Granted, Apple is enjoying widespread popularity in the Netherlands (especially after the iPhone 15 launch), it also finds itself entangled in a disagreement with the country’s competition regulator, Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM). The ongoing feud centers around consumer choice, specifically concerning payment systems for Dutch dating apps available on the App Store.
Apple stated that it will take its appeal to the Netherlands Courts
Although Apple has appealed against the $53 million in fines levied by the ACM, the regulator remains unmoved. The issue first came to light internally on July 13, 2023, but has only recently been made public.
Apple’s stand is that complying with the ACM’s demands could jeopardize user privacy and data security, effectively stifling investment incentives. “We will appeal to the Netherlands courts,” Apple told Reuters, signaling a readiness to prolong the battle.
The crux of the disagreement lies in Apple’s App Store commission fees, which many Dutch consumers find too steep. The ACM has simply called for Apple to allow alternative payment systems for these dating apps, offering consumers a way out of the commission fees. While Apple has met “most of its demands,” the ACM notes that there’s still an undisclosed condition yet to be satisfied. With Apple digging its heels in and the ACM equally adamant, what remains unclear is the nature of this undisclosed demand. The ACM has vowed to reveal details should they secure a court victory.
Japanese monitor manufacturer Iiyama has introduced a new 34″ curved gaming monitor in the market called the Iiyama G-MASTER GCB3480WQSU-B1. The monitor is also attractive for people looking for a workstation as it has a PbP (Picture-by-Picture) function that allows the monitor to display content from up to four different signal inputs simultaneously. Keep reading to know more details about the monitor.
Iiyama G-MASTER GCB3480WQSU-B1 specs
The Iiyama G-MASTER monitor features a 34-inch diagonal VA LED panel with a matte surface. It has a 1500R curved design and offers a resolution of 3440 x 1440 pixels at a 180Hz refresh rate. The monitor has a 21:9 aspect ratio, a brightness of 420 nits, and a contrast ratio of 4000:1. Its response time (MPRT) is 0.4ms, and it provides wide viewing angles of 178° horizontally and vertically.
Connectivity options include two HDMI ports (max. 3440 x 1440 @100Hz), two DisplayPort ports (max. 3440 x 1440 @180Hz), and two USB HUBs (v.3.2 Gen 1). It also supports HDCP, has a headphone connection, and has built-in speakers (2x3W).
The monitor offers features like blue light reduction, flicker-free LED, FreeSync support (HDMI: 3440×1440 @48-100Hz, DP: 3440×1440 @48-180Hz), and HDR400. It has an OSD menu available in multiple languages and control buttons for adjusting image and color settings, as well as audio settings.
In terms of ergonomics, the monitor is height-adjustable by 110mm, with a tilt angle of 20° up and 5° down. It supports VESA mounting with a 100x100mm pattern. Security features include a Kensington lock. Currently, the pricing and availability details are unknown.
If you’re looking to build a PC, you need to be very careful. Different parts produced by independent manufacturers might not be compatible with each other if you’re not cautious. For example, when buying a motherboard, it’s crucial to ensure that it’s compatible with your chosen processor. You wouldn’t want to try pairing a motherboard that supports AMD with an Intel processor. Thankfully, Minisforum’s BD770i Mini-ITX motherboard solves this issue. Priced at $399, this motherboard launches with an AMD Ryzen 7 7745HX processor and a pre-installed cooler. Here are the details…
Minisforum BD770i, The Best Way to Build a Compact and Powerful Gaming PC
Minisforum has recently launched the BD770i, a Mini-ITX motherboard equipped with an integrated AMD Ryzen 7 7745HX processor. This processor boasts eight Zen 4 cores with a boost speed of up to 5.1 GHz. It also comes with 40MB of L3 cache and a TDP of 55W. This makes it an excellent choice for those looking to create a compact yet powerful desktop PC with ease.
This means that you do not need to worry about installing a separate cooler. Second, it has two PCIe 5.0 M.2 slots for storage. This allows you to install two of the fastest NVMe SSDs available. Third, it has a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for a discrete graphics card. This allows you to add a powerful graphics card to your system if needed.
The BD770i also has a number of other features, including:
Two DDR5 SODIMM slots for up to 64GB of memory
An M.2 2230 slot for a wireless card
A header for up to three fans
A variety of I/O ports, including HDMI, DisplayPort, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A and Type-C, and Ethernet
Alienware, a gaming-focused sub-brand of Dell, released its AW2524HF gaming monitor recently, which is now available for purchase on Chinsese e-commerce platforms at a price of 6499 yuan ($904). The monitor was unveiled in August this year. Let’s check out the key specs of this monitor.
Alienware AW2524HF Gaming Monitor Key Features:
The Alienware AW2524HF gaming monitor stands out with its 24.5-inch FAST IPS panel and Full HD resolution. Its remarkable feature is the overclocked 500Hz refresh rate, exceeding the standard 480Hz, resulting in smoother gaming, especially for fast-paced games. It also supports AMD FreeSync Premium and VESA Adaptive-Sync to eliminate tearing and stuttering, enhancing the gaming experience.
The monitor boasts a rapid 0.5ms gray-to-gray response time (when overclocked) to minimize motion blur. It offers vibrant colors with 99% sRGB coverage and HDR10 support. Additionally, it features a brightness of 400 nits and TÜV low blue light certification for comfortable, eye-friendly gaming during extended sessions.
The monitor offers versatile viewing angles with 178-degree vertical/horizontal coverage and practical adjustability features such as tilt and rotation. Additionally, it includes built-in cable management for a neat and organized setup.
It comes with ample connectivity options, including 2 DP 1.4 ports, 1 HDMI 2.1 port, and 5 USB 3.2 Gen1 ports, catering to diverse user requirements.
The Alienware AW2524HF monitor, including the stand at its lowest height setting, has dimensions of 39.051cm x 55.514cm x 24.371cm and weighs about 3.65kg without the stand. It typically consumes 18.5W of power but can reach a maximum of 75W.
Dell has also recently introduced a new 24-inch USB-C Hub Monitor in India with 10-point multitouch support and an Ethernet port. Additionally, they have also launched the Dell P3424WE, a 34-inch curved monitor with a USB-C Hub and KVM switch, which is ideal for home office setups.
Huawei is venturing into developing its own CMOS image sensor, a move triggered by sanctions that led to a rift between Huawei and its lens supplier, Sony. According to a Weibo tipster, the development process spans from wafer to chip, incorporating several innovative alterations, notably in thinning stop layers associated with epitaxial layers. These innovations enable compatibility with prevalent back-illuminated (BSI) technology.
Huawei’s Reason for Creating New CMOS Sensor
When sanctions hit Huawei, Sony, the original supplier of image sensors, halted their shipments, affecting both companies. Sony sought permission to resume supplies, but their relationship with Huawei had already strained. Consequently, Sony’s annual revenue experienced a multibillion-dollar dip due to the suspension of CMOS sales to Huawei.
This venture is not exclusive to Huawei; numerous domestic manufacturers in China are exploring the development of their own CMOS sensors. Back in January last year, at CES 2022, another Chinese brand, OMNIVISION, unveiled a 200-megapixel CMOS sensor, dubbed OVB0B. It boasts a resolution of 16384×12288 pixels, holds the record for the world’s smallest pixel size at 0.61μm, and features a large 1/1.28-inch sensor size. It can also output 12.5 million pixels following 16:1 binning, equivalent to 2.44μm.
The recently launchedHuawei Mate60 series could potentially be among the last to use Sony sensors, as there is anticipation that the upcoming P70 series or Mate70 series may introduce Huawei’s new self-developed CMOS image sensor.
Huawei’s venture into self-developed CMOS technology, along with innovations like the Kirin 9000S, represents a significant step forward for the company, bringing promising advancements to its product line.
Samsung the world’s largest chipmaker, is set to continue chip production cuts in Q3 2023 to narrow down its chip losses. The company began reducing chip output earlier this year, following the lead of its peers, SK Hynix Inc. and Micron Technology, to resolve a persistent supply glut.
Analysts Kim Dong-won at KB Securities expect that Samsung’s Device Solutions (DS) division, which oversees its chip business, to report losses of around 4 trillion won ($2.96 billion) in Q3, which is lower than the 4.35 trillion won loss recorded in Q2.
This is due to the increased chip production cuts that Samsung has implemented since the second half, with DRAM cuts now at 30% and NAND Flash cuts at 40%, up from 20% and 30%, respectively, in Q1.
Samsung’s DS division reported an operating loss of 4.6 trillion won in Q1, its first financial loss in 14 years. This was mainly due to the high chip inventories amid lower global demand.
However, the analyst believes that Samsung’s production cuts, particularly the 50% cut for NAND Flash, could have a ripple effect and lead to a price uplift for their primary products.
Despite this optimism, some analysts believe that Samsung’s chip performance may still fall short of expectations in the third quarter due to increased depreciation costs.
All in all, Samsung’s efforts to reduce chip production are expected to narrow its chip deficit in Q3, potentially leading to improved chip prices and demand. However, the impact may vary depending on production costs and market dynamics.
With the Indian festive season approaching, major Indian online retailers are prepping for their large-scale sale events. Yesterday, Amazon showed its hand revealing that the Apple iPhone 13 will be available for under Rs, 40,000 during the Great Indian Festival sale. Now, Flipkart has revealed its offer for the iPhone 12.
Flipkart has revealed that the iPhone 12 will start for as low as Rs. 32,999 during the Big Billion Day sale which is scheduled to kick off from October 8. During the sale, the special deal price of the iPhone 12 (64GB) will be 38,999. In addition to that, it will get a Rs 3,000 instant discount through back offers and a Rs 3,000 exchange offer, knocking its price down to Rs. 32,999. If you don’t go for the exchange offer. The phone will cost 35,999.
So is it worth it to buy an iPhone 12 64GB at Rs. 35,999? Well, common sense would say no because the smartphone is already 3 years old and 64GB internal storage is far too low in this day and age. Additionally, there are a whole lot of capable Android smartphones that would serve you better at this price range like the Nothing Phone (2), which will be available for as low as Rs. 32,999 during the Flipkart BBD sale. You can also take a look at the iPhone 13 which will drop below Rs. 40,000 on Amazon. That being said if you want to try out iOS or want to have the Apple logo on your hands, the iPhone 12 is still a decent entry point as the camera is still quite capable, and the user experience is smooth.
Japan undoubtedly has one of the most intriguing cultures in the world. For instance, while napping on the job is considered quite “unusual” in many countries, it is seen as completely normal in this Asian nation. One of the main reasons for this is that people work for very long hours and need short rest periods. Of course, manufacturers aware of this need don’t neglect to produce products catering to these requirements. Recently, the Osaka-based company, Atex Co., introduced the “Gogo no Makura,” which translates to “afternoon pillow.” Here are the details…
The Gogo no Makura: A Desk Pillow for the Modern Napper
Gogo no Makura, which we will refer to as the “afternoon pillow” for the rest of our article, is a new product designed to facilitate comfortable naps at one’s desk. It is an L-shaped headrest with a breathing hole, attaching to the edge of a desk. This is one of the easiest ways to rest if you won’t get in trouble for sleeping at work.
The pillow supports both the user’s head and chest when they lean forward, and offers three different adjustable angles. Additionally, the afternoon pillow comes with a built-in vibrating alarm that can be set to awaken the user after their nap, which can prevent oversleeping and missing important tasks.
The pillow is now on sale in Japan and is anticipated to launch in other countries shortly. Some individuals worry that this “afternoon pillow” might promote excessive napping during work hours. However, the developer, Atex Co, argues it’s designed to aid people in taking brief naps to boost their energy and productivity. Currently, it comes only in gray and is priced at 8,800 yen (approximately $58).
Even though “Gogo no Makura” is a quite interesting product, you should avoid sleeping at work. Instead, sleeping a regular 8 hours every night will be much more beneficial for your health.
Last month, following the launch of the Huawei Mate 60 Pro, the company also released official cases for the smartphone. One of these cases was the Micropump Liquid Cooling Shell.
This very same case is now available for the Huawei Mate X5 as well. This makes the Mate X5 the first foldable to have an official cooling case.
The Huawei Mate X5 is the company’s latest foldable smartphone. It is powered by the HiSilicon Kirin 9000s chip and offers 5G support as well as satellite communication.
Customers of this phone can now buy the official Micropump Liquid Cooling Shell. This accessory is priced at ¥399, which makes it ¥100 more expensive than the Mate 60 Pro version.
This protective case helps in maintaining the thermals. When the handset’s temperature rises, the case’s piezoelectric micropump starts circulating the coolant, which can be actually seen through a window at the bottom of the case.
The pump gets its power from the smartphone’s battery. The case has a wireless charging coil built-in, which draws energy from the phone’s back.
Despite featuring a cooling technology, the case has a thin form factor. It only comes in a single black color option featuring a blue-colored coolant.
The Oppo group was the first to introduce official cooling cases for smartphones. The Oppo Find X5 Pro’s Ice-Skin Case was the first to hit the market, followed by the OnePlus 10T’s Glacier Mat Case.
AYANEO, a company mostly known for its Windows-powered handheld gaming PCs, launched its first Android-based handheld gaming console in July. Its pre-orders opened on Indiegogo in early September, and the company has now begun shipping the first units to its customers, even though the campaign still has a week to go.
The Pocket Air comes in three configurations:
6GB RAM / 128GB storage for $300 during crowdfunding ($320 retail)
8GB RAM / 256GB storage for $380 during crowdfunding ($430 retail)
12GB RAM / 512GB storage for $460 during crowdfunding ($520 retail)
According to the company, most of the models it has shipped so far are the highest-spec models, but a limited number of the lower-priced versions have also begun shipping. AYANEO says it will ship all remaining orders after October 8th, following China’s National Day holiday.
AYANEO Pocket Air Specifications
The AYANEO Pocket Air features a 5.5-inch 1080P AMOLED display with wide viewing angles and an impressive color gamut range. It’s powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 1200 CPU and offers memory configurations of 6GB or 8GB LPDDR5 RAM and storage options of 128 or 256GB UFS 3.1.
The device sports an elegant Retro White color scheme and incorporates an X8-level air-cooled cooling system for efficient heat dissipation. It’s equipped with a large 7350mAh battery for extended gaming sessions.
Likewise, the connectivity options include a full-featured USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C port, a USB Type-C charging port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and slots for Nano-SIM and Micro SD cards. There’s also a fingerprint reader integrated into the power key. The AYANEO Pocket Air runs on Android 12 and features a customized desktop launcher called AYA Space.
According to a recent report, LG’s new 27GR82Q is now available for pre-purchase in China.
For those unaware, LG teased its two new monitors in September. One of them was the 27GR82Q. This monitor was built around a 27-inch Nano IPS display with QHD resolution and 98% DCI-P3 colour space coverage. Those wondering what this monitor offers can check the specifications of the LG 27GR82Q provided below.
Image via JD.com
LG 27GR82Q Specifications
LG 27GR82Q is a 27-inch monitor with a 2560 x 1440 pixels resolution and a 180Hz refresh rate. It is built with a Nano IPS display technology and provides a 1ms response time. This monitor offers a 1000:1 contrast ratio, 10-bit colour depth, and HDR 400. This 16:9 display ratio monitor supports Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync for better gaming performance.
In terms of connectivity, the LG 27GR82Q offers DisplayPort, HDMI port, and audio/headphone jack output. The package arrives with 1 x Monitor, 1 x power cord, 1 x HDMI cable, and 1 x DisplayPort cable (these items may vary according to regions).
Price and Availability
The LG 27GR82Q is currently available for pre-purchase in China, having a price tag of 2199 yuan (~$307), and it is expected to go on official sale around October 7.
In related news, LG has recently revealed its 17-inch laptop with a foldable OLED display. This new foldable laptop is called Gram Fold. It runs on an Intel i5-1335U 13th Gen processor with 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 512GB SSD storage. Those who wish to know more about this laptop can check out our LG-unveiled Gram Fold laptop with a foldable OLED display story here.
The Google Pixel 8 series launch is just around the corner. But just prior to the highly anticipated announcement, the company’s base Pixel 8 model’s Hazel color option was spotted in a leaked image of the retail packaging box.
Google Pixel 8 Hazel Retail Box
The retail box of the upcoming Google Pixel 8 was spotted on a YouTube Shorts video (Via TechOutlook). Looking at the leaked image, the retail box confirms the Hazel color option. The packaging also offers us a look at the device from the front, back, and side. The long visor-like rear camera module with the dual camera setup is in clear view, while the front houses a center-aligned punch hole cutout for the selfie camera.
The Pixel 8 retail box is for the Hazel color option, which features 128GB of storage. The official parameters also reveal that the upcoming smartphone will sport a 6.2-inch display (120Hz OLED panel), support 5G sub-6 connectivity, and carry the G9BQD model number. The retail box will come with a charging cable and a Quick Switch adapter as well. Notably, this leak also arrived after we reported on the Pixel 8 Pro unboxing images being leaked.
Based on what we know so far, the Pixel 8 will be equipped with the Tenso G3 SoC under the hood. The rear packs a 50-megapixel dual camera setup, while the front may house a 10.5-megapixel selfie shooter. Other notable features include fingerprint and face scanning, IP68 water and dust resistance, and Android 14 OS out of the box. Google will unveil the Pixel 8 lineup later this week, so stick around for more as we will be covering the launch event.
Xiaomi is expected to be one of the first brands to adopt the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip with its Xiaomi 14 Pro. There have already been some leaks regarding the design of the smartphone along with other specs. Now, new details about the Xiaomi 14 Pro’s display have emerged online.
Xiaomi 14 Pro display details
As per a tweet by Indian leaker Kartikey Singh, the Xiaomi 14 Pro will feature a 6.7-inch Micro Quad Curved 2K C8 display, supporting a dynamic 1-120Hz LTPO refresh rate. Its screen is protected by the Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and boasts remarkably slim 1mm ultra-narrow bezels.
With a peak brightness of 3000 nits, this display offers HDR 10+, Full Link Dolby Vision, and Pro Colour Tuning. It also incorporates 2K+Hz PWM dimming to reduce stress on the eyes.
Xiaomi 14 Pro specs
In addition to the display specifications, the Xiaomi 14 Pro is anticipated to be equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. It will offer RAM capacity of up to 24GB utilizing LPDDR5x tech and storage options extending up to 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage. The device will be powered by a 4,860mAh battery. Notably, a 3C listing suggests that the phone will support 120W fast charging.
On the connectivity front, the Xiaomi 14 Pro is expected to introduce satellite connectivity features and will run on the MIUI 15, based on Android 14. For photography enthusiasts, the rear camera setup is poised to include a 50-megapixel main camera (IMX989) with optical image stabilization and variable aperture, complemented by a 50-megapixel ultrawide lens and a 50-megapixel telemacro camera.
Previously, we reported that rumors indicated Huawei gifted its employees Mate 60 smartphones to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. Huawei employees shared photos of their Mid-Autumn Festival gifts on social media. The gifts include the company’s latest Mate 60 smartphone along with six mooncakes, a teapot, teacups, and tea leaves. However, according to a recent report, this rumor seems to be incorrect.
As per a recent report by CNMO, Huawei store employees said that these Huawei Mate 60 smartphones were actually prototypes provided to the employees. Apparently, the company provided these prototypes to their employees to test the smartphone’s experience and demonstration. As we all know, ever since the release of Mate 60, this has been a hot topic for consumers. After taking all the feedback, the company wants its customer service to improve. Huawei came up with the idea of distributing the prototypes for the employees to learn more about the Mate 60. Those wondering what the hype is all about can check out the specifications of the Huawei Mate 60 provided below.
Huawei Mate 60 Specifications
Huawei Mate 60 comes with a 6.69-inch OLED display with a 1216 x 2688 pixel resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, the device is powered by a Kirin 9000S (7 nm) SoC and 12GB of RAM. The smartphone comes in three available storage options: 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB UFS. Lastly, the Huawei Mate 60 is equipped with a 4750mAh Li-Po non-removable battery that supports 66W wired charging and 50W wireless charging.
Microsoft has revealed the list of games that will be added to the Xbox Game Pass subscription service this month. In October 2023, the company will be bringing in a bunch of popular games like Gotham Knights, Forza Motorsport, and more. So here is everything you need to know.
Xbox Game Pass October 2023
For those unaware, the Xbox Game Pass is a subscription based platform, which basically allows gamers to play a bunch of games for a monthly subscription fee. So rather than outright buying games, you just pay a smaller fee to gain access to a vast number of titles. Microsoft is constantly updating the games library, adding and removing titles every month. Now, it will soon offer Xbox Game Pass subscribers notable titles like Gotham Knights (October 3), Warhammer 40,000: Darktide (October 4), and Forza Motorsport (October 10).
Warhammer 40,000: Darktide
These are the highlights of the October games list. Alongside these games, the company will also launch other titles like:
NHL 24 (10 hour free trial) – October 3
The Lamplighters League – October 3
Cities: Skylines 2 – October 24
Mineko’s Night Market – October 26
Headbangers Rhythm Royale – October 31
Jusant – October 31
Keep in mind that some of these games will be available on the Microsoft Xbox Game Pass platform for a limited period of time and might be rotated out for a fresh batch of titles in the coming months.
A recent graduate of Central Saint Martins has created a portable charger that can be used to charge phones for free using rental bikes. The device, called MyPowerbank, is designed to be attached to the chain of any Santander bicycle in London. As the bike is pedaled, the charger generates electricity using a tiny pedal-powered generator. And around 25 minutes of pedalling is enough to fully charge a phone.
MyPowerbank was created by Luke Talbot, who was inspired by the fact that many homeless people own phones but struggle to find places to charge them. This can restrict their access to crucial digital services, such as banking, messaging, and applying for benefits.
MyPowerbank is still in the prototype stage, but Talbot became one of the winners at this year’s MullenLowe NOVA Awards. Now, he is planning to use the won prize money to help him make the design production-ready and cut down on the pedalling time needed per charge.
Talbot’s prototype features a 3D-printed shell, finished in the same navy blue as the Santander bikes’ frames so as not to draw undue attention. Instructions are printed in UV ink so they are legible at night.
The dynamo was built from scratch using a YouTube tutorial and the two batteries, which each hold up to four full charges, are reclaimed from old powerbanks.
Talbot is also considering what to do if the device breaks or is damaged. He says, “Hopefully there’ll be a circular repair system behind that so if it’s broken, they could give it back to the shelter and the shelter would send it back to whoever ends up running it.” Here’s Talbot talking about the MyPowerbank at the MullenLowe NOVA Awards.
Video source: MullenLowe NOVA Awards
MyPowerbank is a simple but effective solution that could help to improve the lives of homeless people by providing them with a reliable way to charge their phones.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX has been contracted by the US Space Force. The company has received the 70 million US Dollar contract to provide satellite communications using its new Starshield program. So here’s everything you need to know about this deal.
SpaceX Starshield: What’s it all about?
Starshield is basically SpaceX repurposing its Starlink network of satellites to offer functionality for the US military. As per official notes, it is a “secured satellite network for government entities”. The contract has a duration of one year. According to a US Space Force spokesperson, “The SpaceX contract provides for Starshield end-to-end service (via the Starlink constellation), user terminals, ancillary equipment, network management and other related services.”
During the initial stages of the contract, the Space Force will pay SpaceX a sum of 15 million US Dollars, which will have the latter offer 54 military “mission partners” across Department of Defence (DoD) branches. Interestingly enough, this news soon after US senators criticized SpaceX’s actions in Ukraine. It was recently revealed that Elon Musk refused to extend Starlink coverage to allow for a naval attack against Russian forces.
The senators expressed their dismay at his actions saying that “We are deeply concerned with the ability and willingness of SpaceX to interrupt their service at Mr. Musk’s whim”. Elon Musk shot back stating that “Starlink needs to be a civilian network, not a participant to combat. Starshield will be owned by the US government and controlled by DoD Space Force.”
After the Singapore launch last month, the Vivo Y17s has finally arrived at Indian shores. The smartphone is targeted at the budget range and spec sheet.
Vivo V17s specs
The Vivo Y17s comes with a 6.56-inch IPS LCD display offering an HD+ resolution of 720 x 1612 pixels, a 60Hz refresh rate, 840 nits of brightness, an 83 percent NTSC color gamut, and a pixel density of 269 ppi. On the front, it boasts an 8-megapixel selfie camera, while the back features a 50-megapixel primary camera and a 2-megapixel bokeh lens.
The Y17s packs a large 5,000mAh battery that supports 15W fast charging. Under the hood, the Vivo Y17s is powered by the MediaTek Helio G85 chipset, coupled with 6 GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 128 GB of eMMC 5.1 storage. Additionally, it offers expandable storage via a dedicated microSD card slot. The phone runs on Android 13 with the FunTouch OS 13 skin.
Other features include dual SIM support, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, a USB-C port, a 3.5mm audio jack, and an IP54-rated chassis for enhanced durability.
Price & availability
The Vivo Y17S comes in Glitter Purple and Mystic Green color options and is available for purchase on the Vivo e-store. It offers two storage configurations: 4GB RAM + 64GB storage for Rs. 11,499 and 4GB RAM + 128GB storage for Rs. 12,499.
The Honor brand has returned to the Indian market with the unveiling of the Honor 90 after a hiatus of nearly three years. It is the exact same device that was launched in the global market and China earlier this year, and now it has finally landed in India. Before the hiatus, Honor phones were mainly priced between Rs 10,000 and Rs 20,000. The newly announced Honor 90 is a mid-premium tier phone with a starting price of Rs 37,999 (~$457). The phone impresses in areas like design, display, cameras, and OS experience, but what about other departments? Continue reading this review to learn what else is in store for buyers of the Honor 90.
Honor 90 review: What’s in the box?
Honor 90
Here is a list of items that are included in the retail package of the Honor 90 review:
Honor 90 handset
USB-A to USB-C cable
TPU case
SIM ejector tool
Safety Guide
Quick Start Guide
Design and Display
Dimensions
Display
Size – 161.9 x 74.1 x 7.8 mm
6.7-inch AMOLED display
DCI-P3 color gamut
Weight – 183 grams
1200 x 2664 pixels (FHD+)
5,000,000:1 contrast ratio
No IP rating
19.98:9 aspect ratio
10-bit colors
120Hz refresh rate
93.3% screen-to-body ratio
1600 nits peak brightness
1500:1 contrast ratio
435ppi pixel density
Widevine L1
3840Hz PWM dimming
HDR10+
Honor 90Honor 90Honor 90Honor 90Honor 90
Design and display are two of the strengths of the Honor 90. The device weighs 183 grams and is only 7.8mm thick. The Emerald Green variant that I received for review has a glass back with a matte finish, which is free from fingerprint marks and offers a good grip thanks to its tapered edges. The dual camera rings on the Honor 90’s rear panel are inspired by luxury jewellery. Overall, the device looks quite attractive and premium.
The Honor 90 has a plastic frame with a noise-cancelling microphone at the top and a SIM slot, microphone, USB-C port, and a speaker grille at the bottom. The left side of the device is bare, while its right edge has a volume rocker and power button. Those who prefer a glossy look can opt for the Diamond Silver and Midnight Black editions of the Honor 90.
The Honor 90 features a flagship-level 6.7-inch AMOLED display that is curved on all four sides, giving it a floating appearance. It supports a 1.5K resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and 3840Hz PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) dimming. It also comes with support for Widevine L1 and HDR10+. The screen offers 60Hz, 90Hz, 120Hz, and dynamic 120Hz (default) refresh rate options.
Honor 90Honor 90Honor 90Honor 90
According to the international standard IEEE Std1789-2015, a screen flicker frequency exceeding 3125Hz is considered non-hazardous to human eyes. Therefore, the decision to implement a 3840Hz ultra-high frequency dimming display in the Honor 90 is undoubtedly a healthier option for eye comfort. The Honor 90 also incorporates a comprehensive 5-layer Eye Protection system, including dynamic dimming that mimics natural light patterns to reduce eye strain. It can also adjust screen color to minimize blue light for better sleep quality. The device’s hardware-level low blue light feature further safeguards visual health, while its extensive 400-grade dimming options enhance overall viewing comfort. It is worth mentioning that Honor has paid a lot of attention to eye health on the Honor 90.
The Honor 90 received an impressive DXO Mark display test score of 140, firmly establishing itself as a leading display in its price category. However, there is no available information about the specific toughened glass used to protect the front and rear sides of the device. Despite this, the device’s display has demonstrated its strength by passing tests such as the Walnut challenge and drop tests. Unfortunately, the device lacks an IP rating for water and dust resistance.
Performance and Software
Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated Edition
5,000mAh battery
8GB / 12GB of LPDDR4x RAM
66W charging (comes with 30W complementary charger)
256GB / 512GB of UFS 3.1storage
Android 13 OS, Magic OS 7.1
8GB of virtual RAM
The Motorola Razr 40 is the only other device with a 2.4GHz Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 processor available in India apart from the Honor 90. The “Accelerated Edition” variant of the chip that powers the Honor 90 is a slightly overclocked version (2.5GHz) of the SD7G1. The SoC is supported by LPDDR4x RAM and UFS 3.1 storage.
In terms of performance, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 works similarly to the Snapdragon 778G and offers smooth performance. However, it seems less powerful than the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1-powered iQOO Neo 7 Pro and Snapdragon 7 Gen 2-powered POCO F5, which have been available for a couple of months in the market. As I mentioned, the performance of the Honor 90 is quite snappy, but intensive tasks such as gaming or video recording for a longer period can cause it to heat up a bit.
The Honor 90 is the only phone in its price segment to come with 512 GB of built-in storage in India. The phone comes with a 66W charger in other markets, but in India, the charger is not included in the box. This does not mean that buyers will have to spend more on a charger. When a buyer adds the Honor 90 to the Amazon cart in India, a complementary 30W Toreto-Htech TOR-566 charger worth Rs 699 is also added to the cart. Since I did not receive this charger with my review unit, I am not sure how long it takes to achieve a full charge. The 66W charger takes around 70 minutes to charge the Honor 90 completely. There is no support for wireless charging on the device. On a full charge, the device can comfortably last for the entire day.
Magic OS 7.1 HomescreenMagic OS 7.1 Control CenterMagic OS 7.1 CustomizationsMagic OS 7.1 Display SettingsMagic OS 7.1 eye care settings Magic OS 7.1 connectivity settings
The Honor 90 runs on Magic OS 7.1 based on Android 13, which includes Google apps and services. The smartphone is confirmed to receive Android 14 and Android 15 OS upgrades as well as security updates for several years. The phone comes with some of Honor’s native apps, some Google apps, some Microsoft apps, and a few third-party apps that can be uninstalled. There is no bloatware or unnecessary pop-ups. As far as Magic OS 7.1 is concerned, it offers a smooth experience and comes packed with numerous features and customizations. Here is a look at how the device performed on benchmark apps.
Honor 90 AntutuHonor 90 GeekbenchHonor 90 CPU Throttle
Photography and Other Features
Rear Camera
Other features
200MP Samsung ISOCELL HP3
Side-mounted fingerprint scanner
Single speaker
12MP
Face unlock
x-axis linear motor
2MP
Wi-Fi 802.11ax
NFC
Bluetooth 5.2
5G (5G bands unspecified)
Front Camera
GPS
50MP camera
USB-C
Honor 90 cameras
Starting with the Honor 90’s camera app, it offers users options such as Aperture, Portrait, Photo, Video, Multi-Video, Pro, Slow-mo, Panorama, HDR Photo, HDR Video, Time-lapse, stickers, Super macro, High-res, Solo cut, Story, and Scan document, along with quick toggles for flash, AI, motion photo, and filters at the top. Additionally, on the viewfinder, you’ll find three zoom toggles: 0.6x for ultrawide, 1x for the primary camera, and 2x for zoom with the main camera.
main cameraUltra-widevmain cameraUltra-widemain cameramain cameraUltra-widemain cameramain camera2x zoommain camera
The Honor 90 features a substantial 200-megapixel Samsung ISOCELL HP3 primary camera with a 1/1.4-inch sensor size. In daylight conditions, it captures decent photos with accurate colors, good detail, and a respectable dynamic range. There is no telephoto camera on the device for optical zoom. Instead, the main camera offers up to 10x digital zoom. While the Honor 90’s night mode may experience a brief delay in focusing, it is important to note that for low-light outdoor photography, using the standard photo mode can actually result in improved images. However, the lack of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) can be felt in low-light conditions.
The Honor 90 also has the option to capture images at an impressive 200-megapixel resolution using the main camera. However, please note that this high-resolution capture may take a few seconds to capture a shot. For portrait mode, in good lighting conditions, the Honor 90’s portrait mode excels, with the depth sensor effectively separating the subject from the background, creating a natural bokeh effect, and adding sophistication to the images. It also offers a 2x zoom toggle for portrait shots. Even non-human subjects are captured well in the portrait shots.
There is a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera with a 112-degree field of view (FOV) onboard. Unfortunately, there is no information about the exact camera sensor available on the Honor 90. The ultrawide camera performs well when there is sufficient light, and the color reproduction is almost consistent with the primary camera. In low-light indoor settings, it may struggle, introducing noticeable noise. A good thing is that it comes with support for autofocus, which allows it to function as a macro camera when needed. The macro mode on the Honor 90 allows you to get remarkably close to your subject while maintaining focus, producing detailed and accurate close-up shots.
The Honor 90 is blessed with a 50-megapixel front camera with a 100-degree FOV that captures selfies at 12.5-megapixel resolution by default. Again, there is no information about the camera sensor available for the selfie camera. Nevertheless, it excels at rendering natural skin tones and exhibits competent color reproduction. Selfie portraits also come out well, as it manages to separate the subject well from the background, along with a pleasing background blur. The night mode on the front camera may have performance issues, similar to the main camera’s night mode.
Indoor low-light main cameraIndoor low-light ultra-widemcro macro main cameraUltra-widemain cameraSelfieWide selfie
The Honor 90’s front and rear cameras (primary and ultra-wide) can record 4K videos at 30fps. In the absence of OIS, the Honor 90 manages to churn out stabilized videos thanks to EIS on both ends. The main camera captures excellent 4K video with vibrant colors. However, there is a set limit of 15 minutes. There are a couple of vlogging features onboard, such as AI Vlog Master and Multi-Video. The former offers smart editing options for posting on social media sites without spending much time on editing. There is also AI Instant Movie, which lets users select some photos and videos to create a short video by adding cinematic effects, text overlays, and background music using the Honor 90’s AI algorithm. In addition, there is an AI noise cancellation mode that cuts down background noise from videos.
When it comes to 4K video recording with the front camera, the Honor 90 impresses with sharp details and minimal noise. Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) does a good job of recording stable videos using the front camera. Sometimes the colors may appear a bit more saturated. However, it’s worth noting that colors might appear slightly oversaturated.
Coming to the remaining features of the Honor 90, the in-screen fingerprint scanner is positioned well and works as expected. Honor 90’s single speaker offers decent audio output, but the absence of another speaker for stereo output is something I miss on the device.
Verdict
The Honor 90 is a well-rounded mid-premium smartphone that makes a triumphant comeback to the Indian market. It has a stylish design, a flagship-level display, capable cameras with lots of modes, and a smooth software experience. Also, if you are a vlogger, this phone is surely going to impress you. Despite a few shortcomings, the Honor 90 offers a balanced smartphone experience that is sure to appeal to many buyers in its price segment. Honor’s return to India is also likely to spark a competitive landscape, as other brands will likely be inspired to up their game to match this renewed contender.
Google is gearing up for a major launch event in which it will unveil the Pixel 8 series of smartphones. The new Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are set to be announced on 4th October 2023. So here’s when the new devices will be available for pre-orders in India.
Google Pixel 8 series India pre-order dates
The Search Engine giant is planning on unveiling the new devices on October 4, with pre-orders for the smartphones kicking off on the same date. Earlier today (2nd October 2023), the company announced that the Pixel 8 series will be available for pre-orders from Flipkart. In other words, the pre-orders for these devices will go live soon after the launch event is over.
Based on what we know so far, the Pixel 8 lineup will be powered by the new Tensor G3 SoC along with the Titan M2 chipset. The base Pixel 8 will feature 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage, while the Pixel 8 Pro offers up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. The higher-end model will sport a 6.7-inch LTPO OLED display that offers 120Hz refresh rate and 2K+ resolution. Meanwhile, the vanilla variant features a smaller 6.17-inch OLED display that has a Full HD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate.
The Pixel 8 series is also expected to feature a higher price tag. Google is rumored to launch the Pixel 8 for a starting price tag of 699 US Dollars while the Pixel 8 Pro will start from 899 US Dollars. The former arrives in Peony Rose, Haze, Obsidian, and Mint colors while the Pixel 8 Pro comes with Porcelain, Bay, Obsidian, and Mint color options as well. You can check out our complete rumor roundup for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro by clicking on these links (1, 2).
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