Chinese Tech

More information has now been revealed about Xiaomi's upcoming tablet lineup, the Xiaomi Pad 6 series. Apparently, the Chinese company is lining up the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 for one of the devices in the lineup, with that model likely to be the 14-inch tablet rumored to rival the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra.

Lenovo is geared to release its first Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 device shortly. The Lenovo Legion Y70 has been confirmed to debut on August 13 as a mid-year replacement for the Legion Y90. Marketing images and specs of the performance-focused phone have also leaked ahead of that date.

The successors of the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 and MediaTek Dimensity 8100 are in the works. While the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 has failed to challenge the Dimensity 8100, the next-gen chipsets look set to be on par, thanks in part to TSMC's 4nm process.

While most Xiaomi users are still waiting for the MIUI 13.5 update, the first bits of information on MIUI 14 show up. The latest early beta version comes with anti-fraud protection, the ability to recognize text on images in the Gallery app, as well as multiple visual changes that suggest the use of a new approach to interface design.

OnePlus is now actively teasing its next premium phone, the OnePlus Ace Pro, ahead of its August 3 debut in China. The OnePlus Ace Pro will be a Chinese version of the OnePlus 10T set to launch globally on that same day with a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in tow.

SG Micro is a company that has reportedly just secured an order from Apple for the upcoming iPhone 14 series, possibly even its top-end Pro and Pro Max variants. It is a major coup for the components OEM, particularly as it can now say it is a "tier-1" supplier to a top global hardware corporation. Accordingly, its parts will be a part of devices from the new flagship line that are made in the second half of 2022.

A new image has now surfaced on Chinese social media pages claiming to depict the upcoming Redmi Pad in the flesh. The tablet shows off a clean design, perhaps with some design inspirations from the Realme Pad X—a tablet it's expected to go up against.

Motorola has two new devices ready for launch. The Motorola X30 Pro will be its main flagship for the year and will arrive with a 200 MP camera, while the Moto Razr 2022 will be the company's newest take at a clamshell. Both premium devices have now been confirmed to debut on August 2.

Leaker Digital Chat Station has now thrown some light on Xiaomi's short-term product schedule for its Redmi brand. The Redmi K50 Ultra—or the Redmi K50S Pro—is on its way with a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, and will be followed by the Redmi Note 12 series.

Powered by Mediatek's Helio P90 processor, the MIL-STD-810H-certified Doogee S89 Pro is a rugged phone that sports a 12,000 mAh battery with 65 W fast charging, as well as a 6.3-inch LCD FHD+ display, a tricolor breathing light, and more. The early-bird discount can push the price below the US$250 mark.

OPPO has confirmed that it has secured the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 wearable platform for its 2022 flagship Watch. In fact, the OEM has indicated that there will be more than 1 version of this third-gen smartwatch, which will also be first to the market with its new chipset. OPPO has hinted at its ability to boost performance in its inaugural vehicle.

Arcfox has announced that it is finally ready to "deliver" its alphaS, the world's first car to ship with Huawei Inside, a full smart car solution from the eponymous hardware and software OEM. The solution is rated to run the vehicle's comprehensive array of sensors, and also involves a cabin that runs HarmonyOS. The car starts at around US$60,000 on the Chinese market.

OnePlus has now officially confirmed the branding and launch date of its next premium phone. The OnePlus 10T 5G will make its global debut on August 3, and is expected to arrive with a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in tow, as a cheaper alternative to the OnePlus 10 Pro.

The OnePlus 10T is projected to launch as a flagship smartphone that will break the OEM's current top limit for RAM soon. The SKU in question might just have shown up on Geekbench in a leak that could confirm its new selling point. However, some potentially disappointing twists for this tale have already emerged.

The ZTE Nubia Z40S Pro is the latest Android smartphone to debut with the updated Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 flagship processor. It has also managed to undercut its rivals from Realme or iQOO in doing so, starting at the equivalent of just ~US$500 in China. Despite this, the device also offers a choice of charging speeds, an extensive rear camera hump and very thin bezels for its 144Hz screen.

Huawei has confirmed that it will introduce the latest upgrade to its product ecosystem's HarmonyOS toward the end of July 2022. Now, it has also teased one of the first devices to launch with the same new 3.0 version. The latest addition to the MatePad Pro series may also introduce a new screen size to its line.

The iQOO 10 and 10 Pro have just launched with Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 SoCs augmented by the V1 Plus co-processor in both cases. However, the Pro variant goes even further in terms of unique features, as it has now officially won the race to 200-watt (W) "ultra-fast flash" charging. It also has the better display and rear cameras of the two.

The Huawei Mate 50 series is set to debut shortly. Word from China has now revealed some important details of the flagship phones, with two notable takeaways being the reported presence of a Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 4G and a Mate 50 X that will finally succeed the popular Mate 20X from 2018.

Xiaomi Automotive is one of the OEM's latest divisions, and has been backed to reveal its inaugural prototype some time in the third quarter of 2022. Now, the latest leak on the subject purports to confirm that this event will take place in August of this year. The OEM is also now said to have picked up a new design partner to help it target specific price-tiers once it is in the car market.

iQOO's latest Android flagship smartphones are slated to launch as the 10 and 10 Pro later in July 2022. Now, the brand is driving hype for at least 1 of these devices in terms of its best display attributes. They include the latest LTPO technology from Samsung, an industry-leading max brightness and HDR10+.

The Indian Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has ruled that the mobile device OEM OPPO is liable for fines equating to ~US$550 million for practices that allegedly amount to the evasion of custom duties in the country. OPPO does not completely agree with the findings, yet states it is committed to acknowledging and rectifying the situation.

According to reports straight out of China, Xiaomi is working on four new tablets, with sizes ranging from 10.4" to a massive 14" model that looks set to be positioned as a cheaper alternative to Samsung's Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra. The Xiaomi Pad 6 series is on its way, it appears.

China has become a market in which Apple's iPhones are prominent in terms of premium mobile devices. Therefore, new predictions of how well the rumored upcoming 14 series will do in the country might prove an indicator of how its sales will perform worldwide. The latest leak on the subject suggests that they will encounter demand that remains strong in 2022.

Smartphone fast charging technology that breaks the current 150 watt (W) limit is projected to hit the market by the end of 2022. However, OPPO reportedly aims to go even further with a new 240W standard. It is apparently in testing right now at the OEM's factories, although it may still have some critical issues compared to existing or potentially emerging solutions.

While the OPPO Find N was OPPO's first entry into the foldable market, the company will consider it to have been a success. It has a successor in the works, too: the OPPO Find N2, which is apparently set to be a clamshell foldable like the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4.

Honor's chief executive officer (CEO) Zhao Ming has revealed some opinions on the current trend toward the co-branding of premium Android smartphone cameras. In the executive's opinion, they may not add enough to a consumer's UX to keep them out of "gimmick" territory in all cases. Therefore, his OEM is not likely to join others such as Xiaomi and OPPO in securing co-branding with a well-known camera company.

While waiting for the MIUI 13.5 update, Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro (and non-Pro, as usual) users receive a new software update. With a size of about 265 MB, the MIUI 13.0.8 Global Stable update comes with the latest security patches and nothing else, although there might also be some minor tweaks and fixes included.

Nubia has announced that it intends to refresh its current flagship Android smartphone for late 2022. This Z40S Pro as teased will have a markedly different build compared to its immediate predecessor, upgrading to a flat-edged chassis that rocks a physical slider along one side. Nubia also strongly hints at increased camera prowess for the upcoming mobile device.

A well-known Weibo leaker claims to have learned the approximate date on which Huawei will launch its new Mate 50 series of top-end phablets. They are tipped to become the world's first devices with additional XMAGE branding during this event, as part of a new initiative to set them apart in terms of camera prowess. The 50 and 50 Pro are also now said to be "stronger" than their P50 counterparts.

Realme has now joined the exclusive club of OEMs offering a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1-powered phone with the new Realme GT2 Master Explorer Edition. The phone succeeds last year's Snapdragon 870-powered GT Master Explorer Edition and brings a host of improvements, including Pixelworks' X7 graphic chip.

The Xiaomi 13 series will be Xiaomi's next traditional flagship phones. While most specifics of the phones are still up in the air, new leaks have now provided a better idea of what to expect from the phones, and when exactly to expect them.

Mini-PC manufacturer GEEKOM is kicking off the first of three sales events this summer, offering up to US$140 (about 22%) off its Intel-based mini PCs. Devices on sale include the new Mini IT11, which boasts up to an 11th Gen Core i7-1165G7 with Intel Iris Xe Graphics.

iQOO is set to wait until later in July 2022 to launch its latest top-end Android smartphones. However, this has not stopped the brand from teasing the upcoming 10 series with a full design reveal ahead of this event. The video and posters involved also casually drop some tantalizing specs along with a homage to the OEM's official BMW M Motorsport tie-in.

The Xiaomi 12S Ultra has received plenty of media attention for its 1-inch Sony IMX989 main camera. It appears, however, that the new Xiaomi flagship may not have the honor of being the first phone with that sensor, with a lesser-known device beating it to the punch back in May.

The Asus Zenfone 9 is on its way. Seemingly, a marketing video for the Zenfone 8's successor has now surfaced, revealing most major details of the compact flagship. And yes, the Zenfone 9 looks set to continue as one of the few available compact premium phones with a 5.9-inch display.

According to a new leak, the Xiaomi 12T Pro will have the honor of being Xiaomi's first phone to feature a 200 MP camera. The vanilla Xiaomi 12T could share that sensor, too, if prior generations of the series are anything to go by.

The Redmi Buds 4 and 4 Pro are Xiaomi's latest TWS earbuds with Bluetooth 5.2 and IP54 ingress-protection. According to a new leak, they may also have an international launch in the near future. A reportedly premature Amazon listing allegedly reveals how much they might cost in at least 1 market.

iQOO has now revealed that its latest 10-series flagship Android smartphones will line up for their debut soon. The devices are thought to do so with the bleeding edge of mobile SoCs, not to mention the brand's fastest charging tech yet - something hinted at in their latest teaser.

A new leak has now revealed Motorola's product roadmap starting now and on to 2023 and beyond. Some notable takeaways include the Edge 40 series, the Razr 4, and a premium rollable phone. There are, of course, some budget and mid-range phones planned, too.

Leica has officially jumped ship to Xiaomi today (July 4, 2022) in terms of premium camera smartphone collaborations. Its former partner, Huawei, has responded by instituting something new called XMAGE, a spin-off of sorts from the OEM's Mobile Imaging division touted to keep its reputation for photography prowess going in the future.

Xiaomi has now launched its latest and greatest fitness tracker yet, the Xiaomi Band 7 Pro, in China. The Band 7 Pro debuts with a watch-esque design, a buckle-style strap, new materials, built-in GPS, NFC, and a host of other features, all for a price tag that converts into about US$60.

Ahead of its official launch tomorrow in China, Xiaomi is now confirming hardware features of the Xiaomi 12S Pro. Most notable is the presence of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, dual-mode 120 W charging, and solid cameras that should be even better thanks to Leica's contributions.

The OnePlus Nord Watch is on its way. According to a new leak, the Nord Watch is set to launch imminently and has now entered production across Eurasia. The Nord Watch will, of course, be an affordable alternative to the negatively received OnePlus Watch that was released last year.

More details of the Xiaomi 12S series have now been revealed. While the 12S Ultra gets a groundbreaking main camera, the 12S and 12S Pro look set to sport the same 50 MP camera on the Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi 12 Pro. Sadly, though, all of that may be irrelevant to fans outside China, as the phones look unlikely to ever launch globally.

Xiaomi has now officially confirmed the imminent launch of its next fitness tracker. The Xiaomi Band 7 Pro will debut on July 4 alongside the Xiaomi 12S series, and will ditch the Band 7's design for a more watch-like look, a la Redmi Smart Band Pro.

The upcoming Xiaomi 12 Lite has now appeared in the flesh by way of an unboxing video. The video confirms the design of the phone—with a distinctive camera module and iPhone-esque, flat form factor—as well as some key features of the mid-range phone.

Xiaomi has now officially confirmed a launch date for its next set of premium phones, the Xiaomi 12S series. The Xiaomi 12S, Xiaomi 12S, and Xiaomi 12S Ultra are expected to debut on July 4, with camera performance being Xiaomi's focus, thanks to a partnership with Leica.

The Xiaomi 12T is expected to land later in the year alongside the Xiaomi 12T Pro. Some details of the sub-premium phone have now surfaced well ahead of release, mostly hinting at a MediaTek Dimensity chipset.

The upcoming iQOO 10 Pro flagship Android smartphone is projected to launch with the latest top-end Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 processor. However, it now seems the vanilla 10 that might accompany it will hold its own with the equally new MediaTek Dimensity 9000 Plus SoC. Its brand has reportedly secured the rights to be first to the market with this updated silicon.

Sales data from China's just-concluded 6.18 sales are in, providing some insights into what models are currently the most popular in the world's biggest smartphone market. The iPhone 13 is undisputed king, it appears, with Xiaomi dominating by taking the other nine spots in the top ten.