Get up to 30% OFF on AGM Rugged Smartphones at the Christmas Sale on eBay

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Dec 7, 2021

AGM Mobiles Official Store is giving out some fantastic deals under the Christmas Sale on eBay. The discounts on their popular rugged smartphones are especially luring. So let’s check out some of their best offers.

AGM Glory 5G Smartphone

Retail Price: $599.99 Discounted Price: $497.99

Key Features:

6.53” LTPS display
Snapdragon 480 5G chipset
8GB RAM + 256GB ROM, expandable up to 512GB
Camera: 20MP with 2 Infrared LEDs，48MP AF, Sony IMX582, f/1.79, 1/2.0“, 6P
Battery: 6200mAh Li-ion Polymer with a wide temperature range
Gives one day power even under -27℃
IP68/IP69K/MIL-STD-810H certified/CE/FCC/RoHS
OS: Android 11
Global Version: Supports Multi-Language and Google Play store

AGM H3 Smartphone

Retail Price: $265.7 Discounted Price:$185.99

Key Features:

Stylish, slim yet rugged
5.7” HD display
Infrared Night Vision Smartphone
13MP infrared camera
12 MP main camera + 2MP macro camera
Infrared fill light lamp
2.0Ghz MT6762 octa-core processor
4GB RAM + 64GB ROM – Expandable
Android 11 OS
5400mAh battery: 300 hours standby
2W front speakers
Supports NFC
CE/FCC/Reach/ROHS/WEEE/CTA/GMS/IP68/IP69K/MIL-STD-810H
Face ID + Back Fingerprint

AGM M7 4G

Retail Price: $119.99 Discounted Price:$99.99

Key Features:

2.4 “ QVGA Display
World’s biggest phone speaker
Supports Facebook, Whatsapp, Tiktok
Certified: IP68 / IP69K/ MIL-STD – 810H
4G frequency band
Charging Interface – Type C
Customizable Side Key
Supports video calls, WiFi, Bluetooth, and FM

AGM M6 4G

Retail Price: $89.99 Discounted Price:$79.99

Key Features:

2.4 “ Display
Certified: IP68 / IP69K/ MIL-STD – 810H
4G frequency band
LED RGB speaker lights
3.5W loudspeaker
No GPS, No APPs, No interruptions
Charging Interface – Type C
Supports videos, calls, texts, music, LED torchlight, FM radio. 0.3MP camera

Please note that the above price is region-specific and the final price may vary according to your shipping region, warehouse, and regional taxes.

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

Redmi Smart TV X 2022 latest version packs a mammoth 75-inch 120Hz display

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Dec 7, 2021

Xiaomi has updated the Redmi Smart TV X 2022 with a new display version. The new model packs a 75-inch display and also presents with support for a dual 120Hz refresh screen, HDMI 2.1 interface, Dolby Vision Atmos, among others.

Xiaomi first announced the Redmi Smart TV X 2022 in October this year but it was available in just a 55-inch and 65-inch display version. In other aspects, the smart TV adopts an all-metal full-screen design with a full-array backlight screen. It also has a 4K resolution of 3840×2160 pixels. The display has a typical grayscale response time of 6.5ms, a color depth supporting 10-bit (8-bit + FRC), and a color gamut coverage of 94% P3. It also supports FreeSync Premium and Dolby Vision.

The Redmi Smart TV X 2022 also comes with a unique dual 120Hz refresh rate and MEMC which can greatly improve the definition of the dynamic pictures and reduce smear.

For audio, the Smart TV X equally packs a powerful setup tuned to deliver optimum audio quality. The audio system consists of four built-in speakers, 2 ducts, a sealed box with a 2×0.38L large sound cavity, an output power of 2×12.5W, as well as Dolby Atmos support.

In terms of the internal configuration, the Redmi X Smart TV is powered by a MediaTek MTK 9650 processor which is used by the Mi TV Master Edition. The 22m chipset integrates a Mali-G52 2EE MC1 GPU. It also brings support for AI-PQ, AI -AQ intelligent audio, and picture adjustment, and pairs with 3GB RAM as well as 32GB of internal storage.

For interface, the smart TV is fitted with two HDMI 2.0 (eARC), one HDMI 2.1 port (4K 120Hz), one AV, one ATV/DTMB, two USB, one S/PDIF, one RJ-45, and four Mic arrays to support far-field voice.

As for the pricing, the Redmi Smart TV X 2022 is priced at 4999 yuan (~$785) and will be sold on December 11.

Giztop is giving $50 OFF on Lenovo Xiaoxin Pad Plus 5G

By

Daily Deals

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Dec 7, 2021

Giztop is giving $50 OFF on Lenovo XiaoXin Pad Plus 5G. The tablet which generally retails for $399 is now available at a discounted price of $349 by using the coupon code: PLUS5G only at Giztop.

WHERE TO BUY

Lenovo XiaoXin Pad Plus 5G at $349 (after discount)@Giztop

Lenovo XiaoXin Pad Plus is a premium tablet that features an 11 inch, 2K LCD display and is powered by the Snapdragon 750G Octa-Core Processor. The tablet comes with 6GB RAM and 128GB ROM. XiaoXin Pad Plus is fueled by a powerful 7700mAh battery and supports quick charge 3.0. The tablet features 8MP front and 13MP rear cameras and runs Android 11 based ZUI 12.5 OS. It is available in three gorgeous colors viz: White, Green, and Grey.

Giztop is giving out a $50 coupon: PLUS5G for Lenovo XiaoXin Pad Plus. Thus you can now buy the tablet at a discounted price of $349 only. Please note that this coupon expires soon. So place your order asap.

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

Ulefone Armor 12 5G breezes through the endurance test

By

Daily Deals

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Dec 7, 2021

Ulefone as a company has made a name in the rugged outdoor smartphone market. They design and build smartphones made for adventurers and globe trotters who love to spend their time outdoors in harsh and unforgiving terrains.

Moreover, if your profession demands you to be outdoors in a harsh and unpredictable environment, then a normal smartphone won’t work for you. You need a smartphone specifically build for extreme conditions and the Ulefone Armor series can be a good choice for a budget rugged smartphone.

One such interesting choice for a rugged smartphone is the Ulefone Armor 12 5G. This smartphone features a 6.52” waterdrop screen and comes with 8GB RAM and 128GB ROM. Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 700 chipset it flaunts a quad rear camera setup with a 48MP main camera. Fueled with a massive 5180mAh battery, the smartphone supports GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, and Galileo and runs on Android 11.

Other interesting features include NFC support, Fingerprint sensor, and Face unlock, dual Hi-Fi speaker, and Composite anti-bacterial silver ion. However, the most important feature in a rugged smartphone is its endurance test, and Ulefone Armor 12 breezes through effortlessly in the ruggedness test.

Ulefone Armor 12 5G comes with IP68 and IP69K certification. This means the device has total dust ingress protection and is great for permanent submersion in water. It also has protection against high temperature and high water pressure. To know about its endurance and ruggedness check out this video.

Ulefone Armor 12 stands out amongst its peers and competitors when it comes to its endurance and ruggedness. To know more about this smartphone visit the Ulefone official website.

Multiple older Huawei devices including nova 8 SE receive HarmonyOS 2 update

By

Zohaib Ahmed

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Dec 7, 2021

Since the official release of the HarmonyOS system, Huawei has started the largest system upgrade plan in its history covering a slew of devices. It has been named very aptly as the ‘100 device renewal plan’, and covers a multitude of older models with the goal of helping users with older devices experience the new OS.

Huawei’s official HarmonyOS account on Weibo today made a new post today announcing that six more devices including the Huawei nova 8 SE have been updated to HarmonyOS 2. These six devices include both smartphones and tablets and have been listed below:

Huawei nova 8 SE Vitality Edition
Huawei Tablet M5 Youth Edition 8 inches
Huawei Tablet M5 Youth 10.1 inches
Huawei Enjoy Tablet 10.1 inches
Honor Tablet 5 10.1 inches
Honor Tablet 5 8 inches

According to feedback from many users earlier, your old phone will not only get several new features but also get a noticeable boost to performance and fluency, making it feel just like new again. It is, therefore, highly recommended to upgrade your device to the same. To do so, head over to Settings > System and Updates > Software Update > Check for Updates.

If you haven’t received it yet, you might want to head over to the My Huawei app and check out the ‘Upgrade Early Access’ section. Do keep in mind that these steps are only valid for users in China as of now as that’s where the rollout is being done. Global users will likely have to wait a while.

HarmonyOS has now reached a total of 141 devices, including mobile phones, TVs, and tablets, and more are to follow.

RELATED:

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G gets stable Android 12-based One UI 4.0 update

By

Zohaib Ahmed

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Dec 7, 2021

Samsung has already started pushing stable One UI 4 based on Android 12 for the Galaxy Z Flip3, thus establishing that it’s now become one of the leading brands with regards to speed of updates, at least in the flagship realm. The update has been rolled out along with another for the Galaxy Z Flip 3 that received the same earlier today.

Do keep in mind that the rollout seems to have only commenced in Korea for now, as usual, and other regions will be following soon (via SamMobile). Also noteworthy is that the update appears to be released only for users on stable Android 11. Beta users will thus have to wait a few hours or a couple of days more to receive it.

Regardless, there’s still no harm in checking if the One UI 4 update is available on your Galaxy Z Fold3. This can be done by heading over to the Settings app and navigating to Software update. If any update is available, then just tap ‘Download and install.’

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 was launched in August this year and brought a number of meaningful improvements over its past iterations. It has a 7.6-inch foldable display on the inside and another 6.2-inch display on the outside. The display is quite advanced and is a Dynamic AMOLED 2X, supporting 120Hz, HDR10+, and a peak brightness of 1200 nits. Powering the phone is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G chip.

RELATED:

Google Pixel 6a aluminum dummy reveals design similar to the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro

By

Sudhanshu

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Dec 7, 2021

The recently released CAD renders of the upcoming Google Pixel 6a revealed that its design would be similar to the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro smartphones. Now, a new leak has revealed live images of an aluminum dummy of the upcoming device, further solidifying the design rumors.

The leaks came from the known tipster xleaks7 (@xleaks7) in collaboration with Fathombracelets and were first covered by techstory. The leaks reveal the design and feel of the upcoming Google Pixel 6a.

Google Pixel 6a Aluminum dummy

1 of 4

As we can observe from the dummy images, the Pixel 6a will sport the same design as the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. The camera module is placed horizontally and holds a dual-camera setup along with an LED flashlight. The Google branding can be seen in the center of the phone’s rear panel. Moving on to the front, the device appears to have a punch-hole cutout for the selfie snapper and an under-screen fingerprint sensor. The model’s bottom holds the USB-C connector and two speaker grills, while the power button and the volume rocker are present on the right spine of the Pixel 6a dummy.

A similar design to the latest Pixel devices is exciting news for people looking to get their hands on this upcoming device, but what specs will it pack to make it more affordable than the Google Pixel 6?

Through previous leaks, we have some ideas on what to expect from the Google Pixel 6a. These rumored features include the 12.2-megapixel Sony IMX363 camera as the primary sensor accompanied by a 12-megapixel Sony IMX386 sensor. The latter may function as an ultrawide camera. For selfies, the device will feature an 8-megapixel Sony IMX355 front-facing camera. These cameras show that its photography prowess will not be as good as Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro.

The report further states that the Pixel 6a mid-ranger will be equipped with the Google Tensor GS101 chip, which fuels the Pixel 6 duo flagship phones. However, recent rumors suggest that Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G can replace the chip. The phone screen is also expected to be smaller compared to the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, although it is not clear if it will be achieved through thick bezzles or thinking down the handset’s size. The other details of the phone are under wraps.

There is no word from the search giant about a possible release date of the Pixel 6a. Still, rumors are rife of a late Q1 2022 release, so stay tuned as we will be covering any notable developments regarding this upcoming device.

RELATED:

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G bootloader unlock will no longer kill the cameras

By

Zohaib Ahmed

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Dec 7, 2021

Samsung isn’t exactly the best choice for those that love tinkering around with their devices. Unlocking the bootloader not only voids the warranty but also trips Samsung’s Knox security suite and disables Samsung Pay permanently, making rooting a process that does not come sans setbacks. However, on the Galaxy Z Fold3, the stakes are much higher as not only do you break Knox but also lose camera functionality completely.

XDA Developers earlier reported that the final confirmation screen during the bootloader unlock process on the Galaxy Z Fold3 mentions that the operation will cause the cameras to be disabled. And proceeding with the unlock steps indeed confirms the case, as not only does the stock camera app fail to operate but all camera-related functions also cease to function.

This issue has now been addressed with the second One UI 4 beta release, according to XDA Senior Member exocetdj. All camera features now work as they should even after the bootloader is unlocked on the update.

Do keep in mind here though that the issue has seemingly only been resolved in certain regional variants of the Galaxy Z Fold 3 (model numbers F926B and F926N), so caution is advised before proceeding.

Now that the deal-breaking restriction has been lifted, custom ROM development will hopefully be starting as it usually does for almost every popular Android device.

In other news, Apple recently lifted similar restrictions that broke Face ID upon swapping out the original for a third-party screen with the iOS 15.2 Beta 3 update.

RELATED:

TCL showcases its foldable and rollable phone concept at DTC 2021

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Dec 7, 2021

TCL has unveiled its impressive concept design of a foldable and rollable phone during the DTC 2021 technology congress in China. The prototype of the phone was displayed during the China event and a Twitter user has now posted a video of the futuristic and innovative TCL concept phone. The Twitter video captured a fully functional TCL device reflecting the new standout features.

It is unclear when the device will become a commercial product if indeed it will become so. But TCL is bristling optimism on the potential launch of the device at a later date. The graphics of the phone’s display however seems not to be at par with the new form factor that is introduced by the foldable and rollable features. Aside from the observed optimization issues, the foldable and rollable display of the phone was demonstrated in the video. As the screen unfolded, its left part was extended by rolling to transform the device into a full-fledged tablet.

The outward folding functionality maintains a standard-looking 6.87” display for the phone which can then be extended between 8.55 inches and 10 inches. The concept is great for having a pocket-sized phone that can be easily transformed into a tablet, its durability potential is not known as it contains many moving parts that could make it to be fragile and susceptible to rapid wear. The hinges of the expandable display need to be firmed up for the device to be a marketing success. Specs-wise, not much is known about the TCL concept foldable and rollable phone although it is likely to have an OLED panel with high refresh rates up to 240Hz.

Pricing of such revolutionary devices could be on the high side especially in the absence of competition. The new TCL concept phone, if indeed it becomes a reality, will compete with some early leaders in the field like Samsung.

RELATED:

Samsung adds Star Wars, The Simpsons to its Galaxy Z Flip3 Disney accessory collection

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Dec 7, 2021

Back in October, Samsung teamed up with Disney for a couple of Disney and Marvel-branded accessories for the Galaxy Z Flip3. These products were limited to Taiwan. Now, almost two months later, the company has extended this collection to include Star Wars, The Simpsons, National Geographic-branded accessories. This time around, they are exclusive to Malaysia.

Samsung’s Disney-branded accessories for the Galaxy Z Flip3 in Malaysia include silicon cover straps, lanyards, sticker packs, and a cover ring. They are themed after popular franchises like Star Wars, Marvel, The Simpsons, Mickey Mouse, and National Geographic.

All these accessories require an official silicon cover for the Galaxy Z Flip3 sold by Samsung. Hence, users will have to first invest in it.

That said, the below-listed are the entire Galaxy Z Flip3 Disney collection for the Galaxy Z Flip3 and their price in Malaysia.

Disney Fashion Strap – RM79 ($19)
Marvel Fashion Strap – RM79 ($19)
National Geographic Fashion Strap – RM79 ($19)
Disney Cover Ring Strap – RM79 ($19)
Star Wars Collection (Fashion Strap, Lanyard, Sticker Pack) – RM159 ($38)
The Simpsons Collection (Fashion Strap, Lanyard, Sticker Pack) – RM159 ($38)

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 Star Wars Collection

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 The Simpsons Collection

All of them are sold exclusively on the Samsung Malaysia e-store. The Simpsons collection will be available from late December.

Sony suspends sale of another one of its cameras due to chip shortage

By

Sean

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Dec 7, 2021

The ongoing chip shortage has yet to subside and is still affecting various industries across the globe. This issue has already affected smartphones, automobiles, and even the camera market as well, with cameras from Sony becoming even more difficult to buy.

According to a Digital Photography Review report, the shortage of semiconductors have caused the Japanese tech giant to stop sales for another one of its cameras. The camera in question is the ZV-E10, which is a mirrorless vlogging camera that was first launched back in August 2021. On its official website, Sony announced that it is suspending the sale of its ZV-E10 on its store or through any of its distributors as of right now.

The company stated that the suspension arrives due to chip shortage, which caused a delay in sourcing of components. Notably, the vlogging camera is just one among other cameras that the brand had to discontinue this year alone. Just last month, Sony had to stop the sale of the A7 II, A6400, and the A1600 series cameras along with the ECM-B1M shotgun mic and PXW-Z190 camcorder as well. Similarly back in April, the company’s Handycam HDR-CX680 camcorder sales were also suspended.

At the moment, the A9 series of cameras also seem to be discontinued or could very well be available in very limited stock. Some distributors have listed these products as “No longer available.” The issues with the part shortage doesn’t end there as the camera models that are available are also facing delays in shipments and longer than usual wait times for delivery.

RELATED:

OPPO teases a unique smartphone with a retractable rear camera

By

Sean

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Dec 7, 2021

Every year, smartphone brands launch their premium grade flagship devices in the market that feature cutting edge technology. While this may include top notch specs like latest chipsets, other times companies include a new and unique feature that has yet to be seen before. Now, OPPO is working on one such device that has an aspect which sets it apart from the rest.

Most pop-ups are annoying…

But not our self-developed retractable camera! 😉

Explore more in INNO WORLD on 14/12.#OPPOINNODAY2021 pic.twitter.com/33hgJSw8If

— OPPO (@oppo) December 7, 2021

On its official Twitter account, the Chinese smartphone maker shared a short teaser video of a new and interesting device. While the name of the smartphone is still unknown, the video primarily focuses on the rear camera module of this teased device. On the rear, the primary shooter is housed on a retractable camera module. The company simply calls this feature as the ‘OPPO Retractable Camera,’ which it states is a self developed camera technology.

Looking at the video, we can see the large image sensor being raised out of its camera module housing. In the tweet, the company called pop ups as annoying and shared this demo video for a camera that can be raised and retracted. Unlike the pop up modules that raise vertically, this sensor extends horizontally and is also housed on a mechanized system that likely operates when the user activates a particular shooting mode in the camera app. Although, it might just activate as soon as you open the camera app, with its retracted form simply making the device slimmer overall.

Interestingly, OPPO even showcased this module’s durability with a drop test as the sensor was extended and even showcased water being splashed on it when it the sensor was being raised. This might be an effort to quell any questions that may arise regarding its practicality in terms of design. As per our educated guess, the functionality of the retractable camera system might also extend towards offering a better optical/hybrid zoom capabilities to the image sensor. Unfortunately, it is still too early to tell as the company has yet to offer any more information regarding this technology. However, it did state that we can expect to hear more about it during the INNO WORLD 2021 event that is set for 14th December 2021.

RELATED:

Global Launch Deal: Get Blackview Tab 11 for $169.99 (Retail Price $270)

By

Daily Deals

-

Dec 7, 2021

Blackview Tab 11 was launched globally on 6 December, 0:00 PST. Under the world premiere sale, you can buy Blackview Tab 11 which retails for $270, at a heavily discounted price of $169.99 by using a $20 coupon only at AliExpress. Also, additional discounts are available for Russian and Brazilian customers on the official Blackview website only. Additional gifts are also available under this world premiere deal. The deal starts on 6 December at 00:00 PST and ends on 10 December.

WHERE TO BUY

Blackview Tab 11 at $169.99 (after discount)@AliExpress

This latest tablet from Blackview features a 10.36” 2K display and 360 nits screen brightness that gives you an immersive viewing experience. Basically, with such a large screen you can enjoy your movies and animes with vibrant hues and clear details. Blackview Tab 11 reflects the true aesthetics of a minimalist with its 8.1mm super slim and slender body and a classy matte finish. The aluminum chassis combined with the straight contour lines gives this tablet a modern look similar to the latest tablets from Apple.

Blackview Tab 11

Powered by the UNISOC T618 octa-core processor, this ultra-slim and lightweight tablet comes with 8GB LPDDR4 RAM + 128GB ROM and is fueled by a 6580mAh battery. For its selfie camera, it boasts a Sony IMX 219 sensor and for the rear camera, it features a 13MP Sony IMX 258 sensor. Available in three gorgeous colors viz: Teel Green, Grey, and Silver, this tablet runs on Doke OS 2.0 based on Android 11 and supports multiple languages.

Apart from these features, Tab 11 also comes with some unique and interesting upgrades and functions. One of the biggest and best upgrades is getting the Widevine DRM L1 certification. With this upgraded top-level Digital Rights Management certification, you can now stream your OTT platforms like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, etc in one of the highest possible resolutions i.e. 1080p. This means you can now get a theatre-like experience right at your home using Tab 11.

However, Blackview Tab 11 is not just an entertainment device but also a great tool to manage your work and schedule. The tab supports the split-screen function which helps you to multi-task and manage your school/workload. With this function, you can run two apps simultaneously and view them side by side on the same screen. Moreover, with the specially designed Notebook APP, you can take notes and insert audio, images, online notes, typed notes, and even handwritten scribbles while attending your meetings and lectures. You can correct, improve, add, enhance and organize your notes as many times as you wish without having to rethink and retype. The notebook app combined with the split-screen function increases your productivity and helps you to get better organized.

For all pro gamers out there, Tab 11 comes with a specially designed gaming mode that blocks notifications, pop-ups, calls, etc while you are playing your game. This function enhances your gameplay, prevents mistouch, and ensures zero distraction during the game. Also, with a dedicated bedtime and reading mode, you can easily schedule your tablet to turn down the brightness and change its interface into a soothing gray color, that reduces the blue light emissions which in turn reduces the eye strain and pain.

Generally retailing for $270 you can now buy Blackview Tab 11 at a heavily discounted price of $169.99 only on the occasion of its World Premiere at AliExpress. Blackview is also giving additional free gifts like Airbuds 1 Earbuds (80pcs) and Blackview Keyboard (40pcs). Please note that this is a limited-stock offer. The sale starts on 6 December at 0:00 PST and ends on 10 December.

Please note that the above price is region-specific and the final price may vary according to your shipping region, warehouse, and regional taxes.

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

Xiaomi launches MIJIA Double Door 186L Refrigerator for 1,299 Yuan ($200)

By

Sean

-

Dec 7, 2021

Xiaomi has just announced a new MIJIA home appliance earlier this week in China. The new product in question is the MIJIA Double Door 186L Refrigerator, which is currently available for pre orders.

As per official notes, the new refrigerator adopts an air cooled frost free technology, which removes the need for manual defrosting when frost builds up. Furthermore, it features an upward air outlet design that helps reduce the amount of cool air being blown directly on food products kept inside. This, in turn, allows for faster cooling while reducing the rate at which fruits and vegetables dry up.

A notable feature of the new MIJIA Double Door 186L Refrigerator is its ion antibacterial and odor cleaning module. This component helps absorb all the odor causing molecules which are inside the refrigerator while also reducing the amount of bacteria that can potentially spoil the food items on the inside. Talking about its design, the refrigerator is 525mm wide and 610mm deep and occupies and area of just 0.32 square meters, which is about the same area as a regular chair.

On the inside, it offers 186 liters of fresh storage space, out of which 120 liters is for the refrigerating compartment and the remaining 66 liters is for the freezer compartment. The new MIJIA fridge also houses 3 built in sensors that can accurately map temperature, and automatically adjust its refrigeration system depending on season for optimal cooling and power efficiency. It is currently available for pre orders for a price of 1,299 Yuan (roughly 204 US Dollars) and is even listed on popular Chinese e-commerce website, JD.com.

RELATED:

Samsung’s smartphone market share hit a record high in Korea in Q3 2021

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Dec 7, 2021

Samsung’s smartphone market share reached a record high number in South Korea in Q3 2021, reports Counterpoint Research (via The Elec). The company’s growth comes from the popularity of foldables and the exit of LG.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 Featured C — Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3

According to the report, Samsung’s market share in its home country stood at a whopping 85% in the third quarter of 2021. It was followed by its archnemesis Apple with a 12% market share. The Cupertino-based tech giant’s shipments were low in Q3 as the iPhone 13 series made its debut in South Korea only in October.

Hence, without LG to compete, nine of the top 10 best-selling handsets were made by Samsung. The only odd one out was iPhone 12 at the ninth position.

The best-selling smartphone during this period was none other than the Galaxy Z Flip3, followed by the vanilla Galaxy S21 in second place. Whereas, the Galaxy Z Fold3 came fourth. The foldable duo alone accounted for nearly a million units in sales.

Top 10 Best Selling Smartphones South Korea Q3 2021

Galaxy Z Flip3
Galaxy S21
Galaxy A32
Galaxy Z Fold3
Galaxy S21 Ultra
Galaxy A42 5G
Galaxy A12
Galaxy S21+
iPhone 12
Galaxy Quantum2

Counterpoint estimates that the South Korean smartphone market will continue growing in Q4 2021 due to the strong demand for Samsung’s foldables and the launch of the iPhone 13 series. However, the growth rate will not be large as a result of the semiconductor shortage and weaker flagship offerings compared to last year.

Apple 2021 MacBook Pro’s SD card slot is plagued with multiple issues

By

Sean

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Dec 7, 2021

With its 2021 MacBook Pro, Apple brought back the SD Card slot that was highly requested by many. However, while most were happy with return of this feature, it seems that users have been reporting multiple issues with the SD card reader.

According to MacRumors, a number of users have recently reported facing multiple issues with the card slot. These include, and are not limited to, slow data transfer speeds and some files being inaccessible, among others. The report adds that the issue is a widespread problem that is currently affecting the 14 inch and 16 inch MacBook Pro models that were launched this year. While the issues are related to the SD card reader, there is no consistent issues being shared across a number of device as different users have reported different bugs with new card slot.

One user reported that the SD Card slot on his 14 inch M1 Pro MacBook Pro notebook takes up to a whole minute just to recognize an SD card. This can even sometimes fail, as per the user, with the MacBook displaying an error. Another user reported that his Finder crashes when his MacBook Pro is trying to read an SD card slot. Some users even tried to fix these issues by formatting the SD card itself, although, this did not resolve the problem. On the other hand, a few users confirmed that the same SD card works when being used with a USB Type C adapter.

Unfortunately, Apple has yet to officially acknowledge that its 2021 MacBook Pro model suffers from issues with this port. In other words, we still don’t know if the issue is software based, or an issue with the hardware. However, the iPhone maker has apparently told some users that it is “aware of the issue” and promised to offer a solution via a software update soon. So stick around as we will be providing updates when more information is available regarding this matter.

RELATED:

Apple will boost iPhone shipments by 30% in 2022, South Korean component sources claim

By

Zohaib Ahmed

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Dec 7, 2021

Reports from the South Korean component industry indicate that Apple has decided to increase iPhone shipments in the first half of 2022 by 30% when compared to 2021, challenging the annual shipment target of 300 million units.

Sources say that Apple has stated that the iPhone shipment target value for the first half of 2022 is set at 170 million units, which would represent 30% higher than this year’s 130 million units. To keep up with the spike, major component companies have been notified to adapt to supply and demand plans, according to Digitimes (via Patently Apple).

However, the goal can be turn out to be quite a challenge considering the global semiconductor shortages still looming over the industry.

The report challenges an earlier report about Apple facing slowing demand, and as a result telling its component suppliers that it may not order as many units as previously indicated.

Currently, the popularity of the iPhone 13 is soaring in the global market including North America but the current supply is still insufficient, resulting in month-long delivery delays. The spike in production should help meet the demand.

RELATED:

Xiaomi tests new Super 100W Flash Charging, will likely debut in H2 2022

By

Zohaib Ahmed

-

Dec 7, 2021

Xiaomi is currently testing an upgraded 100W flash charging tech for large battery capacities, that will not only boost charging times significantly but will also seriously consider battery longevity, notable industry insider Digital Chat Station has revealed.

Unfortunately, the tipster did not delve into the specifics and did not reveal other details and on what phones can the tech be expected.

However, considering that Xiaomi has released a few phones with support for 120W charging already, and is even working on 200W, it is likely that the Super 100W Flash Charging tech in question will be bringing along upgrades in some other aspects. Another reason for the development of 100W could be higher charging speeds degrading battery health quickly. Slower options like 100W could offer a better balance between speed and battery health.

Even the upcoming Xiaomi 12 series will be equipped with 120W charging tech, making it likely that super 100W will not be unveiled until the MIX 5 series makes its debut in the second half of the year.

Other than this, there have been reports about Xiaomi launching flagship products with support for charging graded higher than 120W in the second half of the next year.

Xiaomi had previously announced a 200W fast charge tech, showing a modified version of Mi 11 Pro taking only 8 minutes to charge 100%. 200W charging will likely be paired with the self-developed “ring-shaped cold pump cooling system” that will help keep heat generation under check, improving safety and battery longevity.

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Geely’s upcoming Hybrid car with a whopping 1,300km range enters mass production

By

Sean

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Dec 7, 2021

The Geely Auto Group has just announced that it has begun the mass production of its latest vehicle. The model in question is the world’s first 3 gear hybrid electric drive DHT Pro that started rolling out from the DHT Pro Micron Factory at the end of last month.

As per the official announcement, the new hybrid model features the Raytheon Zhiqing Hi-X 3-gear hybrid electric drive DHT Pro and DHE15. This is a hybrid engine and is claimed to offer the highest thermal efficiency in the world. The model’s name is the Xingyue-L Raytheon Hi-X oil-electric hybrid version, which can go from 0 to 100km/h in just 7.9 seconds and has a maximum cruise range of a whopping 1,300 kilometers.

Furthermore, the average fuel consumption of this hybrid car is just 4.3 liters per an impressive 100 kilometers. This model is equipped with the DHE15 hybrid special engine that offers a thermal efficiency of 43.32 percent along with a maximum power output of 110kW and a maximum torque of 225 N/m. According to Geely, when the vehicle is running at a speed below 20km/h, the car will automatically switch to a pure electric driving mode to prevent the vehicle’s engines from running in inefficient areas.

In other words, it can also smartly help reduce fuel consumption. On the other hand, when the vehicle hits speeds between 20km/h and 70km/h, the third gear electric drive transmission DHT Pro kicks in with both electric and oil driving. It even offers intelligent energy distribution as well. Lastly, when the vehicle crosses speeds of more than 80km/h, the DHT Pro’s increase gear speed change and torque increases enable the car to generate torque of 4920 N/m rapidly.

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Tecno Spark Go 2022 live shots leaked, launch seems imminent

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

-

Dec 7, 2021

Tecno announced the Spark Go 2021 smartphone in July this year. Fresh information reveals that the company may soon replace it with the Spark Go 2021 handset. Tipster Paras Guglani has shared the live shots of the Spark Go 2022 to reveal its design and key specs.

Unfortunately, the Spark Go 2022’s live shots do not showcase its front and rear design. However, the features mentioned on the display confirms that it will be sporting a waterdrop notch display like its predecessor.

The rear side of the device has a squarish camera module. It seems to have a dual-camera setup and an LED flash. A fingerprint scanner is also included in the module. The portion below the camera module seems to feature a lined texture.

Tecno Spark Go 2022 specifications (rumored)

As can be seen in the leaked shot, the Spark Go 2022 will be sporting a 6.5-inch screen that offers an HD+ resolution It has a 5,000mAh battery and a 13-megapixel dual-camera system. The handset offers other features like DTS stereo sound effect, Super Boost system optimization, and Soplay Music Mixer.

The other specs of the device are under the wraps. The predecessor model came with Android 10 Go edition. Hence, it is likely that the next Spark Go may offer Android 11 Go edition experience.

Tecno Spark Go 2021 specifications

The Spark Go 2021 has a 6.52-inch HD+ display, an 8-megapixel front camera with front-firing flash, a 13-megapixel + AI lens dual-camera system, 2 GB of RAM, 32 GB of native storage, Helio A20 chipset, a 5,000mAh battery, and a rear-facing fingerprint scanner.

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