Morning Brief: Lei Jun — “You shouldn't stay silent just because there are smear pieces” / Report: OLED iPad Air arriving next year / DJI (大疆) launches Osmo Pocket 4 starting at RMB 2,999

Lei Jun pushes back against smear pieces

It has been reported that Lei Jun, founder and chairman of Xiaomi (小米), told an audience that “you shouldn't stay silent just because there are smear pieces,” urging a more vocal response to public attacks. The comment, highlighted by ifeng, comes as Chinese technology leaders navigate heightened scrutiny at home and abroad — from regulatory probes in Beijing to critical reporting and social-media controversies. Why does this matter? Company founders are now public figures whose remarks can sway investor sentiment and employee morale in an already volatile sector.

OLED iPad Air reportedly on the way

It has been reported that Apple may switch the iPad Air to an OLED panel as soon as next year, according to coverage aggregated by ifeng. For Western readers: moving the iPad Air to OLED would align Apple with a broader industry trend toward richer contrast and lower power draw, and would add demand pressure on a supply chain concentrated in South Korea and Taiwan. Geopolitics shadows the move — trade frictions and export controls can affect display and chip sourcing, so any shift in Apple’s parts roadmap has wider implications for suppliers and regional manufacturing hubs.

DJI (大疆) launches Osmo Pocket 4 from RMB 2,999

DJI (大疆) has launched the Osmo Pocket 4, with starting prices reported at RMB 2,999, according to ifeng. The compact gimbal camera strengthens DJI’s consumer hardware lineup as the company diversifies beyond drones into imaging and content-creation tools. But DJI’s global footprint is complicated by past U.S. scrutiny and export restrictions on Chinese tech firms, so new product launches are watched not only by consumers but also by policymakers weighing security and trade concerns. What does this mean for buyers? More choice — and for suppliers, another signal of where Chinese hardware makers are investing.