One of Samsung’s Galaxy Ring has just caused a big safety risk for a user. The brand’s tiny smart wearable gadget is under the spotlight after a Ring owner was rushed to a hospital due to a swollen battery issue. What’s worrying is that this might not be just an isolated incident.
Galaxy Ring Battery Issue Reportedly Leads to an Emergency Room Visit
Over the last couple of months, the Samsung Galaxy Ring users have reported on battery related issues they’ve been facing. Many of the complaints were related to the battery life of the South Korean tech giant’s first smart ring. But now, the battery issue has even led to a big safety risk. Daniel from Zone of Tech took to X (formerly Twitter) to talk about his unfortunate ordeal with the Galaxy Ring.
Samsung Galaxy Smart Ring with Swollen Battery
Right before he was going to board a flight, his Galaxy Ring had its battery start swelling up. Due to this, he was forced to cancel his flight. However, because of the swollen cell in the ring, Daniel was unable to remove it. While a typical ring can be cut out, you can’t do the same for a smart ring since it houses a battery cell. These can quickly catch fire if the battery wall is breached. So he promptly went to the emergency room in the hospital to find a solution that doesn’t involve cutting.
Daniel stated that the swollen ring stuck on his finger was quite painful, and the bulge made it hard to remove. Such an incident could lead to big health risks, so Samsung should have some form of fail safe or an easier method of removing the ring in such situations.
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Samsung’s S Ultra phones—like the Galaxy S25 Ultra—are still regarded as some of the best camera phones on the market. But Chinese smartphone makers have been striving to improve their imaging prowess too, both by integrating larger optical hardware and by refining image processing. Apple, meanwhile, has moved from 12MP to a fairly large (1/1.28″) 48MP sensor—the same size used on the vivo X200 Ultra.
So how do they stack up in real-world tests? Thanks to Ice Universe, we now have sample images from the iPhone 17 Pro Max, Xiaomi 17 Pro Max, and the Galaxy S25 Ultra taken in different lighting conditions and at various zoom levels.
Xiaomi 17 pro max | iPhone 17 Pro max | Galaxy S25 Ultra (main camera)
Starting with the close-up shot against a bright window, two things stand out: the subject in the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s shot appears the darkest, and Xiaomi’s claims about improved dynamic range extend beyond marketing. Apple lands somewhere in the middle. On closer inspection, the S25 Ultra’s sample also shows the most noise—even though this was a daytime shot.
The trend holds in the outdoor daytime photo. The tree appears completely dark in the S25 Ultra’s sample once again, while Xiaomi’s image keeps detail visible.
In well-lit conditions—the easiest scenario—the Xiaomi and Samsung samples look equally detailed, while the iPhone’s appears a bit softer. This is likely because both Android phones applied artificial sharpening (which can sometimes worsen image quality), while the iPhone left textures more natural. The zoomed-in view of the tree on the right highlights this difference.
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max | iPhone 17 Pro Max | Galaxy S25 Ultra
The S23 Ultra made a big splash with its 200MP headline figure, and Samsung’s image processing was notably better than many early adopters of a 200MP sensor, but rivals have since caught up. As Chinese brands refined image processing while Samsung stuck with the same hardware, the S Ultra line has started to fall behind. More concerning is that the upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra, set for January 2026, is expected to keep most of the S25 Ultra’s camera hardware. Samsung may instead try to push AI-driven enhancements while keeping its bill of materials (BoM) flat—or lower.
Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Xiaomi 17 Pro Max camera protrusion compared
Samsung’s goal has clearly been to prioritize design aesthetics over the largest possible camera hardware. But as Ice Universe shows, the protrusion of the S26 Ultra’s camera island is already close to that of the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max. That means Samsung could have room to redesign the internals for more ambitious upgrades. “Samsung’s ultra-wide camera is underwhelming in specs yet occupies an excessive amount of space within the bump, which is a waste. Meanwhile, Xiaomi cleverly integrates its ultra-wide lens inside the body,” the tipster noted.
The Redmi K90 has just been spotted on a popular benchmarking platform, and it looks like Xiaomi is preparing a serious performance beast. The upcoming smartphone has just surfaced on GeekBench, with a major performance upgrade over its predecessor.
Redmi K90 with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Might Be a Flagship Killer?
Redmi K80 and Redmi K80 Pro
Xiaomi’s new Redmi K90 was just spotted on the GeekBench platform carrying the 2510DRK44C model number. Looking at the certification listing, the Redmi K90 managed to achieve a great score of 3080 points in the single core test and 9382 points in the multi core test. It received this score with Qualcomm’s latest and greatest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 SoC, which is paired with 16GB of RAM.
Xiaomi’s Redmi K90 also runs on the Android 16 OS out of the box, which likely includes the HyperOS 3 custom skin. The Redmi K90 with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is getting a surprising upgrade, considering the Redmi K880 packed the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. To recall, only the higher end Redmi K80 Pro got the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite last year. So this is a major performance bump compared to its predecessor.
Based on what we know so far, the Redmi K90 might support 100W wired fast charging and a massive 7,100mAh battery pack. It may feature a 6.59-inch flat RGB OLED LTPS display with 2K resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a 3D ultrasonic fingerprint scanner for security. Other expected features include dual stereo speakers, a premium metal frame, and an x-axis linear motor. Xiaomi announced the K80 series back in November 2024, so the K90 lineup could see a similar launch timeline.
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LG Electronics has launched the UltraFine evo 6K (model 32U990A), the first 6K monitor with Thunderbolt 5 support. It is part of the new UltraFine evo lineup, designed for professional video editors, graphic designers, and creators who work with high-resolution, data-heavy projects.
The 32U990A has a 32-inch display with a 6,144 x 3,456 resolution and a pixel density of 224 PPI. It covers 98 percent of the DCI-P3 color gamut and 99.5 percent of Adobe RGB. It is also VESA DisplayHDR 600 certified and factory-calibrated for macOS to ensure accurate brightness and colors. LG will also add a Studio Mode feature with three color presets for Mac devices.
This monitor delivers 2.56 times more pixels than a 4K UHD monitor. When two UltraFine evo 6K monitors are used together, users get nearly five times the screen space of a single 4K display. Thunderbolt 5 daisy-chaining makes this setup simple and efficient.
The 32U990A also works as a hub with KVM switching and multiple ports. It supports both Mac and Windows systems and allows easy connection of SSDs, eGPUs, and other peripherals. With Thunderbolt 5 offering up to 120Gbps unidirectional bandwidth, it enables real-time 4K rendering and fast transfer of 8K RAW video files. This makes it suitable for AI-powered video editing and upscaling tasks.
The design includes a four-side virtually borderless frame with tilt and pivot adjustments. It is built for long editing sessions and works well for vertical-format content like YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels. Thunderbolt 5 also helps cut down on cable clutter while supporting flexible multi-monitor setups.
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Pricing & availability
The UltraFine evo 6K has won a CES 2025 Innovation Award and the iF Design Award 2025. It is priced at 3,001,000 won (~USD 2,140) and is now available in South Korea and Japan. A U.S. and European launch is planned for October.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
This year’s 17 Pro Max has arrived with full force. Not only does it feature the most powerful mobile processor, but its bezels have gotten narrower, charging speed has increased, and the camera module has been reshaped into a massive, rounded rectangle. You think I’m talking about the iPhone? Nope—I’m talking about Xiaomi’s 17 Pro Max.
As a former Xiaomi fan, I remember the last time a model looked this similar to an iPhone in both name and appearance—it was the Mi 8. Back then, although everyone criticized its huge chin and the notch without structured light, sales still surged significantly, and Xiaomi got a taste of that success. What I didn’t expect was that seven years later, Xiaomi, as a Fortune Global 500 company, would still be revisiting the same playbook. The good news is, the gap between the two 17 Pro Max models this time isn’t nearly as big as it was seven years ago. Xiaomi’s 17 Pro Max has also achieved stellar first-sale performance, just as they had hoped. Maybe this time, defeating Apple isn’t just a dream.
Before I complain about the rear display, I need to first complain about the frame design. Last year, I praised the Xiaomi 15 for extending its frame seamlessly into the back panel—it not only looked great but also felt incredibly smooth to the touch. Who knows, maybe Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro took inspiration from that very design. But this year, Xiaomi inexplicably abandoned the design I liked so much. So if next year’s Xiaomi 18 Pro ditches the rear screen, don’t be surprised—Xiaomi has always been like this.
Now, before I explain what this rear display can do, let’s look at its specs. The most important one: a minimum brightness of just 1 nit. Since this display supports AOD, its first function is personalization.
You can put a clock widget on it, or customize it with your own images. Using AI, you can even generate animated versions of your photos in different styles. Most of the time, you won’t be looking at this display—but others can see it, and it can show them what kind of person you are.
Xiaomi also lets you draw a circle to quickly pin content onto the rear screen. That means you can keep reminders or tricky-to-find information right on the back. That’s its second function.
The third function is obvious: selfies. Just like with the MIX Flip series, this rear display lets you use the main camera for selfies. Thanks to the powerful main camera, this makes the 17 Pro Max Xiaomi’s best selfie phone ever.
Of course, no one’s going to play games on a sub-3-inch display, so Xiaomi came up with a workaround. By using a special $42 case, you can play some classic games on the rear screen.
These games all feel strangely familiar; some companies probably want to sue Xiaomi after watching this video. There are only four games available, and once you get bored with them? Xiaomi allows third-party emulators to run on the rear display, which means theoretically hundreds or even thousands of games can be played. Not a bad way to kill time on a flight.
Oh, and don’t worry about privacy—the rear display will never show SMS messages. Currently, only a handful of apps support notifications here, though the global version might differ.
Yes, those are all the functions of the rear display. If you can live with a heavier phone, an entry-level vibration motor, downgraded USB transfer speed from 10Gbps to 5Gbps, a worse ultra-wide camera, no anti-reflective coating, neither display nor pre-applied film, then the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max is a good phone for you.
Performance
As the first flagship smartphone powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen5, there is no doubt that the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max has climbed to the top of the Android performance charts. While we don’t yet know how it will compare to upcoming flagships with the Dimensity 9500 in two weeks, current benchmark scores suggest that the improvements aren’t as dramatic as some might have expected. We all know benchmarks are just for reference—high scores don’t necessarily translate to great real-world performance. To truly test a processor, you need to play games.
At max settings, Genshin Impact’s 20-minute frame rate curve looks like this. Five years ago, this game was a huge burden for mobile processors, but today’s chips handle it with ease. The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max performs well, but compared to last year’s 15 Pro, the difference isn’t huge. The only noticeable improvement is slightly lower temperatures. So let’s move to Honkai: Star Rail, which quickly exposes the 17 Pro Max’s limits.
Throttling kicks in within three minutes, with frame rates hovering around 37fps most of the time. The phone also gets uncomfortably hot. Even worse, during our first Genshin test, a bug caused the CPU frequency to suddenly spike, with temperatures nearing 50°C. So honestly, I don’t recommend this phone for heavy gamers—at least not with the current system version, which left me unsatisfied.
Display
This year, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max’s display received a major upgrade. I’m not talking about the 3,000–4,000 nit peak brightness numbers that are nearly impossible to measure—I mean clarity.
Most smartphones today use Diamond Pentile pixel arrangement, which has a drawback: red and blue subpixels share neighbors, reducing effective PPI. That’s why 2K resolution became necessary in the OLED era.
Diamond Pentile
If you’ve followed tablets, you’ll know that many now use RGB S-Stripe arrangements. This layout gives each pixel its own complete RGB subpixels, so PPI is uncompromised while also saving power.
RGB S-Stripe
That’s why, even though the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max has a lower resolution than its predecessor, clarity hasn’t dropped noticeably. Unfortunately, this new pixel arrangement is only on the Pro Max version for now. The good news is, Xiaomi doesn’t own the exclusive rights, so more smartphones will adopt this in the future. If you don’t want a Xiaomi, just wait for other flagships to catch up.
Cameras
To make room for the rear display, the triple-camera layout has changed. The ultra-wide camera was pushed down near the battery, and unsurprisingly, it’s been downgraded. I can accept the smaller sensor—it shrank by less than 5%, and the ultra-wide isn’t used that often. What bothers me is that its focal length increased from 14mm to 17mm. The field of view is significantly narrower. When switching from the main camera to the ultra-wide, your first reaction will be: “Does Xiaomi even know what “ultra-wide” means?”
At 17mm, the FOV is ridiculously tight. Even the iPhone’s front-facing video recording offers a similar field of view—sometimes with better quality. WTF.
After thinking it through, I suspect this was done to prevent the rear display from intruding into the ultra-wide’s field of view. Supporting this theory, neither the included case nor the Gameboy case extends around the bottom edge of the rear display. This is why I call it Xiaomi’s best selfie phone—not its best vlogging phone.
The main camera delivers excellent quality, but the FOV isn’t wide enough. The ultra-wide is wider, but still doesn’t beat a selfie cam and suffers from worse image quality. For vlogging, I’d actually recommend the front camera: bigger screen, similar image quality.
The telephoto camera, on the other hand, received a major upgrade. Zoom to 5x, and you always get great shots. But the 115mm focal length is too long. Even Tim Cook knew that 5x zoom was impractical for everyday use, so Apple shortened it to 100mm this year. Xiaomi sticking with 115mm feels inconvenient. Meanwhile, common focal lengths like 70mm or 85mm can only be achieved through cropping from the main sensor.
Naturally, I worried whether cropped 70mm shots would look blurry. Surprisingly, they turned out impressively sharp—even scarily so. Compared with the iPhone 17 Pro, the difference becomes obvious. Are these really just cropped shots? Yes—and no.
What actually happens is that the 5x telephoto captures the center portion, which is then blended with the cropped main sensor shot. That’s why the middle looks super sharp, but the edges don’t. You can test this yourself: take two 3x shots, one normally, and one with the 5x lens blocked. When I Zoom in, you’ll see what I mean.
Of course, if you’re too close for the 5x telephoto to lock focus, or if the lighting’s too weak and the image quality difference between the main and telephoto gets too big, the algorithm simply won’t kick in. All in all, the 23–115mm focal range gap isn’t as disastrous as it sounds. Xiaomi actually handled it surprisingly well.
The main camera’s biggest upgrade is dynamic range. Its sensor, using third-gen LOFIC technology, reaches up to 16.5EV. In simpler terms, backlit scenes are exposed more evenly. Comparing it against the iPhone 17 Pro shows a clear difference—Xiaomi pulls ahead in high-contrast situations.
LOFIC theoretically benefits video even more. HDR video looks great, though Xiaomi still trails the iPhone overall. Want to know which phone truly has the stronger camera system—the iPhone 17 Pro or the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max? Stay tuned, because we’ll have a full comparison video soon.
Battery Life
Now let’s talk batteries. The Pro Max packs a 7,500mAh cell—the largest among phones priced above $800. Still, endurance gains weren’t as big as we expected. However, charging is the real surprise. 100W wired charging is a nice upgrade, filling the battery in 40 minutes.
But the real highlight is this: the Xiaomi 17 series now supports 100W PPS charging. That means even a random Amazon charger can fast-charge the 17 Pro Max. In tests, third-party PD chargers charged nearly as fast as the stock one up to 50%, peaking around 80W and sustaining 40W for long periods.
Another good news: Xiaomi will soon open-source its private charging protocol. In the future, third-party chargers will unlock full 100W charging without needing official accessories. And don’t forget—there’s also 22.5W reverse charging. Combined with its 7,500mAh capacity, this phone doubles as a power bank. Without question, this is Xiaomi’s most powerful charging system ever.
My only concern is the global version’s battery size. If the global 17 Pro Max doesn’t meet your endurance needs, you know where to get the Chinese version.
Finally, let’s talk pricing. The standard version stayed the same as last year, but the Pro series saw price hikes across the board. By now, you probably already know whether it’s worth buying.
Yes, it brings a new design, a new display, a new processor, and stronger charging compatibility. But there are also hidden downgrades: a weaker ultra-wide camera, slower USB transfer speeds, and the gaming performance is not that good. Whether the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max is good or bad depends on whether you care about those cons. At the very least, you can’t deny it’s a phone with strong character. Its hot sales in China prove people love it.
A huge list of Xiaomi devices is going to stop receiving software updates from next year. This means no major Android upgrades, HyperOS updates, or even security updates. Most of those devices won’t be upgraded to HyperOS 3, and some haven’t even received the Android 14-based HyperOS 2 update.
The folks at Xiaomi Time have prepared an extensive list of devices that will not receive software updates beyond 2025. Review it below to find out if yours is nearing the end of life (EOL) and if you’ll need an upgrade to continue receiving the latest features and security enhancements.
List of devices not getting HyperOS 3 before reaching EOL
Xiaomi devices
Xiaomi Mi 11
Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite
Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G
Xiaomi Mi 11 pro
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra
Xiaomi Mi 11i
Xiaomi Mi 11X
Xiaomi Mi 11X Pro
Xiaomi Mi 11 LE
Xiaomi 11T
Xiaomi 11T Pro
Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE
Xiaomi 11i
Xiaomi 11i HyperCharge
Xiaomi 12 Lite
Xiaomi 12X
Xiaomi Civi
Xiaomi Mix 4
Xiaomi Mi MIX Fold
Xiaomi Pad 5
Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 5G
Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro Wi-Fi
Redmi devices
Redmi Note 13 4G
Redmi Note 13 4G (NFC)
Redmi Note 12
Redmi Note 12 4G
Redmi Note 12 4G (NFC)
Redmi Note 12 Pro
Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G
Redmi Note 12 Pro+
Redmi Note 12 Pro Speed Edition
Redmi Note 12 Explorer (Discovery)
Redmi Note 12 Turbo
Redmi Note 12S
Redmi Note 12R
Redmi Note 12R Pro
Redmi 12
Redmi 12 5G
Redmi 12C
Redmi A2
Redmi A2+
Redmi Pad SE
Poco devices
Poco F5 5G
Poco F4
Poco F4 Pro
Poco F4 GT
Poco X5 5G
Poco X5 Pro 5G
Poco X4 GT
Poco X4 GT Pro
Poco M6 Plus 5G
Poco M6 Pro
Poco M6 Pro 4G
Poco M5
Poco M5s
Poco M4 5G
Poco C75 5G
Poco C71
Poco C65
Poco C55
Poco C51
List of devices not getting HyperOS 2 before reaching EOL
Most of these devices stopped receiving major updates months ago, and soon they will also run out of security updates. Therefore, they won’t receive any updates at all from next year, unless a major vulnerability is discovered that also affects these devices. In that case, a minor update may be released.
If your Xiaomi device is on the above list, it may have already reached its end of life, or will reach there very soon. That means it won’t get security updates, which could expose your device to many security vulnerabilities.
While you can continue to use your existing device, it’s recommended that you upgrade to a newer model, especially if the device has critical data stored on it. Check out this list of Xiaomi devices that offer six years of software updates to find one that stays relevant for years to come.
Huawei is reportedly preparing to introduce its next smartwatch in India. According to recent leaks, the upcoming wearable may include advanced health tracking features not commonly seen on wrist devices. The teaser suggests that the company could be bringing a model already available in global markets, with the announcement expected in the near future.
Huawei’s smartwatch with blood pressure monitoringincoming
Huawei watch with bloood pressure monitoring coming soon to India
The online teaser shows a silhouette of a smartwatch against a red ECG-like pulse line, alongside the caption highlighting wrist-based blood pressure monitoring. This points to Huawei’s efforts to bring more advanced health monitoring to Indian users. Globally, the brand unveiled the Huawei Watch D2 in September 2024, which was certified for continuous blood pressure measurement. It is likely that this model could be introduced in India soon.
Unlike regular smartwatches that only track heart rate or SpO₂, the Watch D2 adds ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) through an ultra-narrow physical airbag that inflates discreetly to provide accurate readings. It can measure blood pressure at set intervals, during sleep, or in different body positions, making it one of the most comprehensive wrist-based solutions.
Huawei Watch D2
The Huawei Watch D2 also includes ECG analysis, vascular elasticity checks, respiratory health insights, and stress monitoring. It can measure up to nine indicators in one tap and generate a detailed health overview report. With over 80 workout modes, GPS, NFC, and compatibility with both Android and iOS, it also doubles as a full fitness companion.
The watch features a 1.82-inch AMOLED screen, IP68 water resistance, multiple sensors, and up to 6 days of battery life under normal usage. With ABPM enabled, it lasts about a day.
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SanDisk has introduced a new product line in India that aims to support the growing needs of content creators. The Creator Series includes a mix of portable storage solutions designed for creators working across multiple devices. The series brings options suited for 4K video, large file transfers, editing workflows, and backup requirements.
Creator Phone SSD
SanDisk Creator Phone SSD Portable SSD with MagSafe
The Creator Phone SSD attaches to MagSafe-compatible smartphones, specifically tailored for iPhone 15 Pro, Pro Max, and iPhone 16 models. It supports Apple ProRes 4K recording at 60fps and is available in 1TB and 2TB capacities. With a silicone shell, IP65 rating, and up to three-metre drop protection, it is designed for on-the-go creative production.
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Creator microSD Card
SanDisk Creator microSD
The Creator microSD UHS-I card offers storage up to 1TB with read speeds of up to 190MB/s. It supports 4K and 5.3K video capture, and is built to withstand extreme conditions. The card is suitable for use with smartphones, drones, and action cameras.
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Creator SD UHS-II Card
SanDisk Creator SD UHS-II
This SD card caters to professional photographers and videographers by offering up to 1TB capacity and transfer speeds of 280MB/s. It is ideal for 6K video capture and comes with RescuePRO Deluxe software for data recovery.
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Creator USB-C Flash Drive
SanDisk Creator USB-C Flash Drive
The Creator USB-C flash drive provides transfer speeds up to 400MB/s and is available in capacities up to 1TB. Its compact design makes it useful for creators on the move, working with laptops, tablets, and smartphones.
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Creator Phone Drive
SanDisk Creator Phone Drive,
Designed for seamless multi-device use, the Creator Phone Drive features dual Lightning and USB-C connectors. It supports up to 256GB storage and simplifies transfers across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android, and PCs.
Pricing and availability
The Creator Series starts at Rs 1,809 for the microSD card, Rs 4,999 for the SD UHS-II Card, Rs 2,029 for the USB-C Flash Drive, Rs 4,899 for the Phone Drive, and Rs 10,999 for the Phone SSD. The products are available through Amazon and Flipkart.
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YouTube is expanding its Premium Lite pilot to India, giving viewers a lower-cost option to watch most videos without ads. The plan is priced at ₹89 per month.
Premium Lite works across phones, laptops, and TVs. It removes ads from most videos but does not cover everything. Ads will still appear on music content, Shorts, and when users search or browse. Those who want ad-free music on YouTube and YouTube Music, along with offline downloads and background play, will need the full YouTube Premium plan.
The rollout comes as YouTube Music and Premium together have reached more than 125 million subscribers worldwide, including trial users. YouTube says Premium Lite is meant for viewers who mainly want ad-free video streaming, while keeping the price more affordable than the full plan.
Since launching YouTube Music and Premium, the company has been adding options to suit different viewing needs. Premium Lite continues that approach and also creates more ways for creators and partners to earn revenue.
YouTube says the platform offers a wide mix of content, including dramas, podcasts, and live gaming streams. With Premium Lite, users in India can watch most of this content without interruptions while choosing a plan that fits their budget.
The service is being rolled out now and will be available across India in the coming weeks.
Meta has announced two major updates for its social platforms. Instagram will experiment with a new way of navigating its app in India, while Facebook is bringing features to strengthen connections between creators and their audiences. Both updates aim to enhance creativity, interaction, and community engagement.
Instagram tests Reels-first experience in India
instagram’s updated user interface
Instagram is piloting a Reels-first layout for a select set of users in India, a market known for its diverse short-form video culture. With this test, users opening the app will be directed to the Reels feed by default. Stories remain accessible at the top, while direct messages are just a swipe away in the navigation bar.
The new format also introduces a dedicated “Following” tab, which provides three ways to view updates from accounts: all followed content, mutual followers, or chronological posts. This change is designed to make access to short videos and messaging smoother, reflecting Instagram’s growing focus on these areas. Globally, Instagram has grown to 3 billion monthly active users, with Reels being reshared over 4.5 billion times each day across Meta platforms.
Facebook strengthens fandom with new features
Fan Challenges – Facebook
Fans and Creators – Facebook
On Facebook, users can now take part in fan challenges, allowing them to create content inspired by their favourite creators’ prompts. These challenges appear in feeds, and the most popular entries are highlighted on leaderboards, creating more opportunities for fans to showcase creativity and interact with creators.
Additionally, Facebook is expanding its top fan badges by offering custom versions. These badges let fans display their loyalty and be recognised directly on creator pages and personal profiles. Artists such as Cardi B and Ed Sheeran are already using personalised badges to deepen fan engagement. With over 500 million people holding badges globally, this update is expected to strengthen connections across communities.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 may have just launched, but the rumor cycle has already skipped ahead to 2026. According to well-known tipster Digital Chat Station, Qualcomm is internally preparing its next flagship mobile chips, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 6.
The latest leak reveals the internal model codes for the SoCs: SM8975 for the 8 Elite Gen 6, and SM8950 for the standard 8 Gen 6. For comparison, this year’s 8 Elite Gen 5 and 8 Gen 5 carry the identifiers SM8850 and SM8845.
The chips are expected to be built on a next-generation 2nm process and will also carry forward Qualcomm’s new naming strategy for the Snapdragon 8 series chips.
That’s all we know about Gen 6 for now. In the meantime, the Gen 5 gives us a clue about where things are heading. Qualcomm’s latest chip is powered by its third-generation Oryon CPU, with a prime core running up to 4.6GHz.
The company claims a 20 percent performance boost and as much as 35 percent better efficiency compared to the previous generation.
The GPU also sees a 23 percent jump in graphics output and higher clock speeds for ray-traced gaming. On-device AI is handled by a faster Hexagon NPU promising 37 percent more throughput. For creators, the Spectra ISP and support for the Advanced Professional Video (APV) codec open the door to near-lossless 8K video recording.
Last but not least, Qualcomm uses a new X85 5G modem for connectivity. Xiaomi has already launched its 17 series phones with the chip, while OnePlus, Vivo, iQOO, Oppo, Realme, and Honor are all expected to ship devices powered by the new silicon by late 2025 and early 2026.
OnePlus has confirmed that the OnePlus 15 will be unveiled in October in China. The brand will also unveil the OnePlus Ace 6 sub-flagship phone powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite. The brand has now officially confirmed that the OnePlus 15’s global launch is also nearing.
OnePlus 15 Sand Storm edition to launch globally
OnePlus 15 global launch confirmed
OnePlus’ global wing has confirmed that the OnePlus 15 will be available in a “Sand Storm” colour variant, inspired by desert landscapes. This variant introduces aerospace-grade Micro-Arc Oxidation technology, which creates a ceramic layer on the middle frame and camera module through a high-voltage plasma process.
According to OnePlus, this ceramic coating is 3.4 times stronger than an aluminium mid-frame and 1.3 times tougher than a titanium mid-frame. Despite its added strength, the method is designed to reduce environmental impact.
The Sand Storm edition also features a feather-light fibreglass back, offering a tactile mix of cool ceramic and smooth grip for a comfortable hand-held experience. This combination of durability and design refinement is designed to make the device both robust and stylish.
In terms of performance, OnePlus has confirmed that the device will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 SoC. This makes it one of the first smartphones in the global market to adopt the chip. Apart from packing the new chip, the OnePlus 15 will include the company’s updated cooling system to deliver sustained speeds during intensive tasks.
Meanwhile, the Chinese wing of the company has released the OnePlus 15 camera samples. However, it is yet to confirm the camera specifications of the device. Powered by the company’s very own DetailMax Engine, its camera setup is rumoured to feature a 50-megapixel main camera with OIS, an ultra-wide lens, and a 50-megapixel Samsung JN5 periscope telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom.
Speculations are rife that the OnePlus Ace 6’s modified version will be released as the OnePlus 15R in India. At present, the company is yet to confirm the existence of the 15R.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
There are hundreds and even thousands of chips in every single smartphone. The one that people care about the most is definitely the processor, because it directly determines how powerful your phone is and whether games can run smoothly. But is buying an expensive flagship phone the only option to improve the gaming experience? Of course not. The realme P4 Pro is only equipped with a Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 processor, yet its gaming experience can reach flagship-level performance. All of this is thanks to a chip from Pixelworks: the X7 Gen2 Visual Processor.
Realme P4 Pro
The Realme P4 series is designed specifically for the Indian market. Take the P4 Pro as an example: it comes with a 50MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide camera, a massive 7000mAh battery with 80W wired charging, a 144Hz curved display, and an ultra-slim body. Even its design bears a striking resemblance to the newly released iPhone 17 Pro series. As a mid-range phone, it performs remarkably well. If there’s one shortcoming, it would be the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, which lacks a bit of raw power. But as mentioned earlier, Realme has equipped the device with a Pixelworks chip to make up for that final weakness.
Left – iPhone 17 Pro; Right – Realme P4
Pixelworks X7 Gen2 Visual Processor
The X7 series of chips is probably no stranger to some users, as they have been used in models such as the OnePlus 12 and Ace 3. However, the realme P4 series is probably the cheapest model you can buy with the Pixelworks X7 Gen2. With the help of this chip, your phone can boost the frame rate of hundreds of games to as high as 144fps, and increase the resolution to 1.5K. It can also convert SDR images to HDR, allowing every player to experience an ultimate level of gaming.
So is the Pixelworks X7 Gen2 really that magical? Can it truly elevate the gaming experience of a budget phone? Real-world testing is the best evidence. This chip currently provides AI Hyper Motion, AI Hyper Clarity, and AI Always-On HDR features for Genshin Impact, so we chose it as the benchmark game to test the actual effects of each function.
AI Hyper Motion: Boost frame rate
The most important feature of the Pixelworks X7 Gen2 is AI Hyper Motion, which is the frame interpolation function. For now, you can choose to enhance the frame rate up to 144. Running Genshin Impact at 144 frames on the realme P4 Pro is no longer a difficult task for the X7 Gen2. But apart from the average frame rate, there are many other data points worth noting, such as Repeat FPS and Generated FPS.
Test tool: Perfdog
Both of these metrics can be measured using the PerfDog testing tool. To make this possible, Pixelworks partnered with PerfDog to jointly develop the “Frame Generation” metric. This provides stronger data support for evaluating gaming performance and helps redefine the testing standard for AI frame interpolation. Simply put, the lower the Repeat FPS and the higher the Generated FPS, the better the gaming experience.
You can see that the Repeat FPS on the realme P4 Pro is very low, with a maximum of only 4fps. This indicates that the X7 Gen2 Visual Processor’s interpolation success rate is very high, meaning you can hardly feel any stuttering. But the prerequisite for achieving this effect is that your graphics quality cannot be set too high. The Snapdragon 7 Gen 4’s performance cannot generate enough frames under higher graphics settings, so when running at high graphics with very complex scenes, the interpolation function may fail.
But this is not the problem of the Pixelworks X7 Gen2—it is because the base frame rate at high graphics is insufficient, making it impossible to continue working. Simply put, the performance of the phone’s processor affects its performance. However, lowering the graphics quality allows you to break free from the 60fps limitation, and enjoying 144fps in most games is already far ahead of other phones at the same price.
Latency
True geek players would also care about latency, screen tearing, and power consumption after enabling frame interpolation. Even when comparing the gameplay in slow motion before and after frame interpolation, it’s almost impossible to notice any input delay. Screen tearing is also negligible—even in slow-motion playback, it is hard to distinguish any difference from the original picture. AI Hyper Motion certainly has almost no negative impact on gaming.
AI Hyper Motion: Optimise battery use
If you don’t want to interpolate to 144fps, only want to stabilize the frame rate to reduce power consumption and lower temperature, then you can enable the second option of AI Hyper Motion.
Here, we can compare the data before and after enabling this option, and the results are obvious. Whether it is average frame rate, stutter count, or 1% Low, the performance after enabling is significantly better than before. Power consumption does not change much, and the temperature is much lower than when it is not enabled. Because this option does not trigger interpolation, latency will certainly be lower than option one. If you are playing PVP mobile games, I would recommend enabling this option.
SDR2HDR & Resolution enhancement
Since the X7 Gen2 can perform frame interpolation for games, of course, it can also do so for videos. MEMC should be familiar to everyone, and for sports fans who often watch matches on their phones, this is great news. I don’t need to say much—just by looking at the footage, you will know which one is the better choice.
For the EMEC effect, please refer to the video at the beginning of the article. Please refer to the video at the beginning of the article for a sample.
You can also enable AI Hyper Clarity and AI Always-On HDR in games. The details of character and background models will increase, and contrast will also change slightly. There are also some changes that screenshots cannot capture, such as saturation, which can be clearly seen when recording the screen with a camera.
Summary
After a bunch of tests, it can be proven that the Pixelworks X7 Gen2 Visual Processor greatly enhances both gaming and video experiences. Especially for gaming, phones equipped with this chip can break frame rate limits, achieve higher frame rates with lower power consumption, and lower temperatures.
Currently, both variants of the realme P4 series are equipped with Pixelworks X7 Gen2, and PVP games such as Battlegrounds Mobile India and Free Fire also support all of the above features. For viewers who want a good gaming experience without spending too much money, they are definitely worth considering.
Vivo is all set to unveil the Vivo V60e smartphone in India. Ahead of the expected launch in October, the landing page of the phone has gone live on Flipkart and Vivo India’s website. The official listing has not only revealed its design but also confirmed its key specifications. Here’s a look at all the official details confirmed by the brand.
Vivo V60e key specifications
Starting from the front, the Vivo V60e features a quad-curved AMOLED display, which will probably support a 120Hz refresh rate like its predecessor. For selfies, the device has a 50-megapixel autofocus-enabled front camera.
The Vivo V60e’s rear camera setup features a 200-megapixel main camera and an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens. The phone will run on Android 15 with Funtouch OS 15, and the company has confirmed it will receive three major OS upgrades and five years of security updates.
The Vivo V60e is equipped with a 6,500mAh battery and supports 90W fast charging. While reports say that it has the Dimensity 7360-Turbo onboard, there is no official confirmation from the brand. In terms of durability, the device will come with an IP68/69 rating for dust and water resistance.
Vivo V60e – Elite PurpleVivo V60e – Noble Gold
The Vivo V60e will be available in two shades: Elite Purple and Noble Gold. As per reports, it will come in three options: 8GB+128GB, 8GB+256GB, and 12GB+256GB, with a sub-Rs 30,000 starting price.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Anker has launched its Prime Power Bank (26K, 300W) in the United States, a high-capacity portable charger aimed at users who need serious power on the go. First shown at IFA 2025, the accessory is now available at a discounted price ahead of its wider rollout to Europe and other regions in mid-October.
The Prime Power Bank is listed at $229.99, but early buyers can grab it for less. Anker’s online store offers an in-page coupon that brings the price down to $184, while Amazon is running a flat $45.99 discount. Both promotions are valid through October 6.
Inside, the device carries a 26,250mAh (99.8Wh) battery, which is just within the TSA limit for carry-on use. According to Anker, the power bank can charge a MacBook Pro (M4) from 0 to 50% in 27 minutes, an iPhone 17 Pro Max in 22 minutes, and a Galaxy S26 Ultra in 26 minutes.
The power bank supports up to 300W total output across three ports: either USB-C port can deliver up to 140W on its own (PD 3.1), but when both are used simultaneously, they offer a combined 250W. The USB-A port adds up to 22.5W, or 20W when all three ports are active.
Recharging is also a highlight. Anker says this is the first power bank to support 250W two-way charging, allowing it to refill completely in under 30 minutes with a compatible wall adapter. That’s significantly faster than many competing options from brands like Baseus and Belkin.
The design includes a TFT display that shows charging data and battery health in real time, plus Bluetooth connectivity for monitoring through the Anker app. At 6.3 x 1.5 x 2.5 inches and 1.32 pounds, it’s compact enough for travel but not exactly pocket-friendly. It’s also compatible with Anker’s upcoming Prime charging base, which will let users dock it on a desk.
For anyone carrying a laptop, phone, and tablet, the Prime Power Bank looks like a strong all-in-one option—especially while launch deals are live.
Acerpure India has launched its Neo Series Smart TVs in the Indian market. The lineup includes Aspire Neo, Swift Neo UHD LED, and Elevate Neo QLED models, offering screen sizes from 32 to 65 inches. All models run on Google TV 5.0 based on Android 14, allowing users to access apps through a streamlined interface and control the TV with Google Assistant.
The Aspire Neo is available in 32-inch and 43-inch sizes. It features a 60 Hz refresh rate, Dolby Audio with 30W speakers, 1 GB RAM, and 8 GB storage.
The Swift Neo UHD LED comes in 43-inch, 55-inch, and 65-inch options. It includes Dolby Atmos, AI Picture Quality (AIPQ), Filmmaker Mode, Karaoke, and advanced gaming features such as ALLM, VRR, and MEMC. Hardware includes 2 GB RAM and 16 GB storage.
At the top end, the Elevate Neo QLED series is offered in 43-inch, 55-inch, and 65-inch versions. It adds QLED panels with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, MEMC, ALLM, VRR, and gamepad support. The model is equipped with 40W speakers for enhanced audio output.
All three series support dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Chromecast, satellite tuner, three HDMI 2.0 ports, and two USB 2.0 ports. Aspire models display 16.7 million colors, while Swift and Elevate push this to 1.07 billion colors, with the QLED Elevate adding improved contrast and color accuracy.
Extra features include AI Content Creator, Filmmaker Mode, and lifestyle functions such as Karaoke. Gaming performance is improved through variable refresh rate and auto low-latency modes.
Pricing & availability
The Acerpure Neo Series Smart TVs start at Rs. 22,499 and are available on Amazon.in and the Acerpure Online Store.
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In other news, Acerpure India has also launched the Nitro Series Gaming TVs in four sizes (43″, 55″, 65″, 75″) exclusively on Flipkart, starting at ₹18,999. The 4K QLED TVs feature 120Hz refresh rate, ALLM, VRR, MEMC, AI picture enhancements, HDR10, Dolby Vision, and Filmmaker Mode. They support plug-and-play gamepads, run on Google TV 5.0 (Android 14) with 2GB RAM/16GB storage, and include dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Chromecast, and multiple ports.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
One of Android’s defining traits has always been freedom—the ability to install apps from anywhere, not just Google Play. But that openness may be under threat. Google’s proposed developer registration rules could make sideloading far more difficult and put independent app stores at risk, sparking concerns that Android is moving closer to Apple’s locked-down ecosystem.
Under the new system, every developer would need to register with Google, providing government-issued ID, app identifiers, and signing keys. Crucially, this requirement extends beyond the Play Store. That means Google would effectively hold the keys to all Android app installations, no matter the source.
In a recent blog post, F-Droid warned the rules could “end the F-Droid project and other free/open-source app distribution sources as we know them today.” For more than 15 years, F-Droid has served as a hub for free and open-source apps, offering users a transparent alternative to Google Play. Sideloading APKs—whether from F-Droid, websites, or other app stores—has long been a hallmark of Android’s flexibility. Now, that freedom could be sharply curtailed.
Google says the move is about security, citing a desire to limit malware. But critics argue the reasoning doesn’t hold up. The Play Store itself has repeatedly hosted malicious apps despite Google’s screening, while platforms like F-Droid rely on community oversight and open-source code to ensure safety. Opponents say the real cost will be borne by small developers and privacy-focused projects unwilling—or unable—to hand over personal IDs and comply with corporate-level verification. If Google revokes a developer’s registration, their apps could become orphaned overnight.
The fallout could be global. In Europe, the Digital Markets Act requires tech giants to support alternative app stores, and Google’s rules may face scrutiny as a potential barrier. In the US, regulators are already investigating Google’s dominance in app distribution, adding another layer of antitrust pressure. Some developers estimate that as many as 30% of F-Droid’s 4,000+ apps could disappear if compliance proves too difficult.
While stronger safeguards against malware are welcome, centralizing app control under Google risks undermining the very openness that made Android stand out.
Smartphone makers love to push the “pro photography in your pocket” line, but Oppo is going further than most. Ahead of its October 16 China launch, the company has set up a direct comparison between the upcoming Find X9 Pro and one of the most serious cameras around — the $11,000 Hasselblad X2D II 100C.
In a Weibo post, Oppo’s Find Series manager Zhou Yibao shared side-by-side shots, putting the Find X9 Pro up against the Hasselblad camera. Oppo’s sample — marked on the right — look surprisingly close in color and sharpness, especially with the brand’s image processing at work. The Hasselblad still has the upper hand in dynamic range and natural depth, thanks to its giant 3.76µm pixels compared to the phone’s tiny 0.5µm ones.
The star of Oppo’s camera system is a 200MP ISOCELL HP5 sensor used for the telephoto lens at 70mm. Unlike older high-megapixel sensors that binned down to 12MP, this one repirtedly captures at the full 200MP (or 50MP) in good light.
According to leaks, the full setup includes a 50MP Sony LYT-828 main camera with OIS, a 50MP ultrawide, and the 200MP periscope offering 3.5x optical zoom (and up to 120x hybrid). Hasselblad’s signature touches, like XPAN mode and a new triple-exposure trick, are also part of the package. There’s even an optional imaging kit with a teleconverter that extends the reach from 70mm to 220mm.
Specs elsewhere are just as ambitious. The Find X9 Pro is said to run on MediaTek’s new Dimensity 9500, backed by a huge 7,500mAh battery with 80W wired and 50W wireless charging. The 6.78-inch LTPO OLED screen offers a 1.5K resolution at 120Hz, while the design stays relatively slim at 8.25mm thick and 224g.
At around $1,000, the Find X9 Pro obviously isn’t replacing Hasselblad gear for professionals. But for travelers or creators who want high-quality shots without hauling a bulky camera, Oppo’s latest flagship is shaping up as one of the boldest camera phones yet.
Portronics has launched its latest portable projector, the Pico 14. This is a tiny new rechargeable DLP unit designed to project a massive screen from a small form factor. The Pico 14 was built for on-the-go use, so here’s why you should look out for this one.
Meet the Portronics Pico 14
One of the biggest highlights of this projector is its size. The Pico 14 measures just 73×73×60mm in dimensions and weighs around 250 grams. So it is just slightly heavier than some smartphones like the iPhone 17 Pro Max. IT has a rounded squarish body, which also supports tripods. Portronics’ new mini projector can output up to 100-inch screens at 720p resolution with a brightness of 1600 lumens.
Portronics Pico 14
The brand promises 30,000 hours of lamp life. The Pico 14 supports 4K input and can be used without a wired power connection thanks to its 4,800mAh battery pack. As per official claims, the projector can last for up to 60 minutes on wireless operation. Other notable features include auto focus, remote control, auto vertical and manual horizontal keyston correction, dual band WiFi, Bluetooth 5.4, and a built-in 3W speaker for audio.
This projector runs on the Android 13 OS, and during operations, has a max noise output of just 25 decibels in Eco mode. The Portronics Pico 14 was just announced in the Indian market for 28,349 INR, which is roughly about 320 US Dollars. It is available for purchase via Amazon India, Flipkart, and leading online and offline retailers with a 12 month warranty out of the box.
ASUS has just announced an exclusive giveaway for PC gaming enthusiasts. The company is offering a rare price of a GeForce RTX 5090 graphics card that has been signed by Nvidia’s CEO, Jensen Huang. So here’s how you can participate in this giveaway.
ASUS Offering RTX 5090 Autographed by Nvidia’s CEO
For those looking forward to an upgrade, the RTX 5090 might be the perfect fit. This GPU is Nvidia’s most powerful consumer graphics card. However, this giveaway isn’t a regular one where you enter your name in a lottery like system. To get the flagship GPU, one must participate in ASUS’s DreamCraft challenge and show off their creativity to win this card. The contest involves designing a next gen graphics card.
ASUS’ RTX 5090 Giveaway
This giveaway arrives as the Taiwanese PC maker celebrates its 30th anniversary with this challenge. Entering this giveaway requires you to first design a graphics card. This can be done by hand drawn art, using tools in Photoshop, or even taking the help of AI. Once this is done, simply share this futuristic design on your social media profiles, like X (formerly Twitter), with the hashtags ASUSGraphicsCard30th and #ASUSDreamCraft in the caption.
The company also recommends that the picture has a 1080 x 1350 pixels resolution. Each user can submit up to three designs. Lastly, head to the ASUS DreamCraft page on the brand’s official website and submit a screenshot of your online post to confirm the designs. The entries will officially close on 31st October 2025, and the winners likely be announced soon after.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
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