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Apple plans to shift manufacturing outside China: Report

Apple is considering to slowly diversify its manufacturing for export to countries like India and South Asia. The company, which has been increasingly dependent on Chinese facilities such as Foxconn, Pegatron, etc., for manufacturing its diverse portfolio, has decided to make this slow shift in the post-pandemic period.

Apple has instructed its manufacturing partners to perform more NPI (New Product Introduction), which is a preliminary stage of mass production work in which contractors translate a brand’s product blueprints and prototypes into a precise manufacturing plan outside of China, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

The company was thinking of making this geographic change for some time now but the pandemic had posed a hurdle. The recent developments in Shanghai which have led to further strict lockdowns have intensified the resolve to diversify. Another reason for this move is the increasing tensions between U.S and China relations and the travel restrictions between the two countries.

India and Vietnam are being considered as major alternatives to China. The countries already account for a small portion of Apple’s global manufacturing. Foxconn, Apple’s manufacturing partner has already set up facilities in India to help make iPhones for the Indian market. Apple is now talking with its various suppliers to set up manufacturing hubs in India for export.

However, China will still be the most prominent manufacturing hub for Apple due to various factors such as a well-trained workforce, low costs relative to the U.S., and a deep network of parts suppliers that are hard to recreate elsewhere without years of effort.

The shift to alternate manufacturing hubs will be slow and they will serve as a manufacturing hub for new product categories such as AR headsets, etc., predominantly. The upcoming months will shed more light on how Apple will lead this diversification.

 

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Redmi Buds 4 Pro officially confirmed to launch on May 24

Xiaomi will unveil several new products during its scheduled May 24 event in China. The Redmi Buds 4 Pro will be launched alongside the Redmi Note 11T series and the Xiaomi Band 7. The Redmi Buds 4 Pro are TWS earbuds that offer premium wireless connectivity via Bluetooth version 5.3.Redmi Buds 4 Pro

The Redmi Buds 4 Pro has surfaced in several teasers and it seems well-kitted for an impressive audio experience for its users. The Buds 4 Pro offers Redmi’s strongest noise reduction so far. We expect the Buds 4 Pro to outperform the 35dB deep noise cancellation offered by the Buds 3 Pro. And that is what is offered exactly as the Buds 4 Pro delivers 43dB deep noise cancellation. It also offers intelligent wind noise reduction and 3kHz broadband noise reduction.Redmi Buds 4 Pro

The Bluetooth 5.3 support for the Redmi Buds 4 Pro is another flagship-grade feature of the earbuds. Most of the current models in the market come with Bluetooth 5.2 or less. Therefore, the Redmi Buds 4 Pro seems to be a great device and affordable. Pricing and availability details, as well as full specs of the Redmi Buds 4 Pro, will be known at launch.

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Bill Gates uses a foldable phone and it’s not Microsoft’s Surface Duo

During a Reddit AMA this week, Microsoft’s co-founder Bill Gates finally revealed which smartphone he uses. You’ll be surprised to know that it’s neither the iPhone nor the Microsoft Surface Duo but a Samsung phone. Gates uses the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, launched back in 2021.

Bill Gates conducted an AMA (Ask me anything) session on Reddit last week. During the AMA a user asked, “What kind of phone do you have?”, to which Gates replied “I have an Android Galaxy Z Fold 3. I try different ones. With this screen, I can get by with a great portable PC and the phone and nothing else.”

Bill gates uses galaxy Z fold 3

It should come as no surprise that Gates uses an Android phone because he has stated the same several times in the past. But again, why is he not using Microsoft surface Duo if an Android experience is what he wants? Probably because the Surface Duo lacks a foldable display and it cannot match Samsung’s Z Fold 3 in terms of the hinge and technology.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G

Samsung phones are the best alternative for those using Windows OS. Galaxy devices have features to link to Windows and allow PC users to use Android apps on their computers, check Gallery contents, and much more. Gates even acknowledged in the past that Android is more flexible compared to iOS and Android Phone makers pre-install Microsoft software (Which he likes).

To recall, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 comes with a massive screen size, upon unfolding, the device provides a 7.6-inch display. Users can also connect the smartphone to a compatible display to operate in Samsung Dex mode, which gives a desktop-like user experience. It comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G processor and a 4400mAh battery.

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Best Smartphones under Rs 20,000 (May 2022): OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite, POCO X4 Pro 5G, Moto G71, & more

With brands launching new smartphones every week, it becomes hard to keep track of your available options when looking to buy a new model. So here’s a list of our pick of the best smartphones under 20,000 INR (roughly 258 US Dollars).

Redmi Note 10 Pro

The first entry in our list is the Redmi Note 10 Pro. This model from the Chinese brand is packed with some notable specifications, which includes a Snapdragon 732G SoC, a 6.67 inch FHD+ AMOLED panel that supports 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10, and even a 64 megapixel quad camera setup. It also has a 5020mAh battery pack that supports 33W fast charging. For enthusiasts, the device supports bootloader unlocking and is backed by a very large 3rd party development community.

Best Smartphones

While the device had seen a price hike in the past, it is now available for just 15,999 INR (roughly 206 US Dollars) in India on Amazon for its 6GB RAM + 128GB configuration. With these specs, its clear that this model is a great buy for people looking to buy a phone under 20K INR. Although its unfortunate that it does not support 5G networking, it still has a great price to spec ratio and is definitely a worthwhile consideration.

POCO X4 Pro 5G

Under this price bracket, we can expect to see Chinese handsets dominating the segment, with the POCO X4 Pro 5G being one of them. Talking about its specs first, it sports a 6.67 inch FHD+ AMOLED panel that supports 120Hz refresh rate on the front, while the rear features a 64 megapixel quad camera setup on a large module. Under the hood, it houses a Snapdragon 695 SoC and is powered by a large 5,000mAh battery pack that supports 67W fast charging as well.

Best Smartphones

Notably, the X4 Pro model is basically a rebranded Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G, with a fresh coat of paint a slightly different rear design. Since it is based on the MIUI platform, it even supports bootloader unlocking, which lets enthusiasts customize their device to a greater degree thanks to custom ROMs. The company has always placed a focus on the aesthetics of their phones and the X4 Pro is undoubtedly one of the more attractive looking models on this list. The smartphone is listed on Flipkart right now and has a price tag of 18,999 INR for its 6GB + 64GB variant and you can even opt for 8GB RAM and 128GB storage options as well.

OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G

Over the last couple of years, OnePlus has started launching mid range offerings from its Nord series. One of the newer additions in the Nord family is the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G. Under the hood, the device houses the Snapdragon 695 SoC and a 5,000mAh battery pack that supports 33W fast charging. On the rear, it features a 64 megapixel triple camera setup while the front sports a 6.59 inch LCD panel with a FHD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate.

OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G

This model is also a rebranded Realme 9 Pro that is just available in different color options. So, you can also check out that model as well, which is slightly cheaper. The Nord CE 2 Lite is priced at 19,999 INR and is listed on Amazon for its 6GB + 128GB model. Despite being a mid range handset, OnePlus still seeks to deliver a premium experience on their Nord phones too. At this price point, the device offers great value for its price. So those looking to buy a OnePlus phone at a budget, you can look out for this one. Similar to the Xiaomi models, this handset also supports bootloader unlocking for enthusiasts that plan on using custom ROMs.

Samsung Galaxy M33 5G

While Chinese brands do have a strong hold in the segment, Samsung also has a diverse portfolio of mid range handsets from its Galaxy M series. The Galaxy M33 5G arrives with the company’s proprietary Exynos 1280 SoC and is powered by a massive 6,000mAh battery pack that supports 25W fast charging. Samsung has promised two major Android updates and up to four years of security updates. So, its a great option for those that do not upgrade their phones in just a few years.

Best Smartphones

The front sports a 6.6 inch FHD+ LCD panel that has 120Hz refresh rate, while the rear houses a 50 megapixel quad camera setup. Battery life is definitely a strong suit of this model, with the phone also being one of the more affordable phones on this list. It is currently priced at 17,999 INR on Amazon for the 6GB + 128GB model. It can also be purchased with 8GB of RAM.

iQOO Z6 5G

In this price range, the Snapdragon 695 SoC is a popular chipset with brands. The iQOO Z6 5G is also one such models that features this processor. It packs a 5,000mAh battery pack that supports 18W fast charging. The device sports a 6.58 inch LCD panel that has a 120Hz refresh rate and FHD+ resolution like the other models in this list. Interestingly, it is by far one of the cheapest entries as well with its price starting from 15,499 INR on Amazon for its 4GB + 128GB option.

The 8GB RAM variant goes up to about 17,999 INR, but that is still quite the value for a mid range handset. Other features include, a 50 megapixel triple camera setup on the rear, Android 12 OS, 5 layer liquid cooling for improved thermal management, which helps makes the mobile gaming experience better. Notably, the iQOO Z6 is also a rebranded Vivo T1 that has a similar price tag, so you can also check out the other model as well if you prefer FunTouch OS.

Moto G71 5G

Despite having an unsteady footing over the last couple of years, Motorola has managed to carve its own space in the smartphone market again. Its mid range handset portfolio has seen success in certain regions including India, with the Moto G series still being a popular choice for users looking for a new stock Android experience. Under the hood, the Moto G71 is equipped with a Snapdragon 695 SoC and is powered by a 5,000mAh battery pack that supports 33W fast charging.

Best Smartphones

On the front, it sports a 6.4 inch display that has a FHD+ AMOLED panel, but unfortunately, it only supports standard 60Hz refresh rate. So, this model isn’t as great for gaming, but it still offers a solid Android experience. Other features include a 50 megapixel triple camera setup, support for 13 5G bands, Dolby Atmos audio, and more.

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Realme C30 Indian launch timeline, storage & color variants revealed

Earlier this year, Realme launched the Realme C31 budget-friendly smartphone in India. The device came with a large 6.5-inch HD+ display, a triple camera setup, and a 5,000mAh battery.

realme C31
Realme C31

Now, a MySmartPrice report has revealed that the brand plans to debut another affordable smartphone in India that might be cheaper than the current offering.

According to the report, the upcoming device will come with the Realme C30 moniker and will debut in the Indian market in the month of June. Other than that, industry sources have revealed that the smartphone will come in two variants. The lower offering will have 2GB RAM and 32GB storage while the top-spec model will combine 3GB of RAM with 32GB of storage. Considering the device will have a 2GB RAM variant, it will likely operate on Android GO-based Realme UI.

The device will reportedly be offered in three color variants namely Denim Black, Lake Blue, and Bamboo Green. Finer details of the device are still under wraps, but looking at the C31, we can expect the Realme C30 to come with an HD+ LCD display panel, a 5000mAh battery, and a UNISOC chipset.

As the device is rumored to debut in June, we expect more specifications to emerge soon, so stay tuned for more.

 

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Moto E32s tipped to launch on May 27 in India, design & specs revealed

Earlier this month, Motorola launched the affordable Moto E32 in the global market. The device sports a 6.5-inch LCD panel and runs on the UNISOC T700 chipset.

Moto E32s

Now, tipster Mukul Sharma has tipped that the company will soon be launching the Moto E32s which will be an India-specific device. The tipster has shared that the device will debut on May 27th in the Indian market and has also revealed its design along with key specifications.

Taking a look at the image, it looks quite similar to the Moto E32s that recently debuted in the Polish market. Sharma informs that the device will feature a slim and stylish look and come with a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate. The drive will run on Android 12-based OS out of the box.

If this device is anything like the Polish variant, we can expect a 12-nm-based MediaTek Helio G37 chipset at its core coupled with 3GB of RAM and at least 32GB of storage. The battery of the device could be of 5,000mAh capacity and the display will likely have HD+ resolution.

Coming to optics, the device could feature a triple camera setup with a 16-megapixel primary shooter, a 2-megapixel macro camera, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. On the front, it could feature an 8-megapixel selfie shooter. Other than that, the device will likely have a side fingerprint reader and face recognition, a USB Type-C port, and an audio jack.

 

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Realme Pad X Roundup: Launch Date, Design, and Specs

Realme currently sells two tablets in multiple markets. However, none of these models are available in the firm’s home country. The company is planning to change it later this week. It is finally going to launch a tablet in China a few days from now. Above all, it will be a new tablet and not an existing product.

The third tablet from Realme is officially called Realme Pad X. The firm has disclosed the design of the device along with some of its specs. Additionally, rumors have also spilled some details on the product.

Let’s take a look at everything that’s known about the Realme Pad X ahead of its release.

Realme Pad X

 

Realme Pad X Launch Date

The Realme Pad X is set to launch in China on May 26. It will be made official at an event, which is scheduled to begin at 2 PM CST / 6 AM UTC +8 / 11:30 AM IST.

Interested readers can watch the live stream on Weibo.

 

Realme Pad X Design

The Realme Pad X will arrive in single and dual-tone rear finishes. The latter design is similar to Lenovo tablets but unsubtle. Even the Oppo Pad and the newly released Oppo Pad Air come with a similar design.

The tablet will have a 7.1mm thickness, a flat frame,  and a single rear camera will be placed on a rectangular island. The volume rocker will be located on the right side, while the power button will be found on the top.

There will be a USB Type-C port at the bottom flanked by speaker grilles on either side. Unfortunately, the renders don’t reveal whether there will be two more speakers at the top. But they do suggest a SIM card slot on the left side.

Realme Pad X

As far as colors are concerned, the Realme Pad X will be available in two single-tone colors (Star Grey, Sea Salt Blue) and one dual-tone color (Bright Chessboard Green).

 

Realme Pad X Specifications

The Realme Pad X will sport an 11-inch display. This screen will have a 2K resolution and will support stylus input. The brand will be selling a first-party stylus accessory separately.

The tablet will be available in at least two memory configurations, such as 4GB + 64GB and 6GB + 128GB. It is expected to come in WiFi-only and WiFi +  LTE variants.

The device is rumored to house a Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 SoC. Anyway, it doesn’t appear to be true as the memory variants are too low for a tablet with a flagship-grade chipset.

Having said that, support for a 120Hz refresh rate and an 8,360mAh battery do sound reasonable. But it’s not certain whether the tablet will carry these features.

Usually, Realme reveals almost everything about its upcoming product before its launch. But this time, the brand hasn’t disclosed enough details about the Realme Pad X.

 

 

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Motorola teases a phone with 200MP camera launching in July

The Motorola Frontier smartphone had been speculated as an upcoming flagship since last year. Well, it seems the smartphone will be launched in July 2022. Motorola China has officially confirmed the scheduled launch of a 200MP smartphone in July. The company, in a new teaser, says that the 200MP camera sensor in the new device is a benchmark for image experience.Motorola

While there are no direct specifics yet apart from its 200MP camera sensor, other details could be pieced out. Motorola is also working on a device powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, believed to be the Frontier. As per the camera setup of the phone, the 200MP sensor is believed to be produced by Samsung. The sensor is capable of 12.5MP or 50MP photos using pixel binning and its remosaicing algorithm. The selfie camera is rated 60MP and the device will also record 8K videos at 30fps.

Previous rumors have hinted that the Motorola Frontier has a 6.67” pOLED screen with a 144Hz display refresh rate. The RAM/ internal storage configurations of the Motorola Frontier are between 8GB/128GB and 12GB/256GB. A 4,500mAh battery is part of the rumoured specs and it supports both wired and wireless charging. The wired charging speed is 125W while wireless charging offers between 30W and 50W. There are no pricing and availability details yet for the upcoming Motorola smartphone.

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Huawei FreeBuds SE with Bluetooth 5.2, sleek design launched

Huawei has launched a new wireless earbuds outside China. The product is dubbed Huawei FreeBuds SE but is yet to be released in China.

The Huawei FreeBuds SE features a classic design with an oval-shaped charging case. The device is available in two color options with the inside of the battery compartment having a darker shade while the outside part has a lighter shade.Huawei FreeBuds SE

In addition, the front of the headphone compartment has a concave treatment at the opening, which is more convenient to open and close. The headphone body is a semi-in-ear design, and the overall design is relatively simple and ergonomic.Huawei FreeBuds SE

The earbuds come with support for Bluetooth 5.2 connection and packs a built-in BES2500IZ processor,. It also comes with support for call noise reduction. In terms of battery life, the FreBuds SE packs a 410mAh battery each and features support for up to 6 hours of music playback or 4 hours of voice calls. With the charging case, the battery can go up to 24 hours of music playback and 16 hours of voice call.

There is no word yet as to the price and availability.

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OPPO Pad Air with 2K LCD display, Snapdragon 680 & 8MP camera launched in China

Earlier this year, OPPO entered the tablet market with its flagship OPPO Pad launch. The company has now launched another tablet dubbed the OPPO Pad Air at the OPPO Reno 8 launch event aimed at the mid-range market. So let’s take a detailed look at the specs and features of this new tablet.

OPPO Pad Air

Design & Display

The tablet has a similar design to the Apple iPad Air and features sizable bezels around the display. On the back, it has a single camera lens, a metallic body, and a unique streak design. The device is only 6.94mm thick and weighs 440 grams.

OPPO Pad Air

The display has a 10.36-inch LCD panel with a resolution of 2000 x 1200 pixels, a 60Hz refresh rate, and an 83.5 percent screen-to-body ratio. It has a brightness of 360nits (typical), covers NTSC TYPE 71% color gamut, and offers a pixel density of 225PPI. Additionally, the display panel offers 10bit color support and features low blue light emission.

Specs

OPPO Pad Air

Under the hood, the OPPO Pad Air comes powered by the 6nm-based Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 octa-core chipset with which is paired the Adreno 610 GPU. It is offered with up to 6GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 128GB of UFS 2.2 internal storage. The Pad Air also has an SD card slot which can expand the memory by up to 512GB. It operates on Android 12-based ColorOS out of the box and has a 7100mAh battery with 18W fast charging support.

OPPO Pad Air

The tablet doesn’t cut corners with its audio system as it features Dolby Atmos tuned quad-speaker setup for powerful and crisp sound. Additionally, the tablet also supports the OPPO stylus with features like 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity and an adjustable tip to make feel more natural while using the stylus.

Other than that, the tablet is packed with multiple sensors like a geomagnetic induction, light sensor, acceleration sensor, gyroscope, hall sensor, and supports step counting function. For connectivity, it has Bluetooth 5.1, WiFi 5, and a USB Type-C slot. It lacks a 3.5mm audio port.

Cameras

Coming to optics, the OPPO Pad Air has an 8-megapixel primary camera with f/2.0 aperture, 80 degrees field of view, and support for Continous Auto Focus. On the front, the tablet has a 5-megapixel sensor with f/2.2 and 77 degrees field of view.

OPPO Pad Air

The rear camera is capable of up to 1080p 30fps video recording and does not support 60 fps recording. The front camera on the other hand is capable of 1080P/720P recording at 30fps and comes with a beauty filter enabled out of the box.

Coming to the camera features of the tablet, the primary camera gets access to portrait, panorama, and time-lapse photography, while the front camera offers portrait and time-lapse photography modes.

Price & availability

The tablet comes in three memory and storage configurations with their prices listed below.

  • 4GB + 64GB – 1299 Yuan ($195)
  • 4GB + 128GB – 1499 Yaun ($225)
  • 6GB + 128GB – 1699 Yuan ($255)

The tablets come in two colors namely Fog Gray and Star Silver.

Additionally, OPPO has also revealed the pricing of the accessories that go along with the OPPO Pad Air. The Stylus and folio case with the keyboard are priced at 299 Yuan ($45) and 349 Yuan ($52) respectively, while the stand cover and screen protector are priced at 99 Yuan ($15) and 59 Yuan ($9). The tablet is available for pre-order in China and will go on the first sale starting May 31.

 

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Acer Swift 3 OLED, Spin 5, Spin 3 with 12th generation Intel Core processors launched

At Global Press Conference today, Acer has launched Swift 3 OLED, Spin 5, and Spin 3 laptops. These are the successors to last year’s models with upgraded hardware and other specifications. The Swift 3 OLED is a mainstream laptop whereas the Spin 5 and Spin 3 are convertible offerings. All three laptops are premium offerings with powerful specifications and features. 

Acer Swift 3 OLED specifications 

Acer Swift 3 OLED

As the name suggests, the Acer Swift 3 OLED comes with an OLED display measuring 14-inches and bearing a WQXGA+ resolution. It offers VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 certification and 92 percent screen-to-body ratio. The laptop features a backlit keyboard and an FHD front-facing webcam. 

Under the hood, the Acer Swift 3 is equipped with up to a 12th generation Intel Core i7 processor paired with Intel Iris Xe graphics. It packs up to 16GB LPDDR5 RAM and 1TB SSD storage. The machine also has dual heat pipes and air inlet keyboard for heat dissipation. 

The Acer Swift 3 is claimed to offer 10 hours of battery life. It comes with connectivity options like WiFi-6E, Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1, and USB 4 ports. 

Acer Spin 5 and Spin 3 specifications 

Acer Spin 5 and 3 laptops

Both the Acer Spin 5 and Spin 3 are two-in-one convertible laptops that can be used in various form factors. Both devices come with a 14-inch WQXGA display with touch support and are also compatible with Acer Active Stylus. The laptops feature an HD webcam with the brand’s AI Noise Reduction technology. 

Internally, the Acer Spin 5 and Spin 3 are powered by up to 12th generation Intel Core i 7 processors. It is coupled with Intel Iris Xe GPU. Both laptops pack up to 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD storage. The Spin 5 is also equipped with a cooling system for heat dissipation. 

Both the Acer Spin 5 and Spin 3 are claimed to deliver 13 hours of battery life. The laptops come with connectivity options like WiFi-6, USB-C ports, and Thunderbolt 4 ports.

Acer Swift 3 OLED, Spin 5, and Spin 3 pricing and availability

The Acer Swift 3 starts at $899 and will be available in Grey and Gold colours in the US from July. The Spin 5 comes in a Grey colour and will also be available in the US from July starting at $1,349. The Spin 3 will start at $849 and will go on sale from August. 

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OPPO Reno 8 series with AMOLED displays, triple rear cameras launched

OPPO Reno 8 series has launched in China today. The lineup comprises the Reno 8, Reno 8 Pro, and Reno 8 Pro+. All three devices come with identical design and a few differences in terms of specifications. The Reno 8 series arrives as the successor to the last year’s Reno 7 series. Alongside the smartphones, OPPO has also announced the OPPO Pad Air. 

OPPO Reno 8 series specifications and features

OPPO-Reno8-series

Beginning with the display, the OPPO Reno 8 and 8 Pro come with a 6.43-inch screen with a punch-hole cutout at the top left corner. The Pro+ model has a larger screen measuring 6.7-inches with a centre-aligned punch. All three smartphones sport an AMOLED panel bearing an FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate except for the vanilla model that maxes out at 90Hz.

Design-wise, the OPPO Reno 8 series features a squarish-shaped camera module that elevates from the back panel. The size of the camera island goes on increasing from the Reno 8 to Reno 8 Pro+. All three smartphones have a boxy form factor and come with an in-screen fingerprint scanner. 

The OPPO Reno 8 series sports triple rear cameras. The setup on the regular variant is consists a 50MP main sensor, 2MP secondary snapper, and a 2MP macro unit. The Pro and Pro+ models have the same sensors except for the 8MP ultra-wide-angle unit. 

The OPPO Reno 8 series comes with the brand’s MariSilicon X chip that is said to offer next-level photography capabilities. All three smartphones feature a 32MP selfie snapper. 

Under the hood, the OPPO Reno 8 houses a Dimensity 1300 SoC whereas the Pro variant is powered by the recently announced Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 processor. On the other hand, the Pro+ model is equipped with a Dimensity 8100-Max chipset. All three smartphones pack up to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. The Reno 8 series is backed by a 4,500mAh battery unit with support for 80W fast charging

OPPO Reno 8 series pricing and availability

The OPPO Reno 8 is priced at Yuan 2,499, Yuan 2,699, and Yuan 2,999 for the 8GB + 128GB, 8GB + 256GB, and 12GB + 256GB RAM and storage configuration. The same configurations of the Reno 8 Pro cost Yuan 2,999, Yuan 3,199, and Yuan 3,499.  Both devices are offered in Clear Sky Blue, Slightly Drunk, and Night Tour Black colour options. 

On the other hand, the Reno 8 Pro+ carries a price tag of Yuan 3,699 3,999  for the 8GB + 256GB and 12GB + 256GB configurations respectively. It will be available in Xiaoyaoqing (mint), Roaming Grey and Undercurrent paint jobs.

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Xiaomi teases Redmi Note 11T Series Astro Boy Special Edition

Xiaomi has just announced that it will be launching the Redmi Note 11T series in a special edition in China. Earlier today (23rd May 2022), the company started sharing teasers for the new Astro Boy Edition of the Note 11T lineup.

Xiaomi

The Redmi Note 11T series is set to be unveiled tomorrow (24th May 2022). It is the latest entries in the popular Note series of smartphones. The latest special edition is collaboration with the popular Astro Boy series. Based on the teasers, it is confirmed that the company will launch the Astro Boy Special Edition for its top end Redmi Note 11T Pro+ variant. So, the special edition will likely feature similar specifications as the Note 11T Pro+, which includes the MediaTek Dimensity 8100 SoC.

Other features include, 6.6 inch 144Hz Full HD+ resolution IPS LCD panel, 120W fast charging support, and a triple camera setup that has a 64 megapixel Samsung ISOCELL GW1 primary sensor. Apart from these specs, the Astro Boy special edition stands out for its unique design and aesthetics that showcase the iconic character. We can see that the smartphone carries a sketch of the smartphone on the rear panel.

Xiaomi

Furthermore, the company will also offer a custom theme for this special edition, which is inspired by the Astro Boy series. Even the retail box will be special, with a sketch of the character and possibly other accessories as well. The new special edition will be announced alongside the Redmi Note 11T series tomorrow, so stick around for more updates.

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MediaTek Dimensity 930, Helio G99 Launch: TSMC 6nm Brings Exceptional Power Efficiency

MediaTek’s processor family has 3 brand new additions today – the Dimensity 1050, Dimensity 930, and Helio G99 SoC. We’ve covered the Dimensity 1050 SoC launch here earlier but do not dismiss the Dimensity 930 and Helio G99 processors as well because MediaTek is promising exceptional power efficiency from both chipsets because the company has chosen to manufacture both SoCs on TSMC’s N6 (6nm class) chip fabrication process. 

MediaTek Dimensity 930 5G

The MediaTek Dimensity 930 SoC is the successor to last year’s Dimensity 920 SoC which was found on devices such as the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ and Realme 9 Pro+. The basics of the Dimensity 930 seem to be essentially the same as last year’s offering as the Dimensity 920 features an octa-core setup with 2x ARM Cortex-A78 performance cores that can be clocked up to 2.2GHz, and 6x Arm Cortex-A55 clocked up to 2GHz. 

MediaTek Dimensity-930-SoC next

But what is surprisingly different here is that the Dimensity 920 last year had the same exact setup but with the Cortex-A78 cores clocked in higher at 2.5GHz. So in short, the Dimensity 930 features downclocked performance over its predecessor which could lead to better battery performance in the newer devices sporting this chipset.

But the most eye-opening highlight here is that Dimensity 930 finally supports high-end UFS 3.1 storage and fast LPDDR5 memory, a feature once only reserved for the flagship market has now come to the mid-rangers!

MediaTek Dimensity-930-SoC sheet

Connectivity-wise, the MediaTek Dimensity 930 supports True Dual 5G SIM (5G SA + 5G SA) giving users consistent 5G speeds, and the opportunity for VoNR to provide the best quality voice and video call experience from both dual SIM connections. Unfortunately, the Dimensity 930 SoC is still stuck on the older WiFi 5 standard and Bluetooth 5.2 standards, which is a shame considering Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 680 already supports Wi-Fi 6.

MediaTek Helio G99 LTE

The MediaTek Helio G99 is the company’s latest SoC built for affordable 4G gaming smartphones. MediaTek has finally switched over from TSMC’s 12nm node foundry over to the newer 6nm node process for the Helio G99 SoC. In turn, the new Helio G99 SoC is able to deliver 30 per cent better power efficiency and battery life for gaming compared to the older 12nm Helio G96 processor.

MediaTek Helio G99

The fundamental core setup for the Helio G99 has also changed as well. The Helio G99 SoC is now a new octa-core processor that features 2x ARM Cortex-A76 performance cores that can run up to 2.2GHz and 6x ARM Cortex-A55 efficiency cores that run up to 2.0GHz. If this sounds familiar, it is because the octa-setup is the same found on the higher end Dimensity 930!

Connectivity-wise, the Helio G99 unfortunately does not support 5G, instead it features an essential dual 4G SIM support that provides a seamless experience with fast data services from both connections, while VoLTE and ViLTE services provide excellent call and live video experiences with faster call setup and noticeably better quality than standard calling.

The Helio G99 comes with an ARM Mali-G57 MC2 GPU with support for LPDDR4X Memory and UFS 2.2 storage. The SoC also features WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.2 and support for FHD+ 120Hz displays. 

MediaTek-Helio-G99-4G-sheet

MediaTek has collaborated with its Android smartphone partners to bring the Dimensity 930 SoC to market as soon as Q2 2022, and the Helio G99 SoC to market as soon as Q3 2022.

 

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(Source 1, Source 2)

Samsung Galaxy M13 5G reportedly Bags TUV Rheinland Certification, Tipped to support 15W Fast Charging

Samsung Galaxy M13 5G is said to be in the works. The company is yet to make an announcement regarding Galaxy M13 5G arrival, but the handset has reportedly bagged TUV Rheinland certification with model number SM-M135F/DS. This hints that the launch of the phone is imminent. The listing also suggests the charging support of the Galaxy M13 5G.

As per a report by MySmartPrice, Samsung Galaxy M13 5G with model number SM-M135F/DS has gained approval from the TUV Rheinland certification site. As per the listing, the smartphone will carry support for 15W fast Charging. However, battery capacity and other specifications of the smartphone are unknown at this moment.

Galaxy M13 5G with the model number SM-M135M has recently appeared on the certification website of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The smartphone was also spotted on the Bluetooth SIG website.

It is possible that Samsung is working on two different variants of the smartphone because the model number seen on the TUV Rheinland website is different from the one spotted on the FCC website.

Samsung Galaxy M13 5G Specifications (Expected)

As seen in some leaked images, the Samsung Galaxy M13 5G may have dual rear cameras with a 50MP main camera sensor and a 2MP depth sensor accompanied by an LED flash. The smartphone is said to feature a waterdrop-style notch on the display to house the selfie snapper. As mentioned above Samsung Galaxy M13 5G will likely come with the support of 15W fast charging.

Samsung Galaxy M12 Featured
Samsung Galaxy M12

The handset could feature a 6.5-inch IPS LCD with an HD+ resolution. Currently, we don’t have information regarding the processor and other main features of the smartphone. We’ll know more in the coming weeks.

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Alleged Realme V21 5G spotted on 3C certification with 10W charging, could launch soon

Last week, A new Realme device with model number RMX3610 appeared on TENAA listings. Reliable tipster WHY LAB has claimed that this device will arrive with the Realme V21 5G moniker in China.

Realme RMX3610

Now, the same device has been spotted on China Compulsory Certification (3C) listing confirming its power adapter wattage and connectivity capabilities. According to the listing, the Realme RMX3610 will come with a 10W power adapter in the box. This could mean that the smartphone might feature support for 10W fast charging. Other than that, the device is confirmed to come with support for 5G.

The previous TENAA listing of the Realme RMX3610 revealed that the device has an HD+ resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels. The device is powered by an octa-core processor clocked at 2.2GHz and it will come paired with 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of internal storage in China. The operating system details of the device are not available yet, however, it is clear that the smartphone will pack a 4,890mAh battery (rated capacity).

The device will measure 164.4 x 75.1 x 8.1mm dimensions and weighs around 184 grams. It is also revealed to lack a fingerprint sensor, meaning that users will likely only get the option of face unlock for biometrics. Lastly, the smartphone will come in Blue and Black color variants.

Almost all key specifications of the device have been revealed at this point and the remaining details like information about the SoC and Android version along with the launch timeline are expected to surface in the coming days, so stay tuned for more.

 

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(Via)

 

Xiaomi x Leica partnership will bring improved night mode in next gen flagship phone: CEO

Earlier today (23rd May 2022), Xiaomi had announced that it will be partnering up with Leica for its next generation of flagship smartphones. Now, the company’s CEO talked more about the new collaboration.

Xiaomi 12 Ultra Leica

Lei Jun, CEO and Founder of the Chinese tech giant, took to Twitter (now deleted) to share some details regarding the new partnership with Leica. He stated that just a few years ago, smartphone photography in low light was just “smears of darkness.” But now, there has been a huge improvement in overall night performance. He added that with the new collaboration, newer milestones will be reached. Lei Jun believes that current smartphones do not capture the true essence of the night and just light up the low light scene. But the collaboration will help make low light scenes have a “sense of night” and not just shots that are bright as day.

The senior official stated that the partnership with Leica was chosen due to their century long years of experience. Leica specializes in a variety of aspects ranging from optics, imaging, image processing, and is even experienced in the smartphone industry as well. Notably, Lei Jun also revealed that the first co-engineered product that takes advantage of the Xiaomi x Leica co-development efforts will be launching sometime in July 2022.

 

Xiaomi

In other words, the next gen flagship smartphone with improved camera performance will be announced soon. As of right now finer details regarding this device is unknown, although, we can expect to hear more regarding this in the coming weeks. The brand is working in depth with Leica to offer an improved camera experience on the upcoming handset.

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Honor 70 series may feature 54MP Sony IMX800 main camera

The Honor 70 series is scheduled to launch on May 30 in China. The Chinese manufacturer is expected to announce the Honor 70, Honor 70 Pro, and Honor 70 Pro+ smartphones at the upcoming launch event. Reliable tipster Bald is Panda has shared key details of the Honor 70 lineup.

The new leak states that the Honor 70 series will be equipped with the 54-megapixel Sony IMX800 primary camera. However, it does not clearly specify whether all three Honor 70 models will be equipped with the Sony IMX800 lens.

Honor 70 series leak

The leak further mentions that the Honor 70 Pro will be equipped with the Dimensity 8000 chipset, whereas the Pro+ edition will feature the Dimensity 9000 SoC. While it is not mentioned in the leak, it appears that the vanilla Honor 70 will arrive with the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset.

Both smartphones are expected to carry support for 100W wired charging. Hence, it appears that the Honor phones with model numbers SDY-AN00 and HPB-AN00 that have been spotted with a 100W charger on the 3C certification platform could be the Honor 70 Pro and 70 Pro+, respectively.

Honor 70 and Honor 70 Pro
Honor 70 and Honor 70 Pro

Previous reports have claimed that the Honor 70 series will be equipped with BOE-supplied OLED panels. It is speculated that the Honor 70 Pro and 70 Pro+ will carry support for LTPO technology. The vanilla model may pack a 4,800mAh battery with 66W fast charging. A 4,600mAh battery may power the Honor 70 Pro and 70 Pro+.

Since there is a week remaining for the Honor 70 series launch event, the rumor mill is expected to leak more details on its specs in the coming days. The Honor 70 lineup is expected to rival the OPPO Reno8 lineup, the Redmi Note 11T series, and the Vivo S15 lineup in China.

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Samsung offers new Green colored Galaxy S22 Ultra in a special deal

Samsung is offering the Galaxy S22 Ultra‘s new color variant in a special promotional deal. Now, the company’s top end flagship model in the new Green color option will be available at a discounted price under 70,000 INR (roughly 902 US Dollars). So here’s how to avail this deal.

Samsung

For those unaware, the South Korean tech giant’s Galaxy S22 Ultra is available in a Burgundy, Phantom Black, and Phantom White color options. Now, the brand has released the device in a Green variant as well. Although, this version of the smartphone will only be available in the 256GB of internal storage, which is the base variant of the flagship phone. In other words, the 512GB and 1TB storage configurations are only offered with the Burgundy and Phantom Black options.

Interestingly, the company is offering the new Green Galaxy S22 Ultra with a new promotional deal as well. In a new deal, Samsung is giving prospective buyers an upgrade bonus of 12,000 INR (roughly 154 US Dollars). It is marketing this deal as ‘old device value,’ which helps bring down the cost of the Galaxy S22 Ultra by about 31,000 INR (roughly 399 US Dollars). This deal seems to target existing owners of flagship grade handset’s that are looking for an upgrade.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

So with all of these deals combined, the cost of the Galaxy S22 Ultra Green color option would be around 66,999 INR (roughly 902 US Dollars). Notably, the brand has also included a Galaxy Watch 4 smartwatch as well with this deal, which costs 26,999 INR (roughly 864 US Dollars), for just 2,999 INR (roughly 39 US Dollars). Simply put, owners of a three year old Galaxy Note 10 Plus can available the smartwatch and the new Galaxy S22 Ultra for just 70,000 INR.

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How to watch the Redmi Note 11T series launch event on May 24

Redmi has scheduled a launch event in China for tomorrow (May 24). The company will be debuting the Redmi Note 11T series at this conference. These smartphones will not be the only products at the event. The brand has also confirmed to announce a fitness tracker, a pair of TWS earphones, and a laptop.

If you are interested in watching this conference, then you have come to the right place. In this article, we will guide you on how and when to watch the Redmi Note 11T series launch event.

Redmi Note 11T Pro Plus
Redmi Note 11T Pro Plus

 

When is the Redmi Note 11T series launch event?

The Redmi Note 11T series launch event will take place on May 24 in China. It is scheduled to start from 7 PM CST, which translates to 11 AM UTC +8 and 4:30 PM IST.

 

How to watch the Redmi Note 11T series launch event?

Redmi will be live streaming the event on leading Chinese video streaming platforms. It is best to watch on Weibo as you can also go through live posts.

Simply visit the official Weibo profile of Redmi on the day of the conference to watch it.

As mentioned earlier, the event will kickstart at 7 PM CST on May 24.

 

What are the products expected at the Redmi Note 11T series launch event?

Unsurprisingly the Redmi Note 11T smartphones will be the main products at the conference. The brand is expected to debut two models in the lineup. You can learn more about them in our roundup.

Additionally, as we revealed at the beginning of this post, the phones will be also accompanied by three ecosystem devices.

Hence, the following five products are expected to go official.

  • Redmi Note 11T Series
    • Redmi Note 11T Pro
    • Redmi Note 11T Pro Plus
  • Xiaomi Band 7
  • Redmi Buds 4 Pro
  • Redmibook Pro 2022 Ryzen Edition

 

 

 

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