By Joe Udo
BEIJING (CONVERSEER) – We bring to you the latesy tech news for yesterday and Today, Friday, 19 December 2025, including new iPhone and Xiaomi entry. Read below.
1. Lei Jun: The Xiaomi 17 Ultra will be officially released next week!
Lei Jun, founder, chairman, and CEO of Xiaomi, announced on December 18th that the Xiaomi 17 Ultra will be officially released next week! Leaks suggest the new phone will use Qualcomm’s fifth-generation Snapdragon 8 Ultra chip, come pre-installed with HyperOS 3.0, and feature a new professional photography grip.
2. On December 18th, the entire island of Hainan Free Trade Port will be sealed off, gradually implementing a “zero tariff, low tax rate, and simplified tax system”
The Hainan Free Trade Port officially launched its island-wide customs clearance operation on December 18th, implementing a policy of “zero tariffs, low tax rates, and a simplified tax system,” offering broader benefits and lower barriers to entry for businesses and individuals. This means that purchasing various products in Hainan will be cheaper.
3. Zootopia 2 became the highest-grossing imported film in Chinese film history, surpassing Avengers: Endgame
The film “Zootopia 2” has surpassed 91.06 million viewers, exceeding the viewership of “Avengers: Endgame”, becoming the highest-grossing imported film in Chinese film history.
4. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is expected to be the first phone to use the Leica red “Coke logo”
The Xiaomi Mi 17 Ultra will be officially released next week, featuring an upgraded global imaging strategic partnership with Leica, introducing a “strategic co-creation model.” According to blogger @DigitalChatStation, the Xiaomi Mi 17 Ultra is expected to be the first phone to use the Leica “Cola logo,” specifically a red one.
5. New renders of Apple’s first foldable iPhone have surfaced: 5.49-inch external screen / 7.76-inch internal screen, 4.8mm/9.6mm thick.
Data shows that the device has a width of 83.8 mm on one side and a height of only 120.6 mm. Most notably, it boasts impressive thickness control: in its unfolded state, the body is only 4.8 mm thick, and even when folded, it’s a mere 9.6 mm (excluding the camera protrusion).
6. Daniel Wu was spotted holding a Xiaomi 17 Ultra phone
The Xiaomi Mi 17 Ultra will be officially released next week, featuring an upgraded global imaging strategic partnership with Leica, introducing a “strategic co-creation model.” It is expected to be the first phone to use the Leica “Coke logo,” specifically a red one.
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7. Lu Weibing: The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is the first product under the new cooperation model, bringing a new generation of 1-inch main camera sensor and Leica APO telephoto lens
Lu Weibing, Partner and President of Xiaomi Group, President of the Mobile Phone Division, and General Manager of the Xiaomi Brand, posted an article on December 18th reporting: The Xiaomi 17 Ultra’s release this year, taking over the ultra-high-end market, also signifies that Xiaomi has completed its new release rhythm of ‘all flagship high-end models released in the same year’.
8. Rumors suggest that Xiaomi may be developing its own “Extraordinary Master” camera, a 1-inch sensor with a 200MP telephoto lens, potentially the only one of its kind in 26 years.
On December 18th, Xiaomi officially announced an upgrade to its global imaging strategic partnership with Leica, introducing a “strategic co-creation model” to reshape the mobile imaging experience. Blogger @DigitalChatStation revealed that this upgraded strategic partnership represents a closer and more multi-layered collaboration between the two companies, and there may be more than one new phone; Xiaomi aims to have its own extraordinary masters.
9. Epic Games Store “kneels down in apology”: We hope everyone can enjoy every game they add to their library; each one is a unique product
Epic Games Store’s annual Christmas giveaway event begins tonight, but the official team apologized to players on December 18th at noon, stating that the games given away may not satisfy everyone and may also have one or two region-locked issues. Therefore, they sincerely apologized to every player who has been following them.
10. On the first day of Hainan’s border closure, Apple’s iPhone 17 series can be reduced by up to 2140 yuan
Hainan Free Trade Port officially launched its island-wide customs closure on December 18th. What impact will this have on ordinary people? Will shopping in Hainan be even more enjoyable?
11. Galloping Horse Embarks on a New Journey: The Mascot for CCTV’s 2026 Spring Festival Gala Released
The mascots for the 2026 CCTV Spring Festival Gala were unveiled on December 18th: four spirited horses make their debut, galloping forth on a new journey. According to reports, the mascots’ design is inspired by classic images of horses from different periods in Chinese history, incorporating ancient patterns such as flowing cloud and mountain cloud motifs, embodying the auspicious wishes of success and a bright future
12. Meituan Waimai officially announced Jay Chou as its brand ambassador
On December 18th, Meituan Waimai officially announced Jay Chou as its brand ambassador, and advertising has already begun on various apps.
13. The only one in China and the largest in Asia: A giant seabed gold mine has been discovered in Yantai, Shandong
According to the Information Office of Yantai Municipal People’s Government, a new giant seabed gold mine, the only one of its kind in China and the largest in Asia, has been discovered in the northern waters of Sanshan Island in Laizhou City. The city’s total proven gold reserves exceed 3,900 tons, accounting for approximately 26% of the national total, making it the top city in China in both gold reserves and production.
