Instagram has announced 3-minute Reels, meaning that it has increased the maximum duration of the Reels you can post on the platform from 90 seconds to 3 minutes. Apart from that, the platform announced other new features, such as Friends Activity for Reels to show which Reels your friends have liked, and more.
The 3-minute Reels and other announcements were made by Adam Mosseri on Instagram itself. He wrote in a post, “You can now upload reels up to three minutes long. We’ve historically only allowed reels up to 90 seconds given our focus on short-form video, but we’ve heard the feedback that this is just too short for those who want to share longer stories. Hope this helps.”
The 3-minute length for Instagram Reels matches that of YouTube shorts, who also increased the same from 60 seconds to 3 minutes last year in October. The announcement comes at a time when TikTok has been going through a crisis in the US where it was banned in the country but was then brought back online.
Aside from 3-minute Reels, Instagram announced two more features including:
Discover what your friends and followers are into: We’re making it easier to see and engage with the content your friends are liking (or adding a note to) on reels at the top right corner of the Reels tab.
Start conversations: You’ll also see a reply bar, so you can easily start conversations around content you’re enjoying, giving you even more opportunities for your reels to be seen by people who don’t follow you yet.
The first one is similar to what the Activity Tab looked like from back in the day where you could see all the posts your followers were liking. All the new features aren’t live yet on the platform outside US, but should expand to more regions soon.
Meanwhile, back in December, Instagram Night mode on Android was also announced. Instagram Night Mode is currently available to users with any Pixel device from the Pixel 6 series and up, a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, or a Samsung Z Flip 6 or Z Fold 6, with more devices to follow soon.
Samsung has announced a partnership with Eka Care, one of the leading health tech companies, to introduce Personal Health Records on the Samsung Health app in India to help users manage their health more comprehensively. Through this feature, users can now access, upload and manage their health records digitally, eliminating the need for physical paperwork.
The Personal Health Records on the Samsung Health app in India enables users to create and access their Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) directly through the Samsung Health Mobile App. Users can now effortlessly manage their health data generated by healthcare providers across India.
Samsung’s new initiative to empower its users by providing seamless and secure integration with the country’s digital health ecosystem is aligned with the Indian government’s Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) project.
The Health Records feature is the result of a collaborative effort across R&D, UX Design and Consumer Experience teams at Samsung with Eka Care team. With this feature, users can register for an ABHA account within the Samsung Health app with their Aadhaar or mobile phone numbers. Once registered, they gain access to view their medical history, including prescriptions, laboratory results, hospital visits, and more — all securely linked to their unique ABHA IDs.
“Samsung aims to revolutionize how Indians approach personal healthcare management, by leveraging the power of digitization. Users can now safely store their health records in the ABDM-certified secure health lockers and not be burdened by cumbersome paper trails,” said the brand.
In addition, during OPD visit at ABDM compliant hospitals and clinics, users can simply scan QR code via the Samsung Health app to obtain a virtual queue token and minimize wait times. Samsung Health app offers comprehensive health services including medication management, sleep monitoring, mindfulness programs, and irregular heartbeat notifications. All Samsung Health user data on Samsung devices is secured by defense-grade Knox Security Platform.
Indian users can experience the new Health Records feature via Samsung Health’s latest app updates on Samsung Galaxy store and Google Play store.
Itel has announced the launch of the Itel S9 Ultra TWS earbuds in India. “Combining style, performance, and durability, the S9 Ultra earbuds promises to enhance everyday audio experience at unbeatable price points,” the companies said. The earbuds come with features like 360-degree surround bass, AI ENC, and more.
Itel S9 Ultra: Price, Availability
The S9 Ultra Earbuds will be available at a price of Rs 899 – exclusively in retail stores throughout the country. Targeted at Gen Z, the earbuds can be bought in two shades, such as Space Grey and Dazzle Black. It further comes with 1-year warranty support.
Itel S9 Ultra: Specifications
The itel S9 Ultra earbuds feature a pearlescent finish and a sleek dual-tone design, making them a stylish choice. These in-ear earbuds are powered by 10mm drivers, claimed to deliver rich bass and 360-degree surround sound for an immersive audio experience.
The itel S9 Ultra earbuds offer up to 30 hours of uninterrupted playtime, powered by a 400mAh battery. Additionally, the earbuds are equipped with AI Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC) technology, enabling clear and seamless communication by filtering out background noise during calls.
The S9 Ultra boasts of an IPX5 water resistance rating, protecting against sweat and splashes, making it a reliable companion for workouts and outdoor activities. It also offers fast and stable connectivity with Bluetooth 5.3 technology. The 10mm drivers further enhance sound delivery, offering an engaging and dynamic audio profile according to the company.
The earbuds further support voice activation and touch controls. They can be recharged via a USB-C port available at the bottom side of the case.
Qualcomm and MapmyIndia have announced a technology collaboration aimed at supporting the ‘Make in India’ initiative for the automotive sector. Combining Qualcomm Technologies’ Snapdragon Digital Chassis solutions with MapmyIndia’s expertise, the companies will deliver tailored automotive connectivity solutions and connected services for the four-wheel (4W) and two-wheeler (2W) segments domestically and for global automakers.
As part of the partnership between Qualcomm and MapmyIndia, the latter will utilize Qualcomm Technologies’ Snapdragon Auto Connectivity Platform to develop telematics solutions tailored to the needs of Indian automakers. MapmyIndia solutions will enable OEMs to offer high-quality yet affordable connectivity in mid-tier and low-tier vehicles, prioritizing safety and convenience for the mass market.
Furthermore, MapmyIndia will integrate Snapdragon Car-to-Cloud Services with its MAPPLS automotive services to create a software-defined vehicle framework, driving device and cloud services for 2W, 4W and commercial vehicles that utilise Snapdragon Digital Chassis solutions. The single platform and common interface is aimed at helping manage device, data, maps, navigation and services.
With this integrated solution, MapmyIndia will scale, customize and bring the necessary applications and application programming interfaces (APIs) to enhance the end-to-end services experience, ensuring that each user benefits from a personalized and intuitive interaction tailored to their specific needs and preferences.
“We are thrilled to join MapmyIndia to help develop telematics solutions specifically tailored to the unique needs of Indian automakers,” said Jeff Arnold, VP, Product Management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “This collaboration with MapmyIndia is an important milestone for both companies,” said Savi Soin, Senior Vice President and President of Qualcomm India.
Apple today launched the Apple Store app in India, providing customers with a personalised way to shop for Apple’s lineup of products and services. Customers across the country can download the app on the App Store and shop directly from Apple while receiving personalised recommendations that enhance their shopping experience, said the company.
The Apple Store app introduces multiple tabs designed to enhance the shopping experience and help customers make the most of their Apple products.
The Products tab serves as a central hub for discovering the latest Apple products, accessories, and services. It also provides easy access to key Retail programs, such as Apple Trade In and financing options, making it simple for customers to explore and compare offerings.
The For You tab delivers a personalised shopping journey, offering timely and relevant recommendations tailored to each user. It also organises saved or favourited items for quick access, streamlining the purchasing process.
After a purchase, the Go Further tab connects customers with Apple’s knowledgeable Specialists for online Personal Setup sessions. Customers can also access short video tutorials and sign up for complimentary Today at Apple sessions at their local Apple Store. These sessions are designed to inspire and empower users to fully unlock the potential of their devices according to Apple.
Further, shoppers can customise their Mac with a more powerful chip, extra memory, or additional storage, as well as engrave their AirPods, iPad, Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (2nd generation), and Air Tag for free with a mix of emoji, names, initials, and numbers in a choice of eight languages. And soon, they will also be able to schedule a fun digital gift message, bringing even more personalisation options.
The Apple Store app provides options for easy delivery and pickup, so customers can get their new Apple products quickly and conveniently. Apple’s first two stores in India opened in April 2023 in Delhi and Mumbai, and future Apple Store locations are planned in Bengaluru, Pune, Delhi-NCR and Mumbai.
Realme announced the Realme 14 Pro+ 5G in India yesterday and it’s a direct competitor to the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G which was announced back in December in India. The new devices start at a similar price point, so here’s a specs comparison between the two to help you choose your next smartphone purchase.
Display
The Realme 14 Pro+ 5G gets a 6.83-inch quad-curved AMOLED Display with 1.5K Resolution and offers 10-bit colour depth, 2160Hz PWM dimming, 100% P3 colour gamut coverage, 120Hz refresh rate, up to 1500 nits peak brightness and 240Hz touch sampling rate. It also has 20000-level automatic brightness adjustment and Gorilla Glass 7i protection.
Realme 14 Pro+ 5G
The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ sports a 6.67-inch 1.5K ResolutionAMOLED Display with a Refresh Rate of 120Hz, Dolby Vision, 12-bit colours, 3000 nits peak brightness, 240Hz touch sampling rate, 1920Hz PWM dimming, and HDR10+ support. It is protected with Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
Both of the devices have a similar panel if we talk of resolution and refresh rate. But if we talk of brightness, Redmi’s panel is much brighter than Realme’s. Further, it also has stronger protection with Gorilla Glass Victus 2. On the other hand, Realme has a bigger display with narrower bezels. We’d say it’s a tie in this segment as both of them have their own advantages and it’s up to the buyer to make their preference.
Performance & Software
The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 Processor powers both devices. While Realme’s handset has up to 12GB RAM and up to 256GB storage, Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G gets up to 12GB RAM and up to 512GB storage. Redmi does charge a premium for offering a higher storage version but at least there’s an option for users who are willing to pay that premium in exchange for higher storage than 256GB where the Realme 14 Pro+ 5G maxes out. Purely on that basis, we’d say Redmi’s Note is a better offering if you need more storage.
In terms of software, both run on their respective skins based on Android 15. While you may have a preference for one of the software skins, know that Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G is again a better choice as it offers 3 major OS updates and 4 years of security patches. On the other hand, Realme only offers two years of software updates and three years of security patches.
If you are buying a phone based on how long it’s supported by the brand in terms of updates, then Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G is the way to go.
Cameras & Battery
The Realme 14 Pro+ 5G gets a 50MP f/1.8 Sony IMX896 sensor with optical image stabilisation (OIS), paired with a 50MP f/2.7 Sony IMX882 periscope telephoto sensor with OIS and 3x optical zoom, and an 8MP f/2.2 ultra Wide-Angle camera. For selfies and video chats, there is a 32MP f/2.0 Samsung camera on the front. It packs a 6000mAh battery with 80W fast wired charging.
The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ features a triple camera setup with a 50MP f/1.5 Light Fusion 800 primary sensor, an 8MP f/2.2 IMX355 ultra-wide angle sensor, and a 50MP telephoto sensor with 2.5x optical zoom. The smartphone also has a 20MP selfie camera. The Note 14 Pro+ packs a 6,200mAh battery and comes with 90W Fast charging support.
Both devices get a similar camera setup in terms of sensor type. We won’t comment on which one has better cameras as we haven’t tested them side-by-side. Redmi’s device gets a bigger battery and faster charging as well, which again makes it a better pick out of the two.
Verdict
The Realme 14 Pro+ 5G is priced at Rs 29,999 for the 8GB + 128GB model, Rs 31,999 for the 8GB + 256GB trim, and the 12GB + 256GB version is priced at Rs 34,999. The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G is available in three variants: 8GB + 128GB priced at Rs 30,999, 8GB + 256GB model at Rs 32,999, and 12GB + 512GB model priced at Rs 35,999.
We’d suggest you pick Redmi’s Note 14 Pro+ 5G over Realme 14 Pro+ 5G due to all the advantages we mentioned above unless you specifically want Realme’s handset for its software or cameras. Redmi’s handset has some additional features as well, such as NFC support and an IR blaster, both of which are lacking in Realme 14 Pro+ 5G.
Samsung is all set to announce the Galaxy S25 series later next week and while we have already learnt that things aren’t majorly changing in terms of design, Samsung is making a big leap in terms of software with One UI 7. New leaks further suggest that Samsung will release exclusive Gemini features for Galaxy S25 series as well.
The leak comes from tipster @chunvn8888 on X who shared screenshots of the extensions of Samsung apps that are available in Gemini. As per those screenshots, Samsung Calendar, Samsung Notes, and Samsung Reminder will be available as extensions to enable within Gemini, much like how Google’s own apps work as extensions in the AI assistant.
Once you enable them, you’ll be able to perform a limited set of tasks through each extension. This will enable deeper integration of Gemini within Samsung’s One UI. However, it is also not known how this will affect Bixby, considering it is also scheduled to get a major revamp as it is supposed to get AI support.
It is further unclear whether these extensions will be released as exclusive Gemini features for Galaxy S25 series only, or whether it would come to older devices also. However, the tipster suggests there’s possibility for the latter to happen. A separate leak by Technoblog shows that a new hotword to activate Gemini with voice may also be coming, where you could say Hey Google Gemini instead of Hey Google to activate Gemini with your voice.
Earlier last month, another leak suggested that Google could offer various tiers of Gemini Advanced subscriptions for free to buyers of Galaxy S25 series phones. All of the strings spotted in an APK teardown had a Samsung reference, and it spotted further clues aligning these strings to the Galaxy S25 series. The three trial durations mentioned in the strings correspond to the different models in the Galaxy S25 series. The Galaxy S25 could get three months of Gemini Advanced for free, the Galaxy S25 Plus could get six months, and the Galaxy S25 Ultra could get a year’s worth of Gemini Advanced subscription for free.
Just as the year begins, there are a plethora of premium smartphones under Rs 70k to choose from in India, and it could get slightly overwhelming for consumers to decide their pick amongst these options. Here we are with a buying guide, listing below the best premium smartphones under Rs 70k which we feel justify their price tag due to one or the other set of features. We’ll also list out the reasons why the particular smartphone made it to this list and why you may pick it over the others.
Vivo X200: Rs 65,999
The Vivo X200 launched earlier last year but packs some top-of-the-notch specifications in the display segment, processor, RAM, storage, battery, or cameras. Cameras are the highlight of the Vivo X200. Multiple user reviews and reviews from experts suggest that Vivo has done quite an excellent job when tuning the device’s cameras.
While we haven’t tested the device personally, the reviews we have seen so far from X200 users on platforms like X are generally positive, especially regarding optics. However, you may not consider it if you appreciate a polished and refined software experience as FunTouch OS 15 just doesn’t cut it, at least for now. While it may be filled with features and is based on the latest version of Android, that doesn’t mean the overall experience matches its competitors.
So there you have it—you can buy the Vivo X200 if you are looking for a camera-centric phone, would appreciate raw performance in scenarios such as gaming, or want to consume a lot of media. However, skip it if you prefer a seamless, smooth, and stable software experience.
Oppo Find X8: Rs 69,999
The Oppo Find X8 also launched in November last year but boasts specifications that are some of the best available in any Android smartphone right now in the market. It has the latest flagship chipset from MediaTek, a big silicon carbon battery, fast charging and wireless charging support, a great set of cameras, and software that provides one of the smoothest experiences we have ever seen on an Android device. When we reviewed the device, we liked how well the software was optimised and how versatile its cameras were. Furthermore, Oppo is also improving the device in both these areas with regular updates.
It’s hard to find a flaw in the Find X8, but if we were to nitpick, the device’s only drawback is that it doesn’t offer the best available features at its price point, which some of its competitors do, such as an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor or a QHD display. Despite that, we feel its an all-rounder due to how well the device is made and the rest of its specifications.
In conclusion, the Find X8 is a solid choice for those seeking a well-rounded Android experience. However, if having the latest and most advanced specifications is your priority, you may want to explore other options.
Apple iPhone 16: Rs 69,999
The iPhone 16 is for Apple fans. It surely doesn’t match its Android competitors in terms of specifications and is far behind in almost every area. Despite that, it made it to this list of best premium smartphones under Rs 70k because of Apple’s software experience and for those who prefer an iPhone. Moreover, the base iPhone models saw a reasonable upgrade last year when compared to the Pro model. They got the latest Apple A-series chip upgrade, the camera control button, and Apple Intelligence support, which surely will attract buyers. The iPhone 16 acts as a great entry point into the iOS ecosystem also.
However, you may want to skip it and hop onto the Android bandwagon if having the latest specifications is your thing. The 60Hz display of the iPhone 16 may bother you in the long run, along with 128GB storage which is quite less by today’s standards of flagships, and the slow charging times as well. Additionally, while it can be addressed, the iPhone 16 software delivered one of the buggiest iOS experiences we’ve encountered on an iPhone.
To sum up, buy the iPhone 16 if you are already in the Apple ecosystem, want an iPhone only, or switch to an iPhone, want decent cameras paired with good performance. Skip it due to the inferior specifications compared to the other devices available in the same price range.
OnePlus 13: Rs 69,999
The final handset on the list is OnePlus 13, which debuted only earlier this month in India. The OnePlus 13 is the smartphone in this list with the least amount of flaws. It has everything a flagship smartphone should have: an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, a QHD display, the latest flagship chip from Qualcomm, extended software support, wireless charging support, a huge 6000mAh silicon carbon battery, and whatever else you can think of.
Skip the device only if you don’t prefer its design or if you are someone who wants a camera-centric device. Aside from these, we don’t think the OnePlus 13 should disappoint you in any way.
The Realme 14 Pro series 5G has been launched in India, including the Realme 14 Pro 5G and the Realme 14 Pro+ 5G. The 14 Pro 5G packs a MediaTek Dimensity Chipset while the Realme 14 Pro+ 5G gets the Snapdragon processor. Here are all the other details of the new devices.
Realme 14 Pro+ 5G, Realme 14 Pro 5G: Price, Availability
The Realme 14 Pro+ 5G is priced at Rs 29,999 for the 8GB + 128GB model, Rs 31,999 for the 8GB + 256GB trim, and the 12GB + 256GB version priced at Rs 34,999. There’s a Rs 2,000 bank discount on the 8GB RAM models and a Rs 4,000 bank discount on the 12GB RAM model. The device will be available in Suede Grey, Pearl White, and Bikaner Purple shades from January 23 on Realme’s website, mainline stores, and Flipkart.
The Realme 14 Pro 5G starts at Rs 24,999 for the 8GB + 128GB model, Rs 26,999 for the 8GB + 256GB version. There’s a Rs 2,000 bank discount available on both variants. It will go on sale alongside the 14 Pro+ 5G on the same platforms in colours including Suede Grey, Pearl White, and Jaipur Pink.
The pre-booking for the device has begun today, January 16, and will end on January 22 at 12:00 AM. You can pre-book the devices via the same platforms they’ll be available to purchase from.
Realme 14 Pro+ 5G, Realme 14 Pro 5G: Specifications
Realme 14 Pro+ 5G
The Realme 14 Pro+ 5G and the 14 Pro 5G get a 6.83-inch quad-curved (dual-curved in Pro) AMOLED Display with 1.5K Resolution and offers 10-bit colour depth, 2160Hz PWM dimming, 100% P3 colour gamut coverage, 120Hz refresh rate, up to 1500 nits peak brightness and 240Hz touch sampling rate. It also has 20000-level automatic brightness adjustment and Gorilla Glass 7i protection. The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 Processor powers the Pro+ model while the Dimensity 7300 Energy chip powers the Pro version.
Realme 14 Pro 5G
The Pro+ packs up to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage while the Pro maxes at 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. The handsets pack a 6000mAh battery where the Pro+ supports 80W fast wired charging and the Pro supports 45W fast charging.
The Realme 14 Pro+ 5G gets a 50MP f/1.8 Sony IMX896 sensor with optical image stabilisation (OIS), paired with a 50MP f/2.7 Sony IMX882 periscope telephoto sensor with OIS and 3x optical zoom, and an 8MP f/2.2 ultra Wide-Angle camera. For selfies and video chats, there is a 32MP f/2.0 Samsung camera on the front.
The Realme 14 Pro 5G has a 50MP Sony IMX882 sensor with OIS paired with a 2MP f/2.4 Monochrome sensor. There’s a 16MP f/2.4 sensor on the front for selfies.
The smartphones run on Android 15-based Realme UI 6.0 out of the box. Additional features include an in-display fingerprint sensor and dual stereo speakers. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6, 5G, GPS, USB-C port and Bluetooth v5.2 in 14 Pro+ and Bluetooth v5.4 on 14 Pro. The 14 Pro+ 5G and the 14 Pro 5G are also IP66 + IP68 + IP69 rated and have dual stereo speakers as well.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim renders have leaked online, giving away all its design details and the device looks like a usual Samsung smartphone but with a thinner overall form factor. The device won’t be arriving alongside other Galaxy S25 series smartphones next week but will come later in the year.
The Galaxy S25 Slim renders come from OnLeaks (via Smartprix), where you can see how the S25 Slim closely resembles the design of the rest of the S25 series. The device seems to have the same camera layout as the upcoming Galaxy S25 and S25+ with the thicker camera rings we first saw in the Galaxy Z Fold 6 earlier last year.
Further, the USP of the device is supposed to be its thickness, which reportedly is just 6.4mm. Even with the camera module included, it’s only 8.3mm thick. The screen size is about to 6.7 to 6.8-inches. There’s a metal frame and a glass back, while the bezels around the display are extremely narrow as well. On the bottom, there’s a single speaker grille, USB-C port, and a microphone. The screen is also flat, just like the rest of the S25 lineup.
As for the specs, the report says that the device will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, while the camera setup on the rear includes a 200MP HP5 primary camera, a 50MP JN5 ultra-wide angle camera, and a 50MP telephoto lens with 3.5X optical zoom. There’s up to 12GB RAM and the device will run on Android 15-based One UI 7.
As for the launch date, the Galaxy S25 Slim is expected to arrive in May 2025. While it may be showcased at the Unpacked event on January 22nd alongside the Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra, it is unlikely to be released at that time.
