In an unexpected move, Google has announced that it will unveil its Pixel 9 series on August 13, much earlier than its traditional October schedule. This year's lineup will expand to include three phones for the first time, promising an exciting mid-summer debut that breaks from the company’s typical autumn release cycle.
OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite Launches with Impressive Specs and Affordable Pricing
OnePlus has officially launched the Nord CE4 Lite, a new budget-friendly smartphone that packs a punch with its features. It boasts a 6.67-inch 120Hz OLED display and is powered by the Snapdragon 695 SoC. This versatile device includes a 5,500mAh battery for the Indian market, with a slightly smaller 5,110mAh battery for global versions. Despite the large battery, charging remains efficient at 80W, achieving a full charge in about 52 minutes for the larger capacity model.
The Nord CE4 Lite also offers practical features such as a microSD slot, a 3.5mm headphone jack, stereo speakers with 300% Ultra Volume Mode, and 5W reverse charging. Pre-orders for the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite have started in Europe, priced at €330 for the 8/256GB configuration, with an early bird deal bringing the price down to €280. In India, open sales began on June 27, with the base 8/128GB model retailing at ₹21,000.
Vivo Y28s: A New Entry-Level 5G Contender
Vivo has introduced the Y28s, a 5G smartphone featuring a 6.56-inch HD+ 90Hz LCD display and powered by the Dimensity 6300 SoC with 8GB of RAM. The device is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery and has an IP64 rating for dust and water resistance. The Y28s will be available in Mocha Brown and Twinkling Purple, though pricing and availability details are still under wraps.
OnePlus Ace 3 Pro: Performance Meets Durability
Adding to the excitement, OnePlus has also announced the Ace 3 Pro. This high-performance phone is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and offers up to 24GB of RAM. Its standout feature is a 6,100mAh battery supported by OnePlus’ new Glacier Battery technology, promising higher energy density and efficiency. The Ace 3 Pro comes in Porcelain White, Green Field, and Titanium Silver, starting at CNY 3,199 (approximately $440) for the 12/256GB model.
Motorola S50 Neo / Moto G85: A New Mid-Range Entry
Motorola has launched the S50 Neo in China, which will be known as the Moto G85 in Europe. This mid-range smartphone features a Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 processor, a 6.7-inch curved pOLED display with FHD+ 120Hz resolution, and a 5,000mAh battery with 30W charging. It’s designed to offer a balanced mix of performance and affordability.
Redmi Note 14 Pro: A Change in Camera Strategy
The upcoming Redmi Note 14 Pro is rumored to forego the 200MP camera found in its predecessor, opting instead for a 50MP sensor. The device is expected to feature a "1.5K" resolution screen, similar to the Note 13 Pro, focusing on delivering a quality camera experience with a more sensible sensor size.
Samsung’s Potential Chip Strategy for Galaxy S25
In a surprising development, rumors from South Korea suggest that Samsung might diversify its chipset offerings for the Galaxy S25 series, set to launch in January next year. The company is reportedly considering using MediaTek Dimensity chips (potentially the Dimensity 9400) alongside Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 and its own Exynos 2500 chips. This move could result in the Galaxy S25 lineup featuring three different processors across various markets.
Other Notable Mentions
- CMF Phone 1: Teasers hint at a removable back plate, which could appeal to users who miss customizable hardware.
- Reliance Jio: Announces JioTranslate and JioSafe services for users in India, enhancing language translation and safety features.
This week has been packed with smartphone announcements and strategic moves, highlighting a vibrant and competitive landscape in the tech world. From Google’s surprising Pixel event to Samsung’s potential chipset diversification, the coming months promise to be exciting for tech enthusiasts and consumers alike.