OnePlus 10R 5G’s Final Update: A Quiet Farewell to Major Upgrades

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Feb 22, 2025

The recent reports of Google exploring the integration of Bitcoin wallets into its ecosystem have sent shockwaves through the cryptocurrency community. If true, this move could potentially open the floodgates for mass adoption, allowing Google’s vast user base to access their Bitcoin holdings through their existing accounts. However, the news has also raised serious concerns about the implications for privacy, security, and the core principles of decentralization that underpin the cryptocurrency movement.

At first glance, Google’s proposed approach appears to offer a user-friendly entry point into Bitcoin. By embedding wallets within its platform and potentially incorporating crypto payments into Google Pay, the company could lower adoption barriers for the average user. Additionally, the use of advanced encryption technologies, such as Zero-Knowledge Proofs, may help address security concerns and improve trust between blockchain-based and traditional financial systems.

However, some in the cryptocurrency space are cautious about the idea of entrusting Bitcoin holdings to a large, centralized entity like Google. The company’s data collection practices have been a longstanding concern, and linking Bitcoin wallets to user identities raises privacy and censorship-related questions. Security is another major consideration, as past breaches in both the technology and cryptocurrency sectors highlight potential risks of hacking or unauthorized access to funds.

Storing private keys on Google’s servers would also challenge the principle of self-custody, which is central to Bitcoin’s philosophy. The phrase “not your keys, not your coins” is widely embraced within the community, reflecting the belief that users should have full control over their digital assets. Handing over custody to a third party could undermine this principle and shift Bitcoin’s usage toward a more traditional financial model.

Despite these concerns, Google’s involvement could also have positive effects on mainstream adoption. For those unfamiliar with cryptocurrency, the ability to access Bitcoin through a widely used platform could significantly improve ease of use. If Google can effectively address security and privacy challenges, its entry into the space may help expand cryptocurrency adoption and contribute to further innovation.

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(Via: Crypto news)

iQOO Arena Debuts in Delhi: Test-Drive Neo 10R’s 90 FPS Gaming Ahead of March Launch

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Feb 22, 2025

iQOO has opened its first pop-up store, iQOO Arena, in India at Select City Walk Mall, Saket, New Delhi. The store will operate from February 21 to 23, 2025, between 11 AM and 7 PM. Visitors can preview the iQOO Neo 10R before its official March 11 launch, exploring its high-performance gaming features.

The pop-up offers a hands-on experience through gaming zones, highlighting the Neo 10R’s stable 90 FPS gameplay for up to five hours. Powered by Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, the device features a 6400mAh battery and 80W Flashcharge, ensuring efficient long-duration performance. It will arrive in Moonknight Titanium and India-exclusive Raging Blue.

Nipun Marya, Chief Executive Officer at iQOO, said, “As we approach the iQOO Neo 10R launch, we’re thrilled to give customers an exclusive preview. Our first-ever iQOO Arena lets us directly engage with the youth seeking high-performance gaming. We believe the Neo 10R’s power will exceed expectations.”

Alongside the Neo 10R, the iQOO Arena also showcases the iQOO 13. Consumers can book the iQOO 13 at the store, and online buyers receive free TWS earbuds. Students can register for the iQOO Students Programme to win special giveaways.

Attendees can test device capabilities in real-world settings and explore new ways to enhance their gaming sessions. iQOO Arena underscores the brand’s commitment to performance, innovation, and user engagement.

The event provides a hands-on glimpse of the Neo 10R’s leading features ahead of its official launch, appealing to mobile gamers and tech enthusiasts alike. With direct demonstrations of high-FPS capabilities, iQOO sets out to reinforce its reputation as a performance-centric brand.

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JBL Flip 7 levels up with AI Audio, Bluetooth 5.4, and IP68 durability

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Feb 22, 2025

JBL has introduced the Flip 7, an upgraded portable Bluetooth speaker with AI-enhanced sound and improved wireless features. It comes in a gift box edition priced at 1,349 yuan ($186), with pre-orders starting on February 24 and an early-bird offer lowering the price to 1,149 yuan ($158).

JBL Flip 7 Specifications

JBL has enhanced the Flip series with AI-powered audio tuning through its JBL AI Sound Boost algorithm, which optimizes sound in real-time. The Flip 7 features a high-performance acoustic chamber with an independent tweeter, a race-track shaped mid-bass driver, and dual passive radiators. This setup ensures well-balanced audio with deep bass, clear mids, and crisp highs, delivering an immersive experience in any environment.

It comes with an IP68-rated dustproof and waterproof design, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. The rugged fabric mesh and sturdy construction ensure resistance against dust, water immersion, and accidental drops. The Flip 7 is designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, whether it’s heavy rain, sandstorms, or being submerged in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes.

The Flip 7 is powered by Bluetooth 5.4, providing faster pairing speeds, lower latency, and improved energy efficiency. Additionally, it supports Auracast, allowing users to pair multiple compatible JBL speakers for a stereo experience or synchronized multi-speaker playback. This feature enables users to create an expansive soundstage, perfect for parties and outdoor events.

For those seeking lossless audio, the Flip 7 includes a USB Type-C audio input integrated with a high-quality DAC chip, ensuring a premium listening experience when connected to computers or compatible devices.

The Flip 7 sports a fast-detachable carrying accessory system with JBL’s innovative Pushlock mechanism, making it easy to attach and remove accessories like a wrist strap or carabiner.

It is powered by a high-capacity lithium-ion polymer battery, offering up to 14 hours of continuous playback, with an additional 2 hours using Playtime Boost mode. Charging is via USB Type-C, while Playtime Boost extends battery life by adjusting bass and disabling EQ settings.

In terms of dimensions, the JBL Flip 7 measures 182.5 x 69.5 x 71.5 mm and weighs 0.56 kg (1.23 lbs), making it compact and portable. The packaging includes a custom gift box, a handbag, a red Flip 7 speaker, and a 10 cm plush mascot keychain.

In related news, Mechrevo has introduced the Soul MK01 Bluetooth speaker, which features a 52mm driver, Bluetooth 5.3, and a 1,800mAh battery.

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(Source)

OnePlus Nord CE 3 updated to OxygenOS 15 with multiple glitches

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Feb 22, 2025

OnePlus fans in India are getting their hands on the shiny new OxygenOS 15 update for the Nord CE 3 this week—except “shiny” might not be the right word. While the rollout promises AI features, smoother animations, and flashy themes, early adopters are hitting more potholes than perks.

Here’s what’s new

Let’s start with the positives: The update does bring some neat tricks. The AI Retouch tool lets you wipe reflections off photos, and the new battery “Charging Limit” stops charging at 80% to save your battery’s lifespan. Multitaskers might cheer for smoother split-screen gestures, and iPhone users can finally share files directly via OnePlus Share.

But here’s the catch—the headline AI features? Missing. The much-hyped AI reply tool for messages? Nowhere to be found. The “Circle to Search” shortcut? Ghosted. Even basic stuff, like the volume slider, has pulled a disappearing act for some. Users are reporting green and yellow lines flickering when switching screens, apps crashing randomly, and the camera struggling to keep up during 60fps video recording.

“It’s like getting a birthday cake without the frosting,” grumbled a Nord CE 3 owner on X. “The AI tools were why I updated, but half of them aren’t even here.”

Did OnePlus Rush the Update?
The Nord CE 3 Lite got its OxygenOS 15 update first, but the CE 3’s rollout feels…unfinished. Promised “flux themes” are MIA, Live Alerts glitch out in landscape mode, and Quick Settings tiles behaving like moody teenagers. OnePlus hasn’t said when fixes are coming, though a patch is likely in the works.

The irony isn’t lost on users. Buried in the update is a cheeky easter egg in the Calculator app (type “1+=” to see it).

OnePlus Nord CE3 5G OxygenOS 15 update Changelog

Animations

System-wide swipe consistency is extended to third-party apps, including WebView interfaces, for a uniform scrolling experience across the entire system.
Improves the animations when opening or exiting apps, swiping, flipping pages, and more, as well as adds animation settings for fluency.

AI Retouch

The Enhance clarity feature is added to restore detail to blurred images, making cropped, zoomed-in or low-quality photos appear clearer and more defined.
With AI Reflection Eraser, blurred photos regain their sharpness, color accuracy, and lighting, ensuring that special moments with pets, kids, and others are vividly preserved.
The new Remove reflections feature eliminates unwanted reflections from glass, allowing you to capture more natural photos when shooting through windows.

AI Notes

The new AI writing suite offers features such as continued writing, text polishing, and style enhancement to help you draft and improve your content to spark creativity effortlessly.
The new Format feature arranges fragmented content into structured and readable ones that are more attractive and reader-friendly.
The new Clean up feature refines voice recordings by eliminating filler words for better sentence clarity without altering the original audio.

Themes

The new flux themes feature a vast array of high-quality themes, allowing customization with system wallpapers and personal photos for a personalized touch.
Extensive customization is added for Always-On Display, the Lock screen, and the Home screen. Flux and classic modes are supported for Always-On Display. Clock color blending, blurred wallpapers, AI depth effects, AI auto-fills, and more are supported for the Lock screen. Blurred wallpapers, and more are supported for the Home screen.
Introduces flux themes with one-take transition animations, enabling seamless and smooth transitions between Always-On Display, Lock screen, and Home screen, significantly enhancing visual continuity.

Live Alerts

The new Live Alerts design is concentrated on efficient information visualization, positioned centrally for a balanced and streamlined display.
The new Live Alerts interaction allows capsules to expand into detailed cards with a tap, providing efficient access to multiple live activities by swiping in the status bar.
The new Live Alerts animation system brings a fluid, elastic design and dynamic blurring effects in real time, making card visuals smoother and more refined.
Now you can see the status of the torch on Live Alerts.
Now you can see the charging information on Live Alerts.
Fixes a display issue with existing icons on the status bar when a Live Alerts capsule is displayed.
Improves the layout of Spotify on Live Alerts and adds smart recommendations.

Photo editing

The new globally reversible photo editing capability saves previous edit settings for seamless subsequent edits, ensuring uninterrupted creative flow.
Adds Fresh, Emerald, and Clear film filters to Photo mode and Portrait mode.
The integration between Camera and filters is enhanced, allowing for the post-editing, changing, or removing of applied filters in Photos.

Floating Window and Split View

The new Floating Window gestures: you can swipe down a notification banner to open a floating window, swipe down to enlarge it, swipe up to close it, and swipe sideways to hide it.
Now you can drag a floating window to change it to full screen.
The resizable Split View windows allow you to drag the divider or tap the window for a more extensive display area.

Notifications & Quick Settings

The new Split mode allows separate access to the notification drawer (top-left swipe) and Quick Settings (top-right swipe), with swipe left or right to switch.
Quick Settings is revamped with a more visually appealing and consistent layout, along with refined and enhanced animations.

OnePlus Share

The new file transfer capability with iOS devices, easily connecting and sharing files through OnePlus Share.

Battery & charging

The new “Charging limit” feature halts charging at 80%, helping to extend battery life and minimize degradation.
The new battery protection reminder activates the Charging limit feature if the device remains charging for too long, enhancing battery protection.

More

Exclusive OxygenOS Always-On Displays and Lock screen clock styles are added for a unique visual experience.
The new Home screen clock widget gives you the flexibility to resize as desired.
An easter egg is added in Calculator and will pop up when you input “1+=”, embodying OnePlus’s enduring “Never Settle” mentality.
New wallpapers are added to infuse your device with OnePlus’s signature style.
Exclusive app icon designs for OxygenOS are added, offering a fresh visual experience.
Now you can swipe up to the left to quickly enable Split View when an app is displayed in full screen.
Adds the Voice Translate app that supports live translation, text translation and multilingual translation.
Now you can migrate live photos from iOS devices with Clone Phone.
Retouch appearance in video calls now supports more apps.
Boarding passes can now be recognised in Photos and added to Google Wallet.
The style and visuals of the Notes widgets are enhanced, making them more appealing and practical.
Apps in large folders can now be displayed in 3 × 3 grids.
Optimizes the widgets of Clock on the Home screen.
Optimizes the widgets of Notes on the Home screen.
The multitasking experience is enhanced by automatically guiding you to the last used app in the recent tasks view for easier app switching.
The Drawer mode is optimized to keep the existing Home screen app layout upon initial entry.

Privacy

The Private Safe is optimized by implementing categorized views for images, videos, and documents, simplifying data management.
A new Home screen entry is added for hidden apps, allowing quick access by tapping the folder and verifying your privacy password.

(Source, via)

This Mini LED TV Might Finally Make You Forget About OLED

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Feb 22, 2025

Skyworth has introduced the A5F Pro Mini LED TV, developed in collaboration with BOE. It features an industry-first Ultra Black Wide-Angle Paper-Like Screen for enhanced display performance. Available in 65, 75, 85, and 100-inch sizes, the TV is set to launch on March 7 in China. Pricing details have not yet been announced.

Skyworth A5F Pro Mini LED TV Specifications

At the heart of the A5F Pro is a QD-Mini LED panel featuring 1,056 dimming zones, ensuring precise backlight control and deep, OLED-like blacks. Traditional Mini LED screens sometimes suffer from halo effects and light leakage, but Skyworth’s proprietary Full-Link AI Halo Control minimizes these issues, delivering crisp visuals with unparalleled contrast.

The Ultra Black Wide-Angle Paper-Like Screen, developed in collaboration with BOE, introduces a triple-layer system that includes an LR low-reflection layer, an STW compensation layer, and an AG25 anti-glare layer. This combination ensures zero reflections, making it one of the most visually immersive displays on the market. Even in brightly lit rooms, the TV maintains deep blacks, rich contrast, and OLED-level color accuracy across all viewing angles.

The panel also integrates Quantum Dot technology, achieving 99% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage, and utilizes six-primary-color blue light enhancement to refine color reproduction.

Under the hood, the A5F Pro is equipped with a powerful AI image processing chip, ensuring top-tier upscaling, motion smoothing, and HDR tuning. It runs on the CoolAI Smart System, which incorporates DeepSeek AI, the first deep-learning AI engine in a TV, enabling smart home control, voice interaction, and real-time image enhancements.

The A5F Pro features an AI-powered processing engine that optimizes brightness, contrast, and HDR for enhanced visuals. It comes with adaptive motion smoothing to reduce stutter and blur in fast-paced scenes. Sporting a 288Hz refresh rate, it delivers smooth, fluid motion, making it a great choice for gaming and high-speed content.

Skyworth has elevated the audio experience with an industry-first built-in physical 4.2-channel soundbar, delivering 200W peak power. This Harman Audio EFX-tuned system features a three-way audio design, with dedicated high, mid, and low-frequency drivers ensuring a rich, immersive soundstage. The system integrates 12 acoustic drivers, creating a true cinematic surround sound experience without the need for external speakers.

Skyworth has also prioritized eye comfort and long-term viewing safety. The A5F Pro is certified with S++-grade eye protection, backed by both German TÜV and Chinese national safety standards. The display incorporates flicker-free technology, ambient light sensing, and low blue light emission, ensuring a comfortable viewing experience even during extended use.

Additionally, the A5F Pro supports an innovative high-bitrate frame-sharing theater function, allowing seamless content sharing across multiple screens without quality loss. This makes it an excellent choice for large households or multi-device streaming setups.

In related news, Konka recently launched the G9W Mini AI-LED Wallpaper TV, featuring a 165Hz display and an ultra-thin design. Meanwhile, Xiaomi’s latest Redmi Smart TVs offer 4K resolution, 120Hz MEMC, and AI-powered features at a budget-friendly price.

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(Via)

Infinix just launched an affordable QLED TV in India: 40-inch 40Y1V TV for just Rs 13,999

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Feb 22, 2025

Infinix has just announced a brand new QLED TV in the Indian market. This is the Infinix 40Y1V model that carries an affordable price tag despite its noteworthy features. So here’s everything you need to know about this TV like its specs, features, pricing, and other details.

Infinix 40Y1V QLED TV: Specs and Features

The smartphone maker’s latest product is the 40Y1V QLED TV which sports a 40-inch panel as the name suggests. It has a Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080p), a 60Hz refresh rate, 300 nits of peak brightness, and a near bezel less display. Infinix promises to offer sharp visuals with deep contrast with this new QLED TV. For audio, there is a dual 16W stereo speaker setup, which supports Dolby Audio for a more immersive audio-visual experience.

Under the hood, the Infinix 40Y1V QLED TV is equipped with a quad core CPU and a Mali-G31 GPU. This allows for an improved user experience while running the apps or navigating the UI. The chipset is paired with 4GB of internal storage that houses popular streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, JioHotstar, Sony Liv, and more. Connectivity options include two HDMI ports, two USB, LAN port, built-in WiFi, an RF port, an AV in port for older devices, a 3.5mm audio jack, and digital optical audio support.

Pricing and Availability

The Infinix 40Y1V QLED TV has just been unveiled in India for an introductory price tag of just 13,999 INR. So the price might see a slight bump after the initial release, but it is easily one of the most affordable QLED TVs out there. The company will kick off the first sale of the smart TV on 1st March 2025 from authorized retailers and popular e-commerce platforms. This launch arrives a few weeks after the brand launched the Infinix Smart 9 HD in the region.

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This mini PC from GMK supports 8K displays, 96GB RAM, and it’s surprisingly compact

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Feb 22, 2025

GMK has introduced its latest mini PC “GMK K10” in the Chinese market. It is available as a barebone unit or with 32GB RAM and a 1TB SSD. Sales start on March 1, with prices at 2,699 yuan ($372) for the base model and 3,699 yuan ($510) for the fully equipped version.

GMK K10 Mini PC Specifications

At the heart of the GMK K10 is the Intel Core i9-13900HK, a 13th-generation powerhouse with 14 cores and 20 threads, capable of reaching a turbo frequency of 5.4GHz. With Intel’s hybrid architecture, the chip balances performance and efficiency cores, delivering seamless multitasking across demanding applications. The processor’s 24MB Smart Cache further optimizes data access speeds, making the mini PC an attractive option for professionals working in data-intensive fields.

Performance potential doesn’t stop there. The GMK K10 supports up to 96GB of DDR5-5200MHz RAM, providing ample memory for heavy workloads such as virtualization, 3D rendering, and industrial automation. Storage capacity is equally impressive, with three M.2 2280 slots allowing for up to 12TB of SSD storage. This configuration makes the GMK K10 a compelling choice for users dealing with large datasets or content creation workflows.

Graphics performance is handled by Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics, supporting a dynamic frequency of 1.50GHz. The system also features multi-display support with four independent screen outputs and even 8K resolution capability through its Type-C port. These features position the mini PC as a viable solution for creative professionals needing high-resolution output, from video editing to CAD modeling.

Efficient heat dissipation is crucial in a compact system like this, and GMK has equipped the K10 with a high-flow turbine fan and superconducting copper cooling system. The machine also includes three power modes: Silent, Balanced, and High-Performance, allowing users to fine-tune performance according to workload requirements.

Connectivity is another strong suit of the GMK K10. The device offers an extensive range of ports, including an RJ45 2.5G Ethernet port, dual HDMI 2.0 ports, a DisplayPort, and a Type-C output. It also includes eight USB-A ports (four USB 3.2 and four USB 2.0) and a COM port, making it well-suited for industrial and embedded applications. Wireless connectivity is just as robust, with support for WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, ensuring fast and reliable connections.

Despite its compact form factor measuring just 188.6 x 178 x 38.9mm, the GMK K10 is built for stability and server-grade network transmission. It also includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, catering to users who require additional audio options.

The mini PC comes preloaded with Windows 11 Pro, though users will need to activate the operating system separately. GMK offers long-term technical support, including remote assistance and video tutorials, to ensure a smooth user experience.

In related news, Gigabyte recently introduced the GB-BRU5-225H mini PC, featuring an Intel Ultra 5 CPU, while Aoostar launched the GT37 Mini PC, equipped with an AMD Ryzen AI9 HX 370 processor, 32GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD.

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Massive One UI 7 delay making me lose trust in Samsung’s software update policy

By

Vicky

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Feb 22, 2025

We are just a week away from entering March 2025 yet Samsung hasn’t updated a single Galaxy device to stable One UI 7. The brand hasn’t even announced a rollout timeline as to when Galaxy owners can expect to receive the update. This is really disappointing from a brand that has raised the bar high for software updates in recent years.

Samsung has a large portfolio of devices, and it keeps adding dozens every year. Rolling out software updates in a timely manner to those devices is always going to be challenging, as the process requires extensive effort in planning, developing, testing, and deployment. However, Samsung has made remarkable strides in refining its update process over the years to deliver a significantly improved software experience to its Galaxy users.

The impressive work Samsung has done over the years has made it arguably the best Android brand when it comes to software updates. It has now become a routine for the brand to release newer security patches even ahead of Google, and its major update rollouts have been impressive, too.

Samsung typically launches the beta program at the beginning of Q4 and rolls out the stable version for several Galaxy flagships before the year ends. This has been the story in recent years, but that completely changed with Android 15 — and for bad reasons. The One UI 7 beta program kicked off in early December for the Galaxy S24 series with a slight delay. The more disappointing thing is that Samsung didn’t expand the beta program to any other device, leaving them with no option other than waiting for the stable update.

At the annual developer conference held in October 2024, Samsung revealed that there won’t be a stable release before 2025. But now we’re approaching March 2025, and the stable update is yet to be seen on any Galaxy device. This seems pretty unreasonable, particularly when the Galaxy S25 released in January runs the stable One UI 7, and the recently launched Galaxy A06 5G (a $110 phone) ships with One UI 7 from the factory.

While the reason behind this massive One UI 7 delay is unclear, many believe that this is being done intentionally to push Galaxy S25 sales. Whatever the reason is, this delay is hurting Samsung’s goodwill it has created over the year with its commendable software update policy and rollout speed. I see many Galaxy users talking about shifting to other brands because of this delayed rollout on Samsung’s subreddit and other forums.

This significant delay in rolling out the One UI 7 update is reportedly pushing Samsung to cancel One UI 7.1 because there won’t be enough time to make it happen without affecting future updates. Software is one of the biggest strengths of Galaxy devices, and any significant delay in updates could undermine the trust Samsung has built over the years. The brand should properly address any delays and announce its software plans more transparently, which will help build stronger ties with users.

More One UI stories:
1. Stable One UI 7 rollout could be closer as Samsung speeds up One UI 7 beta testing
2. One UI 7 might not bring this awesome Galaxy AI feature on older devices
3. One UI 7 will be the last major upgrade for these Galaxy devices
4. One UI 7 is massively delayed, but One UI 8 might arrive sooner than you think

Every Missing Feature on the iPhone 16e: Is It Still Worth Buying?

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Feb 22, 2025

After months of rumors, Apple finally released the iPhone 16e as its latest budget iPhone model. It arrives as the most affordable option in the iPhone 16 lineup and is a spiritual successor to the iPhone SE series as well. But for a slightly more affordable price tag, Apple had to cut corners on this new device. So here’s a list of all the missing features and whether it is worth buying.

1. MagSafe Charging

Wireless MagSafe charging has been a staple feature on the iPhone since the iPhone 12 series. Android manufacturers are only now slowly adopting the magnetic wireless charging feature, but the Cupertino based giant has decided to skip this on the iPhone 16e. While this isn’t entirely a crucial feature, there are many that relies on this technology and use it on a daily.

2. Missing Camera

The vanilla model from Apple’s flagship iPhones typically feature a dual camera setup that includes a primary and ultra wide angle lens. On the other hand, the Pro models pack an additional periscope telephoto camera for zoom shots. But for the iPhone 16e, the company decided to remove even the ultra wide angle lens. So you only get a single camera on the back. This does offer 2x optical zoom like quality, but no ultra wide capabilities.

3. Dedicated Camera Button

Apple iPhone 16e arrives with integration of Apple Intelligence that brings access to a bunch of AI powered tools and features. But while you’re getting this software feature that is also available on the iPhone 16 lineup, you’re skipping the dedicated button for camera control on the hardware side. To recall, this feature basically lets users have wider control over the camera functions with just a single button.

4. Dynamic Island

The Dynamic Island feature for the display was first introduced along with the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. With the iPhone 15 series, this feature became common across all four models. This was then continued all the way to the iPhone 16 lineup but was now skipped on the iPhone 16e. It is unclear why Apple made this move, considering how it’s almost the same size and shape as the base iPhone 16.

5. Lack of Precision Tracking for AirTags & AirPods

The iPhone 16e is the first to feature the new C1 modem, marking a shift away from Qualcomm’s Snapdragon modems. But this new chipset comes at the cost of the budget iPhone losing the UWB chip (Ultrawideband). The lack of this chip means that users don’t get access to the precision tracking that is support on the Apple AirTags and AirPods.

6. So is it worth buying?

The iPhone 16e sits in a very awkward spot among the Apple iPhone lineup. For just a little more money, you can get your hands on the iPhone 15 and get a more feature packed model. Even with its “budget” positioning, Apple has basically confirmed how the iPhone is a premium product regardless of the variant. You’re still paying a hefty sum for the barebones from Apple.

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HKC unveils an affordable 27-inch Fast IPS monitor with 2K and 260Hz overclocking

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Feb 22, 2025

HKC has introduced the G27H4 Classic Edition, a budget-friendly gaming monitor with a 260Hz refresh rate (overclocked), 1ms response time, and DisplayHDR 400 certification. It is priced at 1,099 yuan (~$150) and targets esports players and content creators. The first sale is set for March 1.

HKC G27H4 Classic Edition Specifications

The G27H4 Classic Edition features a 27-inch Fast IPS panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 16:9 aspect ratio, and a 178° viewing angle for consistent color accuracy and clarity. It has a typical brightness of 350 nits and an HDR peak brightness of 400 nits.

The monitor has an ultra-fast 260Hz refresh rate (overclocked), which ensures smooth and fluid motion, and reduces screen tearing and stuttering. Combined with a 1ms rapid response time, the G27H4 is well-suited for fast-action games like Valorant, CS2, and Apex Legends, where every millisecond counts.

The G27H4 sports a high dynamic range with DisplayHDR 400 certification, enhancing contrast and color depth for more realistic visuals. It covers 95% of the DCI-P3 color gamut and features a professional-grade ΔE≤2 color accuracy, ensuring true-to-life colors with a wide color spectrum. Additionally, it supports 134% sRGB and 112% AdobeRGB color volumes, making it ideal for gamers and content creators alike.

It equips advanced motion blur reduction technology, significantly improving image clarity during fast-paced action scenes. The built-in hardware-level low blue light technology helps reduce eye strain by minimizing harmful blue light emissions without distorting colors, allowing for comfortable extended gaming sessions.

Aesthetically, the G27H4 Classic Edition sticks to a sleek black design with a fixed stand and a hexagonal base, optimizing desk space. The compact form factor makes it ideal for dorm rooms and smaller setups.

For connectivity, it offers two HDMI 2.0 ports, one DisplayPort 1.4, and an audio output jack, ensuring compatibility with various gaming consoles, PCs, and multimedia devices. It also supports VESA wall mounting (75x75mm), allowing users to customize their setup for ergonomic convenience.

In related news, MSI recently launched a 26.5-inch QD-OLED monitor with a 240Hz refresh rate, while Samsung’s 4K 240Hz QD-OLED gaming monitor has just arrived in the Chinese market.

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Apple’s first foldable device could be an iPhone and iPad hybrid

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Feb 22, 2025

Apple is one of the only major smartphone brand that has yet to enter the foldable smartphone segment. However, there have been various rumors and reports of a foldable iPhone/iPad being in the works. Now, the latest leak arrives from China, revealing details regarding the foldable iPhone’s display sizes and design elements. So let’s check it out.

Apple Foldable iPhone Display & Design Tipped Once Again

The news arrives from a known tipster Digital Chat Station who shared the information on Weibo (a Chinese microblogging website). Looking at the online post, DCS claims that the upcoming Apple foldable device could sport a 5.49-inch external display, while its primary folding screen is a large 7.74-inch panel. While exact specifications regarding this display is still unknown, the tipster believes that Apple is making some notable improvements in the foldable formula.

As notebook style folding phones usually have a squarish main screen, the company could be working on a true iPhone/iPad hybrid that blends a smartphone and tablet experience. He believes that the APple foldable could unfold like an iPad. Furthermore, DCS also talked more about its design as well by comparing it with the Oppo Find N. Apple’s first ever foldable phone will be fatter and shorter than the Find N.

Unfortunately, the foldable iPhone is still a while away, with previous rumors hinting at a 2026 release. Based on what we know so far, Apple’s first iPhone is rumored to be a Fold and not a Flip with the device reportedly using a Samsung display. This is all the information we have at the moment, so stick around for more.

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Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE gets Bluetooth SIG certification ahead of launch

By

Rajesh Regmi

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Feb 22, 2025

Samsung launched the Galaxy Tab S9 FE in October 2023, which means its successor is already overdue based on the usual release cycle. While the Galaxy Tab S10 FE hasn’t been officially announced yet, it has surfaced on Samsung’s website and in multiple certifications, hinting that it’s very much in the pipeline. Still, Samsung hasn’t confirmed when—or if—it plans to launch the device.

Now, another certification adds to the growing list of clues. The upcoming tablet has been spotted in the Bluetooth SIG database, carrying several model numbers: SM-X520, SM-X528U, SM-X526B, SM-X526C, SM-X526E, and SM-X526N. Among these, the SM-X520 appears to be a Wi-Fi-only model, while the rest are 5G-enabled variants.

Details about the Tab S10 FE remain scarce, but early rumors suggest it could be powered by the Exynos 1580—an iterative upgrade over the Exynos 1380 found in its predecessor. The tablet is also tipped to feature a 12MP rear camera, up from the 8MP shooter on the Tab S9 FE.

Galaxy Tab S9 FE Specifications

The Galaxy Tab S9 FE features a 10.9-inch IPS LCD with a 1440 x 2304 resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate for smooth visuals. The rear houses an 8MP main camera, while the 12MP ultrawide front camera is built for selfies and video calls.

Under the hood, the tablet is powered by the Exynos 1380 SoC, built on a 5nm process. It comes in two configurations, 6/128GB and 8/256GB.

For connectivity, the Tab S9 FE supports Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and USB-C 2.0. Keeping it all running is a massive 8,000mAh battery with 45W fast charging. The tablet launched with Android 13 and is now upgradable to One UI 6 (Android 14).

With the Tab S10 FE popping up in certifications, its official debut might not be far off. The real question is—how much of an upgrade will it actually be?

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

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boAt TAG launched in India with Google Find My Device for just Rs 1,299

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Feb 22, 2025

boAt has officially announced its very own smart tag in the Indian market. The company’s brand new tracker is the boAt TAG that works just like the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag and the Apple AirTag. So now, let’s check out its specs, features, pricing, and more.

boAt TAG Specs

The brand has unveiled the boAt TAG as a semi real time global location tracking gadget. This allows users to keep track of important items like wallet, keys, and other items using Google’s Find My Device technology. boAt’s smart tag uses BLE and features an 80 decibel alarm that helps in finding the items. Although this only works if the item is within a 10 meter range.

For users concerned about privacy, this device also includes an unknown tracker alerts for better security and to prevent unwanted tracking by sending users alerts. The boAt TAG has a 1 year long battery life along with an extra battery unit within the package. This model is compatible with Android powered devices.

Pricing and Availability

The popular wearable maker just announced the boAt TAG in a single black color option. This device has a 1,299 INR price tag as a part of its launch offer and the brand also offers a 1 year warranty. It will be available for purchase from the company’s official website in India and Flipkart on 24th February 2025 at 12 PM IST. So it is also more affordable than Samsung and Apple’s smart tag trackers. The launch arrives after the company announced the boAt Nirvana X TWS in the region.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

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One UI 7 will be the last major upgrade for these Galaxy devices

By

Vicky

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Feb 22, 2025

Samsung has been majorly disappointing so far with the One UI 7 rollout. The beta program for the Galaxy S24 series, which kicked off in early December 2024, is still running, with no official announcement regarding the stable version, leaving fans frustrated. However, according to recent reports, the stable rollout could begin sometime in March.

While Samsung has disappointed Galaxy fans with a sluggish One UI 7 rollout, the more disappointing thing is seeing your device running out of major OS updates quota. Some Galaxy devices will receive Android 15 as their last major OS upgrade. We’ve curated the list of those devices below. Review it to know if you’ll need to upgrade to a newer model soon.

Galaxy devices that will stop getting OS updates after Android 15

Galaxy S21
Galaxy S21+
Galaxy S21 Ultra
Galaxy Z Fold 3
Galaxy Z Flip 3
Galaxy A14
Galaxy A14 5G
Galaxy M33
Galaxy M14
Galaxy M14 5G
Galaxy F14
Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2022)
Galaxy Tab Active 4 Pro

We have prepared this list based on the existing software update policy. While Android 15 will be the final OS upgrade for these Galaxy devices, these should receive incremental One UI updates such as One UI 7.1. Security patch updates will keep coming in for a while.

What should these users do?

If a device has received its final major software upgrade, it’s obviously recommended to get a newer model. But you don’t need to rush for it. The Android 15-based One UI 7 rollout is going to take the first half of the year to finish.

Once the One UI 7 rollout is over, Samsung might start rolling out the One UI 7.1 update, though rumors are that the massive One UI 7 delay is forcing Samsung to cancel One UI 7.1. We’ll know in the coming weeks or months, but if it rolls out, then all devices that get the One UI 7 update should also get the One UI 7.1 update, including devices from the above list. Beyond that, those devices on the above list will become ineligible for One UI upgrades, but they’ll keep getting security patches for a while.

The good thing with Samsung is that it has extended OS updates for many devices in the past by rolling out an extra major upgrade. So, if luck goes in your favor, your device may get an additional major update.

If you aren’t usually in a rush to get new software updates, wait until the One UI 8 rollout is complete before upgrading to a newer model. You may not have to wait until next year for that as the stable Android 16 version is dropping sometime around June, and Samsung will reportedly not delay the One UI 8 rollout, at least not as much as One UI 7.

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More One UI stories:
1. Every Samsung devices that are eligble for One UI 7 upgrade
1. One UI 7 might not bring this awesome Galaxy AI feature on older devices
2. Prepare your Samsung Galaxy for a smooth upgrade to One UI 7

Google is bringing Circle to Search to iPhones—but with limits

By

Rajesh Regmi

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Feb 22, 2025

Circle to Search has been one of Google’s biggest successes in recent years. Initially exclusive to Google and Samsung phones, the feature rolled out to more Android devices in late 2024. Now, Google is extending the functionality to Apple devices—but with some notable limitations.

On Android, Circle to Search works across virtually any app or screen. Users can simply long-press the navigation bar to activate it, then circle, scribble, or tap anything on the display to search for more details.

On iPhones, though, the experience is far more restricted. The feature is only available within the Google app and Chrome, and instead of a seamless long-press gesture, users have to tap the three-dot menu and select “Search this Screen” to begin a search.

Rather than fully porting Circle to Search, Google is essentially integrating its functionality into Google Lens as an add-on for Chrome and the Google app on iOS.

It makes sense as Lens has long offered similar capabilities, but users typically have to open the app and upload a screenshot to identify what’s on their screen. The new update makes the process a little more seamless, though it is still not as smooth as on Android.

Google says a new Lens icon will roll out in the coming months to make accessing the feature even easier. But deep system-wide integration, like on Android, still isn’t on the table.

Google Lens is getting AI overviews

While Lens will now help iPhone users search what’s on their screen, the standalone Google Lens app for both Android and iOS is also getting an upgrade with AI overviews.

So for instance, if you search for a flower or a vehicle with Google Lens, you will now see an AI overview (basically an AI-generated description) of the object in your Lens result, along with links to resources on the web.

The update is rolling out to English-language users in countries where AI overviews are available.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

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Top 10 Latest Smartphones with Silicon-Carbon Batteries in 2025

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Feb 21, 2025

The smartphone industry is rapidly adopting silicon-carbon battery technology, offering higher energy density, faster charging speeds, and improved durability. Compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries, silicon-carbon batteries allow for larger capacities in compact designs, ensuring longer-lasting battery life without increasing the phone’s weight or thickness.

Several flagship smartphones launched in late 2024 and in early 2025 feature this advanced battery technology, bringing significant improvements in power efficiency, heat management, and charge cycles. Here’s a detailed look at the top 10 latest smartphones equipped with silicon-carbon batteries and what makes them stand out.

1. OnePlus 13

OnePlus 13 features a 6000mAh dual-cell silicon-carbon battery with an energy density of 805Wh/L, the highest for a dual-cell design. This allows the phone to maintain a compact form factor while offering longer endurance. It supports 100W SuperVOOC wired charging, which takes the phone from 0 to 100% in just 36 minutes, along with 50W wireless flash charging and magnetic charging support.

Apart from the battery, OnePlus 13 comes with a 6.82-inch BOE X2 2K+ AMOLED display boasting 4500 nits peak brightness and DisplayMate A++ certification. It is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, paired with up to 24GB LPDDR5X RAM and 1TB UFS 4.0 storage. The phone retains the 50MP Sony LYT-808 main camera, a 50MP 3X periscope telephoto lens, and a 50MP ultra-wide camera. It is also IP68 and IP69 rated, making it highly resistant to dust and water.

Preview	Product
	OnePlus 13\| Smarter with OnePlus AI (12GB RAM, 256GB Storage Midnight Ocean)	Check Price on Amazon

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2. iQOO 13

iQOO 13 is equipped with a 6150mAh third-generation silicon-carbon battery, supporting 120W wired fast charging that fills the battery in just 30 minutes. While it lacks wireless charging, it features 44W UFCS and 100W PPS charging, ensuring a versatile and efficient power management system. The phone also integrates a 360° surround antenna system, optimizing network performance for mobile gaming.

The device sports a 6.82-inch BOE Q10 2K+ AMOLED display with 144Hz refresh rate and 4500 nits peak brightness. It runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, paired with up to 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and 1TB UFS 4.0 storage. On the camera front, it has a 50MP Sony IMX921 main sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide camera, and a 50MP 2x telephoto lens.

Preview	Product
	iQOO 13 5G (Legend, 12GB RAM, 256GB Storage)	Check Price on Amazon

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3. Vivo X200 & X200 Pro

The Vivo X200 features a 5800mAh silicon-carbon battery with 90W wired fast charging, while the Vivo X200 Pro comes with a 6000mAh battery supporting 90W wired and 30W wireless charging.

Both phones are powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 9400 SoC and feature up to 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and up to 1TB UFS 4.0 storage. The X200 Pro also includes a 200MP Samsung HP9 periscope telephoto camera with Zeiss APO certification, delivering 3.7x optical zoom and OIS. The series comes with IP69+IP68 dust and water resistance ratings, making them highly durable.

Preview	Product
	Vivo X200 5G (Natural Green, 12GB RAM, 256GB Storage) with No Cost EMI/Additional Exchange Offers -…	Check Price on Amazon
	Vivo X200 Pro 5G (Titanium Grey, 16GB RAM, 512GB Storage) with No Cost EMI/Additional Exchange…	Check Price on Amazon

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4. Redmi K80 & K80 Pro

The Redmi K80 Pro packs a 6000mAh silicon-carbon battery supporting 120W fast charging and 50W wireless charging, while the standard Redmi K80 houses a 6550mAh battery with 90W fast charging but lacks wireless support. Xiaomi claims the new silicon-carbon material increases battery lifespan and reduces heat generation during high-performance tasks.

The K80 Pro is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, while the K80 runs on Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, both paired with up to 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and 1TB UFS 4.0 storage. The Pro variant features a 50MP Light Fusion 800 main sensor with OIS, a 50MP 2.5x telephoto camera, and a 32MP ultra-wide camera, whereas the standard K80 swaps the telephoto lens for an 8MP ultra-wide camera. Both phones have IP68 + IP69 ratings for dust and water resistance.

5. Xiaomi 15 & 15 Pro

Xiaomi 15 is powered by a 5400mAh silicon-carbon battery, supporting 90W wired and 50W wireless charging, while the 15 Pro ups the capacity to 6100mAh, featuring 90W wired and 50W wireless charging. The Pro model’s battery also has an ultra-high energy density of 850Wh/L, ensuring longer lifespan and higher efficiency.

Both devices feature Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, up to 16GB LPDDR5X RAM, and up to 1TB UFS 4.0 storage. The Xiaomi 15 boasts a 50MP Light Fusion 900 main sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide lens, and a 50MP 2.6X telephoto camera, while the 15 Pro features a 5X periscope telephoto lens. Both models include ultrasonic fingerprint scanners and IP68 water resistance.

6. Realme GT 7 Pro

The Realme GT 7 Pro is equipped with a 6500mAh silicon-carbon battery, featuring 120W fast charging that achieves 50% charge in just 14 minutes. It boasts the industry’s highest 10% silicon content, extending battery durability for up to four years. However, in India it only features a 5800mAh battery.

The device runs on Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, with a 6.78-inch 1.5K OLED display featuring 6000 nits peak brightness. It comes with a 50MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 50MP 3x periscope telephoto camera.

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	realme GT 7 Pro (Mars Orange,12GB+256GB) \| India’s First Snapdragon 8 Elite Processor \| RealWorld…	Check Price on Amazon

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7. Redmi Note 14 Pro+

Redmi Note 14 Pro+ comes with a 6200mAh silicon-carbon battery, featuring an energy density of 814Wh/L and a 6% silicon content, allowing for a compact design with extended longevity. It supports 90W wired fast charging and features Surge G1 and Surge P2 battery management chips for better power efficiency.

The phone runs on Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, paired with up to 12GB RAM and 512GB storage. It features a 6.67-inch 1.5K OLED display, a 50MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide sensor, and a 50MP 2.5X telephoto lens. The device also includes IP66, IP68, and IP69 ratings for added durability.

Preview	Product
	Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G (Titan Black, 8GB RAM+ 256GB Storage)	Check Price on Amazon

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8. Honor 300 & 300 Pro / Ultra

The Honor 300 packs a 5300mAh silicon-carbon battery, supporting 100W fast charging that reaches 59% in 15 minutes and 100% in 35 minutes. The Honor 300 Pro and Ultra models also feature 5300mAh silicon-carbon batteries but include 80W wireless charging, ensuring fast and efficient power delivery. The high-density silicon-carbon composition enables extended battery life with improved power retention.

The Honor 300 series is powered by Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (Standard) and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (Pro and Ultra). The devices feature 6.7-inch and 6.78-inch OLED displays with up to 4000 nits peak brightness and 3840Hz PWM dimming for eye protection. The camera setup includes a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 50MP front camera, with the Pro and Ultra models featuring a 50MP 3x or 3.8X periscope telephoto lens. They also come with IP65 dust and splash resistance.

9. Oppo Find X8 & X8 Pro

The Oppo Find X8 is powered by a 5630mAh silicon-carbon battery, while the Find X8 Pro features a larger 5910mAh silicon-carbon battery, both supporting 80W SuperVOOC wired charging, 50W wireless charging, and 10W reverse wireless charging. The Find X8 Pro’s battery is designed with ultra-high silicon content, ensuring longer durability and better thermal management during fast charging.

Both devices are powered by MediaTek Dimensity 9400 SoC, paired with up to 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and 1TB UFS 4.0 storage. The Find X8 features a 6.59-inch AMOLED display, while the Find X8 Pro offers a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED screen with 4500 nits peak brightness and Dolby Vision support. The camera system includes a 50MP main sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide camera, and a 50MP 3x periscope telephoto lens, while the X8 Pro adds an additional 50MP 6x periscope zoom lens. Both models are IP68 + IP69 rated for water and dust resistance.

Preview	Product
	Oppo Find X8 5G (Star Grey, 256 GB) (12 GB RAM)	Check Price on Amazon

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10. Honor Magic 7 & Magic 7 Pro

The Honor Magic 7 is powered by a 5650mAh silicon-carbon battery, while the Magic 7 Pro features a 5850mAh silicon-carbon battery, both offering 100W wired fast charging and 80W wireless charging. The use of silicon-carbon technology ensures higher energy density, enabling longer runtimes while maintaining sleek designs. The enhanced battery efficiency is complemented by advanced cooling systems, including stainless steel VC cooling and graphite sheets, ensuring optimal performance during intensive tasks.

Both phones run on the Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, paired with up to 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and 1TB UFS 4.0 storage. The Magic 7 Pro distinguishes itself with a 200MP periscope telephoto camera, capable of 3x optical zoom and 100x digital zoom, along with a 50MP main sensor and ultra-wide lens. The Magic 7 shares a similar camera setup but lacks the advanced telephoto capabilities. With IP68 and IP69 ratings, 1-120Hz LTPO OLED displays, and Magic UI 9.0, the Honor Magic 7 Series combines cutting-edge technology with superior durability, solidifying its position as a flagship contender in 2025.

11. Final Thoughts

Chinese smartphone makers have rapidly embraced silicon-carbon battery technology, integrating 6,000mAh and above capacities into their flagship devices, while Samsung and Apple remain limited to 5,000mAh batteries. With brands like Xiaomi, OnePlus, Vivo, Oppo, Realme, and Honor pushing the limits of battery efficiency, Samsung is reportedly developing its own silicon-carbon batteries, though its implementation timeline remains unclear. Apple, known for its slow adoption of new technologies, may take even longer to integrate these advancements.

While software optimizations and power-efficient chips help extend battery life, they cannot overcome the limitations of small battery capacities. As Chinese manufacturers continue to set new industry benchmarks, it is inevitable that Samsung and Apple will have to adopt silicon-carbon batteries to remain competitive. The future of smartphone battery technology is already here, it’s only a matter of time before the rest of the industry catches up.

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5 most influential Motorola phones of all time

By

Rajesh Regmi

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Feb 21, 2025

Motorola has been in the mobile game for decades, and while it might not be the first brand that comes to mind when you think of smartphones today, we can’t deny its influence in the early days of mobile tech.

From bringing Android to the mainstream to setting the standard for budget phones, Motorola has done it all at some point. Here’s a look at some of the most influential Motorola phones of all time.

1. Motorola Droid (2009)

Before Android became the dominant smartphone platform, Motorola helped put Google’s operating system on the map with the Motorola Droid. Launched in 2009, the Droid was the first Android phone to get serious carrier backing in the U.S., thanks to a high-profile partnership with Verizon.

The phone featured a slide-out QWERTY keyboard—something that was still in demand at the time—alongside a 3.7-inch display, a 5MP camera, and a relatively sleek design for its era. But more importantly, the Droid was the first phone to introduce Android 2.0 which brought significant improvements like turn-by-turn Google Maps navigation.

While it may not seem like much today, the Droid’s marketing campaign, headlined by the aggressive “Droid Does” tagline positioned it as the anti-iPhone and helped Android gain mainstream attention. Without the success of the Motorola Droid, Android’s rise might have taken much longer.

2. Moto X (2014)

After its acquisition by Google in 2012, Motorola was trying to make its mark in the flagship space. The result was the Moto X which launched in 2013 with high hopes, but it didn’t quite perform as the company expected it to. Its successor, the second-gen Moto X, however, got things right with better specs, refined software, and a level of customization that was rare in smartphones.

It had a 5.2-inch AMOLED display, a Snapdragon 801 processor, and a 13MP camera—all respectable for a 2014 device—but what set it apart was its focus on user experience and customization.

The Moto X (2014) was one of the first phones to embrace always-on voice commands. And it as expected allowed users to activate Google Now (later Google Assistant) without touching the device. It also introduced Moto Display, which showed notifications in a minimal, power-efficient way. And not to forget, Motorola offered a one-of-a-kind customization feature with Moto X called the Moto Maker.

For those unaware, Moto Maker was a service that allowed customers to personalize their devices with custom back materials, colors, and even engravings. The best part is that it was all free, and included with every purchase of Moto X.

3. Moto G (2014)

Motorola introduced the Moto G line in 2013 to fill a void in the budget smartphone market that was long dominated by compromises—cheap materials, sluggish performance, and outdated software.

The original Moto G flipped that script by offering fast, responsive Android software in a solidly built handset with all-day battery life. This all made Moto G the most successful smartphone in Motorola’s history at the time.

The second-gen Moto G refined that formula with a slightly larger 5-inch 720p display, stereo front-facing speakers, and a quad-core Snapdragon 400 for solid everyday performance. But what truly set it apart was Motorola’s near-stock Android experience—free from the bloated skins and unnecessary features that weighed down other budget phones.

More importantly, the Moto G proved that companies could build quality devices without sacrificing usability. It redefined what a budget phone could be and forced competitor to step up their game.

4. Moto E (2014)

The Moto E took what the Moto G did for budget phones and pushed it even further down the price scale. Before this, “cheap” smartphones were usually slow, clunky, and barely functional. Motorola flipped that expectation on its head.

It wasn’t flashy, but the Moto E delivered a smooth experience at just $129. It offered a respectable 4.3-inch display, Gorilla Glass protection, and even a water-resistant coating in an entry-level phone at the time. And like its pricier sibling, it ran a near-stock version of Android, ensuring a clean and responsive user experience.

More than just a budget phone, the Moto E helped bring first-time smartphone users into the fold. In emerging markets, the device helped millions of people transition from feature phones to smartphones without frustration.

Today, low-cost smartphones from brands like Xiaomi and Realme offer impressive value, but Motorola was one of the first to prove that cheap didn’t have to mean bad.

5. Motorola Razr 40 Ultra

The Razr has long been Motorola’s iconic phone line, and when it finally had the opportunity to revive it in the modern smartphone era while preserving the nostalgic flip style, Motorola surely didn’t hesitate. And just like that the Razr line was alive again featuring the company’s new clamshell foldable phones.

The first model aka the Motorola Razr 5G was announced in 2020, but we feel the Razr 40 Ultra is the first truly good flip phone from Motorola since its entry into foldable space.

Most flip-style foldable before this had small, limited cover screens that were only good for notifications. The Razr 40 Ultra changed that with a sizeable, fully functional outer display. It wasn’t just for checking the time—it could run full apps, take selfies properly, and even be used as a mini smartphone without opening the device.

This made the Razr 40 Ultra one of the first foldables that felt practical rather than nostalgic. Samsung followed suit with a bigger cover screen on the Galaxy Z Flip 5, but Motorola led the charge in making cover displays actually useful.

Aside from this, the Razr 40 Ultra also had a capable Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip, a 165Hz LTPO main display, and a 12MP dual rear camera setup, all powered by a 3800mAh cell.

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HONOR’s AI Deepfake Detection Technology Goes Worldwide in April 2025

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Feb 21, 2025

HONOR has announced that its AI Deepfake Detection feature will be available worldwide starting in April 2025. This move aims to help users identify manipulated audio and video content in real time.

Deepfake technology—which uses AI to produce highly realistic but fake media—has become a growing concern for businesses and individuals. The Entrust Cybersecurity Institute found that in 2024 alone, a deepfake attack occurred every five minutes. Deloitte’s 2024 Connected Consumer Study also reported that 59% of respondents struggled to tell the difference between content created by humans and material generated by AI. Meanwhile, 84% of people using generative AI said they want clearly labeled AI-generated content.

HONOR first introduced its AI Deepfake Detection tech at IFA 2024. The system uses advanced AI algorithms to pick up on minor inconsistencies that are hard for the human eye to spot. These can include pixel-level flaws, issues with border compositing, irregularities between video frames, and unusual facial features like face-to-ear ratios or hairstyle anomalies. When the system identifies manipulated content, it sends an alert so users can steer clear of possible risks.

This global rollout comes at a time when deepfake attacks are on the rise. Between 2023 and 2024, digital document forgeries increased by 244%. Sectors such as iGaming, fintech, and crypto have been especially hard-hit, with deepfake incidents growing year-over-year by 1520%, 533%, and 217%, respectively.

HONOR’s initiatives are part of a wider industry effort to address deepfake concerns. Organizations like the Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA), founded by Adobe, Arm, Intel, Microsoft, and Truepic, are working on technical standards to verify digital content authenticity. Microsoft has introduced AI tools to help prevent deepfake misuse, including an automatic face-blurring feature in images uploaded to Copilot. Additionally, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite NPU supports local deepfake detection using McAfee’s AI models, maintaining user privacy.

Marco Kamiya of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) praised this technology, noting that AI Deepfake Detection is a critical security measure on mobile devices and can help shield users from digital manipulation.

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iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16: What’s different about the new budget iPhone?

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Feb 21, 2025

Apple just announced the iPhone 16e as its latest budget model. It arrives with various improvements over the older iPhone SE, but how does it compare to its more expensive sibling? While it shares many similarities with the flagship iPhone 16, the iPhone 16e brings its own unique set of features and compromises for the more affordable price tag. So here’s everything that is different between the two.