If you’ve been following QCY for quite some time, you’d know that the H3 and H3 Pro wireless headphones already exist way back.

ICYMI, both were older models released last November 2023 and October 2024 respectively.

1~2 years in, the Shenzhen-based brand finally reveals that much-needed follow-up.

Meet the QCY H3S — the newest ANC headphones you can buy right now without burning a hole in your pocket.

Purity in Chaos

One of the key highlights of the QCY H3S headphone are its lower than ever -56dB ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) capabilities.

For context, H3 Pro is limited at -50dB while H3 only offers a 43dB “Hybrid ANC”.

The pair is also equipped with a 7-mic array (six of which are ANC mics) paired with a DNN Neural Network Algorithm.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

The said system intelligently and impressively reduces noise and filters background chatter all at once.

Three anti-wind microphones also exist to improve call clarity by up to 80% — regardledss if it’s crowded or windy around.

There are even Multiple ANC modes such as Commute, Indoor, and Anti-Wind for better noise cancellation no matter where you are.

But, QCY didn’t stop just with ANC alone.

The H3S features a dual-driver architecture with a 40mm titanium-coated diaphragm plus a 13mm tweeter.

These drivers are responsible for bringing in powerful mids bass alongside crisper highs.

It’s even Certified for Hi-Res Audio and Hi-Res Wireless with LDAC support for full-on Hi-Fi on the go.

Additionally, it has an updated Bluetooth 6.0 connectivity as opposed to H3 and H3 Pro’s BT version 5.4 — further reducing latency while improving location accuracy and security at the same time.

There’s also the Dual-Device Connection feature that enables seamless switching between your devices.

Wired listening is also supported but only limited through USB-C as the H3S doesn’t have a 3.5mm audio port unlike its Pro sibling.

Comfort On, Noise Out

Weighing at a featherweight 240 grams, the QCY H3S is built for long listening sessions. It’s more comfortable thanks to its overall design.

Aside from its 13-degree angled speaker mesh, the pair also possess deeper ear cups that are also rotatable and foldable.

Cushions made out of soft protein-leather and the adjustable headband is padded as well.

The QCY H3S also leads the battery stamina of the H3-line.

While the H3 Pro provides up to 55 hours of battery no ANC, QCY decides to double that with the H3S — up to 102 hours.

With ANC turned on, that’s a battle one should take with a grain of salt:

• H3 Pro = 40 hours
• H3S = 48 hours
• H3 = 30 hours

QCY even says a quick 10-minute top-up already brings an impressive 7 hours of uninterrupted music.

Aside from the headphones’ physical controls, more on-screen controls are found in the QCY app. This means quicker access to ANC modes, Audio Presets, dedicated Music / Movie / Gaming profiles, Low-Latency Mode, Custom EQ, among others.

OTA firmware updates will also show and get initiated in the app when needed.

Lastly, the QCY H3S headphones boast an IPX5 rating — making it resistant not just to splashes and showers, but also against hard rain and water jets.

Pricing and Availability

The QCY H3S’s price tag is currently discounted by 15% and has a special introductory price of US$ 42.49.

Pre-orders take place starting this October 25 (Saturday) until November 10 (Monday).

It’s available on QCY’s official website, Amazon, and even AliExpress.

Furthermore, it’s within everyone’s reach as the pair will be sold in many regions around the world.

• North America: United States, Canada, Mexico
• Europe: United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Ireland, Bulgaria, Croatia, Poland, Sweden, Greece, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Malta
• Asia-Pacific: Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Israel, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia
• Africa: Angola, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa
• Oceania: Australia, New Zealand
• Latin America: Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Chile

In the latest episode of Chinese-Exclusive Smartphone Launch: Season 10/25, Redmi (or Xiaomi) unsurprisingly launches their latest and greatest flagship killer, the K90 Pro Max.

First “Pro Max” Midranger

Much like the its flagship Pro Max cousin from Xiaomi, this also marks Redmi’s first-ever “Pro Max” offering.

Redmi’s past handsets only had “Pro” and “Ultra” superlatives within. Although it seems like this branding isn’t just here for naming’s sake.

Ultimately, the Redmi K90 Pro Max is also the company’s first ever smartphone with a massive 6.9-inch 1.5K OLED 120Hz display.

Much like any high-end phone nowadays, it’s capable of displaying HDR10+ content, 100% DCI-P3 Wide Color Gamut, as well as with Dolby Vision certification. However, its 12-bit color depth is a far cry, supporting up to 68.7 Billion Colors (versus 1.07B).

Brightness levels even go as low as 1 nit all the way to 3500 nits. Beneath it lies a faster ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor.

That’s then covered by Xiaomi’s Longjing Glass for utmost durability and protection in the long run.

That familiar “Pro Max” camera island isn’t just there for aesthetics though. Enclosed within is a powerful triple 50MP system.

First, there’s the 50MP f/1.88 main camera based on LightHunter 950 large 1/1.31-inch sensor with a flexible 13.5EV High Dynamic Range. ICYMI, that new sensor is also the same one found in the base Xiaomi 17.

Surprisingly, last year’s Pro telephoto module was replaced by a 50MP f/3.0 periscope telephoto unit based on Samsung’s ISOCELL JN5 image sensor.

From a 2.5x optical zoom, it now doubles to 5x optically (and 10x lossless) thanks to that upgraded lens structure. It can also take macro shots with a minimum focusing distance of 30cm.

Lastly, there’s the 50MP f/2.4 102-degree ultra-wide module based on the OmniVision OV50M sensor. A rare 1G+6P glass-plastic hybrid lens setup was used as well.

Xiaomi AISP 2.0 further refines what the imaging hardware captures by blending in various AI algorithms for a more desirable image output.

Rear cam video recording is capped at 8K/30fps or 4K/60fps.

First smartphone powered by Bose

Aside from acquiring the first ever “Pro Max” Redmi phone, the company also brings another first on the table — and it’s actually the first ever Android smartphone to do so.

Redmi dares to battle those JBL-quipped phones by bringing in the power of Bose sound onto K90 Pro Max’s speakers.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

It’s not just there for blatant branding.

Aside from the two stereo speakers placed on both ends, there’s an independent subwoofer that’s placed beside the cameras on that back island.

Harmonized together, it brings a 2.1 stereo sound field that makes bass fuller, more detailed, and overall immersive.

This goes to show how Redmi tries to ace not just its performance, but in the acoustics department as well.

Another flagship killer was born

Redmi, at least in China, has always been THE “flagship killer” — and it continues to do so.

Equipped with the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 3nm SoC plus choices of 12/16GB of LPDDR5x memory and up to 1TB of UFS 4.1 storage, rest assured that Redmi’s latest smartphone brings unrivaled power at an unbeatable price tag.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

There’s even the dedicated and AI independent D2 Display Chip with GEX Module. It’s responsible for bringing in image quality comparable to PC-level hardware.

For full-on gaming experience, the K90 Pro Max has a 6700mm² 3D ice-covered circulating cold pump that alleviates heat dissipation for prolonged periods of usage.

Ultimately, it has a gigantic 7560mAh battery that can be charged through 100W wired or 50W wireless — USB-C PD chargers also supported.

It can also serve as your other devices’ power bank with its 22.5W reverse wired/wireless charging capabilities.

Speaking of, it has a USB 3.2 Gen1 port that supports up to 5Gbps of fast data transfer speeds.

Lastly, it also has a durability rating of IP68.

Another reborn

Aside from the black glass slate, flowy gold and white mix, plus an all-new Tech Denim-infused K90 Pro Max, another first in Redmi’s partnership history is by collaborating with Automobili Lamborghini in bringing in this special Champion Edition colorway.

It’s then based from the Italian brand’s prototype Squadra Corse sports car, the Lamborghini SC63.

As seen in its design, it evokes the race car’s lines and grooves. All while still incorporating the outstanding visual elements of the K90 Pro Max.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

And much like any other phone collab, this phone also comes in a very special packaging.

As well as Lamborghini-themed Xiaomi HyperOS 3 when you purchase one.

Just a refresher, the Redmi K90 Pro Max is only the fourth Android smartphone to have this luxe Lambo-skin. Historically, there was the Special Edition for OPPO Find X2 Pro way back in 2020 preceded by the Alpha-One in 2017 and Tonino Tauri 88 more than a decade ago.

Pricing and Availability

The Redmi K90 Pro Max (at least in Mainland China) is available in various configurations:

• 12+256GB = CNY 3999 (US$ 565 / EUR 485 / GBP 420 / SG$ 730 / MYR 2365 / PhP 32,680 / INR 49,615)
• 12+512GB = CNY 4499 (US$ 630 / EUR 545 / GBP 475 / SG$ 820 / MYR 2660 / PhP 36,765 / INR 55,815)
• 16+512GB = CNY 4799 (US$ 670 / EUR 570 / GBP 500 / SG$ 870 / MYR 2840 / PhP 38,700 / INR 59,730)
• 16+1TB = CNY 5299 (US$ 745 / EUR 635 / GBP 560 / SG$ 960 / MYR 3130 / PhP 42,730 / INR 65,950)
• Champion Edition = CNY 5499 (US$ 770 / EUR 660 / GBP 570 / SG$ 985 / PhP 43,700 / INR 66,720)

*  These are just estimated conversions for pricing reference

It’s a very direct competition to the realme GT 8 Pro launched just a day ahead.

Only time will tell when will this arrive for global markets.

If you’ll look at the pattern though, high-end Chinese Redmi models is always being transitioned by Xiaomi to POCO phones slated for global release.

We’ll just have to wait and see if this is the upcoming POCO F8 Ultra — or not.

Strava’s fight with Garmin must be one of the most surprising battles this year. Who expected the two giants of fitness to fight off in a patent war? Now, the battle has disappeared just as quickly as it arrived. Strava has dropped its lawsuit against Garmin.

Weeks ago, Strava chased after Garmin for allegedly infringing on the latter’s patents. Besides monetary compensation, the company wanted the courts to stop Garmin from selling its smartwatches. However, further digging hinted that Strava’s beef originated from new policies introduced by Garmin.

Now, Strava has voluntarily backed out from pursuing the lawsuit further, as reported by DC Rainmaker. From a legal standpoint, the fight between the two companies is over.

However, it will likely have implications reverberating across the landscape of fitness. It seems impossible that Garmin will ever forget that Strava chased after them. Though the legal implications are done, their long-standing relationship is probably at an end.

To be clear, it was already unlikely that the lawsuit would ever amount to anything. For one, it was a tall order to demand Garmin to stop its sales. Secondly, the lawsuit’s basis didn’t hold much water.

Currently, Strava has not stated exactly why they backed out. Additionally, Suunto has not announced any developments regarding their own fight against Garmin. Notably, the company joined in the fight against Garmin, capitalizing on Strava’s momentum.

SEE ALSO: Strava is suing Garmin over alleged patent infringements