Xiaomi is gearing up to launch the CIVI 2 on September 27 in China. The highly anticipated female-centric smartphone is scheduled to debut at a launch held at 2 pm Beijing Time (GMT +8)/11:30 am New Delhi Time (GMT +5:30)/8 am Berlin Time (GMT +1). So here’s how you can watch the launch event live from your home.
Xiaomi will stream the launch event live on its Weibo account. Other than that, the event will also be streamed on Xiaomi China’s website. Other than the smartphone itself, the brand also plans to launch many other products like the Xiaomi Lipstick Power Bank, Xiaomi Noise Cancelling Bluetooth neckband earphones, eight electrode body fat scale, MIJIA Transparent Steam Rice Cooker and the new MIJIA Modular Robot.
Coming back to the smartphone itself, the device is expected to have a 6.56-inch OLED FHD+ display offering a 120Hz refresh rate. It is confirmed to feature a Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset. The chipset is expected to be paired with 12 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 256 GB of UFS 3.1 storage.
For optics, the CIVI 2 will feature a 50MP Sony IMX766 primary sensor (with OIS) paired with an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens and a 2-megapixel macro unit. The front-facing camera will have a 32MP sensor. Lastly, the device will come with a 4500mAh battery and support 67W fast charging.
Earlier today (26th September 2022), 360 Mobile has announced a new smartphone in China. The new smartphone is the 360 Q20 Pro that has launched for a very particular reason, which is to combat Game Addiction.
For those unaware, addiction to video games has become a big issue in certain Asian nations, like China. Thus, the new Q20 Pro smartphone has just been launched as a device for video game addicts. To put it simply, this smartphone is made to prohibit games from being played on the device while also promoting education and learning. Talking about the specs of the smartphone, it is equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 900 SoC that runs on Android 11 OS based 360OS custom skin.
Furthermore, this handset was built exclusively as an anti game addiction device for teenagers and young adolescents. On the front, the device sports a 6.58 inch LCD panel that has a FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate that has a waterdrop notch to house an 8 megapixel selfie camera. Meanwhile, the rear feature a 50 megapixel triple camera setup. The Q20 Pro is powered by a 4,500mAh battery pack that also supports 33W fast charging as well. The company built the phone to target students, with an emphasis on anti addition, eye protection, remote management by parents, and even some free classes from famous teachers.
Other features include, a side mounted fingerprint scanner, 8.3mm thickness, weighs 193 grams, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Notably, the smartphone has also been launched in two storage configurations, with a 6GB RAM + 128GB storage and an 8GB RAM + 256GB storage variant. It is even offered in two colors, namely Twilight Gray and Fantasy White options. The pre-orders are live right now, with the pricing for the smartphone starting from 2198 Yuan.
Sharp has launched two new smartphones in Japan. They are called Aquos Sense 7 and Aquos Sense 7 Plus. As their names suggest, the latter is a larger version of the former sporting a bigger screen and battery.
The company is yet to reveal the pricing and availability of the handsets. However, it has disclosed all the features. Let’s take a look at what these phones have to offer.
Sharp Aquos Sense 7
Sharp Aquos Sense 7 Series Specifications
The Sharp Aquos Sense 7 series comes powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 SoC. The chipset is paired with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. On the software front, the devices boot Android 12.
The handsets sport an IGZO OLED display with a resolution of 2432 x 1080 pixels (FHD+), 10-bit color depth, 1,300 nits peak brightness, and a dewdrop notch. The vanilla model has a 6.1-inch panel with a 60Hz refresh rate. Whereas, the Plus variant flaunts a 6.4-inch screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and supports up to 240Hz MEMC.
The phones arrive with a dual camera system on the rear. The setup includes a 50.3MP 1/1.55-inch sensor and an 8MP sensor with an ultra-wide lens. On the front, there’s another 8MP shooter for selfies and video calls.
Sharp Aquos Sense 7 Plus
Like almost all smartphones sold in Japan, the duo is IP68-rated (dust and water resistance) and features NFC along with support for FeliCa. The devices also come with a 3.5mm headphone jack, a MicroSD card slot, a fingerprint sensor, and dual stereo speakers.
They offer 5G support, dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth 5.1, and GNSS. Finally, the vanilla and the Plus versions are backed by 4,570mAh and 5,050mAh batteries, respectively.
Xiaomi is gearing up to launch the highly anticipated CIVI 2 in the Chinese market tomorrow (27th September 2022). Although, prior to the launch event, the company shared new promotional images that revealed that the company will also be launching new accessories and gadgets alongside the new smartphone. So let’s have a look.
The Chinese tech giant will be launching the CIVI 2 tomorrow, but will also be accompanies with five other products along with it. The first device is the Xiaomi Lipstick Power Bank, which as the name suggests has a body similar to a lipstick. So its quite small and compact, with a unique design. Apart from this, the brand is also planning releasing a new Xiaomi Noise Cancelling Bluetooth neckband earphones as well, which also has a sleek and attractive design.
While the first two products out of the five can be considered the usual peripherals, the rest three are smart products. This includes the new eight electrode body fat scale, which offers a professional gym level fat measurement as well. Furthermore, the company has also launched two new MIJIA products too, including the MIJIA Transparent Steam Rice Cooker and the new MIJIA Modular Robot.
The former is a conventional product, while the latter is a smart robot that features a modular design. Unfortunately, the exact details regarding these devices and their specifications are still unclear at the moment. But stick around for more, as we will be covering the launch event tomorrow.
Infinix has confirmed that the Infinix Zero Ultra will launch on October 5 for the global market. Some key specifications of the device leaked earlier this month, and now a new report has revealed live images and renders of the Zero Ultra 5G ahead of the launch.
According to Newzonly, tipster Paras Guglani (passionategeekz) has shared live images and renders of the upcoming Infinix Zero Ultra 5G.
Infinix Zero Ultra live image
Taking a look at the image, the device bears some similarities to the recently launched Motorola Edge 30 Ultra in the design department. It has a curved display with slim top and bottom bezels and a centered punch hole for the front camera, On the back, it has two large cutouts and one small cutout for the triple camera setup. The larger cutout is said to house a 200MP primary camera sensor. Other than that, the top and bottom of the device feature flat edges.
The report also shares renders of the Zero Ultra, confirming two color options-Black and White.
Infinix Zero Ultra 5G specs
The live image of the device confirms that the Infinix Zero Ultra 5G will be powered by the Dimensity 920 chipset. It also confirms that the device will come with up to 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM. It will have an Android 12-based XOS 12 operating system that will allow for virtual RAM expansion up to 3GB.
The image also confirms that the device will feature a 200MP triple camera on the back while it will have a 32MP selfie snapper on the front. Other than that, the device is expected to have an 8MP telephoto lens and another 8MP lens. It is also said to feature a 6.7-inch curved AMOLED display with a 5000mAh battery, and 180W fast charging.
As we edge closed to the year end, there have been new rumors and reports surfacing regarding Samsung and its next generation of flagship smartphones. Now, a new leak has revealed has some interesting detail regarding the company’s Galaxy S23 Ultra smartphone, which would likely be its top end model for next year.
Galaxy S23 Ultra Concept Render by Technizo Concept
The news arrives from a known tipster Ice Universe who shared the information on his Twitter account. Looking at the tweet, he stated that as per the details he has, there will be no real change between the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22+ and the Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23+ models. Apparently, the only major difference will be the upgrade to a newer more powerful chipset. Furthermore, this will reportedly also be true for the flagship Galaxy S23 Ultra as well.
This varaint will bring no real change except for the chip and screen and the primary camera on the rear. In other words, this also implies that the South Korean tech giant has no plans on bringing any major design overhauls this year. The tipster also added that due to the lack of any major changes loyal Samsung fans all across the globe should rally together and ask for the company to lower the price of the Galaxy S23 series.
Although, this seems like an unlikely scenario. Keep in mind that this is still just an unconfirmed report so take this information with a grain of salt. But based on the reports we have covered so far, it does appear that the shift to a 200 megapixel camera and the latest chipset generation upgrade will be the two major changes in 2023, with the design likely being similar to this year’s Samsung flagship.
Oppo has launched a new budget-range smartphone in its A series called the Oppo A17. The device features an attractive design with two camera islands, a flat back, and flat edges. So let’s take a look at it in more detail.
Oppo A17 specs
The Oppo A17 features a 6.56-inch LCD display with HD+ resolution and a standard 60Hz refresh rate. The display has 100% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage. It has a water-drop notch and sizable bezels around the screen.
Under the hood, the device has a MediaTek Helio G35 powering the device. The chipset is complemented by 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. For optics, the smartphone has a dual camera setup on the back, made up of a 50MP f/1.8 main camera and a 2MP depth sensor. Up front, we get a 5MP f/2.2 selfie camera with fixed focus. The main camera setup sports several imaging features, including AI, 360-degrees Fill Light, Portrait Retouching, HDR, and more.
The A17 draws power from a 5000mAh battery with a couple of features to extend battery life, including Super Power Saving Mode and Super Nighttime Standby. Other notable specs include Android 12 via ColorOS 12.1, IPX4 water resistance, and USB-C.
Availability & pricing
The Oppo A17 comes in two color options – Lake Blue and Midnight Black. The price of the phone is presently MYR599 ( roughly $130) in Malaysia. It is also available for pre-order in Singapore, but the price there has not yet been determined.
Apple recently launched the iPhone 14 series phones and the new Apple Watch Series 8, as well as Watch SE and Watch Ultra, which are now available for purchase. The company is also expected to launch another event by the end of this year, where it is expected to announce new iPad models.
Now, ahead of the launch of the new iPad models, a new report from Mark Gurman of Bloomberg in the Power On newsletter has revealed information about the Mac devices that are expected to get launched next year, i.e., in 2023.
As per the report, Apple is expected to launch a new 15-inch MacBook Air along with the new M3 chips that will power the iMac. The company has also lined up Mac Pro, HomePod, Reality Pro, and a larger iPad to go official sometime next year. There is also a possibility that the company will launch a combined product of Apple TV, HomePod, and Facetime cameras towards the end of 2023.
The reports about a new 15-inch MacBook Air have been making rounds for some time now, and the Cupertino-based giant is also expected to increase the size of the 13.3-inch MacBook Air, but it will remain under 14-inch.
If this latest report is to be believed, then Apple will be skipping the M2-powered iMac and will directly launch new iMac devices next year, which will come powered by the yet unannounced Apple Silicon’s M3 chipset.
There’s also a possibility of a larger iPad Pro making its debut in the year 2023, which will likely have a 14.1-inch display. The new HomePod is expected to come powered by the S8 processor, which also powers the new Apple Watch Series 8.
The highly-anticipated and long-rumored Apple Glasses are set to be released next year, and the Mixed Reality Headset is believed to feature a three-display configuration, featuring two Micro OLED 4K displays and another AMOLED panel for low-resolution peripheral vision.
After launching multiple devices in the Note 11 series, it appears that Redmi is gearing up to debut the Note 12 series of smartphones soon.
According to a new report, the Redmi Note 12 series is said to launch ahead of the Double 11 shopping festival in China. For those unaware, the Double 11 shopping festival is China’s biggest shopping festival, which falls on November 11. It is also known as “Singles’ Day” in the country.
Redmi Note 11T Pro
Going by this, we can expect the Note 12 series to debut in October, with sales starting from November 11th. The Redmi Note 12 series would be the company’s “small flagship” after the Redmi Note 11T was introduced as the “performance flagship” for 2022 (via MyDrivers). This approach of launching two Note series every year was announced by Xiaomi Group China president Lu Weibing earlier this year.
Rumor has it that the Redmi Note 12 and a Note 12 Pro model with better performance characteristics will be at least two of the series’ variants. A third device dubbed the Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus could also join the lineup. However, it is yet to be confirmed.
As for specifications, the Redmi Note 12 series is expected to be powered by the Dimensity 1300 chipset. Other than that, we can expect 120W fast charging capability on the device along with a 50MP triple camera setup. Reports from Digital Chat Station on Weibo have also mentioned that the series could debit with a 50MP ultrawide camera, which would be a first for the Note series and will likely be reserved for the Pro or Pro Plus model.
Finer details are expected to emerge as we get closer to the rumored launch, so stay tuned.
Apple recently launched the iPhone 14 series, but the rumors and leaks about the next-generation iPhone 15 lineup have already started surfacing online, and the latest report hints at a change in naming convention for the upcoming lineup.
If the latest report coming from Mark Gurman of Bloomberg is to be believed, then the Cupertino-based tech giant has started working on a new Apple iPhone 15 Ultra model that will be replacing the Max model.
Apple iPhone 14 Pro
The report also adds that the iPhone 15 series would see the biggest change in the design of the iPhone series since the iPhone 12 launched in 2020. Among some major changes, the company could start offering USB-C ports on iPhones. There are also reports that all the models in the iPhone 15 series will come with Dynamic Island.
The changing of the name from Pro Max to Ultra isn’t surprising and makes sense given the Apple Watch series now includes an Ultra model. The company has been experimenting with the iPhone models for a years now. After launching the Mini model two years, the company ditched it for the Plus model with the new iPhone 14 Plus.
The sales for the Mini model weren’t great, so the company switched to the Plus model, assuming that customers aren’t interested in a compact form. But reports indicate that the sales numbers for the new iPhone 14 Plus are also not good, and the company has cut down the production for the iPhone 14 to boost production of the Pro models.
Vivo will launch its new foldable smartphone, called the Vivo X Fold+, later today. The device has a lot in common with the Vivo X Fold that launched earlier this year, including the design.
Ahead of the launch, a live image of the X Fold+ has leaked online. Weibo user iDealPark理想公园 shared an image of the Vivo X Fold+ Red color variant. The image reveals that the device has Zeiss branding on the camera module and an in-display fingerprint sensor on the cover screen. The Red color of the back is accompanied by a Gold color Vivo branding.
Vivo X Fold+ specs
The Vivo X Fold+ is said to have similar display panels as the X Fold, which means that we can expect a large 8.03-inch E5 LTPO OLED 3.0 inner display with 2K resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and 4:3.5 aspect ratio. The cover screen will likely be a 6.53-inch E5 OLED panel that has a Full HD+ resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and HDR10+ support.
Under the hood, the foldable is confirmed to house the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset. As for RAM and storage, the device is said to come in two configurations – 12 GB RAM + 256 GB storage and 12 GB RAM + 512 GB storage.
For optics, we can expect a Samsung GN5 50-megapixel primary sensor paired with a 48-megapixel ultra wide-angle lens, a 12-megapixel portrait lens, and a 5-megapixel periscopic telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom and up to 60x digital zoom. On the front, the device will likely have a 16-megapixel sensor.
Other than that, the device will have a 4730mAh battery with 80W of wired charging and 50W of wireless charging.
China’s electric-vehicle industry is so crazy. It reminds us of the smartphone industry 10 years ago, and they are on the rise. XPeng, as one of the most compelling electric-vehicle brands in China, has been considered a strong challenger to Tesla’s dominance. And finally, the brand is widely believed to be launching its latest Flagship SUV with all its new technologies in the US, the XPeng G9. But until then, we want to show you another star model on sale manufactured by the brand, which is right behind me, the XPeng P7 Wing Limited Edition.
Maybe after watching the video, you will understand why it’s one of the lucky winners of the brutal market. And perhaps you will also be looking forward to the release of the G9.
XPENG P7 Wing Profile
The XPeng P7 debuted as a semi-concept car at the Auto Shanghai show in April 2019, and the production version has achieved notable sales and good reviews for over 2 years. Last year XPeng brought the Wing limited edition. Compared to the production version, the Fluorescent P7 maintains the sleek Italianate flair in its design.
The low front face creates a nice sporty impression, and the curved light strip across the front makes me classify it more firmly as a sizable but minimalistic sport sedan. It has a dark-glass roof, frameless windows, retracting door handles, and exterior-mounted surround vision cameras, which does remind us of the Tesla Model 3.
The size of the P7 is pretty close to the BMW 5 series. If have to compare it with Tesla’s products, I prefer to believe that its size and design are in the same class as the Model S. it’s 7 inches longer than the Model 3, with 5 inches of extra wheelbase. As for the Wing edition we experienced, what really makes it different is the classic coupe profile in the special color and the X-wing doors. It will definitely draw some attention.
Interior
In tune with the minimalist body, the internal design looks comfortable and clean. Most of the details are just right and not confusing. For example, you won’t see those bulky grille air vents found in traditional sedans anymore. They are just hidden below your eye line.
Although it features a panoramic glass roof similar to Tesla’s models, it filters UV rays well, allowing passengers to enjoy the hot-summer sunlight comfortably. And it’s great that most rear passengers can get comfortable head space and enough room for leg comfort.
Test Drive
XPeng describes the P7 as a stylish, luxurious all-electric sedan, emphasizing comfort rather than sportiness. But it still provides three driving modes, including Eco mode, standard mode, and sport mode, which can also be switched by voice commands. The sport mode keeps the car with enough torque, starting and stopping with quicker responses. You can feel the stiffer suspension and stronger support with higher electric power sensitivity. But meanwhile, it would correspondingly increase power consumption.
During these few days, I prefer to drive under the Eco mode, as it offers a driving experience close to that of a fuel car, with softer braking and acceleration. More importantly, it can effectively extend the driving range.
Driving experience
It may not be the sportiest sedan with fantastic performance, but the P7 is one of the most impressive E-cars we’ve ever driven. It still offers what we expected from an electric car, such as the silent but punchy acceleration under the sport mode, but what really makes it stand out is how comfortable and stress-free for both driver and passengers.
The noise levels are impressively low; the suspension is refined and stable to support the inner cabin from harsh body motions; the steering is accurate and light-weighted; you don’t need to worry about the regenerative discomfort when you make the switch from a conventional car to it, as there’re two regen modes for options, including High and Low. Both of them have pretty smooth transitions to mechanical braking. Especially under low regen mode, you don’t even have to take time to get used to its slowing effect.
Range
The quoted NEDC range of the P7 was about 349 miles. But you might already know that the number coming from the NEDC is not realistic at all. The actual range for our urban driving is about 20%-30% lower since we had a lot of in-car entertaining and air conditioning all the time, and were inevitably trapped in traffic jams several times.
Car software
The P7’s intelligence is powered by the Xmart OS, which has been upgraded with successive versions via OTA updates. It’s also one of the most desirable in-car operating systems.
On the P7, the latest software offers the XPeng’s autonomous driving assistance, the XPilot 3.0, which works like the Autopilot from Tesla. It includes the Highway Navigation Guided Pilot (NGP) for a stress-free highway drive, the Valet Parking Assist (VPA) and the Intelligent Parking Assist (IPA) for an effortless parking experience. You can even access it without any driving operation and just activate it via a click on the car key, or just through the phone or voice commands. The car will find its own way to the parking space for you.
As a new E-car equipped with the latest technology, there’re a few features that ensure security, including Adaptive Cruise control, Lane Keep Assist, Forward Collision Warning, and Autonomous Emergency Braking.
Both at low speeds in town and when speeding on the highway, the ride is good and stress-free.
It also surprises us with its in-car entertaining system. You can play music or watch video streaming with the powerful Dynaudio speakers. When parked, the built-in games can be played by using the steering wheel. There’s a wireless charging station for your phone, which is securely positioned so you don’t have to worry about it interfering with your driving.
Conclusion
The Wing edition of the P7 is pretty impressive, and of course, I think it proves it deserves to run on any road in the world. During these few days, the good-looking external design and spacious internal arrangement reminded us in many moments of some better-known electric rivals in higher price segments.
Another straight feeling I got from it was that, unlike a hardware-driven conventional vehicle, it showed the possibilities of a new type of software-driven electric car, inspiring a more reliable driving experience, better performance, or intelligent function like auto-driving capacities in the future. Our only hope is that they will continue to develop and not stagnate like some smartphone manufacturers. After all, the EV brands have a longer way to go.
ZTE has a lineup of premium smartphones under its Axon lineup and the company has today launched a new device in the series, dubbed ZTE Axon 30S. The naming of the phone is a little odd, given that the company has already launched the Axon 40 series.
The newly launched ZTE Axon 30S comes in two memory variants — 8GB RAM with 128GB internal storage costing 1,698 yuan (~$237) and 12GB RAM with 256GB of internal storage for the price of 2,198 yuan (~$307).
Apart from some minor changes, the Axon 30S smartphone is very much similar to the Axon 30 that was launched last year. Compared to the Axon 30, the company has updated the software and added some camera functions, and reduced the pricing of the device.
The ZTE Axon 30S features a 6.9-inch Full HD+ AMOLED 10-bit display that offers a screen resolution of 2460 x 1080 pixels, a DCI-P3 color gamut, and a 120Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, the device is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 processor.
In the camera department, the phone has a quad-camera setup on the back that includes a 64-megapixel primary camera, an 8-megapixel ultrawide sensor, a 5-megapixel macro lens, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. On the front side, there’s a 16-megapixel snapper for taking selfies and video calling.
The highlight of the smartphone is that the front-facing camera has been placed under the display, meaning that the phone doesn’t have any kind of notch or punch-hole cutout on top of the screen. Not just the camera but the company has also tucked in the fingerprint sensor under the screen.
As for the software, the device is running the Android 12 operating system out-of-the-box with the company’s own MyOS custom interface. The smartphone is powered by a 4,200mAh battery and supports 55W fast charging.
Xiaomi is gearing up to launch the CIVI 2 on September 27 in China. The device is also rumored to come to the global market with a different moniker later down the line.
The brand has already confirmed many details of the upcoming smartphone, like its camera sensor, battery capacity, and fast charging. Now, new teasers by the brand have confirmed more details about the device. So let’s take a look.
Starting off, the brand has confirmed that the device will be powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset. The chipset is the successor of Snapdragon 700 series chipsets like the Snapdragon 778G and comes with many improvements in efficiency and performance thanks to the Samsung 4nm process.
The brand has also confirmed that this device will be cooled by a new custom stainless steel VC liquid cooling unit with a surface area of 2387mm². It is said to have a 200% increased heat dissipation capacity compared to last year’s Xiaomi CIVI. Paired with a more powerful chip, the device will likely provide better sustained performance in tasks like gaming.
Xiaomi CIVI 2 Ice Blue
Xiaomi has also teased that the device will debut in four color options, and a video reveals that the ‘Ice Blue’ color variant will come with the popular glitter design on the back panel. We can assume that the glitter design will also be present in the pink and black color options.
To know more about the device, you can check out our rumor roundup of the Xiaomi CIVI 2.
At the beginning of this month, I received the review unit of the Enco Buds from OPPO. The Enco Buds come with several improvements over the original Enco Buds, like a new design, new audio drivers, and better battery life. At the time of launch, the earbuds were priced at Rs 1,799 (~$22). However, as of the time of writing, the price had been reduced to Rs 1,699 ($21) on OPPO India’s website. It comes with a 1-year warranty. After testing it for a couple of weeks, I am here with the Enco Buds 2 review.
OPPO Enco Buds 2: What’s in the box
OPPO Enco Buds 2 what’s in the box
The Enco Buds 2 come in a small retail package, which includes earbuds, ear tips (small and large), and a user manual. The earbuds come with medium-sized ear tips attached.
Design and Comfort
The original Enco Buds featured a pebble-like case and stem-less earbuds. It came only in white. The Enco Buds 2 sports a new design as it features a compact round-shaped case made from hard plastic with a diameter of 5 ½cm. It weighs 38 grams (on my weighing scale) and comes in black only in India. In some other markets, it is available in white. Enco Buds 2 have a dual-tone design with a matte finish, which does not attract fingerprints. It is black on the outside and sky blue on the inside.
The case has a matte finish with a glossy band running along its side. The glossy band houses a USB-C port, with an LED indicator sitting alongside. There is no physical button on the case that can be used to manually connect the Enco Buds 2 to another Bluetooth device.
The earbuds sport a new stem design with a matte finish. The stem measures 3.5cm in length and weighs 4 grams. The portion of the earbuds facing the ears has a glossy look with “R” and “F” markings. As shown in the image below, the top area of the earbuds is equipped with touch sensors. I haven’t tried stemless earbuds, but I think I will always prefer the stemmed ones as they offer a better grip.
The original Enco Buds carried IP5X dust and water resistance, but the successor model comes with an IPX4 rating, which brings protection against mild rain and sweat. Readers should note that there is no IP rating for the charging case.
The OPPO Enco Buds 2 fit firmly inside the ears with the stem extending out. You may have to readjust them a bit while running on the treadmill, but they are not likely to fall off.
The Enco Buds 2 is a pocket-friendly device. However, users should be careful not to place objects like keys and the Enco Buds 2 in the same pocket. Such objects can corrode the matte finish of the case. Ideally, you may consider buying a silicon case for the Buds 2.
Connectivity and Touch Controls
The Enco Buds 2 comes with support for Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity. It supports Bluetooth codes: SBC and AAC. It lacks support for the AptX codec, which is seen on costlier TWS earbuds. There is no support for connecting the earbuds to two devices simultaneously.
To establish a connection, users need to open the lid of the Buds 2’s case and scan for the earbuds on the device where they need to be connected. On OPPO phones, the process is seamless, since ColorOS instantly shows a pop-up for pairing. I did not face any issues connecting the Enco Buds 2 with Android, iOS, and Windows devices.
On non-ColorOS devices, users need to install OPPO’s HeyMelody app to access “Enco Live sound effects” options like original sound for natural sound, Bass Boost, and Clear Vocals. The app can be used to update the firmware version, turn on/off Game Mode, and customize earbud controls.
The touch controls are good as they respond well. On a side note, I purchased the Realme Buds Air 2 for Rs 3,299 (~$41) in July last year. While it is an overall good product, I always find myself struggling with its touch controls.
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OPPO Enco Buds 2 connectivity on OPPO devices with ColorOS
OPPO Enco Buds 2 Enco Live Sound Effects
OPPO Enco Buds 2 left earbuds controls
OPPO Enco Buds 2 right earbuds controls
In the above screengrabs, one can see the default touch control settings. One nifty feature that I believe should come to entry-level earbuds is smart wear detection, which automatically pauses the song when the earbuds are removed from the ears and continues playing when they are put back in the ears. Being an entry-level model, the Enco Buds 2 lacks it.
For a lag-free audio experience while gaming, the Enco Buds 2 comes with support for 94ms low latency. There is a toggle available to turn it on or off through the HeyMelody app.
A cool feature available only on OPPO phones running on ColorOS 11.3 or later is the double-tap camera control feature. When the camera app is open, users can simply double tap on either earbud to take photos.
Audio Experience and Call Quality
There are several TWS earbuds with 10mm audio drivers in the same price range as the Enco Buds 2. What makes it a cut above the rest is that it comes equipped with a titanized diaphragm dynamic driver. Generally, titanized drivers can be designed to offer an accurate reproduction of sounds.
OPPO has focused on offering an impressive bass boost experience on the Enco Buds 2. For deeper bass, users can select the “Bass Boost” option through the Enco Live Sound Effects feature available on the HeyMelody app. For even richer bass, users can make use of the equalizer feature on third-party apps.
The increase in bass doesn’t suppress the vocals on the Buds 2. The treble is not too sharp, and the vocals sound good. Since it does not use the generic neodymium driver but titanized drivers that are light and strong, it manages to impress in the audio performance department given its price. The sound is quite loud. Using it at 60 to 70% volume should provide an enjoyable listening experience.
As far as the call quality of the Enco Buds 2 is concerned, my voice sounded slightly muffled to the recipients when I received calls outdoors. However, they were able to understand everything that I said and, also, they were not complaining about it. There was no issue with listening to what the other person was saying. The Enco Buds 2 lacks Active Noise Cancellation, which is rarely seen on TWS earbuds in its price segment.
According to OPPO, the Enco Buds 2 is equipped with “AI deep noise cancellation for calls.” It further mentions that “through dynamic tracking of human voices, AI deep noise cancellation for calls enables you to be heard easily and clearly even in noisy outdoor places.” I spoke to a friend in one of the test calls while walking toward a procession. I guess that OPPO’s AI kicked in to reduce the background noise, which allowed him to hear my voice. However, when I was right next to the procession, my voice and the procession noise sounded almost equal. To be precise, my voice was still audible to him even when I was at the place of the procession. I believe Enco Buds 2’s call quality will be much better than many of the other TWS earbuds in the same price range.
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OPPO Enco Buds 2 front
OPPO Enco Buds 2 rear view
OPPO Enco Buds 2 right and left earbuds
OPPO Enco Buds 2 earbuds
I have still yet to find a perfect pair of earbuds (even among the costlier ones) that are good for taking voice calls. Though there may be a couple of them on the market, I haven’t tried them. What I can say is that the call quality on the Buds 2 is good given its low price.
Battery and Charging
OPPO claims a battery life of up to 28 hours on the Enco Buds 2 with the charging case. According to the company, the earbuds can last up to 7 hours on a single charge The case has a 460mAh battery, whereas each earbud packs a 40mAh battery. I remember charging the Enco Buds 2 only twice from the time I received the review unit until I wrote this review.
It took approximately 14 minutes for the charging case to gain 20 percent battery juice from zero. The company states that 10 minutes of charging allows users to enjoy 1 hour of music playback. As far as full charging (earbuds + case) is concerned, it takes around 200 minutes.
OPPO Enco Buds 2 earbuds battery level
OPPO Enco Buds 2 case and earbuds battery level
The LED indicator next to the USB-C port glows while charging. As far as the charging status is concerned, users can check it through the HeyMelody app. If the earbuds are not inside the case, the app will not show the battery level of the earbuds. If any of the earbuds are inside the case, the app will also show the battery level of the case.
Verdict
To sum up, the entry-level Enco Buds 2 not only offers an impressive audio performance but also helps in building trust in OPPO’s other audio products. It is worth recommending to buyers looking for TWS earbuds between Rs 1,500 (~$18) and Rs 2,000 (~$25). At the time of writing this review, the Enco Buds 2 received 4.3 stars on Flipkart, which is quite good. Most of the users have loved it for its bass and battery backup.
In my OPPO Enco Buds 2 review, I mentioned a few features that are missing on the earbuds. Most of them are generally found on earbuds in higher price segments. Hence, to conclude, I could not find any major cons to the device.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this OPPO Enco Buds 2 review are entirely my own, based on my own experiences, with no editorial input from OPPO.
Xiaomi has officially unveiled a new model of the MIJIA Washing and Drying Machine. The new version comes with a colorful OLED touchscreen display.
The new washing machine adopts a dark gray body, an upper drainage design, and a washing capacity of 10kg. In terms of health, steam sterilization is adopted, and the high-temperature steam has stronger penetrating power, which is easier to destroy the bacterial structure. It also does not damage the clothes.
Only a small amount of water is heated to quickly generate steam to fill the inner cylinder. There is also an independent steam sterilization button, which can be matched with a variety of washing programs.
According to official data, the washing and drying machine has a 99.99% sterilization rate, 99.99% virus removal rate (H1N1 influenza A), and 100% mite removal rate, which is more caring for the health of the family.
At the same time, it is equipped with a full-color touch screen, which imitates the visual UI design of mobile phones, which is clear and simple. 32° golden viewing angle, no need to bend over when operating.
The built-in direct-drive motor can precisely control the speed. With intelligent chips and algorithms, it does not damage the fabrics and reduces troubles such as wrinkles. In addition, the motor uses the magnetic levitation drive principle, the inner cylinder rotates smoothly, reduces friction, and the washing noise is as low as 50dB.
In terms of interconnection, the washing and drying machine supports XiaoAI voice control which can be used to make select modes and preset the wash time. After the laundry is finished, XiaoAI speakers will remind you by voice or music, the clothes drying rack will automatically drop, and the lights will be automatically turned on to facilitate the collection of clothes.
The MIJIA Washing and Drying Machine is priced at 2399 yuan and is presently listed on Jingdong (JD.com) for preorders.
The Nothing Ear (stick) was showcased this week during the London Fashion Week. The new device comes with an impressive design and is expected to be released later this year. London-based tech brand Nothing launched the Nothing Ear (1) last year. Back in July, the much-expected Nothing Phone (1) with a stunning transparent design was released.
The Nothing Ear (stick) comes with a lightweight design and offers comfort even on the long haul. It is feather-light and is molded into your ears. It has a unique and transparent charging case whose design bears a striking semblance to a cosmetic case. The charging case also looks similar to that of the Nokia 705 TWS Earbuds although smaller.
Transparent designs are increasingly connected with the Nothing brand. The Nothing Phone (1) with a transparent design was also showcased during the London Fashion Week. Custom-made, limited-edition bags were showcased alongside the stunning transparent design of the smartphone.
The Nothing Ear (stick) will be released later this year while the custom-made bags will go on sale next year, according to Nothing. The full specs of the Nothing Ear (stick) are not known at this time. The pricing details are also lacking, but we expect some official details to trickle in within weeks. No specific release date was provided for the earbuds as well.
After the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 and the Xiaomi Mix Fold 2, it seems that Vivo also wants a slice of the foldable market in the second half of 2022, as the brand is already prepared to announce the company’s next foldable smartphone, the Vivo X Fold+ in China this September 26 (Monday).
Source: Vivo
Vivo’s upcoming flagship foldable launch event will be held in China on September 26 (Monday) today at 7 pm Beijing Time (GMT +8) / 4:30 pm New Delhi Time (GMT +4:30) / 1 pm Berlin (GMT +1).
The launch event will be live streamed on Vivo’s official online channels in China. For international audiences, you can head on over to the link below on September 26th, 2022 19:00 CST sharp to follow the reveal of the Vivo X Fold+.
The upcoming Vivo X Fold+ has already been teased and leaked online for the past month, and to read more about the expected specs of this flagship foldable, you can head on over to our rumor roundup article here. Otherwise, here’s what you should know and expect from Vivo’s next iteration of its foldable future.
The Vivo X Fold+ is Vivo’s second try at making a premium foldable smartphone. Its predecessor, the Vivo X Fold, was launched back in April of this year and was critically praised in the industry for its bold leatherback design, lack of a visible crease, as well as a competent rear camera setup that can even rival the conventional camera slab flagships of 2022.
Naturally, Vivo has received much feedback from its first attempt at a foldable, and the Vivo X Fold+ seems like an iterative upgrade over the predecessor, with little to no design changes, but with improved internals inside.
Design-wise, the Vivo X Fold+ looks nearly identical to the Vivo X Fold. The rear panel features a large rectangular island module that houses a circular camera sensor setup and other necessary sensors like the LED flash. The back of the device will also feature a leather-like finish, and the device will be available in two previously available color options – Blue and Black, as well as a new exclusive eye-catching Red color from Vivo.
The upgrades confirmed so far are its internals. The new Vivo X Fold+ will feature Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 mobile SoC which promises up to 30% higher power efficiency than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 found on the previous Vivo X Fold. The device will also feature a larger 4,730mAh battery than its predecessor, and support for faster 80W wired charging compared to 67W on the X Fold. The X Fold+ will also support Vivo’s proprietary 50W fast wireless charging that juice your phone from 0 to full wirelessly in less than an hour.
Vivo has also revealed that the X Fold+ is now more optimized for 5000+ Android apps on folding screens, as a result of the company’s software optimization for big-screen Androids. And besides those changes, the Vivo X Fold+ is expected to be the same everywhere else as the previous X Fold.
The Vivo X Fold+ would have two ultrasonic fingerprint scanners (one on the outer screen, and one on the inner folding screen) as well as an alert slider on the side. The display is rumored to be the same as the X Fold, meaning that we will likely see a large 8.03-inch E5 LTPO OLED 3.0 inner display with UTG that has a 120Hz refresh rate, 2K resolution, and a 4:3.5 aspect ratio on the X Fold+. The outer front screen on the device will have a 6.53-inch E5 OLED panel that has a Full HD+ resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and HDR10+ support.
As for RAM and storage, the device is said to come in two configurations – 12 GB RAM + 256 GB storage and 12 GB RAM + 512 GB storage. Cameras are said to be the same quad camera setup on the X Fold, a 50 MP Samsung GN5 main sensor, 48 MP ultra-wide lens, 12 MP portrait lens, and a 5 MP periscope zoom lens with 5x optical zoom.
To know more about the Vivo X Fold+, such as pricing and availability, stay tuned to our coverage of the device here at Gizmochina on Monday!
PLAY has unveiled another affordable but innovative smartwatch in its expanding Indian lineup. The PLAYFIT CHAMP2 is a made-in-India product designed based on inputs from the local market. It has a 1.69-inch full-touch display with advanced toughened glass protection. The smartwatch is made of stainless steel and silicon, with a great aesthetic appeal. The PLAYFIT CHAMP2 combines comfort with performance and comes at a pretty affordable price.
The PLAYFIT CHAMP2 offers heart rate, blood oxygen, and calorie monitoring. It also has a female health tracker and reminders for drinking water. The smartwatch comes with several watch faces and a 230mAh battery. The battery can last for 5 days on normal usage and up to 30 days on standby mode. Several sports modes are available with the PLAYFIT CHAMP2 including running, football, skipping, walking, basketball, workouts, and more.
The CHAMP2 smartwatch is capable of withstanding water, sweat, and dust with its IP68 rating. The PLAYFIT app, when paired with the CHAMP2 allows users to sync data and analyze their health and fitness progress over time. The smartwatch also provides sleep tracking and is offered a one-year warranty.
The PLAYFIT CHAMP2 is priced at Rs. 1,799 (~$22) and is available from the company’s website and other retail platforms in India. PLAY says the new smartwatch is the culmination of out-of-the-box thinking and magnificent advancements. Four color options are available for the PLAYFIT CHAMP2 namely black, indigo blue, rose gold, and grey.
Vivo is going to launch its second foldable smartphone, the Vivo X Fold+, in China on September 26. Ahead of its formal debut, the device has been spotted on the Wireless Power Consortium, which reiterates its design. The new foldable is confirmed to be equipped with a powerful processor and to feature some significant upgrades over its predecessor.
As initially spotted by MySmartPrice, the Vivo X Fold+ has appeared on the Wireless Power Consortium website with model number V2229A. The listing also includes an image, which gives us a good look at the smartphone’s design. The design is the same as what we have seen in Vivo’s teaser poster. However, in the listing, the foldable is pictured with a greyish paint job, which creates the possibility of an additional color option.
Vivo X Fold+ Specifications (Expected)
Many leaks and rumors suggest the Vivo X Fold+ will share many specifications and features with its predecessor. For instance, it is rumored to be equipped with the same 8.03-inch foldable display and a 6.53-inch cover screen as the Vivo X Fold. The device will offer a 120Hz refresh rate on both screens.
Under the hood, it will be powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset. The device managed to get a decent benchmark score on Antutu and it will probably handle all tasks smoothly. The chipset will be paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. It will be powered by a 4,730mAh battery with 80W of wired charging and 50W of wireless charging.
For optics, the smartphone will have a quad camera setup featuring a 50-megapixel primary camera, a 48-megapixel ultra-wide camera, a 12-megapixel portrait camera with 2x optical zoom, and an 8-megapixel periscope lens with 5x optical zoom. While at the front, it should have a 16-megapixel selfie camera.
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For optics, the smartphone will have a quad camera setup featuring a 50-megapixel primary camera, a 48-megapixel ultra-wide camera, a 12-megapixel portrait camera with 2x optical zoom, and an 8-megapixel periscope lens with 5x optical zoom. While at the front, it should have a 16-megapixel selfie camera.