Notebookcheck Logo

Latest Tech News

Breaking news, developing stories, insightful articles, and thought-provoking columns about laptops, smartphones, gaming, CPUs, GPUs, and anything related to tech. The latest tech news is also available via Notebookcheck's RSS feed.

    settings restrict
Page Type
Restrict articles to display by Page Type. Each article only falls under one Page Type category.
, , , , , , ,
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,    
Tags
Restrict articles to display by their associated tags. Articles can have multiple tags and can be further restricted with the "and" or search relation.
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,    
Search
Search by article title: 
additional restrictions: News, Columns
May 18
The Single Flex Pro has a promotional launch price of $1,299. Pictured: the portable monitor being unfolded.

Aura Displays debuts new portable monitor with foldable AMOLED display

The Aura Displays Single Flex Pro (Gen 1) is a new portable monitor from the company, and it features a foldable AMOLED display. It sports a 13.3-inch screen size, comes with a brightness rating of 300 nits, and has a launch price of $1,299.
Abid Ahsan Shanto, 18 May 2026 08:56
The Xiaomi 17 Max.

Xiaomi 17 Max: Official launch date revealed for new flagship with 200MP Leica camera

Xiaomi has confirmed the launch date for the Xiaomi 17 Max in China. The smartphone will be launched alongside the Xiaomi YU7 GT, Xiaomi Band 10 Pro, and other products.
Huzefa Baloch, 18 May 2026 08:39
Honor launches the first Intel Wildcat Lake laptop (pictured) in China, the 2026 Notebook X14

First Intel Wildcat Lake laptop rivals MacBook Neo with affordable launch price

The Honor Notebook X14 2026 is now available in China, and it's the first Intel Wildcat Lake laptop to hit the retail market. Its launch price is CNY 4,399, around $646, making it a direct competitor to the Apple MacBook Neo in terms of price.
Abid Ahsan Shanto, 18 May 2026 07:41
Minisforum AI X1 Pro significantly faster with RAM upgrade

Minisforum AI X1 Pro: Simple RAM upgrade provides noticeably more performance and unleashes the Radeon 890M

More RAM can significantly improve the performance of modern mini PCs, especially when a system is switched from single- to dual-channel operation. This not only benefits graphics performance and multitasking, but also the general system speed. The following overview shows the specific effects of a second RAM module on the performance of the Minisforum AI X1 Pro.
Sebastian Bade, 18 May 2026 07:30
Genmoji example.

iOS 27 to generate Genmoji from user photos and typing habits

Apple could be preparing a smarter version of Genmoji for iOS 27. A new leak claims the feature will automatically suggest custom AI-generated emoji based on photos in the user’s gallery and their typing history.
Volodymyr Omelchenko, 18 May 2026 07:05
The XPPen Pilot Pro editing console adds eyes-free access to video editing commands and shortcuts.

XPPen Pilot Pro editing console streamlines video editing with precise programmable controls

The XPPen Pilot Pro editing console has programmable buttons, a joystick, and triple haptic dials to navigate timelines, adjust colors, and trim clips in popular video editing applications, like Adobe Premiere and Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve.
David Chien, 18 May 2026 04:00
Underwater base shown in Subnautica 2

Negative Subnautica 2 Steam reviews slam EULA for ownership and privacy concerns

Some players are expressing regret days after the Subnautica 2 early access release date. Steam reviews expose an End-User License Agreement (EULA) that limits ownership and content creation. Other fans believe the TOS is no more unreasonable than with most Steam games.
Adam Corsetti, 18 May 2026 02:44
AMD's Radeon Anti-Lag 2 now runs on Linux, and better than on Windows in select titles.

Linux gets Nvidia Reflex and AMD Anti-Lag on any GPU

The low_latency_layer project from Korthos Software allows AMD Anti-Lag 2 and Nvidia Reflex to be used on any GPU, effectively making both technologies hardware-agnostic for Linux users.
Christopher Harper, 18 May 2026 02:15
James Bond in 007 First Light.

Deal | 007 First Light is already available at a discount ahead of release

After being announced back in June 2025, 007 First Light will finally launch later this month, on May 27. And if you're planning to jump into the game on day one, you'll be glad to learn it's already available at a discounted price.
Abdul Haddi, 18 May 2026 01:02
May 17
An image showing a naval battle in Cossacks 3.

Deal | Loved by 82% of players, this strategy game based on historical events is 66% off on Steam

Cossacks 3 is a strategy game that immerses you in historical battles across Europe. But if you want to win, you’ll need to lead your army using the right strategy, build prosperous cities, and develop new technologies.
Alexis Stegmann, 17 May 2026 22:33
The IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 14Q8Y11 can magnetically store its Linear Pen on its rear.

Lenovo releases new 14-inch laptop with Snapdragon X2 and over 50% longer battery life than older model

Lenovo is now selling a new 14-inch convertible laptop powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 platform. Also available with a 600 nits OLED display and 32 GB of RAM, the IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 14Q8Y11 is said to offer over 50% longer battery life than its predecessor, too.
Alex Alderson, 17 May 2026 21:33
The ThinkPad P16s Gen 5 is currently the only AMD-powered laptop that one can purchase with LPCAMM2 RAM.

Lenovo releases new 16-inch laptop with 96 GB LPCAMM2 and AMD processors sooner than expected

Lenovo is now selling the first AMD-based laptop featuring user-upgradeable LPCAMM2 RAM. Also available with up to a 120 Hz VRR OLED display, the ThinkPad P16s Gen 5 can be configured with a 90 Wh battery and Nvidia RTX dGPUs, too.
Alex Alderson, 17 May 2026 20:59
Grassrivers shown in GTA 6

Take-Two CEO confirms GTA 6 release date, admitting 18-month delay at Rockstar Games

In a recent interview, the Take-Two Interactive CEO asserted that GTA 6 would arrive in 2026. He also hinted that November 2024 may have been the original target. Rockstar Games claims it’s avoiding a time crunch, possibly contributing to multiple release date delays.
Adam Corsetti, 17 May 2026 20:38
The Xiaomi 17T and Xiaomi 17T Pro will be marketed as Leica telephoto masters, as official promo material suggests

Xiaomi 17T and Xiaomi 17T Pro specs confirmed by promo material

After prices and renders for the Xiaomi 17T series have been leaked, official promo material now shows how Xiaomi plans to market its global Leica camera flagships with a lower starting price than the Xiaomi 17. The planned bundle deals are also effectively confirmed.
Alexander Fagot, 17 May 2026 15:50
Realme 16 Pro reviewed

This budget Android smartphone defies the DRAM crisis

Realme's affordable mid-range smartphone achieves excellent battery life in our review and offers a generous storage configuration despite the 2026 DRAM crisis. This gives the Realme 16 Pro enough headroom for apps and games, though the SoC hurts the user experience in everyday use.
Marcus Herbrich, 17 May 2026 19:20
The updated 16X Aurora may have gotten some new options, but it's now also much more expensive than before

2026 Alienware 16X Aurora is so expensive it now rivals the Area-51 series in price

The "midrange" 16X Aurora this year will set you back $3000 for GeForce RTX 5070 Ti graphics. At that price range, the model comes close to the flagship Area-51 series when configured with the same GPU.
Allen Ngo, 17 May 2026 18:37
Zotac has only made 14 total Pragmata GeForce RTX 5070 AMP GPUs.

Deal | Giveaway alert: Free Steam keys of Capcom's 2026 sci-fi action-adventure Pragmata are now up for grabs

We are now giving away four Steam keys of Pragmata, Capcom's critically acclaimed sci-fi action-adventure title. To enter, you just have to comment on the YouTube video linked in the article below. The video covers the gorgeous Pragmata-inspired Zotac GeForce RTX 5070 AMP Limited Edition GPU.
Fawad Murtaza, 17 May 2026 18:23
Leaked iPhone 18 Pro colors - edited.

First iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max cases revealed; might not fit iPhone 17 Pro

The first leaked iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max cases reveal a design similar to the iPhone 17 Pro, featuring a large camera island and MagSafe. Expectations for the September 2026 launch include a 48MP variable aperture camera, and a new Dark Cherry color.
Martin Filipov, 17 May 2026 16:50
The Ayaneo Pocket Block is expected to be cheaper than the Pocket Vert.

New Ayaneo vertical handheld surfaces, and it may be cheaper than the Pocket Vert

Ayaneo has put a pause on new product announcements for a few months now, but it appears it might have a new product on the horizon. Thanks to a new report, we have a first look at images and the user manual of a new handheld that is expected to launch as the Ayaneo Pocket Block.
Habeeb Onawole, 17 May 2026 16:36
An ingame screenshot from Embers of the Gods

Steam's newest free-to-play MMORPG has an 80% rating, until you look a little closer

Embers of the Gods launched on Steam as a free-to-play MMORPG on May 15 to a "Mostly Positive" rating — but a peak of just 121 concurrent players, alleged fake screenshots, and criticism surrounding the mobile port paint a way more complicated picture of its launch.
Anubhav Sharma, 17 May 2026 16:15
Osmo Pocket 3 (left) next to Osmo Pocket 4P (right).

DJI Osmo Pocket 4P specs, price leak: Variable aperture, 48MP zoom camera, D-Log 2

Leaked specs for the DJI Osmo Pocket 4P (Pro) suggest a dual-camera gimbal with a 1-inch, variable aperture main sensor, 3x telephoto lens, and 6K/60fps video. With 17 stops of dynamic range and D-Log2, the Pocket 4P could targert the professional "mini cinema" market, which is DJI's ultimate goal.
Martin Filipov, 17 May 2026 15:50
The latest Proton-CachyOS 11 is still a work in progress. Pictured: Legion Go S with CachyOS wallpaper (edited).

Proton-CachyOS 11 pushes Linux gaming further with OptiScaler integration

The Linux community has made significant progress in terms of gaming, especially when compared to gaming on Windows, and now, the latest Proton-CachyOS release is taking another step forward. It brings built-in OptiScaler integration.
Abid Ahsan Shanto, 17 May 2026 15:49
iPhone Ultra/Fold design mode hands-on image.

iPhone Ultra: Major design issues could delay Apple's foldable indefinitely, says leaked info

Supply chain leaks suggest trial production for the rumored iPhone Fold/Ultra could be indefinitely delayed if Apple doesn't solve hinge design problems on time. While Cupertino has reportedly achieved a "visually creaseless" display that remains stable over time, mechanical hinge reliability remains a major bottleneck.
Martin Filipov, 17 May 2026 14:34
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Fold 7 (pictured) should be refreshed soon.

Samsung might have canceled the most popular Galaxy folding phone, says leak

Galaxy Z Flip 9 canceled? A new supply chain leak on Weibo suggests the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 could be the final entry in Samsung's clamshell foldable series. Driven by design stagnation, surging component costs, and a market shift toward book-style foldables, Samsung may be moving away from the flip-phone form factor.
Martin Filipov, 17 May 2026 13:59
CRKD's three most recent controllers have been delayed.

CRKD delays Nitro Deck 2, ULT Pro, and Atom+ controllers

The CRKD Nitro Deck 2 for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 consoles will arrive a little later than originally planned due to delays in evaluations and approvals. The delay also affects the release dates of the ULT Pro controller and the Atom+ Mini Controller.
Habeeb Onawole, 17 May 2026 13:51
The ROG Xreal R1 come with a dock and they cost $849. Pictured: A promo picture showing the glasses on a table.

ROG Xreal R1 gaming AR glasses hit pre-order with lofty price tag

The ROG Xreal R1 are now available to purchase, and while they bring many improvements over regular AR glasses, they are priced significantly higher. The pre-order price is $849.
Abid Ahsan Shanto, 17 May 2026 12:55
The ThinkPad T14s 2-in-1 Gen 2 contains full-sized arrow keys despite its compact footprint.

Lenovo releases new 14-inch ThinkPad with 64 GB RAM and built-in pen

Lenovo has released a new 14-inch ThinkPad internationally. Featuring Intel's Panther Lake processors and up to 64 GB of RAM, the ThinkPad T14s 2-in-1 Gen 2 also contains a built-in pen, full-sized arrow keys and classic ThinkPad features, even while weighing just 1.25 kg.
Alex Alderson, 17 May 2026 12:17
CVE-2026-42897 targets the Outlook Web Access interface on on-premises Exchange Server. Generic hacker pictured.

Microsoft Exchange Server zero-day exploited via crafted email

Microsoft confirms active exploitation of Exchange Server zero-day CVE-2026-42897 via crafted email with no permanent patch available for on-prem deployments.
Darryl Linington, 17 May 2026 10:02
The newly spotted free games were mostly launched in April 2026. Pictured: an edited screenshot from AFK Journey.

Steam free game library grows again with more new additions

Another round of free games has been spotted on Steam, but not all of them were released in May 2026. Most of them don’t have good player ratings as well, but the ones that do look pretty interesting.
Abid Ahsan Shanto, 17 May 2026 08:18
The LightInk has a clearly visible solar panel

LightInk: E-ink smartwatch with solar, LoRa and GPS lasts 10 months on single charge

Months without charging: A new smartwatch can be charged via solar power and offers extremely long battery life. Despite that, it still has several interesting features, some of which are not available in this form even on modern watches.
Silvio Werner, 17 May 2026 05:56
An aerial view of GTA III Liberty City's 4KM map with three islands

Modder details how Rockstar Games fit GTA III's Liberty City open world in the PS2’s measly 32MB memory

A new Game Maker’s Toolkit video examines how Rockstar made Grand Theft Auto III’s Liberty City work within the PlayStation 2’s 32MB memory limit by using a dynamic asset-streaming system. Through source-code analysis and a modded executable, Mark Brown shows how the game continuously loaded nearby city sectors while unloading areas behind the player, creating the illusion of a seamless open world.
Rahim Amir Noorali, 17 May 2026 05:21
A picture from the PlayStation 2 Portable handheld project

This ROG Xbox Ally look-alike is actually a reverse-engineered portable PlayStation 2 handheld

A solo modder has built a portable PlayStation 2 handheld inspired by the Asus ROG Xbox Ally, using a custom reverse-engineered motherboard rather than repurposed Sony hardware. The project is technically impressive, with open-source files, FPGA-based video processing, USB-C charging, and 4.5-hour battery life, but its demanding soldering and troubleshooting requirements make it unsuitable for most builders.
Rahim Amir Noorali, 17 May 2026 04:58
A close-up image of Valve's new Steam Controller

Affectees of Valve's Steam Controller mixup are getting free games and Forza Horizon 6 is a popular pick

Valve is offering affected Steam Controller buyers a free standard-edition Steam game after a GLS shipping error reportedly sent some European orders to the UK instead of their intended destinations. Many customers are opting for Forza Horizon 6 as their title of choice.
Rahim Amir Noorali, 17 May 2026 04:12
Banner for Halo: Campaign Evolved PS5 port is shown

As Halo: Campaign Evolved PS5 reaches stores, future games may be Xbox exclusives

Retailers are already preparing to sell the Halo: Campaign Evolved PS5 port. Even so, some gamers regret Microsoft bringing its longtime shooter franchise to PlayStation. After comments from CEO Asha Sharma, one insider predicts upcoming Halo games will again ship as Xbox exclusives.
Adam Corsetti, 17 May 2026 02:53
The ThinkPad P14s Gen 7 AMD comes with up to 96 GB of RAM and an optional sub-6 GHz 5G modem.

Lenovo releases new 14-inch laptop with up to 120 Hz OLED and 96 GB RAM

Lenovo has released a new 14-inch ThinkPad internationally. Equipped with AMD Gorgon Point processors, the ThinkPad P14s Gen 7 can also be configured with up to 96 GB RAM, a 75 Wh battery and even a 120 Hz VRR OLED display in a relatively lightweight body.
Alex Alderson, 17 May 2026 01:14
Nintendo is releasing games for the Virtual Boy in bits.

Nintendo Virtual Boy gets five additional games, with two more expected later

Nintendo has added more games to the Virtual Boy library which is available to subscribers to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. The five games include popular titles such as Space Invaders and V-Tetris.
Habeeb Onawole, 17 May 2026 00:43
Chuwi now offers the CoreBook Air with an Intel SoC.

A MacBook Air alternative? Chuwi CoreBook Air 226V launches with Intel SoC and Thunderbolt

A new and compact notebook promises decent computing power and could, at least in terms of form factor, be a viable alternative to the MacBook Air. The CoreBook Air 226V comes with an Intel SoC, and external graphics cards can be connected via Thunderbolt.
Silvio Werner, 17 May 2026 00:09
Vivo X300 Ultra in review

Vivo X300 Ultra: Vivo finally adopts the modern standard for its flagship smartphone

The Vivo X300 Ultra not only impresses with its camera package and powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, but also with its decent accessories. In our review, we also take a look at what accessories are included with the high-end Android smartphone.
Marcus Herbrich, 17 May 2026 00:07
May 16
Xiaomi's now-canceled ultra-thin smartphone would have challenged the Galaxy S25 Edge (pictured).

Specs of canceled 'Xiaomi Air' ultra-thin smartphone reveals flagship chip, 200MP camera, and more

Xiaomi's CEO has revealed it was developing its own ultra-thin smartphone, but had to cancel it due to trade-offs caused by the design. Now, a leak has revealed some key specs of the canceled smartphone.
Habeeb Onawole, 16 May 2026 23:41
An image showing a futuristic city in Anno 2205.

Deal | Set in a futuristic world, this city-builder loved by 70% of players is 85% off on Steam

Anno 2205 is a city builder in which you must save humanity. To do so, you’ll need to build prosperous cities with various structures, meet the needs of your citizens, and travel to the Moon to collect valuable resources.
Alexis Stegmann, 16 May 2026 22:13
Screenshot of the taskbar in the top-aligned position, with Start opening from the top.

Microsoft brings back Windows 10 taskbar customizations to Windows 11

Microsoft is finally giving Windows 11 users more control over the taskbar again, including full screen-edge placement and a smaller, more compact mode. The update also improves how menus and window labels behave depending on the taskbar position.
Volodymyr Omelchenko, 16 May 2026 22:00
Steam Controller (2026) close-up

Steam Controller now works without Steam

A patch to Simple DirectMedia Layer (SDL), a universal library for input devices, now allows Steam Controller mappings to be recognized on Windows and Linux without Steam Client being active.
Christopher Harper, 16 May 2026 20:38
GTA 6 banner showing Leonida Keys

Insider doubts GTA 6 pre-order leak, saying trailer #3 may not surface until July

Despite a Best Buy email leak revealing GTA 6 pre-order details, several insiders aren’t convinced. Tom Henderson of Insider Gaming has not heard rumblings of significant Rockstar Games news for May 18th. The studio may wait until July or later to begin marketing or release the third trailer.
Adam Corsetti, 16 May 2026 20:15
Players satisfied with 60 FPS or who aren't running very demanding titles will find value in the quieter Balanced mode

Why gaming on Balanced mode instead of Performance is worthwhile on the Alienware 16X Aurora

The performance dip is certainly a bummer, but the significantly quieter fan noise when gaming on Balanced mode could potentially justify the GPU deficit.
Allen Ngo, 16 May 2026 18:35
Fenix LR50R V2.0 flashlight

Fenix LR50R V2.0 flashlight sports 1,800 lumens, 925 yards of range and OLED display

Fenix has introduced the LR50R V2.0, a new version of its particularly powerful flashlight. Battery capacity has been increased to the point where it could cause issues when traveling by plane. A display is also onboard.
Andreas Sebayang, 16 May 2026 17:37
A Casio keyboard

Casio's keyboard business is quietly dying

Casio's Sound division has been losing millions for years, and the company's own recovery plan tells the full story — staff cuts, market retreats, and a break-even target that's still three years away.
Anubhav Sharma, 16 May 2026 17:36
The GameSir G7 Pro 8K PC Royal2 Edition works with PC only.

GameSir G7 Pro 8K PC controller gets another special edition

GameSir has announced another special edition variant of its G7 Pro 8K PC controller. This version is made in partnership with eSports champion and GameSir brand ambassador, Royal2.
Habeeb Onawole, 16 May 2026 16:53
Overclockers continue to push Intel Raptor Lake-R limits. Product box pictured.

Intel Core i9-14900KF reaches 9.2Ghz setting a new CPU frequency world record

Overclocker "wytiwx" has set a new CPU clock speed world record by pushing an Intel Core i9-14900KF to an astonishing 9.2GHz. The achievement was made using extreme liquid helium cooling on an Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Apex motherboard.
Volodymyr Omelchenko, 16 May 2026 16:46
Austerity measures in Stuttgart have led Porsche to close three subsidiaries and refocus on its core business.

Major cuts at Porsche: 500 jobs axed, e-bike division shut down

Sports car manufacturer Porsche is pulling the emergency brake and parting ways with three subsidiaries, leaving more than 500 employees without a job. The hardest hit is the e-bike development division, which is being completely shut down. Under CEO Michael Leiters, Porsche is refocusing on its core business to combat falling profits and weak demand.
Ronald Matta, 16 May 2026 16:40
The Goko M6 has been launched on Kickstarter.

Cybertruck-style robotic mower with AWD and dual mowing system launches with up to 40% off

With its Cybertruck-inspired design, the Goko M6 is undoubtedly one of the most impressive robotic lawnmowers of the 2026 season. At its pre-launch, it can be purchased with a discount of up to 40%.
Marcus Schwarten, 16 May 2026 16:13

All news articles from Sept. 2010 on are located in our News Archive.

Google LogoAdd as a preferred source on Google
Mail Logo
Notebookcheck, 2021-10-10 (Update: 2026-01-16)