Future Technology[Hardware Weekly] Nvidia goes quiet, AMD gets loud
Nvidia is sitting this generation out. No new RTX cards, no Super refresh, just a software update. AMD and Intel are both using the silence to make moves of their own.
The Big 3
Nvidia skips new GPUs, ships DLSS 4.5 instead
Nvidia has confirmed nothing beyond variants of the existing RTX 50 lineup for the rest of 2026, no new architecture, no Super refresh, no fresh SKU. What it shipped instead is DLSS 4.5 with a rebuilt Ray Reconstruction model that merges denoising and upscaling into a single AI network. It is rolling out free this month to RTX 20 series through RTX 50 series cards.
Why it matters: if your card already supports DLSS 4.5 there is no reason to wait on new hardware, and if you were hoping a new generation would drag RTX 5090 pricing down, that is not happening this year.
AMD's Radeon RX 9070 GRE goes global, trims VRAM to chase your wallet
AMD has launched the Radeon RX 9070 GRE worldwide, the same RDNA 4 silicon as the RX 9070 with reduced memory and a lower price, aimed at 1440p gamers rather than 4K enthusiasts.
Why it matters: with Nvidia sitting out a new generation, AMD has a rare open lane to win mid-range buyers on price alone. Compare street price per frame at your actual resolution before you buy.
Intel is quietly building a gaming handheld chip to take on AMD
Leaked roadmap material points to a stripped-down Panther Lake variant from Intel, eight CPU cores paired with four Xe3 graphics cores, sized and clocked for handheld battery life rather than laptop performance.
Why it matters: AMD has owned the handheld chip market since the Steam Deck. A credible Intel rival would be the first real price and performance pressure the category has seen in years.
Quick Hits
Google's Pixel 11 lineup is now shipping. The Pixel 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro XL and 11 Pro Fold all launched on 12 August running Google's Tensor G6 chip, with AI and camera upgrades across the board. Details here.
POCO M8x 5G launches in India on 21 August. A rare case of real marketing muscle behind a budget 5G phone, powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 4 Gen 5. More on the launch.
Oura Ring 5 is out and 40 percent smaller. No flashy new sensor headline, just a genuinely smaller ring that is easier to wear all day, which is the metric that actually matters for a wearable. See it in context.
Beyerdynamic's MMX 100 and MMX 130 wireless headsets arrived. Two budget-friendlier options for gamers who want Beyerdynamic's sound signature without the flagship price tag. Full roundup.
Pick of the Week
ASUS ROG Astral NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 32GB GDDR7 OC Edition
With no new GPU generation landing this year, the RTX 5090 stays the fastest consumer card you can buy, and the ROG Astral OC edition pushes clocks further with a heavier cooler for anyone chasing every last frame.
Who it is for: enthusiasts building a no-compromise 4K or high refresh rig. Skip it if you game at 1440p or below, the RX 9070 GRE above will save you real money for a similar experience at that resolution.
Price and where to buy: checked against Amazon US listings, no stable UK ASIN has surfaced yet for this specific SKU.
Worth Waiting For
AMD's rumoured RX 9080 XT
AMD has dropped hints of a bigger GPU surprise aimed squarely at Nvidia, widely rumoured to be the RX 9080 XT. Nothing is confirmed and no date has leaked yet.
Why it is worth the wait: if real, it would be the first genuine high-end GPU generation move from anyone in 2026, arriving into a market Nvidia has left wide open.
What we know: AMD's own hints are the only confirmed part of this story. The RX 9080 XT name, specs and timing are still rumour.
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Happy building. Nath, Future Technology
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