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Global Notebook Computer Market Records Lowest Shipments in a Decade

The notebook computer market is facing an uncertain future due to various major events affecting the global economy. According to a recent analysis by TrendForce, global notebook shipments are expected to decline year-on-year in both 2022 and 2023. Meanwhile, US brands are adjusting their supply chain strategies, with Vietnam becoming an increasingly popular choice for the relocation of equipment production. Here are the details…

Notebook Computer Shipments for 1Q23 Are Projected Reach 10-Year Low

According to the latest reports, global notebook shipments will reach approximately 186 million units in 2022, a year-on-year decline of 24.5%. The outlook for the performance of the notebook computer market in 2023 remains uncertain, and total shipments are expected to Only 171 million units, a year-on-year decrease of 7.8%. This decline can be attributed to various major events affecting the global economy and politics, resulting in a sharp decline in the demand for consumer electronics.

Notebook computer

Another concern is that the Lunar New Year holiday in 2023 will come earlier than usual, and notebook brands worry that the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak in China will become a huge market variable after the holiday. In addition, there are concerns that equipment shipments will affected by component shortages caused by another round of the pandemic. As a result, global notebook PC shipments are expected to decline 9.5% quarter-on-quarter to 35.1 million units in the first quarter of 2023, which is the lowest level in 10 years for first-quarter results.

The U.S.-China trade dispute has led to heightened geopolitical tensions and prompted major electronics brands to adjust their supply chain strategies. Of these, US brands have been the most active in shifting equipment production and finding alternative sources Component supply. Vietnam has become a popular choice for relocation because of its geographic and demographic advantages, including a relatively young and low-cost workforce. Compal Wistron, Foxconn and other ODM manufacturers have started to build notebook assembly lines in Vietnam to cope with Request from a US customer. In addition, a US laptop brand set a target to increase its share of device shipments from Vietnam to 20% by 2023, while reducing its share of device shipments from China to 20~30% by 2027.

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Samsung Adds Galaxy S22 & Galaxy Book Models to Its Self Repair Program

Samsung has expanded its self repair program to include new devices on its supported list. Now, the company’s 2022 flagship Galaxy S22 series and a certain models of the Galaxy Book have been added to this program.

For those unaware, the South Korean tech giant had started a self repair initiative that it had created by joining hands with iFixit, which provides the tools and guides online for those that wish to conduct repairs on their own. So now, one can order repair kits for the 15 inch models of the Galaxy Book Pro and even the Galaxy Book Pro 360 variant. The list of supported PC repairs includes the display, battery, touchpad, case (both front and rear), power key with fingerprint reader, and rubber foot.

Samsung

Apart from this, the major addition to this self repair program is undoubtedly the Galaxy S22 series. Owners of the 2022 flagship Galaxy phones can now order repair kits for the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+, and even their Galaxy S22 Ultra models. These repair kits will help customers replace display assemblies, rear glass, and charging ports on your smartphones. With this updated list, the Galaxy S22 lineup joins its predecessors like the Galaxy S20, Galaxy S21, and even the Galaxy Tab S7+.

Furthermore, the new kits still include a free return label to help customers send used parts to Samsung for recycling. All of these are kits are already available as of earlier this week. If this program seems familiar, it is likely because of Apple also offering a similar initiative that allows its customers to perform repairs at home through self repair kits.

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The Best Just Got Better, Keychron launches wireless Q1 Pro Keyboard

Keychron, a well-known name in the mechanical keyboard community, has just announced their latest creation, the Q1 Pro. This new keyboard builds on the already popular Q1 model, but with one major difference. The Q1 Pro maintains the same sleek design as the original Q1, including the gasket mount design and aluminum housing.

However, it now offers the added convenience of being able to connect not only via a USB cable, but also via Bluetooth. The battery life on this keyboard is impressive, with amazing 300 hours of use on a single charge. For those who like to switch between multiple devices, the Q1 Pro can remember connections for up to three devices.

Keychron Q1 Pro

The Q1 Pro will be available on Kickstarter starting today, with a choice of a fully assembled model for $194 and a basic version without keycaps or switches for $174. While the fully assembled model is only available in the US layout, both options are available in a variety of color schemes, including black gray or white. Shipping is expected in April, and when it goes on sale to the general public, the MSRP for the fully assembled model will be $199 and the bare metal version will be $179.

While the wireless capabilities of the Q1 Pro are certainly a game-changer, there are some downsides to consider. The polling rate drops from 1000Hz to 90Hz when connected via USB, which may cause some problems for gamers. Also, if the battery life of the keyboard drops to 90 hours RGB lighting is turned on and set to minimum brightness when used wirelessly.

Keychron Q1 Pro

Keychron is no stranger to creating wireless keyboards, and its K-Series line offers a variety of configurations. However, Q-Series boards are known for their high-quality construction. The Q1 Pro also features a polycarbonate plate, which Keychron claims improves the overall typing sound and Keychron K Pro brand switches instead of Gateron models. The keyboard also features a customizable 75% layout similar to most laptop keyboard layouts, and is hot-swappable and compatible with three- and five-pin switches.

The fully assembled model comes with switches and two-tone PBT keycaps that are durable and won’t glow over time. The keyboard also includes extra keycaps for macOS or Windows machines and features hardware switches for switching between OS layouts. And Keychron is already top When it comes to choosing a wireless keyboard, the Q1 Pro probably takes the top spot for its advanced features and convenience. As always, we can’t wait to get our hands on this new keyboard and give it a full review.

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Xiaomi Car Spotted Being Tested on Snow With Founder Lei Jun Onboard

The Xiaomi Car was just recently spotted while it was undergoing a weather test in China. The upcoming electric vehicle was being tested in the snow, with one of its passenger being the founder and CEO of the company, Lei Jun.

Xiaomi

Earlier this week, a Weibo blogger (@不是郑小康) posted pictures that revealed that the Chinese tech giant was conducting a test of the yet to be announced EV model. Lei Jun, the founder himself was present during this test as per the blogger who shared the pictures on the Chinese microblogging website. In other words, the brand was clearly testing out the Xiaomi Car under extreme weather conditions of cold and likely making other key calibrations as well.

There were two EV models spotted in the wild, and it appears that Lei Jun was behind the wheels on one of the test units. Meaning, he personally conducted the tests for the new automobile. Looking at these images, we can tell that Xiaomi has hidden most of the design elements of this upcoming electric vehicle, although, we can make out the overall shape of the car. So, we can expect the Xiaomi Car to be a sporty sedan class model.

Xiaomi

Based on the recent sighting, the blogger had also claimed that there was also a LiDAR sensor on the roof of the vehicle, which hints at its driver assistance or self driving (autonomous) technology. Finer details regarding this car is still at large, but the company’s first EV is expected to be a medium sized sedan that will launch in two different versions. Furthermore, the car is rumored to be announced sometime later this year, with first sales expected to begin sometime in 2024.

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Tecno Spark Go 2023 Design, Indian Price & Specifications Leak Ahead of Launch

A new low-cost smartphone from Tecno is most likely to debut in India. According to rumors, the company will introduce the Tecno Spark Go 2023 in India to update its Spark series lineup.

The specifications are going to be entry-level. The company has not yet made the launch date official. In the meantime, a fresh leak has made the design, cost, features, and retail packaging of the Tecno Spark Go 2023 known.

Tecno

The source of the leak is PassionateGeekz. According to the source, the phone would have 3GB of RAM and one storage option when it ships to India. With a special launch price of Rs 6,999, the Tecno smartphone will come with 32GB of storage. The global version will offer 64GB of storage and up to 4GB of RAM.

The retail box and unit are also disclosed in the report. Only the phone’s name and the storage option are visible on the packaging. Additionally, the live image lists all the essential phone specifications. The phone will debut with a 16.66cm (6.55 inch) display, according to the leaked live image. The display will feature a waterdrop notch at the top for the front camera and an HD+ resolution.

The phone will have a 5000mAh battery inside. Additionally, a USB Type-C port will be present. Also confirmed by the live image is the presence of a dual-camera arrangement on the phone’s back, with a 13MP primary sensor. The front camera will have a 5MP resolution. It sports a square camera module on the back that houses two cameras and a fingerprint scanner that is located at the back.

It’ll be powered by a MediaTek Helio A22 SoC. The phone will be sold via Amazon in India in addition to traditional offline retailers.

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Samsung Promises ‘The Ultimate Premium Experience’ with Upcoming Galaxy S23 Series

Samsung is gearing up to launch its latest flagship phone, the Galaxy S23 series, and TM Roh, the company’s head of mobile, wrote a blog post discussing the new devices. In the post, Roh said the Galaxy S series is the best example of Samsung realizing its vision of using mobile devices Technology enriches people’s lives. He mentioned how professional-grade camera systems are getting smarter and able to deliver high-quality photos and videos in any lighting condition.

The new Galaxy S23 series will also feature an overclocked Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset for the fastest and most powerful Galaxy performance possible, as well as improved synchronization with other Samsung products. This means users will be able to connect their Galaxy S23 to other Samsung devices such as the Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Buds are more seamless than ever.

Samsung

Roh also mentioned the Galaxy S Ultra as the pinnacle of innovation from Samsung, and the company is committed to promoting environmental awareness. Samsung is making more durable, longer-lasting devices and using more recycled materials to help the environment. Galaxy S Ultra has Truly the pinnacle of Samsung mobile innovation, a brand that stands out, and soon we’ll be showing you what Ultra can do in more device categories as Roh writes.

Only two weeks until the next Unpacked event. Roh said that at the Unpacked event, Samsung will showcase the ultimate premium experience and will soon deliver our most powerful mobile experience that you will love for years to come. I can’t wait to share what’s next you.

Samsung Galaxy S23 series

The Galaxy S23 Ultra will come with 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB of storage. A 5000mAh battery will keep the lights on, with support for 45W wired fast charging and 15W wireless charging. The device will also feature reverse wireless charging. Don’t forget the Galaxy S23 Ultra will take the crown again Its design is inspired by the Galaxy Note, with a square shoulder S Pen holder and a built-in silo for the digital stylus.

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Samsung Grand Republic Sale in India Live With Amazing Deals

Samsung has just announced the “Grand Republic Sale” for the Indian region. This new promotional sale brings attractive deals and discounts for a number of its existing popular products ranging from smartphones to even home appliances. So let’s have a look.

During the Grand Republic Sale, the South Korean tech giant is offering massive discounts on a number of products, which includes its Galaxy smartphones, laptops, tablets, wearables, Samsung TVs, and even digital appliances. This sale isn’t live across e-retailers and will only be available on Samsung.com, Samsung Exclusive Stores, and the Samsung Shop application. Notably, the deal is also leave only till the 21st of January 2023.

Samsung

The Grand Republic Sale will offering up to 61 percent in discounts on Galaxy smartphones models like the Galaxy Z Fold 4, Galaxy S21 FE, Galaxy S20 FE, Galaxy M33, and more. As of right now, those looking to buy the Galaxy Z Fold 4 can also get the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic for just 2,999 INR (roughly 37 US Dollars). This deal is also extended to the Galaxy Z Flip 4 as well. On the other hand, buyers of the Galaxy A73 can also purchase the Galaxy Buds 2 for 1,999 INR (roughly 25 US Dollars).

Apart from this, customers are being offered discounts off up to 38 percent on Galaxy laptops. Meanwhile, the Galaxy tablets, wearables, and accessories are on sale with up to 63 percent discount. The Book Cover Keyboard for the Galaxy Tab S8 buyers is 50 percent off, while the Book Cover is being sold for just 999 INR (roughly 12 US Dollars) for those that purchase the Galaxy Tab A8. For its popular Samsung TV lineup, the brand is offering up to 56 percent in discounts.

Buying certain models of the Neo QLED, QLED, the Frame, and UHD TV models will also get you a free Galaxy A23 smartphones or a HW-S801B soundbar that is worth 40,000 INR (roughly 492 US Dollars). Interestingly enough, buyers that purchase the flagship Neo QLED 8K TVs will receive a free Galaxy Z Fold 4 and customers that get the UHD and QLED TVs will receive a 40 percent discount on select Samsung Soundbars as well. Lastly, the company is also offering up to 42 percent discount on Samsung digital home appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, microwaves, and air conditioners.

Talking about the bank offers, buyers of the Galaxy smartphones, tablets, wearables, accessories, and laptops can avail an attractive cashback offer of up to 10,000 INR (roughly 123 US Dollars) on select models with leading bank debit and credit cards. With ICICI Bank and other leading debit cards and credit cards, one can get up to 20 percent cashback on Samsung TVs and digital appliances. New users of the Samsung Shop application will also get a special welcome offer that brings benefits worth up to 6,500 INR (roughly 80 US Dollars).

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iQOO Neo 7 Indian Variant Appears on Geekbench Ahead of February 16 Launch

On February 16th, India will see the release of the iQOO Neo 7 5G. The company has confirmed some key device features ahead of the launch. Additionally, the device has also appeared on Geekbench revealing its performance.

The device has the model number I2214, which is the same model that was previously listed on BIS and Bluetooth SIG. In the single-core round of the Geekbench 5 benchmark test, the handset scored 998 points. In the multi-core round, however, the score was 3938 points.

The listing also reveals the presence of an octa-core processor with a 1 + 3 + 4 core configuration and a peak frequency of 3.10GHz. This implies that the iQOO Neo 7 Indian variant will be powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 8200 processor.

According to the listing, the iQOO Neo 7 will be available in the country with an 8GB RAM variant. We can, however, anticipate iQOO launching it in other memory configurations as well. The upcoming iQOO handset will ship with Android 13 pre-installed, but with the FunTouchOS 13 skin on top.

iQOO

The iQOO Neo 7 Indian variant’s Geekbench listing suggests that it will be a rebranded iQOO Neo 7 SE from China. The iQOO Neo 7 SE was released in China a few weeks ago and is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 8200 processor. Let’s go over the specifications and features of the iQOO Neo 7 SE quickly.

iQOO Neo 7 SE specs

The iQOO Neo 7 SE has a 6.78-inch AMOLED display that runs at 120Hz. The display panel has a Full HD+ resolution as well as an in-display fingerprint scanner. The most recent Neo series smartphone comes with a 5000mAh battery and 120W fast charging support.

The iQOO Neo 7 SE has three rear cameras: a high-resolution 64MP primary camera, a 2MP macro camera, and a 2MP depth sensor. It has a 16MP front-facing camera for selfies and video calls. The phone has stereo speakers and a Type-C charging port. The Dimensity 8200 and a 5,000mAh battery with 120W fast charging support power the iQOO Neo 7 SE.

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(Via 91mobiles)

Huawei Offers New Trade-in Program for Mate Phones in Malaysia

Earlier this week, Huawei announced that it will be offering a new trade in program for its old Mate series of flagship smartphones. This deal will seek help its older customers in upgrading to its latset Mate 50 series.

As per official notes, the Chinese tech giant’s 2023 trade in campaign is available in Malaysia and will offer deals with the Mate 20 Pro, Mate 30 Pro, and Mate 40 Pro. So here’s a look at their trade in values:

  • Huawei Mate 20 Pro (8GB + 256GB) with a trade in value of RM 706 (roughly 183 US Dollars).
  • Huawei Mate 30 Pro (8GB + 512GB) with trade in value up to RM 1644 (roughly 380 US Dollars).
  • Huawei Mate 40 Pro (8GB + 512GB) with trade in value up to RM 2488 (roughly 575 US Dollars).
Huawei

There are a number of authorized Huawei experience stores tat are offering this 2023 trade in deal in the region, which includes the Pavilion Bukit Jalil, IOI City Mall, The Garden, Suria KLCC, Aeon Mluri, My Town, Mid Valley City, Sunway Velocity, Sunway Pyramid, The Mines, Paradigm Mall PJ, Setia City Mall, and Bukit Tinggi. So for those interested in upgrading to a new Mate 50 series phone, you can avail additional discounts if you already own another Mate phone.

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Global Smartphone Market Records Lowest Shipments in a Decade: Canalys

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.

Smartphone in Hand
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.

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Oppo Find X6 Series Render Reveals New Design With Circular Camera Module & Periscope Telephoto Lens

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.

OPPO

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.

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(Via ITHome)

Google’s Stadia Controller Can Now Be Converted Into A Bluetooth Controller

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.

Google Stadia Controller

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.

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OPPO A78 5G Review: Decent Performer

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?

The following items are present in the retail package of the Oppo A78 5G

  • Oppo A78 5G handset
  • 33W SuperVOOC charger
  • USB Type-C cable
  • Transparent TPU case
  • SIM eject tool
  • Quick Guide
  • Safety Guide

Design and Display

DimensionsDisplay
Size – 163.8 x 75.1 x 7.99mm6.56-inch LCD display89.8% screen-to-body ratio
Weight – 188 grams720 x 1612 pixels (HD+)Panda Glass
IPX4 rating269 ppi pixel densityWidevine L1 support
 Up to 90Hz refresh rate 
Color variantsUp to 600 nits of brightness 
Glowing Black100% P3 wide color gamut 
Glowing Blue96% NTSC color gamut 

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
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
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
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.

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 CameraOther features
50MP main cameraSide-facing fingerprint scanner
2MP macro cameraFace unlock
LED flash6 5G bands: n1, n5, n8, n28, n41, n78
Hybrid SIM slot
 Wi-Fi 802.11ac
Front CameraBluetooth 5.3
13MP front cameraDual 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. 

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.

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
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.

WHERE TO BUY
Buy OPPO A78 5G Amazon India | Oppo India’s website in India

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this Oppo A78 5G review are solely mine based on my experience, and there has been no editorial input from Oppo.

iQOO Neo 7 5G Chipset, Fast Charging, Heat Dissipation Capabilities Officially Confirmed for 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.

iQOO Neo 7 5G Indian variant key featurs

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.

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Samsung Galaxy S23 Series Leaks Entirely – Promo Images, Specs, Pricing & More

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
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
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.

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Asus Vivobook S 16 Flip OLED Launched: 13th Gen Intel CPU, WiFi 6E, 70Wh Battery, and More

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

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.

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Oppo A78 5G Goes on Sale in India; Read Price, Offers, Specifications

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
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.

Here is our review of the OPPO A78 5G.

OPPO A78 5G specifications

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.

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Redmi Note 12 4G Indian & Global Variant Appear on IMEI Database, Could Launch Soon

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.

Redmi

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.

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OnePlus 11R (Ace 2) Receives BIS, 3C Certifications, Fast Charging Capabilities Revealed

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 Ace 2 BIS listing
OnePlus 11R 3C 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’s underclocked 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.

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Xiaomi Launches the MIJIA Thermos Flask with a 1.8L Capacity, 316L Stainless Steel Body

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.

MIJIA Thermos Flask

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.

MIJIA Thermos Flask

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.

MIJIA Thermos Flask

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.


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