Xiaomi has officially unveiled its second in-house designed flagship smartphone processor, the Xring O3, manufactured by TSMC on a 3-nanometre process.

• The Xring O3 features a 10-core CPU, a 16-core GPU said to be 85% faster than its predecessor, and supports the new LPDDR6 memory standard, boasting a claimed AnTuTu benchmark score of 5.22 million.
• The chip is set to debut in the Xiaomi 18 Fold, a foldable phone launching in China in September 2026, and the Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max tablet.
• This development underscores Xiaomi's ongoing investment in chip development, with founder and CEO Lei Jun committing 50 billion yuan (about $6.9 billion) over ten years.

TECNO is defying industry trends by launching a thin smartphone, the CAMON Slim, on 22 June 2026, featuring a 6.39mm profile and a competitive price point.

• The CAMON Slim boasts a 6.78-inch 144Hz AMOLED screen, 50MP main camera, and 60W charging, with battery capacities listed at 5,600mAh or 6,000mAh.
• This move comes as competitors like Samsung and Apple have discontinued their ultra-thin models due to poor sales, with consumers favoring larger batteries.
• Despite facing increased production costs and a decline in smartphone shipments across Africa, TECNO aims to maintain its market share by offering devices above the USD 200 average selling price.

itel has launched its new Power 80 smartphone in Kenya at a recommended retail price of KES 19,499, boasting exceptional durability and a long-lasting battery.

• Features a massive 7,000mAh battery and a 2-meter drop rating onto concrete, designed to function without a protective case.
• The device is built with a reinforced internal "cage frame" and sealed ports, holding multiple durability certifications including SGS 5-Star Gold Drop-Proof, MIL-STD-810H, IP68, and IP69.
• itel Kenya's Marketing Manager, Greyson, highlighted the phone's design to eliminate the need for costly accessories like cases and screen protectors, addressing a common consumer pain point.