Play offers promo of 5G smartphone contracts
POLAND 12 JAN

Play offers promo of 5G smartphone contracts

Polish operator Play, controlled by Iliad, started s a promotion of 5G smartphones in its shops. Up to 50 percent discounts are offered to customers buying devices and connecting to S+, M, L or Homebox plans from the operator using number porting. That means the Xiaomi 15T Pro 5G costs PLN 1,799 instead of PLN 3,599, the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE 5G is reduced to PLN 1,499 from PLN 2,999, and the Motorola Edge 60 Pro 5G is offered for PLN 1,199 instead of PLN 2,399. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro is down to PLN 5

Vodafone UK starts selling Honor Magic8
UNITED KINGDOM 12 JAN

Vodafone UK starts selling Honor Magic8

Vodafone UK is now selling the Honor Magic8 Series, including the Magic8 Pro and Lite smartphones. The Honor Magic8 Pro is available from GBP 50 per month (GBP 40 upfront), with the Magic8 Lite available from GBP 24 per month (GBP 20 upfront).

A1 Bulgaria intros discounts of up to 80% on smartphone purchases
BULGARIA 12 JAN

A1 Bulgaria intros discounts of up to 80% on smartphone purchases

A1 Bulgaria has launched a promotion, slashing smartphone prices by up to 80 percent for customers looking to upgrade their devices. This promotion will offer discounts on cash purchases and flexible leasing options paired with Unlimited plans.

ZTE Uganda introduces Blade A36
UGANDA 12 JAN

ZTE Uganda introduces Blade A36

ZTE has introduced its Blade A36 smartphone aimed at Ugandan consumers seeking quality, durability and affordability. Jason Zhang, country director, said the Blade A36 embodies its vision of delivering world-class devices at prices that make sense for the market.  The cost in Uganda generally ranges from UGX 220,000 to UGX 250,000, depending on the retailer and any ongoing promotions, typically with 4GB RAM (expandable to 6 GB dynamic) and 64 GB storage.

Xiaomi's Redmi Note 15 phones set for wider commercial availability from 15 January
GLOBAL 12 JAN

Xiaomi's Redmi Note 15 phones set for wider commercial availability from 15 January

Xiaomi has scheduled additional market entries on 15 January for its latest generation Redmi Note smartphones. While Xiaomi did not go into specifics on each territory's launch schedule, the Chinese release was in August 2025 and shipments to Indian consumers reportedly began on 06 January.

Pakistan to slash taxes on mobile phone imports
PAKISTAN 12 JAN

Pakistan to slash taxes on mobile phone imports

Pakistan's National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance has formally directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the Ministry of Finance to reassess the current tax structure for imported mobile phones. The FBR is expected to submit a report with specific 'policy options' for tax reduction by March 2026.

Samsung, Xiaomi, Apple lead Play bestsellers list in 2025
POLAND 9 JAN

Samsung, Xiaomi, Apple lead Play bestsellers list in 2025

Polish operator Play, controlled by Iliad, announced the best-selling smartphones in its shops in 2025. The top sellers, in alphabetical order, were the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G, Samsung Galaxy A36 5G, Samsung Galaxy A56 5G, Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G. Among premium devices (also in alphabetical order) the bestsellers were the Apple iPhone 15 128 GB, Apple iPhone 16 128 GB, Apple iPhone 16 Pro 128 GB, Samsung Galaxy S24 FE 5G 128 GB and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 5G 256 GB.

Orange Poland runs promotion for VoLTE smartphones after 3G switch-off
POLAND 9 JAN

Orange Poland runs promotion for VoLTE smartphones after 3G switch-off

Orange Poland has introduced a promotion for VoLTE smartphones aimed at customers handing in obsolete devices after the operator switched off its 3G network in December. Orange is sending messages about the promotion to postpaid customers who are using smartphones that only support GSM/3G services. Customers can obtain a discount of up to PLN 500.

Azercell offers 56 GB data package for 6 months with iPhone 17 until 31 January
AZERBAIJAN 9 JAN

Azercell offers 56 GB data package for 6 months with iPhone 17 until 31 January

Azeri operator Azercell Telecom is running a promotion for the latest Apple smartphone models, the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone Air. Customers buying one of these will receive a six-month subscription to Azercell's 56 GB internet package. The offer is available to both new and existing Azercell subscribers and runs until 31 January at selected Azercell sales and service centres.

Honor brings flagship Magic8 Pro smartphone to Europe
EUROPE 9 JAN

Honor brings flagship Magic8 Pro smartphone to Europe

Honor announced the release of its Magic8 Pro flagship smartphone in Europe. It first comes to the UK, priced at GBP 1,099 and available from multiple operators and retailers, and the phone also is available for pre-order in selected other European markets for EUR 1,299. Released in China last autumn, the Magic8 Pro is designed to show off the latest in AI innovations. 

Oppo takes up licence for Access Advance video codec patents
GLOBAL 9 JAN

Oppo takes up licence for Access Advance video codec patents

Oppo has joined the Access Advance patent pool, giving the mobile phone marker a licence to the VVC Advance Patent Pool and renewing its HEVC Advance licence. As a result, Oppo now participates in all three of Access Advance's video codec licensing programmes.

Samsung Poland offers rebate with some Galaxy smartphones until 18 January
POLAND 8 JAN

Samsung Poland offers rebate with some Galaxy smartphones until 18 January

Samsung Electronics Poland is offering PLN 500 cashback to customers buying certain of its flagship smartphones by 18 January. The rebate will be made to their Samsung Wallet or a bank card. The promotion applies for purchases of the Galaxy S25 Ultra, Galaxy S25+, Galaxy S25 Edge or Galaxy S24 made from Samsung's web shop or at branches of certain retail  partners, including the chains Media Expert, RTV Euro AGD, Media Markt, x-kom and Komputronik.

CANADA 8 JAN

Rogers invests CAD 50 million in 'Screen Break' scheme for teens

Canadian operator Rogers said it will invest CAD 50 million in a scheme called "Screen Break" to help young people cut down on their phone usage. Children aged 11-17 in Canada spend an average of 5.12 hours per day on their telephone, which is 2.5 times the limited recommended by the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS). Rogers' scheme has four pillars, namely parental tools, youth programming, research & partnerships, and education & advocacy.

GLOBAL 8 JAN

Xiaomi unwraps 5G-capable Poco M8, M8 Pro handsets

Xiaomi has launched the latest iteration in its budget to mid-range Poco M smartphone line-up. Poco M8 and M8 Pro 5G both support 5G mobile services straight out of the gate, whereas last year's Poco M7 was available in 4G-only versions as well as 5G. Poco M8 and M8 Pro will retail at a list price of EUR 269.90 and EUR 349.90, respectively. A limited-time EUR 60 discount is available on Xiaomi's online storefront until 14 January. In the UK, the RRP is GBP 229 for the M8 5G and GBP 309 for the M8 Pro 5G, re

KENYA 8 JAN

Oppo A6x goes on sale in Kenya

Oppo Kenya has announced the launch of its new Oppo A6x handset and highlighted a reliable battery life, smooth performance and "immersive" display. The smartphone is available for purchase at KES 15,999 for the 4+128GB variant and KES 19,999 RRP for the 4+256GB one. Fredrique Achieng, PR manager at Oppo Kenya, said the phone is ideal for all-day use without the need for constant charging. It also features reverse wired charging with a rate of 5V and 1A for charging other mobile devices when the need arises

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 8 JAN

Honor steps up expansion of UAE retail footprint

Honor announced the upcoming opening of its new Honor Experience Store at BurJuman Mall Dubai, UAE further strengthening the brand's retail presence in Dubai. The new store will officially open its doors on 9 January, offering customers an interactive space to explore Honor's latest smartphones, laptops, tablets, wearables and IoT devices. 

RUSSIAN FEDERATION 7 JAN

Motiv offers free Yandex subscription with new smartphones

Russian mobile operator Motiv has introduced a promotion to customers buying smartphones in its shops. Customers buying a smartphone from RUB 20,000 and connecting to the Own Tariff 500 or higher and the package Easy are offered a free annual subscription to Yandex Plus from the internet company Yandex. The promotion is valid until 15 January.

GLOBAL 7 JAN

Smith Micro brings out new phone operating system aimed at senior segment

Smith Micro Software has announced the availability of an operating system catering for the needs of older adults, called 'SafePath OS for Senior Phone'. It said the new OS delivers a significant value proposition to mobile network operators around the world. SafePath OS for Senior Phone aims to simplify technology, provide essential safety tools that older users want and need, and enable the creation of a trusted safety net of family and friends.

GLOBAL 7 JAN

Motorola unveils Razr Fold, World Cup phone and new AI system at CES

Motorola has unveiled a new foldable smartphone at CES, adopting a book design this time to add to its well-known flip model. In addition, the company and its parent Lenovo presented the new AI system Motorola Qira, designed to span computers and phones, as well as new Motorola accessories such as a first Bluetooth speaker and new Moto Watch. Coming in January is the first Motorola Signature premium phone and in February a World Cup edition Razr.  

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 7 JAN

Samsung Galaxy Z Trifold sells out within minutes in third sales round

Samsung Electronics' Galaxy Z Trifold sold out within one to two minutes during its third sales round in South Korea, both online and in stores, according to Hankyung, citing the company and industry sources. Sales began at 10:00am on 6 January through Samsung.com and major retail locations, including Samsung Gangnam. Customers queued outside the Gangnam store ahead of opening, while online availability ended rapidly, with the purchase button disabled after about a minute.

JAPAN 7 JAN

Rakuten Mobile to offer Nothing Phone (3a) Lite exclusively in Japan

Rakuten Mobile has announced that it will become the only mobile operator in Japan to offer the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite, with reservations opening on 7 January and commercial availability from 15 January. The 5G smartphone, manufactured by UK-based company Nothing, will be sold through Rakuten Mobile's online channels and retail stores at a listed price of JPY 32,890, including tax. Rakuten Mobile will also offer an exclusive red colour variant, which will not be available through other domestic carriers.

GLOBAL 6 JAN

Infinix to launch Note Edge with MediaTek Dimensity 7100 and XOS 16 on 19 January

Infinix has announced the launch of the Infinix Note Edge on 19 January and said it will be the world's first smartphone to adopt the new MediaTek Dimensity 7100. The new system-on-a-chip platform accompanies the debut of Infinix's first in-house Android 16-based operating system, called XOS 16. The aim is to offer a 5G product that is accessible at 4G-level pricing, the company said.

GLOBAL 6 JAN

TCL unveils Nxtpaper 70 Pro handset

TCL has officially introduced the Nxtpaper 70 Pro smartphone, the latest handset in its fourth-generation Nxtpaper line-up. Nxtpaper 70 Pro will go on sale in February across European markets, North America, Latin America and Asia-Pacific. The entry-level model with 256 GB of ROM and bundled accessories has a EUR 339 list price, while 512 GB of on-board storage costs EUR 389. TCL will also market add-on peripherals for the device, including a stand case bundled with its T-Pen stylus product.

TAIWAN 6 JAN

Asus says no new smartphones planned in 2026

Asus will not launch any new smartphones in 2026, the company told the Digitimes. The Taiwanese publication contacted Asus after smartphone distributors in Taiwan said they could no longer obtain Asus handsets. They claimed they had received information indicating that Asus's smartphone unit would operate only through the end of 2025, after which the company would stop launching new smartphone products.

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