India
Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ launch in India
Starts shipping from 16th of March
Unlike most major smartphone launches, Samsung released its flagships for the year, the Galaxy S9 and S9+, in India just a week after the global launch. The phones will start at a price of INR 57,900 (US$ 890).
To recap, both devices are powered by Samsung’s in-house chipset, the Exynos 9810, along with 4GB of memory for the Galaxy S9 and 6GB of memory for the S9+. The S9 has a 5.8-inch AMOLED screen while the S9+ sports a 6.2-inch display. In terms of looks, both the S9 and S8 series are very similar, except the fingerprint sensor has been moved underneath the camera module as many struggled with the one found on the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+.
The highlight of the Galaxy S9 and S9+ is the dual aperture setup on the primary rear camera, which is capable of shooting at f/2.4 when there’s ample light but can switch to f/1.5 when the phone detects low-light conditions. The other headline feature of the main camera is the super slow-mo mode that’s capable of recording 960 frames per second. Samsung is also introducing AR Emoji, its answer to Apple’s Animoji with a few key changes.
The duo also come with dual stereo speakers tuned by AKG. The phones even support Dolby Atmos, which offers 360-degree sound effects. Like last year’s models, the phones have an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.
This year, Samsung has placed the devices at a higher price. The Galaxy S9 comes with a starting price of INR 57,900 (US$ 890) for 64GB of storage, whereas the 256GB variant costs INR 65,900 (US$ 1,010)
The 64GB storage version of the bigger Galaxy S9+ sports a price tag of INR 64,900 (US$ 995) and the high-end 256GB variant is priced at INR 72,900 (US$ 1,120). Samsung will not be selling the 128GB models in India.
For network carriers, Samsung partnered with Indian telecom operators Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel. Users can get up to 250Mbps of speed on 4G connections — 2.5 times more than any other device in India.
India
The vivo V60 is a rebadged vivo S30 for international markets
The first V-series phone with periscope telephoto lens
vivo is just on time with its biannual refresh of the V-series.
After the V50 launched last February 2025, the Chinese company has just revealed the newest vivo V60 in India six months after.
Rebadged vivo S30
If you’ve been following vivo for quite some time, you won’t be surprised that the China-exclusive vivo S30 will be the next V-smartphone in their global roster.
For the most part, it is a rebadged vivo S30 for the international market.
Internals are identical: Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 4nm 8-core SoC, Adreno 722 GPU, up to 16GB LPDDR4X memory and 512GB UFS 2.2 storage.
It may be a good or bad thing but the vivo V60 has an 8+128GB base model whereas the S30 starts with a bigger 12+256GB configuration.
Cameras are neither different: 50MP f/1.88 main, 8MP f/2.0 Ultra-Wide Angle (UWA), and 50MP f/2.2 selfie.
However, the vivo V60 now sports an additional 50MP f/2.65 periscope telephoto lens that its predecessor lacks. It’s also the same shooter found on the flagship-grade vivo X200.
This newly-added camera is based on Sony’s widely-used IMX882 sensor and supports OIS (Optical Image Stabilization).
It can take 3x optically zoomed photos, and clear 10x shots through Stage Portrait Mode.
50x zoomed shots is also possible via vivo’s all-new AI Hyper Zoom.
vivo’s signature ring flash dubbed “Aura Light Portrait 2.0” is here to stay.
A 6500mAh Si/C BlueVolt battery is also here alongside vivo’s speedy 90W FlashCharge standard.
Wireless charging is still absent but reversed wired charging is present for those who need it.
Dual IP68+IP69 water and dust resistance ratings also remain.
Not a total clone
The vivo V60 is not a total clone of the S30 as there are some differences that may or may not matter to most of you.
The vivo V60 has a slightly bigger 6.77-inch 120Hz AMOLED display but only with a Full HD+ resolution and pixel density of 388ppi.
The Chinese vivo S30 has a smaller 6.67-inch screen of the same tech, but with more resolution at 1.2K and tighter 460ppi.
As expected, the Chinese model runs OriginOS 5 while the latter still runs Funtouch OS 15 that are both based on Android 15 — shutting the rumor that vivo Global will adopt their Chinese OS in the new V-phone.
That also means vivo’s already rich AI prowess are ever-present with improvements in AI Erase and Image Expander as well as highlighting newly-added AI capabilities such as AI Magic Move, AI Photography Suite, and even AI Four-Season Portrait.
As expected, the vivo V60 still rocks the ZEISS Camera System that its Chinese counterparts never had since the S18 Pro (Chinese version of the V30 Pro).
Indian vivo V60s are also expected to have an exclusive Wedding vLog and Portrait Studio presets.
Lastly, the vivo V60 has executed premium finishes and colorways: Auspicious Gold, Moonlit Blue, and Mist Gray.
That’s in contrast to S30’s pastel slash two-tone options derived from the S30 Pro mini (or X200 FE).
Although the gold and blue options have glass backs, the gray one is made from plastic.
That also makes up for its varying thickness: 7.53mm (gray), 7.65mm (gold), 7.75mm (blue).
All in all, the vivo V60 is slightly thicker over the S30 (7.49mm).
Pricing and Availability
Although there’s no “V60 Pro mini” (nor a V60 Pro), the X200 FE already exists as the global version of China’s vivo S30 Pro mini.
And unlike the vivo X200 FE where it was launched first in Malaysia and Taiwan, the vivo V60 headlines the global launch in India.
Here are India’s specific pricing per configuration:
- 8+128GB = INR 36,999
- 8+256GB = INR 38,999
- 12+256GB = INR 40,999
- 12+512GB = INR 45,999
It will just be a matter of time which markets the vivo V60 will come right after India.
It’s good to note though that vivo Malaysia already teases the V60 up on their website with two different colorways opposed to the Indian options: Berry Purple and Summer Blue.
India
Marshall Minor IV earbuds price, availability in India
Small in size, big on Marshall signature sound
Marshall has unveiled the Minor IV True Wireless earbuds. This entry-level audio wearable sets new standards with Marshall signature sound, supreme comfort, and exceptional battery life. It will retail for INR 11,999 locally. Elsewhere, the product will be available from June 15 on Marshall.com.
Created for music lovers, the Minor IV features a 12mm dynamic driver that delivers expertly balanced sound. Design wise, it stands out with Marshall’s classic look, coming in a black-colored leather-like material. The brand logo is situated in front of the charging case. The water-resistant earbuds themselves feature a reangled design so it can fit better inside the ear canal.
The Minor IV earbuds can play music and other content for up to seven hours on their own. And with a charging case, the total playtime extends to more than 30 hours. When drained of power, the Minor IV will take just about over an hour to recharge. The case, meanwhile, will replenish back to full in two hours using USB-C charging.
Users will find it easy to navigate and manage calls with Marshall’s dedicated app. They may also connect multiple devices simultaneously with Bluetooth multipoint connectivity.
Along with the Major V, the new earbuds will support Bluetooth LE Audio soon. This technology allows the device to deliver higher audio quality, while also increasing the streaming range and improving audio sync.
There’s no doubt that India is a major market for technology. While the country has its own brand preferences outside of the world’s usual, everyone still wants to get a piece of the market. To the dismay of global companies, the country is realizing the potential of its own market. Effective immediately, India has started restricting imports for new laptops, tablets, and PCs.
Recently, India made some headlines in the smartphone industry. A few companies, including Apple, have poured funds into building factories in India. Locally produced devices will allow these companies to attract the Indian market better. With the new regulations out today, it looks like these brands are going to enjoy a head start over others who aren’t in the country yet.
The Indian government introduced a new restriction (via Reuters) against the importation of “laptops, tablets, all-in-one personal computers, and ultra-small form factor computers and servers” made from other countries. Customers, however, will get an exemption. Airline passengers can still bring in these devices in their luggage. Additionally, a single imported device is allowable when bought through e-commerce platforms. Companies can import their products only by applying for a special license.
In a nutshell, bulk orders without a license are out. The government is instead encouraging users to buy locally produced products as part of its “Make in India” program. At the very least, it’s not a total ban on foreign brands. For example, Dell, HP, and Lenovo are exempt from the regulations since they already have production facilities built in the country.
SEE ALSO: Samsung overtakes Xiaomi as top phone brand in India
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