[highlights]

• OnePlus N6x is set to launch in India next week.
• It will be the second phone from OnePlus's new budget lineup.
• The handset will be available in two colours. 

[/highlights]

Shortly after teasing a new budget smartphone, OnePlus has revealed the launch date. The OnePlus N6x is set to debut in India next week. This will be the second phone from OnePlus's new budget-focused N-series, after the OnePlus N6. In addition to the launch date, OnePlus has also revealed the design and colour options of the N6x. 

OnePlus N6x India launch date

OnePlus N6x is scheduled to launch in India on July 31st. The launch event will take place at 12 pm. The smartphone is confirmed to go on sale via Amazon India. It will be available on the OnePlus India website as well. 

According to the teaser image shared officially, the OnePlus N6x looks more like the Nord 5 with the pill-shaped camera module and the sleek back panel. It also has flat edges with the power button and volume keys on the right side. This could be well taken by users who prefer the Nord 5 aesthetics. The Nord 5-like design also suggests OnePlus is aiming for a premium look at a budget price point, appealing to users who prioritize style without breaking the bank. The smartphone will be available in two colours: Burgundy Red and Ice Blue. 

OnePlus N6x: what to expect

Other than the design and colours, OnePlus hasn't revealed anything else about the N6x. The handset is tipped to arrive with familiar hardware and features. This means that we'll most likely see similar specifications already available on an existing phone, which could be a large battery, the latest software, and an overall dependable set of specifications. It could also be closely matched with the OnePlus N6, which launched recently in India. Assuming it retains the N6's battery size, users will appreciate extended usage. 

OnePlus N6 starts at Rs 22,999 for the base variant with 4GB RAM and 128GB storage. The N6x could sit below or alongside it, giving buyers another option in the affordable mid-range segment.

With the launch taking place next week, we should know more about the OnePlus N6x very soon. For now, the OnePlus N6x feels like it could be a good option for those looking for the familiar yet sleek OnePlus aesthetic and possibly lower pricing. If you've been planning to buy a budget OnePlus phone, the N6x could be worth waiting for. 

Samsung wrapped up its second Galaxy Unpacked event of the year yesterday, unveiling a slew of foldables, smartwatches, and smart glasses. Among these products, the Galaxy Z Fold8 debuts with a brand-new form factor that emphasises compactness and the entertainment experience, while the Z Fold8 Ultra further pushes the boundaries with a thinner, more durable design. Samsung has also upgraded its Galaxy Watch lineup, while smart eyewear has also been introduced.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8

Pricing

• 12GB RAM + 256GB: Rs 1,79,999
• 12GB RAM + 512GB: Rs 1,99,999
• 16GB RAM + 1TB: Rs 2,39,999

Kicking things off with the star of the show, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 is the company's take on a new form factor for foldables, which prioritises the inner display's entertainment experience. For starters, it features a 5.5-inch cover screen and an expansive 7.6-inch QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display, both running at an adaptive 120Hz. Just like the Galaxy S26 Ultra, the foldable gets an anti-reflective coating to reduce light reflections. When folded, its compact size and ergonomic design make it easy to slip into small spaces like jeans pockets or backpacks.

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One of the major complaints with standard foldables is that viewing 16:9 or 21:9 content on the inner display often leaves noticeable black bars on the sides. The Galaxy Z Fold8 addresses this issue with a taller 4:3 aspect ratio inner display, which significantly reduces the black bars. Weighing just 201g, it is Samsung's lightest Z Fold device yet, making it significantly more comfortable to hold for extended periods. For enhanced durability, Samsung has deployed Flex Titanium technology that combines a titanium-alloy film with an enhanced titanium plate to absorb pressure during accidental drops.

Best suited for: Power users and productivity enthusiasts who want a tablet-like experience in a more pocketable, everyday-friendly foldable.

Key specifications

• Display: 5.5-inch QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED cover, 7.6-inch main AMOLED display
  
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
  
• Cameras: 50MP main camera + 50MP ultrawide, 10MP selfie cameras
  
• Software: One UI 9 based on Android 17 (7 OS upgrades + 7 years of security patch updates)
  
• Battery and charging: 4,800mAh battery with 45W fast charging

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra

Pricing

• 12GB RAM + 256GB: Rs 1,99,999
  
• 12GB RAM + 512GB: Rs 2,19,999
  
• 16GB RAM + 1TB: Rs 2,59,999

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is Samsung's highest-end premium foldable for the year, coming as the successor to last year's Galaxy Z Fold7. Measuring just 4.1mm when unfolded and weighing 215g, it stands as the thinnest book-style foldable in Samsung's lineup. It sports larger cover and inner displays than the Z Fold8, featuring a 6.5-inch cover screen and a large 8-inch AMOLED 2X main display with up to a 120Hz refresh rate.

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Apart from the display sizes, it features superior cameras over the standard Z Fold8, comprising a 200MP primary camera, 50MP ultrawide, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, which is omitted on the Z Fold8. For selfies, it gets 10MP selfie cameras on the inner and outer panels. Compared to the Z Fold7, the new foldable gets an anti-glare coating on the displays, a much superior build in the form of Flex Titanium technology, and 600mAh more battery.

Best suited for: Professionals, content creators, and power users who demand the absolute best foldable experience and are willing to pay a premium.

Key specifications

• Display: 6.6-inch QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED cover, 8-inch main AMOLED display
  
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
  
• Cameras: 50MP main camera + 50MP ultrawide + 10MP 3x telephoto, 10MP selfie cameras
  
• Software: One UI 9 based on Android 17 (7 OS upgrades + 7 years of security patch updates)
  
• Battery and charging: 5,000mAh battery with 45W fast charging

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8

Pricing

• 12GB RAM + 256GB: Rs 1,24,999
  
• 12GB RAM + 512GB: Rs 1,44,999

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 is the latest clamshell foldable from Samsung with a more refined design, improved cover screen usability, better battery life, and enhanced durability. Display: It gets a 4.1-inch FlexWindow cover display, while a 6.9-inch main screen sits on the inner panel, both with full HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. Key improvements over the Z Flip7 include the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, reduced weight and thickness for easier portability, and improved hinge quality that reduces the visible crease.

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Apart from that, thanks to One UI 9, the cover screen of the Galaxy Z Flip8 gains more usable widgets, apps, and Galaxy AI features to quickly get things done without opening the device.

Key specifications

• Display: 4.1-inch FullHD+ Dynamic AMOLED cover, 6.9-inch FullHD+ main AMOLED display
  
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
  
• Cameras: 50MP main camera + 12MP ultrawide, 10MP selfie camera
  
• Software: One UI 9 based on Android 17 (7 OS upgrades + 7 years of security patch updates)
  
• Battery and charging: 4,300mAh battery with 25W fast charging

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2

Pricing: Rs 64,999

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2 is Samsung's rugged, flagship outdoor smartwatch. Built with a 47mm titanium case, it is 12 percent thinner than its predecessor while increasing display brightness to a 5,000 nits, the highest on a smartwatch for seamless sunlight readability. It comes in a single 47mm size with a titanium case, 1.52-inch Super AMOLED display with sapphire crystal protection and an 800mAh battery, which Samsung says is 35 percent larger than the previous Ultra model.

The watch runs on Qualcomm's Snapdragon SDW6100 (Penta-Core, 3nm) processor and comes with 2GB RAM and 64GB storage. Connectivity options include Bluetooth 6.0, dual-frequency GPS, NFC and Wi-Fi, while 10ATM, IP69K, MIL-STD-810H and EN13319 certifications are present for outdoor activities.

Best suited for: Athletes, outdoor adventurers, and users who want a tough, long-lasting premium smartwatch for serious fitness and health monitoring.

Samsung Galaxy Watch9

Pricing

• Bluetooth 40mm: Rs 37,999
  
• Bluetooth 44mm: Rs 40,999
  
• LTE 40mm: Rs 41,999
  
• LTE 44mm: Rs 44,999

Next up is the Samsung Galaxy Watch9, which comes in two variations: 40mm and 44mm. The former sports a 1.34-inch (438×438) panel, while the latter features a 1.47-inch (480×480) display, both featuring Super AMOLED technology and up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness. It uses the same processor and RAM as the Galaxy Watch Ultra2, while the storage sits at 32GB. The 40mm variant of the Galaxy Watch9 runs on a 390mAh battery, whereas the 44mm model packs a larger 445mAh cell, ensuring all-day-long health monitoring.

Taking advantage of the new hardware and sensors, both Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra9 and Galaxy Watch9 pack a myriad of AI-powered health features. These include vitals monitoring, heart health score, daily cardio load, fitness index, and detailed reports for ear health.

Best suited for: Everyday users looking for a reliable, comfortable smartwatch with excellent health tracking and a premium design.

Samsung smart glasses

Pricing: To be announced

In collaboration with Google and Qualcomm, Samsung unveiled its smart glasses that run on the Android XR platform and are powered by the Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 chipset, designed specifically for thin, light eyewear. Based on the concepts unveiled during Google I/O this year, Samsung has partnered with global eyewear brands Gentle Monster and Warby Parker to offer buyers a variety of stylish frames that match their preferences.

With a built-in camera, integrated microphones, and speakers powered by Google Gemini, wearers can use the smart glasses to analyse visual surroundings and get answers to context-aware queries by simply using their voice. Samsung claims these glasses can offer up to nine hours of battery life on a single charge, with additional endurance with the charging case.

Best suited for: Users who want seamless, hands-free AI assistance in a natural, glasses-like form factor for daily productivity and connectivity.

While all the mentioned features bring improvements over their predecessors, the newly introduced categories, such as the Fold8 and smart glasses, put innovation and experience at the forefront. Perhaps the biggest shift this year is Samsung's willingness to split its foldable lineup into more distinct roles. The Galaxy Z Fold8 isn't just a cheaper alternative to the Ultra; its squarer inner display and lighter design suggest it's aimed at users who primarily consume content, while the Ultra continues to target buyers who want the best cameras and hardware regardless of price. That clearer separation could make choosing between the two less confusing than in previous years. That said, it's better to wait for the reviews before buying these products to get a better sense of whether they're right for you.

[highlights]

• The Vivo S2 is tipped to launch in India in August.
• The series last saw a launch in India in 2020.
• It could be priced around Rs 40,000 as per the latest leak.

[/highlights]

Vivo's upcoming S-series comeback in India continues to gather momentum. After earlier leaks suggested the lineup would return even revealing its alleged promotional poster, a fresh tip has now revealed the expected RAM and storage variants, colour options, and internal retail pricing for the Vivo S2 series.

The company hasn't officially announced the phone yet, but reports indicate the Vivo S2 could launch in India in August, likely around the Independence Day sales period.

Expected pricing and configuration leaks

According to tipster Abhishek Yadav, the Vivo S2 series will be offered in 8GB + 128GB and 8GB + 256GB storage variants in India. The phone is said to arrive in three colour options:

• Sapphire Blue
• Regal Bronze
• Silk White

The tipster further claims that internal retail listings show demo units priced at Rs 38,000 and Rs 42,000, while the 8GB + 128GB variant is currently listed internally at Rs 43,000. The leak stresses that these are internal listing prices and not the final retail prices, meaning the official pricing could still change before launch. Earlier reports had suggested the Vivo S2 would debut between Rs 45,000 and Rs 50,000, so the latest figures hint that the phone could launch slightly below previous expectations.

The Vivo S2 marks the return of Vivo's S-series in India, which last saw the launch of the Vivo S1 in 2019, followed by the S1 Pro and S1 Prime in 2020. While those devices targeted the lower mid-range segment (the S1 was priced at Rs 17,999), the leaked pricing suggests the new S2 could move significantly further upmarket.

Key rumoured specifications

Vivo has yet to confirm any hardware details, but previous leaks suggest the Vivo S2 will focus on photography and premium design. It is rumoured to feature a 6.59-inch 1.5K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, an in-display fingerprint scanner, and Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset.

For cameras, the phone is tipped to include a 50MP primary sensor, a 50MP periscope telephoto camera, an 8MP ultrawide camera, and a 32MP front-facing camera. It could come with a pill-shaped camera module like the Vivo X300 FE, if the leaked poster is anything to go by. The phone is also said to pack a battery larger than 7,000mAh with support for 80W wired charging, along with wireless and reverse wireless charging.

If the said price materialises, the Vivo S2 would compete with phones such as the upcoming OnePlus Nord 6, Motorola Edge 70 Pro, Realme 16 Pro series, and Vivo's own V70 FE, which starts at Rs 41,999. At the same time, buyers in the Rs 40,000 to Rs 45,000 segment will likely compare it against discounted flagship models available during festive sales. Until Vivo confirms the launch date and pricing, buyers planning to spend around Rs 40,000 may find it worthwhile to wait, especially if the company delivers the rumoured combination of flagship-grade cameras, a large battery, and a premium display at a competitive price.

The leaked pricing also hints at Vivo's confidence in the S branding. Reviving a dormant series at nearly twice the launch price of the original S1 suggests the company believes buyers are now willing to pay more for camera-focused premium phones, even as competition intensifies.

[highlights]

• This update has been rolled out and is available to all.
• Previously, you'd have to delete the post and reupload with different music. 
• Instagram recently rolled out individual captions for carousels. 

[/highlights]

Instagram has introduced a new feature that allows users to change the music on feed posts and carousel posts even after they have been published, eliminating the need to delete and re-upload content to update audio. Earlier, you had to stick to the same audio once the post had been uploaded. This new feature gives creators and users alike more flexibility over their posts and content. 

How to change audio on Instagram posts

With the latest update, creators can simply tap Edit on an existing post and select a new track while retaining all the engagement the post has already earned, including likes, comments, shares, and reach. Previously, users who wanted to replace a song had to remove the post and upload it again, risking the loss of accumulated interactions and visibility.

The feature gives creators greater flexibility to refresh older posts with trending music, replace audio that no longer fits the content, or adapt posts to changing trends without affecting their performance. It also reduces the pressure of committing to a single music choice before publishing, allowing users to update soundtracks long after a post has gone live.

The move builds on Instagram's recent efforts to make published content more editable. Earlier, the platform introduced the ability to add individual captions to each photo or video within a carousel, enabling creators to provide slide-specific context and create step-by-step guides. The latest audio editing feature extends that philosophy by giving users more control over posts even after they are live. Instagram also lets you rearrange your feed now, so that you can maintain the aesthetic you want for your posts.

The update is expected to be particularly useful for creators and brands that rely on music trends to maximise discoverability and engagement. By allowing audio changes without sacrificing existing metrics, Instagram is making it easier for users to keep content relevant while preserving the reach and interactions their posts have already generated. This update, while seemingly minor, is a significant quality-of-life improvement for creators constantly battling the ephemeral nature of online trends. 

[highlights]

• Apple is reportedly launching a new Apple Upgrade programme expanding financing beyond iPhones to include iPads, Macs and Apple Watches.
• The new programme replaces the iPhone Upgrade Program but reportedly does not include AppleCare+.
• There is no word on an India launch yet.

[/highlights]

Apple is reportedly preparing to launch a new financing programme called Apple Upgrade in the US next week. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the service will debut on July 28th in partnership with buy now, pay later provider Klarna, replacing the long-running iPhone Upgrade Program with a broader offering that covers multiple Apple devices.

The new programme is expected to let customers finance iPhones, iPads, Macs and Apple Watches under a single umbrella, while also offering early upgrade options. However, there is no information yet on whether Apple plans to introduce the programme in India.

Key features of the new Apple Upgrade programme

According to the report, Apple Upgrade will offer 24-month terms for iPhones and Apple Watches, while iPads and Macs will be financed over 36 months. Customers will be able to pay off their device early, upgrade before the financing period ends, or choose to keep or return the device at the end of the lease.

Unlike Apple's traditional instalment plans, the programme is said to follow a subscription-style leasing model rather than a retail loan. Klarna will conduct a soft credit check, and additional fees may apply in some cases. Apple reportedly plans to market the programme around lower monthly payments, making premium Apple devices more accessible without requiring customers to pay the full price upfront.

Major differences: new Apple upgrade vs old iPhone upgrade programme

The biggest change is that Apple Upgrade expands beyond iPhones. While the existing iPhone Upgrade Program only covered iPhones through a 24-month, 0 percent APR loan backed by Citizens One, the new programme reportedly includes Macs, iPads and Apple Watches through Klarna.

There are a few trade-offs, however. Under the old programme, users owned the iPhone after completing the monthly payments and AppleCare+ was bundled into the subscription. With Apple Upgrade, users may need to make a final payment to keep the device or return it, and AppleCare+ is no longer expected to be included, meaning it would need to be purchased separately.

Device eligibility and restrictions

The report suggests not every Apple product will qualify. Devices such as the Apple Watch SE, entry-level iPad, iPhone 16, and MacBook Neo are reportedly excluded from the programme. Apple is also expected to stop accepting new sign-ups for the existing iPhone Upgrade Program once Apple Upgrade goes live. For buyers in the US, the new programme could make upgrading across Apple's ecosystem more flexible, particularly for those who regularly switch devices. For Indian customers, however, there is little reason to read too much into the announcement for now, as Apple has not announced any plans to bring Apple Upgrade to the country.

[highlights]

• A new leak suggests that the OPPO's Find X10 series units might adopt an iPhone-like rear design.
• The Find X10 Pro Max is tipped to bring a 6.78-inch 1.5K LTPO display, dual 200MP rear cameras and an 8,000mAh battery. 

[/highlights]

The upcoming OPPO Find X10 series is shaping up to be a direct rival to Apple's latest iPhone 17 Pro lineup, at least if the latest leaks are anything to go by. The rumoured lineup, which includes the Find X10, Find X10 Pro and Find X10 Pro Max, seems to be moving toward a more premium, iPhone-like design while also bringing major camera and battery upgrades. Check it out below.

The design is shifting to something familiar

The biggest talking point so far is the new design of the series. OPPO may be moving away from its familiar circular camera module and toward a more rectangular, two-part layout with the cameras at the top-left and the flash plus another sensor on the right, based on a new leak.

That puts the phones much closer to the iPhone 17 Pro series, which the company is reportedly using as a comparison benchmark in testing, based on this new tweet by a tipster on X.

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There is also plenty more being whispered about the lineup, the Find X10 Pro Max is tipped to feature a 6.78-inch flat 1.5K LTPO display with ultra-narrow, symmetrical bezels, while earlier leaks had pointed to a larger 6.89-inch 2K panel. It is also expected to use MediaTek's Dimensity 9600 Pro chip and could pack dual 200MP rear cameras, along with an 8,000mAh battery.

The regular Find X10 is said to come with a 6.59-inch 1.5K display and Dimensity 9600 Lite chip, while the Find X10 Pro could keep a 6.78-inch 1.5K panel and move to the more powerful Dimensity 9600 Pro. In other words, OPPO seems to be building a lineup that separates compact, premium and ultra-premium buyers more clearly this time around.

Why the comparison with the iPhone 17 Pro series?

The comparison with the iPhone 17 Pro series is likely to be important for perception as much as performance. OPPO may be borrowing some visual cues, but the final test will be whether the phones can back up that premium styling with real-world camera output, battery life and software polish.

For OPPO fans, this looks like a promising evolution of the Find X series, especially if the company can deliver on the camera and endurance upgrades. If you're currently Find X8 series or Find X9 series users, the leap may not seem to be big enough to justify an immediate upgrade. For users upgrading from older devices, this could be a series worth waiting for. 

[highlights]

• The Pixel 11 lineup is debuting on August 12th. 
• The latest leak reveals the colour options for the Pixel 11 series.
• The standard Pixel 11 can be seen in a bright pink.

[/highlights]

With less than a month to go before Google's next hardware event, a fresh leak has offered what appears to be the clearest look yet at the Pixel 11 family. While Google has already teased the upcoming phones, the latest batch of leaked press renders focuses on something the company has kept under wraps so far: the colour options.

Google Pixel 11 series colours leaked

According to a report by MyMobiles, the standard Pixel 11 will arrive in four finishes: Light Sterling, Moss, Midnight Haze, and Fuchsia. The standout is the vibrant pink Fuchsia shade, while Light Sterling looks more like a soft lavender-blue than a traditional blue. The brighter palette gives the regular model a more playful identity, similar to how Google has differentiated its base Pixels from the Pro lineup in previous generations. Google has always been quite bold with its colour choices, especially for the standard models. 

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The Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL, meanwhile, are expected to be available in Pine, Light Fog, Midnight Haze, and a warm coral-copper finish that may be the previously leaked Dune colour. Compared to the standard model, the Pro variants maintain a more understated aesthetic, although the copper-inspired option adds a touch of personality.

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Beyond the colours, the renders reinforce earlier leaks, showing Google's familiar flat-frame design, the signature camera bar, and triple rear cameras across all three models. The Pro models also appear to retain the circular section in the camera bar linked to Google's new Pixel Glow lighting feature. One main difference though, is that there's no separate space for the LED flash and the temperature sensor. The LED flash now sits flush with the camera sensors, giving a more uniform look. 

Previous reports suggest the Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro will feature compact 6.3-inch displays, while the Pro XL will offer a larger 6.8-inch panel. The lineup is also expected to debut with Google's Tensor G6 processor, 256GB of base storage, and starting prices of $899 (Rs 86,800 approx), $1,099 (Rs 1,06,100 approx), and $1,299 (Rs 1,25,400 approx) for the Pixel 11, Pro, and Pro XL, respectively, although Google has yet to confirm these details.

Based on what we know so far, the standard Pixel 11 could be the better pick if you prefer bolder colours and a lower entry price, while the Pro models are likely to appeal to users premium finishes and flagship features. If you're currently on a Pixel 9, the faster chipset and possible camera upgrades could make the Pixel 11 series a compelling option, but if you have the more recent Pixel 10, the upgrade might be less significant unless there are significant changes. 

Google is expected to unveil the full lineup at its Made by Google event on August 12th, when pre-orders are also tipped to open. 

[highlights]

• The iPhone 17 series currently starts at Rs 82,900 in India, which is cheaper than some Android flagships.
• Apple recently raised prices of the iPhone 17 series in Japan.
• Apple CEO Tim Cook has said hikes are "unavoidable".

[/highlights]

The kidney jokes may just start getting worse. A new tip has indicated Apple may be preparing to raise iPhone 17 prices in India, finally succumbing to the memory cost crisis that has caused manufacturers to raise prices on an average of 15 percent (per Counterpoint) across segments over the last few months. The company has so far avoided increasing iPhone prices mid-cycle, even as it recently revised prices of Macs, iPads and other hardware. If the latest claim is true, the iPhone 17 lineup could become Apple's first recent iPhone family in India to receive a mid-cycle price hike.

The report also comes as retailers are reportedly seeing stronger demand for the iPhone 17 series, with some variants becoming harder to find across offline stores and e-commerce platforms.

Expected iPhone 17 price changes in India

According to tipster Abhishek Yadav, Apple has informed iPlanet dealers about an upcoming price revision for the iPhone 17 series in India. The leak suggests the base iPhone 17 with 256GB storage could become Rs 12,000 more expensive, taking its price from Rs 82,900 to Rs 94,990.

While revised prices for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max have not been shared, the tipster claims those models could also see an increase. They currently start at Rs 1,34,900 and Rs 1,49,900, respectively. There is no information yet on whether the iPhone Air will be included in the reported revision.

The same leak also points to an ongoing supply shortage for iPhone 17 retail units in India, with fresh inventory expected to reach dealers by next weekend. Separately, The Economic Times reported that consumers have been rushing to buy iPhone 17 models amid expectations of a price increase, resulting in limited availability of some colours and storage variants both offline and online.

Context behind the rise

The reported move would follow Apple's broader hardware price revision in India last month, when several MacBook, iPad, Apple TV and HomePod models became more expensive. Apple attributed those increases to rising DRAM and NAND flash memory costs driven by AI-related demand. Notably, iPhones, Apple Watch models and AirPods were left untouched during that round.

Apple has also recently increased iPhone prices in Japan by as much as 11 percent (via), suggesting the company is becoming more willing to pass rising component costs on to buyers across markets. CEO Tim Cook has also acknowledged that price increases have become "difficult to avoid" as hardware costs continue to climb.

If the leak is true, Apple would be breaking from its usual practice of keeping iPhone prices unchanged until the next generation arrives. Interestingly enough, the subsequent post-launch hikes have made several Android flagships like OnePlus 15 and even the Vivo X300 FE more expensive than the iPhone 17. For those already planning to buy an iPhone 17, purchasing at the current listed price may be worth considering if stock is available, because a price hike now looks seemingly likely.

[highlights]

• Redmi Note 17 is tipped to launch in India on August 6th.
• The handset could launch with a large 7-inch display.
• Redmi Note 17 has already debuted in China. 

[/highlights]

Xiaomi is expected to introduce its latest Redmi Note lineup in India soon. The Redmi Note 17 has now reportedly appeared on Geekbench, suggesting the launch could be closer to launch than previously expected. After making an appearance on the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification database, the upcoming smartphone has now surfaced on Geekbench, offering an early look at its processor, memory configuration, and software.

The Redmi Note 17 is expected to make its India debut on August 6th, although the company has yet to officially confirm the launch date.

Redmi Note 17 Geekbench details 

A Xiaomi handset carrying the model number 26021RN18I, believed to be the Indian version of the Redmi Note 17, has appeared on the Geekbench benchmarking platform.

The listing indicates that the device will be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 chipset (internally identified as SM4450) paired with the Adreno 613 GPU. Interestingly, this is the same processor used in the Redmi Note 17 5G model that recently debuted in China, hinting that Xiaomi may bring identical hardware to the Indian market.

The benchmark listing further reveals that the handset runs Android 16 and is paired with 8GB of RAM. In Geekbench's CPU tests, the device recorded 950 points in the single-core benchmark and 2,324 points in the multi-core test. While synthetic benchmark scores offer only a snapshot of performance, they indicate that the phone should comfortably handle everyday workloads, including multitasking, video streaming, social media, and casual gaming.

Reports suggest that the Indian variant will closely mirror the Chinese model in terms of specifications. If accurate, the Redmi Note 17 is expected to feature a large 7-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It could also house a massive 8,000mAh battery with support for 45W fast charging, making battery life one of its biggest selling points. With this battery capacity, the Redmi Note 17 would compete with rivals like the OnePlus Nord CE6. Large batteries have become a growing trend, especially in the mid-range segment. 

The smartphone is expected to feature a 50MP rear camera and an 8MP front-facing camera. On the software front, it could ship with HyperOS 3 based on Android 16 and receive up to four Android OS upgrades along with five years of security updates. 

The Redmi Note 17's biggest differentiator could be its unusually large 8,000mAh battery, which should comfortably deliver multi-day usage. The handset's large 7-inch display could also appeal to users who prefer watching videos on their phone. If these rumored specs (especially the battery and screen) align with your priorities, it might be worth waiting for the official launch and reviews.

However, buyers focused on gaming or camera performance may want to compare alternatives before making a decision. While the Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 should be capable of handling daily tasks without difficulty, it is not positioned as a performance-centric chipset. Similarly, the rumoured camera setup appears relatively modest compared to some rivals that offer higher-resolution sensors or more versatile multi-camera systems.

Samsung now has two distinct foldables sitting in its Fold lineup for the first time: the Galaxy Z Fold8 and the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra. Where past generations offered a single Fold design, this year's split feels more deliberate. The Fold8 is the new "wide" foldable that leans into a lighter, more everyday foldable experience, while the Fold8 Ultra keeps Samsung's productivity and camera ambitions intact. Here's how the two actually differ, and who each one is really built for.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Fold8 Ultra specs at a glance

*Online-exclusive colours available only on Samsung.com

Design and display: lighter vs slimmer

The most immediate difference will be how each phone feels in the hand. The Galaxy Z Fold8 weighs 201g, making it Samsung's lightest Fold yet, while the Fold8 Ultra is 215g. The Ultra, on the other hand, wins on slimness, at 4.1mm unfolded; Samsung calls it its slimmest Z Fold design ever, compared to the Fold8's 4.5mm.

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Screen sizes scale accordingly. The Fold8 Ultra gets an 8.0-inch main display and a 6.5-inch cover screen, both meaningfully larger than the Fold8's 7.6-inch main display and 5.5-inch cover screen. That 1-inch difference on the cover screen in particular changes how usable the outer display feels for typing or watching something without unfolding the phone.

Both phones use Samsung's new Flex Titanium display structure and support up to 3,000 nits of brightness with Vision Booster, so durability and outdoor visibility shouldn't be a differentiator between the two.

Cameras: dual setup vs a pro-grade triple system

This is where the gap between the two is widest. The Fold8 Ultra gets a 200MP main camera with OIS and 2x optical quality zoom, a 50MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, Samsung's most advanced foldable camera system yet. It also gets exclusive imaging features like 8K video recording through a new APV codec, Cine LUT for on-device colour grading, and improved Nightography for low-light shots.

The standard Fold8 keeps things simpler, with a 50MP main camera and a 50MP ultra-wide lens, no telephoto. Both phones share Dual Recording and the new My FanCam feature for auto-reframing footage around a subject, but anyone who shoots a lot of zoomed-in photos, video in low light, or wants more control over video colour grading will find the Ultra meaningfully ahead here.

Performance, battery, and charging

Both phones share the same Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset and go up to 16GB of RAM with 1TB of storage, so raw performance on paper should be close. The Fold8 Ultra does get Samsung's new dual-path charging architecture and an expanded graphite cooling structure, which should help it sustain performance better during longer, heavier workloads like gaming or video editing.

Battery capacity favours the Ultra slightly, 5,000mAh (rated 4,854mAh) against the Fold8's 4,800mAh (rated 4,660mAh). Charging speeds are close too, the Ultra goes up to 67 percent in 30 minutes on a 45W charger, the Fold8 up to 63 percent in the same time. Neither difference is likely to be noticeable in daily use.

Software: mostly identical, with a few Ultra exclusives

Both phones run One UI 9 on Android 17 with the same core Galaxy AI feature set: Now Brief, Now Nudge, and Gemini Intelligence with Gemini Notebook. Where the Ultra pulls ahead is in its camera-adjacent software, Cine LUT and the APV-based 8K recording aren't available on the standard Fold8. Everything else, including Knox-based security features and the new AI Assistant Activity dashboard, is shared across both.

Which one should you buy?

If you want a foldable primarily for the format itself, a phone that opens into a bigger screen for reading, browsing, and watching, without needing the most advanced camera system on the market, the Fold8 makes a strong case. It's lighter, and everything you'd actually use day to day - the chipset, the display quality, the software - is identical to the Ultra.

The Fold8 Ultra makes sense if photography and video are a real priority, or if you want the slimmest, most premium version of Samsung's Fold design regardless of the 14g weight tradeoff. The triple camera system, 8K recording, and Cine LUT support are genuine capabilities the standard Fold8 doesn't have, not just marketing checkboxes.

The Fold8 starts at Rs 1,79,999 while the Fold8 Ultra starts from Rs 1,99,999. The question really comes down to whether you want to spend that extra Rs 20,000 for the Ultra's camera hardware. Otherwise, the Fold8 looks like the far more sensible buy for most people, given how much it shares with its pricier sibling.

[highlights]

• Samsung has launched the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9 with the Snapdragon SDW6100 chipset and new AI-powered health features.
• The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 packs an 800mAh battery and 5,000-nit display, while the Galaxy Watch9 comes in 40mm and 44mm sizes with up to 3,000 nits brightness.
• Both smartwatches include new health tools, refreshed band options and complimentary Strava and iFIT trials.

[/highlights]

Samsung has unveiled the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9, expanding its premium smartwatch lineup with larger batteries, brighter display (on the Ultra2), new AI-powered health features and updated hardware. The company says both watches are designed to deliver more accurate health insights while improving comfort for all-day wear.

The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 is for outdoor enthusiasts and endurance athletes, while the Galaxy Watch9 is Samsung's everyday health companion. The new wearables will compete with premium smartwatches such as the Apple Watch Ultra 3, Series 11 and the upcoming Pixel Watch 5.

Specifications and features

The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 comes in a single 47mm size with a titanium case, sapphire crystal display and an 800mAh battery, which Samsung says is 35 percent larger than the previous Ultra model. It features a 1.52-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 498x498 pixels and up to 5,000 nits peak brightness. The watch is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon SDW6100 (Penta-Core, 3nm) processor and comes with 2GB RAM and 64GB storage. It supports LTE, Bluetooth 6.0, dual-frequency GPS, NFC and Wi-Fi, while carrying 10ATM, IP69K, MIL-STD-810H and EN13319 certifications for outdoor and diving use.

[gallery link="file" td_select_gallery_slide="slide" ids="709185,709186"]

Samsung has also introduced dedicated Trail Run tracking, Nutrition Alert for hydration guidance and support for professional diving. Advanced diving features developed with Mares will roll out later this year.

The Galaxy Watch9 is offered in 40mm and 44mm sizes with an aluminium case and sapphire crystal protection. The 44mm model features a 1.47-inch (480x480) Super AMOLED display, while the 40mm version gets a 1.34-inch (438x438) panel. Both reach up to 3,000 nits brightness. The watches use the same Snapdragon SDW6100 chipset with 2GB RAM and 32GB storage, paired with 445mAh and 390mAh batteries, respectively. Like the Ultra2, they run Wear OS Powered by Samsung (Wear OS 7) with One UI 9 Watch.

Key upgrades

Samsung's biggest improvements this year focus on health tracking, comfort and outdoor usability. The Galaxy Watch9 introduces a new "squirkle" design that combines a rounded-square aluminium frame with a circular display. While unconventional, the design prioritises comfort in a way which many users could appreciate. Redesigned downward-angled lugs and a new single-push strap mechanism are intended to improve wrist comfort and make band changes easier.

The new AI-powered health suite includes an Antioxidant Index that measures carotenoid levels through a dedicated skin sensor, Vascular Load monitoring during sleep, Circadian Bedtime Guidance, Heart Health Score, Daily Cardio Load, Fitness Index and Hearing monitoring. Samsung has also expanded its FDA-cleared Sleep Apnea detection feature in supported markets.

The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 builds on its predecessor with a larger battery, a brighter display and a slimmer design despite the increased battery capacity. Samsung has also refreshed the band lineup, offering Marine, PeakForm and Trail bands for the Ultra2, while the Watch9 gets Sports, Misty and Fabric bands designed for different activities and styles.

Both watches include a 60-day Strava trial and a two-month iFIT membership, giving users access to guided workouts and training plans after purchase.

Price and availability

Samsung has opened pre-orders for the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9. The pricing for the models is as follows:

• Galaxy Watch Ultra2: Rs 64,999
• Galaxy Watch9 (40mm): Rs 37,999
• Galaxy Watch9 (44mm): Rs 40,999

Users upgrading from older Galaxy Watches will benefit from brighter displays, longer battery life and expanded AI-powered health tracking. Those already using last year's models may want to compare pricing against rivals.

[highlights]

• Galaxy Z Fold8 is a new form factor distinct from the Z Fold8 Ultra
• It is Samsung's lightest Galaxy Z Fold yet at 201 grams
• Powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, with a 4,800mAh battery and dual 50MP rear cameras

[/highlights]

Samsung has unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold8 alongside the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and Z Flip8, but the Z Fold8 stands apart as an entirely new form factor for the company. Where previous fold models chased a single design language, the Galaxy Z Fold8 introduces what Samsung calls a "wide" foldable, built around how people move between quick glances on the cover screen and longer, more immersive sessions once unfolded.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 India price and availability

The Galaxy Z Fold8 starts from Rs 1,79,999 for the base model with 12GB RAM and 256GB internal storage. The 12GB + 512GB and 16GB + 1TB variants are priced at Rs 1,99,999 and Rs 2,39,999, respectively. Buyers can avail an exchange bonus of Rs 10,000 or an instant bank discount of Rs 9,000. The foldable is available for pre-order starting today in select markets, in Graphite, Cream, and Lavender colours, with an online-exclusive Pistachio colourway available only on Samsung.com. 

Specs at a Glance

Galaxy Z Fold 8 specifications

Design and display

At 201 grams, Samsung says the Galaxy Z Fold8 is the lightest Galaxy Z Fold to date, measuring 4.5mm thick when unfolded. This is built on Samsung's new Flex Titanium display structure, which combines a titanium-alloy film with an enhanced titanium plate to strengthen display support, absorb impact and reduce crease visibility over time, while also refining how the hinge feels when opening and closing.

The display setup is designed around three distinct ratios rather than one. Folded, the 5.5-inch cover screen uses a 10:16 ratio suited to quick interactions. Unfolded, the 7.6-inch main display shifts to a 4:3 ratio for a larger, more immersive canvas for games and video. Rotated, that same main display ratio is tuned for reading, giving articles, ebooks, and long-form content more room without needing a separate device. Both screens support up to 3,000 nits of brightness with Vision Booster and a low-reflection finish for outdoor visibility.

Performance and battery

The Z Fold8 runs on Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, paired with a 4,800mAh battery (rated capacity 4,660mAh). Charging is rated at up to 63 percent in around 30 minutes over a 45W wired connection, alongside 20W fast wireless charging and Wireless PowerShare for topping up other devices. Memory and storage options go up to 16GB of RAM with 1TB of internal storage, with 12GB/512GB and 12GB/256GB configurations also available.

Camera

The Z Fold8 gets a dual 50MP rear camera system, a wide-angle lens with OIS and 2x optical quality zoom, and a 50MP ultra-wide lens, aimed at consistent detail across wide and ultra-wide shots. Dual Recording lets users capture both sides of a moment at once while previewing themselves on the cover screen, and a new My FanCam feature automatically tracks a chosen subject and reframes footage into a preferred aspect ratio for social-ready clips with less manual editing.

Software and AI

The Z Fold8 ships with One UI 9 on top of Android 17, bringing Samsung's Galaxy AI features tuned for the foldable format. This includes Now Brief for personalised daily insights, Now Nudge for surfacing next steps during conversations, and deeper Gemini Intelligence integration, including Gemini Notebook for organising notes, images, and documents into one workspace. Samsung is also extending connected AI experiences across Galaxy Watch Ultra2, Galaxy Watch9, and its upcoming Intelligent Eyewear.

On privacy, Samsung is leaning on its Knox Matrix framework, with on-device protections like Knox Enhanced Encrypted Protection and Knox Vault for sensitive data, alongside a new AI Assistant Activity dashboard in One UI 9 that gives users visibility into AI actions happening on their behalf.

Our take

The Z Fold8 is a more interesting story than a routine spec bump. Samsung has effectively split its Fold lineup into two philosophies this year: the Ultra for productivity and creation, and the standard Fold8 for a lighter, more content-driven foldable experience. Whether that distinction holds up in daily use, or just reads as an Ultra with a smaller camera system, will depend a lot on how the three display ratios actually feel in practice.

Existing Z Fold7 users primarily focused on productivity might find the Ultra more appealing, while those seeking a lighter, more media-centric experience might consider the Z Fold8 if the price point is attractive.

[highlights]

• Garmin has launched the screen-free Cirqa Smart Band with up to 10 days of battery life and support for over 80 activity modes.
• The wearable offers heart rate, Pulse Ox, stress, skin temperature, Body Battery and menstrual cycle tracking, with no subscription required.

[/highlights]

Garmin has officially entered the growing market for screen-free fitness wearables with the launch of the Cirqa Smart Band in the US. The new wearable focuses on continuous health and fitness tracking without a display, taking on rivals such as Google's Fitbit Air and Whoop 5.0.

The launch follows months of leaks that revealed the band's design, colours and key features. Unlike fitness platforms that require a monthly membership to unlock advanced insights, Garmin is offering the Cirqa Smart Band without a subscription. The company has started selling the wearable globally, although it hasn't announced an India launch timeline or pricing yet.

Key features and specifications

The Garmin Cirqa smart band is rated to deliver up to 10 days of battery life on a single charge with round-the-clock health monitoring enabled. That gives it an advantage over Google's Fitbit Air, which offers up to seven days of battery life, although it still falls short of the Whoop 5.0's claimed 14-day endurance.

The band supports tracking for more than 80 activities, including walking, running, cycling and yoga. Users can also assign a favourite workout to the side button for quicker access. Activity data syncs with the Garmin Connect app. On the health front, the wearable can monitor heart rate, Body Battery energy levels, blood oxygen (Pulse Ox), stress, skin temperature and sleep. It also supports advanced fitness metrics such as VO2 Max and recovery status, along with live location sharing and GPS compatibility with both Android and iPhone.

Garmin is also pitching the Cirqa Smart Band as a wellness device. It includes menstrual cycle and pregnancy tracking, using overnight skin temperature data to provide improved period predictions and retrospective ovulation estimates. The data can also sync with the FDA-cleared Natural Cycles birth control app.

Price and India availability

The Garmin Cirqa Smart Band is available now through the company's website in Black, French Gray, Captain Blue and Mauve colour options. Garmin has also listed additional colours, including Citron Gray, Dark Olive and French Blue.

The wearable is priced at USD 199.99 (around Rs 19,000) for both S-M and L-XL sizes, with no recurring subscription fee required. Garmin hasn't confirmed whether the smart band will launch in India or not. The Garmin Cirqa Smart Band offers a middle ground between Fitbit Air and Whoop 5.0. It lasts longer than Fitbit on a single charge while avoiding subscription costs, though it doesn't match Whoop's battery life. However, Google's Fitbit Air is the cheaper alternative at USD 99.99 but also has only basic usability features without the Google Health subscription.

[highlights]

• The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is Samsung's most premium foldable.
• It succeeds the Galaxy Z Fold7.
• The Galaxy Z Flip8 is powered by the 2nm Exynos chipset. 

[/highlights]

Samsung has officially unveiled its 2026 foldable lineup. It includes the new Galaxy Fold8, which introduces a wider aspect ratio, alongside the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and Galaxy Z Flip8. The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra succeeds the Galaxy Z Fold7 (review) and retains the familiar book-style folding design with a taller frame. The Galaxy Z Flip8, meanwhile, continues with Samsung's compact clamshell design and features a large cover screen.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Flip8 India prices

The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra price in India starts at Rs 1,99,999, while the Galaxy Z Flip8 starts at Rs 1,24,999. Both foldables are available for pre-order starting today, with early deliveries starting from August 4th onwards. 

Before we get into details, here's a quick look at the specifications.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra

The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra features an 8.0-inch QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X (2,504 x 2,256) main display with a 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate and Vision booster. When folded, you get a 6.5-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X (1,080 x 2,520) cover display with a 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate and Vision booster. Samsung has equipped the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra with a new Flex Titanium technology that uses a titanium-alloy film with an enhanced titanium plate, making it more durable and reducing crease visibility. The new Flex Titanium, if it lives up to its claims, could finally address a key pain point for foldable users.

There's a total of five cameras on the Z Fold8 Ultra. Starting with a 10MP selfie camera on the cover screen and a 10MP main camera on the main display. At the back, you get a triple-camera setup including a 10MP primary sensor, a 200MP wide-angle sensor with 2X optical zoom, a 50MP ultra-wide camera, and a 10MP telephoto camera with 3X optical zoom. Here, the ultra-wide camera has been upgraded to 50MP from 12MP. Samsung has also improved Nightography on the Z Fold8 Ultra, with the new APV codec for 8K video recording, giving users more flexibility, and Cine LUT for cinematic colour and tone control.

Powering the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy with up to 16GB RAM and 1TB internal storage. The foldable packs a 5,000mAh battery with 45W wired and 20W wireless charging support, which is slightly larger than the Fold7's 4,400mAh unit. Samsung says the handset can charge up to 67 percent in around 30 minutes. If we had to compare, rival foldables like the Vivo X Fold 6 offer a larger 7,000mAh battery.

It comes with an IP48 rating for dust and water resistance. On the software front, the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra runs Android 17-based One UI 9 out of the box. The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra will be available in Graphite, Cream, Violet Shadow, and an online-exclusive Green Shadow. 

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 

The Galaxy Z Flip8 houses a 6.9-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display with a 1-120Hz Adaptive refresh rate and Vision booster. The cover display is a 4.1-inch Super AMOLED display with a 60/120Hz refresh rate and Vision Booster. The Galaxy Z Flip8 has a new FlexWindow for the cover display, which is designed to help users access information, AI-powered features, and connected tasks in fewer steps. 

For photography, you get a 10MP selfie camera, a 50MP wide-angle camera with 2X optical zoom, and a 12MP ultra-wide camera. Some of its features include ProVisual Engine on the 50MP main camera, Flex Mode with Camcorder Grip and Zoom Rocker, and Super Steady with a Horizontal Lock option. Then there's FlipShot for more expressive mirror selfies and Mirror view for a realistic mirror-like view for quick look checks before taking a photo or heading out. Although the hardware hasn't changed much, these features should help elevate the overall camera experience on the Galaxy Z Flip8. 

The flip foldable is powered by the Exynos 2600, which is the same chipset found in the Galaxy S26. It's the first 2nm mobile chipset with a deca-core setup and powerful on-device AI capabilities. The Galaxy Z Flip8 packs a 4,300mAh battery with 25W wired and 15W wireless charging support. The battery capacity remains unchanged on the new flip. The foldable should charge up to 55 percent in around 30 minutes. Like its bigger sibling, this one too gets an IP48 rating, and runs One UI 9 with Android 17 out of the box. The Galaxy Z Flip8 can be purchased in Graphite, Cream, Pink, and an online-exclusive Mint. 

The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is the most premium foldable from Samsung yet. Upgrade to it if you want the premium foldable experience, Samsung's software and advanced AI features, and a versatile camera setup. The Galaxy Z Flip8 is more for users who want a compact flip-style foldable that has a powerful chipset, fun cameras, and an interactive cover display. However, if you already own a recent foldable, then you might want to compare and see if the upgrades are worth it. 

Remember 2018? The notch had just taken over every phone launch, 4GB RAM with 64GB storage was a perfectly respectable mid-range spec, eMMC was still doing duty in a lot of budget phones, and a 5MP selfie camera wouldn't have raised an eyebrow. Somehow, in 2026, all of that is normal again, and no, it's not nostalgia.

For years, the smartphone industry sold a simple promise: every new generation would be better than the last. More RAM, better cameras, faster charging, higher refresh rates. Even budget phones steadily inherited features that were called "flagship killers". Lately, though, that trend seems to have hit reverse. Look closely at many phones launched over the past few months, and you'll notice something. Features that brands themselves had spent years calling "entry-level" or quietly removing from spec sheets are suddenly returning.

Nobody at any phone brand forgot how to design a good camera or ran out of ideas for a display panel. This is a memory problem. DRAM and NAND flash, the RAM and storage sitting inside every phone, have gone through a price run for which we're struggling to find a clean historical comparison.

TrendForce's Q3 2026 forecast confirms DRAM contract prices will grow 13 to 18 percent quarter on quarter, while NAND will be up another 10 to 15 percent. Those, by the way, are calmer number after quarters where hikes touched 60 percent. Data from Omdia and TrendForce, cited by Igor's Lab, puts mobile DRAM up more than 70 percent since the start of last year, with NAND roughly doubling. Counterpoint expects the average smartphone's bill of materials to rise around 25 percent in 2026 from memory costs alone.

Read: Smartphone price hike roundup

Why now? Blame it on the AI data centres. Every chip of high-bandwidth memory that Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron are producing is being pulled towards server farms, leaving consumer electronics to scrap over what's left. Nothing's Carl Pei put it out there in a post on X well before most buyers noticed anything - brands now face a straight choice between raising prices 30 percent or downgrading specs. Unsurprisingly though, they're doing both. The result is a market that, in some ways, feels similar to the one we left behind nearly a decade ago.

The Rs 20,000 phone with a 5MP selfie camera is back

Imagine a brand selling a phone with a 5MP front camera two years ago, and you would have laughed out of the room as phones like the Motorola Edge 60 Fusion, Realme 15x and more were offering 32MP and 50MP under Rs 25,000. Selfie resolution had turned into an actual battleground, with even sub-Rs 15,000 phones routinely packing 16MP sensors. Brands competed on front camera quality because video calls and social media had become key selling points.

[caption id="attachment_709161" align="aligncenter" width="744"] The Realme 15x launched at Rs 16,999 with a 50MP front camera in 2025.[/caption]

Now, we're seeing phones priced around Rs 20,000 arrive with just a 5MP front camera. That's not because camera technology has stopped improving. It's because something else inside the phone has become more expensive, and the selfie camera is an easy place to save money without changing the headline specifications. Most buyers still look first at the primary rear camera, processor and battery capacity, and a smaller selfie sensor rarely makes it onto the marketing poster.

HD+ LCD panels at Rs 20,000, where FHD+ AMOLED had become the norm

Display quality has steadily improved over the last five years. Full HD+ became the default, while AMOLED panels gradually reached lower price segments. Yet some recent launches around the Rs 20,000 mark have gone back to HD+ LCD panels. On paper, a 120Hz refresh rate remains, but lower resolution means text isn't as sharp and videos lose some clarity.

The OPPO K14x, for instance, launched in the budget tier, prioritising a 6,500mAh battery and a 120Hz refresh rate, but paired it with a 6.75-inch HD+ LCD display instead of a sharper FHD+ screen, which we pointed out in our review. The Vivo Y11 was another example, trading pixel density for smoother scrolling.

4GB RAM and 64GB storage are making a comeback

There was a brief period when it seemed 6GB RAM and 128GB storage had become the new baseline. Apps were growing larger, Android itself demanded more memory, and brands proudly advertised bigger configurations. Today, 4GB + 64GB variants are back. OnePlus launched the OnePlus N6 in India at Rs 22,999 with 4GB of RAM. Note that price, because the Motorola Edge 60 Fusion sold at that number with 8GB of RAM back in 2025.

[caption id="attachment_706471" align="alignnone" width="1200"] The OnePlus N6's base 4GB + 64GB variant starts at Rs 22,999.[/caption]

TrendForce says that budget base models are heading back to 4GB, a standard the industry had comfortably left behind for 6GB and 8GB. OEMs' own internal numbers are reportedly accounting for an over 25 percent jump in DRAM cost per phone this year, and one of the fixes on the table is shipping a lower memory configuration as the new base variant.

Notch displays are back

Punch-hole cameras had largely replaced waterdrop notches in affordable smartphones because they looked more modern and made a phone feel newer. Waterdrop notches seem to be returning in phones like the Redmi A7 Pro, and it isn't necessarily about cutting costs on the camera itself. Instead, punch-hole displays are more complex to manufacture and require greater precision during assembly. For budget phones, brands often prefer to save that cost and use the money on features buyers notice more, such as RAM or storage.

[caption id="attachment_709163" align="alignnone" width="1000"] The Redmi A7 Pro has a waterdrop notch camera.[/caption]

16GB + 512GB combination is close to extinct on new launches

The opposite trend is happening at the higher end. Not long ago, 16GB RAM with 512GB storage had become almost expected on flagship killers and premium phones. Today, many newly launched devices stop at 12GB RAM or reduce storage options altogether. The configuration hasn't disappeared because users need less memory, but because it's becoming increasingly expensive for brands to offer. A report from Korea suggests 16GB RAM could turn into a near luxury item through 2026, with 12GB variants taking a roughly 40 percent hit as 6GB and 8GB configurations move up to fill the gap. Barely two years ago, 16GB + 512GB was a mainstream mid-range combination before memory costs made it commercially unworkable outside true flagships.

However, OnePlus flipped the norm as an exception and, a couple of months after launch, added a 16GB + 512GB RAM variant for its sub-flagship, the OnePlus 15R, but at a whopping price of Rs 61,999. In May 2025, the iQOO Neo 10 launched the same 16GB + 512GB variant at Rs 40,999. So, while we might still see 16GB + 512GB variants, be ready to pay a premium for it.

The Rs 15,000 4G phone is coming back

For most of the last five years, 5G was the one spec no brand dared to skip. Analysts tracking India's phone market describe 4G regaining relevance, not because demand for 5G has dropped but because a 5G modem, plus the higher memory tier it usually drags along, adds cost that slim-margin phones simply cannot carry anymore. Currently, even the cheapest 4G phones now sit around Rs 10,000, when in fact, two years ago, that was a buzzing sub-Rs 8,000 segment.

Mid-range chips are becoming premium-priced

Processors like the Dimensity 7400 and Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 would have comfortably anchored budget phones below Rs 20,000 just a couple of years ago. Today, while you can still find them in entry-level configurations, these mid-tier chips are now being packed into devices priced above Rs 25,000, and in some cases, stretching all the way up to Rs 35,000 to Rs 38,000. For instance, the Realme P3 launched in March 2025 with the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 at Rs 16,999. Cut to July 2026, the Nothing Phone 4b launched with the same chipset at Rs 34,999 and comparable other specs. This has almost nothing to do with the chip or the brand itself but everything with the RAM, the storage, and the display getting pricier.

Rs 50,000 phones with a 50MP + 8MP camera system

Once a phone crossed Rs 30,000, a triple or quad camera setup used to be a given, even when the third and fourth lenses were mostly there for show. That's changed. A chunk of new launches - OnePlus 15R for instance - in the Rs 45,000 to Rs 50,000 range are now shipping with just a 50MP primary sensor and a single 8MP ultrawide or macro unit. Rather than adding additional hardware, brands are relying more on computational photography and software processing to bridge the gap.

[caption id="attachment_684917" align="alignnone" width="1200"] The OnePlus 15R has a basic 50MP + 8MP ultrawide camera setup.[/caption]

MicroSD card slots are staging a comeback

Expandable storage had nearly vanished outside budget models, mostly because internal storage kept getting cheaper and a single storage tray looked cleaner on a spec sheet. That equation has flipped. With NAND now the pricier half of the memory bill, selling a cheaper 64GB or 128GB base variant and letting buyers expand later via microSD has gone from an afterthought to an actual cost-saving strategy. The Realme C100x, launched just last week, has this exact strategy. This way, brands put the onus of additional storage on users themselves.

Is this the new normal?

None of this means smartphone innovation has stopped. Foldables are improving, AI features are expanding, batteries are getting larger, and charging continues to get faster. However, as memory prices remain elevated and AI infrastructure continues competing for the same DRAM and NAND supply, manufacturers are making choices about where to spend every dollar inside a phone. Sometimes that means adding a bigger battery. Other times, it means quietly bringing back a feature the industry had already left behind.

Prices aren't coming down this year, and every analyst watching this is saying the same thing - the RAM and NAND supply crunch likely runs into 2027, going by the long-term supply agreements memory makers have already locked in. If you're due to upgrade your phone, the best time was yesterday and the second best is now.

[highlights]

• Realme P4R launched at a starting price of Rs 18,999.
• It has received a price hike of Rs 1,000.
• The handset boasts a large 8,000mAh battery. 

[/highlights]

Realme P4R launched in India last month as a new battery-focused smartphone. The handset stands out for its large 8,000mAh battery, claimed to last for three days. It also offers a 50MP camera, a 5,300mm² AirFlo VC cooling system, and an AI Pulse Light LED indicator for notifications. The Realme P4R launched in India at a starting price of Rs 18,999, but it is now costlier by Rs 1,000. 

Realme P4R price hike 

Realme P4R price in India has been increased by Rs 1,000. So, the base variant with 4GB RAM and 128GB storage, which was earlier priced at Rs 18,999, is now available at Rs 19,999 on the Realme India website. Interestingly, the same variant of the Realme P4R is priced at Rs 19,499 on Flipkart. You can get the P4R for the same discounted price on the Realme India website too, with a coupon discount. 

Here's a table with a clearer breakdown of the Realme P4R's prices:

Realme P4R specifications

The Realme P4R's highlight is its large 8,000mAh battery, which the brand claims can last for three days. With light usage, the P4R could actually last this long, but otherwise, too, the phone should offer around two days of usage comfortably. The handset gets 45W fast charging and reverse charging support as well. Even after the price hike, the Realme P4R stands out as one of the few options with an 8,000mAh battery. 

It features a 6.8-inch HD+ LCD screen with 1,200 nits peak brightness and a 144Hz refresh rate, which should deliver smoother scrolling and animations. The large screen is also beneficial for those who like watching movies and TV shows on their phones. 

Powering the phone is the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset, which is a popular pick for the budget segment. While not the best for intensive performance, this chipset still handles everyday usage with ease. You also get up to 14GB of Dynamic RAM for additional performance and a 5,300mm² AirFlo VC cooling system for heat dissipation. The smartphone has a 50MP AI-powered primary camera and a 2MP secondary camera with Motion Photo support. For selfies, there's an 8MP front camera on the Realme P4R. You also get a suite of AI tools, including AI Eraser 2.0, AI Ultra Clarity, AI Unblur, and AI Portrait Glow. 

The Realme P4R also comes with Military Grade durability certification, IP65-rated dust and water resistance, and an AI Pulse Light LED indicator on the back. On the software front, it runs Realme UI 7.0 out of the box with 2 OS upgrades and 3 years of security patches.

Since the price hike isn't by a lot, the Realme P4R still sits in the sub-Rs 20,000 segment, which is becoming a rare category for budget phones with value. The Realme P4R should be a good pick for students or power users who require multi-day battery life and a large display. With ongoing price hikes due to AI demand-driven memory costs, it would be best to purchase a phone without waiting too long. 

[highlights]

• Realme GT 9 and Neo 9 series are reportedly not launching this year, as the brand is said to have stopped smartphone production in China.
• The leak suggests Realme will focus on its numbered series overseas, alongside smartphones and audio products.
• The report follows Realme's move to ColorOS 17 and closer integration with OPPO and OnePlus.

[/highlights]

Realme may not launch its next-generation GT and Neo series smartphones this year, according to a new leak from well-known tipster Digital Chat Station. The post, shared on Weibo, claims the company's current smartphone lineup in China has already been discontinued, with existing inventory expected to sell out by around November.

The leak (via) comes days after Realme confirmed it is pausing new smartphone launches in China. The developments suggest the brand is shifting its focus as OPPO brings Realme and OnePlus under a more closely integrated business and software ecosystem.

Realme GT 9 and Neo 9 launch cancelled

According to Digital Chat Station, Realme has stopped production of its current smartphone lineup in China. With inventory expected to last until November, the tipster claims there are no plans to introduce the Realme GT 9 or Neo 9 series in the Chinese market this year. The same post also suggests that overseas markets will not receive GT or Neo series smartphones going forward. Instead, Realme's numbered series is expected to take over that positioning in several regions. We speculate that may be true for India too.

Beyond smartphones, the leak points to a narrower global product portfolio. Realme is reportedly focusing only on smartphones and audio products outside China, with no tablets or laptops planned at the moment. A gaming tablet, however, is said to be under consideration for the future.

The company launched the Realme GT 8 Pro in India in November 2025 at a starting price of Rs 72,999. It packed a 200MP camera, the Snapdragon 8 Elte Gen 5 chipset and still stands out (review) as one of the few premium Android phones that hasn't received a post-launch price hike. Earlier leaks had suggested the GT 9 series could build on that with dual 200MP cameras, but that now appears unlikely to happen anytime soon.

Realme integrated with OPPO

Earlier this month, Realme India confirmed that future smartphones will ship with ColorOS 17 instead of Realme UI, saying the transition is intended to streamline software development and simplify updates. OPPO has also unified the operations of OnePlus and Realme under a shared business ecosystem, paving the way for closer software integration across both brands. Existing devices, including the Realme GT 7 Pro, will continue receiving the company's promised three Android OS updates and four years of security patches but with ColorOS.

The latest leak suggests there may not be a new Realme flagship to wait for this year. Those considering a premium Realme phone can continue to look at the GT 8 Pro, while users more interested in software experience may want to keep an eye on how the shift to ColorOS 17 changes future devices.

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• NPCI is reportedly developing an NFC-based offline UPI feature that could allow payments of up to Rs 2,000 at compatible PoS terminals.
• UPI LITE X currently supports only offline smartphone-to-smartphone payments of up to Rs 500.
• Compatible PoS devices are reportedly expected to begin certification later this year.

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UPI has made digital payments almost effortless in India, but one limitation remains: transactions usually depend on an internet connection. That could soon change as a new report suggests the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is developing an NFC-based offline payment feature. This would allow users to tap and pay at compatible point-of-sale (PoS) terminals even when both the smartphone and the payment terminal are offline.

If introduced, the capability could make UPI payments more reliable in places such as underground metro stations, remote areas, flights and other locations where mobile networks are often weak or unavailable. NPCI hasn't officially confirmed the development.

How NFC-based UPI could work

According to a Business Standard report, the new feature will let users make contactless UPI payments by tapping an NFC-enabled smartphone on a certified PoS terminal, similar to how contactless debit and credit card payments work today. It is expected to support transactions of up to Rs 2,000, making it suitable for everyday purchases such as groceries, food, fuel and public transport.

The report adds that NPCI is expected to begin certifying compatible PoS devices from leading terminal manufacturers later this year. In the absence of internet connectivity, the PoS terminal would reportedly record the transaction authorisation and submit it for verification once the network is restored.

How existing offline UPI payments work

Offline UPI payments already exist through UPI LITE X, which NPCI introduced in 2023. The feature allows users to make payments without an active internet connection by using near-field communication (NFC). Under UPI LITE X, both the payer and the recipient must have the feature enabled on supported Android smartphones. Payments are deducted from the sender's on-device UPI LITE wallet and credited to the receiver's LITE wallet instantly, without requiring network connectivity. However, offline transactions are currently capped at Rs 500.

The reported feature would expand this capability beyond smartphone-to-smartphone payments by bringing offline NFC payments to merchant PoS terminals while increasing the transaction limit to Rs 2,000. This could reduce dependence on QR codes in situations where connectivity is unavailable.

The move comes as UPI continues to see record adoption. In June 2026 alone, the platform processed 22.72 billion transactions worth Rs. 28.92 lakh crore, averaging 757 million transactions every day. As digital payments become the default for many Indians, improving reliability in low-network conditions is becoming increasingly important.

The reported feature could make UPI more dependable for small in-store purchases. However, key details, including supported banks, payment apps and compatible PoS terminals, remain unknown. Until NPCI formally announces the feature, buyers looking for NFC-enabled smartphones should view it as a potential future benefit

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• Redmi 17C 5G is expected to launch in India soon.
• It will succeed last year's Redmi 15C.
• The handset has been launched in China. 

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The Redmi 17C 5G is expected to launch in India and other global markets soon, as the phone has been spotted online. 91mobiles has spotted the Redmi 17C 5G on the BIS certification platform, indicating an imminent launch in India. The handset has appeared on Thailand's NBTC platform as well, suggesting that Redmi plans to introduce the phone in more markets. 

Redmi 17C 5G BIS, NBTC certifications

Redmi 17C 5G with the model number 2607FRNEAI has been spotted on the BIS certification platform. This model number is associated with the Redmi 17C 5G, and is for the Indian variant of the phone. The BIS listing is a strong indication of the handset arriving in India soon.

Thailand's NBTC platform has also certified the Redmi 17C 5G with the model number 2607FRNEAG. Here, the phone's name is mentioned on the listing, confirming a launch in Thailand soon. 

In addition to the Redmi 17C 5G, POCO X8 (2607DPC18G), and Redmi 17 5G (26062RN92G) have also been spotted on NBTC. 

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Although these certifications don't reveal anything else about the handset, we already have an idea of what to expect since the Redmi 17C 5G has debuted in China. This is a budget smartphone with a large 6.88-inch HD+ (720×1,640 pixels) display, a 120Hz refresh rate, up to 240Hz touch sampling rate, and up to 600 nits of global brightness. The large display will be good for those who prefer watching movies and TV shows primarily on a phone.

The handset is powered by the MediaTek Helio G81 Ultra chipset paired with 4GB RAM and up to 128GB of storage. This is the same chipset as on the Redmi 15C, which means that performance will be the same, more or less. The Redmi 17C features a 13MP rear camera and a 5MP selfie camera, which is a decent setup for the budget segment. However, it's worth mentioning that there are alternatives from brands like Samsung offering better options.

The Redmi 17C also packs a 5,160mAh battery with 18W wired charging support, which is modest as brands now offer around 6,000mAh to 7,000mAh as the standard battery capacity. Redmi might change up the specifications, especially the battery capacity, for markets like India, where hardware is quite competitive. 

The Redmi 17C will succeed the Redmi 15C, which launched in India last year. When it arrives in India, the Redmi 17C 5G could be a good option for users who want a budget 5G daily driver with a large display and dependable performance. However, those seeking a large-battery phone or one with more versatile cameras may want to check out alternatives. 

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• OnePlus has officially closed the chapter on OxygenOS.
• The OnePlus 15 and OnePlus 15R could be the first OnePlus devices to receive ColorOS 17.
• Expect the ColorOS 17 Open Beta programme to begin a few weeks from now

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In an effort to restructure operations within the OPPO group, OnePlus has pulled out of North America and Europe, as the company officially announced a few days ago. Alongside this announcement, OnePlus also conveyed that going forward, all of its smartphones eligible to receive Android 17 and beyond will receive ColorOS, OPPO's proprietary custom skin, which OxygenOS was based on anyway since OxygenOS 11.

Although OnePlus has not yet revealed the list of devices slated to receive ColorOS, tipster Yogesh Brar has shared the details in a post on X.

OnePlus devices are eligible for ColorOS 17 update

According to Brar on X, the following devices will be upgraded to ColorOS 17 when the update arrives:

OnePlus flagships

• OnePlus 15 and OnePlus 15R
• OnePlus 13, OnePlus 13R, and OnePlus 13s
• OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 12R
• OnePlus 11
• OnePlus Open

OnePlus Nord series

• OnePlus Nord 6
• OnePlus Nord CE 6
• OnePlus Nord CE 6 Lite
• OnePlus Nord 5
• OnePlus Nord CE 5
• OnePlus Nord 4

It's worth noting that all of the above-mentioned devices were promised at least three major OS upgrades at launch; therefore, when the update roadmap is officially announced, these smartphones are guaranteed to be a part of it.

Since many of the recently released OnePlus devices are missing from Brar's list, devices like the OnePlus N6, OnePlus Pad 4, and most likely the upcoming OnePlus N6x are likely to get the ColorOS 17 update as well. Apart from this, the OnePlus Pad 3, OnePlus Pad 2, OnePlus Pad Lite, and OnePlus Pad Go 2 should also bag the update.

In other news, Realme has officially confirmed that its devices slated to receive Android 17 will now be upgraded to ColorOS 17. Just like OxygenOS, Realme UI is being discontinued following the company's exit from the Chinese market.

When will ColorOS 17 be released

As is the tradition, one can expect OnePlus (or OPPO) to roll out the Closed Beta testing invitations to its current flagship and high-end smartphones, such as the OnePlus 15 and OnePlus 15R, in a few weeks from now, i.e. by the end of August or the start of September. But given that the stable Android 17 update was released way ahead of schedule this year for Google Pixels, the ColorOS 17 update could also be fast-tracked.

What to expect on ColorOS 17

With OxygenOS 17 out of the way, there's a lot to look forward to in ColorOS 17. If the leaks and official details revealed by ColorOS' executive are to be believed, the firmware will prioritise improving the core experience, resulting in faster performance, better efficiency, and greater system stability.

A major design change could arrive in the form of rounded corners on every first-party element, such as pop-up menus and buttons. On the other hand, one can also expect improvements to OPPO's Lumious Rendering Engine, which is responsible for displaying real-time blur and light effects in various parts of the UI. Per leaks, this could result in more transparency in quick settings panels, menus, and other areas.

Until OxygenOS 16, OnePlus smartphones featured several distinct elements even though the entire skin ran on ColorOS' codebase. These included the iconic 'red accented' clock on the lockscreen and status bar, rounded brightness and volume sliders (ColorOS and Realme UI come with rectangular sliders), a distinct 'About phone' page, and a couple of exclusive easter eggs, such as the "Never Settle" reveal when entering '1+=' in the Calculator app.

It remains to be seen whether OnePlus devices post the ColorOS 17 update will continue to carry such unique elements, or will OPPO completely axe these in favour of a more streamlined software for all the brands, i.e. OPPO, OnePlus and Realme.

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• The Vivo S2 could bear a pill-shaped triple rear camera setup, indicates the poster.
• The phone is tipped to launch at Rs 45,000 - Rs 50,000 with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset.
• The Vivo S series last saw a launch in India in 2020.

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We've been hearing that Vivo could soon bring back its S-series smartphones to India after nearly six years. The company hasn't officially announced anything yet, but a newly leaked promotional poster suggests that the Vivo S2 could be coming soon to revive the 'S' lineup, which saw the launch of the Vivo S1 in 2019 and S1 Pro and Prime in 2020, but nothing after that.

Expected price and launch

The leaked poster, published originally by 91Mobiles Hindi, carries a large metallic "S" at the centre with the words "S Series Coming Soon" against a glossy, pearl-like background. It doesn't reveal any specifications or launch date, but hints at the phone's rear camera design through a small graphic embedded within the word "Soon". The horizontal camera layout appears similar to the recently launched Vivo X300 FE, suggesting the S2 may borrow elements from Vivo's premium design language.

The Vivo S2 is expected to launch in India soon and could be priced between Rs 45,000 and Rs 50,000, as per previous leaks. The phone was earlier tipped for a July debut, but subsequent reports indicate August. The phone has appeared on the GSMA database and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification platforms, indicating that its debut may not be far away.

If the leaked pricing is true, the Vivo S2 will represent a major jump for the S-series. The original Vivo S1 debuted at Rs 17,990 in 2019 and stood out then by offering an AMOLED display, an in-display fingerprint scanner and a 32MP selfie camera at a time when those features were uncommon in its price segment.

The market has changed considerably since then. Phones in the Rs 40,000 - Rs 50,000 range were competing on flagship-grade chipsets (till last year, as the memory crises seems to have changed things quite a bit). But we do see larger batteries and telephoto cameras, making differentiation more challenging. The Vivo S2 is said to be launching around the Independence Day sales, which could help the company tap into one of India's busiest smartphone buying periods, when brands typically roll out attractive exchange offers and discounts.

Leaked specifications

Leaks suggest the Vivo S2 will target buyers looking for a photography-focused smartphone with a slim and lightweight design. It's rumoured to feature a 6.59-inch 1.5K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, an in-display fingerprint scanner and Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset. For photography, the phone is tipped to include a 50MP primary camera, a 50MP periscope telephoto camera, an 8MP ultrawide sensor and a 32MP front camera. It is also said to pack a battery larger than 7,000mAh with support for 80W wired charging, alongside wireless and reverse wireless charging. Vivo has not confirmed any of these specifications.

The Vivo S2 is expected to compete with upcoming devices such as the OnePlus 15R and iQOO 15R, while also sitting close to Vivo's own V70 FE, which currently starts at Rs 41,999. Until the company makes the phone official, buyers planning to spend around Rs 50,000 may be better off waiting. Comparing the Vivo S2 against rivals and Vivo's own lineup after launch should provide a clearer picture of whether its rumoured premium price is justified.

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• OnePlus N6x is part of the brand's new budget lineup.
• The handset could sit below the OnePlus N6.
• Amazon has updated the microsite with a small design reveal. 

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OnePlus is expanding its new N-series lineup in India with the upcoming OnePlus N6x, following the debut of the OnePlus N6 earlier this month. It's part of the brand's new budget lineup, sitting below the Nord series. OnePlus started teasing the upcoming phone last week, and it has now shared a glimpse of its design on the smartphone's Amazon microsite. 

OnePlus N6x design teaser

The latest teaser confirms that the OnePlus N6x will be available in at least Blue and Red finishes. It's not a complete image, but the phone appears to feature a flat-frame design with a flat rear panel, a centrally placed OnePlus logo, and a pill-shaped rear camera module positioned in the top-left corner alongside an LED flash. The power and volume buttons are located on the right edge.

In terms of styling, the N6x looks closer to the OnePlus Nord CE 6 Lite rather than the recently launched OnePlus N6. This could be well taken by users who prefer the Nord CE6 Lite aesthetics. While OnePlus has yet to reveal the complete specifications, the handset is tipped to arrive with familiar hardware and features. This means that we'll most likely see specifications already available on an existing phone. 

The OnePlus N6, introduced in India last month, starts at Rs 22,999 for the 4GB + 128GB variant and serves as the first device in the refreshed N-series. The N6x is expected to slot below or alongside it, giving buyers another option in the affordable mid-range segment.

Based on what we know so far, those seeking a fresh design and potentially lower pricing may find it worthwhile to wait for the N6x's official announcement. If you're currently using an older budget phone, the N6x could be worth waiting for the OnePlus build and design. However, those who need to purchase a budget OnePlus phone immediately might want to go for the N6x. With the launch expected soon, more details on pricing, hardware, and availability should be announced in the coming days.

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• Dell has launched the new Alienware 16X Aurora, Alienware 16 Area-51 and Alienware 18 Area-51 gaming laptops in India.
• The lineup operates on the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series Laptop GPUs, with OLED display options.
• The Alienware 16X Aurora is priced at Rs 2,62,990, while the Area-51 models sit at nearly Rs 4 lakh.

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Dell Technologies has launched the Alienware 16X Aurora, Alienware 16 Area-51 and Alienware 18 Area-51 gaming laptops in India. The new lineup is targets gamers and power users who want high-performance hardware, premium displays and top-end graphics, and you can check out more details below.

New Dell Alienware laptops launched

The latest refresh includes a few different models, starting with the Alienware 16X Aurora, positioned as the more portable premium option, while the Alienware 16 Area-51 and Alienware 18 Area-51 sit at the top of the range.

The latter is ideal for users who want desktop-level gaming output from a portable machine. The laptops are now available via Dell.com, Dell Exclusive Stores, large-format retail, multi-brand outlets and leading e-commerce platforms.

Alienware 16X Aurora key specs:

Some key features worth discussing are the Alienware 16 Area-51 and 16X Aurora's anti-glare OLED panels. These panels help reduce reflections while keeping the deep blacks and vivid colours OLED buyers expect. 

Alienware Area-51: key specifications

The Area-51 models sit at the highest performance tiers, with power delivery reaching up to 240W on the 16-inch model and up to 280W on the 18-inch version. Dell is also bundling features like Thunderbolt 5, Wi-Fi 7, 96Wh batteries, customisable RGB lighting for these machines. 

Where do the new Alienware laptops sit?

Dell is positioning the new Alienware lineup firmly at the premium end of the gaming market. The Alienware 16X Aurora, at Rs 2,62,990, competes with other high-end 16-inch gaming machines like the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro, while the Area-51 16 and 18 push into ultra-premium territory at just under Rs 4 lakh.

Compared with last year's models, the new pricing is a lot higher. The earlier Alienware 16X Aurora started around Rs 1.80 lakh, while previous Area-51 variants sat in the roughly Rs 3.1 lakh to Rs 4.8 lakh range depending on configuration. 

The jump is nearly 40 percent here and while the performance uplift is significant, the pricing will be a tough pill for many buyers to swallow, especially at a time when memory shortages and component inflation are pushing laptop costs higher across the board.

Top-end gaming machines, in particular are facing the brunt of it since they rely on large amounts of fast RAM, storage and high-power GPUs.  

Trust JBL to launch a Rs. 2 crore high-end audiophile reference speaker and a streaming speaker with a screen for lyrics in the same month! Launched as a China-only model as of now, it just seems too cool a concept to be limited to one market, though. The JBL Vienna doesn't just play songs, but stages them, in fact using an 18.5in display set behind a high-transparency tempered glass. Instead of using a traditional screen, the Vienna uses moving light-and-shadow effects to give the typography real depth. The resulting illusion it creates is fascinating to watch as text appears to be floating in space rather than sitting flat on a screen.

Even without music, Vienna has 9 background themes and 11 meditation scenes that pair ambient sounds like rain, ocean waves, etc with moody visuals. Alternatively, you could also treat it like a digital photo frame if you like revisiting the 2000s and use it as an eclectic slideshow machine synced to your travel playlist.

A window to your music

Nine background themes ship out of the box, running from calm to bold, and the panel doubles as a photo frame: users can drop in their own pictures as a backdrop, turning a holiday shot or a candid with friends into the literal stage set for whatever's playing. Thankfully, JBL hasn't forgotten that this is supposed to be a speaker, and the audio hardware consists of a 2.1-channel array with two 3.23-inch full-range drivers for mids and vocals, four 8.5-inch racetrack-shaped oval bass drivers and two 5-inch passive radiators. That's some serious amount of speakers in a relatively compact chassis, powered by a 100W amplifier. JBL's claim is deep low-end, clear vocal separation and enough top-end air to hold together denser jazz and classical passages, material that usually exposes a muddy midrange.

Finding the perfect match

Connectivity is as expected with Bluetooth 5.4, USB-C, and AUX, with wireless screen mirroring from both iOS and Android. On idling, it also does clock duty with dual-timezone standby. If it does decide to make the trip to India, the JBL Vienna will reside in its own exclusive segment, distant from the smart home speakers like Amazon Echo Show, HomePod and Google Nest Hub. Roughly priced at around US$1200 in China, if launched in India, it would sit above the Authentics 500 and target buyers looking for a statement piece rather than just another wireless speaker. 

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• Apple is reportedly testing a 6.96-inch display for its 20th anniversary iPhone.
• It could be marketed as a 7-inch screen if it reaches production.
• The anniversary iPhone is also rumoured to feature a major redesign, including an edge-to-edge display with curved glass.

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Apple's 20th anniversary iPhone, informally referred to as the iPhone 20 Pro Max, is looking to be one of the company's biggest redesigns in years, and a new leak suggests it could also be its largest. According to tipster Digital Chat Station, Apple is internally testing a display measuring around 6.96 inches, which would likely be marketed as a 7-inch screen if it makes it to the final product.

The leak adds to a growing list of reports pointing to a special iPhone lineup in 2027, when Apple is expected to mark two decades since the original iPhone launched. Apple did a similar thing to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the iPhone with the iPhone X in 2017, when it dropped the home button for a full OLED screen. So a radical redesign can be expected next year too (iPhone XX? Who knows)

Anticipated key specifications and features

Digital Chat Station, who has a reliable track record, claims the prototype display measures roughly 6.96 inches while maintaining the same aspect ratio as the current iPhone 17 Pro Max. At this stage, however, it's unclear whether Apple will use the panel in the final production model.

If the company goes ahead with it, the new screen would be only slightly larger than the 6.9-inch display expected on the iPhone 18 Pro Max and the current 6.86-inch iPhone 17 Pro Max. While the increase sounds modest on paper, it would still make the anniversary iPhone the largest iPhone Apple has ever released.

The latest leak also aligns with earlier reports suggesting Apple is preparing a major redesign for its 2027 flagship. Bloomberg previously reported that Apple has begun work on two versions of the anniversary iPhone, while other rumours have pointed to an edge-to-edge display with curved glass on all four sides for a nearly borderless appearance. Separately, reports have claimed Apple is evaluating an all-glass unibody design and capacitive solid-state buttons that would replace physical volume and power keys with touch-sensitive controls backed by haptic feedback. None of these features have been confirmed by Apple.

The last time Apple increased the size of its premium iPhones was with the iPhone 16 Pro lineup in 2024, when the Pro models grew from 6.1 and 6.7 inches to 6.3 and 6.9 inches, respectively.

The rumoured move comes as flagship smartphones continue to push larger displays while reducing bezel sizes. Android brands such as Samsung and Honor already offer foldables with tablet-sized screens, while conventional flagship phones have largely settled between 6.7 and 6.9 inches. A 7-inch display would move Apple's largest non-foldable iPhone closer to that territory without changing its overall form factor. Redmi recently launched the Redmi Note 17 with a 7-inch screen though we're yet to see how it's received.

The leak suggests Apple's anniversary iPhone could focus on delivering a more immersive experience alongside a broader design overhaul. However, with the device still more than a year away and the display reportedly only in testing, it's too early to assume the larger screen will make it to the final product. But if an iPhone with a massive screen excites you, it's worth waiting for 2027 as you're unlikely to see any changes in the iPhone 18 Pro lineup.