Tech News
Google Unveils Pixel 9 Series
On August 13, 2024, Google officially unveiled its much-anticipated Pixel 9 series. This release marks a significant step forward in smartphone technology, particularly in artificial intelligence, which is now deeply integrated into Google’s latest devices.
One of the most groundbreaking features of the Pixel 9 series is the integration of Google’s Gemini AI, a powerful assistant designed to enhance user interaction. Gemini is accessible across all Pixel 9 devices, allowing users to engage in fluid, conversational interactions. This AI supports multimodal inputs, including text and images, making it a versatile tool for everyday use.
Gemini also powers a suite of new features, such as personalized weather reports and automated list creation in Google Keep, demonstrating how deeply AI is woven into the Pixel 9’s ecosystem.
Design and Display
The Pixel 9 features a more refined design with flat sides and a 6.3-inch OLED display. The screen supports a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+, with a peak brightness of 2700 nits, making it easier to view under direct sunlight. The device is built with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back, ensuring durability along with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.
Advanced Photography and Videography
The Pixel 9 continues Google’s strong tradition in photography with a 50MP wide camera, a 48MP ultrawide camera, and a 10.5MP front-facing camera. The Pixel 9 Pro models, including the Pro XL and Pro Fold, come equipped with upgraded camera setups, such as a 42MP front camera and two 48MP sensors for ultrawide and telephoto shots. AI-driven features like “Add Me” ensure you’re never left out of group photos by seamlessly integrating your image into the shot using augmented reality.
Additionally, the Pixel 9 introduces Pixel Studio, an on-device image generation app powered by the Tensor G4 chipset. This app enables users to create and edit images using Google’s Imagen 3 text-to-image model, providing a powerful tool for digital creativity.
Performance and Battery Life
Under the hood, the Pixel 9 is powered by Google’s Tensor G4 chipset, an octa-core processor built on a 4nm process, designed to handle demanding tasks with efficiency. Paired with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and available in either 128GB or 256GB storage options, the Pixel 9 is optimized for AI-driven tasks, leveraging Google’s Gemini Nano AI capabilities.
The device is equipped with a 4700mAh battery, providing up to 24 hours of battery life or up to 100 hours with Extreme Battery Saver mode. It supports 27W wired charging and 15W wireless charging, ensuring quick power-ups when needed.
AI-Enhanced Google Ecosystem
Beyond photography, the Pixel 9 series showcases Google’s commitment to integrating AI across its ecosystem. The devices bring improvements in other areas, such as noise cancellation in the Pixel Buds Pro 2, which now cancel twice as much noise as previous models, and sleep tracking in the Pixel Watch 3, which uses AI to optimize battery usage during bedtime.
Software and Longevity
The Pixel 9 comes with Android 15 out of the box and promises seven years of software updates, keeping the device future-proof. It also includes unique Pixel-specific features, enhancing the user experience through Google’s ecosystem.
Pricing and Availability
The Pixel 9 is expected to hit the market with a starting price of $799, making it a competitive option in the flagship smartphone segment. The entire Pixel 9 series is set for release on August 22, 2024.
The Pixel 9 series is more than just a smartphone; it’s a glimpse into the future of AI-driven personal technology. By leveraging the power of the new Tensor G4 chipset and the Gemini AI, Google has created a device that not only meets the demands of modern users but also anticipates them. With these advancements, the Pixel 9 series sets a new standard for what a smartphone can do, making it a significant contender in the competitive mobile market.
The iQOO Z10 has been officially teased, showcasing a sleek 7.89mm body while packing a massive 7,300mAh battery. The smartphone is expected to launch soon, with availability confirmed on Amazon. Here’s a detailed look at what we know so far about iQOO’s upcoming device.
Ultra-Slim Design and Display
One of the standout features of the iQOO Z10 is its ultra-thin 7.89mm body, making it one of the slimmest smartphones in its category. Despite its slim profile, the device is expected to be sturdy, with a premium finish. The teaser also confirms the Glacier Silver color variant, adding to the phone’s aesthetics. The company has promoted it as “India’s slimmest smartphone with a 7,300mAh battery,” making it a significant upgrade over its predecessor, the iQOO Z9, which had a 7.83mm thickness and a 5,000mAh battery.
The iQOO Z10 is likely to feature a large display with a high refresh rate, catering to gaming enthusiasts and media consumers. While exact specifications are yet to be revealed, leaks suggest an OLED panel with a 1.5K resolution and 120Hz refresh rate for a smoother visual experience.
Massive 7,300mAh Battery for Extended Usage
A key highlight of the iQOO Z10 is its enormous 7,300mAh battery, a significant upgrade over its predecessor. This massive battery is expected to deliver exceptional battery life, making it ideal for heavy users, gamers, and those who need long-lasting performance without frequent charging.
To complement the large battery, the iQOO Z10 is expected to support fast charging, although the exact wattage hasn’t been confirmed yet. Given iQOO’s history of incorporating fast charging solutions, we can anticipate at least 66W or higher charging speeds.
Performance and Hardware Expectations
Although the teaser doesn’t reveal the chipset, rumors suggest the iQOO Z10 could be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 SoC, ensuring smooth multitasking and gaming performance. The phone is also likely to come with multiple RAM and storage variants, including up to 16GB RAM and 512GB storage.
Additionally, iQOO is known for its gaming-centric features, and the Z10 may include advanced cooling technology, gaming enhancements, and software optimizations to boost performance.
Camera Capabilities
The iQOO Z10 is teased to feature a circular rear camera island, housing a dual-camera setup with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) support and a circular flash. While specific camera details remain undisclosed, previous leaks hint at a high-resolution primary sensor. Given iQOO’s focus on photography and videography, the Z10 could feature AI-powered enhancements, night mode, and 4K video recording capabilities.
Availability and Launch Date
The iQOO Z10 is confirmed to be available on Amazon, which has already created a dedicated microsite teasing its arrival. It is set to launch in India on April 11, 2025, and will likely go official in the Chinese market alongside the iQOO Z10 Turbo before making its way to other regions.
Last year’s iQOO Z9 5G debuted in March 2024 with a MediaTek Dimensity 7200 5G SoC, a 6.67-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display, and 50MP dual cameras. The base model started at Rs. 19,999 for 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. With the Z10 set to bring significant upgrades, it will be interesting to see how it is priced in comparison.
Apple has faced its fair share of adversity with its AI development, but that’s not stopping Cupertino from experimenting with new ideas. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is exploring the idea of adding cameras to its Apple Watch series, which would bring visual intelligence features to its smartwatches. Gurman previously reported that Apple is developing AirPods with a built-in camera for the same purpose, and he notes this week that these are expected to launch around the same time as the camera-equipped Apple Watches.
The Apple Watch, known for its health tracking and connectivity features, may soon include a camera to enhance its functionality. Camera placement would likely vary among the different watch models. According to Gurman, the Series watches could get a camera in the display, while the camera in the Ultra would be on the side of the device, next to the digital crown and button.
Apple plans to release camera-equipped AI wearables by 2027, says Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The cameras will be “inside the display” for the standard Series Watch, while the Apple Watch Ultra would feature it on the side. With these additions, the Apple Watch would be able to “see the outside world and use AI to deliver relevant information,” which he says is also the plan for camera-equipped AirPods that Apple is rumored to be working on.
Apple’s AI Vision for Wearables
Apple’s recent focus on artificial intelligence is expected to play a central role in this development. The integration of cameras could introduce AI-powered features such as:
Enhanced Health Monitoring: AI-assisted facial analysis could improve sleep tracking and emotional well-being assessments.
Gesture-Based Controls: Users may be able to navigate the Apple Watch using hand gestures detected by the camera.
On-Wrist FaceTime Calls: A front-facing camera could make it possible to conduct FaceTime calls without needing an iPhone.
Augmented Reality (AR) Support: Apple could leverage cameras to provide AR-based applications, complementing its Vision Pro headset.
The Visual Intelligence features that these devices would use debuted on the iPhone 16, where it works with the phone’s camera to do things like add details from an event flyer to your calendar or look up information about a restaurant. It’s underpinned by AI models from other companies, but Gurman writes that Apple hopes to power the feature with its own in-house models by 2027, when he says the company plans to release these new Apple Watches and AirPods.
While the prospect of an Apple Watch with a camera sounds promising, it raises concerns about privacy and practicality. Wearable cameras may spark privacy debates regarding surveillance and misuse. Apple will likely implement strict security measures, such as on-device processing and user consent notifications, to address these concerns.
Additionally, battery life and waterproofing could pose challenges. A built-in camera would require additional power, and Apple would need to ensure that it does not compromise the device’s durability or battery efficiency.
Potential Release Timeline
According to Bloomberg and other sources, Apple could introduce these camera-equipped Apple Watches by 2027. This timeline suggests that Apple is still in the research and development phase, working on integrating AI and camera technologies seamlessly.
Samsung is set to shake up the foldable smartphone market with its upcoming tri-fold device and the Galaxy Z Fold 7. Although the company didn’t reveal much at the Galaxy S25 launch event, it did confirm that a multi-fold smartphone is in the works, with an expected Q3 2025 release—around the same time as the rumored Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7.
As always, leaks and rumors have surfaced ahead of the official announcement, giving us an early glimpse into Samsung’s next-generation foldables. The latest information, shared by industry analyst Ross Young, provides crucial details about display sizes, design, and expected features.
Samsung’s Tri-Fold Smartphone: A New Era of Foldables?
Samsung has been experimenting with multi-folding devices for years, and it looks like the wait is nearly over. Unlike Huawei’s tri-fold, which features an S- or Z-shaped fold and leaves parts of the screen exposed, Samsung is reportedly using a G-style folding mechanism. This means both sides of the display fold inward, ensuring no screen area is left vulnerable—a move that enhances durability and scratch resistance.
Display Size and Design
According to Young’s leak, the tri-fold device will feature a 6.49-inch cover screen, identical to the Galaxy Z Fold 7. When fully unfolded, it will expand into a massive 10-inch display, making it more of a tablet hybrid rather than a traditional smartphone.
The tri-fold device is also rumored to use a new type of display technology and protective film, likely an evolution of Ultra Thin Glass (UTG) 3.0, to improve durability. However, due to the complexity of manufacturing such a device, Samsung is expected to limit production volumes, positioning the tri-fold as an experimental, high-end product rather than a mainstream release.
Possible Name and Pricing
Leaked reports suggest that Samsung might introduce a new branding strategy, potentially calling this device the “Samsung Galaxy G Fold” instead of following the Z Fold naming convention.
As for pricing, it won’t come cheap. The Huawei Mate XT, one of the first tri-fold devices, launched at nearly $2,800 in China. Given Samsung’s premium materials and limited production, its tri-fold could land in a similar price range, making it one of the most expensive foldables on the market.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: A Bigger and More Practical Cover Screen
Alongside its ambitious tri-fold project, Samsung is also refining its traditional book-style foldable with the Galaxy Z Fold 7. One of the biggest complaints about previous Fold models has been the narrow cover screen, making it less convenient for quick tasks. But with the Z Fold 7, Samsung is finally addressing this issue.
Larger Cover Display for Better Usability
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 will feature a 6.49-inch cover screen, matching the tri-fold device and the rumored Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition. This suggests that Samsung is moving away from its compact cover displays, which were often seen as impractical for everyday use.
Comparing previous Fold models:
Galaxy Z Fold 5: 6.2-inch cover display
Galaxy Z Fold 6 (expected): Slightly larger at 6.3 inches
Galaxy Z Fold 7: 6.49-inch cover display (wider aspect ratio)
With this larger, wider screen, the Z Fold 7 will offer a more natural smartphone experience when closed, eliminating the need to unfold it for simple tasks.
Durability and Hinge Improvements
Samsung is expected to enhance durability on the Z Fold 7, incorporating refinements from the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition. This could mean a more robust hinge, better crease management, and improved Ultra Thin Glass (UTG). While details on weight and thickness remain scarce, Samsung is likely aiming for a lighter, thinner design to compete with foldables from Huawei and Xiaomi.
iQOO Z10 Teased: Ultra-Slim Design, Massive Battery, and Amazon Availability
Apple Exploring Camera-Equipped Apple Watches to Enhance AI Capabilities
