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OnePlus Nord 3 Launch Timeline Unveiled, Could Be a Rebranded OnePlus Ace 2V

OnePlus has recently confirmed that the OnePlus Ace 2V, previously known as the OnePlus Ace 2 Dimensity Edition will be launching on March 7, 2023, in China. This smartphone will borrow some aspects of the existing OnePlus Ace 2 while featuring some distinct hardware from its sibling.

OnePlus Ace 2V
OnePlus Ace 2V

The OnePlus Ace 2V is expected to arrive as the OnePlus Nord 3 for the rest of the world. Industry expert Max Jambor has now revealed that the OnePlus Nord 3 will debut in the global market sometime in July 2023. That is a massive 4-month delay from its Chinese launch date. The global version of the device is expected to launch in both Green and Black color options.

From various announcements and leaks, we know that the OnePlus Ace 2V will feature a boxy design with flagship-grade aluminum sides. It will also feature the iconic alert slider, which has been missing in the recent Nord series smartphones. Keep reading to know more about the specs of the OnePlus Nord 3.

OnePlus Nord 3 specs & feaures

According to previous reports, the upcoming OnePlus Nord 3 is expected to feature a 6.72-inch AMOLED display with Full HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The phone could be powered by the octa-core Dimensity 9000 processor from MediaTek, which debuted in 2021 and as a flagship SoC from the MediaTek camp. The chipset is paired with 8GB/16GB RAM and 128GB/256GB internal storage.

The Nord 3 may come with a triple-camera setup on the back, featuring a 50MP or a 64MP primary camera, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro sensor. For selfies and video calls, the phone could have a 16MP front-facing camera.

The device is expected to be equipped with a 5,000mAh battery that supports 80W SuperVOOC charging. Additionally, the Nord 3 will retain OnePlus’s signature alert slider or mute switch, which is a convenient feature to have.

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Huawei Sues Xiaomi Over Alleged Patent Infringement of Camera and Other Technologies

It’s common for big tech companies to engage in patent infringement, leading to legal action by their competitors. Despite this, these companies continue to repeat the same mistakes. In a recent development, Huawei has filed a lawsuit against Xiaomi, accusing them of infringing on various technologies. The case has even been accepted by China’s Intellectual Property Office.

China’s National Intellectual Property News recently published details of major patent infringement disputes that have been accepted by the country’s Intellectual Property Office. As per the details, Huawei has sued Xiaomi for the infringement of four of its registered patents. The case filed by the company has been accepted by the State Intellectual Property Office on January 17, 2023.

Huawei-sues-xiaomi
Image Via ITHome

Two of the four patents involved in the dispute are related to the unauthorized use of 4G/LTE technology, which is a standard essential patent (SEP). Huawei also accuses Xiaomi of using its method for obtaining panoramic images. The fourth patent involves the infringement of some sort of smartphone unlocking technology developed by Huawei.

For the unaware, patent infringement occurs when an entity manufactures, imports, uses, sells, or offers for sale a patented technology without permission/license from the patent holder. If Huawei manages to prove its case against Xiaomi, the latter may have to pay a hefty fine.

Huawei has always been vocal about other companies stealing its patented technologies. During the World Design Capital Conference last year, the company’s CEO said “in several industries, including some companies in China, our designs are being copied without our consent. Furthermore, some of our patents are being used without payment of the requisite patent fees. Such entities are passing off these designs and patents as their own, even though they were originally created by us.”

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Qualcomm and Prophesee to Develop Smartphone Cameras That Work Like Human Eyes

Smartphone cameras are constantly improving, with some models even challenging professional cameras and being used frequently by content creators. While they may not yet be as successful as DSLR cameras, their ease of use and portability make them stand out. And now, Qualcomm has signed a deal that will make smartphone cameras even better. Here are the details…

Camera chip startup Prophesee and Qualcomm sign multi-year deal

Camera chip startup Prophesee has announced a multi-year deal with Qualcomm. The companies will jointly develop smartphone technology using Prophesee’s camera chips. The innovative chips, which are inspired by the way the human eye works, process only changes in the scene, such as movement or light, rather than the entire image frame. This unique feature allows Prophesee’s camera chips to be faster and require less computing power, making them ideal for use in smartphones.

Luca Verre, co-founder, and CEO at Prophesee, explained that their camera chips work with pixels that only send information to the processor when there is change. Pixels that perceive no change stay muted. Prophesee’s latest chips have a million pixels. Qualcomm plans to use the additional Prophesee chip in combination with conventional camera chips in a blueprint for smartphones, which will be released at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

The Prophesee chip will be outsourced for manufacturing to Sony Group Corp. Verre said that “we are really combining both key players in the space,” referring to both Qualcomm and Sony, without disclosing financial terms of the deal. Mass production of the chips is planned for next year when they would be integrated into phones.

According to the announcement, the additional Prophesee chip will help correct some of the blurry imagery in existing smartphone camera systems. By improving the quality of images, the chips are expected to enhance user experiences and contribute to the development of innovative smartphone technologies. However, we will see in time what results this partnership brings out.

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Xiaomi Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Set 2 Launched With Improved Design and Longer Battery Life

Xiaomi has launched a new computer accessory in China. The product is officially called Xiaomi Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Set 2.

As the name suggests, it is the company’s second-gen wireless keyboard and mouse combo. The new model comes with a couple of changes and a design uplift.

Xiaomi Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Set 2

The latest keyboard-mouse accessory from Xiaomi is marketed as featuring an ‘optimized shape and surface’. In layman’s terms, the design of the product has been tweaked to make it more comfortable.

For example, the new mouse only weighs 45g as compared to the previous model’s 60g weight. However, the new keyboard is slightly heavier at 534g as opposed to the 500g weight of the older version.

The keyboard arrives with micro-arc keycaps and a 2.8mm key travel. It not only has a numeric pad but also a 12-key function row with support for media controls.

On the other hand, the mouse offers support for up to 1000 DPI, which is the same as its predecessor. It comes with a built-in 2.4Ghz USB Type-A receiver, which needs to be inserted in the port of the desired PC/laptop for wireless connection.

Xiaomi claims that its new-gen keyboard-mouse combo provides a better battery life than the earlier model, however, it does not say how much. Finally, the latest model uses AA batteries instead of AAA.

The Xiaomi Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Set 2 is priced at ¥99 in China. It is already up for sale and the company is offering a ¥10 discount for a limited time.

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OnePlus Pad With Dimensity 9000 SoC Stops by Geekbench

OnePlus is known for its flagship smartphones but the brand has started exploring new product categories recently. The company is slated to launch its first foldable smartphone sometime later this year. But before that, we’ll be getting a tablet— OnePlus Pad— from the brand, which has already been announced at Cloud 11 event earlier this month. While we wait for the slate’s first sale, it has appeared on the Geekbench website with its performance score. Let’s have look at the details.

OnePlus Pad is yet to go on sale. The brand confirmed during the launch that the tablet will be sold in limited regions starting April. Ahead of that the OnePlus tablet has stopped by the Geekbench benchmarking site with a MediaTek Dimensity 9000 SoC under the hood. It has been listed with 8GB RAM and Android 13. The tab will also be available in a 12GB RAM configuration.

OnePlus Pad geekbench

The processor on the device has an octa-core architecture with a Cortex-X2 core clocked at 3.05GHz, 3× Cortex-A710 cores at 2.85GHz, and 4× Cortex-A510 cores at 1.80GHz each. The OnePlus Pad has managed to score 897 points in the single-core and 3190 points in the multi-core test of Geekbench 5. The scores look pretty decent.

To recall, the tablet comes with an 11.6-inch LCD display that offers a 144Hz refresh rate and 2800 × 2000 pixel resolution. The panel produces 500 nits peak brightness and has Dolby Vision certifications. Backed by a 9510mAh battery unit, the slate supports 67W SuperVOOC fast charging. It gets a 13MP camera on the back and an 8MP front camera. OnePlus Pad weighs around 552 g and measures around 6.5mm in thickness.

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Xiaomi 12 Pro Gets a ₹10,000 Permanent Price Cut in India

Earlier today, Xiaomi revealed the pricing and availability of the Xiaomi 13 Pro in India. At the same time, the company also made an interesting announcement.

Usually, when a company releases a new premium smartphone, the older outgoing model is discontinued. However, the trend is changing now.

Just like how Samsung continues to sell the Galaxy S22 after the debut of Galaxy S23, Xiaomi will also do the same with the last year’s Xiaomi 12 Pro.

Xiaomi 12 Pro review 22

Xiaomi India has confirmed that it will continue selling the Xiaomi 12 Pro despite the launch of the Xiaomi 13 Pro in the country. The device will be now available at a new price starting tomorrow (March 1).

The Xiaomi 12 Pro will be now sold at ₹52,999 and ₹56,999 for 8GB + 256GB and 12GB + 256GB memory configurations, respectively. In other words, the company has dropped the price of the handset by ₹10,000.

On top of the new price, customers can either avail an instant discount of ₹3,000 on HDFC Bank cards or an additional exchange bonus of up to ₹5,000.

With the revised pricing, the Xiaomi 12 Pro and the Galaxy S22 now cost about the same. For the unaware, the latter starts at ₹57,999.

Unfortunately, both phones are notorious for their thermal and battery performances, courtesy of the ill-fated Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset manufactured by Samsung Foundry. Nevertheless, they are good at other aspects.

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OnePlus Buds Pro 2 Lite China Launch Set for March 7, Check Details

Earlier this month, OnePlus hosted the global launch event of the OnePlus 11 flagship smartphone. Along with the premium smartphone, the brand also launched the OnePlus Buds Pro for global consumers. For Indian consumers, the brand also introduced the OnePlus Buds Pro 2R. These are essentially cut-down versions of the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 that lack a couple of features.

OnePlus

Now, it appears that OnePlus plans to launch these earbuds in its domestic Chinese market under a new name. A recent teaser reveals that these earbuds will arrive in China bearing the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 Lite moniker. The official launch date is set for March 7. Let’s take a look at the specs and features of the OnePlus Buds Pro 2R to get an idea of what’s coming with the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 Lite.

OnePlus Buds Pro 2R specs & features

The OnePlus Buds Pro 2R shares many similarities with the standard model, except for its wireless charging and head tracking capabilities. The earbuds feature a dual-tone design, with a glossy stem and matte upper finish.

OnePlus

Equipped with dual drivers measuring 11mm and 6mm in size, the Buds Pro 2R boasts adaptive active noise cancellation of up to 48dB, as well as a transparency mode for environmental sounds. LHDC 5.0 audio codec and 54ms low latency are also supported for gaming.

Spatial audio is a feature of the earbuds, but without head tracking, which allows for a 3D audio effect when you turn your head in certain apps. Bluetooth 5.2 allows for connection to two devices simultaneously. The Buds Pro 2R provides a total of 39 hours of battery life with the charging case. With ANC disabled, the earbuds alone last up to 9 hours, and with the feature on, the playtime is reduced to 6 hours.

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Windows 11 Finally Lets iPhone users Link Their Phones to their PCs

Microsoft has unveiled a new feature for Windows 11 that will let iPhone users link their phones to their Windows PCs and access various features from their devices. The feature, let’s call it Phone Link for iPhones, is currently only available for preview under the Windows Insiders program.

Phone Link for iPhones on Windows 11

According to Microsoft, Phone Link works by installing a companion app on the iPhone that connects to the PC via Bluetooth. Once paired, users can see their phone’s notifications on their PC’s Action Center and manage them from there. They can also reply to text messages using the Phone Link app on their PC, which syncs with the Messages app on their iPhone. But it should be noted that Phone Link for iPhones does not support replying to group messages or sending media in messages.

However, it is not clear when Phone Link for iPhones will be available for all Windows 11 users or what other features it will offer. Microsoft says it is working on adding more functionality to Phone Link over time. For example, in Phone Link for Android phones, users can drag and drop photos from their phone to their PC using File Explorer or other apps.

Phone Link is one of the many new features that Microsoft has introduced with Windows 11, which launched in October 2021. The new operating system also features a redesigned Start menu that centers icons and shows recommended files and apps; a new Microsoft Store that offers more apps and games, including Android apps via the Amazon App Store; support for widgets that display personalized information; improved performance and security; and more.

Windows Insiders can try out Phone Link for iPhones by updating the Phone Link app to version 1.23012.169.0 or higher. To join Windows Insiders, users need to sign up with a Microsoft account and opt-in for preview builds in Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program. Users should be aware that preview builds may have bugs or issues that affect their devices.

Phone Link for iPhone on Windows 11, Source: Microsoft’s Official YouTube Channel

Phone Link is similar to Apple’s Continuity system, which lets users seamlessly switch between their Macs and iPhones. Continuity supports features like making phone calls, sending SMS messages, using apps like Safari or Notes, copying and pasting content, unlocking devices with Apple Watch, and more. However, Phone Link for iPhones does not support these features yet.

Phone Link is aimed at making it easier for both Android and iPhone users to work across their devices without having to switch back and forth between them. It also shows Microsoft’s efforts to make Windows 11 more compatible with different platforms and ecosystems. Whether Phone Link will be useful or popular among iPhone users remains to be seen.

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Vivo V27 4G Google Play Console With a Curved Display & Unknown MediaTek SoC

Vivo will be launching the V27 series of smartphones tomorrow in India and other markets around the globe. The series will consist of the Vivo V27, the V27e, and the V27 Pro. The Vivo V27 4G, with model number V2331, has been identified on the Google Play Console database one day prior to its official release.

The listing reveals a lot of the details about the upcoming Vivo V27 4G which you can check out below.

Vivo V27

Vivo V27 4G specs

The upcoming Vivo V27 smartphone will have a curved display with a 1080 × 2400 pixel resolution and 440ppi pixel density. The front camera will be housed in a centered punch-hole notch.

Vivo
Vivo V27 4G

Under the hood, it will be powered by an octa-core MediaTek MT6886 processor, which will include 2 Cortex A715 cores clocked at 2.8GHz and 6 Cortex-A510 cores clocked at 2.0GHz, along with a Mali G610 GPU. The phone will have 8GB of memory and come with Android 13 pre-installed, topped with Vivo’s FunTouch OS.

No details about the battery and cameras are available as of yet. However, we can expect these details to emerge as we get closer to the launch. Till then, stay tuned.

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Meizu 20, 20 Pro Passes 3C Certification, Likely to Launch in March

Meizu is reportedly gearing up to launch its Meizu 20 series of smartphones, consisting of at least two models – the Meizu 20 and the Meizu 20 Pro. These devices with model numbers M391Q and M381Q have recently received approval from the 3C certification platform in China, indicating an imminent launch, which is speculated to take place in March.

Meizu-20-series-3C-certification

According to the 3C listings, both the Meizu 20 and 20 Pro may come equipped with an 80W charger with model number UP2040. This fast-charging technology was UP2040 approved by the 3C authority back in December 2022.

Apart from the fast charging capability, the Meizu 20 and 20 Pro are also rumored to feature the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, which is expected to deliver top-notch performance. The smartphones are also likely to come with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage, which will offer ample storage and high-speed data transfer rates.

In terms of display, the Meizu 20 and 20 Pro are speculated to feature a 120Hz OLED panel, which is expected to offer a smooth and immersive viewing experience. Both devices are expected to run on the latest Android 13 OS.

The Meizu 20 Pro is rumored to come in two variants – one with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and another with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. Additionally, the Pro model is also speculated to support 50W wireless charging, which will provide users with the convenience of wireless charging at a lightning-fast speed.

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Fire-Boltt Sphere Rugged Smartwatch Launched In India

Fire-Boltt has launched a second rugged smartwatch in its portfolio. Last month, the brand announced the Fire-Boltt Cobra. The latest offering is dubbed the Fire-Boltt Sphere. Read on to know what it offers out of the box.

The Fire-Boltt Sphere has a sporty look and a circular dial. It is a rugged smartwatch with a metallic chassis and IP68-rated water and sweat resistant. The smartwatch features a 1.6-inch display bearing an HD resolution and 600 nits peak brightness. There are two functional crown buttons on the right side. 

On the fitness front, the Fire-Boltt Sphere is equipped with a heart rate monitor, SpO2 sensor, and sleep tracker. It lacks support for 22 sports modes. The device also features hydration and sedentary reminders. 

The Fire-Boltt Sphere is equipped with HiFi speakers for a clear Bluetooth calling experience with also access to call logs. The smartwatch offers convenient features like remote music and camera control, notifications, weather updates, six menu interfaces, and more. The wearable device is powered by a massive 600mAh battery that is claimed to offer 8 days of usage in normal mode and 25 days in standby mode. 

The Fire-Boltt Sphere carries a price tag of Rs 2,999. It is offered in Black and Green Forest colours and can be purchased from the brand’s website, Amazon, and Flipkart.  

In other news, Fire-Boltt recently launched the Blizzard smartwatch under its Luxe collection. It has traditional looks with smart features. It costs Rs 3,499 and is available for purchase from Flipkart.

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OnePlus Foldable Set To Make Waves in the Tech World With Late 2023 Release

The Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2023 has just begun, and there have already been some notable foldable smartphones showcased. Although OnePlus did not unveil any folding phones at the event, the company has announced its intention to release one in the latter half of 2023. This shows the brand is dedicated to expanding its portfolio from just smartphones to other gadgets.

A OnePlus foldable has been long-anticipated and the company also hinted the same previously. However, today the brand has finally announced its intentions to launch a folding-screen smartphone sometime later in 2023. While the details about the foldable are pretty limited, we can assume it will look similar to the foldables from its parent company Oppo.

Oppo Find N2

“Our first foldable phone will have the signature OnePlus fast and smooth experience. It must be a flagship phone that doesn’t settle because of its folding form, in terms of industrial design, mechanical technology, and other aspects. We want to launch a device that aims to be at the pinnacle experience of today’s foldable market.” said Kinder Liu, President, and COO of OnePlus at the event.

Liu’s statement doesn’t really tell us anything about the upcoming device. We assume the brand will reveal more details in the future. Past rumors have claimed the OnePlus handset will look a lot like the Oppo Find N2 that was released late last year in China. However, the foldable may feature different specifications.

Foldable smartphones have started to pick up in 2023. We have seen many brands trying their hands in the new category. The Europe and Asian markets now have multiple options to choose from, including phones from Oppo, Motorola, Tecno, and Honor. However, US shoppers only get to choose from Samsung’s wide range of foldables.

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OnePlus Ace 2V (Nord 3) Has Flagship-Grade Aluminium Frame, All Ace Devices will get Aluminium

After OnePlus officially announced today that its OnePlus Ace 2V will be launched on March 7 in China, the brand quickly shared some teasers regarding the upcoming device’s premium build quality.

OnePlus Ace 2V
OnePlus Ace 2V, Source: OnePlus China

OnePlus posted on its official Chinese Weibo account today stating that it looks to forever change the mid-range smartphone market, as the upcoming OnePlus Ace 2V will be the brand’s first-ever mid-ranger to feature flagship-grade flat aluminium side-rails. 

According to OnePlus, the OnePlus Ace 2V features a metal and glass unibody design that will have flat flagship-grade aluminium side rails, along with a premium glass back to boot, similar to the style that Apple employs in its iPhone 14 series. The brand exclaims that current flagship killers in the smartphone space, always feature polycarbonate plastic rails that made the overall ergonomics of the smartphone worse, clearly implying that cost-cutting was done in the durability department. And the OnePlus Ace 2V aims to be the first premium-feeling flagship killer with flagship-grade materials to boot.

Thin bezels on the OnePlus Ace 2V

Besides feeling good in the hands, the OnePlus Ace 2V is also advertised to be looking beautiful to the eyes, because of its narrow bezel. Louis Lee, CEO of OnePlus China, has shared a photo that the OnePlus Ace 2V will have side bezels as thin as 1.46mm, and a bottom chin bezel as thin as 2.31mm, for context that is comparable to flagships such as the Xiaomi 13, iPhone 14, and Samsung Galaxy S23.

Louis also shared more details of the OnePlus Ace 2V colour options, the Mint Green option will feature a premium glossy green glass black similar to the Oppo Find X5 Pro, and the Charcoal Black option will feature a frosted matte black finish on the back, found on its flagships such as the OnePlus 10 Pro.

Lastly, OnePlus announced that moving forward all of its future OnePlus Ace devices will be using flagship-grade aluminium for its side rails as well because it wants to set a high standard for durability and ergonomics in the flagship killer mid-range space.

According to reports, the OnePlus Ace 2V will have a 6.74-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, it will feature the Dimensity 9000 chipset, 16 GB of LPDDR5x RAM, up to 512 GB of UFS 3.1 storage, and a 5,000mAh battery with 80W charging support. It is also reported previously to be launching in the global markets as the OnePlus Nord 3 in July 2023.

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boAt Rockerz 255 Max With 60 Hour Battery Life Launched In India

boAt has launched a new neckband-style Bluetooth earphone under its Rockerz series. The latest offering is dubbed the boAt Rockerz 255 Max. The device packs a massive battery life and more features. Read on to know more about what the Rockerz 255 Max offers out of the box. 

As mentioned earlier, the boAt Rockerz 255 Max is a neckband-styled wireless earphone. The neckband has a textured finish and multi-functional buttons. It is IPX5-certified water-resistant. The earbuds are magnetic and can be attached to prevent wire tangling when not in use. 

On the audio front, the boAt Rockerz 255 Max is equipped with a 10mm dynamic driver. It features ENx technology for clear-quality calls. The earphones pack boAt’s signature sound for deep bass and rich highs. There are signature, balanced, and pop EQ modes. The audio device also comes with a beast mode which is said to reduce audio latency by 60ms. 

The boAt Rockerz 255 Max is powered by a 260mAh battery unit that is claimed to offer up to 60 hours of usage. It supports fast charging via a USB-C port that will reportedly deliver 10 hours of playback with 10 minutes of charging. The neckband earphones come with support for Bluetooth 5.3 and can be connected to two devices simultaneously. 

The boAt Rockerz 255 Max is priced at Rs 1,199. It comes in Maverick Maroon, Space Blue, and Stunning Black colours. The audio device can be purchased from the brand’s official website, Amazon, and Flipkart. 

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Realme GT 3 Launches Internationally at MWC 2023 With Ridiculously Fast 240W Charging

It’s the second day of MWC 2023 and brands continue to showcase truly amazing technologies. We have had some interesting smartphone launches as well, however, Realme has stolen the show with its new device. The company has just launched the highly anticipated Realme GT 3, featuring an intriguing design and blazing-fast 240W charging. According to the brand, the phone’s 4,600mAh battery can be fully charged in just nine and a half minutes, making it one of the fastest-charging phones on the market.

Realme GT 3 launch

Realme GT 3 is not a new device, it is just the Realme GT Neo 5 (review) with a new name. Beyond its fast charging, the handset is also notable for having an interesting RGB-studded back. Unlike the popular Nothing Phone 1, the lighting on the back of GT 3 doesn’t cover the whole of the back, but only a small square to the right of its cameras. It can serve as a notification light and also warn you when the battery is low.

Other than this, the Realme smartphone features fairly standard specifications. It gets a 6.74-inch 144Hz OLED display. The resolution is 2772 x 1240 pixels with 100% DCI-P3 coverage and a 1,500Hz touch sampling rate. The phone is powered by last year’s Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 SoC from Qualcomm. The processor is paired with up to 16GB RAM and 1TB of storage. There’s an under-display fingerprint sensor for security.

Realme GT 3

The camera department of the handset is rather ordinary. You get a 50MP primary camera accompanied by an 8MP ultrawide lens and a 2MP macro shooter. For clicking selfies, there’s a 16MP Samsung sensor placed inside a centered punch hole at the top of the screen. It has an 8-component cooling solution, that includes a vapor chamber and multiple-layer graphite for heat dissipation.

The Realme GT 3 has three colors – White, Black, and Purple. It will be offered in five storage configurations:

  • 8GB + 128GB
  • 12GB + 256GB
  • 12GB + 512GB
  • 16GB + 512GB
  • 16GB + 1TB

As of now, the company has only announced the price of the base model– $649. The sale date and availability of the handset should be confirmed pretty soon. We’ll keep you posted.

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Snapchat Working on a ChatGPT Powered AI Chatbot

Snapchat has just announced that it is planning on incorporating OpenAI’s ChatGPT into its popular social media platform. The company is working on bringing an AI chatbot of its own that is powered by the popular ChatGPT.

The photos and video based messaging service will be introducing AI chatbots as the Snap CEO Evan Spiegel claims that these chatbots have become increasingly more useful in everyday life. Snapchat’s new bot will be dubbed “My AI” and will be pinned to the app’s chat tab above conversations with user’s friends. As per official notes, the company plans to bring the chatbot to Snapchat Plus subscribers that pay 3.99 US Dollars every month.

Snapchat

Although, it plans on making this AI bot available to everyone of Snapchat’s 750 million monthly users. Spiegel further added that “The big idea is that in addition to talking to our friends and family every day, we’re going to talk to AI every day. And this is something we’re well positioned to do as a messaging service.” My AI will initially function as a simple and fast mobile friendly version of ChatGPT that is built into Snapchat.

However, the primary difference between the actual ChatGPT and My AI is that the latter on Snapchat will be toned down in terms of functionality. In other words, one can’t be writing your academic reports or essays regarding a wide range of topics for you. It will likely be used to raise the paid subscriber userbase number in the smaller run and find other ways to to monetize its otherwise free service. 

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iPhone SE 2024 Tipped to Feature OLED Display, Apple’s 5G Chip

Around two months ago, well-known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed that Apple had abandoned its plans to launch a new iPhone SE model in 2024. However, Kuo has now revealed in a series of tweets that the Cupertino-based firm has once again started working on the iPhone SE 2024 (aka iPhone SE 4). He also shared key details on the specifications of the device.

Kuo revealed that the iPhone SE 2024 will be similar to the iPhone 14, which is equipped with a 6.1-inch OLED panel with a large notch. This will be the biggest change since the iPhone SE 2022 features a 4.7-inch LCD screen.

iPhone SE 4 render
iPhone SE 4 render by Jon Prosser

He revealed that the iPhone SE 4 will feature Apple’s 5G baseband chip. As per the current plan, it is likely to only support sub-6GHz 5G networks. This is in line with what Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon said about Apple’s 5G chip in an interview with The Wall Street Journal recently. He said, “We expect that Apple will do their own modem in 2024, but if they need ours they know where to find us.” The current iPhones are all equipped with Qualcomm’s 5G chip.

He added that it is still unclear whether the iPhone 16 series, arriving later in 2024, will have the Apple 5G baseband chip. It appears that it will only be possible if the company manages to overcome difficulties related to mmWave and satellite communications.

According to Kuo, Apple’s reliance on Qualcomm’s baseband chip will continue to decline after the iPhone SE 2024. The reason behind it is that devices like the iPad and Apple Watch may also switch to Apple’s baseband chip. Kuo added that this will result in a significant decline in Qualcomm’s business over the next two or three years. 

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Pokémon Sleep Is a Game You Play by Sleeping, Set to Launch Later This Year

The Pokémon Company has officially revealed the launch timeline for a game that it had first teased back in 2019. Now, the company has released a new trailer that showcases the gameplay of the Pokémon Sleep game.

The game was first announced back in 2019 and during a livestream earlier this week, the company shared a pair of new trailers that showcase the upcoming mobile app. Talking about the actual gameplay, users actually play the game by simply sleeping. To put things simply, it is a sleep tracker where on can interact with the Pokémons in the app by sleeping. Furthermore, the gameplay is also influenced by how one hits the bed.

Pokémon

Sleep is divided into three types in the game, including dozing, snoozing, and slumbering. So depending on how you sleep, one will attract different kinds of Pokémons. Apart from this unique game, the company also announced a new device, which is called the Pokémon Go Plus Plus. This gadget is basically a Pokémon Go companion device that works both as a sleep tracker for Pokémon and a tool for Go as well.

Keep in mind, that one doesn’t require this device to play Sleep, which can run on your smartphone. As of right now, the company has yet to officially reveal a launch date yet, but it is set to launch sometime later this year. It will be available on both iOS and Android platforms. So stick around for more updates.

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Tecno Megabook T1, Megabook S1 tipped to launch in India

Tecno unveiled its first notebooks, namely the Megabook T1 and Megabook S1 last year. The S1 was unveiled at IFA 2022 in September, whereas the S1 was made official through the Phantom X2 series launch event that was held in Dubai in December. A new report by 91mobiles claims that both notebooks will be released in India.

According to the report, the Megabook T1 will be launching in India by June or July. The S1 will be released this year or in the first quarter of 2024.The specifications of these devices are already known since they have debuted in other markets.

Tecno Megabook T1, Megabook S1 specifications

Megeabook T1
Megeabook T1

The Megabook T1 has a 15.6-inch IPS FHD display. It comes in 11th generation Intel CPU variants, such as the Intel Core i5 and Core i7. It has a 70Wh battery that supports 67W charging.

The device comes with Windows 11 Home, up to 16 GB of RAM, and up to 1 TB of SSD storage. It measures 14.8mm in thickness and weighs around 1.48 kg.

The Megabook S1 has a 15.6-inch IPS display that offers a 3.2K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. It is powered by the 12th generation Intel Core i7 processor and a 70Wh battery that supports 65W charging.

The S1 offers 16 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 1 TB of SSD storage. It also runs on Windows 11 Home. The thickness of the device is 13.5mm and it weighs around 1.35 kg.

In related news, Tecno will showcase multiple products at the ongoing MWC 2023 tech event. Apart from revealing the Phantom V Fold and Spark 10 Pro, the company will also announce the Megabook S1 2023, among other products. The notebook will come equipped with a 13th generation Intel Core processor.

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Nothing CEO Carl Pei Poses with a Phone (1) Clone at MWC 2023

The Nothing Phone (1) had launched with a breath of fresh air to a market that many considered to be over saturated with devices that looked quite similar to one another. However, it seems that even this device wasn’t unique for too long.

In a series of tweets, the CEO and Founder of the London based tech firm, Carl Pei, shared images that showed him posing with the Phone (1) and its supposed clone. The senior official of the company spotted the look alike device during the MWC 2023 event, which is being hosted in Barcelona. The device in question is the Unihertz Luna and the images shared by Carl Pei shows an LED design that is clearly inspired by the Glyph interface on the Nothing Phone (1).

Nothing

While its layout isn’t identical, the idea of using long LED strips on the back is clearly inspired by the Phone (1). The Glyph interface functioned by lighting up to inform users of incoming notifications, calls, and more. Although, it is still unclear what purpose the LEDs on the Unihertz Luna serve on the back. Apart from the design, the two smartphones aren’t similar in many other aspects. 

The Luna features a Helio G99 SoC, 8GB of RAM, 256GB storage, 18W charging, 3.5mm headphone jack, and even a 108 megapixel primary camera on the rear. Finer details regarding this device is still unclear, but it appears that the company will share the launch date sometime soon. A Unihertz representative at the major event did state that the device will launch in March 2023 and will cost “no more than $300.”

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