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All smartphones might get better batteries, thanks to Europe

Will also get better software support and repairability

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The promised longevity of a smartphone’s battery life is still one of the most arcane numbers to read on a product’s box. For example, a 48-hour promise of unimpeded usage might not apply to those who use the product more (or less) heavily. Today, the European Union has introduced a new requirement which will make smartphones more transparent regarding their batteries.

Over the past few years, Europe has asked tech companies to become more transparent for users. The continent wants users to know exactly what they’re buying and to feel at par with users of other brands. Most notably, the Union forced Apple to adopt USB-C as a standard for the iPhone.

Starting this year, the European Union will require companies to display their smartphones’ battery longevity and efficiency right on the box via a new label. It will also include the device’s repairability, fall protection, and water/dust resistance. The label will affect smartphones and tablets entering the market starting June 20.

The label should be familiar for users already in the European Union. A version of the label already exists in the region, especially for appliances. The new version, however, will now display more information for smartphones and tablets.

Because of the information required, the label also requires devices to be more efficient, durable, and repairable. Devices must last for at least 800 charging cycles, get at least five years of software support, and receive spare parts for at least seven years.

Though the label will affect only devices in Europe for now, it’s possible that companies will update devices globally, rather than only in the region, similar to the region’s effect on the iPhone globally.

SEE ALSO: iPhone 15 series finally makes the switch to USB-C

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TECNO EllaClaw wants to make mobile AI feel more personal

What if your phone’s AI could actually learn how you work?

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Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

AI assistants are getting smarter, but TECNO wants them to become more useful, too.

The company recently showcased EllaClaw, its exploratory mobile AI agent, with a set of customized workflows built with Digital Trends specifically for journalists and content creators.

Instead of simply asking an AI chatbot a question, EllaClaw can handle entire workflows.

For instance, News Background Research can take a developing story, search selected news sources, and turn the findings into a structured brief. The results can also be saved to Notes or converted into audio for a quick listen.

There’s also Research-to-Script. This turns research findings into storyboards, script suggestions, and creative assets.

EllaClaw can also learn how you write. Its Personal Writing Style workflow analyzes writing samples and builds a reusable style profile that can evolve with more samples and feedback.

And before you hit publish, Social Media Risk-Word Check can review your content for platform-specific concerns.

The interesting part? TECNO isn’t positioning EllaClaw as something that takes over your work. It’s designed to be a digital co-pilot, not an autopilot. Users can still review and approve AI-generated content before publication.

For now, these workflows are built around content creators. But they offer a glimpse of where mobile AI could be heading: less generic assistance, more AI that actually fits the way you work.

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MediaTek launches the Dimensity 9600 Pro

Smartphones are scheduled to launch later this year.

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The stage is set for next year’s smartphones. Both MediaTek and Qualcomm have unleased their upcoming flagship chipsets for the coming generation. If you’re looking for the Qualcomm side of things, go here. But if you’re looking for MediaTek, then you’re in the right place.

The Dimensity 9600 Pro adopts the 2nm process mode, which makes MediaTek one of the first companies to use it. The chip itself features a 2+3+3 All Big Core CPU. Specifically, it has two C2-Ultra cores going up to 4.55GHz, three C2-Pro cores going up to 4.35GHz, and three C2-Pro ones going up to 3.1GHz. This configuration can reportedly achieve 17 percent better single-core performance and 15 percent higher multi-core performance.

Besides all that power inherently built in, the chipset also has the G2-Ultra NX GPU. This GPU can deliver 27 percent higher peak performance, 24 percent lower power consumption, 18 percent faster raytracing, and gaming at up to 185 frames per second.

Finally, the chipset has the Imagiq 1290 ISP. With this engine, the processor can handle 60fps motion capture and 4K240 direct-output ultra-slow-motion video.

Alongside the Dimensity 9600 Pro, MediaTek is also launching the Dimensity 9600M, a slightly more lightweight option of the Pro that deliver flagship level performance to more users outside of that price point.

Smartphones that will come with the Dimensity 9600 Pro and 9600M will launch sometime in the fourth quarter.

SEE ALSO: MediaTek unveils Dimensity 9500s, 8500 mobile processors

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Qualcomm unveils the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 series

This time, there are two models.

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The end of the year always heralds the next step of processors for next year’s smartphones. Besides the oodles of phone rumors we’ll have before the year ends, these new processors give us a powerful hint of what the new machinery can do. Today, Qualcomm has unveiled that next generation, announcing the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6.

Yes, this time, the Snapdragon flagship chipset will come in two flavors. Let’s start with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6.

The “base” model of the duo has an octa-core Oryon CPU with two prime cores going up to 5GHz. It also has an Adreno GPU that touts 35 percent faster performance compared to the previous generation. Additionally, the chipset has a 16MB Flex Cache which can supposedly leverage the cache better to deliver better single-threaded performance.

The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 will also have a new Spectra ISP. The engine can support single image capturing at 320 megapixels, or 64 megapixels with a triple rear camera combo. It also supports 8K video capturing at 30fps. Further, Intelligent Pixel Control features better contextualization skills so the camera can more accurately detect what you’re taking a photo or video of.

Finally, the X105 5G modem offers the usual array of 5G connectivity options but also goes up to supporting Bluetooth 6 and Wi-Fi 8.

Meanwhile, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 offers much of the same as the duo’s regular model. However, it features 18MB of high performance memory, video recording that goes up to 60fps at 8K resolution, and new Matrix Cores that boost frame generation for gaming.

As expected, both models will appear in new smartphones from later this year to next year.

SEE ALSO: Qualcomm is raising its prices this year

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