The Samsung Galaxy Z8 series has achieved a record-high volume of pre-order sales in Southeast Asia and Oceania.

Pre-orders for the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Fold8 Ultra increased by almost 60% compared to the Galaxy Z Fold7.

Since its unveiling, the Z8 series has seen positive consumer response across the globe and similarly in Southeast Asia and Oceania.

The Fold8, with its new shape, has currently emerged as the most popular option in the region, accounting for almost six in every 10 Galaxy Z8 devices ordered.

By color, Graphite and Lavender were among the most popular choices across the two regions for those who went for the Z Fold8.

Meanwhile, Violet Shadow and Graphite have been the preferred color options for the Z Fold8 Ultra and Pink and Graphite for the Z Flip8.

Alongside the Galaxy Z8 series, Samsung introduced the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9. These offer a more effortless health and wellness management experience.

Pre-orders for the Z8 series until August 13 come with exceptional value. There’s a double storage offer, eligible trade-ins for up to a PhP 14,000 discount, and Samsung Care+ free for three months.

Every eligible device purchase also includes a six-month trial of Google AI Pro. And those who pre-order the foldables can get a PhP 3,000 off on select Galaxy wearables.

Earlier this year, New York became the first state to issue a blanket ban against smart glasses in courtrooms. The new regulation marks one of the first public spaces to prevent the contentious devices. Now, England and Wales are following suit in their courtrooms by banning Meta glasses inside.

As reported by The Guardian, courtrooms in both countries will confiscate Meta Glasses from those taking them into the building. Owners can retrieve them again upon exit.

Like the decision in New York, the English and Welsh bans are simple enough to follow. As it is everywhere, it’s forbidden to record video inside courtrooms in England and Wales. Because Meta Glasses have cameras (and are primarily used for their video capturing capabilities), they fall under prohibited items.

Notably, smartphones are not included on this list, despite having sizable cameras themselves. Although, to be fair, it’s much more difficult to discreetly record video using a smartphone. Smart glasses pride themselves with the ability to take videos seamlessly.

Meta Glasses are having such a moment today. Though some users, especially creators, are excited for them, a significant chunk of the population is concerned over their ability to take videos without subjects knowing they’re being recorded. Some users have even found ways to disable the built-in LED indicators which should, in theory, warn the public that the glasses are recording. It’s since turned into a privacy nightmare.

SEE ALSO: New York becomes first state to ban smart glasses

TCL has expanded its mobile lineup with the launch of the latest NXTPAPER smartphone series.

Part of the new NXTPAPER roster are the NXTPAPER 60 Ultra, NXTPAPER 70 Pro, and K70 Power 4G.

The new generation of smartphones is designed to deliver smarter, more comfortable, and more powerful mobile experiences for today’s connected lifestyle.

At the heart of the lineup is the company’s proprietary NXTPAPER technology, and award-winning display innovation.

It combines both hardware and software advancements to reduce eyestrain while preserving vivid colors and sharp picture quality. The result is a paper-like viewing experience.

Bannering the roster is the NXTPAPER 60 Ultra. It is powered by a Dimensity 7400 Elite processor and runs on Android 16.

It comes with up to 512GB of internal storage and 12GB of base RAM, plus 12GB more for expansion.

In front is an expansive 7.2-inch 120Hz FHD+ display featuring Nxtpaper 4.0 and a 32MP selfie camera, while at the back is a 50MP main camera, along with a 50MP 3X telephoto camera.

This variant houses a 5,200mAh battery with support for 33W charging.

Right under the 60 Ultra is the NXTPAPER 70 Pro. It is powered by a Dimensity 7300 processor, and comes with a 6.9-inch 120Hz FHD+ display and a 50MP main shooter.

This model has 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. It has a similar 5,200mAh battery with 33W charging.

Lastly, the K70 Power 4G is a budget choice, with a Helio G100 Ultra chipset, 6.75-inch 120Hz display, 4GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and a 50MP main camera.

Price, availability

In the Philippines, the latest NXTPAPER smartphones are available for the following pricing:

• NXTPAPER 60 Ultra: PhP 35,995
• NXTPAPER 70 Pro: PhP 22,995
• K70 Power 4G: PhP 9,495

All devices are available through Shopee.