quite attractive for users who are looking for budget-friendly devices with better features. We can expect more details on pricing, availability, and full specs for these devices soon.
Samsung has changed the name of its loyalty program in India from Smart Club to Samsung Rewards. This new name brings the program in line with what Samsung calls its loyalty program in other countries, including the US. The company informed existing Smart Club members about the change through email.
This loyalty program of Samsung allows customers to earn reward points when they buy products from the Samsung Shop app. These reward points can later be used to get discounts or make future purchases.
Previously, Smart Club offered three membership tiers based on how much customers spent- Plus, Pro, and Elite. The Plus Tier applied to those who spent between INR 15,000 and INR 75,000, earning 1.25% of their purchase value in reward points.
The Pro Tier was for customers spending INR 75,000 to INR 2,00,000, offering 1.5% rewards. The highest level, the Elite Tier, was for those who spent over INR 2,00,000 and earned 2% in reward points. Each tier provided customers with increasing rewards.
Currently, Samsung has not confirmed whether the new Samsung Rewards program will retain its original structure or introduce any changes. However, the company has confirmed that the name change will start showing from December 16, 2025.
Don’t get confused when the name changes. Samsung Smart is soon becoming Samsung Rewards on your devices in India.
Google is running a new AI-powered browser experiment called Disco, and its first trick is a feature that can turn your open tabs into interactive apps. The Gemini-3–powered prototype is available only through a waitlist, but some of the ideas could eventually find their way into Chrome.
CRKD has finally announced the Nitro Deck 2 for the Nintendo Switch 2. The controller also works with older Switch models and can be used as a wired or wireless controller for other devices.
Gamers shouldn’t expect Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic to ship anytime in the near future. With its studio recently opening, development on the single-player RPG has only just started. Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier estimates a 2030 release date, with the KOTOR remake likely surfacing first.
The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra launched in 2024 as the company's premium smartphone offering. Its successor, the Edge 70 Ultra, has now appeared in a leak revealing its key details.
In recent weeks, Comet Lemmon has been visible in the sky, and recently, an impressive photo was unveiled showing this comet and the Milky Way in the night sky. And that's not all, because it is also possible to see other stars in this image.
OnePlus is fully unveiling the 15R on December 17, and ahead of that the company has already revealed a lot of important details about it. So much so, in fact, that it now seems like it's running out of ideas.
And so, today OnePlus has officially confirmed the fact that the OnePlus 15R has the best selfie camera ever fitted into an R series phone. That is definitely not a high bar.
The 15R boasts a 32MP selfie snapper. It has twice as many megapixels as the 13R's 16MP camera. In an actually welcome development (since megapixel count by itself doesn't say much), the new camera has...
SamsungGalaxy Watch is an amazing tool for tracking health, but some users are currently facing issues with it. Some users have reported that when they pause and resume their workout, the GPS and distance tracking functions don’t function properly.
Samsung Health app’s auto-pause feature is causing this Galaxy Watch issue. When you stop moving, this function pauses your workout, and when you start up again, it resumes. However, in some cases, after resuming your workout, your GPS location stops updating, and your workout distance doesn’t increase. This makes your workout data inaccurate.
Fortunately, Samsung has acknowledged the issue and explained that GPS and distance issues may arise when the auto pause functionality malfunctions. The community moderator also said that a software update is currently under development to resolve this problem.
Notably, this issue has been reported by many users, especially on models including Galaxy Watch 4, Galaxy Watch 5, Galaxy Watch 6, and Galaxy Watch 7 series. However, you can temporarily resolve the issue by disabling the Samsung Health app’s auto-pause function.
To do that, simply launch the Samsung Health app on your Galaxy Watch. Now, select the kind of activity you’re doing >> swipe right on the exercise screen to access the options >> on the exercise screen, swipe right to open the settings >> in the settings, turn off the auto-pause feature. Your workout will continue tracking your distance and location without interruptions if you disable it.
Samsung advises updating the software on your Galaxy Watch to the most recent version. You can do this through the Galaxy Wearable app on your phone. Simply navigate to Watch Settings, choose Watch Software Update, and then click Download and Install.
A PC components retailer, PrimeABGB, has listed the upcoming Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus and the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus desktop CPUs on its website. The listings appear to confirm many of the tidbits floating around on the internet, although their authenticity cannot be verified just yet.
John Romero has revealed that his cancelled, big-budget Microsoft-backed FPS has been reborn as a smaller-scale indie shooter that repurposes about $50 million worth of prior work into a radically redesigned single-player project. Now free of AAA constraints, Romero claims the game’s experimental mechanics aim to deliver a fresh experience he likens, in terms of innovation rather than genre, to the transformative impact of Elden Ring.
Deal | The GMKtec Evo-X1 gaming mini PC is back at its record-low price on Amazon, featuring the powerful 12-core AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 "Strix Point" APU paired with 32 GB of LPDDR5X-7500 memory and OCuLink support. Our review reveals that the performance on offer is excellent, although the soldered memory is a cause for concern.
Australia has become the first country to impose a nationwide ban on social media use for under‑16s across ten major platforms, with companies facing multimillion‑dollar fines if they fail to take “reasonable steps” to block underage users. Framed as a historic child‑safety and mental health reform, the move has drawn global scrutiny for its broad reach, selective targeting of platforms, and potential cultural impact on how young people spend their time online and offline.
While the Samsung Galaxy S26 may not be getting new camera hardware, the Galaxy S27 series could arrive with a major upgrade. A new report from South Korea suggests that Samsung is reportedly working on an all-new smartphone camera sensor with global shutter capabilities, which could arrive with its next-generation flagship smartphones. The report does not specify the exact device, but it seems like it will be present on the Galaxy S27 series.
Global shutter sensors differ from the more common rolling shutters by capturing all pixels at once without warping or distortion. This makes...
ZTE has introduced a new tablet in Europe, specifically in the Polish market for now - but it might spread to other countries as well soon. Meet the ZTE Pad X1102N.
It comes with an 11-inch 1920x1200 LCD touchscreen with a 90Hz refresh rate, a 13 MP rear camera, a 5 MP front camera, and a 7,670 mAh battery with support for 21W wired charging. That battery size is anything but impressive today when mainstream smartphones regularly push above that capacity.
Anyway, the Pad X1102N is powered by the Unisoc T8100 SoC, paired with 6GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. It has 5G support, four...
Chen Yanshun, the chairman of BOE, will visitSamsung Electronics next week to have important discussions about supplying screens for Samsung’s TVs and smartphones. The main aim of his visit is to talk about how BOE can provide more LCDs for TVs and OLEDs for smartphones.
During the visit, Chen is expected to meet with top Samsung executives, including Yong Seok-woo, who heads Samsung’s TV business, and Noh Tae-moon, who oversees the mobile and TV divisions. A big topic will be getting BOE back into Samsung’s TV supply chain.
In the past, BOE used to supply Samsung with 10 million LCD TVs every year. But that number dropped to only 1 million last year due to issues between the companies.
BOE specializes in making LCDs with IPS technology, which are known for better viewing angles. Samsung had previously relied on LG Display for these panels, but now buys many from CSOT, a Chinese company. BOE wants to reduce Samsung’s reliance on CSOT and increase its own share of the business.
Also, BOE hopes to supply more OLED screens for Samsung’s smartphones and smartwatches. Although OLED screens are a small part of BOE’s business, they are an important area for improving its relationship with Samsung.
The visit could also include discussions about the recent settlement of a patent dispute between BOE and Samsung Display. After the settlement, both companies are expected to sign agreements for using each other’s technology. Stay tuned for more information.
Even as console and Game Pass prices rise, new first-party Xbox games remain at $70 or less. In a Variety interview, a Microsoft executive explains why the company has avoided higher software prices. Xbox is exploring other ways to profit from game sales after purchases.
Framework has made a couple of announcements pertaining to the pricing and return policy associated with their DDR5 memory modules. DRAM modules have experienced unprecedented demand in recent quarters, resulting in massive price hikes trickling down to consumers.
Following the success of the Mangmi Air X, Mangmi has teased its next gaming handheld. Called the Pocket Max, the upcoming handheld is billed to be more powerful than the Air X.
The developers of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 believe they were robbed at The Game Awards 2025 and didn't hesitate to make it known. But this did not please some users.
Importers have started selling the Galaxy Z TriFold globally. Available for over $4,000, Samsung's first tri-foldable builds on the Galaxy Z Fold7 with a 10-inch foldable display, a 5,600 mAh battery and built-in Samsung DeX mode.
The release of Casio’s Edifice ECB-2300HR-1A Honda collab has reportedly shifted from late 2025 to March 2026. The limited-edition model has an RA272-inspired design and $530 price tag.
IKEA has released a series of new wireless chargers in countries like the US, Italy and Germany. These accessories are a donut-shaped charger, a cork charging stand and a glass bowl with integrated lighting and a charging puck. All three models are Qi2 certified and support a couple of fast charging protocols.
The Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold, announced last week, went on sale in South Korea today. It's priced at KRW3,590,400, which translates to $2,428 at current exchange rates. Despite its hefty price tag and being a first-gen product, the Galaxy Z TriFold sold out in minutes at all locations where it was available. There were long queues of people waiting outside some Samsung stores in Korea for the tri-folding smartphone.
Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold drew long queues of people at Samsung stores in South Korea as it went on sale today
Samsung didn't reveal how many units of the Galaxy Z...
Samsung has made it even easier for Galaxy phone users with its new feature in Samsung Wallet. The company has added a Climate Companion Card, which is a digital pass that lets users take public transport as much as they want for a set period, after paying a one-time fee.
Back in 2024, the Seoul Metropolitan Government introduced the Climate Companion Card to promote the use of public transportation and improve the overall transport system. With Samsung Wallet, users can now manage their cards on their phones without a physical card.
Samsung Wallet also now supports other popular transportation cards like T-money and Eazle. If you have a phone with an eSIM, you can still use these cards, which makes the service available to even more users.
Aside from this, Samsung is also offering the same service on Galaxy Watches. By installing the Samsung Wallet Transportation Card app on your watch, you can use public transport without needing your phone at all.
In addition to the new Climate Companion Card, Samsung Wallet also includes the K-Pass program. This gives users a refund if they use public transport more than 15 times a month. With these new features, Samsung Wallet aims to offer more flexibility and convenience.
Samsung has pushed a new update for the Galaxy Tab S10 series, which installs the December 2025 security patch. The update is currently live for users in South Korea, and the company will soon expand it to more countries.
December 2025 security update for Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 comes with the firmware version X820XXS5CYK1 (spotted via @ya_sking12767) and an installation package size of around 400MB. This update improves the security of your device by fixing important security issues.
The latest security patch fixes 57 different security issues, including 6 critical and 51 high-level security issues. The update also includes 11 fixes from Samsung for One UI, which make Galaxy devices even safer to use.
Image via @ya_sking12767
The update is crucial as it keeps your tablet safe and ensures that you’re getting the latest security fixes. Also, this update makes the Galaxy Tab S10 ready for future updates. This device will also receive One UI 8.5, which is currently in the Beta phase. The stable version will be released with the Galaxy S26 series next year.
If you have a Galaxy Tab S10, you can check for the update by going to Settings >> Software update >> Download and install. Once the update is available in your region, you’ll be able to easily download and install it on your device.
Garmin has moved many of its older mid-range smartwatches onto a new software revision. Rolling out globally on its Beta Program, the new update introduces several improvements, including one relating to swimming actvities.
A new Avengers: Doomsday leak claims trailer 1 is encoded and attached to the upcoming movie Avatar: Fire and Ash, which would validate months of plot and mega‑cast rumors. However, this still sits in unconfirmed, rumor‑only territory.
Various leaks have confirmed that DJI is working towards releasing a new drone series globally. Initially, the company will release the Lito 1 and Lito X1, with the latter rumoured to be a re-branded SkyRover S1.
Deal | The action MMORPG Black Desert is currently free on Steam. Players who add the game to their library by December 18 can keep it permanently, gaining free access to one of the most expansive sandbox MMOs in recent years.
Decathlon is recalling some of its e-bikes after an issue with the motor was discovered. The product recall lists 14 affected SKUs, sold for eight months of 2025. In the announcement, the company advised affected users to stop using their electric bicycles immediately and laid out the next steps for these customers.
The Game Awards 2025 delivered a mix of milestones and major announcements. While Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 set a new awards record, the more than three-hour livestream also featured the reveal of 22 new games and DLCs.
Asus has confirmed that it will be bringing a new Zenbook Duo laptop to CES 2026 next month in Las Vegas. In the meantime, the company has teased several upgrades over the current model, including an improved hinge, a redesigned keyboard accessory and a switch to dual batteries.
The new hybrid sedan carries one of the most frugal gas engines out there and managed to ace the Guinness World Record for fuel efficiency. Nissan and Nvidia have also invested in a self-driving company that they say can challenge Tesla's FSD.
WoW: Midnight launched into Early Access with housing – and players quickly embraced the system for its creative freedom. One standout example comes from a Reddit user who recreated SpongeBob SquarePants’ iconic pineapple house in impressive detail.
The Huawei Watch Ultimate Design Royal Gold Edition will be released in various markets worldwide. This smartwatch was recently launched in China a few weeks ago, with the global rollout confirmed at a recent event. The model is made with premium materials like titanium, zirconium liquid metal, sapphire glass and 18K and 24K gold.
The OnePlus 13s made its debut earlier this year as a compact performance-focused flagship. A new leak has now emerged regarding its successor, the OnePlus 15s, revealing its early details.
A leak has shared a first look at TrimUI's next handheld release. A return to vertical handhelds, the new TrimUI Brick is said to surpass the current model with at least two key upgrades.
It looks as though Canon will soon launch a new camera based on the design of the AE-1 as a new mirrorless camera based on the EOS R6 Mark III's full-frame sensor and a cut-back video-centric feature set. The RE-1 will supposedly launch sometime in 2026, and a recent spec sheet leak suggests that the new camera will be a video-centric model with a surprisingly affordable price point.
The 8BitDo 64 Bluetooth Controller is now available in 8 additional colors, bringing the total color options to 11. These limited edition colors cost a little more than the standard black and white variants announced earlier, but offer the same features.
The vivo S50 series is set to debut in China in the coming days. Ahead of the launch, the S50 has appeared on the China Telecom website, revealing its complete specifications.
For starters, the vivo S50 will be powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, which will be paired with up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.
The phone will come with a 6.59-inch AMOLED display that will offer a resolution of 2750 x 1260 pixels. It will boot Android 16-based OriginOS 16.
As per the listing, the vivo S50 will pack a 6,500mAh battery. In terms of cameras, the phone will get a 50MP primary,...
Honor was expected to launch its GT 2 series gaming phones soon, but there seems to be a slight change of plans. According to a well-known tipster Digital Chat Station, the Honor GT series will actually be called the Honor Win series.
The change is already reflected in a JD.com listing, and we now have our first set of renders for the upcoming Honor Win.
Honor Win listing on JD.com
The device will be available in black, blue and cyan colors and features a large camera island housing three sensors and what appears to be an active cooling fan. We can also spot the Win series...
Samsung will launch the Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra next year. The three phones will bring a new chipset and notable improvements over their predecessors. Meanwhile, a reputed source shared 7 reasons why Samsung fans should skip the Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus and go straight for the Galaxy S26 Ultra in 2026.
PhoneArt, the well-known tipster who goes by @UniverseIce on X, has been tracking Samsung’s 2026 plans for months. The gap between the standard and Plus models and the Ultra is expected to be wider than ever in 2026.
His latest post lays out seven clear reasons why most Samsung buyers should pass on the regular Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus and wait for the Galaxy S26 Ultra instead.
1. Galaxy AI features
Several new AI capabilities that will debut with the S26 series will only run on the Ultra at launch. Even the current S25 Ultra may have to wait three to six months for the same features through software updates.
2. Faster charging
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is set to support 60W wired and 25W Qi2 wireless charging. The standard S26 and S26 Plus will stay at the older rates. For anyone who charges multiple times a day, the difference will be noticeable.
Source – Samsung
3. Private Screen
Samsung is preparing an intelligent privacy screen that darkens the display for anyone looking from the side. The feature works automatically and adjusts in real time. Early leaks show it will appear only on the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
4. Better main camera
Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to move to a larger sensor with an f/1.4 aperture on the main camera. It will improve low-light performance and background separation in portraits. The telephoto lenses should also gain a new AI sharpening algorithm
5. APV video
Samsung plans to introduce a new video codec called APV. Like most camera upgrades, it will launch first on the Galaxy S26 series. Non-Ultra models may also support it, but the full-fledged experience will be available on Ultra.
6. Wider front camera
The S26 Ultra selfie camera is rumored to have a noticeably wider field of view. The display cutout could be a little bigger than the S25 Ultra. It would help the device compete with the iPhone 17’s new selfie camera upgrade.
7. Software perks
Several additional software features are in development and could remain exclusive to the Ultra for at least the first year. The list may include DeX enhancements, advanced S Pen features, and certain pro-grade camera modes.
The Epic Games Store has just started giving away a triple-A title for PC gamers. Now, a possible leak has detailed the storefront's free game plans throughout the festive season, with another 15 games rumoured for a total worth of almost $300 at current prices.
Corsair is giving Fallout fans the chance to deck out their gaming desks in Nuka Cola design with its latest limited-edition hardware collection, featuring a keyboard, keycaps, a desk mat, a headset, a microphone and a Stream Deck – all adorned with Nuka Cola branding.
The new Casio G-Shock GBD-200 watches are now being sold at the brand’s online store in the UK. Already available in other markets worldwide, the GBD-200-1A1 and the GBD-200-7 can be used to track your workouts. Plus, these are the first watches in this G-Squad series to feature positive MIP displays.
IKEA has released another new smart home sensor at its online store in the US. Already available in Europe, the Timmerflotte is designed to take temperature and humidity measurements. It can be connected to the brand’s Dirigera hub, and support for the Matter protocol means it can integrate with third-party systems.
The Casio G-Shock DW-5600RGM-1 and DW-6900RGM-5 watches have been listed at the Casio online store in the UK. Expected to be released in this market in the near future, the two models are also set for a wider launch in Europe. They offer features like a stopwatch and an alarm, with a design inspired by the Japanese art of origami.
Inotia 4, a 2012 mobile RPG from Com2uS, launches free on Steam as a ported action title with party-based combat, 400 maps and class recruitment in a light-dark fantasy tale. The pixel art should appeal to JRPG fans.
Samsung has developed a sensor that uses a modified pixel structure and optical flow algorithms to achieve global shutter-level clarity. This technology embeds converters directly within the pixels to speed up capture times and could introduce distortion-free action photography to upcoming Galaxy models.
AMD seemingly dominated the consumer desktop CPU market on Amazon US in November 2025. The top three revenue-generating CPUs were the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D, and the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. The Core Ultra 9 285K brought in the most cash for Intel, but the revenue was far less than the Ryzen CPUs.
Today, we have with us the OnePlus 15R, the sidekick to the flagship OnePlus 15 launched last month. This model follows the formula set by the previous R-series models, which is to be the halfway point between the flagship and the mid-range devices. For the time being, we can showcase the design of the device and talk about some of its specs, but the rest of the discussion will have to wait for the full review once the phone is officially launched.
OnePlus sent the phone in a special media kit that came in this giant black box and included the phone, two of its magnetic charging...
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is rumored to debut at the end of January 2026. It is expected to offer similar battery capacity as the S25 Ultra, but may support faster charging. A new listing on the 3C certification website has now confirmed the phone’s charging speed.
A Samsung smartphone with the model number SM-S9480 has been listed on the China 3C certification website. The listing reveals that the device will support up to 60W fast charging.
This is particularly interesting because Samsung just launched a 60W power adapter, which is already available for purchase.
The listing...
Samsung Voice Recorder app also has a new UI as part of the One UI 8.5 update. On December 8th, Samsung launched the Beta Program for the Galaxy S25 series and rolled out the first Beta in four countries globally.
Earlier, we’ve seen stock apps like Clock and Calculator with a major redesign. Now, the Samsung Voice Recorder app has been leaked with its updated UI that will be present in the One UI 8.5.
The app’s installable file is also available for download, via ThatDev. As per users, it is working on select Galaxy phones with One UI 8 as well, but the functionality may be imperfect.
One UI 8.5 brings a radical overhaul to the Samsung Voice Recorder, via NingSP. The changes span across the home screen, settings menu, and recordings page, as well as the playback page.
Now, the Voice Recorder app’s home page displays recordings as a card. The new appearance replaces the legacy list view, and the arrangement is by year or the recording saved.
Samsung has brought a major visual upgrade to the recording and playback pages. The new design looks way more appealing thanks to the adoption of a shade of Red and a waveform in the middle.
Image source – @Feruzbek_101 and @mrsevensp
This visually rich Recorder app will significantly elevate your Galaxy experience. It’s far more beautiful than the previous versions and makes voice recording and listening visually dynamic.
It will be available in One UI 8.5, but you can also install the app manually. You need to disable Auto Blocker for a while to let your phone’s OS install apps outside of the Play Store and Galaxy Store.
One UI 8.5 Voice Recorder – Download Link (Via – That Dev)
It’s December 12, and the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold went on its first sale in South Korea. Stocks were wiped out in minutes, but the first buyer of the Galaxy Z TriFold smartphone proved it again: Samsung fans are built different.
Yoolim Lee, a Bloomberg reporter in South Korea, shared the news on her X handle. Yoolim shared a picture of the first Galaxy Z TriFold owner and shared a brief background.
While the name is unknown, the first TriFold buyer is a 42-year-old freelancer by profession. He has reportedly spent around a day (24 hours) in chilling cold weather to make history by becoming the first owner.
The joy is clearly visible on his face, rocking the retail box of the Galaxy Z TriFold. The crowd standing there was also happy to see the happiness of the first shopper. Some of them were also caught capturing the moment.
For many, it sounds like news, but true Samsung fans can feel the inner peace the same way the first buyer of the Galaxy Z TriFold did.
Samsung has started working on One UI 8.5 for Galaxy S23 Ultra, which was confirmed through the software server’s listing. The update will bring plenty of new features to the device, and the first hands-on video has just arrived.
Folks over at SamMobile gained access to internal One UI 8.5 and installed the firmware on their Galaxy S23 Ultra. The outlet has come up with a video, revealing the first-ever hands-on look at the device with future software.
The video highlights several new features and some anticipated ones that are not included.
New features
Galaxy S23 series will gain access to various new features as part of the One UI 8.5 update. The software carries a customizable Quick Panel, stock apps with modern design, and a recreated Settings menu.
Samsung has enhanced the appearance of key aspects, including DeX and Camera. Camera Assistant’s “save to external storage” feature has been moved to camera settings. The Pro (Photo) and Pro Video modes bring a clean interface.
Interestingly, Single Take is supported, which dropped in the first public Beta build.
One UI 8.5 also brings a redesigned menu with a cleaner look. The UI no longer has subheadings, and the search icon has been relocated to the bottom. The updated Battery and Device Care page is also present on the S23 Ultra.
Samsung offers the new Photo Assist with a history function, letting users revert to previous edits. Since the build is unfinished, tools like editing with text prompts and image clips, and a Call Assistant feature aren’t working.
Missing features
Samsung has yet to deliver some key features to the Galaxy S23 series through One UI 8.5, such as Log Video in Camera, Health Assist, and Now Brief in Galaxy AI, Audio Eraser in Gallery, and AI-powered Weather features.
I find the idea of self-hosting fascinating. I read about it regularly, and as someone who reviews PC hardware, I’m practically surrounded by ideal conditions—and gear—to finally get started. I’ve even tested devices that would be perfect for it. Yet despite thinking about it constantly, I still haven’t fully committed. Why?
Another Amazfit smartwatch update, version 3.35.0.5, is reportedly rolling out to users of the Balance 2. This update brings two new workout modes, as well as additional tools linkeed to BioCharge energy monitoring. Plus, there are improvements for other features like Weather and the Outdoor Run activity.
The Apple HomePad hub appears to have leaked again. Information about the smart home device’s integrated camera and ARM chip was recently spotted in official Apple code linked to iOS 26. Plus, the same report suggests that a second smart product could also be found in this source.
After winning numerous awards at The Game Awards 2025, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 offers new free content for players around the world. And while it remains a mystery, it will be available starting tonight.
Timex and Bespoke Post have restocked their limited-edition 36mm field watch, a quartz reissue of a 1970s Viscount design. Featuring stainless steel case, domed acrylic crystal, 50m WR, and olive Cordura strap. It first launched in April 2025 at $150-159, now $199.
After the success of the M4 Snap-On mobile controller, Abxylute is once again turning to Kickstarter for backing for two new controllers. The campaign for the Abxylute N6 and Abxylute N9 Nintendo Switch 2 controllers is expected to go live later in December.
New rumours indicate that Apple is preparing to deliver significant changes to the HomePod mini and AirTag with their next releases. While the next HomePod mini is expected to jump multiple chipset generations, the AirTag 2 could have even more improvements up its sleeve.
The Realme Narzo 90 series is set to launch in India on December 16. Ahead of the debut, the company has already teased several key specifications. Now, a tipster has leaked the complete specs and India pricing for both the Narzo 90X and Narzo 90.
As per the tipster, the Narzo 90 will be powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6400 Max SoC, paired with up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB UFS 2.2 storage. It will sport a 6.8-inch AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 120Hz and 1,400-nit HBM (High-brightness mode).
The phone is said to feature a 50MP primary rear camera accompanied by a 2MP...
Pioneers of Pagonia is a fantasy logistics-focused city builder from Settlers' creator Volker Wertich, now out of early access on Steam with a 30% launch discount. It’s a low‑stress settlement game about building supply chains, and reconnecting island tribes plus optional combat.
Deal | Two more free games have been unlocked on Amazon Luna. These are among the 14 freebies set to be available throughout December 2025, and the two newly added titles are worth $11.98 when they are not on sale.
If you’re shopping for your next Android flagship, you’ll quickly narrow it down to two heavyweights: the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL or the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. The Pixel offers a clean, stock Android experience and benefits from Google’s camera-first tuning. The Galaxy, meanwhile, brings veteran polish: a feature-rich One UI, full S Pen support, and an all-around balanced package.
Pixel remains a top choice for photographers and fans of pixel-perfect Android. Galaxy S25 Ultra argues its case as the do-everything flagship — ideal if you want power, versatility, and productivity in one...
The OnePlus 15R is coming on December 17, and the brand previously revealed the designs of its Charcoal Black and Mint Green versions. Now, OnePlus has announced a third version, the OnePlus 15R Ace Edition, which will come in Electric Violet color.
OnePlus says the OnePlus 15R Ace Edition is "perfect for those who wish to declare themselves the ultimate Ace gamer," and it features a fiberglass back cover with a coating that imprints the word "Ace."
However, the differences between the OnePlus 15R Ace Edition and the Charcoal Black and Mint Green versions are only cosmetic since...
A leaked Samsung Securities roadmap teases massive AI upgrades in 2027. The company has plenty of hardware upgrades and innovations in its pipeline. 2027 is going to be a year that will welcome grand inventions for Samsung fans.
Here’s what to expect in 2027:
Agent AI integration
The analysis suggests 2027 will be the year of splendid AI upgrades from Samsung. Mobile devices are slated to introduce enhanced real-time AI responsiveness.
Samsung is prepping to launch Ambient AI with the Galaxy S26 series. The following year, bringing the S27 series, will likely bring even more advancements.
Solid-state battery
Samsung also plans to commercialize a solid-state battery for mobile devices. The company would first use the new battery tech in wearable devices. After successful utilization and assessment, it would expand to phones.
Smart glasses
Smart Glasses would also see upgrades in 2027. Samsung and Google are also working on smart glasses with a display. Meanwhile, the roadmap mentions glasses from Meta and the second-generation Apple Vision Pro.
New mobile DRAM
Samsung may release the next-gen DRAM, LPDDR6, in the second half of next year. This technology is expected to be used in the Galaxy S27 series smartphones.
Beyond that, Samsung has expanded plans for mobile DRAM in 2027. However, the technologies coming in 2027 wouldn’t be seen in consumer devices soon. New solutions include:
LPW – Low-Power Wide I/O DRAM or Mobile HBM
VCS – Visual Computing System
FC-SIP – Flip Chip System-in-Package
Apart from this, Samsung revealed that Tesla Optimus could finally enter factories, marking the first commercialization in the second half of next year. Snapdragon X Gen 2 chip could also see upgrades in its Oryon chips.
Galaxy S26 is coming in the first half of next year and focuses on a personal-data AI search service. Mobile chiplet could arrive in 2028 or 2029 along with LBS Display, while the high-res uLED lands sometime in 2026.
A leaker has revealed some key details about Nothing's next-gen mid-range smartphones. The devices are expected to launch as the Nothing Phone (4a) and Nothing Phone (4a) Pro. The source also provided details of a new pair of Nothing headphones.
Higround has announced a new line of gaming hardware in collaboration with Sega. The retro-inspired mechanical keyboards come with classic Sonic themes.
Motorola's Edge 70 line won't be complete until the company launches the Edge 70 Ultra, which leaked in the image you can see below earlier this month. It was already clear that it would be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 SoC thanks to an earlier Geekbench run, and today some more details have been outed by a tipster over on Weibo.
According to him, the Edge 70 Ultra will have a 6.7-inch flat OLED screen with "1.5K" resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. The phone will be offered in three colors: black, green, and copper.
On the rear it will have three 50MP cameras, including a...
Samsung could soon launch a breakthrough in smartphone camera technology. Future Galaxy phones may be equipped with an advanced Samsung camera sensor with a global shutter, replacing the legacy solution.
According to SisaJournal (via Jukan), Samsung has developed global shutter camera technology for future Galaxy phones. The new solution is slated to be utilized in place of the conventional rolling shutter sensor tech.
The report claims that the company is focusing on the development of a global shutter-level image sensor. The target is to utilize the next-gen image sensor shutter technology in the future flagship smartphones.
Global shutter camera
The new sensor features a new pixel structure and algorithm tech based on rolling shutter hardware. Thanks to the mix and match of new and mature solutions, the sensor has become advantageous for high-res implementation.
Samsung applied a new pixel structure to a 1.5µm pixel pitch with a 12MP-class lens and managed to realize global shutter-level shooting features.
The company has designed a new analysis engine that features an Analog-to-Digital Converter included in the Pixel Level ADC. This would have taken the pixel size to 3µm, double the basic size used in smartphones.
Samsung kept the actual physical pixel at 1.5µm size but made it into a ‘2×2’ bundle form so that a 3µm pixel unit could be used as the basic unit digitally.
A Samsung Electronics official familiar with the related technology said, “It is a structure where 4 pixels share one ADC; in this case, only the part corresponding to 2×2 operates sequentially like a rolling shutter, and the rest can operate as a global shutter.”
What next?
Smartphone cameras require higher resolution, making the global shutters difficult to use. However, the new shutter mechanism has plenty of advantages, including the ability to accurately capture fast-moving subjects.
Apple also reportedly wants a global shutter to be used in its future iPhone camera. The iPhone maker is also pushing Samsung to innovate the tech. Samsung seems to have achieved a satisfactory level of implementation.
Rolling shutter cameras usually fail in accurately capturing moving objects. However, the global shutter sensor can capture fast movements. It captures the entire frame at once, and it captures high-speed subjects like a still screen.
The development has reportedly been completed, but refinements would still be made. The company will explore ways to further optimize the new camera before commercializing it with the future Galaxy S series phones.
The official continued, “However, since rolling shutter operation is included, there is slight image distortion, so it cannot be seen as a perfect global shutter,” adding, “We extracted optical flow (brightness change of each pixel within the image when the camera or subject moves) from this and performed motion compensation. By applying that including the algorithm, a high-resolution image sensor with global shutter characteristics became possible even at a very small pixel pitch.”
Samsung plans to officially present specific details early next year.
Note: The original post from Korea’s SisaJournal has been removed.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has just appeared on 3C database with 60W charging and satellite support. 3C listing surfaces shortly after the US FCC listed Samsung’s upcoming flagship with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset.
According to 3C listing, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra supports 60W wired charging, and one variant features satellite connectivity. That said, the phone’s Chinese variant will be equipped with built-in satellite features.
60W charging
Recently, Samsung listed a new charging adapter on its Levant website. The charger features 60W power output, compatible with the S26 Ultra. It doesn’t require a specific 5A cable to deliver the full charging speed at 60W.
It’s said that the S26 Ultra will charge from 0 to 80 percent within 30 minutes. The upgrade from 45W to 60W is huge and paves the way for more upcoming models. Samsung has also surpassed the 5,000mAh battery barrier recently.
Satellite-ready variant
3C confirms the Chinese S26 Ultra brings satellite connectivity support. Samsung may have partnered with local vendors to offer this feature. It was necessary in China to have a satellite due to the steep competition in the market.
It remains to be seen whether the Global and US versions feature satellite compatibility. Residents in the US don’t have to worry as network carriers offering satellite features through their subscription plans stateside.
Samsung reportedly begins Galaxy S26 Ultra production this month. The base and Plus models have been pushed to early next year. These versions have reportedly faced sudden revisions during the spec finalization.
The upcoming Poco X8 Pro has now been certified ahead of its debut. The mid-range phone will be based on the imminent Redmi Turbo 5, and new leaks have now revealed its salient details as launch nears.
The Lord of Hatred expansion for Diablo 4 is off to a rough start. Multiple users across numerous platforms are unable to buy it across most platforms.
Researchers studying the pieces of asteroid Bennu have discovered three ground-breaking things inside the samples — sugar, a mysterious gum-like object, and a huge amount of dust. These findings could tell us more about the early solar system and the origin of life.
The latest model ships with a 140 W USB-C AC adapter instead of the 170 W adapter that shipped with last year's model. Fortunately, performance has not been negatively affected.
Just as Xiaomi is rumored to be getting into the tracker business, Apple is working on upgrading its AirTag. The new AirTag was apparently supposed to come out this year, but was quietly pushed to the first half of 2026.
When it arrives, it will bring with it an improved pairing process, enhanced Precision Finding, and detailed battery level reporting. Additionally, it will have a feature called Improved Moving, which will likely let you see its precise location even when it's moving around. And there's another feature that's focused on improving the tracking accuracy in crowded...
Motorola made the Moto G (2026) official in early November, and today the phone has become available in the US and Canada via Motorola's own online store.
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You can grab one for $199.99 in the US and CAD 299.99 in Canada. The US has both the Pantone Slipstream and Pantone Cattleya Orchid colorways, while Canada for some reason only gets the former.
Moto G (2026) in Pantone Slipstream (left) and Pantone Cattleya Orchid (right)
The phone comes with 128GB of storage. It boasts a 6.7-inch 720x1604 LCD touchscreen with 120Hz refresh rate and 1,000-nit...
Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold sold out in South Korea. The company started its first sale on December 12 in its home ground, and the first multi-fold device has gone out of stock.
Earlier this month, Samsung launched the Galaxy Z TriFold smartphone. The company confirmed the device will go on sale in South Korea, starting December 12. It will be available in more markets, including the US, sequentially.
Minutes after the first sale started, Samsung’s first stock of TriFold was wiped out. Koreans didn’t wait much and purchased the entire volume that the company had. Now, the next sale will begin in the coming days or weeks with more units.
Samsung’s shop website has put a notice on the Z TriFold page, thanking buyers for their support. It also notifies that the product is out of stock. Interested buyers can sign up for a restock notification for an alert when the product goes on its next sale.
Image – Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold sold out in South Korea
Like China, South Korea is a favorable country for foldable phones. Samsung itself is a Korean brand and holds a strong command in the market. The outcome is visible as such an expensive product at the initial stage has sold out.
Huawei, so far launched two tri-fold smartphones in China. Galaxy Z TriFold is Samsung’s first and only triple foldable available in Korea. However, it’s way better than Huawei’s due to its display and durable hinge mechanism.
The Z TriFold comes with a 6.5-inch cover screen and a 10-inch internal screen. It’s equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, a 5,600mAh battery, a 200-megapixel primary camera, and One UI 8 software and impressive Galaxy AI features.
Samsung has one of its key phone manufacturing bases in Vietnam, which was hit hard due to slowing US imports. Even though America exempted smartphone imports from tariffs, Vietnam faced a steep decline in exports.
Reuters reports that the US phone imports from Vietnam “fell to their lowest levels in more than five years” in November 2025, hitting Samsung hard. While the phone maker didn’t reveal export data, the country’s official data says so.
Vietnamese exporters with Samsung’s backing have also faced trade uncertainties and slowing consumer demand. The country faced ups and downs throughout the year, but November ended up being the worst in five years.
Back in January, exports peaked to fill up stocks before tariffs came into effect. After a brief fear, the Trump administration freed up smartphone and select electronics’ imports from tariffs.
However, the smartphone market witnessed a steep decline from August. It was the month the US and Vietnam signed a trade pact, and the latter facing 20% reciprocal tariffs imposed.
Despite the reciprocal tariffs, the US kept phones and electronics exempted. However, trade uncertainties have led the Vietnamese phone exports to the US to fall to less than $410 million in November.
Samsung doesn’t officially share country-wise export data. Having Vietnam as its biggest production base, official export data suggests Samsung’s Vietnam engine has been hit hard in the past couple of months.
A Vietnam-based executive familiar with Samsung’s operations said (via Reuters) the company was adjusting its production and export volumes in the country in reaction to weakening consumer sentiment.
Samsung is gearing up to commence operations at its Texas chip facility in the US. The factory’s construction has picked a pace after the Tesla order. Samsung Lee has just met Elon Musk and toured the Taylor semiconductor plant.
A new report reveals that Samsung chief Jay Y Lee and Tesla CEO Elon Musk toured the Taylor semiconductor facility on Thursday.
Chairman Lee and CEO Musk have reportedly mapped out the production lines. The heads have also discussed yield targets and potential technological collaborations during the meetup.
Additionally, Elon suggested Lee set up a dedicated workspace inside Samsung’s Taylor plant for Tesla, so the working personnel remain on site to monitor and speed up chip output.
It aligns with the details that emerged right after Samsung and Tesla signed their deals. From the start, Elon wants an insider role at Samsung’s cutting-edge semiconductor production facility.
Under the new business model being tested, the client (Tesla) participates in every stage of the process, from chip design to plant construction, production line configuration, and packaging, to speed up feedback cycles.
The year-end meeting indicates that the two companies are gearing up to expand their current partnership. In the past, Tesla awarded Samsung a huge $16.5 billion order for its AI chips to be used in various products.
The South Korean tech giant is rapidly finalizing its Taylor chip plant to initiate operations. The company has invested over $34 billion in its Texas plant to set up a massive production facility for advanced chips.
PS5 gamers without streaming access have been unable to revisit any of their favorite PS3 games. RedoEngine’s PS3 emulator has succeeded where other alternatives have failed. While the 2013 platformer Cloudberry Kingdom is releasing on the PS Store, more demanding games are problematic.
The vivo V70 was recently certified on its way to the Indian market, as was the V70 Lite before it. But these won't be the only members of the V70 family according to a new rumor.
Instead, they will allegedly be joined by the V70 Elite and V70 FE. And that's it, those are the four - no Pro, Pro+, or anything like that coming, if this rumor is accurate of course.
2026 Linup for Vivo V70 Series!! - Vivo V70 Lite 5G- Vivo V70 5G- Vivo V70 Elite 5G- Vivo V70 FE 5G There is no Pro or Pro plus for the global or Indian markets! Standard Vivo V70 is scheduled for India!! Lite and Elite is...
Despite not being officially announced, the Honor X8d is now listed in Kyrgyzstan. It currently shows as out of stock, but that will undoubtedly change soon. Unfortunately this means we can't tell you the price, but we do have the specs along with the official images you can see below.
So, the Honor X8d comes in blue, grey, and black with a 6.77-inch 1080x2392 AMOLED touchscreen, the Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2 SoC, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and a 7,000 mAh battery with support for 45W wired charging. An IP65 dust and splash resistance rating is provided.
Honor X8d official...
OpenAI has introduced GPT‑5.2, its most advanced model yet. It offers better task performance, improved object recognition, and fewer hallucinations. A $1 billion funding deal will allow Sora users to incorporate Disney characters into their videos, while giving Disney company‑wide access to OpenAI’s services.
Deal | The Baseus 100-watt GaN charger is great product, sporting dual USB-C and single USB-A ports. The fast charger also packs foldable prongs for increased portability, and is currently available at a new all-time price on Amazon.
Larian has shown off its upcoming RPG at The Game Awards. It is set in the Divinity universe, and it is supposedly larger in scope than Baldur's Gate 3.
The DJI Neo 2 drone was launched internationally in November, and today a new update lets you control the drone entirely from your Apple Watch. This works with the Apple Watch Series 8 and later, as well as the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Ultra 3.
The new DJI Neo 2 firmware, which unlocks this functionality, is labeled v01.00.0500. You also need the latest version of the DJI Fly app - v1.19.4. And that's it.
DJI says this will prove especially useful for sports scenarios like cycling and running, and of course you can think of many more times when grabbing your phone or controller is...
The Vivo X200T made its first appearance on the GSMA IMEI database. A new report has now surfaced with more details about the upcoming phone, revealing its positioning in the lineup along with a potential launch timeline.
Casio has released one of its G-Shock GMW-BZ5000 watches in several European countries, following its recent release in the US. This new model features an MIP LCD, which can be customized in two ways. The watch is also radio-controlled with Bluetooth connectivity, with support for a range of world time zones.
Garmin has released software version 5.12 for one of its 2025 smartwatch models. Compared to the last stable update, this is a relatively minor release focusing on bug fixes. All Users of the Bounce 2 smartwatch are now able to install this software via a dedicated app.
During future missions to the Moon, astronauts will be assisted by a rover that will analyze lunar dust and the geology of our natural satellite. And this is essential for future space missions and for protecting astronauts on the Moon.
Every so often, an interesting product idea comes along that could be useful if executed right. This one is an iPhone case, called the Selfix, from the brand Dockcase. The case is designed for the iPhone 17 Pro series and adds a secondary display to the back.
The Selfix case offers a circular 1.6-inch AMOLED touch display at the back with a 480 x 480-pixel resolution.
The rear display’s primary purpose is to let you use the higher-quality 48MP rear cameras for selfies and video recording. It also makes ultrawide group selfies possible, something that the front camera can’t match....
Some Samsung Galaxy users on One UI 8 have run into a problem with the Dynamic Wallpaper feature. This option is meant to change the wallpaper’s color throughout the day depending on the time, but for many users, it keeps switching back to the default wallpaper on its own.
According to the reports, when users set the Dynamic wallpaper on their Samsung Galaxy devices running One UI 8, the wallpaper is supposed to adjust its colors as per the time of day. But the bug causes wallpapers to revert to the default one, rather than changing to the colors as expected. This is quite frustrating.
Fortunately, Samsung has confirmed that the company is aware of this One UI 8 issue, and it affects the Dynamic Wallpaper feature. The company also mentioned that an update has been released to fix this issue. After that, the wallpaper will stay as you set it, and the color changes will occur correctly throughout the day.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
To fix this issue, you have to update the Samsung Wallpaper app. This update will improve the Dynamic Wallpaper function to work properly. For that, you just need to open the Galaxy Store app >> go to the Menu option >> click on Updates >> and find the Samsung Wallpaper app and update it.
Once the app is updated, your wallpaper will no longer reset, and the color changes will work smoothly. So if you are facing the same issue, install the update now.
The Casio G-Shock GAB010-1A, GAB010-1A1 and GAB010-3A watches are now available at the brand's online store in the US. This recently released model is powered by a new, more energy-efficient solar charging module. Other features include step-tracking, support for world time and multiple daily alarms.
Instead of hiding the use of generative AI tools, the Codex Mortis studio believes it’s a reason to play its title. Players can try the bullet hell game created exclusively with AI for free via a Steam demo. The technology can aid small developers, but gamers have frowned upon it replacing artists.
The Motorola Edge 70 Ultra has been in the news a lot lately as Motorola's upcoming non-folding flagship. However, a leak has revealed it will actually go by a totally different name when it is announced.
Today, Opera has announced that it's opening up public access to Opera Neon, which is its experimental browser for AI power users, "who wish to get access and make the most of the newest AI technologies as they emerge".
Neon has been available in a closed "Founders" phase since October 2 - think of it like a closed beta. Now we're in the open beta phase, and anyone can join - on Windows and Mac.
Neon is described by its maker as "an agentic browser". It uses AI agents to perform tasks and even code web apps rather than just display web pages. It also gives you access to Gemini 3 Pro...
SamsungGalaxy S24 FE smartphone has now joined the One UI 8.5 internal testing devices group. Along with the One UI 8.5 Beta Program, Samsung is also working to make this major update ready for other Galaxy devices.
A new One UI 8.5 testing firmware version for the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, spotted by Tarun Vats, is S721BXXU8DYLB. This is not a beta version, but a stable build, which means it’s the final version of the update that Samsung is testing before it’s made available to everyone.
One UI 8.5 Beta update is currently available for the Samsung Galaxy S25 series, but in limited countries. This update lets users try out a new feature ahead of the official release. A new testing build shows that Samsung Galaxy S24 FE users will directly get this major update once the stable version is available and skip the beta phase.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE
Notably, Samsung confirmed to launch the Galaxy S26 series with a stable One UI 8.5 update next year. However, the exact date is not officially announced yet, but the series is expected to launch in February 2026. It means that after that, Galaxy S24 FE users will get this major update.
Until then, user of the Galaxy S24 FE can make their devices ready for this major update by keeping their software up to date. Stay tuned.
Samsung’s One UI 8.5 beta is here, and it brings several cool updates and new features that make using your Galaxy phone even easier. Two of the Now Bar enhancements of One UI 8.5 are the improved flashlight feature and the new look for YouTube recommendations in the Now Brief widget.
The latest major update arrives with changes for the flashlight. In the past, the flashlight was hidden in the quick settings, and sometimes it was easy to forget it was on. Now, with One UI 8.5, a “torch on” icon appears right in the Now Bar at the top of your screen.
This new change means you’ll always know when the flashlight is active. Also, a “Torch on” card shows up in the Now Brief widget, which makes it simple to turn the flashlight off instantly without searching through settings.
Image via Android Authority
Moreover, the update also enhances the YouTube recommendations in the Now Brief widget. Previously, YouTube videos were shown in a small vertical list that looked small. In the new update, Samsung has switched to a horizontal carousel layout.
This new layout gives you more space and makes it easier to swipe through video recommendations. This update also gives the YouTube feed a cleaner, more modern look.
Image via Android Authority
Aside from these changes, Samsung’s One UI 8.5 Beta update arrives with several other improvements, including the revamped interface, smarter widgets, more customization options, better security tools, and more. Currently, the One UI Beta Program is only live for the Galaxy S25 series and could expand to more latest devices soon.
Rivian's take on Tesla FSD will cost only $49.99/month when it is released next quarter and will bring some impressive features like extended hands-free driving even on older hardware. In 2026, however, a new hardware kit with an in-house AI chip, LiDAR, and 11 cameras will become available.
A renowned leaker has outlined Epic Games' plans for its next free game giveaway. Another Mystery Game tactic, u/MeguminShiro has indicated some underwhelming news for Epic's giveaways this festive season.
Astronomers have just unveiled images of an exoplanet orbiting two stars. And if this is already exceptional, this exoplanet is very young, because it formed only 50 million years after the extinction of the dinosaurs.
Deal | The Epic Games Store is now giving away a new game as it kicks off the festive season. Available now, this week's giveaway is a roguelite that has already gained cult status. Critically acclaimed, Dead Cells will be free to claim on Android and iOS only for a short time.
A briefly published PEGI 18+ rating for “Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag: Resynced” has reignited speculation that Ubisoft is preparing a full remake of its 2013 pirate epic, potentially dropping the modern-day storyline in favor of expanded Golden Age of Piracy content. While the listing has since been removed and no platforms were confirmed, mounting leaks, financial hints, and teases from Edward Kenway’s voice actor suggest an official reveal could be imminent, possibly at The Game Awards 2025.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has expressed concern about the recent layoffs at Rockstar Games. He states the government will look into allegations of union busting, which was said to be the primary reason behind the layoffs.
Nothing launched the Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro in March, and now it's apparently busy working on their successors. Today a new rumor purports to bring us some details about them.
The Nothing Phone (4a) and (4a) Pro will use Snapdragon 7 series chips, presumably the latest Gen 4. It's unclear if they'll both go for the 7 Gen 4 or the 7s Gen 4, or if the vanilla model will get the 7s Gen 4 and the Pro will get the 7 Gen 4.
Only the Pro will support eSIM, as per this source. There are some colors mentioned too, though the formatting makes it impossible to tell which phone these are...
A recent rumor suggested that Xiaomi could unveil the 17 Ultra in China on December 26. Now, a new report claims the company has already begun accepting blind pre-orders for the device.
The report notes that the Xiaomi Home retail staff have started to send invites to Mi Fans to join a blind pre-order program for an upcoming phone, which is expected to be the Xiaomi 17 Ultra.
According to the report, interested customers can place a blind pre-order by paying a CNY 100 fee, which also grants them access to exclusive benefits.
Xiaomi is rumored to officially announce the blind...
Smart glasses are gaining popularity, and both Meta and Samsung are preparing to launch their own display-equipped AI glasses in 2027. This will mark an important year, as several big brands will compete to bring the best AR and AI experience to users.
Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, is currently the leader in AI smart glasses. It has been working on a new pair called “Phoenix.” These glasses will have a small display and will connect with a wire to a separate puck that holds the battery and main computer parts.
Samsung is also working on its own smart glasses. Unlike Meta’s wired design, Samsung’s glasses are expected to be completely wireless. They will connect to a phone using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Samsung’s glasses will also include a small display on one lens, making them useful for simple AR tasks.
Talking about the launch, Meta first planned to release Phoenix in 2026, but decided to delay it to 2027 for design and quality improvements. On the other hand, Samsung plans to launch basic AI glasses without a display next year, but then follow up with display-equipped glasses in 2027.
Both Samsung and Meta are working on smart glasses, but with different approaches. Meta’s glasses will run on its own Meta Horizon OS, while Samsung’s will use Android XR, Google’s new operating system for XR devices. With these developments, 2027 is expected to be a significant year for AR, XR, and AI technologies.
Samsung is currently working on One UI 8.5 based on Android 16, and it will reportedly bring more AI features to Galaxy smartphones. With the upcoming One UI 8.5 update, users may soon be able to edit photos in a completely new way. Users will soon be able to mix and match images directly in the Gallery app.
A leaked version of One UI 8.5 for the Galaxy Z Fold 7 shows a new Galaxy AI tool. By tapping the Galaxy AI button in the Gallery app, users can open the Photo Assist section. Here, you can type what you want to change in a photo, and Galaxy AI will make it happen.
And the most highlighted part of this One UI 8.5 Photo Assist feature is that you can combine elements from different images. Like, if you have an image of your cat, you can add a ball or another object image, and Galaxy AI will blend them together realistically, which makes it look like your cat is actually playing with the added object.
Image via SamMobile
At the moment, this feature is only shown in the Tips app (spotted via SamMobile) on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and doesn’t work yet. It is also not available on the Galaxy S25 series beta of One UI 8.5. Samsung may enable it in future beta updates or release it with the Galaxy S26 series next year.
One UI 8.5 keeps improving Samsung phones with smart AI features. Samsung users will soon be able to create fun, creative, and realistic images directly on their phones. Stay tuned for more information.
Deal | Humble Bundle has brought back the Humble Heroines collection it offered earlier in 2025. These games are playable on the Steam Deck and have a combined MSRP of $150.93, but for a limited time, they can be scored for just $10.
New Blood Interactive has unveiled Dungeons of Dusk, a turn-based dungeon-crawling RPG spin-off of its acclaimed retro shooter Dusk, drawing heavily from cult mobile titles DOOM RPG and Wolfenstein RPG. Slated for 2026 with 30 campaign levels, full platform support, and a built-in level editor, the game canonically fills the gaps between Dusk’s episodes while trading twitch shooting for grid-based, bite-sized role-playing.
An early sighting of Sony's next Walkman digital audio player points to significant changes from the NW-A306 and NW-ZX707. From software to hardware upgrades, it looks like the launch of the Sony Walkman NW-ZX900 series could finally be on the horizon.
Aaeon has introduced four new offerings carrying the UP brand name. Each of the mini PCs can be equipped with up to an 8-core Intel N355 CPU, and packs a decent array of standard as well as enterprise-focused I/O.
In yet another win for bargain hunters, an AI developer managed to get their hands on a dual Nvidia GH200-powered server at a fraction of its market price. In fact, the server's 960 GB of DDR5 ECC memory is alone worth more than what he paid for the entire system.
Huawei held a product launch event in Dubai today where it introduced the Mate X7 for the global market. Alongside the foldable, Huawei also announced global availability for three other devices – the FreeClip 2 earbuds, the Watch Ultimate Design smartwatch and the MatePad 11.5 S 2025 tablet.
Huawei FreeClip 2
FreeClip 2 were already announced in China earlier this year as the successor to 2023’s original FreeClip. The new model follows a similar approach in terms of design, with a C-shaped design that sits on your ears.
Huawei FreeClip 2
FreeClip 2 get 10.8 mm...
Samsung’s new Galaxy Z TriFold is a unique foldable phone, but it’s more than just a smartphone. With a big 10-inch screen when unfolded, it can act like a tablet. Now, the Galaxy Z TriFold can also work as a second monitor for your Windows PC, which makes it a handy tool for multitasking or working.
The Galaxy Z TriFold supports Samsung’s “Second Screen” feature, which lets you extend your PC screen to the phone wirelessly using Miracast. This means no cables are needed.
To connect, just open the Second Screen page on the TriFold and press Windows + K on your PC. You can also connect by going to Settings >> System >> Display >> Connect to a wireless display.
Image via Android Authority
In addition to this, Samsung also offers a Second Screen app for PCs. It lets you adjust the screen ratio, sync power, and even reconnect the phone automatically. This app allows the Galaxy Z TriFold to be used as a second display smoothly and hassle-free.
When folded, the Samsung Galaxy TriFold looks like a normal 6.5-inch phone. Open it up, and you get a huge 10-inch display that feels more like a tablet. It can run Samsung DeX on its own, giving a desktop-like experience without a PC. And now, it can even work as a second monitor for you
For anyone who travels, works remotely, or just wants more screen space, the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold is a powerful, flexible, and perfect tool. Samsung is going to make it available in South Korea on December 12, 2025. Stay tuned.
Corsair has updated its Xeneon Edge ultrawide secondary display in two new variants. Now available in White and Atomic Purple finishes, the small display can either be used on a desk or in place of a 360 mm radiator with 350 nits peak brightness.
Philips Hue has released the Festavia Permanent Outdoor Lights in Europe. Already available in the US, these outdoor lights can throw white and colored lighting effects onto the walls of your home. This string light is cuttable and extendable, and can be linked to many of the brand’s other products.
Garmin is now offering a new stable update for several of its recent smartwatch releases. Available as Software Version 15.33, the update is said to contain various improvements, including one that should resolve system crashes when playing music over Bluetooth headphones.
The selection of Star Wars games is diverse, even including some podracing options. A new leak suggests players may see a modern take on the 1999 Star Wars Episode I: Racer (Update: Star Wars: Galactic Racer announced). With the KOTOR remake looming, other titles have featured swoop racing as side activities.
GameSir has announced that it will be attending CES 2026 and will unveil a new product during the tech show. The teaser for the new product seems to be a racing wheel, which will be a first for the brand.
The Xiaomi Mijia Three-Zone Washing Machine Pro (14 kg) has been released in China. Compared to its predecessor, each of the model three drums has a larger maximum capacity, allowing you to wash more items at once. Plus, it supports HyperOS Connect and can be remotely controlled via the brand’s app.
The Vivo X300 Ultra has stopped by a Chinese regulatory body on its way to being released in early 2026. From the new leak, we can already determine that Vivo's next flagship will offer faster wired charging than the current Vivo X200 Ultra.
The second-gen Fairbuds XL prove that headphones don’t have to end up as e-waste when their batteries or drivers fail. An iFixit teardown highlights just how easy they are to repair. Meanwhile, a wide range of replacement parts have been listed on Fairphone's online shop.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is set to become the first Samsung phone to support faster than 45W wired charging and the company is laying the groundwork for that with the launch of its new 60W charger.
It’s called simply the Samsung 60W Power Adapter (model number: EP-T6010NBEGWW) and it has appeared on the Samsung.com branches for various countries – all around Europe (e.g. Austria, Sweden, Romania), but also South America (Peru) and parts of the Middle East (Levant).
The charger has one USB-C port and supports Super Fast Charging 2.0. It boasts a low standby power draw of just 5mW. It...
Just a few weeks after its announcement in China, the Huawei Mate X7 has now made its way to the global stage. It will be available in White, Black and Nebula Red color versions and a single 16/512 GB memory trim. The asking price is €2,099.
We already spent some time with the foldable and you can find our hands-on here. It brings several key updates over its predecessor, including IP58 and IP59 ingress protection, Huawei’s latest Kirin 9030 Pro chipset, a new telephoto camera and a slightly larger battery.
Mate X7 also gets slightly larger displays - a 6.49-inch cover...
Ayaneo is entering the smartphone market, and its first device will take a different approach from the current crop of gaming phones. The Pocket Play is set to launch soon with a slide-out controller, which immediately invokes memories of the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play from 2011.
While Ayaneo hasn’t disclosed any specs or pricing for its gaming phone, we get to see its design, which looks premium and well put. The slide-out controller houses a D-pad, ABXY buttons and a pair of touchpads which would function as joysticks.
The device also has L1, L2 and R1, R2 shoulder...
Samsung recently started the One UI 8.5 Beta Program for the Galaxy S25 series. The beta update is currently limited to South Korea, the US, the UK, and Germany. These countries are part of the first phase of the beta rollout. Now, a new report suggests that Samsung might soon expand the One UI 8.5 Beta update to more countries, including Canada.
A new One UI 8.5 Beta testing build, S938WVLU7ZYLB, has been spotted for the Samsung Galaxy S25 series in Canada. This indicates that Samsung may soon expand the One UI 8.5 Beta update to Canada.
However, Samsung has not officially confirmed that the One UI 8.5 Beta will launch in Canada. The company has not made any announcement about its release date or eligibility. Still, the appearance of this new testing build gives hope that Canadian users might be able to test the update soon.
Source – Samsung Mobile Press
Earlier reports suggest that the second phase of the One UI 8.5 Beta Program may include even more countries, including India and Poland. At this moment, Canada is still not officially part of the beta program, but expectations are growing as more information appears online.
One UI 8.5 will bring several new features and improvements for a smoother, faster, and more enjoyable experience. Beta programs help Samsung test new features and fix bugs before releasing the final version to everyone. Stay tuned for more information.
Hyper has now released its first M.2 SSD enclosure that supports USB4 v2 transfer speeds. Advertised as an 80 Gbps PCIe SSD enclosure, the HyperDrive Next USB4 M.2 PCIe Enclosure also supports AI accelerators and networking cards while delivering up to 25 W USB Power Delivery too.
A new flagship projector is on the way from Epson. The company confirmed that the model, designed for use in larger venues, will be officially revealed at ISE 2026. Plus, it will also show a range of new professional lenses and an ultra short throw projector for the classroom at the event.
Xiaomi's next Poco M series smartphone has ticked off a crucial requirement before launching globally. Rumoured to be the Poco M8 Pro, the device has been confirmed to feature a massive battery supported by ultra-fast charging. On the face of it, the Poco M8 Pro is a rebranded global Redmi Note 15 Pro Plus.
After the 0% APR financing rate that was introduced to boost sales towards the end of the quarter, Tesla is now adding more Model Y deals. Those stack with existing incentives, too.
Opt! has released the OPT100 Neo Film, a ¥5,940 (~$38) digital toy camera shaped like a 35mm film roll. It features a 1MP sensor, microSD support, VGA-level video, a tiny rear display, USB charging, and a 47.2 × 25 × 25 mm body, offered in three colors.
Xiaomi is now selling its Smart Camera C500 in two European countries, with a wider rollout expected in the near future. This is the brand’s first 6MP security camera, which is marketed with a 3.5K UHD resolution. Other features include an integrated gimbal stand for motion tracking and support for Amazon Alexa.
WiiM has introduced the Sound Lite, a compact display-free smart speaker positioned as a simpler alternative to the regular WiiM Sound. It supports hi-res playback, several wireless broadcasting standards and multi-room integration across the WiiM ecosystem.
Seiko has unveiled the limited-edition Pink Panther SRPM07, sporting a 38 mm case, pink dial with paw prints, themed caseback, and 4R36 movement. It comes with a bracelet, pink nylon strap, and special packaging, limited to 9,999 units.
For those looking out for a new mid-tower gaming PC case with decent airflow, the Corsair 4000D has always been a solid choice. The company has now started selling the Frame 4000D LCD, which packs the 14.5-inch Xeneon Edge touchscreen display attached to its side.
Last week, Apple announced the winners of its 2025 App Store Awards for various product categories. Now, Apple has revealed which apps and games were downloaded the most by iPhone and iPad users in 2025.
Let's talk about the top free iPhone apps first. The list was topped by ChatGPT, which was followed by Threads, Google, TikTok, and WhatsApp.
Moving to paid iPhone apps, HotSchedules ranked first, followed by Shadowrocket, Procreate Pocket, AnkiMobile Flashcards, and Paprika Recipe Manager 3.
In the games category, BlockBlast! was the most downloaded free game for iPhone users....
Spotify has introduced a new personalization feature called Prompted Playlists, giving users greater control over the algorithm to create more deeply tailored playlists.
The Prompted Playlists feature lets users describe what they want to hear through a simple text prompt, and even set custom rules such as how frequently or when the playlist should be updated.
Spotify then draws on the user’s entire listening history to generate a truly personalized playlist. For each song recommendation, users will also get context and description on why it was chosen.
The feature also offers...
Samsung has pushed the December 2025 security update for the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Galaxy Z Fold 6 smartphones. The update is currently live for users in Korea, and the company will expand it to more countries soon.
December 2025 security update comes with software versions F956NKSS2CYKE for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and F741NKSS2CYKE for the Galaxy Z Flip 6. The installation package size is around 450MB.
The update mainly focuses on improving security and system stability. According to Samsung, it brings 68 important fixes. Out of these, 57 fixes are from Google for Android, including 6 critical and 51 high-level security issues. The update also includes 11 fixes from Samsung for One UI, which make Galaxy devices even safer to use.
This fresh update is based on Android 16 and One UI 8. However, the company has already started preparing the next major release, One UI 8.5, for these devices. Early test builds of One UI 8.5 have already been spotted for both the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6.
In addition, Samsung has begun the One UI 8 Beta Program for the Galaxy S25 series. The company may soon expand this program to more devices. The stable version of One UI 8 is expected to launch with the Galaxy S26 series.
While waiting for One UI 8.5, it is important to keep your device updated. If you own a Galaxy Z Fold 6 or Galaxy Z Flip 6, check for the new update and download it to enjoy better security and stability.
No, I’m not talking about the social consequences. Our electric sonic toothbrush simply died after about 18 months. The replacement quit even sooner. Both units ended up with the exact same issue, which likely has to do with the fact that my partner and I share one toothbrush body—though of course not the brush heads.
Deal | Blasphemous 2 blends brutal Soulslike combat, classic Metroidvania exploration and a dark, atmospheric pixel world to deliver a true fan favorite. And right now, it's 67% off on Steam – the first time the price has dipped below $10. The offer runs until December 18.
Garmin has started rolling out a new stable update for two of its recent mid-range smartwatches. Available worldwide, it remains a mystery as to what Garmin has actually changed this time around.
Gate Guard Simulator, recently revealed on Steam, lets players step into the shoes of a medieval castle guard, deciding who gets to pass through the gate – and who ends up in the moat. Scheduled for release in 2026, the game is already accepting sign-ups for playtesting.
One-Netbook has finally released its Asus ROG Flow Z13 alternative globally. Available starting at $1,899, the OneXPlayer Super X hopes to surpass its Asus rival with a 120 Hz VRR OLED display, a larger battery, M.2 2280 storage and an optional liquid cooling solution to extract up to 120 W from the Ryzen AI Max 385 or Ryzen AI Max+ 395.
A new Govee smart light, the Lantern Floor Lamp, appears to be on the way. Recently spotted in the database of the Connectivity Standards Alliance, this model is certified for Matter 1.3. According to the company, it will throw colorful lighting effects onto the walls of the room.
The new reality show Non Player Combat drops six contestants onto a perilous island. The twist? They're not real people but fully AI-generated characters making decisions on their own. Even the creators have no idea how each episode will unfold.
TCL has released the P series PlayCube Projector in the UK. This portable model, designed for home theaters, is already available in the US. The award-winning device has an unusual, twisting design, can throw images up to 150 inches wide, and is truly portable thanks to an integrated battery.
The Redmi Note 15 series appears to have made a quiet global debut, with Poland seemingly being the first region where the lineup is available. Just like a recent leak suggested, the international lineup will initially bring five models, with the cheapest one starting at around $290 in Poland.
Xiaomi’s revamped HyperOS 3 continues to check devices off its to-do list, though some patience is still required. Here is the latest batch of phones to receive the Android 16-based update, according to ITHome. Note that this is for Chinese units, global models are a month behind.
HyperOS 3 reaches more Xiaomi phones
Also, this is a gradual rollout, meaning units will get the update in batches instead of all at once.
The update is now focusing on 2023 devices like the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3, the Xiaomi 13 series. Several Redmi Note phones are on the list, ranging from 2023 to 2025...
ZTE is reportedly closing in on a deal to resolve its foreign bribery allegations by way of a $1 billion payment to the U.S. government. According to a new Reuters News report, the U.S. Department of Justice has an ongoing investigation into ZTE’s violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) across several regions, with U.S. officials now working on a resolution that would involve a $1 billion payment.
ZTE faces multiple bribery allegations under the FCPA for allegedly bribing officials across several regions to secure telecom contracts. According to people familiar with...
Samsung officially launched its Heat Path Block technology, featured in the Exynos 2600. The company believes that it would be able to sell this chip packaging solution to Apple and Qualcomm for their future mobile chips.
Exynos 2600 is packaged using the new Heath Path Block technology. Samsung Foundry has now officially revealed the new technological breakthrough, which helped it keep the 2nm Exynos cool even with intense processing.
Heath Path Block aims to resolve overheating issues on cutting-edge chips. Exclusively featured in Exynos 2600, the new technology has been opened up and can be used by Apple and Qualcomm – a strikingly bold move.
A source familiar with the matter stated, “Samsung Electronics has decided to offer the internally developed Exynos HPB packaging technology to other potential customers, including Qualcomm and Apple.”
With Exynos 2600 featuring an advanced cooling tech, Samsung MX has reportedly asked Qualcomm to offer its Snapdragon with HPB-level thermal dissipation packaging so the processor stays cool during the process.
Thanks to HPB, Exynos 2600 runs about 30% cooler than Exynos 2500. The new packaging tech replaces the legacy method by using a copper-based heat spreader placed on top of the mobile AP to maximize heat dissipation.
The source added, “Demand for this technology has already grown in the market, with Samsung’s MX Business, the final customer for mobile APs, even requesting HPB-level thermal dissipation packaging from Qualcomm.”
Industry insiders believe that HPB is a key driver behind the success of Exynos 2600. The company has impressively reduced overheating through the Heat Path Block. Exynos 2600 is set to power Galaxy S26 and Plus in 2026.
Galaxy S26 series launches next month, and Samsung is facing a shortage of RAM, forcing it to approach Micron. The company’s DS Division is focusing more on HBM than DRAM to make money riding the wave of AI.
Korea’s DealSite reports that TM Roh will meet Sanjay Mehrotra on the first day of CES 2026. Given the issues of DRAM prices and supply, the Korean tech giant has requested the US memory giant for a rare meeting.
Usually, the two companies do not meet separately during CES because they are extremely busy, but this time, they urgently needed to discuss the matter and coordinate DRAM supply schedules with Micron.
Samsung Mobile Head is set to meet Micron CEO during the CES 2026. Heads of the two firms will be having a meeting at the former’s request. TM Roh from the Samsung side will meet CEO Sanjay Mehrotra, probably eyeing the Micron RAM deal for the Galaxy S26 series.
Galaxy S25 series features LPDDR5X RAM from Samsung and Micron. The supply volume is divided between the two firms to maintain a smooth supply.
Samsung seems worried about the Galaxy S26 series’ RAM supply.
Galaxy S26 lineup will be equipped with LPDDR5X RAM. Increased prices of DRAM have prevented Samsung MX from finalizing contracts with suppliers, which include Samsung DS Division and Micron.
Notably, LPDDR5X with 12GB capacity cost $30 earlier this year, but soared to $70 at the end of November. The prices of DRAM more than doubled within the year, causing an urgency to sign a long-term deal for Galaxy phones.
Samsung MX is negotiating DRAM prices with DS Division and Micron. The company is expected to secure contracts for the first quarter of the next year. Meanwhile, a smooth supply is necessary to avoid any post-launch hurdle.
Micron has an improved version of LPDDR5X RAM, which would be used in the Galaxy S26 series. The company has reportedly enhanced the process for testing, surpassing the productivity of chips used in the Galaxy S25 series.
Deal | The Asus TUF Gaming F16 (2025) gaming laptop is enjoying a sizeable 26% discount at Walmart. Equipped with an RTX 5070 laptop GPU alongside an Core i7-14650HX CPU, the Asus TUF F16 FX608JPR is built for high-refresh-rate FHD and smooth QHD gaming.
Garmin has finally delivered a new stable update for the Fenix 7 and associated smartwatches. The first update of its kind in almost three months, unfortunately Garmin has placed a key restriction on the update's distribution for the time being.
To celebrate the fifth anniversary of Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt Red partnered with XR glasses manufacturer, Viture, for a limited edition version of its Luma Pro XR Glasses. Limited to just 10,000 units, the XR glasses feature a Cyberpunk 2077-themed design and packaging.
After its launch in China in September, the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro has appeared in FCC certification, indicating potential international availability. The certification reveals information about the tablet's global variant.
Deal | Humble Bundle has introduced a new game bundle filled with award-nominated and award-winning titles — the Award Nominations Bundle. This bundle contains a total of 9 games worth $204, and it is selling for $14. It will expire on January 1, 2026.
ETA Prime has awarded his favourite x86 gaming handhelds of 2025. While there has been plenty of noise lately about AMD Strix Halo, the popular YouTuber's top picks may surprise fans of high-end gaming handhelds.
Nintendo sold more than 10 million units of Switch 2 in its first four months, marking the most successful console launch to date. However, soaring DRAM and NAND costs have massively eroded the company’s margins – to the point that price hikes may now be on the table.
Xiaomi is rolling out its Android 16–based HyperOS 3 update to ten more Xiaomi and Redmi phones in China. The latest batch includes the MIX Fold 3, Xiaomi 13 series, and several Redmi Note models as the company ramps up its upgrade cycle.
The Realme 16 Pro series is "coming soon," and the brand has already revealed a few features of the lineup, which includes the Master design. Today, Realme announced the global debut of its self-developed LumaColor IMAGE for the Realme 16 Pro series.
LumaColor IMAGE is developed in collaboration with TUV Rheinland and "highlights Realme’s ambition in portrait imaging and reflects the brand’s ongoing commitment to making advanced mobile imaging accessible to young users worldwide."
With LumaColor IMAGE, Realme says the Realme 16 Pro series will deliver a "best-in-segment portrait...
Days after initial rollout, Samsung is now bringing December 2025 security update to the Global Galaxy S25 phones. The software is based on One UI 8.0 atop Android 16 and available for those who didn’t join Beta Program.
Samsung launched One UI 8.5 Beta Program on December 8th. First Beta is available in Germany, South Korea, the UK and the US. Second Beta rollout is expected later this month, along with country expansion.
Hours before kicking off the One UI 8.5 Beta, Samsung provided the December 2025 update to the Galaxy S25 series in South Korea. The firmware has finally crossed Korean boundaries and is hitting users globally.
Despite the Global rollout, the latest software hasn’t arrived in the US. Owners of the S25 series are still awaiting the update stateside. You can check for the BYKS build through Settings > Software update > Download and install.
Earlier this month, Samsung detailed its December 2025 patch. The package carries fixes for a total of 68 vulnerabilities, with CVE and SVE included.
If your country doesn’t qualify for the Beta Program, you have to be satisfied with the latest security patch. The security patch is necessary as it significantly improves the overall user experience and privacy.
Samsung hasn’t mentioned specific changes to this firmware. However, each release aims to elevate Galaxy experiences. It happens as the installation wipes out Android and app cache to clean up storage from unnecessary data.
Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to support a 60W charger, and Samsung seems to have just unveiled the adapter. The flagship device arrives early next year, but a brand-new charger is apparently on sale in Jordan.
Samsung Levant’s website has listed a new 60W charger (adapter), which appears to have been made for the Galaxy S26 Ultra. The listing also sheds light on the key features of this new charging brick and places to purchase.
Key features of Samsung’s new adapter include Super Fast Charging 2.0 at max 60W, low power consumption on standby, protection from overcurrent, short circuits, and high temperature, and vast compatibility with various devices.
Samsung says the charger supports Galaxy smartphones, tablets, watches, buds, and books (laptops). The adapter is intelligent enough to optimize as per the device’s needs.
Source – Samsung
As charging speed may vary depending on various factors, Samsung recommends checking three conditions: the device’s supported power, the charger’s output, and the cable’s specifications.
Pay attention, the adapter will deliver optimal charging speed, even with a 3A cable. That said, you won’t need to purchase a specific 5A cable to have the full potential of this 60W adapter.
Thanks to its voltage levels and 3A current, the charging speed will adapt to the connected device’s needs. At peak level, the charger will supply 20V voltage and 3A current to realize full 60W speed.
The features of this new charging adapter suggest that it’s designed for the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Samsung fans will be able to own it once the official sale begins, likely in early 2026.
Casio has officially launched its GMW-BZ5000 series of full metal watches in the US market. The company’s new GMW-BZ5000 series consists of three models, including the GMW-BZ5000D-1, the GMW-BZ5000BD-1, and the GMW-BZ5000GD-9. Features include tough solar power, shock-resistant construction, Bluetooth connectivity, and world time across 38 time zones.
The Fujifilm X100VI is exclusively available with a fixed 35 mm lens (full-frame equivalent). Viltrox recently introduced two relatively affordable converters that enable users to achieve either a 28 mm or 50 mm focal length on the X100VI as well as several earlier models.
IBM is buying data-streaming specialist Confluent in an $11 billion all-cash deal, betting that real-time data pipelines will be the backbone of its hybrid cloud and enterprise AI strategy.
2026 will be a good year for Cyberpunk 2077 and Edgerunner fans. A new kind of Cyberpunk experience is on the horizon, and this one doesn’t require a controller or a screen. Fans of the series will be able to dive into Night City in a whole new way with the officially licensed Cyberpunk Trading Card Game (TCG), developed by WeirdCo in collaboration with CD Project Red, coming to Kickstarter in 2026.
The Honor Magic8 Pro is continuing its global rollout after debuting in Malaysia last month. Honor’s flagship is now available in Dubai and across the GCC.
Interested customers can pre-order the Magic8 Pro starting today from Honor’s online store and other online retailers across the UAE. The phone is available in 12GB/512GB and 16GB/1TB variants.
Those who pre-order the phone will also receive free gifts worth AED 2,299 ($815) that include the Honor Watch5 Ultra, a 3-month free trial of Google AI Pro, and Honor VIP Care+ 12-month damage protection. The pre-orders will end on...
vivo is working on the V70, the successor to the V60 launched back in August. This series refreshes twice a year, with the V50 having arrived in February, so it's unsurprising to see the V70 already getting certified for sale in India by BIS.
As is customary, this certification doesn't reveal any specs for the phone, which will have the model number V2538. It does however confirm that the phone is headed to the all-important Indian market.
Along with the V70, another device was also certified by BIS, this one having the model number V2545. This is likely to be the upcoming T5x, the...
Samsung has now extended its One UI 8.5 testing to the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Fold 6. The company has started internal testing of the major software update. Samsung didn’t share its plan for opening Beta for more devices.
Recently, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6 were spotted running One UI 8.5. These were not general models, but the company’s test devices. The first build is identified through a version ending with DYLB.
The last three letters will change throughout the testing process. If Samsung considers the Beta Program, we may see Z replacing D as the fourth last letter. The Galaxy S23’s update has also recently joined the internal testing phase.
One UI 8.5 is the following version of the One UI 8.0 based on Android 16. Based on the foundation of One UI 8, the new One UI 8.5 brings significant improvements, with changes spanning across the user interface, apps, and features.
Samsung has also enhanced customization across the software system. Quick Panel personalization is now completely in your hands. Various app icons have also adopted a depth effect to replace the existing flat design language.
One UI 8.5 Beta is currently available for the Galaxy S25 series. It will officially roll out with the Galaxy S26 series early next year. Samsung pledged to sequentially distribute the new features and changes in the first half of 2026.
If you want the One UI 8.5 early, owning a Galaxy S25 series device is the only option. You may still need some additional efforts if you don’t reside in Samsung’s favorite countries that qualify for the Beta testing opportunity.
The FEVM FAEX1 has been launched in China as a new mini PC that's powered by the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395. This Strix Halo system features a 1-liter chassis, has an OcuLink port, and is available with up to 128 GB of RAM. The starting launch price is around $1,557.
Researchers at the University of Vienna have uncovered vulnerabilities within WhatsApp and Signal that allow undetectable user tracking through round-trip time (RTT) measurements. A simple program now available on GitHub demonstrates how easily this weakness can be exploited.
Gigabyte will soon start manufacturing in India joining the likes of OEMs such as Asus, Acer, HP, and Lenovo. The company's India manufacturing will start off with motherboards with plans to scale up to monitors and laptops in the future. Gigabyte has not yet disclosed details of its contract manufacturing partner, which models would be manufactured in the country, or any projections.
Xiaomi is expanding its Android 16–based HyperOS 3 update to more devices, including the Poco F6 Pro and Redmi Pad 2. The update brings major UI changes, new multitasking features, and a suite of AI tools.
Details about Apple’s 2026 iPad lineup have surfaced online. According to a new report, Apple may soon launch a new entry-level iPad with the latest A series chip and an M4-equipped iPad Air.
The folks over at MacWorld reportedly got their hands on an internal Apple code document for a pre-release build of iOS 26. The document revealed details about upcoming 2026 iPad models.
iPad (2025) with Apple A16 chip
As per the document, a base iPad with codenames J581 and J582 will be powered by the A19 chip, which is also found in the latest iPhone 17 lineup. If this turns out to be true,...
A new industry report suggests Samsung is accelerating its HBM4 expansion. The company has reportedly decided to operate Phase 2 of the P4 line at its Pyeongtaek campus for production of the 6th-gen High Bandwidth Memory.
South Korean media outlet Dailian reports that Samsung Electronics is expanding its HBM4 production. Pyeongtaek campus’s P4 line (Phase 2) will be established as a dedicated DRAM line for HBM4 supply.
HBM is an industry where large-scale mass production is difficult to start without customer verification. Samsung’s decision is interpreted to mean that customers have raised direct demand pressure and volume requests.
Earlier, Samsung considered establishing the P4 line as a Foundry dedicated to contract manufacturing. However, the latest change flips the script as the company has dedicated this space for DRAM production.
The Korean tech giant is operating reshuffles to chase the intensifying demand for AI-specific HBM memory chips. It’s reported that the demand for HBM semiconductors has sharply increased since the beginning of the year.
In addition to Nvidia, industry giants such as Google, Amazon, and Microsoft are also requiring HBM solutions. Recently, Nvidia shared good news for Samsung HBM4, and Broadcom approved the same for Google TPUs.
An industry official stated, “As HBM demand is sharply increasing, production capacity is becoming important,” adding, “This plan seems to be an effort to maximize the capacity to respond amidst intense demand pressure.”
Galaxy S24 users are confused about the One UI 8.5 Beta rollout, and Samsung has quietly pushed the December 2025 security update.
On December 8, Samsung first released the December patch for the Galaxy S25 series and kicked off the One UI 8.5 Beta Program a few hours later. Well, it’s not going to happen with the Galaxy S24 series, at least for now.
That said, Galaxy S24 series users have to settle for the December 2025 security update. It’s a big package that weighs about 350 megabytes. Samsung equipped it with 68 specific improvements, targeting Android and One UI.
Users in South Korea are getting the latest firmware with PDA CYL1. It’s an initial rollout that sequentially expands to more countries. Besides security improvements, the firmware has nothing significant to look at.
Check for updates through Settings > Software update > Download and install.
One UI 8.5 Update
Samsung currently has no plans for One UI 8.5 Beta expansion. Galaxy S25, S25 Plus, and S25 Ultra are the only candidates qualifying. We may see a Beta Program for more Samsung models in the next couple of weeks.
Meanwhile, Samsung is already testing One UI 8.5 for many devices, including the S24 series. The scope just widened to cover the Galaxy S23 series of phones. However, the Stable distribution is unlikely to begin before the start of Q2 2026.
The next wave of Beta rollout is expected in late December, covering two more countries: India and Poland. Samsung may provide the second Beta to current Beta participants on December 22 in Germany, Korea, the UK, and the US.
Ayaneo previously teased that it was making a gaming phone, and now, the device has been fully showcased. Called Pocket Play, it comes with a design formula that's very similar to the Sony Xperia Play, but the company didn't share any specs yet.
Vovo has extended what toilets can do with the Neo—a smart toilet that can monitor users for health problems. The toilet can also auto-open the lid, auto-flush after each use, clean bums with heated water, and deodorize the air.
Smalth has introduced a new Titanium smart ring with 12 days of battery life. The smart ring has a titanium shell, an offline data storage feature, SpO2 and heart rate tracking, and app-based controls. On top of that, it’s said to be waterproof up to 10 ATM.
Poco recently released the F8 Ultra and F8 Pro, but the brand isn't taking any time off after that - it's apparently getting ready to unveil the M8 Pro soon. Some of this phone's specs have been outed by the FCC through its certification process.
So, the Poco M8 Pro comes with a battery rated at 6,330 mAh, which will most likely translate into an advertised typical capacity of 6,500 mAh. This will charge at up to 100W. The phone supports Wi-Fi 6E dual-band, 5G, Bluetooth, and NFC.
Poco M7 Pro
Disappointingly, it seems like it may launch running HyperOS 2 based on Android 15. It...
Google has announced a new feature called Android Emergency Live Video, and it's pretty much what you'd assume it would be based on the name - the ability to share live video with emergency services. And it works "in a single tap" too, because in an emergency every second counts.
During an emergency call or text, a dispatcher can request live video from your phone, and you can start securely streaming with just one tap. The video will let emergency responders quickly assess the situation and get you the help you need. With the real-time view they can also guide you through life-saving...
Samsung and KT have validated an AI tech that predicts network signal drops. It’s a massive technological breakthrough, making 6G feel closer. It will ensure delivery of uninterrupted service across a range of real-world environments
On December 10, Samsung and KT announced the validation of the AI-RAN optimization solution. It follows the simulation-based verification completed in June, marking the first successful demonstration on a live commercial network.
The test
Samsung’s Electronics and Research teams collaborated with Future Network Laboratory at KT Corporation to conduct a field test with approximately 18,000 users with varying environmental conditions.
The AI-RAN technology was applied to users who had repeatedly experienced service disruptions, allowing the teams to identify recurring issue patterns and develop user-specific network configurations.
Samsung and KT then compared the number of disconnections before and after applying these configurations. The test results revealed that the connection failures have been reduced among users who had faced frequent disruptions.
Source – Samsung Newsroom
Samsung says its new AI-RAN optimization technology automatically applies optimal configurations for each user, instead of the entire network, based on real-time wireless conditions.
The solution predicts network drops even before they occur by leveraging AI to learn from issues tied to a user’s movement paths and usage patterns.
Samsung believes that:
AI-RAN optimization will be essential as the industry prepares for the 6G era, when data usage is expected to surge and networks must deliver stable service across a wide range of communication environments.
Samsung begins behind-the-scenes work on One UI 8.5 for Galaxy S23 phones. The new software’s internal testing has just begun for the 2023 flagships. This move comes after a handful of Galaxy A phones have entered the arena.
Galaxy S23 series is eligible for the One UI 8.5 update, but the Beta Program is uncertain. Samsung might keep the users waiting until the second quarter of next year and directly provide a Stable build, skipping the Beta Program.
The first internal build carries FYLB, where F refers to the major One UI version. It replaces the existing E, which was bumped with One UI 8.0. If a build with the Z character appears, Beta testing will begin shortly after, but it’s less likely.
Software versions (As spotted by tipster Akhilesh Kumar):
Galaxy S23 – S911BXXU8FYLB
Galaxy S23 Plus – S916BXXU8FYLB
Galaxy S23 Ultra – S918BXXU8FYLB
What’s new?
Samsung’s One UI 8.5 is based on One UI 8 (Android 16). It’s a mid-cycle version, but the changes are literally huge. The company highlights upgraded Photo Assist, Storage Share, and Audio Broadcast as the key features.
You get a heavily customizable Quick Panel that feels like Android 16 Expressive. Various apps and services have adopted an elegant blur design. Navigation bar and back-swipe gestures have also become more dynamic.
Samsung will roll out the One UI 8.5 update in the first half of next year. The release will start once the software debuts with the Galaxy S26 in 2026. You can expect the update in the second quarter, between April to June.
One UI 8.5 Beta is also underway for the users of the Galaxy S25 series. The Program is currently limited to four countries, with two more joining later this month. Samsung could keep Beta limited to just the S25 lineup.
Unigrid has unveiled the Na+ (Plus) Fleet battery for automoative applications. The 12-volt battery is a drop-in replacement requiring no vehicle modifications. It uses safer sodium rather than lithium for the cathode for a safer design that uses no rare earths.
According to a new rumor, vivo is working on a new device that it will call X200T. That's a strange name for this brand, and if you're wondering what to expect, this will allegedly be "a mix of the X200 and X200 FE".
It's expected to launch in India by the end of January. It definitely sounds like a weird release considering the fact that the X300 and X300 Pro have just become available in India, so a new device in the X200 line may feel instantly outdated in comparison.
vivo X200 FE
The X200T is said to be similar in size to the X200 FE, which has a 6.31-inch touchscreen. The...
NASA has finished assembling the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, a next-generation observatory designed to hunt for dark energy and previously forecast to detect ten times more supernovae than all existing telescopes combined have detected to date.
Tiiny AI is an American startup that has introduced a brand-new mini PC with one goal - putting large LLMs in user's pockets. The impressively tiny Pocket Lab mini PC packs a 12-core ARM CPU along with an NPU that is capable of up to 160 TOPS of compute power. Memory is crucial, taken care of by 80 GB of LPDDR5X RAM.
It may surprise fans to learn that Black Ops 7 still has more support than its rivals. Despite superior Battlefield 6 and Arc Raiders player counts on Steam, Call of Duty boasts greater engagement on consoles. Arc Raiders dominates on PC, but that supremacy hasn’t translated to the PS5 or Xbox.
A new leak has revealed some specs of the next-gen base iPad (2026). Along with a major SoC upgrade, it will also come with Apple's new N1 wireless chip.
Olight has refreshed its penlight with the so-called O’Pen 3. It offers more light sources than its predecessor which turns it into a luminous ballpoint pen. However, this gadget also carries a high price tag.
Garmin is now rolling out system software 20.24 for the Fenix 8, Fenix 8 Pro, Fenix E, Enduro 3 and Tactix 8 smartwatches. This stable release tackles three bugs experienced by users of these wearables. They are linked to maps, the flashlight feature and the SOS alarm countdown.
The Garmin Instinct 3, Instinct E and Instinct Crossover smartwatches are now receiving system software 12.21. This update brings two bug fixes to these wearables, tackling issues linked to apps. According to the company, this is a phased rollout, with many users having received the update already.
What's inside the box of the Xiaomi Pad 8? As part of our detailed review, the affordable but lightning-fast Chinese tablet recently arrived in our test lab, after which we did take a look at the retail packaging and everything that’s included in the box.
Samsung is currently preparing an Android 16-based One UI 8.5 for Galaxy devices. Meanwhile, we have some information that One UI 9 might bring the long-awaited App Lock feature to Samsung Galaxy users globally. This feature will let people lock their apps using a PIN, password, fingerprint, or face unlock, keeping private apps safe.
Earlier reports suggest that Samsung will add a native App Lock feature with One UI 8.5, but it will only be available in China. One UI 8.5 will also introduce a new Smart Manager with several AI features and security tools for Chinese users. App Lock will allow users to secure apps without relying on third-party apps.
Now, new information reveals that Google is working on a native App Lock feature for Android 17. This will allow users to lock apps directly from the system without using Private Space or third-party apps. Some code for this feature has already been spotted in a test version of Android 17.
Source – Sammyfans
At the moment, Android doesn’t offer a simple way to lock apps. Private Space exists, but it’s not very convenient. Apps in Private Space can’t appear on the home screen and require extra steps to open. They also run separately from the main profile.
Many phone makers created their own App Lock solutions, but still, some users often rely on third-party apps. But these apps can be unsafe or easily removed. Google’s new App Lock will make the feature official and secure.
If One UI 8.5 brings the App Lock feature to Galaxy devices in China, it is expected that this new feature might expand globally with Android 17-based One UI 9. Stay tuned for more information.
Samsung has already announced its new foldable phone, Galaxy Z TriFold, which will officially launch on December 12, 2025. Along with new features and an amazing design, this Galaxy Z TriFold smartphone comes with a fresh set of beautiful wallpapers, and they are now available for download.
The Galaxy Z TriFold includes two main wallpapers. One is made for the cover screen, which has a resolution of 1080 x 2520 pixels. The second wallpaper is for the main display, available in 2160 x 1584 pixels.
These wallpapers use dark tones and are designed to fit the large screens of the TriFold. Even though the design is similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 7 wallpapers, these have been updated to fit the TriFold’s bigger 10-inch display.
These wallpapers are available to download in high quality, thanks to YTechB. You can now use these wallpapers on your smartphone home screen or lock screen for a fresh and stylish look.
Download Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold Phone Wallpaper – Link
After downloading the wallpapers, setting them up is easy. Just go to your downloads folder, open the wallpaper you want, and tap the menu button to set it as your background. You can apply them to either the home screen, the lock screen, or both.
Although the Galaxy Z TriFold comes with strong features like a 10-inch display, Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, and a 200MP camera, the wallpapers add a next-level touch to its overall look. If you enjoy clean and modern designs, these wallpapers are definitely worth trying on your phone
You can check the preview of Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold Wallpapers here:
The Ayaneo Pocket Air Mini has begun shipping after being available to pre-order since October. The first batch of orders will include those who backed the project on Indiegogo.
The Anker Prime Charging Base (150W, 3 Ports) has been released in the US. Already available in the UK, this accessory is designed to quickly charge some of the brand’s power banks. There are also three USB ports, which can be used to charge multiple devices simultaneously.
Govee is working on a new smart indoor light, the Ceiling Light Ultra. Spotted on an official Govee website, as well as in another database, this model appears to share some similarities with the older Ceiling Light Pro. We already know some of its features, like support for the Matter smart home protocol.
The Casio Pro Trek PRG340ANS-3 watch, a special edition model marking 30 years of the Pro Trek brand, has been released in the US. The digital watch features a duplex LCD with a green and gold color scheme throughout. Features of the Triple Sensor model include temperature readings, compass bearings and sunset times.
The Apple Studio Display has a 60Hz 5K panel, lacks HDR support and is no longer entirely up to date from a technical perspective. The Studio Display Gen 2 now appears to be launching soon and is expected to receive three significant upgrades, according to a new code leak.
Instead of ratings boards having the final say, Sony wants to empower console gamers to censor content. Its new patent describes how AI tools could modify video based on user preferences. While parents would have more censorship options, it could allow individuals to impose their beliefs on others.
A draft product listing for the upcoming Amazfit Max smartwatch has appeared on one of the brand's official websites. The page, which includes several images, reveals more features of this recently leaked wearable, including support for BioCharge energy level monitoring and contactless payments.
Today, Adobe has announced that you can use its Photoshop, Express, and Acrobat tools right inside ChatGPT. Of course, this means you can simply tell the chatbot what you want to accomplish and it will use Adobe's products. Then you can keep the conversation going by requesting changes.
Thus, you can easily edit images with Photoshop, whether that be adjusting just a specific part, fine-tuning settings like brightness, contrast, and exposure, or applying creative effects like Glitch and Glow, all while preserving the quality of the image.
You can also personalize designs with...
SamsungHealth will soon get an update, and with that update, some older features will reportedly be removed. The company has shared a notice with users to explain these changes. While new tools are coming, a few fitness programs will no longer be available in the app.
The notice mentions to users that certain Fitness Program services will be discontinued. Workout programs that were downloaded in the Fitness Program section are going away. Samsung also says that any programs added before December 31, 2022, will be removed from the app after the update.
Even though some features are being removed, Samsung will keep real-time streaming workouts. These are videos you can watch instantly and follow along with, and Samsung says they will stay in the app. This suggests the company is aiming for fresh, updated content instead of older programs.
Samsung has not given an exact date for when the new app version will arrive. It’s also unknown whether these changes will be part of the One UI 8.5 update or a separate release. Once the update is ready, users will find it in the Galaxy Store and Google Play Store.
People who rely on older workout programs may lose access to them soon. Users should be aware of these changes and prepare for the older content to disappear after the update. Stay tuned for more information.
Google is launching a new safety feature, Android Emergency Live Video, which lets people share live video from their phone with emergency responders. This feature is now starting to roll out across the United States, as well as in some regions in Germany and Mexico.
The new feature works on Android phones running Android 8 or newer with Google Play services. It is very simple to use. When you call or text your local emergency number, the dispatcher may ask to see what is happening around you. They will send a request to your phone, and you can choose to accept or decline it by tapping “Share” or “No thanks.” You are always in control.
If you choose to share, your camera will open in a small window on your screen. You can make it bigger, stop sharing at any time, turn on your flashlight, or switch between the front and back cameras.
Also, Google says that the video is encrypted, which means it is protected while being sent. Emergency services may view and record the video only for your active situation.
Image via Google
Google explains that this feature can help responders understand what is happening faster. During an emergency, it can be hard to explain everything clearly, especially when you are stressed. Live video can help dispatchers quickly see the scene and guide you through important steps.
This new tool shows Google’s effort to improve safety on Android phones. It builds on features like Emergency Location Service, Car Crash Detection, Fall Detection, and Satellite SOS. Google is also working with safety organisations worldwide to make this feature available in more places.
Microsoft is now selling Pip-Boy themed Xbox controllers worldwide. Taking in various elements from the Fallout universe, the new Xbox Wireless Controller and Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 variants are said to be limited edition and will be available for a limited time only.
Over the next few days, the Geminids will reach their peak acitivity, and about 150 meteors will be visible per hour. But it will be necessary to follow several tips to observe this event in the best conditions.
IKEA has released the Bilresa Remote Control in the US. Currently available to purchase as an individual device, with a colorful multipack on the way, this is part of IKEA’s new wider range of smart home products, which support the Matter standard, for integration with third-party ecosystems.
DVX has introduced the Night Storm X3, a dual-sensor night-vision system with 4K recording, a 1500-meter laser range finder, 950 nm IR illumination, and a 20 TOPS AI Fusion processor. It is launching via a Kickstarter campaign.
Samsung has officially announced that it will be shutting down the Samsung Free app. The app, which offered news, articles, and games in one place, hasn’t been very popular with users. Now, Samsung is finally putting an end to this Free app.
The official notification mentions that after December 16, Samsung Free will no longer be available. Users who like the Play tab for games can still use it through Samsung’s Gaming Hub. However, the Read tab, which had news and articles, will be gone forever.
Moreover, Samsung also explains that all personal data collected through the app will be deleted immediately after the shutdown. Any information that the company must keep by law will be stored only for the required period and then deleted. Users can check Samsung’s Privacy Policy for more details.
Image via Alfaturk
Aside from this, the Korean Tech giant has provided ways for users to ask questions or send feedback through the app. Also, Samsung has thanked users for their support and promised to continue offering better services in the future.
If you are still using Samsung Free, it’s important to save anything important before the app closes. Notably, gamers won’t lose their progress as games can still be accessed via Gaming Hub.
The discontinuation of the Samsung Free app shows that the company aims to focus on improving the popular services and removing apps that are not widely used or popular. Stay tuned for more information.
8BitDo has now released a batch of colourful new wireless controllers after their announcement earlier this week. Available in over half a dozen finishes including multiple translucent options, the new controllers all retail for $45. Unfortunately, major caveats exist for these releases, though.
New reports indicate that Apple's aggressive iPhone 17 pricing has forced Samsung to downgrade the Galaxy S26 in more areas than previously expected. With a redesign and a major battery upgrade off the table, another set of proposed improvements from the Galaxy S25 are said to have been shelved for another generation, too.
Deal | Humble Bundle has brought back the Return to Metroidvania collection. It has a total of eight Steam Deck-playable games that can be purchased for $12, making each cost $1.5.
Deal | The Past Within is a cooperative game that plunges you into a unique universe in which you will have to solve many puzzles. But be careful, because you will need to communicate with each other in order to succeed in your mission.
The first mass-market gasoline engine for hybrid vehicles to surpass 48% thermal efficiency offers a number of innovations like thermal-spray coating. The Mach 1.5T ICE has no valve seats and brings longer range from one fuel tank.
Sony has confirmed details for its mid-December 2025 PlayStation Plus catalogue update. Arriving after a leak detailed that multiple triple-A games would be up for grabs, the full update spans over half a dozen titles including the remastered Soulcalibur III and Assassin's Creed Mirage.
Samsung has started rolling out the December 2025 security update for some of its popular devices, including the Galaxy S21 FE, Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, and Galaxy XCover 7. This update improves system security, fixes bugs, and helps your device run more smoothly.
The Exynos variant of the Galaxy S21 FE in Vietnam is now receiving the December 2025 update with firmware version G990EXXSKHYK5. On the other side, the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite and Galaxy XCover 7 are getting the update in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines with firmware versions P625XXS7CYK1 and G556BXXSCDYK5.
This December security patch brings 68 important security fixes. Out of these, 57 are Android fixes, including 6 critical and 51 high-level security issues. There are also 11 One UI-specific fixes to make Samsung devices safer. Some issues were already fixed in previous updates, and 14 issues do not apply to these devices.
Image: Samsung
This update will protect your files and data from potential security risks. It also improves system stability, so your phone or tablet works better and without interruptions.
Samsung will release the December 2025 security update in more countries soon. To check if the update is available, go to Settings >> Software Update >> Download and install. Make sure your device is charged and connected to Wi-Fi before updating.
If you own a Galaxy S21 FE, Tab S6 Lite, or XCover 7, it is recommended to install this update as soon as it becomes available in your country. Stay tuned for updates in other regions and keep your device safe with the latest security improvements.
Samsung Semiconductor reached out to us and shared an update on the memory shortage situation. The statement reads:
“Recent reports that Samsung’s DS division has rejected certain customer requests are baseless and not true. We are in close communication with global customers to address industry needs.”
December 1
Turns out that everything isn’t fine inside Samsung. A new report sheds light on an internal war, alleging that the Samsung chip team (DS Division) has refused Galaxy’s (MX Division) request, putting Galaxy S26 at risk.
Samsung will launch the Galaxy S26 series early next year, but the MX Division has reportedly failed in securing a long-term deal with the DS Division on memory chip.
Sources citing SEDaily claim that Samsung’s DS Division has recently rejected the MX Division’s request for a long-term contract of DRAM for a year or more. The Division is only entertaining contracts on a quarterly basis at its best.
The report also suggests that there were high executive level discussions between the MX and DS divisions. However, the Mobile Team has just managed to secure DRAMs for the fourth quarter of the year, ending on December 31.
DS Division falls under Samsung Elec’s umbrella, but the business is reportedly sidelining DRAM and NAND contracts. The present focus is aimed at securing orders for beneficial products like HBM for AI data centers.
Galaxy S26 series will use DRAMs from Samsung Electronics and Micron. The supply will be split between the two firms, while the exact proportion is currently unknown.
Earlier this year, the price of Samsung’s 12GB LPDDR5X RAM was around $33. The prices have been skyrocketed in the past few months, with the same DRAM now costing around $70.
Seeing a potential spike, MX Division tried to score a long-term deal with DS Division. At this stage, the chip team is prioritizing its growth opportunity, but it has led the mobile business to face a chipflation and profit decline.
There’s a simple logic: MX is concerned about increasing DRAM and NAND costs. At the same time, DS isn’t bowing down, even for its sister division, as it aims to secure growth and revenue, benefiting from the memory super cycle.
It seems that Google Maps users will finally be able to have their parking location save automatically, even with custom icons. Google is clearly late to the party, considering that competing apps have had this feature for a long time.
A decade-long experiment by retro tech YouTuber Tech Tangents reveals that “retrobrighting” yellowed consoles with hydrogen peroxide and UV light can actually accelerate plastic degradation, leaving treated systems more discolored than untouched ones. His findings challenge a popular restoration practice and are pushing collectors toward gentler, less chemically aggressive methods or acceptance of inevitable aging.
A mysterious addition to the Square Enix YouTube channel is fueling more speculation about The Game Awards. A Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 trailer is one scenario, following encouraging updates. Director Naoki Hamaguchi recently discussed how the upcoming event is ideal for major announcements.
Tesla and Subaru make the most fuel-efficient vehicles, and the Japanese are now launching the Uncharted SUV in the US. Its price undercuts the Model Y by a lot.
A recent benchmark listing has once again shed light on the expected performance improvements of Intel's upcoming Arrow Lake Refresh desktop CPUs. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus, to be precise, will boast 4 additional efficiency cores for a marginal improvement in multi-core performance.
Motorola has offered a hint that it will be getting into the world of book-style foldables next year. Seemingly, the company's official announcement is on the horizon too.
Oppo has launched a new midrange smartphone, the A6L, in the Chinese market. The smartphone retains the same design as the A6 Max and features a 120 Hz AMOLED display and a large 7,000 mAh battery with 80 W wired charging. Available in a single 12 GB + 256 GB variant, the device is currently exclusive to China.
Anbernic has confirmed full specifications for its next gaming handheld. In the process, the company has indicated that the Anbernic RG477V will be released soon with a global launch likely on the cards.
The Antigravity A1 has just arrived as the first drone offering a built-in 360° camera. Based on a new leak, DJI is not far behind with the Avata 360, though.
The Nintendo Virtual Boy add-on accessory for the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 is now available to pre-order. However, you must have an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription to be able to pre-order the device.
Google’s Circle to Search is one of the most helpful AI features on Android phones and tablets. It lets you look up information about anything on your screen by simply long-pressing the home button or navigation bar. However, people using Samsung DeX have not been able to use this feature, but One UI 8.5 might change that.
Recently, Google released Android 16 QPR2, which includes several new improvements. It brings changes to Circle to Search, and it now works in Android’s Desktop Mode. This mode appears when your phone is connected to an external monitor or TV.
According to the latest information via Android Authority, you can start Circle to Search by long-pressing the app drawer button while in Desktop Mode. This means users can now quickly search for information even when using their phone like a computer.
With One UI 8.0, Samsung’s newer version of DeX introduced, which is also built on Android’s updated Desktop Mode. Because of this, there is a chance that Circle to Search will soon be available on Samsung DeX, probably with One UI 8.5.
However, the feature is not working just yet. When tested on a Galaxy S25 Ultra running the first One UI 8.5 beta, Circle to Search still didn’t appear in DeX. Long-pressing the home button showed a message saying it can’t be opened on a connected display. But long-pressing the app drawer button also did nothing.
This likely means Samsung hasn’t added the feature to the current beta version, or the Google Search app needs an update to enable it. But early leaks suggest that Circle to Search will arrive in Samsung DeX in a future One UI 8.5 update
After the Galaxy A56 smartphones, Samsung has started preparing the One UI 8.5 update for another Galaxy A series smartphone – the Galaxy A36. This is one of the most popular and best-selling smartphones of 2025.
A well-known tipster, Alfaturk, has spotted a new One UI 8.5 testing build for the Galaxy A36 smartphone on a testing platform. This suggests that Samsung has started working on a major update for this device.
The appearance of this new update shows that Samsung is actively working to make One UI 8.5 available for its Galaxy devices. The beta version of One UI 8.5 is already available, and the final stable version is confirmed to come out next year with the Galaxy S26 series.
Source – Samsung
Currently, the One UI 8.5 Beta is live for the Galaxy S25 series in a few countries. This beta version allows users to try out new features before they are officially released. The beta might soon be available for more Galaxy devices.
Samsung might also let users of the Galaxy A36, along with other Galaxy A series phones, join the One UI 8.5 Beta program. In the previous One UI 8 Beta program, Samsung allowed many Galaxy A series users to test new features.
Although Samsung has not confirmed the full list of devices for the One UI 8.5 Beta, it is expected that more Galaxy devices will receive the stable update next year. So, we can see more beta updates for more Galaxy devices.
Based on Android 16, the One UI 8.5 update brings upgrades to Galaxy AI, Bixby, Connectivity, Quick Share, Home and Lock screens, Battery and Power, Security, and more. Stay tuned for more information
X leaker Abhishek Yadav has learned Samsung plans to push out its mid-range Galaxy A series in February. They could be unveiled before the Galaxy S26 trio, which is tipped for a late-February 2026 reveal.
Samsung's magnetic accessories for Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 Plus and Galaxy S26 Ultra have leaked online ahead of time. Joined by new magnetic wireless chargers and a magnetic ring holder, the Galaxy S26 series should mark Samsung's expansion of support for the recent Qi2 wireless charging standard.
After announcing the competition back in March, Nothing has unveiled the community designed Phone (3a). Officially known as the Nothing Phone (3a) Community Edition, the phone has a frosted teal finish that's reminiscent of tech products from the 90s.
The dock is designed to connect desktop graphics cards to laptops and handhelds. It features a built-in 850W power supply and supports both Oculink and USB4 to handle modern hardware like Nvidia’s RTX 5090.
Deal | Humble Bundle's Gear Up for Borderlands 4 has returned with some changes. The bundle, which originally contained a total of eight items, is now back with the latest additions to the Borderlands series.
Samsung once again disappointed a major fanbase by limiting the One UI Beta access. On December 8, Samsung launched the One UI 8.5 Beta Program, but the update rollout didn’t happen the way it should have.
One UI 8.5 Beta is live in four markets: 1. Germany, 2. South Korea, 3. the UK, and 4. the US. Two more countries are eligible for the Beta Program, including 1. India and 2. Poland.
The devices, Galaxy S25 series, are the only qualifying smartphone lineup as of now. Samsung would keep the Beta Program limited to these phones throughout the Beta testing; only country-wise expansion will take place.
With Samsung continuing to miss opportunities to impress its fans, here’s how the One UI 8.5 Beta Program should have been.
Open to all – devices
Samsung hasn’t yet matched Apple and Google’s lead in software distribution. The two biggest rivals run a Beta Program for all devices worldwide and even push Stable updates the same day for all qualifying devices.
Imagine if One UI 8.5 Beta were opened for not just the Galaxy S25 series, but also for the S24, S23, and S22 series. Foldable and premium tablet devices should have also joined the Beta testing to shape the latest Galaxy software.
Well, it remains a dream.
Open to all – fans
Forget all devices, Samsung even limits its limited Beta to select countries. Samsung’s full Beta rollout will take place in six countries. Fans residing in other markets will have to wait until the official rollout begins months later.
It would have felt satisfactory that every Galaxy S25 user around the world is eligible for the One UI 8.5 Beta Program. The larger the testing scale, the efficient the Beta Program would have been, but we can’t get this from Samsung.
Stable One UI 8.5 update
Samsung announced official One UI 8.5 will be released with the Galaxy S26 series next year. Following the official debut, the software will sequentially be provided to several existing Galaxy phones, foldables, and tablets thereafter.
The James Webb Space Telescope recently discovered the oldest supernova ever observed. And thanks to this unique discovery, astronomers can better understand the earliest moments of the universe.
Deal | Neon Abyss, one of the most popular roguelikes in recent years, is now cheaper than ever on Steam. The fast-paced action platformer is discounted by 80% for the first time, bringing the price down to under $4. The deal runs until December 18.
Deal | What if Louis XVI had commanded an army of mechanical soldiers? Steelrising answers that question in the form of a stylish and accessible souls-like that is currently available on Steam at 90% off for the first time.
CheckMag | Early leaks point to notable design and hardware changes for Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17e, including a more modern front layout and upgrades borrowed from the latest flagship models. With Apple expected to keep the starting price the same, the 17e is positioned as a more ambitious entry in the company’s budget line. A launch is rumoured for early 2026.
The Asus ROG Strix XG27JCG has been spotted on the official website. It's a dual-mode 27-inch gaming monitor that can switch between QHD 330Hz and 5K 180Hz modes. There's support for AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync as well.
An ARC Raiders player takes down a camper and mocks him over voice chat – only to walk straight into a hidden mine the victim had planted. The resulting explosion wipes out both players, sparking plenty of amusement and schadenfreude on Reddit.
StationPC launched the PocketCloud portable NAS earlier this year via Kickstarter. It can now be purchased via Amazon and the company's official website.
Need to create a Windows rescue boot stick? Or a USB for Linux Mint, another for Kali Linux, or Tails? Finding the right boot sticks used to be a hassle for me—but now I can handle Windows, Linux, and more with a single USB stick, thanks to Ventoy.
Philips Hue’s app for iOS and Android has received another update. This relatively large release brings five new features to users of the brand’s smart home devices. One of these is the hotly anticipated multi-Bridge to Hue Bridge Pro migration process, and the other two are for Hue Secure customers.
Seiko's newest watch is the SNR058, a US-exclusive Spring Drive GMT featuring a black-to-brown textured dial, rose-gold accents, and a titanium case. It runs the 5R66 movement with a 72-hour reserve. The model is a special edition with no fixed production number.
Philips Hue users are receiving a new tool, which allows them to migrate multiple instances of the Hue Bridge to the Hue Bridge Pro in a single process. This hotly anticipated functionality is being rolled out in updates for the two versions of the Hue Bridge, as well as in a release for the Philips Hue app.
Samsung is preparing an early launch of the Galaxy A37 and Galaxy A57 in 2026. The company usually reveals its premium A phones either at the end of Q1 or the start of Q2, but the timeline may see a major revision.
According to AbhishekYadav, Samsung could launch the Galaxy A37 and Galaxy A57 in February 2026. This timeline indicates that the company may advance the reveal of these smartphones by around a month next year.
Before these two, Samsung may unveil the Galaxy A07 5G later this month or early next month. It will be the cheapest offering from the brand with 5G connectivity.
The tipster has also shared chip and GPU specs of the upcoming phones.
Galaxy A57 – Exynos 1680 with Xclipse 550 GPU
Galaxy A37 – Exynos 1480 with Xclipse 530 GPU
The two phones will be equipped with Android 16-based One UI 8. It remains to be seen whether the One UI version is bumped to 8.5 at launch. The segment usually shares the same software version as new S devices.
The potential decision to advance the launch seems strategic. It doesn’t align with the usual strategy, as February is considered a month reserved for Galaxy S phones. If new A models arrive in that timeframe, flagships would be affected.
Late night exclusive
Samsung Galaxy A07 5G is expected to launch later this month or in early January 2026. This time, Samsung is planning to launch the Galaxy A37 (Exynos 1480) and Galaxy A57 (Exynos 1680) earlier than usual, in February 2026, compared to the typical A3x and…
A recent industry report revealed that Samsung will start Galaxy S26 Ultra production this month. Due to a delay in development and spec revision, the production of Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus has been pushed to early next year.
Samsung has finally started the rollout of the Stable One UI 8 Watch update to the Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro in the US. Verizon is bringing the major software to the older smartwatches with new features and improvements.
One UI 8 Watch update brings an advanced Tiles feature that lets you create your own tiles. The curated tile offers a variety of information, such as weather, calendar events, and reminders.
You can combine apps to gather information and create custom tiles. To expand apps in a tile, utilize the + icon to add any tiles you like in the One UI 8 Watch software.
Samsung’s Wear OS 6 upgrade also brings advancements to watch faces. It expands Low light mode to the dark mode for easier viewing, which supports select faces like Sporty and Heritage Classic.
Mindfulness is another highlighting feature that unlocks mood tracking and breathing exercises, helping the users of the Galaxy Watch 5 or Watch 5 Pro with focus and stress reduction.
Apart from new features, the One UI 8 Watch update carries the October 2025 security patches. US residents can identify the latest update through the PDA build version ending with DYK4.
Wear OS 6 brings core improvements to offer reliable app performance. Apps will launch and load faster, and run efficiently to save power and improve the overall battery life.
Utilize the Galaxy Wearable app to get this update today. Open the app followed by Watch settings and Watch software update. Hit the Download and install button to initiate the firmware search process for your smartwatch.
Well ahead of the launch, the Google Pixel 10a has been spotted on Verizon's database. This certification shares that the upcoming affordable flagship might not be any different than the last-gen 9a.
Xiaomi has revealed the Monitor A27i 2026 on one of its websites. This new model features various upgrades compared to its predecessor, including a higher refresher rate and improved brightness. It is marketed as a relatively slim model, with a 27-inch screen and a tilting stand.
Deal | Best Buy has discounted the Lenovo LOQ 15 Gen 10 gaming laptop by more than $450 compared to the list price. As a result, the latest iteration of the popular Lenovo LOQ 15 series has dropped to its record-low price. The Lenovo LOQ 15IRX10 on sale features an RTX 5060 laptop GPU and a Core i7-13650HX CPU.
Amazon is taking the fight to Starlink by deploying over 300 ground-based gateway stations to power its newly branded Amazon Leo satellite internet service. This massive infrastructure project aims to deliver robust speeds and direct AWS cloud connectivity for millions of future users.
In a strategic split, Samsung has put the Galaxy S26 Ultra first on the production line. Production of the other two models, S26 and S26 Plus, has been pushed to early next year.
An explosive industry report reveals Samsung starts mass production of the Galaxy S26 Ultra this month. The company is in no mood to risk its best-selling flagship, and the specs and features have seemingly been finalized.
While the Ultra model’s production is starting in December, the other two have been postponed to early next year. The report also hints at the reasons behind the difference in production timelines and why Samsung needed to do so.
At the start, we heard that the Edge is replacing the Plus version in 2026. We’ve even seen CAD renders and online listings of the Edge model. However, the MX Division has dumped the Edge plans due to struggling sales.
It was found that the Galaxy S26 Plus would generate better sales than the S26 Edge. As the slim model was dropped from the 2025 lineup, the Plus has been suddenly revived, and the development has commenced late.
The same report also revealed the final camera specs of the Galaxy S26. The upcoming flagship is said to feature the same camera sensors as the S25. It includes a 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP telephoto, and 12MP selfie snapper.
While the production timeline is different, Samsung would not split the lineup at launch. All three models will be launched at the same time. However, this report solidifies the rumors of a 4-week delay in the Unpacked event.
A new report indicates Apple will order 11 million foldable OLED panels from Samsung for the first foldable iPhone's inner display. The volume hints at the massive scale Apple is planning as it takes on the segment. Update: Samsung representative says the information is untrue.
OpenAI’s latest report shows that AI really is saving workers time and improving work quality, just not by much. Most employees are reclaiming only 40 to 60 minutes a day, far from the sweeping disruption many predicted. The AI revolution is here, but its productivity benefits remain modest.
Citizen has revealed the 2026 Kizashi Collection, comprising four limited Super Titanium models across Attesa, xC, and Exceed. Each watch gets attractive dial work, updated finishes, Eco-Drive calibers, and January availability, with production capped per model.
Deal | The latest Humble Bundle package — Wholesome Snack 2025 — has arrived with 9 highly-rated games in tow. This bundle contains $169 worth of games and costs $12. It will expire on December 31, 2025.
Certification documents of the Galaxy S26 Ultra reveal that the premium model of Samsung's next-gen flagship series will not be available with an Exynos chipset. However, the standard and plus models are reported to be available in Exynos and Snapdragon variants.
A new industry report brings disappointment to the potential buyers of the Galaxy S26 series. The report says Samsung is all set to reuse the entire camera module of the Galaxy S25 in the upcoming Galaxy S26 smartphone.
According to TheElec, Samsung hasn’t improved the camera specs of the Galaxy S26 (probably the Plus version too). It’s a total disappointment as an upgraded ultrawide and telephoto camera was highly anticipated by fans.
The base model of the Galaxy S26 series may bring a 50-megapixel main camera. The ultrawide and telephoto cameras are also said to be unchanged. Meanwhile, there’s no hope for an improved front camera for the selfie module.
Galaxy S26 (base) camera specs
Primary – 50-megapixel
Ultrawide – 12-megapixel
Telephoto – 10-megapixel with 3x optical zoom
Front – 12-megapixel
Galaxy S phones are already expensive, and Samsung can’t risk harming sales when the iPhone is available at a lower price. Base iPhone and Galaxy S models share the same price, while Samsung’s Ultra is $100 pricier than Apple’s best.
Apple’s iPhone 17 has become the reason behind Samsung’s stall. The company has reportedly considered upgrading some camera sensors. However, this upgrade would have arrived at an increased cost, going above $799.
With component (DRAM, AP, and camera) costs continuing to rise, Samsung isn’t able to bring upgrades while keeping the price the same. That said, the planned upgrades have been canceled, and pricing has been prioritized.
We may see Samsung’s Unpacked event in February next year in San Francisco. The lineup will include three models, as always, including a Base, a Plus, and an Ultra, while an “Ultra Slim” project is also in the pipeline.
One UI 8.5 is now available in Beta, and a recent behind-the-scenes development suggests Samsung expanded the internal test scope to an unexpected device.
It’s December, and the official One UI 8.5 will be released in February or March next year. The software is available for the owners of the Galaxy S25 series, while internal development and testing are underway for a few more models.
As spotted by tipster AkhileshKumar, Samsung has kick-started One UI 8.5 development for the Galaxy A17 5G. The first internal firmware has just appeared on the company’s server, targeting the European version with EUX CSC.
Galaxy A17 5G runs One UI 8 build that ends with BYJ1. The new One UI 8.5 test build that just surfaced online carries CYL3. The shift to the major One UI version from “B” to “C” reveals it’s the upcoming One UI 8.5 update.
The internal build was first spotted for the Galaxy S25 series. Later, the company expanded internal testing to the recent foldable phones. A few days ago, the Galaxy S24 series also entered the One UI 8.5 internal development.
Galaxy A17 5G’s testing has started earlier than Samsung’s flagship phones. Early commencement of firmware development signals Galaxy phones may not take much time to receive their major upgrade after official release.
Samsung says One UI 8.5 will be provided to existing Galaxy devices through updates sequentially. Since the official release is slated for February or March, the update’s expansion should happen in Q3 (April-June) 2026.
First OneUI 8.5 build spotted for Galaxy A17 (A176B)
The GPD Win 5 has undergone major design changes compared to its predecessor, with the external battery being one of them. A modder who goes by PureDIY has now shown off a mod for the gaming handheld that fixes many design complaints.
A new report from Digitimes says Samsung might use the Exynos 2600 only in its home turf. The decision is likely driven by low yields and contractual obligations with Qualcomm.
Update | Abxylute has announced the E1 dual-OS retro game console, designed for the emulation of classic games from systems such as the Nintendo Game Boy Advance, as well as cloud gaming. The $69 handheld comes with a 640 x 480 LCD screen and dual carbon-film analog joysticks running Android and Linux OSs. Update: Specifications updated
Samsung is improving its Always On Display feature with a Now Bar fix. The development comes days after the One UI 8.5 Beta kicked off. Samsung is rolling out a Now Bar fix to its Always On Display app with a new update.
Always On Display is a widely used feature on Android and Apple devices. It requires the device to have an OLED screen. Leveraging the technical characteristics, the feature offers battery-efficient information at a glance.
With the latest update, Samsung has improved the AoD function. The release applies a “Now Bar Memory” fix to enhance performance. The experience-ruining glitch will no longer cause you a headache with Samsung AoD.
Samsung phones allow Now Bar to appear in Always On Display mode. It’s a power-saving way to stay updated with real-time info through Now Bar. The pill restricts its visuals and limits the view to just the necessary components.
Open Galaxy Store > Menu and hit the Updates menu. A new page will open, and you will have a list of apps that can be updated. Tap on the “update” icon, aligned next to the app’s icon and label, to install the latest version.
The rollout has just started, and the scope of this update seems limited. Devices running One UI 8.5 Beta are apparently the only qualifying candidates. Samsung will hopefully offer necessary improvements to One UI 8 devices as well.
Deal | Humble Bundle is offering the Case & Consequence Collection again. It features a total of seven detective games that come with official Steam Deck compatibility ratings. They are worth over $130 but can be scored for just $9.
An enterprising YouTuber has built a fully wireless split ergonomic mechanical keyboard with support for a track point, dual customisable knobs, and a focus on portability. The keyboard uses ZMK firmware, which is known for its hyper-efficient operation, and the design, along with build instructions, will be available on GitHub soon as an open-source project.
Arc Raiders will get its much-awaited winter update in less than a week. While it is unclear what that will entail, players are excited for the new cosmetic and gameplay changes that it will bring.
Samsung isn’t letting the December patch rollout be sidelined in the storm of the One UI 8.5 Beta. Galaxy A56 and Galaxy A55 have just quietly joined Samsung’s flagship devices with the December 2025 security update.
December 2025 security update has arrived for the Galaxy A56 and A55. The rollout has started in Korea, with Global expansion pending. Users can check their devices to see if the latest patch has been fetched on their devices.
Samsung’s December update fixes plenty of issues. The company specifically highlighted 68 CVE and SVE items earlier this month. It gives the Android OS and One UI skin a top-notch level of security and privacy.
You can check for the latest software update manually. Just open the phone’s Settings, followed by the Software update menu. Hit the Download and install button to initiate the firmware fetching process on your device.
Build versions:
Galaxy A56 – BYL2
Galaxy A55 – CYL1
Galaxy A56 is eligible for new updates every month, while the A55 gets one update every three months. Samsung guarantees its latest Galaxy A phone with seven years of software updates and six major OS upgrades.
Earlier, Samsung rolled out the December patch to the Galaxy A34 5G. Select flagships, including the Galaxy S25 series (Edge and FE, too), Z Fold 7, and Z Flip 7, have also received the latest system security improvements.
The phones presently run Android 16-based One UI 8.0 version. Samsung has also kicked off the One UI 8.5 Beta Program. Owners of the Galaxy S25 series phones can join and install the Beta software in select countries.
Samsung has its first Qi2 magnetic wireless battery pack in the works for the Galaxy S26 series. It’s the latest development, which confirms the Qi2 technology’s inclusion in the upcoming flagship smartphones.
Recently, the Wireless Power Consortium database leaked the Samsung Qi2 magnetic wireless battery pack for the Galaxy S26 phones. This gadget will give you peace of mind when you are away from a power source.
Battery pack design
Samsung’s Qi2 battery pack features a rectangular design. To align with the camera module placement, the company has bumped up the magnetic portion. It somewhat overcomes the issue of the wireless charging coil near the camera.
It shows Samsung has crafted this battery pack keeping in mind the Galaxy’s design language. Even though the image sensors remain placed the same as before, the modern wireless charging tech is finally being realized.
Qi 2.1.0 support
15W output
Source – Wireless Power Consortium
Samsung brought Qi2 charging support to its Galaxy S and Z phones this year. However, the devices require a special accessory to support the charging mechanism. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S26 series features charging magnets inside.
Thanks to the full-fledged Qi2 support, Galaxy S26 users won’t be required to purchase such accessories. The phone will itself qualify for Qi2 charging, and rumors say Samsung is expected to adopt the faster Qi 2.2 standard.
Galaxy S26 Ultra could support 25W wireless charging, while the S26 and S26 Plus could be capped at 20W. Samsung is bringing an upgrade to this aspect for the first time in nearly six years, elevating the user experience.
Samsung phones won two awards in the Smartphone Awards 2025 announced by YouTuber Marques Brownlee. However, Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra was totally overlooked in MKBHD’s Smartphone Awards 2025.
MKBHD picked Galaxy Z Flip 7 as the “Best Small” and Galaxy Z Fold 7 as the “Best Foldable.” The overall winner was iPhone 17, which is already breaking records with its sales, pushing Apple to surpass Samsung this year.
Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra was the strongest contender for “Best Big” and “Best Camera” categories. However, these tags have been awarded to Xiaomi’s 17 Pro Max and Oppo’s Find X9 Ultra, respectively.
The awards seem to have a balanced approach to include almost every brand. There’s the OnePlus 15, which was termed the Best Battery phone. The device packs a 7,300mAh battery with an advanced silicon-carbon cell.
Galaxy S25 Ultra should have been considered in the Best Big category, given its international availability. Xiaomi 17 Pro Max is impressive, and its secondary display makes it even more intuitive, but it’s limited to China.
Oppo’s Find X9 Ultra gives tough competition to the Galaxy S25 Ultra in terms of camera capabilities. Samsung’s flagship nails with its cutting-edge hardware and professional software-derived photography features.
Galaxy S25 Ultra’s sales were sizzling, and it gained praise from every corner. Upgraded Galaxy AI and practical camera experiences are just amazing. Meanwhile, the device lacks flashy changes in hardware, which is a minus point.
Well, the awards are derived from his own perspective. Chinese vendors are doing better with faster hardware adoption. Slowly but steadily, brands like Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo, and OnePlus are increasing the threat to Apple and Samsung.
Galaxy S26 Ultra is under development and slated for launch early next year. The device replicates the entire camera setup from its predecessor, and the only change is likely in the Telephoto module, which could be a new sensor.
Are you happy with your Galaxy S25 Ultra’s camera?
Dynabook has announced the Tecra A45-M and A65-M laptops, combining AMD Ryzen PRO and Ryzen PRO 200 series CPUs with enterprise-grade security and MIL-STD-810H durability. The Tecra notebooks target professionals who need reliable business laptops that can run Windows Copilot AI thanks to powerful NPUs.
Fitasy has unveiled the Stride sneakers, utilizing smartphone foot imaging and spatial AI modeling to create 3D-printed shoes. The fully-recyclable triple-lattice design offers improved comfort, with less friction and pressure spots thanks to its custom fit.
The Abxylute E1 is Abxylute's newest and cheapest handheld, but its low price could be because it isn't an original design. The handheld shares a lot of its DNA with the Game Console RX6H, a sub-$40 handheld that was announced in February 2025.
LG has brought the Magnit Active Micro LED display powered by webOS to the US market. Four 68-inch, edgeless displays are combined to form the 136-inch 4K luxury screen, suitable for use in home theaters.
China has completed the production of a new 2-ton cargo aircraft capable of flying over 1,000 kilometers (621 miles), marking a significant landmark in the development of a multi-tiered aerial freight network.
According to recent reports, DJI is preparing to release the Osmo Pocket 4 before the start of next year. In the meantime, the new vlogging camera has surfaced in a fresh leak next to the existing Osmo Pocket 3.
Gamers may no longer see rapid-fire releases for Call of Duty: Black Ops and Modern Warfare. In the wake of disappointing Black Ops 7 sales, Activision will now stagger release dates for its shooter games. It has also scheduled a free trial of the latest Black Ops experience for next week.
Samsung is getting ready to launch the Galaxy S26 series next year. Now, new information has surfaced online about the Samsung Galaxy S26, revealing some exciting details about its camera.
According to this new information via @SPYGO19726, Samsung is planning to include a new telephoto camera in the Galaxy S26. This means the company might focus on improving the phone’s zoom capabilities, which could get a big upgrade.
Samsung is reportedly working on the new 12MP ISOCELL 3LD sensor. This sensor will likely be used for the telephoto zoom camera. Tipsters have said that this sensor could be a 1/1.9-inch 12 MP sensor, which means it will gather more light for clearer images.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
The 12MP resolution is a step up from older models, which had 10MP zoom sensors. However, earlier reports suggested that the Galaxy S26 would use the same camera sensors as its predecessors.
While these camera rumors are exciting, we still don’t know everything about the Galaxy S26. The phone is expected to launch sometime in early 2026. As of now, more information about the full camera setup is still under wraps.
SamsungHealth has added a new feature to help protect your hearing in the latest update. This new feature is called the “Noise” card, and it will appear on the home screen of the Samsung Health app.
Spotted by Assemble Debug in version 6.31.2.003 of the Samsung Health app, the Noise card will track the level of noise you’ve been exposed to throughout the day. It helps you see if you’ve been in loud environments that could harm your hearing over time.
Whether it’s the noise from traffic, music, or crowded places, the app will give you a quick look at how loud the noise is you’ve encountered. For more control, Samsung Health is also adding an Advanced Measurement mode who want more control.
The Advanced Measurement mode feature will allow you to set specific noise limits. If the noise level goes above your preferred limit, the app will send you a warning. This can apply to both background noise and sounds from apps.
Samsung Health is also bringing a new history screen that will show you how often you get noise alerts. You’ll be able to view your noise exposure on a weekly, monthly, or yearly basis to keep track of when you’re most exposed to loud sounds.
Image via Android Authority
The exact release date for these features is still unknown, but they are a welcome addition to the app’s growing list of health tracking tools. Stay tuned for more information.
8, 12 or 16 GB VRAM? | When you look at modern graphics cards, there is always the question about VRAM. Is 8 GB of mainstream GPUs like the GeForce RTX 5060 and RTX 5070 really sufficient, or are you going to have problems? We tested it with a couple of modern games.
In a recent discussion on the Broken Silicon Podcast, veteran memory industry executive Dave Eggleston breaks down the key forces driving the current RAM supply crunch. He explains how the industry is reacting to massive memory procurement deals, how demand shifts are tightening DRAM availability, and what these pressures could mean for upcoming consumer hardware.
After endless speculation, it’s now clearer what the mysterious The Game Awards statue will celebrate. MP1st found recent European trademarks referencing the Divinity CRPG series. With one attached image matching the artwork's design, Larian Studios' next game could be Divinity 3.
Nintendo Switch 2 owners don’t necessarily need to buy the official Nintendo webcam to use the console’s video chat function. Not only is the Switch 2 compatible with a wide range of third-party cameras, but Google Pixel phones can now also serve as webcams for the system.
We are in December 2025, and Samsung has officially confirmed that the upcoming Galaxy S26 series will launch with the stable One UI 8.5. This update will bring several new features and enhancements, along with new devices.
This information was shared by Samsung via a newsroom post on its official website. The company also mentioned that One UI 8.5 will first be available on the Galaxy S26 series, which is expected to launch in the first half of 2026.
But ahead of the Galaxy S26 series, Samsung had already started rolling out the One UI 8.5 Beta update for the Galaxy S25 series. This update allows users to try out the new software’s feature and help Samsung refine it for the upcoming device.
Not only this, but Samsung also announced the One UI 8.5 update will eventually be available for other older Galaxy devices as well. After the Galaxy S26 series launch with a stable version, Samsung will begin rolling out this major update to more Galaxy phones.
Here’s the official statement:
“The official version of ‘One UI 8.5’ will be installed on the Galaxy S series to be released in the first half of next year, and will be sequentially applied to existing Galaxy devices thereafter.”
The One UI 8.5 Beta Program is a crucial step in shaping the final software, as it enables Samsung to gather feedback from current Galaxy device users and ensure everything works smoothly for the new Galaxy S26. The overall aim is to deliver a stable version without bugs and fully polished.
Based on Android 16, the One UI 8.5 update will bring smoother Galaxy AI image generation, improved device connectivity, smarter Quick Share, enhanced lock screen and weather tools, richer Samsung Health insights, stronger security, better battery management, expanded accessibility, upgraded reminders, and more. If you’re getting the Galaxy S26 next year, you’ll enjoy One UI 8.5 from out of the box.
SamsungGalaxy Ring is the best option for those who want to track their fitness without wearing a smartwatch. After Samsung released the first Galaxy Ring last July, many people are now hoping for the next version, the Galaxy Ring 2. However, it seems that the new ring may not come as soon as we thought.
According to the latest information, Samsung Galaxy Ring 2 may not launch with the Galaxy S26 series in early next year. While the Galaxy S26 series is expected to be unveiled in February, it looks like the Galaxy Ring 2 won’t be part of the event, which will disappoint many fans who were hoping for a quick launch.
There are several reasons why the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Ring might be delayed. The first reason could be a legal issue with Oura, a company that also makes smart rings. Oura has filed a complaint against Samsung, saying that the company used its patented technology without permission. It could affect Samsung’s plan for the Galaxy Ring 2.
The second reason for the delay might be that Samsung wants more time to refine the Galaxy Ring 2 after launching the original Galaxy Ring in July. The upcoming ring could feature better and more useful tracking capabilities.
While the delay is disappointing, it seems we’ll have to wait a little longer for the Galaxy Ring 2 to arrive. But there’s also hope for bigger changes with it.
Deal | Home Behind is a game that plunges you into an apocalyptic world in which you want to find your daughter. But be careful, because it won't be easy, and there will be many dangers to avoid.
Casio has released two new G-Shock x Charles Darwin collaboration watches in the US. The black and yellow GAB2100DF-1A and the bright orange and black GAB2100DF-4A watches each feature an animal-shaped indicator on one dial. Other tools include support for world time, multiple alarms and the Carbon Core Guard structure.
Garmin is rolling out a new beta update for the Forerunner 570 and Forerunner 970 smartwatches. This version 15.33 release arrives just a few days after its predecessor, and is said to bring various bug fixes to these wearables. A post in the Garmin Forum points to a recent backlight-related issue on one model.
Google’s latest December update adds practical one-handed controls to the Pixel Watch 4, allowing you to manage calls and notifications without ever touching the display. The new Double Pinch and Wrist Turn gestures let you pinch to answer calls or flick your wrist to dismiss alerts when your hands are full.
Casio has confirmed that the third G-Shock x Bamford collaboration watch, the GM-5600BWD-1, will be released in various European countries. Recently launched in the UK, this model has a high contrast black and blue design, with a steel bezel and resin strap. Features include a daily alarm, a precise stopwatch and a countdown timer.
After a long wait, Naya has finally finalised the design for the Float add-on for its premium split ergonomic wireless mechanical keyboard. The Float module is effectively an alternative to the infamous 3Dconnexion Space Mouse, and Naya is planning to release the Float module for its wireless mechanical keyboards sometime in December.
Samsung is getting ready to launch its new Galaxy S26 series, which includes Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 Plus, and Galaxy S26 Ultra models. Along with the phones, Samsung will reportedly offer several accessories, and below you can check a list of them.
According to WinFuture, many of the Galaxy S26 accessories are designed around the phone’s built-in magnets. These magnets help the phones attach securely to Qi2 wireless charging accessories and mounts. Most cases and covers will include magnets to provide an amazing grip and convenience.
Here’s a look at the Galaxy S26 accessories reported by WinFuture:
Magnetic Carbon Case (Black) for S26 and S26 Plus
Clear Case Transparent for S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra
Magnetic Clear Case Transparent for all models
Magnetic Rugged Clear Case for all models
Magnetic Silicone Case (Black or Grey) for all models
Dual Magnet Holder Ring for all models
In addition to this, Samsung will also sell anti-reflective screen protectors. While only the Ultra model may get the special anti-reflective Gorilla Armor glass, films will still be available for the other models.
The Dual Magnet Holder Ring is interesting because of the “dual” name. It’s unclear if it has two magnets itself or if it counts the phone’s built-in magnet as the second. No images are available yet, so we’ll have to wait for more details.
Aside from this, Samsung is also planning a Magnetic Wireless Battery Pack (model EB-U2500) with 5000 mAh capacity for wireless charging. A new 25-watt wireless charger (model EP-P2900) will also support faster wireless charging.
The Galaxy S26 series is expected to launch at the end of February 2026. With new cases, faster wireless charging, and the S Pen for the Ultra, Samsung aims to make the Galaxy S26 series more powerful and stylish.
The first Starlink store reviews have produced one surprise in the form of the first Starlink vending machine that offers great deals on equipment and service plans. The self-service kiosk promises to get you online in minutes and for free.
Intel's upcoming Core Ultra X9 388H has passed through Geekbench on its way to being released. Sporting 16 cores and an Arc B390 iGPU, the Panther Lake part is already giving the Core Ultra 9 285HX and Ryzen AI Max+ 395 a run for their money even at this early stage.
Monitors Unboxed has followed up its 18-month OLED monitor burn-in test with the latest 21-month update. The long-term burn-in testing revealed that the MSI MPG 321URX QD-OLED gaming monitor shows further panel degradation in areas that were previously affected by burn-in. However, the overall situation remains positive for the OLED monitor.
Google has announced extended repair programmes for all Pixel 9 Pro smartphones. Skipping the cheaper Pixel 9 and Pixel 9a, the repair programmes cover Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel 9 Pro Fold handsets that exhibit display defects that are free from physical damage.
IKEA is now selling the new Timmerflotte Temperature/humidity sensor, smart, online and in some physical stores in the UK. This round Matter-compatible smart home device can be used to show data about the current environment. Users are able to cycle between the two measurements at the push of a button.
The H3C MegaCube is a stylish mini-PC that measures just 150 × 150 × 50.5 mm. Nonetheless, the device should deliver a punch thanks to its Nvidia GB10 chipset and 128 GB of LPDDR5X RAM. The MegaCube has a high starting price to match, though.
The Teufel Cinebar 22, a soundbar delivering 5.1 channel surround sound, has been released in Europe. This Bluetooth model comes with a wireless subwoofer and can be expanded with optional wireless rear speakers. Plus, it is said to support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
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