GIGABYTE GS22F12I: entry-level upgrade

The GS22F12I is a 22-inch Full HD VA panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, 1ms MPRT response time, VRR support, and a wide colour gamut. For buyers currently on a 60Hz display, the 120Hz upgrade is the primary value proposition. The jump makes smoother motion in fast-paced games immediately noticeable. At Rs 5,750, it is one of the more affordable entry points into high-refresh gaming in the Indian market.

GIGABYTE GS27F16I: larger screen, faster refresh

The GS27F16I steps up to a 27-inch class design with a 26.5-inch Full HD VA panel. It features a 165Hz refresh rate, also overclockable to 180Hz. Additionally, there's 1ms MPRT, HDR10, VRR, and a 3000:1 contrast ratio. Meanwhile, Gaming-specific features include:

• Black Equaliser for visibility in dark scenes
• Aim Stabiliser Sync for motion clarity
• Smart OD for response time optimisation

At Rs 10,449, it targets gamers who want a meaningful upgrade in both screen real estate and refresh rate without significant expense.

Made in India

The two monitors extend GIGABYTE's local manufacturing push in India. Local manufacturing is supposedly intended to improve supply chain responsiveness and product availability across the Indian market. GIGABYTE has also flagged India as a priority growth region.

At Rs 5,750, the GS22F12I competes with similarly priced offerings from Acer, ViewSonic, and LG in the entry-level gaming monitor segment. Most alternatives at this price offer 75Hz or 100Hz panels. This makes the GS22F12I's 120Hz with VRR a competitive specification. The VA panel's contrast advantage over IPS at this price tier is also worth noting, especially for buyers who prioritise deep blacks in games and movies.

The GS27F16I at Rs 10,449 sits in a competitive 27-inch segment alongside monitors from AOC, MSI, and Acer that offer similar refresh rates. The overclockable 180Hz ceiling, HDR10, and gaming-focused feature set should make it a well-rounded option at this price. For buyers choosing between the two, the GS27F16I offers significantly more for roughly double the price. The larger panel, faster refresh, and HDR10 support justify the step up for most gaming use cases. Both monitors are available through authorised GIGABYTE retail and channel partners.

• iQOO 16 launched in China just last month.
• It's one of the first phones with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6.
• The handset packs an 8,400mAh battery. 

[/highlights]

The Android flagship season is upon us, and the latest brand to join the lineup is iQOO. India head Nipun Marya has shared a cryptic teaser on X for a new flagship launch, which is most likely the iQOO 16. The teaser doesn't mention the device name or leave any clues about it, but with the iQOO 16's recent debut, it's quite obvious that we're getting this flagship. This teaser also quells rumours of the iQOO 16's uncertain launch in India this time.

iQOO 16 India launch teaser

According to Nipun Marya's post on X, the teaser talks about finding the next flagship, suggesting it's the iQOO 16. With the first teaser out, we can now expect more details about the upcoming launch.

There were hints of its global launch soon, with the iQOO 16's global variant appearing on Geekbench. However, there were some talks about the iQOO 16 not launching in India. This was due to price hikes caused by rising component costs. But the latest teaser more or less confirms the iQOO 16 is indeed headed to India. We can still expect it to launch at a much higher price than the previous generation. 

iQOO's flagships are known to be among the most affordable in India, while offering power-packed hardware. It's interesting to see how iQOO plans to maintain this with the 16.

iQOO 16 specifications

The iQOO 16 features a 6.85-inch Samsung M16 AMOLED display with a 2K resolution and 165Hz refresh rate, an upgrade over the iQOO 15's 144Hz panel. The smartphone is powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chipset paired with LPDDR5X Ultra RAM, UFS 4.1 storage and the Q4 gaming chip. It's a generational upgrade over the iQOO 15's 8 Elite Gen 5 and Q3 chip, which should translate to improved performance overall. 

Battery capacity has also increased from 7,000mAh on the iQOO 15 to 8,400mAh. Charging speeds remain unchanged at 100W wired and 40W wireless. For photography, you get a 50MP main camera, a 50MP ultra-wide lens, and a 50MP periscope telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. The setup remains largely unchanged from the iQOO 15. The smartphone will likely launch with OriginOS 7 based on Android 17 out of the box. 

The iQOO 16 will likely appeal to buyers who want a performance-focused flagship with a large battery. Its cameras are also versatile, and you'll get the latest software version. If you own an iQOO 15, the upgrades might not justify the cost, but if you're on an iQOO 12 or older, it's a significant leap.

• OPPO Find X10 series will launch globally later this month
• The Find X10 and Find X10 Pro Max are expected to launch in India soon after
• OPPO Find X10 Pro Max is the first phone with three 200MP cameras and the Dimensity 9600 Pro chip

[/highlights]

OPPO has announced the global launch date for its Find X10 series. The Find X10 and Find X10 Pro Max will be unveiled globally in Mallorca, Spain, on October 21. The phones debuted in China last month, with the Find X10 Pro Max being the more premium flagship of the two and the world's first smartphone with three 200MP rear cameras. Both the Find X10 and Find X10 Pro Max are expected to launch in India soon after their global announcement, though an exact India launch date isn't known yet.

OPPO Find X10 series global launch date details

OPPO shared a post on X confirming that the Find X10 series will launch globally on October 21st in Mallorca, Spain. The teaser video shows off the Find X10 Pro Max in two colour options, but we expect the base Find X10 to be announced alongside it as well. OPPO had also announced the Find X10 E in China, though that model might remain exlcusive to the China market. 

While the Find X10 series' India launch hasn't been officially confirmed yet, we recently got hold of an image showing an alleged Indian unit of the Find X10 running ColorOS 17. It will be the first OPPO phone to ship with ColorOS 17.

Why you should wait for the OPPO Find X10 series

Smartphone buyers around the world, including in India, have plenty of high-end phones to choose from already. The Galaxy S26 Ultra, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and the newly launched iPhone 18 Pro Max are among the most popular choices right now. You also have Vivo and OPPO's X300 series and Find X9 series from last year. Meanwhile, the Find X9 Ultra, OPPO's most recent ultra-premium flagship, was launched in May at around Rs 1,69,999.

The Find X10 and Find X10 Pro Max will replace last year's Find X9 and Find X9 Pro. For buyers looking for a good camera-centric flagship, waiting for the Find X10 series makes sense, especially the Pro Max. The Find X10 Pro Max is the first and only smartphone in the world to offer three 200MP cameras, promising stunning photography across all three sensors. These Hasselblad-tuned cameras also support 8K Log recording across all three sensors, 4K 120fps Dolby Vision across focal lengths, and Horizon stabilisation, among other features. It will also be the first phone in India to feature MediaTek's Dimensity 9600 Pro chipset when it launches later this month. 

Additionally, the Find X10 Pro Max features a 6.78-inch LTPO OLED 144Hz display (1-120Hz for most cases and up to 144Hz for certain games), an 8,000mAh battery and 80W SuperVOOC flash charge. If these specifications look 

The OPPO Find X10 Pro Max starts at CNY 6,799 (around Rs 97,000) in China, so expect it to cost around Rs 1.10 lakh or more in India. Its global pricing should give us a better idea of what we can expect for its India pricing later this month.

• Amazon and Flipkart sales are now live for members.
• Several smartphones are available with discounts and offers.
• Phones like the OnePlus 13s and the Galaxy S25 FE are some of the top deals. 

[/highlights]

Amazon's Great Indian Festival and Flipkart's Big Billion Days sales are now live for subscription members. The sales will be open to everyone starting tomorrow. During these sales, there are several smartphones from different price segments, available with offers and discounts. Some of these include the OnePlus 13s, iQOO 15R, Galaxy S25 FE, and OnePlus Nord 6.

With price hikes hitting the smartphone market, this would be a good time to grab these deals while they last. 

Amazon Flipkart smartphone deals

OnePlus 13s

OnePlus 13s (review) is a compact flagship that you can get for Rs 52,999 on Amazon. This is even lower than the launch price, which was Rs 54,999. While it has been over a year since the 13s launched in India, it's still a solid phone with a compact form factor and flagship-level performance. Its 5,850mAh battery comfortably lasts an entire day and even more with light usage. The 50MP primary + 50MP telephoto lens (2x optical zoom) + 32MP front camera setup is more than capable for everyday photography and social media. However, those who want more versatile sensors or a stronger telephoto lens may find it lacking. 

Overall, the OnePlus 13s is still a well-rounded compact flagship that you can easily consider for gaming, entertainment, and photography. The phone is also long-term secure with 4 major OS upgrades and 6 years of security updates.

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

The Galaxy S25 FE (review) is a good choice for a premium Samsung smartphone in this sale. It's available on Flipkart for Rs 46,999, which is a big drop from its original price of Rs 69,999. The Galaxy S25 FE gives you the flagship experience with a similar design, One UI features, long-term software support, and a vibrant Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. The camera setup is versatile, featuring a 3x telephoto lens and a capable chipset.

Its battery capacity might seem underwhelming among rivals, and the phone tends to get a bit warm easily. Otherwise, the Galaxy S25 FE still stands as a good option for those who want that premium Samsung experience without the flagship price tag. 

iQOO 15R

The iQOO 15R (review) is one of the best flagship alternatives for performance enthusiasts. The handset is available at Rs 53,990 on Amazon for the base model with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. The iQOO 15R comes with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset, which delivers one of the highest benchmark scores. It also has a massive 7,600mAh battery that can give you up to two days of juice. Despite packing solid hardware, the iQOO 15R still manages to offer a relatively compact form factor with its 6.59-inch display. One area where the 15R doesn't shine is the cameras, as it's mostly made for everyday photography.  

For its starting price, the iQOO 15R still offers better value than most phones that are similarly priced or higher. 

OnePlus Nord 6

OnePlus Nord 6 (review) is a premium mid-range phone for those who prioritise performance and battery life. It's available at Rs 44,999 on Amazon for the base variant with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. 

The handset is powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, a highly capable chipset in this segment for everyday tasks, gaming, and multitasking. Its camera setup may be minimal, with a 50MP main sensor and an 8MP ultra-wide, but the results are still pretty good. The Nord 6's highlight is its giant 9,000mAh battery, which can go for two days straight without needing a charge. 

[caption id="attachment_700668" align="alignnone" width="2560"] OnePlus Nord CE 6[/caption]

For a premium mid-range phone, the OnePlus Nord 6 is a solid package, especially if you prioritise performance and gaming. 

In addition to these prices, there are further cashbacks and bank discounts that you can avail of on these phones. If you're looking for a flagship alternative or a premium midranger, you can consider these phones and grab them at their offer prices. Since price hikes are plaguing the smartphone market, it would be a good time to quickly go for such deals. 

• Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra uses NVIDIA RTX Spark for AI, graphics and gaming.
• The laptop combines an ARM-based Grace CPU with a Blackwell RTX GPU.
• NVIDIA also previewed its GB300-powered DGX Station for Windows.

[/highlights]

At the Windows AI and Surface event in San Francisco, Microsoft and NVIDIA jointly introduced the Surface Laptop Ultra, its most powerful Surface laptop yet, powered by NVIDIA's new RTX Spark Superchip. The platform combines a Grace CPU, Blackwell RTX GPU and unified memory to deliver more local AI and graphics performance in a relatively thin laptop. 

NVIDIA has also introduced its new DGX Station for Windows to empower local AI capabilities for enterprise teams. Let's look at it in more detail below. 

Surface Laptop Ultra offers desktop-level hardware 

The Surface Laptop Ultra is a 15-inch laptop built around NVIDIA's new RTX Spark N1X platform. Microsoft offers two versions, with either an 18-core or 20-core NVIDIA Grace CPU paired with a Blackwell GPU with up to 6,144 cores. It also supports up to 128GB of unified LPDDR5X memory, giving the laptop much more runway for demanding workloads than a typical thin-and-light machine. 

The laptop also gets a 15-inch PixelSense Ultra touchscreen with a 3:2 aspect ratio, 3270 x 2180 resolution, 120Hz dynamic refresh rate and 100 per cent DCI-P3 coverage. Microsoft has added a larger haptic touchpad, HDMI 2.1b, an SD card reader, USB-C, USB-A and a headphone jack, so users can connect peripherals without relying heavily on dongles. It also weighs around 2kg and measures under 18mm thick. 

Microsoft has also built a larger cooling system for the Laptop Ultra, with up to 2.5 times the thermal capacity of its 15-inch Surface Laptop. This is important because the RTX Spark is designed for sustained workloads such as AI development, 3D work, video editing and gaming, which tend to generate a lot of heat that needs to be dissipated effectively. Microsoft rates the laptop for up to 15 hours of local video playback and up to 12 hours of active web use.

NVIDIA DGX Station also comes to Windows

NVIDIA also previewed the DGX Station for Windows, a deskside AI system built around the GB300 Grace Blackwell Ultra Desktop Superchip. It offers 748GB of coherent memory and up to 20 petaflops of FP4 AI performance, allowing enterprise teams to run very large AI models locally. It also lets developers keep their existing Windows workflows while using NVIDIA's heavy-duty AI tools, instead of maintaining separate Windows and Linux systems.

Do we finally have a MacBook Pro rival on Windows?

The Surface Laptop Ultra starts at $2,599.99, while the higher-end version costs $3,699.99 with pre-orders beginning on October 16. Microsoft has not yet announced an India price or launch date.

The Surface Laptop Ultra clearly takes some design cues from the MacBook Pro. Both use premium metal designs, high-resolution displays and large trackpads, while targeting users who need more power for creative work, AI tasks and other demanding workloads. Apple's MacBook Pro starts at Rs 2,39,900 in India, while the 14-inch M5 Pro model starts at Rs 2,49,900. 

The biggest difference comes from the hardware itself, as the RTX Spark combines an ARM-based NVIDIA Grace CPU with a Blackwell RTX GPU and up to 128GB of unified memory. In simple terms, it combines the low power use of an ARM processor with a much more powerful GPU than you normally get in ARM laptops. NVIDIA says the platform can run AI models with up to 120 billion parameters locally and uses the full CUDA and TensorRT software stack.

Another big advantage here could be gaming, which remains a big challenge for ARM-based systems even now. Snapdragon-powered Windows laptops and Apple M-series MacBooks offer excellent battery life and performance, but they do not focus on high-end gaming in the same way. RTX Spark supports NVIDIA's gaming and graphics technologies, giving the Surface Laptop Ultra the ability to handle modern games alongside professional workloads.

This makes the Surface Laptop Ultra a worthwhile alternative to the MacBook Pro for users who want high performance, good battery efficiency and proper gaming/AI workload support in the same machine.

• Interested buyers can get an instant Rs 4,000 discount on the OPPO K14 Plus.
• The smartphone features the MediaTek Dimensity 7360 MAX paired with UFS 3.1 storage and LPDDR4X RAM
• The OPPO K14 Plus has gone on sale on Flipkart.

[/highlights]

Joining the OPPO K14, K14x, and K14 Lite, the K14 Plus is the company's latest upper-midrange smartphone, focused on efficient performance, long-lasting battery life, and a vivid display experience. Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7360 MAX processor, the phone was launched last week for Rs 29,999 and went on sale today for the first time on Flipkart. Given its offerings, should you consider purchasing the OPPO K14 Plus? Find out in this quick roundup.

OPPO K14 Plus price, colour shades, launch offers

The OPPO K14 Plus is currently up for sale in three storage configurations, including 6GB + 128GB at Rs 29,999, 8GB + 128GB at Rs 32,999, and 8GB + 256GB at Rs 35,999.

As part of the Flipkart Big Billion Days Sale launch offers, interested buyers can avail an instant Rs 4,000 discount using debit and credit cards of multiple banks, such as SBI, HDFC, Canara, and others, while Google Pay, BHIM, and Cred UPI users can also avail the same amount of discount.

As for colourways, the OPPO K14 Plus is available in Solar Orange and Star White.

What does the OPPO K14 Plus have to offer?

At its core is the MediaTek Dimensity 7360 MAX, built on a 4nm process and supported by a 5,000mm² vapour chamber for better heat management. The phone pairs this chipset with UFS 3.1 storage and LPDDR4X RAM. OPPO notes that the Dimensity 7360 MAX is a refined version of the Dimensity 7360 previously seen in several Vivo models, including the S2, V70 FE, and V60e. The company claims AnTuTu scores exceeding one million.

The 6.7-inch 1.5K AMOLED screen delivers a 144Hz refresh rate and peaks at 3,600 nits. It also features 2,160Hz PWM dimming to help reduce eye strain during long viewing sessions. This bright, high-contrast panel places the K14 Plus alongside rivals such as the POCO X8 and Moto Edge 70 Fusion.

Battery life stands out with an 8,000mAh capacity. OPPO states the phone can handle more than 12 hours of continuous BGMI gameplay at 60 frames per second and over 20 hours of YouTube streaming on a single charge. A 45W SUPERVOOC charger is included for faster top-ups. Although the POCO X8 offers a bigger 9,000mAh cell, the K14 Plus' should be sufficient for most intensive daily tasks.

On the camera side, a 50MP 1/2-inch Smartsense SC532HS primary sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and optical image stabilisation takes the lead, accompanied by a 2MP monochrome lens, while a 16MP front camera sits in a circular cutout for selfies and video. The sensor used is larger than the one found on the Realme P4s, which utilises a 50MP 1/2.88-inch unit, suggesting higher picture quality, at least on paper.

The phone ships with ColorOS 16.5 based on Android 17, making it the first OPPO device to arrive with Android 17 pre-installed. For software updates, it's promised two major Android upgrades and three years of security patches. Some AI tools within the Gallery and elsewhere include AI Recompose, AI Eraser, AI Writing, Translation, and others.

Durability comes from an IP69K rating that resists powerful water jets and submersion, plus an Armour Body structure designed to absorb impact from drops. It also has an infrared blaster on the rear that lets you control household devices such as televisions, air conditioners, and set-top boxes, while the stereo speakers provide immersive audio. Overall, the OPPO K14 Plus focuses on reliable performance, vivid visuals, and practical endurance for everyday users.

Should you buy the OPPO K14 Plus: early impressions

In our brief time with the OPPO K14 Plus, the device has impressed us with its battery life, lasting over two days on a single charge, while the 6.7-inch 1.5K AMOLED delivers crisp, vivid details on YouTube, Amazon Prime, and other video platforms. While the Dimensity 7360 MAX may not boast high benchmark numbers, it's well-suited for daily use cases like scrolling through social media, web browsing, multitasking, and more.

The 50MP primary camera produces usable results, though its natural colour science may make the tones look too flat to some. As for in-hand feel and portability, at 207g, the phone didn't feel uncomfortable to hold for long periods during video and movie playback, even with its generous 8,000mAh battery. At the offer price of Rs 25,999, the K14 Plus is a safe bet for users who want multi-day battery life, an enjoyable display, and smooth enough performance.

• Infinix launched the GT 50 Pro globally earlier this year.
• The smartphone comes with dedicated gaming hardware and features.
• It's launching in India this month. 

[/highlights]

Infinix is gearing up to launch a new GT smartphone in India. The Infinix GT 50 Pro is teased to launch this month in India as the brand's latest gaming-focused phone. The brand has teased the launch with an interactive clicking game that lets interested users earn reward points. 

Infinix GT 50 Pro India launch teased

Infinix has a dedicated microsite for the GT 50 Pro India launch with an interactive activity for interested fans. You can follow this link to go to this page, where you're supposed to click as many times as possible within 30 seconds. The number of clicks you manage is the amount of reward points you'll accumulate and can use later for purchases. Infinix is offering 5 sessions per day to win reward points. 

More clicks will also lead to the unveiling of the Infinix GT 50 Pro launch date. It's currently at 93.9 percent, which means it's pretty close to the final reveal. 

Infinix GT 50 Pro: what to expect

The Infinix GT 50 Pro is built for gaming. The device is equipped with the HydroFlow Liquid Cooling Architecture, which is a micro-pump liquid-cooling network that covers almost the entire rear, including the battery and processor. This is paired with a 7,700mm² vapour chamber to further aid in cooling during intensive gaming. The smartphone also has pressure-sensitive shoulder triggers called Open-Cut Pressure-Sense GT Triggers, which can be mapped up to four points per trigger with 10 different pressure levels. You can also use them to quick-launch apps, control media playback, customise RGB lighting, and more.

The phone's design is also gaming-focused, with RGB lights that can be customised. Infinix's GT series has always focused on gaming and performance and the GT 50 Pro continues that philosophy. 

The Infinix GT 50 Pro features a 6.78-inch AMOLED LTPS display with 1.5K resolution,  4,500 nits peak brightness, and Corning Gorilla Glass 7i. It's powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8500 Ultimate, the same chipset powering the POCO X8 Pro and Motorola Edge 70 Pro. The smartphone has a 50MP main camera with OIS and an 8MP ultra-wide lens. For selfies, there's a 13MP front camera on the GT 50 Pro. On the software front, the GT 50 Pro runs Android 16-based XOS 16 out of the box with a promise of five OS upgrades.

The smartphone packs a 6,500mAh battery with up to 45W wired fast charging, 10W reverse wired charging, 30W wireless charging, and 5W wireless reverse charging support. 

Since it's a gaming-focused phone, the Infinix GT 50 Pro will appeal to users who want a dedicated phone for gaming. If you're someone who regularly plays titles like BGMI and COD Mobile, the Infinix GT 50 Pro would be a good option, especially for your long gaming sessions. We should still wait for official details to see how it compares with other similarly-priced rivals. 

• OPPO Pad Mini was spotted on BIS recently.
• It's OPPO's compact flagship tablet.
• The Enco X4 is also expected to join the lineup.

[/highlights]

OPPO is set to launch its flagship Find X10 series in India soon. The brand has teased more products, including a tablet and TWS. The teasers don't reveal much, but it's speculated that they are the OPPO Pad Mini and the OPPO Enco X4 wireless earbuds. The Pad Mini was spotted on the BIS certification recently, suggesting it is indeed this tablet that's launching in India. 

OPPO Pad Mini, Enco X4 India launch

According to the teasers, OPPO is launching a tablet and TWS with only the silhouettes of their designs shown. It's likely that the products teased are the OPPO Pad Mini and Enco X4. The Pad Mini is OPPO's compact flagship tablet with an 8.8-inch AMOLED display and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset. The display supports up to 144Hz and uses a 3:2 aspect ratio.

[gallery link="file" size="full" td_select_gallery_slide="slide" ids="717984,717985"]

The OPPO Pad Mini also houses an 8,000mAh battery with 67W fast charging, a 13MP rear camera, and an 8MP front camera. The tablet's highlight is its compact 8.8-inch size, making it a good option for those who want something larger than a phone but still not too big. Its hardware is also flagship-level, so you'll still get a performance-focused tablet. 

The Enco X4 was launched alongside the Find X10 series in China. It features AI real-time translation with support for 24 popular languages. The Enco X4 is also said to offer up to 13 hours of music playback on the earbuds. More features include spatial audio, quick voice commands, head-gesture controls, and stereo recording on the Enco X4. 

The OPPO Pad Mini is tipped to cost under Rs 60,000, which would make it a premium option. It would compete with the iPad Mini in terms of the compact form factor. If you've been looking for a compact tablet that offers flagship-level hardware, the OPPO Pad Mini is definitely worth waiting for. The Enco X4 is OPPO's flagship TWS, so it will most likely sit on the higher side. 

• iPhone 17 is currently down to Rs 84,999 on Flipkart during the Big Billion Days sale
• You can get it for under Rs 80,000 with the right credit card offer
• At Rs 80,000, the iPhone 17 is worth buying for those who missed out earlier

[/highlights]

The iPhone 17 is down to Rs 84,999 on Flipkart, and you may be able to get it for under Rs 80,000 with the right credit card. Flipkart's The Big Billion Days officially starts on Friday, October 9, but Early Access deals are already live for Flipkart Plus, VIP, and Black members. One of the biggest deals in this Flipkart sale is undoubtedly the iPhone 17, selling for around Rs 80,000, even though the phone saw a price hike soon after the iPhone 18 Pro series and now officially sells at Rs 1 lakh.

iPhone 17 Flipkart deal goes live

As of 10 am on Thursday, October 8, 91mobiles verified that the iPhone 17 is available for Rs 84,999, down 15% from its actual selling price of Rs 99,900. This is the price of the 256GB storage model, while the 512GB variant is down to Rs 1,09,999. At the time of writing, this deal was available on all colour options, including Lavender, Mist Blue, and Sage.

Flipkart Axis and Flipkart SBI credit card holders get Rs 5,000 off (through a combination of Rs 4,000 cashback and Rs 1,000 instant discount), bringing the price effectively down to Rs 79,999. This makes the iPhone 17 deal all the more attractive, provided you have one of the credit cards.

Even if you don't have a Flipkart Axis or Flipkart SBI credit card, the Rs 84,999 price is worth grabbing for those who missed buying the base iPhone before the price hike.

Is the iPhone 17 worth buying right now?

The short answer is yes. The iPhone 17 (review) is still relevant even though it came out last year. It gets several upgrades over its predecessor, the iPhone 16, including a smoother display and upgraded cameras. Also, Apple did not launch the iPhone 18 this year, making the iPhone 18 Pro series the default new iPhones at a significantly higher price point.

I wrote a long-term review of the iPhone 17 in September and found that the phone holds up incredibly well even after a year. The A19 chip's performance remains smooth as ever, showing no signs of slowing down. It can handle pretty much every day-to-day task with ease, and let's not forget that Apple gave it some much-needed Pro-grade features, such as a 120Hz ProMotion display, an upgraded front camera with Centre Stage, and capable 48MP rear cameras. The only number that's started to get in the way of everything else was battery health. The phone's battery life was never its selling point, and it starts to show its age after about a year, but a battery replacement can fix that.

If you were disappointed that Apple raised the iPhone 17's price to Rs 1 lakh and you were planning to buy it, I would say this Flipkart deal is worth going for sooner rather than later. Given its popularity, I believe the deal price might disappear soon.

• Lumio Arc 7 (2026) supports a 120-inch projection and 500 ANSI brightness.
• The projector runs Google TV on Android 14 with up to 32GB storage.
• Lumio Arc 7 (2026) is priced at Rs 34,999 in India.

[/highlights]

Lumio has launched the Arc 7 (2026) in India, an upgraded version of its popular Google TV projector. The new model focuses on brighter pictures, richer colours and higher contrast, while increasing the maximum projection size to 120 inches. Let's take a detailed look at its specifications below:

Lumio Arc 7 (2026): a brighter and bigger picture

The most significant upgrades on the 2026 variant of the Lumio Arc 7 (review 2025 variant) come from its new Arc Light Engine 2 and enhanced display technology. Brightness now reaches 500 ANSI lumens, up 25 per cent from the previous model, while contrast has increased by 15 per cent to 1700:1. The new Arc also has a higher DCI-P3 colour coverage, which should also make colours look richer and more natural.

The extra brightness lets the projector create an image of up to 120 inches, compared with 100 inches on the older model. This should make movies, sports and other content feel more immersive, although brighter rooms can still affect how the picture looks.

Lumio has also introduced quality-of-life features that make the Arc 7 easy to set up for anyone. The TOF autofocus quickly focuses the picture, while STR8 auto-keystone correction helps fix the image when the projector is not placed straight. With Obstacle avoidance, the Arc also stops objects from blocking the projection.

The projector runs Google TV on Android 14 and supports Netflix out of the box, so you can jump into your favourite shows straight away. Lumio has also doubled the storage from 16GB to 32GB, giving users more space for apps and other content. With the built-in 2 x 8W stereo speakers that support Dolby Audio, users can start watching right away without the need for external speakers. 

The Arc 7 is built in India and comes with a one-year comprehensive warranty. Lumio also has more than 300 service centres across the country, which should make support easier for buyers looking to use the projector for several years.

Should you buy the Lumio Arc 7 (2026)?

The Lumio Arc 7 (2026) costs Rs 34,999 and sits in the middle spot among smart projectors that offer a similar feature set. The XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro costs around Rs 39,999 and is a much more portable option at just 1.1kg, with a compact design, built-in stand and battery stand support. It also offers 1080p resolution, 450 ISO lumens and Google TV with licensed Netflix.

The BenQ GV32, meanwhile, costs much higher at Rs 49,990 and offers 500 ANSI lumens, 1080p resolution and a 120-inch projection size. It also has a more flexible design that lets users adjust the projection angle, along with an 18W 2.1-channel speaker system and Google TV.

The Arc 7 sits between these two options, both in terms of pricing and feature set. It gives users the 500 ANSI lumens and 120-inch projection at a lower price than the BenQ, while focusing more on a fixed home setup than portability, unlike the XGIMI. For users who mainly want a large screen for movies, sports and OTT content, it looks to be a worthwhile option at Rs 34,999.

XGIMI is a better choice for users who want something more portable, while BenQ offers a higher-quality audio output for buyers willing to spend more to improve their experience. For a fixed home setup, though, the Arc 7 offers good value, especially for users who want a very large screen without investing a lot. 

• The Lenovo ThinkBook 14x weighs under 990 grams and is just 12.9mm thin.
• It uses up to Intel Core Ultra 7 processors with soldered memory for battery efficiency.
• The lineup starts at Rs 1,08,990 for the base variant with the Core Ultra 5. 

[/highlights]

The Lenovo ThinkBook 14x has launched in India, targeting professionals and students who want a powerful but portable laptop. It weighs less than 990 grams, is just 12.9mm thin, and uses soldered memory to balance performance with battery efficiency. Let's take a detailed look at it below. 

Lenovo ThinkBook 14x: key features, specifications

Lenovo is offering the ThinkBook 14x in three configurations and categorizing them into "Good," "Better," and "Best" variants. The good news here is that all three machines get 16GB LPDDR5X memory built into the processor, and it has a blistering 8,533MT/s of speed. The bad news is since the memory is built-in, you can't really upgrade it down the line. 

The entry-level "good" variant should suit users who want a regular everyday laptop for work, study, and general use. The Core Ultra 5 226V (8-core) processor and 16GB memory should offer enough performance for common tasks, while the 54.7Wh battery should prove sufficient enough for a normal day of use. 

The "better" variant is a more capable option, using the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V (8-core) with more processing power and the Intel Arc 140V integrated GPU. This makes it a better fit for users who may dabble in light games, video editing, or other graphics-heavy workloads alongside everyday tasks. It also adds a touch display, which could be useful for users who prefer to take notes and want an easier way to interact with the laptop.

The "best" variant is for users who want the best features the lineup has to offer. It offers a 2.8K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, 1TB storage and a larger 65Wh battery. The OLED panel makes it the better choice for users who regularly watch movies and shows on their laptop, while the larger battery should help offset the higher power needs that come with an OLED panel. 

Should you buy the Lenovo ThinkBook 14x?

The ThinkBook 14x starts at Rs 1,08,990, while the Better variant is currently listed at Rs 1,34,991 on Lenovo.com. The top-end OLED variant is not listed yet, but it should cost around Rs 1.5-1.6 lakh.

The ThinkBook 14x is a good option for users who want performance and good battery efficiency without moving away from x86 platform. Its Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processors, also known as Lunar Lake, focus heavily on power efficiency, while the Intel Arc 140V GPU gives the higher-end variant enough graphics power for light gaming and creative work. 

That puts the ThinkBook 14x in competition against Snapdragon X laptops like the ASUS Zenbook A14 and the MacBook Air M5, which also focus on performance and battery life. Lenovo's x86 platform, however, gives users easier compatibility with traditional Windows software without the ARM-related compatibility concerns that can still affect some applications. Snapdragon X2 laptops do have a battery efficiency advantage, while the MacBook Air remains a popular option for users who are comfortable with macOS.

For users who want a very light laptop with good battery life, decent performance and fewer software compatibility compromises, the ThinkBook 14x looks to be a worthwhile option. The OLED model also caters to users who want a laptop for media consumption, but its final price will decide if its as value-centric as its other siblings.

• The Infinix Smart 20 HD is a 4G smartphone priced under Rs 12,000.
• The Infinix Smart 20 HD comes with 3GB RAM and 64GB of storage.
• The phone goes on sale on Flipkart starting October 8th.

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Following the release of the standard Smart 20 4G in June, Infinix has unveiled the Smart 20 HD, a budget-friendly 4G option that emphasises a stylish, modern design, a large display for content consumption, and solid durability with high ingress protection. Priced under Rs 20,000, the Infinix Smart 20 HD rivals other 4G options in the segment, such as the OnePlus N6 Lite and Realme C100x.

Infinix Smart 20 HD price, sale, availability

The official press release states the Infinix Smart 20 HD price as Rs 10,999. The device is said to come in a single storage option with 3GB RAM and 64GB storage, while the colourways include Sunlike Orange, Silver Dancer and Night Pulse.

The phone will go on sale starting October 8th on Flipkart during the Big Billion Days Sale.

Infinix Smart 20 HD specifications and features

The phone features a 6.67-inch HD+ punch-hole display with 720 x 1,600 resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate for fluid scrolling and reaches up to 700 nits of brightness in high brightness mode. This should make viewing the screen lively indoors, while just sufficient for outdoor use. DTS-supported dual speakers with up to 300 percent volume boost complement the display for immersive audio, something not commonly found on sub-Rs 20,000 phones.

Weighing 189g, it is relatively light and carries an IP64 rating for dust and splash resistance. The distinct colour options let buyers choose based on their preference.

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Under the hood sits a Unisoc T7250 octa-core processor paired with 3GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. This 4G-based chipset currently powers multiple smartphones released this year, such as the OnePlus N6 Lite and Realme C100x. While it may handle basic tasks like calling, watching videos, and web browsing, don't expect it to excel at gaming or heavy multitasking. Users can expand virtual RAM up to 6GB and add more space via a dedicated microSD card slot. The device runs XOS based on Android 15, which is getting dated, given most phones now launch with Android 17 at higher price tiers.

Photography stays simple and functional. An 8MP rear camera with autofocus handles the main shots and includes modes such as Super Night, Dual Video, Vlog, Documents, Pro, Panorama, and Time-Lapse. Video recording reaches 2K at 30fps. Up front, there's an 8MP front camera for selfies and video calls.

A 5,000mAh battery powers the device and supports 15W charging, while the box includes a 10W adapter. With its focus on a responsive, high-refresh-rate display, expandable storage, and essential features, the Infinix Smart 20 HD targets users who want reliable performance at an accessible price.

Compared with the competition, the Infinix Smart 20 HD competes with the itel Zeno 300 4G, currently priced at Rs 9,799 on Amazon and featuring 4GB RAM and a similarly sized 6,000mAh battery. Users coming from feature phones or 3G phones could go with either option.

• OnePlus Ace 7 series is rumoured to launch in China soon.
• The lineup could arrive as the OnePlus 16R in India.
• It's expected to cost between Rs 70,000 and Rs 75,000.

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OnePlus Ace 7 series has been rumoured for quite some time, and it's expected to launch in China soon. Part of OnePlus's gaming and performance-focused lineup, the Ace 7 series hardware will also focus on performance, endurance, and gaming. The lineup will most likely feature two phones: the OnePlus Ace 7 and Ace 7 Pro. In India, one of these phones is set to arrive as the OnePlus 16R.

OnePlus 16R specifications, India pricing (expected)

According to the tipster Gadgetsdata, the OnePlus 16R will be priced in India between Rs 70,000 and Rs 75,000. If accurate, this would be much higher than the OnePlus 15R, which launched at a starting price of Rs 47,999. Following multiple price hikes, the 15R now sells at Rs 59,999 for the base variant. The current market scenario does make sense for newer models to launch at a much higher price due to rising component costs. That said, the sub-Rs 75,000 price segment still seems quite premium for the OnePlus 16R. 

As far as its specifications are concerned, we can expect the same hardware as the Ace 7 series. This includes the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, which would be an upgrade over the 8 Gen 5 powering the 15R, meaning improved performance. The OnePlus 16R could feature a 6.78-inch 1.5K LTPS OLED display with a 185Hz refresh rate. It could also get a 50MP telephoto lens with 3.5x optical zoom, a major upgrade over the 15R, which lacks this sensor. The smartphone is also tipped to feature a 200MP main camera. 

Battery capacity would be a major upgrade for the 16R, as it could get a 9,000mAh unit. The 15R packs a 7,400mAh battery. More rumoured specs include a 16MP selfie camera and a built-in cooling fan.

If these rumoured specs hold, the OnePlus 16R would stand out as a top choice for performance and battery endurance. It could also offer a versatile camera setup, making its overall package more appealing. However, since all information is speculative for now, it's best to wait for official details before making any buying decision. 

• Airtel is offering one free international roaming trip per year on its new postpaid plans, starting at Rs 499
• The free pack includes 5GB of data, 60 minutes of calls, and 25 outgoing SMS, valid for 5 days
• On family plans, every member gets their own free trip, and the new plans go live on October 8

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Airtel has announced free international roaming on its new postpaid plans, just days after Vi rolled out a similar offer. From October 8, 2026, customers on the new plans, which start at Rs 499, will get one international trip with free roaming every year at no extra cost. The complimentary pack includes 5GB of data, 60 minutes of calls, and 25 outgoing SMS, valid for 5 days, and customers can activate it whenever they choose. On family plans, every member gets their own free trip. Unlike Vi, which allows up to three trips a year and extends the benefit to select annual prepaid plans, Airtel's offer is limited to one trip and to postpaid users. Here's what the new plans include and how the two offers compare.

What Airtel's free international roaming pack includes

The comlimentary international roaming pack gives customers 5GB of data, 60 minutes of calls, 25 outgoing SMS, all valid for 5 days. Airtel says customers can activate the 5-day pack whenever they want, rather than having it tied to a fixed date, which makes it easier to line up with an actual trip.

The benefit applies per SIM. On Airtel's postpaid family plans, each member of the plan gets their own free trip every year, so a family of four on one plan gets four separate trips' worth of roaming benefits. Airtel's announcement today didn't specify which countries are covered by the free pack, so that's worth checking in the Airtel app before you travel.

New Airtel postpaid plans with free international roaming

Free roaming is available across all six of the new postpaid plans, which all include unlimited data and calling, spam and fraud prevention, Xstream Play Premium, and Google One. Higher-priced plans add more OTT and entertainment subscriptions.

The plans also include Airtel's Fast Lane technology on 5G and access to the Airtel Postpaid Advantage Club, which offers perks like comedy shows, movie premieres, and concerts. Airtel hasn't said whether the plan prices have changed from its earlier postpaid lineup.

Amit Tripathi, Airtel's Director of Market Operations, said the company wants to give customers "more and more reasons to choose Airtel Postpaid."

How to get the new Airtel plans

The plans are available from October 8. Existing Airtel customers, whether on older postpaid plans or on prepaid, can upgrade through the Airtel app or at an Airtel store. Customers on other networks can switch by raising a request through the app or visiting a store.

How Airtel's plans compare with Vi's offer

Airtel's announcement comes shortly after Vi announced its own free international roaming plans, and the two offers differ in a few ways. Vi's benefit allows up to three trips a year, and it extends beyond postpaid to select annual prepaid data plans (priced from Rs 2,997 to Rs 4,999) and enterprise plans. Airtel's is limited to one trip a year and is currently available only to postpaid users.

That said, Vi hasn't published the exact data, calling, and validity details for its pack, and says the benefits vary by plan and circle, so "up to three trips" is a ceiling rather than a guarantee for every plan. Airtel, by contrast, lays out exactly what you get (5GB, 60 minutes, 25 SMS, 5 days) and applies it uniformly across every new plan and every family member. Entry pricing is also nearly identical, with Airtel's cheapest plan at Rs 499 and Vi's eligible postpaid plans starting at Rs 501.

For frequent travellers, Vi's offer could go further on paper. For someone who takes a single trip a year, the more clearly defined Airtel pack may be easier to plan around.

• The leaked image suggests the Find X10 will launch with ColorOS 17 in India.
• OPPO has officially confirmed the Find X10 series India launch.
• The lineup debuted in China last month running ColorOS 17 out of the box. 

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Shortly after OPPO confirmed the Find X10 series will launch in India soon, we came across a live image of the standard Find X10. Shared by industry sources, the image shows an OPPO smartphone running ColorOS 17, most likely the Find X10. OPPO has already confirmed the Find X10 Pro Max's India launch, and since the lineup includes Find X10 and Find X10 E, it's not yet revealed which other models would arrive here. 

OPPO Find X10 leaked image

The leaked image shows the OPPO smartphone running ColorOS 17, which is based on Android 17, the latest software version. This would make the Find X10 series the first OPPO phones to run ColorOS 17 out of the box. The smartphone has already launched in China with ColorOS 17, suggesting that the Indian unit will also launch similarly. 

The Find X10 is the standard model in the flagship lineup, offering a 6.59-inch FHD+ display with a 144Hz refresh rate. It's powered by the new MediaTek Dimensity 9600M chipset and packs an 8,000mAh battery with 80W charging and 50W wireless charging support. The smartphone's highlight is its camera setup, which includes a 200MP primary camera, a 50MP ultra-wide camera, a 200MP periscope telephoto camera with up to 2.8x optical zoom and up to 120x digital zoom, and a 50MP front camera. The primary and telephoto cameras have been upgraded from the Find X9's 50MP duo setup.

Compared to the Find X10 Pro Max, the Find X10 would serve as the 'affordable' alternative but without compromising on the hardware. The Find X10 would make sense for buyers who want the latest Android flagship experience with powerful cameras, fast performance, and a massive battery.

You should still wait for official pricing and full reviews before deciding, especially if you currently own a flagship phone or an older Find X series phone. 

• Stable OriginOS 7 update will start rolling out to Vivo devices at the end of October.
• OriginOS 7 updates the visual design by bringing translucent and light effects.
• Several midrange devices released two years ago under the Y series will also receive the OriginOS 7 update.

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At its grand event, Vivo NEXT 2026, held on October 6th, Vivo unveiled a range of devices across price points, such as the V80, S2 FE, and X Fold 6. At the event, the company also detailed the release of OriginOS 7 for India, Vivo's newest custom skin built on Android 17. Set to arrive on multiple devices, including budget models, the software places heavy emphasis on refining the UI, adding new animation details, and improving multitasking capabilities.

OriginOS 7 rollout schedule for India

Here's when Vivo will start the rollout of OriginOS 7 in India for its eligible devices, which are mentioned below:

Since the release timeline doesn't explicitly mention the rollout dates, users will have to anticipate the update dropping during the allotted phase. As expected, Vivo's current-generation flagships, the Vivo X300 series, will get the update first by the end of this month, while the X200 series will receive it next month. Since the newly released Vivo S2 FE doesn't come with OriginOS 7 out of the box, it'll bag the update towards the end of January.

What improvements and changes does OriginOS 7 offer

Upgraded Origin Design and Dynamic Translucent Material: Vivo has upgraded the Origin Design language introduced with OriginOS 6 by adding Dynamic Glow to various elements. As a result, touch elements bounce, stretch, and flow naturally with liquid dynamics tracking finger direction and speed. Then there's a liquid, glass-like translucent material with three visual profiles: Real, Natural, and Soft. Users can make elements such as the quick settings panel, navigation bars, and buttons clearer or tinted based on their choice.

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Interactive Lockscreen and homescreen: OriginOS 7 brings multiple lockscreen themes, such as Wiggle, Glint, and Pet Pals, that add distinct visual flair statically or through user input, such as screen interaction or tilting the phone. Then there's the StickIt feature, which lets you add pre-defined or self-created stickers to the lockscreen or home screen.

Origin Workbench: Initially found on Vivo's foldable smartphones and tablets on OriginOS 6, Origin Workbench is a desktop-grade multitasking workspace that lets you comfortably organise and run up to five active apps simultaneously on a single screen.

Upgraded Jovi: Like many brands, Vivo is upgrading its AI assistant, Jovi, to help users with their tasks. Instead of responding to simple commands, Jovi can now find information, read and dissect content from files, set scheduled tasks, and deliver consistent, relevant results.

Performance Boosts: With OriginOS 7, Vivo has redesigned computing, memory, and graphics architecture, providing 10 percent faster cold app launches and 11 percent faster page switching. The graphics rendering efficiency has been boosted by 14.4 percent, eliminating frame drops across system animations.

Memory has been optimised to deliver 60 percent greater memory reclamation and free up to 25 GB of storage space on a 256 GB drive.

Ecosystem improvements: Users can now seamlessly pair their Vivo or iQOO smartphone with Apple Watches to sync notifications and workout metrics into Origin Health. This will also enable displaying AirPods status (battery & spatial audio) directly within the Origin Island. Furthermore, Vivo has added iCloud integration that allows native file browsing inside the Vivo File Manager, while Vivo Office Kit handles screen handoffs with Mac, iPad, and Windows.

These ecosystem improvements let users stay on Vivo and iQOO smartphones even if they own a macOS-based device for professional work, without losing out to Apple iPhones.

Overall, OriginOS 7 is shaping up to be a major update that not only refines animations and UI interactivity, but also adds features like Atomic Workbench to handle multiple tasks at once. In addition, Jovi AI can take action on its own. On the customisation front, users can play around with the new lockscreen themes and stickers and build a lockscreen of their choice, while dark-theme icons may complement light-shaded wallpapers well.

• Samsung could be adding a new phone to its F70 lineup.
• It would join the Galaxy F70 Pro 5G and the budget-friendly Galaxy F70e 5G.
• Samsung has yet to confirm the Galaxy F70 5G.

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Samsung is expected to launch a new Galaxy F70 series phone soon. This would be the Galaxy F70 5G, which we have spotted on the Google Play supported device list. The listing mentions the device name and model number, confirming its imminent launch. The Galaxy F70 5G will be the third phone in the lineup after the Galaxy F70 Pro 5G and Galaxy F70e 5G. It will also likely sit between the two phones. 

Samsung Galaxy F70 5G: what to expect

The Google Play listing doesn't include any specifications, but it mentions a17x next to the Galaxy F70 5G. It's only speculation, but this suggests the Galaxy F70 5G could be a rebrand of the Galaxy A17. This wouldn't be surprising, as we have seen Galaxy F series phones launch with similar hardware to the Galaxy A series or M series. 

The Galaxy A17 5G, though, launched last September, making it a year old now, so it's not clear if the Galaxy F70 will end up launching with the same hardware. The Galaxy A17 features a 6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate, Gorilla Glass Victus protection, and a notch design. It's powered by the Exynos 1330 processor and a 5,000mAh battery with 25W fast charging support. 

The handset features a 50MP OIS-enabled primary camera, a 5MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro sensor. This setup is quite versatile for this price segment. For selfies, you get a 13MP front camera. The phone ships with Android 15-based One UI 7 and will get six OS upgrades. The Galaxy F70 5G will likely launch with a newer version of Android. 

Since we don't have any information on the Galaxy F70 5G yet, it's best to wait for official details. Still, the phone could launch as a budget option for users who want a Samsung 5G phone with long-term software support. 

1. Mini LED technology has advanced rapidly, but jargon can confuse prospective buyers. How does True RGB fundamentally alter colour volume and brightness compared to standard Mini LED or OLED panels, and why was this the right moment to introduce it in the BRAVIA 9 II and 7 II?

True RGB represents a different approach to how colour is created on a Mini LED display. Instead of relying on a conventional white backlight, True RGB uses independently controlled red, green and blue LEDs through Sony's RGB Backlight Master Drive Pro, allowing the display to produce colour with greater precision while maintaining the high brightness that Mini LED is known for. The result is richer colour, greater depth and a more lifelike picture, particularly on large screens. The timing is also significant. As consumers increasingly look for larger, more cinematic screens at home, we believe picture quality needs to evolve alongside screen size. With BRAVIA 9 II and 7 II, True RGB brings together Sony's expertise in colour, processing and backlight control to deliver a more immersive home-cinema experience.

2. With True RGB entering the portfolio, how does Sony view the dynamic between top-tier OLEDs and premium Mini LEDs? Is True RGB positioning Mini LED to compete directly with OLED on colour accuracy, or do they serve distinctly different consumer profiles?

We see OLED and premium Mini LED as complementary technologies, each offering distinct strengths depending on the viewing environment and consumer preference. True RGB is designed to bring together the colour richness associated with our most advanced displays with the brightness and scalability of LED technology. By generating colour at both the backlight and LCD panel level, True RGB enables more precise colour reproduction while maintaining the high brightness that is particularly valuable for large-screen viewing and brighter living spaces. Ultimately, our focus is not on one technology replacing another, but on giving consumers the right display experience for the way they watch.

3. Indian buyers are moving past simple metrics like "4K" or raw screen size. What specific attributes such as dynamic contrast, colour precision, or built-in acoustics are now driving purchasing decisions in Tier 1 and Tier 2 markets?

Indian consumers, across both Tier 1 and Tier 2 markets, are increasingly looking beyond basic specifications such as 4K and screen size. Picture quality, particularly colour accuracy, contrast, brightness and motion clarity, remains a key consideration, along with sound quality and smart features.

In Tier 1 markets, premium consumers are increasingly looking at large-screen performance, advanced picture technologies, gaming and integrated audio experiences. In Tier 2 markets, while screen size and picture quality remain strong purchase drivers, consumers are also becoming more conscious of the overall feature set and value offered by a premium TV.

Overall, the decision is increasingly based on the complete picture, sound and entertainment experience, rather than a single specification.

4. Demand for 75-inch, 85-inch, and 98-inch displays is rising across India. How is Sony tailoring its retail experience, supply chain, and post-sales support to accommodate the physical and technical demands of bringing cinema-scale displays into Indian homes?

With large-screen TVs, the experience has to begin before the TV reaches the home. Our focus is on making the entire journey from demonstration and purchase to delivery, installation and after-sales support suited to the scale of the product.

At retail, consumers need to experience these screens rather than simply see specifications on a display card. For 75-inch, 85-inch and 98-inch TVs, we therefore place greater emphasis on large-screen demonstrations, picture and sound experience, and helping customers understand the right solution for their space.

The same attention extends to delivery and professional installation, where the size of the product makes logistics, placement and installation particularly important. Our objective is simple: the premium experience customers see in the showroom should continue seamlessly into their home.

5. A massive display can easily expose artefacts in everyday content. How does Sony's Cognitive Processor or AI-driven picture pipeline ensure that standard HD streaming, live sports, and cable broadcasts look pristine on an 85-inch or 98-inch canvas?

The larger the screen, the more visible imperfections in the source content can become. That is why our approach is not simply to make the picture bigger, but to make the content look better. Cognitive Processor XR analyses different elements of a scene and works to reproduce them in a way that feels natural to the human eye. XR 4K Upscaling and XR Clear Image help restore detail while reducing noise and compression artefacts in lower-quality content. For fast-moving content such as cricket and football, XR Motion Clarity™ helps maintain clarity during motion. Together, these technologies help everyday broadcasts and streaming content remain detailed and immersive even on a very large screen.

6. Beyond serving as a world-class monitor, how is Sony evolving BRAVIA into the central hub for the modern connected home, particularly in terms of smart home integration, gaming, and ambient living?

BRAVIA is evolving beyond being a television to become a more integrated part of the connected home, bringing together smart home integration, gaming and an adaptive viewing experience. With Google TV, Apple AirPlay 2 and Apple HomeKit, users can seamlessly access entertainment and connect with compatible smart-home devices. For gaming, BRAVIA is optimised for PlayStation 5 with features such as Auto HDR Tone Mapping, Auto Genre Picture Mode, 4K/120Hz, VRR and ALLM, while PS Remote Play enables users to stream games directly on the TV.

For ambient living, Immersive Black Screen Pro helps minimise reflections and glare, while the Light & Colour Sensor automatically adapts the picture to the surrounding lighting conditions. Together, these capabilities make BRAVIA a central part of how consumers connect, watch, play and enjoy entertainment at home.

7. With Sony's unique position in the gaming ecosystem, how do the BRAVIA 9 II and 7 II with True RGB specifically elevate the PlayStation 5 experience? Are you seeing Indian gamers emerge as a primary driver for ultra-premium television sales?

Sony's unique advantage comes from bringing together our expertise in PlayStation and display technology. With True RGB, the BRAVIA 9 II and 7 II use independently controlled red, green and blue LEDs through the RGB Backlight Master Drive Pro, enabling rich, precise colours and bright highlights that enhance the visual impact of games.

This is complemented by our "Perfect for PlayStation5" features, including Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode, which optimise the picture for gaming, along with 4K/120Hz, VRR and ALLM support for smooth and responsive gameplay.

Gaming is also becoming an increasingly important consideration in the premium TV segment in India. As gamers look for more immersive experiences, large-screen, high-performance displays that can deliver fast motion, detailed visuals and vibrant colours are becoming increasingly relevant to this audience.

8. How has Sony engineered the audio capabilities in these massive new True RGB displays to match the visual scale, ensuring the sound feels as premium as the picture?

For Sony, a large cinematic picture needs sound that can match its scale and precision. The BRAVIA 9 II is therefore engineered with Acoustic Multi-Audio+ and Beam Tweeters, which help position sound in line with the action on screen and create a more immersive soundstage.

This is complemented by 3D Surround Upscaling, which expands conventional audio into a more immersive surround experience, and Voice Zoom 3, which uses AI to enhance dialogue clarity. Acoustic Auto Calibration further optimises the sound based on the characteristics of the room, while support for Dolby Atmos, DTS and IMAX Enhanced enables a more cinematic audio experience.

For customers looking to take the experience further, Acoustic Center Sync allows the TV to work with compatible BRAVIA Theatre products, integrating the TV and external audio system into a more immersive soundstage.

9. Indian content, from highly vibrant cinema to high-speed cricket broadcasts, has unique visual and motion demands. How does Sony's AI processing and True RGB technology specifically optimise for the colours and frame rates most consumed by Indian households?

Indian households enjoy an exceptionally diverse mix of content from vibrant cinema and entertainment to fast-moving sports. Powered by the RGB Backlight Master Drive Pro, our display tech utilises dedicated red, green, and blue LEDs. This produces purer, more accurate color volume without muddiness or white flare, keeping natural skin tones and vibrant hues realistic even at wide viewing angles (X-Wide Angle Pro), while the Cognitive Processor XR analyses the content to preserve detail and natural-looking images.

For sports and other fast-moving scenes, XR Motion Clarity helps reduce blur and maintain clarity. Meanwhile, XR Clear Image helps improve lower-resolution content. This combination is particularly relevant in India, where consumers often move between premium OTT content, broadcast television and live sports on the same screen.

10. As Indian viewers increasingly rely on 4K HDR streaming via OTT platforms rather than traditional DTH, how is BRAVIA ensuring that the nuances of a filmmaker's original vision are faithfully reproduced in the living room?

For Sony, creator intent is not just a feature, it is the foundation of the BRAVIA picture philosophy. Studio Calibrated Mode is designed to reproduce content closer to the way it was mastered in the studio, preserving the filmmaker's intended colour, contrast, brightness and picture expression.

BRAVIA then extends this approach to the streaming environment through OTT-specific calibrated modes. Netflix Adaptive Calibrated Mode adapts the picture to the viewer's environment while maintaining the intended expression; Prime Video Calibrated Mode optimises Prime Video content; and SONY PICTURES CORE Calibrated Mode is designed for Sony Pictures studio-mastered content.

Combined with the Cognitive Processor XR, advanced colour and contrast technologies, Dolby Vision and IMAX Enhanced, BRAVIA is designed to ensure that what viewers see at home stays as close as possible to what the creators intended.

11. As the Indian market embraces 85-inch and 98-inch displays, energy consumption becomes a valid concern. How is Sony balancing the extreme brightness of True RGB and massive screen real estate with energy efficiency and broader sustainability goals?

As screen sizes become larger, responsible energy management becomes an important part of product design. Sony uses intelligent picture and power-management technologies to optimise the TV according to the content being viewed and the surrounding environment. Ambient light sensing can adjust screen brightness to suit room conditions, while the Eco Dashboard brings together power-saving settings such as power-saving modes and automatic standby. Beyond energy management during use, Sony also continues to explore recycled materials and more sustainable design approaches across its products.

12. Looking beyond the launch of the BRAVIA 9 II and 7 II, what is your ultimate vision for the Indian home entertainment space? What will the premium consumer be demanding three to five years from now?

Sony refrains from commenting on unannounced future products & our long-term roadmaps. Our focus remains on executing our core vision for home entertainment: bringing the cinema experience directly into living rooms across India. With the launch of our flagship True RGB line, we continue to push the boundaries of picture precision, brightness, and spatial audio through technologies like the RGB Backlight Master Drive Pro, Cognitive Processor XR, and Acoustic Multi-Audio+. We will continue to evaluate customer needs and deliver premier audio-visual experiences grounded in our official product announcements.

Vivo S2 FE vs POCO X8 Power: specs at a glance

Vivo S2 FE vs POCO X8 Power: price in India

The Vivo S2 FE starts at Rs 38,999 in India with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage, while the POCO X8 Power starts at a lower price of Rs 35,999 with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage on its base variant. On price alone, the POCO X8 Power has a major edge over the Vivo S2 FE.

Vivo S2 FE vs POCO X8 Power: display, design

Both phones feature nearly identical 6.83-inch 1.5K AMOLED panels with 120Hz refresh rates for smooth scrolling and media consumption. The POCO X8 Power edges ahead with higher peak brightness of up to 3,500 nits, Dolby Vision support, HDR10+, and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection.

The Vivo S2 FE offers solid brightness around 2,000 nits HBM and a clean, modern look. In design, both devices are on the heavier side due to their large batteries, with the Vivo S2 FE weighing 224g, while the POCO X8 Power is slightly heavier at 229g. Both carry strong IP68/IP69 dust and water resistance ratings. The POCO X8 Power adds extra drop resistance claims, while the Vivo S2 FE focuses on a simpler, elegant build available in colours like Stellar Green, Zen White, and Titan Black. The POCO comes in Black and Yellow options.

Vivo S2 FE vs POCO X8 Power: chipset

The POCO X8 Power runs on the Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 (4nm), a chipset focused on reliable overall performance and efficiency in the mid-range segment. The Vivo S2 FE uses the MediaTek Dimensity 7300e (6nm) processor, a variant of the Dimensity 7300 that handles everyday tasks, multitasking, and light-to-moderate gaming well, per our experience. In real-world use, both should feel responsive for daily apps, social media, and casual gaming. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 may pull slightly ahead in more demanding scenarios and sustained performance, while the Dimensity 7300e remains efficient enough for most users.

Vivo S2 FE vs POCO X8 Power: battery

Battery is where both smartphones completely shine when compared to the competition. With a massive 10,000mAh battery on both phones, they promise excellent all-day (or multi-day) endurance for heavy users. The clear difference is charging speed, where the POCO X8 Power supports much faster 100W charging, while the Vivo S2 FE is limited to 44W. Both handsets also offer reverse charging for juicing up other devices, like earphones. After all, the battery capacities match those of actual power banks. Both should easily last a full day of intensive use, with the POCO's faster charging giving it a practical advantage when you need a quick top-up.

With smartphone brands cutting back on higher storage and advanced camera hardware in 2026 on their midrange and upper-midrange smartphones due to rising memory prices, battery is one area where these companies can still go the distance and improve endurance.

Vivo S2 FE vs POCO X8 Power: cameras

Both phones centre around a 50MP primary rear camera and a 32MP front camera. The POCO X8 Power adds a more useful 8MP ultrawide lens and optical image stabilisation (OIS) on the main sensor, which should help in low light and video. The Vivo S2 FE pairs its 50MP main sensor with a basic bokeh lens. On paper, the POCO offers a more versatile camera setup. Real-world results will depend on software tuning, but the POCO's extra ultrawide and OIS should give it an edge for everyday photography and content creation.

Vivo S2 FE vs POCO X8 Power: software

The Vivo S2 FE and POCO X8 Power run Android 16 out of the box. The Vivo S2 FE comes with OriginOS 6, while the POCO X8 Power uses HyperOS 3; Vivo has promised three OS upgrades and five years of security patches, while POCO is set to receive four OS upgrades and six years of security updates. In terms of software longevity, the X8 Power has an advantage, gaining an extra Android upgrade and two more years of security patches.

In terms of look and feel, both OriginOS and HyperOS offer multiple customisation options, productivity features such as Origin Island on Vivo and Hyper Island on HyperOS, and AI features scattered throughout the UI. Based on our experience with both, if you want flexibility in accent theming, two control centre options, and more multitasking capabilities, the S2 FE's OriginOS 6 suits you, while HyperOS 3 on the X8 Power excels at delivering smooth animations and transitions.

Summing up

The POCO X8 Power holds the upper hand with a lower starting price of Rs 35,999 while offering more RAM over the Vivo S2 FE's standard 6GB RAM and 128GB model at Rs 38,999. Even though both smartphones carry mammoth 10,000mAh cells, the POCO X8 Power's 100W fast charging should take noticeably less time to top up, especially when you are about to leave.

With an 8MP ultrawide lens, the X8 Power offers a more flexible camera setup, while HDR on the display delivers brighter tones when watching supported content on YouTube or Netflix. That said, the Vivo S2 FE remains a strong contender if you prefer OriginOS and its design. On the other hand, if you want a better overall package with faster charging, more camera flexibility, and slightly better performance, the POCO X8 Power is the safer recommendation.

Vivo V80 vs Vivo V70: price in India

The Vivo V80 starts at Rs 62,999 for the 8GB RAM + 128GB storage variant. The 8GB + 256GB model costs Rs 69,999, while the top-end 8GB + 512GB version is priced at Rs 79,999.

In comparison, the Vivo V70 starts at Rs 59,999 for 8GB RAM + 256GB storage, while the 12GB + 256GB variant costs Rs 64,999. This gives the older V70 a significant price advantage, while also offering more storage and RAM.

Vivo V80 vs Vivo V70: design, display

Both phones feature a premium design with flat edges, rounded corners, and IP68/IP69 ratings for dust and water resistance. However, the V80 gets a refreshed look with Vivo's new 'Floating Camera' module, which gives it a more distinctive appearance than the V70's square-shaped camera module. The V80 is also available in three colours, while the V70 comes in Passion Red and Lemon Yellow.

The display size remains unchanged at 6.59 inches, with both phones featuring a 1.5K AMOLED panel and up to 5,000 nits of peak brightness. However, the V80 gets a 144Hz refresh rate compared to 120Hz on the V70. The higher refresh rate should make scrolling and supported games feel smoother, although the difference may not be particularly noticeable during everyday use.

Overall, the V80 has the edge for buyers looking for a newer design and a higher refresh rate, but the V70 still offers a similarly sharp and bright display.

Vivo V80 vs Vivo V70: chipset, battery

The Vivo V80 and V70 are powered by the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset. This means there is no major generational performance upgrade with the newer model. Both phones should be capable of handling everyday tasks, social media, streaming, and moderate gaming, although neither is particularly strong for buyers seeking the best performance in this price range.

The biggest hardware upgrade on the V80 comes in the battery department. It packs a 7,200mAh battery compared to the V70's 6,500mAh unit. Both phones support 90W fast charging, so the newer model should offer longer endurance without sacrificing charging speeds. Both phones also support bypass charging, which is useful during gaming and other intensive tasks.

If battery life is your priority, the V80 is the clear winner. However, since both phones use the same chipset and charging speed, the V70 should still offer similar core performance and charging experience at a much lower price.

Vivo V80 vs Vivo V70: cameras

Camera hardware is one area where the two phones remain fairly similar. The V80 features a 50MP OIS main camera, a 50MP Zeiss Night Telephoto camera, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 50MP front camera. The V70 also has a 50MP Zeiss OIS main camera, a 50MP telephoto camera, an 8MP ultra-wide camera, and a 50MP selfie camera.

The V80 does bring some newer camera features, including more than 30 AI-powered creative features, AI Diwali Portrait 2.0, and 4K Cinematic video recording. The V70 also has several AI photography tools, including AI Floral, AI Weather Magic and AI Holi Portrait, along with 4K 60fps video recording.

On paper, therefore, the V80 offers a more feature-rich camera experience, but the underlying hardware is broadly similar. Buyers primarily interested in camera hardware may not see a substantial enough upgrade to justify the V80's much higher price.

Vivo V80 vs Vivo V70: software

The Vivo V80 runs OriginOS 7 based on Android 17 out of the box, while the V70 ships with OriginOS 6 based on Android 16. The newer software brings a refreshed interface, additional customisation, and features such as Dynamic Glow and interactive Pet Pals themes.

Both phones receive six years of security updates and four OS upgrades. The V70 also benefits from Vivo's six-year software support promise, making it a reasonably future-proof option despite being the older phone. The V80 gets an edge with an additional OS upgrade and running the latest software version. 

If having the latest Android version and newer software features is important, the V80 has the advantage. However, the V70 still offers strong long-term software support for its price.

Summing up

The Vivo V80 brings meaningful improvements in design, battery capacity, display refresh rate, and software. However, at a starting price of Rs 62,999, it is significantly more expensive than the Vivo V70, while retaining the same Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset and broadly similar camera hardware. The V80 makes more sense for buyers who want the latest design, longer battery life, newer software, and additional camera features.

On the other hand, the Vivo V70 offers better value, especially at its Rs 59,999 starting price. It retains the same chipset, a similar display, a 6,500mAh battery, 90W charging, and a versatile Zeiss camera setup. If you're okay skipping the V80's newer design, 144Hz display, and larger battery, the V70 might be the more sensible choice for buyers looking to get the most value for their money.

• Vivo X Fold 6 is priced at Rs 2,19,999 for the sole 12GB+512GB model
• Key specs of the Vivo X Fold 6 include a customised flagship chipset, 200MP + 50MP + 50MP rear cameras, a large 6,900mAh battery, and more.
• Pre-booking starts today, and sale starts on October 13, 2026

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Amidst little fanfare, Vivo has introduced its newest flagship foldable in India alongside the Vivo V80 and S2 FE. The Vivo X Fold 6 succeeds last year's X Fold 5 and retains a near-identical form factor. However, it brings several under-the-hood upgrades that make the X Fold 6 worth a closer look. Key specs include the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 Super Edition SoC, a 200MP main camera, and a 6,900mAh battery - the largest ever in a foldable.

Keep reading to find out the Vivo X Fold 6 price in India, specifications, and availability details.

Vivo X Fold 6 price in India, availability

The Vivo X Fold 6 is priced in India at Rs 2,19,999 for the sole 12GB RAM and 512GB storage variant. The handset comes in two colour options: Nebula Teal and Prism Black. The sale starts on October 13, 2026. 

Vivo X Fold 6 specifications

The Vivo X Fold 6 is roughly the same height, width, and thickness as its predecessor, X Fold 5, in both its folded and unfolded state. Moreover, the handset continues to sport an aluminium frame, glass back and front, and a large circular camera deco that protrudes quite a bit. This time around, the module houses a bigger 200MP OIS Samsung HPB main sensor, paired with a 50MP Samsung JN1 ultrawide lens and a 50MP 3x OIS Sony LYT-602 sensor. On paper, the camera setup looks promising for a foldable, and it doesn't compromise on the selfie cameras either.

The Vivo X Fold 6 sports a 20MP camera in the punch-hole cutout on both its main and cover displays. The smartphone is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 Super Edition SoC, which appears to be a customised chipset for the device. It could offer better optimisation for a foldable form factor while delivering flagship-level performance comparable to conventional slab phones such as the Vivo X300 Pro. The chipset is paired with fast LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.1 storage. 

While the main and cover displays remain unchanged at 8.02 inches and 6.51 inches, respectively, with only a marginal brightness improvement, the battery has received a significant upgrade. The X Fold 6 packs a 6,900mAh battery, up from 6,000mAh on the X Fold 5. This should easily last a day and then some between charges, but stay tuned for our full review for its actual endurance. It also supports 80W Flash wired charging and 40W Flash wireless charging.

The displays are AMOLED with power-efficient LTPO technology, a 1Hz-120Hz refresh rate, and HDR10+ resolution. The phone ships with OriginOS 7 layered atop Android 17, Vivo's latest software.

Vivo X Fold 6 specs at a glance

Should you buy the Vivo X Fold 6?

The Vivo X Fold 6 has launched at a significantly higher price than its predecessor. However, it does bring a few upgrades to justify that price, including a newer and faster MediaTek Dimensity 9500 Super Edition processor, a bigger battery, an upgraded 200MP primary camera, and OriginOS 7 out of the box, among other things. These improvements definitely make it worth considering if you're in the market for a foldable phone.

That said, the Vivo X Fold 6 will face the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, which is currently priced lower than the Vivo foldable at Rs 1,94,999. Samsung is a dominant player in the foldable space and impresses with its software experience and support. The Vivo X Fold 6, however, has the edge in battery and charging. With the X Fold 6, Vivo is clearly looking to challenge Samsung's dominance in the foldable market. Wait for our full review to know if Vivo's foldable has what it takes to succeed.

• Xiaomi 18 Ultra has reportedly been cancelled over concerns about its high price.
• The flagship was tipped to feature three 200MP cameras and continuous optical zoom.

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The Xiaomi 18 Ultra has reportedly been cancelled before launch due to concerns over its expected price. A reliable tipster's post on X shares that Xiaomi had planned a camera-focused flagship with three 200MP cameras and other high-end hardware. For context, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (review) currently costs Rs 1,39,999 in India, so the 18 Ultra could have been an even more expensive launch. Let's look at it in more detail below. 

Xiaomi 18 Ultra had some major upgrades planned

According to an X post, reliable tipster Digital Chat Station claims that Xiaomi had planned the 18 Ultra with an ambitious camera setup but cancelled it because the expected price was too high. These details remain unconfirmed, naturally, so they should be treated as a rumour for now.

The Xiaomi 18 Ultra reportedly would feature three 200MP cameras, including a 1/1.12-inch LOFIC main sensor, a 1/1.56-inch ultrawide camera and a 1/1.28-inch periscope telephoto camera with continuous optical zoom. The periscope sensor would have been larger than the 1/1.4-inch sensor on the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, which could have helped improve image quality at higher zoom levels and richer details at the optical length shot.

Xiaomi 18 Ultra has been cancelled, and its specs just leaked 👀 As per Digital Chat Station, Xiaomi planned a crazy camera phone but killed it because the price would have been too high. – Three 200MP cameras – 1/1.12 inch LOFIC main camera, a new sensor tech that keeps bright skies and lights from getting blown out – 1/1.28 inch periscope with continuous optical zoom, up from 1/1.4 inch on the 17 Ultra – Flat display with 1mm bezels on all four sides – Benchmark score above 5 million So this time there is no Ultra. Xiaomi 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max already launched in China last month, and the standard Xiaomi 18 is expected in December. Ultra is expected to return with Xiaomi 19 Ultra.

— Abhishek Yadav (@yabhishekhd) October 5, 2026

The LOFIC sensor helps handle bright areas better, which should retain more detail in scenes with harsh lights or bright skies. The phone was also tipped to feature a flat display with 1mm bezels and a benchmark score above 5 million.

The reported pricing, however, may have played a major role in the cancellation. The leaked configuration reportedly cost CNY 10,000, approximately Rs 1.4 lakh before taxes and other related costs. That would make it even more expensive than the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (review), which currently costs Rs 1,39,999 in India.

I could not locate Digital Chat Station's original Weibo post, so it remains unclear whether the tipster still stands by the claim that Xiaomi cancelled the 18 Ultra. For now, the cancellation and the reported reasons behind it seem plausible, but Xiaomi has not confirmed anything officially.

Why is the Xiaomi 18 Ultra more expensive?

With memory and storage costs making the situation worse already, brands have raised prices across segments this year to remain profitable. Flagship phones also top-end processors, memory, storage and camera hardware, all of which are expensive components on their own, so manufacturers have fewer ways to absorb these higher costs.

The reported CNY 9,999 price is certainly high, but buyers of top-end camera phones usually care more about camera performance than price. If Xiaomi's reported upgrades proved worthwhile, some enthusiasts could still be willing to pay more. 

The Xiaomi 18 Ultra is not the only high-end smartphone facing launch uncertainty, particularly in India. The iQOO 16 has yet to receive an official India launch confirmation, despite its global variant reportedly appearing on Geekbench, largely due to its high potential launch pricing. 

This could become a bigger issue for ultra-flagship phones as their prices continue to rise. Brands may have to think more carefully about whether these expensive flagship models can find enough buyers outside their home markets.

• The Vivo S2 FE competes against the Redmi Note 17 Pro and OnePlus Nord CE 6.
• The smartphone packs the largest battery of any Vivo smartphone in India.
• The Vivo S2 FE goes on sale starting October 20th.

[/highlights]

After reviving the Vivo S series after seven years, the company released the Vivo S2 in August and today unveiled yet another smartphone in the lineup: the S2 FE. While the S2 emphasised design and sleekness, the Vivo S2 FE goes all out on battery endurance, durability, and lasting, efficient performance. Vivo also unveiled the V80, X Fold 6, and the Vivo Vision Discovery Edition mixed reality headset at today's event, dubbed Vivo NEXT 2026.

Vivo S2 FE price, sale, availability

The Vivo S2 FE starts at Rs 38,999 for the base 6GB RAM and 128GB storage, while the 8GB RAM and 128GB model is priced at Rs 42,999. Its first sale begins October 20th on offline retail channels and online platforms, with certain discounts including up to 10 percent instant cashback on multiple bank cards and a 10 percent exchange bonus.

The smartphone comes in three colour shades: Stellar Green, Zen White, and Titan Black.

Vivo S2 FE specifications and features

The Vivo S2 FE features a large 6.83-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 2,000 nits of high brightness, delivering vibrant colours and smooth scrolling for media and gaming. It sports a durable design backed by an impressive IP68 and IP69 rating for high-level water and dust resistance. It also packs an in-display fingerprint scanner for biometric authentication and quick payments.

Under the hood, the smartphone runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 7300e processor, with up to 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of internal storage. With a 3,800mm2 vapour chamber, it should handle daily multitasking, social media apps, and everyday performance efficiently.

For photography, the squarish camera module houses a dual rear camera system centred around a 50MP Sony main sensor paired with a bokeh sensor. Up front, it houses a high-resolution 32MP selfie camera, making it well-suited for video calls and detailed self-portraits.

The phone's standout feature is its massive 10,000mAh battery. This makes it only the fourth phone in India to achieve this feat. Previous launches with a 10,000mAh or above battery include the Realme P4 Power, POCO X8 Power, and Redmi Note 17 Pro Max. Based on our experience with these phones, the Vivo S2 FE should easily last at least two days with medium use, reducing battery anxiety, especially during long commutes or heavy workloads. The phone comes with a 44W charger in the box for quick top-ups.

The software on the Vivo S2 FE is backed by OriginOS 6 based on Android 16. Some of the key features of the UI include Origin Island, which showcases information from apps in real time, such as tracking food delivery; Origin Kit allows you to share media and cast your screen on Windows and macOS.

Where does the Vivo S2 FE stand among the competition?

Starting at Rs 38,999, the Vivo S2 FE goes directly against the recently released Redmi Note 17 Pro (Rs 36,999), which packs a 9,000mAh battery. On the performance front, it carries the Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 processor, which should offer similar performance gains to the S2 FE's Dimensity 7300e. The OnePlus Nord CE 6 is also another strong contender under Rs 40,000 with an 8,000mAh battery, which, again, lags behind the S2 FE.

If you're seeking the best endurance on a smartphone, the Vivo S2 FE could be a viable pick. While the Dimensity 7300e isn't the best offering in the segment, with phones like the POCO X8 Pro with the Dimensity 8500 Ultra, the chipset should suffice for most casual users. It also comes with strong IP ratings and a military-grade certified build for robust handling.

• Vivo V80 offers the biggest battery on a V-series phone yet.
• The smartphone comes with several AI features.
• Vivo V80 price in India starts at Rs 62,999. 

[/highlights]

Vivo has refreshed its V-series in India with the V80 smartphone. This time, only the standard V80 has been launched, with no word on an Elite or Pro model yet. Vivo V80 continues with the brand's V-series philosophy of a stylish design, Zeiss cameras, AI photography features, and more. Vivo has also added the largest battery yet on a V-series phone, on the V80. Here's everything you need to know about the Vivo V80.

Vivo V80 price in India, availability

Vivo V80 price in India starts at Rs 62,999 for the base model with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. The smartphone comes in two more variants with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage (Rs 69,999), and 8GB RAM and 512GB storage (Rs 79,999). Pre-booking for the Vivo V80 starts today, while the sale starts on October 13th via Vivo's online store, Amazon India, Flipkart, and offline channels. It's available in Stellar Black, Horizon Blue, and Sunrise Anthem. 

Vivo V80 specifications

Vivo V80 features a compact 6.59-inch 1.5K (2750×1260 pixels) AMOLED display, 144Hz refresh rate, 5,000 nits peak brightness, and 1800 nits in HBM. While the screen size isn't as compact as the smaller phones, it sits between a small and large phone. The 144Hz refresh rate is an upgrade over the V70, while the other specs are largely the same. 

Powering the V80 is the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 processor, which is the same one found in the V70. While this is a capable mid-range chipset, it falls short in terms of performance among alternatives like the iQOO 15R and OnePlus 15R. On the software front, the Vivo V80 runs OriginOS 7 based on Android 17, making it the first Vivo phone to launch with this version. Vivo is also offering four OS upgrades and 6 years of security updates with the V80, making it long-term secure. 

The Vivo V80's highlight is its 7,200mAh battery, the biggest so far in the lineup. It comes with 90W fast charging support, thereby giving a good setup in terms of battery endurance. Like its successor, the Vivo V80 also comes with Zeiss optics. The optics include a 50MP OIS main camera, a 50MP telephoto camera, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 50MP group selfie camera. The smartphone also comes with different focal lengths like 85mm and 100mm for close-up portraits, 30+ AI-powered creative features, including AI Diwali Portrait 2.0, and 4K Cinematic video recording support. 

The new Vivo smartphone also comes with IP68 and IP69 ratings for dust and water resistance. You also get a 3D ultrasonic fingerprint sensor with the V80, which is usually reserved for flagship phones.

At a starting price of Rs 62,999, the Vivo V80 enters a more premium segment, reflecting the broader price hikes across the smartphone market. For buyers prioritising a versatile camera setup with AI features, a large battery, and a stylish design, the Vivo V80 is a compelling option. However, given its price, it is worth comparing its hardware, cameras, and features with similarly priced rivals before making a purchase.

• OPPO has confirmed the launch of the Find X10 series in India.
• The lineup includes three phones.
• It will launch in India in the coming months. 

[/highlights]

OPPO has announced the upcoming launch of its flagship Find X10 series in India. The announcement was made at MediaTek Tech Day in Delhi, where the company confirmed that the Find X10 Pro Max will be among the first smartphones globally to feature MediaTek's flagship Dimensity 9600 Pro chipset. The Find X10 series is set to launch in India in the coming months. The lineup is expected to include the OPPO Find X10 Pro Max, Find X10, and Find X10 E, although OPPO has yet to confirm which models will be launched in the Indian market.

Since the event specifically mentioned the Find X10 Pro Max and the Dimensity 9600 Pro chipset, it's likely that this model is confirmed for India. We might also see the Find X10 in India as the successor to the Find X9. As for the Find X10 E, it's the most affordable in the lineup, and it could launch globally as the successor to the Find X9s. 

OPPO Find X10 Pro Max

The Find X10 Pro Max is OPPO's most premium flagship yet, boasting three 200MP Hasselblad-branded rear cameras. The 1/1.56-inch ultrawide camera has an f/2.2 aperture and a 124-degree field of view, with OPPO claiming a 202 percent increase in light intake over its predecessor. The main camera offers an f/1.5 aperture and 17EV single-frame dynamic range, while the telephoto gets the highest pixel count and largest aperture yet on a Pro Max telephoto, along with CIPA 7.5 stabilisation.

The phone is powered by MediaTek's 2nm Dimensity 9600 Pro flagship chipset and features a 6.78-inch LTPO OLED display with 1-nit minimum brightness and up to 3,600 nits peak brightness. It also carries IP66, IP68, and IP69 ratings for dust and water resistance. The Dimensity 9600 Pro is designed to deliver a 61% reduction in multi-core power consumption. It also comes with a 2nd-gen Super-Efficient NPU that reduces always-on AI power consumption by 40%.

Among the three, the Find X10 Pro Max is slated to stand out as the new Android camera beast. It's specifically designed for those who want the ultimate camera flagship phone. Since the phone is confirmed to launch in India, it would be worth waiting for if cameras are your priority.