Realme enters Top 5 spots in Western Europe, sees record growth in global market

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Feb 10, 2022

Despite being a relatively young smartphone brand, Realme has been able to rival industry veterans and even reach great heights. The company has seen record breaking growth in the overall global market while entering the Top 5 spots in Western Europe.

According to a Canalys report, the Chinese smartphone maker maintained strong growth momentum and saw record performance globally. The brand was ranked in the top 5 in 30 markets and 6 regions in the fourth quarter of last year. It came in 1st in Philippines and Bangladesh while entering the top 5 in new markets like Germany, Peru, Colombia, and Western Europe as well. In India alone, the company’s market share rose to 17 percent, marking a boost of 48 percent year on year.

Meanwhile in Europe, the Europe overall saw an annual growth rate of a sizeable 450 percent, while Western Europe region saw a humongous 1365 percent growth. The explosive growth wasn’t just limited to the western regions alone. It managed to reach the top 4 spot in Thailand, Myanmar, UAE, Egypt, and even Morocco, which was also reflected in Greece, Poland, Czech Republich, Ukraine, and Belarus as well.

All in all, the company’s products have been successful in various emerging markets, while also establishing themselves in major regions. Sky Li, Founder and CEO of realme stated that “The company has been laser focused on providing best performance in segment to customers worldwide with leading tech innovations, which has started to pay off. In 2021, our annual smartphone sales volume reached a record high of 60 million, a 50% increase over the previous year. In 2022, we will continue to deliver new and exciting products to our fans globally.”

RELATED:

OnePlus Nord CE 2 leaks reveal full specs, price ahead of Feb 17 launch

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Feb 10, 2022

Earlier today, OnePlus officially confirmed to launch the OnePlus Nord CE 2 in India alongside the OnePlus TV Y1S series on February 17. Following that, three different tipsters have shed information on the smartphone’s specs and its price. Let’s take a look at them.

OnePlus Nord 2 CE Renders Leak Featured A — OnePlus Nord CE 2 | Source: Yogesh Brar via 91Mobiles

First and foremost, according to Abhishek Yadav, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 will be offered in two memory configurations in India. The handset will cost ₹23,999 and ₹24,999 for 6GB + 128GB and 8GB + 128GB variants respectively.

Talking about specifications, Ishan Agarwal and Yogesh Bar say that the phone will be built around a 6.43-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate and an in-screen fingerprint sensor. It will be powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 900 SoC paired with LPDDR4x RAM and UFS 2.2 storage.

On the rear, it will house a triple camera system comprising of a 64MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide unit (119° FOV), and a 2MP macro snapper. Whereas, on the front, it will nest a 16MP shooter.

The device will boot OxygenOS 11.3 based on Android 11 out of the box. It is said to receive 2 Android updates and 3 years of security updates.

The smartphone will be backed by a 4,500mAh battery with support for 65W SuperVOOC fast charging. Interestingly, it will not only include a 3.5mm headphone jack but also a dedicated MicroSD card slot (up to 1TB). Last but not least, it will measure 7.8mm in thickness, weigh 173g, and arrive in two colors (Gray Mirror, Bahamas Blue).

What are your thoughts on the OnePlus Nord CE 2 based on the leaks? Do let us know in the comment section below.

Redmi K50 Gaming Edition specs detailed by a leaker ahead of Feb 16 launch

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Feb 10, 2022

Redmi has confirmed to debut the Redmi K50 series on February 16. The brand is expected to introduce a single model in the lineup in the form of the Redmi K50 Gaming Edition. It has been teasing the features of this smartphone since the announcement of the launch date. But before the company could spill the beans, a tipster disclosed the key specs of the handset yesterday.

Redmi K50 Gaming Edition Teaser Render — Redmi K50 Gaming Edition

Chinese leaker 熊猫很禿然 took to Weibo to reveal the primary specifications of the upcoming Redmi K50 Gaming Edition. According to him, the device will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC, which has been officially confirmed by Redmi.

Further, he says that the phone will flaunt a 6.67-inch 120Hz display supplied by TCL China Star Optoelectronics Technology (CSOT). Although he doesn’t mention the type of the panel, it will be most likely OLED.

As for photography and videography, the handset is said to arrive with a triple camera system on the rear consisting of a 64MP OmniVision OV64B primary sensor, a 13MP OmniVision OV13B secondary sensor, and a 2MP tertiary sensor. On the front, it will nest a 16MP snapper.

Being a gaming smartphone, it will come with physical magnetic shoulder keys like its predecessor (Redmi K40 Gaming Edition), dual stereo speakers tuned by JBL, and an x-axis linear vibration motor. It will also have NFC and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.

The phone will be backed by a 4,700mAh battery with support for 120W fast charging. Finally, it will measure 162 x 76.8 x 8.45mm in dimensions and weigh 210g.

Having said that, though the specifications of the Redmi K50 Gaming Edition are out from a reliable source, we would still urge readers to wait for the official spec teasers.

Boult Audio launches AirBass Z1 TWS earbuds in India for 1499 INR ($20)

By

Sean

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Feb 10, 2022

Boult Audio has released a new product for the Indian market. The company’s AirBass Z1 is the latest truly wireless earbuds that offers up to 24 hours of audio playback and an attractive design.

The known audio products maker’s AirBass Z1 arrives with a USB Type C fast charging support that enables it to last a day when paired with its charging case. It features Bluetooth 5.1 for fast and stable pairing, paired with a lightweight and compact design. The new hearables offers IPX5 water and dust resistance, with its design being built for better passive noise cancellation. While it does have an in ear design, it does not feature silicon eartips.

Furthermore, the AirBass Z1 TWS earbuds is equipped with 10mm dynamic drivers that promises to offer powerful bass and improved audio experience. Through Bluetooth 5.1, the company claims that the connection remains stable for up to 10 meters. Thanks to its fast charging support, users can also enjoy around 100 minutes of audio playback with just 15 minutes of charging.

The Boult Audio AirBass Z1 true wireless earbuds will be available in India in two color variants, namely Olive Green and Grey. It is priced at 1,499 INR (roughly 20 US Dollars) and will be available for purchase on Amazon India’s official website. The company is also offering 1 year of warranty as well.

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Redmi 10 Global bags Android 12-based MIUI 13, is one of the first budget offering do so

By

Zohaib Ahmed

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Feb 10, 2022

Xiaomi has finally started seeding the latest version of its custom Android interface to budget offerings. Dubbed MIUI 13, the skin may either be based on Android 12 or even on Android 11 on some older models. The Redmi 10, fortunately, has got the Android 12-based version and can finally enjoy all of the MIUI 13 goodies including the widget ecosystem.

The update carries firmware version V13.0.1.0.SKUMIXM and is rolling out to the “Global” region. The full ROM is sized 2.7GB and comes with the January security patch. Being marked as a “stable beta” means that it is yet to roll out widely, but once declared bug-free, more users should be getting it.

(MIUI 13)
New: A new widget ecosystem with app support
Optimization: Improved overall stability
(System)
Stable MIUI based on Android 12
Updated Android Security Patch to January 2022. Increased system security.
(More features and improvements)
Optimization: Enhanced accessibility support for Phone, Clock, and Weather
Optimization: Mind map nodes are more convenient and intuitive now

Along with the latest Android and MIUI versions, the build also carries a couple of optimizations for system apps paired with “improved overall stability.”

The changelog does not mention all of the changes that MIUI 13 brings forward though and you should also be seeing some new wallpapers.

The Redmi 10 is a fairly recent release, being launched in August 2021, and has become of the first budget offerings to run MIUI 13 stable outside of China. It first booted into MIUI 12.5 based on Android 11.

RELATED:

Redmi 10C spotted on FCC listing running MIUI 13

By

Sean

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Feb 10, 2022

Xiaomi is apparently gearing up to announce a new budget smartphone. A new listing on the FCC (Federal Communications Commissions) certification website has revealed that the company is working on a Redmi 10C.

The handset appears to be a entry level device that has the model number 220333QNY. According to a MySmartPrice report, the smartphone’s IMEI database listing confirms that this model number is for the upcoming Redmi 10C. Apart from its name, the certification website also reveals some other details regarding the Chinese tech giant’s new phone as well. The device will run on the brand’s MIUI 13 custom skin, which is likely based on Android 12.

Notably, the Indian version of this Redmi smartphone has also cleared BIS certifications, with a model number of 220333QBI. Previously, the smartphone maker had launched the Redmi 9C as the Redmi 9 in India. In other words, we might see a similar case with the Redmi 220333QBI, which could be the Redmi 10 for the Indian market. While the listing does not reveal any specifications, the 9C launched with a 6.53 inch HD+ LCD display, MediaTek Helio G35, a triple camera sensor, and more.

These are some entry level specifications, so we can expect the 10C to rock similar features. Keep in mind that this is still just speculation at the moment, so take this report with a pinch of salt. But stick around for more, as we will be providing updates when additional information is available regarding this smartphone.

RELATED:

Indian smartwatch brands dominated domestic market with 75% share in 2021

By

Zohaib Ahmed

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Feb 10, 2022

The Indian smartwatch market set quite some records last year, overseeing 274% YoY growth in shipments. This was paired by Q4 2021 becoming the market’s biggest-ever quarter, with QoQ growth of over 8%.

The figures come from Counterpoint Research which said that the growth can be attributed to increased health awareness, affordable prices, growth of new entrants, discount schemes, and plenty of launches throughout the year.

indian smartwatch market brands Q4 2021 — Source: India Smartwatch Shipments Model Tracker, Q4 2021 (Counterpoint)

The majority of shipments (86%) were driven by the sub-Rs 5,000 segment, compared to 59% in 2020. The main reason for this is the fact that many of the features like SpO2 monitoring, which were earlier present in the Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 segment, have begun making their way to the ~Rs 2,000 price point.

Commenting on market trends, research associate Harshit Rastogi said, “Indian players led the market by capturing over 75% share. The top three brands captured two-thirds of the total smartwatch market in 2021, compared to just half in 2020. The market saw over 10 new entrants in 2021, intensifying the competition. The market is estimated to grow by around 50% in 2022 considering the high demand and brands’ dedicated efforts to bring additional capabilities to their devices.”

indian smartwatch market brands 2021 — Source: India Smartwatch Shipments Model Tracker, 2021 (Counterpoint)

Noise led the overall Indian smartwatch market in 2021 with a 27% share and over 278% YoY growth. Four out of the top 10 models last year were from the company, with the ColorFit Pro 2 being its most popular offering. Portfolio expansion toward lower prices and emphasis on community building were the main drivers.

Next up is boAt, capturing the second spot in 2021 with a 26% share. The company, with its 10+ models, actually grabbed first place in Q4 2021. The boAt Storm was its best seller.

Fire Boltt, a relatively new entrant in the smartwatch space, quickly managed to capture the third position with over 20 models spread over a wide price spectrum. The Indian brand also entered the Middle East in 2021.

Other major players in the market were realme, Amazfit, Samsung, Apple, and Dizo, each recording significant YoY growth.

The smartwatch market in India is primarily driven by online channels (78%), with Flipkart and Amazon accounting for 48 percent and 43 percent of total shipments.

More wearables are expected to be manufactured in India this year, thanks to customs duty rates adjustments with Budget 2022.

RELATED:

ASUS ROG Magic 16 2022 gaming laptop goes on sale in China for 9,999 yuan ($1,573)

By

Jeet

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Feb 10, 2022

ASUS has today officially launched a new gaming laptop in the Chinese market, dubbed as ROG Magic 16 2022. As the name indicates, the device is an updated model of the ROG Magic 16 launched last year.

Apart from some upgrades, the majority of the specs remain the same as its predecessor. It has been confirmed by the company that the device will be available for purchase at a discounted price of 9,999 yuan (~$1,573) on the first day of its launch, i.e. 10th February.

The laptop features a 16-inch display with 2560 x 1600 pixels screen resolution, 16:10 aspect ratio, 165Hz refresh rate, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, 500nit brightness, and supports Dolby Vision.

Under the hood, the device is powered by the latest 12th generation Intel Core series processor, packing 14-core Intel Core i7-12700H. It is coupled with a dedicated 120W NVIDIA RTX 3060 graphics card that supports dual display and three-mode switching.

For heat dissipation, the ASUS ROG Magic 16 comes with dual fans, six heat pipes, and four air outlets. In another major upgrade, the device now comes with the new DDR5 memory, packing 16GB DDR5-4800 RAM and 512GB M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD storage.

It comes with Wi-Fi 6e connectivity and has two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type C port with DisplayPort 1.4, a microSD 4.0 card reader, HDMI 2.0b port, RJ45 port for ethernet connection, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Other features on the laptop include six speakers, Dolby Atmos support, and Hi-Res Small Gold Standard certification. It runs the Windows operating system and is powered by a 90Wh battery with support for 100W PD charging.

RELATED:

Nothing Ear (1) update adds Google Assistant, Siri, and Alexa support

By

Jeet

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Feb 10, 2022

Nothing Ear (1), the true wireless earphones, launched as the first product coming from OnePlus co-founder Carl Pie’s new venture, has received a new firmware update.

The new firmware update adds support for smart voice assistants, including Google Assistant, Apple’s Siri, and Amazon’s Alexa to the device. The feature can be activated or triggered by triple-tapping the earbuds.

The company is rolling out firmware version 0.6700.1.86. With this update, the company has added a feature that will help the product compete against some popular TWS earbuds available in the market.

The official changelog for the firmware version 0.66700.1.86 lists the following:

Stronger connection between Ear (1) and third-party apps and laptops.
Optimised stability when switching between ‘multiple devices.
Voice assistant now available in gesture controls.
More accurate ear (1) battery display in the app.
Improved functionality of the In-Ear Detection switch in the app.

To update the Nothing Ear (1), open the Nothing app on the smartphone and navigate to Device Details > Firmware Update. Make sure that both earbuds are connected to the smartphone and have at least a 10% battery.

The Nothing Ear (1) true wireless earphones were first launched last year and since then, the firm has introduced a new black colored model and has also released a number of firmware updates that fixed some of the issues.

The earphones come with an in-ear design and some premium features, including Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency Mode, and Qi-compatible wireless charging support for the charging case along with the USB-C port.

It also comes with support for Fast Pairing in Android-powered devices but lacks support for iOS auto-pairing. The earbuds are also IPX4 rated for water resistance and the company is promising 24 hours of battery life with the charging case.

RELATED:

[Update] OnePlus Nord CE 2 launch date confirmed, variants, key details tipped

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Feb 10, 2022

Update: OnePlus Nord CE 2 launch date for India has been officially confirmed.

The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G is coming soon, and it's going to be #ALittleMoreThanYoudExpect. Stay tuned! pic.twitter.com/kXNO5ps0Wu

— OnePlus India (@OnePlus_IN) February 10, 2022

Original story continues…

A recent report claimed that the OnePlus will be announcing the all-new OnePlus TV Y1S series on Feb. 17 in India. A new leak courtesy of tipster Abhishek Yadav reveals that the same event could be used to announce the OnePlus Nord CE 2.

It was reported last month that the OnePlus Nord CE 2 may launch on Feb. 11 (tomorrow). The date is drawing near and there is no official update on the arrival of the smartphone. Probably, the Chinese manufacturer will confirm the OnePlus Nord CE 2 launch date tomorrow through its social media handles.

The new leak states that the Nord CE 2 will come with Dimensity 900 chipset and 64-megapixel + 8-megapixel + 2-megapixel triple camera unit. It states that it will be equipped with a dedicated SD card slot.

OnePlus Nord 2 CE Renders Leak Featured B — OnePlus Nord CE 2 Renders by Yogesh Brar / 91mobiles

The leak further states that the Nord CE 2 will be arriving in two variants such as 6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage and 8 GB RAM + 128 GB storage. As always, readers are advised to digest the leak with a pinch of salt. Previous reports have claimed that the device may carry a starting price of Rs 25,000 (~$334).

OnePlus Nord CE 2 specifications (rumored)

The OnePlus Nord CE 2 will feature a 6.4-inch AMOLED FHD+ display that offers a 90Hz refresh rate and an in-screen fingerprint scanner. It will run on Android 12 with OxygenOS 12 on top.

The device may come with a 16-megapixel front-facing camera and a 64-megapixel triple camera unit. The device may house a 4,500mAh dual-cell battery that supports 65W fast charging. It may come in black and green colors.

RELATED:

Redmi Note 11E Pro moniker emerge, launch likely this month in China

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Feb 10, 2022

A Redmi phone with model number 2201116SC was certified by the TENAA telecom authority in China. The specifications of the phone suggested that it could be a rebranded version of the global Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G. While the 2201116SC device is expected to launch this month in China, none of the leaks have revealed its moniker. Ahead of the rumored launch, the device has appeared in the database of the Google Play Console (via) and Google supported devices list. The listing reveals that it will be hitting the Chinese markets with the Redmi Note 11E Pro moniker.

Redmi Note 11e pro google supported devices — Redmi Note 11e Pro name spotted in Google supported devices list

To those who are unaware, Redmi is already selling the Dimensity 920 powered Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G in China. This device is made available in India with the Xiaomi 11i moniker. It can now be said based on the Google Play Console listing that the global Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G will be arriving in China with the Redmi Note 11E Pro name.

Redmi Note 11E Pro specifications (expected)

The Redmi Note 11E Pro will house a 6.67-inch AMOLED display that delivers an FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The Snapdragon 695 chipset will be present under the hood of the Note 11 Pro.

The TENAA listing of the device revealed that it may ship with 6 GB / 8 GB / 12 GB / 16 GB of RAM. It may come with 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB of storage. The device may run on MIUI 13 flavored Android 11. It will be fitted with a side-facing fingerprint scanner.

The rear shell of the device has a 16-megapixel front-facing camera and a 108-megapixel triple camera unit. It will come with a 5,000mAh battery that supports 67W rapid charging. It may arrive in multiple colors such as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet, black, white, and grey.

RELATED:

€13,500 Leica Premium Wristwatches Officially Available in Markets Starting in February 2022

By

Leo Wong De Quan

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Feb 10, 2022

Leica has always been known for its class-leading photography in its premium segment. Every product developed with Leica or by Leica always had that signature Leica charm attached to it.

With 150 years of fame to its name, the brand has just announced its 2 latest additions to the Leica legacy, the Leica L1 and L2 premium wristwatches. Leica calls the watches “two remarkable timepieces with a patented push crown” as the watches draw inspiration from the engineering marvels made in Wetzlar.

The watches’ exterior was conceptualized by Professor Achim Heine, who has designed numerous Leica products in the past – giving him a profound understanding of the company’s aesthetic principles. As a result, the Leica L1 and Leica L2 contain subtle references to signature features from Leica’s rich history. These include, for example, the delicate design of the watch hands and applied indices, the shape of the intricate stainless-steel case, the special knurling on the crowns, and the domed watch glass that recalls the front element of a camera lens.

Both watches are powered by a completely newly developed mechanical movement with manual winding. The movement is visible through the transparent back made of resilient sapphire crystal to keep the watches resistant to scratches.

Maintaining the ‘Made in Germany’ designation was extremely important to Leica, which is why the company entered into a partnership with Lehmann Präzision GmbH. As a result, the movement and most of the watches’ components were developed and produced in the Lehmann factory in Germany’s Black Forest region, in which Leica mentions that it was to ensure an exceptional level of vertical range of manufacturing.

As for the specs of the watches, Leica shared that both watches share many specs such as the 50m 5 ATM water resistance, but with the Leica L2 being the more expensive sibling, it has several upgrades over the Leica L1.

Leica-L1-L2-specs — Specifications of the Leica L1 and L2

Currently, the Leica wristwatches will only be available in 7 selected markets, China, Singapore, Japan, the USA, Austria, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates. The watches will also cost you an arm as well, with the Leica L1 selling at €9,500 Euros (INR 8.13 Lakhs), and the Leica L2 selling at €13,500 (INR 11.55 Lakhs).

Leica-L1-L2-availability — Leica L1 & L2 available in 7 selected markets

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(Source, Via)

Ambrane FitShot Zest smartwatch launched in India at a price of ₹2,999 ($40)

By

Jeet

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Feb 10, 2022

Ambrane, which is known for making mobile phone accessories, has launched a smartwatch in its FitShot lineup, dubbed as Ambrane FitShot Zest.

The device will compete in the overcrowded entry-level or budget smart wearable products in India. The company has announced that it is a voice assistance-enabled product and comes with a calling feature over Bluetooth.

The smartwatch features a 1.7-inch display that offers a screen resolution of 240 x 280 pixels and comes with support for over 60 cloud-based watch faces. For fitness tracking, it supports over 10 sports modes.

The device includes 24×7 real-time health tracking, including support for SpO2 monitoring, blood pressure monitoring, sleep monitoring, and heart rate monitoring, among others. It also has a menstrual cycle tracking feature that easily records and tracks the female cycles.

The wearable product is rated IP67, offering dust and water resistance. It also comes with support for music and camera controls. As for the battery life, the company is promising seven days of usage on a single charge.

The Ambrane FitShot Zest comes in three color options — Black, Blue, and Pink. The device is priced at ₹4,999 ($67) but it is currently available on e-commerce marketplace Flipkart at a discounted price of ₹2,999 (~$40). The company has revealed that the device will also be available for purchase through Amazon from next week.

RELATED:

Realme 9 Pro, 9 Pro+ pricing for India appear through retail box images

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Feb 10, 2022

Realme 9 Pro 5G and Realme 9 Pro+ 5G will be announced at 1:30 PM (local time) on Feb. 16 in India. The rumor mill has already leaked a lot of information about the Realme 9 Pro series. Equal Leaks has now shared retail box images of the two phones to reveal their pricing.

Reports have revealed that the RMX3472 model number belongs to the Realme 9 Pro, while the RMX3393 is associated with the Realme 9 Pro+. The retail box of these phones will include a handset, a charger, a USB data cable, a SIM ejector tool, a protective case, a quick guide, and a safety guide.

1 of 2

As far as the pricing is concerned, the Realme 9 Pro 5G’s retail box carries a price tag of Rs 18,999 (~$254). On the other hand, the Realme 9 Pro+ 5G has a pricing of Rs 24,999 (~$334). Probably, these prices belong to the base models of the two phones. The retail box pricing leak suggests that the base variants could be made available for purchase with lower price tags of around Rs 16,999 (~$227) and Rs 22,999 (~$307), respectively. The authenticity of the above images could not be confirmed. Hence, it is unclear whether the images are real or fake.

Realme 9 Pro specifications (rumored)

The Realme 9 Pro has a 6.59-inch IPS LCD FHD+ 120Hz display, a 16-megapixel selfie camera, and a 64-megapixel (main) + 8-megapixel (ultrawide) + 2-megapixel (macro) triple camera system. The Snapdragon 695 powered device will come with 4 GB / 6 GB / 8 GB of RAM and up to 128 GB of built-in storage. It will house a 5,000mAh battery that supports 33W fast charging. For security, it will feature a side-facing fingerprint scanner.

Realme 9 Pro+ 5G specifications (rumored)

The Realme 9 Pro+ will feature a 6.43-inch AMOLED FHD+ 90Hz display, a 16-megapixel front-facing camera and a 50-megapixel (main, with OIS) + 8-megapixel (ultrawide) + 2-megapixel (macro) triple camera setup. The Dimensity 920 powered device may come with 6 GB / 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB / 256 GB of built-in storage. It may house a 4,500mAh battery that supports 65W fast charging. It will feature a heart rate sensor and an in-display fingerprint scanner. Lastly, it will come with a color-changing rear shell.

RELATED:

Samsung promises to offer four generations of Android OS updates for its devices

By

Jeet

-

Feb 10, 2022

Samsung has improved a lot in terms of rolling out software updates for its smartphones and now the company is going a step forward by promising to offer four generations of Android operating system updates for the latest Galaxy S22 series smartphones.

At the Galaxy Unpacked event, the South Korean giant confirmed that the Galaxy S22 lineup as well as other recent devices from the company will be upgraded to the latest Android versions for four generations.

This means that the users will be getting new features and security updates down the line for a longer time compared to what is currently the industry standard. Most of the smartphones getting launched these days come with a promise of two years of Android version updates.

With long-time support for software updates, the useable life of the devices will be extended, keeping the device in the hands of the customer for a longer time. The development appears to be in line with Samsung’s “Together for Tomorrow” marketing campaign for promoting sustainability.

The company has confirmed 12 devices that will get Android operating system updates for at least four years. Apart from the Galaxy S22 lineup and the Galaxy Tab S8 series, the devices in the list include the Galaxy S21 lineup launched last year as well as the Galaxy S21 FE, Galaxy Z Fold3, and Galaxy Z Flip3.

Samsung’s commitment is interesting and impressive given that Google itself is promising just three years of Android OS updates for its Pixel 6 series flagship smartphones. However, the search engine giant has promised five years of security updates.

RELATED:

Galaxy Tab S8, Tab S8+, Tab S8 Ultra launched with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 as the most powerful Android tablets

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Feb 10, 2022

After months of leaks, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 series has gone official as the most powerful Android tablet. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 powered tablets come with up to 120Hz S-AMOLED display, impressive cameras, big batteries, and S Pen stylus support.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8, Tab S8 Plus specifications and features

The Galaxy Tab S8 has an 11-inch LPTS TFT display that offers 2560 x 1600 pixels resolution. On the other hand, the Tab S8 Plus has a larger 12.4-inch AMOLED screen that produces 2800 x 1752 pixels resolution. Both models offer up to 120Hz refresh rate. The Plus model gets an in-screen fingerprint scanner, whereas the vanilla has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.

The frontside of the Galaxy Tab S8 and Galaxy Tab S8 Plus is flanked by a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera. The back panel of both devices have a 13-megapixel primary camera with autofocus support and a 6-megapixel ultrawide camera with dual-LED flash.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 powered Tab S8 and S8 Plus ship with 8 GB / 12 GB of RAM and 128 GB / 256 GB storage. The vanilla model is packed with a 5,800mAh battery, whereas the Plus edition features a 10,090mAh battery. Both tablets carry support for 45W fast charging.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra specifications and features

The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra has a 14.6-inch S-AMOLED display that offers a 2960 x 1848 resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint reader. It is unique Android tablet that features a display notch, which houses a 12-megapixel main selfie camera and a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens. The back panel of the Tab S8 Ultra has a 13-megapixel + 6-megapixel dual-camera system, which is also available on the Tab S8 and S8 Plus tablets.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 fuels the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra. The flagship tablet comes with 8 GB / 12 GB / 16 GB of RAM and 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB of storage. It is backed by a massive 11,200mAh battery, which supports 45W fast charging.

The Galaxy Tab S8 lineup runs on Android 12 OS skinned with One UI 4.1. The OS tags along Samsung’s Knox security feature. The three tablets offer other features such as 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS, a USB Type-C Gen 3.2 port, quad stereo speakers tuned by AKG and Dolby Atmos, three microphones, wireless DeX, 30fps 4K recording, and support tor S Pen stylus.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 series pricing and availability

The base variants of the Galaxy Tab S8, Tab S8 Plus, and Tab S8 Ultra are priced at $699, $899, and $1,099, respectively. The pre-orders of the Tab S8 lineup have started in several markets with sales scheduled to begin later this month. The Tab S8 and Tab S8 Pus come in Graphite, Silver, and Pink Gold colors, whereas Tab S8 Ultra can be purchase in Graphite color only.

RELATED:

Truke Air Buds & Air Buds+ with up to 48h playback launched in India

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

Feb 9, 2022

Indian audio accessories manufacturer Truke has launched a new set of audio products targeted at audiophiles. The lineup is led by the Truke Air Buds+ accompanied by the vanilla Truke Air Buds, two interesting truly wireless earbuds. The earbuds come just a month after the company launched the Truke BGS and Air Buds Lite.

The Truke Air Buds+ and Air Buds TWS earbuds both come with a 55ms low-latency gaming experience as well as an audio in-ear detection sensor. The earbuds also bring support for Bluetooth 5.1, Custom-User EQ, SBC codec, 20 Pre-defined EQ modes, and AI-powered noise cancellation with deep neural network call noise cancellation technology.

The duo utilizes 10mm dynamic drivers and has support for dual-mode configurations that allow users to switch between music and gaming mode. Users can also tune the earbuds during gaming for positional accuracy and improved gunshot effects.

For the battery, the Truke Air Buds+ and Air Buds boast of up to 8-10 hours of playback on a single charge while the charging case packs a 300mAh battery that can extend the usage time to 48 hours. The case charges via USB-C port. The Air Buds+ case has a miniature screen that displays the battery stats.

A first in the anals of Truke’s earbuds is the inclusion of a companion app designed for the device. The app lets users adjust the EQ as well as toggle gaming mode. They also arrive with IPX4 ratings for water resistance.

As for the price, the Truke Airbuds TWS earbud carries a price tag of Rs. 1599b(~$21) while the Airbuds+ TWS earbuds are priced at Rs, 1699 (~$23). The audio products are already on sale in India via Flipkart and Amazon.in.

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ASUS ROG Fusion II 500 & Fusion II 300 gaming headsets unveiled in India

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

Feb 9, 2022

Popular gaming accessories provider ASUS is fast expanding its reach on that aspect of its business model as it has announced the ROG Fusion II 500 and Fusion II 300 gaming headsets in India. The two new gaming headsets feature the ESS 9280 Quad DAC together with AI Beamforming microphones that offer AI Noise Canceling technology.

The ASUS ROG Fusion II 500 will be priced at Rs. 22,999 ($307), while ASUS has not yet released the price of the Fusion II 300. Both gaming headsets will be sold via authorized ASUS stores in India, as well as its partners and online retail outlets. The two headsets are capable of producing crisp, clear, and lossless audio processing for high-quality audio outputs. Both headsets also have the 50mm ASUS Essence drivers with support for virtual 7.1 surround sound. The AI Beamforming mics create a 40-degree acoustic zone in front of the gamer’s mouth that automatically filters out background noise, in combination with the AI noise cancellation technology.

The two new ASUS ROG Fusion II headsets support USB-C and USB-A connectivity and a mix of several other features that delivers the best audio output that accentuates the overall gaming experience. There is a 3.5mm jack together with Game Chat volume control for the ROG Fusion II 500.

Ahead of the March 2022 unveiling of the ASUS ROG Fusion II 500 and Fusion II 300 in India, we expect to see more details about the two gaming headsets. ASUS will also hope that the two accessories get decent reception in the sub-continent and a hit with gaming enthusiasts.

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AutoX hits 1,000 vehicles milestone for its Robo Taxi fleet in China

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

Feb 9, 2022

Autonomous driving leader AutoX has hit another milestone in its trajectory of development of Level 4 autonomous driving technology through its Robo Taxi vehicles. The company has announced that it has hit the 1,000 vehicle fleet milestone, which is the largest in China, as it continues to expand rapidly its autonomous vehicle fleet. In a press statement, the company also states that it has also opened a new Robo Taxi operations center in San Francisco in the United States, to expand self-driving vehicle testing in the city.

AutoX is excited about achieving the 1,000 vehicles threshold for its RoboTaxis, as it represents a significant leap forward for scaling its operations and massive commercialization. The new milestone sits ahead of other autonomous vehicle industry leaders like Baidu, Waymo which are both yet to get up to 1,000 vehicles in their AV fleets. AutoX has maintained its leadership of the AV segment in China with its impressive fleet size. Of course, the company plans to scale beyond the 1,000 vehicles threshold in the RoboTaxi fleet, and its trajectory of development lends credence to its lofty goals in the AV industry globally.

AutoX’s autonomous vehicle assembly plant in China started producing the Gen5 system-equipped RoboTaxis in July 2021 and the Shanghai facility has been in full operation, churning out RoboTaxis into the market. The company says that such a dedicated production line for autonomous vehicles is critical in guaranteeing the quality, safety, and consistency of every RoboTaxi, and it is also the first of such facilities in China. The company continues to scale up the reach of its RoboTaxis as new vehicles enter the fleet.

The RoboTaxis have had a great reception since their introduction in China in January 2021. Robo Taxi operations centers are specially-built facilities that support the daily operations of large Robo Taxi fleets. The operations centers are the hub of the Robo Taxis operations and the company operates four of such facilities within a 1,000 square kilometers service area. The other operation centers are in Guangzhou, Beijing, and Shanghai. The company says its mission is to provide everyone access to fully driverless mobility with a great user experience. It continues to expand the segment of the Chinese urban population that is serviced by the Robo Taxi fleet, and AutoX plans to further scale its operations in that regard.

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Sony PlayStation 5 gets Voice Commands in latest software beta

By

Sudhanshu

-

Feb 9, 2022

Sony has just launched a new system software beta for the PS4 and PS5 which brings many quality of life changes to the operating system along with some new features. The most intriguing out of these is the voice command preview which will enable users to use voice commands on their Playstation 5 consoles pretty much like a voice assistant. So let’s check out all the changes that come with the new software beta.

New Party Chat Options

Open and Closed Parties (PS5 and PS4 betas)

When you start a party, you can now select either an open party or a closed party:
- An open party lets your friends see and join the party without an invite. Friends of party members can also join.
- A closed party is only for players you invite

Voice chat reporting feature update (PS5 beta)

If you want to report something that someone in a party said, there are now visual indicators for you to identify who was speaking. This will help PlayStation Safety take appropriate action based on your report.

Share Play update (PS5 beta)
- Start Share Play directly from the voice chat card. You no longer need to start Share Screen first to use Share Play.

Voice chat volume (PS4 beta)
- You can now individually adjust the voice chat volume of each player in a party on PS4, just like on PS5.

New PS5 UI Features

Filter by genre
- Playstation has added an option to filter your game collection by genre, letting you quickly find specific types of game experiences.

Keep in Home
- You can now keep the games or apps you choose on your home screen by selecting “Keep in Home” with the (options) button.
- You can keep a maximum of five games and apps on each home screen with this feature.

Voice Command (Preview)

Playstation is testing the voice command feature on PS5 consoles for finding and opening games, apps, and settings, as well as controlling media playback.
To get started, enable Voice Command (Preview) from the Settings menu. Then, call out “Hey, PlayStation!” and ask your PS5 console to find a game, open an app or setting, or control playback while enjoying a movie, TV show, or song.
Do note that this feature is currently available in English for beta participants with accounts registered to the U.S. and U.K.

PlayStation has confirmed the final system software updates will be available globally later this year. Players selected to participate in the betas will receive email invitations when the updates are available to download tomorrow. To check out the complete changelog of this new beta program, click this link.

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