The MacBook Neo has been a huge hit for Apple, but the surge in demand has also led the company to rethink its chip production strategy. According to a WSJ report, Apple and Intel have just made a “preliminary” chipmaking deal through which Intel’s fabs will be used to manufacture some of the chips that power Apple devices, and that could also include the A27 chips powering the next-gen MacBook Neo.
Taiwanese chip giant TSMC has been exclusively manufacturing Apple chips for years, but its capacity remains tight due to unprecedented demand for artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC) chips. Therefore, Apple diversifying its chip production partners will help the brand secure additional supply for its entry-level and mainstream-focused chips.
The A18 chip that powers the MacBook Neo and iPhone 16 series is currently manufactured using TSMC’s N3B process technology. That too isn’t unaffected by the ongoing chip shortages, and this has led to a $100 increase in the MacBook Neo’s price, which is a big hike for a $599 product. The deal with Intel will help Apple ensure an optimal quantity of upcoming MacBook Neo laptops in the market.
Apple was also reportedly in talks with Samsung for its chip needs. That could be seen as a backup option in case the need arises. For Intel, this is less about reviving the ‘Intel Inside’ era and more about proving its factories can compete with the world’s best.
Earlier this week, Samsung started rolling out the One UI 8.5 update to the initial set of devices in Korea, with the global rollout set to begin May 11. Ahead of that, the brand has confirmed One UI 8.5 eligibility for an additional 20 Galaxy devices.
The earlier announcement confirms the One UI 8.5 update arrival for high-end devices, including the Galaxy S25 series (including S25 FE and S25 Edge), Galaxy S24 series (including S24 FE), Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy Z Flip 7, Galaxy Z Fold 6, Galaxy Z Flip 6, Galaxy Tab S11 series, and Galaxy Tab S10 series. The latest announcement from Samsung Germany adds 20 more Galaxy devices to the list.
Here’s the fresh list of Galaxy devices confirmed to receive the One UI 8.5 update:
Galaxy S series
Galaxy S23
Galaxy S23+
Galaxy S23 Ultra
Galaxy Z series
Galaxy Z Fold 5
Galaxy Z Flip 5
Galaxy Tab series
Galaxy Tab S9
Galaxy Tab S9+
Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
Galaxy Tab A series
Galaxy A15
Galaxy A16
Galaxy A17
Galaxy A25
Galaxy A26
Galaxy A34
Galaxy A35
Galaxy A36
Galaxy A54
Galaxy A55
Galaxy A56
Samsung didn’t reveal a rollout schedule for these devices. However, it’s safe to say the update will start rolling out to these devices once it reaches all high-end devices in the initial wave.
The One UI 8.5 rollout kicked off on May 6, but was limited to Korea, with global expansion scheduled to begin May 11 across multiple regions, including Europe, Hong Kong, India, Latin America, North America, Southeast Asia, and Taiwan.
As the rollout expands in batches, the update may take a few days to reach all the users. To manually check for available updates, head to Settings > Software updates and tap Download and install.
We’ll update you with the latest information in our Samsung section. You can visit the page from time to time to stay updated. Or, join our Telegram channel to receive instant alerts when we post new stories.
Motorola was quick to launch its Android 17 beta program, announcing it just days after Google released the first beta for Pixel devices in February 2026. And to everyone’s surprise, the brand kept expanding the beta program to more and more devices, now available for over a dozen smartphones. However, on the other hand, the company is struggling with the Android 16 rollout, as the update hasn’t reached all eligible devices.
Motorola is struggling to wrap up Android 16 rollout
The company began rolling out a stable Android 16 update to its devices in September 2025, ahead of many of its competitors, including OnePlus, Oppo, and Vivo. The Edge 60 Pro and Edge 50 Fusion were among the first phones to receive the Android 16 update. However, Motorola struggled to deliver timely releases to other eligible devices.
Premium devices like the Razr 2025 and Razr Ultra 2025 weren’t lucky either. They started receiving the Android 16 update towards the end of February 2026. The situation only worsens as you move towards cheaper phones. Making matter worse, there’s no official announcement regarding the eligibility of devices or the rollout schedule for Android 16.
Just as we’re getting close to the Android 17 release, Motorola has started rolling out last year’s update to its entry-level phones, including the Moto G35. Since the company is aggressively working on the Android 17 beta program, we hope it will look to complete the Android 16 rollout as soon as possible.
Motorola looks more promising this year
Motorola has been struggling with software releases over the past couple of years. However, if you’ve been tracking recent rollouts and announcements, it’s clear that the company is working to improve the software commitments and rollouts.
The recent major upgrades, though not timely, have shown signs of improvement. The software support period has also been upgraded significantly in recent months.
Motorola’s mid-range and high-end phones were typically limited to three OS upgrades, now promising up to five. It took a big leap forward earlier this year with the release of Motorola Signature, which promises seven generations of major OS upgrades. That’s the best you can get on an Android device.
In February, Motorola surprised with the Android 17 beta announcement just days after Google announced the Android 17 Beta 1, while other brands took over a month. Even more surprising is that the beta program now covers over a dozen Motorola devices, while other non-Google brands have offered it for very few of their phones.
Motorola seems to be taking its software game seriously, and I hope to see quicker update rollouts this year. Also, it would be very welcoming to hear an official rollout schedule for the upcoming OS releases, providing more clarity on when users can expect the updates to land on their phones.
Be sure to visit the Motorola section on Gizmochina 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.
Qualcomm has just announced two new affordable smartphone chipsets, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 and Snapdragon 4 Gen 5, and they promise to be bigger than just an annual refresh. Both chips offer an all-around upgrade, with the performance and efficiency getting a major uplift.
The latest Snapdragon 6-series chip uses the same 4nm node as its predecessor but upgrades CPU and GPU to deliver higher performance and stability. The connectivity upgrades and advanced AI camera features are also promising, raising the bar for mid-range chipsets.
CPU offers 20% faster app launch and faster multi-core performance
On the CPU side, the peak clock speed jumps from 2.3 GHz to 2.6 GHz, and because the Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 upgrades to a (4 performance + 4 efficiency) cluster, all four performance cores benefit from higher speeds.
Its predecessor, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4, uses a (1 prime + 3 performance + 4 efficiency) CPU cluster, so the peak speed of 2.3 GHz applies only to a single core, while the remaining seven cores operate at lower speeds. The shift from one 2.3 GHz “prime” core to four 2.6 GHz performance cores in the Gen 5 significantly improves multi-core performance. The new chip also promises a 20% faster app launch.
GPU upgrades with premium features and 21% faster performance
The upgraded Adreno GPU delivers 21% better performance and brings modern gaming features for sustained performance and higher stability. The new 6 Gen 5 chip introduces premium gaming features usually found on flagship chips, including the Adaptive Performance Engine 4.0, which dynamically manages device resources and thermals to ensure sustained FPS during long gaming sessions.
The new SoC also brings Snapdragon Game Super Resolution and Qualcomm Game FPS 3.0 to deliver sharper graphics and stable frame rates, with official HDR gaming support.
Camera gets advanced AI features
With the latest camera upgrades, Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 narrows the gap with high-end chips. It adds 100x in-sensor zoom support for the first time in the Snapdragon 6-series. The feature uses AI to enhance clarity when using extreme digital zoom.
The new chip also brings AI-based low-light technology, which is designed to capture sharper, more vibrant photos in dark environments, and supports 4K HDR recording at 30 fps.
Connectivity gets a major upgrade with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0
One of the biggest highlights of the Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 is Wi-Fi 7 support, which was previously reserved for high-end flagship chips. It allows for a higher speed of up to 5.8Gbps with a lower latency. The chip also includes the latest Bluetooth 6.0 standard, offering improved stability and power efficiency.
The chip also upgrades to a 3GPP Release 17 5G modem, which improves upload speeds and reliability in crowded areas.
The Snapdragon 4 Gen 5 promises significantly faster GPU performance and upgraded connectivity with better stability and Dual SIM Dual Active support. The camera also receives notable upgrades.
Modest CPU upgrades, but a far better GPU
The Snapdragon 4 Gen 5 uses the same 2+6 CPU cluster as its predecessor, but increases the peak clock speed to 2.4 GHz (up from 2.3 GHz) to deliver a meaningful performance boost.
The Adreno GPU brings a generational upgrade, promising a 77% faster performance. The 4 Gen 5 is also the first in the Snapdragon 4 lineup to support 90fps gaming at HD resolution. The chip also introduces a Snapdragon Smooth Motion UI feature that makes scrolling and animations feel much more fluid.
Qualcomm claims a 43% faster app launch on the Snapdragon 4 Gen 5 compared to its predecessor. The new chip also delivers 10% better power efficiency.
Upgraded camera and connectivity
The Snapdragon 4 Gen 5 adds support for 1080p video recording at 60fps and electronic image stabilization. It also brings a suite of photography tools, including intelligent face detection, auto-focus, auto-exposure, and auto-white balance.
The fifth-generation chip includes a 5G modem with a higher peak download speed of 2.8Gbps (vs. 2.5Gbps on the 4 Gen 4). It supports Dual SIM Dual Active (DSDA) 5G + 5G/4G connectivity for the first time in the Snapdragon 4-series. This means both SIM slots can maintain simultaneous connections without compromise. The 4 Gen 5 also adds support for Qualcomm Sound with 96kHz lossless streaming and aptX Adaptive Audio.
Snapdragon 6 Gen 5
Snapdragon 4 Gen 5
Announced
May 2026
May 2026
Process node
4nm (TSMC)
4nm (TSMC)
CPU cluster
4 performance cores + 4 efficiency cores
2 performance cores + 6 efficiency cores
GPU upgrades
21% faster Adaptive Performance Engine 4.0 Snapdragon Game Super Resolution Qualcomm Game FPS 3.0 HDR gaming support
77% faster
Memory
LPDDR5/LPDDR4X
LPDDR4X
Storage
UFS 3.1
Dual-channel UFS 3.1
App launch speed
20% faster
43% faster
Screen lag reduction
18%
25%
Camera upgrades
100x AI zoom support AI Night Vision support 4K HDR video recording at 30 fps
Intelligent face detection Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) support 1080p video recording at 60 fps Auto-focus, Auto-exposure, Auto-white balance
Connectivity upgrades
3GPP Release 17 5G modem Peak 5G speed: 5.8Gbps Wi-Fi 7 support Bluetooth 6.0 support
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