News

Xiaomi’s 200W fast charging tech severely degrades battery capacity

But there’s nothing to worry about

Published

June 14, 2021

Shivam Vahia

Recently, Xiaomi showed off its new fast-charging solution that leverages a whopping 200W of power. While the battery is charged within no time, the ultra-fast solution severely degrades battery capacity within a short period of time.

The Chinese phone maker did a Q&A on Weibo, China’s leading social media site, and revealed that the technology has adverse side effects on the phone’s battery. The battery loses 20 percent of its capacity within 800 cycles, enough to last an average user two years.

In simpler terms, it means that a Mi 11 Ultra with a 5000mAh battery will only retain 4000mAh after two years of usage. The Chinese regulatory authority requires at least 60 percent of capacity retention with 400 cycles, making it acceptable for the market.

In defense, Xiaomi says that its 200W solution only depletes a battery as much as any regular 5W charger would do over the course of two years. And that’s correct. Whether you charge your phone via 5W for four hours or 200W for 15 minutes, the heat generated in the process is bound to have long-term effects on the battery itself.

What are charging cycles?

Most smartphone batteries have an average life of 1000 cycles, which is more than sufficient to last you more than two years. The ability of lithium-ion batteries to store charge depends on the extent of their degradation, and each recharge technically degrades it.

One cycle count is completed only when the phone completely depletes 100 percent of the battery. So, even if you charge the phone mid-way through the battery drain, a cycle will only be completed when it depletes its charge completely.

The aging process continues at the same rate as before so that a cell whose capacity had fallen to 80 percent after 1000 cycles will probably continue working to perhaps 2000 cycles when its effective capacity will have fallen to 60 percent of its original capacity.

News

vivo V60 Lite starts at 14,999 pesos in the Philippines

V60’s smaller sibling focuses on gaming, entertainment

Published

October 20, 2025

GadgetMatch

The vivo V60 Lite is now available for preorder in the Philippines, offering customers a stylish smartphone for gaming and entertainment.

It starts at PhP 14,999 for the 4G variant and is priced at PhP 17,999 for the 5G variant. These models both have 8GB of RAM and 256GB internal storage.

Available colors for the device are Pop Pink, Titanium Blue, and Elegant Black.

Customers can now preorder via vivo concept stores, kiosks, and authorized dealers. Preorders until October 30 also come with the following perks:

vivo VIP Card worth PhP 4,020 (with 6-month Broken Screen Insurance and Extended Warranty)
Limited-edition vivo Buds worth PhP 1,699
PhP 1,000 discount
Extra PhP 500 off via Home Credit

In addition, there is a 5G variant with 12GB of RAM and 512GB storage for PhP 20,999.

The vivo V60 Lite is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7360 Turbo chipset. This allows users to experience performance boost with faster frame rates, smoother graphics, and lag-free gameplay.

The phone also houses a 6500mAh BlueVolt Battery with 90W FlashCharge. Furthermore, the battery supports Bypass Charging, which is a common feature among gaming-centric handsets.

Other gaming features include Game Boost, Esports Mode, Mistouch Prevention, and Game Small Window for zero interruptions.

In front is a 6.77-inch 120Hz AMOLED display with HDR10 visuals, on a 94.2% screen-to-body ratio. This is complemented by dual stereo speakers with up to 400% volume mode.

Not to be outdone in the camera department, the V60 Lite features a 50MP Sony IMX882 sensor. This has a large 1/1.95-inch size and ensures 2x lossless zoom for crisp captures.

News

OPPO Find X9 series are now live in China

Global launch to follow on October 28

Published

October 16, 2025

Vincenz

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!

Accessories

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

None of their phones have built-in Qi2 magnets.

Published

October 16, 2025

Luigi Leonardo

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.)