Samsung has confirmed that its SmartThings AI Energy-Saving Mode can reduce the energy consumption of high-efficiency washing machines by about 30%. The data comes from a large-scale real-world study conducted in partnership with global carbon verification agency Carbon Trust.

The study analyzed energy usage data from approximately 187,000 Samsung washing machines in 126 countries. It ran for one year, from July 2024 to June 2025. The machines included in the study met high-efficiency standards in their respective markets, such as Energy Star in the US and 5 Star in India.

Samsung reported that enabling AI Energy-Saving Mode helped save a total of 5.02 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity. This is equivalent to the monthly power consumption of around 14,000 households in Seoul, based on average figures from Korea Electric Power Corporation.

The AI Energy-Saving Mode uses SmartThings to monitor user behavior and optimize energy usage across compatible devices. The feature was activated manually by users during the study, which means the 30% savings figure came from voluntary usage rather than a controlled environment.

The verification followed the standards set by the Decarbonizing the Use-Phase of Connected Devices (DUCD) initiative. This initiative, led by Carbon Trust, provides energy consumption measurement guidelines for connected appliances. Samsung said it was the first company in the industry to carry out such large-scale verification based on DUCD protocols.

Samsung plans to expand its energy-saving efforts by developing more AI-driven appliances. The company said it will provide consumers with transparent data on energy use and carbon emissions to build trust and encourage adoption.

Samsung will showcase new AI-powered home appliances at CES 2026 during its ‘The First Look’ event in Las Vegas in January.

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Several Dell PCs are facing critical issues after attempting to install Microsoft’s December cumulative update KB5072033 for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2. The problems include failed installations, frequent system freezes, and a non-functional Start Menu.

The update, released on December 9, has been failing to install on many Dell desktops and laptops. Users report that the progress bar halts mid-way and returns error code 0x800f0983. A system administrator confirmed that a large number of new Dell systems under his management encountered the same issue. He attempted multiple troubleshooting methods, including System File Checker, Deployment Image Servicing and Management, and reinstalling Windows. None of these fixed the problem.

The situation is worse on Dell Pro Max 16250 devices. Several users reported that these systems freeze after installing the update. Initial speculation pointed to Intel Arc graphics drivers. Further investigation by users revealed that a BIOS setting caused the issue. They found that disabling the “Enable adaptive c-States for discrete graphics” option under Advanced Setup > Performance in the BIOS stopped the system crashes.

Another reported issue affects the Start Menu. On some systems running Windows 11 24H2, the Start Menu fails to open after installing KB5072033. One affected user suspects that the problem may be connected to a previously identified bug from update KB5072911, which affected File Explorer and other XAML-based apps on enterprise devices.

Microsoft has not released an official fix or statement addressing these problems. For now, Dell users are advised to delay the KB5072033 update or manually adjust BIOS settings if they face system freezes. The update continues to raise concerns across Windows forums, especially among enterprise administrators managing large fleets of Dell hardware.

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Vivo has officially launched the Vivo Pad 5 Pro Soft Light Edition in China. This new edition retains most specifications of the original Pad 5 Pro released earlier this year, but introduces an upgraded soft light display aimed at enhancing visual comfort.

Vivo Pad 5 Pro Soft Light Edition Specifications

The Pad 5 Pro Soft Light Edition features a 13-inch 3.1K display with a 3096 × 2064 resolution, a 3:2 aspect ratio, and peak brightness reaching 1,200 nits. It supports a 144Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and visuals, while a soft light coating helps reduce glare and eye strain during long sessions.

Vivo integrates dual-side light input technology to improve brightness efficiency while keeping power consumption low. The display also supports ecosystem-level color management to ensure consistent and accurate colors across apps and media content.

Under the hood, the tablet is powered by the flagship-grade MediaTek Dimensity 9400 processor. The chip is complemented by a large 40,600mm² VC cooling system to ensure sustained output without overheating.

The Vivo Pad 5 Pro Soft Light Edition runs OriginOS 5, delivering improved multitasking and productivity features. It supports PC level WPS document handling and includes AI-driven tools designed to manage demanding workflows. The tablet retains a 13MP rear camera and an 8MP front-facing camera for everyday photography and video calls.

The device is backed by a large 12,050mAh battery that supports 66W fast charging. It also features an eight-speaker panoramic audio system for a cinema-grade sound experience.

The tablet is impressively slim at 5.96mm and weighs only 578g, making it highly portable. For expanded productivity, vivo offers accessories including the Pencil 3 stylus, Smart Touch Keyboard 5 Pro, and Smart Dual-Sided Protective Case 5 Pro.

Pricing & Availability

The Vivo Pad 5 Pro Soft Light Edition is available in two configurations. The 12GB + 256GB variant is priced at 3,699 yuan ($524) while the 16GB + 512GB version is priced at 4,199 yuan ($595).

Sales have begun in China, and the tablet is available through major online retailers, including Vivo Mall and JD.com.

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Rogbid has launched the Enduro, its first smartwatch focused on ultra-long battery life and outdoor durability. The device features a 1100mAh battery that supports up to 5-7 days of use in Bluetooth call mode, 40 days in daily mode, and over 100 days in standby.

Rogbid Enduro Specifications

The Enduro comes with a 1.7-inch IPS display that offers a 360 × 360 resolution. The screen is designed to remain clear and visible under direct sunlight, making it suitable for outdoor navigation, activity tracking, and notifications. Rogbid has included a full-metal body with MIL-STD-810H military-grade durability, ensuring resistance to heat, cold, dust, and drops.

For connectivity, the smartwatch supports Bluetooth calling through a built-in microphone and speaker. It allows calls to be made and received directly from the wrist, while also syncing contacts and delivering messages and app notifications when paired with an Android or iOS smartphone.

In terms of health and fitness, the Enduro tracks heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and sleep quality. It includes breathing exercises and multiple sports modes such as running, walking, and treadmill workouts. The step counter, calorie tracker, and distance measurement system help users stay informed about their activity levels throughout the day.

Rogbid has added extra features aimed at outdoor use. The smartwatch includes a built-in compass and a powerful flashlight. It also offers 5ATM water resistance, making it safe for use during rain or swimming. The speaker and microphone are waterproof as well.

Pricing and Availability

The Rogbid Enduro is priced at $29.99 and is now available in four color options: Black, Brown, Orange, and Camouflage. It features a 52mm case and a 22mm interchangeable strap.

Rogbid is offering a limited-time holiday promotion where customers receive a stainless-steel strap and a Christmas card with each purchase. This offer is limited to the first 200 buyers.

In related news, Fastrack has recently launched the Cosmix smartwatch with a curved metallic design, an AMOLED display, and built-in health tracking features, while Amazfit has introduced the T-Rex 3 Pro 44mm in Tactical Black with route planning and offline map support.

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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.

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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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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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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