Lava debuts budget Virat V1 series on Flipkart
Indian smartphone maker Lava introduced the Virat V1 5G and Virat V1 through an exclusive partnership with Flipkart, continuing its online-first push in the entry-level segment. The Virat V1 5G features a 6.75-inch HD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 6,000 mAh battery, IP64 dust and splash resistance, a Unisoc T8200 processor, 4GB of RAM plus 4GB of virtual RAM, 64GB of internal storage expandable to 1TB, and Android 16. It carries a 13MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera and is priced at ₹12,999 in Arya Blue and Sonar Gold. The Virat V1 shares the 6.75-inch HD+ display and IP64 rating but uses a 5,000 mAh battery, a Unisoc SC9863A processor, the same memory configuration, and 64GB of storage expandable to 256GB, priced at ₹9,999 in Nilgiri Blue and Himalayan Silver.
Honor sets August launch for Robot Phone with 4DoF gimbal
Honor confirmed that its Robot Phone will launch in August, featuring a four-degree-of-freedom mechanical gimbal mounted at the top of the device. The titanium-alloy gimbal uses miniature motors with a volume 70% smaller than mainstream solutions, and the camera module can move independently from the phone body. The phone will run on Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset and introduce the core of Honor's AgenticOS multimodal agent operating system, with reservations now open ahead of the debut. Separately, Honor is preparing to showcase the device alongside German camera maker Arri on July 28 as part of its broader AI imaging push, accompanied by a refreshed corporate logo that signals a strategic shift toward artificial intelligence.
Android 17 adds native iPhone-to-Android switching
Google rolled out a wireless migration experience built directly into Android 17, removing the need for a separate transfer app during device setup. The feature transfers photos, videos, contacts, messages, calendar entries, Google Account data, passwords, Wi-Fi credentials, and eSIMs from iPhones to supported Android devices. The rollout has begun on select Pixel phones and on Samsung's newly launched Galaxy Z Flip8 and Galaxy Z Fold8. Additional reporting indicates the updated process can move passkeys, apps, files, and home-screen layouts, though photo-album support is listed as coming later and Google has not provided a timeline for broader device availability. The move aligns with obligations under the European Union's Digital Markets Act to simplify cross-platform data portability.
Counterpoint: demand holds up despite smartphone price hikes
A Counterpoint Research survey of more than 2,000 customers found that 46% of smartphone buyers are willing to pay a premium for their preferred handset despite ongoing price increases driven by high component costs. That willingness is concentrated among users aged 25-30, who said they would stretch budgets, use affordability-driven payment options, or even switch ecosystems to get the phones they want. About 29% of respondents, mostly aged over 50, plan to stick to a budget or buy refurbished devices, while the remaining 25% said they would delay purchases or keep using their current handsets. Counterpoint senior analyst Arushi Chawla said consumers increasingly seek discounts, exchange offers, and financing before committing to a buy, and the firm expects the 2026 festive season to favor brands offering balanced portfolios across adjacent price points.
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