1. Apple announces the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max with advanced AI features and improved hardware; 2. New AI capabilities include document generation from notes, emoji and image creation from text, and summarization of notifications; 3. The iPhone 16 Pro Max features the largest display in the iPhone series, with a 6.9-inch screen and enhanced durability.

➀ The top five smartphone companies in Q2 2024, according to IDC, are Samsung, Apple, Xiaomi, vivo, and OPPO. ➁ Samsung leads with a slight growth of 0.7%, while Xiaomi shows significant growth at 27.4%. ➂ Overall market growth is 6.5% from Q2 2023 to Q2 2024.

➀ Pixel Upgrade: Mate 70 Pro features a 6000MP main camera, 4800MP ultra-wide, and 4800MP telephoto, supporting 5x optical and 100x digital zoom. ➁ Diamond Module: The camera layout adopts a diamond pattern for enhanced aesthetics and grip. ➂ One-Inch Large Sensor: Standard and Pro versions use advanced sensors like OV50H and OV50K, with LOFIC technology and a large variable aperture. ➃ Telescopic Lens: Mate 70 series may introduce the ultra-convergent telescopic lens from Pura70 Ultra, enhanced by XMAGE imaging technology.

➀ The global VCM market is expected to reach 32.2 billion by 2028. ➁ Major driver chip suppliers are from Korea, Japan, and the USA. ➂ Chinese companies like Hilis Microelectronics, Awinic, Giantec Semiconductor, JD Chip, and PUYA Semiconductor are actively expanding their VCM driver chip business. ➃ These companies are focusing on developing advanced technologies like OIS and close-loop VCM drivers.

➀ Xiaomi is set to launch its proprietary smartphone SoC in the first half of 2025, utilizing the N4P process and aiming for performance comparable to Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen1 or Gen2. ➁ The chip will likely be produced by TSMC or Samsung, despite U.S. limitations on advanced process technologies. ➂ For the 5G baseband, Xiaomi may opt for an external solution from MediaTek or UNISOC, with UNISOC being the preferred choice due to supply chain safety and cost efficiency.

1. iPhone 16 Pro models will feature a 48MP ultrawide camera with improved low-light performance; 2. Standard iPhone 16 and 16 Plus will introduce macro photography for the first time; 3. iPhone 16 Pro will replace the 3x telephoto lens with a 5x tetraprism camera.

1. Qualcomm introduces the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor for budget-friendly smartphones with enhanced AI capabilities; 2. The new chip features an 8-core Kryo CPU, Adreno GPU, and Hexagon NPU, offering improved performance and efficiency; 3. Compared to its predecessor, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, it boasts a 20% increase in CPU performance, up to 40% improvement in GPU, over 30% boost in AI performance, and a 12% reduction in overall power consumption.

1. An app called Showcase.apk, designed for Verizon in-store demos, has left multiple generations of Pixel smartphones vulnerable to various attacks since 2017. 2. The app, pre-installed in Pixel firmware, allows potential attackers to execute code or shell commands with system privileges, posing significant security risks. 3. Google is committed to removing the app from all affected devices, but a patch for the vulnerability is yet to be released.

1. Google announced new flagship smartphones, smartwatches, and AI features on its Google Gemini platform ahead of Apple's event. 2. The Google Pixel 9 series features a new design, Tensor G4 chip, and improved displays. 3. The Google Pixel Watch 3 introduces new health and safety features, including a first-of-its-kind Loss of Pulse Detection. 4. Google's Pixel Buds Pro 2 offers enhanced audio performance and AI integration.

1. Huawei is reportedly developing a tri-fold smartphone, which could launch before Apple's foldable iPhone. 2. Apple is rumored to be working on a foldable iPhone and iPad, but its first foldable device is not expected until 2026. 3. The Android market is rapidly advancing in foldable technology, leaving Apple potentially behind in this trend.

1. The 'Nothing Phone (2a) Plus' is an upgraded mid-range smartphone with a more powerful SoC and improved front camera; 2. It features a 120Hz 6.7-inch AMOLED display, a 5,000mAh battery with 50W fast charging, and offers a 3-year software update and 4-year security update; 3. The device includes a unique LED lighting feature called 'Glyph Interface' and a new 'News Reporter Widget' that summarizes daily news.

1. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers improved performance, faster wired charging, and an upgraded camera for under $400. 2. It features the MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro 5G chipset, which is 10% faster and has 30% better GPU performance than its predecessor. 3. The device includes a 6.7-inch OLED display and a new matte metallic backplate in black and gray.

1. The author expresses a strong desire for the return of the iPhone mini, a smaller model that Apple discontinued. 2. The iPhone mini was appreciated for its compact size and lighter weight compared to the Pro models. 3. Despite rumors of a new iPhone Slim model, the author remains hopeful for the revival of the iPhone mini.

1. Google has officially confirmed the upcoming Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro Fold in teaser videos, emphasizing their AI capabilities built for the Gemini era. 2. The teaser videos showcase a new camera layout for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, with a stacked camera array and an offset camera bump. 3. Rumors suggest a larger Pro XL model and varying screen sizes for the Pixel 9 series, with different camera setups for each model.

1. ASUS introduces the Zenfone 11 Ultra, a flagship smartphone with advanced AI capabilities; 2. The device features a 6.78-inch display, a powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, and a range of AI-driven features such as call translation, voice-to-text transcription, and AI-generated wallpapers; 3. It also includes a triple-camera setup, a large 5,500mAh battery, and supports fast charging and wireless charging.

1. Furi Labs introduces the FLX1, a Debian-based smartphone with competitive specs and price. 2. The FLX1 features an octa-core processor, 128 GB storage, 6 GB RAM, and a 50 MP camera. 3. The phone runs on Debian 'Trixie' with GNOME phosh UI and is aimed at privacy-conscious users.