Earlier this year, Yamaha introduced three new headphones and neckband earphones in India. The brand has now launched a couple of new TWS earphones in the Indian market. So, let’s take a look at their specs, features, and pricing.
Yamaha TW-E3B specifications
Starting with the Yamaha TW-E3B, these earbuds have a contoured design made especially to have a snug fit in the ear. The housing also comes with a non-slip coating for a secure fit. The earbuds feature 6mm dynamic drivers and offer Qualcomm aptX audio codec along with SBC and AAC.
The TWS uses Bluetooth 5.0 for connectivity and offers IPX5 swear resistance. Other features of the earphones include touch controls for play, pause, skip, and volume adjustment. The TWS earbuds can also be controlled using the Yamaha Headphones Controller app. The company claims that the TW-E3B can run for up to 6 hours on a single charge and a total of 24 hours when paired with the charging case.
Yamaha TW-E5B specs
The TW-E5B TWS earbuds have a ridge-like design to firmly fit in the ear. This ridge design also allows users to rotate the earbuds till they fit perfectly in their ear canal. The TW E5B earbuds come with 7mm dynamic drivers for crystal clear audio. For connectivity, the earphones feature Bluetooth 5.2.
The earbuds offer Qualcomm CVC (Clear Voice Capture), and a smart Ambient Sound mode (transparency mode). And like the TW-E3B, the E5B also has touch controls for phone calls, music playback, and activation of Siri or Google Assistant. Yahama claims that the TW-E5B can last up to 8.5 hours on a single charge and a total of 21.5 hours with the charging case.
Pricing & Availability
The Yamaha TW-E3B has a price tag of Rs. 8,490 ($109) and comes in Blue, Pink, Purple, and Black colors. The TW-E5B on the other hand has a price tag of Rs. 14,200 ($182). The Yamaha TW-E3B is already on sale on Amazon India with an introductory price of Rs. 7,490 ($96) and the TW-E5B will be made available soon.
A few months back, Nokia launched the Nokia G11 and now it seems that the company will soon unveil the “Plus” version of the same phone. As per a report, Nokia G11 Plus has been spotted on the Geekbench database, which reveals some key specifications of the smartphone and hints at an imminent launch. The listing indicates that the upcoming smartphone will be powered by an octa-core Unisoc processor. The Nokia handset is also listed to run on Android 12 out of the box.
As initially spotted by the folks at MySmartPrice, Nokia G11 Plus has appeared on Geekbench benchmarking site. Interestingly, the listing does not reveal the model number of the smartphone, however, it confirms the moniker “Nokia G11 Plus”.
Nokia G11
The listing shows that the Nokia G11 Plus uses an octa-core Unisoc processor similar to the rest of the G-series smartphones. It also reveals that the octa-core processor is clocked at 1.61GHz. Moreover, the smartphone relies on Mali G57 GPU. All that information hints that the Nokia G11 Plus could be powered by Unisoc T606 Soc. The listing also indicates that the smartphone will come with 4GB of RAM, however, the possibility of multiple storage variants cannot be ruled out. The smartphone will run on Android 12 out of the box, as mentioned above.
This is all the information that we could get from the Geekbench listing. Nokia hasn’t confirmed any details about the smartphone yet, however, judging from the processor, it will be an entry level smartphone like the Nokia G11.
To recall, Nokia G11 came with a 6.5-inch IPS LCD screen with a teardrop notch. The screen offers an HD+ resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels, a 20:9 aspect ratio, a 90Hz refresh rate, and a 180Hz touch sampling rate. It is powered by a Unisoc T606 paired with 3 GB of RAM
The Galaxy Z Flip 3 foldable flagship shares identity with the Galaxy Z Fold 3 as Samsung‘s latest foldable phone. Samsung is underlying the reliability credentials of the Galaxy Z Flip 3 in terms of its foldable display. The Galaxy Z Flip 3 is water-resistant and has a rating of 200,000 folds. However, a new folding test result shows that the Z Flip 3 garnered a massive 418,503 folds. This result goes to the heart of an excellent hinge mechanism still lacking in several current foldable phones.
The extreme folding test for the Galaxy Z Flip 3 was carried out by YouTube user Mrkeybrd. He sought to test the reliability of the device via a test that lasted from June 8 to June 13. In a live event, the Polish YouTuber folded the smartphone multiple times until it collapsed. This happened after a cycle of 418,593 folds. The device subsequently failed to stay open or closed.
Mrkeybrd also undertook a drop test for the Galaxy Z Flip 3 after the folding test. He also tested the water resistance rating of the Galaxy Z Flip 3 by dipping it in water. The durability test results for the Galaxy Z Flip 3 underscore its rating as a leading foldable globally.
From the test, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 can undergo up to 352,000 folds unscathed. The result is indicative of the ruggedness of the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and will be comforting to its users. The result means that the device can last up to 7 years on an average of 150 folds daily.
Last month, Indian AIoT manufacturer Fire-Boltt launched a couple of smartwatches dubbed the Fire-BoltT Ninja 3 and the Fire-Boltt Tornado. Now, the brand has debuted another smartwatch in the Indian market called the Fire-Boltt Ring Pro. So, let’s take a look at its specs and features.
Fire-Boltt Ring Pro specs & features
The Ring Pro comes with a rectangular display quite like the Apple Watch. It has a metallic frame and a crown button for easy navigation. Its display measures 1.75-inches and provides a 320 x 385 pixels resolution.
The key feature of the smartwatch is the Bluetooth calling functionality that enables users to make and answer calls directly from their smartwatch. For this purpose, the smartwatch comes with a built-in speaker and mic. The Ring Pro also features contact sync, a quick dial pad, and call history options on the wearable. Another interesting feature of the smartwatch is the pin lock system that lets users set a passcode for security.
Other than that, the smart wearable provides multiple health-related features like a SpO2 sensor to measure blood-oxygen levels, a heart rate tracker and it also has sleep tracking to track the quality and duration of the wearer’s sleep. The Ring Pro has a total of 25 sports modes including walking, running, cycling, hiking, baseball, football, basketball, weight lifting, etc.
Other features of the smartwatch include inbuilt games, smart notifications, music and camera controls, and weather updates. The smartwatch also comes with IP68 dust and a water-resistant rating.
Price & Availability
The Fire-Boltt Ring Pro has a price tag of ₹3,999 and will be available to purchase starting June 16th on Amazon India. It will be available in multiple color options like Black, Red, Blue, Green, and White.
Transsion Holdings brand Infinix has launched a new laptop for the Indian market. The Infinix INBook X1 Slim is the latest model in the series and will go on sale in India on June 21. The INBook Slim series are a bunch of super-slim laptops with a 14-inch full HD screen and Intel processors.
Infinix INBook X1 Slim
The Infinix INBook X1 Slim comes in three processor options namely Intel Core i3, i5, and i7. The models can boast of either 8GB or 16GB of RAM, while internal storage options are 256GB and 512GB. The models are lightweight at 1.24kg and are also slim with just 14.8mm thickness. The Infinix INBook X1 Slim offers an HD Webcam and dual star light camera feature. The two-layer speakers in the laptops support DTS sound technology for great sound output.
The FHD screen of the Infinix INBook X1 Slim offers 100% sRGB and 300 nits of brightness. The 10th gen Intel Core i3 is a dual-core processor, while the Core i5 and i7 are both quad-core. The i3/i5 processors feature Intel UHD Graphics while the Iris Plus is featured in the i7. The new laptops will run on Windows 11 Home out of the box while connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.1, USB-C, HDMI, USB 3.0, and SD card. Two digital microphones are present in the Infinix INBook X1 Slim and the laptop’s 50Wh battery offers up to 11 hours of activity.
The Infinix INBook X1 Slim comes in four colors namely Noble Red, Cosmic Blue, Aurora Green, and Starfall Grey. The base model is the Intel Core i3 version with 8GB+256GB priced at Rs. 29,990 (~$385). On the other hand, the premium model in the lineup is the Intel Core i7 with 16GB+512GB priced at Rs. 49,990 (~$641). The laptop can be purchased from Flipkart. An Rs. 3,000 ($38) discount is available for Axis Bank cardholders.
Recently, Samsung’s QN95B Neo QLED TV was reportedly caught cheating in HDR tests. It appeared to use an algorithm to detect HDR benchmarks and adjust the picture output to deliver test results that seemed more accurate than they actually are. However, Samsung has also issued a statement on the matter denying the reports.
Most reviewers, calibrations, and certification bodies test HDR capabilities using a 10 percent window i.e. 10 percent of the entire screen. It is claimed that Samsung’s cheating algorithm kicks in when it detects a test is conducted. FlatpanelsHD found that the Samsung QN95B Neo QLED TV delivered different HDR results using a 9 percent window size instead of 10. The television also boosted peak brightness by 80 percent from 1,300 nits to 2,300 nits in HDR tests. This was only for a brief period to avoid damaging the miniLED backlight. In real-world usage scenarios, the television’s peak brightness never reached 2,300 nits. The boost appears to have been programmed to trick the HDR benchmarks.
In a statement, Samsung said that the company does not use any algorithm for the purpose of yielding any specific test results. It added that when tested under industry standards, the HDR content is accurately displayed on various window sizes and the peak brightness also remained at similar levels. Samsung stated that the update for S95B has been rolled out whereas for QN95B will be provided soon.
Last week, the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro finally made its way to India. The tablet that first went official in November 2021 has debuted in the country for a premium price tag. Despite being old, it competes directly with the latest Galaxy Tab S8 series in the region due to its pricing. But is it really worth its asking price? We try to answer this question in this article.
Lenovo Tab P12 Pro
Pricing
The Lenovo Tab P12 Pro is priced at ₹69,999 in India for the sole 8GB + 256GB memory configuration. The WiFi-only tablet ships with a Lenovo Precision Pen 3 stylus and a 30W charger.
On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 and the Galaxy Tab S8 Plus arrive in both WiFi-only and cellular (5G) variants. But they are limited to 128GB storage in the county and do not ship with a charger. However, an S Pen stylus is included in the box.
Talking about the price, the WiFi version of Galaxy Tab S8 and Galaxy Tab S8 Plus costs ₹58,999 and ₹70,999, respectively. Whereas, the cellular model of these tablets retails at ₹74,999 and ₹87,999.
In other words, the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro sits between the Galaxy Tab S8 and the Galaxy Tab S8 Plus in terms of pricing
Discounts and Offers
Samsung is known for offering numerous discounts and promotions from time to time. The offers vary across channels as the company has a better reach in the country.
For example, buyers can currently avail of a ₹2,000 discount coupon, a ₹7,000 cashback on HDFC Bank cards, and a 5% referral discount on the Samsung Shop app.
Unfortunately, Lenovo does not offer discounts at this scale. The coupon discounts are limited and sales are very rare.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Series
Software
Samsung is the only Android OEM releasing tablets across different price segments regularly for years. Hence, the company has developed a much better software than its competitors, like offering Samsung Galaxy ecosystem benefits and desktop-like features like Dex.
Also, it is the only brand to offer longer software support. For instance, the Galaxy Tab S8 series, which is currently on Android 12, is eligible for 4 Android updates and 5 years of security updates.
On the other hand, the software support for the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro ends in late 2024 itself. It boots Android 11 right now and it is scheduled to receive Android 12L by the end of June and Android 13 after it goes official later this year.
Specifications
The Lenovo Tab P12 Pro has an upper hand in the storage, battery, and display departments. It offers 256GB of internal storage, a 10,200mAh battery, and a Dolby Vision-supported 12.6-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels and up to 120Hz refresh rate.
Anyway, though the Galaxy Tab S8 features an 11-inch LCD panel, buyers can opt for a 12.4-inch Super AMOLED display with the Galaxy Tab S8 Plus whose WiFi-only variant is only slightly costlier than the Lenovo tablet. In fact, with the offers, the Samsung model could be had at a cheaper price.
But none of these Samsung tablets offer Dolby Vision and they are backed by smaller 8,000mAh and 10,090mAh batteries. Further, 128GB is too low if you happen to store and play lots of games. However, it is worth noting that you could use a MicroSD card on all three tablets for media purposes.
The biggest difference between these tablets is the chipsets powering them. The Lenovo Tab P12 Pro house the stable Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 SoC. While the Galaxy Tab S8 and the Galaxy Tab S8 Plus feature the latest unstable Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip.
For authentication, the Lenovo tablet provides 3D face unlock, in addition to a fingerprint sensor. Whereas, the Samsung tablets offer Apple’s Center Stage-like feature and 4K video recording on their front camera.
Lenovo Tab P12 Pro
Conclusion
The Lenovo Tab P12 Pro (aka Lenovo Xiaoxin Pad Pro 12.6) is a good product. It has almost all the bells and whistles for a premium Android tablet. But it lags behind the overall better experience offered by Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S8 series.
In most regions, the Lenovo model is way cheaper and thus it is easy to recommend it over any other Android tablet at the same price point. For the unaware, it costs around $550 on average globally.
But in India, the story is the opposite. The product costs the same as the Galaxy Tab S8 series. It retails at $900, which is almost $300 more than in other regions.
It is very difficult to choose the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro over the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 or the Galaxy Tab S8 Plus in India.
Transsion Holdings subsidiary Tecno Mobile last week revealed it would hold a global launch event at the Rockefeller Centre in New York where it would unveil the Camon 19 series for the global market. As scheduled, the Tecno Camon 19 series has been announced for the global market. The series is made up of the Camon 19 Pro 5G, Camon 19 Pro, Camon 19 Neo, and the vanilla Camon 19.
Tecno Camon 19 Pro/ Camon 19 Pro 5G
The Camon 19 Pro 5G emerges as the star of the pack as it features a 64MP RGBW sensor. This makes the device the first phone to pack the sensor manufactured by Samsung. In addition, the device is said to pack the “industry’s slimmest bezel” with a size of just 0.98 mm.
The Camon 19 Pro 5G packs a 6.8-inch LCD screen with an FHD+ resolution of 2460 x 1080 pixels and supports a 120Hz refresh rate. The 5G model is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 810 chipset integrated with a Mali-G57 MC2 GPU. The chipset pairs with 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM. The device is available in 128GB and 256GB UFS 2.2 storage options.
The rear panel has a diamond coating that depicts 200 million stars in a bright starry sky. The panel has an anti-fingerprint coating and is delicate to touch. For photography, the rear panel houses a 64MP camera with RGBW + (G + P) Lens co-developed with Samsung. The G + P technology replaces plastic lenses with a crystal glass lens that enhances light intake by more than 208%. The other sensors include a 2MP depth sensor and a 2MP AI camera. For selfies, there is a 16MP front camera.
On its part, the non-5G Camon 19 Pro packs an Helio G96 chipset with the same memory configuration as the 5G version. The 4G model equally packs a 64MP main camera at the rear with OIS but not the RGBW lens. The main camera teams up with a 50MP portrait camera with 2x optical zoom and a 2MP portrait lens.
The two models run on Android 12 OS with XOS. They both pack a 5000mAh battery with 33W fast charging. The models come with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor a piece.
Tecno Camon 19
The vanilla Camon 19 packs a 6.8-inch LCD screen with a Full HD+ resolution of 2460 x 1080 pixels. The device is powered by an Octa-Core MediaTek Helio G85 processor with a Mali-G52 2EEMC2 GPU powering the graphics. The processor is paired with 4GB / 6GB RAM options each bundled with 128GB storage. The storage is expandable via microSD.
The Camon 19 also comes with a triple rear camera setup comprising a 64MP main shooter teaming up with a 2MP depth sensor and a 2MP AI camera. The camera comes with a Quad-LED flash. At the front, there is a 16MP camera for selfies.
The Camon 19 packs a 5,000mAh battery just like the Pro models but you only get support for 18W fast charging on the vanilla model. It equally runs on Android 12 with an overlay of Tecno’s XOS. There is a side-mounted fingerprint sensor on board as well as NFC support.
Pricing & Availability
The Tecno Camon 19 Pro 5G starts at $320 for the 8GB+256GB option. The model will be available in Eco Black and Cedar Green colour options. The 4G Camon 19 Pro comes down to $280 for the 8GB+256GB option and is available in Polar Blue, Eco Black, and Mondrian colours.
On its part, the vanilla Camon 19 will be available in Eco Black, Sea Salt White, and Digital Green colours while the Camon 19 Neo comes in Eco Black, Ice Mirror, and Dreamland Green colours.
The models will start rolling out globally across various regions including Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Southern Asia starting this month.
Earlier this year, Vivo was rumored to launch three flagship smartphones dubbed the Vivo X80, the X80 Pro, and the X80 Pro Plus. However, at launch, the company only debuted the Vivo X80 and the Vivo X80 Pro in Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and Dimensity 9000 variants.
Vivo X80 Pro
Now, the reliable tipster Yogesh Brar has confirmed the existence of the Vivo X80 Pro Plus stating that the smartphone will debut soon (Via MySmartPrice). Going by the information provided by Brar, the X80 Pro Plus will house the latest Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset. This chipset will bring a considerable improvement over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the X80 Pro as the new chip is manufactured by TSMC using its 4nm node and boasts up to 30% energy efficiency over its predecessor. The chip will also run relatively cooler than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, which has numerous thermal management issues.
Vivo X80 Pro Cosmic Black
Other than that, the tipster has stated that the device could launch in October 2022, but it is not yet confirmed due to the ongoing supply chain issue plaguing industries worldwide. Finer specification details are still under wraps, but going by previous reports, we can expect the smartphone to come with a 6.8-inch 2K AMOLED display with a 120H refresh rate support. It is likely to support 120W fast charging as well.
For optics, the device may carry a quad-camera setup made up of a 50-megapixel primary sensor, a 48-megapixel Sony IMX598 sensor, a 50-megapixel Samsung JN1 sensor, and a 50-megapixel Samsung JN2 sensor. The device will likely come with Zeiss lenses and camera tuning along with gimbal-like stabilization. However, we would like to advise our readers to take these specs with a pinch of salt and stay tuned for more updates on the X80 Pro Plus.
Samsung is planning to move 300 workers from its closed LCD TV panel manufacturing division to its semiconductor manufacturing unit. Industry sources familiar with the matter told South Korean publication The Korean Herald.
The move is due to the South Korean brand’s decision to stop the production of LCD panels for televisions earlier this month because of the falling prices and steep competition from Chinese LCD panel manufacturers. Samsung has also scaled down its TV LCD business since mid-2010. The company started producing LCD panels for TVs in 1992. In 2020, Samsung also said that it will gradually end its display unit and shift towards more profitable high-end products like
developing OLED panels. In the same year, the company moved 200-400 workers to its Electronics device solutions division.
The relocation also highlights the growing demand for engineers and highly skilled workers in the chip business. The semiconductor industry is also seeing a scarcity of workers as chip demand is at an all-time high.
Samsung Display is expected to gradually increase the production of OLED panels going forward.
In other news, Samsung recently launched Crystal 4K Neo smart TV in India at Rs 35,990. Read more about it here.
Last month, Realme officially teased the Realme GT 2 Master Explorer Edition smartphone, stating that it will be the brand’s first Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 flagship. Since then, some specs of the device have been leaked and it also recently appeared on the TENAA certification database.
Realme GT 2 Master Explorer Edition TENAA images
Now, tipster Yogesh Brar has tweeted out the entire spec sheet of the upcoming GT 2 Master Explorer Edition, so let’s take a look at what the smartphone has in store for us.
Starting with the display, the tipster states that the GT 2 Master Explorer Edition will come with a 6.7-inch Full HD+ AMOLED panel. The panel will offer up to a 120Hz refresh rate.
Under the hood, we will get the latest Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC which is manufactured by TSMC on their 4nm node, making the chip more energy efficient. Memory options available for the device will be 8GB and 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and it will be offered in 128GB and 256GB UFS 3.1 storage configurations. A large 5,000mAh battery pack will power the smartphone and it will have 100W fast charging support. Other than that, the device will operate on Android 12-based Realme UI 3.0.
Coming to optics, the tipster informs that the GT 2 Master Explorer Edition will have a triple camera setup headlined by a 50-megapixel Sony IMX766 sensor (with OIS. It will be paired with a 50-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera and a 2-megapixel macro camera. For now, the launch date of the device is still under wraps, however, rumors have claimed that Realme is planning to launch the smartphone sometime in June.
Today we are going to introduce a new phone from Tecno, the SPARK 9 Pro. Tecno is a brand that I’m sure no one is unfamiliar with. Their phones are selling very well in emerging countries and regions. The SPARK 9 Pro is one of their new entry-level phones, which is available for only around $170. Interestingly, after using the SPARK 9 Pro for a while, it gave me a new perspective on entry-level phones.
Let’s take a quick look at what’s in the box for the SPARK 9 Pro. A hard PC case. I really like this case because usually soft cases will turn yellow after a while, PC cases do not. Then there is a 18w charger. Card pin and charging cable, and a wired headset. Yes, it has a headphone jack. And there’s an even rarer feature than the headphone jack: the message alert light.
This is very useful on phones without AOD. In addition, the SIM card slot supports both dual SIM and SD Card, and has a red rubber ring to prevent water and dust ingress, indicating that the SPARK 9 Pro is to some extent waterproof. Even though it is sold at a low price, it does not use the Micro-B charging port. The fingerprint recognition is also on the side instead of on the back. And it looks really good.
The back and bezel are purely flat, and the part of the hand grip is frosted. The logo and slogan are on the right side, I prefer this way of putting them in the corner than the practice of enlarging the slogan. The camera module has only two circles, very simple. That’s right, an entry-level phone camera does not need to have much-exaggerated design, simple is the best.
TECNO SPARK 9 Pro Review: Cameras
SPARK 9 Pro comes with a 32MP front camera. Compared to many 8MP or 16MP front cameras, it wins at least in the number of pixels. And there’s an AI Portrait enhancer feature that will make your photos sharper even in low light conditions. It’s not a gimmick, it really enhances the clarity of the photo. And in its beauty mode, as you can see in this photo, the mole is removed from the face.
Beauty mode
Its front camera even works with Super Night mode, which improves exposure and reduces noise at night. It also has the Ring Screen Fill-in Light, a message alert light that can be used as a front-facing flash, which is only available on some phones that focus on selfies.
flash light + night mode
It simply turned my perception of entry phones upside down. It’s not recommended to turn on the flash when it’s very dark, because your hair might blend in with the background. Many flagship phones have a front camera that can only record 1080P video, but this 32MP front camera supports video recording at up to 2K resolution. It doesn’t have EIS, but once you think about its price, you feel that the Tecno SPARK 9 Pro’s front camera is way ahead of phones in its price range.
After introducing the front camera, let’s take a look at the rear camera. The rear camera of SPARK 9 Pro is a bit more ordinary compared to the front. There is only one 50MP main camera, the other two are auxiliary lenses. But the main camera is a bit surprisingly good in everyday use. The dynamic range is excellent, and the images are clear. Perhaps because of the Bokeh camera, the bokeh effect in portrait mode is very good. I really like the effect of this bokeh background, as long as it does not go wrong, it is very much like a photo taken by a professional camera.
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While the daytime photos are not much better than other brands, the photos in the dark light will surely surprise you. Night photos in auto mode are just like any other entry phone, easily partially overexposed, which is a normal performance at this price point. But once you turn on super night mode, the quality of your photos will soar. Dynamic range is improved and exposure in low light is back to normal, looking like a photo taken by a $300+ phone. Generally speaking, entry-level phones can’t do this, so it seems that TECNO has really worked hard on the night mode algorithm.
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By the way, the main camera of SPARK 9 Pro also supports 2K 30fps video recording. Because there is no EIS, you better not record while walking.
TECNO SPARK 9 Pro Review: Performance & Battery
The screen of SPARK 9 Pro is an FHD+ LCD screen. This waterdrop LCD screen is the standard specification for entry-level phones.
The processor is MTK’s G85, also an entry processor and PUBG can only be turned on at 30fps, but the good news is that the game frame rate is stable.
And it’s very power saving, with its big 5000mAh battery, 20 minutes of PUBG only consumes 4%. 30 minutes of Tiktok consumes 4%. 1080P online video consumes 5%. Anyway, I wasn’t able to drain its battery in a day.
Most of the starter phones we’ve seen are pretty much the same, except for slightly different designs. But the SPARK 9 Pro is the only entry phone I’ve seen that focuses on selfies. And the rear camera is also so good that it’s hard to believe this is an entry-level phone that only sells for $170.
If you have higher requirements for photos and selfies, then it’s definitely worth buying at this price point.
Giztop is giving a huge discount on the latest Black Shark 5 gaming phone. You can now buy the phone for $399 only. Please note that this is a limited-time offer.
Black Shark 5 features a 6.67-inch AMOLED Samsung E4 display and supports a 144Hz refresh rate. The powerful gaming phone comes with Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 Octa-core processor and Adreno 650 GPU. You have multiple memory options viz. 8GB / 12GB LPDDR5 RAM and 128GB / 256GB UFS 3.1 storage.
Black Shark 5 sports a triple rear camera setup with a 64MP main camera and 13MP + 2MP secondary sensors. For your selfies, you have a 16MP sensor in the front. Fueled with a 4650mAh battery, the phone supports 120W fast charging and runs on Android 12 OS-based JOYUI 13.
Generally retailing for $599, you can now buy the Black Shark 5 Gaming phone for a discounted price of $399 only at Giztop. This price is applicable to the base variant only. 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.
The next-generation foldable smartphones from Samsung are rumored to debut on August 10, 2022. This includes the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 and the Galaxy Z Flip 4.
Galaxy Z Fold4 concept render by Apple Lab 2
The Galaxy Z Flip 4 appeared on Geekbench last month, revealing the device’s key specifications. Now, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 has made an appearance on the benchmarking website.
The Geekbanch listing reveals that the Galaxy Z Fold 4 has the model number SM-F936U. It has an octa-core processor with one core clocked at 3.19 GHz, three cores clocked at 2.75GHz, and four cores clocked at 2.02GHz. The processor is paired with the Adreno 730 GPU making it pretty clear that the device houses a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset.
Other than that, the listing reveals that the smartphone has 12GB of RAM and runs on Android 12-based operating system (OneUI 4.1). The listing does not reveal any other details, but thanks to an earlier leak by tipster Yogesh Brar, we already know what to expect from the device.
According to previous leaks, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 will come with a 7.6-inch QXGA+ AMOLED inner panel and a 6.2-inch HD+ AMOLED panel for the outer screen. Both the outside and inside displays will offer a 120Hz refresh rate.
The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset will come paired with either 12GB or 16GB RAM and will be available in 256GB and 512GB storage options.
For optics, the smartphone will have a triple camera setup on the rear headlined by a 50-megapixel primary sensor. It will be paired with a 12-megapixel ultra-wide unit and a 12-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x zoom. The inner screen camera will be a 16-megapixel under-display unit, and on the front, the device will have a 10-megapixel snapper. Other than that, the device is said to feature a 4,400mAh capacity battery with 25W fast charging and operate on Android 12-based One UI.
Oukitel WP19 rugged smartphone will launch globally on 27 June 2022. The device with the world’s largest battery on a rugged phone comes with a retail price of $599. However, under the world premiere deal, you can buy Oukitel WP19 for as low as $269.99 only on AliExpress. Please note that this deal starts on 27 June and ends on 1 July 2022.
Oukitel phones are designed to survive the extreme outdoors and hence the WP19 comes with all the necessary certifications like IP68/IP69K & MIL-STD-810H that makes this phone waterproof, dustproof, and drop-proof. But the highlight feature of Oukitel WP19 is its massive battery. It is the first rugged smartphone in the world to feature a 21000mAh battery which can last for up to 7 days on a single charge. This makes it especially useful for adventure enthusiast, globe trotters and people who work outdoors. Moreover with 33W fast charging you can charge your phone within couple of hours and then forget about charging for almost a week. Also with the reverse charging function, the phone can be easily converted into a mini power bank.
Unlike other rugged phones in the market, Oukitel WP19 does not compromise on the camera and image quality. The phone features a triple rear camera setup with a 64MP SAMSUNG S5K main camera, SONY IMX350 20MP night vision Camera, and 2MP macro camera. It comes with a 6.78-inch FHD+ anti-scratch display and supports 90Hz refresh rate. The phone is powered by MediaTek Helio G95 4G chipset and comes with 8GB RAM and 256GB internal storage. Other interesting features include a customized key, fingerprint & face ID, NFC Google Pay, digital outdoor toolkit, etc.
You can get Oukitel WP19 rugged smartphone for a heavily discounted price of $269.99 only under the world premiere deal at AliExpress. The deals tart on 27 June but you can add the product to your cart right now, even before the sale starts for faster checkout.
Please note that the above price is region-specific and the final price may vary according to your shipping region, warehouse, and regional taxes.
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Apple’s entry-level iPads are great devices, in fact, they are the company’s most popular tablet. They are ideal for someone who wants a balance of features and affordability. The newest affordable iPads come with an A13 Bionic chip, a decent front-facing camera, and more. But its next-gen could be even better as it is reported Apple is working on a revamp of the low-cost entry-level iPad that will improve the device’s feature set.
According to a report by 9to5mac, Apple is planning to bring a number of upgrades to its entry-level iPad that will bring it up to speed with the rest of the iPad series. As per the report, the 2022 iPad, which is codenamed J272, will include a USB-C port instead of a Lightning port. This indicates that Apple will finally add USB-C to the whole iPad series. The iPad Pro received the Type-c port in 2018, the iPad Air in 2020, and the iPad Mini in 2021.
Apple iPad 10.2 (2021)
The publication states that Apple intends to upgrade the entry-level iPad with the A14 Bionic chip, which is used in the 4th-generation iPad Air. When compared to the A13 Bionic used in the current entry-level iPad, the A14 chip offers approximately 30% performance benefits. Apple will also introduce 5G network capabilities for cellular models.
According to the report, the new entry-level iPad will have a Retina display with the same resolution as the iPad Air, but it may have a 10.5-inch or even 10.9-inch display rather than the present model’s 10.2-inch LCD. But the more advanced display specifications, such as a wide color gamut with DCI-P3 and increased brightness, will, however, be reserved for more expensive iPads.
There’s not much information available about the rest of the features of the device. We can expect it to launch in the fall of this year.
As gasoline prices rise in China, a discussion arose in the country regarding the future of automobiles. Xpeng Motors CEO He Xiaopeng also weighed in with his own comments and even announced the arrival of the next generation of superchargers for EVs.
The senior executive stated that EV (Electric Vehicle) users typically focus on the efficiency and convenience of charging their vehicles. So, the Chinese EV maker has plans to launch a new generation of superchargers for EVs that will be up to four times faster than the current generation of superchargers offered in the market. Through this, the next gen superchargers will be able to charge an electric vehicle from 10 percent to 80 percent in just 12 minutes.
With NEV (New Energy Vehicles) becoming increasingly more popular, improvements in supplementing technology would only help boost their sales even further. Current standards of EVs would have you charging for a couple of hours to even under an hour depending on the charging rates. But that still is quite a bit longer than a gasoline refill at a gas station. So, these next gen superchargers might help EVs better solidify their position in the automobile industry.
Earlier this year He Xiaopeng had announced that XPeng’s supercharging stations were the most extensive among other Chinese EV brands with a total of 169 self operated stations in China and a total of 954 charging networks available al across the country. So this improvement in charging technology should soon be reflected on these stations as well.
Japan is planning on setting up a domestic manufacturing base that will produce cutting edge 2nm process based chips. The country will also be working with the US to help realize these plans by the year 2025.
According to a NikkeiAsiareport, Japan is gearing up to join the race in commercializing the next generation of advanced chipsets. Thus, Tokyo and Washington will be providing support to each other through a semiconductor technology partnership. Furthermore, this cooperation will also involve private companies from both countries as well, which will help in research on design and mass production as well. Notably, the TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) is already on its way to developing mass production technology for its advanced 2nm process.
Meanwhile, Japan is seeking to secure a stable supply of semiconductors through domestic production of next gen chips. At the same time, the partnership with the US might also include the establishment of a new company or Japanese corporations may even set up a new manufacturing hub as well. As of right now, the nation’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry is offering subsidies to lower the cost of research and development into advanced semiconductors.
The joint research will begin this year, with a research and mass production center planned to be formed between 2025 and 2027. Notably, the world’s largest contract chipmaker, TSMC, is also setting up a chip fab in Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture. However, this plant will not produce advanced chips and focus on chip technology ranging from 10nm to 20nm processes.
Apple launched its new iPhone 13 variants recently. Apart from the new colors, these devices are the same iPhone 13 devices we saw last year. However, the colors make the new iPhones stand out from their similar counterparts from last year. But it is not a good practice to use the phone as it is without any protection. Something as basic as a back cover is necessary for an iPhone. Otherwise, broken back glass could set you back well over half the price of the iPhone.
So let’s look at some of the best iPhone 13 cases to protect your smartphone.
Choosing a case might be more confusing than choosing a smartphone. There are countless brands and options when it comes to iPhone 13 cases in the market right now. Official cases from Apple are easy choices to start. Or you could get yourself a fancy case from a third-party dealer.
Best iPhone 13 cases and covers
Official Apple Cases
There are countless choices for you to choose from the vast collection of smartphone cases. Apple sells cases under the “official iPhone cases” label through their retail stores and website. You can purchase these official accessories if you don’t like to stray out of the Apple ecosystem. Apple offers its cases in materials including silicone, leather, and transparent materials. You can also buy cases from third-party dealers from the Apple store. However, keep in mind that these cases come at a premium like all other Apple products. Here are the models from Apple that are worth giving a try.
Apple Silicone Case with MagSafe
The silicone case from Apple is available for almost all iPhones, and they’ve now updated it with MagSafe. Even though the silicone cases cost in the range of 50s, they do feel premium for what you’re paying. These cases have a smooth texture that won’t compromise the grip. There is an inner microfiber layer to protect the phone from scratches. Also, you can choose from a plethora of colors while buying a silicone case for your iPhone 13.
If you’re someone who isn’t interested in spoiling the native color and look of your smartphone, you might get yourself a clear case. The clear case from Apple follows a minimalist design and offers sufficient grip. These cases use optically clear polycarbonate and other flexible materials. A scratch-resistant coating on either side of the case guarantees some degree of scratch resistance. Apple claims they’ve optimized these cases to prevent yellowing over time.
Leather is one of the best choices if you’re looking for a premium phone case. No one knows this better than Apple. Their custom Leather cases feel soft to the touch. Genuine leather will develop a natural patina over time. Patina will further enrich the look and feel of the material.
With the Apple official cases out of the way, let’s see some of the best protective cases for your brand new iPhone 13. As we said, choosing a smartphone case can be more confusing than choosing a smartphone. Rugged phone cases offer unmatched protection, but they often add half a pound to the overall weight of the package. Clear phone cases are a great way to show off the Apple logo without actually showing off the Apple logo. Thin phone cases protect your device without taking up too much real estate. Wallet and kickstand cases offer additional functionality. Silicone cases keep a low profile while ensuring extreme comfort for extended periods of use. Fancy and colored phone cases are a great way of mirroring your thoughts.
Best Rugged Cases for iPhone 13
There is no denying that rugged phone cases offer the best possible protection for any smartphone. However, you should sacrifice certain aspects of a smartphone if you’re seriously into such phone cases.
Urban Armor Gear UAG Case for iPhone 13
This multilayer iPhone 13 case is ideal for users who have the habit of drop testing their iPhones. It uses a combination of an armor frame along with polycarbonate, metal, and rubber. The top-grain leather on the top offers comfort and grip. However, you might struggle with third-party or even official wireless chargers while using this case. The case has been drop tested for up to 20 feet.
Screen protectors are more important than a case, and SUPCASE did a neat job with theirUnicorn Beetle Pro Case. This one comes with a built-in screen protector and a detachable swiveling belt clip holster for a pocket-free experience. The included TPU bumper and raised bezels will keep your device in one piece even during falls of up to 20 feet.
This one is arugged phone case with a clear back. The Aluminum frame can protect your phone from falls of up to 10 feet. Raptic claims they’ve taken measures to prevent yellowing over time of the clear part of the case.
Clear phone cases are ideal for people who don’t wish to ruin the phone’s look and feel. iPhone users, in particular, might know the struggle of hiding the Apple logo on their devices. Most leading clear case manufacturers have managed to get rid of the yellowing of these cases.
Spigen Ultra Hybrid Clear Case for iPhone 13
This one is aclear hardcover that uses a TPU bumper with a PC layer at the back. The raised edges ensure protection to the edges and screen of the phone. However, the combination of TPU and PC might mean it won’t be a pleasant experience to hold the phone for extended periods.
Here is yet anotherphone case that comes with a built-in screen protector. The hardcover uses TPU for the frame and PC for the back. However, this clear case has more flexibility than the previous one. It can also withstand drops of up to 20 feet.
This one is aclear case that offers near glasslike transparency. Acrylic is responsible for this unique property of the clear case. The material has the reflective properties of glass while not breaking as fast as glass. However, the material is still prone to scratches. A TPU frame protects the acrylic back and the phone from dents and scratches.
Silicone cases might be the best choice when it comes to comfort. The user can hold their phones with a silicone case for hours without numbing their palm. These cases often come in a minimal design that could attract many who want a simple case.
K TOMOTO Silicone Case for iPhone 13
A simple silicone case with a silky texture looks and feels premium in hand. The user can choose from over 18 solid-color designs to match any occasion. Raised edges and shockproof nature of the silicone ensures your device stays protected from accidental bumps.
The Miracase silicone case is best suited for users looking for thin silicone cases. Measuring only 2.3mm, this one comes with a smooth surface that offers unmatched comfort. The case also features raised edges for all-around protection.
This soft silicone case features an anti-scratch microfiber lining. It makes it the best of the three that can take some abuse. The case has sufficient grip, which in no way has altered the smoothness and comfort of a silicone case.
Thin phone cases are for those who aren’t interested in adding a phone case that would add mass to their phones. If you’ve made up your mind about a thin case, remember that these cases aren’t the best for protecting your phone from the unexpected.
ESR Cloud Soft Case for iPhone 13
A thin silicone case for your iPhone 13 that looks and feels minimal. It features an anti-scratch microfiber lining to protect the device from scratches. The case will also not obstruct the wireless charging feature of the phone.
This slim hardcover comes in a frosted black design. Unlike other cases in our list, this one lets the user swap the button color to anything they like. Even though it is a hardcover case, the TORRAS thin case feels surprisingly light in hand.
This thin case comes with a frosted translucent PC layer at the back. TPU is used to strengthen the edge of the case. Also, this 2.3mm case can withstand falls from up to 10 feet.
Kickstand phone cases are best suited for users who often watch movies and show in landscape mode. This way, they could stop holding the phone upright for the entire time.
Ruky Kickstand Case for iPhone 13
This one comes with a kickstand along with a belt clip. The kickstand is in the form of a ring. The user can rotate it in any orientation for a portrait or landscape viewing experience. Ruky is also marketing this one as a rugged phone case.
The TORRAS MarsClimber is a translucent matte case for your iPhone 13 equipped with a kickstand. It features an adjustable kickstand made from metal and uses flexible TPU in combination with rubber as the primary build material.
Spigen uses TPU and Polycarbonate as the primary build materials, and they’ve managed to pull it off cleanly. The kickstand tucks up neatly in the bottom left corner of the case. Thecase is MIL-STD 810G-516.6 certified.
Smartphones have replaced many things in our life. And now wallet cases for smartphones seem to be slowly replacing our wallets. It is good to keep money in our hands rather than our pockets.
Taporse Flip Case for iPhone 13
The case uses leather in combination with TPU as the primary materials. It features multiple cardholders and small pockets to keep money or anything small. Also, the cardholders double up as a kickstand.
The ONETOP wallet case also features multiple cardholders at the back. It also comes with dedicated pockets for keeping the change. However, you might find some discomfort accessing your cards and valuables from the back of your phone. Faux leather is the material used for making the case.
The TUCCH wallet case is a PU leather case that folds from the front of the phone. It will make it easier for the user to access the contents of the wallet. The wallet also doubles up as an excellent kickstand.
It’d be best if we left this one for you to choose. Colors are subjective, and the choice will vary from person to person. However, here are some of our picks if you’re having difficulty choosing one.
GVIEWIN Glossy Marble Case for iPhone 13
This TPU case features a glossy marble design that could attract many. The case is surprisingly hard, so you can slap it to your iPhone with confidence. It should be able to absorb the most impact during a hit or fall.
This one features a breath-taking starry design that could grab the attention of anyone who sees it for the first time. It might be an ideal choice to gift for your partner, even if Valentine’s day has passed. The case is made from TPU and comes with a raised edge.
This case has a transparent TPU design with an imprinted floral pattern. It also comes with a dedicated screen protector for your iPhone, so we’d say it’s worth a try. Also, women might find the design more appealing.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 series smartphones have started receiving the June 2022 security update. The software update for the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and 20 Ultra smartphones has initially rolled out in the US last week, however, it may have also reached other regions by now. The update not only carries stability and security changes but also brings several camera improvements to these smartphones.
According to a report by Sammobile, Samsung has started rolling out the June 2022 update to its recent flagship smartphones, the Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 ultra. The latest software update comes with firmware version N98xU1UEU2FVEB. As per the report, the update has been initially released in the US.
The security update brings much more than just the usual bug fixes and security patches. It is even evident by the size of the update, which is 1GB. According to the changelog, the update brings some small but important camera improvements.
Samsung claims that the latest update also enhances the phone’s Night portrait feature, which means that you can now click better quality portraits even in low light conditions. The changelog also mentions some overall stability and security fixes.
If you are an eligible Galaxy Note 20 or Galaxy Note 20 Ultra user, you can download and install the latest software update by going to Settings > Software update and tapping on Download and install. It is advisable to update your Samsung Galaxy smartphones while connected to strong Wi-Fi and charging.
To recall, the Galaxy Note 20 series was launched in 2020 with Android 10 OS. The smartphone has already received its promised Android 12 update and will also receive the upcoming Android 13 update.
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