Oppo Find X8 Mini Design Leaked Online, Expected to Feature Slim Profile

The Oppo Find X8 Mini is anticipated to join the Oppo Find X8 and Find X8 Pro in Oppo’s lineup, following the launch of the other models in China in October 2024. As the smaller, lighter variant, the Find X8 Mini is expected to offer a more compact design while still retaining many of the high-end features seen in its larger counterparts. Recent leaks suggest that the Mini version will have a notably slim profile, likely measuring under 8mm in thickness, making it thinner and lighter than the standard Oppo Find X8.

According to tipster Digital Chat Station, who shared insights on Weibo, the Oppo Find X8 Mini will likely have a thickness ranging between 7mm and 7.99mm, making it one of the thinnest flagship phones on the market. For comparison, the regular Oppo Find X8 measures 7.85mm in thickness. This slim profile could help position the Find X8 Mini as a sleek and portable alternative to the larger models, appealing to users who prefer a more pocket-friendly device without compromising on performance.

In addition to its thin profile, the Oppo Find X8 Mini is expected to be lighter than the Oppo Find X8, which weighs 193g. The tipster noted that such a thin, lightweight flagship phone is rare, suggesting that Oppo is focusing on creating a highly portable yet powerful device. The Mini model is also rumored to feature a flat display, which could add to the phone’s sleek and modern aesthetic.

Beyond its design, the Oppo Find X8 Mini is expected to come equipped with a 6.31-inch 1.5K LTPO OLED display, offering a vibrant and energy-efficient viewing experience. Under the hood, the phone is likely to be powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 9400 SoC, ensuring strong performance and smooth multitasking. The device is also set to feature a glass body, a metal middle frame, and an optical in-display fingerprint sensor for enhanced security. With these expected features, the Oppo Find X8 Mini could be a solid contender in the mid-range flagship category.

Mysterious Fast Radio Bursts Emanate from Ancient Dead Galaxy, Puzzling Scientists

A distant galaxy, which ceased star formation billions of years ago, has been found emitting strange fast radio bursts (FRBs), leaving scientists puzzled and scrambling for answers. These bursts, typically associated with young, active galaxies undergoing star formation, are now being detected in an ancient, dead galaxy—posing a serious challenge to current theories on the origin of FRBs. The phenomenon, which has been observed at the outskirts of this inactive galaxy, suggests that something beyond the usual stellar explosions like supernovae might be at play.

The findings, detailed in two studies published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters on January 21, 2025, reveal that astronomers detected 22 fast radio bursts between February and November 2024 using the Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment (CHIME) telescope in British Columbia. These bursts were traced back to an 11-billion-year-old galaxy that had long ceased to form new stars. This discovery is especially perplexing, as FRBs are typically linked to galaxies still in the throes of stellar creation, making this ancient galaxy an unlikely source for such energetic signals.

This groundbreaking discovery forces astronomers to reconsider existing theories about FRBs. Traditionally, these bursts are thought to originate from supernovae or other energetic events in star-forming galaxies. However, this new observation raises the possibility of other unknown mechanisms that could be generating these bursts in an otherwise quiet galaxy. This revelation has opened up a new avenue of research into the nature of FRBs and their origins.

Tarraneh Eftekhari, an astronomer at Northwestern University and co-author of the study, explained in an interview with Live Science that only about a hundred FRBs have been definitively linked to their host galaxies, most of which are in regions where active star formation is occurring. The new discovery challenges the idea that FRBs are exclusively tied to such environments, suggesting that we may need to revise our understanding of these mysterious signals and explore other potential sources. This study underscores the complexity of the universe and the many phenomena still waiting to be understood.

Apple Suspends Advanced Data Protection Feature in the UK Due to Government Pressure

Apple has announced it is pulling its most advanced security feature, Advanced Data Protection (ADP), from the UK in response to government pressure demanding access to user data. This decision marks an unprecedented move by the tech giant, which had previously touted ADP as a significant advancement in user privacy. The feature, designed to provide end-to-end encryption across a broad spectrum of cloud data, will no longer be available to new users in Britain. Those who attempt to activate the feature will receive an error message starting Friday.

Existing users of ADP in the UK will eventually be required to disable the security feature, signaling a significant shift in how Apple handles data privacy in the country. With ADP, Apple had ensured that even it could not access certain types of user data, such as iCloud backups and iMessages. The removal of this encryption means that iCloud backups in the UK will now be less secure, allowing Apple to access user data and potentially provide it to authorities if legally compelled to do so.

This change has raised concerns among privacy advocates who view end-to-end encryption as a critical safeguard against surveillance and unauthorized data access. Apple had positioned ADP as a major step forward in protecting users’ personal information from hackers, cybercriminals, and even governmental overreach. However, with the UK government pushing for greater access to encrypted data in the name of national security, Apple has been forced to make this difficult concession.

While the company has not specified the exact legal demands that led to the removal of ADP in the UK, this move suggests increasing tension between tech companies and governments over the balance between privacy and law enforcement needs. As the situation unfolds, Apple’s decision may set a precedent for other tech giants and could signal a shift in how encryption technologies are implemented globally.