South Korea unveils $193 million five year project for 6G development

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Jun 23, 2021

While we know that Samsung and AMD are working together for a new chipset that features team red’s GPU, it seems that this chip might not be exclusive to the South Korean tech giant.

According to a tipster on Weibo, a Chinese microblogging website, the new chipset that features AMD’s RDNA2 architecture might also ship with flagship smartphones from Vivo. This chip is rumored to be called the Exynos 2200, which will sport processing components from Samsung and graphical components from AMD to offer a more powerful SoC. This chipset is rumored to ship with next-gen flagship from the South Korean firm and even certain laptops as well.

But apparently, the chip will also be available to other vendors as well. The leakster stated that the Chinese smartphone maker will release a device with the new Exynos processor. Although, it is still unclear if the device in question will be a smartphone or another electronic gadget. However, it will likely be a flagship grade product. For those unaware, Vivo is also one of the few handset manufacturers that offer smartphones with Exynos chipsets. Other notable examples being Meizu and Moto.

The upcoming Exynos chipset with AMD graphics is said to offer a 30 percent rise in graphical performance compared to the current-gen Exynos 2100’s Mali G78 GPU. The RDNA2 technology also supports new features like ray tracing and variable rate shading as well. So, if the chip manages to be a successful alternative to its rivals, Qualcomm and MediaTek, we can expect more OEMs to opt for Exynos chips in the near future. Unfortunately, this is still an unconfirmed report, so take this news with a pinch of salt and stay tuned for more updates.

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OPPO A53 bags ColorOS 11 (Android 11) stable update

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Jun 23, 2021

OPPO launched the OPPO A53 last August. The handset debuted with ColorOS 7.2 based on Android 10. Either months after the device’s announcement, OPPO started recruiting ColorOS 11 (Android 11) beta testers in April. Two months from that, the company has finally begun to roll out the stable update.

Earlier this month, OPPO revealed the ColorOS 11 update plan for June 2021. According to the schedule, the OPPO A53 was supposed to get the Android 11 stable update on June 17. But it got delayed for some unknown reasons.

Anyway, the firm has started rolling out the update yesterday (June 22). As of now, It is only available in India and Indonesia.

For both regions, the system update arrives with firmware version C.12. In order to receive it, users should be running software version A.77 (India) / A.81 (Indonesia).

In order to download the Android 11-based ColorOS 11 update for OPPO A53, users need to navigate to Settings > Software Updates > Gear Icon > Official Version Application, tap on the I Agree checkbox, and select Apply now. Once done, they will have to check for new version, download, and install.

That said, ColorOS 11 is the first major update for the OPPO A53. Usually, OPPO provides two major ColorOS updates for most of its smartphones. Hence, this phone could also receive Android 12 in the future.

LG pivots from phone business to electric cars; aims to focus on EV supply chain

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Jun 23, 2021

South Korea-based LG Electronics is shutting down its smartphone business and now the company is aiming at the growing electronic vehicle supply chain. By the end of July, LG will exit the phone business and shift its focus towards EV business.

During the same month, LG will spin off its EV drive system segment. Canada’s Magna International, which is one of the world’s leading auto parts suppliers, will buy a 49 percent stake in that unit to create a new joint venture.

The joint venture will be called LG Magna e-Powertrain, will be headquartered in Incheon. The company is also preparing to establish bases in Michigan, the US, and Nanjing, China, aiming to secure customers in two countries that are major markets for EVs.

Canada-based Magna’s customers include major automakers like General Motors, BMW, and Ford Motor. Through the partnership with Magna, LG will have a greater potential to supply global automotive leaders.

LG had reported operating profit in 2015 but each year after that, the company has ended up generating losses. Last year, appliances generated 41 percent of revenue while TVs made up 24 percent. Vehicle components brought in 5.8 trillion won ($5.1 billion), just 11 percent of revenue.

But Magna likely weighed other factors in its choice of LG as a partner. The South Korean company has technological strength in core EV components, such as motors and batteries.

Durable appliances like refrigerators and air conditioners depend on motors, compressors, and other components for their durability and energy efficiency. LG has long years of independent research and development of inverters.

LG can also draw on the strength of other members of the LG group, which includes LG Chem — the world’s second-biggest producer of EV batteries — and panel maker LG Display and LG Innotek, which supplies onboard cameras for autos.

The company launched an internal team for automotive components in 2013 in anticipation of the growth of electric vehicles. In 2018, LG made Austrian headlight supplier ZKW into a subsidiary. LG has taken a three-pronged strategy for its automotive business, consisting of headlights, drive components and infotainment, which includes car navigation and audio.

LG forecasts the vehicle components division to turn a profit for the first time in six years in 2021. The company aims to expand sales at an annual pace of 15%. This would turn vehicle components into one of LG’s largest segments, with more than 10 trillion won in annual sales in 2024.

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Tecno Phantom X officially confirmed and pre-orders begin

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Jun 23, 2021

A couple of leaks that surfaced yesterday revealed the existence of a high-end Tecno phone named Phantom X. Today, Tecno Mobile’s African divisions such as Ivory Coast, Republic of Congo, and Ghana have started teasing the arrival of the smartphone. One of the listings shows that the handset is up for pre-orders starting from today.

The Tecno’s Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) division is now receiving the pre-orders of the Phantom X. Those who pre-order the device for $10 will get freebies such as the Tecno S2 Bluetooth speaker and a bottle of wine.

A new wave for the BOLD and EXTRAORDINARY is coming.
If you guessed #PHANTOMX, you were right!
Let's see how many words you can think of that start with E and are related to extraordinary?
Excellent, Explore, Exclusive…. It's all here at #PHANTOMX #BeBOLDBeEXTRAORDINARY pic.twitter.com/fgCJwcPvV6

— Tecno Mobile Ghana (@TecnoMobileGH) June 23, 2021

Here is a teaser video of the Phantom X released by Tecno. Its Ivory Coast division has shared the below-shown poster to showcase its impressive design. The company has confirmed that the handset has an AMOLED panel that supports Full HD+ resolution.

While the phone is expected to launch in July, there is no confirmation on the date. Since the last date to pre-order the device is June 30, it is likely that the phone may debut on July 1.

Tecno Phantom X specifications

Leaked information has revealed that the Tecno Phantom X has a 6.7-inch AMOLED FHD+ curved edge display that offers a 90Hz refresh rate. It is powered by Helio G95, 8 GB of RAM, and a 4,700mAh battery that supports 33W fast charging.

The Phantom X has a 48-megapixel + 8-megapixel dual front-facing camera. Its back panel has a quad-camera setup that includes a 50-megapixel main camera, a 13-megapixel secondary lens, an 8-megapixel camera, and an unknown lens. It will come preloaded with HiOS based on Android 11 OS. This handset (AC8 model number) at the FCC certification in April. It is expected to arrive in colors like Van Gogh Sky Blue and Monet’s Summer Garden.

(via 1, 2)

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Google faces antitrust investigation in India over smart TV market

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Jun 23, 2021

Competition Commission of India has just ordered an investigation into Google. The company has allegedly abused its dominant position of Android in the region’s smart TV market.

According to a TechCrunch report, the news arrives hours after the European Union opened a formal antitrust investigation into the Search engine giant for abusing its leading role in the advertising technology sector. As per the Competition Commission of India’s initial review, which began back in 2020, Google has breached certain anti competitive laws in the region. Thus, it is now facing an investigation of this scale that could apparently take up to a year to resolve.

The agency added that “The Commission is of the prima facie opinion that by making pre-installation of Google’s proprietary apps (particularly Play Store) conditional upon signing of ACC (Android Compatibility Commitments) for all Android devices manufactured/distributed/marketed by device manufacturers, Google has reduced the ability and incentive of device manufacturers to develop and sell devices operating on alternative versions of Android i.e. Android forks, and thereby limited technical or scientific development relating to goods or services to the prejudice of consumers in contravention of Section 4(2)(b) of the Act.”

For those unaware, India is one of the largest markets by users for Google. Back in 2020, the company even pledged investing 10 billion US Dollars in the nation. In 2019 alone, 8 million smart TVs were sold in India, out of which 60 percent were powered by the Android OS. Now, a spokesperson has stated that the company is denying all allegations and added that “We are confident that our smart TV licensing practices are in compliance with all applicable competition laws.”

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One in Four smartphones sold in 2020 were bought online: Counterpoint

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Jun 23, 2021

Back in 2020, the online purchases of smartphones accounted for about 26 percent of all sales in the global market. This means that one in every four smartphones that were bought were purchased from online channels.

According to a Counterpoint Research report, the Coronavirus pandemic was a major factor that boosted the online sales in multiple countries. Key regions includes India that showcased the highest online share at 45 percent, along with UK with 39 percent and China arriving in at 34 percent. This implies that the share of online smartphone sales in 2020 rose by 6 percent over a year prior. For market size, it marked an increase of more than 10 percent.

Furthermore, this trend was also recorded in other regions as well, like the US and Europe. Emerging markets like Latin America also benefited from this trend. Notably, the US and India recorded highest ever online share in the second half of last year. While the market saw a sizeable growth in online sales, this trend is also expected to slow down for some time, with online sales in 2021 being similar to but slightly lower than last year.

Senior Analyst Sujeong Lim stated that “After the rapid growth in 2020, we expect 2021 to see some easing after the COVID-19 vaccination. However, it is expected to grow slightly every year from 2022 onwards, supported by growth in emerging markets and the middle-aged population becoming more accustomed to IT devices and internet use. But in the case of India, which currently has the highest online proportion, it may decrease to a certain level after 2022 due to the development of offline infrastructure such as multi-brand stores and large-scale retail stores. On the other hand, the future growth of the online market in SEA and MEA is noteworthy.”

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Here’s our first glimpse at MIUI 13 design

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Jun 23, 2021

Xiaomi is expected to unveil MIUI 13, the next major version of its mobile operating system very soon. Ahead of that, the company recently established ‘MIUI Pioneer Group’ to iron out the bugs. Further, the firm has even started updating its system apps for MIUI 13. One such update for an application gives us a first glimpse of the upcoming UI.

1 of 4

According to multiple sources (1, 2, 3, 4), Xiaomi has released a new version of MIUI File Manager with a design language in line with the announced MIUI 13. The V4.3.0.2 of the application has new UI elements, animations, and a redesigned Mi Drive page.

Unsurprisingly, there are no major changes between the old and the new versions of the MIUI File Manager app. That’s because MIUI 12 debuted with a significant visual overhaul as compared to MIUI 11 and the previous editions. Hence, the next iteration is expected to have only minor visual changes.

That said, MIUI 13 was first rumored to make its debut by the end of June. But it looks like it won’t be the case. Perhaps, it may get announced in July.

The alleged Mi MIX 4 with an under-display camera is said to be the first smartphone to launch with the new software. Last but not least, Xiaomi is expected to update almost all devices released in the last two years to MIUI 13.

OnePlus Nord CE vs Samsung Galaxy A52 vs Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite: Specs Comparison

By

Michele Ingelido

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Jun 23, 2021

OnePlus just launched the Nord CE 5G: a sort of remake of the original OnePlus Nord hitting the market with not so different specifications but a more affordable price. A lot of people are already wondering whether or not the OnePlus Nord CE 5G is the best value for money phone in the midrange niche: well, there are a lot of rivals in the same range. Two of the best are the Samsung Galaxy A52 and the Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite. Here is a comparison between the specifications of three amazing mid-rangers sold in the global market.

OnePlus Nord CE vs Samsung Galaxy A52 vs Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite

	OnePlus Nord CE 5G	Samsung Galaxy A52	Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 4G
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT	159.2 x 73.5 x 7.9 mm, 170 grams	159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm, 189 grams	160.5 x 75.7 x 6.8 mm, 157 grams
DISPLAY	6.43 inches, 1080 x 2400p (Full HD+), Fluid AMOLED	6.5 inches, 1080 x 2400p (Full HD+), 407 ppi, Super AMOLED	6.55 inches, 1080 x 2400p (Full HD+), AMOLED
PROCESSOR	Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G, octa-core 2.2 GHz	Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G, octa-core 2.3 GHz	Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G, octa-core 2.3 GHz
MEMORY	6 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 128 GB – 12 GB RAM, 256 GB	4 GB RAM, 128 GB – 6 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 256 GB – micro SD slot	6 GB RAM, 64 GB – 6 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 128 GB – micro SD slot
SOFTWARE	Android 11, OxygenOS	Android 11, One UI	Android 11, MIUI
CONNECTIVITY	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS
CAMERA	Triple 64 + 8 + 2 MP, f/1.8 + f/2.3 + f/2.4 16 MP f/2.5 front camera	Quad 64 + 12 + 5 + 5 MP f/1.8, f/2.2 , f/2.4 and f/2.4 32 MP f/2.2 front camera	Triple 64 + 8 + 5 MP, f/1.8 + f/2.2 + f/2.4 16 MP f/2.5 front camera
BATTERY	4500 mAh, fast charging 30W	4500 mAh, fast charging 25W	4250 mAh, fast charging 33W
ADDITIONAL FEATURES	Dual SIM slot, 5G	Dual SIM slot, water resistant IP67	Dual SIM slot, splash resistant (IP53)

Design

All of these phones are built with polycarbonate, but the Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite still looks gorgeous. The main reason is not only its minimalistic rear cover but also its very thin and lightweight body. It is only 6.8 mm thick and it weighs just 157 grams: one of the thinnest and most lightweight phones released in 2021. Further, it has the IP53 which protects it from dust and splashes, as well as the Gorilla Glass 5 protection for the display. The Samsung Galaxy A52 is thicker, heavier, and less attractive, but it has the IP67 certification making it water resistant up to 1 meter deep for a max of 30 minutes.

Display

The most advanced display is offered by the Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite. It is an AMOLED panel with one billion colors, a 90 Hz refresh rate, a Full HD+ resolution, a 90 Hz refresh rate, and a diagonal of 6.55 inches. It is almost impossible to find a mid-ranger showing one billion colors in the global market this year. Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite wins, but Samsung Galaxy A52 and OnePlus Nord CE 5G still come with great AMOLED displays sporting a Full HD+ resolution and a 90 Hz refresh rate.

Hardware/Software

If you need the strongest hardware department, then you should opt for the OnePlus Nord CE 5G, which is also the only device of the trio to support 5G connectivity. It is equipped with a Snapdragon 750G chipset paired with up to 12 GB of RAM and up to 256 GB of UFS 2.1 native storage. Samsung Galaxy A52 and Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite offer a max of 8 GB of RAM and weaker mobile platforms without 5G connectivity. The phones run Android 11 with highly customized user interfaces.

Camera

The most advanced camera phone is the Samsung Galaxy A52 which sports a quad rear camera including a 64 MP main sensor with OIS, a 12 MP ultrawide sensor, and a pair of 5 MP sensors for macros and depth calculation. On the paper, the silver medal goes to the Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite with a 64 MP main camera, an 8 MP ultrawide sensor, and a 5 MP macro camera. The Samsung Galaxy A52 also offers a better 32 MP front camera which can record videos in 4K resolution.

Battery

Here the fight is between Samsung Galaxy A52 and OnePlus Nord CE 5G. They should offer a similar battery life as they are both equipped with a 4500 mAh battery, an AMOLED display with 90 Hz, and a processor built at 8 nm. Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite has a smaller battery but faster charging with a power of 33W.

OnePlus Nord CE vs Samsung Galaxy A52 vs Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite: Price

OnePlus Nord CE 5G starts from €299/$360 globally, you can find Samsung Galaxy A52 for less than €350/$415, and Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite is the most affordable with its €250/$300 street prices. There is not a definitive winner in this comparison: OnePlus Nord CE 5G has better hardware and 5G support, Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite offers a superior display, faster charging, a thinner and lighter design. Samsung Galaxy A52 has inferior hardware but the best cameras and it is water resistant.

Read More: Redmi Note 10 vs Note 10 Pro vs Note 10 Pro Max: Specs Comparison

OnePlus Nord CE vs Samsung Galaxy A52 vs Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite: PRO and CONS

Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 4G

PROS

IP53 dust resistant and splash resistant
Great AMOLED display
Stereo speakers
IR blaster
Thinner and lighter
Micro SD slot

CONS

Smaller battery
No 5G

Samsung Galaxy A52

PROS

Water resistant (IP67)
Better rear cameras
Better front camera
Stereo speakers
Micro SD slot

CONS

No 5G

OnePlus Nord CE 5G

PROS

5G
Better chipset
Good price
More compact

CONS

No micro SD slot

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Global chip shortage worsens as wait times hit record 18 weeks

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Jun 23, 2021

The semiconductor shortage issue has already affected various industries across the globe. Now, the situation has apparently worsened as wait times for chips have hit a record high of 18 weeks.

According to a Bloomberg report, automobile makers and consumer electronics based brand have to wait even longer for components since delays in filling orders continue to worsen. The lead times for chips, which is the gap between ordering a semiconductor and receiving the delivery, have risen from just a single week to a whopping 18 weeks back in May 2021. This is an indicator that chip makers are currently struggling to keep up with the demand.

Furthermore, the wait times are the longest since 2017, with the peak being four weeks back in 2018. The report added that power management chips that regulate the flow of electricity in machines and consumer electronic products are a primary reason for the overall increase in delivery periods. The lead times for this chip hit a significant 25.6 weeks, which is nearly two weeks longer than a month before.

Chris Rolland, an analyst from Susquehanna Financial Group, added that “The broad based nature of the shortages is highlighted by the data, as most key product categories (power management, discretes, analogs, passives) have seen LT expansion.” The rising demand also suggests of the panic buying from vendors across the globe that are ordering too much, which has further worsened the situation, as per Rolland.

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Samsung announces new 5G chips that could take on Huawei

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Jun 23, 2021

Samsung has just launched new chips to bolster its 5G tech portfolio. These news chips were launched in the company’s Mobile World Congress 2021 conference and could eye Huawei‘s business as well.

For those unaware, the Chinese telecom equipment maker has faced a ban on its products in certain regions. This has affected its business operations, with rival brands seeking to scoop up its market share. Now, the South Korean tech giant has just launched three new 5G chips that could also take on Huawei’s busienss. With advancement in wireless technology, a 5G modem would offer a notable improvement to an average consumer.

Thus, Samsung has introduced its second generation of 5G modem SoCs (system on chip) that is capable of doubling the capacity of an upcoming baseband chip while using just half of the power compared to its predecessor. The company is also aiming on delivering a new generation of millimeter wave radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) with much smaller antennas and lower power consumption.

Furthermore, the brand also teased its 6G plans as well in MWC 2021, with its efforts looking beyond 5G by using high frequency terahertz wireless and testing a 140GHz wireless link as well. Samsung also added that its 6G plans would also include mixed reality, “high fidelity” holograms, and even digital replicas of real technology. Although, the 6G technology is just a teaser for the future since the world has yet to fully adopt 5G networking.

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iQOO 3 with Snapdragon 865 now starts at only ₹17,495 ($236) in India

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Jun 23, 2021

The iQOO 3 was the first smartphone from the brand to launch in India. It made its way to the country in early 2020. Unlike other handsets with Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 chipset, it comes in both 4G and 5G variants. Over a year from its release, the device is now selling at an insanely low price in the region.

The iQOO 3 comes in three storage configurations in India. The first two variants are limited to 4G, whereas the top-end model supports 5G connectivity. They debuted for the following price tags.

iQOO 3 India Launch Price

iQOO 3 4G (8GB + 128GB) – ₹36,990
iQOO 3 4G (8GB + 256GB) – ₹39,990
iQOO 3 5G (12GB + 256GB) – ₹44,990

Back in February 2021, iQOO, the sub-brand of vivo, dropped the price of the smartphone to ₹24,990, ₹27,990, and ₹34,990 respectively. This occurred ahead of the release of iQOO 7 series.

Now, nearly four months later, the price of this handset has been dropped again. The new price cut brings the phone’s price below ₹20,000. Looks like the company is trying to clear the stock.

iQOO 3 India Price (June 2021)

iQOO 3 4G (8GB + 128GB) – ₹17,495
iQOO 3 4G (8GB + 256GB) – ₹18,995
iQOO 3 5G (12GB + 256GB) – ₹22,495

The new price is only valid on the iQOO online store. As per the listing, only the ‘Quantum Silver’ color version of the 4G variant is in stock. On the other hand, the 5G variant can be ordered in either ‘Quantum Silver’ or ‘Tornado Black’ color options. The special ‘Volcano Orange’ version is no longer on sale.

Having said that, it is worth noting that the phone has some software issues after the Android 11 update.

Samsung Galaxy S22 to feature 50MP triple camera on the rear: Tipster

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Jun 23, 2021

The next gen Samsung flagship, the Galaxy S22, is expected to launch in the first quarter of next year. While its release is still months away, a new spec leak has revealed certain information regarding the company’s 2022 premium grade flagship model.

Samsung Rainbow R/G Rear Cam

Main 50MP
Ultrawide 12MP
Telephoto 12MP 3x

Take w/ 🧂

~BV

— Tron ❂ #MicrosoftEvent (@FrontTron) June 23, 2021

According to a tweet from known tipster @FrontTron, the South Korean tech giant’s Galaxy S22 will include a triple camera setup on the rear. Its primary sensor is a 50 megapixel shooter, paired with a 12 megapixel ultra wide angle lens and a 12 megapixel telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. These camera specifications might also be seen in the Galaxy S22+ model as well, although, we have no way of knowing for sure at the moment.

Interestingly, this implies that Samsung is not aiming on releasing its flagship with a camera over 100 megapixels, which has been seen in certain handsets in recent times. In other words, the company might be focusing on improving the photographic capabilities of the sensors rather than simply chasing high resolutions for marketing. There wasn’t a major improvement in camera quality between the Galaxy S20 series and the Galaxy S21 lineup, so the Galaxy S22 might arrive with a major bump in camera performance.

However, the tipster also stated that we should take this news with a pinch of salt. Meaning, this is still an unconfirmed leak. Previously, we had reported on a few leaks, which included another leak shared by FronTron regarding the Galaxy S22 and S22+ using a plastic back panel. Similarly, multiple sources also revealed that the display sizes of the upcoming flagship smartphone series.

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Redmi Note 10 price in India increased once again

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Jun 23, 2021

Earlier this month, Xiaomi’s sub-brand Redmi hiked the pricing of the Redmi Note 10 in India. Fresh information reveals that the company has hiked the pricing of the device once again.

The Redmi Note 10 was announced in two variants such as 4 GB RAM + 64 GB storage and 6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage in March in India. At launch, these models were priced at Rs 11,999 (~$161) and Rs 13,999 (~$188), respectively. The company hiked the pricing of both models to Rs 12,499 (~$168) and Rs 14,499 (~$195), respectively, at the beginning of this month.

While the pricing of the 4 GB RAM + 64 GB storage continues to remain Rs 12,499 (~$168), the pricing of the 6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage model has been hiked once again by Rs 500 (~$7). With the revised pricing, the 128 GB model is now selling for Rs 14,999 (~$201).

The 128 GB edition of the Redmi Note 10 is now listed with the new pricing on Amazon India and Mi.com. The handset is available in three colors like Shadow Black, Aqua Green, and Frost White.

Redmi Note 10 specifications

The Redmi Note 10 has a 6.43-inch S-AMOLED FHD+ display and it runs on MIUI 12 based Android 11 OS. It has a front camera of 13-megapixel, and its rear shell has a 48-megapixel primary camera, an 8-megapixel ultrawide lens, and a pair of 2-megapixel auxiliary cameras.

The Snapdragon 678 powers the Redmi Note 10 with LPDDR4x RAM. The phone offers other features such as UFS 2.2 storage, a 5,000mAh battery with 33W rapid charging, and a side-mounted fingerprint scanner.

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Vivo confirms entry into tablet market; first product launching in Q4 2021

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Jun 23, 2021

None of the companies from the BBK Electronics group has entered the tablet market and that is about to change. Realme has already teased that the brand will soon launch its new tablet and laptop and now Vivo is also jumping the bandwagon.

Vivo has now confirmed that the company will be entering the tablet market, claims a new report coming from Tencent. It also adds that the first product from the brand will be launched in the fourth quarter of this year.

It’s noteworthy that Vivo and its sub-brand iQOO were reported to launch tablets and notebooks last year after the companies had registered trademarks like Vivo Pad, iQOO Pad, iQOO Book, and NEX Book.

Recently, Vivo registered the trademark Vivo Pad in Europe and the product name has also appeared in the European Union Intellectual Property Office database. Earlier, the design of the upcoming tablet from Vivo was also leaked.

The leaked images showcase that the device will come with a full-screen display without any notches on top for the front-facing camera. However, there’s no front-facing camera visible on the device, which is highly unlikely. So, it remains to be seen where the camera will be placed.

On the back, it appears that there will be a dual-camera setup with an LED flash, and all the sensors will be placed inside a rectangle-shaped camera module. There are volume rocker keys on the left and a power button on the right.

When launched, Vivo will be among the few China-based smartphone makers to have entered the tablet market, joining the list of Xiaomi and Huawei. Apart from Vivo, iQOO, and Realme, OPPO is also reportedly planning to soon launch its tablet in the market.

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Samsung Galaxy A22 5G India launch seems imminent as support page goes live

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Jun 23, 2021

At the beginning of this month, Samsung announced the Galaxy A22 5G and Galaxy A22 4G handsets in Europe. The support page of the 5G version has gone live on Samsung India’s website (via. Pricebaba), which indicates that its India launch could be close at hand.

The Galaxy A22 5G that has a model number of SM-A226B/DS was previously seen at the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The Galaxy A22 5G’s support page, which is now available on Samsung India’s website has no information on its website. However, its entire specs are already known since it debuted globally early this month.

Samsung Galaxy A22 5G specifications

The Samsung Galaxy A22 5G has a 6.6-inch IPS LCD panel that delivers a Full HD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. For security, it has a side-facing fingerprint scanner.

The Dimensity 700 chip fuels the Galaxy A22 5G with up to 8 GB of RAM. The device offers up to 128 GB of storage and a microSD card slot. The A22 5G has a massive 5,000mAh battery that supports 15W rapid charging.

Samsung Galaxy A22 5G Mint Featured — Samsung Galaxy A22 5G

The Galaxy A22 5G runs on One UI 3.1 based on Android 11 OS. It has a front camera of 8-megapixel and it rear shell has a 48-megapixel primary camera, a 5-megapixel superwide lens, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor.

The Galaxy A22 5G is available in Europe with a price tag of 229 euros. It is currently available as the most affordable 5G phone from the brand. At present, there is no information on the pricing of the Galaxy A22 5G for India.

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OnePlus CEO Pete Lau reveals alternative packaging for OnePlus 9 series

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Jun 23, 2021

The OnePlus 9 series smartphones come with the company’s new retail box that is designed to be a bit bigger in terms of length. While the packaging looks decent, there was also an alternative packaging, as revealed by OnePlus CEO Pete Lau.

Pete Lau has shared an image on Twitter showcasing an alternative packaging of the OnePlus 9 series. However, it’s not yet clear if the company had ever considered using that or if it plans to do so going forward.

The new packaging showcased by Pete Lau doesn’t have a retail box to keep the device inside. Instead, it uses plastic and has a very minimal design, similar to what you get when buying a pendrive.

The smartphone is secured behind a transparent package on the right side while the left side of the packaging mentions the key features of the device. There is no room for a charger or additional accessories. It also has a hook at the top which can be used to hand the product for display.

Along with sharing the image of this packaging, Pete Lau has added that the company is not giving up the “stylish red box” which confirms that we won’t be getting this new packaging when buying any OnePlus smartphone.

OnePlus recently officially merged with OPPO and will now act as a sub-brand of the China-based smartphone manufacturer. The announcement wasn’t surprising given that both the companies were merging several of their operations since last year.

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OPPO Reno6 Z full specifications leaked, reveals improved cameras, larger storage

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Jun 23, 2021

In April, OPPO unveiled the OPPO Reno5 Z in Singapore and now the rumor mill is already spilling information on its successor. Last week, tipster Abhishek Yadav leaked the key specs of the upcoming Reno6 Z handset. While there is no information on the arrival of the Reno6 Z, a fresh leak by the same leaker has revealed its entire specifications.

OPPO Reno6 Z specifications (Rumored)

The new leak has revealed that the OPPO Reno6 Z has a 6.43-inch AMOLED screen that offers a Full HD+ resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate. The screen will come equipped with a layer of Gorilla Glass 5 protection.

The ColorOS 11.1 based on Android 11 OS may come preloaded on the Reno 6Z. The device may come equipped with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage. The tipster had previously claimed that it could be driven by the Dimensity 800U chip.

The Reno6 Z could be featuring a 4,310mAh battery and it is likely to come with 33W rapid charging. For selfies, it may feature a 32-megapixel front camera and its rear shell could be equipped with a 64-megapixel main camera, an 8-megapixel ultrawide lens, and a 2-megapixel macro shooter. Readers are advised to digest the Reno 6Z leak with a grain of salt and wait for further reports to know more it.

If the leak turns out to be true, the Reno6 Z may mainly offer improvements in departments like internal storage and cameras as compared to the predecessor model. The Reno5 Z has a 6.43-inch AMOLED FHD+ display, Dimensity 800U, 4,310mAh battery with 30W charging, 8 GB of RAM, 256 GB of storage, 16-megapixel front camera, and 48-megapixel quad cameras.

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LG Velvet 2 Pro unboxing video showcases what the unreleased phone looks like

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Jun 23, 2021

Last year, LG killed the G-series of smartphones to introduce the new LG Velvet lineup. The phone received a good reception from both users and critics. The company was working on its successor but given that the mobile phone business has been shuttered, we will not get the LG Velvet 2 Pro that was planned.

However, an unboxing video of the LG Velvet 2 Pro aka LG Rainbow has been leaked online (via Tron), showing what the smartphone could have been. The unreleased smartphones have been sold by the company to its employees.

The video shows that the device continues to have the same design as its predecessor, with a curved display upfront for a higher screen-to-body ratio. As per the reports, it would have featured a 6.8-inch P-OLED display panel with Full HD+ screen resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and HDR support.

On the backside, there’s a triple-camera setup with the company’s new raindrop design, consisting of an OIS-enabled 64-megapixel primary camera, a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens, and an 8-megapixel telephoto sensor. For taking selfies and video calling, there’s a 10-megapixel snapper up front.

The smartphone is running the Android operating system out-of-the-box with the company’s own custom user interface. It reportedly packs Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset, coupled with 8GB RAM and 128GB internal storage. It packs a 4,500mAh battery with fast charging support.

This indicates that, unlike its predecessor, LG planned to position this new model as a flagship smartphone. However, as mentioned above, with LG shutting down its mobile phone business, this smartphone won’t be available commercially.

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Samsung Galaxy M22 bags Bluetooth certification, likely to launch soon

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