Gadget of the Week: Robots audition for prime time

gadget.co.za Jul 10, 2026

Gadget of the Week: Robots audition for prime time

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Jul 10, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Mobile World Congress Shanghai, the Chinese counterpart to the Barcelona event, attracted 37,300 attendees and turned its exhibition floor into a showcase for advanced robotics. The highlight was a penalty‑shootout between autonomous robots, underscoring their growing versatility. At Huawei’s Mobile Broadband Business Forum, four robot dogs from TD Tech—co‑owned by Huawei and state investors—performed distinct tasks: one bore a six‑axis arm, another a rugged communications module, a third a sensor‑laden surveillance turret, and the fourth a wheeled‑leg platform with a stabilized camera. A fifth robot carried a fire extinguisher for rapid response. All units were equipped with Huawei’s 5G‑Advanced modules, demonstrating low‑latency, power‑efficient connectivity for emergency services, logistics and inspection applications.

💡 Why It Matters

· The deployment of 5G‑linked robot dogs illustrates how next‑gen connectivity can turn autonomous machines into on‑demand responders, reshaping disaster relief and supply‑chain logistics.

Read full article on gadget.co.za

iPhone Fold battery now rumored to have less capacity than expected

A leaker claims the iPhone Fold will have a total battery capacity of at least 4,883 mAh, split between two batteries of 1,921 mAh and 2,962 mAh. This is reportedly based on regulatory filings from an unspecified supplier. If accurate, the foldable iPhone would have a 14% larger battery than the rumored iPhone 18 Pro. The design includes two batteries to accommodate its thin, foldable form, with one side likely housing the motherboard and the other the larger battery.

💡 The dual-battery approach highlights Apple’s engineering challenge in balancing thinness with performance in a foldable device. The design choice suggests a focus on maximizing battery life without compromising the phone’s form factor, a key concern for early adopters of foldable smartphones.

androidcentral.com · Jul 10

The Xiaomi 18 Pro could be Xiaomi’s biggest flagship upgrade in years

The Xiaomi 18 Pro is expected to feature Qualcomm’s upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 chip, a dual 200MP camera system, and a 7,000mAh battery, according to a reliable leaker. The phone could also include a custom flat OLED display with ultra-slim bezels and a privacy display mode. These upgrades suggest a major leap in performance, photography, and battery life for Xiaomi’s next flagship.

💡 The rumored 7,000mAh battery sets a new standard for flagship endurance, offering users extended usage without frequent recharging. If Xiaomi delivers on these specs, it could challenge competitors who prioritize AI features over tangible hardware improvements.

appleinsider.com · Jul 10

No, EU iPhones won’t have a removable battery door in 2027

The European Union’s 2027 battery regulation will not require Apple to redesign the iPhone with a user-replaceable battery. While the regulation mandates easy battery replacement for smartphones, Apple is exempt due to its iPhones meeting specific criteria, including battery longevity and water resistance. The rule applies to smaller manufacturers more directly, potentially limiting consumer choices in the short term.

💡 The exemption highlights a regulatory gap that favors large tech companies over smaller competitors, raising concerns about market fairness. It also underscores how nuanced EU legislation can have uneven impacts across the industry, depending on a company’s product design and resources.

techcrunch.com · Jul 10

After Apple, India’s smartphone manufacturing boom enters new phase with Vivo JV

India approved a joint venture between Chinese smartphone brand Vivo and Indian manufacturer Dixon Technologies, allowing Vivo to transfer manufacturing assets and produce smartphones in India. The 51/49 partnership, majority-owned by Dixon, follows stricter investment rules for neighboring countries like China. The move reflects a growing trend of Chinese brands partnering with Indian firms to navigate regulatory hurdles and expand manufacturing in India, building on Apple's success in establishing the country as a global production hub.

💡 The joint venture sets a potential blueprint for Chinese smartphone brands to scale manufacturing in India while complying with local regulations. By aligning with Indian ownership structures, these partnerships could help bridge the gap between India's domestic market dominance and its limited export contribution from Chinese brands.

androidcentral.com · Jul 10

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 just broke cover in a Samsung store…

Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 8 series was spotted on a South Korean store display a week before its official Unpacked launch on July 22 in London, according to a Reddit user who posted photos of the device. The lineup includes the standard Z Fold 8, priced at $1,899 for the 256 GB model, and the larger Z Fold 8 Ultra, slated for $2,099, both representing a $100 increase over last year’s Fold 7 pricing. The leaks also confirm that the wider Fold 8 will compete directly with Apple’s anticipated foldable iPhone Ultra. Samsung has confirmed the event date but has not yet released detailed specifications, leaving the market to anticipate design tweaks and performance upgrades ahead of the formal announcement and generate strong consumer interest in worldwide.

💡 By pre‑displaying the Fold 8, Samsung forces rivals to confront its premium pricing and form‑factor gamble before Apple’s own foldable debut.

yankodesign.com · Jul 10

Son transforms a Unitree robot dog into an all-terrain mobility chair for…

YouTuber Jake Laser repurposed a Unitree quadruped robot into an all‑terrain mobility chair for his father, who has lived with multiple sclerosis for over two decades. The industrial robot’s hybrid design—wheels for smooth surfaces and articulated legs for rough ground—was retained, while Laser added a racing bucket seat, safety harness, and a wireless dual‑joystick controller. He recalibrated the balance software to accommodate a human passenger’s shifting weight, enabling stable navigation of stairs, ladders, rocky riverbeds and steep hills. Aesthetic touches inspired by 1940s Bugatti cars, such as carbon‑fiber accents and chrome‑style headlights, gave the device a personal, futuristic look. After extensive testing, Laser’s father rode the robot for the first time in twenty‑plus years, regaining access to trails and landscapes previously out of reach.

💡 It demonstrates how open‑source robotics can be adapted for personalized medical mobility, turning high‑tech platforms into life‑changing assistive devices.