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. [...]

A leaked slide from Vivo’s China launch on September 21 shows the new X500 series starting at 6,499 yuan ($970), a nearly 50% increase over the X300’s 4,399 yuan ($605) entry price. The slide lists five tiers, with the highest variant priced at 7,999 yuan ($1,193). The X500 lineup includes the base model, X500 Pro, and X500 Pro Max. The price jump is larger than recent hikes by competitors like Huawei, Xiaomi, and Honor, reflecting a shift in Vivo’s pricing strategy.

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 [...]

Apple tested a shorter, magnetic Apple Pencil designed for its iPhone Duo, intending to attach to the device’s hinge. The prototype faced technical issues and was abandoned, prompting a shift to support existing iPad Pencil models on the Duo’s dual screens. At the September event, Apple announced that the Duo will accept the USB‑C Apple Pencil later this year, marking the first iPhone with official stylus support. Only the USB‑C model will work; the Pencil Pro is [...]

Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro Max and Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra were compared in seven evaluation rounds. The iPhone won in design, camera, performance, and battery, while Samsung edged out in display resolution and software/AI features. Both 256 GB models launch at $1,299 in the U.S. The iPhone weighs 249 g with an 8.75 mm thickness; the Galaxy is lighter at 214 g and 7.9 mm thick. Samsung offers a higher‑resolution screen, 200 MP primary sensor, and S Pen, whereas the iPhone delivers a 48 MP camera system, 120 Hz ProMotion display, [...]

Honor announced the X9e Pro, slated for a September 24 launch in Malaysia before expanding across Southeast Asia. The device features an 11,000 mAh silicon‑carbon battery—the largest offered in any mainstream smartphone in 2026—and is priced at roughly $295 in China, undercutting rivals in its capacity class. It carries an IP69K rating, tolerating high‑pressure water, 3‑meter drops, and extreme temperatures from –30 °C to 85 °C. Powered by a mid‑range Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 chipset, the phone sacrifices processing speed to preserve endurance. [...]

iFixit released a detailed teardown of the iPhone 18 Pro, revealing the new variable‑aperture camera system, a larger vapor‑chamber cooling architecture, and an under‑display Face ID infrared camera. The review noted a fragile aperture blade that can detach, indicating that a stuck aperture would require replacing the entire camera module. It also documented damage to the plastic frame surrounding the display on three of four units, raising concerns about water resistance and repairability. The device earned a provisional 7‑out‑of‑10 repair [...]

Sean Endicott writes for Windows Central, covering Windows 11, Surface devices, Microsoft 365, AI, and related apps. Since 2017 he has produced over a thousand pieces, ranging from breaking news to opinion and weekly “Windows Wrap” columns that synthesize major PC‑industry stories. His reporting tracks Microsoft’s software updates, hardware launches, and the firm’s expanding AI and services strategy. Endicott holds a First‑Class degree in Broadcast Journalism from Nottingham Trent University and began his career in journalism and media production, [...]

The author spent 14 days using only foldable office gear, including a laptop, keyboard, webcam, mouse, and walking pad. He tested a Logitech Mobi Fold mouse that collapses into a square and uses sensors to detect its state. The experiment aimed to assess whether a fully portable, origami‑style setup could replace conventional equipment. Over the two‑week period, the author noted the convenience for commuters and the space savings, while also observing the practicality of each device in [...]

Google’s new premium laptop, the Googlebook, will launch on September 21 and is available for preorder. ASUS, one of five launch partners, has released detailed images of its model, showing a dark‑gray chassis, large touchpad, thin bezels, a dedicated Google “G” key, and a multicolor light bar. The design includes two USB‑C ports, two USB‑A ports, a headphone jack, a fingerprint sensor, and a reasonably tactile keyboard. Active cooling suggests the device targets heavier workloads, though processor [...]

Asus launched a new Vivobook laptop range in India, offering models such as the S16, S14, 14 Flip, S14 Flip, and 16. The lineup includes Snapdragon‑powered variants (S14 and S16) featuring Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X processor and a 45 TOPS NPU for AI capabilities. Prices start at Rs 89,990, with some models available from September 17 and Snapdragon versions arriving later. The devices boast all‑metal construction, MIL‑STD‑810H durability, up to 30 hours of battery life, Type‑C fast charging, and Microsoft Office Home 2024 [...]

ASUS refreshed its Vivobook lineup in India with new models featuring Intel, Qualcomm, and AMD processors, launching on September 17, 2026. The range includes the Vivobook S14, S16, 14 Flip, S14 Flip, and 16, with prices starting at Rs 89,990 for the AMD‑powered 16‑inch model. The S14 and S16 boast all‑metal designs, 16:10 FHD+ IPS displays, and up to 17 TOPS of AI processing, while the Flip variants add 360‑degree OLED touchscreens, stylus support, and up to 38‑hour [...]

Microsoft has scheduled a dedicated Surface event for October 7, confirming the date and venue for its next hardware showcase. The announcement, made via a brief press release and a teaser video, indicates that the company will unveil its upcoming lineup of Surface devices, likely including refreshed models of the Surface Pro, Surface Laptop, and possibly a new Surface Studio variant. Industry analysts expect the event to highlight Microsoft’s push to integrate AI features across its hardware, aligning [...]

At IFA 2026, Microsoft’s partners unveiled a broad lineup of Windows PCs, ranging from everyday models to premium designs, gaming rigs, commercial workstations, and developer-focused machines. The showcase highlighted new AI‑enabled features, such as the OpenClaw Windows App for local model execution and Project Zenith devices that provide high‑memory, high‑bandwidth environments for coding. Acer introduced the Vero 16, a sustainability‑focused laptop built with recycled aluminum and PCR plastic, while other partners expanded repairability and performance options across price [...]

Amazon has reduced the price of the 2026 Apple MacBook Air featuring the M5 chip to $1,199, marking a 30-day low for the device. This discount applies to the 13-inch model in Silver or Midnight, which includes a 10-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 16GB of memory, and 512GB of storage. The sale represents a $100 reduction from the standard retail price. Customers can also access savings on higher-end configurations, with discounts reaching up to $150. Models with 1TB [...]

Vocci released a titanium ring that records meetings via double‑tap, offering up to eight hours of audio on a single charge. The ring, under six grams, includes an indicator light and haptic feedback, and can be charged three times with a plastic case. While it captures long conversations accurately, the accompanying app is confusing, lacking direct AI chat initiation and reminder integration, and its feature rollout is slow. At $249, the ring targets users who prefer a [...]

Smart‑glasses enthusiasts have long praised built‑in cameras for hands‑free photo and video capture, but recent privacy scandals are turning that feature into a liability. Writer Ben Schoon recounts how Meta’s Ray‑Ban Stories, once marketed for AI‑enhanced point‑of‑view footage, lost appeal after leaks revealed human moderators viewing uncensored recordings and rumors of facial‑recognition plans. A two‑year‑long backlash culminated in Meta finally disabling a privacy‑LED hack in July, but the damage to consumer trust is evident. Competing brands such [...]

Derrek, a long‑time mobile tech enthusiast, began following Nokia phones in his teens and later tracked the company’s shift from Symbian to Windows Phone, eventually embracing Android. He earned a BA in Film & Digital Media from UC Santa Cruz before turning his hobby into a journalism career. In 2020 he joined Android Central as news editor, overseeing coverage of Google, Android, Wear OS, and related products. Now managing editor, he steers the site’s editorial direction and champions accessible, [...]

Apple’s latest wearables, the Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, launch without the hand‑washing timer that has been part of watchOS 27 and Apple Health since the pandemic‑era rollout in 2020. The feature still functions on the previous generation—Series 11 and Ultra 3—and is listed in the watchOS 27 guide, but Apple’s supported‑hardware list omits the new models. No official comment explains whether the omission is accidental or reflects a hardware change tied to the watches’ new processor and audio‑intelligence capabilities such as Siri [...]

RayNeo unveiled its newest generation of smart glasses, announcing a price reduction that brings the device into a more accessible bracket for consumers. The refreshed model incorporates a higher‑resolution micro‑display, upgraded eye‑tracking sensors, and a longer‑lasting battery that extends active use by roughly 30 percent compared to the previous version. RayNeo also introduced a slimmer frame built from a lightweight polymer alloy, improving comfort for extended wear. The company highlighted enhanced connectivity, adding Bluetooth 5.2 and Wi‑Fi 6E support, and [...]

Apple’s latest wearable, the Watch Series 12, adds several health‑tracking upgrades that aim to win back users who migrated to WHOOP. The new device samples heart rate every five seconds, a ten‑fold increase over previous Apple models, narrowing the gap with WHOOP’s one‑second cadence. Coupled with iOS 27’s revamped Health app, which presents metrics in a cleaner, more digestible format, the watch now offers a Readiness score—rated 1 to 10—derived from HRV and other recovery indicators, mirroring WHOOP’s recovery [...]

Amazon is offering limited‑time discounts on Apple’s newly released Watch Series 12 and Watch Ultra 4 models. The Series 12, which launched at a base price of $399, is available with $10 reductions on several configurations, including 42 mm and 46 mm aluminum cases paired with sport bands. The Ultra 4, priced at $799, receives a $20 markdown on select 49 mm titanium cases and specific ocean or Alpine Loop bands, with inventory and size options shifting rapidly. Amazon’s rotating promotions apply to both [...]

iOS 27 introduces several new features for AirPods Pro 3, including Custom EQ, which lets users adjust low, mid, and high frequencies directly from the AirPods settings. The update expands GymKit to sync heart‑rate data from the AirPods’ sensor with compatible treadmill workouts, storing data privately on the iPhone. Siri AI is now fully supported on AirPods, offering richer voice interactions. Precision Finding is extended to AirPods Pro 3 via the second‑generation UWB chip, and the AirPods settings menu [...]

Ball State University’s Institute for Digital Intermedia Arts (IDIA) Lab is leveraging augmented reality and web redevelopment to make Muncie’s historical assets more accessible. At the Oct. 1 ArtsWalk, the “Echoes of Muncie” AR experience lets visitors view 3D reconstructions of five downtown landmarks—including the Wysor Grand Opera House, the former Delaware County Courthouse, the Rivoli Theatre and the Ball Stores—overlaid on their current locations via a smartphone app. The project, funded by Muncie Downtown Development, the Ball [...]

Meta’s Connect 2026 conference will showcase a range of new hardware, most notably camera‑free smart glasses and the mixed‑reality “Phoenix” device. Rumors suggest the glasses will replace front‑facing cameras with additional microphones, allowing users to interact with Meta’s AI assistant while avoiding privacy backlash tied to “creepy” camera‑glass narratives. Ray‑Ban has hinted at upcoming Meta‑branded eyewear that could belong to a third‑generation line, possibly featuring dual‑lens displays for richer interaction. The Phoenix headset, long‑speculated, appears to be [...]

Specialist guidance released for first‑time virtual‑reality (VR) users emphasizes short sessions, a cleared play area, and proper headset fit to avoid physical discomfort. The advice highlights motion sickness as the most frequent early obstacle and recommends technical adjustments such as using teleportation rather than smooth locomotion, maintaining a fixed visual reference point, and reducing in‑game movement speed. It also stresses the importance of ergonomic posture and regular breaks, mirroring home‑office best practices. The guidance draws on health‑and‑safety [...]

RayNeo unveiled its newest generation of smart glasses, announcing a price reduction that brings the device into a more accessible bracket for consumers. The refreshed model incorporates a higher‑resolution micro‑display, upgraded eye‑tracking sensors, and a longer‑lasting battery that extends active use by roughly 30 percent compared to the previous version. RayNeo also introduced a slimmer frame built from a lightweight polymer alloy, improving comfort for extended wear. The company highlighted enhanced connectivity, adding Bluetooth 5.2 and Wi‑Fi 6E support, and [...]

Meta is poised to showcase its Project Phoenix headset at the upcoming Connect 2026 keynote, pairing the device with a full‑body, photorealistic hologram call experience powered by Codec Avatars. Phoenix, an ultralight, open‑periphery glasses‑like VR headset with a tethered compute puck, is positioned as a premium, productivity‑focused product similar to the Quest Pro but with a sleeker form factor. The demo will feature CTO Andrew Bosworth appearing as a hologram, highlighting Meta’s advances in spatial telepresence and [...]

Valve released the Steam Frame, a $1,000+ VR headset, on September 18, 2026, following its November 2025 announcement. Reviewers praised its ergonomic design, ease of use, and the ability to stream non‑VR Steam games to a large virtual screen, effectively replacing a traditional monitor. PC Gamer highlighted its comfort and convenience, IGN noted its versatility, and Kotaku praised its wireless PC gaming performance. Critics, however, cited battery life, buggy performance, and limited launch game support. The device [...]

Archaeologists uncovered a well‑preserved German stronghold at Dig Hill 80 near Wijtschate, Belgium, in 2015, prompting a rapid rescue excavation before residential development began. The site, part of the ferocious WWI front where an estimated 600,000 soldiers died or were wounded, has been digitized by Virginia Tech’s Applied Research in Immersive Experiences and Simulations (ARIES) team. Using thousands of photographs and excavation records, the researchers created a web‑based virtual reality reconstruction that lets users explore the trench, view [...]

Verizon and SPECS Inc. announced an exclusive U.S. partnership to launch SPECS AR glasses powered by a 5G‑enabled charging case. The bundle, priced at $2,395 with data plans starting at $10 per month and 36‑month financing, delivers a fully untethered, hands‑free experience. Key functions include real‑time language translation, contextual navigation, spatial measurements, hands‑free calling, and a large private display capable of 16 million colors. Users can share immersive AR content with others wearing SPECS through Connected Lenses, turning [...]

Apple released two new AirPods models: the $129 AirPods 5 with ANC and a $149 variant featuring a wireless‑charging case, and the $249 AirPods Pro 3. Both use the H2 chip and support Adaptive Audio, Transparency, and Conversation Awareness. AirPods 5 have an open‑ear design without silicone tips, weighing 4.3 g each, while Pro 3 earbuds include silicone tips, weigh 5.55 g, and offer a seal for passive noise isolation. Pro 3 delivers longer battery life—up to eight hours [...]

Rockstar Games has announced that the official soundtrack for the highly anticipated title Grand Theft Auto VI will be issued on vinyl, catering to collectors and audiophiles who prefer physical media. The double‑LP set features 30 tracks spanning the game’s diverse in‑game radio stations, including original compositions and licensed songs curated for the Los Santos setting. Press releases indicate the vinyl will be pressed on 180‑gram black vinyl, include a full tracklist booklet with artwork, and be available for [...]

Rockstar Games unveiled six tracks from the 34‑song original soundtrack for Grand Theft Auto VI, available for streaming now on major platforms. The revealed songs feature a diverse lineup, including Yung Lean with Future and Metro Boomin, Travis Scott produced by Guy‑Manuel de Homem‑Christo, a collaboration among CA7RIEL, Paco Amoroso, PinkPantheress, Fred again.. and Etienne de Crécy, Morgan Wallen, Rauw Alejandro, and Keith Richards. The full album, titled “Grand Theft Auto 6: The Album,” will drop on 19 November alongside the game’s launch for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, and [...]

Apple’s fifth‑generation AirPods, announced with on‑bud volume controls, have sparked criticism for pricing a basic feature that many inexpensive earbuds already provide. In a recent podcast episode, the host highlighted the disparity, noting that dozens of Amazon‑listed wireless earbuds under $20 include volume buttons, while Apple reserves the function for its premium model. Colleagues on the show dismissed the utility of the controls, but the host argued that volume adjustment is a fundamental expectation for any earbud. [...]

Harish Jonnalagadda, Android Central’s Senior Editor, has spent over a decade covering Android and Chinese phone brands. Beginning his tech journey with Windows XP tweaks, he transitioned from PC hardware reviews at VR‑Zone to mobile journalism after adopting the Nexus 4. Since joining Android Central in 2014, he oversees coverage of Chinese manufacturers, audio gear, networking hardware, and storage servers, drawing on his engineering background to provide in‑depth product evaluations. Outside work, he enjoys sci‑fi reading and [...]

Apple launched the AirPods 5 with a wireless charging case alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, offering a compact design, improved IP57 water resistance, and a new algorithm that boosts active noise cancellation by 50 %. Both base and high‑end models share identical audio quality, while the premium version adds capacitive volume controls and wireless charging compatibility. The earbuds maintain a neutral sound profile, excel in transparency mode, and provide comparable ANC to the Pro 3, though the Pro still edges out in [...]

Nothing confirmed the Malaysian launch of its Phone (4b) smartphone and Ear (3a) earbuds, with pre‑orders now open on the company’s website, Shopee, Lazada and TikTok Shop. Official sales begin 20 September 2026 at Nothing retail stores and selected outlets nationwide. The Phone (4b) is marketed as an entry‑level model, featuring a unibody design, the signature Glyph Bar, IP64 protection, a Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 processor, a 5,200 mAh battery with 33 W fast charging and 7.5 W reverse charging, and a 50 MP main camera with OIS plus [...]

Farwave, a new indie audio application for iOS 18 and later, introduces a unique 3D globe interface for exploring global radio stations. Users can rotate the virtual planet to select specific regions or utilize a random selection feature. Beyond live radio, the app organizes podcasts and local music files on separate visual planets, supporting RSS feeds, playback queues, adjustable speeds, and offline downloads. While the base app is free on the App Store for iPhone and iPad, [...]

Code discovered within the iOS 27 release candidate reveals that Apple is introducing a dedicated animation for attaching Hermès MagSafe wallets to iPhones. Unlike the standard animation for Apple’s own MagSafe accessories, this new feature displays the Hermès logo upon connection. Leaked images shared by user pdfu on X indicate that Apple is preparing additional Hermès MagSafe wallet designs featuring various colors, leather, and patterned materials. These new accessories will also include Find My support for tracking. [...]

Wokyis has launched the G5 and G7, new retro-style docks designed for the Mac mini and Mac Studio. These devices combine nostalgic aesthetics with high-performance connectivity, featuring Thunderbolt 5 support in the flagship G7 model. The docks include a 7-inch flip-up IPS display, an NVMe SSD enclosure supporting up to 8TB of storage, and extensive port selections including USB-C and card readers. The G7 offers 80 Gbps speeds, enabling external storage performance comparable to internal drives. Physical [...]

A curated list of top fast charging accessories for the iPhone 18 Pro highlights various options for different user needs. The selection includes a compact 45W charger with an adjustable display for $29.99, which offers near-maximum speeds. For peak performance, Apple’s 60W adapter charges the device to 50% in 15 minutes for $34.99. The Anker Nano 70W provides versatile multi-device charging for laptops and phones at $39.99. For desk setups, the ESR CryoBoost 3-in-1 stand supports 25W [...]

LTTStore introduced “TrueSpec” USB‑C cables that feature etched labels on both ends, clearly indicating power, data, and display capabilities. The move addresses long‑standing confusion over which cables support high‑wattage charging, 40 Gbps data transfer, or video output, as many cables look identical. TrueSpec cables adhere strictly to USB‑C specifications, offer thick rubber sheathing for durability, and are priced from about $22 for USB‑C to $17 for USB‑A. The product fills a niche that has been largely ignored by [...]

Apple unveiled a $129 folio case equipped with a built‑in kickstand designed specifically for the iPhone Duo, the company’s dual‑screen smartphone. The accessory features a leather‑like exterior, magnetic closure, and a sturdy aluminum hinge that allows the device to prop up in landscape mode for hands‑free video viewing or video calls. Apple’s product page lists the case as compatible only with the iPhone Duo’s unique dimensions and dual‑screen hinge, and it includes a detachable magnetic cover for [...]

Corsair has officially launched the TC80, a new entry-level gaming chair priced at $199.99 in the United States and £169.99 in the United Kingdom. Despite its budget positioning, the chair features a design similar to cheaper, unbranded alternatives found at major retailers. The TC80 includes fixed armrests, a strapped head cushion, and a recline range of 90 to 115 degrees. Corsair states the product underwent durability testing across more than 30 categories to ensure high build quality [...]

Nintendo announced Young Link and Young Zelda amiibo for its upcoming The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake, slated for release in 2027. The figures will unlock classic masks from the 1998 Nintendo 64 title. They are part of a broader 40th‑anniversary celebration that includes a new Switch 2 edition, concerts, a Link & Epona Lego set, and a Mineru's Construct figure launching September 17, 2026. The amiibo are expected to arrive a few months after [...]

Microsoft has launched the Designed for Xbox Cozy Collection, a curated lineup of gaming peripherals aimed at players who enjoy side quests and relaxed adventures. The collection features products from 8BitDo, SteelSeries, and KontrolFreek, unified by a whimsical, nature-inspired aesthetic. Key items include the 8BitDo Retro 87 Mechanical Keyboard and Retro R8 Mouse in Forest Wonder, featuring tactile switches and RGB lighting. The 8BitDo Ultimate 3 Controller in Mossy Lagoon offers improved grip and multi-platform connectivity. Audio [...]