Initial Glimpse of the OnePlus Smartphone Boasting an Enormous 9,000 mAh Battery

A recent leak provides an early glimpse of the OnePlus Turbo, showcasing a blue-green plastic back. The OnePlus Turbo is confirmed to come with an impressive 9,000mAh battery, in line with OnePlus’ latest design philosophy that features a sleek aesthetic and a rectangular dual-camera setup. The base model of the device boasts a 6.8-inch 144Hz display, powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chipset, and is capable of 80W fast charging.

The images that surfaced depict a device known as “Prado,” resembling the design of current OnePlus models such as the OnePlus 15 and OnePlus 15R. It showcases a rectangular camera module positioned in the top-left corner, accommodating dual cameras. The phone is said to have a shiny back with a blue-greenish hue, though it remains unverified whether the material is plastic or glass.

The device appears quite thick, which is anticipated due to the substantial battery capacity, yet it retains a streamlined design when compared to other gaming smartphones. Specifications include the complete 9,000mAh battery, 80W fast charging, a 6.8-inch 1.5K display with a 144Hz refresh rate, along with the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 processor paired with 8GB of RAM. A premium variant could potentially utilize the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4.

OnePlus intends to introduce the device internationally, likely under the Nord branding, though a U.S. release remains uncertain. The expected launch timeframe is Q1 2026, potentially coinciding with MWC 2026 in March. Additional information is anticipated as the launch date nears.

Gmail to Roll Out Functionality Enabling Users to Modify Email Addresses Without the Need for a New Account Creation

Google is said to be working on a new feature for Gmail that will enable users to modify their Gmail address while keeping the original one as an alias. This functionality is designed to offer flexibility for individuals looking to refresh their email address without forfeiting access to their current data or account history. At present, Gmail users are linked to the email address they first registered with, lacking a simple method to change it without initiating a new account and configuring email forwarding.

The new feature will allow users to transition to a new Gmail address while preserving all their information, including emails, photos, Drive files, and messages. Both the existing and new addresses will remain operational, permitting users to send and receive emails from either one. The former address will effectively function as an alias, ensuring seamlessness and ease.

Nonetheless, this feature comes with certain restrictions. Users will be permitted to update their Gmail address only once every 12 months, with a limit of three changes permitted following the original address. Thus, a total of four Gmail addresses can be linked to a single Google Account.

This feature is not yet active, but an update on a Google support page indicates that its launch might commence shortly. Once launched, users will have the capability to alter their Gmail address through the Personal info section of their Google Account settings. The procedure is anticipated to be user-friendly, enabling individuals to input their preferred new Gmail address.

This initiative forms part of Google’s continuous efforts to improve user experience and provide greater flexibility in managing email accounts. As the feature is currently in its early stages of rollout, additional updates are expected as it becomes officially accessible to users.

Galaxy Z TriFold Durability Examination Uncovers Notable Vulnerabilities

JerryRigEverything, a well-known YouTube channel celebrated for evaluating smartphone durability, has recently put the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold to the test. Unfortunately for Samsung, the findings were far from impressive. The Galaxy Z TriFold, a foldable smartphone that converts into a 10-inch tablet, failed the bend test almost instantly. The device’s ultra-slim 3.9mm frame, though groundbreaking, offers minimal structural support, resulting in it snapping under strain.

The durability examination uncovered several flaws in the Galaxy Z TriFold. The inner flexible display is especially at risk, scratching easily at Mohs level 2, indicating it can be damaged by common items such as nails, keys, and coins. Nevertheless, Samsung insists that the hinge is engineered to endure up to 200,000 folds with proper care.

The evaluation commenced with a scratch test, where the outer display exhibited scratches at level 6 on the Mohs scale, akin to other foldable models like the Galaxy Z Fold 7. However, the inner display’s vulnerability to damage reveals a major disadvantage of the foldable technology.

When subjected to a bend test, the Galaxy Z TriFold’s frame collapsed, and the hinges became misaligned, resulting in the device’s ruin. This incident marks the first occasion a Samsung foldable has failed JerryRigEverything’s structural bend assessment.

A disassembly of the device disclosed three separate batteries distributed across its folding sections, totaling a capacity of 5,600 mAh. Notably, the device does not include thermal paste or specialized cooling components, relying solely on its aluminum frame for heat dissipation.

While the test results are discouraging, they highlight the difficulties in designing a robust trifolding phone. Samsung’s assertion that the hinge can withstand 200,000 folds suggests that with careful usage, consumers can still appreciate the innovative features of the Galaxy Z TriFold.

Expecting Significant Progress in XR Technology from 2025 to 2026

The XR market is an unusual phenomenon. I vividly recall stepping into the HTC Vive booth at MWC 2015 in Berlin and leaving as though I had witnessed magic for the very first time. Since then, the market has experienced some significant transformations, and while 2020 was marked by a crucial change with the launch of the Oculus Quest 2, 2026 could be the most critical year yet for the sector.

This is due to the fact that 2026 will witness the introduction of the first genuine XR glasses. Although there have been numerous impressive face computers from Meta, RayNeo, and even Snapchat that have advanced smart glasses design, it is the collaboration between Xreal and Google that I believe will truly highlight the next evolution in XR we have all been eager for.

In summary, I anticipate that Xreal’s Project Aura will be the coveted solution individuals have been seeking, connecting the gap between immersive (though bulky) VR headsets and lightweight (yet restrictive) smart glasses. Android Central editor Michael Hicks had the opportunity to try them out in early December, and his feedback provided me with the optimism I had been yearning for.

Xreal Project Aura is set to completely transform XR headsets as we know them upon its launch in 2026. While there isn’t a price or a specific release date available just yet, I am quite certain they will be priced lower than Samsung’s Galaxy XR, and I fully expect to see them available before the summer months.

Project Aura is unique because it genuinely combines XR technology into a single device. If you have experienced a pair of Xreal One glasses, you’ll appreciate how effectively they function and how comfortable they are for prolonged wear. Now, envision those glasses with a significantly broader field of view and Android XR integrated, and you’ll comprehend why this is such a significant advancement.

There has been a great deal of marketing hype surrounding smart glasses from various sources over the years, with claims that recent models “replace the Apple Vision Pro” or similar absurdities. Until now, this has not been accurate because smart glasses, regardless of their quality, typically lack a genuine operating system. Even those that do often come off as basic and cumbersome.

However, Aura leverages Android XR, the same operating system powering the $1800 Galaxy XR. No trade-offs, no ridiculous limitations. This represents the smart glasses ideal that has long been promised, arriving in a form factor that won’t appear odd or embarrassing to wear publicly.

I can already envision the significant impact Aura is having on the industry. Meta has already recruited two of Apple’s leading designers and reorganized its Reality Labs division to concentrate on developing the Quest 4 to be as lightweight and nimble as possible. Presently, Meta isn’t even trying to contend with Android XR’s vision because it is focused on creating the best in-house hardware possible, which signals a shift towards producing a Quest 4 that resembles smart glasses more than the traditional VR headset.

We won’t see a Quest 4 in 2026, but the competition that Meta will encounter from Google and its Android XR allies will send ripples throughout the industry, similar to what occurred when the Quest 2 was launched in late 2020.

So, where does this position current VR headsets? They will continue to function well, indeed. VR headsets remain the premier option for playing VR games until the Quest 4 emerges and potentially alters that dynamic, but until that happens, two choices are currently best for VR gamers.

The Quest 3 and 3S have established themselves as the optimal means to engage in VR gaming today, and the forthcoming Steam Frame headset from Valve is poised to take the industry in yet another direction. The Steam Frame, much like the Meta Quest, is a fully operational VR console designed for portable use. It is essentially a Steam Deck for your face and it will probably be the first opportunity to officially play Half-Life: Alyx without needing a PC.

This advancement is made possible through Valve’s ingenious engineering, which adapts software and hardware architectures to enable the play of Windows VR games on a Snapdragon-powered headset. It epitomizes the technological evolution that permitted the Steam Deck’s Linux-based OS to run Windows games, and I fully anticipate it will astonish audiences upon its release in early 2026.

That, naturally, places Meta in a rather peculiar situation. While the Quest remains the standard standalone VR headset and will maintain the largest collection of tailored and exclusive VR games for years ahead, Valve’s new offering will represent the first credible alternative since the original Oculus Quest debuted in 2019.

Admittedly, HTC and Pico have provided some competition, but those companies have encountered considerable challenges in delivering a Quest-level VR console that Valve will circumvent. The primary hurdle for future Steam Frame users is that Valve is not producing any new VR games. They are entirely dedicated to simplifying the development process for games tailored for the Frame, and that effort seems to be taking