Last week, Counterpoint Research released its report on China Smartphone Market for Q3 2021 stating that HONOR made a strong comeback. A few days from that, IDC’s report now paints a slightly different story.
HUAWEI P50 Pro
According to IDC, the China Smartphone Market shipped 80.8 million units in the third quarter of 2021. Although the number seems big, the overall shipments actually dropped by 4.7% YoY.
As per the research firm, the decline in shipments was due to the rise in average unit price and lack of product innovation to pique interest among consumers. Counterpoint also noted the latter as a primary reason for the drop in sales, in addition to component shortages.
Just like Counterpoint, IDC also says that 5G handsets were quite popular in the last quarter. In fact, 5G smartphones accounted for 77% of the total shipments in China in Q3 2021.
However, unlike Counterpoint, IDC adds that 4G smartphones witnessed a growth in sales for the first time in the last two years. This was due to the new 4G-only HUAWEI phones and the continuous demand for entry-level 4G handsets.
China Smartphone Market Q3 2021 Shipments | Source: IDC
Talking about brands, vivo led the market, followed by OPPO, HONOR, Xiaomi, and Apple respectively. As far as growth is concerned, Apple grew the most by 49.7% YoY due to the launch of the iPhone 13 series, which accounted for 40% of the company’s shipments.
On the other hand, Xiaomi witnessed the lowest growth of 0.1% due to supply constraints. The firm’s Redmi Note 10 series remained out of stock for a longer period of time. But thanks to the Xiaomi MIX 4 and the Redmi 9 series, the brand managed to stabilize its market share.
HONOR easily beat suffering Xiaomi to acquire the third position with the launch of the HONOR 50 series, HONOR X20 series, and HONOR Magic3 series. It was the second-largest growing brand with a 31.7% YoY growth.
Lastly, OPPO did not have any new models to improve its performance. It maintained second place with the OPPO Reno6 series and the OPPO A series. Whereas, vivo continued to dominate the market with the vivo X70 series and iQOO devices.
While software optimization is indeed the greatest contributor when it comes to fluidity and the overall experience, benchmarks are still a great way to measure raw power. AnTuTu‘s monthly charts are thus something to take seriously, and the one for last month now shows that the Black Shark 4S Pro is the new champion.
The gaming phone was launched only last month and has topped the nubia Red Magic 6S Pro and iQOO 8 Pro with a whopping benchmark score of 875,902. In comparison, the Red Magic 6S Pro tops at 856,179 while the iQOO 8 Pro has scored 844,078 (via Revü Philippines).
Of course, the difference of around 20,000 between 1st and 2nd ranks is insignificant when the peak scores are nearing a million. But it’s enough to announce the Black Shark 4S Pro as the most powerful Android phone money can buy at the moment. In fact, its score even beats the iPhone 13 Pro Max‘s 843,813 figure.
The fourth position in the chart is held by the previous leader Black Shark 4 Pro. This one is powered by the older Snapdragon 888. The Black Shark 4S Pro, on the other hand, packs the Snapdragon 888+ chip, which is a slightly overclocked version.
The Black Shark 4 Pro is followed by the fifth and sixth rank holders, namely the vivo X70 Pro+ and the Asus ROG Phone 5s.
The midrange field is also dominated by phones with Qualcomm SoCs. Seven out of ten devices on the chart feature Snapdragon 7 series chips, while the remaining pack MediaTek and Kirin processors. The chart is led by the iQOO Z5 with a score of 565,462. The Z5 is trailed by the Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G and Xiaomi Civi.
AnTuTu benchmark takes four key areas into consideration – CPU, GPU, user interface, and memory. Figures from each are combined to arrive at a total score. The AnTuTu Top 10 chart only includes phones with at least 1,000 unique benchmark tests, and calculates the average score rather than simply using the highest one.
Motorola has just launched a new smartphone in China today (3rd November 2021). The Moto G51 has officially been unveiled in the region, which arrives with a 5G enabled Qualcomm Snapdragon processor with a triple camera setup.
Specs and Features
The Motorola G51 sports a 6.8 inch IPS LCD HD+ display that offers 120Hz refresh rate and 240Hz touch sampling rate for a smoother user experience. Under the hood, a 5,000mAh battery pack powers the device with its Snapdragon 480+ SoC. For memory, the device offers 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage (UFS 2.2), which can be further expanded via a microSD card slot, while its RAM can also be virtually expanded by up to 3GB as well. Other features include, Android 11, a fingerprint scanner on the rear, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth v5.2, GPS, a USB Type C port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Notably, the smartphone supports both independent networking (SA) and the non independent networking standard (NSA) dual mode 5G and was launched in China with a partnership with China Mobile. For those unaware, China Mobile is a leading telecommunications based company in the country. The device also arrives with Dolby certification for its audio while its rear camera module features three image sensors. This includes a 50 megapixel primary camera, alongside an 8 megapixel and 2 megapixel sensor.
Pricing and Availability
The Moto G51 is priced at 1,499 Yuan (roughly 235 US Dollars) for its single 8GB + 128GB storage configuration. As of right now, it is only available for purchase in China and will be available in offline stores as well. Although, it is currently unknown if the company would be launching this model in the global market as well, so stay tuned for more updates.
AnTuTu has just released the popularity rankings list for smartphones for the month of October 2021. This list was shared earlier today (3rd November 2021) and showcased that Samsung took the top two spots.
The popularity list showcases the top models that were added the most as favorites on the known benchmarking platform. Looking at this list, we can see that the South Korean tech giant took the first two spots with its Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G at the top with 97.23 percent and Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G taking the second position with 93.94 percent. Meanwhile, the Vivo S10 Pro surprisingly took the third spot on this list with 93.91 percent.
According to AnTuTu’s official website, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has been in the top 3 popularity rankings for a long while now and shows no signs of being dethroned despite the flagship model launching a year old now. Although, AnTuTu stated that the premium build of the device, which as of right now, is the last Galaxy Note model to launch. On the other hand, the Galaxy S21 Ultra that came second is the brand’s current gen flagship model that offers top notch specs and features. This also marks the first time this model made it to the top 3 spots in this list.
AnTuTu further added that the third entry came as a surprise. It is the Vivo S10 Pro that was launched earlier this year with a notch display and MediaTek Dimensity 1100 SoC. Notably, other models on the list include the likes of Meizu 18, iQOO Z5, Oppo Reno6 Pro 5G, Huawei Mate 40 Pro, Honor Magic 3, Honor Magic 3 Pro, and Oppo K9 Pro 5G as well.
Xiaomi’s upcoming flagship — the Xiaomi 12 — will reportedly be hitting the mass production stage as early as next month. It will be joined by the Xiaomi MIX 5 later on.
As per reliable tech blogger Digital Chat Station, the standard variant of the Xiaomi 12 will be the first to go on sale, presumably in December. The Pro and Ultra variants will follow soon.
A similar release pattern was seen with the current generation flagship models as well, with the Xiaomi Mi 11 launching in January this year and the Mi 11 Ultra following a few months later in April.
The Xiaomi 12, being a top-of-the-line phone, will obviously be packing specifications to live up to its flagship tag. As such, it is known to be powered by Qualcomm’s upcoming Snapdragon 898 processor. Rumors have it that the phone will actually be the very first to feature the chip.
The Snapdragon 898 processor will be using Samsung’s 4nm manufacturing process and will employ an octa-core CPU comprised of a Cortex-X2-based main core clocked at 3.0 GHz along with 3x Cortex-A710-based performance cores running at 2.5 GHz. The CPU will be paired with Adreno 730 GPU to take care of the graphically-intensive workloads.
Xiaomi 12 alleged screen protector (Image: My Drivers)
The Xiaomi 12 is expected to have a curved display and a center-aligned punch hole to house the selfie snapper. Its primary rear camera is known to be a Samsung ISOCELL HP1 sensor with a 50MP resolution.
Moving on to the Xiaomi MIX 5, it is expected to be released a month earlier next year when compared to the MIX 4’s release date. Digital Chat Station says that its development seems speedier than its previous generation.
The Xiaomi MIX 4 hit the shelves on August 10 this year so the MIX 5 will likely be going live sooner in either June or July, or perhaps even earlier.
Xiaomi MIX 4
The tech blogger further pointed out that the MIX 5 is still under early development stages and is yet to be finalized. Many aspects are still in the verification stage, a possible reason being that it is packed with cutting-edge tech.
Specifications expected with the phone include the Snapdragon 898, just like the Xiaomi 12, paired with a 2K 120Hz display. The RAM + ROM combo may top at 16GB+1TB. Its body is expected to be lighter than this year’s model.
OPPO reportedly working on the Reno7 series of smartphones for China. The lineup is likely to include three models as Reno7 SE, Reno7, and Reno7 Pro. A Chinese tipster with a good track record has claimed that the Reno7 SE could be a rebranded version of the Realme GT Master Edition.
According to the tipster, Reno7 SE’s configuration is almost the same as the Realme GT Master Edition. Another leaker from China has also backed this claim. New information suggests that the Reno7 SE may differ in departments like refresh rate and fast charging when compared to GT Master Edition.
The Reno7 SE is rumored to house a 6.43-inch AMOLED display that offers a Full HD+ resolution. While the GT Master Edition supports a 120Hz refresh rate, the Reno7 SE may support a 90Hz refresh rate.
Alleged Reno7
The handset is expected to arrive with 8 GB / 12 GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 128 GB / 256 GB of UFS 2.2 storage. For photography, it may feature a 32-megapixel camera on the front and a 64-megapixel main camera, an 8-megapixel ultrawide lens, and a 2-megapixel portrait lens.
It was previously reported that the Reno7 SE has Dimensity 920. However, considering that it is a rebranded GT Master Edition, it is expected to feature the Snapdragon 778G chip. The Reno7 SE is likely to be backed by a 4,300mAh battery. Instead of 65W fast charging available on the Realme phone, the Reno7 SE supports 60W rapid charging.
There is no word on the pricing of the Reno7 SE. OPPO is likely to announce along with Reno7 and Reno7 Pro later this month.
Recent reports have revealed Xiaomi will be launching two Snapdragon 870 SoC powered phones soon in China. The first will be carry a Xiaomi branding and the other one could be a Redmi device. A reliable Chinese leaker has shared the key details of both smartphones.
The leak reveals that Xiaomi’s Snapdragon 870 powered smartphone will be fitted with a 6.7-inch OLED display with curved edges. While its resolution is not known, it is expected to carry support for a 120Hz refresh rate. It will feature a 5,000mAh battery to keep the lights on. The battery will be coupled with 67W fast charging and 33W wireless charging.
For photography, it will feature a 108-megapixel or a 50-megapixel primary camera and it will feature a front camera of 20-megapixel. It will offer other features like Harmon Kardon speakers and an X-axis motor.
On the other hand, Redmi’s Snapdragon 870 phone will feature a Samsung supplied flat OLED panel of 6.6 inches. It will be backed by a 5,000mAh battery, JBL powered dual speakers, and an X-axis motor. The leaker did not share the final marketing names of both models.
In related news, a Xiaomi phone with model number 2112123AC has been certified by the 3C authority of China. The certification has revealed that it is a 5G-ready phone, which may ship with a 67W fast charger. It is yet to be confirmed whether it will be debuting in the Chinese market as a Xiaomi or a Redmi device.
Hisense Communications has today launched its new 5G smartphone — Hisense F60 5G at the 9th China Mobile Global Partner Conference. It seems that the company is targeting this new product at elderly people and comes with features suitable for them.
The company adds that the smartphone’s features include family protection, health protection, minimal interaction, and enjoyment of life. Currently, the company has revealed the pricing and availability details of the Hisense F60 5G.
There’s a family guard feature that includes four major features — remote assistance for voice-based communication, electronic fence for safe range activities, one-key SOS in case of emergency, and fall detection through sensors.
As for the Health Guard feature, the phone comes with sensors for body temperature, heart rate monitoring, and blood oxygen level, allowing elderly people to monitor their health. In addition to that, Hisense’s health analysis algorithm provides health evaluation results, to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
The smartphone features a 6.81-inch Full HD+ display and is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon octa-core processor with up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. The device is running the Android operating system and is powered by a 5,000mAh battery that supports 30W fast charging technology.
In the camera department, the phone has a triple-camera setup on the back that includes a 48-megapixel primary sensor, a 2-megapixel camera sensor, and a 2-megapixel macro lens. The front-facing 16-megapixel camera sensor is housed inside a punch-hole cutout.
The device also comes with a minimal and interactive user interface, offering more intuitive icons and larger fonts as well as reducing the system information density and menu depth.
The company says that the Hisense F60 5G smartphone has been optimized for general applications. It collected popular apps used by elderly people to meet the entertainment quota and also reduces the possibility of installing non-secure apps.
After teasing the Meizu mBlu Blus+ true wireless earbuds, the company has today officially launched them in its home country China. Priced at 219 yuan (approximately $34), they come in Azure color option and are now available for purchase through Meizu Mall, Meizu Stores, JD.com, Tmall, Suning.com, Pinduoduo, Douyin, and more online retailers.
The Meizu mBlu Blus+ Active Noise Cancelling Earphones come with a 12mm crossover super-large diaphragm that offers thumping bass performance. There’s also a crossover structure composed of soft TPU and rigid LCP which allows a pure high-frequency sound quality performance.
As for the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), the earphones come with support for up to 30dB and 5000Hz ultra-wideband noise reduction. While ensuring bass and pure mid-and high-frequency sound quality, features like ANC and ENC are added to greatly improve the overall experience of the earphones.
It has a dual-mic noise reduction setup that can make voice beamforming through the best position of dual microphones, combined with an ENC algorithm to make the voice clearer and more natural, and can also adapt to a variety of environments.
There’s quick connection support for devices running Flyme and opening the charging box will pop up a connection screen on the smartphone. As for the battery life, it comes powered by a 43mAh battery and a 520mAh charging case, offering 30-hour battery life.
Lately, WhatsApp has been adding several new features to the platform to ensure that the instant messaging application remains the top player in its category. Now, the company is working on a feature that could prove to be helpful to many users.
The platform already allows users to delete a message sent to another user but there’s a limited time window of around one hour where the user can basically undo sending a message. Now, it is being reported that the company is testing a feature that could extend the window for deleting the message.
As of now, it is not known how long the “delete for everyone” feature will extend the time limit going forward but a report coming from WABetaInfo shows a prompt showing up for a message sent more than two months ago.
There’s a possibility that the company may have completely removed the time limit for deleting the message but that seems unlikely. We’ll have to wait for more information to surface online to know about the time limit.
It is also not known if the extended window for deleting messages will work for messages sent before the new feature gets rolled out or be available only for the messages that are sent after the feature is released.
If the company is actually planning to roll out this extended time limit for the “delete for everyone” feature for WhatsApp, then it will first be available to beta testers and will then be released to everyone in a stable build for Android as well as iOS.
Last month, Infinix announced the Infinix Note 11 Pro for the global markets. At that time, it also confirmed some of the key features of the vanilla Note 11. The Infinix Note 11 has gone official now since it was listed on the official with all its specs and features.
Infinix Note 11 specifications and features
The Infinix Note 11 has a 6.7-inch AMOLED screen with a dewdrop notch. It offers a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, 650 nits peak brightness, 100000:1 contrast ratio, 100 percent DCI-P3 color gamut, and a 91 percent screen-to-body ratio. The device sports a slim design as it measures 7.9mm in thickness.
While the Note 11 Pro features the Helio G96 chip, the vanilla model comes with the Helio G88 SoC. The device comes in two variant such as 4 GB RAM + 64 GB storage and 6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage. The device houses a microSD card slot for more storage.
Infinix Note 11
A 16-megapixel selfie camera is available on the Infinix Note 11. Its rear camera module has a 50-megapixel main camera with an f/1.6 aperture, a 2-megapixel bokeh lens, an AI lens, and an LED flash. The Note 11 has a 5,000mAh battery that supports 33W fast charging. The device comes with security features like face unlock and a side-mounted fingerprint scanner.
Infinix Note 11 pricing and availability
There is no word on the pricing of the Infinix Note 11. It is expected to release in Asian and African markets. The device comes in three colors such as Celestial Snow, Glacier Green, and Graphite Black. It was recently confirmed by Infinix that it will announce the Note 11 series and the INBook X1 laptop in India in December.
In September, reliable tipster Steve Hemmerstoffer shared the CAD renders of the upcoming Galaxy Tab A8 (2021). It appears that Samsung may launch it soon as it has received approval from the Bluetooth SIG authority today.
At Bluetooth SIG, the Galaxy Tab A8 has appeared with SM-X205 model number. The listing has no information on the specs of the device, but it confirms support for Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity.
Recent reports have revealed that the Galaxy Tab A8 (2021) will feature a 10.4-inch TFT display that offers a Full HD+ resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels. The tablet is said to be powered by the Unisoc T618, which also powers the HTC A100 tablet that debuted in Russia recently.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 2021 renders by OnLeaks/91mobiles
The tablet is expected to release in different variants depending on the market. It may arrive in variants such as 3 GB RAM + 32 GB storage, 4 GB RAM + 64 GB storage, and 4 GB RAM + 128 GB storage. For additional storage, it will feature a microSD card slot.
The Galaxy Tab A8 (2021) has a 7,040mah battery that is likely to carry support for 15W charging. It may feature an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera.
The tablet is expected arrive in Wi-Fi only and LTE variants. It is likely to be available in colors like gold, silver, and gray. There is no word on the pricing of the tablet. Now that the tablet has received Bluetooth SIG certification, it may go official later this month or early in December.
The POCO M4 Pro 5G will be announced at 20:00 PM (GMT+8) on Nov. 9 through a global launch event. Reports have revealed that it will be a rebranded version of the Redmi Note 11 5G that debuted in China. Ahead of the launch, Vietnamese publication ThePixel.vn (via) has shared some mages to give the first look at the POCO M4 Pro 5G.
POCO M4 Pro 5G design
As can be seen in the concept images based on the real deivce, the POCO M4 Pro 5G’s design is similar to China’s Note 11. At the front, it sports a punch-hole display, and it has a dual-camera system on the back. Like the POCO M3 Pro 5G, the camera unit is placed in a rectangle-shaped module, which features the large-sized POCO branding on the right.
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POCO M4 Pro 5G images
POCO M4 Pro 5G images
POCO M4 Pro 5G images
POCO M4 Pro 5G images
POCO M4 Pro 5G specifications
The POCO M4 Pro 5G has a 6.6-inch IPS LCD panel that offers a Full HD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. The Dimensity 810 chipset is present under the hood of the device. The publication further revealed that it will be available in three variant such as 4 GB RAM + 128 GB storage, 6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage, and 8 GB RAM + 128 GB storage.
It has a 16-megapixel camera on the front. Its rear camera setup has a 50-megapixel primary camera, an 8-megapixel ultrawide lens, an LED flash, and an AI logo.
The POCO M4 Pro 5G has a 5,000mAh battery that carries support for 33W fast charging. It is likely to come preinstalled with MIUI 12.5 based Android 11.
At present, there is no word on the pricing of the M4 Pro. The predecessor model was introduced with a price tag of 179 euros (~$207). Hence, it is likely that the M4 Pro may arrive with sub-200 euros (~$231) starting price.
Apple has been focused on revamping its MacBook lineup and the efforts seem to be paying off as the company shipped around 6.5 million MacBooks in the third quarter of this year, increasing its market share.
This is being attributed to the strong demand for the Apple MacBook Air which was one of the first devices to come powered by the Apple Silicon‘s first chipset — M1.
The report coming from the market research firm Strategy Analytics, the shipment of Apple MacBooks grew 10 percent year-on-year and the company has managed to capture around 10 percent of the overall market share.
With this, the Cupertino-based technology giant is now the fourth-largest laptop brand, just behind Lenovo, HP, and Dell. Apple managed to increase its market share because of the surge in demand for the heavily discounted MacBook Air in the third quarter. In Q3 2021, Mac revenue hit an all-time high of $9.1 billion, ticking up 1.6 percent year-over-year.
Overall, the notebook sector grew 8 percent year-over-year. That figure would have been higher had it not been for component shortages, rising manufacturing costs, and supply chain issues, says Strategy Analytics analyst Chirag Upadhyay.
For the fourth consecutive quarter, Lenovo topped the chart with 15.3 million notebooks shipments and a 23 percent share of the market, registering a 5 percent growth compared to the previous year. HP followed with 14.3 million units shipped and a 21 percent market share, reporting a decline of 5 percent year-over-year. Lastly, Dell managed to ship 12.2 million units, accounting for 18 percent of the market share.
It’s November and we are almost at the end of this year. Unlike October, this month there are phone launches mainly from Chinese brands like iQOO, ASUS, Poco, Oppo, and more. We’ll also see India-based Lava launching a budget-centric phone this month. With so many phones coming to the market, it will be daunting to keep a track of each device. That said, we have prepared a list of upcoming smartphones launching in November 2021 that will help you get an idea of what to expect.
1. Poco M4 Pro
Xiaomi spin-off Poco will launch a new smartphone this month. The company has scheduled a launch event for November 9 for the launch of its next iteration of budget Pocohpone, the Poco M4 Pro.
The Poco M4 Pro will bring all the bells and whistles of the recently launched Redmi Note 11 5G in a Poco branded package. It will feature a 6.6-inch IPS LCD screen with a 90Hz refresh rate. It is expected to have the MediaTek Dimensity 810 SoC paired with up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of onboard storage. It will feature a 50MP + 8MP dual-camera system and a single 16MP selfie camera lens.
2. ASUS Zenfone 8/ASUS 8Z
Back in May, ASUS unveiled the compact Zenfone 8 in the European markets followed by the US release. This month on November 4, ASUS will launch the device in Brazil. The same device is expected to go official in India as ASUS 8Z.
The phone packs a compact 5.9-inch FHD+ display. It has a 64MP + 12MP dual-camera system. Under the hood, the device is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC paired with up to 16GB of RAM and 256GB of onboard storage.
3. Lava AGNI 5G
Indian phone maker Lava is expected to bring AGNI 5G smartphone to India. Interestingly, the device was recently teased and was scheduled to launch on November 9 launch. However, the company deleted the scheduled Youtube launch which suggests that the phone’s launch may get delayed. But, we are expecting a launch by the second week of this month.
For starters, the smartphone will come with impressive features like a 90Hz punch-hole display, 64MP triple rear cameras, and a Dimensity 810 SoC. The phone will pack a 5,000mAh battery and run on Android 11 out of the box.
4. iQOO 8 Pro
iQOO has already unveiled the iQOO 8 Pro in the Chinese market. The phone comes at an aggressive price offering the latest hardware under the hood. Now, the device is expected to launch in India. iQOO India has not revealed the exact launch date, but we are expecting a launch in the mid of this month.
The iQOO 8 Pro comes with a 6.78-inch Samsung E5 AMOLED display with a 120Hz LTPO curved screen. It has a 50MP + 48MP + 16MP triple camera system and a single 16MP selfie camera lens. It is powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 888+ chipset paired with 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 512GB of UFS 3.1 internal storage. It has a 4,500mAh battery and support for a whopping 120W fast charging support.
5. Google Pixel 5a
Google took wraps off the Pixel 5a in the US and now, the phone is expected to launch outside the US market. Rumours hint at an Indian launch this month. Since the Google Pixel 4a is available in India for a long time, and the Pixel 6 isn’t launching in the region, netizens expect the Pixel 5a to succeed in the Google phone operations in India.
The Google Pixel 5a comes with a 6.34-inch OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate. It has a 12.2MP + 16MP dual-camera setup at the rear and a single 8MP selfie camera unit. It is powered by the Snapdragon 765 SoC paired with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of onboard storage. The device has a 4,680mAh battery with 18W fast charging technology. The Pixel 5a boots on Android 11 and has three years of OS upgrades.
6. Oppo A95
The Oppo A95 4G has been in the news for many days. Just yesterday, the phone’s renders were surfaced on the internet hinting at an imminent launch. We expect the device to go official before the second week of this month in South East Asia.
The smartphone will come with a large punch-hole display and a 48MP triple camera system. At the helm, it is rumoured to come powered by a budget-range chipset paired with 8GB of RAM and 5GB of virtual RAM. The phone will pack a 5,000mAh battery with support for 33W fast charging support.
7. Vivo V23e
After Oppo, we have Vivo launching an entry-level smartphone this month. The Vivo V23e has recently bagged multiple certifications including Bluetooth SIG and Geekbench. That said, the phone is expected to arrive in a few select markets in November. However, there’s no official launch date.
The Vivo V23e will feature a dew-drop notch display. It will have a 64MP primary camera and a whopping 50MP selfie camera. The phone will be powered by the MediaTek Helio A22 with 8GB of RAM. The major highlight of the phone will be 44W fast charging for the 4,030mAh battery inside the phone.
These are some of the confirmed/expected phone launches this month. Which device are you most excited about? Do tell us in the comments.
A few months ago, media streaming giant Netflix had announced its own gaming service named Netflix Mobile Gaming which made its debut in Poland with two Stranger Things mobile games. Now, the service is expanding to other regions as well. Here’s everything you need to know about it.
How Does It Work?
The Netflix application can be used to find the games as an individual download and confirm the Netflix account credentials before loading them. Some of the games need an active internet connection to keep playing but there are some games that work completely offline. However, in such a case, you will still need an internal connection to confirm your Netflix credentials at the time of loading the game.
What About Shared Accounts?
Interestingly, this new game feature for the Netflix app also supports multiple and simultaneous logins, depending on your account type as it basically works the same as the streaming service. This means that everyone can log in and play games simultaneously until an account’s maximum devices limit is reached. Once the maximum devices limit hits, you will get an alert for the same, similar to how it works for video streaming.
Which Games Are Available?
The games coming to the platform include two smartphone-friendly games based on Stranger Things services and three arcade-y tap-action games. These titles were all previously launched on smartphone storefronts. However, as a part of Netflix Games, they have been updated to work without any upfront costs or hidden microtransactions.
Stranger Things: 1984
Stranger Things 3: The Game
Shooting Hoops
Card Blast
Teeter Up
While the games are all kid-friendly, there are listed as adult content. So, accessing them with a kids’ account will require entering the PIN code.
Availability
Netflix has announced that its gaming services will now be available in more than 190 countries, including the United States. Users will still need to own either an Android-based smartphone or a tablet to play games.
Do note that you will need an active Netflix subscription to play games and the company notes that there are no ads, additional fees, or microtransactions. As noted, the service is currently limited to Android devices only but the company says that iOS support will be rolled out in the coming months.
Noted analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo has hinted that the yet-to-be-released Apple mixed reality headset will support Wi-Fi functionality. The Apple mixed reality headset could be released as early as 2022, barring any serious setback. It has been previously speculated that Apple was working on the mixed reality headset.
Bloomberg reporter Gurman had previously made projections and revelations relating to the revolutionary mixed reality headset. In his latest intervention, Gurman says the Cupertino-based company is planning to unleash the highly-priced device with a lot of advanced technologies.
For a start, according to Gurman, the mixed reality headset will have advanced chips, displays, and other components which will combine to give users a great mixed reality experience. Mixed reality implies that the headset will combine the functionalities of both augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). This hybrid model offers a wide array of possibilities for a compelling gaming experience as well as other great applications.
The mixed reality headset will be capable of handling games in high-quality virtual reality while maintaining high-end displays. In addition, Ming-Chi Kuo says the mixed reality headset will also feature Wi-Fi 6E for an enhanced video streaming experience when not directly connected to a computer. The headset could also support 5G networks, although the analyst mentions that the product may suffer some delays even with the 2022 launch date still possible.
Is the new Redmi Note 11 an upgrade or a downgrade of the older Redmi Note 10? A lot of people are asking this question and not everyone found the answer easily. Each of these two devices has its pro and cons: while the former comes with a few important improvements such as the presence of the 5G connectivity, the latter currently delivers a higher value for money due to its more affordable street prices. So which one should people buy at this moment? Let’s discover it through this comparison between the specifications of the Redmi Note 11 and the Redmi Note 10.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 10
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10
THICKNESS AND WEIGHT
8.8 mm and 195 grams
8.3 mm and 179 grams
DISPLAY
6.6 inches, 1080 x 2400p (Full HD+), IPS LCD
6.43 inches, 1080 x 2400p (Full HD+), Super AMOLED
There are no impressive changes in terms of design between the Redmi Note 11 and its predecessor. Both the phones have a rear cover and a profile made of polycarbonate. There is an important difference in the camera module: it is larger on the Redmi Note 11, despite the new phone includes a lower amount of sensor on the rear side. Further, the Redmi Note 10 is thinner and lighter, as well as a more compact phone because it houses a smaller display. Both the phones have the IP53 certification making them dust resistant and splash resistant. The display is protected by Corning’s Gorilla Glass.
Display
Despite it being an older model, the Redmi Note 10 actually comes with a better display. It has a Super AMOLED panel with a diagonal of 6.43 inches and a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. The new Redmi Note 11 has a higher 90 Hz refresh rate and the same Full HD+ resolution, but the panel is an IPS. The Super AMOLED technology provides brighter colors and deeper black, delivering a better overall image quality. Note that Redmi Note 10 has a smaller display: 6.43 inches vs 6.6 inches. On both phones, the fingerprint reader is mounted at the side, on the power key.
Hardware/Software
While it is an inferior device when it comes to display quality, the Redmi Note 11 has a much better hardware department thanks to its superior mobile platform. We are talking about the new MediaTek Dimensity 810 chipset built at 6 nm and running at a frequency of 2.4 GHz. Unlike the Snapdragon 678 found on the Redmi Note 10, the Dimensity 810 features the 5G connectivity, and it even provides higher CPU and GPU performance. Last but not least, you can get more RAM with the Redmi Note 11: up to 8 GB, while the max amount of RAM provided by the Redmi Note 10 is 6 GB. Redmi Note 11 and Redmi Note 10 are based on Android 11 but with different versions of Xiaomi’s own Android customization: MIUI 12.5 and MIUI 12, respectively.
Camera
The Redmi Note 11 has just two cameras on the rear side: a 50 MP main sensor and an 8 MP ultrawide camera. The Redmi Note 10 has a total of four rear cameras: a 48 MP main sensor, the same ultrawide camera with an 8 MP resolution, and a pair of 2 MP sensors for macros and depth calculation. Despite the lower amount of cameras, the Redmi Note 11 captures better photos in most of the scenarios, thanks to its better main camera. Even the selfie camera is better on the Note 11: it is a 16 MP sensor that is able to capture brighter photos with a higher detail if compared to the 13 MP front camera of the Note 10.
Battery
Redmi Note 11 and Redmi Note 10 are equipped with exactly the same battery coming with a capacity of 5000 mAh and 33W fast charging. But despite that, the battery life is different because they have different components. The AMOLED display of the Note 10 has a lower consumption, while the Dimensity 810 of the Note 11 is more efficient: so which device will provide the longest battery life? It mostly depends on the usage. For example, the Note 11 will last more in standby, while the Note 10 might achieve a higher screen time.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 10: Price
Redmi Note 11 starts from €160/$184 in China and it is still not available globally, while Redmi Note 10 used to cost more than €210/$243, but now it is available at very affordable street prices under €150/$175. The Redmi Note 11 features a better camera and hardware department, but the Redmi Note 10 has a better display. For the rest, these two phones are not so different. Which one would you pick?
The latest numbers coming from the Counterpoint Research Service indicate that the total true wireless earbuds shipments from India reached 8 million in the by the third quarter of 2021. The numbers indicate that boAt Audio continued its dominance of the TWS earbuds export market while Apple made solid gains in the premium earbuds segment.
Audio brand boAt’s dominance is reflected in it sustaining its leadership of the market for the fifth straight quarter, bringing to the fore a 171% year-on-year performance. The export numbers also indicate an overall performance of the leading brands in the market, with the local audio accessories brands accounting for 63% of the shipments. The declining fortunes of the market is reflected however in the lower Average Selling Price for these products.
Overall, the TWS earbuds market in India recorded a 55% growth when compared with its performance in Q3 of 2020. The 8 million mark achieved in Q3 2021 is the highest ever in the country since the advent of TWS shipments. According to the Counterpoint Service, the surge in the numbers is being driven by low and mid-level products priced below Rs. 3,000 (~$40). Apart from boAt, Nothing, Realme and 1More had strong showings, while Apple continues to dominate on the premium segment of the market while Samsung, OnePlus and Nothing also had decent performances.
Even with the pretty affordable prices for these TWS earbuds, active noise cancellation (ANC) functionality was prominent in the products. Gaming functionality is also being introduced among some of the models, like Pitron and Truke. India is enjoying some increased investment in the tech space and this has also rubbed off on the TWS earbuds segment. More domestic players are entering the market and pulling their weight in producing affordable and tech—compliant products.
The Counterpoint research showed that boAt (35.8%), realme (8.1%), Noise (7.7%), Apple (7.6%), and Boult Audio (5.3%) are the top five brands in the market based on their shipment volumes. Several other budding brands are waiting in the wings to ride on the Indian market.
Last year, Samsung introduced a new software policy of at least four years of security updates for almost all smartphones and tablets. But the company did not clarify the frequency of updates. Now, we know that for some of the budget devices.
Galaxy A50s and Galaxy A30s
Samsung launched the Galaxy Ax0s series of smartphones in 2019. The lineup includes a total of five devices, namely Galaxy A10s, Galaxy A20s, Galaxy A30s, Galaxy A50s, and Galaxy 70s.
According to SamMobile, the last four models have been now demoted to biannual security updates. Whereas, the first phone was already demoted in September.
All these handsets have one thing in common. They debuted with One UI based on Android 9.0 Pie and they have received two major One UI updates in the form of One UI 2.x (Android 10) and One UI 3.x (Android 11).
On top of that, these phones are also eligible for four years of security updates. But now, as the phones have become a little older than two years, they have been pushed to biannual security updates from quarterly security updates.
This means for the next two years, they will be only receiving four security updates in total. Going by this, we can expect the similarly positioned handsets to get only biannual security updates once they receive their last major One UI update.
What are your thoughts on Samsung’s software update policy? Do let us know in the comment section below.
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