ASUS 8z has debuted in India. The company had first teased the arrival of the ASUS 8z back in August 2021. For unknown reasons, the company did not launch the smartphone in India last year. Today, it finally unveiled the compact flagship phone in the country with a price tag of Rs 42,999 (~$570).
ASUS 8z specifications and features
The ASUS 8z has a 5.9-inch S-AMOLED display that offers a 20:9 aspect ratio, an FHD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10, HDR10+, 1,100 nits of brightness, and Gorilla Glass Victus protection. The display punch-hole placed at the top-left corner has a 12-megapixel Sony IMX663 selfie camera with an f/2.2 aperture and dual PD autofocus.
The back panel of the ASUS 8z features a dual-camera system, which comprises a 64-megapixel Sony IMX686 main camera with an f/1.8 aperture and 4-axis OIS support. It is accompanied by a 12-megapixel Sony IMX363 ultrawide camera. The 8z carries support for 3-axis EIS, motion tracking, up to 4K UHD 120fps slow-motion video recording, and up to 8K video shooting.
ASUS 8Z
The ASUS 8z is powered by the Snapdragon 888 mobile platform. It is equipped with 8 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 128 GB of UFS 3.1 storage. It lacks a microSD card slot. The handset comes pre-installed with Android 11 OS and Zen UI. It is packed with a 4,000mAh battery that supports 30W fast charging (Quick Charge 5).
The device comes connectivity features such as dual SIM support, 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS, a USB-C port, Dirac tuned dual stereo speakers, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Lastly, it comes equipped with an IP68 rated dustproof and water-resistant chassis. The ASUS 8z is the very same device that debuted as the ZenFone 8 in the global markets last year.
ASUS 8z price in India
The ASUS 8z is priced at Rs 42,999 (~$570) for the sole 8 GB RAM + 128 GB storage variant. It comes in Obsidian Black and Horizon Silver. The device will be available for purchase through Flipkart starting from 12 pm (local time) on March 7.
Last year, the POCO F3 was released as a rebranded Redmi K40. The Redmi K50 is expected to debut in March. Going by its predecessor, it may break cover as POCO F4 in international markets. However, as of now, there’s no proof for this claim. Amidst this, a reliable tipster has now shared the key specs of the mysterious POCO F4 before the brand could even announce the launch date.
POCO F3
Leaker Yogesh Brar has disclosed the primary specifications of the upcoming POCO F4 on Twitter. According to him, the device will be powered by the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 SoC as its forerunner POCO F3. The chipset will be paired with LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 storage.
The handset will sport a 6.3-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It will house a triple camera system on the rear consisting of a 50MP primary sensor, a 13MP ultra-wide unit, and a 5MP telemacro snapper. Whereas, for selfies and video calls, the phone will use a 32MP shooter.
On the software front, the POCO F4 will boot MIUI 13 based on Android 12. It will get its juice from a 4,5000mAh battery, which will be able to charge at 67W.
Last but not least, the smartphone will arrive in 6GB, 8GB, and 12GB RAM versions coupled with either 128GB or 256GB storage.
Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov wrote a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook earlier this week. In this letter, the government official asked to stop the sales of its products and even block Russia’s access to its App Store.
Fedorov’s letter stated that he is asking for the Cupertino based giant’s support amid the ongoing crisis (the invasion of Ukraine). It is asking the brand to stop supply its services and products to users in Russia. At the moment, Apple sells its iPhones, Macs, and other products through its official website in Russia. However, the US has already pushed sanctions that will prevent the company from exporting select products to Russia. But, this move might have not affected the brand yet since it has not stopped sales as of right now.
The letter states “I appeal to you and I am sure you will not only hear, but also do everything possible to protect Ukraine, Europe, and finally, the entire democratic world from bloody authoritarian aggression – to stop supplying Apple services and products to the Russian Federation, including blocking access to App Store! We are sure that such actions will motivate youth and active population of Russia to proactively stop the disgraceful military aggression.”
I’ve contacted @tim_cook, Apple's CEO, to block the Apple Store for citizens of the Russian Federation, and to support the package of US government sanctions! If you agree to have the president-killer, then you will have to be satisfied with the only available site Russia 24. pic.twitter.com/b5dm78g2vS
Recently, Apple CEO Tim Cook said that he was “deeply concerned” with the situation in Ukraine and that Apple will be “supporting local humanitarian efforts.” Currently, the App Store in Russia is operational, although, sanctions on banks have interfered with Apple Pay. This includes five major Russian banks that are no longer eligible for Apple Pay or Google Pay.
As a company that focuses on both online and offline retail, Apple has always tried to attract its offline customers with its warm and friendly customer service coupled with its uniquely designed Apple stores, to create a nice and inviting atmosphere to shop for Apple products.
Apple’s newest and latest retail store arrives in the heart of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi. Apple Al Maryah Island Store opened last Friday, February 25, a new retail destination elevated above steps of cascading water. Serving as Apple’s newest store in the United Arab Emirates, the space delivers the best of Apple with shoreline views amid Abu Dhabi’s prestigious financial district.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to open the stunning Apple Al Maryah Island,” said Deirdre O’Brien, Apple’s senior vice president of Retail + People. “Our talented team is ready to welcome and delight customers from this vibrant community to our newest location in the Emirates.”
To celebrate the grand opening, the store will debut three unique Today at Apple sessions that draw inspiration from the beautiful surroundings and creative culture of Abu Dhabi:
Photo Walk: Fluidity and Motion with iPhone 13 Pro, co-created with local photographer Mohamed Somji
Music Walk: Liquid Soundscapes with GarageBand
Art Walk: Drawing Creativity Within Session Guide
Hosted in the Forum, Today at Apple sessions will invite the local community into the new store.
Coming to the design, Apple Al Maryah Island introduces several new design elements reflective of its surroundings. From the promenade, two ramps paved with Absolute Black granite stone cut through water and continue seamlessly inside the store, blurring the barrier between inside and out. The store also features a golden carbon fibre roof locally sourced in the UAE. At the entrance of The Galleria Al Maryah Island Mall, visitors entering will walk through a mirrored stainless steel portal, enveloped by the sights and sounds of water jets cascading over exterior glass walls. A 72-foot-long mirrored foil ceiling creates a kaleidoscopic effect, with water falling down the walls, and reflections seen below.
For the interior, guests are greeted with panoramic views of Abu Dhabi’s extraordinary skyline. When looking up, customers will also find a one-of-a-kind ceiling made of stretched gold fabric. The glass walls bring in the natural light, with ficus trees adding greenery to the interior. In addition, the store also features an innovative radiant floor system combined with displacement ventilation that helps cool the building.
Apple’s new store features a multicultural team of more than 80 members who represent 28 nationalities and collectively speak over 30 languages, including Arabic, French, Hindi, Tagalog, and more. Throughout the expansive space, customers can get shopping assistance from highly knowledgeable Apple specialists as they explore the latest products, learn more about Apple services such as the Trade-In program, or receive expert advice and support at the Genius Grove.
Along with the Nokia C21 and C21 Plus smartphones, HMD Global has also launched another C-series smartphone in the European market, dubbed as Nokia C2 2nd Edition.
As the name itself indicates, it is launched as a successor to the Nokia C2 that was announced in 2020. The Nokia C2 2nd Edition comes in two color options — Dark Blue and Warm Grey. The company is yet to reveal pricing and availability details.
The Nokia C2 2nd Edition features a 5.7-inch display that offers a screen resolution of 480 x 960 pixels and an aspect ratio of 18:9. The company has not specified which processor is powering the device but it has been revealed that it is powered by a Unisoc quad-core SoC running at a clock speed of 1.5GHz.
The device is offered in two models — 1GB RAM with 32GB of internal storage and 2GB RAM with 32GB of internal storage. Both of them come with a microSD card slot, allowing users to expand the storage capacity.
In the camera department, the smartphone has an 8-megapixel camera sensor on the back and a 5-megapixel snapper on the front side. It comes with support for Face Unlock as well as fingerprint sensor for added security.
It runs the Android 11 Go Edition operating system and the company has promised to release security updates for two years. The device is powered by a 2,400mAh battery and supports just 5W charging.
The Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2022 event is now live. Samsung is one of the first brands to announce new products at the MWC event. The South Korean tech giant has unveiled the Galaxy Book2 Pro and Galaxy Book2 Pro 360.
Galaxy Book2 Pro, Galaxy Book2 Pro 360 specifications
The Galaxy Book2 Pro has a 13.3-inch display, whereas the Galaxy Book2 Pro 360 has a 15.6-inch screen. Both phones offer a 16:9 aspect ratio. Both devices are equipped with AMOLED displays that offer a Full HD resolution with 400 nits of brightness while regular viewing. The brightness can reach up to 500 nits while viewing HDR content. The 13.3-inch model weighs 1.04kg, whereas the 15.6-inch variant weighs 1.41kg.
Samsung Galaxy Book2 Pro
Both models run on Windows 11 OS and carry support for S Pen, which lacks support for Bluetooth connectivity. With reduced latency, the S Pen can be used for drawing and writing. The Samsung Notes app promises improvements in departments like handwriting recognition and hyperlink support. The app can instantly synch with respective apps running on Galaxy devices.
The Galaxy Book2 Pro and Book2 Pro 360 are powered by the 12th generation Intel Core i7 and Core i5 processors, up to 32 GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and up to 1 TB of NVMe SSD storage. The Book2 Pro has a 63Wh battery, while the Book2 Pro 360 packs a 68Wh battery. Both carry support for 65W fast charging through USB-C.
Both notebooks come with Dolby Atmos powered dual stereo 4 speakers. These devices are equipped with connectivity features such as Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.1, and 5G (only on Pro). When it comes to ports, these devices offer a Thunderbolt 4, a USB-C port (two on 360), 2 x USB 3.2 Type-A ports, an HDMI port, a microSD card slot, a 3.5mm audio jack.
Galaxy Book2 Pro, Galaxy Book2 Pro 360 pricing, availability
The Galaxy Book2 Pro is priced at $1,049 and it will be available in colors such as Silver and Graphite. On the other side, the Galaxy Book2 Pro 360 costs $1,249 and comes in Burgundy, Graphite, and Silver colors. Both models will go on sale from April 1 in the U.S,
OnePlus announced the OnePlus 10 Pro at the beginning of this month in China. The Chinese manufacturer is expected to release the OnePlus 10 Pro in global markets in March or April. Fresh information reveals that the company is working on a new smartphone that will feature the upcoming Dimensity 8100 chip. Reliable tipster Digital Chat Station has leaked the key specifications of the phone.
According to the tipster, the Dimensity 8100 powered OnePlus phone will feature a 6.7-inch OLED display with a centered positioned punch-hole. The rear side of the phone will be equipped with a 50-megapixel Sony IMX766 main camera.
The device is said to be equipped with a 4,500mAh battery. He further claimed that it will carry support for 120W fast charging. The other specifications of the phone are under the wraps. Also, there is no word on the final moniker of the device. There is a possibility that this device may launch as the OnePlus 10 series phone in China.
OnePlus 10 Pro white edition
This phone appears to be similar to the Realme GT Neo3, which is also rumored to feature the Dimensity 8100 chipset. Reports have revealed that the GT Neo3 will house a 6.7-inch OLED FHD+ display with a centrally placed punch-hole. It will carry support for a 120Hz refresh rate. The device will feature a 16-megapixel front-facing camera.
The rear camera of the phone will feature an OIS-assisted 50-megapixel Sony IMX766 main camera. It will be accompanied by an 8-megapixel lens and a 2-meagpixel snapper. The handset may come with up to 12 GB of RAM and up to 512 GB of internal storage.
The GT Neo3 is expected to arrive in two battery variants. The 4,500mAh battery variant of the phone is likely to carry support for 150W fast charging. The other variant of the device will house a 5,000mAh battery with 80W rapid charging. It will come preinstalled with Android 12 OS and Realme UI 3.0.
A couple of years ago, the Xiaomi-backed Redmi brand launched its first-ever monitor in the market with Redmi Display 1A. Since then, the company has been introducing new models in the market at regular intervals.
Today, the company has launched a new gaming monitor in its home country China which will go on sale from 4th March at a price of 1,599 yuan (approximately $253).
The new Redmi Gaming Monitor features a 23.8-inch display with a Full HD screen resolution and up to 240Hz refresh rate. The company adds that it uses FAST IPS technology and has a 1ms response time.
It is also certified for AMD FreeSync Premium and has a 100% sRGB color gamut, support for DC Dimming, and is said to be certified for protection from Blue Light.
As for the design, the new 23.8-inch Redmi Gaming Monitor has a narrow-frame bezel design from the three sides. There’s also a magnetic back cover at the IO panel and the base has support for vertical adjustment and rotating adjustment using which the monitor can also be used in a portrait or vertical position.
Coming to the interfaces, the monitor comes with two HDMI 2.1 ports and one DisplayPort 1.2, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Huawei‘s Consumer Business Group Strategy Marketing Department Vice President, Li Changzhou has stated that the Huawei Mate 50 will indeed be a reality. The Huawei VP alluded to a community forum. The statement seemingly puts to rest the insinuation which was already gathering traction that the Mate 50 family was never to transit into a sellable product lineup.
Huawei Mate 40
Huawei has had a mixed bag of fortunes within the past year as it tries to pick up from the debilitating US sanctions regime. A canceled product offering could well be one of its least worries, but the strong confirmation by Huawei will calm some frayed nerves.
In 2021, Huawei could only unveil a single flagship line – the P50, and industry watchers had expected the Mate lineup should have been a concurrent flagship addition. Huawei continues to shore up its architecture as it fashions out a long-term response to US sanctions.
Li Changzhou was speaking on the eve of MWC 2022 and the company’s upcoming Spring 2022 Smart Office Live event. The specific optics of the statement relating to the Mate 50 indicates that Huawei may be working on the development of the Mate 50 after all. However, we are left in the dark about the possible release date for the Mate 50, if indeed it is under development.
There are reports that a new Huawei Mate device could surface by the middle of 2022. There is no way of verifying the information, as Huawei remains blank at this time. However, we expect a minimum of a 2nd-gen Snapdragon 8 chipset.
A Maryland, US resident has relived her experience of retrieving her missing iPhone in the toilet after reporting the device lost since 2012. In a story monitored on the U.S. Sun, Becki Beckmann retrieved her iPhone from her toilet, ten years after the device was lost.
Despite efforts to get the device, Beckmann was unable to pinpoint what happened to her iPhone in 2012. Having moved on, she had forgotten about the phone and had already gotten a replacement. But a persistent sound from a toilet in Beckmann’s apartment warranted closer scrutiny of what was producing a sound whenever the toilet was flushed.
Beckmann’s husband then discovered that it was indeed the lost iPhone from 2012, which had fallen into the toilet. Given the disorienting nature of the toilet chamber, it was impressive that the iPhone still retained its basic structure, although the rear cover had separated from the phone. Sadly, iPhones only got water resistance in 2016 starting with the iPhone 7 series.
It is unclear whether the iPhone which looks like an iPhone 4 could still be restored to working conditions, but in all, we could say that the iPhone held its own in its decade-long sojourn beneath its owner. There were several opinions on the Facebook post detailing the sojourn of the iPhone in the toilet. Some views are challenging whether indeed the iPhone was in the toilet for ten years or it recently got stuck there.
HMD Global, the Finland-based company that launches new Nokia-branded smartphones, has now announced two new devices in the brand’s budget-focused C-series, dubbed Nokia C21 and Nokia C21 Plus.
As for the pricing, the Nokia C21 starts at around £83 while the Nokia C21 Plus has a starting price of about £100. While the standard model is said to go on sale from March, the Plus model will be available in select markets from April.
The Nokia C21 is a pretty upscale smartphone compared to what the company has been offering so far in the C-series. It comes with a metal chassis that is rated IP52 for water and dust resistance.
It features a 6.5-inch HD+ display that offers a screen resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels with an aspect ratio of 20:9. Under the hood, the device is powered by the Unisoc SC9863A octa-core processor, coupled with PowerVR GE8322 GPU.
The device comes in three memory options — 2GB RAM, 3GB RAM, and 4GB RAM along with an option to choose from two internal storage — 32GB of 64GB. There’s also a microSD card slot for expanding the storage capacity.
In the camera department, there’s a dual-camera setup on the back that includes a 13-megapixel primary sensor and a 2-megapixel depth sensor with an LED flash. On the front side, there’s a 5-megapixel snapper for taking selfies and video calling.
The smartphone is running the Android 11 Go Edition operating system out-of-the-box and the company has promised to offer quarterly security updates for two years. Interestingly, there are two battery options — 5,050mAh and 4,000mAh battery.
On the other hand, the Nokia C21 features the same 6.5-inch HD+ 20:9 display with a screen resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels. It also has a metal frame but the company has dropped the IP ratings.
Under the hood, this one too comes powered by the Unisoc SC9863A processor but the memory options are limited to 2GB RAM or 3GB RAM and 32GB or 64GB internal storage. It also has a microSD card slot for expanding the storage capacity.
The phone has an 8-megapixel camera sensor on the back and a 5-megapixel snapper on the front side. It runs the Android 11 Go Edition operating system with a promise of getting security updates for two years and the device is powered by a 3,000mAh battery.
Huawei is definitely not having an easy ride this year as it continues to struggle to deal with the challenges that came with the US ban. Interestingly, the company has devised some strategies to ensure it is still able to remain in the consumer electronics market, like releasing its flagship models without 5G support, among others. The company is also intensifying its innovative drive as it has released a number of cool products for the global market. The latest of such innovative products is the Huawei MatePad Paper which the company just announced.
The Huawei MatePad Paper is a tablet/ e-book reader with some impressive features that will ensure it performs the dual function effectively. The MatePad Paper packs a 10.3-inch grayscale display screen with a resolution of 1872 x 1404 pixels and an aspect ratio of 227 PPI. The e-ink display comes with added features such as an anti-glare and reflective screen that aids low-light use. Huawei says the slate is capable of reproducing 256 shades of greyscale to display text and images as well as videos. That is if you don’t mind viewing the videos in black and white. The tablet also comes with 32 levels of backlighting.
As an e-book reader, the device packs trimmed down bezels on the top, bottom, and right edges while the left edge is slightly wider to give the outlook of a book that is opened. As a result of the reduced bezels, the device features a screen-to-body ratio of 86.3%.
Furthermore, the MatePad Paper runs on a Hexa-core processor paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. The device is compatible with the M-Pencil (second generation) that Huawei launched for its high-end tablets. Thus, you can take notes, annotate, edit books and other documents. The screen is well responsive to the stylus as Huawei tweaked the sensitivity of the textured screen. The M-Pencil features 4096 Levels of Pressure Sensitivity and low latency of 26ms.
The e-ink tablet boots HarmonyOS 2 bringing features such as the ability to easily establish a connection between the tablet and Huawei’s laptops, PCs, tablets, and phones. The connection takes the form of a USB drive but wirelessly, thanks to WiFi 6+ and Bluetooth 5.2 support onboard. Thus, you can easily share notes and PDFs between gadgets.
Keeping the lights on is a 3625mAh battery that is touted to deliver up to 28 days of battery life on standby. It also comes with 22.5W fast charging which Huawei claims can deliver up to 6 days reading with just a 1.5-hour charge. It supports reverse charging. The device also features fingerprint recognition as the power button doubles as the sensor.
The MatePad Paper actually ships with the M-Pencil and a protective case. It will retail in Europe for €499. There are speculations that the company will launch the new e-ink tablet in China in March.
At the recently held launch event where OPPO unveiled the Find X5 series, its first tablet – the OPPO Pad, the Chinese company equally took the wraps of a new version of the Watch 2 and it is dubbed OPPO Watch 2 Glacier Lake Blue Edition.
OPPO’s foray into the smartwatch industry began with the first-gen OPPO Watch that was launched in 2020. Last year, the company unveiled the second-generation OPPO Watch 2 with some improvements in the design and internal features. The OPPO Watch 2 Glacier Lake Blue Edition comes with a few improvements over the Watch 2 with which it shares design. It also comes with major upgrades in sports health management and full intelligence, which will provide users with long-term, practical, and professional health protection and ease of usage.
The appearance is the biggest difference from the previous version. The OPPO Watch 2 Glacier Lake Blue Edition has a comprehensive innovation in visual design, bringing the first three-color oil pressure wristband technology, which is light and thin and has a superior style, suitable for ski lovers.
At the same time, the function has also been optimized for skiing, with a built-in new outdoor skiing function and built-in OPPO Health Lab self-developed algorithm, which can accurately record skiing data and realize full-link skiing assistance.
The new Watch 2 Glacier Lake Blue Edition also comes with a physical test function for middle school students. It adopts the Gomore algorithm in cooperation with the Institute of Physical Education of China’s General Administration of Sports.
In addition, there are upgrades in smart experience, which support functions such as screen display, quick application, and remote car key.
As for other aspects, the new edition isn’t different from its predecessor. It is equipped with a 1.91-inch AMOLED 3D Curved flexible screen with a square shape and a screen ratio of 72.7%.
In terms of performance, the OPPO Watch 2 series is equipped with UDDE dual-engine hybrid technology and is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100 chip. It supports Android and RTOS dual systems and can install more than 50 apps, including WeChat Children’s Watch Edition, Alipay, QQ, NetEase Cloud Music, Baidu Maps, QQ Music, The Most Beautiful Weather, Air Travel, Phoenix News, etc. It also comes with e-SIM support.
In terms of price, the OPPO Watch 2 Glacier Lake Blue Edition is priced at 1499 yuan (~$237).
There are indications that the Apple iPhone SE that could be released anytime soon could be cheaper than its predecessor from 2020. The third iteration of the iPhone SE is the iPhone SE 3 will likely have the same design as its predecessor while its improved internal setup will likely guarantee more updates. This also means that the iPhone SE 3 could have enhanced longevity in addition to the projected lower pricing for the device.
Image via TenTechReview
The information of a cheaper iPhone SE 3 is culled from a report by analyst John Donovan projecting that the product could be sold around $300 which is about $100 less than the iPhone SE 2. It is not clear whether the price will be due to some incentive package or it is a flat offer from Apple. A recent report had also projected the price of the iPhone SE 3 around $300.
The fact however remains that the iPhone SE 3 will be targeting the lower end of the market spectrum and it is likely to be budget-friendly, supporting the lower price proposition. Although Apple is a powerhouse in the high-end segment of the smartphone market, it will be interesting to see how it performs in the mid-range segment of the market where Android products hold the aces. We expect to see an improved design together with 5G connectivity and overall improved performance of the iPhone SE 3. The new model is likely to be powered by the A15 Bionic chip which is what we find in the iPhone 13 lineup.
Huawei is making substantial progress in the development of a seamlessly connected ecosystem that allows all Huawei devices to connect easily. Along this line, the company has just announced the Super Device software package that will allow Huawei devices to connect seamlessly.
The Super Device software package marks a smooth transition in the development of synergy in communications between laptops, smartphones, smartwatches, fitness bands, and the array of smart home devices. This also includes connectivity to the Huawei Smart Office which enables cross-device collaboration whether it is running on Huawei’s Harmony OS or the Windows operating system.
With the Super Device software, you can use your smartphone’s apps on Huawei laptops in an exciting manner. Up to three of the apps could be opened simultaneously when sharing the phone’s screen on the laptop. You can also transfer files through the traditional drag and drop mechanism. As per speed of connectivity, the Super Device feature allows for seamless pairing of Huawei’s laptops with an array of other devices and Huawei’s accessories via Bluetooth. The connected Huawei ecosystem includes the lineup of TWS earbuds, wireless speakers, microphones, and even keyboards.
The new Super Device software brings the array of functionality available within the Huawei ecosystem into a single interface and it is bound to enhance the appeal and overall user experience using Huawei’s devices.
The Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2022 holding in Barcelona, Spain from Monday, February 28 has seen some big announcements already. Huawei joined the group of brands with a pre-MWC release by announcing two new Windows 11 laptops – the Matebook X Pro 2022 and Matebook E. The Huawei MateBook X Pro 2022 is an ultraportable flagship laptop while the Matebook E is a compact 2-in-1 model running on Windows 11.
The new Huawei MateBook X Pro 22 laptop is equipped with a bigger 14.2-inch screen which is slightly bigger than the 13.9-inch screen on the MateBook X Pro 2021. The laptop features a narrow frame design with a high 92.5% screen-to-body ratio. The display also has a resolution of 3120 X 2080 pixels with support for a 90Hz refresh rate, 500nit brightness, and a P3 wide color gamut.
According to Huawei, this notebook uses the 3D Lut professional color calibration scheme, TÜV Rheinland’s professional two-color gamut color standard certification, and the color difference Delta E is less than 1. The MateBook X Pro is equipped with the Intel Core i5-1155G7 and i7-1195G7 processors with 16GB RAM and 512GB/1TB storage options.
The MateBook E is a Windows 11 tablet that can function as a laptop via its bundled keyboard case. The Matebook E has a 12.6-inch OLED with 2560 x 1600px resolution. It has. an 8MP front-facing camera and a 13MP rear camera. The MateBook E is just 7.9mm thick and weighs 709 grams.
The Huawei Matebook E 2-in-1 is priced from €649 ($732) for an Intel i3 option with 8GB+128GB memory while the Core i5 option with 8GB+256 GB is €999 ($1,126). The 16GB+512GB versions come bundled with a Smart Magnetic Keyboard for €1,199 ($1,261) for an Intel Core i5 processor or €1,399 ($1,577) for the Intel Core i7 processor.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is not only one of the most amazing flagships ever made, but also the definitive replacement of the Galaxy Note series thanks to its integrated S Pen. It contributed to the amazing results in terms of pre-orders registered after the launch: Samsung did not sell so many units in the initial period since the Galaxy S8 lineup. But is it really a valid flagship? Can it be better than iPhones? This is a comparison between the best Samsung phone at the moment and the best one by Apple: the iPhone 13 Pro Max. The best handset to choose depends on the user, but this comparison will inform you about the pro and cons of each handset.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
The iPhone 13 Pro Max comes with a higher build quality because it is made with a stainless steel frame (instead of the aluminum frame of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra) and a glass back protected by Ceramic Shield. Further, it has a stronger water resistance: it comes with the IP68 certification just like the Samsung rival, but it is waterproof up to 6 meters deep for a max of 30 minutes instead of just 1.5 meters like waterproof Android phones. However, if you do not like the notch, you might prefer the Galaxy S22 Ultra coming with a punch-hole and curved display protected by Gorilla Glass Victus Plus.
Display
On the paper, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra comes with stunning display specifications. It has an LTPO AMOLED panel with an adaptive refresh rate from 1 to 120 Hz, a Quad HD+ resolution of 1440 x 3088 pixels, the HDR10+ certification, a 6.8-inch diagonal, and it supports the S Pen for handwriting and drawing which can be embedded in the phone thanks to a dedicated slot. Despite the iPhone 13 Pro Max coming with inferior specs on the paper, its image quality is stunning, especially for its color reproduction close to perfection. It has an OLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and the HDR10+ certification. The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra relies on an in-display fingerprint reader for authentication, while the iPhone 13 Pro Max has Face ID technology which consists of 3D facial recognition thanks to a dedicated sensor near the selfie camera.
Specs & Software
Both these phones are flagships equipped with the best chipsets in the market. The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra has either a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or a Samsung Exynos 2200 mobile platform depending on the market, paired with up to 12 GB of RAM and up to 1 TB of internal storage. The iPhone 13 Pro Max has the Apple A15 Bionic chipset with 6 GB of RAM and up to 1 TB of internal storage. Even though it comes with half of the RAM, the iOS operating system is optimized better than Android and the iPhone provides better performance.
Camera
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra has a stunning camera setup composed of a 108 MP main camera with OIS, a 10 MP periscopic sensor with 10x optical zoom, a 10 MP telephoto sensor, and a 12 MP ultrawide camera. This handset provides better zoom performance, but in normal photos and videos, the iPhone 13 Pro Max looks a bit better with its 12 MP triple camera paired with a LiDAR scanner.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra sports a bigger battery than the iPhone 13 Pro Max, but this does not mean that its battery life is always longer. Indeed, thanks to the level of optimization provided by the iOS operating system, the iPhone 13 Pro Max lasts longer on a single charge in several scenarios. On the other hand, while it does not support magnetic wireless charging (unlike the Apple flagship) the Galaxy S22 Ultra charges faster thanks to its 45W fast charging technology.
Price
The starting prices of these two phones are both above $1,000: they are close to $1200/€1300 and $1100/€1250, respectively (prices vary depending on the market). On the paper, the Galaxy S22 Ultra looks like a more interesting device for productivity thanks to its S-Pen, but not if you own an Apple ecosystem. The iPhone 13 Pro Max looks to have better camera performance and longer battery life, so it remains one of the most solid choices in the smartphone market.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max: PRO and CONS
The 2022 Mobile World Congress (MWC) will kick off on February 28 in Barcelona, Spain. MWC 2022 is a global platform to showcase new products and Lenovo seems to be well primed for the event. A pre-show conference is scheduled ahead of the MWC itself and this will draw several manufacturers to the mix. The focus will be mobile phones and notebook products and we could see the Lenovo ThinkPad X13s and ThinkPad T16 being unveiled.
Although an earlier press release relating to the launch of the two ThinkPad notebook products was quickly deleted, we know that the ThinkPad X13s will be the first of such with an Arm processor. The ThinkPad T16 has a 16-inch display and is powered by an Intel 12th-gen Core i7 processor and an AMD Ryzen chip.
Further details indicate that the ThinkPad X13s will have the Snapdragon 8cx Gen3 processor. Both the ThinkPad X13s and ThinkPad T16 offer 16:10 displays and improved performance from their predecessors. The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 will have only two USB-C ports and a 3.5mm jack.
There are feelers that Lenovo could release the two notebooks before the main event of the mobile world congress. But with less than two days to the start of the main event, we should expect the formal unveiling of the two notebooks, otherwise, they will be formally unfurled in the main event in Barcelona from February 28.
The Valve portable Steam Deck gaming console has been launched by the company and three variants are available starting from $399. It is not clear at this time the number of units of the device that are available for order but we know it is limited. Reservers who order will be sent an email containing their order details and they are expected to make payment for the device within 72 hours.
The Valve Steam Deck is a portable gaming console that offers some enthralling games including Horizon Zero Dawn, Elden Ring, The Witcher 3, Stardew Valley, and Shadow Warrior. Valve also announced the release of a mini-game, the Aperture Desk Job which will be available for download in the Steam Deck, as well as Windows PCs.
The Aperture Desk Job will be available for a free download for all Steam users from March 1. Valve is hyping the Steam Deck on its official Steam site where a new page was created to showcase some of the games that work with the Steam Deck. The page on the site is called Great on Deck.
The three variants of the Steam Deck console available are the 64GB model which is priced at $399, the 256GB model with a $529 price tag, and the 512GB model which is priced at $649. All the games showcased on the Great on Deck page are said to have passed all compatibility checks and offer a great gaming experience on the new console.
The year 2021 is now over, and looking back at the year in retrospect, 2021 saw the continued rise of mobile technology as more workers were given the option to work from home, and educational institutions were offering students the choice to study from home to complete their studies. Despite the ongoing chip shortages and supply chain disruptions by imposed lockdowns, 2021 was a growth year for many industries in tech such as the laptop market, the tablet market and most importantly the smartphone market.
Counterpoint Research has just released its annual report of the total global smartphone revenue across the year and the great news is that the smartphone market is still going strong on its ever-increasing market cap value and in 2021, the global smartphone market revenue reaches an all-time high of $448 billion USD. Compared to 2020’s $382 billion USD, global smartphone market revenue has grown over 7% YoY. in 2021, and smartphone makers are now generating more revenue than ever.
Source: Counterpoint Research
The report also mentions more than 85% of the smartphone market revenue generated were by the Top 5 most well-known smartphone brands, which are respectively: Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, OPPO(includes OnePlus) and vivo. The breakdown of each of the Big 5 performance’s in 2021 are as follows.
Apple
Apple led the global smartphone market revenues in 2021 with annual revenue of $196 billion, a 35% YoY growth compared to 2020. It captured 44% of total global smartphone revenue in 2021. As for the average selling price(ASP) of iPhones, Apple sold its iPhones at an ASP of $825 USD in 2021. This may be caused by the high demand for the 5G-enabled iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 series with fancier design and more potent camera systems, which helps to maintain its original userbase as well as attract newer users in key emerging markets such as India, Thailand, Vietnam and Brazil.
Samsung
In 2nd comes South Korean tech giant, Samsung. Samsung’s smartphone revenue increased 11% YoY to reach $72 billion in 2021, compared to $64 billion in 2020. The average selling price for a Samsung smartphone grew 5% to $263 USD in 2021. Samsung managed to increase its global market share in the mid-range and premium segments with the launch of the Galaxy S flagship series and increase in the share of 5G phones, with the cheapest of the bunch being the Samsung Galaxy A22 5G.
2021 also witnessed the launch of two foldable smartphones — Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G and Z Flip3, which also nudged the overall revenue higher. The lineup of foldables generated much buzz for the company for its industry breaking innovations and attract customers with its more extraordinary design. For those who wanted more than rectangular non-folding slabs of aluminium and glass, Samsung finally offered an alternative. Samsung shipped three times more foldable devices in 2021 than in 2020.
Xiaomi
Coming in 3rd is the value-to-performance king – Xiaomi. Xiaomi’s revenue increased 49% YoY to reach $36 billion in 2021, compared to $24 billion in 2020. This is mainly due to the increase in shipments and market share for its mid-range and premium segment flagship killers such as the Mi 11X series, Poco F3 series, Redmi Note 10 series globally. In India, the brand’s biggest market, the smartphones priced at $250 USD and above grew 39% YoY to account for more than 14% of Xiaomi’s India market, compared to 8% in 2020.
Mi 11X series
OPPO
Down to 4th place, is OPPO which saw the merger with its sister company OnePlus into one shared entity. The Counterpoint Research report also categorises OnePlus and OPPO as OPPO for the sake of data analysis.
OPPO saw a revenue increase of 47% YoY to $37 billion in 2021. The ASP of its smartphones grew 15% YoY to reach $259 USD in 2021. The brand saw an increase in shipments in the $400-$599 and $600-$799 price bands, mainly owing to strong demand for the Reno 6 series, Find X3 and OnePlus 9 series. 5G-enabled smartphones contributed more than 50% of the brand’s yearly shipments in 2021 against 28% in 2020. OPPO also managed to expand its presence in mature markets such as China, Japan and parts of Europe (including Nordic countries), which drove the higher revenue and ASP. OnePlus revenue grew 33% YoY in 2021 driven by the OnePlus Nord series and the OnePlus 9 lineup.
OnePlus 9 series
vivo
Squeezing into the last spot within the Top 5 is the Chinese phone brand, vivo. vivo’s revenue increased 43% YoY to $34 billion USD in 2021. The average selling price (ASP) of vivo smartphones grew 19% YoY to reach $259 USD in 2021. The brand ranked as the fifth-largest smartphone vendor in 2021 both in terms of revenue and shipments.
vivo’s revenue performance was driven by the well-received flagship vivo X60 and S series, exceptional performance in China and a wide product portfolio spread across all price bands. In 2021, the vendor also collaborated with Zeiss for its flagship vivo X60 and X70 series for its outstanding low-light camera performance in the industry.
Vivo X60 Pro
And that was a quick recap of the report of the Top 5 Smartphone Brands in 2021. Compared to 2019, it looks to seem that Xiaomi has quickly filled up the void that Huawei left once the US sanctions hit the company and with fiercer competition from Realme, Lenovo and Asus in the smartphone market 2022, it remains to be seen if the Top 5 smartphone brands of 2021 will remain the Top 5 smartphone brands of 2022.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
