Category: mobiles

Google on Tuesday rolled out the March Pixel Drop for compatible Pixel devices. As per the company, it is the first Pixel Drop of the year which introduces several new features. Gemini Live, the conversational artificial intelligence (AI) tool can now be spoken to in a combination of 45 languages. Further, there’s a new Suggestions feature in the Pixel Screenshots app, which as the name suggests, provides users with recommendations about the screenshots which they can add to their collection.

The quarterly update also includes additions to Pixel Studio, Pixel AI weather reports, Pixel Recorder, and Satellite SOS.

Pixel Drop for March: New Features

In a blog post, Google highlighted the new features arriving exclusively on Pixel devices as part of the March Pixel Drop. The company says Gemini Live gets enhanced conversation capabilities with expanded language support, enabling users to converse in a combination of over 45 languages without fidgeting with the settings. The conversational AI tool’s multimodal capabilities, which was introduced with the Pixel 9 series, is expanding to Pixel 6 and newer and Pixel Fold devices with the update. Users will be able to add images, files and YouTube videos to enhance search.

And in the coming weeks, Google will also roll out the ability to have conversations with Gemini Live via live video or screen sharing, leveraging Gemini Advanced.

In addition to suggestions, the Pixel Screenshots app is said to get support for work profiles. Meanwhile, users will be able to create unique images of people to share with their friends and family using simple text-based descriptions in Pixel Studio. Another new feature is Connected Cameras. As per Google, it lets Pixel users connect their phones to another camera, be it a GoPro or another Pixel device. All of their cameras can then be used to stream on social media platforms from different angles.

With the March Pixel Drop, Google will expand the availability of Pixel Screenshots, Pixel Studio, Pixel AI weather reports and Pollen tracker in the Weather app to Japan and Germany. Japanese speakers can now also access AI-powered summaries in the Recorder app.

Another key addition with the quarterly update is Scam Detection in Messages on Pixel. The feature leverages on-device AI to analyse conversational text patterns, identify and flag those associated with scams, and provide users with a warning in real-time. Further, the company is also expanding Satellite SOS to Hawaii, Alaska, Europe and Canada, enabling users to contact emergency services in dire situations where cellular or Wi-Fi networks are unavailable.

Google says Pixel users can now use Find My Device network to share their live location with their family and friends for keeping a track of them when on the move. Meanwhile, the Dual Screen Preview feature on the Pixel Fold supports video recording too. As per the company, Pixel 9 Pro Fold users can now take advantage of Add Me with Dual Screen Preview features.

Pixel Watch Updates

Google’s Loss of Pulse Detection feature, introduced with the Pixel Watch 3, is said to have received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance in the US and thus, will be rolling out to users beginning at the end of this month. The company says this feature can detect the lack of a pulse due to various factors such as pulmonary cardiac arrest, respiratory or circulatory failure, overdose or poisoning, and automatically contact emergency services on the wearer’s behalf.

Meanwhile, the update also adds on-device menstrual tracking to Pixel Watch 3. The smartwatch is also said to benefit from more precise step tracking which can detect when a user deviates from their typical walking pattern. Further, the Auto-bedtime Mode, launched with Pixel Watch 3, is now expanding to Pixel Watch 2.

Tecno unveiled its Camon 40 series of smartphones at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 in Barcelona. The lineup includes the Tecno Camon 40, Camon 40 Pro, Camon 40 Pro 5G, and Camon 40 Premier 5G. The phones come with a new One-Tap Button and 50-megapixel selfie shooters. They are equipped with Tecno AI, which includes several AI-backed imaging and productivity features. The handsets are expected to be available for purchase in select global markets soon.

Tecno Camon 40 Series Unveiled

In a press release, the company confirmed that the Tecno Camon 40 series phones are equipped with MediaTek Dimensity Ultimate processors. The Tecno Camon 40 Premier 5G is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Ultimate AI SoC. It is said to be the first ever handset to get this chipset. The series supports 12GB of RAM and 256GB of onboard storage,

The Tecno Camon 40 Premier 5G, along with the Camon 40 Pro and Camon 40 Pro 5G handsets, arrives with Corning Gorilla Glass 7i protection. They are claimed to meet the IP68 and IP69 dust and water resistance ratings. They carry TÜV Rheinland certifications and are said to offer 72-month lag-free performance. Meanwhile, the vanilla Tecno Camon 40 is said to get an IP66-rated build against dust and water ingress.

All variants of the Tecno Camon 40 series have AMOLED displays. They also carry stereo dual speaker units with Dolby Atmos audio. The top-of-the-line Premier 5G variant is backed by a 5,100mAh battery with 70W wired fast charging support. For optics, all handsets are equipped with 50-megapixel selfie shooters. The One-Tap Button paired with the AI-backed FlashSnap mode allows users to capture images instantly, without considerable lags. 

The Tecno Camon 40 Premier 5G, with a swan-neck curve design, comes with a 50-megapixel Sony LYT-701 sensor, which is said to collect 56.25 percent more light than other competing sensors, ensuring better night photography results. The handset’s camera setup includes a 50-megapixel ultrawide angle shooter and a 50-megapixel periscope telephoto camera at the back. It has a 50-megapixel front camera sensor with auto focus for selfies and video calls as well. It can capture 4K 60fps Pre-ISP videos at night or in low light conditions thanks to an “independent imaging chip.”

The AI features in the Tecno Camon 40 series phones include AI Eraser 2.0, AIGC Portrait 2.0, AI Perfect Face, AI Sharpness Plus, AI Image Extender, Universal Tone, AI Writing, and AI Translate. The Ella AI Assistant is said to help users with scheduling, navigation, and image recognition. The handsets support Google’s Circle to Search feature and an AI Call Assistant with Call Translation and Call Summary tools. 

The company has not yet revealed the price and availability details for the Tecno Camon 40 series handsets. However, their other key specifications are expected to be revealed soon.

Realme 14 Pro Lite 5G was launched in India on Tuesday. The handset is equipped with a Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset, a 5,200mAh battery and a HyperImage+ camera setup. It carries a 50-megapixel main camera sensor and a 32-megapixel selfie shooter. It is said to sport a Sunrise Halo design and has a shining frost glass finish. The phone joins the Realme 14 Pro 5G and Realme 14 Pro+ 5G variants, which were unveiled in the country in January.

Realme 14 Pro Lite 5G Price in India, Availability

Realme 14 Pro Lite 5G price in India starts at Rs. 21,999 for the 8GB + 128GB option, while the 256GB variant costs Rs. 23,999. It is offered in Glass Gold and Glass Purple colourways. The phone is available for purchase in the country via Flipkart and the Realme India e-store. 

Realme 14 Pro Lite 5G Features, Specifications

The Realme 14 Pro Lite 5G sports a 6.7-inch full-HD+ (1,080×2,412 pixels) curved OLED screen with up to 120Hz refresh rate, a 240Hz touch sampling rate, a 2,160Hz PWM dimming rate, a 2,000nits of local peak brightness level and Corning Gorilla Glass 7i protection. The phone is powered by a Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 SoC paired with 8GB RAM and up to 256GB of onboard storage. It ships with Android 14-based Realme UI 5.0.

In the camera department, the Realme 14 Pro Lite 5G gets a 50-megapixel 1/1.95-inch Sony LYT-600 with an f/1.88 aperture and optical image stabilisation (OIS) support alongside an 8-megapixel ultrawide angle shooter. The front camera has a 32-megapixel sensor for selfies and video calls. It is equipped with AI-backed imaging features like Ultra Clarity, Smart Removal and Best Face.

The Realme 14 Pro Lite 5G packs a 5,200mAh battery with 45W wired SuperVOOC charging. Connectivity options include 5G, 4G, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS, and a USB Type-C 2.0 port. For security, the phone has an in-display fingerprint sensor. The handset has an IP65-rated build for dust and splash resistance. It measures 161.34×73.91×8.23mm in size and weighs about 188g.

Xiaomi has pulled the curtains from its all-new 15 series ahead of MWC 2025, which kicks off in Barcelona on Monday. The latest 15 series comprises the compact Xiaomi 15, the successor to the 14 and the big boy, 15 Ultra – the company’s ‘pinnacle’ camera smartphone. As expected, both the phones come with Leica-tuned cameras. The partnership between Xiaomi and Leica for imagery technology has entered its fourth year, and we hope to see more camera-focused premium smartphones in the future. So far, companies have developed 21 products jointly covering five regions and 100 countries.

We do not know the India pricing yet and will have to wait until March 11, when Xiaomi reveals prices for the 15 series. In Europe, the Xiaomi 15 starts at EUR 999 (roughly Rs. 91,000), and the 15 Ultra price is set at EUR 1,499 (roughly Rs. 1,36,000). Considering these are successors to the 14 series, we expect both these phones to be available in more or less the same ballpark figure.

Xiaomi 15: Brings Snapdragon Elite SoC to a compact form factor

Xiaomi 15 brings back the familiar compact form factor from its predecessor, Xiaomi 14. And, mind you, that’s one of the biggest highlights of the 15. The form factor is such that you can hold it easily in just one hand, and it’s incredibly light, as it weighs under 200 grams and measures 8.08mm thick. It sports an aerospace-grade aluminium frame that wraps around the Xiaomi 15. The smooth edges sit well in your palms, giving an incredible hand feel, and a unibody design adds to the overall character of the compact device. The camera deco is again something that will remind you of the 14. The weight distribution is also balanced, but more on that as I spend more time with the device.

Xiaomi 15 features a 6.36-inch AMOLED display with 3200nits peak brightness and 120Hz refresh rate

It gets the proper suite of features you expect from a modern-day flagship, including an IP68 rating. The 15 comes in three subtle colours this year – Black, Green, and White. I got the White one which looks elegant. The 6.36-inch screen with ultra-thin bezels offers more screen space, and it looked bright enough in the limited time I spent with the 15. The Xiaomi 15 finally gets the Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, which seemed snappy in my initial use. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite powers it, so we can expect it to offer flagship-grade performance credentials. However, I will reserve any verdict regarding display and performance for the review.

Xiaomi 15 main camera samples (tap to expand)

The camera is one of the highlights of the Xiaomi 15, and it sports a triple camera setup featuring a 50-megapixel Light Fusion 900 image sensor with f/1.62 aperture and OIS, a 50-megapixel 60mm floating telephoto sensor, and a 50-megapixel ultra-wide camera with 115-degree field of view. The camera app is the same as last year, with updates like an all-new Sunset Portrait mode added this year, which looked interesting during the keynote announcement. The initial camera test gave me some amazing-looking shots.

At the front, there’s the 32-megapixel selfie sensor. The battery department probably has the biggest update as it packs a bigger battery than its predecessor, 14. The 15 packs a 5240mAh battery with 90W HyperCharge support. A more in-depth take on the camera and battery in our review.

It packs a 5240mAh battery

Of course, we are in 2025 and won’t have a product launch event without AI. Xiaomi 15 packs a suite of AI features, which I will break down in my review. The best news is that Google Gemini comes integrated with Xiaomi 15, which expands the horizon for users. There’s Xiaomi HyperOS 2 based on Android 15 onboard.

Overall, the Xiaomi 15 looks like a great upgrade over the Xiaomi 14, but we will reserve our verdict for the review, so stay tuned.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra: Camera Beast

Now, jumping to the beast of a device – Xiaomi 15 Ultra, a smartphone built for professional photographers. Yes, consider this one going up against the likes of Vivo X200 Pro. The 14 Ultra was the first Ultra device from Xiaomi that went global, and now, the 15 Ultra is its successor this year. The company’s intentions are clear: not to miss the ultra-premium audience.

It comes in a single 16GB and 512GB storage model

Starting with the design, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra’s colour and design are inspired by the traditional professional camera and use materials like aerospace-grade glass fibre. It has small elements like an Ultra watermark just above the camera housing. The camera deco has been integrated into the back of the device, giving it a more seamless look and feel.

Compared to the 14 Ultra, the 15 Ultra rear camera housing is bigger, and the phone comes in Silver Chrome, White, and Black colours. I got the Silver Chrome, which feels like the best colour variant this year. The phone gets an IP68 rating.

It features a 6.73-inch WQHD AMOLED display with 3200nits peak brightness, 120Hz refresh rate and 522PPI pixel density

Xiaomi 15 Ultra has four-sided symmetrical curved glass for a more comfortable in-hand feel. At 229 grams, the phone is on the heavier side. It features a 6.73-inch WQHD+ AMOLED display with 3200nits peak brightness, 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision. In my limited time with the device, this is among the best displays I have ever seen on any Xiaomi phone. But I will reserve that submission until I can test the phone more. The hand feel of the smartphone is solid, and I was more comfortable using it without snapping a case on top. The 15 Ultra will come in a single 16GB and 512GB storage variant in India. With Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC under the hood, the 15 Ultra joins the elite club of flagship phones for performance credentials. In my initial time, the phone handled almost everything smoothly and quickly opened apps. The multitasking worked like a breeze. For the battery department, Xiaomi has fitted in a 5410mAh battery and supports 90W HyperCharge wired and 80W wireless HyperCharge. Again, I will reserve my verdict for our review.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra main camera samples (tap to expand)

Now, the fun part comes – cameras! It has a four-camera setup with a 50-megapixel primary sensor, a 200-megapixel telephoto sensor, a 50-megapixel floating telephoto sensor, and a 50-megapixel ultra-wide sensor. Of course, the 15 Ultra has a regular suite of Leica styles that enhance the overall experience. This one also gets the 1-inch sensor and f/1.63 aperture. There’s a 32-megapixel selfie camera. In my limited time with the device, the 15 Ultra looks like a fantastic successor to the 14 Ultra in terms of camera upgrades. But I will be able to break it down more in my review.

It also runs on HyperOS 2, based on Android 15. It has a suite of AI features onboard, which I will test and detail in my review, so stay tuned.

Disclosure: Xiaomi India sponsored the correspondent’s flights and hotel for the event in Barcelona.

Samsung Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G and Galaxy A26 5G were launched on Sunday, ahead of the Mobile World Congress (MWC 2025). The new Galaxy A series of smartphones are equipped with 6.7-inch Super AMOLED screens, with up to 120Hz refresh rate. All three models are available in 128GB and 256GB storage configurations. The Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G, and Galaxy A26 5G run on Android 15, with Samsung’s redesigned One UI 7 interface, and are slated to receive six years of OS and security updates.

Samsung Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G and Galaxy A26 5G Price and Availability

Samsung Galaxy A56 5G pricing starts at EUR 479 (roughly Rs. 43,500) for the base model with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, while the handset is also available in a 256GB storage variant that is priced at EUR 529 (roughly Rs. 48,000). It is sold in Awesome Graphite, Awesome Lightgray, Awesome Olive and Awesome Pink colour options.

The price of the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G is set at EUR 379 and EUR 399 (roughly Rs. 36,200) for the base model with 128GB of storage, while the 256GB variant is priced at EUR 449 (roughly Rs. 40,800). The company will offer this model in Awesome Black, Awesome Lavender, Awesome Lime and Awesome White colourways.

Samsung Galaxy A56 5G
Photo Credit: Samsung

Priced at EUR 299 (roughly Rs. 27,100) for the 128GB model, the Samsung Galaxy A26 5G is the most affordable of the three models launched by the company on Sunday. It is also sold in a 256GB variant that costs EUR 369 (roughly Rs. 33,500). The Galaxy A26 5G is available in Black, Mint, Peach Pink and White shades.

Samsung Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G and Galaxy A26 5G Specifications

All of Samsung’s latest Galaxy A series smartphones run on Android 15-based One UI 7 and are slated to get six years of OS and security updates. The Samsung Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G, and Galaxy A26 5G sport a 6.7-inch Full-HD+ Super AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate.

The Samsung Galaxy A56 5G is powered by an Exynos 1580 chip, while the cheaper Galaxy A26 5G has an Exynos 1380 SoC. The Galaxy A36 5G features a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip. All three handsets are equipped with up to 256GB of built-in storage. Samsung has also touted new Galaxy AI features on the phones, such as Auto Trim, Best Face, AI Select, and Read Aloud.

There’s a 50-megapixel primary camera on all three models, with optical image stabilisation and an f/1.8 aperture. The Samsung Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G feature a 12-megapixel and 8-megapixel ultrawide camera, respectively, along with a 5 megapixel macro camera. The Galaxy A26 5G has an 8-megapixel ultrawide camera, along with a 2-megapixel macro camera.

Both the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G and Galaxy A36 5G are equipped with a 12-megapixel selfie camera, housed in a hole punch display cutout. The Galaxy A26 5G features a 13-megapixel camera on the front, housed in a waterdrop-style display notch.

Connectivity options on all three models include 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS, NFC, and a USB Type-C port. Samsung has equipped the Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G and Galaxy A26 5G with a 5,000mAh battery. The Galaxy A56 5G and Galaxy A36 5G support 45W charging, while the Galaxy A26 can be charged at 25W. These handsets have an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance.