OnePlus 16 is official with 9,000mAh battery, Week 42 in review

The most notable smartphone announcement comes from OnePlus with the official unveiling of the OnePlus 16. Marking a massive leap forward in mobile power technology, the device arrives equipped with a mammoth 9,000mAh battery. This colossal power plant is paired with ultra-fast 100W wired charging and 50W wireless charging capabilities, ensuring that users can replenish the massive battery in record time. Under the hood, the OnePlus 16 is powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 processor, delivering immense computational power for demanding tasks and gaming. Visuals are handled by a vibrant 6.78-inch LTPO OLED display capable of reaching an astonishing 185Hz refresh rate in select games, providing ultra-smooth motion handling.

Imaging capabilities on the flagship are similarly robust, featuring a versatile triple camera array. This setup is anchored by a 200MP wide-angle primary sensor, accompanied by a 50MP telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom, and a 50MP ultrawide camera for expansive landscapes and group shots. Despite these impressive specifications, the OnePlus 16 is currently available exclusively in China, with no immediate plans for a global release. However, regional exclusivity has done little to dampen enthusiasm; the device demonstrated staggering market demand by selling 70,000 units within its first hour of availability. Meanwhile, in related mobile release news, the iPhone Duo has officially entered its pre-order phase, with initial shipments slated to arrive to eager consumers next week.

Expanding the focus on high-capacity battery smartphones, Poco has highlighted its latest regional offerings, the X8 Pro and the X8 Pro Max, placing a heavy emphasis on sustained performance, longevity, and physical durability. The larger X8 Pro Max stands out with its inclusion of the MediaTek Dimensity 9500s chipset, a massive 9,000mAh battery mirroring the capacity seen in top-tier flagships, and 100W fast charging support. Its stablemate, the X8 Pro, steps down slightly in scale while maintaining strong credentials, featuring a MediaTek Dimensity 8500 Ultra processor, a comfortable 6.59-inch AMOLED display, and a dedicated 50MP main camera.

Both devices are built to withstand harsh environments, boasting IP69K protection against dust and high-pressure water ingress, along with Corning Gorilla Glass 7i screen protection. Poco is also promising long-term software support for the duo, committing to four major Android operating system upgrades and six years of security updates. Promotional launch pricing in India positions the devices competitively, with the X8 Pro Max currently discounted to INR 42,999, roughly translating to $485, while the more compact X8 Pro is down to INR 33,999, or approximately $383.

Further expanding the smartphone pipeline, Vivo is moving closer to the official commercial launch of the vivo X500E. The device recently secured crucial Bluetooth SIG certification under the model number V2656, signaling that an announcement is imminent. Positioned as the spiritual successor to the earlier X300E model, industry rumors suggest the phone will feature a powerful MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset, a 6.59-inch display, and a dependable 50MP main camera. Photography enthusiasts can also expect a high-resolution 64MP periscope telephoto lens for enhanced zoom capabilities. To power these components, the device is rumored to pack a substantial 7,500mAh battery, continuing the industry trend toward larger power reserves. At present, Vivo has not confirmed an official release date for the X500E.

Honor has added to the hardware excitement by confirming that its upcoming Win 2 series will officially debut in China on October 21. The hardware ecosystem rollout will not be limited to smartphones alone, as the company plans to introduce the Win Tablet and Win Earbuds concurrently. The smartphone lineup will comprise three distinct variants: the Win 2, the Win RT 2, and the Win Turbo 2. Notably, both the standard Win 2 and the Win RT 2 will feature sharp 2K resolution displays supporting fluid 185Hz refresh rates. Under the hood, the flagship Win 2 will leverage the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chipset, a massive 10,100mAh battery, and an active cooling fan to maintain peak performance during sustained workloads. The Win RT 2 takes battery longevity even further, packing an enormous 12,070mAh battery. Alongside these phones, the Win Tablet will cater to productivity and media consumption enthusiasts by featuring an OLED display, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, and its own integrated active cooling system.

Beyond mobile phones, the wearable technology market is seeing notable expansion with Google unveiling the Fitbit Edge. Designed as a comprehensive health and fitness tracker, the device features a compact 1.34-inch OLED display, built-in GPS for accurate route tracking, ECG monitoring for heart health insights, and support for over more than 50 distinct exercise modes. What sets the Fitbit Edge apart in the market is its integration of Gemini-powered health coaching, which offers personalized guidance alongside automatic workout detection. Google promises up to seven days of battery life on a single charge, and in a significant win for product sustainability and right-to-repair initiatives, the Fitbit Edge stands out as Google’s first fitness tracker to feature a user-replaceable battery. The tracker is priced at $179.99, matching a €179.99 price point in Europe, with pre-orders currently live ahead of official retail availability on October 27. Additionally, a special edition variant designed in collaboration with basketball star Stephen Curry will be offered for $219.99.

Apple is simultaneously reinforcing its position in the domestic technology sector with the introduction of the HomeView. Designed to serve as a central command hub for modern smart homes, the HomeView features a 7-inch touchscreen interface powered by an A18 chipset and deeply integrated with Siri and Apple Intelligence capabilities. Available in both tabletop and wall-mounted configurations, the hub provides personalized interfaces tailored for up to six individual household members, comprehensive smart home controls, and an integrated 12MP camera equipped with Center Stage technology to streamline video calls. Audio performance is also a priority, with support for Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos, complemented by Thread connectivity for reliable smart home device interoperability. The HomeView is priced at $299 for either mounting configuration and is scheduled to go on sale starting November 13. However, regional availability will be limited, as regulatory hurdles surrounding Siri AI capabilities will prevent the device from launching within the European Union.