India

Vivo V3 and V3 Max smartphones unveiled in India

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Chinese smartphone brand Vivo today unveiled the V3 and V3 Max smartphones in India with the tag line: “faster than faster.” Vivo’s attempt to annoy the grammar Nazi in us aside, both phones seem promising from a technical standpoint.

And their desirability is amplified by the fact that neither of these devices will over-stress your budget when they arrive in select markets soon — the Philippines included. The V3 and V3 Max are priced at Rs 17,980 (Php12,500 $270) and Rs 23,980 (Php16,700 or $360), respectively.

The reasons behind the “faster than faster” claim are evident as you peruse the specs sheets of the Vivo V3 and V3 Max.

Vivo V3 India launch (2)

Inside, you’re looking at a Qualcomm Snapdragon 616 processor with 3GB of RAM for the 5-inch V3 and a Snapdragon 652 chip with 4GB of RAM for the 5.5-inch V3 Max. We gave the two phones a quick spin and found them to be responsive and sprightly.

Internal storage maxes out at 32GB, with the option to expand up to an additional 128GB using a microSD card. Both phones also come with a supposedly snappy fingerprint sensor located on the rear panel. 

Photography is likewise a highlight for Vivo’s V3 line, as the phones’ rear-facing, 13-megapixel camera uses phase-detection autofocus, and is capable of locking onto a subject in 200 milliseconds (0.2 seconds) — shorter than the blink of a human eye, which takes anywhere between 300 to 400 milliseconds.

Firing up the default camera app shouldn’t take a whisker longer than that, as Vivo claims a startup time of only 700 milliseconds.

Vivo V3 India launch (3)

The higher-end V3 Max also supports fast charging with the included power adapter, and Vivo claims the feature provides up to 2 hours of high-fidelity music playback from 5 minutes of charging.

It’s obvious that Vivo’s V3 and V3 Max are built around the idea of super-fast operation, one that the company has pushed throughout the product announcement; but it didn’t have to.

See, if the phones do live up to the hype, Vivo would have no need for an awkward-sounding slogan, or analogies that resonate to very few people. If they’re fast enough, they’d be the talk of the town, for sure. Speed, or lack thereof, is one of the few things consumers can objectively judge with accuracy.

Hopefully for the V3 and V3 Max, the marketing talk will work out nicely.

[irp posts=”1944″ name=”Vivo V3, V3 Max Hands-On Review”]

India

TECNO’s POVA 8 5G is both futuristic and future-ready

8000mAh battery, Sony LYTIA 600 camera, Alive Matrix display, and more

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TECNO POVA 8 5G
Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Four months after the POVA Curve 2 5G, TECNO adds the POVA 8 5G to their performance-focused arsenal.

Futuristic vibe

TECNO’s POVA 8 5G continues the series’ signature sci-fi-inspired design language. The latest smartphone features sharp geometric elements and a semi-transparent rear panel.

TECNO POVA 8 5G

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

One of its standout features is none other than the new Alive Matrix Display. It’s a customizable light panel on the back that can display 49 pre-loaded lighting effects for incoming calls, notifications, charging status, gaming sessions, and more. Prospective users can also personalize scenarios to match their style and could actually store many more customized effects aside from the pre-loaded ones.

Beside that LED display lies the 50MP main rear camera based on Sony’s LYTIA 600 (or LYT-600) sensor. The said sensor offers improved light capture for brighter and more detailed photos. It also supports 2x lossless zoom. Up front, you’ll get a 13MP front-facing shooter.

Sony LYTIA 600

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Powering the device is MediaTek’s Dimensity 7100 SoC. That’s paired together with TECNO’s in-house G1 Signal Enhancement Chip and SE1 Wi-Fi Enhancement Chip — making it a triple chipset smartphone.

TECNO says these chips help improve connectivity in challenging environments such as elevators and basements while boosting Wi-Fi reception.

The phone also features a 144Hz display with TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification and military-grade durability.

Last but definitely not the least, its 8000mAh battery that can last as much as two days. For some measure, TECNO says the phone can last up to 85+ hours of music playback, 29+ hours of YouTube streaming, 26+ hours of WhatsApp, or 14+ hours of playing Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB).

Future-ready

Aside from the beastly battery packed inside, TECNO is also bringing several practical AI tools to the POVA 8 5G.

Among them is AI YouTube Summary. This turns lengthy videos into concise notes with key points and timestamps. The device also features AI-powered noise cancellation that helps isolate the speaker’s voice during calls, recordings, and meetings.

8000mAh Battery

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

For photography, AI LightMaster 2.0 can remove unwanted reflections, lens flare, and shadows. The phone also supports uploading Live Photos directly to Instagram as Boomerang.

In select markets, users can even access AI Health features that estimate metrics such as heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and respiration through facial scanning technology.

TECNO POVA 8 5G

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Further solidifying its future readiness, TECNO promises two major Android OS upgrades and three years of security updates.

The company is also bundling three years of FREE 256GB cloud storage for POVA 8 5G users. Eligible markets can also receive a 3-month Google AI Plus trial which includes 2TB of cloud storage.

Pricing and Availability

The TECNO POVA 8 5G debuts first in India and is available in 16-Bit White, Terminal Green, and Plasma Orange colorways.

UPDATE: In India, the POVA 8 5G is currently offered in 6+128GB and 8+128GB configurations for INR 29,999 and INR 31,999 respectively.

Specific pricing and availability in global markets are yet to follow along these four color choices: Arc White, Graphite Black, Echo Green, and Helios Orange.

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India

Nothing opens first India store in Bengaluru

New retail space blends self-expression, creator culture, and community play.

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Nothing Store India
Photo by Michael Josh/GadgetMatch

Nothing has officially opened its first India store in Bengaluru, marking a major step in the brand’s global retail expansion.

Located in Indiranagar, Nothing Store Bengaluru spans 5,032 square feet across two floors. The space draws inspiration from 1970s assembly lines and workshops, translating Nothing’s rebellious design language into an interactive, hands-on environment built for the local community.

The store puts self-expression at its core. It is the only Nothing location worldwide where customers can personalise their products. A dedicated studio also supports creator unboxings and hands-on content, reinforcing the brand’s focus on co-creation.

The space includes a community hangout zone for events and meetups, alongside playful elements such as vending machines, claw games, and conveyor-belt displays. An in-house coffee shop, seating areas, and workshop spaces position the store as a cultural hub rather than a traditional retail outlet.


Nothing and CMF products are available in store, alongside official Nothing merchandise. The brand says the location will evolve over time through collaborations, workshops, and limited-run installations by local creators, reflecting the rhythm and voices of the city.

Bengaluru was chosen for its role as India’s innovation capital and its community of early adopters, creators, and cultural tastemakers. Indiranagar’s creative energy and lifestyle focus made it a natural home for Nothing’s first physical store in the country.

The Bengaluru opening builds on Nothing’s first store in Soho. The company has confirmed plans to open additional locations in New York and Japan.

Nothing Store Bengaluru opens on February 14, 2026, at 12:00 PM IST. It is located at 660/1, 100 Feet Road, 1st Stage, Indiranagar, Bengaluru. Regular store hours are 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily.

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India

TECNO POVA Curve 2 5G packs an 8000mAh battery

The brand’s biggest battery in a smartphone yet

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Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

This 2026, TECNO is refreshing its performance-focused POVA lineup by adding a new member in it.

Big power without the bulk

Despite its slim and curved 7.42mm design (and weight of only 195g), the POVA Curve 2 5G arrives with TECNO’s largest battery yet — 8000mAh battery to be precise.

TECNO says the battery is TÜV SÜD-certified for long lifespan and is engineered to last up to six years. It’s also rated to operate in extreme temperatures ranging between as hot as 60°C (140ºF) or as cold as -20ºC (-4ºF).

If you’re already in a pinch, there’s the 45W fast charging with Bypass charging support in tow.

Durability was not compromised as it has a Corning Gorilla Glass 7i Front Glass protection, IP64 water and dust resistance rating, even SGS-certification for 1.5m drop protection.

Speaking of front, it features a curved 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate. Beneath that glass lies MediaTek’s Dimensity 7100 5G SoC.

On the software side, it runs the latest HiOS 16 (based on Android 16) with integrated AI tools in mind. That means AI-powered content summaries, writing assistance, call noise reduction, and automatic photo enhancements.

TECNO’s Ella AI Assistant has also been improved with more personalized interactions across the system. One-tap FlashMemo also exists for instantly capturing on-screen information. Moreover, Mind Hub organizes notes and AI-generated content in one place.

Lastly, connectivity gets a boost, too. With POVA Curve 2 5G’s dual-signal enhancement, it has an improved cellular and Wi-Fi performance in crowded or weak-signal environments. Interestingly, it also supports offline voice, text, and image communication up to 1.5km in open areas.

With all these in mind, TECNO promises two major Android OS upgrades.

Pricing and Availability

The TECNO POVA Curve 2 5G comes in three colorways: Melting Silver, Storm Titanium, and Mystic Purple.

It launches first in India this February 2026. Pricing is between INR 31,999 and INR 34,999 for the 8+128GB and 8+256GB configurations respectively.

It will also make an appearance at MWC 2026 this upcoming March 2 until March 5, 2026.

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