As always, we bring you fantastic updates from the world of technology. In this episode, we have multiple exciting headlines, from significant upgrades in UPI payments to India overtaking China as the top smartphone exporter. We also touch upon the latest smartphone launches from brands like Moto, Vivo, Infinix, and iQOO, key developments at Samsung, fresh features in OpenAI’s ChatGPT, realme’s product line strategy, record-breaking market cap for Microsoft, and the launch of JioPC in India.
UPI Gets a Big Upgrade
Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which has revolutionized digital payments in India, is seeing major improvements that will make transactions more secure and convenient for crores of users. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has rolled out biometric authentication for UPI payments. Previously, if you wanted to make a payment via UPI, you had to enter a PIN for authorization. Now, biometric data such as fingerprint or facial recognition can be used instead, enhancing security and ease of use.
Another notable change is in the recipient details displayed during money transfers. Earlier, when you sent money to a stranger or a newly added contact, only the account number would appear. Now, the payee’s actual name will be displayed, which helps verify that you are sending money to the intended person or entity. This reduces the risk of errors or fraud and makes UPI payments more transparent.
Users can choose to authenticate transactions with either PIN or biometric authentication based on their preference, allowing flexibility.
However, due to the increasing load on UPI servers with millions of transactions happening daily, NPCI has introduced some restrictions like limiting bank balance checks via UPI to 50 times a day. While this might seem strict, it is aimed at managing system stability and ensuring smooth service for all users.
This upgrade in UPI functionality is expected to positively impact millions by simplifying digital payments and increasing their trustworthiness.
Massive Milestone: Over 3 Billion iPhones Shipped Since 2007
Apple has recently crossed a monumental milestone by shipping over 3 billion iPhones worldwide since the device’s initial launch in 2007. To put this in perspective, that means an average of hundreds of millions of devices shipped each year over nearly two decades. The volume of 3 billion iPhones is staggering not only in terms of numbers but also in the revenue and ecosystem influence it represents.
Imagine the trillions of dollars generated by Apple through these shipments, contributing to its rise as one of the world’s most valuable companies. The iPhone continues to be a dominant force in the smartphone industry, driving innovation and setting benchmarks for competitors.
India Overtakes China as Top Smartphone Exporter
In the second quarter of 2025, India achieved a historic feat by becoming the largest exporter of smartphones to the United States, surpassing China for the first time. According to recent data, 44% of all smartphones imported by the US now come from India, while China’s share has dropped to 35%.
This rapid progress has been attributed to several government initiatives such as the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, which has boosted local manufacturing and exports. Over the past five years, India’s smartphone export share has grown phenomenally, from under 10% to this peak.
This shift in the global supply chain reflects India’s rising capabilities in electronics manufacturing and signals a reshaping of the smartphone industry’s dynamics.
India’s Smartphone Shipments Surge by 8%
Smartphone shipments within India continued their upward trajectory with an 8% year-on-year increase in the second quarter of 2025. Among the top-selling devices, the newly launched iPhone 16 emerged as the most shipped smartphone, showing strong consumer demand for premium devices.
Other brands also posted impressive growth rates:
- Nothing brand, though low base, saw a 146% spike in shipments.
- Motorola’s shipments grew by 86%.
- Lava became the fastest growing brand in the under ₹10,000 segment with 156% growth.
- OnePlus showed a 75% increase in its ultra-premium segment (devices priced above ₹45,000).
These growth numbers underscore the diversity and competitiveness of the Indian smartphone market.
New Smartphone Launches
Several smartphone brands are preparing to launch new devices with exciting features:
- Moto G86 Power 5G was recently launched in India at a competitive price of ₹17,999. It offers a MediaTek Dimensity 7400 processor, a 5000 mAh battery, 5G support, and decent specs for the price segment.
- Vivo V60 is slated for launch on August 12. It will feature a large 6.67-inch quad curved flat AMOLED display with 1.5K resolution and 120 Hz refresh rate. Its camera setup will include 50MP + 8MP + 2MP rear sensors and a 50MP selfie shooter, complemented by a 6500 mAh battery.
- Infinix GT 30 5G is coming soon to India. It will sport the Dimensity 7400 chipset, customizable LED lighting triggers on the rear, and a flat AMOLED display. It is expected to be priced under ₹20,000.
- iQOO Z10 Turbo+ is launching in China on August 7. Its standout feature is an enormous 8000 mAh battery with 90W fast charging. Despite the large battery, it maintains a slim 8.16 mm thickness and impressive standby time.
Samsung Streamlines Flagship Lineup and Galaxy S25 FE Leak
Samsung is reportedly planning to streamline its flagship smartphone lineup to focus on fewer models for better differentiation and marketing.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE (Fan Edition) is expected to bring incremental upgrades with a 6.7-inch 128H AMOLED LTPO display, 50 MP + 12 MP + 8 MP camera setup, and a 4900 mAh battery. It will come in four colors but might not hit the ₹50,000 price mark, slightly reducing battery capacity from prior models.
WTF News: China’s Advanced Robotics
In an intriguing tech development, the Chinese company Ubitac has launched a humanoid robot named Walker S2. This robot features a self-replaceable battery that takes just three minutes to swap, allowing it to operate 24/7 continuously for industrial services.
This robotic automation could triple or quadruple productivity in various service sectors while reducing costs on human labor, pointing toward a future with major impact on manufacturing and service industries.
OpenAI Introduces ‘Study Mode’ in ChatGPT
OpenAI has announced a new “Study Mode” feature for ChatGPT, designed to promote learning rather than answer copying. Instead of just giving answers, it encourages users to understand and learn the material actively. This aligns with OpenAI’s vision of promoting education and knowledge acquisition through AI assistance.
realme’s New Product Line Strategy
Realme is planning to split its product lines to better manage distribution on e-commerce platforms. The upcoming “P Series” will be exclusive to Flipkart, while the new “N Series” will be launched on Amazon. This approach resembles Samsung’s strategy with its ‘F Series’ and ‘M Series’ phones tailored for different sales channels.
Microsoft Joins $4 Trillion Market Cap Club
Microsoft Corporation has achieved a historic market capitalization milestone of $4 trillion, becoming one of the few companies ever to reach this valuation. This milestone reflects Microsoft’s ongoing dominance in cloud computing, AI, productivity software, and its strategic growth initiatives.
JioPC Launched in India: AI-Ready Cloud PC
Reliance Jio has launched the JioPC in India, an AI-ready cloud PC offering. It operates on a service-based model with a subscription fee of ₹400 per month, essentially a SaaS (Software as a Service) laptop. This cloud computing device aims to provide affordable access to computing and AI-powered services, appealing to users who want efficient hardware but at lower upfront costs.
Final Thoughts
Today’s tech landscape is rapidly evolving with advancements in digital payments, smartphone manufacturing, AI, cloud computing, and robotics. India’s rising prominence as a smartphone manufacturing hub alongside the continuous innovation of global giants like Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, and emerging brands shows how dynamic this industry remains.
For tech enthusiasts and consumers, these developments promise more choices, more powerful devices, and smarter services in the near future.