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Sony Xperia 10 VII Incorporates Design Features from Google’s Pixel Line

**The Phone is Rocking the Pixel’s Signature Camera Bar**

Sony has introduced its newest mid-range smartphone, the Xperia 10 VII, which signifies a major shift from its conventional design. The device now sports a Pixel-inspired, pill-shaped camera bar, departing from the vertical camera strip that has characterized prior models. This design modification echoes Google’s Pixel series, providing the Xperia 10 VII with a contemporary and sleek appearance.

The Xperia 10 VII comes with a new 1/1.56-inch primary sensor and a 1/3-inch ultrawide lens, although Sony has not revealed the megapixel details. The front features a 6.1-inch Full HD+ OLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, safeguarded by Gorilla Glass Victus 2.

Alongside its design revamp, the Xperia 10 VII preserves several traditional attributes that attract users looking for functionality. It is equipped with enhanced stereo speakers and a 3.5mm headphone jack, ensuring versatility and comprehensive hardware. The device is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor, paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, expandable up to 2TB via microSD. A 5,000 mAh battery energizes the device, augmented by an “Adaptive Charging” feature aimed at extending battery longevity.

Sony upholds its hallmark build quality with IP65/68 water and dust resistance and includes a physical shutter button for swift camera access. The Xperia 10 VII measures 153 x 72 x 8.3 mm and weighs 169 g. On the software side, Sony commits to four years of OS updates and six years of security patches, establishing a high benchmark in the mid-range sector.

Despite its improvements, the phone features noticeable top and bottom bezels, and its availability may be restricted to Europe and Asia, likely excluding the U.S. market. Priced at around £399 / €449, the Xperia 10 VII is offered in White, Turquoise, and Charcoal black. While it may not stand toe-to-toe with flagship devices, the Xperia 10 VII provides a dependable and thoughtfully enhanced mid-range alternative, reinvigorating interest in Sony’s 10 series.

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Qualcomm Unveils Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 as Its Upcoming Top-Tier Processor

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5: An Innovative Phase for Qualcomm’s 8-Series Line

Qualcomm has unveiled the latest version of its premium chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, representing the fifth generation of its 8-series line since 2021. This updated naming structure signifies the development of Qualcomm’s high-end chip series, retaining the “Elite” designation to denote the pinnacle performance level within the Snapdragon lineup.

The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is expected to launch in high-end devices like the Xiaomi 17 series and the Samsung Galaxy S26, highlighting its advanced features. Qualcomm’s choice to label it “Gen 5” is intended to clarify its product timeline, showcasing progress since the introduction of the single-digit naming approach.

Launched as an independent platform, the Snapdragon 8 Elite series introduced the Oryon CPU to mobile devices, resulting in considerable performance improvements. The new Gen 5 chipset carries on this heritage, pledging enhanced functionalities for future mobile ecosystems.

Qualcomm will officially present the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 at the Snapdragon Summit in Hawaii on September 23, 2025. This introduction is part of a larger strategy to apply the Gen 5 naming across forthcoming mobile frameworks, further solidifying Qualcomm’s position in mobile innovation.

With the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, Qualcomm seeks to offer consumers a transparent and uncomplicated view of its technological progress, ensuring that the “Elite” label continues to reflect premium performance.

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iPhone 18 to Showcase Smaller Dynamic Island Dimensions, Cameras Stay Positioned Above Display

The iPhone 17 line, which includes the iPhone Air, is now up for preorder online in anticipation of this Friday’s launch, and it seems that Apple’s new range is performing quite well in sales. While consumers are enjoying the latest iPhones, there might be some who are already starting to think about what next year holds, particularly those iPhone users who won’t switch to any of the four models Apple revealed last week.

In fact, there are speculations that Apple plans to introduce its initial foldable iPhone next year as part of the iPhone 18 series. Additionally, it is said that Apple may adjust its release timeline for next year, with the regular iPhone 18 model set to debut only in spring 2027. The September 2026 event is expected to be dedicated to the premium variants of the iPhone 18, such as the Air, Pro, Pro Max, and the Fold.

One of the initial rumors surrounding the iPhone 18 that emerged during the online launch of the iPhone 17 highlights a design modification for the upcoming iPhone generation. According to the Chinese leaker Instant Digital, the iPhone 18 versions will showcase smaller Dynamic Island cut-outs at the top of the display compared to their predecessors. Nonetheless, Apple is not going to shift the selfie camera or Face ID features underneath the screen for next year.

The familiar Dynamic Island speculation

iOS 26 Officially Debuts Today Amid Developer Worries Regarding Preparedness

**iOS 26 Release: The Controversial Liquid Glass Aesthetic**

Today signifies the formal release of iOS 26, following its beta testing. The highlight of this update is the Liquid Glass appearance, which has ignited discussions akin to the minimalist style introduced with iOS 7 in 2013.

Apple has made major visual modifications in response to feedback from beta users, who pointed out problems with readability and perplexing design features. Even with these changes, certain developers remain doubtful about the preparedness of the Liquid Glass interface.

Craig Grannell from Wired critiques the design, mentioning that it frequently sacrifices clarity due to readability concerns and distracting visual elements. He observes that while controls on Mac are excessively conspicuous, the iPhone’s interface tends to mask controls, complicating users’ ability to establish muscle memory.

Jonas Downey, a designer at Hello Weather, shares these opinions, labeling the new interface as intricate and obstructive. He emphasizes several issues, such as distracting translucent elements, insufficient contrast that impedes element differentiation, and excessive shading on buttons that detracts from the content beneath.

Ben McCarthy, founder of Obscura Camera, acknowledges Apple’s good intentions but finds the execution inadequate. He contends that the Liquid Glass design introduces distortions that shift focus away from the content, resulting in core readability challenges. The system’s efforts to transition between light and dark modes only intensify these distractions.

Gulliaume Ardaud, a previous Apple developer, conveys similar concerns, highlighting the clash between the design objectives of separating interface and content layers and the reality of obscured content and fluctuating colors that divert users’ attention.

Grannell suggests that in an era where smartphone design has stagnated, Apple is leveraging Liquid Glass to infuse excitement into its products.

**9to5Mac’s Viewpoint**

While some contend that the absence of significant hardware improvements in the iPhone range has caused a dependence on flashy software, others argue that the iPhone Air signifies an important hardware development. Nevertheless, many users feel there hasn’t been a compelling incentive to upgrade this year.

Personally, I find the Liquid Glass design captivating, although I recognize the concerns raised during the beta testing phase. The official launch is merely the commencement, and I look forward to further enhancements in future updates.

As iOS 26 is officially launched, the community is keen to hear your opinions on the new Liquid Glass design. Share your thoughts in the comments.

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Kuo Indicates Robust Demand for iPhone 17, Emphasizing Pro Max as Leading Model

**High Interest in iPhone 17 Range: Insights from Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo**

Apple’s newly released iPhone 17 range has stirred considerable excitement, with analyst Ming-Chi Kuo noting that initial interest exceeds that of last year’s iPhone 16. This article explores Kuo’s findings, emphasizing key observations about the iPhone 17 Pro Max and the iPhone Air.

### Initial Demand Overview

Kuo’s evaluation is founded on two main aspects: production quantities derived from the supply chain and the rate at which shipping durations decreased post-launch. His analysis reveals strong demand for at least three models within the iPhone 17 collection.

As per Kuo, the overall production quantity for the iPhone 17 series in Q3 is roughly 25% greater year-over-year compared to the iPhone 16. Despite this rise, shipping durations have only lengthened by around a week, indicating a higher pre-order interest for the iPhone 17 collection.

### iPhone 17 Pro Max: The Leading Model

Among the new offerings, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is highlighted as the most popular option. Kuo observes that its production quantity for Q3 is about 60% higher than that of the iPhone 16 Pro Max during the same timeframe last year, yet shipping times remain steady. This reflects a significant level of interest and demand for the Pro Max variant.

### iPhone Air: A Different Trend

Conversely, the iPhone Air seems to be following a different pattern. Kuo mentions that consumers are still able to preorder the iPhone Air and receive it on launch day, which could imply that Apple has overestimated demand for this new device. However, he warns against making conclusive judgments based solely on initial sales, as the novelty surrounding the iPhone Air might influence its future popularity.

Kuo stresses the importance of a longer observation period to accurately evaluate demand trends for the iPhone Air, considering it is a new product category for Apple.

### 9to5Mac’s Take

From 9to5Mac’s perspective, the robust demand for the iPhone 17 Pro Max is predictable. The device provides attractive features for content creators and filmmakers, making it a desirable upgrade for users with older devices. On the other hand, the immediate availability of the iPhone Air raises questions regarding its demand, although it might reflect Apple’s strategic production choices rather than a lack of interest.

### Conclusion

The early performance of the iPhone 17 lineup shows a favorable market reaction, especially for the Pro Max model. While the demand for the iPhone Air is still ambiguous, ongoing evaluations will yield clearer insights into consumer trends. As Apple progresses with its innovations, the shifting dynamics of smartphone demand will be carefully watched by both analysts and consumers.

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Live Reporting of Meta Connect 2025: Hypernova, Ray-Ban 3, Meta AI, Quest, and Additional Highlights

**Meta’s Aspirations for Tomorrow: AI Eyewear and the Metaverse**

Meta has revealed its Connect 2025 agenda, showcasing its ambitious goals for artificial intelligence and the metaverse. The agenda promises thrilling advancements and insights into the future of computing, centering on AI eyewear and emerging technologies.

**Key Highlights:**

– **Connect Keynote (9/17 5p PST):** Mark Zuckerberg is set to unveil the latest innovations in AI eyewear and outline Meta’s perspective on merging artificial intelligence with the metaverse. This presentation is anticipated to offer a thorough overview of Meta’s strategic path and advancements.

– **Developer Keynote (9/18 10a PST):** Executives from Meta will share how the firm’s latest technologies are generating new possibilities for developers. This session seeks to motivate developers to create groundbreaking experiences that utilize Meta’s state-of-the-art tools and platforms.

– **The Future of Computing (9/18 10:45a PST):** Visionaries Michael Abrash and Richard Newcombe will investigate the thrilling future of computing, focusing on the promise of eyewear with contextual AI. This session will examine Meta’s intentions to transform the computing landscape and change how users engage with technology.

The agenda affirms the launch of new products, matching expectations for significant announcements. While the keynote will draw wide-ranging interest, the session on the future of computing is especially captivating for smart eyewear fans, providing insight into Meta’s vision for upcoming hardware generations.

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