Gadget and Smartphone News

Insta360 opens first US flagship store, sells 10 millionth camera

Insta360 opened its first flagship store outside Asia in New York's Times Square. The company also announced surpassing 10 million cameras sold worldwide.

Global Vivo X500 May Run on Dimensity 9500 Chip Over New 9600M, Benchmark Suggests

A Geekbench 7 listing shows the global Vivo X500 (V2619) tested with a MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chip rather than the new Dimensity 9600M. The board ID k6993v1_64 points to last year's flagship, though the 9600M is a rebrand with the same cores and GPU.

Apple Circumvented Battery Shipping Restrictions for iPhone 18 Pro Max

Apple added a software charge limit below 20 Wh to the iPhone 18 Pro Max to bypass lithium battery shipping rules. After first power-on, the limit is removed, unlocking full capacity of 5567 mAh (21.75 Wh) in the US version and 5391 mAh (21.06 Wh) in the European version with a SIM slot.

Honor Magic 9 Series: Everything We Know Before Launch

Honor will hold a launch event for the Magic 9 series in Beijing on September 28. Three models are expected: Magic 9, Magic 9 Pro Max, and Magic 9 Super Edition with ARRI cameras, batteries up to 11,000 mAh, and Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5/Gen 6 Pro chips.

Google has officially reduced battery life on two Pixel models

Google has reduced battery capacity and charging speed on some Pixel 4a and Pixel 6a devices via mandatory updates under its Battery Performance Program. On Pixel 6a, restrictions activate after 400 charging cycles—half the stated 800-cycle lifespan. Affected users were offered a free battery replacement, $50–10 cash, or $100–150 Google Store credit, but only for one year.

Change your voice on any platform using this powerful little device

Voicemod introduced Key Pocket, a compact device for real-time voice changing on smartphones and consoles. Processing is done locally in the Voicemod app, with over 200 voices and a 36-slot soundboard available. Founders Edition price is $99.90, shipping in late October.

Apple Reference Image Feature Process

Apple introduced the Reference Image feature in iOS 27 for iPhone 18 Pro. The main camera sensor cryptographically signs pixel data, confirming the photo was not edited or AI-generated. The feature is optional, and verification is done via Private Cloud Compute.

Huawei Pura X Max hits 1.2 million shipments with No. 1 user satisfaction rate

Huawei reported that the foldable smartphone Pura X Max shipped 1.2 million units in four months since launch and received the highest user satisfaction rating. The device features a 5.4-inch external and 7.69-inch internal screen, a 5300 mAh battery, and a triple camera with a 50 MP periscope.

Apple Explains Why the iPhone 18 Pro Has a Variable Aperture

Apple revealed details of the variable aperture in the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max — a first in iPhone history. The mechanism uses six laser-cut blades made of polymer composite, with available values of f/1.48, f/1.8, f/2.8, and f/4. The goal is to increase light sensitivity without losing sharpness.

Women and Younger Photographers Are Behind Fujifilm’s Meteoric Rise

Fujifilm revealed the demographics of X Series camera buyers: about 40% are women, and over 70% are under 40. Digital camera shipments rose from 430,000 in 2023 to 1.16 million in 2025, while X Series production increased from 380,000 to 750,000.

It’s not just LG. Every TV company is spying on you

The Verge analyzed the LG scandal after a Gamers Nexus video and concluded that ACR systems for tracking viewing are built into almost all modern TVs. Manufacturers collect viewing data and sell it to partners, often hiding consent in convoluted license agreements.

Coros is closing the gap with Garmin fast by adding full mapping to its affordable running watch

Coros released a September firmware update that adds full landscape and topographic maps to the Pace 4 running watch for the first time. Maps launch in beta and are available via Map Manager in the Coros app.

Huawei Mate 90 first teaser could be out next week, launch on Sept 28?

Insiders report Huawei will release the first teaser for the Mate 90 series next week, with the announcement moved to September 28–29 instead of the previously expected September 23. Five models are expected, and sales may begin after the Mid-Autumn Festival.

iPhone 18 Pro ranks 2nd on DXOMARK, Huawei Pura 80 Ultra remains at top

DXOMARK rated the iPhone 18 Pro camera at 172 points — 3 less than leader Huawei Pura 80 Ultra (175). The smartphone received a variable aperture for the first time and took second place in global and ultra-premium rankings.

Valve Confirms Steam Deck 2 with Unreal Engine 5 Support

Valve officially confirmed development of Steam Deck 2, a next-generation portable console with improved performance and Unreal Engine 5 support. Price not yet disclosed: the company seeks a balance between power and affordability amid rising production costs. A VR headset, Steam Frame, was also announced.

Vivo X300 Ultra Gets China Price Hike, X500 Series May Cost More

Vivo raised official prices for all X300 Ultra versions in China: the base 12+256 GB model rose from 6,999 to 7,499 yuan (~$1119), an increase of 500 to 2,000 yuan. Memory costs are the cause; Huawei, Xiaomi and Honor made similar moves. The X500 series launches September 21 and prices will likely rise too.

Leaked Apple Watch Air Points to a Permanent Series Shift

According to a leak, Apple is developing a screenless fitness tracker (tentatively Apple Watch Air), round Apple Watches, and a smart ring. The devices will be tied to iPhone and Apple Health, tracking activity, sleep, recovery, and heart rate. The Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 will retain a rectangular design.

Insta360 just gave its 360º cameras a wild new trick that turns videos into explorable 3D worlds – for free

Insta360 released Spatial Capture for X6, X5 and X4 Air cameras: 360 video up to two minutes turns into an interactive 3D scene using 3D Gaussian Splatting. Cloud processing takes 1–2 hours, US launch on September 28, 2026, free up to four scenes per month.

Honor Magic 9 series gets a 3-second ARRI video mode and dual 3D biometrics

Honor announced ARRI Cinema Mode for the Magic 9 series: long-pressing the shutter records a 3-second clip in 2.39:1 format with an ARRI library of 9 themes and 87 looks. A combination of a 3D ultrasonic fingerprint scanner and 3D face recognition was also confirmed. The series will be presented in Beijing on September 28.

OnePlus 16 Appears on Geekbench 7 With Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro

The OnePlus 16 appeared in the Geekbench 7 database with a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro chip (QTI SM8975), 16GB RAM and Android 17. It scored 3,073 single-core and 11,093 multi-core, with two cores reaching 5.01GHz.

Samsung Galaxy Watch9 Review: I Don't Need Another Health Score

Samsung launched the Galaxy Watch9 alongside the Watch Ultra2. The watch comes in 40mm and 44mm sizes starting at $80. The main upgrade is the Snapdragon Wear Elite chip, with battery capacity up to 390/445mAh, but battery life remains around 25 hours. Hearing, Vitals, Sleep Apnea and Fitness Index features were added.

Honor Magic 9 Will Continue to Use Dual 3D Biometric Features

Honor confirmed that the Magic 9 series will be the industry's first with two 3D biometric systems: 3D face recognition on ToF sensors and a 3D ultrasonic fingerprint scanner. The technology is inherited from Magic 8 and works even with a wet or dirty finger.

Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra to Overhaul Image Processing, Add Pro Video Features

Samsung will revamp image processing algorithms in the Galaxy S27 Ultra, shifting from oversaturated cool tones to warm natural shades and accurate skin tone rendering. The flagship, expected in early 2027, will gain log format, APV codec, HDR video, 4K at 120 fps and 8K at 30 fps.

Oppo Find X10 Series Gets Hasselblad Teleconverter Kit for Concert Shooting

Oppo announced support for the Hasselblad Teleconverter Kit for Find X10 and Find X10 Pro Max, an accessory for concert photography. Price and kit contents undisclosed; the three-model lineup launches in China on September 22.

Samsung’s 2026 Bespoke AI appliances bring Gemini, smarter cooling and connected home features

Samsung unveiled its Bespoke AI 2026 home appliance lineup in India: the Family Hub refrigerator with AI Vision powered by Google Gemini, and WindFree Pro and Infinite 1-Way Cassette air conditioners. Prices range from 69,990 rupees (~$730) for the WindFree Pro to 4,00,690 rupees (~$4,175) for the Family Hub; up to 7 years of software updates promised.

KTM 690 Rally: Is this the bike to finally change KTM's fortunes?

KTM announced the 690 Rally, a middleweight rally motorcycle based on the 690 Enduro R platform with a 692.7cc single-cylinder LC4 engine producing 78 hp and 73 Nm. Production in Austria starts this month, dealer deliveries in October, price not yet announced.

iPhone 18 Pro Drop Test: How Tough is It Really?

Drop tests of the iPhone 18 Pro from waist and shoulder height show the aluminum frame still picks up scratches and dents, but the device keeps working. The rear glass survived impacts that shattered the iPhone 17 Pro, while the screen cracks when dropped from shoulder height, as with its predecessor.

Microsoft brings mic and camera streaming to Meta Quest

Microsoft expanded Windows integration with Meta Quest headsets, adding microphone audio, passthrough camera video, and virtual avatars for communication and collaboration with a PC.

Apple Exec Says 'Hold Us Accountable' on iPhone Duo Crease

Apple hardware VP Tom Marib told TechRadar that the matte nanotexture display coating on the iPhone Duo reduces the visibility of the crease and resists it appearing over time. He urged users to 'hold the company accountable' for crease quality. iPhone Duo preorders start October 16, sales October 23, from $1999.

Motorola flagship with two 200MP cameras launching in India

Motorola will launch the flagship Signature 27 in India on September 22. Tipster confirmed two 200MP cameras (main and telephoto), a design in two colors — green and lilac — with a carbon-texture body. Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 is expected.