The past week has been filled with exciting reveals, product launches, and strategic shifts that have given us a glimpse into the future of technology. Major players in the industry made headlines as they continued to push boundaries and set new standards. From groundbreaking plans for chip production to phone launches and the release of groundbreaking sales figures, the week was a testament to the unstoppable pace of technological innovation.
In the wearables sector, we have seen a customized edition of the Samsung earphones, while we have seen the launch of two new phones, the Zenfone 10 and the Redmi Note 12R in the smartphone segment. Meanwhile, console sales data released by Microsoft has highlighted the competitive dynamics in the gaming industry.
From foldable phones to game console sales and ever-shrinking chips, this week has offered an interesting blend of tech news, and a quick summary of it is below.
Summary of last week’s top tech news
Redmi Note 12R: a global debut with a new name
Xiaomi’s new Redmi Note 12R, equipped with the cutting-edge Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset and 5G connectivity, could reach international markets under the name of “Redmi 12 5G”. In India, it may be introduced as “Poco M6 Pro 5G”. Featuring impressive specs like a 6.79 inch LCD panel with 90Hz refresh rate, dual camera setup and Android 13, this rebranded model promises to make a big splash around the globe.
ASUS Zenfone 10 – Compact flagship with updated features
The ASUS Zenfone 10 has officially made its global debut, succeeding the previous Zenfone 9 model with several updates while retaining its compact and boxy design. This flagship phone boasts a 5.9-inch sAMOLED display with a peak brightness of 1,100 nits and a 144Hz refresh rate. Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, it supports up to 16GB LPDDR5x RAM and 512GB UFS 4.0 storage. Starting at 799 euros, ASUS Zenfone 10 will soon be available globally.
Samsung aims at the production of next-generation chips: 2 nm by 2025 and 1.4 nm by 2027
Samsung, the world’s second-largest contract chipmaker, has announced plans to begin mass production of 2nm mobile chips by 2025, aiming to compete with TSMC’s similar timeline. A smaller nanometer (nm) size indicates denser packing of the transistor on a chip, improving performance. Samsung plans to leverage the 2nm process for high-performance computing by 2026 and design a specific variant for automotive chips by 2027. Samsung says the 2nm process will offer a 12% performance boost and a 25% more power efficient than current 3nm process, with 5% smaller chips. Additionally, the tech giant revealed its ambition to start mass production of 1.4nm process chips by 2027.
Nothing Phone (2) prepares for launch amid new funding and pre-order buzz
Nothing is all set to launch its much anticipated Nothing Phone (2) in India on 11th July, with pre-orders now open on Flipkart. Customers can take advantage of instant discounts and an exclusive offer on the official back case of the new phone. Meanwhile, the company announced a successful fundraising round, raising $96 million led by Highland Europe, signaling its future expansion plans. The collaboration with the Swedish House Mafia band for the film Glyph Composer on the Phone (2) underlines the company’s innovative approach. Nothing, which has a global staff of more than 450, has also highlighted its commitment to sustainability, claiming that the Phone (2) will have a smaller carbon footprint than its predecessor. The company continues to focus on community feedback to drive innovation in its products.
Microsoft reveals Xbox sales data
Microsoft has revealed that in June 2023, Xbox Series S | X has sold a total of 21 million units, which is very close to previous estimates made by industry insiders. Additionally, the Xbox One series has sold a staggering 58 million units, demonstrating the continued popularity of these consoles. By comparison, Sony’s PlayStation 5 had reportedly sold an estimated 38.5 million units as of May 2023, reinforcing Microsoft’s earlier claim that sales of the Xbox console were roughly half of Sony’s PlayStation sales. These figures highlight the highly competitive gaming market and Microsoft’s strong position within it.
Google extends iFixit automatic repair program to Pixel Fold
Google, in partnership with iFixit, has extended its self-repair services to the Pixel Fold, making it the first foldable smartphone to support such a program. Owners will have access to OEM repair tools, parts and do-it-yourself fix guides, as well as traditional mail options and official services. In addition, Google will offer a “Preferred Care” extended warranty.
An Italian designer shows the design of a foldable smartphone with E Ink display
The 0/1 phone concept combines simplicity and functionality, offering a refuge from the high-octane digital world. Its foldable design goes from a full-fledged smartphone when open to a minimalist phone when closed. However, despite its intriguing mix of high-tech functionality and deliberate simplicity, its commercial launch appears uncertain.
Samsung unveils Pokémon-themed Galaxy Buds 2 cases
Samsung has launched three new Pokemon-themed Galaxy Buds 2 cases, modeled after Jigglypuff, Ditto, and Snorlax, exclusively in South Korea. This continues Samsung’s trend of Pokemon-themed products, such as the Galaxy Z Flip3 Pokmon Edition phone and the Galaxy Buds 2 Pok Ball edition, both sold out quickly.
Apple Prepares Advance Inventory for Expected iPhone 15 Sales
Apple is reportedly bracing for high sales of the iPhone 15, which is set to launch later this year. The tech giant aims to stock up on retailers starting in July, to avoid earlier supply chain disruptions. The iPhone 15 lineup is expected to perform better than its predecessors, with features such as an improved design, a faster A17 Bionic chipset, a 48-megapixel camera, Wi-Fi 6E support and longer battery life. The official launch date has yet to be confirmed, but it’s likely to follow Apple’s usual September release schedule.
Huawei prepares for the potential launch of the Mate 60 series
According to reports, Huawei’s supply chain has begun preparations for the production of the company’s next flagship series, the Mate 60, indicating a potential imminent launch. The move suggests a return to Huawei’s traditional dual flagship launch cycle, following the announcement of the P60 range earlier this year. While the finer details remain unclear, the Mate 60 is speculated to be equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ series processor, limited to 4G network, similar to the previous P60 series.
Some of the specials we covered last week
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