Apart from launching the Surface Pro 9 and the Surface Studio 2+, Microsoft has also announced the Surface Laptop 5. It is a lightweight and thin notebook, measuring around 1.29kg. It has a thickness of 14.5mm. The Surface Laptop 5 is powered by the 12th generation Intel processors and comes in two screen sizes. Continue reading to find out the specifications and price of the device.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 specifications and features
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 comes in 13.5-inch and 15-inch screen sizes. The PixelSense display available on the device offers a 2256 x 1504 pixels resolution, a 3:2 aspect ratio, a 1300:1 contrast ratio, and Dolby Vision IQ support. The device comes preloaded with Windows 11 Home.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5
The 13.5-inch Surface Laptop comes with an Intel Core i5-1235U / i7-1255U processor, whereas the 15-inch edition gets a Core i7-1255U processor. All variants come with 8 GB / 16 GB / 32 GB of LPDDR5x RAM and 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB of SSD storage.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5
The 13.5-inch edition offers up to 18 hours of battery life, while the larger model can last for up to 17 hours. On the connectivity front, it offers 1 x USB-C Thunderbolt 4, 1 x USB-A, 1 x Surface Connect port, a 3.5mm audio jack, Wi-Fi 802.11ax, and Bluetooth 5.0. It comes with other features such as Windows Hello face sign-in, Surface Pen support, Omnisonic speakers with Dolby Atmos, and dual far-field microphones. Lastly, the 13.5-inch variant comes with an Alcantara keyboard finish.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 price and availability
The Surface Laptop 5 comes in four colors Platinum, Sage, Black, and Sandstone. The 13.5-inch variant starts at $999, whereas the 15-inch edition starts at $1,299. It will be available for purchase in different markets starting on Oct. 25.
Microsoft held a launch event earlier today where it announced new devices and hardware. Among the launched products, the company debuted the new Surface Surface Pro 9 convertible (laptop-to-tablet PC). The device brings modest updates compared to the Surface Pro 8 along with new color options. So, let’s take a look at the device in more detail.
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 specs & features
Starting off, the Surface Pro 9 retains the 13-inch display of its predecessor along with the 2,880 x 1,920 pixels, 120 Hz, and a 3:2 aspect ratio. It weighs around 879 grams and comes with updated Alder Lake-U processors.
The device is available with the Core i5-1235U or the Core i7-1255U. These processors have a 15W base power draw. RAM options on the device include 8 GB, 16 GB, and 32 GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and the company offers 28 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB of removable storage options.
Microsoft’s Surface Connect port and Windows Hello facial authentication are both supported by the Surface Pro 9 as usual. A 3.5 mm headphone jack is absent from the Surface Pro 9, despite Microsoft including two USB Type-C connectors (USB 4.0/Thunderbolt 4).
Microsoft claims that the Surface Pro 9’s 47.7 Wh battery should last up to 15:30 hours, which is probably an incredibly optimistic battery estimate. The Surface Pro 9 is available in the expected colorways of Platinum, Sapphire, Forest, and Graphite.
Pricing & availability
At launch, prices start from US$999.99 with the Core i5-1235U, 8 GB of RAM, and 128 GB of storage. The Core i5-1235U model is limited to 256 GB of storage. Whereas the Core-i7-1255U gets an additional 512 GB and 1 TB storage options. You can look at the full pricing of different configurations on Microsoft’s website. Do note that these pricings don’t include the Type Cover or the Slim Pen 2.
The Surface Pro 9 is now available for purchase in many regions, and US shipment will begin on October 25. On the other hand, the device won’t be accessible in places like the UK until early November.
The OPPO Reno 9 series of smartphones is said to be in the works. Some reports have claimed that the Reno 9 family may go official as early as November in China. Well ahead of the launch, Chinese tipster Digital Chat Station has tipped the alleged specs of the Reno 9. Read on to know what to expect from the smartphone.
OPPO Reno 9 specifications (rumored)
According to the tipster, the OPPO phone with the PHM110 model number may break cover as the OPPO Reno 9. The device will feature a curved-edge OLED display that measures 6.7 inches. It will offer a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2412 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate. It will be powered by the Snapdragon 778G Plus chipset and 12 GB of RAM.
OPPO Reno 9 leaked images
The Reno 8 series featured a 32-megapixel Sony IMX709 selfie camera. The same selfie snapper will be available on the Reno 9. Its rear shell will have a 64-megapixel OmniVision OV64B main camera. The leak does not mention anything about the auxiliary cameras of the device. Shown above are previously seen leaked images of the alleged Reno 9.
The device will be backed by a 4,500mAh battery that will carry support for 67W fast charging. That’s a downgrade since the Reno 8 carried support for 80W fast charging. For security, it will feature an under-display fingerprint scanner. It is likely to come preloaded with the Android 13 OS.
To recall, the Reno 8 features a 6.43-inch AMOLED FHD+ 90Hz display, a Dimensity 1300 chip, a 50-megapixel Sony IMX766 main camera, and a 4,500mAh battery with 80W charging. While there is a downgrade in the charging department, the Reno 9 leak reveals that it will come with a better display.
The Reno 9 is likely to be accompanied by Reno 9 Pro and Reno 9 Pro+ models. But at the moment, there is no information about what the Pro and Pro+ versions have to offer.
Huawei initially debuted the Huawei Watch D back in December 2021. However, the availability of the smartwatch was limited to China. Now, the company has finally launched the wearable for the European market. So, let’s take a look at its pricing and launch offers.
Huawei Watch D Europe pricing, availability & offers
Starting off with the UK, the Watch D is not yet available for sale in the country. Instead, the website is displaying a ‘notify me’ button on the product listing. The UK pricing on the other hand is confirmed to be £349.99.
Customers in Eurozone can place a pre-order for the Watch D for €399. This is €50 cheaper than the price announced at IFA 2022 keynote in Berlin. A Huawei Scale 3 smart scale, which usually costs €69, will also be included for free by the company. Additionally, Huawei is giving away €50 off the FreeBuds 4i and FreeBuds Pro 2, as well as a 3-month Huawei Health+ subscription and a three-year warranty rather than a two-year one. Shipments of orders will begin on October 19.
Huawei Watch D specs
The main attraction of the Huawei Watch D is its blood pressure monitoring which uses a similar mechanism as a typical sphygmomanometer ( aka blood pressure cuff). Additionally, it has a skin temperature sensor, an electrocardiogram (ECG), a heart rate monitor, and a SpO2 sensor that can measure blood oxygen levels.
Its body is made out of high-hardness aviation aluminum providing durability and scratch resistance. It features a 1.64-inch HD display with a 326PPI pixel density. The gadget has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.
It also supports more than 70 different sports and allows heart rate measurement utilizing an eight-channel, highly sensitive optical sensor. According to the manufacturer, the device should last seven days when using all of its features. Wireless charging is also supported by the smartwatch.
Honor had recently launched the Honor X40 smartphone, and now the company is all set to launch a new model in the lineup, dubbed as Honor X40 GT. The launch event is set to take place later today.
The Honor X40 GT smartphone will be officially announced today at a launch event, i.e. on 13th October. It will be live-streamed on Weibo and other popular Chinese video streaming platforms and will begin at 7:30 PM GMT+8.
Honor X40 GT Render
The teaser for the smartphone has confirmed that it will come with a triple-camera setup on the back with a huge circular island where the sensors are placed in an X-formation along with an LED flash.
There will be an OLED display at the front, but more details about the screen aren’t available right now. In comparison, the regular model comes with an AMOLED display that offers a screen refresh rate of 120Hz.
It has already been confirmed through teaser posters that the smartphone will come powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC. To compare, the Honor X40 is powered by the Snapdragon 695 processor.
Although the Honor X40 GT will be officially launched today, the company has already started taking pre-registration for the smartphone through major online retailers in China. To know more about the phone, including its specifications, features, memory variants, and price, we will have to wait for the official launch event later today.
Honor will be launching the Honor X40 GT featuring the Snapdragon 888 later today (Oct. 13) in China. A new leak (via. MyDrivers) reveals that the company is gearing up to launch a new phone called the Honor Play 40 Plus. The key specifications of the phone have been leaked, and it appears that it will be soon made official in the home market.
The report reveals that the Honor Play 40 Plus will arrive with an HD+ display that will offer a refresh rate of 90Hz. Under the hood, it will feature the Dimensity 700 chipset. The device will be backed by a 6,000mAh battery that supports 22.5W fast charging.
On the front, the Play 40 Plus has a 5-megapixel selfie camera. The back panel of the phone features a 50-megapixel main camera with an f/1.8 aperture and a 2-megapixel auxiliary snapper. The report states that it will be the first low-powered Honor phone to feature a camera watermark, which reads “50MP Dual Camera.”
The leaked specifications show that the Honor Play 40 Plus is aimed towards the entry-level market. Its predecessor, the Honor Play 30 Plus, which featured an HD+ display and a Dimensity 700 chip, was priced at 1,099 Yuan (~$153). Hence, it appears that the Play 40 Plus will have a similar price.
The report also states that the Honor Play 40 Plus will debut alongside the X40 GT. However, there is no official confirmation of its existence. As far as the X40 GT is concerned, it is expected to come with a 6.81-inch display that offers a 144Hz refresh rate, Snapdragon 888, triple rear cameras, and a vapor chamber cooling system.
Luxury smartwatch maker Garmin has released its latest collection of luxury smartwatches. The new Garmin MARQ series includes the MARQ Athlete, MARQ Captain, MARQ Golfer, MARQ Aviator, and MARQ Adventurer. The second-generation MARQ lineup comes three years after Garmin unveiled its first MARQ collection.
The new Garmin MARQ collection of luxury smartwatches comes with pricing on the high end of the spectrum and a titanium exterior. They share the same design as the first-generation models but with a different and refreshing look. They are built with expensive materials like ceramic, sapphire crystal, and jacquard-weave nylon. They also feature titanium, leather, nylon, and silicon bracelets and straps.
The new Garmin luxury MARQ smartwatches have AMOLED screens and can deliver up to 16 days of battery life. They are all made of high-grade titanium with greater strength than most steels. The smartwatches are scratch-resistant and lightweight when compared to stainless steel. The new gadgets support multi-band GNSS, multi-frequency GPS, and Garmin’s SatIQ technology for superior positioning accuracy. These features are innovations that were lacking in the first MARQ iteration. The models also feature health and wellness features including heart rate monitoring, sleep monitoring, respiration, and stress tracking, as well as Body Battery energy monitoring. Garmin says it will also incorporate the Jet Lag Adviser on the models later.
The MARQ Athlete is aimed at athletes and comes with lots of athlete-centered features. The Adventurer comes with an edge-to-edge leather design and its compass bezel sports a classical design. The Golfer model has golf-inspired color outlay and comes preloaded with 42,000 golf courses worldwide. The MARQ Captain is for navigators and has a built-in Regatta Timer to help racers cross the starting point at the right time. There are alerts and alarms that signal tide changes. There are also profiles for other water sports like kayaking, kitesurfing, windsurfing, and more.
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The prices of the 2nd-generation MARQ collection of smartwatches range from $1,900 to $2,400. The new Garmin smartwatches will be available this month but exact release details are lacking at this time.
OPPO is reportedly working on the Find X6 and X6 Pro, which will likely be released in 2023 as the company’s latest and greatest flagship smartphones. Leaks and rumors have already revealed some major specifications and features of the upcoming series. Now, a popular tipster suggests the higher-end Find X6 Pro uses a 1″ Sony IMX989 sensor. Here are the details.
Noted tipster Ice Universe revealed in a Tweet that the “highest version of OPPO Find X6,” which will likely be called the Find X6 Pro, features a 1-inch Sony IMX989 sensor. He also claims that the sensor “smashes” all ISOCELL sensors with its extremely high quality.
OPPO Find X5 Pro
Last month, tipster Digital Chat Station also made similar claims. He disclosed that the Find X6 Pro’s main camera will be equipped with a 1-inch sensor. In addition, Mr. Chat Station claimed that the upcoming handset will have a triple camera setup on the back consisting of a 50-megapixel main camera. The primary camera is said to be accompanied by a 50-megapixel ultrawide lens and a 32-megapixel telephoto unit.
Further, the vanilla Find X6 is reported to feature triple cameras on the rear. The device will likely have a 50-megapixel main sensor, a 50-megapixel telephoto lens, and a 50-megapixel ultrawide unit.
As per a recent report, the Find X6 will come with a 1.5K display resolution, and the Pro model will offer a 2K resolution. Both smartphones could be powered by Qualcomm’s upcoming Snapdragon 8+ Gen2. It is also possible that the base model may come with Snapdragon 8+ Gen1.
The OPPO Find X6 series will probably launch next year (2023). We should learn more details about smartphones in the coming days. Stick around for the updates.
WhatsApp is testing a beta version that allows group sizes as large as 1024 members. The social media platform is already testing the feature in a beta version of the software available to both Android and iOS users. This comes after the WhatsApp Premium optional subscription plan was announced for certain customers.
The group size feature will be available for a few beta testers and will be doubling the current maximum group size of 512 participants. Back in June, WhatsApp expanded its group size from 256 to 512 and the move was welcomed with applause. The beta software is limited to a certain number of WhatsApp beta testers. Any WhatsApp user can, however, check whether the feature is available in his current software by trying to add new members to an existing group or create a new group. The number of beta testers and the global spread of the beta testers are not known at this time.
The implications of a larger WhatsApp group include drawing new users to the platform and greater versatility. WhatsApp continues to incorporate new tools that provide greater control for group admins. Some of the controls include having a list of pending participants and embedding an approval mechanism in group dynamics. WhatsApp has also expanded the maximum capacity of shared media files to 2GB.
The full rollout of the 1024 group size feature for WhatsApp will expectedly kick in after the beta testing process. The timing details are lacking but we expect quick incorporation of the feature.
OPPO showed off the ColorOS 13, its latest custom Android skin, this August. Soon after, the company released stable builds of the software to the Find X5 and Find X5 Pro. Now, the firm has started ColorOS 13 public beta recruitment for the Oppo Reno 8, Oppo A97, and Oppo A57 in China in order to give users an opportunity to try their hands on the latest Android upgrade ahead of the stable rollout.
According to recent posts on the Oppo community forum, Oppo Reno 8, A97, and A57 users in China can now enroll in the ColorOS 13 public beta program (via ItHome). Registration for the program will begin today (October 12) and end tomorrow at 16:00.
Enrolled users are expected to receive the beta build of the software on October 14 via an OTA update. As usual, OPPO is offering limited slots for the ColorOS 13 public beta program.
It has been reported that the beta build has several known issues that can significantly affect day-to-day use. Many common third-party applications are incompatible with the software.
Talking about the update itself, the ColorOS 13 (review) brings some new features and updates. It sports an aquamorphic design and includes all the new features Google introduced in the latest version of Android. Additionally, OPPO has packed some exclusive features, such as a Shadow-Reflective Clock widget, an IoT device control module, media playback controls for the updated Control Center, a Meeting Assistant, and more.
Moreover, ColorOS 13 comes with large folders, global search banners, and new home screen widgets. The company has also updated its Always-on Display (AOD) functionality, which now allows users to control apps and view additional information.
Xiaomi has released the with 140W power and brightness adjustment. The MIJIA Smart Ceiling Lamp Pro has a living room and bedroom version. The living room version can deliver a maximum luminous flux of 10000 Lumens. The massive brightness of the smart ceiling lamp Pro can adequately take care of the lighting needs of a 50 square meters room. The bedroom version of the MIJIA smart ceiling lamp gives a maximum power of 55W and a luminous flux of 3700 Lumens.
The MIJIA smart ceiling lamp Pro is an aesthetic addition to the room and its surfaces are blank with a simplified complexity. The MIJIA app provides greater functionality for the smart ceiling lamp Pro. When connected to the app, the gadget’s brightness can be infinitely adjusted as well as its color temperature. You can also use the app to set multiple lighting modes to suit your mood. There is a TV mode, Night Light mode, and others available in the smart lamp.
The MIJIA smart ceiling lamp Pro can be incorporated into the Xiaomi smart home ecosystem. When linked to a smart door lock, the lamp can turn on when you open the door and turn off while exiting and locking the door. When connected to the Xiao AI speaker, the light can be operated through sound.
The MIJIA smart ceiling lamp Pro is priced at 199 yuan (~$28) and 599 yuan (~$83) for the Bedroom and Living Room editions respectively. The two products are available in China via Xiaomi and retail platforms like JD.com.
Like Apple’s iCloud, Xiaomi has its own information storage service platform, Xiaomi Cloud, which can be used to store important data, including photos, contacts, and notes. It also has a feature that lets users sync their Gallery photos and videos with the cloud. However, today, the Chinese company announced that it will be discontinuing the Xiaomi Cloud Gallery Sync feature for global users. Here are the details.
According to the official announcement post, the Gallery Sync feature will no longer be supported by Xiaomi Cloud (via). The company is yet to determine the exact date for the discontinuation of this feature, but it will start in 2022.
Users who have stored their photos and videos in the cloud will continue to have access to them through Google Photos. Xiaomi is apparently partnering with Google to support the migration and backup of the data.
In order to keep the photos and videos safe, Xiaomi will offer a convenient way to migrate existing Gallery Sync content to Google Photos. Additionally, users will be able to download their data from Xiaomi Cloud to their local devices or PCs.
The post mentions that the Google Photos migration window will close sometime in 2023 and the data download options will be taken offline. All the existing Gallery data saved on Xiaomi Cloud will be deleted permanently after that.
Further, Xiaomi will cancel all Xiaomi Cloud memberships, and users will be issued a full refund. However, the date for the same is yet to be known. Also, it is worth mentioning that other features of Xiaomi Cloud, such as syncing and backing up other data (such as Contacts, Messages, and Notes) can still be used.
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD is presently having a successful run in the Chinese market. In recent times, the company has started shifting its focus to other markets with the launch of some of its EVs in Asia and Europe. The company has now made a foray into the Indian market with the launch of the Atto 3 Sports Electric SUV.
The Atto 3 Sports Electric SUV is the company’s first commercial electric SUV launched in the Indian sub-continent. The company had earlier released the e6 electric MPV in India but it was sold in the B2B segment. The new EV is said to be the first SUV equipped with e-platform 3.0 in the Indian market, and its appearance follows the design language of Dragon Face 3.0.
The motor of the Atto 3 has a maximum power output of 201 bhp and a maximum torque of 310 Nm. In addition, a 60.5kWh battery pack is used. According to official claims, the Atto 3 can operate for 480 kilometers on a single full charge and can be fully charged in just 1.2 hours thanks to an 80kW AC.
Also, the EV packs a 12.8-inch infotainment screen that can be used in either portrait or landscape mode. The Atto 3 also comes with a wireless phone charger, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, seven airbags, a 360-degree camera, multi-color ambient lighting, adaptive cruise control, emergency braking, rear collision alert, blind-spot monitoring, and more.
At the launch, BYD India’s GM hinted that in 2023, the company plans to sell 15,000 Atto 3 EVs in India. He also hinted that there are plans to build a new production base in the country.
BYD has this year successfully expanded its market base beginning with a launch in Japan in July 2022. Just last month, the company showcased several models for the European market, including the BYD Han, Tang, and Atto 3. BYD also announced an agreement with German car rental company SIXT that will see the Chinese manufacturer deliver 100,000 EVs to the rental company in the next six years.
The Chinese EV giant is yet to announce the pricing and availability details of the Atto 3 in India.
Google announced the new Pixel 7 series at one of its biggest product events of 2022, Made by Google on October 6. As a result, we have two very competitive smartphones in the market, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. Both look very good on paper and are priced a few hundred dollars apart. One of the biggest highlights of the two phones is that they are powered by the powered by the second-gen Tensor G2 processor, which is an upgrade over last year’s Tensor chip. Notably, they will also have a long software support cycle, with Google promising at least three OS updates and 5 years of security patches.
While the two phones look very similar, they have slightly different dimensions and display sizes. Naturally, the Pro will have a bigger footprint over the regular Pixel 7 which focuses on a more compact form factor. Even the cameras and battery capacities are quite different between the two phones, so we decided to compare the two models, the Pixel 7 vs Pixel 7 Pro today.
Let’s see how these models are similar as well as dissimilar in different departments.
Dual 50 MP OIS + 12 MP ultra wide
10.8 MP front camera
Dual 50 MP OIS + 48 MP telephoto OIS + 12 MP ultra wide
10.8 MP front camera
BATTERY
4355 mAh, 30W
5000 mAh, 30W
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
Dual SIM slot, nano + eSIM
Dual SIM slot, nano + eSIM
DESIGN
The Pixel 7 series doesn’t bring any significant upgrades over its predecessor. So you get the same horizontal camera bar at the back as the Pixel 6 series. However, they are a few upgrades in this bar design, like now it’s made of aluminum and curves into the sides. Notably, this camera bar at the back has a matte finish on the Pixel 7, unlike the glossy one of the 7 Pro. The back is made out of Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus, so you get a pretty good level of durability too.
Overall, the Pixel 7 series looks a lot more refined and premium this year, and with choices for up to 3 colors, you likely won’t be disappointed with its design. The Pixel 7 and 7 Pro come in two similar colors, Obsidian, and Snow. But the Lemongrass (Pixel 7) and Hazel (Pixel 7 Pro) are exclusive to their respective models. Note that they are IP68 dust and water-resistant too.
When you look at the exact dimensions, the Pixel 7 is a lot more compact than its Pro sibling. It measures 155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7mm vs 162.9 x 76.6 x 8.9 mm on the Pro model. So the Pixel 7 Pro is both taller and wider than the standard model and may not be suited for one-handed use. The standard model is lighter too at 197 grams vs 212 grams of the Pro model.
It’s clear that Pixel 7 is targeted at users who want a more compact experience, while the Pro brings the benefit of a much larger display.
DISPLAY
The two phones also differ in terms of their displays. The Pixel 7 comes with a smaller 6.4-inch OLED panel with Full HD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. On the other hand, the Pixel 7 Pro features a large 6.7-inch pOLEd panel with QHD+ resolution and a higher 120Hz refresh rate too. Another big difference is in the style of their displays. The Pixel 7 comes with a flat panel, while the Pro model brings a curved edge panel on the front. There’s a slight difference in the peak display brightness too, with the Pixel 7 Pro maxing out at 1500 nits while the Pixel 7 getting a 1400 nit screen.
SPECS
In terms of hardware, the two phones are very similar. They both come with the new Google Tensor G2 chip inside with Titan M2, bringing identical performance. The Tensor G2 comes with 2 x Cortex-X1 cores, 2 x Cortex-A78 cores, and 4 x Cortex-A55 cores. It may not be the fastest chip in the market, but it’s powerful enough to handle intensive tasks with ease.
In terms of the RAM configuration, the Pixel 7 Pro maxes out at 12GB of RAM, while the Pixel 7 comes in a single 8GB RAM option. The UFS 3.1 storage goes up to 256GB on the Pixel 7 while the Pro takes it a level further with 512GB of ROM.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that both models run the latest Android 13 stock version. Google has promised at least three OS updates and 5 years of security updates on both devices, which will ensure a very long life for these phones, much like their predecessors.
CONNECTIVITY
In terms of connectivity, both phones come with Wi-Fi 6e support, Bluetooth 5.2, aptX HD codecs support, NFC, and a USB-C 3.2 port at the bottom.
You also get an under-display optical fingerprint sensor along with other sensors like gyro, proximity, compass, and barometer.
CAMERAS
As for its camera module, the Pixel 7 features a dual-camera setup, while the Pro version adds a third 48MP telephoto lens at the back.
The Pixel 7 comes with a 50MP primary camera and a 12MP ultra-wide sensor. On the other hand, the Pixel 7 Pro has a 50MP primary shooter, a 12MP ultra-wide shooter, and a 48MP camera with up to 5X optical zoom. Both phones are capable of recording 4K videos at 60 fps.
As for the front camera, you get a 10.8MP sensor on both devices for selfies and video calls.
BATTERY
The Pixel 7 comes with a smaller 4335mAh battery with 30W fast charging and 15W wireless charging. On the other hand, the Pixel 7 Pro features a larger 5000mAh battery with the same charging speeds for both wired and wireless charging as the standard model.
Note that in most regions, Google isn’t shipping a charger inside the box.
PRICE
The Pixel 7 retails at $599 while the Pixel 7 Pro starts at $899 in the USA. In India, the Pixel 7 is priced at INR 59,999 while the Pixel 7 Pro will cost INR 84,999. But there are pre-order offers on both devices in multiple markets, which should bring the price down at the time of purchase.
Google Pixel 7 vs Pixel 7 Pro – VERDICT
If you want a compact device with a good set of cameras and processing power, the Pixel 7 looks like a good choice. On the other hand, if you want more features in the camera department, it might make sense to get the Pro version for a few hundred dollars more.
In early October, Xiaomi released the first tablet under the Redmi brand. The device is aptly named Redmi Pad.
It is currently the best-value budget Android tablet in almost all the markets where it is available. We even explained the reason behind it.
In India, it is priced at ₹14,999, ₹14,999, and ₹14,999 for 3GB + 64GB, 4GB + 128GB, and 6GB + 128GB memory configurations, respectively.
The tablet has multiple competitors in the country. But only three of them can be considered a good alternative.
However, before going through the competition, let’s check out what the Redmi Pad has to offer.
The Redmi Pad sports a metal unibody design. It flaunts a 10.61-inch 10-bit display (LCD) with a resolution of 2000 x 1200 pixels (WUXGA+) and up to a 90Hz refresh rate. The screen comes with 220 PPI and 400 nits peak brightness level.
Like most tablets, this one is also TÜV Rheinland-certified for low blue light emission. Additionally, it is the world’s first tablet to be certified by SGS for low visual fatigue.
Further, the device is powered by a MediaTek Helio G99 chipset paired with LPDDR4x RAM and UFS 2.2 storage. It boots MIUI for Pad, which is an optimized version of MIUI for tablets. Xiaomi promises 2 Android and MIUI updates each and 3 years of security updates.
The tablet arrives with Dolby Atmos-supported quad speakers, an 8MP rear camera, an 8MP front-facing camera, and a MicroSD card slot for storage expansion (up to 1TB). On the connectivity front, it offers dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth 5.3, and USB Type-C.
Last but not least, it is backed by an 8,000mAh battery with support for 18W wired charging.
With that out of the way, let’s take a look at the top competitors of the Redmi Pad in India.
Software is one of the key highlights of the Redmi Pad. This is the case with Oppo Pad Air as well. It boots ColorOS for Pad, an optimized version of ColorOS for tablets. Unlike the Redmi Pad, the Oppo Pad Air can also be used with phones and Windows PC for productivity via PC Connect.
Further, it has a capable chip in the form of Qualcomm Snapdragon 680. However, the battery is smaller and so is the display. But there’s support for a stylus, which is sold separately.
The tablet is priced at ₹16,999 and ₹19,999 for 4GB + 64GB and 4GB + 128GB memory configurations, respectively.
2. Motorola Moto Tab G62
For some reason, if you want a near-stock Android on a tablet and good hardware in the budget segment, then the Motorola Moto Tab G62 is probably the best option.
Just like the Oppo Pad Air, it is also powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 SoC. However, it sports an almost same-sized display as the Redmi Pad and even comes in a cellular (LTE) variant.
Moreover, its battery is only slightly smaller at 7,700mAh and there’s support for faster 20W wired charging.
The WiFi-only variant of the Moto Tab G62 is priced at ₹15,999, whereas the WiFi + LTE version costs ₹17,999. Both models arrive with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage.
3. Samsung Galaxy Tab A8
The Galaxy Tab A8 also ships with customized software for tablets. In fact, Samsung’s tablet software can be considered the best on Android.
However, the device houses a slower Unisoc T618 chipset. Also, it is backed by a smaller battery (7,040mAh) than the other two alternatives as well as the Redmi Pad, in addition to having the slowest charging speed (15W).
But it can be availed in a cellular variant, just like the Moto Tab G62. Both WiFi-only and WiFi + LTE models come in 3GB + 32GB and 4GB + 64GB memory configurations in India.
Currently, the WiFi version starts at around ₹15,000, while the LTE variant begins at around ₹20,000. The price of the tablet may vary across different channels.
5G was launched in India earlier this month. While Airtel has rolled out services across eight Indian cities, its competitor Reliance Jio is set to roll out the latest generation cellular network services by Diwali this month. Prior to the launch of 5G, many smartphone OEMs had launched 5G-compatible devices. However, not all devices support the network out of the box and they require software updates.
Earlier today, Cupertino-based Apple confirmed that it will enable 5G network on compatible iPhones by December this year. Now, its rival South Korean brand Samsung has officially revealed the timeline for the 5G rollout on its devices. The company aims to release a firmware update to enable 5G connectivity on its Galaxy smartphones by mid-November. This will enable users to experience faster 5G services on their compatible smartphones.
Few Samsung phones are already 5G-ready meaning they won’t require a software update to access the cellular network. The list includes Galaxy S22 series, Z Flip 4, Z Fold 4, S21 FE, M33, A33 5G, and A53 5G. The rest of the 5G-compatible phones will require an update to enable the network on the device from Samsung’s side.
Commenting on the 5G rollout timeline, Samsung spokesperson said “Samsung has pioneered 5G technology development since 2009 and took the leading role in standardizing 5G technology globally. In India, Samsung has the widest portfolio of 5G devices. We are working closely with our operator partners and are committed to rolling out OTA updates across all our 5G devices by mid-November 2022, enabling Indian consumers to experience 5G seamlessly.“
Earlier this week, Oppo had announced that it is bringing 5G connectivity support for Airtel users in India who own the company branded smartphone models that support 5G networking.
Reno 8 5G
For those unaware, India is seeing the initial stages of 5G network roll out from different telecom operators in the country. So now, the Chinese smartphone maker is bringing support for the newer and faster network standard for all Airtel users in the region. This arrives as the company partners with the Indian telecom giant. According to Shashwat Sharma, Director of Consumer Business Airtel, “OPPO has been a long standing partner to Airtel and we are thrilled to collaborate with them yet again in our 5G journey.”
He further stated that “Airtel 5G Plus is already live in 8 cities and we plan to ramp up our services soon across the country. Existing Airtel 4G SIM is 5G enabled therefore customers can enjoy ultrafast 5G services across all OPPO 5G devices just by selecting the 5G network under settings. Our network will deliver the best experience – between 20 to 30 times higher speeds than today coupled with brilliant voice experience and super-fast call connect”
K10 5G
This basically means that users won’t have to shift to a separate Airtel SIM card to enjoy the benefits of 5G networking. So Airtel and Oppo 5G phone owners living in cities that are rolling out 5G services, just need to enable the option in settings to get the benefits of the faster internet connection.
Infinix INBook X2 Plus has launched in India. It is the fourth laptop from the company. Alongside, the brand has also announced the Infinix 43 Y1 smart TV in the country. The INBook X2 Plus is a budget laptop and packs decent specifications. Read on to know what it offers out of the box.
The Infinix INBook X2 Plus features a 15.6-inch display bearing an FHD resolution, a 100 percent sRGB colour gamut, and 300 nits peak brightness. It sports an aluminium alloy metal unibody and weighs 1.58 kg. There is a 1080p webcam paired with an LED flash. The device also features a backlit keyboard. On the audio front, the laptop is equipped with stereo speakers with DTS audio processing.
Under the hood, the Infinix INBook X2 Plus is powered by up to 11th generation Intel Core i7 processor. The i3 processor option comes with Intel UHD graphics, while the Core i5 and i7 variants are coupled with Iris Xe graphics onboard. The machine packs up to 16GB LPDDR4x RAM and 512GB SSD storage. It runs on Windows 11 Home and is backed by a 50Wh battery with support for 65W fast charging.
On the connectivity front, the Infinix INBook X2 Plus offers options like WiFi 6, two USB Type-C ports, two USB 3 ports, an HDMI 1.4, SD card slot, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
The Infinix INBook X2 Plus starts at Rs 32,990 for the Core i3, 8GB + 256GB option whereas the 512GB storage model is priced at Rs 35,990. The Core i5 8GB + 512GB and Core i7 16GB + 512GB configurations are priced at Rs 42,990 and Rs 52,990 respectively. The laptop can be available in Grey, Blue, and Red colours. It will be available for purchase starting on October 18th, 2022, in India.
Apple is apparently planning on adding two products to its ‘obsolete’ devices list in November 2022. If the report is true, then the iPhone 5C and the iPad mini 4 will be the latest addition to this obsolete list.
For those unaware, the Cupertino based giant typically refers to a device as ‘vintage’ when it crosses five years old since its official announcement. But when a product cross seven years of age, the company labels these devices as ‘obsolete.’ In a similar move, Apple had recently declared that the iPhone 6 was a vintage device from the brand. Now, it appears that the iPhone 5c, which was launched in September 2013, will be the latest smartphone to enter this list.
This news isn’t really surprising considering that the iPhone 5c is over nine years old now. The device launched as the more affordable version of Apple’s flagship in 2013, which was the iPhone 5s. On the other hand, the iPad mini 4 also had a similar role by offering a relatively smaller display as a tablet, which is 7.9 inches, and also having a lower price tag compared to larger iPad models of that time. This model was also marketed more toward entertainment consumers, rather than creative professionals.
When a device is added to the ‘obsolete’ devices list, it means that the company will no longer offer hardware support for these products. Software support for these devices have already ended a while ago, but now, the brand won’t offer any form of paid repair services either.
Google has just started rolling out a new update, which finally brings an essential feature for its Pixel Buds Pro truly wireless earbuds. The new software update started rolling out earlier today (12th October 2022) and brings support for five band EQ.
Jam out your way.🎶
With 5-band EQ on #PixelBuds Pro, you can now customize your sound🔊 or choose between presets tuned by our audio engineers.
Update your Pixel Buds app and firmware, then head to Bluetooth settings ➡️Device Details ➡️Sound ➡️ Custom Equalizer to get started. pic.twitter.com/cY3CU6sxMJ
For those unaware, having a customizable EQ is a basic feature, so its quite surprising that the Search Engine giant missed something so essential at launch. Although, it is still better late than never and we finally have a software upgrade to bring us the bare minimum on sound profile customization. As per official notes, the update is “slowly rolling out.” In other words, the update is being rolled out in a staggered manner to ensure that there is no major security flaw.
But, users can expect to receive the update sometime within a week. To get the version 3.14 update, make sure that the Pixel Buds app on your partner smartphone is version 1.0.474476083 or newer. Once you’ve got the update, go to device details on Bluetooth settings > Sound > Custom Equalizer. This will let you customize your sound and even select between six presets tuned by Google’s own audio engineers.
Pixel Buds Pro
Users are offered five band custom EQ to customize tunes as per their requirements. Furthermore, the presets help offer a good setting if one doesn’t wish to bother with making changes to the sound profile manually. Notably, these changes will be kept on the Pixel Buds Pro, you can carry forward your customization no matter the device you’re listening from. Lastly, the update even brings some “general bug fixes and improvements”.
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