The Standard iPhone 17 Is Finally Getting 120Hz ProMotion Display
Apple is planning the biggest update for the iPhone 17 series to bridge the gap between standard and Pro models. The much talked about change is going to be an upgrade on the standard iPhone 17 model to further close the gap with Pro models in terms of display. This could be the biggest change for the company. Rumored Display Upgrades for the iPhone 17 Traditionally, Apple’s regular -model iPhones have always been behind the Pro versions in terms of display specs. A good example is that while the new iPhone 16 series has design changes in the form of a vertical camera module, it still has a 60Hz refresh rate display. But one rumor says the iPhone 17 will have a 90Hz or 120Hz refresh rate. A Weibo-based leaker, Digital Chat Station, says Apple might include ProMotion in the iPhone 17. This would be the first time Apple puts higher refresh rate displays in their base models, making the iPhone 17 a bit more competitive against the market. ProMotion for Standard Models The company’s ProMotion technology, limited to Pro models of iPhones, iPads and MacBooks, allows for a 120Hz refresh rate display for smoother scrolling and nicer visuals. Although this leaker didn’t confirm if it’s 90Hz or 120Hz panel, there have been hints from industry analysts – including Young himself – that maybe the whole iPhone 17 series has ProMotion. And they will also switch from LTPS to LTPO panels for all iPhone 17 models. LTPO screens can support 120Hz refresh rate and has a dynamic adjustment that can reduce the display refresh rate down to 1Hz if needed. Always-On Display and Other Benefits LTPO displays could also bring Always-On Display to standard model iPhones 17. Until now only on Pro phones this lets you quickly glance at time, notifications or other important info without waking the device entirely. LTPO displays also support variable refresh rate features like the StandBy feature that improves the user experience. This would also make standard iPhone 17 models more attractive to consumers and close the display gap that has been there between base and Pro models for too long. Price Add these to the standard iPhone 17 lineup and the question is, will the prices change? Apple uses the display as a differentiator between its base and Pro models. Close that gap and Apple may raise the price of the base iPhone 17 to match those capabilities. But it may want to further differentiate the Pros with higher refresh rates like 144Hz. That would keep a fine line of distinction between the products while offering big upgrades all around. Conclusion: The big moves are the ProMotion tech and Always-On Display that might be coming to the iPhone 17. Changes that will make standard phones more competitive may finally happen and this will be big for prices. Apple is still on the path of innovation so we’ll see how this will affect consumer behavior and market dynamics. For now, iPhone 17 looks good, premium features coming to the masses. Source
ONEXSUGAR Gaming Handheld Teased With Dual Screen Setup
One-Netbook, famous for their gaming hardware, and Sugar Cubes has announced a new gaming handheld called ONEXSUGAR.The unique selling point of this handheld is its dual-screen design to change the gaming experience. Let’s get into the details of what we have so far about this new device. Extended Game Field One-Netbook isn’t new to making gaming devices, be it external GPUs or handhelds. In this case, they take it to the next level with ONEXSUGAR. Unlike other creations like the AMD powered OneXFly F1 Pro, this will be Qualcomm Snapdragon powered and will be far away from Windows based gaming handhelds. One-Netbook has chosen Snapdragon processor which means ONEXSUGAR is shifting focus to compete in the Android handheld market. Although the model isn’t confirmed yet, this move follows the trend of portable Android gaming systems. Android Based Interface ONEXSUGAR will be based on Android system, giving gamers more options since it will support almost all apps and games in the stores, more versatile to use with gaming. For now, design and performance specs are still scarce, only one concept teaser image has been released. The teaser doesn’t show much of the device but it’s too grainy to tell much. Still the dual-screen concept has already got the gaming community excited. Innovative Dual-Screen Design What really makes ONEXSUGAR unique is the dual-screen layout. It has two screens, both can be used at the same time or independently of each other. When the second screen is turned on, the controllers can be attached to the smaller bottom screen, and the controls can be changed to landscape. This feature can change handheld gaming by offering new ways to interact with games and multitasking. From gamers to streamers to productivity monkeys, the dual-screen setup is more versatile than few devices can match. Availability and Price One-Netbook hasn’t created a page for ONEXSUGAR yet and no release date and price is known. Since it’s a dual-screen device, it will be more expensive than single-screen Android handhelds but may be cheaper than the top-of-the-line OneXFly F1 Pro. The teaser is out, more will come in the next few weeks. For now, fans can only guess its capabilities and how it will affect the gaming market. Conclusion ONEXSUGAR is a big step for One-Netbook and Sugar Cubes, combining technology with dual-screen design. Though many are still unknown, the teaser itself has already got the gamers hyped. Source: One-Netbook
New Xbox Controller with DualSense-Like Haptics Is Coming!
Big news for Xbox fans: a new controller is coming, codenamed “Sebile” according to a leaked Microsoft document from the FTC vs. Microsoft case back in September 2023 and it’s got everyone talking – with new features and likely to be tied to the next gen of Xbox consoles. Here’s everything we know so far about this next gen controller and its release date. Xbox Controllers Go Next Level It had some pretty cool stuff leaked in the document: *Improved Wireless: Direct to cloud connection. *Bluetooth 5.2: Pairs faster and more reliably with devices. *Modular Thumbsticks: For customization and repair. *Rechargeable and Replaceable Batteries: Sustainable and easy. *DualSense-Like Haptics: Taking a lot from the PS5’s DualSense controller, the feature promises next level gaming with haptic feedback. Haptic Feedback Included Notably included is haptic feedback, which is Xbox’s attempt to catch up with the innovation seen so far in Sony controllers. Back in the day, Microsoft Gaming boss Phil Spencer praised the PS5 controller and said they were looking into doing something similar in hardware at Xbox. Microsoft hasn’t said anything about Sebile but fans got some good news at the end of 2023. Tech4Gamers found a patent that matches the design of the leaked controller, filed in August. This patent confirms the Sebile project is more than just an idea, it’s real. Windows Central also confirmed the new controller is coming but it looks like Microsoft will be releasing it with the next gen Xbox console and not as a mid gen upgrade. Xbox’s Next Big Jump They’re also skipping the mid-gen refresh like Sony’s PS5 Pro and going straight to the next big console. Xbox’s Sarah Bond says the next console will be the biggest leap in technical capability for Xbox ever. The strategy is all about Microsoft’s long term play to change the game on gaming tech. Having the Sebile controller with the next console puts Xbox in a great position to offer a consistent and revolutionary gaming experience. Launch Timing Speculation No official dates have been announced but there’s whispers that Microsoft might release their new console sooner than expected, as early as 2026. That would give Xbox a head start over Sony who’s rumored to release PS6 in 2028. If true, the Sebile controller might come sooner rather than later. A release with the console would mean seamless integration and all new hardware for gamers. What This Means for Xbox Fans The Sebile controller is Xbox’s move to innovate and stay relevant in the gaming space. With haptics and modular components, Microsoft is listening to gamers’ demands for more immersive and customisable experiences. And the fact that the controller is coming with the next gen console means Microsoft is building one platform for gaming. Whether 2026 or beyond, new hardware is coming for Xbox and it’s gearing up for a new era of gaming. Wrap The Sebile Xbox controller leak gives us a glimpse of how big Microsoft can think. This controller could be the whole next gen feel of an Xbox controller with inspiration from what’s happening around the industry. With the hype building up, we’re all waiting for Microsoft to deliver on these promises and stay ahead in the console wars. Whether you’re an Xbox fan or just a curious gamer, the next few years are going to be wild.
Galaxy S25 Ultra Will Get UFS 4.0 Support
Samsung reportedly gears up for an early launch of the Galaxy S25 series in 2025. In the spotlight, of course, is the premium Galaxy S25 Ultra, which may bring along subtle design enhancements while carrying a few noteworthy upgrades. So, here is a look in-depth at what has been known about this forthcoming flagship. Design Changes and Build The Galaxy S25 Ultra will feature minor design tweaks over the Galaxy S24 Ultra, like subtler rounded corners and a slimmer chassis, adding grace and extra refinement to it. There’s anticipation of an updated design language meant to ensure better ergonomics. All in all, this promises to keep close to that of the existing model. Display Samsung is sticking with the same resolution as previous years: 3,120 x 1,440 pixels for the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s screen. But here comes a big surprise related to brightness. The maximum brightness may reach 3,000 nits for a huge boost in readability under direct sunlight. This way, the Galaxy S25 Ultra remains one of the finest options to consume multimedia on. While earlier rumors claimed this would get upgraded to UFS 4.1, the Galaxy S25 Ultra will retain its UFS 4.0 storage. However, it will be disappointing for the few tech enthusiasts, whereby even the speed and efficiency of UFS 4.0 are outstanding. Samsung is preparing to offer a 16GB RAM variant for the Galaxy S25 Ultra, against the standard 12GB offered by its predecessors. This bump in memory will definitely ensure smoother multitasking and an overall better performance, especially for resource-intensive applications. Battery and Power Management Unfortunately, it seems Samsung won’t increase the Galaxy S25 Ultra battery capacity. The high-end phone will still boast the same 5,000mAh battery, the capacity level of previous generations. Sure, it may suffice for most users out there, but since today’s flagships are that powerful, the high-end Galaxy model getting a bigger capacity would’ve seemed so much more revolutionary to a lot of people. Find My Device: Missed Opportunity? One of the disadvantages exposed by the leaked files comes in with the Galaxy S25 Ultra having no support for Find My Device feature when the device is powered off. The feature, appearing with the signaling command ‘ro.bluetooth.finder.supported=false,’ might be available for configuration in settings, but this may be a deal-breaker for users who value device security above everything else. Is It Enough of an Upgrade? This generation, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra updates some of the more attractive factors – like brightness, a jump in the amount of RAM, and thinner overall design – it carries forward much from its predecessor, such as the battery capacity or the use of UFS 4.0 storage. Regarding important innovations, users might wait for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, which is more promising to deliver at least the important hardware upgrades. Conclusion Setting up to be a polished and powerful flagship, the Galaxy S25 Ultra might fail to give users the revolutionary upgrade they have been hoping for. With increased brightness of the display, more memory, and refined design, this should still be of pretty strong appeal to the most devout Samsung fans. But in a year of incremental changes, Samsung’s biggest jumps are yet to come. With more information, the real potential of the Galaxy S25 Ultra will finally reveal itself. For now, it promises to deliver a solid-if somewhat familiar-premium smartphone experience. Source: Android Authority
Nintendo Switch 2: Rumors Point to March 28 Release Date
The rumors of the Nintendo Switch 2 have been gathering more and more momentum as fans look towards a proposed official release date. Thus far, none has been set-until now. In fact, adding fuel to this already hot fire is a report via Italian website UAGNA claiming the accessories for both first- and third-party of the Nintendo Switch 2 launch from March 28th, 2025 onwards. And that just may be the console’s release date, too. Take it with a pinch of salt, like any rumor. It’s easy to get excited, but the sources behind this are not confirmed. That said, it’s not impossible. Just last month, another rumor said the Switch 2 would be revealed in January and released in March. And we’ve also heard the announcement could be on January 8th 2025. The original Switch was announced on October 20th 2016 and released on March 3rd 2017. But if the new console sticks to the rumored schedule Nintendo could be looking to shorten the time between announcement and release with the big reveal as early as January 2025. What We Know About the Nintendo Switch 2’s Specs Official details about the Switch 2 are still scarce, but several leaks have given us a glimpse into the hardware. It seems Nintendo once again teamed up with NVIDIA for a customized version of their Tegra 239 SoC based on the 2018-announced Orin SoC. This powerhouse of a chip features an 8-core CPU comprising 12 ARM Cortex-A78AE cores, and it comes with a GPU based on NVIDIA’s Ampere architecture featuring 2048 CUDA Cores. It will be supporting NVIDIA DLSS Super Resolution and Ray Reconstruction too. But some of the console’s specifications have raised questions. It was revealed that the Switch 2 will support 4K when docked but only at 30fps. For many, it’s a letdown in consideration that Sony and Microsoft’s consoles have been sporting 60fps and even 120fps for several years. In 2025, many will be expecting more from a new console, especially one positioning itself to compete in the forever-changing gaming landscape. A Switch 2 Future? Despite the performance issues, analysts are still bullish on the Switch 2. In fact, they predict it could sell 80 million by 2028 – the same as the original. Of course, all that will depend on the games at launch. One of those is Metroid Prime 4, potentially a cross-platform launch akin to what Breath of the Wild pulled off for the original Switch. But even though backwards compatibility will certainly be one of the prominent features for the new console, to really hook the players, the Switch 2 will want a strong line-up in terms of brand new, thrilling games that showcase what one can do and get real footing in the market place. Final Thoughts For now, we can only wait. The rumors for a March 28 release date and a reveal in January 2025 are nice, but let’s not get ahead of our feet until we hear something from Nintendo. As the year of 2025 approaches, we shall see if they are truly able to live up to the hype of the Switch.
Qualcomm’s Next Snapdragon 8 Elite To Come Early In 2025
Since the launch, Snapdragon 8 Elite has been one of the best chipsets in the market. Qualcomm’s latest flagship processor beats most of the competition but the company is not resting here. It has already started working on the next generation chipset, reportedly called Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 and leaks are already coming in and giving us a glimpse of what to expect from this moster chipset. Early in 2025 According to Digital Chat Station, a well known tech leaker, Qualcomm wants to announce the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 ahead of schedule. For two years in a row, the company has been moving its Snapdragon Summit forward in the calendar where it announces its flagship processor. If this trend continues, the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 may be announced as early as October 2025. For reference, the current Snapdragon 8 Elite was launched in mid October 2024. By moving the launch date forward, Qualcomm is showing it wants to stay ahead in the mobile processor game. Wider Adoption or Exclusive Appeal? Another point to consider with the chipset is its adoption rate. While there are reports that the flagship chipset will be in more devices than last year, then again considering the price premium of Snapdragon 8 Elite series smartphones, that’s a big if. These kind of processors are usually found in flagship smartphones and tablets so their market share is very limited. Whether Qualcomm can balance performance with affordability to reach a wider audience remains to be seen. Built on TSMC’s Latest Technology Of all, the making process would be one of the biggest highlight for the Elite 2. The chipset will be made using TSMC’s N3P node, same as Apple’s A19 chips. For sure the latest process will bring better efficiency and performance to strengthen Qualcomm as a leader in innovation when it comes to mobile processors. This move to TSMC N3P node is in line with the industry’s trend of smaller and more efficient chips. To users this means Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 devices could have longer battery life, better in-device heat management and overall performance boost. Big Performance Boost Performance is always the heart and soul of every new chipset launch and this isn’t different with this chip. Leaks say Qualcomm’s next flagship processor will have 20% CPU performance boost over the previous one. And that’s not all. The Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 reportedly has big GPU upgrades to make it the go-to chip for gamers and power users. If the rumors are true the chipset may set a new standard for premium mobile graphics performance for resource hungry applications like gaming, AI and AR/VR. What This Means for You The Elite 2 is another step forward for mobile tech for the geek and the non-geek. First to market, with the latest process and huge performance boosts, it might set the bar for flagships. But how much will it cost and how fast will it be adopted? While it promises performance like no other, it will be very expensive for anything less than a premium device. Conclusion The Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 is going to be a monster when it drops. Qualcomm has definitely delivered on its promise of innovation and whatever we’ve seen so far of this upcoming chip is good for mobile computing.