Samsung Galaxy S21 series, Galaxy S24 FE receive One UI 7 update with Android 15

Samsung took a long time releasing the update to One UI 7, but it now finally seems to have resolved all the issues, and its rollouts are starting slightly ahead of schedule for many devices. Case in point: the Galaxy S21 series, which was supposed to get One UI 7 in May, but the update is already being sent out in Korea with the software version G99xNKSU8HYD9. 2021 S Series joins the One UI 7 party.‼️The Galaxy S21 Series begins receiving the One UI 7 update in Korea.Build Version: G991NKSU8HYD9/G991NOKR8HYD9/G991NKOU8HYD9 pic.twitter.com/QuzDqCEqDT— Tarun Vats (@tarunvats33) April 29,...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s21_series_galaxy_s24_fe_receive_one_ui_7_update_with_android_15-news-67586.php

Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 to launch early

Qualcomm unveiled the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset in October of last year, so you'd normally assume its successor, tentatively called Elite 2, would arrive this coming October. However, according to a rumor out of China, the next Elite will actually be announced in late September. Then, in October, we'll already see devices using it hitting the streets, at least in China. Previously, the Elite 2's AnTuTu benchmark score got leaked, suggesting some pretty healthy upgrades in performance compared to its predecessor, and then we heard that its GPU performance would be up by 30%, while...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/qualcomms_snapdragon_8_elite_2_to_launch_early-news-67576.php

CMF Phone 2 Pro in for review

This just in - the CMF Phone 2 Pro has arrived at HQ and joining our review queue! Nothing's CMF sub-brand's first Pro phone starts at €250/£220/₹19,000 for the 8/128GB model, and you can have double the storage for €280/£250/₹21,000. The 8/256GB variant will also be available in the US for $280 via the Beta Program. Ours is the Light Green color, though we'd argue it's more of a light blue, and it ships with a USB-C cable, a transparent case, and a SIM eject tool. The phone is light for its size, it's something you'll notice right away. It's likely to do with the materials used...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/cmf_phone_2_pro_in_for_review-news-67568.php

OnePlus Watch 3 goes back to a reasonable price in the US

The OnePlus Watch 3's launch has been anything but smooth so far. Announced in February, it immediately went up for pre-order with a February 25 shipping date, but its release then got derailed by the "Meda in China" typo on the back. OnePlus took a few weeks to fix that error and then it started offering the watch in the US again earlier this month, but for the ridiculous new price of $499.99 (vs. $329.99 when it was announced). We assumed this was OnePlus hedging against US tariffs on Chinese goods. A few weeks have now passed and it seems like OnePlus hasn't sold too many units...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/oneplus_watch_3_goes_back_to_a_reasonable_price_in_the_us-news-67572.php

nubia Z70S Ultra unveiled with larger 1/1.3" sensor and 6,600mAh battery

Late last year, ZTE launched the nubia Z70 Ultra, its Snapdragon 8 Elite powered camera phone. Now the company has cooked up an “S” upgrade with a larger image sensor in the 35mm main camera and a larger battery. Also new today is the nubia Tablet Pro – a flagship tablet with no 3D gimmicks. nubia Z70S Ultra The nubia Z70S Ultra arrives with a 50MP 1/1.3” OmniVision Light Fusion 900 sensor (sometimes translated as “Light Hunter”). The original Z70 Ultra had a smaller 1/1.56” sensor (Sony IMX906). The new camera changes to a fixed f/1.7 35mm lens, instead of the variable lens of the...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/nubia_z70s_ultra_unveiled_with_larger_1_13_sensor_and_6600mah_battery-news-67559.php

Canalys: China smartphone market grows in Q1, Xiaomi and Huawei lead the way

The Chinese smartphone market grew by 5% in Q1, 2025. A total of 70.9 million smartphones were shipped in the country during the January–March period, according to Canalys estimates, with Xiaomi and Huawei leading the way. Xiaomi saw an impressive 40% annual growth in shipment numbers and now controls 19% of the market. The brand expanded on its synergy between its ecosystem products and was also favored by China’s nationwide device subsidy program. China’s device subsidy program went into effect on January 8, 2025. The subsidy provides a one-time discount covering up to 15% of the...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/canalys_china_smartphone_market_grows_in_q1_xiaomi_and_huawei_lead_the_way_-news-67558.php