MTS offers to buy back smartphones for cash
RUSSIAN FEDERATION 14:04

MTS offers to buy back smartphones for cash

Russian operator MTS introduced Smart Cash, an offer for customers to sell back smartphones and other electronic goods purchased in shops of the operator. The maximum repayment is 70 percent of the price of the device. The option is available in all regions where MTS operates. Repayment can reach up to 70 percent after six months from acquisition, and up 50 percent starting from the 182th day after acquisition.

Orange Poland opens orders for Oppo Find X9 Ultra
POLAND 10:59

Orange Poland opens orders for Oppo Find X9 Ultra

Orange Poland has started pre-sales of the smartphone Oppo Find X9 Ultra 5G in its shops. Customers connecting to the postpaid Plan L from the operator for 24 months are offered the device for PLN 6,459 (PLN 99 initial payment followed by PLN 265 per month). The device is offered for PLN 7,399 without the subscription contract. 

Vivo X300 series debuts in Hungary via Magyar Telekom partnership
HUNGARY 09:12

Vivo X300 series debuts in Hungary via Magyar Telekom partnership

Vivo has officially partnered with Magyar Telekom, making its premium X300 Pro and X300 smartphones available through the operator. The Vivo X300 Pro, priced at HUF 493,680, comes with 12 GB RAM and 512 GB storage, available in black and brown. It includes a complimentary Vivo Zeiss Telephoto Extender Kit lens and a Vivo Imaging Grip Kit that doubles as a power bank.

Acer, Asus ordered intro arbitration with Nokia over video license
UNITED KINGDOM 07:37

Acer, Asus ordered intro arbitration with Nokia over video license

Nokia has secured a victory in its patent licensing dispute with Acer and Asus. A UK court dismissed suits brought by the Taiwanese companies and said they must enter arbitration with Nokia over licensing its video coding technology, Reuters reports. 

Sony unveils flagship Xperia 1 VIII phone with 70mm fixed telephoto
GLOBAL 07:32

Sony unveils flagship Xperia 1 VIII phone with 70mm fixed telephoto

Sony has announced the launch of its latest flagship smartphone, the Xperia 1 VIII, already available to order at prices ranging from EUR 1,499 for the 12GB/256GB version and EUR 1,999 for the 16GB/1TB. Both will include Sony's high-end WH-1000XM6 over-ear headphones during the pre-order period.

Japan's mobile operators align incentives for Xperia 1 VIII launch
JAPAN 06:55

Japan's mobile operators align incentives for Xperia 1 VIII launch

KDDI and Okinawa Cellular Telephone, NTT Docomo and SoftBank have announced the launch of Sony's Xperia 1 VIII smartphone in Japan on 11 June 2026, with all three operators opening reservations on 13 May. Across all operators, the launch is accompanied by a common campaign framework offering up to JPY 15,000 equivalent in loyalty points, subject to pre-registration, purchase within a set period and application via the Xperia Lounge app.

Imec spinout Eyeo attracts EUR 40 mln to advance colour-splitting image sensors
BELGIUM 12 MEI

Imec spinout Eyeo attracts EUR 40 mln to advance colour-splitting image sensors

Eyeo has raised USD 40 million in series A funding to commercialise a novel image sensing concept that would capture all incoming light to guide colour photons to individual pixels. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Eyeo is an academic spinout based on research assets from Belgian nanoelectronic institute Imec. The investment, which lifts Eyeo's lifetime funding to EUR 55 million, was led by a pan-European venture fund called Innovation Industries with participation from existing Eyeo investors Imec.xpand,

Samsung brings Certified Re-Newed programme to Indian consumers
INDIA 11 MEI

Samsung brings Certified Re-Newed programme to Indian consumers

Samsung customers in India can now purchase pre-owned Galaxy handsets that have been renovated to strict quality control standards through Samsung's Certified Re-Newed programme. The India market launch, which took place on 06 May, expands on Certified Re-Newed's earlier introduction in South Korea, the US, the UK, Germany and France. Refurbished Galaxy products will be available throughout India from Samsung's web store and the Samsung Shop app.

PLDT, Power Mac Center offer mobile bundles for businesses
PHILIPPINES 11 MEI

PLDT, Power Mac Center offer mobile bundles for businesses

Philippines-based operator PDLT has announced an expanded partnership between PLDT Enterprise and Power Mac Center for business mobile connectivity bundles. The bundles includes premium Apple devices with PLDT's Smart Enterprise post-paid plans. The partnership will allow Power Mac Center, which has more than 100 locations across the country, to help enterprise customers equip teams with mobile connectivity across multiple locations more quickly - with reduced roll-out timelines and simplified procurement.

Vodafone UK now offering Motorola Razr Fold smartphone
UNITED KINGDOM 11 MEI

Vodafone UK now offering Motorola Razr Fold smartphone

Vodafone UK is now offering the Motorola Razr Fold to customers. It is available in Pantone Blackened Blue from GBP 46.50 per month, with an upfront cost of GBP 70. This is based on a 36-month Phone Plan at GBP 39.50 per month, and 24-month 1GB Airtime Plan at GBP 7 per month. The price of the Airtime Plan will increase to GBP 8.50 in April 2027 and GBP 10 per month in April 2028. 

Play offers 2-for-1 on smartphones in new porting promo
POLAND 11 MEI

Play offers 2-for-1 on smartphones in new porting promo

Polish operator Play, controlled by Iliad, has introduced a new promotion to customers porting a number to its network. Customers connecting to its tariffs Plan L or Homebox with a 24-month contract can buy a smartphone and get a second device free. The package including the Xiaomi Redmi Note15 Pro 5G and Xiaomi Redmi 15C 4G costs PLN 1,399. The package containing the Samsung Galaxy A57 5G and Samsung Galaxy A17 5G is available for PLN 1,799. A bundle including the Realme 16 Pro+ 5G and Realme 14T 5G costs

Sony and TSMC consider new joint venture to deliver leading-edge image sensors
GLOBAL 11 MEI

Sony and TSMC consider new joint venture to deliver leading-edge image sensors

Sony and Taiwanese chip foundry TSMC will explore the possibility of establishing a joint venture (JV) to develop next-generation image sensor components, building on their existing partnership in the CMOS image sensing arena. At this stage, the companies have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding that would see Sony take a majority stake in the new entity. The incorporation of a JV vehicle is dependent on a legally-binding agreement and customary closing conditions being satisfied, Sony added.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 8 MEI

Samsung offers 'Try Galaxy' simulator app with Arabic support in UAE

Samsung has introduced Try Galaxy to the UAE, enabling non-Galaxy users to see what Galaxy offers. The Try Galaxy app is available for Android and iOS devices with Arabic language support, expanding its reach and encouraging more people to switch confidently to Galaxy mobile phones. Try Galaxy simulates a Galaxy smartphone interface, letting users navigate its main features through guided tutorials, interactive widgets and immersive demonstrations.

JAPAN 8 MEI

Sony forecasts results under pressure in new fiscal year from rise in memory costs

Sony reported slightly lower net profit for its fiscal year to March, as growth in digital music and imaging sensors was offset by writedowns on video game production company Bungie and its exit from the electric car market. For the new year the Japanese company gave a cautious outlook as the spike in memory prices leads to a slowdown in game console and smartphone sales. 

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 8 MEI

Regulator fines KT KRW 640 mln over Galaxy S25 pre-order cancellations

South Korea's Korea Communications Commission (KCC) has fined Korea Telecom (KT) KRW 640 million for violations of the Telecommunications Business Act linked to the operator's Galaxy S25 smartphone pre-order campaign. The regulator said KT failed to properly inform customers during the January 2026 pre-order period that promotional benefits beyond official subsidies were limited to the first 1,000 customers on a first-come, first-served basis.

GLOBAL 8 MEI

Huawei expands consumer device portfolio with new tablets, wearables and smartphones

Huawei has launched a range of new consumer devices at a global product event in Bangkok, including tablets, smartwatches, children's wearables and smartphones, as the company continues to expand its connected device ecosystem. The launch included the MatePad Pro Max tablet, the Watch FIT 5 Series, the Watch GT Runner 2 Racing Legend Edition, the Watch Ultimate Design Spring Edition, the Watch Kids X1 Series and the nova 15 Max smartphone.

GLOBAL 7 MEI

Cirrus Logic FY sales rise 5%

Mixed signal and audio components vendor Cirrus Logic grew revenues by 5.3 percent in the twelve months to end-March, reporting higher sales across both of its operating segments. Group revenues rose to almost USD 2.0 billion from USD 1.9 billion in FY 2025, with turnover up 2 percent in the larger audio segment and 10.4 percent in the mixed signal processing unit. Net profit for the year finished at USD 414.4 million, rising 25 percent from FY25 amid a modest rise in gross margins and reduced provisions fo

SOMALIA 7 MEI

Hormuud Telecom and Get-Phone launch smartphone financing bundled with calls and data

Hormuud Telecom and retailer Get-Phone have launched Somalia's first structured smartphone financing programme to provide millions of low-income Somalis with access to internet-ready devices for the first time. Under the new model, customers can acquire a smartphone with an upfront deposit of USD 19 and daily repayments starting at USD 0.60. The daily fee includes the device instalment plus a bundled package of 1 GB of data and 40 minutes of voice calls. Hormuud Telecom expects to put 100,000 smartphones in

GLOBAL 7 MEI

Qualcomm upgrades Snapdragon 4, 6 ranges for H2 release

Qualcomm is updating its mid-range processors with new versions of the Snapdragon 4 and 6 ranges. The upgrades deliver greater support for new AI imaging features, game play and 5G, as well as improved battery life. They will feature in upcoming phones from Honor, Oppo, Realme and Redmi launching in the second half of this year.

BELARUS 6 MEI

Life Belarus offers device financing on online shop

Life Belarus has started selling devices on installment on its online shop Life Market. Customers can undergo a credit check within a few minutes using a banking ID.

AFRICA 6 MEI

Airtel Africa calls for tax cuts on telecom equipment to accelerate digital inclusion

Airtel Africa has called on African governments to recognise telecommunications as a core economic pillar and to implement two specific tax reforms that it says could dramatically accelerate digital inclusion across the continent. Airtel Africa chief regulatory officer and Chair of GSMA Africa's Policy Group, Daddy Mukadi called forthe changes in a speech at the 'Etats Generaux du Secteur des Postes et Telecommunications' in Kinshasa. 

GLOBAL 6 MEI

Skyworks issues cautious fiscal Q3 guidance after flat quarterly sales

Skyworks Solutions issued a cautious revenue forecast for its third fiscal quarter to end-June, projecting sales a little lower sequentially in its Mobile division amid typical seasonal patterns, offset by modest growth in the Broad Markets segment. Fiscal Q3 revenues are predicted to range from USD 900 to 950 million, reduced from USD 965 million in the year-earlier period, with non-diluted EPS predicted to reach USD 1.03 at mid-point. The Mobile components subsidiary is set for a sequential sales decline

BRAZIL 6 MEI

Motorola brings Moto G47 to Brazil

Motorola has launched the Moto G47 smartphone in Brazil, with 5G, a 50 MP Sony Lytia 600 main camera, 32 MP front camera, 5,200 mAh battery, Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor, and 12 GB of RAM. The 256 GB model is priced at BRL 1,999 while the 128 GB version costs BRL 1,799, available through Motorola's online store, the Moto Store app, brand stores, kiosks, and major Brazilian retailers.

SPAIN 6 MEI

Pepephone debuts online handset store

Spanish operator Pepephone, a MasOrange brand, has launched a dedicated online store for customers to acquire a smartphone in single payments or monthly interest-free instalments. Anyone who has been with the operator more than four months can acquire a handset from a dynamic catalogue that will be constantly updated with different brands and product ranges, said the operator.

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