Sony PS5 Digital Edition user manual spotted on the PlayStation’s website in Japan

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Jul 21, 2021

Sony PlayStation 5 Digital Edition is a disc-free console and uses the PlayStation Network account sign-in for in-game purchases and to download from the PlayStation Store. It comes with 825GB of internal storage and some in-built games, as well as a long list of impressive features. It seems Sony has silently introduced the PS5 Digital Edition (CFI-11000B) in its home market of Japan, while it could be available globally by the end of July 2021.

The safety guide user manual was spotted A recent report indicates that the new PS5 Digital Edition is about 300g lighter than the original PS5 console (CFI-10000B), thus fuelling speculations on what changes could have been done on the new console.

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Although, as stated earlier, the new PS5 Digital Edition comes without a disc compartment – all the games will be gotten via an internet connection from the Sony PlayStation Store and downloaded to the device. The absence of a disc compartment could be part of why the new model is lighter than the original, although there could be other reasons not yet specified. A complete teardown of the PS5 Digital Edition is needed before being specific on the device’s internal changes.

Apart from a new thumbscrew that makes for easier installation of the vertical stand for the console and the absence of a disc compartment, there are no visible differences between the PS5 Digital Edition and its predecessor. The new console guarantees lightning-fast loading with an ultra-high-speed SSD, 3D audio, haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, and access to very compelling and incredible new PlayStation games from the PlayStation Store. When connected to an HDR-compliant TV, the console produces 4K-TV gaming videos, with vibrant and life-like colors displayed for an immersive gaming experience.

The lightweight nature of the PS5 Digital Edition could also be that more efficient, and lightweight internal components were used for the new console, resulting in a significantly lighter model.

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(source)

Redmi K20 bags Android 11 update in India

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Jul 21, 2021

Xiaomi released the Android 11 update for the Redmi K20 in China in February. Later, the device’s rebranded mode Mi 9T got this update at the end of May. Now, almost two months later, the Redmi K20 has started receiving the Android 11 update in India.

Xiaomi has been delivering MIUI 12.5 update for eligible smartphones worldwide for the past few months. At the same time, the company has been also seeding out the Android 11 update.

Some devices like the Redmi K20 Pro got these updates together. However, others like Redmi K20 are receiving them separately.

That said, the Android 11 update for the Redmi K20 in India arrives with build number V12.1.4.0.RFJINXM. The software build is currently being rolled out in batches like any other OTA system update. Therefore, it may take some time to reach every unit.

The Redmi K20 launched with MIUI 10 based on Android 9.0 Pie. So far, the handset has received Android 10 and Android 11 along with MIUI 11 as well MIUI 12. It should soon get MIUI 12.5 update.

Last but not least, as per a reliable tipster, the phone will likely get MIUI 13 in the future. However, we don’t expect Xiaomi to provide Android 12.

ZTE releases an update for Axon 30 Ultra (global version) but you have to manually download it

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Jul 21, 2021

The Axon 30 Ultra launched for global markets in May. Today, ZTE has announced that it is rolling out an update to the phone but there is a catch.

According to a tweet by ZTE Device (@ZTEDevice), the update is available for download from its official website. It doesn’t say anything about an OTA, so it is safe to assume that a manual download will be the only way to get the download.

The website will ask you to choose your region – EEA and non-EEA. Regardless of the region, the download size comes in at 2.8GB.

Get the latest software update for your Axon 30 Ultra! Now available on our official website. To download it, visit our support center here: https://t.co/WNsyeLBeTu

— ZTE Device (@ZTEDevice) July 21, 2021

The changelog posted by ZTE mentions the latest version of the Google security patch, updates to the bootup logo and animation, and fixes for issues to improve system stability.

The Axon 30 Ultra has a 6.67-inch curved display with a 144Hz refresh rate. There is a centered punch hole that is home to a 16MP front-facing camera. the phone is powered by the Snapdragon 888 processor and comes with up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage.

There are three 64MP cameras on the back – one is the main camera, the second is a wide-angle camera, and the third is an ultrawide angle camera. There is an 8MP telephoto camera too. The Axon 30 Ultra packs a 4600mAh battery and has support for 66W fast charging.

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Deal: Get Xiaomi Mi Watch Lite Global Version for $47 (Retail Price $60)

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Daily Deals

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Jul 21, 2021

Xiaomi Mi Watch Lite, Global Version which generally retails for $60 is now available at a discounted price of $46.73 only at AliExpress. This flash deal ends in 15 hours.

WHERE TO BUY

Xiaomi Mi Watch Lite Global Version at $46.73 (after discount)@AliExpress

Xiaomi Mi Watch Lite comes with a stylish 1.4” TFT color touch display and an auto-brightness function. The smartwatch features more than 120 watch faces and allows for customization of faces, to make your unique display image.

To monitor and maintain your health and athletic needs, Xiaomi Mi Watch Lite comes with 11 dedicated workout modes, a 24*7 heart rate monitor, calorie counter, step counter, sleep tracker, etc. The smartwatch also allows you to view calls, messages, and app notifications and play and control your music remotely.

Xiaomi Mi Watch Lite is 5ATM water-resistant and comes with an average battery life of 9 days. The global version of this smartwatch is now available at AliExpress for a discounted price of $46.73 only. Please note that this price is applicable to the Black, Blue, and Ivory color variants ordered from the China warehouse. This flash deal ends in 15 hours. 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.

Xiaomi set to launch new phones with Snapdragon 888, Snapdragon 778G chipsets

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Jul 21, 2021

Xiaomi is expected to launch at least 13 new devices in the second half of 2021. Some of these handsets could belong to the Mi MIX 4 series and Mi CC11 series. The information regarding the chipsets powering two such smartphones has now appeared online.

Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra Mi 11 Pro Featured A — Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra and Mi 11 Pro

Popular MIUI tipster Kacper Skrzypek (@kacskrz) has revealed the SoCs present inside two upcoming Xiaomi smartphones. One of them has been even certified by FCC.

As per the tipster, the device with model number 2107113SG has recently arrived on FCC. This handset is codenamed ‘vili’ and will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888.

He suggests it to be Mi 11T, however, vili was previously said to be part of Mi MIX 4 series. The device was certified by EEC in May. According to Xiaomiui, this phone will flaunt an AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels (FHD+) and a 120Hz refresh rate.

Further, as per Kacper, another Xiaomi phone codenamed ‘lisa’ will be featuring a Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G. Information regarding this smartphone had already appeared in April.

According to Xiaomiui, this handset will sport a 90Hz display wth a 20:9 aspect ratio. The screen of the phone may also house a camera underneath it.

Lastly, it will include a 64MP Samsung GW3 primary camera, an ultra-wide camera, and a telemacro camera. This camera system will support 8K video recording as well as 960 FPS slow-mo video recording.

Unfortunately, the official marketing name of this smartphone is a mystery. But we believe it could belong to the rumored Mi CC11 series.

That said, we expect to learn more about these phones in the coming days ahead of their official launch.

Mi MIX 4′ 3C certification confirms support for 120W fast charging

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Jul 21, 2021

The Mi MIX 4 is one of the key flagship phones Xiaomi has planned to launch in the second half of the year. It will be the second Mi MIX phone launched this year, but unlike the Mi MIX Fold which is a foldable, this will have a standard candybar design.

The device has already been certified by TENAA, though the agency is yet to publish its full specifications. It has now received the Compulsory Certification of China and the certificate confirms that it will support 120W fast charging.

A leak from last month first revealed that the phone will have support for 120W fast charging and pack a 5000mAh battery. Now, we know that it is true. The device will also support 15W, 27W, and 66W fast charging.

It has been reported that the Mi MIX 4 will have an under-display camera. It is also expected to have impressive rear cameras, a 1080p screen with a high refresh rate, a Snapdragon 888 Plus processor, and should run MIUI 13 out of the box.

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Xiaomi launches the MITU Children’s Learning Watch 5X with HD dual cameras, Gorilla Glass 3

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jul 21, 2021

Chinese tech giant Xiaomi has unveiled a new children’s smartwatch under the MITU brand. The smartwatch dubbed MITU Children’s Learning Watch 5X comes with an upgraded safety positioning, support for children’s WeChat, as well as a high-definition dual-camera.

The MITU Children’s Learning Watch 5X comes just about a month after the MITU Children’s 4G Phone Watch 5C was announced. This new model comes with several upgrades such as 12-fold safety positioning, as well as 3D floor positioning. The watch also comes with dynamic capture positioning which lets the parent know the exact floor level the child is located.

The smartwatch packs a 1.52-inch retina screen with a high-definition resolution of 360x 400 pixels, and a pixel density (PPI) of over 355ppi. The display screen is covered by a sturdy Corning Gorilla 3 protection giving it a surface hardness of 7H. The screen is thus scratch-resistant.

Further, the MITU Watch 5X comes with support for 4G full Netco and packs a built-in 8MP side camera and a 5MP front camera. The front camera allows the parent to see the child during a video call while the side camera gives the parent the leverage to view the child’s surrounding environment. The camera comes with autofocus, a built-in high-precision 3-axis gyroscope sensor, and support for electronic image stabilization (EIS) video shooting.

In addition, the smartwatch supports children’s watch WeChat. The child can add friends, send messages, and make audio and video calls with mobile phone WeChat and children’s watch WeChat. It also supports Tencent’s QQ app allowing the watch to add friends, chat, and video calls with children’s watch QQ.

In terms of battery life, MITU Children’s Learning Watch 5X packs a built-in 900mAh battery with a daily standby of 6 days. For daily standard use, the watch can last between 3-4 days and for heavy use, you get roughly 1-2 days of battery life.

The new watch also supports 2ATM water resistance which means it can withstand water of depth less than 20 meters. The device also supports one-key drainage, effectively enhances the waterproof performance of the watch, and makes playing more secure.

The MITU Children’s Learning Watch 5X is presently on presale in China via the Youpin website for 579 yuan (~$89). It comes in Blue and Pink colors.

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Exclusive: Here’s a first look at the new Realme MagDart wireless chargers

By

Sean

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Jul 21, 2021

Recently, we had reported on Realme filing a new trademark for ‘MagDart.’ While it was only speculated that it could be similar to Apple’s MagSafe, our source has revealed that the MagDart is indeed a magnetic wireless charger.

The source also shared images of the new MagDart series of wireless chargers, which has revealed certain details regarding the upcoming products. Looking at these images, it is clear that the Chinese smartphone maker is working on at least two variants of MagDart wireless chargers. One appears to be noticeably slim, while the other sports a bulkier design. Apparently, the thinner version will offer 15W wireless charging and its body will be sleeker than the Apple MagSafe.

On the other hand, the second MagDart charger is quite a bit larger than this model and will reportedly offer high wireless charging rates that will rival modern wired fast charging tech. We can even observe a grill below its USB Type C port, which is likely for airflow to keep thermals in check during charging. Unfortunately, finer details like the exact charging rates regarding this model are currently unknown, although, the products hints at few interesting things that we can expect in the near future.

First, this would mark the first commercial Android handset featuring magnetic wireless charging like Apple’s MagSafe. In other words, it marks another important milestone in the Android market, especially related to wireless charging tech, and we could expect other OEMs to follow suit.

Secondly, it also implies that Realme will launch a new smartphone that supports MagDart charging, and it could also be working on additional magnetic-based accessories for its future smartphones.

We are expecting more details soon, so stay tuned to Gizmochina.

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 will have an IPX8 rating

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Jul 21, 2021

There are already a handful of foldable smartphones on the market from various brands. However, none of these models have an IP rating for water and dust resistance. That will change this year with the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3.

The two new Samsung foldable phones will have an IPX8 rating which means that they can survive a continuous immersion in water. However, the X means that it hasn’t been tested for protection against solid objects (dust). The info about their ingress protection was revealed by Max Weinbach (MaxWinebach) on Twitter.

Flip3 and Fold3 are IPX8 https://t.co/Lenz8aOuCV

— Max Weinbach (@MaxWinebach) July 21, 2021

This is a significant feature for foldable devices and fans of Samsung’s foldable line will be happy about it.

The Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 will be announced at the next Galaxy Unpacked event scheduled for August 11. The former will have a 6.5-inch cover display, a 7.5-inch internal display, Snapdragon 888 processor, an in-display camera on the inside, and triple rear cameras on the back. It will also have a 4500mAh battery and support for wired, wireless, and reverse wireless charging. It has also been confirmed that it will support stylus input.

Leaks have reported that the Galaxy Z Flip 3 will have a 6.7-inch main screen, a 1.9-inch cover display, a Snapdragon 888 processor, two rear cameras, an in-display fingerprint scanner, and a centered punch hole for the front-facing camera.

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Samsung Galaxy M21 2021 Edition with Exynos 9611, FHD+ sAMOLED arrives India

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jul 21, 2021

Last year, Samsung launched the Galaxy M21 in India. The device received an overwhelming response from consumers, mostly young millennial and Gen Z consumers who were captivated by the monster features which the affordable mid-range smartphone brings. The Korean tech giant has now followed up with the launch of the Samsung Galaxy M21 2021 Edition in India.

The Galaxy M21 2021 Edition follows the footsteps of its predecessor, offering a superior specs lineup and several innovations focused on giving consumers optimum value for their money. Talking of the specifications, the Samsung Galaxy M21 2021 Edition features a 6.4-inch Full HD+ Infinity-U Super AMOLED display. The display supports 420nits brightness and is protected by a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass 3.

The M21 2021 is powered by an Exynos 9611 10nm SoC paired with up to 6GB of RAM. There is a second variant with 4GB LPDDR4x RAM. Both versions are accompanied by 128GB and 64GB UFS 2.1 storage respectively that are expandable up to 512GB via micro SD card. The device crams a monstrous 6000mAh battery under the hood which will surely deliver some extended period of usage. It features support for 15W fast charging via USB-C.

For optics, the Galaxy M21 2021 Edition packs a 48MP rear camera with a Samsung GM2 sensor, teaming up with an 8MP 123° ultra-wide-angle camera with f/2.2 aperture, and a 5MP depth sensor with f/2.2 aperture. There is also an LED flash. For selfies, there is a 20MP front camera with f/2.0 aperture. Note that the setup is similar to the first-gen Galaxy M21 but the main 48MP sensor isn’t the Samsung GM1 sensor but the GM2 on this model. It runs on Android 10-based One UI 2.0 but we expect Samsung to push the Android 11 update in no distant time.

As for the pricing and availability, the Samsung Galaxy M21 2021 Edition is priced at Rs. 12,499 (~$168) for the 4GB RAM with 64GB storage version while the 6GB RAM + 128GB storage version is priced at Rs. 14499 (~$194). The device will go on sale from July 26 via Amazon.in and Samsung.com as well as on select retail stores.

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Nothing Ear 1 hype has auction bids reach over 10 times the retail price

By

Sean

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Jul 21, 2021

The Nothing startup from the former OnePlus Founder, Carl Pei, has certainly generated tremendous hype around it, but this is even more evident considering auctions for its Nothing Ear 1 TWS earbuds limited editions have already reached prices over ten times its original retail value.

As per the auction listing on StockX, the startup’s first product, the true wireless earbuds, has recorded the highest bid of 1,029 US Dollars. This is more than 10 times its original retail price, which is set at 99 US Dollars. While the earbuds will practically be the same as the ones that will go on sale from July 27, these are limited editions and are serialized between 1 to 100. In other words, it is likely to be highly sought after by enthusiasts that can’t wait to get their hands on the new Ear 1 TWS earbuds.

The auction will be over tomorrow, so for those interested, you still have a chance on grabbing a limited edition pair. Carl Pei has been quite secretive with Nothing’s first product, but the official did reveal key specifications of the earbuds in a recent interview. The Ear 1 TWS earbuds will arrive with active noise cancellation support and will offer up to 36 hours of battery life depending on use.

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realme GT Master Edition series launched with a suitcase-inspired design and much more

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Jul 21, 2021

The fastest-growing smartphone brand realme has launched two new realme GT series devices in its home country China These phones, called realme GT Master Edition and realme GT Master Explorer Explorer Edition, feature a unique suitcase-inspired design, Qualcomm chipsets, high-refresh-rate display, fast charging, and more. Let’s take a detailed look at these handsets.

realme GT Master Edition Series Specifications and Features

The realme GT Master Edition series is co-designed by Naoto Fukasawa. He is the same Japanese industrial designer who was responsible for the design of previous realme Master Edition phones.

However, unlike those smartphones, which were merely new design variants of existing models, the new Master Edition phones are new handsets by themselves.

These devices sport an identical suitcase-inspired design made out of vegan leather. They also come in a standard glass finish. The regular realme GT Master Edition comes in three options, namely Suitcase Gray, Dawn, and Snow Mountain. Whereas, the realme GT Master Explorer Edition also comes in an additional Suitcase Apricot version.

The vanilla Realme GT Master Edition features a 6.43-inch Samsung Super AMOLED display (flat) with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels (FHD+), 120Hz refresh rate, 360Hz touch sampling rate, 5,000,000:1 contrast ratio, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, 91.7% screen-to-body ratio, punch-hole, and 1,000 nits peak brightness. As for performance, it is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G SoC.

On the other hand, the realme GT Master Explorer Edition features a much powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 SoC. It also flaunts a 6.55-inch Samsung Super AMOLED display (curved) with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels (FHD+), 120Hz refresh rate, 480Hz touch sampling rate, 6,000,000:1 contrast ration, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, 92.1% screen-to-body ratio, punch-hole, and 1,100 nits peak brightness, and Corning Gorilla Glass 5.

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For photography and videography, the cheaper model uses a 64MP (wide) + 8MP (ultra-wide) + 2MP (macro) triple camera setup on the back and a 32MP front-facing camera. Whereas, the premium model arrives with a 50MP Sony IMX766 primary sensor with OIS, 16MP ultra-wide camera, 2MP macro camera, and a 32MP selfie camera.

On the connectivity front, the handsets support dual-SIM, 5G, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, GNSS, NFC, and USB Type-C port. Unfortunately, they lack a MicroSD card slot as well as a 3.5mm headphone jack.

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Anyway, they include all the essential sensors like an accelerometer, in-display fingerprint sensor, compass, ambient light sensor, gyroscope, and proximity sensor. Additionally, the realme GT Master Explorer Edition alone sports a dual-speaker system with support for Dolby Audio. However, both of them have Hi-Res Audio certification.

Both phones run realme UI 2.0 based on Android 11 and support 65W SuperDart fast charging. The Master Edition is backed by a 4,300mAh battery, while the Master Explorer Edition houses a 4,500mAh battery.

Last but not least, the smartphones measure around 8-9mm in thickness and weigh about 174-185g.

realme GT Master Edition Series Price and Availability

The realme GT Master Edition series will retail for the following price tags in China.

realme GT Master Edition
- 8GB + 128GB – ¥2,399 ($371)
- 8GB + 256GB – ¥2,599 ($402)
realme GT Master Explorer Edition
- 8GB + 128GB – ¥2,899 ($448)
- 12GB + 256GB – ¥3,199 ($494)

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The devices will be available for grabs at 4 PM (local time) for those who registered for the Early Acces sale. Pre-orders will be opened post that, followed by the first open sale on July 27. The realme GT Master Explorer Edition customers will be eligible for a flat ¥100 ($15) discount for a limited time.

There’s no official word on the phone’s availability outside mainland China. However, it may launch at least in India.

Chinese brands to bring back ToF cameras in new flagship phones: Report

By

Sean

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Jul 21, 2021

A new report has revealed that upcoming flagship smartphones from China based vendors will re-adopt ToF camera sensors (Time of Flight). The news arrives as even Apple gears up to include new ToF based LiDAR sensors on its 2021 iPhone Pro lineup.

According to a DigiTimes report, industry sources close to the matter have revealed that Chinese brands are raising orders for components and lenses related to the ToF cameras. An example being Honor, which recently adopted ToF sensors on its flagship Honor 50 Pro series through Taiwan based supply chain. The suppliers include GaAs foundries Win Semiconductors, Advanced Wireless Semiconductor (AWSC), and others that will also supply Apple with 3D face ID sensors and ToF LiDAR scanners for iPhones.

Furthermore, the source added that certain Huawei P50 series smartphone models will also adopt ToF cameras as well. On the other hand, major smartphone maker, Samsung Electronics, might not be bringing back ToF cameras in its new premium grade flagship handsets and is unlikely to release a smartphone that features this camera this year.

Although, the source believes that the Taiwanese suppliers are expected to see robust orders in the second half of this year, partly due to strong sales of 5G PA devices and VSCEL chips for new iPhones and flagship smartphones from China based vendors.

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New POCO F3 GT teaser targets gamers, sports 480Hz touch sampling rate

By

Sean

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Jul 21, 2021

POCO India has just shared a new teaser on its official Twitter handle. In this tweet, the company targetted the mobile gaming audience, highlighting the 480Hz high touch sampling rate of its upcoming smartphone, the F3 GT.

The Chinese smartphone maker even shared the benefits of having high touch sampling rate in this tweet. stating that it offers gamers a smoother and more accurate response. This, in turn, translates to a better gameplay experience during intense fights that could mean the difference between winning and losing, especially in a first person shooter game. The company adds that its 480Hz touch sampling rate is the fastest in the industry and offers a major step up from the general 180Hz touch sampling rates.

We've got the magic touch! With a touch sampling rate of 480Hz, experience the display respond to your touches in no time, is it really a surprise that we left everyone else behind? 😎

The POCO community is the first to know all these awesome deets. Want to join? Stay tuned! pic.twitter.com/y8NlnIoYFR

— POCO India (@IndiaPOCO) July 21, 2021

The display of the POCO F3 GT also offers a 120Hz refresh rate as well, along with a 10 bit AMOLED panel that supports HDR10+. Furthermore, the device also offers other features that help improve gameplay, including the new Maglev Triggers. The device is set to be unveiled on the 23rd of July 2021. So stay tuned as we will be covering any new teasers or reports prior to the announcement of this new smartphone.

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Tecno Pop 4 LTE version unveiled in the Philippines for Php 3,590 (~$71)

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jul 21, 2021

Chinese smartphone manufacturer Tecno Mobile has launched the Tecno Pop 4 LTE smartphone in the Philippines. The Pop 4 LTE seems to be customized for the Philippines market and is hugely affordable for its stated price of Php 3,590 (~$71), which is the cheapest it can get.

Tecno has carved a niche globally as a company with a significant focus on the lower end of the consumer spectrum, delivering some well-kitted smartphones for quite impressive and affordable prices worldwide. The possible thing about the Tecno Pop 4 LTE is that it may be powered by a cheaper and less powerful chipset, which has implications performance-wise. The MediaTek Quad-Core processor and the Android 10 Go Edition operating system it runs will give it some lift.

The specs look good for its price, as the Tecno Pop 4 LTE has a dual SIM setup, a massive 5,000mAh battery, and a 6.52-inch high-definition IPS screen. The memory spec for the Tecno Pop 4 LTE is 2GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, which is expandable via the MicroSD slot. The 2GB of RAM implies that the device cannot pack many applications due to the limited space. The camera setup consists of 5MP front and rear cameras, with the rear camera also sporting QVGA (AI) and LED flash. The smartphone supports 4G LTE which distinguishes it from the original POP 4 launched last year. Further, there is a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner as an additional layer of security for the user.

Tecno Pop 4 LTE supports wireless and Bluetooth connectivity, has GPS functionality, and is already available in the Philippines via Shopee stores across the country.

Tecno is a subsidiary of Transsion Holdings. The parent company’s market share rose by up to 60% in the first half of 2021 emerging as a major player in Africa, South East Asia, the Middle East, and South America. Apparently, to consolidate its market share, the brand is releasing the budget Pop 4 LTE to cater to the needs of low-income earners in targeted markets. The brand is also targeting the high-end market with the recent launch of its first flagship model – the Tecno Phantom X.

Qualcomm to launch new Snapdragon Wear chips for smartwatches in 2022

By

Sean

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Jul 21, 2021

Recently, Google and Samsung announced that they would be merging their respective Wear and Tizen OS to better compete in the wearables market. And now, it seems that Qualcomm will play a major role in increasing the competitiveness in the smartwatch segment by releasing new Snapdragon Wear processors soon.

For those unaware, Wear OS smartwatches have received criticism in the past were the outdated Qualcomm chips that powered them. But with Google pushing to refresh its Wear OS platform through the new merger, the American chip maker is also seeking to launch new and more powerful wearable based processors as well. At the moment, one of the newest chips includes Snapdragon 4100 and 4100+, but many OEMs have yet to adopt these chips.

In other words, many vendors still lag behind Apple who dominates the segment with its Apple Watch. Although, the chip maker announced that it plans on expanding its wearable chip portfolio by launching new Snapdragon Wear processors “across segments over the next year.” Furthermore, the company also announced its new Wearables Ecosystem Accelerator program, which would seek to have Qualcomm be at the center of the new wave of Wear OS devices.

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Nokia launches new Bluetooth speaker and TWS earbuds in China

By

Sean

-

Jul 21, 2021

Earlier today (21st July 2021), Nokia has just launched new products for the Chinese market. This includes new Bluetooth speakers along with a true wireless earbuds, namely SP-101 and BH-205.

Talking about the speakers first, the Finnish tech giant has just announced a new Bluetooth speaker that weighs just 160 grams. In other words, it is relatively small measuring just 5 centimeters tall, and is built with portability in mind. It arrives with IPX4 splash resistance and houses a 43mm dynamic coil. Under the hood, the speakers are powered by an 800mAh battery pack that enables it to offer 20 hours of playback at 50 percent volume levels.

The Nokia SP-101 also houses an in built microphone that makes it support calls and has the play/pause, power, and volume buttons on the side. The company has also added support for stereo combinations, which allow two of the same speaker to work as left and right channels. Arriving at the new earbuds, the brand also launched the new BH-205 TWS earphones that offer up to 6 hours of battery from the buds alone and up to 36 hours of battery life when paired with the charging case.

It also supports AAC audio decoding technology along with a USB Type C port. The hearables supports both Android and iOS and offers tap controls on either bud for various actions. The earbuds will be available for purchase starting from July 28 for an initial launch price of 199 Yuan. Similarly, the new Bluetooth speakers will also launch on the same date with an identical initial launch price of 199 Yuan.

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Carl Pei reveals battery life and noise cancellation feature of Nothing Ear 1 TWS

By

Sean

-

Jul 21, 2021

While Carl Pei, the former OnePlus Co Founder, had revealed his new tech startup earlier this year, its first product has yet to be launched. But now, the official has revealed more information regarding its Nothing Ear (1) TWS earbuds in a recent interview.

In an interview with CNet, Carl Pei revealed some additional details regarding the startup’s first product launch and the challenges that were faced during the development process. Pei stated that the company was originally planning on an April 2021 launch for its earbuds, although, issues in the initial iterations of the Ear 1 TWS earbuds caused the firm to delay the launch. The executive has emphasized its focus on ‘transparent products’ that will fit seamlessly into people’s lives.

Thus, the Ear 1 will be mostly transparent, even when paired with their charging case. One can expect a solid white module in the charging case that also houses a USB charging port. The company will also be including red and black contact points to match with the color on the earbuds, making it easier to recognize which respective slots in the charging case house the earbuds. Furthermore, an inverted bubble in the plastic will hold the buds in place. Apparently, this could also be used by fidgeters that enjoy spinning the entire case.

The Nothing Ear (1) TWS earbud will impressively also support wireless charging technology as well. Another major aspect will be its active noise cancellation support, with the earbuds being powered by a 570mAh battery pack that supports fast charging as well. With ANC on, Pei claimed that users can expect up to 24 hours of battery life with the case and up to 36 hours of battery life with ANC off. Furthermore, just 10 minutes of charging the buds in the case will offer up to six to eight hours of battery life, depending on whether ANC is active.

Notably, Pei stated that true wireless earbuds as Nothing’s first product made the best sense for the new startup and that it expects to ship around 310 million units within this year. He believed that differentiating the earphones was also just as important since most TWS earbuds in the market usually look the same, “white with a stem.”

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DIZO Wireless neckband, DIZO GoPods D go on pre-bookings for ₹1 on Flipkart

By

Pranav Sawant

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Jul 21, 2021

Realme’s DIZO recently announced two earbuds in the Indian market dubbed DIZO Wireless neckband and DIZO GoPods D TWS earbuds. The DIZO Wireless neckband is priced at ₹1,499 (~$20) and the GoPods D is priced at ₹1,599 (~$21). Interestingly, both the earbuds are now available for booking at just ₹1.

According to Flipkart’s landing page, these DIZO earphones can be pre-booked for ₹1. Later, buyers have to pay the full amount for the buds. The pre-booking has started from today i.e. July 21 and will be there till July 23.

Currently, DIZO is offering a ₹200(~$3) discount on both the earbuds if purchased in the Flipkart Big Saving Days sale. After the discount, the Wireless neckband will cost you ₹1,299(~$17) and the GoPods D TWS will cost you ₹1,399(~$19). The DIZO neckband comes in Black, Blue, Orange, and, Green. The GoPods D TWS has two color options – Black and White.

The DIZO Wireless neckband comes with 11.2mm bass boost drivers featuring 88ms super low-latency mode. It comes with a 150mAh battery which is claimed to last for up to 17 hours. On the other hand, the GoPods D comes with 10mm bass boost drivers with a 110ms low-latency mode. The buds are said to last for up to 5 hours without the charging case and up to 20 hours with the in-box charging case.

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All Apple iPhone models launching in 2022 will have 5G support, including iPhone SE

By

Jeet

-

Jul 21, 2021

Last year, Apple launched the iPhone 12 series and for the first time, adding 5G support to its smartphones. Now, the Cupertino-based tech giant is going all-in with the next-generation connectivity support.

This year, all the models in the iPhone 13 series will have 5G connectivity support, similar to iPhone 12 lineup. But not only that, all the iPhones getting launched in 2022 will have 5G connectivity, including the next-generation iPhone SE.

iPhone SE 2020 featured — Apple iPhone SE 2020

While the Apple iPhone SE 2022 will be getting 5G support, the company is expected to get rid of the iPhone Mini model next year as the demand for the model with a smaller screen didn’t meet the company’s expectations.

A new report from Nikkei Asia claims that the upcoming iPhone SE, which will get launched in the first half of 2022, will come powered by the Apple A15 Bionic chipset which will be powering this year’s iPhone models. It will also pack a Qualcomm Snapdragon X60 modem to enable 5G connectivity support.

Apple started offering OLED screens for the entire iPhone 12 lineup but the upcoming iPhone SE model will have an LCD display of 4.7-inch, claims the report citing four people aware of the development. It is expected to carry the same pricing as the current-generation model — $399.

It makes sense for Apple to go all-in when it comes to offering 5G connectivity on its smartphones given that the company was a later come to this new technology as most of its rivals, including Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, OPPO, etc. started offering 5G support on their devices, both premium and mid-range, since past couple of years.

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