Vivo recently confirmed that the X500 series will launch in China in September. The lineup includes three models: the X500, X500 Pro, and X500 Pro Max. With only a couple of weeks remaining before the launch, the brand’s product manager has been revealing details about the X500 Pro models’ camera capabilities. Today, he shared two posters confirming the periscope telephoto camera specifications for the Vivo X500 Pro and X500 Pro Max.
Vivo X500 Pro Max takes telephoto zoom to the next level
The Vivo X500 Pro Max will feature a 200-megapixel Zeiss APO super telephoto camera. It uses the same 1/1.4-inch BluePrint and Samsung HP0 sensor combination as the Vivo X300 Ultrah, along with hardware-based 4x ISZ technology. This is important because the high-resolution sensor can support two stages of lossless zoom while retaining the detail expected from a 200-megapixel telephoto camera.
The setup is also designed to extend the phone’s reach with a 400mm telephoto extender, making it particularly well-suited to distant subjects such as concert performances, sporting events, and birds. Vivo is pairing the camera with CIPA 7.0-rated professional stabilization and a Super Capture Engine that supports up to 30x capture. The company says the system is designed to freeze fast-moving moments, including performers onstage and rapidly moving pets.
The Vivo X500 Pro will take a different approach with a newly designed 85mm Zeiss 64-megapixel APO super telephoto camera. Its BluePrint and Sony LYTIA 610 sensor use an unusual GG 1×1 and RB 2×2 pixel structure. The design is intended to combine the resolving power of a 1×1 arrangement with the focusing performance of a 2×2 configuration.
Vivo says its updated telephoto lens design builds on the APO technology used in the Vivo X100 Pro while addressing the size limitations of that earlier implementation. The 85mm focal length and full 64-megapixel resolution also provide additional room for digital cropping. The camera supports CIPA 7.0 stabilization, improved telephoto autofocus and tracking, 4K 120fps slow-motion recording, and 4K 60fps HDR video output.
With the X500 Pro Max and X500 Pro taking different approaches to long-range imaging, Vivo appears to be putting considerable emphasis on telephoto performance this generation.
Timex has released a new fall-themed addition to its ongoing Peanuts collaboration. The latest model is a modified version of the company’s standard Waterbury Classic, featuring seasonal dial artwork of Snoopy jumping into a pile of autumn leaves. It is available now on the Timex US website for $189.
The watch shares the same core specifications as the standard 40mm Waterbury Classic. The case is made of polished silver-tone stainless steel, measuring 40mm in diameter, 11mm thick, and 46mm lug-to-lug.
This sizing makes it a fairly standard fit for a wide variety of wrist sizes, avoiding the oversized dimensions found on some modern analog watches. It uses a standard battery-powered quartz analog movement, specifically running on a replaceable SR626SW watch battery, and features a flat mineral crystal over the dial to provide basic scratch resistance for daily wear.
The dial itself is white with full Arabic numerals for the hour markers. To help with visibility in low light, Timex has included a luminant in-fill on the hour and minute hands. Aside from the dial artwork, the other main Peanuts branding is found on the back of the watch, where the stainless steel caseback features an engraved illustration of the wider Peanuts cast.
For the strap, Timex includes a 20mm black leather band with a standard buckle and quick-release spring bars, allowing easy swaps with other 20mm straps. It fits wrists measuring 150mm to 205mm (5.9 to 8.1 inches).
The watch is rated for 50 meters of water resistance. While that rating means it can survive rain, splashes, or light swimming, it isn’t designed for diving or high-pressure water activities.
In related news, Casio has recently launched a new G-Shock watch in the US with heart-rate tracking, solar charging, and tide forecasts, along with a new Pro Trek model featuring a glowing dial, solar charging, and a carabiner attachment.
Lenovo has announced the Legion Cloud Gaming Handheld C700, a new Android-based device designed specifically for cloud gaming and local PC streaming. The handheld is priced at 2,199 yuan ($327), with an early promotional price of 1,999 yuan ($297), and will be available starting September 8.
The C700 features a 7.82-inch IPS LCD screen with a 1920 x 1080 resolution and a standard 16:9 aspect ratio. It includes a 120Hz refresh rate, a 180Hz touch sampling rate, and a peak brightness of 500 nits.
Because it relies on streaming rather than processing heavy PC games locally, Lenovo was able to keep the device relatively compact. It measures 14.9mm thick and weighs 556 grams, making it nearly 300 grams lighter than standard Windows-based gaming handhelds.
Inside, the handheld operates on a MediaTek Dimensity 7400 processor. Buyers can choose between configurations with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage or 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, both of which support microSD expansion.
It is powered by an 8,000mAh battery that charges via a USB 2.0 Type-C port. Lenovo says the battery can last up to nine hours during streaming, though actual battery life will vary based on screen brightness, volume, and network conditions. The device also includes an active cooling fan to manage internal temperatures.
For inputs, Lenovo is using an Xbox-style layout. The C700 includes TMR magnetic-resistance joysticks with RGB lighting rings and Hall-effect linear triggers. Alongside the standard ABXY face buttons and an eight-way D-pad, the device features additional customizable rear and shoulder buttons (LC1/RC1 and LC/RC) for mapping complex controls. It also includes dual rotor motors for vibration feedback and a six-axis gyroscope.
The handheld runs on Android 16 and connects via Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 6E allows the device to use the 6GHz band, which generally provides a more stable connection for streaming.
It natively supports Tencent Start Cloud Gaming and Lenovo’s own Legion Stream software for playing games from a local PC. Lenovo says that under optimal network conditions, end-to-end latency can be kept under 10ms, allowing it to handle titles like Black Myth: Wukong at 60fps via the cloud.
The software interface includes a quick-access menu that lets users adjust controller mapping, analog sensitivity, fan speed, and screen refresh rates without exiting their current game. The Legion C700 will be available in a single Ice Soul White color option.
Xiaomi just officially unveiled its latest flagship mobile chipset, the Xring O3, and the early independent tests are already making headlines. Building on last year’s solid Xring O1, this new processor is getting a lot of attention for packing strong performance with better efficiency.
According to tests from Chinese outlet Xiaobai’s Tech Reviews (run on what looks like a reference design), the Xring O3 scores 3,854 in Geekbench single-core. That’s roughly in the same ballpark as the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and Apple’s A19 Pro, and about 25% better than the previous Xring O1.
The multi-core numbers are even more eye-catching. Its 10-core CPU hits 15,086 points, well clear of the highest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 scores seen in similar tests (which stayed under 12,000 on devices like the iQOO 15 Ultra). That’s roughly a 55% jump over the Xring O1. And it’s doing all this while being more power-efficient than Qualcomm’s current top silicon.
Graphics performance follows the same trend. In 3DMark’s Steel Nomad Light test, the Xring O3 comes in more than 40% higher than current flagship chipsets and up to 90% higher than last year’s Xring O1. Again, the gains come with better efficiency on a performance-per-watt basis.
What’s especially interesting is that the Xring O3 is built on TSMC’s N3P process, not the newer N2 node that Qualcomm, Apple, and MediaTek are expected to use for their next flagships. Even so, the early data suggests Xiaomi’s chip is in a good position to compete with those upcoming designs. Xiaomi has confirmed the Xring O3 will power devices including the Xiaomi 18 Fold and the Pad 9 Pro Max.
It’s worth keeping in mind that these benchmarks were run on a prototype or reference platform, so they could reflect optimistic conditions. Real-world performance in actual shipping phones will depend on cooling, sustained power limits, and software tuning. Still, the early numbers look promising for Xiaomi’s second-generation custom silicon.
Xiaomi has released a new floor-standing air conditioner in China. The Mijia Air Conditioner Giant Energy-Saving Floor-Standing 5HP is currently available on JD.com for 7,999 yuan (around $1,190).
It is designed for large spaces, specifically rooms between 50 and 80 square meters, making it an option for both homes and small commercial areas. Inside, the system is powered by a 38.6cc displacement compressor. Xiaomi paired this with a dual-row condenser and a dual-row evaporator.
The unit provides a maximum cooling capacity of 13,200W and a maximum heating capacity of 17,250W. To help adjust room temperatures quickly, the system supports 30-second rapid cooling and 60-second rapid heating. It does not use auxiliary electric heating at all. Instead, it relies entirely on its heat pump, which is built to function in outside temperatures ranging from -35°C to 65°C.
To circulate air, the indoor unit is equipped with a 120mm fan wheel. It can push up to 1,850 cubic meters of air per hour through a 181mm opening. The airflow has a 115-degree spread and can reach up to 17 meters across a room. The system includes four-way airflow adjustments, with specific settings that direct air along the ceiling or the floor so you can avoid a direct breeze.
For efficiency, the unit holds a Class 1 energy rating and an Annual Performance Factor (APF) of 3.75. Xiaomi estimates that its software algorithms can cut energy consumption by roughly 20% during standard use, potentially saving users around 972kWh a year compared to older, less efficient models.
Because it is a Xiaomi product, it connects to the Mijia app, supports XiaoAI voice commands, and works with HyperOS Connect. The software provides cloud-based diagnostics that can identify 122 different hardware issues, like low refrigerant or blockages, and it supports over-the-air updates. Basic maintenance is handled by a self-cleaning cycle that uses a 58°C heating process to dry and clean the indoor evaporator.
The indoor unit is a simple white tower measuring 1,868mm tall and weighing 30kg. It produces about 50 to 52dB(A) of noise at high fan speeds. The outdoor unit weighs 68kg.
Lenovo just dropped its latest Legion Y700 Infinite in its home country, a compact gaming-focused device. It uses an advanced flexible OLED panel, a solid step up in visual quality over the IPS LCD panel of the Legion Y700 (Gen 5).
The star of the show, however, is the 8.4″ OLED display with a 2560×1600 resolution. Tianma says it’s the only supplier of this flexible OLED screen, which uses the same U9 Pro eye-protection substrate found in the company’s high-end “Tiangong Screen.”
The display panel uses Real RGB technology, meaning the red, green, and blue sub-pixels light up and are controlled independently. That helps avoid the pixel loss and color-blurring issues you sometimes get with other sub-pixel layouts.
Other display highlights include full 100% DCI-P3 color coverage, 12-bit color depth (10-bit + FRC), and color accuracy of Delta E < 1. Every unit is factory-calibrated. It can go as low as 1 nit for dark environments and hits a local peak brightness of up to 4,000 nits (at 1% OPR). Above 10 nits, the SVM value stays under 0.4, which meets the standard for basically imperceptible flicker.
The refresh rate is another standout: a 165Hz multi-level adaptive setup. It’s the first flexible OLED tablet that can intelligently switch between 165Hz, 144Hz, 120Hz, 60Hz, and AOD 30Hz. The touch experience is equally impressive, with a 3,400Hz instantaneous sampling rate, a 360Hz native ten-finger sampling rate, and end-to-end touch latency as low as 39 ms.
Put it all together and the Legion Y700 Infinite looks like a strong option for anyone who wants a compact, high-performance gaming tablet with a really polished screen and solid eye-care features.
Launch pricing is pretty aggressive for a limited time: the 12GB + 256GB model starts at 4,999 yuan (regular price 5,499 yuan), the 16GB + 512GB version is 5,999 yuan (suggested 6,499 yuan), and the top-spec 24GB + 1TB config goes for 7,999 yuan (suggested 8,499 yuan).
Lenovo has not announced an official global launch date or price for the Legion Y700 Infinite outside China as of writing.
Early details suggest OnePlus‘s next flagship could have one of the cleanest, most immersive screen experiences in the Android flagship space right now.
According to Weibo tipster Digital Chat Station, the OnePlus 16 (which is expected to run on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro) keeps the narrowest bezels in OnePlus’s flagship lineup. The leaker basically said the borders are “around this narrow🤏,” pointing to ultra-slim edges on all four sides. The custom screen is described as delivering a really clear, sharp viewing experience, which could make the front of the phone stand out among current flagships.
This builds on some earlier reports. Previous leaks said the OnePlus 16 would be the first phone to use a new generation of Oriental Screen. That panel is being talked about as the industry’s first to support a full 165Hz ultra-high refresh rate across the whole system, not just in games. So everyday scrolling and animations should feel smoother too. It’s also expected to launch with ColorOS 17, which includes new system animations tuned for that high-refresh display.
On the performance side, OnePlus has already confirmed a few things officially. At the Qualcomm Snapdragon Gaming Technology Awards on July 30, OnePlus China President Li Jie talked about collaborative gaming tech. Three of OnePlus’s exclusive gaming features are getting full upgrades and will debut on the OnePlus 16.
The materials and photos shared pointed to support for a 165Hz high refresh rate, with some game testing going even higher. This is reportedly enabled by an overclocked display controller and dedicated co-processing hardware, alongside game-centric kernel optimization and a triple-core e-sports processor setup. The goal is smoother gameplay, lower latency, and more consistent high frame rates.
Full official specs still aren’t out, and the phone is still a few months away. Some reports point to an October launch in China. But between the consistent leaks and what OnePlus itself has already revealed, it’s clear the company is putting a lot of focus on display quality and fluid performance.
Some images and a short video making the rounds online claim to show actual internal hardware from Apple’s long-rumored foldable iPhone, and they’re popping up weeks before the thing is supposed to launch.
X user @LusiRoy7 shared a quick video showing a physical circuit board plus an AI-cleaned composite image that shows both sides of the same board. The big chip visible on it is reportedly the A20 Pro, which is what Apple is expected to use in the device.
In the image, the system-on-chip die and the DRAM sit side by side and are connected through a redistribution layer instead of being stacked with a traditional interposer. Basically, a redistribution layer is a thin routing structure built right onto the package that re-routes the connections without needing that extra silicon interposer you usually see in stacked designs.
The idea is that this side-by-side layout should help with heat and keep the whole module thin enough to fit inside a folding phone. The chip in the video looks like its top cover has been removed; earlier leaked shots of the A20 Pro showed the usual metal-colored packaging over everything.
If these are real, they’d be some of the first physical images claiming to show actual hardware from Apple’s foldable. That said, the published image is an AI-cleaned composite, so any fine chip markings should be taken with a grain of salt. The cleanup tools can sometimes invent or mess up text in blurry spots. Also worth noting: no Apple logos, model numbers, or etchings on the shielding cans show up in either the video or the image, and none of the usual reliable leakers have backed this up yet.
Like most early hardware leaks, this one is still unconfirmed. The foldable is expected sometime in September. Pricing is widely expected to clear $2,000. We’ll need more solid, independently verified details before anyone can say for sure whether this board is the real deal.
Xiaomi is expanding its smart home lineup in India with two new air purifiers: the Mijia Smart Air Purifier 6 and the Mijia Smart Air Purifier 4 Compact. The two devices are aimed at different ends of the market, with the larger model designed for living rooms and the compact version meant for desks or small bedrooms.
The Mijia Smart Air Purifier 6 is the more capable of the two, priced at ₹19,999 ($210). It features a Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of 443 m³/h and is rated to handle spaces up to 940 square feet. Xiaomi has packed a five-stage filtration system into this unit. Alongside the standard primary filter and activated carbon layer, it includes UVC sterilization and a negative ion generator.
For monitoring, the Purifier 6 features five sensors that track temperature, humidity, dust, PM2.5, and PM1. The PM1 sensor can detect ultra-fine particles smaller than 1 micron, a feature more commonly found on pricier air purifiers.
Instead of a traditional, densely packed HEPA filter, both new purifiers use Xiaomi’s proprietary electrostatic filter media. The company claims that by using melt-blown fibers with an electrostatic charge, the filter allows more air to pass through with less resistance. In practical terms, this is meant to keep the fan noise down and reduce energy consumption while still capturing 99.97% of airborne particles.
The smaller Mijia Smart Air Purifier 4 Compact costs ₹7,999 ($84). It strips away the UVC light, the ionizer, and the extra sensors to focus on basic air cleaning for smaller spaces. It has a CADR of 230 m³/h, covers up to 400 square feet, and uses a standard three-layer filter setup. It is primarily built for quiet operation, featuring a sleep mode that drops the noise output to 20dB.
As with most of Xiaomi’s home appliances, both purifiers connect to the Xiaomi Home app. From there, you can check real-time air quality, adjust fan speeds, set schedules, and monitor filter degradation. These also support basic voice commands through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Availability
Both models only come in white. They will be available starting September 2, 2026, through Xiaomi’s website, Amazon India, Flipkart, Blinkit, and physical retail stores.
Earlier this month, Redmi unveiled the Redmi 17 4G and Redmi 17 5G for the global market. Now, the Redmi 17C 5G has officially appeared in Singapore, adding another affordable option to the lineup. The new model focuses on a large display, long battery life, and 5G connectivity. Here is everything the latest Redmi phone brings to the table.
The Redmi 17C 5G features a 6.9-inch LCD with a 1600×720-pixel resolution and up to a 120Hz refresh rate. The panel reaches 660 nits of typical brightness and 810 nits in HBM mode, while DC dimming and TÜV Rheinland certifications are included for reduced eye strain. A 6,000mAh battery supports 33W charging, although only a 15W adapter is included in the box.
At the back, the phone has a 50-megapixel main camera with an f/1.8 aperture and an auxiliary lens. It supports features such as HDR, Night mode, Portrait mode, and 1080p video recording at 30fps. An 8-megapixel front camera handles selfies and video calls, with HDR, Portrait, Night mode, and a soft-light ring.
Redmi 17C 5G
The device is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset, paired with 4GB of RAM and either 64GB or 128GB of storage. Memory expansion can provide up to 8GB of RAM, while a microSD card supports storage expansion up to 1TB.
Other features include dual SIM support, 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, a 3.5mm headphone jack, FM radio, a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, and Xiaomi HyperOS 3. The phone measures 171.56×79.47×8.05mm and weighs 211 grams. It also carries an IP64 rating for dust and splash resistance.
The Redmi 17C 5G is priced at S$279 (~$220) in Singapore, which is around Rs 19,000. It comes in Black, Brown with a vegan leather finish, and Purple color options. Xiaomi has not yet confirmed pricing or availability for other markets.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Motorola has raised the prices of two of its mid-range phones in India, citing the usual industry-wide cost pressures.
Starting August 25, 2026, the Edge 70 Fusion and Edge 60 Fusion will both cost more. Motorola says the increase is due to rising costs of raw materials and microchips.
The Edge 70 Fusion gets a flat ₹3,000 hike across all four variants. The 8GB/128GB model goes from ₹30,999 to ₹33,999, the 8GB/256GB from ₹32,999 to ₹35,999, the 12GB/256GB from ₹34,999 to ₹37,999, and the 12GB/512GB from ₹37,999 to ₹40,999. The Edge 60 Fusion’s only listed 12GB/256GB version also jumps by ₹3,000, from ₹29,999 to ₹32,999.
These new prices push the phones a bit higher in the mid-range segment. Big festive discounts on the Fusion series may be harder to come by at these levels. If you’re interested in either model, it’s worth checking major e-commerce platforms and Motorola’s official site for any remaining stock still available at the old prices before the change fully kicks in.
As of writing, some Amazon India listings still show the older prices. The Edge 70 Fusion is currently listed at ₹28,999 (8+128GB), ₹33,799 (8+256GB), ₹34,480 (12+256GB), and ₹39,200 (12+512GB), while the Edge 60 Fusion 12+256GB is at ₹29,890.
This follows a trend we’ve seen from several brands in recent months, as global supply-chain pressures on memory and chip components keep pushing retail prices up in India.
Buying a laptop for work in 2026 is a noticeably different experience than it was a few years ago. We are well past the initial growing pains of the AI PC transition. Now that Copilot+ PCs are the standard, the real-world benefits have settled into something highly practical: laptops that run cooler, last much longer on a charge, and handle background tasks without draining your battery.
This year, the market is largely defined by the competition between the Intel Core Ultra Series 3 (Panther Lake) and Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite platforms. Both chipmakers have managed to deliver excellent performance per watt. If you are looking to upgrade your work machine, here is a look at the most capable and reliable Windows laptops for work and productivity available right now.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 14 Aura Edition remains one of the strongest choices for business users. Lenovo keeps the ThinkPad formula intact: a lightweight chassis, a practical selection of ports, strong security tools, and a keyboard designed for long work sessions.
The laptop starts at less than 1kg, or 2.2 pounds. The X1 Carbon has three Thunderbolt 4 ports, one USB-A port, HDMI 2.1, a headphone jack, and an optional Nano SIM slot. Some models also support 4G LTE or 5G connectivity.
The laptop supports Intel Core Ultra 5 325, Core Ultra 5 335, Core Ultra 7 355, Core Ultra 7 356H, Core Ultra 7 365, Core Ultra 7 366H, Core Ultra X7 358H, and Core Ultra X7 368H processors. It supports up to 64GB of LPDDR5X memory and up to 1TB of PCIe Gen4 storage.
Lenovo offers several display options. The standard WUXGA IPS touch display provides 500 nits of brightness and a 1920 x 1200 resolution. The higher-end option uses a 2.8K OLED panel with a 120Hz variable refresh rate and 100% DCI-P3 color coverage.
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon also includes a fingerprint reader in the power button, a webcam privacy shutter, a discrete TPM 2.0 security chip, and optional vPro support.
The X1 Carbon is not the flashiest laptop on this list, but it is one of the most complete. It is the best choice for professionals who want a reliable Windows laptop with few compromises.
Dell brought back the XPS name in 2026, and the new XPS 14 looks like a serious return for the brand. The laptop uses a CNC-machined aluminum chassis, Gorilla Glass 3 on the palm rest, and a slim unibody design. It weighs about 1.36kg, or 3 pounds, and measures as little as 14.62mm thick.
The XPS 14 supports Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors, including the Core Ultra X7 358H and top-tier Core Ultra X9 388H. Dell also offers up to 64GB of LPDDR5X-9600 memory and up to 4TB of PCIe Gen5 storage. Those specifications give the XPS 14 more room for demanding productivity tasks than many thin laptops. It should work well for software development, large spreadsheets, photo editing, and heavier multitasking.
Dell offers two display choices. The 2K LCD model has a 1920 x 1200 resolution, 500 nits of brightness, 100% sRGB coverage, and a 1Hz to 120Hz variable refresh rate. The OLED model has a 2880 x 1800 resolution, 100% DCI-P3 color coverage, touch support, Dolby Vision, and VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 certification.
The laptop also includes an 8MP HDR webcam, a quad-speaker setup with Dolby Atmos, and Wi-Fi 7. Dell claims strong battery life from the 70Wh battery, especially with the lower-power LCD display.
The biggest drawback is port selection. The XPS 14 has three Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports and a headphone jack, but it does not include USB-A, HDMI, or an SD card reader. Most users will need a dock or adapter.
The XPS 14 is a strong option for people who want a polished design, a bright high-quality display, and high-end performance in a small system.
The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Ultra Aura Edition targets people who want a premium laptop that barely adds weight to a bag. The system starts at 975g, or 2.15 pounds, and measures just 13.9mm thick. Lenovo uses a magnesium-aluminum chassis and a protective coating that resists fingerprints, scratches, and water.
The display is the main reason to consider this laptop. Lenovo uses a 14-inch 2.8K PureSight Pro OLED touchscreen with a 120Hz refresh rate. The panel supports Dolby Vision, DisplayHDR True Black 1000, 100% sRGB, and 100% DCI-P3. It reaches up to 1,100 nits of HDR peak brightness. This is one of the best displays in this group for creative professionals.
The Yoga Slim supports the Intel Core Ultra 5 325, Intel Core Ultra 7 355, Intel Core Ultra X7 358H, and Intel Core Ultra X9 388H processors. The laptop supports 32GB of LPDDR5X-9600 memory and a 2TB PCIe Gen4 SSD. It also includes a 75Wh battery, a 5MP IR webcam, quad speakers with Dolby Atmos, Wi-Fi 7, and a haptic Force Pad touchpad.
The Yoga Slim 7i Ultra has three Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, but it lacks USB-A, HDMI, and a headphone jack. This keeps the design thin and light, though users who regularly connect external displays, storage devices, or wired accessories should plan to use a USB-C dock.
The Yoga Slim 7i Ultra is the right choice for writers, designers, photographers, and frequent travelers who value low weight and excellent screen quality.
The HP OmniBook Ultra 14 stands out because HP offers both Intel and Qualcomm versions. The Intel systems use the Core Ultra 7 356H or Core Ultra X9 388H, while the Snapdragon systems use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Plus X2P-64-100 or Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E-84-100 processors. The Snapdragon models can provide up to 80 TOPS of NPU performance for AI workloads.
That distinction matters for people who want to use more Copilot+ features and local AI applications. The Intel versions will offer better compatibility for some traditional Windows software and graphics-heavy workloads. The Qualcomm versions will deliver stronger efficiency and AI acceleration.
HP offers a 14-inch 3K OLED touchscreen with a 2880 x 1800 resolution, a 30Hz to 120Hz variable refresh rate, 100% DCI-P3 coverage, and up to 1,100 nits of HDR brightness. It also offers a 2.2K IPS touchscreen as well.
The OmniBook Ultra 14 includes a 5MP IR camera with a physical privacy shutter, a fingerprint reader, quad Poly Studio speakers, Wi-Fi 7, and a haptic glass touchpad. It has three Thunderbolt 4 ports and a headphone jack. The battery capacity reaches 70Wh on Intel versions and 68Wh on Snapdragon versions.
The laptop weighs between about 1.45kg and 1.57kg. It is not the lightest option here, but it provides a solid mix of performance, display quality, security, and AI hardware.
The Asus Zenbook A16 is a strong option for people who want the workspace of a 16-inch laptop without the usual size and weight. Depending on the configuration, it weighs as little as 1.10kg (2.43 pounds) and measures 13.8mm at its thinnest point.
It is available with several Qualcomm processors, including the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme X2E-96-100, Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme X2E-94-100, Snapdragon X Plus X1P 42 100, and Snapdragon X X1 26 100. The higher-end Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme models feature 18 cores, up to 48GB of LPDDR5X memory, and Qualcomm’s Hexagon NPU with up to 80 TOPS of AI performance. Lower-tier configurations support up to 45 TOPS.
The Zenbook A16 offers several OLED display options. The best configuration features a 16-inch 3K (2880 x 1800) OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, touchscreen support, 100% DCI-P3 color coverage, and up to 1,100 nits of HDR peak brightness. It also meets VESA DisplayHDR True Black 1000 standards. More affordable versions use either a non-touch 3K 120Hz OLED panel or a WUXGA OLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate.
Despite its thin design, the Zenbook A16 has a useful range of ports. It includes two USB4 Type-C ports with DisplayPort and Power Delivery support, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port, HDMI 2.1, an SD 4.0 card reader, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. This makes it a more convenient choice than many ultraportables for photographers, creators, and users who connect external storage, displays, or memory cards.
Additionally, the laptop includes up to a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, Wi-Fi 7 on higher-end models, an FHD IR camera for Windows Hello sign-in, a backlit keyboard with a Copilot key, a 70Wh battery, and a 130W USB-C charger on top configurations.
The Asus ExpertBook Ultra is a premium business laptop with serious security features. It starts at 0.99kg, or 2.18 pounds, but it includes more ports than most ultralight systems. Asus includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB-A ports, HDMI 2.1, and a headphone jack.
The laptop runs Windows 11 Pro on many configurations and supports Microsoft Pluton, TPM 2.0, BIOS self-recovery, fingerprint authentication, and a webcam privacy shutter. Asus also lists NIST SP 800-193 compliance and MIL-STD-810H durability testing. These features matter for companies that need stronger endpoint security and easier device management.
The ExpertBook Ultra supports Intel Core Ultra 5 325, Core Ultra 7 356H, Core Ultra X7 358H, and the top-tier Core Ultra X9 388H with vPro. It supports up to 64GB of LPDDR5X memory and a 2TB PCIe Gen5 SSD. Its 14-inch Tandem OLED touchscreen has a 2880 x 1800 resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, 100% DCI-P3 coverage, and up to 1,400 nits of HDR peak brightness.
The ExpertBook Ultra is expensive and highly specialized, but it is one of the best Windows laptops for executives, consultants, IT professionals, and security-conscious organizations.
A little-known Google system app has started showing up in Play Store update lists on a lot of Android phones, leaving some users puzzled by its blank icon.
Android Pulse is an official Google app that’s been quietly pushed to millions of devices. Its Play Store description, which became more visible over the weekend, says it facilitates rule distribution for anomaly detection in critical system resource consumption by the Android operating system and installed applications.
In plain terms, it keeps an eye on whether apps or system processes are using unusually high amounts of resources like RAM, battery, or CPU. By sending out detection rules, it helps spot abnormal behavior that could hurt performance or efficiency. The name “Pulse” basically refers to this ongoing check on the phone’s vital signs.
The app isn’t brand new. Builds have been around since at least March, and the Play Store already lists more than 10 million downloads. It just stayed mostly under the radar until recent updates started making it appear in the available updates section for some people. The listing itself has a blank icon and empty screenshots, which is part of why it caused confusion at first.
Because Android Pulse works as a background system service rather than a regular consumer app, you can’t uninstall it once it’s there. You can disable it the same way you can many other built-in Android components if you really want to, though there’s no obvious reason to do so. It has no user interface and doesn’t need any interaction from you.
Google hasn’t given a detailed public explanation beyond the short Play Store blurb. Reports from reliable outlets covering the sudden appearance confirm it’s a legitimate first-party component meant to help with system health and debugging. If you see Android Pulse in your update queue, it’s safe to install. It’s designed to help keep your phone running smoothly rather than anything to worry about.
The argument about flagship phones, or which is truly the best, has always been the same every year. Which one has the best camera? Which one lasts the longest? And, perhaps most importantly, which phone actually gives you a reason to upgrade?
The questions are the same in 2026, but there’s a new problem sitting around this year. Memory prices have gone up sharply, and so have the prices of smartphones. Xiaomi flat-out said that higher component has pushed the 17 Ultra price, while Samsung has reportedly been dealing with higher RAM costs from its own chip business.
You might expect that to make phone makers play it safe. And they likely will with all the flagships coming in September and beyond. For the time being, though, the top-end hardware is still priced relatively well, while offering the best of what they can.
So, if you’re already thinking about spending flagship money today, here are the best flagship phones that you can buy right now.
Samsung is known for playing it safe with its flagship phones, and the Galaxy S26 Ultra is no exception. It is built around the same formula we’ve seen in the previous Galaxy Ultras, but that’s not to say nothing is new here.
It starts at $1,299.99 and gives you a huge 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate. There’s Gorilla Armor 2 on top, but the more interesting addition this year is Samsung’s Privacy Display.
The idea around privacy on a phone’s screen isn’t new. We’ve had privacy-focused tempered glass for years, but Samsung decided to ship it on the phone itself. And that too with exclusive customizations.
Samsung’s privacy screen changes the way the pixels work so the screen becomes much harder to see from the side while staying clear when you’re looking straight at it.
It’s one of those features that sounds like a gimmick until you actually use it. What’s more impressive is that you can even hide a part of the screen, like the notification island or messages.
The S26 Ultra also gets a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip made specifically for Galaxy phones. Samsung finally increased wired charging to 60W as well, which is a welcome change after years of sticking with 45W.
The battery, however, is still 5,000mAh. That’s the one area where Samsung hasn’t really kept up with some of its Chinese rivals, which are now putting 6,000mAh and even larger batteries into their flagships.
Still, the S26 Ultra is difficult to fault as an overall package. You get the 200MP main camera, multiple zoom options, the S Pen, Samsung DeX, a polished version of Android, and years of software support.
It may not be the most exciting phone in every category, but that’s exactly why it’s such an easy recommendation. It does almost everything well.
2. Oppo Find X9 Ultra
Oppo has been working with Hasselblad for a while now, but the Find X9 Ultra feels like the point where the partnership really starts to show.
This is also the first time Oppo has brought its Ultra flagship to global markets, and it has gone all-in on the cameras. There’s a 200MP main camera, a 200MP periscope telephoto, another 50MP periscope camera, and a 50MP ultrawide.
Yes, that’s a lot of megapixels. But the interesting part isn’t really the numbers. Oppo has worked the cameras into its Hasselblad Master Camera System, aiming for a more consistent look across the different lenses.
The rest of the phone doesn’t exactly feel like an afterthought either. There’s a 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED display running at 120Hz, while a massive 7,050mAh battery handles the power requirements. And when you finally do need to charge it, 100W wired charging gets the job done quickly.
The biggest question is whether you like ColorOS. It’s perfectly capable, but it can feel a little busier than the software on a Pixel or even a Samsung phone.
Then there’s the $1,499 starting price, which is a lot of money, but we also can’t factor out what it is offering in terms of hardware.
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is another pick for camera nerds. Its main camera uses a 1-inch OmniVision sensor with LOFIC technology. It is designed to handle a wider range of brightness in difficult scenes. The 200MP periscope telephoto camera, developed with Leica as part of the companies’ deeper partnership, is another highlight here.
And this isn’t just a case of putting a Leica logo on the back. Leica has been involved in the camera’s development much earlier this time, including the design stage.
You can see where Xiaomi is going with this. The phone should be particularly good when you’re shooting after dark, zooming in on something far away, or dealing with scenes where the lighting is all over the place.
The hardware outside the cameras is flagship-grade too. There’s a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, a 6.9-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, and a 6,800mAh battery. Charging is rated at 90W wired and 80W wireless. It’s available in the UK for £1,299.
So, should you buy it? If taking photos is one of the main reasons you’re upgrading, absolutely. If you’re more interested in software, gaming, or the overall ecosystem, there are better choices here.
4. Google Pixel 11 Pro XL
The Pixel 11 Pro XL is Google’s newest flagship in the market. And unlike other options in this list, it’s not big on camera megapixels or processing power. Pixel phones have mostly been known for software polish and tricks, and the 11 Pro XL is just that.
The phone starts at $1,299 for 256GB and comes with a 6.8-inch QHD+ AMOLED display that can reach 3,600 nits of peak brightness.
Inside is Google’s Tensor G6 chip, along with a Titan M3 security chip. The camera setup includes a 50MP main camera, 48MP ultrawide, and 48MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom.
As usual with a Pixel, the camera experience isn’t just about the hardware. Google’s image processing does a lot of the work, which is why Pixel phones can often produce great photos without asking you to think too much about the settings.
A novel camera feature this year is Magic Capture. It lets you record videos as you usually do, but once you’re finished, the phone presents you with candid images from those past moments. Google is using AI to refine photos, but it’s still a neat trick for everyone who struggles with poses in normal shoots.
There is one slightly strange change this year. The Pro XL now starts with 12GB of RAM, down from 16GB on last year’s model. That’s not something most people are going to notice in everyday use, but it does show just how much rising memory costs are affecting flagship phones.
What hasn’t changed is Google’s seven-year software support. The Pixel 11 Pro XL is probably the easiest phone on this list to recommend to someone who just wants Android to stay out of the way and work.
5. iPhone 17 Pro Max
iPhone 17 Pro / 17 Pro Max
If you’re already deep into Apple’s ecosystem, you probably don’t need much convincing about the iPhone 17 Pro Max. It’s still the phone Apple wants you to buy when money isn’t the main concern.
The 17 Pro Max starts at $1,199 for 256GB and comes with a redesigned aluminum unibody, a vapor chamber for better cooling, and Apple’s A19 Pro chip.
The 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display runs at up to 120Hz with ProMotion and can reach 3,000 nits outdoors. Apple has also added Ceramic Shield 2 and its new N1 wireless chip, along with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.
The camera setup has three 48MP cameras covering the main, ultrawide, and telephoto ranges, with up to 8x zoom. Apple also claims up to 39 hours of video playback, which should make this one of the better options here for heavy users.
Charging has finally become a little less painful too. With Apple’s new 40W adapter, the phone can reach 50% in around 20 minutes.
Of course, the biggest reason to buy the iPhone 17 Pro Max isn’t any single specification. It’s the ecosystem. If you have a Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods, or other Apple devices, everything simply works together.
The $1,199 starting price is still a lot, but if you’re already invested in Apple, the Pro Max is the obvious choice.
6. Which One Should You Actually Buy?
Here’s the simple version. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is the one I’d recommend if you don’t have a specific weakness or preference. It’s the complete package, and features like the S Pen and DeX give it things the competition doesn’t really match.
The Oppo Find X9 Ultra is where I’d look first if the camera is the whole reason you’re upgrading. It isn’t cheap, but Oppo has clearly put a lot of work into making this a serious camera phone.
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra makes more sense if you’re particularly interested in zoom and night photography. Its camera hardware is hard to ignore, although availability could be an issue depending on where you live.
The Pixel 11 Pro XL is the easy choice for people who value clean software and long-term support. It’s also probably the least intimidating phone here if you just want something that works without a lot of tinkering.
And then there’s the iPhone 17 Pro Max. If you’re already using Apple products, there’s little reason to look elsewhere unless you specifically want Android.
Flagship phones have gotten expensive, and there’s no getting around that. In previous years, at least the price hikes came with real hardware improvements. The upcoming flagships are set to become more expensive, and AI is to blame. So if you’re thinking of getting a new flagship phone, it’s best not to wait. Rather, know your requirements and get the one that’s best for you.
Xiaomi has launched a new multifunctional smart rice cooker for people who want something more versatile than a basic one-pot cooker.
The Mijia Smart IH Rice Cooker 2 Multifunctional Edition is now listed on Xiaomi Youpin in both 3L and 4L sizes. Crowdfunding kicks off on September 6, with the 3L model priced at 649 yuan and the 4L at 689 yuan (~€87).
The design is modular, which should make cleaning a lot easier. Both sides of the inner pot have anti-scalding handles, so you can lift it out safely even when it’s hot. The 3L version measures 288.5 × 281 × 249.5 mm, while the 4L is a bit taller at 288.5 × 281 × 274 mm.
Both models put out 1,300 W and use a wrap-around 3D IH heating system. The three-dimensional coil covers more surface area so the rice heats and tumbles more evenly. The inner pot itself is a 3 mm thick fused titanium composite that holds heat well. It also features a true 0% fluorine coating that meets China’s national Class II non-stick standard, better for healthier cooking and simpler cleanup.
You get nine cooking modes, including premium rice, quick rice, nutritious steaming, stewing, and waterless baking. The heating logic has been tuned so a quick-cook cycle can finish in about 26 minutes. You can open the lid whenever you want to stir, add ingredients, or reduce the sauce without the cooker shutting down, which gives you more control over the process.
Connect it to the Xiaomi Mijia App and you unlock more than 100 cloud recipes. It also supports 24-hour delayed start and up to 12 hours of keep-warm, so meal planning is pretty flexible.
Overall, the Multifunctional Edition brings even IH heating, a fluorine-free non-stick pot, multiple cooking modes, and app support together in one package. It’s Xiaomi’s latest step toward giving people a single kitchen appliance that can handle a wider range of everyday dishes.
Xiaomi’s Mijia product needs no event to launch in China. Par for the course, the company quietly announced a new water heater in the mainland, and this one skips the usual condensate hassle.
Xiaomi launched the Mijia Smart Gas Water Heater Pro Dual Circulation Level 1 Energy Efficiency 16L on its Youpin crowdfunding platform today at 3,999 yuan (~ $595). You can, though, get it at an early-bird price of 3,499 yuan (~ $520) if you buy it during the launch window.
You’ll notice the design first if you’ve dealt with gas water heaters before. It measures 617 x 375 x 201 mm and uses a condensate-free setup.
Condensing gas water heaters (like this one) capture extra heat from the exhaust gases, which cools that exhaust enough for water vapor in it to condense into liquid. However, the liquid becomes acidic as it mixes with compounds from the combustion process, so it normally needs a dedicated drain — a pipe running from the unit to a floor drain or plumbing stack. This often means extra wall drilling and visible piping when the unit gets installed.
This new Xiaomi heater skips that. Instead of draining the condensate as liquid, it runs the condensate through an internal neutralization device and a high-speed centrifuge, which atomizes it into a fine mist. The mist then exits through the flue along with the regular exhaust gases. There’s no need for an extra hole in the wall, that is.
Efficiency and Purification
On performance, this heater delivers 16 kg of hot water per minute at a rated heat load of 27.0 kW. It has a built-in DC inverter booster pump that adds a 10-meter head boost, so it works across a wide range of water pressure, from 0.02 MPa up to 0.85 MPa.
If you live somewhere with multiple bathrooms running at once, its 7A-level constant temperature bathing function keeps your shower steady even when someone else turns on a tap, or you pause mid-shower.
The Heater Pro also has a built-in purification bottle that uses strontium-zinc trace element filtration to treat your bath water. For noise, Xiaomi is using four separate reduction methods, covering the source, water circuit, airtight isolation, and vibration, and the unit carries CQC certification for an operating noise level as low as 32 dB(A). You also get zero-cold-water tech, so hot water arrives instantly instead of making you wait through a cold-water drain first.
The heater runs on 220V power and natural gas rated at 2000Pa, and it connects over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 through the Xiaomi Home app.
BOYA Notra Neo is an AI-powered voice recorder designed to make recording, transcription and note-taking easier. It can record ambient conversations, phone calls, and Bluetooth calls, with automatic switching between these modes. The device is compact, measuring 63 × 63 × 8 mm and weighing just 34.5 grams. It also supports magnetic attachment and MagSafe compatibility, making it convenient to carry and use.
BOYA is currently offering an early-bird 12% discount on the Notra Neo with the code NeoEarly12. Pre-orders are open now, with shipping scheduled to start on September 4, 2026.
360-Degree Recording and Long Battery Life
The Notra Neo comes with two MEMS microphones and one VPU for 360-degree sound pickup. Its microphones can capture audio from up to 5 meters away, while AI-powered noise cancellation is rated at up to -30 dB. The recorder can run for up to 20 hours on a full charge and offers standby time of up to 365 days. Charging is handled through USB-C, with a full charge taking around 1.5 hours.
AI Transcription in 140+ Languages
One of the main features of the Notra Neo is its AI transcription system. It supports more than 140 languages and includes smart speaker identification. This makes it useful for meetings, interviews, lectures, conversations and voice memos. Instead of manually listening to long recordings, users can turn conversations into searchable text and organized notes.
AI Summaries, Ask AI and Templates
The device goes beyond basic transcription. It can generate summaries, key points, to-do lists and mind maps from recordings. Users can also use the Ask AI feature to search recorded information and quickly find important details from previous conversations. The system supports AI models including ChatGPT, Grok, Claude and Gemini.
The Notra Neo also offers more than 60 professional templates for tasks such as meeting minutes, call summaries, interview notes, class summaries and key-point extraction. These templates are designed to turn conversations into useful and actionable information.
Storage, Sync and Export Options
The recorder has 8GB of local storage and supports unlimited cloud storage or synchronization. BOYA also highlights up to 1000 hours of recordings as a marketing claim, so this should not be confused with the device’s physical 8GB storage capacity.
Through the BOYA OS app and web access, users can sync recordings and notes across devices. Files can be transferred through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, while supported exports include MP3, WAV, DOCX, PDF, TXT, Markdown and SRT. Users can also share recordings, transcripts, summaries and mind maps through shared links.
BOYA Notra Neo Deal
BOYA is offering an early-bird discount of 12% on the Notra Neo. The promotional code is NeoEarly12. Please note this is an early-bird offer, and shipping is scheduled to start on September 4, 2026.
With dedicated recording, AI transcription, summaries, searchable recordings and cross-device synchronization, the BOYA Notra Neo is positioned as an all-in-one tool for people who regularly attend meetings, conduct interviews, study or need to capture conversations without relying entirely on their smartphone.
A day after teasing the phone’s 17EV dynamic range, Vivo product manager Han Boxiao talks about X500 Pro Max’s camera stabilization in his latest Weibo post.
Han makes a fairly simple point about it. With photos, you can take multiple shots and pick the sharpest one. But video is different. If even one second of footage is shaky or too dark, the whole clip can end up being useless. That’s why Vivo is focusing on improving the consistency of its camera rather than just chasing higher specs.
The X500 Pro Max will feature what Vivo calls a 3-degree wide-angle, gimbal-level stabilization system on its main camera. Han claims the stabilization range is twice that offered by last year’s model.
For photos, it retains the CIPA 7.0 stabilization rating as the X300 Ultra’s periscope telephoto camera, but this time it is being used on the main camera.
Better stabilization can also improve low-light shots
Han also explains why stabilization is useful for more than just keeping videos steady. When shooting handheld, a faster shutter speed can help prevent blur, but it also gives the sensor less time to collect light. This results in more noise or smearing at night.
Better stabilization can help avoid that trade-off. The camera being steady means you can use a slower shutter speed and allow more light to reach the sensor without making the shot blurry.
The stabilization system will work alongside the 50MP main sensor. It’s reportedly developed jointly with Sony and is branded as the Zeiss Ultra Dynamic Main Camera.
Han says his next Weibo teaser will focus on the “Thanos Telephoto” lens. As usual, we will share the update soon after. The Vivo X500, X500 Pro, and X500 Pro Max are set to launch in September. Expect more teasers and reveals in the lead-up to the launch.
Xiaomi has added another affordable personal care gadget to its lineup, a compact electric shaver designed for everyday use and easy travel.
The Mijia Electric Shaver S100 Cloud Pattern Blade Edition is now up on JD.com and Xiaomi Youpin for 99 yuan (~€13). It measures about 90.8 mm × 58.5 mm × 30.3 mm and is roughly 30 mm thick, so it’s small enough to toss in a bag or keep in a drawer.
The whole unit is IPX7 waterproof, which means you can rinse it thoroughly under the tap. It’s also designed to be easy to clean: the shaver head detaches with a simple one-handed pry. There’s a single power button on the front. Press and hold it to lock the device for travel so it doesn’t turn on by accident in your bag.
According to Xiaomi, the shaving head is made using a Metal Injection Molding (MIM) process that creates a double-ring cloud-patterned foil. That design is said to boost the effective shaving area by about 34.7 percent. Pair that with a wider shaving inlet and a concave cutting edge, and you get a more wraparound cutting action. The floating dual-blade head can flex both ways: inward in a “V” shape to follow the jawline, and outward in an “8” shape to reach trickier spots like the corners of the mouth and sideburns.
Inside, the motor spins at 7,200 rpm while keeping noise under 72 dB(A). Charging is handled through a USB-C port on the bottom. A full charge takes around two hours and gives you roughly 90 minutes of continuous use. There’s also a quick-charge feature: five minutes plugged in is enough for at least one full shave.
All in all, the S100 Cloud Pattern Blade Edition looks like a practical option for anyone who wants something portable, waterproof, and reasonably priced for everyday grooming at home or on the go.
After refreshing its professional‑grade lineup, XPPen has finally turned its attention to the entry‑level segment with the Artist 16 3rd. After spending considerable time with it, I can say this is a precisely targeted and genuinely compelling product. It doesn’t chase top‑tier specs for the sake of marketing; instead, it takes the “goldilocks” 15.4‑inch screen size and pushes colour accuracy, pressure sensitivity, and interaction design to the top of its price bracket. Let’s dive in.
Special treat for Indian readers: use code Display1000 at checkout to get ₹1,000 off. Check XPPen official here and grab yours while the deal lasts.
Hardware Specifications
The Artist 16 3rd is positioned as an entry‑level device, but a glance at the spec sheet feels almost “unfair” for the category. It packs a 15.4‑inch display with a 16:9 aspect ratio and a full‑HD 1920×1080 resolution. To be honest, 1080p on a 15.4‑inch screen isn’t pixel‑density royalty, but in actual use it’s plenty sharp – at a normal working distance, I can barely spot individual pixels, and line edges stay crisp. The refresh rate is 60Hz, which doesn’t match the buttery 120Hz of the flagship Artist Pro 27 (Gen 2), but it’s more than adequate for drawing – we’re not playing competitive shooters here.
What genuinely surprised me is the colour performance. This panel covers 99% sRGB, 98% Adobe RGB, and 97% Display P3, with a colour accuracy Delta E < 1.5. To put that in perspective: in this price tier, seeing 99% sRGB alone is already considered generous – but the Artist 16 3rd pushes Adobe RGB and Display P3 to near‑professional levels. Simply put, whether you’re retouching photos, illustrating, or doing light video grading, this screen is reliable right out of the box – no extra calibration needed. Brightness is rated at 270 nits, which is perfectly fine indoors; direct sunlight might be a struggle, but who draws outside under the sun?
The screen uses a fully laminated AGAF nano‑etched glass finish. The full lamination means there’s virtually no parallax between the pen tip and the cursor – the hand‑eye coordination feels rock‑solid. The AG nano‑etching provides a paper‑like drag while effectively reducing glare and resisting fingerprints. Under indoor lighting, I barely noticed any reflections, and my fingers didn’t leave greasy smudges – a definite plus.
The stylus is a major upgrade this time. The Artist 16 3rd comes with the new‑generation X4 smart‑chip digital pen, featuring 16,384 pressure levels. For reference, most mainstream professional pen displays still stick with 8,192 levels – the X4 doubles that. The initial activation force is just 2g, response time is 30ms, and the nib travel is only 0.3mm. What do these numbers mean in practice? A feather‑light touch produces ink immediately, the nib barely feels like it moves, and line‑following is exceptionally responsive – no more “pen moved but line didn’t” lag. The pen also supports 60° tilt recognition, so when you’re sketching cross‑hatching or doing thick‑paint blending, the tilted stroke naturally mimics the width variation of a real brush. Bonus: the pen has magnetic snap‑on storage – it attaches neatly to the top of the display, so no more rolling off the desk.
On connectivity, the Artist 16 3rd offers one full‑featured USB‑C port and one 3‑in‑1 USB‑C port. The full‑featured USB‑C means a single cable handles video, data, and power – a huge relief for those who frequently carry their tablet and laptop around, keeping your desk tidy. The 3‑in‑1 USB‑C supports video output, data transfer, and charging, offering flexible connection options.
Interaction & Shortcut Keys
The Artist 16 3rd integrates dual X‑Dial wheels and 8 customisable shortcut keys on the left side. I have to highlight this design. In the past, adjusting brush size or zooming in/out meant reaching for the keyboard or tapping on the screen – a real workflow breaker. The X‑Dial wheels solve that completely.
A gentle flick of the wheel lets you smoothly adjust brush size, zoom the canvas, or scroll through layers. The dual‑wheel setup means you can control two functions simultaneously – say, one wheel for brush size and the other for canvas zoom – without interference. The 8 shortcut keys can be assigned to Undo, Duplicate, tool switching, and other frequent actions. With this combination, I found my drawing efficiency noticeably improved – my hand never leaves the pen display for most operations, and the immersion is something you don’t get with keyboard shortcuts. For beginners, this greatly lowers the learning curve – no need to memorise a ton of key combinations.
Drawing Experience
The first impression of the X4 pen is lightness – it sits comfortably in hand, with balanced weight distribution that doesn’t tire you out during long sessions. The 16K pressure sensitivity, in actual use, translates to a quantum leap in line delicacy. The slightest lift is captured – producing very fine, faint lines perfect for sketching or light washes – while firm pressure yields thick, saturated strokes with smooth transitions. This wide pressure range gives the brush a remarkably expressive feel, especially when doing pencil hatching or ink‑wash styles – the “press‑and‑lift” nuance feels surprisingly close to traditional media.
The 30ms response time is virtually unnoticeable – the cursor follows the pen tip without delay. The 0.3mm nib travel makes the pen feel almost like it’s not moving at all, as if you’re drawing directly on the screen. The fully laminated screen eliminates parallax, reinforcing that solid hand‑eye coordination. The AG nano‑etched glass adds a paper‑like drag – the nib glides with a subtle scratchy sound, neither slippery like plain glass nor overly sticky. That perfect friction makes precision control much easier.
Final Verdict
The XPPen Artist 16 3rd, with its X4 pen chip, delivers 16K pressure sensitivity and 30ms response that far exceed its price class. The dual X‑Dial wheels and 8 shortcut keys offer a tangible boost in workflow efficiency. Paired with a wide‑gamut screen (99% sRGB, 98% Adobe RGB) and a full‑laminated paper‑texture display, honestly – two years ago, you’d never have imagined this spec sheet in a sub‑$400 product.
If you’re a student, hobbyist, or any creator who needs a portable, well‑rounded pen display to start your digital art journey, the Artist 16 3rd is one of the most compelling choices on the market right now. It may not be the absolute top‑tier, but at this price, it gives you almost everything you need – and then some.
Here’s a special treat for our Indian readers: use code Display1000 at checkout to get ₹1,000 off your purchase. Head over to the XPPen official here and grab yours while the deal lasts — your next masterpiece is just a stroke away.
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