Huawei Nova 13 series was unveiled in China in October and the handsets have now been introduced in global markets. The lineup includes the Huawei Nova 13 and Nova 13 Pro — both of these models are equipped with Kirin 8000 chipsets and 5,000mAh batteries that can be charged at 100W. The Huawei FreeBuds Pro 4 were launched in China in November and can now be purchased outside China along with the Nova 13 series of smartphones. The company also introduced the Huawei Mate X6 book-style foldable smartphone at the global launch event.
Huawei Nova 13 Series, FreeBuds Pro 4 Price
Huawei Nova 13 price is set at MXN 10,999 (roughly Rs. 46,100) for the 12GB + 256GB option, while the Nova 13 Pro is listed at MXN 15,999 (roughly Rs. 67,100) for the 12GB + 512GB option. The phones are offered in black, green and white colourways.
The Huawei FreeBuds Pro 4 earphones, will be sold for MXN 3,199 (roughly Rs. 13,400) and are offered in black, green and white shades. These products are currently available for purchase in Mexico and will go on sale in select global markets soon.
Huawei Nova 13, Nova 13 Pro Specifications
The base Huawei Nova 13 carries a 6.7-inch Full-HD+ OLED screen, while the Pro variant gets a 6.76-inch OLED quad-curved display. Both support a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. They run on Kirin 8000 SoCs and ship with Android 14-based HarmonyOS 4.2. Both smartphones house 5,000mAh batteries with 100W wired fast charging support via a USB Type-C port.
For optics, both handsets have 50-megapixel primary rear sensors. The Huawei Nova 13 has an accompanying 8-megapixel ultra-wide shooter, while the Pro option gets a 12-megapixel telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom and an 8-megapixel macro sensor. For selfies and video calls, the front cameras feature 60-megapixel sensors each, and the Pro variant has an additional 8-megapixel 5x zoom lens.
Huawei FreeBuds Pro 4 Specifications
The Huawei FreeBuds Pro 4 TWS earphones feature a 11mm four-magnet dynamic driver and a micro-flat tweeter. They come with a Hi-Res Audio certification and offer support for ANC and spatial audio features.
The earphones feature touch controls and have an IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance. Together with the charging case, they are claimed to provide up to 22 hours of music playback time on a single charge.
Huawei announced its Mate X6 foldable smartphone in global markets outside China on Thursday during its "Unfold the Classic" product launch event in Dubai. The latest book-style foldable smartphone is a successor to last year's China-exclusive Huawei Mate X5. The Huawei Mate X6 has a 7.93-inch main display and a 6.45-inch outer display. It has an IPX8 rating for water resistance and carries three outward-facing cameras. The brand has packed a 5,110mAh battery inside the phone with 66W wired fast charging and 50W wireless charging capabilities.
Huawei Mate X6 Price
Huawei Mate X6 priced starts at AED 7199 (Rs. 1,66,000) in the UAE and SAR 7299 (roughly Rs. 1,65,000) for the 12GB RAM + 512GB storage variant. It is already available for pre-order in a few other global markets through Huawei's online platforms as well as retailers.
In global markets, the Huawei Mate X6 is available in Black, Nebula Gray, and Nebula Red shades. The handset was launched in China last month in Cosmic Red, Deep Sea Blue, Nebula White, Nebula Gray, and Obsidian Black colour options, and pricing in the country starts at CNY 12,999 (roughly Rs. 1,50,000).
Huawei Mate X6 Specifications
The global variant of Huawei Mate X6 runs on the EMUI 15 operating system and boasts a 7.93-inch (2,440x2,240 pixels) main OLED display with 1440Hz high-frequency PWM dimming and up to 240Hz touch sampling rate.
It also sports a 6.45-inch (1,080x2,440 pixels) quad-curved OLED external screen with a 300Hz touch sampling rate and support for up to 1440Hz high-frequency PWM dimming. Both screens offer adaptive refresh rates ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz. The screens have Kunlun glass second-generation protection.
Huawei has not revealed the name of the chipset that powers the Mate X6, but it is believed to be equipped with the latest Kirin 9100 chip. The handset comes with 12GB of RAM and 512GB storage. The Chinese edition is available in 256GB and 512GB storage options. It has a steel hinge and 3D liquid-cooling VC for thermal management.
Huawei Mate X6 Photo Credit: Huawei
For optics, the Huawei Mate X6 features a 50-megapixel wide-angle camera with OIS, a 40-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera, and a 48-megapixel telephoto macro camera. The rear camera unit features an Ultra Chroma technology, that utilises 1.5 million spectral channels. For selfies, the handset features two 8-megapixel camera cameras arranged on both the inner and outer displays.
Connectivity options on the Huawei Mate X6 include Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS/AGPS, NFC, GLONASS, Beidou, NavIC, OTG, and a USB Type-C port. The handset is equipped with an ambient light sensor, barometer, colour compass, fingerprint sensor, camera laser focus sensor, gesture sensor, gravity sensor, hall sensor, proximity sensor and temperature sensor. It has an IPX8 rating for water resistance.
The Huawei Mate X6 has a 5,110mAh battery with 66W wired fast charging support and 50W wireless fast charging support. Besides, it weighs around 239g.
WhatsApp is rolling out several new features to improve the audio and video calling experience on desktop and mobile platforms ahead of the holiday season, the company announced on Thursday. The social media platform now lets users pick from even more effects in video calls. Further, it adds the ability to select specific participants for calls in group chats. WhatsApp also claims to improve the calling experience by introducing higher-resolution video.
WhatsApp Adds 10 Effects for Video Calls
In a blog post, WhatsApp detailed the new features on desktop and mobile platforms. The company highlighted that users can now pick from 10 effects in video calls, including puppy ears, underwater, and a karaoke microphone. In group chats, users can select specific participants for calls without disrupting the entire chat.
The social media platform says that it brings more options to the Calls tab on the WhatsApp desktop app. There are now options for starting a call, creating a call link, and dialling a number. It also introduces higher-resolution video calling with a clearer picture in individual as well as group calls.
Notably, these features add to the recent introductions on WhatsApp in recent months.
WhatsApp previously introduced typing indicators for real-time engagement in chats earlier this month. Visual cues appear in chats along with the profile picture of the user who's typing when they are engaged in active conversations in both one-to-one and group chats. The feature is claimed to be particularly useful when multiple users are typing simultaneously in group chats.
Further, it also rolled out voice message transcripts last month. This is said to make sending voice messages a more convenient process. The feature provides users with a text-based transcription of the voice message received from others. However, only the recipient can see a transcript of the voice message and not the sender. WhatsApp emphasises that transcripts are generated on-device and no one else can hear or read its content.
Samsung Galaxy Book 5 Pro was launched on Thursday, months after it unveiled the Galaxy Book 5 Pro 360 in September. The latest laptop from the South Korean technology conglomerate joins the Galaxy Book 5 series and boasts the new Intel Core Ultra series 2 processor dubbed Lunar Lake, Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, and Thunderbolt 4 ports. It also gets artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, leveraging Microsoft's Copilot+ platform as well as Galaxy AI — Samsung's AI suite.
Samsung Galaxy Book 5 Pro Availability
Samsung says Galaxy Book 5 Pro will initially be available for purchase in South Korea starting Janaury 2. Potential customers can sign up to be notified of the sale and receive a discount coupon.
The laptop will be offered in two colourways — gray and silver.
Samsung Galaxy Book 5 Pro Specifications
Samsung Galaxy Book 5 Pro has been launched in two sizes — 14-inch and 16-inch. It is equipped with a Dynamic AMOLED 2X touchscreen display with an anti-reflective coating on top and Vision Booster feature. It is powered by an Intel Core Ultra Processor Series 2 (codenamed Lunar Lake) along with a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU), supporting up to 47 trillion operations per second (TOPS).
Courtesy of the NPU, it supports on-device AI capabilities. The Galaxy Book 5 Pro is a Microsoft Copilot+ PC and also gets Samsung's Galaxy AI suite. The latter supports functions such as AI Select — a visual lookup feature similar to Google's Circle to Search. Users can highlight a part of the screen by circling or drawing on it and search for it on the web. Further, it taps the NPU to access Optical Character Recognition (OCR), enabling them to select text from images and scan QR codes by circling on them.
Then there's the Photo Remaster feature which can upscale old images into high-definition resolution.
Samsung Galaxy Book 5 Pro features a webcam with Staggered HDR technology, a quad speaker setup, and Dolby Atmos support. It can run up to 25 hours on a single charge. For connectivity, there are Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1, USB Type-A ports, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a microSD card reader.
I Am Kathalan, directed by Girish AD and starring Naslen K Gafoor, is reportedly gearing up for its OTT release. The film, which delves into a gripping tale of cybercrime and revenge, has captured attention for its unique take on the techno-thriller genre. As per a recent report, the digital rights have been secured by the Manorama Max platform, and viewers can expect an official announcement of the release date soon.
When and Where to Watch I Am Kathalan
As per a report by TImes of India, I Am Kathalan digital rights have been secured by Manorama Max for an undisclosed amount. That said, there is no official confirmation about the OTT release date of the latest movie. But reports suggest the streaming debut may happen by mid-December 2024.
Official Trailer and Plot of I Am Kathalan
I Am Kathalan introduced audiences to the character of Vishnu, a tech-savvy young man grappling with academic setbacks and personal loss. The plot revolves around his attempt to take revenge on a fraudulent chit-fund company, leading him into a web of danger and emotional turmoil. Written by Sajin Cherukayil, the narrative blends technology and suspense, offering a darker tone than director Girish AD's earlier works.
Cast and Crew of I Am Kathalan
The film features Naslen K Gafoor as Vishnu, supported by Lijomol Jose, Dileesh Pothan, and Anishma Anilkumar in pivotal roles. Cinematography by Sharan Velayudhan and editing by Akash Joseph Varghese contribute to the film's intense atmosphere. The music, composed by Sidhartha Pradeep, complements the gripping storyline. The production was handled by Gokulam Gopalan, Dr. Paul Varghese, and Krishnamoorthy under Dream Big Films.
Reception of I Am Kathalan
The film has a rating of 7.1 / 10 on IMDb. It has been praised for Naslen's performance, the technical aspects and the innovative storytelling approach.
The highly anticipated biblical drama Mary has arrived on Netflix, featuring Noa Cohen in the titular role. Directed by DJ Caruso and penned by Timothy Michael Hayes, the film delves into Mary's life, depicting her journey as the chosen one to bear the Messiah. Produced under the banners of Luna Film Productions, PeachTree Media Partners, Aloe Entertainment, and Ludascripts, Mary has already become a focal point of discussions, both for its storytelling and the controversies it has sparked.
When and Where to Watch Mary
Mary was released on Netflix on December 6, 2024. Subscribers to the streaming platform can now watch the drama, which presents a blend of faith, courage and resilience in its narrative. The movie offers an intimate look at Mary's life as she navigates societal rejection and the immense responsibility of her divine selection.
Official Trailer and Plot of Mary
The official trailer of Mary sets the tone for a deeply emotional narrative, showcasing Mary's struggles after her miraculous conception. The story unfolds against the backdrop of the Middle East, tracing her journey with Joseph as they protect their newborn son, Jesus, from King Herod's deadly pursuit. The film seeks to portray Mary not just as a saint but as a relatable young woman, adding depth to her character and the challenges she faced.
Cast and Crew of Mary
Noa Cohen leads the ensemble cast, portraying Mary, alongside Anthony Hopkins as King Herod. Ido Tako plays Joseph, with Hilla Vidor and Ori Pfeffer appearing as Anne and Joachim, respectively. Other notable cast members include Stephanie Nur, Mili Avital, Salim Benmoussa, and Keren Tzur. The production is helmed by a team of seasoned producers, including Mary Aloe and Hannah Leader.
Reception of Mary
Mary has garnered mixed reactions, with its portrayal of biblical events sparking significant debates. Critics have highlighted the casting of Noa Cohen, an Israeli actress, as a point of contention. Despite the controversies, the film has succeeded in drawing attention to its unique perspective on a well-known narrative. It has an IMDb rating of 5.3 / 10.
Apple rolled out the iOS 18.2 update for iPhone globally on Wednesday. It arrives a day after the release of iOS 18.2 Release Candidate (RC) 2, expanding the set of Apple Intelligence features that the Cupertino-based technology giant previously introduced. Its latest update brings Image Playground, Genmoji, and ChatGPT integration. It also bundles a new visual lookup feature exclusive to the iPhone 16 series while expanding the availability of Apple's artificial intelligence (AI) suite to more languages.
iOS 18.2 Compatible Models
Apple says all iPhone models compatible with the initial iOS 18 update are eligible to download the latest iOS 18.2 update. However, the Apple Intelligence features are limited to the iPhone 16 lineup, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
It is being expanded to more English-speaking locales such as Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the UK. The AI suite is available globally on the iPhone except for China and the EU, but it will introduced in the latter starting April next year.
iOS 18.2 Update Features
In a newsroom post, Apple detailed the new features arriving on the iPhone with the iOS 18.2 update. One of the highlights is Image Playground — a new standalone app that bundles three capabilities and brings more ways for users to express themselves better. It leverages generative AI to generate images in distinct styles such as animation or illustration, based on textual prompts. Then there's Genmoji, which has similar functionality but works for emojis. The created images and emojis can be shared in apps such as Messages, Notes, and Keynote, as per Apple.
Meanwhile, Image Wand transforms a rough sketch into a related image in the Notes app, similar to Samsung's AI-powered Sketch to Image feature. It can also create an image in the app based on the handwritten or typed text using on-device generative AI models.
While Apple introduced Writing Tools with iOS 18.1 in October, the latest iOS 18.2 update expands their capabilities. It brings a new Describe Your Change option which enables users to specify the changes they'd like, such as making it more dynamic or rewrite it in the form of a poem. It joins the existing Rewrite, Proofread, and Summarise tools and is available system-wide and in third-party apps.
iPhone 16 series users can now take advantage of the new Visual Intelligence feature. Apple says it is a visual lookup tool which helps them learn about objects and places instantly, leveraging the new Camera Control button. It can summarise and copy text, translate it between languages, and detect phone numbers or email addresses with the option to add to contacts. It also allows them to search Google for a product they like, solve a math equation, or simply ask ChatGPT to provide more information.
And on a related note, ChatGPT comes to the iPhone. Siri, which is Apple's voice assistant, can now leverage the capabilities of OpenAI's AI chatbot to provide users with more in-depth responses to queries and document and image-understanding capabilities. Siri can suggest a user access to ChatGPT for certain requests and provide direct answers. Further, it can also generate content using native writing tools. Apple says this feature requires optional sign-in, and iPhone users with a paid ChatGPT account can use their account for access to more powerful OpenAI models.
The company emphasises that OpenAI does not store requests, nor does it use the data for training its models. It also obscures their IP addresses to prevent sessions from being linked together.
What's Ahead
Apple Intelligence capabilities will be expanded further in the coming months, as per Apple. Siri will get contextual awareness to deliver tailored responses. It is also claimed to be able to have on-screen awareness with new actions across Apple and third-party apps. Other expected features include Priority Notifications and a new sketch style for Image Playground.
Samsung Galaxy XCover 8 Pro has surfaced online and could see a launch soon. The model number of the anticipated handset as well as a probable launch timeline had previously been tipped. Now, the battery details of the phone have been spotted on a certification site. The purported rugged smartphone is expected to arrive as a successor to the Samsung Galaxy XCover 6 Pro, which was unveiled in July 2022. Notably, Samsung introduced the Galaxy XCover 7 in India in February.
Samsung Galaxy XCover 8 Pro Battery Size
A battery with the model number EB-BG766GBY has been spotted on the Safety Korea website. The battery has a rated capacity of 4,265mAh and a typical capacity of 4,350mAh. A Galaxy Club report claims this is the battery of the Samsung Galaxy XCover 8 Pro. If true, the purported Galaxy XCover handset will get a larger battery than the 4,050mAh cell in the Galaxy XCover 7 and the Galaxy XCover 6 Pro.
Samsung Galaxy XCover 8 Pro Launch (Expected)
An earlier report suggested that the Samsung Galaxy XCover 8 Pro with model number SM-G766B is in the works. It is expected to launch around mid-2025 alongside a new Galaxy Tab Active model. They are tipped to arrive after the launch of the Galaxy S25 series and the Galaxy A56 model. Other details about the rumoured rugged smartphone and tablet aren't known yet.
The Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 with MIL-STD-810H certification and an IP68-rated build, was launched in India in February this year. In select global markets, it was unveiled alongside the Galaxy Tab Active 5. The rugged tablet has yet to see an India launch.
Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 price in India starts at Rs. 27,208, while the Enterprise Edition was priced Rs. 27,530 at launch. The standard and the Enterprise Edition offer a one-year and a two-year warranty, respectively. The phone comes in a lone 6GB RAM and 128GB onboard storage configuration.
Instagram is rolling out a new feature dubbed trial reels which makes it easier for creators to experiment with new content, it announced on Tuesday. This feature was first announced in May this year and was rolled out in the test phase. With its arrival, the social media platform will enable Instagram creators to create trial reels and show them to users who do not follow them first for feedback, helping them gauge their interest.
Trial Reels on Instagram
In a blog post, Instagram announced that trial reels help creators experiment with content beyond their niche, such as a new genre, storytelling format or topic, to see if it resonates with their audience. It will be shown to only non-followers in the feed and the Reels section. Instagram will provide key performance insights like views, likes, comments and shares of the trial reel after 24 hours, giving them a choice to share it with their followers too, if it does well.
Creating trial reels on Instagram requires creators to follow the same pathway except for one added step. Before sharing the reel, they must turn on the Trial toggle which appears below the caption text box. After sharing the Instagram reel, it can be viewed on the profile next to drafts.
While trial reels won't be visible on the creators' profiles, their followers may still be able to see them if it is shared with them directly, as per Instagram. They may also appear on a page which shows reels with the same audio, filter, or location. The platform says it will automatically share the trial reel with followers if it is found to be performing well within the first 72 hours. However, creators have control over it and can change this setting anytime.
The social media platform says trial reels have already started rolling out and will be globally available to all eligible creators in the coming weeks. The only prerequisite is having a professional account
The origins of the universe's largest galaxies, long a mystery to astronomers, may have been revealed by a new study published in Nature on December 4. Researchers have suggested that cosmic collisions between galaxies billions of years ago could have created the most massive star systems. These galaxies, unlike the Milky Way's flat spiral shape, exhibit a spherical, bulging structure. According to the findings, these collisions likely took place when the universe was just 1 to 5 billion years old and were marked by intense bursts of star formation.
Key Observations Made Using ALMA
Observations made by the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in northern Chile played a crucial role in this research. A team led by Qing-Hua Tan of the Purple Mountain Observatory examined the light distribution from over 100 distant galaxies. These galaxies, identified in archival data from the A3COSMOS and A3GOODSS projects, were studied for their extreme star-forming activity.
Tan stated to Nature that direct evidence has been found indicating that these spheroidal galaxies formed through episodes of intense star formation at their cores. The study demonstrates how gas, drawn toward the centres of colliding galaxies, facilitated the creation of stars at rates significantly exceeding those of the Milky Way.
Insights into Early Universe Evolution
University of Southampton researcher Anna Puglisi, part of the team, explained to Nature that these processes occurred 8 to 12 billion years ago, during a period when the universe experienced heightened activity. The study marks a significant step toward understanding early galactic evolution.
As per reports, the researchers plan to integrate their findings with data from the James Webb Space Telescope and the Euclid satellite to map star populations within these galaxies. According to Puglisi, in a statement, this combined analysis could provide a more comprehensive understanding of how galaxies formed and evolved in the universe's early stages.
Honor 90 GT was launched in China in December 2023. A successor to the handset may arrive soon. The company has announced that new Honor GT products will be unveiled later this month. The company has yet to confirm the moniker of the upcoming devices. The design of one of the upcoming phones, speculated to be Honor 100 GT, has been revealed as well. Previously, some key specifications of a purported Honor 100 GT smartphone had surfaced online, suggesting an upgraded battery and chipset over the existing Honor 90 GT.
New Honor GT Launch
Honor confirmed in a Weibo post that the new Honor GT products will launch in China on December 16 at 7:30pm local time (5pm IST). The company has yet to reveal the monikers of the upcoming devices. One of the new launches is speculated to be the Honor 100 GT.
The post teases the design of an Honor GT phone with a rectangular rear camera module. It holds two camera sensors and a pill-shaped LED unit. One corner of the rear camera module is inscribed with the letter "GT." The teaser shows the phone in a white/silver colourway. The phone is confirmed to run on MagicOS.
Honor 100 GT Features (Expected)
The purported Honor 100 GT has been tipped to come with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and a "high-density silicon" battery. It is expected to get a flat LTPS display with a 1.5K resolution and eye-protection technology.
The Honor 100 GT will likely get a 50-megapixel Sony "IMX9xx" primary rear sensor, according to the earlier leak. The handset is expected to be equipped with a 3D ultrasonic fingerprint sensor for security.
Notably, the Honor 90 GT sports a 50-megapixel dual rear camera system including a Sony IMX800 main camera sensor. It has a 6.7-inch full-HD+ (2,664 x 1,200 pixels) OLED screen, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and a 5,000mAh battery with 100W fast charging support. For security, it gets a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
Poco M7 Pro 5G and Poco C75 5G are scheduled to launch in India on December 17. Ahead of their anticipated debut, the Xiaomi sub-brand has detailed several specifications of the upcoming smartphones, including their camera and display capabilities. The Poco M7 Pro 5G is confirmed to come with a 50-megapixel primary camera with a Sony sensor, while the Poco C75 5G will become the first phone in the company's C series to run on Xiaomi's HyperOS.
Poco M75 Pro 5G, Poco C75 5G Specifications (Confirmed)
In subsequent posts on X (formerly Twitter), Poco India announced details about its upcoming smartphones. As per the company, the Poco M7 Pro 5G will be equipped with a 6.67-inch full HD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and a peak brightness of 2,100 nits. The handset is confirmed to sport both TUV triple certification and SGS eye care display certification. It is also said to have a 92.02 percent screen-to-body ratio.
For optics, it will be equipped with a dual rear camera setup, headlined by a 50-megapixel Sony LYT-600 camera with optical image stabilisation, multi-frame noise reduction, and four-in-one pixel binning. It will also come with in-sensor zoom along with super resolution technology. The upcoming handset's other features include 300 percent super volume, dual stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos support, a 3.5mm headphone jack, Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection, and an in-display fingerprint sensor.
Meanwhile, the company also highlights that the 5G variant of Poco C75 will become the first in the series to run on its HyperOS platform, while also being priced under Rs. 9,000. It will be equipped with a Sony sensor, which is claimed to be a segment-first. The upcoming handset is confirmed to get Qualcomm's Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 chipset under the hood with a 4nm architecture. It will be paired with up to 8GB of RAM (including 4GB Turbo RAM) and up to 1TB of expandable storage.
Poco says it will get two years of OS and four years of security updates. The handset's other features include a side-mounted fingerprint sensor with tap gestures, dual-SIM support, and an MIUI dialler.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is speculated to debut as part of the Galaxy S25 series early next year. In recent weeks, the rumour mill has suggested that Samsung's purported next-generation flagship handset may undergo a design overhaul, with the boxy shape being phased out for a more curved approach. Now, a tipster claims that higher configuration variants of the Galaxy S25 Ultra may get a boost in terms of memory compared to the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
RAM Upgrade for Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
User @Jukanlosreve detailed the RAM upgrade expected to arrive with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra in a post on X (formerly Twitter). The tipster claims that the base variant of the Galaxy S25 Ultra will come with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, similar to its predecessor. Meanwhile, the other variants will be available in 16GB+512GB and 16GB+1TB RAM and storage configurations.
If true, this translates into an increase in terms of RAM over the Galaxy S24 Ultra which came with 12GB of RAM standard across all variants. It would also put it at par with other flagship handsets in the market such as the Google Pixel 9 and the OnePlus 13 — both offered with 16GB of RAM as one of the options.
This revelation corroborates previous claims by tipster Ice Universe who suggested that there would be at least one configuration of the purported Galaxy S25 Ultra with 16GB of RAM.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is expected to be equipped with a 6.86-inch AMOLED screen with thinner bezels than its predecessor, as per previous reports. The purported handset may sport a 200-megapixel primary camera, a 10-megapixel 3x telephoto camera, a 50-megapixel 5x telephoto camera, and an upgraded 50-megapixel ultrawide camera.
It is speculated to be powered by Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, with up to 16GB of RAM. The phone may be backed a 5,000mAh battery with support for 45W charging.
SpaceX has announced the successful completion of its first Starlink satellite constellation designed to provide direct internet connectivity to standard mobile phones. According to reports, the achievement was marked by the launch of 20 Starlink satellites, including 13 equipped with direct-to-cell capabilities. The launch occurred on December 4, 2024, at 10:05 PM EST from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. This development aims to address connectivity challenges in underserved and remote areas by eliminating the need for specialised equipment.
New Era in Direct-to-Cell Connectivity
Of the 20 satellites launched, 13 are equipped with direct-to-cell connectivity capabilities, as stated by SpaceX founder Elon Musk in a post on X (formerly Twitter) early Thursday morning. Musk confirmed that the deployment of these satellites completes the first shell of Starlink's direct-to-cell network. He added that this system will allow unmodified mobile phones to access internet services in remote regions.
Direct-to-Cell Technology and Launch Details
The satellites launched aboard the Falcon 9 rocket are intended to enhance the existing Starlink network. Reports suggest that these satellites use laser backhaul to integrate with the broader constellation, ensuring seamless internet access even in areas traditionally considered service dead zones. While the current bandwidth is reported to be approximately 10 Mbps per beam, SpaceX has indicated that future iterations of the technology will feature significantly higher capabilities.
Expanding Global Connectivity
The Starlink project, envisioned by SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk, aims to deploy thousands of low Earth orbit satellites to provide global broadband coverage. To date, more than 7,000 satellites have been launched as part of this initiative.
Implications for the Future
The direct-to-cell feature is seen as a pivotal step in connecting users in the most remote areas without requiring additional hardware. This advancement aligns with Musk's broader goals of enhancing global internet access and preparing for long-term objectives like interplanetary colonisation. Reports indicate growing interest in the initiative, with millions already benefiting from Starlink's high-speed internet services across diverse regions.
This milestone underscores SpaceX's commitment to innovation in satellite communication, with ongoing developments expected to redefine the global connectivity landscape.
China has reportedly launched its latest Long March-12 rocket from the newly established Wenchang Commercial Space Launch Site, marking a significant milestone in its commercial space ambitions. The launch occurred on November 30, 2024, propelling two experimental satellites into orbit. The 62.6-metre rocket is designed to support a growing surge in commercial satellite deployments, as reported by Chinese state media.
Key Features of Long March-12
As per a report by China state media, the two-stage Long March-12 rocket uses advanced kerosene and liquid hydrogen fuels, replacing older hypergolic propellants. According to the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, the vehicle can transport 10 tons to low-Earth orbit or six tons to a sun-synchronous orbit at 700 kilometers. In an interview with China Daily, Xie Li, Senior Designer of Long March-12, explained that the rocket is equipped with an automatic ignition-malfunction detection system, which ensures safer launches by performing real-time checks and calculating alternative trajectories in case of anomalies.
With a diameter of 3.8 metres, the rocket's design accommodates four engines for greater fuel storage and payload capacity. Xie Li also noted that the structural material used is 15 percent lighter and 28 percent stronger than alloys in earlier Long March variants.
Significance of Wenchang Commercial Spaceport
As per reports, constructed at a cost of 553 million dollars, the Wenchang Commercial Space Launch Site is strategically located on Hainan Island near the equator, allowing for reduced fuel consumption and increased payload capabilities. Reports indicate the spaceport, operated by Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co., Ltd., will support up to 16 launches annually per pad.
The coastal location facilitates easier transportation of large rockets by sea and enables efficient recovery of reusable rocket stages from the South China Sea. The site is expected to play a key role in China's plans for commercial megaconstellations, including the Qianfan and Guowang satellite networks.
Instagram announced new features for broadcast channels on Wednesday. The latest update adds more ways for creators to engage with their audience instead of simply liking and reacting to messages — the only avenue for interaction on the social media platform until now. Instagram users can now reply to messages from creators as well as each other. Further, it now enables creators to actively engage courtesy of timed prompts and daily check-ins.
New Features for Broadcast Channels on Instagram
Instagram detailed the new features coming to broadcast channels in a blog post. The company is introducing three new features: Replies, Prompts, and Insights and best practices.
As the name suggests, the Replies feature lets users engage with the creators and each other by replying to messages, enabling back-and-forth conversations. It works along the same lines as comments when it comes to deleting or reporting replies. To turn on replies, tap the channel name > Channel controls. Then, enable the Allow members to reply to messages setting.
With the latest update, Instagram makes it easier for creators to break the ice with the Prompts feature. They can choose from suggested topics or create a custom prompt that fits their channel the best. Other users can respond to prompts with text or photos for up to 24 hours, and like their favourite responses. When a creator replies to a prompt, it will also be shared in the main broadcast channel.
While the aforementioned features are a way for creators to engage their audience more actively, the social media platform is also rolling out metrics to keep tabs on the engagement. They can now access channel insights such as the total number of interactions, story shares, and poll votes. To achieve higher numbers, they can set goals and Instagram will provide them with the best practices and personalised guidance. To view channel insights, tap channel name > Channel performance. Tapping the See all option will provide detailed insights of the brocast channel's engagement metrics.
Samsung announced the One UI 7 beta rollout in select regions a month after its initial unveiling at the Samsung Developer Conference (SDC) 2024 in San Jose, California. The update brings Android 15 to Galaxy devices, introducing visual enhancements with more customisation options, a new notification system called Now Bar, redesigned One UI widgets, improved user interface (UI) for the camera app, and additions to Galaxy AI — the company's suite of artificial intelligence (AI) features.
One UI 7 Beta Availability, Eligible Models
Samsung says that the One UI 7 beta programme is initially available for the Galaxy S24 series in Germany, India, Korea, Poland, the UK and the US. It can be joined by signing up for the beta programme via the Samsung Members app. The company highlights that the update's features may vary depending on the country or region the user resides in.
It supports a total of 29 languages including local dialects, such as Arabic, Chinese, English (Australia, India, United Kingdom, United States), Dutch, French (Canada, France), German, Hindi, Spanish (Mexico, Spain, United States), and Vietnamese.
One UI 7 Beta Features
One UI 7 beta carries Samsung's three core goals which it announced at SDC — Purposeful simplicity, signature impression, and emotional attachment. As per the South Korean technology conglomerate, it brings a new notification system which is said to make accessing notifications from the lock screen easier, courtesy of an addition dubbed ‘Now Bar'. It displays relevant activities across apps like Interpreter, Music, Recording, and Stopwatch, providing key information without having to unlock the smartphone. Samsung confirms that this feature will be exclusive to the next-generation Galaxy S series.
The native Camera app has been redesigned with reorganised camera buttons, controls and, modes. One UI 7 beta introduces simplified settings when shooting in the Pro and Pro video modes, while it also adds a zoom control option in the latter for smooth transitions, as per the company.
A big part of One UI 7 beta is the range of AI features on offer. Galaxy AI brings advanced writing tools which have been integrated into the operating system (OS), eliminating the need to switch apps for selecting the text. Similar to Apple Intelligence, users can carry out grammar and spell checks, change the writing tone, summarise, or create bulleted lists.
Call transcripts support 20 languages and work automatically for recorded conversations. Other features of the update include reduced visual clutter, redesigned One UI 7 widgets, and a new lock screen.
Xreal One series augmented reality (AR) glasses were launched on Wednesday. The latest lineup from the Chinese startup comes with a new X1 independent spatial computing chip that is claimed to provide complete spatial screen control. Two models have been unveiled as part of Xreal's latest AR glass lineup — Xreal One and One Pro. Xreal says its products feature a redesigned optical engine, adjustable interpupillary distance option, audio powered by Bose, and a multimodal camera powered by artificial intelligence (AI).
Xreal One, Xreal One Pro Price
Xreal One price starts at $499 (roughly Rs. 42000) while the Pro model costs $599 (roughly Rs. 51,000). Both models can be pre-ordered now and the AR glasses will be available for purchase in the US, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Czech, Netherlands, China, Japan, and Korea.
The base model will start shipping to customers this month while sales of Xreal One Pro will commence in early 2025, as per the company.
Xreal One, Xreal One Pro Specifications
Xreal One are cinematic AR glasses which can deliver three degrees-of-freedom (3DoF) spatial computing. It takes advantage of the integrated spatial co-processing chip called X1, which is directly built into the glasses. Equipped with a proprietary optical engine, the company says Xreal One can provide visuals in a resolution equivalent to 1080p for each eye and a 50-degree field-of-view (FOV).
The base model is claimed to have a 20.7 percent larger display area than the Xreal Air 2 series while the Xreal One Pro has a 63.7 percent larger area. The AR glasses come with several customisation options including screen size, screen distance, stabiliser, side view, brightness enhancement, display optimization, colour temperature, 2D/3D switching, interpupillary distance (IPD) adjustment, volume and sound settings, button mapping settings, sensor calibration, and language settings.
Users can connect devices such as the iPhone, Android, Steam Deck, Windows PC, or MacBook, and stream visuals on the AR glasses in 3D space with a low motion-to-photon (M2P) latency of 3ms. The glasses support a refresh rate of 120Hz. Xreal One and Xreal One Pro come with a peak brightness of 600 nits and 700 nits, respectively. They have a TUV Rheinland certification for Low Blue-Light and Flicker Free experience.
Both models are equipped with a quad microphone setup for recording clearer audio and have sound powered by Bose. Further, the Xreal One series features a modular RGB camera called Xreal Eye which is a detachable accessory. It can capture still photos at 12-megapixel or record videos in 1080p at 60fps. The company says a future update will bring multimodal capabilities such as image recognition and communication via voice commands to the AR glasses, leveraging the host device's voice assistant.
Xreal One series features a magnesium alloy chassis and users can customise the look of their AR glasses by swapping out the front frame. Xreal One weighs 84g, whereas the One Pro weighs 87g.
For Oppo, 2024 has been a dream run, with the brand registering the highest growth amongst the top five brands in Q3 2024. As per IDC, Oppo led with launches like A3x, K12x and Reno 12 series in the quarter. After securing the second spot in the top smartphone manufacturers list and beating the likes of Realme, Xiaomi, and Motorola, Oppo has made a comeback to the premium segment. The all-new Find X8 series - Find X8 and Find X8 Pro - attempts to be the feather in the hat for Oppo. Gadgets 360 got to talk to Savio D'Souza, Head of Product Communications, Oppo India, to discuss the new launch and much more.
Smartphone premiumisation in India
We wanted to jump straight to the new Find X8 series, which is a return for Oppo in the premium smartphone segment in India. D'Souza explained how the premiumisation trend has entered the smartphone space with increasing ASP (average selling price).
"Indian consumers increasingly seek top-tier smartphones for communication, productivity, entertainment, and payments. A recent IDC report highlights that the premium segment registered the highest growth of 86% in the July-Sept 2024 quarter. The Find X8 Series addresses this demand with cutting-edge features like AI Summary, AI Reflection Remover, AI LinkBoost, a flagship quad-camera system, and a sleek, lightweight design. The timing couldn't be better for the Find X series to return, as premium innovation is now the need of the hour," he said.
With new launches in the premium segment, the market is becoming aggressive. How does Oppo's new Find X8 series fit into the entire premium price range, where iPhones and Samsungs dominate the segment? "With the Find X8 series, we are redefining what smartphones can achieve. The smartphone combines the best from industry leaders—MediaTek, Google, Hasselblad, and Dolby Vision. The Dimensity 9400 chipset powers exceptional performance, while Google Gemini enhances AI personalisation. Hasselblad Imaging provides pro-level photography, and Dolby Vision delivers stunning display quality. Oppo's proprietary HyperTone Image Engine further optimises photo quality," D'Souza said.
"With Oppo's engineering prowess, we have packed all these powerful aspects into a lightweight and sleek device. Together, these technologies create a smartphone that seamlessly blends innovation, performance, and user-centric features, making the Find X8 Series a standout flagship," he added.
AI to enhance user experience?
When asked about Oppo's AI ambitions, D'Souza said that the company has a strategy set for consumer needs. "This year, we have integrated generative AI across our lineup—features typically reserved for flagship devices. By the end of 2024, we aim to deliver 50 million AI-powered smartphones globally," he said.
Find X8 and Find X8 Pro come with the same camera hardware
On being asked about whether AI alone will be the enabler for consumers to make the switch. D'Souza said, "I believe it's the coming together of hardware, software, and AI that delivers a superior smartphone experience. A good device needs a powerful processor to function efficiently, and AI compliments and, at times, supplements their efforts to elevate the performance."
Giving the Find X8 series example, D'Souza further explained, "The Find X8 Series is engineered by Oppo for high performance, and it integrates exceptional AI-based functionalities across its camera, productivity, and connectivity systems, all optimised by the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 chipset." But he stressed that Oppo has ensured that they are offering the best camera experience, too.
"The Find X8 Series features a path-breaking quad-camera system with dual telephoto cameras and the AI Telescope Zoom further adds to the camera capabilities. It uses powerful AI algorithms with generative AI models to help users zoom into subjects while preserving clarity and accuracy, even at extreme zoom levels such as up to 120x," he added.
After-sales support
The after-sales is the backbone of the smartphone business in India. When asked about the updates on service centres from Oppo and if there is any new offering to be announced for Find X8 series support, D'Souza said, "We are a customer-first brand and believe that a strong after-sales support network is central to delivering a premium user experience. We have revamped our after-sales service model with new-generation service centres. Additionally, the digitally led Oppo Self-Help Assistant, aligned with the Indian Government's 'Right to Repair' framework, enables customers to resolve their smartphone issues without visiting a service centre. A strong validation of our efforts is reflected in the recent Counterpoint Research survey, where Oppo India earned the Number 1 position in customer satisfaction for after-sales."
For the Find X8 series, Oppo announced a host of benefits, like an additional warranty of 365 days on pre-booking till December 2, 2024. The company also introduced 'Refresh Service', where customers can replace screen guards and protective cases twice within the warranty tenure and even get them delivered to their homes.
Oppo is also among a handful of brands that offer an International Warranty Service, which means customers can also get maintenance, repairs, and software upgrades in countries where the device is officially available.
2025 - What's in store?
When asked about Oppo's 2025 plans, and we are in the last month, D'Souza promised some exciting products in the lineup without sharing many details.
"2024 has been a landmark year for Oppo in terms of AI-driven product innovation with the Reno 12 Series, F Series, and now the Find X8 Series. We will continue to introduce new products and technologies to enable 'AI for All'. There is a strong focus on bringing Gen AI features across photography, productivity, and performance parameters, and over 5800 AI-related patents have already been filed by Oppo for image processing, computer vision, speech technology, natural language processing, machine learning, etc. There are exciting launches planned in 2025, and you will hear from us at the right time," he added.
Oppo Find X8 and X8 Pro are now available in India via online and offline channels.
Realme 14x could launch in India soon. While Realme has not provided any details yet, a report has suggested the phone's sale date and possible specifications. The Realme 14x is tipped to come with an IP69 rating and could include a 6,000mAh battery. It is said to come in three RAM and storage combinations and three colour options. The Realme 14x is likely to go official in December. It is expected to succeed the Realme 12x.
91Mobiles, citing industry sources, reports that Realme 14x will go on sale in India on December 18. This indicates that the launch could take place next week. It will reportedly offer an IP69-rated build for dust and water resistance and carry a 6,000mAh battery. The Realme 14x is tipped to feature a 6.67-inch HD+ display and a diamond-cutting design like previous Realme phones.
Previous leaks suggest that the Realme 14x will launch in 6GB RAM + 128GB, 8GB RAM + 128GB, and 8GB RAM + 256GB storage options. It is said to be available in crystal black, golden glow, and jewel red colour options.
Realme 14x 5G Price, Specifications
The Realme 14X is expected to come with upgrades over the Realme 12x 5G. The latter was launched in India in April this year with a price tag of Rs. 11,999 for the 4GB RAM + 128GB storage option.
Realme 12x 5G has a 6.72-inch full-HD+ IPS LCD screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and it runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ SoC. It sports a 50-megapixel dual rear camera unit and an 8-megapixel selfie shooter.
Realme has packed a 5,000mAh battery in the Realme 12X 5G with support for 45W wired SuperVOOC charging. It has an IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance. The handset includes a Dynamic Button and supports the Air Gestures feature. It has a Mini Capsule 2.0 feature that shows users' calls, charging and other important alerts via an animation around the hole-punch cutout on the display.
Red Magic 10 Pro was launched in the global markets on Thursday, a month after its debut in China. The global variant of the Pro model carries similar specifications as its Chinese counterpart except dropping support for 120W fast charging in favour of a bit slower 100W charging. It is powered by Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and features a dual-pump vapour chamber with liquid metal cooling to keep thermals in check.
Red Magic 10 Pro Price
Red Magic 10 Pro price starts at $649 (roughly Rs. 55,000) for the base 12GB + 256GB variant. It is available in two other storage configurations — a 16GB + 512GB model priced at $799 (roughly Rs. 68,000) and a 24GB + 1TB variant costing $999 (roughly Rs. 85,000).
It is available for purchase in the Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, North America, the Middle East, the UK, and the US starting December 12 in early access, while open sales will commence on December 18. The handset is launched in three colourways: Dusk, Moonlight, and Shadow.
Red Magic 10 Pro Specifications
Red Magic 10 Pro dual-SIM (Nano+Nano) runs on Red Magic OS 10.0 based on Android 15 out-of-the-box. It sports a 6.8-inch full-HD+ (1,216x2,688 pixels) BOE Q9+ display with a 144Hz refresh rate, a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, 10-bit colour depth, and 100 percent DCI-P3 colour gamut coverage.
It is powered by Qualcomm's flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset under the hood, which is paired with up to 24GB of LPDDR5X Ultra RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 4.1 Pro storage. It also features a dedicated Red Core R3 graphics chip which is claimed to improve visuals with double frame insertion, 2K upscaling, and stabilisation driven by artificial intelligence (AI).
To keep thermals in check, the company says its latest phone is equipped with an ICE-X Magic Cooling System with a 12,000 square millimetre dual-pump vapour chamber, graphene sheet, and liquid metal cooling.
For optics, the Red Magic 10 Pro sports a triple rear camera setup, comprising a 50-megapixel primary camera with OmniVision OV50E40 sensor, a 50-megapixel ultra-wide angle lens with OmniVision OV50D sensor and 120-degree field-of-view (FoV), and a 2-megapixel OmniVision OV02F10 macro camera. It also gets a 16-megapixel front-facing camera for selfies.
Connectivity options on the handsets include 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 7, GPS, NFC, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and USB 3.2 Type-C port. The Red Magic 10 Pro packs a 7,050mAh dual-cell battery with support for 100W fast charging.
Honor 300 Ultra, Honor 300 Pro and Honor 300 were launched in China Monday. All three phones feature a 50-megapixel main rear camera and a 50-megapixel selfie shooter. They run on Qualcomm's Snapdragon chipsets and ship with Android 15-based MagicOS 9.0. The Honor 300 series smartphones feature full-HD+ displays with up to 120Hz refresh rate. They have an IP65 dust and splash-resistant build and carry 5,300mAh battery units.
Honor 300 Ultra, Honor 300 Pro, Honor 300 Price
The Honor 300 Ultra is priced at CNY 4,199 (roughly Rs. 48,000) for the 12GB RAM + 512GB storage version and CNY 4,699 (roughly Rs. 50,000) for the 16GB RAM + 1TB storage variant. It comes in Camellia White and Ink Rock Black colors.
The Honor 300 Pro's 12GB + 256GB variant costs CNY 3,399 (roughly Rs. 39,000), while the 12GB + 512 GB and 16GB + 512 GB versions cost CNY 3,699 (roughly Rs. 42,999) and CNY 3,999 (roughly Rs. 46,000), respectively. It is offered in Chakaqing, Starlight Sand, and Ink Rock Black shades.
The Honor 300 is priced at CNY 2,299 (roughly Rs. 22,999) for the 8GB + 256GB version. The 12GB + 256GB, 12GB + 512GB and 16GB + 512GB variants cost CNY 2,499, CNY 2,799 and CNY 2,999, (roughly Rs. 22,999 to Rs. 34,000) respectively. The base model is available in Chakaqing, Jade Dragon Snow, Mountain Ash, and Ink Rock Black colourways.
Honor 300 Ultra Specifications
The dual SIM Honor 300 Ultra runs on Android 15-based MagicOS 9.0 and features a 6.78-inch full-HD+ (1,224x 2,700 pixels) display with up to 120Hz refresh rate and a DCI-P3 wide colour gamut. It runs on Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset with up to 16GB RAM and up to 512GB storage.
The Honor 300 Ultra has a triple rear camera setup headlined by 50-megapixel wide-angle camera with f/1.95 aperture and OIS support. The camera unit also includes a 50-megapixel periscope telephoto camera with OIS and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle macro camera with autofocus. It carries a 50-megapixel wide-angle camera on the front for selfies and video calls.
Connectivity options on the Honor 300 Ultra include Bluetooth 5.3, BeiDou, GPS, AGPS, Galileo, NFC, Glonass, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be, and OTG. Sensors onboard include an accelerometer, compass, fingerprint sensor, flicker sensor, colour temperature sensor, gyroscope, gesture sensor, gravity sensor and proximity light sensor. The phone comes with an IP65-rated build.
The Honor 300 Ultra carries a 5,300mAh battery with 100W wired and 80W wireless charging.
Honor 300 Pro, Honor 300 Specifications
The Honor 300 Pro and Honor 300 have the same SIM and software specifications as the Ultra model. The Pro model ships with the same 6.78-inch full-HD+ (1,224x 2,700 pixels) display and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. The vanilla Honor 300 gets a 6.7-inch full-HD+ (1,200x 2,644 pixels) display and runs on Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset.
The Honor 300 has a dual rear camera unit comprising a 50-megapixel wide-angle camera with OIS support and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle macro camera. The Honor 300 Pro features a triple rear camera unit including a 50-megapixel wide-angle camera with OIS support, a 50-megapixel telephoto camera with OIS and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle macro camera. Both handsets boast a 50-megapixel wide-angle camera on the front.
Connectivity options on the two phones are identical to the Ultra model, as are the sensors. The Honor 300 and Honor 300 Pro keep the same 5,300mAh battery. The Pro variant supports 100W wired and 80W wireless charging, while the vanilla model only gets 100W wired charging.
OnePlus has released its latest Android 15-based operating system (OS) for Nord 4 and Nord CE 4 handsets in India, the company announced on Monday. Its rollout takes place a month after the Chinese smartphone maker commenced the Closed Beta Testing (CBT) programme for the one of the aforementioned devices. OxygenOS 15 for the OnePlus Nord 4 and Nord CE 4 brings new flux themes, improvements to Live Alerts, better multi-tasking, and a range of artificial intelligence (AI) features.
OxygenOS 15 Update for OnePlus Nord 4, Nord CE 4
OnePlus detailed the features arriving as part of the Android 15-based OxygenOS 15 update for the OnePlus Nord 4 and Nord CE 4 in a community post. The update is already rolling out to users in India in batches and will be available in North America (NA), Europe (EU), and Global (GLO) regions starting next week, the company says.
As per the changelog, OxygenOS 15 brings new options for visual customisation. It bundles flux themes that can be personalised with photos or customised with system wallpapers. The update introduces a new look for the home screen with redesigned app and system function icons. The home and lock screens and the always-on display now have more customisation options, too, with the latter supporting both flux and classic modes.
OnePlus says users can take advantage of the new globally reversible photo editing capability. This feature saves previous edit settings for subsequent edits in the future. Further, it also extends the duration of Live Photos to three seconds, while also improving the integration between the Camera and filters, allowing users to change or remove filters later on.
The OxygenOS 15 update introduces more options for multi-tasking. It has new floating window gestures that allow swiping down to open the status window or swiping sideways to hide it. It also separates the actions for accessing the quick settings and the notification panel.
OnePlus Nord 4 and Nord CE 4 users can transfer files, including Live Photos, between OnePlus and iOS devices, taking advantage of the new OnePlus Share app. The company says Live Alerts now appear as centred. Tapping an alert capsule opens up a detailed card.
OnePlus 13 was launched in China on October 31 and is expected to make its debut in India and global markets soon. The company has now confirmed the launch timeline of its latest non-foldable flagship handset, and it will not arrive until the turn of the year. It is one of the first handsets to get Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC under the hood. OnePlus has equipped its smartphone with Hasselblad-tuned optics with a 50-megapixel triple rear camera setup.
OnePlus 13 Launch Timeline
OnePlus 13 will be launched in India and globally in January 2025, the company has confirmed via a press release. The handset will be available for purchase in three colourways — Arctic Dawn, Black Eclipse, and Midnight Ocean. The latter will have a micro-fibre vegan leather for improved hand feel and scuff resistance, OnePlus says.
Further, the OnePlus 13 will have the latest IP68+69-rated build against dust and water ingress. More details about the handset will be revealed in the coming weeks.
The company has also put up a dedicated microsite for the phone's launch, which says “Coming Soon”. OnePlus is also running a “Notify Me” campaign with five milestones and rewards. Participants are also eligible for a OnePlus Bonus Drop at Rs. 11 upon completion of the campaign.
They can have a chance of winning OnePlus products worth Rs. 3,000 in addition to 500 Redcoins. The company is offering the OnePlus Travel Kit as part of the rewards.
OnePlus 13 Specifications
OnePlus 13 China variant sports a 6.82-inch Quad-HD+ (1440x3168 pixels) LTPO AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, a peak brightness level of 4,500 nits, and Dolby Vision support. It is powered by Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, paired with up to 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage. It also gets an Adreno 830 GPU.
The handset is equipped with a Hasselblad-tuned triple rear camera setup, comprising a 50-megapixel primary camera with optical image stabilisation (OIS), a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera, and a 50-megapixel periscope telephoto camera (3x optical, 6x in-sensor, 120x digital) with OIS. It also gets a 32-megapixel shooter on the front for selfies.
The OnePlus 13 packs a 6,000mAh battery with support for 100W Flash Charge (wired) and 50W Flash Charge (wireless). It also supports reverse wired (5W) and reverse wireless (10W) charging.
Oppo Find X8 series was launched in India on November 21 and its sale commences in the country today. The Chinese smartphone maker has now confirmed the availability and launch offers of its latest flagship handsets. The smartphone lineup comprises two models — Oppo Find X8 and Find X8 Pro, which have become the first smartphones with MediaTek's Dimensity 9400 chipset to debut in India. Both models are equipped with up to four 50-megapixel Hasselblad-tuned cameras and run on ColorOS 15 based on Android 15.
Oppo Find X8 Series Price, Launch Offers
Oppo Find X8 price in India starts at Rs. 69,999 for the base model with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, while the 16GB + 512GB model is priced at Rs. 79,999. It is available in Space Black and Star Grey colour options.
Meanwhile, the Oppo Find X8 Pro is available in a single 16GB + 512GB storage configuration priced at Rs. 99,999. The handset is sold in Pearl White and Space Black colourways. Both models can be purchased via the Oppo e-store, Flipkart, and retail outlets in the country.
Customers can take advantage of a 10 percent instant cashback on SBI, HDFC Bank, Kotak Bank, Bank of Baroda, and IDFC First Bank card transactions. This translates into a discount of Rs. 9,999 for the Find X8 Pro, Rs. 6,999 for the Find X8 12+256 GB model and Rs. 7,999 for the Find X8 16+512 GB variant.
Further, they can also avail of a 24-month no-cost EMI offer from finance partners such as Bajaj Finserv, TVS Credit, HDB Financial Services, and IDFC First Bank. There's also an exchange bonus of Rs. 5,000 while existing Oppo customers who trade in their device for the Find X8 series will enjoy an additional Rs. 3,000 off as a loyalty bonus.
Oppo Find X8 Series Specifications
Oppo Find X8 features a 6.59-inch (1,256x2,760 pixels) LTPO AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, a peak brightness of 4,500nits, and a 460ppi pixel density. Meanwhile, the Pro model has a 6.78-inch (1,264x2,780 pixels) LTPO AMOLED screen with a pixel density of 450ppi, although the refresh rate and peak brightness remain the same as the standard model.
Both models are powered by MediaTek's octa-core Dimensity 9400 chip built on TSMC's 3nm process technology, paired with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and up to 512GB of UFS 4.0 inbuilt storage. They run on ColorOS 15 based on Android 15.
The Oppo Find X8 is equipped with a 50-megapixel primary camera with a Sony LYT-700 sensor, a 50-megapixel ultrawide lens with a 120-degree field-of-view (FoV), and a 50-megapixel Sony LYT-600 periscope telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. It has a 32-megapixel front camera for selfies which is also available on the Pro model.
On the other hand, the Oppo Find X8 Pro sports a 50-megapixel primary camera with a LYT-808 sensor. It has the same ultra-wide angle camera and telephoto sensor as the base model but adds a 50-megapixel Sony IMX858 periscope telephoto camera with up to 6x optical zoom.
The Find X8 packs a 5,630mAh silicon carbon battery with support for 80W (SuperVOOC) and 50W (AirVOOC) fast charging, while the Find X8 Pro has a larger 5,910mAh battery that supports the same charging speeds. They also offer 10W reverse wireless charging support.
The planned DLC for Lies of P, the acclaimed action-RPG from Korean studio Neowiz Games, is coming next year. The expansion, first confirmed in November 2023, will launch in the first quarter of 2025, Neowiz reportedly confirmed Friday. The company also announced that the next game from Lies of P co-developer Round8 Studio would be a sci-fi survival horror project developed for PC and console platforms.
Round8's Next Project
Neowiz's announcement, reported by Korean outlet EBN, did not include a release date for the DLC. The studio has not yet shared details about the expansion, including its official title. But the company did shed some light on Round8 Studio's next project.
According to the announcement, the Lies of P co-developer's next game will be “survival horror project” set in a “sci-fi universe”. The game will utilise Epic Game's Unreal Engine 5 for development and will launch on PC and consoles. Round8 is reportedly hiring level designers and scenario planners for the project.
“It's too early to reveal the progress of the project,” a Neowiz official told EBN (translated from Korean). “This is one of the PC and console games that Round 8 Studios is preparing,” they added.
Lies of P DLC
While details about the Lies of P DLC are still under wraps, the developers did provide an update in September and shared a new screenshot from the upcoming expansion. Marking a year since the game launched, Lies of P director Jiwon Choi said in a letter the team was working diligently on the DLC.
“For the DLC of the Lies of P and the sequel, we aim to do better on what we did well and improve in areas we have room to grow. It might sound simple, but I find that sticking to the basics is anything but easy,” the game director had said.
In November 2023, Neowiz confirmed Lies of P would get an expansion and a separate sequel and revealed two pieces of concept art from the upcoming DLC. Earlier this year, Neowiz announced that the game had reached seven million players worldwide. A large chunk of that number, however, is likely to be Xbox Game Pass members, as the game is available on Microsoft's subscription service. Lies of P sold over 1 million copies within a month of launch. The action title is available on PC, Mac, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, PS4 and PS5.
A new Nothing smartphone recently appeared on a popular benchmarking website. The handset is expected to be a successor to the Nothing Phone 2. Although the company has not yet announced any details about the upcoming Nothing Phone 3, we caught a brief glimpse of it in a Nothing OS 3.0 update video earlier this year. The base model is expected to be accompanied by a Pro or a Plus variant. Now, a new leak claims that the UK-based OEM is currently working on three new smartphones. The tipster hints at the probable launch timeline of the products as well.
New Nothing Phones (Expected)
An X post from tipster Yogesh Brar (@heyitsyogesh) suggests that Nothing is currently working on three new smartphones, all of which are expected to be unveiled in the first half of 2025. The tipster did not add any other details about the purported handsets, nor did they suggest any likely monikers.
From previous reports, we can expect a base Nothing Phone 3 model, alongside a Pro or a Plus variant. Speculations online claim that the third option could be the Nothing Phone 3a. The latter is said to succeed the Nothing Phone 2a, which was introduced globally in March this year.
A Nothing handset, expected to be the Nothing Phone 3, appeared on Geekbench recently with a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 SoC, an Adreno 810 GPU, Android 15 and 8GB RAM support. Previous leaks suggested the phone may launch with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset. It is expected to get a 6.5-inch screen.
The rumoured Nothing Phone 3 Plus option, which could carry the Nothing Phone 3 Pro moniker, has been tipped to get a MediaTek Dimensity 9400 chipset and a 6.7-inch display.
The base version of the Nothing Phone 3 will reportedly carry the codename Arcanine and be priced at $599 (roughly Rs. 50,500), while the Pro variant is said to get the codename Hisuian and cost $699 (roughly Rs. 58,900).
