News

Upgraded POCO M8 Series launched globally

Elevating entertainment in the midrange segment

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The upgraded POCO M8 5G and POCO M8 Pro 5G have officially launched globally, marking a major evolution in the brand’s M Series.

The latest mid-range smartphones bring flagship-inspired entertainment features for the following prices:

POCO M8 Pro

12GB+512GB

  • Early bird pricing: US$ 339 / £ 299/ SG$ 429
  • Recommended retail price: US$ 359 / £ 349 / SG$ 449

8GB+256GB

  • Early bird: US$ 279 / £ 259 / SG$ 369
  • Retail price: US$ 279 / £ 299 / SG$ 389

POCO M8

8GB+512GB

  • Early bird: US$ 259 / £ 219 / SG$ 329
  • Retail price: US$ 279 / £ 259 / SG$ 359

8GB+256GB

  • Early bird: US$ 209 / £ 189 / SG$ 299
  • Retail price: US$ 229 / £ 229 / SG$ 329

The Early Bird Price period is available until January 19. Both variants come in Black, Green, and Silver colorways.

POCO M8 Pro 5G

Headlining the POCO M8 Series is the Pro variant, which takes an entertainment-first approach.

It comes with upgrades across battery, display, speakers, and camera system to bring flagship-level experiences to the midrange segment.

The POCO M8 Pro is powered by a Snapdragon 7s gen 4 processor for a 66% better AnTuTu score. It houses a 6,500mAh silicon-carbon battery with 100W HyperCharge and 22.5W reverse charging.

In front is a 6.83-inch 1.5K CrystalRes Flow AMOLED display with up to 3,200 bits of brightness, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+.

This display is coupled with dual 1115F speakers for rich and balanced 3D sound enhanced by Dual Gold Hi-Res Audio and Dolby Atmos.

And for the first time in the M Series, the Pro variant features the POCO IceLoop Cooling System with real liquid cooling. This leads to improved heat dissipation to sustain peak performance.

Onto its cameras, the POCO M8 Pro has a fully-upgraded 50MP Light Fusion 800 main camera and flagship-level OIS for better light intake. It also has a 32MP front camera.

For software, Ultra-Clear Portrait algorithm delivers sharper and more natural selfies. Imaging tools include the AI Creativity Assistant for effortless editing.

POCO M8 5G

Meanwhile, the POCO M8 5G also elevates entertainment in the midrange level. It comes with a 6.77-inch Flow AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and a similar 3,200 nits peak brightness.

Along with these are DCI-P3 wide color gamut and 12-bit color depth, as well as eye-care certifications. The device comes with the same Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio dual speakers as well.

The POCO M8 is powered by a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor while inside is a 5,520mAh battery.

For its cameras, the device comes with a 50MP Light Fusion 400 main camera and upgraded 20MP selfie camera.

Among the improved features of the cameras are an AI-enhanced portrait mode and AI image editing tools.

Upgrades everywhere

With Xiaomi HyperOS, the phones have Google Gemini, Circle to Search with Google, and Xiaomi Offline Communication.

They also come with Xiaomi Surge T1S Tuner to stronger signal reception and more stable connections.

For protection, the Pro has a Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and SGS Premium Performance Certification. It also has quadruple IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K dust and water resistance ratings.

Not to be left behind, the POCO M8 also passed the SGS Comprehensive Shock and Drop-resistance test. It is also rated IP66.

Design wise, they come in floating dual-curved bodies, offering a refined feel in a sleek and stylish design.

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Apps

Meta adds subscriptions for Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp

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May 28, 2026

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Is your wallet buckling from the weight of so many subscription services? Well, Meta has a trio of new subscriptions for you to sink your hard-earned cash towards. If you have a few dollars, here’s Facebook Plus, Instagram Plus, and WhatsApp Plus.

All three subscriptions are designed to add new features which can enhance the experience for those who practically live on these apps. Among the three, Instagram Plus is the meatiest. It offers users the ability to view other people’s Stories without showing up as a viewer, create more tailored audiences outside of Close Friends, and extend the duration of a Story beyond 24 hours, among others.

Since it shares similarities with Instagram, Facebook Plus offers much of the same features. WhatsApp Plus, however, offers more customization options including new themes, ringtones, and stickers.

If that’s not enough, Meta has also released a new subscription system for Meta AI. Though the basic use of the AI is still free, the new Meta One Plus and Meta One Premium plans offer more capacity and performance for power users. The company is also testing new creator-focused plans, Meta One Essential and Meta One Advanced.

Of course, the new AI-based plans are more focused on those who actually use the AI software. Meanwhile, the three app plans are more for regular users. Facebook Plus and Instagram Plus will cost US$ 3.99 per month. Meanwhile, WhatsApp Plus will cost US$ 2.99 per month.

SEE ALSO: Instagram takes on Snapchat yet again with new Instants feature

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Gaming

The Witcher 3 is getting a third expansion, Songs of the Past

It’s coming in 2027, twelve years after the release of the original game.

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May 28, 2026

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I feel like Robin Williams in Jumanji asking people what year it is. Yes, the calendar says “2026,” but The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is getting a new expansion, and it feels like 2016 all over again.

Today, CD Projekt Red announced the upcoming third expansion, Songs of the Past, for The Witcher 3, eleven years after the release of the base game. As with the graphics of the other two expansions, the announcement for Songs of the Past does not reveal much about its story. The graphic shows Geralt standing determined in front of an unnamed tree-like monster.

The studio, along with co-developer Fool’s Theory, will reveal more about the game later this summer. The expansion itself is scheduled to launch sometime in 2027.

The biggest question, of course, is where the expansion will take the story next. Blood and Wine, the second expansion, ended Geralt’s story conclusively with the witcher retiring in Toussaint. Whatever happens to Geralt in this expansion will thrust the witcher back into life on the road or recap a past story (as the name hints).

Additionally, Songs of the Past might end up bridging the stories between Wild Hunt and the also-upcoming The Witcher 4 focusing on Ciri’s life. The next mainline entry is still some ways away, though.

SEE ALSO: The hunt begins: The Witcher in Concert hits Manila with surprises in tow

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Gaming

Valve just announced a massive price hike for the Steam Deck

A new Steam Deck might cost as much as $300 more than before.

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May 28, 2026

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Before the start of 2026, several companies across the tech industry warned users about impending price hikes happening throughout the year. So far, these increases have been tepid, only slightly edging out of reach. Today, however, Valve is reminding us all that we’ve only just begun, upping the price of the Steam Deck by as much as US$ 300.

Despite the rise of competing devices, the Steam Deck remains one of the most reliable options for a handheld gaming consoles. For a while, Valve’s console has saved gamers from rising prices, but good things must come to an end.

Today, Valve announced that both models of the Steam Deck OLED are getting price hikes. From US$ 249, the 512GB version now costs US$ 789. From US$ 649, the 1TB version now costs US$ 949.

If you do the math, that’s an increase of either US$ 240 or US$ 300. As price hikes go, this batch is unapologetically nauseating.

As expected, Valve says that the price increase is a reflection of “the current state of component costs and other global logistical challenges.” As is typical with most companies who refuse to say those two letters, this is a long and convoluted way of saying that AI is once again screwing the world’s economy.

Currently, gaming is the hardest hit industry as a result of the RAM shortage. The Switch 2 has already announced price hikes for later this year. Sony, for some reason, raised the prices of their PlayStation Plus subscriptions too.

SEE ALSO: Valve just quietly launched a Steam Deck OLED

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