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Asus ROG Phone 6D Ultimate Roundup: Specs, Colors and More

After launching the Asus ROG Phone 6 and ROG Phone 6 Pro back in July, the Taiwanese gaming tech giant has made plans to launch 2 more flagship Android gaming smartphones for 2022 – the ROG Phone 6D and ROG Phone 6D Ultimate. Both smartphones will be unveiled at the company’s official launch event on September 19th (Monday).

Before the official launch date, many details of the ROG Phone 6D series have already been leaked and teased officially online. In this article today, we have rounded up all you should know about Asus’ upcoming gaming smartphones.

Asus ROG Phone 6D Series Design and Colors

As what we have reported last month, the Asus ROG Phone 6D and 6D Ultimate will feature similar exterior designs to its siblings, the standard ROG Phone 6 and ROG Phone 6 Pro, according to leaked official images online

ROG PHONE 6D COLOURS
ROG PHONE 6D & 6D ULTIMATE IN WHITE (LEFT). Source: 91Mobiles

However, one change is in the color options. Instead of the standard Black and White found on the earlier announced ROG Phone 6 smartphones, the ROG Phone 6D will be available in 2 new colors: Metallic Grey and Matte White.

Adding to the gaming aesthetic, the ROG Phone 6D has a vertical RGB strip on the back that can light up in two different colors at once, while the more premium ROG Phone 6D Ultimate will feature a second display on the back that can be configured with multiple animations and can be used to show notifications or system metrics.

Asus ROG Phone 6D Series Specs

Both the standard ROG Phone 6D and the ROG Phone 6D will feature MediaTek’s latest highest-end Dimensity 9000+ smartphone processor, manufactured on TSMC’s industry-leading 4nm process. Comparing it to the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 found on the earlier released ROG Phone 6 series, Asus hints that the new ROG Phone 6D surpasses them in raw performance in benchmarks.

And according to a credible leak recently, the ROG Phone 6D Ultimate is said to feature Asus’ upcoming cooling solution technology that can help the Dimensity 9000+ push its limits and performance further than the Snapdragon 8+ found on the ROG Phone 6 Pro.

The display will be the fastest display ever featured on a smartphone, as the ROG Phone 6D and 6D Ultimate both feature 6.78-inch Full HD+ AMOLED panels with a 165Hz refresh rate, 720Hz touch sampling rate, 111% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage, and HDR10+ support to boot for games.

ASUS ROG Phone 6

The battery for both smartphones is said to be 6000 mAh with 65W fast wired charging support via USB-C. The smartphone is also said to feature 2 USB-C ports as well, so you can plug in your charging cable in one port, and your USB-C headphones in another.

Last but not least, the triple camera setup on the Asus ROG Phone 6D series packs a punch despite it being a gaming smartphone. It sports the 50 MP flagship Sony IMX766 sensor as the main rear camera, a 13MP ultrawide snapper, and a 5MP macro camera for the back. On the front, both devices get the 12MP Sony IMX663 sensor for selfies and vlogging.

Asus ROG Phone 6D Ultimate
Asus ROG Phone 6D Ultimate in Metallic Grey. Source: 91Mobiles

For more details such as pricing and availability of the Asus ROG Phone 6D and ROG Phone 6D Ultimate, stay tuned for our launch coverage on September 19 here at Gizmochina!

 

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Vivo Y52t launched silently with Dimensity 700 chip, 5000mAh battery, check price & Specs

The Vivo Y52t has been launched in China as the company’s latest budget smartphone. The handset seems to be an upgrade over the Vivo Y52 that debuted last year. It comes with features like the MediaTek Dimensity 700 SoC, a 6.51-inch LCD, dual rear cameras, and more. Let’s have a closer look at the price, specifications, and features of the newly launched Vivo Y52t.

Vivo Y52t Specifications and Features

The Vivo Y52t comes with a 6.56-inch IPS LCD screen offering an HD+ resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels, up to 600 nits of brightness, and a 20:9 screen ratio. It supports a standard 60Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, the Y52t is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 700 chip, which is built on a 7nm process and has 2 cores running at 2.2GHz and 6 cores at 2.0GHz.

Vivo Y52t

The processor is paired with 8 GB LPDDR4X RAM and 128/256 GB of internal storage. The handset also sports a microSD card slot for storage expansion of up to 1 TB.

As far as the cameras are concerned, the Vivo smartphone has a dual rear camera setup consisting of a 13-megapixel main camera accompanied by a 2-megapixel sensor. While on the front, it comes with an 8-megapixel shooter for selfies and video calls.

The Vivo Y52t is backed by a 5,000mAh battery that supports 10W charging. The phone runs on the Android 12 OS with OriginOS on top. It uses a side-mounted fingerprint sensor and sports a 3.5mm headphone jack. The smartphone is 8.45mm thick and weighs about 198g.

Vivo Y52t Price

Vivo Y52t price in China is set at 1,299 Yuan (roughly $186/ Rs. 14,814) for the base 8GB RAM + 128GB storage variant. It is also offered in an 8GB RAM + 256GB storage option, which costs 1,499 Yuan (roughly $214/ Rs. 17,000). The device is offered in peach, blue, and black colors and will be available for purchase from September 19.

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Vivo X Fold +, iQOO Neo 7 Storage & Color Options Leaked

Vivo‘s second foldable—the X Fold Plus—will likely be announced by the end of this month. In addition, rumors about the upcoming iQOO Neo 7 have also started to pick up the pace. While we are still waiting for official word on both smartphones, a popular tipster has leaked their storage configurations as well as color options. Here are the details.

Tipster Digital chat station has revealed the Vivo X Fold+ will have the same storage and color variants as the previous gen X Fold (Via ITHome). However, the foldable will be available in an additional red color option. To recall, Vivo’s first foldable debuted with 2GB+256GB and 12GB+512GB storage configurations. It was offered in blue and grey colors.

Vivo X Fold
Vivo X Fold

Further, Mr. Chat Station claims the upcoming iQOO Neo 7 will come in three storage options—8+128GB, 8+256GB, and 12+256GB. The device will debut in Geometric black, Impression blue, and Pop color options.

Previous reports suggest the iQOO Neo 7 could feature a 6.78-inch AMOLED E5 display offering a Full HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. It is likely to be powered by the Dimensity 9000 Plus chipset. The Neo 7 could be fueled by a 4,700mAh battery with support for 120W fast charging.

iQOO Neo 6 first teaser for India-
iQOO Neo 6

If we talk about the Vivo X Fold+, it is rumored to feature a 6.53-inch primary FHD+ AMOLED display and an 8.03-inch interior screen with 2K resolution. Both displays are said to offer a 120Hz refresh rate. The device will likely be powered by a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC and be backed by a 4,700mAh battery unit with support for 80W wired charging.

It is rumored to boast a quad rear camera setup that may include a 50-megapixel main camera accompanied by 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. The device may also be equipped with a 16-megapixel selfie shooter.

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Realme Watch 3 with 24/7 heart rate, blood O2 monitoring arrives Europe for €69.99

The Realme Watch 3 with a huge display and health monitoring features is now available in Europe. The smartwatch sports a simple design with a single physical button and offers over 110 sports modes.

Realme Watch 3
Realme Watch 3

The Realme Watch 3 has a 1.8-inch display and is arriving in Europe about two months after its unveiling in India. It weighs 54g and runs on Realme’s proprietary operating system. It has more than 100 watch faces and is available in a grey colorway. The smartwatch features 24/7 heart rate and blood Oxygen (SpO2) monitoring.

When paired with a smartphone, the Realme Watch 3 can take or make calls within range. It has a built-in dial pad, synced contact list, and a microphone that makes it possible to initiate phone calls from the device. It however does not support direct connectivity to cellular networks because of the absence of an LTE modem.

The large display of the Watch 3 offers up to 500 nits of brightness and a 240 x 286 pixels resolution. The Realme Watch 3 in Europe is priced at €69.99 ($70) and can be purchased directly from the Realme website. It can also be obtained via major retail platforms in Europe like Amazon. When purchased from the Realme website, shipments are limited to the Benelux countries (Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg), Portugal, and Germany. It is unclear whether Realme will subsequently include the availability of the black color option of the smartwatch.

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Redmi Pad Wi-Fi only variant spotted on TDRA, launch seems imminent

Xiaomi is reportedly gearing up to introduce the first ever Redmi Pad alongside the Xiaomi 12T series in the global market. Ahead of an official announcement, a TDRA listing suggests the Redmi Pad will also have a Wi-Fi-only variant. Earlier rumors about the tablet revealed it will be equipped with a new MediaTek MT8781 chipset and a 7,800mAh battery with 22.5W fast charging support.

Tipster Abhishek Yadav (@yabhishekhd) has spotted the Wi-Fi variant of the upcoming Redmi Pad on the UAE’s Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) website. The tablet has been listed with the model number 22081283G and the marketing name “Redmi Pad”. Apart from this, the listing does not reveal any significant information. However, it hints that the tablet might launch very soon.

Xiaomi 12T Pro, Redmi Pad leaked image
Xiaomi 12T Pro, Redmi Pad leaked image

A recent TechGoing report revealed the Redmi Pad, accompanied by the Xiaomi 12T series, will debut next month (October). The publication did not reveal the exact launch date, but we expect a launch in the first week of the month.

If we talk about the specifications, the tablet could draw power from a new MediaTek MT8781 chipset, which is said to be similar to the Helio G99 SoC. It is expected to pack a 7,800 mAh battery with support for 22.5W fast charging.

The Redmi Pad is rumored to come with an 11.2-inch LCD screen offering a 2K resolution. On the software front, it is expected to run the Android 12 OS with MIUI Pad 13 on top. For photography, it may feature an 8-megapixel camera without an LED flash.

The tablet is reported to land in two storage options: 3 GB RAM + 64 GB storage and 4 GB RAM + 128 GB storage. It will be priced between 250 and 350 euros. The Redmi Pad will likely be available in sole Grey color. The above pricing is said to be for the cellular model. The Wi-Fi-only model could cost less.

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Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 could have an ultra-high frequency variant, too

Apple recently introduced its latest silicon with the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, and things are picking up the pace on the Android side too. Qualcomm, the leading chip supplier for Android smartphones, is reported to launch its latest flagship processor, which may be called Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, in November. Ahead of any official announcement, a new leak suggests the chip will come in an ultra-high frequency version with a CPU clock speed of 3.4-3.5GHz.

Popular leakster Digital Chat Station has revealed in a Weibo post that the alleged Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC will have an ultra-high frequency variant with a clock speed between 3.4 and 3.5GHz. For reference, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1’s Prime core runs at 3.19 GHz.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
Snapdragon 8 Gen 1

The GPU of the processor will also see a significant improvement compared to its predecessor. The extreme GPU performance in Android flagships will finally be on par with the performance of Apple A-series chips, claimed the leaker.

The purported ultra-high frequency variant could be called the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2. It is expected to follow a 1+2+2+3 quad-cluster architecture and will likely be fabbed on TSMC’s 4nm process node.

The chipset could feature 1 x Kryo Prime CPU (Arm Cortex-X3-based), 2 x Kryo Performance CPUs (A720-based), 2 x Kryo Performance CPUs (A710-based), and 3x Kryo Efficiency CPUs (A510-based). It is also expected to sport an Adreno 740 GPU.

As per previous reports, the Xiaomi 13 series, Redmi K60 series, iQOO 11 series, and Vivo X90 series could be the early adopters of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor.

Furthermore, the tipster suggested that the next chip from MediaTek’s Dimensity series would offer another impressive performance leap, potentially closing the gap between Dimensity and Snapdragon.

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Samsung Galaxy S22 vs iPhone 14: Specs Comparison

Yesterday, the iPhone 14 officially went on sale in several regions. A lot of people started to purchase the new handsets and, even though this year most of the attention goes to the Pro variants (as they sport a different design and more powerful chipsets), the original iPhone 14 is very hot. But you can currently find several devices at the same level in the market, sold at more affordable prices. Should you opt for the new iPhone or you would better go for an older flagship? A bunch of hours ago, we published a comparison between the specifications of the iPhone 14 and the older iPhone 13. Now, we think it is time to bring a Samsung flagship on the field. Here is a comparison between the main specifications of the iPhone 14 and the main specifications of the Samsung Galaxy S22.

Samsung Galaxy S22 vs Apple iPhone 14

Samsung Galaxy S22 Apple iPhone 14
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT 146 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm,
167 g
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm,
172 g
DISPLAY 6.1 inches, 1080 x 2340 pixels (Full HD+), Dynamic AMOLED 2X 6.1 inches, 1170 x 2532p (Full HD+), Super Retina XDR OLED
PROCESSOR Samsung Exynos 2200 hexa-core 2.8 GHz or Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 octa-core 3 GHz Apple A15 Bionic hexa-core 3.22 GHz
MEMORY 8 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 256 GB 6 GB RAM, 512 GB – 6 GB RAM, 128 GB – 6 GB RAM, 256 GB
SOFTWARE Android 12, One UI iOS 16
CONNECTIVITY Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS
CAMERA Triple 50 + 10 + 12 MP, f/1.8 + f/2.4 + f/2.2
Single 10 MP f/2.2
Dual 12 + 12 MP scanner, f/1.5 + f/2.4
Dual 12 MP + SL 3D f/2.2
BATTERY 3700 mAh, Fast charging 25W, and Qi wireless charging 15W Fast Charging 50% in 30 minutes and Qi wireless charging 15W
ADDITIONAL FEATURES 5G, optional dual SIM, optional eSIM, IP68 waterproof 5G, optional dual SIM, optional eSIM, MagSafe 15W, IP68 waterproof

Design

Starting from the design, it is essentially a question of tastes, even though the iPhones are literally an icon in the smartphone world due to their design. If you do not mind the notch, then we think you should go for the iPhone 14, but your personal tastes may let you disagree. The Samsung Galaxy S22 has a less invasive punch hole instead of the notch, but the iPhone has better water resistance with the IP68 certification allowing you to put it underwater up to 6 meters deep for 30 minutes. Both the devices come with a glass back and an aluminum frame, the glass back of the Samsung is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus Plus, while the iPhone is protected by Ceramic Shield.

 

Display

Just like the battle between the designs, even the battle between the displays is very tough. Judging from the specs on the paper, the iPhone 14 should offer a more convincing image quality. It has a Super Retina XDR OLED display with a diagonal of 6.1 inches, a Full HD+ resolution of 1170 x 2532 pixels, the HDR10 certification, and Dolby Vision support, as well as a 1,200 nits peak brightness, behind a scratch resistant ceramic glass with an oleophobic coating. The Samsung Galaxy S22 has a Dynamic AMOLED display with a diagonal of 6.2 inches, a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, and the HDR10+ certification, protected by Gorilla Glass Victus Plus. The image quality is better on the iPhone, but the Samsung Galaxy S22 has an important advantage: the refresh rate goes up to 120 Hz, while the iPhone stops at just 60 Hz. The two phones come with different authentication methods: the Apple device relies on Face ID (3D facial recognition), while the Samsung has an in-display fingerprint reader (ultrasonic, so better than optical ones).

 

Specs & Software

The iPhone 14 provides the highest performance not only thanks to the hardware but thanks to the optimization of the iOS operating system. Its hardware setup includes an Apple A15 Bionic chipset built with a 5 nm production process and with an octa-core architecture composed of two Avalanche cores running at a max frequency of 3.23 GHz, four Blizzard cores running at a max frequency of 1.82 GHz, and an Apple 5-core GPU. The SoC is paired with 6 GB of RAM and up to 512 GB of NVMe native storage. The Samsung Galaxy S22 has an octa-core Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 mobile platform built with a 4 nm production process and 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. There is also a version of this handset with the Exynos 2200 chipset, inferior to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. The chipsets are paired with 8 GB of RAM and up to 256 GB of native storage. The iPhone 14 runs iOS 16, while the Samsung Galaxy S22 runs Android 12 customized by One UI.

 

Camera

The most advanced camera setup belongs to the Samsung Galaxy S22. It has a triple camera composed of a 50 MP main sensor with OIS, a 10 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS, and a 12 MP ultrawide sensor, as well as a 10 MP front camera which records videos with a 4K resolution at 60 fps. The iPhone 14 has a dual rear camera with 12 MP resolution including an ultrawide sensor and a 12 MP front camera recording 4K videos.

 

Battery

The Samsung Galaxy S22 has a bigger battery, however, the phone guaranteeing the longest battery life is the iPhone 14 due to the great optimization of iOS. The charging speeds are similar and the phones support wireless charging.

 

Price

You need at least $999 or €999 in order to purchase the iPhone 14, while the Samsung Galaxy S22 can easily be found for less than €700 or $700 thanks to the current street prices. Which one would you pick?

 

 

Samsung Galaxy S22 vs Apple iPhone 14: PRO and CONS

Samsung Galaxy S22

PRO

  • More affordable
  • Gorilla Glass Victus Plus
  • 3x optical zoom
  • Fingerprint reader

CONS

  • Inferior performance

 

Apple iPhone 14

PRO

  • Better performance
  • Great cameras
  • Better water resistance
  • Face ID

CONS

  • Higher price

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Honor Choice Earbuds X3 with 36-hour battery life launched in China

Honor released a raft of products during its September 15 launch event. The Honor Choice Earbuds X3 true wireless headphones and children’s watch have been unveiled. The Earbuds X3 TWS earphones offer 40dB hybrid active noise cancellation (ANC). There are several noise reduction modes that can be deployed to suit the user’s needs. It can be used for leisure, sports, travel, and entertainment. The Earbuds X3 has a 12mm biological diaphragm speaker unit with Qualcomm aptX high-definition audio codec also featured.

The Honor Choice Earbuds X3 offers up to 36 hours of activity, thanks to its battery and accompanying case. The new pair of TWS earphones reflects significant improvements from its previous iteration. It supports Bluetooth 5.2 dual device connection, features pressure-sensitive controls, and provides more accurate recognition feedback. There are no details yet on the charging speed for the device, but it comes with IP54 waterproof capability. The earbuds/ case battery sizes information is also lacking.Honor Children's watch

The Honor new children’s watch comes with better malware protection via its green system. It is equipped with 4G network connectivity and can deliver high-definition video calls. The Honor children’s watch has 8-fold precise positioning and 7-day battery life on normal usage.

The Honor Earbuds X3 is already available on pre-order for 249 yuan (~$36) and will launch officially on September 23. The Honor children’s watch is also available on pre-order at a price of 329 yuan (~$47), with sales commencing on October 11. There are no global availability details for the products at this time.

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Logitech ZONE VIBE 100 wireless headphones with 20hr battery life, fast charging launched

Logitech has unveiled its ZONE VIBE 100 wireless lightweight earphones with fast charging capability. The new Logitech wireless headset offers comfort with its earcups consisting of memory foam and soft-knit fabric. The device is expected to debut in China shortly.Logitech ZONE VIBE 100 wireless headphones

The ZONE VIBE 100 offers up to 20 hours of playback or about 18 hours of talk time on a full charge. Its fast charging capability means that 5 minutes of charge yields an hour of playback. The new Logitech wireless headset uses a 40mm speaker driver unit that delivers deep bass, clear treble, and low distortion in its audio output. Touch buttons on the headset provide easy navigation and control of the device. You can also use the LogiTune App to adjust various parameters and customize the EQ to your taste. The earphones support Bluetooth pairing but it is unclear what is the degree of noise cancellation available on the device.Logitech ZONE VIBE 100 wireless headphones

The Logitech ZONE VIBE 100 comes with a simple but stylish design. It is lighter than most over-the-ear headsets for comfortable use even for extended periods. The headset is made of about 25% recycled plastic, underscoring the brand’s focus on environmental protection.Logitech ZONE VIBE 100 wireless headphones

The ZONE VIBE 100 wireless earphones will retail in China for 696 yuan (~$100). As per the images released, we expect at least two color options for the device including pink and white. The new headset will berth in Chinese retail outlets soon although Logitech was silent on a specific release date. There are also no global availability and pricing details yet for the ZONE VIVE 100 wireless headset.

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Samsung rolls out the second update in a month for Galaxy Watch5 & Watch5 Pro

Samsung‘s latest Galaxy Watch5 and Galaxy Watch5 Pro are getting their second software update in a month. This comes after their August 2022 release and the updates bring stability improvements to the devices.

The Galaxy Watch5 and Galaxy Watch5 Pro are the successors of the Galaxy Watch4 and Galaxy Watch4 Classic. They run on the One UI Watch platform and are the first to launch with Wear OS 3.5. Having to roll out two updates in quick succession for the new Galaxy smartwatches could point to inherent problems observed after their launch. Both models do not recharge as quickly as specified pre-launch and they were slightly thicker than expected. Another observed issue was the D-Buckle Sport Band that comes with the Pro model causing problems on some laptops.Samsung Galaxy Watch 5

The rollout of the updates indicates Samsung’s response to remedy some of the observed shortcomings in the new Galaxy smartwatches. The SM-R900 (Galaxy Watch5) and SM-R925 (LTE version of the Galaxy Watch5 Pro) will benefit from the latest update. The new update is referenced with R9xx0XXU1AVH6 and is undergoing a sequential rollout across the regions. As of this moment, the update is only available in North America. We expect Samsung to scale up the rollout within a short while to cover other continents. The update, according to Samsung, retains the July 2022 set of security patches for the devices.

The new software updates for the Galaxy Watch5 and Watch5 Pro will enhance overall system stability and reliability. It also applies new stabilization codes for watch operations but no new features are included in the latest update.

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(source)

 

Made in India smartphone shipments rose by 16% YoY in Q2 2022 – Counterpoint 

The latest data from research firm Counterpoint has shown that Indian-made smartphone shipments grew by 16% in Q2 2022 from the corresponding performance in 2021. The growth in Made in India smartphone shipments is being driven partly by a strong incentive framework put in place by the central government. The Counterpoint data showed that Indian-made smartphone shipments for April-June 2022 were over 44 million units. The Q2 figure exceeded both the Q1 performance and the corresponding Q2 figures from 2021.

The report shows that Indian OEMs pushed for better Q2 performance in order to qualify for PLI incentives. Global smartphone chip shipments declined by 5% YoY in Q1 2022 but the Indian government continues to stimulate semiconductor production. The new report indicates a positive push across several segments of the tech ecosystem by local enterprises. The government’s various PLI interventions may have also resulted in the increase in the local manufacture of tablets, smartwatches, earbuds, and other products.

Foreign brands with a strong manufacturing presence in India are also reaping from the favorable environment. OPPO led smartphone shipments with 24%, followed by Samsung, while Lava accounted for 21%. In terms of brand performance, Padget Electronics (396% YoY), Wistron (137% YoY), and Lava (100% YoY) were the three best-performing local brands in Q2 2022. Optiemus, Bharat FIH, and Padget TWS segment while WDN and Mivi are frontrunners in the neckband segment. Wingtech, Samsung, and Dixon have a cumulative market share of 90% in the tablet segment. Four firms – Dixon, Radiant, Samsung, and LG account for half of the Made in India shipments.

In terms of production, TWS earphones dominated the domestic wearable ecosystem with 16%, followed by neckbands and smartwatches. The active interventions by the Indian government were highlighted as a major driving factor for the surge. India continues to attract manufacturers and investors as it gradually firms up its place in the global tech market.

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(source)

 

Future Samsung smartphones may come with satellite connectivity feature

Apple’s iPhone 14s launched recently, and with them, debuted an emergency feature called satellite connectivity. With the help of this feature, iPhone users can apparently establish a connection with the satellites and make an emergency call when there’s no cellular signal coverage. Huawei introduced a similar feature with its Mate 50 series. And it seems Samsung will also be bringing satellite connectivity to future Galaxy devices.

As per tipster Ricciolo, Samsung may be planning to introduce the satellite connectivity feature to its upcoming Galaxy devices (Via Phonearena). It’s unclear if this emergency feature will be available on the Galaxy S23 smartphones.

As mentioned, Apple introduced the satellite connectivity feature with the iPhone 14 series. Interestingly, this feature will not be available until November, and it will work only in the US and Canada for now. However, rumors are rife that Apple plans to bring the feature to other countries as soon as later this year.

It’s worth noting that Huawei introduced this feature first with its Mate50 series, before Apple. As per the Chinese company, the Mate 50 and Mate 50 Pro smartphones will allow users to send short text messages via China’s global BeiDou satellite network, allowing for communication in areas without connectivity.

Huawei Mate 50 Pro
Huawei Mate 50 Pro

As for Apple, the company uses Globalstar’s network for its emergency SOS feature on the iPhone 14 and future iPhones. We are not sure which service Samsung will be using, but it’s probably not Globalstar as Apple is already using 85% of its current and future network capacity.

Do note that the satellite connectivity feature is just a rumor and Samsung hasn’t officially confirmed any details as of now. We hope to learn more about it in the coming days.

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Xiaomi 12T, 12T Pro detailed specs, prices and renders leaked ahead of launch

The Xiaomi 12T and 12T Pro are reported to launch next month (October) alongside the Redmi Pad. The exact launch date is not known yet, and we are still waiting for Xiaomi to break the silence. But ahead of it, a new WinFuture report has revealed the detailed specifications, prices, as well as marketing images of the upcoming smartphones. Let’s have a look at all the details.

Xiaomi 12T Pro Specifications

As per the report, the Xiaomi 12T Pro will come with a 6.67-inch AMOLED display offering a resolution of 2712×1220 pixels and a maximum refresh rate of 120 Hertz. The handset will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, clubbed with 12GB LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB storage.

The Xiaomi 12T Pro is said to be a camera-centric smartphone. The report confirms that the device will be equipped with a new 200-megapixel primary sensor. It will also have an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera with an F/2.2 aperture and a completely pointless 2-megapixel macro camera. On the front, the device is said to pack a 20-megapixel selfie camera. The device will have a 5000mAh battery and support 120W fast charging. It will also have Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, and Wi-Fi 6 on board.

Xiaomi 12T Specifications

The lower-end Xiaomi 12T is reported to come with the same  6.67-inch AMOLED display that supports a maximum refresh rate of 120 Hertz and a resolution of 2712×1220 pixels (full HD+ display). Instead of the Qualcomm SoC, the Xiaomi 12T will be powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8100 Ultra chipset, paired with up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage.

As far as cameras are concerned, the handset will feature only a 108-megapixel primary sensor. The rest two cameras are the same as the Pro model, which means an 8-megapixel ultra-wide and a 2-megapixel macro unit. While at the front, there will be a 20-megapixel snapper. The Xiaomi 12T will also feature a 5000mAh battery and will support 120W fast charging.

Xiaomi 12T and Xiaomi 12 Pro Price

As per the publication, the Xiaomi 12T Pro could cost €850 in Europe (roughly ₹67,500/$850). On the other hand, the Xiaomi 12T could be priced at around €650 (₹52,000/$651) in Europe. Now that’s the price for the old continent, customers in India and other Asian countries can expect comparatively lower pricing.

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Honor Pad 8 teased to launch in India soon, will be available on Flipkart

Honor is set to re-enter the tablet market in India. The brand has started teasing the arrival of Honor Pad 8 in the country. E-commerce platform Flipkart has put up a microsite of the upcoming offering revealing some specifications. Additionally, it also confirms the tablet’s available on the shopping portal. The Honor Pad 8 has already debuted in the global markets and we expect the Indian variant to come with the same specifications. 

The Honor Pad 8 features a 12-inch display bearing a 2K resolution and an 87 percent screen-to-body ratio. The back panel has a pill-shaped camera cutout and the tablet features 5MP front and rear snappers. On the audio front, the device is equipped with total of eight speakers tuned by DTS Audio. 

Under the hood, the Honor Pad 8 is equipped with a Snapdragon 680 processor. It packs up to 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. The device draws its power from a 7,250mAh battery unit with support for 22.5W fast charging. It runs on Android 12 based MagicUI 6.1 out of the box. 

The Honor Pad 8 is expected to compete against the likes of the Realme Pad X, OPPO Pad Air, Xiaomi Pad 5, and others in the Indian market. We will learn more details about the brand’s tablet in the coming days. 

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OPPO Test Lab visit: Reno 8 series durability, quality tests reveal its build to last

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit OPPO’s factory in Kasna, Noida, India. The visit allowed me to witness the different durability and quality tests that are carried out on the Reno 8 series, as well as the other OPPO phones. Since I was able to see some of the tests on the Reno 8 and Reno 8 Pro in front of my eyes, I can say that these devices are built to last.

OPPO Test Lab visit

At the QE Reliability Lab, I saw the Reno 8 and 8 Pro undergoing numerous tests. OPPO engineers perform the free-fall test for accidental drops with heights of up to 1.5 meters, which is more than 80 percent higher than the industry standard of 0.8 meters. OPPO said that the simulation test is carried out 12 to 24 times with the phone being dropped on all its six surfaces, eight corners, and 12 edges. In the above video, a free-fall test is being conducted on the Reno 8 Pro on a marble surface.

Aside from the free-fall test, a micro-drop (vertical as well as screen-facing the surface) test is done 28,000 times on the device, which is 5,000 to 10,000 times more than the industry standard. The video below shows the heavy rainfall of 10 ± 0.5 L/min being done on the Reno 8 series. As can be seen, the phone is sprayed with water onto its four surfaces at a 75-degree angle. The phone is not just kept in the rain test chamber, but it is tested while the phone is running a video or making a phone call.

OPPO engineers manually check the condition of the phone after each test to see whether its display and other functions are working normally. OPPO phones are also subjected to an extremely low temperature of -50°C and a high of 75°C for a week, which is higher than the industry standard of three days. According to OPPO, these tests ensure that its devices can be used as expected in both regular and extreme environments.

OPPO engineer Mohammed Saud said that since OPPO has users across the globe using their devices in different temperatures, it is mandatory to conduct regular and extreme environment tests on all OPPO phones. While OPPO does not mention an IP rating on its rating, the tests that are conducted at OPPO test labs show that all the OPPO phones offer some level of water and dust resistance though not officially. Saud demonstrated various other tests, such as roller drop tests, steel ball drop tests, soft press test, device’s internal temperature rise test, camera calibration test, static discharge test, dust test, salt spray test, 5G antenna coupling test, GPS test, plug wire bending tests in different angles, headphone swing (up/down/right/left) test, USB cable plug/unplug test, that are carried out at the lab.

OPPO Reno 8 series durability, reliability promises

OPPO Reno 8, 8 Pro

Here’s what OPPO promises when it comes to the durability of the Reno 8 series.

Software

  • 2 years of OS upgrades for the Reno 8 series, which means it will receive the latest Android OS upgrade until Q2 2024. OPPO will release the latest ColorOS based on Android 13 for Reno 8 Pro users this month (September), and the Reno 8 will get the same update in October.
  • 4 years of security updates to protect the Reno 8 duo from malware and virus attacks.

Here’s the list of eligible OPPO phones that will receive the ColorOS 13 + Android 13 OS upgrade. Readers can checkout all the new features of the ColorOS 13 upgrade here.

To those who are unaware, the OPPO Reno 8 Pro 5G ColorOS 13 Alpha program began last month, while the ColorOS 13 Alpha program started earlier this week.

Battery longevity

  • OPPO’s Battery Health Engine (BHE) prolongs the battery lifespan while ensuring peak charging speeds without affecting the battery longevity.
  • The company promises 1600 charge cycles on the Reno 8 lineup, which is twice more than the industry standard of 800 charge cycles.

I mentioned in my OPPO Reno 8 review that 80W SuperVOOC charging is one of the many features that I liked on the device. I hope to review the Reno 8 Pro soon so I can not only test the phone but also try out the latest ColorOS 13 update on it.

Smooth Performance

The Reno 8 series will offer smooth performance even after 3 years. OPPO has made this claim after carrying out nearly 500 tests to achieve the 36-month Fluency Rating A mark from TÜV SÜD.

Durability tests

The company conducts more than 300 rigorous tests on the Reno 8 series at the OPPO Test Labs before releasing it to the market. I have mentioned some of the tests that I could see being carried out on the Reno 8 and 8 Pro.

Platinum after-sales service

Reno 8 series owners get platinum after-sales service, which can include a 24/7 instant helpline (contact no. 9958 80 80 80) and home pickup / drop for repairs.

The OPPO Reno 8 is priced at Rs 29,990 (~$326). It comes in 8GB RAM + 128GB storage configuration only. The Reno 8 Pro, which comes with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage, costs Rs 45,990 (~$577).

The Flipkart Big Billion Days 2022 sale offer page reveals that the Reno 8 5G will be available for as low as Rs 26,999 with bank offers. There are bank offers available for the Reno 8 Pro to purchase at a lower price during the sale.

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Vivo X Fold+ TENAA listing reveals images of the phone, expected to launch this month

Vivo launched its first foldable smartphone i.e. the X Fold in the first half of 2022 in China. The brand is reportedly working on its upgraded version dubbed the X Fold+. The device was listed on the TENAA certification website a few days bag. Now the same listing has been updated with the upcoming foldable phone’s images. 

From the TENAA listing, the Vivo X Fold Plus’s cover display has curved edges. The phone’s exterior looks similar to the X Fold. The images also give us a look at the inner foldable screen with a centre-aligned punch-hole cutout and the hinge. The back panel of the phone has a rectangular island housing a circular camera module. It accommodates four sensors out of which one is a periscope lens. There is also an LED flash unit and Zeiss branding. The Vivo X Fold+ is seen in a Black colour option and vertical strip on the faux leather back panel. 

Apart from this, the updated TENAA listing does not reveal any additional details about the Vivo X Fold+. The smartphone is tipped to feature a 6.53-inch primary FHD+ AMOLED display and an 8.03-inch interior screen with 2K resolution. Both displays will come with a 120Hz refresh rate. The device will reportedly be powered by a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC and be backed by a 4,700mAh battery unit with support for 80W wired charging. 

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Oppo celebrates 18th Anniversary, launches Oppo Global Community

Oppo is gearing up to celebrate its 18th Anniversary tomorrow (17th September 2022) as the brand was first founded back in 2004. To commemorate this occasion, the company has also planned to announce the new Oppo Global Community as well.

Oppo

At the moment, the Chinese brand is the world’s fourth largest smartphone maker in the world and operates in more than 60 countries and regions across the globe. So to celebrate its 18th anniversary, the company is officially announcing the Global Community tomorrow. Through this, Oppo plans on building an inclusive and open ecosystem for all of its loyal users to offer them a platform to engage, interact, and share with the company.

Notably, the Community will also act as a hub for a number of different programs as well. In other words, the brand will also launch its Oppo Product Ambassadors Program from this platform, which will provide users with opportunities to experience OPPO’s latest products and innovations ahead of their commercial release. The Community will also house the O-Chat open forum where users from around the world can discuss about the company’s products and technologies.

Oppo

This platform will even have the Oppo Lifesetter that allows users to share their own life stories that could possibly inspire others. Apart from this, the company also plans on releasing a new documentary series, which tells the stories of Oppo employees and the inspiration behind their work. It will continue to invest in sustainable development initiatives as well.

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Tecno POP 6 Pro to launch in India soon, Amazon availability confirmed

Tecno POP 6 Pro is teased to launch in India soon. E-commerce platform Amazon has put up a microsite of the device revealing its key specifications. The upcoming offering will arrive as the successor to the last year’s POP 5 Pro. The Tecno POP 6 Pro is expected to be a budget device. 

As per the Amazon microsite, the Tecno POP 6 Pro has a 6.56-inch display bearing an HD+ resolution, 480 nits brightness, and a waterdrop notch. Design-wise, the back panel has a rectangular camera module and diagonal texturized pattern. The power button doubles up as a fingerprint scanner. 

The Tecno POP 6 Pro is confirmed to come with an 8MP rear camera paired with an AI lens and LED flash. On the front, it will have a 5MP selfie snapper. The smartphone is teased to be backed by a 5,000mAh battery unit. It will be available in Peaceful Blue and Polar Black colours. 

The microsite does not reveal any additional details about the Tecno POP 6 Pro. It is expected to come with an octa-core Helio A22 processor coupled with 2GB RAM and 32GB onboard storage expandable via microSD card slot. The upcoming offering is tipped to run on Android 12 Go Edition with HiOS 8.6 skinned on the top. 

We will learn more details about the Tecno POP 6 Pro in the coming days. 

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Apple iPhone 14 series face issues with FaceTime & iMessage, but there’s a fix

With the launch of the Apple iPhone 14 series, many buyers were eagerly waiting to get their hands on the new smartphones. However, the new devices also comes with a major software upgrade, which also means that there are some bugs. So let’s have a look.

Apple
iPhone 14 Pro & iPhone 14 Pro Max

The Cupertino based giant has just shared a new support document in which it informs buyers regarding the issues the new iPhone 14 series faces. In this support document, the brand states that the latest 2022 iPhone models suffer from certain problems related to some basic apps that are popular like FaceTime and iMessage. Furthermore, the company stated that there is more than just one bug that affects both of these apps.

Apparently, one of the bugs makes it difficult to receive messages and calls. Another known issue is seeing green chat bubbles instead of blue chat bubbles when sending a text. Other bugs include people receiving messages coming from the wrong profile and conversations in Messages, with the chats even showing up as two separate threads as well.

Apple

Although, most of these problems have been fixed with the iOS 16.0.1 update, which is the build that roll out to all iPhones that are eligible for the latest software upgrade. So basically, once you get your hands on the brand new iPhone 14 series, its best if you update the device immediately during the initial setup process. If not, one can always head to Settings > General > Software Update.

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Infinix ZERO 55 QLED, 50X3 TVs with 4K resolution, HDR10 launched in India

Infinix has launched two new smart televisions in India. They fall under the brand’s ZERO and X3 smart TV series. The new models are dubbed Infinix ZERO 55 QLED and 50X3 televisions. The X3 series also includes a 32-inch HD and 42-inch FHD variant. Both televisions come with premium specifications and at an affordable price tag. Read on to know what they offer out of the box.

Starting with the Infinix ZERO 55 QLED TV, it comes with a 55-inch screen and Quantum Dot technology for enhanced colour reproduction. It offers 4K video resolution, 400 nits peak brightness, 122 percent sRGB colour gamut, 60fps MEMC, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+ support. The television features a bezel-less premium design and an X-Blade metal stand. On the audio front, the smart TV is equipped with dual stereo speakers with 36W sound output and support for Dolby Audio. 

The Infinix ZERO 55 QLED TV is powered by a MediaTek Cortex A-55 processor coupled with 2GB RAM and 32GB storage. It ships with Android TV 11 OS with built-in Chromecast, Google Assistant, and access to thousands of apps via the Play Store. Connectivity options on the TV include three HDMI ports, two USB ports, dual-band WiFi, and Bluetooth 5.0. 

On the other hand, the Infinix 50X3 smart TV offers a 50-inch display bearing a 4K resolution, 300 nits peak brightness, 122 percent sRGB colour gamut, and HDR10 support. It has dual 24W box speakers with Dolby Audio. The television is equipped with a quad-core MediaTek SoC paired with 1.5GB RAM and 16GB internal storage. Rest of the features of the Infinix 50X3 smart TV remain the same as the Zero 55 QLED TV.

The Infinix Zero 55 QLED TV costs Rs 34,990 whereas the 50X3 smart TV is priced at Rs 24,990. Both televisions will be available for purchase from Flipkart starting September 14th.

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