Google has quietly introduced support for Ultra HDR image sharing in RCS chats on its Messages app. This means that users with compatible devices can now send and view Ultra HDR photos within the messaging app.
The Ultra HDR image format is compatible with Android 14 and builds upon the standard JPEG format with additional HDR metadata. This means that it can be viewed on any device, but only devices with HDR-compatible displays will be able to take advantage of the full range of colors and tones.
Google Messages Ultra HDR image support
The feature was initially discovered by TheSpAndroid, which noted support for Ultra HDR images was added back in September, just before the Pixel 8 series launch. This was verified by the – bugle.support_ultra_hdr flag within the apk.
Furthermore, the blog highlights that Google Messages doesn’t seem to be removing the HDR gain map from Ultra HDR images. Therefore, when the sent photo is saved, it should retain its Ultra HDR quality in Google Photos.
Theoretically, when an Ultra HDR image is sent or received in a Google Messages RCS chat, the image should automatically be displayed with the HDR metadata applied, assuming the device has an HDR-compatible display.
However, there is currently no way to tell whether an image is an Ultra HDR image in Google Messages.
Google hasn’t made an official announcement regarding the availability of Ultra HDR support in Google Messages. However, the feature is expected to gradually roll out to all Android 14 devices in the upcoming weeks.
In related news, Adobe has also recently added support for UltraHDR image editing in Lightroom mobile for Android. This means that users can now edit and export their HDR images directly from the app, without having to use a separate app.
Lenovo launched its Legion Go (review) handheld gaming device in September this year. It joined the handheld gaming console bandwagon to compete against the likes of the ASUS ROG Ally, Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch, and Razr Edge. The devices are already available in the global markets. Meanwhile, back in the Indian region, gamers can only have their hands officially on the ROG Ally. Now, in a new development, it seems that Lenovo might bring its Legion Go to the Indian market.
Reliable video game journalist and industry insider Rishi Alwani shared a screenshot of a conversation on Instagram between Lenovo Legion India’s customer support and an X user. The later enquired the brand about the availability of the Legion Go handheld gaming console in India. The company responded that ‘The Legion Go laptop is expected to launch in March 2024’. It’s worth noting that customer support referred to Legion Go as a laptop. Hence, it remains unclear if it’s a mistake on their part or a different product. It’s unlikely that Lenovo may launch two different products with the same Legion Go moniker.
If the Lenovo Legion Go’s availability timeline in India indeed turns out to be true, then it’s just a matter of three months. Notably, it is also listed on the company’s official website in the country under its Legion laptops. However, Lenovo’s plans may also change. Hence, it is advisable to take this report with a healthy grain of salt.
The Lenovo Legion Go has an 8.8-inch IPS touch-enabled display bearing a QHD+ resolution, 144Hz refresh rate and 500 nits peak brightness. It is powered AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme with AMD RDNA GPU. The device packs 16GB LPDDR5X RAM onboard and up to 1TB storage configurations. The handheld console and the detachable controllers are backed by individual battery units respectively. Notably, the Legion Go is also compatible with AR glasses taking the gaming experience to the next level.
Realme GT 5 Pro is now confirmed to debut on December 7 at 2 PM Beijing Time. It is confirmed to feature some high-end specifications, a new heat dissipation system, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, LPDDR5X RAM, and UFS 4.0 storage. Along with these, the company has now teased its GT Mode 2.0 and a whole new design from the front. The tiny bezels and round corners are quite visible and give the smartphone a premium look.
However, the GT Mode 2.0 brings significant improvements over the GT Mode that is present on the Realme GT 5. The new GT Mode 2.0 adds the ability to manually clock the speed of the GPU, earlier it was limited to CPU only. The customization at such a level really gives these GT series smartphones a thumbs up in the gaming department.
Realme GT 5 Pro Specifications (Teased)
Further, the smartphone seems to bundle the latest Qualcomm chipset along with a large 6/78-inch BOE AMOLED panel which will have the peak 3000 nits peak brightness. The smartphone will feature a primary 50MP Sony IMX890 sensor with OIS and EIS and another 50MP periscope on the rear. There will be a 32 MP lens and an 8MP wide-angle shooter for selfies on the front. The smartphone is expected to bundle a 5400 mAh battery with 100W fast wired charging and 50W wireless charging.
It is anticipated that the Realme GT 5 Pro will include 8GB, 12GB, and 16GB of RAM and 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB of internal storage options.
Alongside the launch of the Huawei MatePad Pro 11 (2024), the brand also announced the Huawei MateBook D16 (2024) laptop. It arrives with incremental upgrades compared to its predecessor i.e. the 2023 edition that was launched earlier this year. The latest offering packs updated internals. Read on to know what it offers out of the box.
Huawei MateBook D16 (2024) specifications and features
The Huawei MateBook D16 (2024) comes with a large 16-inch IPS display bearing a resolution of 1,920 x 1,200 pixels and 300 nits peak brightness. The screen is surrounded by narrow bezels and offers a 90 percent screen-to-body ratio for an immersive viewing experience.
The Huawei MateBook D16 (2024) is a lightweight laptop measuring just 1.68kg. The brand says that it has passed rigorous durability tests. The laptop has a dedicated numeric keypad and a fingerprint scanner embedded in the power button. There is a metamaterial antenna that is claimed to increase the download speeds and connection range of up to 270 meters.
Under the hood, the Huawei MateBook D16 (2024) houses the 13th generation Intel Core processors up to Core i9. Barring the Core i5 which has Intel UHD graphics, the Core i7 and i9 options have Intel Iris Xe GPU onboard. The laptop packs 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD storage. It draws its power from a 70Wh battery cell.
The Huawei MateBook D16 (2024) packs a 1080p webcam, dual speakers and microphones, and five-point touchpad support.
The Huawei MateBook D16 (2024) starts at CNY 4,999 (~$704) for the base Core i5 with 16GB RAM and 1TB storage. The Core i7 and i9 with the same RAM and storage are priced at CNY 5,999 (~$845) and CNY 6,499 (~$915). The laptop is offered in bright moon silver and deep space grey colors.
Gamers who enjoy more than just League of Legends know that a gamepad is essential for an immersive and enjoyable gaming experience. However, if you don’t own a console and are considering purchasing a gamepad, the options can be overwhelming. The market is flooded with choices, and the differences between them are often minor. Additionally, many gamepads carry a hefty price tag that doesn’t always match their capabilities. Fortunately, PB Tails, an innovative gaming tech startup, has stepped up to address this issue with their new Crush controller. Here are the details…
PB Tails Unleashes the Gaming Revolution with Crush Controller
PB Tails is a gaming tech startup that’s making waves in the industry by prioritizing style and design. They’re committed to creating gaming hardware that enhances the overall user experience. Their innovative gamepad models have garnered attention for their unique designs, and now they’re taking things a step further with the Crush Controller, which seamlessly blends style and functionality. So, what are the prominent features of PB Tails’ new Crush controller?
A Masterpiece of Inspired Design
As I mentioned above, when it comes to PB Tails, design takes precedence over everything else. True to expectations, the company doesn’t disappoint with the Crush Controller. Inspired by the timeless curves of the iconic Porsche 550 Spyder, the Crush Controller seamlessly blends retro aesthetics with modern ergonomics. The classic lines provide an unparalleled ergonomic feel, designed to minimize fatigue even during prolonged gaming sessions. The result is a visually stunning controller that guarantees a comfortable grip and an outstanding handling experience, no matter how long you play.
Unrivaled Customizability
Customization is another area where Crush controller stands out. The gamepad tool-free personalization options. Gamers can adjust the RGB lighting of the ABXY, Home button, and light bar in real-time and swap out the MagCase as their mood dictates. The vision is a clear gaming experience where gamers can intuitively customize their Crush controller without intricate instructions or steep learning curves.
The Next Evolution of the D-pad
PB Tails has redefined potential with the Crush s D-pad. After numerous iterations, a unique structure that blends conductive rubber and microswitches has been developed. The resulting D-pad delivers a firm, precise feel that sets it apart.
Precision Control with Hall Effect Hardware
Gaming with a gamepad can be a frustrating experience due to joystick drift, which is a common problem that can happen to any controller, regardless of brand. Joystick drift can affect your gaming experience and waste your limited time. However, PB Tails offers a solution to this problem with their Crush controller, which features Hall effect joysticks and triggers for precision control and to eliminate joystick drift. The shoulder buttons, LB and RB, have been meticulously fine-tuned across multiple iterations to ensure a solid and precise response, whether one uses their fingertips or the pad of their finger. In this way, PB Tails makes sure that you have a problem-free gaming experience.
Versatility for Every Gamer
In today’s world, gamers have a wide variety of platforms to choose from, each with its own unique selection of games. However, this can sometimes lead to compatibility issues, especially when using controllers from one platform on another. For instance, an Xbox One controller might not work on a PC, and Microsoft only addressed this issue with later generations of controllers. Fortunately, you won’t have to worry about such compatibility problems with PB Tails’ New Crush Controller. This versatile controller is compatible with Switch, Windows, Steam, iOS, and Android, making it the perfect choice for gamers who value flexibility and freedom.
The Crush controller is available in three series – Basic, Gem, and Metal – each featuring a unique MagCase. All series share the same design and material for the back shell, ensuring consistent quality, while the MagCases are interchangeable across series, providing additional customization options. PB Tails invites all gamers, from Gen Z tech enthusiasts to high-net-worth individuals with an appreciation for design, to experience Crush. Join their campaign today and feel the difference that Crush offers.
In the second half of 2022, Honor introduced smartphones with GT branding. The Honor X40 GT was the first, which was soon followed by the Honor 80 GT.
A year later, these devices are yet to get successors. Instead, the brand recently released the Honor X40 GT Racing Edition.
However, there have been rumors of new models for months. Today, one of the company’s executives teased the arrival of next-gen GT phones on Weibo.
Honor 80 GT
Wei Xiaolong is one of the many important executives of the Honor brand in China. He has been the product manager of the Honor Play series since the company was owned by Huawei.
But today, he has changed his Weibo description to ‘product manager of Honor GT series.’ This suggests that Honor GT could now be a new independent family of smartphones from the brand. Up until now, Honor released GT phones under both number and X series.
Additionally, the executive shared an image revealing the ‘Honor Thanos Project.’ He is most likely teasing the imminent launch of the new GT handsets.
As per rumors, Honor will debut Honor X50 GT and Honor 100 GT. But given that these devices are now spun off into a separate lineup, we are not sure if they will bear these names.
Anyways, reliable tipster Digital Chat Station claims that they will be powered by Qualcomm chipsets. The X50 GT, in particular, is expected to house a Snapdragon 888 SoC and feature a rear design inspired by the Huawei Mate X5. While both of them are said to sport flat displays but the type of the panel is not known.
We are looking forward to learning more about these handsets in the coming days as they are nearing their launch.
Huawei launched the MatePad Pro tablet in September this year. It is a top-notch offering packed with flagship specifications. The device was announced in a single 13.2-inch screen size. Now, the brand has launched the MatePad Pro in an 11-inch variant with toned-down specifications compared to its bigger sibling. Read on to know what the latest offering has in store for us.
Huawei MatePad Pro 11 (2024) specifications and features
The Huawei MatePad Pro 11 (2024) as the name suggests comes with an 11-inch OLED display panel bearing a WQXGA resolution, 600 nits peak brightness, and a 120Hz refresh rate. The screen is surrounded by symmetrical bezels and a punch-hole cutout at the top right corner. The tablet is compatible with a stylus called M-pencil and it can be magnetically attached to the side.
The Huawei MatePad Pro 11 (2024) features a circular camera module on the back panel. It accommodates 13MP and 8MP sensors. There is a 16MP front-facing selfie snapper. The tablet is equipped with a speaker system.
Under the hood, the Huawei MatePad Pro 11 (2024) is equipped with a Kirin 9000s processor that is slightly a downgraded version compared to the 13.2-inch model. It packs 12GB RAM and is offered in 256GB and 512GB storage options. The tablet is backed by an 8,300mAh battery unit with support for 66W fast charging. There is also a heat dissipation system onboard. Software-wise, it runs on HarmonyOS 4 with features like multitasking, PC-level apps, and more. The Huawei MatePad Pro 11 (2024) also comes with two-way satellite messaging when there is no network signal.
The Huawei MatePad Pro 11 (2024) is priced at CNY 4,299 (~$) and CNY 4,799 (~$) for the 12GB + 256GB and 12GB + 512GB RAM and storage configurations. It is offered in Green, Blue, Black, and White colors. The tablet goes on pre-orders today with sales commencing from December 8.
Following the developments around the upcoming Redmi K70 series, a new Xiaomi Smartwatch has just surfaced on the UAE’s TDRA certification. Bearing the model code M2320W1, the smartwatch is registered as a short-range smartwatch device. The listing hardly unveils anything related to the smartwatch but confirms a new smartwatch is in the making.
Due to minor details available about the new smartwatch, we are unable to conclude more about the specifications or other features. We expect more information to arrive in the coming days via public certifications or via leaks. However, Xiaomi recently teased a new Redmi Watch 4 with AMOLED display and aluminum alloy build which is expected to launch on November 29. So, the new smartwatch could be the Redmi Watch 4.
Additionally, Xiaomi’s subbrand Redmi is working to launch the Redmi K70 Series consisting of the Redmi K70e, Redmi K70, and Redmi K70 Pro. The Redmi K70e smartphone will come with a 6.67-inch OLED display with having 120Hz refresh rate and 2712 x 1220 pixels resolution. It seems to run MediaTek DImesnity 8300 Ultra SoC, LPDDR5x RAM, and UFS 4.0 Storage.
Meanwhile, the Redmi K70 and the Redmi K70 Pro will feature Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, respectively.
Alongside the new smartphone, there will be a new Redmi Watch 4 and Redmi Buds 5 Pro which were teased recently with battery details.
The Korean giant is only a couple of months away from the official launch of the Galaxy S24 series. This year too, the company will bring three different models, including the Galaxy S24, the Galaxy S24+, and the Galaxy S24 Ultra. There have been ample leaks and rumors that cite information about its different aspects like design, specifications, etc. In a new public certification, the Galaxy S24 Ultra has arrived at India’s BIS certification, following its elder sibling, the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which appeared last week.
The smartphone is already doing the rounds on public certification websites, including Thailand’s NBTC and others. The BIS certification confirms the moniker of the phone as Samsung Galaxy S24+. It confirms the model code; however, the certification misses the other details about the handset.
The smartphone is reportedly launching on January 17, with pre-orders starting the same day.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Series Specifications (Expected)
The Galaxy S24 Series appears to bundle AI camera features which will compete well against the Pixel 8 Series. As per 3C certification, the smartphone appears to bundle the 45W fast charging support. The smartphone appears to feature a 4775 mAh battery as revealed by Dekra Certifications.
Further, it will house a 6.7-inch Dynamic M13 AMOLED panel with 2500 nits brightness. The smartphone will offer up to 12GB RAM and 512GB internal storage.
According to rumors and leaks, the Galaxy S24 Ultra may have a 6.8-inch WQHD+ display. It will be powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, 8/12GB of RAM, and 128/256GB of internal storage. There may be other variants as well, but these are the ones that have been suggested so far.
In the camera department, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is expected to feature a 200 MP primary camera sensor, a 12 MP ultra-wide lens, a 50 MP periscope lens, and a 10 MP telephoto sensor. The smartphone appears to feature a 5000 mAh battery, which will support 45W fast wired charging. It is said to feature a titanium frame, an IP68 rating, support for stereo speakers, and an in-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. In connectivity, there could be a GPS, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, Samsung Pay, and Wireless DeX.
We expect more information to be disclosed in the coming couple of months.
In a strategic move to fortify its presence in the United Kingdom, Taiwanese semiconductor giant MediaTek Inc. has announced a substantial investment of £10 million (US$12.59 million) over the next five years. The announcement, made on the eve of the 2023 Global Investment Summit in London, underscores the company’s commitment to fostering innovation in the UK’s burgeoning startup landscape.
This investment aligns seamlessly with the UK government’s proactive stance on attracting foreign investments, as highlighted in its recent autumn statement. The UK, currently hosting over 140 Unicorn enterprises, and privately owned startups valued at over £1 billion each, stands out as a key hub for innovation in Europe. This number surpasses the combined count in Germany, France, and Sweden, making the UK an attractive destination for companies seeking growth opportunities.
MediaTek, already operating in the UK with offices in Cambridge and Kent, focusing on research and development, has solidified its commitment to the region through recent collaborations. A joint venture with the Bullitt Group aims to pioneer two-way satellite communications technology for smartphones and other devices. Additionally, a partnership with Inmarsat plc aims to deliver satellite communications services to customers, highlighting MediaTek’s dedication to cutting-edge technological advancements.
In the global market, MediaTek has secured its position as the fifth-largest integrated circuit (IC) designer. With sales reaching approximately $3.2 billion and an 8.4% market share in Q2 of the current year, the company continues to be a significant player in the semiconductor industry.
The recent unveiling of the Dimensity 8300 chipset further solidifies MediaTek’s commitment to innovation. Positioned as the company’s premium-tier offering for 5G smartphones, the chipset boasts advanced second-generation 4-nanometer process technology, promising 20% faster CPU performance and 30% peak gains in power efficiency compared to its predecessor.
The chipset is set to debut in smartphones by the end of the year, signaling MediaTek’s intent to compete in the premium 5G smartphone market.
Infinix has scheduled the Hot 40 series global launch for December 9. The smartphone lineup will be unveiled in Lagos, Nigeria.
However, ahead of that, the brand has already started rolling out the phones in the series in some markets. The Infinix Hot 40i is the first device in the family to go official.
This product was announced in Saudi Arabia on November 26. It is even available for purchase from participating retailers.
Infinix Hot 40i Specifications
The Infinix Hot 40i released in Saudi Arabia has NFC in its name as it offers the said connectivity option for contactless payments and other uses. This suggests there could be a variant of the handset without NFC in some markets.
The device sports a 6.56-inch centered punch-hole display with an HD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. It is powered by a MediaTek Helio G88 chip and boots Android 13.
There’s a 50MP camera on the rear assisted by an unspecified secondary sensor and a ring LED flashlight. While the front of the phone includes a 32MP selfie camera. It also arrives with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
Last but not least, it draws energy from a 5,000mAh battery and carries support for 18W charging.
Infinix Hot 40i Price
The Infinix Hot 40i retails at the following price tags in Saudi Arabia.
4GB + 128GB – SAR 375 (~$100)
8GB + 256GB – SAR 465 (~$125)
It comes in Palm Blue, Horizon Gold, and Starlit Black color options.
Apple is turning to the supply chain in mainland China for its highly anticipated mixed reality (MR) headset, the Apple Vision Pro. Recent reports reveal that a substantial 60% of the components for the Vision Pro will be sourced from Chinese suppliers, indicating a significant increase compared to the iPhone 15 series. Set for mass production in December, Apple has set an ambitious sales target of 1 million units in 2024 and aims to reach 10 million units in the third year.
Sourcing 60% of components from China marks a notable departure from iPhone production trends
Apple Vision Pro
The estimated hardware cost of the Apple Vision Pro stands at around $1,700, with Lingyi Intelligent Manufacturing, a prominent Chinese supplier, playing a crucial role by providing components valued between $250-300. These components include heat sink modules, headbands, eye masks, and nose pads. Lixun Precision, another key supplier, will handle exclusive OEM assembly, contributing components valued at approximately $150-200 per unit.
This shift represents a departure from Apple’s recent endeavors to diversify its supply chain beyond China. The increased involvement of Chinese suppliers, particularly with the Vision Pro, contrasts sharply with the mere 2% supply chain equipment sourced for the iPhone 15 series.
Chinese supply chain companies have demonstrated remarkable flexibility and capabilities during the development and prototype stages of the Vision Pro headset, playing a pivotal role in winning Apple’s favor. Apple CEO Tim Cook has publicly expressed his preference for mainland supply chains, emphasizing their increased involvement in innovative products like the Vision Pro.
While Apple’s iPhone production witnessed a decline in the proportion of parts sourced from mainland China, the Vision Pro signals a strategic relocation of the supply chain to the country. This move is poised to benefit Apple by reducing production costs and potentially enabling the MR manufacturer to lower the overall cost of the end product.
Realme’s upcoming smartphone, the Realme C65 launch is around the corner. It has been spotted on certification websites like the EEC, SIRIM, and FCC. The smartphone’s extensive leaks have already spilled the beans about its specifications and features. In addition, the device today appeared on the UAE’s TDRA with the new model code RMX3890. Depending on the region, the company could launch the new device as the Realme C65 or Realme C67.
Already, the global version of the upcoming Realme smartphone has cleared multiple certifications and is expected to debut in India along with other countries. The 4G LTE-only device will come with a 5000 mAh battery and 33W fast charging support, confirms FCC. Further. it will measure 164.6mm x 75.4mm x 7.59mm in size. The smartphone is reportedly coming in 4/6/8GB RAM variants. It will unveil only 128GB storage with two color options – Green and Purple.
Realme C65/Realme C67 would be the latest addition to the smartphone’s C-series. Details about the launch are not yet known, but it is expected to launch by the end of this year. It will arrive as Realme C67 in Malaysia and Realme C65 in the Middle East.
Additionally, Realme is gearing up for the Realme GT 5 Pro launch in China next month, precisely, it is coming on December 7. It will be the flagship device and will feature all the best features and technology that Realme developed over the years. Further, it is preparing for the Realme V50 launch which is slated to launch on December 10.
The company introduced Realme C51 4G a couple of months ago in Carbon Black and Mint Green options. We hope the new smartphone will soon broaden the Realme C-series lineup in several countries.
Doogee is going strong this year, isn’t it! We have reviewed several products from them, each with distinctive features, and this time, there you have an upgraded tablet, the T30 Ultra. This one has a 2.5k display, Helio G99 processor, dual SIM Cards & dual-Band Wi-Fi, plus a large battery built into this premium body, really good choice for daily work and entertainment, now let’s get into the details.
Design
This T30 Ultra has a truly great look all around, when I hold it in hand, the feel is largely in line with many tablets on the market. First of all, the bezels on this 11-inch display are equal in each corner, visually it’s a piece of nice screen. Flip to the back, it has dark gray sandblasted aluminum covering most part of the body, and brushed metal finished piece at the other part, the aluminum is very smooth to the touch, and also prevent fingerprints from staying, such a diverse design creates a sleek appearance, and I really like it.
The power button and volume buttons are located at the top left corner, with the camera placed in the middle of the same side, by seeing this kind of design, you know the tablet is meant to be used both for work and entertainment. So to support such needs, there are four speakers on both sides, they are great for doing video conferencing or simply enjoying some video content, and not to forget the Hi-res audio certification.
Other ports like the type-C charging port and the keyboard connect points are also at the right places.
Performance
This tablet has the Helio G99 Octa-core Processor inside, the version in our hand has 32GB RAM+256GB ROM.
to make this clear for you guys, it is 12GB physical RAM and 20GB virtual RAM, still a decent combo after all. The limit in games is probably 30fps at smooth graphic mode, so I’ll generally be playing lighter games. For the ROM, it also supports storage expansion up to 2TB, you can put a card here in the sim card slot.
Get into the Geekbench 5 benchmarks here, it scored 1785 in multi-core performance, a decent score can’t argue with that. So G99 is the most commonly used CPU in some tech products right now, it has good performance and power efficiency, so this tablet can still manage to run some games and daily tasks well.
As you can see, if we set the graphics at a smooth level, the performance is still good, and the movements are smooth, with some minor inconsistencies in battles. So as the results suggest, this tablet will be a good choice for some light games or simple work tasks.
Display
This tablet has an 11’’ 2.5k display, 16:10 ratio, and 250nit peak brightness, It also comes with TÜV SÜD Blue Light Certification and Widevine L1 Support. All the specs translate to a good performance in daily work and entertainment situations.
As you can see I have been watching some videos, the visual is good and it does not show any lag at all, also since it has almost the perfect screen ratio for watching content, the window of the video is the best. And it is positioned as a daily driver, the blue light certification does help a lot. However there is still something not quite well made, which is the 250nit peak brightness, it is good for viewing things indoors, but could show some weakness when it’s used outdoors.
Other features
The tablet has an 8580mAh large battery built in, and 18W charger included in the package, this battery should support a 1-2 day use without any problem, and it can top up quickly in 1-2 hours.
What is included in the package are a nice screen protector and a transparent case, not many brands would do such heartwarming things for customers anymore. Also it has a 16MP main camera and 8MP front camera, it is good for taking some photos in your daily life or doing video conferencing.
I am sure you are also familiar with the original Android 13 OS, if you are used to working with Google app packs, the spreadsheet-sharing experience can be very smooth, let alone it has a free WPS app for you to process all the Excel and things. And if you always work remotely, putting a sim card inside will keep you going all the time, and once you have WIFI access, the dual-band WIFI capability will help you get a faster connection.
Verdict
To sum up this Doogee T30 Ultra tablet, it has everything you need for daily use, the perfect size and the elegant back design, it feels very good in hand. The specs are right at the edge of providing a good experience for mid-level users, and with the good OS support, it is the right choice for those people.
The smartphone market is currently buzzing with new launches, with major brands like Vivo and Xiaomi unveiling their flagship smartphones powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. Redmi is also set to join the race with its new Redmi K70 series.
In contrast, Motorola has been relatively quiet this year, despite being one of the first companies to launch a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2-powered phone last year with the Moto X40. The phone was later rebranded as the Motorola Edge 40 Pro in the global market.
Motorola “XT2363-4” 3C Certification
Amidst this flurry of flagship launches, a new Motorola smartphone has surfaced on China’s 3C certification site, hinting at a potential budget/mid-range offering from the company.
The upcoming Motorola phone carries the model number XT2363-4, but its official name remains unknown.
According to the 3C certification, the device may come with an MC-208L power brick, capable of supporting up to 20W fast charging. The charging capabilities revealed through the certification hint that the XT2363-4 could be a budget/mid-range phone.
Furthermore, the certification confirms that the XT2363-4 is a 5G-enabled device. While details regarding the Motorola XT2363-4 are currently limited, the 3C certification provides some insights into the device’s specifications.
As more information becomes available, we will be sure to provide an update on this new Motorola phone.
A couple of weeks back, Vivo unveiled a new Y series smartphone in China. This device is officially Vivo Y100i.
The company revealed certain features of the handset, including its price. But the product is yet to go official even today,
Earlier in the morning, the firm opened pre-orders for it and also disclosed when it will go on sale along with its official announcement date.
Vivo says that its upcoming Vivo Y100i will be presented on November 30. However, ahead of that, the brand has already disclosed the price of the product.
The Vivo Y100i will be sold in a single 12GB + 512GB memory configuration. It will retail at ¥1,599 or about $225 in China.
The device is up for pre-order on Vivo’s official website. It is scheduled to go on sale starting December 2.
As far as features are concerned, the Vivo Y100i is IP54-rated for splash resistance. It draws energy from a 5,000mAh battery and carries support for 44W wired charging.
The handset is said to house a speaker that outputs 200% louder volume. Finally, it will be available in three colors, such as black, blue, and pink.
It is worth noting that the standard Vivo Y100 (Chinese variant) is a more premium offering with a curved display. Whereas, the Y100i has a flat frame body and non-curved display which is likely LCD. It is expected to be powered by an entry-level MediaTek 5G chip.
A new Canalys report unveils the continuous decline in smartphone shipments but hints at a slight increase in demand next year. It also cites that the decline has been narrowed to 6%, with total shipments reaching 32 million in Q3 2023. However, Samsung and Apple retained their top positions with a market share of 25% and 22%, respectively. Xiaomi, Motorola, and TCL garnered good sales in the quarter, and their overall sales are expected to grow in Europe.
There have been challenges for Apple and Samsung this quarter, as the retailers tried to reduce stocks of old smartphones, which led to a decline in shipments. Even Samsung’s strategy to shift focus from the Galaxy A Series to the more profitable mid-range smartphone, the S Series Flagship, and foldable led to a resilient demand. For Apple, the USB Type-C cable-led iPhone 15 increased its shipments by 59%. But, to reduce overstocking of iPhone 14 and older models, the retailers paused the shipments, which led to an overall decrease in shipments in Q3 2023.
Samsung remained at the top with 35% overall smartphone market share, and Apple at 22%. Xiaomi’s strong demand in the mid-range with its Redmi Series led to fetching 19% of the market share. Motorola and TCL gained 5% and 3% market share, respectively.
Meanwhile, Xiaomi, Motorola, and TCL registered significant growth in shipments, but it was limited to the low-to-mid-range segment. Buffer created by Samsung’s focus shift from low-end to high-end market paved the way for these OEMs to usher. Xiaomi gained the largest chunk with the sale of Redmi and Redmi Note 12 models in the Central and Eastern Europe regions. Motorola maintained its prowess with its best quarterly performance and registered a 30% YoY increase in shipments.
Better 2024 for Smartphone OEMs in Europe
“Canalys predicts the market will grow by 4% in 2024. The rest of this year remains important for vendors seeking to redeem their performance in 2023, start 2024 with positive momentum, and clear out channel inventory ahead of new product launches in the first half of 2024,” said Runar Bjørhovde, Analyst at Canalys.
Though the year 2023 remained not so well for the smartphone companies globally, as per the market experts, the European market will improve in 2024. It will move 4% up due to a refresh cycle of the mid-range devices bought in 2020 and 2021. Other reasons and the market’s positive momentum will further fetch good sales in the coming year. Even the ongoing festive season and enticing discounts are luring customers to grab or replace their smartphones.
Vivo, fresh off the launch of its flagship X100 series, is reportedly in the works of releasing new mid-range smartphones in the Vivo S18 series. Now, key specifications for the Vivo S18 and S18 Pro have now leaked online, courtesy of the tipster WhyLab on Weibo.
Vivo S18, S18 Pro specifications (rumored)
The leak, which appears to be a presentation for the two smartphones, reveals that the Vivo S18 will be powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset. We have seen this SoC in action in the new Honor 100 so far, so the Vivo S18 will be among the first devices to feature SD 7 Gen 3.
It will sport an OLED display with 2800 nits of brightness and a 5000mAh battery. Likewise, the smartphone will offer a choice of three RAM configurations – 8GB, 12GB, or 16GB – and two storage options of 256GB or 512 GB.
On the other hand, the Vivo S18 Pro will reportedly feature the flagship-grade Dimensity 9200+ chipset and offer similar memory configurations as the Vivo S18. It will also pack a 5000mAh battery. Previously, it was tipped that both smartphones would support 80W fast charging.
The leak also reveals the Vivo S18 Pro’s main camera which is a 50MP Sony IMX920 sensor — the same as the Vivo X100. Furthermore, the smartphone will also include WiFi 7 compatibility.
Following past trends, the Vivo S18 is expected to be launched globally as the Vivo V30, while the S18 Pro is likely to hit the market as the Vivo V30 Pro. There should also be an S18e, following the S17e predecessor, which may launch as V30e globally.
While there’s no official word on the launch date and pricing of the Vivo S18 series, we can expect to hear more details from Vivo in the coming weeks.
This year, there has been a decline in the number of smartphones shipped around the world. Sales of smartphones have been falling in every major market, including those in North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Following the ongoing festive sales, there’s a slight chance of improvement, but the overall year remained sluggish for global shipments. Surprisingly, the Middle Eastern smartphone market defied the global smartphone market signals and registered a 21% annual growth in Q3 2023.
As per a new Canalys research report, smartphone shipments in Middle Eastern countries (excluding Turkey) have registered a significant growth of 21%, with 12.0 million shipments. An increase in business growth due to local demand is one of the primary reasons behind the growth. Job and business opportunities have exceptionally increased in recent times, unaffected by falling oil prices.
The markets in Iraq and Saudi Arabia soared to historical highs, with 57% and 46% growth on a year-over-year basis, respectively. Surprisingly, despite some limitations and challenges while importing in US dollars, Iraq gained maximum growth. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates market registers only a 2% increase in shipments which is mostly fueled by increased tourist footfall. Qatar and Kuwait show a slight decline due to subdued demand in both countries.
Samsung accounts for 31% of the total smartphone shipments in Q3 2023. It is followed by Transsion with 22% share, Xiaomi with 15% share, Apple with 11% share, and Realme in 5th position with a mere 4% share.
Inclination towards Budget Smartphones in Middle-East
Unlike Southeast Asian markets, the Middle East is more inclined towards budget smartphones which translates to under $200 market. The maximum sales are garnered by Chinese brands such as Xiaomi, Transsion, and Honor.
“TRANSSION is steadily increasing its footprint in response to the expanding mass-market segment amid broader economic uncertainties. Infinix introduced exclusive models with Noon in Saudi Arabia, while Tecno promoted its Camon 20 with enhanced incentives in Iraq. While Xiaomi and HONOR strive to penetrate the premium market with enticing incentives and aggressive promotions, luring customers away from established brands demands persistent investment,” reveals Manish Pravinkumar, Dubai-based Senior Consultant at Canalys.
Motorola further increases its growth in the enterprise businesses in the GCC region. However, Samsung and Apple remained at their respective positions with their extensive distribution network and ecosystem strategy, respectively.
Further, emerging brands are working on their marketing campaigns to garner sales. While Oppo and Honor are bringing foldable to the market to compete against Samsung’s prowess. However, “consumers in markets such as Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia will still hesitate to switch brands. Affordability, aspirational value and availability will be pivotal factors for emerging players, with schemes such as Buy Now Pay Later gaining traction through platforms such as Tabby and Tamara, proving beneficial for both retailers and consumers, “said Pravinkumar.
Li Jie, President of OnePlus China, now teases the camera system of the upcoming OnePlus 12 to be one of the best in the market. According to him, the phone must have top-notch hardware and software solutions to achieve the goal of being the best and that they have worked accordingly on the device. Reportedly, the company has worked with the Oppo Find series’ imaging team for the OnePlus 12 to fully equip the hardware + software package.
Li Jie claims OnePlus 12 to be the most powerful imaging flagship in OnePlus’s history
As mentioned, the device brings a “new generation of super light and shadow imaging system” with the triple camera setup. Additionally, OnePlus continued its partnership with Hasselblad to maintain its previous achievements. With all of this together in a single package, Li Jie considers the device to be strong enough to beat its Pro-level flagship competitors in the camera department.
In terms of camera hardware, the OnePlus 12 boasts the new Sony LYT-808 sensor for the main camera paired with an improved periscope telephoto, which is more expensive but adds quality to the output. Li Jie didn’t share any specifics about the ultrawide module but suggested to expect improvements here too.
He also mentions the importance of computational processing in a camera system within the smartphone form factor, stating that the phone cannot completely rely on optics due to its miniature size and low light-capturing abilities. Likely, the upcoming flagship from OnePlus has something notable in the software aspect too.
In terms of image processing software, the OnePlus 12 gets the core algorithm of the Find series, as mentioned earlier. Additionally, in terms of display technology, the phone gets an exclusive self-developed “Super Light and Shadow ProXDR Display” which will be used in its “Oriental Screen”.
In summary, OnePlus has been working with the Oppo Find series’ imaging team besides the partnership with Hasselblad to make the camera system of the OnePlus 12 stand out.
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