Canalys has released a new report on the global smartphone market. According to it, the fourth quarter of 2022 was the worst-performing annual and Q4 in a decade.
Although the shipments dropped throughout the year, the brand rankings remained the same. OEMs are cautious regarding the upcoming quarters.
Photo by George Dolgikh | Source: Pexels
The report states that worldwide smartphone shipments dropped by 17% YoY in Q4 2022. The full-year decline is said to be 11%. Fewer than 1.2 billion smartphones were shipped globally in 2022.
Although Apple came first in the last quarter of 2022, it was Samsung who led the market overall for the entire year. The third, fourth, and fifth places were acquired by Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo, respectively.
The difficult macroeconomic environment throughout 2022 resulted in the decline of smartphone shipments, says Canalys Research Analyst Runar Bjørhovde. The demand for low to mid-range segments dropped fast in earlier quarters, and even the demand for the high-end category started showing weakness in Q4 2022.
As per Canalys Research Analyst Le Xuan Chiew, brands will approach 2023 cautiously by prioritizing profitability and protecting market share. They are already cutting costs to adapt to the new market reality. A strong relationship between channel partners and vendors will be important to maintain market shares.
Canalys forecasts flat to marginal growth for the global smartphone market in 2023. Markets like Western Europe and North America will be affected by economic slowdowns, while some regions in Southeast Asia may grow in the second half of 2023.
Oppo is gearing up to launch the Find X6 series of flagship devices in the coming months. We recently reported on the leaked display specifications of the vanilla Finx X6. Now, a new image of the Find X6 series has appeared online which is quite distinct from the previous renders.
Earlier renders and live images of the Find X6 series show the device featuring a rectangular camera module, however, the new render feature a large circular rear multi-camera module with a centered alignment. It has three cameras, one of which (periscope telephoto) was canceled on the Find X3 and Find X5 series. It is located in the lower-left corner of the camera island.
The back of the device appears to be made of two materials. The top part is made of ceramic, while the lower part could be leather. The two materials also devise the camera island into two, with the top part featuring a black color scheme while the lower part has a metallic grey finish. Hasselblad and MariSilicon branding are also present on the back. As this new design goes against all the previously leaked renders, we suggest readers take it with a pinch of salt.
Oppo Find X6 specs
A recent leak suggests that the Find X6 standard version has a 6.74-inch Flexible AMOLED display with 2772 x 1240p (1.5K+) resolution. It has a refresh rate of 120Hz and will feature 2160Hz PWM dimming.
The Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset is expected to power the device. The device is expected to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset. A front-facing 32-megapixel Sony IMX709 camera could be included. On the back, it could have a 50-megapixel primary camera with OIS. A 4,800mAh battery with 80W charging capability is possible.
Google’s cloud game streaming service called Stadia is shutting down today, but before that, the company is allowing users to use the wireless stadia controller as a Bluetooth controller that can be connected to other devices.
Converting a Stadia controller into a Bluetooth controller is a manual process and won’t happen automatically for the users. Also, it’s an irreversible process, which means once it’s converted to a Bluetooth controller, you cannot go back.
The company has also revealed that the last date for users to make the switch for the controller is 31st December 2023. After that date, any unconverted Stadia controller will work as a wired gamepad but won’t get wireless connectivity support.
After the device has been enabled with Bluetooth mode, it can be connected to other devices by pressing the Y and Stadia buttons simultaneously for a couple of seconds. When the Stadia light flashes orange, it indicates that the controller is now in pairing mode. Once it’s paired with a device, it will auto-connect to the last paired device whenever turned on.
If you are an owner of a Stadia controller, then you can visit this web-based tool to unlock Bluetooth on the device. The process is quick, simple, and easy to follow. Make sure that the device is charged at least 10 percent before you attempt to start the process and is connected to the computer using the USB port.
A few months ago, Google announced that it would shut down the Stadia cloud gaming service, and then the company refunded all the game and hardware transactions starting November 2022. Some game studios also started offering free PC copies of the games purchased through Stadia.
The OPPO A78 5G is OPPO’s first smartphone for the Indian market in 2023. The “Upgrade Your Speed” tagline that the brand is using to advertise the phone clearly indicates that performance and 5G connectivity are the primary selling features of the device. It is packed with more RAM, more internal storage, the most recent software, and a large battery with fast charging. All this sounds fine until we talk about the display and some other things about the phone. Here is my review of the OPPO A78 5G.
Oppo A78 5G: What’s in the box?
OPPO A78 5G
The following items are present in the retail package of the Oppo A78 5G
The Oppo A78 5G has a waterdrop notch display with a thick chin. While it is a dated design, some mainstream brands like Samsung and Vivo are still selling phones with a teardrop notch for around Rs 20,000 in India. The polycarbonate rear shell of the phone has a matte finish, which feels smooth. Depending on the light’s reflection, the back panel can exhibit different colors. There is a glossy strip extending downward from the camera area, which adds some uniqueness to the design.
The A78 has flat edges, with nothing available on the topside of the device. The bottom edge has a 3.5mm headphone jack, a microphone, a USB-C port, and a speaker grille. The left side of the phone has a hybrid SIM slot. The volume up and down buttons are also available on the left.
OPPO A78 5G
The right edge of the A78 has a power button, that is integrated with a fingerprint sensor. It has an IPX4 rating, which means it is resistant to water splashes. The earpiece available through the waterdrop notch doubles up as a speaker for stereo output.
OPPO A78 5G
The A78 5G has a 6.56-inch IPS LCD panel that delivers an HD+ resolution of 720 x 1612 pixels and up to 90Hz refresh rate. The display is bright and may not make you feel that it is an HD+ resolution screen. However, the display contents are not clearly visible under very bright sunlight. The A78 offers colour modes, such as Vivid and Natural. While the display is not really bad, Oppo should have offered Full HD+ resolution on the device. However, some brands are even offering up to 120Hz AMOLED display at a similar price as the A78. On the plus side, the HD+ resolution will allow the phone to consume less power and last longer.
Performance and Software
MediaTek Dimensity 700
5,000Ah battery
8GB of LPDDR4x RAM
33W SuperVOOC charging
128GB of UFS 2.2 storage
Android 13 OS with MIUI 13
8GB of virtual RAM
OPPO A78 5G camera
The Dimensity 700 and 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM are responsible for offering smooth performance. There is support for up to 8 GB of virtual RAM, which can help reduce lag while accessing demanding apps. However, thanks to the ample amount of physical RAM available, the phone runs smoothly in general.
The A78 is good enough for casual gaming. I played Asphalt 9 and it worked fine. A better display, on the other hand, would have allowed users to enjoy better, more powerful games on the device.
The A78 5G has a big internal storage of 128 GB as well as a microSD card slot for more storage. The 5,000mAh battery of the device can easily last more than a day with normal usage. It took around 70 minutes to fully charge the A78 from scratch. Here is how the device performed on the benchmark apps.
AnTuTuGeekbenchCPU Throttle
The ColorOS 13-based Android 13 OS comes preinstalled on the Oppo A78 5G. There is no word on how many years of OS and security updates it will be receiving. While the overall user experience is good, the device has plenty of unneeded apps.
Photography and Other Features
Rear Camera
Other features
50MP main camera
Side-facing fingerprint scanner
2MP macro camera
Face unlock
LED flash
6 5G bands: n1, n5, n8, n28, n41, n78
Hybrid SIM slot
Wi-Fi 802.11ac
Front Camera
Bluetooth 5.3
13MP front camera
Dual stereo speakers
3.5mm audio jack
The camera modes available on the OPPO A78 5G include Photo, Video, Portrait, Night, Pro, Extra HD, Panorama, Slow-Motion, Time-lapse, Sticker, and Text Scanner. It also provides other options, such as HDR, AI, 50MP, and Google Lens. The 50-megapixel main camera performs well in daylight. In the portrait mode, the background blur appeared a bit more aggressive than I expected. There is no ultra-wide camera on the device. The main snapper is paired with a 2-megapixel macro camera that captures mediocre quality images.
portraitselfie potraitpotrait
The main camera struggled in the low light, as it ended up capturing noisy shots. The night mode managed to refine the images captured in low light. The front and rear cameras are capable of shooting up to Full HD video at 30 fps. There is no EIS stabilization available onboard.
With night modeWith night modeWith night mode
Regarding other features, it is good to see that Oppo is offering dual speakers on the device for stereo output. I did not encounter any hiccups while using the side-facing fingerprint scanner on the device.
Verdict
OPPO A78 5G
The Oppo A78 5G is a capable device, but its Rs 18,999 (~$232) price tag would have been justified with a better display, like at least a 90Hz AMOLED screen. The camera performance is the other department where the device struggles to impress. Otherwise, the hardware specs, such as the chipset, RAM, storage, battery, and fast charging capabilities of the device, are fine. It would have been a better deal if the device had been priced around Rs 15,000 (~$184) or Rs 16,000 (~$196). It is still a device to consider if you are looking for a smooth-performing mid-range 5G phone.
The Oppo A78 5G is priced at Rs 18,999 (~$232) and comes in an 8GB+128GB variant only. Those who are interested can take advantage of the 10 precent cashback offer through ICICI Bank cards, SBI Bank cards, Bank of Baroda credit cards, IDFC First Bank credit / debit cards, One card, and AU Small Finance Bank credit cards. Buyers can avail of the device through Amazon India or the Oppo India website with up to 6 months of no-cost EMI. The handset is now available for pre-order and is scheduled to go on sale on Jan. 18 in India.
The iQOO Neo 7 5G will be launching on Feb. 16 in India. Ahead of the launch, the company is gradually confirming the key features of the device. It is already known that the Neo 7 5G will be India’s first Dimensity 8200-powered phone. Today, the company confirmed a few more details about the device.
As can be seen in the poster, the iQOO Neo 7 5G will be equipped with a 3D cooling system for heat dissipation. The other thing that the company has confirmed today is that the Neo 7 will support 120W FlashCharge technology.
Given that the iQOO Neo 7 5G lndia launch is less than a month away, the company is expected to gradually confirm the device’s other features. It is unclear whether the Neo 7 5G will be heading to other markets outside India.
Reports have revealed that the iQOO Neo 7 5G will be a rebranded version of the iQOO Neo 7 SE that went official in December 2022 in China. The Neo 7 SE available in China offers a 6.78-inch AMOLED FHD+ punch-hole display, which supports a maximum refresh rate of up to 120Hz and an under-display fingerprint scanner. It runs on an OriginOS 3-based Android 13. Since iQOO / Vivo is not offering OriginOS outside of China yet, it appears that the Neo 7 5G heading to India will be equipped with FunTouch OS 13-flavored Android 13.
The Dimensity 8200 and a 5,000mAh battery with 120W fast charging support power the iQOO Neo 7 SE. It comes with up to 12 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 512 GB of UFS 3.1 storage. It has a dissipation area of about 35,090mm2, dual stereo speakers, a 16-megapixel front camera, and a 64-megapixel (main, with OIS) + 2-megapixel (macro) + 2-megapixel (depth) triple camera unit.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 series is confirmed to launch on February 1. The series will consist of three devices – the Galaxy S23, the Galaxy S23 Plus & the Galaxy S23 Ultra. These devices have been leaked extensively over the past few months. And now, new information on each of these devices has emerged online leaving nothing to the imagination.
Starting off, we have the popular tipster Snoopy Tech leaking promotional images of the entire Galaxy S23 lineup.
Separately, Twitter user @BillbilKun has leaked the detailed spec sheet of all three models in the series. You can find the details of all the models listed below.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra specs
The 6.8-inch QHD+ (3,088 x 1,440) AMOLED screen on the flagship smartphone will have a refresh rate of 120 Hz. Its refresh rate can vary from 1 Hz to 120 Hz. A prior leak indicated that the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s peak brightness may reach 2,000 nits, however, that amount was later revised to 1,750 nits, the same as its predecessor.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
There will be a wide range of memory and storage options available for the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, including 8/12 GB of RAM and 256/512/1,024 GB of storage. A Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC and a 5,000 mAh battery that supports 45 W wired and 10 W wireless charging will power each variation. Given that the battery capacity is the same as the previous flagship model and the wireless charging wattage has been decreased from 15 Watts, overall, this constitutes a slight downgrade. Other features of the Galaxy S23 Ultra include an under-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 6E, UWB, and NFC.
In terms of the cameras, a 12 MP (f/1.4, 120-degree FOV) ultra-wide angle lens, a 10 MP telephoto lens (f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS), and a second 10 MP periscope telephoto lens (f/4.9, 10x optical zoom, OIS) will support the 200 MP ISOCELL HP2 sensor. Maximum video recording capabilities are 8K 30 FPS. Interestingly, despite the sensor’s ability to record at 120 FPS, 4K recording is limited to 60 FPS. The Galaxy S23 Ultra has a 12 MP front camera with HDR10+ capabilities.
Samsung Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23 Plus specs
Samsung Galaxy S23
The base model Galaxy S23 has a 6.1-inch FHD+ (2,340 x 1,080) AMOLED screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate. It supports HDR10+, has a pixel density of 425 PPI, and is covered in a layer of Gorilla Glass Victus 2. The refresh rate of the display can change dynamically between 48 Hz and 120 Hz. It will run on a 3,900 mAh battery and offer 25 W wired and 10 W wireless charging.
Samsung Galaxy S23+
The Galaxy S23+ has a larger 6.6-inch screen but the same display specifications as the Galaxy S23. Additionally, it has a 4,700 mAh battery that is much superior and enables wired charging at 45 W. Other features shared by the two devices include twin Dolby Atmos speakers, IP68 water resistance, Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 6E, NFC, and Wireless Powershare. Both smartphones will ship with One UI 5.1.
The cameras on the Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23+ will be carried over from their predecessors, like many other Galaxy S phones. The system will be led by a 50 MP camera (f/1.8, 23 mm focal length, 85-degree FOV, dual-pixel PDAF, OIS). It will be aided by a 10 MP telephoto lens (f/ 3.4, 36-degree FOV, 69 mm focal length, 3x optical zoom) and a 12 MP ultra-wide angle lens (f/ 2.2, 120-degree FOV, 13 mm focal length). Its 12 MP selfie camera can record films at high to 4K 60 frames per second and photographs in HDR10+. That is increased to 8K 30 FPS by the main camera.
UWB (ultra-wideband) functionality, on the other hand, is limited to the Galaxy S23+ (and the Galaxy S23 Ultra). Both smartphones will have 8 GB of RAM, but the Galaxy S23 will have 128 GB or 256 GB of storage, while the Galaxy S23+ will have 256 GB or 512 GB. Both are available in four different colorways: black, cotton, green, and purple.
Samsung Galaxy S23, S23 Plus, S23 Ultra pricing
The Samsung Galaxy S23 series Australian prices have leaked (via), with the vanilla Galaxy S23 starting at AUS $1,350 and the Samsung Galaxy S23+ starting at $1,650. The base variant of the top-tier Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra could be priced at around $1,950.
The prices of the Samsung Galaxy S23 series are higher than those of its predecessors. The three models of the Galaxy S22 series cost AUS $1,249, $1,549, and $1,849, respectively.
Asus has announced a new convertible laptop sporting an OLED display. The product is officially called the Asus Vivobook S 16 Flip OLED (TP3604).
As the name suggests, the computer features a 16-inch screen. It comes powered by 13th Gen Intel processors.
The company has only revealed the specifications without any word on pricing and availability.
Asus Vivobook S 16 Flip OLED (TP3604) Specifications
The newly unveiled Asus laptop flaunts a 16-inch 3.2K (3200 x 2000 pixels) OLED display with up to a 120Hz refresh rate and a 360° hinge. The touchscreen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass NBT and supports 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut as well as stylus input (4096 levels of pressure sensitivity).
The notebook is powered by up to 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13900H processor. The chipset is paired with up to 16GB 3200 MHz DDR4 RAM and 1TB PCIe 3.0 SSD. On the software front, it comes with either no preinstalled OS, Windows 11 Home, or Windows 11 Pro.
The connectivity options on the device include WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (Power Delivery, DisplayPort), 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1 x USB 2.0 Type-A, 1 x HDMI 2.1, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
The computer arrives with a chicklet keyboard with a 1.4mm key travel and an optional backlight. It houses Harman Kardon-certified Dolby Atmos-supported speakers and a 70Wh battery.
Last but not least, the MIL-STD-810H-compliant laptop weighs about 1.9kg.
Oppo unveiled the Oppo A78 5G on Jan. 16 in India, and since then it has been receiving pre-orders. Starting today (Jan. 18) at 12 pm (local time), the A78 5G will go on sale through OPPO India’s website and Amazon. Here is all the information on the price, offers, and specifications of the device.
Oppo A78 5G price in India, offers
OPPO A78 5G
The Oppo A78 5G, which comes in 8GB RAM + 128GB storage configuration only, is available for Rs 18,999 (~$232) through retail outlets, OPPO India’s online store, and Amazon. Customers can get up to 10 percent cashback and six months of EMI from ICICI, SBI, Bank of Baroda, IDFC, One Card, and AU Small Finance Bank. It comes in Glowing Blue and Glowing Black colors.
The Oppo A78 5G has a 6.56-inch LCD HD+ display with a maximum refresh rate of 90Hz. It is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 700 and 8 GB of LPDDR4x RAM. The phone offers up to 8 GB of virtual RAM, 128 GB of UFS 2.2 storage, and microSD card support via a hybrid SIM slot.
The A78 has an 8-megapixel camera on the front. It has a dual camera setup on the back that includes a 50-megapixel primary camera, a 2-megapixel depth sensor, and an LED flash.
The Oppo A78 5G has a 5,000mAh battery with 33W fast charging. The device runs on Android 13 OS, which is overlaid with ColorOS 13. It weighs 188 grams and measures 7.99mm.
In related news, a recent report revealed that Oppo will launch the Reno 8T in the first week of February in India. In March, the company may unveil the Oppo F23 series. The Oppo Pad 2 and Oppo Watch 3 are also expected to debut in March or April. The Reno 10 series will also be announced in April or May.
Redmi has officially debuted the Redmi Note 12 series smartphones in the Indian and Chinese markets. Compared to the three Note 12 series variations available in India, the Chinese market offers a few extra choices. In China, the majority of Note 12 series smartphones support 5G networks, however, the brand appears to have a 4G device in the pipeline for some markets.
XiaomiUI has spotted the Redmi Note 12 4G Indian and global variants on the IMEI database. These devices are likely headed to countries that haven’t fully transitioned to 5G network yet. Other than India and other global markets, the device might also debut in China as an affordable Note 12 option.
Model numbers 23028RA60L and 23021RAAEG are on the ones that will be sold in India and some international markets. These devices carry the codename Tapas and lack NFC support. There is an NFC-enabled version that will debut in international markets but not in India. The model number for this variation is 23021RAA2Y, and it goes by the codename “topaz.”
The report also included information on the phone’s software. According to XiaomiUI, the Note 12 4G will boot the most recent Android 13 operating system. As anticipated, MIUI 14 will be added on top. In contrast, the Note 12 series, which was released in India, comes pre-installed with MIUI 13, an Android 12-based operating system.
The phone will debut with at least 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, according to the rumor. 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage will be available as the highest storage option. Unfortunately, no other information is available on the Redmi Note 12 4G as of yet. However, we can expect it to feature an AMOLED display, and there is a possibility that it might be powered by the MediaTek Helio G99 chipset.
Reports have revealed that the OnePlus 11R and OnePlus Ace 2 are the same device. The 11R is expected to release on the global market, whereas the Ace 2 is said to be exclusive to the Chinese market. Both models have gotten important certifications, which means that these devices may soon go official.
The OnePlus 11R was spotted in the BIS database with model code CPH2487 by tipster Abhisekh Yadav. As usual, the listing only hints at an imminent India launch and has no information on its specs. The Ace 2 has been spotted with model code PHK110 at 3C. The listing reveals that it is a 5G-capable device that may ship with a 100W charger. It will feature the same 100W power adaptor (VCBAJACH) that is available with the OnePlus 11 5G phone in China.
OnePlus Ace 2 BIS listing
OnePlus 11R 3C listing
The 3C listing of the OnePlus Ace 2 hints that it may be released soon after the ongoing Chinese New Year holidays in China. In all likelihood, the launch could be set for February. Reports have already revealed the key specifications of the OnePlus Ace 2 / 11R. The 11R is expected to debut in Q2 2023 in India.
OnePlus 11R / Ace 2 specifications (rumoured)
The OnePlus 11R will arrive with a 6.7-inch curved-edge AMOLED display that offers a 1.5K resolution and a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. It will feature a 16-megapixel selfie camera and an OIS-enabled 50-megapixel main camera on the back. The primary snapper will be accompanied by a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens and a 2-megapixel macro camera.
The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1’sunderclocked version will be present under the hood of the device. It will ship with up to 16 GB of LPDDR5 RAM, up to 512 GB of UFS 3.1 storage, and a 5,000mAh battery with 100W charging support. The Indian variant will have OxygenOS 13, while the Chinese model will run on ColorOS 13-based Android 13. It will offer other features like an IR blaster, an alert slider, an in-screen fingerprint scanner, and dual speakers. It will be available in black and silver.
Chinese tech giant, Xiaomi has launched a new product called the MIJIA Thermos Flask. The thermos flask boasts a large capacity of 1.8 liters and is priced at 129 yuan ($19), making it an affordable option for those looking for a high-quality thermos.
One of the standout features of the MIJIA Thermos Flask is its grooved design on the top cover. This unique design allows for easy opening of the cover by simply pinching it with two fingers, preventing accidental touches and spills.
The MIJIA Thermos Flask is also designed for long-term heat preservation and cold storage. It can keep liquids warm at 75°C for up to 6 hours and keep them cold at 9°C for the same amount of time. This is thanks to its multi-layer temperature lock design, which helps to reduce heat loss and keep the temperature of the liquids inside consistent.
The inner tank of the MIJIA Thermos Flask is made of 316L stainless steel, which is known for its high-temperature resistance and stability. The inner wall of the pot is also made of electrolytic process, making it easy to clean and maintain.
Safety is another important aspect of the Thermos Flask. The pot is equipped with a pressure relief valve that opens when the lid is opened or the button to pour water is pressed, quickly eliminating negative pressure and preventing hot water from splashing.
The 71mm large-diameter spout on the product is also designed for easy cleaning and maintenance. It allows for deep scrubbing with one hand and reduces dirt buildup.
The MIJIA flask also has a one-piece handle, a built-in water level line, and a silicone floor mat on the bottom of the pot, which provides added stability and prevents slipping.
Overall, the Xiaomi MIJIA Thermos Flask is a great option for those looking for a high-quality, affordable thermos pot with a large capacity and advanced features such as heat preservation, easy cleaning, and safety.
Last month, Asus released a stable Android 13 update for the latest Zenfone 9. Now, the brand is bringing the software treat to the older Zenfone 8 and Zenfone 8 Flip. The update is being seeded in almost all regions, except Japan. Let’s have a closer look at the details.
Asus Zenfone 8 and Zenfone 8 Flip are receiving the stable Android 13 with software version 33.0210.0210.210. As mentioned, the update is rolling out in most regions, including Russia, India, Taiwan, and Europe. Only Japan isn’t getting it as of now. Users of the above-mentioned devices should be receiving the latest update in the coming days.
The new update comes with all the new features that were introduced with Android 13 and also brings the January security patch. The software adjusts the Quick Settings panel, notification tray, and volume panel to Android 13 design and has revamped Mobile Manager, Contacts, Phone, Emergency Dialer, File Manager, and other apps.
The rollout of Android 13 for the Zenfone 8 series is according to the update timeline released in November last year. Based on this, we can expect the stable Android 13 to soon make its way to the ROG Phone 6 and 6D before the end of the first quarter, followed by the ROG Phone 5 and 5S sometime in the second quarter.
As usual, the update is being rolled out in a phased manner and it may take a few days to reach every unit out there. But if you don’t wish to wait, you can sideload the update from Asus’ support site. Before you install the update, make sure you backup all your important data.
At the beginning of the month, Xiaomi released the Mijia LCD Small Blackboard Color Edition for crowdfunding. Now, the slate is officially on sale in China with a starting price of 69 Yuan. This price tag is 10 yuan more expensive than the crowdfunding price.
The slate can produce numerous colors, as its name implies, and this is made possible by a specially designed color liquid crystal panel. There are two sizes of the Blackboard: 10 inches and 13 inches.
It enables pressure writing, with the handwriting’s thickness varying as pressure is applied. The blackboard can be quickly cleared using the sensing area that is located above the screen. Handwriting is displayed on the screen using natural light reflection since it lacks a backlight.
The screen is blue-light-free, according to the manufacturer, so it can be used for lengthy periods of time by children and adults of all ages. Additionally, the board only uses energy when the information on it is being wiped.
Sadly, there is no mention of the option to save writings for later use. It is merely a writing board-like “write and wipe” tablet. Check out the Xiaomi MIJIA LCD Small Blackboard Storage Edition if you’re looking for a slate with built-in storage.
Samsung has introduced the Galaxy Book2 Go series onto the market. The announcement of the Samsung Galaxy Book2 Go and Galaxy Book2 Go 5G was made on January 16. The Galaxy Book2 Go series comes in a single colorway. The announcement comes a few days after CES 2023 where they were showcased.
The new Samsung Galaxy Book2 Go laptops have a 14-inch IPS display and are powered by the Snapdragon 7c Plus Gen 3 processor. The 5G edition of the laptop supports dual-SIM connectivity but uses the same chipset as the Book2 Go. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Plus Gen 3 has four ARM Cortex-A78 CPU cores, four Cortex-A55 CPU cores, as well as an Adreno GPU. The 5G modem in the Galaxy Book2 Go 5G supports under 6GHz 5G while a 42.3 Wh battery is present in both models.
The Galaxy Book2 Go series has an assortment of USB-A and USB-C ports, as well as a MicroSD slot. The 5G version of the laptop can be recharged at up to 45W via any of its USB-C ports. The base model will come with a 5GB/ 128GB RAM/ storage configuration while higher RAM and storage sizes are available with the Galaxy Book2 Go 5G. No memory components are replaceable or upgradeable for the models and availability is tied to the UK presently.
The Samsung Galaxy Book2 Go will retail in the UK for £499 (~$613) while the 4GB/128GB 5G laptop is priced at £649 (~$798). The 8GB/ 256GB RAM/ storage configuration of the Book2 Go 5G is priced at £749 (~$921) and all the models are in a silver colorway.
Apple has just announced the release of a new Mac Mini, which will now feature the M2 chip, including the Pro version of the chip. This marks the first time that Apple has brought Pro-tier chips to the Mac Mini, which was previously only offered with the entry-level M1 chip, the same one used in the MacBook Air. has released new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, featuring its latest M2 Pro and M2 Max chips. Apple did not hold a press event for the release of these new models, but they did release a 19-minute video on YouTube to announce the new M2 Pro and M2 Max models which are replacing older models from late 2021. These new models are designed to offer improved performance and efficiency compared to the previous generation.
These new models feature Apple’s updated silicon chips which offer improved performance and efficiency compared to the previous generation. The last generation of MacBook Pro models featured the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, which had a 10-core CPU, 32-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine, with support for 64GB of memory and an 8TB SSD. But this new MacBook Pro is equipped with the M2 and M2 Pro chipsets.
The M2 chip was initially introduced for the lower-end MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro models before being included in the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models. The M2 Pro model comes with a 12-core CPU, a 19-core GPU, and up to 32GB of unified memory, while the M2 Max model has a 38-core GPU and support for 96GB of unified memory.
The M2 Pro chip has double the number of transistors compared to the M2 chip and 20% more than the M1 Pro chip. It also includes 200GB/s of unified memory bandwidth, which is double that of the regular M2 chip. The M2 Max chip has the same 12-core CPU as the M2 Pro, but a stronger GPU.
In addition to the new chips, the latest MacBook Pro models also include advanced features such as Wi-Fi 6E3, which is the latest Wi-Fi technology that offers faster speeds, better performance, and lower latency than Wi-Fi 6. and an advanced HDMI port that supports 8K displays at 60Hz and 4K displays at 240Hz. This allows for high-resolution video playback and smooth gaming experiences.
The new MacBook Pro models also come with a redesigned keyboard and touch bar, which offer a more comfortable typing experience and easy access to frequently used apps and functions. The new models are also equipped with a larger battery, which provides longer battery life and allows users to work and play for longer periods of time without needing to plug in.
The latest MacBook Pro models are designed for professionals who require high-performance machines for their work. They are perfect for video editing, graphic design, music production, and other demanding tasks. The new models are also equipped with advanced security features, such as Touch ID and the Apple T2 security chip, which provide an extra layer of protection for users’ personal and professional data.
As far as the pricing goes, the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M2 Pro chip starts at $1,999, and the 16-inch model at $2,499. Both models are available for purchase online and will be available in Apple stores on January 24th but are now available for purchase online.
Apple has just announced the release of a new Mac Mini, which will now feature the M2 chip, including the Pro version of the chip. This marks the first time that Apple has brought Pro-tier chips to the Mac Mini, which was previously only offered with the entry-level M1 chip, the same one used in the MacBook Air.
According to the press release, the new Mac Mini’s baseline configuration includes the M2 chip, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage, with an HDMI port, Gigabit Ethernet, and a standard headphone jack, alongside two USB-A ports and two Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports, which is an upgrade from the Thunderbolt 3 ports on the previous generation. This configuration will be priced at $599 and will be available to order today, with availability beginning on January 24th.
For those who need more power, the Mac Mini will also be available in an M2 Pro configuration, which includes 16GB of RAM, 512GB of SSD storage, and an additional two Thunderbolt 4 ports alongside the ports already available on the standard M2 model. This configuration will be priced at $1,299, more than double the price of the baseline model.
The M2 Max chip, which is one of Apple’s more powerful chip series, is currently only being offered in the MacBook Pro. Apple last revised the Mac Mini in 2020 but did not update its specs when the M1 Pro and M1 Pro Max debuted in late 2021. The M2 chip was first introduced in June 2022 on the MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro and later expanded to the iPad Pro, this is the first time it has come to a desktop device.
Overall, the new Mac Mini is a significant upgrade from its predecessor and offers a powerful, compact and versatile device that is suitable for both personal and professional use. It’s also a great option for those who are looking to upgrade their Mac Mini and want to take advantage of the latest technology from Apple.
The LG UltraGear 25GR75FG IPS-based gaming monitor has been announced. The model is billed to be unveiled this April and it has been previewed with some specs details released.
LG UltraGear 25GR75FG has a 24-5-inch 1080p display with a very high refresh rate of 360Hz. It also features low response times, as well as VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification. The new gaming monitor will be the official display of the League of Legends EMEA Championship 2023. The monitor is the culmination of feedback LG says it received from its Esports community. The monitor is however open to non-Esports consumers for a variety of purposes.
The UltraGear has a 16:9 aspect ratio, 1ms GtG response times, and up to 97% sRGB color space coverage but its brightness specification is not known yet.
The UltraGear 25GR75FG has VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification which points to a minimum brightness level of 400 nits. LG says the ultra-high refresh rate of the new monitor is one of the talking points of the model. It has NVIDIA G-SYNC and an adjustable stand with reflex support. The monitor can swivel, tilt, move up by 110mm, or pivot in a clockwise manner. The UltraGear can be mounted on 100 x 100 mm VESA wall mounts while an assortment of ports is featured.
Pricing details for the LG UltraGear 25GR75FG gaming monitor are lacking at this time. The monitor will be released this week to coincide with the commencement of the new LEC season. Germany will be the first European market to welcome the UltraGear 25GR75FG in April. The monitor will also subsequently berth in other European markets. There are however no details yet on availability outside Europe.
JBL has launched three new soundbars with Dolby Atmos in India. The JBL BAR 2.1DB_MKII, BAR 500, BAR 800, and BAR 1000 soundbars are now available in India. This comes after the release last year of JBL’s PartyBox Essential party speakers in the subcontinent.
The new JBL soundbars offer a powerful sound starting with the Bar2.1 Deep Bass. This is a small soundbar that outputs 300W and is connectible to a TV. It can also play content wirelessly from a smartphone or tablet. The soundbar supports Dolby Digital and JBL Surround Sound for a balanced sound experience. It accentuates your viewing when paired with a TV for your entertainment. A wireless subwoofer and eARC HDMI further optimize the sound output of the speaker.
The JBL Bar 500 delivers a maximum sound output of 590W and features MultiBeam technology for a cinematic experience. It comes with Dolby Atmos 3D and Surround Sound, while the PureVoice feature optimizes voice clarity. The Bar 500 has a wireless subwoofer to deliver spotless bass to the listener. The JBL Bar 800 has a maximum output of 720W and comes with two up-firing drivers with wireless and battery-powered rear surround speakers. The JBL Bar 800 offers an immersive cinematic audio experience without clutter.
The JBL Bar 1000 has a maximum power output of 880W and it features True Dolby Atmos. The MultiBeam technology is also featured in the soundbar and also easy sound calibration. The soundbar works with voice assistant-enabled speakers and is also equipped with HDMI eARC connectivity with 4K Dolby Vision pass-through. Both the Bar 800 and Bar 1000 are equipped with built-in WiFi with AirPlay2, Alexa Multi-Room Music, and Chromecast.
JBL Bar 800
The price of the JBL Bar series soundbars in India are between Rs. 29,999 (~$367) for the Bar 2.1 DB and Rs. 109,999 (~$1347). All the models can be purchased directly from the JBL website, as well as other retail platforms in India.
Itel has launched two new televisions in India. The brand has expanded its range of TVs with the new L-series. The latest offerings have model numbers L3265 and L4365. Both are slightly different from each other in terms of specifications and carry an affordable price tag. Read on to know more about the televisions below.
Commenting on the launch, Transsion India said “At itel, we are committed to bringing ultimate entertainment to consumers, which is why we have developed Linux TVs that provide an affordable solution for every household to access a wide range of entertainment options.”
The Itel L3265 features a 32-inch display bearing an HD resolution and 250 nits peak brightness. On the other hand, the L4365 has a 43-inch screen with FHD resolution and 300 nits peak brightness. Both TVs have thin bezels and come with stands. The Itel L3265 and L4365 are equipped with two 12W box speakers tuned by Dolby Audio. There are built-in multi-scenario sound effects.
Under the hood, the Itel L3265 and L4365 are equipped with 1.5GHz and 1.8GHz quad-core chipsets respectively. Both variants pack Mali G31 MP2 GPU, 512MB RAM and 4GB onboard storage. Software-wise, the Itel L3265 and L4365 run on Coolita operating system. They feature Chromecast built-in and ship with pre-installed OTT apps including Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Sony LIV, Zee5, and more. The televisions come with a bundled smart remote control.
The Itel L3265 costs Rs 8,999 whereas the L4365 carries a price tag of Rs 16,599. Both televisions can be purchased from the company’s website.
OPPO Find N2 Flip debuted in China last month. It is confirmed to launch in the global markets, however the exact timeline remains a mystery. Ahead of the foldable phone’s launch outside China, it has appeared on multiple certification websites including FCC, GFC, Bluetooth SIG, BIS, and NBTC. Now the device has been spotted on the Geekbench benchmarking platform.
The OPPO Find N2 Flip is listed on the Geekbench database with model number CPH2437. It reveals that the device has a motherboard codenamed k6983v1_64 and it comprises of four cores clocked at 1.80GHz, three cores at 2.85GHz, and one primary core ticking at 3.20GHz. This suggests that the global variant will also be powered by Dimensity 9000+ processor that also powers the device in China. As per the benchmark listing, the foldable phone will pack 8GB RAM onboard and run on Android 13 OS out of the box.
In Geekbench’s single-core and multi-core tests, the OPPO Find N2 Flip scores 906 and 3,132 points respectively. Meanwhile, the foldable phone’s GFC certification revealed that it will come with support for eight 5G bands including n1, n3, n5, n8, n28, n38, n40, and n78.
We can expect the global variant of the Find N2 Flip to pack the same specifications as its Chinese counterpart. The device features a 6.8-inch FHD+ 120Hz AMOLED display and a 2.26-inch OLED screen on the back panel. There is a 50MP + 8MP dual rear camera setup and a 32MP selfie snapper. The foldable phone is equipped with a Dimensity 9000+ SoC paired with up to 16GB LPDDR5 RAM and 512GB storage. It is backed by a 4,300mAh battery with support for 44W charging.
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