Samsung Galaxy F15 teaser images were revealed by Samsung a few days ago, and now some specs and the launch date of the upcoming affordable Galaxy F15 have emerged. Samsung Galaxy F15 will be unveiled on February 22nd in India.
Leaked Galaxy F15 posters reveal specs
Recenty shared details by Smartprix have revealed some specs of Samsung Galaxy F15. The phone will have a classic Samsung design that we all know and is expected to be come with MediaTek Dimensity 6100+, making it a faster phone than the Galaxy A15 with Dimensity 720 chipset.
The Galaxy F15 will come with a 6000 mAh battery and 25W fast charging, featuring a USB-C charging port. It will have a triple camera setup, although Smartprix did not disclose the camera specs, this camera setup is very likely to include a wide-angle camera, an ultrawide-angle camera, and a macro camera.
Galaxy F15 specs
With the S24 lineup, Samsung has committed to providing 7 years of software support, and it seems this promise will even extend to budget-friendly devices. The Galaxy F15 is expected to receive updates until 2027, along with security patch updates for five years. It’s not good as the S24 series but 4 years of software updates for an entry level device is quite good news.
Live Focus
Another detail in the leaked promotional images of the Galaxy F15 is a feature called “Live Focus.” Thanks to artificial intelligence, users can activate the Live Focus feature during a call to eliminate background noise.
The display specifications of the upcoming phone are currently unknown, but it is expected to have a 6.5-inch display with a 90 Hz refresh rate. The pricing information is not yet confirmed as well, but we can easily say that Samsung’s new entry-level device will be budget-friendly.
WhatsApp‘s latest beta version 2.24.4.23 for Android introduces a redesigned Status tab, aimed at improving the user experience. This update, available through the Google Play Store, presents a new interface for viewing status updates, focusing on ease of access and enhanced navigation within the app.
WhatsApp is Experimenting With a New Status Tab
The updated interface brings a significant change in how status updates are displayed. Moving away from the previous horizontal layout and profile picture identification, the new design adopts a more intuitive approach. Now, users can preview status updates directly from the status updates tray at the top of the updates tab, through thumbnail previews of the first shared status. This allows for a quick glimpse at the content without having to open each status update individually.
This redesign comes in response to user feedback, which highlighted inefficiencies and a lack of intuitiveness in the previous layout. By featuring large thumbnails for previews, WhatsApp aims to streamline the browsing experience, enabling users to easily decide which updates to view fully.
Additionally, the redesign impacts the placement and visibility of Channel posts within the Updates tab, which includes both Status and Channel updates. The new card-style format for status updates makes them more prominent, potentially changing how Channel updates are displayed. Despite some concerns about the space these card-based previews take up, the primary goal remains to facilitate easier selection and viewing of status updates.
Currently, this redesigned interface is in the beta testing phase and is available to a select group of beta testers. Its incorporation into the stable version of WhatsApp will depend on the feedback received and further development.
Smartwatch technology is rapidly evolving. Once used only for notifications and calls, these devices are now improving our quality of life with their health tracking capabilities. These products can track sleep, heart rate, stress, blood pressure, blood oxygen, and even perform ECG and blood pressure measurements. All of this provides unique data that can inform you about your overall health. In some cases, this information can even save your life. Awoman named Judith Luebke experienced exactly this. Her life was saved thanks to the Apple Watch. Here are the details…
A woman from Oklahoma got her life saved by Apple Watch after an AFib alert
Health is something many of us neglect. We often don’t pay enough attention to minor issues and avoid seeing a doctor unless it’s an emergency. Judith Luebke from Oklahoma was no different until she was diagnosed with diabetes and her life was saved, all thanks to her Apple Watch.
Luebke, a longtime Apple Watch user, received a notification one Friday morning at home indicating a risk of AFib (atrial fibrillation – irregular heart rhythm, also known as arrhythmia). The young woman had recently lost a loved one and was in a state of grief.
Assuming that the notification was related to her emotional distress, she ignored it and continued with her daily life. Also, having a busy work schedule, she dismissed the idea of going to the doctor. Fortunately, during a conversation, she shared her situation with a friend who convinced her to see a doctor instead of ignoring the warning. It turned out to be the right decision.
After visiting the hospital, Luebke learned that she was diabetic, and her blood sugar levels were critically high. Reflecting on the situation, she said, “If I had waited until the weekend, I probably wouldn’t have survived. If I hadn’t received the notification on my watch, that would have been the end.”
Luebke’s story is an example of how even simple technology like the Apple Watch can play a crucial role in early detection of health issues and saving lives. Moreover, this is not an isolated case, as there are probably tens of thousands of similar stories worldwide. The only question left is how much further this technology will advance.
Huawei has introduced the AX6 Pro router in China, starting its pre-orders ahead of the official sale on February 24 at 10:08. The AX6 Pro is designed to deliver exceptional performance in home networking. This device supports Wi-Fi 6+, providing a network speed of up to 7200 megabits, and features eight data streams for simultaneous transmission, significantly enhancing internet speed and reliability.
The router utilizes the 4K-QAM data compression technology to increase transmission speed by 140%, ensuring a smooth and efficient online experience. It offers a high theoretical negotiation rate—1376Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 5765Mbps on the 5GHz band, totaling 7141Mbps. The AX6 Pro introduces Lingxi Dual Wi-Fi technology, enabling data transmission over both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands at the same time.
The device also comes with eight-channel signal amplification and high-performance signal amplifiers, designed to penetrate through multiple walls without losing signal strength.
Huawei has incorporated AI anti-interference technology to intelligently reduce Wi-Fi co-channel interference from various sources, ensuring a stable connection. Additionally, the AX6 Pro offers a user-friendly one-touch NFC connection feature for HarmonyOS or Android phones, making Wi-Fi access effortless without needing a password.
The router is compatible with the Huawei Smart Life App, which allows users to monitor network coverage in real time and supports the diagnosis of 80 common network issues, further enhancing user experience and network management.
Pricing & availability
With a price of 699 yuan, the Huawei AX6 Pro router is currently available to pre-order in China. It will go on open sale for the first time on February 24 via Jingdong.
Honor recently made a splash in the Indian mid-range market with the launch of the Honor X9b. The phone garnered significant attention for its incredibly durable display, but there’s a lot more to unpack. Inside its sleek body lives a massive battery (one of the segment’s largest), the relatively new Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor, generous storage, and a capable 108-megapixel triple camera setup. Does the Honor X9b truly deliver on the hype? Here is a look at what this phone offers in this initial impressions overview.
Honor X9b design and durability features
Honor X9b
The Honor X9b retail package does not include a charger, but for initial buyers, the brand is offering a complementary 30W charger. The box includes the handset, a protective case, a USB-C to USB-A cable, a SIM ejector pin, wired earphones, a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter, and the necessary documents.
Coming to the build of the Honor X9b, Htech claims that it stands out as the first smartphone to get a five-start overall drop resistance certification from Switzerland’s SGS. Despite housing a massive battery, the device maintains a thin profile of 7.99mm (excluding the camera bulge) and weighs only 185 grams. The Midnight Black variant of the phone, which has a polycarbonate back with a glittery finish, feels slippery, whereas the Sunshine Orange edition of the phone has a vegan leather finish and offers a good grip.
Honor X9bHonor X9b
The Honor X9b is equipped with the so-called Ultra-Bounce Anti-Drop Display. It features double-strengthened glass, shock-absorbing materials, and 360° protection to withstand drops from up to 1.5 meters. With the added assurance of SGS’ five-star rating for drop resistance, the X9b promises the ability to handle accidental bumps and falls. In addition, the device offers IP53-rated splash resistance. Overall, the Honor X9b appears to be a very durable phone that should be able to withstand the rigours of everyday use.
Honor X9b specifications and features
Honor X9b
The Honor X9b boasts a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a sharp 1.5K resolution (1220 x 2652 pixels), a feature rarely found in this price segment. It offers a smooth viewing experience with its 120Hz refresh rate and up to 12000 nits of brightness for better visibility under direct sunlight. Just like the Honor 90 5G, the Honor X9b prioritizes eye protection with its 1920Hz PWM dimming, which reduces flicker in low light to minimize eye strain. Additional features like dynamic light adjustment, blue light filtering, and automatic brightness fine-tuning ensure overall viewing comfort.
Honor X9bHonor X9b
It is the only other phone after the Realme 12 Pro to feature the 4nm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset, which is good enough for casual gaming. The phone ships in a single configuration that offers 8 GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 256 GB of UFS 3.1 storage. In addition, the device offers 8 GB of virtual RAM.
The 5,800mAh battery that is packed inside the X9b is advertised to last for 3 days. With typical use, the device should last for 1.5 to 2 days. The charger is not included in the retail box of the device, as the X9b is an imported product and its chargers are not designed for Indian voltage standards. Initial buyers of the X9b will receive a complementary 30W charger.
The Honor X9b has the feature-rich Magic OS 7.2-based Android 13. The phone is entitled to receive the Android 14 and Android 15 OS upgrades and three years of security updates. It appears that the Android 14 upgrade will bring along Honor’s latest Magic OS 8.0 UI.
The X9b has a 16-megapixel camera on the front for selfies. The rear camera module features a 108-megapixel main camera with up to 3x in-sensor zoom, a 5-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 2-megapixel macro camera. Here are some of the camera samples shot using the X9b. To put it simply, the camera performance leaves room for improvement and is best suited for casual photography. For vlogging enthusiasts, it comes with an AI vlog assistant feature.
1xultra-wide1x3x zoom1x1x1x
The device misses out on stereo output as it features only a single bottom-firing speaker. Lastly, the device has an in-screen fingerprint sensor for security.
Honor X9b first impressions: Conclusion
The Honor X9b’s competitive price tag of Rs 25,999 (~$315) places it squarely against popular mid-range contenders like the Realme 12 Pro, Poco X6 Pro, and Redmi Note 13 Pro. If you prioritize durability and longevity, along with a decent photography experience, the X9b emerges as a strong contender in this segment. Another advantage that the X9b offers is the mobile protection plan that it offers for its users.
The base model (8GB+256GB) of the Honor 90 was available for Rs 28,999 for around a month. At the time of writing this post, this variant was unavailable for purchase. The Honor X9b’s regular price is near the Honor 90. Ideally, the X9b can be a good buy if it is purchased during the initial period when offers allow users to get it for up to Rs 22,999 (~$275).
Honor X9b buyers can benefit from up to Rs 3,000 in cashback using an ICICI Bank credit card. The device is also available for purchase through offline stores across the country.
In collaboration with Onsite Go, Htech offers X9b buyers the following benefits:
One-time screen replacement within six months of purchase
30 days of an assured buyback option with up to 90 percent of the X9b’s value
18 months of warranty (including an additional six months)
Door-to-door service assistance
The deductions comprise Rs. 1,500 for any missing accessories, a 20% reduction for significant scratches or dents, a 15% decrease for minor scratches or dents, and Rs. 1,000 for not having the original box.
Disclaimer: All of the opinions in this Honor X9b first impressions post are mine and based on my own experiences. There has been no editorial input from Honor.
After announcing the ROG Swift OLED PG34WCDM worldwide back in August 2023, ASUS has finally made it available in the Chinese market. Keep reading to know more about the monitor.
ROG Swift OLED PG34WCDM specs:
The monitor boasts a 3440 x 1440 resolution and an 800R curvature, designed to immerse players in their games fully. It stands out with a high refresh rate of 240Hz, ensuring smooth gameplay and minimal motion blur thanks to its 0.03ms response time. The OLED technology provides vibrant colors, deep blacks, and exceptional contrast, making every scene more realistic and engaging.
For gamers concerned about screen tearing and latency, the ROG Swift OLED PG34WCDM is equipped with G-Sync compatibility, offering a seamless and fluid gaming experience. It also has an impressive peak brightness of 1300 nits and supports HDR. To address common OLED concerns, ASUS has included a custom heatsink to mitigate overheating and reduce the risk of screen burn-in, ensuring the monitor’s longevity and performance. For connectivity, it comes with options like HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, USB Type-C, USB 3.2 Type-A, and a 90W USB Power Delivery port, catering to various setup needs and preferences.
Pricing
The ROG Swift OLED PG34WCDM is now available on Tmall in China with a price tag of 11,494 yuan ($1,615), however, with discounts, it will be available for 9,999 yuan ($1,405).
In related news, pre-orders of the ROG Swift PG32UCDM gaming monitor are live in the US & UK. Compared to the curved PG34WCDM, the PG32UCDM features a 31.5-inch flat panel that offers a higher 4K resolution display with 240Hz refresh rate.
Xiaomi has added a new product to its Youpin crowdfunding platform – the Mijia Handheld Garment Steamer 2. The device is designed to streamline the process of removing wrinkles from your clothes.
The crowdfunding campaign will launch on February 21st with a special price of 109 yuan, with the regular retail price set at 149 yuan. Let’s get into its details here.
Specifications
Designed for portability and ease of use, the Mijia Handheld Garment Steamer 2 weighs only 730 grams and features a foldable design for convenient storage.
It boasts an aluminum panel with a ceramic glaze coating that heats rapidly and maintains a consistent temperature. And there’s a 30kPa pressurization technology that delivers powerful steam to penetrate fabrics and remove stubborn wrinkles without getting clothes wet.
This allows users to quickly smooth out wrinkles with a few gentle strokes, according to Xiaomi. Plus, the design prevents watermarks, ensuring your garments look their best. Xiaomi says that the steamer works effectively on various fabrics, including delicate silk and heavy linens.
Users will also appreciate the fast 26-second preheating time for near-instant steam and a button-activated steam release for precision.
The Mijia Handheld Garment Steamer 2 offers both vertical (hanging) and horizontal (flat) ironing modes, enhancing its usefulness across different types of clothing.
It has a 160mL water tank which allows you to up to six shirts in one ironing session. An added bonus – Xiaomi states that the steamer eliminates 99.99% of bacteria and mites, boosting garment hygiene.
As aforementioned, it’s only available on crowdfunding which will go live on Feb 21. You can participate in it via this link.
Meizu, a prominent Chinese technology company, has recently made a significant strategic shift. The company on Sunday announced its decision to halt the development of new smartphones.
Instead, Meizu has chosen to focus its efforts on the development and creation of “tomorrow’s devices” driven by artificial intelligence (AI). By capitalizing on the potential of AI, the company is now embracing an “All in AI” approach.
This change appears to have been in the works for some time. Shen Ziyu, Chairman and CEO of Xingji Meizu Group, noted that in 2023, Meizu successfully transitioned from being solely a “mobile phone company” to becoming an “ecological group.”
Notably, Meizu has developed immersive multi-terminal experiences, shared core competencies with partners via its Unbounded Zhixing open platform, and saw its MYVU brand become a leader in AR glasses.
Shen also acknowledged changes in the smartphone market. He said consumers are now taking a longer time to upgrade (an average of 51 months), as phones across brands offer comparable performance in areas like smoothness, photography, and features.
In his view, smartphone innovation these days increasingly resembles a “stacked parameters” arms race – more memory, larger sensors, faster charging – alongside industry tactics such as trolling, revealing each other shortcomings to gain publicity.
As a result, Meizu has decided to step away from its smartphone business which also includes canceling the development of upcoming models like Meizu 21 Pro, Meizu 22, and Meizu 23.
Shen says the decision to move away from the smartphone business resonates with Meizu’s history.
In the past, the company famously abandoned its successful MP3 line amidst strong sales to embrace the growing smartphone market. Similarly, its development of MYVU smart glasses shows Meizu’s willingness to invest in future technology.
After two years of preparation, including team building, resource allocation, and product planning, Shein says Meizu is ready to fully embrace the AI field.
Plans include launching a new mobile operating system tailored for the AI era in 2024 and unveiling the first AI hardware product later this year.
Meizu reassures users that despite this strategic shift, support for existing Meizu products and services, including convenient access to offline stores throughout China, will remain unaffected.
Former Meizu executive Li Nan praised the company’s new strategy, emphasizing the necessity of change for future success. He dismissed AI features in other brands’ smartphones as mere “gimmicks” and endorsed Meizu’s bold move towards AI. Additionally, Meizu is working on “Open All Hardware For AI LLM,” promising further developments in this realm.
LineageOS, a popular alternative to standard Android operating systems, has just released its latest version, LineageOS 21, based on Android 14. Coming into the game five months after Android 14’s debut, this update might seem late, but it stands out for its focus on quality and stability. LineageOS has built a reputation for delivering a bloatware-free, extensively tested OS, making it a go-to for Android enthusiasts seeking stability.
With LineageOS 21, users get all the core features of Android 14, plus some exclusive additions that improve the user experience. A highlight is the introduction of Glimpse, a new gallery app replacing the default Gallery2, offering improved features for managing photos and videos. Additionally, the update revamps the Aperture camera app with Material You design principles, ensuring a more intuitive and aesthetically pleasing user interface.
The update doesn’t stop there; the Jelly browser has been redesigned with improved privacy controls, and staple apps like LatinIME, Calculator, and Messaging have also received Material You updates, aligning with the modern design language of Android.
LineageOS 21 is currently available for a limited selection of devices. Users interested in upgrading can check device compatibility on the official LineageOS downloads page.
Beond Airlines, a newly established luxury airline, has made headlines by becoming the first airline to offer Apple Vision Pro headsets to select passengers, enhancing the inflight entertainment experience with cutting-edge technology.
Elevating Luxury Journeys
This move is announced by Tero Taskila, the Chairman and CEO of Beond Airlines, highlighting the airline’s commitment to providing a premium travel experience from start to finish.
The Apple Vision Pro, priced starting at $3499, is equipped with advanced technology including two chips – the M2 for computing and the R1 for processing information from an array of lenses, sensors, and microphones, ensuring a seamless and immersive mixed reality content viewing experience.
Apple has tailored the Vision Pro with a travel mode specifically for air travel, enabling passengers to enjoy movies on a large virtual screen, making long-haul flights more enjoyable and private. This feature has been recognized for its potential to significantly enhance passenger comfort and entertainment onboard.
Beond Airlines plans to utilize Vision Pro to showcase regular content as well as stunning visuals of resort destinations and activities in the Maldives, building anticipation and excitement among passengers before they arrive.
This service will begin in July 2024, aligning with the airline’s expansion of flight services from major cities around the world to Malé, Maldives, all featuring fully flat seating configurations for an unparalleled travel experience.
However, Beond hasn’t clarified which passengers will be “select” for the Vision Pro experience, leaving room for speculation. Additionally, there will be hygiene concerns with shared headsets, particularly in a post-pandemic era.
The response from users, critics, and the public to the Apple Vision Pro has been mixed until now. Some buyers are returning their Apple Vision Pro headsets due to comfort issues and doubts about its usefulness in everyday life. Complaints include discomfort from wearing the headset, causing headaches and motion sickness, as well as concerns about its practicality.
Despite these uncertainties, the introduction of Apple Vision Pro on Beond flights represents a significant step forward in the evolution of inflight entertainment, offering passengers an unprecedented level of immersion and personalization in their travel experience.
While the first Android 15 developer preview focused less on visual overhauls, it introduces a practical feature called “Notification Cooldown.” This feature addresses the annoyance of constantly buzzing or beeping phones due to a stream of repetitive notifications.
The concept is straightforward — if your phone receives multiple notifications from the same app within a short timeframe, Notification Cooldown progressively lowers the volume and vibration intensity of these subsequent notifications.
This offers relief from the distraction of endless buzzing caused by chatty contacts or active group threads. If you have apps where every notification is crucial, Google allows the option to apply Notification Cooldown exclusively to conversations.
Also to note, this ‘cooldown’ isn’t permanent. After a brief pause in the conversation, notifications will go back to full volume. If you need all alerts at maximum volume (for work, or on-call situations), the feature can be easily disabled.
Enabling/Disabling “Notification Cooldown”
Google’s enabled this feature automatically in the developer preview, but if you’re using it, here’s how to customize it:
Open your device’s “Settings” app.
Tap on “Notifications”.
Scroll down and choose “Notification Cooldown”.
Your options:
“Apply cooldown to all notifications” for comprehensive quiet.
“Apply cooldown to conversations” to target chattiness.
“Don’t use notification cooldown” to turn the feature off entirely.
The Future of Notification Cooldown
As Android 15 progresses, Google could further improve Notification Cooldown. An ideal addition would be customization on a per-app basis, allowing users to fine-tune which apps have this calming feature applied.
Even in its initial form, “Notification Cooldown” has the potential to simplify how we manage notifications on our devices.
Xiaomi‘s founder Lei Jun unveiled a significant milestone for the company today: the official opening of its smart factory in Changping, Beijing. This isn’t just any factory; it boasts a self-developed production line capable of churning out over 10 million flagship smartphones per year, marking Xiaomi’s first large-scale, self-owned manufacturing facility and a giant leap in its smart manufacturing ambitions.
This news comes just days before the highly anticipated launch of the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, scheduled for February 22nd. Interestingly, Lei Jun confirmed that both the Xiaomi 14 Bay Blue and the 14 Ultra’s innovative technologies were validated in this very factory.
But what exactly makes this factory so smart? It boasts a staggering 96.8% self-developed rate for component testing and packaging equipment and a perfect 100% for its factory software. This degree of in-house development translates to a highly automated and digitized production process, capable of self-analysis and decision-making based on real-time data. In essence, this factory can learn and evolve on its own, ensuring consistent quality and efficiency.
This isn’t Xiaomi’s first foray into smart manufacturing. The company’s first intelligent factory, located in Beijing Yizhuang, started operations in late 2019. However, the Changping factory dwarfs its predecessor in scale, boasting a footprint ten times larger and encompassing a second-generation intelligent production line for smartphones. This line covers everything from circuit board mounting and testing to final assembly, packaging, and shipping, with an estimated output value of a whopping 60 billion yuan annually.
The 14 Ultra, set to be unveiled on February 22nd, is expected to feature a powerful Sony LYT900 main camera with OIS and a variable aperture of up to f1.6. Additionally, it will boast three secondary cameras, including a 50MP ultrawide, a 50MP telephoto, and a 50MP periscope telephoto lens.
Moreover, it is expected to sport a flat back and display, a 6.73-inch AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support, and a titanium frame option. It will weigh under 220 grams and include a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, 16GB RAM, 512GB storage, and a 5300mAh battery with fast charging.
Acer has expanded its Predator gaming monitor lineup with the introduction of the Predator XB273K V3 in Europe, boasting an impressive set of features tailored for gamers and tech enthusiasts. This new model is priced at €500. Let’s delve into its key specs.
Acer Predator XB273K V3 Specifications:
The Predator XB273K V3 features a 27-inch 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels) IPS display with a pixel density of 163 PPI, ensuring sharp, vibrant visuals with a wide color gamut. The monitor supports a refresh rate of up to 160Hz, providing smooth gameplay and reducing motion blur. With a typical brightness of 400 nits and achieving VESA DisplayHDR 600 certification, it promises excellent contrast and brightness levels, enhancing the gaming visuals with more depth and realism.
The monitor boasts a standout 0.5ms VRB (Visual Response Boost) response time, minimizing ghosting and blur in fast-paced scenes, ideal for competitive gaming. It is compatible with both AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-Sync technologies, ensuring a tear-free gaming experience by synchronizing the display’s refresh rate with the GPU output.
For connectivity, it is equipped with two HDMI 2.1 ports, a DisplayPort 1.4 input, and a headphone jack. Additionally, the monitor includes two 2W speakers for basic audio needs.
The design of the Predator XB273K V3 emphasizes both aesthetics and functionality, with a sleek, modern look that includes a slim bezel for a more immersive visual experience. Its anti-glare matte finish helps reduce reflections, ensuring clear visibility in various lighting conditions.
The monitor comes with flicker-free technology and a low blue light filter helps minimize eye strain during long gaming sessions, making it a comprehensive solution for gamers seeking comfort.
Predator XB273K V3 also offers extensive ergonomic features, including a removable stand, height adjustment with a range of 150mm, and the ability to swivel left and right up to 25 degrees. It supports VESA mounting with a 100 x 100 mm interface, allowing for wall installation. Additionally, it allows for forward tilt up to 5 degrees and backward tilt up to 25 degrees.
Earlier this month, Acer also launched the SA272U E monitor with a 100Hz refresh rate in India.
Samsung‘s latest rugged tablet, the Galaxy Tab Active 5, is finally available for US customers following its initial January 2024 announcement. Designed with business needs in mind, this device surpasses its predecessor, the Galaxy Tab Active 4 Pro, in important areas.
The Galaxy Tab Active 5 is being offered in a special Enterprise Edition for US business customers. Pricing starts at $548.99 for the standard model, while a 5G version will retail for $659. These are pretty steep prices for a tablet, but you have to consider that it’s not for everyday use, it’s built to work in rough conditions.
Specifications
As aforementioned, the Galaxy Tab Active 5 is a tough tablet built for harsh environments. It’s MIL-STD-810H certified and comes with a protective case that can survive drops from 12 meters. It’s also dustproof, waterproof with an IP68 rating and scratch-resistant with the Gorilla Glass 5.
There is an 8-inch FHD display on the front with a 120Hz refresh rate. For photos, you get a 13MP rear camera and a 5MP selfie camera.
The performance side of things is handled by the Exynos 1380 chipset with 6GB/8GB RAM and 128GB/256GB storage. That latter is expandable via a microSD card. While Samsung has made a name for itself with timely software upgrades, the Tab Active 5 comes with older Android 12, though an upgrade is expected.
Keeping the lights on is a 5,050mAh battery, and there is a side fingerprint scanner for security. There is also a dedicated Active key on the side and connectivity features include dual SIM, 5G, pogo pin, USB-C, and Wi-Fi 6.
Rumors are swirling that the foldable phone market, once hailed as the next major innovation in smartphones, may be facing some unexpected challenges. According to tipster Digital Chat Station (DCS), at least three major brands have halted or significantly delayed their foldable phone projects.
DCS reports that one of the top five smartphone manufacturers worldwide has completely suspended its foldable device efforts. Additionally, two more companies have put flip-style foldable phone projects on hold.
The reasons for these project suspensions are not clear yet, and the specific brands involved have not been disclosed by the tipster.
Currently, the foldable smartphone market is dominated by Android manufacturers. Samsung, for example, holds the largest market share and is reportedly working on its next iteration of Z-series foldable phones, including a triple-folding model.
Huawei is also said to be developing a triple-folding style phone. Oppo and Vivo are other major players, having released at least a couple of iterations of their foldable devices.
However, a recent report suggested that both Oppo and Vivo have decided to withdraw from the foldable market. The decision for this is said to be due to a significant decline in their market share in this segment last year.
However, there’s been no official statement from either brand, so it’s best to wait for further reports to understand the situation better.
If these rumors are true, it could also impact OnePlus’ foldable efforts, as they have been heavily relying on Oppo and have only launched one foldable device under their brand name.
In other news, Apple’s foldable iPhone project is also reportedly facing challenges due to fragile screen issues. While foldable phones offer unique form factors and possibilities, they remain expensive and some would argue, quite fragile.
Samsunghas started teasing the upcoming launch of the Galaxy F15 5G smartphone in India. The teaser is now live on Flipkart app with a “coming soon” message.
The device has been the subject of multiple leaks and has appeared on benchmark and certification sites, hunting for its imminent release. And Samsung India has now officially confirmed that the device will be launching soon in the country.
In the teaser, we can see the phone’s triple camera setup, which is a consistent design element across most Samsung devices. However, aside from this, the teaser doesn’t provide any further details.
Tipster Mukul Sharma has, however, shared real-life images of the smartphone showcasing all three color options of the Galaxy F15 5G — Black, Pink, and a Gradient finish.
Additionally, it’s been revealed that the smartphone will have a 6000mAh battery and will receive up to 4 generations of OS updates, a first in this price segment. The expected price of the Galaxy F15 5G is under Rs 15,000 in India.
[Exclusive] This is the Samsung Galaxy F15 5G (all three colour options). The phone will launch soon in India via Flipkart. * 4 generation of updates – first in this segment * 6000mAh battery * Expected price: Under ₹15k Will share more details ASAP.#samsung#SamsungGalaxyF155Gpic.twitter.com/1qdjCbnJOt
Recently, the Galaxy F15 5G appeared on Geekbench listings, sporting the MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ chipset, 4 GB of RAM, and running on Android 14, likely with Samsung’s One UI on top.
Leaks also suggest that the Galaxy F15 5G will share similar specs with the Galaxy A15 5G.
To recap, the Galaxy A15 boasts a 6.5-inch AMOLED FHD+ 90Hz display, a 13-megapixel front camera, and a 50-megapixel triple camera setup.
Powered by the Dimensity 6100+ chipset, it offers up to 8 GB of RAM, up to 256 GB of storage, and a 5,000mAh battery with 25W fast charging. Additionally, it features a side-facing fingerprint scanner for security.
iQOO is reportedly working a Z-series smartphone. The iQOO Z9 has already bagged BIS and Bluetooth SIG certifications. Now, the device has appeared on the Geekbench benchmarking platform revealing its key details. Some specifications of the upcoming offering were also tipped not long ago.
iQOO Z9 Geekbench listing
The iQOO Z9 is listed on the Geekbench database with model number Vivo I2302. It mentions a motherboard codenamed k6886v1_64 and the setup comprises of six cores clocked at 2GHz and other 6 cores ticking at 2.80GHz. This corresponds to the Dimensity 7200 chipset. The device packs 8GB RAM onboard and we can expect more options at launch. It ships with pre-installed Android 14 OS out of the box.
In the Geekbench’s single-core and multi-core test results, the iQOO Z9 scores 1,186 and 2,683 points respectively. Additionally, the processor mentioned in the benchmarking database does not correlate with the previously rumored Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 and Dimensity 8300 powering the device. We will have to wait to get clarity on the iQOO Z9 processor.
A previous leak revealed that the iQOO Z9 will feature an OLED display bearing a 1.5K resolution. This will be an upgrade to the IPS LCD panel on the iQOO Z8. It will reportedly be backed by a massive 6,000mAh battery unit. The upcoming offering is rumored to have a dual rear camera setup.
The iQOO Z9 is tentatively tipped to launch in March i.e. next month. It is expected to arrive as the successor to the iQOO Z8 that debuted last August. We should learn more details in the coming weeks.
Oppo is reportedly working on the successor to the Oppo F23, which debuted in India last year. A recent report claimed that the F25 may launch this month (February) in the country. A new leak by tipster Abhishek Yadav reveals a definite launch date along with the key specifications.
Oppo F25 launch date (rumored)
Oppo Reno 11F 5G
The Oppo F25 is expected to launch on March 5 in India. Oppo recently announced the Oppo Reno 11F smartphone in Thailand. The said device is also expected to be released in some other Southeast Asian markets in the coming days. The F25 heading to India is said to be a rebadged version of the Reno 11F.
Oppo F25 specifications (expected)
The Oppo F25 is expected to feature a 6.7-inch AMOLED display that offers an FHD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and an under-display fingerprint scanner. The device is likely to run on the ColorOS 14-based Android 14.
The F25 may feature a 32-megapixel camera on the front. The rear panel of the device may feature a 64-megapixel main camera and a pair of 2-megapixel cameras for depth and macro shots.
The Dimensity 7050 chipset-powered device may ship with 8 GB of RAM, 8 GB of virtual RAM, 128 GB or 256 GB of UFS 3.1 storage, and a 5,000mAh battery with 67W fast charging. The device is likely to feature an IP65-rated chassis measuring 7.54mm in thickness and weighing 177 grams.
At present, there is no information about the price of the Oppo F25. The F23 was priced at Rs 24,999 (`$300) at launch. Hence, it is likely that the F25 may debut with similar pricing in India.
Vivo is reportedly gearing up for a big product launch in China soon, expected to reveal several new devices. Among the expected devices are the Vivo X Fold 3 series smartphones, the Vivo X100s smartphone, and the Vivo Pad 3 and Pad 3 Pro tablets.
Rumors about these upcoming releases have been circulating for a while. In a recent update, Digitial Chat Station shared some new information about the Vivo Pad 3 series tablets.
According to the tipster, the standard Vivo Pad 3 will feature an LCD screen and will run on the new Qualcomm SM8635 processor.
While the exact details of the processor remain somewhat elusive, judging by the codename, it’s likely to belong to Qualcomm’s 8-series chipset.
The tipster also previously leaked the core configuration of the SOC, revealing a 2.9GHz ARM Cortex X4 core paired with an Adreno 735 GPU. Impressively, the process was reportedly able to achieve an impressive AnTuTu score of 1.7 million which is what we’re used to seeing on Snapdragon 8-series SoCs. So earlier leaks have hinted it could be a lite version of Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
On the other hand, the Vivo Pad 3 Pro is expected to sport a 3K resolution LCD display and will be powered by the Dimensity 9300 chipset.
Additionally, it’s been hinted that the Pad 3 Pro will support rapid 80W charging, while the Pad 3 may come with a slightly lower 66W charging capability (although there’s slightly less certainty on this detail).
A Vivo tablet with model number PA2473 recently grabbed China’s 3C certification with 66W charging. So the Vivo Pad 3 might indeed come with the 66W charging.
We’ll keep you posted with any further updates on the Vivo Pad 3 series tablets.
Vivo has announced a new Y100-series phone for the Chinese market. The device, dubbed the Vivo Y100t, joins existing models, such as the Vivo Y100 and Y100i, that were announced last year. While the Y100 and Y100i feature the Snapdragon 695 and Dimensity 6020 chipsets, respectively, the Y100t is a more powerful device equipped with the Dimensity 8200.
Vivo Y100t 5G specifications
Vivo Y100t
The Vivo Y100t 5G has a 6.64-inch IPS LCD panel that offers an FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, the device is equipped with the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 chipset.
The device has 8 GB / 12 GB of RAM, 8 GB of virtual RAM, and 256 GB / 512 GB of built-in storage. The exact version of the Android OS and OriginOS that the device has is not known yet.
The Y100t packs a 5,000mAh battery with 120W fast charging. On the front, it has a 16-megapixel selfie camera, and its back panel has a 64-megapixel primary camera with OIS support and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. It comes with other features, such as NFC, a side-facing fingerprint scanner, and a 3.5mm audio jack. It measures 164.58 x 75.8 x 8.79mm and weighs 200 grams. It can be bought in shades like white and blue.
The price of the Vivo Y100t has not been confirmed yet. Its price is expected to be confirmed on Feb. 23, the day on which its pre-sale will begin in China via platforms like Vivo China’s website, JD.com, and Tmall.
To sum up, the Y100t is a tweaked version of the iQOO Z8x, which debuted with the Snapdragon 782G chip last year in China. It appears that, apart from having different chipsets, both devices are said to have the same specs. It is speculated that the same device may launch as the Vivo Y100 GT in some other markets.
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