Tag: europe

Xiaomi 15 Gets Stable HyperOS 3.1 Based on Android 16 in EEA
The long-awaited Android 16 phase has now officially started for Xiaomi’s flagship family. Today, the stable Xiaomi HyperOS 3.1 update began rolling out to Xiaomi 15 users in the European Economic Area (EEA). This major release is an important step in Xiaomi’s software progress, moving beyond earlier beta builds and delivering a fully public, stable version directly through the Updater app.

System Architecture & New Features

This update brings a major refresh to the system interface, the underlying code structure, and the company’s cross-platform ecosystem features. Here is the technical breakdown of the main additions in HyperOS 3.1:
- Advanced Hyper Island System: The dynamic notification and system status area has been noticeably refined, with smoother animations and richer, more interactive live activities around the camera cutout.
- Enhanced iOS Connectivity: Xiaomi has significantly improved its cross-platform workflow, making it easier to share files, sync clipboards, and interact between the Xiaomi 15 and Apple’s iOS ecosystem.
- iOS-Style Stacked Recent Apps: The multitasking menu has been redesigned with a stacked, card-based layout similar to iOS, making background app navigation quicker and the visual presentation more intuitive.
- Rust-Based System Applications: In a major move toward security and memory safety, several core system applications have been rewritten entirely in the Rust programming language, cutting system overhead and reducing the risk of memory leak vulnerabilities.
Update Details

Device Name: Xiaomi 15
Device Codename: dada
Target Region: EEA (Europe)
OS Version: OS3.0.301.0.WOCEUXM
Android Version: Android 16
Release Type: Stable (Publicly available via the system Updater)

For everyday users, the move to Android 16 and HyperOS 3.1 should make the phone feel noticeably smoother and more responsive. The Rust-based system apps help memory allocation work more efficiently, which should reduce the chances of the UI dropping frames during heavy multitasking.

The upgraded iOS connectivity is also likely to be especially useful for users working across mixed-device setups. It removes much of the friction involved in moving media or documents between a Xiaomi flagship and an iPad or Mac, which should make day-to-day file sharing feel far less tedious.
April 26, 2026
Huawei Unlocks More Flexible NFC Payments on Newer Watch Models
Curve Pay is available in Europe for the Huawei Watch Ultimate 2, the Huawei Watch GT 6, and a number of other Huawei smartwatches, significantly enhancing the contactless payment experience.

In the past, Quicko was the only contactless payment method available in Europe for smartwatches like the Huawei Watch GT 6. But as compared to Google Pay and Apple Pay, this approach has a lot of drawbacks. On the one hand, Quicko is not accepted in many retail chains, and credit needs to be topped up beforehand rather than just using a debit or credit card.

With the introduction of Curve Pay to Huawei smartwatches, Huawei is finally making amends. Like Apple Pay, Curve Pay lets you store numerous cards and use the NFC chip in your timepiece to make contactless purchases with them. Curve Pay is compatible with any bank account and permits cash withdrawals at an ATM, according to the vendor. The following Huawei smartwatches are compatible with Curve Pay:
- Huawei Watch GT Runner 2
- Huawei Watch Ultimate 2
- Huawei Watch GT 6
- Huawei Watch GT 5
- Huawei Watch 5
- Huawei Watch Fit 4
The Curve Pay app must be downloaded from Google Play, the Apple App Store, or the Huawei AppGallery in order to utilize the service. Instead of constantly switching to the smartphone app, stored payment methods can be chosen directly on the smartwatch via an integrated smart wallet once the app has been loaded, configured, and connected to the smartwatch. Curve Pay is free to use, but you may purchase different subscriptions if you want features like more cashback or bigger limits for free payments overseas.
April 11, 2026
Amazfit Balance 2 XT launching in Europe

Europe will soon be able to purchase the Amazfit Balance 2 XT smartwatch. However, the business has stated that it will only be accessible in a few countries through its online storefronts. With a few modifications, this device is less expensive than the conventional Balance 2 and is already offered by a US shop.

The arrival of the Balance 2 XT smartwatch in Europe has been announced by Amazfit. This wearable, which was the subject of rumors earlier this year, is now sold at Best Buy in the United States.

Amazfit Balance 2 XT
Built for Performance and Style: The sleek aluminum body and 1.5″ durable sapphire crystal glass screen of the Balance 2 smart watch offer a premium, resilient design, while dual speakers provide clear audio cues during training.
$299.99Get It Now

Amazfit has now notified Notebookcheck that the Balance 2 XT smartwatch will be available for purchase at its online stores in Italy and Spain. Although the delivery cost in this instance is unknown, the company claims that clients in other European nations will be able to have the merchandise transported to their location. Pricing and the European release date are still pending. It retails for $199.99 in the US, although one merchant advertises it for €189.91.

The original Balance 2 smartwatch, which came out earlier this year, is more expensive than the Balance 2 XT. It features a 1.5-inch mineral glass-protected AMOLED display. With more than 170 sports modes, users may record their workouts and monitor health indicators including stress, blood oxygen levels, heart rates, and sleep quality. In addition, it should have a run time of about 21 days, GPS navigation, and downloaded maps.

Amazfit Balance 2 XT
Built for Performance and Style: The sleek aluminum body and 1.5″ durable sapphire crystal glass screen of the Balance 2 smart watch offer a premium, resilient design, while dual speakers provide clear audio cues during training.
$299.99Get It Now

The basic and XT models of the Balance 2 smartwatch (now available on Amazon for $299.99) differ in a number of ways. Among these is the substitution of mineral glass for sapphire glass. Due to its reduced water resistance rating of 5 ATM, the XT will not support diving and does not feature the Golf app. The Amazfit Balance 2 XT smartwatch’s official US debut date is still unknown.

August 29, 2025
Amazfit Active 2 launches in Europe: €99 Smartwatch

Amazfit has expanded the availability of its Amazfit Active 2 smartwatch to Europe, following its initial introduction in North America. The device’s stylish design is combined with fitness and health tracking functions, making it appealing to both casual and avid fitness users.

Amazfit takes a simple, holistic approach to wellness. It prioritizes preparation, sleep quality, and weekly activities above closing rings or cramming every performance measure possible into your dashboard. And, like prior Fitbits, the Active 2 has a longer battery life than more complex smartwatches. Amazfit estimates 10 days from a charge. In testing, I scored between eight and nine.

Design and Display

The Active 2 has a stainless steel body and a 1.32-inch AMOLED display with a maximum brightness of 2,000 nits for outdoor use. There are two variants available: a normal model with red or black silicone straps, and a premium model with a black leather strap, red silicone strap, and sapphire glass for screen protection.

Tech used

The watch includes Amazfit is BioTracker 6.0 PPG biosensor, which improves heart rate and blood oxygen monitoring, as well as better sleep-tracking algorithms. New features include an altitude tracking barometer and support for skiing and other winter sports. Under typical conditions, the battery is expected to last 10 days. Zepp Flow voice controls let Android users to respond to communications by text or voice.

Fitness and Health Tracking

The watch supports over 160 sports modes, including HYROX races, and it automatically identifies strength-training routines (reps, sets, and rest intervals). Offline maps with turn-by-turn navigation are available and powered by five satellite systems. A daily Readiness score (used to monitor physical/mental recovery), HRV tracking, and Wild.AI integration for menstrual cycle insights are among the health features.

Pricing & availability

The Amazfit Active 2 is now available in Europe, with the standard model priced at €99 (~$100 in the US) and the premium model at €129 (~$130 in the US). There is no confirmation yet on additional regional launches.

March 22, 2025