News

Xiaomi debuts the XRING O1, their self-developed 3nm silicon chip

Powering both the Xiaomi 15S Pro and Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra

Published

May 22, 2025

Vincenz

As the world continues to revolve, tech innovations evolve further. This is where Xiaomi has decided to take all the guts against all odds.

From having a plethora of smart appliances to manufacturing their own EVs, the homegrown brand has finally made their very first self-developed Silicon chips for their new devices. Meet the Xiaomi XRING.

First take: Xiaomi Silicon

We know by now that Xiaomi isn’t the first-ever Chinese brand to develop their own chips. The crown definitely goes to its closest rival, HUAWEI with its Kirin chips. However, it’s still a great milestone for the Chinese giant to bring in their own Silicon chip for mass production.

The XRING O1 is the brand’s first-ever SoC that’s based on a 2nd-gen 3nm process — even powerful than what its Chinese competitor offers.

That makes the XRING O1 stand in the same league as Apple’s A18 Pro equipped in the latest iPhone 16 Pro series, as well as Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chip found on most Android flagships — the Xiaomi 15 Pro not an exemption.

Xiaomi’s new Silicon SoC features a 10-core CPU with dual Cortex-X925 cores at 3.9GHz, 16-core Immortalis-G925 GPU, 6-core NPU, and 19 billion transistors offering 44 TOPS for an enhanced and advanced AI processing. The brand’s 4th-generation ISP (Image Signal Processing) is also included.

Other than that, Xiaomi has also introduced the XRING T1 that enables eSIM support in future smartwatches. This self-developed chip also provides 35% better 4G performance with reduced power consumption when using the watch for voice calls and data.

There are also more features such as remote camera preview and smartphone-free control of Xiaomi EVs.

This will power Xiaomi’s 15th Anniversary Edition of the Watch S4 15th Anniversary Edition.

Rebadged: Xiaomi 15S Pro

The Xiaomi 15S Pro is the first-ever smartphone to run the XRING O1 SoC. The new cooling design, four dynamic low-power modes, and a dedicated micro-control unit all make for a boosted heat dissipation by 30%.

In a nutshell, it’s just a rebadged Xiaomi 15 Pro with the XRING chip. But to spice things up more than its in-house chipset, the 15S Pro is offered in two new finishes.

There’s the Composite Fiber Edition made with aramid fiber in a carbon fiber-like texture. Meanwhile, there’s the Sky Blue colorway that incorporates a matte fiberglass back. It also adds more premium embellishments such as the “XRING” nameplate, gold-accented CNC power key, and an exclusive packaging.

All the great things from the Xiaomi 15 Pro still remain such as the class-leading imaging with Leica Summilux triple-lens system, micro-curved 6.73-inch LTPO AMOLED 2K display, 6,100 mAh battery. Lastly, the speedy 90W wired HyperCharge and 50W wireless charging with Surge G1 battery management chip and a Surge P3 charging chip for better battery longevity.

The Xiaomi 15S Pro is being sold in China in two configurations:

16 + 512GB = CNY 5499 (US$ 765 / EUR 675 / GBP 570 / SG$ 985 / PhP 42,430 / INR 65,285)
16 + 1TB = CNY 5999 (US$ 835 / EUR 740 / GBP 620 / SG$ 1075 / PhP 46,290 / INR 71,220)

All-new: Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra

Other than rocking Xiaomi’s first ever Silicon chip, the Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra is also the company’s first “Ultra” tablet — and their first OLED tablet as well.

The first Xiaomi Ultra tablet boasts a massive 14-inch 3.2K OLED display with 1600 nits of peak brightness. Shockingly, its ultra-slim metal unibody is also 5.1 mm thin — much like the latest M4 iPad Pro 13-inch — and weighs just 609 grams with promised durability with its aerospace-grade structural reinforcement.

For the fullest entertainment, the Pad 7 Ultra has an eight-speaker sound system with 150W peak output. It also has a 32MP ultra-wide front camera and a 50MP rear camera.

Moreover, it has a 12,000mAh battery, 120W HyperCharge speeds, and Wi-Fi 7 support. Xiaomi’s Lab test says full charge enables up to 18.95 hours of continuous video playback. Meanwhile, standby time reaches 61 days and up to 528 days in ultra-power-saving standby mode.

All of these are backed by Xiaomi’s HyperOS 2. The revamped OS is even more optimized for tablets with better multitasking, cross-device integration, and a smoother, more seamless AI capabilities.

Lastly, there’s a special keyboard for the Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra that is crafted from premium magnesium alloy. Angle adjustments are possible between 0 to 124-degrees all thanks to its smooth, precision-tuned hinge.

For a full-on PC-like experience, it has full-size backlit keys and an oversized haptic touchpad paired with multi-touch gestures and edge rejection.

The Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra is available in Misty Purple and Classic Black variants, alongside these configurations:

12 + 256GB = CNY 5699 (US$ 795 / EUR 700 / GBP 590 / SG$ 1020 / PhP 43,970 / INR 67,670)
12 + 512GB = CNY 5999 (US$ 835 / EUR 740 / GBP 620 / SG$ 1075 / PhP 46,290 / INR 71,220)
12 + 512GB Soft Light Edition = CNY 6599 (US$ 920 / EUR 810 / GBP 680 / SG$ 1185 / PhP 50,915 / INR 78,340)
16 + 1TB = CNY 6799 (US$ 945 / EUR 835 / GBP 700 / SG$ 1220 / PhP 52,460 / INR 80,715)
16 + 1TB Soft Light Edition = CNY 7399 (US$ 1030 / EUR 910 / GBP 765 / SG$ 1325 / PhP 57,090 / INR 87,840)

More & More: Ecosystem

Other than the groundbreaking announcements, Xiaomi has also announced a barrage of AIoT products in Beijing, China.

Mijia Fresh Air Conditioner Pro Dual-Outlet Vertical 3HP = CNY 8999 (US$ 1250 / EUR 1105 / GBP 930 / SG$ 1620 / PhP 69,440 / INR 106,840)

This is one of the two Mijia-branded air conditioners by Xiaomi. advanced dual-outlet, four-zone airflow system powered by dual millimeter-wave radar and intelligent algorithms.

It detects up to six people in the room and can adjust wind direction in real time with modes like “wind-follows-person” and “wind-avoids-person” for maximized comfort.

There’s also multi-directional zone control that eliminates the discomfort of direct airflow. Even so, a wide-angle air delivery of 160-degrees.

Health benefits wise, Xiaomi integrates its negative ion purification alongside a high-grade HEPA filter. This air conditioner can remove 99 percent of pollutants like PM2.5, bacteria, and even unwanted viruses.

Mijia Air Conditioner Pro SkyFlow 1.5HP = CNY 3999 (US$ 555 / EUR 490 / GBP 415 / SG$ 720 / PhP 30,860 / INR 47,480)

This is another new air conditioner in the lineup that features a radar-based human perception system through Xiaomi’s AI engine and mmWave arrays that can actively detect user movement within a 180-degree range. From there, it can automatically switch between gentle and direct airflow modes.

Moreover, it’s also energy-efficient that can save over 360 kWh of power consumption annually. In China, it has an APF of 5.65 — that’s already above the national Grade 1 standards.

In terms of hygiene, it meets China’s Mother & Baby certification, integrating HEPA filtration, 56 °C high-temp cleaning, and smart reminders via the Mi Home app for long-term peace of mind. With an elegant silver finish, slim 2 cm install gap, and central AC-inspired design, it blends aesthetic appeal with practical innovation for the modern home.

Mijia Refrigerator Pro Dual-System French Door Built-In 508L = CNY 4999 (US$ 695 / EUR 615 / GBP 515 / SG$ 895 / PhP 38,570 / INR 59,350)

Another new product by Xiaomi is this pro-grade French Door refrigerator. Its exterior exudes a glass panel and built-in hinges. Even if you place it near a wall, its doors open a full 90-degree angle for easier access.

But aside from its looks, what makes it even more special is its independent dual-system design.

There are separate evaporators for both the fridge and freezer to prevent odor mixing. Additionally, a humidity-controlled drawer with molecular sieve tech can keep produce fresh. Another adjustable drawer offers multiple modes for meat, baby food, or 0-degree (bing) chilling. (Sorry, pun-intended)

Speaking of, the freezer can deep freeze as low as -30 degrees.

An ultra-thin fan also ensures no waste of precious fridge space. Active ion and silver-ion sterilization are also present to ensure purification of the entire storage space

Mijia Dual-Drum Washer Dryer Pro 10kg = CNY 5499 (US$ 765 / EUR 675 / GBP 570 / SG$ 985 / PhP 42,430 / INR 65,285)

Miji’s all-new washer-dryer combo features Blue Oxygen cleaning tech focusing in hygiene. This electrochemical system breaks down stains and deep-cleans whites without the incoporation of harsh chemicals that are harmful for sensitive skin and disrupts long-term fabric care.

Dual-zone washing also allows simultaneous washing and drying with a dedicated small drum for delicates, preventing cross-contamination.

In addition, the Mijia Washer Dryer Pro also includes additional features like triple smart detergent dispensing, steam sterilization, stain-specific modes, as well as dual quick-wash modes. To make it even smarter, there’s Smart Scheduling and app integration for added convenience.

Mijia Smart Dual-tap Water Purifier Pro 1600G = CNY 2999 (US$ 420 / EUR 370 / GBP 310 / SG$ 540 / PhP 23,140 / INR 35,600)

This smart water purifier has an intelligent, dual-outlet design that separates purified drinking water from household water. It can also fill a standard water glass in under two seconds and supports sustained output up to 25 tons — very ideal for big families.

Thanks to Xiaomi’s Zero Stale Water 3.0, it ensures fresh water with every use. Operation is also quiet with its six-chamber low-noise pump. Worried about technical issues? Well, the smart faucet has IPX7 waterproofing and a luxurious electroplated finish.

The advanced PPC filter also removes over 99.5% residual chlorine. Meanwhile, the premium Toray RO filter offers a six-year lifespan.

It won’t be “smart” without app integration via the Mi Home app. It’s where users can check TDS levels, track filter life, and customize four dispensing modes.

Xiaomi TV S Mini LED 2025

Last but definitely not the least, the only Xiaomi-branded product in this new product line.

Instead of the usual LCD offerings, the new Xiaomi TV S brings a better quality Mini LED display with advanced backlight control and an anti-reflective coating with only 1.8 percent of reflectivity — better than standard TVs around.

The 98-inch model has 1092 local dimming zones and can achieve up to 1700 nits of peak brightness. There’s also a fluid 144Hz refresh rate meant for gamers and sports enthusiasts.

And with Xiaomi’s in-house picture engine and color management system, expect vivid visuals with utmost color accuracy.

This new TV series also runs Xiaomi HyperOS 2 with personalized lock screens and an improved user interface.

The Xiaomi TV S Mini LED 2025 comes in four sizes:

55-inch = CNY 2999 (US$ 420 / EUR 370 / GBP 310 / SG$ 540 / PhP 23,140 / INR 35,600)
65-inch CNY 3999 (US$ 555 / EUR 490 / GBP 415 / SG$ 720 / PhP 30,860 / INR 47,480)
75-inch = CNY 4999 (US$ 695 / EUR 615 / GBP 515 / SG$ 895 / PhP 38,570 / INR 59,350)
85-inch = CNY 6799(US$ 945 / EUR 835 / GBP 700 / SG$ 1220 / PhP 52,460 / INR 80,715)
98-inch = CNY 9999 (US$ 1390 / EUR 1230 / GBP 1032 / SG$ 1790 / PhP 77,150 / INR 118,710)

News

Samsung is teasing smart glasses again

The brand is experimenting with more form factors.

Published

January 30, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

What comes next after the smartphone? For years, brands hunted for an answer. Apple, for example, placed its bet on the Vision Pro, a wager that hasn’t paid off yet. Samsung, on the other hand, is betting on a different horse: augmented reality.

In a new earnings call (via Seeking Alpha), Samsung’s Seong H. Cho, the brand’s head for mobile marketing, confirmed that they will experiment more with “diverse form factors such as next-generation AR glasses.”

Samsung has been teasing a pair of glasses for a while now. However, with an impressive lineup already in the works (including the brand’s first trifold smartphone), it’s understandable that hype for the teased glasses took a bit of a backseat.

But, with an official word now about the wearable, the game is once again on to create an impressive pair of smart glasses.

The only question here is the “next-generation” part. Since Samsung doesn’t really have a pair out in the market right now, it’s a bit difficult to determine what the next generation might mean.

Of course, it could simply be a marketing term that implies smart glasses are the next generation of technology. If it pertains to what’s already out in the market, it could mean a pair that comes with a camera or even a display. Of note, most smart glasses today (or, at least, those accessible to most users) use only audio for its smart functionalities.

News

Nothing will not release a Phone (4) this year

But the Phone (4a) is still scheduled.

Published

January 30, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Last year, Nothing offered a worthy alternative to the usual flagship brands. Though the Phone (3) edged closer and closer to flagship-level prices, the smartphone is still a decent performer through and through. This year, however, a Phone (4) is not in the works.

Through a new YouTube video, Nothing’s Carl Pei has confirmed that the brand will not release a Phone (4) this year. The Phone (3) will still be the brand’s flagship option throughout 2026.

Pei did not reveal any explicit reason why they couldn’t make a new flagship this year. However, he does say that he wants every upgrade to be meaningful.

Despite the lack of a flagship, Nothing’s work will continue through the (a) series. The brand will release the new Phone (4a), for which Pei is promising a revolution. He says that there will be significant upgrades which will push the series closer to a flagship-like experience. It will also have new designs.

Unfortunately, the new phone might not come cheap. Along with the phone’s announcement, Pei confirmed that prices might increase this year, as a response to spiking RAM prices. It’s unclear how much it’s changing, though.

At the very least, the (a) series is usually priced competitively. However, if the increases affect the entire lineup, the flagship’s prices might go up to even more concerning levels.

Computers

3D printing made accessible: Bambu Lab moves closer to everyday consumers

Empowering consumers to create tangible objects

Published

January 29, 2026

GadgetMatch

Photos from Rodneil Quiteles

China-based brand Bambu Lab makes an effort to move closer to everyday consumers in the Philippines with a new retail partner by holding a media and creators roundtable in the Philippines. This was a bid to reshape how consumers perceive and use 3D printing technology.

Established in Shenzhen, China in 2020, Bambu Lab aims to make 3D printing more accessible, practical, and relevant to daily life through printers and other supplies.

The goal is to support practical home use, creative hobbies, product design, and even specialized tools, while putting emphasis on ease of use.

With such optics, Bambu Lab is trying to make consumers feel that there is less deep technical knowledge required and that they can actually create physical objects with 3D printing.

One of their products is the entry-level Bambu Lab A1 mini, which is compact enough to fit on a small desk.

The brand also has more advanced models which are capable of printing multiple colors and materials on a single run.

To complement the hardware ecosystem, Bambu Lab’s open platform MakerWorld lets users browse, select, and print from an extensive library of shared 3D designs directly from their own desktops.

The platform features a wide variety of objects across multiple categories. There’s household items, DIY tools, children’s toys, props, and educational materials.

In the Philippines, Bambu Lab will open its first concept store at One Ayala, Makati City. The concept corner will give mallgoers the opportunity to see the range of 3D printers and consumables firsthand.