TechCapsules

Xiaomi confirmed that its upcoming Xiaomi 18 Pro will include a hardware‑based smart privacy display, mirroring Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra. The screen remains fully visible from the front while side brightness falls to about 1% beyond a 60‑degree angle, rendering the display nearly black to observers. Xiaomi claims its implementation does not dim the front view, unlike Samsung’s version. Software controls will enable privacy for lock‑screen notifications and floating windows. The 18 series is slated for launch [...]

TECNO’s Spark 50 Pro, priced at $274, features a Sony LYTIA 600 50‑MP sensor—normally reserved for premium phones—paired with a MediaTek Helio G100 Ultimate 6 nm chipset. The device boasts IP69 water resistance, a 5,600‑mAh battery that reaches 63 % in 30 minutes via 60 W charging, and Android 16 with HiOS 16 AI tools. The Helio G100 prioritizes efficiency over raw speed, delivering smooth social‑media use and medium‑settings gaming. TECNO highlights 80 % battery capacity retention after six years, targeting emerging‑market consumers who keep phones longer. [...]

Google has officially released its first wave of Googlebooks, five laptops running Googlebook OS. Prices start at $899, with models from Dell, HP, ASUS, Lenovo, and Acer. All feature 120 Hz touchscreens, 16 GB of RAM, and either Intel Core Ultra or Snapdragon X Elite processors. The lineup shows improved build quality and performance compared to past Chromebooks, with standout models from Dell XPS and HP. The devices lack expandable storage and carry a premium price tag, but deliver [...]

Motorola unveiled a preview of its upcoming high‑end “Signature 27” smartphone on Instagram, revealing a bold new design that departs from the brand’s previous models. The teaser shows four camera lenses arranged in two rows on the top, curving into a slimmer profile below, a configuration unseen in current market offerings. The company claims the device is engineered to the highest standards and hints it will run a new Snapdragon chip, tying the reveal to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon [...]

Pixel VIPs 2.0 begins rolling out after last week’s Feature Drop, introducing a full‑screen contact view that replaces the previous bottom‑sheet slide. The new layout places call, message, video, and contact buttons near the top, with an outline‑style icon set and a pencil icon for quick Google Contacts edits. “Local updates” now appears above “Last connection,” and the “Notes” section moves to the bottom after media and place recommendations are removed. A pill‑shaped VIP switcher lets users [...]

Harish Jonnalagadda, Android Central’s Senior Editor, has spent over a decade covering Android devices, beginning his tech career with Windows XP tweaks and PC hardware reviews. He transitioned to mobile journalism after adopting the Nexus 4, and has since led coverage of Chinese phone brands, audio gear, networking hardware, and storage servers. His engineering background and extensive hands‑on experience give him a unique perspective on the evolution of Google’s platform and the rise of Chinese manufacturers. [...]

OnePlus unveiled the design of its upcoming OnePlus 16, confirming that the handset will launch exclusively in China as the brand withdraws from most overseas markets. The teaser campaign features a new landing page and visual cues reminiscent of the OnePlus 15, but introduces three fresh colorways—Dark Forest, Tomorrow Starlight and Mars Masterpiece—each with distinct finishes, including an orange topographic pattern and a blue‑silver variant with illuminated rear accents of uncertain purpose. Oppo’s Chinese online store lists [...]

Over the past week, Southeast Asian hardware makers emphasized endurance and practicality. In Malaysia, Oppo launched the A7 Pro 5G and A7 Pro Max 5G, the latter featuring an ultra‑thin 10,000 mAh battery, 80 W fast charging that reaches full capacity in 91 minutes and a 5‑minute 11 % boost, plus reverse wired charging and a 50‑megapixel front camera. Honor responded with the X9e Pro, equipped with an 11,000 mAh cell, IP68/69/69K protection and a 108‑megapixel primary sensor, targeting travelers and remote [...]