Oppo Watch X officially confirmed to launch on March 22 in China

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Mar 13, 2024

Today Oppo officially announced that it will launch the Oppo Watch X smartwatch in China on March 22. The company has already debuted the Oppo Watch X in Malaysia on February 29th. Notably, this is the same product that was shown off as the OnePlus Watch 2 at MWC 2024 in late February.

A notable difference between the Chinese and Global versions of the watch is the use of software. While the Oppo Watch X comes with Google’s Wear OS 4 in the global market, the company will offer the product with its ColorOS Watch based on AOSP in China, which might help them to reduce the product pricing. Apart from that, the hardware specifications should remain the same.

Appearance and specification

The global version of the product is available in two different color options – Platinum Black and Mars Brown and the strap is made of “fluororubber” and stainless steel buckle.

In the front, you will look at a 1.43″ 466×466 resolution circular AMOLED display that offers a decent 326PPI pixel density. Oppo notes that the Oppo Watch X can reach up to 1000 nits in high brightness mode (typically triggered by direct sunlight or bright ambient lighting) and 600 nits of default maximum brightness. The watch comes with a 500 mAh battery and weighs around 80 grams including the strap. The Chinese version reportedly supports eSIM.

For computing needs, Oppo Watch X comes equipped with a dual chipset architecture same as the OnePlus Watch 2, where the Snapdragon W5 chip runs the heavy tasks and a ultra low-power co-processor microcontroller unit (BES2700BP) leads the system during less demanding tasks. Notably, this device is rated for 12 days of battery life. Google enabled the dual-chipset architecture as part of Wear OS 4 with OnePlus Watch 2 and we aren’t sure at this point if Oppo has managed to implement the same for the Chinese version with the AOSP-based ColorOS Watch operating system.

Pricing (rumored)

The pricing for the Chinese market isn’t official yet. Nonetheless, some previous leaks claim that the Oppo Watch X will cost around ¥1,000 (~$140) in China. This is a lot more affordable price tag as compared to the global market. For reference, the Oppo Watch X with Wear OS costs NT$10,990 (~$366) in Taiwan.

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iQOO Z9 Turbo tipped to feature Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, may rival Realme GT Neo 6

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Mar 13, 2024

Several brands are gearing up to launch new phones featuring the upcoming Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (tentative name) chip. Reports have suggested that it may rival the upcoming Realme GT Neo 6, which may come equipped with the said chipset. A new leak, courtesy of tipster Digital Chat Station, reveals that the forthcoming iQOO Z9 Turbo will also feature the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3.

iQOO Z9 Turbo: What to expect?

DCS did not reveal any other information about the iQOO Z9 Turbo. However, in his previous Weibo posts, he shared leaked specifications of an upcoming iQOO phone equipped with the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3. Previous leaks suggested that this device may arrive as an iQOO Neo 9 series phone, but it now appears that this device will break cover as a Z9-series phone.

As per previous leaks, the said device may feature a flat OLED panel of 6.78 inches. The screen may support a 1.5K resolution, a 144Hz refresh rate, and 2160Hz PWM dimming. For security, it will have an in-screen fingerprint scanner. The device is expected to run on OriginOS 4-based Android 14.

The topmost variant of the iQOO Z9 Turbo is expected to feature 16 GB of LPDDR5x RAM and 1 TB of FUS 4.0 storage. The battery size of the device is not known yet, but it is expected to arrive with support for 120W fast charging. The Z9 Turbo may feature a plastic frame and come equipped with a 50-megapixel dual-camera system.

Rumors are rife that the iQOO Z9 and iQOO Z9x will launch in April in China. While the Indian edition of the Z9 has the Dimensity 7200, its Chinese edition may feature the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3. The Z9x is expected to feature the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 SoC. It remains to be seen whether the Z9 Turbo debuts alongside the Z9 and Z9x.

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Realme Narzo 70 Pro 5G confirmed to support 67W fast charging

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Mar 13, 2024

Realme Narzo 70 Pro 5G is set to launch on March 19. With a couple of days remaining for the official announcement, the company is gradually revealing more details about the device. In the poster below, it is confirmed that the device has fast charging capabilities.

Realme Narzo 70 Pro 5G fast charging capabilities

Realme Narzo 70 Pro 5G 67W fast charging — Realme Narzo 70 Pro 5G supports 67W fast charging

The Narzo 70 Pro 5G will come with support for 67W fast charging, confirms Realme. While the brand has not revealed the battery size, it is likely to come packed with a 5,000mAh battery, which has now become a standard for mid-range phones.

One of the major attractions of the Narzo 70 Pro 5G is that it will have 65 percent fewer preloaded apps than before. Furthermore, for hands-free usage, the device will have support for numerous air gestures. The brand is yet to officially confirm the chipset that will power the Narzo 70 Pro.

The Narzo 70 Pro 5G has a 120Hz OLED panel with support for rainwater touch. There is no information about the front camera, but its rear camera setup will comprise the Sony IMX890 50-megapixel primary camera with OIS support. In terms of design, the Narzo 70 Pro flaunts a dual-tone glass panel on the back with an attractive arc design.

Realme recently confirmed that it will conduct the early bird sale of the Narzo 70 Pro 5G at 6pm (local time) on the launch date. Those who purchase the phone in this sale will get the all-new green variant of the Buds T300 TWS earbuds for free. In addition, buyers will also benefit from other offers, such as a Rs 2,000 discount via bank cards and no-cost EMI. As far as pricing is concerned, the device is likely to be priced at under Rs 25,000 (~$300) in India.

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Vivo X Fold 3 Pro AnTuTu listing appears before March 26 tentative launch date

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Mar 13, 2024

A new Vivo phone bearing the V2337A model number has emerged in the database of the AnTuTu benchmarking platform. As per reports, it is nothing but the upcoming Vivo X Fold 3 Pro foldable phone. Here is a look at the details that have emerged through the AnTuTu listing of the device.

Vivo X Fold 3 Pro AnTuTu listing

As can be seen in the above poster, the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro has achieved an impressive AnTuTu score of 2,176,828 points. This comprises 471,878 points in the CPU test, 893,816 points in the GPU test, 464,490 points in the memory test, and 346,644 points in the UX test score.

In terms of specifications, the listing reveals that the Vivo X Fold 3 is equipped with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 mobile platform, LPDDR5 RAM, and UFS 4.0 storage. The X Fold 3 Pro variant that has appeared on AnTuTu has 16 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage, which appears to be its topmost configuration. In addition, the device will ship with Android 14, which will mostly have a layer of OriginOS 4 on top.

Vivo X Fold 3 Pro launch date (tentative)

DCS' Vivo X Fold 3 Pro launch date leak — DCS’ Vivo X Fold 3 Pro launch date leak

A recent leak claimed that the Vivo X Fold 3 series would be announced in the last week of March. Now, a new Weibo post by tipster Digital Chat Station reveals that it is tentatively scheduled to break cover on March 26.

The tipster reiterated that the X Fold 3 Pro will have an OV50H OmniVision 50-megapixel lens with an f/1.68 aperture as the primary snapper. It will be accompanied by an OV64B 64-megapixel periscope telephoto camera with support for 3x optical zoom, 70mm focal length, and telephoto macro shots. The X Fold 3 Pro is said to be equipped with the Vivo V3 ISP for a better photography experience. DCS claimed that the device would be available in black and white shades. He further said that the white variant looks great as it features fibreglass.

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Moto G (2024) launched with 120Hz display, Snapdragon 4 Gen 1, 5,000mAh battery

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Mar 13, 2024

Apart from launching the Moto G Power 5G (2024), Motorola has also announced the Moto G (2024) in the US and Canada. With a price tag of $199, the G (2024) is the most affordable 5G-enabled entry-level phone from the brand. Continue reading ahead to learn everything about the specifications, features, and price of the device.

Moto G (2024) specifications and features

The Moto G (2024) has a 6.6-inch LCD punch-hole screen that produces an HD+ resolution of 1612 x 720 pixels, a 269 ppi pixel density, a 21.5:9 aspect ratio, and a 120Hz refresh rate. For security, the device is equipped with a side-facing fingerprint scanner. The phone measures 164.39 x 74.96 x 8.23mm and weighs 194 grams. It has a water-repellent body fitted with a vegan leather back.

The Moto G (2024) features the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset, 4 GB of RAM, and 4 GB of virtual RAM. The device offers 128 GB of UFS 2.2 storage and packs a 5,000mAh battery with 18W fast charging. It runs on Android 14, which has a layer of Motorola’s My UX on top.

The Moto G (2024) has a 50-megapixel main camera and a 2-megapixel macro snapper on the back. It has an 8-megapixel front-facing camera. The device is equipped with other features, such as dual SIM, eSIM, 5G, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS, NFC, a USB-C port, a 3.5mm audio port, and dual speakers.

Starting March 21, the Moto G (2024) will be available through T-Mobile and Metro. It will also be available through other carriers and MVNOs in the country. The unlocked version of the device is available through Motorola US’ website as well as Amazon US and Best Buy US starting May 2. On the same date, the device will also be released in Canada.

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Moto G Power 5G (2024) launched with a 120Hz display, Dimensity 7020, 50MP dual cameras, and more

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Mar 13, 2024

Moto G Power 5G (2024) has been launched as the successor to last year’s G Power (2023) for the US and Canadian markets. Some of the key features of the device include a 120Hz display, a Dimensity 7-series chipset, 50-megapixel cameras, and 30W fast charging. Here is a look at the specifications, features, and price of the device.

Moto G Power 5G (2024) specifications and features

The Moto G Power 5G (2024) has a 6.7-inch LCD panel with a punch-hole design. The screen offers an FHD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, a 391 ppi pixel density, and an 85 percent screen-to-body ratio. The device measures 167.22 x 76.44 x 8.5mm and weighs 201 grams. It offers a water-repellent construction along with a vegan leather back.

The back panel of the Moto G Power 5G (2024) has a 50-megapixel primary camera with OIS support and an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens with a 118-degree FOV. For selfies, the device is equipped with a 16-megapixel front-facing camera.

The Dimensity 7020 chip powers the smartphone. It ships with 8 GB of RAM. 128 GB of storage, and a microSD card slot for additional storage. The device boots to My UX-based Android 14. It offers other features, such as dual SIM with eSIM support, 5G, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, a USB-C port, a side-facing fingerprint scanner, a 3.5mm audio jack, and dual speakers.

Moto G Power 5G (2024) price in the US

In the US, the Moto G Power 5G (2024) is available for purchase via Motorola.com, Amazon (US), and Best Buy (US) starting March 29. The device has arrived with a price tag of $299. It comes in two shades, such as Midnight Blue and Pale Lilac.

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Fresh Apple Patent Points Towards a Smart-Home Network Controlled by “The Palm of Your Hand”

By

Anubhav

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Mar 13, 2024

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recently issued another patent to Apple for a special handheld device. The company plans to take its smart home capabilities to a whole other level it seems, since you can literally use the “palm of your hand” to control various devices around your home. Let’s have a look at this one.

The handheld device could also be used as an AR/VR accessory it seems.

The patent describes a handheld device equipped with a variety of functionalities designed to interact with smart home devices and potentially serve as an accessory for augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) applications. Key features outlined in the patent include cellular network connectivity and a voice control assistant to facilitate user interaction. The device would also house a compact touch-sensitive display for both visual output and touch input. Integrated microphones would capture voice commands, and speakers would provide audio output. The patent further details location tracking capabilities for the device itself, with the possibility of extending this functionality to nearby devices.

There could be so many applications for this device. It could operate as a voice-controlled smart speaker, responding to user commands to manage smart home devices or access information. The patent suggests the ability to run various applications, such as weather apps, music streaming services, or even payment platforms. The device could also be used as a universal remote control for smart home devices like speakers, lights, appliances, and more. Interestingly, the patent also hints at the possibility of using the device as an AR/VR anchor or visual marker, potentially as an input device or providing output for other AR/VR equipment. Who knows?

The concept of a multifunctional handheld device that seamlessly connects various smart home gadgets is definitely interesting if not anything else. It will be interesting to follow the development of this concept and observe if it translates into a commercially available product, and how it might integrate with Apple’s existing smart home offerings. Another Apple patent surfaced recently too, and that seems quite exciting for future iMacs. For more information, stay tuned to Gizmochina News!

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Apple may Have to Wait Until 2028 to Resell its Blood-Oxygen Monitoring Smartwatches

By

Anubhav

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Mar 13, 2024

There’s some good news for Apple Watch users in the US who miss the blood oxygen monitoring function. As per recent developments, there is a chance for its return, though the timeline is quite uncertain – and possibly very long.

Apple is trying to appeal the ban, which may result in a sooner reinstatement

Remember when Apple was sued by Masimo for infringing the pulse oximetry technology used to measure blood oxygen levels? This decision affected the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2. Documents from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) indicate Apple can potentially resume selling Apple Watches with the blood oxygen feature by August 2028 at the latest. This coincides with the expiration of the patent Apple was found to have infringed upon.

However, this isn’t the only factor at play. Apple is actively appealing the ban imposed by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). If their appeal is successful, the blood oxygen functionality could return sooner than August 2028.

The whole situation is further complicated by the lack of a settlement between Apple and Masimo, the patent holder. As of now, a licensing agreement seems unlikely. Reports state that Masimo’s CEO remains open to discussion but hasn’t engaged with Apple yet.

That’s not all. Masimo is raising concerns that Apple might enable the blood oxygen function on jailbroken iPhones through software updates. They’re advocating for stricter restrictions, ideally at the hardware level, to prevent this possibility. This fiasco might end up costing Apple billions of dollars since Apple Watches are some of its most popular products next to the iPhones and Macs. We’ll find out soon if Apple can bring blood-oxygen-measuring Apple Watches back to the market, but for now, all we can do is wait. Stay tuned for future coverage on the same!

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Using Generative AI to Design New Cars? Toyota, Honda, and Subaru are Already on it

By

Anubhav

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Mar 13, 2024

Generative AI can be used for a lot of things, but it’s hard to say exactly where the upper limits are. As of now, it seems to be vehicles. Recent news state that Japanese car companies are embracing generative AI to streamline the development process for new models. Utilizing the capability of generative AI to create new variations based on existing data, companies are expecting to significantly improve efficiency and potentially cut the planning and design time by 50%.

Honda is also leveraging Generative AI through its joint venture with Sony

Toyota is leading the charge by utilizing image-generating AI at its US research arm. This AI analyzes car design drawings and calculates air resistance, allowing for adjustments that optimize both design and functionality. Honda is also on board, using generative AI through its joint venture with Sony to develop advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) for their upcoming AFEELA car.

AI Car — An image of a concept car generated with DALL-E

Subaru and Mazda are taking a slightly comprehensive approach, focusing on training their workforce in AI principles. Subaru has launched a program to equip over 4,000 engineers with the skills needed to utilize generative AI, while Mazda is making AI training mandatory for all indirect employees in design and experimental departments by 2025. Mazda’s ultimate goal is to double overall production efficiency by 2030. That’s a big goal, but a realistic timeframe and rapidly developing AI technology can propel the company to its forecasted numbers. We can just wait and see what happens.

As car companies race to develop electric vehicles and autonomous driving features, one thing is clear – generative AI will be undoubtedly a powerful tool to speed up innovation and potentially reshape transportation. It will be interesting to see if AI also plays a role in churning out special car designs or functionalities that we haven’t even imagined yet. Imagine being able to say, “My car was designed by Artificial Intelligence.” It could be a flex, or not. That’s up to you!

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ASUS Unveils the MDS-M700 Medical Computer with AI-powered 4K UHD Image Processing

By

Anubhav

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Mar 13, 2024

ASUS, usually in the news for its laptops, gaming smartphones or displays, has recently unveiled a powerful new medical computer designed specifically for the healthcare environment, and it’s the MDS-M700. This new machine seems to have its priorities somewhere else – precision, performance, and patient safety. The MDS-M700 boasts support for 4K UHD image processing, delivering sharper and more detailed visualizations of human tissues, blood vessels, and body structures. This translates to clearer diagnoses and more informed treatment plans.

The computer operates at a mere 45dB to minimize distractions

Hospitals can be noisy places, but the MDS-M700 operates at a whisper-quiet 45dB, creating a less distracting environment for medical professionals during critical procedures. This feature might not make a huge difference at a standard-consumer level, but it’s a whole different story with medical usage. Designed for sterile environments, the MDS-M700 features a compact design with a integrated cover, making it easy to clean and maintain in operating rooms and other sterile settings. Additionally, its alcohol resistance is a pretty useful feature, considering sterility is absolutely paramount in hospitals.

The MDS-M700 adheres to rigorous medical safety industry standards, including CE, FCC, and IEC 60601-1-2 certification. This last standard ensures the computer functions flawlessly within electromagnetic environments, for instance, in the presence of MRI and other scanning machines, thus minimizing the risk of interference with other equipment or potential harm to patients.

Under the hood, the MDS-M700 packs a punch. It features a 13th generation Intel Core processor and offers the option of an Nvidia RTX A5000/A4000 graphics card. It also comes equipped with three Ethernet interfaces for versatile data transfer. Additionally, it supports optional 4K UHD capture cards.

The ASUS MDS-M700 medical computer is slated for release in April 2024 and will be showcased at the upcoming HIMSS24 global medical conference. We don’t see a lot of these companies putting out niche products, especially catered towards the medical field, so this is surely a refreshing piece of news.

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Chinese Scientists Create a Brain-Analysis Chip by Learning from Space Research

By

Anubhav

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Mar 13, 2024

It seems like scientists are getting creative as they try to understand the human brain! A team in China has developed a special chip inspired by how they study objects far, far away in space. This chip is designed to help them unlock the mysteries of the brain in real-time.

The new chip can analyze a lot of brain data really fast, and works on it right away

Here’s the problem: scientists can now take pictures of a whole zebrafish brain at once, but figuring out what all that information means takes way too long. It’s like having a giant puzzle without a picture on the box.

The Chinese researchers noticed something interesting. When astronomers study quick bursts of radio waves from space, they also need to analyze a lot of data fast. So, the scientists took a page out of the astronomer’s playbook and designed a chip with special processing power. This chip can handle a massive amount of brain data (like hundreds of movies playing at once) and start making sense of it right away.

Their research, published in a science journal, shows the chip actually works. It can track the activity of up to 100,000 brain cells in a tiny zebrafish. The scientists even used the chip to control the swimming of paralyzed zebrafish, which is reminiscent of the Neuralink chip – but it wouldn’t be wrong to compare the two of them.

Hopefully, this tiny chip turns out to be a big leap forward for brain research. It could help scientists understand how our brains work in real time, leading to new data – or even better, new medical treatments.

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Baseus Eli Sport 1 Open-Ear TWS Earbuds launched for $80

By

Sudhanshu

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Mar 12, 2024

Baseus is launching the Eli Sport 1 Open-Ear TWS Earbuds, featuring an open-ear design that doesn’t go inside your ears, allowing for a more comfortable fit and awareness of your surroundings. These earbuds feature a 16.2mm driver for high-quality sound and deep bass.

They’re designed with titanium memory wire ear hooks, covered in silicone for a secure, snug fit. Additionally, they come with a lanyard to secure them during active use. The earbuds offer 7.5 hours of playback, with a charging case that extends total battery life to 30 hours. And a quick 10-minute charge provides 2 hours of use.

These earbuds are also equipped with dual-channel low-latency technology, Bluetooth 5.3, a HiFi-grade LC3 codec, and a wind noise reduction algorithm. They’re IPX4 water-resistant, making them sweat-resistant.

The Baseus Eli Sport Earbuds are available in black and silver with lime-green hooks priced at $79.99. A 30% off discount is available at launch.

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(Source)

Ginza 1.0 trekking e-bike with a mid-mounted motor and belt drive unveiled

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Mar 12, 2024

Rising e-bike company Urban Jungle has unveiled the Ginza 1.0 trekking e-bike. The Ginza 1.0 is equipped with a mid-mounted Bosch Performance Line motor with a 625Wh Bosch Power Tube battery. The Ginza 1.0 was showcased earlier this year at Velofollies together with the company’s Barrio 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 e-bikes. Urban Jungle is a fast-rising e-bike brand based in Belgium.

Features

The Ginza 1.0 features the SR Suntour XCR32 suspension fork for a more comfortable riding experience. The bicycle also features Schwalbe All Grounder 60-584 tires suitable for a wide range of surfaces including trails. There are five speed levels in the bike and a Gates belt, Shimano MT400 brakes, and Shimano Nexus geared hub are present in the bike.

There are front and rear lights on the Ginza 1.0 for enhanced nighttime visibility, as well as Buchel Hero Air Alloy mudguards. The bike also has a Racktime Boostit 2.0 Purion 200 display on the e-bike which shows ride and battery information. Urban Jungle has not provided the weight of the Ginza 1.0 but the bike will debut first in Urban Jungle’s home market of Belgium later this month. The Ginza 1.0 is also expected to be subsequently available in a sprinkling of other EU countries like France, Germany, and the Netherlands. The price of the Ginza 1.0 e-bike is still under wraps at this time.

It remains to be seen the reception that awaits the Urban Jungle Ginza 1.0 in the European market. Urban Jungle has not stated the top speed and range of the Ginza 1.0 but it is expected to be on the average side. It is unlikely that the e-bike will be launched in markets outside Europe.

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Tecno POVA 6 spotted on FCC & Google Play Console with key features

By

Sudhanshu

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Mar 12, 2024

At MWC 2024, Tecno unveiled the POVA 6 Pro, a Dimensity 6080-powered 5G smartphone that offers a 120Hz FHD+ display. It looks like the brand is now gearing up to launch a vanilla Pova 6 model, as it has been spotted on the Google Play Console, as well as the FCC certification database.

As per the Google Play Console, the TECNO POVA 6, identified by its model number TECNO-LI7 will feature a flat Full HD+ display, offering a resolution of 2436×1080 pixels and a pixel density of 480 PPI.

Design-wise, the device will feature rounded corners, with the power button and volume rockers on the right side. Under the hood, it will feature an octa-core MediaTek Helio G99 SoC, that has a peak clock speed of 2.2GHz, along with a Mali G57 GPU. The smartphone will have 8GB RAM, and it will feature Android 14 out of the box.

Coming to the FCC certification, the POVA 6 will feature a large 5,850mAh-rated battery along with 70W fast charging support. The schematics reveal that the phone will have a dual-camera setup on the rear, with a circular flash module. The schematic also has 256GB + 12GB written on it, which means that we can expect the device to be available in this configuration.

Some key details like the display type, refresh rate, camera resolution, etc, are still unclear. The POVA 5 which launched last year featured a 6.78-inch IPS LCD Full HD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate, along with the same Helio G99 chipset. As for the camera, it had a 50-megapixel main camera and an AI lens. So it’s likely that we see some improvements onboard the successor.

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Samsung Maintains Foldable Lead in 2023, But Huawei Steals Lead from Samsung in 2024

By

Oğuz Çakır

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Mar 12, 2024

The foldable smartphone market continues to grow. Nearly all major smartphone manufacturers, with Samsung leading the charge, now offer foldable models. There’s even exciting speculation about a slim and lightweight foldable iPhone potentially arriving in 2026. So, how is this innovative sector performing? The latest DSCC report indicates impressive growth, with a 33% increase over last year and Huawei expected to lead in Q1 2024 for the first time. Here are the details…

Samsung Led Q4’23 Foldable Market, Huawei Expected to Lead in Q1’24 for the First Time

The foldable smartphone market surged by 33% in the last quarter of 2023, reaching 4.2 million units. Samsung, despite the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Z Fold 5 underperforming, remains the market leader. However, the South Korean manufacturer faces increasing competition. Both Huawei and Honor saw significant growth in Q4 2023. If this trend continues, experts believe Huawei could overtake Samsung as early as the first quarter of 2024.

Currently, the top selling smartphone market sees strong representation from various brands. Samsung holds four spots, while Honor and Oppo each claim two. Huawei and Xiaomi round out the list with one model apiece. While Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 5 reigned supreme last quarter, Huawei’s Mate X5 and Pocket 2 aim to steal the crown in the first quarter.

It’s worth noting that Samsung was the first major manufacturer to introduce a foldable phone, achieving a significant milestone. However, their overall performance seems to be faltering, as they recently lost the title of the world’s largest smartphone manufacturer.

A potential stumble by Samsung could lead to a 105% surge in Huawei sales. However, the upcoming Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 from Samsung might turn the tide. While Chinese manufacturers offer a wider range of models at various price points, giving them a long-term edge, only time will tell who wins the race. These are, of course, just predictions, and the outcome will be clear within a few weeks.

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The Video Upgrade You Didn’t Know You Needed? It’s from OnePlus

By

Oğuz Çakır

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Mar 12, 2024

OnePlus is expanding its product range. They already have successful smartphones, TWS headphones, and smartwatches. Now, rumors hint at new features for these devices to attract even more customers. In line with this, OnePlus is reportedly developing a new ‘Headphone recording’ feature for its earbuds.

This feature will allow to capture audio directly through their earbuds while shooting videos, potentially reducing their reliance on external microphones for content creators. Here are the details…

OnePlus Developing “Headphone Audio” Recording Feature

Most smartphones, including iPhones, rely on the built-in microphone (the small hole near the camera) to capture audio during video recording. This means there’s no native way to use headphones like AirPods for sound. OnePlus is working on a new feature that might change this. It would allow users to record audio directly through the microphones in their headphones.

While details are scarce because the feature is in development, there are hints of noise-cancellation capabilities. This could significantly improve audio quality in noisy environments, especially for content creators on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.

These creators often use additional wireless microphones alongside their phones, requiring extra editing to combine the audio with the video. With OnePlus’s potential headphone recording feature, they could ditch the extra equipment, saving time and money.

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Oppo Find X7 Ultra takes Number 1 spot on DxOMark smartphone camera rankings

By

Sudhanshu

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Mar 12, 2024

Earlier this year, Oppo debuted its flagship Find X7 Ultra smartphone in its domestic Chinese market. While the phone hasn’t been officially released globally, DxOMark, a commercial benchmarking company based in France, conducted camera system tests on the device, ranking it as the top performer in the ultra-premium category.

The Oppo Find X7 Ultra got a total score of 157 on DxOMark’s camera test, which has it tied up with the Huawei Mate 60 Pro+ for the number one position. The device outperforms all competition in criteria like Bokeh photography (85 points), telephoto zoom (118 points), and visual noise in video mode (119 points).

As per the reviewers, the Oppo Find X7 Ultra excelled in portrait capture, offering natural colors and high detail in various conditions. Equipped with a 50MP main camera featuring a large 1″ sensor, it delivers natural-looking images with low noise. Its dual periscope tele zoom cameras offer exceptional detail from 3x to 6x zoom and beyond. Bokeh images in portrait mode show accurate subject isolation and vibrant colors. Despite not using HDR in video, it produces excellent output with accurate exposure and wide dynamic range.

Testers found it ideal for capturing vivid colors and natural skin tones, freezing motion effectively. In low light, it performs impressively with revealing shadow detail and minimal noise, matching the low noise levels of the iPhone 15 Pro Max in both photo and video.

You can check out the comprehensive review of the camera system by visiting DxOMark. While the phone is not officially available outside of China, you can get it shipped to your doorstep via Giztop.

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Apple Announces Two New R&D Labs in Shanghai and Shenzhen (China)

By

Anubhav

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Mar 12, 2024

Tech giant Apple is making another big move in China, as the company looks towards boosting its R&D presence in the region. Apple is clearly aware that it is facing challenges in the Chinese market, but it also seems to be aware of the opportunities the market presents.

The lab is expected to be up and running later in 2024

The company is pouring resources into its existing applied research lab in Shanghai. This facility focuses on improving the materials and construction of Apple products and components, aiming to ultimately enhance the quality and performance of their devices. On the other hand, a brand new applied research lab is under construction in Shenzhen, another major Chinese city. Expected to open later in 2024, this lab will serve several purposes, including supporting employees and fostering closer collaboration with local suppliers – which will in turn strengthen the link between Apple and Chinese manufacturers. The lab will offer advanced research facilities for employees in the region, while also contributing to improved testing capabilities for flagship products like the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro.

Isabel Ge Mahe, Apple Greater China, talked about the company’s growing dedication to R&D in the region, stating that over $139 million has already been invested in applied research labs within China. Not only that, the number of Apple R&D staff in China has doubled over the past five years.

While Apple faces strong competition from local smartphone vendors like Huawei, this expansion is a clear sign that the company has no intentions of giving up easy, especially in a market that holds a lot of long-term potential. The upcoming opening of Apple’s eighth Shanghai store, Apple Jing’an, further emphasizes their commitment to expanding their retail footprint in China. Local retailers have been offering sizable discounts on Apple’s iPhones to keep the sales up, and it seems to be working so far. Time will tell if Apple can keep the hype up and running in the Chinese tech scene.

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(Via)

Samsung Will Not Offload Millions in Aging Chip Manufacturing Equipment Due to US Fear

By

Oğuz Çakır

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Mar 12, 2024

Samsung is undoubtedly one of the world’s largest technology companies. Its diverse product range sets it apart from competitors. The South Korean manufacturer produces smartphones, tablets, headphones, televisions, and robot vacuum cleaners. They also manufacture screens, batteries, and semiconductor chips.

This allows Samsung to sell products to both consumers and businesses like Apple. However, recent claims suggest Samsung is holding onto even old chip making equipment due to concerns about US sanctions. Here are the details…

Samsung Holds Back on Selling Old Tech, Citing US Sanction Worries

Tech companies often want to be sustainable and use resources wisely. So, they upgrade their production lines with new equipment. Instead of scrapping the old machines, they sell them. This helps them update their factories and make use of what they already own. However, companies like Samsung and SK Hynix have recently stopped selling old chip-making equipment, due to worries about trouble with the United States.

The reason behind this decision is the concern that these components might somehow reach Russia and China, countries subject to US embargos. Although both companies are cautious, there are instances where their products have found their way into restricted markets. For instance, a few months ago, SK Hynix chips used in the Huawei Mate 60 series caused issues, prompting the company to issue a statement.

Certainly, there are no legal sanctions for products provided to the right sellers. However, as the presidential election approaches, producers seem hesitant to take any risks. This situation leads to unique problems; some producers spend millions just to store old machines. Additionally, manufacturers like Huawei could lag behind in competition if they cannot access modern technologies.

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New iPad Air, Pro, And Accompanying Accessories May Arrive By March End Or Early April

By

Viraj Gawde

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Mar 12, 2024

Apple announced the new MacBook Air M3 last week. Up next, the Cupertino-based tech is expected to unveil new iPads. This could happen later this month or early April as per Bloomberg’s reliable analyst Mark Gurman in his latest Power On newsletter. The launch timeline seems to fall in line with past reports. Rumours point towards Apple refreshing the entire iPad lineup.

New iPads are just around the corner

Last year marked the first time Apple did not announce a new iPad model. Gurman reports that the company could launch the iPad Pro and iPad Air tablets by the end of this month or early April. The analyst expects Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil accessories for the tablets to tag along as well at the same time. A special build of the iPadOS 17.4 for the upcoming devices is also on the cards.

Apple may announce the new iPads and accessories softly via press release as it did with the MacBook Air M3. No dedicated launch event is expected. Both the Pro and Air lineup will include two models. Speculations are rife that Apple will announce a larger 12.9-inch Air model. The next-generation iPad Air is expected to be powered by an M2 processor.

Meanwhile, the 2024 iPad Pro is rumored to pack major upgrades. It will reportedly boast an OLED display, thinner design, slightly larger dimensions, M3 chip, and MagSafe charging support. Both the upcoming iPad Air and iPad Pro tablets are also tipped to feature a landscape FaceTime camera.

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