News

Xiaomi Mi 5s and 5s Plus set to challenge iPhone 7 and 7 Plus

Published

September 27, 2016

Marvin Velasco

Another Xiaomi launch, another pair of Apple clones. This isn’t to say the Chinese brand’s newest flagships aren’t any good; in fact, the Xiaomi Mi 5s and 5s Plus are up there with the very best, and they don’t cost a fortune.

Despite having a little “s” attached to their names, the pair of smartphones are significant upgrades over the original Mi 5 launched last February. Back then, we compared Xiaomi’s flagship at that time to the Samsung Galaxy S7. Now, the similarities are closer to the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. Even the promotional image below screams copycat.

Compare the Xiaomi Mi 5s promotional image above with the iPhone 7’s below

The signs are all there: a completely metal unibody construction for both the 5.15-inch Mi 5s and 5.7-inch Mi 5s Plus, the usual iPhone-like MIUI Android interface, and some features taken straight out of Apple’s playbook. Let’s look into them now.

The highest-end Mi 5s, which is the 4GB RAM with 128GB internal storage configuration, has a pressure-sensitive display, similar to what Apple applied on its last two iPhone generations. It’s definitely a bonus if you want expanded interactivity with your apps’ options, but if it goes down the same path as the iPhones, then third-party support might be limited for a while. Huawei did it first on Android with its Mate S handset last year, yet there has barely been any backing from software developers since then.

What’s unique to the Mi 5s — and this isn’t even available on the larger Mi 5s Plus — is the ultrasonic fingerprint scanner powered by Qualcomm’s Sense ID. It may sound needless with regular sensors already being blazing fast, but this type is a lot more secure thanks to its added accuracy, plus it can work through wet hands and may be placed under the handset’s glass panel. We had a chance to try it ourselves and we must say, it really is the best fingerprint-scanning technology out there, and we’re glad Xiaomi finally managed to incorporate it.

The specs are expected of a newly launched flagship: We have Qualcomm’s best processor in the Snapdragon 821, a 12-megapixel shooter at the back with a 4-megapixel one up front, and an acceptable 3200mAh battery capacity.

The 4GB memory with 128GB storage model we mentioned earlier will retail at RMB 2299 (almost $345), and the 3GB memory with 64GB storage version will go for RMB 1999 (slightly above $299). Colors offered are silver, gray, gold, and rose gold, with availability beginning on September 29 in China.

Surprisingly, the Mi 5s Plus doesn’t just lack the high-tech fingerprint scanner of its smaller sibling (although, there’s a regular one at the back), it also doesn’t offer a pressure-sensitive display. Instead, the 5.7-inch phablet opts for a 13-megapixel dual-camera setup, very similar to Huawei’s implementation on the P9; one image sensor captures in monochrome, while the other in full color. Image detail will be a lot sharper thanks to the combined effort of two lenses, which is far better than Xiaomi’s previous attempt.

Other advantages of the Mi 5s Plus are the larger 3800mAh battery, bigger display (it maxes out at 1920 x 1080 pixels like the more compact Mi 5s, though), and the choice of having 6GB of RAM. The processor is the same as the chip found in the Mi 5s, and both phones have Quick Charge 3.0-enabled USB Type-C ports. As you can tell, the Plus variant may not be as innovative as the Mi 5s, but it definitely has more multimedia muscle in its circuits.

Its cheapest configuration, which has 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, costs as much as the top-end Mi 5s at RMB 2299 ($345). The model with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage isn’t much of a jump in price, and seems like a more worthwhile purchase; you can buy one for only RMB 2599 ($390). Colors options and availability are the same as that of the Mi 5s.

[irp posts=”12207″ name=”One month with Xiaomi’s Yuemi mechanical keyboard”]

Source: Xiaomi

News

MediaTek launches the Dimensity 9600 Pro

Smartphones are scheduled to launch later this year.

Published

September 23, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

The stage is set for next year’s smartphones. Both MediaTek and Qualcomm have unleased their upcoming flagship chipsets for the coming generation. If you’re looking for the Qualcomm side of things, go here. But if you’re looking for MediaTek, then you’re in the right place.

The Dimensity 9600 Pro adopts the 2nm process mode, which makes MediaTek one of the first companies to use it. The chip itself features a 2+3+3 All Big Core CPU. Specifically, it has two C2-Ultra cores going up to 4.55GHz, three C2-Pro cores going up to 4.35GHz, and three C2-Pro ones going up to 3.1GHz. This configuration can reportedly achieve 17 percent better single-core performance and 15 percent higher multi-core performance.

Besides all that power inherently built in, the chipset also has the G2-Ultra NX GPU. This GPU can deliver 27 percent higher peak performance, 24 percent lower power consumption, 18 percent faster raytracing, and gaming at up to 185 frames per second.

Finally, the chipset has the Imagiq 1290 ISP. With this engine, the processor can handle 60fps motion capture and 4K240 direct-output ultra-slow-motion video.

Alongside the Dimensity 9600 Pro, MediaTek is also launching the Dimensity 9600M, a slightly more lightweight option of the Pro that deliver flagship level performance to more users outside of that price point.

Smartphones that will come with the Dimensity 9600 Pro and 9600M will launch sometime in the fourth quarter.

News

Qualcomm unveils the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 series

This time, there are two models.

Published

September 23, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

The end of the year always heralds the next step of processors for next year’s smartphones. Besides the oodles of phone rumors we’ll have before the year ends, these new processors give us a powerful hint of what the new machinery can do. Today, Qualcomm has unveiled that next generation, announcing the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6.

Yes, this time, the Snapdragon flagship chipset will come in two flavors. Let’s start with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6.

The “base” model of the duo has an octa-core Oryon CPU with two prime cores going up to 5GHz. It also has an Adreno GPU that touts 35 percent faster performance compared to the previous generation. Additionally, the chipset has a 16MB Flex Cache which can supposedly leverage the cache better to deliver better single-threaded performance.

The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 will also have a new Spectra ISP. The engine can support single image capturing at 320 megapixels, or 64 megapixels with a triple rear camera combo. It also supports 8K video capturing at 30fps. Further, Intelligent Pixel Control features better contextualization skills so the camera can more accurately detect what you’re taking a photo or video of.

Finally, the X105 5G modem offers the usual array of 5G connectivity options but also goes up to supporting Bluetooth 6 and Wi-Fi 8.

Meanwhile, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 offers much of the same as the duo’s regular model. However, it features 18MB of high performance memory, video recording that goes up to 60fps at 8K resolution, and new Matrix Cores that boost frame generation for gaming.

As expected, both models will appear in new smartphones from later this year to next year.

News

OPPO Find X10 Pro Max is the first phone with a triple 200MP camera system

Second to rock MediaTek’s Dimensity 9600 Pro chip

Published

September 22, 2026

Vincenz

Just a day after its sister company launched the camera-centric vivo X500 Pro Max with the same chip in it, OPPO grabs the spotlight with the Find X10 Pro Max.

More than pro

The highlight of the all-new OPPO Find X10 Pro Max has got to be its triple 200MP camera system — marking the first smartphone to have such PROwess. These are still co-developed with the niche Swedish camera maker, Hasselblad.

First and foremost, the main sensor boasts a large aperture of f/1.5. It also offers 17EV of dynamic range and a CIPA 6.5 professional-grade stabilization.

It also features the industry’s first DeepPix sensor technology. This creates the most “realistic” light and shadow reproduction while consuming less power at the same time.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Second, its UWA (Ultra-Wide Angle) lens with an f/2.2 aperture. This new module has a 124-degree FoV (Field of View) and can catch 102% more light than last year’s Find X9 Pro.

Last but definitely not the least, its telephoto shooter. The lens opening is at f/2.1 and has OIS with a CIPA 7.5 stabilization.

That separate bar beside its camera bump is dubbed as the “LUMO Original Color Capsule.” It houses not just the flash unit, but also the second-generation Danxia multi-spectral color sensor.

It does not stop at just pro-tography as the OPPO Find X10 Pro Max focuses on videography as well.

To make it a full-blown Pro Max model, it can shoot at a maximum of 4K/120fps or 8K/30fps video recording across all these three rear cameras.

Blackmagic Camera can also make use of these video strengths alongside OPPO’s 10-bit O-Log2 format.

And while we’re already at it, it also supports Open Gate capture where it uses the full camera sensor to capture footage in a 4:3 aspect ratio.

The previous telephoto extender lens is also supported alongside Tilta’s Khronos rig.

Max power

As alluded to earlier, the OPPO Find X10 Pro Max is the second smartphone to have MediaTek’s latest Dimensity 9600 Pro SoC based on a 2nm process — just a day after the vivo X500 Pro series.

While it’s already mentioned that CPU is up to 15% faster and GPU is around 27% faster, the best thing is that it it’s 61% more power efficient in multi-core tasks.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Other than being the first smartphone with triple 200MP cameras, OPPO has also worked together with MediaTek in developing Laminar Flow Engine. This basically balances out system responsiveness alongside an even lower power usage.

Now that it’s mentioned, the Find X10 Pro Max packs a 8000mAh battery, 500mAh more than last year’s Find X9 Pro (and 950mAh more than the Find X9 Ultra),

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Screen bezels have also shrunk to a mere 0.99mm. That’s in contrast to the 1.15mm and 1.45mm bezels of the Find X9 and Find X8 series.

Charging is less speedy though at 80W (versus 100W on the Ultra).

While USB-C PPS support is limited to 55W, the new UFCS standard eliminates that limitation and makes full use of OPPO’s SuperVOOC charging speeds.

50W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging all still remain.

Finding the other Xs

OPPO skips a Max-less Pro model in favor of two vanilla variants: the Find X10 and Find X10 E.

Both models possess a smaller 6.59-inch screen. Though display tech isn’t far off from its superior sibling, especially with the faster 144Hz refresh rate and BT.2020 support.

Much like the base vivo X500, the OPPO Find X10 runs MediaTek’s slightly down-powered Dimensity 9600M.

The Find X10 E, on the other hand, runs Dimensity 9500s.

Battery capacity of the Find X10 is the same as its Pro Max sibling at 8000mAh. Meanwhile, the Find X10 E has a slightly smaller 7025mAh tank.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Finally, cameras, while not Pro Max-level, were not totally compromised.

Find X10 E has a triple 50MP camera setup. While the base the Find X10 retains that 50MP f/2.0 120-degree ultra-wide shooter but replaces its main and telephoto cameras with a dual 200MP sensor at f/1.6 and f/2.6 respectively.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

For utmost durability, all Find X10 models feature IP66, IP68, and IP69 water and dust resistance ratings.

They also run the latest ColorOS 17 based on Android 17.

Pricing and Availability

The OPPO Find X10 series + Find X10 Pro Max are currently available for pre-orders in Mainland China.

Pricing and configuration are as follows:

Find X10 Pro Max (Moon White, Shallow Titanium, Warm Orange)

12+256GB = CNY 6799 (US$ 1015 / EUR 870 / GBP 750 / SG$ 1285 / MYR 4099 / PhP 63,465 / INR 95,735)
12+512GB = CNY 7499 (US$ 1120 / EUR 960 / GBP 825 / SG$ 1415 / MYR 4520 / PhP 69,999 / INR 105,590)
16+512GB = CNY 7999 (US$ 1190 / EUR 1025 / GBP 880 / SG$ 1510 / MYR 4825 / PhP 74,665 / INR 112,630)
16+1TB = CNY 8999 (US$ 1340 / EUR 1155 / GBP 1698 / SG$ 1260 / MYR 5425 / PhP 83,999 / INR 126,710)

Find X10 (Ice Blue, Light Titanium, Clear Orange)

12+256GB = CNY 5499 (US$ 820 / EUR 705 / GBP 605 / SG$ 1038 / MYR 3315 / PhP 51,330 / INR 77,430)
12+512GB = CNY 5999 (US$ 895 / EUR 770 / GBP 660 / SG$ 1130 / MYR 3615 / PhP 55,995 / INR 84,470)
16+512GB = CNY 6499 (US$ 970 / EUR 835 / GBP 715 / SG$ 1230 / MYR 3920 / PhP 60,665 / INR 91,510)
16+1TB = CNY 7499 (US$ 1120 / EUR 960 / GBP 825 / SG$ 1415 / MYR 4520 / PhP 69,999 / INR 105,590)

FindX10 E (Ice Blue, Shallow Titanium)

12+256GB = CNY 4999 (US$ 745 / EUR 640 / GBP 550 / SG$ 945 / MYR 3015 / PhP 46,660 / INR 70,390)
16+512GB = CNY 5499 (US$ 820 / EUR 705 / GBP 605 / SG$ 1038 / MYR 3315 / PhP 51,330 / INR 77,430)

* these are only rough price estimates

It’s rumored that international availability of the OPPO Find X10 series will likely happen next October. We just have to wait and see what OPPO global has to reveal.