Rumors about upcoming flagship processors are swirling, with attention turning to MediaTek’s Dimensity 9400, which recently appeared on Geekbench. Unlike typical CPU tests, this time it’s an AI benchmark score that has surfaced on the platform.
AI Benchmark Results
The Dimensity 9400 achieved scores of 1,501 in Single Precision, 1,906 in Half Precision, and 1,793 in Quantized tasks. Since Geekbench’s AI benchmark is relatively new, these results can’t yet be compared to competitors like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4.
Interestingly, the benchmark reveals the octa-core CPU configuration of the Dimensity 9400. The processor is set up in three clusters: a single high-performance Cortex-X5 core at 3.63 GHz, three Cortex-X4 cores at 2.80 GHz for additional power, and four Cortex-A725 cores at 2.10 GHz for everyday tasks.
Performance Expectations
At first glance, the 3.63 GHz peak speed for the Dimensity 9400 might seem modest when compared to its rivals. Rumors suggest that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 will reach a top speed of 4.32 GHz, while Apple’s A18 series is expected to hit 4.04 GHz.
Despite this, past leaks indicate that the Dimensity 9400 could offer a 30% boost in performance, 35% better energy efficiency, and an impressive 40% increase in AI performance. Whether this will be enough to challenge Qualcomm and Apple remains to be seen.
Upcoming Releases
We might not have to wait long, as the first phone featuring the Dimensity 9400 is rumored to launch in early October. The Vivo X200 series is expected to debut with this chip, possibly followed by the Oppo Find X8 line, which is also said to include the Dimensity 9400.
At the IFA Berlin 2024 event, Honor unveiled a variety of new products including the Magic V3, the MagicPad 2 tablet, and the MagicBook Art 14 laptop. Earlier today, the company highlighted its AI-driven solutions for both laptops and mobile devices. Honor has introduced three mobile AI solutions: AI PC powered by Snapdragon X Elite platforms, AI Agent, and AI Deepfake Detection.
AI Agent and Deepfake Detection
A major highlight is Honor’s AI Agent, a personal assistant for Honor smartphones. This on-device AI assistant is designed to adapt to user habits and device environments, enabling it to intelligently automate tasks across different apps and services. Honor demonstrated the AI Agent’s ability to locate and cancel unwanted app subscriptions using simple voice commands. This feature is expected to be launched with the Honor Magic 7 Series later this year (Q4 2024) in China.
In addition, Honor introduced AI Deepfake Detection, a feature dedicated to combating manipulated media. Utilizing advanced algorithms, this tool analyzes and detects deepfakes, underscoring Honor’s commitment to user privacy and security.
MagicBook Art 14 Snapdragon and New Releases
Moreover, Honor showcased the MagicBook Art 14 Snapdragon, an AI-powered PC that incorporates the Snapdragon X Elite platform. This device offers robust AI performance and seamless cross-device connectivity, with MagicRing technology providing easy access to services across different platforms.
In other updates, Honor has also revealed the Honor Watch 5 at the IFA event, detailing its specifications. The watch features a square design with curved edges and an aluminum frame, highlighted by a larger 1.85-inch AMOLED display. Weighing just 35g and measuring 11mm thick, it is designed for comfortable everyday use.
Honor Watch 5 Features
Key features include heart rate and SpO2 monitoring, a one-click health scan, and the AccuTrack positioning system for enhanced GPS accuracy. With a 480mAh battery and Turbo X Smart Power Management, the watch offers up to 15 days of battery life. It also features over 400 customizable faces, 85 sports modes, and 5 ATM water resistance.
Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite processors have been a formidable competitor to Apple in terms of laptop performance, AI capabilities, and battery longevity.
At the IFA 2024 event, Qualcomm is now shifting focus towards cost-effectiveness with the introduction of the Snapdragon X Plus. This budget-friendly variant aims to make AI-driven laptops more accessible, with potential starting prices as low as $700.
Before you consider making a purchase, let's delve into the details and implications for your upcoming laptop decision.
The X1P Chip Variants
The new processors are available in two versions: the X1P-46-100 and the X1P-42-100. The X1P-46-100 can reach a CPU speed of 4.0 GHz for single-core tasks, with a GPU performance of 2.1 TFLOPS (compared to 3.8 TFLOPS for the 10-core X Plus and 4.6 for the higher-end Snapdragon X Elite models). In contrast, the X1P-42-100 boosts to 3.4 GHz and has a 1.7 TFLOPS GPU. Despite these differences, all Qualcomm NPUs offer 45 trillion operations per second (TOPS), similar to the Snapdragon X Elite. Laptops utilizing these chips will feature the Copilot+ label.
Here are the specifications for the Snapdragon X Plus (X1P-42-100):
Cores: 8
Frequency (max): 3.4 GHz
Memory bandwidth: 135 GB/s
Cache (total): 30 MB
Microsoft indicates that laptops powered by these new Qualcomm chips will handle more generative AI and machine learning tasks locally, reducing reliance on cloud services. Even if AI isn't your primary interest, the Copilot+ PC label offers benefits. Every laptop with this label includes at least 16GB of RAM and 256GB of solid-state storage, enhancing functionality for web browsing and general computing tasks.
Understanding the Performance
While these chips may not set new performance records, they are expected to handle everyday tasks like browsing, document editing, and streaming effectively.
For example, Tom's Guide tested the Asus Vivo S 15 equipped with Qualcomm's X Plus chips. Here’s how they stack up against the Apple M3 MacBook Air in Geekbench 6:
Chip
Geekbench 6 Single-Core
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
Snapdragon X Plus 8-core (X1P-46-100)
2780-2813
11713-12001
Snapdragon X Plus 8-core (X1P-42-100)
2385-2445
11027-11530
Apple M3 MacBook Air
3082
12087
As evident, both single-core and multi-core performance lag behind Apple's offerings. The same trend is observed in graphics, with the X1P-46-100 achieving approximately 26 FPS in the demanding WildLife Extreme Vulkan benchmark.
3D Mark Wildlife Extreme
FPS
Snapdragon X Plus (X1P-46-100)
41
Snapdragon X Elite (X1E-80-100)
36
Apple M3
45
The upside? This reduced performance could potentially result in extended battery life. While official figures are not yet available, these chips might power laptops for longer durations due to lower processing demands.
Manufacturers and Availability
Several manufacturers have embraced the new chip announcement. Asus offers a Vivobook S 15 featuring the 8-core X Plus for $899—a significant reduction from its 12-core X Elite counterpart, priced at $1,300. Similarly, Dell's Inspiron 14 is priced at $899 with this new chip.
Expect additional announcements from Acer, HP, Lenovo, and Samsung. Rumors suggest the $999 Acer Swift Go 14 AI and a new 15-inch Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge will debut in October.
Although these budget-friendly Snapdragon X Plus laptops may take time to arrive in stores, their price points provide a clear expectation.
Is the X Plus Right for You?
So, who should consider a laptop with the new Snapdragon X Plus chip? Here’s a quick guide:
Budget-Conscious Buyers: If you're seeking an AI-powered laptop experience without a hefty price tag, starting prices around $700 are significantly lower than current alternatives.
Battery Life Enthusiasts: If extended battery life in a Windows device is your priority, these chips could be appealing, especially if manufacturers design for efficient power use.
Conclusion
The Snapdragon X Plus 8-core presents an intriguing choice, blending affordability with AI integration for daily tasks. However, its performance falls short when compared to top-tier options.
The critical factor will be real-world application performance and how manufacturers incorporate these chips into their laptops. If cost-effectiveness and battery life are your priorities and you don't require high-demand performance, the X Plus could be a worthy contender.
On the other hand, if top-notch performance is crucial, consider higher-end Qualcomm models or established brands like Apple.
Lenovo recently introduced a concept laptop, named the Lenovo Auto Twist AI PC, at the IFA in Berlin. This innovative laptop can independently rotate its lid to ensure optimal visibility and closes automatically when left unattended. The standout feature of this device is the interaction between its lid and base, along with AI-driven functionalities aimed at improving user interaction. Let’s explore further.
Enhancing Video Calls with Automatic Lid Movement
The company highlights that the Dual Degree of Freedom automatic rotation makes this laptop suitable for both personal and professional applications. The device utilizes AI models to monitor user movements, ensuring that users remain within the camera’s view during video calls. This rotating capability is particularly beneficial for enhancing video conferencing.
The laptop supports voice commands to switch between different modes, such as "close laptop," "laptop mode," and "tablet mode." This concept follows the Lenovo Thinkbook Plus Twist, released last year, which featured an additional E Ink screen on the reverse side of its lid.
Performance and Future Prospects
While Lenovo has described the AI PC’s capabilities as displaying "exceptional performance," they have not disclosed specific details about the machine’s internal components. According to Jennifer Pattison Tuohy from The Verge, the Auto Twist AI PC reacts to voice commands within a second or two, though she notes that the motors are somewhat slow, requiring about 10 seconds to complete a command.
Lenovo’s communication director, Jeff Witt, stated, "We’re still experimenting with that. A lot of these concepts don’t come to market, but you may see elements of them down the line. It’s got face tracking; it’s basically a video conferencing system built into a laptop. There’s a lot of accessibility potential." There is hope that this innovative concept will make its way to consumers soon.
The Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin, commonly known as IFA, stands out as one of the most expansive and long-standing technology trade fairs worldwide, taking place every year in Berlin, Germany. Since its inception in 1924, the event has served as a pivotal meeting place for the consumer electronics and home appliance sectors.
This year’s IFA will occur from September 6 to 10 at Messe Berlin. The event is particularly noteworthy as it celebrates the fair’s 100th anniversary. Organizers anticipate attendance from over 180,000 visitors from 139 nations, who will have the opportunity to explore more than 1,800 exhibits from leading technology brands.
Brands and Innovations
Key companies participating this year include major players such as Honor, Samsung, LG, Philips, Hisense, and Lenovo. These brands will utilize IFA 2024 to exhibit their latest advancements in areas like artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, and sustainability.
This article will highlight what to expect from IFA Berlin 2024, though it will not cover everything. With around 93 million products projected to be announced, detailing each one is unfeasible. However, this should provide a glimpse into what the show has in store.
Smartphones and Tablets
You won’t typically find Samsung, Apple, or Google unveiling new phones at IFA or similar trade fairs. However, Honor plans to take advantage of this opportunity. The brand is set to debut its latest foldable phone, Magic V3, at the event, which claims to be the world’s thinnest foldable. Honor has aggressively promoted this device, including a Guinness World Record attempt and multiple jabs at Samsung. Additionally, Honor is expected to introduce its MagicPad 2 tablet.
TCL will also participate in the smartphone showcase, likely launching its new Nxtpaper phone. The brand plans to unveil new QD-Mini LED televisions and has hinted at a “new cutting-edge sound solution,” aiming to establish a new category within its TV series.
Laptops
Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X Plus 8-core chip is set to appear in laptops, with IFA being the launchpad for several new models. Lenovo is expected to reveal a new IdeaPad Slim 5 featuring the Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100, with a 14-inch OLED display and various configurations offering up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. Another Lenovo model, the ThinkBook 16 G7 QOY, will also feature the new processor, boasting a 16-inch display and an 84-watt-hour battery.
Acer plans to unveil the Acer Swift Go 14 AI SFG14-01, a laptop with the Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100, offering a 14.5-inch display and a 75-watt-hour battery.
Home Appliances
Home appliance innovations are always a focal point at IFA, and this year is no exception. Samsung will hold a press conference on August 5, though specific details remain under wraps. Last year, Samsung impressed attendees with technology like the 98-inch Neo QLED 8K TV, gaming monitors, and a new Freestyle projector.
Panasonic returns for the 2024 event, though details on new products are limited. Historically, Panasonic has used the fair to showcase their latest TVs, often launching them earlier in the year. Surprise announcements are anticipated, especially given Panasonic’s reputation for high-quality audio products, such as Technics turntables.
LG, another leader in home appliances, will not be left behind. Alongside their typical array of white goods like washing machines and refrigerators, LG will introduce ThinQ On, a new AI-powered home hub. It is designed to control various connected smart devices and is Matter-certified for maximum compatibility. We are eager to see how it compares to existing smart speaker setups and will explore its features at LG’s booth in Berlin.
IFA 2024 will be a significant platform for artificial intelligence (AI) technology this year. Building on the momentum from CES 2024 and Computex 2024, AI is expected to play a crucial role in many products and announcements at this year’s event.
AI is projected to significantly impact the home sector, with LG already announcing plans to unveil new AI-powered appliances. We can anticipate many more innovative home devices utilizing AI technology.
Beyond home appliances, AI will likely influence other IFA areas, such as smartphones, tablets, and wearables. Honor has confirmed that its latest phone and tablet will feature AI-powered capabilities, and similar announcements are expected from other companies.
Future Tech: Flying Cars and Eyewear
IFA is not afraid to showcase bold concepts. This year, Alef Aeronautics will present a non-operational model of their Model A flying car. With over 2,850 pre-orders already in place, this electric two-seater may soon become a reality. Look forward to learning more about its production timeline and features during the company’s keynote on September 8th.
Apple's latest AI advancements were unveiled at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June. While the exact date for a public rollout is still unknown, various AI features are anticipated to arrive next year on iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Beta versions have been made available by the Cupertino tech firm. The Developer Beta 3 for iOS and iPadOS 18.1, along with macOS 15.1 Sequoia, introduces an AI-driven 'Clean Up' tool within the Photos app, aiming to rival Google's Magic Eraser and Samsung's Object Eraser.
Apple's 'Clean Up' AI Feature Competes with Magic and Object Eraser
Before diving into the specifics, it's important to note that the beta version is unstable and not advisable for installation on primary devices. The feature is available exclusively on devices that support Apple Intelligence, which includes the iPhone 15 Pro models and Macs and iPads powered by M-series chips.
The Clean Up tool, as its name implies, can identify and eliminate distracting objects and strangers from photos. It also offers functionalities such as healing blemishes and pixelating people's faces to protect their privacy. While it automatically detects and removes undesired elements, users can choose to tap, brush, or circle objects they prefer not to include in the image. Additionally, you can zoom in to adjust finer details. The tool is also adept at removing unwanted shadows and reflections.
Editing Photos with the Clean Up Tool
You can access the Clean Up feature while editing a photo in the Photos app. It is represented by an eraser-style icon located in the bottom toolbar. Edited images will have a 'Modified with Clean Up' label and this information will be added to the EXIF data. The tool is compatible with all images, regardless of whether they were taken with another phone or a DSLR.
Despite its capabilities, the AI-powered Clean Up feature isn't entirely perfect. It is expected to undergo refinements before the release of a stable version.
Realme has recently launched a cutting-edge feature called ‘AI Ultra-clear’ for its Realme 13 Pro and Realme 13 Pro+ models. This AI-driven function enhances the clarity and detail of blurred images, effectively refining photos that cannot be captured again.
AI Technology and Competitors
While Realme’s innovation is noteworthy, it’s not entirely new in the tech world. Google has already introduced a similar feature called Photo Unblur. Initially released with the Pixel 8 series, this feature is now also available in the latest Pixel 9 series. However, it’s crucial to highlight that Google’s Pixel devices are flagship models, which come with a higher price tag. Realme’s addition of this feature to its more budget-friendly models is a welcome development. The company has not clarified whether the image processing occurs on the device or through a cloud server. In contrast, Google’s flagship devices reportedly manage the processing internally.
Camera Specifications
Focusing on the camera capabilities, both the Realme 13 Pro and Realme 13 Pro+ are equipped with a 50 MP main camera and an 8 MP ultrawide lens. The Pro+ variant further includes a 50 MP 3x periscope telephoto lens with a sensor size of 1/1.95″. The main camera on the Pro+ model features a larger 1/1.56″ sensor compared to the 1/1.95″ sensor on the standard model, while the ultrawide camera remains consistent across both models.
Samsung is preparing to introduce ten new washing machines in India just in time for the upcoming festive season. Among these offerings is a front-load washing machine powered by AI, expected to hit the market by the end of this month. This fresh lineup is part of Samsung’s high-end Bespoke AI series.
A Focus on AI-Driven Innovation
The new washing machines will feature a host of AI-driven functionalities aimed at simplifying laundry chores. These cutting-edge innovations promise to significantly lessen the effort involved in everyday laundry tasks, making them more efficient and environmentally friendly. With the incorporation of advanced AI technologies, Samsung seeks to develop a smarter home environment that aligns with the needs and preferences of its users.
These new models are set to broaden Samsung’s current range of washing machines available in India, providing consumers with more choices in the premium category. The company has highlighted that these washing machines prioritize convenience, aiming to revolutionize how users engage with their household appliances. The AI features integrated into these machines are anticipated to enhance users’ lifestyles by delivering smarter, more intuitive solutions that improve daily routines.
Expanding the Smart Home Ecosystem
Earlier this year, Samsung launched its 2024 Bespoke AI home appliances in India, which include refrigerators equipped with AI Vision Inside and AI Energy Saving capabilities. These appliances signify a leap forward in the company’s mission to establish a hyper-connected home ecosystem. Through features like habit learning and sensing, these devices are engineered to make household chores more manageable, ultimately freeing up more leisure time for consumers.
For instance, Samsung’s AI-powered refrigerators are capable of monitoring the expiration dates of food items and providing personalized recipe ideas through the Samsung Food feature. The AI Energy Saving function in SmartThings helps users track and reduce energy consumption, fostering a more sustainable lifestyle. Additionally, the Smart Forward feature guarantees that devices receive regular updates, while Samsung Knox ensures the security of users’ personal data.
Ola Electric, a company renowned in India for its electric scooters and ride-hailing services, has taken the industry by surprise with its announcement to venture into AI hardware. The company revealed its strategy to create a series of AI chips, marking a significant step towards India’s goals in the expanding field of artificial intelligence.
AI Chip Models and Features
The initial lineup of chips, set to be released in 2026, consists of three models: Bodhi 1, Ojas, and Sarv 1. Bodhi 1, recognized as the first AI chip to be designed and manufactured in India, focuses on AI inferencing. It is poised to be a formidable option for large language models (LLMs) and applications that need high-performance vision processing. Ola asserts that Bodhi 1 stands out in power efficiency, an essential attribute as AI systems increasingly demand more power.
Ojas, the second chip, is tailored to meet the rising demand for edge AI solutions. It is versatile enough for a range of applications in the automotive, mobile, and IoT sectors. Ola intends to incorporate Ojas into its future electric vehicles, potentially enhancing capabilities like charging optimization and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
Sarv 1 and Market Challenges
The third chip, Sarv 1, is a general-purpose server CPU utilizing the Arm instruction set, crafted to address the growing AI computational requirements of the data center industry.
During Ola’s presentation, the company showcased impressive performance and power efficiency metrics for their prototype chips, making comparisons with Nvidia GPUs. However, some important details were omitted, such as the specific Nvidia GPU model used as a benchmark and the location where these chips will be manufactured.
India’s Position in the Global AI Market
This development highlights India’s aspiration to join the global AI competition, which is currently dominated by the US and China. With a large pool of tech talent, India is well-positioned to advance in AI. Furthermore, the ongoing restrictions on the sale of advanced technology to China by companies like Nvidia and ASML may make India an appealing alternative market for these firms.
Nonetheless, Ola is confronted with substantial obstacles to make its bold AI chip initiative a reality. The AI hardware sector is currently ruled by well-established companies, and Ola must prove that its chips can hold their own in terms of performance, power efficiency, and cost. Additionally, the company needs to build a robust manufacturing infrastructure to produce these sophisticated silicon components.
OnePlus made headlines earlier this year with the introduction of its AI Eraser feature. More recently, the company discreetly unveiled three additional AI features in a community post. These new capabilities allow users to listen to articles, generate summaries, and create text. Unfortunately, these latest AI features are currently restricted to just two Nord devices and are only available in select regions. While there are plans to extend these features to other OnePlus phones eventually, the current limitation is somewhat disheartening.
The newly introduced OnePlus AI features include AI Speak, AI Summary, and AI Writer. As the names suggest, these features have distinct functionalities. AI Speak is designed to read articles from browsers and apps such as Google News. It offers options to adjust playback speed, switch between sentences, use a replay function, and select male or female voice options. The AI Summary tool allows users to create summaries of extensive web content, with results that can be copied, shared, and saved to Notes. Additionally, selected text can be stored in the File Dock. The AI Writer feature assists users in drafting text for various purposes like emails, social media posts, and reviews, and it will be suggested within relevant applications.
Both the AI Summary and AI Writer results can be regenerated if users are not satisfied with the initial output. All three features are bundled within the AI Toolkit, which is integrated into the sidebar. To access these features, OnePlus advises enabling screen recognition found under Settings > Accessibility & Convenience.
Availability and Future Rollout
Currently, the newly announced AI features are available on the OnePlus Nord 4 in regions including India, Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, South Asia, Russia, and Latin America. The features are also available on the Nord CE4 Lite 5G, but exclusively in India. Unfortunately, flagship OnePlus phone owners have not received these new AI tools yet. It seems that OnePlus may be testing these features first on mid-range Nord devices, with a broader release likely in the near future.
