Honor used to have a market presence in the Indian smartphone market, but it hasn’t launched a new phone in the country in recent years. However, there are recent reports that the company is planning a comeback, with Realme’s Madhav Sheth as the head of its Indian operations. The Honor 90 is rumored to be the first device to debut in the country after years, and a new report claims it will be unveiled in mid-September with a price tag under Rs. 50,000.
Honor 90 could have tough competition in India
IANS reports Honor 90 will be unveiled in the first half of September. The news agency did not reveal the exact date but claimed the Honor 90 will be priced in India at around Rs 45,000. If true, Honor 90 will have to face cut-throat competition as this category is already filled with impressive phones like OnePlus 11R, Oppo Reno 10 Pro, and even the flashy Nothing Phone (2).
Honor 90 is already available for purchase in Europe with a starting price of €550. It brings notable features like a big 6.7” AMOLED display with 1200p resolution and 66W charging support for the 5,000mAh battery. It comes powered by the mid-range Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Soc and a flagship-tier camera setup with a 200 MP sensor. There’s a 50MP selfie camera and numerous AI enhancement features.
The smartphone certainly looks good and could grab the attention of many Indian buyers. Good-looking phones with great camera setups sell well in India, as evidenced by the popularity of the Oppo Reno and Vivo V series. Of course, there are other factors that drive sales, such as extensive ad campaigns and influencer collaborations.
Honor’s return to India could be great news for consumers, as they will have more options to choose from. If you’re interested, read how Honor’s comeback in India could play out.
Nothing’s semi-transparent phones have set the company apart from the rest of the Android pack. And when you do something unique, it’s only a matter of time before others start taking inspiration from you. That’s exactly what’s happening with the Nothing Phone (2). Infinix has announced a new gaming phone for the Indian market, the Infinix GT 10 Pro, which takes its design cues from the new Nothing phone.
Taking inspiration from existing products isn’t always a bad thing. Most new art or technology, after all, is based on something that came before it. And, given that the Infinix GT 10 Pro is significantly cheaper than the Nothing Phone(2), could it be the low-cost, similar-looking alternative we’ve been looking for? Let’s find out.
Infinix GT 10 Pro gets the semi-transparent design right
What sets the Nothing Phone (2) apart is its transparent design with a LED light interface on the back. This is not something you see on any phone in the market. Of course, the see-through glass on the back doesn’t reveal the actual component of the phones. Nothing cleverly hides the phone’s internals behind plastic covers. Only the induction coil for two-way wireless charging and a ribbon cable, which likely connects to the battery, can be identified as authentic components.
Infinix basically follows the same idea and makes the GT 10 Pro semi-transparent like the Nothing Phone (2). However, it wouldn’t be fair to call it a copycat. It’s clear that Infinix made its phone with gamers in mind. While you do get a see-through back, the internal modeling is done very differently and doesn’t look anything like Nothing’s phone. Not to mention, the Infinix GT 10 Pro sports an unusual camera module that we haven’t seen on any other phone.
Similar to the Nothing Phone (2)’s Glyph Interface, the Infinix GT 10 Pro also has mini-LEDs on the back. These LEDs will likely create an interactive backlight interface. For example, they might light up when you launch a game, or they might flash to notify you of new messages or charging status. This feature could be very useful if you use it right. We are not sure if Infinix will also offer customization options like Nothing.
All in all, the Infinix GT 10 Pro doesn’t look half bad when it comes to design. In fact, it is a potential alternative to the Nothing Phone (2) for those who are looking for a transparent phone at a much more affordable price.
Infinix GT 10 Pro also doesn’t comprise on specifications
Before we talk about the specs, it’s important to know that the Nothing Phone (2) starts in India at ₹44,999 ($549), while the Infinix GT 10 Pro will be priced less than ₹20,000 ($244). That means the GT 10 Pro costs less than half of the Phone (2). However, that doesn’t mean the GT 10 Pro has underwhelming specs. In fact, its specs make it look like the best phone in its category, at least on paper.
From what is known so far, Infinix GT 10 Pro will bring an impressive 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. While this is not as good as Nothing Phone (2)’s 120Hz LTPO OLED panel, it’s still pretty decent for the price. The panel should be sufficiently bright and also show smooth graphics during gaming thanks to the high refresh rate.
Infinix GT 10 Pro is the brand’s latest gaming phone. While it doesn’t pack a top-of-the-line chipset like Nothing Phone (2)’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, it still gets a practical mid-range SoC— the Dimensity 8050. This is one of MediaTek’s new processors based on the 6nm process, and early benchmarks suggest it can tackle most of the popular titles you’d play on a phone (via Nanoreview). We are talking about BGMI, Call of Duty Mobile, and Free Fire.
The Dimensity 8050 chip on the phone will likely be paired with 8GB LPDDR4x RAM and 256GB UFS 3.1 storage. Infinix GT 10 Pro gets a 5,000mAh battery, which is larger than Nothing Phone (2)’s 4,700mAh unit. It gets 45W charging support but there’s no wireless or reverse charging, of course.
The camera system on the Infinix GT 10 Pro doesn’t look bad on paper. Reports say it has a 108MP triple camera setup on the rear and a 32MP shooter on the front. While we shouldn’t expect earth-shattering picture quality, even the Nothing Phone (2) doesn’t offer that. You should be able to take good enough pictures in most scenarios with this camera setup.
Nothing has also managed to make its software stand out from the competition, giving users a more minimalist and bloatware-free experience. Officially, we don’t know if there will be any changes to the software on the Infinix GT 10 Pro, but Gizmochina’s author Anvin has tried the phone and adds that it offers a bloatware-free and ad-free UI (ZionsAnvin).
So is it a good affordable Nothing Phone (2) alternative?
The Nothing Phone (2) is a decent upgrade over the Phone (1), but it’s not worth the price for everyone. The phone’s flashy looks are its main selling point, but its hardware is not better than most phones in the same price range. The Moto Edge 40 and Poco F5 Pro easily beat the Nothing Phone (2) in terms of hardware, and they also cost much less.
But if you want to experience similar flashy looks and spend much less, Infinix GT 10 Pro could be a killer alternative. Here are some of the key reasons why the Infinix GT 10 Pro might be the affordable Nothing Phone (2):
Similar semi-transparent design with a LED light interface on the back
Impressive specs for the price, including a 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, the Dimensity 8050 chip, a 5,000mAh battery, and a 108MP triple camera setup
Much more affordable than the Nothing Phone (2)
The Infinix GT 10 Pro should launch sometime in August but there’s no exact date yet. And of course, these are just our thoughts on the phone. If you don’t agree with us or have a better alternative in mind, please let us know in the comments.
The latest IDC Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker has shown that the smartphone market in China fell 2.1% in 2023. The report indicates that 65.7 million smartphones were shipped in China in the second quarter of 2023. This was a slight decline of 2.1% from the figures for the same period in 2022.
Overall, the Chinese market saw 130.9 million shipments in the first half of 2023, which is a 7.3% year-on-year decline. This indicates sluggish consumer demands even with higher discount efforts by vendors and e-commerce platforms. This also resulted in a 5% dip in sales during the “618” Online Shopping Festival. It is expected that the challenging business environment will improve within the second half of 2023.
Former global heavyweight brand Huawei retained a top 5 position, jointly tied with Xiaomi. The brand has continued to serenade the market with a raft of impressive product offerings and marketing. The Huawei Mate X3 foldable and Huawei P60 series has been highly successful in the market. Huawei and Apple were the only vendors with positive YoY growth among the top 5 brands. It is believed that the discount regime for the Apple iPhone 14 series positively impacted the demand of the products. The leading brands were Oppo, Vivo, Honor, Apple, and the joint fifth brands of Huawei and Xiaomi.
The latest IDC quarterly report on the Chinese smartphone market points to a mixed bag for the leading smartphone brands. While Apple and Huawei have recorded positive growth, the other brands recorded a flat or declining performance. The business environment could be one of the major factors but other factors could also be impacting shipments.
Decathlon has just launched a new e-bike for the European market. The model in question is the Stilus E-Touring e-bike, which claims to offer a range of 130 kilometers on a single full charge. So let’s have a look.
Decathlon Stilus E-Touring Specifications
The e-bike features a mid-mounted Bosch Performance Line CX motor. This can allow you to speed up to 25 kph (roughly 16 miles) and deliver up to 85Nm of torque. A large 750Wh Bosch PowerTube battery that offers a 130-kilometer range (roughly 81 miles) on a single full charge. Decathalon’s new electric bicycle features Schwalbe AL Grounder 29 x 2.35-inch tires, a 10-speed Microshift Advent X rear derailleur, and 180mm Clarks M2 hydraulic disc brakes.
It features a torque sensor that helps in making the pedaling experience feel natural even with the added power. Other notable features include Spanninga Axendo 40 front and rear lights, and a Bosch Kiox display to show journey details and directions. The Decathlon Stilus E-Touring e-bike also connects with the eBike Flow app, which enables the trigger for eBike Lock. The electric bicycle arrives in three sizes, namely small, medium, and large.
Its medium variant weighs around 26.2 kilograms and is built using an Aluminum 6061 frame. The e-bike has a maximum load support of up to 145 kilograms. Decathlon is selling this model in the Netherlands, France, and Germany for EUR 3,499. Although, customers in the Netherlands and Germany can get a 14 percent discount, which reduces its price tag to EUR 3,019.
Sony has launched a new XV800 party speaker in India. The company says this speaker is ideal for Indian music genres such as Bollywood, Punjabi, Tamil, Telegu, and other regional music. The speaker comes with a decent 25-hour battery and is touted to offer omnidirectional sound. You can also connect it to a microphone and turn the device into a karaoke system. Let’s have a closer look at its specifications and pricing.
Sony XV800 Price and Specifications
The Sony XV800 debuts with a solid build, weighing around 18.5 Kg. The speaker measures 317mm x 720mm x 375mm and comes with IPX4 water resistance when placed vertically and IPX2 horizontally. The speaker packs two woofers paired with triple tweeters on the front and rear to provide deep bass. It offers Omni-directional Party Sound and X-Balanced Speaker units.
Sony has incorporated the speaker with a unique lighting effect and designed it using sustainable materials, such as recycled plastic. The Sony XV800 comes with a 25-hour battery and supports quick charging that lets you get 3 hours of playing time with just 10 minutes of charging.
This portable party speaker also has a karaoke input, meaning you just plug in your microphone and show off your singing talent to the crowd. It has two inputs that let you plug in a guitar and use the speaker as an amp. There are features like Echo and Key Control located together on the rear panel.
Sony XV800 supports Google Fast Pair and lets you connect it with up to 100 compatible speakers and sync your music. The Sony SRS-XV800 is priced in India at Rs. 64,990. You should be able to purchase it online through Amazon or offline through various retailers.
The OnePlus Ace 2 Pro has successfully obtained 3C certification in China, and it has also been spotted on Geekbench featuring the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC. The brand has now officially commenced teasing the device, unveiling its launch timeline and key specifications.
As per a recent Weibo post, OnePlus revealed that the OnePlus Ace 2 Pro will debut in August 2023. In addition to that, the brand also confirmed that the OnePlus Ace 2 Pro will be the first phone in the world to be equipped with the Tiangong cooling system. This system is said to be the most powerful VC in the industry, and it is at least two generations ahead of the competition.
The Tiangong cooling system has a VC area of 9140mm², which is the largest in the industry. It also features a world-first integrated dual-circulation heat dissipation system and Laval air channels. In addition, the system uses aerospace-grade heat dissipation materials, including diamond thermally conductive gel and superconducting thermal graphite.
The Tiangong cooling system allows the OnePlus Ace 2 Pro to release its performance to an unprecedented level. This means that the phone will be able to handle even the most demanding tasks, such as gaming and video editing.
OnePlus Ace 2 Pro specs
So far, the OnePlus Ace 2 Pro is expected to feature a 6.7-inch OLED display offering a sharp 1.5K resolution and a buttery smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, the device will feature a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, paired with 24 GB of RAM and up to 1 TB of UFS 4.0 storage.
The device will also have a 5,500mAh battery with 150W charging support. On the camera front, the device is said to sport a 32-megapixel front-facing camera and a versatile triple camera setup on the back, consisting of a 50-megapixel main sensor, a 48-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 32-megapixel telephoto lens.
Xiaomi has officially released its latest standing electric scooter, the 4 Go. The Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 Go was revealed via a product listing on the official Xiaomi website. The scooter comes with a 450W motor that can reach a top speed of 20km/h and a range of 18km.
The Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 Go was previously spotted on an EU Declaration of Conformity and listed on Batna24.com and eMAG websites in Poland and Hungary respectively. The new product page on Xiaomi’s global website highlighted some of the previously leaked details of the 4 Go. The scooter has a dual braking system, intelligent BMS, and a built-in display. It is equipped with a 165Wh lithium battery and the scooter has sufficient torque to move through 10% inclines.
The Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 Go has three power modes and features an E-ABS brake at the front, as well as 8.1-inch radial hollow tires. The built-in dashboard offers the rider instant information about the trip, which can also be viewed on the Xiaomi app. An intelligent Battery Management System enhances the safety of the scooter. It prevents short circuits, overheating, and other safety issues.
The new product page for the Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 Go does not include any pricing information. The release date for the model is also lacking at this time. However, the previous retail listing of the scooter by the Polish and Hungarian retailers was the equivalent of €458 (~$506) and €348 (~$384) respectively. It is unclear whether the model will be available outside the EU.
XPENG and Volkswagen recently announced that they will be entering into a new agreement. The companies are aiming to form a long-term strategic partnership, which will even bring new battery-powered electric vehicles as well.
XPENG and Volkswagen Partnership: EVs, Supply Chain, New Tech, & More
The Chinese EV maker is entering into a deal with one of the world’s biggest automobile manufacturers. These two companies are partnering up to leverage each other’s strengths and forge a long-term collaboration that is beneficial for both sides. With this strategic deal, XPENG and Volkswagen Group will also jointly develop two B-class battery electric vehicles (BEV) models for sale in the Chinese market.
B-class stands for small to mid-size cars and these will be sold in China under Volkswagen’s branding. Meanwhile, the EVs will also leverage XPENG’s G9 platform, connectivity, and ADAS software. The two BEVs are expected to start production in 2026. Apart from just building new cars, the partnership explores potential strategic cooperation in other areas as well. This includes new software technologies, future EV platforms, and supply chains.
For the agreement, XPENG and Volkswagen entered into a share purchase agreement, which will be approximately 700 million US Dollars. According to Mr. Ralf Brandstätter, Volkswagen AG Board Member for China, local partnerships are key to building its ‘in China for China strategy’. Forming strong cooperation will help speed up its plans for expansion in the region.
The use cases of a display docking station are vast. It lets you connect your laptop to multiple displays, peripherals, and other devices. Productivity junkies and multitaskers usually appreciate such a device. If you happen to be one, the new Alogic DV4 display docking station might be of interest to you. The dock lets you connect up to 4 external displays and seamlessly delivers dual 4K and dual 1080p output.
Alogic DV4 could help you be more productive
Alogic has launched the DV4 docking station in the US and UK. If you are not familiar with the manufacturer, introduction is in order. Alogic is a California-based manufacturer of a range of commercial and consumer electronic products for applications across the IT sector.
Circling back to the dock. It is designed to expand the capabilities of a laptop with up to four external monitors. It delivers dual 4K and dual 1080p output without sacrificing quality. The docking station uses DisplayLink technology to connect devices to up to 1x DisplayPort (3840×2160 60Hz) and 3x HDMI (1x 3840×2160 60Hz + 2x 1920×1080 60Hz). To connect, simply install DisplayLink’s universal drivers on the host device and connect the new displays to the dock.
The Alogic DV4 docking station is compatible with a wide range of operating systems and platforms, including Mac, Android, PCs, Linux Ubuntu, Thunderbolt 4/3™, and other USB-C hosts. It also supports a 100W power adapter, which can rapidly charge your notebook with an impressive 85W power delivery.
The DV4 dock is a comprehensive solution for connecting all your peripherals. It includes a USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 port, two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, a Combo Headphone and Microphone Jack, and an SD and Micro SD Card Reader. You can purchase the DV4 docking station for $239.99 in the USA and £199.99 in the UK.
Xiaomi is working on its highly anticipated flagship smartphone series, the Xiaomi 14 series. The lineup will consist of four models: Xiaomi 14, Xiaomi 14 Pro, Xiaomi 14 Pro+, and Xiaomi 14 Ultra. While the existence of the Xiaomi 14 Pro+ was not confirmed, recent reports from tipster Digital Chat Station suggest that the model does indeed exist, and its codename is “Aurora,” inspired by Roman mythology.
The standard models’ codenames were previously leaked as “Houji” and “Shennong” for the Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Pro, respectively. According to a report, all these four flagship models are expected to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, adding significant power and performance to the devices.
Xiaomi 14 series specifications (rumored)
According to Notebookcheck, the Xiaomi 14 Pro+ is rumored to come with a quad-camera setup featuring Leica branding, aiming to compete fiercely with the Xiaomi 13 Ultra. It is said to offer a maximum zoom range of 120x, similar to its predecessor. The camera configuration is expected to include a 50-megapixel main sensor and a 50-megapixel periscope telephoto lens.
The Xiaomi 14 is rumored to have a periscope telephoto lens with a 90mm focal length and 3.9x optical zoom. The Xiaomi 14 Pro is expected to step up with a 115mm periscope telephoto lens and 5x optical zoom. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra will feature a Leica professional super-telephoto lens with a 120mm focal length, providing 3-10x lossless optical zoom.
Battery capacities for the Xiaomi 14 and 14 Pro models are rumored to be 4860mAh and 5000mAh, respectively, with both supporting 120W fast charging.
Xiaomi is further gearing up to introduce MIUI 15, a significant system upgrade. The new software will debut on devices launching in the second half of the year, including the Redmi Note 13 series, Xiaomi 14, Xiaomi 14 Pro, and Xiaomi 14 Pro+. One of the standout features of MIUI 15 is the Photon Engine, designed to enhance system performance and improve power efficiency, providing an 88% increase in smoothness for third-party applications.
The launch of the Xiaomi 14, 14 Pro, and 14 Pro+ is expected to take place in November, while the debut of the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is likely to happen in early 2024. Additionally, the Xiaomi MIX Fold 3, a new foldable screen device, is officially announced for an August release.
Apple is set to unveil the next-generation iPhone 15 series at a fall event in September. The upcoming lineup will arrive as the successors to the current generation iPhone 14 models. There have been plenty of leaks and rumors about the iPhone 15 series revealing dynamic islands on all models, bumped up batteries, the shift to USB-C port, and more. Now, a deep dive in to the fourth beta of iOS 17 code has revealed some interesting details. Read on to know more below.
iOS 17 code reveals action button options on the iPhone 15 Pro models
Apple has stuck to the traditional Mute switch for the past 16 years on the iPhone models. There have been speculations that the Cupertino-based tech giant might replace it with a custom button called the Action button. It is also found on the Apple Watch Ultra. Leaked cases for the iPhone 15 Pro Max have also revealed a smaller cutout for the button compared to the cutout for Mute switch.
The folks at MacRumors have found nine different use cases of the Action button in the fourth beta release of the iOS 17 code. Users will get the option to customize various actions. Check a list of the assignment options below:
Quick access to accessibility features like VoiceOver, Assistive Touch, Zoom, and more
Access to Shortcuts users have created
Silent mode which will toggle all sounds off via a tap
Launching the camera app and also enabling the user to take a photo/video with a single press
Activate or Deactivate Focus mode
Turn on or off the Flashlight
Activate the Magnifier app
Launch the Translate app and start a conversation or text translation with a single press
Start or stop recording a voice memo
All the above nine functions will likely be trigged by tapping the Action button once. If the report indeed turns out to be true, it will be a helpful change compared to the Mute switch that otherwise limits usage. It also remains to be seen if Apple will introduce the Action button only for the Pro variants or make it available on non-pro versions as well.
Nothing is extending its product range, as reported by a tipster named Mukul Sharma, who spotted several new device listings on the Indian BIS certification.
Nothing smartwatch and TWS earbuds will soon hit the market
One of the devices, initially labeled as model number B163 under Power Banks, has now been confirmed to be a pair of True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earbuds set to launch under the brand name “CMF By Nothing.” The TWS earbuds’ charging case appeared on Indian BIS first, followed by the earbuds themselves in the wireless earphone category.
So yeah, the B163 device that I spotted a little while ago, is indeed a pair of TWS which will launch under the CMF By Nothing branding.
Prior to this, Sharma also discovered a trademark and certification for a product called “CMF By Nothing,” with model number “D395” which turned out to be a smartwatch. Both the smartwatch and TWS earbuds sightings on Indian BIS hint at an upcoming launch in the Indian market.
Nothing is known for its distinctive semi-transparent design, and this characteristic is expected to be present in the upcoming devices as well. Nothing has already made a mark in the audio space with the launch of Nothing ear (1) in 2021, which featured Bluetooth 5.2, Active Noise Cancellation, and a transparent design, all offered at an attractive price point of Rs. 5999. Nothing also recently introduced a new back color option for their earbuds earlier this month.
The recently launched Nothing Phone (2) boasts impressive specs, including the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, a 6.7-inch FHD+ OLED display, a dual 50MP rear camera setup, and a sizable 4700mAh battery and of course Glyph LEDs.
As Nothing continues to expand its product lineup, tech enthusiasts can expect more innovative and exciting devices in the near future, ready to hit both the Indian and global markets.
Infinix is preparing for the launch of the Infinix GT 10 Pro smartphone in India, which has garnered significant attention due to its back design inspired by Nothing smartphones. Prior to the official launch, live images of the Infinix GT 10 Pro have leaked online, along with the complete spec sheet.
According to @ZionsAnvin, the Infinix GT 10 Pro will come equipped with a 6.67-inch AMOLED FHD+ display featuring a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. The display is protected by NEG glass, ensuring added durability. Powering the device is the Dimensity 8050 processor, providing efficient performance for various tasks. The smartphone is equipped with 8GB LPDDR4x RAM and offers ample storage with 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage.
On the camera front, the Infinix GT 10 Pro features a 32MP front-facing camera for capturing stunning selfies. At the rear, it boasts a powerful 108MP triple camera setup, enabling users to capture high-quality photographs and videos. The smartphone is fueled by a sizable 5,000mAh battery and supports fast charging at 45W for quick and convenient charging. Additionally, it offers bypass charging functionality.
For added security and convenience, the Infinix GT 10 Pro features an in-display fingerprint sensor. The device runs on XOS 13, based on Android 13, and is complemented by a promise of no bloatware and no ads, providing users with a clean and clutter-free user experience. In terms of software support, the smartphone is set to receive one Android upgrade and two years of security updates.
Foldable smartphones have been captivating the market since 2019, consistently experiencing remarkable growth year after year. Today, nearly all major smartphone OEMs have foldables in their lineup.
While the entire smartphone market has been in decline for eight quarters straight, foldables seem to be defying the trend with solid growth.
According to Counterpoint Research, the global foldable smartphone market grew 64% YoY in Q1 2023. Brands shipped about 2.5 million units of foldables.
China is by a significant margin the largest market for foldable products, followed by Western Europe, Asia Pacific, and North America. In fact, China is the reason why there was a surge in foldable sales last quarter. Why is that so?
Let’s delve into the details.
Motorola Razr 40 Series
Chinese consumers have more options
Other than Apple and Samsung, the rest of the prominent smartphone manufacturers are Chinese. Due to the vast potential of a country with 1.4 billion people, these Chinese companies have prioritized their domestic market from the start.
Due to various economic factors and policies, it is more convenient for them to test the waters in a new product category in their home nation. In fact, Royole, a lesser-known, now-defunct Chinese company, introduced the world’s first commercially available foldable device.
Though Samsung is known for popularizing commercial foldable phones worldwide, Chinese brands are ruling the market in the region. Huawei was leading the Chinese foldable market for a very long time, but Oppo just got as big as the telecommunications giant last quarter.
As per the latest data by Counterpoint Research, both Huawei and Oppo have a 27% market share each in the Chinese foldable market. With a 26% share, Samsung is the duo’s closest competitor. Honor, Vivo, Xiaomi, and Motorola make up the remainder of the pie.
With the exception of Xiaomi and Motorola, all other brands offer both horizontal and vertical foldable smartphones. That is a lot of options for consumers, as each of these products has distinct advantages over the others.
For example, if you want an outward folding horizontal foldable, Huawei has got you covered with the Mate Xs series. It is currently the only commercial model of this type on the market. Moreover, if you want the best camera setup on your foldable, Vivo and Huawei offer excellent options despite sporting a thinner form factor than Samsung’s foldables.
The increased options have resulted in fierce competition in China. So it’s no surprise that foldables are comparatively more affordable here than in any other country. For instance, the Motorola Razr 40 starts at only ¥3,999 (~$560).
Foldables get extravagant launches and limited editions in China
Foldable smartphones fall into the premium category. They are getting more affordable, but the better ones are more expensive than regular flagships.
Also, foldable is still a new category, so consumers need more convincing. Therefore, these products are unveiled at grand launch events, especially in China.
Moreover, Chinese people love luxury goods, so brands use special edition foldables to cash in on this trend.
The special edition foldables from Chinese brands are mostly premium packages with a number of accessories. But Samsung has stepped up its game in this regard.
For those who do not know, Samsung is almost non-existent in the Chinese smartphone market, except for the premium smartphone market, thanks to its foldables.
Samsung sells one-of-a-kind Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip phones in China to set itself apart from its competitors. These special Samsung foldables go by the W series in China. They have additional design elements that make them look like luxury products.
Foldables do not seem to be slowing down
Foldables are getting more accessible with a drop in prices. Razr 40, the world’s cheapest foldable phone, was just released recently.
This handset, along with other clamshell phones, is expected to boost sales of foldables in the second half of 2023. The increase in shipments will not be limited to China, as most clamshell foldables are also available in other countries.
Tecno is also anticipated to launch its first clamshell foldable very soon. This device could be even cheaper than the Razr 40, going by the brand’s reputation. Even Apple is rumored to enter the foldable phone category, but only after 2025.
Clearly, the future of foldables is looking promising. The global foldable smartphone shipment is forecasted to hit 100 million units in 2027 by Counterpoint Research.
But will foldable smartphones replace regular slab smartphones in the future, or is it just an intermediary product category leading up to something better? Only time will tell.
Promate has launched a new audio device in India. The company had launched the ACME-PD20 power bank in the country last month. The latest TWS earphones from the brand are dubbed the Promate ProPods. They pack some impressive features and are priced under Rs 3,000 segment. The earbuds compete against the likes of other brands like boAt, Noise, Realme, OnePlus, and more in the market. Read on to know more below.
Promate ProPods specifications and features
The Promate ProPods are in-ear TWS earphones with a stem and angled ear tips. They offer a comfortable fit for extended usage. Users can perform various functions by tapping on the earbuds. They come with support for Siri and Google Assistant.
On the audio front, the Promate ProPods are said to offer high-fidelity audio with dynamic drivers. The earbuds feature active noise cancellation technology up to 25dB for eliminating background noise. There is also environmental noise cancellation for clear quality on calls. The earphones also pack ambient sound mode.
The Promate ProPods are backed by a 400mAh battery cell that is claimed to offer up to 60 hours of battery life. Each earbud has a 40mAh battery unit claimed to offer 25 hours of playback time. The TWS earphones support Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity and they can be connected automatically to a device.
The Promate ProPods carry a price tag of Rs 2,999. They are offered in Black and Blue colors. The earphones are already available for purchase from Amazon.
pTron has expanded its range of audio devices in India. The brand has launched a new TWS earphone. They are dubbed the pTron Zenbuds Ultima. The audio device packs some impressive specifications and features. Commenting on the launch, pTron said “Zenbuds Ultima is an example of advanced products with its exceptional premium feature and with affordable pricing”.
Read on to know what it offers out of the box.
pTron Zenbuds Ultima specifications and features
The pTron Zenbuds Ultima are in-ear TWS earphones with a dual-tone design. The stem has a glossy finish whereas the angled earbuds have a matte finish. The storage and charging case also have a Black and Blue color design. The earphones are IPX5 water-resistant.
In terms of audio, the pTron Zenbuds Ultima are equipped with a 13mm dynamic driver. They feature hybrid active noise cancellation up to 35dB. The earphones feature four mics and trutalk technology for environmental noise cancellation ensuring clear quality on calls. There is also a transparency mode for staying aware of your surroundings. The audio device packs 40ms low latency mode.
The pTron Zenbuds Ultima are powered by a 500mAh battery unit that is claimed to offer up to 50 hours of battery life. The earbuds support Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity with a 10m range.
The pTron Zenbuds Ultima are priced at Rs 1,499 and offered in Black and Blue colors. They are available for purchase from Amazon
Xiaomi has officially announced its much-anticipated foldable phone, the MIX Fold 3, set to hit the market in August. One of the key highlights of this device is the Leica optical full-range quad camera, making it the first foldable phone from Xiaomi to sport four rear cameras. This collaboration aims to bring significant advancements in mobile imaging, focusing on miniaturization to achieve top-tier imaging performance within a slim and lightweight chassis.
Xiaomi MIX Fold 3 specifications (rumored)
The camera specs are yet to be disclosed, but the quad-camera setup is rumored to include a primary Sony IMX800 sensor, an ultra-wide lens, a telephoto snapper with 3.2x optical zoom, and a periscope telephoto lens with 5x zoom. Currently, only Vivo and Huawei offer foldable devices with four cameras on the rear, featuring wide, ultrawide, and 2 telephoto cameras, one with a periscope lens.
The MIX Fold 3 boasts a stylish white curved glass body and will feature an 8.02-inch foldable AMOLED QHD+ 120Hz main display, along with a 6.56-inch AMOLED FHD+ 120Hz cover screen. There are also rumors about an under-display camera integrated into the internal display, adding to the phone’s appeal. The device will also implement the new waterdrop hinge to maintain a slim profile and enhance durability.
Under the hood, the phone is expected to be powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, coupled with up to 16 GB of LPDDR5x RAM and potentially up to 1 TB of UFS 4.0 storage. Operating on Android 13 with the MIUI Fold 14.1 overlay, the MIX Fold 3 promises an optimized foldable experience.
The upcoming Xiaomi device is expected to come with a 4,800mAh battery supporting 67W fast charging and 50W wireless charging, as per the 3C certification. Additionally, recent MIIT certification confirms the device will support 5G connectivity.
The MIX Fold 3 follows its predecessor, the MIX Fold 2, which features a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, a 6.56-inch external screen, an 8.01-inch internal screen, and a Leica imaging system.
The MIX Fold 3 will be manufactured in Xiaomi’s intelligent factory located in Beijing’s Yizhuang. This facility utilizes intelligent manufacturing systems to enhance production precision and reliability during the manufacturing process.
Overall, the MIX Fold 3 looks to be an exciting addition to the foldable phone market. As the launch date approaches, more details are expected to surface, so stay tuned for further updates. OnePlus is also gearing up to launch its first foldable phone dubbed as OnePlus Open.
OnePlus has seemingly confirmed the name of its first-ever foldable phone. The brand shared a tweet yesterday. It came around the time when Samsung unveiled its fifth generation Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5. The upcoming OnePlus foldable phone has already surfaced in leaked renders and specifications. Read on to know more about it below.
OnePlus Open is the name of the brand’s first foldable
The tweet shared by OnePlus reads ‘We OPEN where other FOLD’. This means that the foldable phone may indeed be called OnePlus Open although there is no direct confirmation. There have been speculations about the same name of the upcoming offering for some time. Previously, the brand’s foldable device was tipped to be called the OnePlus Fold or OnePlus V Fold.
Other details about the OnePlus Open remain a mystery. Earlier today, the brand announced that it will launch the Ace 2 Pro smartphone in China next month. The foldable phone is already confirmed to debut in the third quarter of this year. It’s quite a possibility that the device may be announced alongside the Ace 2 Pro.
As per leaked renders, the OnePlus Open has a tall form factor and a slim profile. The leather back panel has a protruding circular camera module with Hasselblad branding and it houses two 48MP sensors along with a 64MP periscope lens. As for the core specifications, the foldable phone is said to feature a 6.3-inch exterior and a 7.8-inch interior displays, both with AMOLED panels and a 120Hz refresh rate. The OnePlus Open is tipped to be powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor paired with up to 16GB RAM and 256GB storage. It will reportedly be backed by a 4,800mAh battery with support for 67W charging.
Earlier this year, Honor released the MagicBook X Pro laptops in China in 14-inch and 16-inch screen sizes. These laptops were equipped with Intel Core i5-13500H processors. Now, the company is teasing the launch of the new Honor MagicBook X Pro Ryzen Edition, which will be powered by the Zen 4-based R7 7840HS series processors. Other specifications of the laptop might remain the same. Let’s look at the details.
Honor MagicBook X Pro Ryzen Edition
Honor MagicBook X Pro Ryzen Edition has been teased to launch in China in the coming days, however, the company didn’t mention the exact date yet. The new notebook will be powered by an R7 7840HS series chipset based on Zen 4 architecture. For the unknown, AMD Zen 4 is the codename for a CPU microarchitecture designed by AMD. It is the successor to Zen 3 and uses TSMC’s N5 process for CCDs.
The rest of the laptop’s specifications are not yet known. However, the Honor MagicBook X 14 Pro Intel edition debuted in March 2023 with a Core i5-13500H processor. This sleek laptop weighs 1.34 kg and is 15.9 mm thick. It has an integrated metal hinge, a 14-inch 2.2K screen, supports e-book mode, and has received the Rheinland eye protection certification.
The laptop is equipped with a solid-state hard drive of up to 1TB. The storage can also be expanded to 2TB. The Honor MagicBook X Pro series supports the MagicOS smart interconnection. The laptop retails in China at a starting price of 4,499 yuan (~$649).
Following its initial debut of the Tab P12 Pro in 2021, Lenovo has recently introduced the Lenovo Tab P12. Additionally, the brand has launched the Tab M10 5G in Europe, following its release in India earlier this month.
Lenovo Tab P12 specs
The Lenovo Tab P12 boasts a 12.7-inch LTPS LCD screen featuring a resolution of 2944 x 1840 and a refresh rate of 60Hz, delivering a pixel density of 273ppi. For an immersive audio experience, the tablet comes equipped with Quad JBL speakers. On the camera front, it sports a 13MP front-facing camera with an RGB sensor and ultra-wide field of view, while the rear setup consists of an 8MP autofocus camera accompanied by a Flash LED.
Powering the device is the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 processor, which features an octa-core configuration comprising 2 x ARM Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.6GHz and 6 x ARM Cortex-A55 cores running at 2.0GHz. Operating on Android 13, the Tab P12 offers a promising software experience with the assurance of two years of OS updates and four years of security patches. It comes in two memory variants: 4GB RAM with 128GB storage and 8GB RAM with either 128GB or 256GB storage options. The tablet supports expandable storage via a MicroSD card.
Various sensors are included on the tablet like an accelerometer G sensor, RGB sensor, gyroscope, E-compass, and a hall sensor. A fingerprint sensor is integrated into the power key for added security. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6 and dual-band Wi-Fi, along with Bluetooth v5.1. The tablet comes with a USB Type-C 2.0 port. The device houses a powerful 10200mAh battery, offering up to 10 hours of video playback. It is available in two elegant colors, Storm Grey and Oat. It measures 293.3 x 190.7 x 6.9 mm and weighs 615g.
Lenovo Tab M10 5G specs
The Lenovo Tab M10 5G features a 10.61-inch 2K display with a resolution of 1200×2000 pixels, offering a 15:9 aspect ratio and a smooth 90Hz refresh rate. The tablet is equipped with 1 microphone, 2 speakers, and a 3.5mm audio jack, providing an immersive audio experience with Dolby Atmos support. It comes with an 8MP front-facing camera and a 13MP autofocus rear camera accompanied by a Flash LED.
The Tab M10 5G is powered by the Snapdragon 695 5G Mobile Platform, featuring a Kryo 660 processor with 2x Gold cores clocked at 2.2GHz and 6x Silver cores running at 1.8GHz. Running on Android 13 T, the tablet offers a year of OS updates and 3.5 years of security patches. It is available in two memory configurations: 4GB RAM with 128GB uMCP4x storage and 6GB RAM with 128GB uMCP4x storage. The tablet also supports expandable storage through a MicroSD card.
The device comes with various sensors, including an accelerometer G sensor, ambient light sensor, gyroscope, hall sensor, vibrator, and SAR sensor. For connectivity, the tablet offers dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth v5.1. The ports include a USB Type-C 2.0 port for charging, which supports QC3.0/PD3.0, as well as a MicroSD card slot and a Nano SIM card slot for 5G connectivity. With dimensions of 252.74 x 160.34 x 8.3 mm and weighing 490g, it is designed to be sleek and lightweight. The tablet houses a powerful 7,700mAh battery, offering up to 12 hours of video playback or up to 9 hours of video playback when using 5G. The Tab M10 5G comes in the color Abyss Blue, providing a stylish and appealing choice for users.
Price & availability
The Lenovo Tab P12, which includes a keyboard and Lenovo Tab Pen Plus, starts at €499 with VAT and will be available in select markets from July 2023. Alternatively, the Lenovo Tab P12, with just the Lenovo Tab Pen Plus included, starts at €399 with VAT and will also be available in select markets starting July 2023. On the other hand, the Lenovo Tab M10 5G starts at €399 with VAT and is set to launch in select markets from August 2023.
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