[Johannesburg, South Africa – 19 October 2026] Global leading AI device ecosystem company HONOR today is announcing the official launch of the HONOR 600 Lite S. Engineered to elevate the standard of advanced mobile technology, this groundbreaking device seamlessly integrates an ultra-high-capacity 7700mAh battery, a 108MP camera, and intuitive AI functionalities into a premium, all-weather powerhouse. The HONOR 600 Lite S is strategically positioned to meet the escalating consumer demand for highly durable, intelligent smartphones that deliver uncompromising performance.

7700mAh Battery Powered up Every Day.

Addressing the critical consumer pain point of battery anxiety, the device houses a formidable 7700mAh^[1] power unit. This sophisticated battery architecture not only provides multi-day usage on a single charge but also guarantees an exceptional 6-year[2] lifespan.

Rigorously tested across extreme thermal spectrums, the integrated multi-point temperature monitoring system enables peak performance in climates ranging from freezing -30°C winters to scorching 50°C heatwaves[3]. When replenishment is necessary, the 45W HONOR SuperCharge[4] technology rapidly restores power, maximising user efficiency and minimising downtime.

Exceptional Durability with Certified Drop Protection.

The HONOR 600 Lite S has been engineered to last, promising durability and performance for six years. The 6 years of endurance is built to go further, setting a new benchmark for device longevity.

Furthermore, the smartphone is fortified with comprehensive IP68, IP69, and IP69K ratings[5]. This formidable ingress protection guarantees flawless functionality against fine dust, high-pressure water jets, and complete submersion, making it an indispensable tool for demanding environments. To complement its physical durability, the inclusion of an advanced Wet-hand Touch algorithm ensures uninterrupted screen responsiveness, regardless of environmental moisture.

Intuitive AI Integration and Superior Processing

A defining innovation of the HONOR 600 Lite S is the introduction of a dedicated, tactile AI Button[6]. Designed as an independent key separate from the power button, this hardware integration provides instantaneous, frictionless access to a comprehensive suite of intelligent tools. To facilitate the capture of spontaneous moments, a double press is mapped by default to launch the Camera instantly, even from the lock screen. Beyond default settings, users have full freedom to customise gestures. Whether through a single press for immediate application launches or a sustained press for advanced capabilities, users can seamlessly access HONOR AI, AI Settings Agent, AI Photos Agent, AI Translation, and AI Creation as desired.

Operating on the fluid MagicOS 10 (based on Android 16), the software ecosystem offers seamless integration with Google Gemini[7], Magic Portal, and Circle to Search. Users can also leverage advanced AI Editing capabilities—including AI Outpainting, AI Upscale, AI Cutout, and the newly introduced AI Image to Video 2.0[8], which effortlessly transforms static photos into dynamic, cinematic clips—to elevate their digital content.

Performance is driven by the Snapdragon® 4 Gen 4 processor[9], delivering a smooth and highly responsive user experience. Coupled with HONOR’s proprietary RAM Turbo Technology, the device features 6GB of physical RAM and substantial 256GB storage capacity provides abundant space, capable of archiving over 150,000 high-resolution images.

Ultra-Clear 108MP Imaging with High-Resolution Clarity

The HONOR 600 Lite S is equipped with a 108MP main camera[10], offering users the highest resolution and most detailed images. Users can now capture and share their moments in stunning, high-definition video format, making it easier than ever to document and share life’s most memorable moments.

Colour, Price and Availability

The HONOR 600 Lite S will be offered in two sophisticated color variants: Velvet Black, and Desert Gold. Starting from R8999 or R399 x 36 months. The HONOR 600 Lite S is currently available on MTN and will be available in Vodacom, Telkom and Cell C from November.

[1] The typical battery capacity is 7700mAh, and the rated battery capacity is 7500mAh.

[2] The data comes from the HONOR Lab. The battery will have a battery capacity retention rate of more than 80% after 6 years of use according to HONOR Lab simulation of the user’s daily behaviour. The actual data will change with different scenarios, please refer to actual usage.

[3] The data comes from HONOR Labs. In an ambient temperature of -30°~50°C, the phone can standby normally and supports calls, contacts, and text messages. The actual experience may vary depending on factors such as device aging, network environment, user habits, and individual temperature changes. Please refer to the actual experience.

[4] It supports maximum 45W wired charge, 45W HONOR charger and cable are required. Actual charging speed may vary depending on environmental conditions and other factors.

[5] The phone is not professionally water resistant. It is splash-proof, water-resistant and dust-proof under normal use. It has been tested under controlled laboratory conditions and reaches the IP69K level in accordance with ISO 20653:2023 standard and reaches the IP68 and IP69 level in accordance IEC 60529 (international) standards. Splash, water, and dust resistances are not permanently effective, and the protective performance may decrease due to daily wear and tear.

[6] Some features will be upgraded via OTA. The specific implementation effect may vary depending on the usage scenario, please refer to the actual experience. Certain features, applications, and services are only available for some models, regions and languages. Please refer to the actual situation.

[7] Google, Gemini, and Quick Share are trademarks of Google LLC.

[8] AI Image to Video feature will be upgraded via OTA. The actual performance may vary depending on specific usage scenarios and environmental conditions. Availability and specific terms of service, including free trial eligibility during the initial sales period, may differ by region. After the free trial period ends, continued usage may require payment. Please contact the HONOR customer service center or your local service provider for detailed information regarding supported regions, applicable fees, and eligibility for extended access based on actual usage frequency.

[9] Qualcomm and Snapdragon are trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated, registered in the United States and other countries.

[10] 108MP is a camera pixel parameter. The actual photo pixels may vary depending on different camera modes. Please refer to the actual situation.

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Johannesburg-based BioInformatiCo takes second-place in an international AI challenge with African  technology designed to accelerate clinical trial database preparation, improve data quality and help research teams make limited funding go further.

A South African-developed artificial intelligence (AI) platform designed to help researchers prepare clinical trial databases faster has placed second in the 2026 CDISC AI Innovation Challenge, earning international recognition for African-developed technology to address a key bottleneck in clinical research worldwide.

Created by Johannesburg-based clinical data management organisation BioInformatiCo, the platform called “Leova” automates aspects of building and testing the digital databases used to collect information during trials of new medicines and vaccines. By reducing the time and manual effort required to prepare these systems, the platform aims to help research teams identify database errors and protocol inconsistencies earlier and devote more resources to the research itself.

For Shirley Collie, Founder and CEO of BioInformatiCo, the global recognition is an important milestone for the company and a demonstration of how African-developed technology can contribute to clinical research globally: “Placing second in the CDISC AI Innovation Challenge is an important endorsement of what we have built. It shows that technology developed in Africa can help tackle challenges in clinical research worldwide, while supporting the continent’s ability to generate evidence that reflects the health needs of its own populations,” says Collie.

BioInformatiCo developed Leova within its existing clinical research operations, drawing on the practical demands of building reliable databases for clinical trials. The company currently supports first-in-human to Phase 3 vaccine research for infectious diseases, including HIV, TB, Ebola and COVID-19.

The global recognition from CDISC also comes at a time when US funding cuts have disrupted health programmes and medical research in South Africa, adding pressure to an already stretched research ecosystem. HIV programmes, clinical studies and research infrastructure have especially been affected, 

while universities and research organisations face funding shortfalls and uncertainty over grants. In this environment, automating time-consuming manual work, such as building and testing a study database, can cut both hours and costs, helping limited resources go further. That is what Leova is designed to do.

“Before a new medicine or vaccine can reach patients, clinical trials must establish whether it is safe and effective. But before the first participant can enrol, researchers need reliable systems to collect and manage the study data. Building and validating these databases can take 10 to 20 weeks of specialist work, with each system tailored to the trial’s specific research protocol. Errors at this stage can compromise data quality, create costly rework and delay the trial,” adds Collie.

Built to support clinical data management capacity on the African continent, Leova brings much of this preparation into a single workflow. Using a study protocol, the platform drafts data collection forms and validation rules, builds the database and then tests it using simulated participants deliberately designed to break those rules. This allows research teams to identify weaknesses before the system is used in a live trial.

“Leova was born out of a real operational need. We understand the pressure clinical research teams face to deliver reliable data, meet demanding standards and make every Rand count. While automation cannot replace sustainable funding or specialist expertise, it can help research teams work more efficiently while maintaining the quality and reliability of clinical data,” adds Collie.

Unlike software providers that simply license a platform for customers to operate independently, BioInformatiCo combines Leova with specialist clinical data management support and human oversight. In one study, Leova reduced the testing and validation of a database from five days of specialist effort to one. It is a clear example of how the platform reduces the time and cost of validation and gets studies ready sooner, while maintaining the traceability and quality controls required in clinical research.

BioInformatiCo supports clinical trials across sub-Saharan Africa and is expanding internationally, with a US site launching soon and sponsor discussions under way in Europe and Australia. The company also plans to open a seed funding round in the coming months to support Leova’s next phase of development and commercial growth: “This is an exciting time for South African innovation. We’ve built Leova to solve a real challenge in clinical research, drawing on our experience on the ground in Africa. Now, we have an opportunity to take that expertise and technology to the world, helping research teams work more efficiently while strengthening Africa’s contribution to global health research. We’re looking forward to what comes next,” concludes Collie.

The 2026 CDISC AI Innovation Challenge was organised by the Clinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium (CDISC), a global non-profit organisation that develops standards for clinical research data. These standards help ensure that data can be collected, exchanged and submitted consistently, including for regulatory review by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The challenge attracted 50 competitive submissions from 30 organisations and individual entrants, placing African-developed technology alongside several leading global innovators. Leova placed second among 19 entries in Use Case 1, which focused on using AI-generated synthetic data to automate software testing, demonstrating the potential for African innovation to compete on an international stage.

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We live in a world where something can go from “what’s happening?” to “everyone is doing it” overnight, and that’s how trends start and grow. It is also for this reason, that content creators need more than a smartphone. They need a creative partner that can keep pace with their ideas, their audiences and the ever-changing digital landscape.

That is why Samsung Galaxy is stepping forward as the Title Sponsor of the 2026 Content Creator Awards, taking place at Galleria Sandton on 17 October 2026. With this move, Samsung Galaxy is celebrating the creators who are shaping conversations, building communities, turning everyday moments into stories and, increasingly, turning content creation into a business.

While supporting all 20 award categories, Samsung Galaxy is directly involved in two awards: the Samsung Galaxy Creator of the Year Award and the #CapturedWithGalaxy Award, celebrating both the people driving South Africa’s creator economy and the extraordinary visual storytelling made possible through Galaxy technology.

“Creators today are so much more than people who make content. They are storytellers, entrepreneurs, trendsetters and cultural commentators, and they are constantly finding new ways to turn an idea into something that resonates with an audience,” says Rae Hargreaves, Head of Marketing: Mobile eXperience at Samsung South Africa. “Our partnership with the Content Creator Awards is about celebrating that creativity while demonstrating how Galaxy technology can help creators bring their ideas to life.”

When the trend hits, Galaxy is ready

For today’s creators, content opportunities are everywhere. A varsity student can turn an ordinary day into a relatable “day in the life”. A kasi entrepreneur can document the hustle behind their business. A fashion creator can turn an outfit into an OOTD, while a savvy shopper can build an entire series around finding the best dupe. The challenge is making the content happen quickly, naturally and creatively.

As the ultimate content creator companion, the latest Galaxy foldables (Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Flip8) are designed around this reality, bringing features that can help creators move from idea to camera-ready content without making the creative process feel like work.

And of course, that creative process is supported by AI. Galaxy’s on-device AI editing tools can help creators refine content without needing to leave their phone or rely on a collection of third-party apps. Audio Eraser removes unwanted background sounds from videos, making dialogue and key moments easier to hear, while Object Eraser removes distracting elements from images so creators can get the frame they want. Together with other intelligent editing capabilities, these tools give creators more control over the final result, whether they are polishing a quick social post, cleaning up a product shot, or turning an everyday moment into content worth sharing.

Consider some of the content trends currently dominating feeds:

–          Spend the day with me: let your life be the content – “Spend the day with me” and “a day in the life” content thrives on authenticity. From getting ready in the morning to lectures, meetings, errands, meals and late-night wind-downs, creators are turning ordinary routines into compelling stories.

With Galaxy AI, creators can spend less time wrestling with the technical side of content and more time focusing on the story they want to tell. AI-powered creative tools can help streamline the editing process, making it easier to refine content when the clock is ticking and the trend is still hot. And because inspiration doesn’t wait for the perfect studio setup, Galaxy’s intuitive camera experience lets creators capture moments as they happen.

–          Cooking content: because chopping and filming should not be a two-person job

Cooking videos are all about showing the process, from the first ingredient to the final plate. But trying to hold a phone while chopping onions is a recipe for disaster.

Enter Hands-Free Capture.

With a Galaxy foldable, creators can position their device at the right angle and record while keeping both hands available to cook, stir and demonstrate. The result is a more natural cooking video that captures the creator actually doing what they came to do.

The phone becomes less of a camera being operated and more of a creative companion simply keeping up.

–          Skincare, perfumes and GRWMs (get ready with me): get closer to the detail

Beauty content demands detail. Whether it is demonstrating a skincare routine, revealing a new fragrance or filming a GRWM, creators need a camera setup that lets them stay in the moment while keeping their audience close to the action.

FlexCam¹ on Galaxy Z Flip8 allows creators to position the phone hands-free, making it particularly useful for content where both hands are needed. Fold the device into position, place it on a surface and start creating.

For skincare creators, that means being able to wash, apply, demonstrate and talk to camera without constantly reaching for a phone. For GRWM creators, it creates the freedom to move naturally through the routine while the camera keeps rolling.

–          Influencer events: because FOMO is content

From launches and fashion events to concerts and creator gatherings, event content is all about capturing the atmosphere before the moment disappears.

This is where Nightography[1] and Zoom can help creators bring their followers closer to the action, whether they are documenting the energy of an evening event, capturing details from across a venue or creating vlog-style content on the move.

With the right Galaxy camera capabilities in hand, creators can focus on experiencing the event while still collecting the footage that turns “I was there” into “you had to be there.”

From creator to trendsetter

The creator economy is no longer simply about chasing views. It is about building an audience, developing a recognisable point of view and turning creativity into opportunity.

Samsung Galaxy’s partnership with the Content Creator Awards celebrates that evolution. The awards recognise creators across 20 categories, while Samsung’s involvement shines a spotlight on the technology that sits behind so much of what we see today.

The Samsung Galaxy Creator of the Year Award is the pinnacle of the ceremony, recognising the creator who has delivered an outstanding year of content and demonstrated creativity, consistency and cultural impact across South Africa. The winner will be determined through a combination of public SMS and online voting and deliberation by an industry judging panel.

The winner will receive R20,000 in cash, a trophy and a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 valued at R40,999.

Meanwhile, the #CapturedWithGalaxy Award opens the door to creators across every niche, celebrating extraordinary content captured on any Samsung Galaxy device. Entrants can submit their work publicly on social media using #CapturedWithGalaxy, tagging @SamsungMobileSA and @ContentCreatorAwardsSA. Entries will then go through panel shortlisting and public voting.

The winner will take home an official Content Creator Award Trophy and a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 valued at R40,999.

With the 2026 Content Creator Awards approaching, Samsung Galaxy is inviting South Africa’s creators to keep filming, experimenting, editing, posting and, most importantly, creating. Because the next trend could come from you, with Galaxy as your sidekick.

[1] Results may vary depending on light condition and/or shooting conditions including multiple subjects, being out of focus or moving subjects.

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Johannesburg, South Africa – 15 October 2026 – inDrive, the global mobility and delivery services platform, has introduced new passenger features to its app in South Africa, designed to make everyday journeys more predictable, transparent and safe. The features are built around a single principle: passengers should understand what is happening with their order and get a clear response from the app to every action they take.

inDrive releases updates regularly because passenger expectations change faster than any product plan. People want to know why a price is what it is, how long they will wait for a car (ride), and who is behind the wheel (driver). This reflects inDrive’s broader approach to mobility, where transparency and informed choice are central to creating a fairer experience for both passengers and drivers. 

The company gathers these expectations through surveys, reviews and in-app behaviour, and turns them into concrete interface changes, a continuous process rather than a once-off release.

Passenger-centric app updates

The latest updates for South African inDrive passengers include:

• Colour-coded price hints: Passengers set their own fare, but now receive clear guidance:

·       Green – the price is close to the recommended fare and drivers are likely to respond quickly

·       Orange – the offer is below market expectations, and the wait will be longer. This helps riders weigh affordability against waiting time before placing an order and can decide what matters more to them at that moment.

• High-demand indicator: During peak hours, the app explains fare increases directly: ‘Demand is high right now, so the recommended fare is temporarily higher.’ Passengers see the reason behind higher fares instead of assuming the app is simply more expensive.
• Dynamic status updates: The search screen now shows how many drivers are nearby and who is viewing the request. Passengers see a live process instead of a static message, reducing cancellations caused by uncertainty.
• Smarter cancellations: If a pickup point or ride type is wrong, the app now asks for the reason at the moment of cancellation and offers instant fixes. Accidental requests are cancelled immediately (without extra steps), avoiding wasted time and duplicate orders.
• Visible driver verification: Verification badges are now prominent on driver cards and selection screens. Behind the badge is a rigorous process: document checks, facial recognition, vehicle inspections, and ongoing selfie/photo verification. Suspicious activity or duplicate accounts trigger automatic bans, giving passengers visible assurance that their driver and vehicle have been vetted.

Why the new app updates matter for South Africans

According to the most recent Research and Markets Report, South Africa’s e-hailing market is expanding rapidly, currently valued at $1.6 billion in 2026 and projected to reach $3.6 billion by 2031 (approximately R67 billion). 

The report also states that this market growth is driven by increasing urban demand, particularly in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, as well as rising smartphone penetration, the demand within app-based mobility ecosystems and the general expansion of competing platform operators. 

With increased ride-hailing usage across the country, most South African passengers cite convenience, safety and rising fuel costs among some of the key drivers behind their choice to use such services. 

Speaking on the launch, Ashif Black, Country Representative for inDrive South Africa, said: “We continuously listen to how people use our app and look for ways to remove the uncertainty they experience around price, waiting times and trust in their driver. South Africans value fairness, clarity and trust in their everyday transport.”

“These updates give passengers clear answers at every stage of the order journey, while helping drivers secure more relevant orders. In a market where affordability and safety are top priorities, we are building resilience and reliability into every ride.”

“Our passengers now have more opportunity to make the informed choices they’re after. At the same time, when passengers name realistic prices and pickup issues are fixed in a single tap, drivers receive more relevant orders and spend less time on trips that never happen,” Black explains further.

For passengers, the goal is simple: fewer unknowns and more control over the journey. From understanding how fares are set and why demand affects pricing, to seeing who is responding to a request and knowing that a driver has been verified, the latest updates put greater visibility in passengers’ hands. For inDrive, improving the passenger experience means continuing to build a platform where transparency, choice and trust are part of every ride.

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The New Products Advance LG’s Zero Labour Home Vision Across Indoor and Outdoor Living Spaces

News Summary

• LG Electronics and Apple announced the seven smart home accessories for the Apple Home Collection, including indoor and outdoor cameras, a video doorbell, smart lock, smart thermostat and temperature sensor. 
• The new products are co-developed by LG Electronics and Apple, and work seamlessly with Apple devices. The collaboration goes beyond device compatibility, combining LG’s deep knowledge of product and homes with Apple’s platform expertise to deliver a more intuitive and integrated smart home experience.
• These products work together seamlessly to help users with their daily routines, including monitoring and protecting their homes while away.

LG Electronics (LG) announced a range of smart home accessories co-developed with Apple for the Apple Home Collection, including indoor and outdoor cameras, and a video doorbell, smart lock, smart thermostat, and temperature sensor. The new products are designed to make the everyday home experience simpler, more reliable, and seamlessly connected and private in Apple Home.

These smart home accessories represent LG’s commitment to creating connected and adaptive experiences. They also advance the company’s ambition to simplify everyday living by reducing the need for manual intervention and enabling more intuitive interactions between customers and their environments.

“Creating a truly connected home requires products that work seamlessly together,” said Kihyun Jung, head of the Platform Business Center at the LG Home Appliance Solution Company. “By bringing LG’s expertise in home appliances and the home environment together with the Apple Home, we are creating intuitive, integrated experiences that fit naturally into customers’ daily lives.”

“Apple has always focused on making products and experiences that are seamless and intuitive, and protect our users’ privacy – and that matters more than ever in the home,” said Matthew Costello, Apple’s vice president of Hardware Engineering. “Combining our hardware and software expertise with LG’s deep understanding of the home and connected living lets us build smart home experiences that are simpler to set up, are easier to control, and work effortlessly.”

Moving beyond connectivity to co-develop products and user experiences

Moving beyond just device compatibility, Apple and LG developed these new products together from the early product planning stage, collaborating on hardware, software, and user experiences.

Each product is designed with a consistent user experience in mind to streamline setup and control. Rather than simply linking individual products through a platform, the accessories are designed to work together. Using the Home app or Siri to control a single “Good Morning” scene can simultaneously adjust the thermostat and tilt an indoor camera down while a user is getting ready.¹ And each accessory is encrypted end-to-end in Apple Home, so only users and the people they choose can access their home data. 

Introducing new indoor and outdoor cameras, a video doorbell, smart lock, thermostat, and temperature sensor

Starting in December, with select accessories coming early next year, LG and Apple are launching the full lineup in the United States and Canada, including indoor and outdoor cameras, a video doorbell, a smart lock, a thermostat, and a temperature sensor with support for Apple Home and LG ThinQ apps.¹ In the United Kingdom, indoor and outdoor cameras and a video doorbell will be available starting December.²

• Cameras: LG’s new indoor and outdoor cameras deliver clear imaging, intelligent detection and privacy-focused controls to help users monitor what matters around their homes. With up to 2.5K video resolution, low-light colour night vision, and wide-angle coverage, the cameras provide clear views during the day and at night. Using intelligence, each camera recognises people, pets, vehicles and motion, helping deliver more relevant alerts and reducing unnecessary notifications. Users can also block selected areas from view and recording, while built-in local storage provides greater control over how recorded footage is stored and reviewed.
• LG Indoor Cam Plug-In: A wide 160° field of view captures more of the room in a single frame, while a privacy tilt mechanism and physical controls provide a visible and intuitive way to control monitoring when it is not needed.
• LG Outdoor Cam Plug-In: The camera provides reliable outdoor monitoring with low light colour night vision, and 2.5K resolution, helping users maintain a clear view around the home, day and night. 
• LG Floodlight Cam: The camera adds dual adaptive floodlights that automatically illuminate the surrounding area when activity is detected, combining outdoor monitoring and lighting in one integrated home security solution.
• LG Video Doorbell Wired: LG Video Doorbell Wired brings clear visibility, more relevant alerts and everyday convenience to the front door. Its dual-camera system combines a 2.5K front camera and a Full HD bottom camera, capturing separate views of visitors, packages and key areas around the entryway for broader coverage. It can also identify people, vehicles, pets and packages and play a helpful chime through Apple HomeView, HomePod or HomePod mini. Low-light colour night vision and two-way talk also help users see and respond to activity at their door.
• LG Smart Deadbolt Lock: LG Smart Deadbolt Lock combines smart access, minimal design and everyday convenience, led by hands-free unlocking with home key on a compatible iPhone or Apple Watch and advanced Ultra-Wideband technology. The lock recognises an authorised user’s location and movement to support reliable hands-free entry. NFC tap, PIN code and a physical key provide additional ways to unlock the door, while built-in door sensing and real-time app notifications help users monitor door status and security events.
• LG Smart Thermostat and LG Temperature Sensor: LG Smart Thermostat combines energy efficiency, intuitive design to make home comfort more adaptive and efficient. Adaptive Temperature from Apple can adjust heating and cooling based on headed home, away from home, or sleeping.
  
  When paired with optional LG Temperature Sensor devices placed in other rooms, the system can monitor temperature and humidity across multiple spaces to support more consistent comfort throughout the home. Advanced sensing algorithms are designed to reduce measurement errors and detect indoor temperature changes in real time, while Matter over Thread enables low-power, responsive connectivity with fewer connection delays and offline disruptions.
  
  In the U.S., Clean Energy Guidance from Apple can help optimise energy use based on grid carbon intensity. Through supported utility-provider integrations, LG Smart Thermostat can also shift operation toward lower-cost periods.
• Privacy in Apple Home: Privacy is foundational to Apple Home. Camera footage and personal data in the Home app is stored end-to-end encrypted and never accessible to LG or Apple.

To learn more about LG and Apple’ s smart home accessories, visit LG website.

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As GQ Best Dressed marks its 20th anniversary, HONOR South Africa comes on board as headline partner with the HONOR Magic V6, bringing together premium technology, considered design and a celebration of the individuals shaping South African style and culture.

For 20 years, GQ Best Dressed has celebrated the people who understand that style is about more than what you wear. It is about individuality, confidence and the ability to make a statement without saying a word. From entertainment and sport to fashion, business and the creative industries, the platform has recognised individuals whose personal style reflects their influence and cultural relevance.

The partnership brings premium technology into a conversation traditionally associated with fashion, exploring how design, innovation and personal expression intersect in the lives of today’s tastemakers.

HONOR CEO, Fred Zhou said that “In an increasingly connected world, personal style extends beyond clothing. The devices we carry, the tools we use to work and create, and the way we move through our daily lives have become part of how we express ourselves. For a generation balancing demanding careers, creative pursuits and busy social calendars, technology is expected to deliver on both form and function. The HONOR Magic V6 reflects this shift. As HONOR South Africa’s flagship foldable smartphone, it combines a slim, considered design with features built around productivity, creativity and everyday multitasking. Its role as the hero of the GQ Best Dressed partnership puts the device at the intersection of two worlds increasingly shaped by innovation and personal expression.”

“GQ Best Dressed has always been about more than what you wear. It is about individuality, confidence and how you express yourself to the world. As we celebrate 20 years of the platform, partnering with HONOR South Africa and bringing the HONOR Magic V6 into the conversation feels like a natural fit. We are celebrating a generation that moves between fashion, business, sport and culture, and understands that personal style extends to the choices we make in every aspect of our lives. This partnership allows us to look at style through a contemporary lens while celebrating the people who continue to shape South Africa’s cultural landscape,” says Molife Kumona, Editor-in-Chief of GQ South Africa.

Launched in South Africa in August 2026, the HONOR Magic V6 measures just 9mm when folded, unfolded 4.1 mm and weighs 224g. Its foldable design allows users to move between a compact smartphone experience and a larger 7.95-inch inner display, offering additional space for working across applications, managing tasks and engaging with content.

Under the hood, the device is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform and features a 6,660mAh silicon-carbon battery, alongside 80W wired and 66W wireless HONOR SuperCharge. AI-powered features enhanced by Google Gemini support smarter workflows, while its 64MP Ultra Sensing Periscope Telephoto Camera with advanced stabilisation is designed to help users capture detailed images.

Durability is equally important. The HONOR Magic V6 features HONOR’s Anti-scratch NanoCrystal Shield and Super Steel Hinge, tested for up to 500,000 folds, as well as IP68 and IP69 water and dust resistance ratings.

Luxury today is increasingly defined by the experience a product delivers, not simply the name attached to it. Design, functionality and the ability to make everyday life more seamless all contribute to how people choose the products they carry.

The HONOR Magic V6 brings these considerations together through its foldable form, expanded display and AI-assisted capabilities. Its ability to work across ecosystems, including iPhone, Mac, AirPods and Apple Watch through HONOR Connect and HONOR Share, also reflects the realities of a connected lifestyle in which people often move between different devices throughout the day.

For HONOR South Africa, the partnership with GQ Best Dressed creates an opportunity to introduce these features to an audience that appreciates the relationship between aesthetics and performance. It also places the HONOR Magic V6 within a wider lifestyle conversation, one in which technology is increasingly considered alongside fashion, travel, culture and professional identity.

The HONOR Magic V6 campaign featured ambassadors including legendary screen icon, Connie Ferguson, history-making former Miss South Africa, Mia Le Roux, maverick entrepreneur and founder of Legends Barbershop Sheldon Tatchell, Bafana Bafana captain, Ronwen Williams, South Africa Cricket Captain, Temba Bavuma, South African rugby vice-captain Eben Etzebeth and 100m record holder, Akani Simbine. The campaign saw the HONOR ambassadors speak about the importance of helpful technological devices in the day-to-day execution of their professional and business lives – easily enabling them to proficiently carry out their daily tasks.

Since its inception, GQ Best Dressed has become a platform for recognising the people whose personal style resonates beyond the clothes they wear. The 20th edition is therefore not simply a celebration of longevity. It is an opportunity to reflect on how South African style has developed, the people who have influenced it and those who will define its next chapter.

The partnership between GQ Best Dressed and HONOR South Africa arrives at a time when fashion, technology and culture are increasingly interconnected. The people shaping these spaces are not defined by a single interest or pursuit. They are entrepreneurs, athletes, creatives and professionals who move between different worlds and expect the products they use to move with them.

Twenty years on, GQ Best Dressed remains a celebration of those who make style their own. With HONOR South Africa bringing the HONOR Magic V6 to the forefront, the 2026 edition connects that legacy with a new generation of premium technology and modern self-expression.

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Johannesburg, 13 October 2026 | Few terms have spread across television marketing as fast, or become as confusing, as Mini LED. It shows up on flagship sets and budget models alike, on screens that can cost three times as much as one another while carrying the exact same words on the box. So what is it, actually, and why does it matter for the picture you end up watching?

At its core, Mini LED is simply a smaller LED chip, roughly a fifth the size of the LED used in a conventional LCD TV’s backlight. Because each chip is so much smaller, manufacturers can pack thousands more of them behind the same screen, arranged far more densely than a standard LCD TV ever allowed.

That density is what makes the technology worth caring about. More LEDs mean the backlight can be divided into many more independently controlled zones, small clusters of light that can be brightened or dimmed on their own, rather than the entire screen lighting up or dimming as a single block. Done well, that translates into deeper blacks, brighter highlights, and far more visible detail in scenes that mix light and shadow, the kind of contrast that, until recently, was largely the preserve of far more expensive display technologies.

That’s the theory. In practice, the words “Mini LED” describe only the size of the LED chip, they say nothing about how many are used, how they’re arranged, or how intelligently their brightness is actually controlled. Two televisions can legitimately carry the same label and still produce very different pictures once they’re switched on side by side. What separates one from the other comes down to three factors, each simple enough to check before buying, regardless of brand.

1. Hardware dimming, not a software approximation

Real Mini LED performance depends on hardware local dimming, physically controlling the brightness of individual LED clusters behind the screen, zone by zone. Software-based, or “virtual,” dimming relies primarily on image processing rather than independent hardware control of physical backlight zones. Under comparable conditions, this can provide less precise control of bright and dark areas than hardware local dimming, which may result in more light leakage and lower perceived contrast.

2. A dimming-zone count that can actually do the job

The number of independently controlled dimming zones determines how precisely a television can separate light from shadow. Even a few hundred zones can meaningfully improve contrast and brightness over a conventional LCD backlight. Under comparable conditions, a higher number of independently controlled dimming zones enables finer separation of bright and dark areas, panels with several thousand zones can therefore provide more precise backlight control than designs with substantially fewer zones.

3. Full array, not edge-lit or direct-lit

Backlight architecture is the most fundamental factor of all. Edge-lit designs place LEDs around the perimeter of the screen and generally provide less localized backlight control than a full-array local-dimming architecture. Direct-lit designs place LEDs behind the panel but typically switch the backlight on or off as a single block rather than controlling it zone by zone. Full Array Local Dimming (FALD), LEDs distributed across the entire back of the panel, each zone independently controlled, is the architecture behind genuine Mini LED performance, and it underpins TCL’s Mini LED range, from entry-level models through to the flagship line.

“Mini LED gets talked about as if it’s a single technology, but it’s really a family of approaches with very different results,” says Alvin Wang, General Manager of TCL South Africa. “The three things that actually decide the outcome, hardware versus software dimming, zone count, and backlight architecture, are things any shopper can ask about, for any brand, before they buy.”

According to Omdia global brand Mini LED TV shipment data for the first half of 2026, TCL ranked No. 1 globally by Mini LED TV shipment volume. TCL reported 2.43 million global Mini LED TV shipments during the period, up 77.1% year on year.

For more information, visit https://www.tcl.com/southafrica/en. 

The post What Is Mini LED, Really? A Guide to What Separates Real Performance From the Label appeared first on Tech Scene ZA.

Johannesburg, 12 October 2026 | With just a few days to go until the country’s leading digital tastemakers gather under one roof, the Samsung Galaxy Content Creator Awards, have officially announced the final category nominees ahead of the main ceremony taking place on Saturday, 17 October 2026 in Johannesburg.

“We’re incredibly excited to reveal this year’s finalists and celebrate the talent, creativity and originality coming out of South Africa’s creator community,” says Manuela Dias de Deus, Founder of the Content Creator Awards and Founder of One-eyed Jack. “The calibre of the work this year has been exceptional, and we can’t wait to bring everyone together for what promises to be a very special night.”

Among the categories still up for grabs is the Excellence in Branded Content Award, which recognises campaigns that have successfully brought together brands and creators to produce work that connects with audiences in meaningful and engaging ways. The finalists in this category are:

Excellence in Branded Content Award:

• Ace Labs for Capitec Life Cover x Sihle Dembuza “Bread Winners”
• Oliver Agency for Cleanipedia presents Bakhombise
• WPP Media South Africa for Head & Shoulders #DramaFreeMzansi
• WPP Media South Africa for Gillette Venus The Last Bit of Summer
• You People for swiitchbeauty Seeing Double

The #CapturedWithGalaxy Award, presented by Samsung Galaxy, celebrates creators who demonstrate what is possible when creativity meets smartphone technology. Creators were tasked to create an extraordinary piece of content using any Samsung Galaxy device. The finalists in this category are: 

#CapturedWithGalaxy Award:

• Baxbara
• Bella Monsoon
• Kaytee Shots
• Sibo Mchunuu
• Yombusoo Cthandiweii

Speaking about the category, Rae Hargreaves, Head of Marketing: Mobile eXperience at Samsung South Africa, says “The #CapturedWithGalaxy Award celebrates the incredible artistic freedom, mobility, and visual excellence that mobile technology puts directly into the hands of creators. At Samsung, we are passionate about empowering South Africa’s next generation of storytellers with innovation that pushes creative boundaries without limits. The quality, originality, and visual polish displayed across these shortlisted reels is truly inspiring. It’s exciting to see how creators are using Samsung Galaxy technology to push the boundaries of what can be captured and shared. We’re proud to support a platform that puts South African creators and their talent firmly in the spotlight.”

The final nominations come as anticipation builds towards the main awards ceremony. As the creator economy continues to evolve, the Samsung Galaxy Content Creator Awards provide a platform to recognise the individuals and teams turning creativity into influence, entertainment and business, while celebrating the growing impact of digital content on South African culture.

Get Your Tickets Now

For fans who want to experience the action live, there are limited tickets available for purchase via Quicket, giving audiences the opportunity to see some of South Africa’s most influential creators, entertainers and digital personalities come together under one roof.

Of course, no great event comes together without the support of great partners. A special thank you to Samsung Galaxy, BYD, Cars.co.za, Telkom, YouTube, 947, eVOD, LIFT, One-eyed Jack, The Creator Club, Ray-Ban, Humanz for helping make it all possible.

For more information, visit https://www.contentcreatorawards.co.za/. 

The post Samsung Galaxy Content Creator Awards Unveil Final Nominees Ahead of This Year’s Ceremony appeared first on Tech Scene ZA.

Most sports are polite houseguests. Rugby is in and out in eighty minutes. Football gives you your afternoon back. Cricket moves in. It arrives before the coffee has finished brewing, settles into your lounge for the better part of a day, and leaves somewhere around supper with strong opinions about the third umpire.

That makes hosting a cricket day a genuine skill. You are not entertaining people for a match. You are entertaining them for a session, a rain delay, a middle-overs lull, a collapse, a recovery, and whatever happens at the braai in between. The stadium has 20 000 people to keep the energy up. At home, you have your setup.

And your setup lives or dies on sound. A big screen shows you the edge. Sound is what makes the room jump when the ball carries to slip. Sony’s home audio range is built for exactly this kind of day. Here is how to build a watch party that holds up from the first over to the last.

The all-rounder: a full surround setup, ready before the toss

If you want the stadium feeling without a weekend of installation, the BRAVIA Theatre System 6 is the shortcut. Soundbar, subwoofer and wireless rear speakers arrive as one 5.1ch package, and setup is quick enough that you can go from box to first ball in an afternoon.

With 1 000 W behind it and Dolby Atmos® and DTS:X® support, the crowd noise stops sitting in front of you and starts moving around you. The genuinely clever part for cricket is Voice Zoom 3™, which uses AI machine learning to recognise human voices and lift or lower them. Pair it with a compatible BRAVIA and the commentary stays clear over a lounge full of people arguing about an LBW call. Everyone hears the analysis. Nobody has to shout “what did he say?” Available for R11 999.00 at Sony World.

The compact opener: big sound in a small lounge

Not every host has a double-volume living room, and the BRAVIA Theatre Bar 6 is built for the flats, townhouses and rentals where drilling into the ceiling is between impractical.

It supports Dolby Atmos® and DTS:X®, and Sony’s virtual surround technology positions sound in vertical space, so you get three-dimensional audio with no in-ceiling speakers involved. Setup and control happen through your smartphone, with the app walking you through it step by step. Pair it with a BRAVIA TV and a two-bedroom lounge starts behaving like a much bigger room. Available for R7 999.00 at Sony World.

The captain’s pick: for the house that becomes the default venue

Every friendship group has one. The house with the good couch, the reliable Wi-Fi and the person who genuinely enjoys hosting. If that is you, the BRAVIA Theatre Quad is the upgrade that makes it official.

Its 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology creates up to 12 phantom speakers around the room, delivering cinema-style surround from a handful of physical speakers and covering far more of the space than conventional virtual surround. It supports Dolby Atmos® and DTS:X® and carries IMAX® Enhanced certification. Sony’s upmixer earns its keep here too, extracting and redistributing individual audio elements to build 3D sound out of stereo content, while AI Sound Separation picks out human voices and sharpens them. Useful when the broadcast feed is doing the bare minimum and you want the ball on the bat to sound like the ball on the bat. Available for R49 999.00 at Sony World.

The finisher: take the party to the braai

Cricket has more downtime than any other sport, and that downtime is your party’s real opportunity. Enter the ULT TOWER 9AC, which brings massive bass and serious sound pressure to the innings break.

Hit the ULT button for two bass modes, ULT1 for deeper low-frequency bass and ULT2 for punchy impact, then let 360° Party Sound push the energy into every corner of the room. Four tweeters send clear sound to the front and rear of the speaker, with two mid-range drivers keeping vocals crisp. There are karaoke and guitar inputs for the rain delay nobody planned for, and a TV Sound Booster function so the match audio comes with you when the action starts up again. Available for R12 999.00 at Sony World.

Build once, host all season

The beauty of a proper cricket setup is how long it earns its place. The season runs deep into the year, and your lounge only has to be built once. Get the sound right and the rest takes care of itself. Chairs, cooler box, someone who knows how to work the braai, and a room that sounds like you are sitting square of the wicket.

The post Four ways to build the ultimate cricket watch party, this summer appeared first on Tech Scene ZA.

As investors begin to back accounting and IT services firms, Specno, South Africa’s leading product consultancy firm, states that SA businesses should also turn their expertise into digital products to grow revenue beyond billable hours

In August 2026, Thrive Holdings announced more than US$2 billion in new capital and said it owned and operated over 70 businesses, with engineers building AI tools around for those practitioners’ daily work. OpenAI also took an ownership stake in the company in December 2025, with an initial focus on accounting and IT services specifically. Joshua Harvey, CEO of South African digital innovation agency and product consultancy Specno, says these investments point to an untapped opportunity for local South African businesses.

“If AI investors are backing businesses that sell human expertise, South African companies built on specialist knowledge must start asking if the expertise they sell by the hour could also be productised. While an accounting practice might seem like an unlikely AI investment, it already has what many technology start-ups spend years trying to build: paying customers, recurring problems and people who know how to solve them. South African firms should be asking whether some of their own expertise could earn revenue beyond the hours their people can work” says Harvey.

Multiplier Holdings is currently pursuing a similar model, acquiring professional-services firms and building AI tools around the work those firms deliver. Its portfolio includes Citrine International Tax and Onside Tax and Accounting.

Harvey believes this trend offers a compelling lesson for South African businesses, because it extends far beyond AI adoption to simply complete administrative tasks faster. It is an invitation for local business owners to examine what, exactly, their customers are paying for and whether part of that value could be delivered through a repeatable digital offering.

In a business that charges for time, growth usually means hiring more skilled people or asking existing teams to do more. Turning a proven method into a digital product could allow a local business to serve more customers without expecting their teams to carry a heavier load.

That might mean a subscription tool, a licensed platform or a service supported by software. The starting point, Harvey says, is a problem the business already understands: “If your best people keep solving versions of the same problem, there may be a product opportunity in that repetition. What do customers need repeatedly, and which parts of the solution can you deliver consistently through technology?”

Consider an insurance risk consultancy. An experienced engineer’s inspection method could become a tool that guides assessors through site visits, records findings and prepares draft reports for expert review. Initially, it could save the consultancy time and improve consistency. If other firms need the same capability, it could become a product others pay to use.

“Saving your team five hours is valuable. Getting another company to pay for the tool is a different challenge but also a long-term investment into a firm’s operational sustainability,” says Harvey. 

Expert oversight also remains essential wherever the work depends on professional judgement. A useful product must make clear what the technology can handle and where a qualified person needs to step in.

Harvey advises firms to start with one recurring customer problem, test willingness to pay and build a small first version with a handful of users. Specno helps businesses work through those decisions, from identifying a viable opportunity to developing and testing the product.

“For South African firms, the lesson is to look again at the expertise they already own,” he concludes. “If every new rand of revenue requires another hour of someone’s time, growth has a ceiling”. 

Harvey recommends that South African businesses hop onto the trend early, by starting with one recurring customer problem, testing willingness to pay and building a limited version with a small group of users: “This is where product consultancies like Specno play a critical role: we can help these businesses identify valuable expertise, validate demand and translate a proven method into a digital offering that can be tested and improved, ensuring our economy grows in line with the latest international economic trends”.

The post AI investors are buying professional services firms: This is what South African businesses can learn from the global trend appeared first on Tech Scene ZA.