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New Android Flagship Includes AI with Specialized Button, AI Assistants, and On-Screen Activities

the centerpiece of new Android smartphone launches for several years, with premium devices frequently unveiling innovative AI functionalities developed alongside Google’s Gemini and various other AI instruments. 2026 will be no exception. On Thursday, Chinese smartphone manufacturer Honor unveiled the international version of the Honor Magic 8 Pro smartphone, equipped with multiple AI capabilities, including a specialized AI button and an AI Photos Assistant.

In terms of specifications, the Magic 8 Pro boasts a 6.71-inch OLED display that accommodates a 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate and HDR peak brightness reaching 6,000 nits. The device is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, which other manufacturers will incorporate into their flagship models this year. The smartphone features the industry’s inaugural GPU-NPU heterogeneous AI technology, designed to enhance low-resolution gaming content into high-resolution while boosting frame rates. The Magic 8 Pro is equipped with a 6,270 mAh silicon-carbon battery, somewhat smaller than the Chinese variant (7,200 mAh). This battery supports 100W wired and 80W wireless charging. The camera setup includes a 200-megapixel Ultra Night telephoto lens (1/1.4-inch sensor, wide f/2.6 aperture, OIS, and 3.7x optical zoom), a 50-megapixel Ultra Night camera (f/1.6 aperture, OIS), and a 50-megapixel Ultra-Wide camera (122°, 2.5 cm HD macro photography).

The hardware of the Magic 8 Pro aligns with expectations for a 2026 flagship Android device. However, it is the AI functionalities that could potentially offer significant advantages, provided consumers seek enhanced AI features in their smartphones.

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The Definitive OLED Smartphone That Satisfies Every Requirement, Not Produced by Samsung

The Honor Magic 8 Pro is establishing a new standard in the smartphone market with its remarkable OLED display, emphasizing brightness, comfort, and accessibility. Set to launch worldwide on January 8, 2026, this flagship model features an OLED panel that not only provides exceptional brightness but also includes a variety of accessibility features and eye care options. With a peak brightness of approximately 3,600 nits, the Magic 8 Pro outshines its rivals, ensuring clear visibility even in direct sunlight while avoiding the discomfort of PWM dimming at elevated brightness settings.

The Magic 8 Pro presents Honor’s “Custom Display” calibration features, enabling users to personalize the display settings to suit their preferences, enhancing comfort and minimizing eye fatigue. The device also accommodates numerous accessibility settings, including Defocus Eyecare and a circadian rhythm mode, making it an excellent option for those with sensitive eyes.

An impressive aspect of the Magic 8 Pro is its innovative flicker-detection tool, created to detect flickering lights that may cause discomfort. This tool offers users a straightforward evaluation of their surroundings, encouraging healthier lighting practices.

In summary, the Honor Magic 8 Pro is a well-rounded flagship device that excels in display performance and user comfort, making it a highly recommended choice for individuals looking for a smartphone that emphasizes both performance and well-being.

“Honor Magic 8 Pro’s Advanced Telephoto Sensor Produces Exceptional Images with Extensive Camera Configurations”

The Honor Magic 8 Pro has created a notable influence in the smartphone camera industry with the launch of its new CIPA 5.5 optically-stabilized telephoto camera. This capability is transformative, providing users with an unmatched photographic experience that distinguishes it from its earlier models and rivals.

Upon initial observation, the Honor Magic 8 Pro might appear to be a mere enhancement with its upgraded battery, quicker processor, and better display. Nevertheless, the true highlight is the camera system, especially the telephoto lens boasting a 200MP sensor and the cutting-edge CIPA 5.5 OIS system. This union produces remarkable depth and authentic bokeh, frequently without requiring software adjustments like portrait mode.

The telephoto lens stands out in the camera experience, shining beyond a 3.6x zoom and excelling within a range of 3.7x to 10x. It is particularly adept at portrait photography, macro shots, and beyond, offering a level of precision and clarity that competes with larger, specialized cameras. The optical image stabilization facilitates longer exposure durations, yielding noise-free images with rich detail, even in difficult lighting scenarios.

The main and ultrawide cameras, while left unchanged from the prior version, still provide outstanding performance. Both utilize 50MP sensors that collaborate effortlessly with Honor’s AI-driven software to produce stunning images with impressive dynamic range and color fidelity.

Honor’s gallery app also brings forth new editing capabilities, such as motion photo features and the AiMAGE color engine, enabling users to artistically enhance their images without depending on artificial improvements.

In summary, the camera system of the Honor Magic 8 Pro, particularly the telephoto lens with its CIPA 5.5 OIS, positions it as an appealing option for photography lovers. It offers a degree of versatility and quality that can substitute for larger cameras for numerous users, establishing it as a standout in the smartphone realm.

iPhone Fold: Possible Characteristics More Alike an iPad Instead of an iPhone

# iPhone Fold: A Fresh Path for Apple’s Design Approach

Recent leaks about the iPhone Fold have ignited fascinating discussions regarding its possible design and features. In contrast to rivals like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 and Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold, which maintain a conventional phone structure when closed, the iPhone Fold is speculated to embrace a unique design. This article delves into the ramifications of these leaks and what they might signify for the future of Apple’s mobile offerings.

## Distinctive Design Characteristics

Latest renderings indicate that the iPhone Fold could adopt a short and wide form when closed, akin to a petite notepad. Upon unfolding, it’s anticipated to match the size of an iPad mini. This design direction starkly contrasts with the taller, slimmer silhouettes of current foldable phones, suggesting a possible shift in how Apple conceives the device’s functionality.

Stephen Hackett of 512 Pixels has produced a 3D-printed model of the iPhone Fold, which has been analyzed by Jason Snell at Six Colors. The piece titled “Will the iPhone Fold be a phone you open, or an iPad you close?” poses essential inquiries regarding the device’s intended function.

> “If these mock-ups are genuine, this folding iPhone isn’t going to be what you may envision: a contemporary iPhone, roughly the form of an iPhone Pro, that unfolds to display a larger screen inside.”

This assertion captures the core of the iPhone Fold’s design ideology: it might emphasize the experience of using an iPad-like device that can be conveniently tucked away in a pocket, rather than serving as a conventional phone that unfolds into a more extensive display.

## Possible Effects on iOS

Should the iPhone Fold embrace this distinctive form factor, it will require substantial adjustments to iOS. The operating system will need to adapt to a wider interface, potentially involving a complete overhaul of how applications and features are showcased. This challenge could be formidable for Apple’s design team, casting doubt on the fidelity of the existing mockups.

The excitement surrounding the iPhone Fold also underscores the potential for iOS 27 to integrate features from iPadOS, notably a more robust windowing system. Such improvements could unleash the device’s full capabilities, transforming it into a multifaceted instrument for both productivity and leisure.

## Final Thoughts

The iPhone Fold marks a daring advancement for Apple, possibly reshaping the distinctions between smartphones and tablets. While the finished product might vary from the present mockups, the idea of a device that fuses the portability of an iPhone with the utility of an iPad mini is thrilling. As Apple forges ahead with innovation, the tech community keenly anticipates how these developments will impact the future of mobile technology.

Would you find an iPhone Fold crafted primarily for iPad-like functionality appealing? Share your opinions in the comments.

Disney+ Set to Launch Vertical Video Function in Upcoming Update

Disney+ is poised to launch vertical video content within its app in the U.S. this year, following a successful rollout in the ESPN app. This initiative is in line with the increasing popularity of vertical video formats observed on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts.

Disney’s reveal suggests that the vertical video experience will progress to feature a blend of news and entertainment, aiming to foster a more personalized and engaging user experience. Erin Teague, EVP of Product Management for Disney Entertainment and ESPN, mentioned that vertical video delivery could encompass original short-form content, repurposed social media clips, and reimagined excerpts from longer videos. The emphasis will be on seamlessly incorporating vertical video that resonates with user habits, steering clear of a fragmented experience.

The choice to adopt vertical video illustrates the demand for streaming services to captivate users on a daily basis, akin to social media networks. Disney’s venture into vertical video extends beyond merely creating teasers for longer content; it seeks to enrich the overall service. The recent licensing partnership between Disney and OpenAI for Sora hinted at the possibilities for vertical video, indicating a more expansive vision that goes beyond just AI-generated material.

As the streaming environment continues to change, the inclusion of vertical video on Disney+ represents a significant transformation in content consumption, catering to the preferences of contemporary audiences.

How to Enhance the Advantages of Your Smart Home: 10 Key Suggestions

**10 Strategies To Fully Maximize Your Smart Home**

Smart home gadgets present numerous advantages for all family members, simplifying daily life for everyone. By utilizing your home’s Wi-Fi network, these devices offer benefits that you won’t find anywhere else. With an increasing number of companies dedicated to smart home innovations, it’s likely that a device is already available to address a significant challenge in your household, or at least reveal a need you weren’t aware of.

Nonetheless, establishing your smart home shouldn’t merely begin and end with purchasing gadgets. While these devices can independently address issues, there are multiple actions you can take to further enhance your smart home ecosystem.

For individuals eager to fully leverage their smart home capabilities, and for those starting anew, here are several pointers to unlock the complete potential of investing in smart home technology. Since purchases can accumulate, it’s crucial to ensure that every dollar spent contributes to a cohesive and efficient smart home environment.

**1. Strengthen your Wi-Fi connection**

First and foremost, just like a vehicle’s efficacy hinges on its fuel, a smart home is substantially reliant on the strength and reach of its Wi-Fi connection. If your smart home devices aren’t consistently connected to the internet, they will not be able to execute their intended functions.

You should consider investing in a plan that offers an internet speed of at least 50 Mbps, or higher if your family uses multiple devices alongside various smart home gadgets. You also need to ensure that your network extends to every corner of your home to connect with all your devices. 5G signals may struggle to penetrate walls, which might require investing in a top-notch router, range extenders, or a mesh network.

You might also refer to our suggestions for enhancing Wi-Fi speeds, to determine if any will help achieve your desired internet speed. A reliable, quick, and broad Wi-Fi network serves as the cornerstone for a dependable and effective smart home ecosystem.

**2. Identify the benefits you desire**

Attempting to install every available smart home device can lead to significant expenses, especially if you’re just beginning to create your ecosystem. It’s vital to pinpoint the specific advantages you wish to gain for you and your family, to prevent being overwhelmed with an excess of gadgets and applications to manage, and to avoid purchasing devices that you don’t genuinely require.

Two main motivations for developing a smart home ecosystem are convenience and security. For instance, you can request recipes via your digital assistant on a smart display in your kitchen, and configure your smart thermostat to adjust the temperature as you approach home. You can also set up smart security cameras around the house to monitor activities from your smartphone, and secure your door with a smart lock for added safety.

Naturally, there are other advantages of a smart home configuration, like energy efficiency and entertainment. It’s entirely up to you to define what you wish to achieve with your devices so that your invested money and efforts don’t go to waste.

**3. Streamline your applications**

Smart home devices typically come with various companion applications that allow you to access their features and settings. However, can you envision having five different devices at home, each requiring a separate app for management? It becomes even more cumbersome with 10, 20 devices, and beyond. It would be much simpler if, for instance, your smart security cameras and smart locks could be managed from a single app or a couple of apps.

This doesn’t imply that you should exclusively purchase devices from one brand, as there are alternative methods to reduce the number of apps and ecosystems you need to handle. One of the most favored approaches is to employ a digital assistant such as Amazon’s Alexa alongside an Amazon Echo device, or to integrate them with your Google Home application.

Once you’ve become accustomed to your smart home, you might contemplate establishing a HomeAssistant server, as suggested by Reddit user u/mlee12382. This server would facilitate communication between devices from different ecosystems, allowing for a broader range of setups for your smart home. According to Redditor u/OpethNJ, the cost associated with setting up a HomeAssistant server is approximately $200.

**4. Leverage voice assistants**

Speaking of digital assistants, voice-operated assistants are fantastic if you prefer to manage your smart home devices without using your hands. For instance, you can request a specific recipe if you forgot the measurements while preparing ingredients, or you can adjust your room’s temperature without leaving the comfort of your bed on a leisurely weekend morning. It’s often quicker to issue a voice command than to launch an app and navigate through menus.

Numerous voice assistants are available on the market. Besides the previously mentioned Alexa (and Amazon’s upgraded version, Alexa+), other popular options include

User Perspectives on the Safety of Dollar Tree Technology Items

excellent products for your workplace. While exploring the tech section at Dollar Tree, it’s easy to be tempted to stock up on usually pricey items for a fraction of the cost. But is it wise to do so?

Regrettably, not all technology from Dollar Tree has a strong reputation for durability, performance, and safety. There have been consumer reports of batteries overheating and charging cables catching fire. This is not just an inconvenience and a loss of money; it poses a genuine threat to the buyer and their property. One product failure even led to a widespread recall.

There’s a common saying that you receive what you pay for. Since many newer technology items can seem quite costly, finding a bargain can be appealing. However, there’s a threshold to how inexpensive something can be manufactured before its reliability is compromised. If you decide to shop for tech at Dollar Tree, there are specific products to steer clear of and warning signs to be mindful of.

Avoid Dollar Tree cables, cords, and related items

Android Central’s Best Selections from CES 2026

From the TriFold to intelligent eyewear and distinctive accessories, these are the champions from CES 2026.

Another chapter of CES has concluded, and this year, it seemed every brand was determined to create smart glasses or smart rings. I witnessed a wide array of AI, AR, and XR eyewear, and while some definitely show a lot of promise (as you’ll see further on in this article), the majority of the products fell short.

Fortunately, I encountered numerous outstanding items, including smartphones, audio devices, accessories, and various AI-powered technologies. So let’s examine what made an impression at CES 2026.

Best Android phone (flagship): Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold

There was always going to be one clear winner this year. Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Z TriFold at the event prior to its launch in the U.S., and the one-of-a-kind foldable deserves commendation on its own merit. It is being offered in limited stock, and the retail price is astonishingly high, but as a demonstration of what mobile technology can achieve, there truly isn’t a better phone.

This marks my second experience with the TriFold — I tested it in a Dubai shopping mall last month — and it felt significantly improved this time. The device is on par with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 in terms of refinement, and it doesn’t give off the impression of being a mere technology demonstration. The extra screen space is fantastic for enjoying entertainment, and even though the display has more glare compared to the Z Fold 7, it’s simply wonderful to transform a standard-sized phone into a 10-inch tablet.

Best Android phone (budget): TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro

TCL’s NXTPAPER technology is truly remarkable, and the brand presented the 70 Pro in Las Vegas. It features the same display that is designed to be more eye-friendly, and I appreciate how pleasant it is to use. The phone itself is a solid budget option, but the unique display distinguishes it from the rest.

Best concept: TDM Neo

TDM is an emerging manufacturer with a highly intriguing concept: a headset that converts into a speaker. It’s called the Neo, and at first glance, it appears to be just another headset — it has a similar weight too. However, you can twist both ear cups inward, transforming it into a Bluetooth speaker.

I haven’t encountered anything quite like it, and the Neo functions effectively as both a headset and a speaker. It isn’t fully in production yet, but it is the type of idea I would love to see materialize in a consumer product.

Best wearable: XGIMI Memo One

There’s no denying that XGIMI produces the finest projectors. At CES, the brand revealed MemoMind, a new line of fashionable smart glasses. There are several models available, but my favorite is Memo One, which includes a built-in display and a significant degree of personalization, and did I mention it’s stylish?

Best accessory: Anker Nano Charger 45W

The Nano appears as a typical charger, but it boasts a unique 180-degree foldable design, ensuring that the charger is always upright regardless of its orientation during use. It’s a minor adjustment, but one that greatly enhances the usability of the product. I predict that many other charging brands will soon introduce comparable designs.

Best AI innovation: NVIDIA Remix Logic

NVIDIA’s Remix technology rejuvenates classic games visually, and the brand demonstrated a preview of its latest feature, Remix Logic. The new mode interacts more deeply with game scenarios, granting game modders even greater flexibility and control in customizing in-game environments. Remix Logic represents the most impressive application of AI I’ve observed at CES this year, and as someone who enjoys retro games, I’m genuinely thrilled that NVIDIA is expanding this technology.

Best VR/XR device: Even Realities G2

Even Realities isn’t merely following the latest fads in smart glasses — it’s forging its own path, which is what I appreciate most about the G2. The glasses don’t resemble traditional tech products, yet they still feature waveguided lenses that display notifications and relevant information from your phone. It’s an excellent product, and I was frequently approached about the eyewear while navigating the show floor.

Pixel 9 May Possibly Acquire AirDrop-Fast Share Cross-Transfer Feature

Google has recently implemented a major update to its Pixel 9 series by incorporating AirDrop-Quick Share cross-sharing features within the latest Android Canary release. This functionality, which was formerly limited to the Pixel 10 series, facilitates effortless file sharing between Pixel devices and devices compatible with Apple’s AirDrop. The enhancement was detected in the firmware of Pixel 9 and 9 Pro, although it is currently inactive. Google may activate this capability in future Android updates, possibly with Android 16 QPR3 or Android 17. This initiative is a pivotal advancement in improving interoperability between Android and iOS devices, providing users with greater flexibility in file sharing across various platforms.

Google Unveils Significant AI-Powered Revamp for Gmail

Google has revealed a bold redesign of Gmail, incorporating new AI-enhanced functionalities to improve user experience. These features, fueled by Google’s Gemini AI, comprise Suggested Replies, AI Overviews, Help Me Write, Proofread, and AI Inbox. Suggested Replies provide tailored responses, while Help Me Write aids in composing emails. AI Overviews enable conversational search within Gmail, and Proofread makes complex sentences easier to understand. AI Inbox, the most significant enhancement, organizes emails by priority and offers task suggestions based on urgency. Initially accessible to free Gmail users in the U.S., certain features will necessitate a premium Gemini subscription. Google prioritizes privacy, guaranteeing that AI operations take place in a secure setting without utilizing email content for AI training or advertisements.