Apple iPhone SE 3 will have 5G connectivity and upgraded chipset

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Oct 8, 2021

Last month, Xiaomi revealed that it will start rolling out the MIUI 12.5 Enhanced Edition update for the Redmi Note series in October. As promised, the company had already begun to seed the update ahead of schedule last week. Today, two more devices, namely Redmi Note 8 and Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G get access to the latest version of MIUI.

Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G Lake Light and Autumn Scenery — Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G

Xiaomi has started rolling out MIUI 12.5 Enhanced Edition update for the Redmi Note 8 and the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G in China. The new system update for these handsets arrives with the following build numbers.

Redmi Note 8 – V12.5.2.0.RCOCNXM
Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G – V12.5.4.0.RJSCNXM

The Remi Note 8 is known by the same name outside mainland China. On the other hand, the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G is sold as Mi 10i 5G and Mi 10T Lite 5G in some markets.

These international variants of the above-listed smartphones should also get the MIUI 12.5 Enhanced Edition update. But we cannot tell for sure when these phones will be receiving the update.

Anyway, whenever the latest MIUI hits these devices, it will be rolled out in batches. Even in China, the update is currently under a batched rollout.

realme 4K Smart Google TV Stick to launch in India on October 13

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Oct 8, 2021

The realme Google TV Stick is in the news since last month, The product was expected to debut alongside the new narzo phones but it did not. A few days later, the first-ever streaming device from realme finally gets a launch date.

According to the realme TechLife official Twitter account and the brand’s website, realme’s first streaming device will be called ‘realme 4K Smart Google TV Stick’. The product has been confirmed to launch in India on October 13. It will be unveiled alongside realme GT Neo2.

As per the company, its upcoming streaming accessory will run Google TV. It will have support for leading streaming platforms and other applications as well as games from the Play Store.

Further, the TV stick will be able to output content at 4K 60fps along with HDR10+. It will have an HDMI 2.1 and will come with Chromecast Built-in and Google Assistant.

Apart from the above-mentioned specifics, thanks to a leak, we know that it will be powered by an Amlogic quad-core processor paired with 2GB RAM and 16GB internal storage. We also know that it will have dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth 4.2, and a price tag below ₹5,000 ($67).

As we are still days away from the launch, we expect to learn more about the realme 4K Smart Google TV Stick in the coming days.

Sharp and OPPO sign a cross license agreement, effectively ending global patent disputes

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Oct 8, 2021

Sharp and OPPO today announced that the companies have reached a global cross patent license agreement, including patents for communication technologies and covering sales of terminal products of both parties. The cross-licensing agreement also ends all ongoing litigations between the companies worldwide with issues like patent infringement.

The patent infringement dispute had commenced last year with Sharp suing Oppo in the Taiwan Intellectual Property Court. Sharp had alleged that Oppo smartphones being sold in Taiwan were infringing on one of its LTE patents. This has now been dismissed with the Sharp-OPPO license agreement, thus demonstrating the value of both companies’ patent portfolios.

OPPO-Find-X3-Pro-Photographer-Edition-box — Oppo flagship Find X3 Pro

“Sharp views that this agreement reflects both parties respect the values of each intellectual property. While we license standard essential patents for communication technologies to various leading companies, we are pleased that with this agreement, we can update the value of our patent portfolio once again,” said Mototaka Taneya, Executive Managing Officer, Corporate Research & Development BU President at Sharp.

“OPPO believes deeply in the value of innovation and highly respects intellectual property. We are pleased with the outcome that both companies resolve the global patent disputes in an amicable way. The cross-licensing agreement again recognizes OPPO’s IP strength,” said Adler Feng, Senior Director of Intellectual Property at OPPO.

Sharp is based in Japan and has been a major contributor in the mobile communication systems space, with over contributions for 3G, 4G, and 5G technologies. The company now holds over 6,000 patents that provide value to 3G/4G/5G products.

OPPO on the other is big in the smartphones market, spearheaded with their Find and Reno series. The company has its own Android skin called ColorOS with OPPO Cloud and OPPO+ integration. The Chinese company operates in over 50 countries and has 6 Research Institutes along with 5 R&D Centers worldwide.

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Deal: Buy Seago Electric Toothbrush for $17 ( Retail Price $20)

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Oct 8, 2021

Seago Electric Toothbrush which generally retails for $20 is now available at a discounted price of $17.11 only at AliExpress.

WHERE TO BUY

Seago Electric Toothbrush at $17.11 (after discount)@AliExpress

Seago Electric Toothbrush

Key features:

Removes up to 7 times more plaque than a manual toothbrush
High cleaning frequency: max 40000 times/min
Help scientific brushing habit: 30s + 2mins Smart Timer (In-handle timer pulses every 30 seconds to let you know when to switch areas of the mouth, 2 minutes end brushing reminder )
Premium high-density bristles： Antibacterial and durable, go deep into wisdom teeth, gum gap and quickly clean dental plaques
IPX7 full body waterproof level for direct washing
Battery life: Approximately 30 days (Twice a day, 2 minutes each)
Charging time: 4 hours
5 High-Efficiency Cleaning Modes
Whiten-For removing surface stains
Clean-For Daily Clean
Polish -For Brightening And Polishing Teeth
Massage-For Gentle Massage
Sensitive- for sensitive teeth and gum
Colors: Black, White, Pink

Generally retailing for $20, you can now buy Seago Electric Toothbrush at a discounted price of $17.11 only at AliExpress. Please note that this price is applicable to the White and Black -3 Brush head, 1 dust cover, and 1 USB cable bundle only. This is a limited-time offer. So place your order asap.

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

* Please Note: When you buy something using the links in our articles, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Apple suppliers struggle to keep production on schedule amid power outages in China

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Oct 8, 2021

Apple suppliers in China are currently struggling to keep the production on schedule amid widespread power outages in the region. The suppliers are scrambling to keep production on track prior to the arriving holiday season.

According to a NikkeiAsia report, the widespread outages of power in China are the latest reasons that have caused tech giants from shifting their production away from the Asian country. As of right now, the suppliers of the Cupertino based giant, Amazon, and more are struggling to keep production on track. A source talked to Nikkei and revealed that power outages has been hitting on irregular intervals since mid September.

But now, these suppliers have been receiving notices every week notifying them regarding, which days in the following week will face a power cut. Reportedly, Apple suppliers have warned that the power cuts are threatening the supply chain, but these disruptions might last till the end of this year or possibly even longer. Furthermore, another issue is that the suppliers do not know which firms will receive power and which won’t.

The report added that another Apple supplier stated that local governments are deciding where to provide electricity based in part on the value of the products being manufactured. The news arrives as the company seeks to boost initial production of its iPhone 13 series to 90 million units through the end of this year. This marks an increase of up to 20 percent over the 75 million units of the iPhone 12 series that launched back in 2020.

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Redmi Note 7 Pro finally receives MIUI 12.5 update in India

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Oct 8, 2021

Although Xiaomi has started rolling out MIUI 12.5 Enhanced Edition update, there are still many devices that are yet to receive MIUI 12.5 in all markets. One of those is Redmi Note 7 Pro. The phone got the MIUI 12.5 in China at the end of June. Now, the company has begun seeding out this update in India.

The Redmi Note 7 Pro is one of the popular smartphones of its time. It was the first phone in the segment to arrive with a 48MP Sony IMX586 sensor. The handset has now started getting the MIUI 12.5 update in India.

MIUI 12.5 was introduced at the Mi 11 launch event in late December 2020. It is a minor upgrade for devices running MIUI 12 with some meaningful changes.

This software update for the Redmi Note 7 Pro in India arrives with build number V12.5.1.0.QFHINXM. Like any other OTA system update, it is being rolled out in batches. Hence, it will take days to reach every unit in the country.

At present, we are not sure if the smartphone will get access to MIUI 12.5 Enhanced Edition. Hopefully, Xiaomi makes it available as the less powerful Redmi Note 8 is eligible and has already got it in China.

The Redmi Note 7 Pro debuted with MIUI 10 based on Android 9.0 Pie. Prior to MIUI 12.5, the handset was updated to MIUI 11, MIUI 12, and Android 10.

Samsung announces new 17nm process node designed for those still stuck on 28nm

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Oct 8, 2021

We are now closer than ever to achieving 3nm chips in smartphones, but it is easy to forget that a vast majority of the electronics industry still relies on legacy processes owing to their low costs. Because of this, a lot of electronics continue using the planar 28nm process – a fabrication process that was last seen at the beginning of the last decade. And it is this industry that Samsung is aiming at with its newly announced 17nm process node.

samsung-17nm-node-process — Image: IT Home

Samsung Foundry Forum 2021 was held yesterday where it was announced that Samsung will be launching the 3nm GAA process in the first half of 2022 along with the commercial production of 2nm GAA process chips in 2025. Along with this, the company also announced the launch of a new 17LPV process – the 17nm Low Power Value process (via: IT Home).

It is basically an advanced version of the 28nm process with the difference being that it combines the 28nm BEOL (Back-End-Of-Line) and the 14nm FEOL (Back-End-Of-Line) process. This can bring significant cost reduction for customers while also improving energy efficiency by leaps and bounds.

Compared to the traditional 28nm process, the new 17LPV process chip has a 43% reduced area, 39% improved performance, and 49% better power efficiency.

The mass production time of this process hasn’t been announced yet but Samsung says that the first application for 17LPV will be in camera image signal processors, as part of Samsung’s CMOS Image Sensor portfolio.

In addition, Samsung is also integrating the 17LPV process into its high-voltage products for DDIC/display drivers that require back-end high-voltage support combined with improved logic.

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TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra GPS official teaser points to an October 13 launch

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Jed John Ikoba

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Oct 8, 2021

A tweet from smartwatch brand Mobvoi indicates that the much-anticipated TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra GPS will be launched on October 13. The smartwatch will come with some of the advanced features already available in a couple of models released earlier this year.

It is speculated that the TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra GPS is a refresh model of the TicWatch Pro 3 GPS, although with advanced monitoring capabilities. Some of the headline health monitoring features are Arterial Age, TruHR, and Exercise Capacity. The new model however has a slightly tweaked exterior design from the TicWatch Pro 3 GPS. It will be powered by Snapdragon Wear 4100+. The new smartwatch could also bear some semblance with the TicWatch Pro X launched in China recently. However, the Pro X has built-in LTE which may not be the case with the TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra GPS.

🎉TICWATCH PRO 3 ULTRA GPS, 6-day countdown to release! 🎉

From Oct. 8th to 13th, join our #giveaways by completing daily tasks on Twitter to win 20 FREE #TicWatchPro3Ultra GPS and unlimited single 20 USD Mobvoi Gift Cards! 🎁

Learn more details: https://t.co/w9h5NGvodl pic.twitter.com/pNiy043g0v

— Mobvoi_Official (@Mobvoi_Official) October 7, 2021

Mobvoi is also having a giveaway program to promote the new model, and it runs from 8 to 13 October. The ultimate giveaway will be the TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra GPS for select winners who are expected to complete daily tasks on Twitter. Other prizes include $20 gift cards for Mobvoi’s online store and TicPods ANC prizes.

Pricing and global availability details for the TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra GPS will hopefully be available as we inch closer to the launch of the model. It could however be speculated that the TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra GPS will be priced higher than the original TicWatch Pro 3 GPS model.

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Deal: Get Tronsmart Apollo Air Earphones for $73 (Retail Price $85)

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Oct 8, 2021

Tronsmart Apollo Air Earphones which generally retails for $85 is now available at a discounted price of $72.98 only at AliExpress.

WHERE TO BUY

Tronsmart Apollo Air Earphones at $72.98 (after discount)@AliExpress

Tronsmart Apollo Air Earphones

Tronsmart Apollo Air Earphones is a premium earphone that comes with an advanced Qualcomm QCC3046 chip and a customized graphene driver for exceptional and unrivaled sound quality. The combination of six mics and cVc 8.0 technology gives you crystal clear calls and the latest Bluetooth v5.2 ensures a stable and seamless connection. With three dedicated sound modes viz: ANC On, ANC Off, and Ambient Sound you can use the earphones at different places and for different scenarios like travel, studies, exercise, etc.

Key Features:

Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation – 35dB
Qualcomm® aptX™ audio decoding
3 sound modes
Six mics with cVc 8.0 technology for crystal-clear calls
True Wireless Stereo Plus
Bluetooth v5.2
IP45 dustproof and waterproof
Intelligent APP control
Battery: 5 hours on a single charge and 20 hours with the case
Colors: Black and White

Generally retailing for $85, you can now buy Tronsmart Apollo Air Earphones at a discounted price of $72.98 only at AliExpress. Please note that this is limited time offer. So place your order asap.

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

* Please Note: When you buy something using the links in our articles, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Deal: Buy UMIDIGI A11 Pro Max Smartphone for $171 at AliExpress

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Oct 8, 2021

UMIDIGI A11 Pro Max is now available at a discounted price of $171.12 only at AliExpress. This is a limited-time offer.

WHERE TO BUY

UMIDIGI A11 Pro Max at $171.12 (after discount)@AliExpress

UMIDIGI A11 Pro Max

Key Features:

6.8-inch capacitive touch display
Iconic flat-edged design
MediaTek Helio G80 Octa-core processor
4GB / 8GB RAM + 128GB ROM (expandable up to 256GB)
Triple Rear Camera: 48MP + 16MP + 2MP
Front Camera: 24MP
5150mAh large capacity battery
10W fast charging
Charging Interface – Type C
Infrared thermometer 2.0
Stock Android 11
Side Fingerprint Unlock
Face ID unlock
Performance boosting independent shortcut keys
Dual Sim + MicroSD slot
Color: Frost Grey and Mist Blue

You can now order UMIDIGI A11 Pro Max at a discounted price of $171.12 only at AliExpress. This price is applicable on the 4GB + 128GB, Grey, and Blue color variant. This is a limited-time offer. So place your order asap.

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

* Please Note: When you buy something using the links in our articles, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Deal: Get ENCHEN Electric Hair Trimmer for $14 (Retail Price $26)

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Oct 8, 2021

ENCHEN Electric Hair Trimmer which generally retails for $26 is now available at a discounted price of $14.57 only at AliExpress. This is a limited stock offer.

WHERE TO BUY

ENCHEN Electric Hair Trimmer at $14.57 (after discount)@AliExpress

ENCHEN Electric Hair Trimmer

Key Features:

Minimalist and sleek design
Single-button lock system: Slider comb locks your hair and gives you smooth and symmetrical hair cut
Nano Ceramic cutter head: Ultra-low noise
Touch switch
Dual speed control: Suitable for both soft and dense and coarse hair
The parts that contact the skin with the cutter head and the positioning comb are rounded to ensure safety and comfort during the haircut
Waterproof cutter head: The blade is removable and washable
Cordless rechargeable design
Charging time: 90 minutes
Charging interface: USB Type C
Suitable for babies, adults, and elderly
Smart charging protection
Smart battery reminder
Ergonomic design: Easy to handle
Colors: Black and White

Generally retailing for $26, you can now buy ENCHEN Electric Hair Trimmer at a discounted price of $14.57 only at AliExpress. Please note that this is a limited-stock offer. So place your order asap.

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

* Please Note: When you buy something using the links in our articles, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Nvidia RTX 3090 Ti rumors hint at whopping 450W TDP & 21Gbps VRAM

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Oct 8, 2021

A new report has just surfaced online, which reveals key information regarding the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090 Ti. While we had recently reported on a rumor regarding the RTX 3090 SUPER, it seems that team green might also be considering a new Ti variant of its top end GPU.

VideoCardz has claimed that it has received an RTX 3090 Ti and even shared certain key specifications of the upcoming graphics card. As per the report, the RTX 3090 Ti features the GA102-250 GPU with 10,752 CUDA cores, 84 clusters, 84 RT cores, 336 Tensor cores and 128 ROPs. As of right now, the clock speeds of the GPU is currently unknown but the report did state that it houses a sizeable 21GB of VRAM.

Furthermore, the RTX 3090 Ti will be 2.5Gbps faster than the RTX 3090 and sports 2GB VRAM modules, rather than the 1GB modules found in the vanilla version. While the memory speeds will be faster, the Ti variant still only features 24GB of GDDR6X VRAM. On the other hand, the boost in specs also arrives with a sizeable jump in power draw, with the RTX 3090 Ti featuring a new PCB that has a whopping 450W TDP over the base models 360W TDP.

Reportedly, the RTX 3090 Ti will include a new power connector for the PCIe Gen 5 compatibility. Nvidia is rumored to launch the RTX 3090 Ti in January 2022, which clashes with the supposed launch period of the RTX 3090 SUPER that we had previously reported on. Unfortunately, finer details regarding the GPU is still unknown, so we will have to wait for an official announcement from the company.

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Halide 2.5 update brings new macro photography mode for all iPhones

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Oct 8, 2021

Halide camera yesterday released a new update with version number 2.5 finally enabling macro mode across all iPhone models. The feature is called Neural Macro and can be accessed through the in-app focus mode.

When the mode is enabled, the app will automatically select the lens with the least focal length and applies a 2x digital zoom on top of it to get as close as possible to the subject. But since digital zooming always leads to a loss in quality, Halide makes use of the neural engine found on iPhone 8 and above to restore lost detail. The app even allows a 3x zoom if you wish to get even closer.

The result is an image that not only has a superior closeup but also a minimal loss in quality. The mode shoots JPEG images with a 4K resolution.

But perhaps the best part is that the 2x and 3x zooms are only edits that are applied to the image. Thus, if you wish to undo them, you can simply head over to the Photos app, edit the photo, and hit Restore.

That said, the Halide Neural Macro mode obviously works differently on the iPhone 13 Pro/Pro Max. This is because the app can simply tap into the native macro functionality of the ultra-wide lens found on the device. Photos shot using this mode are said to be even better than the ones captured via the default Camera app.

Halide can be downloaded through the App Store via a subscription costing $9.99 a month. It can also be availed through a one-time purchase for $49.99. Halide 2.5 is a free update to existing subscribers.

TSMC rejects disclosing its Client Data to the US

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Oct 8, 2021

The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is rejecting a recent White House request to disclose details about its relationships with its suppliers and customers, which would also include information on various aspects of its operations.

According to Sylvia Fang, the world’s largest contract chip maker’s general counsel, “We will definitely not leak our company’s sensitive information, especially that related to our customers. We are still at the stage of doing some preliminary research and evaluating the contents of the questionnaire (sent by the US government).” Apparently, the US is demanding details into the types of products it produces for clients, lead times, inventory levels and other information that the company deemed as confidential.

As of right now, TSMC is seeing a record demand for its semiconductors, especially from the automobile industry in the recent quarter due to the ongoing global chip shortage that has affected various industries and markets across the globe. The Automotive segment is one of the biggest industries across the globe, including the US, with companies employing tens of millions of people globally. So when the production of cars halts due to a supply shortage, the impact of the constraints poses a significant economic threat.

Thus, the US is working to secure its own chip supply while also discerning the semiconductor supply chain of other nations by asking foundries to voluntarily disclose information regarding their business. Washington even went as far as to threaten these firms using a national security law, as per a NikkeiAsia report. Gina Raimondo, the US Secretary of Commerce added that “We have other tools in our tool box that require them to give us data. I hope we don’t get there. But if we have to we will.”

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The Galaxy Z Flip3 propels Samsung’s latest foldable sales to over 1 million units in Korea

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Oct 8, 2021

The two latest Samsung foldable models, the Galaxy Z Flip3 and Galaxy Z Fold3 have had a pretty strong reception in Samsung’s home market of South Korea. More than 1 million units of the two smartphones have been sold since they were introduced in Korea one month ago. The speed in accomplishing this milestone is the fastest after the hugely successful Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy S8 series.

The sales target was a week behind what analysts had earlier predicted, although it still reflects a very successful run for the latest revolutionary foldable phones from the company. Up to 70% of the units sold in Korea were the cheaper Z Flip3 which offers an excellent experience with some new features. The Z Flip3 is in the same range as the Galaxy S21, but its design and overall appeal within a large segment of the market yielded more than 700,000 units sold within a month.

The demographics of the buyers released by Samsung also showed that about 54% of them were millennials or from Generation Z. This statistic helps to underscore the acceptability of the Galaxy Z Flip3 to several age groups.

The surge in sales of the Samsung foldable models could also be linked with the trade-in program put in place. Samsung has allowed South Koreans to trade their old phones including non-Samsung models, for the new Z Flip3 and Z Fold3 smartphones. Samsung is also extending the program till October 31.

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(source)

Microsoft celebrates Xbox’s 20th Anniversary with new Translucent controller

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Oct 8, 2021

Microsoft is launching a new controlled to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its popular gaming console, the Xbox platform. The company announced the new controller earlier this week, which features the classic Xbox green colors scheme and a translucent body.

According to Xbox product marketing manager Jessica Tsujikawa, the new controller features a see through shell, which is inspired by the original Xbox debug kit that featured a translucent green body. Furthermore, the 20th Anniversary Special Edition Xbox Wireless Controller is scheduled to be launched on November 15. Talking about its design, the controller sports a translucent black design on the front half, which enables users to peer inside the inner hardware of the controller.

Notably, Microsoft also allows customers to unlock a 20th anniversary Xbox Series X dynamic background by connecting the controller to the console. For those interested, the new 20th Anniversary Special Edition controller is priced at 69.99 US Dollars, which is about 10 US Dollars higher than the price for the standard Xbox controller. The new controller is compatible with both the Xbox One and Xbox Series X and Series S consoles along with Windows, PC, Android, and iOS devices as well.

Apart from the new controller, the company has also launched the new 20th Anniversary Special Edition Xbox Stereo Headset. This gaming headset sports a similar bright green highlights and translucent black shell as well. It also features price tag of 69.99 US Dollars and will be launched on November 15. Another product launching with these two gaming peripherals is the new custom sneakers that were made in collaboration with Adidas.

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Samsung India eyes 65% growth in high-end consumer electronics

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Oct 8, 2021

Samsung has seen strong growth in its consumer electronics sales over the past 3 months despite losing out to Chinese companies in the smartphone market. The Korean company now aims to grow by over 65 percent this festive season with the sales of its premium category of TVs and digital appliances.

Raju Pullan, Senior Vice President, Consumer Electronics Business, Samsung India revealed that they’ve seen a strong uptick during the Onam and Ganesh Chaturthi festivals already. This, combined with the increased demand from consumers looking to equip their homes with the latest tech following COVID unlocks, has led to a boom in business.

The growth has especially been in the television sector where the company is almost a consumer favorite, seeing 63 percent growth with QLED TVs. But that’s not all. Sales of refrigerators and washing machines have seen a growth of 100 percent and 50 percent respectively, in the month of August alone.

“We planned for festive season way in advance to stay ahead of the curve and ensured that we are well stocked up and expanded our premium portfolio with the launch of Neo QLED TV, The Frame TV, French Door Refrigerators, AI Ecobubble washing machines, WindFree ACs, etc., to cater to festive demand,” Pullan said.

Pullan went on to say that, unlike last year, when the brand’s growth was mainly limited to tier-2 markets, this year’s growth has been spread throughout metro cities as well as tier 2 and 3 markets.

Samsung has already announced a ‘Big TV Festival’ with offers to encourage further growth for its 55-inch and above TV offerings. This is paired with ‘Home Like Never Before’ offers for washing machines, refrigerators, microwaves, and ACs.

Last but not the least, Samsung is offering exciting deals through the ongoing Amazon’s Great Indian Festival and Flipkart’s The Big Billion Days.

Regardless, Samsung’s ability to achieve the coveted 65 percent growth rate will be tested during the next two months. Underlying supply issues are the biggest setback that can hamper the company’s goals and are something that need to be addressed.

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Motorola Moto E30 is a cheaper Moto E40 with Android 11 Go Edition

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