News

The world’s first fully-automated imaging lab is here in Chongqing

All thanks to TECNO and DXOMARK’s budding partnership

Published

August 27, 2025

Vincenz

What do TECNO and DXOMARK have something in common? Well, it’s their focus on bringing out the best in a smartphone’s camera system.

Today, both mark a milestone as they jointly unveil the world’s first fully-automated imaging lab here in Chongqing, China.

What’s it even?

As DXOMARK continues to strive with their lab-tested metrics when giving out ratings in smartphone cameras, their joint partnership with TECNO in building a fully-automated imaging lab would not only ease the process, it will be more accurate and technically-advanced too.

This all-new laboratory is the first to implement the DXOMARK sixth-generation Smartphone Evaluation Protocol.

Not only this establishes a new scientific benchmark for smartphone imaging, it will also give a more precise and standardized camera technology with just automation.

Moreover, it sets new standards for testing efficiency, consistency, and objectivity.

Frédéric Guichard, the CEO of DXOMARK is proud with what this lab can assess and achieve.

In his words, he said that DXOMARK’s scientific expertise in advanced automated lab capabilities paired with TECNO’s technological advancements in building a fully-automated laboratory gives utmost efficiency, precision, and more comprehensive evaluations during the process.

Head of Imaging Quality Lab Fanyi Zhou also added that DXOMARK’s new-gen Evaluation Protocol will help further towards an objective imaging analysis.

He also said it will dramatically speed up their imaging innovation — which enables more authentic and inclusive experiences among users worldwide.

What’s in it?

The Joint Imaging Lab by TECNO DXOMARK establishes a new imaging evaluation standard alongside three core innovations.

Fully-Automated Testing

The joint imaging lab’s precision automation system is revolutionary for a reason. From calibration to final reports, this system runs automatic full testing workflows.

Instead of hands, there are robotic arms for micron-level positioning accuracy. There’s also a fully-automated chart switching and environmental simulation based on and controlled by AI.

Inclusive Imaging

TECNO is known for their utmost inclusivity with Universal Tone. Now, the facility also boasts the same thing.

There are six 3D head models as well as scientifically-calibrated 2D color charts that exude skin tone diversity.

The multi-dimensional skin tone adaptation enables precise calibration of color science and texture reproduction across the full spectrum of human complexions.

Customized Evaluation

Lastly, an intelligent regional customization.

These capabilities enable smart, region-specific customization with tailored evaluation protocols that match the taste of various markets.

As example, African markets might prefer brighter photos while Southeast Asia lean more towards clearer and noise-free night shots.

This approach delivers insights for localized optimization, speeding up imaging technologies that truly connect with users worldwide.

Quick Fire Q&A

After the talk session, both Frédéric and Fanyi joined a talk session along a couple of media friends.

1. Why rely on automated when you can do it manually?

An automated imaging lab not only saves gruelsome labor, it also saves time.

2. Why DXOMARK instead of any other camera partnership?

TECNO is focusing more the fundamentals / basics of their smartphone cameras.

3. How do you Visualize and quantity those changes / improvements?

DXOMARK has measurement of many details (i.e. overexposure/underexposure) where they do various conditions under different setups.

4. How do actual users benefit from this?

DXOMARK relies on user survey — or what most users prefer instead of sticking what’s “scientifically correct.”

How the body quantifies scores is based on many scenarios / targets. The higher the rating means it’s what most users want in their smartphones.

What does the future hold?

TECNO is said to integrate the capabilities of this imaging lab into its imaging roadmap.

Not only it enables continuous algorithm improvements with date involving multiple skin tones it also makes way for better and more adaptive imaging solutions for markets that are even more diverse.

Moreover, TECNO will drive the smartphone imaging to an even inclusive future along their “Stop At Nothing” ethos.

News

Samsung teases anti-shoulder surfing privacy feature

A “new layer of privacy” coming to Galaxy phones soon

Published

January 28, 2026

GadgetMatch

Samsung has teased a “new layer of privacy” to shield users’ phones primarily from shoulder surfing.

Although there haven’t been any specifics yet, this “new layer” could be quite literal, as in an added display technology on Samsung devices.

Samsung says users can customize it to raise their guard with specific apps, or when entering access details for more private areas of their phones.

Moreover, there are multiple settings for adjusting visibility. This way, users can limit what others can see based on the level of privacy protection they need.

They can likewise choose to protect specific parts of the experience, such as notification pop-ups. In a way, it’s a tailored approach that lets users fine-tune or switch off entirely, rather than a blanket one.

It also eliminates the need to go through apps one by one and adjust settings, as in the case of notifications.

Samsung adds that the process took five years of engineering, testing, and refining, hence the careful and deliberate roll-out instead of a sudden one.

This process included studying how individuals use their phones, what they consider private, and how security should feel in everyday life.

The result, Samsung says, is a fusion of hardware and software expertly calibrated to protect users while on their phones.

This latest development is part of a series of Galaxy innovations to keep users safe. Samsung has been introducing topnotch mobile protection with Knox Vault, Knox Matrix, and more features.

News

Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold reveals US$ 2,899 price tag

It’s still cheaper than the Huawei Mate XT.

Published

January 28, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Late last year, Samsung finally revealed the Galaxy Z TriFold, its official entry into the three-paneled market. Even only from its initial announcement, the Galaxy Z TriFold already looks mighty good, more so than its Android-less counterpart from Huawei. But, as with everything, it still depends on the price. How much will Samsung’s trifold phone cost? Now, we have an idea.

Today in the United States, Samsung has announced that the Galaxy Z TriFold will already be available in the country starting this week. From January 30, users can start trying out the phone for themselves in Samsung Experience Stores. They can also grab the device through Samsung.com.

Because the phone is already available, the price tag is out as well. In the United States, the Galaxy Z TriFold will set you back by at least US$ 2,899.

Despite how eye-watering that price is, it’s still a step below the Huawei Mate XT when that launched last year. (For reference, the Android-less Mate XT launched for a miserable EUR 3,499.)

Still, spending almost three thousand dollars on a phone might not be the most appealing decision for a lot of people. This price is also almost a full thousand dollars more than the Galaxy Z Fold7, which starts at US$ 1,999. On the bright side, the Galaxy Z TriFold is taking a big step in “democratizing” the trifold market before it takes over the industry.

If you’re interested in adding this to your cart, the Galaxy Z TriFold has a huge 10-inch screen, a custom Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, 16GB of RAM, and up to 1TB of storage. It also has a 200-megapixel main camera and a 5600mAh battery.

All that in mind, is US$ 2,899 a justifiable price for the Galaxy Z TriFold?

Entertainment

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie trailer shows first look at Yoshi

The premiere was also moved up by a few days.

Published

January 27, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

As a fan of the Super Mario games, I’m still waiting patiently for the next 3D Mario title. In the meantime, we’ve got Mario in 3D to stave off the hunger. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie will premiere on April 1, and it just got a new trailer.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie was announced quite some time ago, if the first film’s stinger wasn’t enough of a confirmation for you. As in that post-credits scene, Yoshi is set to make his debut. Now, the new trailer reveals the green dinosaur for the first time.

In the trailer, Mario and Luigi head to the Sand Kingdom to investigate a strange disturbance inside a pyramid. The disturbance turns out to be a scared Yoshi. What follows is a short montage of scenes from the movie but doesn’t reveal much of the connection between Yoshi and the movie’s story.

From the previous trailer, Bowser Jr. wants to claim the throne as the universe’s big baddie. It’s still unknown how Yoshi (and even Rosalina) connects to the overall plot.

Still, the trailer has a bunch of Easter eggs for fans of the franchise. For one, the Sand Kingdom is an area from the latest 3D Mario game, Super Mario Odyssey. Heading into the pyramid, you might also hear a subdued version of the “Underground Theme”. Then, when Yoshi finally appears, you’ll hear Super Mario World’s “Overworld Theme”.

The trailer also shows a peek at Birdo.

From the new trailer, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie will premiere a few days earlier on April 1. Previously, it was set to premiere on April 3.