Smartphones

Budget-friendly OnePlus 9R will launch in March

According to a new rumor

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The OnePlus 9 series is coming soon. After a flurry of rumors over the past few months, hype for the anticipated flagship series is at an all-time high. If previous rumors are to be believe, the series will launch sometime within the next month. Today, a new report once again confirms that the OnePlus 9 series will launch in March. However, besides spoiling the launch window, the report also confirms the existence of a third entry into the series, the OnePlus 9R.

According to renowned leaker Ishan Agarwal (via 91mobiles), OnePlus is launching four new devices sometime in mid-March for the OnePlus 9 series: OnePlus 9, OnePlus 9 Pro, OnePlus 9R, and the OnePlus Watch.

Of course, the OnePlus 9 and the OnePlus 9 Pro is already well-known. Regardless of whatever additional devices will launch in March, the company will certainly out the two main entries during the launch.

Under another name, though, the OnePlus 9R has also been previously rumored. The newly rumored smartphone will supposedly take the place of the budget-friendly OnePlus 9 Lite or the 9E. According to previous rumors, the 6.5-inch device will sport the Snapdragon 690 chipset, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of internal storage, and 5000mAh of battery.

In other news, the launch will also see the company’s first-ever smartwatch, the OnePlus Watch. If you’ve followed the rumors over the past year, the wearable has been a long time coming.

Though the leaker did not mention when the launch will exactly happen, mid-March is just around the country.

SEE ALSO: OnePlus Nord series broke a personal sales record for OnePlus

News

Samsung Galaxy S26 Series now official

With pre-order, pricing, and availability

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Samsung has announced the Galaxy S26 Series, introducing refinements across design, performance, and AI-driven features.

The lineup consists of three models: Galaxy S26 Ultra (6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X), Galaxy S26+ (6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X), and Galaxy S26 (6.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X). All models support 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rates, with the Ultra offering S Pen compatibility.

The S26 Ultra leads with a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor (3nm), while the S26 and S26+ use Samsung’s Exynos 2600 (2nm). Memory configurations reach up to 16GB RAM on the Ultra, with storage options up to 1TB.

Battery capacities remain consistent with previous generations: 5,000mAh on the Ultra, 4,900mAh on the Plus, and 4,300mAh on the base model. Charging improves on the Ultra with Super Fast Charging 3.0 (60W), capable of reaching approximately 75 percent in 30 minutes. Wireless charging and PowerShare functionality remain available.

Camera systems focus on computational improvements. The Ultra retains a 200MP main sensor with enhanced AI processing, stabilization, and Nightography optimizations. Generative editing tools and Audio Eraser features expand multimedia capabilities, including third-party app support for noise reduction.

Privacy Display and Private Album introduce additional privacy controls. Privacy Display restricts viewing angles at the pixel level and can be customized per app, addressing concerns about screen visibility in public spaces.

Design refinements emphasize cohesion. All models share a unified corner radius and updated material choices aimed at improving durability and heat dissipation. The Ultra is slimmer and lighter than its predecessor.

Pre-order, pricing, and availability in the Philippines

Pre-orders open February 26, 2026, with official availability following in March. Promotional offers include storage upgrades, discounts on accessories, and trade-in incentives.

Pricing in the Philippines starts at PHP58,990 for the Galaxy S26 (256GB), PHP74,990 for the Galaxy S26+ (256GB), and PHP86,990 for the Galaxy S26 Ultra (256GB). Higher storage tiers reach PHP121,990 for the 1TB Ultra variant.

Samsung positions the S26 Series as an evolution rather than a revolution — emphasizing usability, AI integration, and incremental refinement.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Series – Specs 

Feature Galaxy S26 Ultra Galaxy S26+ Galaxy S26
Display 6.9″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X

  • QHD+ (3120 x 1440)
  • 500 ppi, 1-120Hz
  • S Pen support
6.7″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X

  • QHD+ (3120 x 1440)
  • 516 ppi, 1-120Hz
6.3″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X

  • FHD+ (2340 x 1080)
  • 411 ppi, 1-120Hz
Rear Camera: Ultra Wide 50MP, F1.9, 0.7 µm 12MP, F2.2, 1.4 µm 12MP, F2.2, 1.4 µm
Rear Camera: Wide 200MP, F1.4, 0.6 µm 50MP, F1.8, 1.0 µm 50MP, F1.8, 1.0 µm
Optical Quality 2x
Rear Camera: Telephoto 1 10MP, F2.4, 1.12 µm 10MP, F2.4, 1.0 µm 10MP, F2.4, 1.0 µm
3x optical zoom
Rear Camera: Telephoto 2 50MP, F2.9, 0.7 µm

  • 5x optical zoom
  • Optical Quality 10x
Front Camera 12MP, F2.2, 1.12 µm 12MP, F2.2, 1.12 µm 12MP, F2.2, 1.12 µm
Processor Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy (3 nm) Exynos 2600 (2 nm)* Exynos 2600 (2 nm)*
Memory (RAM) 12GB / 16GB 12GB 12GB
Storage 256GB / 512GB / 1TB 256GB / 512GB 128GB / 256GB / 512GB
(Micro SD: N/A)
Battery 5,000 mAh 4,900 mAh 4,300 mAh
  • Super Fast Charging 3.0
  • Super Fast Wireless Charging
  • Wireless PowerShare
Dimensions 78.1 x 163.6 x 7.9 mm

214 g (Sub6/mmWave)

75.8 x 158.4 x 7.3 mm

190 g (Sub6/mmWave)

71.7 x 149.6 x 7.2 mm

167 g (Sub6)

Colors Standard: Cobalt Violet (Hero), Sky Blue, Black, White

Online: Silver Shadow, Pink Gold

Standard: Cobalt Violet (Hero), Sky Blue, Black, White

Online: Silver Shadow, Pink Gold

Standard: Cobalt Violet (Hero), Sky Blue, Black, White

Online: Silver Shadow, Pink Gold

 

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Hands-On

Samsung Galaxy S26 series: Chasing usability, not specs

Thoughtful software additions

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“Our philosophy has never been about chasing specs.”

That line from Samsung’s presentation captures the Galaxy S26 Series better than any spec table.

This isn’t a year of radical hardware shifts. Battery capacities remain unchanged. Megapixel counts are familiar. The design language evolves rather than transforms.

But incremental doesn’t automatically mean irrelevant.

The S26 Ultra feels like Samsung refining its priorities — usability, privacy, and AI integration — instead of pursuing headline-grabbing numbers.

Hardware refinement, not reinvention

The Galaxy S26 series looks more unified. All three models now share the same corner radius, creating a consistent visual identity. The Ultra no longer stands apart with sharper edges. It’s a small change, but it makes the lineup feel cohesive.

The camera module sits on a more defined island rather than blending into the rear panel. It’s subtle, but noticeable in person.

Samsung also trimmed weight and thickness on the Ultra. At 7.9mm and 214 grams, it handles slightly better than last year’s model. The company switched to Light Armor Aluminum, which it claims improves heat dissipation and weight. The difference in hand isn’t dramatic, but it’s appreciated during extended use.

Charging finally moves forward. The Ultra supports 60W wired charging, up from 45W. Samsung says you can reach 75 percent in around 30 minutes. That’s a meaningful improvement for quick top-ups.

However, 60W isn’t industry-leading in 2026. Competing brands have offered similar or faster speeds for years. This feels less like Samsung setting a new benchmark and more like closing a gap.

Battery capacity remains 5,000mAh. That’s consistent with previous models. While fast charging helps daily convenience, endurance gains will depend on software optimization and real-world usage.

AI and software remain the headline

Like recent Galaxy generations, the S26 Series leans heavily on software features.

Privacy Display is one of the more practical additions. It restricts viewing angles at the pixel level, functioning like a built-in privacy filter. If you’re using your phone in public spaces, people nearby will struggle to see what’s on screen.

You can toggle the feature or enable it only for specific apps. That flexibility matters. It allows privacy protection for sensitive apps while keeping general use unaffected.

This addresses a real-world problem. Public screens are inherently visible. Privacy Display doesn’t eliminate that risk, but it reduces casual glances and unwanted observation.

Audio Eraser also gets an upgrade. It now works across third-party apps. We tested it on a noisy K-pop fancam from YouTube, and the background noise reduction was noticeable without destroying audio quality.

It’s not perfect. Overprocessing can occur in extreme cases. But for cleaning up shared videos or reducing ambient noise, it proves useful.

AI Photo Assist introduces text-prompt editing directly inside the Gallery app. Users can describe edits in natural language — remove objects, expand backgrounds, or modify elements — without exporting images to external tools.

This isn’t groundbreaking technology. Similar generative edits exist in other AI platforms. The difference is integration.

By embedding generative tools inside the Gallery, Samsung turns them into part of the default workflow. Photo editing becomes more accessible rather than requiring specialized knowledge or separate apps.

That shift is meaningful. It signals that generative AI editing is becoming a standard smartphone feature rather than an experimental add-on.

Cameras: computational evolution

The camera hardware remains familiar. The Ultra continues with a 200MP main sensor and telephoto configurations similar to last year.

Improvements focus on computational photography.

Samsung widened apertures to allow more light. Stabilization has been refined. AI sharpening and Nightography processing aim to produce cleaner images with reduced noise.

From samples shown during the presentation, low-light shots appear brighter and cleaner. However, the processing can feel aggressive. Details sometimes look overly smoothed, and textures can appear artificial.

This reflects Samsung’s long-standing approach — prioritize computational enhancements over megapixel increases. The S26 continues that philosophy.

For video creators, APV (Advanced Professional Video) enables 8K recording with minimal quality degradation during edits. Super Steady Video also improves handheld stabilization.

These features cater to content creation workflows rather than casual snapshots.

Incremental but intentional

The Galaxy S26 Ultra doesn’t try to shock. It doesn’t reinvent Samsung’s design language or introduce dramatic hardware leaps.

Instead, it refines existing ideas.

Privacy Display addresses public visibility concerns. Audio Eraser improves real-world video cleanup. AI Photo Assist integrates generative editing into everyday photo workflows. Charging speeds improve without industry-leading ambitions.

Even the design changes — unified corner radii, a defined camera island, lighter materials — emphasize cohesion.

This strategy resembles the broader shift in the smartphone industry. Hardware innovation has slowed. Software and usability improvements drive differentiation.

Samsung appears comfortable with that reality.

Of course, first impressions only tell part of the story. We still need extended testing for battery life, thermal performance, camera consistency, and AI reliability.

The S26 Ultra may not represent a revolution. But refinement can matter — especially when it targets usability and practical features. 

Samsung will have to make significant hardware upgrades eventually. But for now, it feels like the company is doubling down on incremental progress. Not flashy. Not radical. But purposeful.

Whether that strategy resonates will depend on real-world performance.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Series – Specs 

Feature Galaxy S26 Ultra Galaxy S26+ Galaxy S26
Display 6.9″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X

  • QHD+ (3120 x 1440)
  • 500 ppi, 1-120Hz
  • S Pen support
6.7″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X

  • QHD+ (3120 x 1440)
  • 516 ppi, 1-120Hz
6.3″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X

  • FHD+ (2340 x 1080)
  • 411 ppi, 1-120Hz
Rear Camera: Ultra Wide 50MP, F1.9, 0.7 µm 12MP, F2.2, 1.4 µm 12MP, F2.2, 1.4 µm
Rear Camera: Wide 200MP, F1.4, 0.6 µm 50MP, F1.8, 1.0 µm 50MP, F1.8, 1.0 µm
Optical Quality 2x
Rear Camera: Telephoto 1 10MP, F2.4, 1.12 µm 10MP, F2.4, 1.0 µm 10MP, F2.4, 1.0 µm
3x optical zoom
Rear Camera: Telephoto 2 50MP, F2.9, 0.7 µm

  • 5x optical zoom
  • Optical Quality 10x
Front Camera 12MP, F2.2, 1.12 µm 12MP, F2.2, 1.12 µm 12MP, F2.2, 1.12 µm
Processor Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy (3 nm) Exynos 2600 (2 nm)* Exynos 2600 (2 nm)*
Memory (RAM) 12GB / 16GB 12GB 12GB
Storage 256GB / 512GB / 1TB 256GB / 512GB 128GB / 256GB / 512GB
(Micro SD: N/A)
Battery 5,000 mAh 4,900 mAh 4,300 mAh
  • Super Fast Charging 3.0
  • Super Fast Wireless Charging
  • Wireless PowerShare
Dimensions 78.1 x 163.6 x 7.9 mm

214 g (Sub6/mmWave)

75.8 x 158.4 x 7.3 mm

190 g (Sub6/mmWave)

71.7 x 149.6 x 7.2 mm

167 g (Sub6)

Colors Standard: Cobalt Violet (Hero), Sky Blue, Black, White

Online: Silver Shadow, Pink Gold

Standard: Cobalt Violet (Hero), Sky Blue, Black, White

Online: Silver Shadow, Pink Gold

Standard: Cobalt Violet (Hero), Sky Blue, Black, White

Online: Silver Shadow, Pink Gold

 

Continue Reading

Smartphones

HONOR to launch a red colorway for the Magic V6

Teaser video previews durability challenge, striking new colorway

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HONOR is set to launch a bold new red colorway for the HONOR Magic V6. The appearance has already been teased in a video featuring content creator Joe Weller.

The teaser video shows Weller in Thailand, about to take on a zipline challenge, with the flagship foldable being used as a core supporting mechanism of the zipline challenge.

This showcases the strength of the Magic V6, being able to hold a weight of a person crossing a lake.

Making the feat possible is the 2800MPa HONOR Super Steel Hinge. Made from the strongest special steel introduced in the commercial sector, the material delivers exceptional structural integrity.

The Magic V6 also features IP68 and IP69 ratings, the only foldable so far to have such levels of dust and water resistance.

Moreover, the device flaunts advanced display protection with just a 1.5% reflection rate. Plus, it has a high wear resistance, reinforced inner screen with UTG glass, and low-reflectivity coatings.

These are meant not just to improve impact resistance but also to ensure clarity when users are viewing content.

In the video, Weller could be seen holding the HONOR Magic V6 in presumably its striking new red colorway.

Both the full durability challenge and red edition will be unveiled soon.

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