Tag: news

  • OnePlus Smartphone Prices Rise by ₹4,000 in India

    OnePlus Smartphones Get More Expensive in India With Price Hikes of Up to ₹4,000

    OnePlus has reportedly increased the prices of several smartphones in India. The latest revisions affect models across the company’s Nord and N series.

    The reported price increases come as smartphone brands face rising costs for memory components. Several manufacturers have already adjusted prices in response to higher component expenses.

    According to a report based on information from tipster Sanju Chaudhary, the latest OnePlus price revisions can reach ₹4,000.

    OnePlus Nord CE 6 Lite Gets the Biggest Increase

    The OnePlus Nord CE 6 Lite appears to have received the largest price revisions among the affected models.

    The 6GB RAM and 128GB storage version is now reportedly priced at ₹28,999. It was previously available for ₹25,999.

    The 8GB RAM and 128GB storage model has reportedly increased from ₹27,999 to ₹30,999. Meanwhile, the 8GB RAM and 256GB storage variant has moved from ₹30,999 to ₹34,999.

    This represents a price increase of up to ₹4,000 for the higher-storage configuration.

    OnePlus Nord 6 Price Increased

    The OnePlus Nord 6 has also reportedly become more expensive.

    The 8GB RAM and 256GB storage variant is now said to cost ₹46,999. Earlier, it was priced at ₹44,999.

    Similarly, the 12GB RAM and 256GB model has reportedly increased from ₹50,999 to ₹52,999.

    Both configurations have therefore received a ₹2,000 price increase.

    Nord CE 6 Also Gets a Price Revision

    The OnePlus Nord CE 6 is reportedly facing similar changes.

    The 6GB RAM and 128GB storage version has increased from ₹25,999 to ₹28,999. The 8GB RAM and 128GB model has moved from ₹27,999 to ₹30,999.

    The 8GB RAM and 256GB variant has reportedly received the biggest increase. Its price has risen from ₹30,999 to ₹34,999.

    OnePlus N6 and N6x Prices Revised

    The company’s N series has also been affected.

    The OnePlus N6 with 4GB RAM and 128GB storage is reportedly priced at ₹24,999. It previously cost ₹22,999.

    The 6GB RAM and 128GB configuration has increased from ₹24,999 to ₹26,999.

    The recently launched OnePlus N6x has also received a reported price adjustment. Its 4GB RAM and 64GB storage variant now costs ₹20,999, up from ₹18,999.

    Meanwhile, the 4GB RAM and 128GB storage model has reportedly increased from ₹20,999 to ₹22,999.

    Memory Costs Could Be Behind the Price Hikes

    The latest revisions come during a period of rising memory component prices. Smartphone manufacturers depend heavily on memory chips such as RAM and internal storage.

    When component costs increase significantly, brands can either absorb the additional expense or pass part of it to consumers.

    OnePlus appears to have joined several other smartphone companies that have recently revised prices across their portfolios.

    However, the company has not officially announced the latest price changes.

    New OnePlus Prices at a Glance

    SmartphonePrevious PriceReported New Price
    Nord 6 8GB + 256GB₹44,999₹46,999
    Nord 6 12GB + 256GB₹50,999₹52,999
    Nord CE 6 6GB + 128GB₹25,999₹28,999
    Nord CE 6 8GB + 128GB₹27,999₹30,999
    Nord CE 6 8GB + 256GB₹30,999₹34,999
    Nord CE 6 Lite 6GB + 128GB₹25,999₹28,999
    Nord CE 6 Lite 8GB + 128GB₹27,999₹30,999
    Nord CE 6 Lite 8GB + 256GB₹30,999₹34,999
    N6 4GB + 128GB₹22,999₹24,999
    N6 6GB + 128GB₹24,999₹26,999
    N6x 4GB + 64GB₹18,999₹20,999
    N6x 4GB + 128GB₹20,999₹22,999

    What This Means for Buyers

    The price changes could affect the value proposition of these smartphones. The impact is particularly noticeable in the Nord CE 6 and Nord CE 6 Lite lineups.

    Buyers planning to purchase these models may now need to consider competing smartphones in the same price segments.

    At the same time, existing OnePlus users should note that the reported revisions apply to the listed models and configurations.

    The price changes have reportedly appeared on the OnePlus India website. However, OnePlus has yet to provide a formal statement explaining the revisions.

    For now, buyers should check the latest official pricing before making a purchase, as promotional offers and retailer discounts may still affect the final transaction price.

  • OpenAI Unveils Ultrafast Mode for GPT-5.6 Sol

    OpenAI Launches Ultrafast Mode for GPT-5.6 Sol

    OpenAI introduced a new Ultrafast mode on Tuesday. The company released it as an early preview. This tier aims to cut the time GPT-5.6 Sol needs to finish tasks. It generates up to 750 output tokens per second.

    The ChatGPT maker claims Ultrafast mode runs GPT-5.6 Sol far quicker than standard processing. OpenAI is currently working with select customers. These partners are evaluating the new tier’s performance.

    In a blog post, OpenAI announced the early preview of Ultrafast. The new API service tier can run GPT-5.6 Sol up to 14 times faster than regular processing. Cerebras powers the GPT-5.6 Sol model in Ultrafast mode. The setup generates as many as 750 output tokens each second.

    This speed lets businesses create more responsive products. Companies can also make faster decisions and bring strong AI into demanding workflows. GPT-5.6 Sol on Ultrafast mode is available today in a limited preview. Only a select group of customers can access it now. OpenAI plans to expand access as capacity grows.

    The company highlighted several potential uses. These include real-time incident response, market signal analysis, transaction assessment, customer support, and live research. OpenAI is working with an initial group of customers. The goal is to learn where this speed creates the biggest difference. Those insights will help shape future products.

    OpenAI is testing the mode across coding, commerce, financial research, and customer support applications. Early trials show where a major jump in speed adds value to workflows. The company will use these findings to guide wider deployment as capacity increases.

    Internal developers are also testing GPT-5.6 Sol in Ultrafast mode. Teams use it for incident response. The mode reduces the delay between spotting a signal, testing a hypothesis, and choosing the next step. Staff further apply it to research tasks. These involve searching knowledge sources, querying data, and organising or summarising information across connected tools.

  • Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold: India’s Next-Gen Foldable Phone

    Google has launched the Pixel 11 Pro Fold in India. The company introduced its next-generation book-style foldable on Wednesday. The device arrived alongside the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and Pixel Watch 5. It is powered by Google’s new Tensor G6 chipset and comes with 512GB of storage.

    The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is priced at Rs 1,86,999 in India. It is available in a single configuration with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage. The foldable comes only in Olive colour. Pre-orders are open on Flipkart and the Google India online store.

    The phone ships with Android 17. Google promises seven years of operating system upgrades along with seven years of security and Pixel Drop updates. Inside, it features an 8-inch OLED Super Actua Flex display with a resolution of 2,076 x 2,152 pixels. The screen supports a 120Hz refresh rate, 372 ppi density, up to 3,600 nits peak brightness, and HDR.

    The cover display measures 6.5 inches with a resolution of 1,080 x 2,342 pixels. It offers the same peak brightness, refresh rate, colour support, and HDR capabilities as the inner screen. Ultra-thin glass protects the foldable display, while the cover screen uses ultra-durable ceramic glass. The device carries an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.

    Google’s Tensor G6 processor powers the phone, paired with the Titan M3 security coprocessor. The rear camera system includes a 48-megapixel main sensor with an f/1.7 aperture, a 10.5-megapixel ultrawide lens with a 127-degree field of view, and a 10.8-megapixel telephoto camera. The telephoto lens provides up to 5x optical zoom and 30x digital zoom.

    Two 10-megapixel cameras handle selfies and video calls. One sits on the cover display and the other on the inner screen. The phone can record video at up to 4K resolution and 60 frames per second.

    A 4,806mAh battery powers the device. Google claims it delivers more than 24 hours of use. The phone can charge from 0 to 50 percent in about 30 minutes with a 30W adapter. It also supports up to 25W wireless charging.

    Connectivity options include 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, NFC, and a USB Type-C port. The foldable has a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. When folded, it measures 155.2 x 76 x 10.1 mm. Unfolded, it measures 155.2 x 150.4 x 5 mm. The device weighs approximately 239 grams.

  • Dyson Launches Limited Edition Ceramic Khaki Airwrap i.d.

    Dyson has launched a new colour option for its Airwrap i.d. in India. The company introduced the limited-edition Ceramic Khaki variant as part of Raksha Bandhan celebrations. The multi-styler and dryer is now available on the official Dyson India website and in Dyson stores.

    The new colour option carries a price of Rs 49,900. It joins the existing shades of Vinca Blue/Topaz Orange, Copper and Ceramic Pink. These earlier versions have been on sale in India since their original launch.

    The Airwrap i.d. features Bluetooth connectivity. Users can create a personalised hair profile through the MyDyson app. The device then automatically dries, curls, waves, straightens, smooths or volumises hair with the press of a button.

    A high-speed pressure motor powers the tool. It spins at 110,000 revolutions per minute and delivers an airflow of 13.5 litres per second. The styler has a rated power consumption of 1,300 watts. Intelligent heat control keeps temperatures below 150 degrees Celsius. This design helps prevent extreme heat damage to hair.

    Dyson states that the Airwrap i.d. adapts heat, airflow and styling times to different hair types. It can also remember preferred settings for future use. The retail package includes several attachments. These are a Conical Airwrap barrel, a 40 mm Airwrap long barrel and an Anti-Snag Loop Brush. The box also contains a volumising brush, a Dryer+Flyaway smoother, a Fast Dryer and a filter cleaning brush.

    The complete device weighs approximately 0.59 kg. With the new Ceramic Khaki colour, Dyson expands the choices available to Indian buyers of its smart hair styler.

  • Moto Pad 70: Powerful Android Tablet Launch in India

    Motorola has launched the Moto Pad 70 in India. The Lenovo-owned brand introduces this new Android tablet with a 12.1-inch 2.5K display. It offers a 90Hz refresh rate and a large 10,200mAh battery. Moreover, the tablet supports 68W wired charging.

    A MediaTek Dimensity 6400 chipset powers the device. Motorola includes a Moto Pen in the box. The tablet also features quad speakers with Dolby Atmos and up to 256GB of onboard storage.

    The company promises operating system upgrades up to Android 18. Security updates will continue until 2030.

    Pricing starts at Rs. 33,999 for the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage model. The 8GB and 256GB version costs Rs. 36,999. Sales begin on August 15 through Flipkart and the Motorola India website. The tablet is available in a Pantone Sea Angel colour option.

    The Moto Pad 70 runs Android 16 out of the box. Its 12.1-inch IPS touchscreen delivers a 1,600 x 2,560-pixel resolution. The display covers 96 percent of the DCI-P3 colour gamut and supports a 90Hz refresh rate. Typical brightness reaches 600 nits, while High Brightness Mode goes up to 800 nits. In addition, the panel holds TÜV Rheinland certifications for flicker-free operation and low blue light.

    An octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 6400 processor with an Arm Mali-G57 MC2 GPU drives performance. The tablet pairs this chipset with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM. Storage options include 128GB or 256GB of UFS 2.2 memory. Users can expand storage up to 2TB through a microSD card.

    A 13-megapixel rear camera handles photography. An 8-megapixel front camera supports selfies and video calls. Four speakers tuned with Dolby Atmos deliver audio, supported by a dual-microphone system.

    The tablet integrates Google Gemini and offers AI features such as Circle to Search, AI summary, and AI Continue writing.

    Connectivity options include 5G, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.2, a USB-C port, and a pogo-pin connector. Sensors include an accelerometer, ambient light sensor, and Hall sensor. The device carries an IP52 rating for protection against dust and dripping water.

    Motorola bundles the Moto Pen, which provides 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity along with tilt detection and palm rejection. A Moto Folio Keyboard is also included. The 10,200mAh battery comes with a 68W power adapter for fast charging.

    The tablet measures 278.8 × 181.05 × 6.49 mm and weighs approximately 530 grams.

  • iQOO Z11 Launch in India: What to Expect

    iQOO will launch the Z11 in India on August 20. The Vivo sub-brand has shared key specifications of the upcoming Z series smartphone. Official teasers confirm that the Indian model will differ from the Chinese version.

    The new phone will succeed the iQOO Z10. That earlier model arrived in April last year with a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset.

    Latest teasers on X show that the iQOO Z11 will use the MediaTek Dimensity 7500 Turbo processor. This chipset includes MediaTek’s 8th-generation NPU for AI tasks. Moreover, iQOO claims the handset will be the first in India to feature this chipset.

    In contrast, the Chinese variant runs on a 4nm octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 8500 chipset.

    The iQOO Z11 will arrive in Aurora Green and Celestial Blue colour options. It will measure 7.99 mm in thickness and weigh 199 grams.

    The phone will go on sale in India through Amazon. Its release is scheduled for August 20.

    For reference, the Chinese version launched in March this year at a starting price of CNY 2,299. That model features a 6.83-inch AMOLED display with a refresh rate of up to 165Hz. It supports up to 16GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage.

    The dual rear camera setup includes a 50-megapixel main sensor and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. A 16-megapixel front camera handles selfies. In addition, the device uses a 7K Ice Dome VC liquid cooling system for thermal management.

    A large 9,020mAh battery powers the Chinese model and supports 90W fast charging. The phone also carries IP68 and IP69 dust and water resistance ratings.

    These details provide an early look at the Indian iQOO Z11 ahead of its August 20 launch.

  • Samsung Galaxy Fit 4 Launch Imminent: Details Inside

    Samsung Galaxy Fit 4 recently appeared in a US Federal Communications Commission certification listing. This development suggests that its launch may arrive soon. Meanwhile, Samsung appears to be developing another wearable. References to the new device have reportedly appeared in the Samsung Wearable app.

    The upcoming model is expected to sit between the Galaxy Fit 4 and the Galaxy Watch FE. It could help Samsung fill the gap in its wearable range between fitness bands and higher-end smartwatches.

    According to reports, Samsung is working on a wearable with the internal codename Galaxy Aero. The Galaxy Wearable app identifies it as “galaxy_rtos_watch.” Unlike Wear OS models, this device is expected to run on a real-time operating system. Such systems are commonly used in more affordable wearables.

    If launched, the Galaxy Aero will likely position itself between the Galaxy Fit 4 and Galaxy Watch FE. It is expected to include an accelerometer, gyroscope, and heart rate monitor. Moreover, the device should offer longer battery life than typical Wear OS watches.

    Samsung has not released a new fitness tracker since the Galaxy Fit 3 in 2024. The Galaxy Fit 4 now appears close to announcement. It was spotted in the FCC database under the model number SM-R391. The filing confirmed support for Bluetooth Low Energy.

    The Fit 4 is believed to use a Goodix GH3036 sensor module for heart rate monitoring and sleep tracking. It may also include a photoplethysmography sensor.

    For reference, the Galaxy Fit 3 launched in India in February 2024 at a starting price of Rs. 4,999. It featured a 1.6-inch display, 16MB of RAM, and 256MB of storage. The tracker offered more than 100 watch faces and carried an IP68 rating. Sensors tracked heart rate, stress levels, and blood oxygen levels.

    These developments indicate that Samsung is expanding its wearable options across different price and feature levels.

  • Spotify Launches Free Music Service in South Korea

    Spotify’s free music and podcasts service option is now available in South Korea. The audio streaming platform said this on Thursday. It looks to widen its audience base.

    The streaming giant’s freemium business model offers both a free, limited ad-supported service and an unlimited premium subscription service.

    Spotify said that the move will enable them to better connect global audience with Korean music, which includes K-pop.

    Users in South Korea can now sign-up for a free account. They can access Spotify’s playlists, podcasts, and daily mix among others. Additionally, they can choose to upgrade to premium on-demand, ad-free music.

    “Brands who advertise on Spotify’s free tier can deliver their message effectively. Spotify ads capture twice as much attention as social media platforms globally,” the company said.

    Spotify launched in South Korea in 2021. Since then, the average monthly streams of artists from the country on the platform now surpass 5.8 billion streams, Spotify said.

  • New Google Chat Updates: Video Messaging Features Explained

    Google has announced new Workspace updates for its messaging platform Google Chat. This platform is primarily available to all users via Gmail. These features include video messaging capability. They aim to improve communication between users. The features save time and make it more effective. The company also builds upon the voice messaging feature. It introduced this feature earlier this year on Google Chat. It takes it a step further with added capabilities.

    In a Workspace blog, Google highlighted the introduction of video messaging capability in Google Chat. They revealed some of its real-world use cases. The company says customer support or sales team members can use it for sharing video updates. These updates may be about new features or account changes. It can be useful for sharing company-wide updates. It can also serve as a proxy for a live meeting missed by members.

    This feature can be used in direct messages (DMs), group DMs, and spaces like any other chat message. You can interact with it by quoting, replying, or reacting. Messages sent or received will be stored in the Media section of the Shared tab.

  • Amazon MX Player: New Era of Ad-Supported Streaming

    Amazon has introduced its latest ad-supported video-on-demand service dubbed Amazon MX Player. It is the result of the merger of two OTT streaming services — MX Player and Amazon miniTV. Amazon says its new streaming platform will offer content across genres and languages. The company will continue to invest in original shows and films. Library of shows and films of both platforms will be available to viewers on Amazon’s latest streaming service.

    Amazon announced in a press release that the new video-streaming platform will offer hit shows. These include Aashram, Dharavi Bank, Campus Diaries, Bhaukaal, Raktanchal, Shiksha Mandal, Roohaniyat, and Jamnapaar. It will also feature a collection of Korean, Mandarin and Turkish shows dubbed in Hindi, Tamil and other Indian languages.

    Girish Prabhu, Head of Amazon Advertising India, made the announcement. He said, “Today we are bringing together the vast reach of MX Player. We are combining it with the advertising tech that leverages Amazon’s billions of customer signals. It’s about enabling all brands. This is not limited to those selling on Amazon. They can reach and deliver relevant advertising to a very large and engaged base across India.”

    The first mention of this deal surfaced in 2023. Reports indicated that Amazon entered into talks with the Tencent-backed firm. However, these talks fell through. Inc42 highlighted that this was an all-cash transaction. At the time, it was said that MX Player’s senior management would join Amazon following the completion of this deal.