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OnePlus Nord 2 launch date tipped

The OnePlus Nord was probably the most-hyped smartphone of 2021. Ahead of the release of its successor dubbed as OnePlus Nord 2, the company has deleted all the posts from the OnePlus Nord official Instagram account as part of marketing. Additionally, a popular tech influencer has also tipped the device’s launch timeline.

OnePlus Nord 2 render
OnePlus Nord 2 | Source: @OnLeaks via 91Mobiles

Earlier today, OnePlus took down all the posts from its OnePlus Nord official Instagram handle. At around the same time, Mukul Sharma, a well-known Indian tech influencer tipped the launch timeline for the OnePlus Nord 2.

According to Sharma, the OnePlus Nord 2 will launch during the last 10 days of July. The handset could go official on July 24. If this is true, we expect the brand to officially announce the launch date in the coming days as it is gearing up for promotion.

As per previous reports, the upcoming OnePlus Nord 2 will look identical to the OnePlus 9 series. It is reported to come with a 6.43-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate, a punch-hole, and an in-screen fingerprint reader.

OnePlus Nord 2 render
OnePlus Nord 2 | Source: @OnLeaks via 91Mobiles

The phone is said to be powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 1200 SoC coupled with up to 12GB RAM and 256GB internal storage. As for optics, it is said to feature a 50MP (wide) + 8MP (ultra-wide) + 2MP (unknown) triple camera setup on the back and a 32MP selfie camera on the front.

Last but not least, the OnePlus Nord 2 is expected to be backed by a 4,500mAh battery with support for Warp Charge 30T Plus fast charging protocol.

 

 

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DIZO Star 300, Star 500 feature phones launched in India with Rs 1,299 (~$17) starting price

Last week, DIZO announced the DIZO GoPods D TWS earbuds and DIZO Wireless neckband in India. Today, the Realme sub-brand silently announced the DIZO Star 300 and DIZO Star 500 feature phones in India. Here is all the information on the specs, features, and pricing of the Star 300 and Star 500 handsets.

DIZO Star 300 and DIZO Star 500 specifications and features

The DIZO Star 300 has a 1.77-inch display and a 2,550mAh battery, whereas the DIZO Star 500 has a 2.8-inch screen and a 1,900mAh battery. Both phones support 5W charging.

The rear side of the Star 300 has a rectangle-shaped module, while the Star 500 has a textured back with a circular camera housing. Both modules have a 0.3-megapixel camera and an LED flash. On the connectivity front, they are equipped with a dual SIM slot with 2G connectivity, an external storage slot that supports up to 64GB of microSD card, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a microUSB port.

Dizo Star 300 and Star 500

Apart from English the Star 500 supports Indian languages such as Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telegu, and Kannada. The Star 300 supports a few more languages such as Bengali and Punjabi. The Star 500 and Star 300 other features like Bluetooth, alarm, calendar, sound recorder, files (file manager), FM radio, and music player. It is unclear whether the Star 300 supports Bluetooth connectivity. The Star 300 and 500 models offer 32MB of RAM and 32MB of storage.

DIZO Star 300 and DIZO Star 500 pricing and availability

The DIZO Star 300 is priced at Rs 1,299 (~$17) in India, and it comes in blue color. On the other hand, the Star 500 is priced at Rs 1,799 (~$24) and it comes in green.

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Huawei to officially launch the MatePad 11 on July 6 with HarmonyOS 2.0

Earlier today (5th July 2021), Huawei announced on its official Weibo account, a Chinese microblogging website, that it will be launching the new MatePad 11 on 6th of July 2021. The upcoming tablet will also arrive with support for HarmonyOS 2.0.

Huawei

Back in June 2021, the Chinese tech giant held the HarmonyOS 2.0 and new product launch conference, which also had the brand unveil its new MatePad tablets that are equipped with the proprietary operating system. While the top of the model was a 12.6 MatePad Pro, Huawei had also teased the arrival of a 11 inch tablet as well. We had previously reported on rumors that the company would be launching this device on June 6, which has now been officially confirmed.

Unfortunately, the company’s announcement of the tablet’s launch date did not include any finer details regarding its specifications. Although, we do have some information from past reports to go on at the moment. As per these reports, the MatePad 11 will launch with an 11 inch panel on the front that supports 120Hz high refresh rate and features 2.5K resolution. Under the hood, the device is expected to sport the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 SoC.

Huawei

For memory, the firm will launch the tablet in multiple storage variants, including a 64GB, 128GB, and even 256GB version that can be further expanded via a microSD card slot. Other features include support for WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0. Huawei is also expected to launch the MatePad 11 in four color variants in China. So stay tuned, as we will be covering the launch event tomorrow.

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Custom luxury products maker Caviar enters China

Caviar, a company known for making exclusive designer smartphones and accessories handcrafted from luxury materials, has now entered China where the company is operating under the Chinese name Kaiweia.

The company usually sells custom-designed luxury smartphones from brands like Apple and Samsung, among others. In China, the company has started selling Huawei Mate 40 Pro, Apple iPhone 12 Pro/Max, and more.

Caviar China

However, the most expensive product from the brand which is on sale in China is the Sony PS5, costing 2,348,889 yuan that roughly converts to $363,588, which is then followed by the pure gold version of the Samsung Galaxy S21+/Ultra and Apple iPhone 12 Pro/Max.

Currently, the company is selling three models of the Huawei Mate 40 Pro in the market — the “Chinese Landscape Painting” version which costs 38,500 yuan; “Precious Harmony” which is priced at 465,000 yuan; and the “Flying Lion and Pixiu” version costing 42,800 yuan. All three models are now up for pre-order in China but the “Precious Harmony” version has only eight units.

Caviar started offering luxury smartphones in November 2011. It started with the Apple product but since then, the company has expanded to include devices from other brands also, including Samsung, Sony, Nike, Philip Morris.

It is customizing designs of various products, including foldable smartphones, gaming consoles, tablets, devices for heating tobacco products, and more. It also makes leather cases, sports sneakers, and can turn any accessory into a customized luxury product. The company claims that with more than 10,000 customers, it is shipping products to 150 countries around the world.

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Nokia tipped to launch a new flagship smartphone in China before November 11

HMD Global, the company which is now making Nokia-branded smartphones, is gearing up to launch a new 5G smartphone in the market before 11th November this year. This was revealed by Zhang Yucheng, Product Manager of HMD Global for Nokia Mobile Phones in the Chinese region, during a conversation with users on Weibo. This means that a new flagship smartphone from the brand should be available in the coming months.

Nokia 9.3 PureView Concept Design
Nokia 9.3 PureView Concept Design

Nokia has not launched many 5G smartphones in the market. In fact, the first 5G smartphone from the brand — Nokia 8.3 5G has not been launched in China. The brand has reportedly been working on a new flagship smartphone for some time but there has been no major news coming from the company since last year.

It’s been a few years since HMD Global is planning to launch the Nokia 9.3 PureView smartphone which has still not seen the light of day given that the device launch has been pushed back a few times.

As for the upcoming flagship, the Finnish company is expected to make certain changes to the naming method this year. It’s said that the naming style will be change but the new naming system is not yet known. To know for sure what the company has planned, we will have to wait for an announcement from the brand.

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Deal: Get Fairywill FW-507 Sonic Electric Toothbrush for $16 (Retail Price $30)

Fairywill FW-507 Sonic Electric Toothbrush which generally retails for $30 is now available at a massively discounted price of $15.74 only at AliExpress. Please note that this flash deal ends tomorrow.

WHERE TO BUY
Fairywill FW-507 Sonic Electric Toothbrush at $15.74 (after discount)@AliExpress

Fairywill FW-507 Sonic Electric Toothbrush

Fairywill FW-507 is a powerful ultrasonic electric toothbrush that can be used by both kids and adults. Compared to manual brushing Fairywill FW-507 gives you 10 times cleaner and stronger teeth and even protects you from gingivitis. Long-term use of the electric toothbrush gives you stain reduction, plaque protection, and stronger gums and teeth. The electric toothbrush comes with a powerful ultrasonic technology that gives you 40000 brush strokes per minute and the soft and ergonomically designed bristles help you to reach even the hardest corners and crevices of your teeth thereby giving you a thorough cleaning.

Fairywill FW-ET507 Sonic Electric Toothbrush

Fairywill FW-507 comes with 5 different brushing modes viz: White, Clean, Sensitive, Polish, and Massage. The White mode gives you extra whitening and brightening while for your day-to-day needs you can use the Clean mode. If you have sensitive teeth and gums then switch to the Sensitive mode and for extra polishing and stain removal try out the Polish mode. Finally, you can end your brushing with the Massage mode wherein soft vibrating pulses are sent to your gum tissue to enhance blood circulation and increase gum health.

Fairywill FW-ET507 Sonic Electric Toothbrush

This dynamic electric toothbrush comes with a 2-minute timer and 30-second interval pulse. This means after every 30 seconds the toothbrush emits a mild pulse to remind you to change your brushing quadrant and the two-minute timer ensures that you brush your teeth for not less than the dentist-recommended two minutes. The electric toothbrush lasts for up to 30 days on one single charge of 4 hours and comes with a low battery indicator and auto shut off function after a full charge. Known for its style and portability, this waterproof electric toothbrush comes with an anti-slip design and produces less noise than other generic electric toothbrushes. 

fairywill fw-507 3

Generally retailing for $30, you can now buy Fairywill FW-507 Sonic Electric Toothbrush for a massively discounted price of $15.74 only at AliExpress.  Please note that this flash deal ends tomorrow. 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 Haylou LS05 Solar Smart Watch Global Version for $30 (Retail Price $50)

AliExpress is giving a fantastic deal on Haylou LS05 Solar Smart Watch Global Version. The Smartwatch which generally retails for $50 is now available at a massively discounted price of $29.63 only. Please note that this flash deal ends tomorrow.

WHERE TO BUY
Haylou LS05 Solar Smart Watch Global Version at $29.63 (after discount)@AliExpress
 

Haylou LS05 Solar Smart Watch Global Version

 

Haylou LS05 Solar Smart Watch Global Version

Haylou LS05 Solar Smart Watch Global Version

Key Features:

  • Display: 1.28 inch TFT, HD, and High Light Display Screen
  • 240 x 240p resolution
  • Beautiful and fashionable metal frame
  • Creative Nano Strap – comfortable and breathable for long wear
  • IP68 waterproof
  • 12 professional sports mode
  • 24-hour heart rate monitor
  • Pedometer, Calorie Counter, Distance tracker, Sleep counter, Breath training, etc
  • Music control 
  • Battery life: 30 days on standby and 15 days with 24 hours heart rate monitor

Haylou LS05 Solar Smart Watch Global Version

Generally retailing for $50, you can now buy Haylou LS05 Solar Smart Watch Global Version at a massively discounted price of $29.63 only.  

Haylou LS05 Solar Smart Watch Global Version

There is also an offer going on for the Haylou LS05S Smart Watch. The smartwatch that generally retails for $60 is now available at a discounted price of $39.85 only. Please note that this flash deal ends tomorrow. So place your order asap. 

 

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

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Xiaomi Mi Pad 5, Mi MIX 4, MIUI 13, Mi CC11 tipped to launch in mid or late August

Xiaomi is expected to launch a bunch of new products, including MIUI 13 in the second half of 2021. There have been rumors about them for the past few weeks. The latest information about some of these devices tip their launch timeline.

Xiaomi Logo Branding 2021

According to a blogger who goes by the name of 禿然熊猫 (Bald Panda) on Weibo, Xiaomi will be unveiling the Mi Pad 5, Mi MIX 4, MIUI 13, and Mi CC11 in mid or late August. 

As per previous reports, the Mi Pad 5 series will the company’s new Android tablet lineup after a long time, the Mi MIX 4 will be Xiaomi’s first under-display camera smartphone, MIUI 13 will be the next iteration of the firm’s mobile software, and Mi CC11 will be a design and camera-centric smartphone.

These above-mentioned products will not be the only things we will see from Xiaomi in H2 2021. The company is expected to release at least 13 more devices. But it is worth noting that the Mi CC11 could be one of those 13 devices. 

Anyway, still, we may witness the launch of 12 additional devices, to say the least. These products could bear Mi, Redmi, and even POCO brandings depending on their availability.

What are your thoughts on Xiaomi bombarding new smartphones every other month? Do let us know in the comment section below.

 

 

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OPPO Reno6 Z launch date confirmed, key features revealed

OPPO Reno6 Z launch date has now been revealed. The handset will be made official at 5:30 PM (local time) on July 21 in Thailand. The microsite of the phone is now live on OPPO Thailand’s website.

The OPPO Thailand listing of the phone reveals that it will be sporting 64-megapixel triple cameras. The handset offers photography features like bokeh flare portrait and portrait beautification video.

The device is powered by an unspecified Dimensity chip that supports 5G connectivity. The device will arrive with support for 30W VOOC Flash Charge. The listing further confirms it will be available in two color variants.

OPPO Reno6 Z
OPPO Reno6 Z

OPPO Reno6 Z specifications

Past reports have claimed that the Reno6 Z 5G will be equipped with a 6.43-inch AMOLED screen that offers a Full HD+ resolution and an in-display fingerprint scanner. The Dimensity 800U powered handset may arrive with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of internal storage.

The rear camera system of the phone may include a 64-megapixel primary camera, an 8-megapixel ultrawide lens, and a 2-megapixel macro shooter. For selfies, it may feature a front camera of 32-megapixel. It is likely to be fueled by a 4,310mAh battery.

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Deal: Get Cubot KingKong Mini 2 Rugged Phone for $97

Cubot KingKong Mini 2 is now available at a discounted price of $97.19 only at AliExpress.

WHERE TO BUY

Cubot KingKong Mini 2

Cubot KingKong Mini 2 features an exquisite 4-inch QHD+ small display that can be easily operated with one hand. Powered by the MediaTek 6761 quad-core processor, the mini smartphone comes with 3GB RAM and 32GB ROM. Encased with high-grade metal and imported shockproof plastic, the smartphone is waterproof, dirt, and dust resistant and is sturdy and durable enough to withstand harsh and extreme outdoor environments.

Cubot KingKong Mini 2

KingKong Mini 2 features a 13MP rear camera with a super 500mA LED flash and an 8MP front camera. The smartphone runs on Android 10.0 OS and comes with interesting features like facial ID recognition, geomagnetism gyroscope, etc. 

Cubot KingKong Mini 2

Cubot Official Store is giving the KingKong Mini 2 smartphone at a discounted price of $97.19 only at AliExpress. Please note that this offer is available on the Red- Black and Orange-Black color variants ordered from the China warehouse. This is a limited-period offer. So grab your Cubot KingKong Mini 2 asap. 

 

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

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Redmi 6, Redmi 6A get optional MIUI 12 update, there won’t be an OTA release

Back in December 2020, Xiaomi canceled the MIUI 12 update for a bunch of devices, namely Redmi Y3, Redmi 7, Redmi 6, and Redmi 6A. However, the company surprised everyone by releasing the update for Redmi 7. Now, the Redmi 6 and the Redmi 6A are also getting a similar treatment but with a catch.

Redmi 6 Blue Featured
Redmi 6

Xiaomi dropped the plans to update the above-listed smartphones to MIUI 12 citing performance issues. But anyway, the firm delivered the update for Redmi 7. In fact, this handset recently even received the MIUI 12.5 update.

Hence, there was a hope that the remaining three devices could receive the MIUI 12 update someday. That day is finally here. But unfortunately, the update is not meant for everyone.

In an official Xiaomi Mi Community post (via Xiaomi Firmware Updater), the company says that it will not roll out the MIUI 12 update for Redmi 6 and Redmi 6A users via OTA (over-the-air). Because the hardware of these two smartphones cannot handle the new software efficiently.

Therefore, the update is only available as ‘Fastboot ROM’. Interested users can unlock the bootloader of their phone using Xiaomi Mi Unlock Tool and install the firmware via Xiaomi Mi Flash Tool.

Redmi 6A Gold Featured
Redmi 6A

Xiaomi warns that these two phones do not run smoothly on MIUI 12. There are stutters and app opening times are longer. Hence, proceed with caution.

It is worth noting that though MIUI 12 and MIUI 12.5 are available through OTA for Redmi 7, the update is still limited to China. Similarly, the MIUI 12 Fastboot ROM for Redmi 6 and Redmi 6A are also only available for the Chinese variants.

As of now, there’s no official word on whether these three phones will be awarded the latest MIUI update in international words. Last but not least, it is not sure if the Redmi Y3 will ever get the MIUI 12 update.

 

 

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Deal: Get Towode Smart Fingerprint Lock for $13 (Retail Price $50)

Towode Smart Fingerprint Lock which generally retails for $50 is now available at a heavily discounted price of $12.70 only at AliExpress.

Please note that this flash deal ends in the next 2 hours and has very few pieces left in stock. 

WHERE TO BUY
Towode Smart Fingerprint Lock at $12.70 @AliExpress

Towode Smart Fingerprint Lock

Towode Smart Fingerprint Lock 

Towode Smart Fingerprint Lock

Key Features:

  • Smart Key with fingerprint unlock system
  • 0.5s to unlock 
  • 360-degree arbitrary angle biometric recognition
  • Induction rate ≤0.5s
  • Durable structure made from zinc alloy
  • IP62 Water and Splashproof
  • Can store up to 10 different fingerprints 
  • Rechargeable lithium battery – USB 
  • Low power alert and quick charge technology
  • It Will remain locked even after the battery runs out of power
  • Lightweight and highly portable

Towode Smart Fingerprint Lock

Generally retailing for $50 you can now buy Towode Smart Fingerprint Lock at a massively discounted price of $12.70 only at AliExpress. Please note that this flash deal ends in the next 2 hours and has very few pieces left in stock. 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 awards 70.23m shares to 3,904 participants worth HK$1.84 billion

The China-based tech giant known for making value-for-money smartphones — Xiaomi, has announced that the company will award a total of 70.23 million shares to selected 3,904 participants under a share award scheme.

The shares awarded by the company shall be vested between July 2, 2021, to July 2, 2025, which is in line with the usual vesting period of four years. The cost of the shares awarded by the company stands over HK$1.84 billion at a share price of HK$26.20.

Xiaomi Logo

These 3,904 shares allotted by the company stand at about 0.28 percent of the total issued shares of Xiaomi, according to the exchange filing. The total under the share award scheme is capped at around 1.12 billion shares, subject to an annual limit of 3 percent of the total number of issued shares. So far, the company has granted a total of 323.49 million shares under the scheme.

A couple of months ago, Xiaomi announced its financial results for the last year. The numbers reveal a strong year for the company, which marked a notable growth of 17.5 percent year on year over 2019, reaching 146.4 million shipments in total.

The rise of its handset shipments in 2020 helped the company climb the list to become the third-largest smartphone manufacturer in the world, while Huawei saw a sharp decline during the same time.

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OPPO Reno6’s new Purple Star color variant announced

In May, OPPO announced the OPPO Reno6 5G series of smartphones in China. The starting model was made available in colors like Summer Sea (white gradient), Galaxy Dream (blue gradient), and Night Sea (black). Today, the company confirmed the arrival of a new color variant called the Purple Star in China.

OPPO Reno6 Purple Star
OPPO Reno6 Purple Star

The OPPO Reno6 Purple Star variant comes in 8 GB RAM + 128 GB storage and 12 GB RAM + 256 GB storage options like its other color variants. These models are priced at 2,799 Yuan and 3,199 Yuan. Currently, the new color variant is exclusive to the vanilla model in the Reno6 family. The company is also selling a Reno6 Purple Star Fantasy Limited Gift Box model in the country.

OPPO Reno6 5G specifications

The Reno6 5G has a 6.43-inch AMOLED display that produces a Full HD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. The display punch-hole houses a 32-megapixel front camera, and its rear shell has a 64-megapixel primary camera, an 8-megapixel ultrawide lens, and a 2-megapixel macro camera.

OPPO Reno6 5G color variants
OPPO Reno6 5G color variants

The Reno6 5G is the first phone ever to feature the Dimensity 900 chipset. The SoC is coupled with LPDDR4x RAM and UFS 2.1 storage. It is backed by a 4,500mAh battery that carries support for 65W rapid charging. For security, it has an in-display fingerprint scanner.

In related news, OPPO is working to bring the Reno6 series to global markets. India could be the first market outside China to receive the Reno6 series lineup. The company recently confirmed that it will be launching the Reno6 5G and Reno6 Pro 5G on July 14 in India.

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Realme’s Dizo sub-brand teases a feature phone; could be launched soon

Earlier this year, in the month of May, Realme announced its sub-brand Dizo as a TechLife ecosystem brand for AIoT devices. Now, the new brand has shared a teaser that hints that the company is gearing up to launch a mobile phone.

The poster shared by Dizo teases a mobile phone and not an AIoT device. Note that the phone isn’t clearly visible but a bit of editing reveals that it’s a feature phone with a circular island on the back panel for housing the camera module.

Earlier, an FCC listing had revealed two feature phones from the brand — Dizo Star 500 and Dizo Star 300. The Dizo Star 500 is expected to come with Dual SIM support, 2G connectivity, a microSD card slot, and a 1,830mAh battery.

Both these phones would carry the class T-9 Numpad without any selfie camera. The Dizo Star 500 will reportedly feature a larger screen compared to the Dizo Star 300. Other key specifications such as processor maker, camera specs, and operating system remain unclear but we expect to know more about them pretty soon.

Recently, Dizo showcased a few of its products in the Indian market, including ultra-affordable true-wireless earphones, wireless earphones with neckband style design, a trimmer, hairdryer, and more. Realme has also revealed that the Dizo sub-brand plans to launch around 100 products this year.

We expect the company to reveal more information about the product in question in the coming days. Since the promotion campaign has started, the device could be officially launched in a couple of weeks.

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Nokia G20 price in India revealed, pre-bookings begin on July 7

In April, HMD Global unveiled a slew of new phones such as Nokia C10, Nokia C20, Nokia G10, Nokia G20, Nokia X10, and Nokia X20. A microsite of the Nokia G20 has appeared on Amazon India. The listing has revealed that the pre-booking of the G20 will begin on July 7 in India. It has also revealed the pricing of the phone.

The microsite states that the Nokia G20 will be for pre-orders at 12 PM (local time) on July 7. The handset will be priced at Rs 12,999 (~$170). It appears that the device will be exclusively available for purchase through Amazon India and Nokia India’s online store.

Nokia G20 Amazon India listing

The Nokia G20 listing states that it has a 6.5-inch display and a 48-megapixel quad-camera system on the back. The handset promises a long battery life of up to 3 days and it will come loaded with Android 11 OS. For security, it has a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. The G20 will be available in Night and Glacier colors.

Nokia G20 specifications

The specifications of the Nokia G20 are already known as it is already available for purchase in global markets. The 6.5-inch LCD panel supports an HD+ resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels, and the screen notch houses an 8-megapixel camera. The back panel of the phone has a 48-megapixel (main) + 5-megapixel (ultrawide) + 2-megapixel (macro) + 2-megapixel (depth) quad-camera system.

The Snapdragon 662 powers the device with 4 GB of RAM. It comes in 64 GB and 128 GB storage choices. It is backed by a massive 5,050mAh battery that carries support for 10W charging.

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Top stories from last week: MWC 2021, Vivo X60t Pro+, Snapdragon 888 Plus, One UI Watch, and more

Last week was filled with several important announcements. Not only was it MWC week, but there were also product launches from brands that didn’t attend the tech show. Here is a roundup of the top stories from last week:

Vivo X60t Pro+
Vivo X60t Pro+

Vivo X60t Pro+is the X60 Pro with a new selfie camera

Vivo expanded its X60 series with a new model last week. The new Vivo X60t Pro+ differs from the Vivo X60 Pro+ only in the camera department – specifically the front-facing camera.

 

Snapdragon 888 Plus

Snapdragon 888 Plus – new chip for new flagships

Qualcomm announced a new flagship processor last week. The new Snapdragon 888 Plus will power the next batch of flagships launching in the second half of the year. Among the phones launching with the new chipset is the Honor Magic3.

 

One UI Watch

One UI Watch is coming

Samsung unveiled One UI Watch, a new interface for its future smartwatches. The new skin will run atop the new OS borne from the merger of Wear OS and Tizen. Samsung also revealed its software plans for its older Tizen-powered smartwatches.

 

Nothing ear (1) launch

Nothing is coming this month

Carl Pei’s startup, Nothing, has announced that its first product will launch this month. The product will be a pair of TWS earbuds with a unique design.

 

ZTE

ZTE announces a 5G Smart T-shirt

One of the interesting products announced at MWC last week is the YouCare Wearable 5G Smart T-Shirt. A wearable that tracks your vitals and transmits the data via ZTE’s 5G infrastructure.

 

Poll- OxygenOS or ColorOS

OxygenOS gets integrated with ColorOS

Following OnePlus’s merger with OPPO, the manufacturer has also revealed that there will be changes to its software and update policy. The manufacturer disclosed that OxygenOS will be integrated with ColorOS under the hood and flagships will now get longer support.

 

Realme C21Y

Realme picks up a UNISOC chip for its new phone

Chinese chipmaker, UNISOC, supplies chipsets to a number of phone manufacturers. However, last week was the first time its chip appeared on a Realme phone. The Realme C21Y announced in Malaysia is powered by the 12nm UNISOC T610 chipset, a mid-range processor with a 4G modem.

 

Honor X20 SE featured

Honor has a new mid-range phone

Honor announced a new mid-range 5G smartphone in China. The Honor X20 SE is a Dimensity 700-powered device with a 64MP triple rear camera setup. It is scheduled to go on sale later this week.

 

Windows 11 featured

Windows 11 ported to Mi 8 and OnePlus 6T

A preview of Windows 11 was released last week and some folks have wasted no time porting it to other devices such as the Xiaomi Mi 8 and the OnePlus 6T.

 

Galaxy S21 FE leaked press render

Galaxy S21 FE to come in fewer colors

The Galaxy S21 FE will be launching in fewer colors than its predecessor as seen in a leaked poster. This is not as sad as the news that revealed the phone may get a limited launch.

 

Samsung ISOCELL 108MP

A 108MP camera on a OnePlus phone 

OnePlus may join the list of manufacturers that have launched phones with a 108MP camera. A leak has revealed that the OnePlus 9T will be the first OnePlus phone with a 108MP camera. It will also have the Hasselblad branding and arrive this quarter.

 

Vivo NEX Fold is coming this year

Vivo will be entering the foldable smartphone market this year with its own device which will launch as the NEX Fold. Details are still limited but it is interesting to know that there is one more foldable device to look forward to this year.

 

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New promotional video reiterates OnePlus is now a part of OPPO

A new promotional video has appeared on Weibo that reiterates that OnePlus is now a part of OPPO.

The video shows a number of OPPO and OnePlus phones such as the Find X3 Pro, Reno4 Pro 5G, OnePlus 9 Pro, Reno5 Pro 5G, and the the OnePlus 7 Pro. It also has Eddie Redmayne and Ultraman in it, OPPO’s brand ambassador and OnePlus marketing mascot for the OnePlus 9R respectively.

The lyrics of the song playing in the video is a dead giveaway about the new relationship between both brands. There is also a text at the end of the video which reads “Let’s start a new chapter together”.

OnePlus announced almost two weeks ago that it was merging with OPPO. While it didn’t specifically say it was now a sub-brand of OPPO, a leaked memo revealed that will be the case going forward.

It is common knowledge that OPPO and OnePlus have been working closely together for years considering that they are owned by the same parent company. However, while other companies are spinning off their sub-brands as “independent” companies, OPPO has done the opposite by absorbing its sister brand.

 

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Xiaomi’s 200W charging tech may have been manufactured by Chinese startup Nuvolta

The quest for super-fast charging technology for various devices ranging from smartphones to laptops is still on. Recently Xiaomi unveiled the HyperCharge 200W charging that could be deployed for the Mi 11 Pro, although close industry watchers saw the announcement as a public relations stunt. The view is that we are still a bit far away from 200W charging, despite Xiaomi’s enthusiasm. However, recent reports show that a Chinese firm focusing on charging design, NuVolta Technologies, recently launched its second-generation pump fast-charging chip, called the NU2205, which can output 100W power – an industry high.Nuvolta Technologies

The NuVolta NU2205 supports dual-cell 4:2 pump fast-charging for segmented batteries, which Xiaomi is projecting. Therefore, it is possible to have a composite charging capacity of 200W, as reported for Xiaomi’s HyperCharge technology for the Mi 11 Pro. Apparently, Xiaomi’s HyperCharge 200W charger may have been manufactured by NuVolta considering that the startup used the picture of Xiaomi’s Mi 11/11 Pro, which seems to prove the cooperation relationship between the two sides. It is most likely that Xiaomi will be the first Chinese company to unveil the NuVolta-driven fast charging dual-cell technology. It could also be adopted by other OEMs. Xiaomi 200W HyperCharge charging technology

Xiaomi had claimed that the HyperCharge could charge a battery from 0% to 100% in about 15 minutes. That is an impressive performance, although it is believed that the numbers bandied around could be misleading. Subsequent reports showed that the actual battery capacity of the Mi 11 Pro used for the demonstration was 4,000 mAh, which is different from the expected 5,000 mAh, and 800 charging cycles were needed for 20% of the battery’s capacity to be depleted.

There have been other efforts even within academia for super-fast charging of devices, from using sound energy to laboratory-based efforts by some researchers in Cambridge University.

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The newly released Tesla Model S Plaid goes up in flames in Pennsylvania

Last month, Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced the first deliveries of its Model S Plaid at a pricey $130,000. The Model S Plaid is a high-end, super-quick version of Tesla’s original electric sedan, the Model S, and received applause from the market with a few hundred already delivered by the leading electric vehicle maker, Tesla.Tesla Model S Plaid

There has been a fire incident involving the Model S Plaid in Pennsylvania, as the vehicle was reported to have caught fire spontaneously while on a Pennsylvania highway. According to the report, firefighters raced from two separate fire departments and successfully put out the fire. In the wake of several battery fires involving Tesla vehicles, first responders like firefighters have gotten some training on dealing with such fires. The firefighters in the Pennsylvania fire incident inserted a five-inch hose inside the vehicle. They kept a constant and rapid supply of water which contributed to the full extinguishment of the fire.

No injuries were reported in the fire incident, as the driver, who was believed to be the vehicle’s lone occupant, managed to escape the conflagration. However, it seems that the unnamed driver of the Model S Plaid may be seeking some relief from Tesla, as his legal representative has weighed in on the matter. The victim’s lawyer says that Tesla has ignored his client while also calling for a suspension of the sales of the Model S Plaid until a full investigation of the incident is completed.

Several fire incidents concerning Tesla’s electric vehicles have been recorded over the years. On its part, Tesla has continued to improve on the quality of its EVs, with greater attention to safety issues relating to the batteries of these vehicles. Tesla also insists that its vehicles are among the safest in the industry, far lower than the corresponding figures for various electric and internal combustion models. Tesla continues to reflect a willingness to push the frontiers of existing technology to produce industry-defining electric vehicles.

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