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Vivo Y77t With 120Hz Display, Dimensity 7020 Launched In China

Recently, Vivo launched the Y78+ (t1) edition smartphone in China. Now the brand has silently introduced a new Y-series device in the country. The latest offering is the Vivo Y77t and it has the same specifications as the Y78 5G albeit with a different moniker. The latter was announced earlier in May this year. Notably, the Y77t also has a cheaper price tag but with a bumped-up base storage. Let’s take a look at the phone’s technical specifications. 

Vivo Y77t specifications and features

The Vivo Y77t has a 6.64-inch LCD screen bearing an FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. It also supports HDR10. There is a center-aligned punch-hole cutout and the device is said to offer a 91.06 percent screen-to-body ratio. Design-wise, the smartphone has a gradient back panel housing a squarish camera module. The power button doubles up as a fingerprint scanner for security and easy accessibility.  

On the imaging front, the Vivo Y77t features dual rear cameras of a 50MP main sensor paired with a 2MP depth lens. There is an 8MP front-facing snapper for selfies. 

A MediaTek Dimensity 7020 which is a rebadged version of the Dimensity 930 powers the Vivo Y77t under the hood. It packs up to 12GB RAM and 256GB native storage. The smartphone is backed by a 5,000mAh battery unit with support for 44W fast charging. Software-wise, it runs on OriginOS 3 based on Android 13. Connectivity options on the device include 5G, WiFi, Bluetooth, a USB-C port, and a 3.5mm jack. 

The Vivo Y77t starts at CNY 1,399 for the base 8GB + 256GB variant whereas the 12GB + 256GB option costs CNY 1,599. It is offered in Phoenix Gold, Black, and Jade Green colors. The device is already available for purchase in China. 

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Vivo V29e Confirmed To Launch In India On August 28

Vivo has officially announced the launch date of the V29e smartphone in India. It is set to debut in the last week of August. The upcoming offering will arrive as the successor to the last year’s V23e which was announced in February last year. To recall, Vivo skipped the E moniker on the V25 and V27 series already available in the country. Recently, Vivo teased the key specifications and pricing of the next V-series phone. 

Vivo V29e launch date announced

The Vivo V29e is set to be unveiled on August 28, Monday at 12 pm local time. The launch event will also be live-streamed on the brand’s social handles, Flipkart, and YouTube channel. The smartphone is already confirmed to be available for purchase from Flipkart as well as from the company’s website, and retail outlets. It is expected to go on sale soon after it launches. Vivo is touting the V29e to be the slimmest phone with a 3D curved screen in the Rs 25,000-30,000 price segment. This pricing is expected to be for the base RAM and storage configuration.

The Vivo V29e is confirmed to come with a center-aligned punch-hole 3D display with a 58.7-degree curvature. It will feature a 120Hz refresh rate. The smartphone’s Artistic Red variant will flaunt a color-changing rear panel technology that will change Red hue to Black color. The upcoming offering has a dual-toned back panel where the left side has a glossy finish with subtle geometrical shapes and the other half seems to feature a leather texture. There are two camera rings accentuated in the Gold color

In the camera department, the Vivo V29e is confirmed to come with a 50MP selfie camera with eye autofocus technology and a 64MP OIS-enabled primary rear camera.

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Xiaomi 13T Pro renders leak ahead of alleged September 1 launch

Earlier this week, Redmi launched the Redmi K60 Ultra smartphone in China. A slightly tweaked version of the device is expected to debut in the global market soon under the Xiaomi 13T Pro moniker. The launch is expected to happen on September 1, however, renders of the device have already leaked online.

The leak comes from MySmartPrice, who have credited tipster Kacper Skrzypek for the pictures. Starting from the back design, it is quite similar to the K60 Ultra, which means we get a flat back with flat edges. The camera module design is also similar, however, the 13T Pro has Leica branding on it, which isn’t present on the back of the K60 Ultra.

Two color options are revealed in the renders: Black and light blue. The black variant appears to feature a glass back, while the blue color option appears to have a vegan leather back. Furthermore, the images also show that the power and volume buttons will be located on the right edge of the device, whereas at the bottom side, the handset will have a speaker grill, a USB Type-C port, and a SIM card slot.

Xiaomi 13T Pro specs (rumored)

In a recent leak, we found out that the 13T Pro will be slightly different from the K60 Ultra. While the display will be the same 6.67-inch OLED panel with 1.5K resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate, the camera setup will be a bit different.

It will feature a Sony IMX707 50-megapixel primary camera, paired with a 13MP OmniVision OV13B ultra-wide camera and an OV50D 50-megapixel telephoto camera. Up-front, the device has a 20-megapixel Sony IMX596 camera.

Inside, it’s likely that the device will run on the Dimensity 9200 Plus chip, offering up to 16GB of really fast RAM and a whopping 1TB of storage. The phone will also come with a fingerprint sensor under the screen, dual stereo speakers, an X-axis linear motor, and a tough body with IP68 water and dust resistance.

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Apple celebrates 30 year anniversary in China with special event

Apple recently completed its 30 years of establishment in China. Tim Cook, the current CEO of Apple, celebrated Apple’s 30th anniversary by posting a message on Weibo. In the post, Cook expresses his gratitude towards all his colleagues, customers, and partners in China. The post also had a link inside, that takes you to China’s official Apple website.

Here is what it says.

Tim Cook Weibo post

The message starts with Apple celebrating its 30 years of providing products and services in the Chinese market, contributing to the local community through educational and social events. Tim Cook says they have been proud to serve customers by sharing their latest innovations. They will continue to do so to enrich the lives of Chinese customers and help them connect with each other. Cook says this is an attempt to grow their technology to meet the community’s requirements.

Cook also shared some data related to the company’s business in the country. Apple has expanded opportunities for developers and created millions of jobs in China through the iOS app economy. From 2019 to 2022, the number of apps in China’s App Store doubled, and small developers earned 59% more money from 2020 to 2022. Also, in 2022, it is expected that nearly 23% of new App Store creators will be from China.

Furthermore, as per Counterpoint Research, Apple has secured a 20% market share in the Chinese market, making it the top market holder in the first quarter of 2023. This achievement is noteworthy, especially when compared to rivals such as Oppo, Vivo, Honor, and Xiaomi.

To celebrate its 30th anniversary in China with Chinese customers, Apple will hold a special event today, August 18th, at the Apple Sanlitun retail store, the first Apple store opened in China 15 years ago. There will be performances by music producers, singers, and Zhang Yadong, also known as “The Golden Producer.”

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Huawei FreeBuds SE 2 new color variant, ‘Island Blue’ is available in China

Earlier, we reported that Huawei launched its latest FreeBuds SE 2 globally. These turned out to be a success in the global market. Now, the company has revealed its new color variant, Island Blue, which officially went on sale on August 17 in China. Here is what you need to know about the FreeBuds SE 2.

Huawei FreeBuds SE 2 Island Blue

Huawei FreeBuds SE 2 Specifications

The earphones provide 9 hours of battery life once fully charged with a charging case that can supply a battery life of up to 40 hours. The device supports Bluetooth 5.3 technology allowing it to pair with smartphones quickly. It is also IP54 splash resistant, meaning it can withstand exposure to water and dust. For those wondering, it houses a USB-C port which is used to charge the case. These earbuds come with a touch sensor allowing users to pick up or hang up calls and change the music track.

Price and Availability

One thing to note is that the product is currently available at a discounted price for a limited time. The device is listed on jd.com with a price tag of 179.00 Yuan (roughly $25). Those who purchase the product will receive a pair of earbuds, one charging box, one quick-start guide and safety manual, a Warranty certificate, and a charging cable.

Interestingly, the white color FreeBuds SE 2 was also recently listed in Colombia with a price tag of 299,900 Colombian pesos (roughly $73). Huawei is also offering a discount coupon of 55% if you purchase the white earbuds before August 22, 2023. You can check out the full article by clicking here.

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Huawei partners with Chery to unveil LUXEED: Exec calls it China’s electric BMW

Earlier today (18th August 2023), Huawei partnered with Chery to announce a new brand dubbed LUXEED. This brand-new car brand will launch the Zhijie S7 as its first-ever model. So let’s have a look.

Huawei & Chery Launch LUXEED: New luxury EV brand

The tech giant is partnering up with Chery, which is a popular automobile maker in China. Chery is known for its Exceed series of cars, and now, it has unveiled the LUXEED lineup of cars after forming a partnership with Huawei. In a recent press conference, Chery’s Executive VP, Gao Xinhua, compared the existing Exceed series with Mercedes-Benz, showcasing its focus on luxury and comfort.

Chery Exceed

He further added that the new LUXEED series will basically be the electric “BMW” in China. This means that these two lineups will likely target two separate audiences in the automobile market in the region. For those unaware, the LUXEED will be a part of Huawei’s smart car business as well. Based on earlier reports, the new S7 model will be equipped with Huawei motors. The rear-wheel drive model has a maximum power output of 215 kilowatts.

On the other hand, the four-wheel drive variant adds 150 kilowatts to the front motors, with a total system power of 365 kilowatts. This upcoming vehicle will also be equipped with LiDAR technology, which will enable high-level smart driving assistance functions.

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Moto G54 press renders leak, global launch expected soon

Motorola is gearing up to launch the successor of the Moto G53 5G, called the G54 5G soon. The launch is expected to happen globally, as the smartphone has picked up many regional certifications. Now, press renders of the smartphone have emerged online.

The leak comes from known tipster Evan Blass who has shared the Moto G54 renders in three colors.

Previous reports have mentioned that the smartphone will come in four hues: Ballad Blue, Coronet Blue, Ambrosia, and Outer Space. So it looks like there is another blue color option that could be revealed later. The design is the same as revealed in an earlier leak. On the rear panel of the smartphone, there’s a square-shaped camera module, while the right side features a power button that also functions as a fingerprint scanner. Moving to the front, the device boasts a centered punch-hole design.

Moto G54 specs

The Moto G54 5G smartphone is said to boast a 6.5-inch display, delivering FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. A 50MP primary camera, equipped with OIS, will lead the camera setup, while details remain undisclosed for the secondary sensor. Selfie-wise, a 16MP front camera is expected.

Under the hood, the device will offer a maximum of 8GB RAM and internal storage reaching 256GB, expandable up to 1TB via a microSD card slot. A robust 5,000mAh battery will fuel the smartphone, enhanced by fast charging (specific speed unspecified). Elevating audio experience, stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos and Moto Spatial Sound support will be present. The device will debut with Android 13 out of the box.

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Sony PS5 Pro surfaces online, specs hint at major upgrade

Sony has been rumored to be working on a new console that will act as a mid-cycle hardware refresh for the PlayStation 5. The rumors have hinted at a PS5 Pro and PS5 Slim model being developed, and now, a new leak shares details regarding the Pro model. So here are all the details.

Sony PS5 Pro Specs

In a recent report, we covered a new leaked video that showcased the design of the PlayStation 5 Slim. Initial rumors hinted at Sony is working on the PlayStation 5 Pro, but it was later rumored that the company will likely work on the PS6 rather than an upgraded version of the PS5. However, it appears that the Japanese tech giant is still working on a PS5 Pro based on a new report from RedGamingTech.

Sony Ps5

The YouTuber states that the PlayStation 5 Pro will arrive with a notable upgrade in terms of hardware. According to the report, the PS5 Pro will feature an APU that has a 3.6GHz CPU and 2.7GHz GPU. In comparison, the PS5’s CPU has a 3.5GHz clock speed and a 2.23GHz GPU. RedGamingTech speculates that the PS5 Pro will be capable of outputting roughly 23.04TFLOPS.

With these updates, it is possible for this upcoming console to offer true 60fps gaming at 4K resolution or improved 8K gaming with ray-tracing. Keep in mind that this is just speculation so take this report with a pinch of salt for now and stick around for more updates regarding this matter.

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Upcoming Smartphones: Realme 11 5G and more

Only one brand has scheduled smartphone launches for next week. The company we are talking about is Realme.

It will be debuting two phones in India. Both of them are budget 5G-enabled handsets.

At least one of these devices is expected to take on the recently released Redmi 12 5G in the country. Let’s take a look at these products.

Upcoming Smartphones Next Week

1. Realme 11 5G

Realme 11 5G

The Realme 11 5G will be unveiled in India on August 23 at 12 PM IST. As of writing this article, it is not clear whether the device coming to India is the same as the one sold in Southeast Asia.

Anyways, the brand has officially revealed the handset to sport a 108MP primary camera with in-sensor 3x zoom support. It is also said to carry support for 67W SuperVOOC fast charging.

The phone may come with a .72-inch FHD+ 120Hz display (LCD), a MediaTek Dimensity 6100 Plus chipset, a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, and a 5,000mAh battery.

2. Realme 11x 5G

Realme 11x 5G

The Realme 11x 5G will be also announced in India on August 23 at 12 PM IST. It is a toned-down version of Realme 11 5G.

Instead of a 108MP main camera, this device will feature a 64MP sensor. But it will retain the flat frame design with a circular camera island.

Unfortunately, we don’t have any more info on this product. But it will be more or less the same as the Realme 11 5G with some differences.

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Razer BlackWidow V4 75% TKL keyboard launched with Orange tactile switches for $190

After launching the BlackWidow V4 Pro back in February, Razer has now debuted a 75% keyboard in the series called the Razer BlackWidow V4 75%. The keyboard is quite compact for a ten-key-less design and offers features like ABS stock caps with a double-shot design, along with N-key rollover and anti-ghosting features. The brand also mentions that they have lubed up the stabilizers, so you won’t be hearing any sharp, rattling noises while pressing the keys.

Razer BlackWidow V4 75

Razer BlackWidow V4 75% specs

The Razer BlackWidow V4 75% keyboard uses special Razer Mechanical Switches (Orange tactile mechanical switches gen‑3) that have a tactile feel and are not too noisy. The keys are also hot-swappable. The keyboard is smaller than usual, but it still has all the important keys like the function keys and arrows. It can light up in lots of colors using Razer Chroma RGB. Plus, it comes with a comfy wrist rest that sticks easily.

Razer BlackWidow V4 75

You can save up to 5 different setups on the keyboard itself. There are buttons to control music and videos, and you can even take the cable off. The keys are strong and won’t wear out quickly. The top part of the keyboard is made from tough 5052 Aluminum Alloy, and it has foam inside to make it quieter.

Razer BlackWidow V4 75

It also has special tape to stop electricity from going where it shouldn’t. If you like customizing your keyboard, you can add some special parts to make the keys more stable. But be careful because changing things might void the warranty. The keyboard comes with 2-side underglow strips, and a high polling rate of up to 8,000 Hz. Additionally, it supports n-key rollover and anti-ghosting for precise and responsive typing experiences.

Price & availability

You can find the BlackWidow V4 75% available for purchase at a price of US$189.99 on both razer.com and Amazon.

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Huawei MatePad 11.5 makes its European debut with attractive offers

The Huawei MatePad 11.5 has been released in Europe, following its launch in Malaysia and China. The mid-range tablet has the same specifications as the Asian models, including a Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 processor, a large 7,700mAh battery, and a 120Hz refresh rate. Here is a quick look at the European pricing of the Huawei MatePad 11.5, as well as its key specifications.

Huawei MatePad 11.5 Price in Europe

The Huawei MatePad 11.5 starts at €299 for the 6GB RAM version. It is also available as a bundle with the Smart Keyboard dock for €339. The 8GB RAM version is priced at €429. Both versions of the tablet come with a free M-Pencil. You can also get a 5% discount on the MatePad 11.5 by using the code ANBCHECKMP115 until August 31, 2023.

Huawei MatePad 11.5 Specifications

As implied by the name, the Huawei MatePad 11.5 (2023) has an 11.5-inch display with a 2200 x 1440-pixel resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The display is also anti-glare and has TÜV Rheinland hardware-level low blue light certification for eye protection. The tablet comes with the Huawei M-Pencil (second generation) for precise writing and drawing. The device is available in three colors: Island Blue, Frost Silver, and Space Grey. 

In terms of build, it has an all-metal body that is 6.85mm thick and weighs 499 grams. The rear camera has a 13MP wide-angle lens, and the front camera has an 8MP wide-angle lens. The tablet runs on HarmonyOS 3.1 and is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 processor. It has 6GB or 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage.

The tablet supports the Multi-Window feature, which allows you to open multiple app windows at the same time. It also supports the Super Device feature, which lets you drag and drop files between a phone and a tablet.

The MatePad 11.5 has four speakers that use an upgraded audio algorithm called Histen8.1. The speakers can produce up to 82dB of sound, which is quite loud for a tablet of this size. Last but not least, fueling the device is a massive 7700mAh battery that can last for up to 37 days on standby. It also supports 20W of fast charging.

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Samsung is working on a foldable tablet: Exec

Samsung is apparently working on a brand-new foldable device. A company executive has confirmed that the company is developing a new foldable tablet and even revealed some of its design elements. So let’s have a look.

Samsung is investing heavily in foldable tablets

The news arrives from Samsung mobile head T.M. Roh. In an interview with The Independent last month, the senior official confirmed the development of foldable tablets as well as foldable laptops. He stated that “People open up a book to read and open up a notebook to write something. When they’re not being used or when on the move and they can be folded shut, which makes them more compact and portable, as well as protecting important information inside. It’s just a natural part of human behavior”.

Samsung Foldable Tablet

ROh added that “What has been applied to the smartphone will then spread to the tablet and laptops as well. To that end, we at Samsung are investing a lot of resources.” This confirms that the South Korean tech giant is working on foldable tablets and laptops, and is investing heavily into the venture. In the laptop space, we have the Asus Zenbook 17 Fold OLED, which the upcoming foldable notebooks from Samsung will likely compete with.

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard of a foldable tablet from Samsung. We had previously also reported on the brand possibly working on a Galaxy Z Fold Tab model. LetsGoDigital had even covered certain patents that described the foldable tablet, which featured two hinges for the folding mechanics.

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Oppo Find N3 display & camera specs leaked ahead of launch

Oppo is rumored to be working on the Find N3 and Find N3 Flip, which are its next-gen foldable smartphones. But ahead of any official announcement, a new leak has revealed key details regarding the Find N3 revealing its display and camera specs.

Oppo Find N3 Specs

The latest leak arrives from known tipster Digital Chat Station that shared the information on Weibo (a Chinese microblogging website). In this online post, the tipster shared key details regarding the display and the camera of the upcoming Find N3. The new foldable device will apparently feature a triple camera setup on the rear that consists of two 48-megapixel cameras and a 64-megapixel shooter.

Oppo Find N3

Although, it appears that the early engineering unit is equipped with one 50-megapixel primary shooter, along with a 48-megapixel ultra wide angle lens, and a 64-megapixel periscope zoom sensor. The tipster further added that the Find N3 might feature the Sony IMX890 sensor for its primary camera, while the IMX581 for the ultra wide angle lens. The Find N3’s telephoto shooter appears to be an OmniVision OV64B sensor that offers up to 3x optical zoom.

On the front, the tipster claims that the Find N3 will sport a tall 7.82-inch primary display on the inside, while the secondary panel will be a 6.31-inch screen. Both displays will be AMOLED, with the front reportedly housing a 32-megapixel selfie shooter. Recently, we had also covered various reports regarding the Find N3 Flip as well, which includes its sighting on GeekBench and render leaks. So stick around for more, as we will be providing updates on both devices.

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Wear OS 2 users to lose Google Assistant support soon

Google is sunsetting Google Assistant on older Wear OS watches. In specific, smartwatches running Wear OS 2 or older will no longer be able to use Google Assistant after August 31, 2023. The details were first spotted in the latest version of the Wear OS Companion App, which contains a message that says “Google Assistant support on this watch is ending soon. Please upgrade to a newer watch that supports Google Assistant and runs Wear OS 3 or later.”

The Companion App, as per 9to5Google, is specifically designed for devices that run Wear OS 2 and lower, so the shutdown of Google Assistant on these devices is certain. This leaves many devices from popular brands such as Montblanc, Polar, Michael Kors, Louis Vuitton, and Fossil with no access to the voice assistant.  

As per TheVerge, some users have already seen a shutdown notification on their smartwatches following the recent update to the Wear OS app. Mishaal Rahman, a well-known figure in the Android community, even shared an image of his TicWatch Pro 3 displaying the message “Google Assistant support for this watch is ending soon.”

This is a relatively quick turnaround, but Google’s decision to discontinue Google Assistant support for Wear OS 2 devices is understandable, given that Wear OS 3 is now the main focus and Wear OS 4 is already rolling out. However, this does leave owners of older Android Wear smartwatches in a bit difficult situation. Do you own a Wear OS 2 or an older smartwatch? What do you think about this change?

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Samsung unveils Freestyle Gen 2 portable projector with Gaming Hub launched

Samsung has just announced its latest portable smart projector. The company’s new Freestyle Gen 2 is the successor to the original Freestyle portable projector that launched earlier this year. Now, the latest model brings various improvements to let you turn any wall or ceiling into a large screen for entertainment.

Samsung Freestyle Gen 2 Specs

Samsung launched the Gen 2 Freestyle projector along with the Gaming Hub. This basically means that you can now play your favorite titles from Xbox and other partner brands without needing a console. Being a portable projector, buyers can also pair it with an external battery case, which is sold separately. This will let you use the projector on the go. The Freestyle Gen 2 arrives with support for more than 3,000 games from streaming partners like Nvidia GeForce Now and Xbox.

Samsung Freestyle Gen 2 Launch

It also supports popular streaming platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and Twitch. Meaning, users can also access other features while gaming. The projector outputs content in 30 to 100-inch sizes at Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080p), supports HDR10+, Crystal Picture Engine, and more. For audio, it houses a 5W speaker that offers 360-degree sound. Connectivity options include wireless options like Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.2. It also runs on Tizen OS with Samsung TV Plus and supports Amazon Alexa voice assistant.

Samsung Freestyle Gen 2 Pricing & Availability

The Freestyle Gen 2 with Gaming Hub has been launched for a price tag of 799.99 US Dollars. It is available for pre-order on the company’s official website and at select retailers like Amazon as well. Notably, buyers that pre-order the device by August 30 from the company’s official website will get a free IP55 water and dust-resistant case worth 59.99 US dollars.

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 & Galaxy Z Flip 5 India Sale finally kicked off

Samsung has finally begun the sale of the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 in India. The company’s new devices are its latest ‘Made in India’ foldable phones that have gone on sale today (18th August 2023). So let’s have a look at their pricing and availability.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is the South Korean tech giant’s top-end flagship foldable model, which has been quite popular in the Indian market. In just 28 hours, the company saw over 100,000 consumers pre-booking the device. It will be available in multiple color options, namely Icy Blue, Cream, and Phantom Black. This model has a starting price tag of 1,54,999 INR for the base 12GB + 256GB variant. On the other hand, the 12GB + 512GB configuration costs 1,64,999 INR, while the top 12GB + 1TB costs an exorbitant 1,84,999 INR (the 1TB model is only available in the Icy Blue variant).

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5

Moving forward, Samsung’s new clamshell folding Galaxy Z Flip 5 has also gone on sale in India. Unlike the larger Fold model, this variant saw a major change in design thanks to a taller cover display. It arrives in four color options, which include Mint, Cream, Graphite, and Lavender. The base 8GB + 256GB model has a price tag of 99,999 INR. On the other hand, the 8GB + 512GB model will cost 1,09,999 INR.

Availability

Samsung will be selling the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 through online and offline channels. The foldable phones can be bought from retail outlets near you alongside the brand’s official website, Amazon, and even Flipkart.

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Rising costs could drive up flagship phone prices by upto $200

Flagship smartphones are pricey. You’ll have to pay a hefty price upfront or in monthly installments, even if you trade in a recent device. Of course, you get a lot of bang for your buck from premium camera systems with multiple lenses, to top-of-the-line processors and a few extras too, like styluses or folding displays, and the longest software update support available. However, due to all of these features and the upcoming new features, flagship phone prices are expected to rise in the near future.

According to tipster Yogesh Brar, the prices of major flagship smartphones are expected to rise in the near future. The Google Pixel 8 series, the iPhone 15 series, the Samsung Galaxy S24 series, and the Xiaomi 14 series are all said to be affected, with price increases of up to $200 depending on the variant.

The rumored price hike for flagship phones is not surprising, given the current market conditions and rising costs. The upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip is expected to be more expensive than its predecessor, which will likely lead to higher prices for Snapdragon-powered flagship smartphones.

 In addition, the iPhone 15 series is expected to feature a number of new and expensive components, such as a new A17 Bionic chip, a titanium frame, and a periscope lens. Apple has been able to keep the starting prices of its iPhones in the US relatively affordable in recent years, but it may be forced to raise prices this year due to inflation.

The Pixel 8 series is also expected to see a price increase, likely due to the new Tensor G3 chip, improved refresh rates, and a new camera sensor. Samsung will offer Exynos 2400 variants of its upcoming flagships in some markets, which could balance out the expenses. However, it will still offer Snapdragon variants in other markets, such as the US, so the prices for these variants are still expected to be higher than its predecessors. 

All in all, it seems that the price of upcoming flagship smartphones is likely to rise. Consumers should be prepared to pay more for their next flagship smartphone.

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ReFit Global is a new marketplace for refurbished smartphones in India

Buying a new phone that costs a fortune doesn’t make sense for some people if they can get a cheaper refurbished one. However, it’s easier said than done to find a secondhand phone that’s still in good condition. Sure, there are platforms like Amazon and Cashify that can help you with your search, but the options are often limited. Luckily, a new venture from ReFit Global wants to help you out with a diverse selection of smartphones from renowned brands like Apple, Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo.

ReFit Global, a re-commerce marketplace based in Delhi, is entering the direct-to-consumer (D2C) market. The company will continue to offer its offline B2B services, but it is also launching a new D2C platform, which will offer a wide variety of smartphones. This will include phones from top brands like Apple, Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo. In addition, you can also expect to find a range of other electronic products, such as TVs, laptops, and appliances.

Refitglobal.com

ReFit is a well-established player in the re-commerce industry. Since its inception in 2019, the company’s revenue has doubled, reaching 200 crore (~$27 million) in 2022. It is projected to achieve double-digit margins in the upcoming fiscal year. To date, ReFit has refurbished and sold approximately 1.5 million phones through its network of over 50,000 retailers. The company has seen impressive year-over-year growth of 100%, thanks to its strong retail and distribution presence.

For its new D2C venture, ReFit Global has partnered with Flipkart, their largest liquidator, followed by Amazon and other partners.

Commenting on the announcement, the company’s Co-founder and COO Avneet Singh said, “ReFit Global’s trailblazing move into the digital space signals a paradigm shift, setting new standards in the Refurbished Industry. When we embarked on our journey with ReFit Global, the refurbished phone market lacked structure and was still in its nascent stages. However, we recognized the immense potential for growth and collaborated with our retail partners to establish a network built on trust. Through our website, we aim to cultivate the same level of trust with our valued customers.”

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Vivo X100 Pro+ key specifications leak reveals details on display, quad camera setup, and more

Vivo is reportedly working on the Vivo X100 lineup, which includes at least three models, such as the Vivo X100, X100 Pro, and X100 Pro+. The starting two models, such as the X100 and X100 Pro, are likely to feature the Dimensity 9300 chipset, whereas the Pro+ edition is said to be equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. A Chinese tipster has leaked the specs of an upcoming Vivo flagship with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 onboard. It appears that he may have spilled the beans on the key specifications of the Vivo X100 Pro+. 

Vivo X100 Pro+ specifications (rumored)

Vivo X100 Pro+ mock render
Vivo X100 Pro+ mock render

The Vivo X100 Pro+ is said to be equipped with a 6.78-inch OLED panel that supports a 120Hz refresh rate. While the tipster has not mentioned it, it appears that the X100 Pro+ will have a curved-edge display panel that offers a QHD+ resolution. However, the leaker is uncertain whether it will utilize Samsung’s E7 or BOE’s Q9+ panel. The display will be integrated with an ultrasonic in-screen fingerprint sensor.

The X100 Pro+ will come preinstalled with Android 14 with a layer of OriginOS 4.0 on top. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3-powered device is expected to ship with LPDDR5x RAM and UFS 4.0 storage. Since it will be the most powerful phone in the lineup, it is very likely that its highest variant will offer 16 GB or 24 GB of RAM along with 1 TB of storage.

The leaker did not mention the front camera of the Vivo X100 Pro+. The rear camera setup of the device will be headlined by a Sony IMX989 50-megapixel main camera with a variable aperture. It will be coupled with an IMX598 50-megapixel ultra-wide lens, an IMX758 50-megapixel portrait lens, and a 200-megapixel telephoto camera, which appears to be a periscope zoom camera as per other reports.

A previous leak claimed that the X100 Pro+ would be equipped with a custom-made periscope zoom camera jointly developed by Samsung and Vivo. This camera is said to be a modified version of the Samsung HP3 lens, which is said to offer up to 10x optical zoom.

At present, there is no information available about the battery or charging speed of the Vivo X100 Pro+. Like the predecessor model, the X100 Pro+ will come equipped with an IP68-rated dust and water-resistant chassis.

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Lenovo CEO predicts we will see AI phones and computers next year

Artificial intelligence (AI) is widely believed to be the future, for better or worse. The omnipotent technology has the potential to make our lives easier, so much so that some of us may no longer need to work (although that’s not exactly a good thing). You’ve probably seen news of companies integrating AI into all sorts of things, from e-bikes to self-driving cars. And Lenovo CEO predicts we’ll soon be seeing AI phones and computers.

Lenovo to invest large sums on AI

Lenovo’s CEO Yang Yuanqing said the development of artificial intelligence, especially the rapid growth of artificial intelligence chips, will promote the upgrade of intelligent devices. He believes that there will not be much impact this year, but it will have a revolutionary impact next year. This will promote the upgrade and replacement of computers, and he expects to see AI phones and computers next year.

Lenovo feature

This comes after Lenovo Group yesterday announced its first-quarter earnings for the 2023/24 fiscal year, which ended on June 30, 2023. Revenue for the quarter stood up at 903 billion Yuan, and net profit was 13.3 billion Yuan.

In a letter to employees following the release of the earnings report, Yang Yuanqing announced that the company will invest an additional 70 billion yuan over the next three years to accelerate the deployment of artificial intelligence technologies and applications around the world.

It appears Lenovo is looking to move beyond its traditional PC business and become a more diversified technology provider. AI could be the key technology that will help the Chinese company to achieve this goal.

Lenovo seems to be a little late in joining the AI bandwagon. Other major technology companies, such as Microsoft, Amazon, and Google, are already making significant investments and progress in this area.

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