Still The King of Camera Phones? vivo X300 Ultra Review vs X200 Ultra

By

-

May 8, 2026

I’ve already switched my SIM card back to the iPhone, yet I still shoot with 35mm as my default focal length year-round. It’s not because I’m particularly into street photography—it’s simply that this focal length isn’t too wide or too narrow, making it just right for everyday shots. So when I heard that the vivo X300 Ultra‘s main camera remains at 35mm, I was genuinely pleased.

After using the phone for a while, I can tell it’s indeed better than the previous generation, even if some specs don’t look impressive on paper. But is this minor upgrade really worth an extra cost? Well, why not bring in the X200 Ultra and run a direct comparison to find out?

35mm

The X300 Ultra’s main camera uses Sony’s latest 200MP sensor. The aperture is smaller, but in exchange, you get stronger stabilization.

In well-lit conditions—basically daytime and indoor environments—the X300 Ultra performs slightly better overall than the X200 Ultra. Exposure is more accurate, clarity is higher, colors aren’t overly saturated, and the sharpening isn’t as aggressive as before. The new sensor and updated algorithms bring noticeable improvements to the X300 Ultra.

At night, the gap becomes even more obvious. I don’t even need to explain it—you can see how much it has improved just from the photos. Especially with the help of the multispectral sensor, the white balance accuracy is significantly better. There’s only one situation where the X300 Ultra loses to the previous generation: in near-total darkness.

If you’re shooting in an environment where people can barely see anything, the X200 Ultra will have slightly better clarity. The performance of the X300 Ultra’s main camera can be summed up with this curve. I still appreciate the effort vivo put into this main camera.

There’s a feature on the X300 Ultra that I really like, called “Raw Lighting”. “Restore the camera’s raw lighting for authentic results”—that’s how vivo describes it. Simply put, it reduces the impact of computational processing on the photo. The most obvious result is that the images look more like they were taken with a professional camera rather than a phone. Saturation is further reduced, sharpening is significantly toned down, and fine details look more natural. I think this feature is way more practical than those flashy new filters.

X200 Ultra users don’t need to be jealous—just update your system, and you’ll get it too. Well done, vivo.

85mm

This 85mm telephoto camera is probably the most controversial one on the X300 Ultra. The sensor size hasn’t changed, and once again, a smaller aperture is traded for better stabilization. So which matters more—the downside of a smaller aperture, or the benefits of improved stabilization?

Honestly, the difference isn’t as obvious as with the main camera. You’ll only notice it when you zoom in 200% or 300%—then you’ll realize, okay, the X300 Ultra is indeed better. And this is mainly in low-light conditions; the stronger the lighting, the smaller the gap.

So the conclusion is: the X300 Ultra’s telephoto camera is a real upgrade, but only for photos. Video is a different story—I’ll explain that in a bit.

14mm

Since there’s no hardware change for the ultra-wide camera, its performance should theoretically be very similar—and it is.

In scenes without extreme contrast, the image quality is basically identical to that of the previous generation. However, the two phones take different approaches to HDR. The X200 Ultra tends to control highlights and leaves shadows untouched, while the X300 Ultra does the opposite. There’s no clear winner here—it just comes down to personal preference.

Anyway, the main purpose of the ultra-wide camera on the X300 Ultra is to compensate for the narrow field of view when recording video with the 35mm lenses. So next, let’s look at video performance.

Video & Selfie

If I didn’t label which footage came from which phone, you definitely wouldn’t be able to tell them apart. In fact, even during editing, I had to carefully check the file names to distinguish which clips were shot from the X300 Ultra. And it’s not just the ultra-wide camera—even the main camera footage looks the same. The improved stabilization doesn’t give you a wider field of view either. You can basically consider their video capabilities to be nearly identical.

04:26 – Video & Selfie

For photography, better stabilization allows for longer shutter speeds, improving image quality. But in a video, shutter speed cannot drop below the frame rate. That’s why you can see the X300 Ultra’s telephoto camera actually performs worse in low light. Especially compared to the previous generation, with a larger aperture.

The front camera’s the same story as the rear—you really have to pixel-peep to notice any difference. Thanks to reduced noise reduction in the new algorithm, more texture detail on clothing is preserved.

Overall, this entire camera system has more upgrades than downgrades. But without any new technology, the X300 Ultra lacks that one “hook” to really grab users. For those who chase novelty—like me—most probably won’t be willing to pay that extra $145.

Grip & Teleconverter

Luckily, we also got the photography kit and the G2 Ultra lens. Let’s start with the grip. It still connects via Type-C and has a screw mount at the bottom. The build quality is more refined—it both looks and feels more premium. There’s an extra customizable button, and whether the grip charges the phone can be toggled with another button.

But two issues remain. First, the unlock slider is still positioned near your fingers, which honestly makes me nervous about accidentally unlocking it. Second, when charging the phone through the grip, the power is only 7.5W. The only real downgrade might be the removal of the kickstand on the case.

At the X300 Ultra launch event, two new teleconverters were introduced: a 200mm and a 400mm. The 200mm is more compact, but otherwise unchanged. We already covered it in detail in last year’s X200 Ultra Camera Test, so this time we’ll focus on the 400mm.

First, you can now enter teleconverter mode directly via the top button, which is much more convenient than before. Image quality is still excellent and looks more natural than AI-enhanced photos. And then… well, that’s about it. It’s big, heavy, expensive, and the stabilization isn’t as good as expected. So I’d recommend the 200mm version instead—unless you’re really planning to shoot wildlife with a phone.

I’m glad vivo considered compatibility between old and new teleconverters. The X300 series photography kit can use the previous generation teleconverters. The G2 and G2 Ultra lenses also work on the X200 Ultra, but the adapter rings are not interchangeable due to changes in lens layout.

Also, the X300 Ultra’s grip does not work properly on the X200 Ultra, so you’ll need to buy the correct version for your phone. However, the lenses have no such limitation.

Design

I think I already described the X300 Ultra’s design clearly enough in the hands-on video. In one sentence: you can hardly tell it apart from the X200 Ultra. You can even put an X200 Ultra case on the X300 Ultra, and all the cutouts will line up perfectly. If you’re being picky, yes, there are tiny differences.

What it looks like when you put an X200U phone case on an X300U

For example, the X300 Ultra is indeed thinner—but what they don’t tell you is that it’s actually thicker, including the camera module. Put the phone on a table; it feels more like a seesaw.

Also, the white version looks worse—especially compared to how good the X200 Ultra looked. But these are basically the only two design downgrades. The larger vibration motor and the removal of the camera control button are both good changes. Another positive is that the X300 Ultra is the first in the vivo lineup to support USB 3.2 Gen2 with video output.

Perhaps the best news is that the X300 Ultra finally has a global version, making it easier to buy and service. That said, the Chinese version also has excellent band support—except for slightly weaker signals in rural areas of the US, it works well almost anywhere in the world.

Performance

The X300 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen5, so peak performance is not a concern. However, since the ultra-wide camera is still stacked above the processor, its thermal performance is slightly worse than that of other Ultra phones.

In Honkai: Star Rail, its maximum in-game resolution exceeds 900P, which is slightly higher than that of other phones. To keep things fair, I lowered the X300 Ultra’s resolution to 1200P. Even so, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra still wins easily. Even though game optimization could be better, I don’t think it will affect the target audience of the X300 Ultra. If you care that much about gaming performance, you probably shouldn’t buy a phone with such a massive camera module in the first place.

Display

The display and battery life are not the focus of this upgrade. The X300 Ultra’s screen looks and feels very similar to the X200 Ultra. Most apps still top out at 120Hz, and the peak brightness increase is only 100 nits—these “upgrades” are basically unnoticeable.

What I can notice is that the old 2.5D glass is now completely flat—finally, it’s easy to apply a tempered glass screen protector. Thanks to the upgraded top speaker, the overall audio experience is better. I’ll include a speaker test at the top of the video—listen for yourself.

Battery Life

The X300 Ultra’s battery capacity increased by 600mAh compared to the X200 Ultra, but in our standard tests, the difference is negligible. After a full day of gaming and camera testing, 46% battery remained. It may not beat Xiaomi or OPPO’s Ultra models, but it comfortably outperforms Samsung’s. As for charging speed, there’s not much to say—you can tell its level just by looking at the curve.

I know—even if you agree that the X300 Ultra’s upgrades are minimal, you might still buy it. Why? Because on the global market, you simply can’t get the more cost-effective X200 Ultra. But after our comparison, you can’t deny that the upgrade is good, though not significant. I’m not a fanboy or a hater of any brand—being loyal to products is definitely smarter. Back when the Xiaomi 15 Ultra showed the smallest improvement, I voiced my dissatisfaction as well. However, since the vivo X300 Ultra is indeed an enhanced version of one of the most powerful camera phones on the market, we still consider it one of the best options—though you’ll have to pay a bit more for the new model. And if you’re already holding the X200 Ultra, considering the price increase, it’s probably not necessary to upgrade to the X300 Ultra in 2026.

Vivo X500, X500 Pro, and X500e already spotted in IMEI listing

By

Debasish

-

May 8, 2026

Vivo’s next flagship lineup is starting to show up online. Fresh entries spotted in the GSMA IMEI database have now confirmed the existence of the Vivo X500, X500 Pro, and X500e. That also means Vivo appears to be skipping the X400 branding entirely.

The listings suggest the phones are moving closer to launch and international certification. Leaks surrounding the lineup point toward Vivo continuing its usual formula: strong cameras, premium displays, and a heavy focus on imaging features.

The standard X500 is rumored to feature a 6.37-inch display, while the X500 Pro could use a 6.83-inch 2K LTPO OLED panel with high refresh rates. That would make both devices slightly larger than last year’s X300 (6.31-inch) and X300 Pro (6.78-inch). The lineup is expected to retain the ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensors.

On the chipset side, Vivo is reportedly sticking with MediaTek again. Early reports suggest the series could debut the Dimensity 9600 family, which is expected to use TSMC’s newer 2nm process. If that ends up being accurate, efficiency and sustained performance could see a pretty noticeable jump compared to current-generation chips.

Cameras, unsurprisingly, remain the bigger talking point. The Pro models are rumored to feature newer LOFIC sensor technology, which is designed to improve highlight handling and dynamic range in difficult lighting conditions. There’s also talk of a 200MP periscope telephoto camera, something Vivo has been gradually pushing toward over the last few generations.

Nothing here is official yet, but the IMEI listings are usually a good sign that development is moving along steadily. Vivo is expected to unveil the X500 lineup in China sometime around September or October before expanding availability to other regions later on. For now, though, the X500 series already looks like Vivo doubling down on the areas it’s become known for: cameras, battery life, and increasingly ambitious hardware.

Don’t miss a thing! Join our Telegram community for instant updates and grab our free daily newsletter for the best tech stories!

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

(Source)

Honor 600 Pro Hands on: Redefining Mid-Range Smartphone Excellence with Flagship-Level Camera, Battery, and Display

By

Alex Su

-

May 8, 2026

Introduction
In an era where smartphone innovation has become a game of microscopic refinements, a truly great device is no longer just about stacking specs—it’s about reimagining the user experience. Honor’s digital series has long been praised for its trendy design and balanced performance. Now, with the all-new Honor 600 Pro, the brand aims to push the boundaries of what a mid-range phone can achieve, leveraging a suite of “above-class” technologies to deliver a genuinely upgraded experience.

Design: Sleek, Solid, and Surprisingly Comfortable
The Honor 600 Pro makes a strong first impression with its restrained elegance. At just 7.8mm thin and weighing 200g, it feels refreshingly light compared to many 250g+ flagship phones. What truly stands out, however, is the attention to detail. Honor claims the device features the “largest corner radius on any Android phone” and an “industry-leading 0.98mm bezel.”

In practice, the seamless curvature between the screen and the frame creates a harmonious, edge-free feel. The matte metal frame offers a fine, grippy texture that resists fingerprints and accidental slips. On the back, the “ultra-durable composite fiber” material mimics the glossy look of glass while delivering a warmer, softer touch—and it never smudges.

Display: Stunning Brightness and Eye Comfort
The 6.57-inch display boasts an eye-popping peak brightness of 8,000 nits. Under direct noon sunlight, content remains perfectly readable—a feat that even many premium flagships struggle to match. In a side-by-side test with the Galaxy S25 Ultra, the Honor 600 Pro’s “Sunlight Mode” kept the screen noticeably brighter and easier to read. Additionally, the 3840Hz ultra-high frequency PWM dimming significantly reduces eye strain. After long sessions of browsing or watching videos, my eyes felt considerably less fatigued compared to using the S25 Ultra.

Camera: The “Unexpected” Battleground

The imaging capabilities of the Honor 600 Pro are its most compelling “flagship killer” feature. We put it head-to-head with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra in multiple real-world shooting scenarios, and the results were surprising.

Ultra-Wide: Shining in Backlight
In a backlit window scene featuring a car model, the S25 Ultra’s ultra-wide lens nearly failed—the front of the car was severely underexposed (almost pitch black), while the clouds outside were blown out to white. The dynamic range collapsed. In contrast, the Honor 600 Pro, despite using a 16mm ultra-wide lens, delivered impressive HDR performance: the car’s green paint and black details were preserved, highlights were well-controlled, and even carpet textures and keyboard details remained clear. In extreme lighting conditions, this “mid-range” device actually outperformed Samsung’s flagship main camera.

Main Camera: A Tale of Two Lighting Conditions
In backlit scenes, the Honor 600 Pro continued to shine—wide dynamic range, rich shadow details, and natural metallic paint reflection on the car model. The S25 Ultra, by comparison, produced darker shadows and blown highlights, requiring post-processing fixes. However, in well-lit, front-lit scenes, the tables turned. The Samsung delivered controlled tonal balance, fine paint grain, and smooth background blur. The Honor, in contrast, showed signs of over-sharpening, algorithmic smudging on black plastic parts, and harsh background texture rendering. When it comes to the main camera, Samsung still holds the edge.

Telephoto: Hardware Gap Is Hard to Bridge
At 10x zoom, the S25 Ultra is in its element. Its optical telephoto lens delivers solid image quality—building stains and fabric wrinkles are crisp and distinguishable. The Honor 600 Pro’s hybrid zoom suffers from heavy smudging, visible edge artifacts, and a loss of depth in distant subjects. However, in indoor still-life scenes, the Honor’s more pleasing color tuning—rosy skin tones, vibrant hair accessories, clean backgrounds—gives it a win in straight-out-of-camera (SOOC) appeal.

Battery Life & Charging: Ultra-Large Capacity in a Slim Body
Packing a 6,400mAh battery into a 7.8mm chassis feels like a technological marvel. In real-world testing, 30 minutes of high-graphics Honkai: Star Rail consumed only 9% of the battery.

80W wired charging gets you from 0% to 50% in just 15 minutes.
50W wireless charging adds convenience for daily top-ups.
27W wired reverse charging is a standout feature. I tested it by charging an iPhone 17 Pro—it’s not as fast as the iPhone’s own charger, but as an emergency power bank, it’s remarkably useful, adding about 20% charge in half an hour.

Verdict
The Honor 600 Pro is not your typical “all-rounder.” Instead, it’s a purpose-driven device with distinct strengths—design feel, AI-enhanced creativity

Final Verdict
The Honor 600 Pro is not a simple “all-rounder.” It’s a “specialist” with distinct strengths and trade-offs. In terms of design feel, screen brightness, eye-care display performance, and backlit HDR algorithms, it demonstrates flagship-grade capabilities that exceed its price tier—even going toe-to-toe with and sometimes outperforming the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. However, its camera performance is highly scene-dependent. The software algorithms work wonders in complex lighting, but fall short when hardware quality is put to the test in straightforward conditions.

For users who prioritize point-and-shoot convenience and frequently shoot in backlit or high-contrast environments, the Honor 600 Pro offers exceptional value. For imaging enthusiasts who demand consistent optical quality across all focal lengths, a true flagship remains the safer bet.

Motorola’s Android 17 beta program is in full swing, but Android 16 has yet to reach many devices

By

Vicky

-

May 8, 2026

Motorola was quick to launch its Android 17 beta program, announcing it just days after Google released the first beta for Pixel devices in February 2026. And to everyone’s surprise, the brand kept expanding the beta program to more and more devices, now available for over a dozen smartphones. However, on the other hand, the company is struggling with the Android 16 rollout, as the update hasn’t reached all eligible devices.

Motorola is struggling to wrap up Android 16 rollout

The company began rolling out a stable Android 16 update to its devices in September 2025, ahead of many of its competitors, including OnePlus, Oppo, and Vivo. The Edge 60 Pro and Edge 50 Fusion were among the first phones to receive the Android 16 update. However, Motorola struggled to deliver timely releases to other eligible devices.

Premium devices like the Razr 2025 and Razr Ultra 2025 weren’t lucky either. They started receiving the Android 16 update towards the end of February 2026. The situation only worsens as you move towards cheaper phones. Making matter worse, there’s no official announcement regarding the eligibility of devices or the rollout schedule for Android 16.

Just as we’re getting close to the Android 17 release, Motorola has started rolling out last year’s update to its entry-level phones, including the Moto G35. Since the company is aggressively working on the Android 17 beta program, we hope it will look to complete the Android 16 rollout as soon as possible.

Motorola looks more promising this year

Motorola has been struggling with software releases over the past couple of years. However, if you’ve been tracking recent rollouts and announcements, it’s clear that the company is working to improve the software commitments and rollouts.

The recent major upgrades, though not timely, have shown signs of improvement. The software support period has also been upgraded significantly in recent months.

Motorola’s mid-range and high-end phones were typically limited to three OS upgrades, now promising up to five. It took a big leap forward earlier this year with the release of Motorola Signature, which promises seven generations of major OS upgrades. That’s the best you can get on an Android device.

In February, Motorola surprised with the Android 17 beta announcement just days after Google announced the Android 17 Beta 1, while other brands took over a month. Even more surprising is that the beta program now covers over a dozen Motorola devices, while other non-Google brands have offered it for very few of their phones.

Motorola seems to be taking its software game seriously, and I hope to see quicker update rollouts this year. Also, it would be very welcoming to hear an official rollout schedule for the upcoming OS releases, providing more clarity on when users can expect the updates to land on their phones.

Be sure to visit the Motorola section on Gizmochina to stay up-to-date with the latest news and developments. Or, if you prefer instant updates, don’t forget to join our Telegram channel.

Honor Magic 9 Pro Max leaks with two 200MP cameras, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro

By

Rajesh Regmi

-

May 8, 2026

The Honor Magic 9 series is still months away from its official launch, but several details about the device have already surfaced online. The latest leak reveals new information about the Honor Magic 9 Pro Max, including the display, chipset, camera, and battery.

Honor Magic 9 Pro Max Specifications

From the leak, the upcoming Honor Magic 9 Pro Max is tipped to feature a 6.8-inch 1.5K LTPO flat display with slightly curved 2.5D glass. The panel is also expected to support adaptive refresh rate technology, as is usual for a 2026 flagship.

Under the hood, the phone is rumored to use the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro chipset, which will reportedly be based on a 2nm process. While Qualcomm has not officially announced the processor yet, previous reports suggest the chip could deliver desktop-level 5GHz speed.

The camera specs for the Magic 9 Pro Max could include a 200-megapixel primary camera using a large 1/1.28-inch sensor. In addition, the device may feature a 200-megapixel periscope telephoto camera with a large sensor setup for long-range zoom photography.

Moreover, the engineering prototype of the Magic 9 Pro Max is said to have a battery capacity starting with “8,” suggesting that the final device will pack a battery no less than 8,000mAh.

The leak further mentions support for wireless charging, 3D face recognition, and a 3D ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner. The phone is also tipped to carry IP68 and IP69 ratings for dust and water resistance, and “master-level symmetrical dual speakers” for audio.

As with early smartphone leaks, these details should be treated with caution until Honor officially confirms the specifications. However, since the information comes from the reliable insider Digital Chat Station, there may be some credibility to the claims.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Stay ahead in tech! Join our Telegram community and sign up for our daily newsletter of top stories! 💡

(Source)

Huawei nova 15 Max launches globally with EMUI instead of HarmonyOS

By

Rajesh Regmi

-

May 8, 2026

Huawei held a launch event yesterday in Bangkok, Thailand, to introduce a range of smartwatches, including the Watch Ultimate Design. The MatePad Pro Max also launched as the world’s thinnest flagship tablet.

The sole smartphone entry at the event is the Huawei nova 15 Max, which mirrors the Chinese Huawei Enjoy 90 Pro Max, but with software and storage tweaks for global markets.

Huawei launched the nova 15 Max globally in a single 256GB variant. Instead of shipping with its proprietary HarmonyOS 6, the nova 15 Max runs EMUI 14.2 out of the box. That’s not particularly surprising, since Huawei continues to keep HarmonyOS largely limited to China while relying on EMUI for international devices.

Huawei hasn’t officially confirmed the chipset on its global website yet, but the Chinese model uses the Kirin 8000 processor.

Huawei nova 15 Max Specifications

The Huawei nova 15 Max features a large 6.84-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2756 x 1272. It also supports a 120Hz refresh rate and 2160Hz PWM dimming for a flicker-free experience.

The phone packs an 8500mAh battery, which Huawei pairs with 40W fast charging.

On the camera side, Huawei is keeping things relatively simple. The phone includes a dual rear camera system consisting of a 50-megapixel RYYB main sensor alongside a secondary 2-megapixel camera.

One of the more distinctive additions is the customizable “X button” located on the side of the device. Huawei says the button can be used to quickly access commonly used functions and apps. It can also control smart devices like televisions and air conditioners, trigger emergency contact calls with one press, or instantly launch tools such as the flashlight, camera, calculator, or calendar.

The Huawei nova 15 Max is available in Blush Gold, Golden Black, and Lake Cyan colors in select EU countries. It’s priced at €449.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Stay ahead in tech! Join our Telegram community and sign up for our daily newsletter of top stories! 💡

(Source)

Motorola Razr Fold Launches in India on May 13 With Snapdragon 8 Gen 5

By

Sudhanshu

-

May 8, 2026

Motorola is bringing its first book-style foldable smartphone to India on May 13. The company has confirmed that the Motorola razr fold will launch in the country after being introduced at MWC earlier this year. The device has already reached Europe and is also scheduled to arrive in China this month.

What does the display offer?

The razr fold uses a book-style folding design, marking a shift from Motorola’s better-known clamshell foldables. When shut, the phone has a 6.56-inch external display for quick use without opening the device. Once unfolded, it offers an 8.1-inch 2K LTPO main display.

Motorola is also using Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 3 on the device. The company says this makes it the first smartphone to feature the new glass and claims it offers a 75% improvement in drop performance compared with earlier generations.

What are the key specs?

The phone runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Mobile Platform and ships with Android 16. Motorola is also promising long-term software support, including up to seven Android OS upgrades and seven years of security updates.

For cameras, the razr fold comes with a 50MP triple rear camera setup. It also includes two selfie cameras, with a 32MP camera on the external screen and a 20MP camera on the internal display.

The device packs a 6000mAh silicon-carbon battery, which is large for a foldable phone. Charging support includes 80W TurboPower wired charging and 50W TurboPower wireless charging.

Motorola will offer the razr fold in two Pantone color options: Blackened Blue and Lily White. Buyers will get two memory and storage variants, 12GB RAM with 256GB storage and 16GB RAM with 512GB storage.

The Motorola razr fold will be sold through Flipkart, motorola.in, and offline retail stores after its India launch. Pricing details are expected to be announced at the May 13 launch event.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Stay ahead in tech! Join our Telegram community and sign up for our daily newsletter of top stories! 💡

Huawei’s new kids’ watches bring dual cameras, GPS tracking, and SOS alerts

By

Sudhanshu

-

May 8, 2026

Huawei has launched two new smartwatches built for children. The Huawei Watch Kids X1 and Watch Kids X1 Pro were announced globally at the company’s Innovative Product Launch, alongside the Watch Fit 5 series, Watch Ultimate Design Spring Edition, and Watch GT Runner 2 Racing Legend Edition.

What makes the design different?

Both watches use a kid-focused design with a flippable and 360-degree rotatable body. The Watch Kids X1 comes with a soft silicone strap, while the Pro model adds a detachable design that lets the watch sit inside a camera case included in the box. Huawei says this lets children use it more like a camera for taking pictures.

The watches feature a 1.82-inch AMOLED display with a 480 x 408 pixel resolution and a pre-applied anti-sunlight screen protective film. Both models also include a 5MP 110-degree wide front camera and a 13MP rear camera for photos and HD video calls through Huawei’s FamCare app.

How does Huawei track safety?

Huawei is also focusing heavily on child safety. The Watch Kids X1 series supports dual-band GNSS positioning, dual-band Wi-Fi for indoor assistance, cellular connectivity, WLAN, Bluetooth, and GNSS. Through the FamCare app, parents can check real-time activity status, set safe or dangerous zones, receive alerts when children enter or leave those areas, take video calls from the watch, set focus time, limit app use, and block calls.

There is also an Emergency SOS button on the side. Pressing it five times can send an SOS message or place a call using cellular connectivity. Health features include emotional well-being monitoring and heart rate tracking.

Both watches include 2GB of RAM. The Watch Kids X1 has 32GB of storage, while the X1 Pro gets 64GB. Sensors include a barometer, gyroscope, accelerometer, optical heart rate sensor, magnetometer, and Hall effect sensor. They also come with a speaker, microphone, 2 ATM, IP68, and IP69 water resistance, and up to one day of typical battery life.

Pricing & availability

The Huawei Watch Kids X1 comes in Blue and Pink for 249 euros, about $293. The Watch Kids X1 Pro comes in Black and Purple for 349 euros, about $410. Both models are expected to go on sale soon across several countries.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Stay ahead in tech! Join our Telegram community and sign up for our daily newsletter of top stories! 💡

Google’s new Fitbit Air is a tiny screenless tracker built for all-day health tracking

By

Sudhanshu

-

May 8, 2026

Google has introduced the Fitbit Air, a screenless wearable aimed at users who want health tracking without wearing a full smartwatch. The device uses a small “pebble” design and depends on a paired phone for viewing health data and notifications.

How small is the Fitbit Air?

The Fitbit Air is the smallest tracker in Google’s current Fitbit lineup. It measures 34.9mm long, 17mm wide, and 8.3mm thick. The pebble alone weighs 5.2 grams, while the tracker with a band weighs 12 grams. Its housing is made from recycled polycarbonate and PBT plastics, and the standard bands use textile material with a stainless steel buckle. The device is water-resistant up to 50 meters.

Despite the compact build, the Fitbit Air includes an optical heart rate monitor, 3-axis accelerometer and gyroscope, red and infrared sensors for SpO2 monitoring, a device temperature sensor, and a vibration motor. It can track 24/7 heart rate, resting heart rate, heart rate variability, blood oxygen levels, sleep duration, sleep stages, and heart rhythm, including atrial fibrillation alerts.

Battery life is rated at up to seven days. Google says a full charge takes 90 minutes, while a five-minute quick charge can provide one day of use. The device uses a lithium-polymer battery and Bluetooth 5.0.

What can it track without a screen?

The Fitbit Air works through the Google Health app and is compatible with Android and iOS. Workouts can be started manually, while automatic activity detection can recognize common activities and adapt to the user over time. It also connects with Google Health Coach for personalized guidance. The app supports image-based workout logging, including photos of cardio machines or whiteboard circuit routines.

Google is also positioning the device as a companion for Pixel Watch users. Someone can wear a Pixel Watch during the day and switch to the Fitbit Air at night while keeping health metrics continuous.

Pricing & availability

The standard Fitbit Air is available for preorder at $99.99 and includes a three-month Google Health Premium trial. Accessory bands start at $34.99. A Stephen Curry Special Edition Performance Loop band in rye brown with orange accents costs $129.99 and reaches U.S. stores on May 26.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Stay ahead in tech! Join our Telegram community and sign up for our daily newsletter of top stories! 💡

Xiaomi open-sources OmniVoice voice cloning model with support for hundreds of languages

By

Rajesh Regmi

-

May 8, 2026

Xiaomi has announced that its AI Lab’s new-generation Kaldi team has open-sourced a new text-to-speech (TTS) model called OmniVoice. According to the company, the model is designed to deliver high-quality speech synthesis across hundreds of languages while also supporting voice cloning and customizable speech generation.

The announcement was shared through Xiaomi’s official WeChat account, where the company claimed that OmniVoice performs strongly in both Chinese and English scenarios and competes with, and in some multilingual tasks surpasses, existing commercial systems.

Xiaomi Omnivoice voice cloning model open source

Prev Next

1. Xiaomi OmniVoice focuses on multilingual speech synthesis

One of the biggest highlights of OmniVoice is its support for low-resource languages. Xiaomi says the model can generate speech in “almost any language imaginable,” including languages with very limited online training data. The company describes OmniVoice as the industry’s first voice cloning TTS model that covers hundreds of languages.

In multilingual testing, the OmniVoice outperformed several commercial systems across 24 languages in terms of speech similarity and intelligibility, even when trained only on open-source datasets. The company also claims that in testing across 102 languages, OmniVoice’s speech intelligibility was close to, or in some cases better than, real human speech.

The model is also designed to work with limited training data. According to the brand, even languages with less than 10 hours of training material can still achieve high-quality speech synthesis, which could help expand speech technology support for smaller regional and niche languages.

2. Simpler architecture with faster performance

Xiaomi also says OmniVoice uses a much simpler architecture compared to many current speech synthesis systems. Instead of relying on several different modules and prediction stages, the model uses a single bidirectional Transformer network to directly convert text into speech. This removes the need for separate text modeling, complex hybrid structures, and multi-level token prediction systems that are commonly found in modern TTS models.

The simplified design also improves speed as the OmniVoice is claimed to complete training on 100,000 hours of data in a single day. During inference, the model can run at up to 40 times real-time speed using PyTorch, which could make it easier to deploy in consumer applications and services.

According to Xiaomi, two major design choices helped improve the model’s performance. The first is a “full codebook random masking strategy,” which reportedly boosts training efficiency and overall model capability.

The second is the use of a large language model during pre-training. Xiaomi says this is the first time a large language model has been effectively integrated into a non-autoregressive TTS model to improve pronunciation accuracy and speech intelligibility.

3. Real-world use features

Alongside multilingual speech generation, OmniVoice includes several practical features. Users can create custom voices simply by describing characteristics such as age, gender, pitch, accent, dialect, or speaking style. The model can even generate whispering voices and other special speech styles without requiring a reference audio sample.

Another feature focuses on noisy audio environments. Xiaomi says OmniVoice can automatically remove background noise from reference recordings and extract clearer voice characteristics, allowing better-quality voice cloning even when the original audio is recorded in less-than-ideal conditions.

The model also supports expressive speech synthesis through intonation controls, including laughter and sighing effects, making generated voices sound more natural and conversational.

For pronunciation accuracy, OmniVoice includes tools that allow users to manually correct difficult pronunciations, including polyphonic Chinese characters and English proper nouns. Xiaomi says this can improve the reliability of synthesized speech in real-world applications.

(Github | Demo | Huggingface)

DJI Osmo Mobile 8P goes global with detachable controller

By

Debasish

-

May 8, 2026

DJI has officially launched the Osmo Mobile 8P globally, and this time, the biggest upgrade is the new detachable remote. Announced on May 7, the Osmo Mobile 8P builds on the previous model with better tracking and a few smarter shooting tools, but the main focus is clearly giving solo creators more control when filming themselves.

The new remote, called Osmo FrameTap, comes bundled with every version of the gimbal. It’s a small magnetic touchscreen controller weighing around 29g, and it connects over Bluetooth with a range of up to 10 meters.

What makes it interesting is that it can display a live preview from the connected phone, letting users adjust framing remotely instead of constantly walking back to check shots. You can switch tracking subjects, control zoom and gimbal movement through an on-screen joystick, and even tweak fill light settings directly from the remote.

For Android users, DJI is also supporting direct phone screen mirroring on the controller itself. In practical terms, it means creators can use the rear camera for selfies or position the phone farther away while still keeping control of the shot. That kind of setup usually requires much more expensive gear, so it’s a fairly useful addition for vloggers and solo shooting.

Tracking has also been upgraded. DJI says the new ActiveTrack 8.0 system handles crowded environments more reliably, even when subjects move quickly or get briefly blocked from view. The optional Multifunctional Module 2 takes things further by expanding tracking beyond humans and pets to objects like vehicles or landmarks.

For iPhone users, there’s also Apple DockKit support, which allows native tracking directly inside compatible apps including the stock Camera app, YouTube, and Blackmagic Camera.

Outside of the new remote features, the Osmo Mobile 8P keeps most of the things people already expect from DJI’s smartphone gimbals. You still get 3-axis stabilization, a built-in extension rod, foldable tripod, and up to 10 hours of battery life under certain conditions.

The DJI Mimo app also adds a few extra shooting modes like DynamicZoom, Slow Shutter, and Action Shot, alongside 360-degree spin support for more stylized clips.

Pricing and availability

Pricing starts at €159 for the standard bundle, while higher-end kits with the Multifunctional Module 2 and microphone accessories go up to €219. One thing worth noting is that, similar to the previous generation, the Osmo Mobile 8P isn’t launching in the US.

DJI

Casio launches new stainless steel automatic watch with three dial variants in the US

By

Soumyakanti

-

May 7, 2026

Casio is bringing a new set of mechanical watches to the US market under its motorsport-focused Edifice brand. The new EFK110D series, which initially launched in Japan earlier this month, is now listed on Casio’s US website with a retail price of $300.

Design Details

The EFK110D line includes three models differentiated by their dial colors: the EFK110D-1A in black, the EFK110D-2A in blue, and the EFK110D-7A in white. One of the primary hardware details is the case size. Casio built these watches with a 38mm stainless steel case, a relatively compact footprint compared to the larger designs often found in the sports watch category. The case measures 11.8mm thick, and the watch weighs 143 grams when paired with its included solid stainless steel bracelet.

For the dial, Casio used an electroforming process to add a physical texture to the surface. The layout is straightforward, featuring partially hollowed hour and minute hands, applied bar indexes with brushed finishes, and a standard date window. The dial is protected by a sapphire crystal, which provides standard scratch resistance for daily wear.

Inside the case, the watch is powered by a Japanese automatic movement. It is a 21-jewel mechanism operating at 21,600 vibrations per hour, providing a standard 42-hour power reserve. It features a hacking function, meaning the seconds hand stops when you pull the crown out to set the time accurately. The movement is visible through a screw-lock, see-through case back.

Casio rates the accuracy at -20 to +40 seconds per day. This is typical for entry-level mechanical movements and generally sufficient for everyday wear. The watch also includes a solid stainless steel bracelet with a one-touch three-fold clasp and 100-meter water resistance, making it suitable for swimming and daily use.

While Casio has not announced a specific date for when pre-orders/availability will open, the official US listings indicate the watches are scheduled to become available for purchase later in May.

In related news, Casio also launched the $880 rainbow-finish metal G-Shock watch recently in the US, alongside five new Electro Green G-Shock models with neon accents.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Stay ahead in tech! Join our Telegram community and sign up for our daily newsletter of top stories! 💡

(Casio 1,2,3)

Xiaomi launches new titanium steel electric kettle with 1.7-liter capacity

By

Soumyakanti

-

May 7, 2026

Xiaomi has introduced a new home appliance to its lineup in China: the Mijia Constant Temperature Electric Kettle Titanium Steel Edition. It is priced at 139 yuan (roughly $20) and is now available on the Youpin platform.

Xiaomi Electric Kettle Titanium Steel Edition

Mijia Electric Kettle Titanium Steel Specifications

The primary update in this model is the interior construction. Instead of the standard 304 stainless steel found in most budget kettles, Xiaomi is using 316Ti food-contact-grade titanium steel.

The company says that this material provides better resistance to corrosion and acid-alkali wear over time. For everyday use, this means the kettle is less likely to degrade or impart a metallic taste to the water after months of regular boiling.

To make maintenance easier, the interior is a single, seamless piece of metal, which helps prevent hard water scale from building up in hard-to-reach crevices. The top opening is 13.5cm wide, providing enough room to comfortably fit a hand inside for cleaning.

In terms of capacity, the kettle holds 1.7 liters of water, which yields about eight standard cups per boil. It sits on a 1800W base designed for fast and even heating.

The most notable functional feature is the constant temperature mode. By pressing a button on the base, users can set the kettle to hold water at a steady 55°C (about 131°F). It uses a low-power PTC insulation system that can maintain this temperature for up to 24 hours. It is a practical addition for people who regularly drink tea or warm water throughout the day and want to avoid boiling a fresh pot every time.

Xiaomi has also included several standard safety features. The kettle has a dual-layer insulated exterior, so the outside remains safe to touch even when the water inside is boiling.

The lid uses a two-stage dampened opening mechanism, which opens slowly to prevent a sudden rush of hot steam. It also includes dry-boil prevention, automatic shut-off, and overheat protection, managed by a thermostat that has reportedly undergone 10,000 durability tests.

In related news, Xiaomi has recently unveiled a new aluminum-body electric toothbrush with real-time brushing analysis, alongside an ultra-slim 10kg washer dryer featuring smart wash and drying modes.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Stay ahead in tech! Join our Telegram community and sign up for our daily newsletter of top stories! 💡

(Youpin)

Xiaomi launches new aluminum-body electric toothbrush with real-time brushing analysis

By

Soumyakanti

-

May 7, 2026

Xiaomi has released a new electric toothbrush in China, the Mijia Sonic Vibration Electric Toothbrush Pro. It has a suggested retail price of 549 yuan (roughly $80), with introductory pricing set at 505 yuan ($74). The toothbrush comes in dark blue, light gold, and light purple colors.

Xiaomi Mijia Sonic Vibration Electric Toothbrush Pro

Mijia Sonic Vibration Electric Toothbrush Pro Specs

The toothbrush is built around what Xiaomi calls a dual-degree-of-freedom motor. The goal of this motor is to automatically replicate the Bass method, which is the brushing technique most dental professionals recommend for cleaning along the gumline.

To achieve this, the brush combines a 1mm horizontal vibration with a 30-degree vertical sweeping motion. The hardware is capable of 30,720 vertical sweeps and 600 horizontal vibrations per minute. It also features an automatic resistance adjustment system, meaning the toothbrush will dial back its power if you press too hard against your gums.

To track your brushing, the device relies on an internal six-axis sensor. The sensor identifies the position and angle of the brush head in your mouth, distinguishing between chewing surfaces, the inner arch, and the back molars. It then adjusts the vibration pattern based on where you are brushing.

All of this tracking data is sent to the color screen on the handle. While you brush, the display shows your duration, coverage area, and pressure warnings. When you turn it off, the screen generates a brief report that highlights any zones in your mouth that need more attention.

For deeper customization, the toothbrush connects to the Mijia app, where you can manually adjust the vibration intensity, sweeping range, and brushing time, or select specific routines for sensitive teeth.

Physically, the toothbrush has an anodized aluminum alloy body, which is a departure from the standard plastic used in most electric toothbrushes. It is IPX8 water-resistant and includes a soft rubber shock-absorbing structure to reduce the amount of vibration you feel in your hand. The brush head itself can flex up to 45 degrees to help reach the back of the mouth.

The device ships with three interchangeable brush heads: a standard cleaning head, a whitening head with polishing bristles, and a softer option for gum care. The bristles use fading technology to indicate when they need to be replaced, which is typically every three months.

In related news, Xiaomi has recently launched the Mijia Smart Dishwasher Pro, featuring a BLDC frequency conversion motor and a built-in detergent tank, alongside a new ultra-slim 10kg washer dryer with intelligent wash and drying modes.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Stay ahead in tech! Join our Telegram community and sign up for our daily newsletter of top stories! 💡

(Youpin)

DJI ROMO 2 robot vacuum confirmed to launch on May 11

By

Debasish

-

May 7, 2026

DJI is getting ready to launch its next robot vacuum, the ROMO 2, on May 11. The biggest hints so far revolve around navigation and low-clearance cleaning.

An official teaser video suggests the ROMO 2 can slide under beds and sofas with very little space underneath, something many robot vacuums still struggle with. Another teaser suggests the vacuum can move around objects placed on the floor, without bumping into them. That likely points to improvements in obstacle detection and movement precision.

There are also hints at better mopping performance this time around, including quicker floor drying after cleaning, though DJI hasn’t officially detailed how that system works yet. For context, DJI only entered the robot vacuum space relatively recently with the first-generation ROMO lineup, which launched in China last year. Unsurprisingly, the company leaned heavily on its drone experience for things like navigation and sensing.

The original ROMO models used a combination of dual fisheye cameras and solid-state LiDAR for mapping and obstacle avoidance, helping them move through crowded spaces with very little manual intervention. Some versions even came with transparent design elements, giving them a more futuristic look than most robot vacuums on the market.

On the cleaning side, DJI advertised suction power up to 25,000Pa, alongside dual robotic arms for edge cleaning and anti-tangle roller brushes aimed at handling long hair more effectively. The docking station was also fairly ambitious, supporting self-cleaning and long maintenance intervals of up to 200 days. The ROMO 2 will likely build on most of that rather than completely changing direction.

At this point, full specs are still under wraps, but the quick follow-up launch suggests DJI is moving aggressively in this category. The company is clearly trying to position itself against established names like Roborock and Ecovacs, especially in the premium smart cleaning segment.

As usual, China will probably get the device first, with wider availability coming later if DJI follows the same rollout strategy as before.

Don’t miss a thing! Join our Telegram community for instant updates and grab our free daily newsletter for the best tech stories!

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Sources: DJI on Weibo (1), (2)

iQOO Z11 launches globally with Snapdragon 7s Gen 4, massive 9020mAh battery, 144Hz display

By

Debasish

-

May 7, 2026

iQOO has officially launched the new Z11 and Z11x in Malaysia, bringing the standard model outside China for the first time. And looking at the specs, battery life is very clearly the main focus here.

iQOO Z11 specifications:

The regular iQOO Z11 is the more premium of the two, and honestly, the first thing most people will notice is the massive 9,020mAh battery. That’s unusually large even by current standards. What’s interesting is that iQOO still managed to keep the phone relatively slim at 8.25mm and reasonably manageable at 213g. Charging goes up to 90W, and there are a few extra battery-related features as well, including bypass charging and long-term battery health protection.

The phone also gets a large 6.83-inch AMOLED display with 1.5K resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. Brightness can apparently hit 5,000 nits in certain conditions, though as usual, that number likely applies to small HDR highlights rather than full-screen use.

Under the hood is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chip, replacing the Dimensity 8500 used in the Chinese variant, paired with up to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. Benchmark comparisons from NanoReview suggest the Dimensity 8500 delivers noticeably stronger CPU and GPU performance.

iQOO is also using a fairly large vapor chamber cooling setup here, likely because the phone is being positioned partly toward mobile gamers. The cameras are decent on paper, though clearly not the main selling point. You get a 50MP Sony IMX882 primary camera, a 2MP depth sensor, and a 32MP front camera with 4K recording support.

iQOO Z11x specifications:

The Z11x sits lower in the lineup but keeps a surprisingly similar overall approach. It swaps the AMOLED panel for a 6.76-inch LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate and uses MediaTek’s Dimensity 7400-Turbo chipset instead. Battery capacity drops to 7,200mAh, though that’s still a large capacity for a smartphone in 2026.

Charging is reduced to 44W, but the phone still keeps the IP68 and IP69 ratings. Camera hardware includes a 50MP Sony IMX852 main sensor, a 2MP depth camera, and a 32MP selfie shooter.

Pricing and availability:

Pricing in Malaysia for the standard Z11 starts at RM1,899 for the 8GB + 256GB version, while the 12GB + 256GB model is priced at RM2,199. The Z11x starts at RM1,299 for the 8GB + 128GB variant, while the 256GB version comes in at RM1,599.

Both phones are already available through the company’s official website in Malaysia. As part of a limited 10-day launch offer, the base variants are currently discounted to RM1,599 for the Z11 and RM1,099 for the Z11x.

Don’t miss a thing! Join our Telegram community for instant updates and grab our free daily newsletter for the best tech stories!

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

(Sources: iQOO Z11 | iQOO Z11x)

Anker launches ultra slim 10,000mAh magnetic power bank with 15W wireless charging

By

Soumyakanti

-

May 7, 2026

Magnetic battery packs are convenient, but the 10,000mAh models usually come with a clear downside: they add a lot of bulk to your phone. Anker is trying to address that with its new Air+ Ultra Slim Magnetic Power Bank (Nano), which recently went on presale in China for 399 yuan ($58).

Anker Air+ Ultra Slim Magnetic Power Bank Specs

The focus of this new battery pack is keeping the physical footprint down while maintaining a standard 10,000mAh (39.2Wh) capacity. It measures 1.47cm thick and weighs about 210 grams. While it’s not weightless, it is thinner than most standard magnetic power banks in this capacity range.

Anker designed the dimensions so it fits properly on the back of supported iPhones, meaning it shouldn’t block the camera bump or stick out past the bottom edge of the device. It attaches using 17 built-in rubidium magnets, which provide a 12.8N magnetic force. It will also work through magnetic phone cases, provided they are under 1mm thick.

For charging, the specs are solid and practical. If you use it wirelessly, it outputs up to 15W for compatible iPhones. According to Anker, that will get an iPhone 17 Pro to about 40% in 30 minutes.

If you need to charge faster, there is a USB-C port that supports up to 30W for both charging your phone and recharging the battery pack itself. Using a cable, an iPhone 17 Pro can reach 50% in around 22 minutes.

The power bank uses ATL battery cells, which is the same supplier Apple uses for its devices. To keep things from getting too warm during use, the internal structure includes high-polymer graphene materials and a dedicated temperature control chip. Interestingly, you can also connect the power bank to Anker’s companion app to monitor the battery’s health and check its real-time temperature.

On the safety side, the device meets China’s 2026 safety standards, passing tests for puncture resistance, compression, and heat exposure. It has a soft-touch finish with metallic accents and comes in four colors: Black, White, Blue, and Orange.

In related news, Ugreen has introduced a new 45W 10,000mAh power bank with a built-in PD3.0 USB-C cable, while OnePlus recently launched a 15,000mAh 120W power bank featuring enhanced battery safety technology.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Stay ahead in tech! Join our Telegram community and sign up for our daily newsletter of top stories! 💡

(JD)

Taiwanese Motherboard Market Faces Major Collapse in 2026

By

Joane

-

May 7, 2026

The consumer PC hardware market is reportedly heading toward one of its biggest downturns in years. According to a new report from DIGITIMES, major Taiwanese motherboard brands have sharply reduced their shipment targets for 2026 as rising hardware prices and weak demand continue to hurt the industry.

Companies including ASUS, Gigabyte, MSI, and ASRock are all expected to see major shipment declines next year.

AI-generated image for representation only

AI Demand Is Hurting Consumer Hardware Supply

One of the biggest reasons behind the slowdown is the rapid expansion of the AI industry. Chipmakers like Intel and AMD are reportedly prioritizing production of high-profit server processors such as Xeon and EPYC chips instead of consumer CPUs. As a result, desktop and laptop processors are facing supply shortages and price increases. Reports also suggest that additional CPU price hikes may arrive later in 2026.

RAM and Storage Prices Continue to Rise

Memory prices have also increased sharply over the past year. Reports claim RAM and storage now account for over 30% of a PC’s total build cost, compared to around 15% previously. Because of these rising costs, many laptop makers have increased prices by 10–20%, while some affordable models are now offering weaker specifications to keep prices under control. This has reduced consumer purchasing power and slowed upgrade demand.

GPU Market Shows Little Excitement

The gaming GPU market is also struggling to attract buyers. NVIDIA has not introduced major RTX 50 series upgrades in 2026, while rumors suggest the RTX 60 series may not launch until 2028. GPU prices also remain high in many regions, making gaming PC upgrades less attractive for consumers. Many users are reportedly choosing to keep their older PCs longer instead of spending heavily on new hardware.

Motherboard Brands Face Shipment Declines

ASUS is reportedly struggling to maintain even 10 million motherboard shipments in 2026 after shipping around 15 million units in 2025. Gigabyte, MSI, and ASRock are also expected to see major declines in motherboard sales as the overall DIY PC market weakens further.

AI Servers Become the Main Revenue Driver

Despite weaker consumer PC sales, companies are still expected to remain profitable thanks to booming AI server demand. AI servers are now generating significantly more revenue than traditional consumer hardware, helping brands offset declining motherboard and graphics card shipments.

Read More:

(via)

Oppo is testing a 100MP 1:1 selfie camera for future smartphones

By

Rajesh Regmi

-

May 7, 2026

When Apple introduced the iPhone 17 series last year, one of the more unusual hardware changes was its square-shaped front camera sensor.

Apple called the feature Center Stage, and it allows the camera to automatically frame shots in both vertical and horizontal orientations without needing to rotate the phone.

Now, it looks like Android brands are preparing to follow suit.

Oppo’s next phone could have a square selfie camera

According to tipster Digital Chat Station, a smartphone maker is currently evaluating a 100MP 1:1 square front-facing camera sensor. The tipster did not directly name the company, but the emoji shared in the post strongly suggests the device belongs to Oppo.

And this isn’t the first time Oppo has been rumored to be working on a square selfie camera technology. Back in February, the same source claimed that both Huawei and Oppo were paying close attention to 1:1 square sensors and were considering them for future front-facing cameras.

The biggest advantage of a square selfie sensor is flexibility. Traditional front cameras are usually optimized for vertical shots, which means users often need to rotate the phone horizontally to record wider selfie videos or group shots. A 1:1 square sensor changes that by capturing a larger image area.

The technology also pairs well with AI features. It can be helpful with features such as automatic subject centering and wider field-of-view adjustments for improved video calls, livestreams, and short-form content creation.

All iPhone 17s use a 24MP square sensor. Oppo testing a 100MP solution could result in higher-resolution selfies and more detailed video capture.

At the moment, there is no official confirmation from Oppo about the sensor or which smartphone could use it first. We will be sure to keep you in the loop if we get new updates.

Don’t miss a thing! Join our Telegram community for instant updates and grab our free daily newsletter for the best tech stories!

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Vivo X Fold 6 to swap Snapdragon for MediaTek Dimensity, 200MP camera leak

By

Rajesh Regmi

-

May 7, 2026

We have already seen a few foldable announcements in the first quarter of 2026, and there are certainly more coming in the months ahead. Insider Digital Chat Station (DCS) has now shared details about Vivo’s entry for this year, likely to be called the X Fold 6.

The most important detail here is that the X Fold 6 could use MediaTek’s Dimensity 9500. Vivo’s foldables have so far relied exclusively on Snapdragon chips, with the last model, the Vivo X Fold 5, shipping with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

If that happens, the X Fold 6 would also become the first foldable phone to launch with the Dimensity 9500.

Vivo X Fold 6 could upgrade the main camera to 200MP

On the camera side, the X Fold 5 features three 50MP lenses. The X Fold 6 is reportedly upgrading the main sensor to 200MP while retaining a 50MP ultra-wide and a 50MP 3x periscope telephoto camera. The circular camera module design is also expected to stay, at least based on the prototype device that DCS reportedly got hands-on with.

The X Fold 6 is said to include a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for biometrics, which is the usual choice for slim foldables.

And speaking of slim, Vivo made a point of the X Fold 5’s weight last year. At 217 grams, it was lighter than the iPhone 16 Pro Max at launch, and the company called it the lightest foldable it had ever made. The X Fold 6 is likely to build on that foundation.

Durability was another highlight of the X Fold 5. It comes with both IPX8 and IPX9 ratings and reportedly survived thousands of folding cycles in water. We hope the company brings further improvements this time around.

No launch date has been confirmed yet. The X Fold 5 launched in June last year at 6,999 yuan, so a similar timeline could place the X Fold 6 sometime this summer, although nothing has been finalized. We will know more once Vivo decides to make things official.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

Stay ahead in tech! Join our Telegram community and sign up for our daily newsletter of top stories! 💡