Vivo promises three years of software updates for select models

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May 10, 2021

Following OPPO’s announcement of providing three years of security updates for its Find X3 series, Vivo has followed up with its own related announcement too.

vivo X60 Pro Midnight Black Global Featured 01 — vivo X60 Pro

The Chinese manufacturer announced yesterday that it will provide three years of updates for select models in its X series that are launched after July 2021. What this means is that these devices will receive three OS upgrades in addition to three years of security updates.

We always innovate with the user in mind. With this pledge, we are making a promise to our customers that they will be able to enjoy a premium smartphone experience for an extended period and continue to benefit from the latest software features. – Yujian Shi, Senior Vice President and CTO of vivo

The source says that the update policy covers eligible devices officially sold in Europe, Australia, and India. It also adds that those premium X series models not eligible will continue to receive regular Android security updates

It is great to see manufacturers commit to longer support for devices even though it is just a fraction of their total lineup. Software support is an important criteria for smartphone buyers especially those who pick up premium models as no one wants to end up with an expensive phone that won’t be updated at all or in time.

RELATED:

Deal: Get PHOREAL FR S60 Robot Window Cleaner for $91 (Original Price $140)

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Daily Deals

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May 10, 2021

PHOREAL FR S60 Robot Window Cleaner which generally retails for $140 is now available at a heavily discounted price of $91.62 only at AliExpress.

WHERE TO BUY

PHOREAL FR S60 Robot Window Cleaner at $91.62 (after discount)@AliExpress

PHOREAL FR S60 Robot Window Cleaner is a smart robot cleaner, that automatically detects window frames and uses a strong vacuum adsorption function to get them squeaky clean. The robot window cleaner can be used to clean more than 10 different materials and surfaces like glass, mirror, stainless steel, wood, marble tec and works automatically with a one-click control.

The device is created with an innovative trackless design that allows it to clean the surface thoroughly in multiple directions and a 5600pa strong suction pull ensures spotless cleaning of your surface. Fitted with a multi-functional water-absorbent cleaning cloth, the robot window cleaner comes with an anti-fall function and can be remotely controlled, with an infrared remote.

Generally retailing for $140, you can now buy PHOREAL FR S60 Robot Window Cleaner for $91.62 only after discounts from AliExpress. Please note that this offer is applicable only on the White and Black color variant ordered from China Warehouse.

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 Xiaomi 55W Wireless Charging Stand for $34 (Original Price $40)

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Daily Deals

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May 10, 2021

AliExpress is giving a fantastic deal on Xiaomi 55W Wireless Charging Stand. The charger which generally retails at around $40 is now available for $34 only.

WHERE TO BUY

Xiaomi 55W Wireless Charging Stand at $34 @AliExpress

Xiaomi 55W Wireless Charging Stand is designed with a dual functional mode that works as a charger and a stand. The stand comes with an ideal ergonomic tilt angle which is extremely comfortable for viewing the smartphone while charging.

A built-in silent cooling fan and a novel air duct design ensure active heat dissipation and a six-fold smart protect mechanism protects your smartphone from over-charge, under-voltage, over-current, over-temperature, etc. Compatible with Xiaomi Mi 10, Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro, Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra, and Xiaomi Mi 11, the charger comes with a smart foreign object detector and supports 55W wireless fast charging.

The charging stand which usually retails for $40 is available for $34 only, with free delivery via AliExpress Standard Shipping. This offer is valid for a limited period. So get your 55W wireless charging stand 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.

Samsung Galaxy A02s, Galaxy A12 receive Android 11 update

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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May 10, 2021

Samsung unveiled the Galaxy A02s and Galaxy A12 in late November. Despite being announced at the end of 2020, these phones debuted with Android 10-based One UI Core 2.x. Now, months after their release, this duo is finally receiving the Android 11 update.

The Android 11 update for the Samsung Galaxy A02s and the Galaxy A12 arrives as One UI Core 3.1. Interestingly, the update is currently live in the same region for both handsets.

The Galaxy A02s and the Galaxy A12 Android 11 update is right now live in Russia with firmware version A025FXXU2BUDC and A125FXXU1BUE3 respectively. Apart from bringing new features and visual changes, the new software build also bumps up the security patch level.

However, the security patches rolling out with the One UI Core 3.1 update on the two phones are different. The Galaxy A02s is receiving the April 2021 security patches, whereas the Galaxy A12 is getting the latest May 2021 security patches.

Either way, the new system update for this duo is being pushed in batches. Hence, it might take some time to reach every unit out there in Russia as well as other markets. Users of these devices can head over to Settings > Software update > Download and install to check whether their unit has got the update.

Deal : Get BlitzWolf 34″ Curved Gaming Monitor for $499.99

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Daily Deals

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May 10, 2021

Banggood is giving a fantastic deal on the BlitzWolf BW- GM3 34” Curved Gaming Monitor. The monitor is now available for $499.99 only, for a limited period.

WHERE TO BUY

BlitzWolf 34″ Curved Gaming Monitor at $499.99 @Banggood

The 34” gaming monitor comes with a 4K ultra-clear resolution and a cinematic aspect ratio of 21:9. Designed primarily for gamers and multimedia users the display comes with a 4ms response time and a 165Hz refresh rate which is strengthened by AMD’s FreeSync technology. This means the gaming monitor will give you super clear and sharp images with high brightness and contrast ratio, eliminating screen tearing and blurring at a high frame rate.

The monitor features a PBP and PIP split-screen function that allows you to access and see two different sources of display simultaneously. This means you can simultaneously connect and access two devices like a laptop, mobile, etc. An adjustable stand enhances your comfort while working and playing and multiple ports like DC, HDMI, USB, DP2, etc, provide multiple connection options to devices like PC, gaming console, external drives, etc.

Banggood is giving BlitzWolf BW- GM3 34” Curved Gaming Monitor for $499.99 only. Please note that this price is applicable only on the EU plug variant. So go get your ultra-wide curved gaming monitor before the deal expires.

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.

POCO F3 vs Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 4G: Specs Comparison

By

Michele Ingelido

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May 10, 2021

Last year, Samsung entered the flagship killers segment by releasing the amazing Galaxy S20 FE (which stands for Fan Edition). The new handset provides flagship-class hardware at a modest price, as well as other specifications which you can usually find only on top-tier flagships. A few days ago, a new Snapdragon version of the 4G variant went official. Is this device enough to fight the best flagship killers by Xiaomi? Does it offer a higher value for money than POCO F3? Let’s discover this together through a comparison between the specifications of POCO F3 and Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 4G.

Xiaomi POCO F3 vs Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 4G Snapdragon version

	Xiaomi POCO F3	Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 4G Snapdragon version
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT	163.7 x 76.4 x 7.8 mm, 196 g	159.8 x 74.5 x 8.4 mm, 190 grams
DISPLAY	6.67 inches, 1080 x 2400p (Full HD+), AMOLED	6.5 inches, 1080 x 2400p (Full HD+), Super AMOLED
PROCESSOR	Qualcomm Snapdragon 870, octa-core 3.2 GHz	Qualcomm Snapdragon 865, octa-core 2.84 GHz
MEMORY	6 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 256 GB	6 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 256 GB – micro SD Slot
SOFTWARE	Android 11, MIUI for POCO	Android 11, One UI
CONNECTIVITY	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS
CAMERA	Triple 48 + 8 + 5 MP, f/1.8 + f/2.2 + f/2.4 20 MP f/2.5 front camera	Triple 12 + 8 + 12 MP, f/1.8 + f/2.4 + f/2.2 32 MP f/2.2 front camera
BATTERY	4520 mAh, fast charging 33W	4500 mAh, fast charging 25W and fast wireless charging 15W
ADDITIONAL FEATURES	Dual SIM slot, 5G	Dual SIM slot, 5G, IP68 waterproof

Design

None of these devices has a flagship-like design and build quality, but they are above average. I would personally go for the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 4G because it is waterproof with the IP68 certification and it has a sturdy aluminum frame. On the other hand, the POCO F3 has a glass back, but it is not waterproof: it still offers protection against water and dust, though. The POCO F3 has the IP53 certification. Despite the POCO F3 has a side-mounted fingerprint reader, it is thinner than the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 4G. But with the latter, you get an in-display fingerprint scanner and a more compact body.

Display

POCO F3 and Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 4G are very similar when it comes to the specifications of the displays. They both feature an AMOLED panel with a 120 Hz refresh rate, a Full HD+ resolution, and the HDR10+ certification, as well as a high peak brightness. We are talking about above-average displays with great image quality and a smooth viewing experience. The real important difference between these panels is the diagonal: the POCO F3 has a wider 6.67-inch display, while the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 4G has a 6.5-inch screen. As already mentioned, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 4G has an in-display fingerprint reader, while POCO F3 does not.

Specs & Software

The POCO F3 is a way better handset if we talk about hardware departments. First of all, it comes with a stronger chipset: the Snapdragon 870 which sits in the middle between the Snapdragon 865+ and the Snapdragon 888. The chip is paired with up to 8 GB of RAM and up to 256 GB of UFS 3.1 native storage. As the name suggests, Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 4G does not support 5G connectivity, while the POCO F3 does. On the other hand, Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 4G has a micro SD slot, while the POCO F3 has no expandable storage.

Camera

The best camera phone of this comparison is the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 4G. While the POCO F3 features a disappointing midrange-class triple camera with a 48 MP main sensor, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 4G has a high-end camera setup with a 12 MP main camera, an 8 MP telephoto sensor with 3x optical zoom, a 12 MP ultrawide camera, and dual OIS. Even the front camera is better with its 32 MP resolution.

Read More: POCO F3 teardown video reveals LiquidCool Technology, X-axis linear motor, & more

Battery

The POCO F3 and the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 4G have the same battery capacity and given that the components are not so different, they feature a similar battery life. With the POCO F3 you get faster charging speeds thanks to a power of 33W, while Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 4G offers wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, unlike the POCO F3.

Price

The POCO F3 has a starting price tag of €369/$450 in the global market, for the base variant with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of native storage. The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 4G costs €669/$815 in the same memory configuration. Overall, Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 4G is a better phone as it features better cameras, wireless charging, and it is waterproof. Unfortunately, the POCO F3 is pretty disappointing in terms of photo quality, if compared to other high-end devices. But the POCO F3 has a way higher value for money due to its very affordable price. You can get it for just €369, €300 less than the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 4G, and you even get 5G connectivity.

Xiaomi POCO F3 vs Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 4G Snapdragon version: PRO and CONS

Xiaomi POCO F3

PRO

Better hardware
Faster charging
Glass back
Splash resistant

CONS

Inferior cameras

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 4G Snapdragon version

PRO

IP68 waterproof
Wireless charging
Better cameras
Aluminum frame

CONS

Higher price

RELATED

Cubot X50 goes official with flagship-grade 64MP Quad Camera

By

Simranpal Singh

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May 10, 2021

Flaunting a flagship-grade quad-camera setup led by a 64 MP main sensor, Cubot X50 is the new smartphone by Cubot. Our first impression – the best camera smartphone at a price affordable to most of the cohorts.

Must See: Cubot KingKong 5 Pro smartphone with 8000 mAh battery now available for $129

Cubot indeed designed it so meticulously that the device is literally stunning to behold. With its 6.67inch FHD+ (1080×2400) display stretching all over the front portion, the X50 offers an immersive viewing experience. As per Cubot, the back cover of Cubot X50 uses the AG frosted glass material. Thanks to the special texture of this glass, not only it makes the phone comfortable to hold by providing a better grip but also makes it fingerprint resistant by imparting a premium look and feel.

Flagship-grade AI Cameras

Coming back to the flagship-grade camera of the Cubot X50, which is the primary selling point of the device. The 64 MP main camera features some neat AI software trickeries, such as the best-in-class night mode which enables the users to capture photographs even in challenging nocturnal conditions. There is also a face beauty mode that can be useful for stellar portrait shots.

The Cubot X50 smartphone is powered by the MediaTek Helio P60 chipset paired with 8GB RAM and 128GB internal storage. Other specifications of X50 include a decent 4500mAh battery, side-mounted fingerprint sensor, biometric authentication, NFC and it runs the latest Android 11 out of the box.

As an early bird promo offer, Cubot is running a giveaway campaign by which you can have a chance to get a Cubot X50 absolutely for FREE. Initially, Cubot is offering the X50 to 10 lucky users as a free trial. You can be that 1 out of the 10 lucky users, so for the same head over to the official website to join the Cubot X50 giveaway.

Related: Deal: Get Cubot C30 for $154.99 (Original Price $200)

Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra on sale with $50 Off Coupon Code and a free charger

By

Simranpal Singh

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May 10, 2021

Giztop is back with a steal deal on Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra. This time around, not only you can avail flat $50 OFF, but also you can take home a free 67W official charger.

Must See: Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra gets MIUI 12.5.4.0 update with DXOMARK camera optimizations

All you’ve to do is go to the Giztop product listing page and apply the special coupon code given below at the checkout. Note that, the coupon code is valid only for few days. So, make sure to grab the deal as soon as possible.

Buy Now

COUPON CODE: XM11U50

If you don’t know much about the latest Mi flagship – Mi 11 Ultra, do check the specification provided below.

Mi 11 Ultra Features

With 6.81-inch 2K E4 AMOLED display at a 120Hz refresh rate, the Mi 11 Ultra boasts one of the best displays in the market. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G SoC with Adreno 660 GPU, the device is a beast when it comes to processing.

In terms of optics, there is a rear triple-camera setup led by a pro-grade 50 MP sensor. While on the front, resides a 20MP AI selfie shooter. It comes with 8GB/12GB LPDDR5 RAM, and 256GB/512GB UFS 3.1 Storage.

Fuelling the device is a 5000mAh battery with support up to 67W fast wired charging as well as 67W wireless charging. It runs the latest MIUI 12 based on Android 11, with full Google Mobile Service support and Google Play pre-installed.

That being said, don’t waste any more time and hit the Giztop to grab the deal.

Related: Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra launched in India for Rs 69,999 (~$933)

Infinix HOT 10T launched in Kenya with MediaTek Helio G70 SoC, 90Hz display, and more

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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May 10, 2021

Last month, Infinix launched two smartphones called Infinix HOT 10S and Infinix HOT 10S NFC in Indonesia. These phones are identical except that the latter device has NFC and a smaller battery. Now, weeks later, the company has released another similar handset called Infinix HOT 10T in Kenya.

Infinix HOT 10T Featured — Infinix HOT 10T

Infinix HOT 10T Specifications and Features

The newly launched Infinix HOT 10T is a mixture of both Infinix HOT 10S and Infinix HOT 10S NFC with a different chipset. In simpler words, the HOT 10T has exactly the same set of specs as the HOT 10S NFC but without NFC, a MediaTek Helio G70 SoC instead of Helio G85 chipset, and only 4GB RAM.

Talking about the common features, the device flaunts a 6.82-inch IPS LCD panel with a resolution of 720 x 1640 pixels (HD+), 90Hz refresh rate, 180Hz touch sampling rate, 20:5:9 aspect ratio, and a dewdrop notch.

Further, the phone sports a triple camera setup on the back consisting of a 48MP main shooter, a 2MP sensor, and an AI lens. Whereas, on the front, it houses an 8MP selfie camera in the notch.

Infinix HOT 10T

1 of 4

On the connectivity front, the handset supports dual-SIM, 4G, dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0, and GPS. It has all the essential sensors, ports, and slots like a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, proximity sensor, compass, ambient light sensor, 3.5mm headphone jack, MicroUSB port, and a dedicated MicroSD card slot.

Lastly, the Infinix HOT 10T runs Android 11-based XOS 7.6 backed by a 5,000mAh battery with support for 10W charging. It can be bought in either of these four colors – 7-degree Purple, 95-degree Black, Morandi Green, and Heart of Ocean.

Infinix HOT 10T Price and Availability

The Infinix HOT 10T retails for the following price tags in Kenya.

4GB + 64GB – Ksh 15,499 ($146)
4GB + 128GB – Ksh 17,499 ($164)

According to Tech-ish, it can be purchased from Infinix-authorized online as well as offline retailers across Kenya. Lastly, the smartphone should hit other markets in the coming days under the same or a different name.

OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z Bass Edition now comes in Black

By

Habeeb Onawole

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May 10, 2021

Last October, OnePlus announced the Bullets Wireless Z Bass Edition earphones. The neckband-style pair of Bluetooth earphones was launched in two colors – Reverb Red and Bass Blue, now a new colorway has been made available.

The new color is called Bold Black and it swaps the red wires of the Reverb Red variant for black. Surprisingly, the buttons on the in-line remote are red like on the other two color variants.

If you are interested in buying this new color variant, you can grab it on the official OnePlus India website for ₹1,999 (~$27), the same price as the other colors.

The OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z Bass Edition has re-engineered dynamic drivers for super bass compared to the standard edition. It connects via Bluetooth 5.0 and supports Fast Pair (supported on the OnePlus 6T and up) and Quick Switch. The latter is a feature that allows you to switch between three paired devices instantly.

Just like the standard version, the bass edition has an IP55 rating and has support for Warp Charge fast charging via USB-C – a 10-minute charge will provide 10 hours of playback. The total listening time on a full charge is said to be 17 hours.

RELATED:

TECNO CAMON 17P, CAMON 17 Pro launched in Nigeria and Kenya

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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May 10, 2021

Transsion brand TECNO has unveiled two more devices in the TECNO CAMON 17 series, namely TECNO CAMON 17 Pro and TECNO CAMON 17P. These two handsets have landed in both Nigeria and Kenya simultaneously. Additionally, Nigeria also gets the TECNO CAMON 17, which made its global debut in Kenya late last month.

TECNO CAMON 17P 17 Pro Featured — TECNO CAMON 17P and TECNO CAMON 17 Pro

TECNO CAMON 17P / CAMON 17 Pro Specifications and Features

The newly launched TECNO CAMON 17P and TECNO CAMON 17 Pro flaunt a 6.8-inch IPS LCD panel with a resolution of 1080 x 2460 pixels (FHD+), 395 PPI, 500 nits peak brightness, centered punch-hole, and 82% screen-to-body ratio. As an added bonus, the display of the Pro model also has a 90Hz refresh rate.

Further, the CAMON 17P is powered by a MediaTek Helio G85 SoC coupled with 6GB RAM and 128GB internal storage. Whereas, the CAMON 17 Pro features a MediaTek Helio G95 chipset paired with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage.

TECNO CAMON 17P

1 of 3

Talking about cameras, both the devices sport a vertically-aligned quad-camera setup on the back with quad-LED flash. The CAMON 17P’s camera array includes a 64MP primary shooter, a 2MP macro snapper, a 2MP depth sensor, and an AI lens. On the other hand, the CAMON 17 Pro’s camera setup consists of a 64MP main sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide unit, a 2MP depth sensor, and a 2MP monochrome sensor.

As far as selfies and video calls are concerned, the former has a 16MP snapper as opposed to a 48MP shooter on the latter. However, both of them come with dual-LED flash on the front.

On the connectivity front, the duo supports dual-SIM, 4G, WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS. Other features include a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, 3.5mm headphone jack, MicroSD card slot, accelerometer, ambient light sensor, compass, and proximity sensor. The CAMON 17 Pro also has stereo speakers.

TECNO CAMON 17 Pro

1 of 2

Both of them are backed by a 5,000mAh battery and run HiOS 7.6 based on Android 11. But the CAMON 17P only supports 18W charging instead of 25W fast charging like the CAMON 17 Pro.

Last but not least, the TECNO CAMON 17P measures 168.67 x 76.44 x 8.82mm in dimensions and comes in three colors (Frost Silver, Magnet Black, Spruce Green). Whereas, the TECNO CAMON 17 Pro measures 168.89 x 76.98 x 8.95mm in dimensions and can be bought in two colors (Dream Silver, Malibu Blue).

TECNO CAMON 17P / CAMON 17 Pro Price and Availability

The TECNO CAMON 17P and TECNO CAMOM 17 Pro will retail for the following price tags in Nigeria.

TECNO CAMON 17P
- 6GB + 128GB – ₦97,000 ($236)
TECNO CAMON 17 Pro
- 8GB + 256GB – ₦130,000 ($317)

Unfortunately, the company is yet to reveal the price for Kenya, as per GizmoAfrica and official social handles.

Additionally, as we mentioned in the beginning, the brand also launched the vanilla TECNO CAMON 17 in Nigeria priced at ₦75,000 ($183). This phone costs KSh 18,899 ($178) in Kenya.

ASUS India defers launch of the Zenfone 8 series due to COVID-19

By

Habeeb Onawole

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May 10, 2021

India is battling with one of the worst outbreaks of COVID-19. With millions of infected citizens and several thousand deaths, a lot of activities are at a standstill. In light of this, ASUS India has announced that it will be delaying the launch of the Zenfone 8 series in the country.

The announcement was made on Twitter by Dinesh Sharma, who is the Business Head Commercial PC and Smartphone, for ASUS India. He said that the launch has been postponed till the situation improves.

While the world is excited for the launch of our new smartphone, we at ASUS India have consciously decided to defer the launch till the current scenario improves. Our thoughts n prayers are with those affected with Covid #stayhomestaysafe, n emerge stronger! #IndiaFightsCOVID19

— Dinesh Sharma (@sharmadinesh) May 10, 2021

ASUS is not the only manufacturer that has had to postpone a launch event due to the pandemic. Realme was supposed to have a launch event on May 4 but announced a week before the event that it has been postponed. A new date is yet to be announced.

The Zenfone 8 series launch will still hold on May 12/May 13 in other countries. ASUS will announce two phones – the Zenfone 8 and the Zenfone 8 Flip. The former is a 5.92-inch smartphone with a punch-hole display and dual rear cameras while the latter keeps the flip camera design of the Zenfone 6 and Zenfone 7 series. Both phones will have a Snapdragon 888 processor powering them and have support for 30W fast charging. They will also run Android 11 out of the box.

RELATED:

HUAWEI Qingyun L410 is the company’s first ARM laptop featuring a Kirin 990 SoC

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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May 10, 2021

Computers based on ARM silicons are touted to be the future. Although there have been multiple Microsoft Windows 10 machines running on ARM chipsets, it is Apple who is leading in this segment despite debuting its initial products late last year. Huawei has been also reported to join this bandwagon since late December 2020. Now, months later, Huawei’s first ARM laptop has been officially listed by a retailer in China.

HUAWEI Qingyun L410 Featured — HUAWEI Qingyun L410

Huawei’s first-ever ARM laptop is called HUAWEI Qingyun L410. This notebook can be only purchased by enterprise and government agencies in China. Above all, the company is yet to officially announce it.

The existence of this laptop was first reported in December 2020. Even months later, Huawei has not officially unveiled it. Instead, the notebook has been listed by eCommerce giant JD (Jingdong).

According to the listings, the HUAWEI Qingyun L410 laptop is powered by an ARM-based HiSilicon Kirin 990 SoC coupled with 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD. It will be available in with OS and without OS variants.

Unfortunately, nothing much is known about this notebook as the listings lack proper description.

HUAWEI MateBook B5-420 Featured — HUAWEI MateBook B5-420

However, according to ITHome, this laptop runs UOS (Unity Operating System), a Linux distro. But it will be updated to HarmonyOS in the future. Also, like most HUAWEI and HONOR-branded laptops, it features a pop-up webcam integrated into the keyboard and a power key with an embedded fingerprint sensor.

Further, the notebook features a metal unibody design with a Deep Space Gray color finish. It flaunts a 14-inch 2K display with a 3:2 aspect ratio and a Shark Fin 2.0 cooling fan to keep the thermals down. As far as dimensions and weight are concerned, it measures 15.9mm in thickness and weighs 1.49kg.

Going by the specs and appearance, the HUAWEI Qingyun L410 seems to be based on yet another enterprise Huawei notebook called HUAWEI MateBook B5-420.

Last but not least, the HUAWEI Qingyun L410 without OS is priced at ¥8,181 ($1,276), whereas the model with OS costs ¥8,944 ($1,395).

Microsoft Windows 10X reportedly shelved, focus shifts to improve Windows 10 experience

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

-

May 10, 2021

During Microsoft’s fall event in 2019, it announced three new products Surface Duo and Surface Neo dual-screen devices, and Windows 10X OS. Initially, the Windows 10X was designed for dual-screen devices, but later it claimed that it will be available for single-screen devices like notebooks. A final-like build of the Windows 10X had leaked earlier this year. Fresh information reveals that the company has reportedly discontinued the Windows 10X OS.

The Surface Duo, which ran on Android OS was met with a lackluster response. The Surface Neo was expected to arrive with Windows 10X onboard. Nothing much was heard about the Neo after Microsoft had claimed in May 2020 that it will be brought to single-screen devices first.

The Windows 10X was expected to offer a simplified experience like the Chrome OS. According to Petri, people familiar with the new developments at Microsoft have revealed that the company has reportedly put the Window 10X OS on the back burner. Instead of it, the company plans to enhance the experience of the Windows 10 OS.

Microsoft is expected to announce a new version of Windows 10 with a refreshed UX later this year. It may offer users a revamped user interface. Reports suggest that while Microsoft may have stopped working on 10X, some of its elements are expected to arrive on Windows 10 later this year.

A Canalys market research revealed that the sales of the Chromebook increased dramatically increased by 265 percent in Q1 2021. Microsoft does need a product to rival the Chrome OS. It remains to be seen whether the new version of Windows 10 will be able to rival Chrome OS.

RELATED:

POCO F3 GT found listed at online retailer site well ahead of launch

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

-

May 10, 2021

The Redmi K40 Gaming edition is expected to launch as the POCO F3 GT in India. Probably, it will launch alongside the POCO M3 Pro 5G, which is also rumored to be in the works for India. While POCO is yet to confirm the existence of these devices, an online retailer has listed the POCO F3 GT with entire specifications and pricing.

The POCO F3 GT’s listing at WelEletronics shows that it is priced at $1,299 (~Rs 95,000). The smartphone is expected to arrive in India with a pricing of around Rs 25,000 (~$341). Hence, it appears that the handset is listed with incorrect pricing. Past reports have revealed that it could be rebranded version of the Redmi K40 Gaming, which was announced recently in China.

POCO F3 GT Welelectronics listing — A screenshot of the POCO F3 GT’s Welelectronics listing

As far as specs are concerned, the POCO F3 GT is listed with the same specs as the Redmi K40 Gaming model. It has a 6.67-inch OLED screen that offers a Full HD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and Gorilla Glass 5 protection. The Dimensity 1200 chipset is present under the hood of the device with 6 GB of RAM.

The listing further states that the POCO F3 GT has a 128 GB UFS 3.1 storage and a microSD card slot for additional storage. The 5,065mAh battery of the F3 GT supports 67W fast charging. The POCO F3 GT has a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. It is unclear whether the device will feature gaming trigger buttons like the Redmi K40 Gaming. It may come with a front-facing camera of 16-megapixel and its rear camera setup may include a 64-megapixel main camera, an 8-megapixel ultrawide lens, and a 2-megapixel macro camera.

In China, the Redmi K40 Gaming is selling with a starting price of 1,999 Yuan (~$312; ~Rs 23,000). Readers are advised to digest the e-commerce listing of the POCO F3 GT with a pinch of salt as its authenticity could not be approved.

RELATED:

Xiaomi to launch a new TWS with ANC on May 13

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

-

May 10, 2021

In the last quarter of 2020, Xiaomi launched a pair of truly wireless earphones called Mi Air 2 Pro in China. The main highlight of this product is the presence of ANC (Active Noise Cancellation). Now, seven months later, the company is teasing yet another TWS with ANC.

Earlier today, the official Xiaomi Smart Life Weibo account posted a teaser render of an upcoming pair of truly wireless earphones. Unfortunately, the picture only showcases the rear side of the TWS’ charging case.

Also, both the image and the post do not reveal much about the product. All they say is that the charging case of these new ANC-equipped wireless earbuds from Xiaomi will flaunt the company’s new logo. The firm also claims that this product is designed in line with the new ‘Xiaomi’ logo.

This audio accessory could be called ‘Mi Noise Reduction Pro’ (translated) in China, as per the hashtag used in the teaser post. Last but not least, these earbuds will be launching on May 13.

Although not much is known about this product as of today, we expect to learn more about it before its official release later this week. Above all, information about these earbuds should come from this very same Xiaomi Smart Life Weibo account in the form of teasers in the next few days.

Xiaomi Mi Pad 5 is not launching soon, claims tipster

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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May 10, 2021

Recent reports have claimed Xiaomi is working on the Mi Pad 5 series of tablets. Some rumors have claimed that it will be launching this month. However, Redmi’s Product Manager Wang Teng Thomas was recently seen telling a Weibo user that the Mi Pad 5 lineup is expected to launch in the second half of the year. Hence, there is a possibility that the device may not launch until July. Today, reliable tipster Digital Chat Station also claimed that it won’t be launching soon.

Last month, a Xiaomi device was spotted with model number M2105K81C was spotted at the IMEI database last month. According to the tipster, it could be the topmost model in the Mi Pad 5 series. He had previously claimed that the new tablets from Xiaomi will debut this month. However, he is now claiming that it will take some for the Mi Pad 5 family to launch.

Past reports have claimed that the K81C model is equipped with an 11-inch LCD panel that supports 2560 x 1600 pixels resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a 480Hz touch sampling rate. The Snapdragon 870 chipset could be powering the chipset with a battery of around 8,720mAh capacity.

For security, it may feature a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. It is expected to offer users software features like dual-screen mode, drag and drop, handheld PC mode, and parallel windows.

There seem to be two more variants of the K81C such as K81 and K81A. These are reportedly codenamed Enuma and Elish, respectively. There is another model with K82 at the ending of its model number. The K82 variant is expected to feature Snapdragon 860 (855+) or 855 chipset.

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Lenovo YOGA Pad Pro to launch on May 24

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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May 10, 2021

The Lenovo YOGA Pad Pro is in the news for quite a while now. Ahead of its official release, the company has been teasing its specs and features on Weibo. The world’s largest PC maker has now revealed the product’s launch date as well.

Lenovo YOGA Pad Pro Featured 03 — Lenovo YOGA Pad Pro

The upcoming Lenovo YOGA Pad Pro will be a high-end Android tablet from the company. It is expected to be accompanied by a mid-range tablet called Lenovo Xiaoxin Pad Plus and another premium tablet called Lenovo Xiaoxin Pad Pro 2021.

The official Lenovo YOGA account posted a teaser for the YOGA Pad Pro on May 7 on Weibo. This post highlights the tablet’s display. Above all, the company also revealed the launch date of the tablet in this post’s comment section.

A Weibo user replied to the said post enquiring about the launch date of the YOGA Pad Pro. Surprisingly, the official Lenovo YOGA account responded that the product will be launching on May 24. Although these comments were posted on May 7, the day when the post went live, the incident was only reported yesterday (May 9) by ITHome.

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Additionally, we even checked the Lenovo Xiaoxin official Weibo account. But unlike the YOGA handle, this one dodged a similar inquiry in its latest teaser post for the Xiaoxin Pad Plus.

Anyway, going by the teasers, all three upcoming Lenovo tablets, namely Lenovo YOGA Pad Pro, Lenovo Xiaoxin Pad Pro 2021, and Lenovo Xiaoxin Pad Plus could launch on the same day (May 24) itself.

To know more about these tablets, click on their respective names listed below.

LG Innotek to sell LED patents and equipment to Chinese company

By

Jeet

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May 10, 2021

LG Innotek, a company that makes smartphone parts such as mini vibration motors, LCD modules, light-emitting diode (LED), camera modules, protection circuit modules, and more is selling patents and equipment related to its LED business to a China-based LED company, reports The Elec.

As per the report, the South Korean company will clean out equipment related to LED at its Paju pant within one month. The company will be handing over more than 10,000 patents related to LED to the Chinese firm.

By selling the patents, the company will not only receive money but will also be saving around 1 billion won in maintaining those patents. It is being said that LG initiated talks to sell its LED patents and equipment for 100 billion won in a turn-key fashion.

On the other hand, the Chinese company will be making profits in the LED business given that it can rely on subsidies given by the local government. It will also be able to offer more products in the market.

LG had invested heavily in the LED business, especially in the Ultraviolet (UV) LED area which is likely the reason for the deal to go through. Experts believe that LG could have licensed the UV LED patents instead of selling them.

For those who are unaware, South Korea-based LG Innotek had decided to exit the LED business in October 2019 and had attempted to sell its LED facilities in China and South Korea in the second quarter of 2020 but those business talks were delayed mainly because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Samsung reportedly planning to launch new smartphones in August this year

By

Jeet

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May 10, 2021

Samsung has regained the top spot in the global smartphone market and now to strengthen its position as a market leader, it seems that the South Korean giant is looking to launch new smartphones in August this year.

As per the report coming from Korea, Samsung is currently in talks with local network carriers related to the launch of its new smartphone models in the coming months, including the Galaxy S21 FE, Galaxy Z Fold 3, and Galaxy Z Flip 3.

If this report turns out to be true, then the company will be launching the smartphones earlier than its usual schedule of launch in September. The devices could fill the gap of the Galaxy Note-series phones that are usually launched in the month of August. Samsung has hinted that the company won’t be launching new Note-series phones this year.

The company had also launched its flagship Galaxy S-series smartphones of the year — the Samsung Galaxy S21 lineup in January, about a month earlier than its usual timeline to take on Apple as its new iPhone 12 series was in demand.

This new report about smartphones launch in August is in line with the previous reports. The Galaxy S21 FE will reportedly go into mass production in July and will be available for purchase a month later. The upcoming foldable smartphones from the company are also expected to launch in August with some new features.

Recently, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 appeared with its SM-F7110 model number on the 3C certification website which shows that the 5G phone may ship with a 15W charger. Nothing more is revealed in the listing but the phone may soon appear in TENAA’s database with more details in the coming weeks. There’s a possibility that the phone may come with support for S-Pen.

According to the report from Strategy Analytics, Samsung was the world’s top smartphone vendor in the first quarter of this year (Q1 2021) with shipments of 77 million units, accounting for a 23 percent market share.

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