Oppo has officially confirmed that it will unveil the Find X7 series of smartphones at 2:30 pm (local time) on Jan. 8, 2024, in China. In addition, the Find X7 and Find X7 Ultra smartphones are now listed on Oppo China’s online store for reservations. The official listings have confirmed the configurations and color options of both smartphones well ahead of the official announcement.
Oppo Find X7 series launch date
Oppo Find X7
Reports have revealed that the Find X7 will come equipped with the Dimensity 9300 chipset. The official listing reveals that it will come in four configurations, such as 12 GB RAM + 256 GB storage, 16 GB RAM + 256 GB storage, 16 GB RAM + 512 GB storage, and 16 GB RAM + 1 TB storage.
The Find X7 will be available in four shades, such as Starry Sky Black, Sea and Sky, Desert Moon Silver, and Smokey Purple.
Oppo Find X7 Ultra
The Find X7 Ultra is expected to come equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC. It will be available in three variants, such as 12 GB RAM + 256 GB storage, 16 GB RAM + 256 GB storage, and 16 GB RAM + 512 GB storage.
Find X7 Ultra: Pine Shadow InkFind X7 Ultra: Sea and SkyFind X7 Ultra: Desert Moon Silver.
When it comes to color options, the Find X7 Ultra will come in choices such as Pine Shadow Ink, Sea and Sky, and Desert Moon Silver.
The Find X7 and Find X7 Ultra have a similar design, with the front featuring a punch-hole display with curved edges and a dual-tone back panel with a massive camera module. The Find X7 has a triple-camera unit, whereas the Find X7 Ultra has a quad-camera system. The Ultra variant will be the world’s first smartphone to feature dual periscope telephoto cameras. In addition, it will also be the first-ever phone to feature the one-inch Sony LYT-900 50-megapixel camera sensor as the primary snapper.
It is said that there will be a third device called the Oppo Find X7 Ultra Satellite Communication Version, which will come with support for two-way satellite communication. The rest of its specs will be identical to the Find X7 Ultra.
Citizen has added two new models to its Attesa watch line in the UK: the AT8297-51L and the AT8296-53A. Both watches use the company’s H800 caliber movement and Super Titanium materials. The AT8296-53A was released in the US recently, and now both versions are available directly on Citizen’s UK website for £995.
Design Details
The two models share a 42mm case size and the same internal hardware, but they feature different exterior colorways. The AT8297-51L has a grey diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating on its titanium case and bracelet, a black world-time bezel, and a blue dial.
The AT8296-53A has a silver-tone titanium case with a platinum coating, a blue world-time bezel, and a white dial. Both watches use anti-reflective sapphire crystal for the display and have a water resistance rating of 100 meters, meaning they can be worn while swimming or showering.
Internally, the watches run on Citizen’s Eco-Drive technology. This system uses natural or artificial light to charge the internal power cell, avoiding the need for regular battery replacements. They also feature multi-band radio control.
The watches receive time calibration signals from atomic clocks across 26 time zones. This allows the watch to automatically adjust to the correct local time when traveling, without the user needing to set the hands manually. They also feature a power reserve indicator on the dial that shows how much charge is currently left in the cell.
Because of the H800 movement, the dials display several pieces of information at once. There is a 1/20-second chronograph that can track up to 60 minutes. The watches also include a perpetual calendar, meaning the date automatically accounts for the different number of days in each month as well as leap years. Additionally, there is a 12/24-hour subdial and a standard day and date window.
Casio is adding two new analog-digital hybrid watches to its Vintage lineup this October. The AQ-240EG-3A and the AQ-230GA-3AMQY are currently available for pre-order on Casio’s Japanese website, bringing a dark green and gold colorway to the company’s long-running retro watch series.
Both models share the same core materials and aesthetic. They feature a gold-tone resin case attached to a stainless steel band that has been treated with gold ion plating. The band uses a standard self-adjustable clasp designed to fit wrist sizes ranging from 150 to 205mm. The main draw here is the dial, which uses a dark green sunray finish that shifts in color depending on how the light hits it.
While they look similar at a glance, the two watches have different case dimensions. The AQ-240EG is the larger option, measuring 40.9 x 35.8 x 8.1 mm and weighing 51 grams. Its case design is a bit softer, featuring a rectangular shape with rounded corners. The AQ-230GA is smaller and noticeably more angular, coming in at 38.8 x 29.8 x 8.1 mm with a weight of 47 grams.
Functionally, the two watches are identical. They use Casio’s familiar analog-digital layout, which places two physical hands for the hours and minutes above a small rectangular LCD screen. The digital portion displays the seconds, AM/PM indicator, month, date, and day of the week.
Where to buyCasio Vintage analog-digital watchesBrowse the range on AmazonShop now →
As for features, you get the standard set of tools expected from a basic Casio digital module. This includes dual time for tracking a second time zone, a 1/100-second stopwatch, a daily alarm, and an hourly chime. The watches include an auto-calendar, though it is hard-coded for a 28-day February.
On the hardware side, both models use a resin glass crystal and offer basic water resistance for everyday use. They run on a single SR920W battery, which Casio estimates will last for about three years before needing a replacement. Timekeeping accuracy is rated at plus or minus 30 seconds per month.
The smaller AQ-230GA-3AMQYJF is priced at ¥8,800 ($55), while the larger AQ-240EG-3AJF costs ¥9,900 ($62). Both are scheduled to ship later this month.
If you are looking at Casio’s higher-end offerings this fall, you will notice the new Oceanus Manta OCW-SG1000MC-1A. Scheduled for release in Japan this November 2026 for ¥748,000 ($4,730), it is a limited-edition piece capped at just 300 serialized units worldwide. Instead of focusing on mechanical complexity, this model centers heavily on material engineering and efficient solar technology.
Edited
Design Details
The watch features a distinctive marble ceramic bezel made using a mixed-molding process that combines two differently colored ceramic materials. After sintering, cutting, and polishing, the process creates a black-and-white marble pattern that varies from one unit to another.
This means if you get your hands on one of the 300 pieces, the bezel will have its own unique pattern, along with subtle blue-green highlights where the two ceramic colors blend.
Moving to the main dial, you will find a glossy black ceramic surface with a cutout around the outer edge. This exposes a skeletonized metal date wheel. To keep the monochrome color scheme consistent, Casio gave the date wheel a gray vapor-deposited finish and applied a black ion-plated treatment to the dial ring.
Where to buyCasio Oceanus watchesBrowse the range on AmazonShop now →
The case and bracelet are built from titanium, which keeps the watch relatively light on your wrist at exactly 100 grams. Both components are treated with a diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating for scratch resistance and finished with Zaratsu polishing. For sizing, the titanium bracelet includes a slide-adjust mechanism in the clasp, making it easier for you to get a precise fit without needing tools.
Inside, the watch runs on Casio’s Gallium Tough Solar system. Adapted from solar cells used in satellites, this technology is significantly more efficient than standard solar watch panels. Because of this efficiency, you don’t have to look at a large, semi-transparent dial. Instead, a small crescent-shaped solar cell sits beneath the date wheel, drawing enough power through the dial’s cutouts to run the watch’s connectivity features.
For timekeeping, you get a hybrid system. It includes Multiband 6 radio control, which syncs with standard time transmitters. You can also use Bluetooth. When you connect the watch to the Casio Watches smartphone app, it automatically adjusts the time, lets you manage world time settings for about 300 cities, and can ping your phone if you misplace it.
Additionally, you get 100-meter water resistance and a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides. On a full charge, you can expect the watch to run for about five months under normal use, or up to 18 months if you enable the power-saving mode.
Red Magic has opened reservations for its upcoming Red Magic 12 Pro+ smartphone on Red Magic’s official website and JD.com in China. While the company has not yet shared retail pricing, it confirmed last week that the device will officially launch on October 15 at 2:30 PM local time.
Red Magic 12 Pro+ Specs (Expected)
The device will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chipset. It recently appeared on Geekbench 7 under the Nubia NX819J model number, where it scored 3,677 points in the single-core test and 12,679 points in the multi-core test. These scores put the Red Magic 12 Pro+ ahead of other smartphones tested with the same chipset so far.
Red Magic is also placing considerable emphasis on the design of its new flagship. The company says the Red Magic 12 Pro+ will be lighter, thinner, narrower, and more rounded than its predecessor. Official teaser images show softer corners compared with the boxier Red Magic 11 Pro+, which should make the new model more comfortable to hold during longer gaming sessions and everyday use.
The display design has also been refined. Red Magic has reduced the black border around the screen from 1.25mm on the previous generation to just 0.96mm on the 12 Pro+. The company will continue using an under-display front camera, allowing the phone to retain an uninterrupted screen without a punch-hole or notch.
Red Magic has confirmed that the 12 Pro+ will continue to focus heavily on sustained gaming performance and thermal management. The company has already teased upgraded cooling technology for the device, although it has yet to reveal specific details. The brand has also indicated that the software experience has been improved to make the phone more practical for everyday use outside gaming.
Previous leaks suggest the Red Magic 12 Pro+ could feature an 8,400mAh battery with support for 120W wired and 80W wireless charging. However, Red Magic has not officially confirmed these specifications, so they should be treated as unconfirmed for now.
For buyers in China, Red Magic is offering an early reservation package through JD.com. Customers who pay 100 yuan ($15) can unlock promotional benefits that the company values at up to 4,300 yuan ($641), including a Red Magic Cooler 8 Pro, gaming benefits, cashback, and trade-in incentives.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
According to tech site OVRPlus, which dug into the GSMA IMEI database, four unannounced Google phones have shown up with new model IDs: Pixel 12 (GC0QU), Pixel 12 Pro (GWU59), Pixel 12 Pro XL (G7U1Y), and Pixel 12 Pro Fold (G4D5D). The listings also include display resolutions.
The three regular models only get small adjustments. The base Pixel 12 is listed at 1080 × 2400; that’s 24 pixels shorter vertically than the Pixel 11’s 1080 × 2424. The Pixel 12 Pro drops to 1280 × 2824 (32 pixels less than 1280 × 2856), and the Pixel 12 Pro XL goes to 1344 × 2952 (40 pixels down from 1344 × 2992).
The horizontal counts stay the same, so it looks like a subtle aspect-ratio tweak rather than any big redesign. We still don’t know the final pixel density or screen sizes, so it’s hard to say how much you’ll actually notice day to day.
The bigger change is on the foldable. The Pixel 12 Pro Fold’s inner display is listed at 2296 × 2404, up from the Pixel 11 Pro Fold’s 2076 × 2152. That’s roughly 10–24% more pixels (depending how you calculate it), which should mean higher density and sharper text and images, especially useful when you’re multitasking in split-screen.
The near-square shape stays the same, so Google seems to be refining its current foldable design rather than switching to the wider, more rectangular layouts some rivals use.
Nothing else is in these listings yet, including the outer-display resolution, battery size, or Tensor chip details. Google is expected to announce the Pixel 12 series in August 2027. As always with early database entries, these numbers could still shift before launch, but right now they give a pretty clear signal that the foldable is getting the most attention on the display front.
Lumio has unveiled the new Arc 7 (2026) in India, bringing several upgrades to its Google TV projector lineup. The new model focuses on improved picture quality, a larger projection size and additional storage. It also runs Google TV based on Android 14 and retains several convenience features from its predecessor.
The Arc 7 (2026) introduces Lumio’s next-generation Arc Light Engine 2 alongside upgraded display technology. The sealed, dust-proof light engine is designed to maintain picture quality in Indian conditions, while the projector now delivers 500 ANSI lumens, a 25% increase over the previous model. Contrast has also improved by 15% to 1700:1, while DCI-P3 color coverage is said to be 10% higher.
The increased brightness allows the Arc 7 to project images at up to 120 inches, compared with the previous 100-inch ideal screen size. Lumio says the upgrades are intended to deliver richer colors, deeper blacks and better visibility in rooms with some ambient light.
Storage has also doubled from 16GB to 32GB, giving users more space for apps and content. The projector runs Google TV on Android 14 out of the box and is Netflix certified, while also offering access to the latest Gemini experience on Google TV.
Where to buyLumio Arc 7 (2026)Latest price on AmazonCheck price →
Other features include STR8 auto-keystone correction, instant TOF autofocus and obstacle avoidance. The projector also comes with dual 8W stereo speakers with Dolby Audio support and a Minion Noir Remote featuring Google Assistant.
Lumio Arc 7 (2026) price and availability
The Lumio Arc 7 (2026) is priced at Rs 34,999 (~$360) in India. It will go on sale starting Oct. 8 through the Lumio Store, Amazon India and Flipkart.
Lumio says the Arc 7 (2026) is built in India and tested for dust, temperature variations and power fluctuations. It is backed by a nationwide service network with more than 300 service centers and a one-year comprehensive warranty.
Vivo has announced the S2 FE for the Indian market, adding a new device to its S-Series lineup. The smartphone focuses on long battery life and durability, backed by a large-capacity battery and a rugged build designed for everyday use.
The S2 FE features a massive 10,000mAh battery, which is significantly larger than what most smartphones currently offer. Vivo demonstrated its endurance with a 32-hour continuous livestream test, while the large capacity should also allow the phone to last multiple days depending on usage. It supports 44W wired charging. Despite packing such a large battery, the S2 FE measures 8.6mm thick and weighs around 225 grams.
In terms of durability, the device comes with both IP68 and IP69 ratings. This means it is protected against dust and standard water submersion, as well as high-pressure, high-temperature water jets. It also carries MIL-STD-810H certification for drop and shock resistance, making it a practical option for people who work outdoors or tend to drop their devices frequently.
On the front, there is a 6.83-inch AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 1.5K resolution. It can reach 2,000 nits in high brightness mode, which should make it easy to read in direct sunlight. Inside, the phone runs on a MediaTek Dimensity 7300e processor. You can choose between 6GB or 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM, but both configurations are limited to 128GB of UFS 3.1 storage.
The camera system is straightforward. There is a 50-megapixel primary camera using a Sony IMX852 sensor, paired with a basic 2-megapixel depth sensor. For selfies, it includes a 32-megapixel lens on the front. Software-wise, it ships with Android 16 and Vivo’s OriginOS 6. Vivo is also bundling a six-month trial of Google One with 100GB of cloud storage for new subscribers.
Where to buyVivo S2 FELatest price on AmazonCheck price →
Pricing and Availability
The Vivo S2 FE goes on sale on October 20, 2026. It will be available in Stellar Green, Zen White, and Titan Black. The 6GB RAM model is priced at ₹38,999, while the 8GB RAM version costs ₹42,999. It will be sold through Vivo’s website, Amazon India, Flipkart, and physical retail stores.
In related news, Vivo has also launched the V80 with a 7,200mAh battery, OriginOS 7, and a 144Hz AMOLED display, while the X Fold 6 has debuted in India with a steep price hike.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Fresh rumors about Samsung’s next Ultra flagship are starting to bubble up. According to tipster @WalleGalaxy and @kro_roe, the Galaxy S27 Ultra is sticking with the same 60W wired fast-charging we saw on the S26 Ultra.
The real change is in the charging algorithm. Samsung is apparently stretching out the time the phone can hold peak power in that 55–56W range during the early part of a charge. The result? Roughly a 2–3% improvement in overall charging speed compared to the previous generation.
It’s a pretty pragmatic approach: instead of just cranking up the max wattage, they’re trying to get more out of the power ceiling they already have. Reports also suggest the S27 Ultra could come with a bigger battery, around 5,700 mAh based on earlier certification and leak data, which makes that efficiency gain even more relevant, since a larger cell would normally take longer to fill.
On the camera side, the same sources say Samsung is finally tackling a long-standing complaint: lens flare. Older Galaxy phones have taken flak for those unwanted reflections and artifacts when you’re shooting toward bright lights, such as streetlamps, sunsets, and stage lights.
Rather than leaning hard on specialized optical coatings (the route some competitors take with Zeiss T* treatments), Samsung is reportedly testing AI processing that can spot and clean up those artifacts after the shot. Early prototype results, according to the tipsters, show the flare is almost completely gone, leaving much cleaner images.
This software-first approach fits the broader industry shift toward computational photography, and it could pair nicely with other rumored camera improvements like better highlight control and warmer color tuning. If the leaks pan out, more efficient power management plus AI-driven image cleanup could add up to a noticeably more polished Ultra experience when the Galaxy S27 series is expected to arrive in early 2027.
Boat has expanded its charging accessories lineup in India with the launch of the Apex Powerbank series. The new range consists of four models aimed at different charging needs, including high-capacity backup, fast wired charging, and magnetic wireless charging. The lineup starts at Rs 1,999 and includes models with capacities of up to 20,000mAh.
Boat Apex Powerbank series specifications and features
The new lineup consists of the Boat Apex PB400, Apex PB400 Pro, Apex PB445, and Apex PB332 MagnaCharge. At the top of the range, the Apex PB445 packs a 20,000mAh battery and supports 45W two-way Turbo Fast Charging. It also supports QC 3.0, Power Delivery, and PPS charging standards.
The PB445 comes with a built-in two-way USB Type-C cable, along with dedicated USB Type-C and USB-A ports. This setup allows users to charge up to three compatible devices simultaneously. Boat has given the power bank an anti-slip body with a soft-touch finish and glass top.
For users who prefer wireless charging, the Apex PB332 MagnaCharge offers a 10,000mAh capacity with 15W magnetic wireless charging and 22.5W two-way wired fast charging. It includes a foldable stand that can keep a compatible smartphone upright while it charges. Boat also bundles a MagnaCharge Ring for adding magnetic compatibility to supported devices and cases.
Where to buyBoat Apex PB445Latest price on AmazonCheck price →
The Apex PB400 and PB400 Pro both feature 20,000mAh capacities and support 22.5W two-way wired fast charging. The PB400 supports QC 3.0, Power Delivery, and PPS, while its built-in USB Type-C cable, USB Type-C port, and USB-A port enable triple-device charging. The PB400 Pro has a more compact design and adds a glass top with a digital display for checking the remaining battery level.
Boat Apex Powerbank series price and availability
The Boat Apex PB400 is priced at Rs 2,199 (~$23) and comes in Noir Black and Storm Blue, while the PB400 Pro costs Rs 2,599 (~$27) and is offered in Shadow Black and Nimbus Blue. The Apex PB445 carries a price tag of Rs 2,899 (~$30) and comes in Phantom Black and Tempest Blue. Finally, the Apex PB332 MagnaCharge is the most affordable of the four at Rs 1,999 (around $21), with Noir Black, Storm Blue, and Arctic White color options.
Vivo held its NEXT 2026 event in India, where it showcased the Vision Discovery Edition MR headset and this year’s foldable edition, the Vivo X Fold6. The same event also saw the arrival of the Vivo V80 and Vivo S2 FE. Like the X Fold6, the V80 is among the first Vivo phones in India to ship with the new OriginOS 7, bringing the latest software experience to the V Series.
Vivo V80 specifications and features
The Vivo V80 features a 6.59-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support and up to 5,000 nits of local peak brightness. It also supports 4320Hz high-frequency PWM dimming and has slim bezels. The phone is powered by Qualcomm’s 4nm Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset, paired with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and up to 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage.
Photography is a major focus, with the triple rear camera system co-engineered with ZEISS. It includes a 50MP main camera with OIS, an 8MP ultrawide camera and a 50MP ZEISS telephoto camera based on the Sony IMX882 sensor, offering 3x optical zoom and up to 100x digital zoom. The 50MP front camera has autofocus and a 92-degree field of view, while video recording supports up to 4K at 60fps. The phone also offers multiple portrait focal lengths and ZEISS bokeh effects.
A 7,200mAh battery powers the V80, making it the largest battery in the V Series so far. It supports 90W wired charging, while the phone also gets IP68 and IP69 ratings for dust and water resistance. The handset measures 157.52 x 74.33 x 7.69mm and weighs 203g, with a 3D ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor and stereo speakers.
Vivo V80 price and availability
Vivo V80 color options
The Vivo V80 comes in Sunrise Anthem, Horizon Blue and Stellar Black color options. The 8GB+128GB model costs Rs 62,999 (~$654), while the 8GB+256GB version is priced at Rs 69,999 (~$726). The top-end 8GB+512GB variant costs Rs 79,999 (~$830). Pre-orders are now open, with sales starting October 13 through Vivo’s online store, Amazon, Flipkart and authorized retail stores.
Where to buyVivo V80Latest price on AmazonCheck price →
Launch offers include up to 10% instant cashback or an exchange bonus, depending on the purchase channel and eligible payment method. Buyers can also get Google One cloud storage at no additional cost, while other benefits include discounted V-Shield protection and extended warranty plans. What do you think of the Vivo V80 and its combination of a large battery, ZEISS cameras and 144
Honor has another budget phone with a rear screen. The Honor Play20C looks like the global version of the Honor X5ds that we covered a few days ago. The two phones share the same hardware, and only the name and a couple of details differ.
The main difference is the chipset. If you pick the Honor Play20C with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, you get a Unisoc T615. The other storage trims use the Unisoc T610, the same chip as the X5d s.
The second difference is color. The Honor Play20C comes in Forest Green and Midnight Black, and it also offers Sunrise Gold, which the X5d s doesn’t.
Specs you get
Everything else matches the X5d s. The front has a 6.78-inch IPS LCD with an HD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. On the back, a 2-inch touchscreen sits next to the 50MP main camera. You can use that small screen to frame selfies with the rear camera, and it also shows basic information like notifications and media controls.
Where to buyHonor Play20CLatest price on AmazonCheck price →
Power comes from a 6,000mAh battery with 15W charging. That charging speed is slow for a battery this size, so expect a long wait to fully charge.
This is also the second budget Honor phone to carry a rear display in recent weeks. Honor launched the Play 20A with a secondary screen in August, and the company seems to be spreading the idea across its cheaper lineup. Xiaomi introduced the feature on its premium phones, so Honor is taking the opposite route by putting it on entry-level models.
Price and availability
Honor has already listed the Honor Play20C on its global website. You can also find it in Nigeria, where the 4GB + 64GB trim starts at NGN 149,900, which is about $113. We haven’t seen pricing for the other trims yet, including the 4GB + 128GB version with the Unisoc T615.
Honor hasn’t said which other markets will get the phone. Since the Honor X5d s is already on sale in South Africa and the Honor Play20C is showing up in Nigeria, more African markets look like the likely next stops. We’ll update this story when Honor confirms a wider rollout.
Vivo has announced its latest custom skin, OriginOS 7, in India. The Android 17-based software brings upgrades across the user interface, animations, productivity, connectivity, and security. Alongside that, the company has revealed the OriginOS 7 rollout plan in India, which kicks off later this month.
OriginOS 7 eligible devices and rollout timeline
Vivo will begin rolling out OriginOS 7 in India towards the end of October, starting with high-end flagships like the Vivo X Fold 5 and Vivo X300 series.
More Vivo X series phones will receive the update in November, while the V series phones will join the party in mid December. Vivo is aiming to conclude the rollout by February 2026.
End of October 2026
Vivo X Fold 5
Vivo X300 Ultra
Vivo X300 Pro
Vivo X300
Vivo X300 FE
Mid November 2026
Vivo X200 Pro
Vivo X200
Vivo X200 FE
Vivo X200T
Mid December 2026
Vivo X Fold 3 Pro
Vivo X100 Pro
Vivo X100
Vivo V70 Elite
Vivo V70
Vivo V70 FE
Vivo V60
Vivo V60e
End of December 2026
Vivo V50
Vivo V50e
End of January 2027
Vivo V40 Pro
Vivo V40
Vivo S2
Vivo S2 FE
Vivo T5 Pro 5G
Vivo T5 5G
Vivo T5x 5G
Vivo T4 Ultra
Vivo T4 Pro
Vivo T4 5G
Vivo T4R 5G
Vivo T3 Ultra
Vivo Y51 Pro 5G
End of February 2027
Vivo V40e
Vivo V30 Pro
Vivo V30
Vivo V30e
Vivo Y400 Pro 5G
Vivo Y400 5G
Vivo Y31 Pro 5G
Vivo T4x 5G
Surprisingly, there are no iQOO models on the list. Vivo usually includes them alongside Vivo devices in the timeline, but not this time. So, we can expect a separate timeline for iQOO devices pretty soon.
This rollout timeline is applicable to the Indian market, but other markets are likely to receive the update around the same time.
OriginOS 7: All the new features and major upgrades
Design and personalisation
OriginOS 7 introduces Fluid Motion to make interface interactions feel elastic, tactile, and natural. The UI elements stretch, deform, and spring back with gestures across more than 200 scenarios, while Spring Animation dictates how the interface reacts dynamically to physical touch gestures. The update also brings Seamless Interaction that improves transitions between horizontal scrolling and vertical scrolling.
In terms of personalisation, OriginOS 7 adds Dynamic Glow that responds to interactions with lighting effects, promising to deliver an interface that feels alive. Dynamic Translucent Material adapts to the background in three styles: Realistic, Natural, and Soft. Immersive Home makes changes to icons and widgets between daytime and nighttime.
Vivo has added several new features to make the lock screen more fun and engaging. The Wiggle Theme feature enables wallpapers to wobble, spring, or ripple when the phone is shaken, and the AOD screen now displays information such as deliveries and flights.
Pat Pals Theme adds interactive companions, and Glint Theme changes iridescence, glitter, patterns, and light effects according to the viewing angle. OriginOS 7 also adds system-level stickers across supported experiences.
Essential AI upgrades
OriginOS 7 brings a powerful AI assistant, Jovi, for compatible Vivo phones and PCs. It can help you find information, read files, and distill key points. You can give commands on your phone to perform a task on your PC. It can also gather relevant news, compile reports on schedule, and save them to Notes.
Jovi has skills for document handling, content creation, and office assistance, which you can enable or disable anytime. You can also add custom skills and use the API of your preferred provider such as OpenAI or Anthropic.
Here’s a list of other AI upgrades to OriginOS 7:
AI Recorder: Separates each speaker, generates highlights, provides AI insights, and multi-template summaries.
Snap Note: Converts photos of whiteboard, paper notes, slides, and mind maps into editable notes. It can also help you arrange multiple captured pages in the correct sequence.
Smart Call Assistant: It includes AI Call Answering that can answer calls and convert conversations into text, while Call Overview provides an AI-generated summary in the call log.
AI Reader Mode: Makes text auto-fit your screen with more comfortable sizing and page transitions.
AI Search: Searches across File Manager and Origin Notes using natural text description instead of exact file names.
Snap & Go: Screenshot a flight, train, or bus details to add them to Google Calendar through Origin Island.
Performance, multitasking, and battery
OriginOS 7 adds a Snap-Up Engine that detects ticket-grabbing scenarios and tunes network and performance resources, so critical actions like tapping and paying run smoother to help you grab the ticket faster.
Vivo has adopted a new memory allocation and reclamation strategy, targeted optimisation for high-frequency scenarios in daily use, system-wide aging management, and reduced fragmentation. The company has validated sustained smoothness through a 72-month anti-aging test.
Key performance upgrades include:
10% shorter app cold start time
11% faster app page switching
60% faster memory reclamation
14.4% improved rendering efficiency
Origin Workbench enables seamless multi-tasking, allowing you to open multiple windows at once, with the ability to switch between tasks in a tap. The feature will be available on specific models with 12GB RAM or more, while compatibility depends on the app.
OriginOs 7 adds Battery Life Estimate that shows remaining usage time and estimated charging time. BlueVolt Smart Engine reduces power consumption by up to 25% during high-resolution Microsoft Teams video calls, while AI-based usage learning can extend battery life by up to 4% in the same scenarios.
When the device is standby and connected to a network, the device automatically switches to a more power-efficient mode to offer up to 26% longer connected standby. For gamers, Heterogeneous Computing reduces the graphics rendering power consumption by up to 20%.
Cross-ecosystem connectivity
OriginOS 7 integrates deeper support for select Apple products. For instance, select Apple Watch can display notifications and messages, with fitness and health data available through Origin Health. AirPods can now use Vivo’s Spatial Audio, while battery and connection status now appear on Origin Island. iCloud for web can now be accessed through Vivo File Manager.
Shake & Share supports one-to-many and cross-brand transfers of high-resolution, lossless photos without mobile data. And the Office Kit now supports Camera Sharing, Task Handoff, notes, file transfer, and cross-system file access.
The upcoming HMD Slate Tab 5G seems to borrow design cues from the classic Nokia Lumia 2520. It’s got a 10.6″ IPS LCD screen running at 2000 × 1200 with a 90Hz refresh rate, protected by Gorilla Glass 3. There’s an 8MP front camera for video calls and a 13MP sensor on the back.
Recent renders floating around show it in blue and orange color options, a single rear camera with the HMD logo, and a set of expansion contacts along the bottom edge. Those pins suggest keyboard or other accessory support, giving the tablet a bit of a Surface-style 2-in-1 feel rather than just a pure entertainment slate.
Inside you’ll find a Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chip paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of UFS 2.2 storage. The battery is a chunky 9,250mAh unit that supports 30W wired charging, so endurance should be pretty solid for everyday work or study sessions. Connectivity is surprisingly complete for this price class: 5G, Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 6E, and even NFC. Practical extras include the POGO pins for accessories and a 3.5mm headphone jack, still a welcome sight for anyone who prefers wired audio or works in noisy environments.
The tablet has reportedly been in the works for about two years and could show up alongside other HMD devices, including a possible Skyline 2 phone. Pricing and official confirmation are still missing, but the mix of a smooth 90Hz display, decent mid-range performance, big battery, and accessory-friendly design points to HMD aiming at people who want something reliable and a little nostalgic without jumping into premium territory.
If the details hold up, the Slate Tab 5G could be positioned as a more versatile tablet that balances portability, connectivity, and expandability.
Vivo has launched the Vivo X Fold 6 in India, just days after introducing the global version. It costs Rs 2,19,999 for the sole 12GB RAM and 512GB storage configuration, which, if you were to compare, is Rs 70,000 more than the Rs 1,49,999 launch price of the Vivo X Fold5 in India last year.
The higher price gets you an 8.02-inch foldable display, a 6.51-inch cover screen, MediaTek’s Dimensity 9500 Super Edition chip, a 200MP main camera, and a battery with a rated capacity equivalent to 6,900mAh. Vivo is also bundling three months of Google AI Pro with 5TB of cloud storage.
Display and design
The Vivo X Fold 6 has an 8.02-inch inner display and a 6.51-inch cover screen, both carrying Vivo’s ZEISS Master Color branding. The company lists a local peak brightness of 5,000 nits, an LTPO 8T backplane, a 1–120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and 424 PPI. The main screen uses SDC M14 light-emitting material, while both displays can lower their brightness to 1 nit for use in dark environments.
The phone has a 2.5D metal frame with rounded corners, along with a circular camera module surrounded by a colour-matched Deco ring. Vivo’s India page shows the phone in a Nebula Teal finish.
It also comes with IPX8 and IPX9 water resistance and IP5X dust resistance. Vivo says the X Fold 6 can even be folded underwater, based on testing that involved folding it 1,000 times in still fresh water at a depth of 1 metre. The phone is rated to remain usable at temperatures as low as –20°C, although Vivo notes that it is not a professional waterproof device and liquid damage is not covered by the warranty.
Performance and battery
The X Fold 6 uses a Dimensity 9500 Super Edition chip that Vivo developed with MediaTek for AI tasks and multitasking. It has a concurrency engine built for Origin Workbench, and Vivo says this reduces power consumption by 10% during heavy multitasking compared with the X Fold5.
Where to buyVivo X Fold 6Latest price on AmazonCheck price →
The battery uses a dual-cell design, with Vivo giving its combined capacity as equivalent to a single 6,900mAh cell. The two cells are rated at 2,845mAh and 3,915mAh, which works out to a rated equivalent of 6,760mAh and 25.56Wh. The battery also uses fifth-generation silicon-anode technology and a third-generation semi-solid-state design. Vivo says it can maintain steady discharge in extreme cold.
Vivo X Fold 6
According to Vivo’s lab tests, the phone can handle 7.43 hours of Microsoft Teams meetings on a full charge with the camera on and shared content displayed full screen. That is 47% longer than the X Fold5 under the same test. Origin Workbench multitasking lasted 9.37 hours in testing, or 23% longer than the previous model. These are Vivo’s own figures, so actual battery life will depend on how the phone is used.
Other battery features include a predictive charging time display, a low-power hotspot mode and longer connected standby.
The main camera uses a 200MP Samsung HPB sensor with a 1/1.4-inch size, f/1.68 aperture, OIS and CIPA 4.5 stabilisation. It is joined by a 50MP Sony LYT-602 telephoto sensor with a 1/1.95-inch size, f/2.57 aperture, and a 3x periscope lens. The telephoto camera has a 70mm equivalent focal length, OIS, and up to 100x zoom, while macro shots can go up to 20x.
The third camera is a 50MP ultra-wide sensor with a 1/2.76-inch size, f/2.05 aperture, autofocus, and a 15mm equivalent focal length. All three cameras have ZEISS T* coating, and Vivo has added a multi-focal zoom flash.
Vivo X Fold 6
Vivo’s Imaging Chip V3+ handles video processing and supports features such as 4K 60fps portrait video. Portrait shooting is available in 200MP and 50MP modes across 23mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm and 100mm focal lengths. Other camera features include Night Flash Portrait, several film styles, and an AI Creative Camera for changing image styles.
The foldable form factor also adds a few camera-specific features. Split-screen preview can show captured shots in two columns while you continue shooting. The cover screen can display animations to attract children or pets, and it can also act as a teleprompter when recording with the rear cameras.
Other features
The Vivo X Fold 6 has stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, a four-mic array, and an X-axis linear motor. It supports Bluetooth earphones and digital USB Type-C earphones, but analog USB Type-C earphones are not supported. The bundled Google AI Pro subscription can be claimed until September 4, 2027.
Well-known tipster Ice Universe says the standard color options will be black, blue, light pink, and white. These are the everyday finishes you’d normally find in stores and with carriers. He also mentioned a special violet shade, though it’s still unclear if that one will be limited or online-only.
For comparison, the current S26 Ultra sticks with black, cobalt violet, sky blue, and white as the main options, plus online exclusives like pink gold and silver shadow. Adding light pink as a regular color is a bit of a change of pace.
The whole Galaxy S27 lineup is expected to grow to four models this time: a 6.27″ Galaxy S27, a 6.66″ S27+, a new 6.47″ S27 Pro, and the big 6.89″ S27 Ultra. Both the Pro and Ultra are tipped to come with Privacy Display tech. The entire series has already cleared China’s CCC certification, and those filings show the Pro and Ultra supporting 60W wired charging (20V at 3A).
Battery is another point of interest. Earlier leaks and the CCC data point to the S27 Ultra packing roughly 5,700mAh (rated around 5,534mAh). That would make it Samsung’s highest-capacity flagship yet and a proper step up from the long-running ~5,000mAh Ultra batteries. On the camera side, the chatter is about warmer, more natural color tones and better control over highlights.
The steady stream of certification filings and tipster reports is starting to paint a clearer picture: a refreshed Ultra with wider color choices, a bigger battery, privacy screens on the higher models, and some iterative camera tweaks. The S27 series looks like it’ll keep Samsung’s usual annual evolution going.
Qualcomm and MediaTek have unveiled their most powerful smartphone chipsets, and they actually bring major upgrades. The switch to a 2nm node is itself a big deal, as the last three years have been on 3nm. This should deliver huge gains across the board, and the hardware-level upgrades make them a lot more promising.
What we weren’t ready for was another name change from Qualcomm, as the new chip is called Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 5. Perhaps Qualcomm thought adding “Extreme” would make it sound a lot more premium. MediaTek didn’t go as far as Qualcomm with the name scheme, but it also introduced a Pro moniker, the Dimensity 9600 Pro.
Let’s look at what the latest Qualcomm and MediaTek chips have to offer, and how they stack up against each other.
Here’s the spec sheet to begin with:
Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6
Dimensity 9600 Pro
Announced
September 2026
September 2026
Process node
TSMC’s 2nm (N2P)
TSMC’s 2nm (N2P)
CPU cores
8-core
8-core
CPU cores
2 x 5.0 GHz — Prime 6 x 4.0 GHz — Performance
2 x 4.55 GHz — C2-Ultra 3 x 4.35 GHz — C2-Pro 3 x 3.1 GHz — C2-Pro
GPU
Adreno 850 with AI matrix cores Adreno Neural Fusion 18MB of Adreno HPM
Dual NPU architecture MediaTek NPU 1090 + Super Efficient NPU 2.0 Up to 30 billion parameters
Memory
LPDDR5x, LPDDR6 up to 5300 MHz
LPDDR6 up to 5333 MHz
Storage
UFS 4.1, UFS 5.0
UFS 4.1, UFS 5.0
Camera
Qualcomm Spectra Triple AI-ISP (20-bit) Up to 320MP single camera 8K/60fps video recording 4K/240fps slow-mo video recording Advanced Professional Video (APV) codec
MediaTek Imagiq 1290 ISP Up to 200MP single camera 8K/60fps video recording 4K/60fps HDR recording with content-aware semantic processing 4K/120fps with EIS 4K/240fps slow-mo recording
3GPP Release-17 5G modem Download speed: more than 7.4 Gbps Wi-Fi 7 (peak speed: 7.3 Gbps) Bluetooth 6.2
Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 Extreme vs Dimensity 9600 Pro: Benchmark numbers
Note: The benchmark tests were carried out using the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max (powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6) and Vivo X500 Pro Max (powered by the Dimensity 9600 Pro).
Geekbench score
In the CPU testing on Geekbench 7, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 SoC, pulled off 3,163 single-core points, while the Dimensity 9600 Pro-powered Vivo X500 Pro could only reach 2600. That’s a solid 21% gain for the Snapdragon chipset.
The Dimensity chip bounces back in multi-core performance, posting a total score of 10,634. This is about 4% higher than the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6’s 10,172 points.
The multi-core difference isn’t huge, but what little advantage exists favors the Dimensity chip. However, the Snapdragon chip delivers a solid advantage in multi-core performance, which should deliver a much bigger impact.
Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6
Dimensity 9600 Pro
Single core
3,163
2,600
Multi core
10,172
10,634
AnTuTu score
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 is still ahead of the Dimensity 9600 Pro on AnTuTu, but the lead is just 6%. The Snapdragon chip pulls off nearly 4.6 million AnTuTu scores, while the Dimensity chip has scored about 4.32 million.
The breakdown of the AnTuTu score reveals a rather clearer picture.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 posts a 7% lead in the CPU score, but the GPU test leans more towards the Dimensity 9600 Pro with a 5% higher score. The memory and UX performance, though, strongly backs the Snapdragon chip.
Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6
Dimensity 9600 Pro
AnTuTu score
4,592,331
4,324,196
CPU
1,226,866
1,138,784
GPU
1,762,900
1,858,369
Memory
627,667
494,845
UX
974,898
832,198
The real upgrades these 2nm flagships have to offer
The CPU deliver massive efficiency gains
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 and Dimensity 9600 Pro are the first 2nm chips from their respective brands, and that’s a massive upgrade. It brings huge power efficiency gains, allowing Qualcomm to push the peak clock speed to 5 GHz for the first time on a mobile chipset.
Qualcomm uses the same 2+6 core configuration, with six performance cores now running at up to 4.0 GHz. The chipmaker claims a massive 37% gain in power efficiency, along with a 13% better CPU performance.
MediaTek continues to use ARM’s latest cores, but it’s making a major shift in the CPU configuration to reach higher peak performance. The latest chip trades one low-performance core with a prime core, now featuring a 2+3+3 setup. The two C2-Ultra prime cores clock at up to 4.55 GHz. The remaining six C2-Pro performance cores are split into two groups, with three of them running at up to 4.35 GHz and the other three at up to 3.1 GHz.
MediaTek touts a 17% faster single-core and a 15% faster multi-core performance, alongside a 37% more efficient single-core and a massive 61% uplift in multi-core power usage.
The GPU gets dedicated neural cores
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 introduces a fundamental shift by moving AI processing directly onto the GPU silicon. Previous generation chips must move the data out of the Adreno GPU and travel through high-speed interconnect to the Hexagon NPU for data processing and return to the graphics pipeline.
The latest Snapdragon flagship has dedicated AI blocks directly inside the GPU slices. So, the AI workloads no longer need to be routed to the NPU. Real-time neural rendering is executed completely on the Adreno 850 GPU, dramatically lowering the visual processing latency. Qualcomm claims a 44% improvement in GPU performance and a 40% increase in GPU power efficiency.
MediaTek’s approach is different. The Dimensity 9600 Pro retains ARM’s standard graphics pipeline and instead upgrades the interconnected bus and cache coherence across the whole SoC. It treats the NPU 1090 as a centralized hub that feeds real-time AI assistance to the GPU, CPU, and ISP simultaneously.
MediaTek says the new flagship SoC delivers 27% higher peak performance and 24% improved power efficiency at peak performance. Plus, it offers 18% faster raytracing performance and natively supports 185+ fps gaming.
Imaging capabilities get a major boost
Both 2nm flagships introduce major generational upgrades to their image signal processors (ISPs). The Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 features a new 20-bit ISP that, for the first time, supports triple 64MP cameras with zero shutter simultaneously.
The chip pushes mobile videography to the next level by adding support for 8K/60fps recording and ultra slow-motion 4K/240 fps recording. It adds native hardware acceleration for the Advanced Professional Video (APV) codec.
MediaTek has also been making consistent upgrades to the imaging capability of Dimensity chips. The latest flagship enables 8K/60fps recording and 4K/240fps slow-motion recording just like the Qualcomm chip. Plus, it boasts a massive 17EV (exposure value) imaging range.
Smartphones like the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max and Vivo X500 Pro Max are already flaunting the 2nm flagships from Qualcomm and MediaTek, but those are currently limited to China. In the coming days, some of them will go global, and the next year should bring dozens of phones powered by these chipsets.
After launching in China earlier this year, Xgimi is bringing its latest ultra-short throw (UST) projectors to the US market. The new Aura 3 series, which includes the Aura 3 Max and Aura 3 Pro, focuses on high brightness, gaming-friendly refresh rates, and built-in Google TV.
Xgimi Aura 3 Series Specifications
The company is using a crowdfunding model to handle the initial rollout. The projectors will officially launch on Kickstarter on October 20th, with the company currently taking $50 refundable deposits on its website to lock in early-bird pricing.
Hardware-wise, both models utilize an RGB triple-laser light source and a 0.47-inch DMD chip to output a 4K UHD image. The primary difference between the two lies in brightness and contrast.
The higher-end Aura 3 Max outputs 5,700 ISO lumens and features an 8,000:1 native contrast ratio, aided by a dual dynamic iris system that physically adjusts to control light output based on the scene.
The step-down Aura 3 Pro drops the brightness to 4,100 ISO lumens and offers a 7,000:1 contrast ratio. Both models cover 110% of the BT.2020 color gamut and support Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and IMAX Enhanced formats.
This generation adds 4K 120Hz playback support, giving the projectors stronger gaming credentials for current-generation consoles. Xgimi provides two HDMI ports capable of handling 4K at 120Hz, with one also supporting eARC. The projectors also support Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and AMD FreeSync Premium for smoother gameplay.
Because they are ultra-short throw projectors, the Aura 3 series features a 0.163:1 throw ratio. In practical terms, this means you can place the projector just eight inches away from a wall or screen to get a 120-inch image. For audio, the units are equipped with an 80W 2.0 channel Harman Kardon speaker system.
They also run Google TV natively, which means you won’t need to plug in a separate streaming dongle to access standard apps like Netflix or YouTube.
Pricing and Availability
The pricing structure relies heavily on early adoption. The Aura 3 Max has a stated retail price of $4,999, but Xgimi is offering it for $2,199 to users who put down the $50 deposit before the Kickstarter campaign begins.
Where to buyXgimi Aura projectorsBrowse the range on AmazonShop now →
The Aura 3 Pro has an MSRP of $3,999, with an early-bird price of $1,999. According to Xgimi, the projectors are expected to begin shipping to backers in December.
In related news, Hisense has recently launched a new 4K triple-laser projector with 1,800 CVIA lumens, 240Hz gaming, and a 360-degree gimbal, while Dangbei has introduced the X9 Ultra with 6,100 ISO lumens and 1ms gaming.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
If you are looking for a wearable that doubles as a standalone accessory, Casio has announced a new addition to its Baby-G lineup that might catch your eye.
The BABY-G + PLUS BGA-20K series, which includes the BGA-20K-1A, BGA-20K-4A, and BGA-20K-7A variants, is currently available for you to pre-order on the Casio Japan website for ¥12,100 (~$76). The watches are scheduled to begin shipping this month.
The BGA-20K comes with a two-way design. Instead of keeping the watch permanently fixed to a wristband, you can pop the center module out of the standard resin strap and insert it into an included silicone-style holder.
This secondary holder features an ear-shaped hood and a lanyard strap, allowing you to attach the watch to your backpack as a charm or simply set it up as a small desk clock. Casio says the design is aimed at giving you a personalized, kawaii aesthetic that works both as a traditional timepiece and a decorative item.
You will also notice a mechanical quirk on the watch face itself. While the dial uses a standard three-hand analog layout, it is designed to look like a face. Near the top of the dial, you get two small cutout windows framed by printed details resembling eyeliner.
Where to buyCasio Baby-G BGA-20KBrowse the range on AmazonShop now →
Behind these windows, a rotating disc changes the shape of the eyes every day when the date rolls over, cycling through different emoticon-style expressions for you to check each morning.
As for the hardware, you can expect standard Casio specifications. The watch module measures 43.5 x 42.4 x 11.5 mm and weighs just 36 grams, so it won’t weigh down your wrist or your bag. It features a resin case and bezel, G-Shock-style shock resistance, and 100 meters of water resistance.
The display is covered by mineral glass. It runs on a standard battery rated to give you about three years of life and includes a low-battery warning function, alongside a timekeeping accuracy of ±20 seconds per month.
Casio does include a few practical warnings regarding the modular holder. You will want to keep the holder out of direct sunlight and high temperatures or humidity to prevent the material from degrading over time. The company also warns you against using third-party metal straps with the holder, as doing so could tear the strap hole, and they note that the glossy finish might show minor manufacturing lines out of the box.
Right now, the BGA-20K series is only confirmed for the Japanese market, so you will have to wait and see if Casio announces a broader international release.
Looks like the iQOO 16 is making moves toward India, but the price might be the real story. The phone just launched in China a few days ago (late September 2026) starting at CNY 5,999. That’s roughly ₹86,000 or about $894 for the base model.
Now a tipster on X says the device has already started testing in India, which usually means a local launch is on the cards in the next few weeks. The same source reckons the Indian price could climb closer to ₹1,00,000 (around $1,039). That’s a pretty big jump from the iQOO 15, which opened at ₹72,999 last year, and it might stretch the brand’s “premium but still good value” reputation.
On paper the phone is stacked. You’re looking at a 6.85″ Samsung M16 AMOLED panel with 1440×3168 resolution, 165Hz refresh rate, and peak brightness that hits 10,000 nits. Inside sits Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6, with 12GB or 16GB of RAM and storage options of 256GB, 512GB or a full 1TB.
The camera trio is all 50MP: main with OIS, periscope telephoto with OIS and 3x optical zoom, and an ultrawide with autofocus, plus a 32MP selfie camera. Battery is a hefty 8,400mAh that supports 100W wired and 40W wireless charging. Software side it’s Android 17 running OriginOS 7.
From the China launch we already know it has IP68/IP69 dust and water resistance and an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor. Multiple colours and configs are available, and the higher storage versions push the Chinese price up further.
For Indian buyers the mix of top-tier performance, a seriously bright high-refresh screen, strong battery life and a capable camera setup is tempting. But if it really lands near the one-lakh mark, expectations (and the competition) will be a lot higher than what previous iQOO phones had to deal with.
Huawei’s new Mate 90 Pro Max is turning heads for a pretty interesting reason: its Kirin 9050 Pro chip is surprisingly efficient in the real world, especially when you’re gaming.
This is the first phone to ship with Huawei’s LogicFolding design, kind of like a stacked dual-layer processor. At the October 1 launch, the company said the whole system delivers a 31% overall performance boost compared with the previous generation. The CPU is a nine-core, four-cluster setup: one prime core, two big performance cores, four efficiency cores, and two tiny ultra-low-power cores. Official numbers put multi-core gains at around 23%, GPU rendering up 40%, and the NPU jumping a massive 140%.
The LogicFolding trick stacks two layers of logic circuits and connects them with dense hybrid bonding. That lets Huawei pack more transistors into the same space and push higher frequencies than a normal flat design. The regular Mate 90 and Mate 90 Pro use related (but non-stacked) Kirin 9030 and 9035 chips. Those still share the same core architecture and HarmonyOS optimizations, and Huawei claims roughly 27% and 20% gains respectively over the last Mate series.
Early independent testing, including teardowns and numbers from Geekerwan, backs up the stacked design and shows the Pro Max is especially strong on efficiency in native HarmonyOS games. In Genshin Impact running at 890P, the phone held full frame rates while drawing only about 4.2 W system power. That’s better than some Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 devices and sits right next to the iPhone 17 Pro Max (A19 Pro) and the higher-end Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 configs.
You see similar behavior in Wuthering Waves (still locked to lower resolution on the Huawei for now) and a few other titles. The catch? These results are with native ports. Games that have to go through translation layers still run fine, but the efficiency edge shrinks a bit.
Pure synthetic CPU scores still trail the absolute top Snapdragon and Apple chips; manufacturing limits are still a thing, but the combination of the new architecture, deep system-level tuning, and the measured gaming efficiency is a clear step forward for Huawei’s in-house silicon.
If you care more about sustained performance and battery life in well-optimised native games than about topping every benchmark chart, the Mate 90 Pro Max makes a pretty strong case for what the Kirin 9050 Pro can do.
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