• The Samsung Galaxy A08 has launched in India at Rs 18,499, with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage.
• The Galaxy M08 and Galaxy F08 are listed as coming soon, with 6,000mAh batteries and IP64 ratings.
• All three phones feature 50MP main cameras and promise six generations of OS upgrades and six years of security updates.

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Samsung has expanded its budget smartphone lineup in India with the Galaxy A08, Galaxy M08 and Galaxy F08. While the Galaxy A08 is available to buy starting today, October 1st, the M08 and F08 are listed as coming soon, with their prices and sale dates yet to be announced.

The three phones focus on everyday performance and long-term software support rather than 5G connectivity, with all three using MediaTek's Helio G99+ chipset and offering 4G connectivity. The 6,000mAh batteries on the M08 and F08 also mark an upgrade over their predecessors.

Samsung Galaxy A08 price in India

The Samsung Galaxy A08 costs Rs 18,499 for its 4GB + 64GB storage variant. It comes in Dark Blue, Silver and Green colours and will be available through Samsung's online store, exclusive stores, partner outlets and other online platforms. Buyers can also opt for zero-interest EMI plans on eligible payment methods.

The Galaxy M08 and Galaxy F08 are currently listed in a single 4GB + 64GB configuration, but Samsung hasn't revealed their prices, colour options or sale dates. Their predecessors, the Galaxy M07 and Galaxy F07, launched in October 2025 at Rs 6,999 and Rs 7,699, respectively.

Samsung Galaxy A08, M08 and F08 specifications

All three phones feature a 6.7-inch HD+ PLS LCD with a 90Hz refresh rate on the A08. The M08 and F08 listings specify a 720 x 1,600-pixel resolution, although their refresh rate hasn't been confirmed. The displays should be adequate for everyday browsing and video streaming, but the HD+ resolution will not look as sharp as Full HD+ panels available on some competing phones.

The MediaTek Helio G99+ chipset is paired with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage, expandable by up to 2TB using a microSD card. This setup should handle everyday apps and casual gaming, but demanding games and heavy multitasking are not its strongest use cases.

Each phone gets a 50MP main camera, a 2MP secondary rear camera and an 8MP selfie camera. A 6,000mAh battery with 25W charging powers the lineup, although the charger is sold separately. The M08 and F08 weigh 197 gms and measure 8 mm thick, while the A08 also has IP64 protection against dust and water splashes.

Software support is a key selling point, with Samsung promising six generations of OS upgrades and six years of security updates. The phones also include features such as Circle to Search, Quick Share and Knox security tools.

The long software support could appeal to users who want to keep a budget phone for several years. The M08 and F08 could be more relevant to buyers on a tighter budget, but their value will depend on their launch prices. Until Samsung reveals those figures, the older M07 and F07 provide a useful price reference of what the new models will cost.

• Acerpure Nitro QLED TVs launch in India with up to 100-inch screens.
• The range supports 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.
• Prices start at Rs 59,999, with the 100-inch model priced at Rs 1.9 Lakh.

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Acerpure India has launched its new Nitro QLED TV (55-inch mode review) range in India, targeting users who want a large-screen TV for gaming, movies and everyday entertainment. The lineup comes in 75-inch, 85-inch and 100-inch sizes, with features such as a 120Hz HSR refresh rate, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. Let's look at it in more detail below.

Acerpure Nitro QLED TVs: key features

The Acerpure Nitro range has a primary focus on its screen size, with 75-inch, 85-inch and 100-inch options. This gives users more options to choose a TV based on their room and viewing distance, while the 100-inch model is clearly for buyers who may want a home-theatre-type setup. 

The TVs use QLED display technology and support a 120Hz HSR refresh rate. The higher refresh rate helps produce smoother motion in fast-paced games, sports and action scenes. QLED technology is essentially a display tech that helps deliver more vibrant colours, while Dolby Vision is to support compatible HDR content.

For audio, the 75-inch and 85-inch models feature 40W box speakers, while the 100-inch version gets a more powerful 65W box speaker setup. The range also supports Dolby Atmos, which can create a wider and more immersive soundstage. 

The TVs run Google TV 5.0 Ref+, giving users access to connected entertainment and streaming apps. Acerpure has also added built-in Karaoke mode, which could make the TVs more useful for family gatherings and parties apart from just watching movies and shows.

Together, these features make the Nitro range more focused on an all-round entertainment setup, with the larger models offering a particularly big-screen experience for users who have the space for them.

Should you buy the Acerpure Nitro QLED series?

The Acerpure Nitro range is clearly focused on large screens and gaming, with 75-inch, 85-inch and 100-inch options. The 75-inch model starts at Rs 59,999, putting it below some similarly sized gaming-focused QLED TVs from brands such as TCL and iFFALCON.

The hardware looks useful for casual and console gaming, with a 120Hz refresh rate, QLED panel, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. The challenge here is that there is a new lineup that lacks user-reviewed feedback about its picture quality, input lag and gaming performance for this particular range.

For anyone who mainly wants a very large TV for movies, sports and occasional gaming, the Nitro range offers plenty of features without being too pricey. The 100-inch model, however, naturally sits at a much higher price bracket, with current listings around Rs 1.9 lakh, and is something you should invest in after getting a demo in a live-experience zone and doing proper research. 

• The Vivo Y600 5G has appeared on Google Play Console with a MediaTek Dimensity 7300e chipset and Android 16.
• It could be a rebranded version of the Malaysian Vivo V80 Lite 5G, with a 1.5K display and a 10,000mAh-class battery.
• It couls be the same model launching in India as the Vivo S2 FE.

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Vivo appears to be preparing another addition to its Y-series, and battery life could be one of its main selling points. The Vivo Y600 5G has surfaced on the Google Play Console, revealing some of its hardware ahead of an official announcement. The listing suggests it could be a rebranded version of the Malaysian Vivo V80 Lite 5G, although Vivo has yet to confirm the connection or announce a launch date.

WHy this is exciting is because this could be the announcement of another 10,000mAh battery phone globally. The list is fast growing after Honor kicked things off over a year ago and the likes of Realme and Xiaomi started populating it. Vivo joined the bandwagon with the Y600 Pro in China, followed by the Vivo V80 Lite in Malaysia.

Vivo Y600 5G specifications tipped

The Vivo Y600 5G has appeared on Google Play Console's supported devices list with the model number V2655 and device code V2626. The latter is also associated with the Malaysian Vivo V80 Lite 5G and the upcoming Vivo S2 FE, while the V2655 model number appears under the V80 Lite 5G name on Google's supported devices list.

The listing mentions a display resolution of 1,260 x 2,800 pixels and a screen density of 440 DPI. It also points to the MediaTek MT6858 chipset, with four Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.5GHz and four Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0GHz, alongside a Mali-G610 GPU. These details match the Dimensity 7300e configuration and display resolution of the Malaysian V80 Lite 5G, strengthening the case for a rebrand.

The phone is listed with around 6GB RAM and Android 16. While the listing does not confirm its battery capacity, the Malaysian V80 Lite 5G is expected to bring a much larger battery than most conventional mid-range phones.

The listing is also relevant to India, where the Vivo S2 FE is expected to launch on October 6th. The Indian variant is tipped to use the Malaysian and Middle Eastern version of the V80 Lite 5G, which is essentially what the Vivo Y600 is. Expected specifications for the Vivo S2 FE include a 6.84-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a MediaTek Dimensity 7300e chipset, a 50MP primary rear camera and a 32MP selfie camera. It's also tipped to pack a 10,000mAh battery with 44W charging. These specifications remain unconfirmed, but the shared device code adds weight to the possibility that the Y600 5G will use similar hardware.

Vivo has already introduced the Y600 Pro, Y600 Turbo and Y600i in China. The Y600 Pro packs a 10,200mAh battery with 90W charging, while the Y600 Turbo has a 9,020mAh battery and 90W charging. The recently introduced Y600i offers an 8,000mAh battery with 44W charging. A 10,000mAh-class battery would put the Y600 5G in the same high-capacity category. The Google Play Console appearance suggests a launch could be approaching, but the listing doesn't confirm when or where the phone will go on sale.

Buyers will be hoping for a phone that combines a sharp, high-refresh-rate AMOLED display with battery capacity above the norm. However, the final price, weight and charging speed will matter just as much. A large battery is useful, but it needs to come with manageable dimensions and a competitive price to make the overall package worthwhile. Endurance seekers should wait for Vivo to announce more details and the listing suggests the launch might be not too far off.

• The Samsung Galaxy SmartTag3 will be first available in Korea, followed by the US.
• The tracker uses Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology to track and locate items.
• The Galaxy SmartTag3 can be paired using the SmartThings Find app on iPhones.

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Samsung has officially expanded its tracking ecosystem with the launch of the Galaxy SmartTag3, which features a complete redesign, extended range, and cross-platform support. The headline addition is iOS compatibility via SmartThings Find, allowing iPhone users to view location data and share tags across multi-platform households for the first time.

Samsung Galaxy SmartTag3: what's new

The Galaxy SmartTag3 shifts away from its predecessor's form factor, which debuted three years ago, coming in 35 percent smaller by volume and 33 percent lighter. The new tracker features a reinforced built-in loop, letting users clip it directly onto keyrings, luggage, or pet collars without extra housing. With a user-replaceable coin cell battery in tow, the Galaxy SmartTag3 is built to last up to 550 days during standard use and up to 790 days in Power Saving Mode.

The Galaxy SmartTag3 is IP67-rated and will be available in white and black colourways. Samsung will also offer multiple coloured cases for the tag. Under the hood, the SmartTag3 combines Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology with Bluetooth 6.0 Channel Sounding. This pairing drives the upgraded Compass View, providing on-screen directional arrows and distance markers on compatible devices up to 60 meters (200 feet) away, which is three times more than the direct-guided tracking range of previous models.

For items lost outside local Bluetooth range, the tracker hooks into the SmartThings Find Network, leveraging hundreds of millions of opted-in Galaxy devices worldwide to relay encrypted location updates.

Coming to one of the most major upgrades, iPhone users with the SmartTag 3 will be able to access location views and share tag access via the SmartThings Find app. Key features include Place Notifications, which alert users proactively whenever a tagged item enters or leaves designated geofenced boundaries. The tracker can store location data for a rolling week so users can trace past movements, while the physical button on the tag can be customised to trigger SmartThings automation routines, such as turning off lights or running scenes. There's also Left Behind Alert, which can notify users when their mobile device loses connection with a tagged item.

Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 3 availability

As of now, Samsung hasn't announced the pricing of the Galaxy SmartTag 3. What's known is that the tracker will be first up for grabs in Korea starting October 7th, 2026, with the US release scheduled right after. The Galaxy SmartTag 3 will launch in other markets globally in 2027. Given that the SmartTag 2 was launched in 2023 for Rs 2,799 and USD 27 in the US, its successor could come with a similar price tag, say Rs 3,000 to Rs 3,500, considering the longer battery life and additional features.

If you've been longing to get a tracker for your precious items, such as phones, bags, purses, and others, it could be worth waiting for Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 3's India launch. A single Apple AirTag costs Rs 3,790, and if the SmartTag 3 launches at a lower price, it could be a solid alternative since it also supports iOS devices.

• Both phones have been listed with new variants on Flipkart.
• The T5 Lite now comes in a 4GB RAM variant.
• The T5 Pro is getting a 6GB RAM variant. 

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Vivo has launched new memory configurations for its T5 Pro and T5 Lite smartphones. The Vivo T5 Lite gets a 4GB RAM variant, while the T5 Pro now comes in a 6GB RAM variant. Both smartphones cater to the mid-range segment, with the T5 Lite being the affordable option here. Here are the complete details. 

Vivo T5 Lite new variant launch

A new 4GB RAM + 64GB storage variant for the Vivo T5 Lite has been listed on Flipkart. This variant isn't available to purchase right now, but interestingly it's priced at Rs 30,999. This could be a placeholder price, as the T5 Lite starts at Rs 20,499 for the base variant with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. So naturally, the 4GB + 64GB variant would be priced even lower, possibly under Rs 20,000. 

Vivo T5 Lite is currently available in three variants: 4GB + 128GB (Rs 20,499), 6GB + 128GB (Rs 22,999) and 6GB + 256GB (Rs 26,999). 

Vivo T5 Pro new variant launch

Similarly, the Vivo T5 Pro is also listed on Flipkart in a new memory configuration. The smartphone will soon launch with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. It would be the new base variant joining the other two existing ones: 8GB + 128GB and 8GB + 256GB. Pricing for the T5 Pro 6GB + 128GB is also not official, as Flipkart shows Rs 49,999, which is higher than the other two variants, which start at Rs 41,999. 

Vivo T5 Pro can be purchased in two variants: 8GB + 128GB (Rs 41,999) and 8GB + 256GB (Rs 46,999). 

The new Vivo T5 Lite and T5 Pro variants will be available during Flipkart's Big Billion Days sale starting on October 8th. Since both phones are getting cheaper variants, it gives buyers more options at more accessible prices. The launch also comes at a time when smartphone prices are increasing at a rapid rate due to rising memory costs. This would be a way for Vivo to help curb the price hikes. 

If you're on a tight budget and primarily use your phone for basic tasks, the new 4GB T5 Lite might be a compelling option during the sale. However, for smoother multitasking and future-proofing, the 6GB variant is still recommended if your budget allows. The 6GB T5 Pro makes sense for people who want a large-battery phone, as the handset packs a massive 9,020mAh battery.

• Apple's rumoured smart-home hub could feature a 6-inch display, personalised interfaces and the new Siri AI.
• The updated HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K are also expected to arrive with faster processors.
• The updated HomePod mini will reportedly feature a faster processor and new colour options, including green and pink.

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Apple is reportedly preparing to expand its smart-home lineup with three new products on October 13th, including its long-rumoured HomePod with a screen. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the new products will also include an updated HomePod mini and a new Apple TV 4K. All three are expected to support Apple's revamped Siri AI, making the launch an early test of how the company plans to bring its AI capabilities into the home.

Apple HomePod with screen: what to expect

The smart-home hub, reportedly codenamed J490, is expected to feature a roughly 6-inch square display that can sit on a countertop or be mounted on a wall. The tabletop version will have a round metal base housing its speakers and microphones, with an adjustable arm that lets users tilt the screen. The wall-mounted version will have a slimmer base.

The device will need to remain connected to power through USB-C, as it reportedly lacks a battery. It's expected to feature a single front-facing camera for FaceTime calls, with no rear camera, and will initially be available in a grey aluminium finish.

Its interface will combine elements of the iPad, Apple Watch and Apple TV, with widgets, app icons and two-panel layouts for apps such as Messages. Users will be able to control connected devices, make video calls, play music, view photo slideshows and use intercom-style communication.

Personalisation will be a key feature. The hub is expected to recognise household members through their voices or facial recognition and display their messages, contacts, calendar appointments and other information. A guest mode will hide personal details from visitors.

The device will also support the new Siri AI, which Apple is developing to make voice interactions and smart-home controls more capable. This could help it compete with Amazon's Echo Show displays and Google's Home devices, although its appeal will partly depend on how well it works with products outside Apple's ecosystem.

HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K upgrades

Apple is also reportedly preparing the first HomePod mini refresh since 2020 and its first new Apple TV 4K since 2022. Both devices are expected to retain their existing designs while receiving faster processors to support Siri's newer AI capabilities. The updated HomePod mini could also arrive in new colours, including green and pink. The three products would give Apple a broader range of entry points into its smart-home ecosystem, from a compact speaker to a television streaming box and a display-based hub.

Apple has long offered connected-home features through HomeKit, HomePod and Apple TV, but it has struggled to match the reach of Amazon and Google in this category. A dedicated display could bring device controls, personal information and communications together in one place, particularly in shared spaces such as kitchens. For existing HomePod mini and Apple TV owners, the main reason to consider upgrading will be the new Siri experience and whether it adds useful capabilities to everyday routines. Buyers considering a smart display should also weigh compatibility with their existing devices, voice recognition and privacy features before choosing between Apple, Amazon and Google.

Apple hasn't officially confirmed the October 13th launch or the product details. The company also declined to comment on the reported plans.

• The POCO X8 Pro Max features the flagship-level MediaTek Dimensity 9500s processor.
• The POCO X8 Power gets a massive 10,000mAh battery.
• The Flipkart sale begins October 9th.

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With the Flipkart Big Billion Days sale around the corner, POCO has revealed the list of smartphones on offer, including phones from the POCO X, M, and C series. The sale begins October 9th, while Flipkart VIP and Black members will get access a day early. Since smartphone prices keep rising due to memory shortages, bagging a device in the upcoming sale could be a smart way to avoid overpaying later.

POCO smartphone deals for Flipkart Big Billion Days Sale

*Indicates the sale price is inclusive of bank discounts and offers.

POCO's highest-end smartphone this year in India, the X8 Pro Max, is set to sell for Rs 42,999, making it an appealing deal for power users and performance enthusiasts needing solid raw performance for daily workloads. The recently released POCO X8 Power and X8 will also see some heavy discounts, providing large-capacity batteries at more achievable prices.

Should you consider these POCO smartphones in the Flipkart BBD Sale 2026

POCO X8 Pro Max

The POCO X8 Pro Max is a great flagship-level pick for packing the MediaTek Dimensity 9500s processor, a large 6.83″ 1.5K 120Hz AMOLED (up to 3500 nits) display, a huge 9,000mAh cell, and a 50MP primary camera with OIS paired with an 8MP ultrawide lens. For Rs 42,999, you can't go wrong with these specs, as the smartphone offers a bright AMOLED display, strong performance, effective cooling, and excellent battery life, per our review.

POCO X8 Pro

Rocking a premium aluminium build with a similar performance approach, the POCO X8 Pro is a handy smartphone with a 6.59" 1.5K AMOLED display that doesn't carry the bulk of the Pro Max. It uses the MediaTek Dimensity 8500 Ultra, delivering solid performance in high-end games, while the 6,500mAh battery should last a day of light to casual use. At Rs 33,999, the X8 Pro offers superior value to the likes of Realme P4s and iQOO Z11.

POCO X8 Power and POCO X8

Launched just a few weeks back, the POCO X8 Power and X8 come with 10,000mAh and 9,000mAh batteries, respectively, making them the only smartphones to offer such large capacities at the offer prices. Both handsets also sport a 6.83-inch 1.5K AMOLED display for binge-watching movies and shows in vibrant tones and midrange-level Qualcomm Snapdragon processors.

POCO M8 Power

If you're looking for an AMOLED display phone at a lower price, the POCO M8 Power is a strong pick at the Rs 20,999 offer price, making it one of the few phones in this segment to offer such a display. Its battery is another highlight, with an 8,000mAh cell for multiple days of endurance.

POCO M8x

Having recently reviewed the POCO M8x, as is the case with every POCO release this year, the smartphone impressed us with the battery life, while the Snapdragon 4 Gen 5 chipset's performance sufficed for daily workloads.

You can strongly consider the POCO smartphone offer during the Flipkart Big Billion Days Sale 2026, as POCO appears to deliver great value compared to competing brands.

• The Redmi 17C 5G has launched in India starting at Rs 20,999.
• It features a 6.9-inch 120Hz display and a 6,000mAh battery.
• The phone officially goes on sale starting October 7. 

[/highlights]

The Redmi 17C 5G has now launched in India, joining the Redmi 17 series as its most affordable option yet. It targets general users who want a 5G phone that can handle everyday tasks, streaming, social media and light gaming. Let's take a closer look at what the phone brings to the table, its price and more. 

Redmi 17C: price in India

The Redmi 17C is available in two configurations, 4GB + 128GB and 6GB + 128GB. The 4GB variant starts at Rs 20,999 while the 6GB variant retails for Rs 22,999, respectively. The device is available for purchase in Coffee Brew (vegan leather), Purple Dawn, and Dark Night colours. The phone officially goes for sale starting 7 October, 2026. 

Redmi 17C: key features

The Redmi 17C measures about 7.99mm thick and weighs 211g, making it a fairly large phone. The size, however, allows Redmi to fit a large display and battery, while the IP64 rating adds protection against dust and water splashes.

The phone features a 6.9-inch HD+ LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The higher refresh rate should make scrolling through social media, browsing and menus feel smoother. The 1600 x 720 resolution, however, is comparatively low for such a large panel, so it may not look as sharp as Full HD+ screens.

The display reaches 660 nits typical brightness and 810 nits in HBM, which should work well indoors, but it will likely struggle outdoors. At its core, the phone runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 6300, which uses a 6nm process and reaches speeds of up to 2.4GHz. Redmi pairs it with 6GB LPDDR4X RAM and up to 128GB UFS 2.2 storage, with microSD support up to 1TB.

This setup should manage common tasks such as WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, browsing and light gaming reasonably well. Although, you shouldn't expect heavy multitasking and good performance in demanding games. Memory Extension can also use some storage as virtual RAM when needed to improve the performance. 

The Redmi 17C gets a 50MP main camera and an 8MP selfie camera. Both support 1080p video recording at 30fps, along with features such as HDR, portrait and night modes. The setup is enough to cover basic photography and video calls, but we'll know more when we thoroughly test the device. 

A 6,000mAh battery powers the phone, with support for 33W charging. Xiaomi also includes a 33W charger in the box, so users won't need a separate compatible adapter to get the higher charging speed.

The phone runs HyperOS 3 and includes USB Type-C, a 3.5mm headphone jack, 5G, Bluetooth 5.4 and expandable storage.

Should you buy the Redmi 17C?

The Redmi 17C's 6GB variant costs Rs 23,999, but the competition at this price is extremely capable. The Lava Virat Curve 5G costs Rs 23,999 too, offers a Full HD+ AMOLED display, a more powerful Dimensity 7100 chipset, a 13MP selfie camera and similar battery and charging speeds.

The Infinix Hot 70 Pro also starts at Rs 24,999 for the 6GB variant. It comes with the Dimensity 7100, a 144Hz Full HD+ LCD display, 45W charging and the same 6,000mAh battery.

Both phones offer more capable hardware for a similar price, while also matching the Redmi in areas such as battery life and software. Lava's software may not be as polished, but Infinix's XOS 16 offers an experience that is comparable to HyperOS 3. This makes the Redmi 17C a tough buy, as its price does not give it the same advantage in terms of value. 

• Samsung's flagship tablets will be available from October 7th onwards. 
• The Galaxy Tab S12 series price in India starts at Rs 1,29,999.
• Both tablets come with an S Pen in the box.

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Samsung has announced the official pricing and availability details of the Galaxy Tab S12 series in India. The lineup consists of two tablets: the Galaxy Tab S12+ and Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra. Samsung launched the tablets globally and in India last month, but pricing details hadn't been revealed yet. 

Samsung Galaxy Tab S12+, Tab S12 Ultra India prices

The Galaxy Tab S12+ price in India starts at Rs 1,29,999 for the Wi-Fi model with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. The 5G model with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage is priced at Rs 1,44,999. As for the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra, the Wi-Fi variant is priced at Rs 1,49,999, and the 5G variant at Rs 1,64,999. 

Samsung is offering up to Rs 5,000 in bank cashback, along with an upgrade bonus of up to Rs 5,000. Additionally, multi-buy offers include a discount of Rs 15,000 when purchasing a tablet together with select flagship smartphones, such as the Fold8, Fold Ultra, Flip8, S26 Ultra/+, or S25 Ultra/+, as well as 15% off on wearables (Buds4/Pro) and 30% off on accessories like the Pro Keyboard Cover when bundled with a tablet. There are flexible No-Cost EMI options for up to 24 months available through participating bank and NBFC partners.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S12+, Tab S12 Ultra specifications

The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra has a large 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1,600 nits peak brightness, while the Tab S12+ offers a smaller 12.6-inch screen. Powering the tablets is MediaTek's 3nm Dimensity 9500 chipset, claimed to offer up to 19 percent faster CPU performance and 17 percent better GPU performance than the Tab S11 Ultra. 

Battery capacity differs between the two tablets, where the Ultra packs an 11,600mAh battery, while the Tab S12+ houses a 10,600mAh unit. Samsung claims up to 23 hours of battery life on the Ultra and 21 hours on the Plus. Both tablets come with 45W charging support, IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, quad speakers, and microSD expansion up to 2TB.

On the software front, the tablets run the latest Android 17-based One UI 9 along with Galaxy AI features such as note summaries, three-way split-screen multitasking, and Gemini integration. Adobe Photoshop also comes preloaded, with S Pen support for image editing and design work. S Pen is bundled with both tablets. 

The Galaxy Tab S12+ and Tab S12 Ultra are flagship tablets aimed at users who want the most premium experience out of a tablet. While the price tag is steep, the inclusion of Galaxy AI and a powerful chipset makes these tablets compelling contenders for serious productivity users. These tablets can also act as laptop replacements if you want the convenience of portability.

If budget isn't a constraint and you want the latest Android flagship tablet, the Galaxy Tab S12+ and Ultra can be considered. However, if you're already using a Galaxy Tab S10 or S11 series tablet, you might want to compare properly before planning to upgrade. You may also want to compare them with the iPad Pro models to see which tablet gives better value. 

• The Vivo X Fold6 features an 8.02-inch 2K+ inner display, a 6.51-inch cover screen and a 200MP main camera.
• The foldable packs a 6,900mAh battery, supports 80W wired and 40W wireless charging, and runs Android 17-based OriginOS 7.
• An India launch is reportedly scheduled for October 6th, while the phone already launched in China in June.

[/highlights]

Vivo has announced the global launch of the Vivo X Fold6, taking its latest book-style foldable beyond China, where it debuted in June. The phone combines a slim design with a large battery, upgraded camera hardware developed with Zeiss and software features aimed at multitasking. While Vivo hasn't officially said anything yet, an India launch has been tipped for the coming week.

Specifications

The Vivo X Fold6 features an 8.02-inch 2K+ LTPO AMOLED inner display and a 6.51-inch FHD+ LTPO AMOLED cover screen, both with adaptive refresh rates of up to 120Hz. The inner screen is marginally smaller than the 8.03-inch panel on the predecessor, the Vivo X Fold5, while it is larger than the 7.58-inch inner display on the Xiaomi 18 Fold. Both displays offer up to 5,000 nits peak brightness.

The phone is powered by the 3nm MediaTek Dimensity 9500 Super Edition chipset, paired with 12GB RAM and up to 512GB UFS 4.1 storage. Its camera system includes a 200MP main sensor with OIS and Zeiss T* coating, a 50MP ultrawide camera and a 50MP 3x periscope telephoto camera with macro photography support. This is a significant change from the X Fold5's triple 50MP rear camera setup, with the higher-resolution main sensor potentially capturing more detail and offering greater flexibility when cropping images. The Xiaomi 18 Fold also features a 200MP main camera, with Leica branding, making camera processing and performance important points of comparison rather than resolution alone. The X Fold6 has 20MP cameras on both the inner and outer displays.

The 6,900mAh battery is another notable upgrade over the 6,000mAh batteries on both the Vivo X Fold5 and Xiaomi 18 Fold. The phone supports 80W wired charging, 40W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging. It runs OriginOS 7 based on Android 17 and adds multitasking features such as up to four resizable app windows, drag-and-drop between apps, AI meeting summaries and desktop mode on an external display.

The X Fold6 measures 4.4 mm when unfolded and weighs 228 gms in the Prism Black finish. It also carries IP58, IP59, IPX8 and IPX9 ratings for dust and water resistance.

Vivo X Fold6 India launch and availability

Vivo has not officially announced the India launch date or pricing. Tipster Abhishek Yadav has claimed that the phone could launch in India on October 6th, with 12GB + 256GB and 12GB + 512GB configurations. These details remain unconfirmed.

In China, the X Fold6 starts at CNY 7,999 (around Rs 1.1 lakh). For context, the Vivo X Fold5 launched in India at Rs 1,59,999, although it's now available at slightly lower prices through discounts and bank offers.

The X Fold6's larger battery and upgraded main camera could appeal to users who want a foldable that can handle extended work sessions and photography without relying on a second phone. Its eventual Indian price will determine how it compares with rival foldables, including Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series, as well as whether existing X Fold5 owners have enough reason to upgrade.

• Xiaomi 17T price in India now starts at Rs 69,999.
• The smartphone was launched at Rs 59,999.
• Xiaomi 17T has received a price hike of Rs 5,000. 

[/highlights]

Xiaomi 17T has received another price hike in India. The smartphone was launched in India earlier this year, in June, at a starting price of Rs 59,999. It is now Rs 10,000 costlier after the latest price hike. The 17T is Xiaomi's flagship alternative, offering a Leica 5x periscope telephoto camera, a 6,500mAh battery, and the MediaTek Dimensity 8500 Ultra chipset. Here's all you need to know about the Xiaomi 17T's price hike.

Xiaomi 17T price hike

Xiaomi 17T is now available at Rs 69,999 for the base variant with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. The 16GB + 512GB variant is even more expensive at Rs 74,999. This puts the Xiaomi 17T in a different price bracket, but with all brands hiking prices, the categories are getting auto-adjusted. But it puts the Xiaomi 17T at a disadvantage compared to rivals like the Vivo X200T, priced at Rs 59,999. 

Xiaomi 17T: what's on offer?

Despite the price hike, Xiaomi 17T still holds its own with hardware to boast about. The smartphone has a slightly compact 6.59-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with a 120hz refresh rate in a good-looking design and three appealing colour options (blue, violet, black). It also looks the same as the Xiaomi 17 flagship series. 

Cameras are its major selling point, especially the 50MP periscope telephoto lens offering 5x optical zoom with OIS. This makes the Xiaomi 17T a top choice for long-distance shots and detailed portraits. The phone also comes with a 50MP Light Fusion 800 primary sensor with OIS, a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 32MP front camera —all tuned by Leica. 

The smartphone packs a 6,500mAh silicon-carbon battery with 67W HyperCharge fast charging and 22.5W wired reverse charging. It's powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8500 Ultra chipset. The Xiaomi 17T has proven to deliver capable performance and reliable battery life, as noted in our review. 

At its new starting price of Rs 69,999, the Xiaomi 17T now sits in a more premium segment. If photography is your priority, especially a telephoto lens, the Xiaomi 17T still makes sense. However, if you want a larger battery or faster performance, there are alternatives like the OnePlus 15R and iQOO 15. 

Why is Tecno making POVA a sub-brand now, especially when smartphone brands are increasingly converging?

Arijeet Talapatra:

The youth today want their own identity. A me-too phone does not work anymore. So, the design elements we have introduced in POVA are something consumers can relate to. Apart from design, AI and network connectivity are also very important, and POVA is bringing all of them to consumers.

We have already seen some of the POVA phones, including the new POVA 8 Pro, but the DNA of the brand remains the same.

Will POVA be spun off into an Indian entity, similar to what Nothing did with CMF?

Arijeet Talapatra:

We consider ourselves Indian. Since 2017, when TECNO launched, we have been completely made in India and made by Indians. We also export from India. We manufactured our first foldable phone, the Phantom Fold, in India at our factory. We were the number two company to bring a foldable phone to the country. The first company that brought one had its third-generation phone made in India, while the first and second generations were imported from abroad.

So we have a completely India-focused ecosystem. But yes, we saw that company (Nothing) working on something involving a joint venture with a majority Indian shareholder. We are surely evaluating all these things.

[box-highlights]While the company is currently evaluating the proposition, POVA's focus will remain on serving its consumers.[/box-highlights]

For us, however, the entire focus is on how we serve our consumers and bring them what they want. If the consumer loves the product, whatever the background entity of the company is, those things are very easy to manage.

How will POVA differentiate itself from TECNO, particularly in terms of software and the overall user experience?

As I said, Tecno has different price segments. We have Spark, which is an all-rounder in the entry-level segment, and then we have the premium segments such as Camon and Phantom.

POVA, on the other hand, will cater to the Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000 segment, which is closely aligned with the youth. It will have a distinct identity and offer different colour options, which are increasingly important to consumers in India. POVA's proposition brings together distinctive design, strong everyday performance and practical AI in a way that feels relevant to this audience. If you look at the back panel of the POVA 8 series, the camera and the Alive Matrix appear extremely beautiful and help it stand out.

All in all, the intent is to build POVA as a distinct brand identity, defined by design, expression, useful technology and an expanding ecosystem, rather than specifications alone.

[caption id="attachment_713551" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Active Matrix display on Pova 8 Pro[/caption]

[box-highlights] POVA will appeal to youth with distinctive design, useful AI features, and robust network support. [/box-highlights]

Additionally, with POVA, we don't say low network. Even in areas with no network, if you use one POVA phone with another POVA phone through Bluetooth, you can use it without any network. Our phones have 20-22 antennas, so even in very low-network areas, such as basements, where other phones may completely lose connectivity, POVA can still work. In a way, it is like talking to each other on a walkie-talkie.

How central will AI be to POVA's devices and overall product strategy going forward?

Arijeet Talapatra:

With POVA, we have understood our consumers, particularly Gen Z and Gen Alpha. They are simple people, but they want AI that understands them and can work with them, including across multiple languages. 

If I am in a meeting, I can get the complete minutes of the meeting afterwards. Then my assistant can ask what changes I need. I can say that I want a pie chart, graphs, and more details, and it can create all of that. If my recording is happening in multiple languages, there can be live translation as well.

[box-highlights] POVA will deliver AI that understands Gen Z and Gen Alpha, and works with them in multiple languages.[/box-highlights]

With so many languages within the country, and with people travelling abroad so frequently today, a phone is no longer just a communication device. It is a partner. It is almost a 2.0 version of you. That is what POVA is all about.

What can consumers expect from POVA over the next few months?

Arijeet Talapatra:

First, I would like to thank customers for the love they are giving POVA. That has led the entire TECNO ecosystem to create a dedicated small team working only for POVA. This includes R&D, marketing, go-to-market, and product design. Our concept is to give customers something different and new, whether in design, network, or AI.

[box-highlights] Our concept is to give customers something different and new, whether in design, network, or AI. [/box-highlights]

Whatever the consumer is looking for tomorrow, POVA will have it, and POVA will look completely different from what others are offering. That is why, in our flagship store, which we are launching shortly, you will get a lot of things that we are going to launch in POVA very soon. The idea is that until Gen Z, Gen Alpha, and the youth see the products and relate to them, whether it is the distinctive design, vibrant colours, the camera module, or the features, it will not have the desired impact.

[box-highlights]The store will serve as a showcase for POVA's products, allowing consumers to experience and potentially purchase them. [/box-highlights]

We are evaluating quite a few locations, but we want the flagship store to be somewhere with a very strong youth population. We don't want it in the top four or five metros, but surely in one of the top 20 cities in the country.

Is POVA also planning to build an ecosystem of its own?

Arijeet Talapatra:

With TECNO, we have already launched a lot of things, including laptops, accessories, gadgets, smart glasses, and other products.

With POVA, we are still evaluating various segments, and we will surely surprise you soon. However, since our R&D team is deeply involved in this, I don't want to get into the details and spoil the surprise. We will come very soon with more.

What are POVA's plans for the upcoming festive season?

Arijeet Talapatra:

The festival season is coming, but you know how mobile phone prices are increasing because of the memory price hike. With the price increase, consumers understand that there is a price hike, but it is not necessarily a problem. Consumers in India have money, and there are companies providing affordability through good offers.

The main question for consumers is what the differentiation is, and POVA is working on that differentiation. Primarily, we completely focus on our offline channel partners, our retailers, and our army in the field. We have a big team and a big service network. For all the retailers, we have a big festival scheme. For consumers, we have a lot of offers along with POVA.

So, whether it is retailers, consumers, or our partners who work with us, we are completely geared up for the festival season. There will be a lot of visibility of POVA around Durga Puja, Navratri, and Diwali.

How long do you expect smartphone prices to continue rising due to the shortage of RAM and storage?

Arijeet Talapatra:

Everybody is asking this, but nobody has the answer. The latest information I have is that throughout 2027, we will continue to see price increases because all the AI companies have booked the entire memory stock. I think we could see some relief after the first half of 2028, but we can only know that around the end of 2027, not before then.

So the price will increase, but the key is what differentiation you are offering the consumer alongside that price increase. If you are giving a consumer an offering, the consumer should feel that it is value for money even at a higher price. They should feel that they got a great deal and have something in their hands that others don't.

[box-highlights]We could only see a relief from smartphone price hike post-H1 2028. [/box-highlights]

Otherwise, they will feel that they are paying Rs 10,000 more but have no differentiation. That makes the consumer very jittery and unhappy.

Motorola Android 17 update release date

Unlike other brands, Motorola generally doesn't host a dedicated launch event for its major software releases. However, it confirmed that its current-generation flagship, the Motorola Signature, began receiving the Android 17 update on August 25th and revealed the features and changes packed into the firmware. As usual, the update is based on Motorola's proprietary skin, Hello UI.

Even before the rollout announcement, Motorola invited users to its MFN (Motorola Feedback Network) Beta Testing programme, which allowed owners of eligible Motorola smartphones to get early access to the Android 17 build and send feedback on improvements, issues, and bugs directly to the company. This programme was open to multiple devices under the Edge 60 series, Edge 70 series, and newer G-series smartphones.

You can find the list of Motorola smartphones eligible for MFN Beta Testing on Motorola's official forum website.

Eligible Motorola Android 17 devices

An official blog post from Motorola on the Lenovo forum has listed various devices eligible for the Android 17 update, which you can find below:

Motorola Razr series and Signature

• Motorola Signature
• Motorola Razr 70 Ultra
• Motorola Razr 70 Plus
• Motorola Razr 70
• Motorola Razr Ultra 2026
• Motorola Razr+ 2026
• Motorola Razr 2026
• Motorola Razr Fold 2026
• Motorola Razr Fold 2025
• Motorola Razr 60 Ultra
• Motorola Razr 60s
• Motorola Razr 60d
• Motorola Razr 60
• Motorola Razr Ultra 2025
• Motorola Razr+ 2025
• Motorola Razr 2025
• Motorola Razr 50 Ultra
• Motorola Razr+ 2024

Motorola Edge series

• Motorola Edge 2026
• Motorola Edge 70 Pro+
• Motorola Edge 70 Pro
• Motorola Edge 70 Max
• Motorola Edge 70 Neo
• Motorola Edge 70 Plus
• Motorola Edge 70 Fusion+
• Motorola Edge 70 Fusion
• Motorola Edge 70
• Motorola Edge 2025
• Motorola Edge 60 Stylus
• Motorola Edge 60 Pro
• Motorola Edge 60 Fusion
• Motorola Edge 60
• Motorola Edge 50 Ultra
• Motorola Edge 60

Motorola G series

• Moto G Stylus 2026
• Moto G Power 2026
• Moto G Play 2026
• Moto G 2026
• Moto G 2025
• Moto G Power 2025
• Moto G Stylus 2025
• Moto G Max
• Moto G87
• Moto G86
• Moto G86 Power
• Moto G77
• Moto G77 Power
• Moto G67
• Moto G57
• Moto G57 Power
• Moto G47
• Moto G37
• Moto G37 Power

Moto Android 17 update rollout schedule

At this point in time, Motorola hasn't released a rollout schedule for its Android 17 update. However, as with previous major releases such as Android 15 and Android 16, the brand starts rolling out the firmware once MFN Beta Testing for an eligible device is successfully completed.

Motorola phones that have received stable Android 17 update

• Motorola Signature

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Moto Android 17 update key features and improvements

Per Motorola and our findings after using the firmware on Motorola Signature, the Android 17 update brings the following key features and improvements:

Updated Quick Settings panel: The Quick Settings panel gets a visual refresh, matching the design already seen on newer Android 16 Motorola devices such as the Moto Edge 70 Max and Moto G77 Power. This updated layout will now expand to all eligible Motorola phones running Android 17.

Refreshed Settings experience: The Settings app features larger, more prominent buttons and smoother navigation for a cleaner, more intuitive feel. Display settings also gain expanded HDR brightness options for finer control.

Changes to Live Updates: On Android 16, Motorola phones feature a small pill on the left-hand side of the status bar to display live activities from apps like Maps, Music, Clock, etc. On Android 17, just like OPPO's ColorOS 16 and Vivo's OriginOS 6, the pill moves to the centre and adds support for more apps and use cases, such as food order tracking from Zomato and Swiggy.

Deeper personalisation options: Homescreen customisation receives several upgrades, including new widgets and system-wide themed icons that now apply to every app. Enlarged folders make a return as well, echoing similar designs found in ColorOS, One UI, OriginOS, and other platforms.

Streamlined accessibility tools: Core Android 17 refinements bring clearer, more organised controls for Vision settings, Display Size, and Magnification, making these features easier to find and adjust.

Smoother connectivity features: Sharing a mobile connection through Instant Hotspot becomes more straightforward, while Nearby Audio Streams improve the overall experience when using connected devices.

New Device Diagnostics section: A dedicated Device Diagnostics menu has been added, giving users a convenient place to check hardware component health and view related diagnostic details.

Cross-platform file sharing with iPhones: With Google's native Quick Share support, Motorola phones on Android 17 can now send and receive files with iPhone users, as long as AirDrop is turned on on the iOS device.

Stronger security and privacy controls: New protections include a Failed Authentication Lock, along with refinements to PIN security and additional privacy and security options.

Smarter notification handling: Notification summaries and better organisation tools help users manage alerts more efficiently, while sensitive notifications receive extra lock-screen protection.

Improved scam detection in Messages: Google Messages now includes enhanced security that proactively scans for potentially suspicious or fraudulent messages.

Smarter photo sharing suggestions: In partnership with Google Photos, the phone can now suggest sharing only the relevant photos of the person you're messaging in Google Messages.

Based on our experience with the Android 17 build on Moto Signature, the upgrade brings some much-needed improvements on the customisation front, such as icon colour theming, which now applies the same shade to all applications on the smartphone. The upgraded Live Updates pill is a nifty addition for viewing app information in real time, while improved security in the Messages app and better privacy controls can go a long way toward keeping users safe from attempts to extract their data.

How to install Android 17 update on eligible Motorola phones

Whenever the Android 17 update is available for an eligible Motorola smartphone, it'll be pushed out over the air. However, in case you feel the need to manually check for the latest firmware, here's how to do it:

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your Motorola phone

Step 2: Scroll down and select 'System updates'

Step 3: Now tap 'Check for updates'

Step 4: The system will try to manually fetch the Android 17 update, if available

Step 5: Once the update shows up, proceed to download and install it

FAQs

Can I roll back from Motorola's Android 17 to Android 16 update?

No, you generally cannot officially roll back from Motorola's Android 17 to Android 16 using any official method. Like several manufacturers, Motorola does not support downgrading major Android versions once an update is installed. Official support pages also state that you cannot go back to a previous software version after installing an update. 

Which core Android 17 features are included on Motorola phones?

Some of the core Android 17 features Motorola has included are Live Updates in the status bar to track live activities from supported apps, such as food and order delivery apps, expanded dark theme support, HDR brightness control, and Enhanced Quick Share to transfer media directly to iPhones.

Does the Android 17 update improve battery life or performance?

Results vary by device. Many users on Android 17's MFN testing programme report smoother animations and better multitasking, but some early adopters note temporary battery or heat changes that usually improve with subsequent patches. A factory reset after updating can sometimes help if issues persist.

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and Tab S12+ feature 14.6-inch and 12.6-inch 120Hz AMOLED displays, respectively.
• Both tablets use the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset, run Android 17-based One UI 9 and support up to seven generations of OS upgrades.
• The series goes on sale in select markets from October 7th, with Indian pricing and availability yet to be announced.

[/highlights]

Samsung has launched the Galaxy Tab S12 series, comprising the Tab S12 Ultra and Tab S12+, with a newer processor, expanded Galaxy AI features and updated software. Both tablets come with an S Pen and target users who need a large screen for work, studying and creative tasks. The launch follows the Galaxy Tab S11 series, which was launched at Rs 74,999 in India and offered a 14.6-inch display on the Ultra model.

Specifications

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra features a 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, while the Tab S12+ has a 12.6-inch panel. Both support a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 1,600 nits peak brightness. The tablets use MediaTek's 3nm Dimensity 9500 chipset. Samsung claims up to 19 percent faster CPU performance, 17 percent better GPU performance and 61 percent faster NPU processing compared with the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra.

The Ultra packs an 11,600mAh battery, while the Plus gets a 10,600mAh unit. Samsung claims up to 23 hours of battery life on the Ultra and 21 hours on the Plus. Both support 45W charging, IP68-rated water and dust resistance, quad speakers and microSD expansion up to 2TB.

The tablets run Android 17-based One UI 9 and include Galaxy AI features such as note summaries, three-way split-screen multitasking and Gemini integration. Adobe Photoshop comes preloaded, with S Pen support for image editing and design work.

Compared with the Tab S11 Ultra, the S12 Ultra retains the same 14.6-inch display, 11,600mAh battery and 45W charging. The main changes are the newer chipset, updated software and expanded AI tools. The Tab S12+ also has a larger 12.6-inch display than the standard Tab S11's 11-inch panel, giving users more room for multitasking.

India availability

Samsung hasn't announced Indian pricing or availability for the Galaxy Tab S12 series. The Tab S12 Ultra with 256GB storage has appeared on Samsung's official India website, indicating an imminent launch.

The Galaxy Tab S11 started at Rs 74,999 for the Wi-Fi model with 128GB storage, while the Tab S11 Ultra Wi-Fi variant with 256GB storage launched at Rs 1,24,999. The Ultra's 512GB Wi-Fi model was priced at Rs 1,41,999, with the 512GB 5G version costing Rs 1,55,999. These prices offer a reference for the S12 series, although its final Indian pricing remains unknown.

The Tab S12 Ultra is aimed at users who need a large workspace for creative work and multitasking, while the S12+ offers a smaller alternative. The series brings together flagship processing power, large 120Hz AMOLED displays and expanded Galaxy AI features for users who want a versatile device for work and creativity. The Tab S12 Ultra's 14.6-inch screen and bundled S Pen make it suited to demanding multitasking and creative workflows, while the Tab S12+ offers a more compact alternative with a 12.6-inch display. With Adobe Photoshop preloaded and support for up to seven generations of OS upgrades, Samsung is also strengthening the tablets' appeal to creative professionals and users looking for long-term software support. Indian pricing will determine how the two models compare with premium alternatives such as Apple's iPad Pro range.

• Noise has launched its first home audio range with four soundbars.
• The flagship Homestage 5.2.4 offers 700W output and Dolby Atmos.
• Prices start at Rs 4,999 and go up to Rs 24,999.

[/highlights]

Noise has entered the home audio market with Noise Homestage, its first range of soundbars for users who want better TV and OTT audio without adding too much clutter to the living room. The lineup includes entry-level options as well as the flagship Homestage 5.2.4, a 700W Dolby Atmos system which targets users looking for a more cinematic experience at home.

Noise Homestage products: pricing

Noise Homestage products key features 

The top-end Noise Homestage 5.2.4 is for users who want a more immersive home theatre setup without filling the room with cables and extra boxes. It uses five main channels, two subwoofers and four up-firing channels to create a wider soundstage.

The 700W output and dual 6.5-inch subwoofers help focus on louder sound and stronger bass. The four up-firing channels send sound towards the ceiling and back to the listener, which should make movies and shows feel more immersive when they support Dolby Atmos.

Noise also includes two wireless rear speakers, so users can place them behind the seating area without running long cables across the room. A single HDMI eARC connection handles high-quality audio from a compatible TV, while Bluetooth 5.3 lets users connect their phones for music and podcasts.

The soundbar also supports Optical, USB and AUX inputs. Users can adjust the bass and treble across 12 levels, which gives them more control over how the system sounds in their room. The Homestage 5.2.4 comes in Black and Silver with a matte metallic finish.

Noise has also introduced simpler options for users who do not need a full surround setup. The Homestage 2.1 offers 90W output with a dedicated subwoofer, while the Homestage 3.2 delivers 200W. The Homestage 5.1 sits higher in the range with 500W output, Dolby Atmos and wired rear speakers.

Should you buy Noise Homestage products?

Noise Homestage is the brand's first move into home audio, so there is still no clear idea of how these soundbars will perform in real-world use. The Homestage 2.1 starts at Rs 4,999, while the flagship Homestage 5.2.4 costs Rs 24,999.

For users on a tight budget, the range could offer an easy way to upgrade TV audio. The 2.1 and 3.2 models suit smaller rooms and basic needs, while the 5.1 and 5.2.4 are for users who want a more immersive setup with Dolby Atmos.

The main question is whether the sound quality can match established options in these price ranges. Since this is Noise's first home audio lineup, buyers may want to wait for reviews before spending on the higher-end models. The more affordable options carry less risk, especially for users who simply want better sound than their TV can provide.

• The OPPO Find X10 global version has appeared on Geekbench with the MediaTek Dimensity 9600M chipset and 12GB RAM.
• OPPO's UK store has opened a teaser page offering launch discounts and a free Hasselblad teleconverter kit to eligible customers.
• The Find X10 series could launch globally in late October, with an India debut reportedly expected before Diwali.

[/highlights]

OPPO is set to bring its latest flagship smartphones to more markets after launching the Find X10 series in China. The global version of the standard Find X10 has now appeared on Geekbench, while the company's UK store has started teasing its international arrival. The listing offers an early look at the hardware expected to power the global model, with the phone also bringing substantial camera and battery upgrades over its predecessor.

Global OPPO Find X10 Geekbench listing

Tipster Abhishek Yadav spotted the global OPPO Find X10, carrying model number CPH2911, on Geekbench 7.1. The phone scored 2,528 points in the single-core test and 8,709 points in the multi-core test.

The listing identifies the MediaTek Dimensity 9600M chipset through the MT6993 identifier and mentions a Mali G1 Ultra MC12 GPU. This is the same processor used in the Chinese variant and even the Vivo X500, suggesting that OPPO is retaining the core processing hardware for international buyers. The listing also shows 12GB of RAM, compared with up to 16GB on the Chinese model. The processor is essentially the same Dimensity 9500 from last earlier, which OPPO may be rehashing to keep costs in check, but by no means is it an inferior chipset.

The scores offer an early performance reference, but real-world performance will depend on software optimisation, thermal management and the final retail software. They should not be treated as a direct measure of how the phone compares with rivals without results from comparable tests.

Specifications and availability

The Chinese OPPO Find X10 features a 6.59-inch FHD+ display with a 144Hz refresh rate and up to 2,000 nits peak brightness. Its triple rear camera setup includes a 200MP primary sensor, a 50MP ultrawide camera and a 200MP periscope telephoto camera with 2.8x optical zoom. By comparison, the Find X9 featured two 50MP cameras for its main and telephoto photography, making the higher-resolution sensors a notable hardware change. Actual image quality will still depend on processing and optics.

OPPO's UK store has opened a Coming Soon page for the Find X10 series. Customers can reportedly pay a GBP 49 deposit to receive up to GBP 200 off at launch, along with a free Hasselblad teleconverter kit when preorders open. OPPO hasn't confirmed the international launch date. Reports point to a global event in late October, with an India launch expected before Diwali in early November.

The dual 200MP cameras could appeal to users who frequently photograph distant subjects, travel scenes or crop images after shooting, as the high resolution can preserve more detail when lighting and processing conditions are favourable. The 144Hz display should make scrolling and supported games feel smoother than on a 120Hz panel, although the difference may be less noticeable during everyday use. Combined with the 8,000mAh battery, these features appear aimed at photography enthusiasts, mobile gamers and power users who want a flagship phone that can handle demanding use without frequent charging. Buyers considering the Find X10 should wait for local pricing and availability before comparing it with rivals such as the Samsung Galaxy S series and Xiaomi's flagship range. Its appeal in India will depend on pricing against Samsung and Xiaomi flagships, particularly whether the camera upgrades justify any premium over the Find X9.

Bridging the price gap

Adoption of Qualcomm's flagship Snapdragon X-series platforms in growth regions like India could be facing a price-related barrier. Most Indian buyers look for laptops priced around Rs 50,000, yet first-wave Snapdragon laptops landed in premium territory starting above Rs 65,000 to Rs 80,000+.

To address the gap, Qualcomm is introducing lower-tier Snapdragon platforms (such as Snapdragon C) designed to give laptop manufacturers the flexibility to build more affordable machines without sacrificing the core proposition. This expansion arrives during a time which isn't great for hardware, politely put. Global memory prices have jumped recently, along with storage costs. As OEMs play with display and memory configurations to balance their bill of materials, Qualcomm's leaner silicon platforms aim to help manufacturers bring prices down to more affordable levels without compromising the user experience.

To help buyers understand what makes these machines different, Qualcomm is setting up dedicated Snapdragon display tables across more than 100 Croma retail locations in India, demonstrating real-time cross-device handoffs between phones, laptops, and wearables.

Googlebooks and the familiarity of Android

One of the pillars of Qualcomm's expanding ecosystem is its work with Google on Googlebooks, a new category of laptops built around Gemini Intelligence and native Android app integration.


Qualcomm feels that given Android's deep dominance in regions like India, the familiar Play Store library, native apps, and phone-to-PC sync straight to a desktop environment help remove a massive barrier to entry.

Seamless Continuity: Through Google features like Cast my Apps and Rambler, users can start a task on a phone and pick it up on a Googlebook without breaking their flow. 

Intelligent Coordination: Gemini acts as an ambient overlay, surfacing contextual details from emails, calendars, and active screens across connected devices. 

Unplugged Endurance: Benchmarks show Snapdragon-powered Googlebooks, (such as offerings from HP and Dell) reaching 16 to 19 hours of real-world battery life, maintaining a big advantage over competing platforms. 


Beyond Windows and Googlebooks, Kedar also confirmed official Linux support starting with the Snapdragon X2 platform, opening the door for open-source developer communities.

Enterprise deployment

Qualcomm is applying the same approach to corporate IT. While enterprise managers historically worried about legacy app translation and security on non-x86 hardware, Kedar insists these concerns are a thing of the past.

Snapdragon PCs have already been deployed across more than 70 major global enterprises, with large-scale rollouts actively underway. Kedar stressed that compatibility concerns are no longer a roadblock.

The distributed future of AI

Looking toward the Agentic Age, Qualcomm's strategy hinges on the belief that artificial intelligence shouldn't be trapped inside a single gadget. Kedar mapped out a future where smartphones, laptops, smart glasses, and earbuds work as a unified system, delegating AI workloads based on thermal limits, battery status, and computing power. A quick voice prompt might begin on a smartwatch or phone, but if a task demands deep reasoning, it hands off smoothly to a Snapdragon laptop or the cloud.

When asked about autonomous AI agents taking actions on behalf of users, Kedar pointed to explicit, user-defined boundaries. "We already know how to set boundary conditions in our daily lives, like scanning a QR code for payment and confirming the exact amount. Autonomous agents work in a similar way. Users get to set the boundaries for whatever task an agent performs."

With Agentic AI being the central thread at Snapdragon Summit 2026, one of the takeaways for me is how Qualcomm's strategy weaves the narrative across different device categories and platforms. Specifically for the compute segment though, if Qualcomm can help move prices south, it might work out to be win-win for both the brand as well as consumers. Personally, I can't wait to try out the Googlebook.

Disclosure: This writer attended Snapdragon Summit on Qualcomm India's invitation

• Vivo S2 FE India launch is set for October 6th.
• It's the second phone in the lineup after the Vivo S2.
• Vivo S2 FE is tipped to house a 10,000mAh battery. 

[/highlights]

Vivo S2 FE is set to launch in India on October 6th, alongside the Vivo V80. As the name suggests, this smartphone will be the 'Fan Edition' of the Vivo S2, which launched in India last month. Vivo S2 FE is teased to offer Vivo's largest battery, a sleek youth-centric design, distinctive aesthetics, and an immersive display. The company has yet to reveal the specifications, but key details, including its possible pricing, have been leaked. 

Vivo S2 FE specs, India pricing leaked

According to tipster Yogesh Brar, the Vivo S2 FE will launch with a 6.7-inch display and house a 7,000mAh+ battery. Leaks suggest the Vivo S2 FE will house a 10,000mAh battery, which would be the largest on a Vivo phone yet. The smartphone is also expected to feature a 50MP primary camera and a 2MP secondary sensor at the back. On the software front, it will run OriginOS 6 out of the box and also feature IP68 and IP69 ratings for dust and water resistance. 

The tipster adds that the Vivo S2 FE will be priced between Rs 30,000 and Rs 40,000 in India. This would make it more affordable than the Vivo S2, which starts at Rs 42,999. This pricing aligns with a recent leak of the Vivo S2 FE's box price, claimed to be Rs 39,999. The launch price is usually lower than the box price.

Earlier leaks suggest the Vivo S2 FE will launch with the MediaTek Dimensity 7300e chipset and a reported 3,800 sq mm VC cooling system. The smartphone is also tipped to feature a 32MP selfie camera. 

If the Vivo S2 FE does launch with a 10,000mAh battery, it would be one of the few devices in the segment with this big a battery. It would also give the Realme P4 direct competition, which comes with a 10,001mAh battery and is priced under Rs 40,000. So, if you're considering a phone for its large battery and an overall balanced package, the Vivo S2 FE could be worth waiting for. 

• Fitbit Air will be available for purchase from October 2nd. 
• It comes in four colours and three band styles. 
• Fitbit Air offers a screenless design. 

[/highlights]

Google's much-awaited screenless fitness band, the Fitbit Air, is finally here in India. Fitbit has long been associated with fitness bands and smartwatches featuring touchscreens. The Fitbit Air marks a notable shift with its screenless design, catering to users who simply want to track their health without being interrupted by any distractions. 

Google Fitbit Air price in India, availability

Google has launched the Fitbit Air at Rs 13,999, and it will be available to purchase starting October 2nd through the Google Store, Flipkart, Croma, Reliance Digital, Vijay Sales, and others across India. Buyers can get a cashback of Rs 1,000 on full swipe or with six-month no-cost EMI on select HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank cards. No-cost EMI options of up to 12 months are also available on consumer loans. 

Fitbit Air can be purchased in Obsidian, Berry, Lavender and Fog colours. Google is also launching three band styles for the Fitbit Air. These include the Performance Loop Band, which comes with the device; the Active Band, featuring a sweatproof silicone material for workouts; and the Elevated Modern Band, meant for style-focused users. 

Google is also offering a three-month trial of Google Health Premium on purchasing the Fitbit Air, which gives you full access to the Google Health Coach experience.

Google Fitbit Air specifications and features

The Fitbit Air's design makes it look like a normal band on your wrist, but it actually works as any fitness band would, without the screen. It comes with support for continuous heart rate tracking, resting heart rate, heart rate variability, irregular heart rhythm (Afib) notifications, detailed sleep analysis, blood oxygen (SpO2) tracking, and automatic activity detection.

You can track your daily activity and health reports with Google Health Coach, which also turns your data into more personalised, actionable guidance. You can also use your phone's camera to capture gym equipment and workout routines for easier activity logging. The tracker is said to offer up to seven days of battery life on a single charge. It also supports fast charging, which is said to provide up to a full day of battery life in just five minutes.

Fitbit Air is designed for users who want distraction-free workouts or simply prefer the minimalist design. This could be the perfect antidote to smartwatch fatigue for a specific segment. It's also more affordable compared to other popular fitness bands like Whoop, which start around Rs 21,000 and go up to Rs 46,000 and more in India. The Fitbit Air could be a compelling upgrade if you're looking for a Whoop alternative, but not if you rely on a smartwatch screen for notifications and apps.

• iQOO Pad Ultra features a compact design.
• It features iQOO's self-developed Q4 gaming chip.
• The tablet also comes with dedicated gaming features.

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The iQOO Pad Ultra is now official in China as the company's latest flagship tablet. It comes in a compact form factor but boasts flagship hardware with dedicated gaming features. The iQOO Pad Ultra comes with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 SoC, an in-house Q4 gaming chip,  a large active cooling fan, and gaming controls. This tablet launch aligns with iQOO's established reputation as a performance-focused brand, extending its gaming prowess from smartphones to the tablet segment to capture a niche market of mobile gamers seeking a dedicated device.

iQOO Pad Ultra pricing and availability

The iQOO Pad Ultra starts at CNY 6,499 (approx. Rs 92,900) in China for the base variant with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. The smartphone comes in three more variants with up to 16GB RAM and 1TB storage. It will go on sale from October 5th onwards in Black and Silver colours. 

iQOO Pad Ultra specifications

The iQOO Pad Ultra features an 8.8-inch 2K AMOLED display with a 165Hz refresh rate, up to 4,500 nits of local peak brightness, and a touch sampling rate of up to 500Hz. The compact display size makes it a good choice for gaming, thanks to its convenient form factor, as larger tablets are difficult to hold. The tablet is powered by the 2nm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6, the latest flagship chipset from Qualcomm. This means you're going to get peak performance from the iQOO Pad Ultra, making it one of the fastest flagship tablets. 

The tablet comes with iQOO's self-developed Q4 gaming chip for improved frame rates and graphics. It also has a heat dissipation area of 23,253mm sq with dual air intakes and three fan speed levels. This should help with controlling heat while gaming for long durations. The tablet is also equipped with a Q-flex system with a 500Hz sampling rate, dual X-axis linear motors and 4D vibration. Overall, the setup should make for an enhanced gaming experience. 

The iQOO Pad Ultra packs a 9,020mAh battery with 66W wired charging support. It has a quad-speaker setup with Super Audio 8.0, an 8MP front camera, and a 13MP rear camera. On the software front, the tablet runs OriginOS 7 HD out of the box. It comes with features such as a Game Space hub with support for mobile, cloud, and PC gaming. It also features a built-in PC game emulator with support for Steam so you can run compatible PC titles locally. 

With the Pad Ultra, iQOO is offering a compact flagship tablet with dedicated focus on gaming. It's highly recommended for users who want to play graphic-intensive titles on a tablet. The tablet is also likely to appeal power users since it comes with flagship hardware. The compact form factor also makes it a good alternative for those who want a tablet for studying or reading. So, if you're looking for the latest flagship Android tablet for gaming, you can go ahead and buy the iQOO Pad Ultra.

• Smartphone prices in India rose 16 percent on average in H1 2026, with phones under Rs 10,000 seeing the sharpest increases.
• OnePlus limited its average price hike to 8 percent, half the industry average, while shipments grew 49% quarter-on-quarter in Q2 2026.
• Counterpoint expects OnePlus shipments to grow 5 percent year-on-year in Q3 2026.

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The numbers have confirmed what we knew all along. Buying an affordable smartphone in India has become more expensive this year. Phones priced below Rs 10,000 have faced the sharpest price increases, while shipments in the segment fell 65 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2026, as per a report by Counterpoint Research. Amidst these pressures, OnePlus has kept its average price hikes lower than the industry average, potentially helping it remain competitive as buyers become more conscious of what they spend.

Budget smartphones hit hardest

Smartphone prices in India increased by 16 percent on average in H1 2026, according to Counterpoint. The rise comes as manufacturers grapple with higher DRAM and NAND memory costs, driven partly by demand from AI data centres, alongside a weaker rupee that has made imported components more expensive. India's average smartphone selling price reached a record USD 318 (around Rs 30,500) in Q2 2026, compared to USD 294 (around Rs 24,500 at that time) in 2024.

The impact has been uneven. The sub-Rs 10,000 segment recorded the steepest average price increases, while shipments fell 65 percent year-on-year. The Rs 10,000 - Rs 15,000 segment also saw shipments decline by 20 percent. Meanwhile, phones priced above Rs 20,000 continued to grow, supported by higher launch prices, trade-in offers and no-cost EMI schemes.

OnePlus raised smartphone prices by 8 percent on average in H1 2026, compared with the industry's 16 percent, Counterpoint said. Its steepest individual price increase was 12 percent, while the highest increase recorded among other brands reached 113 percent. Counterpoint attributes the smaller hikes partly to OnePlus securing components earlier, when memory prices were lower, and maintaining a broad portfolio of nine smartphone models priced between roughly Rs 16,999 and Rs 93,999. This gives the company more room to distribute cost pressures across different price segments.

This coincided with stronger shipments. OnePlus shipments grew 49 percent quarter-on-quarter in Q2 2026, and the brand was the top-selling smartphone brand on Amazon Prime Day in the Rs 15,000 - Rs 65,000 segment, according to the company. Counterpoint also ranked it first on online channels in the Rs 30,000 - Rs 45,000 segment.

Counterpoint expects OnePlus shipments to grow 5 percent year-on-year in Q3 2026, while the overall smartphone market is projected to decline by double digits. However, this is a forecast, and sustained growth will depend on demand and how component costs evolve.

OnePlus's relatively smaller price increases make its phones worth comparing with rivals, but that alone doesn't make every model a better deal. Check current street prices, specifications and software support before buying. Those shopping below Rs 15,000 should pay particular attention to older models and ongoing discounts, which may offer a way to avoid paying the full price of newer launches.

• Pixel 11a appears in dark purple, possibly called 'Frost'.
• The smartphone is tipped to feature the new Tensor G6 chipset.
• It's expected to launch early next year. 

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The Pixel 11a will be the final member of Google's flagship lineup and the most affordable model. The smartphone is expected to launch early next year, but a new leak gives us the first look at the Pixel 11a's design, thanks to renders shared by OnLeaks via Android Authority. The Pixel 11a looks much like its predecessor, the Pixel 10a, suggesting there may not be any major design changes. Let's take a look.

Google Pixel 11a design renders leaked 

The leaked renders show the Pixel 11a in a striking dark violet shade, which could become the lineup's signature hero colour. This shade could be called 'Frost'. The Pixel 11a is expected to launch in more colours: black (Obsidian), silver (Fog), and green (Olive/Pistachio). Design-wise, the phone closely resembles the Pixel 10a, retaining a flush rear panel that sits completely flat rather than using the iconic protruding camera bar seen on higher-end models.

The main visual distinction lies around the camera module, which now sports a subtle accent border. This subtle tweak gives the camera housing a more defined, cohesive look compared to its predecessor. Flip it over, and the front looks nearly identical, complete with relatively thick bezels surrounding the display. Standard hardware controls like the power button and volume rocker remain along the right edge.

Google Pixel 11a specifications: what to expect

The Pixel 11a is expected to house the new Tensor G6 chipset, which is also found on the Pixel 11 lineup. The new chipset is said to deliver up to 20 percent better power efficiency, 25 percent faster browsing, and 15 percent faster app loading. It would compete with new flagships running the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 series, and Apple's iPhone 18 Pro lineup too. It's tipped to feature a compact 6.3-inch FHD display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 3,350 nits of peak brightness, slightly higher than Pixel 10a's 3,000-nit maximum brightness.

Google is also expected to equip the Pixel 11a with a new front-facing camera, promising better selfies and improved video call performance. Battery capacity might remain the same, with the typical value rumoured to be 4,870mAh, which could be 5,000mAh or 5,100mAh like the Pixel 10a. 

Based on leaked information, the Pixel 11a looks like it will offer major upgrades in performance and front camera capabilities. If you're on an older model like the Pixel 9a, upgrading to the Pixel 11a might make sense, but Pixel 10a users may likely stick with the same model unless the upgrades are highly significant in real-world use. 

• OPPO F35 Pro's box MRP is tipped at Rs 79,999, with an expected selling price of Rs 44,000 to Rs 50,000.
• The OPPO F35 series is said to feature 8,000mAh batteries, 80W charging and ColorOS 17.
• Earlier reports had suggested the F35 Pro could be based on the OPPO A7 Pro Max.

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OPPO is set to launch the F35 series in India on October 5th, continuing the lineup's focus on selfie photography, video recording and durability. Ahead of the launch, tipster Sanju Choudhary has shared the alleged box prices (MRPs) and key specifications of the OPPO F35 and F35 Pro. The leaked pricing suggests the Pro model could move into a higher price segment than its predecessor, while a large battery and an ultrawide selfie camera are expected to be among the series' main talking points.

OPPO hasn't confirmed the complete specifications, final selling prices or the actual models but has teased the series with selfie photography.

OPPO F35 series price leaked

According to Choudhary, the OPPO F35 Pro's box MRP is Rs 79,999 for the 8GB + 128GB storage variant. Its expected selling price is said to be between Rs 44,000 and Rs 50,000. The standard OPPO F35 is said to carry a box MRP of Rs 67,999 for the 8GB + 128GB storage variant, while its expected selling price is Rs 37,999 for the 6GB + 128GB storage variant. Readers must note that the actual prices are always below the reported box MRPs and should not be confused with official launch prices.

The predecessors, the OPPO F33 and F33 Pro, launched in India at Rs 31,999 and Rs 37,999, respectively. If the F35 Pro arrives at the reported price, it would mark a step up for the series and put it in competition with phones like OnePlus Nord 6, Nothing Phone (4a) Pro, POCO X8 Pro Max and Motorola Edge 70 Pro+.

OPPO F35 series specifications

The latest leak differs from earlier reports about the F35 Pro's hardware. An August report suggested that the phone could be a rebranded version of the OPPO A7 Pro Max, with some changes for India, and could feature a 10,000mAh battery, a Snapdragon 4 Gen 5 chipset and a 6.78-inch 1.5K LTPS OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.

In contrast, Choudhary tips an 8,000mAh battery and a MediaTek Dimensity 7360 Max chipset for the F35 Pro, along with a 50MP + 8MP rear camera setup. The differences could indicate India-specific hardware changes, although OPPO hasn't confirmed this.

The standard F35 is tipped to feature a 6.57-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a MediaTek Dimensity 6360 chipset and 50MP + 2MP rear cameras. Both models are expected to offer 80W charging, IP66, IP68, IP69 and IP69K ratings, and ColorOS 17.

OPPO has confirmed a 50MP ultrawide selfie camera with a 100-degree field of view for the F35 series. The phones will also feature NaturalTone 2.0, which the company says is designed to produce natural-looking skin tones. The Pro model is teased to support 4K video recording from both the front and rear cameras. The F-series has focused on selfie photography since the OPPO F1 arrived in India in 2016, with subsequent models expanding into video and durability features.

An 8,000mAh battery would still give the F35 Pro a substantial capacity, but buyers will also have to consider its chipset, camera performance and charging speeds at the expected price. The Redmi Note 17 Pro Max competes in the segment with a 10,000mAh battery, while the Nord 6 also has a larger battery and a faster chipset.

If the F35 Pro launches above Rs 40,000, its camera features and overall performance will be important points of comparison. Buyers can assess those alongside battery life and software support once OPPO confirms the final specifications and pricing on October 5th.

• Apple Pay is officially live in India, starting with Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards
• Apple says millions of merchants accept it already, including Blinkit, Zomato, Croma, Tata 1mg, and Apple's own stores
• It works across iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch at launch, with Mac support coming later

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Apple Pay has officially launched in India, years after the contactless payment service became available in most other major markets. The service starts with a single banking partner, Axis Bank, and supports Visa and Mastercard credit cards, letting users tap to pay in stores, in apps, and on the web without entering a PIN or OTP at checkout.

How Apple Pay works and who's on board at launch

At launch, only Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards are supported. Customers can add their cards through the latest Axis Bank app or directly in the Wallet app on their iPhone. Once added, in-store payments work the same way they do everywhere else Apple Pay is available: double-click the side or Home button, authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode, and hold the phone or Apple Watch near a contactless reader.

[caption id="attachment_716965" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Setup process for Axis Bank card on Apple Pay[/caption]

Apple says millions of merchants across India will accept Apple Pay from day one, including Apple's own retail stores, Blinkit, Chaayos, Croma, Ixigo, Tata 1mg, Zomato, and several Reliance-owned brands. The company has also worked with payment service providers like Razorpay, PayU, Cashfree, Pine Labs, and Juspay to extend support across their merchant networks, with more merchants expected to be added over time.

Mac support is coming later, though Apple hasn't specified when. The service requires an iPhone XR or later running iOS 18 or newer, or an Apple Watch Series 6 or later paired with a compatible iPhone.

How secure is Apple Pay?

Apple says it doesn't store actual card numbers on the device or Apple's servers, and it doesn't share them with merchants during a transaction. Instead, each card gets a unique, encrypted Device Account Number stored in the device's Secure Element, with Mastercard and Visa's own tokenisation layered on top for their respective networks. Apple also says it doesn't retain transaction details tied back to individual users, and that a lost or stolen device can have its payments suspended through Find My.

"Apple Pay makes everyday payments with a card easy, secure, and private," said Jennifer Bailey, Apple's VP of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet. Axis Bank CEO Amitabh Chaudhry called it a step toward "payment experiences that are progressive, trusted and deeply relevant" to customers, while Mastercard's Gautam Aggarwal and Visa's Suresh Sethi both framed the launch as a milestone for contactless commerce in India, pointing to their respective tokenisation systems as the security backbone behind it.

Can Apple Pay compete with UPI?

Apple Pay took its sweet time to launch in India, but now that it is here, one wonders if it isn't too late. Apple Pay will compete in a market that's overwhelmingly used to UPI, where tap-to-pay convenience was a pain point that QR-code payments solved. While it won't replace QR-code payments in local kirana stores, it will make life easier for iPhone users making larger purchases at shopping malls, restaurants, etc. Without direct UPI or RuPay compatibility, Apple Pay acts as a companion option for high-end consumers rather than a mass-market competitor to UPI.

A single-bank rollout also means most iPhone users in India won't be able to use it on day one unless they specifically hold an Axis Bank credit card, so how quickly Apple brings in more banks, and critically, debit cards and UPI-linked options, will likely matter more to adoption than the launch itself.

• iQOO 16 features a 2K 165Hz Samsung M16 AMOLED display and a dedicated Q4 gaming chip.
• The phone gets an 8,400mAh battery, triple 50MP rear cameras and OriginOS 7 based on Android 17.
• The price starts at CNY 5,999 (around Rs 86,000) in China, but an India launch remains unconfirmed.

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Flagship season continues as Vivo sub-brand iQOO has launched the iQOO 16 in China, bringing several upgrades to its performance-focused flagship lineup. Among the first smartphones to feature Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chipset, the iQOO 16 pairs the processor with iQOO's dedicated Q4 chip. It also introduces a faster display, a larger battery and updated software, while retaining a triple 50MP rear camera setup. Here are the full details of the phone.

iQOO 16 specifications and features

The iQOO 16 features a 6.85-inch Samsung M16 AMOLED display with a 2K resolution and 165Hz refresh rate. iQOO claims it is the world's first smartphone to combine these specifications. Compared with the iQOO 15's 2K 144Hz M14 panel, the higher refresh rate could deliver smoother motion in supported games and while scrolling. The difference may be less noticeable in everyday use, as relatively few games can take full advantage of refresh rates this high.

The Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chipset is paired with LPDDR5X Ultra RAM, UFS 4.1 storage and the Q4 gaming chip. The iQOO 15 used the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and a dedicated Q3 chip. The newer hardware is intended to improve processing and gaming performance, although real-world gains will depend on software optimisation and thermal management. Battery capacity has increased from 7,000mAh on the iQOO 15 to 8,400mAh. Charging speeds remain unchanged at 100W wired and 40W wireless.

For photography, the iQOO 16 has a 50MP main camera with a 1/1.3-inch sensor, a 50MP ultrawide camera and a 50MP periscope telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. The iQOO 15 also featured three 50MP rear cameras, including a 3x periscope telephoto lens. Improvements in image processing and stabilisation will be important in determining whether the new model delivers better results. A 32MP front camera handles selfies.

The phone runs OriginOS 7 based on Android 17. New features include Origin Workbench, which lets users manage up to five active apps in one workspace, alongside AI tools and cross-device connectivity. The iQOO 16 also has IP68 and IP69 ratings and an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner.

Price and India availability

The iQOO 16 starts at CNY 5,999 (around Rs 86,000) for the 12GB + 256GB storage variant. The 12GB + 512GB model costs CNY 6,799 (around Rs 97,000), the 16GB + 512GB variant costs CNY 7,499 (around Rs 1.07 lakh), and the 16GB + 1TB option costs CNY 8,499 (around Rs 1.22 lakh).

The starting price is a massive 43 percent higher than the iQOO 15's CNY 4,199 launch price in China last year. The larger battery, faster display and newer processor provide the context for the increase, but it's the DRAM and NAND crisis that is to blame for the pricing. Buyers will need to weigh the upgrades against the higher cost and competing flagship options.

iQOO hasn't announced an India launch. Its press release doesn't mention plans for the Indian market, unlike the announcement for the iQOO 15. Indian buyers considering an upgrade should weigh alternatives that are confirmed to be available locally rather than waiting for the iQOO 16 without confirmation of its arrival.