Gadgets
Review: Samsung Galaxy S23+

The smartphone market is crowded right now. Brands have been launching one model after the other in quick succession, thereby sometimes offering little to no motivation for upgrading to the latest model. Samsung, similar to its competitors, has directed its attention towards enhancing the camera and software functionalities of the S23 series, along with making minor modifications to the display and design.
Despite not featuring the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s 200MP camera and a larger battery, Samsung has opted for a safer approach with the Galaxy S23+. Nonetheless, it remains one of the top phones available in the market. The shift to Qualcomm hardware globally provides a compelling option in countries where Samsung sold only Exynos versions.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset customised by Samsung is one of the fastest among Android phones currently available. Additionally, Samsung has optimised One UI 5.1 to utilise the hardware to its full potential. The Galaxy S23+ boasts a refreshed design compared to its predecessors, the Galaxy S21+ and S22+.
The wraparound camera housing has been removed, and three floating sensors have been positioned directly on the back, resulting in a simple, clean appearance that effectively serves its purpose. At the back, you get a frosted glass panel that looks great and is comfortable to hold.
And like most Samsung flagships, the Galaxy S23+ offers IP68 dust and water resistance as standard. Samsung has utilized Gorilla Glass Victus 2 to cover both the front and rear glass of the phone, while the metal frame is treated with the company’s Armor Aluminum.
One of the standout features of the Galaxy S23+ is its 6.6-inch flat panel. If you prefer a flat screen over a curved one, this phone is the best option available in Samsung’s lineup. The AMOLED display is among the best in the industry, capable of reaching a peak brightness of an incredible 1750 nits for HDR content. The colours on the screen are rich and vivid, with the blacks being luxuriously deep. The text is razor-sharp, and the 120Hz refresh rate ensures that everything moves with effortless smoothness.
The colour vibrancy and contrast are flawless, and the S23+ is excellent for gaming and streaming TV shows and movies. The screen is also adept at dynamically adjusting its refresh rate, ranging from 10Hz to 120Hz, without any noticeable lag. Additionally, there are good customisability options for colour management.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is the processor behind the impressive display and all other functions of the S23+. However, this isn’t a standard Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, but a customised version of the chip that Qualcomm and Samsung collaborated on exclusively for the S23 series. This is paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage.
The Galaxy S23+ runs on Android 13, with Samsung’s One UI 5.1 interface overlaying it. If you’ve been using a Samsung phone in recent years, you’ll be familiar with the interface. Samsung adds numerous additional features on top of the stock Android, which may seem overwhelming at times, but there’s a lot to appreciate about it as well.
The camera housing on the back of the phone has a simplistic design, with the three modules enclosed within rings. The camera module includes the main 50MP lens with an aperture of f/1.8. It supports OIS and can record 8K videos at 30fps and 4K videos at 60fps. You also get a 10MP telephoto lens that offers an aperture of f/2.4. It also supports OIS and offers 3x optical zoom. In addition, there is also a 12MP wide-angle lens that offers a 120-degree FoV, and an aperture of f/2.2.
The front camera, meanwhile, is rated at 12MP. It offers an autofocus feature and can record 4K videos at 60fps. In terms of security features, the S23+ offers an in-screen ultrasonic fingerprint module and face unlock. The S23+ also has an extensive range of hardware features, including Wi-Fi 6e, Bluetooth 5.3 with LE, dual-band GPS, NFC, AptX HD codecs, and UWB.
The photos taken by the Galaxy S23+ have bright and vivid colours that may not always be entirely accurate but are pleasing to the eye. Additionally, the shutter button captures images rapidly, and the photos themselves have plenty of details. The portrait mode photos taken by the Galaxy S23+ are impressive, with Samsung’s edge detection performing quite well, even in challenging lighting situations. Additionally, the night mode photos produced by the device are solid.
The 4700mAh battery in the Galaxy S23+ is impressive, easily lasting more than a day without any battery anxiety during the three weeks that I used the device. With excellent cameras, various features, long-term software updates, and a user-friendly design that’s perfect for daily use, the S23+ is an excellent all-around choice.
Price: AED 3899
Samsung Galaxy S23+ AED 3899
Summary
And like most Samsung flagships, the Galaxy S23+ offers IP68 dust and water resistance as standard. Samsung has utilised Gorilla Glass Victus 2 to cover both the front and rear glass of the phone, while the metal frame is treated with the company’s Armor Aluminum
User Review
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Gadgets
HONOR Launches 400 Series Featuring 200MP AI Camera and Advanced AI Creative Editing Tools

HONOR has officially launched the all-new HONOR 400 Series in the Middle East & Africa region. The event, themed “HONOR AI Wonderverse,” combined Arabic aesthetics and futuristic design, symbolizing the perfect fusion of heritage and innovation. Guests enjoyed a unique experience with different interactive zones, where they could explore the new AI Creative Editor features in an engaging way.
The launch event was innovative and engaging, featuring different experience zones that allowed guests to explore the new AI Creative Editor features in a fun and creative way. With its powerful AI Camera, smart AI Creative Editor, strong performance, improved durability, and standout design, the HONOR 400 Series is ready to change the way people experience smartphones.
Showcasing an elegant design inspired by nature, the HONOR 400 is available for pre-order in Midnight Black, Meteor Silver and Desert Gold at a price starting from AED 1399. Upon pre-order, users will get free gifts worth AED 897 including Earbuds S7, Louvre Abu Dhabi Phone Case and HONOR Care 12-month accidental damage protection and HONOR Care GCC Joint Warranty.
The HONOR 400 Pro is available for pre-order in three colorways Midnight Black, Lunar Grey and Tidal Blue at a price of AED 2499. Upon pre-order, users will get free gifts worth AED 1396 including Earbuds Clip, HONOR CHOICE Watch, HONOR Art Phone Cover, and HONOR care 12-month accidental damage protection and HONOR Care GCC Joint Warranty.
Users can pre-order from HONOR Online Store, HONOR Experience Store, Sharaf DG, Emax, Jumbo, Lulu, Carrefour, Eros, Etisalat by e&, Du, Virgin Megastore, Amazon, noon, KM Trading, Ecity and other rerail stores.
Ground-breaking AI Photography with 200MP AI Camera
The HONOR 400 Series sets a new standard for mobile photography with its 200MP Ultra-Clear AI Camera System, powered by the AI Honor Image Engine. The AI Super Zoom delivers up to 50x zoom on the HONOR 400 Pro and 30x on the HONOR 400, capturing distant subjects – such as a bird in flight or a city skyline – with remarkable detail. The AI Portrait Snap keeps moving subjects in focus with natural background blur.
Industry-leading AI Editing Suite with AI Creative Editor
The AI Creative Editor empowers users to elevate their visual storytelling with a suite of innovative tools. The AI Image to Video feature turns static photos into dynamic 5-second videos in just one minute. This feature brings still images to life in MP4 or Moving Photo Formats (16:9 or 9:16), offering endless creative possibilities.
Solving the problem of crowded backgrounds, the AI Erase Passers-by intelligently removes unwanted people from crowded scenes with a single click—no need to manually circle and erase each individual one by one. It seamlessly blends the background to highlight the main subject.
Meanwhile, the AI Upscale enhances low-resolution or vintage photos by sharpening details, bringing new life to treasured memories. It also features innovative and creative AI-powered editing tools such as AI Eyes Open, AI Remove Reflection, AI Cutout, Moving Photo Collage, and AI Outpainting, empowering users to edit their images their way and unleash their creativity.
Intelligent and Personalized Experience with AI-Powered MagicOS 9.0
HONOR 400 Series offers a smarter and more seamless user interface with MagicOS 9.0, based on Android 15. It introduces AI-powered features like AI Subtitles, providing real-time speech-to-text conversion for videos or recordings. Additionally, HONOR Connect simplifies syncing and transferring data between devices, even across different operating systems, such as from iOS to Android and vice versa. Meanwhile, the AI Translation breaks down language barriers with Real-Time and Face-to-Face modes, making multilingual conversations effortless.
Furthermore, MagicOS 9.0 offers a wide array of flagship-level AI innovations, including AI Magic Portal 2.0, AI Deepfake Detection, and much more. This intelligent operating system enables users to seamlessly streamline their daily lives’ tasks at work and leisure across activities with ease.
At the Forefront of Android Development and Implementation
Building on its long-standing collaboration with Google, HONOR is among the first to bring the latest Android experience to its users. This collaboration enables HONOR to provide developers with quick access to the latest Android releases, allowing users to experience the most recent and secure Android features without delay.
Outstanding Performance and Durability
Besides the AI features, HONOR has equipped the devices with premium hardware for a smooth and lightning-fast experience. The HONOR 400 Series is powered by a 6000mAh battery, with the Pro version further enhanced by 100W HONOR SuperCharge. In terms of durability, the series boasts Water and Dust Resistance certification, while the Pro version is upgraded with IP68 and IP69 ratings, offering extra protection.
Whether you’re passionate about photography, love crafting creative stories, or need a device to boost productivity on the move, the HONOR 400 Series delivers exceptional performance and innovation for every user.
Computex
AMD Intros Next-Gen RX 9060 XT at COMPUTEX 2025

Reporting from Taipei, Taiwan: AMD has officially revealed its latest midrange GPU, the Radeon RX 9060 XT, at COMPUTEX 2025, setting up a direct showdown with Nvidia’s RTX 5060 Ti. Built on 4nm RDNA 4 architecture, the new card brings notable upgrades, including 32 compute units, 64 AI accelerators, and 32 ray-tracing cores, positioning it as a strong competitor in the mainstream gaming market.
The RX 9060 XT will be available in 8GB and 16GB GDDR6 configurations, though Nvidia’s RTX 5060 Ti retains an edge in memory bandwidth thanks to its 28 Gb/s GDDR7 (delivering 448 GB/s vs. AMD’s ~322 GB/s on a 128-bit bus). Real-world performance comparisons will be crucial to determine how much this gap impacts gaming.
AMD has set the boost clock at up to 3.13 GHz, with an impressive 821 TOPS for AI workloads—a key focus in modern gaming and content creation. Power efficiency looks promising, with a TDP between 150W and 182W, while connectivity includes PCIe 5.0 x16, DisplayPort 2.1a, and HDMI 2.1b. Early indications suggest the RX 9060 XT will excel at 1080p gaming and handle 1440p smoothly, but 4K enthusiasts may still prefer the RX 9070 or 9070 XT for higher settings.
AMD has yet to announce pricing or a firm release date, leaving room for speculation on whether it can undercut Nvidia’s offering. With both GPUs shaping up to be closely matched, the final battle may come down to cost, driver optimization, and feature sets.
Features
Editor’s Pick: HUAWEI WATCH 5 Series is the Best Smartwatch You Can Get in 2025

The HUAWEI WATCH Series is not updated every year. The WATCH 4 came out almost 2 years ago and the WATCH 3 is about 4 years old now. This is a rarity among smartwatch brands. But for consumers, this is a win. There is no constant pressure to upgrade every year and each new iteration of the WATCH Series comes out with more than some superficial glow-up. Naturally, when the HUAWEI WATCH 5 launched there was much excitement and pep.
Now, Huawei also has a WATCH GT Series that’s entirely separate from the HUAWEI WATCH Series. The WATCH GT 5 was debuted last year. Compared to the WATCH GT Series, though, the WATCH Series is more upscale with premium materials and even more advanced features. So, does the WATCH 5 Series justify the long wait? In more ways than one. It brings a brand-new sensor, a futuristic design, a revamped app ecosystem, and more.
X-TAP is a health revolution
The WATCH 5 Series makes big strides towards becoming a serious health management device. It draws inspiration from real medical devices and introduces a fingertip sensor called X-TAP. The HUAWEI X-TAP is a 12mm long glass sensor on the side of the watch body that redesigns smartwatch health management with the industry’s first all-in-one sensor. In cardiovascular health monitoring, the quality of physiological signals collected through fingertips is much more reliable, which can unlock more accurate, faster, and comprehensive health monitoring. The fingertips contain an abundance of blood vessels and a thinner skin surface, greatly reducing signal interference from skin pigmentation, hair, etc. You can check your SpO2 levels in under 10 seconds by placing your finger on the X-TAP sensor.
The watch also has the Health Glance feature, which is a smarter, more accurate and more attentive way to asses your health by analysing 11 bodily indicators and long-term health trends. Despite the comprehensive nature, it only takes Health Glance 60 seconds to generate a report.
For most users, raw health metrics don’t mean much. Much more important is the correlation between different monitoring results and, above all, what they mean. That’s why the WATCH 5 introduces Health Insights. It analyses the correlation between health indicators in sleep and heart health scenarios through visual cues and textual analyses, offering personalised health advice and smarter health management.
Futuristic design, tough build
The front of the watch has a prominent spherical design that incorporates a spherical sapphire glass screen, second only to diamond in hardness. The use of premium materials goes beyond sapphire. The HUAWEI WATCH 5 42mm, available in Beige and Sand Gold, features a 904L stainless steel casing—the same alloy used in luxury watches known for its exceptional corrosion and wear resistance. Meanwhile, the HUAWEI WATCH 5 46mm, available in Silver and Purple, uses Aerospace-grade Titanium material, which is 45% lighter than 904L stainless steel, 1.8 times stronger, and 1.5 times harder.
A finely crafted classic trapezoidal crown tops of the design. The new X-TAP button that sits on the side next to the crow blends into the overall visual language without drawing too much attention. Everything from the spherical watch face to the new retrofuturistic hues and high-end materials lends the watch a unique appeal that exudes precision and craftsmanship.
Apps and ecosystem
The HUAWEI WATCH 5 Series supports e-sim cellular calling, standalone navigation, onboard music streaming, and access to Huawei’s ecosystem of fitness and general apps. It can handle key tasks without needing your phone constantly in your pocket.
The watch also introduces new gesture controls designed for one-handed use. Users will now be able to tap and Double Slide with their fingers to instantly interact with their smartwatch. You can easily answer or hang up calls, switch music, and take photos by double tapping or swiping your fingers with one hand, greatly improving the efficiency of smartwatch usage.
Battery life that keeps giving
The battery life of Huawei watches has always been astonishing. Despite all the added features and even an extra sensor, Huawei has managed to keep it impressively long. In Standard Mode, HUAWEI WATCH 5 46mm can last for up to 4.5 under normal usage and 42mm edition can last up to 3 days on Standard Mode. The battery life can be extended with the Battery Saver Mode, allowing the watch to last up to 7 days on the 42mm edition and 11 days on the 46mm edition.
The HUAWEI WATCH 5 brings a whole host of new features to smartwatches while the rest of the industry has been largely in a trickle. And just like that, Huawei once again proves it is far ahead in health and well-being management. What’s more, the HUAWEI WATCH 5 works equally well with iOS and Android devices, making it a universal choice for everyone looking for a smartwatch in 2025.
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