Something big is shifting in one of the most important tech markets on the planet. New numbers show Nvidia is no longer the runaway leader in China’s data-center AI chips the way it used to be. Domestic players are catching up quickly, and the gap is getting uncomfortably narrow.
According to an IDC report that Reuters got a look at, Nvidia’s share of China’s data-center AI chip market dropped to 34% in the first half of 2026. The company shipped 678,000 AI accelerators (those specialized chips used to train and run AI models) between January and June, a 44% drop from the same period a year earlier.
Huawei is the clearest winner so far. It shipped 572,000 AI accelerators in the first half, up from just over 300,000 the year before. That put Huawei at 28% market share, only six points behind Nvidia. Nine out of the 11 Chinese chipmakers that IDC tracked saw year-on-year growth. Other local names also moved up: Alibaba’s T-Head took 7%, Cambricon 5%, Baidu’s Kunlunxin 4%, and Hygon 3%.
This isn’t just about one company’s numbers. It’s the combined effect of US restrictions and Beijing’s push for tech self-reliance. Chinese companies now need approval before they can import certain compliant Nvidia chips, and the government is actively encouraging them to use home-grown alternatives.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has been pretty vocal about this, saying the export controls have basically handed a chunk of China’s roughly $50 billion AI chip market over to rivals like Huawei. As of the latest reports, Nvidia itself hadn’t commented on the IDC figures.
The bottom line: Nvidia is still the biggest single supplier by unit volume, but Chinese firms are expanding fast, especially in the specialized accelerators that sit outside the traditional GPU world. How much further this goes will depend on export rules and how quickly domestic production scales up.
The OnePlus 16 brings a 9,000mAh battery, a 200MP main camera, and a display that can reach 185Hz in supported games. But the iQOO 16 has a few reasons to make OnePlus work for its place in the flagship race. It pairs the same generation of Snapdragon flagship processor with a dedicated Q4 gaming chip, a sharper 2K 165Hz display, and three 50MP rear cameras, including a periscope telephoto lens.
The differences aren’t just in the spec sheet. OnePlus has a bigger battery and a higher-resolution main camera, while iQOO, as usual, places more emphasis on gaming hardware and display resolution. Both phones also support 100W wired charging, so neither has an obvious advantage there. Here’s how the iQOO 16 and OnePlus 16 compare in performance, display, battery life, cameras, and gaming features.
You get the same processor in both phones. It’s a 2nm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 with two prime cores at up to 5GHz. The difference is in what each brand adds around it.
The iQOO 16 pairs the chip with iQOO’s Q4 gaming chip and a self-developed scheduler it calls the Monster Super Core Engine. iQOO says the Q4 improves performance by 15% over the Q3 chip in the iQOO 15.
The Q4 powers features such as real-time ray tracing in 10 popular games, plus super-resolution and frame generation. iQOO says hundreds of games support 165fps through frame generation, and a few titles, including Delta Force and Dark Zone, run at native 165fps.
The OnePlus 16 relies on a different setup. OnePlus has a gaming layer in the chip called the Wind Chaser Game Core. It also adds its three-chip esports system: a G3 network chip, a Lingxi T3 touch chip, and a P4 display chip. OnePlus targets 185fps in supported games, which is 20fps above the iQOO 16’s 165fps target. OnePlus says Delta Force held an average of 185fps for three hours in its lab.
As for cooling, the iQOO 16 has an 8,500mm² vapor chamber, three layers of graphite covering 29,453mm² and a large thermal gel layer. The OnePlus 16 uses a new-generation Glacier vapor chamber with a graphite layer rated at 2,100 W/m·K. OnePlus says its vapor chamber is 40% better and its thermal gel is 50% better than before. Both brands test in their own labs, so wait for independent thermal tests before you pick a side.
2. Display
The iQOO 16 has a 6.85-inch Samsung M16 AMOLED panel at 2K resolution (3168 x 1440), with a refresh rate of up to 165Hz. It reaches 10,000 nits of local peak brightness and about 2,800 nits full-screen, according to iQOO.
iQOO says more than 50 popular games run natively at 165Hz, and that the 165Hz mode works in more than 100 everyday apps once you turn it on in Developer Mode.
The OnePlus 16 has a smaller 6.78-inch BOE panel at 1.5K resolution. It supports 165Hz across the whole system, and up to 185Hz in supported games. OnePlus lists 2,000 nits of peak brightness, PWM dimming at 3,840Hz, and a minimum brightness of 1 nit. The screen carries TÜV Rheinland Eye Comfort 6.0 certification.
3. Battery and charging
The OnePlus 16 has a 9,000mAh battery, which is 600mAh larger than the iQOO 16’s 8,400mAh cell. We covered the OnePlus 16 battery details when OnePlus confirmed the figure.
The iQOO 16 uses fifth-generation silicon-anode technology, which iQOO claims offers 8.6 hours of 165fps gaming. Meanwhile, OnePlus 16 is rated for 8.1 hours of a MOBA game at 120fps and above, 23.8 hours of video playback, and 13.6 hours of navigation. The two brands use different games and test conditions, so you can’t compare those run times directly.
Charging favors the OnePlus 16 on the wireless side:
Wired charging: Both phones support 100W. OnePlus rates a full charge from 1% at 52 minutes.
Wireless charging: 50W on the OnePlus 16, 40W on the iQOO 16.
Reverse charging: The OnePlus 16 supports 27W wired reverse charging for earbuds and watches.
Bypass charging: Both phones can power the device directly from a charger during gaming. The iQOO 16 needs you to turn it on manually.
4. Cameras
The OnePlus 16 has the higher-resolution main sensor, and the iQOO 16 has the lower-resolution one with a slightly larger sensor than you might expect. Here’s a side-by-side comparison:
Main camera: The iQOO 16 uses a 50MP sensor measuring 1/1.3 inches with an f/1.68 lens and CIPA 5.5 stabilization. iQOO says it gathers 79% more light than the iQOO 15 Ultra. The OnePlus 16 uses a 200MP sensor measuring 1/1.4 inches with optical stabilization, and lets you shoot at the full 200MP and crop afterward.
Telephoto: Both phones have a 50MP periscope lens with 3x optical zoom and a 1/1.95-inch sensor. The iQOO 16 uses a Sony sensor with an f/2.65 lens. Both list 6x as lossless zoom, and iQOO adds 100x digital zoom.
Ultra-wide: Both have a 50MP lens. The iQOO 16 uses a 1/2.75-inch sensor, and the OnePlus 16 lists a 116-degree field of view.
Front camera: The OnePlus 16 has a 50MP autofocus camera, and the iQOO 16 has a 32MP camera.
On the software side, the iQOO 16 uses Vivo’s imaging tools, including the NICE 3.0 optical engine and a Humanistic Mode for street and portrait shots. The OnePlus 16 uses Oppo’s imaging system with a Master Mode for film-style tones and a text-prompt AI retouching tool. Both record 4K video, and the OnePlus 16 supports 4K at 120fps with Dolby Vision.
5. Gaming controls and connectivity
Both phones add custom hardware for touch, motion, and network.
Touch: The iQOO 16 samples touch at up to 5,000Hz instantaneously and 500Hz for multiple fingers. The OnePlus 16 samples multi-finger touch at up to 520Hz. These apply only in select games.
Gyroscope: The OnePlus 16 samples at 800Hz, against 500Hz on the iQOO 16.
Network: The iQOO 16 uses a Wi-Fi enhancement chip with a side cellular antenna and a ring Wi-Fi antenna. iQOO claims 34% better Wi-Fi performance and 17% better cellular gaming antenna performance than the iQOO 15. The OnePlus 16 uses the G3 chip, which OnePlus says cuts cellular gaming latency by 42.1%.
Haptics and audio: The iQOO 16 has a dual-axis vibration motor and symmetrical dual speakers. The OnePlus 16 has an X-axis linear motor and stereo speakers.
Extras: The iQOO 16 supports a PC game emulator, a large-screen game mode, and an iQOO G1 gamepad, which is sold separately. The OnePlus 16 has a one-tap Gun God Mode for several shooters, and an optional gamepad.
6. Software and design
The iQOO 16 runs OriginOS 7, and the OnePlus 16 runs ColorOS 17. Both are based on Android 17, and both have ultrasonic fingerprint sensors.
The designs differ more than the spec sheets suggest. The iQOO 16 has a transparent camera window with a robotic-arm look, and a laser-holographic finish on the Chasing Light color. It comes in Chasing Light, Track, and Legend.
The OnePlus 16 keeps the flat frame and square camera island of the OnePlus 15, and comes in Tomorrow Starlight, Mars Red, and a deep black. Only Tomorrow Starlight has the interstellar lighting effect. The OnePlus 16 has a stronger dust and water rating, with IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K, while the iQOO 16 has IP68 and IP69.
7. Price and availability
Both phones start at 5,999 yuan (about $896) for the 12GB+256GB model and top out at 8,499 yuan (about $1,270) for the 16GB+1TB configuration. By comparison, the OnePlus 16 is 2,000 yuan more expensive than the OnePlus 15’s 3,999 yuan starting price. The iQOO 16 has also seen a steep price increase, launching at 1,800 yuan more than its predecessor.
Neither phone has a confirmed global launch. OnePlus has stopped launching new phones in North America and Europe. The iQOO 16 has appeared at Europe’s EEC certification and on Geekbench, which suggests a wider release, but iQOO has not announced a date.
8. iQOO 16 vs OnePlus 16: Specs comparison
Specification
iQOO 16
OnePlus 16
Processor
Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6
Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6
Display
6.85-inch 2K AMOLED, 165Hz
6.78-inch OLED, 1.5K resolution, up to 185Hz in supported games
Gaming chip
Dedicated Q4 gaming chip
No separate gaming chip specified
RAM and storage
Up to 16GB RAM, 1TB storage
Up to 16GB RAM, 1TB storage
Main camera
50MP, 1/1.3-inch sensor
200MP, 1/1.4-inch sensor
Telephoto camera
50MP Sony periscope, 3x optical zoom
50MP telephoto, 3x optical zoom
Ultrawide camera
50MP
50MP
Front camera
32MP
50MP
Battery
8,400mAh
9,000mAh
Wired charging
100W
100W
Wireless charging
40W
50W
Software
OriginOS 7
Android 17 with ColorOS 17 in China
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Apple has introduced the HomePod Mini 2. It keeps the spherical design of the original but updates the internal hardware, adds a new lighting effect on the top panel, and integrates Apple’s upcoming Siri AI features. It also costs $149, a $50 increase over the previous model.
Apple HomePod Mini 2 Specifications
The device will support an upgraded Siri AI, although the feature won’t be available at launch. Apple says it will arrive through a future software update, bringing more natural conversations and support for complex requests.
The HomePod Mini 2 will also be able to access personal information from compatible iPhones and iPads that support Apple Intelligence. For example, you can ask Siri to find a recipe shared through email or play a song received in a text message.
Apple says personal data will be handled securely through on-device processing or its Private Cloud Compute system. Those without an Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhone or iPad will still benefit from improved conversational capabilities, but won’t have access to personal context features.
Inside, the speaker runs on the S10 chip. Apple says this processor manages real-time audio adjustments for volume and dynamic range. The speaker still works alone or in a stereo pair, but Apple is adding a new home theater configuration.
If you own the new 4th-generation Apple TV 4K, you can link four HomePod speakers together. The system automatically calibrates the audio based on where each speaker is placed in the room. You can also now set the HomePod Mini 2 as the default audio output for a Mac.
On the outside, the top touch surface has been redesigned with a feature Apple calls Sound Glow. Instead of just showing the standard Siri animation, the top panel now changes color to match the album art of the music you are playing and pulses along with the audio.
For smart home use, the device continues to function as a home hub. It includes sound recognition to listen for smoke or carbon monoxide alarms and send alerts to your phone. It also supports face recognition for Apple’s newly announced Home Collection video doorbells, allowing the speaker to announce who is outside.
Availability
The HomePod Mini 2 comes in pink, green, blue, white, and midnight. Pre-orders are open now, and it will be available in stores on October 30th.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S12+ is $1,199.99 on Amazon right now, and Amazon throws in a free $200 Amazon gift card. That is the 256GB WiFi model in Gray, sold and shipped by Amazon. The tablet went on sale on 7 October, so it is six days old, and $1,199.99 is its launch price. The price has not moved. The deal is the gift card on top.
Amazon calls it a “Launch bundle” and a “Limited Prime deal”, and the listing says the gift card offer runs until 21 October. You will also see a “bundle list price” of $1,399.99. That figure is the tablet and the gift card added together. Here’s the thing: if you shop on Amazon anyway, that $200 comes back to you, so the Tab S12+ bundle works out to $999.99 in practice.
The 512GB WiFi model is $1,399, also its launch price, and it gets the same $200 gift card. The listing also offers the tablet alone, or a bundle that adds 30% off the Samsung Pro keyboard.
Variant
Price
Gift card
Effective cost if you shop on Amazon
Offer ends
256GB WiFi
$1,199.99
$200
$999.99
21 October
512GB WiFi
$1,399.99
$200
$1,199.99
21 October
Should you buy the Tab S12+ now?
If you shop on Amazon, then yes. A six-day-old flagship tablet at launch price with $200 back is the best way to buy a Tab S12+ before Black Friday. Launch bundles like this usually end on the stated date. After 21 October, expect a plain $1,199.99 again. Buy the 256GB with the gift card. Skip the keyboard bundle unless you already wanted the Pro keyboard.
What you get
The Plus has a 12.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen at 2800 x 1752 and 120Hz. Inside is the MediaTek Dimensity 9500, the chip that appeared in a Tab S12 Ultra Geekbench listing in August, with 12GB of RAM. The battery is 10,600mAh, a bigger cell than the Tab S11’s. It is IP68 rated, and the S Pen comes in the box.
Now the downsides. The design is carried over from the Tab S11 series, and when the tablets leaked in August we said they looked very familiar. They still do. And 45W wired charging is slow for a 10,600mAh cell.
The 14.6-inch Tab S12 Ultra launched at $1,399.99 and gets four speakers, an 11,600mAh battery and 13MP plus 8MP rear cameras, where the Plus has two speakers and a single 13MP camera. The Amazon gift card bundle is for the Plus, not the Ultra.
Other Samsung and Google deals on Amazon
Galaxy S26 Ultra 256GB, Black is $1,049.99. Its list price is $1,399.99 after Samsung’s 1 October US price hike, and it launched at $1,299.99.
Google Pixel Watch 3 is $199.99, down from a $399.99 list price, if you are not tied to Samsung.
Xiaomi has added a new bag to its Mijia lineup on the Youpin platform. The Mijia Lightweight Mini Backpack is a basic, packable daypack that costs 69.9 yuan, which converts to roughly $10. As the name suggests, its main specification is its weight: at 140 grams, it is currently the lightest backpack in the Mijia series.
Mijia Lightweight Mini Backpack Specifications
The backpack is designed for short trips, daily commuting, and everyday use. It features a foldable design that lets you store the entire bag inside its own top pocket without needing a separate pouch. You can simply open the top zipper, turn the backpack inside out, fold the shoulder straps inward, and roll the bottom section upward to pack it away. Once folded, it becomes compact enough to fit inside your luggage or another backpack.
For storage, the backpack has a standard main compartment that is rated to hold up to 4kg of gear. The exterior includes a front zippered pocket for smaller items like cables, transit cards, or a power bank, along with two elastic side pockets sized for 500ml water bottles or an umbrella. There are also small attachment loops on the sides for clipping on extra accessories.
Xiaomi is using a high-density nylon fabric for the bag’s construction. According to the company, the material has a Level 4 water-repellent rating, which is sufficient for light rain or accidental spills, allowing water to be wiped off with a cloth. The fabric has also been tested to withstand 30,000 abrasion cycles without showing signs of pilling or tearing.
For the straps, Xiaomi went with a wide, S-shaped design. This is intended to follow the natural curve of the shoulders to distribute the 4kg maximum load more evenly and allow for some breathability. There is also a standard high-density top handle for carrying the bag by hand.
The Mijia Lightweight Mini Backpack is available in three colors: gray, green, and black.
In related news, Xiaomi has recently launched a new robot vacuum and mop with three edge-cleaning arms, along with a titanium thermos that can brew tea simply by turning it upside down.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Apple has announced its new smart home display, the Apple HomeView, revealing its price, features, and release date. The device was announced at the company’s Welcome Home event. It costs $299, comes with a 7-inch display, and will begin shipping on November 13.
The Apple HomeView has a domed speaker base with the display attached by a stainless steel hinge, allowing you to tilt the screen to get a better viewing angle. It comes in four colors: silver, starlight, rose pink, and space gray.
Apple is also selling a wall-mounted version in silver and space gray for the same $299 price. It uses the same 7-inch display but requires a separate Schneider Home mount. The Power Mount USB-C Wall Connector costs $59.95, while the Power Mount AC Wired is priced at $79.95.
Siri AI and face recognition
The Apple HomeView runs Siri AI, the updated version of Apple’s assistant that arrived on iPhones with iOS 27 on September 14. The feature is still in beta on the HomeView and currently supports English only.
Pairing the display with an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad lets Siri AI retrieve information from apps such as Messages and Calendar. If you don’t have a compatible device, you can still use Siri AI for general knowledge questions and conversational replies.
The HomeView can recognize up to six people by face, so each person gets a separate Home Screen with their own apps and widgets. Shared photo albums and music, though, remain accessible to everyone in the house, including guests.
Meanwhile, Messages and Calendar content appear only when the HomeView recognizes your face and your paired iPhone or iPad is nearby and has been unlocked recently. Apple also says camera and microphone data is processed in Secure Enclave on the A18 chip, keeping it inaccessible to software, apps, users, and Apple itself.
Display, audio, and smart home features
The 7-inch display can adjust its brightness from 500 nits down to 0.3 nits. Its interface also adapts to your distance from the screen, showing basic information when you’re across the room and more details when you move closer.
As for audio, you get two full-range drivers in the display and a down-firing woofer with two passive radiators in the base. The system supports Spatial Audio, and you can group the HomeView with HomePod, HomePod mini, and AirPlay-compatible speakers for music throughout your home. There’s also a way to transfer music from your iPhone by holding the phone near the display.
Other features include FaceTime calls with Center Stage, Intercom messages for individual rooms or the entire house, and Find My support. The display can also turn web recipes into step-by-step instructions, complete with hands-free timers, so you don’t have to keep reaching for your phone while cooking.
The HomeView also serves as a control panel for compatible smart home devices. You can check camera feeds, adjust lights and thermostats, lock doors, and close blinds using the touchscreen or Siri. Its Home Camera face can show up to nine camera feeds simultaneously.
With an iCloud+ subscription and compatible cameras, the HomeView can identify activity involving people, pets, packages, and vehicles. It can also describe HomeKit Secure Video clips, letting you get an idea of what happened without watching each recording. If it detects a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm, it sends an alert to your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch.
The device works with Apple’s new Home Collection accessories developed with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric, along with Matter-compatible accessories.
Apple HomeView Price and Availability
Apple HomeView is available to pre-order today in Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, the UK, and the US, with a starting price of $299. Pre-orders in Singapore open on Thursday, October 15, at 9 a.m. SGT, while customers in South Africa can buy the device through Apple Authorized Resellers. Shipments begin on November 13.
The European Union is missing from the initial launch markets because Siri AI is not yet available in iOS there. Apple says it is working with the EU to find a way forward.
If you’ve got a Galaxy A57 and the One UI 9.0 update is sitting there waiting to be installed, maybe give it a miss for now.
Early reports are coming in that the new update (the big Android 17-based one) is leaving some phones struggling to start up properly. What should have been a normal upgrade is turning into a headache for a chunk of owners.
The problem started showing up once Samsung began rolling out the stable One UI 9.0 version outside South Korea. Over there the phone is called the Galaxy Quantum 7 and it got the update earlier without the same wave of complaints. The European and other international versions have been a different story.
According to people on Reddit and X, the issue seems tied to an XML file error. Affected phones can get stuck showing an error screen, sometimes “Access Denied”, sometimes just a raw XML document tree, and they won’t get past the One UI 9 intro or setup screens.
The good news is it’s not happening to everyone. Plenty of A57 owners have updated with no issue at all. The bad news is there’s no way of knowing in advance whether your phone will be one of the unlucky ones.
Samsung hasn’t put out any detailed statement yet about what’s causing it or when a proper fix is coming. Until they do, the general advice from the community is pretty simple: if you haven’t updated yet, wait.
If you’re already stuck, a few people have found a temporary workaround that got their phones working again:
Hold the Power and Volume Down buttons together until the power menu appears.
Long-press the Power Off option until the Safe Mode prompt shows up.
Choose Safe Mode and let the phone restart.
Once you’re in Safe Mode, just restart the phone normally.
A number of users say doing this once was enough to get past the error and back to normal use. It’s completely unofficial though, so results can vary. Right now, the new features probably aren’t worth the risk of ending up with a phone that won’t boot properly.
If you’ve been eyeing a mid-range Samsung phone in India, the prices just went up again. The company has quietly raised the official rates on three popular models this month, continuing a trend of upward revisions across its budget and mid-tier lineup.
Starting mid-October 2026, Samsung increased the prices of the Galaxy A27, Galaxy M47, and Galaxy F70 Pro by Rs 2,000 across all variants. Tipster Sanju Choudhary first spotted the change through internal retail communications.
The Galaxy M47 and F70 Pro (which share a lot of the specifications) now start at Rs 37,999 for the 6GB/128GB version, up from Rs 35,999. The 8GB/128GB jumps from Rs 39,999 to Rs 41,999, and the 8GB/256GB goes from Rs 44,999 to Rs 46,999.
The Galaxy A27, the more lifestyle-focused A-series option with the same Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip, follows the exact same pattern. Its 6GB/128GB model rises from Rs 33,999 to Rs 35,999, the 8GB/128GB from Rs 40,999 to Rs 42,999, and the 8GB/256GB from Rs 45,499 to Rs 47,499.
That said, interested buyers still have a short window. The prices are already updated on the official Samsung India website, which confirms this isn’t a false alarm. Flipkart and Amazon are still showing the older rates for now, but it’s only a matter of time before they follow suit, likely once existing stock sells out.
Some physical retailers may also be clearing older inventory during festive sales, and bank offers or extra discounts can still bring the effective cost down. If you’re planning to buy one of these Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 models, it’s worth checking the current prices soon before the older rates disappear.
This isn’t a one-off. Over the past few weeks and months, Samsung has already hiked prices on several other Galaxy A and M series phones, including models in the A17 and M17 ranges. The M47 and F70 Pro themselves saw a Rs 3,000 increase back in September, so the cumulative rise is now well above their original launch prices. Other brands like OPPO and Vivo have made similar moves, pointing to wider pressure from rising component and manufacturing costs.
Anker’s new Nano Charger Neo is $19.99 on Amazon as of Tuesday morning US time. That is 23% off its $25.99 list price, sold by AnkerDirect with free Prime delivery. It only launched in the US in late September at $25.99, so this is $6 off a three-week-old product. During Prime Big Deal Days (6 to 8 October), it dipped to $18.19, $1.80 below today’s price.
The Neo is a single USB-C charger with one trick. It is rated 45W for normal use but uses AVS (Adjustable Voltage Supply) to push up to 65W to devices that ask for it, such as iPhone 18 Pro models and MacBooks.
Anker claims the Nano Charger Neo takes an iPhone 18 Pro Max to 80% in 32 minutes and an iPhone 17 Pro Max to 60% in 30 minutes. In Anker’s tests, the 18 Pro Max hit a peak of 47C (117F). You also get ActiveShield 4.0 temperature monitoring, a 180-degree foldable plug tested to four folds a day for eight years, and an 18-month warranty.
Yes, if you charge one device at a time. At $19.99 this is the charger to buy for one iPhone 18 Pro, a Pixel, a Galaxy phone or a small laptop. Apple’s 40W Dynamic Power Adapter does the same trick for $15 more and stops at 60W.
Two catches. It has one port, so it will not charge a phone and a watch together. And the 65W is a burst, not a sustained rating. Anker says power drops gradually after about 20 minutes at 65W, and it does not say where it settles.
Need two ports? The Anker Nano 65W 3-port at $29.99 is the better buy. If not, buy the Neo. All colors are $19.99 today.
The Honor Win 2 series of performance-driven flagship phones is set to go official on Oct. 21 in China. Ahead of the launch, the Win 2, Win RT 2, and Win Turbo 2 are all listed on Honor’s online store in China, revealing their official images and configurations. At the same time, a leak from reliable tipster DCS has revealed key details about the Win RT 2, which packs the largest battery seen on a smartphone from a mainstream brand. Here’s a look at what to expect from these phones.
Honor Win RT 2 and Win Turbo 2 variants, color options
The official images showcase the Win RT 2 and Win Turbo 2 in color options such as Red and Blue Buff, Quickly Star Black, and Designated Win.
According to a Weibo post by tipster Digital Chat Station, the Win RT 2 will arrive with a 185Hz 2K AMOLED panel with ultra-thin bezels, a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, a built-in cooling fan, and dual 1216 symmetrical speakers. However, the phone’s major highlight is its huge 12,070mAh battery. As per the 3C certification of the device, it may support 90W fast charging.
The Win RT 2 will be available in multiple configurations, including 12GB+256GB, 16GB+256GB, 12GB+512GB, and 16GB+512GB. The Win Turbo 2 will be sold in the same configurations, along with a base model offering 8GB+256GB. There is no information about the device’s specifications, but some vague reports suggest that it may also pack a 12,070mAh battery. However, there is a possibility that it may ship with a Dimensity chipset.
As far as the Honor Win 2 is concerned, it is expected to feature the same 2K 185Hz AMOLED panel as the Win RT 2. The screens on both phones could measure 6.89 inches. Under the hood, the Win 2 may feature the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chip and a 10,000mAh battery with 100W charging. It will have the configuration as the Win RT 2 but will come in an additional 16GB+1TB option. It will be available in colors like Red and Blue buff, Quick Black, and Guaranteed Win.
The Redmi K100 Pro and K100 Pro Max debuted in China in August, but the standard Redmi K100 was missing from the lineup. Earlier reports suggested that the phone would arrive before the end of the year. A new leak now hints that its debut could be just days away.
Redmi K100 launch timeframe tipped
According to tipster Smart Pikachu, Redmi is tentatively planning to launch the standard K100 toward the end of October. The tipster says the phone will focus on a combination of Snapdragon dual-chip performance, a massive battery, an ultra-high-refresh-rate display and Bose-tuned audio. Redmi has yet to confirm the launch date or these details, so the timeline remains unofficial.
Redmi K100 specifications (rumored)
Redmi K100 Pro Max
The Redmi K100v has already appeared in an earlier leak from tipster Digital Chat Station who shared details about an engineering prototype in August. According to the tipster, the handset could feature a large, flat display measuring between 6.8 and 6.9 inches, with an ultra-high refresh rate, which could be 185Hz. The phone is also tipped to include a battery approaching 10,000mAh, potentially making endurance one of its biggest selling points.
The K100 may draw power from 2024’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and it may also feature a dedicated display chip for an enhanced gaming experience. Other reported features include symmetrical dual speakers, a relatively large linear vibration motor, a 3D ultrasonic fingerprint scanner and an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.
As for pricing, the Redmi K100 is expected to sit below the K100 Pro, which reportedly starts at 3,699 yuan (approximately $550) in China. If Redmi follows that positioning, the standard model could start at around $450, although its actual price and memory configurations are still unknown.
Nothing OS 5.0 is a pretty significant upgrade for Nothing smartphones in recent years. Besides Android 17’s core features, this major upgrade packs a bunch of really useful features, new widgets, and a redesigned Control Center. It brings a more capable AI experience that also allows users to build custom apps and a dedicated Glyph app for easier customization.
The brand has already announced which devices will be upgraded to Nothing OS 5.0, and when. However, that’s a vague timeline without exact rollout dates. So, we’ve created a dedicated section on this page that tracks the rollout progress. If you have yet to receive the update on your Nothing phone, this tracker is only what you need.
Nothing OS 5.0 eligible devices and rollout schedule
Model
Open Beta
General Release
Phone (3)
August 26
Mid October
Phone (4a) Pro
Early September
Early November
Phone (4a)
Late September
Early November
Phone (3a) Pro
Late September
Early November
Phone (3a)
Late September
Early November
Phone (2a)
Mid October
Mid November
Phone (2a) Plus
Mid October
Mid November
Phone (3a) Lite
–
Late December
Phone (4b)
Mid December
Mid January
CMF Phone 2 Pro
–
Mid January
Three phones are not eligible for the update: Nothing Phone (1), Nothing Phone (2), and CMF Phone 1. They have already received the number of OS upgrades promised by the brand, and so won’t receive Android 17 and future upgrades.
As planned, the Nothing Phone (3) received the Nothing OS 5.0 Open Beta in August, followed by other eligible devices. As of writing this post, most devices have received the open beta builds.
The brand has also started rolling out the stable update, with the Nothing Phone (3) being the first recipient. It should gradually expand to the rest of the eligible devices as per the schedule. Review the progress tracker below to learn more about the rollout.
Nothing OS 5.0 update progress tracker
[Note: This section is being regularly updated with the latest information.]
[update as on Oct 12, 2026] The first stable release is here, and it’s rolling out to Nothing Phone (3) users.
[update as on Sep 22, 2026] Nothing OS 5.0 Open Beta is now expanding Phone (4a), Phone (3a), and Phone (3a) Pro.
[update as on Sep 11, 2026] The open beta is now available for Nothing Phone (4a) Pro.
[update as on Aug 26, 2026] Nothing OS 5.0 Open Beta goes live for the high-end Nothing Phone (3).
[update as on Aug 25, 2026] Nothing announces which devices will receive the Nothing OS 5.0 update, along with a rollout timeline for Open Beta and general release.
OnePlus has bid goodbye to OxygenOS, with upcoming phones set to ship with ColorOS. Following the global unveiling of ColorOS 17, a wide range of OnePlus devices are scheduled to transition from their existing OxygenOS versions to the new software.
The recently unveiled OnePlus 16 also comes preinstalled with ColorOS 17. Here’s a look at the rollout timeline for the coming months.
The rollout schedule indicates that ColorOS 17 will reach eligible OnePlus devices in phases, with the process extending into the first quarter of 2027. OnePlus notes that the stable release will be rolled out in batches, so availability may vary by device, region, and carrier.
The company also says the schedule is subject to change as development progresses, and users should follow official channels for the latest updates. Carrier-exclusive models may follow separate update schedules, while the listed order does not necessarily indicate the exact sequence in which every device will receive the update.
Vivo has started selling two new smartphones in India, targeting buyers looking for premium imaging and productivity features. The Vivo V80 focuses on content creation, while the Vivo X Fold 6 combines a foldable design with multitasking tools. Both models ship with OriginOS 7 and come with launch offers across online and offline channels.
Vivo V80, Vivo X Fold 6 pricing and offers
The Vivo V80 is available in Sunrise Anthem, Horizon Blue, and Stellar Black. Its 8GB+128GB variant costs Rs 62,999 (approximately $660), the 8GB+256GB model is priced at Rs 69,999 (approximately $734), and the 8GB+512GB version costs Rs 79,999 (approximately $839). Buyers can opt for easy EMI starting at Rs 2,625 per month, up to 10% exchange bonuses, or a flat 10% instant cashback on eligible cards and UPI transactions, subject to terms. Online offers include bank discounts, exchange bonuses, and a one-year extended warranty.
The Vivo X Fold 6 is available in Nebula Teal and Prism Black, with 12GB+512GB storage priced at Rs 2,19,999 (approximately $2,309). Offline buyers can get up to Rs 26,400 (approximately $277) in eligible bank cashback or an exchange bonus of up to 12%, alongside easy EMI options starting at Rs 7,333 per month. Online buyers can access eligible bank cashback, exchange benefits, or no-cost EMI. Both phones are available through Vivo’s online store, retail partners, Flipkart, and Amazon.
The Vivo V80 features a 6.59-inch 1.5K OLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate and up to 5,000 nits local peak brightness. It runs on the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 platform and packs a 7,200mAh battery with 90W FlashCharge.
Its imaging system includes a 50-megapixel ZEISS night telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom and a 50-megapixel ZEISS group selfie camera. It also supports 4K cinematic video and AI-powered editing tools.
The Vivo X Fold 6 uses the Dimensity 9500 Super Edition chipset and features an 8.02-inch inner display and a 6.51-inch cover screen, both with adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz. Its cameras include a 200-megapixel ZEISS main sensor and an APO telephoto camera.
A 6,900mAh battery supports 80W wired and 40W wireless charging. The foldable also offers Origin Workbench, AI Cross-App Drag, multi-window tools, and IPX8, IPX9, and IP5X ratings.
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra is $1,049.99 on Amazon as of Tuesday morning US time. That is the 256GB unlocked model in Black, the US version with a one-year US warranty. Amazon shows it at 25% off a list price of $1,399.99. The 512GB model is $1,399.99, with a list price of $1,599.99.
Here’s the thing about that list price. The S26 Ultra launched at $1,299.99 for 256GB in February. On 1 October, Samsung raised US prices to $1,399.99 for 256GB, $1,599.99 for 512GB and $1,999.99 for 1TB, and reports put it down to the memory shortage. We reported the hike was coming back in September. So today’s price is $350 below the new list price and $250 below the launch price.
Is it the lowest so far? No. During Prime Big Deal Days, 6 to 8 October, Amazon had the 256GB Black at $949.99. Today it is $100 more.
Variant
Today
List price now
Launch price
Last week’s Prime Day price
256GB, Black
$1,049.99
$1,399.99
$1,299.99
$949.99
256GB, other colours
$1,152.77 to $1,187.55
$1,399.99
$1,299.99
not tracked
512GB
$1,399.99
$1,599.99
$1,499.99
not tracked
Only Black gets the deal. Cobalt Violet is the cheapest of the other colours at $1,152.77, and Sky Blue is the dearest at $1,187.55. You may also spot a $959 “Version Latina” listing (model SM-S948BZ, sold by CellOne) but it is a Latin American import with no US warranty, so we would leave that one alone.
This is a fair price, not a great one. If you need a phone this month, buy the Black now. Samsung’s new list price has moved the floor up, and the memory shortage is pushing prices one way. If you can wait about six weeks, Black Friday is the next realistic shot at $949.99.
The phone itself is unchanged. The 6.9-inch LTPO AMOLED runs at 120Hz, peaks at 2,600 nits and adds a Privacy Display under Gorilla Armor 2, all in a 7.9mm body. Inside is the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 with 12GB of RAM. The 200MP main camera sits next to a 50MP ultrawide, a 50MP 5x periscope and a 10MP 3x telephoto, and it shoots 8K video at 30fps. The S Pen is still built in, and Samsung promises seven major Android updates.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S12+ 256GB WiFi at $1,199.99 with a free $200 Amazon gift card. The list price is $1,399.99, and Amazon marks it as a “Limited Prime deal”.
Galaxy Watch 7 is back to $249. Its Prime Day price of $159 is gone.
Google Pixel Watch 3 at $199.99, down from a $399.99 list price, if you are not tied to Samsung.
iQOO has offered a closer look at its upcoming Neo 12 smartphone ahead of its expected debut. The latest teasers focus on the device’s front design and display technology. They also highlight the company’s efforts to improve screen performance without increasing power consumption.
iQOO Neo 12: Front design and display technology teased
The first promotional poster reveals the iQOO Neo 12’s front design, showing a flat display with ultra-thin bezels and a centrally positioned punch-hole camera. Two additional posters emphasize the screen’s key capabilities, including its 2K resolution and unusually high 185Hz refresh rate. The teasers also highlight improvements in brightness and display quality while reducing power consumption.
Last week, tipster Digital Chat Station claimed that the phone would feature a next-generation Visionox panel using the company’s fourth-generation pTSF light-emitting technology. The technology is reportedly designed to improve efficiency, visual performance and panel longevity. iQOO has now confirmed the 2K resolution and 185Hz refresh rate through its official Weibo teasers, strengthening the earlier claims about the display.
iQOO has revealed several other details through earlier teasers. The Neo 12 is confirmed to feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor alongside the company’s Q3 gaming chip. Promotional material also points to a 9,000mAh battery, while its 3C certification suggests support for 100W fast charging.
The smartphone is expected to feature a built-in cooling fan with an Ice Dome active cooling system and redesigned airflow channels for improved heat dissipation during gaming. A Geekbench listing has also reportedly revealed 16GB of RAM and Android 17, potentially with OriginOS 7 on top. However, these details have not all been officially confirmed, and the phone’s pricing and launch date remain unknown.
The Nothing Phone (3) is down to $549 on Amazon. That is the 12GB/256GB model, sold and shipped by Amazon. The listing shows $699 as the usual price, and the phone launched at $799 in July 2025. The 16GB/512GB version is $649, down from $899.
Not quite. Amazon sold it for $499 for a single day in late August. Outside that day, the floor has been $599, a price it hit in the spring sale and again on Prime Day in July and in August. So $549 sits $50 under the normal sale price and $50 above the one-off low.
Variant
Now
Usual Amazon price
Launch price
Lowest so far
12GB + 256GB
$549
$699
$799
$499 (one day, 26 Aug)
16GB + 512GB
$649
$899
$899
$649 (today)
Here’s what makes this deal different from the earlier ones. Nothing has said there will be no Phone (4) in 2026. Carl Pei called the Phone (3) the flagship for the year, and he said prices are likely to rise next year because memory costs more. Nothing already cancelled the CMF Phone 2 Pro successor for the same reason, and it raised Phone (3a) Lite prices in April. Waiting for a newer, cheaper model is not a plan here.
What $549 buys
You get a Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 and a 6.67-inch 1.5K AMOLED screen at 120Hz. Around the back are three 50MP cameras, one of them a 3x periscope, and there is a 50MP selfie camera up front. The 5,150mAh battery takes 65W wired and 15W wireless charging. The phone is IP68 rated. The back also carries the Glyph Matrix dot display, and the Essential Key sits on the side.
Software support is long. Nothing promises five years of Android updates and seven years of security patches. The phone shipped on Android 15 and now runs Nothing OS 4.1 with Android 16, which we covered when the April update landed.
Two drawbacks, stated plainly. The chip is the 8s Gen 4, not the 8 Elite. A OnePlus 15R is $749 on Amazon right now with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 and a 7,400mAh battery, so if raw speed matters most, spend the extra $200 there. The US model is also certified for AT&T and T-Mobile only. On Verizon? Skip it.
If you are coming from a Phone (1) or Phone (2), or from anything older than a Pixel 7 or Galaxy S22, this is the one to buy at this price. The Pixel 10a costs $599, and the Phone (3) beats it on screen, in charging speed, and in camera hardware. Our Phone (3) vs OnePlus 12 comparison still holds if you want the longer version.
Nothing’s accessories are still on Prime Day pricing
Nothing’s Prime Day prices are still live a week after the sale ended. Four are worth adding to the order.
Nothing Headphone (a) at $119, down from $199. That is 40% off, but only on some colours. Pink is still $199. We compared it with the Headphone (1) in March.
The Phone (3) plus the Ear (3a) comes to about $629. Until last month, the phone alone cost more than that.
Amazon marks the phone as a limited deal, and Nothing’s sale prices could end without notice. Honestly, if you were waiting for a sub-$600 Phone (3) that is not a one-day flash sale, this is it.
Redmi has launched a refreshed version of the Redmi Note 17 Pro in China; however, there’s not much new to write about. The phone comes in new colors and a different set of memory configurations, while everything else remains unchanged from the model that arrived in July, so there are no upgrades to the processor, battery, or cameras.
The refreshed Redmi Note 17 Pro comes in Sand Orange, Energetic Green, and Black. The first two are new additions, while Black carries over from the original model. The standard version also came in White, Sky Blue, and Nebula Purple, but those colors are no longer available in the refreshed lineup.
Redmi has also changed the available memory configurations. The new version comes in 6GB+256GB, 8GB+128GB, and 8GB+256GB options. By comparison, the original model offered 8GB+128GB, 8GB+256GB, 8GB+512GB, and 12GB+256GB configurations. The refreshed lineup drops the two higher-end options while adding a 6GB RAM variant with 256GB of storage.
Prices start at 1,599 yuan (about $239) for both the 6GB+256GB and 8GB+128GB models. Buyers can choose between more RAM and more storage without paying extra. The 8GB+256GB version costs 1,699 yuan (about $254). For reference, the original 8GB+128GB model also launched at 1,599 yuan.
Beyond the color and memory changes, the Redmi Note 17 Pro retains the same hardware. It runs on a Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 processor and packs a 9,000mAh Xiaomi Jinshajiang battery with support for 67W wired charging. The rear camera setup includes a 50-megapixel main camera.
The display is a 6.83-inch flat OLED panel with a 1.5K resolution and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. It can reach a peak brightness of 3,500 nits and supports both 3,840Hz PWM dimming and DC-like dimming. The screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and carries SGS and CQC five-star drop resistance certifications.
The phone also has IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K ratings for dust and water resistance. It has additionally passed TÜV SÜD’s 72-hour waterproof certification.
The global version has a smaller battery
The Redmi Note 17 Pro sold outside China differs in one important area. The global Redmi Note 17 Pro launched in late August with an 8,340mAh battery, compared with the 9,000mAh unit in the Chinese version. Its starting price was $400.
Poco may be preparing to expand its X8 smartphone lineup with another model aimed at select global markets. The rumored device has surfaced on multiple certification platforms, adding to speculation about its development. At the same time, it has also been spotted on Geekbench, revealing its key specifications ahead of launch.
The said smartphone, carrying model number 2609CPC5FG, has received approval from Singapore’s IMDA authority. It was previously spotted on Europe’s EEC and IECEE certification platforms, although these listings did not disclose its hardware details. Back in August, the said device was spotted on Geekbench with the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset, paired with 12GB of RAM and Android 16.
Poco X8s Geebench listing
According to XimiTime report, the 2609CPC5FG device will be called the Poco X8s when it hits the market. The moniker suggests that the device could sit between the standard Poco X8 and the Pro models, although its final positioning is not yet known. While Poco has yet to officially acknowledge the device, its recent sightings suggest that it may go official soon.
According to the publication, the device will be aimed at select markets including the European Economic Area, Turkey, Russia, and China. An Indian launch is reportedly not planned, while the Chinese variant is said to carry model number M583CF. It is likely to carry a Redmi branding when it hits the home market.
Oppo has confirmed that the Find X10 series will launch in India on October 22, bringing two new flagship smartphones to the market. The Find X10 and Find X10 Pro Max feature distinctive camera-inspired designs and advanced display technology. The company has also revealed key design and usability details ahead of the launch.
Oppo Find X10 series: What to expect?
Oppo Find X10Oppo Find X10 Pro Max
The Find X10 Pro Max stands out with its LUMO Color Module, Hasselblad-inspired orange detailing and a two-tone rear panel that combines matte glass with a fabric-inspired pattern. It will be available in Titanium Grey and Luna White, while the standard Find X10 will come in Glacier Blue, Mist Grey and Glow Coral. The Find X10 supports 12GB+256GB and 12GB+512GB configurations, while the Pro Max will be offered in a 12GB+512GB variant.
Display technology is another focus, with the Find X10 Pro Max featuring a 6.78-inch flat display and the Find X10 sporting a 6.59-inch panel. Both have symmetrical ultra-narrow bezels, measuring 1.15mm on the Pro Max and 0.99mm on the standard model. Their LTPO displays support refresh rates of up to 144Hz in compatible games, alongside peak brightness of 3,600 nits locally and 2,000 nits globally. They also offer 95% BT.2020 color gamut coverage, brightness as low as 1 nit and 3,840Hz high-frequency PWM dimming.
Oppo has also included a customizable Snap Key on the left frame, allowing users to access AI Mind Space, the camera, flashlight, translation, voice recording and other shortcuts. Both phones feature aluminum frames, velvet-textured glass finishes and IP66, IP68 and IP69 ratings, along with Oppo Crystal Shield Glass.
Oppo Pad Mini
The Find X10 and X10 Pro Max are powered by the Dimensity 9600M and Dimensity 9600 Pro chipsets, respectively. These devices will be the first Oppo phones to come preloaded with ColorOS 17-based Android 17.
The India launch event will also feature the Oppo Pad Mini and Enco X4 premium earbuds. The global launch is scheduled for October 21 and is expected to include the Find X10 series, Pad 5 Pro tablet and Enco Clip 2 earbuds, alongside the Pad Mini and Enco X4.
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