Snapdragon 8s Elite To Feature An Advanced CPU Architecture
Qualcomm Product Line Expansion Qualcomm is expanding its chipset offerings to address more market segments and create new tiers. A recent report says they are working on the Snapdragon 8s Elite, a high end processor to fill the gap between the Snapdragon 8 Elite and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. This will help them to cater to users who want near flagship performance at a lower price point, to fill the space between the Snapdragon 7 series and the premium Snapdragon 8 series. New Market Segments The Snapdragon 8s Elite is a new tier in Qualcomm’s lineup, high end performance at a more affordable price. According to Digital Chat Station, the chip with code name Qualcomm SM8735 is for niche markets and flexible for OEMs to target a wider audience. With this new SoC in the “s” category, Qualcomm is giving users who want performance but are budget conscious an option. Snapdragon 8s Elite The Elite chipset has the most advanced CPU design to find the perfect balance between performance and power consumption. The key specs are: *A single Cortex-X4 core for extreme performance, 3.21 GHz. *Three Cortex-A720 performance cores, 3.01 GHz. *Two Cortex-A720 efficiency cores, 2.80 GHz. *Two efficiency cores, 2.02 GHz for lighter jobs. This structured design allows the chip to do heavy tasks with best power efficiency on daily usage. Snapdragon 8s Elite vs Snapdragon 8 Elite Compared to the Snapdragon 8 Elite with two Oryon cores at 4.32 GHz and six performance cores at 3.53 GHz, the Snapdragon 8s Elite is a slight slowdown. So it’s a good option for users who want good performance without the flagship price or power consumption. Potential Partners and Market Impact According to the report this could be the first time Redmi or iQOO will launch with the Snapdragon 8s Elite and it could be a great option in the high end mid range smartphone segment. With this chip, the brands mentioned above can offer powerful devices at affordable price to performance ratio which could attract users who want value for money. Expected Launch Timeline No official release date for the 8s Elite yet but based on Qualcomm’s history this chip is coming. Its arrival will shake up the mid range and high end smartphone market with a more affordable yet powerful alternative to flagship chips. Conclusion The Snapdragon 8s Elite is an embodiment of innovation and market flexibility by Qualcomm. With this new chip they are filling a big gap in their product lineup – near flagship performance at more affordable price. This will further expand Qualcomm’s market share and also allow OEMs to produce devices for a wider audience. Source
Samsung Galaxy S25 Series Promo Leaked!!
Samsung is going to conquer the smartphone market with Galaxy S25 series and AI is going to be the focus. A recently leaked promo video showed what this series has in store for users including Google Gemini and other AI features. AI all the way! Galaxy S25 series will show Samsung’s commitment to AI enabled user experience. The video shows a lot of new features including Google Gemini, Samsung’s AI assistant and other intelligent tools that raises the bar. One of the features is the “Morning Brief” part of Samsung’s AI summary suite. It compiles personalized info like weather and sleep data (if you have a Galaxy wearable) to give you a quick rundown of your day. This will be part of One UI 7 so it will be available beyond the Galaxy S25 series. First Look at Google Gemini on the Galaxy S25 The ad shows Google Gemini, Google’s latest AI model, tightly integrated with the Galaxy S25. It’s activated by long pressing the power button within the Messages app and allows you to do tasks like suggest restaurants with voice commands. Unlike Google’s default UI, Samsung has taken a minimalist approach so it’s simple and efficient. Camera Features Photography and videography gets more love from Samsung with the new “Nightography” AI enabled low light video recording. Like the video boost on Google, this promises better clarity in low light. But its real performance in the competitive smartphone camera world remains to be seen. AI Powered Audio Eraser Another feature in the video is the AI audio eraser. It can detect and isolate certain sounds like voices, wind or music so users can refine audio quality in their videos. This will be a hit among content creators and casual users who want cleaner, professional grade videos. Design The device in the spotlight is the Galaxy S25 Ultra with a light blue finish and a glossy look. Design wasn’t the focus of the video but this detail shows the premium craftsmanship Samsung puts in. The series has three models: Galaxy S25, S25+ and S25 Ultra each for different users. These will be full One UI 7 devices so expect seamless and feature packed performance. Pre-Order Perks Reservations for Samsung Galaxy S25 series is now open. Early adopters can get a $50 credit when they pre-order and save up to $1,200. Reservations are free and non binding so it’s a sweet deal for anyone who wants to be the first to try the new tech. Final Thoughts With AI and features like Google Gemini, Morning Brief and camera enhancements the Galaxy S25 series is ahead of the curve. Samsung’s user centric design and technology, the Galaxy S25 will be a beast in 2025. Source Images: Smartprix, Evan Blass
Nintendo Switch 2: Leaked Clock Speeds and Technical Insights
There has been much speculation over the Nintendo Switch 2, and new leaks over the clock speeds continue to build upon that buzz. Recent analysis by Digital Foundry-a group of technical experts-shines light on those leaks, thus offering insight into the hardware and maybe even the performance of the new console. Leaked Clock Speeds: A Closer Look A digital foundry podcast discussed the leaked clock speeds of the Nintendo Switch 2. The system seemed to run on an 8nm chip, which is within the realm of possibilities for the NVIDIA T239 chip. While the clock speeds seem reasonable for this sort of system, there were a few caveats: GPU Clock Speeds in Handheld Mode: The GPU clock speed for handheld mode seems a bit on the lower side, especially considering how effectively the system can cool. CPU Clock Speeds Surprisingly, the CPU clock speeds-running on eight Cortex A78 cores-are actually higher when the console is in portable mode compared to when it is docked. This unusual configuration could indicate that Nintendo disables cores in portable mode to save battery or uses different CPU frequency modes for docked mode. Barring these quirks, the clock speeds are about where one would reasonably expect them to be with an 8nm chip, further solidifying that the T239 chip is indeed the backbone of the Nintendo Switch 2. Memory Bandwidth and Display Concerns Another possible limitation is the system’s memory bandwidth in portable mode. If the rumors about the Switch 2 featuring a 1080p screen prove true, this bandwidth might just become a bottleneck. Unfortunately, the reveal trailer didn’t confirm the screen resolution, leaving fans guessing about the display’s capabilities. NVIDIA DLSS and Graphics Potential The Switch 2 is supposedly rocking some form of NVIDIA’s Ampere architecture, but how it makes use of this tech is anyone’s guess. A short clip of Mario Kart in the reveal trailer didn’t indicate anything too new like NVIDIA DLSS or any other features Ampere can bring to the table. Digital Foundry noted that the console could include NVIDIA’s new Transformer Model for DLSS, but this model might be computationally too intensive for the more mobile-focused hardware of the Switch 2. Instead, it would be more plausible to use a more lightweight version of DLSS, as hinted at in a patent recently, which would let the system balance performance with its hardware limitations. What’s Next for the Nintendo Switch 2? It is now that an official at Nintendo has confirmed that the Switch 2 will hit the global market later this year. Fans won’t have to wait much longer for more information-the company is going to hold a dedicated Nintendo Direct event in early April. The event will dive deep into the console’s features, specifications, and game lineup. Final Thoughts The leak of the clock speeds and hardware details for the Nintendo Switch 2 hint at a promising, yet cautious, upgrade over its predecessor. With questions around performance in handheld mode and just how the system will make use of NVIDIA’s more advanced technologies, there is a great foundation with the 8nm chip and T239 architecture. As April approaches, anticipation builds for what could be Nintendo’s next big success. Source
Nubia Flip 2 Comes With Bigger Cover Screen
Last year we saw ZTE’s Nubia division shake things up with the Nubia Flip 5G-a foldable for a mere $499. That was a pretty bold undercut of competitors like the Tecno Phantom Z Flip and Moto Razr+ 2024, showing that foldables doesn’t need to be ridiculously expensive. Today, it’s pushing things even further by announcing the release of the Nubia Flip 2. The Nubia Flip Legacy The first Nubia Flip wasn’t a feature-set trendsetter, but it did the very important work of disrupting the foldable phone space with high prices. Up until recently, the term “foldable” was nearly synonymous with “expensive,” with prices sometimes more than $1,000. Products such as the Moto Razr 2024 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 continue this trend. Then foldables became more generally affordable when prices started to come down with devices like the Nubia Flip, Tecno Phantom Flip and entry-level versions of the Razr. In some ways, the 5G version of the original Nubia Flip was something of a harbinger of this trend because it showed foldable phones really could be rather competent without necessarily requiring too much cash being thrown at them. And now there’s the Nubia Flip 2. The Nubia Flip 2 Nubia has taken a fresh approach with the design of the Nubia Flip 2. Unlike its predecessor, which featured a prominent circular camera bump and a small external display, the new model goes for a sleeker, more practical design. That’s changed; the external display is now a rectangular 3-inch screen that dominates much of the front panel, even though it doesn’t quite match the expansive external displays on Samsung’s and Motorola’s foldables. Alongside the display, there’s space to place two separate camera sensors discreetly, as well as a ring light flash. It keeps the previous generation’s textured, matte-finished chassis that looks at once stylish and durable. However, one of the more obvious changes relates to the design of the frame. Whereas the first Nubia Flip had a completely flat frame – similar to the Galaxy Z Flip 6 -, the Flip 2 makes do with a rounded frame that may be easier to open and close. Display and Hardware The Nubia Flip 2 comes with excellent features considering its modest price. Outer Display: Size: 3 inches Resolution: 422 x 682 pixels (267 PPI) Inner Display: Size: 6.9 inches Technology: AMOLED Resolution: 1080p Under the hood, the phone is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7300X SoC which promises solid mid-range performance. Not intended for serious gamers, the chip still pushes out enough power for daily consumption. Driving the chipset is 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. Running on Android 14, the Nubia Flip 2 is quite competent in most regards. Camera Capabilities The camera on the Nubia Flip 2 is not particularly shabby. Headlined by a 50MP main sensor and a depth sensor with a resolution of 2MP, options for solid photography options are available. A 32MP selfie camera inside rounds out quality video calls and selfies. Additional Features and Battery It is fairly durable for day-to-day usage, thanks to the basic water and dust resistance provided by IP4X and IPX2 ratings. The 4,300mAh battery guarantees decent longevity, but specific details on charging speeds remain under wraps. Nubia also brings AI capabilities on the Flip 2 with features like a real-time call translator, call transcription, and a customizable voice assistant that boost its functionality further. Pricing and Availability Currently, the Nubia Flip 2 is only available in Japan for ¥64,080, which translates to approximately $410. If it were to ever come to other regions, it would be priced slightly different, but still the most unprecedented value for a foldable phone. A Gateway to Foldable Phones The Nubia Flip 2 is not positioned to compete with flagship foldables such as the Galaxy Z Flip 5 or Moto Razr+. It’s an entry-point device for people wanting to join the foldable phone market, and for less than $500, it does bring solid performance, stylish design, and some pretty useful features. Conclusion: The Nubia Flip 2 carries forward the brand’s tradition of democratizing foldable technology by offering impressive value at a price that’s hard to beat. Source
Nintendo Switch 2 Officially Announced!!!
After months of speculation, Nintendo has dropped the official Switch 2 announcement with a new trailer. A whole new era for the console has begun. Here’s everything we know so far. New Features Shown in the Trailer The trailer shows some of what the Switch 2 has in store. The new console takes the original Switch and adds to it by: Bigger Screen: A bigger screen for a better gaming experience. Redesigned Joy-Con: The Joy-Con have been redesigned but not much is known about the features. Backward Compatibility: The console will support physical and digital games from the original Switch library but not all games will be compatible which may be a concern for long time fans. It also showed what looked to be a new Mario Kart game but no official confirmation or additional game info was given. Release Window and Future Announcements The trailer did confirm the Switch 2 will launch in 2025 but no specific date. The wait won’t be long though since Nintendo has announced a Nintendo Direct for the new system on April 2, 2025. Global Hands-On Events After the announcement, Nintendo will be hosting hands-on events in select cities around the world where players can try out the new handheld before it launches. Cities: 1.North America 2.New York 3.Los Angeles 4.Dallas 5.Toronto 6.Europe 7.Paris 8.London 9.Milan 10.Berlin 11.Madrid 12.Amsterdam 13.Asia and Oceania 14.Tokyo 15.Seoul 16.Hong Kong 17.Taipei 18.Melbourne Registration opens January 17, 2025 and Nintendo account is required to attend. What’s Next for the Switch 2? The Switch 2 is launching globally later this year. What do you want to hear about-specs, exclusive games, how it will improve upon the original? There is much more to come. April’s Nintendo Direct should answer many of these questions. For now, Switch 2 is looking like the hottest gaming handheld of 2025.
Samsung Is Now Offering Two New Size Options For Its Galaxy Ring
Samsung entered the smart ring market last year with the first Galaxy Ring and wowed the tech world with its sleek design and health focused features. But user feedback said more size options would be needed to reach a wider audience. Samsung listened and is expanding its offerings and big updates are coming at the Galaxy Unpacked event. New Galaxy Ring Sizes Samsung just announced two new sizes, 14 and 15, to the Galaxy Ring lineup after user feedback. These two new sizes will be available from January 22, 2025. Now the Galaxy Ring will have sizes from 5 to 15. Not only are the new sizes about inclusivity but it’s also a competitive advantage for Samsung in the wearables market. Such an expansion of the Galaxy Ring shows the company’s commitment to refine its product based on user feedback and stay ahead in the growing smart ring space. Expansion to More Markets The Ring started rolling out to more markets from July 2024. Since it launched in 38 markets including Australia, Canada, China and Turkey among others, Samsung has added 16 more regions and now the device is available in 53 markets globally. By offering both size options and expanding market availability Samsung wants to compete with the incumbents like Oura Ring which has been in the smart ring space for long. Improved Sleep and Health Features Samsung is also improving the health tracking of the Galaxy Ring. In addition to the hardware updates, the company is updating the Samsung Health app to give users more advanced sleep health features. Some of the new features: Sleep Time Guidance: Individual guidance to help users sleep better. Mindfulness Tracker: Track your mental well-being. Sleep Environment Report: Room temperature, noise levels and other factors that affect sleep. These new features shows how serious Samsung is in providing more than just basic activity tracking for health. Next Gen Prep Not much is known about the second gen Galaxy Ring but speculations are high that it will be announced at the Galaxy Unpacked event. Many are waiting to see what’s next, more battery life and other health metrics. Conclusion New sizes, more markets and more health features. Samsung is solidifying its position in the smart ring space. The Galaxy Ring is becoming a more inclusive and feature rich wearable for all types of users and heating up the wearables market. Now all eyes are on the Galaxy Unpacked event where more updates for the smart ring might be announced. Source
Nintendo Switch 2: Computing Power Revealed Through Leaks
Data mining has potentially uncovered some key details about the Nintendo Switch 2’s computing power and GPU performance. It looks like the new console will have a balance of handheld convenience and docked power to stay relevant in the ever changing gaming landscape. Leaked GPU Performance According to Zachy at Famiboards, the Nintendo Switch 2 will have separate GPU clock speeds for handheld and docked modes. 561 MHz in handheld mode which is 1.71 TFLOPS. 1000 MHz in docked mode which is 3.1 TFLOPS. Its not as powerful as high end desktop GPUs like NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 3060 at 12 TFLOPS, but this isnt even a fair comparison as the RTX 3060 is a desktop GPU. A more relevant comparison would be to the Xbox Series S at 4 TFLOPS. It’s slightly less powerful but for developers the Switch 2 performance is close enough to use Xbox Series S configurations as a baseline for porting games. Hardware Specs and Benefits The Switch 2 is said to use NVIDIA’s Tegra 239 system-on-chip (SoC) which has an 8 core CPU and a GPU based on NVIDIA’s Ampere architecture with 2048 CUDA cores. This brings some big improvements especially in modern rendering capabilities. One big plus over the Xbox Series S is the claimed implementation of NVIDIA’s DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) Super Resolution and Ray Reconstruction on the Nintendo Switch 2. Ray tracing might not be used much since the GPU is not strong enough but DLSS will boost performance in games by upscaling low res graphics to higher res. This will give a more responsive gaming experience by saving system resources. Backward Compatibility and Release Date Another big plus of the Nintendo Switch 2 is its backward compatibility with the current Nintendo Switch library. This will give the new console instant access to a huge library of games so existing users can easily switch. Nintendo will release more info by the end of March 2025 which is at the end of their fiscal year. With leaks and rumors coming out daily the anticipation is building for an official announcement. 1 A Bright Future for the Nintendo Switch 2 The Nintendo Switch 2 is the bridge between portability and power. Maybe not as powerful as the Xbox Series S. But with a few features and DLSS support there’s hope for gamers around the world; so the world waits for Nintendo’s next move. Source Images: @91Mobiles
Apple Watch SE To Get A Redesign, Watch Ultra 3 Will Feature BP Monitor
Fans of the Apple smartwatches line their calendars every September, knowing the Apple Watch sees its refresh. But the latest Power On newsletter from veteran tech journalist Mark Gurman may shine some light on exactly what that might entail for Apple’s wearable lines. Let’s take a closer look. Apple Watch SE: New Design The entry-level Apple Watch SE was last updated in 2022 and is due for a design refresh. Details remain scant, but the company will probably keep the SE 3’s design after the Series 7 to Series 9 models, following tradition. That would move the SE into modern style while still making sure it stays more budget-friendly. Apple Watch Series 11: Incremental Changes After the big design refresh that came with the Series 10, the upcoming Series 11 models will likely enjoy only minor casing revisions. Though the new cases might essentially look indistinguishable from their predecessors, word is that the Series 11 will boast many additional hardware updates, especially in performance and functionality rather than a design refresh. Apple Watch Ultra 3: Connectivity Upgrades The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is supposed to look the same as its predecessor, launched in 2022. Still, Gurman suggests some significant hardware updates, such as satellite connectivity and 5G RedCap support. The latter is a new technology that reduces 5G bandwidth for non-phone devices, which could mean better connectivity for outdoor adventurers and fitness enthusiasts. Groundbreaking Health Features Blood pressure monitoring has been the most yearned-for feature across the lineup. First said to be coming with Series 10, this had been delayed due to some reliability problems during test courses. Apple seems ready to launch this revolutionary health feature in 2025, probably setting a new record when it comes to wearable health technology. Additionally, it’s said to be working on bringing AI workouts to the smartwatch platform, which would line up with plans to push deeper into health and fitness features in the medium term and make the Apple Watch a far more complete wellness device. Wareable’s Take This adds credibility to the claims, considering Mark Gurman’s track record in predicting Apple’s plans. The refresh of the design of the SE model makes sense since it has an outdated look. But for the Series 11 and Ultra 3, their rumored upgrades might be a bit underwhelming for some enthusiasts, especially considering the unchanged looks of both models. The Ultra series, which started in 2022, has missed a major refresh since its launch. Many were expecting a big refresh in 2025, but the rumored upgrades seem more incremental and closer to what one would expect from a normal yearly refresh cycle. What’s Next? Of course, these details paint a small picture of what Apple will offer, but much is left to question. As has often been the case with updates, features and designs can change in the upcoming months. Fans of Apple will have to wait until September for an official unveiling. Keep watching for the latest on the Apple Watch as more rumors and details emerge over the coming months. Source
iPhone 17 Air Will Be Thinner Than Previously Anticipated
A Thin Replacement for the Underperforming iPhone 16 Plus Apple is reportedly working on an iPhone 17 Air, an ultra-thin version that will replace the underperforming iPhone 16 Plus. It is not a lonely move from the company, as it once attempted refreshing its lineup by replacing the ill-received iPhone Mini with the Plus variant. The iPhone 17 Air will be Apple’s thinnest phone yet, even beating the 6.9mm thickness of the iPhone 6. More recent rumors-including those from prolific analyst Ming-Chi Kuo-indicate that it could go as low as 5.5mm at its thinnest point, pushing the boundaries of phone design to a whole new level. Challenges of Ultra-Thin Design That’s no small achievement, and rumor has it Apple has been dealing with some design issues to make this extreme thinness possible. Kuo says that this minimal thickness can be so less that it could allow the utilization of eSIM technology only since there would not be enough room for a physical SIM card slot. While this technology is more common in the U.S., that is not necessarily the case globally, which may raise more issues for Apple internationally. But the “thinnest part” terminology used in the leaks suggests this 5.5mm thickness may not apply to the entire device, which probably means the phone will sport a camera bump, a common design element in modern smartphones. For context, the iPhone 16 measures 7.8mm at its thinnest point, but the camera bump brings the overall thickness to 11.28mm. If the iPhone 17 Air follows a similar pattern, that camera protrusion could make the device a fair bit thicker even if the base design remains ultra-slim. Rumored Features and Sacrifices To achieve this slim profile, the iPhone 17 Air will reportedly use only a single rear camera lens, compared to the dual- and triple-lens arrangements that have dominated most recent iPhones. That’s cause for some concern, but Apple has managed to deliver great 2x zoom on non-Pro models using advanced pixel-binning technology in the past. But the sacrifices may not stop at the camera. Kuo thinks the iPhone 17 Air will have “downgraded components paired with a high price.” That’s a mix that could make the device less attractive to consumers, especially if performance or features are noticeably sacrificed. Price and Availability This ends those very early rumors that had the iPhone 17 Air as Apple’s most expensive handset. Instead, it appears the device will slot in for the $899 iPhone 16 Plus within Apple’s lineup. Of course, that still leaves open the possibility of a general price hike across all iPhone models in 2025. The iPhone 17 Air is rumored to be announced in the latter half of 2025, which perfectly fits into Apple’s usual September releases. If all goes well, it could bring a whole new perspective to ultra-thin smartphone design, but it has yet to be seen if its compromises balance out its innovative form factor. Conclusion The iPhone 17 Air is perhaps Apple’s boldest attempt at making an ultra-slim smartphone. Although its innovative design may garner some attention, challenges like reduced features and the limited adoption of eSIMs will likely dampen its success. As the tech world awaits further details, one thing is for sure: the iPhone 17 Air could be the beginning of a whole new era in how Apple approaches the design of its smartphones. Source
Intel Shows Off Next-Gen Modular Gaming Handheld
Modular has been a tech enthusiast’s dream for years because it promises to make upgrading and fixing things easier. The concept has never really taken off in practice. Maybe things will change as Intel takes the stage with its modular products at the “Innovation Showcase”. According to The Verge, Intel’s latest effort has a swappable component gaming handheld that has rekindled interest in modular tech. Intel’s Gaming Handheld: A Closer Look Details are scarce but from the leaked images sent to The Verge it looks like a sleek metallic handheld with a 7 inch Full HD display. The screen is swappable and attached via 3 separate connectors. This kind of modularity means customization options like different specifications of screens but that’s just speculation for now. The design looks futuristic and user friendly and promises flexibility for gamers who want a custom experience. Unlike previous modular devices like the AYANEO 3 which only allowed users to swap controller designs, Intel’s concept means a more comprehensive approach to modularity and potentially redefining how gaming handhelds are designed. Expanding Modular Innovation: Beyond Handhelds But Intel’s interest in modularity doesn’t stop at gaming handhelds. At the same showcase they demoed a “Lunar Lake” modular laptop, a product of its previously introduced “Compute Card” idea. This laptop has a motorized hinge that opens and closes the lid on its own, eye-tracking and a rather unusual “ring-based” mouse. It also has a Qi wireless charging pad in the palm rest-a feature that’s new and aimed at convenience. These modular devices developed with Quanta-a leading Taiwanese hardware manufacturer-show Intel’s willingness to innovate. Quanta has years of experience in AI and advanced hardware development so these designs are instantly credible. The AI8A Branding The “AI8A” branding was on the modular products at the event but what that means is anyone’s guess. Is this a new product line or a concept? Nobody knows. Whatever it is it shows Intel’s intention to lead in modular tech. The Road Ahead for Modular Devices While these are just prototypes, Intel hasn’t confirmed if these will hit consumer markets but the excitement around them shows there’s a growing appetite for innovation in the tech industry. Modular tech is one of the most promising ways for customization and sustainability especially in gaming handhelds where personalization and performance is at the core of the device. Conclusion Intel’s foray into modular tech especially with its gaming handheld is a big step forward in consumer electronics. These are still in development but the potential to disrupt the market is huge. For gamers and tech enthusiasts who have to wait a bit longer for more info, Intel’s showcase is a reminder that the best kind of innovation is the kind that pushes the boundaries. The future of modular gaming handhelds has never looked brighter. Source & Images: The Verge