Bang & Olufsen has launched the Beosound A5 portable speaker in China. The new speaker concept is the culmination of the collaboration between B&O and GamFratesi. The portable Beosound A5 is available in Nordic Edition and Dark Oak Version.
The Nordic Edition of the model comes with a silver aluminum trim with brown fabric. On the other hand, the Dark Oak Edition comes in a black aluminum trim plus a dark coffee fabric.
The new B&O Beosound A5 portable speaker adopts a retro design and a powerful sound output
The Beosound A5 portable speaker has a four-driver bi-directional setup and features the latest acoustic technologies. It is a compact speaker but quite powerful. It is equipped with RoomSense technology which adjusts the music playback to suit the room settings. This delivers the best sound fidelity every time. The compact form factor of the Beosound A5 belies its power.
The official launch page of Bang & Olufsen’s Beosound A5 is already active on the company’s website. It provides comprehensive details about the new portable speakers. The Beosound A5 supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. The speakers feature touch tuning and can be used both indoors and outdoors.
The dark oak edition is currently sold out on Amazon but the Nordic Edition has a retail price of $1,199. Both speakers have been listed on JD.com and their prices are 7,798 yuan ($1,128) and 8,598 yuan ($1,244) respectively.
The pretty expensive prices of Bang & Olufsen’s products is due to the cost of production, the premium materials used to manufacture its speakers, the audio quality, and the brand name it has managed to create for itself over the years. B&O frequently uses includes natural high-grade aluminum, smoked oak wood, and top-quality stainless steel to deliver premium products
The IKEA VINDSTYRKA smart air quality sensor has been launched in the US and selected markets. The gadget can measure humidity, temperature, and the relative level of total Volatile Organic Compounds (tVOC) in the room. The tVOC levels in the room can be increased by cooking, paint, fireplaces, cleaning products, and aerosols in the room. The IKEA VINDSTYRKA smart air quality sensor is an important gadget in the smart home ecosystem.
The VINDSTYRKA smart air quality sensor has a built-in display that shows information with a color-coded system. This indicates the degree of air quality (i.e. good, bad, ok, etc). You can also view the information using the IKEA DIRIGERA hub via the IKEA Home smart app. The gadget is however not compatible with the IKEA TRADFRI smart home hub. The VINDSTYRKA can be linked with other smart home devices like the SRARKVIND air purifier.
The smart air quality sensor comes in a compact design and has dimensions of 2 x 2.25 x 3.5 inches. It is powered via USB-C connection and a charging plug is not included in the package. The IKEA VINDSTYRKA smart air quality sensor can be purchased in the US for $49.99. It is also available in the UK and parts of Europe. The price of the gadget in Europe is €39.99 while it retails for £35 in the UK.
There are no indications at this time about the global availability of the VINDSTYRKA outside the selected markets. More details about the smart air purifier sensor can be found on the IKEA website. The product can be purchased directly via the IKEA website and from e-commerce platforms.
Qualcomm is gearing up to launch its latest Snapdragon chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, and it’s generating a lot of excitement in the tech industry. After the successful production of the Snapdragon 8 chips by TSMC last year, the performance and power consumption have been greatly improved, and the popular Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 has helped the series overcome its reputation in the flagship market.
Higher clock speeds and advanced GPU: What to expect from Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
The next-generation Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is now in the final stages of development, and some core OEM partners have reportedly received early engineering samples for designing end-user phones. One of the most significant changes in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is its new CPU architecture.
For the first time, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 will feature a 1+5+2 architecture, as reported by Digital Chat Station. The new design consists of one large core, five large cores, and two small cores, with the model number SM8650. This new architecture replaces one small core with a large core, significantly boosting performance compared to the 1+4+3 architecture of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.
Previous reports suggest that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s large core will be upgraded to the advanced Cortex-X4, boasting a maximum frequency of 3.7GHz, which is a significant improvement over the 3.36GHz of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Additionally, the GPU will be upgraded to Adreno 750.
Improved performance and power efficiency with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
It is likely that TSMC will continue to produce the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, with the process technology being upgraded from N4 to N4P. Although it does not utilize the more advanced N3 process technology, N4P offers a 6% performance improvement compared to N4. Furthermore, N4P reduces the number of mask layers, simplifying the process and accelerating chip production cycles, making it more cost-effective and efficient than N3.
With the enhanced architecture and process technology, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is expected to achieve an AnTuTu benchmark performance of around 1.5 million points, providing users with smoother and more responsive experiences, especially when running demanding applications and games.
As for which manufacturer will be the first to launch a device featuring the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 platform, contenders include Xiaomi, OnePlus, and Vivo. MediaTek is also preparing to compete with Snapdragon flagship chips with their upcoming flagship chipset Dimensity 9200+.
The Zeb-Smart Cam 105 from Zebronics has been launched in India. The new smart camera features AI motion detection and night vision capabilities. It also comes with an affordable price tag.
The Zebronics Zeb-Smart Cam 105 is a comprehensive solution to home security needs. It is equipped with a full HD 1080p camera that can be used for live streaming and for taking high-resolution images. The camera notifies you whenever it detects movement in its area of coverage. The camera has a 355º horizontal and 120º vertical range of coverage. This provides a wide view of the room. The camera is further enhanced with infrared night vision with a 5 meters radius of coverage.
The Zeb-Smart Cam 105 is suitable for night security coverage due to its night vision capabilities. The 24×7 Live Monitoring feature allows you to keep tabs on what is happening inside your house even when you are away. The camera can record and store feeds on the device’s storage, expandable via MicroSD up to 128GB. Cloud storage is also available as an additional option.
You can also communicate with your loved ones when using the Smart Cam 105. It is equipped with superior microphones and a two-way audio system. Furthermore, the camera can be mounted easily on the wall. The companion smartphone app is compatible with Android and iOS devices.
The Zebronics Zeb-Smart Cam 105 has a launch price of Rs. 1,899 (~$23) and can be purchased from Amazon India. The original price of the surveillance camera is Rs. 4,399 (~$54). Zebronics says the Zeb-Smart Cam 105 is a comprehensive solution that provides safety and ease in today’s hectic life. It also combines affordability with quality while its versatility lends itself to various applications.
Oppo’s ColorOS 13 update has been rolled out to the majority of eligible smartphones, and the brand has even begun releasing an iterative update—ColorOS 13.1—to some devices. Recently, the Oppo Find X6 Pro received the new update, which includes camera and performance enhancements. Next month, the software will be made available to many more Oppo and OnePlus smartphones, as the brand has released the ColorOS 13.1 Update timeline for May.
The ColorOS 13.1 is said to be limited for phones in China and so is the new timeline. We could see on the Changelog of Find X6 Pro’s update that the software brings loads of improvements in the camera communication department but there are no new features as such. These improvements may vary from device to device.
List of devices receiving ColorOS 13.1 in May
May 4
OPPO Find X3
May 11
OnePlus 11
May 12
OnePlus 9R
OnePlus 8T
OPPO Reno9 Pro +
OPPO Reno8
May 15
OPPO Pad
OPPO Pad Artist Limited Edition
OPPO Reno6
OPPO Reno6 Pro
May 16
OPPO Reno9 Pro
OPPO Reno8 Pro +
May 17
OPPO Reno7 Pro
OPPO Reno8 Pro
OPPO Reno7 Pro League of Legends Limited Edition
OPPO Reno6 Pro+
OPPO Reno6 Pro+ Conan Limited Edition
OnePlus Ace 2V
OnePlus Ace 2
May 18
OnePlus Ace Pro
OnePlus Ace Pro Yuanshen Limited Edition
OPPO Reno7 SE
May 22
OPPO Reno5 Pro+ Artist Limited Edition
OPPO Reno5 Pro+
May 23
OPPO K10 Pro
May 24
OPPO Ace2 EVA Limited Edition
OPPO Ace2
May 25
OPPO Find N2 Flip
OPPO Find X2 Pro
OPPO Find X2 Pro Lamborghini Edition
OPPO Find X2, OPPO Reno7
OPPO Reno7 New Year Edition
OPPO Reno5 Pro, OnePlus Ace Racing Edition
OPPO Find X2 League of Legends S10 limited edition
A man has reportedly had his Redmi Note 12 Pro smartphone catch fire inside his shirt pocket. This is a seemingly rare event going by significant improvements OEMs had made on smartphones. However, it is coming on the heels of a rather disturbing news of an alleged Redmi Note 5 Pro explosion in India that led to the tragic demise of an 8-year-old girl.
The Indian man named Naveen Dahiya purchased his Redmi Note 12 Pro in February 2023. The phone was inside his shirt pocket on April 11 when he noticed smoke emanating from the device. He then felt a burning sensation and discovered the phone was on fire. He was lucky enough to remove the device from his pocket before it could do any damage to his skin.
Unwanted fireworks: Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 12 Pro unit allegedly goes up in flame in India after tragic Redmi Note 5 Pro incident
It is unclear what could have triggered the fire on the Redmi Note 12 Pro since it was not being charged at the time. The phone was subsequently completely destroyed by the fire. Dahiya was not harmed as he was able to throw the phone on the ground while it was burning. He thereafter contacted Redmi customer service but got a sub-par response from them. The user insists that if he does not get a satisfactory response from Redmi, he will take legal action against the company.
It is expected that Redmi comes up with an official response to this incident amidst fears that several other units may be having a similar risk of catching fire. It will need to undertake an investigation on the issue to safeguard the safety of Redmi Note 12 Pro users.
Source- Twitter (Posts deleted)
This incident serves as a reminder to users that smartphones could become dangerous when they malfunction. Users are therefore expected to take precautions always to prevent potential fire incidents. Part of the advice is not to overcharge the smartphone or leave them in extremely hot environments.
Lenovo is gearing up to launch a new tablet in the M series. Last year, the brand introduced the Lenovo Tab M8 (4th Gen) in Japan and various other markets. It featured an 8-inch IPS LCD panel and MediaTek Helio A22 chipset. The new tablet currently in development could potentially be the successor to the aforementioned model, carrying the name Lenovo Tab M8 (4th Gen) 2024. Recently, the device was spotted on the TDRA website. Here are the details.
Lenovo Tab M8 (4th Gen) 2024 Could bring some upgrades
Lenovo Tab M8 (4th Gen) 2024 model was spotted on the TDRA certification website with model number TB301FU. According to the listing, this tablet will come with Wi-Fi connectivity only. Unfortunately, no other specifications or details were provided in the database. However, the “2024” in the tablet’s name indicates that it is likely to be released next year.
Lenovo Tab M8 (4th Gen)
As the latest iterative, the tablet should bring some upgrades over its predecessor. For reference, the Lenovo Tab M8 (4th Gen) brings an 8-inch IPS LCD panel with an HD resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. The device offers dual speakers and a 3.5mm audio jack. It packs a MediaTek Helio A22 chipset with 3 GB of LPDDR4x RAM and a storage capacity of 32GB. There’s a dedicated microSD card slot for additional storage.
The Lenovo Tab M8 (4th Gen) runs on a near-stock version of Android 12 OS and will receive security updates for up to 3 years. For photography, there’s a 2MP front camera and a 5MP rear camera. It supports face unlock and gets a 5,100mAh battery that is claimed to last for up to 16 hours on a full charge.
WhatsApp is one of the best texting apps out there. Now that we stated the obvious, it’s important to also note its shortcomings. One particular area where the messaging app falls short is transferring chats from one Android device to another. You need to back up your chat history to Google Drive in order to transfer it to another Android phone, and if you don’t have a backup, this feature won’t available for you. However, the meta-owned application is now reported to be working on a cloud-less chat transfer option. Here are the details.
WhatsApp has a Chat Transfer tool in the development
According to WABetaInfo, some WhatsApp beta users running the latest Android v2.23.9.19 are seeing a chat transfer option. The screenshot shared by the publication details that the new tool will let users locally migrate their chats from one Android device to another without the need of using Google Drive.
To transfer chats, you’ll need to first select this new feature from the settings and scan a QR code from your new device to start the migration process. It is worth noting that this tool is unlikely to change how you transfer WhatsApp messages from Android to iOS or vice versa.
As mentioned earlier, the feature has been rolled out to only a few beta testers. You might not see an option on your WhatsApp settings even if you’re on the latest version of the app. Currently, there’s no news about when this chat transfer tool will be made public. Also, backing up your chats to Google Drive is always a good idea because then you can easily recover your chats even if you lose your device.
Earlier in January this year, e-ink tablet manufacturer Palm Reading unveiled the iReader Smart Air Pro e-paper book. The tech giant has now unveiled the Smart4 electronic paper book in China. The tablet is presently available on Jingdong for pre-sale at a price tag of 2,099 yuan ($303). The device has an initail price tag of 1,899 yuan ($274).
The new iReader Smart 4 e-paper book packs a 10.3-inch ink screen with a resolution of 1402 x 1872 pixels. The tablet is designed with a new process that reduces the thickness of the front panel by 30%, making the screen display more transparent. At the same time, the paper-sensitive soft light screen can reduce 97% of interfering light , and can further simulate the damping feeling when writing on real paper, bringing a more realistic writing feel. The tablet is only 6.2mm thick and weighs just 375g.
The smart e-book tablet is equipped with the highest X-Pen3 stylus, which supports 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity and a sampling rate of 360 times per second. The stylus utilizes a spine body design making it comfortable to hold. The stylus also comes with a physical page-turning key which flips the pages with a single click.
In terms of performance, the iReader Smart4 is equipped with a quad-core 2.0GHz processor while there is 64GB storage onboard.It crams a built-in 4000mAh large battery with up to 60 days battery life on standby.
Palm Reading iReader Smart4 has a built-in Palm Reading bookstore, with hundreds of thousands of genuine books including from comic magazines, and quality audio books.
iReader notes are super powerful, with 130+ note templates and personalized covers, making notes flexible and diverse. Users can easily convert recorded notes to text, and can be edited and copied, making it ideal for taking minutes of meetings.
Realme has already teased the display and design details of the upcoming Realme 11 Pro+ smartphone that is set to debut on May 9th in China. In the past, the phone has already bagged multiple certifications including 3C, IMEI, TENAA, BIS etc. Now ahead of the launch, the Realme 11 Pro+ has appeared on the Geekbench database. It reveals the hardware specifications of the device.
Realme 11 Pro+ Geekbench listing
The Realme 11 Pro+ is listed with model number RMX3740 on the Geekbench database. This is the same model number that had appeared on 3C certification and more. As per the benchmark database, the smartphone is equipped with an MT6877V/TTZA processor. It is the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 which is the same as the Dimensity 1080 which MediaTek has now rebranded. The chipset comprises six cores at 2.0GHz and two cores at 2.60GHz. The Geekbench listing reveals 12GB RAM onboard and we can expect more variants at launch. Software-wise, the smartphone will ship with an Android 13 OS out of the box.
The Realme 11 Pro+ scores 838 and 2303 points in Geekbench’s single-core and multi-core test results.
The Realme 11 Pro+ is confirmed to come with a 10-bit AMOLED curved display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It will sport a circular protruding rear camera module which will be the first from the brand. The island will accommodate a 200MP main camera sensor along with two additional lenses. The upcoming offering will be available in Beige faux leather back panel with a centrally running vertical stripe with gold and silver stitching.
Remember the Redmi Max 100-inch TV launched last year? The smart TV was so big that it was impossible to fit it into an elevator for owners who live in high-rise buildings. Xiaomi had to deliver the smart TV with crane to such apartments. Despite this logistic challenge, the smart TV was unusually popular such that it was hard to come by. Welll, Xiaomi has launched a new model with a slightly smaller but still giant display.
The Redmi Max 90-inch Giant screen TV comes with a 90 inches display. The smart TV adopts a special-shaped packaging design and can be placed diagonally into the elevator, making it easier to be carried into homes in high rise apartment blocks.
Redmi MAX 90-inch Giant Screen TV launched as the successor to the Redmi MAX-100-inch Giant Screen TV
In terms of the specs, the smart TV adopts a native 4K super large screen, supports 100-level partition backlight, and 4096-level precision dimming. The screen is tuned one by one at the factory, supporting 1.07 billion color display. Also, the Redmi MAX 90-inch TV supports e-sports-level 144Hz ultra-high refresh rate and is equipped with HDMI 2.1 next-generation game interface. It supports variable refresh rate (VRR) and automatic low-latency (ALLM), allowing users to play 3A masterpieces without lag.
Furthermore, the new gaint-screen smart TV is equipped with a 30W high-power speaker which can realize Dolby Vision and panoramic sound. Combined with the giant display screen, the smart TV offers the ultimate audio and video experience.
The MAX 90-inch giant-screen TV is equipped with a quad-core A73 processor paired with 3GB RAM while there is 32GB storage onboard. The smart TV also comes with support for Wi-Fi 6 and has fast network speed and low latency. Apart from the HDMI 2.1 port, other interfaces on the TV include HDMI 2.0, USB 3.0, USB 2.0, network cable port, and AV input, among others.
The Redmi Max 90-inch smart TV is presently on presale in China. The product carries a 7999 yuan ($1,156) price tag. It is expected to be launched officially on May 10.
Xiaomi is the only mainstream Android OEM that still continues to run a public beta program for its mobile software — MIUI. However, the company has been slowly limiting the availability of beta builds for the last few years.
Ever since the firm ended the MIUI Global Beta initiative in 2019, it has been restricting the program in China as well. The latest example of this comes from an official announcement from Xiaomi itself on its community forum.
Earlier today, Xiaomi revealed that it will be suspending the MIUI beta program for its last-gen tablets, its first foldable, a value flagship, three lifestyle phones, and a couple of popular budget models.
The aforementioned smartphones and tablets will no longer receive weekly MIUI beta builds from August 4. By then, most of these products will be 2 years old.
Usually, when Xiaomi discontinues beta builds for a device, it signals the nearing of the end of the software support. These products may receive only one major software update in the near future.
This is sad news for Xiaomi Pad 5 series users since people stick with their tablets for more years than their smartphones. Xiaomi is historically known for providing poor software support for tablets. We expected it to change with its revival of tablets but that doesn’t seem to be the case.
The discontinuation of the beta initiative for these devices has no effect on global users. But if you are one of those few users who sideload these beta builds, it’s time for you to switch to the stable channel.
The highly anticipated POCO F5 is set to launch in the Indian market next month. However, prior to its release, a new leak has possibly revealed the starting price tag of the upcoming smartphone. So let’s have a look.
POCO F5 tipped to launch in India with a sub 30K INR price tag
For those unaware, the Chinese smartphone maker is set to unveil the F5 model in the region on 9th May 2023. There is also an F5 Pro variant, but it is believed to be an exclusive model to the European market. But prior to its official release, known tipster Paras Guglani, shared the pricing of the base model on Twitter. Looking at his tweet, @passionategeekz stated that the POCO F5 will go on sale in India for a price tag of 27,999 INR (roughly 342 US Dollars).
Unfortunately, the tipster did not mention the storage variant that carries this price tag, but it will likely be the base variant. Lastly, he also added that the brand will not be discontinuing the previous generation POCO F4 model after the launch of its successor. Although, it will probably be available with additional discounts soon. This was all the details shared by the tipster, but past rumors and reports have hinted at some of its key specs. Notably, this news also arrives shortly after a Paraguay pricing leak of the F5 series.
The POCO F5 will feature the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 SoC that is paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. The rear will likely features a 64 megapixel triple camera setup, while the front sports a 6.67 inch AMOLED display with a Full HD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. The front will even include a 16 megapixel selfie camera as well. A large 5,000mAh battery pack is expected to power this device that would support 67W fast charging.
The highly anticipated OnePlus Nord 3 has been making rounds online after being spotted on various leaks and rumors. Now, the latest report has found the upcoming mid range smartphone listed on a certification database, which hints at its imminent launch.
OnePlus Nord 3’s TKDN sighting hints at its near launch
Just earlier this month, the Chinese smartphone maker’s Nord 3 model was spotted on multiple certification platforms like NBTC and TDRA. The latest sighting now arrives from TKDN, which lists the device with the CPH2493 model number. Looking at this listing, the OnePlus Nord 3 will arrive with support for various 5G bands like n1, n3, n5, n48, and n40. Unfortunately, the brand has yet to officially unveil this device, but we do have past rumors do hint at some of its supposed specification.
The Nord 3 is expected to be a rebranded version of the OnePlus Ace 2V, which was announced in China just last month. In other words, the Nord 3 will also sport a tall 6.74 inch AMOLED display that features Full HD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, the Ace 2V is equipped with the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 SoC that is paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. A large 5,000mAh battery pack powers the smartphone, which supports 80W fast charging.
On the rear, the Nord 3 is also expected to feature a 64 megapixel triple camera setup, which consists of an 8 megapixel ultra wide angle lens, and a 2 megapixel macro sensor. Meanwhile, the front will likely house a 16 megapixel selfie shooter. The device will run on Android 13 OS based OxygenOS 13.1.
POCO is gearing up to launch the F5 and F5 Pro smartphones in the global market on May 9th. The pro variant was spotted in leaked renders as well as an unboxing video recently. Now, the brand’s global branch has officially teased the upcoming offering on its Twitter handle.
POCO F5 Pro to come with WQHD+ display
3 years later, POCO's Pro flagship strikes back harder than ever. 🟡🚀
A true flagship experience that's hyper-powered in every way. How so?
The first teaser reveals that the POCO F5 Pro will come with a flat screen having a center-aligned punch-hole cutout and slim bezels. It will feature a WQHD+ display resolution. The power and volume rocker buttons are located on the right side. The USB-C port, SIM card slot, microphone, and speaker grille are located at the bottom of the device.
#POCOF5Pro to capture your heart and ignite your soul! 🟡
Another tweet shows the POCO F5 Pro’s back panel design. It has curved edges for a comfortable grip. Both sides of the back panel have carbon racing stripes. There is a rectangular camera module at the top left corner. It houses three camera sensors along with an LED flash. The teaser also confirms the presence of OIS on the smartphone. The upcoming offering is seen in Black color and we can expect more options at launch.
The latest teaser of the POCO F5 Pro suggests that it is indeed the rebranded Redmi K60 that debuted in China last December. Hence we can expect the device to pack the same core specifications. These include a 6.67-inch 2K 120Hz AMOLED display, a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC, and a 5,500mAh battery unit with support for 67W wired and 30W wireless charging.
The smartphone market in India recorded its highest-ever decline in Q1 2023 i.e. the period from January to March. As per Counterpoint Research’s Market Monitor, smartphone shipments in the country fell 19 percent year-on-year to 31 million units in Q1, 2023. This is also the third consecutive quarterly decline in smartphone shipments.
Smartphone shipments in India see highest decline in Q1, 2023
The reason for the decline in the Indian smartphone market is said to be due to sluggish demand, growing preference for refurbished phones, and high inventory build-up from 2022. Additionally, there is a shift in consumer behavior with demand now centered around promotional periods. Counterpoint Research forecasts a similar situation in Q2, 2023 with growth returning only in the second half of the year due to faster 5G upgrades, easing macro pressure, and the festive season.
As per the Counterpoint Research’s report, the Rs 30,000 – 45,000 and above Rs 45,000 price segments recorded 60 and 66 percent growth in shipments respectively. Meanwhile, the share of shipments in the Rs 10,000 to Rs 30,000 slipped by as much as 35 percent in Q1. 5G smartphone shipments crossed 40 percent for the first time.
South Korean major Samsung led the smartphone market in India in Q1, 2023 for the second straight quarter with a 20 percent share. It also led the 5G phone shipments with a 24 percent share. Vivo came in second place with a 17 percent share. Xiaomi fell to the third spot with a 16 percent share and a 44 percent year-on-year decline. This is due to weak demand in the sub-Rs 10,000 segment, over-dependence on online channels, and a confusing portfolio. OPPO bagged the fourth position with 12 percent share whereas Realme slipped to the fifth place with a 52 percent YoY decline.
Additionally, apart from the top five lists, OnePlus became the fastest growing brand with 72 percent YoY growth driven by Nord CE 2 Lite and OnePlus 11 series. Apple also clocked 50 percent growth. The Cupertino-based tech giant registered 32 and 62 percent shares in the premium and ultra-premium segment respectively.
Realme is gearing up to launch the Realme 11 series in China on May 10th. The lineup is expected to comprise a standard, pro, and pro+ variant. Ahead of the launch, the brand has started dropping teasers of the Realme 11 Pro+. It will arrive as the successor to the last year’s Realme 10 Pro+.
Realme 11 Pro+ display teased
Previously, Realme teased the design of the Realme 11 Pro+. Now the brand’s latest teaser reveals the display details of the upcoming offering. The device will retain the curved screen with a 61-degree curvature from its predecessor. It is confirmed to feature a 10-bit AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The smartphone will have a 2,160Hz PWM dimming. The Realme 11 Pro+ is said to offer a 2.33mm ultra-narrow chin and a center-aligned punch-hole display.
The latest teaser does not reveal any additional details about the Realme 11 Pro+. The smartphone is confirmed to sport a circular protruding rear camera module which will be the first from the brand. It will feature a 200MP main camera sensor along with two additional lenses. The upcoming offering is also confirmed to come in a Beige faux leather back panel option called ‘Sunrise City’. It also has a centrally running vertical stripe with gold and silver stitching. Additionally, the frame of the phone has a gold color.
We can expect Realme to tease more details about the Realme 11 series in the coming days leading up to the launch event. As for the core specifications, the Realme 11 Pro+ is rumored to be powered by a Dimensity 7-series processor coupled with up to 16GB RAM. It is tipped to be backed by a 5,000mAh battery unit with support for 100W fast charging.
Just recently, HTC had launched the Wildfire E2 Plus, which is a budget grade device . But now, it appears that the company is also working on a new mid range smartphone in the market soon. So here are all the details.
Unknown HTC phone recently surfaced on Bluetooth SIG
The smartphone maker is apparently working on a new handset which was recently spotted online. Unfortunately, we still have no idea what this device will actually be called, but we the new report has just revealed some of its key specifications. The new HTC smartphone has just been spotted on Bluetooth SIG carrying the model numbers, 2QC9200, 2QC9100, and 2QCB100. In other words, the company’s upcoming smartphone will be launching in at least three markets.
The listing also revealed that it will arrive with support for Bluetooth 5.2 and WiFi 6E. Under the hood, the HTC smartphone will reportedly be equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 700 series chipsets. Although, it is unknown which exact chip model will ship with the new HTC phone. Furthermore, the device will reportedly also feature a FastConnect 6700, which is a 14nm 2×2 Mobile Connectivity system to accelerate WiFi connectivity.
As of right now, there are only three Snapdragon 700 series chips, which include the Snapdragon 778, Snapdragon 778+, and Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 SoC. In other words, we can narrow it down to these chip models. This is all the information we have regarding this matter, so stick around for more as we will be providing more updates when additional information is available regarding this device.
A couple of years ago, Realme launched a lifestyle sub-brand named TechLife to launch AIoT devices. At the beginning of this month, the company announced that TechLife has been rebranded to Narzo. The Narzo N55, which was announced after the rebranding, is the company’s first Narzo N-series phone. The N55 is aimed at people who are looking for a stylish phone with lots of features on a phone that’s priced under Rs 12,000. Continue reading ahead to learn what’s in store for people looking forward to purchasing the Narzo N55.
Realme Narzo N55 review: What’s in the box?
Realme Narzo N55
The Realme Narzo N55 retail package includes the following items:
Realme sent us the Realme Narzo N55 in Prime Blue edition, which sports an attractive dual-tone design and flat edges. In Realme’s words, it is dubbed “Dynamic Splicing Design.” The top portion housing the cameras has a slightly darker finish, whereas the remaining portion has a lighter shade with a subtle shimmery pattern. The rear shell and frame of the device are made from polycarbonate material. The thickness of the device is 7.89 mm, and it weighs 189.5 grams. In terms of design, I can say that Realme has done a good job in the design department on the N55.
The top edge of the Realme Narzo N55 is barren, whereas its bottom features a speaker grille, a USB-C port, a microphone, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The left side of the phone features a SIM slot, while its right edge has a volume rocker and a power key, which are integrated with a fingerprint sensor.
The phone’s retail package doesn’t come with a protective case, so I recommend purchasers of this phone consider buying one to prevent it from getting damaged if it falls.
Realme Narzo N55Realme Narzo N55Realme Narzo N55
Moving on to the display, the Narzo N55 is fitted with a massive 6.72-inch ISP LCD panel with a punch-hole design and slim bezels, which allows it to offer an impressive screen space. The screen produces an FHD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. There are three refresh rate options: Auto Select, High (90Hz), and Standard (60Hz).
The screen color mode available in display settings provides Vivid and Natural color profiles. The former produces richer colors, while the latter offers softer colors. Both color schemes offer color temperature options like Cooler, Default, and Warmer. The phone supports Widevine L1 DRM. The Narzo N55, with its large display, is a good device for content consumption. While the screen is quite bright, as it offers up to 680 nits of brightness, users are likely to encounter viewing issues under direct sunlight, which is a common issue on most phones in this price segment.
Performance and Software
MediaTek Helio G88
5,000mAh battery
4GB / 6GB of LPDDR4x RAM
33W charging
64GB / 128GB of eMMC 5.1 storage
Android 13 OS with ColorOS 13
12GB of virtual RAM
Realme Narzo N55Realme Narzo N55
The Realme Narzo N55 is powered by the MediaTek Helio G88, which is a 12nm chip. The review unit, which was provided to me, has 6 GB of RAM and a large storage capacity of 128 GB. There is a dedicated microSD card slot onboard. In addition, it offers up to 12 GB of virtual RAM.
The Narzo N55 comes equipped with a decent 5,000mAh battery. Using the 33W charger that came with the device, it took approximately 73 minutes for the phone to fully charge from 0 to 100 percent.
The Narzo N55 is good enough for playing lighter games. The Realme UI 4.0-based Android 13 feels smooth and feature-rich until you open the app drawer, where you can find bloatware, such as Hot Apps, Hot FreeGames, and Hot Games, to name a few. While these cannot be removed, other preloaded apps like ShareChat, Moj, Josh, and so on can be uninstalled. Otherwise, the overall performance of the device is smooth and offers a clutter-free experience.
The review will be incomplete without talking about the Mini Capsule feature, which seems to be inspired by Apple’s Dynamic Island available on iPhones. The Mini Capsule feature can show charging status and data usage limits on a capsule-like screen space occupying the left and right sides of the display punch-hole.
Realme Narzo N55’s mini-capsule feature
The Mini-Capsule as well as other features like Dual-Mode Audio and Sleep Capsule are available through the Realme Lab section in Settings. With Dual-Mode Audio, you can connect both wired and wireless headphones to enjoy music through either option. Meanwhile, Sleep Capsule is a night mode that limits access to certain apps. The Realme UI 4.0 also includes a feature named “Auto Pixelate” that, upon a single tap, will promptly identify and pixelate profile names and photos in screenshots.
Here is a look at the Narzo N55’s performance on Geekbench, AnTuTu, and CPU Throttle.
The Narzo N55 has an 8-megapixel camera on the front. Its back panel has a flagship-grade 64-megapixel OmniVision OV64GB camera and a 2-megapixel B&W sensor. The N55 comes with the same primary camera as the Realme GT Master Edition, a more expensive phone. However, to fully utilize the capabilities of the camera sensor, it is also crucial to have a powerful chipset like the Snapdragon 778G that’s available on the GT Master Edition. While the Helio G88 is a good chip, it is not as powerful as the Snapdragon 7-series chip, which is usually on phones priced around Rs 25,000. Nevertheless, the N55 does not really disappoint in the camera department.
The camera app on the N55 offers modes like Night, Street, Video, Photo (default), Portrait, 64MP, Pano, SlowMo, Timelapse, and Pro. The man snapper offers four digital zoom shorts, such as 1x, 2x, 5x, and 10x.
Potrait mode (object)With night modeWith night modeSelfie with portrait modeselfie with portrait mode
By default, the primary camera captures 16-megapixel photos with good detail and colors that are slightly saturated. The close-up images were sharp and distinct, exhibiting minimal noise and excellent details. If the lighting conditions are poor, the night mode can be useful in reducing noise, but this may also result in a decrease in image sharpness. Additionally, taking a photo in the night mode takes longer, around 4-5 seconds, and requires holding the phone still. The phone supports up to 60fps 1080p video recording. It does not offer any sort of stabilization feature.
When there is ample light, the 8-megapixel selfies captured turn out well, exhibiting natural colors. When using the front-facing camera’s Portrait mode, the edge detection feature was typical for this category. However, selfies taken in low light appeared slightly soft and noisy, and the edge detection feature was not precise.
The Realme Narzo N55 possesses a solitary speaker located at the bottom. It includes a 200% volume boost capability that appears to amplify high-frequency sounds. However, the rise in volume is not particularly substantial.
Verdict
Realme Narzo N55
To sum up, the Realme Narzo N55 is an attractive device that tries to do many things at an affordable price. Some may feel that the device should have included an AMOLED display, but doing so would have increased its price. Its features, like a flagship-level camera, 33W fast charging, a big battery, a decent processor, and a massive display, are enough to recommend it to someone who is looking for a budget-friendly device.
The Narzo N55 competes with the likes of the Tecno Spark 10 Pro, the Redmi 12C, and the Moto G32. There are two 5G phones as well with similar pricing, such as the Vivo T2x and Blaze 5G. While these offer 5G connectivity, their other specs could be inferior to the N55.
Variants, Price and Availability
The Realme Narzo N55 is available for purchase through Amazon and Realme India’s website. It is also available for purchase through offline stores across India. It comes in the following variants and color options:
Disclaimer: All of the opinions in this Realme Narzo N55 review are mine and based on my own experiences. There has been no editorial input from Realme.
Apple continues to make waves in the smartphone market with the iPhone 14 series. This year, the company has particularly drawn attention with the Dynamic Island feature in the Pro models, likely experiencing one of the brightest periods in its history. However, when it comes to technology, being at the top is not enough.
You must always look ahead and work on exciting models that will thrill users. Moving in this direction, the US tech giant has been working on the iPhone 15 series for some time now. Naturally, some information leaks out during this process, and we can get an idea about the new iPhones before they are even introduced. According to latest reports, the iPhone 15 Pro is still expected to feature an ‘Action’ button instead of a mute switch. Here are the details…
iPhone 15 Pro Still Expected to Feature ‘Action’ Button Instead of Mute Switch
When it comes to design, smartphones have not been showing much difference from each other for a while now. Although general designs and rear camera placements vary, the front side is almost entirely made up of the screen. This situation leads to each new model feeling the same as the previous one. Manufacturers, not wanting to lose the sense of innovation, frequently try different designs.
Source: 9to5Mac
For example, it had been said for some time that Apple would get rid of mechanical buttons and use solid-state buttons with vibration feedback. However, it was learned that the company is not too keen on this change and postponed it to the iPhone 16 series to be released in 2024. Nevertheless, this does not mean that there will not be a significant change. Apparently, Apple is preparing to sacrifice a feature that users love in order to make the necessary innovation.
The upcoming iPhone 15 Pro will come with a previously leaked customizable “Action” button. The new devices will feature two mechanical volume buttons and an additional mechanical button that replaces the Ring/Silent switch. This feature will be similar to the “Action” button already used on the Apple Watch Ultra, and users will be able to assign any desired function to this button.
With this development, it is now confirmed that the difference between the iPhone 15 Pro and standard models will increase even more. For many years, Apple did not make any distinction between the two models, apart from the camera and battery, and launched almost similar models. However, with the iPhone 14, we saw processor and design differences exclusive to the Pro models. It seems that this change will become even more significant in the future.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
