News

Sony Xperia Pro is the smartphone for professional videographers

It’s still under development

Published

February 26, 2020

Vincenz

Image by GadgetMatch

The cancellation of MWC 2020 didn’t stop Sony from teasing their upcoming professional smartphone. The tech giant is taking it to another level with the Xperia Pro. It’s particularly meant for professionals who shoot cinematic videos and broadcast-grade footage.

Xperia 1 II on (some) steroids

Just like the recently announced Xperia 1 II, it features the latest Snapdragon 865 processor with 5G support. Although the latter has a sub-6GHz spectrum, the Pro model uses 5G mmWave for faster upload and download speeds in a specific coverage area.

8GB RAM is still inside, with a bumped up internal storage of 512GB. It also supports microSD cards of up to 1TB. There are no increase in battery capacity as it relies on the same 4000mAh battery.

The display will still be the 6.5-inch 4K HDR OLED 90Hz display with 21:9 aspect ratio, all protected by Gorilla Glass 6. IP rating is neither changed. IP65/68 will help protect the phone from unprecedented water spills and dust storms.

Other than that, the camera system is the same triple-lens setup found on the Xperia 1 II. It features three 12-megapixel cameras capable of shooting wide, super-wide, and zoomed shots. ZEISS optics, calibration, and coating are intact as well.

If you think Sony lets this smartphone shoot 8K videos, you’re wrong. It still shoots 4K 30p max. Selfie shooter is limited to just 8 megapixels.

So, what’s different?

Image by GadgetMatch

You might just call it “Xperia 1 II Plus” because of all the similar specs — but its stealthy form factor proves otherwise. Completely ditching the Gorilla Glass 6 back, it features a “low dielectric constant material” that’s supposed to strengthen 5G connections.

There’s also a 360-degree antenna design with 16 antennas that’s mostly helpful in connecting to 5G for TV broadcasting. With all these powerful 5G internals, it’s cooled by a graphite sheet, vapor chamber, and air gap to further maximize the use of 5G even in long periods of time.

Image by GadgetMatch

Not that it’s a special feature, but there’s an extra button (not a Google Assistant button) which lets you assign other apps whenever you press it. Other than that, there’s also an HDMI port which lets you connect through professional cameras as a secondary monitor. With the help of 5G, it enables the user to livestream TV-grade video content even in a limited area.

We still have to wait for Sony’s official announcement regarding its price and availability.

News

Apple reportedly gives up on the Vision Pro

But Apple will continue to sell the current model.

Published

April 30, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

When they unveiled the Vision Pro in 2023, Apple touted the wearable as the next big thing after the iPhone. Now, almost three years removed from the launch, the Vision Pro hasn’t really taken over the coveted spot occupied by the iPhone. Apple, according to a report, is allegedly canning the short-lived wearable.

According to MacRumors, Apple has reportedly given up on making the Vision Pro a thing. The team handling the wearable has supposedly been subsumed by other teams within Apple.

If true, the wearable’s end is unfortunate but not surprising. Despite being out for years, the Vision Pro has sold only a little more than half a million units with numerous returns from customers. Most recently, Apple updated the wearable with the M5 chip, but the move hasn’t revitalized the device’s status in Apple’s lineup.

Most of the complaints about the device stem from its exorbitant price or its cumbersome battery pack. Besides costing a whopping US$ 3,499, the Vision Pro is also difficult to move around with, especially because of its total weight and a battery pack that can get in the way.

To be clear, Apple has not officially discontinued the Vision Pro yet. The company continues to sell the version with the M5 chip. Apple can also restart development in the future.

However, the meantime retirement on future development does coincide with the recent restructuring inside the company. Tim Cook recently decided to step down as CEO with John Ternus as his replacement. Canning the Vision Pro might be Ternus’ first step in redefining Apple according to his plans.

Apps

YouTube makes picture-in-picture mode free for everyone globally

The update is rolling out globally now.

Published

April 30, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Picture-in-picture (or PiP) mode is a godsend for multitaskers. The feature lets users watch videos in a tiny floating window while doing other tasks. However, the feature isn’t readily available for all users. Or wasn’t, at least. YouTube is now rolling out PiP mode for free globally.

Previously, PiP mode was exclusive to YouTube users who pay for Premium or Premium Lite. It was also exclusive to the United States.

Now, YouTube is making the feature completely free for users all over the globe. It will be available for both iOS and Android versions of the app.

There’s still a catch, though. The free version is available only for “longform, non-music content.” The same goes for Premium Lite subscribers. Music is still an exclusive feature for those who pay for the regular version of Premium. Basically, there is no change for paying users or users in the United States.

Using PiP mode is simple. All you need to do is load up a video you want to watch in the background. Then, just exit the YouTube app and go about your other tasks. The video will be inside a floating, resizable window while you look at other things.

There’s no timeline on when the update will reach your device. However, YouTube has promised that it will roll out globally within the coming months.

Enterprise

OnePlus has reportedly merged with realme

Both brands were previously rumored for restructuring early this year.

Published

April 30, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

OnePlus has a problem. For a while now, rumors have swirled about the company’s dissolution. For their part, the company has continued to deny the reports, citing business as usual. Likely to their dismay, the reports just keep coming. Today, sources have hinted that OnePlus has merged with realme.

Back in January, it was rumored that OnePlus would be closing up shop this year. Since the company very quickly denied the rumors, the report hardly made waves. However, a suspected merger with realme is more difficult to debunk.

For one, realme is itself in a very interesting position. Also back in January, realme was reportedly moving back into being a sub-brand of OPPO. Coupled together with the OnePlus debacle, all this internal restructuring seems par for the course.

According to Digital Chat Station on Weibo, OnePlus and realme have already concluded the merger. The two brands have reportedly united their Chinese and international operations under one roof. Likewise, their marketing will be the same. Pete Lau will still be the main head for this new division.

As with anything of this nature, take this with a grain of salt. OPPO, OnePlus, and realme have not issued any official statements concerning a merger or a shutdown for any brand.