Megafon shops lift smartphone insurance volumes 75% in H2
RUSSIAN FEDERATION 13 FEB

Megafon shops lift smartphone insurance volumes 75% in H2

The volume of smartphone insurance services grew by 75 percent in July to December of 2025 against January to June, according to data from the joint retail chain of operator Megafon and its subsidiary MVNO Yota. Sales of handsets insurance services are usually higher in the second half of the year because more phones are sold then.

Tecno introduces Curve 2 5G handset with 8,000 mAH battery ahead of Indian launch
INDIA 13 FEB

Tecno introduces Curve 2 5G handset with 8,000 mAH battery ahead of Indian launch

Tecno will launch its 5G-enabled Curve 2 handset to Indian consumers later this month. The release comes under a year after the original Pova Curve 5G reached Indian retail in May 2025. Tecno will present its latest handset at Mobile World Congress in March, with pricing and full specifications announced closer to the commercial release. 

Kakao expands Google partnership to develop AI services
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 13 FEB

Kakao expands Google partnership to develop AI services

South Korean internet giant Kakao has announced an expanded partnership with Google to develop AI-driven user experiences across Android mobile devices and next-generation form factors. Under the agreement, the two companies will collaborate on user experiences for AI glasses based on Android XR, as well as mobile experiences incorporating Google's latest AI technologies.

Beeline Uzbekistan offers smartphone financing with annual contract
UZBEKISTAN 12 FEB

Beeline Uzbekistan offers smartphone financing with annual contract

Beeline Uzbekistan, a subsidiary of the Veon Group, is offering subscribers the option to purchase smartphones on instalments, providing they pay for their services from the operator in a timely manner. The ZTE Blade A56 4+64 Black is available for a UZS 100,000 monthly payment, the ZTE Blade A76 4G 4+128 Black for UZS 115,000 monthly and the Samsung Galaxy A07 (2025) for UZS 149,900 per month. All the devices are offered under an annual contract.

Lenovo appoints new General Manager for UK, Ireland
UNITED KINGDOM 12 FEB

Lenovo appoints new General Manager for UK, Ireland

Lenovo has appointed Andy Rhodes as its new UK & Ireland General Manager. He joins the company from HP, where he had multiple senior leadership roles, including global leadership of HP Commercial PC unit. He takes over from Adrian Criddle, who has led the UK&I region for two years. Criddle will remain with Lenovo for an interim period to help Rhodes settle into his new position. 

T-Mobile Poland enables eSIM swap between Android smartphones
POLAND 12 FEB

T-Mobile Poland enables eSIM swap between Android smartphones

T-Mobile Poland announced customers can now switch eSIMs between Android smartphones on their own. No QR code or new profile is required, nor do customers need to visit a service centre. The active eSIM profile will be transferred to a new device automatically. The option is available for Google Pixel smartphones first, and selected smartphones from Samsung will be covered in the coming weeks. Later, it will be accessible on all Android-based smartphones.

Consumers holding on to damaged phones less, with fewer repairs - survey
NETHERLANDS 12 FEB

Consumers holding on to damaged phones less, with fewer repairs - survey

Fewer people are holding on to a damaged smartphone, according to research by the Telecompaper Consumer Insights panel. Three-quarters of the 550 respondents said there smartphones had no damage in the past two years, down from 64-68 percent in previous surveys. Only 14 percent said they had their phone repaired in the past 24 months, down from 19 percent previously.

Kenyan solar power company Sun King offers locally made EZ 1 smartphone on instalments
KENYA 12 FEB

Kenyan solar power company Sun King offers locally made EZ 1 smartphone on instalments

Sun King has announced the launch of its EZ 1 smartphone, which costs KES 60 per daily instalment after payment of a KES 2,999 deposit. Sun King became known in Kenya for making solar power affordable through small daily payments. The EZ 1 is assembled in Sun King's recently launched manufacturing facility in Kenya.

Xiaomi starts selling Redmi Note 15 series in South Africa
SOUTH AFRICA 12 FEB

Xiaomi starts selling Redmi Note 15 series in South Africa

Xiaomi South Africa has announced the launch of the Redmi Note 15 series of smartphones, namely the Redmi Note 15 Pro+ 5G, Redmi Note 15 Pro and standard Redmi Note 15. They are available from ZAR 349 per month at Vodacom. Customers who purchase the device will also receive a free Xiaomi Power Bank valued at ZAR 279.

SFR starts offering social media-free smartphone for teens
FRANCE 12 FEB

SFR starts offering social media-free smartphone for teens

French operator SFR has expanded its product portfolio with a new smartphone targeting families with teenagers. Named Neow Safe Plus, the handset has been developed by Marseille-based company Konrow, which specialises in OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) customisation. The phone's configuration blocks surfing on the open internet and makes access to social media networks and search engines impossible. Neow Safe Plus can now be purchased together with SFR mobile plans as part of the 'pack ado protege' (p

Fairphone reports Q4 sales up 83%, nears 1 mln phones sold
NETHERLANDS 12 FEB

Fairphone reports Q4 sales up 83%, nears 1 mln phones sold

Fairphone announced an 83 percent increase in its sales in the fourth quarter of 2025, following the release of its latest model. The Dutch company said it expects to sell soon its 1 millionth phone and pass USD 500 million in cumulative revenues since its launch in 2013.

Lenovo maintains double-digit growth in December quarter with sales up 18%
GLOBAL 12 FEB

Lenovo maintains double-digit growth in December quarter with sales up 18%

Lenovo reported revenues for its fiscal third quarter to December up 18 percent year-on-year to USD 22.2 billion. The company maintained double-digit sales growth in all its divisions, supported by demand for AI PCs and servers and record smartphone volumes. Operating profit jumped 38 percent to USD 948 million, and the adjusted net profit, excluding restructuring costs and other one-off charges, increased 36 percent to USD 589 million.

PAKISTAN 12 FEB

Zong to launch pre-booking offers, trade-in programme for Galaxy S26 Series

Pakistani operator Zong and Samsung have signed a partnership agreement centered on the February launch of the Galaxy S26 flagship series. Under this partnership deal, Zong customers will receive exclusive perks, including pre-booking offers, services bundles, and a trade-in programme for Samsung handsets at selected Zong Customer Service Centres (CSCs) across Pakistan.

GLOBAL 12 FEB

Smartphone production to decline in 2026 as memory costs soar - TrendForce

Global smartphone production is forecast to decline in 2026 as rising memory prices increase retail pricing pressure and weaken consumer demand, according to research published by TrendForce. Worldwide smartphone output will fall 10 percent year on year to around 1.135 billion units. If current cost pressures persist, TrendForce warns that the contraction could widen to 15 percent or more under a bear-case scenario.

ITALY 11 FEB

WindTre launches 2-for-1 smartphone promo for Valentine's

Italian operator WindTre has launched a time-limited Valentine's Day offer giving new subscribers to some of its plans the opportunity to receive two smartphones for the price of one. As a result, subscribers to the company's EUR 12.99 a month Start Unlimited 5G Easy Pay can receive two Motorola Moto G35 5G devices for EUR 3.99 a month over 36 months, rising to EUR 6.99 for two Xiaomi Redmi 15 5G phones and EUR 7.99 for two Honor 400 Lite handsets.

GLOBAL 11 FEB

Infinix unveils Note 60 series smartphones, first to use Snapdragon silicon

Infinix has announced the upcoming launch of its Note 60 series smartphones. The announcement follows the introduction of Infinix's Note 50 phones in March 2025. This product evolution is notable for incorporating Snapdragon system-on-chip technology in select Note 60 models, benefiting from a dedicated collaboration with Qualcomm focused on smoother user experiences.

EUROPE 11 FEB

Ceconomy records organic sales growth in December quarter despite challenging markets

Ceconomy, the owner of European consumer electronics retail chains Saturn and MediaMarkt, saw adjusted sales grow by 3.4 percent year-on-year in the fiscal first quarter ending in December to EUR 7.6 billion, despite what it said were challenging market conditions. Particularly the Services & Solutions business recorded strong growth both online and in brick-and-mortar stories in the first quarter, driven by warranty extensions, often as part of product bundles after Ceconomy expanded the range of insurance

RUSSIAN FEDERATION 11 FEB

MTS offers Infinix smartphone for RUB 1

Russian operator MTS has introduced a promotion to customers connecting to its tariff MTS Super, offering the smartphone Infinix Smart 10 for RUB 1. The promotion is valid until 31 March. The whole package costs RUB 6,001, including RUB 6,000 payment for the tariff plan.

UNITED STATES 11 FEB

Samsung sets date for Galaxy Unpacked event

Samsung Electronics will host a Galaxy Unpacked event in San Francisco on 25 February. The company said it will debut the latest in the flagship Galaxy S series, which it claims is "built to simplify everyday interactions, inspire confidence and make Galaxy AI feel seamlessly integrated from the moment it's in hand." The event will be streamed live beginning at 10.00 hours Pacific time.

AZERBAIJAN 10 FEB

Bakcell opens online shop

Azerbaijan operator Bakcell has launched its online shop. Customers can buy mobile devices and other tech products on the Bakcell Shop. Subscribers can purchase smartphones on installment over up to 18 months without upfront payment or price increase. They are also offered a 20 GB monthly bonus throughout the installment period. Free delivery of purchased goods is offered to all regions across the country.

EUROPE 10 FEB

European Commission says cyber attack on MDM systems was addressed within 9 hours

The European Commission was hit by a cyber-attack on its central infrastructure for managing mobile devices on 30 January. The response effort, supported by CERT-EU, the central cybersecurity service for all EU institutions, has successfully contained the threat and had IT systems cleaned out entirely within nine hours.

JAPAN 10 FEB

NTT Docomo plans direct satellite-to-smartphone service from early FY2026

NTT Docomo announced plans to launch a service enabling direct communication between satellites and smartphones from early in the 2026 financial year (starting in April). The service will allow LTE-compatible smartphones to connect directly to satellites without relying on terrestrial base stations, enabling text messaging and limited data communications via supported applications.

INDIA 10 FEB

Samsung launches Galaxy F70e 5G smartphone in India

Samsung has launched its Galaxy F70e 5G smartphone in India. The device includes with 6000mAh battery, runs on One UI 8, offering 6 generations of OS and 6 years of security updates. The Galaxy F70e 5G is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor.

AZERBAIJAN 9 FEB

Azercell offers discounted subscriptions to young people buying Samsung Galaxy A17 or A56

Azeri operator Azercell is running a special offer for young people, without specifying an age range. Those buying a Samsung Galaxy A17 or Galaxy A56 can get a 50 percent discount for services under the DigiMax 5GB or DigiMax 10GB tariffs for three months.

Just In

13 FEB 15:46

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13 FEB 15:37

Hyperoptic study shows half of Brits could be overpaying for broadband

13 FEB 15:25

Telus, Photonic demo quantum teleportation over commercial fibre

13 FEB 15:12

Gigapower signs network access deal with ISP DoJoNetworks

Commentary

11 FEB 12:29

Odido shareholders face tricky exit after abandoned IPO

2 FEB 13:49

KPN results show little bother from the competition

2 JAN 13:21

Open Dutch Fiber's new management team takes up turnaround challenge

15 DEC 2025 13:56

Video market set for slower growth ahead

Background

9 FEB 01:54

The week in telecoms: hyperscalers vie for capex crown, Telenor and Vodafone profit from smaller footprints

2 FEB 00:45

The week in telecoms: Verizon sparks fears of US price war, Apple beats Samsung in Q4, Telekom ramps up fibre marketing

26 JAN 00:31

The week in telecoms: Netflix and Ericsson all about cash, EU sketches out rip-and-replace and copper transition plans

22 JAN 14:28

Netflix can spend more on content and still improve its margin