Vivo V30 series to launch on March 7 in India

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Feb 26, 2024

Vivo V30 series is heading to multiple markets in the coming days. On Feb. 28, it is scheduled to go official in Thailand and Indonesia. The other Asian markets are also expected to receive the Vivo V30 and Vivo V30 Pro around the same time. As far as India is concerned, the V30 duo is all set to go official on March 7 in the country.

The Vivo V30 series landing page is already live on the Flipkart and Vivo India websites. The latter has revealed the key specifications of both smartphones. In India, the V30 is expected to arrive in three shades, such as Classic Black, Andaman Blue, and Peacock Green. It appears that the V30 Pro could also be available in the same colors. Here is a look at the expected specifications of both smartphones.

Vivo V30, Vivo V30 Pro specifications (rumored)

The Vivo V30 and Vivo V30 Pro will have a 6.78-inch curved-edge AMOLED display that offers a 1.5K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. On the front, both devices are expected to feature an autofocus enabled 50-megapixel selfie camera.

The Vivo V30 may feature a 50-megapixel main camera with OIS support, a 50-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 2-megapixel auxiliary camera. On the other hand, the Vivo V30 Pro will have an OIS-enabled 50-megapixel Sony IMX920 primary camera, a 50-megapixel Sony IMX816 ultra-wide lens, and a 50-megapixel telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom support. Both devices are expected to run on FunTouch OS 14-based Android 14.

The Vivo V30 and V30 Pro are said to feature the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 and Dimensity 8200 chipsets, respectively. The series may offer up to 12 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 512 GB of UFS 3.1 storage. It is likely that both devices may pack a 5,000mAh battery with 80W fast charging support.

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Redmi G Pro gaming laptop March 4 launch teased; to come with i9-14900HX CPU & RTX 4070 GPU

By

Sudhanshu

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Feb 26, 2024

On February 22, Xiaomi held a launch event for the Xiaomi 14 Ultra flagship smartphone in China. At this event, the brand also briefly teased the upcoming arrival of the Redmi G Pro 2024 gaming laptop, which it claims will be “The Strongest Under 10,000 yuan” which is around US$1,390.

Now, the Xiaomi Mall App in China has an ad up for the pre-order window of the Redmi G Pro laptop, which shows that the laptop is currently available for pre-order and will be till March 4th. It also mentions “Stay tuned for March 4th”, which is more than likely the official launch date of this gaming laptop.

Although official details about the specifications of the laptop are scarce at the moment, previous reports indicate that the top model in the lineup will feature an i9-14900HX processor and an RTX 4070 graphics card. A previous Geekbench listing also confirms that it will have an Intel i5-14500HX powered variant as well, which will feature an RTX 4060 graphics card. Both of these models are said to feature 16GB DDR5 RAM.

From the teased visuals, it looks like the laptop will offer a slim metallic gray body. The previous generation of the laptop featured a 16-inch 2560 x 1600 pixels, 240Hz refresh rate LCD panel, which is likely to be on this model as well. It also supported 100W PD charging through its USB-C port and came with a massive 80Wh battery supported by a 330W power adapter.

In related news, Xiaomi has recently unveiled two new smartphones for the global market at MWC 2024. The first device is the Xiaomi 14, which launched a few months back in China, and the other is the much-anticipated Xiaomi 14 Ultra. Alongside these flagship-tier smartphones, the brand has also launched the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro tablet, the Xiaomi Watch 2, Watch S3, and the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro for the global market.

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Motorola Goes All In on Gorilla Glass for Its Phones Starting This Year

By

Anubhav

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Feb 26, 2024

Motorola is making a big move for durability, announcing today that it will be using Corning Gorilla Glass on all of its smartphones starting later this year. This means even their most budget-friendly phones will get a boost in scratch and drop resistance, a welcome change for anyone who’s ever had a cracked screen from a minor fumble.

Durability is becoming a big concern with expensive smartphones

While Gorilla Glass is already pretty common on high-end phones, it’s not always a given for cheaper models. Motorola’s decision to switch things up ensures that even their most affordable devices won’t feel like fragile little things. They didn’t specify exactly which versions of Gorilla Glass they’ll be using, but they showcased Gorilla Glass 5 and the newer, tougher Gorilla Glass Victus 2 at a recent event.

This isn’t just good news for clumsy phone users (we’ve all been there). It also shows that Motorola is serious about making quality devices accessible to everyone, not just those with big budgets. Plus, it could give them a bit of an edge in the competitive smartphone market, where durability is always a concern.

On top of the Gorilla Glass news, Motorola also unveiled a new software feature called Smart Connect at MWC. This nifty tool lets Motorola and Lenovo devices connect to Lenovo PCs, allowing you to use the PC’s keyboard on both devices, share notifications and clipboard content, and even use your phone or tablet as a webcam or hotspot. Look for Smart Connect to land in the coming months. So, if you’re looking for a tough phone that won’t break the bank, keep an eye out for Motorola’s upcoming offerings.

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How much does it Cost to Build an Apple Vision Pro? Not as Much as You Would Think

By

Anubhav

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Feb 26, 2024

Apple’s new popular baby AR/VR headset, the Vision Pro, starts at a whopping $3,500. Yikes! But before you scoff and move on, there’s more to the story than meets the eye (pun intended). Analysts estimate the actual cost of making the headset, including all its fancy parts, is around $1,500. That means Apple’s taking a pretty hefty markup, but let’s break it down.

Both the displays – one for each eye – cost $912 together.

The priciest components are the fancy displays, one for each eye, costing around $456 each. Then come the powerful chips, one for general processing and another for handling all the camera and sensor data.

Now, here’s the catch: this is just the cost of the parts. Apple spends a lot more on research, development, marketing, and other hidden costs. Plus, it’s a relatively new product with low production volume, so the price needs to cover those initial investments.

Remember, this is just the first generation. As the technology matures and production ramps up, we could see the price drop in the future. So, is the Vision Pro worth the hefty price tag? That depends on how badly you want to experience the cutting edge of AR/VR and how deep your pockets are. The company is already charging a fair (or unfair, depending on how much you have) amount of money for replacing parts of the headset – let’s just hope the future generations of the device aren’t as hefty.

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Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite chip visits Geekbench

By

Soumyakanti

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Feb 25, 2024

Recently, a new Qualcomm chip, identified as model number Qualcomm ZH-WXX and thought to be the Snapdragon X Elite, made an appearance on the Geekbench benchmarking platform. This chip showcased impressive performance metrics with a single-core score of 2574 and a multi-core score of 12562. It was tested on a device operating on Microsoft Windows 11, equipped with a 12-core CPU at 4.01 GHz, and 32GB of RAM.

Snapdragon X Elite Chip Appears on Geekbench

In October 2023, Qualcomm introduced the Snapdragon X Elite, which features the custom-designed Qualcomm Oryon CPU. The chip is built on a TSMC’s 4nm process node, featuring 12 cores and 64-bit architecture. It boasts a base clock speed of 3.8GHz, with the capability to reach up to 4.3GHz in dual-core turbo frequency.

The company positions this CPU as a trailblazer in mobile computing, claiming it delivers up to twice the CPU performance of its competitors. It achieves this heightened level of performance at peak power while consuming only a third of the energy.

The standout feature of the Snapdragon X Elite is its AI processing capabilities. It is said to be 4.5 times faster in AI processing compared to its rivals, capable of handling complex AI models with over 13 billion parameters directly on the device. This capability enables a smoother user experience, enhancing multitasking and offering intuitive features like AI-powered assistants and advanced video conferencing tools.

The company has made strong claims about the X Elite’s performance, stating it surpasses the Apple M2 Max and Intel Core i7-1355U in single-threaded performance metrics. According to Qualcomm, the X Elite not only outperforms the M2 Max in single-threaded tasks but also achieves peak performance with 30% lower power consumption. In multi-core tasks, it’s said to be 50% faster than the M2.

Major PC manufacturers such as Dell, Acer, Honor, HP, Lenovo, Samsung, and ASUS are anticipated to release laptops featuring the Snapdragon X Elite starting in mid-2024. Even Xiaomi is reportedly preparing to unveil a new slim laptop, likely from the Redmi G Pro 2024 series, featuring this chip.

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ASUS ROG Zephyrus 14 laptop with Ryzen 9 8945HS CPU & RTX 4070 now on US store shelves

By

Sudhanshu

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Feb 25, 2024

At CES 2024, ASUS unveiled its latest additions to the ROG Zephyrus series, which are laptops meant to provide a balance between gaming performance and portability. The Zephyrus G14 and G16 went on sale in Europe earlier this month, and now, the G14 model is also available in the US through Best Buy.

ROG Zephyrus 14 specs:

The laptop is powered by the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS processor, featuring 8 cores and 16 threads, ensuring efficient and fast processing. The graphics are powered by Nvidia RTX GPUs, ranging from the RTX 4050 to the RTX 4070. A significant upgrade in this model is the 14-inch OLED display, which offers 3K resolution, 100% DCI-P3 color coverage, and a 120 Hz refresh rate. This means that this laptop can now be used for both gaming and creative/professional tasks alike.

The audio system in the 2024 model sees an improvement with a 6-speaker setup that includes two tweeters and four woofers, providing a rich and immersive sound experience. Buyers should note that the RAM is permanently soldered onto the motherboard.

In terms of connectivity, the Zephyrus G14 (2024) features multiple ports including USB4, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, HDMI 2.1, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a microSD card reader. It also supports WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. Despite its slim dimensions (312 x 220 x 16mm) and lightweight (1.5 kg or 3.3 pounds), it houses a 73 Wh battery.

Pricing

The ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024) is available at Best Buy, with the RTX 4060 model priced at $1,599.99 and the RTX 4070 model at $1,999.99.

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Xiaomi Outdoor Camera CW400 two-way rotation security camera now available in Europe & UK

By

Sudhanshu

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Feb 25, 2024

The Xiaomi Outdoor Camera CW400 was launched in China in October 2022 and was listed on Xiaomi‘s global website a few months ago. Now, the camera is finally available to buy in some European countries.

The CW400 is designed for durability, featuring an IP66 rating for dust and waterproof protection, making it ideal for outdoor environments. It boasts a 4MP sensor with an F1.6 aperture, delivering 2.5K (2560 x 1440p) resolution images, ensuring clear footage day and night. This clarity is further supported by the camera’s full-color night vision capabilities, enabled by its infrared and white lights.

With a 360-degree horizontal and 160-degree vertical viewing angle, the CW400 offers comprehensive coverage of outdoor spaces. Its high-gain dual antenna ensures stable, long-distance transmission, overcoming obstacles for reliable data transmission.

The camera integrates advanced features such as AI humanoid detection, which triggers visual or audible alarms to deter intruders, two-way voice communication for real-time interaction, and time-lapse photography for capturing events over a period. Storage options include both microSD card and cloud storage, with footage easily accessible through the Xiaomi app on iOS and Android devices.

Pricing & availability

The Xiaomi Outdoor Camera CW400 is available for purchase in the UK, Germany, and Italy at a price of £69.99/€74.99. The availability of this security camera in other European countries is currently uncertain.

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HONOR Pad 9 mid-range tablet launched at MWC 2024 feat. 2.5K display & Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor

By

Sudhanshu

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Feb 25, 2024

At MWC 2024, HONOR unveiled the HONOR Pad 9, a new addition to its global lineup, alongside other devices like the MagicBook Pro 16 laptop and Magic 6 Pro smartphone. The HONOR Pad 9 was launched last year in China and offers a lightweight design, aiming to cater to both entertainment and productivity needs.

The tablet features a slim build, weighing 555g and with a thickness of 6.96mm, highlighted by a unique Deco design with a central back camera. It boasts a 12.1-inch, 2.5K LCD display with a high screen-to-body ratio and refresh rate, coupled with TÜV Rheinland certification for eye care, ensuring a comfortable viewing experience.

Powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 SoC and equipped with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, the HONOR Pad 9 promises smooth performance. Running on MagicOS 7.2 based on Android 13, it offers enhanced privacy and security. The device’s 8300mAh battery supports 35W fast charging, designed for extended use without frequent recharges.

Pricing & availability

The HONOR Pad 9 is available in Space Grey and Cyan Lake, with a starting price of EUR 349 and £299.99 in the UK, available with or without a keyboard accessory. It will be sold through various online retailers in the UK and Ireland, with promotional discounts available.

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MWC 2024: Xiaomi Watch 2 Launches With WearOS, 65 Hours Battery Life

By

Viraj Gawde

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Feb 25, 2024

Alongside Honor, Xiaomi made a host of announcements at its MWC 2024 event. The brand announced smartphone and, wearable devices. The latter includes the Xiaomi Watch 2, Watch S3, and Band 8 Pro. The Watch 2 is a slightly different offering compared to the Pro version that was announced last year. Read on to know all the details below.

Xiaomi Watch 2 specifications and features

The notable difference between the Xiaomi Watch 2 and the Watch 2 Pro is that the latest offering lacks a rotating crown. It has two buttons on the right side. The device has a circular dial with a 1.43-inch AMOLED display bearing a resolution of 466 x 466 pixels. The smartwatch sports an aluminium body and it is 5 ATM water-resistant.

The Xiaomi Watch 2 is equipped with a 12-channel advanced health monitoring technology. It is capable of tracking heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and sleep patterns. The wearable device also features a menstrual cycle tracker and can monitor stress levels. It packs support for over 160 sports modes. The device has a built-in GPS for outdoor activities.

The Xiaomi Watch 2 is powered by a Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 processor that is said to offer better performance while also being power efficient. It packs 2GB RAM and 32GB storage for downloading and storing apps as well as songs. The smartwatch runs on WearOS with access to more than 200 third-party apps and apps from the Play Store like Google Wallet, Maps etc.

The Xiaomi Watch 2 features fall detection that will automatically notify the user’s emergency contact. It also lets users call for help in emergency situations. It has a built-in microphone and speaker for hands-free voice calling via paired smartphone. The smartwatch packs convenient features like a camera and music control. Calendar, flashlight, recorder, weather, altitude, and more. The Xiaomi Watch 2 is backed by a 495mAh battery unit that is claimed to deliver 65 hours of usage under typical conditions.

The Xiaomi Watch 2 can be availed in Black and Silver colors. It is priced at EUR 199.

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Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro unveiled for global markets as the world’s first 120W charging tablet

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Feb 25, 2024

The Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro goes official for global markets alongside Xiaomi 14, Xiaomi 14 Ultra, and several other products. The company’s latest tablet was announced in Barcelona ahead of MWC 2024.

The device arrives with the last-gen flagship chipset from Qualcomm, a large 12.4-inch display, and HyperOS. It is positioned above the Xiaomi Pad 6 which was released in 2023. It was unveiled in China earlier this week.

Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro Specifications

The new tablet from Xiaomi is built around a 12.4-inch 3:2 display. The LCD panel offers a resolution of 3048 x 2032 pixels (3K), 294 PPI, a 144Hz refresh rate, and 12-bit color depth. The screen supports Dolby Vision, 144Hz refresh rate, 240Hz touch sampling rate, and 900 nits peak brightness level.

The device houses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC underneath it. The chip is paired with LPDDR5x RAM and UFS 4.0 storage.

On the software front, the product boots HyperOS based on Android 14. It is backed by a 10000mAh battery and supports 120W wired charging.

The tablet comes with WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, and USB 3.2 Gen 1. It also offers a 50MP + 2MP (depth) dual rear camera setup, a 32MP front-facing camera, and six speakers.

Last but not least, the device is joined by two official accessories, namely Touchpad Keyboard and Focus Pen.

Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro Price

The Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro is priced at €699 for 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. It arrives in a single black color option.

On the other hand, the Touchpad Keyboard and Focus Pen cost €169 and €99, respectively.

The pricing of these products may vary across different regions.

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Honor MagicBook Pro 16 AI-powered laptop launched at MWC: Intel Core Ultra 7 & RTX 4060 GPU

By

Sudhanshu

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Feb 25, 2024

At the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024, Honor introduced the Honor MagicBook Pro 16, an AI-enhanced laptop, alongside their new flagship smartphone, the Magic 6 Pro.

The laptop features a sleek metal body, which is just 17.9mm thick and weighs around 1.86kg. It offers an elegant 93% screen-to-body ratio, with super slim bezels around its 16-inch display. Talking about the display, it comes with a 3072 x 1920 resolution panel, offering a 165Hz refresh rate, 100% coverage of the sRGB and DCI-P3 color spaces, and a peak brightness of 500 nits. Additionally, it offers a 16:10 aspect ratio for improved productivity, as well as TÜV Rheinland certifications for low blue light and flicker-free viewing. For Audio, the laptop has six speakers onboard.

Under the hood, the laptop is powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 155H, which is a powerful yet energy-efficient processor. The integration of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card makes the laptop ideal for both professional and gaming applications. It features 32GB of RAM and 1TB storage.

A key feature of the MagicBook Pro 16 is its AI-based OS Turbo X, which allows users to activate a 140W High-Performance Mode for optimal processing power with minimal latency. The laptop’s smart scheduling and tuning adapt to user habits, providing a customized computing experience.

The laptop offers seamless device integration through MagicRing, enabling easy transfer and synchronization of tasks and notifications across devices. AI-powered functions like Smart Picture Search and Smart Document Summary further make the MagicBook Pro 16 more appealing in this AI-powered laptop generation.

The MagicBook Pro 16 boasts a 75Wh battery, delivering an impressive 10 hours in PCMark 10’s battery test, according to Honor. Additionally, it features a fingerprint reader that provides secure Windows Hello authentication. It has a 3.5 mm jack, an HDMI, a Thunderbolt 4, and a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C.

Currently, Honor has not disclosed details about the pricing and availability of the MagicBook Pro 16, however, it is expected to land in China first, and the global launch will likely happen around Q2 2024.

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Xiaomi Watch S3 goes global with interchangeable bezels

By

Rajesh Regmi

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Feb 25, 2024

Xiaomi today hosted an event to unveil its latest flagship smartphone, the Xiaomi 14 series for the global market. Alongside this, the company introduced several other products, including the Xiaomi Watch S3.

This smartwatch is making its global debut months after its initial release in China. Let’s get into the details here.

Xiaomi Watch S3 Specifications

The Watch S3 sports a sleek, circular design, notable for its interchangeable bezels that let users easily customize its appearance. What’s more, swapping the bezels triggers an automatic change to a matching watch face, adding a fun touch to the experience.

The Xiaomi Watch S3 is equipped with a 1.43-inch AMOLED display featuring a 60Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 600 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright conditions.

It includes a suite of health monitoring features encompassing sleep tracking, heart rate monitoring, and stress level analysis. For fitness enthusiasts, the watch comes with a dual-band satellite positioning system for greater location accuracy. Xiaomi is also claiming an impressive battery life of up to 15 days on a single charge.

Moreover, the Watch S3 boots on the company’s new HyperOS system. HyperOS is designed to streamline the user experience across Xiaomi’s different operating systems.

Additionally, the wearable also has built-in eSIM technology. This allows users to make calls and access the internet directly from the watch, providing additional independence from their smartphones.

Price

The Xiaomi Watch S3 is available for purchase in Europe at €149 (~$161). It comes in classic black or silver color options.

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Xiaomi launches Smart Band 8 Pro in global markets

By

Soumyakanti

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Feb 25, 2024

Xiaomi has launched the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro globally during a grand launch event at MWC 2024 in Barcelona. The band is already available in the Chinese market, launched in August last year. Let’s check out the key specs of this fitness tracker.

Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro Specifications:

Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro features a 1.74-inch AMOLED display, boasting 336 x 480 resolution, 16.7 million colors, and high sharpness with a 336ppi, all under a smooth 60Hz refresh rate.

The display achieves peak brightness levels of 600 nits, ensuring clear visibility even under direct sunlight, and is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3. This device merges lightweight (22.5g) and slim (9.99mm) design aesthetics with skin-friendly and antibacterial materials, complemented by elegant leather straps and a durable shell made of fiber high-sitting polymer with NCVM.

The Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro is designed as a comprehensive health and fitness tracker, featuring an array of sensors for monitoring acceleration, gyroscope movements, optical heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and ambient light. It offers continuous tracking of heart rate, blood oxygen, stress, sleep, and women’s health, and is water-resistant up to 5ATM for durability.

The band comes with features such as breathing training, over 150 sports modes tailored to user preferences, and professional exercise algorithms that include VO₂ max, training load, recovery time, and aerobic/anaerobic training effects. Additionally, it displays vitality indicators like calories burned, steps taken, standing time, and medium to high-intensity activity time, offering a comprehensive view of daily activities and exercise effectiveness, all contributing to a healthier lifestyle.

The smart band features also features automatic screen brightness adjustment. It includes a high-end GNSS chip for independent satellite positioning, supporting accurate tracking via five major satellite systems globally. With over 100 watch faces, including an Always-On Display (AOD) option, users can access continuous information visibility. Equipped with NFC and Bluetooth 5.3, the device seamlessly integrates with the Mi Fitness App and other devices.

The Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro boasts a 289mAh battery that delivers up to 14 days of battery life and is extendable to 6 days in AOD mode, with fast charging capabilities. It includes smart features such as reminders, weather, schedules, calendars, alerts, call notifications, and the Xiaomi voice assistant for interactive engagement.

Pricing and Availability

The Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro offers quick-release straps in various materials and colors: TPU straps in Lemon Yellow and Glacier Blue, premium Leather straps in elegant Coral Orange and Cream White, breathable Braided nylon straps in Olive Green and Rose Purple, and a sleek Milanese metal strap in bright Silver. The price of the smart band starts at 69 Euros.

RELATED:

Xiaomi 14 debuts in global markets as the only Android alternative to Galaxy S24

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Feb 25, 2024

The Xiaomi 14 is now official outside mainland China. The device was unveiled alongside the Xiaomi 14 Ultra and several other products in Barcelona today.

It is currently the only compact flagship smartphone in the Android space other than the Galaxy S24. It comes with better specs than Samsung’s product and is also priced higher.

Xiaomi 14 Specifications

The Xiaomi 14’s design is slightly different from its predecessor Xiaomi 13. The camera island is larger and does not feature lines.

The phone features a metal frame and a glass back. It measures around 8.2mm in thickness and weighs about 193g.

The front of the handset is equipped with a 6.36-inch flat OLED display. This panel offers a resolution of 2670 x 1200 pixels (1.5K), 460 PPI, and a 1-120Hz refresh rate (LTPO). The 10-bit screen supports DC dimming, Dolby Vision, and 3000 nits local peak brightness level.

The device is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 mobile platform. The chipset is paired with LPDDR5x RAM and UFS 4.0 storage. The thermals are managed by a VC (vapor chamber) liquid cooling system.

The back of the phone houses a Leica-tuned triple camera system. The setup comprises a 50MP primary sensor, a 50MP ultrawide unit, and a 50MP 3.2x floating telephoto shooter. On the front, there’s a 32MP snapper inside the centered punch-hole.

The connectivity options on the handset include dual SIM, 5G, WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, GNSS, NFC, and USB 3.2 Gen1. It also comes with an x-axis linear vibration motor, dual stereo speakers, an IR blaster, an in-display fingerprint sensor, and an IP68 rating (dust and water resistance).

The device boots HyperOS based on Android 14. It draws energy from a 4,610mAh battery and supports 90W wired, 50W wireless, as well as 10W reverse wireless charging.

Xiaomi 14 Price

The Xiaomi 14 is priced at €999 for 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. It can be availed in either Black, White, or Jade Green color variants. All of them sport a glass back. The pricing may differ across countries.

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Xiaomi 14 Ultra announced for global markets

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Feb 25, 2024

As scheduled, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is now official for global markets. The device was announced alongside the Xiaomi 14 and other products in Barcelona.

The company’s latest premium slab smartphone was just unveiled earlier this week in China. It comes with minimal yet meaningful upgrades over its predecessor Xiaomi 13 Ultra with a slight change in design.

Xiaomi 14 Ultra Specifications

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra looks like its forerunner at first look, however, there are subtle differences. The circular camera module now has a step design like on actual cameras and the frame further extends to the back.

Even its hardware specs are upgraded. It comes with the latest chip, a newer primary camera sensor, and other things.

The phone flaunts a 6.73-inch OLED display with micro curves all around. The panel offers a resolution of 3200 x 1440 pixels (QHD+), 522 PPI, 12-bit color depth, and 1Hz-120Hz refresh rate (LTPO). The screen supports Dolby Vision, 3000 nits peak brightness level, 1920Hz PWM dimming, and DC dimming.

The handset is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC. The chip is paired with LPDDR5x RAM, UFS 4.0 storage, and a liquid cooling system. As for software, it boots HyperOS based on Android 14.

The device features a Leica-tuned quad-camera setup on the rear. The system consists of a 50MP primary sensor with variable aperture, a 50MP ultrawide unit, a 50MP 3.2x telephoto shooter, and a 50MP 5x periscope telephoto snapper. On the front, it has a 32MP selfie camera inside the centered punch-hole.

The smartphone arrives with multiple connectivity options, such as dual SIM, 5G, WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, GNSS, NFC, and USB 3.2 Gen2. It also comes with an IR blaster, an in-screen fingerprint sensor, dual stereo speakers, an x-axis linear vibration motor, and an IP68 rating (dust and water resistance).

Lastly, the phone draws energy from a 5,300mAh battery. It supports 90W wired, 80W wireless, and 10W reverse wireless charging standards.

Xiaomi 14 Ultra Price

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is priced at €1,499 for 16GB RAM and 512GB storage. It arrives in black and white color options. Both variants feature a leather back. The pricing may vary across different markets

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MWC 2024: Honor Magic6 Pro With Industry First 180MP Periscope Camera Debuts Globally

By

Viraj Gawde

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Feb 25, 2024

Alongside the launch of the Honor Magic V2 RSR, the brand also brought the Magic6 Pro to the global shores. It becomes the first smartphone in the world to feature a 180MP periscope camera. The smartphone had debuted in China last month, hence the global version also comes with the same specifications. The Honor Magic6 Pro is a flagship offering with a host of premium specifications.

Honor Magic 6Pro debuts internationally

Starting with the design, the Honor Magic6 Pro has a flat frame and a circular camera module. It is IP68-certified dust and water-resistant. The device features an in-screen fingerprint scanner. The screen is equipped with a NanoCrystal Shield that is claimed to be 10 times drop-resistant.

The Honor Magic6 Pro boasts a 6.80-inch curved AMOLED display with a pill-shaped cutout for the front camera. Honor calls the cutout as Magic Capsule and it has Apple’s Dynamic Island-like functionality. It offers an FHD+ resolution, an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, and a 1,600 nits peak brightness. The device is Dolby Vision and HDR Vision certified. Additionally, the smartphone also packs 4320Hz high-frequency PWM dimming, dynamic dimming, circadian night display, and more.

In the photography department, the Honor Magic6 Pro has a flagship-grade triple camera system. The setup comprises of a 50MP ultra-wide angle sensor with a 122-degree field of view. There is a 50MP Ultra HD primary 1/1.3-inch sensor with a self-adjusting aperture ranging from f/1.4 to f/2.0. It also supports OIS. Lastly, the phone features a large 1/1.49-inch 180MP periscope lens making it the first in the global markets. It has a f/2.6 aperture, OIS support, 2.5x optical zoom, and 100x digital zoom. There are also various AI-based features that should appeal to photography enthusiasts.

In terms of performance, the Honor Magic6 Pro is equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. There’s an Honor C1+ RF enhancement chip for better connection and an Honor S1 discrete security chip for privacy protection. The smartphone packs 12GB RAM and 512GB storage. It draws its power from a 5,600mAh silicone-carbon battery unit with support for 80W wired and 66W wireless charging. The Magic 6 Pro ships with MagicOS 8.0 out of the box.

The Honor Magic6 Pro is offered in Glacier White, Lake Blue, Epi Green, Cloud Purple, and Black color options. It carries a price tag of EUR 1,299. Pre-orders for the phone start today with availability from March 1. The Magic 6 Pro RSR will also be announced next month in collaboration with Porsche Design.

Related:

MWC 2024: Honor Magic V2 RSR Arrives In Global Markets

By

Viraj Gawde

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Feb 25, 2024

Honor held a pre-MWC 2024 event in Barcelona, Spain. The company unveiled a host of new products for the global markets. These include a smartphone, foldable phones, laptop, and a tablet. The brand has introduced the Magic V2 RSR Porsche Design (unboxing and review) foldable phone. As the name suggests, this offering stems from Honor’s collaboration with carmaker Porsche. The global variant is similar to the one launched in China last month.

Honor Magic V2 RSR specifications and global pricing

The Honor Magic V2 RSR has a dual-toned back panel with a triangular-shaped protruding camera island that is called a flyline-like camera porthole. The back panel is touted to feature a flyline-like body design similar to the one found on the legendary sports car delivering a sense of pulsating sportiness. Other design elements on the device include a fiberglass body, sculptural texture, and titanium alloy lettering.

The Honor Magic V2 RSR’s display boasts an anti-scratch NanoCrystal Shield glass technology that is claimed to be 10 times wear-resistant as well as drop-resistant. The foldable phone offers a 6.43-inch cover screen and a 7.92-inch internal display. Both OLED panels have a 120Hz LTPO refresh rate. The external screen bears a resolution of 2376 x 1060 pixels with 2500 nits peak brightness. Meanwhile, the internal display has a pixel resolution of 2344 x 2156 pixels and 1,600 max brightness.

The Honor Magic V2 RSR has an ultra-slim design measuring just 9.9mm when folded and 4.7mm in thickness when unfolded. Honor says that the device is equipped with a titanium hinge. It has a suspended water-drop support making the folding experience seamless and offering a crease-free experience when unfolded.

Under the hood, the Honor Magic V2 RSR houses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. It also has an Honor C1 RF enhancement chipset. The foldable phone packs 16GB RAM and 1TB ROM. runs on MagicOS with features like dual space, AI privacy call, and more.

On the optics front, the Honor Magic V2 RSR has a 50MP main sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 20MP telephoto unit with 40x support. Both the internal and external screens have a 16MP snapper housed in a punch-hole cutout for selfies and video calling. There is also an 8×8 dToF laser focusing system, flicker sensor, and a temperature sensor.

The Honor Magic V2 RSR is offered in Agate Grey colors. It carries a price tag of EUR 2,699 and is offered in sole 16GB + 1TB configuration. The foldable phone is up for pre-orders starting today with sales commencing from March 18.

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HMD announces new Barbie-branded flip phone and a DIY development platform

By

Rajesh Regmi

-

Feb 25, 2024

HMD, the company behind the Nokia brand, has made a series of announcements today revealing plans for several new devices this summer. Among them are a Barbie-branded flip phone, a retro Nokia feature phone, an HMD-branded smartphone, and the introduction of a new development platform called “HMD Fusion”.

HMD’s Barbie flip phone, iconic Nokia phone

HMD announced that the Barbie flip phone is a work in collaboration with toy maker Mattel. Mattel is a company famous for the Barbie fashion doll collection, a popular line of toys and accessories since 1959.

The Barbie phone is set to launch this summer and will be a classic flip phone that “promises style, nostalgia, and a much-needed digital detox”, according to an HMD press release.

In addition to the Barbie phone, HMD is also gearing up to launch another phone under its own brand. Although details are scarce, a leak last month revealed the images of an upcoming HMD phone. Previous reports also suggest that HMD is already working on 9 different smartphones.

Moreover, HMD also reassured consumers that Nokia devices are here to stay, despite recent speculation about their discontinuation.

Earlier rumors suggested HMD might be ditching Nokia branding since the license for the brand is expiring in 2026. However, HMD Global today clarified that Nokia phones will remain available in the market.

Additionally, HMD revealed its plan to reintroduce “an iconic phone this summer.” They also hinted at a lineup of new phone brands coming out over the course of 2024.

HMD Fusion – a DIY platform for tinkerers and focus on repairability

A highlight of the announcement is HMD Fusion, a smartphone-style device aimed at DIY enthusiasts. The device features connection points for building, programming, and connecting custom hardware accessories.

These accessories, as described by the company in the press release, can range from simple items like fashionable outfits or extended battery packs to more complex devices like payment terminals, barcode scanners, or portable medical equipment.

Below are some prototype images of HMD Fusion accessories shared by the company.

However, do note that these are just prototypes, not the actual device. HMD actually wants users to pitch in their ideas, opening the door to all sorts of possibilities.

They’re banking on users’ creativity to take this concept to the next level, providing a platform for innovative thinking.

For this, the company has also released the first version toolkit for developers and businesses, which contains design files and information on software integration

Rounding out the announcement, the company emphasized its focus on sustainability and phone repairability.

Currently, in Europe and Australia/New Zealand, repairable devices constituted one-quarter of HMD’s 2023 smartphone sales. HMD hopes to increase this to three-quarters of sales in those markets, and half of all global sales this year.

Furthermore, the company announced plans to streamline screen repair processes. Specifically, HMD is looking to promote a “FIY” (Fix it Yourself) movement to empower users to handle repairs more easily.

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Asus launches TUF Gaming VG34VQL3A, 2K 180Hz curved ultrawide gaming monitor in China

By

Soumyakanti

-

Feb 25, 2024

Asus has released the newest TUF Gaming monitor, the VG34VQL3A, featuring a 34-inch 1500R curved display, in China. It is currently available for pre-sale in the Chinese market at an introductory price of 1799 yuan. Let’s check out the key specs of this monitor.

Asus TUF Gaming 34 Specifications:

The gaming monitor features a 34-inch Ultra Wide QHD (2K) HVA display panel (3440×1440) with a 1500R curvature. The curvature ensures uniform viewing distances, enhancing visual comfort, while Asus’ dynamic shadow boost technology improves visibility in dark areas without overexposing bright areas, making it easier to spot hidden enemies.

It boasts a rapid refresh rate of 180Hz and a 1ms GTG response time. The monitor also features Asus Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB) technology and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro technology for tear-free gaming, alongside DisplayHDR 400 technology, 4000:1 contrast ratio, and HDR10 format support, covering 125% of the sRGB color spectrum for vibrant colors and high contrast.

The monitor also features GameVisual technology, which offers seven preset display modes tailored to various content types, from gaming to cinema, thereby enhancing the user experience. Additionally, it includes Asus GamePlus features like crosshair overlays, timers, FPS counters, and display alignment tools, all designed in collaboration with professional gamers to enhance gaming skills and enjoyment.

Additionally, the monitor incorporates flicker-free technology and Asus Blue Light Filtering to reduce eye strain during extended gaming sessions. It offers an intuitive control interface via the DisplayWidget Center software for easy adjustment of settings without on-screen display menus. Moreover, equipped with Asus Integrated Variable Acceleration Drive technology, it dynamically adjusts overclocking settings based on frame rate fluctuations to ensure optimal performance across different gaming genres.

The monitor offers rich connectivity options with two HDMI 2.0 ports, two DisplayPort 1.4 ports, and a three-port USB Type-A hub, facilitating the connection of various multimedia devices. Its ergonomic design includes tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments for comfortable viewing, and it is VESA mount compatible for space-saving wall mounting.

TUF Gaming 34 also features three tripod sockets at the top for convenient installation of cameras, webcams, or audio devices. It also adopts a sustainable and eco-friendly packaging design, certified by FSC mix, to minimize weight and volume.

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Samsung’s Galaxy Fit 3 won’t launch in the US, the company confirms

By

Rajesh Regmi

-

Feb 25, 2024

Fans of affordable fitness trackers in the US will be disappointed to learn that the new Samsung Galaxy Fit3 will not be available for purchase domestically.

Samsung has confirmed the decision, stating that they carefully evaluate product launches based on market trends and the specific needs of each region.

The Galaxy Fit3 will, however, be released in select markets across Europe, Asia, South America, and later in Korea.

Samsung sees greater potential in those regions and believes the costs associated with launching the Fit3 in the US – namely marketing, distribution, and software support – are not justified by the current size of the US fitness tracker market.

This decision aligns with a broader trend in the wearables market. Globally, fitness band sales have declined in recent years.

Market analysis firm Canalys reports that consumers are increasingly favoring smartwatches, which offer more advanced features such as communication, app support, and health monitoring.

The US wearables market is particularly competitive, with established brands vying for consumer attention.

While Samsung generally positions its wearables in a premium segment, the lower price points typical of fitness bands may create a less-than-ideal fit for its overall strategy.

Samsung Galaxy Fit 3 specifications

For a quick recap, the Samsung Galaxy Fit3 sports a rectangular dial with an aluminum chassis and a physical button on the right side. It’s IP68-rated, making it water-resistant up to 50 meters, and boasts a 1.6-inch AMOLED display.

Packed with features, the Samsung Galaxy Fit3 can measure heart rate, blood oxygen levels, stress, and support over 100 workout activities. It includes a sleep tracker with snoring detection and sleep coaching.

With a 208mAh battery claimed to last up to 13 days, the Samsung Galaxy Fit3 includes 16MB RAM and 256MB of storage onboard. It also offers convenient features such as music and camera control, quick reply, and more.

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