The iPhone 15’s debut in the Chinese market has raised concerns for Apple as initial sales have dipped by 4.5% compared to the previous year, causing a 1.5% drop in Apple’s pre-market stock, according to the latest data from Counterpoint.
Insiders in Shenzhen’s Huaqiangbei had been warning about the lack of demand for the iPhone 15 series, with substantial inventory remaining unsold and few rushing to make purchases. Third-party sources indicate that prices for the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus have fallen below their launch prices.
But is it fair to place all the blame on Apple’s shoulders? Perhaps not.
Challenges Mount as iPhone 15 Faces Tough Competition from Huawei
Additionally, the iPhone 15 series has encountered various issues since its launch, including overheating and burn-in problems, especially in the iPhone 15 Pro series. Users have reported excessive heat during demanding tasks and software-related problems with apps like Instagram and Uber. Apple has released software updates to address some of these issues, but concerns persist in the user and tech community.
In the US market, iPhone 15 sales also appear lackluster. A special annual survey suggests that many Apple customers are holding onto their older phones and not upgrading to the new iPhone 15, which could lead to stagnant sales next year.
Despite declining iPhone sales, Apple may still see an increase in revenue due to consumer preference for higher-priced models, such as the Pro Max, which starts at $1199.
In India though, the iPhone 15 is the most popular model in the new iPhone 15 series, followed by the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The iPhone 15 Plus has lower demand but still performs better than its predecessor, the iPhone 14 Plus, which faced delays. The base iPhone 15 has a shorter waiting time due to local assembly, about 1 week, while the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, manufactured exclusively in China, have longer waiting times of nearly 3 weeks or more. The higher demand for the Pro Max is driven by its premium features, despite being pricier in India compared to the US.
Since Elon Musk took over Twitter (now known as X) has seen a host of new changes. The social media platform introduced a paid subscription plan that gives you a verification badge and lets you enjoy a handful of features that are not available to unpaid users. And soon, X subscribers might get a new feature, called “Enhanced Discover” that will help find similar posts related to the subject matter of a post.
Voice and Video calls might also be coming soon
Android Authority has discovered new strings in the latest beta version of X for Android, which shed light on the upcoming Enhanced Discovery feature. The presence of strings labeled “blue_upsell,” suggests this feature will be exclusively available to X Premium subscribers. The outlet notes this unannounced feature aims to let users discover content that is closely aligned with the subject matter of their posts.
The latest beta version of X also includes evidence of audio and video calling features, which indicates that these features will be available soon. This is in line with Elon Musk’s confirmation back in August, when he revealed that voice and video calls would be available on both iOS and Android devices, without requiring a phone number to make a call.
Currently, there’s no timeline as to when these new features will be rolled out to the users. Separately, Elon Musk hinted last month that all X users may soon have to pay monthly fees to use the platform. In a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Musk mentioned a “small monthly payment for use of the X system” can help in dealing with the “vast armies of bots” on the microblogging website.
Intel is at it again. Not long after the launch of the Core i9-13900KS that stunned with its 6GHz speed, the tech giant has unveiled its 14th-gen desktop CPUs, led by the i9-14900K. The new chip is also capable of hitting the 6GHz mark, thanks to its “Thermal Velocity Boost.” But is this raw power just for show or does it serve a real purpose?
The chip also consumes 253 watts of power, which is a lot
It’s easy to get lured by the flashy 6GHz number, but the i9-14900K’s high speed only lasts for short bursts. These chips may have the upper hand in the Intel vs. AMD performance race, but they’re not for everyone. Intel claims that its 14900K chip is up to 23% faster than AMD’s Ryzen 9 7950X3D when playing games like Starfield in 1080p. It’s worth noting that the comparisons could be skewed, as Intel’s benchmarks involved tasks that work better with its own UHD graphics. This chip guzzles power like it’s going out of style—253 watts, to be exact. That’s not exactly what you’d call efficient.
And speaking of AMD, Intel’s got its rival in the crosshairs. The company claims its flagship chip is up to 23% faster than AMD’s Ryzen 9 7950X3D in gaming benchmarks. But let’s take that with a grain of salt. The tests favored Intel’s own graphics tech, so is it a fair fight? Jury’s still out.
But hey, if the i9-14900K is too rich for your blood at $589, there’s always the more budget-friendly i7-14700K. It’s got a cool 20 cores and tops out at 5.6GHz for a much more palatable $409. Now that’s a deal.
Here’s something intriguing, though. Intel’s throwing in some AI help for the overclocking crowd. Their new XTU AI Assist feature makes it simpler to push your CPU to the edge without frying it. Cool, right? But don’t look for an NPU (neural processing unit) for AI tasks in these new desktop chips; that’s reserved for Intel’s upcoming mobile line-up.
Is Intel’s 14th-gen desktop CPU line-up really the next big thing, or is it just a flashy way to outdo AMD? Bottom line: these chips are powerhouses, no doubt. But unless you’ve got specific, demanding needs (or just love to brag), the i7-14700K might be the more sensible pick. The new CPUs drop on October 17th, but maybe give it a good think before you grab your wallet.
As social media constantly evolves are presents new challenges, TikTok has stepped up its game to address misleading and violent content, particularly following the Israel-Hamas conflict. While other social media giants like Meta and X have been making similar moves, TikTok is uniquely focusing on agility and global expertise to handle such crises.
TikTok’s new command center has 40,000 safety experts to moderate media
The social media app has set up a command center comprised of a global team of 40,000 safety experts. The idea is to tackle the issues from multiple angles, taking into account regional variations and sentiments. The incorporation of a diverse team aims to make TikTok’s response not just quick, but culturally sensitive and globally effective.
TikTok is also investing in language-specific moderation by hiring more moderators fluent in Arabic or Hebrew. The goal here is twofold: better pinpoint harmful content and provide a more nuanced filtering system that considers the linguistic and cultural subtleties that generic algorithms might miss. This comes after a moderator sued the company in 2021, claiming that the job caused her mental trauma. TikTok has responded by broadening the well-being support for its moderators, an often-overlooked workforce handling the grim aspects of the internet.
Moreover, TikTok is taking technological measures to combat false information and graphic content. It’s not just about taking videos down; it’s also about ensuring what stays up is there for the right reasons. Users will now find opt-in screens for graphic content that serves public interest, and limitations have been set on who can go Live to cut down on the spread of misinformation.
Between October 7 and October 15 alone, TikTok removed approximately 500,000 videos and halted 8,000 livestreams related to the Israel-Gaza situation. As it looks ahead, the company will introduce misinformation warnings in multiple languages, starting with English, Hebrew, and Arabic. This new multilayered approach shows that TikTok is not just reacting to crises, but planning for a safer digital future for its global audience.
Xiaomi continues to expand its product lineup. Having been highly influential in the smartphone market for a long time, and reaching second place in the global market, the company’s next target is the electric vehicle market. The Chinese tech giant is eagerly counting down to start the production of its first EV model. In fact, we recently mentioned that the company was awaiting approval from Beijing to produce its own electric vehicles. Meanwhile, they are also exploring partnerships to expedite the process. According to recent updates, Xiaomi is in talks with Baic Bluepark and Brilliance Auto to outsource the production of its first SUV. Here are the details…
Why is Xiaomi collaborating with other car manufacturers?
According to a recent report by Pandaily, Xiaomi is continuing to search for potential partners to produce its first electric SUV. The latest potential partners are Baic Bluepark and Brilliance Auto. This update emerges as Xiaomi prepares to release its first car, a coupe model, in 2024. In fact, Xiaomi has already established its own car factory in Beijing Yizhuang, boasting an annual production capacity of 150,000 vehicles. However, the company is reportedly exploring collaborations with other car manufacturers to achieve its sales goal of 100,000 cars by 2024.
There are a few reasons why Xiaomi may be choosing to collaborate with other car manufacturers. First, it can help the company to quickly scale up its production capacity. Xiaomi’s own car factory in Beijing Yizhuang has an annual production capacity of 150,000 vehicles, but the company is planning to sell 100,000 cars by 2024. By outsourcing the production of its SUV models to other car manufacturers, Xiaomi can quickly increase its production capacity and meet its sales target.
Second, collaborating with other car manufacturers can help Xiaomi to save money. Building a new car factory is a very expensive undertaking. By outsourcing the production of its SUV models to other car manufacturers, Xiaomi can avoid the cost of building a new factory.
Collaborating with other car manufacturers can also give Xiaomi access to their expertise. Baic Bluepark and Brilliance Auto are both experienced car manufacturers with a good track record of producing SUVs. By partnering with these companies, Xiaomi can take advantage of their expertise and produce high-quality SUV models.
The specific form of cooperation between Xiaomi and Baic Bluepark is still unknown. However, the report suggests that Xiaomi may outsource the production of its SUV models to Baic Bluepark while using its own factory to produce its coupe models. This would make sense, as Baic Bluepark is an experienced SUV manufacturer.
Apple could be planning on announcing its next generation of MacBooks next year. These upcoming notebook models will feature the company’s latest M3 chipset, which should offer improved performance and energy efficiency. So here’s everything we know.
Apple MacBooks with M3 may launch in 2024
The news arrives from Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman. The Cupertino based giant is recently rumored to release new iPad models later this week, but next gen MacBooks would reportedly launch next year. Gurman’s report also added that the M3 powered MacBook will be released sometime between spring and summer at the earliest. The latest Power On newsletter from Gurman adds that the 13-inch and 15-inch M3 MacBook Air is currently at the engineering verification test (EVT) stage.
On the other hand, the M3 MacBook Pro models are in the later stage of development and are near mass production. Mark states that the “14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros with M3 Pro and M3 Max chips have reached the DVT stage (Design Validation Test). If this is true, then the new MacBooks could launch around early or Spring 2024.
This is in line with Apple’s previous launch cycle since the M2 Pro and M2 Max powered MacBook Pros back in January 2023. Interestingly enough, the report also contradicts the rumor of new iPads launching later this week. These new tablets will feature modest upgrades like the A16 Bionic and M2 chipset. But no major changes are planned for the upcoming iPads.
Apple is reportedly working on a more affordable alternative to its upcoming Vision Pro mixed reality headset, according toBloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The new headset is rumored to cost somewhere between $1,500 and $2,500, which is significantly less than the Vision Pro’s expected price tag of $3,500.
To achieve this lower price point, Apple is reportedly considering making some hardware reductions. One of the most notable changes is the removal of EyeSight, a feature that allows users to see the wearer’s eyes through an external display. This is a good way to cut costs, as EyeSight doesn’t do anything beneficial for the wearer of the device.
An earlier report by Gurman also suggests that Apple may replace the Mac-grade Apple silicon chip in the Vision Pro with a cheaper iPhone chip, lower the resolution of the primary screen, and include fewer sensors.
The Apple Vision Pro is set to go on sale in the US in 2024 with a retail price tag of $3,500, making it one of the most expensive consumer VR products on the market. As a result, it is not surprising that Apple is considering a cheaper alternative to appeal to a wider range of consumers.
Regardless of whether or not Apple releases a cheaper Vision Pro alternative, the company is facing competition from Meta, which dominates the consumer VR market with its Oculus lineup of headsets. Even Meta’s most expensive product, the Meta Quest Pro, is significantly cheaper than Apple’s upcoming VR headset at $999.
It remains to be seen how Apple’s Vision Pro will fare in the market, but the company is hoping that its high-end specs and integration with other Apple products will make it a compelling choice for consumers.
Last month, Apple unveiled the Watch Series 9. At the end of the same month, the Cupertino-based tech giant made the original Apple Watch obsolete. Now, the second-generation smartwatch from the company i.e. the Watch Series 1 has entered the vintage production list. It’s worth noting that vintage and obsolete labels are both different. To jog your memory, the original Watch and the Watch Series 1 debuted way back in 2015 and 2016 respectively.
Apple Watch Series 1 gets vintage tag
Apple classifies vintage products as those that have been off the market for five years but less than seven. The vintage label on the Watch Series 1 signals that it is not quite obsolete but may no longer be eligible for official support. This is because the repairs are subject to the availability of the spare parts. Once, Apple slaps the obsolete label, the Watch Series 1 won’t get any official repair at the company’s stores or authorized outlets.
The Apple Watch Series 1 debuted in 2016 alongside the Watch Series 2. It was a more affordable offering among the two smartwatches. Notably, the Watch Series 1 had the same hardware as the original model except for the faster chipset. It was priced at $369 making it a hit among the consumers.
The Apple Watch Series 1 and 2 received software updates till 2020. Both currently run on watchOS6. The Watch Series 1 bagged the title of the world’s best-selling smartwatch in 2018 accounting for 90 percent of global Apple Watch sales.
The Oppo Find N3 launch is just around the corner. But prior to its official Chinese release, a fresh leak has revealed the renders of the upcoming foldable smartphone, offering us a look at its design. So let’s have a look.
Oppo Find N3 Renders
For those unaware, the Find N3 Flip has already been announced in the Chinese and Indian markets. Now, the Oppo Find N3 model is set to be released in China and globally on 19th October 2023. But prior to its official release, a render leaked has surfaced online. Looking at the leaked image, we can see the upcoming foldable smartphone in a Gold color variant.
Just a couple of days ago, the Chinese tech giant’s Find N3 in the Gold color option surfaced in leaked live images. The image was shared by known tipster Evan Blass. The leak showcases the circular camera module on the rear with Hasselblad branding. We also get a look at the 6.31-inch cover display. The primary display is expected to be a tall 7.82-inch AMOLED panel that has a 2268 x 2440 pixel resolution.
Based on what we know so far, the device will feature a triple camera setup. This consists of a 53-megapixel LYT800 OIS primary camera, a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera, and a 32-megapixel telephoto camera. For selfies, it will house a 32-megapixel punch-hole camera. Under the hood, it will be equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC. A large 4,800mAh battery pack will power this device, which will likely support 67W fast charging.
The Nubia Red Magic 150W Gallium Nitride (GaN) desktop charging kit is available for pre-sale, priced at 999 yuan in China and $199 for international buyers. The official sale will start on October 20th at 10:00 AM on various platforms. Let’s check out the key features of this charger.
Nubia Red Magic 150W GaN Desktop Charger Key Features:
If you’re not familiar with GaN chargers, they’re changing the game in device charging. These chargers are smaller, faster, and more efficient than traditional ones. GaN chargers pack a high wattage into a compact design, enabling faster charging. They also produce less heat and offer improved energy efficiency, making them an advanced choice for powering your devices.
The Nubia Red Magic 150W Gallium Nitride desktop charging kit serves as a charger but can also function as a desktop charger when its power cord is extended. The package includes a standard DC power cord suitable for some direct-charge DC devices. In case of incompatibility, Nubia offers a free DC adapter with a choice of four popular brands: Lenovo, Dell, ASUS, and HP.
The charger is designed for efficiency and versatility, supporting the PD 3.1 fast charging protocol. It features a 150W DC port, a 30W USB-A port, and two 140W Type-C ports. It’s important to note that the mentioned capacities represent the maximum power output of each port when used separately.
The charging kit features RGB lighting effects and a full-color touchscreen. This touchscreen allows users to monitor real-time charging data like input and output power. It also has touch-sensitive buttons and supports Bluetooth-controlled dynamic desktop standby animations accessible through a mobile app, enhancing both aesthetics and functionality.
Apple is rumored to launch Apple Pencil 3 tomorrow, October 17, 2023, according to a report from the Japanese blog Mac Otakara. The report states that the third-generation Apple Pencil will come with a “replaceable magnet tip.”
This rumor corroborates with leaker “Majin Bu,” who said last month that the new Apple Pencil would feature interchangeable magnetic tips for drawing, technical drawing, and digital painting. It would also make it easier to replace the tip if it becomes worn or damaged.
Bu also tipped that Apple Pencil 3 will have more precision and greater battery life.
Apple currently sells two generations of the Apple Pencil on the market, the second-gen of which was released in 2018. The second-generation Apple Pencil has a non-magnetic tip, with replacement tips available. It attaches magnetically to 2018 and newer iPad Pro models, 2020 and newer iPad Air models, and the latest iPad mini. In the U.S., it is priced at $129.
The first-generation Apple Pencil with a Lightning connector is still available for the tenth-generation entry-level iPad and some older iPad models. It has been rumored that this Apple Pencil model might be updated with a USB-C connector soon. The original Apple Pencil was released in November 2015 for $99.
This news comes after Sami Fathi from Supercharged revealed that Apple is planning to launch new iPads tomorrow. But reliable Apple analyst Mark Gurman later suggested that new iPads will not be released this month.
Xiaomi is expected to unveil its next-generation flagship Xiaomi 14 series smartphones in China later this month. The upcoming offerings will arrive as the successors to the last year’s Xiaomi 13 lineup. Recently, the Xiaomi 14 Pro surfaced in CAD-based leaked renders. Now ahead of the launch, a poster of the standard Xiaomi 14 along with its full specification sheet has surfaced on the Chinese microblogging website Weibo. Let’s take a look at the entire information.
Xiaomi 14 poster and full specs leaked
The leaked poster reveals the Xiaomi 14 with a large square camera module housing three Leica-branded sensors. The setup is said to comprise a 50MP OV50H main lens paired with a 50MP ultra-wide and a 50MP telephoto unit.
The Xiaomi 14 is rumoured to come with a 6.44-inch C8 OLED 12-bit display bearing a 1.5K resolution. It will offer a 120Hz refresh rate, 2,800 nits peak brightness, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+ support. The device is tipped to have dual-stereo speakers, an IP68-certified body, and an IR Blaster.
Under the hood, the leak reveals that the Xiaomi 14 will be equipped with the unannounced Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor coupled with LPDDR5x RAM and UFS 4 storage. It will also feature a large VC liquid cooling system for heat dissipation. The upcoming smartphone will reportedly be backed by a 4,600mAh battery unit with support for 90W wired, 50W wireless, and 10W reverse wireless charging.
It’s important to take this Xiaomi 14 leak with a grain of salt. We should expect Xiaomi to officially share the launch date of its upcoming flagship in the coming days.
It’s been more than a couple of weeks since the Redmi Note 13 Series launch in China. Bundling up to 200MP camera and 120W charging capabilities, the new smartphone series is set to launch in the global markets soon. Following Singapore’s IMDA certification, the Redmi Note 13 Global variant has made it to Korea’s NRRA. The specifications of the device are already official, but the listing does confirm the impending global launch of the smartphone.
The Note-13 series features competitive specifications at an affordable price in China. It is expected to launch under a similar pricing with all its exciting specifications and features. As per previous leaks, the model number 2312DRAABG could be the Redmi Note 13, and the 2312RA50G model number denotes the Redmi Note 13 Pro.
Bundling MediaTek Dimensity 7200 ultra and 1.5K curved display, the new Note 13 Pro Plus along with younger siblings – Redmi Note 13 and Redmi Note 13 Pro is expected to launch globally by the end of this year. However, there’s no official confirmation from Xiaomi, but considering the leaks and public certifications the launch seems nearing.
Redmi Note 13 Series Specifications and Features
Redmi Note 13 standard variant bundles a 6.67-inch AMOLED display, MediaTek Dimensity 6080 SoC, up to 12GB RAM, and 256GB storage. There’s a 100MP primary camera sensor coupled with a 2MP macro lens. It houses a 5000 mAh battery with 33W fast charging.
Redmi Note 13 Pro variant ships with a 6.67-inch 1.5K FHD+ AMOLED display with up to 120Hz refresh rate. It is powered with Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 SoC, and up to 16GB RAM and 512GB storage.
Redmi Note 13 Pro also features identical specifications to the Note 13 Pro, but it differs in battery size. The Redmi Note 13 Pro carries a 5100 mAh battery with 67W charging while the Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus comes with a 5000 mAh battery and 120W charging support.
Both the Redmi Note 13 and Note 13 Pro Plus bundle the same triple-rear camera module consisting of a 200MP primary sensor with OIS, an 8MP ultrawide angle lens, and a 2MP macro sensor.
Apple is apparently gearing up to launch new iPad models soon. A fresh report has hinted that the company is planning on releasing brand-new iPad, iPad Air, and iPad Mini later this week. So here are all the details.
New Apple iPad, iPad Air, and iPad Mini could launch tomorrow
The news arrives from a 9To5Mac report. Sources close to the matter have claimed that the Cupertino based giant aims to release a new iPad, iPad Air, and iPad Mini tomorrow (17th October 2023). However, this report is in contrast to known analyst Mark Gurman, who believes that new tablets from Apple will likely be announced by the end of this year.
But in the latest report, the company is expected to launch the new iPads soon. Apple typically unveils new tablets a month after the new iPhone launches. So it would make sense that fresh iPads are just around the corner. But unfortunately, no official announcements have been made yet. The new iPads will feature refreshed specifications like an upgraded chipset. The last iPad Air was launched with the M1 chipset, while the iPad Mini and base iPad features the A15 Bionic and A14 Bionic processors respectively.
So the iPad Air will likely get the updated M2 chipset, and the iPad Mini and base iPad could get upgraded to the A16 Bionic SoC. In a recent report, we also covered how the iPad Mini 7 won’t feature a 120Hz ProMotion display. The screen could also house a new controller to address the jelly scrolling issue that affects the current generation iPad Mini.
Following Google’s denial regarding the support for DisplayPort Connection on the new Pixel 8 Series, Mishaal Rahman established that the feature works on the device. In a study with another tester, Mishaal confirmed that the DP Alt Mode on Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro is running, but the company has disabled it with a firmware update.
He managed to successfully connect and mirror the smartphone’s display using USB Type-C. To enable the display output over USB-C, the user needs to root the Pixel 8 smartphone and need to do some configuration changes. However, the process requires the right USB Type-C cable which is capable of carrying Video output to other displays.
Since I'm not gonna have my own Pixel 8 for a while, I might as well put this out there so someone else can test it ASAP:
You might be able to enable DisplayPort Alternate Mode (ie. display output over USB-C) if you root the device. That's because it seems to be disabled at a… pic.twitter.com/SxtBTjLwVj
Following the process, another user reciprocated the procedure and managed to successfully establish the mirror using DisplayPort capability.
Now, it is difficult to understand why Google has disabled a feature that might be useful for some Pixel 8 users. We believe the feature could be in the early stages of development, and the c company would want to establish more use cases to make the feature more fruitful and productive.
Google could launch the DisplayPort compatibility via QPR1 or QPR2 update early next year. Interested user who would want to get access to the feature can root their devices to get early access.
Other Features Removed from Pixel 8
Apart from the DisplayPort feature on Pixel 8, Google pulled the plug on several useful features that were part of the device till the last minute. The company removed the 8K video recording capability, and also the ability to record 720p@480fps slo-mo videos at the eleventh hour.
Well, we hope these features might be reserved for the upcoming Quarterly Platform Release (QPR).
Portronics, a well-known brand in the digital and portable consumer electronics market in India, has launched a new LCD writing pad called the Ruffpad 21. It is a versatile device that can be used for a variety of purposes, including doodling, note-making, jotting down ideas, and brainstorming. Here are the details.
Portronics Ruffpad 21 Specifications
By its very name, the Ruffpad 21 has a massive 21-inch anti-glare screen that is perfect for working on large projects. It is also lightweight and portable, making it easy to carry around with you. The writing pad comes with a simple stylus pen that needs no charging or batteries.
One of the key benefits of the Ruffpad 21 is that it is a green choice. It is a reusable writing pad that eliminates the need for paper. This can help to reduce paper waste and protect the environment.
The Ruffpad 21 is also very easy to use. To start using it, simply press the power button and start writing or doodling on the screen. To erase your work, simply press the one-tap erase button. You can also lock the screen to prevent accidental erasure.
The Ruffpad 21 also comes with a smart lock feature that allows you to save and share your work on your smartphone. This can be done using the Ruffpad app, which is available for both Android and iOS.
The Portronics Ruffpad 21 is available at an introductory price of INR 2,149. It can be purchased from the company’s official website, Amazon.in, Flipkart.com, and other online and offline stores.
The Oppo A18, which was introduced in the Indian market earlier this month following its launch in the UAE, falls within the budget range. This device is equipped with the Helio G85 SoC and features a responsive 90Hz display. Now, slightly over a week later, the brand has released the 4GB/128GB variant of this smartphone in India.
Oppo A18 Price & availability
The Oppo A18 4GB RAM + 128GB storage model is priced at ₹11,499 and is available to purchase on Flipkart. On the other hand, the 4GB RAM + 64GB model is priced at ₹9,999.
Oppo A18 specs
The Oppo A18 packs several notable features into its budget-friendly offering. Its 6.56-inch LCD display delivers HD+ resolution along with a smooth 90Hz refresh rate and an impressive peak brightness of 720 nits. Running on the MediaTek Helio G85 SoC, it’s backed by LPDDR4x RAM and eMMC 5.1 storage.
This smartphone operates on ColorOS 13.1, which is based on Android 13. For photography, it offers an 8MP rear camera with a 2MP depth sensor, as well as a 5MP front camera. It includes a MicroSD card slot, a 3.5mm headphone jack, a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, and a USB Type-C port. Connectivity is comprehensive, featuring 5G support, dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth 5.3, and GNSS. Notably, the device is rated at IP54 for splash resistance and is fueled by a large 5,000mAh battery.
As a daily commuter, the backpack is the most important companion. It never complains about being stuffed with all the essential things and trying very hard to make itself comfortable as much as possible. We all hope it will be with us for the longest time it can be, so choosing the right one is very crucial. Among all those great backpack brands, Bellroy, a well-known Australian bag maker is my favorite so far, they not only choose environmentally friendly materials for their products, but also pay a huge amount of attention to the design and detail.
This time, we have the Venture Backpack 22L and Venture Sling 10L in our studio, these two bags have helped me with my everyday carry and our outdoor video creation a lot, therefore we just can’t recommend them enough. With this said, let’s check out some of the awesome features.
Bellroy Venture Backpack 22L
First, let’s take a look at this Venture Backpack. It is a thoughtfully designed multi-purpose bag that you can either use on a day-to-day basis or go on a short-term trip outside the city. The material used and the pockets created are exclusively for these two purposes, and I am amazed by how convenient it is to put things in and take them out. So let’s dive into the details.
Aesthetic
This is a classic knapsack-style backpack. The one we have here is mainly what they call “Ranger Green” colorway, the color of the front is more toned down, while the green is brighter at the sides. Ranger green is widely used in some clothing, but the green at the sides adds a more delightful feel to the overall aesthetics. There are also gray blue and brown used in some other parts, they are so harmonized in the overall design of the bag.
Nonetheless, instead of making every pocket visible to the eyes, it did a great job hiding them in some reachable places. And since there are no pockets sticking out, it maintained a sleek look most of the time, unless you put bulky things like a giant water bottle or a cat into the side pockets, maybe?
Material
I don’t think the backpack’s material has to be so-called high-end, that’s just for marketing purposes. They can be more subtle and functional, and Bellroy is known for such act. So the Venture Backpack’s outer shell is made of the ECOPAK™ BY CHALLENGE SAILCLOTH, it does have a more rigid feel to it. Compared with the material of the side pockets, which is CANVA RIPSTOP, the outer shell is harder and more resistant to wear and tear. This is a good thing because you might be taking the metro or bus every day, and then the bottom and the outer parts are the components that will take most of the hit and scratch. In the city where I live, I take the metro from time to time, and the bag will need to go through a security check machine. This backpack definitely withstands that kind of situation. The material of the side pockets as I have mentioned, is CANVA RIPSTOP. It is softer than ECOPAK™ BY CHALLENGE SAILCLOTH, and it has more give. So imagine you put a water bottle or umbrella into the backpack – it will be able to hold it in while still maintaining a better look.
As for the zippers and hardware used, they are uniquely crafted and have a more premium feel overall. The zippers are all YKKs, the ones outside are water resistant, and the zipper heads are rope style rather than metal, which enables quick access to using them and also adds some adventurous feel to it.
One thing I’d like to mention is that, there were times that the backpack was exposed to light rain. After the raindrop got onto the outer shell, it left a long slim mark, not quite visible to the eyes, so I wouldn’t mind too much about it.
Construction
There are 10 pockets in total if you count some interlayers in. Every pocket is designed in a very thoughtful way, take the side pockets for instance, the zippers are very long, so if you want to fit a very big bottle or a mid-size umbrella in, these can totally do that. Plus the material used in the side pockets is stretchy, the size of the material is also very forgiving, so overall the side pockets are very functional.
The spirit of a knapsack-style backpack is the hood on the top, the Venture backpack cleverly made it not only very good-looking, but also created a pocket in it. This is very useful for daily commuters to easily reach out for the keys, ID cards and stuff. The lock used here is a classic Bellroy Venture backpack one, working with four knots, it helps with maintaining a slim body and also storing more items.
Slide the two zippers down, and the whole backpack reveals itself as a whole, the drop-down enables you to either take some stuff out as a daily routine, or if you need to go on a trip and more things have to be put into it. The pockets attached to the top are made of a mesh material, so some small items like an extra phone, or instant coffee are perfect for this pocket. Another two side pockets are also created this way, slightly deeper for some rounded but long items, for these two pockets I have put my vitamin pills and some normal stuff, and they go together very well.
Now you might be wondering how big is the laptop compartment. Well, I have a 13-inch MacBook Air with a protective case, making it like a 15-inch item, it fits pretty snugly and nicely in it. And the padding at the bottom is very hard and thick, so there shouldn’t be any trouble having the laptop in it without any case.
Overall, I think the arrangement of the pockets is reasonable and has a nice depth to every one of them, so no matter what you want to put into the backpack, it has no problem holding them in place.
Comfort
A good backpack must accommodate people with different shapes and needs, and a lot of that comes from the shoulder straps and the back support.
The shoulder straps are fairly well padded, and the material inside is not overly soft, so it maintains a good balance of pressure control and longevity. The padding is not filled all across the straps, there is still some room left at the top, so it embraces people with either thick shoulders or wider back. The cross-chest buckle is magnetic, and there is a special design here so you can move the strap up and down to find the best position for yourself. I am fairly fit, my shoulders are not that thick, so the straps will not be pushed far apart, therefore I can always have them in the perfect position.
Here comes the best part of the comfort source, the back support padding. As you can see, the material used in this part is thick, with a line sewed at the top 2/3 of the whole piece, so it contributes a lot to the support on both sides of the back. Moreover, the padding gets thicker and has an ergonomic curve at the lumbar, this must be the top design in a backpack. So when I have the backpack on me, it always stays well on my upper body, and there is still room for the air to go through, to prevent sweat from staying there for a long time.
After 4 weeks with the Venture Backpack 22L, it is genuinely a great bag for daily commuters. I can easily put things I need into it, while still keeping the sleek aesthetic. Every compartment is well-designed and padded, never need to worry about keeping things in position. So if you need to pick up a backpack for everyday use, this is the perfect one.
Venture Sling 10L Camera Edition
As a tech media crew, we do a lot of outdoor video shooting, so we need to pack at least one camera, one lens, a camera stand, and some accessories. Rather than taking a big bag, a sling with good padding and a reasonable compartment design would be a better choice. So we also get the Venture Sling 10L Camera Edition for this review, after several times shooting with it, it gets the job done pretty well.
Material
By just looking at this sling, there are no noticeable differences from others, but there are still some features that make it unique.
The main material used in the bag is BAIDA RIPSTOP I believe, it has a certain rigid pattern, and it feels durable, if this makes sense. The bag is well padded, and the foam in the side piece is slightly thinner, whereas the other piece is thicker and wrapped around the bottom to the other side, this way the camera gears are perfectly protected however you want to carry this sling. Aesthetic-wise, the curvature separates it from other slings.
The main zippers are also YKK waterproof type, there are two for the bigger compartment, so it is very convenient for you to open it whether the bag is on your left or right shoulder. And the straps are designed to go with that purpose, the buckles are connected with straps across the bag at each side, rather than hooked to the bag directly, which enables you to change the position, whenever you feel tired carrying the bag on one shoulder. Inside the bag, the materials are the same as the backpack, either recycled nylon or mesh fabric to serve different purposes.
Construction
This bag is not a typical bag that you carry around, it’s a camera edition sling, and a lot of the design is created by that concept.
There are two unique parts on the strap. The first one is the quick-slide buckle, it is such an advanced component that every sling should have, I mean this sling wants to make reaching things in the bag very easy, so this buckle works with the very smooth nylon to make it happen. The second is the padded shoulder supporter, if you would be carrying things like a camera, chances are it will be heavier than some other daily stuff, so this padding is very useful for taking the burden off a little bit.
Outside the bag there are four lash strap connectors, these components make carrying the tripods or camera stand a lot easier, the main benefits are that they free your hands and the space within the bag, such a clever design.
The inner compartment explains why it’s called Camera Edition. There are two dividers here, they can sit in between to provide spaces for the camera and the lens. Or if you prefer to have the camera with the lens on, then the divider can be folded and tucked down to the bottom so there is good space also. There are side pockets on both sides, good for storing some squared accessories like ND filters. Meanwhile, there are three small pockets inside for SD cards, etc.
The smaller pocket at the outer side is good for holding some random stuff in, and if you don’t need to use the lash straps, this pocket is also the place they should be in, so they don’t scratch the camera and lens at the other pocket.
Experience
Our team usually packs one camera and one lens in the sling, along with some accessories. The 10L sling is a very balanced choice in terms of capacity and usability. Oftentimes, our photographer needs to adjust the position of the bag when changing the location of the shooting or moving from one posture to another, the quick-slide buckle helps a lot. The inner compartment design is really great to store all the gears and keep them unharmed.
To sum up the experience with the Venture Sling 10L, it’s a fantastic addition for people who need to take a camera around every day. You may argue that there are 6L and 9L in Bellroy’s collection and they are also functional and sleek, but the trade-offs are that they don’t have the capacity, thick padding, the quick-slide buckle, all these are essential for carrying cameras. So we would highly recommend it to professional photographers or if you are a daily commuter who also takes a camera with you sometimes.
The Redmi Note 10 Pro was arguably the best smartphone in its price range when it was launched in 2021. In fact, the device is so good that Xiaomi re-released it earlier this year in select markets as Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G with some tweaks.
However, this phone is plagued with issues, especially in India where it goes by Redmi Note 10 Pro Max. The country also got a toned-down version called Redmi Note 10 Pro with a different primary camera. Even this has the same issues.
Both these handsets run the same software builds. And for some reason, they haven’t received system updates for months.
Redmi Note 10 Pro Max
Recently, Xiaomi started rolling out a new update (V14.0.7.0) for the Redmi Note 10 Pro global variant. This OTA software update arrives within 3 months from the last one (V14.0.4.0), which was released in July.
On the other hand, the Indian variant still runs V14.0.1.0. This version of the software was released in March for the global variant and in April for India. The global variant also received V14.0.2.0 in April, which never reached the Indian version along with the other two releases discussed above.
In simper words, the Redmi Note 10 Pro Max and Redmi Note 10 Pro have not received a single system update in India since April. Whereas, the global model got three builds during these six months.
Xiaomi has officially not clarified this discrimination so far. However, we believe this could be due to the hardware issues faced by users by installing new MIUI updates.
Multiple users of Redmi Note 10 Pro and Redmi Note 10 Pro Max in India have been affected by software updates since the phones made their debut in the country. I personally know 3 people who are affected and it was me who recommended the handset to them in the first place.
Xiaomi answered this widespread issue with an additional year of warranty in May. This announcement came a month after the company released the last OTA software update for the devices.
All in all, it seems like Xiaomi has yet to fix the hardware failures caused by new MIUI updates. This could be the only plausible reason we could think of the lack of new software updates for the Indian variant.
Vivo has announced that its 2023 Developer Conference will be held in Shenzhen on November 1. The highlight of the event will be the launch of OriginOS 4, Vivo’s latest custom skin based on Android 14. However, Vivo has also teased that it will be announcing another self-developed OS at the event.
While Vivo has not yet revealed much about the OS, tipster Digital Chat Station suggests that it will be used in IoT devices. It is unclear whether the OS will be available on mobile phones in the future, but Vivo is unlikely to depart from the Android/AOSP ecosystem just yet.
Additionally, Vivo will also release a self-developed AI large model at the conference. According to the latest C-Eval large model evaluation, Vivo’s self-developed model ranks first in the global Chinese list.
The company has revealed that the model will be used for the first time in the upcoming OriginOS 4 system, and will include five self-developed large models with three different parameter levels. These models will cover a comprehensive range of core application scenarios.
The Vivo Developer Conference is just a couple of weeks away, so we should know more about the self-developed OS and OriginOS 4 pretty soon.
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