OnePlus has started revealing details about the OnePlus 16 ahead of its expected launch in October in China. Recently, the brand shared official images, color options, and memory configurations for the upcoming flagship. Now, OnePlus China President Li Jie Louis has revealed more about the phone’s design and usability.
OnePlus 16 design details revealed
According to Li Jie Louis, the OnePlus 16 is being designed around a combination of performance, appearance, and everyday ergonomics. The flagship will feature extremely narrow bezels on all four sides, giving the front a cleaner appearance while increasing the immersive feel of the display. The flat-screen approach is paired with carefully rounded corners to make the phone more comfortable to hold during regular use.
The company is also paying attention to how the phone feels in different scenarios. Li Jie says the larger-radius corners help maintain the visual appeal of a flat display while improving comfort in the hand. This should be particularly noticeable during extended scrolling and when holding the phone horizontally for gaming.
Another notable addition is a dedicated shortcut key that can be customized with up to nine different functions. OnePlus says users will be able to assign commonly used actions such as muting the phone, activating the flashlight, or starting a recording, making them accessible with a single press. The approach is aimed at reducing the number of steps required for frequently used functions, especially when operating the phone with one hand.
The OnePlus 16 will also feature a metal camera deco and a metal middle frame, reinforcing its premium design direction. These details come alongside earlier announcements surrounding the flagship, including its debut with ColorOS 17 and support for a global 165Hz refresh rate.
Xiaomi is gearing up to unveil the Xiaomi 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, its next-generation flagship smartphones, tomorrow. The company has already confirmed several key details ahead of the launch. Its latest announcement puts the focus firmly on the camera system.
The Xiaomi 18 Pro series will debut with a Leica dual 200-megapixel imaging system, combining a high-resolution main camera with a periscope telephoto sensor. Xiaomi has confirmed that the main camera uses a large 1/1.28-inch sensor, while the periscope telephoto camera features a 1/1.56-inch sensor. This gives both cameras considerably more sensor area than typical high-resolution smartphone cameras.
The 200-megapixel periscope telephoto camera also features an f/2.4 aperture and a native 75mm focal length. It supports 3.2x optical zoom and up to 12.8x lossless zoom, while a floating dual-lens focusing system allows the telephoto camera to focus as close as 12cm for macro photography.
Xiaomi says the light intake of the telephoto camera has increased by 280% on the Xiaomi 18 Pro compared with its predecessor, while the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max delivers an 83% increase.
Beyond the cameras, the Xiaomi 18 Pro series will feature a new Super Pixel Display 2.0 with an M11 light-emitting system. The bezels have been reduced to just 0.99mm, down from 1.18mm on the previous generation, while the increased corner curvature is designed to give the phones a more rounded appearance.
Xiaomi has also confirmed hardware-level privacy protection that can be enabled for app notifications, floating windows, split-screen content and lock-screen notifications. A customizable AI button can reportedly activate system-wide privacy protection with a single press.
The Xiaomi 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max will use different versions of the flagship chipset, with the Pro getting the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and the Pro Max receiving the sixth Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6. These devices will be powered by 7,000mAh and 8,500mAh batteries, respectively. Both devices will support 100W wired and 50W wireless charging.
Vivo has launched the Buds Clip, its first pair of clip-on open-ear earbuds, alongside the new X500 smartphone series. The standard version carries a promotional price of 599 yuan ($89), down from its regular price of 699 yuan ($104). Vivo is also offering a wireless charging version for 699 yuan ($104), which will normally retail for 799 yuan ($119).
Like other clip-on earbuds that have hit the market recently, the Buds Clip are designed to leave your ear canal completely unblocked. They attach to the edge of your ear using a flexible memory titanium alloy bridge. They are quite light at 5.2 grams per earbud.
The earbuds feature a symmetrical design, which means there is no dedicated left or right earbud. You can simply clip them onto either ear, and they automatically adjust the stereo channels based on how they are worn. They come in black, along with white and purple color options that feature a textured, pearlescent finish.
For audio, the earbuds use 12mm drivers. Because open-ear designs naturally let sound leak out, Vivo included an anti-leakage mode that relies on directional audio to keep your music or podcasts pointed directly at your ear canal.
There is also an adaptive volume feature that shifts the audio levels depending on how loud your environment is, plus a standard 10-band equalizer to adjust the mix. For phone calls, the Buds Clip use two microphones and a bone-conduction sensor to separate your voice from background noise.
In terms of battery life, the earbuds last up to 10 hours per charge, while the charging case increases the total runtime to 42 hours. They also support fast charging, delivering three hours of playback in 10 minutes, and come with an IP55 rating for protection against dust and water.
You control the earbuds via a touch area on the outside of the casing, which supports taps for playing or pausing and sliding gestures for volume. They can connect to three devices at once via Bluetooth.
However, as is common with mobile hardware, some of the more advanced software features are locked to the company’s own ecosystem. If you want to use the built-in real-time translation or get AI-generated transit notifications, you will need to pair them with a compatible Vivo or iQOO phone.
In related news, Vivo has recently launched the Watch 6 with a sapphire crystal, a 1.47-inch AMOLED display, eSIM support, and up to 21 days of battery life.
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Vivo has announced the Watch 6 alongside its new X500 series smartphones, bringing a few high-end materials to a relatively budget-friendly price point. The main takeaway for this year’s wearable is that sapphire crystal glass is now standard across the entire lineup, starting with the base model priced at 999 yuan (around $149).
Pricing
The smartwatch is available in three configurations. The entry-level Bluetooth model is joined by a standard eSIM version for 1,399 yuan (roughly $208), and a top-tier Titanium eSIM variant for 1,999 yuan (about $298).
On the hardware side, the base and standard eSIM models use a 316L stainless steel frame weighing 44 grams, while the premium model swaps that for a TC4 aerospace-grade titanium alloy, dropping the weight to 37 grams. Both chassis designs are 9.5mm thick, not counting the sensor bump on the back.
The display is a 1.47-inch AMOLED panel with a standard 60Hz refresh rate. Vivo says the screen can hit a localized peak brightness of 3,500 nits during specific outdoor workouts, and can dim down to 2 nits for dark environments. The always-on display also uses a dynamic refresh rate between 5Hz and 30Hz to save battery.
For fitness and navigation, Vivo included a dual-frequency, five-system GNSS setup. The company claims this updated hardware improves satellite lock times by 34% and trajectory accuracy by 10%. It also has a built-in barometer and supports offline maps. If you opt for the eSIM model, it uses passive phased-array technology to hold three concurrent signal paths across the L1 and L5 bands.
In terms of health tracking, the Vivo Watch 6 features eight-channel heart rate and 16-channel blood oxygen sensors, with support for continuous heart rate, SpO2, sleep, and stress monitoring. Vivo claims 97.2% average heart rate accuracy across different exercise scenarios compared to professional chest straps, rising to 98.5% during running, walking, cycling, and hiking.
It also supports over 100 sports modes, including running form analysis and swing tracking for racket sports. All-day HRV monitoring will arrive through a future OTA update.
As a smartwatch, it covers the basics with NFC for payments and transit, digital car key support, and Vivo’s BlueLM AI assistant for contextual reminders. The eSIM versions can handle calls, text messages, and navigation without a paired phone.
Battery life varies by model and settings. Vivo estimates the Bluetooth version will last 10 days under typical use, or up to 21 days with light usage. The eSIM model gets about seven days when tethered to a phone, or four days as a standalone device. Leaving the always-on display enabled caps battery life at around six days across the board.
The Watch 6 is available in Wilderness and Moonlight colorways, with a Natural Color finish reserved for the Titanium model.
Following the debut of its themed Realme 16 Pro 5G smartphone, Realme is expanding its licensing collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery by releasing a matching set of wireless earbuds.
The Realme Buds T500 Pro Harry Potter Edition has officially launched in India, priced at ₹6,999 ($73). The earbuds will go on sale starting September 22nd at 12:00 PM IST through Realme’s website and its partner retail channels.
Realme Buds T500 Pro Harry Potter Edition Specs
The special edition earbuds adopt a Harry Potter-inspired design that clearly sets them apart from the standard T500 Pro models. They come in a dedicated Magic Brown colorway, combining dark brown housings and silicone tips with brushed gold stems featuring etched Hogwarts crests.
The charging case uses a dark coffee-brown faux leather finish, with a large gold Hogwarts crest on the front and a laser-engraved Welcome to Hogwarts inscription on the hinge.
Realme is also including an auxiliary leatherette protective case modeled after a vintage Hogwarts student travel trunk. It comes outfitted with brass-finish corner rivets, retention straps, a woven lanyard cord, and a franchise charm. On the software side, the Realme Link companion app includes custom Harry Potter UI pop-ups, unique connection sound effects, and franchise-inspired audio presets.
Underneath the themed design, the hardware remains unchanged from the standard Realme Buds T500 Pro. The earbuds feature 12.4mm dynamic drivers and support Hi-Res Wireless Audio through the LHDC 5.0 codec, with audio transmission at up to 24-bit/96kHz.
They also offer up to 50dB of active noise cancellation (ANC), using a hybrid system with a 5,000Hz frequency range and AI-based real-time fit compensation that dynamically adjusts noise reduction.
In terms of battery life, Realme claims up to 56 hours of total playback with ANC turned off when using the 530mAh charging case. Each earbud packs a 62mAh battery and offers up to 13.5 hours of standalone playback on a single charge.
For calls, the earbuds use six microphones for environmental noise reduction. They support Bluetooth 6.1, 45ms low-latency audio, and multipoint connectivity with up to three devices. They also include IP55 protection, two-way Live Translator, and a MindFlow mode for focus and relaxation.
In related news, Ugreen has recently launched the HiTune T8 earbuds with -55dB ANC, LDAC support, AI-powered features, and up to 50 hours of battery life.
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Redmi surprised fans in China by launching the M100 as its M-series phone. While this is a China-exclusive phone, it is a rebranded version of the Redmi 17 5G’s global version. Now, a new leak reveals the existence of the Redmi M100 Pro, giving us an early look at what to expect.
As per an X post by tipster Kacper Skrzypek recent software database update has apparently added the Redmi M100 Pro to Xiaomi’s device lineup. The listing links the “malachite” codename with both the Redmi Note 14 Pro and “Redmi M100Pro,” suggesting that the upcoming M-series phone could be a China-exclusive rebrand of the Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G.
This is similar to the approach Redmi has taken with the Redmi M100, which shares its underlying platform with the Redmi 17 5G.
Redmi M100 Pro specifications (expected)
If the rebranding connection holds, the M100 Pro could retain much of the Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G’s hardware. This would give the China-exclusive model a 6.67-inch curved AMOLED display with a 1.5K resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, along with the MediaTek Dimensity 7300-Ultra chipset.
The Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G features a 50-megapixel main camera with a 1/1.4-inch sensor, f/1.65 aperture and OIS, accompanied by an 8-megapixel ultrawide camera and a 2-megapixel macro sensor. If the M100 Pro is indeed a rebranded version, these cameras could make their way to the new China model as well. The remaining expected specifications include a 5,110mAh battery with 45W wired charging, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection, and an IP68 rating.
Citizen has launched the AW0132-55P in the UK, expanding its recent Zenshin collection. Following a US release last week, the watch is now available on the Citizen UK website for £449.00. It is a traditional analog watch that relies on a solar-powered quartz movement and a titanium build, rather than smart features or digital connectivity.
The hardware of the AW0132-55P is built around a 39mm case and a matching integrated bracelet, both constructed from Citizen’s proprietary Super Titanium. In watchmaking, titanium is generally utilized for being significantly lighter and more corrosion-resistant than standard stainless steel. However, titanium is typically associated with a muted, matte-grey appearance and can be prone to surface scratching.
Citizen addresses this by applying a surface-hardening treatment to improve scratch resistance, and in this specific model, has opted for a full gold-tone finish. The case and bracelet feature a mix of brushed and polished surfaces, and the bracelet secures via a standard fold-over clasp with push buttons.
On the dial, the watch features a textured gold-tone surface that is contrasted by a black outer minute track. The hands and hour markers include silver-tone detailing and are treated with luminous material for visibility in low-light conditions.
At the 3 o’clock position, Citizen has integrated a combined day-date window, a standard utility feature that aligns with the retro-leaning geometry of the watch. The dial is capped with a sapphire crystal, which provides a high level of scratch resistance.
Internally, the AW0132-55P is equipped with Eco-Drive technology. This is a quartz movement powered by light cells situated beneath the dial. It charges using any natural or artificial light source, effectively eliminating the need for routine battery replacements.
For environmental durability, the case features a water resistance rating of 100 meters (10 Bar), making it viable for swimming, showering, and snorkeling.
Vivo has officially launched the X500 in China at its X500 series launch event. The new phone sits below the X500 Pro and X500 Pro Max, but it still shares several features with its more expensive siblings, including Zeiss camera technology, a large battery, and the latest MediaTek chipset.
The Vivo X500 starts at 5,499 yuan (~$821) and comes with the Dimensity 9600M, a 7,500mAh battery, and a 144Hz display. Its camera setup also includes the same Sony LYTIA 610 sensor used for the X500 Pro’s APO telephoto camera.
Vivo X500 camera
The 50MP main camera uses a 1/1.28-inch Blueprint × Sony LYTIA-828 sensor and comes with Zeiss optics. Vivo has also included its V3+ imaging chip, which works alongside the camera system for image and video processing.
For stabilization, the main camera supports Zeiss gimbal-level image stabilization and has a CIPA 5.5 professional image stabilization rating. The 64MP telephoto camera uses the Sony LYTIA 610 sensor, the same sensor found in the X500 Pro’s APO telephoto camera. It has a 72mm equivalent focal length and 3x optical zoom, along with CIPA 5.5 stabilization and a minimum focusing distance of 15cm.
Vivo also offers additional zoom accessories for the phone. The X500 supports the “Lipstick 200” teleconverter as well as the 200mm Zeiss Teleconverter G2, which provides 2.35x magnification.
As for videos, the phone can record 4K video at 120fps for slow-motion footage. It is also the first smartphone in the industry to support native 8K Live, according to Vivo. The company has worked with platforms such as Weibo to make it easier to share 8K Live content directly. For shorter video clips, the X500 supports native 4K cinematic Live and can apply different movie-style color profiles while recording.
Vivo X500 display and battery
The X500 comes with a 6.59-inch flat OLED display with a 1.5K resolution and 144Hz refresh rate. The panel uses LTPS technology and can reach up to 4,000 nits of peak brightness at 20% APL, while high-brightness mode reaches 2,000 nits. It also supports 2,160Hz PWM dimming for lower brightness levels.
There are four color options: Earth Echo, Sunny Day, Dawn, and Night. Vivo is also offering a special Sunny Day package with a matching phone finish, liquid theme, and movie color style.
The package adds a little more to the camera experience as well. It includes Sunny Day background music that can be used in the phone’s photo album, along with other matching software elements.
Inside, the X500 carries a 7,500mAh battery. It supports 90W wired charging and 40W wireless charging, so the large battery doesn’t come with particularly slow charging speeds.
Dimensity 9600M and other hardware
The Vivo X500 is the first phone to use MediaTek’s Dimensity 9600M processor. It is paired with Vivo’s Blueprint Imaging Chip V3+, which handles additional image processing.
The phone comes with LPDDR5X Ultra memory and UFS 4.1 storage. Other hardware includes an ultrasonic 3D fingerprint sensor, an IR blaster, and Bypass Charging 2.0. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and NFC. The phone also uses a USB 3.2 Gen 1 port and IP68 and IP69 ingress protection.
Software-wise, the Vivo X500 runs Vivo’s latest OriginOS software. It introduces a new liquid-themed interface and a bouncy animation when unlocking the phone with the touchscreen. The software also adds matching effects for photos uploaded to the phone, allowing images to become part of the interface’s visual design.
Vivo says the X500 can maintain smooth performance for up to 72 months and remain smooth even after six years of use. As with any long-term performance claim, actual results will depend on factors such as usage and software updates.
Vivo X500 price and availability
The Vivo X500 has launched in China with three configurations:
Vivo‘s September event is currently underway, and the X500 Pro series has officially moved from weeks of leaks to a real product lineup. We’ve been tracking this launch for weeks, and much of what surfaced ahead of the event has turned out to be accurate.
The lineup includes Vivo X500 Pro and X500 Pro Max, both powered by MediaTek’s latest Dimensity 9600 Pro, along with a camera system built around a new sensor that Vivo says is the first of its kind.
Vivo X500 Pro
The smaller X500 Pro comes with a 6.36-inch display using Q11 luminescent material developed with BOE. It is a 144Hz adaptive LTPO 8T panel with hardware-level 1-nit minimum brightness, adaptive dimming, Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support. The screen also has circular polarization 2.0 and SGS low blue light certification for eye protection.
The camera setup is, as always, the highlight of the X-phones. Its main camera uses the new BlueTouch 900 sensor, which Vivo claims is the first of its kind to reach a 17EV dynamic range. This should be particularly useful in difficult lighting, such as backlit portraits and sunset scenes, where phones often have to balance very bright and very dark areas in the same shot.
The sensor sits behind a Zeiss ultra-dynamic 50MP main camera with Vivo’s upgraded VCS 4.0 system, along with Zeiss T* coating and deep-absorption blue glass.
As for the telephoto, Vivo paired a BluePrint-designed lens with a 64MP Sony LYTIA 610 sensor and tuned it for an 85mm “golden” focal length. The company calls this an industry first for this type of hardware. The ultrawide uses a 50MP Samsung JN5 sensor, while for selfies, you get a 50MP Samsung JN1.
Keeping everything running is a 6,510mAh battery with support for 90W wired and 40W wireless charging. It’s the same figure as last year’s X300 Pro.
Vivo X500 Pro Max
Step up to the Pro Max and the display grows to 6.85 inches, still built on the Q11 panel but now paired with what Vivo calls the world’s first Q11 2K Zeiss Master Color Screen. It brings a custom auto-brightness strategy that Vivo developed specifically for this panel, tuned for more consistent color under changing light.
The bigger difference, though, is around the back. The X500 Pro Max features a 200MP Zeiss APO super telephoto camera using a BluePrint x Samsung HP0 sensor with a 1/1.4-inch size. It also supports hardware-level 4x ISZ lossless zoom.
Vivo is putting considerable effort into keeping moving subjects in focus at long zoom ranges. Several of its own technologies work together here, including an optical telephoto tracking system, a 60fps high-frame-rate system, the Blueprint high-refresh-rate tracking engine, and the company’s NICE algorithm engine.
If the built-in zoom isn’t enough, both the X500 Pro and Pro Max can also work with a Zeiss G2 Ultra teleconverter that provides an equivalent 400mm focal length. The rest of the X500 Pro Max’ camera setup mimics the X500 Pro.
The battery gets a major boost as well. The Pro Max packs an 8,000mAh cell while keeping the same 90W wired and 40W wireless charging support.
Dimensity 9600 Pro and AI features
Underneath both phones is MediaTek’s new Dimensity 9600 Pro. Vivo and MediaTek say the two companies worked closely on the chip rather than treating it as a standard off-the-shelf platform.
The chipset contains more than 33 billion transistors and uses a 2+3+3 all-big-core CPU design with 34.5MB of cache. It is also the first mobile chip to support LPDDR6 memory and UFS 5.0 storage.
Compared with the previous generation, MediaTek claims 17% higher single-core performance and 15% higher multi-core performance, while peak multi-core power consumption is reduced by 61%.
AI is another major part of the chip. Its NPU 1090 can run mixture-of-experts models with up to 30 billion parameters directly on the device. Vivo is using that processing power for features such as one-click highlight editing on both X500 Pro models.
Price and availability
The X500 Pro series starts at 6,499 yuan (~$1,044) in China. Here’s how the different configurations are priced:
Creator’s Package, 16GB+1TB with satellite communication: 12,999 yuan (~$1,940)
Pre-orders for the X500 series are already live in China. The X500 Pro Max will go on sale on September 24 alongside the standard X500, while the X500 Pro will follow on September 29.
Just when Apple’s newest flagships hit the market with higher starting prices, fresh reports suggest the company may have to raise them again next year.
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max launched $100 higher than their 2025 predecessors. The same $100 bump showed up on the older iPhone 17 and 16 models too. Those increases already reflected the broader supply-chain squeeze, especially the surge in demand for memory chips coming from AI data centers. Now it seems more hikes could be on the way.
Korean media and supply-chain sources say Samsung has been renegotiating DRAM and NAND prices with major phone makers, including Apple. The two companies have reportedly settled on new rates that kick in during the first quarter of 2027.
Under the reported deal, Apple will pay close to $2.00 per gigabit of LPDDR5X RAM and $0.33 per gigabit of NAND. For context, Samsung’s third-quarter 2026 prices were around $1.50 and $0.26. That’s roughly a 33% jump for RAM and 27% for storage.
Those higher memory costs would land straight on the BOM (bill of materials) for future iPhones (and potentially other Apple devices). Memory already makes up a meaningful chunk of the BOM, so sustained increases make it tougher for companies to hold the line on pricing while still protecting margins.
AI demand has tightened supply of mobile DRAM and NAND, since producers like Samsung and SK hynix are prioritizing higher-margin products like high-bandwidth memory for servers.
Apple wasn’t the only one Samsung approached. Oppo and Vivo reportedly pushed back on the higher rates, which leaves open the question of which other suppliers they might turn to for their next flagships.
It’s still unclear whether Apple will pass the full increase on to buyers, but the recent pricing pattern makes another retail hike for the 2027 iPhone lineup a realistic possibility.
ZTE has put a new portable 5G hotspot up for pre-order in China. The M3 Pro 5G is priced at 599 yuan (~$90) and is scheduled to go on regular sale on September 24th. It is a straightforward mobile networking device aimed at people who need a dedicated internet connection while traveling or working away from home.
Inside, the M3 Pro 5G runs on an unnamed octa-core processor built on a 6nm process. It supports both Standalone (SA) and Non-Standalone (NSA) 5G networks, alongside older 4G and 3G networks for fallback if 5G isn’t available in a specific area.
ZTE has included a nine-antenna array to help maintain a steady signal, and the device supports 4×4 MIMO on a few specific 5G bands (n1, n3, n41, and n78) to handle multiple data streams. The company says the hotspot can hit download speeds of up to 500Mbps, though that number comes from laboratory testing and will likely vary in everyday use depending on carrier reception.
For local connections, the hotspot uses WiFi 6 and supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. You can connect up to 16 devices to it at the same time. If you have a compatible Android phone, there is an NFC tag built in that lets you tap the device to connect without typing in a password.
ZTE says that the 2.4GHz band is faster than its previous models and claims the wireless signal can reach up to 220 meters, though that requires an open space with no walls or signal interference.
The device is powered by a 5,000mAh battery. ZTE estimates this will provide about 14.5 hours of battery life during normal use. Physically, it is fairly standard for a mobile hotspot, measuring 149 x 70 x 12.5mm.
It also supports multiple 5G SIM cards on certain versions, which lets you manually switch to a different carrier if your current network drops out or has poor coverage.
You manage the hotspot using the ZTE Smart Life app, which includes standard settings like a firewall, data tracking, device blacklisting, and a guest network. ZTE is also planning a software update for next month, in October 2026, which will add a high-speed rail mode to help the device stay connected while moving between cell towers on trains, along with a gaming acceleration plugin for China Mobile users.
In related news, Huawei has recently launched an affordable eSIM portable WiFi with up to 9 hours of battery life and support for 16 devices, while Lenovo has introduced the Legion LM50S portable WiFi with WiFi 6, 4G LTE, and up to 12 hours of battery life.
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Xiaomi 18 Fold vs Huawei Mate XT 2 Ultimate is a fascinating foldable comparison because both push the category in different directions. Xiaomi focuses on a more conventional book-style foldable experience with flagship cameras and a high-refresh-rate display, while Huawei takes the concept further with a massive tri-fold screen. The choice ultimately comes down to whether practicality or maximum screen versatility matters more.
The Xiaomi 18 Fold uses a premium combination of Dragon Crystal Glass 3, glass, and an aluminum frame, while maintaining IP58/IP59 protection. Its dual-SIM setup also makes it straightforward for conventional smartphone use. Huawei Mate XT 2 Ultimate uses a similarly durable construction with IP58/IP59 protection and adds stylus support. Its tri-fold mechanism makes the Huawei far more ambitious, but the Xiaomi feels like the more practical everyday foldable.
Xiaomi offers a 7.58-inch LTPO AMOLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HDR Vivid, and up to 4000 nits peak brightness. Huawei counters with a much larger 10.2-inch tri-fold LTPO OLED panel, but its 90Hz refresh rate is lower. The Huawei is better suited to tablet-style productivity, while Xiaomi delivers a smoother, more familiar flagship viewing experience.
Verdict
Xiaomi offers the more practical design and smoother display experience, while Huawei wins for sheer screen versatility. For everyday foldable use, Xiaomi feels easier to live with.
2. Specifications Including Battery
Performance
Xiaomi 18 Fold is powered by the 3nm XRing O3 chipset with a 10-core CPU and Arm G2-Ultra NX MC16 GPU. Storage reaches 1TB with up to 16GB RAM and UFS 4.1. Huawei uses the Kirin 9050 Pro with 16GB RAM and up to 1TB storage. Xiaomi’s newer platform and faster UFS 4.1 specification give it a stronger flagship-oriented hardware package.
Battery and Charging
The Xiaomi packs a 6000mAh silicon-carbon battery with 67W wired charging, 50W wireless charging, and reverse wired charging. Huawei uses a 5600mAh battery with 66W wired, 50W wireless, 7.5W reverse wireless, and 5W reverse wired charging. Xiaomi’s larger battery gives it an advantage for sustained everyday use, while both provide fast and flexible charging options.
Xiaomi takes this section with its larger battery, newer-looking performance platform, and UFS 4.1 storage. Huawei remains competitive, but Xiaomi offers the stronger all-round hardware package.
3. Camera
Main and Secondary Lenses
Xiaomi 18 Fold features a 200MP main camera with OIS, alongside a 50MP telephoto offering 3.x optical zoom and a 50MP ultrawide. Leica lens branding, laser autofocus, 8K recording, and Dolby Vision 4K video strengthen its camera credentials. Huawei uses a 50MP variable-aperture main sensor, 50MP 3.5x periscope telephoto, and 40MP ultrawide. Xiaomi offers the more feature-rich camera system.
Selfie Camera
Xiaomi equips both the main and cover displays with 16MP selfie cameras capable of 1080p recording. Huawei uses 8MP selfie cameras on both configurations, although external-display video recording can reach 4K with HDR Vivid. For selfies, video calls, and front-facing detail, Xiaomi’s higher-resolution cameras are the more compelling choice. Huawei’s 4K external-camera recording is useful, but it does not offset the resolution gap.
Verdict
Xiaomi wins the camera comparison with higher-resolution selfie cameras, a 200MP main sensor, Leica tuning, and 8K video. Huawei remains versatile, particularly with its periscope camera.
4. Pricing
The Xiaomi 18 Fold is priced around $1,600, or approximately ₹155,000, while the Huawei Mate XT 2 Ultimate is priced around $2,800, or approximately ₹280,000. That makes Huawei substantially more expensive, reflecting its tri-fold construction and larger display. Xiaomi therefore enters a much more accessible premium-foldable price bracket while still offering flagship-level specifications.
Huawei’s premium is easier to understand if the massive tri-fold screen, stylus support, and tablet-style experience are essential. For most buyers, however, Xiaomi’s combination of flagship cameras, 120Hz displays, large battery, powerful hardware, and wireless charging creates a more balanced package. The Xiaomi 18 Fold delivers considerably more conventional flagship value without sacrificing the core foldable experience.
Verdict
Xiaomi offers significantly stronger value for money. Huawei’s premium pays for its unique tri-fold concept, while Xiaomi provides a broader flagship feature set at a substantially lower price.
Disclaimer: Prices are approximate and may vary based on country, region, launch timing, and applicable taxes. Always check whether the listed price is for a China unit or a global/international variant when purchasing.
5. Conclusion
Xiaomi 18 Fold stands out with its 200MP Leica camera system, 120Hz 4000-nit displays, 6000mAh battery, UFS 4.1 storage, and 50W wireless charging. Huawei Mate XT 2 Ultimate’s defining advantage is its tri-fold 10.2-inch display, stylus support, optional privacy display, and tablet-like productivity potential. Huawei is the more experimental device, while Xiaomi feels closer to a polished flagship smartphone that happens to fold.
Verdict
Xiaomi 18 Fold is the overall winner, offering the stronger combination of performance, cameras, battery, display smoothness, and value. Huawei Mate XT 2 Ultimate makes more sense for buyers specifically seeking its unique tri-fold tablet experience.
1. Which phone has the better camera system? The Xiaomi 18 Fold has the more versatile camera setup, led by a 200MP main sensor and Leica optics.
2. Which phone is better for gaming? The Xiaomi 18 Fold offers stronger gaming hardware with its XRing O3 chipset, 16GB RAM option, and UFS 4.1 storage.
3. Which phone has better battery life? The Xiaomi 18 Fold has a larger 6000mAh battery, giving it an advantage for longer everyday usage.
4. Is Huawei Mate XT 2 worth its premium price? It can be worthwhile for buyers who specifically want a tri-fold design, huge tablet-style display, and stylus support.
5. Which foldable should most buyers choose? The Xiaomi 18 Fold is the more balanced option for buyers prioritizing flagship features, practicality, and lower cost.
Disclaimer: Prices, specifications, and availability may vary by region and retailer. Recommendations in this article are based on editorial opinion, feature-based value, and market positioning at the time of writing. Readers are advised to do their own research before making a purchase.
I keep saying that charging your phone overnight isn’t a problem. Both phones and chargers, whether they use USB PD or proprietary charging technology, are capable enough in 2026 to stop charging the battery when needed. They shouldn’t continue pushing power into the battery unnecessarily. But what I saw at 4 am this morning was rather concerning.
After being connected to the phone’s own 120W fast charger for more than four hours, the iQOO Neo 9 Pro and the power adapter were both significantly warmer than their surroundings. The phone was at 100% battery level at that moment.
The only explanation I can think of is the “Optimize based on habits” feature: the phone stopped charging around 80% and then completed right before I woke up. It would explain why both the phone and charger were still warm. The feature is designed to avoid keeping the battery at 100% (maximum voltage) for long periods, which can accelerate battery wear over time.
The feature comes with a toggle, which is turned off on my phone. And 4 am is much closer to my bedtime than my usual waking time. So it made little sense for the phone to have completed charging only then, after being on hold for much of the 4+ hour charging session.
And it gets weirder. As you can see in the screenshot, the charging upper limit is set to 70%, yet the battery is at 100%. The phone reaches a full charge despite the limit being enabled roughly half of the time. It’s a critical bug. It does reliably pause at the set upper limit if I restart the phone right before plugging it in, which isn’t exactly convenient. I’ve simply got used to it since the feature arrived with Android 15 (or Funtouch OS 15).
The fact that the charger was also warm is worrying, as it confirms that it was supplying significant power to the phone even when the battery was at 100%. And, of course, the phone already has some issues with battery management.
I’d rather avoid new features that come with critical and surprising bugs, which is why I’m yet to install the OriginOS 6 update.
And this type of charging regulation issue is certainly not limited to iQOO devices. I’ve seen similar behavior on the POCO X7. A Galaxy S25+ recently caught fire while charging overnight.
I’m not sure how to feel about this: lucky that my phone didn’t go into thermal runaway, or frustrated that it has a critical battery-management bug. But one thing is certain: I would never suggest leaving your phone connected to the charger overnight.
There are several sensors and other semiconductor components that can cut power at the right time, provided they work together as intended. And that’s what happens in most cases. But if those systems fail, you risk not only damaging your battery’s health, but also potentially causing an accident.
The problem isn’t fast charging itself, but how charging is regulated.
Oppo unveiled ColorOS 17 at its developer conference in China on September 17, and the company has now revealed most of what is coming with the update. Along with the new software, Oppo also announced a rollout schedule for Oppo, OnePlus, and Realme devices, which we covered in our official launch and rollout schedule report.
This time, we’re taking a closer look at the changes you are most likely to notice in everyday use, before getting to the phones that will receive the update and when.
One of the first things you may notice is the new navigation design. Instead of sitting along the bottom edge of the screen, the navigation bar now floats above your content as a transparent, pill-shaped bar.
Oppo has brought the design to many of its own apps, including Files, Photos, Phone Manager, Compass and Notes. Background activities can also appear as tappable capsules, while the lock screen gets a separate Lockscreen Island for things such as music, calls and navigation.
The idea is to keep these controls within easier reach, especially when you are using the phone with one hand.
2. Fluid Design animations
The new navigation is part of a wider visual change that Oppo calls Fluid Design. Rather than keeping every element rigid, the interface now reacts more noticeably to how you interact with it.
For example, buttons and selection boxes can stretch or squeeze slightly when you press them, then settle back into place. The clock also moves between the lock screen and home screen as you unlock the phone, making the transition feel more connected.
The animations respond to your touch as well. A quick flick gets a quick response, while slowly dragging an element gives you a little more resistance. Oppo says the Aurora Engine handles the rendering, with a separate animation layer taking care of the motion.
3. Frosted-glass look and new lock screen clocks
The visual changes don’t stop with animations. ColorOS 17 also brings a translucent, frosted-glass look to parts of the interface, including the Control Centre, Media Player, Notes, Files and lock screen.
The system uses different levels of blur to create a sense of depth, while a soft outline called Contour Glow helps separate cards and selected items from the background. The Control Centre has also been redesigned with fully circular toggles.
There is some resemblance to Apple’s iOS 26 design here, although Oppo says it has kept the refraction effect more restrained. The company also says the translucent elements are designed to keep text and icons easy to read.
The lock screen gets some attention of its own, with three new clock styles to choose from. If you like one of them, you can also use the same clock styles as widgets on the home screen.
4. Faster app switching with the Tidal Engine
Beyond the visual changes, Oppo is also trying to make ColorOS 17 feel faster when you move between apps.
That’s where its Tidal Engine comes in. The system learns which apps you use most often and how long you typically spend in them, then adjusts how resources are allocated. It also works to keep more apps running in the background, so returning to an app doesn’t always mean starting from the beginning.
Oppo’s own figures show a 55.6% improvement in background app retention, along with 35% better app launch stability. The company also claims 50% faster scrolling and loading in third-party photo galleries and 15% faster app switching.
There is another system called the Polar Light Engine, which Oppo says can reduce the memory used when launching apps by 25% and cut rendering load by 30%. As always, the actual difference will depend on the phone’s hardware and how the software performs on it.
5. AI Photo Editor and AI Memory Gallery
AI is also becoming a bigger part of the photo experience in ColorOS 17. With the AI Photo Editor, you can simply describe the change you want instead of going through individual editing tools.
You can also give the editor a reference image and ask it to use that image’s colors, lighting, or skin tone. On top of that, it can remove unwanted objects, reduce motion blur, and adjust colors and tones. Oppo says its DaVinci visual model powers these features.
The gallery gets some AI features too. AI Memory Gallery can turn your photos into photo blogs, which Oppo calls Plogs, and generate the accompanying text for you.
There is also a more useful change if you regularly shoot with other devices. Footage from cameras such as the Insta360 GO Ultra, as well as files stored on NAS devices, can be accessed directly from the album through Album Direct Connection without first taking up space on your phone.
6. AI Notes and live translation
ColorOS 17 also gives AI Notes a bigger role in meetings and other situations where you need to keep track of information.
The app can listen to a meeting while taking notes at the same time. You can also bring in videos, books, and other ideas with a single click and have them turned into structured notes. If you need to share the results of a meeting, the system can create an editable overview diagram as well.
Oppo is also bringing live translation into the mix. When compatible Oppo earphones are connected, the system can translate another person’s speech in real time and play the translation into your ear. Your response can then be played through the phone’s speaker.
7. Xiao Bu assistant
Oppo’s assistant, known as Heytap Assistant, Breeno or Xiao Bu depending on the market, is getting a more proactive role with Xiao Bu Space.
Instead of simply waiting for commands, it can keep track of tasks and flag things that need attention. Oppo gives examples such as an overdue credit card payment or a forgotten reservation, with the assistant pointing you toward the service that can resolve the issue.
Travel is another area where Oppo is putting Xiao Bu to work. You can describe a trip in one sentence and have it create an itinerary covering things like transport, accommodation, tasks and precautions. Once you’re travelling, it can show your boarding pass, arrange a taxi after you land, and even warn you if you have selected the wrong airport, station, or terminal.
Oppo says the assistant supports more than 700 scenarios. For now, these features have been announced for the China version of ColorOS 17, and it has not confirmed which ones will make their way to global builds.
8. Scam and deepfake protection
Oppo is also using AI to add more protection against scams and deepfakes.
One of the new tools is AI Cross-App Anti-Fraud, which looks at activity across calls, web browsing, and app installations. If it detects a chain of behavior that could eventually lead to a coerced payment, it can warn the user and record the event.
Then there is AI Face-Swapping Detection, which checks video calls for signs that someone’s face may have been digitally replaced and reminds you to verify who you are speaking with.
Finally, AI Call Anti-Fraud uses a new language model to look for scam scripts and AI-generated voices. Oppo says it can work across its own apps as well as third-party apps.
9. Car, watch and earphone features
ColorOS 17 is also expanding beyond the phone itself. Oppo has added Car+ connectivity, which allows supported cars and phones to work together more closely.
For example, Walking-Navigation Handover can move navigation from your phone to the car’s larger display when you start driving.
Oppo’s watches get some new tricks as well. Air gestures let you control parts of the phone without touching the screen. A double pinch can switch songs or videos, while a wrist flip or double tap can skip backward. You can also use the watch as a remote shutter for the phone’s camera.
For fitness, FatMax can set personalized heart-rate zones and provide voice coaching, while Sports Fluid Cloud can send heart-rate and calorie data to a phone or tablet in real time.
The Oppo Watch S2, which is among the first devices to run ColorOS 17, includes FatMax mode and launches on September 22.
10. Smaller changes testers have found
There are also a few smaller changes that have shown up in the closed beta. These aren’t necessarily final, so Oppo could still change them before the stable release.
For calls, you can swipe up to answer and swipe down to end one, with an option to reverse those gestures if you prefer. The status bar has also been rearranged, with the battery shown first, followed by Wi-Fi and signal information. On dual-SIM phones, the two signal indicators can also appear as a single block.
The torch gets a new full-screen interface with a brightness slider, while the charging animation now uses a glowing battery bar.
11. Which phones get ColorOS 17?
Oppo’s ColorOS 17 page lists the Oppo Find X10 series, OnePlus 16, and Oppo Watch S2 among the first devices to debut the new software. You can also check our Oppo Find X10 series roundup for what we know about that lineup so far.
For existing devices, Oppo has already published a rollout schedule for models in China. The stable rollout starts on October 8, although that doesn’t mean every device in a particular batch will receive the update on the same day. Oppo describes these as rollout start dates, and the schedule can still change.
Here are the main batches:
October 8: Oppo Find X9 series and Find N6, OnePlus 15 and OnePlus 15T, Realme GT8 Pro.
October 16: Oppo Find X8 series, Find N5 and Pad 5 Pro, OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13T, Realme GT7 Pro, GT8 and Neo8.
October 20: OnePlus Ace 6 series and Oppo Watch X3.
October 22: Oppo Reno 16 and Reno 16 Pro.
November 26: Oppo Find X7 Ultra, Reno 15 and Reno 14 series, OnePlus 12, OnePlus Ace 5 series, Realme GT5 Pro, GT7, Neo7 and Realme 15 Pro, along with more Oppo tablets and foldables.
For users outside China, the wait is a little longer. Oppo has not yet published a global or India rollout calendar.
The company is already running a closed beta in India for the Oppo Find X9 Pro, Reno 15 Pro, Reno 15 Pro Mini, OnePlus 15, OnePlus 15R and Realme GT 8 Pro. That gives us an idea of which phones could be among the first to get the stable update, although Oppo has not confirmed its final rollout dates. The ColorOS 17 beta expansion has more details on the wider beta list.
OnePlus users will also have a choice when the transition happens. They can move from OxygenOS to ColorOS and roll back later if they decide they want to return. Realme India, meanwhile, has confirmed that its upcoming phones will launch with ColorOS 17 instead of Realme UI.
Oppo’s been quietly expanding one of its more interesting mid-range phones beyond China. The Oppo A7 Pro Max 5G first showed up in China back in August 2026, and it’s now launched in Austria, Malaysia, and Thailand. If you’re the kind of person who hates hunting for a charger every few hours, this one’s worth a look.
The big headline is the battery: a massive 10,000mAh pack. That’s among the biggest you’ll find in a mainstream phone right now. It also supports 80W wired charging (so a full top-up takes about 90 minutes in ideal conditions) and 27W reverse charging, meaning you can use it to top up other devices in a pinch. Oppo’s using silicon-carbon battery tech that should hold up better over time and keep more of its capacity after lots of charge cycles.
The rest of the phone is solid mid-range fare. You’re getting a 6.78″ AMOLED screen at 2,772 × 1,272 with a 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness up to 1,800 nits, so outdoor visibility should be decent.
Under the hood is the Snapdragon 4 Gen 5 (4nm) with LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 3.1 storage. Cameras are more modest: a 50MP main sensor with OIS, a 2MP mono secondary on the back, and a 50MP selfie camera. Video maxes out at 1080p/30fps both front and rear.
While the camera specifications aren’t exactly exciting, the Xiaomi Mix Fold 4-like camera plateau and a multi-color “Breathing Light” make the phone’s appearance stand out.
It packs an IP69K water and dust resistance rating, an optical in-display fingerprint sensor, and NFC. Software is ColorOS 16 on Android 16. Despite the huge battery, it’s not a brick: roughly 163 × 78 × 8.6 mm and about 224g.
Pricing depends on the market. In Austria the 6GB/256GB model is €599 (around $688). Malaysia and Thailand get the 8GB/256GB version for MYR 2,299 (~$563) and THB 19,999 (~$600) respectively. Colors are Surfing Blue and Lunar Black.
Xiaomi has launched the Mijia 271L refrigerator (MC-271WTMPN) in China. The new three-door model features a compact design aimed at small kitchens, rental homes, and apartments with limited space. It carries an official retail price of 1,799 yuan ($268), but is currently listed on Chinese e-commerce platforms for 1,599 yuan ($238).
The appliance measures 560 x 600 x 1810mm and takes up about 0.34 square meters of floor space. It weighs 48kg and features a standard silver metallic front panel with a finish designed to hide fingerprints and minor scratches.
Despite the narrow footprint, it offers a total capacity of 271 liters divided across three distinct temperature zones. The top refrigerator compartment holds 151 liters and includes adjustable shelves, while the bottom freezer holds 85 liters and is organized with two drawers and a tray.
It features a 35-liter middle compartment with a variable temperature range of -20°C to 5°C, adjustable in one-degree increments. This setup allows you to change how the fridge’s capacity is distributed based on your current groceries.
If you set the middle drawer between 2°C and 5°C, your total refrigerated space increases to 186 liters. If you lower it to between -16°C and -20°C, you get up to 120 liters of combined freezer space.
Internally, the refrigerator uses a 360-degree circulating air-cooling system. Because it is frost-free, it does not require manual defrosting. The cooling hardware consists of a dual-inverter system, an inverter compressor paired with an inverter fan, and five temperature sensors that monitor the interior to keep the climate consistent.
Xiaomi also included silver-ion antibacterial and deodorizing modules in the main compartments, which the company claims can break down odor molecules and achieve a 99.99% antibacterial rate.
In terms of power and noise, the fridge meets China’s Grade 1 energy-efficiency standard, consuming a rated 0.64 kWh per 24 hours. It operates at a noise level of 36dB(A).
All settings are managed through a control panel built into the interior of the main compartment, which includes a quick-freeze mode for the lower sections and a standard top-mounted light for visibility.
Nothing‘s plan to separate CMF from the main brand has a new detail. Carl Pei says CMF will become its own company, majority-owned by Indian shareholders and based in India, with its own team and R&D there. Nothing will stay on as a shareholder and partner.
Pei shared the plan in a long post on X. It follows the spin-off Nothing announced in September 2025, when it said CMF would become an independent subsidiary with India as its base. Nothing also said it would invest more than $100 million in a joint venture with Optiemus to handle CMF’s production locally, creating around 1,800 jobs over three years. You can read our earlier report on that announcement.
CMF was then registered as a separate company, CMF India Private Limited, in December 2025. The new part is who owns it: Indian shareholders will hold the majority.
CMF launched in September 2023 as Nothing’s lower-priced brand, and India quickly became its largest market. CMF’s phones sell for under $200, and IDC data shows that phones in the $100 to $200 range made up over 42% of India’s shipments in the second quarter of 2025. That gives CMF a large market to sell into at home.
According to Pei, CMF will take Nothing OS, the engineering team, the supplier relationships, and the brand operation with it. Nothing OS is the Android software Nothing builds itself, and Pei says it has received scheduled updates on every Nothing device since 2021.
He also wants CMF to do more of the engineering itself. He lists what that covers: designing the phone’s structure, including materials, heat management and durability; choosing camera sensors and building the camera software; writing the operating system and committing to updates; tuning and certifying the antennas; and working with suppliers on displays, chipsets and camera modules. In his view, a brand that leaves most of that to its manufacturing partner is picking a phone from a catalog, and can mostly compete on price.
He backs this up with some history. In 2015, Indian brands sold close to half of the phones in India. Pei says many of them reused ready-made designs from manufacturers, and when foreign brands arrived with better engineering, the domestic share fell to under 1% by 2025. He adds that 99% of phones sold in India are now made there, so he sees engineering as the next step after manufacturing.
Pei’s goal is 100 million phones a year. He says that’s the volume where suppliers start building parts to a brand’s requirements instead of selling what they already make.
What’s still unclear
Pei’s post doesn’t name the Indian shareholders, explain how the ownership will be split, or give a date for the change. It also doesn’t say who will handle Nothing OS updates and support after the move, which matters if you own a CMF phone.
The current lineup is small, too. In June, Nothing co-founder Akis Evangelidis said CMF would skip a new phone in 2026, because rising memory costs made a successor to the CMF Phone 2 Pro hard to build at a CMF price. Here is our report from June. He said other CMF products, including some in new categories, are still planned for this year. Until those arrive, the CMF Phone 2 Pro remains CMF’s newest phone.
Realme has launched the Realme 16 Pro 5G Harry Potter Edition in India and other global markets, weeks after teasing the phone with Hogwarts-inspired packaging. It costs Rs. 62,999 for a single variant with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
Realme built it on the standard Realme 16 Pro 5G, which reached India in January, so the changes are just cosmetic — no changes inside.
Price and availability
You can buy the Realme 16 Pro 5G Harry Potter Edition from Flipkart and retail stores across India. It comes in one colour, Magic Brown, and the 12GB + 256GB model is the only configuration.
The price is worth noting because most of the extra cost goes toward the design and Harry Potter-themed accessories rather than upgraded hardware. Realme’s previous collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, the Realme 15 Pro Game of Thrones Limited Edition, launched in India at Rs. 44,999 with 512GB of storage. The Harry Potter Edition costs Rs. 18,000 more while offering half the storage.
The box includes a Hogwarts acceptance letter and a train ticket. Realme also bundles a phone case with the Hogwarts logo, a phone pin, character postcards, and bookmarks featuring the Hogwarts house crests.
Design and software changes
The back of the phone has a brown leather-style finish with an argyle pattern inspired by Wizard’s Chess. The Hogwarts crest is placed in the centre alongside the Harry Potter wordmark.
Realme has also redesigned the camera island to look like Hedwig, with the camera lenses doubling as the owl’s eyes.
The software gets a matching Harry Potter theme with 3D embossed icons shaped like Hogwarts crests. Some app icons also have themed designs. For example, the Theme Store uses the Sorting Hat, while the Calculator icon features the Platform Nine and Three-Quarters symbol. Realme also includes Hogwarts-themed wallpapers to complete the look.
Specifications
The Realme 16 Pro 5G Harry Potter Edition has a 6.78-inch flat LTPS OLED display with a 1.5K resolution of 1,272 x 2,772 pixels. It supports a 144Hz refresh rate and has a pixel density of 450 ppi. Realme claims up to 6,500 nits of peak brightness and 1,400 nits in high brightness mode.
The phone is powered by the 4nm MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Max 5G chipset with an Arm Mali-G615 GPU. It comes with 12GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. The phone runs Android 16 with Realme UI 7, and Realme promises three years of major software updates and four years of security updates.
For photography, the phone has a 200MP main camera with an f/1.8 aperture and a 1/1.56-inch HP5 sensor. It is joined by an 8MP ultrawide camera with an f/2.2 aperture. On the front, there is a 50MP OV50D camera with an f/2.4 aperture. The camera system also supports Realme’s LumaColor imaging technology.
The phone packs a 7,000mAh Titan battery with support for 80W wired charging. It also has IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K ratings for dust and water resistance.
Other features include an IR blaster, an optical fingerprint sensor, and a USB 2.0 Type-C port. Connectivity options include 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, and NFC. The phone is 7.8mm thick and weighs 192 grams.
If you don’t need the Harry Potter-themed design and accessories, the standard Realme 16 Pro 5G offers the same specifications for less. You can check its India pricing and launch offers to see how much extra you’re paying for the limited-edition version.
The stable One UI 9 rollout went live last week for the Galaxy S26 series, but that has been limited to South Korea. For other markets, the rollout is scheduled to begin today. The brand has also confirmed the exact rollout dates for some other Galaxy devices, including the Galaxy S25 series, Galaxy S23 FE, and some foldables.
In a press release on Samsung Thailand’s newsroom, the company announced that the Galaxy S26 series will receive the One UI 9.0 update on September 21st. Technically, that applies only to the Thailand region, but other regions will likely start receiving the update around the same time.
The same press release also confirms that One UI 9 will start rolling out to the Galaxy S25 series, Galaxy Z Fold 7, and Galaxy Z Flip 7 on September 28. Again, the rollout date is for the Thailand market, but expect other regions to be in the mix.
The Galaxy S23 FE also received a One UI 9 rollout commitment from Samsung’s Thailand division. The press release says the One UI 9 will reach the S23 FE by October. No specific date was provided.
In Thailand, the update will first be available on the Galaxy S26 Series on September 21st, followed by the Galaxy S25 Series and Galaxy Z7 Series on September 28th. The update will continue to roll out to the Galaxy S23 FE by October of this year.
Samsung Thailand
While the rollout plan sounds promising, it’s strange to see the information getting published on a single newsroom portal. So, it could be a tentative plan that might change later. Anyway, the rollout dates are close, and we’ll soon find out.
Xiaomi has announced which of its devices are eligible for the major HyperOS 4 upgrade, and what the exact rollout timeline looks like. The list is huge as the brand rolls out the same update across its portfolio of devices, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, wearables, smart speakers, and smart displays.
Just to be clear, the HyperOS 4 rollout schedule has been announced only for the Chinese market. For global markets, the beta program is already live and will soon have a stable rollout timeline from the brand.
While the rollout schedule only applies to China, it tells which global models will receive the update, and in what order.
Xiaomi HyperOS 4 update rollout timeline
The first batch of the HyperOS 4 rollout is already underway for recent high-end phones and tablets, such as the Xiaomi 17 Ultra and Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro. Xiaomi plans to update all eligible phones and tablets to HyperOS 4 by December, with the rollout scheduled to conclude in January 2027.
Xiaomi usually starts rolling out the update globally a few weeks after its China release. So, we can expect the HyperOS 4 global rollout to begin as soon as next month. Anyways, we’ll keep bringing you the latest HyperOS stories in our Xiaomi section. You can visit the page regularly for more updates.
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