Category Archives: consumer electronics

Loewe’s elite new headphones deliver 24-bit Hi-Res Audio, Dolby Atmos, and the best volume control we’ve ever tried – but it comes at quite the price

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**Loewe Leo Headphones Launch: Luxury Audio with 65-Hour Battery and Dolby Atmos for $1,299 / TBC**

Loewe has introduced its new Leo headphones, a more affordable yet still luxurious alternative to their ultra-expensive, diamond-studded predecessors. Priced at €1,299 (approximately $1,530 USD / AU$2,320), these headphones offer a premium listening experience without the extravagant price tag associated with Loewe’s high-end models.

### Design and Build Quality
The Loewe Leo headphones are crafted with a focus on comfort and style. They feature leather ear cushions and a generously padded headband for extended wear. The frame is made from anodized aluminum and includes a convenient fold-flat design, making them easy to store and transport. Each pair comes with a hard case and a lamb leather bag. The headphones are available in two elegant colors: midnight blue and moonlight beige.

One standout design element is the wonderfully tactile rotary volume control, which is ingeniously located on the outer disc of the earcups, providing a satisfying and precise way to adjust volume.

### Audio Features
Loewe markets the Leo as more than just headphones — they are positioned as a “standalone HiFi audio solution.” Inside, they house a high-quality DAC supporting LC3+ at 96kHz/24-bit hi-res audio. The 50mm drivers utilize diaphragms made from Olefine Composite Elastomer, a material that Loewe says is both exceptionally light and highly responsive, delivering refined sound quality.

The headphones support Bluetooth LE Audio and Dolby Atmos, enhancing the immersive listening experience. Additional audio enhancements include Mimi sound personalization via the companion app, active noise cancellation (ANC) with transparency mode, and multi-point connectivity for seamless switching between devices.

### Smart Features
Beyond excellent sound, the Loewe Leo incorporates several smart features to enhance user convenience:
– Voice assistant support
– AI-powered translation
– Long battery life of up to 65 hours on a single charge

### Pricing and Availability
While still positioned as a luxury product, the Loewe Leo headphones are significantly more accessible than the brand’s six-figure diamond-studded models. The recommended retail price is set at €1,299, with UK pricing yet to be confirmed but expected to align closely. Loewe products typically have limited availability in the US market.

### Final Thoughts
The Loewe Leo headphones offer a compelling mix of sophisticated design, premium materials, and advanced audio technology. They represent a credible and attractive option for audiophiles seeking high-end features without the astronomical prices of luxury competitors.

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https://www.techradar.com/audio/wireless-headphones/loewes-elite-new-headphones-deliver-24-bit-hi-res-audio-dolby-atmos-and-the-best-volume-control-weve-ever-tried-but-it-comes-at-quite-the-price

iFixit teardown shows Apple’s thinnest iPhone is easily repairable

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**iFixit Teardown Shows Apple’s Thinnest iPhone Is Surprisingly Repairable**
*By Akash Pandey | Sep 21, 2025*

Apple’s latest release, the iPhone Air, is its thinnest smartphone yet, measuring just 5.6mm thick. Renowned repair expert iFixit recently performed a detailed teardown of the device, revealing a design that balances extreme thinness with an unexpectedly high level of repairability.

### Innovative Design Meets Repairability

The iPhone Air represents the biggest redesign in the iPhone lineup in years. This teardown highlights Apple’s innovative engineering to pack all essential components into such a slim form factor without sacrificing durability or serviceability.

### Camera “Plateau” Integrates Logic Board

To accommodate internal parts within the ultra-thin chassis, Apple introduced a clever “camera plateau” design. This design integrates part of the logic board into the camera bump, freeing up space for a large metal-encased battery.

This strategic placement not only optimizes space but also helps protect the logic board from bending stress, enhancing the device’s durability against accidental flexing.

### Durable Titanium Frame with Plastic Gaps

The iPhone Air features a titanium frame that resists flexing exceptionally well. However, when stripped of its internal components during teardown, the chassis is more prone to bending due to plastic gaps incorporated to reduce cellular interference.

Whether these structural weak points will impact the device’s long-term durability remains to be seen.

### Battery Compatibility Confirmed

iFixit’s teardown also confirms earlier speculation regarding Apple’s MagSafe Battery Pack. The 12.26W-hour battery inside the pack is the same as the one used in the iPhone Air and can be removed and installed in the phone itself, adding versatility for users.

### Easier Repair Than Expected

Despite its ultra-thin profile, the iPhone Air is surprisingly easy to repair. The internal layout is simplified, with components not overly layered or difficult to access. Both the display and back glass are clipped in place without adhesive, making removal straightforward.

The battery employs a low-voltage electrical current adhesive loosening technique, first introduced with last year’s iPhone 16, enabling safer and easier battery replacement.

### Repairability Score and Improvements

iFixit gave the iPhone Air a provisional repairability score of 7 out of 10. Positive aspects include easier battery access, relatively simple screen replacement, and Apple’s ongoing commitment to repair-friendly practices.

Additionally, Apple has improved repairability by offering spare parts and manuals, and reducing software locks or restrictions related to parts pairing.

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Overall, the iPhone Air proves that ultra-slim design can coexist with thoughtful engineering to support user and technician repairs, marking a noteworthy shift in Apple’s approach to device serviceability.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/ifixit-s-iphone-air-teardown-reveals-sleek-design-surprisingly-easy-reparability/story

GST effect! TV prices drop up to ₹85,000

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**GST Effect! TV Prices Drop by Up to ₹85,000**

*By Akash Pandey | Sep 21, 2025, 12:22 PM*

In a major development for consumers, television manufacturers have announced price cuts ranging from ₹2,500 to ₹85,000 across various models. This significant reduction comes in response to the recent Goods and Services Tax (GST) cut on TVs, effective from September 22, 2025.

### GST Rate Reduction on TVs

The GST Council recently slashed the tax rate on television sets with screen sizes over 32 inches from 28% to 18%. This move is part of the government’s broader initiative to boost consumption by making electronic goods more affordable.

### How Manufacturers Are Responding

Leading TV brands are promptly passing these savings on to customers by lowering the Maximum Retail Prices (MRP) of their products. Sony, LG, and Panasonic have all announced updated price lists reflecting these GST benefits.

– **LG Electronics India** has reduced prices by ₹2,500 to ₹85,800 on a range of models from 43 inches to 100 inches.

– **Panasonic** has cut prices between ₹3,000 and ₹32,000, with 43-inch TVs now cheaper by ₹3,000 to ₹4,700. Additionally, 55-inch Panasonic models have received price cuts of up to ₹7,000, priced between ₹65,990 and ₹76,990. Their premium 75-inch model now costs ₹3.68 lakh, down from ₹4 lakh.

### What This Means for Consumers

The reduction in GST and corresponding price cuts from manufacturers make now a great time to upgrade your television. With savings as high as ₹85,000 on select models, buyers can expect more affordable rates on a wide variety of TVs.

Stay tuned for more updates on price changes and new product launches from major electronics brands.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/tv-manufacturers-slash-prices-on-lower-gst/story

MediaTek to launch its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 rival chip on Sept 22

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MediaTek has announced that its next flagship Dimensity mobile SoC will officially be unveiled on September 22, 2025. The Taiwanese tech giant has yet to reveal the name or any additional details about the new chip. Interestingly, this launch is scheduled just one day before rival Qualcomm announces its own top-tier Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor.

On Chinese social media platform Weibo, MediaTek confirmed the September 22 launch date for its upcoming flagship processor. Qualcomm is set to reveal its next flagship 8-series chip, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, a day later on September 23.

While MediaTek has not provided further specifics, rumors suggest the new processor will be called the Dimensity 9500. This chip is expected to be the successor to the Dimensity 9400, which was launched last year. The Dimensity 9400 currently powers flagship smartphones such as the Oppo Find X8 Pro. However, it has still lagged slightly behind the Snapdragon 8 Elite in performance benchmarks.

According to Geekbench scores, the Snapdragon 8 Elite-powered Samsung S25 Ultra achieved a single-core score of 2,860, while the Oppo Find X8 Pro scored 2,648. In comparison, a Dimensity 9500-powered Oppo device, believed to be the Oppo Find X9 Pro, recorded a significantly higher single-core score of 3,394.

### MediaTek Confirms Successful Test of 2nm Chip Process

The Dimensity 9400 is manufactured using Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC’s 3nm process, and the Dimensity 9500 is also expected to utilize the same technology. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 will similarly be based on the 3nm process.

However, MediaTek has confirmed that it has successfully adopted TSMC’s 2nm process technology, which could debut in a future chip. The 2nm process features a nanosheet transistor structure, promising enhanced performance and improved power efficiency. Additionally, a higher manufacturing yield is anticipated with this advanced technology.

Despite this progress, users will need to wait longer before seeing a MediaTek chip built on the 2nm process enter the market.

In parallel, Samsung is rumored to be developing its own 2nm process for the upcoming Exynos 2600 chip. This new SoC is expected to power the Samsung S26 Pro and S26 Edge smartphones slated for release next year.

Stay tuned for more updates as both MediaTek and Qualcomm gear up for their flagship launches later this month.
https://www.indiatoday.in/technology/news/story/mediatek-to-launch-its-qualcomm-snapdragon-8-elite-gen-5-rival-chip-on-sept-22-details-here-2788827-2025-09-18?utm_source=rss

Mark Zuckerberg fumbles Meta Ray-Ban Display showcase at Connect 2025 keynote

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Meta Connect 2025 kicked off with an exciting keynote, featuring a live demo of the new Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses by CEO Mark Zuckerberg. While the glasses showed promising potential, the demonstration faced several technical hiccups that marred the overall presentation.

During the Meta Connect 2025 keynote, Zuckerberg introduced the translucent Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses, opting for a live demo rather than a pre-recorded video. This bold choice, however, did not go as smoothly as planned. At one point, Zuckerberg was unable to answer a video call, which caused him to become flustered and ultimately abandon that segment of the demo.

Despite these challenges, viewers were able to catch a glimpse of the glasses’ key features. The Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses come equipped with a Meta Neural Band, enabling users to navigate the display and write messages through hand movements. While the glasses also offer dictation capabilities, this feature was not showcased during the demo.

In addition to innovative controls, the glasses feature a translucent screen and boast an impressive 18-hour battery life. They are water-resistant and come with two transition lenses designed for both indoor and outdoor use, enhancing their versatility.

The Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses are set to be released on September 30, 2025, with a retail price of $799 USD. Despite the rocky live demo, these glasses represent an intriguing step forward in wearable technology, blending style and functionality.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146002/meta-ray-ban-display-connect-2025