Mi Home app code shows Xiaomi is working on a UWB-powered “Magic Control Bridge” for Mi TVs

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Aug 6, 2021

Ahead of its August 10 launch, Xiaomi yesterday teased the Mi Mix 4 will come with ultra-wideband (UWB) technology. XDA Developers have now discovered a code on the Mi Home pp after decompilation which shows the company is working on a new device. A string of references to a new device called Magic Control Bridge was spotted on the decompiled data. It is noted that the APK teardown is not definitive proof that the specified device identified will arrive in a future release.

The v6.9.601 version of the Mi Home app indicates that the Magic Control Bridge will connect specifically to a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network or directly to a TV via a USB port, and when properly set, it could offer ultra-wideband control for the TV from a compatible UWB device (for example, a UWB-enabled smartphone). It is also possible to limit the connectivity access to a select set of devices, possibly only members of your household.

There are already similar devices offering support for remote access to TVs like the Google remote app for Android TVs. There are still several details that are yet to be pieced about the device, relating to its functionality and the possibility of providing remote access to multiple devices apart from the Mi TV. These details will become known when indeed the Magic Control Bridge is officially unveiled by Xiaomi if the APK teardown result is authentic.

There are currently no Xiaomi phones or tablets that have the UWB technology but the Mi Mix 4 may be the first. Samsung is one of the pioneers of this technology in the smartphone space and recently unveiled the Samsung SmartTag, and a few Galaxy smartphones that use the UWB technology.

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 full specs along with Brochure leaked ahead of August 11 launch

By

Pranav Sawant

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Aug 6, 2021

After numerous leaks, Samsung officially scheduled the launch date of the much-anticipated Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 for August 11. Although Samsung has just confirmed that an Unpacked event will be broadcasted, leaks reveal the appearance of the Z Fold 3 at the event. Now, ahead of its launch, a full specs sheet along with the official brochure images have surfaced online.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 Full Specs and Brochure images

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 will succeed the Z Fold 2 launched last year. It will feature a large 7.6-inch-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz variable refresh rate and 2208 x 1768 pixels resolution. Interestingly, this primary display has a Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection making it strong and durable.

It will sport a 6.28-inch cover display with again a high 120Hz refresh rate and 2268 x 832 pixels resolution. For the first time in a Z Fold phone, there will be an S Pen support meaning that it will be bundled with an S Pen.

In terms of the cameras, the foldable smartphone will feature a triple camera system at the rear. It will be a vertically placed camera module holding a 12MP main sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 12MP telephoto sensor. As for selfies, there will be a 4MP camera inside and a 10MP camera on the cover screen when folded.

According to the brochure, the camera will support Night mode, Night Hyperlapse mode, Director’s View mode, and Portrait mode. The smartphone is touted to shoot videos at up to 8K(7680 x 4320 pixels) resolution.

Under the hood, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 will feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of onboard storage. The images confirm the support for Dolby Atmos and IPX8 water resistance. It is slated to pack a 4,400mAh battery with support for wired rapid charging and wireless quick charging.

The brochure images confirm that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 will come in three color variants namely the Phantom Black, Phantom Green, and Phantom Silver. It recently went up for pre-booking in India. The phone is expected to come at EUR 1899(~$2,233) in the global market.

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Tipster hints the Huawei Mate 50 will also have a next-gen Snapdragon version

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Aug 6, 2021

A Weibo tipster has hinted that Huawei could have sufficient supplies of chips for its smartphone models that are powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chipsets after December 2021. Recall that the P50 was launched with a Snapdragon 888 version which had only 4G support. The tipster hinted that the company will use the next-gen Snapdragon 898 chip on the Mate 50 but it will only support 4G until the second quarter of 2022 when the 5G version will be available.

The Weibo rumor could indicate a greater business relationship between Huawei and Qualcomm in pursuit of chip sufficiency. It is also reported that Huawei is gradually shifting to Qualcomm, as models sporting the Snapdragon 888 chipset will become the mainstream offerings of Huawei in the shortest time. This also means that the new generation Qualcomm Snapdragon premium chipsets will be available for purchase and deployment into Huawei’s flagship models.

The move continues to reflect the intensive drive of Huawei to regain lost ground from the challenges of the previous years that led to significant losses of its market edge across several countries including China. The Huawei P50 series was announced to come with a Snapdragon processor, which ultimately did not happen, possibly due to supply hitches. It rather came with the Kirin 9000 processor. But there is also the possibility of a shortage of Kirin chips, helping to drive the demand for Qualcomm Snapdragon chips by the company.

In line with the improved partnership with Qualcomm, the Huawei Mate 50 series and the incoming Huawei foldable smartphones will be powered by the new Snapdragon processor. Additionally, these new Snapdragon chipsets are understood to have already adopted Huawei’s HarmonyOS operating system, thus significantly expanding the reach of Huawei in pursuit of global relevance. The new chipset is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 898, which could be released before the end of 2021, according to rumors. It is not clear, however, whether Qualcomm will immediately debut the premium 5G version of the new chip or go with the lower 4G version.

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realme narzo 30 Pro 5G gets realme UI 2.0 (Android 11) stable update

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Aug 6, 2021

Smartphone brand realme launched the realme narzo 30 Pro 5G in India at the end of February. Despite releasing in 2021, the handset debuted with Android 10-based realme UI. Anyway, the company delivered realme UI 2.0 beta based on Android 11 as scheduled. One and a half months from that, the device has finally started receiving the stable update.

The Android 11 (realme UI 2.0) stable update for the realme narzo 30 Pro 5G is being rolled out in a staged manner like any other OTA system update. Therefore, some users might receive the update later than others. Anyway, all users should get the update in the coming days.

That said, the latest system update for the phone arrives with firmware version RMX2117_11.C.03. Users need to be on either firmware version RMX2111PU_11.A.35, RMX2111PU_11.A.37, or RMX2111PU_11.A.39 to received the new software build.

Users who are not satisfied with Android 11–based realme UI 2.0 have an option to roll back to the previous version of the software. However, unlike the update, the rollback will wipe the device’s internal storage. Hence, they will have to go through the tedious job of backing up the data before proceeding with the rollback.

Having said that, realme narzo 30A, which was released alongside the realme narzo 30 Pro 5G is yet to receive realme UI 2.0 (Android 11) though it got the beta update together.

Deal: Buy ILIFE V3s Pro Robot Vacuum Cleaner for $137 (Retail Price $200)

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Daily Deals

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Aug 6, 2021

ILIFE V3s Pro Robot Vacuum Cleaner which generally retails for $200 is now available at a discounted price of $136.99 only at AliExpress.

WHERE TO BUY

ILIFE V3s Pro Robot Vacuum Cleaner at $136.99 (after discount)@AliExpress

ILIFE V3s Pro Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Key Features:

Multiple cleaning modes
120-minute working time
Auto dock and recharge
Obstacle avoidance and Cliff detection sensor
Airway filtering
Scheduled cleaning

Generally retailing for $200, you can now buy ILIFE V3s Pro Robot Vacuum Cleaner at a discounted price of $136.99 only at AliExpress. 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.

iQOO 8 official teaser reveals the E5 display will use Microprism tech for power-saving

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Aug 6, 2021

After series of leaks, Vivo’s iQOO brand recently disclosed that it would be launching the iQOO 8 smartphone in China on August 17th. Since the announcement, we’ve seen a couple of promotional teasers showing some of the features that would be onboard the device.

An earlier teaser had shown that the device will come with Samsung’s E5 Display with 2K resolution, the first device to do so. The E5 panel is the fifth and latest generation of luminous material that is used in Samsung’s OLED display panels. The E5 display offers high brightness, supports 1 billion native colors and has a pixel density of 517 PPI.

Although the power consumption the new-gen panel has been further reduced, Samsugn has released a new teaser which shows an additional feature that will ensure that the display doesn’t consume too much battery power. That feature is called microprism technology. The microprism technology is similar to the light-condensing principle of car headlights, which can reduce light loss, achieve higher light output efficiency , and lower power consumption under the same brightness conditions.

Recall that the device was also teased to feature LTPO 120Hz refresh rate step-less variable speed technology which can ensure the display meets users’ extreme needs for control and a smooth visual experience according to different user scenarios, while intelligently reducing power to avoid iexcessive power consumption by the display. The technology is utilized by Samsung, OPPO, and OnePlus in their latest flagship phones.

The iQOO 8 is also expected to pack a Snapdragon 888 Plus chipset as well as 12GB RAM with support for 4GB RAM expansion. The device will run Android 11-based OriginOS, and will support 120W super flash charging.

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Xiaomi MIUI wins 3 Red Dot Awards 2021

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Aug 6, 2021

MIUI is Xiaomi’s first-ever product. It still continues to be the company’s Android-based operating system for its smartphones. Like any other software, it has its pros and cons. Some people considered it to be good and others don’t. Looks like the juries at Red Dot belong to the former group as they have presented three awards to MIUI.

Redmi Note 10 Pro CN VER Review 11 — Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G with MIUI 12.5

According to the official MIUI Weibo account, Xiaomi’s mobile operating system has received 3 Red Dot Awards. The company shares this information ahead of the MIUI 13 release, which has been confirmed to take place at the end of 2021.

The social media post says that MIUI wins Red Dot Awards 2021 for its ‘Haptic Feedback’ system and ‘Natual Sound Museum’. The former wins in the ‘Interface and User Experience’ category, whereas the latter wins in both ‘Sound Design’ as well as ‘Interface and User Experience’ categories.

If you have used MIUI, you will know that these two features are some of the best of Xiaomi’s mobile operating system. However, it is worth noting that ‘Haptic Feedback’ is only available on upper mid-range and premium smartphones. Whereas, the vast library of ‘Natural Sound Museum’ is limited to China.

MIUI 12.5 is the latest version of MIUI. It is a minor update to MIUI 12 unveiled in the first half of 2020. Some of the older and budget Xiaomi group smartphones are yet to receive this update. On the other hand, most of the devices are plagued with bugs.

Hence, MIUI 13 is expected to bring fixes and improvements for these issues. Xiaomi recently even established ‘MIUI Pioneer Group’ for this cause.

Deal: Get Xiaomi Mijia Aroma Diffuser and Humidifier for $16 (Retail Price $30)

By

Daily Deals

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Aug 6, 2021

Xiaomi Mijia Aroma Diffuser and Humidifier which generally retails for $30 is now available at a discounted price of $15.99 only at AliExpress.

WHERE TO BUY

Xiaomi Mijia Aroma Diffuser and Humidifier at $15.99 (after discount)@AliExpress

Xiaomi Mijia Aroma Diffuser and Humidifier

Key Features:

Creates a candlelight atmosphere
Water-reversed fog outlet
Wired design
10UM Ultra-fine moisture diffusion
3.0MHz Ultrasonic atomization
Anti-dry sensor
Adjustable atmosphere: 7 colors to choose from
Intelligent Power Off
Water level sensor
Water shortage strobe prompt
Simple and minimalist design
Small size, large energy
Silicone non-slip bottom

Generally retailing for $30, you can now buy Xiaomi Mijia Aroma Diffuser and Humidifier at a discounted price of $15.99 only at AliExpress. 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.

Honor X20 5G with Dimensity 900, 8GB RAM spotted at Geekbench

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Aug 6, 2021

A new Honor smartphone with model number NTN-AN20 has appeared on the Geekbench benchmarking site. This model number is said to belong to the Honor X20 5G phone that is all set to debut on Aug. 12 in China. As usual, the Geekbench appearance has revealed the key specs of the X20.

The NTN-AN20 smartphone was previously seen at the 3C certification platform last month. The listing had revealed that it is a 5G phone that may ship with a 66W rapid charger. This device has also been approved by the TENAA authority. However, its specifications and images haven’t yet appeared at TENAA.

The NTN-AN20’s Geekbench listing reveals that it is powered by the Dimensity 900 chipset, which is mentioned with its MT6877V/ZA model number. The listing further mentions that it has 8 GB of RAM, and it boots to Android 11 OS. The handset scored 709 and 2079 points in the single-core and multi-core tests of Geekbench, respectively.

Honor X20 5G specifications (Rumored)

Past reports have revealed that the Honor X20 5G has a 6.67-inch IPS LCD FHD+ 90Hz display with a centrally aligned punch-hole. It has a front camera of 16-megapixel.

The back panel of the device has a 64-megapixel (main) + 2-megapixel (depth) + 2-megapixel (macro) triple camera unit. It will come preinstalled with Magic UI 4.0 based Android 11 OS.

The handset is expected to arrive in two variants like 6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage, 8 GB RA M+ 128 GB storage, and 8 GB RAM + 256 GB storage. It may arrive in colors like Aurora Blue, Night Black, and Titanium Silver. It is likely to be priced around 2,000 Yuan (~$309) in China.

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Deal: Get Anker 2 in 1 Wireless Charging Station for $27 (Retail Price $30)

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Daily Deals

-

Aug 6, 2021

Anker 2 in 1 Wireless Charging Station which generally retails for $30 is now available at a discounted price of $26.76 only at AliExpress.

WHERE TO BUY

Anker 2 in 1 Wireless Charging Station at $26.76 @AliExpress

Anker 2 in 1 Wireless Charging Station

Key Features:

Power Wave + Pad with watch holder
For smartphones, wireless earbuds, and smartwatches
Simultaneous apple watch and other wireless device charging
Works best with QC 2.0 and 3.0
Case friendly phone charging
Cell phone battery safety
Foreign Object Detection
Radiation shield
Temperature control
Compatible with iPhone, Galaxy, Note series, LG V series, Pixel, etc
All Qi-Enabled phones: 5W
AirPods, GalaxyBuds, PixelBuds, etc
Apple Watch Series

Generally retailing for $30, you can now buy Anker 2 in 1 Wireless Charging Station at a discounted price of $26.76 only at AliExpress. 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.

Redmi 8, Redmi 8A, Redmi 8A Dual start receiving MIUI 12.5 update in India

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Aug 6, 2021

Just a couple of days back, Xiaomi started rolling out the MIUI 12.5 update for the entry-level Redmi 8 and Redmi 8A in China. Now, this update is also available for Redmi 8A Dual alongside the former two devices in India.

The Redmi 8 series made its debut in the second half of 2019 with MIUI 10 based on Android 9.0 Pie. These handsets were updated to MIUI 11, MIUI 12, as well as Android 10. Now, they have also started receiving the MIUI 12.5 update.

The MIUI 12.5 update for Redmi 8, Redmi 8A, and Redmi 8A Dual in India comes with the following build numbers.

Redmi 8 – V12.5.1.0.QCNINXM
Redmi 8A – V12.5.1.0.QCPINXM
Redmi 8A Dual – V12.5.1.0.QCQINXM

The latest software builds for these smartphones are in the ‘Stable Beta’ phase. This means like any other OTA system update, they are being rolled out in batches. Therefore, some users might take a longer time to receive the update than others.

At the end of the day, all the users of these phones in India and other regions should get the MIUI 12.5 update in the coming days. But unfortunately, these handsets may not be eligible for MIUI 13 as they have already reached the threshold of two MIUI updates and one Android update set by the company for its entry-level smartphones.

Purported Vivo X70 with Dimensity 1200 found listed at Geekbench

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Aug 6, 2021

Vivo is reportedly working on the X70 series of smartphones. The lineup may include three devices such as Vivo X70, X70, and X70 Pro+. The company may announce these phones in September in China. A new Vivo phone with a V2104 model number has appeared on the Geekbench benchmarking site. It is speculated that this device may go official as the vanilla X70.

The V2104’s Geekbench listing shows that it is powered by a MediaTek chip with model number MT6893Z_C/CZA. It is nothing but the 6nm Dimensity 1200 chip, which is the most powerful SoC from the Taiwanese chip manufacturer.

The listing further states that it has 12 GB of RAM, and it boots to Android 11 OS. It scored 859 points in the single-core test and 2946 points in the multi-core test. At present, there is no other information available on the specs of the device.

A couple of Vivo phones have been recently approved by China’s 3C certification sites such as V2130A, V2133A, V2136A, and V2141A. It is speculated the V2136 and V2141A that were spotted with a 120W charger at 3C could be the upcoming iQOO 8 and iQOO 8 Pro smartphones.

The V2130A and V2133A were spotted with a 44W charger, and we were believed to be the X70 and X70 Pro smartphones. There is a possibility that the newly spotted V2104 could be some other Vivo smartphone or an iQOO branded device. Hence, readers are advised to wait for further reports to know the final marketing name of the V2104.

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Grab Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro at discounted price from Giztop

By

Simranpal Singh

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Aug 6, 2021

Xiaomi introduced the Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro, featuring Active Noise Cancellation, an 11mm driver, and a Qualcomm Chip. The EarBuds are retailing with a $20 discount for $129 via Giztop. It is available with global shipping without any extra charge.

Must See: Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro is the world’s first to feature Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound

Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro comes with a large 11mm ultra dynamic sound driver which offers premium sound. The presence of three microphones aids the efficiency of its Active Noise cancellation features. It can easily isolate the external noise without hindering the sound experience.

Xiaomi’s latest TWS also offers an enhanced QCC5151 Bluetooth chip which eliminates environmental sounds effectively. It also supports aptX Adaptive Dynamic Codex Protocol which helps in reducing latency. Furthermore, it houses exceptional features like fast charging, 28hours of battery backup, Bluetooth 5.2 for efficient connectivity, and dual transparency modes. The charging case supports the Qi wireless charging standard.

The earbuds also support the Auto-Connect feature which automatically connects the earphones once they are popped out of the case. Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro weighs 60 Grams and offers USB Type-C connectivity for charging.

You can grab the Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro on a limited-time sale for $129 via Giztop.

Related: Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro’s first firmware update brings optimized wear detection & updated notification sound

Google Nest Cam and battery-powered Nest Video Doorbell now official

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Aug 6, 2021

A few days back, we reported the leak of the latest Google Nest cameras on Google’s online store, fuelling speculation on an imminent launch of the devices. And true to the predictions, Google has officially announced the Nest Cam and Nest Doorbell. The devices are already available for pre-order on Google’s online store. Google is also providing some financing options for interested buyers, with payment spread over 24 months.

The lineup of security gadgets from the Google Nest brand offers smart solutions to some common security issues, with a number of innovations from the previous models. The camera variants are an indoor-only model and an indoor/outdoor model. The new battery-powered Nest Video Doorbell is an improvement of the Nest Hello doorbell.

While the devices sport some of the features that we have come to attach to the Google Nest products, there are several smart and intelligent innovations that make the products important additions to the home security architecture. These features include the Nest Thermostat, Nest Wi-Fi, Nest Audio smart Speaker, with a more efficient Tensor Processing Unit (TPU).

The new TPU, in combination with other innovations incorporated into the devices, makes it possible for the new devices to easily detect humans, animals, vehicles, and other specific packages which prompt specific alerts without using cloud resources. Except for some subscription-related features like the Familiar Faces feature, the management of the devices will be less costly than their predecessors.

The new Nest security cameras and the video doorbell can be operated with a powerful battery that could last up to 3 months on a single charge. This nudges the versatility of the products some notches higher. The security camera is also fitted with some strong rubber materials for a strong placement indoors or outdoors. The anti-theft feature also adds to the versatility of the products.

The new Google Nest security cameras can record up to three hours of event history and store event clips for the duration of one hour without the need for a subscription. The feature is further expanded with a valid subscription.

The new Google Nest Cam and Video Doorbell are already available for pre-ordering from Google’s online store, and shipments will commence on August 24th, at a price of $179.99 for each of the products.

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Samsung leads MEA Smartphone market in Q2, while TECNO, Xiaomi narrow the gap

By

Sean

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Aug 6, 2021

The smartphone market in the MEA region (Middle East and Africa) saw a significant growth in the second quarter of this year. During this time, Samsung lead the MEA market while TECNO and Xiaomi closing the gap in the region.

According to a Counterpoint Research report, the MEA smartphone market saw a growth of 35 percent year on year in Q2 2021. However, the market saw a 3 percent quarter on quarter decline in this period. Notably, this was the best second quarter performance ever in the MEA market in terms of sales volume. The region saw strong demand for smartphones throughout the first half of the year, paired with economic recovery and boost in employment levels as well.

This was possible over relaxation of lockdowns caused by the pandemic, which was also thanks to rapid vaccination in key Middle East (up by 34 percent) and Africa (36 percent). Senior Research Analyst Yang Wang stated that “Samsung retained the top spot, but its market share slid by 4% points to 16% in Q2 2021. The company boosted market spending at the start of the year, leading to good performance in Q1. However, sales trended down in Q2 due to production disruption in Vietnam following COVID-19. We expect further difficulty in early Q3.”

On the other hand, the Transsion brands, TECNO, itel and Infinix also doubled their cumulative market share. Reaching 32 percent from just 16 percent, with the firms dominating the entry level budget segments. Wang further added that “Xiaomi, OPPO and Vivo have also made substantial gains thanks to aggressive entry initiatives in key Middle East and North Africa markets, and the misfortunes of Huawei and HONOR, whose cumulative quarterly market share shrunk to 2.2% from 8.2% a year ago.”

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Pre-Orders for OnePlus Watch Cobalt Limited Edition once again goes live on Giztop

By

Simranpal Singh

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Aug 6, 2021

OnePlus recently unveiled its new OnePlus Watch Cobalt Edition with some new unique design changes over the original OnePlus Watch. The Cobalt Limited Editon Watch is currently limited in few countries. But, the interested buyers can grab it as Giztop has once again commenced pre-orders for the OnePlus Watch Cobalt Edition. You can ship it globally and can enjoy the beautifully crafted Watch before anyone else.

Must See: Realme GT vs OnePlus Nord 2: Specs Comparison

OnePlus Watch Cobalt Edition will ship within 2 weeks if you pre-order it now for the price of $349.

Pre-order now

The smartwatch features a 1.39-inch AMOLED display sporting a resolution of 1.39-inch. It is powered with an STM32 Chipset coupled with 1GB RAM and 4GB internal storage. Enhancing its usability, custom-based RTOS is present on the board.

It never misses any type of workout as it bundles 110 workout modes ranging from Walking to shooting. OnePlus Watch Cobalt Edition supports features such as all-day work-out modes, efficient heart rate monitor, SPO2 level monitor, etc.

Apart from the beautiful watch faces, the smartwatch is bundled with sapphire glass and carved with a 316L stainless steel and cobalt alloy. It is built using highly durable material and also offers resistance against corrosion.

OnePlus Watch Cobalt Edition pre-orders are now live via the Giztop for the price of $349.

Must See: OnePlus Watch Cyberpunk 2077 Limited Edition available for $249 on Giztop

Magic UI 5.0 on HONOR Magic3 series could be based on HarmonyOS

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Aug 6, 2021

HONOR smartphones run Magic UI based on HUAWEI’s EMUI. Since the brand is now no longer owned by the telecom company, it is expected to use different software. But looks like it won’t be the case, at least in China.

HONOR is all set to launch its first premium smartphone series after being sold off by HUAWEI. These devices called the HONOR Magic3 series are scheduled to go official on August 12.

Ahead of that, a tipster on Weibo says that these phones will arrive with Magic UI 5.0, a new version of the company’s mobile software. As per him, the latest Magic UI 5.0 will be based on HUAWEI’s HarmonyOS.

For those unaware, Chinese Android OEMs are being rumored to use HarmonyOS on their smartphones for the past few months. Hence, it’s not surprising to learn that HONOR could be one of them.

It also makes sense for the brand to continue using its ex-parent company’s software. Because it was also responsible for the improvements in that software through its very own R&D department, which it still has access to as part of the sale.

If it was not the case, then HONOR would have let go of features like Multi Screen Collaboration, which it still uses on its smartphones to connect with its laptops, TVs, and tablets.

Also, it is worth noting that HarmonyOS on smartphones and tablets in its current form is merely AOSP. In other words, it’s just a new version of EMUI with a different name. Hence, even if HONOR uses HarmonyOS as the base for its Magic UI 5.0, it will be able to run Android applications.

That said, we expect to learn more about the software on the HONOR Magic3 series when it goes official next week.

Samsung reviews smartphone business as Xiaomi leads global market: Report

By

Sean

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Aug 6, 2021

The mobile division of Samsung is apparently facing issues as the company has begun a management review of its smartphone business. The news arrives amid Xiaomi‘s lead in the smartphone market.

According to TheElec report, the South Korean tech giant is conducting a “special review.” What makes this different from standard reviews is that it can occur without any warning when a particular division starts facing business challenges. Notably, this smartphone business review could possibly even turn into an audit depending on its results. While Samsung has maintained its top spot in the global smartphone market in Q2 2021, sales in this period has declined compared to the previous quarter.

Furthermore, the report also suggested that the latest Galaxy S21 series is not hitting sales targets as well. The situation is further worsened by the ongoing shortage of semiconductors and chipsets that has affected various industries across the globe. This has even caused Samsung to see a decline in 5G sales as well. The brand also falls behind Apple and Chinese OEMs like Oppo and Vivo in terms of 5G sales.

Interestingly, the report arrives as Xiaomi is seeing robust growth in the global smartphone market. The Chinese brand became the world’s largest smartphone maker in terms of sales in June 2021, while it took the second spot in the Q2 2021. Although, Samsung is expected to see a surge in sales after its upcoming smartphone launches. This month, the Galaxy Unpacked event would also have announcements for various new products, which includes new foldable phones.

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Huawei could be working on Mate X Rollable, with an extending display

By

Sean

-

Aug 6, 2021

Huawei Technologies might be working on a new Mate X series smartphone. A new patent has hinted at a possible Mate X Rollable smartphone, which features a rollable display that can be pulled out and extended.

According to a LetsGoDigital report, the Chinese tech giant filed a patent with WIPO (World Intellectual Property Office) earlier this year. The patent depicts a handset with a rolling display that features a magnetic mechanism that helps flatten the panel when pull out. In other words, this magnetic system would prevent the extended display from folding or bending once out of the frame. Notably, the device’s display also wraps around the smartphone as well.

The shape of the pulled out display is maintained through the use of two strategically placed magnets. This even prevents any creasing of the device as well. Furthermore, the patent reveals that the Mate X Rollable sports a POLED (plastic organic light emitting diode) display with a plastic base layer. Interestingly, the patent describes the device and its structure in detail and reveals that the rollable phone has three modes. One in its regular mode with the display wrapped around and reaching the back of the device, while the second has it pulled outward slightly. The final mode is where it is fully extended.

In its compact form, the patented handset resembles the Xiaomi Mi MIX Alpha Concept Phone. While the device has a 6.5 inch screen in this form, the front panel can grow by 70 percent in its pulled out form reaching 11 inch in size. Keep in mind that this is still a patent and its not confirmed if the company is actually working on such a rollable smartphone or is just covering all bases. So stay tuned for more updates.

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Alleged Xiaomi Mi MIX 4 with Snapdragon 888 Plus appear at Geekbench

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

-

Aug 6, 2021

Recent reports have claimed that the Xiaomi phone with the M2106118C model number that was recently spotted at TENAA and 3C certification sites of China could be the upcoming Xiaomi Mi MIX 4 flagship that is slated to go official on Aug. 10 in China. Ahead of the launch, the Mi MIX 4 has paid to visit the Geekbench benchmarking site (via).

The Mi MIX 4’s Geekbench listing shows that it features a Qualcomm chip that is equipped with a 3.00GHz prime core. This indicates that the smartphone is powered by the Snapdragon 888 Plus chipset. Hence, the Mi MIX 4 is likely to debut as the world’s first Snapdragon 888+ powered smartphone.

The Mi MIX 4 has 12 GB of RAM and it runs on Android 11 OS. The listing also mentions the “odin” codename of the phone in the motherboard field. In the single-core and multi-core tests of Geekbench, the handset scored 864 and 3181 points, respectively.

The Mi MIX 4’s TENAA listing revealed that it will be arriving in variants like 8 GB RAM + 256 GB storage and 12 GB RAM + 256 GB storage. However, there could be a higher model featuring 12 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage. The 3C certification of the device revealed that it may come equipped with a 120W fast charger.

The Mi MIX 4 is said to be equipped with a 6.6-inch OLED panel that will offer a truly full-screen experience. It will be arriving as the company’s first phone with the in-display selfie camera. The rear camera setup of the phone features a Samsung GN1s 50-megapixel primary camera, a 48-megapixel ultrawide lens, and a 48-megapixel telephoto snapper. It is expected to offer other features like MIUI 12.5 based Android 11, UWB, and mmWave 5G support.

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