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Dimensity 9500 will power 2026’s flagship 5G smartphones

New phones will launch in Q4 2025.

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We are nearly at the last quarter of the year. As astute followers of the tech industry, you know what time it is, and we’re not talking about Christmas. It’s finally time to unveil the next generation of smartphone processors. First up for the flagship team is MediaTek with the new Dimensity 9500.

As has been the trend over the past couple of years, the new Dimensity 9500 focuses on improvements for on-device AI, console-level gaming, and power efficiency. The processor specifically aims to power next year’s slate of flagship 5G smartphones.

Built on a 3nm process, the Dimensity 9500 features a third-generation All Big Core design. It combines a single 4.21GHz ultra core, three premium cores, and four performance cores, supplemented by an industry-first four-lane UFS 4.1 storage. It delivers 32 percent higher single-core and 17 percent higher multi-core performance compared to last year.

Plus, the processor uses 55 percent less power at peak performance, thanks to the ultra core. Altogether, the design is 30 percent more efficient for heavy usage. Still, it supports up to 120fps raytracing for console-level gaming with the Arm G1-Ultra GPU.

The Dimensity 9500 touts the MediaTek NPU 990 with Generative AI Engine 2.0. Users will benefit from the faster generation and lower power consumption.

Smartphones with this processor will enjoy the MediaTek Imagiq 1190. It supports RAW-domain pre-processing, 200-megapixel capturing, 4K 60fps portrait videos, and 30fps continuous focus tracking. In tandem with the efficient processors, devices can prevent overheating from extended camera usage.

MediaTek expects that the first smartphones with the new processor will arrive sometime in the fourth quarter of 2025.

SEE ALSO: MediaTek Dimensity 8400 with improved performance, efficiency, AI announced

News

Apple reportedly gives up on the Vision Pro

But Apple will continue to sell the current model.

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When they unveiled the Vision Pro in 2023, Apple touted the wearable as the next big thing after the iPhone. Now, almost three years removed from the launch, the Vision Pro hasn’t really taken over the coveted spot occupied by the iPhone. Apple, according to a report, is allegedly canning the short-lived wearable.

According to MacRumors, Apple has reportedly given up on making the Vision Pro a thing. The team handling the wearable has supposedly been subsumed by other teams within Apple.

If true, the wearable’s end is unfortunate but not surprising. Despite being out for years, the Vision Pro has sold only a little more than half a million units with numerous returns from customers. Most recently, Apple updated the wearable with the M5 chip, but the move hasn’t revitalized the device’s status in Apple’s lineup.

Most of the complaints about the device stem from its exorbitant price or its cumbersome battery pack. Besides costing a whopping US$ 3,499, the Vision Pro is also difficult to move around with, especially because of its total weight and a battery pack that can get in the way.

To be clear, Apple has not officially discontinued the Vision Pro yet. The company continues to sell the version with the M5 chip. Apple can also restart development in the future.

However, the meantime retirement on future development does coincide with the recent restructuring inside the company. Tim Cook recently decided to step down as CEO with John Ternus as his replacement. Canning the Vision Pro might be Ternus’ first step in redefining Apple according to his plans.

SEE ALSO: Apple Vision Pro gets M5 chip upgrade

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Apps

YouTube makes picture-in-picture mode free for everyone globally

The update is rolling out globally now.

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Picture-in-picture (or PiP) mode is a godsend for multitaskers. The feature lets users watch videos in a tiny floating window while doing other tasks. However, the feature isn’t readily available for all users. Or wasn’t, at least. YouTube is now rolling out PiP mode for free globally.

Previously, PiP mode was exclusive to YouTube users who pay for Premium or Premium Lite. It was also exclusive to the United States.

Now, YouTube is making the feature completely free for users all over the globe. It will be available for both iOS and Android versions of the app.

There’s still a catch, though. The free version is available only for “longform, non-music content.” The same goes for Premium Lite subscribers. Music is still an exclusive feature for those who pay for the regular version of Premium. Basically, there is no change for paying users or users in the United States.

Using PiP mode is simple. All you need to do is load up a video you want to watch in the background. Then, just exit the YouTube app and go about your other tasks. The video will be inside a floating, resizable window while you look at other things.

There’s no timeline on when the update will reach your device. However, YouTube has promised that it will roll out globally within the coming months.

SEE ALSO: YouTube remains top PH video platform; advertisers urged to continue investing

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Enterprise

OnePlus has reportedly merged with realme

Both brands were previously rumored for restructuring early this year.

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OnePlus 13

OnePlus has a problem. For a while now, rumors have swirled about the company’s dissolution. For their part, the company has continued to deny the reports, citing business as usual. Likely to their dismay, the reports just keep coming. Today, sources have hinted that OnePlus has merged with realme.

Back in January, it was rumored that OnePlus would be closing up shop this year. Since the company very quickly denied the rumors, the report hardly made waves. However, a suspected merger with realme is more difficult to debunk.

For one, realme is itself in a very interesting position. Also back in January, realme was reportedly moving back into being a sub-brand of OPPO. Coupled together with the OnePlus debacle, all this internal restructuring seems par for the course.

According to Digital Chat Station on Weibo, OnePlus and realme have already concluded the merger. The two brands have reportedly united their Chinese and international operations under one roof. Likewise, their marketing will be the same. Pete Lau will still be the main head for this new division.

As with anything of this nature, take this with a grain of salt. OPPO, OnePlus, and realme have not issued any official statements concerning a merger or a shutdown for any brand.

SEE ALSO: realme is reportedly going back to being an OPPO sub-brand

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