Doubao Phone Gen 2 Design Revealed in Four Colors
On July 16, ZTE’s sub-brand Nubia officially unveiled the Nubia NaviX Ultra, its first AI-powered phone—also known as the Doubao Phone Gen 2. Official teaser images show the new device comes in black, pink, white, and blue. Two of these colorways feature orange accents on the AI physical button.
Looking at the images, the camera module design on the Doubao Phone Gen 2 stands out from most current domestic models. According to a previous report from the Shanghai Securities News, the camera module is supplied by Sunny Optical.
Apple Reportedly Launching OLED iPad Mini This Fall
On July 16, tech journalist Mark Gurman reported that Apple is gearing up for the biggest iPad Mini upgrade in five years, with a launch expected this fall and availability in October. The new iPad Mini, codenamed J510, will feature an OLED display for the first time, boosting visual quality. Meanwhile, Apple also plans to refresh the entry-level iPad (codenamed J581) next year, along with the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air (codenamed J807 and J837). The entry-level model will mainly get a processor upgrade, while the iPad Air is expected to launch in spring. Apple is also rumored to unveil its first foldable iPhone and new Apple Watch models this September, and it recently raised prices on several products, including the iPad lineup.
Realme Pauses Product Updates in China, Focuses on Global Markets
On July 16, NUPIAO learned from OPPO that, to better integrate resources and align global product strategies, Realme will focus on overseas markets going forward and pause product updates in China. OnePlus, however, will continue its product updates in the Chinese market unchanged.
Q2 Smartphone Shipments Slip for Xiaomi, OPPO, and Vivo; Huawei, Apple, and Samsung Buck the Trend
Multiple research firms have released their Q2 2026 smartphone shipment data, showing a global decline in shipments. However, Apple and Samsung managed to grow against the trend.
According to the data, Samsung reclaimed the top spot in the global smartphone market in Q2 2026 with a 24% market share, posting the highest year-over-year growth among the top five brands. Apple’s Q2 shipments grew 3% year-over-year, pushing its market share to a record high of 20%. Notably, Apple was the only major OEM that didn’t raise smartphone prices during the quarter.
Among Chinese manufacturers, Xiaomi, OPPO, and Vivo all saw double-digit year-over-year shipment declines in Q2, driven by market volatility from rising memory costs.
Warren Buffett: I Personally Made the Big Bet on Alphabet, Regret Not Buying Sooner
Legendary investor Warren Buffett recently revealed in an interview that his big investment in Google parent Alphabet was his own call, not that of new CEO Greg Abel. Buffett said he initiated the trade and insisted he and Abel maintain extremely close communication. While they agree on major decisions, Buffett was the final decision-maker on this investment.
Despite making this massive bet himself, the 95-year-old investor admitted he regrets not investing in Alphabet earlier. He has long lamented missing out on the tech giant’s early rise, noting that even in 2018—despite seeing Google’s massive success firsthand through his insurance company Geico’s ad spending—he lacked the confidence to bet on Google as a long-term winner in the fast-evolving tech landscape. Buffett also said that while Alphabet is now a major holding for Berkshire, it’s not his favorite asset. In his mind, at least four or five other businesses in Berkshire’s portfolio are better than Alphabet.
TSMC Beats Q2 Profit Forecasts, Raises Full-Year Growth Outlook and Boosts Capex
TSMC’s Q2 results, released on July 16, significantly beat market expectations. The chipmaker posted a net profit of NT$706.6 billion (about $22 billion) with a gross margin near 68%. Driven by incredibly strong AI demand, TSMC plans to pour more money into capacity expansion, raising its full-year capital expenditure forecast by $8 billion to a range of $60–64 billion. The company also confirmed an additional $100 billion investment in its Arizona facility, deepening its commitment to the U.S. market.
TSMC CEO C.C. Wei said that fueled by robust AI demand, he has raised the company’s full-year sales growth forecast to over 40%. Wei noted that outside of AI, smartphone chip sales have declined and show no shortages; nearly all demand growth now comes from AI and the data centers powering it. He is very optimistic that the coming years will be “very good business” for TSMC.
Amazon Global Selling Launches ‘Benchmark New Seller Incubation Program’
On July 16, Amazon Global Selling announced the launch of its “Benchmark New Seller Incubation Program.” The program’s first goal is to help 2,000 new brands achieve over 100 million RMB in sales within three years of listing, by 2029.
The program targets manufacturers, brand owners, and emerging brands looking to transform and go global, offering tailored cross-border solutions covering markets like North America, Europe, and Japan.
