• Xiaomi has confirmed that the Xiaomi 18 Pro series will launch in China this month with a rear display.
• The rear screen could support AI-generated content, building on the Dynamic Back Display introduced with the Xiaomi 17 Pro series.
• Xiaomi says last year's rear screen saw more than 4 million daily interactions.

[/highlights]

Xiaomi is keeping its rear display experiment alive for the next generation. The company has officially confirmed that the Xiaomi 18 Pro series will launch in China this month, teasing a rear screen built into the camera module. The teaser shows the word "Generating" on the display, hinting that the new screen could do more than show wallpapers, clocks and shortcuts.

The confirmation comes after the Xiaomi 17 Pro series turned the rear display into one of the more distinctive smartphone features of the year. Xiaomi's latest numbers suggest there is enough user interest for the company to continue developing the idea rather than abandoning it after one generation.

Xiaomi 18 Pro rear screen confirmed

Xiaomi's teaser reveals the rear display will again sit within a horizontal Leica triple-camera module, giving the Xiaomi 18 Pro a look that is broadly similar to its predecessor. Leaks have pointed to thinner bezels around the rear screen, a possible change to the front camera position and a new physical button on the frame.

More importantly, Xiaomi appears to be expanding what the secondary display can do. The "Generating" teaser could point to AI-generated content being created specifically for the rear screen. The Xiaomi 17 Pro already supported features including live wallpapers, interactive tools, notifications, music controls and AI-generated animations. The company says users interacted with app cards on last year's rear display more than 4 million times per day, while more than 3.5 million wallpapers were added every day. That gives the company a reason to keep investing in the feature.

Secondary displays are rare but upcoming in mainstream phones. Nothing uses versions of the Glyph interface on most of its phones for notifications and small interactive features, while Xiaomi's implementation is considerably larger and more capable. Samsung has also reportedly been exploring privacy-related secondary display technology, showing that manufacturers are still looking for ways to make additional screens useful rather than purely decorative. In the more affordable segments, versions like the Infinix Hot 70 Pro's Active Matrix Display are also cropping up with limited functionality. Among Indian OEMs, Lava tried something similar with a secondary screen on the Lava Blaze Duo 3 and more recently, the Lava Virat Curve.

The challenge for Xiaomi is whether this becomes a feature people continue using after the novelty wears off. The Xiaomi 17 Pro showed that a rear screen can do considerably more than the Mi 11 Ultra's short-lived attempt, but wider app support will determine how useful it becomes.

Xiaomi 18 Pro launch timeline and India availability

Xiaomi has confirmed only the China launch for now, with more details expected soon. Specifications, pricing and the full feature set of the rear screen remain unconfirmed. There is also no word on an India launch. The Xiaomi 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max were not brought to India, so buyers here should not assume the Xiaomi 18 Pro will arrive locally either.

For now, the Xiaomi 18 Pro is worth watching rather than waiting for as a confirmed India option. If Xiaomi expands the rear display with genuinely useful AI and app features, it could give the phone a clear identity in a flagship market where most rivals still rely on conventional designs.

• OnePlus N6 Lite will launch in two colour options.
• The handset gets a 120Hz display and rounded edges.
• It will be the third phone in the lineup. 

[/highlights]

OnePlus has officially announced the launch date of its upcoming budget phone, the N6 Lite. It will be the third phone in the series, after the OnePlus N6 and N6x. It's also expected to launch as OnePlus's most affordable phone to date. In addition to announcing the launch date, OnePlus has also revealed key specifications of the N6 Lite. 

OnePlus N6 Lite India launch date

The OnePlus N6 Lite launches in India on September 22nd, which is just a week away. The smartphone will be available through OnePlus.in, the OnePlus Store App, Amazon India OnePlus Experience Stores, and select retail outlets across India. More details like its sale, price, and offers will be revealed on launch day. 

OnePlus N6 Lite specifications

OnePlus N6 Lite is confirmed to house a 7,000mAh battery, which is claimed to deliver up to three days of usage on a single charge. The smartphone is also said to deliver up to 26.8 hours of video playback, 29.9 hours of Google Maps navigation, and 49.7 hours of phone calling. It also comes with reverse charging wired support so you can use it to charge other devices. The battery is engineered to retain over 80 percent health after six years, according to OnePlus. 

OnePlus has also revealed the N6 Lite will feature a 6.75-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It will feature rounded edges, weigh 215g, and measure 8.95 thick, suggesting a lightweight device. The smartphone will be available in Midnight Hype and Neo Green colour options and come with MIL-STD-810H military-grade durability. OnePlus is also promising 36-Month Fluency Protection for the N6 Lite's capabilities across display, durability, and everyday use.

More details include AI Clear Face and AI Eraser features for the N6 Lite. It will most likely launch with OxygenOS 16 out of the box.

The N6 Lite is tipped to launch as the most affordable OnePlus phone yet. If so, it would be even more affordable than the OnePlus N6x, which currently occupies the entry point into OnePlus' budget lineup, starting at Rs 20,999. This could make the OnePlus N6 Lite more appealing, especially for those who want a large-battery phone. 

The OnePlus N6 Lite will most likely target battery-focused users in the budget segment. If you've been wanting to buy a budget OnePlus phone with a large battery, the N6 Lite could be worth waiting for. 

• Googlebook pre-orders will open on September 21 through five major PC brands.
• Googlebook brings Gemini features and deeper Android integration to laptops.
• Early reports suggest premium Googlebooks could feature OLED displays and powerful processors.

[/highlights]

Google is moving closer to the launch of Googlebook, its new category of laptops built around Gemini Intelligence. The company has confirmed that pre-orders will open on September 21, with Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP and Lenovo among the first manufacturers to bring Googlebooks to market.

While Google has now confirmed the pre-order date, it has yet to reveal pricing, the complete hardware lineup or when the first devices will actually ship. Here's what we know so far.

What makes Googlebook different?

Google is positioning Googlebook as a new category of flagship laptops, rather than a direct replacement for Chromebooks. The main difference is how deeply Gemini is integrated into the experience, with the AI designed to understand what users are doing on screen and help them act on it.

One of the main features is Magic Pointer, which lets users point at something on screen and ask Gemini to analyse, compare or create with it without moving content into a separate chatbot. Create My Widget takes a similar approach, allowing users to build personalised desktop widgets by simply describing what they want, including information from services such as Gmail and Calendar.

Googlebook teaser is out 👀

Google is getting ready to bring a new kind of laptop built around Gemini Intelligence.

💻 New Googlebook design
✨ Magic Pointer for instant Gemini access
📱 Deeper Android phone integration
🌈 Signature Glowbar

📅 Pre-orders start September 21 at… pic.twitter.com/0plPUeqiF9

— Abhishek Yadav (@yabhishekhd) September 15, 2026

Google is also putting a big emphasis on Android integration. Cast My Apps lets users open phone apps on the laptop without installing them separately, while Quick Access provides access to files stored on their Android phone. Google says these features require a phone running Android 17 or newer.

Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP and Lenovo will make the first Googlebooks, giving the platform a range of devices rather than a single reference model. Each Googlebook will also feature Google's Glowbar, which serves as a visual identifier for the new platform.

While Google has not revealed the complete hardware specifications yet, Android Police reports that the first devices could feature 16:10 displays, with higher-end models potentially using OLED panels with high refresh rates. The publication also reports that Snapdragon X Elite and Intel processors are among the possible hardware options. These details remain unconfirmed for now.

Google is expected to reveal more at a New York event for the media, which is scheduled ahead of the September 21 pre-order date. That should give us a much clearer idea of the devices, pricing and hardware differences between the first Googlebook models.

Should you wait for Googlebook?

We know a little more about the product now compared to when it was first announced in May. There are, however, still some major questions that remain unanswered, particularly around pricing, hardware configurations and shipping.

For existing Chromebook users, the new platform could offer a step forward if Google's Gemini features prove useful in everyday tasks. Android users also have a clear reason to pay attention because the phone integration could make switching between devices much easier.

The biggest challenge, however, lies in convincing buyers that these AI-first features are worth paying a premium for when Windows laptops and traditional Chromebooks already offer mature experiences. Googlebook has a worthwhile idea behind it, but its success will depend less on how Gemini actually makes everyday laptop tasks easier.

There are also a lot of challenges surrounding the actual hardware itself, with RAM and storage prices staying at highly inflated prices, so if the Googlebook's pricing isn't worthwhile, users would most likely choose to adopt more tested options like a regular Windows machine or Chromebooks at an entry-level segment. 

With pre-orders opening on September 21, we should finally get a much clearer picture of Google's strategy, including pricing and the hardware it believes can define this new category.

• The Dimensity 9600 Pro is MediaTek's first chipset built on a 2nm process.
• Other highlights include dual Prime cores, native INT4 acceleration, and AI processing across the CPU, GPU, ISP, and connectivity.

[/highlights]

MediaTek Dimensity 9600 Pro SoC has officially been launched in China. The latest flagship chipset is the company's first built on TSMC's 2nm process and brings upgrades in performance, AI and power efficiency over the Dimensity 9500. The Dimensity 9600 Pro uses MediaTek's fourth-generation All-Big-Core CPU architecture with a new dual-Prime-Core clocked at up to 4.55Ghz. The chipset also features a new GPU, more advanced image processing capabilities, and deeper AI integration across the platform.

Key specs

• 2nm TSMC process node
• 2x C2 Ultra prime cores (4.55GHz) + 3x C2 Pro performance cores (4.35GHz) + 3x C2 Pro efficiency cores (3.1GHz)
• 12-core Mali G2 Ultra NX GPU
• 34.5MB total system Cache
• up to LPDDR6 RAM and UFS 5.0 storage support
• eNPU 2.0 and 10th-gen NPU 1090
• INT4 acceleration for on-device AI
• 4K 240 fps slow-mo recording

As the first 'Pro' model in MediaTek's flagship SoCs, the chipset brings improvements across the board. You can read all about it in our Dimensity 9600 Pro SoC performance first-look article. To give you an overview, the dual Prime cores on the latest chipset bring roughly an 8 percent improvement over the Dimensity 9500 SoC in terms of clock speed.

The Dimensity 9600 Pro also features a 12-core Mali G2 Ultra NX GPU, with support for hardware-accelerated ray tracing. It also comes with support for the latest LPDDR6 memory and UFS 5 storage for fast data transfer speeds, along with up to 34.5MB of total system cache to improve performance and efficiency.

Additionally, MediaTek's Native AI Architecture integrates AI processing across the CPU, GPU, ISP and connectivity stack, rather than relying solely on the dedicated NPU. The Dimensity 9600 Pro features a dual-NPU setup comprising the eNPU 2.0 and the 10th-generation Super Performance NPU 1090.

The chipset also introduces native INT4 acceleration for on-device AI workloads, which MediaTek claims reduces the memory and computation resources required for AI models such as Agentic AI and GenAI. The new approach is said to bring up to 51 percent faster LLM performance and 40 percent better power efficiency for on-device AI.

The new flagship SoC is designed to improve gaming performance through its upgraded GPU and Neural Graphics Architecture. MediaTek also claims a 24 percent reduction in power consumption compared to the Dimensity 9500. The chipset supports AI-assisted neural upscaling, hardware-accelerated ray tracing and 4K 240fps slow-motion video recording.

MediaTek has not yet announced the first commercial smartphones that will launch with the Dimensity 9600 Pro. The chipset is expected to feature in several flagship devices in the next generation. So if you are looking for a smartphone with next-gen performance, graphics, and AI capabilities, the Dimensity 9600 Pro-powered smartphone is worth waiting for. The phone is expected to land in India as early as later this year.

• Realme has confirmed a September 21st pop-up launch for the Realme 16 Pro Harry Potter Edition in India.
• The company has revealed the phone's Hogwarts-inspired design and a limited-edition gifting box containing Harry Potter-themed collectibles.
• The regular Realme 16 Pro starts at around Rs 44,999 in India.

[/highlights]

Realme has revealed details about the Realme 16 Pro Harry Potter Edition ahead of its September 21st pop-up launch in India. The company has now shown the phone's Hogwarts-inspired design and revealed the contents of a limited-edition gifting box being launched alongside it.

The special edition has been developed with Warner Bros, following last year's Realme 15 Pro Game of Thrones Limited Edition.

Realme 16 Pro Harry Potter Edition design and box

The Realme 16 Pro Harry Potter Edition gets a brown rear panel with a leather-like texture and an Argyle pattern inspired by the Wizard's Chess scene. A Hogwarts crest is placed at the centre, while the Metal Mirror Camera Deco has been designed to resemble the eyes of Hedwig, Harry Potter's owl. The metallic mid-frame carries a laser-engraved "Welcome to Hogwarts" slogan, adding another reference to the franchise.

Realme is also offering a Hogwarts-themed gifting box limited to 5,000 units worldwide. Designed as a 1:1 replica of Harry Potter's trunk, it contains an acceptance letter, train ticket, Hogwarts crest bookmarks, character postcards, a Hogwarts-logo phone case and a phone pin.

Realme 16 Pro specs and price

Realme hasn't announced the price of the Harry Potter Edition. The regular Realme 16 Pro features a 6.78-inch 144Hz AMOLED display, MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Max chipset, 7,000mAh battery with 80W charging, 200MP OIS main camera, 8MP ultrawide camera and 50MP selfie camera.

An earlier leak suggested the Harry Potter Edition could come with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. That configuration of the Realme 16 Pro originally launched in India at Rs 36,999. However, pricing for the series has since increased, with current models starting at around Rs 44,999 and the top-end variant priced at Rs 49,999.

If the Harry Potter Edition carries a significant premium, the standard Realme 16 Pro could make more sense for buyers primarily interested in specifications. The limited edition is instead aimed at Harry Potter fans who are willing to pay for its themed design and collectibles. The launch reflects a wider smartphone industry trend of using entertainment franchises and pop culture collaborations to create limited-edition devices, helping brands differentiate otherwise similar hardware while giving fans a stronger reason to engage with and collect their products.

• Redmi Note 17 Pro Max comes with a massive 10,000mAh battery.
• Both phones are powered by Snapdragon 6 Gen series chipsets.
• The Redmi Note 17 Pro series starts at Rs 36,999 in India. 

[/highlights]

The Redmi Note 17 Pro series is now official in India as the latest phones from the company's popular mid-range lineup. The lineup includes two phones: the Redmi Note 17 Pro Max and Redmi Note 17 Pro. Both phones stand out for battery endurance, with the Note 17 Pro Max offering a 10,000mAh battery. The Redmi Note 17 Pro series also comes with a colour-changing design and a patterned finish. 

Redmi Note 17 Pro series price in India, availability

The Redmi Note 17 Pro starts at Rs 36,999 for the base variant with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. Sale starts on September 17th for the Note 17 Pro, with Redmi offering an instant bank discount of Rs 3,000. The Note 17 Pro Max has a starting price of Rs 49,999 for the 8GB + 256GB variant, and it will be available on September 23rd with an instant bank discount of Rs 5,000.

Before we get into the details, here's a quick look at the Redmi Note 17 Pro series specifications.

Redmi Note 17 Pro series specifications

Both the Redmi Note 17 Pro Max and Redmi Note 17 Pro share a similar set of specifications. Starting with the display, it's a large 6.83-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, up to 3,500 nits peak brightness, and a 3,200Hz touch sampling rate. The chipset is one area where the two phones differ. The Pro Max gets the Snapdragon 6 Gen 5, while the Pro gets the Snapdragon 6s Gen 4. These chipsets seem capable for everyday performance but not for heavy loads, and are actually a downgrade from the Redmi Note 15 Pro+, which uses the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4.

The biggest highlight, however, is the battery. The Redmi Note 17 Pro Max packs a massive 10,000mAh silicon-carbon battery with 100W charging, a significant jump over the 6,500mAh cell on the Note 15 Pro+, which also supports 100W charging. The Pro Max also gets 27W reverse charging, making its battery useful for topping up other devices.

The Redmi Note 17 Pro is no less. It packs a large 9,000mAh battery with 67W wired and 22.5W reverse charging support. This is also a significant upgrade over the Redmi Note 15 Pro's 6,580mAh battery and should result in multi-day usage. 

For photography, you get a 50MP primary sensor and an 8MP ultra-wide lens on the Redmi Note 17 Pro series. The Pro Max houses a 32MP front camera, while the Pro model comes with a 16MP sensor. On the software front, both phones run HyperOS 3 with Android 16 out of the box. Both phones will get 4 OS upgrades and six years of security updates. The handsets also come with IP66/IP68/IP69/IP69K ratings for dust and water resistance. 

With the Redmi Note 17 Pro series, the company appears to be prioritising battery endurance over other key hardware. The handsets could appeal to heavy users and travelers who rely heavily on battery endurance. Overall, the Redmi Note 17 Pro series looks positioned as an endurance-focused upgrade, trading some camera and performance credentials for a much larger battery.

• iPhone 18 Pro orders in India and the US are now showing September 29th to October 6th delivery estimates.
• The iPhone 18 Pro Max has slipped further, with deliveries estimated from October 6th in India and the US.
• Prices start at Rs 1,64,900 for the iPhone 18 Pro and Rs 1,79,900 for the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

[/highlights]

Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max have started seeing longer delivery times just days after pre-orders opened. While customers who ordered early are still expected to receive their phones on September 18th, Apple's online store now shows delivery estimates extending into October in both India and the US.

The delay is more pronounced for the iPhone 18 Pro Max, which could leave new buyers waiting almost a month after the phones officially go on sale. For buyers who want one of Apple's latest Pro models immediately, checking availability through physical stores or other authorised sellers may be worth considering before placing an order with a later delivery date.

iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max delivery dates

On the Apple India Store, the iPhone 18 Pro currently has an estimated delivery window of September 29th to October 6th across its colours and storage variants. The iPhone 18 Pro Max is showing an October 6th to October 11th window. The situation is similar in the US. The iPhone 18 Pro is estimated to arrive between September 29th and October 6th, while the Pro Max is listed for October 6th to October 13th. This means the smaller Pro has a relatively shorter wait, although some orders could still arrive in October.

Both phones are available with 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB storage options. In India, the iPhone 18 Pro starts at Rs 1,64,900, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at Rs 1,79,900. Both models are available in Burgundy, Glacier, Silver and Black.

Should you wait for the iPhone 18 Pro Max?

At these prices, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max sit in the premium flagship segment, competing with high-end models such as the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and Google Pixel 11 Pro XL. Buyers therefore have alternatives, which are incidentally cheaper at least for now, if Apple's extended delivery timelines become a problem.

The Pro Max costs another Rs 15,000 over the Pro, so buyers should also consider whether its larger display and other hardware differences are worth the premium. For those who simply want the latest iPhone Pro experience, the smaller iPhone 18 Pro may make more sense, particularly with its earlier estimated delivery.

However, buyers who specifically want the Pro Max should avoid choosing a configuration purely to get an earlier delivery without checking the final estimate. If the phone is not needed immediately, waiting for stock to stabilise could be the better option rather than paying a premium elsewhere.

• iQOO 16 is confirmed to sport a 2K resolution OLED panel with 165Hz refresh rate.
• iQOO 16 will come in three distinct colourways.
• The phone will be available to purchase right after the launch event.

[/highlights]

With the Vivo X500 series and OPPO Find X10 series' launch dates out, iQOO has now revealed when it will unveil its next flagship, the iQOO 16, in China. Along with the launch date, the brand has officially shared the design and three colourways the smartphone will be available in. Just yesterday, the Vivo sub-brand detailed the display specifics during a dedicated event.

iQOO 16 to debut in China in the last week of September, colour variants revealed

The iQOO 16 China launch is set for September 29th. Interestingly, buyers who want to experience the phone quickly can purchase it immediately after the launch event. While the company has previously teased the iQOO 16's design, it has now revealed all the colourways: Chasing Light with shifting light effects, Legend with a light-shade back panel, and Track, a dark grey shade with a matte finish.

iQOO 16 specifications: what we know so far

Beyond bleeding-edge gaming and performance, the company is placing a lot of emphasis on the iQOO 16's display. It combines a 2K resolution and a 165Hz refresh rate, making it the first smartphone in the world to do so. While the iQOO 15 also sported a 2K panel, that high resolution makes images and text look sharper, while the 165Hz refresh rate lets the phone push higher frame rates in games. Higher refresh rates also let brands market the phone around bigger numbers, which tend to attract attention in an industry with intense competition.

The panel is developed jointly with Samsung Display using Samsung's M16 luminescent OLED material and new 2K LEAD 2.0 technology. The display will support 1,100 nits of manual peak brightness, 2,800 nits of global peak brightness and up to 10,000 nits of local peak brightness. These numbers should keep content bright enough even in challenging situations, such as under direct sunlight.

As for other specifications, the iQOO 16 is likely to be powered by Qualcomm's upcoming flagship Snapdragon chipsets, set to launch on September 22nd during the Snapdragon Summit. One can expect the phone to feature multiple cooling systems, such as a large vapour chamber, to ensure minimal to no thermal throttling when the device is pushed to its limits during gaming.

For cameras, it may deploy triple 50MP rear cameras, including a telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, just like the iQOO 15. It may house an around 8,500mAh battery with up to 100W fast charging. Notably, the iQOO 16 will ship with OriginOS 7 out of the box, which includes multiple design refinements and performance improvements.

While we still don't know the iQOO 16's processor details, history suggests iQOO flagships are tuned to deliver high-end performance across tasks, whether gaming, video editing, or intensive multitasking. So the phone could be a worthy option for power users who're constantly on their phones and need an uninterrupted, smooth experience. Therefore, users can keep the iQOO 16 on their radar if they're seeking an all-round performance device if it launches here in India. Though waiting for full reviews could provide a full picture of how it performs in real life.

• OPPO F35 and F35 Pro are expected to launch in India in October, with six colours across the two models.
• Leaked images suggest the F35 Pro shares its rear design with the OPPO A7 Pro Max, while the F35 resembles the A7 Pro.
• The OPPO F35 Pro is tipped to feature a 10,000mAh battery and could be priced at Rs 40,000-Rs 45,000 in India.

[/highlights]

OPPO is preparing to expand its F-series lineup in India with the F35 and F35 Pro. The company has already confirmed that the F35 series is coming to the country, following a teaser that revealed the series name and 5G connectivity. Now, leaked images shared by Gizmochina provide a look at the designs and colour options of both phones. The images also offer some clues about how closely the upcoming F35 models could be related to OPPO's Chinese A7 Pro series.

OPPO F35 series design leaked

The leaked image shows six colour options in total for the OPPO F35 series. The OPPO F35 Pro is shown in brown, orange and light blue, while the standard F35 appears in pink, silver and purple. OPPO is also using different rear finishes, including a floral-style pattern on the pink model and a wave-like design on the light-blue variants.

The design similarities with the A7 Pro series are noticeable. The OPPO F35 Pro's rear camera module closely resembles the one seen on the A7 Pro Max, with two large cameras on the left, two smaller circular elements and a flash arranged inside a broad, rounded rectangular island. The light-blue F35 Pro also appears to use a similar wave-like rear finish to the A7 Pro Max.

The standard OPPO F35, meanwhile, looks closer to the A7 Pro. Its leaked design features two large circular cameras placed side by side in a horizontal camera bar, along with a third circular element for the flash. The pink F35 also has a floral pattern that resembles the pink A7 Pro shown alongside the leaked F35 images. These similarities lend weight to earlier reports that the F35 series could be based on, or reworked from, the A7 Pro lineup for India.

OPPO F35 series specifications and India launch timeline

OPPO is expected to launch the F35 series in India in October, with India tipped to be the first market to receive the phones. Other markets could follow later. The F35 Pro is reportedly the more ambitious model, with a possible 10,000mAh battery, 6.78-inch 1.5K LTPS OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, Snapdragon 4 Gen 5 chipset and UFS 3.1 storage. A 50MP primary camera and 50MP autofocus front camera have also been tipped, along with IP66, IP68 and IP69K ratings.

The reported Rs 40,000-Rs 45,000 price would be a significant increase over the OPPO F33 Pro's Rs 37,999 launch price. It would also put the F35 Pro against phones such as the Vivo S2 and Motorola Edge 70 Pro. Meanwhile, phones including the POCO X8 Power and Realme P4 Power offer 10,000mAh batteries at lower prices.

For buyers, the F35 Pro will need more than its reported 10,000mAh battery to justify a Rs 40,000-plus price. Its charging speed, camera performance and chipset will be important factors, so waiting for OPPO's official October announcement would be the safer choice.

• Redmi Note 17 Pro series is launching at 12 pm today.
• The lineup will include two phones.
• Redmi is hosting a live event for the launch. 

[/highlights]

The Redmi Note 17 Pro series is scheduled to launch in India today. The lineup will include two phones: Redmi Note 17 Pro and Redmi Note 17 Pro Max. With the upcoming phones, Redmi is focusing on battery endurance. The company has already confirmed a 10,000mAh battery for the Redmi Note 17 Pro series. Both phones are also teased to feature interesting designs with a colour-changing rear panel. 

Redmi Note 17 Pro series India launch: how to watch

The Redmi Note 17 Pro series launch event in India is scheduled to take place at 12 noon today. Redmi is hosting a livestream for the launch event. We've linked the YouTube page below where you can watch the event and catch up on the latest updates. 

https://www.youtube.com/live/L9CWxxqKJbE

The Redmi Note 17 Pro series is confirmed to go on sale via Amazon. It's expected to be available through other platforms like Xiaomi India's online store and retail outlets. 

Redmi Note 17 Pro series: what to expect

The Redmi Note 17 Pro series is confirmed to pack a massive 10,000mAh battery, claimed to last for over four days of usage. This would make the Redmi Note 17 Pro Max one of the best phones for battery life if it lives up to its claim. The Redmi Note 17 Pro series is also expected to compete with rivals from brands like Realme and OnePlus, which are known to offer massive batteries ranging from 9,000mAh to 10,000mAh. For durability, the Redmi Note 17 Pro series is expected to come with IP66/IP68/IP69/IP69K ratings. The handsets will also come with TÜV SÜD 5-star Titan quality certification, which is said to be the first in the industry.

The Redmi Note 17 Pro is confirmed to feature the Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 chipset, while the Note 17 Pro Max will get the Snapdragon 6 Gen 5. Although not tested, these chipsets are expected to deliver reliable everyday performance. 

Both the Redmi Note 17 Pro Max and Redmi Note 17 Pro feature a similar design. The Note 17 Pro Max in particular comes in a ‘Secret Sunrise' colour, which has a photochromic, colour-changing material on the rear design featuring clouds and portraying a sunrise.

The launch is only a few hours away, so we should know more about the devices very soon. The Redmi Note 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max seem aimed at buyers who prioritise battery endurance over everything else. If you're on a Note 15 Pro, this might be a significant upgrade, especially for the battery life. 

• Siri AI has been integrated into iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, and watchOS 27
• iOS 27 introduces a slider to adjust the intensity of Liquid Glass design.
• macOS 27 refines window corner radii for a more cohesive look.

[/highlights]

Apple unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro series and iPhone Duo, along with several other new products, last week in what many consider the company's grandest launch event in years. During the presentation, the company announced that the next iteration of all of its operating systems will start rolling out on September 14th. As promised, iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, and tvOS 27 have started rolling out to eligible devices, letting users finally get a taste of what Apple has to offer across new features, design refinements, performance improvements, and Apple Intelligence.

What's new on Apple's newest operating systems

iOS 27 and iPadOS 27

iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 bring a major upgrade to Siri, making it a more conversational, context-aware AI assistant. It can understand personal data, see what's on your screen, handle multi-step tasks across apps, and maintain ongoing conversations. A dedicated Siri app stores chat history, while new customisation options and a Camera "Siri mode" add further flexibility. Siri AI is an answer to the rising dominance of Google's Gemini across devices.

The update also refines the Liquid Glass design with a transparency slider and sharper visuals, delivers noticeable performance gains (faster app launches, quicker photo loading, and improved AirDrop speeds), and adds powerful Apple Intelligence-powered editing tools in Photos, including Clean Up, Extend, and Spatial Reframing. Safari becomes smarter with automatic tab grouping and webpage update alerts, while AirPods finally receive a long-requested system-wide Custom EQ.

Additional highlights include an improved Image Playground, support for app names in the status bar on iPadOS 27, limited iPhone Handoff for dual-device calling/messaging, and various refinements across Maps, iCloud Shared Albums, Wallet, parental controls, and accessibility.

iPhones eligible for iOS 27

• iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone Air, iPhone 17e
• iPhone 16e, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max
• iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max
• iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max
• iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone SE (2020), iPhone SE (2022)

For a deeper look at the features and the process to download and install iOS 27, refer to our iOS 27 launch story.

macOS 27

macOS 27 Golden Gate, just like iOS 27, brings a significantly more capable Siri AI, now deeply integrated into Spotlight. It offers better personal context awareness, on-screen understanding via Visual Intelligence, multi-turn conversations, and a dedicated Siri app that syncs history across devices. Users can also customise voice pacing and expressiveness.

The update refines window corner radii for a more cohesive look, adds edge-to-edge sidebars, restores colourful sidebar icons, and improves readability. Performance and usability improve through a rebuilt Search/Spotlight system, smoother animations, better ultrawide display support, and snappier overall responsiveness.

Other notable additions include smarter Safari features (automatic topic-based tab grouping and "Notify Me" alerts for webpage changes), advanced Apple Intelligence-powered Photos tools (improved Clean Up, Extend, and Spatial Reframing), natural-language Shortcut and extension creation, enhanced parental controls, and various refinements across accessibility, Calendar, and Continuity features.

watchOS 27

watchOS 27 introduces Siri AI to the Apple Watch, bringing a more capable and conversational assistant powered by Apple Intelligence. It supports personal context, multi-turn conversations, and a dedicated Siri app that syncs history across devices. A new dynamic app grid appears when pressing the Digital Crown, prioritising Siri and suggested apps for quicker access.

Health and fitness see meaningful upgrades, such as Workout Buddy now works without a nearby iPhone, offers new insights on pace, distance and duration progress, and adds Spanish language support. Cycle Tracking gains perimenopause and menopause notifications, while indoor run and walk distance tracking becomes more accurate. Usability improvements include a new single-tap gesture (pinching index finger and thumb) to select Smart Stack widgets one-handed, expanded Smart Stack suggestions (parked car, birthdays, transit cards, etc.), refined Liquid Glass for better readability, improved battery efficiency, faster app launches, and a consolidated Find My experience. A new Siri Modular watch face is also available.

Should you update?

Apple's latest operating system promises major design enhancements for better appearance and legibility, improved performance and stability across iOS, iPad, and macOS, and, finally, upgrades Siri to deliver more contextual results. Given these improvements and additions, it could be worth updating for a smoother, more capable, and more refined software experience.

• Vivo V80 could boast AI Creative Camera, a feature already found on the Vivo X300 FE.
• There's no hint of a Vivo V80 Elite at the moment.
• Vivo V80 is expected to launch in the first week of October.

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Continuing its tradition of releasing V-series smartphones every six months or so, Vivo appears to be preparing to launch the V80 in India. While the phone is tipped to launch in the first week of October, 91mobiles has learned from insider sources the camera features, software, and battery capacity it may have. Also, since Vivo introduced an 'Elite' model with the V70 series, there's no information yet on whether the V80 Elite will follow suit.

Vivo V80 camera modes, AI effects details

Per our source, the Vivo V80 could feature an AI Creative Camera mode with over 30 AI effects. This addition could be similar to the one on the Vivo X300 FE, which debuted with 25 styles, including Sunlight, Glow, Dream, Dune, Underwater, Firework, and more, adapting to the scene and converting it based on the selected theme.

Then there's the Live Sticker Collage feature, which, as the name suggests, may allow users to create a collage using Live Photos and stickers. Both AI Creative Camera mode and Live Sticker Collage could be fun ways to customise your photos with little effort and share them on social media on the go. The AI Diwali Portrait on the Vivo V60 could get an upgrade to deliver better-quality photos.

Lastly, a key highlight of the Vivo V80 could be that it may run on an Android 17-based OriginOS 7 skin out of the box, which is officially debuting in China on September 16th. While there's no word on when the software will make its global debut, Vivo could host a dedicated event to announce the firmware's new features shortly after the China launch. Per official teasers, OriginOS 7 is set to bring Liquid Glass-like design, Atomic Workbench, a Stage Manager-like feature, and several under-the-hood performance improvements.

[caption id="attachment_713802" align="alignnone" width="2922"] OriginOS 7 glass design[/caption]

On the hardware front, the Vivo V80 could boast a 7,200mAh battery, potentially offering a noticeable improvement over the Vivo V70 series' 6,500mAh battery.

How will Vivo position the V80 in the market?

Based on what we know so far, Vivo appears to be sticking to its roots of offering a camera-centric smartphone with multiple software quirks and additions to play around with. The Vivo V80, with its camera effects and software features, could add a fun flair to capturing images, making it suitable for photography hobbyists, creators, and users who want instant ready-made photography results.

The Vivo V70 is currently listed for Rs 59,999 on Vivo's online store. Given the current memory price hikes, the Vivo V80 could be priced higher than its predecessor.

• Prices of the latest iPhones have a drastic difference between India and other countries. 
• The iPhone Duo in the US costs around Rs 1.09 lakh more than in India.
• Retailers fear Indians will purchase the new iPhones abroad, leading to a drop in sales. 

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Apple's latest iPhones launched globally and in India last week to much fanfare. The company also unveiled its first-ever foldable, the iPhone Duo. But beyond the excitement around the new models, it was their pricing that grabbed the most attention. The smartphone industry is already dealing with rising memory costs and price hikes across segments. So, higher prices for Apple's latest iPhones were expected. What caught people off guard, however, was the stark difference between their prices in India and other markets.

Take the iPhone Duo, for instance. It is priced at Rs 2,99,900 in India, nearly Rs 3 lakh, compared with $1,999 in the US, or roughly Rs 1.9 lakh. Apple also raised the prices of older models. The iPhone 17, which launched at Rs 82,999, now costs Rs 99,900, pushing it close to the Rs 1 lakh mark. While prices have gone up in the US as well, the increase is far steeper in India— 20.5 percent compared with 12.5 percent in the US.

The steep pricing of the latest iPhone models is reportedly worrying retailers in India, with the iPhone 18 Pro series and iPhone Duo expected to drive the country's first-ever annual decline in iPhone sales, according to an Economic Times report. Research firms IDC and Counterpoint are forecasting a low-single-digit decline.

Retailers also fear 'affluent Indians' may choose to buy iPhones abroad. The UAE, for instance, offers the iPhone Duo at around Rs 2.2 lakh, with eligible buyers able to claim a VAT refund when leaving the country, bringing the effective price down further.

Usually, new iPhone launches also push down prices of older models, making festive-season sales an ideal time to upgrade. However, that may not be the case this year, as high prices could weigh on both new and older iPhone models amid an already weakening smartphone market in India. It's interesting to see how iPhone sales are affected this time, with the ongoing price hike issue already causing a dent in the smartphone market. 

The iPhone 18 Pro series goes on sale in India on September 18th. The iPhone Duo will be available to pre-order on October 16th and go on sale from October 23rd onwards. 

In a recent Power On newsletter, Gurman made some bold predictions about Apple's part in the foldable market. He says the Duo will "go down as one of the company's historic products, eventually turning foldable phones into the new normal."

Why is it called iPhone Duo in the first place?

Gurman has an answer for a question many people would have had, considering pre-launch rumours suggested the foldable would be called iPhone Ultra. Turns out, Apple wanted to keep a three-letter "Duo" suffix similar to "Air" and "Pro", which would allow room for additional suffixes, which would not have worked had Apple used "Ultra". 

Possible iPhone Duo successors

Given the "Duo" suffix Apple has chosen, Gurman suggests that Apple's foldable pipeline could include the iPhone Duo Max, which could feature a larger display. He wasn't clear whether larger meant taller, like the Galaxy Fold8 Ultra, or larger in width. That said, a book-style foldable seems like the logical next move for Apple if it wants to take on Samsung and Google.

Gurman also predicts a possible iPhone Duo SE or Duo Mini, the former offering stripped-down specs to target a more affordable price point, as the SE series is known for, while the latter suggests a clamshell design.

Foldables are still niche, but Gurman believes the iPhone Duo can make them mainstream in a way other foldables haven't been able to so far. He predicts "the iPhone Duo will help make foldables the market-leading phone form-factor in a decade."

As for future iPhone Duo models, it's too early to talk about specifications at the moment, but Gurman believes the third-gen iPhone Duo will get Face ID and a telephoto camera. These predictions seem plausible, but there's a long way to go before we can see any of this come to light. For now, we have the iPhone Duo to look forward to, which goes on sale in October with a starting price of Rs 2,99,900.

• The Edge 70 Neo is slated to launch in India in the coming months.
• It's expected to feature a compact design.
• The Geekbench listing reveals the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 for the Edge 70 Neo.

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Motorola Edge 70 Neo is confirmed to launch in India in the coming months. While the brand hasn't made a formal announcement, it confirmed the launch in its IFA press release. Ahead of the official reveal, the Motorola Edge 70 Neo has appeared on Geekbench, revealing its chipset details. The Edge 70 Neo will join Motorola's growing lineup and is expected to launch as a compact phone.

Motorola Edge 70 Neo chipset details

The Motorola Edge 70 Neo has appeared on the benchmarking platform Geekbench. Here, the phone's name is mentioned, confirming it is indeed the Edge 70, but do note that these are early scores and not the final ones, as the phone has yet to be made official. The Geekbench listing reveals the Edge 70 Neo is running on a Qualcomm SM7635 octa-core chipset.

The codename and architecture suggest it's the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset. Launched in 2024, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 is designed for mid-range phones with a focus on better gaming, faster AI processing, and longer battery life. This chipset can be found in older devices like the Nothing Phone (3a) and the Vivo T4. 

The Geekbench listing also confirms 6GB of RAM and Android 16 for the Edge 70 Neo. This means that the Edge 70 Neo could launch with 6GB of RAM as the base variant and run Android 16 out of the box. 

Motorola Edge 70 Neo specifications: what to expect

The Edge 70 Neo is expected to feature a 6.3-inch or 6.4-inch 1.5K OLED display with a 120Hz/144Hz refresh rate. It would come in a compact form factor, as seen in the previous Edge Neo models. The smartphone could launch with upgraded cameras. It's tipped to feature a 50MP Sony LYTIA 710 primary camera, a 50MP ultra-wide camera, and a 10MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. For selfies, the Edge 70 Neo could offer a 50MP front camera. The upgrade here would be the ultra-wide camera, from 13MP on the Edge 60 Neo to 50MP. 

The smartphone is also expected to pack a 5,000mAh or larger battery, with support for 68W wired charging and 15W wireless charging. The inclusion of wireless charging does add a premium feature to the mid-range segment. However, the battery capacity might seem underwhelming compared to the newer phones, which offer 7,000mAh and even more. The mid-range segment is also seeing an increased focus on large battery capacities. 

For now, the Motorola Edge 70 Neo is shaping up to be a compact Android smartphone with a strong camera setup. If these are your requirements, then the Edge 70 Neo could be worth waiting for. However, if a large battery or faster chipset is important, then you might want to check out alternatives. 

• iQOO 16 will feature a 2K 165Hz display with Samsung's M16 OLED material and LEAD 2.0 technology.
• The display gets 5,000Hz instantaneous touch sampling and 3,300Hz PWM dimming.
• The new panel brings a higher refresh rate and improved colour and brightness uniformity over iQOO 15.

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iQOO is all set to launch its next flagship smartphone, the iQOO 16, in China later this month. With the launch now just around the corner, a new leak has revealed some key details about the phone's display. The iQOO 16 will feature Samsung's latest M16 OLED panel, along with a 2K resolution. The display is also expected to bring improvements in brightness, power efficiency and touch response. Let's take a detailed look at it below.

iQOO 16: specifications and features

At the Samsung Display × iQOO screen technology event, the company confirmed that the iQOO 16 will feature a 2K 165Hz display, making it the first smartphone to combine the two specifications. The higher 2K resolution will make images and text look sharper, while the 165Hz refresh rate allows the phone to push better framerates in games.

Samsung Display and iQOO jointly developed the panel using Samsung's M16 luminescent material and new 2K LEAD 2.0 technology. iQOO has also added a custom high-refresh-rate IC and a dedicated production line for its flagship phones. You can find the presentation slides translated from Chinese below. 

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iQOO has improved the display's colour performance, with 1.24x P3 gamut coverage allowing it to reproduce a wider range of colours than standard displays. The company has also improved colour uniformity by 39.6 percent and brightness uniformity by 22.3 percent compared with the previous generation. The company also claims a colour accuracy of ±0.001 using its sub-pixel-level colour and brightness compensation algorithm, although independent testing will give us a better idea of how this performs in real-world use.

For gaming, the display supports 5,000Hz instantaneous touch sampling and 500Hz multi-finger sampling. The iQOO 16 supports 5,000Hz instantaneous touch sampling and 500Hz multi-finger sampling, allowing the display to detect touch inputs more quickly. iQOO's Q-Flex control technology also reduces the delay between a user's touch and the corresponding action on screen. These technologies will mostly help competitive gamers and enthusiasts in e-sports titles. 

The display supports 1,100 nits of manual peak brightness, 2,800 nits of global peak brightness and up to 10,000 nits of local peak brightness. The global figure refers to the brightness the display can achieve across a larger portion of the screen, while local peak brightness applies to smaller areas, such as highlights in HDR content.

Other features include full-brightness DC dimming and up to 3,300Hz PWM dimming, which are designed to control screen brightness while reducing visible flickering. The panel also gets three photosensitive full-area light sensors, an unpolarised natural light display and a gaming glare protection mode.

Should you wait for the iQOO 16?

The iQOO 16 keeps the same 2K resolution and 508ppi pixel density as the iQOO 15 (review), but the newer panel brings several upgrades. It gets a 165Hz refresh rate, Samsung's newer M16 material and LEAD 2.0 technology, along with better colour and brightness uniformity. iQOO also claims improved power efficiency and longer panel longevity compared with the previous generation. On paper, the iQOO 16 also offers higher brightness, although the different measurement methods make a direct comparison difficult.

For existing iQOO 15 users, the display upgrade alone may not be enough reason to switch, especially since the resolution remains unchanged. However, the newer panel, improved efficiency and other hardware upgrades could make the iQOO 16 a decent upgrade when considered as a complete package.

The iQOO 16 is expected to cost around Rs 85,000 to Rs 90,000 in India, with the ongoing memory shortage pushing component costs higher. That makes it an extremely premium option, but if you want a phone focused on gaming and performance while also delivering a high-end multimedia experience, the iQOO 16 could be one of the best choices in India. It is expected to feature Qualcomm's latest flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro chipset along with top-end memory and storage, which should make it very appealing to power users.

• OPPO will unveil the Find X10 series after MediaTek's flagship chipset launch.
• The OPPO Watch S2 and Enco X4 will tag along the Find X10 series.
• The phones will be available in four distinct colourways.

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After teasing the key camera, display, and chipset details for several weeks, OPPO has finally revealed the design of the Find X10 and Find X10 Pro Max, along with the China launch date. While the phones retain the squarish camera module design from the Find X9 series, OPPO has made noticeable changes to the rear and introduced a range of new colour shades.

OPPO Find X10 series debuting in China on September 22nd

The OPPO Find X10 and Find X10 Pro Max are landing in China on September 22nd, with pre-reservations already live in the country. The OPPO Watch S2 and Enco X4 are also confirmed to tag along, adding to OPPO's growing ecosystem of devices.

As for the India launch, while OPPO has confirmed nothing, a recent tip suggests the OPPO Find X10 series could launch here by the end of October. These phones could be priced between Rs 90,000 and Rs 1,50,000.

OPPO Find X10 series design detailed ahead of launch

The OPPO Find X10 and Find X10 Pro Max will feature Warm Orange, Moon White, Ice Blue, and Light Titanium colourways. While the rounded corners are retained from the Find X9 series, the camera design has received iterative updates. For instance, the standard Find X10 gets a different shade at the top portion compared to the rest of the rear panel, while the Find X10 Pro Max gets a dedicated plateau for the fourth camera and LED flashlight just beside the square camera module, giving it a distinct look.

[caption id="attachment_714870" align="alignnone" width="2560"] OPPO Find X10 Pro Max (Image source: Weibo)[/caption]

Up front, the Find X10 is confirmed to sport just 0.99mm symmetrical bezels, while the Find X10 Pro Max gets 1.15mm bezels, just like the OnePlus 15.

OPPO Find X10 series specifications: what we know so far

Starting with the cameras, the OPPO Find X10 Pro Max is confirmed as the world's first phone with triple 200MP rear cameras, including a 200MP primary camera, 200MP ultrawide lens, and a 200MP periscope with 3x optical zoom. On the other hand, the Find X10 is also set to feature 200MP main and periscope cameras, while the ultrawide may be limited to 50MP. Just like the Find X9 series, both phones could get telephoto converter lens support.

Both models get the Hasselblad Ultra-Clear Original Camera setup along with the LUMO computational photography pipeline, built around a second-generation Danxia colour restoration lens that pulls in light and colour data across 24 sampling channels.

Besides that, the phones could gain 8,000mAh batteries paired with 80W fast charging support, while MediaTek's upcoming flagship chipsets will power both phones, likely the Dimensity 9600 and Dimensity 9600 Pro, which could be unveiled during MediaTek's upcoming launch event on September 15th.

If you've been wanting a full-fledged flagship camera smartphone, waiting for either the OPPO Find X10 or Find X10 Pro Max could be worth it. While reviews still need to go live, the specs revealed so far suggest these phones could appeal to content creators, photographers, and power users. Users of the Find X8 or older models will likely see substantial improvements in camera performance and battery life. Those with the Find X9 could consider upgrading mainly for the advanced camera system or if their current device is showing its age.

• iQOO Z11xa is priced at Rs 28,999.
• The handset sits below the iQOO Z11x.
• It comes in a single memory configuration.

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iQOO made a surprising launch last week with a new Z series smartphone in India: the iQOO Z11xa. It's the fourth phone in the series after the iQOO Z11, Z11 Lite, and Z11x. The iQOO Z11xa joins the lineup with a MediaTek Dimensity 7400-Turbo chipset, a large 7,200mAh battery, and a 50MP primary camera. With the Z11xa, iQOO is offering buyers a new choice under Rs 30,000 for gaming, battery endurance, and reliable performance. The smartphone is going on sale in India today, and here's everything you need to know about it. 

iQOO Z11xa India sale details

The iQOO Z11xa sale starts today at 12 pm. The smartphone will be available via Amazon India, iQOO's online store,  select Vivo exclusive stores, and other retail outlets. iQOO is offering a flat bank discount of Rs 1,500 and up to 6 months of no-cost EMI. In terms of pricing, the iQOO Z11xa costs Rs 28,999 for the single variant with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. With the discount, you can get it at an effective price of Rs 27,499.

The handset comes in Titan Black and Prismatic Green colour options.

iQOO Z11xa specifications

The iQOO Z11xa looks quite like the Z11x and also sits just below it in terms of pricing. Specs-wise, you get a 6.76-inch FHD+ LCD panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 1,200 nits brightness in HBM. It comes with TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light certification and an Eye Comfort mode that should help reduce eye strain during prolonged use. While the display specs seem adequate for its price, there are alternatives like the POCO X8, which offers an AMOLED panel. 

Powering the iQOO Z11xa is the MediaTek Dimensity 7400-Turbo chipset paired with 8GB LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB UFS 2.2 storage, and up to 8GB Extended RAM. The handset is claimed to have scored over 890,000 on the AnTuTu benchmark. You also get dedicated gaming features such as Monster Mode, Dual 10x Super Touch Control, and Gaming HyperSense Audio with the Z11xa. All of these combined, the iQOO Z11xa is designed with gaming in mind, which could make it a popular choice for titles like BGMI and COD Mobile. 

The iQOO Z11xa's highlight is also its 7,200mAh battery, which is claimed to deliver up to 40 hours of video playback and 15.4 hours of gaming. The phone comes with 44W FlashCharge, bypass charging, and Overnight Charging Protection. Its camera setup includes a 50MP Sony IMX852 main sensor, a 2MP bokeh sensor, and a 32MP selfie camera. 

On the software front, the iQOO Z11xa runs OriginOS 6 based on Android 16 out of the box. It will get two OS upgrades and four years of security updates. The Z11xa 5G also comes with IP68 and IP69 ratings and military-grade durability.

Overall, the iQOO Z11xa is a well-packaged smartphone with gaming and battery endurance in mind. If you have gaming in mind or you need a phone with a reliable chipset and battery life, the iQOO Z11xa could be worth waiting for. If you're currently using an older budget smartphone, this could be a worthy upgrade due to its chipset and battery. 

• iQOO Pad Ultra appears on Geekbench ahead of its launch in China
• The tablet will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 SoC and 16GB RAM
• iQOO Pad Ultra is said to be a mini tablet with an 8.8-inch OLED display and 9,000mAh battery

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iQOO Pad Ultra is an upcoming flagship tablet from iQOO and is widely believed to launch alongside the iQOO 16 later this month in China. Last week, tipster Digital Chat Station shared some iQOO Pad Ultra specifications, including its chipset: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6. Now, 91mobiles can confirm this is true, as we have spotted the iQOO Pad Ultra on the Geekbench benchmarking site with the same chipset.

iQOO Pad Ultra Geekbench details

An iQOO product appeared on Geekbench today with the model number vivo iPA2691. Based on past reports, this model is associated with the iQOO Pad Ultra. The Geekbench listing reveals that the upcoming tablet is powered by a Snapdragon SM8975 chipset, which is the model number for the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6. This strongly suggests the iQOO tablet will run on the next-gen flagship processor. Qualcomm will announce the chip alongside the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro later this month at the Snapdragon Summit.

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The Geekbench listing reveals a few things in addition to the chipset. Firstly, the benchmark scores. The iQOO Pad Ultra with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 scored 1,754 and 6661 in single-core and multi-core scores. These scores are lower than what we expect from the upcoming Qualcomm chip, and it's likely we're looking at an early prototype, so we would advise you to take the scores with a pinch of salt.

More importantly, the Geekbench listing also confirms that the iQOO Pad Ultra will come with a 16GB RAM variant. This is likely the highest RAM option, and iQOO might also announce a 12GB variant for the Chinese market.

As for other details, the iQOO Pad Ultra is said to be a mini tablet with an 8.8-inch OLED display and narrow bezels around the screen. The tablet could pack a 9,000mAh battery, which sounds about right for a tablet this size. It could also include a built-in active cooling fan to keep temperatures down during heavy use and gaming. Lastly, the tablet is rumoured to come in Ender Black and Star Silver colour options.

iQOO Pad Ultra's India launch seems unlikely, as iQOO has never launched tablets in the country. That said, we won't completely rule it out if iQOO plans to expand its ecosystem in India in the coming months.

Last year, the base iPhone 17 turned out to be the most exciting iPhone in the lineup, offering a few Pro-grade features that looked attractive on a Rs 80,000 iPhone. This time, we don't get a base iPhone 18, so the default starting iPhone is the iPhone 18 Pro, which is roughly half the price of the iPhone Duo.

The price gap is hard to ignore

India is one of the most expensive countries to purchase an iPhone; that much is well known. We knew the iPhone Duo wouldn't come cheap, but the actual selling price in India is eye-watering, to say the least.

The iPhone Duo starts at Rs 2,99,900, which is over Rs 1 lakh more than what it costs in the US ($1,999, or approx Rs 1.9 lakh). The iPhone 18 Pro starts at Rs 1,64,900, some Rs 1.35 lakh cheaper than the Duo. Both phones run the same A20 Pro chip. Both get the new S11-adjacent thermal design and Siri AI. The Duo's premium is entirely about the folding format itself, the bigger inner display, the hinge engineering, the dual-battery system, none of which comes cheap, and fairly so given how genuinely difficult that engineering is.

But that's still a lot of money to ask someone to spend on a first-generation product, especially when the 18 Pro delivers the same core performance, the same AI features, and arguably a more versatile camera experience for close to half the price.

The camera trade-off worth knowing about

The iPhone 18 Pro's biggest camera story this year is variable aperture, a genuinely new piece of hardware Apple built specifically for it: six laser-cut blades adjusting the aperture automatically (or manually via Pro Controls) between wide-open low-light shots and narrower depth-of-field group shots. It's the kind of feature that allows Apple to call it its "most advanced camera we've ever made."

The iPhone Duo doesn't get this variable-aperture lens like the standard iPhone 18 Pro models. It also lacks Pro Controls and the sensor-level Apple Reference Image authenticity feature, which lets you determine whether photos were generated or altered by AI. 

The Duo's camera system is still capable, at least on paper. It gets the same 48MP Fusion Main and Fusion Ultra Wide sensors as the Pro line, sensor-shift stabilisation, all the AI-powered editing tools, but the specific hardware innovation Apple is proudest of this generation appears to live exclusively on the 18 Pro.

In exchange, the Duo gets camera experiences the Pro line simply can't offer: Smart Take auto-capturing group photos, Duo Preview letting your subject see themselves on the outer display, Duo FaceTime letting someone join a call from outside the phone. Those are genuinely clever, foldable-specific ideas. They're just a different kind of clever than a phone having great camera hardware.

Why iPhone 18 Pro might be the iPhone for most people

The most obvious reason the iPhone 18 Pro series will be the new iPhone for most people is how much cheaper it is than the Duo. "Cheaper" is relative here, since these iPhones are still extremely expensive, as are older iPhones, including last year's iPhone 17, following Apple's price hike.

None of this is really an argument against buying the Duo. If the appeal is the format itself, a genuinely pocketable device that opens into something closer to the iPad Mini, complete with Apple Pencil support and proper multitasking, nothing else in Apple's lineup, or arguably in the market, does quite what it does. For that specific buyer, the price and the camera trade-off are probably worth it, and that might make people consider shelling out Rs 3 lakh on a phone.

It's just that for anyone weighing the Duo against a regular iPhone rather than against a Samsung foldable, the honest comparison isn't flattering. The 18 Pro is relatively cheaper; it has the more advanced camera hardware this generation, and it does everything the Duo does outside of folding. The Duo earns its price (at least in markets like the US) through the format, not through being a categorically better iPhone, and that's a distinction worth making before anyone drops Rs 3 lakh chasing the novelty.

Redmi Note 17 Pro series India launch date

The Redmi Note 17 Pro series is scheduled to launch in India on September 15th. The smartphones are confirmed to go on sale via Amazon India, but they should be available through more platforms like Xiaomi's online store and retail outlets. 

Redmi Note 17 Pro series: specifications

The highlight of the Redmi Note 17 Pro series is its 10,000mAh battery, which is most likely launching with the Redmi Note 17 Pro Max. The company claims the phone can deliver over four days of charge, which is a tall claim even considering the battery capacity. If accurate, this would make the Redmi Note 17 Pro Max one of the best phones for battery life.

The Redmi Note 17 Pro series is also expected to come with IP66/IP68/IP69/IP69K ratings based on the teaser. The handsets will also come with TÜV SÜD 5-star Titan quality certification, which is said to be the first in the industry. 

The Redmi Note 17 Pro is confirmed to feature the Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 chipset, while the Note 17 Pro Max will get the Snapdragon 6 Gen 5. These chipsets should deliver capable performance for everyday usage. We should know more once the phones have been reviewed. 

Redmi Note 17 Pro series: design, colours

The Redmi Note 17 Pro Max has been showcased in a 'Secret Sunrise' colour. This variant has a photochromic, colour-changing material on the rear design featuring clouds and portraying a sunrise. The Redmi Note 17 Pro has a similar design and is confirmed to launch in a lavender shade. Both phones feature a square-shaped camera module housing two sensors and an LED flash. 

Based on official details, the Redmi Note 17 Pro series seems to be clearly aimed at buyers who prioritise battery life over other features. The Note 17 Pro Max could be a top choice if you want a phone that can provide multi-day usage. The Note 17 Pro is also expected to deliver a similar experience. So the Redmi Note 17 Pro series could be one to watch out for if battery endurance is a key requirement. 

• Galaxy S26 FE price in India starts at Rs 69,999.
• It comes with the Exynos 2500 chipset and 8GB of RAM.
• The handset also offers a triple rear camera setup with a 3x telephoto lens. 

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Update: Samsung has officially revealed the pricing details of the Galaxy S26 FE in India. The smartphone is priced at Rs 79,999 for the single 8GB + 256GB variant. There's no mention of the 128GB variant officially. You can read more about it in our story below. 

Original story follows..

Samsung launched the Galaxy S26 FE globally, including in India, last month. However, the company did not reveal the phone's India pricing at the time. 91mobiles has now received a retailer note revealing the official India prices of the Galaxy S26 FE. Samsung has yet to update its official website with the pricing, but we expect the details to be added soon.

The Galaxy S26 FE is part of Samsung's flagship S-series lineup, offering a flagship-like experience with a more accessible price tag.

Samsung Galaxy S26 FE India price

The Galaxy S26 FE price in India starts at Rs 69,999 for the base variant with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. It comes in another 8GB RAM + 256GB storage variant, which costs Rs 79,999. We don't have the availability details yet, but it's expected to go on sale soon. 

The phone is available in Blueberry, Graphite, and Pistachio colour options.

Samsung Galaxy S26 FE specifications

The Galaxy S26 FE features a 6.7-inch FHD+ (1080x2340 pixels) AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection. The large display size makes it apt for multimedia, especially for users who prefer watching videos on their phone. The phone also gets an aluminium frame, slim bezels, and an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. 

Powering the Galaxy S26 FE is Samsung's Exynos 2500 chipset, the same processor used in last year's Galaxy Z Flip7. Built on a 3nm process, the deca-core chipset was introduced in 2025 and is designed to handle everyday tasks, on-device AI, multitasking, and more demanding workloads with ease. We should know better once we've reviewed the device. 

For photography, you get a 50MP primary camera, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical and up to 30x digital zoom. This is a versatile camera setup covering all the key areas one would need for smartphone photography. The S26 FE houses a 12MP front camera for selfies. 

The Galaxy S26 FE packs a modest 4,900mAh battery with 45W fast charging support. In comparison, this battery capacity might feel underwhelming among rivals that now offer 7,000mAh and even more. However, we should wait and see how optimised the phone is in terms of battery performance. On the software front, the handset runs the latest One UI 9 based on Android 17 out of the box. Samsung is also offering seven Android OS upgrades along with security updates, one of the longest software support periods in the segment. 

With a starting price of Rs 69,999, the Galaxy S26 FE is expected to face stiff competition from rivals in this segment, especially for performance and battery life. However, you're still getting Samsung's flagship-like experience, a vibrant AMOLED display, and the One UI software experience. These factors combined could make the Galaxy S26 FE an attractive buy for people who want a Samsung flagship but at a slightly more accessible price. 

• The OnePlus 16 could reportedly get a 200MP main camera and a larger 1/1.4-inch sensor, but may not launch in India.
• The OnePlus 16R is tipped to become the brand's flagship in India, with Nord and N series phones covering lower price segments.
• OnePlus already exited North America and Europe in July this year.

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OnePlus could change its smartphone strategy in India next year, with the OnePlus 16 reportedly missing the country and the OnePlus 16R taking its place at the top of the lineup. Tipster Yogesh Brar claims the 16R will likely be OnePlus's flagship in India, followed by the Nord series in the mid-range and N-series in the affordable segment.

The claim is significant because another tipster in the past has said that the standard OnePlus 16 would not launch in India and would remain exclusive to China. OnePlus has not confirmed either claim, but together they suggest the company could be considering a very different lineup for the Indian market.

OnePlus 16 could be a China-only flagship

The reported change would be a departure from OnePlus' recent strategy. The OnePlus 15 launched in China in October 2025 and reached India a month later, making a China-only successor a notable shift. The rumour about OnePlus 16 not coming to India comes after OnePlus confirmed that it will no longer launch new phones in North America and Europe in July, while parent company OPPO will continue its operations in Europe. OnePlus India has repeatedly said that its business is operating as usual in the country. OnePlus is definitely not exiting India but this new tip could suggest the company is possibly changing which phones it chooses to sell here.

OnePlus 16 leaks

The OnePlus 16 has already been the subject of several leaks. According to Digital Chat Station, it could feature a 200MP main camera with a larger 1/1.4-inch sensor, a 50MP 3x periscope camera with a 1/1.95-inch Sony sensor and a new 50MP ultrawide camera. A 50MP autofocus selfie camera has also been tipped. Other reported specifications include the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro, a 9,000mAh battery a system-wide 165Hz display and tri-chip gaming hardware.

If true, OnePlus fans in India could be missing out on a promising package if the OnePlus 16 remains China-exclusive. The larger camera sensors in particular would suggest that OnePlus is putting more emphasis on photography after the OnePlus 15's camera system took a beating compared to that of some rivals.

If the reported strategy is accurate, the OnePlus 16R would have a lot to do that simply fill a naming gap. It could become the phone responsible for representing OnePlus against premium rivals from Samsung, Xiaomi and Vivo in India. The Nord series would continue competing with phones in the mid-range market, while the N series would target budget buyers.

OnePlus has started teasing the OnePlus N6 Lite in India, which is expected to sit below the N6x and potentially target the sub-Rs 20,000 segment. For buyers, this makes the next OnePlus launches worth watching. Existing users can continue using their phones without concern based on these unconfirmed reports. Those planning a premium purchase next year should wait to see whether the 16R gets flagship-level cameras and performance and whether OnePlus prices it accordingly.

• You can now make your tagged posts appear in your main grid.
• There's a dedicated section just for tagged posts.
• You can choose which posts appear on your profile. 

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Instagram is giving users more control over how their profiles look with a new feature that lets them add posts they are tagged in directly to their main profile grid. The feature is rolling out globally and could be particularly useful for users who want to showcase group photos, collaborations, or other posts without having to upload them themselves.

Until now, posts that you're tagged in appear in the dedicated Tagged section of your profile, but they would not be part of your main grid. With the new option, users can choose which tagged posts deserve a spot alongside their own uploads.

How to add tagged posts to your Instagram grid

Instagram offers three ways to add a tagged post to the main profile grid. Users can do so directly from the DM notification they receive when someone tags them, through the three-dot menu on a tagged post, or by pressing and holding a post from the Tagged tab.

Once added, the post will appear on the main profile grid in reverse-chronological order by default. However, users who have rearranged their grid can continue to maintain their preferred layout. A tagged post can also be removed from the main grid at any time without deleting the original post or removing it from the Tagged section.

The latest feature is part of Instagram's broader push to make profile customisation more flexible. The platform recently introduced the ability to rearrange posts on the profile grid, allowing users to change the order of content without deleting and reposting it. Users can also add multiple captions to carousel posts, and the platform has introduced an option to change the audio on posts.

These features offer users a more customisable space where users have greater control over what their profile looks like. The latest move also highlights Instagram's continued effort to empower creators, a critical strategy in today's competitive social media landscape.

• The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max has appeared on Geekbench with the unannounced Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro and 12GB RAM.
• The phone scored 3,582 in single-core and 12,247 in multi-core testing, while GPU tests reached 29,934 on Vulkan.
• The global Xiaomi 18 could support 100W charging, IP68 protection and up to 512GB storage.

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The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max has appeared on Geekbench, offering an early look at the performance of Qualcomm's next flagship mobile platform. The Chinese model, identified as M1544F, is listed with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro, although the name of the chipset hasn't been officially confirmed.

Xiaomi 18 Pro Max Geekbench performance

The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max recorded 3,582 points in single-core and 12,247 points in multi-core testing on Geekbench 7. It also appeared in the platform's GPU tests, scoring 26,210 in OpenCL and 29,934 in Vulkan. The listing shows 12GB of RAM and Android 17, which is expected to run with Xiaomi's HyperOS 4.

The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro is listed under Qualcomm's internal SM8975 designation. It has eight CPU cores, with three running at 3.74GHz, three at 4.03GHz and two reaching 5.11GHz. Graphics are handled by the Adreno 850 GPU.

There is already another early result for the same chipset. In August, a phone identified as Vivo V2606A, believed to be the iQOO 16, appeared on Geekbench with the same SM8975 processor and 16GB of RAM. It scored 3,434 in single-core and 9,334 in multi-core testing. The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max has higher scores in both tests, particularly in multi-core performance. However, the iQOO 16's results were also below the iQOO 15's scores from our in-house test, where the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5-powered phone managed 3,621 in single-core and 10,579 in multi-core.

That is a reminder not to treat either the Xiaomi or iQOO results as final. Early engineering builds can have unfinished software, thermal tuning and other limitations that affect benchmark performance.

Qualcomm's upcoming chip will also compete with MediaTek's Dimensity 9600 series, which is expected to power several flagship phones launching later this year. The Vivo X500 Pro Max and OPPO Find X10 Pro Max have already appeared in benchmark listings with Dimensity 9600-series hardware. Retail versions of these phones will provide a better comparison once the processors and devices are officially released.

For buyers considering a flagship upgrade, it makes sense to wait for those final tests rather than choosing based on Geekbench numbers alone. Sustained performance, battery life, cooling and camera performance will be just as important.

Xiaomi 18 specs revealed

Meanwhile, the global Xiaomi 18 has appeared on Taiwan's NCC certification platform with model number 2611FPNFAG. The phone is listed with 256GB and 512GB storage options, an IP68 rating and a charger that has been linked to 100W wired charging through its TUV Rheinland certification.

The Xiaomi 17 appeared on the same certification platform in late October 2025 before its international launch in February 2026. The earlier appearance of the Xiaomi 18 could point to a faster global rollout this time.

Reports suggest Xiaomi may launch the 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max in China first, with the standard Xiaomi 18 and Xiaomi 18 Ultra potentially arriving later. Until the launch schedule and final specifications are confirmed, buyers would be better off treating the current benchmark and certification details as early indications. Xiaomi's early appearance on benchmarks with the top-tier Snapdragon chip signals its ambition to challenge premium flagships from Samsung and Apple.