Xiaomi 18 Pro's new privacy screen could beat Samsung at its own game

androidcentral.com Sep 21, 2026

Xiaomi 18 Pro’s new privacy screen could beat Samsung at its own game

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Sep 21, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

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 in the coming days.

💡 Why It Matters

· By integrating a non‑dimming privacy layer, Xiaomi addresses a key user‑experience flaw in Samsung’s design, potentially redefining side‑view protection standards in flagship smartphones.

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A $274 Phone With a Flagship Camera Sensor? The TECNO Spark 50…

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.

💡 By placing a flagship‑grade Sony sensor in a sub‑$300 phone, TECNO redefines budget photography, offering high dynamic range and fast shutter speeds that rival mid‑tier rivals. This move pressures competitors to rethink sensor allocation and could shift consumer expectations for image quality at entry‑level prices.

9to5google.com · Sep 21

Googlebook hands-on: What makes a laptop, a laptop? [Video]

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 a responsive Android experience.

💡 The launch signals Google’s push to redefine the laptop market with high‑end Android hardware, offering a touch‑centric alternative to traditional Windows and macOS machines.

9to5google.com · Sep 21

Motorola teases high-end ‘Signature 27’ with a wild-looking design

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 Summit. The post signals Motorola’s intent to re‑establish itself in the premium segment.

💡 By showcasing a radically different camera layout and hinting at cutting‑edge Snapdragon hardware, Motorola signals a strategic pivot toward high‑end innovation, potentially reshaping competitive dynamics in the premium smartphone market.

9to5google.com · Sep 21

Pixel VIPs 2.0 redesign starts rolling out with fullscreen look

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 toggle contacts without returning to the home screen. The redesigned widget, featuring quick‑action space, is still previewed but not yet live.

💡 The shift to a full‑screen contact interface signals Google’s focus on streamlined, one‑handed interaction, potentially redefining how users access key communication tools on Pixel devices.

androidcentral.com · Sep 21

Vivo’s X500 Pro Max just became the camera phone to beat

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.

💡 Jonnalagadda’s deep, long‑term engagement with Android and Chinese brands provides readers with authoritative insights into market trends that shape global smartphone innovation.

9to5google.com · Sep 21

Here’s the OnePlus 16 that you probably won’t be able to buy…

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 four storage options: 12 GB RAM/256 GB, 12 GB/512 GB, 16 GB/512 GB and 16 GB/1 TB. No global rollout is planned, marking a shift from OnePlus’s historic “Never Settle” worldwide availability. Pricing details remain undisclosed, but the configurations suggest a premium price bracket aimed at power users seeking flagship performance.

💡 By restricting the OnePlus 16 to China, OnePlus underscores a strategic pivot that could alter the competitive dynamics of premium Android smartphones worldwide.