India
Xiaomi’s new Redmi Note 9 series now official
Quality specs for less, as usual
Xiaomi just announced a new addition to their Redmi Note series: the Redmi Note 9 Pro. Since they aim to fuel technological development and adoption in India in particular, the Redmi Note 9 Pro series brings support for ISRO’s indigenously developed navigation system: NavIC.
Redmi Note 9 Pro Max
For the first time, Xiaomi India’s best-selling series Redmi Note introduces a Pro Max variant. This variant features the improved “Aura Balance” design with a 16.9-centimeter FHD+ Dot Display. This Cinematic 20:9 screen and the in-display front camera brings an immersive experience through maximized display size. It’s no surprise that this is Redmi’s largest ever display on a smartphone.
The camera
Display aside, the phone features a quad rear camera setup that fits snugly on the glass back. The quad rear set-up consists of a 64MP Samsung ISOCELL Bright GW1 camera, an 8MP ultra-wide camera, a 5MP macro camera, and a 2MP depth sensor. Xiaomi claims the square design allows a more consistent field-of-view, decreasing the inconsistent shifting of focus when switching lenses.
Meanwhile, the front has a 32MP in-display camera that enables high quality photography, videography and AI Face Unlock while keeping the display undisturbed.
What’s inside
The Redmi Note 9 Pro Max has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G coupled with the Adreno 618 GPU clocked at 750MHz. To further improve performance, Xiaomi partnered with ISRO and Qualcomm Technologies to innovate and pioneer navigational tech bringing both NavIC and Qualcomm Snapdragon together. NavIC is ISRO’s indigenous navigation system, which allows lesser Time To Fix (TTF) and better accuracy across India and 1500km around the Indian subcontinent.
The phone features the first of it’s series category to be decked out with a Z-axis linear vibration motor. The Z-axis linear motor enables flagship-like haptic experience, giving users an accurate reading of their location when on Google Maps and motion control gameplay.
Battery
Now, begs the question: how long can it last? The Redmi Note 9 Pro Max can take a beating for more than just a day with it’s 5020mAh battery while maintaining a slim profile.
Redmi Note 9 Pro
The Redmi Note 9 Pro, of course like the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max, gets decked out with latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G. And, like the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max, it also brings support for NavIC.
The Redmi Note 9 Pro also has a quad rear camera set-up composed of: a 48MP Samsung ISOCELL Bright GM2 camera, an 8MP ultra-wide angle camera, a 5MP macro lens, and a 2MP depth sensor. For selfie lovers, the phone has a 16MP front camera.
As for the battery, the phone has a 5020mAh battery that can take more than a day of non-stop use.
Availability
Redmi Note 9 Pro Max will be available in three color variants: Interstellar Black, Aurora Blue and Glacier White in INR 14,999 (US$ 202) to INR 16,999 (US$ 229) — depending on storage. It will be available on mi.com, Amazon India, Mi Homes, and Mi Studios starting 25th March.
Redmi Note 9 Pro will be available in three color variants: Interstellar Black, Aurora Blue and Glacier White for INR 12,999 (US$ 175) to INR 15,999 (US$ 215) on mi.com, Amazon India, Mi Homes and Mi Studios starting 17th March.
Both the devices will be available across all offline partner stores soon.
India
TECNO’s POVA 8 5G is both futuristic and future-ready
8000mAh battery, Sony LYTIA 600 camera, Alive Matrix display, and more
Four months after the POVA Curve 2 5G, TECNO adds the POVA 8 5G to their performance-focused arsenal.
Futuristic vibe
TECNO’s POVA 8 5G continues the series’ signature sci-fi-inspired design language. The latest smartphone features sharp geometric elements and a semi-transparent rear panel.
One of its standout features is none other than the new Alive Matrix Display. It’s a customizable light panel on the back that can display 49 pre-loaded lighting effects for incoming calls, notifications, charging status, gaming sessions, and more. Prospective users can also personalize scenarios to match their style and could actually store many more customized effects aside from the pre-loaded ones.
Beside that LED display lies the 50MP main rear camera based on Sony’s LYTIA 600 (or LYT-600) sensor. The said sensor offers improved light capture for brighter and more detailed photos. It also supports 2x lossless zoom. Up front, you’ll get a 13MP front-facing shooter.
Powering the device is MediaTek’s Dimensity 7100 SoC. That’s paired together with TECNO’s in-house G1 Signal Enhancement Chip and SE1 Wi-Fi Enhancement Chip — making it a triple chipset smartphone.
TECNO says these chips help improve connectivity in challenging environments such as elevators and basements while boosting Wi-Fi reception.
The phone also features a 144Hz display with TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification and military-grade durability.
Last but definitely not the least, its 8000mAh battery that can last as much as two days. For some measure, TECNO says the phone can last up to 85+ hours of music playback, 29+ hours of YouTube streaming, 26+ hours of WhatsApp, or 14+ hours of playing Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB).
Future-ready
Aside from the beastly battery packed inside, TECNO is also bringing several practical AI tools to the POVA 8 5G.
Among them is AI YouTube Summary. This turns lengthy videos into concise notes with key points and timestamps. The device also features AI-powered noise cancellation that helps isolate the speaker’s voice during calls, recordings, and meetings.
For photography, AI LightMaster 2.0 can remove unwanted reflections, lens flare, and shadows. The phone also supports uploading Live Photos directly to Instagram as Boomerang.
In select markets, users can even access AI Health features that estimate metrics such as heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and respiration through facial scanning technology.
Further solidifying its future readiness, TECNO promises two major Android OS upgrades and three years of security updates.
The company is also bundling three years of FREE 256GB cloud storage for POVA 8 5G users. Eligible markets can also receive a 3-month Google AI Plus trial which includes 2TB of cloud storage.
Pricing and Availability
The TECNO POVA 8 5G debuts first in India and is available in 16-Bit White, Terminal Green, and Plasma Orange colorways.
UPDATE: In India, the POVA 8 5G is currently offered in 6+128GB and 8+128GB configurations for INR 29,999 and INR 31,999 respectively.
Specific pricing and availability in global markets are yet to follow along these four color choices: Arc White, Graphite Black, Echo Green, and Helios Orange.
India
Nothing opens first India store in Bengaluru
New retail space blends self-expression, creator culture, and community play.
Nothing has officially opened its first India store in Bengaluru, marking a major step in the brand’s global retail expansion.
Located in Indiranagar, Nothing Store Bengaluru spans 5,032 square feet across two floors. The space draws inspiration from 1970s assembly lines and workshops, translating Nothing’s rebellious design language into an interactive, hands-on environment built for the local community.
The store puts self-expression at its core. It is the only Nothing location worldwide where customers can personalise their products. A dedicated studio also supports creator unboxings and hands-on content, reinforcing the brand’s focus on co-creation.
The space includes a community hangout zone for events and meetups, alongside playful elements such as vending machines, claw games, and conveyor-belt displays. An in-house coffee shop, seating areas, and workshop spaces position the store as a cultural hub rather than a traditional retail outlet.
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Nothing and CMF products are available in store, alongside official Nothing merchandise. The brand says the location will evolve over time through collaborations, workshops, and limited-run installations by local creators, reflecting the rhythm and voices of the city.
Bengaluru was chosen for its role as India’s innovation capital and its community of early adopters, creators, and cultural tastemakers. Indiranagar’s creative energy and lifestyle focus made it a natural home for Nothing’s first physical store in the country.
The Bengaluru opening builds on Nothing’s first store in Soho. The company has confirmed plans to open additional locations in New York and Japan.
Nothing Store Bengaluru opens on February 14, 2026, at 12:00 PM IST. It is located at 660/1, 100 Feet Road, 1st Stage, Indiranagar, Bengaluru. Regular store hours are 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily.
India
TECNO POVA Curve 2 5G packs an 8000mAh battery
The brand’s biggest battery in a smartphone yet
This 2026, TECNO is refreshing its performance-focused POVA lineup by adding a new member in it.
Big power without the bulk
Despite its slim and curved 7.42mm design (and weight of only 195g), the POVA Curve 2 5G arrives with TECNO’s largest battery yet — 8000mAh battery to be precise.
TECNO says the battery is TÜV SÜD-certified for long lifespan and is engineered to last up to six years. It’s also rated to operate in extreme temperatures ranging between as hot as 60°C (140ºF) or as cold as -20ºC (-4ºF).
If you’re already in a pinch, there’s the 45W fast charging with Bypass charging support in tow.
Durability was not compromised as it has a Corning Gorilla Glass 7i Front Glass protection, IP64 water and dust resistance rating, even SGS-certification for 1.5m drop protection.
Speaking of front, it features a curved 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate. Beneath that glass lies MediaTek’s Dimensity 7100 5G SoC.
On the software side, it runs the latest HiOS 16 (based on Android 16) with integrated AI tools in mind. That means AI-powered content summaries, writing assistance, call noise reduction, and automatic photo enhancements.
TECNO’s Ella AI Assistant has also been improved with more personalized interactions across the system. One-tap FlashMemo also exists for instantly capturing on-screen information. Moreover, Mind Hub organizes notes and AI-generated content in one place.
Lastly, connectivity gets a boost, too. With POVA Curve 2 5G’s dual-signal enhancement, it has an improved cellular and Wi-Fi performance in crowded or weak-signal environments. Interestingly, it also supports offline voice, text, and image communication up to 1.5km in open areas.
With all these in mind, TECNO promises two major Android OS upgrades.
Pricing and Availability
The TECNO POVA Curve 2 5G comes in three colorways: Melting Silver, Storm Titanium, and Mystic Purple.
It launches first in India this February 2026. Pricing is between INR 31,999 and INR 34,999 for the 8+128GB and 8+256GB configurations respectively.
It will also make an appearance at MWC 2026 this upcoming March 2 until March 5, 2026.
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