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Dell Alienware m18 R2 With Powerful Specs Launched In India

At CES earlier in January this year, Dell announced the Alienware m18 R2 gaming laptop. Now, the brand has brought the same machine to the Indian market. It packs powerful hardware that is meant to cater to the needs of gamers. However, this also results in to a whooping price tag of the m18 R2. Read on to know all the technical details below. 

Dell m18 R2 specifications and features 

The Dell m18 R2 boasts an 18-inch display bearing an FHD+ resolution, a 480Hz refresh rate, and a 3ms response time. There is also another variant with QHD+ resolution and a 165Hz refresh rate. Both options come with NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD Freesync. The laptop has an FHD webcam with HDR technology, Windows Hello authentication, and a dual-array mic. 

The Alienware m18 R2 features the brand’s Legend 3.0 industrial design. It has V-rail edges for ergonomics and an improved thermal management system comprising quad fans and a redesigned vapour chamber. There is an AlienFX RGB CherryMX keyboard. 

Internally, the Dell Alienware m18 R2 is equipped with up to 14th generation Intel Core i9 processor. There are a host of GPU options up to GeForce RTX 4090 16GB. The machine packs up to 64GB dual-channel DDR5 RAM and up to 8TB SSD storage. The laptop features the brand’s proprietary Cryo-Tech cooling technology. The m18 R2 is backed by a 6-cell 97WHr battery cell. 

There are a host of connectivity ports along with WiFi-7 and Bluetooth 5.4 on the laptop. 

The Dell Alienware m18 R2 starts at Rs 2,96,490 for the base model. It can be purchased from the brand’s website and offline stores as well as large retail channels and Amazon. 

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Xiaomi might launch an 8-inch tablet

Xiaomi re-entered the tablet market with the launch of the Xiaomi Pad 5 series. Since then, the company has released several models and all of them feature large-sized displays.

The screens on these devices measure at least 11 inches, except for the Redmi Pad with its slightly smaller 10.65-inch panel. There’s also a model with a whopping 14-inch display (Xiaomi Pad 6 Max 14).

Almost three years after its return to the tablet category, the company might now finally debut a small-screen tablet.

Xiaomi Pad 6

Recently, several Xiaomi executives hinted at the launch of an 8-inch tablet on Weibo. This is the first time we are hearing about such a product from the firm.

So the device is most likely in the development phase if it actually exists. It should pop up in the HyperOS codebase when the firmware builds get ready.

And once when Xiaomi deems it ready for the market, the product should get certified by regulatory agencies. That’s when we might learn more about this tablet.

For now, all we can say is Xiaomi is merely considering releasing a mini tablet. All we can do is wait for the plan to materialize.

For the unaware, all of Xiaomi’s previous tablets had an 8-inch display, except for the Mi Pad 4 Plus. So a small-screen tablet will not be an entirely new product from Xiaomi.

It’s just that 8-inch was once considered a standard size for tablets with huge bezels. But now, with minimal bezels, these tablets fall under the small or mini category. The Apple iPad mini continues to be the best and the only globally available small-screen tablet. 

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ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra Debuts As A Rebranded ROG Phone 8 With Minor Differences

ASUS has launched the Zenfone 11 Ultra smartphone. It is a rebranded ROG Phone 8 that debuted in January this year. However, there are a few minor changes on the latest flagship offering from the Taiwanese brand. The company also seems to be moving away from the compact flagship tag unless ASUS announces a standard version of the Zenfone 11 in the future. Read on to know what the newly announced device offers out of the box. 

ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra specifications and features 

Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra

The ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra sports a flat frame design with a squarish camera island and lines on the bottom half of the back panel. Obviously, it lacks the ROG branding. The volume rocker and power buttons are located on the right side. The latter doubles up as a fingerprint scanner and also supports ASUS’s scroll gesture functionality. The device is IP68-certified dust and water-resistant.

The ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra features a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display bearing a resolution of 2,400 x 1,080 pixels and a 144Hz refresh rate. It offers 2,500 nits peak brightness and supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision. There is a centre-aligned punch-hole cutout that accommodates a 32MP front-facing selfie snapper. 

On the optics front, the ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra has triple rear cameras. The setup comprises of a 50MP primary sensor with support for OIS and Gimbal, a 13MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 32MP telephoto unit. In terms of audio, the smartphone is equipped with stereo speakers tuned by Dirac and supports Hi-Res audio and Qualcomm aptX lossless audio.

Under the hood, the ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra houses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC. It packs up to 16GB RAM and 1TB storage. There is a heat dissipation system onboard. The smartphone is backed by a 5,500mAh battery unit with support for 67W wired and 15W wireless charging. Connectivity options on the device include WiFi-7, Bluetooth 5.3, 3.5mm headphone jack etc. 

The ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra carries a price tag of EUR 999 for the base 12GB + 256GB variant. The higher 16GB + 512GB configuration costs EUR 1,099. The smartphone comes in Skyline Blue, Eternal Black, Misty Grey, and Desert Sand colour options.

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Get $200 OFF on Xiaomi 14 Ultra Flagship Phone (Coupon)

Xiaomi 14 Ultra stands out as Xiaomi’s flagship device, showcasing its dedication to innovation with cutting-edge features tailored for even the most discerning smartphone users. Currently, Giztop offers a $200 discount on the original $1199 price, bringing it down to $999, with an extra 2% off using the coupon code GTD24 until December 31, 2024. Please note that this coupon code can be used for all products available on Giztop. 

WHERE TO BUY
Xiaomi 14 Ultra at $999 @Giztop

Photography is a highlight of the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, boasting a Qual-Camera LEICA System featuring a 50MP main camera with an adjustable aperture from f/1.63 to f/4.0, alongside OIS and ADL ultra-low reflection coating for enhanced image quality. Complementing this is a 50MP ultra-wide-angle camera, a 3.2x portrait telephoto camera, and a 5x telephoto camera, offering versatility in capturing various scenes.

AI plays a significant role in photography, with Xiaomi’s AISP platform enabling features like ULTRA SNAP for capturing fleeting moments and ULTRA RAW for professional-grade image quality. The device also boasts advanced 30X AI Super zoom capabilities with ULTRA ZOOM.

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra sports a 6.73″ 1440P display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 3000nits brightness, ensuring a captivating viewing experience for multimedia and gaming. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and offering up to 16GB of RAM and storage options up to 1TB, it promises seamless multitasking and ample storage.

Connectivity is enhanced with dual satellite communication and Xiaomi’s Surge T1 chip, ensuring reliable connectivity even in remote areas. The device features a 5300mAh battery supporting 90W super-fast wired charging and up to 80W fast wireless charging for all-day usage.

In terms of design, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra offers elegance and durability with its classic 3-stage design and premium materials. It is available in sleek black or white variants and a Dragon Crystal Blue ceramic version, it features a lightweight ceramic back cover and a sturdy metal frame.

Overall, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra represents the pinnacle of smartphone technology, blending groundbreaking photography capabilities, top-tier performance, and elegant design into a single package. Whether you’re a photography enthusiast, a power user, or someone who appreciates premium devices, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra promises to redefine your smartphone experience.

Vivo X Fold 3 Series Launch Date In China Seemingly Revealed Via Leaked Poster

Vivo X Fold 3’s key details have been surfacing on the web in recent times. Now, the upcoming foldable phone’s launch date has been seemingly revealed via an official-looking poster. It was shared by a Weibo user. Reports suggest that the company could launch a standard and pro variant of the X Fold 3. 

Vivo X Fold 3 series launch date seemingly revealed 

The invite poster shared by the Weibo user mentions the X Fold 3 series. This indicates that there may indeed be the standard and pro variant. The foldable phones are set to debut on March 26 at 5 pm local time. The poster also shows the upcoming offering with a thin profile and a tall exterior display. The back panel has a circular island housing three ZEISS-branded camera lenses and an LED flash unit. The X Fold 3 series is seen in the White colour option. 

The Vivo X Fold 3 and X Fold 3 Pro are rumoured to feature a 6.53-inch primary display and an 8.03-inch interior screen with OLED panels. Both phones will have an in-screen fingerprint scanner, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, up to 16GB RAM and 1TB internal storage. There will be a V3 imaging chip onboard. The X Fold 3 series is tipped to support 120W wired and 50W wireless charging. The standard and pro models will reportedly be backed by 5,500 and 5,800mAh battery units. The Vivo X Fold 3 series are expected to ship with OriginOS 4 out of the box.

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Deal: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 retails at the lowest price in the US

Samsung is surprising fans with enormous discounts on its vast product base. Starting with the wearables and then moving on to the flagship smartphones, the Korean giant is offering a $150 discount on the latest Galaxy Z Flip 5 smartphone. The deal is now live on Amazon, and the user can enjoy a $200 discount on the 256GB storage variant.

It is the best deal till now, even better than last year’s Christmas deal, where the user can save at least 20% of the actual retail price. On Christmas Eve, the discount was around $150, but this time it is around $200. For interested folks who have been looking to hold a foldable smartphone, this could be their deal. The fantastic design helps to reduce the size in half, which makes it more convenient for use and carrying in the pocket.

Grab the Galaxy Z Flip 5 at $200 Discount

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Specifications

Samsung Galaxy Flip 5 was launched last year, featuring the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC. It is coupled with 8GB of RAM and is available in two storage options: 256GB and 512 GB. It offers a dual rear camera featuring a 12 MP wide and 12 MP ultra-wide sensor. There’s a 10MP front camera for selfies.

A large 6.7-inch dynamic AMOLED display is present on the front, while the cover display AMOLED measures 3.4 inches in size. The smartphone packs a 3700 mAh battery with 25W fast charging.

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Report suggests Samsung is working on an affordable foldable, but not an ‘Ultra’ model

There’s been a lot of talk about Samsung possibly releasing a third foldable phone. Last month, a leak suggested that instead of a cheaper option that was initially rumored, Samsung might be working on a high-end “Ultra” Galaxy Z Fold 6.

However, a new report from a reliable Korean news source, ETNews, suggests that Samsung is actually planning to launch a more affordable Galaxy Z Fold, not the expensive Ultra variant. According to tipster Tech Reve, this budget-friendly model could be called the Galaxy Z Fold 6 FE.

As you might be aware, “FE” in Samsung’s product portfolio typically stands for “Fan Edition”. These FE edition devices usually offer flagship experiences at a lower price point by making some compromises in certain areas.

The rumored Galaxy Z Fold FE might follow this trend, as the ETNews report indicates that it may not support the S-Pen stylus. This lines up with last month’s rumors about the Ultra Fold 6 model having stylus support while the regular Fold 6 may not.

affordable galaxy z fold 6 FE
Galaxy Z Fold 6 render.

Regardless of whether it’s the Ultra or affordable FE, all hints point that Samsung is indeed cooking a third foldable device in its factory. Previous reports suggest that this device has been internally coded as “Q6A.”

The upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 are expected to be unveiled at an Unpacked event in the third quarter of the year. Samsung might also announce its third foldable device at the same event.

There’s still much we don’t know about the upcoming Samsung foldable, except that the renders of Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 have already surfaced online. We’ll keep you updated as new information becomes available.

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Oppo Pad 3 launch could be delayed, Tested with both the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 & Dimensity 9300

Oppo could be working on the successor to the Oppo Pad 2. The next gen tablet will likely be called the Oppo Pad 3, but ahead of any official announcement, a new leak has hinted at its launch and specifications. So here’s everything you need to know.

Oppo Pad 3 Launch Delayed

Oppo

The news arrives from known tipster Digital Chat Station, who shared the information on Weibo (a Chinese microblogging website). In the online post, the tipster claimed that the Oppo Pad 3 launch may be delayed. To recall, the Oppo Pad 2 was announced back in March 2023. But it appears that the successor won’t be launching this month. This means that the launch of the Oppo Pad 3 might have been pushed back to the second quarter of this year.

Digital Chat Station further added that the upcoming tablet is currently being tested with flagship processors from both MediaTek and Qualcomm, namely the Dimensity 9300 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 respectively. In other words, it remains to be seen what processor finally makes it on this high end tablet. For those unaware, the Oppo Pad 2 was released with the Dimensity 9000 SoC, so the MediaTek chipset could be preferred.

Oppo Pad 3

This processor is also paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage. The Oppo Pad 2 also sports a tall 11.61-inch IPS LCD panel that offers a 144Hz refresh rate, 2K+ resolution, and an 8-megapixel selfie shooter. Meanwhile, the rear packs a 13-megapixel camera. Under the hood, a massive 9,510mAh battery pack that supports 67W wired fast charging.

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Vivo V30e with Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 runs Geekbench

Vivo recently launched the V30 series smartphone globally as well as in India. Now, it seems that the company might be expanding the lineup with a new device, possibly called the Vivo V30e. 

The speculation arises because a new Vivo device, with the model number V2339, recently appeared on the Geekbench database.

The device is expected to be part of the Vivo V30 series, and it’s likely to be named Vivo V30e, considering its model number similarity to the Vivo V30 Pro (V2318).

Vivo V30e Geekbench

in terms of raw performance, the smartphone achieved a single-core score of 923 and a multi-core score of 2,749 on the synthetic benchmark. It’s likely powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset, considering the listing shows the smartphone’s SoC with an Adreno 710 GPU and a CPU speed of up to 2.21GHz. 

Additionally, it comes with 8GB of RAM and runs on the latest Android 14 operating system with Vivo’s Funtouch OS on top. 

Apart from these details, the Geekbench listing doesn’t reveal any other details about the smartphone. However, its presence on the benchmarking platform suggests that a potential launch could be on the horizon.

Vivo V29e Specifications

Vivo V30e will launch as a successor to the Vivo V29e that the company announced back in October 2023. While we’re still awaiting specifications for the V30e, let’s quickly recap the features of its predecessor.

Vivo V29e features a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, you get a Snapdragon 695 processor paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. 

On the back, the smartphone has two cameras led by a 64MP primary camera, accompanied by an 8MP lens. There is a 50MP lens on the front for selfies. Keeping everything running was a robust 4800mAh battery, which could be swiftly charged using a 44W adapter.

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Samsung to significantly increase the use of LG OLED panels in its TVs, says research agency Omdia

Market research agency Omdia says that Samsung Electronics is going to ramp up its use of LG WOLED panels in its products this year. Samsung will reportedly use 700,000 to 800,000 WOLED panels in its OLED TVs this year. To give you a context, this is up from last year’s 10-20 thousand units.

Samsung will use significantly more LG WOLED panels compared to last year

Image: Samsung

LG Display is expected to manufacture nearly 6 million units this year, from which LG Electronics will utilize 3.5-4 million. LG Display will ship the rest to other manufacturers such as Sony and Samsung. According to the market research agency, Samsung Electronics will purchase a significant proportion of the rest of the LG panels.

Notably, Samsung Display is also one of the big players in the display manufacturing industry, and the company will reportedly manufacture 1.4 million QD-OLED panels this year. Among these, Samsung Electronics themselves will use 1.1 million (nearly the full of it) and they will share the rest with Sony. So, it seems from the research data, that Samsung is focusing on manufacturing QD-OLED panels and fulfilling their demand of WOLED panels with supplements from LG Display. Notably, Samsung is expected to manufacture nearly 2 million OLED TVs this year, which is reportedly double as compared to last year.

Market research reveals that the overall OLED TV sales are expected to reach 6.3 million units this year, with Samsung and LG accounting for 5.5 million units. In summary of the research data, Samsung will utilize LG’s B series and C series TV-level WOLED panels in its OLED TVs but will continue to use in-house QD-OLED panels for its high-end TV products like the S95D that was unveiled at CES this year.

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(Source)

HyperOS update is triggering Microsoft app crashes on Xiaomi 11 Lite NE 5G

Xiaomi started rolling out the HyperOS update to the Xiaomi 11 Lite NE 5G smartphone last month. However, the update seems to have inadvertently triggered widespread compatibility issues with essential Microsoft applications.

Xiaomi 11 Lite NE 5G users on public forums are reporting that they are experiencing frequent crashes across a range of Microsoft apps including MS Teams, Outlook, Edge, and Copilot.

Xiaomi 11 Lite NE 5G HypeOS Microsoft

HyperOS update on Xiaomi 11 Lite NE 5G is causing Microsoft app crashes

The issue first came to light via MIUI’s Reddit forum, where a user reported that the Microsoft apps on their phone started crashing right after they installed the HyperOS update. 

Many other users chimed in with similar complaints in the comments, suggesting that they were experiencing the same issue. The Reddit user also said that they tried to reset and re-install the MS apps, but didn’t seem to help.

We further looked into the issue and found reports (1, 2) of the same problem on the Microsoft forum as well. 

While Xiaomi is yet to acknowledge the issue, the Reddit user mentioned in the comments that removing the Intune Company Portal app seemed to temporarily fix the problem with Microsoft apps.

Comment
byu/Borsi03 from discussion
inmiui

However, this workaround comes with a significant drawback. It restricts access to all work-related apps and emails, essentially isolating the work profile. 

For those unaware, the Intune Company Portal is a Microsoft app often used by organizations to manage devices and enforce security policies. 

For now, if you own a Xiaomi 11 Lite NE 5G, it’s advisable to refrain from installing the HyperOS update for the time being. It’s best to wait for an official response from Xiaomi regarding this matter. We hope Xiaomi will look into the issue and release a fix as soon as possible.

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Vivo Y18 visits Google Play Console with Helio G85 SoC, Could be a rebranded Vivo Y03

Vivo is apparently working on a new Y series smartphone, which could be dubbed the Vivo Y18. This model was just spotted on the Google Play Console listing, revealing some of its key specifications. So here is everything you need to know.

Vivo Y18 may be a rebranded Y03

To recall, the Chinese smartphone brand unveiled the new Vivo Y03 earlier this week. But prior to its release, it was spotted on certification platforms like NBTC with the V2332 model number. Now, the Vivo Y18 has surfaced on the Google Play Console database with the V2333 model number. In other words, the Vivo Y18 is likely a rebadged version of the Y03 for different markets.

If this is true, we can expect the specifications of the two Y series smartphones to be similar. Back in February 2024, the Vivo Y18 was also spotted alongside the Y03 on the Bluetooth SIG certification that revealed support for Bluetooth 5.0 standard. The Google Play Console listing also offers us a look at the front and back of the Y18, which showcases a design that resembles the Y03. Furthermore, the Vivo Y18 was listed with the MediaTek Helio G85 SoC.

Vivo Y18

This chipset is paired with 6GB of RAM and the device runs on the Android 14 OS out of the box. The RAM is one of the only differences in specs since the Y03 launched with 4GB of RAM. Unfortunately, this is all the information we have at the moment, so stay tuned for more updates.

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(Via)

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 gets a notable discount in the US

Samsung is offering the Galaxy Tab S9 with a sizeable discount in the US market. The base model of the flagship tablet lineup is now available for a great deal. This deal is also applicable to the higher end Galaxy Tab S9+ and the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra. So here are all the details.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Discount

The South Korean tech giant’s Galaxy Tab S9 was first announced for 799 US Dollars in the region. But now, the high end tablet is available for a discounted price tag of 699.99 US Dollars. This is a straight 100 US Dollar price slash, but that’s not all. The brand is even offering a 650 US Dollar trade-in credit on its official website by sending your older devices. The Book Cover Slim Keyboard Case of the Galaxy Tab S9 is also on a 50 percent discount at the moment. The deal is available via Samsung.com and Amazon.com.

Samsung

To recall, the Galaxy Tab S9 sports an 11-inch AMOLED display that offers a 120Hz refresh rate and 2K+ resolution. Under the hood, it is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC that is paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. The rear packs a 13-megapixel camera, while the front houses a 12-megapixel selfie shooter.

A massive 8,400mAh battery pack powers this device, which supports 45W wired fast charging. Other notable features include Bluetooth 5.3, USB Type C 3.2, under display optical fingerprint scanner, Samsung DeX, and microSDXC card slot for memory expansion.

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Samsung rolling out One UI 6.1 update to older Galaxy smartphones and tablets by the end of March

The Samsung Galaxy S24 series comes with all the bells and whistles you expect on a flagship smartphone in 2024. But what really caught everyone’s attention were the Galaxy AI features. Samsung introduced these features on their latest Android 14 skin, One UI 6.1

Samsung Galaxy One UI 6.1 Update

Later, the company confirmed Galaxy AI’s availability on older Galaxy smartphones and tablets sometime in March. In an official announcement, Samsung has now confirmed that the rollout of One UI 6.1 to older Galaxy devices will begin by the end of March 2024. 

The company has shared a list of Samsung Galaxy devices that will receive the One UI 6.1 update. You can check the eligible devices below.

One UI 6.1 Eligible Devices

The One UI 6.1 update is slated for release on the following Galaxy devices:

  • Galaxy S23
  • Galaxy S23+
  • Galaxy S23 Ultra
  • Galaxy S23 FE
  • Galaxy Z Flip 5
  • Galaxy Z Fold 5
  • Galaxy Tab S9
  • Galaxy Tab S9+
  • Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra

As aforementioned, the major highlight of the update is the suite of Galaxy AI features it will bring to these devices. These features include:

  • Circle to Search: With this feature, you can circle an object or area on-screen to find more information.
  • Generative Edit: Users can remove unwanted elements from photos, reposition objects within images, and adjust perspectives for a more refined composition.
  • Live Translate: It will provide real-time translation for voice calls within supported apps.
  • Note Assist (for Samsung Notes): It will summarize text within the Samsung Notes app and can even apply certain formatting styles to the summary.

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iQOO Z9 Turbo CMIIT certified, key specifications before rumored April launch

iQOO is working on the iQOO Z9, iQOO Z9x, and iQOO Z9 Turbo smartphones for the Chinese market. As per reports, these devices will come equipped with the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, and the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (tentative name) chipsets, respectively. A device bearing the model number V2352A has been listed in the database of China’s MIIT certification platform for the past few days. Today, tipster Digital Chat Station revealed that the said device will break cover as the iQOO Z9 Turbo in China.

iQOO Z9 Turbo key specifications (rumored)

iQOO V2352A CMIIT
iQOO V2352A CMIIT certified

According to today’s leak by DCS, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3-powered Z9 Turbo will have a flat display that produces a 1.5K resolution. He also revealed that the device has a 6,000mAh battery and a short-focus in-display fingerprint sensor.

As per other reports, the iQOO Z9 Turbo will have a 6.78-inch OLED panel that offers a 144Hz refresh rate and a 2160Hz PWM dimming. The device is expected to feature 16 GB of LPDDR5x RAM and 1 TB of UFS 4.0 storage.

The Z9 Turbo is likely to arrive with support for 80W fast charging. On the back, the device is likely to feature a 50-megapixel dual-camera system. It is expected to come preloaded with OriginOS 4.0-based Android 14. It is speculated that the Z9 Turbo will hit the Chinese market in April.

Some reports have claimed that iQOO is also working on the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3-powered Neo series phone dubbed the Neo 9s or Neo 9 Racing Edition. DCS claimed that the arrival of the said has been postponed and it appears that it may not feature the SD8sG3 chip.

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OpenAI will avail Sora to the public within 2024 and it could be just “a few months”

OpenAI unveiled its groundbreaking text-to-video tool, Sora, last month that can generate realistic-looking 1080p videos. Currently, it is only available to a handful of filmmakers and creators who are testing it to find out vulnerabilities and fixing them, ensuring it is safe before they roll it out to the public. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, OpenAI’s chief technology officer Mira Murati informed that they are aiming to launch Sora to the public before 2025 and that it could even happen within “a few months”.

OpenAI’s aim for Sora is serving creators with a tool that they can “edit and create with”

Image: OpenAI

Unlike the video showing Will Smith eating spaghetti that was unveiled just one year ago, Sora generated content in “hyperrealistic” (except for some weird representation of hands and fingers) and OpenAI CTO says they won’t serve this tool to the public before they ensure it’s safe to do that. Notably, Sora-generated videos will also be watermarked just like many other text-to-image generation tools.

When asked about how this tool might affect the jobs of creators in the future, CTO Murati said that their aim is to serve this text-to-video generation model as a tool to help creators in their work instead of replacing them.

“You know, the way that I see it is this is a tool for extending creativity and we want people in the film industry, creators everywhere, to be a part of informing how we develop it further and also how we deploy it. And also, you know, what are the economics around using this model when people are contributing data and such.”

Speaking of data, when asked about what data they have used to train Sora, she didn’t go much further but just said it is “publicly available and licensed data.” It could be videos from YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and similar platforms.

Notably, Sora doesn’t include audio in the generated clips and OpenAI reportedly has plans to integrate audio in the future. Although, it might not be Sora but an even better version of it with a different name. Just like DALL-E, you will need to pay to be able to use the model and OpenAI CTO Murati said that the aim is to

Meanwhile if you are wondering how to use Sora AI, know that the access is still limited.

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Samsung launches Galaxy A55 & Galaxy A35 in India, Check specs, price, & offers

Samsung has just unveiled the Galaxy A55 and the Galaxy A35 in the Indian market following their European release. These devices arrive with some notable specs and features like Gorilla Glass Viictus+ and Samsung Knox Vault, which are typically available in its flagship grade devices. So let’s have a look at its design, specs, pricing, and offers.

Samsung Galaxy A55, Galaxy A35: Design & Display

The South Korean tech giant is bringing certain design changes to the two models. For the first time ever, the Galaxy A55 is getting a metallic frame, while the Galaxy A35 comes equipped with premium glass on the back. To recall, these weren’t available on the mid-range models’ predecessors. Samsung is even offering an IP67 rating on the Galaxy A55 and Galaxy A35 for water and dust resistance. This means that they can withstand submersion into 1 meter of fresh water for up to 30 minutes. The Gorilla Glass Victus+ offers protection on the front and back.

Both Galaxy A series smartphones sport a tall 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display that offers full HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The adaptive refresh rate also helps in maximizing battery efficiency. The Vision Booster feature helps improve visibility even under bright sunlight and the Eye Comfort Shield enables eye protection for the user’s eyes.

Samsung Galaxy A55, Galaxy A35: Specifications

The Galaxy A55 has been announced with the Exynos 1490 SoC, which is based on a 4nm process. This chipset is paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. On the other hand, the Galaxy A35 is equipped with the Exynos 1380 processor that is coupled with up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. These handsets are powered by a massive 5,000mAh battery pack that offers 25W wired fast charging. The Galaxy A55 and Galaxy A35 also run on the Android 14 OS based One UI 6.1 custom skin out of the box.

Samsung Galaxy A35

Samsung has released the two devices with its proprietary security feature, which is the Samsung Knox Vault. This is also the first time the Galaxy A series has received the added protection, which is a hardware based system. Samsung’s latset smartphones feature Dolby engineered stereo speakers as well. The brand is also using AI to enhance the photography experience on the two devices.

The Galaxy A55 features a 50-megapixel primary camera that offers OIS (Optical Image Stabilization), 12-megapixel ultra wide angle lens, and a 5-megapixel macro shooter. Meanwhile, the Galaxy A35 features a 50-megapixel main sensor that is paired with an 8-megapixel ultra wide angle shooter, and a 5-megapixel macro camera. On the front, the Galaxy A55 houses a 32-megapixel selfie shooter, while the Galaxy A35 has the 13-megapixel selfie camera.

Samsung Galaxy A55, Galaxy A35: Pricing, Offers, & Availability

Samsung has released the Galaxy A55 and Galaxy A35 in the Indian market in multiple storage and color variants. The two models are available in Awesome Lilac, Awesome Iceblue, and Awesome Navy color options. So here are the pricing:

Samsung Galaxy A55

  • 8GB+128GB – 36,999 INR (roughly $447)
  • 8GB+256GB – 39,999 INR (roughly $483)
  • 12GB+256GB – 42,999 INR (roughly $519)

Samsung Galaxy A35

  • 8GB+128GB – 27,999 INR (roughly $338)
  • 8GB+256GB – 30,999 INR (roughly $374)
Samsung Galaxy A55
Samsung Galaxy A55

Samsung is even offering bank cashback of 3,000 INR on HDFC, OneCard, and IDFC bank card holders along with 6 months no cost EMI options. The devices come with YouTube Premium for free for two months and Microsoft 365 Basic + 6 months of Cloud storage. The Galaxy A55 and Galaxy A35 are available for purchase from the brand’s official website as of right now, while sales on online platforms kick off on 18th March 2024.

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Purported Xiaomi 14 Lite certified by India’s BIS, likely to launch soon

Recently, a Xiaomi phone with model number 24053PY09C was approved by China’s MIIT authority. Rumors are rife that this device could be the upcoming Xiaomi Civi 4. As it is known, Xiaomi’s Civi phones are confirmed for the Chinese market. A new development suggests that a rebranded version of the device may be heading to the Indian market with the Xiaomi 14 Lite moniker.

Alleged Xiaomi 14 Lite receives BIS certification

Alleged Xiaomi 14 BIS certified
Alleged Xiaomi 14 BIS certified

A new device bearing the model number 24053PY09I has appeared in the database of India’s BIS authority. The model number is similar to the CMIIT-certified 24053PY09C phone, which is believed to be the Civi 4. Therefore, it appears that a rebranded version of the Civi 4 may be planned for the Indian market.

To recall, a tweaked version of the Xiaomi Civi 2 was released on the global market with the Xiaomi 13 Lite moniker. Hence, there is a possibility that the Civi 4’s rebranded or tweaked version may be released in India with the Xiaomi 14 Lite branding.

To recall, Xiaomi launched the Xiaomi 11 Lite NE 5G back in October 2021. However, it has launched a “Lite”-branded smartphone this year. However, successor models, such as the Xiaomi 12 Lite and Xiaomi 13 Lite, were released in other markets, but they were skipped for India. Finally, the brand could be bringing back a Lite-branded 14-series phone to the Indian market.

As far as specs are concerned, the Xiaomi Civi 4 will have a curved-edge OLED display with a 1.5K resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a dual front-facing camera with LED flash. On the back, it is expected to feature a Lecia-engineered 50-megapixel main camera with OIS support. It will pack a 5,000mAh battery with 90W fast charging.

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Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 may support LPDDR6; Apple A18 Pro likely to use LPDDR5T

Qualcomm is set to launch its new flagship mobile chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, at the upcoming Snapdragon Summit in October. As the event draws near, leaks and rumors regarding the features and capabilities of the SoC continue to surface.

According to a new report from the South Korean news outlet Ajunews, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 might become one of the earliest mobile SoCs to support LPDDR6 memory. In contrast, Apple’s A18 Pro chipset is said to use LPDDR5T memory.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 LPDDR6

However, the same report says that there could be challenges in mass-producing the LPDDR6 module this year, possibly delaying its availability until 2025.

Despite this uncertainty, Ajunews suggests there’s a chance that LPDDR6 could be integrated into Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 AP to meet the growing demand for on-device AI capabilities. However, it’s best to take this information with a pinch of salt at the moment.

LPDDR6 is expected to offer improved speed and power efficiency compared to the current LPDDR5 standard. As aforementioned, the improved performance is said to be particularly useful in handling the AI tasks in the upcoming smartphones.

While Apple’s A18 Pro chipset is expected to rely on LPDDR5T memory, there are reports stating that Apple is exploring ways to store LLMs on NAND flash memory. This would allow iPhones even with limited RAM to still perform on-device AI tasks. 

LPDRR5T is currently the fastest RAM available in smartphone SoCs with theoretical speeds of up to 9.6 Gbps. 

As for Qualcomm, it remains to be seen whether the company will opt for LPDDR6 or stick with LPDDR5T RAM for its upcoming SoC. In related news, the forthcoming SoC, along with Dimensity 9400 and A18 Pro, has recently appeared in Geekbench.

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Google Play Console reveals Poco C61 is likely a rebranded Redmi A3

Earlier this week, Poco launched its X6 Neo smartphone in India. However, it seems the company is gearing up for another release in its budget-centric C series with the Poco C61. The smartphone has now appeared on the Google Play Supported Devices list, hinting at an imminent arrival. 

Poco C61 Google Play Console

The listing reveals the model number of the smartphone as 2312BPC51H and also confirms the name, Poco C61. However, that’s pretty much all the information available from Google’s listing for the moment. 

Before this, the Poco C61 also received Bluetooth SIG certification and was spotted on the BIS certification database with the same model number as in the Play Store listing. And interestingly, the device shares its model with the Redmi A3 — 23129RN51H — in all the certifications, suggesting the Poco C61 will likely be a rebrand.

Redmi A3 Specifications

Xiaomi launched the Redmi A3 in the Indian market last month. The device comes with a 6.7-inch LCD screen, HD+ resolution, and a 90Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, it runs on a MediaTek Helio G36 chipset along with up to 6GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 128GB of eMMC 5.1 storage.

In terms of software, you get Android 13-based MIUI 14 out of the box. The phone sports an 8MP rear camera along with a 0.08MP secondary sensor, and a 5MP selfie camera on the front.

Moreover, typical to most budget smartphones, the Redmi A3 includes a 3.5mm headphone jack and a dedicated MicroSD card slot. There’s also a side-mounted fingerprint sensor and a USB Type-C port for charging.

For connectivity, it offers dual SIM support, 4G, dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth 5.3, and GNSS. Last but not least, keeping the lights on is a 5,000mAh battery and supports 10W charging.

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