On top of being the upgraded version of the Nintendo Switch, the Switch 2 might be the best way to experience some of the previous generation’s most critically acclaimed titles. Both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom already stole our hearts with their scale, presentation, and gameplay when they were released in 2017 and 2023, respectively. Whether it’s your first time playing or your 50th, the Switch 2 editions of these titles are an absolute dream experience. Nintendo’s modern masterpieces didn’t suffer despite relatively low resolution and frame rates and slow loading times — one of the most common gripes with the games when they were released. But the Switch 2 Edition of each game feels like the upgrade the titles deserve, especially when it comes to reduced loading times. And I mean significantly reduced. During our testing, we ran five different test cases five times, then calculated an average for each of the five trials. For the original versions of the games, we used a Switch OLED. For the Switch 2 editions of the games, we used a Switch 2. We tested the time it takes to boot up the game from the Switch 2 home screen, a load a save file from the title screen, reload a save file, fast travel across the map, and enter a shrine. I picked these test cases because they are actions you repeat many times in a given play session, and those load times add up. Here are the results: TestBoTW SwitchBoTW Switch 2 EditionToTK Switch ToTK Switch 2 EditionBooting up the game13.15s7.26s18.26s8.51sLoading a save file from the title screen23.40s14.14s11.04s8.19sReloading a save file14.78s9.11s16.31s9.49sFast travel22.62s14.47s12.04s5.08sEntering a shrine9.21s6.87s8.58s4.68s To no one’s surprise, the Switch 2 dominates the performance of the Nintendo Switch. The Switch 2 takes the load times of both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom and cuts them roughly in half. In some cases, the load time has been reduced by more than half, specifically in Tears of the Kingdom. Overall, Tears of the Kingdom saw bigger performance increases on average compared to Breath of the Wild, probably because the game is just better optimized. The Nintendo Switch 2, paired with the Switch 2 Edition of each title, offers a significant improvement to the modern Zelda experience. You can also play the original versions on Switch 2, in theory, though we have yet to test those load times. Nonetheless, the Switch 2 editions feel more fluid and responsive. If you have yet to lose yourself in the most recent iteration of Hyrule Kingdom, there’s no better time than now — that is, if you’re willing to pay the extra $10 per game, or for a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion membership, to upgrade to the Switch 2 Edition, which is only available on Switch 2.

Menu Home News Hardware Gaming Mobile Finance Deals Reviews How To Wccftech Mobile Xiaomi Will Eventually Branch Out Its Custom Chipsets For Non-Flagship Smartphones, And Intends To Go Down Apple’s Path By Launching A 5G Solution Omar Sohail • May 27, 2025 at 01:08pm EDT The XRING 01 is just the base of what Xiaomi has in store for future smartphone releases, starting with the company making history by becoming the first Chinese firm to introduce a silicon mass produced on the 3nm process. Eventually, we shall witness the launch of more SoCs tailor-made for the affordable options, with an executive stating that these plans do not just stop here. Similar to Apple’s C1 5G modem, Xiaomi also wants to materialize a baseband chip, but has yet to provide a concrete launch timeline. While Xiaomi will open up its technology to various smartphone lineups, its core focus currently lies in the flagship range So far, the XRING 01 is currently found in the Xiaomi 15S Pro and the Pad 7 Ultra, and both of them are currently occupying the premium space of their respective categories. The company made the right decision to introduce a flagship custom SoC because it is solid proof that the silicon can compete with the heavy hitters from Qualcomm, MediaTek, and Apple, which have been developing solutions for years. However, Xiaomi will not keep itself limited to the top-end products, because @SKundojjala posted a statement on X from Lu Weibing, a company partner, regarding future plans. Currently, Xiaomi wants to focus on the flagship space, but will eventually extend its efforts to the more affordable range. Additionally, the statement mentions that the Chinese technology superstar wants to develop its modem, following in the footsteps of Apple and its C1 5G baseband chip. However, just because a plan is in the pipeline does not necessarily mean that it will be executed immediately, because the Xiaomi executive states that ‘we are just taking off.’ Xiaomi gives itself 5-10 years to achieve reasonable financial model with smartphone chips. XRING's initial focus is flagship only and Xiaomi will look into developing multi-mode 5G chips in the future. Says it's early to talk about incremental GM. pic.twitter.com/gimKuzFOX5 — Sravan Kundojjala (@SKundojjala) May 27, 2025 It could take several years before we witness a custom 5G modem, with Xiaomi likely running into the same development roadblocks as Apple. Another option for the company is to utilize existing technology, such as the XRING 01, in more affordable smartphones and tablets, but that is only when its successor arrives in the near future. Keep in mind that there is a binned version of the XRING 01 that currently fuels the Pad 7 Ultra, giving the company yet another alternative to reduce costs while equipping its non-flagship smartphones with top-end parts. News Source: @SKundojjala Subscribe to get an everyday digest of the latest technology news in your inbox Follow us on Topics Sections Company Some posts on wccftech.com may contain affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com © 2025 WCCF TECH INC. 700 - 401 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Summer is here, and you're probably already packing your calendar with vacation escapes, backyard BBQs, and weekend road trips. Of course, the fan-favorite destination for this hot season is the beach, where the breeze is cool and the water is refreshing. But what if we told you that you didn't have to book an Airbnb or waterfront hotel in a beach town the next time you wanted to take a dip in one of nature's pools? Turns out, a beach house may be more in reach than you thought! Zillow recently pulled some data to identify the 20 most affordable seaside cities where you can make your vacation home dreams a reality.While we're not saying these options will get you a beach house on the cheap, the locations typically offer a range of properties with lower price tags that still give you access to the ocean, as well as all the charm that comes with a seaside locale (think Mom and Pop ice cream shops, quaint shopping, and more). Of the top 20, you'll find that Florida dominates the list, with a few other states sprinkled in. Keep reading to see which beach towns have the lowest typical home values, but still all of the sandy perks.For more real estate stories:1Atlantic City, NJFederico ScottoAtlantic City may be best known for its casinos, but the iconic boardwalk along the Atlantic Ocean is a close second. There's plenty to do in this shore town, from visiting the amusement park and eating fresh seafood to spreading out on the sand. Since you're so close to New York City, day trips from either location are extremely easy as well.Typical home value: $215,336Learn More2Daytona Beach, FLFlavio Vallenari//Getty ImagesAny NASCAR fan is familiar with Daytona Beach, but did you know that this Northeastern Florida city is also a festival hub? Every year, the city hosts over 60 different art, music, and other cultural festivals, giving residents and tourists alike opportunities to experience new things. Though you could easily spend every day on the beach, there are plenty of other museums, adventures, and opportunities to try out.Typical home value: $251,750Learn MoreAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below3Deerfield Beach, FLWiniker:Getty ImagesThe small city of Deerfield Beach is ideal if you want to experience South Florida's beaches without the crowds. Located between Boca Raton and Pompano Beach, the town is known for its fishing pier and abundance of outdoor water activities, like paddle-boarding, surfing, and water skiing. Typical home value: Learn More4Myrtle Beach, SCDale Fornoff:Getty ImagesMyrtle Beach is a seaside locale with 60 miles of sandy beach and 14 unique communities meshed together. It provides plenty of classic beach town activities, such as a fun boardwalk and theme park, and is generally a family-friendly location. There are plenty of things to do and places to explore, from the Waccamaw River to 90 different golf courses. Typical home value: $300,720Learn MoreAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below5Hallandale Beach, FLTHEPALMER:Getty ImagesSouth of Fort Lauderdale and north of Miami, Hallandale Beach is home to Gulfstream Park Racing and a handful of public beaches. It's a smaller community that offers a classic beach day if you want to escape the crowds. Typical home value: $301,130Learn More6Pinellas Park, FLMatthew Lindahl : 500px:Getty ImagesPart of the St. Petersburg metropolitan area, Pinellas Park has a population of about 53,000 and provides access to a string of beaches along the northwestern coast of Florida. Though small, there is an arts and culture scene in the town that highlights the community's creative DNA. Typical home value: $314,991Learn MoreAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below7West Haven, CTRedtea:Getty ImagesLocated on the Long Island Sound, West Haven is an affordable option not far from New York City. This town has the longest stretch of public beaches in the state, where you can swim, sunbathe, fish, and explore. Typical home value: $326,043Learn More8Galveston, TXWirestock//Getty ImagesWith over 30 miles of beaches, Galveston is the only Texas seaside city on this list. It's located on the balmy Gulf of Mexico, where there are plenty of museums and art galleries you can visit, along with beaches. The area also has a well-known restaurant scene.Typical home value: $333,127Learn MoreAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below9Palm Coast, FLMichael Warren:Getty ImagesParks, museums, beaches—oh, my! Palm Coast is on the Northeast side of Florida and offers plenty of fun. Relax or fish at one of the beaches, then head over to Washington Oaks Gardens State Park for some biking amid the lush gardens before ending your day at the Florida Agricultural Museum. Did we mention that there's also plenty of delicious seafood to be had?Typical home value: $351,404Learn More10Largo, FLalex grichenko:Getty ImagesSouth of Clearwater, Largo offers access to beaches and two larger metropolitan areas, perfect for the homeowner who wants to be near the action but not caught up in it. There are multiple parks to visit in the town, and art lovers will appreciate all the shows and performances. Typical home value: $353,576Learn MoreAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below11Pompano Beach, FLLagunaticPhoto:Getty ImagesPompano Beach is a hidden gem on the Gold Coast, neighboring Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and Hollywood. The city offers miles of beach with temperate waters from the Gulf Stream, as well as plenty of things to do, like snorkeling, shopping, festivals, and golfing. Typical home value: $356,795Learn More12Delray Beach, FLThomas Green:Getty ImagesFor a mix of water activities and a thriving art scene, consider Delray Beach. The arts district is part of what makes this South Florida city so special, and the municipal beach is just the cherry on top. It can definitely get busy on a nice day.Typical home value: $359,963Learn MoreAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below13Clearwater, FLJohn Murphy Photography:Getty ImagesIf Clearwater's three miles of white sand beaches aren't enough to entice you, maybe the plethora of activities and events will. Clearwater is part of the Tampa-St. Petersburg metropolitan area, and it has plenty to offer, from the nightly festival at Pier 60 to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Typical home value: $362,300Learn More14Bradenton, FLDawn Damico:Getty ImagesExplore your love of the beach and historical sites in Bradenton along the Manatee River. For a small city, there's plenty to do, including the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, the riverwalk, the Manatee Village Historical Park, and multiple beaches.Typical home value: $370,091Learn MoreAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below15St. Petersburg, FLJohn Coletti:Getty ImagesOne of the largest cities on this list in terms of population, St. Petersburg is known as the "Sunshine City" and is home to great shops, top-ranked beaches, and a thriving arts district. For those who want both beach and city life, this should be a top contender on your list. You can find multiple museums, like the Dali Museum and a living museum of botanicals and tropical plants at the Sunken Gardens.Typical home value: $372,035Learn More16Ormond Beach, FLArt Wager:Getty ImagesGet that small-town feel in Ormond Beach, which is at the northern end of the Daytona Beach area. It's a quieter refuge, though it's not lacking in culture. There are multiple state parks located in this town, along with museums and cultural centers that are good to visit when you're not taking a dip in the Atlantic. Typical home value: $379,800Learn MoreAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below17Oakland Park, FLShobeir Ansari:Getty ImagesOakland Park is just north of Fort Lauderdale and has excellent access to the metropolitan area's beaches. Think of this town of around 44,000 people as any other small American town, just with closer access to the Atlantic Ocean. Typical home value: $381,610Learn More18Riviera Beach, FLCrystal Bolin Photography:Getty ImagesRiviera Beach is just off the coast of Singer Island, and it's a wonderful location for those who love to bask in the sun and take in all types of water activities. There are multiple parks to explore and plenty of opportunities to see and learn about the marine life that lives in Florida.Typical home value: $397,829Learn MoreAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below19West Palm Beach, FLMasao Taira:Getty ImagesThis bustling city might not be the most affordable destination on this list, but it offers a lot for its elevated prices. From exciting nightlife and exceptional culinary options to an exciting art scene, West Palm Beach is a vibrant destination with plenty of beach access. Typical home value: $403,731Learn More20Navarre, FLArt Wager:Getty ImagesThis small city in Western Florida, on the Gulf Coast, just an hour and a half from Mobile, Alabama, boasts white sand beaches, clear blue water, and proximity to Santa Rosa Island. It's a tranquil destination with opportunities to learn about marine life at the multiple refuges and conservation centers.Typical home value: $415,063Learn More

The arrival of the XRING 01 is a message from Xiaomi that it is fully prepared and equipped to design and manufacture custom chipsets, securing a new milestone by becoming the first Chinese firm to successfully commercialize a 3nm SoC. While the new silicon’s launch would indicate that the company is ready to wave goodbye to its partners Qualcomm and MediaTek, a new estimate reveals that it may take several years before Xiaomi is completely self-sufficient in making its own chipsets. For now, around 40 percent of the company’s smartphones feature parts from the aforementioned names. Relying on Qualcomm and MediaTek for future chipsets might still be a necessity, considering that the U.S. has not voiced its concern for Xiaomi’s XRING 01 Currently, the XRING 01 powers the Xiaomi 15S Pro and the Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra, and there is no mention of whether the custom SoC will make its way to other devices. The company has not mentioned how many units it intends to manufacture but utilizing the second-generation 3nm process from TSMC, also known as ‘N3E,’ is a costly decision, not to mention that the tape-out process likely racked up a bill of millions for Xiaomi. In the long run, it is cheaper to make your own chipsets as opposed to sourcing from Qualcomm or MediaTek, but in the initial stages, where a ton of trial and error is involved, there is no question that Xiaomi’s investment of billions was absolutely crucial. However, the company has barely scratched the surface, and until it has successfully adopted its in-house silicon for at least a couple of generations, we doubt the partnership with Qualcomm and MediaTek will evaporate. In fact, CNBC reports that, according to Counterpoint Research Partner Niel Shah, 40 percent of Xiaomi smartphones continue to feature chipsets from Qualcomm and MediaTek. These two might be included in Xiaomi’s supply chain for a little longer because of the potential U.S. export controls looming over the company’s head like the sword of Damocles. The XRING 01 represents not just a victory for Xiaomi but also for China, and leveraging TSMC’s advanced lithography will probably not go unnoticed by the Trump administration. There is the possibility that TSMC is barred from doing business with Xiaomi for fear that the latter’s technology could be distributed to other Chinese firms and give them an edge in the technological race. The problem is that the global landscape is too unpredictable to make such assumptions, so we must see what fate awaits Xiaomi in the future. News Source: CNBC Deal of the Day

After fifteen years of semiconductor research, Xiaomi unveils its inaugural custom processor, the XRING O1. This proprietary chip now drives two flagship devices that showcase how engineering can follow aesthetic vision rather than dictate it. The 15S Pro smartphone and Pad 7 Ultra tablet demonstrate a maturation in hardware development where technical capabilities enhance design intentions instead of limiting them. Designer: Xiaomi The XRING O1 represents a significant departure from Xiaomi’s previous reliance on third-party processors. Built on advanced 3-nanometer fabrication technology, this chip architecture balances computational prowess with practical energy management. Its ten-core configuration includes dual high-performance cores operating at 3.7GHz alongside efficiency-focused cores that handle routine tasks without unnecessary power drain. Graphics processing receives substantial attention through the integrated 16-core Immortalis-G925 GPU. This component renders complex visual content with exceptional smoothness, particularly beneficial when working with creative applications or editing high-resolution video. The processor’s specialized imaging engine processes 8.7 billion pixels per second, enabling sophisticated computational photography features without compromising system responsiveness. 15S Pro: Hardware Design Enhancing Photographic Capability The 15S Pro demonstrates thoughtful material selection through its Dragon Scale Fiber and Far Sky Blue variants. These finishes transcend mere aesthetics, communicating product identity through both visual and tactile characteristics. The aluminum frame incorporates an innovative wing-shaped cooling system that maintains optimal thermal conditions without disrupting the device’s clean lines. Visual content benefits from the 6.73-inch OLED panel capable of 3200 nits peak brightness. This specification translates to practical benefits in outdoor environments where ambient light typically overwhelms conventional displays. The implementation of variable refresh rate technology, spanning from 1Hz to 120Hz, preserves battery reserves during static content viewing while ensuring fluid motion when required. The 2K resolution maintains clarity across all content types. Photographic capabilities receive particular emphasis through collaboration with Leica. The Summilux lens system pairs with three 50-megapixel sensors, each optimized for specific capture scenarios. The primary camera employs an f/1.62 aperture and 1/1.31″ sensor that gather substantial light even in challenging conditions. Complementary ultrawide and 5X telephoto modules expand creative possibilities without quality compromises. The XRING O1’s dedicated image signal processor enables sophisticated computational photography techniques. The system applies intelligent enhancement that respects photographic intent rather than applying excessive processing. Low-light photography, portrait effects, and high dynamic range scenarios benefit from this approach, producing results that rival dedicated cameras in many situations. Power management demonstrates similar attention to practical user needs. The 6100mAh silicon-carbon battery achieves 850Wh/L energy density, providing substantial capacity within reasonable physical dimensions. When recharging becomes necessary, 90W wired and 50W wireless options minimize downtime. The XRING O1’s efficiency optimizations extend operational duration during active use. Pad 7 Ultra: Rethinking Tablet Proportions The Pad 7 Ultra challenges conventional tablet design through its remarkably thin 5.1mm profile. This svelte form houses a 14-inch OLED display that transforms content consumption and creation through both size and quality. The 3.2K resolution ensures exceptional clarity across all applications, while the 120Hz refresh rate creates immediate responsiveness during interaction. The 3:2 aspect ratio represents a particularly thoughtful design decision that enhances productivity applications. This format provides additional vertical space compared to widescreen alternatives, benefiting document editing, web browsing, and creative software. The choice demonstrates how subtle proportion adjustments can significantly impact practical usability. Construction employs an all-metal unibody approach that achieves 609g weight despite the generous display dimensions. The high-strength aluminum alloy increases structural integrity by 18% compared to previous generations, creating a device that feels substantial without unnecessary mass. This balance ensures comfortable handling during extended creative sessions. The optional nano-soft light screen variant addresses the needs of digital artists and note-takers. Surface treatment reduces reflectivity by 70% and glare by 99%, creating a more paper-like experience for stylus input. When paired with the Focus Touch Pen offering 8192 pressure sensitivity levels and minimal latency, the tablet provides professional-grade creative capabilities in an exceptionally portable format. Performance improvements enabled by the XRING O1 translate to measurable productivity benefits. Video exports complete 27.5% faster than previous generations, while image processing finishes 51.3% quicker. Multitasking demonstrates 49% improved responsiveness, allowing users to maintain creative momentum without technical interruptions. Audio reproduction receives similar attention through an eight-speaker system with Dolby Atmos support. This configuration creates immersive soundscapes that complement the visual experience, enhancing both entertainment content and creative audio work. The approach demonstrates consideration for the complete user experience rather than focusing exclusively on visual elements. Custom Silicon Enabling Design Freedom The XRING O1 represents more than technical achievement. It enables design approaches previously constrained by processing or efficiency limitations. By controlling both hardware and silicon development, Xiaomi creates devices where form and function achieve greater harmony than typically possible when adapting designs around third-party components. This integration allows both the 15S Pro and Pad 7 Ultra to challenge conventional expectations while delivering substantive performance improvements. The processor’s efficiency enables the Pad 7 Ultra’s remarkably thin profile without thermal or battery compromises. Similarly, the 15S Pro maintains consistent performance during demanding photographic tasks without requiring design concessions for cooling. Xiaomi’s approach demonstrates how custom silicon development can advance product design beyond incremental refinements. The XRING O1 provides capabilities specifically tailored to hardware priorities rather than forcing design compromises to accommodate standardized processors. This strategy allows greater creative freedom while maintaining competitive performance metrics. The 15S Pro enters the market at 5,499 yuan (approximately $763) for configurations with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage. This positioning balances premium capabilities with accessibility, making advanced technology available to more users. The Pad 7 Ultra similarly offers distinctive design and performance characteristics at competitive price points, challenging established premium tablet offerings.The post Xiaomi Debuts Custom Silicon: XRING O1 Transforms 15S Pro and Pad 7 Ultra first appeared on Yanko Design.

Xiaomi 15S Pro was launched in China on Thursday. This is the first handset from the Chinese OEM to be equipped with its in-house 3nm 10-core XRING 01 chipset. The phone supports 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM paired with up to 1TB of UFS 4.0 inbuilt storage and ships with Android 15-based HyperOS 2.0. The Xiaomi 15s Pro carries a Leica-backed 50-megapixel triple rear camera unit, including a 50-megapixel periscope telephoto shooter. It packs a 6,100mAh battery with support for wired as well as wireless fast charging.Xiaomi 15S Pro Price, AvailabilityXiaomi 15S Pro price in China starts at CNY 5,499 (roughly Rs. 65,500) for the 16GB + 512GB RAM and storage configuration, while the 16GB + 1TB variant costs CNY 5,999 (roughly Rs. 71,500). The phone is offered in Dragon Scale Fibre Version and Far Sky Blue finishes. The handset is currently available for purchase in the country via the official e-store. Xiaomi 15S Pro Specifications, FeaturesThe Xiaomi 15S Pro has a 6.73-inch 2K (3,100×1,440 pixels) OLED LTPO display with up to 120Hz refresh rate, up to 3,200 nits peak brightness level, a 1,920Hz PWM dimming rate, and Xiaomi's Ceramic Glass 2.0 protection. The screen supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision as well. The handset is powered by the company's newest 3nm 10-core XRING 01 chipset with an Immortalis-G925 GPU paired with 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 4.0 onboard storage. It ships with Xiaomi's HyperOS 2.0 based on Android 15.For optics, the Xiaomi 15S Pro has a Leica-backed triple rear camera unit including a 50-megapixel 1/ 1.31-inch Light Fusion 900 primary sensor with an f/1.44 aperture and optical image stabilisation (OIS) support. The camera setup also gets a 50-megapixel Samsung S5KJN1 sensor coupled with a 115-degree ultra-wide angle lens with an f/2.2 aperture and macro functionalities, alongside a 50-megapixel Sony IMX858 periscope telephoto shooter with 5x optical zoom, 10x in-sensor lossless zoom, f/2.5 aperture, and OIS support. The smartphone is also equipped with a 32-megapixel OV32B40 front camera with an f/2.0 aperture for selfies and video calls. The Xiaomi 15S Pro packs a 6,100mAh battery with 90W wired and 50W wireless fast charging support. For security, the handset has an in-display fingerprint sensor. Connectivity options include 5G, dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, Beidou, Galileo, GLONASS, GPS, NavIC, NFC and a USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 port. The phone has an IP68-rated dust and water-resistant build. It also has stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support. The smartphone measures 161.3×75.3×8.33mm in size and weighs 216g.Affiliate links may be automatically generated - see our ethics statement for details.

Xiaomi has unveiled its first in-house flagship chipset, the Xring O1, and it’s got enough power to go head-to-head with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite. The company also unveiled a 15S Pro phone and Pad 7 Ultra tablet that the new chip will power, plus a new version of the Watch S4 powered by another Xiaomi chip.The Xring O1 isn’t Xiaomi’s first phone chipset, but it’s the first since 2017’s midrange Surge S1, and is far more powerful than that. Developed using a second-generation 3nm process, this is a chip intended to rival the 8 Elite, MediaTek’s Dimensity 9400, and Apple’s A18 series. On paper, it looks up to the task.Image: XiaomiXiaomi has opted for a 10-core CPU, more than any of the competition. Two Arm Cortex-X925 prime cores are clocked at 3.9GHz, with four more cores at 3.4GHz, two at 1.9GHz, and another two at 1.8GHz. The 16-core Immortalis-G925 is also top-spec, matching the graphics horsepower in MediaTek’s Dimensity flagship.Chip architecture has started to vary enough between the major players that clock speeds and core counts aren’t a great guide to performance. Neither are lab benchmarks, though Xiaomi’s claimed AnTuTu score of over three million puts this up there with the best, and it’s bullish about the chip’s power-efficiency too.What this tells us, though, is that Xiaomi is serious about the Xring O1 holding its own as a true flagship: it should be in the same ballpark as Android alternatives from Qualcomm and MediaTek, and far ahead of the most powerful chips from Samsung’s Exynos team. To hammer the point home, Xiaomi is launching the Xring O1 inside the 15S Pro, which is essentially a rerelease of last year’s 15 Pro, but with the Snapdragon 8 Elite swapped out for Xiaomi’s own chip. It also comes in a rather sleek carbon fiber design. It’s joined by the Pad 7 Ultra, also using the O1, a premium tablet with a 14-inch OLED screen and large 12,000mAh battery, that at 5.1mm is one of the thinnest tablets on the market.The 15S Pro’s carbon fiber finish is new. Image: XiaomiThe Pad 7 Ultra is a big tablet designed to take on the iPad Pro. Image: XiaomiIt’s clear that Xiaomi’s ambitions go beyond a single chip, and even beyond phones and tablets. To emphasize that, it’s also launched the Xring T1, a flagship chipset designed for smartwatches. Details are light, but it includes a 4G modem, and Xiaomi has used it to power an eSIM version of the Watch S4.All of this sounds like bad news for Qualcomm, which has long counted Xiaomi as a major customer. It’s often the first to announce a phone running the latest Qualcomm flagship each year, and as the third-biggest smartphone manufacturer in the world, Xiaomi is big business for Qualcomm. It will take some comfort in the fact that just this week the two companies signed a multi-year agreement for Xiaomi phones to keep using Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 8-series chips, but there can’t be much doubt that Xiaomi’s long-term plan is to go it alone. After all, if Apple can, why can’t Xiaomi?See More:

The SMIL specification was introduced by the W3C in 1998 for synchronizing multimedia. This was long before CSS animations or JavaScript-based animation libraries were available. It was built into SVG 1.1, which is why we can still use it there today. Now, you might’ve heard that SMIL is dead. However, it’s alive and well since Google reversed a decision to deprecate the technology almost a decade ago. It remains a terrific choice for designers and developers who want simple, semantic ways to add animations to their designs. Tip: There’s now a website where you can see all my Toon Titles. Mike loves ’90s animation — especially Disney’s) Duck Tales). Unsurprisingly, my taste in cartoons stretches back a little further to Hanna-Barbera shows like Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines, Scooby-Doo, The Perils of Penelope Pitstop, Wacky Races, and, of course, The Yogi Bear Show. So, to explain how this era of animation relates to SVG, I’ll be adding SMIL animations in SVG to title cards from some classic Yogi Bear cartoons. Fundamentally, animation changes how an element looks and where it appears over time using a few basic techniques. That might be simply shifting an element up or down, left or right, to create the appearance of motion, like Yogi Bear moving across the screen. Rotating objects around a fixed point can create everything, from simple spinning effects to natural-looking movements of totally normal things, like a bear under a parachute falling from the sky. Scaling makes an element grow, shrink, or stretch, which can add drama, create perspective, or simulate depth. Changing colour and transitioning opacity can add atmosphere, create a mood, and enhance visual storytelling. Just these basic principles can create animations that attract attention and improve someone’s experience using a design. These results are all achievable using CSS animations, but some SVG properties can’t be animated using CSS. Luckily, we can do more — and have much more fun — using SMIL animations in SVG. We can combine complex animations, move objects along paths, and control when they start, stop, and everything in between. Animations can be embedded within any SVG element, including primitive shapes like circles, ellipses, and rectangles. They can also be encapsulated into groups, paths, and polygons: <circle ...> <animate>...</animate> </circle> Animations can also be defined outside an element, elsewhere in an SVG, and connected to it using an xlink attribute: <g id="yogi">...</g> ... <animate xlink:href="#yogi">…</animate> Building An Animation <animate> is just one of several animation elements in SVG. Together with an attributeName value, it enables animations based on one or more of an element’s attributes. Most animation explanations start by moving a primitive shape, like this exciting circle: <circle r="50" cx="50" cy="50" fill="#062326" opacity="1" /> Using this attributeName property, I can define which of this circle’s attributes I want to animate, which, in this example, is its cx (x-axis center point) position: <circle ... > <animate attributename="cx"></animate> </circle> On its own, this does precisely nothing until I define three more values. The from keyword specifies the circle’s initial position, to, its final position, and the dur-ation between those two positions: <circle ... > <animate attributename="cx" from="50" to="500" dur="1s"> </animate> </circle> If I want more precise control, I can replace from and to with a set of values separated by semicolons: <circle ... > <animate attributename="cx" values="50; 250; 500; 250;" dur="1s"> </animate> </circle> Finally, I can define how many times the animation repeats (repeatcount) and even after what period that repeating should stop (repeatdur): <circle ... > <animate attributename="cx" values="50; 250; 500; 250;" dur="1s" repeatcount="indefinite" repeatdur="180s"> </circle> Most SVG elements have attributes that can be animated. This title card from 1959’s “Brainy Bear” episode shows Yogi in a crazy scientist‘s brain experiment. Yogi’s head is under the dome, and energy radiates around him. To create the buzz around Yogi, my SVG includes three path elements, each with opacity, stroke, and stroke-width attributes, which can all be animated: <path opacity="1" stroke="#fff" stroke-width="5" ... /> I animated each path’s opacity, changing its value from 1 to .5 and back again: <path opacity="1" ... > <animate attributename="opacity" values="1; .25; 1;" dur="1s" repeatcount="indefinite"> </animate> </path> Then, to radiate energy from Yogi, I specified when each animation should begin, using a different value for each path: <path ... > <animate begin="0" … > </path> <path ... > <animate begin=".5s" … > </path> <path ... > <animate begin="1s" … > </path> I’ll explain more about the begin property and how to start animations after this short commercial break. Try this yourself: I needed two types of transform animations to generate the effect of Yogi drifting gently downwards: translate, and rotate. I first added an animatetransform element to the group, which contains Yogi and his chute. I defined his initial vertical position — 1200 off the top of the viewBox — then translated his descent to 1000 over a 15-second duration: <g transform="translate(1200, -1200)"> ... <animateTransform attributeName="transform" type="translate" values="500,-1200; 500,1000" dur="15s" repeatCount="1" /> </g> Yogi appears to fall from the sky, but the movement looks unrealistic. So, I added a second animatetransform element, this time with an indefinitely repeating +/- 5-degree rotation to swing Yogi from side to side during his descent: <animateTransform attributeName="transform" type="rotate" values="-5; 5; -5" dur="14s" repeatCount="indefinite" additive="sum" /> Try this yourself: By default, the arrow is set loose when the page loads. Blink, and you might miss it. To build some anticipation, I can begin the animation two seconds later: <animatetransform attributename="transform" type="translate" from="0 0" to="750 0" dur=".25s" begin="2s" fill="freeze" /> Or, I can let the viewer take the shot when they click the arrow: <animatetransform ... begin="click" /> And I can combine the click event and a delay, all with no JavaScript, just a smattering of SMIL: <animatetransform ... begin="click + .5s" /> Try this yourself by clicking the arrow: To bring this title card to life, I needed two groups of paths: one for Yogi and the other for the dog. I translated them both off the left edge of the viewBox: <g class="dog" transform="translate(-1000, 0)"> ... </g> <g class="yogi" transform="translate(-1000, 0)"> ... </g> Then, I applied an animatetransform element to both groups, which moves them back into view: <!-- yogi --> <animateTransform attributeName="transform" type="translate" from="-1000,0" to="0,0" dur="2s" fill="freeze" /> <!-- dog --> <animateTransform attributeName="transform" type="translate" from="-1000,0" to="0,0" dur=".5s" fill="freeze" /> This sets up the action, but the effect feels flat, so I added another pair of animations that bounce both characters: <!-- yogi --> <animateTransform attributeName="transform" type="rotate" values="-1,0,450; 1,0,450; -1,0,450" dur=".25s" repeatCount="indefinite" /> <!-- dog --> <animateTransform attributeName="transform" type="rotate" values="-1,0,450; 1,0,450; -1,0,450" dur="0.5s" repeatCount="indefinite" /> Animations can begin when a page loads, after a specified time, or when clicked. And by naming them, they can also synchronise with other animations. I wanted Yogi to enter the frame first to build anticipation, with a short pause before other animations begin, synchronising to the moment he’s arrived. First, I added an ID to Yogi’s translate animation: <animateTransform id="yogi" type="translate" ... /> Watch out: For a reason, I can’t, for the life of me, explain why Firefox won’t begin animations with an ID when the ID contains a hyphen. This isn’t smarter than the average browser, but replacing hyphens with underscores fixes the problem. Then, I applied a begin to his rotate animation, which starts playing a half-second after the #yogi animation ends: <animateTransform type="rotate" begin="yogi.end + .5s" ... /> I can build sophisticated sets of synchronised animations using the begin property and whether a named animation begins or ends. The bulldog chasing Yogi enters the frame two seconds after Yogi begins his entrance: <animateTransform id="dog" type="translate" begin="yogi.begin + 2s" fill="freeze" ... /> One second after the dog has caught up with Yogi, a rotate transformation makes him bounce, too: <animateTransform type="rotate" ... begin="dog.begin + 1s" repeatCount="indefinite" /> The background rectangles whizzing past are also synchronised, this time to one second before the bulldog ends his run: <rect ...> <animateTransform begin="dog.end + -1s" /> </rect> Try this yourself: In “The Runaway Bear” from 1959, Yogi must avoid a hunter turning his head into a trophy. I wanted Yogi to leap in and out of the screen by making him follow a path. I also wanted to vary the speed of his dash: speeding up as he enters and exits, and slowing down as he passes the title text. I first added a path property, using its coordinate data to give Yogi a route to follow, and specified a two-second duration for my animation: <g> <animateMotion dur="2s" path="..." > </animateMotion> </g> Alternatively, I could add a path element, leave it visible, or prevent it from being rendered by placing it inside a defs element: <defs> <path id="yogi" d="..." /> </defs> I can then reference that by using a mpath element inside my animateMotion: <animateMotion ... <mpath href="#yogi" /> </animateMotion> I experimented with several paths before settling on the one that delivered the movement shape I was looking for: One was too bouncy, one was too flat, but the third motion path was just right. Almost, as I also wanted to vary the speed of Yogi’s dash: speeding him up as he enters and exits and slowing him down as he passes the title text. The keyPoints property enabled me to specify points along the motion path and then adjust the duration Yogi spends between them. To keep things simple, I defined five points between 0 and 1: <animateMotion ... keyPoints="0; .35; .5; .65; 1;" > </animateMotion> Then I added the same number of keyTimes values, separated by semicolons, to control the pacing of this animation: <animateMotion ... keyTimes="0; .1; .5; .95; 1;" > </animateMotion> Now, Yogi rushes through the first three keyPoints, slows down as he passes the title text, then speeds up again as he exits the viewBox. Try this yourself: See the Pen Runaway Bear SVG animation [forked] by Andy Clarke. SMIL’s Not Dead, Baby. SMIL’s Not Dead With their ability to control transformations, animate complex motion paths, and synchronise multiple animations, SMIL animations in SVG are still powerful tools. They can bring design to life without needing a framework or relying on JavaScript. It’s compact, which makes it great for small SVG effects. SMIL includes the begin attribute, which makes chaining animations far more intuitive than with CSS. Plus, SMIL lives inside the SVG file, making it perfect for animations that travel with an asset. So, while SMIL is not modern by today’s standards and may be a little bit niche, it can still be magical. Don’t let the misconception that SMIL is “dead” stop you from using this fantastic tool. Google reversed its decision to deprecate SMIL almost a decade ago, so it remains a terrific choice for designers and developers who want simple, semantic ways to add animations to their designs.

TECNO brings a full suite of AI-powered devices to COMPUTEX 2025, showcasing how its self-developed edge-side AI model transforms everyday technology interactions. The company returns to Taipei with products spanning laptops, smart glasses, and wearables under its “Mega Leap with AI” theme. Designer: TECNO The centerpiece of their showcase is the new MEGABOOK S16 AI PC, complemented by the world’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop weighing just 899 grams. These devices represent TECNO’s vision for AI that works seamlessly both online and offline, addressing the growing need for intelligent computing that adapts to users rather than forcing adaptation. MEGABOOK S16: Flagship AI Performance in a Premium Package The MEGABOOK S16 integrates TECNO’s self-developed edge-side AI model, enabling AI functionality even without internet connectivity. Powered by Intel’s Core i9-13900HK processor with 14 cores and 20 threads reaching 5.4 GHz turbo speeds, the system delivers substantial computational power for demanding AI applications. Despite its performance capabilities, the S16 maintains a surprisingly portable profile at just 1.3kg and 14.9mm thick. The all-metal chassis houses TECNO’s first 16-inch display in the flagship laptop line, responding to user demand for larger screens without sacrificing mobility. The system particularly excels in multitasking scenarios where AI assistance proves most valuable. Users can seamlessly switch between creative work, productivity tasks, and entertainment without the performance degradation typically associated with running multiple demanding applications. MEGABOOK S14: Redefining Ultralight Computing Perhaps more impressive from an engineering standpoint is the MEGABOOK S14, which achieves a remarkable 899g weight while incorporating a 2.8K OLED display. TECNO offers the system in two variants: one with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite compute platform and another with Intel’s Core Ultra 9 processor. The magnesium-alloy chassis contributes to the ultralight design without compromising structural integrity. For users requiring additional graphics performance, TECNO provides an external graphics dock with NVIDIA GPU options that transforms the ultraportable into a creative workstation or gaming system. The S14 represents TECNO’s first OLED implementation in a laptop, delivering 2.8K resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate and 91% screen-to-body ratio. The display carries TÜV Rheinland eye comfort certification for extended viewing sessions. K-Series: Accessible AI Computing TECNO also showcases its K15S and K14S models, representing new size options in its entry-level lineup. The K15S features an all-metal design with a 15.6-inch display, Intel Core i5-13420H processor, and expandable memory up to 32GB. Despite its more accessible positioning, the K15S incorporates a substantial 70Wh battery with 65W GaN fast charging technology, addressing a common pain point in the category. The system includes a full-sized keyboard with numeric keypad and four-level backlighting for productivity in various lighting conditions. AI Capabilities Across the Lineup All MEGABOOK models now feature TECNO’s upgraded AI model with DeepSeek-V3, enhancing offline capabilities while enabling comprehensive online AI searches through a Personal GPT function. The system offers six core AI functionalities designed to streamline common workflows. The AI Gallery, which TECNO claims is a world-first on Windows, connects wirelessly with TECNO smartphones for photo backup, smart album creation, and image searches. The Ella AI Assistant manages tasks and schedules, while AI PPT localizes and completes presentations using TECNO’s AI sources. For professionals, the AI Meeting Assistant provides real-time transcription with speaker identification and key point extraction. The system also includes AI Drawing tools for creative applications. AI Glasses: Smartphone-Grade Photography in Eyewear Moving beyond computing, TECNO introduces its first AI Glasses series with two models: AI Glasses and AI Glasses Pro. Both incorporate a 50MP camera system using the same OV50D sensor, ISP, and imaging algorithms found in TECNO’s flagship CAMON 40 Premier smartphone. The glasses feature a “SmartSnap” function that recognizes scenes and automatically generates captions for social sharing. The AI Info function compiles notifications from multiple apps into concise reports, while real-time translation supports over 100 languages. The Pro model adds WaveGuide AR display technology co-developed with Meta-Bounds, featuring a MicroLED screen with 30° field of view and 1500 nits brightness. This enables navigation overlays, meeting translations, and other augmented reality applications. Both models offer approximately 8 hours of mixed use on a 30-minute charge of their 250mAh batteries. The standard model features an aviator design, while the Pro adopts a browline style. Ecosystem Integration and Market Positioning TECNO emphasizes the interconnectivity of its AI ecosystem through OneLeap technology, which enables multi-screen sharing, file transfer, and cross-device collaboration between MEGABOOK laptops, smartphones, and tablets. This approach addresses a common friction point for users working across multiple devices, allowing content and context to follow the user rather than remaining siloed on individual devices. TECNO positions its AI ecosystem as democratizing advanced technology for emerging markets, with a presence in over 70 markets across five continents. Their “Stop At Nothing” brand philosophy guides product development toward accessible innovation. The comprehensive lineup demonstrates TECNO’s commitment to AI as a transformative technology rather than a marketing checkbox. By developing its own edge-side AI model, the company maintains control over the user experience while ensuring functionality even in regions with inconsistent connectivity. For users seeking to experience TECNO’s vision of AI-enhanced computing, the company’s booth at COMPUTEX 2025 (N1302) showcases all products through May 23rd.The post TECNO Unveils Comprehensive AI Ecosystem at COMPUTEX 2025 first appeared on Yanko Design.