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Galaxy A52 5G also gets Android 12 update after Galaxy A52, A52s 5G

Samsung started rolling out the Android 12-based One UI 4.0 update for its mid-range Galaxy A series a few days back starting with Galaxy A72. The update was later made available for Galaxy A52, Galaxy A52s 5G, and Galaxy A42 5G. Now, the latest version of One UI is also live for Galaxy A52 5G.

Samsung Galaxy A52 Awesome Violet Featured
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G

According to SamMobile, Samsung has started pushing One UI 4.0 stable update for Galaxy A52 5G. The new system update for the handset is currently live in Europe. 

It arrives with firmware version A526BXXU1BUL7. Apart from bringing Android 12, the update also bumps up the security patch level to January 2022.

Like any other OTA software update, this one is also being pushed in batches. In simpler words, some users will receive it earlier, while others may have to wait longer. Anyway, every unit should get access to the release in all the regions in the coming days.

The Galaxy A52 5G and its siblings (Galaxy A52, Galaxy A52s 5G) are eligible for three generations of Android updates and at least four years of security updates. Hence, these smartphones will be not only receiving Android 13 but also Android 14.

Though these phones will be getting longer software support, that does not mean they will not get an upgrade in terms of hardware. Samsung is expected to release their successor called Galaxy A53 very soon.

 

 

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Apple iPad Air 5 may launch later this year, with A15 chip & Center Stage selfie tech

A new report has suggested that Apple might be planning on launching the new iPad Air 5 later this year. The tablet will feature the latest A15 Bionic chipset and will even feature an enhanced selfie camera with Center Stage technology.

Apple
2020 iPad Air

According to Mac Otakara’s sources (Via NotebookCheck), the Cupertino based giant is gearing up for an iPad Air 5 launch later this year. While its chipset and other features are in line with current gen standards, its display and design will reportedly remain the same as the 2020 iPad Air. Furthermore, this information is also similar to earlier reports that hinted at Apple hosting a virtual event sometime between March and April 2022.

During this conference, the brand is expected to announce its latest lineup of products, which would likely include the highly anticipated iPhone SE 3, which unlike the iPad Air, is expected to arrive with a major overhaul. The model is now expected to feature a notched LCD screen, similar to the one found on the iPhone XR.

Apple

On the other hand, the iPad Air 5 won’t feature any notable changes in design. However, the addition of the A15 Bionic chipset means that the upcoming mid range iPad will feature 5G support. In other words, it might be a worthy upgrade for those looking for an iPad upgrade. With the current gen iPad Air models retailing for around 600 US Dollars, we can expect the new iPad Air 5 to also arrive with a similar price tag as well.

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Samsung Galaxy S21 FE gets January security patch as its first-ever update

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE was finally announced earlier this month at CES 2022 after months of delays, defying various rumors of its cancelation. As customary for Samsung, the device quickly received the January security patch not long after in some Asian markets. And now, it has begun to get the same in the US too, as its very first update.

The update is for the unlocked variant of the Galaxy S21 FE and carries firmware version G990U1UEU2BUL8 (via SamMobile). It doesn’t bring anything new to the table other than the January security patch, but that’s unsurprising considering the device already runs the latest from Samsung out of the box—One UI 4 based on Android 12.

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE White

Among the various vulnerabilities and security holes patched by the January patch is the bug that allowed Microsoft Teams to break emergency calling. It also fixes a loophole in Android 12 that allowed third-party applications with shell access to change the colors and dimensions of certain system elements.

The update is rolling out to almost all carrier networks including AT&T, Bluegrass Cellular, Comcast, C-Spire, Tracfone, T-Mobile, Verizon, and Xfinity Mobile.

It is one of the dozens that the device will be getting, thanks to the promised three years of Android OS upgrades and four years of security patch updates.

If you reside in the US and wish to update your Galaxy S21 FE to the latest build, then you can do so by heading over to Settings > Software update and tapping on “Download and install” if anything shows up.

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Xiaomi may launch a clamshell folding phone, with an aggressive price tag

Earlier today (17th January 2022), a known tipster on Weibo (a Chinese microblogging website) revealed interesting information regarding the next generation of foldable smartphone from Xiaomi. Apparently, the company has already started work on this device, which will feature a clamshell folding design.

Xiaomi

Back in 2021, the Chinese tech giant had released its first ever foldable handset, which was the MIX Fold. It featured a vertical hinge, which meant that it folded horizontally similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3. Furthermore, it launched with a price tag of 9,999 Yuan (roughly 1,575 US Dollars), which almost as expensive as its Samsung counterpart. Although, the device was still one of the more affordable foldable devices in the market.

Now, known tipster Digital Chat Station has revealed that the company is working on a new foldable phone, which features a vertically folding horizontal display. However, its most notable aspect would be its price, as the tipster claims that the company might launch it closer to a mainstream flagship price. This would be a big deal considering, the cheapest foldable phone still costs over 1,000 US Dollars. We had previously even reported on a Xiaomi patent that showcased such a vertically folding phone.

Xiaomi

 

In the social media post, the tipster also revealed one key details regarding the upcoming Xiaomi foldable phone. Reportedly, this device will feature a FHD+ resolution and 120Hz high refresh rate. Under the hood, the phone will apparently houses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen series processor. Keep in mind that this is still just an unconfirmed report so take it with a pinch of salt for now and stay tuned for more updates.

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Vivo Y55 launched with Dimensity 700, 500MP triple cameras, and 5,000mAh battery

Vivo Y55 has gone official silently in Taiwan. It is a new variant of the Vivo Y55 5G, which debuted recently as Vivo’s largest battery smartphone in China. The newly unveiled Y55 resembles a lot with its Y55s sibling in terms of design and specs. Here is all the information on the specifications, features, and pricing of the Vivo Y55s 5G.

Vivo Y55s 5G specifications and features

The Vivo Y55s has an IPS LCD panel with a waterdrop notch design. The 6.58-inch display offers an FHD+ resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate. The power button available on the right edge of the device is integrated with a fingerprint scanner.

Vivo Y55s 5G
Vivo Y55s 5G
Vivo Y55s 5G
Vivo Y55s 5G

For selfies, the Vivo Y55s 5G possesses an 8-megapixel front-facing camera. The rear camera system of the device has a 50-megapixel primary camera, which is coupled with a 2-megapixel depth sensor and a 2-megapixel macro camera. The comes preinstalled with Android 12 OS, which is overlaid with FunTouch OS 12 UI.

Sitting under the hood of the Vivo Y55s 5G is the Dimensity 700 chipset. The handset offers 4 GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 128 GB of UFS 3.1 storage. While the Y55 5G featured a 6,000mAh battery, the Y55s has arrived at a smaller 5,000mAh battery. Like the Y55, its ‘s’ variant carries support for 18W charging through USB-C. Apart from the difference in the battery department, the newly unveiled Y55s is identical to the Y55 5G.

Vivo Y55s 5G pricing and availability

In Taiwan, the Vivo Y55s 5G carries a price tag of NTD 7,990 (~$290). As can be seen in the official renders, it comes in black and gradient blue colors. Vivo is yet to confirm the names of the other markets that will be receiving the Y55s 5G.

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MIUI 13 update for Mi 11X, Xiaomi 11 Lite NE 5G should be out soon

A number of Xiaomi and Redmi devices have started receiving stable MUI 13 update based on Android 12 in China. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for international markets. However, the company is set to release the update in global markets soon as the software builds are being prepared for more handsets.

Xiaomi Mi 11X Lunar White Featured
Xiaomi Mi 11X

A few days back, we reported that MIUI 13 update is ready for the Redmi Note 10 and the Redmi Note 10 Pro. Now, the same source, Xiaomiui, says that the latest version of MIUI is also ready for the Mi 11X and Xiaomi 11 Lite NE 5G.

For the unaware, Mi 11X and Xiaomi 11 Lite NE 5G are nothing but Indian variants of Redmi K40 and Mi 11 Lite Vitality Edition. The former has already bagged the Android 12-based MIUI 13 stale update in China. Whereas, the latter is yet to receive the update.

According to Xiaomiui, the first-ever MIUI 13 release for Mi 11X and Xiaomi 11 Lite NE 5G will arrive with the following build numbers.

Xiaomi Mi 11X

  • Codename: Alioth
  • MIUI 13: V13.0.1.0.SKHINXM
  • Android: Android 12

Xiaomi 11 Lite NE 5G

  • Codename: Lisa
  • MIUI 13: V13.0.1.0.SKOINXM
  • Android: Android 12

The aforementioned software builds will most likely reach ‘Pilot Testers’ initially, followed by ‘Stable Beta’ and ‘Stable’ channels. In simplers, though the update is ready, it will take some time to reach end-users.

 

 

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OPPO Reno6 Lite launched with Snapdragon 662, 5,000mAh battery, 48MP triple cameras

OPPO has silently announced the Reno6 Lite smartphone in Mexico. While the handset has arrived with a Reno6 branding, it is just a rebranded version of the OPPO F19. Here is all the information on the specs, features, and pricing of the Reno6 Lite.

OPPO Reno6 Lite specifications

The Reno6 Lite has a 6.43-inch AMOLED display that offers a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels and a 20:9 aspect ratio. The screen sports a punch-hole design, and it is integrated with a fingerprint scanner. The handset also carries support for face unlock security feature.

OPPO Reno6 LIte
OPPO Reno6 Lite

The Snapdragon 662 mid-range chipset that includes Adreno 610 graphics is at the helm of the Reno6 Lite. The device ships with 6GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 128GB of UFS 2.1 storage. For additional storage, the handset offers users a dedicated microSD card slot. It runs on Android 11 OS, which is overlaid with ColorOS 11 UI.

Coming to the photography department, the Reno6 Lite offers a 16-megapixel camera for capturing selfies and its rear shell has a 48-megapixel triple camera unit. The main camera on the back is assisted by a 2-megapixel depth helper and a 2-megapixel macro camera.

The Reno6 Lite is backed by a 5,000mAh battery that carries support for 33W rapid charging. The handset offers usual connectivity features such as dual SIM support, 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, a USB-C port, and a 3.5mm audio jack.

OPPO Reno6 Lite pricing and availability

The Reno6 Lite has arrived with a price tag of MXN 8,799 (~$433) in Mexico. The device comes in two colors such as Glowing Rainbow Silver and Glowing Starry Black. It is unclear which other markets will be receiving the Reno6 Lite.

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Xiaomi Auto gains former Arcfox president Yu Liguo as new vice president

Xiaomi on Friday appointed former BAIC executive Yu Liguo as vice president of its automobile business, an internal email revealed, signaling that the Chinese electronics giant is ramping up its efforts to make its debut in the said sector.

The new VP will be responsible for coordinating the overall management of Xiaomi Auto, which will include business promotion, organization, and talent building at the Beijing headquarters (via Pandaily). Yu had joined Xiaomi in the second half of 2021 and brings extensive experience and contacts from the automobile industry.

Yu Liguo Xiaomi auto VP
Source: Cheyun

This comes from his former position at BAIC, where he was in charge of the company’s new energy strategic planning, fixed investment, and joint venture cooperation. BAIC Group is a Chinese state-owned enterprise and holding company of several automobile and machine manufacturers located in Beijing.

During his time at BAIC, Yu led the creation of the Arcfox EV-maker brand and served as its president. The new Xiaomi Auto VP has also received a doctorate in engineering from the Beijing Institute of Technology.

Xiaomi has pledged to invest $10 billion into its EV business over the next decade, joining the already-crowded market with companies like Tesla, Xpeng, BYD, and others. It also revealed that its auto unit in Beijing will have an annual production capacity of 300,000 cars.

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Get Xiaomi 50W Wireless Car Charger Pro for $75.99 at Giztop

Xiaomi 50W Wireless Car Charger Pro is now available for all global customers at Giztop. The brand new car charger from Xiaomi is retailing at $75.99 only. 

WHERE TO BUY
Xiaomi 50W Wireless Car Charger Pro at $75.99 @Giztop

Xiaomi 50W Wireless Car Charger Pro

Xiaomi 50W Wireless Car Charger Pro is specially designed for single-hand operations. It uses the new generation microwave sensors to automatically open up its arms as you hover the phone near it. Also, you can easily remove the smartphone from the stand by simply pressing either of the two buttons present on the side of the clamp. This means you get a hassle-free and safe driving experience with this new Xiaomi charger.

This advanced wireless fast car charger is compatible with multiple devices and brands like Xiaomi, Samsung, iPhone, etc. However, please note that the charger does not support wireless charging for Mi 10 Ultra.  You can also charge the phone with a case (up to 4mm thick) as the vise arms can reach up to 84mm and the charging range is 4mm.

Xiaomi 50W Wireless Car Charger Pro

Xiaomi 50W Wireless Car Charger Pro comes with a built-in supercapacitor and a hidden direct air duct that helps in actively cooling down the phone thereby improving efficiency and reducing the overall charging time. 

Giztop is now accepting orders for Xiaomi 50W Wireless Car Charger Pro at $75.99 only. 

For more information on such exciting deals and offers check out our deals hub.

OnePlus 10 Pro may launch in India & Europe by March end, enters private testing

Just last week, the OnePlus 10 Pro had launched in China as the company’s latest flagship smartphone that succeeds last year’s OnePlus 9 Pro. The device features top notch specs and feature and may possibly launch in India and Europe by March end.

OnePlus 10 Pro hands-on featured 2

According to a 91Mobiles report, tipster Yogesh Brar has revealed the OnePlus 10 Pro has entered private testing in India and Europe. Furthermore, the Chinese smartphone maker’s flagship handset is expected to launch by the middle or end of March 2022. The tipster also revealed that the Nord CE 2 5G is out of testing phase and is expected to debut sometime in February. It is a mid range device and was recently spotted on an online listing alongside the flagship 10 Pro model, which hinted at an imminent launch. This mid range phone is also the successor to the original Nord CE.

Talking about the OnePlus 10 Pro, it sports a 6.7 inch LTPO AMOLED screen with QHD+(3216 x 1440 pixels) resolution, with a refresh rate of 120Hz. The device runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC and is powered by a 5,000mAh battery that supports 80W wired and 50W wireless SuperVOOC fast charging technology. On the rear, it features a triple camera system with a 48MP Sony IMX789 sensor, a 50MP Samsung ISOCELL JN1 sensor, and an 8MP telephoto lens, while the front has a 32MP selfie shooter.

OnePlus Nord 2 CE Renders Leak Featured B

Unfortunately, this is all the information that was shared as of right now. Following the Chinese launch, it isn’t surprising that the company would be planning on launching its latest flagship in India, which is one of its key markets as well as Europe soon. Although take this report with a pinch of salt and stay tuned for more updates.

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Aqara Smart Door Lock A100 Pro launched with Apple Home Key support

Aqara just launched the Smart Door Lock A100 Pro and it’s actually the very first smart lock in China with support for Apple Home Key. This means that it can be unlocked using an iPhone without the need for touching it to the surface of the door.

Aqara Smart Door Lock A100 Pro

The Aqara Smart Door Lock A100 Pro supports 7 unlocking methods including fingerprint, password, Bluetooth, NFC, emergency key, time-based passcode, and HomeKit. The fingerprint sensor is a financial-grade one with recognition rates reaching 98.6%. There is also a C-level lock cylinder, meaning you won’t have to worry about housebreaks.

In order to further improve security, the A100 Pro also features an electromagnetic protection design and a door lock anti-lock knob inside. Its main chip has been positioned such that it can’t be damaged from the front end.

Aqara Smart Door Lock A100 Pro inline

Using the A100 Pro through an Apple device is simple enough—all you need to do is add the device to the “Family” app following which a card for it will be generated in the Apple Wallet app. After this, the door lock can be unlocked simply when the iPhone or Apple Watch is put in its proximity.

Aqara Smart Door Lock A100 Pro in-action

Do keep in mind here that there are a few requirements to be able to use the Home Key function on the A100 Pro: iPhone XS or newer model updated to iOS 15 or later; Apple Watch Series 4 or newer updated to watchOS 8 or later.

The Aqara A100 Pro is powered by 8x AA batteries and has a battery life of up to 540 days. The Smart Door Lock also supports access to the smart home platform, links to lights, curtains, etc., and automatically turns off selected electrical appliances when the door is shut. It is priced at 2,299 yuan and is currently on sale.

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ColorOS 12 beta program kickstarts for OnePlus 8, 8 Pro, 8T

As scheduled, OnePlus has finally started recruiting ColorOS 12 (Android 12) beta testers for OnePlus 8, OnePlus 8 Pro, and OnePlus 8T in China. The registrations were supposed to go live today. However, the program kickstarted yesterday evening itself.

Oneplus 8 Pro All Colors Featured
OnePlus 8 Pro

According to official announcement posts on OnePlus Community China, the first batch of registrations has already closed today at 3 PM (local time). The brand has not revealed when it will be recruiting more testers.

Unlike regular ColorOS beta registration, the one for the older OnePlus devices is different as they run HydrogenOS. Applicants have to fill a special questionnaire instead of going to the update section on their phones.

OnePlus says that the applications will be reviewed within 5 working days. Also, participants who get selected will receive the Android 12-based ColorOS 12 beta update via OTA within 3 working days from the selection result.

The company has also listed some of the issues persisting in this update. The brand states that ‘Face Unlock’ may fail, using non-original chargers may result in intermittent charging, the calendar widget is elongated, and the fast wireless charging icon is not displayed on the OnePlus 8 Pro.

There could be also several other bugs but it is up to testers to find and report them. Pete Lau had already talked about difficulties in migrating from HydrogenOS to ColorOS. So don’t expect a smooth ride, even for international variants, which will be updated to OxygenOS 12 based on the merged codebase of ColorOS and OxygenOS.

 

 

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Rockchip flagship RK3588 AIoT chip powered products to launch soon

Earlier this month, Rockchip announced that new products that feature its latest flagship RK3588 series AIoT chipset are set to launch soon and are about to enter mass production as well.

The company had announced the new RK3588 series chipset back in 2020, which is a flagship grade processor for AIoT products. Notably, Rockchip has released this new chip that will be featured in 8 different fields of applications. Furthermore, the exhibition area for the chipset, showcased the RK3588 in around 200 terminal products that also feature other Rockchip solutions like security, education, office, smart home, even industrial applications, and more. The company is also joining hands with 21 other partner brands as well, which include some industry veterans and other big names.

Rockchip

For those unaware, Rockchip is a known Chinese fabless semiconductor based company. It has been selling its SoC for tablets, PCs, IoT based products, and more. Additionally, the new RK3588 succeeds the RK3399Pro as the flagship SoC and is also based on the ARM architecture. Although, the chipmaker also added that the semiconductor industry is still facing material shortages, which will affect the overall production capacity as well. On the other hand, the company has also announced that some of its new chips will also take on the popular Metaverse concept, with some of its products being made for VR.

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Alleged false battery life claims on Powerbeats Pro land Apple in a bit of legal trouble

A class-action lawsuit has been filed against Apple for allegedly overpromising the battery life on the Beats by Dre Powerbeats Pro. According to the plaintiff—New York resident Alejandro Vivar—the earbuds don’t last for 9 hours as marketed by Apple.

The lawsuit alleges that part of the problem is the supposed badly-designed charging case, from which the earbuds can be dislodged mid-charge, preventing them from getting filled up (via Law360, Apple Insider).

apple beats powerbeats pro featured

Also suggested was that the “IPX4-rated sweat and water resistance” isn’t up to the mark as sweat corrodes the charging contacts. This is worsened by the fact that damage through sweat isn’t covered by warranty.

Vivar insists he used Apple’s marketing claims to mean the battery “would last for the time promised, that both earbuds would charge and maintain their charges equally, not be affected by perspiration, and that the charge capability would not be negatively impacted by design or manufacture of the product.”

Apple is also implied to have gained more profits at the “expense of consumers” because it chose not to spill problems with the Powerbeats Pro.

The lawsuit aims to represent a class of purchasers from multiple states including New York, Georgia, Michigan, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and Virginia.

It is worth mentioning here that this is not the first time Apple has been sued over the Powerbeats. Previously, there was a suit related to issues with the Powerbeats 2 and Powerbeats 3 that was dismissed in 2020.

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Google foldable smartphone could be called Pixel Notepad; pricing details tipped

Google has been working on a foldable smartphone for quite some time now and there have been a few leaks related to this upcoming device from the technology giant, which has so far been referred to as Google Pixel Fold.

Now, a new report coming from 9to5Google claims that the first foldable smartphone from Google won’t be called Pixel Fold but will be named as Google Pixel Notepad. Further, the phone’s pricing details have also been tipped.

Google Pixel Notepad Foldable Smartphone Render

A source aware of the development said to 9to5Google that the Google Pixel Notepad is the working name for the foldable smartphone. It is also said that the company considered Google Pixel Longbook but ultimately went ahead with the Notepad.

Do note that there’s a possibility that the name of the smartphone could get changed by the time it’s ready for the commercial launch. Google usually has a number in the name of its smartphones but given that the foldable form factor is an experiment from the brand and a totally different offering from its usual ones, it could be named without a number.

The development about the phone’s name is Google Pixel Notepad comes just days after it was revealed through the animations in the Android 12L build that the smartphone will be similar to the OPPO Find N in terms of form factor and not like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold series phones because of the wider screen when unfolded.

Based on the leaks so far, the Google Pixel Notepad will come powered by the company’s own Tensor (GS101) chipset, coupled with up to 12GB RAM and 512GB storage. It is said to have a downgraded camera setup compared to the Pixel 6 lineup.

As for the pricing, the report claims that the Google Pixel Notepad would cost less than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 which is priced at $1,799. This is quite interesting, especially for a first-generation foldable smartphone.

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TECNO POP 5 Pro India launch teased officially

Tecno has confirmed to launch a new smartphone in India this week. A device called TECNO POVA Neo will make its way to the country on January 20. Ahead of that, the brand is teasing the release of yet another handset in the region.

TECNO POP 5 Pro
TECNO POP 5 Pro

According to the official Twitter handle of Tecno India, the company will launch the TECNO POP 5 Pro in the country very soon. The short video teasers shared by the brand confirm that the phone will arrive with an 8MP dual camera setup and a 6,000mAh battery.

The teasers also reveal the smartphone’s design. It will be featuring a dewdrop notch and a noticeable big chin on the front. Whereas, the rear of the device will house a vertically-aligned camera module.

According to PassionateGeekz (via MySmartPrice), the Tecno Pop 5 Pro will come with a 6.52-inch HD+ display (LCD), MediaTek Helio A22 SoC, 2GB RAM, and 32GB storage. Unfortunately,  we don’t have further information on the handset, including its launch date.

The upcoming TECNO POP 5 Pro will be the second POP series smartphone in India after TECNO POP 5 LTE, which made its debut in the region last week. We expect to see more devices in the lineup in the coming months.

 

 

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Realme ships over 40 million number series of smartphones

Realme has confirmed that it has shipped over 40 million number series of smartphones. The announcement has come ahead of the launch event of the Realme 9i, which will be held tomorrow (Jan. 18) in India.

Realme CEO for India, Realme VP, and President for Realme International Business Group, Madhav Sheth said, ‘The realme number series is one of the key series in our smartphone portfolio, and we are exhilarated about this new milestone of crossing 40 million shipments. Our number series is aimed at young users across the world, and we have successfully brought in numerous tech innovations that have been well received by our users. We have some exciting plans to expand on our number series this year and bring in more disruptions in the industry.’

Realme Logo Featured

Earlier this month, the company claimed that its sales exceeded 60 million units in 2020, which allowed it to rank in the top 5 smartphone brands in 21 countries. The year-on-year sale increased by 50 percent last year. As far as this year is concerned, it aims to achieve sales of 90 million units this year.

Realme has been one of the fastest-growing smartphone brands in multiple markets. According to a recent market survey by Counterpoint Research, Realme is ranking 6th in global 5G Android smartphone sales.

Talking about the number series, the Realme 9i has recently launched as the first number series phone in Vietnam. It will be launching in India tomorrow. The company is also speculated to be working on the Realme 9 Pro and 9 Pro+, which is speculated to launch in February this year.

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Motorola may be the first to launch phone with new Snapdragon 8 series SoC again

Back in December 2021, Motorola became the first smartphone brand to launch a flagship device that featured Qualcomm’s latest and greatest mobile processor. Now, a new report suggests that the company will also be the first to feature another upcoming high end Qualcomm chip later this year as well.

Motorola

The news arrives from known tipster @数码闲聊站 on Weibo (a Chinese microblogging website). In the social media post, the tipster stated that the Lenovo owned brand could be the first to launch a smartphone powered by a new Snapdragon 8 series flagship processor, which has a model number of SM8475. He further added that this chipset will be mass produced sometime in the third quarter of this year. This device in question might be the Motorola Frontier that we had recently reported on, which is rumored to feature a 200 megapixel primary camera and a new Snapdragon flagship chipset.

Digital Chat Station also claimed that the SM8475 SoC has not hit commercial stages of production, so it is still uncertain regarding which brand will be the first to launch a smartphone that features this processor. Although, Motorola globally launching the Frontier model isn’t unlikely. For those unaware, Qualcomm has been reportedly working on a new Snapdragon 8 series chipset. This variant will be a slightly upgraded successor to the existing Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC and will be manufactured by TSMC on its 4nm process.

Motorola
Snapdragon 8 Gen 1

We had previously reported on the chipmaker shifting some of its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 production from Samsung to TSMC. This shift arrived since Samsung‘s yields have been insufficient for Qualcomm’s demands for the processor. As mass production stages of the new Snapdragon 8 series chip begins in the third quarter, we can expect a new flagship Motorola smartphone to launch in the second half of 2022.

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Redmi K50 Pro to feature Sony IMX766 sensor, the same sensor found on the Xiaomi 12

As we inch closer to February, Xiaomi is about to lift the curtains of its Redmi K50 series. The rumour mill has started to spin faster as more specs of the Redmi K50 lineup are leaked in China.

Redmi-k50-imx766-weibo
Redmi K50 Pro to use IMX766 sensor Source: Panda is Bald Weibo

One leak comes from the popular Chinese leakster, Panda is Bald. The leakster recently took to Weibo to leak and share his excitement on the upcoming Redmi K50 series using the Sony IMX766 imaging sensor as the flagship’s main camera sensor. The Sony IMX766 is the same sensor featured on many well-known flagships such as the Xiaomi 12, Realme GT 2 Pro and Oppo Find X3 Pro.

However, the Weibo post does not specify which Redmi K50 model is getting the sensor, but previous leaks indicate that the sensor will be featured on either the Redmi K50 Pro, the Redmi K50 Pro Plus, or both.

As per previous leaks, the Redmi K50 Pro is also rumored to feature a 6.67-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 4700mAh battery, and 120W charging.

In addition, a few days ago, leaked renders and the casing of the Redmi K50 Pro had surfaced online. The leaked render of the Redmi K50 Pro reveals that the smartphone will come with a single punch-hole cutout in the top-center position and the display will have rounded corners, similar to the phone’s body.

Redmi K50 Pro
Redmi K50 Pro leaked render

On the back, the device will have a camera module placed in the top-left corner. The black-colored square section will hold the three camera sensors in a triangular format, and a silver-colored rectangular section will house the LED flash. 

As for case renders, we have exclusive images of the transparent silicone case for the Redmi K50 Pro smartphone which, as mentioned above, is in line with the leaked render. This pretty much confirms this to be the phone’s final design.

Redmi K50 Pro Case Leak

Redmi K50 Pro Case Leak

Xiaomi also has officially confirmed that it will debut the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 on one of its Redmi K50 series models. The Dimensity 9000 is MediaTek’s flagship SoC for 2022, and it is built on TSMC’s industry-leading 4nm process. From Geekbench 5 scores, the Dimensity 9000 is on par and can outperform the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in many demanding scenarios.

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OPPO Find X5 Pro live shots emerge, key specifications revealed

OPPO Find X5 Pro is expected to go official by March in global markets. Other models such as the Find X5 and Find X5 Lite are also likely to go official with the Pro model. A new leak that has surfaced on Coolapk (via) has the live shots of the Find X5 Pro. The leak has also revealed the key specifications of the device.

OPPO Find X5 Pro live shots

The images that have surfaced on the Chinese site showcases the front and rear sides of the device. However, the images do not show the top and bottom areas of the phone. The CPH2305 model number mentioned on the device suggests the images belong to its global variant. This model number has been previously spotted at the Indonesian telecom certification and TKDN in December 2021.

As far as the design, the Find X5 Pro has a curved edge display on the front, which seemingly features a punch-hole at the top-centre position. The rear side of the device has an irregular-shaped camera module with “powered by MariSilicion” text inside it. The right corner of the phone’s back has the OPPO and Hasselblad branding.

Last year, OnePlus teamed up with Hasselblad to provide optimized photography experience on the OnePlus 9 series. OnePlus was merged with OPPO by mid-2021. Hence, it appears that forthcoming OPPO flagships may also carry Hasselblad branding.

OPPO Find X5 Pro specifications (rumored)

The leak reveals that the OPPO Find X5 Pro has an AMOLED LTPO 2.0 display that offers a 2K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. It has a 32-megapixel Sony IMX709 front-facing camera. Its rear-facing camera setup has a 50-megapixel Sony IMX766 primary camera with OIS support. It is coupled with a 50-megapixel Sony IMX766 secondary lens and a 13-megapixel Samsung S5K3M5 tertiary camera.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset and a 5,000mAh battery are present under the hood of the Find X5 Pro. It carries support for 80W fast charging and 50W wireless charging. The device will ship with 12 GB of RAM, 3 GB of virtual RAM, 256 GB of built-in storage, and ColorOS 12.1.

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