News
Xiaomi’s Black Shark gaming phone has high-end specs, liquid cooling
Has the Razer Phone been dethroned?
There’s a new high-end gaming smartphone in town, and it’s called the Black Shark. Doesn’t sound familiar? We can’t blame you.
It’s the first in its lineage but isn’t exactly coming out of nowhere. As you can see in the title of this piece, Xiaomi helped make its launch happen.
Black Shark is a portfolio company under Xiaomi’s own hardware ecosystem, meaning Xiaomi invested in it but it’s not part of the company’s smartphone lineup. All you really need to know is that this is a brand-new product and it comes with some hefty features.
Being a gaming phone, it delivers the highest-end specs: 6-inch 18:9 LCD with a 1080p resolution, Qualcomm’s top-of-the-line Snapdragon 845 processor, up to 8GB of memory, up to 128GB of storage, and a generous 4000mAh battery. That matches the best Samsung, Sony, and even Xiaomi have to offer.
Keeping the system cool is an advanced multi-layer liquid cooling setup that’s normally found in gaming laptops. Although the Snapdragon chip is already proven to be efficient in maintaining temperatures, this design will at least lengthen gaming sessions and the phone’s overall lifespan.
But what really makes the Black Shark special is its ability to attach a gamepad on the side for improved control during games. It connects through Bluetooth and has its own built-in battery so it won’t suck energy from the phone. The gamepad will be given away for free to the first 50,000 customers and will cost CNY 179 (US$ 29) on its own.
For those interested in gaming and photography, there’s a dual-camera setup on the back consisting of 20- and 12-megapixel sensors, plus another 20-megapixel shooter in front. Android 8.0 Oreo runs the software, but it’s skinned with Black Shark’s own user interface.
The Black Shark is available for pre-order in China beginning today. Its 6GB memory with 64GB storage variant retails for CNY 2,999 (US$ 475) while the model with 8GB of memory and 128GB of storage goes for CNY 3,499 (US$ 555). Available colors are black and gray as shown above.
Gaming
Razer, JOOLA partner for limited-edition pickleball paddle
1st-ever crossover between gaming, pickleball
Razer has ventured into the world of pickleball, partnering with JOOLA for a limited-edition JOOLA Razer Perseus Pro IV 16mm paddle.
The paddle will officially be available on December 9. It is co-branded with Razer’s triple-headed snake trademark, as well as signature green accents.
The paddle already made its competitive debut at the 2025 Pickleball World Championships in Dallas. There, it was wielded by Ben Johns, who is widely regarded as the world’s top pickleball pro.
He also happens to spend his free time gaming, making the partnership very apt for him on a personal scale.
This groundbreaking crossover bridges the energy of esports with the fast-growing sport of pickleball. It unites two elite forces in competitive performance: JOOLA for pickleball pros and Razer for the gaming community.
And as part of the launch celebration, fans will have the chance to win a paddle signed by both JOOLA CEO Richard Lee and Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan.
The raffle will be done through a social media giveaway hosted by both JOOLA and Razer.
Game on with the JOOLA Razer Perseus Pro IV 16mm
The JOOLA Razer Perseus Pro IV 16mm is crafted for high-stakes rallies and fast-paced exchanges. Its raw carbon surface enhances spin control and dwell time. This allows players to shape their shots with precision and finesse.
A balanced swing weight also supports quick transitions and reactive play, making it ideal for competitive athletes.
Bringing smart tech to the court, each paddle is also embedded with an NFC chip that connects to the JOOLA Infinity App, unlocking exclusive content, pro tips, and extended warranty.
Only a total of 1,337 units of the limited-edition paddle will be made. The number 1,337 is a nod to gaming culture, where “1337” or “LEET” means short for elite and is used to signify top-tier skill and mastery.
The pickleball paddle will retail officially for US$ 299.95 and will be available exclusively via JOOLA.com.
Insta360 is expanding its presence in the Philippines with the launch of the X4 Air. It’s a new ultralight 8K 360 camera designed for creators who want portability without losing image quality. The company says the X4 Air continues the X Series legacy of intuitive design and accessible 360 storytelling, now in a smaller and more travel-ready body.
Weighing only 165 grams, the X4 Air is the lightest 8K 360 camera Insta360 has released. It uses dual 1/1.8-inch sensors and updated image processing to capture sharper 8K detail with richer color. The camera is aimed at beginners, travelers, and anyone looking to explore 360 content creation for the first time.
Sharper imaging and smarter performance
Insta360 says the X4 Air improves on the X4 by focusing on real-world usability. AdaptiveTone and Active HDR work together to balance highlights and shadows, while Portrait Mode smooths skin tones naturally for people-focused shots. Updated low-light algorithms also deliver cleaner images after sunset.
The camera introduces user-replaceable lenses with a tougher optical coating that doubles drop resistance. It is waterproof up to 15 meters and includes FlowState Stabilization and 360° Horizon Lock for steady footage in any direction.
Compact build with flagship features
At 165 grams, the X4 Air is built to be carried anywhere. It stays light enough for one-handed use while still maintaining Insta360’s fifth-generation panoramic imaging technology. Despite its compact form, it shares the X5’s 8K 30 fps 360° video and replaceable lens system, and it supports most X5 accessories.
All-in-one creative tool
The X4 Air records in 360 degrees so creators can shoot first and reframe later. InstaFrame Mode saves both a share-ready flat video and a full 360° version at the same time. The camera also supports the Invisible Selfie Stick for drone-like shots, as well as smooth POV footage for daily vlogs.
Twist to Shoot, Gesture Control, and Voice Control let users start recording hands-free, making it easier to capture moments during solo shoots, group scenes, or sports runs.
Faster editing and seamless sharing
Editing is handled through Insta360’s AI-powered mobile app. Features like Auto Edit, FlashCut, and AI Frame automatically generate polished videos. The camera integrates with Apple, Garmin, and Huawei devices for performance overlays, while Insta360+ Cloud storage keeps files backed up. Every X4 Air purchase includes a one-year 200 GB cloud subscription for a limited time.
Pricing and availability
The Insta360 X4 Air is now available in Graphite Black and Arctic White from official offline and online retailers, including Shopee and Lazada. The Standard Bundle is priced at PhP 21,990. The Starter Bundle costs PhP 24,990 and includes a 114 cm Invisible Selfie Stick, Lens Cap, and an extra battery. Both bundles come with a complimentary one-year Insta360+ subscription for a limited time.
The company has expanded from seven to seventeen retail locations since June, adding stores in SM Dasmariñas, SM Lipa, SM Pampanga, SM Clark, Ayala Market!, Glorietta, SM Aura, Ayala Harbour Point, Marquee Mall, and SM La Union. Thirteen more branches are planned before the end of the year.
News
Samsung will reportedly delay Galaxy S26 launch to late February
The delay might be because of Galaxy AI.
January is always a month to remember because of Samsung. The smartphone brand usually launches the year’s Galaxy lineup. For example, the current Galaxy S25 series launched on January 22 this year. However, next year might be a different story. According to a new report, Samsung will hold its first Galaxy Unpacked event in late February.
Based on a report from the Korean outlet Money Today, Samsung is letting the Galaxy 26 series marinate a tiny bit more because of Galaxy AI. The brand is even hosting the event in San Francisco, the supposed center for AI technology.
The report also states that Samsung is evaluating its current lineup. This year, the brand launched the Galaxy S25 Edge. However, the new model’s sales have been reportedly lackluster, potentially prompting a return to the old model next year. The Galaxy S26 series might have the more traditional three-piece lineup consisting of the basic, the plus, and the ultra models.
Now, ahead of the new lineup’s launch, a lot of rumors are already going around about the Galaxy S26’s chipset. The brand is supposedly going all-in once again on Exynos. The upcoming Exynos 2600 can go up against Apple’s A19 Pro, if the reports are to be believed.
SEE ALSO: Samsung might bring a stronger Exynos to the Galaxy S26 series
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