Huawei Mate 50 series to launch in September, renders revealed

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Jul 29, 2022

Back in October 2022, Huawei launched the Mate 40 series of flagship devices consisting of the Mate 40, the Mate 40 Pro, and the Mate 40 Pro Plus. The company has yet to launch a successor of this device, and going by recent reports, it is likely to happen soon.

According to tipster @厂长是关同学, the Huawei Mate 50 series will debut in the month of September. The tipster Further adds that the series will consist of three devices – the Mate 50, the Mate 50 Pro, and the Mate 50 RS.

The devices will likely come powered by the company’s in-home Kirin 9000S chipset, which will likely be a tweaked version of the Kirin 9000 chip, and will come with 4G-only connectivity.

Relatedly, reliable Chinese tipster Digital Chat Station has shared renders of the back panel of the upcoming Mate 50 and Mate 50 Pro. From the image, we can see that the device will come with a curved back panel and curved edges. The circular camera module appears to house three camera lenses and two flash modules along with a sensor.

Moving on to the front of the device, leaked images of the tempered glass of the Mate 50 series reveals that the vanilla variant will have a punch-hole cutout in the center, while the Mate 50 Pro and likely Mate 50 RS will come with an iPhone like cutout, which indicates that it will likely come with face ID unlock feature.

The smartphone will make its debut in China in September and is also expected to launch globally. Although it is not confirmed if the global variant of the device will also use the Kirin 9000 SoC or opt for Snapdragon 888 4G.

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Google Pixel 6a starts receiving its first security software update

By

Viraj Gawde

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Jul 29, 2022

Google Pixel 6a only went on sale yesterday in most countries after it was up for pre-orders since last week. Now the mid-range smartphone is receiving its first software update via OTA. However, it does not include any new features and instead only bumps up the Android security patch level on the smartphone to June 2022. This is slightly odd as the update does not include the July security patch. We’re only a few days away from the month of August and it’s possible that Google may skip the July patch and provide an August patch update in the coming days.

The first security software update for the Google Pixel 6a is being rolled out in a phased manner. It might take a few days for your unit to receive the update. Users can manually check for the software update on their device by heading to Heading > System > System Update > Check for update.

Both the unlocked and carrier versions of the Pixel 6a are eligible for the day-one patch. The security software update comes with the following build numbers for various regions:

Global (Unlocked): SD2A.220601.003

Japan: SD2A.220601.001.A1

AT&T, T-Mobile: SD2A.220601.002

Verizon: SD2A.2206061.004

To reiterate, the security update doesn’t introduce any new features on the Pixel 6a. However, there’s a possibility that it might offer stability improvements and bug fixes. A major security flaw was reported yesterday as multiple people were capable of unlocking the phone without even registering their fingerprint. It’s unclear whether the bug is related to hardware or software. Hence if you are receiving the security update on your device, it is worth downloading and updating.

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Sony launches Backbone One PlayStation controller for Apple iPhones

By

Sean

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Jul 29, 2022

Sony has just launched a new gaming product in the market, but its meant to be paired with the Apple iPhone. Rather than launching a separate service altogether, the company has made a new controller that allows users to play PlayStation games on their iPhones.

The Japanese tech giant has just launched the new Backbone One, which is a PlayStation Edition controller that is only available for Apple iPhone owners. So, Android users will have to skip this controller attachment for now. This controller works just like a standalone game streaming service as it requires a robust internet connection. Apart from this, one will also need at least a PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5 series console models as well.

One just has to plug in their iPhone into the Backbone One controller and use the PlayStation Remote Play app to gain access to their PS4 and PS5 games directly from their smartphones. The good news doesn’t end here as Sony has also confirmed that this controller will also work with other App Store games as well as other game streaming services that support controllers. This includes the likes of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Genshin Impact, Fantasian, Call of Duty: Mobile, and more.

Notably, the controller does not require separate charging as it is powered directly through the iPhone itself. Sony will sell the Bankbone One PlayStation Edition controller that will be available for purchase in the US, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Italy, Sweden, France, Spain, Sweden, Netherlands, and the UK at launch. Interestingly, an Android version of this controller is expected to launch later in November and will also cost 100 US Dollars like the iPhone controller.

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Get Soundcore Anker Liberty 3 Pro Earbuds for discounted price of $129.99 (Retail Price $170)

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Daily Deals

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Jul 29, 2022

Soundcore Anker Liberty 3 Pro Noise Cancelling Earbuds which generally retail for $169.99 is now available at a discounted price of $129.99 only on Amazon US. Please note that this is a limited-time offer.

Soundcore Anker Liberty 3 Pro Earbuds

Key Features:

Premium quality sound at an affordable price
ACAA 2.0 technology
Hi-Res audio
HearID sound
3D surround sound
10.6mm dynamic driver
Active Noise Cancellation
Built-in ear pressure relief to combat wearing fatigue
Conveniently switch devices
Multi-mode transparency
Recommended by 22 Grammy-winning Producers
Colors: Purple, Gray, White, Black

Generally retailing for $169.99 you can now buy Soundcore Anker Liberty 3 Pro Earbuds for a discounted price of $129.99 only on Amazon US. Please note that this is the lowest price ever offered for these earbuds on Amazon US. This is a limited-time offer. So place your order before the deal expires.

For more information on such exciting deals and offers check out our deals hub.

* Please Note: When you buy something using the links in our articles, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

BGMI banned under same law that was used to ban other Chinese apps

By

Sean

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Jul 29, 2022

Just yesterday, we had reported on Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) being mysteriously removed from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. Krafton had launched the game as an India exclusive title after the local government had banned the original PUBG Mobile.

For those unaware, the Indian government had banned PUBG Mobile and hundred other Chinese applications citing risk to national security as the reason. Since then, BGMI was launched to be an Indian exclusive version of the popular battle royale title. However now, it seems that even this version is being banned from the Indian market. Google in an official statement had previously stated that “On receipt of the order, following established process, we have notified the affected developer and have blocked access to the app that remained available on the Play Store in India.”

Now, MySmartPrice contacted Krafton regarding the entire situation. The company responded to this by saying that “We are clarifying how BGMI was removed from Google Play and will let you know once we get specific information.” Apparently, the reason for the game’s removal has yet to be officially revealed, but a Reuters report has suggested that BGMI was banned Under Section 69A of IT Law.

This was the same law under which other Chinese apps were banned in the past. As of right now, the game is not available for download on either Play Store or App Store. However, for those users that already have the game installed on their smartphones can still play the game at the moment since the servers are still active in the region. This is all the information we have right now, so stick around for more updates regarding this matter.

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Cosmic Byte Equinox Kronos & Neutrino gaming headsets launched in India

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jul 29, 2022

Two gaming headsets have been released by Cosmic Byte into the Indian market. The Equinox Kronos and Equinox Neutrino gaming headsets offer an immersive gaming experience and support Dolby Atmos. The Cosmic Byte Equinox Kronos Wireless headphones are priced at Rs. 6,499 (~$82) and the Equinox Neutrino is offered at Rs. 4,499 (~$57).

The two new gaming headsets come with durable components and are ergonomically designed for the total comfort of gamers. They have protein leather ear cushions, high-quality memory foam, and a lightweight design. The headsets allow gamers to play for extended periods in comfort. The metal armbands and aluminum frames in both headsets are durable. The Kronos and Neutrino gaming headsets are compatible with a wide range of devices (PC, mobile, tablet, PlayStation, and Xbox).

The Equinox Kronos Wireless has 50mm Dynamic drivers with an impedance of 32 Ohms. It features a Pullout Unidirectional ENC microphone with a transmission distance of 10 meters. It has a 1,500mAh battery that can last for 24 hours. It has an ultra-low latency of 20ms and delivers excellent audio output. Dedicated LED buttons control the volume, mute, and surround sound. The headset can operate as either a wireless or wired device and has a 3.5mm AUX input. The Equinox Kronos can be charged fully in 2.5 hours and it weighs 333g.

The Equinox Neutrino has multiple connectivity options including USB, USB-C, and a 3.5mm audio jack. It has a 1.8m durable braided cable. An in-built microphone enables unidirectional environmental noise cancellation in addition to the detachable microphone on the headset. The Neutrino gaming headset weighs 327g and has a similar speaker setup as the Kronos.

The two new headsets can be ordered via Amazon India or the Cosmic Byte website. The original prices of the Equinox Kronos and Neutrino headsets are Rs. 7,999 (~$100) and Rs. 5,499 ($) respectively. Cosmic Byte says the new headsets provide a mind-blowing experience in gaming and non-gaming applications.

Samsung to pay $9.8 million for misleading its smartphone customers

By

Sean

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Jul 29, 2022

Samsung Electronics has been facing charges in Australia for apparently misleading its customers regarding one of its features on its Galaxy smartphones. And now, the company will be required to pay millions of US Dollars.

For those unaware, the Australian Federal Court Justice Brendan Murphy had ordered the South Korean tech giant to 14 million Australian Dollars (roughly 9.8 million US Dollars) within 30 days. Furthermore, the brand will have to pay an additional 140,000 US Dollars for the cost faced by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, which had began the investigation four years ago. The company faced the fine for misleading its smartphone customers regarding the water resistance claims for its Galaxy handsets.

These false claims were made regarding water resistance on seven Galaxy phones that were aired in 9 advertisements between the years 2016 and 2018. The models in these ads includes the Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Edge, Galaxy A5 (2017), Galaxy A7 (2017), Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8 Plus, and Galaxy Note 8. As of right now, the smartphone maker is not disputing these charges and has also agreed to pay the penalty amount as well.

The reason for the fines are due to Samsung showing its smartphones being using in swimming pools and seawater. However, these models were only water resistant not water proofed and would not have been able to withstand these conditions in real world situations. Furthermore, one scene even showed them charging after being wet, which in reality would’ve damaged the charging ports of these smartphones.

RELATED:

Vivo V25 spotted on GeekBench, with Dimensity 900 and 8GB RAM

By

Sean

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Jul 29, 2022

Over the last couple of days, we have reported on the upcoming Vivo V25 series that is set to launch in India soon. And now, prior to any official announcement, the V25 has been spotted on GeekBench.

Previously, the base model of the lineup was teased by Indian Cricketer Virat Kohli on Twitter. Now, the smartphone has also surfaced on known benchmarking platform, GeekBench. This hints at the device’s imminent launch and also reveals its model number V2202. Looking at the benchmarks, we can see that the Vivo V25 will be equipped with a chipset that has a MT6877V model number. In other words, it is the MediaTek Dimensity 900 SoC.

This chipset will be paired with the Mali G68 GPU. Furthermore, the listing also revealed that the V25 will launch with at least one model that features 8GB of RAM. GeekBench revealed that the device will also run on Android 12 OS out of the box. Looking at the benchmark results, the handset scored 700 points in the single core test and 1997 points in the multi core test.

Unfortunately, this was all the information revealed by the benchmark listing. Just yesterday, we had also reported on a V25 Pro leak, which claimed that the Pro model will feature the Dimensity 1300 SoC, a triple camera setup on the rear, 3D curved AMOLED display, and a 120Hz refresh rate. So stick around for more, as we will be providing updates when additional information is available regarding this matter.

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Upcoming Smartphones: Motorola Razr 2022, OnePlus 10T, and more

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Jul 29, 2022

There are going to be two smartphone launch events next week. One of them will be held in China. Whereas, the other one will have venues in multiple countries.

The China-only launch will be hosted by Motorola on August 2. The Lenovo-owned company will be announcing two phones at this conference, which will begin at 7:30 PM CST.

On the other hand, the multi-location event will be organized by OnePlus on August 3 in the US, India, and China. However, the brand will be only unveiling a single handset.

With that out of the way, let’s take a look at these devices one by one.

Upcoming Smartphones Next Week

Prev Next

1. Motorola Moto Edge X30 Pro

The Motorola Moto Edge X30 Pro is an advanced version of the Moto Edge X30. The handset has been confirmed to go official on August 2 with a revamped design and a better set of specs.

The device will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset. Further, it will house a 200MP Samsung ISOCELL HP1 primary camera on its rear along with a 50MP ultra-wide unit and a 12MP 2x telephoto shooter. On the front, it will feature a 60MP snapper.

The handset is expected to arrive with a 6.73-inch 144Hz OLED display, 4,500mAh battery, 125W fast charging support, and Android 12.

The phone will likely launch as Motorola Edge 30 Ultra outside mainland China sometime later this year.

2. Motorola Razr 2022

The Motorola Razr 2022 is the third-generation foldable smartphone from the Lenovo-owned brand. It will be unveiled alongside the Moto Edge X30 Pro on August 2 in China.

The new Razr will arrive with a larger 3-inch cover display, in addition to a 6.7-inch FHD+ 120Hz foldable main display. It will house a 50MP (wide) + 13MP (ultra-wide) dual camera system on the rear and a 32MP front-facing camera.

The handset will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chip and will boot Android 12. It will be backed by a 3,500mAh battery.

The Motorola Razr 2022 is also expected to release outside mainland China to compete against the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4.

3. OnePlus 10T

The OnePlus 10T (aka OnePlus Ace Pro) will go official on August 3. The main highlight of this smartphone is its performance.

It will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 SoC paired with up to 16GB RAM. It will look near identical to the OnePlus 10 Pro and will flaunt a 6.7-inch FHD+ 120Hz AMOLED display.

The phone will arrive with an OIS-assisted 50MP Sony IMX766 primary camera, an 8MP ultra-wide camera, a 2MP macro camera, and a 16MP selfie camera. It will boot OxygenOS 12.1 based on Android 12 and will be backed by a 4,800mAh battery with support for 150W fast charging.

Honor confirms its keynote event for IFA 2022 hinting a new line-up of products

By

Jeet

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Jul 29, 2022

Honor has confirmed that the company will be attending the upcoming IFA in Berlin this year, and it has also revealed some of the details about the event.

During IFA 2022 in Berlin, Honor will conduct its events in-person and online through a live stream. The launch event will take place on 2nd September at 5:00 PM local time in Berlin, which is 4:00 PM in the UK and 8:30 PM in India.

Honor has revealed that the company will be announcing an entirely new line-up of exciting products at the upcoming IFA Berlin, but it has not revealed the actual products that are going to get launched.

The teaser poster shared by the company shows several different types of products, including a smartphone, tablet, laptop, a pair of true wireless earbuds or TWS earbuds, and a house indicating smart home solutions, among others.

The poster has a tagline that reads “Embracing the Connected Future,” which indicates something related to the multi-device connection. There are reports hinting that Honor could announce its flagship smartphone powered by the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 processor along with new laptops with the Intel Alder Lake processors.

IFA exhibition was canceled last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it will be organized in-person this year. The event is set to kick start on 2nd September and will go on till 6th September in Berlin.

RELATED:

Moto X30 Pro TENAA certified, specifications emerge before launch

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jul 29, 2022

Motorola’s upcoming flagship phones, the Moto Razr 2022, the Moto S30 Pro, and the Moto X30 Pro have surfaced in the database of China’s TENAA certification platform. As usual, the TENAA certification has revealed key specifications of all three smartphones. Here is a look at the details that have surfaced through the X30 Pro’s TENAA appearance.

The TENAA listing of the Moto X30 Pro (model number XT2241-1) states that it has a 6.67-inch OLED display that offers an FHD+ resolution and an in-screen fingerprint scanner. The device is rumored to support a 144Hz refresh rate.

The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset will be present under the hood of the Moto X30 Pro. The device will come equipped with 8 GB / 12 GB / 16 GB of RAM and 64 GB / 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB of built-in storage. It has a 4,450mAh (rated value) battery, which carries support for 125W fast charging.

The exact information on the X30 Pro’s camera specifications is not mentioned in the listing. However, reports have claimed that it will be equipped with a 60-megapixel selfie camera. Its rear camera setup may include a 200-megapixel main camera, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 12-megapixel telephoto snapper.

The X30 Pro has 161.7 x 73.5 x 8.3mm dimensions and weighs around 195 grams. It is expected to come in shades like black, white, blue, cyan, green, gold, red, silver, and gray. Rumors are rife that the Moto X30 Pro and the S30 Pro will be rebranded as the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra and the Edge 30 Fusion in the global market.

RELATED:

OnePlus 10T officially confirmed to feature 150W fast charging

By

Sean

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Jul 29, 2022

OnePlus 10T is set to be the second flagship smartphone from the brand that will also be the second high end entry in the 10 series. The device is set to be unveiled on August 3 for the Indian and global markets, but prior to its release, the brand has confirmed one of its highlighting features.

For those unaware, the OnePlus 10T model is also set to launch in China on the same date, although, it will arrive as the Ace Pro model. While we already have confirmation for most of the important specifications. The Chinese smartphone maker has just officially confirmed that the high end handset will support 150W wired fast charging. This information had leaked previously, but now we have an official confirmation.

Apart from this, new teasers on the brand’s Weibo account (a Chinese microblogging website) also confirmed that the smartphone will arrives with a smart charging engine that can intelligently recognize that charging environment to automatically adjust the charging speeds. This, in turn, means that the device can be charged at temperatures as low as -20 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, the OnePlus 10T would also support smart speed mode, low temperature mode, and even a temperature control mode as well.

It was previously assumed that the 10T would arrive with 150W fast charging, since the Ace Pro model was confirmed to launch with this feature. Thanks to the high charging rate, a quick 1 minute charge can offer up to 3 hours of talk time or 90 minutes of video playback or over an hour of gaming, which is quite impressive.

RELATED:

Infinix Smart 6 Plus launched in India with Android 12 Go Edition, 6.82-inch HD+ display, and more

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Jul 29, 2022

Infinix has launched the Inifnix Smart 6 Plus in India as scheduled. This device is different from the Smart 6 Plus sold in other markets in terms of both design and features.

The latest budget smartphone from the brand for India offers a large display and a huge battery. It also comes with a fingerprint sensor and LED flashlights on the front.

Let’s take a look at its specs, pricing, and availability.

Infinix Smart 6 Plus Specifications

The Infinix Smart 6 Plus has a flat frame design. Its rear cameras sit vertically on the top left side and a fingerprint sensor is located parallel to them.

The device is built around a 6.82-inch HD+ display (LCD) with a dewdrop notch and 440 nits peak brightness level. There are LED flashlights on either side of the notch.

It is powered by a Mediatek Helio G25 chipset paired with 3GB LPDDR4x RAM and 64GB storage. There’s also support for up to 3GB of virtual RAM. As for software, it boots XOS 10.6 based on Android 12 Go Edition.

The handset houses an 8MP + depth sensor dual camera system on the rear and a 5MP front-facing camera. It has a single bottom-firing speaker with support for DTS Digital Surround.

It comes with dual SIM card slots, 4G connectivity, single-band WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0, GNSS, a dedicated MicroSD card slot, a 3.5mm headphone jack, a MicroUSB port, and a 5,000mAh battery.

Infinix Smart 6 Plus Price and Availability in India

The Infinix Smart 6 Plus will be available for purchase starting August 3 in India via Flipkart. It will be sold at an introductory price tag of ₹7,999 ($101).

Customers will have an option to pick up the phone in either Miracle Black or Tranquil Sea Blue color options.

Samsung trademark filing indicates the company working on 450MP camera sensor

By

Jeet

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Jul 29, 2022

Samsung has already announced its ISOCELL HP1 200-megapixel camera sensor which is expected to debut with the Moto X30 Pro smartphone in a few days. The South Korean giant has another 200-megapixel camera in the form of ISOCELL HP3.

Now, a new report from GalaxyClub reveals a trademark filing from Samsung for “Hexa²Pixel” hints that the company might be working on a 450-megapixel camera sensor.

The Samsung ISOCELL HP1 200-megapixel camera sensor and the ISOCELL HP3 sensors use “Tetra²pixel RGB Bayer Pattern,” which uses 16:1 Pixel binning (4 squared equals 16). Thus, the trademark for “Hexa²Pixel” would indicate Samsung working on a camera sensor with a pixel binning ratio of 36:1 (6 squared equals 36).

The camera sensors from Samsung have post-binning images in the range of 12-megapixel to 12.5-megapixel, and based on that, it can be deduced that the South Korean giant is working on a new camera sensor of somewhere between 432-megapixel to 450-megapixel.

Although the company has filed for a trademark which appears to be for a 450-megapixel camera sensor, it won’t be introduced anytime soon. The camera sensor is likely to be in the early stages of development and might take several months to make it to the market.

Samsung has plans to launch camera sensors with as high as 600-megapixel resolution with 1/0.57” optical format. So, this Hexa²pixel sensor is just the halfway point of what is planned to come from the South Korean giant in the next few years.

RELATED:

Xiaomi 12S Ultra teardown reveals smaller than expected camera sensor

By

Sean

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Jul 29, 2022

The Xiaomi 12S Ultra had been announced as the company’s latest flagship grade devices that sit at the top of the 12 series of smartphones. Its large circular camera module is one of the highlighting aspects of its design, but a new teardown has revealed some interesting details regarding the components that are housed underneath the lens. So let’s have a look.

The teardown video was shared on YouTube by known tech channel, JerryRigEverything, who tore apart the flagship smartphone. In the video, the YouTuber states that the large camera module can also be an “aesthetic distraction to conceal what’s underneath.” And after removing the back panel, we have a clear view at the triple camera setup that is housed under the large camera lens.

Here, we can see that the main sensor is not the one in the middle, rather it is housed on the left. Furthermore, Zack Nelson also puts the 1 inch sensor size claim from Xiaomi to the test. He found that the Chinese tech giant was being “extremely generous,” but he also claimed that this is common in the industry. He measured the primary image sensor both diagonally and from the side, with both instance showing that the camera is slightly smaller than a full 1 inch.

To be fair, the sensor is still larger than every other cameras in the smartphone. Furthermore, JerryRigEverything also explains how Xiaomi didn’t falsely advertise its 1 inch size. Apparently, when talking about image sensor sizes, its not the physical size that is measured. Rather, its about the size of the circle that this sensor can fit inside of. This has been a measuring standards since the 80s.

RELATED:

Moto Razr 2022 specifications revealed via TENAA listing

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jul 29, 2022

In the past few weeks, a Motorola device with model number XT2251-1 was spotted at Geekbench and the 3C certification platform in China. The former revealed that it has the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, whereas the latter suggested that it may ship with a 33W fast charger. Hence, it seemed that the XT2251-1 device could be the Moto Razr 2022, which is scheduled to launch along with the Moto X30 Pro on Aug. 2 in China. The XT2251-1 has now appeared in the database of the TENAA certification site, through which all its major specifications have been revealed.

Moto Razr 2022 specifications (rumored)

The Moto Razr 2022’s TENAA listing reveals that it has a 6.7-inch foldable AMOLED display that offers a Full HD+ resolution and a 20:9 aspect ratio. Reports surrounding the Razr 2022 have claimed that it will support a 120Hz refresh rate and sport a punch-hole design.

The camera configurations are incorrectly mentioned in the listing. Previous reports have revealed that the device will have a 32-megapixel selfie camera, and its back panel will have a 50-megapixel main snapper and a 13-megapixel ultra-wide camera. The TENAA listing reveals that the dual-camera setup will be accompanied by a secondary 2.65-inch OLED display that offers a resolution of 800 x 573 pixels.

The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 powered device will come with 8 GB / 12 GB / 18 GB of RAM and 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB of built-in storage. It has a two-cell battery setup featuring a 660mAh unit and a 2,660mAh unit. The company has already confirmed that it will pack a 3,500mAh battery.

The device will come preloaded with the Android 12 OS and MyUI. It is expected to feature a side-facing fingerprint scanner. When unfolded, the device measures 166.99 × 79.79 × 7.62mma. It weighs around 200 grams and is expected to come in multiple colors like black, white, blue, cyan, green, gold, red, silver, and gray.

RELATED:

Samsung’s Q2 2022 sales are “strong”, however profits are still declining

By

Divyansh Mehta

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Jul 29, 2022

Samsung’s most recent financial results are nothing short of spectacular, with the manufacturer of semiconductors, smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, televisions, and home appliances proudly displaying a new all-time Q2 2022 revenue record to please investors and garner favorable media coverage.

However, even though the company’s operating profit is increasing year over year, from 12.57 trillion Korean won in Q2 2021 to KRW 14.1 trillion (10.8 billion US dollars) between April and June 2022, at least one important division is not doing well from the always important profitability standpoint.

This is the mobile (also known as MX and Networks) business, which managed to generate a more than respectable 29.34 trillion won in combined sales while reporting a very modest gain of about $2 billion during this year’s second calendar quarter.

Operating profit for Samsung’s market-leading smartphones was KRW 2.62 trillion, down from 3.24 and 3.82 trillion won in Q2 2021 and Q1 2022, respectively. Before you even consider it, you should be aware that the South Korean tech giant’s most recent financial report expressly calls out the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy Tab S8 families of ultra-high-end mobile devices as “strong” performers, suggesting that the division’s issues could be elsewhere.

The underwhelming and tardy Galaxy S21 FE and the less-than-value-packed newest members of the mid-range Galaxy A lineup are just a few of the obvious suspects, though Samsung is obviously not naming and shaming any low-performing products, instead blaming “some degree” of the declining profits of its mobile business on “rising costs of components and logistics as well as negative effects of foreign exchange movements.”

While the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4 are anticipated to generate “solid profitability” in the second half of 2022, “prolonged geopolitical issues and economic uncertainties” could lead revenues to remain “similar year-over-year.” Yesterday, we reported the latest official trailer of the Galaxy Unpacked event was released where the new-gen Galaxy Foldable devices were teased.

RELATED

Samsung plans to invest US$200 billion to enhance chip fabrication

By

Divyansh Mehta

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Jul 29, 2022

Samsung Electronics Co. proposed investing about $200 billion to develop 11 new chip factories in the US over the next two decades, according to records filed with the state of Texas on Friday. It is to be noted that over 20,000 Americans are employed by Samsung, which has more than 40 years of manufacturing history in the US.

The petitions that the South Korean tech behemoth submitted to the Taylor and Manor school districts, asking for tax exemptions for the prospective building of 11 new chip production facilities in the state—nine in Taylor and two in Austin—describe the anticipated investment.

Samsung Taylor, Texas site — Site of the chip fabrication plant in Taylor, Texas (SOURCE: Samsung Electronics Co.)

Samsung is now constructing a $17 billion plant in Taylor, close to its existing massive chip factory in Austin. It was announced in November last year.

The largest memory chip manufacturer in the world has not indicated if it is determined to invest the suggested $192.1 billion.

Samsung declared, “We currently do not have specific plans to build at this time, however, the Chapter 313 applications to the State of Texas are part of a long-term planning process of Samsung to evaluate the viability of potentially building additional fabrication plants in the United States,”

According to the Texas Comptroller’s office, Chapter 313 “allows public school districts to offer tax incentives for businesses that invest in their communities.” Additionally, it is due to expire at the end of the year, so companies must reapply to continue receiving the tax benefits.

Greg Abbott, the governor of Texas, endorsed the idea. “This potential investment will bring billions of additional capital to continue growing our world-class business climate and diverse, highly skilled workforce,” he said in a statement.

The Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors for America (CHIPS) Act was also recommended by Abbott to be passed by the US Congress in order to assist the US in establishing “a secure semiconductor supply chain, which is vital to our nation’s economy and national security.” The CHIPS Act aims to strengthen supply chains, increase US chip manufacturing capacity, and eventually restore the country’s manufacturing expertise.

In order to increase manufacturing capacity and address a persistent chip shortage, Samsung urged Washington in March to grant international chipmakers an equal opportunity to apply for state incentives under the legislation.

RELATED

OnePlus Ace Pro’s variant model appears in live shots before launch

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jul 29, 2022

OnePlus will be unveiling the OnePlus Ace Pro on Aug. 3 in China. As it is known, it will be a rebranded version of the OnePlus 10T 5G, which is scheduled to debut on the same day in the global market. The official renders of the smartphone that have surfaced in the past few days have already revealed its design. Live images of the Ace Pro have appeared on Weibo to give a look at its black variant.

The live images of the OnePlus Ace Pro show that it has a textured rear panel. It suggests that the phone could be equipped with a polycarbonate rear. The camera module tapers towards the edge of the device, but it does not fuse with the frame like the OnePlus 10 Pro 5G.

The OnePlus Ace Pro’s camera system has a glossy appeal, and it houses three cameras along with a ring LED flash. The setup includes a 50-megapixel Sony IMX766 primary camera with OIS support, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera, and a 2-megapixel macro camera. For selfies, it will feature a 16-megapixel front-facing camera.

The device will feature a 6.7-inch AMOLED screen that offers a Full HD+ resolution, a 20:9 aspect ratio, a 120Hz refresh rate, and an in-screen fingerprint scanner. The display punch-hole will house a 16-megapixel selfie snapper.

The Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 will power the OnePlus Ace Pro. It will be the OnePlus’ first phone to feature 16 GB of RAM. The device will come with up to 512 GB of UFS 3.1 storage. It will pack a 4,800mAh battery with 150W rapid charging support. The smartphone will come preloaded with Android 12 OS, which will be overlaid with ColorOS 12.1. The company recently confirmed that it will arrive with an eight-channel vapor chamber liquid cooling system.

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iOS 16 Beta 4 makes significant changes to iMessage

By

Divyansh Mehta

-

Jul 29, 2022

Apple has made a number of significant adjustments and fascinating upgrades to its messaging app with the iOS 16 Beta 4 update.

According to a report from 9to5Mac, “iOS 16 adds the ability to modify and unsend iMessages for the first time – albeit with certain restrictions. The fourth beta of iOS 16 tightens these restrictions even more.

The most recent beta version from Apple “contains a handful of new features and changes involving the messages app, home app, mail app, lock screen notifications” and so forth, claims MacRumours. The edit history, however, “addresses a major omission from Apple’s original implementation of iMessage editing,” according to a report from The Verge.” without a history, the edit feature could theoretically be used to change malicious or mean messages after they were sent. ” the report continued.” According to the study, even if an Apple update that displays a tiny “Edited” notice would alert consumers that “something has changed,” it’s doubtful that the user would “be able to read what was initially stated.”

According to the report, the modifications would reportedly let users message one another and view any alterations that have been made. Intriguingly, the source goes on to clarify that the iOS 16 beta 4 shortens the user’s window of opportunity to cancel an iMessage. This is a noteworthy difference from earlier iterations of iOS 16, in which consumers had a window of opportunity of 15 minutes. “That period of time has been drastically shortened to two minutes with today’s update. However, you still have 15 minutes to make changes to a message.

In the meantime, news outlet ANI published a report last week citing Mashable that claimed Apple has allegedly been deducting a 30% fee from in-app purchases made through the App Store for some time, just as reports surfaced that Netflix and Spotify were offering an external subscription option to their iOS apps. According to the source, a message noting that Apple is not responsible for the transactions being conducted shows in the pop-up window when a user chooses the subscription option in the Netflix app for iOS right now. The app connects the user to the official website so they may finish the remaining steps of the membership purchase procedure when they choose to continue.

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