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We get a look at a North Korean smartphone's surveillance tools
Amazfit Helio Strap Debuts with New BioCharge Tracking Tech
Joel Joseph
June 04, 2025
GIZMOCHINA DAILY
Daily Tech News & Insights, Every Weekday.
Good morning, tech folks! ☀️
Ever wonder what phones are like in a surveillance state? 📱👁️
Today, we've got a rare look inside North Korea's heavily restricted smartphones, Nintendo revealing repair costs for their upcoming Switch 2, and Amazfit introducing new health tracking technology.
Meanwhile, Apple might finally be adding 120Hz to standard iPhones (with a twist), and Red Magic is challenging the iPad Mini with a larger OLED gaming tablet.
Here's what you'll find in today's tech roundup:
A disturbing look at North Korean smartphone surveillance
Nintendo Switch 2's official repair pricing
Amazfit's new BioCharge tracking wearable
iPhone 17's potential 120Hz upgrade with limitations
Red Magic Gaming Tablet 3 Pro's iPad Mini challenge
Additional reads about Xiaomi outdoor cameras, LG's 5K2K monitor, and Vivo's photography phone
Read on for all the details!
A newly smuggled smartphone from North Korea has just offered us a glimpse at the unusual depth of the state’s control in its citizens’ daily life.
This model is packed with restrictions and surveillance tools that are tailored to reinforce the government’s message.
The rare look at this smartphone from North Korea comes from a BBC video, which was originally acquired by Seoul’s Daily NK. This paints an unsettling picture of the lives of North Koreans.
Read on to find out more.
 Nintendo’s long-awaited Switch 2 is set to hit shelves officially today for $449.99, but the company has already pulled back the curtain on something far less flashy and far more practical: repair costs. If you’re planning to buy one and considering how fast preorders have moved, many already have; it’s worth knowing how much you might pay down the road if your shiny new console starts acting up. |  Amazfit‘s latest announcement is a new smart wearable band. This model is dubbed the Helio Strap, which also arrives in a Helio Strap HYROX Edition. The company has already started teasing the product on social media and has showcased its health tracking features. The popular smart wearables maker announced the Helio Strap via its official social media account with a dedicated blog post revealing more details regarding the Helio Strap HYROX Edition. |
 Apple might finally be upgrading the display refresh rate on its standard iPhones. The brand came under fire after it released the premium iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus that cost hundreds of dollars with 60Hz screens. But the iPhone 17 and the new iPhone 17 Air could be getting a smoother display. While this is great news for those who don’t wish to splurge on the Pro models, there is still a twist. |  Chinese tech brands are stepping up their game to challenge Apple’s dominance in both smartphones and tablets. Following in the footsteps of Lenovo’s Legion Y700 (Gen 4), Nubia is positioning its Red Magic Gaming Tablet 3 Pro, which is set to launch on June 11 in China, as a direct competitor to the iPad Mini 7. To highlight its design advantage, Nubia has shared teaser images showing that the tablet, while similar in size to the iPad Mini 7, features a noticeably larger 9-inch display. |
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Joel Joseph
Editor-in-Chief @ Gizmochina.com