Huawei predicts more smartphone price hikes due to memory crunch

thestar.com.my Oct 1, 2026

Huawei predicts more smartphone price hikes due to memory crunch

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Oct 1, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Huawei Technologies announced it will raise smartphone prices moderately to offset a $200 rise in component costs driven by a global memory shortage. Consumer business chief Richard Yu said the increase is necessary to protect profitability, which has been hit hard, and to leverage Huawei’s “chips‑to‑software” advantage as low‑end devices under $200 disappear by decade’s end, according to Counterpoint Research. The firm expects the shift toward mid‑ and high‑end phones to play to its strengths, especially its foldable models, which have seen strong demand after Apple’s entry into the segment. Huawei projects an 8% rise in shipments this year, while rivals face declines of up to 34%, and plans to expand premium sales in the Middle East and Europe.

💡 Why It Matters

· Huawei’s price hike forces the market deeper into premium tiers, reshaping competition and accelerating the exit of budget smartphones.

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HomePad launch nears, Apple Watch Readiness score, Ternus wants to make Apple…

Apple is set to launch its HomePad smart display on October 13, featuring a small square screen that has sparked speculation about its use case. Leaked images also reveal upcoming updates to the iPad mini and HomePod mini, hinting at a broader refresh of Apple’s ecosystem. Industry analyst John Ternus has called for Apple to become more agile, while Apple Watch users anticipate a new Readiness feature that could streamline setup. Benjamin and Chance discuss adding Touch ID to the Apple TV remote in a recent podcast.

💡 The HomePad’s release signals Apple’s push into home automation, potentially reshaping how users interact with smart devices. The new Watch Readiness feature could set a new standard for wearable onboarding, influencing competitor strategies.

androidcentral.com · Oct 1

Samsung Galaxy Glasses are coming sooner than you might think

Samsung announced its Galaxy Glasses will launch in November, partnering with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker for multiple designs. The glasses will integrate with Galaxy phones, featuring built‑in cameras, speakers, microphones, and Gemini AI access. They are positioned as an extension of the phone rather than a standalone device, offering watch‑gesture controls and instant syncing. Pricing remains unconfirmed but is expected to be a premium tier, potentially exceeding Meta’s $300 Ray‑Bans. The launch marks Samsung’s entry into the smart‑glasses market.

💡 Samsung’s entry could shift consumer expectations for premium AR wearables, forcing rivals to innovate beyond Meta’s baseline.

playstationlifestyle.net · Oct 1

Popular PS4 Shooters Get Free PlayStation 5 Upgrade With Major Enhancements

4A Games announced a free Metro Redux Next‑Gen Update for Metro 2033 Redux and Metro Last Light Redux on PlayStation, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The update, launching October 29 on consoles and October 22 on PC, adds 4K textures, higher‑fidelity audio, improved lighting, and particle effects while preserving the original gameplay. PS5 owners gain native 4K/60 fps or upscaled 4K/120 fps, DualSense adaptive triggers, and Power Saver mode. The move coincides with the franchise’s 50 million‑sale milestone.

💡 By upgrading classic titles at no cost, 4A Games strengthens player loyalty and showcases the value of next‑gen hardware, potentially setting a new standard for post‑launch support in the industry.

appleinsider.com · Oct 1

GrayKey might have a workaround for Apple’s iPhone reboot protection

Magnet Forensics has introduced GrayKey Preserve, a tool that allegedly keeps iPhones in an After First Unlock (AFU) state even after a reboot, bypassing Apple’s iOS 18.1 inactivity reboot that returns devices to a Before First Unlock (BFU) state. The feature preserves cached locations, deleted photos, and iMessages indefinitely and disables cellular, Bluetooth, and Wi‑Fi to isolate the device. Law‑enforcement videos claim the tool freezes data until authorization, potentially extending the window for data extraction from seized phones.

💡 By neutralizing Apple’s 72‑hour reboot safeguard, the tool could undermine the security model that protects user privacy, giving authorities a new avenue to access encrypted data. This shift raises questions about the balance between investigative needs and the integrity of built‑in device protections.

9to5google.com · Oct 1

Samsung’s open-ear Galaxy Buds On go official with late October release

Samsung announced its first open‑ear Galaxy Buds, the Galaxy Buds On, slated for a late‑October launch. The clip‑style earbuds sit on the ear’s side, allowing ambient sound while delivering in‑ear audio. Features include touch controls, automatic volume adjustment, noise‑leakage reduction, upgraded call quality, Snapdragon processing, 9.5‑hour battery life, Gemini Live, and head‑gesture commands. The charging case mirrors that of the Galaxy Buds 4. In Korea, the buds retail at 299,000 won (~$200) with a global release following October 27.

💡 Samsung’s move into open‑ear design signals a shift toward more socially aware audio, potentially redefining how consumers balance privacy and situational awareness in everyday listening.

industrywired.com · Oct 1

Apple’s Smart Home Hub Could Debut on October 13: What to Expect

Apple is expected to unveil its first smart‑home hub on October 13, alongside a refreshed HomePod Mini and an upgraded Apple TV 4K, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The hub, codenamed J490, will feature a square touchscreen (6‑ or 7‑inch) on a rounded base, powered by the A18 chip, and will support Siri AI, FaceTime, and a new operating system with custom clock faces and widgets. Two variants are planned: a tabletop model with a built‑in speaker and a wall‑mountable version. The HomePod Mini and Apple TV 4K will also receive chipset upgrades and Siri AI support.

💡 Apple’s entry into the smart‑home hub market signals a strategic push to compete with established players like Amazon and Google, potentially reshaping the ecosystem for home automation and voice assistants.