News

5G killed the pop-up camera, according to realme

Both are too thick to coexist together

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In this historic fight against the dreaded notch, one contender arguably rose above the rest: the pop-up camera. Compared to other alternatives, the pop-up camera hid the shooter underneath a separate mechanism. Even today, the novel alternative still makes appearances every now and then. Unfortunately, according to realme, 5G killed the pop-up camera.

In an interview with GSMArena, realme India’s CEO Madhav Sheth discussed the current trends in the smartphone industry, especially regarding realme’s own devices. One of the question explicitly asks about the realme X, one of the rare models with a pop-up camera. The interviewer asked if the pop-up camera is gone forever.

According to Sheth, 5G is the year’s most important tech trend. However, the current modules are still too thick. It’s not really a surprise anymore; other brands have also spoken about the module’s thickness. Because of the thickness, other specs are inevitably giving way.

As you might have gathered, one of the sacrificed hardware is the pop-up camera. Apparently, including a pop-up camera is “very difficult” without sacrificing the battery or the thinness. Since 5G is a priority for tech companies today, it’s safe to assume that the pop-up camera has been effectively shelved for 5G devices — except for a few outliers.

Recently, Lenovo launched its gaming smartphone, the Lenovo Legion Phone Duel. Besides a flurry of other notable specs, the device has the two features that shouldn’t coexist: a pop-up camera and a 5G module. However, the device is part of the gaming segment. As such, it prides itself in packing absolutely everything into a beefy package.

That said, most of 5G consumer devices might not see both features coexist in the same package anymore until either one can figure out a thinner design.

SEE ALSO: The realme C11 works well for distance learning

Gaming

PlayStation will stop releasing its games on PC

A new reports suggests that Sony is going back to console exclusives.

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PC-only gamers have been eating well for the past few years. The formerly exclusive PlayStation library opened its gates and released worthy ports for PC. Unfortunately, Sony is putting an end to this short-lived era of openness to PC gamers. According to a new report, the company is once again making first-party PlayStation games exclusive to the console.

During the pandemic, Sony started releasing its critically acclaimed first-party games on PC. The new wave saw gamers get the ability to play titles such as Horizon Zero Dawn, The Last of Us, Marvel’s Spider-Man, and God of War on another platform. Even now, players are still eagerly awaiting the PC launch of Death Stranding 2, due out later this year.

However, as reported by Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, Sony has just had a change of heart and will no longer release any more games on the PC, beyond those already confirmed for future launches.

This will mean that last year’s Ghost of Yotei and the upcoming Saros will remain PlayStation exclusives for the foreseeable future.

It’s a big change to Sony’s direction. However, it’s not without its precedents. For one, Microsoft has started to compete in the non-exclusive market. The company is already set to launch Fable and Forza Horizon 6 on other platforms, including PC and PlayStation, concurrently with the Xbox launch. To compare, PlayStation still waits a long time before launching exclusive games on PC.

Also, now that rumors have begun to speak of a fabled PlayStation 6, Sony might want to keep things close to its chest for now. After all, selling the console might be its top priority for now.

SEE ALSO: PlayStation 6 reportedly delayed to 2029 because of RAM shortage

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MWC 2026

Infinix NOTE 60 Ultra makes a motorsport-inspired debut

Motorsport-inspired design

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Infinix NOTE 60 Ultra

Motorsport has a flair for dramatic arrivals. When a new car rolls onto the track, the design alone can tell you it means business.

The Infinix NOTE 60 Ultra makes that kind of entrance at Mobile World Congress 2026.

Created with Italian automotive design house Pininfarina, the flagship pairs a supercar-inspired aesthetic with premium features including a 200MP camera system, satellite calling, and immersive JBL-tuned sound.

The result is a device that positions itself as more than just another NOTE series upgrade — it’s Infinix stepping onto the flagship grid.

Supercar-inspired design

Co-developed with legendary Italian design firm Pininfarina, the NOTE 60 Ultra takes heavy inspiration from high-performance sports cars.

The phone introduces what Infinix calls the world’s first Uni-Chassis Cam Module. Instead of the typical camera bump, the camera system sits beneath a single sheet of Corning Gorilla Glass Victus that flows seamlessly across the rear. The result is a smooth aluminum unibody design that maintains a clean silhouette while improving durability and pocketability.

Infinix says the design mirrors the aerodynamic philosophy of supercars, prioritizing smooth surfaces and uninterrupted lines.

Adding to the automotive inspiration is a Floating Taillight signature on the back that lights up when the device powers on. A hidden Active Matrix Display also appears during startup, echoing the digital dashboards seen in modern sports cars. The small display can show notifications, icons, or even a pixel-style companion.

The NOTE 60 Ultra comes in four Italian-inspired finishes: Torino Black, Monza Red, Amalfi Blue, and Roma Silver.

Flagship imaging system

Despite the flush camera design, the NOTE 60 Ultra still packs a powerful imaging setup.

At the center is a 200MP Samsung ISOCELL HPE sensor designed to deliver ultra-high-resolution photos with improved detail and clarity. It is paired with a 50MP Samsung ISOCELL JN5 periscope telephoto lens and a 112-degree ultra-wide camera.

The system supports a versatile zoom range, starting with a 2x optical crop, extending to 3.5x optical zoom, and reaching 7x lossless digital zoom, with up to 100x zoom for distant subjects.

Infinix also introduces support for the XDR display standard with Ultra HDR Capture, powered by a proprietary XDR Image Engine. The system aims to preserve highlights and shadows more accurately, especially in challenging lighting scenarios like night scenes or sunsets.

Connectivity beyond cellular networks

Another headline feature is two-way satellite communication.

The NOTE 60 Ultra supports both satellite calling and messaging, allowing users to stay connected even in areas without traditional cellular coverage. The feature can also enable emergency location sharing during disasters or when traveling through remote regions.

According to Infinix, the system offers coverage across a broader number of countries compared to typical satellite messaging implementations.

Big battery, fast charging

Powering the device is a 7000mAh silicon-carbon battery, paired with Infinix’s new Battery Self-Healing Technology. The company claims the system can restore up to 1 percent of battery health every 200 charge cycles, potentially helping maintain long-term battery performance.

Charging is equally fast, with support for 100W wired charging and 50W wireless charging. Infinix says the device can charge from 1 to 100 percent in around 48 minutes via wired charging.

The phone runs on a 4nm MediaTek Dimensity 8400 Ultimate chipset, which Infinix claims delivers up to 25 percent faster multitasking alongside improved app responsiveness.

Display, audio, and AI features

On the front is a 1.5K Ultra HDR display with a 144Hz refresh rate and up to 4500 nits peak brightness. The panel also features predictive stabilization designed to reduce motion discomfort when watching videos or gaming while in motion.

For audio, the phone includes stereo speakers tuned by JBL.

The NOTE 60 Ultra runs XOS 16 based on Android 16, introducing a new interface called GlowSpace. The software integrates several AI-powered tools including personalized file organization, adaptive knowledge features, and an Advanced Health Monitor capable of real-time vitals tracking.

Availability

The Infinix NOTE 60 Ultra will be available in a single configuration with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage, along with built-in eSIM support.

It will ship with three years of major Android updates and five years of security patches.

Infinix will also bundle a deluxe gift box that includes a supercar-inspired MagCharge stand, Kevlar MagPad, custom Kevlar MagCase, and a track-edition SIM ejector pin.

 

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Laptops

MacBook Neo enters the chat with a $599 starting price

Here comes a new challenger

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MacBook Neo

Apple has a new contender in the ring. And if you grew up on fighting games, the reveal almost feels like that classic moment when the screen flashes: Here comes a new challenger.

Meet the MacBook Neo — Apple’s newest and most affordable laptop yet. Starting at just US$599 (US$499 for education), it aims to bring the Mac experience to a much wider audience.

Despite the lower entry price, Apple isn’t treating this like a stripped-down Mac. The new machine still carries a full aluminum design, a vibrant display, and Apple silicon performance — the same core pillars that define the modern Mac lineup.

The goal is simple: make the Mac more accessible without losing the parts that make it feel premium.

A colorful new entry

At first glance, MacBook Neo looks every bit like a modern Mac. It features a durable aluminum enclosure with soft rounded edges and weighs just 2.7 pounds, making it easy to toss in a backpack or handbag.

Apple is also leaning into color here. The laptop comes in four finishes: blush, indigo, silver, and citrus. The Magic Keyboard matches each colorway with lighter shades, creating a cohesive look across the entire device.

Front and center is a 13-inch Liquid Retina display with a 2408 × 1506 resolution, 500 nits of brightness, and support for one billion colors. Apple says the panel delivers sharper text and brighter visuals than most laptops in this price category.

It’s a display designed to make everyday tasks — browsing, watching videos, editing photos — feel a little more vibrant.

A18 Pro powers everyday performance

Under the hood, MacBook Neo runs on Apple’s A18 Pro chip — the same architecture that powers some of Apple’s most advanced mobile devices.

Apple says the chip delivers up to 50 percent faster everyday performance compared to the bestselling PC powered by Intel Core Ultra 5. For AI-heavy tasks like applying advanced photo effects or running on-device intelligence features, the system can be up to three times faster.

The chip also includes a 16-core Neural Engine for Apple Intelligence features and a 5-core GPU for graphics workloads. The system is completely fanless, which means silent operation even under load.

In practical terms, that translates to smooth multitasking across apps like Messages, Safari, Canva, Excel, and more.

Built for all-day use

Battery life is another highlight. Thanks to the efficiency of Apple silicon, MacBook Neo can run for up to 16 hours on a single charge.

The laptop also includes a 1080p FaceTime HD camera with improved image processing, along with dual microphones that use directional beamforming to reduce background noise during calls.

For audio, dual side-firing speakers support Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos for a more immersive listening experience.

The device features Apple’s Magic Keyboard and a large Multi-Touch trackpad, while select models include Touch ID for quick and secure logins.

Connectivity includes two USB-C ports for charging and accessories, a headphone jack, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 6.

The Mac experience, now more accessible

MacBook Neo ships with macOS Tahoe, complete with built-in apps like Safari, Photos, Messages, and FaceTime. It also supports Apple Intelligence features such as Writing Tools and Live Translation.

For users already in the Apple ecosystem, Continuity features make switching between devices seamless. Tools like Handoff, Universal Clipboard, and iPhone Mirroring let users move between Mac and iPhone without breaking their workflow.

With its $599 starting price, MacBook Neo now becomes the most affordable entry point into the Mac lineup — a position long rumored but never quite realized until now.

In fighting game terms, Apple didn’t just add another character to the roster.

It added one meant for a whole new set of players.

Pricing and availability in Singapore and the Philippines

In Singapore, the MacBook Neo starts at S$849 and S$729 for education. Customers can pre-order the new MacBook Neo from Friday, March 6.

In the Philippines, Apple’s friendliest-to-the-budget MacBook starts at ₱39,990 and ₱33,990 for education. They will be available soon on apple.com/ph/store and Apple Authorized Resellers.

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