OnePlus 15 US Pre-Order Date Revealed with Thrilling Freebies
Get a complimentary OnePlus Watch 3 when you place a pre-order for the 512GB model of the OnePlus 15.
Essential Information
- U.S. pre-orders for the OnePlus 15 commence on December 4, 2025, following setbacks from the government shutdown and FCC clearance.
- Customers have the option to select a complimentary item such as the OnePlus Watch 3, OnePlus Buds Pro 3, AirVOOC charger, or a magnetic case when pre-ordering.
- OnePlus will provide a $100 trade-in credit for any phone in addition to a $100 cashback incentive on qualifying OnePlus 15 purchases.
Notice
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Comparison of Vivo V60’s Exceptional Design to the Aesthetic Constraints of the X300 Pro
The V60 is the most visually appealing Vivo smartphone of 2025.
I’ve mentioned it numerous times this year, but I am greatly impressed by Vivo’s innovations in 2025. The X200 Pro, X200 Ultra, X Fold 5, and X300 Pro have all been remarkable, and Vivo’s camera optimization is unmatched on Android at present — I prefer it over the Find X9 Pro and Xiaomi 15 Ultra, and it stands in a different category entirely when compared to the Galaxy S25 Ultra and Pixel 10 Pro XL.
Then there’s the mid-tier devices. The <a data-analytics-id="inline-link" href="https://www.androidcentral.com/phones/vivo/vivo-v50-proves-that-iterative-updates-can-still-be-fun" data-mrf-recirculation="inline-link"
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Apple’s Deficiency in Resisting Government Influence in China
Apple often relies on slight variations of the same one-sentence rationale when capitulating to government requests that clash with the company’s declared principles: “Apple adheres to the laws in every nation where it operates.” Nonetheless, there are times when the business has opted to resist unreasonable governmental pressures, with a recent situation illustrating this position.
### Apple Resisted the Indian Government and Triumphed
The most recent narrative commenced when India instructed Apple to pre-install an undeletable state security application on iPhones. The government framed it as a method to assist users in retrieving lost and stolen devices, but it raised significant apprehensions regarding user privacy due to the possibility of governmental surveillance. Apple was anticipated to seek a compromise, but the company opted to firmly decline compliance. This prompted India to swiftly retract its demand that users be unable to remove the app from their gadgets. While India continues to insist that Apple pre-install the app, this occurrence represents a noteworthy interim achievement for the corporation.
### Previous Instances of Apple Maintaining Its Position
This is not the inaugural instance of Apple taking a robust position against government demands. One of the most notable examples occurred during the San Bernardino shooting when the FBI pressured Apple to provide a backdoor to unlock the shooter’s iPhone. Apple encountered substantial pressure but ultimately resisted, asserting that the matter was too critical for compromise. The company was vindicated when it emerged that the FBI could access the device through alternative methods.
A comparable situation arose during another shooting in Pensacola, where Apple again maintained its position. In the UK, the British government demanded that Apple compromise the end-to-end encryption of iMessage, to which Apple retorted that it would withdraw iMessage and FaceTime from the UK rather than comply. Ultimately, the UK government retreated, signifying another victory for Apple.
### A Distinct Narrative in China
Conversely, Apple’s stance in China has been strikingly different. The corporation has acquiesced to numerous demands from the Chinese government, which included eliminating news applications that do not align with state propaganda and removing over 400 VPN applications from its App Store. Apple has also complied with requests to eliminate applications like Skype and to impose restrictions on functions like AirDrop during protests.
Perhaps the most troubling was Apple’s choice to transfer the iCloud data of all Chinese customers to a government-operated server, essentially relinquishing encryption keys that grant government access to user information.
### The Major Question
Apple’s adherence to Chinese regulations brings into question its dedication to user privacy and human rights. The firm has demonstrated it can hold its ground in the US, UK, and India, where it believed it could negotiate or contest government requests. However, in China, the stakes are considerable, as the nation represents a significant market and an essential manufacturing hub for Apple.
The pivotal question persists: what might occur if Apple decided to confront the Chinese government in a manner similar to its actions in other nations? While it could face severe repercussions, such as being ousted from the market, it might also gain respect for attempting to resist oppressive demands.
In conclusion, Apple’s varied reactions to government demands underscore the intricacies of functioning in disparate political landscapes. While the company has successfully remained resolute in certain cases, its compliance in China raises alarms about its commitment to privacy and human rights. Would you prefer to see Apple adopt a firmer stance against threats to human rights in China, or do you believe the company is merely acquiescing to the unavoidable?
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Unintentional Damage Disrupts Russia’s Exclusive Manned Space Rocket Launch Ability
Russia’s rocket engine finds itself in a challenging situation, with space initiatives having faced difficulties for quite a while, due to Western sanctions significantly impairing its access to new technologies and funding.
How long will it take to rectify the damage?
Not everyone is convinced that the damage will be fixed “soon,” as stated by Roscosmos in its official release. Anatoly Zak, a specialist in Russian space missions and technologies, posits that the platform could require as much as two years for repair and restoration. Furthermore, he points out that interim solutions may not be feasible to facilitate crew launches during the restoration process. Several Soyuz launch pads exist at different locations, including
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Apple Discontinues Night Mode for Portrait Photos on iPhone 17 Pro Without Clarification
José Adorno/BGR
In 2019, Apple launched Night Mode with the iPhone 11. This advancement enhanced the low light photography capabilities of the iPhone’s camera, allowing users to capture more light and enhance image quality in dim settings. By 2020, the iPhone 12 Pro series was the first to integrate Night Mode with Portrait photography, enabling portrait captures in low light environments due to the inclusion of the LiDAR scanner. Following this, Apple worked on refining these technologies and also increased the size of iPhone camera sensors.
The iPhone 15 introduced an impressive camera function that eliminated the need for manual switching to Portrait mode. When the iPhone camera noticed a face, pet, or object, it would autonomously gather depth data, which could then transform the image into a portrait by incorporating artificial bokeh. Nevertheless, with the recent iPhone 17 series, a user observed that it’s no longer feasible to take Portrait images using Night Mode, and it seems that this problem is particularly tied to the iPhone 17 Pro models.
Portrait and Night Mode are no longer compatible
Comprehending User Misunderstandings: Reasons Why Some Think ChatGPT Contains Advertisements
TechCrunch states that Yuchen Jin, co-founder of Hyperbolic, uploaded a screenshot to X illustrating a discussion with ChatGPT in which the chatbot recommended the Peloton app. This occurred during a dialogue unrelated to fitness or exercise.
Wow, is ChatGPT already displaying advertisements?
I was just having a conversation about Elon on Nikhil’s podcast when suddenly an ad popped up saying, “Discover a fitness class, Connect Peloton.” 🤯
Incredible. At least align the ad with the discussion topic next time! https://t.co/U4QMmiGbRn pic.twitter.com/s9uREIlB50
— Yuchen Jin (@Yuchenj_UW) December 1, 2025
“Wow, is ChatGPT already displaying advertisements?” Jin queried, before sharing his experience. “I was just having a conversation about Elon on Nikhil’s podcast when suddenly an ad appeared saying, ‘Discover a fitness class, Connect Peloton.’ Incredible. At least align the ad with the discussion topic next time!” The post garnered over 480,000 views on X at the time of this writing. While the inclusion of Peloton in the chat appears to be an advertisement, as shown in the screenshot above,
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Garmin’s ‘Annual Review’ Report Contrasts Your Steps, Body Battery, and Additional Metrics with Those of Other Athletes
The 2025 Garmin Connect data report presents a valuable overview of the health and fitness behaviors among Garmin watch users across various age demographics and nationalities. Issued by Garmin, the report indicates an 8% rise in logged activities compared to 2024, with notable increases in racket sports and Pilates. Users recorded an average of 55 minutes per activity, yet merely 28% met the recommended 10,000 steps each day.
The report examines the rise in popularity of different sports, noting a 67% surge in racket sports such as pickleball, primarily driven by individuals aged 18-29. Pilates, HIIT, and strength training also experienced significant growth, while indoor running expanded by 16%, with a preference for treadmills among women.
Activity length varied, with most runs being under an hour and walks usually between 0-30 minutes. The average duration of activities was influenced by longer endeavors like hiking and cycling. Daily step counts highlighted Hong Kong users at the forefront with 10,663 steps, followed by South Korea, Spain, China, and Ireland.
Additionally, the report analyzes demographic variations, showing Dutch users as the least stressed, Portuguese users receiving the most restorative sleep, and Chinese users expending the highest daily energy. Garmin motivates users to compare their figures and pursue challenging badges, such as the Everest expedition badge, which only 0.7% of users attain.
In conclusion, the report delivers an extensive perspective on how Garmin watch owners utilize their devices, offering a reference point for users to evaluate their performance and set forthcoming objectives.
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“Phone 3a Community Edition Delves into the Uncommon and Remarkable”
The company’s second Community Edition features several insights gained and a significantly lengthened creation timeline.
Nothing has declared that its Phone 3a Community Edition, the organization’s second ever, will debut on December 9 at 1 PM GMT (8 AM EST). The device was developed in collaboration with the top four winners from its last submission phase, which saw an expanded nine-month development timeline focusing on more facets of its phone than previously addressed. Nothing had launched 1,000 units of its inaugural project, the Phone 2a Plus Community Edition, in 2024.
Nothing’s co-creation initiative is warming up the chilly winter, as the company announces when its second Community Edition phone will arrive. Mirroring its first edition, Nothing invited four winners to London to engage in the development of what would evolve into the Phone 3a Community Edition earlier in 2025. Although the latest edition isn’t set to launch until December 9 at 1 PM GMT (8 AM EST), the company’s press release indicates that the phone reflects the culmination of numerous components. Alongside Nothing, these four individuals contributed to its hardware and accessory design, as well as its lock screen clock and wallpaper. Additionally, each participant was involved in the marketing campaign for the phone, which is now starting to come to fruition.
Nothing is showcasing its lessons from the initial collaborative Community Edition by stating it has refined its development schedule by “extending the co-creation window.” This year, collaborators are believed to have worked together over nine months. Even the design elements of the phone were enhanced to ensure greater involvement with the Community Edition from start to finish. The winning creators also received a £1,000 cash award for their contributions during and after the submission phase. Nothing claims that this year’s Community Edition represents its “ambitious and bold” approach to product design.
Nothing has reflected on the insights gained from its first Community Edition, specifically the Phone 2a Plus launched in 2024. Similar to what is forthcoming, Nothing designed that device with “input from the fans.” The device also included similar internals to those provided to consumers during the original launch of the Phone 2a Plus that same year. The lengthy creation process resulted in a 2a Plus that emitted a glow in the dark. It is noteworthy that, during its first Community Edition, Nothing only produced 1,000 units. It was a limited run that undoubtedly captivated those involved and others who appreciated that luminous aesthetic. It remains uncertain whether Nothing will adopt a similar approach with its Phone 3a Community Edition.
In other developments, Nothing has been launching its OS 4.0 update for its latest phones. The company’s flagship Phone 3 was the first to receive the update, arriving in late November. This update included some exclusive features, such as Glyph Toys, Glyph Mirror Selfie, Flip to Glyph controls, and more. Most recently, and quite timely, the Phone 3a has begun receiving its significant Android 16 upgrade.
The Phone 3a is positioned on the budget-friendly side, yet Nothing is not treating it as such. The company is promptly deploying its promised Nothing OS 4 update following the official rollout to its flagship model. System animations, battery optimization, and numerous enhancements are part of this update, considerably improving the Phone 3a across all dimensions.
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Unprecedented Demand for iPhone 17 Encounters Looming Hurdles
Izhar Khan/Getty Images
The IDC analysts have lauded the iPhone 17 series for its contribution to Apple’s record-setting year and its influence on the broader smartphone market in a recent report. However, the firm cautioned that challenges are anticipated next year, affecting both Apple and Android manufacturers. Notably, the iPhone producer will forgo a standard iPhone 18 model next year, and shortages in memory components will affect smartphone pricing in 2026.
Worldwide smartphone sales are expected to increase by 1.5% this year, reaching 1.25 billion units, as reported by IDC. This marks an adjustment from the earlier anticipated growth of 1% for the year. The report highlights “accelerated performance” from Apple during the holiday season as the primary factor for this rise. iPhone shipments are projected to upsurge by 6.1% in 2025 compared to the prior year, a significant jump from the previously recorded 3.9% growth cycle. In other terms, Apple is set to ship over 247 million iPhone units this year, paving the way for a landmark year in 2025. IDC’s senior research director Nabila Popal attributed this momentum to the “phenomenal success of its latest iPhone 17 series.”
iPhone 18 lineup may negatively impact sales
Google’s December Update Improves Pixel Security and Fixes 33 Issues
Covering battery, UI, and Bluetooth concerns
Essential information
- The security update for December targeting Pixel devices incorporates resolutions for 33 problems and critical security flaws.
- Improvements to the UI tackle freezing issues, display irregularities, and boost stability for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
- The update is being rolled out for Pixel 6 and newer models, in addition to the Pixel Tablet and Pixel Fold within the week.
Each month, Google considers the beginning of the month a prime opportunity to release various updates for Android and Pixel users. In conjunction with some of the notable features that accompany this month’s update, Google is also launching several bug fixes and security enhancements for Pixels today (Dec. 2).
The support page for Pixel indicates that December’s security update includes resolutions for 33 common issues encountered by Pixel users over the previous month, as well as addressing specific security vulnerabilities.
Notably, some of the key bug fixes resolve problems with battery and charging, correcting the unusual battery issue.
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