iQOO Z10 R Sale Date Confirmed: ₹19,499 Rugged Phone Launches in India Mumbai | July 27, 2025 By Michael B Norris, tech journalist with experience covering India’s value smartphone ecosystem Last week, I found myself juggling a tablet, notebook, and a student’s DSLR at a college fest in Indore - when a curious attendee pointed to my phone and asked, "Is that the new iQOO Z10R?" That moment captured why I wrote this story: to help students, creators, and tech-savvy buyers understand whether iQOO’s rugged new ₹19K phone is actually worth their attention - or just another spec-heavy flash in the pan. On July 24, iQOO announced the Z10R for India with military-grade durability, flagship cameras, and the latest MediaTek Dimensity 7400 chip - all for under ₹20,000. And with the first sale scheduled for July 29 on Amazon and iQOO’s official store, the buzz is real Sale Date & Pricing Details Launch date announced: July 24, 2025; goes on sale from July 29 via Amazon India and i...
WhatsApp iOS Beta Threaded Replies Spotted: Game-Changing Group Chat Upgrade in Testing
A friend recently texted me a photo of their WhatsApp chat background - it was a vivid nightscape of an alien world, punctuated by swirling galaxies.
"I made this with AI inside WhatsApp," she typed underneath. That one screenshot marked a quiet turning point: Meta’s AI is now seamlessly blending into everyday messaging.
And that’s exactly where WhatsApp’s latest feature rollout is headed - making artificial intelligence a native part of the app’s personalisation toolkit, while quietly reshaping how conversations are viewed and followed.
Let’s break down what’s new, what’s coming, and what matters.
Feature Details
Availability iOS (version 25.19.75+), Android (beta version 2.25.207)
Customisation Options Prompt input, regeneration, brightness control (in dark mode)
Threaded Replies Structured message threading in development, not yet available
Rollout Status Wallpaper feature rolling out gradually, threaded replies still testing
WhatsApp has started rolling out an AI-generated chat wallpaper feature using Meta’s proprietary AI engine.
Unlike Facebook or Instagram’s bolder AI announcements, WhatsApp is opting for quiet, utility-driven AI integration. No chatbot banners. No intrusive pop-ups. Just a small option buried in settings - a design decision that suggests Meta wants AI to feel like a feature, not a headline.
This also aligns with how Apple’s iOS 18 AI features are being rolled out - subtle additions that enhance daily workflows rather than redefine them.
And it makes sense: WhatsApp is still seen by many users as a “minimalist” app. The AI wallpaper tool respects that sensibility, even if it signals a deeper AI transition under the hood.
Meta hasn’t publicly clarified whether prompts are stored or used to train the AI model.
Michael B. Norris is a technology journalist covering software, platforms, and privacy at the intersection of global communication tools. He write for trendingalone as a writer
And that’s exactly where WhatsApp’s latest feature rollout is headed - making artificial intelligence a native part of the app’s personalisation toolkit, while quietly reshaping how conversations are viewed and followed.
Let’s break down what’s new, what’s coming, and what matters.
Feature Summary: WhatsApp AI Chat Wallpaper & Threaded Replies
Feature Details
AI Chat Wallpaper AI-generated wallpapers using text prompts via Meta AI
Availability iOS (version 25.19.75+), Android (beta version 2.25.207)
Customisation Options Prompt input, regeneration, brightness control (in dark mode)
Threaded Replies Structured message threading in development, not yet available
Rollout Status Wallpaper feature rolling out gradually, threaded replies still testing
WhatsApp’s AI Chat Wallpaper: What It Is and How It Works
WhatsApp has started rolling out an AI-generated chat wallpaper feature using Meta’s proprietary AI engine.
Users on the latest iOS version (25.19.75) or Android beta (2.25.207) can now access a “Create with AI” option under Settings → Chats → Default Chat Theme → Chat Theme.
Here’s the basic flow:
You enter a text prompt (e.g., “sunset over mountains”).
Meta AI generates several background images.
You choose one, adjust brightness, reposition, and set it as wallpaper.
The process takes under 10 seconds in most cases.
What’s notable is how intuitively integrated the AI feels. It doesn’t open a separate AI interface; everything stays inside the WhatsApp UI.
But the system isn’t flawless. During our testing on Android beta:
Prompt sensitivity was inconsistent. It struggled with specific color requests (e.g., "blue gradients") and often ignored minor object details ("add birds").
Loading time varied based on network.
Customisation tools (like brightness adjustment) worked well, especially for dark mode users who found most images too bright by default.
Here’s the basic flow:
You enter a text prompt (e.g., “sunset over mountains”).
Meta AI generates several background images.
You choose one, adjust brightness, reposition, and set it as wallpaper.
The process takes under 10 seconds in most cases.
What’s notable is how intuitively integrated the AI feels. It doesn’t open a separate AI interface; everything stays inside the WhatsApp UI.
But the system isn’t flawless. During our testing on Android beta:
Prompt sensitivity was inconsistent. It struggled with specific color requests (e.g., "blue gradients") and often ignored minor object details ("add birds").
Loading time varied based on network.
Customisation tools (like brightness adjustment) worked well, especially for dark mode users who found most images too bright by default.
Subtle, Quiet AI - A Sign of Meta’s Strategy
Unlike Facebook or Instagram’s bolder AI announcements, WhatsApp is opting for quiet, utility-driven AI integration. No chatbot banners. No intrusive pop-ups. Just a small option buried in settings - a design decision that suggests Meta wants AI to feel like a feature, not a headline.
This also aligns with how Apple’s iOS 18 AI features are being rolled out - subtle additions that enhance daily workflows rather than redefine them.
And it makes sense: WhatsApp is still seen by many users as a “minimalist” app. The AI wallpaper tool respects that sensibility, even if it signals a deeper AI transition under the hood.
Privacy and AI: What’s Happening Behind the Scenes?
Meta hasn’t publicly clarified whether prompts are stored or used to train the AI model.
Given WhatsApp’s heavy marketing of end-to-end encryption, users might wonder: Is the wallpaper prompt I typed being analysed by Meta servers?
As of now, there’s no prompt history, and no user-facing explanation of how prompts are processed.
As of now, there’s no prompt history, and no user-facing explanation of how prompts are processed.
This lack of clarity could be an area where WhatsApp receives more scrutiny - especially from users in the EU and privacy-conscious regions.
We’ve reached out to Meta for comment.
Alongside the wallpaper rollout, WhatsApp is reportedly working on structured threaded message replies - a long-requested feature that could dramatically improve chat readability, especially in fast-moving group conversations.
Spotted by WABetaInfo in early June, the threaded replies interface:
Groups replies under the parent message.
Enables collapsible views (in early builds).
Looks somewhat similar to Slack or Discord thread layouts.
This would mark a significant UX shift from WhatsApp’s current reply style - where quotes are shown inline but lack any nesting or visual grouping. Group chats often spiral into confusion when multiple replies stack up.
While no release date has been confirmed, internal testing is reportedly underway for both iOS and Android.
Reactions across Reddit, X (formerly Twitter), and WhatsApp-focused Telegram groups have been mixed.
“Love the AI wallpaper thing - made a Star Wars scene and my chat feels epic now.” - @gadgetslug
“Threaded replies? About time. Group chats are chaos without it.” - WhatsApp Beta Testers Group (Telegram)
But there’s also early critique:
Some users worry that too many “customisation” tools could clutter WhatsApp’s clean interface.
Others are calling the AI feature a “gimmick” that lacks depth - “fun once, but who needs a new wallpaper every week?”
There’s truth in both camps. If WhatsApp starts pushing AI more aggressively, some may feel the app is drifting away from its low-friction roots.
WhatsApp isn’t the first messaging app to offer threaded replies or AI integration:
Slack and Discord have long supported structured threads.
Telegram has AI chatbots and themes, but no built-in image generation.
Apple iMessage in iOS 18 will support AI-summarised message threads and smart reply generation.
What sets WhatsApp apart is its global scale - over 2 billion users - and its restrained UX. If the AI and threading features are launched without bloat or performance loss, WhatsApp could leapfrog many rivals in user experience.
This isn’t just a cosmetic update.
WhatsApp’s new AI wallpaper feature is a test case for how AI can blend quietly into legacy apps. It’s also a signal: more subtle AI-powered customisations are likely coming - perhaps AI-based chat summaries, smart replies, or even AI chat cleanup tools.
Threaded replies, meanwhile, could redefine group chat interactions, especially in professional or family group settings where context often gets lost.
Together, these features show WhatsApp is evolving, not just scaling - and doing so with restraint.
The Competitive Landscape: A Ticking Clock?
With Apple, Google, and even Signal exploring AI integrations, the pressure on WhatsApp is real. But unlike its competitors, WhatsApp has:
A massive, daily-active user base across diverse regions.
Integration with Meta AI systems (which will likely evolve quickly).
End-to-end encryption as a baseline - even if not fully explained when AI is involved.
If WhatsApp successfully rolls out these new features without breaking user trust or overloading the interface, it could establish a blueprint for AI in messaging - one that prioritises quiet utility over flashy demos.
In a messaging landscape where “new features” often mean bloated redesigns or forced social integrations, WhatsApp’s latest rollout feels different. Not perfect. Not revolutionary. But subtly useful.
The AI wallpaper tool adds a layer of personalisation - without shouting about it. And the promise of threaded replies could finally solve one of WhatsApp’s most enduring usability problems.
But let’s keep watch. If WhatsApp’s future AI tools start expanding too fast, or if data transparency isn’t addressed, that quiet integration could turn loud very quickly.
AI Chat Wallpaper Feature: Now rolling out for iOS and Android beta users, powered by Meta AI.
Customisable via Prompts: Users can create unique wallpapers, adjust brightness, and set in-app.
Threaded Replies: A structured thread view for message replies is in development, with no release date yet.
Privacy Unclear: Meta hasn’t detailed how prompt data is handled - a potential future concern.
User Reactions Mixed: Early buzz is positive, but some users question the long-term utility.
For more updates on WhatsApp, stay tuned to our newsroom and follow our updates across platforms.
We’ve reached out to Meta for comment.
Threaded Replies: A Long-Awaited Upgrade?
Alongside the wallpaper rollout, WhatsApp is reportedly working on structured threaded message replies - a long-requested feature that could dramatically improve chat readability, especially in fast-moving group conversations.
Spotted by WABetaInfo in early June, the threaded replies interface:
Groups replies under the parent message.
Enables collapsible views (in early builds).
Looks somewhat similar to Slack or Discord thread layouts.
This would mark a significant UX shift from WhatsApp’s current reply style - where quotes are shown inline but lack any nesting or visual grouping. Group chats often spiral into confusion when multiple replies stack up.
While no release date has been confirmed, internal testing is reportedly underway for both iOS and Android.
User Reactions and Early Criticism
Reactions across Reddit, X (formerly Twitter), and WhatsApp-focused Telegram groups have been mixed.
“Love the AI wallpaper thing - made a Star Wars scene and my chat feels epic now.” - @gadgetslug
“Threaded replies? About time. Group chats are chaos without it.” - WhatsApp Beta Testers Group (Telegram)
But there’s also early critique:
Some users worry that too many “customisation” tools could clutter WhatsApp’s clean interface.
Others are calling the AI feature a “gimmick” that lacks depth - “fun once, but who needs a new wallpaper every week?”
There’s truth in both camps. If WhatsApp starts pushing AI more aggressively, some may feel the app is drifting away from its low-friction roots.
How It Compares to Rivals
WhatsApp isn’t the first messaging app to offer threaded replies or AI integration:
Slack and Discord have long supported structured threads.
Telegram has AI chatbots and themes, but no built-in image generation.
Apple iMessage in iOS 18 will support AI-summarised message threads and smart reply generation.
What sets WhatsApp apart is its global scale - over 2 billion users - and its restrained UX. If the AI and threading features are launched without bloat or performance loss, WhatsApp could leapfrog many rivals in user experience.
Why This Matters
This isn’t just a cosmetic update.
WhatsApp’s new AI wallpaper feature is a test case for how AI can blend quietly into legacy apps. It’s also a signal: more subtle AI-powered customisations are likely coming - perhaps AI-based chat summaries, smart replies, or even AI chat cleanup tools.
Threaded replies, meanwhile, could redefine group chat interactions, especially in professional or family group settings where context often gets lost.
Together, these features show WhatsApp is evolving, not just scaling - and doing so with restraint.
The Competitive Landscape: A Ticking Clock?
With Apple, Google, and even Signal exploring AI integrations, the pressure on WhatsApp is real. But unlike its competitors, WhatsApp has:
A massive, daily-active user base across diverse regions.
Integration with Meta AI systems (which will likely evolve quickly).
End-to-end encryption as a baseline - even if not fully explained when AI is involved.
If WhatsApp successfully rolls out these new features without breaking user trust or overloading the interface, it could establish a blueprint for AI in messaging - one that prioritises quiet utility over flashy demos.
Final Thoughts
In a messaging landscape where “new features” often mean bloated redesigns or forced social integrations, WhatsApp’s latest rollout feels different. Not perfect. Not revolutionary. But subtly useful.
The AI wallpaper tool adds a layer of personalisation - without shouting about it. And the promise of threaded replies could finally solve one of WhatsApp’s most enduring usability problems.
But let’s keep watch. If WhatsApp’s future AI tools start expanding too fast, or if data transparency isn’t addressed, that quiet integration could turn loud very quickly.
Key Takeaways
AI Chat Wallpaper Feature: Now rolling out for iOS and Android beta users, powered by Meta AI.
Customisable via Prompts: Users can create unique wallpapers, adjust brightness, and set in-app.
Threaded Replies: A structured thread view for message replies is in development, with no release date yet.
Privacy Unclear: Meta hasn’t detailed how prompt data is handled - a potential future concern.
User Reactions Mixed: Early buzz is positive, but some users question the long-term utility.
For more updates on WhatsApp, stay tuned to our newsroom and follow our updates across platforms.
related article:
WhatsApp Android Adds New Chat Colors
About author expertise
About author expertise
Michael B. Norris is a technology journalist covering software, platforms, and privacy at the intersection of global communication tools. He write for trendingalone as a writer
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