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Oppo and Xiaomi have raised prices of selected phones and tablets in India. The increase reaches Rs 5,000 on some models. A tipster first shared the new figures. Independent checks then found the same rates on the companies’ India websites. Rising memory-chip costs sit behind this round of revisions. Neither brand had issued a formal public note at the time of writing.

The Oppo Find X9s takes the largest jump on this list. Both listed versions cost Rs 5,000 more than before. The 12 GB RAM and 256 GB storage model now stands at Rs 84,999. It earlier listed at Rs 79,999. Meanwhile, the 12 GB and 512 GB model moves from Rs 89,999 to Rs 94,999.

Xiaomi has also marked up the Pad 8. The 12 GB and 256 GB version now lists at Rs 46,999. That is Rs 3,000 above the previous Rs 43,999 tag. In addition, the Nano Texture edition rises from Rs 45,999 to Rs 48,999.

The Redmi Pad 2 sees smaller, across-the-board changes. Most variants cost Rs 1,000 more. The 4 GB and 128 GB Wi-Fi model goes from Rs 18,999 to Rs 19,999. Next, the 4 GB and 128 GB cellular model moves from Rs 19,999 to Rs 20,999. The 6 GB and 128 GB cellular version now costs Rs 23,999, up from Rs 22,999. After that, the 8 GB and 256 GB cellular model rises from Rs 24,999 to Rs 25,999.

The Redmi 15A is the budget phone in this set. All configurations named by the tipster carry a higher tag. The 4 GB and 64 GB model increases from Rs 15,999 to Rs 16,499. The 4 GB and 128 GB model increases from Rs 17,499 to Rs 18,499. Meanwhile, the 6 GB and 128 GB model now lists at Rs 20,499, up from Rs 19,499.

These products span flagship, mid-range, and entry segments. Therefore, the hike is not limited to one price band. Memory components have become more expensive worldwide. Phone and tablet makers often pass that cost to list prices when storage and RAM variants sit at the centre of the bill of materials. Shoppers should check the live listing before they buy. Promotions can still change the amount paid at checkout. Official comment from Oppo and Xiaomi was still pending when these prices appeared on their sites.

Karbonn may be preparing a return to the smartphone market. The company has not confirmed this officially. However, a new model named Karbonn ZenZ Pro has appeared on Geekbench. The listing gives an early look at possible hardware.

The Geekbench entry shows several test scores. The core specifications look similar across the listings. The phone appears with 6GB RAM. It also shows an octa-core MediaTek chipset.

In the tests, the device scored up to 422 points in the single-core run. It scored up to 1,525 points in the multi-core run. These figures offer only a limited performance hint. Final results may change before launch.

The listing indicates that the phone may ship with Android 16. It also shows at least 6GB of RAM. Other memory options could appear later. The chipset is listed as MediaTek MT6769V/CB. It has two cores at 2.00GHz and six cores at 1.70GHz. This points to the MediaTek Helio G70. A Mali-G52 MC2 GPU handles graphics.

The Geekbench appearance suggests Karbonn may plan a comeback in India. Still, the listing is not an official launch announcement. Therefore, the details should be treated as unconfirmed.

Karbonn currently sells entry-level feature phones, smartphones, tablets, smart TVs and accessories. The brand started in 2009 as a joint venture between New Delhi-based Jaina Group and Bengaluru-based UTL Group. It is headquartered in New Delhi.

A return to budget smartphones could increase competition in the segment. Fire-Boltt has already entered this space with its Boltt brand. Mivi is also reported to be working on its first smartphone. More official details from Karbonn will be needed before the ZenZ Pro can be confirmed.

Apple has announced several updates for Sneaky Sasquatch on Apple Arcade. New content will arrive over the coming weeks. A limited-time crossover with Subway Surfers+ is part of the plan. A separate birdwatching update will follow in September. Apple is also adding new Messages stickers to mark the game’s birthday.

The Subway Surfers+ crossover is available only on Apple Arcade until October 7. Players can unlock four character skins during the event. They can also unlock two hoverboards. The crossover includes a redesigned Subway Surfers+ level. The new stage draws inspiration from locations in Sasquatch Valley. Raccoon coins replace the usual gold coins. In addition, the security guard appears in a ranger outfit.

The birdwatching update will arrive on September 17. It will add more than 30 bird species to the game. Players can photograph the birds and take the pictures to the birder. That character will record the sightings in the game’s bird database.

The game will judge photos by composition and subject quality. Players can earn extra rewards for rare birds. They can also gain rewards for recording a species for the first time. Capturing several birds in one shot may bring further rewards. Therefore, birdwatching becomes another activity alongside skiing, custom car racing and doctor work.

Apple is also releasing 11 new Sneaky Sasquatch stickers in Messages. The designs mark the game’s birthday. They join an existing sticker pack with Sasquatch expressions and campground scenes.

Apple Arcade costs Rs. 99 per month in India. New users get a one-month free trial. Buyers of a new iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple TV can also receive three months free. The service is included with Apple One as well. The Individual plan costs Rs. 195 per month. The Family plan costs Rs. 365 per month. Both Apple One plans also offer a one-month free trial.

Apple has reportedly enabled the Transit feature in Apple Maps in India. Gadgets 360 independently confirmed the rollout.

Transit lets users get public transport directions. It shows departure times, connections, and fares for supported services. It also displays nearby departures and major transit lines.

Apple has not officially announced the India launch yet. The country still does not appear on Apple’s public list of regions where Transit is available.

A MacRumors contributing researcher first reported the change on X. Gadgets 360 then verified that the feature works in Apple Maps in India.

Users can view departure and arrival times along with connection details. In some regions, fare information also appears. Apple Maps can show service disruptions as well. It may display the real-time location of buses and trains.

The app can send alerts as users approach their stop. The Transit Nearby option lets people check nearby departures. Users can also plan trips around a chosen departure or arrival time. They can pin frequently used transit lines for quicker access. A dedicated Transit map mode highlights major lines.

In some regions, Transit payments work through Apple Pay. Users may add a compatible transit card to Apple Wallet or use the transport operator’s app, depending on the system.

At present, India remains absent from Apple’s official Transit availability page. However, independent checks confirm that the feature is already working in the country.

Earlier this year, iOS 27 also updated Apple Maps. The update improved the Flyover experience with aerial imagery and AI-based city views. Apple also added Local Lists in the United States to highlight restaurants and other local spots.

Apple is expected to launch the iPhone Ultra globally next month. The company may unveil it during its “Surprise and Shine” event. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max could appear at the same time.

Reports suggest the iPhone Ultra will be Apple’s first book-style foldable. It may also become the first iPhone to use the Ultra name.

Purported renders of the device have appeared online in recent weeks. These images show the foldable’s design and three colour options. One of the colours is a new red shade.

Tipster Evan Blass shared CAD-style renders on X. The images display the phone in black, red, and white. The red option resembles Apple’s earlier (Product)Red editions.

However, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman has rejected these claims. He stated that the renders do not show the iPhone Ultra. He also said the foldable will not come in red or green.

Despite the dispute over colours, the overall design in the images matches earlier leaks. The phone appears with a horizontal pill-shaped rear camera module. This module holds a dual-camera system and an LED flash.

The cover display looks flat and includes a centred hole-punch cutout. This opening may house the front camera. Two buttons sit on the top of the rear flap and could serve as volume controls. The power button is expected on the right side.

Apple is likely to hold the launch event on September 9 at 10 am PT, which is 10:30 pm IST. The company may also introduce AirPods 5 and the Apple Watch Series 12 alongside the new iPhones.

Instagram has launched a new tool called First Draft. This feature helps creators edit videos more easily inside the app.

It currently rolls out to selected devices. First Draft spots dull moments in a clip. Then it trims them out automatically.

As a result, creators can move past the initial editing stage faster. The tool creates a rough version of the video. Users can refine it later into a final draft.

Moreover, every edit remains reversible. Creators keep full control.

Meta, which owns Instagram, announced the feature on Tuesday. It is available first on the Instagram app for iOS.

The tool focuses on Reels. Users simply select one or more clips from their gallery. Next, they tap the First Draft button at the bottom of the screen.

First Draft then detects pauses, silences, and similar quiet moments. After that, it removes those sections. The result is a cleaner rough cut.

Creators can post the video right away if they like it. Alternatively, they can open the full editor for more changes. They may reorder clips, remove parts, adjust timing, or start over completely.

In addition, the feature works with different video styles. These include talking-head clips, multi-clip montages, and day-in-the-life videos.

Users can also access First Draft after recording a new clip in the camera. They just tap the same button once the recording ends.

Xiaomi Launches Mijia Smart Air Purifiers in India

Xiaomi has launched two new air purifiers in India. These are the Mijia Smart Air Purifier 6 and the Mijia Smart Air Purifier 4 Compact. They mark the first products under the company’s Mijia smart home sub-brand in the country. Xiaomi has also brought back the Xiaomi Smart Air Purifier 4 Lite. The new models target different room sizes. They offer multi-stage filtration, air-quality monitoring, and app-based controls. The Mijia Smart Air Purifier 6 suits larger spaces. The 4 Compact is designed for smaller rooms.

The Mijia Smart Air Purifier 6 is priced at Rs. 19,999 in India. The Mijia Smart Air Purifier 4 Compact costs Rs. 7,999. Xiaomi is reintroducing the Smart Air Purifier 4 Lite at Rs. 12,999. All three models will become available from September 2. Customers can buy them on the Xiaomi India website, Amazon, Flipkart, Blinkit, Xiaomi Retail, and Xiaomi Exclusive stores.

The Mijia Smart Air Purifier 6 covers areas up to 940 square feet based on two air changes per hour. It delivers a Particle CADR of 443 cubic metres per hour. Its Formaldehyde CADR reaches 218 cubic metres per hour. Xiaomi states that the unit can circulate clean air in a 108 square foot room in about 3.5 minutes under test conditions.

The purifier uses a five-stage PentaClean system. This combines filtration, activated carbon, UV-C light, and negative ion technology. It targets dust, pollen, pet dander, smoke, and formaldehyde. A large colour display shows PM2.5 and PM1 levels along with temperature, humidity, and air-quality data. Sleep Mode operates at around 32dB(A). The UV-C LED works inside the unit and along the airflow path. The negative ion function stays on by default and can be turned off through the Xiaomi Home app.

The Mijia Smart Air Purifier 4 Compact is designed for spaces larger than 400 square feet. It uses a 3-in-1 filtration system that captures 99.97 percent of particles as small as 0.3 microns. The system targets dust, pollen, smoke, pet hair, and pet dander. The purifier carries TÜV Rheinland Allergy Care Certification.

A four-colour air-quality indicator shows current conditions. Green signals good air quality. Yellow, orange, and red indicate rising pollution levels. Auto Mode adjusts purification based on detected air quality. Sleep and Manual modes offer additional options. The unit weighs 2.2 kg and can sit on a desk, side table, or floor. Sleep Mode runs at 20dB and turns off the display. Continuous operation at maximum power for 24 hours uses around 0.65 kWh of electricity.

Both Mijia models work with the Xiaomi Home app. Users can control the devices remotely, monitor air quality, adjust settings, and set schedules. They also support Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice commands.

Xiaomi is also reintroducing the Smart Air Purifier 4 Lite, first launched in 2023. It offers a Particle CADR of up to 360 cubic metres per hour. The unit covers 269 to 463 square feet. It uses a three-layer filtration system with a primary filter, high-efficiency filter, and activated carbon. The purifier carries TÜV Rheinland Allergy Care Certification. Night Mode operates at 33.4dB(A). It provides real-time air-quality monitoring and supports the Xiaomi Home app.

Vivo Announces V80 Lite 5G in Pakistan

Vivo has announced the V80 Lite 5G in Pakistan. The phone is expected to arrive in India next month. It appears very similar to the Vivo S2 launched in India earlier this month. The device comes in two familiar finishes. It features a curved-edge display and a high-capacity battery. The design remains thin and light. Like the Vivo S2, it targets the mid-range segment.

In Pakistan, the Vivo V80 Lite 5G starts at PKR 1,24,999. This equals about Rs. 43,000 for the 8GB + 128GB variant. The 8GB + 256GB version costs PKR 1,45,999, or roughly Rs. 50,000. Unlike the Vivo S2 in India, this model offers only two finishes. Buyers can choose Sapphire Blue or Silk White.

The phone uses a slim, curved-edge design. Curved glass protects the front. A polycarbonate panel covers the rear. Vivo rates the device IP68 and IP69 for durability. It measures 164.42 × 75.25 × 7.99 mm. The weight stands at 197 grams. The Silk White version weighs 199 grams.

A 6.83-inch 120Hz AMOLED panel sits on the front. It offers a resolution of 2,800 x 1,260 pixels and 449 PPI. Local peak brightness reaches 3,000 nits. Inside, a 4nm MediaTek Dimensity 7360-Turbo processor runs at up to 2.5GHz. The phone pairs 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM with 128GB or 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage.

The rear camera system includes a 50-megapixel primary sensor. A 2-megapixel depth camera supports Portrait mode. A 32-megapixel hole-punch camera handles selfies. A 7,050 mAh Li-ion battery powers the device. It supports 44W charging with the bundled charger.

Connectivity options include Wi-Fi on 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. Bluetooth 5.4 is also present. A USB Type-C port with USB 2.0 support is available. The phone works with GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou satellite systems.