News

TECNO promises advanced AI-powered smartphone cameras for 2025

Plus a glimpse of how everything runs in TECNO’s cutting-edge factory in Chongqing

Published

December 11, 2024

Vincenz

TECNO held its fourth Future Lens event this December 2024.

As a refresher, last year’s Future Lens 2023 is where the company has announced camera improvements both in the hardware and software side such as the Liquid Telephoto Macro Lens, W-Shaped Adjustable Aperture, and Universal Tone (UT) technology.

In this year’s Future Lens 2024, we get to see AI-driven imaging solutions that will power cameras in TECNO smartphones in 2025 and the years to come.

AI in Imaging

Dubbed as the “TECNO Image Matrix” (TIM), this is the brand’s all-new “brain” for AI-powered imaging processes. This new AI vision strategy aims to implement the brand’s practical AI capabilities straight to imaging.

It’s pretty hard to say each and every process in simpler terms. But to sum these all up, the new process ensures that future TECNO smartphones will deliver fast yet high-quality image quality without actually consuming and compromising the overall computational power of the camera hardware and the device as a whole.

The combination of four engines stated above make the AI-powered imaging experience unparalleled and seamless for actual users — especially in terms of optimizing color, scene, and image quality. It even promises high dynamic prowess during low-light / night time.

The TECNO Image Matrix will be the foundation of the brand’s new and optimized AI-powered functions — AI Shooting Quality++, Portrait Master, Video Master, AI Snap and AI Image Studio.

EVS Dynamic Snapshot

Another AI-powered functionality introduced by TECNO is the EVS Dynamic Snapshot.

This is basically TECNO’s answer when capturing fast-moving subjects — which is still one of the pain-points in modern smartphone cameras.

To alleviate this type of concern, most brands tend to collect pixels frame-by-frame. But, TECNO’s approach is different.

This technology uses high dynamic tracking to intelligently lock onto fast-moving subjects. At the same time, the tech pinpoints the pixel changes at an ultra-high frequency.

These are all possible through specific AI algorithms made by TECNO combined with the power of RGB camera sensor to capture static objects. At the same time, the EVS sensor detects those function and keeps all the motion data intact.

The result? Sharp, blur-free, and crystal-clear photographs without the need for professional cameras and lenses — regardless if it’s about taking a photograph of a flying bird or a fast sports car in action.

Tap Any Zoom Dual Prism Telephoto

The annual event would not be complete without announcing an imaging capability with the power of hardware in it.

While it sounds complex (and mouthful), TECNO’s Tap Any Zoom camera tech solves three major challenges experienced when using any modern telephoto lens: focusing difficulties, frequent blurring, and re-framing issues.

As simple as double-tapping any subject that you want to capture (either from the 1x wide or ultra-wide angle mode), the camera instantly zooms to the optimal level (up to 30x) for fast and precise framing.

The lens-shift OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) as well as the dual-prism wide swing angle effectively reduces impact from external vibrations. This further ensures sharp and stable shots.

Moreover, the dual prism lens offer a wider range of shooting area. It has the ability to take images up to with 14 times the zoom of a standard 125mm focal length lens. This new hardware gives the ability to take ultra-wide-angle photos with an even greater perspective.

The combination of long-range scanning function and 400MP pixel auto-assembly ensure perfect high-resolution imagery altogether.

There’s even a telephoto sweep function that stitches full-frame shots without distortion — which is often overlooked in panorama shots.

Stop At Nothing

The whole Future Lens 2024 event was introduced by Nicole Scott — currently a producer for BloombergTV as well as an Award-Winning Documentary Maker.

She is actually close to our hearts as she had several appearances in some of our YouTube videos and write-ups during her prime in MobileGeeks.de.

There’s also Laury Bai, TECNO’s CMO (Chief Marketing Officer) who presented all the imaging possibilities through the all-new TECNO Image Matrix.

It would also be amiss without Xiaohan Huang’s presence — TECNO’s Director in Image R&D Center.

The first half of the event was concluded with a panel discussion between the media together with Nicole, Xiaohan, and Nigel Atherton of Amateur Photographer.

Some of the questions and curiosities were asked and answered during this segment. These were all connected to the new imaging features aforementioned as well as TECNO’s concrete plans of implementing these camera features in their upcoming products.

Moreover, this further proves and solidifies TECNO’s vision of breaking boundaries in imaging through cutting-edge camera hardware and practical yet responsive software — especially with the emergence and power of AI in ever-growing world of tech.

The brand’s “Stop At Nothing” philosophy might sound challenging and too ambitious for such a rising brand. However, it also serves as a motivation for them to deliver and innovate more powerful, intuitive, and creative imaging solutions each year — especially in emerging markets where it’s often overlooked.

Smartphones: Assembled, Tried, and Tested

In my six years working for GadgetMatch, I never had the chance to witness how production and assembly work in a smartphone company. Not until TECNO provided us a glimpse of their cutting-edge factory in Chongqing without recording restrictions.

Mind you, my colleague MJ told me it was surprising that they allowed cameras inside the production factory. This means TECNO is confident to show how they assemble, try, and test the smartphones they make.

From manufacturing and completing the actual components needed…

Testing each and every crucial part…

And even assembling everything in place.

In another part of the plant is where we get to see how the phones get tried and tested in terms of overall usability and durability.

Camera works even after repeated dust resistance test

Those include various tests such as dust resistance, water splashing plus immersion, and even repeated drop tests for several times.

TECNO CAMON 30 during the water IPX8 water resistance test

TECNO Spark Go 1 unscathed after repeated drop test

This just shows that TECNO has a tedious, rigorous, yet systematized process when testing their smartphones — regardless if its a budget, midrange, or a flagship smartphone.

Two Vinces, One Photo: Here’s GadgetMatch’s Vincenz and Yanko Design’s Vincent capturing that phone drop test in action

Photos and words aren’t enough. Here’s a 60-second round-up I did of the actual factory tour.

@gadgetmatch Tried & Tested: This is how TECNO smartphones are made #TECNOFutureLens2024 #foryou #fyp ♬ original sound – GadgetMatch

BONUS: TECNO Coffee?!

TECNO has also showed us how they produce coffees in another production facility.

These beans were ethically-sourced from Ethiopia. The boxes weren’t lying as Gesha Village is popular for its coffee beans.

And ICYMI, TECNO tops Africa’s smartphone brand ranking.

That’s not all. They even let us know the actual taste of just one among the various coffee products they produce.

While there’s no official word during the tour talk, I’m just assuming that the LOEWE. Design Edition of the CAMON 30 series is where they got their discarded coffee beans in order to manufacture the actual backing of the phones.

Photo by TECNO

The result? These Yirgo-branded coffee products that they also sell for a surprisingly wallet-friendly price.

News

The vivo X Fold6 is the first foldable to support teleconverter lens

Also boasts the biggest battery and the bestest cameras in any foldable to date

Published

June 26, 2026

Vincenz

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

While the rest of the smartphone space wants to divert your attention towards the upcoming wide-style foldables, vivo focuses more on bringing a better and smarter foldable experience with the all-new X Fold6.

The better multitasker

vivo’s software team has invested much of their hard, sweat, and tears by bringing improved multitasking features exclusive for the X Fold6 with the OriginOS 6 Fold.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Last year’s X Fold5 brought multitasking improvements with the Atomic Workbench feature. Serial Mode was the default layout with a main page and four tasks on the side all displayed in one screen

In this year’s X Fold6, they are introducing a newer “Parallel Mode” layout with in-your-face multitasking experience spliced in several customizable windows à la Mondrian grid.

GIF by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

And it’s not just your typical split-screen divisions with floating windows panes and an adaptive dock, OriginOS 6 Fold promises a more intelligent yet more efficient workspaces never done by other manufacturers in their foldables over the past few years.

GIF by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

There are four basic scenarios provided for the X Fold6:

AI Workbench
Office Workbench
Tourist Workbench
Shopping Workbench

GIF by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

vivo even promises “thousands” of Atomic Workbench app combos for “thousands” of people:

Stock Workbench
Creative Workbench
Watch the Game Workbench
Ticket-grabbing Workbench

If you feel limited by that foldable workspace, connecting the X Fold6 through several display devices such as your monitor or TV enables you a maximized PC mode as well as side-by-side interconnection and collaboration.

GIF by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Heck, even cross-compatibility between apps and other devices (regardless if iPhone, Android, Windows, or Mac) are all seamless with one another.

The possibilities are just endless with vivo’s latest X-foldable.

And while we’re at it, the vivo X Fold6 sports a 8.02-inch display when unfolded (alongside Samsung’s M14 inner screen luminous material) while 6.51-inch cover display when closed.

Both are LTPO 8T AMOLED adpative 120Hz displays that can reach up to 5000 nits of peak brightness — and as low as 1Hz and 1-nit when deemed useful.

Both screens also have a pixel density of 424ppi with support for 1.07 Billion Colors as well as HDR10+ and Dolby Vision content.

Full-fledged flagship foldable

vivo went all out with the X Fold6 not just in terms of software experience, but also the core hardware found within.

For one, it’s powered by the Dimensity 9500 Super Edition 3nm 8-core SoC paired with an ultra-capable ARM G1 Ultra GPU. Very different from the notorious 2023-made chipset in last year’s X Fold5.

This joint effort by MediaTek and vivo is made to be super energy-efficient not just to support extreme multitasking, but also for these plethora of AI features to be faster and more stabler:

AI Cross-Window Drag and Drop
AI Conference Assistant
AI File Manager

Users also have to pick between 12 or 16GB of LPDDR5X Ultra memory. Meanwhile, its UFS 4.1 storage range between 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB options.

While vivo didn’t dare to beat the likes of the HONOR Magic V6 and OPPO Find N6 when it comes to utmost thinness at 9.4/9.9mm (versus 8.8/9.0mm and 8.9mm respectively), the brand equipped the biggest battery in any foldable so far: a whopping 7000mAh battery capacity.

That’s a 1000mAh increase over last year’s X Fold5.

They even let go of the “lightest foldable” record last year in favor of packing all these flagship-grade components.

Charging speeds remain the same this year: 80W wired FlashCharge plus 40W wireless FlashCharge.

That port also supports the faster USB-C 3.2 Gen2 standard.

Other flagship features include powerful stereo speakers with Dolby Panorama, IP5X dust-resistance plus IPX8 / IPX9 water-resistance ratings. It can also withstand sub-zero temperatures as low as 20ºC or 68ºF.

There’s even vivo’s self-developed 1+4 communication chipset configuration that enhances connectivity even in enclosed or far-flung areas. Satellite Communication Services (in China) never forgotten.

Thrice the ZEISS

The vivo X Fold6 isn’t just a true multitasKING. It probably also boasts the best camera system you can get in any foldable right now.

On paper, vivo’s X Fold6 headlines the Samsung-made 200MP f/1.68 main camera based on their 1/1.14-inch HPB sensor. ICYMI, this is the telephoto module found on the X300 Pro.

The 16mm ultra-wide sensor wasn’t left behind as it’s a 50MP f/2.05 unit with a sensor size of 1/2.76-inch.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Last but definitely not the least, that 50MP ZEISS APO Super Telephoto camera is powered by Sony’s 1/1.95-inch LYTIA 602 (LYT-602). It features 3x optical zoom (75mm equivalent) and supports as far as 100x digital zoom.

This also doubles as a telephoto macro camera — up to 20x zoom.

The main and zoom lenses have a CIPA 4.5 Professional Grade which means better OIS in shaky scenarios.

All lenses feature the best in class ZEISS T* coating to block all that unwanted glare and flare.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

The once exclusive Blueprint Color Palette feature to the X300 Ultra also makes it debut to the vivo X Fold6.

Teleconverter on a foldable?!

vivo didn’t stop just by bringing that massive camera bump.

As shocking as it seems, the vivo X Fold6 also supports the all-new G2 Teleconverter Lens announced alongside the X300 Ultra and X300 FE.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Just a reminder that both the old and new 200mm teleconverter lenses will work on the X Fold6.

However, the longer 400mm G2 Ultra teleconverter lens is still exclusive to the X300 Ultra.

Pricing and Availability

The vivo X Fold6 is currently available for pre-orders in China along these colorways: Polar Night, Salt Lake, and Blue Hole.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

There’s also a special Black Gold Edition limited to 16+1TB models.

Pricing and configuration are as follows:

12+256GB = CNY 7999 (US$ 1180 / EUR 1030 / GBP 890 / SG$ 1525 / MYR 4899 / PhP 72,070 / INR 111,800)
12+512GB = CNY 8999 (US$ 1330 / EUR 1160 / GBP 1005 / SG$ 1720 / MYR 5515 / PhP 81,075 / INR 125,775)
16+512GB = CNY 9999 (US$ 1476 / EUR 1290 / GBP 1115 / SG$ 1910 / MYR 6125 / PhP 90,085 / INR 139,750)
16+1TB = CNY 10,999 (US$ 1639 / EUR 1420 / GBP 1225 / SG$ 2090 / MYR 6735 / PhP 99,095 / INR 153,725)
16+1TB with Professional Camera Kit Bundle = CNY 11,999 (US$ 1770 / EUR 1550 / GBP 1340 / SG$ 2290 / MYR 7350 / PhP 108,105 / INR 167,700)

As per usual, vivo didn’t state any availability outside Mainland China. Only time will tell how long global markets have to wait for the X Fold6’s global release.

Laptops

Apple raises the prices of iPad and MacBook lineups

Price hikes start at $100.

Published

June 26, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Hey, remember when Apple launched the MacBook Neo, and it had the most attractive price for an Apple-branded laptop? Those were good times. Unfortunately, it was too good to be true. Responding to the ongoing RAM crisis, Apple has now increased the prices of its hardware, starting with the MacBook and the iPad lineups (via Reuters).

The “highlight” here is the price of the MacBook Neo. To be fair, the affordable MacBook is still the cheapest one of the lot, but that’s not saying much. From a starting price of US$ 599, the Neo now costs US$ 699.

Now, we’d love to say that a US$ 100 price hike is the most you can expect across the board. But that’s not true at all. Most will bring up the price by a few hundreds and up to a whopping US$ 1,300. Here’s a list of devices you’re going to see changes for:

Model	Original price	New price
MacBook Neo	$599	$699
MacBook Air (13-inch)	$1,099	$1,299
MacBook Air (15-inch)	$1,299	$1,499
MacBook Pro (M5)	$1,699	$1,999
MacBook Pro (M5 Pro)	$2,199	$2,499
MacBook Pro (M5 Max)	$3,599	$4,099
iMac	$1,299	$1,499
Mac Studio (M4 Max)	$1,999	$2,499
Mac Studio (M3 Ultra)	$3,999	$5,299
iPad	$349	$449
iPad mini	$499	$599
iPad Air (11-inch)	$599	$749
iPad Air (13-inch)	$749	$949
iPad Pro (11-inch)	$999	$1,199
iPad Pro (13-inch)	$1,299	$1,499
Vision Pro	$3,499	$3,699

The current price hikes do not include the iPhone lineup. It might only be a matter of time, though. Recently, Tim Cook confirmed that Apple can no longer shoulder the expenses of the RAM crisis by themselves, essentially signaling a huge wave of price hikes. The brand will likely continue the increases heading into the iPhone launches in September.

News

Honor is reportedly working on a 14000mAh battery

How much is too much?

Published

June 25, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Nothing goes together more than a Chinese smartphone brand and the relentless pursuit for a bigger battery. For years, Chinese brands have engaged in a war for this particular component. Now, the latest salvo has been fired. Honor is reportedly working on a phone with a gigantic 14000mAh battery.

Today, the biggest battery capacity you can find on an Honor phone is 11000mAh. The Honor X80 Pro Max already offers a battery that can last you more than a single day. At this point, it’s certainly more than enough for our daily needs.

According to Digital Chat Station on Weibo, a smartphone brand is currently working on a 14000mAh battery. Though the leak does not explicitly pinpoint Honor, the emoji used (a wolf) is historically used to imply the Chinese brand in Weibo parlance.

A 14000mAh is just absurdly huge. With a battery larger than some powerbanks, battery anxiety becomes moot. It’s bordering on “can we bring this on a plane” territory.

As with all rumored features, the next question is when this battery will arrive on a consumer-ready device. Given how serious the battery wars are for the Chinese market, it’s only a matter of time.