For a lot of people (me included), the Sony WH-1000XM4 was the first taste of what Bluetooth headphones could be. It was the first time I desperately wanted a new pair of headphones. It took me until the current XM6 to get a pair, but I can’t forget what came before. And, apparently, neither can Sony.

Today, Sony is resurrecting the WH-1000XM4 with the refreshed WH-1000XM4C. Straying from the lineup’s usual releases, the WH-1000XM4C is the second generation of the universally acclaimed headphones, while the XM6 is still the current flagship model.

It’s not just a simple rerelease, too. Though it still rocks the QN1-based active noise cancellation, the new pair tweaks the sound profile to more closely match the modern standard. It also comes with 10-band and gaming-specific equalizer presets. It will have a slightly smaller battery but with better fast charging to juice up quickly.

The new WH-1000XM4C will be available in Lavender, Black, and Platinum Silver. It will also cost US$ 299.99 — 50 bucks cheaper than the first generation.

Besides the refreshed flagship, Sony is also launching the WH-CH730N, a midrange pair built for commuters, and the WH-CH530, an entry-level pair with more colorful colorway options.

The WH-CH730N will come in White, Pink, Blue, Black, and Oat. It sells for US$ 179.99.

Meanwhile, the WH-CH530 come in Black, Cobalt, Coral, Mint, White, and Pink. It sells for US$ 69.99.

Huawei has officially unveiled the HUAWEI Mate XT 2 | ULTIMATE DESIGN, its latest tri-fold smartphone. The new device is the first smartphone to feature the LogicFolding Tau (τ) Chip and marks the technology’s entry into mass commercialization.

The Mate XT 2 introduces a wing-like tri-fold design that opens from both sides. It also brings the Kirin 9050 Pro chipset, Xuanwu Ultra-Durable Tri-Fold Architecture, Smart Shield Privacy Screen, True-to-Color Camera 3.0, and HarmonyOS 7.

A wing-like tri-fold design

The HUAWEI Mate XT 2 | ULTIMATE DESIGN uses a wing-like form that folds from both sides for what Huawei describes as a more intuitive unfolding experience.

The design draws from Chinese aesthetics. Its back panel features a cloud pattern created using Brocade Cloud craftsmanship. The phone comes in Purple, White, and Black.

Its camera ring continues Huawei’s Star Diamond Glow design. It uses Yttrium Crystal fired at 1,800°C and undergoes eight polishing steps to create 33 star diamond facets.

Huawei also redesigned the phone’s durability system. The Xuanwu Ultra-Durable Tri-Fold Architecture reworks the hinges and display structure to provide protection across multiple layers.

The Mate XT 2 is the first tri-fold phone to support IP58 and IP59 dust and water resistance. Its cover display uses Xuanwu Kunlun Glass with scratch and impact resistance, along with anti-glare technology.

The main display uses a multi-layer composite structure with a large UTG glass layer, aerospace-grade ultra-thin high-strength steel, and a carbon fiber support layer.

The Advanced Precision Hinge System 2.0 uses a five-curved-arm structure and synchronized linkage mechanism to distribute force more evenly.

Kirin 9050 Pro powers the tri-fold

The Mate XT 2 is the first smartphone to use Huawei’s Kirin 9050 Pro chip. Huawei claims overall device performance improves by 42 percent over the previous generation through closer integration between its hardware, software, chipset, and cloud technologies.

The LinxiCore CPU works with the HUAWEI Ark Engine to improve large-file loading and multitasking. The Maleoon GPU doubles its computing units and cache, while gaming supports up to 50 MRPS hardware-level real-time ray tracing.

The HUAWEI Da Vinci Architecture NPU also boosts on-device AI performance. Huawei says the phone natively supports its Pangu 30B-A2B MoE large language model, enabling features such as on-device AI album management through Celia.

Huawei has also spread the Mate XT 2’s heat sources across its three frames. Large vapor chambers and thermally conductive graphene help move heat across the device.

The phone uses 32 distributed antennas and multiple communication systems for 5A connectivity. It also supports Tiantong satellite communication and Beidou satellite messaging.

For security, the Mate XT 2 combines a Mobile Security Processor with an independent security chip. Huawei says the system supports post-quantum cryptography algorithm detection and has passed EAL5+ CCRC security certification.

Privacy comes to the foldable display

The Mate XT 2 introduces Huawei’s Smart Shield Privacy Screen, which the company calls the industry’s first foldable privacy screen with hardware-level protection.

The system uses an independent dual-pixel design to maintain the same screen resolution before and after Privacy mode is activated. It can also detect situations such as entering airports or train stations and provide privacy reminders.

Users can activate the mode by double-tapping the cover screen or using the Smart controls button.

The phone also includes ECG analysis software and has received an NMPA Class II Medical Device Registration Certificate. Users can perform an ECG measurement by holding the unfolded display with both hands, after which Celia can interpret and analyze the results.

True-to-Color Camera 3.0

Huawei has also upgraded the Mate XT 2’s camera system with True-to-Color Camera 3.0.

The system is designed to filter infrared light interference and improve color reproduction by 95 percent compared with the previous generation, according to Huawei.

The camera setup includes an ultra-HDR main camera, an ultra-wide-aperture periscope telephoto camera, and an ultra-wide-angle camera. Huawei says the system is designed to deliver more accurate colors, realistic portraits, and clearer night shots.

Video recording supports an ultra-high dynamic range of 18 EV.

XMAGE SmartCapture can recognize people, scenery, and food, while AIGC-powered real-time previews provide composition and lighting recommendations.

The tri-fold design also enables a Desk-calendar mode for taking selfies and group photos.

HarmonyOS 7 for the large screen

The HUAWEI Mate XT 2 runs on HarmonyOS 7, which adds new large-screen features to take advantage of its tri-fold display.

Its Live-Multitask feature supports three windows displayed in parallel. Users can adjust the size of each window and control their volume independently.

Huawei says the experience has been optimized for scenarios including financial management, social entertainment, office work, shopping comparisons, and travel planning. The company has also adapted the device for major apps as it continues expanding its tri-fold ecosystem.

The HUAWEI Mate XT 2 | ULTIMATE DESIGN starts at RMB 19,999. It will also be available with a stylus set, with sales beginning at 10:08AM on September 12.

It seems like the WIDE smartphone craze is getting out of hand.

Surprise, surprise! Out of nowhere, HUAWEI reveals the Pura X View — 2026’s first WIDE smartphone that does not fold at all.

Tied to WIDE

With the massive success of HUAWEI’s Pura X Max as well as the newly-released Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8, it’s hard to ignore the sudden trend behind WIDE smartphones. Let alone, Apple’s much-awaited iPhone foldable (dubbed the “iPhone Ultra”) will be announced in less than a month.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Opposed to the usual tall and narrow form factor, the Pura X View comes in a wider body with a 16:9.5 aspect ratio. Display bezels are extremely narrow too at just 1.09mm and StB (Screen-to-Body) ratio reaches a whopping 96.1%.

This wider than usual body means better ergonomics with better content consumption — from images, books, documents, all the way to movies and shows, as well as games.

While it has a smaller 6.39-inch display, the Chinese electronics giant says it has greater content area compared to 6.9-inch flagship smartphones.

Other display feats include a 2160Hz PWM Dimming, resolution of 2232 × 1320, and max brightness of up to 6500 nits.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Despite all these, HUAWEI still managed to put a monstrous 7000mAh battery capacity inside its super slender 6.68mm chassis — which also happens to be lightweight at only 201 grams.

The much-needed updates

After 17 long days, HUAWEI finally releases the rest of Pura X View’s specs.

First and foremost, it’s powered by HUAWEI’s very own Kirin 9030s 8-core chipset based on a 5nm process.

Furthermore, it has a triple-rear camera system powered by XMAGE.

• 200MP f/1.8 1x wide (main)
• 8MP f/2.2 UWA (ultra-wide angle)
• 50MP f/2.6 Telephoto  (3.7x optical ~ 100x digital zoom)

There’s even the second-gen Red Maple Multispectral Sensor for better color accuracy.

Up front is where the 50MP f/2.4 selfie shooter sits.

Both cameras are capable of shooting up to 4K or 1080p at 960 / 120fps respectively.

That beastly battery can be filled up with HUAWEI’s 66W SuperCharge speeds plus 50W wireless SuperCharge.

Durability wasn’t forgotten with its dual IP68 and IP69 water and dust resistance ratings.

Pricing and Availability

The HUAWEI Pura X View comes in four colorways: Illusion Dark Night, Zero-degree White, Leap Shadow Red, and Linen Ash.

It’s currently open for pre-orders in China alongside three configurations:

• 12+256GB = CNY 5999 (US$ 845 / EUR 730 / GBP 635 / SG$ 1095 / MYR 3560 / PhP 49,085 / INR 74,715)
• 12+512GB = CNY 6999 (US$ 980 / EUR 835 / GBP 730 / SG$ 1260 / MYR 4130 / PhP 56,440 / INR 87,110)
• 12+1TB = CNY 8499 (US$ 1185 / EUR 1020 / GBP 870 / SG$ 1520 / MYR 4925 / PhP 67,670 / INR 101,930)

Much like any China-exclusive release, there’s no word on international availability.

Hopefully, HUAWEI brings this to global markets this time.