Welcome, and thanks for stopping by.
This is the first instalment of a new weekly series where we break down the biggest stories in tech, what they mean for us here in Zimbabwe, and share tips and tricks to make your digital life a little easier.
From the latest shiny devices to apps you should try and money-saving hacks, we’ve got you covered, every single week. So, let’s get right to it.
NEW DEVICES: The Week’s Latest Gadgets
The biggest headline this week came from New York, where Google hosted its annual Made by Google event and unveiled the Pixel 10 series.
If you’re into pure Android, incredible cameras, and AI-powered magic, this could be your next phone.
The Big Story: Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro & Pixel 10 Pro XL
The new Pixels are powered by Google’s latest Tensor G5 chip, built on a 3nm process, meaning better speed, better efficiency, and, if you believe the hype, smarter AI features. Think real-time translation, advanced photo editing, on-device summaries, and smarter call screening.
Key specs at a glance:
- Display: 6.3” (Pixel 10) / 6.3” LTPO (10 Pro) / 6.4” External – 8” LTPO Internal (10 Pro Fold).
- Processor: Google Tensor G5
- Camera: 50MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP telephoto (Pro)
- Battery: From 4870 for the 10 Pro, up to 5200mAh for the 10 Pro XL, all models now with Pixelsnap Qi2 wireless charging
- Software: Android 16, with 7 years of OS updates
If you like magnets in your phone, like with the iPhone’s MagSafe, the Pixel 10 becomes basically the first major Android phone to include them. Google is calling it Pixelsnap, and some will love that. Personally, I’m not impressed by this as I don’t utilise MagSafe on the iPhone, but to each their own, I guess.
As usual, Google is chasing the title MKBHD likes to give them, ‘the smartest smartphone.’ And with the Pixel 10, they’re doubling down on that claim, packing in some genuinely clever AI features.
The Smartest Smartphone
Take Magic Cue, for example. Imagine a friend texts asking for photos from your last Kariba trip, the Pixel will instantly surface those exact shots from your gallery, ready to share. You won’t have to go to the Photos app. While we don’t fly as often over here, the example they gave sounds cool, too. Imagine you’re on a call with an airline about a flight delay. Without you touching a thing, your phone automatically pulls up your booking details and flight number on-screen, right when you need them.
Then there’s Camera Coach, a personal photography tutor. As you shoot, it uses AI to analyse your scene in real time, offering tips on lighting, framing, and even which camera mode to use. Basically, Google wants to make your Insta game strong, no excuses.
Finally, Voice Translate is trying to make a jump. The Pixel already had live translation, but this time, it goes a step further. Now it can translate phone calls in near real-time, and the best part is that it keeps the speaker’s natural voice, so it doesn’t sound like you’re talking to a robot. Could be huge for anyone who deals with multilingual conversations, whether it’s business calls, travel, or just chatting with family abroad. However, reviewers say it’s a bit hit or miss at the moment.
For Zimbos
Now, we know Pixels aren’t exactly flooding the streets of Harare or Bulawayo, but here’s why you should care: Google sets the standard. A lot of what’s debuting here, from AI smarts to next-gen computational photography, will eventually filter down into more affordable Android devices that will reach our local shelves.
We know what you’re thinking: “Pixels are great, but can I even buy them in Zimbabwe?” Well, we’ve heard you. When we asked what phones you’d like to see available locally, the Pixel was your top answer. That’s why we made it a point to get the Pixel 9 series and older devices on our shelves, complete with a local warranty. Now, with the Pixel 10 on its way, you can be sure we’re working to bring it to you as well, and in a timely fashion. Keep an eye on our store for updates.
Also Making Waves This Week… (Rapid-Fire Round-Up)
While the Pixel might grab headlines, these new devices may be more pocket-friendly:
- Samsung Galaxy A17 — A budget-friendly option (about $240) with a 6.6-inch FHD+ AMOLED display, 50MP main camera, and a 5,000mAh battery. Samsung is clearly aiming to dominate the midrange/budget space.
- Lava Play Ultra — Targeting value seekers (about $174), this one packs a 6.5-inch HD+ display, 8GB RAM, 128GB storage, and a 5,000mAh battery, solid specs at a competitive price. This one won’t be readily available in Zim as it’s targeting India, but if you know people, you can get it here.
- Realme Pro 4 — Comes with a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chip and a 108MP main sensor. And to blow your mind, a massive 7000mAh battery. Realme continues to push aggressive specs in the upper midrange category ($290).
- T Phone 3 & T Tablet 2 (Deutsche Telekom) — What makes these interesting is their focus on affordable AI integration. They promise on-device AI assistants to handle tasks like call summaries, smart replies, and real-time translations without breaking the bank. The phone goes for about $173, whilst the tablet will set you back $230. Won’t be easy to get them here in Zim, though.
These are the phones we’re more likely to afford, even if not all will be readily available in Zim.
SOFTWARE NEWS: Don’t Forget to Update
Your laptop and phone may feel fine, but staying up to date isn’t optional anymore; it’s essential.
Microsoft just rolled out its August 2025 updates for Windows 11, and here’s the headline:
- 107 security vulnerabilities fixed this month
- New AI features for Copilot+ PCs
- A more streamlined Black Screen of Death (yes, it’s real, and replaces the old blue one)
We tend to focus on shiny new features, but the security fixes are what really matter here. Think of every unpatched bug as an unlocked door to the stuff on your computer, and hackers are always knocking.
So, the next time Windows nags you to “Update and Restart,” don’t ignore it. It’s not just a minor tweak; it can be important.
However, in typical Windows fashion, they botched the update and created a problem that prevented users from resetting or recovering their devices after updating, forcing the company to release a patch to fix the issue.
PROBLEM SOLVER: Is Your Data Disappearing?
If you’ve ever bought a 1GB bundle, streamed two videos, and somehow found yourself at 0MB by lunchtime, welcome to the club. High mobile data costs in Zimbabwe (especially when you factor in our low incomes) make this a real struggle.
Here’s how to stretch your bundles further:
- Turn On Data Saver Mode
- On Android: Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Data Saver
- On iPhone: Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data Options → Data Mode
This restricts background data usage and can make a huge difference. However, this setting may be missing for some in Zimbabwe.
- On Android: Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Data Saver
- Disable Autoplay Videos
Those videos on Facebook and on those other websites are silent bundle killers.
Set them to play on Wi-Fi only or never autoplay in your app settings. - Update Apps on Wi-Fi Only
Head to your Play Store or App Store settings and make sure Auto-update apps is set to Wi-Fi only.
You’d be surprised how much data app updates silently consume.
Small tweaks, big savings. And if you’ve got a burning question about your phone, data, or apps, send it our way, and we’ll feature it in upcoming editions.
APP OF THE WEEK: Project Indigo
This one is for mobile photographers.
This week’s app spotlight is on Indigo, Adobe’s powerful new camera app that takes your iPhone photos to the next level.
What makes it stand out:
- Manual DSLR-style controls (shutter, ISO, white balance, focus)
- AI-powered noise reduction for lovely low-light shots
- Seamless integration with Adobe Lightroom for editing magic. You don’t even have to know how to tinker with edits; the auto edit feature works wonders, especially when photos are taken using Indigo, as it captures images in a combination of JPEG+DNG format. This means that for each photo you take, you receive two files: a JPEG, which is a processed, highly compatible image, and a DNG, which is a raw file containing the unprocessed pixel data for more extensive editing.
For now, Indigo is iOS–only, but Android users, don’t worry, Adobe says a beta version is already in development.
BLAST FROM THE PAST: The Day Phones Learnt to Swim
Back in 2013, Sony shocked the world with the Xperia Z, one of the first mainstream smartphones to boast real water resistance. Their ads famously showed people washing their phones under running taps, and for the first time, it wasn’t a death sentence.
However, although it was the first flagship to feature water resistance, it wasn’t the first phone to have it. The Motorola Defy, which came out way back in 2010, was the very first phone to boast this feature. It had an IP67 rating.
Samsung followed in 2015 with the Galaxy S5. Apple (iPhone 7) and Google (Pixel 2) introduced their IP67-rated flagships in 2016 and 2017, respectively.
These days, most flagship phones, from the Pixel 10 to the iPhone 15 and Galaxy S25, carry the IP68 rating. We’re seeing water resistance even in some midrange and budget phones these days. But what does IP68 even mean?
- IP = Ingress Protection
- 6 = Completely dust-tight
- 8 = Survives immersion in water beyond 1m for up to 30 minutes
Just don’t mistake “water-resistant” for “waterproof.” If you go swimming with your phone, you’re on your own.
Final Thoughts
The Pixel 10 might be a sign of what smartphone AI is going to look like, but closer to home, phones like the Realme Pro 4 and Samsung Galaxy A17 will likely be real contenders in the Zimbabwean market.
Meanwhile, Indigo is a must-try for photographers, and with our data-saving tips, maybe those 1GB bundles will last a little longer this week.
That’s it for Volume 1. See you next week for more updates, app picks, and pro tips to make your tech work harder for you.
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