Samsung Galaxy S23, S23 Plus Launched With New Design and Upgraded Internals

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Feb 1, 2023

As scheduled, Samsung took wraps off the Galaxy S23 series today at the first Galaxy Unpacked event of 2023. Just like the last few years, the latest-gen Galaxy S family consists of three smartphones, such as Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23 Plus, and Galaxy S23 Ultra.

The Galaxy S23 and the Galaxy S23 Plus arrive with a new design. However, the specs are somewhat the same as the last generation phones (Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22 Plus).

Both models are almost identical to each with a few differences like screen and battery capacity. They are also comparatively cheaper than the Ultra.

Let’s take a look at everything they have to offer.

Samsung Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23 Plus Specifications

The Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23 Plus flaunt a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels (FHD+), a 48-120Hz refresh rate, and a 240Hz touch sampling rate. The centered punch-hole screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and can play HDR10+ content.

The panel on both devices can reach a peak brightness of up to 1,750 nits. The only difference is that the display on the S23 measures 6.1 inches compared to 6.6 inches on the S23 Plus.

The handsets are powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset. This silicon is paired with LPDDR5x RAM and UFS 4.0 storage (UFS 3.1 for the 128GB variant).

On the software front, they boot One UI 5.1 based on Android 13. They come with multiple connectivity options, such as 5G, WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, GNSS, NFC, UWB (only Plus version), and USB 3.2 (Type-C).

The smartphones arrive with a triple camera system on the back and a 12MP front-facing camera. The rear camera setup comprises an OIS-assisted 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide unit with auto-focus support, and a 12MP telephoto shooter with a 3x optical zoom lens and OIS.

The phones are IP68-rated for dust and water resistance. They feature Dolby Atmos-supported dual stereo speakers and an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor.

The Galaxy S23 is backed by a 3,900mAh battery, whereas the Galaxy S23 Plus gets its energy from a 4,700mAh battery. The vanilla model is limited to 25W wired charging but the Plus variant supports up to 45W wired charging. Anyway, both support 15W wireless charging.

Samsung Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23 Plus Price and Availability

In the US, the Galaxy S23 and the Galaxy S23 Plus start at $799.99 and $999.99, respectively. They come in 8GB + 256GB and 8GB + 512GB memory configurations. The vanilla version also comes in 8GB + 128GB.

The handsets can be availed in either Phantom Black, Green, Cream, or Lavender color options. They are up for pre-order and will be available for purchase from February 17.

Samsung Launches Galaxy S23 Ultra With Improved Cameras & a Powerful Processor

By

Anurag

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Feb 1, 2023

The wait is over and the Galaxy S23 series smartphones, probably the most-awaited Android flagships, are finally here. Samsung today held its first in-person smartphone launch since February 2020 and announced the three-strong Galaxy S23, S23+, and S23 Ultra. The star of the show and the subject of this post is the Ultra model, which debuts with a high-resolution 200MP main camera and Qualcomm’s latest and greatest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. Continue reading to learn the price, specifications, and features of the new Galaxy S23 Ultra.

Design

If you are expecting major changes in the design, you’d be disappointed. The Galaxy S23 Ultra looks so similar to the S22 Ultra that most people won’t be able to tell the two apart. The handset measures almost the same as its predecessor and has sharp corners with an S pen housed on the top. The camera island, where most aesthetic changes usually occur, is also the same. There are three camera rings placed individually. One notable difference is that the device has flatter sides, making it easier to grip.

Specifications

Being Samsung’s most premium smartphone, the Galaxy S23 Ultra brings cutting-edge hardware. It has the brand’s best display, best cameras, and fastest chip. In other words, there’s a tall 6.8-inch AMOLED display with a QHD+ (3,088 x 1,440) resolution and a dynamic refresh rate that can go from high 120Hz to as low as 1Hz with the help of LTPO technology.

The display of the smartphone can attain a peak brightness of up to 2,000 nits. This is much higher than Galaxy S22 Ultra’s 1,750nits brightness. The panel comes with Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection.

Powering the smartphone is Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, which is paired with either 8GB or 12GB of RAM and 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of internal storage. Unlike last year, Samsung didn’t launch the Exynos chipset variant of the device. The S23 Ultra is fueled by a 5,000mAh battery with 45W wired and 10W wireless charging. There’s support for reverse charging as well. Lastly, the smartphone runs Android 13-based One UI 5 out of the box.

Cameras

The S23 Ultra arrives as Samsung’s best camera phone. The smartphone flaunts a quad-camera setup, highlighted by a large 200MP ISOCELL HP2 sensor capable of recording up to 8K resolutions at 30fps. The primary sensor has optical image stabilization (OIS) as well.

The main sensor is accompanied by a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens that has an f/1.4 aperture and 120-degree FOV and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, f/2.4 aperture, and OIS support. There’s also a 10MP periscope telephoto camera with up to 10x optical zoom and f/4.9 aperture. For selfies, the handset gets a 12MP camera up front.

Price and Availability

The Galaxy S23 Ultra will be offered in four colors: Phantom Black, Cream, Green and Lavender. It will be available for purchase through various channels starting February 17. The base 8/256GB version of the smartphone starts from $1,200 in the US and ₹115,000 in India.

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Xiaomi Forms Two New Governance Committees to Make Better Decisions and Revive the Company

By

Joane

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Feb 1, 2023

On January 30, Lei Jun, the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Xiaomi group announced the establishment of two new governance bodies, the Operations Management Committee, and the Human Resources committee. CEO Lei Jun will be personally heading both committees and overseeing their operations.

Calling the new committee “a far-reaching change in the history of corporate governance” and “the first major event at the beginning of the year” Lei Jun explained its need, importance, and functions in his letter.

The Operations Management Committee will have officials and experts from various departments like marketing, business strategies, coordination, planning, budgeting, execution, and daily operations. The committee will have 12 members including Lei Jun along with Xiaomi Group President Lu Weibing who was previously the head of the sub-brand Redmi and Zeng Xuezhong the current SVP and President of the Smartphone division, who previously headed the smartphone division of ZTE.

The Human Resource Committee will have 7 people including Lei Jun, Lu Wiebing, and Liu De the co-founder and Vice-President of Xiaomi, and other Human Resources and General affairs departmental heads.

It seems like the new committees will play a vital role in shaping the future of the Xiaomi group as they involve leaders from its three major businesses: Smartphones, IoT and Consumer goods, and Internet services.

Internal reconstruction and organizational changes are not new to Xiaomi. Recently, Xiaomi re-assigned many of its officials and revamped and established different internal organizations to tackle different needs.

The company made more than 35 internal structural changes that included major events like the resignation of founder Lei Jun from many of Xiaomi’s affiliate businesses. In September 2022, Lei Jun also stepped down from his position as Chairman of Xiaomi Electronic Software Technology Ltd. and quit the director position of some of the sub-brands.

Why is Xiaomi Changing its Management Structure?

Xiaomi is rapidly changing its management structure to combat the pressure of losing its top positions in both China and India. The plunging sales along with the diminishing global demand for smartphones have also added to its worries.

Last year, for the first time in a decade, China’s smartphone sales hit a record low. According to an IDC report, in 2022, smartphone shipments in China were around 286 million units, a 13% fall from the previous year.

In India, which is the world’s second-largest smartphone market, Xiaomi held the top position for 5 consecutive years. However, in the fourth quarter of 2022, as Xiaomi’s sales dropped by 6% YoY, Samsung dethroned the company by becoming the new market leader.

The exit of former Xiaomi India head Manu Kumar Jain, along with Chief Business Officer Raghu Reddy and Marketing Head Sumit Sunal shows a major change in the internal management of Xiaomi India.

Rajeev Nair, Senior Analyst of Tech Insights said that though their exits do not directly affect the revenue and sales, the multiple resignations have definitely affected the company adversely, as seen by Xiaomi’s dwindling performance in the Indian market.

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Walmart’s Second-gen Android TV Streaming Box in the Works, FCC Filing Reveals

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Feb 1, 2023

Walmart may be planning to release a sequel to its 2020 ultra-cheap Android TV streaming box. The new Android TV streaming box will come with improvements from the original Onn streaming devices. An FCC listing picked up by a tipster gives the first views of the upcoming Walmart Android TV dongle.

The Walmart Android TV dongle is a 4K streaming device based on the SDMCTECH design. It was submitted for FCC certification by Luxshare Precision Industry Co. The FCC listing actually indicated that the device is an Onn 4K streaming Box. There are several details lacking from the FCC listing outside its basic specifications. The streaming box will also support Wi-Fi and Bluetooth bands.

The rumored Walmart Android TV dongle will be running on the Amlogic S905Y4 chipset with AV1 support. It is an upgraded version of the S905Y2 used in the previous dongle. The device is rumored to come with Google TV support from the previous Android TV. This is a strategic marketing decision, as many brands have switched to Google TV. The original Onn Android TV dongles were impressive in their own rights. They came with an affordable price tag which was something that attracted demand for the products.

Walmart discontinued the production of the Onn streamers last year and stocks have quickly been exhausted. The FCC listing of the upcoming Onn Android TV streamer could indicate an imminent release. Pricing information and release details are however lacking at this time.

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2023 Hyundai IONIQ 6 Series Impressive EPA Ratings Announced

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Feb 1, 2023

Hyundai has announced the IONIQ 6 series EPA ranges with some impressive numbers. The IONIQ 5 was a huge hit and sold out within 24 hours. The IONIQ 6 seems to have even upped the stakes with some impressive EPA numbers. The longest-range model in the lineup can deliver 361 miles on a single charge.

The official EPA ratings of the Hyundai IONIQ 6 lineup blew away expectations. The new electrified streamliner was unveiled last June with a sportier design than the IONIQ 5 SUV. It retained the same 800V E-GMP platform as its predecessor but with advanced capabilities. The Hyundai IONIQ 6 features vehicle-to-load (V2L), ultra-fast charging, and the latest innovations in the industry.

At the LA Motor Show, the IONIQ 6 was estimated to deliver an estimated range of 340 miles. It was projected as one of the most efficient EVs with an ultra-low drag coefficient of 0.22. The IONIQ 6 also has active air flaps, wheel gap reducers, a spoiler with a winglet, flow separation straps, and an efficient aerodynamic design. It was launched in Germany, the UK, France, the Netherlands, and Norway.

The 2023 Hyundai IONIQ 6 will arrive in the United States soon. The final EPA testing shows that the EV exceeded the initial expectations. Hyundai expects the 2023 IONIQ 6 to enter the US market with a bang. The IONIQ 6 SE RWD comes with a final EPA estimated range of 361 miles, followed by the IONIQ 6 SE AWD at 316 miles. The SEL RWD and SEL AWD both with 20-inch wheels have an EPA range of 305 miles and 270 miles respectively. The remaining models in the lineup are the Limited RWD and Limited AWD models with 305 miles and 270 miles respectively.

The IONIQ 6 series benefited greatly from its aerodynamic design which provided improved ranges. They also come with impressive MPGe ratings, especially for the top model the IONIQ 6 SE RWD. The series will enter the US market this spring and pricing information is lacking at this time.

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A New Honor Mid-ranger With Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 Soc Could Launch Soon

By

Anurag

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Feb 1, 2023

Honor is ready to unveil the new Magic 5 series at MWC Barcelona on February 27 alongside the Magic Vs foldable. However, it seems the company may bring a new mid-range smartphone in its home country China ahead of MWC. We have heard through the grapevine that the firm is working on a new device with Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 SoC at the helm. Here’s everything we know so far.

Chinese tipster Wangzai claims a new Honor smartphone could launch soon as it has entered the final debugging stage. The handset is said to be equipped with a curved OLED display and a particularly large 6,000mAh battery. Under the hood, it could have a Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset paired with up to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage.

If the handset launches soon, it could in fact be the first to feature the new Qualcomm chipset. To remind you, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 SoC was announced recently. Manufactured on the latest 4nm process node, the chipset uses Cortex-A78 CPU as its main core. The primary core goes up to 2.2 GHz. The SoC is claimed to offer a 35% increase in graphics performance as well as a 40% jump in computational performance. We don’t know which processor was used as a reference.

The official moniker of the smartphone is still anyone’s guess. Judging from the available specs, the unknown Honor smartphone looks quite promising. It will likely debut as a premium mid-range device offering a good bounce for the ounce. We should be learning more about its specifications in the coming days. Honor may announce the launch date of the device pretty soon. Stay tuned for the updates.

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iQOO Z7, Vivo V27, Y100, Y78 Monikers Surface, Model Numbers Revealed as Well

By

Anurag

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Feb 1, 2023

Vivo and its sub-brand iQOO are reportedly working on several new smartphones that may soon debut in the Chinese as well as Indian markets. The monikers and model numbers of these upcoming devices have surfaced online. Apparently, Vivo is already readying the Vivo V27- the successor to Vivo V25. Alongside, iQOO is rumored to have the Z7 series in the works. Here are all the details.

Pricebaba, in collaboration with tipster Paras Guglani, has shared the marketing names and the model numbers of a handful of Vivo and iQOO smartphones. The report says the iQOO Z7 series will comprise of two smartphones in India, dubbed iQOO Z7 5G and the iQOO Z7 Pro 5G. They will have model numbers I2207 and I2213, respectively. However, in the Chinese market, the series will include the iQOO Z7 and the iQOO Z7x, with model numbers V2270A and V2272A.

Moving to the team Vivo, the upcoming Vivo V27 series will have two members in India— Vivo V27 (V2231) and Vivo V27 Pro 5G (V2230). Globally, the standard model will have model number V2246. The Chinese company may also launch a stripped-down Vivo V27e 5G with model number V2237.

Previous reports have claimed that the V27 series will in fact be a rebranded Vivo S16 series, which is exclusive to the Chinese market. It could be launched in the international market by the end of February. However, an official confirmation is still awaited.

In addition, Vivo also has a mid-range Y100 handset in the works with model number V2239 in India and V2240 globally. There’s also a Vivo Y78 5G (V2223) planned for the Indian market. The company will also launch Vivo Y78+ 5G (V2271A) but only in China.

New Version of Meta Smartwatch Leaks With Android OS Support

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Feb 1, 2023

A new version of the Meta smartwatch has been spotted and the model retains its Android-based OS. It had been rumored previously that a new Meta smartwatch will come with Wear OS compatibility. However, the new Meta smartwatch, as per the leaked image, is built on Android.

The new Meta smartwatch will be an added impetus to the Metaverse ecosystem. Obviously, Meta would have altered its plans as it has announced previously that it was dropping the Android-based design.

The new leak was by tipster Kuba Wojciechowski and the images bear a close semblance with the original Meta smartwatch. The smartwatch is powered by a Qualcomm chipset customized to run on Android rather than Wear OS. The smartwatch has a detachable frame design which allows the device to be removed from the wrist while retaining the frame. The detachment allows the deployment of the higher-resolution underside camera of the smartwatch.

The Meta ecosystem has several Android-based models and the new Meta smartwatch adds to the list. The new underside camera in the yet-to-be-released smartwatch is an improvement from its predecessor. Meta had struggled to optimize the position of the second camera in the V1 model. There were issues relating to the camera and nerve signals in the smartwatch from the previous model.

It is expected that the challenges from the first-generation Meta smartwatch have been resolved in the new model. The images released by the tipster showed that the new smartwatch retained the form factor of its predecessor. However, the sensors at the underside have been tweaked for efficient performance. A new watch face is visible for the model with a simple blue design and a red short pointer. The new smartwatch will not likely be immediately integrated into the Metaverse, according to the leak. There are no timelines for the release of the new Meta smartwatch at this time.

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US and India Join Forces Against China in Critical Technologies

By

Oğuz Çakır

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Feb 1, 2023

The trade war between the US and China continues at full speed. Although this situation, which has caused damage to many companies, especially Huawei, has been forgotten with the pandemic, it has become the main agenda again with the new move of the USA. The White House is launching a partnership with India on Tuesday that President Joe Biden hopes will help the countries compete against China on military equipment, semiconductors and artificial intelligence. Here are the details…

US, India’s ICET Partnership to Focus on Semiconductors, AI and More to Help Compete Against China

The White House wants to strengthen its hand against China. For this, President Joe Biden, who was at the table with India, agreed in principle with the New Delhi government. This situation, which includes companies in both countries, is based on mutual benefit. As you know, India’s telecom infrastructure mainly consists of Chinese companies, including Huawei.

President Biden wants to change that and have new infrastructure built in the region by US companies. In addition, India’s military (currently dependent on Russia) will also have access to modern US weapons. The initiative also includes a joint effort on space and high-performance quantum computing. General Electric has requested permission from the US government to produce jet engines. Collaboration will also apply to semiconductors, AI, and other critical technologies.

Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, and his Indian counterpart, Ajit Doval, are meeting with senior officials from both countries at the White House on Tuesday to launch the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies. “The larger challenge posed by China — its economic practices, its aggressive military moves, its efforts to dominate the industries of the future and to control the supply chains of the future have had a profound impact on the thinking in Delhi,” said Sullivan. The agreement is expected to have serious benefits for both countries.

For example, General Electric is asking the US government for permission to produce jet engines with India that would power aircraft operated and produced by India, according to the White House, which says a review is underway. Now this permission is also expected to be granted.

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Lenovo Releases 27-inch ThinkView Plus FHD Smart Display With a $2,345 Price tag

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Feb 1, 2023

Lenovo has announced the ThinkView Plus which is focused mainly on video conferencing. The new FHD smart display has Microsoft Teams integration with its three-part display dedicated to video conferencing and as a monitor. The announcement was made during ISE 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. The ThinkView Plus is a follow-up to the 2020 ThinkSmart View with an IPS display.

The new ThinkView Plus is entering a market that has been less enthusiastic to a raft of smart displays already released. Some of the earlier models include the Facebook Portal, Amazon Echo Show 15, and Samsung smart monitors. The Lenovo ThinkView Plus is a niche offering for business purposes. The ThinkView Plus is two parts videoconferencing display and one part USB-C monitor.

The monitor has HDMI, DisplayPort in and out, USB-A (x2), and USB-C ports. The display density of the monitor is 81.6 pixels/ inch and has a resolution of 1920 x 1080p. The panel of the ThinkView Plus has not been specified yet. The ThinkView Plus has an octa-core Qualcomm QCS8250 chip that supports Wi-Fi 6 and Microsoft Teams compatibility. The display uses Android sans computer, although the version was not specified. An integrated 4K infrared and RGB camera has AI capabilities and can achieve automatic image-quality adjustments.

The Lenovo ThinkView Plus has four microphones, and dual 5W speakers that are both detachable and upgradeable. A passive stylus and whiteboard app are also included in the package. The new smart display offers more flexibility and functionality than the ThinkSmart View. The exclusion of other videoconferencing applications outside Teams could be limiting for the model. The price of the ThinkView Plus is $2,345 and it is expected to be out by the middle of this year.

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Kunlun Glass: The Secret Behind Huawei’s Unbreakable Smartphones is On CCTV

By

Oğuz Çakır

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Feb 1, 2023

Huawei’s cutting-edge technologies made their debut on China Central Television (CCTV) on January 31st. At the premiere of “The Road to Building a Strong Brand,” a documentary featuring Huawei. The documentary highlights Huawei’s breakthroughs in various areas, including the Huawei Beidou satellite messaging, Huawei Kunlun glass, XMAGE super light imaging, and Hongmeng OS.

The Huawei Mate 50 series, which features Huawei’s “unbreakable” Kunlun glass, was also highlighted in the documentary. According to Huawei Executive Director, Yu Chengdong, and Vice President of Huawei’s smartphone product line, Li Xiaolong, the development of the Kunlun glass took four years, overcoming numerous challenges along the way.

The Kunlun glass is inspired by the strong and durable structure of reinforced concrete and is made through a rigorous process, including 24 hours of crystal growth, 108 procedures, and a 1600 degree melting process. The glass contains billions of high-strength nanocrystals, making the glass highly impact-resistant and able to withstand drops 10 times better than other smartphone glass.

In addition to the Kunlun glass, the Huawei Mate 50 series is also the first smartphone that supports the Beidou messaging system. The development of this new technology was completed by Huawei’s satellite messaging research and development team, whose average age is under 30.

Yu Chengdong reflects on the journey of Huawei‘s success: “Ten years ago, the difficulties we faced were that no one recognized or knew about Huawei’s brand. But today, we have accumulated many core technologies and capabilities.” He emphasized that although innovation comes at a cost, Huawei will continue to invest in research and development, overcome challenges, and lead the industry forward.

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Tecno to Attend the MWC Barcelona Event for the First Time in 2023

By

Chandan

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Feb 1, 2023

Tecno is one of the most popular smartphone manufacturers. The brand has been primarily focused on selling budget and mid-range smartphones. They had recently launched the Tecno Phantom X2 and Phantom X2 Pro smartphones. The top-end model was the costliest smartphone ever launched by the brand. This was the very first time when the brand entered the above midrange or flagship killer segment by launching these smartphones. Now, the brand is set to do another first thing in its history.

The official Twitter handle of Tecno mobiles has announced that they are going to participate in the MWC Barcelona 2023. The MWC will start from February 27th onwards and will end on March 2nd, 2023. This is the first time when Tecno is participating in this event. Many different tech brands participate in the event and showcase their products and innovations. The tweet also confirms that the brand is preparing something interesting for the event and this surely hints towards an upcoming product or technology that the brand will possibly be showcasing in the MWC 2023 event.

Honor recently confirmed the global debut of its upcoming Magic5 series and Magic Vs at the MWC event. The products will provide a serious challenge to the industry leader, Samsung. At least in the global market, Samsung has been the sole dependable alternative for the foldable smartphone. However, the situation appears to be changing as Honor prepares to introduce its foldable devices.

The release of Honor devices has increased our excitement for the MWC Barcelona 2023 event, and now the participation of Tecno has increased our excitement even further. We are expecting some outstanding inventions and products from various brands at the event. So that was it for the Tecno mobiles announcement for the MWC Barcelona 2023 event. What is your opinion on the subject? Please let us know by leaving a remark in your own words down below.

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Smartphones, Smart TVs To Get Cheaper In India As Government Slashes Custom Duty On Key Parts

By

Viraj Gawde

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Feb 1, 2023

The government of India presented its Union Budget 2023 earlier today. There were announcements like dedicated research around 5G, AI, disruptive tech and more that are aimed to boost India’s smart electronics manufacturing industry. One key proposal from the Finance Minister includes the reduction in customs duty on the import of inputs/parts for manufacturing electronic devices.

As per the Finance Minister, the government will provide relief in customs duty on the import of parts like the camera lens used in making the module of smartphones. This will be reduced from 2.5 percent to zero. There will be a concessional duty on lithium-ion cells for batteries to further promote smartphone production in India. The relief will be valid for one year. The benefits will help brands launch 5G smartphones in the budget segment. Additionally, the FM also proposed reducing the customs duty on parts of open cells of TV panels from 5 percent to 2.5 percent.

The reduction in custom duty will make smartphones and smart televisions affordable in the coming financial year. However, the exact revision in prices remainss to be seen. Various OEMs have also hailed the government’s decision. The smartphone industry in India has witnessed massive growth in recent years. It has increased from 5.8 percent from 2014-15 to 31 percent in 2022. The country is already the world’s second-largest mobile phone manufacturer backed by various government policies and incentive schemes.

The reduction in customs duty will also boost the ‘Make in India’ initiative and allow brands like Apple to expand their manufacturing beyond China.

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China Reacts Strongly Against US’ Plan to Boycott Huawei

By

Joane

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Feb 1, 2023

The US-China Tech war is getting intense, as the Biden administration is now planning to add more sanctions on Huawei.

In a bid to curb the technological advancement of China, the US has already added various sanctions on semiconductor exports and also pressured allies like Japan and Netherlands to stop their companies from exporting semiconductor tech to China.

Now Washington is going to add more export restrictions on the Chinese tech giant Huawei. The US is planning to cut off Huawei completely by boycotting the company.

China has reacted strongly against the latest news of sanctions against Huawei. The Chinese foreign ministry official, Mao Ning, stated that China is deeply concerned by this news.

She further added that the government is closely following the relevant developments and firmly opposes the United States’ generalization of the concept of national security, abuse of state power, and unreasonable suppression of Chinese companies.

China has clearly stated that additional sanctions on Huawei are a blatant violation of international economic and trade rules. The Chinese government has promised that it will firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies.

Huawei Has Faced US Sanctions Since 2018

This is not the first time that Huawei has faced such sanctions. In 2018, the US government banned the use of Huawei and ZTE-made devices, citing national security concerns.

In 2019, the government restricted all US companies from conducting business with Huawei, saying that the Asian Tech giant supplied important and sensitive data of US nationals, back to Beijing and Iran.

In 2020, the US further placed a blanket ban on selling semiconductors, related equipment, technological know-how, and personnel to Huawei.

Huawei was on its way to become the greatest tech company in the world and had already taken over Samsung and Apple to become the biggest smartphone seller in the globe, in 2020. However, the US sanctions affected the technological advancement and financial projections of the company, forcing it to take a back seat.

Already, US-China relations are tense with the ongoing semiconductor ban and technological sanctions that the US has placed on China. The Biden administration is nervous about the technological advancement of the Asian giant, especially in the field of Artificial Intelligence and futuristic tech, and is slapping sanctions on technology export to China in order to slow down its progress.

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The Wind and Light Bring a Fairy-like Robot to Life

By

Oğuz Çakır

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Feb 1, 2023

Researchers from the Light Robots group at Tampere University are working on a project called “FAIRY”. This project aims to make smart material fly. The team, led by Hao Zeng and Jianfeng Yang, have developed a polymer-assembly robot that is controlled by light and flies by the wind. Here are the details…

A fairy-like robot flies by the power of wind and light

The artificial fairy, which resembles a dandelion seed, is equipped with a soft actuator made of light-responsive liquid crystalline elastomer. Light can be used to change the shape of the robot and control its take-off and landing actions. The researchers will next focus on improving the material sensitivity to allow operation in sunlight, and up-scaling the structure to carry micro-electronic devices, sensors and biochemical compounds.

A fairy-like robot flies by the power of wind and light

The potential applications of the robot are significant, including artificial pollination, where millions of artificial seeds could be dispersed by natural winds and then steered towards specific areas using light. The FAIRY project, which started in September 2021, has a duration of five years and is being researched in cooperation with the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Germany and Aalto University.

While the concept of an artificial fairy controlled by light and wind is promising, several challenges remain to be solved, such as precise control of landing spot, reusability and biodegradability. Close collaboration with materials scientists and those working in microrobotics will be necessary to address these issues. Next, the researchers will focus on improving the material sensitivity to enable the operation of the device in sunlight. In addition, they will up-scale the structure so that it can carry micro-electronic devices such as GPS and sensors as well as biochemical compounds.

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POCO X5 Real-Life Images Leaked Ahead of the Official Launch

By

Chandan

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Feb 1, 2023

POCO is all set for the launch of the POCO X5 series in the market. The launch stage is all set and the event will go live on February 6th, 2023. The series will include two smartphones; POCO X5 and POCO X5 Pro. The top-end model will be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset. Anyways, the real-life images of the forthcoming POCO X5 5G have been leaked ahead of the official launch. The images leaked reveal the complete look and form factor of the device.

Coming down to the leaked images of the upcoming POCO X5 5G device, the images reveal the device in a greenish kind of colour. The back comes with a matte finish and a huge camera island on the top side. The camera bump and the branding of POCO can be seen aligned vertically on the island. The camera housing is very similar when compared to the Redmi K50i device. It houses three different camera lenses in a triangular shape along with an LED light. The 48-megapixel branding can also be seen inside the bump. The images have been leaked by Marquim dos eletrônicos (a phone shop in Brazil) on the internet.

So that was all the leaked images revealed about the device. Regarding specifications, tons of rumours and leaks are already up on the internet regarding the specifications of the device. The device will reportedly have a 6.67-inches SuperAMOLED display with FullHD+ 2400*1080 pixel resolution and up to 120Hz high refresh rate support. It will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G chipset. As for the cameras, there would be three different lenses on the rear a 48-megapixel primary camera, an 8-megapixels secondary ultrawide lens and a 2-megapixels macro lens at last. There would be a 13-megapixels selfie snapper.

The device will have a 5000mAh battery and will enable 33W fast wired charging. The smartphone will be available worldwide on February 6th, 2023. The POCO X5 model, on the other hand, will not be available in India. Instead, the POCO X5 Pro smartphone will be released in India. That brings us to the end of our discussion of the POCO X5 leaked image. What are your thoughts on the matter? Please let us know by leaving a remark in your own words down below.

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Xiaomi’s Republic Day Sale: Over 1 Million Devices Sold in India

By

Oğuz Çakır

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Feb 1, 2023

Xiaomi, one of the largest technology companies in the world, and produces devices in almost every price segment and category. This makes the Chinese brand very popular, especially in the Asian market. Being aware of the situation, Xiaomi offers special products and discounts to these regions. One of these markets is India, which has a huge potential with a population of over one billion. Lastly, the Chinese tech giant made a special campaign for “Republic Day”, which is celebrated in the country. Xiaomi sold over 1 million devices in India during the “Republic Day Sale“. Here are the details…

Xiaomi sold over 1 million devices in India during the Republic Day Sale

India celebrates Republic Day on 26 January every year since 1950. This year, the tradition continued and special events were held across the country. Xiaomi, which has deep ties with the Asian country, organized a campaign between the 26th and 30th of the month. This campaign, called the Republic Day Sale, caused discounts on hundreds of products. Xiaomi did well for itself as it announced that it has sold over 1 million products during its sale.

Unfortunately, the company did not disclose how many of each product it sold. It just announced that one million different products have been sold. However, Xiaomi makes everything from headphones to smart TVs so, it’s not easy to predict. Still, we know that Redmi models are quite popular in the country. According to initial reports, The Redmi Note 12 series sold over ₹5 billion worth of phones in less than two weeks since launch (January 11 to 23). This is up from the ₹3 billion reported for the first week of availability.

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TCL Global Releases its TV Sales Data for the Year 2022; Quite Impressing

By

Chandan

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Feb 1, 2023

TCL is unquestionably one of the most popular TV makers on the market. They also revealed some high-end TVs with new technologies and features that will help them compete well in the market. The firm has now released its global TV sales data report for the year 2022. The statistics are fairly startling, and it reveals that the brand also managed to achieve a significant gain in year-on-year sales. Considering the competition, the brand has sold a whopping 23.78 million TVs in the global market, which is really fascinating. Let’s dig deeper into the report.

According to the report, TCL grew its sales by more than 8% year on year, selling a total of 23.78 million TVs. In addition, the brand posted a staggering 9.7% year-on-year rise in the Q4 2022 sales report. In this quarter, they sold approximately 7.16 million units. Furthermore, the brand has had a 32% year-on-year increase in the Chinese market, specifically for the fourth quarter of 2022. The brand states that the continuous work of the “TCL x Thunderbird” dual-brand strategy, as well as the further optimization of online and offline channels, has contributed to high sales in the Chinese market.

In addition, according to the report, sales of TCL’s large-size smart screens expanded significantly in 2022. TCL smart screen sales of 65-inch and larger have climbed by 75.7% year on year, and the proportion has increased by 8.2% year on year to 19.3%. The overall average size of TCL TVs sold has risen from 32 to 48 inches. This is also an excellent indicator of the brand. TCL TV sales increased by 21.3% year on year in 2022, and the share of large-size smart screen sales continued to rise, reaching historical highs. In 2022, the Chinese market’s sales volume of 65-inch and larger TCL smart screens increased by 85.0% year on year.

In terms of regions, TCL smart screen sales in emerging markets increased 10.4% year on year in 2022. Sales in the Philippines, Turkey, and Indonesia climbed by 43.0%, 52.3%, and 62.0% year on year, respectively, and sales in the Philippines, Australia, and Pakistan accounted for the rest. TCL smart screen sales in the European market climbed by 5.3% year on year, with sales in the Benelux and the United Kingdom increasing by 41.3% and 53.8% year on year, respectively. So that was it for the sales report released for the TCL TVs for the year 2022. Thanks a lot for reading the post till the end.

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Global Smartphone Shipments to fall by 4% in 2023: Report

By

Sean

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Feb 1, 2023

Gartner has just released a new report that projected the worldwide shipments of the total devices, which includes PCs, tablets, and smartphones. This report revealed that the negative trend and decline of the smartphone market will continue in 2023 as well. So here are all the details.

Just a while back, we had covered another report that revealed that the global smartphone shipments had fallen by 11.3 percent year on year in 2022. However, it appears that this trend might continue to this year as well. The report from Gartner states that the smartphone shipments will decline by 4 percent in this year. On the other hand, the worldwide device shipments are also expected to fall by 4.4 percent overall.

According to Ranjit Atwal, Senior Director Analyst at Gartner, “The depressed economic market will continue to dampen demand for devices throughout 2023. In fact, end user spending on devices is projected to decline 5.1 percent in 2023. Just as business confidence was beginning to recover after the worst of the pandemic, it has now fallen significantly in most regions. We do not expect relief from inflation and the bottom of the recession to occur until the fourth quarter of 2023.”

This downward trend affects every categories including the PC, tablet, and not just the mobile phone. The former will see a 6.8 percent shipments, while the latter will have a 2.9 percent decline this year. In other words, the market expectations are quite pessimistic for this year as well.

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Xiaomi Pad 6 Series Key Specifications Emerge Online

By

Viraj Gawde

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Feb 1, 2023

As per a past report, the Xiaomi Pad 6 series is expected to launch in the second quarter of 2023. The Pad 6 and 6 Pro’s codenames and model numbers were spotted in MIUI codes last month. The tablets have also reportedly entered internal testing in the European and Eurasian regions. Now, reliable Chinese tipster Digital Chat Station has leaked the key specifications of the Xiaomi Pad 6 series.

As per DCS, the Xiaomi Pad 6 and Pad 6 Pro will feature an 11-inch screen bearing a resolution of 2,880 x 1,080 pixels. Both devices will offer 120 or 144Hz refresh rate and come with support for HDR10+ and Dolby Vision. The tipster is unsure whether the display panel will be LCD or AMOLED. A previous leak claimed that the Pro model will sport an AMOLED panel.

Under the hood, the Xiaomi Pad 6 will be equipped with a Snapdragon 870 processor whereas the Pad 6 Pro will be powered by a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC. Both models will pack up to 12GB RAM and 512GB onboard storage. The tablets are tipped to be backed by large batteries with support for 67W fast charging.

DCS also adds that the Xiaomi Pad 6 series will come with a fingerprint scanner that was not available on last year’s Pad 5.

As per past leaks, the Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro is rumoured to come with a quad-speaker system, NFC, and dual rear cameras. It will be compatible with the Xiaomi stylus and keyboard. We will know more details about the Xiaomi Pad 6 series in the coming weeks.

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