Honor Magic V vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3: Specs Comparison

By

-

Jan 29, 2022

Honor recently launched the most powerful foldable ever made and it may soon hit the global market as well. We are talking about the Honor Magic V, a foldable phone coming with a very wide display and amazing specifications. But are its specifications amazing enough to compete with the other flagship foldable devices? There is no better way to understand it than comparing it to the most widespread foldable phone out there: the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3. Both are able to transform into tablets, but which one has the better specifications on the paper? This comparison between their specs sheets will help you to find out in the best way possible.

Honor Magic V vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3

	Honor Magic V	Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3
THICKNESS	14.3 mm when folded, 6.7 mm when unfolded	14.4 mm when folded, 6.4 mm when unfolded
DISPLAY	Main display: 7.9 inches, 1984 x 2272p (Quad HD+), 381 ppi, Foldable OLED External display: 6.45 inches HD+ (1080 x 2560p), OLED	7.6 inches, 1768 x 2208p (Quad HD+), Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X External display: 6.2 inches, Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 832 x 2268 pixels (HD+)
PROCESSOR	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, octa-core 3 GHz	Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, octa-core 2.84 GHz
MEMORY	12 GB RAM, 256 GB – 12 GB RAM, 512 GB	12 GB RAM, 256 GB – 12 GB RAM, 512 GB
SOFTWARE	Android 12, Magic UI	Android 11, One UI
CONNECTIVITY	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS
CAMERA	Triple 50 + 50 + 50 MP f/1.9, f/2.0 and f/2.2 42 MP f/2.4 front camera	Triple 12 + 12 + 12 MP, f/1.8, f/2.4 and f/2.2 10 MP f/2.2 selfie camera 4 MP f/1.8 cover camera
BATTERY	4750 mAh Fast charging 66W	4400 mAh, Fast Charging 25W and wireless charging 11W
ADDITIONAL FEATURES	Foldable display, secondary external display, 5G, reverse charging 5W	Foldable display, secondary external display, 5G, reverse wireless charging, IPX8 waterproof

Design

Which foldable has the best design? It mostly depends on personal tastes. I like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 more because of its more compact and elegant design. The camera module is more minimalistic and the overall dimensions are actually better. But the Honor Magic V comes in a special color option sporting a leather back. In the remaining color options, the Honor Magic V has a glass back and an aluminum frame just like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3. Both the handset feature an in-display fingerprint reader and an internal foldable display allowing them to transform into a tablet. Note that the Samsung flagship is waterproof with the IPX8 certification, while the Honor one is not.

Display

The internal foldable display of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 is an AMOLED panel with a diagonal of 7.6 inches, a 2K resolution, a 120 Hz refresh rate, the HDR10+ certification, and a peak brightness of up to 1200 nits. This display actually comes with a higher refresh rate than the one found on the Honor Magic V. But the Magic V sports a wider 7.9-inch panel with one billion colors which shows a great color reproduction. Both the phones feature an external display for those who want to use them like normal phones. The Samsung one has a 6.2-inch diagonal and an HD+ resolution, while the Honor Magic V has a better 6.45 external display with a higher Full HD+ resolution, one billion colors, and a 120 Hz refresh rate.

Specs & Software

The winner of the hardware comparison is the Honor Magic V simply because it is powered by a superior chipset. We are talking about the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 mobile platform making it the best foldable phone in terms of performance. The SoC is paired with 12 GB of RAM and up to 512 GB of native storage. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is inferior but it still comes with a great flagship chipset: the Snapdragon 888 paired with 12 GB of RAM and up to 512 GB of native storage. Note that the Samsung handset runs Android 11 out of the box, while the Honor Magic V ships with Android 12, and it will include Google Mobile Services in the global market.

Camera

The specs on the paper are not enough to establish which of these devices will offer the best camera performance. The Honor Magic V has three 50 MP sensors on the rear side, including an ultrawide camera. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 comes with three 12 MP cameras including OIS, 2x optical zoom, and an ultrawide sensor. The Honor flagship has a 42 MP front camera, while the Samsung one sports two front cameras, one on the external display and one on the internal one, with 4 and 10 MP resolution respectively.

Read More: OPPO Find N vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3: Specs Comparison

Battery

The Honor Magic V has a bigger 4700 mAh battery and it is likely to last more on a single charge. Further, it features faster 66W charging. On the other hand, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 adds wireless charging, but it has a smaller battery and lowers charging speeds.

Price

Unfortunately, the Honor Magic V is still not Global, so it is impossible to make a comparison between prices. In China, it starts from €1385/$1545, while the Galaxy Z Fold 3 costs around €1500/$1672 globally. Which one would you pick?

Honor Magic V vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3: PRO and CONS

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3

PRO

More compact
Wireless charging
Wider availability
Waterproof IP68
Superior display

CONS

Smaller battery

Honor Magic V

PRO

Wider display
Leather variant
Bigger battery
Faster charging
Superior hardware

CONS

No wireless charging

RELATED

Check the latest videos from our YouTube channel and subscribe:

The TeslaMic is an in-car karaoke microphone now selling in China for $188

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

Jan 29, 2022

The latest software update for Tesla electric vehicles in China has incorporated an in-car karaoke system for enhanced entertainment. A new microphone, called the TeslaMic is now on sale by Tesla for its infotainment system, and it is only available in China currently. The TeslaMic is priced at $188 and can be purchased via the Tesla Store. The software update coincided with the Chinese New Year and it has added a karaoke platform, Leishi KTV to the infotainment system in electric vehicles.

The TeslaMic, in combination with the Leishi KTV karaoke system, opens a new vista in the infotainment content and features available to Tesla EV owners. It is unclear at this time how the TeslaMic could be purchased or whether it will berth in other regions outside China. The microphone automatically pairs with the in-car infotainment system and comes in a pair, with the possibility of turning the car’s infotainment system into a mobile public address unit.

The Leishi KTV adaptation by Tesla shows the company is building upon its Caraoke feature introduced in 2019 which had a more restrictive list of tracks to draw from. A YouTube video is out, possibly drawn from an earlier Weibo post, that shows the TeslaMic and Leishi KTV karaoke system is displayed in action. There is no official statement yet from Tesla on the availability of the TeslaMic in other regions, although Tesla vehicles can use the Carpool Karaoke microphone when connected to the car’s audio system with limited functionality.

RELATED:

(via)

Indian e-scooter giant Ola to open an Electric Vehicles facility in the UK

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

Jan 29, 2022

In a clear expansionist move, Indian ride-hailing startup and fast-rising EV manufacturer Ola plans to build a £100m ($134.06m) electric vehicle research and development (R&D) facility in the United Kingdom. The news comes as a boost to the UK automotive industry which has had a mixed bag of fortunes in recent times.

Ola is a rapidly-expanding tech firm with electric vehicle manufacturing interests. It already has a few e-scooters under its belt and recently unveiled its concept car design in India. Ola’s investment in the new R&D plant is to subsequently yield electric vehicles wholly designed by the firm.

Ola Electric, days back raised $200m in funding at a reported $5b valuation from Japanese tech investor, Softbank. It is also reportedly planning a stock market float to raise as much as $2bn.

Ola is a leading ride-hailing app, with the company saying it is the third-largest in the world. Ola launched its taxi app operations in the United Kingdom in 2018. It is operational in several UK cities including London, Birmingham, and Cardiff. The new facility will be sited in Coventry in the West Midlands, the center of the UK automotive industry. It will create up to 200 jobs in design and engineering, with focus also beamed on research on EV battery technology.

Ola said the new UK facility will collaborate closely with the headquarters, although little detail was provided on the manufacturing capacity of the Coventry facility.

The £100m ($134.06m) investment seems to be a vote of confidence in the UK automotive industry as it continues to rebound after years of underperformance. This has led to a recent surge in investment in the sector. London’s trade issues with the EU also saw some of the big players holding back to get clarity in the market. The UK EV market holds some promise as EVs still only accounted for about 12% of UK car sales in 2021.

According to the company, the new UK plant, Ola Futurefoundry will enable the company to tap into the automotive design and engineering talent in the UK to create the next generation of electric vehicles. The plan remains to continue to produce affordable electric vehicles in the UK. The company hopes to create a world-class design and R&D team with global sensibilities.

RELATED:

(source)

OnePlus Nord 2 CE Indian pricing revealed, will start at Rs. 25,000 ($333)

By

Sudhanshu

-

Jan 29, 2022

OnePlus is reportedly working on the OnePlus Nord 2 CE, which is codenamed “Ivan.” Earlier this week, the launch date of the Nord 2 CE was revealed to be February 11, and now, information regarding its pricing has surfaced.

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

According to a 91mobiles report, tipster Yogesh Brar has stated that the OnePlus Nord 2 CE will be priced between Rs. 25,000 ($333) and Rs. 30,000 ($400). The information came with the pricing and launch timeline reveal of the OnePlus Nord 2T which is expected to launch in India between April and July.

OnePlus Nord CE 2 specifications (rumored)

So far, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 is rumored to arrive with a 6.4-inch AMOLED display. The punch-hole screen is expected to support a Full HD+ resolution, a 90Hz refresh rate, and an in-screen fingerprint scanner. The handset will run on Android 12 OS out of the box.

For photography, it is likely to feature a 64-megapixel main camera, an 8-megapixel ultrawide lens, and a 2-megapixel macro triple camera unit. As for video calls and selfies, we can expect a 16-megapixel front-facing camera.

The Dimensity 900 chipset will be powering the Nord CE 2. It may come with 6 GB / 8 GB / 12 GB of RAM and 128 GB / 256 GB of internal storage. It will draw power from a 4,500mAh battery, which is expected to carry support for 65W fast charging. It is likely to be priced between Rs 25,000 ($333) and Rs 30,000 ($400) in India. The Nord CE 2 is expected to arrive in black and green colors.

OnePlus is also said to be working on a new Nord device which is expected to launch in India this year and is tipped to be priced under Rs 20,000 ($269).

RELATED:

OnePlus Nord 2T pricing and launch timeline tipped for Indian markets

By

Sudhanshu

-

Jan 29, 2022

Earlier this week, the existence of the OnePlus Nord 2T was revealed through a specifications leak. The leak revealed that the upcoming Nord 2T will come with MediaTek Dimensity 1300 SoC which is still unreleased. And now, a new report has surfaced hinting at the expected launch timeline and pricing of the device.

oneplus nord 2 featured — oneplus nord 2

According to a recent report by 91mobiles, noted tipster Yogesh Brar has revealed that the OnePlus Nord 2T will be replacing the existing Nord 2 when it launches. The Nord 2T is said to launch somewhere between April and May and will be priced between Rs. 30,000-40,000 ($400-$533). The base variant of the Nord 2T which is expected to offer 6GB RAM and 128GB storage can be priced just under Rs. 30,000 ($400).

OnePlus Nord 2T specs (rumored)

Previous leaks have revealed that the OnePlus Nord 2T will be powered by the Dimensity 1300. The processor is yet to go official so the Nord 2T could be one of the very first to be powered by it.

It is said to come with a 6.43-inch Full HD+ (2400×1080) AMOLED panel with a 90Hz refresh rate. Along with the above-mentioned Dimensity 1300 SoC, the phone is expected to be made available in three RAM variants – 6GB, 8GB, and 12GB. As for the storage options, the phone will likely be launched with 128GB and 256GB storage variants. It will also run Android 12 out of the box.

For photography, the camera is expected to be largely unchanged compared to the OnePlus Nord 2, but rumor has it that the Nord 2T might come with the newer version of the sensors. The OnePlus Nord 2T is expected to sport a triple camera setup at the rear, headlined by a 50MP shooter. The primary will be complemented by 8MP ultra-wide and 2MP monochrome sensors. For selfies, you get a 32MP camera that will likely be housed within a punch-hole cutout.

Charging will also receive a notable upgrade, with the 4,500mAh battery now being capable of being filled up at 80W SuperVOOC speeds via wire. This is the same as the OnePlus 10 Pro, meaning you will be getting flagship-level charging capabilities in a mid-range device.

RELATED:

Windows 11 is being adopted twice as fast as Windows 10: Report

By

Sudhanshu

-

Jan 29, 2022

On October 5, 2021, Microsoft released Windows 11 to the masses. Although Early adopters of the operating system faced multiple bugs and difficulties, new data has surfaced revealing that more and more people are upgrading to Windows 11.

According to XDA Developers, the January usage report published by AdDuplex shows that Windows 11 has almost doubled its userbase since November 2021. For those unaware, AdDuplex is a company that provides an advertising framework for apps on the Microsoft store.

The report shows that the user base of Windows 11 is 16.1% of total users, which was only 8.6% back in the month of November. These numbers appear to be in line with Microsoft’s recently stated that users are adopting Windows 11 much quicker than expected, which is twice as fast as they adopted Windows 10. The company even claimed that customer satisfaction with Windows 11 has been the highest among all Windows versions released as of yet.

Though it is worth keeping in mind that this data is from a sample size of 60,000 systems which is rather small when you consider that billions of systems use some form of Windows OS. The data also leaves out systems not using Windows 10 or 11 since only the recent version can have the AdDuplex SDK. Meaning the data does not include Windows 7 and 8 users.

That aside, the growing userbase is still impressive considering that a lot of systems are incompatible with Windows 11 and can not be upgraded via normal methods. And the popularity of Windows 11 is still expected to grow as the company matures the Android apps and games support on the operating system.

RELATED:

(source)

Lenovo Tab P12 Pro gets Android 12L Beta 2

By

Pranav Sawant

-

Jan 29, 2022

Last month, the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro received its first beta of the Android 12L developer preview. Now, Google has started rolling out beta 2 on the Tab P12 Pro. Notably, this built comes two weeks after its release for the Google Pixel phones.

The Android 12L beta 2 brings the December security patch. It also has the SW flashing packages and a 12L Beta 2 image. Unfortunately, the beta build doesn’t have any release notes to refer to. Having said that, we aren’t sure what major changes does it bring, at the moment.

After taking a look at the Lenovo page, we saw that Lenovo has also not updated the list of SW limitations. It is the same as Beta 1. It seems that either Lenovo has forgotten to update the page, or the new Beta doesn’t really bring any fixes(via GSMArena).

Nonetheless, the Beta 2 build is here and you can download it from this link. It is sized at 1.7GB and is for the Wi-Fi version of the Tab P12 Pro – TB-Q706F.

In February, the tablet is expected to get the Android 12L Beta 3 update. The final build will be released in April this year.

Lenovo Tab P12 Pro Specifications

The Lenovo Tab P12 Pro was launched back in September 2021. It has a 12.6-inch AMOLED display with an FHD+ resolution. It has a 13MP + 5MP dual rear camera and an 8MP + 8MP dual selfie setup. The tablet also supports Stylus and has the Snapdragon 870 SoC inside. It has up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. It has a 10,200mAh battery and supports 45W fast charging support. It was released running on Android 11 out of the box.

RELATED:

(via)

Panasonic’s new lens molding technology will halve camera lens cost

By

Zohaib Ahmed

-

Jan 29, 2022

Panasonic has announced the development of a new far-infrared lens molding technology. It will be employed for the mass production of far-infrared aspherical lenses to improve camera and sensor performance. The new lenses are made of chalcogenide glass, which has “excellent far-infrared transmission characteristics.”

The new glass molding method allows Panasonic to deliver a range of lenses including diffractive lenses, which is the world’s first highly hermetic frame-integrated lens without using adhesive (via Neowin). Using the tech, the company will be able to contribute to the spread enhanced performance of far-infrared sensor modules. This will be done by achieving mass production of high-quality but still low-cost far-infrared aspherical lenses.

The new technology is ready to supply chalcogenide lenses, both aspherical and diffractive, already in a number of sizes, ranging from φ3 mm to φ40 mm. The non-usage of adhesive will also allow the production of frame-integrated lenses without the risk of gas contamination.

Further, the edge of the lens is safeguarded, improving the accuracy of installation on the lens barrel. And last but not least, the technology enables the development of highly hermetic barrel type frame-integrated lenses.

Panasonic is currently accepting prototype orders but sales of high-performance and low-cost far-infrared aspherical lenses are set to expand in the future.

RELATED:

Upcoming Smartphones: OPPO Reno7 series heading to India

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

-

Jan 29, 2022

This week, we at least had two important smartphone launches. However, next week, there will be only one. OPPO will be finally debuting the OPPO Reno7 series in India after teasing it for the past few days. Here’s what the new phones from the brand will offer and how much they are expected to cost.

Upcoming Smartphone Next Week

OPPO Reno7 Series

The OPPO Reno7 series will launch in India on February 4. The live stream for the event will kickstart at 12 PM IST. It will be broadcasted by the official OPPO India handles on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

The company is anticipated to debut two models in the lineup, namely OPPO Reno7 and OPPO Reno7 Pro. These two handsets and OPPO Reno7 SE initially went official in China at the end of November.

OPPO Reno7

The OPPO Reno7 coming to India is said to be a rebranded OPPO Reno7 SE. Hence, the device will have features like a 6.43-inch 90Hz FHD+ AMOLED display, MediaTek Dimensity 900 chipset, LPDDR4x RAM, UFS 2.2 storage, 48MP (wide) + 2MP (macro) + 2MP (depth) triple camera setup, 16MP selfie camera, in-screen fingerprint sensor, ColorOS 12 based on Android 11, 4,500mAh battery, and 33W fast charging.

The phone is rumored to cost ₹29,990 for the single 8GB + 256GB variant. But according to a retailer, it will cost ₹31,490 for the sole 8GB + 128GB memory configuration.

OPPO Reno7 Pro

Unlike the OPPO Reno7, the OPPO Reno7 Pro heading to India is expected to be the same as the handset sold in China. Therefore, it will arrive with features like a notification LED light around the camera island, 6.55-inch 90Hz FHD+ AMOLED display, MediaTek Dimensity 1200-MAX chipset, LPDDR4x RAM, UFS 3.1 storage, 50MP (wide) + 8MP (ultra-wide) + 2MP (macro) triple camera setup, 32MP selfie camera, in-screen fingerprint sensor, ColorOS 12 based on Android 11, 4,500mAh battery, and 65W fast charging.

The device was previously rumored to cost around ₹41,000-₹43,000. But now, it is being tipped to retail at ₹39,990 for the single 12GB + 256GB memory version.

REDMAGIC 7 could be the first gaming phone with a true full-screen, bezel-less design

By

Zohaib Ahmed

-

Jan 29, 2022

The REDMAGIC 7 series will offer at least one device that will come with a full-screen, bezel-less viewing experience, which is a first for gaming phones.

The information comes from prominent tipster Digital Chat Station who further revealed that the series will be equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor that will be aided by a 20,000 RPM active cooling fan to help it stay cool during extended gaming sessions.

The display upfront will be a 165Hz OLED panel and the phones will also support 165W super flash charging, which looks set to be the fastest in the industry when the series goes live. Such speeds should help the phone reach 100% from 0% in around 10 minutes, meaning you wouldn’t have to worry about the battery at all.

Gaming phones have always shied away from adopting full-screen displays as they aren’t the most ideal for gaming. A major complaint by gamers against bezel-less phones is that they’re plagued by accidental touches from the edges they’re gripped from.

It could be possible that the REDMAGIC 7 will include stuff on the software end that will address this limitation. A simple feature that reduces touch sensitivity around the edges when a game is detected in the foreground should suffice.

Another cool feature that one of the models from the REDMAGIC 7 series will pack is under-display camera technology, which would again be a first for a gaming phone. This will be paired with under-display fingerprint.

Additionally, a recent teaser revealed that the device has an AnTuTu score of 1,101,769 which is the highest in any gaming phone at the moment.

RELATED:

Realme RMX3513 spotted on FCC with a big battery and 18W fast charging

By

Pranav Sawant

-

Jan 29, 2022

Realme has several budget phones in the pipeline for the coming months. The company is expected to launch the Realme C31, C35, and 9 series soon, out of which, the Realme 9 series is scheduled for a launch in February. Now, yet another gaming phone has appeared online, which looks to be a budget-centric phone.

According to its FCC certification, the new Realme phone has the model number RMX3513. It is a dual-SIM 4G smartphone with support for 18W fast charging support. It also packs a 5,000mAh battery. We also get to learn that the phone will arrive with a USB Type-C cable and earphones. Furthermore, it boots on Android 11 out of the box and has Realme UI on top of it.

1 of 5

Considering its model number, we speculate it to be some C-series Realme device. The Realme C35 which recently passed Geekbench also has a similar model number — RMX3511.

Having a look at its specs, the Geekbench portal revealed that it will be powered by a UNISOC SoC and have 4GB of RAM. Just like the RMX3513, it also boots on Android 11 OS.

As of now, there’s very little that we know about the Realme RMX3513, however, considering that it has passed the FCC listing, we can expect a launch sooner. We expect the device to be some budget-centric phone and may have an HD+ screen, 60Hz refresh rate, and modest cameras.

RELATED:

(via)

OPPO Reno7, Reno7 Pro India price leak again

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

-

Jan 29, 2022

OPPO has confirmed to launch the OPPO Reno7 series in India on February 4. The company is expected to introduce two models in the lineup, namely OPPO Reno7 and OPPO Reno7 Pro. Ahead of their official announcement, their price has leaked once again.

OPPO Reno7 Pro Review Cameras — OPPO Reno7 Pro

According to the source of tipster Sudhanshu Ambhore, the OPPO Reno7 will retail at ₹29,990 in India for the sole 8GB + 256GB memory configuration. On the other hand, the OPPO Reno7 Pro will cost ₹39,990 for the single 12GB + 256GB variant.

The leaker requests the public to consider this information with a pinch of salt. Because the previous reports have suggested higher price tags.

A retailer listing recently revealed that the OPPO Reno7 will come in an 8GB + 128GB version priced at ₹31,490. Whereas, the OPPO Reno7 Pro was earlier said to retail at around ₹41,000-₹43,000.

As far as the devices are concerned, the OPPO Reno7 Pro coming to India is the same as the phone sold in China. However, the OPPO Reno7 for India is said to be a rebranded OPPO Reno7 SE.

In a nutshell, both these handsets are already official and we know everything about them. In fact, we had already reviewed the OPPO Reno7 Pro back in December.

Fastrack Reflex Vox smartwatch with Alexa voice assistant launched in India

By

Pranav Sawant

-

Jan 29, 2022

Fastrack has officially launched its first smartwatch under the Reflex lineup. It is called the Fastrack Reflex Vox and it comes with a squarish design offering over 100 watch faces and various health modes.

The Fastrack Reflex Vox is priced at Rs. 6,995 in the market, but is currently available for Rs. 4,995 as an introductory offer. It comes in four color options, Carbon Black, Flaming Red, Blazing Blue, Champagne Pink. The smartwatch also comes with interchangeable bands.

As for its availability, the Reflex Vox can be picked up from nearby Fastrack stores, Worl of Titan, and other authorized dealers. It will also be available from Shoppers Stop and Lifestyle retail outlets. The sale starts from today i.e. January 29.

Fastrack Reflex Vox Specifications

The Fastrack Reflex sports a 1.69-inch touch color display with an HD screen resolution. It has over 100 watch faces and boasts a physical button on the right spine. It has multi-sports modes and various health-related features.

It comes with a heart rate monitor, SpO2 sensor, sleep tracker, stress monitor, and even menstrual tracker. It can also track activity like the regular step counting. It also has music controls and supports remote camera features.

The smartwatch can display call and message alerts, and also show specific app alerts. In terms of the battery, it offers 10 days of battery life. Interestingly, it also has a built-in Amazon Alexa voice assistant.

RELATED:

(via)

OnePlus grows an astonishing 524% in the US, beating Google on its own turf

By

Zohaib Ahmed

-

Jan 29, 2022

OnePlus has been getting a lot of backlash for its recent ‘anti-enthusiast’ moves like firstly steadily increasing its prices, then announcing its OPPO fellowship, and putting the final nail in the coffin by ditching OxygenOS for ColorOS. While many have begun to think that the company has finally ‘settled’ and is done for, Counterpoint‘s latest US smartphone market sales figures beg to differ.

The Chinese phone company led by Pete Lau has reportedly managed to record an astonishing 524% of growth in the US, beating the likes of Google whose Pixel series doesn’t seem to have made quite the expected impact. Still, Google did see a spike of 56% YoY in sales, which isn’t all that bad.

OnePlus’s achievement can be owed mostly to its Nord series devices, which continued to see success at T-Mobile and the carrier’s entry into over 2,000 Walmart locations. Do keep in mind though that the company has started from an extremely small base (its US market share in Q4 2021 stood at 2%) and exponential growth isn’t too uncommon at this point.

Counterpoint-Research-US-Smartphone-Market-Share-Q4-2021-1024x499 — Image: Counterpoint

Motorola is another player with a lot going on for them. The company has sold the largest number of smartphones in the US market in its history, beating its Q4 2019 performance. LG’s demise left some shoes to be filled and Motorola seized the opportunity, recording a market share of 9% in Q4 2021. A lot of the success is driven by the Moto G Pure which was among the top three best-selling devices in the quarter.

But it’s Apple that has the tightest grip on the US market, with over half of smartphones sold in the country last year being an iPhone. The Cupertino-based company closed 2021 with a market share of 57%, driven by both iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 sales, and its YoY growth stood at an impressive 17%.

Seconding Apple in terms of sales is Samsung, with a market share of 24% and growth of 11% in Q4 2021. Several factors held back the OEM’s sales, including shortages of the Galaxy S21 series and the delayed launch of the Galaxy S21 FE. Strong performance of the A series and foldables helped made up for the shortfall, though, and the Galaxy A12 even became the best-selling Android device in 2021.

RELATED:

Vivo V23 vs V23 Pro: Specs Comparison

By

Michele Ingelido

-

Jan 28, 2022

After the initial launch of the V23e in late 2021, the V23 series expanded at the beginning of this month with the most advanced handsets: Vivo V23 and V23 Pro. The two devices debuted in the Indian market with two killer features that are not easy to find on other phones: a color-changing design and amazing dual front cameras. After the launch, a lot of people started wondering which are all the differences between these two variants and why the latter is called Pro, especially because they seem identical at first glance. This comparison between the specifications of the Vivo V23 and the Vivo V23 Pro will explain to you all the main differences and let you realize which one fits your needs the most.

Vivo V23 5G vs Vivo V23 Pro

	Vivo V23	Vivo V23 Pro
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT	157.2 x 72.4 x 7.6 mm, 179 g	159.5 x 73.3 x 7.4 mm, 171 g
DISPLAY	6.44 inches, 1080 x 2400 pixels (Full HD+), AMOLED	6.56 inches, 1080 x 2400 pixels (Full HD+), AMOLED
PROCESSOR	Mediatek Dimensity 900, octa-core 2.5 GHz	Mediatek Dimensity 1200, octa-core 3 GHz
MEMORY	8 GB RAM, 128 GB – 12 GB RAM, 512 GB	8 GB RAM, 128 GB – 12 GB RAM, 256 GB
SOFTWARE	Android 12, Funtouch OS 12	Android 12, Funtouch OS 12
CONNECTIVITY	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS
CAMERA	Triple 64 + 8 + 2 MP, f/1.9 + f/2.2 + f/2.4 Dual 50 + 8 MP f/2.0 and f/2.3 front camera	Triple 108 + 8 + 2 MP, f/1.9 + f/2.2 + f/2.4 Dual 50 + 8 MP f/2.0 and f/2.3 front camera
BATTERY	4200 mAh, fast charging 44W	4300 mAh, Fast Charging 44W
ADDITIONAL FEATURES	5G, dual SIM, color-changing back	5G, dual SIM, color-changing back

Design

There are no big differences between the designs of the Vivo V23 and the V23 Pro. They both come with an amazing color-changing design: their rear cover is able to change color when placed under the sunlight and the effect it creates is simply awesome. The rear side is made of glass, so you even get premium materials, and the front side has a very high screen to body ratio. Unfortunately, these phones come with a big notch similar to the ones found on Apple’s iPhones, but the notch is there because there are two front cameras for amazing selfies. The Vivo V23 5G is a bit more compact than the Vivo V23 Pro because it packs a smaller display, and this is an added value for those who want a phone easier to use with one hand.

Display

The only difference between the two displays of these phones is the diagonal: the vanilla Vivo V23 5G has a diagonal of 6.44 inches, while the Pro variant has a diagonal of 6.56 inches. For the rest, the displays are pretty much the same and they are very good panels if we only talk about the mid-range segment. They are AMOLED panels with a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, a 90 Hz refresh rate, the HDR10+ certification improving the image quality on streaming platforms, and an in-display fingerprint reader. Do you prefer a bigger display on a bigger phone or the 6.44-inch diagonal of the V23 5G is enough for your needs?

Specs & Software

The most important difference between the Vivo V23 5G and the Vivo V23 Pro is the hardware department. The vanilla version is powered by the midrange MediaTek Dimensity 920 processor built at 6 nm with a max frequency of 2.5 GHz, while the Pro variant is fueled by the high-end MediaTek Dimensity 1200 mobile platform built at 6 nm with a max frequency of 3 GHz. The Pro variant is a more powerful phone and it is more suitable for gamers and power users thanks to its better chipset. It is not the most advanced flagship chipset, but its performance is amazing. The phones are both equipped with up to 12 GB of RAM and up to 256 GB of internal storage, non expandable with a micro SD. They run Android 12 out of the box, customized by Funtouch OS 12.

Camera

The Vivo V23 5G and the Vivo V23 Pro come with a triple rear camera including two different main sensors: the former has a 64 MP main camera, while the latter has a superior 108 MP sensor. The two remaining sensors are exactly the same: an 8 MP ultrawide camera and a 2 MP macro lens. But the killer feature of these handsets is the front camera department: they both come with a dual front camera including a 50 MP main sensor (with an f/2.0 focal aperture and 4K video recording) and an 8 MP ultrawide camera.

Read More: Vivo V23 5G series with color changing rear panel launched in India

Battery

The battery of the Vivo V23 Pro is slightly bigger than the one found on the vanilla version: 4300 mAh vs 4200 mAh. This means that the battery life will be slightly longer. The phones both support 44W fast charging.

Price

Vivo V23 5G has a starting price of €360/$401, while the Pro version starts from €460/$513. The Pro variant is better because it comes with a better main camera, a superior chipset, and a slightly bigger battery: for the rest, if we exclude the dimensions, these devices are identical.

Vivo V23 vs Vivo V23 Pro: PRO and CONS

Vivo V23

PRO

More affordable
More compact
Same front cameras as the Pro

CONS

Inferior rear camera
Lower-end chipset

Vivo V23 Pro

PRO

Superior rear camera
Bigger battery
Wider display
Better chipset

CONS

Price

RELATED

Check the latest videos from our YouTube channel and subscribe:

WeCool launches the Moonwalk M2 TWS earbuds in India for Rs. 1,599 ($21)

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

Jan 28, 2022

Audio accessories maker WeCool has introduced its latest true wireless earbuds in India. It is the WeCool Moonwalk M2 TWS earbuds priced at Rs. 1,599 (~$21). The Moonwalk M2 comes with environmental noise cancellation (ENC) functionality for an enhanced audio experience. It also offers a Gaming Mode and up to 32 hours of playback on a single charge, supported by its accompanying charging case.

The Moonwalk M2 TWS earbuds have IPX5 splash-resistant rating and have 10mm audio drivers for a decent quality sound output. The new earbuds have an in-ear, ergonomic design with a stem that guarantees comfort even when using the device for extended periods. The earbuds are also lightweight, provide for magnetic charging via the charging case. The Moonwalk M2 supports Bluetooth 5.1 and has four LEDs to indicate battery status. The charging capsule of the Moonwalk M2 has a USB-C port with fast charging support.

The WeCool Moonwalk M2 TWS earbuds with ENC can be purchased exclusively from Amazon India. It comes with a 12-month Warranty, according to the company, and it is expected to get decent reception in India due to its features and affordability.

RELATED:

Blackview A95 with iPhone 13-like design announced for $209.99

By

Pranav Sawant

-

Jan 28, 2022

Chinese phone maker Blackview has announced a new budget smartphone in the market. The all-new Blackview A95 brings an iPhone 13-like rear design but fairs at a cheaper price, paired with budget specs.

The Blackview A95 costs $209.99 for the lone 8GB RAM and 128GB storage variant. But you can get it for $159.99 in the early bird sale. It will go on sale starting February 21 on AliExpress. It has three color variants – Aurora Night Black, Summer Ocean Blue, and Fantasy Galaxy Rainbow.

Blackview A95 Specifications

The Blackview A95 comes with a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display sporting an HD+ resolution. It is a water-drop notch display with the standard 60Hz refresh rate. It has a 20:9 aspect ratio and 269 PPI pixel density.

The notch holds an 8MP selfie snapper. It has a triple camera system at the rear. From the back, the phone resembles the iPhone 13. It has a similar camera island with a triple camera-like design. But in reality, it only has a 20MP Sony IMX376 primary lens, the other two lenses are dummy sensors.

It is powered by the 12nm MediaTek Helio P70 SoC paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. It has a microSD card slot for additional storage. It houses a 4,380mAh battery and has support for 18W rapid charging technology. The device boots on the company’s custom skin called Doke OS and has Android 11 OS out of the box.

As for other features, it has a game mode that clears RAM and blocks calls and pop-ups that arrive while gaming. It also has features like the clone phone and dark mode.

RELATED:

(via)

Nothing sold over 400,000 units of the Nothing Ear (1), plans to launch four more devices

By

Pranav Sawant

-

Jan 28, 2022

Last year, Nothing launched its first-ever product, the Nothing Ear (1) TWS earbuds in multiple markets. Initially, the Ear (1) was introduced in a White color variant with all the fancy transparent casing and Nothing branding. Later, after a few months of its release, the company launched a Black color of the TWS earbuds to keep the brand going. Now, Nothing reveals that the company has gained good figures when it comes to the sales of the earbuds, and, it is planning to introduce more devices in the future.

Carl Pei’s Nothing has sold over 400,000 units of the Ear (1) since its launch. Previously, the company has revealed that between September and October last year, it sold 100,00 units. Having sold more than 300,000 ever since, to date, sure does show the product’s popularity.

That being said, Nothing has four more products in the pipeline. Unfortunately, the company didn’t exactly reveal which are those products. However, its Nothing smartphone was previously rumored. The device is said to be development phase at the moment and may launch next year. Just like the Nothing Ear (1), the Nothing smartphone is expected to be a fancy device and may have transparent housing. The brand has partnered with Qualcomm, so we can guess a Snapdragon SoC inside.

Apart from this, we are also expecting a Nothing power bank, smartwatch, and other gadgets getting unveiled in early 2022.

In related news, Nothing recently brought Adam Bates to the design team as the design director for Nothing. For those unaware, he was previously the head of design & product experience for Dyson.

RELATED:

Samsung Galaxy Dual Fold phone with S Pen support appears in the new patent

By

Pranav Sawant

-

Jan 28, 2022

Samsung is already famous for its foldable tech that we’ve been seeing in the form of patents for the last many years. Recently, the Korean tech giant showcased its Flex foldable technology at the CES event. The company already has two established foldable phone lineups — Z Fold, Z Flip. One after another, it seems that Samsung’s foldable phone saga isn’t slowing down. Now, a new patent showcases a dual folding phone with an S-Pen holder.

Reportedly, a new patent for the Samsung Galaxy Dual Fold was filed back in July 2021. And, it has now been published showcasing the foldable phone’s impressive design. It could be the company’s first Z-style foldable phone concept with this kind of S Pen stylus holder. Thanks to LetsGoDigital, we now have the phone’s schematics.

The foldable phone has two hinges and three parts of the screen. Here while folding, some portion of the back of the phone gets sandwiched between the screen. Interestingly, the right-side of the foldable phone’s back seems to have two cut-outs. These cut-outs are for magnetically attaching the stylus. As shown in the images, the S Pen sits perfectly in between.

Moreover, the S Pen won’t fall out even when the phone is unfolded since it is magnetically attached. The S Pen can be removed from the bottom, just like the Note series’ or the upcoming S22 Ultra’s S Pen.

If this concept gets materialized, it would be a great deal for the classic Note series fans. The unique way of keeping the S Pen, while getting a mammoth foldable panel in use, is a great way of using the foldable design.

RELATED:

Cyborg GT 120 electric bike with 125kmph top speed, 180km range released in India

By

Sudhanshu

-

Jan 28, 2022

Last week, Ignitron Motorcorp unveiled the Cyborg Bob-e electric bike, and now, the rising electric bike startup has launched an electric sports bike in India called the Cyborg GT 120. So let’s take a look at what this new electric sports bike has to offer.

Cyborg GT 120 specifications, features

The GT 120 looks just like a traditional sports bike and houses a 4.68kWhr lithium-ion battery paired with a BLDC Hub motor with 6kW of peak power. Unlike the Bob-e and Yoda, the battery in the GT 120 is not swappable due to its size and weight. The GT 120 is capable of reaching a top speed of 125kmph and can go 0-40kmph in 2.5 seconds.

The GT 120 offers a range of 180km on a single charge and takes 5 hours to fully charge with a 15A fast home charger. The battery on the bike is also weather-proof and touch-safe. The bike features a combi brake system (CBS) with a disk brake at the front.

Some of its standout features include geo-fencing, geo-location, USB charging, Bluetooth, keyless Ignitron, and a digital instrument cluster. The cluster houses an LED display that also shows the rider the remaining battery life. The display also has an IP65 rating for dust and water resistance. The bike offers three riding modes including Eco, Normal, and Sports. It also gets a reverse mode with a parking assist that is capable of making sounds to alert the people nearby.

Cyborg GT 120 pricing and availability

The pricing and booking window of the Cyborg GT 120 are expected to be announced in the month of February. The bike will come in two color options namely Black and Purple. Additionally, Ignitron Motorcorp has stated that the battery, motor, and bike come with 5 years of warranty.

RELATED:

(via)