Many Chinese smartphone makers have already unveiled their new flagship models last year in 2024, and a few more models are said to join them early this year. As per a new update from a Chinese tipster on the Weibo platform, presumably, the sales figures of the latest Xiaomi 15 series, Huawei Mate 70 series, Vivo X200 series, and OPPO Find X8 series have been shared online.

Read more about it below.

New Chinese Flagship Series – Revealed Sales Figures

This update comes from the Chinese tipster – Digital Chat Station, and the shared data is as per on 12th of January, 2025. As mentioned, these sales figures are likely about the latest Xiaomi 15 series, Huawei Mate 70 series, Vivo X200 series, and OPPO Find X8 series.

In the Xiaomi 15 series, in October 2024, two smartphone models were unveiled – Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Pro. The sales figure of the series is revealed to have crossed 2 million. To add, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra smartphone is also said to join the series next month in February 2025 as the third model of the series, and as the brand’s next iterative camera flagship.

For the Huawei Mate 70 series, four smartphone models (Huawei Mate 70, Huawei Mate 70 Pro, Huawei Mate 70 Pro+, and Huawei Mate 70 RS Ultimate Design) were unveiled in November 2024. The sales figure of Huawei’s Mate 70 series is pointed out as 1.5 million.

Coming to Vivo’s X200 series, it was launched in October 2024 with three smartphone models – Vivo X200, Vivo X200 Pro, and Vivo X200 Pro mini. The series reportedly invited 1.2 million in sales. Additionally, Vivo X200s (series) and Vivo X200 Ultra devices are also expected to join the series this year.

Finally, the OPPO Find X8 series also debuted in October 2024 with two models – OPPO Find X8 and OPPO Find X8 Pro. The series is suggested to have sold 1 million in sales. This year, three more new models are believed to join the series – OPPO Find X8 mini, OPPO Find X8S, and OPPO Find X8 Ultra.

The post New Chinese Flagship Series Sales Figures Seemingly Shared: Of Xiaomi 15 Series, Huawei Mate 70 Series, Vivo X200 Series, and OPPO Find X8 Series appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

As per a new report from the International Data Corporation (IDC), it has been revealed that the PC Industry last year witnessed a slight growth. Moreover, the report also looks into what could happen this year in 2025.

Read more about it below.

2024 Sees a Slight Growth in the PC Market, What About 2025?

Based on what has been revealed in the IDC report, the shipment of PC units in the last quarter of 2024 (Q4 2024) has grown to 1.8% over last year’s shipment, and the global volume has reportedly reached 68.9 million shipments as per the data from IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker preliminary reports. Throughout 2024, the shipments grew 1% over 2023, with PC vendors shipping 262.7 million units in total.

Speaking more, as a whole, the PC market experiences a slower return when compared to growth, however, the government subsidies in China and the end-of-the-year sales in US and Europe offered some sort of hope in the industry last year in Q4 2024. Additionally, with the Windows 10 support ending in October 2025, companies have also taken quick measures to adapt with new and upgraded hardware requirements.

This year in 2025, there are a few concerns that may tie down the PC industry such as the administration change in the US, threat of new and increased tariffs, and supply chain pull-in during December 2024 from brands with limited production capacity outside China (in attempts to prevent US tariffs on Chinese-made goods). Apart from these, AI PCs have also attracted the attention of consumers, and it is therefore expected to have a positive impact on the PC industry. But, considering the cost and use cases, there are still a lot of challenges to be tackled. Even so, the implementation of on-device AI for PCs cannot be avoided. We will have to wait and see how PC makers and suppliers address these issues, and how consumers are provided advanced technologies amidst the uncertainties.

The post PC Market Closes in 2024 With Slight Growth, and Offering Mixed Views About 2025: Reveals IDC Report appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

On 9^th January, OnePlus officially launched its flagship OnePlus 13 series in the Indian and global markets. The series included two smartphones- OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13R. The first sale of the OnePlus 13R will start on 14^th January in India while the first sale for the OnePlus 13 started yesterday in the country,

Seems like Indian consumers were eagerly waiting for the OnePlus 13 to go on sale, as the device achieved a great milestone on the first day of its sale. OnePlus India officially announced that the OnePlus 13 has become the highest-selling premium smartphone in the Rs 50K+ segment on the first day of sale in the last 1 year (From 01-2024 to 01-2025) on Amazon.

A record-breaking start to 2025 for the OnePlus 13 🔥 pic.twitter.com/aH5UgSwDbc

— OnePlus India (@OnePlus_IN) January 11, 2025

The smartphone has also witnessed the highest first-day sales ever in this price segment for OnePlus. This indeed is a great start to 2025 for the smartphone brand, Let’s wait and see whether the OnePlus 13R will receive similar customer attention in India or whether the OnePlus 13 will only lead the way.

OnePlus 13: Specifications & Pricing

It sports a 6.82-inch ProXDR LTPO display that offers QHD+ screen resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, 4500 nits peak brightness, and is protected with a Ceramic guard cover glass. The device is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC paired with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage. The smartphone packs up a 50MP Sony LYT-808 main camera, a 50MP Sony LYT-600 telephoto camera, and a 50MP S5KJN5 ultrawide camera on the rear side and on the front it features a 32MP Sony IMX615 selfie camera. It supports 100W SuperVOOC charging and 50W AirVOOC wireless charging. Other features include WiFi 7, NFC, USB Type-C, Alert slider, ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, Bluetooth 5.4, dual nano-SIM slot, alert slider, and IP68/69 rating.

It runs on OxygenOS 15.0  based on Android 15. The company has promised to release 4 years of Android updates and 6 years of security patches to this smartphone. It is backed by a 6000mAh battery. The smartphone boasts features like- Circle to Search, PassScan, Magic compose, Intelligent Search, Google Gemini, Aqua Touch 2.0, love Mode, AI Detail Boost, Livephoto, ODAD feature, Theft protection, and more. OnePlus 13 comes in Midnight Ocean, Arctic Dawn, and Black Eclipse colors.

There are three storage options- 12/256 GB priced at Rs 69,999, 16/512 GB priced at Rs 71,999, and 24 GB/1TB priced at Rs 84,999 The sale has already started in India via OnePlus.in, the OnePlus Store app, Amazon, and offline retail stores. Consumers can avail of up to Rs 5,000 instant discount on ICICI bank, exchange bonus up to Rs 7,000, and up to 24 months No Cost EMI.

The post OnePlus 13 Becomes Highest Selling Premium Smartphone In Rs 50K+ Segment On First Day Of Sale In Last 1 Year On Amazon appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced that the company will invest $3 billion in India over the next two years to expand cloud and AI infrastructure, build new datacenters, and train 10 million people in AI and cloud skills by 2030.

Speaking at the Microsoft AI Tour in Bengaluru, Nadella highlighted India’s growing role in AI innovation. He said this investment would help make India an AI-first nation and create opportunities for people and businesses across the country.

Expanding AI Infrastructure

Microsoft plans to increase its datacenter capacity in India to support the rising demand for AI technology. The company already has three operational datacenter regions and a fourth set to open in 2026. This expansion aligns with India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

The company will continue its ADVANTA(I)GE India programme, which aims to train 10 million people in AI skills by 2030. So far, Microsoft has trained 2.4 million people, focusing on women and participants from smaller towns and cities.

According to Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State for Skill Development, partnerships with companies like Microsoft are essential for equipping India’s workforce with modern skills and supporting economic growth.

Supporting Start-ups and Innovation

Microsoft also launched an AI Innovation Network to help transform AI research into practical solutions for businesses. The company has partnered with SaaSBoomi to strengthen India’s AI and SaaS (Software as a Service) ecosystem, aiming to impact 5,000 start-ups, create 200,000 jobs, and attract $1.5 billion in investment over the next five years.

Microsoft is committed to reducing the environmental impact of its operations. New datacenters in India will use innovative cooling systems that don’t require water, and the company has secured renewable energy contracts to power its operations.

This $3 billion investment reflects Microsoft’s vision to support India’s digital transformation, create jobs, and build a skilled workforce. By expanding infrastructure and fostering innovation, Microsoft aims to help India become a global leader in AI.

The post Microsoft to Invest $3 Billion in India for Cloud and AI Development appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

India is looking at a ₹230 billion rupee ($2.68 billion USD) subsidy package to support its electronics manufacturing sector, Bloomberg reports. The plan would include subsidies and lower tariffs to reduce production costs for smartphone makers like Apple.

The proposed plan would add to India’s existing production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme and focus on building a local component supply chain. Part of the plan involves cutting import tariffs on key electronic parts like batteries, camera modules, and microprocessors. Right now, India’s tariffs on these parts are between 0% and 20%, which is 5-6% higher than countries like China and Malaysia, according to Niti Aayog research.

Apple has been making phones in India since 2017, and Indian-made iPhones now make up about 15% of its global production. The company started making iPhone 16 in India a few weeks after its global release.

If the plan goes through, future models like the iPhone 17 might be made in India and China at the same time. This comes as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to increase electronics manufacturing in India, which has already brought companies like Apple and Samsung to set up or expand production in the country.

The post India Plans 230 Billion Rupees Smartphone Manufacturing Subsidy, Could Help Apple Boost Local Production appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

Back in 2019, a lawsuit was filed against Apple for allowing its virtual assistant Siri to record conversations of iPhone users and other Siri-equipped devices without users’ consent while it was also claimed that the recorded conversations were then shared with advertisers to sell their products to consumers interested in the goods and services.

It’s been five years, but Apple has still not acknowledged this Siri snooping allegation. Though recently Apple filed a settlement in Oakland’s federal court in California, in which the company has agreed to pay $95 million to settle the case. This settlement is still awaiting approval from the US District Judge. Lawyers in the case have proposed scheduling a Fen 14 court hearing in Oakland to review the terms.

If approved, the settlement would apply to a subset of US-based people who owned or bought a Siri-enabled iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, MacBook, iMac, HomePod, iPod touch, or Apple TV between September 17^th, 2014 and December 31^st, 2024.

There is another catch, a user must swear under oath that they accidentally activated Siri during a conversation intended to be confidential or private. Individual payouts will depend on how many people claim the money, so if you apply, you may receive less than a $20 maximum cap.

The post Apple To Pay $95 Million In Order To Settle Lawsuit Against Siri Recording Conversations Of Users appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

CES 2025 is all set to take place from 7^th January to 10th January. Just like every year, this year also many big and small companies will be participating in this event and showcasing their latest gadget, innovations, and more. A few companies like Intel, LG, ASUS, and Samsung have already announced their participation.

The South Korean tech giant, Samsung has today officially announced that it will showcase 15 new startups at CES 2025.

Samsung is showcasing 15 innovative startups at CES 2025, featuring cool new tech in AI, IoT, health & robotics. These startups, all supported by Samsung’s C-Lab program, have also snagged 12 CES Innovation Awards, making waves in the tech world.#Samsung https://t.co/uf513A7Sk0

— SamsungNewsroomIN (@SamsungNewsIN) January 2, 2025

The C-Lab companies consist of 12 startups from the C-Lab Outside program. Samsung’s Executive Vice President and Head of the Creativity & Innovation Center, Pilgyu Jeon said, “CES is an important opportunity for Korean startups to gain a foothold in the global market and increase brand awareness. C-Lab will continue to support startups on the journey to becoming internationally recognized global innovators.”

12 Startups That Include AI, IoT, And Digital health

AI

• DEEP.FINE: An XR solution using Vision-AI and Visual Localization (VL) for precise digital space creation
• Mainspace: An online shopping service based on automated 3D interior design technology
• ENERZAi: A next-generation AI inference optimization engine
• Cochl: An AI-based sound technology that can understand any sound like a human
• Korea Greendata: Revolutionizing energy data analytic platform with AI-driven chatbot integration
• ai: An enterprise AI video production solution that can generate, edit, and distribute at scale

Digital Health

• Riduck: An AI-based aerobic exercise coaching solution based on data from a wearable device
• LabSD: A digital ophthalmoscope manufactured with upcycled smartphones and a teleophthalmology system
• Meditrix: A VR-based neuro-biofeedback motion chair and mobile digital therapeutics

 IoT

• Ghostpass: A remote hands-free authentication solution by storing user biometrics on smartphones
• Pinpoint: Smart building OS that integrates operations and user experiences into a unified solution

 Robot

• Quester: A high-performance hand tracking glove with sensor fusion technology

Two C-Lab Inside Projects From Samsung Employees

• GreenFollow: Galaxy-enabled autonomous driving solution for electric golf trolley
• Modulero: A modular platform for robotics development

One C-Lab Spin-Off

At CES 2025, C-Lab spin-off Edint will showcase its mobile-based AI online exam proctoring service.

Last year in November, the Consumer Technology Association announced the winners of the CES 2025 Innovation Awards, including the award for Best of Innovation. C-Lab startups received one Best of Innovation Award and 11 Innovation Award Honorees. The products and services that received honors include GhostPass, and DEEP.Fine, Mainspace, ENERZAi, Quester and others.

The post Samsung To Showcase 15 Innovative Startups Supported By C-Lab Program At CES 2025 appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

2025 has just started and the tech world is all set to witness new launches, announcements, and more for this year whether it’s related to gadgets, new technologies, features, games, etc. Similarly, X users should also get ready to witness some new changes on the platform.

Last year numerous new features and changes were introduced for X (formerly Twitter) under the guidance of Elon Musk whether it’s the rebranding of the platform, addition of new features, subscription for Blue Tick, and more. Well, more new things are coming up that are planned for the platform for 2025. Yesterday through an X post, X CEO, Linda Yaccarino talked about how X changed the world while she also mentioned that in 2025 X will connect users in ways never thought possible.

In 2024, X changed the world. Now, YOU are the media!

2025 X will connect you in ways never thought possible. X TV, X Money, Grok and more.

Buckle up. Happy New Year!🥂

— Linda Yaccarino (@lindayaX) December 31, 2024

The CEO talked about X TV, X Money, Grok, and more coming to the platform this year. There is also an X Money official account with a golden badge on the X platform. There is still no information about what exactly X Money will do but there are speculations that X Money could be used for subscriptions or trading for cryptocurrency.

More details will be known only after the official launch of this new payment system on the platform. However, the CEO’s indication towards the upcoming features did suggest that Musk’s plan to develop an all-in-one-app is slowly progressing.

The post X Money Payment System To Launch In 2025: X CEO Confirms appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

xAI has announced the closure of its Series C funding round, raising $6 billion from prominent investors including A16Z, Blackrock, Fidelity Management & Research Company, Kingdom Holdings, Lightspeed, MGX, Morgan Stanley, OIA, QIA, Sequoia Capital, Valor Equity Partners, and Vy Capital. Tech giants NVIDIA and AMD also participated as strategic investors to support xAI’s infrastructure scaling efforts.

Since its Series B announcement in May 2024, xAI has achieved several technical milestones:

Key Developments:

• Established Colossus, the world’s largest AI supercomputer, featuring 100,000 NVIDIA Hopper GPUs
• Launched Grok 2, their frontier language model with advanced reasoning capabilities
• Introduced xAI API for developer access to foundation models
• Released Aurora, their proprietary image generation model
• Enhanced Grok on 𝕏 with features like web search, citations, and Aurora integration

The company highlighted Colossus’s rapid deployment, achieving full operational status in 122 days and beginning workloads just 19 days after initial server delivery. xAI plans to double Colossus’s capacity to 200,000 NVIDIA Hopper GPUs using NVIDIA’s Spectrum-X Ethernet networking platform.

The company is currently training Grok 3, which they describe as their most powerful model yet. The new funding will be used to expand infrastructure, develop consumer and enterprise products, and advance research and development efforts.

The post xAI Raises $6 Billion in Series C Funding, Plans to Double Colossus Supercomputer Capacity appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

Recently the executives of Japanese automaker, Nissan announced that the company was on track for bankruptcy. Well to save the company from this financial strain Honda has stood up. Honda and Nissan have today confirmed their plans to team up and this plan includes the Mitsubishi automaker as well.

Well if the talks between these companies turn out to be fruitful then we may see the world’s third-largest automaker by sales. Nissan and Honda have signed a MOU to explore a strategic partnership with Mitsubishi joining the discussion as well. It is said that Mitsubishi is currently evaluating its involvement in the integration and aims to decide by January 2025. Meanwhile, all three companies plan to finalize the discussion by June 2025.

Reportedly, over the next six months, all three automakers will discuss merging their operations under a single holding company to complete the merger and list the shares of the holding company by August 2026. If this goes through then the brands will remain distinct, but they are expected to standardize platforms and powertrains, share R&D, and collaborate on manufacturing. It is believed that this merger plan is basically to enhance competitiveness in the electric vehicle (EV) market and counter the dominance of other rivals like Tesla and Chinese automakers.

The companies expect the merger to generate a profit of 3 trillion yen (19 Billion USD) in a year with combined annual sales of 30 trillion yen.

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