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CrossBeats ROAR Wireless Headphones With 70 Hour Battery Life Launched In India

CrossBeats has expanded its range of audio devices in India. The homegrown brand has launched its first wireless headphones in the country. The device is called CrossBeats Roar. It competes against other headphones offered by brands like Sony, JBL, Sennheiser, and more in the market. Read on to know what the CrossBeats Roar offers out of the box. 

The CrossBeats Roar is an over-the-ear wireless headphone. It features an adjustable headband and premium soft cushions for a comfortable fit during long usage hours. The headphones can be folded for portability. 

In terms of audio, the CrossBeats Roar headphones are equipped with 40mm Neodymium drivers offering high-quality sound and rich bass. They feature a hybrid active noise cancellation of up to 30dB for eliminating surrounding noise. The headphones come with focus-assisted microphones powered by ClearComm technology for clear voice calls. The audio device is claimed to offer 70 hours of battery life on a single charge. It is compatible with all devices via Bluetooth connectivity.

The CrossBeats Roar is priced at Rs 2,999. It can be purchased from the brand’s website and various online and offline retailers including Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, JioMart, Nykaa Fashion, TataCLIQ, and others including offline stores.

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Xiaomi MIJIA Smart Electronic Blood Pressure Monitor With up to 90 Days Battery Life Launched

Chinese tech giant Xiaomi has launched the MIJIA Smart Electronic Blood Pressure Monitor in China. The medical device is designed to help people monitor their blood pressure and heart rate. The product is affordable and easy to use, giving users a convenient way to monitor their blood pressure at home.

The MIJIA Smart Electronic Blood Pressure Monitor comes with a clip-on cuff that is easy to attach to the arm. The cuff can also be adjusted to fit the arm correctly, making it easy to be used by people with limited mobility. The device packs a 3.7-inch backlit screen that displays the readings in a large font, making it easy to read the results. Interestingly, the device comes with support for XiaoAI voice assistant which reads out the BP reading at a predetermined volume.

The MIJIA Smart Electronic Blood Pressure Monitor comes with a clip-on cuff that is easy to attach to the arm. The cuff can also be adjusted to fit the arm correctly, making it easy to be used by people with limited mobility. The device packs a 3.7-inch backlit screen that displays the readings in a large font, making it easy to read the results. Interestingly, the device comes with support for XiaoAI voice assistant which reads out the BP reading at a predetermined volume.

In addition, the MIJIA BP monitor comes with built-in buttons for operating it. It can also locally store blood pressure and heart rate measurements for reference purposes. Users can also connect the device to the Xiaomi app to track their readings, as well as check the battery level.

In terms of battery, the MIJIA Blood Pressure Monitor is said to pack a long-lasting battery that can be used for up to 90 days on a single charge provided it is used to take two readings daily. The device can be charged via a USB-C port. The gadget can alert users if it detects movement or if the cuff is too loose, which could deliver an inaccurate reading. It can also notify users if an irregular pulse is detected, which can be an early sign of cardiovascular disease.

MIJIA BP monitor

As for the price, the MIJIA Smart Electronic Blood Pressure Monitor will be sold under crowdfunding on Xiaomi Youpin soon for 199 yuan ($29). After the Youpin crowdfunding campaign, the device is expected to retail for 269 yuan ($39). It is not known as of this moment if Xiaomi will ship the product outside China.

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MediaTek Helio G36 SoC Announced, To Power Budget Gaming Phones

MediaTek has announced a new entry-level chipset. It is the MediaTek Helio G36. The latest processor from the Taiwanese semiconductor company is the successor to the Helio G35. The new Helio G36 is said to power budget gaming phones in India. It has an 100MHz slower clock speed than the Helio G37 but apart from that there are no major differences. Read on to know the technical specifications of the processor. 

The MediaTek Helio G36 is based on TSMC’s 12nm process. It has eight Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.2GHz. There is an IMG PowerVR GE8320 GPU onboard. The chipset has MediaTek HyperEngine 2.0 Lite gaming technologies. The Resource Management Engine 2.0 ensures sustained performance with dynamic management of GPU, CPU, and memory whereas the Networking Engine 2.0 enables faster response and better connectivity for uninterrupted services. 

The MediaTek Helio G36 supports FHD+ displays with a 90Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and gaming. It supports dual cameras of two 13MP lenses or up to 50MP single sensors along with hardware-based imaging features like bokeh effects, MEMA 3DNR, multi-frame noise reduction, and more. The system-on-chip will enable devices to shoot 1080p videos at 30fps. 

On the connectivity front, the MediaTek Helio G36 has dual 4G VoLTE support along with integrated dual-band WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, Galileo, GLONASS, and GPS.  

Since the Helio G36 is an entry-level chipset, we can expect it to power phones under Rs 10,000 price bracket. We should know more details soon about the chipset’s availability and the smartphone brands that utilise it.  

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Vivo V27 Series Officially Teased To Launch In India, Flipkart Availability Confirmed

Vivo V27 series is confirmed to launch in India soon. The brand took to Twitter to share the announcement. Additionally, the company has put up a microsite on its official website as well as on Flipkart. The latter confirms the availability of smartphones on the e-commerce platform. Vivo hasn’t explicitly revealed the launch date nor the names of devices in the Vivo V27 series. 

Vivo is teasing the V27 series with the hashtag #TheSpotlightPhone. The microsite shows the smartphone with curved edges and a rectangular camera module housing three vertically stacked sensors and an LED ring light. It seems that the Vivo V27 series will debut as the rebranded Vivo S16 lineup which was announced in China last month. 

We should learn more official details about the Vivo V27 series in the coming days. 

The Vivo V27 series has appeared in various leaks and rumours in the past. The lineup is expected to comprise a V27e, V27, and V27 Pro. The regular and Pro models will arrive as the successors to the V25 and 25 Pro. As per various reports, the Vivo V27e is tipped to be powered by Helio G99 whereas the regular variant is expected to be equipped with an unannounced Dimensity SoC probably the Dimensity 7200. On the other hand, the Google Play Console listing of the V27 Pro mentioned that it will come with a Dimensity 8200. 

Since the Vivo V27 series will arrive as the rebadged version of the S16 series in China, we can expect the devices to pack the same specifications albeit a few differences. 

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Get upto $250 OFF on Creality Falcon 2 22W Laser Cutter Cum Engraver

Creality is giving a $200 discount on its latest Falcon 2 22W Engraver. The engraver cum laser cutter which retails for $1199 will be available for pre-sale at a discounted price of $999. Also, you can get an additional $50 discount by using the coupon code: Falcon2. Thus you can buy Creality Falcon 2 for as low as  $949.  Please note that this pre-sale offer starts on February 14, 9 AM, EST, and ends on February 22. 

WHERE TO BUY
Creality Falcon 2 22W at $949 @US, @Europe, @Germany and @UK

Creality Falcon 2 22W is a laser cutter cum engraver that can engrave your favorite designs, quotes, and images on various materials including wood and acrylic. It uses an advanced FAC spot compression technology wherein four powerful 6W laser diodes are compressed to increase the laser power to 22W. This can penetrate various materials, cut 15mm wood, 10mm black acrylic, 0.05mm stainless steel sheet, and more with a single pass.

The powerful device supports Integrated Air Assist. This means you can manually adjust the air assist through the knob, or automatically adjust the airflow through LightBurn, to remove smoke and protect the laser lens, bringing a cleaner result. The air assist blows away the high-temperature smoke generated during laser operation through the unique air duct built into the laser module, which in turn helps to engrave more delicate models.  

Creality Falcon 2 22W comes with Triple Monitoring Systems for Airflow, Lens, and Flame. The airflow monitoring function indicates the current airflow volume and enables you to adjust the airflow based on your engraving needs. The built-in lens monitoring system lets you know when the lens is dirty. This helps you maintain the lens’s quality and avoid breakage and frequent replacements. The flame monitoring system assures the safety of your device and workstation, When a flame is detected, the indicator light will flash red and activate a blaring alarm which will also stop the machine immediately. 

To ensure your safety and security, the device comes with a protective cover, made of the high-efficiency colored filter glass. The protective cover on the laser head prevents the laser from dazzling and damaging the eyes. 

Generally retailing for $1199, you can now buy the Creality Falcon 2 22W  Laser Cutter cum Engraver for as low as $949. Customers from Europe, Germany, and Uk can also avail of this offer. Please note that the above price is region-specific and the final price may vary according to your shipping region and regional taxes

For more information on such exciting deals and offers check out our deals hub.

Fire Boltt Quantum With 128MB Storage, Bluetooth Calling Launched In India

Fire Boltt has launched a new smartwatch in India. It is dubbed the Fire Boltt Quantum. The latest offering also looks quite like a traditional watch. Read on to know what it offers out of the box. 

The Fire Boltt Quantum features a circular dial made up of stainless steel and a ceramic body. The strap is also stainless steel and the metal frame adds durability. The device is IP67-certified water-resistant. There is also a dual-coloured bezel and a rotating crown on the right side. The smartwatch packs a 1.28-inch display bearing an HD resolution. 

In terms of fitness, the Fire Boltt Quantum is equipped with a heart-rate monitor, SpO2 sensor, sleep cycle tracker, and menstrual health cycle monitor. It packs support for multiple sports modes. The device also comes with a sedentary reminder. 

The Fire Boltt Quantum is equipped with a built-in mic and speaker for hands-free Bluetooth calling. It comes with 128MB memory onboard so users can connect their TWS earphones to the watch and listen to music directly. Convenient options on the smartwatch include music and camera control, notifications, wake gesture, and more. The wearable device is powered by a 350mAh battery unit that is claimed to last up to 7 days and can be topped via magnetic charging. 

The Fire Boltt Quantum costs Rs 2,999 and comes in Black, Black Red, Green, and Blue colours. It can be purchased from the brand’s official website and Amazon starting tomorrow. 

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Vivo Y56 5G Specs & Design Leaked Ahead of Launch

Vivo has recently debuted the Y100 5G midrange smartphone in India. The device targets the sub-₹25,000 segment and features a Dimensity 900 chipset. Now, the brand is planning to launch a budget-range 5G smartphone in India called the Vivo Y56.

The company is yet to reveal anything regarding the device, however, tipster Paras Guglani has come through with some juicy leaks about the Y56 5G. According to a now-deleted Tweet by Paras (via), the Y56 5G will feature a MediaTek Dimensity chipset. This is an entry-level 5G chipset by MediaTek that has an octa-core processor and 2200 MHz frequency.

According to Guglani, the Y56 5G will feature 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. It will be powered by a large 5000mAh battery and will support 18W fast charging. As for the camera, the Y56 5G will sport a dual-camera setup on the back. An image shared by Guglani reveals two circular camera cutouts accompanied by an LED flash. The phone will feature a 13MP primary camera and a 2MP secondary camera. The front-facing camera will have a 5MP resolution.

Vivo

In another tweet, the design of the device has been leaked via a poster. The Y56 5G will have a flat frame design and the volume rocker is visible on the right side of the phone. It is expected to have the power button located below the volume rocker. The device will launch in a gold color option, with the possibility of additional color options being offered by Vivo.

The phone will have a 6.56-inch display with a waterdrop notch for the front camera and an HD+ screen resolution. It will have a standard 60Hz refresh rate. Although Android 13 has been available for some time, the Y56 5G is expected to launch with Android 12 and will likely run Funtouch OS 12 as its custom user interface.

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Android Smartphone Sales Decline: Production Cutbacks on the Horizon

Smartphone technologies are advancing day by day. As a result, consumers can now obtain performance previously only available from flagship models costing $1000 from mid-range and even entry-level models. This is beneficial for consumers as it means less expense, but unfortunately has a negative impact on manufacturers. According to recent reports, the high inventory levels of Xiaomi smartphones and other Android brands have become a cause for concern due to poor sales in 2022. Here are the details…

A Growing Concern for the Android Supply Chain

The high inventory levels of Xiaomi smartphones and other Android brands have become a cause for concern in the wake of poor sales in 2022. With demand for smartphones slowing down, many companies have been left with excess inventory, leading to challenges for the entire Android supply chain. Xiaomi, in particular, has been grappling with high levels of component inventory, equivalent to roughly 20-30 million smartphones. The situation has been most severe in terms of processors, with MediaTek and Qualcomm as the main suppliers.

Xiaomi Android smartphones

To address this issue, Xiaomi and other Android brands will have to adjust their inventory levels in the coming months. This may involve reducing production, cutting costs, and finding new ways to generate demand. For example, companies may focus on launching new products, investing in marketing, and improving customer experience.

Another solution is to explore new markets and expand globally. This could help companies reach new customers and reduce the impact of declining demand in existing markets. Xiaomi, for instance, has been expanding its presence in international markets, including Europe and India. In addition, companies may also consider diversifying their product lines to reduce reliance on smartphones. For example, Xiaomi has been exploring other product categories such as smart home devices, laptops, and electric vehicles.

The high inventory levels of Xiaomi smartphones and other Android brands serve as a warning to the Android supply chain. To overcome this challenge, companies will have to adjust their inventory levels, explore new markets, and diversify their product lines. By doing so, they can overcome the impact of declining demand and secure their future growth.

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OnePlus Looking to Ramp Up Ace 2 Production to Meet High Demand

Good news for OnePlus fans! As per reports, the highly popular OnePlus Ace 2 is selling like hotcakes and is temporarily out of stock on some e-commerce platforms. This comes as no surprise to Li Jie from OnePlus Technology, who says that the overwhelming demand for the Ace 2 has exceeded all expectations. In response, Li Jie has put plans in motion to ramp up production to meet the demand.

OnePlus Ace 2

The starting price of the Ace 2 is 2799 yuan (~$410), which nets you 12GB of memory and 256GB of storage. Netizens have dubbed it a “price butcher,” but Li Jie insists that the goal of OnePlus is not to engage in a price war, but rather to prioritize creating a high-quality product, followed by offering a fair and reasonable price to attract even more users. This is quite akin to the strategy followed by the company in its early stages, when the early OnePlus devices were creating ripples in the smartphone market. Li Jie further laid emphasis on the fact that the Ace 2 has no competition in its current price segment, which may even lead to competitors cutting prices for their smartphones.

OnePlus is known for innovating with its technology, and the Ace 2 is no exception. The phone features the self-developed Lingxi touch technology, which optimizes touch sensitivity through touch sampling, information distribution, and screen display. This was achieved by customizing the sampling chip for a higher rate, transferring data processing to the Snapdragon 8+, and introducing the O-Sync technology to the LTPS screen for faster display synthesis.

In addition, the Ace 2 boasts a 1.5K curved AMOLED display, a 5000mAh battery, and support for 100W wired flash charging. In the camera department, there’s a 50-megapixel primary Sony IMX890 sensor that supports OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) and has a 1/1.56-inch size and f/1.8 aperture. It is paired with an 8-megapixel ultra-wide angle lens and a 2-megapixel macro camera. With no equal in its price range, the Ace 2 is poised to shake up the market and offer users an unparalleled experience.

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China-manufactured OPPO, OnePlus, Xiaomi Smartphones Loaded with Spyware

New research from the University of Edinburgh and Trinity College Dublin highlights a concerning issue with some of the leading Chinese Android smartphones. In China, which is the largest smartphone market globally, over 70% of devices run on Android. The study found that certain brands, such as OnePlus, Xiaomi, and Oppo Realme, collect and transmit large amounts of personal data without user consent.

MIUI

The phones in question come pre-installed with a significant number of system and vendor apps that have questionable privileges enabled by default. These applications actively collect and send sensitive information related to the device, location, user profile, and even social relationships. Even for privacy-conscious users who opt out of analytics and don’t use cloud storage or third-party services, the phones still send unique information about the device and the user, such as device identifiers, GPS coordinates, app usage patterns, call and SMS history, and contact numbers. Unfortunately, users are not notified about this data transmission, and there is no way to opt out. The collected data can easily be linked back to the individual and used for tracking purposes.

The research was conducted on devices sold in China and running local Android distributions, so international consumers may not be affected. However, for those who purchased their devices in China, such as business travelers or students, it’s important to be aware that the study found the data collection practices remain unchanged even after leaving the country.

It’s worth noting that the Chinese versions have way more pre-installed third-party apps and are granted eight to ten times more permissions compared to international versions intended for consumers in Europe and other regions. A lot of it might have to do with international regulations and policies that gatekeep these dangerous permissions, but phones purchased in China are definitely clear of those laws. 

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Microsoft to Soon Demo ChatGPT-like AI in Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook

Microsoft, which has partnered with and invested in OpenAI, the parent company of ChatGPT, is reportedly considering adding ChatGPT technology to its popular office suite, including Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

According to the report from The Verge, Microsoft is preparing to detail its productivity plans for integrating OpenAI’s language AI technology and its Prometheus Model in the coming weeks.

Microsoft 365 (MS Office) OpenAI ChatGPT

Microsoft is tentatively planning an announcement in March, highlighting how quickly the company wants to reinvent search and its productivity apps through its OpenAI investments. It is moving quickly with the integration of ChatGPT into its software and services because of competition from Google, which recently unveiled its own conversational AI technology named Bard. Microsoft had planned to launch its new Bing AI in late February but moved the date up to this week as Google was preparing to make its own announcements.

With the addition of this new technology, the move aims to improve efficiency and productivity by allowing users to perform more quickly and accurately. It will also assist users with language processing, the main feature of OpenAI’s technology.

In Microsoft Word, users could write more accurately and with fewer errors by suggesting alternative words and phrases. It could also summarize long documents and highlight key points for easily analyzing information. For Outlook, the Redmond-based technology giant could use ChatGPT to write replies to emails or summarize email threads.

As per the report, engineers and researchers at Microsoft have been working on tailoring AI tools for writing emails and documents for more than a year by using OpenAI’s machine learning models on customer data. They are now trying to figure out a way to train models using customer data without it being exposed to other customers, along with reducing errors.

Microsoft announced a new generative AI experience in Microsoft Viva Sales a week ago, which uses the Azure OpenAI Service and GPT to create sales emails, and it’s similar to some of the features Microsoft has been testing in Outlook.

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Xiaomi 13 Lite Unboxing Video Confirms Its a Civi 2 Rebrand

Xiaomi is gearing up to launch the Xiaomi 13 lineup globally at the MWC 2023 event scheduled to kick off on February 27. We already know that Xiaomi will be launching three smartphones for global customers – Xiaomi 13, Xiaomi 13 Pro, and Xiaomi 13 Lite. While the 13 and 13 Pro will be the same devices launched in China back in December, the Xiaomi 13 Lite will be a rebrand of the Xiaomi Civi 2.

Ahead of the launch, leaks regarding the pricing of the device have been making the rounds on the internet. Now, an unboxing video of the device has emerged confirming that the 13 Lite will indeed be the same device as the Civi 2.

The video is shared by tipster Sudhanshu Ambhore and reveals the black color variant of the device. Leaks suggest that blue and pink color options will also be made available in the global market. The video also confirms that the device will come with a 67W fast charger in the box along with a USB Type-C cable. The standard TPU case will also be included.

Xiaomi 13 Lite

Xiaomi 13 Lite is expected to feature a 6.55-inch FHD+ 120Hz AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and curved edges. The display will have 10-bit color depth, 1920Hz PWM Dimming, 1000 nits of peak brightness, and support for Dolby Vision.

Xiaomi

Under the hood, the device will have a Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset, which is essentially a 4 nm-based successor of the Snapdragon 778G+. We can expect up to 12GB LPDDR4X RAM and up to 256GB UFS 2.2 storage on the device.

The rear camera of the 13 Lite 5G will be equipped with a Sony IMX766 sensor as its primary lens. In addition, it will have a 20-megapixel ultra-wide camera and a 2-megapixel macro camera. The device will also feature a dual front camera setup for selfies, consisting of a standard 32-megapixel wide camera and a 32-megapixel ultra-wide camera.

The device boasts a 4500mAh battery and comes with 67W fast charging support. It also has a modern, in-display fingerprint scanner for quick and secure device unlocking. The in-display fingerprint scanner adds a touch of convenience and style while ensuring a secure device.

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OnePlus Ace 2 First Sale Report Released in China; Broke All the Records

In China, OnePlus had already released the OnePlus Ace 2. The same smartphone, known as the “OnePlus 11R,” was just launched in the Indian market by the brand. They are identical smartphones with top-tier specifications such as a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen1 CPU and a 50-megapixel Sony IMX890 main camera. In any case, the OnePlus 11R has yet to be available in India, although the Ace 2 was released in China a few days ago. The brand has already issued the sales report for the OnePlus Ace 2’s initial sale, and it’s rather shocking.

OnePlus’ official Weibo account has published a sales report for the OnePlus Ace 2 smartphone. According to the company, the device sold out in 37 minutes. It was made available for purchase in China through the JD.com and VMall platforms. The company also claims that the OnePlus Ace 2 smashed all previous Android smartphone first-day sales records by selling out in 37 minutes.

OnePlus Ace 2

According to Li Jie, the president of OnePlus China, the OnePlus Ace 2’s first day of sales was a big success, with sales exceeding all expectations. He added that the phone was designed with integrity and that the company did not sacrifice setup or experience for profit. He underlined the importance of providing a solid product at a reasonable price, and he stated that the company will continue to endeavour to supply high-quality products to both the industry and customers.

The Ace 2 has a spacious 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 120Hz.  The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen1 chipset powers the device. One of the most intriguing aspects of the gadget is that it has the same 50-megapixel IMX890 main sensor as the OnePlus 11. The OnePlus Ace 2 costs CNY 2799 in China, providing it with an affordable option for people looking for a smartphone with high-end specifications. The article on the first sale of the OnePlus Ace 2 was fascinating to read. What are your thoughts on the report? Please let us know by leaving a remark in your own words down below.

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Windows Personalization Menu will Let You Sync RGB Lighting Across Peripherals

Attention all PC gamers! Have you ever struggled with getting the RGB lighting on all your components to work in sync? You’re not alone! The dilemma of mismatched RGB parts from different manufacturers is a common one, and in most cases, controlling them with a single application isn’t a viable option. Furthermore, installing multiple applications such as Razer Synapse, Steelseries Engine, and ASUS Armoury can slow your PC down since these applications run in the background and sap a decent chunk of system memory. But what if we told you that Microsoft might be working on a solution?

Windows RGB

Recently, a software developer discovered a hidden feature in the latest Insider build of Windows 11, which offers controls for RGB components. As shown in the screenshots shared by the developer, Microsoft has added lighting controls to the personalization menu within the Windows 11 Settings app. With this, you can have an overview of all your RGB components, including external peripherals, and easily adjust the brightness and color. You can even select from a variety of effects and choose the speed of repetition. Plus, the feature allows you to match your computer’s lighting with your Windows accent color.

Although Microsoft has not officially confirmed the existence of this feature in Windows 11 build 25295, the developer suggests that it could be in the works. However, it’s important to keep in mind that this information is from 2018, and references to the feature have been around for years. So, while the prospect of a native Windows 11 solution is exciting, let’s not get our hopes too high just yet.

It’s quite exciting to see that Microsoft may be working on making controlling RGB lighting a seamless experience. Fingers crossed that this feature becomes a reality soon!

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Redmi K60 512GB Storage Model Gets 300 Yuan (~$44) Price Cut in China

Redmi K60 series, which was launched a couple of months ago, was made available for purchase in the Chinese market a few weeks ago.

Today, Lu Weibing, President of Xiaomi Group and General Manager of the Redmi brand, has announced that the Redmi K60 512GB storage model will be available at a starting price of 2,999 yuan (~$439), offering a discount of 300 yuan (~$44).

The 12GB RAM and 512GB storage model is priced at 2,999 yuan, which is around $439 while the 16GB RAM and 512GB storage is priced at 3,599 yuan, which is about $527.

Lu Weibing also announced that those who purchased the 512GB model will be provided with an insured price that those who purchased it earlier will be fully compensated for the price difference. Further, he adds that those users who purchased the remaining versions will get a Redmi Band 2.

The smartphone features a 6.67-inch OLED display offering a 2K screen resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, the device is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, coupled with LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 flash memory.

In the camera department, there’s a 64-megapixel primary camera, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 2-megapixel macro sensor. On the front side, the phone features a 16-megapixel snapper for taking selfies and video calling.

It runs the Android 13 operating system out-of-the-box with the company’s own MIUI 14 custom user interface on top. The device is powered by a 5,500mAh battery which comes with support for 67W fast charging.

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iQOO Neo 7 Base Variant Price Tipped Ahead of Feb 16 Indian Launch

Back in December, iQOO launched the Neo 7SE smartphone in China. That same device is scheduled to launch on February 16 in India rebranded as iQOO Neo 7. We recently reported on the leaked pricing of the highest configuration of this upcoming device. Now, new information has emerged online revealing the pricing of the base variant in India.

According to tipster Abhishek Yadav, the iQOO Neo 7 base variant with 8GB RAM + 128GB storage could cost ₹26,999. To recall, the previous leak mentions that the 12GB RAM
+ 256GB storage model will cost around ₹34,999 without any offers and ₹30,999 with offers. Following that logic, we can expect the base variant to be priced at around ₹30,999 without any bank or exchange offers. Let’s take a look at what we will be getting for this price.

iQOO Neo 7 5G specs

The iQOO Neo 7 5G boasts a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with Full HD+ resolution and is capable of a snappy 120Hz refresh rate. It has 1300 nits peak brightness and HDR10+ certification. The screen is flat and features a central hole-punch cutout at the top to accommodate the front camera.

IQOO

The device will be powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 SoC, making it the first smartphone in India to feature this new processor. It will also have LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 storage for fast and efficient performance. The device comes equipped with a 5000mAh battery and will support 120W fast charging straight out of the box.

For optics, the device is equipped with a triple rear camera system, consisting of a 64MP main camera, a 2MP macro sensor, and a 2MP depth sensor. On the front, there is a 16MP camera for taking selfies.

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Poco X5 Pro 5G Sale Starts Today in India – Checkout the Details

Poco has recently launched its Poco X5 Pro 5G smartphone in India, introducing new competition in the sub-₹25,000 market segment. The device offers exceptional value for money, unmatched by any other recently launched smartphone. This device will be up for sale in the country starting today. Let’s take a look at its pricing, offers, availability, and features.

POCO X5 Pro 5G

Poco X5 Pro 5G price, launch offers & availability

The Poco X5 Pro 5G is available in two storage options: 6GB + 128GB and 8GB + 256GB, priced at Rs 22,999 and Rs 24,999 respectively. As a special launch offer, users of HDFC and ICICI Bank will get a flat Rs 2000 discount on credit and debit card transactions. Additionally, customers using the Flipkart Axis Credit Card will be eligible for a 5% cashback on their purchases. The smartphone will be available for purchase starting today, February 13, at 12:00 PM exclusively on Flipkart.

Poco X5 Pro 5G specs & features

The Poco X5 Pro has a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and Full HD+ resolution. It features a 10-bit display with a peak brightness of 900 nits and a contrast ratio of 50,00,000:1. This advanced display panel also supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+ content, providing an immersive viewing experience for users.

Poco

Under the hood, the device features the reliable Snapdragon 778G chipset, made using TSMC’s 6nm process. The chipset is bundled with up to 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB UFS 2.2 storage. Although Android 13 has been available for quite some time now, the X5 Pro 5G still boots an Android 12-based MIUI 14.

The POCO X5 Pro 5G features a triple-rear camera setup, led by a primary 108MP Samsung HM2 sensor with OIS support. Accompanying this primary sensor are a 2MP macro sensor and an 8MP ultra-wide-angle camera. The device also has a 16MP front camera for selfies and video calls. The device is equipped with a 5000mAh battery that supports fast charging at 67W. It uses a Type-C port for both charging and data transfers. In terms of security, the device features a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. Additionally, it also has a 3.5mm audio jack for users who prefer wired headphones.

The POCO X5 Pro 5G offers a range of connectivity options, including Dual-SIM support, 5G connectivity, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo. The device also boasts an IP53 rating, making it splash and dust-resistant. We have also provided our initial hands-on impressions of the device to assist our readers in determining if the POCO X5 Pro 5G is the right phone for them.

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BYD Seagull Compact EV Spotted Out in the Open

BYD’s latest release, the Seagull is the company’s highly-anticipated electric vehicle this year. This sleek and stylish vehicle has been making waves and catching eyes recently, with its vibrant yellow paint job and bold design. Recently, images of the car were captured out in the open.

BYD Seagull

The Seagull boasts a rugged look, with sharp lines and corners that set it apart from its sibling, the Dolphin. The front is characterized by a closed, trapezoidal air intake and two piercing headlights that render a unique design to the vehicle. The car is quite compact, with dimensions of 3780mm x 1715mm x 1540mm and a wheelbase of 2500mm. The four-wheel design promises ample interior space. Charging is made convenient with a front-fender charging port. The back of the car is quite modern and stylish, complete with a layered design and through-type taillights. The seagull emblem on the tailgate solidifies its identity. 

The inside of the Seagull is a sight to behold, with a minimalist center console that features a floating full LCD screen, BYD’s adaptive pad, and a control interface that integrates AutoNavi navigation, among other features. Physical buttons are located below, and while the picture is unclear, it is expected to follow in the same design as the Dolphin. Under the hood, the Seagull packs a punch with a TZ180XSH permanent magnet synchronous drive motor with a max power of 55 kilowatts. The battery is made from BYD’s trusted lithium iron phosphate material. The cruising range is yet to be disclosed, but it is expected to be between 300-400 kilometers. 

BYD Seagull

Upon release, the Seagull will be competing with EVs such as Wuling Bingo. The price factor, however, will be a huge deciding factor. Given BYD’s Qin PLUS DM-i’s price tag of under 100,000 yuan (~$14,367), the Seagull’s expected starting price of 60,000 yuan (~$8,780) is sure to cause a stir. With projections of selling over 10,000 units a month, this car should be a steal for those who are looking for a compact electric vehicle.

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OnePlus Buds Ace TWS Earbuds Now Available for Purchase in China

OnePlus announced the Buds Ace true wireless earbuds, the company’s first gaming true wireless noise-canceling headset last week, along with the OnePlus 11 series smartphones.

Today, the newly launched OnePlus Buds Ace TWS earbuds are officially available for purchase in the Chinese market for the price of 249 yuan which roughly converts to $37.

The Buds Ace has a design similar to its predecessor, the Nord Buds or Buds N. Despite featuring the same design, the latest model offers several improvements, the most notable inclusion is the addition of ANC technology (Active Noise Cancellation).

The earphones houses a 12.4mm dynamic audio driver for rich bass but only come with support for the AAC codec. It supports Bluetooth 5.3 and even comes with 47ms ultra-low latency mode for gaming.

The company says that the new earbuds also offer up to 36 hours of battery life with the charging case but with ANC turned off. With ANC turned on, the battery life drops to around 27 hours. The new earbuds also support fast charging that offers up to 5 hours of audio playback with just 10 minutes of charging.

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Chinese OnePlus 11 Models are Region-Locked, Importing May Result in Limitations

OnePlus recently launched its new flagship OnePlus 11 smartphone in the global market. The worldwide launch obviously came around a month after the domestic launch in China. As the device is yet to go on sale in many regions, eager customers and fans of the brand have already sourced the device from China. However, it has been discovered that these models are region-locked.

OnePlus

The discovery was announced on the Russian 4PDA forum. Apparently, a OnePlus 11 device purchased from China was functioning well for approximately two weeks, until a message appeared stating “You are using a region-specific phone. Its calling capabilities are limited in your area. Please contact customer service for assistance.” Following this, the phone’s calling features were limited. It is uncertain if cellular data was also impacted.

OnePlus 11

After further investigation into the TeleService.apk (com.android.phone) app that generated the warning message, the forum members discovered the configuration files that outline the markets where the region-locking behavior is activated, based on the Mobile Country Codes (MMCs) of the region. The restricted region list is quite long and includes markets like India, Italy, Russia, and Brazil.

Further digging into OplusEngineerNetwork.apk has also revealed that there is a way to lift this region lock from these OnePlus 11 smartphones, which requires a 16-digit unlock code. It’s possible that this code could be obtained for each device by reaching out to OnePlus support. However, it remains uncertain whether support would be willing to unlock phones that were not purchased through official Chinese channels, but rather through third-party retailers.

That being said, the reason for this region locking is unconfirmed as of yet. We can assume that it’s likely due to OnePlus selling the global version of the OnePlus 11 in these regions. So it is likely that the brand wants to sell the phones through official channels in these regions rather than customers getting them over from China via third-party retailers.

It remains to be seen if OnePlus’s sister companies like Oppo and Realme also adopt this region-locking strategy for Chinese models of their popular devices.

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