Google has silently unveiled the Google Pixel 6a in India. To recall, the company’s mid-range offering was announced at the I/O 2022 event, which was held in May this year. Since then, it has been available in markets like the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Singapore, Taiwan, and Japan. Now, it has finally landed in India without any fanfare.
Google Pixel 6a price in India
The Pixel 6a is now listed on Flipkart in India with a price tag of Rs 43,999 (~$550). Axis Bank cardholders can get it for Rs 39,999 (~$499) after a Rs 4,000 ($499) discount during the pre-booking period. In the US, the Pixel 6a was launched with a price tag of $449.
Google offers a Rs 6,000 (~$75) exchange bonus for any Pixel device and some select smartphones. For other phones, there is an exchange bonus of Rs 2,000 (~$25).
In addition, devices like Nest Hub Gen 2 or Pixel Buds A series or Fitbit Inspire 2 with the Pixel 6a will be available at a discounted price of Rs 4,499 for customers who purchase the Pixel 6a.
The first sale of the Pixel 6a will be carried out on July 28 on Flipkart. It can be bought in Chalk and Charcoal colors. The Pixel Buds Pro, which is Google’s premium TWS earbuds, have arrived in India with a price tag of Rs 19,990 (~$249). It will also go on sale from July 28 through the same retailer site.
Google Pixel 6a specifications and features
Google Pixel 6a
The Google Pixel 6a is an IP67-rated smartphone with a 6.1-inch OLED FHD+ display with Gorilla Glass 3 protection. The Tensor chip, which powers the Pixel 6a, is the same SoC present under the hood of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro flagship devices. The 6a runs on a stock version of Android 12 OS.
The device comes with 8 GB of LPDDR4x RAM, 128 GB of UFS 3.1 storage, and a 4,410mAh battery with 18W charging. Placed on its front is an 8-megapixel selfie camera, and its back panel has a 12.2-megapixel (main) + 12-megapixel (ultra-wide) dual-camera setup. It also features an under-display fingerprint scanner. However, it lacks a microSD card slot and a 3.5mm audio jack.
Xiaomi has achieved tremendous success in the Asian country since it officially entered the market roughly eight years ago. In 2019, the company announced that it had sold 100 million smartphones in five years. At the Redmi 50i launch event, the company announced that it has shipped 200 million smartphones to India to date.
This is a new milestone for the Chinese tech giant and interestingly, it took just about 3 years to sell over 100 million phones as against 5 years for the first 100 million shipments in the South Asian country.
Xiaomi also disclosed that 15 5G smartphones have been released under its name within the last year. Although 5G connectivity is yet to roll out in India, the release of the 5G smartphones in the Indian market is a dress rehearsal toward the full rollout of 5G connectivity. The release of 5G phones may have contributed to the increased sales of the Mi phones.
2⃣0⃣0⃣ Million Strong 💪
📢 #Xiaomi India has shipped 200 million smartphones. All your love has sent us over the moon. ❤️
— Redmi India | Redmi K50i (@RedmiIndia) July 20, 2022
We won’t need to look beyond the pricing and build quality of Xiaomi phones to see why the company has continued to achieve success in India where it has ranked as the number 1 smartphone vendor for the past five quarters.
Xiaomi India recently announced a leadership reshuffle that saw the company’s chief operating officer Muralikrishnan B promoted to president effective from August 1, 2022. It is expected that this reshuffle will result in increased sales volume.
Audio accessories brand Ultimate Ears has unveiled its UE Drops earbuds which are custom-made to fit as in-ear monitors. The UE Drops is a custom-fit model with a FitKit preceding the delivery of the earbuds. The earbuds are priced at $449 and are available in the US via the Ultimate Ears website.
The FitKit will be shipped to the buyer once an order for the UE Drops is made. This includes the technology and information to guide you through the process of getting your in-ear measurement (the earprint). It will guide you to take impressions of your ear with the aid of an app.
Logitech-owned Ultimate Ear says the custom-made earbuds are molded on the basis of the earprint measurement from the kit. The molding of the earbuds is via a warming process while an attachment is what is plugged in. The pair of UE Drops earbuds can be delivered within 4 weeks after the company receives the FitKit. The UE Drops bear some similarities with the UE Fits from 2020. The UE Fits are TWS earbuds with fancy technology that mold the tips to fit into your ears.
Sound is supplied in the UE Drops by 9.2mm drivers and the company says the sound output is of great quality. The earbuds provide passive noise isolation due to their in-ear design, but Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is absent. A transparency mode is also available and allows the user to feel the surroundings.
The earbuds are water- and sweat-resistant and have a number of nice features. In-ear detection and wireless charging are also featured on the UE Drops. The earbuds can deliver up to 8 hours of activity on a single charge plus 14 additional hours using the charging case. The device can be fully charged within 40 minutes, while the UE Drops app provides lots of information and options on the device. The earbuds are compatible with both Android and iOS devices.
Both Realme and Xiaomi launched their new flagships for the second half of the year. The former came up with the Realme GT 2 Master Explorer Edition, while the latter launched a series with three phones: the Xiaomi 12S, the Xiaomi 12S Pro, and the Xiaomi 12S Ultra. Among these three devices, the Xiaomi 12S Pro is the closest one to the Realme flagship killer, for both its specifications and its quality price ratio. These two devices are not only among the best handsets in terms of performance but also among the best in terms of value for money. This is a comparison between the main specifications of the Xiaomi 12S Pro and the Realme GT 2 Master Explorer Edition.
Xiaomi 12S Pro Pro vs Realme GT 2 Master Explorer Edition
Xiaomi 12S Pro
Realme GT 2 Master Explorer Edition
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
163.6 x 74.6 x 8.2 mm,
203 g
161.3 x 74.3 x 8.2 mm,
195 g
DISPLAY
6.73 inches, 1440 x 3200 pixels (Quad HD+), AMOLED
Triple 50 + 50 + 50 MP, f/1.9 + f/1.9 + f/2.2
32 MP f/2.5 front camera
Triple 50 + 50 + 2 MP, f/1.9 + f/2.2 + f/2.4
16 MP f/2.5 front camera
BATTERY
4600 mAh, fast charging 120W, fast wireless charging 50W
5000 mAh, Fast Charging 100W
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
5G, dual SIM, reverse wireless charging
5G, dual SIM
Design
If we talk about the design, the Realme GT 2 Master Explorer Edition is undoubtedly the most interesting one. Its aesthetics remind of a travel trunk, and it is not a case that the main color variant is called Travel Trunk. The phone comes with a metal frame and a leather back, it has an incredibly high screen to body ratio and very elegant and modern flat borders. The Xiaomi 12S Pro comes in various color variants made of different materials: you can choose a classic color option with a glass back and an aluminum frame, or a color option with a leather back. The front glass is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus and this is an important added value when it comes to the build quality. None of these phones offers protection against water and dust, so do not expect an IP certification.
Display
The AMOLED displays of these two phones are both excellent, but the one found on the Xiaomi 12S Pro is better. It has a panel with a diagonal of 6.73 inches able to show up to one billion colors. It comes with a Quad HD+ resolution of 1440 x 3200 pixels, an adaptive refresh rate from 1 to 120 Hz, the HDR10+ certification, Dolby Vision support, a peak brightness of up to 1500 nits, and an in-display fingerprint reader. The Realme GT 2 Master Explorer Edition has a 6.7-inch AMOLED panel showing up to one billion colors with a 120 Hz refresh rate and the HDR10+ certification. It has a lower Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels and it includes an in-display fingerprint reader. Both the phones feature stereo speakers, on the Xiaomi one they are tuned by Harman Kardon, but none of them has a 3.5 mm audio jack.
Specs & Software
The Xiaomi 12S Pro and the Realme GT 2 Master Explorer Edition are powered by the brand new Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 mobile platform: the best processor ever released by Qualcomm for a mobile device. It is a chipset built with a 4 nm production process and with an octa-core architecture composed of a Cortex X2 CPU running at a max frequency of 3.19 GHz, three Cortex A710 CPUs running at 2.75 GHz, four Cortex A510 running at 1.8 GHz, and an Adreno 730 GPU. The highest-end memory configuration of the Xiaomi 12S Pro includes 12 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 256 GB of UFS 3.1 native storage, while the Realme GT 2 Master Explorer Edition offers up to 12 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 256 GB of UFS 3.1 internal storage. The phones run Android 12 with highly customized user interfaces on top and they will get at least three major Android updates.
Camera
On the paper, the most advanced cameras belong to the Xiaomi 12S Pro. On the rear side, it has a main camera with a 50 MP resolution and OIS support, a 50 MP ultrawide sensor, and a 50 MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom, while on the front, there is a 32 MP selfie snapper. The Realme GT 2 Master Explorer Edition sports a 50 MP main sensor with OIS and a 50 MP ultrawide camera as well, but it replaces the telephoto lens with a 3 MP microscope camera and the selfie cam with an inferior 16 MP sensor.
The Realme GT 2 Master Explorer Edition has a bigger 5000 mAh battery and it should provide a longer battery life in most of the scenarios. The Xiaomi 12S Pro has a smaller 4600 mAh, but it features a faster charging technology with a power of 120W. Further, unlike its rival, it features 50W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
Price
The starting price of the Xiaomi 12S Pro in China roughly translates into €670 or $670, while the Realme GT 2 Master Explorer Edition starts from €560 or $560 in the Chinese market. These phones are still not available outside China. The Xiaomi 12S Pro wins the comparison due to its better cameras, display, and charging technologies, but the Realme is more affordable and it comes with a bigger battery.
Xiaomi 12S Pro vs Realme GT 2 Master Explorer Edition: PRO and CONS
Last week, Nothing launched the Nothing Phone (1) in the global markets. The device received its first update earlier today fixing some of its rough edges. Now, the company has released another update for the device that comes with more optimization and improvements. So, let’s take a look.
The latest Nothing OS update has the firmware version 1.1.0 and brings the July 2022 Android security patch along with several changes and fixes that you can check out below.
Nothing OS 1.1.0 changelog
New features
Introduced experimental Tesla control feature.
Introduced experimental NFT Gallery widget.
We heard your feedback on the Beta Launcher – the Search Bar on the home screen is now optional.
Camera improvements
Glyph fill light is now available in Portrait Mode.
Improved clarity and reduced noise when taking photos in low-light environments.
Improved dynamic range when taking photos in low-light environments.
Improved photo clarity when using the ultra-wide camera.
Improved color consistency across the main and ultra-wide sensors.
Bug fixes & Performance optimizations
Updated Android security patch to July 2022.
Fixed a lock screen bug that would sometimes hide the fingerprint icon.
Improved the reliability of the Glyph Interface.
Battery life optimizations when device is on standby.
Improved Face Unlock performance.
General bug fixes.
Like the previous update, the 1.1.0 update is also arriving via OTA in badges. If you have yet to receive the OTA notification, you can check for the update manually by navigating to Settings > System > System updates.
Earlier today, OnePlus announced that it will debut the OnePlus 10T on August 3rd for the global market. The device will also launch in India on the same day. But if you are in the market for a mid-ranger OnePlus device rather than a flagship one, this might be the best time to get your hands on the OnePlus 10R.
On the Amazon Prime day 2022 sale, which is scheduled to take place between July 23th and July 24th, the OnePlus 10R will be at its lowest price in India yet. The listing reveals that the 8GB + 128GB variant of the device will be sold for as low as ₹30,249. Whereas, the 12GB + 256GB model and the 12GB + 256GB 150W fast charging model will be sold at as low as ₹34,249 and ₹35,249 respectively.
For those unaware, the OnePlus 10R usually has a starting price of ₹38,999, while the 12GB + 256GB and 12GB + 256GB 150W fast charging models retail for ₹42,999 and ₹43,999. Amazon is offering a Rs 4,000 discount coupon (that users need to manually select on the product page) and additional Rs 4,000 exchange bonus. This brings down the price to Rs 30,999. Additionally, there’s up to Rs 750 instant discount via SBI Credit card. All of these offers combined will bring down the price of the device to those mentioned above.
OnePlus 10R specs
The OnePlus 10R comes with a 6.7-inch AMOLED display offering a Full HD+ resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and HDR0+ support.
Under the hood, the device has a MediaTek Dimensity 8100 Max chipset paired with up to 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 256GB of UFS 3.1 internal storage. The device runs on Android 12 OS-based OxygenOS 12.1 custom skin out of the box. It is offered in two battery options – a 4,500mAh battery with 150W fast charging and a 5,000mAh battery with 80W fast charging.
Coming to optics, the smartphone has a triple camera setup on the back made up of a 50MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro camera. The front-facing camera is a 16MP lens.
US PC-maker Dell has added the Alienware m17 and x17 models to its lineup of gaming laptops. The models are enhanced versions of the Alienware m17 R5 and x17 R2 laptops. They have 17-inch screens with a high refresh rate of 480Hz. Also available is the AMD Advantage Edition of the Alienware m17 R5.
The Alienware m17 and x17 are highlighted by their 480Hz display refresh rates. It offers an exciting application in gaming settings and only a few models are close to 480Hz. Asus recently announced the first desktop monitor to support a 500Hz refresh rate. Both the m17 and x17 support full HD resolution and offer a compelling gaming experience for the gaming enthusiast. They also have a 3ms response time to go with the high refresh rate.
The Alienware m17 and x17 models have powerful CPUs and GPUs, with extended features like Advanced Optimus for higher frame rates. The setting is optimal for older games as well as modern games. The new gaming laptops could also catch the fancy of a wide variety of the gaming public. The AMD Advantage Alienware m17 R5 has both an AMD CPU and GPU. The laptop can be configured to improve its performance and take advantage of Smart Access Memory, AMD Smart Access Graphics, and more.
The new Alienware laptops are sold for between $1,599 and $2,249. However, the new Alienware m17 and x17 with 480Hz refresh rates are far more expensive than the standard models.
Tech giant Xiaomi has announced the S10T robot vacuum cleaner with an 8kPa suction. The announcement was done in China and there are no details yet on its pricing and actual release date. The new Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaner has multiple cleaning modes, and powerful suction and mopping capability. The device also comes with Xiaomi’s anti-tangle technology that prevents particles from clogging it. The new robot vacuum cleaner is capable of cleaning 180 square meters of space using an LDS laser for its navigation.
The S10T offers mopping services with three water volume settings to suit individual choices. Its 5,200mAh battery allows it to clean up to 180 sq. meters on a single charge. Its 450ml dustbin and 250ml water tank help to fast-track the cleaning and mopping process. The robot is capable of overcoming obstacles up to 2cm tall.
It accurately maps the cleaning area and navigates using the LDS laser navigation. The map can be used to direct the robot to specific areas and its quad-core chip implements the SLAM algorithm for efficient operations.
The Xiaomi S10T robot vacuum cleaner can be remotely controlled via the Mi Home or Xiaomi Home app. With the app, you can schedule cleaning tasks for a future date and set no-go zones. We expect the release date, price, and availability details of the S10T to be released soon.
Earlier today, OnePlus dropped an official teaser of its upcoming smartphone, the OnePlus 10T. Now, the company’s co-founder and CEO Pete Lau has confirmed the global launch date of the device.
Pete made the official announcement with a OnePlus community forum post that states the device will be launching on August 3rd. Unlike the launch events of recent, the company will host an in-person event this time that will take place in Gotham Hall, New York City.
The post also confirmed that the device will debut with the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, and will be among the first devices from the brand to be upgraded to OxgenOS 13 when the operating system launches. Other than that, the brand promises that people who purchase a ticket for the offline event will get top-tier merchandise along with the OnePlus Nord Buds.
OnePlus 10T specs (expected)
The leaks so far indicate that the OnePlus 10T will have a 6.7-inch curved E4 AMOLED display featuring a Full HD+ resolution, 120Hz display, and LTPO technology.
It is confirmed to carry the latest Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset manufactured on TSMC’s 4nm node. The smartphone is rumored to debut with up to 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 512GB of UFS 3.1 internal storage. It will likely house a 4,800mAh battery unit paired with OPPO’s 150W SuperVOOC fast charging technology.
As for optics, we can expect the smartphone to have a triple camera setup consisting of a 50-megapixel main camera with OIS, a 16-megapixel ultrawide lens, and a 2-megapixel macro camera. On the front, the device will likely feature a 32-megapixel selfie snapper.
More information will likely be confirmed as we move closer to the official launch, so stay tuned.
Ahead of its launch next month, it has been revealed that the Oppo Watch 3 will be the first smartwatch with the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 chip. The Snapdragon W5 and W5+ wearable chips were announced recently. Oppo’s executive, Franco Li is credited to have disclosed that the vanilla version of the chipset will be used on the OPPO Watch 3.
OPPO Watch 2 leaked image
The Watch 3 series will include more than one model and we expect at least one of the models to have the new Snapdragon wearable chip. Qualcomm claims that the new chipsets come with improved performance and extended battery life. These claims can truly be tested when the components are present in actual products. It is however expected that the chipmaker’s claims are patently correct. A previous rumor has stated that the Watch 3 series will have three models. All three models will have a high screen-to-body ratio and square displays. The color options for the models were also rumored to be silver, dark gray, black, and light gold.
Mobvoi’s TicWatch flagships will be the first models to be powered by the Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 chipset. The next TicWatch is expected to be released this fall and it is rumored to be named the TicWatch 4 Pro. Mobvoi’s CEO provided the information that the TicWatch model will debut the W5+ wearable chip.
It is not clear at this time whether the Oppo Watch 3 will be released globally. A global release will certainly add to the options available to consumers across the globe. More details about the Watch 3 will trickle in as we inch closer to its launch.
Sony launched the PlayStation 5 back in November 2022, however, the availability of the console has remained an issue since then due to the global chip shortage. Adding to the stock issues, scalpers have been buying out the available stock in the market and selling them at eye-watering markups.
However, Indian customers looking to get their hands on the console at MSRP will soon be getting a chance to do so. According to reports, the July restock of the PlayStation 5 is scheduled for July 23rd at 12 PM IST. This means that customers will be able to pre-order the PS5 Digital Edition for Rs. 39,999. However, It seems that the Blu-ray edition will not be available in the next restock.
PS5 Digital Edition will be available to pre-order via online retailers like ShopAtSC, Flipkart, Amazon, Croma, Vijay Sales, Reliance Digital, and Games The Shop. Since the stock will likely be limited, we advise our users to set reminders and log onto these websites a few minutes before the pre-order window opens.
Since the last restock, the PlayStation 5 availability has improved in India. So, there’s a chance that customers can get their hands on the console from local retailers.
In related news, Sony might soon debut its official Playstation 5 faceplates in India. So, PlayStation owners in India looking to pimp their consoles in colors like black, pink, purple, maroon, or even blue will soon get a chance to do so.
Sale of television from Chinese brands in Russia has doubled as per Russian publication Izvestia. Representatives of large marketplaces have told the publication. In May, e-commerce retailer Ozon recorded a 96 percent increase in the sale of Chinese TVs compared to the same month last year. The most popular models were Xiaomi, BBK, Haier, Fusion, and Harper.
As per the report, the demand for television manufactured by Chinese brand grew earlier in January this year. Then, 40 percent more TVs were sold on Ozon compared to the same period in 2021. The trend is said to be associated with the suspension of supply of electronics in Russia from a number of major brands including LG, Samsung, and Sony. LG and Samsung who have been market leaders in the television segment are no longer easy to find in stores as manufacturers have suspended deliveries to Russia. Televisions from these brands remain on sale in the country, however, high prices, uncertain guarantees, and origin of imports are factors responsible for the rise in shipments of Chinese brands.
The report adds that Haier clocked a tenfold increase in sales allowing the brand to become one of the leaders this year. Among the Chinese brands, Xiaomi still remains number one in terms of units of televisions sold. Marketplace representatives told Izvestia that all the gadgets of Chinese brands in the top 10 in sales are equipped with a Smart TV function. A third of them have a screen diagonal of more than 42 inches and a resolution of 4K, Ozon noted.
Last month, Gizmore launched the Slate smartwatch for women in India. Now, the brand has launched two new audio products in the country called the Gizmore Gizbud 809 and the Gizbud 851. So let’s take a look at what these earbuds have to offer.
Gizbud 809 and Gizbud 851 features
Starting off with the design, the Gizbuds 809 has a close resemblance to the Apple Airpods while the Gizbuds 851 look almost like the AirPods Pro. Both offer a snug fit, making the earbuds perfect for use during workout sessions.
Gizmore Gizbud 851
Each bud can also be used independently, allowing two people to use it at the same time. The earbuds come with a wireless charging case. With the Gizbud 851, users get access to features like immediate wake and pair. While the Gizbud 809 brings ENC Noise Reduction to enable crystal clear calls.
Gizmore Gizbud 809
Both the Gizbud 809 and 851 feature USB Type-C ports for charging. The Gizbud 851 offers 12 hours of playback time, while the Gizbud 809 delivers 24 hours of playback time. Lastly, the Gizbud 809 offer IPX4 water resistance.
Pricing & availability
Gizmore has priced both the Gizbud 809 and 851 at ₹999 ($12). They can be purchased from major offline stores and online sellers including the brand’s own online store.
On Monday night, while being charged, several electric vehicles parked inside an e-bike showroom in Pune, Maharashtra, caught fire. Seven electric bikes in all were destroyed in the fire, according to reports on the incident. Remarkably, no casualties were reported during the incident. The fire may have been started by overcharging the EVs, according to the emergency response team’s preliminary examination.
The fire incident happened at an e-bike showroom in Market Yard, Pune. On Monday, at about 8 o’clock, reports of a fire that had begun in the shop resulted in a call to the fire department. According to some unconfirmed accounts, the fire started in a Komaki India dealership that featured electric scooters and bikes.
According to the hints given thus far, there were a handful of electric bikes stored in the showroom while they were charging. The bikes were designed to recharge their batteries after being plugged in overnight. One of these vehicles may have experienced a short circuit as a result of overcharging, which ultimately resulted in the hazardous fire outbreak. Please take note that a thorough investigation of the incident must be completed before it is possible to determine the precise cause of the fire.
Four fire tenders were used by the emergency team to put out the fire after they arrived. When the situation was finally under control, the showroom’s electric bike display had burned to the ground. Fortunately, no one was hurt or reported to have died as a result of the incident.
Can you overcharge your EV?
The short answer to this issue is No – you cannot overload your EV, even if you keep it plugged in all night. This is especially true if you equate the word “EV” with models like Tesla automobiles and other high-end electric vehicles. When the battery capacity of these electric vehicles reaches 100% while they are being charged, the battery management systems, or BMS, in these cars have the capability of stopping the current flow.
Having said that, it’s possible that the checks used in smaller, less expensive EVs are not infallible. Even after the battery of the EV has been fully charged, electrons will still continue to flow into the battery pack until the vehicle is plugged in. If this were the case, the battery would eventually overheat, get damaged, and possibly catch fire.
Speculatively, this could be the cause of the fire that started on Monday in Pune. However, there are other potential causes as well, and the precise one can only be foreseen after a thorough analysis of the incident. It would be unjust to attribute the fire up until that point to EV overcharging because an EV’s BMS practically guarantees that it won’t happen.
ASUS Zenfone 9 has been spotted in press renders courtesy of Twitter user SnoopyTech. It reveals the smartphone in full glory. The upcoming offering is set to debut in the global markets on July 28th.
Previously, ASUS had accidentally leaked a promo video of the Zenfone 9. It revealed key specifications as well as the design of the device. The smartphone will arrive as the successor to the last year’s Zenfone 8. In the latest development, the leaked renders of the device corroborate the promo video.
As per the images, the ASUS Zenfone 9 will come with a boxy form factor. The display has a punch-hole cutout at the top left corner surrounded by thin bezels except for the bottom chin. The volume rocker and power buttons are on the right side of the device. The smartphone has two speaker grilles, a USB-C port, a 3.5mm jack, and a SIM tray at the bottom. On the back panel, the ASUS Zenfone 9 houses two large camera rings. There is an engraved text saying 50MP wide camera and Gimball stabilisation that suggests the availability of the feature on the phone.
Apart from this, the leaked renders don’t reveal any key specifications of the ASUS Zenfone 9. However, as per the promo video, the smartphone will reportedly be equipped with a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor. It will be backed by a 4,300mAh battery unit. The device is tipped to feature a 5.9-inch sAMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The Zenfone 9 will come with a side-mounted fingerprint scanner that can also be used as a smart key for swiping through the webpage.
Nothing released its first smartphone in the market, the Nothing Phone (1) a few days ago. The phone comes with a unique design, unseen in this segment, with a minimalistic design and software profile, and is looking to build a fan following like the Google Pixel series. While it has a set of interesting features up its sleeve, in terms of specs, it’s a mid-range model. So, today, let’s compare it with another recently released smartphone, the OnePlus Nord 2T, which also retails around the same price as this Nothing smartphone.
Nothing Phone (1) vs OnePlus Nord 2T
Nothing Phone (1)
OnePlus Nord 2T
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
159.2 x 75.8 x 8.3mm,
193 g
159.1 x 73.2 x 8.2mm,
190 g
DISPLAY
6.55 inches, 1080 x 2400 pixels (Full HD+), OLED
6.43 inches, 1080 x 2400 pixels (Full HD+), AMOLED
Triple 50 (main) + 50 (UW), f/1.9 + f/2.2
16 MP f/2.5 front camera
Triple 50 (Main) + 8(UW) + 2 MP(depth), f/1.9 + f/2.2 + f/2.2
32 MP f/2.8 front camera
BATTERY
4500 mAh, fast charging 33W
Wireless Charging 15W
4500 mAh, Fast Charging 80W
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
5G, dual SIM
5G, dual SIM
Design
Both the Nothing model and the Nord 2T have a compact design which is easy for one-handed use.
But if we consider just the design, the Nothing Phone (1) has a solid advantage. It is one of the best-looking phones in its price segment. The phone features a minimalistic transparent back cover with a matrix of LEDs which the company calls the glyph interface. There’s no denying that the phone is a head turner and you are surely going to be asked a few questions when you take it out of your pocket. The glyph interface is more than a neat party trick. While you can customize the LEDs to a considerable extent, the phone ships with 10 different ringtones with custom glyphs. Moreover, when you plug the phone into charging, the glyph interface also shows your charging progress.
Apart from this glyph interface and its transparent back, the Nothing phone features an aluminum frame and an iPhone-like camera module at the back. This is not really a bad thing, and it definitely has a clear edge in terms of design and uniqueness in its price segment.
On the other hand, the OnePlus Nord 2T comes with a familiar Nord-esque design. The overall device feels premium with a soft matte finish. When you directly compare it to the Nothing Phone (1), the Nord 2T might feel a bit boring. However, the phone is still pretty well-built for its price segment, and disregarding this model because it doesn’t have a fancy or unique design would be a bad idea. As we mentioned in our review, the phone feels premium for its price, and for those looking for a simple design, it could be a good option.
One thing to note here is that the Nothing Phone (1) is IP certified while the Nord 2T has no IP rating. However, the OnePlus model features the popular alert slider, which adds a unique factor to the device.
Display
The Nothing Phone (1) comes with a 6.55-inch OLED panel with FHD+ resolution. On the other hand, the OnePlus Nord 2T features a 6.43-inch screen with FHD+ resolution. Both have HDR10+ support with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection. So screens are going to be similar on the two models and it’s hard to distinguish which one has a better display. That said, you wouldn’t go wrong with either in this price segment.
Specs & Software
The OnePlus Nord 2T has a clear advantage when it comes to its processor. The Dimensity 1300 on the OnePlus model is more powerful than the Snapdragon 778G+ chipset. Both the models offer up 12GB of RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage as options.
So if you are into heavy gaming, the Nord 2T would be a better choice. That said, for most occasions, the 778G+ chipset would be sufficient, and only when you put it on heavy load, would it struggle.
As for software, the Nothing Phone (1) comes with Nothing OS on top of Android 12. The Nord 2T also features Android 12, but with OxygenOS 12.1 on top. As we noticed in our review, the Nord 2T still has a few bugs that needs to be ironed out. However, the Nothing Phone (1) isn’t perfect either as we have been hearing about a few bugs. This doesn’t come as a surprise given it’s a first generation device.
All in all, both the devices are not perfect in terms of software but they can be fixed via OTA updates in the near future.
Camera
Both the models have competitive cameras, but the Nothing Phone (1) might have an advantage with a better ultra wide-angle shooter. The Nothing model comes with a two-camera setup, featuring a 50MP OIS main camera and another 50MP ultra wide-angle shooter. On the other hand, the Nord 2T features a 50MP main shooter, an 8MP ultra wide-angle camera, and another 2MP shooter. Nothing phone’s setup is able to capture crisp and beautiful images from its main as well as ultra-wide angle shooter. Even when the lighting goes down, the setup is capable enough to output high-quality images. On the other hand, the Nord 2T clicks good quality images in bright daylight but the quality at night is not as good as the Nothing model. So, when you consider the cameras alone, the Nothing Phone (1) will have an advantage.
On the front, the Nothing model features a 16MP shooter, while the OnePlus model features a 32MP selfie camera. Despite the differences in the resolution, the selfie camera quality should not differ significantly.
Both phones feature a 4500mAh battery but the OnePlus Nord 2T features a super fast 80W charger. However, the Nothing phone adds a 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging support of 5W in addition to its average 33W wired charging support.
Wireless charging support in this price segment definitely gives it an edge over the Nord 2T but for those who prefer wired charging, 80W on the 2T would offer significantly faster-charging speeds over the Nothing model.
Price
The Nothing Phone (1) retails for ₹32,999/£399/€469 but the Nord 2T comes in for a cheaper price tag at ₹28,999/£418/€399. Also, it will be easier for buyers to get hold of the Nord phone than the latter device.
Another thing to consider is that Nothing Phone (1) is a first-generation model. The phone is likely to come with a few bugs or even hardware issues, so you need to consider these things when you make your purchase.
Nothing Phone (1) vs OnePlus Nord 2T: PROs and CONS
Just recently, we had reported on the Apple Watch saving life of a stranded kayaker and a a woman trapped in an icy river. Now, another report has found that the company’s smartwatch has possibly saved another life by detecting a rare tumor.
According to a CBS Boston report, the Cupertino based giant’s smartwatch helped in finding a rare tumor, which could’ve potentially been fatal to the user. Kim Durkee, a 67 year old woman, was taken to surgery for the removal of the deadly tumor after her Apple Watch warned her multiple times. These warnings notified her that her heart was in atrial fibrillation (AFib).
For those unaware, this basically means that the heart of the user had an irregular heartbeat. So after she received notifications for three consecutive nights, she made a visit to a nearby hospital. She told herself that “You know what, go to the emergency room; if they tell you it’s nothing to worry about then toss the watch.” Following tests, doctors found a myxoma which is a rare fast growing tumor that can restrict the flow of blood to the hear and cause a stroke.
Once the diagnosis was completed, Durkee underwent an open heart surgery for over 5 hours for the removal of the 4cm sized tumor. And just under two weeks, she was ready to be discharged from the hospital. When asked by the doctors as to how she knew that she had an AFib, Kim simply told them that “my watch told me.” Doctors said that Kim would’ve most certainly died if the Apple Watch had not warned her.
Nubia Z40S Pro has been unveiled in China. It is an updated version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 powered Nubia Z40 Pro flagship phone, which was announced in the first half of 2022. The Z40S Pro comes equipped with the more powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC. With a starting price of 3,399 Yuan (~$503), it is the world’s most affordable Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 smartphone. The Realme GT 2 Master Edition, which was released earlier this month, has a starting price of 3,499 Yuan ($518). Here is all the information on the specifications, features, and price of the Z40S Pro.
Nubia Z40S Pro design
The Nubia Z40S Pro’s display has a centrally positioned punch-hole and super-slim bezels. As compared to the Z40 Pro, the Z40S Pro has a redesigned camera module.
Nubia Z40S Pro specifications and features
NUbia Z40s Pro
The Nubia Z40S Pro features a 6.67-inch OLED display with a Full HD+ resolution, a 144Hz refresh rate, a 480Hz touch sampling rate, a maximum brightness of 1,000 nits, a 3000000:1 contrast ratio, and a DCI-P color gamut of 100 per cent. It comes with an under-display fingerprint scanner.
The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset is present under the hood of the Nubia Z40S Pro. The device is equipped with up to 18 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 1 TB of UFS 3.1 storage. For heat dissipation, it has a 3062mm2 vapor chamber unit.
It is equipped with a custom-made 35mm, 64-megapixel Sony IMX787 main camera with an f/1.6 aperture and OIS support. It is coupled with a 50-megapixel ultra-wide lens with a 116-degree FOV, which can be used for capturing macro shots with a 2 cm focal length. This lens also supports 8K macro video shooting. Lastly, the triple camera unit on the back of the phone has an 8-megapixel periscope telephoto camera that works with OIS.
Nubia Z40S Pro
The Z40S is equipped with Nubia’s NEOVision camera technology for capturing enhanced photos. On the front, it is fitted with a 16-megapixel selfie camera. The device will come pre-loaded with MyOS 12 based on Android 12 OS.
The Nubia Z40S Pro comes in two battery variants. The one that houses a 5,000mAh battery carries support for 80W fast charging. On the other hand, the other variant packs a 4,600mAh battery that supports 120W fast charging.
The Nubia Z40S Pro is packed with other features, such as dual SIM support, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, GPS, and a USB-C port. The Z40S Pro measures 16.27 x 73.95 x 8.05mm and weighs around 205 grams.
Nubia Z40S Pro price and availability
The Nubia Z40S Pro (80W variant) comes in four configurations: 8 GB RAM + 128 GB storage, 8 GB RAM + 256 GB storage, 12 GBR AM + 256 GB storage, and 12 GB RAM + 512 GB storage. These models are priced at 3,399 Yuan (~$503), 3,699 Yuan (~$508), 3,999 Yuan (~$592), and 4,499 Yuan (~$666), respectively.
The Nubia Z40S Pro (120W) model comes in two options, such as 12 GB RAM + 512 GB storage and 18 GB RAM + 1 TB storage. Both variants are priced at 4,299 Yuan (~$637) and 6,699 Yuan (~$992). The Z40S Pro comes in Magic Green and Black shades.
In addition, there is an anime-based Ling Cage limited-edition model with 12 GB RAM + 256 GB storage, which comes in a special retail box. The special edition model is priced at 4,699 Yuan (~$696). The first sale of the Z40S Pro will be carried out at 10 am (local time) on July 26 in China.
Apple recently announced that it will start mass production of the iPhone 14 series soon. Since this update, there are new reports in the financial market that Apple’s iPhone is the primary reason for its incredible revenue generation due to a magnanimous number of sales.
Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives claims in a note to investors reviewed by AppleInsider that despite supply problems hitting the tech sector, he expects iPhone demand to hold up slightly better than anticipated. He thinks Apple’s Q3 2022 financial results will meet expectations.
Wedbush predicts that Apple will likely surpass Wall Street estimates when it reports its June quarter profits.
In the June quarter, analysts anticipate Apple to post revenue of about $82 billion and earnings-per-share of $1.16.
Wall Street still anticipates Apple to experience difficulties in the June quarter, though. Ives claims that “all eyes” are on the cycle of supply and demand for the iPhone 14. A new mixed-reality headset might be part of Apple’s aggressive product pipeline that the company is focusing on for 2023.
The “peak worry” for Apple’s supply chain issues will be the June quarter. Although Ives anticipates any Covid or supply delays to abate in the September and December quarters, Apple warned of a $4 billion to $8 billion revenue blow. Recently, we reported that the iPhone 14 Max variant was facing display supply chain issues.
Apple’s installed base is the key to surviving the macroeconomic storms, as is customary. Since almost 240 million of Apple’s 1 billion iPhone owners have not yet upgraded their devices, Ives continues to hold on to the notion that the iPhone upgrade cycle is stubborn.
Services appear to be in good shape going into the second part of 2022 and 2023. Ives estimates that the value of Apple’s services alone is greater than $1 trillion. He considers the risk/reward to be “extremely appealing at current levels” when taken into account its hardware.
Ives said that “While the nervous market backdrop is creating a fearful environment for tech stocks, we believe Apple’s growth story remains well intact despite the shaky macro.”
Ives continues to rate Apple as Outperform and has a $200 price target for the next year. His objective is predicated on a sum-of-the-parts valuation of his 2022 projections, which translates to an 18x multiple on services at $1.5 trillion and a 7x multiple on Apple’s hardware division at $2.1 trillion.
Realme is apparently planning on launching a special edition of one of its newly released smartphone models in India soon. The model in question is the Realme GT Neo 3 Naruto Edition.
For those unaware, the Chinese smartphone maker had launched this limited edition GT Neo 3 model in its home market previously. And now, it appears that this version of the GT Neo 3 is also making its way to the Indian market. If this news is true, the Naruto Edition will be the second special edition GT Neo 3 model to launch in the region, with the brand recently also releasing the Realme GT Neo 3 Thor Love and Thunder special edition.
The news arrives from known tipster Abhishek Yadav who claimed that the GT Neo 3 Naruto Edition launch in India is just around the corner. While he did reveal this information, the tipster did not reveal the exact launch date for the smartphone. Talking about the smartphone itself, it is basically the GT Neo 3 model under the hood, with the only real difference being the special external design.
As the name suggests, the Naruto special edition carries a custom orange color with AG glass, which the brand claims took around 17 months to carefully polish the etching of the back panel. Furthermore, the special edition also arrives in a special retail box that is made from leather and features the iconic scroll design. This box also contains a 33W power bank as well. There are also custom cases that were sold separately.
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Wall Street still anticipates Apple to experience difficulties in the June quarter, though. Ives claims that “all eyes” are on the cycle of supply and demand for the iPhone 14. A new mixed-reality headset might be part of Apple’s aggressive product pipeline that the company is focusing on for 2023.
