Launch

POCO's latest TWS earbuds have launched as the brand's first-gen Pods, which, as the name suggests, entails a close resemblance to certain Apple accessories. They come in completely different colors, however, and are rated to "fast charge" their "30-hour" battery via USB type-C. The Pods make compromises on their noise-cancelling technology and driver size to retail at well under US$50 in their new market of India.

Audi has introduced the e-tron GT as its latest super-premium electric vehicle (EV) for the Chinese market. The luxury sedan has a dual-motor system rated to propel it from 0 to ~62 miles per hour (or 0 to 100 kilometers per hour (km/h)) in well under 5 seconds. It also has ultra-fast charging touted to be able to fill its battery by 75% in under 30 minutes.

AMD is introducing its 3D V-cache technology to gaming laptops with the launch of the Ryzen 9 7945HX3D. The Ryzen 9 7945HX3D is similar to the Ryzen 9 7945HHX but with a 200 MHz lower base clock, a total of 128 MB of L3 cache, and a 55 W+ TDP envelope. The Ryzen 9 7945HX3D will debut together with the Asus Strix Scar 17 X3D later in August.

The Lenovo Tab P12 is one of the first devices powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7050, a 6 nm chipset complemented by up to 8 GB of RAM and a 10,200 mAh battery. Available from €399, the Tab P12 supports an active stylus and a detachable keyboard.

SolidRun has released the Bedrock R7000, a Zen 4 Phoenix-based mini-PC. Available with the Ryzen 7 7840U or Ryzen 7 7840HS, the Bedrock R7000 has plenty of expansion options, I/O and is intended to be used in industrial use cases.

Samsung has now released a new version of its Golf Edition smartwatch. Based on the Galaxy Watch6 Classic, the Golf Edition contains a few design and software tweaks from the regular model.

OnePlus has unveiled its latest thermal management system for top-end Android smartphones at an ongoing Chinese tech expo. The new "Aerospace-grade Tiangong Cooling System" incorporates cutting-edge materials such as "next-generation super-thermal graphite" and thermal gel made of diamond, not to mention a vapor chamber about twice the size of those found in existing potential rivals of the first device to feature the system: the Ace 2 Pro.

The Galaxy Z Flip5 is Samsung's latest attempt at a clamshell foldable. This time, the Galaxy Z Flip can close flush, eliminating the gap that existed with previous models. The Galaxy Z Flip5 also has a much more powerful processor than earlier models, among other changes.

Samsung's trio of high-end tablets are now official. The Galaxy Tab S9, Galaxy Tab S9+ and Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra all feature a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy SoC, expandable memory and support for 45 W fast charging. They come pre-loaded with productivity apps and split-screen functionality out of the box.

Samsung has now presented the Galaxy Z Fold5 globally, one of its latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy-powered smartphones. The Galaxy Z Fold5 builds on the Galaxy Z Fold4 with minor but useful revisions, such as a new hinge design that helps it maintain a smaller footprint. The Galaxy Z Fold5 is ordearble from today with 12 GB of RAM and up to 1 TB of storage.

Samsung has introduced the Galaxy Watch6 series, which is orderable from today. Available in four sizes, the Galaxy Watch6 series marks the return of Classic styling, which was last seen on the Galaxy Watch4 Classic.

Rumour has it that Sony is slated to release two new mirrorless cameras within the next two months. Along with an updated A7C II, expected to arrive with the A7 IV's 33-MP BSI CMOS sensor, Sony will allegedly also launch the A7C R as a high-resolution version of its video-focussed A7C compact full-frame camera.

Retroid has released the Retroid Pocket 2S, a compact gaming handheld with a 3.5-inch display and a Unisoc Tiger T610 chipset. Available with 3 GB or 4 GB of RAM, the Retroid Pocket 2S also has hall effect joysticks, runs Android 11 and is available for under US$100.

Wanbo's latest projector is in fact a re-boot of an earlier model that was designed to be as compact as possible while still offering an "HD" throw and in-built speakers. The "New" version of the T2 purports to have taken a step up in terms of brightness compared to its forebear, as well as to "much smarter" AI-powered auto-focus (AF). The new miniature gadget is now priced at under US$200.

The DJI Air 3 has arrived following months of speculation. Available from US$1,099 with an RC-N2 remote controller, the DJI Air 3 has a pair of 48 MP cameras and can last up to 46 minutes on a single charge, among other features.

Sony has now launched the WF-1000XM5, its latest pair of high-end earbuds. Available to order now, early reviews suggest the WF-1000XM5 is a worthy replacement for the ageing WF-1000XM4.

The Fiido X is an "eye-catcher" of an e-bike with unique security features and a torque sensor. Now, its maker has announced an upcoming "meaningful" initiative that might help its fans get their friends or partners out onto an identical electric two-wheeler with them. It offers extra free accessories with the purchase of two or more new X units.

Rumour has it that Panasonic is just about ready to replace its flagship Lumix G9 Micro Four Thirds camera, with the updated compact camera allegedly inheriting some of the most impressive features of the full-frame Lumix S5 II. An exact release date is still unknown, but the new M4/3 camera is likely to launch before the end of 2023.

Oukitel touts its new RT6 as its "most powerful" rugged Android tablet yet. Its 10.1-inch display is sustained by a battery with a capacity as large as some power banks out there, rated to stay on for no less than 2,250 hours on standby. It has a microSD card slot and RAM that can be extended in its software, although its robust nature comes with one or two potential key weaknesses.

One week after being unveiled, the 4.3-inch Blackview N6000 is now launching globally for US$149.99. After the first 200 units, the price will go up by US$10. This rugged phone that runs Android 13-based DokeOS 3.1 is powered by the MediaTek Helio G99 and sports a 48 MP Samsung ISOCELL GM2 main camera.

Vivo has announced its latest, third-generation custom-designed ISP for the next generation of its premium smartphones. The V3 chip is touted to bring "4K Cinematic Portrait Video" to Android devices for the first time. The X100 and its higher-end siblings may be the first handsets to debut with this new co-processor.

The Legion Y34w has just become the latest Lenovo gaming monitor on that OEM's native market. It is touted to deliver immersion at its best with a WQHD resolution stretched across up-to-date mini-LED technology in the 21:9 aspect-ratio with a 1500R curvature. The display also boasts a port complement that includes dual HDMI 2.1 ports and one USB type-C port with 140W charging.

Lenovo's latest Legion-brand product event has introduced a new version of the Y9000X laptop to the Chinese market. It has become a lighter and slimmer PC, if anything, in this generation, yet still boasts gaming credentials such as RTX 4000-series graphics to drive a 3.2K 165Hz display. It also boasts 140W charging for a 99.9kWh battery.

Lenovo has made its second-gen Android gaming tablet official today (July 22, 2023). The 2023 version of the Y700 comes in two colors and three different RAM/storage SKUs, which may be just part of what helps the new version blow its inaugural predecessor away in terms of performance. Then again, their battery and charging stats remain constant.

Hong Kong-based ArtraLab has revealed that it will soon be expanding its handsome, retro-themed NONIKKOR lens line-up with a 24 mm f/1.7 pancake lens for both Micro Four Thirds and Nikon Z-mount cameras. The YouTube video that makes mention of the lenses suggests that the Z-mount version will be particularly suited for Nikon's APS-C cameras, like the Zfc.

Sony and Insomniac Games have collaborated on a new Limited Edition Bundle of the PlayStation 5 (PS5) based on the next blockbuster from the latter: Marvel's Spider-Man 2. This version of the console comes with an exclusive new paint-job for the console and DualSense wireless controller that highlights the game's main "threat" as well as its main characters. However, those with an existing PS5 can still get the same effect thanks to new first-party replacement covers.

Toyota has applied for new trademarks in the European Union Intellectual Property Office, and the naming scheme indicates that the trademarks may be related to at least one upcoming electric Lexus three-row SUV. If the new electric three-row SUV follows in its ICE and PHEV counterparts' footsteps, we should be seeing a pretty boxy design with pseudo-station-wagon looks.

Apple has introduced the Beats Studio Pro as its latest headphones. They are rated for "Class 1" Bluetooth - yet are also rated to support "lossless" audio thanks to its DAC for wired connections - which are done via USB type-C rather than Lightning. Beats has also thrown active noise cancellation (ANC) with a Transparency mode along with new 40mm drivers into these new cans.

Nubia has now officially updated its 2023 Z50 Android flagship smartphone series with a new variant based on the upgraded Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Leading Edition SoC. The Z50S Pro is also backed to rival other top-end mobile devices with cutting-edge 1-inch main rear camera sensors with many attributes shared with professional cameras - even if the actual sensor size in question is not one of them.

Nissan is the latest electric vehicle manufacturer to adopt Tesla's North American Charging Standard hardware. Just like other manufacturers that have made the switch, Nissan will ship NACS-to-CCS adaptors in 2024, and all electric vehicles from 2025 onwards will have NACS ports built in. Nissan has big plans for its electric future, with 19 new electric models planned between now and 2030.

Alleged specifications for the next update to DJI's GoPro-killer OSMO Action camera have leaked on Twitter, and the spec sheet indicates an incremental, but not insignificant, update to the affordable action camera's hardware. 4K 120 FPS video makes a return, but a larger 1/1.3-inch sensor promises to let in substantially more light than its predecessor.

In a surprising move, Tesla has announced that it plans to license its Full Self-Driving hardware and software to other electric vehicle manufacturers, adding that the company is already in talks with one other OEM to include FSD technology. Tesla will also allow existing FSD subscriptions to be transferred to new registrations through the end of September 2023.

Tesla has given us a sneak peek at the dimensions of the Cybertruck during the company's latest investor update, confirming a six-foot bed and a more compact body than any other full-sized double-cab pickup truck on the market. The company also confirmed that deliveries for the electric pickup will start later in 2023.

Realme has now confirmed that the C53 confers the ability to "Shoot like a Champion" with a 108MP main camera for cheaper than ever before. The smartphone also offers an additional, potentially winning, perk in the form of the OEM's take on the Apple Dynamic Island: its "Mini Capsule for Android". However, this premium veneer of hype comes with frankly puzzling choices in other ways.

BLUETTI touts its new AC60 as the all-weather portable power station thanks to its IP65 ingress protection rating. The new accessory provides up to 403 watt-hours (Wh) of back-up power - or up to about 5 times that with its optional expandable battery system. It also has BLUETTI Turbo Charging to power up in as little as one hour.

The Realme Pad 2 has been officially announced in India. It features an 11.2-inch LCD screen, a MediaTek Helio G99 SoC, up to 8 GB RAM/256 GB storage, and an 8,360 mAh battery. It can be bought via Flipkart and Realme's website on August 11.

Game Pass Core has been announced as a new way to access Microsoft's Xbox multi-player network for less than US$10 a month. The new Pass is only compatible with a limited and specific range of games, however. It will become active later in 2023, and will also supplant the Xbox Live Gold account type from day one.

RedMagic has invited its fans who live outside China to join the "Winners' Circle" with the 8S Pro. It is touted as the ultimate form of the OEM's Android gaming flagship smartphone with the "strongest" version of the top-end Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC to drive its "most advanced" 6.8-inch, 93.7% screen-to-body ratio AMOLED display. However, not all of its most ground-breaking specs have found their way to new markets.

Three new workstation laptops with AMD Ryzen CPUs are coming out: The new Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 4 and P16s Gen 2 will feature Ryzen 7040U, while the bigger Lenovo ThinkPad P16v combines Ryzen 7040HS with the Nvidia RTX 2000 Ada.

OnePlus' brand partnership with Genshin Impact has come to international markets in 2023, with a new buying option for the OEM's current flagship Android smartphone. It consists of the 11 in a new Custom Gift Box, which comes with collectibles and a version of OxygenOS 13 themed after one of the worldwide mobile gaming sensation's characters.

JLab has augmented its Epic series of products with an accessory that can connect to smartphones, tablets or PCs - however, it is for typing on them rather than listening to their audio in this case. The Epic Wireless Keyboard aims for a premium experience with a metallic build that incorporates a physical media dial and "soft touch" keys (that can be shared between up to 3 user devices), yet has been priced at well under US$100.

Although it comes with a tiny (by today's standards) 4.3-inch display, the Blackview N6000 rugged phone sports a resolution of 540 X 1,200 pixels and no less than 450 nits maximum brightness. This handset is driven by the MediaTek Helio G99 SoC alongside 8/256 GB memory/storage and a 3,880 mAh battery.

An electric vehicle social media influencer who claims to have spoken to confidential sources has sparked a rumour that the Tesla Cybertruck will launch with only one range and battery spec. Tesla has previously confirmed that the Cybertruck would be offered in at least three different trims, with the longest-range variant topping out at 500 miles (804 km) of range from a full charge.

Lenovo promises to unlock fun and creativity all day long with the latest version of its Tab M10. Its compact 10.6-inch display chassis is touted as water- and dust-resistant. Its 2K screen is TÜV Rheinland-certified for eye comfort while using the new slate's Reading Mode. It also runs on a 5G-capable Qualcomm processor and, thus, supports additional functions such as "lag-free" video calls.

Ford's new rally-inspired Mustang Mach-E Rally will be available to purchase in the US and Europe in the coming months. While specific technical details about performance tweaks are as yet unknown, it's safe to say it will be based on the Mustang Mach-E GT, meaning a dual-motor rear-biased eAWD system is to be expected. Ford has released images of the Mustang Mach-E Rally, showing off the visual tweaks that have been made to the electric crossover as it underwent the dirt treatment.

Harley-Davidson's LiveWire spin-off has revealed the final specifications for its S2 Del Mar electric motorcycle, with some of the excitement tainted by a somewhat underwhelming top speed figure of just 103 mph (166 km/h). On top of an underwhelming top-end, the 43-mile highway range is sure to curl the average S2 Del Mar rider into a bundle of range anxiety.

Baseus claims that its latest Bowie-series wireless earphones come recommended by "Oscar-winning film composers" for their rich sound. They are also rated for powerful hybrid ("ANC + ENC") noise-cancellation specs and low-latency audio over their Bluetooth 5.3 connection. Despite these bragging rights, they have been priced at ~US$30 on their launch.

Xiaomi has now started selling the Redmi Watch 3 Active in Europe. Available for about a third of the price of the Redmi Watch 3, the Redmi Watch 3 Active has a 1.83-inch LPD display, a 289 mAh battery and is 5 ATM water resistant.

Hyundai has kind of beaten the likes of Ford, Volkswagen, and Toyota to the electric-hot-hatch punch by dropping the Ioniq 5 N that delivers up to 650 hp. Thanks to all the tweaks Hyundai has made to the drivetrain, the Ioniq 5 N reaches 100 kph (62 mph) in just 3.4 seconds. The new, sportier Ioniq 5 N is wider and lower than the standard Ioniq 5, and it has some new smarts that leverage Hyundai's rally racing know-how to use the weight of the electric vehicle to improve cornering accuracy and speed.

After months of rumours, leaks, and barefaced speculation, Sony has finally unveiled the Alpha 6700 APS-C mirrorless camera as the follow-up to the nearly-four-year-old Alpha 6600. The A6700 stacks up to be an impressively capable successor to the A6600, thanks to an updated BSI sensor, enhanced AI image processing, and class-leading video features. The A6700 should put up stiff competition for the likes of the recently-released Fujifilm X-S20, especially given the Sony's competitive US$1,399 price tag.