News

MediaTek announces new Dimensity 9000 chipset

It looks overpowered on paper

Published

on

Dimensity 9000

MediaTek just dropped a bombshell in the form of a brand spanking new chipset called the Dimensity 9000 at the MediaTek Summit 2021.

Why should you care? This chip will likely power a new generation of smartphones. It’s a TSMC N4 (4nm-class) production — the most advanced and power efficient chip-making process ever. This means performance unlike any we’ve seen before:

  • Ultra-Core- 1x Arm Cortex-X2 up to 3.05GHz
  • Super-Cores – 3x Arm Cortex-A710 up to 2.85GHz
  • Efficiency Cores – 4x Arm Cortex-A510
  • LPDDR5x 7500Mbps support in smartphones
  • Up to 4X power efficiency upgrade vs last generation
  • Leading performance in AI (ETHZ benchmark)

The last two indicate a significant improvement in in AI- multimedia, -gaming, -camera, and social video experiences.

Speaking of gaming, the Dimensity 9000 is built with the latest Arm Mali-G710 graphics processor. They’re also introduing a new raytracing SDK that will enable developers to bring exciting new graphics techniques and visual enhancements to their Android titles.

  • World’s 1st Arm Mali-G710 MC10 graphics processor
  • Industry’s 1straytracing SDK using Vulkan for Android
  • 180Hz FullHD+ display support

Improved imaging

It also affects the aspect of smartphones that many care about which is mobile imaging. Its 18-bit HDR-ISP design gives users the first opportunity to capture 4K HDR video on three cameras simultaneously, while also assuring exceptional power efficiency.

  • Most Powerful 9Gpixel/s ISP
  • World’s 1st simultaneous triple camera 18-bit HDR video recording (three cameras recording
    with three exposures per frame)
  • World’s 1st 320MP camera support for smartphones

Leading mobile connectivity

Naturally, the chip is all set for the next generation of mobile connectivity which is 5G. It integrates the only 5G smartphone modem with 3GPP Release-16 standard technology into the chip, amplifying sub-6GHz performance to go faster and further than ever before.

  • World’s 1st 3CC Carrier Aggregation (300MHz) 7Gbps downlink — incredible peak performance
    exclusively from sub-6GHz
  • World’s 1stUL Tx Switching — the only 5G smartphone modem to support R16 UL Tx Switching
    for both SUL and NR UL-CA based connections
  • Leading MediaTek 5G Power Saving Technology — new generation power saving enhancement
    suite

Other connectivity features also get a boost.

  • World’s 1st Bluetooth 5.3 support in smartphones
  • Wi-Fi 6E 2×2 (BW160): up to 2X better performance efficiency than previous generation and
    support for the latest 6GHz connectivity
  • Bluetooth LE Audio-ready technology with Dual-Link True Wireless Stereo Audio
  • New Beidou III-B1C GNSS support

News

TECNO unveils the world’s first 0mm bezel-less phone

Is this the future of smartphones?

Published

on

By

It seems like the race towards an all-screen smartphone isn’t over just yet.

While most in the tech industry are currently obsessed over Samsung’s latest wide foldable, TECNO announces a more refreshing sight — at least for the regular “slab-type” phone form factor.

Black borders begone

Modern flagship smartphones already have incredibly slim bezels, but there’s still a thin black border separating the active display from the frame. That’s due to the internal circuitry and safety clearances required by current display technology

TECNO proves it’s possible to dissolve that with their Next-Gen Bezelless Concept Phone. And this is actually the industry’s first smartphone with a true 0mm display bezel.

With this fresh concept, the uprising brand says it has solved that “final millimeter” by redesigning the phone’s internal structure and display packaging. The result is a display with a visible border measuring 0 microns (0mm). This makes the screen appear to stretch all the way to the edges.

Removing the bezel completely isn’t just about aesthetics. The company says such uninterrupted display makes a more immersive experience — whether you’re watching videos, playing games, browsing photos, or simply reading.

Without these visible borders, content appears to flow naturally from edge-to-edge, making the display look as if it’s floating in your hand.

A glimpse at TECNO’s future

As with most concept devices, there’s no word yet on whether this exact design will make it into a commercial smartphone. Still, TECNO says the engineering behind the concept goes beyond the display itself.

The technologies developed for the project (such as improvements related to cameras, touch responsiveness, audio, and AI-driven user interactions) could eventually find their way into the brand’s future flagship devices.

Whether or not a true bezel-free phone becomes reality anytime soon, the concept offers a glimpse at where smartphone design could be heading next. After all, TECNO’s super slim concept last 2025 actually became an actual retail product with the existence of TECNO Slim.

The concept is set to make its public debut on the upcoming ShowStoppers at IFA 2026 this September 3.

Continue Reading

Laptops

Apple introduces Apple Upgrade leasing program

Flexible leasing arrives

Published

on

Apple has introduced Apple Upgrade, a new leasing program that makes it easier to get an iPhone, Mac, iPad, or Apple Watch through monthly payments. The program also gives customers more flexibility to upgrade to newer devices over time.

Apple Upgrade replaces new enrollments for the iPhone Upgrade Program with a single offering that covers four product categories. Apple partnered with Klarna to power the service.

Customers can lease an iPhone or Apple Watch for one or two years. Mac and iPad leases are available for two or three years.

At the end of the lease, customers have three options. They can upgrade to a newer device, purchase the leased device by paying the remaining balance, or return it with no further obligation.

Monthly payments start at US$17.99 for iPhone and US$24.99 for Mac, depending on the selected model and configuration. Customers must also qualify through Klarna before enrolling.

More than iPhones

Apple Upgrade expands beyond the company’s previous iPhone-only financing program. It brings iPhone, Mac, iPad, and Apple Watch under one leasing service, making upgrades more consistent across Apple’s hardware lineup.

Customers can manage their lease through Apple, while Klarna handles financing and lease administration. They can also pay off their device early, although additional terms and fees may apply depending on the agreement.

Apple Upgrade is currently available only in the United States. Apple has not announced plans to expand the program to other regions.

Continue Reading

News

Is the Pixel 11 copying a feature from Nothing?

A new ad is hinting at something like the Glyph interface.

Published

on

August 12 cannot come soon enough. On that date, Google is set to launch the upcoming Pixel 11 series. There isn’t much to indicate that the brand is changing the formula this year. Now, a rampant rumor, now seemingly confirmed by Google’s own ad, is hinting that a popular feature from Nothing is making its way to the Pixel.

Besides the transparent rear, Nothing prides itself with numerous iterations of the Glyph interface, a lighting system that serves as customized notifications for your phone. It’s mostly a novelty, but the feature is a unique take in a smartphone market plagued with too much sameness. It looks like Google wants to take a page from that same notebook.

For a while now, it’s been rumored that Google is adopting a version of the feature for the Pixel 11 series. The so-called Pixel Glow will reportedly add a light-based notification feature. Now, Google itself has seemingly confirmed the rumors.

In a new ad, titled “The Obvious Next Move,” Google is teasing a new feature coming to the flagship series. Though the ad leaves the feature untitled and without a description, it’s clear that it’s a circular glowing thing similar to Nothing’s take. The glowing thing is right on the Pixel’s iconic camera bar, just like Nothing.

But again, Google didn’t name the feature. However, if it helps, the ad says that we already use the Pixel for Gmail, Maps, Search, Calendar, and Docs, so the next evolution is whatever is depicted in this ad. August 12 really cannot come soon enough.

SEE ALSO: Google will host its Pixel 11 event on August 12

Continue Reading

Trending