Redmi Note 12 Explorer supports 210W charging, world’s fastest charging phone to launch today

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Oct 27, 2022

Today, at 7 PM (local time) in China, Redmi will unveil the much-awaited Redmi Note 12 series of smartphones. A new teaser that the company just released shows that the Redmi Note 12 Explorer edition phone will be able to charge at 210W.

Last year, iQOO launched the iQOO 10 Pro as the world’s fastest-charging smartphone. The handset packs a 4,700mAh battery that supports 200W charging. The company says that a 200W charger can give it a full charge in just 10 minutes.

The Redmi Note 12 Explorer edition will offer 210W charging, which makes it the fastest charging solution ever seen on a smartphone. Rumours are rife that the Redmi Note 12 Explorer will pack a smaller 4,300mAh battery. Leaks have said that the device can be fully charged with the 210W charger in just 9 minutes.

It is speculated that the Redmi Note 12 Explorer will arrive with a 6.7-inch AMOLED display that offers an FHD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and 10-bit colors. The handset will be powered by the Dimensity 1080 chipset. It seems that the phone will be made available only in the 8 GB RAM + 256 GB storage edition.

For selfies, it will feature a 16-megapixel front-facing camera. Its back panel will be equipped with an OIS-assisted 200-megapixel main camera, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 2-megapixel macro snapper. The device will run on the Android 12 OS with the MIUI 13 skin on top.

There is no word on the pricing of the Redmi Note 12 Explorer. The leaked specifications of the device suggest that it could be the most expensive Redmi Note series phone. The handset is likely to be made available only in Midnight Dark color.

RELATED:

Vivo X90 Pro+ specifications leak reveals E6 AMOLED display, SD8G2, camera config

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Oct 27, 2022

The rumor mill is now actively spilling details of the Vivo X90 series. Yesterday, tipster Digital Chat Station revealed the key specifications of the Vivo X90. Now, the entire specifications of the Vivo X90 Pro have leaked in a new report by TechGoing.

According to the publication, the Vivo X90 Pro+ will come equipped with a 6.78-inch AMOLED E6 display supplied by Samsung. The screen will support a 2K resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and 1440Hz high-frequency dimming. While it is not mentioned in the leak, the Pro+ may come with ultrasonic an and under-display fingerprint scanner.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 will be present under the hoof of the Vivo X90 Pro+ The report states that there will not be a Dimensity chipset variant of the X90 Pro+. The publication claimed that the Vivo X90 and the X90 Pro come equipped with the Dimensity 9200 mobile platform.

Coming to the camera department, the Vivo X90 Pro+ will have a quad-camera unit headlined by a 50-megapixel Sony IMX989V 1-inch camera sensor. The main snapper will be accompanied by a 48-megapixel Sony IMX598 ultra-wide camera, a 50-megapixel Sony IMX578 portrait lens, and an OmniVision OV64A periscope zoom camera with support for a 3.5x optical zoom and 10 x hybrid zoom. The Vivo V2 ISP will be onboard for a better photography experience. The leak has no information on the front-facing camera of the X90 Pro+.

Other reports have claimed that the Vivo X90 Pro+ will arrive with LPDDR5x RAM and UFS 4.0 storage. Hence, it may offer up to 12 GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage. It remains to be seen whether the device will come with OriginOS 3.0 based Android 13 OS. It will draw power from a 4,700mAh battery that will have support for 80W charging

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Mysterious Vivo V2238A phone 3C certified, could be Vivo X90 series phone

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Oct 27, 2022

A new Vivo smartphone with model number V2238A has been approved by the 3C authority of China. The charging capabilities of the device suggest that it could be a flagship phone. It is yet to be confirmed whether the handset will belong to the iQOO 11 series or the Vivo X90 lineup.

The 3C certification of the Vivo V2238A indicates that it is a 5G-ready phone. The model number of the charger that can be seen in the listing suggests that the device may carry support for 120W charging.

Recent reports have claimed that the upcoming iQOO 11 series of smartphones has two devices: the iQOO 11 and the iQOO 11 Pro. Both devices are said to have V2243A and V2254A model numbers for the Chinese market. The Vivo X90 series is expected to include three models, such as the Vivo X90, X90 Pro, and X90 Pro+. Unfortunately, the model numbers of these devices are under wraps.

Recently, Digital Cha Station shared the charging capabilities of the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. In the above-shown screenshot, the tipster seems to be saying that the next Honor Magic foldable phone supports 66W fast charging, the Xiaomi 13 and 13 Pro support 67W and 120W charging, and the iQOO 11 and 11 Pro support 120W and 200W charging.

When it comes to the X90 series, the tipster said that it supports 120W to 80W charging. In a recent leak, the tipster revealed that the X90 supports 120W charging. Hence, it appears that the X90 and X90 Pro+ may both have 120W charging, while the X90 Pro+ may come with 80W charging. In all likelihood, the X90 Pro+ may offer wireless charging, which may not be available on the X90 and X90 Pro.

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Funtouch OS 13 x Android 13 beta update timeline for iQOO phones is here

By

Anurag

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Oct 26, 2022

Vivo recently showcased the latest version of its custom Android skin— Funtouch OS 13— with a new customizable design, better privacy and personalization options, and much more. And now, Vivo’s sub-brand iQOO has announced the Funtouch OS 13 based on the Android 13 beta version rollout timeline for eligible smartphones. Here are the details.

iQOO recently revealed the Funtouch OS 13 beta release timeline for all of its eligible smartphones. The flagship iQOO 9, iQOO 9 Pro will receive the update by the end of September this year. While the iQOO 9T, iQOO 9 SE, and iQOO Neo 6 will receive the update by November.

Do note that this is the timeline for the rollout plan of the Funtouch OS 13 beta, which will be pushed to smartphones on a batch-by-batch basis. The stable version of the software will be released later on.

Funtouch OS 13 x Android 13 Beta update timeline for eligible iQOO devices

End of September, 2022

iQOO 9

iQOO 9 Pro

End of October, 2022

iQOO 9T

iQOO 9 SE

iQOO Neo 6

Mid of November, 2022

iQOO Z6 Pro

iQOO Z6 5G

iQOO Z6

Mid of December, 2022

iQOO Z5

iQOO 7 Legend

iQOO 7

iQOO Z3 5G

Mid of January, 2023

iQOO Z6 Lite 5G

Talking about the update itself, Funtouch OS 13 comes with more personalization options.It has Material You’s wallpaper-based system color schemes and the ability to change app icon colors based on wallpapers. In addition, there are many privacy-focused features, such as improved app pinning, hiding photos and videos, and the ability to only grant an app access to specific photos.

The new update also adds an updated video editor, which lets you mute videos or adjust the volume for specific segments. Moreover, the company promises accessibility enhancements, specifically color correction, inversion, and removing animations.

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Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs Google Pixel 7 Pro: Specs Comparison

By

Michele Ingelido

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Oct 26, 2022

Earlier this month, Google launched its new top-tier flagship phone: the Pixel 7 Pro. Alongside the vanilla version, it is the world’s first phone with Android 13 out of the box, but it is also one of the most attractive flagships out there. Not only because of its specifications, but also because of its affordable price: it is a top-tier flagship, but the listing price is comparable to the one of a flagship killer. But is it really able to compete with the most expensive flagships in the market? There is no better way to understand it than comparing it to them. Currently, the most advanced flagship by the smartphone market leader is the Galaxy S22 Ultra, if we exclude the foldable phones. Here is a comparison between the main specifications of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and the Google Pixel 7 Pro.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs Google Pixel 7 Pro

	Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra	Google Pixel 7 Pro
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT	163.3 x 77.9 x 8.9 mm, 228 g	162.9 x 76.6 x 8.9 mm, 212 g
DISPLAY	6.8 inches, 1440 x 3088 pixels (Quad HD+), Dynamic AMOLED 2X	6.7 inches, 1440 x 3120p (Quad HD+), AMOLED
PROCESSOR	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, octa-core 3 GHz, or Samsung Exynos 2200, octa-core 2.8 GHz	Google Tensor G2 octa-core 2.85 GHz
MEMORY	8 GB RAM, 128 GB – 12 GB RAM, 256 GB – 12 GB RAM, 512 GB – 12 GB RAM, 1 TB	12 GB RAM, 512 GB – 12 GB RAM, 128 GB – 12 GB RAM, 256 GB
SOFTWARE	Android 12, One UI	Android 13
CONNECTIVITY	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS
CAMERA	Quad 108 + 10 + 10 + 12 MP, f/1.8 + f/4.9 + f/2.4 + f/2.2 Single 40 MP f/2.2 front camera	Triple 50 + 48 + 12 MP, f/1.9 + f/3.5 + f/2.2 Single 10.8 MP f/2.2 front camera
BATTERY	5000 mAh with 45W Fast charging and Qi wireless charging 15W	5000 mAh, Fast Charging 30W and Qi wireless charging 23W
ADDITIONAL FEATURES	5G, optional dual SIM, eSIM, IP68 waterproof, reverse wireless charging, S Pen	5G, optional eSIM, IP68 waterproof

Design

The designs of the Google Pixel 7 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra are very original: the former comes with a horizontal camera module made of recycled metal, while the latter has the cameras placed directly on the back cover without the presence of a camera module, as well as a curved screen at the sides with very narrow bezels. Both phones are built with a glass back and an aluminum frame and both are waterproof with the IP68 certification allowing you to put them underwater up to 1.5 meters deep for a max time of 30 minutes. Which one should you choose? The answer is not easy to give, you should essentially follow your tastes. I personally prefer the Google Pixel 7 Pro because it is more compact and lighter.

Display

The displays of these two phones are flagship-class and their image quality is more or less at the same level. The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra has an AMOLED panel with a diagonal of 6.8 inches, a Quad HD+ resolution of 1440 x 3088 pixels, a 120 Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ certification, and an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint reader. The Google Pixel 7 Pro has an AMOLED display as well with a diagonal of 6.7 inches, a Quad HD+ resolution of 1440 x 3120 pixels, the LTPO technology enabling an adaptive refresh rate from 1 to 120 Hz, HDR10+ certification, and an optical in-display fingerprint scanner. Both phones come with stereo speakers, but the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra has an important advantage: the support of an S Pen for handwriting and drawing. Its display works like an active digitizer allowing handwriting and drawing with 4,096 pressure levels with the S Pen.

Specs & Software

The hardware setup of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is actually superior to the one found on the Google Pixel 7 Pro. It is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 mobile platform built with a 4 nm production process and with an octa-core architecture composed of a Cortex X2 CPU running at a max frequency of 3 GHz, three Cortex A710 CPUs running at 2.5 GHz, four Cortex A510 CPUs running at 1.8 GHz, and an Adreno 730 GPU. Alongside the chipset, there are up to 12 GB of RAM and up to 1 TB of UFS 3.1 internal storage. The Google Pixel 7 Pro is fueled by an inferior Google Tensor G2 chipset built with a 5 nm production process and paired with up to 12 GB of RAM and up to 512 GB of native storage. But the Google Pixel 7 pro wins the software comparison because it runs Android 13 out of the box (instead of Android 12) and it will get faster software support.

Camera

The camera of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra may look more versatile, but the Google Pixel 7 Pro is actually able to shoot better photos with its 50 MP main camera paired with a 48 MP telephoto lens (5x optical zoom) and a 12 MP ultrawide sensor.

Read More: Google Pixel 7 & 7 Pro go out of stock within minutes of open sales in India, restocks expected soon

Battery

The battery capacities of these phones are exactly the same and there are no big differences in terms of battery life, but the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra charges quicker thanks to 45W fast charging.

Price

The Google Pixel 7 Pro carries a starting price of €899 or $760, while the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra costs more than €1000 or $1000 even if we consider the street prices. Which one would you pick?

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs Google Pixel 7 Pro: PRO and CONS

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

PRO

S Pen
Periscopic camera
Faster charging
Better front camera
Up to 1 TB of storage

CONS

Price

Google Pixel 7 Pro

PRO

Amazing main camera
Android 13 out of the box
Faster software support
More affordable

CONS

Nothing particular

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Vivo shares Funtouch OS 13 x Android 13 update timeline for Vivo X80 Pro, V25, Y22, and more

By

Anurag

-

Oct 26, 2022

Yesterday, Vivo finally announced the Funtouch OS 13 for global users. The Android 13-based software comes with a design overhaul and offers additional ways to customize the home screen graphics, including icons matching the background, and system. Today, the company revealed the Funtouch OS 13 beta update timeline for all eligible devices. This includes the Vivo X80 Pro, V25 series, and a bunch of Y-series smartphones. Let’s look at the details.

Vivo took to Twitter to announce the Funtouch OS 13, based Android 13 beta version update timeline for all of its eligible smartphones. As usual, the company will release the beta update on a batch-by-batch basis. Also, the timeline is not applicable for the carrier-exclusive models.

Vivo Funtouch OS 13 x Android 13 Beta update timeline for eligible devices

From End of September 2022

Vivo X80 Pro

From Mid of November

Vivo X80

Vivo X70 Pro+

Vivo X70 Pro

Vivo V25 Pro

Vivo V25

Vivi V23 Pro

Vivo 23 5G

Vivo V23e 5G

Vivo T1 Pro 5G

Vivo T1 5G

Vivo T1

Vivo Y75 5G

Vivo Y35

Vivo Y22

Vivo Y22s

From Mid of Dec 2022

Vivo X60 Pro+

Vivo X60 Pro

Vivo X60

From H1 2023

Vivo V21 5G

Vivo V21e

Vivo V20 Pro

Vivo V20

Vivo V20 2021

Vivo Y75

Vivo Y72 5G

Vivo Y53s

Vivo Y21s

Vivo Y33s

Vivo Y20G

Vivo Y21T

Vivo Y33T

Vivo T1x

Vivo Y51A

Vivo Y31

Vivo Y20T

Funtouch OS 13 brings several improvements and a bunch of new features with itself. It gives users additional home screen graphic customization. It inherits Android 13’s design language, allowing users to match their home screen icons to their background, system, and app interfaces with the monochrome icon feature. It comes with a new “app pinning” feature to prevent people from looking at other apps. It also has enhanced control through iManager and a new stabilizer ring in the viewfinder while taking photos.

Related:

Galaxy S22 gets astrophotography & multi-exposure camera modes with Samsung Expert RAW app update

By

Anurag

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Oct 26, 2022

Samsung‘s Galaxy S22 smartphones are arguably among the best camera phones on the market, offering impressive low-light performance with advanced Nightography features. Now with an updated version of the Expert RAW app, the South Korean company is bringing astrophotography and multiple exposure features to the Galaxy S22’s camera. Here are the details.

Samsung has announced that it is bringing new features – Multiple Exposure and Astrophotography Modes to the Galaxy S22 smartphones running OneUI 5.0 (via GoAndroid). The company also formally launched a new app called Camera Assistant.

The Astrophotography Mode will allow users to capture clear photos of constellations and dark sky activity. To use this mode, users need to turn on the new Sky Guide feature to pinpoint the locations of constellations, solar systems, and groups of stars. The device’s camera will then use advanced AI segmentation technology and multi-frame processing based on the movements of the celestial bodies to capture photos over a set time period. The Astrophotography Mode lets users choose a shutter speed between UW 30 sec / W 20 sec / T 15 sec / ST 4 sec.

On the contrary, Multiple Exposure Mode enables users to take multiple pictures of the same scene and overlay them on top of each other. The two new features can be accessed from the Special Photo section of the newer version of the Expert RAW camera app.

In addition, Samsung also announced the Camera Assistant app for the Galaxy S22. It gives users an option to enable or disable certain features in the stock camera app. It allows users to turn off auto HDR, soften pictures, auto switch lenses, record video in photo mode, and much more.

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Viomi Master AI Air-conditioner 1.5HP with formaldehyde removal function launched for 3,999 yuan ($554)

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

Oct 26, 2022

Viomi Technology has released its first air conditioner with active formaldehyde removal technology. The Viomi Master AI Air-conditioner 1.5HP comes with some impressive capabilities. It is among a lineup of products released by the company in China. The new Viomi 1.5HP AI air conditioner uses China’s 863 plan patented technology and delivers a two-hour formaldehyde removal rate of 99.9%, according to the company.

The Viomi AI air conditioner Master uses AI technology and achieves a greater performance than traditional air purifiers in terms of formaldehyde removal. It is equipped with a module specifically for the removal of harmful formaldehyde from the air. It has a built-in primary filter and an alloy core made from aviation material aluminum. It also uses active manganese in the removal of formaldehyde coating.

The pioneering technology of formaldehyde removal is impressive in the air conditioning industry. Traditional air conditioners seek to replace the formaldehyde in the room with fresh air but the Viomi Master AI Air-conditioner 1.5HP works differently. It decomposes formaldehyde into water and carbon dioxide, providing a more efficient and thorough approach to the problem.

The air conditioner has a large air volume of about 600 cubic meters per hour. Its air duct design and technology make the formaldehyde removal and production of clean air to be seamless.

The Viomi 1.5HP AI Air Conditioner Master is available from Jingdong for 3,999 yuan (~$554). Global availability details are lacking for the product at this time.

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Google gets another Rs. 936 crore ($113 million) fine in India for anti-competition practices

By

Anurag

-

Oct 26, 2022

Earlier this month, India’s competition regulator accused Google of misusing its dominant position on the Play Store to force app developers to use its in-app payment system, and was slapped with a fine of Rs. 1337 crores- the equivalent of $161.95 million. Now, the search giant has received another hefty fine for the very same reason. Here are the details.

In its second ruling against Google in less than a week, India’s Competition Commission on Tuesday fined the Mountain View giant Rs 936.44 crore (around $113.04 million) for abusing its dominant position with respect to its Play Store policies. The regulator has also directed the company to cease and desist from unfair business practices within a defined timeline, as well as take various steps to address anti-competitive issues.

For the uninitiated, Google Play Store policy states that app developers should only use Google Play’s Billing System (GPBS) to accept payments for apps distributed or sold through the Play Store and for in-app purchases. The company restricts app developers from using any third-party billing or payment processing services, either for in-app purchases or for purchasing apps.

The regulator’s order says, “Google has perpetuated its dominant position in the online search market, resulting in the denial of market access for competing search apps in contravention of Section 4(2)(c) of the Act. Google has leveraged its dominant position in the Play Store to protect its dominant position in online general search, in contravention of Section 4(2)(e) of the Act.”

In response, a Google spokesperson on Wednesday said, “We remain committed to our users and developers and are reviewing the decision to evaluate the next steps,” as per a tweet by ANI.

“Indian developers have benefited from the technology, security, consumer protections, and unrivalled choice and flexibility that Android and Google Play provide. By keeping costs low, our model powered India’s digital transformation and expanded access for hundreds of millions of Indians,” the spokesperson added.

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LeTV launches Super TV G55ES with a 4K 55-inch display in China

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

Oct 26, 2022

LeTV has launched the Super TV G55ES with a 4K display available only as a 55-inch model. The Super TV G55ES comes with an all-metal design and a 97% screen ratio. It has a display resolution of 3840 x 2160p and a 92% DCI-P3 wide color gamut.

The G55ES has more than 1 billion colors and is now available in China. The LeTV Super TV G55ES is equipped with a quad-core processor with dual A73 and A53 cores. It has 3GB of memory and 32GB of storage, meaning that new applications can be installed on the TV. The built-in independent voice chip of the TV supports LeTV far-field voice 2.0. LeTV says the TV’s voice assistant can be activated by just saying “Hello Xiaole”. With the Voice Assistant, the user can accomplish an array of intelligent tasks.

In terms of connectivity, the Super TV G55ES has two USB 2.0 ports, two HDMI 2.0 interfaces, an AV input, a network interface, and a digital audio output. Audio quality is provided by dual 10W speakers while 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and MEMC motion compensation are also supported. The Super TV G55ES also supports optical and anti-blue light technology for enhanced eye safety.

The LeTV G55ES is available in China for 1,699 yuan (~$235). It is not clear at this time whether the Super TV G55ES will be available in other markets. These details and pricing information could be released subsequently.

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1MORE Neo wireless earphones with up to 45 hours of battery life launched for 179 yuan ($25)

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

Oct 26, 2022

1More has released the 1MORE Neo wireless earphones in China. The lightweight wireless earphones come with up to 11 hours of activity that extends to 45 hours with the charging case.

The 1MORE Neo wireless earphones support Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity. This means that the wireless headset has greater range, optimized power consumption, and energy efficiency.

The 1MORE Neo has 13mm drivers for its audio output. The large-diameter moving coil unit, coupled with the AAC Bluetooth audio format produces an improved sound quality. There are two mics on each earphone that ensure efficient noise reduction. The earphones use intelligent algorithms to deliver high-definition sound pickup for enhanced clarity during calls.

With a semi-in-ear design, the 1MORE Neo wireless earphones can fit snugly into the ears without creating any discomfort in the canal. During exercise, the user needs not to worry about the earphones falling off the ears. The earphones themselves are lightweight with a single earphone weighing 4.3g. The product is rated IPX5 waterproof protection and you can customize the device using the mobile app.

The 1MORE Neo wireless earphones are available in four color options namely black, white, purple, and green. The product is available in China for 179 yuan (~$25) and can be purchased directly from JD.com. Global availability and international pricing details are not yet available for the Wanmo 1MORE Neo wireless earphones.

Huawei MateBook D 14 SE 12th Gen Core Edition Launched: Specs & Price

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

-

Oct 26, 2022

Huawei has launched a new laptop in China. The device goes by the name of Huawei MateBook D 14 SE 12th Gen Core Edition.

The mid-range laptop offers exciting features for its asking price. Let’s take a look at its entire specs along with pricing and availability.

Huawei MateBook D 14 SE 12th Gen Core Edition Specifications

The newly released Huawei laptop sports a metal unibody design with a thickness of 15.9mm and a weight of 1.38kg. It flaunts a 14-inch display (IPS LCD) with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels (FHD), 157 PPI, and a 16:9 aspect ratio.

The screen is fitted with a 180° hinge. It has 250 nits peak brightness, 800:1 contrast ratio, and 84% screen-to-body ratio. It can cover 45% of the NTSC color gamut and is TÜV Rheinland-certified for low blue light emission and flicker-free.

The computer is powered by a 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U processor paired with 8GB DDR4 RAM and 512GB SSD. It comes with Intel Iris Xe Graphics and boots Microsoft Windows 11 with support for Multi-Screen Collaboration and more.

The laptop features a full-size backlit keyboard, which also has a pop-up webcam (720p). It arrives with dual stereo speakers, dual microphones, and a fingerprint sensor.

The device offers multiple connectivity options, like WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Type-A), 1 x USB 2.0 (Type-A), 1 x USB Type-C, 1 x HDMI, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Finally, the new MateBook is backed by a 56Wh battery with support for 65W fast charging.

Huawei MateBook D 14 SE 12th Gen Core Edition Price and Availability

The Huawei MateBook D 14 SE 12th Gen Core Edition comes in a single 8GB + 512GB memory configuration powered by a 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U processor. It is priced at ¥4,199 ($584) in China.

It is up for pre-order. As part of the launch offer, the company is offering a ¥200 ($28) discount. Hence, it can be purchased for ¥3,999 ($556).

Global PC shipments fall 15.5 percent in Q3, 2022 but Apple grows 7 percent: Counterpoint Research

By

Viraj Gawde

-

Oct 26, 2022

Global PC shipments in the third quarter of the year fell 15.5 percent year-on-year basis as per Counterpoint Research data. Q3, 2022 is the period between July to September. PC OEM’s shipped 71.1 million units in this year’s Q3. Counterpoint states that this is another wave of huge YoY decline after the severe annual and sequential falls of 11.1 percent in Q2, 2022.

The decline in the third quarter of 2022 is attributed largely due to demand weakness across both consumer and commercial markets, mainly driven by global inflation. OEMs and ODMs have a negative outlook on Q4 2022 and the first half of 2023 despite the issue of a component shortage being resolved. Counterpoint in conversation with supply chain members said that the largest inventory numbers were in Q3, 2022. PC OEMs believe that the destocking process will continue into 2023.

As for the OEMs, Apple registered a 7 percent YoY growth in shipments. This is because the Cupertino-based giant announced a new product late in Q2 and shipments were restocked after lockdowns in China. ASUS had a 9 percent year-on-year decline in shipments whereas Lenovo dropped 16 percent. Both companies had a market share of 5.5 and 16.9 percent respectively in Q3, 2022. HP sold 12.7 million units in Q3 with an 18 percent share. It fell 26.5 percent on a YoY basis. Dell recorded 17 percent share and 20 percent drop in shipment.

Chipmaker AMD hinted that the PC market weakness has already negatively impacted its profits and outlook, while Taiwanese brands Acer and Asus both stated that the PC sector will not recover until H2 2023.

Counterpoint says that “Among all PC product segments, we believe Arm-based PCs and gaming PCs are poised to weather the market downturn best, with the help from Apple’s M-series offerings as well as incremental R&D efforts from chip makers and the wider ecosystem.”

Related:

Redmi Note 12 series full spec sheet leaked ahead of tomorrow’s launch

By

Viraj Gawde

-

Oct 26, 2022

Redmi Note 12 series is set to debut tomorrow. The lineup is expected to comprise Pro, Pro+, and Explorer variants. Now ahead of the launch, the full spec sheet of the smartphones has surfaced on microblogging platform Weibo. Since the past week, the Xiaomi sub-brand has been gradually confirming the key features of the Note 12 series

Redmi Note 12 Series Specsheet

Source: Weibo pic.twitter.com/yBFCxdHUjE
— Xiaomi Update Philippines (@miupdateph) October 26, 2022

The Redmi Note 12 Pro, Note 12 Pro+, and Note 12 Explorer will be identical to each other in many aspects. The trio will come with a 6.67-inch flat AMOLED screen bearing an FHD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 900 nits. The display on the entire lineup will also support 10-bit colours, Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HDR10+ formats.

Under the hood, the Redmi Note 12 series will be powered by the Dimensity 1080 chipset. It will run MIUI 13 based on the Android 12 OS. The Pro and Pro+ models are listed with a 5,000mAh battery unit with support for 67W and 120W charging respectively. Meanwhile, the Explorer Edition is said to be backed by a 4,300mAh battery with support for a massive 210W charging speed. The Pro model will be made available in 6GB + 128GB, 8GB + 128GB, 8GB + 256GB, and 12GB + 256GB RAM and storage configurations. The Pro+ and Explorer Edition will arrive in 8GB + 256GB options.

The Note 12 Pro will come with a 50-megapixel Sony IMX766 main camera with OIS support, while the Note 12 Pro and Note 12 Explorer will feature an OIS-enabled 200-megapixel Samsung HPX primary sensor. All three devices will come with an 8-megapixel ultra-wide snapper and a 2-megapixel macro camera.

Other common features on the Redmi Note 12 series include dual SIM, 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS, NFC, a USB-C port, a linear motor, dual stereo speakers, and a 3.5mm audio jack.

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Realme GT Neo 3T on Sale for Only ₹16,000 in China

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

-

Oct 26, 2022

Realme Q5 Pro launched as the most affordable smartphone with a Snapdragon 870 SoC earlier this year. The China-exclusive device goes by the name of Realme GT Neo 3T in other markets.

As part of the Double Eleven sale, JD.com is offering a heavy discount on this phone. It is being sold at 33% off.

The 8GB + 128GB memory configuration of Realme Q5 Pro is priced at ¥2,099 ($292) in China. But it can be bought for as low as ¥1,409 ($195).

JD.com has listed the phone at ¥1,899. Additionally, the retailer is offering discount coupons worth ¥490 to further lower the price.

The Realme Q5 Pro is already a great device for its asking price With this deal, it becomes a no-brainer purchase for anyone looking for a smartphone in this price segment.

The same 8GB + 128GB version of the handset (Realme GT Neo 3T) is priced at ₹31,999 ($390) in India. Due to festive sales, it is currently available for around ₹24,000 ($292). Whereas, in China, it costs only around ₹16,000 ($195). That’s a massive price difference.

The key highlights of Realme Q5 Pro (aka Realme GT Neo 3T) include a 6.62-inch 120Hz FHD+ AMOLED display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 SoC, 64MP primary camera, dual stereo speakers, 5,000mAh battery, and 80W fast wired charging support.

Samsung Galaxy M23 5G, A04 & A04e could launch soon in India, spotted on Samsung’s support page

By

Sudhanshu

-

Oct 26, 2022

Earlier this year, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy M23 5G smartphone for some regions including Europe. Following that, the brand launched the Galaxy A04 smartphone a couple of months back. Now, it appears that these devices will soon land in the Indian market along with the Galaxy A04e.

Tipster Sudhanshu Ambhore has spotted the devices with model numbers SM-M236B/DS, SM-A045F/DS, and SM-A042F/DS on the support page of Samsung’s Indian website. These model numbers correspond to the Galaxy A23 5G, the Galaxy A04e, and the Galaxy A04. Out of these three, two devices are already available in other regions of the world, while the Galaxy A04e was also recently unveiled by the brand. Let’s take a look at their spec sheets to get a better idea of what these devices will bring to the table.

Samsung Galaxy M23 5G specifications

The Galaxy M23 5G comes with a 6.6-inch LCD FHD+ 120Hz screen, a Snapdragon 750G CPU, 4 GB or 6 GB of RAM, 64 GB or 128 GB of storage, and a 5,000 mAh battery with 25W fast charging capability. It also has Android 12 OS with One UI 4.1 and a fingerprint scanner on the side. It sports an 8-megapixel selfie camera as well as a triple camera system with 50-megapixel (main) + 8-megapixel (ultrawide) + 2-megapixel (macro).

Samsung Galaxy A04e specifications

The Galaxy A04e features a 6.5-inch PLS LCD panel with an HD+ resolution. A waterdrop notch on the screen holds a 5-megapixel front-facing camera. The Galaxy A04e is powered by an unidentified octa-core processor. According to rumors, the gadget will be equipped with the MediaTek Helio G35 chipset. The SoC is paired with 3 or 4 GB of RAM.

A 13-megapixel main camera and a 2-megapixel depth sensor are located on its rear panel. One UI Core 4.1, a scaled-down version of One UI designed for entry-level models, is preinstalled on top of the device’s preloaded Android 12 OS. Only 10W charging is supported by the 5,000mAh battery that powers the Galaxy A04e. The smartphone has a dual SIM slot, 4G VoLTE, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, a USB-C connector, and a 3.5mm audio jack for communication.

Samsung Galaxy A04 specifications

The display is 6.5 inches with an Infinity-V notch. HD+ resolution is supported by the screen. It includes a 5-megapixel selfie camera on the front. The device is powered by an octa-core processor, which is likely the Exynos 850. The chipset is complemented by up to 8GB of RAM and up to 128GB of storage. The device has a microSD card slot for more storage.

The back of the device has a dual camera setup with an LED flash. It contains a 2-megapixel depth sensor in addition to the main camera with a 50-megapixel resolution and an f/1.8 aperture. The device is powered by Android 12 OS with One UI Core 4.1 on top. A battery with a capacity of 5,000mAh powers the gadget. The standard connectivity capabilities are present, including dual-SIM support, 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, a USB-C connector, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

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Realme 10 series confirmed to launch in November, teased to come with three major technologies

By

Viraj Gawde

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Oct 26, 2022

Realme’s next number series smartphones have been confirmed to launch in November. The next number series in the brand’s portfolio is none other than the Realme 10 lineup. The confirmation has come through Realme’s global Twitter handle. Additionally, the company’s VP Madhav Sheth has teased three major leap-forward technologies in terms of performance, design, and display on the upcoming offerings. It’s worth noting that Realme is yet to reveal the exact launch date of the Realme 10 series, however, rumours point to a November 5th launch in China.

The 3 major leap-forward technologies are Performance, Design & Display 🤓 Did you get them right? And yupp, the new #realme Number Series will be launched in Nov!! Hit the 💛 if you can't wait. https://t.co/CrZLrAGPr9
— realme (@realmeglobal) October 26, 2022

The teasers reveal that the Realme 10 series will have three main features: design, display, and performance. The lineup is expected to consist of a regular and Pro+ variant with more devices in the pipeline for the near future. One of the teasers suggests that the upcoming offering may feature a curved display. Realme hasn’t explicitly revealed the details of the Realme 10 series. We expect the brand to tease more features in the coming weeks.

As per rumours the Realme 10 4G will come with a 6.4-inch AMOLED display with a punch-hole cutout. It will offer an FHD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, the device is tipped to be equipped with an Helio G99 chipset paired with 4GB RAM, 128GB of storage, and a 5,000mAh battery with 33W fast charging.

On the other hand, the Realme 10 Pro+ 5G will have a 6.7-inch AMOLED FHD+ display with curved edges and an under-display fingerprint scanner. It will reportedly be powered by a Dimensity 1080 SoC coupled with up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The Pro+ is tipped to be backed by a 5,000mAh battery that supports 67W fast charging.

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Razer launches the Limited-edition Sanrio wireless Gaming Mouse with up to 950h battery life

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Oct 26, 2022

The Razer Sanrio Limited Edition wireless mouse with a 950-hour battery life has been released in China. The wireless mouse sports a sleek and compact design. It comes in three styling options – Big Ear Dog, Melody, and Kuromi.

The mouse has a 1000Hz polling rate, and 1800 DPI and its architecture is based on the 5G optical engine sensor PAW3369. It has onboard memory, 6 customizable buttons, and a set of configuration files.

The Sanrio Limited Edition wireless mouse features the Razer Hyperspeed wireless technology for faster wireless connectivity than conventional models. The Razer Hyperspeed technology also means that there is a lower click latency for the mouse. The wireless mouse has a click lifespan of about 60 million, thanks to the Razer micro-motion technology.

The mouse weighs about 60g and also supports Bluetooth/ 2.4GHz dual-mode wireless connectivity. The wireless mouse is available for direct purchase via Tmall and is priced at 449 yuan (~$62). The three design options of Big Ear Dog, Melody, and Kuromi allow users to pick the design that best suits their desires.

The long battery life, lightweight design, super-low click latency, and wireless connectivity could spur demand for the product. It could also be very handy in gaming applications with its programmable buttons as part of the options. There are no details yet on the global availability of the Razer Sanrio Limited Edition wireless mouse.

Redmi Note 12 Pro display design officially confirmed

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Oct 26, 2022

Tomorrow (Oct. 27), Redmi will finally unveil the Redmi Note 12 series of smartphones. To be specific, the company is expected to announce the Redmi Note 12 Pro, Redmi Note 12 Pro+, and Note 12 Explorer at tomorrow’s event. Today, the company released an official confirmation on the display of the Redmi Note 12 Pro models.

The poster makes it clear that the Redmi Note 12 Pro series will have a flat AMOLED screen with a punch-hole at the top. The screen will have a diamond-like pixel arrangement for clearer and better picture quality. The display will offer features like 1920Hz high-frequency PWM dimming and 10,000-level dimming. In addition, it will offer better protection to the eyes from harmful blue rays.

The images of the Redmi Note 12 Pro series released by the brand confirm that it will be equipped with a pair of speaker grilles (top and bottom) for stereo output. The top edge of the device also features a 3.5mm audio jack, an IR blaster, and a microphone. The bottom edge of the device features a USB-C port, a microphone, and a SIM slot apart from the speaker grille. While it is not clear, it appears that the Note 12 family is equipped with a side-facing fingerprint scanner.

The Redmi Note 12 Pro will come with an OIS-enabled 50-megapixel Sony IMX766 primary camera. The Note 12 Pro+, on the other hand, will house an OIS-assisted 200-megapixel Samsung HPX primary camera. Both devices are expected to house a 5,000mAh battery. The Pro model is expected to support 67W fast charging, while the Pro+ will offer 120W fast charging.

It is unclear whether the rumored Redmi Note 12 Explorer edition will have a curved or a flat OLED panel. This model is expected to have a 200-megapixel Samsung HPX camera and 210W fast charging. All the phones in the lineup will have the Dimensity 1080 chipset.

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Xiaomi 12 Pro Dimensity Edition on Sale for Only $359 in China (35% off)

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Oct 26, 2022

Single’s Day is one of the biggest shopping days in China. It falls on November 11, and therefore, it is also known as Double Eleven. As we are nearing the said date, retailers have started offering discounts.

Online retailer JD.com is offering around a 35% discount on the Xiaomi 12 Pro Dimensity Edition. Let’s take a look at this deal.

The base 8GB + 128GB variant of Xiaomi 12 Pro Dimensity Edition is priced at ¥3,999 ($557) in China. But as part of the Double Eleven sale, JD is selling the smartphone for as low as ¥2,579 ($359).

In order to avail this deal, customers need to pre-order the phone ahead of the sale by depositing ¥100. By doing so, they will be offered a flat ¥1,000 discount on the handset and a ¥390 discount coupon. If they are a JD Plus member, they will receive an additional ¥30 discount coupon.

As a result, customers can get a maximum discount of ¥1,420 ($198). The effective price of the device comes down to only ¥2,579 ($359).

At this price, the Xiaomi 12 Pro Dimensity Edition sounds like a good deal. For those unaware, the Dimensity model lacks so many features at its original price. We have explained this in detail in a standalone article.

If you were planning to buy this China-exclusive smartphone through friends or family members living in the region, now is the best time to do so.