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Vu Cinema TV 2024 Edition launched in India with 4K display, 50W speakers, webOS

In India, Vu Televisions has launched the 2024 edition of Cinema TV. Specifically designed to enhance the user’s OTT experience, the Vu Cinema TV 2024 Edition comes in two screen sizes: 43 inches and 55 inches.

Vu Cinema TV 2024 Edition specifications

43-inch Vu Cinema TV 2024 Edition

Vu Cinema TV 2024 Edition promises a theatre-like experience at home. It sports a bezel-less design for an immersive viewing experience. The screen uses an IPS panel with 4K resolution and 400 nits of brightness. It uses TruMotion technology with MEMC (Motion Estimation, Motion Compensation). For gamers, there is a dedicated game mode with auto-low latency mode (ALLM).

The back of the TV houses the tube speakers, which fire sideways. The speakers feature Dolby Audio enhancement and produce 50W of output. 4 Edition runs with webOS and comes with 1000+ pre-installed apps, including local and global OTT platforms. This includes all the major video streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and YouTube. 

Devita Saraf, Vu Group CEO poses with 43-inch, 55-inch Vu Cinema TV 2024 Edition

Users can switch between the apps using the voice command feature. There are also dedicated buttons to access certain OTT platforms directly from the remote. There is a Movies hotkey that is said to bring movies from multiple platforms into one place.

The TV is compatible with Apple AirPlay, allowing users to stream media and content from iPhones, iPads, and other Apple devices. With two-way Bluetooth connectivity, you can play music and audio files from your phone on your Vu Cinema TV. Moreover, the TV has dual-band Wi-Fi for wireless connectivity.

Vu Cinema TV 2024 Edition pricing and availability

Vu Cinema TV 2024 Edition is priced at Rs 25,999 (~$315) for the 43-inch variant and Rs 34,999 (~$420) for the 55-inch model. The TV is already on sale in India through Flipkart and local retail stores. Vu also plans to launch the TV in the Middle East and Africa. After India, the TV will now be available in the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain.

Vivo unveils BlueImage imaging brand: May debut with the Vivo X100 Ultra

Vivo has officially unveiled its BlueImage brand. As the name suggests, it is the company’s proprietary imaging technology, which aims to improve the photography experience on its smartphones. But does this mark the end of the Zeiss partnership? Which device will debut with this tech? Here’s everything we know so far.

Vivo BlueImage Announced: But what about Zeiss?

Vivo BlueImage

The Chinese brand announced the BlueImage with an executive sharing more details on social media. This new imaging tech follows the same blueprint as the brand’s other proprietary tech. Vivo made investment in research and development to bring a system that helps upgrade the pictures you take. This branding will employ the brand’s self developed imaging chips that are currently in the third generation.

However, this does not mean that the company is ending its collaboration with the optical giant Zeiss. Vivo announced that it will continue to cooperate in depth with the lensmaker and will even sign a new joint research and development agreement. The Weibo post shared the BlueImage brand logo, Zeiss strategic cooperation logo, and even offered us a partial view of an upcoming device.

Vivo BlueImage

While the name of this device wasn’t revealed, it is expected to be the upcoming Vivo X100 Ultra model. For those unaware, it is a new flagship smartphone that will be positioned above its existing flagship the X100 Pro. You can click here to check out all the upgrades of the Ultra model over the Pro.

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OPPO A60 4G render images revealed, full specs here

OPPO is adding another model to its affordable “OPPO A” series, according to details provided by Sudhanshu Ambhore to 91mobiles. OPPO could soon introduce a new smartphone named OPPO A60 4G. Render images of OPPO A60 4G and many more details are here.

OPPO A60 4G specs

Previously, the OPPO A60 4G was spotted on the Google Play Console, but the design of the phone remained a mystery back then; the newly emerged renders reveal the phone’s design. The rear camera design of OPPO A60 4G looks like the Reno10 series, but we can say it won’t come with as powerful a camera setup as the Reno10 or Reno11 series. The back design of the phone follows classic OPPO design lines, while there is a punch hole cutout on the front of the phone.

The upcoming affordable smartphone will come with a 90 Hz LCD screen, with a resolution of 1604×720 and a pixel density of 264 PPI. The display has a peak brightness of 950 nits. Besides the low resolution, OPPO is offering a somewhat good screen in its entry-level device category.

The phone will feature a Snapdragon 680 chipset, paired with 8GB LPDDR4X RAM and will come with two storage options: 128GB and 256GB. OPPO A60 4G features a triple camera setup, 50MP+8MP+2MP, unfortunately, none of the cameras have OIS.

The phone has a 5000 mAh battery and supports 45W SUPERVOOC fast charging, and also has a fingerprint sensor on the side of the phone. The phone also features a microSD card slot and a 3.5mm headphone jack, which are features we get used to finding in entry-level devices.

The charging port of OPPO A60 4G uses the USB-C 2.0 standard, and the phone supports Wi-Fi 6 as well. The phone weighs 186 grams and is 7.68mm thick. The phone will come with Android 14-based ColorOS 14.0.1 out of the box.

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Oppo K12 launched with Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, 5,500mAh battery, 100W SuperVOOC charging

Oppo has added a new member to its K-series lineup in China. The newly launched Oppo K12 brings a familiar specs sheet as it is based on the OnePlus Nord CE 4 5G that debuted in India earlier this month.

Oppo K12 specifications and features

Oppo K12

The Oppo K12 has a 6.7-inch FHD+ AMOLED display. The screen offers a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ compliance and 1100 nits of peak brightness. For security, it features an optical fingerprint scanner underneath. The centre-aligned punch-hole cutout accommodates the 16-megapixel selfie camera.

Under the hood, the phone packs the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset. The phone comes equipped with up to 12GB of LPDDR4x RAM and up to 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage. The latter is expandable using the hybrid SD card slot. The phone is equipped with a 15277mm2 graphite cooling system and a 4129mm2 liquid VC.

Fueling the phone is a 5,500mAh battery, which supports 100W SuperVOOC flash charging. Oppo has included its in-house Battery Health Engine, promising a 4-year life span. The phone’s dual-camera setup houses a 50-megapixel image sensor with optical image stabilisation (OIS). It also includes an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera. The Oppo K12 features a new software tool for object removal, which enables the removal of unwanted people and objects from images after capture.

Oppo K12

The K12 The phone runs on ColorOS 14, based on Android 14.  The phone is certified IP54 against dust and water. It also has SGS Gold Label 5-star drop-resistant certification for accidental falls and bumps. 

The K12 also brings stereo speakers, an x-axis linear motor for 4D game vibrations, a multi-functional NFC, an IR blaster, and 360° 5G coverage with 8 antennas. The device measures 8.37mm in thickness and weighs 186 grams. 

Oppo K12 pricing and availability

In China, the Oppo K12 has arrived in three variants, such as 8GB+256GB, 12GB+256GB, and 12GB+512GB. These models are priced at 1,899 Yuan (~$260), 2,099 Yuan (~$290), and 2,499 Yuan (~$345). The phone is available in Clear Sky and Starry Night colours. 

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Snapdragon X Plus, an affordable version of the Snapdragon X Elite, surfaces on Geekbench ML listing

A new Qualcomm SoC build for Windows-on-Arm computers called the Snapdragon X Elite has been on the news for a while now. Qualcomm has also showcased the new chip beating its competitors from both Intel and Apple (Apple Silicon) by a significant margin. We thought the latest Meteor Lake series Core Ultra chips were efficient until Qualcomm showed off what it has under development.

Qualcomm Snapdragon

The Snapdragon X Plus could be an affordable version of the “X Elite” chipset

Although Qualcomm has not talked about a chip called the Snapdragon X Plus, the latest GeekBench ML Score listing spotted by Windows Latest reveals that there is more than just the Snapdragon X Elite. Both the naming and the configuration (revealed so far) hint that this new chip could be a slightly cut-down version of the new premium Snapdragon X Elite chip. Although the company has not talked about the pricing of the new chips, its expected to be quite expensive, especially considering the performance.

The Snapdragon X Plus scored 2410 in the GeekBench ML test when tested on a device codenamed “OEMMN OEMMN”. Windows Latest claims this to be a “mid-range” version of the Surface Pro 10. The full list of current and upcoming Surface laptops also supports this claim. Previous reports claim that Microsoft is working on two new laptops that will be powered by the Snapdragon X series processors – the Surface Pro 10 with an OLED display, and the Surface Pro 6.

Speaking of the new “X Plus” chip, it is powered by 10 Oryon CPU cores, 6 of which are performance cores and the rest of the 4 cores focus on power efficiency. The GeekBench listing shows that the base frequency is 3.42GHz. In comparison, the “X Elite” chipset equips a total of 12 uniform Oryon CPU cores. However, while 10 of them run at a clock speed of 3.8 GHz (which is higher than that of the “X Plus” chip), two cores reach up to 4.3 GHz.

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(Source / via)

Redmi 13 5G 3C certification confirms 33W charging

Redmi 13 5G has now been spotted on 3C certification, having previously visited the FCC website. In fact, the specifications of Redmi 13 are actually no secret; we shared the spec-sheet of Redmi 13 5G with you before the phone was not unveiled. If you want to read more about the specs of Redmi 13, you can refer to our previous article.

Redmi 13 5G to debut soon

Xiaomi’s new budget-friendly model, Redmi 13 5G, will be introduced as POCO M7 Pro 5G in India, with both phones sharing the same spec sheet. Redmi 13 5G appears with the model number 2406ERN9CC on the 3C certification, confirming the 33W charging support for Redmi 13 5G.

The codename of the upcoming smartphone is “breeze,” with an internal number of N19, while the model number of the upcoming phone’s rebrand, POCO M7 Pro 5G, is 24066PC95I.

In fact, Redmi 13 5G does not bring significant advancements compared to Redmi 12 5G, as the upcoming smartphone shares the same specs with its predecessor. Redmi 12 5G had a Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset, and Redmi 13 5G will also come with Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, which is a low-end processor manufactured using Qualcomm’s 4nm process. The phone will feature a 5000 mAh battery and 33W charging.

Note that both Redmi and POCO phones will be available for sale only in India and China, and these devices will not be introduced to the global market. While Redmi 12 5G was launched globally, it seems a bit different for Redmi 13 5G.

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Huawei is planning to expand globally with HarmonyOS amidst the US sanctions

Last year Huawei unveiled the “HarmonyOS NEXT” operating system exclusively for developers. This operating system does not support Android apps and could be the future of Huawei smartphones and other connected smart devices. A previous report from Nikki Asia claimed that Huawei’s HarmonyOS NEXT (unveiled in January as the newest version of its proprietary operating system) could rival iOS and Android going forward.

HarmonyOS

HarmonyOS NEXT aims to become the third most preferred mobile operating system

Now the latest news is that Huawei is aiming to roll out the HarmonyOS ecosystem globally. As a result of the US sanctions in 2019, the company came up with a new operating system named HarmonyOS for their smartphones, tablets, and other connected smart devices.

Huawei’s proprietary operating system has been limited to the home country so far, but now the company is aiming to expand it globally. During this year’s Analyst Summit Huawei’s current chairman, Xu Zhijun revealed the plans. Huawei believes that it can make it the World’s third-most preferred operating system for mobile devices.

The company is working closely with developers to build a robust app ecosystem for HarmonyOS. The company will first focus on the Chinese market. According to Xu, people in their home country spend most of their time on a collection of nearly 5000 apps. As usual, the company will focus on the availability and seamless performance of those apps at first.

However, building the app ecosystem and competing the established giants like Google’s Play Store or Apple’s App Store can be challenging. According to data from Business of Apps, the Google Play Store currently has a collection of over 3.2 million apps and the App Store also has over 2 million. It will be interesting to see how the global market responds if Huawei becomes successful in building a competing app ecosystem.

Speaking of HarmonyOS NEXT, the company is also reportedly working on a new self-made “Harmony Kernel” instead of using a Linux kernel. For those unfamiliar, the kernel forms the foundation of the operating system. So Huawei is really trying to make its operating system stand out from Android.

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GC Daily: EU’s Right to Repair Bill in 5 Points, EV brand Polestar has an AI Phone

Over the past few years, EU has been at the forefront of sustainable and eco-friendly policies for consumer products.

Yesterday, the EU parliament officially passed the “right to repair“ directive, which aims to increase a product’s lifecycle. This would warrant a number of changes in how consumer products like smartphones are serviced and repaired throughout its life.

Here’s what you need to know about the “right to repair“ directive in 5 points.

The rules will take effect after approval by the Council and publication in the EU Official Journal, with EU members having two years to adopt them as law.

  1. Extended Warranty After Repairs: The right-to-repair rules state that manufacturers should extend a product’s warranty by one year if it is repaired while still under the initial warranty.
  2. Mandatory Repairs and Reasonable Prices: Even after the warranty expires, companies must repair common household products at a “reasonable” price to encourage repairs over replacements. This includes products like smartphones, TVs, washing machines, and vacuum cleaners.
  3. Availability of Parts and Tools: Manufacturers are required to provide spare parts and tools necessary for repairs. They are also prohibited from using contractual clauses or techniques that obstruct repairs.
  4. Third-Party Repairs and Parts: The rules prevent manufacturers from blocking the use of 3D-printed or second-hand parts by independent repair shops. They cannot refuse repairs due to economic reasons or previous repairs by third parties.
  5. Local Repair Shop Finder: An online platform will be launched to help customers find local repair shops, sellers of used products, and buyers for defective items.

OnePlus has a new fancy Watch 2 Edition in the UK and the EU. The edition, known as the OnePlus Watch 2 Nordic Blue, draws inspiration from Scandinavian design and is the only one with a blue chronograph bezel.

It features a light grey casing with a blue leather band with white stitching. Personally, I think this edition looks quite classy, but the real question is whether it’s worth the €50 premium over the regular edition.

More photos and details in our story here.

Heard of the Swedish EV brand Polestar? They have launched a new smartphone!

Geely Holdings is in the process of taking Polestar’s ownership from Volvo in 2024. Polestar has been struggling lately, and Volvo reportedly wants to hand over its responsibility to its parent company (yes, Geely owns Volvo too), which could help revive the brand.

Well, Geely’s first line of action seems to be releasing a Polestar branded smartphone in the Chinese market.

Yesterday, Polestar announced its first smartphone, called simply the Polestar Phone. This device is basically a clone of the Meizu 21 Pro. If you remember, Geely took over majority ownership of Meizu back in 2022, so this clearly was part of its long term plan.

While the specs are exactly the same as the Meizu 21 Pro, the biggest difference on the Polestar Phone is in the UI. It runs on the Polestar Phone OS, which is essentially a customized version of Flyme OS, featuring design elements similar to those found in Polestar electric vehicles’ interfaces.

The phone has AI features such as image search, image production, and text summarization. It also includes the Polestar Link software, which allows customers to control and monitor their Polestar electric vehicles. This is especially useful in China, where Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not available.

More details on the Polestar Phone here.

⚠️ DEAL ALERT: Pixel 7 Pro retails for an exciting price of $530; Moto Razr+ available for $699

Despite increased US restrictions on the export of advanced Nvidia AI chips to China, ten Chinese entities with government affiliations were able to obtain these AI chips embedded in server products from major suppliers such as Super Micro Computer Inc., Dell Technologies Inc., and Gigabyte Technology.

Nvidia has stated that the products specified in the tenders were exported and available before the restrictions were imposed, asserting that the purchases don’t indicate violations of export control rules. However, experts suggest that chips could have been diverted to China without the manufacturers’ knowledge due to limited visibility into downstream supply chains.

More details on this story here.

🔥 More Headlines Worth Reading!

Redmi Pad SE with 11″ LCD display, Snapdragon 680 processor & an affordable price tag launched in India

Redmi has just launched a new affordable tablet in the Indian market called the Redmi Pad SE. This new tablet is the successor of the Redmi Pad, which launched back in October 2022.

More details can be found in our launch story here.

If you are wondering whether the Redmi Pad SE is better than the regular Pad – here’s what we think.


Canon’s new VR headset brings live concerts to your living room

Canon is breaking new ground in the realm of virtual reality with the development of a hybrid display VR headset designed to revolutionize music experiences. This new technology will transport users who are sitting in their living room, into the heart of live concert halls, redefining the way we enjoy live performances.

More details are here.


Apple acquires Paris based AI startup Datakalab, likely for on-device model for iPhone 16

Apple is reportedly taking a different approach to generative AI. While the generative AI features on devices are currently backed by server-side large language models, Apple wants to run LLMs on-devices. It will help them ensure user privacy since user data does not have to leave the iPhones and reach servers, that can be shared.

However, there’s only so much that can be done with on-device models. Apple needs to develop a decently capable yet power-efficient model. But doing so on their own will require time. And this is exactly where the acquisition of French startup Datakalab becomes relevant.

More details here!


Xiaomi CEO aims to sell more than 100,000 Xiaomi SU7 cars by 2024

Xiaomi Auto began the delivery of its highly anticipated electric car, the SU7 earlier this month. The delivery ceremony was held at the Xiaomi Automobile Factory in Yizhuang, Beijing, where Xiaomi’s founder and CEO Lei Jun opened the doors of each SU7 car and handed them over to their owners. The company planned to sell only 5000 units globally in the first batch.

But the company’s most recent sales target sounds quite ambitious.


Xiaomi Smart Band 9: What you need to know about the next-gen wearable

The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 is expected to be the company’s next gen wearable product. The Chinese tech giant unveiled the Smart Band 8 back in 2023, and it appears that its successor is set to launch soon. We have covered the upcoming smart band recently, so here’s what to expect from the Xiaomi Smart Band 9.



Xiaomi Robot Vacuum Cleaner S10, Handheld Garment Steamer launched in India: Read key features, price, availability 

Xiaomi announced a couple of new products, such as the Redmi Pad SE, the Redmi Buds 5A, the Robot Vacuum Cleaner S10, and the Handheld Garment Steamer in India through the 2024 Smarter Living launch event. Readers can learn about the new tablet and earbuds through their dedicated posts on our site.  This post mainly focuses on Xiaomi’s new robot vacuum cleaner and garment steamer.

Xiaomi Robot Vacuum Cleaner S10

Xiaomi Robot Vacuum Cleaner S10
Xiaomi Robot Vacuum Cleaner S10

An advanced laser navigation system equips the Xiaomi Robot Vacuum Cleaner S10 for 360-degree mapping and scanning of the home. It can effectively avoid obstacles within an 8-meter scanning range. There are multiple sensors onboard, which help the robot vacuum cleaner recognise complex environments to prevent collisions or getting stuck.

The S10 offers 4,000Pa suction power and four suction options, such as Silent, Standard, Strong, and Turbo. It has a 300ml dustbin and conducts cleaning in zigzag and Y-shaped patterns for thorough and efficient cleaning. The Xiaomi Home app can be used to control and access various features of the S10. In addition, it supports Google Assistant and Alexa for a hands-free experience.

Xiaomi Handheld Garment Steamer

Xiaomi Handheld Garment Steamer
Xiaomi Handheld Garment Steamer

Equipped with a removable 160-ml water tank and a foldable design, the Xiaomi Handheld Garment Steamer weighs only 775 grams. This not only allows users to use it for longer durations without hand fatigue but also makes it convenient to carry while travelling.

The garment steamer offers 1300W continuous steam capability and a dual-heat ironing plate made of thermostatic aluminium die-casting, which effectively distributes heat and removes wrinkles from the garment. It promises a 26-second pre-heating time. It offers a steam mode with a 16–24 g/min steam rate and a dry ironing mode for ironing without steam.

Xiaomi Robot Vacuum Cleaner S10, Handheld Garment Streamer price in India, availability

The Xiaomi Robot Vacuum Cleaner S10 and Handheld Garment Steamer will be available for pre-booking starting April 29 in India via Mi.com, Flipkart, and Amazon. On April 29, Mi.com will host the early access sale of these devices.

The price of the robot vacuum cleaner and handheld garment streamer is Rs 19,999 (~$240) and Rs 2,299 (~$27), respectively. The former’s price is inclusive of Rs 1,000 discount using HDFC and SBI bank credit cards and credit card EMI transactions.

RELATED:

OnePlus 13 display size, new design tipped in latest leak

Qualcomm is expected to unveil the next-generation Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chip in October of this year. Likely, the OnePlus 13 could be one of the first smartphones to arrive in the market with the SD8G4 chip onboard. As the launch of the OP13 is several months away, the rumor mill is gradually leaking details about it. Today, reliable leaker Digital Chat Station spilt some new details about the device.

OnePlus 13 display size revealed

According to DCS, the OnePlus 13 will have a 6.8-inch OLED LTPO screen with a micro-curved design. The screen will support a 2K resolution and is likely to be integrated with an ultrasonic in-screen fingerprint scanner. The predecessor OnePlus flagships have optical under-display fingerprint sensors. As per DCS, the company is currently testing an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. Hence, it remains to be seen whether it arrives on the final device.

The leak states that the OnePlus 13 will be equipped with a multi-focal camera system. Like the predecessor model, the OP13 will continue to feature a periscope telephoto camera for higher optical zoom.

Leaks dating back to February have claimed that the OnePlus 13 will have a new rear design. Today too, DCS claimed that the industrial design of the OP13 has been completely refreshed.

OnePlus Ace 3V
OnePlus Ace 3V

In the past, some of the Ace and numbered series flagship phones from OnePlus have sported similar rear designs. This year, the company has launched two Ace-series phones, named the Ace 3 and Ace 3V in China. The 3V sports a new vertical camera module as compared to the usual round-shaped camera design available on the Ace 3. It remains to be seen whether the OnePlus 13 offers a premium version design of the Ace 3V.

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Here’s why Redmi Pad is better than Redmi Pad SE

Redmi has just launched its affordable Redmi Pad SE tablet in India. The tablet has a starting price of Rs 12,999 and is set to go on sale starting today. However, it is worth noting that Redmi Pad, which launched in 2022, is still a better tablet at this price range. If you are planning to buy the new Redmi Pad SE, we recommend that you go through this article before making your decision.

1. Redmi Pad has a better processor

We start with a big deciding factor, which is the processor in these tablets. While the Redmi Pad SE uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 processor, the Redmi Pad uses a comparatively newer MediaTek Helio G99 processor. The Helio G99 isn’t just newer, but it also offers on average about 25% better performance compared to the Snapdragon 680. On AnTuTu, the Redmi Pad (6GB RAM model) scores around 319,077 points (AnTuTu V9), while the Snapdragon 680-powered Redmi Pad SE scores around 242,000 points.

2. It is a lot better for gaming

While both of these tablets aren’t ideal for gaming, if you are thinking of buying the Redmi Pad SE for gaming, the older Redmi Pad has it beat in that department as well. On paper, it has a 30% faster GPU than the one on the Pad SE. In games like BGMI, the Redmi Pad (4GB & 6GB RAM models) is capable of running the game on Ultra FPS mode with smooth and balanced graphics settings, and on High FPS mode with HD graphics. Compared to that, the Redmi Pad SE is capable of running BGMI in High FPS mode with smooth graphics settings.

3. Faster storage

While both the Redmi Pad and Pad SE use LPDDR4X RAM, the Redmi Pad uses a faster UFS 2.2 storage compared to the eMMC 5.1 storage on the Pad SE. To put it into perspective, UFS 2.1 can reach up to 800 MB/s read and 500 MB/s write speeds, while eMMC 5.1 is limited to around 400 MB/s read and 200 MB/s write speeds. Other than file transfers, storage plays a key part in app loading times and smooth multitasking.

4. Faster charging

The Redmi Pad SE has launched with an 8,000mAh battery that supports 10W fast charging. In comparison, the older Redmi Pad has the same-sized battery with 18W fast charging. While this difference isn’t that significant, the Redmi Pad does save some time on charging.

5. Price point

The Redmi Pad SE’s 4GB RAM + 128GB storage is priced at Rs 12,999, with a further Rs with a further Rs 1,000 when using ICICI Bank cards for transactions. The 6GB RAM and 8GB RAM models of the tablet with the same amount of storage have a price tag of Rs 13,999 and Rs 14,999 without discounts.

Interestingly, the 4GB RAM + 128GB storage model of the Redmi Pad is currently selling on Flipkart for Rs. 11,999, and the 6GB RAM model is going for Rs. 13,499. The brand is also currently offering ICICI Bank card discounts on purchases that can further knock its price down by Rs. 1,250.

6. The Tradeoffs

While the Redmi Pad beats the SE model in a lot of areas including the current market price, we would also like to point out some of its strong points. Firstly, it has a slightly larger 11-inch LCD display compared to the 10.61-inch LCD on the Redmi Pad. Both of these panels offer 90Hz refresh rate and support Widewine L1, meaning that you get access to Full HD playback on streaming apps like Netflix.

The Redmi Pad SE has launched with Android 13 installed, and the brand has promised two major Android updates along with three years of software support. This means that the Redmi Pad SE will receive the Android 14-based HyperOS update, as well as Android 15. The older Redmi Pad, released in 2022 under a similar policy, started with Android 12 and has already been updated to Android 14-based HyperOS. As a result, it won’t be getting any further updates.

Please Note: When you buy something using the links in our articles, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

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Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 vs Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2: Which Processor is Right for You?

Qualcomm has a ton of great products, but their naming can get a little confusing. That’s where we come in. In this article, we’ll compare two popular Qualcomm processors to help you understand the differences between them: the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 and Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 2. Here are the details.

Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 vs Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 2 Differences and Specifications

When we compare the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 and the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2, we can see that both benefit from an advanced 4nm fabrication process, likely leading to better power efficiency. However, the 7 Plus Gen 2 pulls ahead in terms of CPU performance. With a maximum clock speed of 2.91 GHz, it outpaces the 2.63 GHz max clock speed of the 7 Gen 3.

SpecificationSnapdragon 7 Gen 3Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 2
Fabrication Process4 nm4 nm
CPU Cores1x 2.63 GHz ARM Cortex-A715
3x 2.4 GHz ARM Cortex-A715
4x 1.8 GHz ARM Cortex-A510
1x 2.91 GHz ARM Cortex-X2
3x 2.5 GHz ARM Cortex-A710
4x 1.8 GHz ARM Cortex-A510
Max CPU Clock Speed2.63 GHz2.91 GHz
GPUAdreno 720Adreno 725
NPUHexagonHexagon
Memory type LPDDR5LPDDR5
5G ModemSnapdragon X63Snapdragon X62
Peak 5G Download Speed5 Gbps4.4 Gbps
Wi-Fi / BluetoothWi-Fi 6E / Bluetooth 5.3Wi-Fi 6E / Bluetooth 5.3

Both chipsets feature powerful Adreno 700 series GPUs. However, the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 stands out with its slightly more advanced Adreno 725, making it a superior choice for mobile gaming enthusiasts.

Additionally, the Neural Processing Unit plays a vital role in handling artificial intelligence tasks. The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 and Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 2 demonstrate comparable performance in this area, as both use the Hexagon NPU.

The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 and Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 2 share similar features when it comes to connectivity, but the point where they differ is in their modem. The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 comes with the Snapdragon X63, while the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 has a 5G modem, the Snapdragon X62.

Although this suggests slightly faster download speeds on one of them, the difference doesn’t have a significant impact on real-world performance. So, if the technical specifications are so similar, how can you determine the performance difference?

1. Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 vs Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 2 Benchmark Performance

Benchmark results are a great way to compare processor performance. While these tests go beyond everyday usage, they effectively reveal the chipsets’ capabilities. In recent benchmarks, the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 demonstrates its continued superiority over its competition.

Geekbench 5 (Approximate):

  • Snapdragon 7 Gen 3
    • Single-Core (Geekbench 5): Around 1000-1100
    • Multi-Core (Geekbench 5): Around 3000-3300
  • Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 2
    • Single-Core (Geekbench 5): Around 1200-1300
    • Multi-Core (Geekbench 5): Around 3500-3600
  • AnTuTu v10 (Approximate):
    • Snapdragon 7 Gen 3: Around 850.000
    • Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 2: Around 1.100.000

2. Smartphones using Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 and Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 2

The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 is relatively new, however, it is used by more devices than a year-old Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2.

Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 2
Honor 100Redmi Note 12 Turbo / Poco F5
Vivo V30Realme GT Neo 5 SE
OnePlus Nord CE 4
Motorola Edge 50 Pro

The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 vs 7 Plus Gen 2 are both excellent mid-range chipsets, so the “best” choice depends on your needs.

RELATED:

OnePlus Pad Go finally arrives in Europe & UK with a 10% discount

OnePlus has finally introduced the affordable OnePlus Pad Go in Europe. The launch occurred on April 23, 2024, alongside the release of the Watch 2 Nordic Blue Edition. This tablet was initially launched in the Indian market back in October 2023.

OnePlus Pad Go
OnePlus Pad Go

OnePlus Pad Go specs:

The OnePlus Pad Go features an impressive 11.35-inch 2.4K display, certified by TÜV Rheinland, boasting 400 nits brightness, a smooth 90Hz refresh rate, and a 7:5 screen aspect ratio.

OnePlus Pad Go

Under the hood, it runs on an octa-core Helio G99 SoC, coupled with up to 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB of UFS 2.2 internal storage. That being said, it is worth noting that the European/UK variant of the tablet is only available with 128GB storage.

Running on Android 13 with OxygenOS 13.2, the tablet offers an 8MP rear camera and a 5MP selfie camera for photography and video calls, along with face unlock for added security. It is equipped with a sizable 8,000mAh battery supporting fast charging at 33W.

Pricing & availability

The OnePlus Pad Go with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage is currently available for a 10% discounted price of €299/£269. It is available in a single Twin Mint color option.

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Is Motorola Edge 50 Pro better than Vivo V30?

Recently, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro was released in India. The device starts at ₹31,999 in the country.

The smartphone competes with several other handsets in the region at this price. One of them is Vivo V30.

Both of them may seem different at first sight. However, they are similar in many aspects with a few differences that make them stand out.

So if you are confused between the two, you have come to the right place. Here in this article, we help you decide which of these phones you should go for.

Without any further ado, let’s check out what these smartphones have to offer.

1. Thin, Light, and Curvy

The Motorola Edge 50 Pro and Vivo V30 are thin and light smartphones. Their 6.7-inch 1.5K curved OLED displays further make them comfortable to hold in the hands.

The duo weighs 186g but comes with different levels of thickness. The Motorola product is slightly thicker at 8.2mm compared to Vivo’s 7.5mm thinness.

Further, the duo uses different materials for their body. The V30 has a plastic frame which is paired with a glass back. Whereas the Edge 50 Pro comes in two finishes. Both variants feature an aluminum frame coupled with either vegan leather or wood-based acetate.

The camera layout is minimal on the two handsets compared to other expensive phones. Additionally, the Vivo V30 has a soft LED flashlight.

As far as protection is concerned, the Edge 50 Pro is IP68-rated, which makes it submersible in 1.5m of water for up to 30 minutes. While the V30 with its IP54 rating is only splash-resistant.

2. Similar Performance Different Software

Both Motorola Edge 50 Pro and Vivo V30 are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 mobile platform. The chipset is paired with up to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage.

But the base variant of V30 is limited to 128GB storage. Whereas the Edge 50 Pro comes with 256GB storage as standard.

On the software front, the duo boots Android 14. Both of them are eligible for three generations of Android updates and four years of security updates.

However, the software experience is different between the two. Vivo uses Funtouch OS which is quite different from the near-stock Android experience (Hello UI) offered by Motorola.

Nevertheless, Vivo rolls out system updates in a timely manner and is known to keep its devices up to date. While Motorola is yet to prove itself in terms of software support.

3. Better Cameras on Vivo

The Motorola Edge 50 Pro may have three rear cameras instead of two on the Vivo V30. But the latter has better cameras.

The V30 sports an OIS-assisted 50MP primary sensor and a 50MP ultrawide with autofocus. Even its 50MP selfie camera on the front supports autofocus.

All of these cameras are powered by Vivo’s imaging algorithm, which is known for providing excellent output. The soft LED flashlight also helps in low light scenarios.

On the other hand, the Edge 50 Pro has a proper three lens system. It comes with an OIS-assisted 50MP primary sensor, a 13MP ultrawide unit, and a 10MP 3x telephoto shooter with OIS. On the front, it has a 50MP snapper with autofocus.

This camera hardware is no slouch either. But Motorola’s imaging algorithm lags behind the the competition. It is software processing that plays an important role in smartphone photography.

4. Motorola Edges in Charging

The Vivo V30 houses a larger 5,000mAh battery as opposed to a slightly smaller 4,500mAh battery inside the Motorola Edge 50 Pro. But the latter supports double the charging speed.

The V30 is limited to 80W wired charging. While the Edge 50 Pro not only supports 125W wired charging but 50W wireless and 10W reverse wireless charging standards as well.

Additionally, the Edge 50 Pro arrives with a USB 3.1 port. This not only enables display out but also a useful productivity feature called Ready For similar to Samsung DeX.

However, there’s a caveat. The base variant of Edge 50 Pro ships with a 68W power adapter as opposed to a 125W charger with the top variant. So consumers opting for the entry-level model will have to spend extra money to experience the maximum charging speed. 

5. Conclusion

The Motorola Edge 50 Pro is more affordable than the Vivo V30. It retails at ₹31,999 and ₹35,999 for 8GB + 256GB and 12GB + 256GB memory configurations, respectively.

Whereas, the Vivo V30 costs ₹33,999, ₹35,999, and ₹37,999 for 8GB + 128GB, 8GB + 256GB, and 12GB + 256GB memory variants, respectively.

If cameras are your top priority, the Vivo V30 is the one for you. But if you want a feature-packed phone, the Edge 50 Pro is a clear winner.

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Itel Launches S24 with 108 MP AI Camera, Helio G91, and 8GB RAM Under 10K with Free Smartwatch

Itel continues to expand its product line in India. Following the recent launch of the Super Guru 4G model, the company has now introduced the S24 model, which is drawing attention for its technical specifications and performance. So what does the manufacturer known for affordable smartphones have in store for us this time? Here are the features and price of the itel S24. Here are the details…

Itel S24 Specs

When we look at the technical specifications of the itel S24, we find MediaTek’s Helio G91 octa-core chipset at its heart. This budget-friendly processor offers a maximum CPU frequency of 2 GHz and supports LPDDR4x memory. The phone boasts a total of 16 GB of RAM (8 GB physical + 8 GB virtual) and provides 128 GB of storage.

itel s24

The itel S24 features a 6.6-inch HD+ display with a smooth 90Hz refresh rate. Camera-wise, the phone stands out with its 108 MP main camera (the maximum resolution supported by the Helio G91), plus a secondary low-resolution depth sensor. An 8 MP selfie camera completes the package. The itel S24, which has a 5000 mAh battery, also supports 18W charging via USB-C.

itel S24 Price & Availability

The itel S24 smartphone is priced at INR 9,999 and is available on Amazon, where it comes with a free smartwatch. It will also be available in retail outlets by the end of April.

  • Processor: MediaTek Helio G91
  • RAM: 16 GB (8 GB physical + 8 GB virtual through memory fusion)
  • Storage: 128 GB
  • Operating System: itel OS 13.5
  • Display:
    • Size: 6.6 inches
    • Resolution: HD+
    • Refresh Rate: 90Hz
    • Style: Punch-hole
  • Rear Camera: 108MP Dual AI Camera with F1.6 Aperture
  • Front Camera: 8MP with Dual Flash
  • Battery: 5000 mAh with 18W Fast Charging (USB Type-C)
  • Audio: Dual DTS Speakers
  • Fingerprint Sensor: Side-mounted
  • Colors: Starry Black, Dawn White
  • Price: INR 9,999/-
  • Availability: Amazon, with free smartwatch; retail outlets by end of April

RELATED:

OnePlus Watch 2 Nordic Blue Edition with Scandinavian-inspired design launched in Europe & UK

At MWC 2024, OnePlus debuted its long-awaited OnePlus Watch 2. Initially launched in India, the model was made available in other regions such as the US, Canada, UK, and Europe last month. Now, the brand has launched a special Nordic Blue Edition of its OnePlus Watch 2 in the UK and EU.

OnePlus Watch 2 Nordic Blue Edition

This version features a Scandinavian-inspired design with a lighter gray case and a blue leather band with white stitching. It’s the only model that includes a blue chronograph bezel. Specification-wise, it is similar to the regular model.

OnePlus Watch 2 Nordic Blue Edition pricing:

Priced at €349/£299, the Nordic Blue Edition is more expensive than the standard versions, which are available for €299/£269. The higher price is due to its unique design and limited availability.

OnePlus Watch 2 specs:

OnePlus Watch 2 Nordic Blue Edition

The OnePlus Watch 2 features a 1.43-inch AMOLED display, protected by sapphire-reinforced glass. It has a peak brightness of 600 nits. The watch is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 SoC and the BES 2700 MCU chips, and relies on a 500mAh battery pack to keep it powered through 48 hours of heavy use. It is also capable of lasting for around 100 hours in smart mode and takes 60 minutes to fully charge thanks to the 7.5W VOOC charging.

The main attraction of the smartwatch is its Google Wear OS 4 operating system paired with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage to enable smooth operation.

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EV company Polestar releases its first smartphone with special AI features

One of the competitors of Tesla in the electric vehicle market, Polestar, just unveiled their first phone. We actually knew this one coming up as we shared a post revealing that Polestar would launch on April 23 a few days ago. Furthermore, we previously shared with you that the Polestar Phone would be a Meizu 21 Pro clone before the phone’s release. In fact, the Polestar Phone and the Meizu 21 Pro have same specifications. Let’s take a look at this AI-powered phone that works seamlessly with a Polestar electric car.

Polestar Phone: A new way to control your EV with new AI features

The Polestar Phone phone features Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, 80W wired and 50W wireless charging, and a triple camera configuration that includes a 50 MP main camera (1/1.3″), a 10 MP telephoto camera, and a 13 MP ultrawide-angle camera. We cannot say that the phone’s camera hardware is very powerful. However, we do not expect a phone introduced by an electric vehicle manufacturer to have high-end specifications.

We can say that the differentiating factor of the Polestar Phone from the Meizu 21 Pro is the user interface. The phone runs on Polestar Phone OS, which can actually be thought of as a themed version of Flyme OS. The phone’s user interface actually has similar design elements found in the Polestar EV’s user interface design.

Polestar Phone comes with some AI features, including AI image search, image generation, and text summarization, which we are familiar with seeing on some smartphones. In addition to these features, it comes with Polestar Link to control Polestar electric vehicles, allowing users to monitor the status of their EVs. Polestar Link is a very good tool in China since Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not available there. Polestar Link aims to provide a seamless experience to the Chinese EV users.

The phone was launched in China and it’s not known whether it will be available globally or not, the 16GB+1TB variant costs 7,388 CNY in China which is 1,020 USD.

(source)

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Huawei CEO reveals Smart Cars sold at Loss, unveils AITO Wenjie M5 with Advanced Driving Technology

Huawei’s Managing Director and CEO of Consumer BG, Yu Chengdong, has revealed that the company’s high-end smart cars, priced below RMB 300,000, are being sold at a loss. This financial strain is attributed to the substantial investment in research and development, particularly in smart driving technology.

To showcase their latest advancements in this field, Huawei previewed the upcoming release of the Wenjie M5. The presentation highlighted several key features aimed at enhancing the driving experience for consumers.

source: Wikipedia

The Wenjie M5 boasts a fashionable appearance, promising to appeal to style-conscious drivers. Moreover, it promises an enhanced driving experience with smarter travel features and comprehensive safety measures.

Central to the vehicle’s capabilities is Huawei’s ADS 2.0 high-end smart driving system, which has undergone significant upgrades. Among its new functionalities is the Smart Driving Pilot NCA, which offers intelligent driving assistance across various road types.

One notable improvement is making the system adaptable to all urban roads, highways, and rural routes nationwide and not relying on super-accurate maps. This is made possible through the integration of the GOD (General Obstacle Detection) network and RCR (Road Cognition & Reasoning) network 2.0 technology, achieving a remarkable 99% recognition rate of obstacle types. Furthermore, the system independently comprehends complex road conditions, contributing to better driving performance overall.

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Chinese retailers acquire NVIDIA AI Chips despite US restrictions

Despite expanded US restrictions on the export of advanced Nvidia AI chips to China, ten Chinese entities with government affiliations have managed to procure these chips embedded in server products from prominent suppliers such as Super Micro Computer Inc., Dell Technologies Inc., and Gigabyte Technology.

According to documents reviewed by Reuters, the acquisitions took place between November 20 and February 28, following the US’s extension of export restrictions on Nvidia’s AI technology, which aimed to curb Chinese access to advanced chipmaking technology.

The buyers include prestigious institutions like the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shandong Artificial Intelligence Institute, and the Hubei Earthquake Administration, as well as universities, a tech investment firm owned by a provincial government, a state-run aviation research center, and a space science center.

The transactions were facilitated through 11 little-known Chinese retailers, raising questions about whether they had access to stockpiles acquired before the US tightened export restrictions.

Nvidia has stated that the products specified in the tenders were exported and available before the restrictions were imposed, asserting that the purchases don’t indicate violations of export control rules. However, experts suggest that chips could have been diverted to China without the manufacturers’ knowledge due to limited visibility into downstream supply chains.

The US Commerce Department is reportedly monitoring diversions of restricted chips and investigating potential breaches. Violations of US export controls can result in severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment.

The acquisitions provide China with access to advanced chips that could bolster military applications, including the modernization of defense forces and the development of hypersonic missiles. Although the quantities acquired were limited, the chips could significantly aid in training models and conducting advanced research.

The potential ramifications of this development include increased government scrutiny of Nvidia and other tech suppliers to China. Additionally, it highlights the ongoing efforts by Chinese tech giants to develop their own AI capabilities and transition to locally developed silicon, though the extent of their capabilities compared to Nvidia’s remains uncertain.

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Xiaomi 15 could be the first to offer the next Oryon CPU-powered Snapdragon 8 Gen 4

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 was announced at the Snapdragon Summit on October 25, 2023. Xiaomi announced its flagship Xiaomi 14 series the next day in the home country and it was made available within a couple of days. Now the latest news from tipster Yogesh Brar claims that Xiaomi will again offer the next generation flagship chip from Qualcomm, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 before anyone else.

The tipster notes that Xiaomi still has the exclusive first launch rights for the Snapdragon flagship chip. It is followed by OnePlus and iQOO. It means that the Xiaomi 15 series could be the first to offer the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chip. The next two phones, according to the information, should be the OnePlus 13 and the iQOO 13 respectively.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 could be a bit different

However, if you live in the US, you’ll still have to wait until January or February for the next Galaxy flagship to experience the next Oryon CPU-powered Snapdragon flagship. They may also continue to add certain changes in the clock speeds and the ‘for Galaxy’ branding just like the past two years.

Speaking of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, Qualcomm CMO Don McGuire has confirmed that the chipset will also be unveiled in October at the Snapdragon Summit 2024. Another key piece of information he shared about the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is its adoption of Qualcomm’s custom-made Oryon CPU core.

While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is already capable enough to handle pretty much everything you through at it, the 8 Gen 4 is going to be the first to boast the new custom core from Qualcomm. The Oryon CPU cores in the Snapdragon X Elite CPU are reportedly outperforming most of the desktop processors both in terms of raw computing power and power efficiency. Nonetheless, that’s Windows-on-Arm, a completely different platform and the comparison is also with the desktop CPUs. We will have to see how it performs on next-generation Android flagships.

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