This week in tech we moved from a busy October to a calmer November. Apple held a very late event where it launched new Macs with the latest M3 chips, Samsung also evoked nostalgia with its retro Galaxy Z Flip 5. iQOO and Vivo announced the launch dates for their new phones that will be powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. X also introduced two new subscription plans for users globally.
Let’s take a look at everything that made headlines in tech this week.
Apple M3 Macs
Apple at its ‘Scary fast’ event launched the M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chipsets. It also unveiled new Macs powered by these chips. These include a new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro and a 24-inch iMac. The MacBook Pro also launched in a matte black colour. The new MacBooks and iMac feature Ray Tracing, and improved graphics thanks to the M3 chips.
iQOO 12 5G India launch date
The iQOO 12 5G will launch in India on December 12th. The iQOO 12 will be the first phone in India to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. Along with the launch date announcement, iQOO also shared a teaser that confirms a BMW Motorsport special edition model, much like the iQOO 11 Legend. The iQOO 12 is also confirmed to go on sale on Amazon following its official announcement.
X (Twitter) new subscription plans
X (Twitter) launched two new subscription plans globally — Basic and Premium+. X Basic is the cheapest subscription plan priced at Rs 243 monthly, and Rs 2,590 yearly. X Premium+, on the other hand, is the the most expensive yet priced at Rs 1,300 monthly, and Rs 13,600 yearly. With each subscription you get perks such as the edit button, longer posts, and more. X Premium+ also gives you an ad-free experience, and the ‘Largest’ reply boost.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Retro limited edition
Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Flip 5 Retro limited edition phone in select markets. The retro variant takes inspiration from the Samsung E700 (SGH-E700), a classic flip phone. It borrows quite a lot from the SGH-E700, like its indigo blue and silver colours, a reinterpretation of 2000s pixel graphics in the UX design, and a special animation on the Flex Window showing a nostalgic cityscape.
Vivo X100 series launch date
Vivo has announced the Vivo X100 series and Watch 3 will launch in China on November 13th. The new smartphone series is expected to feature Vivo X100, Vivo X100 Pro, and Vivo X100 Pro+. The Vivo X100 series is confirmed to launch with Android 14-based OriginOS 4, while the Watch 3 will feature the in-house BlueOS.
