Smartphones
Samsung Finally Announces that Faulty Batteries Caused Note7 Incidents
Samsung has announced the results of a months-long investigation into why its Galaxy Note 7 phones spontaneously caught fire last summer, pinning the blame on faulty batteries. The incidents led to recall of 2.5 million devices and losses totaling more than $2 billion.
The root cause, according to an internal investigation conducted with the help of outside experts, was battery short circuits. According to various reports, both companies that supplied batteries for the Galaxy Note 7 had separate issues leading to the fires, Samsung says. This is in part due to the rush to replace the originally exploding phones with new ones. The company did not name its battery suppliers.
“The comprehensive responsibility lies with us. We did not thoroughly vet the parts that were assembled for us,” said DJ Koh, the head of Samsung’s sprawling mobile unit. In a packed press conference at its offices in southern Seoul on Monday, the world’s biggest smartphone maker again apologized to customers around the world for the bungling of its product release.
“We wanted to proceed quickly to change the batteries swiftly, out of concern for the consumers,” Koh said, explaining why the company rushed to replace the faulty phones. “We are very sorry to the consumers for not having vetted the B batteries thoroughly. At the time the B batteries didn’t exhibit the problems that A batteries did, but in retrospect the B batteries had a different issue.”
Phones were initially recalled and replaced, but the replacement devices also began to catch fire. Presentations at the announcement by outside investigators backed up Samsung’s findings, which indicate batteries from supplier A were shorting because of a design flaw or in some cases a lack of insulation tape. And batteries from supplier B — which were issued in the replacement phones following the initial recall — were catching fire because of a separate manufacturing defect.
“For the last several months, together with independent industry expert organizations, we conducted thorough investigation to find cause to the Galaxy Note7 incidents.” Koh said, “Today, more than ever, we are committed to earning the trust of our customers through innovation that redefines what is possible in safety, and as a gateway to unlimited possibilities and incredible new experiences.”

Gadgets
Samsung Launches Galaxy S25 Series in the UAE

Samsung Gulf Electronics has unveiled the Galaxy S25 Series in the UAE, featuring the Galaxy S25 Ultra, Galaxy S25+, and Galaxy S25. This new series sets a benchmark for mobile AI with the most natural and context-aware experiences, introducing multimodal AI agents and marking the beginning of Samsung’s vision to revolutionize user interaction with their phones and the world.
The launch event showcased the latest technology and innovation through interactive experiences. Samsung management highlighted the new features of the devices and celebrated regional talent pushing the boundaries with Galaxy AI. Samsung’s newest flagship phones elevate Galaxy AI capabilities with robust on-device AI processing, next-gen ProVisual Engine for superior photography, and exceptional performance powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy.
“The greatest innovations are a reflection of their users, which is why we evolved Galaxy AI to help everyone interact with their devices in a way that feels natural and effortless,” said DooHee Lee, President of Samsung Gulf Electronics. “Galaxy S25 Series opens the door to a true AI OS and a fundamental shift not just in how we use technology, but in how we live our lives.”
Fadi Abu Shamat, Head of the Mobile eXperience Division at Samsung Gulf Electronics, added, “The Galaxy S25 Series embodies Samsung’s relentless pursuit of innovation, bringing to life an era where AI seamlessly integrates into everyday mobile experiences. Inspired by the UAE’s bold vision for AI, we have introduced a device that not only enhances communication and creativity but also empowers users with smarter, more intuitive interactions. This series combines breakthrough technology while championing sustainability and security, setting a new bar for mobile devices designed to respect both the user and the environment.”
With One UI 7, the Galaxy S25 series becomes your AI companion, understanding your needs and preferences to provide personalized experiences with assured privacy. This marks the beginning of a collaborative vision with Google to transform Android into the first AI-integrated OS, welcoming developers and partners to create an inclusive AI ecosystem.
The Galaxy S25 series integrates AI agents with multimodal capabilities, interpreting text, speech, images, and videos, making interaction feel as natural as conversing with a friend. The upgraded Circle to Search and AI Select features allow for actionable searches with context-sensitive suggestions, eliminating the need to switch between apps to share a GIF or save event details.
Achieving a breakthrough in natural language understanding, the Galaxy S25 simplifies everyday interactions. Simply ask to find a specific photo in the Gallery or adjust the display font size in Settings effortlessly. Pressing the side button activates Gemini, enabling seamless cross-app actions in Samsung, Google, and third-party apps like Spotify and WhatsApp. For example, you can find your favourite sports team’s schedule and add it to your calendar with a single voice command.
These intuitive interactions are enhanced by Galaxy AI’s expanded tools for communication, productivity, and creativity. The Galaxy S25 organizes calls with on-device AI transcription and summary, and Writing Assist features like translation can be enabled on any screen showing text. Drawing Assist provides new ways to bring ideas to life through sketches, text, or image prompts.
In the era of AI, personalization and privacy go hand-in-hand with the Galaxy S25. The Personal Data Engine securely analyzes your data to deliver highly tailored experiences that reflect your preferences and usage patterns. These insights enhance multiple apps, allowing you to search for old photos in the Gallery using natural language or receive timely suggestions through Now Brief on the lock screen. Your personalized data remains private, with encryption keys stored securely in Knox Vault. Enhanced on-device processing capabilities create a powerful, protected AI experience unique to Galaxy.
The Galaxy S25 also introduces post-quantum cryptography to safeguard personal data against emerging threats as quantum computing evolves. One UI 7 lays the groundwork for these innovations with a fortified layer of device safety designed for the age of AI and hyperconnectivity. Updates include an improved Auto Blocker, added Maximum Restrictions settings, enhanced Theft Protection, and a new Knox Matrix dashboard to monitor security across connected devices.
The Galaxy S25 series is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, the most powerful chipset ever customized for Galaxy. This chipset delivers a remarkable performance boost of 40% in NPU, 37% in CPU, and 30% in GPU, enabling the Galaxy S25 Series to process AI experiences on-device without compromises, including tasks previously handled in the cloud, such as Generative Edit.
For the first time, Samsung has integrated proprietary innovations into the chipset. The ProScaler uses advanced, efficient AI image processing to achieve a 40% improvement in image accuracy, while the mobile Digital Natural Image engine (mDNIe) enhances display power efficiency.
The Galaxy S25 redefines mobile photography, delivering ultra-detailed shots at any range. The new 50MP ultrawide camera sensor, a significant upgrade from the previous 12MP, ensures exceptional clarity and vibrancy, even in low-light conditions. This advancement reveals intricate textures in macro photography, providing four times the detail.
Low-light videos reach new levels of clarity with the Galaxy S25’s Spatio-Temporal Filter, built directly into the chipset. This filter analyzes movement and time to reduce noise more effectively, allowing the ProVisual Engine to detect moving and static objects with greater precision. Additionally, 10-bit HDR recording offers four times richer colour expression compared to 8-bit.
The Galaxy S25 also democratizes advanced editing tools that were once limited to specialized software. With Audio Eraser, you can easily remove unwanted noise in videos by isolating specific sound categories, such as voices, crowds, wind, music, nature, and background noise.
For a DSLR-like mobile experience, the Galaxy S25 introduces depth-of-field control with Virtual Aperture, integrated into the popular Expert RAW mode. The Galaxy S25 also enhances cinematic creativity with Galaxy Log, offering precise color grading options for professional video production.
Starting February 7, the all-new Galaxy S25 Series will be available for purchase with various offers in the UAE. The prices are as follows: Galaxy S25 (128 GB) at AED 3,199, Galaxy S25 (256 GB) at AED 3,449, Galaxy S25 (512 GB) at AED 3,949, Galaxy S25+ (256 GB) at AED 3,899, Galaxy S25+ (512 GB) at AED 4,399, Galaxy S25 Ultra (256 GB) at AED 5,099, Galaxy S25 Ultra (512 GB) at AED 5,599, and Galaxy S25 Ultra (1 TB) at AED 6,599.
Gadgets
Huawei Nova 13 Pro Review: A Mid-Range Powerhouse with Flagship Aspirations

The Huawei Nova series has always been known for offering premium features at a mid-range price point, and the Huawei Nova 13 Pro is no exception. With its sleek design, impressive camera system, and solid performance, the Nova 13 Pro aims to compete with flagship devices while remaining accessible to a broader audience.
Design and Build Quality
The Huawei Nova 13 Pro continues the brand’s tradition of delivering stylish and modern designs. The phone features a glass back with a matte finish that not only looks premium but also resists fingerprints. The frame is made of aluminium, adding durability without compromising aesthetics. The device is available in several eye-catching colours, including Loden Green, White, and Black, catering to different tastes.
The Nova 13 Pro is surprisingly lightweight at 209 grams, making it comfortable to hold for extended periods. The curved edges on the back panel enhance grip, reducing the chances of accidental slips. The placement of buttons is ergonomic, with the power button and volume rocker easily accessible on the right side.
One notable design feature is the punch-hole display, which houses the front-facing camera. This design choice maximises screen real estate while maintaining a sleek and modern look. Overall, the Nova 13 Pro’s design is a perfect blend of elegance and functionality, making it a head-turner in its price segment.
Display
The Huawei Nova 13 Pro boasts a 6.76-inch FHD+ OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering smooth scrolling and an immersive viewing experience. The screen resolution of 2776-by-1224 pixels ensures sharp and vibrant visuals, whether you’re watching videos, playing games, or browsing social media.
The OLED panel delivers deep blacks and vivid colours, making it ideal for media consumption. The display is also bright enough to remain visible under direct sunlight, which is a significant advantage for outdoor use. The 120Hz refresh rate is a standout feature, offering buttery-smooth animations and transitions. While it does consume more battery, the Nova 13 Pro allows you to switch to a 60Hz mode to conserve power when needed. The inclusion of an in-display fingerprint scanner adds to the phone’s modern appeal, and it’s both fast and accurate.
Performance
Under the hood, the Huawei Nova 13 Pro is powered by the Kirin 8000 chipset, which is a capable mid-range processor. While it may not match the performance of flagship chips, it handles everyday tasks with ease. The device comes with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage, which is more than enough for most users.
In terms of real-world performance, the Nova 13 Pro excels in multitasking, app launches, and casual gaming. Games like Call of Duty Mobile and Genshin Impact run smoothly on medium to high settings. The phone also handles graphic-intensive tasks like video editing and 3D rendering reasonably well, thanks to its Mali-G610 GPU.
Camera
The camera system is where the Huawei Nova 13 Pro truly shines. The device features a triple-camera setup on the back. This includes a 50MP Adjustable Aperture Camera (F1.4~F4.0 aperture, OIS), a 12MP Telephoto Portrait Camera (F2.4 aperture, OIS), and an 8MP Ultra-Wide Macro Camera (F2.2 aperture).
The primary camera delivers stunning photos with excellent detail, accurate colours, and good dynamic range. The OIS ensures that images remain sharp even in low-light conditions. The ultra-wide-angle lens is perfect for group photos and scenic shots. The telephoto lens performs admirably, allowing you to get closer to your subject without losing quality.
On the front, you get a dual-camera setup, which includes a 60 MP Ultra-Wide Autofocus Front Camera (F2.4 aperture), and an 8 MP Close-Up Portrait Front Camera (F2.2 aperture). The front camera supports 4K video recording, making it ideal for vloggers and content creators. The camera app is feature-rich, with modes such as Night Mode, Portrait Mode, and Pro Mode giving users plenty of creative control.
Battery Life
The Huawei Nova 13 Pro is equipped with a 5000mAh battery, which provides all-day battery life under moderate usage. During our tests, the device lasted a little more than a day’s worth of typical phone usage. The device supports 100W HUAWEI SuperCharge Turbo, which can charge the battery from 0% to 50% in just 9 minutes.
Software
The Nova 13 Pro runs on EMUI 14.2, Huawei’s proprietary operating system. While it lacks Google Mobile Services (GMS), Huawei has made significant strides in building its ecosystem with Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) and the AppGallery. Popular apps such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are available, and there’s also a workaround to install Google apps such as YouTube and Gmail, using the GBox app.
EMUI 14.2 is smooth and intuitive, with a user interface that resembles Android. It offers features like multi-screen collaboration, dark mode, and customisable themes.
Verdict
The Huawei Nova 13 Pro is a compelling mid-range smartphone that offers flagship-level features at an affordable price. Its stunning design, excellent camera system, and smooth display make it a great choice for photography enthusiasts and media consumers. If you’re looking for a stylish and capable smartphone without breaking the bank, the Huawei Nova 13 Pro is worth considering.
Price: AED 2399
Huawei Nova 13 Pro AED 2399
Summary
In terms of real-world performance, the Nova 13 Pro excels in multitasking, app launches, and casual gaming. Games like Call of Duty Mobile and Genshin Impact run smoothly on medium to high settings.
User Review
( votes)Artificial Intelligence
AI HONOR Image Engine: Redefining Smartphone Photography

Smartphone photography has undergone an immense revolution in the past decade, placing in consumers’ hands the kinds of powerful image technologies that were once only possible with full-frame cameras. With a steadfast commitment to providing users around the world with the best-in-class photography experience, HONOR has always been at the forefront of smartphone photography and kept challenging itself to set new industry benchmarks for innovation and quality.
With smartphone usage scenarios continuing to diversify, from portrait photography to telephoto imagery and quick snapshots, more users expect versatile photography capabilities from a single device. Understanding this evolving demand, HONOR has dedicated efforts to fine-tune its smartphones’ hardware and software components to ensure unparalleled image quality.
Recognizing the pivotal role of AI in enhancing photography capabilities on the software front, HONOR has been refining its HONOR Image Engine over the years. Debuting in 2021, the first-generation HONOR Image Engine leveraged HONOR’s AI computing photography algorithm, seamlessly blending images captured by different lenses to yield clearer and sharper results. Subsequently, with the introduction of HONOR Image Engine 2.0, HONOR unveiled the Millisecond Falcon Capture and Ultra-fusion Computational Optics functionalities, employing AI to enhance imaging speed and quality.
Upholding the belief that photography is the artistic interplay of light and shadow, HONOR masters in smartphone photography through understanding and refining the technology with AI. To this end, HONOR introduces the pioneering AI HONOR Image Engine enhanced with large model capabilities, the industry’s first on-device plus cloud large model empowered mobile imaging system. Integrated into the HONOR Magic7 Series, this meticulously reconstructs light and shadow intricacies in each image, offering users a host of advanced photography features.
The AI HONOR Image Engine is bolstered by three specialized large models. The Light and Shadow Portrait Large Model excels in optimizing static scenes; the Telephoto Enhancement Large Model allows users to capture detailed, sharp images with AI-enhanced resolution; the Capture Enhancement Large Model is specifically designed for seizing motion shots, improving the overall photography experience for users.
Catering to diverse shooting needs, these large models work seamlessly together to deliver a comprehensive suite of enhanced features covering various shooting needs, spanning from action shots and portraits to telephoto shots. Through these innovations, the HONOR Magic7 Series revolutionizes image quality with advanced AI innovations, providing users with an immersive and cutting-edge AI photography experience.
Striving to transform smartphone portrait photography, HONOR has seamlessly integrated the Light and Shadow Portrait Large Model and Telephoto Enhancement Large Model into the AI HONOR Image Engine, introducing a range of portrait features including AI-enhanced Portrait, All-scenario Harcourt Portrait, AI Super Zoom, and Stage Mode.
Presenting the brand-new AI-enhanced Portrait feature, users can now capture exquisite portraits with ultra-high definition across a focal length of 1X to 6X. Driven by the Light and Shadow Portrait Large Model, this feature integrates AI Resolution Enhancement to refine image quality, meticulously reducing noise through lens optical calibration, real noise modelling, and extensive AI neural network training. It dynamically adjusts pixel arrangement based on different lighting conditions, preserving original resolution with low ISO in well-lit environments, while seamlessly blending pixels in low-light conditions to form larger units and enhance light intake for superior image clarity.
Crafted to elevate portrait quality amidst challenging lighting conditions, the AI-enhanced Portrait incorporates cutting-edge AI technologies to enhance dynamic range and optimize the interplay of light and shadow. Powered by advanced AI algorithms, the dynamic range is boosted, resulting in more authentic and nuanced colour transitions. Complementing this advancement, the AI light and shadow reconstruction capability introduces a new AI algorithm that reconstructs light and shadow elements through highlight recovery and precise colour corrections, ensuring consistent light intensity for smoother brightness transitions in photographs. These enhancements come together to greatly benefit users capturing portraits in challenging lighting situations, such as sunset or night scenes, delivering natural portraits with balanced highlights and intricate details.
With the Light and Shadow Portrait Large Model, HONOR has unveiled the Stage Mode to capture performance moments for music festivals and concert scenarios. Given the complexity of performance lighting, including challenges like strong light and backlighting, the Light and Shadow Portrait Large Model dynamically optimises brightness levels and light and shadow details for static moment shots. With Stage Mode, users can effortlessly capture memorable performance moments spanning a focal range of 1X to 10X, creating photos with vivid colours, and refined exposure while ensuring that the primary subject of the performance stands out prominently.
Furthermore, featuring an AI-enabled portrait enhancement capability that is trained on millions of high-definition DSLR portrait images, AI-enhanced Portrait can precisely adjust the portrait person’s skin tones and enhance intricate facial features like hair and eyes. Additionally, the AI-enabled bokeh effects leverage AI capabilities to replicate the bokeh effects of real optical systems, enabling users to capture portraits with foreground bokeh effects using AI-enhanced Portrait. This innovation facilitates a seamless transition from foreground bokeh to 3D light spots, ensuring a delicate shift from blurred backgrounds to sharply focused subjects.
In addition, AI HONOR Image Engine also empowers the All-scenario Harcourt Portrait, ensuring studio-like image quality at varying distances. With the AI bokeh effect and AI light and shadow Reconstruction, users can capture breathtaking portraits with natural bokeh effects and facial light and shadow intricacies, rivalling the results of professional cameras. Moreover, the All-scenario Harcourt Portrait now boasts a new 6X focal length, providing enhanced flexibility for smartphone portrait photography. At this extended focal length, Harcourt Portrait excels in capturing captivating portraits that accentuate the subject’s beauty. Thanks to AI-enabled facial refinement, it automatically refines the subject’s natural skin texture while preserving its authentic characteristics.
The HONOR Magic7 Pro boasts the HONOR AI Falcon Camera Systems featuring a pioneering 200MP Telephoto Camera with an advanced 1/1.4” telephoto sensor and a large f/2.6 aperture. To achieve professional telephoto lens standards, HONOR has crafted a proprietary structure for this camera. This innovative design includes a dual-lens group with an aspherical lens that aids in reducing stray light, minimizing dispersion, and enhancing overall optical performance.
By merging cutting-edge hardware with the Telephoto Enhancement Large Model on the cloud, HONOR introduces the groundbreaking AI Super Zoom feature, designed for framing the breath-taking beauty of sceneries including natural landscapes. This feature enables remarkable focal lengths ranging from 30x to 100x along with AI-enhanced resolution, allowing users to capture detailed, sharp images even at significant distances. The Telephoto Enhancement Large Model on the cloud is capable of driving 12.4 billion parameters data to enhance image quality and generate vivid details at high speed. To achieve this, the cloud large model processes data of 1270 billion for each shot.
Tailored for diverse motion scenarios, the AI HONOR Image Engine seamlessly integrates the Capture Enhancement Large Model, enhancing the image quality of moving scenes through AI Motion Sensing Capture and HD Super Burst. With the incorporation of an AI-enabled intent recognition engine boasting advanced recognition and analysis capabilities, the AI Motion Sensing Capture excels in capturing accurate motion shots by identifying and analyzing subject movements. Through capabilities like subject detection and facial evaluation, this engine swiftly recognizes various shooting subjects, from humans to beloved pets like cats and dogs, while discerning subtle facial expressions and body gestures, enabling users to effortlessly capture cherished moments with their companions using AI Motion Sensing Capture.
Acknowledging the increasing popularity of sports photography, HONOR has consistently advanced its hardware and software to improve capture speed and image clarity, empowering users to capture professional sports images. Additionally, the new HD Super Burst feature enables users to capture rapid sequences at 10 frames per second, expanding opportunities for snapshot photography on smartphones. Whether it’s capturing a leisurely jog or thrilling sports events such as a swimming competition, the feature enables the camera to swiftly detect and predict the movement of shooting subjects, empowering users to capture moments with unparalleled clarity and precision on every shot, regardless of the setting or intensity of the action.
HONOR is steadfast in its mission to redefine the standards of AI excellence within smartphone photography, striving to provide users with the utmost intelligent capturing experience. Powered by the potent AI HONOR Image Engine, the HONOR Magic7 Series empowers users to embark on a holistic AI-centric photography journey, catering to the varied and evolving photography needs of users. Pioneering groundbreaking advancements in smartphone photography, HONOR stands out as the first smartphone manufacturer to seamlessly fuse the capabilities of cloud AI and on-device AI within mobile imaging, underscoring its unwavering dedication to establishing new benchmarks within the industry.
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