When the Nintendo Switch 2 and its almost-all-black Joy-Cons launched, you might have wondered about how the dual controllers will rock other colors. After all, the original Switch’s ecosystem constantly tempted users with quirky color options. Because the Switch 2 uses a black shell, will future Joy-Cons look just as tempting? Now, we have our answer.

Today, Nintendo has announced its first color variant for the Switch 2 Joy-Con. We should have seen this coming, but the new variant will not have a completely redesigned shell. Instead, the controller will change the colors of the inner rails and the rings around the joysticks. This pair will rock light purple for the left Joy-Con and light green for the right one.

It’s a tad bit disappointing, especially when you’re comparing it to the previous model. It’s practically impossible to rep the new colors out in public because the inner rails are hidden by the Switch 2. It also doesn’t help that the console itself will still have its red and blue colors, clashing with the new variant.

That said, the Joy-Cons still look pretty cool when separated from the console. But it all depends on when the console gets more games that use only a single Joy-Con.

Thankfully, that’s coming soon. The color variant will launch alongside the upcoming Mario Tennis Fever, the perfect game for single Joy-Cons. Both will come out on February 12.

The new colors will sell for an eye-watering US$ 99.99.

SEE ALSO: Yes, someone made a fries holder for your Nintendo Switch 2

The HONOR Magic8 Pro has officially launched in the United Kingdom, expanding the company’s latest flagship smartphone’s presence in global markets.

The device is available in Sunrise Gold, Sky Cyan, and Black and a lone 12GB+512GB configuration for £ 1099.99.

In addition, the HONOR Magic8 Lite variant in Forest Green, Midnight Black, and Reddish Brown is available for £ 399.99.

Flagship mobile photography

The HONOR Magic8 Pro brings flagship photography to one’s fingertips. With the latest advancements in its AiMAGE Camera System, users can expect an elevated experience with clarity, stability, and creative control powered by AI.

The phone is comprised of the following cameras:

•  1/1.4-inch 200MP Ultra Night Telephoto camera, f/2.6, OIS, 3.7x optical zoom
• 50MP Ultra Night Main Camera, f/1.6, OIS
• 50MP Ultra-Wide Camera, 2.5cm HD Macro, 122°

Specifically, the AI telephoto system is said to be the industry’s most advanced to date. Powered by HONOR’s AI Adaptive Stabilization Model, users can get up to seven times better zoomed images.

The Magic8 Pro also achieves the most stable CIPA 5.5-level and a 4x improvement in shake detection accuracy.

The camera package also debuts Magic Color, an AI-powered color engine. It relies on advanced deep learning algorithms to extract 16.77 million colors.

Users can recreate cinematic styles, apply professional film tones, or build personalized templates from any reference image. These can then be used directly in the camera via Magic Portal.

AI Photos Agent

Meanwhile, the recently previewed AI Photos Agent also enables one-tap or voice-based operations. The AI-powered editing suite includes features like AI Eraser, AI Outpainting, AI Color, and AI Cutout.

A new AI Button, a dedicated key independent from the power button, is mapped by default to launch the Camera with a double press, even from a locked screen.

Users can customize its gestures to access HONOR AI, AI Settings Agent, AI Photos Agent, and other features.

Power, endurance, performance

The HONOR Magic8 Pro is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor. With Low-Bit Quantization Technology, the phone is efficient and packed with computing power especially for AI tasks.

Inside is a 6,270mAh battery with support for 100W wired and 80W wireless HONOR SuperCharge. In front is a 6.71-inch 120Hz LTPO OLED display with adaptive refresh rate and up to 6,000 nits brightness.

Of course, this display is is integrated with a Chip-Level AI Defocus Display and more advanced features for eye care.

The phone runs on MagicOS 10 while HONOR AI delivers a balanced mix of creativity, reasoning, and contextual task handling with the help of Google Gemini for cloud-based reasoning.

Intelligent experience

MagicOS 10 introduces a translucent visual style that is airy and readable throughout navigating the phone.

Cross-platform collaboration is enhanced with an upgraded HONOR Share, which supports transfers between Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows devices.

In addition, the phone offers the most comprehensive device cloning capability among similar devices. That migration goes for even iPhones, including contacts, calendars, photos, notes, and more.

HONOR AI can intelligently decipher on-screen content, interpret natural commands, and act directly across system settings and applications.

A long press of the AI Button can also let users access AI Screen Suggestions. These intelligently adapt to current scenarios and can activate further features like AI Photos Agent and AI Deepfake Detection.

Moreover, the Magic Sidebar offers one-swipe and hold access to HONOR AI, Magic Portal, and more capabilities.

For gaming, the GPU-NPU Heterogeneous AI super-resolution and frame-generation technology helps transform low-resolution, low-frame rate gameplay into a sharper, smoother, and more immersive visual experience.

SEE ALSO: 

• HONOR Magic8 Pro review
• We took the HONOR Magic8 Pro to a TWICE concert

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.