Xiaomi and OPPO can be fined ₹1,000 Crore ($134 million) for violating Indian Tax Laws

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Jan 1, 2022

Previously we reported that the offices of Xiaomi and OPPO Chinese distribution partners were raided by the Income Tax Department on 21 December 2021. The searches were carried out in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Assam, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar, and Rajasthan.

Now, according to the Income Tax department, Mobile phone makers Xiaomi and OPPO can be fined ₹ 1,000 crores ($134 million) for violating the law pertaining to non-disclosure of related party transactions(tax evasion).

As per a report by the economic times, The IT department found that two major companies have made payments (remittances) in the nature of royalty, to and on behalf of its group companies located abroad, which aggregates to more than Rs.5500 crore ($738 million).

The IT department stated in its press release that “These companies had not complied with the regulatory mandate prescribed under the Income-Tax Act, 1961, for disclosure of transactions with associated enterprises. Such a lapse makes them liable for penal action under the Income-Tax Act, 1961, the quantum of which could be in the range of more than ₹ 1,000 crores ($134 million).”

One of the companies inflated its expenses by making payments on behalf of the associated enterprises, which led to the reduction of taxable profits of the Indian mobile handset manufacturing company. “Such an amount could be in excess of Rs.1400 crore ($188 million).” revealed the IT department in its press release.

Additionally, the department is also probing the two companies for alleged bogus borrowings of over Rs. 5,000 crore ($671 million). One of the companies utilized the services of another entity located in India but did not comply with the provisions of tax deduction at the source, which leaves them liable for Rs.300 crores ($40 million) in taxes (TDS).

The seized documents and electronics are still under scrutiny by the Income Tax Department as well as the Directorate of Enforcement, so it is still not clear what might become of this situation. But going by the press release of the IT department, Xiaomi and OPPO could potentially face penalties and legal action in the near future for various kinds of tax evasion practices.

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Xiaomi 12 Ultra with periscope super-telephoto lens may launch in February

By

Pranav Sawant

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Jan 1, 2022

A few days back, Xiaomi launched the Xiaomi 12, Xiaomi 12X, and Xiaomi 12 Pro phones in China. However, the company didn’t launch the Xiaomi 12 Ultra despite it getting leaked several times. Now, the popular Chinese tipster DigitalChatStation sheds some light on the phone’s launch confirming that the device may launch after the Chinese Spring festival.

According to the tipster, the Xiaomi 12 Ultra will debut after the Chinese Spring festival which will start on February 1st. So, we can expect the phone to launch sometime in mid or end February. Similar to the recently launched Xiaomi 12 models, the 12 Ultra will also get released in China initially and may have a global release later in the future.

The tipster reveals that the Xiaomi 12 carrying the codename L1 will have major camera highlights. One of them would be the periscope super-telephoto lens. In addition to this information, a previous leak revealed the device may come with Leica-powered camera sensors. Recently, Leica ended its partnership with Huawei which may result in a new collaboration and it could be with Xiaomi.

The smartphone was previously tipped to come with a quad-camera system at the rear. It will boast a 50MP main Samsung GN5 primary lens, a 48MP 2x zoom lens, a 48MP lens with 5x zooming capability, and lastly a 48MP sensor with 10x zoom.

Our recent exclusive case leak of the phone showcased its camera island. Unlike the predecessor, the Xiaomi 12 Ultra will have a circular rear camera module and the major difference between the predecessor and the upcoming phone will be the elimination of a secondary display. For the unware, the Xiaomi 11 was launched with a secondary display and a rectangular camera module.

Apart from the cameras, the Xiaomi 12 Ultra is expected to come with a display that is around 6.5 to 6.6-inch in size and will have a 2k screen resolution. This is similar to the recently launched Xiaomi 12 Pro’s display.

Under the hood, the 12 Ultra will come powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC and is expected to have an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner. The phone may come with crazy-fast charging support similar to the Xiaomi 12 Pro’s 120W rapid charging.

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Gionee Ti13 with AG matte glass, HMS Core, Helio P60 SoC launched in China

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Jan 1, 2022

A new Gionee-branded entry-level smartphone has been launched in China called Gionee Ti13. Some of the highlights of the handset include a matte glass finish, a chipset from 2018, and HMS Core (HUAWEI Mobile Services). Let’s check out what all it has to offer and how much it costs.

Gionee Ti13 Specifications and Features

Unlike most budget smartphones, the Gionee Ti13 with model number G7620DE flaunts an AG matte glass rear panel like the recently launched Philips PH2. The device measures 163 x 76 x 9.3mm in dimensions, weighs 201g, and arrives in two colors (black, green).

It is powered by a MediaTek Helio P60 SoC coupled with 6GB RAM and 128GB/256GB storage. If needed, the storage can be further expanded via a MicroSD card slot.

The phone sports a 6.53-inch HD+ LCD panel with a dewdrop notch, a 19:9 aspect ratio, and a 90% screen-to-body ratio. It has a 16MP + 5MP + 2MP triple camera setup on the back and an 8MP snapper on the front.

Other features of the device include dual-SIM, 4G, WiFi, Bluetooth, GNSS, 3.5mm headphone jack, USB Type-C port, and side-mounted fingerprint sensor. The phone’s Android version is not known, however, it is said to ship with HUAWEI Mobile Services (aka HMS Core).

Last but not least, the handset is backed by a 5,000mAh battery with support for 18W fast charging.

Gionee Ti13 Price and Availability

The Gionee Ti13 retails at the following price tags in China.

6GB + 128GB – ¥899 ($141)
8GB + 256GB – ¥1,099 ($1,073)

The smartphone will most likely remain exclusive to mainland China.

vivo Y21T debuts in Indonesia ahead of India launch

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Jan 1, 2022

Smartphone brand vivo is expected to launch the vivo Y21T in India on January 3. Ahead of that, the company has quietly debuted the device in Indonesia. As expected, the latest handset from the firm is nothing but a tweaked vivo Y32 that went official in China a few days back.

vivo Y21T Indonesia — vivo Y21T (Indonesia)

vivo Y21T Specifications and Features

The vivo Y21T features a plastic build like any other vivo Y series smartphone. It measures 164.26 × 76.08 × 8.00mm in dimensions, weighs 182g, and arrives in two colors (Midnight Blue, Pearl White).

The device flaunts a 6.51-inch LCD panel with a resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels and a 60Hz refresh rate. The display has a dewdrop notch, a 20:9 aspect ratio, and an 89% screen-to-body ratio. The India variant is expected to sport a 6.58-inch FHD+ (2408 x 1080 pixels) 90Hz display (LCD).

The phone is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 chipset coupled with 6GB RAM (+2GB virtual RAM) and 128GB storage. In India, it is said to come with 4GB (+1GB virtual RAM) instead.

As far as optics are concerned, the vivo Y21T houses a triple camera array on the back comprising of a 50MP primary sensor, a 2MP macro snapper, and a 2MP depth sensor. On the front, it nests an 8MP shooter inside the notch. For the unware, the original vivo Y32 in China has a 13MP (wide) + 2MP (macro) dual-camera setup on the rear that lacks the 2MP depth sensor.

As for connectivity, the handset comes with dual-SIM, 4G, dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0, and GNSS (GPS, BeiDou, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS). It also has a 3.5mm headphone jack, a MicroSD card slot, and a USB Type-C port.

The smartphone sports all the essential sensors like a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, ambient light sensor, compass, proximity sensor, and compass. Finally, it runs Android 11-based Funtouch OS 12 and gets its juice from a 5,000mAh battery with support for 18W fast charging.

vivo Y21T Price and Availability

As mentioned earlier, the vivo Y21T arrives in a single 6GB + 128GB memory configuration in Indonesia. This variant of the phone is priced at Rp 3,099,000 ($218) in the country. Customers can avail it in either Midnight Blue or Pearl White color options.

A slightly different version of this device with the aforementioned changes is heading to India on January 3.

Tesla Model 3 & Model Y receive price hike in China for the Rear Wheel Drive variant

By

Sean

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Jan 1, 2022

Tesla has raised the pricing for certain electric vehicle models in China. The company’s official Chinese website has revealed that the pricing for the rear wheel drive variant of the Model 3 and Model Y has been increased.

Looking at the reformed prices, the Model 3’s rear wheel drive variant now costs around 265,652 Yuan (roughly 42,000 US Dollars), which marks an increase of 10,000 Yuan (roughly 1,575 US Dollars) over the original price. On the other hand, the price of the rear wheel drive version of the Model Y has also been raised to 301,840 Yuan (roughly 47,560 US Dollars), which is around 21,000 Yuan (roughly 3,320 US Dollars) higher than the previous price tag.

For those unaware, the rear wheel drive versions are also the base variant of both EV models. Talking about the Model Y, it offers a 545 kilometer range on a single full charge and has a top speed of 217 km/h. It can even accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.9 seconds. On the other hand, the American automobile giant’s Model 3 offers a top speed of 225 km/h, with a maximum range of 556 kilometers on a single full charge. It can go 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.1 seconds.

Unfortunately, the official reason for the price hike is unknown as of right now. Although, it might be due to the ongoing chip shortage issue that has impacted various industries across the globe, including automobiles. Rising chip costs due to the growing demand for semiconductors have caused chipmakers to raise the prices as well. Other materials and parts shortages or components supply constraints might also be a factor. However, this is just speculation at the moment so take it with a pinch of salt.

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Aqara Human Presence Sensor FP1 with mmWave radar unveiled for ¥399 (~$63)

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Dec 31, 2021

Xiaomi‘s ecological chain partner Lumi Technology makers of the popular Aqara range of smart home products has launched the Aqara Human Presence Sensor FP1. The sensor is equipped with a new generation of millimeter-wave radar sensors, which will take you into a new world of perception. The product will retail for 399 yuan (~$63) and is now available in China via the Aqara Home smart home experience mall.

Human body sensors are not really new products but the current breed of human body sensor can only detect the movement of the human body but cannot judge the existence of the human body. If the user maintains a fixed posture for a long time, most of the human body sensors cannot feel the presence of a person.

Thus, when a person is reading in the study or is in the toilet and no movement is detected, the sensor can trigger the turning off of the lights. With the Aqara Human Presence Sensor FP1 can monitor a static human body through millimeter-wave radar and accurately determine whether there is someone. The product adopts a 60Hz high-frequency band that can perform various detections such as spatial positioning and proximity or distance. The monitoring range covers a horizontal angle of 120° and a radial detection distance of 5 meters.

In addition, the Aqara Human Presence Sensor FP1 can also achieve the smart linkage of the whole house and supports connection to the Apple HomeKit app.

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Xiaomi reveals it sold over 2 million units of its Air-conditioners in 2021

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Dec 31, 2021

Xiaomi Group partner and senior vice president Zhang Feng have announced a review of the brand’s air conditioner business for the year 2021. The VP disclosed that Xiaomi sold over 2 million units of its air-conditioners during the period under review spanning from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021.

Xiaomi Air-conditioners have turned out to be one of the brand’s popular products and this sales report buttresses that fact. The MIJIA Air conditioners were ranked as the top-selling brand on Jingdong (JD.com) in May 2021 with the brand selling over 4000 units, 15 times higher than the previous month’s sales.

Xiaomi has often retained a minimalist design in most of its products and the air-conditioner lineup is no exception. While they feature a minimalist design, the MIJIA Air-conditioner adopts Xiaomi’s new generation of the dual-hybrid fresh air system and its self-developed centrifugal turbocharging technology. The units are also capable of carrying out deep purification of indoor and outdoor air and then releasing fresh air through secondary pressurization.

The air-conditioners also come with Xiaomi’s self-developed fresh air system technology that delivers a large fresh air volume of 40m³/h without expanding or re-opening holes, efficiently dilute indoor harmful gases, allow air to circulate quickly, and use clean oxygen-containing air with real-time replacement to solve closed air-conditioning. They are also equipped with a high-grade HEPA filter with 4 layers of deep purification bringing anti-bacterial and anti-viral capabilities, and thus, keep the indoor air fresh.

Apart from the wall-mounted air-conditioner, Xiaomi also has floor/standing air-conditioners that are portable enough to move around. These products would have also contributed to the overall sales. The brand will be looking to build on the successes of 2021 and so, we expect more air-conditioning products with innovative technology.

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Noise ColorFit Caliber with SpO2, body temperature monitoring launched for Rs. 1,999 (~$27)

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Dec 31, 2021

Smart wearables and audio accessories manufacturer Noise has launched the ColorFit Caliber in India at an affordable introductory price of Rs. 1,999 (~$87). The Noise ColorFit Caliber has a large 1.69-inch full-touch flat LCD screen, supports more than 150 cloud-based watch faces, has more than 60 sports modes, and provides numerous health and fitness monitoring functionalities.

The Noise ColorFit Caliber has 24-hour heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen monitoring, sleep monitoring, stress monitoring, and body temperature monitoring with its advanced sensors. The smartwatch has a polycarbonate casing and could target the female segment of the market with its menstrual cycle monitoring function. The Noise ColorFit has IP68 water resistance and offers up to 15 days of battery life on a single charge.

The original price of the Noise ColorFit Caliber is Rs. 3,999 (~54) and the massive discount offer should spur the market to give the product a decent reception. The Noise ColorFit Caliber smart wearable will be exclusively available via Flipkart with a price tag of Rs. 1,999 ($27). The first consumers will get the Noise ColorFit Caliber from January 6, 2022.

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Xiaomi launches the MIJIA Pulsator Washing Machine Exclusive Edition with Direct Drive motor

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Dec 31, 2021

Xiaomi has launched an exclusive edition of the MIJIA Pulsator Washing Machine with some upgraded features. This edition retains the 10kg capacity of its predecessor but it uses a Direct Drive motor making it the first pulsator washing machine launched by Xiaomi that uses a Direct Drive motor.

The powerful direct drive motor reduces noise from the source bringing out the operating noise to as low as 50dB. The DD motor also accurately controls the angle of rotation of the inner barrel.

Furthermore, the MIJIA Pulsator Washing Machine Exclusive Edition can automatically sense the weight of the laundry, and accurately control the amount of laundry detergent that will be dispensed. Thus, when detergent is added, it won’t be totally used up by the washing machine in a single wash cycle.

Also, the washing machine automatically adjusts the amount of water according to the weight of the clothes, thus saving water and electricity. It also supports nano-silver ion sterilization which penetrates into the clothes fibers with the water, with a sterilization rate of 96%. It can also remove mites up to a rate of 99.9%.

In terms of functions, the MIJIA Wahsing Machine Exclusive Edition 10kg has 16 built-in washing programs. You can find exclusive washing programs for common fabrics to care for every piece of clothing. There is also a full-touch operation panel which allows for a simple one-key selection.

The washing machine can be connected to the Mi Home app and controlled from a smartphone or via voice prompt. You can also schedule washing time, select modes via the app.

As for the pricing, the MIJIA Pulsator Washing Machine is presently up for pre-order for 1,999 yuan (~$315).

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OBEN EV is an electric bike with a top speed of 100km/h & 200km range for the Indian market

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Dec 31, 2021

Indian startup OBEN EV has unveiled its first electric bike designed and developed by Bengaluru couple Dinkar and Madhumita Agarwal. The electric bike developed by the start-up has already garnered 16 patented innovations and has begun testing on select roads.

The e-bike is a proudly Indian initiative by the couple as the materials used were purportedly indigenously sourced. The couple is the key drivers of the thriving startup OBEN EV and its ideal was the pursuit of the development of an electric bike that was entirely Indian. OBEN EV began operations in 2020 and the motorbike will be going through the paces before final clearance as fit for Indian roads.

The new e-bike is capable of going from 0 to 40km/h in 3 seconds and can reach a top speed of 100km/h in addition to its range of 200km. The concept of the new e-bike was to provide an affordable, innovative, with fully indigenously sourced parts and an overall comfortable and reliable electric bike. The innovation extends to the battery which can be charged within two hours, but fast charging support will further cut the charging time to about an hour.

The ARX design frame helps to centralize the e-bikes load to a single focal point, thus enhancing its maneuverability and balance. The enhanced user experience is completed with the support for smartphone interaction with the e-bike via the mobile app. The app provides an array of functionality and information for the user for a truly exciting riding experience.

OBEN EV hopes that the new e-bike will be launched in the first quarter of 2022 while the first deliveries will take place by April 2022. The company will accept pre-bookings although it is not clear what pricing regime will be available for the two-wheeler EV. In any case, it is expected to have a huge reception in the market going by the excellent features and the raft of patented innovations that had followed the trail of the OBEN EV electric bike.

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Redmi K50 Gaming Edition 3C certification confirms support for 120W fast charge

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Dec 31, 2021

Xiaomi‘s independent Redmi brand is expected to launch the Redmi K50 series soon with the series tipped to come with a Gaming edition. The Redmi K50 Gaming edition has now been certified by China’s 3C giving us an idea of the charging speed.

The 3C certification shows the device will come with a staggering 120W fast charge support. The power adaptor has the model number is 21121210C. As usual, the 3C listing doesn’t reveal any other detail about the device. However, noted tipster Digital Chat Station equally confirmed via a Weibo post that the device will come with 120W super-fast charge support.

The tipster also disclosed that the flagship gaming smartphone will likely be powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chipset that uses TSMC’s 4nm process and Armv9 architecture. The chipset comes with a high-performance Cortex-X2 super-large core. The chip uses a flagship 18-bit HDR-ISP image signal processor which enables three cameras to shoot HDR video at the same time with low power consumption.

The Redmi K50 Gaming Edition, like the name suggests, will be focused on optimized gaming performance. The device is expected to utilize a centralized punch-hole cut-out with the display protected by a layer of Corning Gorilla Victus protective glass. In terms of design, this phone is expected to be similar to the Redmi K40 gaming version, retaining two pop-up shoulder buttons on the right-side bezel. In addition, this phone is expected to be pre-installed with the MIUI 13 based on Android 12.

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Apple iPhones and iPads may soon charge accessories through their screens: Reveals patent

By

Sudhanshu

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Dec 31, 2021

A new patent by Apple has surfaced on the US Patent & Trademark Office portal suggesting that iPhones and iPads may soon get a functionality enabling them to charge accessories through their screen glass.

The patent drawings suggest that wireless charging may be functional on one section of the screen while keeping the other side usable. However, it stays unknown whether the charging area of the screen will have any display output while the functionality is being used.

The details of the “Through-Display Wireless Charging” patent hints at the possibility that this feature may only support charging for accessories and therefore might charge wireless charging enabled accessories like the AirPods, the Apple Watch, and the Apple Pencil.

The feature is sure to come in handy in unforeseen situations when you unexpectedly run out of battery on your AirPods while outside your home or in situations when you don’t have a charger on hand.

Separately, the upcoming iPhone 14 is rumored to come without a SIM card slot, hence supporting only eSIM cards for connectivity. It is also said that there will be support for two eSIM cards, ensuring dual SIM functionality.

Prior to this, there were rumors about Apple planning to remove the Lightning port from the smartphones and if the company also gets rid of the physical SIM card slot, then it would be a step further for a seamless design as well as improve water resistance.

Currently, it all seems like speculation and there’s no concrete evidence to back any of these claims. However, Apple has a track record of taking some bold decisions so there’s a possibility that this information could turn out to be true. As of now, all we can do is wait for more details to surface online in the coming months.

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Google Maps still directed motorists to a deadly route after a heavy snowstorm

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Dec 31, 2021

Google Maps has evolved to become a great navigational tool providing useful directions to road users on the quickest routes and other ancillary information. But a potentially fatal flaw was noticed recently when it directed users to ply roads that were closed or dangerous due to the massive snowfall in the area. A horrified user Crystal A. Kolden (@pyrogeog) tweeted Google Maps with a screenshot showing the route between Sacramento, California, and Reno, Nevada.

Kolden pointedly labeled Google Maps as an abject failure. He accused Google Maps of sending people up a poorly maintained forest road with the risk of fatal accidents due to the terrain and a severe blizzard. Although there were no verified reports of accidents in the area that could be linked to the dangerous Google Maps directions, it is still deeply concerning.

The directions recommended by Google Maps take travelers through Marysville Road, a narrow two-lane path that passes through the Tahoe National Forest. Another Twitter user warned Android users of Google Maps, saying that the Android version of the app does not seem to report road closures.

.@googlemaps This is an abject failure. You are sending people up a poorly maintained forest road to their death in a severe blizzard. Hire people who can address winter storms in your code (or maybe get some of your engineers who are stuck in Tahoe right now on it). pic.twitter.com/IzagAXzBtA

— Dr. Crystal A. Kolden 🔥 (@pyrogeog) December 28, 2021

Thankfully, there were warnings to motorists in the area to avoid using that route as an alternative to the 1-80 closure, including a tweet by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).

The National Weather Service (NWS) also said that five to nine feet of snow have fallen in the Lake Tahoe area over the last week, and the conditions could remain unchanged for a while.

As has been seen severally, tech innovations may not provide foolproof measures in extreme weather situations. It is always advisable to rely on multiple sources, together with hardwired common sense to reach the best decision.

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Nokia smartphone with multiple variants, 50MP camera bags FCC certification

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Dec 31, 2021

Nokia has not been too active in the smartphone scene lately but whenever it releases a new model, it is usually accompanied by pomp and pageantry. Nokia may have got a new premium smartphone in the works as a new model with multiple variants has been certified by the US FCC.

The new model arrives with as many as six different variants with the model numbers listed as TA-1418, TA-1404, TA-1412, TA-1415, TA-1405, and TA-1401. Of the lot listed, the listing for two variants – TA-1404 and TA-1412 afford us a clear look at the specifications as well as the design of the model including the camera design.

The image of the Nokia model shows the device features a triple camera setup stacked vertically at the top left corner and housed in a rectangular module. A similar design was recently spotted on the Nokia N1530DL which looks like a US-exclusive version of this model.

Although the full specs lineup is not known, the Nokia TA-1404 and TA-1412 FCC certification show the model will have a 50MP main camera. The main shooter will team up with two other 2MP sensors while at the front, there will be an 8MP sensor housed inside the punch-hole cut-out.

While the Nokia TA-1404 is listed as a dual-SIM model packing 4GB RAM and 128Gb storage, the TA-1412 will be the Single-SIM version and will come in 3GB RAM + 64GB, 4GB RAM + 128GB internal storage options.

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The listing also shows the device will be powered by a Unisoc chipset which Nokia has used only on the C-series but it is not certain if this is a C-series model. Under the hood, the device will cram a 4900mAh battery with model number WT341.

Tecno POVA 5G Indian price and launch date revealed by Transsion India CEO

By

Sudhanshu

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Dec 31, 2021

Yesterday, we reported on the possible Indian launch timeline of Tecno‘s first-ever 5G smartphone, the Tecno POVA 5G. The device was revealed to launch sometime in January 2022. Now, more reports have surfaced with finer details on the expected launch date as well as the device’s price point and more.

According to a report by Giznext, Arijeet Talapatra, CEO of Transsion India has revealed in an interview that the Tecno POVA 5G will release in India in the third or fourth week of January. Additionally, Talapatra revealed that the device will be priced around Rs 18,000 to 20.000 in the subcontinent.

Tecno POVA 5G specifications and features

To recall, the Tecno POVA 5G first launched in Nigeria earlier this week features a massive 6.95-inch IPS LCD panel with a punch-hole design. It offers 1080 x 2460 pixels, Full HD+ resolution, 480ppi pixel density, and a 120Hz refresh rate. The Dimensity 900 chipset is present under the hood of the POVA 5G.

The POVA 5G has 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 128GB of UFS 3.1 storage. It boots to HiOS flavored Android 11. The device comes with 3 GB of virtual RAM. For security, the device is fitted with a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. Shown in the images is the Aether Black edition of the POVA 5G.

The rear camera system of the POVA 5G has a 50-megapixel primary camera, a 2-megapixel camera, and an AI lens. For selfies, the device is fitted with a 16-megapixel front-facing camera.

The Tecno POVA 5G has a 6,000mAh battery, coupled with 18W fast charging. The company claims that a 15-minute charge will offer 3 hours of gameplay time. The POVA 5G offers 775 hours of standby time, 55 hours of talk time, and 11 hours of gaming.

Apart from the smartphone, Tecno also plans to increase its accessories offering. Talapatra stated that “We are planning to launch new TWS, speakers, and smartwatch next year.”

He said that speakers will be launched in January, while smartwatches will be available in Q2 and both will be priced under Rs. 5,000.

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Huawei reports a decline in its 2021 revenue by 28.9% YoY, expresses resilience

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

Dec 31, 2021

Chinese tech giant Huawei is still reeling from the heavy sanction regime imposed by the United States government that has led to a downward spiral of its revenue from its 2020 results. Reports monitored in China indicate that Huawei has projected a 28.9% revenue decline compared to its returns last year.

The 2021 revenue projection stood at 634 billion yuan, while the fourth-quarter results show a 19% slowdown from the previous quarter, and the Q4 revenue is projected at 178.2 billion. Huawei has had a remarkable rebound in some aspects of its businesses but the biting effects of the US sanctions are still visible in its balance sheet. Huawei is still unable to generate new products and sell to the various markets where it had established a foothold before the heavy blow from the United States and some of its allies.

Huawei’s current chairman Guo Ping says its telecom business remains strong, while its other lines of operations are also growing rapidly. The decline comes from the device business of the company which was brought to a screeching halt by the sanctions. Huawei remains positive and insists that it will not change its ideals due to changes in the external environment, but will continue to pursue its ideals despite the bottlenecks.

The company continues to engender staff confidence with its positive outlook for 2022, with numerous opportunities for a much better 2022 performance.

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New Year Deal: $50 OFF on Ulefone Thermal Imaging Rugged Phones

By

Daily Deals

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Dec 31, 2021

This New Year, Ulefone is giving out an amazing deal on their thermal imaging camera rugged phones. From 30 December to 12 January 2022, you can get a $50 discount on all rugged phones from Ulefone with thermal imaging cameras.

What is a Thermal Imaging Camera?

A thermal imaging camera also known as an Infrared camera detects and measures the infrared radiation of an object. It then converts that infrared data into an electronic visible image thereby giving you an apparent surface temperature of the object.

Usage:

Professionals use thermal imaging for power line maintenance, thermal insulation maintenance, surveillance, maintenance of law and order, rescue and search operations, building maintenance, pipe works, firefighting operations, etc. However even non -professionals and people from everyday life find thermal imaging useful. Let’s check out a few examples of using thermal imaging cameras in daily life.

The ongoing pandemic has made us realize the most common and versatile use of thermal imaging cameras. In any and every situation you can easily monitor the temperature of a person by using these cameras. This will help you to find out if anyone near you is sick and requires immediate attention and help.

When lost in a forest or the wild outdoors, this camera can help you spot wildlife and even differentiate which kind of animal it is. Also for animal lovers, bird watchers, and wildlife conservationists, this camera is a lifesaver as it drastically improves the detection and movement of wildlife, especially nocturnal animals.

If you are planning to play some winter sports like indoor- skating then again thermal imaging cameras are very useful as they can measure the temperature for both the ice and the people playing the sport. Other than winter sports even when you are exercising both indoor and outdoor these cameras help you to monitor your temperature changes thereby assisting you with controlling and managing your activities.

Thermal Imaging Camera Rugged Phones.

Ulefone has combined the advanced thermal imaging camera with their military-grade certified smartphones to bring out a series of thermal imaging rugged phones. These phones are strong, reliable, rugged, durable, and perfect for all your outdoor adventures. With the thermal imaging rugged smartphone series, Ulefone has taken the advanced infrared thermal imaging camera and fitted it into a stronger, thicker, water, shock, and dust-proof phone and turned it into the ultimate rugged smartphone. These phones help you with building diagnostics, an inspection of electrical systems and machines, detection of a leaky pipe or termite colony in the wall, and much more.

And from 30 December 2021 to 12 January, 2022 Ulefone is giving $50 OFF on their thermal imaging rugged phones, Ulefone Armor 11T 5G and Ulefone Armor 9.

Ulefone Armor 11T 5G

Retail Price: $649.99 Discounted Price: $599.99

Key Features:

FLIR Thermal camera with MSX technology
Temp range: -10 to 400 degrees celsius
6.1” HD+ display
8GB RAM + 256GB ROM
Dimensity 800 5G (7nm)
Triple rear camera – 48MP main, 4K video
Battery: 5200mAh, wireless charging
Fingerprint ID
NFC

Ulefone Armor 9

Retail Price: $549.99 Discounted Price: $499.99

Key Features:

FLIR Thermal camera
Temp range: -10 to 400 degrees celsius
Connect endoscope camera – for hard to reach places
6.3” FHD+ display
8GB RAM + 256GB ROM
Helio P90 (12nm)
Triple rear camera – 64MP main
Battery: 6600mAh
Fingerprint ID
NFC

For more information on these phones check out this video here.

Please note that this limited-time offer will end on 12 January 2022.

Also, if you are in the market for a rugged smartphone but do not require the thermal imaging camera then check out this budget-friendly Ulefone Armor 11 5G. The phone is now available at a discounted price of $479.99. So hurry up and grab the offer before it expires.

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

Samsung Galaxy A33 5G, Galaxy A13 5G to get an India launch in February 2022: Tipster

By

Sudhanshu

-

Dec 31, 2021

Since September, the Samsung Galaxy A33 rumors have been making the rounds on the internet. The leaks have previously revealed that the phone will arrive with an IP67 rating. Now, a fresh leak has hinted at its Indian launch timeline alongside the Galaxy A13 5G.

According to a report by 91mobiles, tipster Mukul Sharma (@stufflistings) has revealed that Samsung is gearing to launch both the Galaxy A33 5G and the Galaxy A13 5G in India by February 2022. The tipster further added that the Galaxy A33 5G will be priced similarly to its predecessor (Galaxy A32 5G) and therefore can be expected to launch for around Rs 25,000.

Samsung Galaxy A33 5G Specs and Features

As for its specifications, the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G is expected to feature a 6.4-inch AMOLED display with a waterdrop notch. Similar to the Galaxy A53 and the Galaxy A73, the device will ditch a 3.5mm headphone jack. Under the hood, the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G is said to house a MediaTek 5G processor which is powered by a 5000mAh battery. For photography, the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G is tipped to sport a quad rear camera setup with a 48MP or 64MP primary sensor.

Samsung Galaxy A13 5G Specs and Features

The Samsung Galaxy A13 5G, which is the Korean tech giants’ entry-level 5G smartphone, was launched earlier this month in the US market featuring a 6.5-inch LCD panel on the front with a resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels and a 90Hz refresh rate.

The waterdrop notch on the top houses a 5MP camera for selfies and video calls. Whereas, on the back, it houses a triple camera setup consisting of a 50MP primary sensor, 2MP macro snapper, and a 2MP depth sensor. The variant for the US is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 700 SoC paired with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage with support for MicroSD card expansion.

Connectivity options on the phone include sub-6GHz 5G, dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth, USB Type-C port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The remaining specs comprise a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, single speaker, Android 11, 5,000mAh battery, and 15W charging.

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Xiaomi 12 series units worth $283 million sold in just 5 minutes in first sale

By

Zohaib Ahmed

-

Dec 31, 2021

The Xiaomi 12 series comprised of the Xiaomi 12, 12 Pro, and 12X went on sale for the first time today in China, selling 1.8 billion Yuan (~$283 million) worth of units in just five minutes through both offline and online channels.

Xiaomi has adopted a new strategy for its flagship lineup this year and sold a compact flagship phone for the first time in years. This compact Xiaomi 12 phone has been paired with a Pro variant, which is a true flagship, and the more budget-friendly Xiaomi 12X. The Xiaomi 12X has been designed and priced very smartly, aiming at those looking for a flagship-level experience from the company without blowing a hole in their wallet.

An Ultra model is also on the way. It was earlier rumored to be released on the same day as the rest of its siblings but its launch now appears to be scheduled for early 2022.

For comparison, last year’s lineup was comprised of the Xiaomi Mi 11, Mi 11 Pro, and Mi 11 Ultra that were launched separately in China. All of the devices had the same screen sizes of 6.81-inches and had thus gave a complete miss to buyers looking for something more usable with a single hand. This shortcoming has now been addressed with the Xiaomi 12 series.

The price of the new models starts at 3,199 Yuan ($502) for the 8+128GB variant of the Xiaomi 12X and tops at CNY 5,399 ($848) for the 12GB+256GB variant of the Xiaomi 12 Pro. The middle ground is held by the Xiaomi 12 that starts at CNY 3,699 ($580).

For complete specs on the Xiaomi 12, Xiaomi 12 Pro, and the Xiaomi 12 Pro, head here. There is no official word yet about a global sale of the Xiaomi 12 series.

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ZTE plans to further integrate with sub-brands Nubia and Red Magic in 2022

By

Zohaib Ahmed

-

Dec 31, 2021

Ni Fei, President of ZTE Mobile Devices, today delivered a 2022 New Year speech saying that ZTE will be releasing yet another smartphone with a 400PPI under-display camera. It will be joined by one of the very first 165Hz gaming phones and a ‘multi-camera computing product.’

ZTE has done quite well this year recording revenue of RMB 53.1 Billion (over ~$8 billion) and over 100% gain in net profit in the first half of 2021. Also, the company’s 5G CPE market share is currently the highest in the world.

When talking about what’s to come with 2022, Ni Fei said that he will further integrate the three major brands of ZTE, Nubia, and Red Magic in the brand layout to expand domestic market segments (via IT Home).

Also mentioned was that ZTE will increase the number of offline retail stores in China in both second and third-tier cities. In the rest of the world, the company will be adopting various strategies according to a country’s market environment and 5G development differences in accordance with national policies. This will be paired with an integration of its own and third-party e-commerce platforms overseas.

Additionally, ZTE also aims to become a part of the world’s top 500 companies within 2 to 3 years, maintaining an annual growth rate of more than 200% in the domestic market and more than 50% overseas market.

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