Last week was pretty interesting with new launches, a bunch of teasers, and some significant moves from OnePlus and Panasonic. Leading the pack of the top news, Realme teased its imminent 11-series debut in India, showcasing the prowess of a 108MP dual-camera system. In a goodwill gesture, OnePlus announced a lifetime warranty to address the notorious “green line” issue for their AMOLED panel users in the subcontinent.
On the legal frontier, Panasonic has opened a new chapter in tech patent wars, taking on giants Oppo and Xiaomi over alleged 4G tech infringements. Sony’s financial dichotomy also raised eyebrows: while their sales soared, profits took a dip. Meanwhile, in a rather audacious attempt, a Chinese smuggler’s tech treasure trove was intercepted, and Reliance Jio’s forthcoming 5G gadgetry became the talk of the town. Topping off the week, President Biden’s executive order delineated new boundaries in the US-China tech relationship, focusing on high-tech sectors.
For a breakdown of these headlines, check out our comprehensive summary of the past week’s tech news below.
Realme 11-series phone with 108MP dual rear cameras to debut soon in India
Realme plans to launch a new smartphone in India, with an initial teaser showcasing the design. The Realme 11 series handset is expected to come in gold and black shades, with a dual-camera system. The Realme 11x 5G is also expected, with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. The launch will also feature the Realme Buds Air 5 Pro TWS earbuds.
OnePlus announces lifetime screen warranty for users with “green line” issue
OnePlus has addressed the “green line” issue on older OnePlus phones with AMOLED panels by offering a lifetime screen warranty for affected users in India. This service covers screen repairs and is only available for users in India. OnePlus is also offering free screen replacements and a voucher for upgrading to newer models.
Panasonic Takes Legal Action Against Oppo and Xiaomi Over 4G Technology Patents
Panasonic has filed legal action against Oppo and Xiaomi over 4G technology patents, accusing them of using their technology without permission. The European Union’s Unified Patent Court (UPC) is handling the case, which concerns four patents essential to 4G and 5G mobile communication standards. Panasonic and Kather Augenstein seek damages and an injunction. This marks the first major Standard Essential Patents campaign at the UPC, potentially influencing other SEP holders and manufacturers to ensure compliance.
Sony Knows How to Sell Its Products, But Doesn’t Know How to Make Money From Them
Sony experienced a 31% drop in profit in Q1 2023, but still experienced a 33% increase in total revenue. The company’s gaming division performed well, with PlayStation 5 sales up 38% year-on-year to 3.3 million units. Sony expects sales of 25 million PS5 units in the full year, and strong results from its image sensors and semiconductor businesses. However, the company expects its imaging sensors business to perform weaker due to dwindling smartphone sales and slow economic recovery in China.
Chinese smuggler caught with 837 CPUs, 10 SSDs & 900 RAM sticks in car’s undercarriage
A Chinese smuggler has been apprehended by Chinese customs officials for a massive cache of tech devices, including CPUs, SSDs, and RAM sticks. The cache was discovered during a routine search on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao bridge. The smuggler aims to make better profits on the mainland, where 13% VAT is applicable.
JioPhone 5G likely to launch by Q4 2023
Reliance Jio is set to unveil its first 5G-enabled smartphone, the JioPhone 5G, at its 46th Annual General Meeting in India. The device is expected to have a 6.5-inch IPS LCD HD+ display, Snapdragon 480 chipset, 4GB RAM, 32GB internal storage, 8-megapixel front camera, dual-camera system, 5,000mAh battery, and support for 5G bands. It is expected to be available in the last quarter of 2023.
Biden signs executive order restricting U.S. investments in High-Tech sectors in China
US President Joe Biden signed an executive order imposing restrictions on American investments in high-tech sectors like AI, semiconductors, and quantum technology in China, Hong Kong, and Macao. The order aims to prevent sensitive technology transfer to potentially adversarial nations and protect national security. China has expressed concern, but proponents argue it is necessary to prevent unauthorized acquisition of critical technologies. The Treasury Department will oversee the implementation, and public feedback is sought to ensure a well-informed execution.
Honor India shares new teaser, could be the upcoming Honor 90 series
Honor India has released a teaser hintsing at an upcoming launch in the Indian market, possibly hinting at the launch of the Honor 90 series. The teaser is a part of Honor’s comeback in the region, with a potential price tag of around 50,000 INR.
GTA 6 has reportedly been in development for nearly a decade
Rockstar Games is rumored to be in active development for Grand Theft Auto 6, a sequel to GTA 5. Work on the game began in 2008, following the same process for GTA 4. The game is expected to launch in 2024, and the studio is also working on two new games from the Bully franchise.
TSMC announces plans to manufacture 16/12nm chips in Europe by 2027
TSMC plans to manufacture 28/22nm and 16/12nm chips in Europe through a joint partnership with Robert Bosch, Infineon Technologies, and NXP Semiconductors. The European Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (ESMC) GmbH will invest over €10 billion and create up to 2,000 jobs. The fab will focus on older nodes for automotive microcontrollers.
Indian Smartphone Market Sees a Significant Shift In 2023, Premium Segment Thrives
After years, the Indian smartphone market is undergoing a significant transformation. A lot has changed over the last few quarters. The brand that used to rule the market is no longer at the top. The average selling price has risen due to consumers’ preference for more expensive devices. Although the top five brands are the same as before, their order has changed.
Read more to find how brands are doing in the Indian smartphone market.
How to get Apple-inspired Design on Budget, ft. Realme C53 and Gizmore Cult
Realme C53 was recently released in India. Similarly, a few weeks back, Gizmore Cult, an affordable smartwatch debuted in the country. Both these products have two things in common. First and foremost, they are cheap. Secondly, they feature an Apple-inspired design. They seem like an iPhone Pro and Apple Watch Ultra at first look. But their design is not entirely Apple-like. So read this story to see how you can get an apple inspired design on a budget.
India’s Micromax reportedly bets on electric vehicles to make a comeback
Micromax, once a major player in India’s smartphone market, is now considering entering the electric vehicle market. The company has downsized its teams and eliminated jobs to support the venture. The company is renovating an office in Gurugram to start work on the EV market project.
OnePlus Ensemble Bundle Announced In India: Is It Worth Buying Over Standalone Devices?
OnePlus has announced the OnePlus Ensemble bundle, which includes the OnePlus 11 5G, Buds Pro 2 TWS earphones, and OnePlus Pad tablet. The bundle is priced at Rs. 1,13,997 and available for purchase on the brand’s website and six OnePlus Experience stores. It offers up to Rs 4,000 in instant bank discounts on ICICI Bank and OneCard, and up to 24 months of no-cost EMI on leading banks. The Ensemble bundle is significantly cheaper than buying the devices separately.
Google Pixel Watch 2 complete specs & features leaked
Google is working on a successor to its Pixel Watch, featuring a Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 processor and a 306mAh battery pack. The updated display will feature a 1.2-inch OLED panel with 384 x 384 resolution, allowing for battery-saving features and higher brightness. The smartwatch will run on Wear OS 4, based on Android 13. It will also support seamless updates, UWB (Ultra-Wide Band) technology, and retail animation. The watch will also double as a Digital Car key, enhancing its Find My Devices network.
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