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Redmi 9, 9A, 9C budget family now official

Because three is better than one!

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We’ve already shown you how you can maximize your budget phone. Those exact same methods apply to all three of these new budget smartphones — the Redmi 9, 9A, and 9C.

We’re just going to do a quick rundown here.

Redmi 9

This is a budget smartphone equipped with a quad-camera setup. That’s shooting versatility for less. Whether you’re looking to take a quick snap, wide-angle group shot, close-up with stunning details, or beautiful portrait photos, Redmi 9 has you covered.

It has a 6.53’’ FHD+ Dot Drop display with TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light certification and Corning  Gorilla Glass for on-the-go protection.

Inside it’s powered by a MediaTek Helio G80 SoC. It has a 5020mAh battery with support for 18W fast charging.

You also get your usual ports and connections:a 3.5mm headphone jack, IR blaster, multifunctional NFC, while supporting dual SIM usage and an additional microSD card slot.

The Redmi 9 is available in the Philippines and comes in Carbon Grey, Ocean Green and Sunset Purple. Pricing are as follows:

  • 3GB+32GB — PhP 6990
  • 4GB+64GB — PhP 7490

They are available for offline purchase at official Mi Stores, as well as Xiaomi’s authorized offline retailers and the Xiaomi Official Store on Lazada.

Redmi 9A

If a huge display with a big battery for less is your jam then you might want to rock with the Redmi 9A.

It has a 6.53” Dot Drop display with 5000mAh battery. Elsewhere on the phone you get the MediaTek Helio G25 chip and a 13MP rear camera.

It’s available in The Philippines with one variant, 2GB+32GB, in Granite Gray, Peacock Green and Sky Blue. Priced a PhP 4,690.

The device is available for purchase from at official Mi Stores, as well as through Xiaomi Flagship Store on Lazada and Xiaomi Global Store on Shopee.

The model will also be available for purchase from July 21 via Xiaomi’s authorized offline retailers.

Redmi 9C 

The Redmi 9C hits much of the same beats as the 9A with a similar 6.53” Dot Drop display with a 5000mAh battery. Inside, it’s powered by a MediaTek Helio G35 chip.

It comes in three colors: Midnight Gray, Sunrise Orange, and Twilight Blue. Global pricing are as follows:

  • 2GB+32GB — EUR 119
  • 3GB+64GB — EUR 139

For distance learning

It’s interesting to note that all three fall within the minimum spec requirements laid out by the Philippines’ Education Department. Despite common sense and on the ground knowledge dictating that it’s best to skip the school year due to the Coronavirus pandemic, they are still bullish about pushing through with it.

So, if you’re a parent and want to arm your child with a basic smartphone to help, all three of the mentioned phones will suffice. For reference, here are the minimum requirements.

Distance Learning, Smartphone Minimum Tech Specs

Processor

Octa-core 2 GHz

Memory

2GB

Display

6”, IPS LCD

Storage

32GB

Network

GSM / HSPA / LTE

Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n

Bluetooth

Ports

Micro USB or Type C, 3.5mm Audio Jack

OS

Android 8.1

 

Apps

Significantly better ChatGPT Images 2.0 launches

Stronger creative reasoning, better design output, more formats, improved overall experience

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OpenAI has launched ChatGPT Images 2.0. This updated image generation model has a meaningful jump over competitors and its current ImageGen 1.5.

Now available across ChatGPT, Codex and the API, Images 2.0 delivers stronger creative reasoning, better design output, more flexible formats, and a faster, more intuitive user experience.

Paid users (Plus, Pro, Business, and Enterprise) will benefit from a more advanced image experience (ImageGen Thinking 2.0). The state-of-the-art model can take on complex visual tasks and produce precise and immediately usable visuals.

ChatGPT Images 2.0 is likewise better for creative and professional use cases. It has a significantly better performance at producing text-heavy assets, infographics, product mockups, UI concepts, and more structured visuals.

Moreover, users can generate images in a wider range of aspect ratios. The outputs are limitless, from posters to comics or anime to detailed infographics to simple images. API users, on the other hand, will also have access to 4K resolution.

To try the upgraded image generation model, simply head to ChatGPT and select “Images” in the sidebar.

Users will be able to see the top five prompts as well, curated by OpenAI, for them to try. This is to highlight the capabilities of the new model.

Overall, ChatGPT Images 2.0 offers a more seamless experience on mobile, web, and desktop. The intuitive user experience includes improved prompt suggestions, loading states, editing features, and multi-output views.

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Malaysia

HONOR 600 Series debuts globally in Malaysia

Pre-orders now open

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HONOR 600

Malaysia is first to get the HONOR 600 Series.

HONOR has officially unveiled its latest “accessible flagship” lineup, bringing both the HONOR 600 and HONOR 600 Pro to the global stage.

The series focuses on combining flagship-level features with more attainable pricing, starting at RM2,599.

Pre-orders are now open until April 29, 2026. Early buyers can enjoy a RM200 instant rebate along with free gifts and protection bundles worth up to RM1,935.

For the HONOR 600 Pro, customers get a free Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay+ alongside extended warranty and damage protection. Meanwhile, HONOR 600 buyers receive a free HONOR CHOICE Watch 2 Epic with similar coverage.

The devices will be available starting April 30, 2026 through HONOR’s official stores, online platforms, and partner retailers.

Flagship features come to the N Series

HONOR 600 Series

With the HONOR 600 Series, the company is pushing its N Series further into flagship territory.

Leading the charge is a 200MP main camera with a large 1/1.4-inch sensor. The Pro model adds a 50MP telephoto lens with up to 120x zoom and enhanced stabilization, while the standard version supports up to 30x zoom.

Both devices are designed to handle low-light scenarios with improved night processing and color accuracy.

AI Image to Video 2.0 also returns as a headline feature. It allows users to turn still images into short video clips using prompts, templates, and multiple reference images.

On the performance side, the HONOR 600 Pro runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, marking the first time the series gets an Elite-tier chip.

The standard HONOR 600 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, offering solid gains in both CPU and GPU performance for everyday use.

Bright display, big battery, and added durability

Both devices feature a 6.57-inch display with up to 8000 nits peak brightness and a 120Hz refresh rate.

HONOR also highlights its Eye Comfort Display tech, which includes high-frequency PWM dimming and adaptive brightness controls for long viewing sessions.

Battery is another key focus.

The series packs up to a 7000mAh battery, paired with 80W wired charging and reverse charging support. The Pro model also adds 50W wireless charging.

Durability sees an upgrade as well, with IP68, IP69, and IP69K ratings alongside SGS 5-star drop and crush certification.

Pricing and availability

The HONOR 600 Series comes in Orange, Golden White, and Black.

Malaysia pricing is as follows:

  • HONOR 600 (12GB + 512GB): RM2,599
  • HONOR 600 Pro (12GB + 256GB): RM3,099
  • HONOR 600 Pro (12GB + 512GB): RM3,299

Pre-orders run until April 29, 2026, with general availability starting April 30.

Europe pricing

In Europe, the HONOR 600 is priced at €649.9 for the 256GB model and €699.9 for the 512GB variant.

With launch coupons, both configurations are effectively reduced to €499.9, bundled with 12 months of screen insurance.

The HONOR 600 Pro (512GB) is priced at €999.9, with a €200 coupon bringing it down to €799.9. Early buyers also receive bundled freebies, including either a tablet or projector, plus headphones for select orders, alongside 12 months of screen protection.

United Kingdom pricing

In the UK, the HONOR 600 Pro (512GB) is priced at £899.99.

The HONOR 600 is available at £549.99 for the 256GB model and £599.99 for the 512GB variant.

A Lite version is also available, with the HONOR 600 Lite (256GB) priced at £369.99.

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News

iPhone 18 may have lower specs and a delayed launch, rumor says

Once again, it’s because of rising RAM prices.

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A tale as old as time by now, Apple will always launch the latest generation of the iPhone in the fall every year. Lately, however, the more affordable iPhone e series found a home much earlier in the year. Next year, according to rumors, the regular iPhone 18 duo will join the iPhone 18e’s launch next spring, and it will be heavily downgraded.

Much ado has been said about the lack of differences between the four models of the current iPhone series. The “which iPhone is best for you” debate is still a worthy one today. Now, a new rumor from Weibo states that the base iPhone 18 will delineate itself further from the Pro and the Pro Max because of downgraded specs. The rumor has not detailed which pieces of hardware will get budget cuts.

The downgrade is supposedly due to the rising RAM prices in the industry today. That said, it also serves as a way to maintain the premium niche of the Pro and the Pro Max. However, pushing the base iPhone 18 away from the premium models naturally pushes it towards the iPhone 18e. Only its launch can tell how Apple will keep the two models separate from one another.

Besides the difference in specs, a previous rumor has also speculated that the base model will depart its usual launch window in September for a delayed one in March, right next to the iPhone 18e.

SEE ALSO: Apple iPhone 17e review

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