A new Reuters report suggests that the golden growth phase of smartphones is over, as brands rethink scale, identity, and survival strategies.
The article highlights that realme is set to become a sub-brand under OPPO, reflecting a broader industry shift.
What this signals:
• Smartphone market growth has slowed globally
• Competition has intensified, margins are shrinking
• Brands are moving toward consolidation and restructuring
• The era of rapid expansion is giving way to efficiency and survival
This isn’t just about one brand — it points to a structural change in the smartphone industry.
Source: Reuters
Media is too big
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
Yes, the endless runner that practically ruled short-form content for years is getting a sequel.
Subway Surfers 2, officially titled Subway Surfers City, is launching on February 26.
And honestly — before GTA VI arrives, we already have Subway Surfers 2 😅
The original game wasn’t just played.
It became the default background for reels, shorts, and gameplay clips across the internet.
Whether you:
• Played it back in the day
• Or mostly watched it in short-form videos
You’ve definitely crossed paths with Subway Surfers more times than you can count.
Is this pure nostalgia for you, or are you actually excited to try the sequel?
OnePlus has rolled out a new OTA update for the OnePlus 13s.
This update is currently a release candidate, so a wider stable rollout should follow soon.
Changelog highlights:
• Photos app now supports high-resolution image editing without compression
• January 2026 security patch included
• Bypass charging feature added
• Improved App Drawer categorisation
• Additional system optimisations
Update details:
• Build: CPH2723_16.0.3.501
• Size: 945.10MB
• Security Patch: 01-2026
Screenshot credit: Chandan
Have you received this update yet, or are you waiting for the stable version?
💰 Price:
• 6GB + 128GB → ₹16,999
🔑 Key Highlights:
⚡ MediaTek Dimensity 7060
(Performs better than D7100, close to Snapdragon 6 Gen 3)
💾 LPDDR5 RAM + UFS 3.1 storage
📱 Displays:
• 6.67" FHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz
• 1.6" AMOLED secondary rear display
📸 Cameras:
• 50MP main camera
• 8MP front camera
🔋 Battery & Charging:
• 5000mAh battery
• 33W fast charging
📦 Other Features:
• Android 15
• 1 Android OS update + 2 years security updates
• IP64 rating
• IR blaster
• Dual speakers
• Optical in-display fingerprint scanner
• Wi-Fi 6E | Bluetooth 5.4
A unique dual-display phone in this price range 👀
What do you think about Lava’s comeback strategy?
ASUS has officially confirmed that it is shutting down its smartphone business, as stated by ASUS Chairman Jonney Shih.
This marks the end of ASUS phones like Zenfone and ROG Phone, which built a strong niche following over the years — especially among compact phone lovers and mobile gamers.
A surprising exit from the smartphone market. 👀
What are your thoughts on ASUS leaving phones completely?
With research and testing already underway, it’s likely that 6G-ready smartphone prototypes or early test units could start appearing by Q4 2027 or sometime in 2028.
These won’t be consumer phones yet — but showcase devices meant to demonstrate next-gen speeds, ultra-low latency, and AI-driven connectivity.
The real question is:
👉 Are smartphone brands and networks truly ready for 6G? 🤔
What do you think — too early or right on time?
According to Macworld, Apple is expected to launch new MacBook Pro models powered by M5 Pro and M5 Max chips on January 28, 2026.
🔹 Expected display sizes: 14-inch & 16-inch
🔹 Next-gen Apple Silicon: M5 Pro & M5 Max
🔹 Focus on pro-level performance & efficiency
If accurate, this would be the next major step in Apple’s silicon roadmap.
Source: Macworld
The phone brings flagship-grade hardware and a massive battery, placing it firmly in the performance-focused segment.
Price in China:
¥2599 (≈ ₹34,188 | $373 | €318)
Key specifications
• 6.78-inch 1.5K Samsung M14 AMOLED flat LTPS display
165Hz refresh rate, 1800 nits HBM
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5
• LPDDR5X RAM + UFS 4.1 storage
• Adreno 829 GPU
• Android 16 based Realme UI 7
Cameras
• 50MP Sony IMX896 OIS main camera
• 8MP ultra-wide
• 50MP Samsung JN5 3.5× periscope telephoto
• 16MP front camera
Battery & charging
• 8000mAh battery
• 80W wired fast charging
• USB 2.0 Type-C
Other features
• 3D ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner
• IP68 / IP69 rating
• Metal frame
• Wi-Fi 7 & Wi-Fi 6
• Bluetooth 6.0
• NFC support
• Dual stereo speakers
• IR blaster
• 0809 X-axis linear motor for haptics
Dimensions:
• 8.3mm thickness
• 215g weight
Here’s how brands performed in India during Q4 2025:
• Vivo takes the No. 1 position, posting the highest annual growth of 16%
• Samsung stands at No. 2, but with a negative growth of -11%
• OPPO is at No. 3 with 10% growth, now just 1% behind Samsung
• OPPO could soon overtake Samsung to grab the No. 2 spot
• Xiaomi saw a major decline of -26%, now holding 12% market share
• Apple enters the Top 5 at No. 5, with 11% market share
• Apple may soon move ahead of Xiaomi if current trends continue
• Realme has dropped out of the Top 5
The Indian smartphone market is clearly shifting, with premium brands gaining ground while some traditional leaders struggle.
Which brand’s performance surprised you the most this quarter?
realme has confirmed that the TechLife 20,000mAh power bank will launch on January 29, bringing fast charging and high capacity under its TechLife lineup.
What stands out 👇
• Massive 20,000mAh capacity
• 45W fast charging support
• Cabled charging focus for stable output
• Designed for phones, tablets, and travel use
With power-hungry smartphones becoming the norm, this could be a practical accessory for heavy users and travelers.
Is a 20,000mAh power bank something you actually carry daily? 👀
The device is confirmed to debut with Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 4, and early benchmark details are now out.
Key chipset & system details:
• CPU configuration:
– 1× 2.71GHz
– 3× 2.40GHz
– 4× 1.80GHz
• Adreno 810 GPU
• Android 16
• 12GB RAM
Geekbench CPU scores:
• Single-core: 1,215
• Multi-core: 3,186
Geekbench GPU score:
• OpenCL: 3,569
These numbers suggest a noticeable jump in performance for the Fusion lineup, especially for everyday usage and sustained multitasking.
Do you think Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 will finally close the gap with upper mid-range flagships? 👀
Motorola is clearly aiming at the premium flagship segment this time, with top-tier specs and a long software commitment.
Price (India):
• 12GB + 256GB – ₹60,000
• 16GB + 512GB – ₹65,000
Key highlights:
• 6.8" 1.5K 165Hz QC LTPO OLED display
• Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
• Snapdragon 8 Gen 5
• 50MP Sony LYT828 OIS main + 50MP ultrawide + 50MP LYT600 3× telephoto
• 50MP front camera
• 5200mAh battery 🔋
• 90W wired + 50W wireless charging ⚡
• Dual stereo speakers
• USB 3.2
• Ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner
• IP69 rating
• 7 years of Android & security updates
Motorola is finally ticking almost every flagship box — but the real question remains 👀
Would you spend ₹60K on a Moto smartphone?
Swedish company Instabridge has officially acquired Nova Launcher from its previous owner.
According to reports, the new company is now exploring ways to monetize Nova Launcher, which could significantly change the experience for long-time users.
Here’s what we know so far 👇
• Monetization plans are being evaluated
• Ads may be added to the free version of Nova Launcher
• The latest Nova Launcher update already includes Facebook Ads and Google AdMob related code
• Some users have already reported ads appearing inside the launcher
Nova Launcher has been known for its clean, customizable, and ad-free experience for years — which is why this move is raising concerns among Android enthusiasts.
If ads become permanent, many users may start looking for alternatives.
What’s your take on this?
Would you still use Nova Launcher if ads are added? 🤔
With iOS 27, Apple is expected to turn Siri into a full-fledged AI chatbot, moving far beyond basic voice commands.
Instead of just setting alarms or answering simple questions, Siri is likely to:
Hold real conversations
Understand context better
Help with complex tasks
Compete directly with ChatGPT and other AI assistants
This could be Apple’s biggest AI shift yet — especially as AI becomes central to how we use smartphones every day.
The real question 👇
Can Siri finally catch up after all these years?
Image Credit: Bloomberg
This is a big upgrade for wireless connectivity in the country.
With this move:
Wi-Fi 6E becomes fully usable
Wi-Fi 7 can now operate at its full potential
Less congestion compared to 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz bands
Faster speeds, lower latency, and better performance for future devices
This decision is especially important as India moves towards AI devices, smart homes, cloud gaming, and high-bandwidth apps.
A long-awaited step — and a much-needed one.
Key improvements expected this time:
50MP main + 8MP ultrawide + 50MP telephoto
UFS 4.1 storage with LPDDR5X RAM
ZEISS optics with new AI-powered filters
Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 on the V70 Elite variant
OriginOS 6 with longer software update support
Vivo seems to be focusing on performance + camera reliability, not just design.
📅 Launch: Mid-February
💰 Expected price: Under ₹55,000
Specs source:
Are these upgrades enough to make the V-series more exciting this year?