News
Qualcomm announces the updated Snapdragon 855 Plus
Will debut in the ASUS ROG Phone 2
Are you ready for the next evolution in processor technology? Every year, Qualcomm launches substantial updates for its processors. Following the usual release schedule, 2019 should see the upcoming Snapdragon 865 chipset. Right on schedule, Qualcomm has launched a new processor for future smartphones. Unfortunately, the latest release isn’t the much-awaited sequel to the current Snapdragon 855. Instead, it’s only a minor update — the Snapdragon 855 Plus.
The Snapdragon 855 Plus will not introduce the next generation of flagship processors. Instead, it will cap off this year’s remaining slew of flagships. Notably, the new chipset will likely appear on the Samsung Galaxy Note 10, the Google Pixel 4, the OnePlus 7T, and the ASUS ROG Phone 2. Of this privileged lineup, ASUS’ gaming-centric smartphone will debut the chipset to the world.
The chipset will share the same architecture as the Snapdragon 855 chip. However, it will squeeze out more performance than its predecessor. The octa-core Kryo 485 CPU can now run up to 2.96GHz — a notch above its predecessor’s 2.84GHz performance. Further, the chip promises a 15 percent improvement in overall graphic performance. Supposedly, the marginal boost can make for a good gaming smartphone — hence, the ROG Phone 2 debut.
Additionally, the chipset will improve functionality for AR, VR, and AI features. Unfortunately, the upgrades don’t include a 5G modem, requiring smartphone manufacturers to implement their own modem.
Regardless, the Snapdragon 855 Plus should be enough to eke out an amazing second half for 2019. Hopefully, the 15 percent boost will translate into tangible real-world results. If not, expect a grander Snapdragon 855 sequel within the year.
SEE ALSO: Qualcomm announces 5G variant of the Snapdragon 8cx
News
Smart showcases cloud gaming platform in partnership with Blacknut
Play over 1,000 titles straight on your smartphones
Philippines mobile service provider Smart showcased the country’s first cloud gaming platform in partnership with Blacknut at the recent Philippine GameDev Expo (PGDX) 2026.
As the event’s main presenter, Smart highlighted its collaboration with the cloud gaming subscription service. Together with its value-packed Power All offers, the network provider is highlighting what the future of gaming can look like.
Smart and TNT subscribers can conveniently access Blacknut Cloud Gaming through a dedicated site. Here, they can play more than 1,000 premium console and PC-quality games on their smartphones.
That’s without the need for expensive gaming hardware or lengthy downloads. Weekly subscriptions start at just PhP 145 and can be conveniently charged to prepaid load following a simple OTP verification process.
To make the experience better, Smart also has Power All offers, which provide generous open-access data for today’s digital lifestyles. There’s a package for cloud and mobile gaming, streaming, content sharing, and productivity.
Gaming
Ghost of Yotei gets a story expansion in October
The Complete Edition comes with the expansion and a roguelike mode.
Ghost of Yotei is a classic RPG experience set in the same universe as its predecessor, Ghost of Tsushima. In my opinion, Atsu’s journey of revenge feels a lot more fun than Jin’s battle to save his homeland. If you’re in the same boat, Ghost of Yotei is coming back on October 1 with brand-new content.
Without delving too much into spoiler territory, Ghost of Yotei has a conclusive ending. Rather than shoehorning a forced epilogue, Echoes of Sekigahara, the title of the upcoming story expansion, explores Atsu’s past.
As with Tsushima’s expansion, Echoes of Sekigahara features a new map with new enemies, weapons, and collectibles. It will be set in two different time periods.
Besides the story expansion, the upcoming update also has a new mode called Most Wanted, which Sucker Punch Production describes as their “spin on a roguelike.” The mode explores Atsu’s experience as a headhunter, feeding her with bounties and earnable perks.
The two new content expansions will come with in the upcoming Ghost of Yotei Complete Edition. The new edition, coming on October 1, will also come with the co-op Legends mode. It also has a few perks and customization options. The edition will sell for US$ 70.
If you already have the base edition, you can grab an upgrade for only US$ 15. If you don’t want to pay for the upgrade, the game is still getting a few minor tweaks.
SEE ALSO: Ghost of Yotei review: A tale sharpened by vengeance
The HONOR Robot Phone may have officially launched, but don’t expect this version to immediately make its way to global markets.
HONOR told media in Shenzhen that it currently has no plans to bring the current Robot Phone outside China. The main hurdle isn’t the hardware. It’s the phone’s AI experience, which is currently optimized for the Chinese market.
HONOR believes a future generation of the Robot Phone would be better positioned for a true global rollout once its AI experience is ready for markets outside China.
That doesn’t mean HONOR is abandoning the idea. Quite the opposite.
More than a phone with a moving camera
The Robot Phone is HONOR’s attempt to introduce a new idea to the smartphone market. It combines a smartphone with a 4DoF mechanical gimbal, allowing its camera to physically move.
Its AI features take that concept further. YOYO Robot Mode can use voice commands, gestures, and AI tracking to control the camera. It can also automatically pan and tilt to keep a person in frame during vlogs, livestreams, and video calls.
The phone also brings selected elements of ARRI Image Science and professional cinema workflows to its camera system. Its 200MP gimbal main camera supports 10-bit ARRI LogC3 recording, while ARRI Wide Gamut 3 and ARRI Looks give creators more control over their footage.
But HONOR isn’t treating the Robot Phone primarily as a volume-driving product.
The company says its bigger goal is to introduce a new concept to the smartphone market and see what kind of effect it can have.
That makes the Robot Phone an interesting experiment for HONOR. The hardware is already here. The company now wants to learn what happens when a smartphone can physically move, respond to its surroundings, and use AI to help operate itself.
For now, though, China is where that experiment begins.
-
Automotive2 weeks agoVinFast debuts two-wheeler models, opens 21 e-motorcycle showrooms
-
News2 weeks agoOnePlus officially leaves the United States and Canada
-
Gaming2 weeks agoGenshin Impact opens Snezhnaya in Version 7.0 this August 12
-
Laptops6 days agoROG STRIX G16 Review: Building for the moment
-
Gaming1 week agoTides of Annihilation opens first public demo at Gamescom 2026
-
News1 week agoGoogle will force Android users to use Gemini next month
-
Gaming1 week agoStreet Fighter 6 adds first Filipino fighter Yasmine to its roster
-
Accessories2 weeks agoDJI Osmo Mobile 8P: From a videographer’s perspective
