Technology

• AOOSTAR’s NEX395 has the power, but the cooling system remains a complete mystery
• Radeon 8060S beats RX 7600 XT in specs, making external GPU pairing confusing
• Without OCuLink, the eGPU dock likely suffers major bottlenecks in real-world tasks

AOOSTAR NEX395 is the latest in a growing field of AI-focused mini PCs which comes in a box-like casing that departs from the more common designs found in the segment.

The company says the NEX395 uses AMD’s flagship Strix Halo processor, a 16-core, 32-thread chip with boost speeds up to 5.1GHz.

It includes 40 RONA 3.5 compute units and appears to support up to 128GB of memory, most likely LPDDR5X given the compact casing.

Memory capacity matches rivals, but key hardware details are missing

This level of memory is in line with other mini PCs targeting AI development workflows, especially those involving large language models.

However, no details have been confirmed regarding storage, cooling, or motherboard layout.

The device looks more like an oversized SSD enclosure or an external GPU dock than a full-fledged desktop system.

Its slim, rectangular, vent-heavy design completely deviates from the usual cube or NUC-style mini PCs.

Holding it in your palm feels more like gripping a chunky power bank or a Mac mini cut in half, definitely not what you’d expect from a 16-core AI workstation.

The layout makes you question where the thermal headroom or upgradable internals even fit.

The AOOSTAR NEX395 includes an integrated Radeon 8060S GPU, part of the Ryzen AI MAX+ 395 APU.

However, it also sells an external eGPU enclosure featuring the Radeon RX 7600 XT.

Given that the integrated GPU already offers a newer architecture and more compute units than the RX 7600 XT, the use case for pairing the two is unclear.

Also, the NEX395 does not appear to support high-speed eGPU connectivity like OCuLink, which would limit bandwidth for external graphics support.

Port selection includes dual Ethernet ports, four USB-A ports, USB-C, HDMI, and DisplayPort outputs, along with a dedicated power input, suggesting reliance on an external power brick.

Without confirmed thermal design or sustained performance metrics, it’s unclear whether this system can function reliably in roles normally filled by the best workstation PC or best business PC options.

Unfortunately, the pricing details for the NEX395 are currently unavailable.

Given the $1500–$2000 range of comparable models such as the HP Z2 Mini G1a and GMKTEC EVO-X2, AOOSTAR’s model is unlikely to be cheap.

Via Videocardz

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Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for July 10, #760.

Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for Thursday, July 10, No. 760.

Here are hints and the answer for today's Wordle for July 10, No. 1,482.

Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle for July 10, No. 494.

• OnexGPU Lite reuses the same chip but adds Thunderbolt 5 to stay relevant
• The RX 7600M XT continues to show up while RDNA4 remains nowhere in sight
• AMD keeps winning eGPU slots while Nvidia remains largely absent from this niche segment

The external GPU market has been quietly evolving in recent years, and AMD appears to be securing a rather strange lead in this niche.

The debut of OnexGPU Lite makes it the 11th known eGPU powered by an AMD Radeon RX 7000 series chip, and it’s now clear vendors are consistently choosing AMD over Nvidia for their modular graphics solutions.

However, the reason(s) behind this momentum remains unclear, especially when broader market trends still favor Nvidia for desktop and mobile gaming.

Thunderbolt 5 takes the spotlight

The OnexGPU Lite is the latest entry in a growing list of eGPUs using the Radeon RX 7600M XT, a mobile RDNA3 GPU with a known 120W power ceiling.

Although not the best GPU in AMD's lineup, it has become a go-to for modular setups.

According to Onexplayer, the Lite version is currently undergoing beta testing and will launch "soon," but there is no confirmed price, release date, or detailed spec sheet.

Unlike the higher-end OnexGPU 2 that features the Radeon RX 7800M, the Lite version isn’t targeting raw power.

Instead, it seems designed to balance portability and futureproofing, with one key upgrade: support for Thunderbolt 5.

This is a notable development, as it marks one of the first eGPUs to adopt the new interface.

Onexplayer claims Thunderbolt 5 will mean "PCIe bandwidth will be doubled," although the actual PCIe tunneling remains at 64Gbps, the same as OCuLink.

What sets Thunderbolt 5 apart is its ability to support both power delivery and display output over a single cable, features that OCuLink lacks.

This emphasis on all-in-one connectivity is likely to appeal to creators using a laptop for video editing or for Photoshop.

For them, fewer cables and more streamlined setups can make a real difference.

Still, the reliance on the RX 7600M XT, with no sign of RDNA4 hardware on the horizon, does raise questions about performance ceilings.

That said, it appears that the selling point of this device will be the inclusion of Thunderbolt 5, but whether this will justify its place in a market still searching for a truly compelling external graphics solution remains to be seen.

Without more powerful mobile chips available, vendors are essentially repackaging the same core GPU in new chassis with slightly upgraded ports.

The AMD-centric trend in the eGPU space might seem surprising, but it could reflect pricing, power efficiency, or driver integration preferences.

Via Videocardz

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Commentary: Samsung touts its AI features as transformative to your mobile experience. How come my experience feels pretty much the same?

Nearly 8 million borrowers will be notified starting as early as July 10 to select a new payment plan.

This week, Samsung is boldly unveiling some of its most remarkable folding phones ever. They're thinner, lighter, smarter, and, yes, more expensive. In the US, at least, that trend may continue in more dramatic fashion if President Trump moves forward with his 25% tariff on goods produced in South Korea.

Perhaps you didn't realize that despite its ubiquity in the US, Samsung is based and operated out of South Korea. Like many global tech companies, it manufactures products at its home base, as well as in Vietnam, India, and Taiwan. In the US, President Donald Trump is trying to drag manufacturing back to the US shores and doing so mostly through the coercion of tariffs, which are basically taxes applied to all goods shipped into the US. It's a cost that some worry will eventually be passed along to the consumer.

While not directly addressing the price of the now more expensive Galaxy Z Fold 7 and other Samsung mobile devices, Samsung Executive Vice President of Mobile Experience Dave Das said, during a Samsung Unpacked breakfast panel this week in response to a question on the impact of tariffs, "I'll say the chips have not fully fallen where they may."

Das joked, "The situation is so fluid, so rapidly changing, that I feel like I have to check my phone right now to make sure whatever I'm saying is still applicable."

Samsung, Das contends, could be in a better position – at least as it refers to mobile products – to weather these fast-changing global trade circumstances. "I think one of Samsung's greatest strengths is how agile and flexible we are," said Das, referring to Samsung's skills in manufacturing and supply chain management.

His team is gaming out various scenarios, but they are also keeping the lines of communication open. "We are working closely with this administration to ensure that no matter what, Samsung is able to deliver the best products, the best experiences, the best services to US consumers at an attractive price and a competitive price."

Das didn't talk specifically about any product or reference the $100 price increase on the latest Z Fold model, though it's fair to assume that this adjustment is less about tariff concerns and more about more expensive components (the new 200MP sensor) and manufacturing (4.2mm thickness).

A dynamic situation

Flexibility in the rapidly evolving tariff picture is key, noted Das, adding that the team wants to manage and "work with the administration, again, to ensure we stay on course, and focused and we're delivering great products."

It's a solid and rational answer in the face of what may be some irrational forces. Keeping track of where the US Administration is applying tariffs and by how much is almost impossible because it has changed if not by the hour, then certainly by the day.

As I write this, the tariffs on South Korea could equal 25%. By the time you read it, it could be lower or higher. What will matter to consumers most, though, is what they'll be paying for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7, 7 Flip FE, Z Fold 7, and all those wonderful Galaxy S25 handsets.

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• AOOStar RX 7600XT eGPU runs hot but slower than its full desktop counterpart
• Not all laptops will handle USB4 reverse charging or PCIe 4.0 bandwidth gracefully
• At 61 decibels, the cooling solution trades thermal control for constant ambient noise

As more compact computing solutions crowd the market, mini PC vendors are increasingly turning to external graphics units to offer an upgrade path.

AOOStar is the latest to join this trend with the release of its XG76XT eGPU, built around AMD’s Radeon RX 7600XT and supporting 16GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit interface.

This desktop-grade GPU is based on the RDNA 3 architecture, built using a 6nm process, and features 32 compute units.

Performance limits and thermal design

Marketed as a modular solution for users seeking to enhance visual performance without transitioning to a full desktop, the device’s specifications appear solid on paper.

The graphics processor supports a game clock of 2470 MHz and a power ceiling of 150W in this enclosure, down from the GPU’s full desktop TGP of 190W.

This limitation could affect sustained performance, especially in thermally demanding applications.

However, for those seeking a compromise between mobile convenience and graphical muscle, it may offer a boost, particularly when integrated GPUs fall short for tasks such as editing high-res images or handling multiple 4K displays.

The enclosure includes a custom vapor chamber cooling solution, a full copper heatsink, and a fan housed under a honeycomb-style top grill.

While this setup appears capable of keeping thermals in check, the noise level under load reportedly reaches up to 61 decibels.

That’s not whisper-quiet by any standard, and it could be disruptive in shared or silent workspaces.

AOOStar XG76XT supports both Oculink and USB4, which allow hot swapping and offer up to 100W reverse power delivery, potentially charging your laptop over the same cable.

This might seem convenient for those using a laptop for video editing or for Photoshop, although not all systems will support these features equally.

USB4 relies on PCIe 4.0 lanes, which improve bandwidth over legacy eGPU approaches, but performance bottlenecks compared to internal GPUs are still possible.

On the display side, the XG76XT features one HDMI 2.1 port, two DisplayPort 2.1 outputs, and a Type-C port that supports DisplayPort 1.4 with 15W power delivery.

At ¥3399 (roughly $470), the pricing is not unreasonable for an eGPU with a current-generation GPU.

Yet for anyone looking for the best GPU for demanding creative work or high-end gaming, internal desktop cards in a traditional tower still offer better performance per dollar.

At the time of writing, this device is out of stock and there is no confirmed global release or restock date.

Via Videocardz

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In case you missed it, Samsung just announced its latest raft of foldables in its latest Galaxy Unpacked presentation, but we actually already had the opportunity to go hands-on with the new phones ahead of the main event.

That's right, we've actually touched and used the impressively thin Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, as well as the new Z Flip 7 and Flip 7 FE, Samsung's first budget-first foldable. But wait, there's more... Samsung also announced the new Watch8 and Watch8 classic, packed out with a host of cool new features and a world-first smartwatch antioxidant index.

To hear our initial thoughts, join myself, Hamish Hector and Axel Metz, as well as friend of the show and special guest, Nick Benton from TA Tech Tips.

Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel, or if you prefer an audio-only podcast experience you can listen along on Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. There, you'll find all of our previous episode, including our CES and gaming specials.

So, what are you waiting for? Find out who we think the Z Flip 7 is actually for, why we're calling the Z Flip 7 an S25 Ultra competitor why we think this is the most excitable foldable phone launch event from Samsung in a while.

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Samsung's second Galaxy Unpacked event of the year is over – and it was another big one for fans of foldables and smartwatches.

As predicted by the (many) leaks and rumors, Samsung launched a trio of new foldables. Leading the pack was the new Z Fold 7, but we were also treated to more affordable alternatives in the Z Flip 7 and Z Flip 7 FE (which appears to be the Z Flip 6 in disguise).

It wasn't just a big foldables fest either, with Samsung also delivering the Galaxy 8 series. Alongside the new Galaxy Watch 8, we also saw the return of the rotating bezel with the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, a smartwatch that also does a very good impersonation of a dress watch.

But what else did Samsung reveal (or fail to reveal) at what will likely be its last Unpacked event of 2025? Here are all of the big headlines in one handy place...

1. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 finally brings a usable cover screen to the party

(Image credit: TechRadar)

In recent years, it’s felt like the Galaxy Z Flip series has been one step behind the competition – but that finally changes with the new Galaxy Z Flip 7.

Samsung has seemingly innovated in all the right places with its latest flip foldable, which boasts a big, beautiful cover display (it’s now 4.1 inches!) and a host of meaningful longevity upgrades like a stronger hinge and a more powerful Exynos 2500 chipset.

The Flip 7’s internal display has been beefed up, too. At 6.9 inches, it’s bigger and wider than the inner screen on the Galaxy Z Flip 6, and as we noted in our hands-on Galaxy Z Flip 7 review, this size increase “makes the phone feel more like a Galaxy S25 Ultra and less like an oddly-shaped foldable in the hand.”

Other upgrades include a larger battery and improved waterproofing, but the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is all about the new display experience – both screens are bigger and better, and as a result, Samsung’s Flip series no longer trails behind the likes of the Motorola Razr Ultra.

2. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is an ‘Ultra’ level phone with a price to matchImage 1 of 4

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)Image 2 of 4

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)Image 3 of 4

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(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 was arguably the star of this latest Unpacked event. Far from just being an iterative upgrade, this was an all-round improvement on the already-excellent Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, as we’ve described in our hands-on Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 review.

There are of course the expected power upgrades, with this phone gaining a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and – at the top end – an extra 4GB of RAM. But Samsung has also equipped the Galaxy Z Fold 7 with a new 200MP primary snapper, and increased the sizes of both screens.

Perhaps most importantly, this is by far the slimmest and lightest Z Fold yet, coming in at just 215g (that’s less than the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra!), and just 8.9mm thick when folded and 4.2mm thick when unfolded.

But all of this comes at a high price, with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 starting at $1,999.99 / £1,799 AU$2,899 – which in the US is $100 more than last year’s phone and in Australia is AU$150 more. Ouch.

3. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 has been reborn as the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FEImage 1 of 4

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)Image 2 of 4

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)Image 3 of 4

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)Image 4 of 4

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

For the first time, Samsung has launched an FE version of one of its foldable phones, giving potential buyers a cheaper entry point than usual. But if you’ve been keeping an eye on foldable phones then the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE might seem strangely familiar to you.

That’s because this is basically just the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 all over again. It has exactly the same dimensions, it weighs the same, and they both have a 6.7-inch 120Hz foldable display and a 3.4-inch 60Hz cover screen.

@techradar

♬ original sound - TechRadar

Their cameras are the same too (though in fairness they also match the standard Z Flip 7’s camera specs), and both phones have a 4,000mAh battery.

The main differences are simply the chipset and RAM, with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE having an Exynos 2400 and 8GB, rather than a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and 12GB. So the newer phone is actually less powerful – but it also costs less, starting at $899 / £849 / AU$1,499. Whether that lower price will be enough to tempt buyers remains to be seen.

4. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is slimmer and brighter than before

(Image credit: Future)

It wasn’t just phones at Unpacked – Samsung also unveiled some wearables, including the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, and this has a new slimmer 8.6mm thick design, and a much brighter screen that can reach 3,000 nits.

It’s not only the hardware that’s been upgraded either, as the Galaxy Watch 8 also has some new software features, such as Gemini on your wrist, and a new Running Coach, which can put you on one of 160 different running plans.

@techradar

♬ original sound - TechRadar

There’s also now an Antioxidant Index, which can give you an idea of whether you’re eating enough fruit and vegetables (though deep down you probably know the answer to that already).

It’s not all good news – our hands-on Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 review noted for example that the battery life is still too short, but the upgrades that have been made sound promising. There's also a new Classic version, for fans of rotating bezels...

5. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is this year’s answer to the Ultra

(Image credit: Future)

Last year, Samsung launched the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, but rather than getting a new Ultra model this year, we’ve got the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic.

The Classic has a rotating bezel, much like previous Classic models, and our hands-on Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic review was as taken with this as ever. But it also borrows from the Ultra with, for example, a programmable Quick Button. And while this wearable is definitely dressed to impress, it’s not small, coming in at a chunky 10.6mm thick.

Most of the other highlights are on the software side, with the Watch 8 Classic packing on-wrist Gemini, sleep apnea detection, and the same new Running Coach app as the standard Galaxy Watch 8.

At $499 / £449 / AU$899 this is a pricier prospect than the standard Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, but it’s also sure to turn more heads.

6. Google Gemini comes to the Galaxy Watch 8 – and all Wear OS smartwatches

(Image credit: Samsung)

One of the big AI announcements at this Unpacked event was that Google Gemini would be coming to the Galaxy Watch 8 series. And now Google has followed that up by revealing that Gemini is rolling out across all Wear OS watches, including those from Oppo, OnePlus, Xiaomi and, of course, Pixel watches.

This means you’ll be able to talk to Gemini without having your phone nearby, and will let you ask your smartwatch questions using natural language. In theory, you should get speedy, concise answers too, but we’ll be looking to try this out for ourselves before passing judgement.

Google says Gemini will start to roll out to Wear OS watches “over the coming weeks”, as long as your watch is running Wear OS 4 or higher.

7. The One UI 8 rollout is landing soon (for some)

(Image credit: Samsung / Google)

If it doesn’t feel that long since One UI 7 landed, it wasn’t – Samsung’s take on Android 15 arrived as recently as December 2024. But One UI 8 will soon take the baton just six months on, with the new OS pre-installed on the Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 – both of which ship on July 25.

So, what’s new with One UI 8? As we covered in our recent rumor roundup, you can expect to see an improved AI audio eraser, plus several other AI improvements. These include a more powerful Gemini Live feature (now also available on the Z Flip 7’s Flex Window) and a better version of Circle to Search, which can tap into Google’s AI Mode for more in-depth answers to your questions.

One of our big unanswered questions, though, is exactly when One UI 8 will rollout to older Samsung devices like the Galaxy S25? Samsung didn't address that at its latest Unpacked, which will leave some worried that it could drag on in a similar vein to One UI 7.

8. The Z Fold 7 ditches the S Pen

(Image credit: Future / Carlos Pedrós)

One more controversial piece of news from Samsung’s second Unpacked this year is that the Z Fold 7 has dropped support for the S Pen. Why? It’s all in aid of that slimmer foldable design.

By ditching the digitizer layer in the display that supports the S Pen, Samsung has been able to get the Z Fold 7 down to just 8.9mm thick when folded and only 4.2mm when unfolded. For some, the lack of S Pen support will be an annoying compromise, but Samsung clearly thinks it’s one that's worth making.

@techradar

♬ original sound - TechRadar

To be fair, the Z Fold series has never come with an S Pen, nor has it had a slot where you could stash one away. It was also only possible to use it on the foldable’s inner display, rather than the cover display. But Samsung may have incurred the wrath of power users who see the Fold series as the natural heirs to its old Note family.

9. Samsung's tri-foldable still isn't ready for prime-time

We had hoped to see Samsung officially reveal its answer to the Huawei Mate XT (above) at Unpacked 2025, but the wait goes on (Image credit: Huawei)

All of the stars were pointing to an official teaser of the Samsung Galaxy tri-foldable, or G Fold as it's been referred to in rumors, at this Unpacked 2025 event. But we didn't even get a five-second trailer.

This was disappointing, as in recent days we've seen the first signs of the tri-foldable appear in One UI 8, along with credible rumors about mass production starting in September. That led us to think that Samsung would at least start building the hype for its next big foldable design.

But there are also likely good reasons why it didn't, including the tri-foldable's expected exclusivity. Not only is it rumored to be prohibitively expensive (early whispers predicted a tag in the region of $3,000-$3,500), there's a chance it may also only go on sale in South Korea and China, initially.

If that's the case, then a reveal at a global event like Unpacked 2025 would make less sense. But it doesn't make us any less excited about seeing it later this year.

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• Gaming handheld prototype spotted with AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 inside
• Strix Halo offers triple the performance of current handheld APU solutions
• GPD could combine console-class graphics with workstation-level AI processing

GPD has made a name for itself by building compact gaming consoles and ultra-portable laptops, often blurring the lines between console and PC.

Its devices, like the Win series and Pocket line, have found favor with enthusiasts looking for performance in tight form factors and, in 2024 GPD expanded its lineup with a dual-screen OLED laptop aimed at creators - we even said the GPD Duo “may be the best mobile workstation ever.”

Now, a newly leaked image spotted by Videocardz suggests GPD could be preparing something far more ambitious - a gaming handheld powered by AMD’s high-end Ryzen AI Max+ 395 APU.

GPD STX Halo handheld prototypeSource：QQ pic.twitter.com/nhSf5xucR3June 28, 2025

Power efficiency concerns

The prototype “GPD STX Halo handheld”, shared on X by HXL (see above), shows a 3DMark TimeSpy score of 10,393, with a graphics score of 10,366 and a CPU score of 10,552. That’s a steep jump from what current Strix Point-based handhelds can achieve.

The chip inside, which is a Ryzen AI Max+ 395 with Radeon 8060S graphics, packs 16 Zen 5 CPU cores and 40 RDNA 3.5 Compute Units.

It’s AMD’s most powerful integrated GPU to date, offering more than twice the GPU hardware found in chips like the Ryzen 7 8840U or 8945HS.

Based on the benchmark figures in HXL's image, GPD's prototype could outperform current-generation handhelds by a wide margin.

Power efficiency remains a concern, however. As Videocardz notes, Strix Halo has a default TDP of 120W, which would normally be too much for a handheld. The architecture can scale down to 20-25W however, and early testing indicates it still retains a performance edge over Strix Point even when throttled.

It’s unclear if this is close to being a final product or just an internal test unit as GPD hasn’t made any official announcements yet.

That said, the prototype points to a possible future where handheld consoles offer desktop-class power, and we’re definitely here for that.

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• Koi Security researchers found almost two dozen browser add-ons spying on users
• The add-ons were tracking visited sites and communicating with remote C2 infrastructure
• Users were likely compromised along the way

Many Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge browser add-ons, including several prominent products, were found to be spying on users and communicating with a third-party server, in what appears to be a supply-chain attack with millions of victims.

Security researchers from Koi Security were recently looking into a seemingly benign Chrome add-on called “Color Picker, Eyedropper — Geco colorpick” which allows users to quickly identify and copy color codes from any point within their browser.

While working as advertised, and having thousands of downloads and positive reviews, the add-on also did something in the background - it hijacked browser activity, tracked the websites users were visiting, and communicated with remote C2 infrastructure. This prompted the researchers to investigate further, leading to the discovery of an entire web of add-ons, all doing similar things.

How to stay safe

They named the campaign Operation RedDirection, and counted 18 add-ons, cumulatively compromising 2.3 million users across Chrome and Edge.

The entire list of add-ons can be found here - it includes VPNs, site “unblockers”, weather forecast add-ons, emoji add-ons, and more.

The researchers also determined that these add-ons were not malicious from the get-go. They were simple, clean products that were most likely hijacked somewhere along the line. Many have hundreds of positive reviews, and some were featured in prominent places on the Chrome Web Store.

Most were removed from the Play Store, but according to BleepingComputer, “many of them continue to be available”. Although it wasn’t clearly specified, it’s safe to assume they’re available through third-party stores and standalone websites.

If you were running any of the add-ons from the list, you should remove them immediately, clear browsing data, and run a full system scan using an updated antivirus solution.

It would also be wise to replace any passwords stored in the browser, as well as other sensitive auto-fill data. Data breaches are becoming increasingly common, with almost a third of enterprises experiencing a breach despite increased cybersecurity investments. You can see whether your information is affected using the popular breach checking website HaveIBeenPwned?

As well as identity theft protection software, users can keep themselves secure by being ultra cautious of any unexpected communications, thoroughly checking any emails and texts they receive, and never clicking on any untrusted links.

Via BleepingComputer

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