News

Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 improves on predecessor in every way

Published

on

The original Mi Mix was a trendsetter for getting near-borderless smartphones to the mass market before the likes of the LG G6 and Samsung Galaxy S8. As the successor, the Mi Mix 2 banks on improving on every aspect of the original’s winning formula.

Obviously, the primary attention goes to the screen once again. Now smaller, the 6-inch 1080p LCD screen is narrower as well with a 18:9 aspect ratio (compared to last year’s 17:9), but with the same super-slim bezels.

The aluminum frame makes a return, along with the ceramic back that set the first Mi Mix apart. It’s slightly more curved on the back this time, even though the display itself is totally flat.

To make the front more seamless, the 5-megapixel front-facing camera is all black so it blends in with the bottom chin better. So yes, you still have to rotate the phone if you want to take selfies or go on video calls.

For the single 12-megapixel rear camera — which now has optical image stabilization but no secondary shooter — an 18K gold rim can be found around the lens, just like on the Exclusive Edition of the Mi Mix.

As you’d expect, Xiaomi fitted the Mi Mix 2 with some of the best specifications you could find on a modern flagship: a Snapdragon 835 processor, 6GB of memory, up to 256GB of non-expandable storage, and a hefty 3400mAh battery. What’s missing is a 3.5mm audio port, like on the Mi 6.

There’ll also be a Special Edition of the Mi Mix 2 with more memory at 8GB and a set storage of 128GB. It’ll come in a ceramic unibody with a choice between two colors: black or white. The former has 18K gold rims for both the rear camera lens and fingerprint scanner, while the latter owns rose gold rims for the two circles.

Correction: The Special Edition has 8GB of memory

And for the cherry on top: The Mi Mix 2 will retail for CNY 3,299 (US$ 505) for the 64GB storage version, CNY 3,599 (US$ 555) for 128GB of storage, and CNY 3,999 (US$ 615) for the largest 256GB configuration. The Special Edition costs CNY 4,699 or about US$ 720.

Like with other China-launched gadgets, global availability for both models is still uncertain.

SEE ALSO: Xiaomi unveils Mi A1 with Android One and dual cameras

[irp posts=”19694″ name=”Xiaomi unveils Mi A1 with Android One and dual cameras”]

News

OPPO Find X9 series are now live in China

Global launch to follow on October 28

Published

on

By

Just days after vivo’s widely-anticipated X300 series, its sister brand OPPO releases the Find X9 series. It’s their latest line of flagships for 2025.

Flagship Find

The OPPO Find X9 and Find X9 Pro are the next line of smartphones equipped with MediaTek’s latest Dimensity 9500 SoC based on a powerful and power-efficient 3nm process.

Much like its closest cousins, the base and Pro models of the Find X9 differ in certain aspects.

First and foremost, the Pro has the bigger 6.78-inch display. Meanwhile, the vanilla variant has a “more compact” 6.59-inch.

OPPO says though that both units boast an ultra-thin 1.15mm symmetrical bezels on all sides.

Moreover, battery capacities are also different.

The Find X9 has 7025mAh while the Find X9 Pro possess a larger 7500mAh battery.

These phones are expected to run the all-new ColorOS 16 with primary focus on silky-smooth animation, as well as smarter AI feats, seamless connectivity between PCs, Macs, and other accessories, as well as band overall user experience.

Hasselblad Legacy

Different from what OnePlus is doing, OPPO continues to strengthen its partnership with the renowned Swedish camera-maker Hasselblad.

With this continuous collaboration, both the Find X9 and X9 Pro feature the Hasselblad Camera System alongside OPPO’s all-new LUMO Image Engine.

Furthermore, the Find X9 Pro offers a 200MP telephoto camera co-developed with Hasselblad — both in sensor calibration and optical design.

Additionally, these Find models also deliver exceptional video capabilities with up to 4K / 120fps Dolby Vision support as well as LOG recording with ACES support for that seamless and professional workflow.

The Find X9 series are also concert-ready with cutting-edge telephoto optimizations such as Stage Mode and AI Sound Focus.

Pricing and Availability

The OPPO Find X9 are available in three colorways: Titanium Grey, Space Black, and Velvet Red.

Meanwhile, the Find X9 Pro is being offered in two shades: Silk White and Titanium Charcoal.

In line with the China-exclusive launch, the announcement of the Find X9 series slated for global markets will be held in Barcelona, Spain on October 28th.

Mark your calendars!

Continue Reading

Accessories

Samsung launched a charger that’s incompatible with all its phones

None of their phones have built-in Qi2 magnets.

Published

on

In the world of wireless charging, Qi2 is where it’s at. The newer magnetic system automatically aligns the phone with the best positions to charge wirelessly. That said, it’s taking a while for most smartphones to get the charging standard. In an odder twist, Samsung, who does not currently have any native Qi2 devices, has launched its own Qi2 chargers.

In the United States, Samsung rolled out the Qi2-compatible Single Wireless Charger and Car Wireless Charger. As both their names indicate, the chargers will allow for wireless charging in a variety of situations.

Retailing for US$ 34.99, the single puck can charge by up to 25W when paired with a charging adapter (sold separately). The car charger, on the other hand, comes with its own 12V car adapter and a rotating mount. It’s very pricy, coming in at US$ 84.99.

Now, the kicker is that the chargers are compatible with Samsung’s current flagships including the Galaxy S25, the Flip7, and the Fold7. Technically, yes, these smartphones can charge using this duo. However, none of them have the built-in magnets to natively connect to the pucks. They need a separate case with a Qi2-certified magnet included.

It seems pretty scummy to offer a Qi2 charger for smartphones without the magnets built inside. On the bright side, it’s a good sign that Samsung’s upcoming smartphones, starting with the Galaxy S26 early next year, will likely offer Qi2 charging natively. (At least, we hope. Otherwise, this might be the priciest charger in recent memory.)

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy S25 FE review: Closer to flagship than ever

Continue Reading

Apps

ChatGPT will soon allow NSFW conversations

The platform will start age-gating users in December.

Published

on

Every day, we inch closer and closer to the strange reality of Joaquin Phoenix’s Her. Today’s AI-powered chatbots have inevitably adapted to address our more carnal desires. Some, such as those offered by xAI, are even explicitly designed to only flirt with the user. Soon, ChatGPT will offer the same thing: a way for adult users to… well, be adults.

Through a post on X, OpenAI’s Sam Altman reiterated ChatGPT’s impending drive to introduce age-gating in December. Keeping younger users from the platform will open ChatGPT to more “mature” conversations. Altman specifically names “erotica” as one of the potential uses of a looser platform.

Additionally, ChatGPT is rolling out an update which will make the platform more personable and comparable to actual conversations. This includes using more emojis or talking like a friend.

The platform is also adding more safeguards when it comes to mental health issues, given that more people are using it as a makeshift therapist. Recently, Altman made sure that ChatGPT treated mental health with more delicateness. To some, especially those without such issues, the platform became more unusable. To bring back how it used to be, the platform will add better tools to detect whether the user is in “mental distress.”

Finally, OpenAI is implementing a backend solution to mental health by creating a new council of researchers and experts to accurately determine the impact of AI on mental health. Currently, it’s still unknown how much this new technology is helping (or harming) our wellbeing.

SEE ALSO: ChatGPT Go now available in the Philippines, more Asian countries

Continue Reading

Trending