Vivo officially launched the X500 series in China, a flagship smartphone lineup featuring Zeiss-tuned cameras, 144Hz AMOLED displays, and advanced imaging capabilities. The base X500 model includes a 50MP primary Sony camera with OIS, 64MP telephoto, 50MP ultrawide, Dimensity 9600M processor, 7,500mAh battery with 90W charging, and starts at CNY 5,499.
Apple-owned Beats launched the Beats 360, $349 over-ear wireless headphones specifically designed for workouts with IPX4 sweat resistance, lighter weight than AirPods Max 2, customizable ear cups and headband, and up to 32 hours of battery life. The headphones feature custom audio drivers, improved ANC, and various Apple integration features.
Sonos released the Ace Ultra headphones ($449), an improved follow-up to its poorly-launched original Ace. The key upgrade is Wi-Fi integration that allows the headphones to function as full members of a Sonos system, enabling seamless audio switching between speakers and headphones via the Sonos app, plus enhancements to noise cancellation, sound customization, and battery life.
Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S27 Ultra and S27 Pro smartphones are undergoing regulatory approvals with significantly larger batteries: 5,700mAh for the Ultra model (up from 5,000mAh in the S26 Ultra) and 5,200mAh for the Pro. This marks a notable shift in Samsung's battery strategy toward longer-lasting devices.
Amazfit released the T-Rex Dual Solar, combining an AMOLED display with dual solar panels (front and rear) to extend battery life. The watch features a 1.3-inch AMOLED screen, 660mAh battery, and improved solar UI compared to competitors, though real-world solar gains are minimal. Priced at $649, it represents an alternative to Garmin's traditional approach of larger batteries over solar integration.
Google's Pixel 11 Pro XL is a large flagship smartphone with a 6.8-inch OLED screen, Tensor G6 processor, and excellent camera system featuring improved Night Sight and new Magic Capture modes. Priced at £1,279, it competes with Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max, offering two-day battery life and advanced AI features including Gemini Omni access.
Apple developed a firmware solution for the iPhone 18 Pro Max that temporarily reduces battery capacity below international 20Wh shipping limits, then automatically restores it to its full 21.75Wh (US) or 21.06Wh (EU) capacity upon first user activation. The device can be returned to limited capacity via a 'Prepare to Ship' feature for repairs or resale.
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro arrives four years after the iPhone 14 Pro with major upgrades including larger displays, new design, improved cameras, longer battery life, faster charging, USB-C, and Apple Intelligence support. The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199 for 256GB, $200 more than the iPhone 14 Pro's launch price. For iPhone 14 Pro owners, the accumulated improvements across display, cameras, battery, and connectivity make it a worthwhile upgrade.
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max feature improved battery life, with the Pro Max lasting 18+ hours in testing, though the standard Pro doesn't exceed last year's Pro Max. The new models are heavier due to enhanced cooling and larger batteries, but maintain the same physical dimensions so existing cases remain compatible.
iFixit published a teardown of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, revealing battery capacity increases of 0.8% and 9.4% respectively, along with details on the new variable aperture system and larger vapor chamber. The teardown noted that NAND storage is now integrated into the dual-layer logic board, complicating repairs, and identified potential screen durability concerns.
OnePlus has opened reservations for the OnePlus 16 in China, featuring three colorways and storage options up to 1TB. The phone maintains a similar design to its predecessor with a square rear camera module and is expected to include Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chipset and a 9,000mAh battery, though availability outside China remains unlikely.
Chinese battery maker Sunwoda unveiled a new 15C LFP battery technology that charges from 10-97% state of charge in 9 minutes at room temperature, adding 100 km of range per minute. The system achieves these ultra-fast charging speeds through advanced thermal management and maintains a 10-year or 300,000 km warranty without limiting ultrafast charging cycles. Sunwoda also introduced a broader energy ecosystem integrating solar power, battery storage, and charging infrastructure for partnerships with energy companies.
Samsung's Galaxy S27 Ultra and S27 Pro are reportedly receiving significant battery upgrades, with the Ultra reaching approximately 5,700mAh (a 14% increase over the S26 Ultra's 5,000mAh) and the Pro reaching around 5,200mAh. Both devices are expected to support 60W wired charging, based on certification listings from China's 3C agency, though Samsung has not officially confirmed these specifications.
Apple circumvented international battery shipping restrictions for the iPhone 18 Pro Max by implementing a software limitation that temporarily caps the battery charge below the 20Wh threshold during shipping, then removes the limit upon first startup, allowing the device to utilize its full 21.75Wh capacity in the US market. The US transport regulator approved this method in June 2025, and Apple allows users to toggle the feature on and off for overseas transport.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max features a battery exceeding 20 watt-hours, requiring Apple to implement an innovative battery-firmware solution that limits capacity during shipping and transport. Apple added a new 'Prepare to Ship' feature in iOS 27 Settings that discharges the battery below 20 Wh to comply with international shipping regulations for high-capacity batteries.
Apple released the Watch Series 12 today with internal upgrades and improved health sensors, including a faster S11 chip and enhanced heart rate monitoring that samples every five seconds. The device maintains the same external design as Series 11 but adds new color options, tougher Ceramic Shield 2 glass, and faster charging capabilities. New features include a readiness score based on activity and vitals, with prices starting at $399.
Samsung's Galaxy Tab S12 Plus and Ultra tablets are set to launch on October 7, 2026, with the Plus offering up to 12GB RAM and a 12.6-inch display, while the Ultra provides up to 16GB RAM and a larger 14.6-inch screen. Both will run One UI 9.0 and be available in silver and gray, with the Plus starting at €1,299 and the Ultra at €1,539.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max requires a 'Prepare to Ship' feature to limit battery capacity below 20 watt-hours for shipping, repair, or trade-in purposes. Apple's firmware solution automatically reduces battery capacity during manufacturing and shipping, which is restored upon activation. The feature is accessible through Settings and includes options to undo the preparation, with potential waiting periods depending on the use case.
iPhone 18 Pro Max has a battery exceeding 20 Wh, requiring special shipping preparation to comply with regulations. Users can enable Prepare to Ship in Settings to temporarily limit battery capacity below 20 Wh for repair, trade-in, return, or gifting purposes, with the full capacity restored after activation.
Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S27 Ultra and Pro models will feature silicon-carbon battery upgrades, with the Ultra reaching ~5,700 mAh (a 14% increase) and the Pro jumping to ~5,200 mAh, both supporting 60W wired charging. However, these capacities lag behind competitors like Oppo's rumored 8,000 mAh Find X10.