MediaTek's Dimensity 9600 Pro is the company's first 2nm flagship chipset, promising better performance and efficiency.
The new 2+3+3 All Big Core CPU delivers up to 17% faster single-core performance while using significantly less power.
MediaTek's upgraded NPU supports on-device AI models with up to 30 billion parameters while improving AI power efficiency.
MediaTek has officially taken the wraps off its latest flagship smartphone chipset, called the Dimensity 9600 Pro. And it's the company's first flagship chip built on a 2nm process.
The new flagship smartphone season is almost upon us, and chipset makers have started unveiling their next generation of processors. Qualcomm is set to announce its next flagship Snapdragon chipsets later this month, but MediaTek has beaten it to the punch by unveiling its first 2nm chipset.
Called the Dimensity 9600 Pro, MediaTek says its new chipset combines flagship performance and power efficiency with advanced agentic AI experiences. The chip features a 2+3+3 All Big Core CPU design, which MediaTek says delivers an impressive 61% reduction in multi-core power consumption.
The architecture consists of two C2 Ultra cores clocked at up to 4.55GHz, three C2 Pro cores running at up to 4.35GHz, and another three C2 Pro cores clocked at up to 3.1GHz. MediaTek says single-core performance has improved by up to 17%, while multi-core performance is up to 15% higher than the previous generation, all while consuming less power.
(Image credit: MediaTek)
Of course, there's also a big focus on agentic AI experiences. MediaTek says the chipset's new dual-NPU architecture and Agentic AI Engine are designed to power the next generation of on-device AI. Its second-generation Super Efficient NPU reportedly reduces AI power consumption by up to 40%, while delivering 51% higher LLM prefill performance and 55% higher token generation per watt.
The Dimensity 9600 Pro can also support AI models with up to 30 billion parameters directly on the device, which should allow more complex AI tasks to run without constantly relying on the cloud.
There's also a larger 34.5MB cache, alongside support for LPDDR6 memory and UFS 5.0 storage for the first time. MediaTek says its new Scheduling Engine can intelligently allocate computing power and memory resources between hardware and software, allowing multiple apps to continue running smoothly in the background while using fewer resources.
(Image credit: Source: MediaTek)
Gaming is getting a significant upgrade as well. The new G2-Ultra NX GPU delivers up to 27% higher peak performance while consuming 24% less power. MediaTek says the GPU can deliver what it calls console-grade gaming on-device at up to 185fps.
For cameras, there's a new Imagiq 1290 ISP, which MediaTek says will enable more advanced computational photography and content creation features on upcoming smartphones.
There aren't any smartphones powered by the Dimensity 9600 Pro just yet, but we shouldn't have to wait long before the first devices arrive. Apple's 2nm A20 Pro has already launched inside the iPhone 18 Pro series, while Qualcomm is expected to reveal its answer at Snapdragon Summit later this month.
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Meta’s Project Phoenix is finally coming into focus after more than a year of rumors about a lightweight, high-end mixed-reality headset.
Phoenix looks more like smart glasses than a traditional VR headset, using nose pads and temple-mounted sensors.
An external compute puck appears to be part of the design.
Whispers about Meta working on a lightweight, high-end mixed reality headset codenamed Project Phoenix have floated around the tech sphere for over a year. Now, we finally get our first real look at what Mark Zuckerberg's hardware team has been cooking up, and it seems Meta accidentally left the key under the mat.
The images were revealed through Meta’s HorizonOS Prescription Lens package, which first appeared in August as a mostly blank system package, as noticed by UploadVR. An update in September showed detailed pictures of how prescription lens inserts attach to the Phoenix and how users scan a QR code to set them up.
Interestingly, the hardware looks less like a traditional VR headset and more like chunky glasses. Phoenix uses nose pads instead of the bulky face interface of the Quest 3 and other XR headsets, with sensors along the temples. There’s also a cable coming from the left temple, seemingly confirming previous reports that Phoenix will use an external compute puck.
(Image credit: UploadVR)
It's a design that could change the way people think about wearing a mixed reality headset. If you’ve been using more traditional XR headsets, you’ll probably find it comforting to realize potential benefits here, like less weight on your face, but the compromise moves elsewhere: you’ll need to deal with a separate computing unit and a cable.
For Meta, the greater challenge might be getting that extra hardware to feel invisible enough that Phoenix still feels like something you can casually wear, rather than another device you have to gear up for.
There's another interesting clue here. The leaked setup stuff seems to be based on prescription inserts and controller-free interaction.
Meta hasn’t officially announced Phoenix yet, but Meta Connect 2026 starts September 23 and has a session dedicated to controller-free interaction on its agenda. If Phoenix shows up there, we might finally learn whether Meta’s push toward lighter mixed reality headsets is a real shift in headset design, or just a clever way to move the weight somewhere else.
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Amazon has announced that Big Deal Days will be held on October 6th and 7th, 2026.
This 'October Prime Day' event will showcase deals on Android phones, smartwatches, laptops, and more.
The vast majority of deals during Big Deal Days will be exclusive to Prime members.
It's official: Amazon has confirmed that its 2026 Big Deal Days sale event will be held on October 6th and 7th this year, which means we're just a few weeks away from seeing some of the best deals of the year.
While it's not as big as the official Prime Day in July, Amazon's Big Deal Days event is generally seen as the beginning of fall sale season, giving shoppers an early look at what to expect when the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales go live in November.
Whether you're trying to get your holiday shopping done early or simply pick up a new Android phone, Big Deal Days is a great way to beat the Black Friday crowds and score discounts on every type of product imaginable.
(Image credit: Getty Images Europe)
Prime members can expect to find great deals on everything from smart TVs and tablets to groceries and kitchen appliances. Considering the growing prices on tech this year, you can also expect a lot of interest in the latest Android phones, storage devices, and laptops.
The newest foldable phones from Samsung, Apple, and Motorola might see some hefty discounts as part of the sale, for instance, while I also expect the Google Pixel 11 series to score a serious price drop for the very first time.
It's also worth mentioning that retailers like Best Buy and Walmart are sure to launch rival sales at the same time as Amazon Big Deal Days, so don't forget to shop around before you commit to one deal. Naturally, we'll be covering all of the best deals on Android devices so you don't have to go looking.
Android Central's take
If you're a Prime member, Amazon's Prime Day events are always worth checking out. This is especially true if you're on the hunt for a new smartphone, as nearly every major release we've seen this year has come with some sort of price increase. Now's your chance to offset that price hike and beat the Black Friday crowds.
Just make sure you're a Prime member (or willing to join) if you're not already. The retailer offers a convenient 30-day free trial that lets you enjoy the full benefits of the sale, so consider signing up for that if you don't want to deal with yet another subscription.
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A reliable tipster says the rumored 50MP 4x telephoto with a large 1/1.9-inch sensor may not make it to the Galaxy S27 Ultra.
The upcoming phone is said to retain a 5x periscope with a smaller 1/2.52-inch sensor.
Samsung may ditch the dedicated 3x telephoto camera entirely, leaving the 5x periscope as its sole zoom hardware.
Samsung’s Galaxy S27 Ultra is reportedly getting a major zoom rethink after recent rumors suggested a 50MP 4x telephoto with a much larger 1/1.9-inch sensor. The supposed plan was to swap out the familiar 3x and 5x cameras for a single, larger sensor that could handle more of the zoom range.
Now that upgrade seems a lot less certain. Ice Universe claims on X that the Galaxy S27 Ultra will instead feature a 5x periscope camera with a 1/2.52-inch sensor, which would be pretty much the same sensor size as the one used by recent Ultra models. The competing 4x rumor was described as false, suggesting Samsung could remove the 3x camera while leaving the 5x unit as its only dedicated telephoto.
Don't believe that source, which has a long history of spreading false information.The Galaxy S27 Ultra will, of course, continue to use a 1/2.52-inch sensor for its 5x periscope telephoto camera.The recent claim that Samsung will "drop the 5x telephoto and switch to a…September 14, 2026
Samsung has a practical reason for going the safer route. The 5x module is already compatible with the company’s existing camera strategy, but a switch to a new 4x system would mean spending more on sensor development, optics, tuning, and production. If the difference isn’t dramatic enough, it may make more financial sense to stick with proven hardware.
Plus, native 5x optical reach means you'll still get sharp long-range detail at 10x and above with high-resolution sensor cropping, something a 4x lens can have a hard time with when pushed to high magnification.
But that doesn’t mean the 4x idea was for nothing. A 1/1.9-inch sensor would be much larger than the 1/2.52-inch 5x component, possibly allowing for cleaner zoom shots, enhanced low-light performance, improved dynamic range, and stronger portraits.
For now, the safer bet is one 5x telephoto with the 200MP main camera for lower zoom levels. Samsung has time to change course before launch, and with multiple S27 Ultra prototypes reportedly under evaluation, the final camera setup may not be set in stone yet.
The real test for Samsung will be whether its image processing can compensate for not having a bigger sensor if it sticks with the old 5x hardware. Otherwise, axing the 3x camera could be viewed as Samsung simply cutting the spec sheet.
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There's a lot to like in the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, and although Samsung didn't make too many changes this year, the bigger 5,000mAh silicon battery means the foldable lasts considerably longer than its predecessor.
Thankfully, there's an easy way to boost the battery life even more. Samsung offers performance profiles within One UI, and I switched over to the Light mode, netting me a decent uptick in battery life. So let's take a look at what the mode has to offer, and why you should consider using it.
Standard vs. Light profiles: Is there a difference?
By default, all Samsung phones run the Standard profile out of the box, but there's a Light mode that's designed to prioritize battery life and thermal efficiency. These performance profiles are located in the Device care section, and you can easily switch between the two as needed.
Unlike Energy Saver mode, the Light profile doesn't actually make a difference in regular daily use. You still get 120Hz refresh and similar levels of fluidity when navigating the UI or browsing. What is does instead is reduce the clock frequencies of the processor, so it isn't using as much power all the time. This is absolutely fine on a high-end foldable, as Qualcomm's latest-gen silicon has plenty of power to spare.
As I said, I didn't see any difference after switching to the Light profile, and the device continued to be lag-free even while multitasking. Notably, the profile is only active in regular use; if you launch a game, it uses Game Booster (which is another thing entirely), so you don't need to limit the hardware if you play games regularly.
There's a clear benefit to using the Light profile. I got close to an additional hour of usage (not SOT) over the course of a day, and it meant I didn't need to plug in the phone until the end of the day. It particularly makes a difference with outdoor use, as the profile does a good job balancing thermals.
Switching between the Standard and Light modes is as easy as it gets. This is how to do it:
Go to Settings.
Navigate to Device care.
Select Performance profile.
Choose Light.
That's all there is to it. The best part about this is that the feature is available on all Samsung devices, so if you're using an older Galaxy phone and need it to last a little longer, you should give it a try.
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The iPhone Duo is heavier and thicker than Android foldables, but that isn’t going to make too much of a difference in day-to-day use. The plus point is that it has IP68 ingress protection, and a build quality that’s different to anything else we’ve seen on Android. Also, the software is the biggest differentiator, and the little I’ve seen of this makes me highly interested to use the iPhone Duo.
Xiaomi
18 Fold
Sublime
Make no mistake: the Xiaomi 18 Fold has the best design of any wide foldable, and Xiaomi deserves credit for slotting in a dedicated tele lens into the device. It is a full 35g lighter than the iPhone Duo, but you still somehow get a huge 6,000mAh battery. The custom Xring 03 silicon is intriguing, and the only issue with the 18 Fold is that it is limited to China, so you don’t get the best software — there’s no Play Store or other Google services.
Apple iPhone Duo vs. Xiaomi 18 Fold: Design and display
(Image credit: Apple)
I like the design of wide foldables as they’re much easier to hold and use than traditional book-style devices like the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and Pixel 11 Pro Fold. The iPhone Duo looks interesting thanks to the 5.4-inch outer panel, and it unfolds to a 7.6-inch inner panel. The Xiaomi 18 Fold has similarly-sized displays as well, but when it comes to resolution, the iPhone Duo comes out ahead.
That said, the biggest issue with the iPhone Duo is the weight; at 254g, it is the heaviest of any 2026 foldable, and the Xiaomi 18 Fold is 35g lighter. Now, to give you some context, it is 5g heavier than the iPhone 18 Pro Max, but the point stands that it is a hefty device. Obviously, we’ll need to see how that makes a difference in daily use; weight distribution matters a lot on a foldable, and I’ll share findings once I used the Duo.
(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
What I like is that the Duo gets IP68 dust and water resistance. It is the only foldable other Google’s Pixel 11 Pro Fold and 10 Pro Fold to have this feature, and it will make a genuine difference in regular use. The 18 Fold has IP58 and IP59 ingress protection, and it should do a good enough job in outdoor use.
Also, the design itself is exquisite on the Duo, and the blue color looks stunning. Something you don’t see (but will make a difference) is the inner panel. The iPhone Duo uses layers of ultra-thin glass sandwiched over the panels, and it should give it much better resilience against deformation — which is an issue with most foldables. Xiaomi, to its credit, delivered what is arguably the best-looking wide foldable in the 18 Fold, and the svelte design along with the bright red hue is brilliant.
Apple iPhone Duo vs. Xiaomi 18 Fold: Hardware
(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
What’s notable about the internals is that both foldables use custom silicon. The iPhone Duo uses the latest A20 Pro, and the 2nm platform has much better power than last year, and it should deliver meaningful upgrades on the battery side of things. Xiaomi is using the Xring 03 silicon with the 18 Fold, and I’m excited to get my hands so I can test it — it’s not often we get a new player that can beat Qualcomm at its own game.
Xiaomi also has a distinct advantage with the battery, and the 18 Fold has a 6,000mAh battery that easily lasts over a day. the iPhone Duo should last a day as well, but this is something I’ll need to test. The 18 Fold has 67W USB PD charging tech, but what I like is that the iPhone Duo has 25W MagSafe, making it that much more convenient to use. Annoyingly, Xiaomi doesn’t have built-in magnets, so you can’t just use a Qi 2.2 charger with the device.
Category
Apple iPhone Duo
Xiaomi 18 Fold
Display
Outer: 5.4-inch ProMotion LTPO OLED, 2034x1398
Inner: 7.6-inch ProMotion LTPO OLED, 2670x1878
Outer: 5.38-inch LTPO AMOLED, 1712x1168
Inner: 7.58-inch LTPO AMOLED, 2364x1672
Operating System
iOS 27, at least seven updates
Android 17
Chipset
Apple A20 Pro, 2nm
Xiaomi XRing O3, 3nm
RAM
12GB
12GB/16GB
Storage
256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Rear cameras
Main: 48MP f/1.6, sensor-shift OIS
Wide-angle: 48MP f/2.2
Main: 200MP f/1.7, OIS
Tele: 50MP f/2.8, 3x tele
Wide-angle: 50MP f/2.4
Front camera
12MP
16MP
Ingress Protection
IP68
IP58/IP59
Battery
4,700mAh
6,000mAh
Charging
40W, 25W MagSafe/Qi 2
67W PD 3.0, 50W HyperCharge
Dimensions
Folded: 117.8 x 84.1 x 11.3mm
Unfolded: 117.8 x 164.6 x 5.2mm
Folded: 83.6 x 117.8 x 10.7mm
Unfolded:163.8 x 117.8 x 5.0mm
Weight
254g
219g
Colors
Night Sky, Star White
Red, Rose gold, Silver, Grey
The iPhone Duo has two 48MP cameras — a main camera and wide-angle lens — but you don’t get a telephoto lens. This is annoying, as the tele lens is the one I use the most. That’s why it’s refreshing to see Xiaomi providing the lens on the 18 Fold; its foldable has a 200MP main camera, 50MP tele lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 50MP wide-angle lens. Just having a tele lens gives the device a huge advantage, and Xiaomi is the only brand doing so on a wide foldable.
Apple iPhone Duo vs. Xiaomi 18 Fold: Software
(Image credit: Apple)
Where the iPhone Duo has a sizable lead is the software; it’s clear that iOS 27 has plenty of custom features to maximize the real estate on the foldable. What’s great to see is that the toggles and the taskbar are oriented on the right, and while it’s a small thing, it makes a difference in usability.
The main problem with the Xiaomi 18 Fold is that it is limited to China, so you have to use the Chinese iteration of the brand’s skin. There are issues with push notifications, aggressive memory management, and there’s no Play Store or Google services out of the box. If you're an enthusiast and have used Chinese software previously, you can wrangle the 18 Fold to work the way you want (I plan on doing that), but it is a hassle.
Apple iPhone Duo vs. Xiaomi 18 Fold: Which should you buy?
(Image credit: Apple)
I’ll make this easy: if you like the look of a wide foldable, you should get the iPhone Duo. Although the Xiaomi 18 Fold has arguably better internals, the software is not ideal, and I wouldn’t recommend getting it as a result. Xiaomi needs to do a better job bringing its foldables to global regions, because the 18 Fold deserves a wide rollout.
Of course, the iPhone Duo is costlier than any other iPhone, but not by too much than the latest Pro models. There's no doubt that the 18 Fold gives you a better overall value (as these things go), but with Xiaomi choosing not to launch the foldable globally, this is a moot point.
Apple
iPhone Duo
Heavyweight
The iPhone Duo is the default choice if you need a wide foldable. The Xiaomi 18 Fold has better internals, but the Duo arguably has the better software, and it is launching in over 75 countries.
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When Dbrand told me it was launching a new minimalist case sub-brand, I was immediately interested. I've loved the company's products for years, and they often come out with new and interesting design ideas, but MNML immediately felt different from Dbrand's usual vibes.
It's such a departure from the company's usual designs that you won't even find the name Dbrand on the case. It's just MNML on the corner, and there's no support for Dbrand skins or any of the usual snarky flair most of us are used to.
You'll also find the prices to be much more minimalist than Dbrand's usual afair. At just $39, these are a bit more palatable than the $50 Ghost cases or the $60+ Grip cases, and they come in four simple colors. The burgundy is my favorite of the four, although I think it looks terrible on an orange iPhone. Better stick to black or tan for a bolder color like that.
Dbrand sent me cases for the Pixel 11 Pro and the iPhone Pro Max 17/18 (since they're the same phone anyway). The "sandstone" texture on these isn't at all like OnePlus's sandstone phones or cases — meaning they're textured but not rough like sandstone usually is — which gives it a nice grip without sanding your fingerprints off by accident.
I also love the clicky covered buttons on the case. It's got all the port cutouts you'd hope to find on a case, plus a perfectly sized lip around the front glass to protect it. I didn't have trouble using gestures with these cases, unlike some rugged cases that have too large a lip and usually get in the way.
These also aren't minimalist in the way Thinborne cases are. They're not super rugged like Dbrand's Tank cases are, but they still add a little bit of bulk to the phone. They're cushy and a few millimeters thin, but they weigh around 40-50g, depending on the phone, which is roughly twice the weight of an aramid fiber case (like Thinborne).
The bright side to the extra "bulk" is that these are more drop-resistant than aramid fiber cases. I purposefully dropped the Pixel 11 Pro on the concrete from about 3ft up a few times to see what would happen. The phone looked untouched, and the MNML case just had a few minor dings on the corners.
Nicholas Sutrich / Android CentralNicholas Sutrich / Android CentralNicholas Sutrich / Android Central
Seems to me that these will generally hold up nicely to wear and tear over the life of your phone, making them a great option to grab the next time you're in a Best Buy (so long as you don't care about Dbrand skins).
Dbrand makes MNML cases for 24 phone models across Apple, Samsung, and Google Pixel phone lines. That MNML sub-brand also includes a handful of MagSafe accessories, like a kickstand wallet, slim wallet, and an AirPods case (I guess that's a thing?).
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