Xiaomi 11T Pro launched in India with ₹39,999 ($536) price tag

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Jan 19, 2022

After teasing for the last few days, Xiaomi has finally launched the Xiaomi 11T Pro in India. It is exactly the same phone that was first unveiled back in September 2021. The company calls the handset ‘The Hyperphone’ as it arrives with 120W fast charging support. Let’s check out what all it offers and how much it costs in the country.

Xiaomi 11T Pro Featured A — Xiaomi 11T Pro

Xiaomi 11T Pro Price and Availability in India

The Xiaomi will retail at the following price tags in India starting from 2 PM later today (January 19).

8GB + 128GB – ₹39,999 ($536)
8GB + 256GB – ₹41,999 ($563)
12GB + 256GB – ₹43,999 ($589)

Customers can purchase it in either Celestial Magic, Meteorite Black, or Moonlight White color option. Launch offers on the smartphone include a flat ₹5,000 ($67) discount on Citi bank cards and a ₹5,000 ($67) bonus on exchange.

Xiaomi 11T Pro Specifications and Features

The Xiaomi 11T Pro features a glass sandwich design with a plastic frame. The rear glass has an anti-glare finish, in addition to tapered edges and quad curves. The camera array resembles a vintage film camcorder to complement the multiple video modes available on the smartphone.

The IP53-rated device measures 164.1mm x 76.9mm x 8.8mm in dimensions and weighs 204g. It comes in three colors, namely Celestial Magic, Meteorite Black, and Moonlight White.

The phone sports a 6.67-inch flat AMOLED display with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels (FHD+), over 1 billion colors, 120Hz AdaptiveSync refresh rate, and 480Hz touch sampling. The Corning Gorilla Glass Victus-protected panel has a 5,000,000:1 contrast ratio, 1000 nits peak brightness, 20:9 aspect ratio, and a centered punch-hole.

The screen is rated A+ by DisplayMate. It supports multiple HDR standards (HDR10, Dolby Vision), MEMC, TrueColor, Sunlight Mode 3.0, and Reading Mode 3.0.

The handset is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset paired with LPDDR5 RAM, UFS 3.1 storage, and liquid cooling technology. It runs MIUI 12.5 based on Android 11 with guaranteed updates for three generations of Android and four years of security patches.

As for optics, it arrives with a triple camera setup on the rear. The system consists of a 108MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide unit (120° FOV), and a 5MP telemacro snapper with autofocus. Selfies and video calls are taken care of by a 16MP shooter. The camera app allows users to record videos in 8K 30 fps, 4K 60fps, and HDR10+. The application also offers features like Audio Zoom, Slow Shutter, Parallel World, One-Click AI Cinema, Time Freeze, and Magic Zoom to name a few.

Connectivity options on the smartphone include dual-SIM, 5G (13 5G bands), WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, dual GNSS (GPS, A-GPS, NavIC, GALILEO, GLONASS, BeiDou), NFC, and USB Type-C. It has all the essential sensors like an accelerometer, proximity sensor, gyroscope, 360° ambient light sensor, compass, side-mounted fingerprint sensor, IR blaster, barometer, and a color temperature sensor.

It lacks a 3.5mm headphone but houses Dolby Atmos-supported dual symmetrical stereo speakers tuned by Harman Kardon. There’s also an x-axis linear vibration motor and Hi-Res Audio certifications for both wired as well as wireless.

Finally, the Xiaomi 11T Pro is backed by a 5,000mAh battery with support for 120W Xiaomi HyperCharge technology. The company claims a full charge (100%) from 2% in just 17 minutes. The required power adapter is included in the handset’s retail box.

Possible Redmi Note 11 models for global markets emerge

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Jan 19, 2022

Xiaomi has scheduled a global launch event for January 26. The company has confirmed to debut the Redmi Note 11 series at this conference. MIUI 13 could also get announced at this event. Ahead of that, names and codenames of the possible models in the Redmi Note 11 family emerge on the internet.

Redmi Note 11 Pro vs Note 11 Pro+ Featured 1 — Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G (Pissaro) and Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G (Pissaropro)

According to Xiaomiui, the Redmi Note 11 series for international markets will include a total of 5 smartphones. They are listed below along with their codenames.

Redmi Note 11
- Spes – India (No NFC)
- Spesn – Global (NFC)
Redmi Note 11S
- Miel
Redmi Note 11 Pro 4G
- Vida – India
- Viva – Global
Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G
- Veux
Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G
- Pissaropro – China and other markets (excluding India)

The ‘Global’ in the above list denotes international markets other than India. Further, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G has already been released in India as Xiaomi 11i HyperCharge.

Finally, the availability of Redmi Note 11S and Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G is not known. However, we know that at least the former will make its way to India as the company has started teasing it.

As we are still days away from the Xiaomi conference, we expect to learn more about the aforementioned phones in the coming days.

Vivo tablet specs leak reveals 120Hz display, Snapdragon 870 SoC, 44W fast charging and more

By

Jeet

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Jan 19, 2022

After several leaks and rumors, the Executive Vice President of Vivo had confirmed last year that the brand’s first tablet is in the works and also revealed that it will get officially launched in the first half of 2022.

With the launch timeline approaching, more details about the first tablet from Vivo keep surfacing online. In the latest development, Digital Chat Station has revealed some key features and specifications of the upcoming device.

The new leak reveals that the Vivo tablet will come powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 processor. This is the same chipset that is powering the premium Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro model as well as the Lenovo Xiaoxin Pad Pro 2021.

It will feature a Full HD+ display with minimal bezels that offers a 120Hz refresh rate and a punch-hole cutout on the top of the screen for housing the front-facing camera. Further, it is said to be powered by a 7,860mAh battery and have 44W fast charging support.

As for the software department, the device is likely to come running the company’s own OriginOS based on the Android operating system out-of-the-box. It will also have a Terminal interconnection feature that can share screen and content across Vivo devices.

Last year, the company registered the “Vivo Pad” trademark but it has not been confirmed yet if the device will be named the same. Given that the tablet should be official by the end of June this year, we expect to know more about the product in the coming months.

Apart from Vivo, its sub-brand iQOO is also expected to launch a tablet while its sister company OPPO is also set to soon launch its first tablet in the market. Given the specifications of the upcoming Vivo tablet, it’s likely to compete against the likes of Xiaomi and Lenovo, which are currently dominating the tablet market in China.

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Renders of TCL 30 and TCL 30+ smartphones leak hinting of imminent launch

By

Jeet

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Jan 19, 2022

At the Consumer Electronics Show a couple of weeks ago, TCL launched several new products, including two smartphones under the TCL 30 series — TCL 30 XE 5G for T-Mobile and TCL 30 V 5G for Verizon.

It seems that the brand isn’t done with the series yet and has two more smartphones coming up pretty soon — TCL 30 and TCL 30+. Ahead of the phones getting official, Evan Blass has shared high-resolution renders of these two devices.

The smartphones appear to be an upper mid-range offering from TCL and will compete in the United States market against the likes of the Samsung Galaxy A-series phones. The specifications of these upcoming smartphones remain unknown, so it’s hard to say exactly what the company plans to offer.

From the leaked render images, the smartphone features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for added security. They also have a large display with a waterdrop notch on top for housing the front-facing camera sensor. The phones are said to have a 50-megapixel primary camera sensor on the back.

While not yet confirmed, there’s a possibility that the TCL 30 and 30+ may get picked up by some network carriers in the United States since the earlier devices launched in the lineup are network-exclusive offerings. Whatever be the case, we expect both the smartphones to get launched pretty soon given that they have already been leaked and we’ll soon get to know more about their specs, features, pricing, and availability details.

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Microsoft to acquire Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion in an all-cash deal

By

Jeet

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Jan 19, 2022

Microsoft has announced that the company is acquiring Activision Blizzard in an all-cash deal that is worth $68.7 billion. This is by far the highest bid from Microsoft for the acquisition of any company. For instance, it acquired LinkedIn for $26 billion in 2016.

The company says that once the deal goes through, it will be the third-largest gaming company by revenue, just behind the giants Tencent and Sony. Microsoft is paying $95 per share, which is about 45 percent above his company’s stock price.

Microsoft expects this acquisition deal to close in fiscal year 2023” which means that there’s still a long wait of several months. The longer wait could be because of the number of markets for operations, making regulatory approval more complicated.

This acquisition is yet another example of the rapid consolidation happening in the game industry and the reason behind seems to be the race for having a catalogue of exclusive content. Companies, including Microsoft, sometimes makes the games it owns available only on its own gaming consoles and not available for competitive products.

Once the deal closes, Microsoft will be adding Activision’s games to Xbox Game Pass which includes titles like Warcraft, Diablo, Overwatch, Call of Duty, and Candy Crush. Phile Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, said, “Upon close, we will offer as many Activision Blizzard games as we can within Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass, both new titles and games from Activision Blizzard’s incredible catalog.”

The acquisition of Activision Blizzard comes at a time when the company faces accusations senior executives having ignored sexual harassment and discrimination. Its shares fell 27 percent since California sued the company in July over the claims.

Bobby Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard will stay in his role and will be reporting to Phil Spencer who is leading Microsoft Gaming. Reports indicate that soon after the transition period, Mr. Kotick could step down or continue in an advisory role.

Microsoft is focusing a lot on the gaming for the past few years and seems like the pandemic has helped the company as more people stay home and using gaming systems. In January 2021, on the heels of massive demand for its Xbox gaming consoles, Microsoft’s gaming revenue surpassed $5 billion for the first time.

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Xiaomi MIX 5 and Vivo NEX 5 set to be the Best Camera Phones of 2022 – Insider reveals

By

Leo Wong De Quan

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Jan 19, 2022

A flagship smartphone nowadays cannot compete based on raw performance alone, as last year, as even the mid-range segment has started using top-of-the-shelf flagship processors. Xiaomi equipped its Redmi K40 series with Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 and Snapdragon 888 processors, Realme equipped its Realme GT with a Snapdragon 888 and its Realme GT 2 Pro with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 for a price-to-performance like none other manufacturers. Therefore, the flagship smartphone market has been gradually focusing on photo and video quality for the past few years.

Xiaomi and Vivo were both praised for their top-of-the-industry camera performance with their Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra and Vivo X70 Pro Plus respectively.

mi 11 ultra dxomark — Xiaomi 11 Ultra coming in first in DxOMark ratings

In 2022, both companies are set to be trendsetters in mobile photography once again as a popular leakster and industry insider from China, Digital Chat Station, recently made a comment that Xiaomi and Vivo are to shock the industry again with their camera prowess again with their upcoming flagships, the Xiaomi MIX 5 and the Vivo NEX 5 respectively.

xiaomi-mix-5-vivo-nex-5-weibo — Digital Chat Station on Weibo talking about the Xiaomi MIX 5 and Vivo NEX 5

In the comment, the insider mentioned that they were very fond of both smartphones for their industry-leading camera configuration. Both flagships will feature bigger sensors across all focal lengths, which means brighter photos and videos during low light whether you will be using the ultra-wide, normal, or telephoto lens to capture the scene.

Paired with the rumored upcoming collaborations with high-profile camera giants, such as Leica with Xiaomi, and Zeiss with Vivo, the camera algorithms and scene recognition software also receive a much-needed flare from the camera companies to ensure the user takes the shot just how they like it.

vivo X70 Pro Plus Hands on Review Camera Comparison — Vivo x Zeiss Collaboration

The insider also mentions that both phones also have the essentials of what makes a flagship as both the Xiaomi MIX 5 and Vivo NEX 5 will include fast charging support and long-lasting battery endurance to keep you doing what you love all day.

The insider further adds that both phones may be the best camera phones of 2022 and that he is considering using both the Xiaomi MIX 5 and Vivo NEX 5 as their daily driver in the year 2022.

No specific camera details or specifications of both phones were leaked but judging by the mention of both flagship model names, it may seem that Xiaomi and Vivo may release more info about the announcement of both flagships soon.

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Alleged OPPO Reno8 / Reno8 Pro renders emerge to showcase renewed design

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jan 19, 2022

In December 2021, OPPO unveiled the Reno7 SE, Reno7, and Reno7 Pro smartphones in China. The Chinese manufacturer is in the process of bringing the Reno7 series to the global markets. Going by the launch pattern of the Reno lineup in China, the company is expected to announce the Reno8 series of smartphones by mid-2022. Well ahead of the expected launch, leaked official renders of the Reno8 or Reno8 Pro have surfaced on the web.

Publication LetsGoDigital has received official product images from a patent design that OPPO filed in China. While the images showcase the appearance of the smartphone from the front, rear, as well as from sides, there is no confirmation of its final product name. However, the overall design of the device suggests that it could be the Reno8 or Reno8 Pro smartphone.

Alleged Reno 8 Pro images by LetsGoDigital

The patent images show that the alleged Reno8 Pro will come in three colors such as black, silver, and blue gradient. The front side of the phone features a punch-hole display with minimal bezels

Speaking of the cameras, the handset can be seen sporting a triple camera unit placed in a rectangle-shaped unit. The side views of the phone show that its cameras do not protrude much from the housing. The power button of the device is placed on the right, while the volume keys are on the left.

The rumor mill is yet to spill information on the Reno8 series of smartphones. It is advisable to wait for further reports to see whether the above-shown handset will release as a Reno8 lineup model or a smartphone from some other series.

In related news, OPPO recently unveiled the Reno6 Lite smartphone in Mexico. The handset was unveiled as a rebranded version of the OPPO F19.

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Realme C35 bags multiple certifications, launch seems imminent

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jan 19, 2022

Realme is reportedly working on new C-series of smartphones. It was revealed last month that the Realme C31 with RMX3501 model number is in the works. Recently, the Realme C35 with RMX3511 model number was seen at the Geekbench benchmarking site. Fresh information shared by tipster Abhishek Yadav reveals that the device has bagged multiple certifications.

The screenshots shared by the tipster shows that the Realme C35 has been certified in multiple markets. It has been approved by NBTC in Thailand, BIS in India, SDPPI in Indonesia, and 3C in China. These listings have revealed only a few details of the smartphone.

#realme C35 RMX3511 appears on NBTC, BIS, SDPPI, Geekbench & 3C certification.

– Android 11
– 4GB ram
– UniSoc T616 CPU
– Mali – G57 GPU
– 18 watt charging
(1/2) pic.twitter.com/CQ3Sp9gVX9

— Abhishek Yadav (@yabhishekhd) January 19, 2022

The Realme C35 will be a 4G LTE device and it is likely to carry support for 18W fast charging. The previously seen Geekbench listing of the device revealed that is powered by the Unisoc T616 chipset, 4 GB of RAM, and Android 11 OS. The other details of the C35 are under the wraps.

In related news, Realme recently unveiled the Realme 9i in markets like Vietnam and India. Now, it seems to be working on the launch of the Realme 9 Pro and Realme 9 Pro+ 5G. The Realme 9i has been introduced with a pricing of Rs 13,999 (~$187) in India. A recent report claimed that the Realme 9 Pro series will be priced above Rs 15,000 (~$201) in India.

The Realme 9 Pro series is likely to rival the Redmi Note 11 lineup, which is expected to launch soon in India and Europe. The Realme 9 Pro is expected to arrive with specs like a 6.59-inch FHD+ 120Hz display, a 16-megapixel front camera, 64-megapixel triple rear cameras, Snapdragon 695, 8 GB of RAM, 128 GB of native storage, and a 5,000mAh battery.

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OPPO Find X5, X5 Pro 3C certified, likely to debut with 80W fast charging

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jan 19, 2022

OPPO Find X5 series of smartphones are expected to debut in March this year. The lineup heading to China is expected to include two models such as Find X5 and Find X5 Pro, whereas these devices will be accompanied by the Find X5 Lite in the global markets. Recent reports have revealed that the Find X5 Pro’s model number for the global market is CPH2305, whereas its Chinese edition has a PFEM10 model number. Fresh information reveals that the Chinese variants of the Find X5 and X5 Pro have received approval from the 3C authority of China (via).

Two new OPPO phones with model numbers PFEM10 and PFFM10 have received 3C certifications. While the former is said to be the Find X5 Pro, the latter is expected to break cover as the vanilla Find X5. The 3C listings of both devices reveal that they may arrive with support for 80W wired charging. Rumors surrounding the Find X5 series have claimed that the Pro may model will also offer 50W wireless charging, while the vanilla will lack support for it.

Rumors have it the Find X5 may come equipped with the Dimensity 9000 chipset and its camera setup slightly different from the Pro model. The rumor mill is yet to leak concrete information on the specs of the Find X5.

OPPO Find X5 Render — OPPO Find X5 / X5 Pro renders by OnLeaks and Prepp.in

As far as the Find X5 Pro is concerned, it is expected to come with a 6.7-inch AMOLED LTPO 2.0 QHD+ 120Hz display, a 32-megapixel Sony IMX709 front camera, and a 50-megapixel (Sony IMX766, with OIS) + 50-megapixel (ultrawide) + 13-megapixel triple camera unit with MariSilicon X NPU. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 powered device is expected to come with up to 12 GB of LPDDR5 RAM, up to 512 GB of UFS 3.1 storage, and a 5,000mAh battery.

The Find X5 Pro may run on Android 12 OS, which will be overlaid with ColorOS 12. For security, it will feature an in-screen fingerprint scanner.

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Samsung Galaxy A33 5G charging capabilities emerge through FCC certification

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jan 19, 2022

Recently, the upcoming Samsung Galaxy A33 5G was spotted at certification platforms like Bluetooth SIG and SafetyKorea. Now, the smartphone with model number SM-A336M/DSN has bagged certification from the FCC authority. The new certification (via) has revealed the battery size and charging capabilities of the device.

The Galaxy A33 5G’s FCC listing has revealed that it may carry support for 25W fast charging. There is a possibility that while the device may support 25W charging, its retail package may include a 15W charger.

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The FCC listing has further revealed that the device will include a battery with EB-BA336ABY model number. It was previously revealed through SafetyKorea certification that it offers a typical value of 5,000mAh. Lastly, the listing confirms connectivity features such as 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.1, and NFC.

Samsung Galaxy A33 5G specifications (Rumored)

Past reports have revealed that the Galaxy A33 5G will be equipped with a 6.4-inch AMOLED display with a waterdrop notch. It is likely to carry support for Full HD+ resolution. It is speculated to be powered by a Dimensity chipset.

The rear-facing camera setup of the Galaxy A33 5G may include a 48-megapixel primary camera, an 8-megapixel ultrawide lens, a 5-megapixel macro snapper, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. There is no information available on the front camera of the device. A recent report claimed that it will be equipped with an IP67 rated water-resistant chassis. The A33 5G is rumored to debut in February in India.

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Kodak launches Mag-Safe wireless chargers for the iPhone 12 and 13 series in India

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jan 19, 2022

Kodak is collaborating with the Indian company, Georgian Enterprises to launch wireless chargers for the Apple iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 series in India. The two wireless chargers are the Kodak Magnetic Wireless chargers Car WCM101C and WCM201.

The Kodak Magnetic Wireless Charger (car WCM101C) can be mounted on a car’s AC vent and has an easy-to-detach vent as well as a grip-locking ring. It can be used on the go while traveling for iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 smartphones. It has a square flat body and sports neodymium magnets around the edges to ensure a grip-like hold on the iPhone. It is also possible to place your iPhone in any orientation, thanks to its full-circle rotating ball mount. The magnetic wireless charger has an intelligent charging chip that helps to provide 15W fast charging support for the iPhone.

The Kodak Magnetic Wireless Charger (WCM201) is a 15W desk charger that offers wireless charging via its stand. It has powerful neodymium magnets for a secure hold of the iPhone. It can be used at home or the office. It also has a tiny kickstand to help the user position the iPhone upright while charging.

The devices come with a one-year warranty and will be available from Amazon India and Flipkart this month. The products are sold at an introductory price of Rs. 2,499 (~$34). Both Kodak and Georgian Technologies are excited with the partnership that has now culminated in the release of the two Kodak magnetic wireless chargers.

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Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra Exynos 2200 variant’s AnTuTu, Geekbench scores revealed

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jan 19, 2022

Yesterday, Samsung announced the Exynos 2200 chipset, which will be seen on the upcoming Galaxy S22 series of smartphones. Reports have revealed that depending on the market the S22 lineup will be available with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Exynos 2200. While all the technical details of the SD8G1 chip are already known, there is no official word on the clock speed or the number of cores of the Exynos 2200. Tipster Ishan Agarwal has teamed up with My Smart Price to reveal the performance of the Exynos 2200 powered Galaxy S22 Ultra

The new leak states that the Galaxy S22 Ultra with Exynos 2200 onboard has scored on 965,874 on AnTuTu benchmarks. In the single-core and multi-core tests of Geekbench, the handset scored 1108 and 3516 points, respectively. To recall, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 edition of the S22 Ultra scored 1219 in the single-core test and 3154 in the multi-core test. The report further states that it secured 109 FPS in GFXBench Aztec Ruins normal test.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra Render Leak via Evan Blass

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra specifications (rumored)

The Galaxy S22 Ultra rumors have revealed that it will feature a 6.8-inch Dynamic 2X AMOLED display that offers a Quad HD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a 1,750 nits brightness. It will come preinstalled with One UI 4 based Android 12 OS.

On the frontside, the S22 Ultra will feature a 40-megapixel selfie camera. Its rear camera setup may include a 108-megapixel main camera with an OIS support, a 10-megapixel telephoto camera with 3x zoom and OIS, a 10-megapixel periscope telephoto snapper with OIS, and a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera.

The S22 Ultra will come with 8 GB / 12 GB of RAM and 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB of storage. It may house a 5,000mAh battery, which will carry support for 45W fast charging. The device will include a dedicated slot for storing an S-Pen. It may come in colors like Phantom White, Phantom Black, Green, and Burgundy.

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Portronics launches the Vayu portable tyre inflator in India for Rs. 2,899 ($39)

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jan 18, 2022

The Portronics Vayu portable tyre inflator has been unveiled in India for Rs. 2,899 (~$39). The device is a handy technology that will save motorists and riders the hassle of having their tyres inflated at the gas station. It also proves handy as a worthy addition to a motorist’s toolbox. The new device will come with a 12-month warranty.

The Portronics Vayu can be used to inflate tyres of vehicles, motorcycles, or even a ball. It comes with multiple nozzles of different sizes and functionality and it is based on a Presta Valve adapter. Its accompanying LED display will notify the user of key details about the item being inflated. A 4000mAh battery provides power for the Vayu and it outputs 50W power.

The Portronics Vayu has four modes – Car, Motorcycle, Bicycle, and Ball modes, which means it is adjustable to suit any of the scenarios snugly. It is capable of inflating the tyres of a standard car in under 9 minutes. The Vayu can be charged via USB-C and it can inflate up to 150 psi according to the company. Vayu can autodetect the pressure while pumping the tyre and stop when it reaches the limit, although users can also manually accomplish the inflation process. The Portronics Vayu is available via Flipkart in India and the company’s official website, as well as offline outlets.

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Key US Airlines warn C-Band 5G deployment could wreck havoc & ground several flights

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jan 18, 2022

In a frontal response to the planned deployment of the 5G service by AT&T and Verizon, the chief executives of major US carriers have warned of an impending catastrophic aviation crisis if the deployment plan is carried through. The group is called Airlines for America and they are warning that the new C-Band 5G service could render could potentially affect the usability of several widebody aircraft, thus leading to flight disruptions to tens of thousands of passengers. The major carriers that have come together to issue a joint statement on the issue include American Airlines, Delta Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and others.

According to the statement, a vast majority of the traveling and the shipping public could be essentially grounded unless the major hubs are cleared to fly. There had been fears that major communications equipment could be potentially affected via interference when the C-Band 5G service is deployed especially in the vicinity of US airports. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has warned that such potential interference could significantly hamper low-visibility operations, hence the group is warning that such problems could lead to flight disruptions that could affect up to 100,000 passengers in a day.

The letter signed by all the airlines has been dispatched to the White House National Economic Council director, US Transportation Secretary, FAA Administrator, and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair. The group says that it is hopeful that it can work with the government to finalize solutions that will mitigate the potential impact of the new 5G deployment.

The FAA had stated that it will continue to ensure the safety of the flying public even as wireless companies deploy 5G technology in the country. Both AT&T and Verizon insist that the new deployment has been proven in over 40 countries and it will not affect the airlines. After the auction of the C-band 5G spectrum in January 2021, both companies agreed to create buffer zones around 50 airports to reduce the risk of interference. They also agreed to take other measures to ensure that air safety is not affected through the deployment of the technology. It remains to be seen what response will come from the government to avert the crisis.

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(source)

China recorded a 15.9% YoY rise in smartphone shipments in 2021 despite chip shortage

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jan 18, 2022

The Chinese smartphone market is experiencing a rebound, going by the latest numbers coming from government data. The latest official data shows that China had shipped about 342.8 million smartphones to the domestic market in 2021, which indicates a 15.9% improvement from the previous year. The numbers show a strong performance given the large dip that occurred due to the pandemic. The current figure however falls below the pre-pandemic performance, but the outlook remains bright.

In 2020, the total shipments were about 296 million smartphones, which was a 20.4% decline from its 2019 high of about 372 million units. The data were pieced together from a government-backed think-tank, the China Academy of Information and Communications (CAICT). The aggregate numbers reveal a comeback for several Chinese brands that had suffered massive declines due to the pandemic and other extraneous factors. The global chip shortage, which persists, could also be a possible factor that could have slowed down the growth.

The Chinese smartphone market is a highly competitive one, with a large number of local brands taking a chunk of the market, and Apple, the only foreign brand with a significant presence in China’s domestic market. Apple has continued to record a strong showing in the Chinese domestic market including Hong Kong and Taiwan. The Chinese domestic smartphone market is on a rebound, and the projections are positive that it will reach and surpass the pre-pandemic performance in 2022.

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(source)

TECNO POVA Neo already available for Rs 12,999 at a retail store in India

By

Pranav Sawant

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Jan 18, 2022

Chinese phone maker TECNO has scheduled to launch the TECNO POVA Neo smartphone on January 20 in India. But, now, ahead of its launch, the smartphone is already available for purchase on Mahesh Telecom at a budget price.

Mahesh Telecom is a retail store in India and it is offering the device for a price of Rs 12,999(~$174). Interestingly, this isn’t any unauthentic listing, rather the teaser poster tweeted by the retail store’s Twitter handle seems to be a legit one. It also reveals some of its features. We also get to know its color variants – Black and Blue.

The poster reveals the phone’s configuration – 6GB RAM and 128GB storage, which we expect to be the sole variant in the country. The smartphone also has RAM expansion support of up to 11GB. It basically has 5GB of virtual RAM support on top of the 6GB original RAM making it a total of 11GB. This is something similar to the Realme 9i, which arrived in India today.

In terms of its specs, the phone was already launched in Nigeria, and we can expect the same model to arrive in India. The smartphone has a 6.8-inch IPS LCD display with an HD+(1640 x 720 pixels) resolution and 120Hz refresh rate.

At the helm, it is powered by the MediaTek Helio G25 SoC and has a big 6,000mAh battery. The battery has an 18W fast charging support via the USB Type-C port. The device features a 13MP primary camera and an 8MP selfie lens. It has a side-facing fingerprint scanner and boots on HiOS 7.6 based on Android 11 out of the box.

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(via)

Xiaomi MIJIA LCD Small Blackboard Storage Edition arrives with built-in storage, USB-C

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jan 18, 2022

Xiaomi first launched the MIJIA LCD Small Blackboard also known as MIJIA LCD Writing Tablet, way back in 2019. The product was an unexpected hit and the company equally recorded huge sales over time. This has perhaps prompted the firm to develop an upgraded version which has now been launched in China. The version is known as MIJIA LCD Smal Blackboard Storage Edition.

Just as the name implies, the new storage edition comes with dedicated storage, unlike previous models where users can’t save whatever is written on the screen. Written texts or drawings disappear as soon as the screen is wiped.

While the previous model was made available in 10-inch, 13.5-inch, and 20-inch variants, this new STorage edition comes with a single 13.5-inch LCD screen option. The display is equipped with electromagnetic induction technology, 2048 pressure sensitivity level, and combines the real writing experience of traditional paper with the smooth experience of the LCD screen.

The writing tablet is bundled with a passive wireless electromagnetic pen which doe not require charging and can be used at any time. The pen has a nib stroke of only 0.7mm and is comparable to the writing feel of a traditional signature pen.

For storage, the Mijia LCD Small Blackboard Storage Edition features a built-in 121MB storage and supports 400 pages of conference content storage. You can save your writing locally without a mobile phone, which is convenient and fast. The device can also be paired with a smartphone and that will give users the option of adding Xiaomi cloud disk backup support.

Furthermore, the writing tablet supports real-time synchronization of the writing screen with a mobile phone or tablet. It also brings support for Bluetooth 5.0 wireless transmission.

In terms of battery life, the built-in 1000mAh large-capacity battery can last for one week in a fully charged state. It also comes with a USB Type-C interface for fast charging with a full charge guaranteed in 1.5 hours.

The new edition is now on sale in China via Jingdong (JD.com) priced at just 349 yuan (~$55).

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Samsung Galaxy S10 5G gets Android 12 based One UI 4 update in the US and Korea

By

Pranav Sawant

-

Jan 18, 2022

Samsung is pushing the Android 12 based One UI 4 update to several smartphones in its premium and mid-range segment. Recently, the Samsung Galaxy S10 series received the update, but it was limited to Germany. Now, the new update has arrived for the devices in the US and Korea.

The Android 12 based One UI 4 update is rolling out for carrier-locked models of the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G. Do note that the update is for the devices on the Verizon network. It update has the firmware version G977UVRU8GULD and it brings the latest January 2022 security patch.

The new update has reached South Korea with the firmware version G977NKSU6GULB. But unfortunately, it has the old December 2021 security patch. Nonetheless, the update brings all the features of the Android 12 and has One UI 4’s improvements.

Most of the users in the said regions should’ve received a notification for the update. But, if you didn’t, there’s nothing to worry about. Simple head over to the settings page and look for the software update section. Now, check for the update and download and install it. The update can also be installed via a Windows computer.

In related news, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 4G, 5G, and other flagships have also received the update. Even the mid-range phones like the Galaxy A52, A52s, A42, and A72 have also got the new Android 12 update.

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Garmin launches Fenix 7 series and Epix Gen smartwatches with solar charging in the US

By

Pranav Sawant

-

Jan 18, 2022

Garmin has officially refreshed its Fenix 6 smartwatch with the new Garmin Fenix 7 in the US. The smartwatch comes in three models – Fenix 7, Fenix 7S, and Fenix 7X. The new series comes with solar charging, GPS L5, and an LED flashlight. Additionally, the company has also launched the Epix Gen 2 smartwatch in the country.

The Garmin Fenix 7 is the starter model priced at $699.99, Fenix 7S is priced at $899.99, and the premium Fenix 7X costs $999.99. On the other hand, the Garmin Epix is priced at $899 for the glass watch face and steel frame, while the sapphire watch face and titanium frame cost $999.

The Garmin Fenix 7 has the smallest dial out of the three, coming at 42mm. The Fenix 7S has a 47mm dial, whereas the Fenix 7X has a 51mm dial.

Coming to the Fenix 7 trio’s features, the series comes with solar charging support and is claimed to have 54% more solar surface area than the predecessor Fenix 6X Pro. Having said that, the new smartwatch also brings improved battery life.

The Fenix 7 series comes with the L5 GPS frequency range that offers better accuracy in GPS signals. In case you are unaware, L5 is the new GPS signal for civilians and it offers advanced signal design, greater bandwidth, and more power eventually offering more accuracy.

When GPS is turned on, the Fenix 7 will offer an estimated battery of 136 hours to 286 hours. The Fenix 7S will offer a max battery of 90 hours or 162 hours. The 7X, on the other hand, will provide 213 hours or 578 hours with the solar. This is the estimated battery life, however, Garmin claims up to 37 days of battery on the premium Fenix 7X.

The premium Fenix 7X comes with the hands-free LED flashlight feature, where the LED light can throw out bright White light and Red light. It also has the strobe mode for emergencies.

The Epix Gen 2 comes in a 47mm dial and has up to 16 days of battery life. The Epix has some similar features to the Fenix 7 series but lacks an LED flashlight and doesn’t support solar charging. The Epix has a 1.3-inch OLED always-on display and it offers a six-day battery life.

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Mysterious Huawei 5G smartphone with TD Tech branding appears on TENAA

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

-

Jan 18, 2022

Huawei is no longer a major player in the smartphone market due to the US sanctions. However, the company still has not left the industry. Although it continues to release self-branded handsets, it is also working with other companies to sell phones through licensing. TD Tech is one of those many licensees of Huawei hardware products, and it is said to release a new smartphone soon.

A mysterious Huawei 5G smartphone with TD Tech branding has emerged on the internet with model number AVA-PA00. Unfortunately, the device’s TENAA listing does not say anything about it as of now. We expect to learn more about it in the coming days.

In early November 2021, a handset called TD Tech N8 Pro went official in China. This device is nothing but a rebranded HUAWEI nova 8 Pro 5G. A few days after that, it was revealed that TD Tech will release almost all Huawei products, including smartphones, tablets, wearables, and smart TV under its brand.

At around the same time, the TD Tech version of HUAWEI Mate40E 5G appeared on the website of 3C certification agency with model number TDT-MA01. The listing confirmed that the phone will come with 44W fast charging. The device even appeared in a TikTok video.

Two months have passed but this handset is yet to release. On top of that, the brand already has yet another phone in the pipeline.

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