Red Magic has launched the Cooler 8 Pro, a smartphone cooling accessory featuring its 8th-generation Colding cooling architecture. The device includes a self-developed AI temperature control system and starts at 229 yuan ($33) during its introductory sale, down from the original price of 269 yuan ($39).
Red Magic Cooler 8 Pro Specifications
The Cooler 8 Pro features a 1640 mm² semiconductor TEC cooling plate with 124 pairs of PN junction micro cooling pumps. Red Magic claims this design improves cooling performance by 130% compared to the previous generation. The cooler delivers up to 36W of cooling power, reducing surface temperatures by as much as 80°C under heavy loads. It can reach an idle cooling temperature as low as –25°C.
Red Magic equips the Cooler 8 Pro with an 11-blade fan that spins at up to 6500 RPM. The fan works alongside a large aviation-grade aluminum heat sink to dissipate heat efficiently. The vertical airflow design pushes hot air upwards and downwards, ensuring comfort during extended gaming sessions.
The cooler uses 52 neodymium magnets that provide a magnetic force of about 14N. These magnets securely attach the cooler to compatible smartphones, keeping it stable during gaming or movement.
The Cooler 8 Pro includes an AI temperature control system that uses a high-precision NTC sensor to monitor the cooler and smartphone temperatures in real time. The system automatically adjusts cooling intensity to prevent condensation while maintaining performance.
The device features RGB lighting with six customizable effects and temperature-sensitive cooling fins that change color based on heat levels. It measures 70 x 63 x 31 mm and weighs 113 grams.
Red Magic recommends a 45W or higher charger to achieve full cooling performance, with a 65W charger suggested for high-performance modes.
In related news, Red Magic has recently teased the upcoming Gaming Tablet 5 Pro, a compact gaming tablet revealed shortly after the announcement of the Legion Tab Gen 5.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Smartphone makers have been steadily increasing battery capacities in recent months. March 2026 will see a handful of phones with huge batteries, including the Honor Magic V6, which offers one of the largest batteries on a foldable phone. Some other models even cross the 9,000mAh and 10,000mAh thresholds, signalling a clear industry shift toward longer battery life. Here’s a look at the phones with huge batteries that have launched or are expected to arrive in March 2026.
12Ai+ Pulse 2 – 6,000mAh
AI+ Pulse 2
The Ai+ Pulse 2 is an entry-level 4G LTE smartphone announced earlier this month for Rs 5,999 (~$65). Despite its low price, it includes some notable features, such as a 120Hz display, a 50-megapixel camera, and up to 128GB of storage, which is uncommon in this segment.
Oppo is said to be working on three smartphones for the Find X10 series: the Find X10, Find X10 Pro, and Find X10 Pro Max. A new leak has now revealed the screen sizes of these devices.
According to information shared by tipster Digital Chat Station, the Oppo Find X10 could feature a 6.59-inch mid-sized display with a 1.5K resolution. Meanwhile, the Find X10 Pro is said to come with a slightly larger 6.78-inch screen, also with a 1.5K resolution.
As for the Oppo Find X10 Pro Max, the tipster says the display for this “ultra-sized” model is still undecided internally. Oppo may be considering multiple options before finalizing the design. One possibility under discussion, however, is using the same high-end display Oppo is currently using in the Find X9 Ultra.
Dimensity 9600 all-around?
The leak also claims that all three phones could run on MediaTek’s upcoming MediaTek Dimensity 9600 chipset. That said, this contradicts an earlier report from the same tipster.
It suggests the base Find X10 might use the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 instead, while the Find X10 Pro and Pro Max would feature the Dimensity 9600. As with most early leaks, it’s best to take these details with a pinch of salt.
Oppo Find X9 Pro
Moreover, in the comments, the tipster suggests it will be difficult for the brand to upgrade upcoming flagships to LPDDR6 and UFS 5.0. That’s because this combo is “comparable in price to a chip”. The Find X9 series, in comparison, includes LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.1 storage.
Apart from this, a few previous leaks have revealed some other specs for these phones. For instance, the Oppo Find X10 Pro Max is rumored to come with three 200MP cameras on the back.
For now, though, most of these details remain unconfirmed.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Seeking a premium alternative to the AirPods Pro outside the Apple ecosystem? For Android users demanding excellence in build quality, acoustic performance, controls, design, and feature set, the answer has arrived. HUAWEI continues to close the gap between platforms, and the FreeBuds Pro 5 represents its most compelling statement yet. After extensive hands-on testing, my assessment is unambiguous: alongside the AirPods Pro, the FreeBuds Pro 5 currently stands as one of the two finest true wireless earbuds available—period.
Design & Comfort
The FreeBuds Pro 5 adheres to the established design language of its predecessors, retaining the familiar oval charging case. Yet HUAWEI has refined numerous details with precision. The front indicator light now sits within an elegant circular ring, while the lid hinge has been seamlessly concealed from view. Particularly noteworthy is the ingenious unification of the speaker grille and charging port into a single structural element—among the most thoughtful industrial design choices I’ve encountered—yielding a notably cleaner silhouette.The matte finish of the charging case delivers a satisfying tactile quality, though users should exercise caution: the smooth surface offers minimal grip and can prove somewhat slippery in hand.
The earbuds themselves have undergone the most noticeable changes. The battery section is made with a combination of glass and metal materials, and the HUAWEI SOUND logo highlights the flagship status of these earbuds. Each FreeBuds Pro 5 earbud weighs only 5.5 grams, which is 0.3 grams lighter than the previous generation, and the overall size has also been reduced by 10%. I once wore them from nine to six during a full workday without taking them off, and I did not experience any discomfort. They truly manage to be both stylish and comfortable.
Inside the box, three sets of silicone ear tips of different sizes are included. If you want to try different types of ear tips, HUAWEI also offers memory foam tips in its store. There is even a dedicated audio setting specifically designed for these tips.
Controls & Features
The FreeBuds Pro 5 offers three input methods: swipe gestures, pinch controls, and tap commands. Swiping and pinching will feel immediately familiar to AirPods Pro veterans, while tapping remains the standard across most Android and third-party alternatives. This comprehensive approach ensures that regardless of your established muscle memory, the FreeBuds Pro 5 accommodates your preferences with minimal adaptation required. The feature set extends beyond basic controls, and it’s clearly designed to compete directly with the AirPods Pro. Call management via head gestures—answering or declining by nodding or shaking—alongside automatic volume adjustment based on ambient noise levels, positions the FreeBuds Pro 5 among the most intelligently adaptive earbuds in its class.
In fact, the dual-device connection capability may render the FreeBuds Pro 5 superior to the AirPods Pro for multi-device workflows. For users operating across ecosystems—such as those with a Windows workstation alongside mobile devices—seamless switching between sources proves remarkably efficient. Spatial audio with head tracking extends to virtually any paired device, including Windows PCs, Android handsets, and even iOS hardware. This degree of platform-agnostic feature parity is genuinely impressive, and notably rare in the current market.
The sole functional advantage held by the AirPods Pro is direct camera control from the earbuds—a minor concession in the broader feature landscape. Beyond this single exception, the AirPods Pro offer no meaningful functional superiority.
Sound Quality
Unlike Apple, HUAWEI’s pursuit of sound quality seems to have no limits. HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 5 uses advanced digital cross-over technology based on its third-generation audio chip with dual DSPs. This chip includes two professional audio DACs. The audio source is split by the DSPs, and each DAC independently drives the low-frequency and high-frequency drivers. This results in a 200% improvement in digital cross-over precision and a 50% reduction in DAC noise.
The FreeBuds Pro 5 sounds fuller and more engaging than most rivals. The dual-driver setup—with separate processing for bass and treble—delivers punchier lows and clearer mids, so vocals stand out with real presence. Where the AirPods Pro 3 can sound a bit muffled, Huawei’s tuning feels more open and immediate. The soundstage is wide, with background details crisp rather than buried. It’s a musical, immersive presentation rather than a digital-simulated one—and for most listeners, that’s a definite strength.
Of course, in order to satisfy different listening preferences, FreeBuds Pro 5 also provides a variety of EQ presets as well as customizable EQ options. The absence of these features is one of the reasons why some music enthusiasts are not particularly fond of AirPods Pro.
Noise Cancellation & Transparency
HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 5 is the first-ever dual-driver ANC earbud that uses both an ultra-linear dual-magnet driver and an ultra-thin micro planar diaphragm driver to emit inverted-phase sound waves that counteract external environmental noise. Both acoustic units work together to generate counter-noise, while a new MIMO AI sensing model actively detects the surrounding environment and adjusts parameters in real time—improving overall noise reduction performance to 220% compared with Huawei FreeBuds Pro 4.
As shown in the chart, the maximum noise reduction depth can reach up to 47 dB. Wind noise suppression is also very impressive. When encountering strong wind, the earbuds will moderately reduce the noise cancellation intensity to prevent wind noise from becoming too noticeable.
Advantages for HUAWEI Phone Users
The features mentioned above are available to both Android phones and iPhones. However, since these are HUAWEI earbuds, connecting them to HUAWEI phones naturally unlocks some exclusive advantages.
The most notable one is 2.3 Mbps lossless audio. When paired with certain HUAWEI phones and using HUAWEI’s self-developed L2HC 4.0 codec technology, the transmission speed can reach up to 2.3 Mbps, delivering 48 kHz / 24-bit lossless audio quality. Even if you are using an older HUAWEI device, such as the Pura 70 Pro, the transmission speed can still reach 1.5 Mbps.
Some additional features, such as voice message announcements and certain health-related options, are also exclusive to HUAWEI phone users.
Battery Life
Officially, HUAWEI claims that FreeBuds Pro 5 can last up to 9 hours with ANC turned off, and around 6 hours with ANC turned on. In practical terms, that means charging the earbuds once during lunch is enough to keep them running throughout the rest of your workday.
During my usage, I never actually managed to drain the battery completely. In-ear earbuds usually need to be taken off occasionally to let your ears rest anyway. In short, battery life is definitely not a weak point of the FreeBuds Pro 5.
Conclusion
The HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 5 delivers exceptional performance across nearly every metric. Frankly, with the series now in its fifth generation, it’s genuinely difficult to identify any glaring weaknesses. If the price gives you pause, consider this: the AirPods Pro, which falls a bit short on sound quality, commands an even higher premium. From that vantage point, HUAWEI’s pricing feels entirely justified. In my assessment, the FreeBuds Pro 5 establishes a new benchmark for ANC earbuds. If your budget sits above $200, this pair deserves a spot on your shortlist.
Baseus has introduced a new, more lucrative deal for its innovative EnerGeek GX11 4G MiFi Power Bank. The device combines a 20,000mAh power bank with 4G hotspot functionality, making it ideal for users who need reliable connectivity and portable power.
Specifications
The EnerGeek GX11 features fast charging with a maximum output of 67W through USB-C and USB-A ports. It supports the charging of up to three devices at the same time and is compatible with PD and QC charging protocols. This makes it suitable for powering laptops, tablets, smartphones, and other modern devices.
The device uses uCloudlink’s CloudSIM technology to provide global 4G connectivity without requiring a physical SIM card. It supports 13 frequency bands and connects to networks in over 150 countries. The power bank can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously with download speeds of 150Mbps and upload speeds of 50Mbps.
Baseus claims the GX11 offers up to 114 hours of WiFi usage on a single charge. Its compact design includes a heat dissipation system and a Web Portal protection system for added safety.
Updated Plans
Baseus has updated the data plans for its GX11 device. Previously, the company offered a 1GB per month global data plan for 12 months, which was available to all customers who purchased and registered their device.
With the new update, customers who purchase the GX11 on or after March 10, or those who bought it earlier but did not register, will now receive 20GB of local data with a validity period of 60 days. However, the original 1GB per month global data plan will remain available to customers who purchased the device earlier and registered it before the update.
Exclusive Discount (Just $89.99)
The EnerGeek GX11 is currently available on Amazon with a spring promotion that reduces its price from $129.99 to $89.99 using the exclusive promo code WKN324OR. This offer runs from March 11 to March 31, 2026.
Baseus is also providing an additional $9 coupon through the redemption code 2026BaseusMifi, which is limited to 170 redemptions globally on a first-come, first-served basis.
Exynos 2600 is not just another new chip from Samsung; it’s a seriously powerful mobile processor built using the advanced 2nm process node. Samsung has switched to an all-big-core CPU design to offer greater CPU performance. The GPU also promises significantly better compute performance and ray tracing.
The Exynos 2600 is a true upgrade over its predecessor, Exynos 2500, but how does it fare against Qualcomm’s high-end chipsets, such as the Snapdragon 8 Elite? We recently compared it with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (read it here), and the battle was pretty intense, even though it couldn’t outperform the Snapdragon chip. So, we decided to test whether the Exynos 2600 can outperform the Snapdragon 8 Elite.
Exynos 2600
Snapdragon 8 Elite
Announced
December 2025
October 2024
Process node
2nm (Samsung)
3nm (TSMC)
CPU cores
10-core
8-core
CPU cores
1 x 3.8GHz — C1-Ultra 3 x 3.25GHz — C1-Pro 6 x 2.75GHz — C1-Pro
2 x 4.32GHz — Oryon (2nd gen) 6 x 3.53GHz — Oryon (2nd gen)
GPU
Exynos Xclipse 960 GPU Ray tracing support Exynos Neural Super Sampling
Adreno 830 Ray tracing support Snapdragon Elite Gaming features
NPU
AI engine with 32K MAC NPU
Qualcomm Hexagon NPU
Memory
LPDDR5X
LPDDR5X, up to 5.3 GHz
Storage
UFS 4.1
UFS 4.0
Camera
up to 320MP single camera up to 108MP single camera (30fps) up to 64MP+32MP dual cameras (30fps) up to 8K video recording real-time semantic segmentation
Quacomm Spectra ISP (Triple AI-ISPs, 18-bit) up to 320MP single camera up to 108MP single camera (MFNR, ZSL, 30fps) up to 48MP triple camera (MFNR, ZSL, 30fps) up to 8K video recording real-time semantic segmentation (limitless)
Exynos 2600 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite: Benchmark score
Note: For benchmark results, the tests were conducted on the Galaxy S26 Plus (Exynos 2600) and the Galaxy S25 Plus (Snapdragon 8 Elite).
Geekbench score (v6)
Exynos 2600
Snapdragon 8 Elite
Single core
3,040
3,008
Multi core
10,290
9,730
The Exynos 2600 scores higher on Geekbench than the Snapdragon 8 Elite, though the difference is minimal. The gap widens in the multi-core performance, where the Exynos 2600 achieves about 6% higher score.
AnTuTu score (v11)
Exynos 2600
Snapdragon 8 Elite
AnTuTu score
3,210,573
3,162,650
CPU
1,065,772
967,505
GPU
1,212,568
1,200,291
Memory
413,700
381,416
UX
518,533
613,438
On the AnTuTu benchmark, the Exynos 2600 scores over 3.21 million, slightly higher than the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s 3.16 million.
The AnTuTu score breakdown shows a 10% higher CPU score for the Exynos 2600, while the GPU scores doesn’t show a big jump. The Exynos chip also delivers stronger memory performance, while the Snapdragon 8 Elite leads in the user experience (UX) test.
3DMark score
Wild Life Extreme Test
Exynos 2600
Snapdragon 8 Elite
Score
6,674
6,527
We also ran the chips through the 3DMark Wild Life Extreme test to better understand the gaming performance. On this platform, the Exynos 2600 scored 6,674 points, while the Snapdragon 8 Elite stayed behind with 6,527 points.
While the Exynos 2600 leads here, the difference isn’t significant. Keep in mind that the cooling solution and software turning on a device could also make a big difference.
In all the benchmark tests we have run, the Exynos 2600 has outperformed the Snapdragon 8 Elite, even though the differences haven’t been significant. But they leave some important aspects untouched, including the camera and connectivity. Let’s look at those details to get a better picture.
Exynos 2600 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite: Key differences
Manufacturing process
Exynos 2600 is the industry’s first 2nm GAA mobile processor, while the Snapdragon 8 Elite is built on TSMC’s 3nm (N3E) process, which relies on an advanced FinFET architecture. It offers the Exynos chip a slight advantage in sustained performance and efficiency.
CPU, GPU, & NPU
The Exynos 2600 features a 10-core CPU with C1-Ultra and C1-Pro cores. In contrast, the Snapdragon 8 Elite is equipped with an 8-core CPU, featuring second-generation Oryon cores at a higher peak clock speed.
For handling graphics workloads, the Exynos 2600 relies on the Exynos Xclipse 960 GPU, which supports ray tracing, and Exynos Neural Super Sampling for real-time resolution upscaling and frame generation during gaming. The Snapdragon 8 Elite also ships with a powerful Adreno 830 GPU with excellent ray tracing capabilities, and a full suite of Snapdragon Elite Gaming features.
Both chips also integrate advanced NPUs for on-device AI capabilities: an AI engine with 32K MAC NPU on Exynos 2600 and a Hexagon NPU on the Snapdragon 8 Elite.
Camera
The camera also receives several notable upgrades with Exynos 2600, including a new AI-based Visual Perception System (VPS) that integrates AI-driven computer vision directly into the ISP pipeline for real-time scene analysis, semantic segmentation, and multi-frame processing. The Snapdragon 8 Elite uses an 18-bit Spectra ISP (AI-ISP) with numerous features, including limitless semantic segmentation at 4K resolution, on-device video object eraser, and real-time skin/sky adjustments.
Connectivity
Both flagship processors offer robust connectivity features, but there are still notable differences. The Exynos 5410 modem on the Exynos chip offers up to 14.79Gbps download speed and up to 4.9Gbps upload speed, while the Snapdragon X80 modem on the Snapdragon 8 Elite peaks at 10Gbps download speed and 3.5Gbps upload speed. The rest of the connectivity features are mostly the same.
POCO has launched the POCO C85x 5G in India as its latest budget 5G smartphone. The device joins the company’s C series lineup a few months after the POCO C85, which was introduced in December last year. The new model focuses on a large display, basic performance hardware, and a large battery.
The POCO C85x 5G features a 6.9-inch HD+ display with a resolution of 1600 × 720 pixels and a 20:9 aspect ratio. The screen supports a 120Hz refresh rate and reaches up to 660 nits typical brightness, with peak brightness going up to 810 nits in High Brightness Mode. It also supports DC dimming and carries TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light and Flicker Free certifications.
The phone is powered by the octa-core Unisoc T8300 processor built on a 6nm process. The chipset includes two Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.2GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores running at 2GHz, along with an Arm Mali-G57 MC2 GPU. The device comes with 4GB LPDDR4X RAM and supports up to 4GB additional RAM expansion. Storage options include 64GB and 128GB UFS 2.2 storage. Users can expand storage up to 1TB using a microSD card.
The device runs Android 16 with Xiaomi HyperOS. For cameras, the phone has a 32MP rear primary camera along with a secondary sensor. On the front, there is an 8MP camera with an f/2.0 aperture placed inside the display notch.
The POCO C85x 5G packs a 6300mAh battery with support for 15W fast charging, and the charger is included in the box. The company says the battery can retain up to 80 percent of its health after 1,000 charging cycles, which is roughly over three years of use. The device also supports 7.5W reverse wired charging.
Connectivity features include 5G SA and NSA support across n1, n3, n5, n8, n28, n40, and n78 bands. The phone also supports dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ac with 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, Bluetooth 5.4, GPS with GLONASS, and a USB Type C port. Other features include a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and FM radio. The phone measures 171.56 × 79.47 × 8.15mm and weighs 210g. It also carries an IP52 rating for dust and water resistance.
Pricing & availability
The POCO C85x 5G comes in Black, Gold, and Green. The 4GB + 64GB variant is priced at Rs. 10,999, while the 4GB + 128GB version costs Rs. 11,999. The smartphone will go on sale on Flipkart starting March 14.
Xiaomi has launched the Xiaomi Pad 8 in India as its latest flagship Android tablet. The device focuses on display quality, high-end performance, and ecosystem connectivity. It features an all-metal one-piece body with a slim 5.75mm profile and weighs 485g. The tablet measures 251.22mm × 173.42mm and is available in Pine Green, Blue, and Gray. Xiaomi says the device offers an 85.4 percent screen-to-body ratio.
The tablet comes with an 11.2-inch display with a 3:2 aspect ratio and a 3.2K resolution of 3200 × 2136 pixels, delivering a pixel density of 345 ppi. The panel supports a refresh rate of up to 144Hz and reaches up to 800 nits peak brightness with adaptive HDR. The screen also supports Dolby Vision and carries TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light, Flicker Free, and Circadian Friendly certifications.
Powering the Xiaomi Pad 8 is the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 mobile platform built on a 4nm process. The chipset includes a CPU configuration of one Cortex-X4 core at 3.2GHz, three Cortex-A720 cores at 3.0GHz, two Cortex-A720 cores at 2.8GHz, and two Cortex-A720 cores at 2.0GHz. Graphics are handled by the Adreno 825 GPU. The tablet is offered in 8GB + 128GB, 8GB + 256GB, and 12GB + 256GB variants. The 8GB model uses LPDDR5X RAM while the 12GB model uses LPDDR5T. Storage options include UFS 3.1 for 128GB and UFS 4.1 for 256GB.
The device runs Xiaomi HyperOS 3 and supports Xiaomi HyperConnect features such as cross-device camera, combined cameras, cross-device unlocking, Home Screen+, and Smart Hub integration. AI features include AI Writing, AI Speech Recognition, AI Translate Conversation, AI Interpreter, AI Calculator, AI Creativity Assistant, AI Art, and Circle to Search with Google.
The Xiaomi Pad 8 packs a 9,200mAh battery with support for 45W fast charging. Xiaomi includes a 67W charger in the box. Audio is delivered through quad speakers with Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio support, and a 200 percent volume boost.
For imaging, the tablet includes a 13MP rear camera with PDAF and an 8MP front camera. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, and USB 3.2 Gen 1.
Pricing & availability
The Xiaomi Pad 8 starts at ₹33,999 for the 8GB + 128GB variant, while the 12GB + 256GB model costs ₹35,999. A Nano Texture Display version of the 12GB + 256GB model is priced at ₹38,999. Xiaomi is also offering a Creators Edition with a stylus in the box, priced at ₹41,999 for the standard model and ₹43,999 for the Nano Texture version.
Bank offers of up to ₹3,000 are also available at launch, knocking down the starting price to ₹30,999. The tablets will be available to buy in India starting March 17 via Amazon India, mi.com, and Xiaomi Retail stores. Xiaomi is also offering an additional 1 year warrenty to customers buying the tablet in the month of March.
For accessories, the Xiaomi Focus Pen Pro is priced at ₹5,999. The Xiaomi Pad 8 Focus Keyboard is available for ₹8,999, while the standard Xiaomi Pad 8 Keyboard is priced at ₹4,999.
Update: So far, neither the Indian divisions of OnePlus nor OPPO have issued any official statement about the alleged price hike. We could not locate the reported notice on the company websites either. For now, readers should view this claim with caution.
If the information is correct, it may be intended for other markets, since India is treated as a separate region, and the change may not apply here at present.
Original story continues…
Oppo says it will raise prices for some of its smartphones starting March 16 in China, according to a notice posted on the company’s official online store. The change comes as the smartphone manufacturers are dealing with rising component costs, particularly for memory and storage.
In the announcement, Oppo says it decided to adjust prices after “careful evaluation” in response to higher costs for key components, including high-speed storage hardware. The new pricing will take effect at 12:00 a.m. on March 16, 2026.
The price hike is limited to budget phones for the time being
The adjustment will affect several existing devices across Oppo’s lineup. According to the company, models in the Oppo A series and K series will see price changes. Phones from OnePlus will also be included in the adjustment.
However, not every product line will be affected. Oppo says its premium devices, including the Find series and Reno series, will keep their current prices for now. The company also confirmed that its tablet lineup, the Oppo Pad series, will not be part of this adjustment.
Oppo k14x 5G
Oppo says this is a necessary step to maintain product quality and the overall user experience despite rising supply costs. Memory and storage components are among the most expensive parts of modern smartphones, and their prices can fluctuate depending on global demand and supply conditions.
And the price adjustments aren’t happening in isolation. Several smartphone brands have recently hinted at or already implemented similar moves. Companies such as Vivo and Xiaomi have also hinted that higher component costs could lead to more expensive phones in the near future.
In some cases, the changes are already visible. For instance, Xiaomi’s sub-brand Redmi has increased the price of the Redmi Turbo 5 by 100 yuan in China. Meanwhile, Samsung has increased the price of Galaxy phones in India.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Vivo has introduced the Vivo V70 FE in Indonesia, adding a new mid-range smartphone focused on camera performance and battery life. The device combines a high-resolution main camera with a large battery and several durability features.
One of the standout features of the Vivo V70 FE is its battery capacity. The device packs a 7,000mAh battery and supports 90W wired fast charging. Vivo has also included several hardware features such as an under-display optical fingerprint scanner, dual SIM support, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.4, GPS, and an IR blaster.
The smartphone is powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 7360-Turbo chipset, which is built on a 4nm manufacturing process. On the software side, it runs OriginOS 6 based on Android 16. Vivo says the device will receive up to six years of security updates, although the company has not specified how many Android OS upgrades it will provide.
For photography, the V70 FE uses a dual rear camera setup. The main camera uses a 200MP sensor with an f/1.88 aperture and optical image stabilization. It is paired with an 8MP ultra-wide camera for wider shots. The front of the phone includes a 32MP camera for selfies and video calls. Vivo has also added an Aura Light on the rear to improve lighting when taking portrait photos.
The front of the phone is dominated by a 6.83-inch AMOLED display. This is a 10-bit Q10+ panel with a 1.5K resolution. The screen supports a 120Hz refresh rate and can reach a peak brightness of 1,900 nits. It also supports HDR10+ playback for compatible content.
The phone also includes durability features such as IP68 and IP69 ratings for water and dust resistance. With a large battery, a high-resolution main camera, and long security update support, the Vivo V70 FE is positioned as a feature-focused mid-range smartphone in Vivo’s current lineup.
Pricing & availability
The smartphone is available in Muse Purple, Ocean Blue, and Titanium Silver. Vivo offers the phone with up to 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage. The 8GB + 256GB model is priced at IDR 6,499,000 (about $380). The 12GB + 256GB variant costs IDR 7,199,000 (about $425). The 8GB + 512GB version is priced at IDR 7,399,000 (about $435). All variants are currently available for pre-order through Vivo Indonesia’s official website.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Buying a smartphone under $500 in 2026 feels a bit like shopping in the middle aisle of a supermarket. You don’t walk in expecting luxury items, but suddenly there are plenty of surprisingly good things.
A few years ago, this price range meant making obvious compromises, such as a good-enough processor, average cameras, and software that aged quickly. Fortunately, things are quite different in 2026.
Phones in this segment now come with bright OLED displays, capable chipsets, and batteries that comfortably last a full day. Some even borrow features from devices that cost twice as much.
Here are the five best smartphones under $500 in March 2026.
Google’s Pixel A-series has long been the go-to option for people who want a simple Android phone that just works. The Pixel 10a continues that trend.
Like previous models in the series, the phone focuses heavily on software and camera processing. The camera hardware itself is relatively modest compared to competitors in this list, but Google’s image processing tends to make up for it.
The Pixel 10a also benefits from Google’s version of Android, which is clean and free of unnecessary extras. The display is a 120Hz OLED panel with a sufficient 2000 nits of brightness.
However, Google is still using a year-old Tensor G4 chip under the hood. The rest of the Pixel 10 phones have a better Tensor G5 processor. That said, it can handle regular everyday tasks with ease.
The phone has a 5100mAh Li-Po battery with 30W wired, PD 3.0, and 10W wireless charging support.
For many buyers, the Pixel 10a is still the safe choice under $500. It’s not designed to stand out in every category, but it avoids major weaknesses.
2. Nothing Phone (4a) Pro
The Phone (4a) Pro is Nothing’s brand new option for a phone under $500. It keeps the company’s recognizable design language while trying to feel more polished than earlier models.
The phone includes a new Glyph Matrix on the back, which is a circular LED display made up of 137 LEDs. It can show things like a timer, a stopwatch, and such.
Under the surface, the Phone (4a) Pro runs on a Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 processor and features a 6.83-inch 144Hz AMOLED display with 5000 nits of peak brightness.
As for the camera system, you get a 50MP Sony Lytia 700C sensor for the main camera with optical image stabilization. This is paired with a 50MP Samsung JN5 periscope camera offering 3.5x optical zoom, and an 8MP ultrawide lens.
Nothing’s software is also fairly clean, which helps the phone feel responsive. The Phone (4a) Pro is not the most powerful option here, but it’s arguably the one with the most personality.
3. OnePlus 15R
OnePlus has traditionally used its “R” series to deliver strong performance at lower prices, and the 15R follows the same idea.
The phone focuses on two things: speed and battery life. It runs on Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 paired with a dedicated chip that enables 3200Hz of touch sampling rate.
Speaking of which, it has a 6.83-inch AMOLED display that refreshes at 165Hz. This screen is also PWM capable, HDR 10+, and Dolby Vision certified with a peak brightness of 3600 nits.
Its biggest highlight, though, is the battery. The 15R includes a 7400mAh battery that can comfortably last through a full day and often stretch into a second day depending on usage. It supports 80W fast charging.
You also get a fairly decent camera specs of 50MP-megapixel Sony IMX906 main sensor with optical image stabilization, and an 8-megapixel ultrawide lens. There is no dedicated telephoto camera here, so zoom relies on digital cropping.
4. Motorola Edge 70 Fusion
Motorola’s Edge Fusion series has quietly become one of the more balanced options in the midrange market. The Edge 70 Fusion continues that pattern.
Rather than focusing on one standout feature, the phone aims for overall balance. It includes a capable Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chipset, a smooth6.78-inch curved OLED display, and a relatively clean version of Android 16.
The device carries a 7000mAh silicon-carbon battery with 68W fast charging, which the company claims can provide a full day’s usage with a short charge.
Its camera hardware includes a 50-megapixel Sony Lytia 710 primary camera with optical image stabilisation. The setup also includes a 13-megapixel ultra-wide camera with macro support and a dedicated light sensor.
The Edge 70 Fusion is the most affordable option on this list. Its 8GB + 128GB model is priced at Rs 26,999 (~$300), the 8GB + 256GB version costs Rs 29,999 (~$330), and the 12GB + 256GB variant is priced at Rs 32,999 (~$360).
5. Realme 16 Pro
Realme often competes in the midrange market by focusing on big numbers in the spec sheet, and the 16 Pro is no different.
One of the first things you notice is the battery. The phone includes a 700mAh battery, which can easily last more than a day with moderate use. It supports 80W wired charging.
On the front, it has a 6.78-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate. The screen can reach a whopping 6500 nits of peak brightness and is protected by AGC DT Star D+ glass.
Cameras include a 200MP main sensor with OIS and an 8MP ultra-wide on the back. The front has a 50MP selfie camera. Powering everything is a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Max 5G chipset with an Arm Mali G615 GPU. It comes with 12GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage.
Other features include an in-display fingerprint scanner, face unlock, and all standard sensors.
6. The midrange market keeps getting better
Looking at these five phones together shows how much the midrange segment has evolved. Not long ago, phones under $500 required obvious compromises, slower processors, weaker cameras, or short software support.
That’s no longer always the case.
The Google Pixel 10a focuses on software and camera reliability. The Nothing Phone (4a) Pro offers a design that stands apart from typical smartphones. The OnePlus 15R leans into performance and battery life. The Motorola Edge 70 Fusion delivers a balanced experience. And the Realme 16 Pro emphasizes large batteries and strong hardware specs.
None of them is perfect, but each one has a different interpretation of what a sub-$500 smartphone should be. Now, it’s up to you to decide which of these phones could be worth it for your money.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Vivo has revealed two new ZEISS telephoto extender lenses for the upcoming Vivo X300 Ultra, aimed at pushing smartphone photography further into long-range shooting. The 400mm teleconverter was earlier showcased at MWC 2026, and now the company’s product manager Han Boxiao has also confirmed details about a 200mm variant. These accessories are designed to significantly extend zoom capabilities while maintaining strong image clarity.
Vivo X300 Ultra to support 200mm and 400mm telephoto extender lenses
Vivo X300 Ultra 400mm teleconverter kit-
The first accessory is a 400mm telephoto extender G2 Ultra, which is designed for creators in mind. According to Boxiao, the lens delivers an equivalent 400mm focal length, which currently represents one of the highest magnification levels seen in smartphone add-on optics. When paired with Vivo X300 Ultra’s 200-megapixel periscope telephoto camera, the system can produce direct optical images at extremely long focal lengths. Using a 23mm equivalent focal length as the baseline 1x zoom, the setup effectively reaches about 17.4x pure optical zoom with the 200-megapixel sensor.
Vivo also claims that the telephoto camera now supports improved optical stabilization, including around 3° optical stabilization along with a new high-refresh tracking system capable of maintaining focus at up to 60fps. Even after attaching the extender lens, the setup reportedly maintains CIPA 4.5-level stabilisation. The company suggests that this allows users to capture usable shots even at focal lengths as extreme as 1600mm, making distant subjects such as wildlife or stage performances easier to photograph.
A lighter 200mm extender designed for portability
Vivo X300 Ultra telephoto extenders
Alongside the larger accessory, Vivo has also introduced a redesigned second-generation 200mm extender lens G2. This version is intended to be lighter and easier to carry. The company states that its weight has been reduced by 27 percent, bringing it down to around 153 grams while also shrinking the overall size.
Despite the smaller body, the optical design has been upgraded. The lens now includes 15 elements instead of the earlier 13, which is expected to improve image clarity while maintaining strong stabilization rated at CIPA 6.5. Vivo says the compact design makes it practical for everyday shooting without compromising telephoto performance.
These accessories are part of Vivo’s broader ZEISS camera ecosystem built around multiple focal lengths. The system covers lenses ranging from ultra-wide 14mm to standard 35mm and portrait-friendly 85mm, along with the longer 200mm and 400mm options. The above image also shows a 2.35x ZEISS telephoto extender, which works with existing X300 models. Likely, it will also be supported by the X300 Ultra.
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Xiaomi may be working on another performance-focused phone under the Redmi brand. A new leak suggests the upcoming Redmi K90 Ultra could arrive with a number of features aimed squarely at mobile gamers.
The information comes from tipster Digital Chat Station, who shared several details about the Redmi K90 Ultra on Weibo. If the leak is accurate, the device could end up competing with gaming-oriented phones like the RedMagic 11 Pro, at least in terms of raw hardware.
One of the more interesting details mentioned is the presence of an active cooling fan inside the phone. The idea is fairly simple: improve the heat dissipation as much as possible so performance doesn’t drop off too quickly during intense gaming sessions.
Speaking of performance, the phone is rumored to run on MediaTek’s Dimensity 9500 processor. It may not beat the very latest Snapdragon chips in every gaming benchmark, but it’s still expected to deliver strong performance overall. According to the leak, the device could push frame rates up to 165 FPS in certain games. There’s also mention of a separate graphics chip, which may help stabilize frame rates and improve rendering.
Battery capacity could be another big highlight. Early details suggest the phone might include a battery larger than 8,000mAh, with some reports placing it closer to 8,500mAh. That would be unusually large for even a device designed for competitive gaming.
A few other features have also been mentioned, including custom-tuned symmetrical dual speakers, a larger vibration motor for stronger haptic feedback, an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner, and IP68 water and dust resistance.
There’s still no official word from Xiaomi yet. But based on the timing of recent leaks, the Redmi K90 Ultra could make its debut in China sometime around April 2026. If that happens, it may end up offering gaming-style hardware at a price closer to mainstream flagships.
Asus has launched a new variant of NUC 16 Pro mini PC in China. The compact system is now listed on JD.com for 10,999 yuan ($1,590) and features high-end specifications, including the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H processor, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage.
Asus NUC 16 Pro Specifications
The NUC 16 Pro features a Core Ultra X7 358H processor from the Panther Lake H platform, with 16 cores (4 performance cores, 8 efficiency cores, and 4 low-power efficiency cores) and a boost clock speed of 4.8GHz. It is equipped with Intel Arc B390 graphics, featuring 12 Xe cores and support for XeSS 3 frame generation technology, enhancing gaming and rendering performance.
The NUC 16 Pro includes 32GB of LPDDR5x RAM at 9600MHz, with support for up to 96GB. It features a 1TB M.2 PCIe 5.0 SSD and an additional M.2 PCIe 4.0 slot for storage expansion.
The cooling system on the NUC 16 Pro uses dual fans and multiple heat pipes to maintain performance while reducing noise. Asus says this design ensures stable operation even under heavy workloads.
The mini PC includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two HDMI 2.1 outputs, and four USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports split between the front and rear panels. Asus has also added a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port on the front. Networking is handled by dual 2.5Gb Ethernet ports and Intel Wi-Fi 7, which offer fast and reliable connectivity.
The system supports up to four 4K displays and is compatible with VESA mounting. Asus has designed the chassis for tool-free upgrades, making internal components easy to access. The device measures 14.4 x 11.7 x 4.2 cm and weighs 720 grams.
The mini pc also comes with a firmware TPM 2.0 module for hardware security. The system meets MIL-STD-810H certification for durability, ensuring it can withstand tough environments.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
A new leak has revealed what the upcoming Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold smartphone might look like. OnLeaks shared these renders in collaboration with Android Headlines. Based on the renders, Google is not making major changes to the overall design.
The Pixel 11 Pro Fold keeps the same general shape as its predecessor. The corner curvature also appears largely unchanged. The foldable main display still has a hole-punch camera cutout in the top right corner. The bezels around the display look uniform and thin. Like most book-style foldables, the bezels are slightly raised to help protect the flexible display when the device is folded. The bottom edge houses a USB-C port, microphone, speaker grille, and SIM tray. Small openings on the top edge likely accommodate microphones or antennas.
The primary visual update is a redesigned camera island. The module features cleaner lines and improved integration with the rear panel. The LED flash and microphone now sit inside the upper pill-shaped cutout alongside one camera, rather than outside the module. A curved junction between the camera island and backplate creates smoother visual flow. The flat rear panel keeps the centered Google logo.
Physical buttons maintain their positions: the power button above volume controls. The frame uses aluminum construction with a glass back panel. Dimensions show incremental thinning. Height remains 155.2mm with an unfolded width of 150.4mm. Folded thickness drops to 10.1mm (14.9mm with camera bump), down from the Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s 10.8mm. Unfolded thickness measures 4.8mm (9.6mm with bump), compared to the previous 5.2mm. This represents reductions of 0.7mm folded and 0.4mm unfolded.
The device is also expected to bring internal upgrades, including the upcoming Tensor G6 processor. This chip is rumored to be built on TSMC’s 3nm process and may feature a 7-core CPU configuration. Improvements to the camera system are also anticipated compared to the previous model, although specific details about the camera setup have not been revealed yet. More information is likely to surface as the expected August 2026 launch approaches.
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Poco has officially confirmed when its next performance-focused smartphones will arrive. The launch event is scheduled for 20:00 GMT+8, which translates to 5:30 PM in India. Poco is expected to hold a dedicated launch in India around the same time, suggesting the phones will roll out across multiple markets simultaneously.
Interestingly, Poco seems to be changing things up slightly with this generation. Instead of releasing a direct successor to the standard Poco X7, the company is focusing entirely on the higher-end models. Alongside the usual Pro variant, the lineup will now include a Pro Max version as well.
The Poco X8 Pro is expected to replace last year’s Poco X7 Pro, while the X8 Pro Max will sit above it as the more powerful option. Both models appear to be based on Xiaomi’s China-exclusive Redmi Turbo 5 series.
Early teasers also hint at a familiar design. One small but noticeable detail is the presence of LED rings around the rear cameras, which could double as notification lights or simply serve as a visual accent.
Poco has already confirmed the processors. The X8 Pro will run on MediaTek’s Dimensity 8500 Ultra, while the X8 Pro Max will step up to the more capable Dimensity 9500s, a chip that should push it closer to flagship-level performance.
The company hasn’t revealed the full specs yet, but leaks suggest the phones may feature 1.5K OLED displays with high refresh rates, along with very large batteries. Some reports even point to capacities above 7,500mAh on the Pro model.
More details should arrive during the March 17 launch event. If Poco sticks to its usual formula, the X8 Pro series could end up offering plenty of performance for the price.
LG has launched the UltraGear Evo 52G930B gaming monitor in China, and the device is now available for pre-order in the market. The monitor was initially unveiled earlier this year at CES 2026, where LG showcased it as part of its latest UltraGear gaming lineup. LG has priced the monitor at 14,999 yuan (approximately $2,170).
LG UltraGear Evo 52G930B Specifications
The LG UltraGear Evo 52G930B features a 51.6-inch 21:9 ultrawide screen with a 5K2K resolution (5120 x 2160). Designed for gaming, content creation, and productivity, the monitor includes a 1000R curvature for improved immersion.
The monitor uses an HVA panel with deep blacks, a 4000:1 contrast ratio, and VESA DisplayHDR 600 support for up to 600 nits brightness. It offers 10-bit color depth and 95% DCI-P3 coverage, ensuring vibrant and accurate colors.
The UltraGear Evo 52G930B supports a 240Hz refresh rate, which delivers smoother motion during fast-paced games. It also has a 1ms gray-to-gray (GtG) response time to minimize motion blur and ghosting. LG included AMD FreeSync technology to reduce screen tearing and stuttering by syncing the monitor’s refresh rate with compatible graphics cards.
In terms of connectivity, the monitor offers DisplayPort 2.1, two HDMI 2.1 ports, a USB-C port with 90W power delivery, and two USB-A ports with KVM functionality. It also features a 3.5mm audio jack and built-in dual 10W stereo speakers.
For ergonomics, the stand offers height, tilt, and swivel adjustments and is compatible with VESA 100 x 100mm wall mounts. The monitor also includes an RGB lighting strip on the rear to enhance its gaming aesthetic.
In related news, ViewSonic has recently launched a new affordable gaming monitor with a 27-inch 1080p display and a 175Hz refresh rate, while TCL has introduced the 27C3A Pro QD-Mini LED monitor featuring 4K 165Hz and Full HD 320Hz dual display modes.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Xiaomi has launched the Mijia Air Conditioner Human-Sensing Wind 1.5HP in China. The air conditioner is available on Xiaomi Mall for an introductory price of 2,399 yuan ($347), discounted from its regular price of 3,899 yuan ($564).
Mijia Human-Sensing Wind 1.5HP AC Specs
The air conditioner features dual millimeter-wave radars that detect human presence in real time. It adjusts airflow dynamically based on the location and movement of people in the room. The system offers modes such as airflow avoidance when someone is directly in front, softer airflow when individuals are nearby, and directional cooling that follows users. It switches to energy-saving mode when the room is empty.
Xiaomi has equipped the air conditioner with a 908 cm² air deflector panel and a 108 mm cross-flow fan blade. These components deliver up to 780 m³/h of airflow, ensuring fast cooling or heating within three minutes. The air conditioner maintains a temperature difference of less than 0.5°C across the room and supports a 10-meter airflow range for larger spaces.
The air conditioner operates quietly, with noise levels as low as 16 dB(A). Xiaomi has included comfort-enhancing modes such as canopy airflow to direct cool air along the ceiling and carpet airflow to distribute warm air downward.
The Mijia Lingyun intelligent control engine powers the air conditioner with AI-based features. It learns user preferences over time and optimizes cooling patterns. It uses Lingyun Energy Saving technology to improve energy efficiency by up to 25%. The unit integrates with Xiaomi HyperOS, supports the Mi Home app, and allows voice control through XiaoAI.
The air conditioner has a Level 1 energy efficiency rating with an APF value of 5.32. It includes self-cleaning functions for the indoor and outdoor units, antibacterial filters, and cloud-based diagnostics that monitor performance and recommend maintenance. Xiaomi claims the air conditioner can save 207 kWh of electricity annually compared to less efficient models.
SanDisk has launched the Extreme Fit USB-C Flash Drive in India. The company claims it is the world’s smallest 1TB USB-C flash drive. SanDisk initially launched this device in the United States last year.
SanDisk Extreme Fit Specifications
The SanDisk flash drive is available in 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options. It features USB 3.2 Gen 1 technology, offering fast read speeds up to 400MB/s for the 128GB to 1TB variants, enabling quick transfers of large files like HD videos or full-length movies.
SanDisk created the Extreme Fit USB-C Flash Drive with a compact and lightweight design. It measures 18.54mm x 13.72mm x 16mm and weighs just 3 grams. The small size allows users to leave the device connected to their laptops or tablets without blocking other ports.
The SanDisk flash drive includes software tools like SecureAccess for password-protected encryption, the Memory Zone app for organizing and backing up data on Windows and macOS, and RescuePro Deluxe for recovering deleted files.
The flash drive works with devices running Windows 10 and newer, macOS 12 and newer, and iPadOS 15 and newer. The company also offers a 5-year limited warranty, ensuring long-term reliability and peace of mind for users.
Pricing and Availability
The SanDisk Extreme Fit USB-C Flash Drive is available exclusively on Flipkart, with prices set at Rs. 2,049 for 64GB, Rs. 2,799 for 128GB, Rs. 4,899 for 256GB, Rs. 4,999 for 512GB, and Rs. 17,299 for 1TB.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Samsung has announced the launch of the Galaxy M17e 5G in India, scheduled for March 17. The smartphone expands the brand’s popular M series and targets the budget segment with a price expected to be under ₹14,000. Samsung has revealed most of the key specifications, leaving only the pricing details to be confirmed on the launch date.
Samsung Galaxy M17e 5G Specifications
The Galaxy M17e 5G features a 6.7-inch HD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The device is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 5G processor and an Arm Mali-G57 GPU.
The device runs on One UI 8.0, based on Android 16, and includes features like Circle to Search, large home screen folders, real-time notifications via the Now Bar, and AI integration with Google Gemini. Samsung guarantees six years of Android OS and security updates for long-term support.
The camera setup includes a 50MP primary sensor and a 2MP depth sensor for portrait effects on the rear. The front-facing camera has an 8MP sensor for selfies and video calls. Samsung has incorporated AI features to enhance photo quality and usability.
For connectivity, the phone supports 12 5G bands for reliable performance. It is powered by a 6000mAh battery, offering up to 26 hours of video playback.
The phone has a slim 8.2mm design with a Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) back panel. It carries an IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance.
The Galaxy M17e 5G comes in Vibe Violet and Blitz Blue colors and will be available on Samsung’s online store, Amazon India, and offline retailers after the launch.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
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