Caviar’s new custom iPhone 12 Pro honors astronauts Gagarin and Armstrong, and space entrepreneurs, Musk and Bezos

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Apr 20, 2021

Caviar is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the first manned spaceflight with special editions of the iPhone 12 Pro/iPhone 12 Pro Max that honor astronauts Yuri Gagarin and Neil Armstrong; Russian rocket designer, Sergei Korolev; as well as space entrepreneurs, Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos.

The iPhone 12 Pro/iPhone 12 Pro Max Yuri Gagarin editions have aviation-grade titanium bodies with a navigator watch similar to the one the Russian cosmonaut used to track his time in space. There is also a miniaturized version of the Vostok-K rocket on the back. This version of the iPhone 12 Pro has a starting price of $8,920.

The iPhone 12 Pro/iPhone 12 Pro Max Neil Armstrong Edition ditches the colors of the Yuri Gagarin Edition for a monochrome design. Etched on the back of the phone, which is also made of titanium, is a drawing of the astronaut planting the American flag on the moon. The date of the moon landing is also etched on the phone along with a drawing of earth. This special edition has a piece of the Apollo 11 spacecraft and a starting price of $6450. Caviar will be making only 11 units and each unit will have its number engraved on the side of the phone.

The Korolev version looks gorgeous with its infusion of electroplated 999 gold on the titanium back and around the edge which gives it a unique appearance. Engraved on the back are the date the Sputnik launched and the words “The Father of Practical Astronautics” in block letters. There will be 99 units made and the starting price is $6760.

For the Elon Musk version, which starts at $6610, there is also a touch of gold on the back of the phone. There is a silhouette of the founder of SpaceX along with the planet Mars. Engraved along the ring circling the red planet are the words “The Beginning of Mars Colonization” and the date SpaceX was founded. SpaceX is 19 this year and Caviar will be making that exact number of this special edition.

There is also a custom-made version made for a fan of Elon Musk and SpaceX dubbed “Musk Be on Mars” that has engraved on the back a depiction of the Dragon spacecraft lifting off. This version has a starting price of $6910.

For the Bezos edition, the titanium back has a touch of blue and a silver feather that depicts Blue Origin’s logo. It also has etched on the back “Going To The Moon To Stay” a belief that Jeff Bezos. The date, April 29, 2015, which is the date the New Shepard rocket was first flown is also etched on the back. Caviar will make 99 units of the phone and the starting price is $5840

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Huawei is selling some of its flagship phones without a charging adapter in the box

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Apr 20, 2021

Most of the technological features in use on smartphones today may not have been invented by Apple but the brand’s popularity meant that whatever it deploys on its smartphone becomes a trend, the notch design for instance. In the same way, the industry has gradually started adopting Apple’s decision to ship the latest iPhone 12 models without a charging adapter inside the retail box. Samsung and Xiaomi are the notable names that have subsequently implemented the same style by removing the charging adapter from the retail box of their latest flagships.

Well, Huawei has stylishly joined the bandwagon even though no announcement was made in that regard. The company instead quietly released new models of its existing flagship model without the charging adapter inside the box. The company released four new models namely; Huawei Mate X2, Mate 40 Pro, Nova 8 Pro, and Nova 8 on offline stores with the charging adapter absent from the retail box. Users have the option of choosing the version without the charger, or the normal package version. If you are taking the version without the adapter, there is a 200 yuan (~$30) slash off the price.

Apart from protecting the environment, the major reason why Huawei may have toed this line is to conserve its charging IC chips. The company reportedly stocked up some inventories of charging IC chips before the ban was enforced. Thus, it is careful not to run out of supplies. Chinese semiconductor manufacturers are working hard, though, to see that chips, especially the likes of charging IC chips with low process requirements, are manufactured locally.

We expect Huawei to resume full inclusion of the mobile phone adapter inside the retail box when locally manufactured charging IC chips are available.

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3’s battery size revealed through 3C listings

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Apr 20, 2021

It was recently reported by a South Korean publication named The Elec that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 will be arriving with a smaller inner display. It also claimed that the phone will be driven by a smaller dual-battery system. The batteries of the Galaxy Z Fold3 have now appeared in the database of 3C certification (via) through which their capacities have been revealed.

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The 3C listings suggest that the China country variant of the Galaxy Z Fold3 that has a model number SM-F9160 is equipped with a 2215mAh + 2060mAh dual-cell battery. It offers a combined rated capacity of 4,275mAh. The South Korean publication had claimed that the typical value of Z Fold3’s battery could be 4,380mAh. In comparison, the Galaxy Z Fold2 has a 4,500mAh battery

A well-known Chinese tipster claimed that the adoption of a new form structure has reduced the internal space of the Galaxy Z Fold3. The foldable phone is also expected to arrive with an LTPO display with support for refresh rate support. However, with a smaller battery inside, it may not be able to offer a long battery life to its users.

The Galaxy Z Fold2 came with a 7.6-inch display and a 6.23-inch cover display. The Z Fold3 may come with a slightly small screen of 7.5 inches and there may not be any change in the size of the outer screen. Rumors are rife that the Galaxy Z Fold3 will be the company’s first foldable phone to arrive with support for the S Pen stylus. The device may feature a dedicated compartment for storing the S Pen. Reports have also claimed that the Galaxy Z Fold3 will come with an in-display camera as well as an IP rating for protection against damage from dust and water. It is expected to break cover along with the Galaxy Z Flip2 in July.

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Realme RMX3161 spotted with Snapdragon 750G, Could it be Realme 8 Pro 5G?

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Apr 20, 2021

A Realme smartphone with model number RMX3161 was spotted at the TENAA certification platform in February. The listing revealed a few key specifications and images of the device. This mysterious phone has appeared on the Geekbench benchmarking platform (via) to reveal its processor and RAM capacity.

The Geekbench listing reveals that the Realme RMX3161 is powered by a Qualcomm chipset, which is codenamed as “lito” and a base frequency of 1.80GHz. The source code of the listing revealed that it has Adreno 619 GPU. These clues suggest that the RMX3161 is powered by the Snapdragon 750G chipset.

The RMX3161 is equipped with 8 GB of RAM and it runs on Android 11 OS. In the single-core and multi-core tests of Geekbench, the handset recorded 657 and 1940 points, respectively.

The TENAA appearance of the smartphone revealed that the device has 162.5 x 74.8 x 8.8mm dimensions and it has a 6.5-ich punch-hole display. The device was found to be equipped with a 4,880mAh rated battery and a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. The rear image of the phone revealed that it is equipped with a quad-camera setup. The RMX3161 has also been previously spotted at the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), which indicates that it could be also heading to the European market.

Realme RMX3161 TENAA images — TENAA images of Realme RMX3161

Some vague reports have claimed that the Realme 8 Pro 5G could be powered by the Snapdragon 750G chipset. Hence, it appears that the RMX3161 could be the Realme 8 Pro 5G. In China, this phone may arrive with a different moniker. As far as the Realme 8 5G is concerned, it is expected to arrive as the rebranded version of the Dimensity 700 powered Realme V13 5G, which debuted in China last month. The Realme 8 5G series of smartphones are set to debut in Thailand on April 21.

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Fitbit Luxe challenges the OPPO Band Style for the most elegant fitness tracker crown

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Apr 20, 2021

Google-owned Fitbit has a new fitness tracker and this one is for the fashionistas. The Fitbit Luxe comes shortly after the kid-focused Fitbit Ace 3 that was announced last month. The new fitness tracker focuses on appearance and arrives as a challenger to the OPPO Band Style, another fitness tracker that has an elegant design. Is the Fitbit Luxe a worthy challenger? Let’s find out.

First, the Fitbit Luxe comes in at $149.95 which is well above the Rs 2,999 (~$40) launch price of the OPPO Band Style. We already know Fitbit products are not cheap compared to the competition but the almost $150 price tag includes a six-month subscription to Fitbit Premium which costs $9.99 per month.

With the price out of the way, let’s look at what makes the Fitbit Luxe luxurious. Fitbit says this is its thinnest touchscreen tracker yet. The device has a stainless steel case and a metal buckle and is available in four colors including a $199 special edition that has a Parker Link Bracelet from the jewelry brand, gorjana. Fitbit is also offering different straps that you can buy for the tracker. There are leather straps, steel mesh straps, and a platinum stainless steel gorjana link bracelet.

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The Fitbit Luxe has a color AMOLED touch display that automatically adjusts its brightness based on your environment. It has 24/7 heart rate tracking, and with the Fitbit app, you can monitor metrics such as breathing rate, resting heart rate, heart rate variability, and Sp02 level (even when sleeping). A Fitbit Premium subscription will allow you to get a detailed breakdown of your stress management score and sleep score.

The Fitbit Luxe can track 20 different exercise modes (automatic detection supported) including swim tracking, but note that not all the bands are designed to be immersed in water.

The fitness tracker will measure all your steps, distance, and calories burned. It also has menstrual health tracking, on-wrist guided breathing sessions, and support for calls, texts, and app notifications. It also has a timer and stopwatch and a Do Not Disturb mode to mute calls and notifications during the day and a Sleep Mode to mute all notifications and turn off the screen when sleeping.

The new Fitbit has a 5-day battery life which is less than half of the 12-day battery life the OPPO Band Style boasts of. It also skips on built-in GPS like OPPO’s fitness tracker but you can connect it to your phone for real-time pace and distance on your wrist.

The Fitbit Luxe is already available for pre-order but there is no specific date for when it will be available. The special edition with the gorjana bracelet will be available in June.

RELATED:

OPPO Band Style with an AMOLED display, blood-oxygen monitor launched in India

Microsoft xCloud is coming to iOS and PCs tomorrow but as limited beta

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Apr 19, 2021

Last December, Microsoft announced that its game streaming service Xbox Cloud Gaming a.k.a. xCloud will be coming to iOS and PCs this year. It has now been confirmed that the service will be available starting tomorrow.

xCloud is Microsoft’s version of game streaming services such as NVIDIA’s GeForce Now and Google’s Stadia. The service was available only on Android devices but will now be available for iOS devices (iPhones and iPads) as well as Windows PCs. Owners of these devices will be able to access the service by going to www.xbox.com/play on their web browsers (Chrome, Edge, or Safari).

While this is good news for those who have been waiting for ages to try out the service, Microsoft is making it an invite-only beta to hose with an existing Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription. So only those who are invited will be able to play. Catherine Glucstein, the head of xCloud said in a press statement that “Our plan is to iterate quickly and open up to all Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members in the coming months so more people have the opportunity to play Xbox in all-new ways.”.

Invites will be sent out continuously to players across the 22 countries where the service is available. Those who receive an invite need a compatible Bluetooth or USB-connected controller or can use custom touch controls for more than 50 games. You can see a list of supported controllers here.

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Flash Deal: Get Wavlink Outdoor Repeater for $78.35 (Original Price $130)

By

Daily Deals

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Apr 19, 2021

Attention Readers!

AliExpress is giving an amazing flash deal on Wavlink AC1200 Outdoor Repeater. The repeater which generally retails for $130 is now available for just $78.35 after discounts on AliExpress.

WHERE TO BUY

Wavlink AC1200 Outdoor Repeater at $78.35 (after discount)@AliExpress

Wavlink AC1200 Outdoor repeater comes with 7Dbi high power antennas that give you a 360-degree diffusion range with an omnidirectional high power signal reception and transmission. This means you can easily achieve full WiFi coverage.

Moreover, with next-generation 802.11AC Wi-Fi technology, the repeater operates on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz up to 1200 Mbps which lets you connect multiple devices simultaneously with dual bands thereby giving you a seamless and stable connection for HD streaming and Gaming.

The extender comes with a variety of safety features like water protection, lightning protection, dust, wind, heat protection, etc which keeps the device safe from the outdoor elements. And with a built-in firewall using advanced encryption, the device also ensures the safety and privacy of your data.

Generally retailing for $130, you can now buy Wavlink AC1200 Outdoor Repeater for $78.35 after discounts at AliExpress. Please note that this flash deal ends on 25 April 2021, 11.59 PM PT. So get your discounted extender 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.

Super Deal: Get IMILAB Baby Monitor for $32.99 (Original Price $70)

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Daily Deals

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Apr 19, 2021

If you are in the market for a baby monitor then check out this awesome deal on IMILAB IP 016 Baby monitor. The monitor which generally retails for $70 is now available for a heavily discounted price of $32.99 only.

WHERE TO BUY

IMILAB IP 016 Baby monitor at $32.99 (after discount)@AliExpress

IMILAB IP 016 Baby Monitor comes with an advanced baby crying detection feature. The device comes with an audio identification function through which the camera can identify the mood of the audio/voice of your baby and determine when the toddler is crying. Moreover, it sends you an immediate push notification with a 10sec video clipping of the baby in distress.

The Baby Monitor also features a real-time two-way audio function which allows you to not only hear your child but also talk to him/ her. With a 360-degree viewing angle, you are in complete control of the baby’s environment and with free cloud storage you don’t have to ever worry about missing out on even a single minute of your baby’s footage.

Compatible with Mijia App, IMILAB Baby Monitor generally retails for $70. But for a limited period, AliExpress is giving this device for $32.99 only. Please note that this price is applicable only on the base variant ordered from the China Warehouse. Price may change according to variant and shipping 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: Get CamShield Pro case for Xiaomi Mi 11 at $9.88

By

Daily Deals

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Apr 19, 2021

If you are in the market for a strong and durable phone case/cover for Xiaomi Mi 11 then check out this deal on Nillkin CamShield Pro Case for Xiaomi Mi 11. The case which usually retails for $11 is now available for $9.88 at AliExpress.

WHERE TO BUY

Nillkin CamShield Pro Case for Xiaomi Mi 11 at $9.88 @AliExpress

Nillkin CamShield Pro case is specifically designed to fit Xiaomi Mi 11 perfectly. The case is manufactured using the accurate cutouts molded by the original phone. Moreover, CamShield Pro comes with a camera slide cover that protects your precious lenses from dirt and damage.

The phone case which sports a classic texture and is soft and delicate to touch comes in two standard colors viz: Black and Blue. Generally retailing at $11, you can now buy Nillkin Camshield pro for $9.88 only at AliExpress. So grab your discounted case while the stock lasts.

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.

Get Discounts and Offers on OnePlus TVs via The Cricket Season Deal

By

Daily Deals

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Apr 19, 2021

Attention all Indian Readers!

Keeping the IPL season in mind, for all the cricket fans in India, OnePlus has brought out amazing deals on the Oneplus TV series.

OnePlus TV Q1 Series:

OnePlus TV 55Q1 (4 Speakers)

Retail Price: ₹69900 Deal Price: ₹62900

KEY FEATURES:

4K Ultra HD Resolution
4 HDMI ports + 3 USB ports
Connect Set Top Box, gaming console, hard drive, USB pen drive, etc.
Dolby Atmos Sound System, Full range dual speakers with dual subwoofers
55” QLED 120% NTSC Display with a Bezel-Less Design
Works with Google Assistant and Alexa
OnePlus Connect Mobile Sync and control
Built-In Wifi and Chromecast.

OnePlus TV 55Q1 PRO (8 Speakers)

Retail Price: ₹99900 Deal Price: ₹84900

KEY FEATURES:

4K Ultra HD Resolution
4 HDMI ports + 3 USB ports
Connect Set Top Box, gaming console, hard drive, USB pen drive, etc.
Dolby Atmos Sound System, Full range four speakers with dual subwoofers and dual tweeters.
55” QLED 120% NTSC Display with a Bezel-Less Design
Works with Google Assistant and Alexa
OnePlus Connect Mobile Sync and control
Built-In Wifi and Chromecast.

OnePlus TV Y Series : (₹500 discount)

OnePlus TV Y 32 inches

Deal Price: ₹14999

KEY FEATURES:

HD Resolution
2 HDMI ports + 2 USB ports
Connect Set Top Box, gaming console, hard drive, USB pen drive, etc.
Dolby Audio Sound System
32” LED Display with a Bezel-Less Design
Works with Google Assistant and Alexa
Built-In Chromecast.

OnePlus TV Y 43 inches

Deal Price: ₹25499

KEY FEATURES:

Full HD Resolution
2 HDMI ports + 2 USB ports
Connect Set Top Box, gaming console, hard drive, USB pen drive, etc.
Dolby Audio Sound System
43” LED Display with a Bezel-Less Design
Works with Google Assistant and Alexa
Built-In Chromecast.

Please note:

Customers can avail all the abovementioned offers from OnePlus.in, Amazon.in, Flipkart, as well as offline stores.
The OnePlus Cricket Season Deal is valid from 16 April 2021 to 24 April 2021.
No Cost EMI is available on the OnePLus TV Q, U, and Y series across all the above-mentioned platforms.
Additional discounts and offers are available on the use of SBI Card – Credit card as well as EMI facilities to purchase the OnePlus TVs under this deal.

With the current pandemic situation, work from home and stay at home have become the new norm. However, you can make your homestay a little interesting and happening with the OnePlus TV. So grab your discounted TV asap, before the deal expires.

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

Grab Daybetter Smart LED Strips (50ft) with WiFi Control for $16.99

By

Simranpal Singh

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Apr 19, 2021

Daybetter Smart LED Strips with smart controls capability are on sale via Amazon. The company is offering a massive $19 discount on the actual retail price of $35.99. It measures 50ft in length and supports multicolour diodes which can be controlled wirelessly via WiFi and other smart speakers. It is the most affordable LED lighting strip that is available on Amazon for $16.99.

Must See: Grab the Koogeek Smart LED Strip 70% off deal while it lasts (coupon)

Daybetter Smart LED Strip supersedes the other LED strips due to several advantages. There are around 270 LEDs that are present on the 50ft strip. Furthermore, it can be controlled in multiple ways.

Advantages of Daybetter Smart LED Strips

Triple Control – The ability to remotely control is termed as luxury and the strips offer three different ways for wireless control. It can be easily managed by Tuya Smart app, IR remote and via the control box. The app can be linked with Google Assistant and Alexa for voice support. Moreover, the native app offers features such as multiple scene Modes, a Timer function, 16 million colours and much more. The remote and control box are also handy when your smartphone is inaccessible. Make sure to select ‘Apply Coupon’ option to get a discount.

Voice Control – The Daybetter Smart LED strips to offer hands-free voice control with Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant. The user can pair the Daybetter service via app to control the LED strip via voice commands. The LED strip supports Power on/off, adjust brightness, and change colours voice commands.

50ft Strip Light – There are two 25ft strips that can illuminate any room or space. It can be a perfect choice for a children’s bedroom, living room, work space, or if you need ambient lighting.

Music Sync – The light offers music mode which enables the lights to amplify and change colours on the basis of the music that is playing. The user can control the sensitivity of the mic.

High-Quality – The LEDs are capable of 50000 hours of lifespan which ensures the quality.

Furthermore, the user can easily schedule and decorate the room. You need to follow some instructions which connecting it for the first time.

It is an exciting deal for the users who want to lighten up their spaces with ambient lighting. Daybetter LED strip is on sale for $16.99 via Amazon, but make sure to Apply Coupon on the page for a discount. Hurry up!

Related: Motorola G40 Fusion, Moto G60 India launch date is April 20, Specs revealed

Samsung Galaxy A31 starts getting the One UI 3.1 (Android 11) update

By

Balaji S

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Apr 19, 2021

Samsung is updating the Galaxy A31 to Android 11 update after bringing it to a lot of other devices. The update brings the latest UI and Android features to one of the best-selling phones of January 2021.

An OTA update with firmware number A315NKSU1CUD3 is rolling out to the users of Galaxy A31(SM-A315N) in South Korea. Weighing about 2.03GB, the update brings One UI 3.1 based on Android 11 to the device.

Samsung launched the Galaxy A31 in March of 2020 and it ran Android 10 OS with One UI 2.0 on top. The latest One UI 3.1 update brings several improvements to the device compared to the last version.

In fact, One UI 3.1 has revamped UI, Private Share, GPS location data removal on Images, more Lock screen widgets, Background Video Calling, improved stock apps, and more, over the One UI 3.0.

Also, it brings the Android 11 features like one-time permissions, app permissions auto reset, chat bubbles, conversations section in the notification area. You can read over extensive coverage to know more about the same.

Galaxy A31 is available in other markets including India. Since the update has now started rolling in South Korea, expect the update to expand to other regions sooner than expected. Speaking of which, the Galaxy A31 was originally scheduled to get this update only by June 2021.

However, Samsung has jumped the gun and has once again performed exceptionally well in supporting older devices. That’s not all, as the device is expected to receive Quarterly security updates for quite some time as per the Samsung webpage.

If you are living in South Korea, you can try out the new update by navigating to Settings > Software update > Download and install.

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Honor product manager reveals a new Honor Play phone is coming in May

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Apr 19, 2021

Honor is expected to stick to its product lineup back from when it was a subsidiary of Huawei. That makes sense considering these phones already have a huge following. Among the popular ones is the Honor Play series, and a company executive has revealed that a new model will arrive next month.

The info was revealed by Wei Xiaolong, the product manager for the Honor Play series, in a Weibo conversation. According to him, the next-gen Honor Play smartphone is coming as soon as next month. He also added that the new phone will have support for fast charging.

Last year, Honor announced the Honor Play4 and Honor Play4 Pro. The standard model launched as a budget 5G mid-range phone with a Dimensity 800 processor, a 64MP quad-camera setup, and a 4300mAh battery with support for 22.5W fast charging.

The Honor Play4 Pro, on the other hand, launched as a flagship phone with a Kirin 990 5G processor under the hood. It has dual front-facing cameras, a 40MP dual rear camera, and a 4200mAh battery that has support for 40W fast charging. The phone also has an IR temperature sensor near the rear cameras that can be used to measure the temperature of people and objects.

It is important to state that Honor also released the Honor Play4T and the Honor Play4T Pro, both of which are 4G smartphones.

We are not sure yet if there will be two Honor Play models planned for release this year or just one. However, what we are most excited about is the chipset that will power the device(s). Will the new Honor Play be the first Honor phone with a Snapdragon processor this year? Time will tell.

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Volvo to supply its XC90 model for Didi’s Robotaxi fleet in China

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Apr 19, 2021

Didi has announced plans to configure Volvo’s XC90 SUVs for its new fleet of autonomous vehicles to be deployed on Chinese roads. The global Robotaxi rollout of the ride-hailing app, which acquired Uber China in 2016, is in line with its business development strategy. The company continues to make investments in deploying autonomous vehicles to Chinese public roads.

Volvo is owned by Chinese automaker Geely, since its acquisition in 2010. The Swedish automaker has a track record of safety and luxury in vehicle manufacturing. Didi will leverage this by combining its self-driving system, called Gemini, with Volvo’s safety and convenience features to produce a car that will no longer need safety drivers, with a backup to bring a car to a halt in situations of system failure.

Didi also offers a range of mobility services and added services like financial services to its drivers, and continues to expand. The company recently flagged its initial public offering of $100 billion, targeting research to enhance and expand its mobility service portfolio to include the driverless XC90 SUVs already customized for autonomous driving.

As should be expected, there is stiff competition in the world’s largest auto market for self-driving vehicles. The Robotaxis was pioneered by AutoX a couple of years ago, and some other companies have entered the market, offering a variety of services to a wide array of customers. Huawei last week also signaled its desires in the market with the unveiling of its homemade HarmonyOS operating system, thus opening new vistas in self-driving and autonomous vehicle development in China.

RELATED:

(source)

Samsung Display starts production of smartphone display panels in India: Report

By

Balaji S

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Apr 19, 2021

A report by Economic Times says that Samsung Display has started making smartphone display panels in India. The company, which is a Display arm of Samsung, already makes more than 70% of displays for TVs, mobiles, tablets, etc. in Asian countries like China, Vietnam, and South Korea.

Citing people familiar with the matter, the report says that South Korean giant has started making smartphone display panels at a facility in Noida, UP, from April 2021. This move is said to offer jobs to 500 people directly and to about 1,300 people indirectly.

This comes months after reports of India offering financial incentives to Samsung for setting up a Display factory in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Indian govt has been taking a lot of measures to ensure the country remains a Manufacturing hub of the world.

The South Asian country recently approved a $1.02 billion incentive to boost local manufacturing and reports say that it is also mulling chip makers to start local production. Anyway, the Samsung Display has invested about 4,825 Crores INR(~$653 million) for the relocation of mobile and IT display production units from China to India.

Samsung will get about 250 Crores INR from the state UP govt as financial provisioning for this project for 5 years and about 460 crores INR from the Centre’s Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing Electronic Components and Semiconductors.

Speaking of production, Samsung is said to expand this display making to other peripherals like monitors and other IT products in the future. This move is a step forward in boosting local production, make in India initiative, and benefit from the PLI scheme too.

The company is said to be the only one of the 15 approved handset makers to have met the targets for the PLI scheme 2020-2021. Apparently, the target was making mobile phones with an invoice value of INR 15,000 (around $200).

RELATED:

Huawei unveils the Arcfox Alpha S, an HarmonyOS-powered EV co-developed with BAIC

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Apr 19, 2021

Huawei has made a bold statement in its pursuit of a foothold in the EV market with the launch of its electric vehicle with the HarmonyOS operating system last weekend. The launch was followed up yesterday with the unveiling of five automated driving solutions deployed in cars later this year.

The product launch is a culmination of the Chinese tech giant’s investment in autonomous vehicles and EV research and development, grossing over $1 billion. As the company continues to expand beyond tech hardware and gadgets, it is already a global leader despite sanctions by the United States and its allies. Huawei seeks to become a significant player in the EV and self-driving segment of the industry by providing innovative solutions and partnerships that produce its electric vehicle in collaboration with BAIC.

The two versions of the Arcfox Alpha S EV unveiled at the weekend are co-developed by Huawei’s intelligent automotive solutions arm; and BAIC Group’s Arcfox. They are both high-end luxury electric vehicles fitted with Huawei’s homegrown HarmonyOS.

According to Wang Jun, president of the automotive arm of Huawei, the company has formed extensive partnerships and cooperation with several automakers and industry partners in its quest to continue to extend its expertise to the automotive industry. Huawei will focus on providing solutions to automakers rather than manufacturing the car itself, as it feels it can create a niche for itself in that segment.

The implication of the deployment of the HarmonyOS operating system in EVs provides exciting possibilities for EVs in terms of innovation and quality.

The Huawei EVs cost 388,900 yuan (~$59769) and 429,900 yuan (~$66,070) respectively, and reflect Huawei’s diversification outside its core business portfolio. The vehicles have a range of about 708km on a full charge, which is higher than the range of the Tesla Model Y which has a range of 594 km.

Huawei has a few other partnerships with automakers apart from BAIC Group. Chongqing Changan Automobile and Guangzhou Automobile Group are also collaborating with the 5G global leader to develop autonomous and automated vehicles.

RELATED;

(source)

Samsung to skip the ToF sensor again on the upcoming Galaxy S22: Report

By

Balaji S

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Apr 19, 2021

Samsung launched the Galaxy S10 back in 2019 with a ToF sensor. Later, the company continued it till the Galaxy S20 series but ditched it on the Galaxy Note 20 and the 2021’s Galaxy S21 series. Now, a report by ETNews says that the company will do the same for the upcoming Galaxy S-series (Tentatively: Galaxy S22).

samsung galaxy s21 featured — Representative image: Galaxy S21

Apple’s LiDAR sensors work similar to the Time of Flight sensors on Samsung and help in depth information like distance measurement. Its prowess is showcased more in areas of AR, VR apps, and games.

However, the difference between Samsung and Apple in the past was that the former used an indirect ToF sensor which works well only when the light is strong enough. The Depth Vision ToF sensors on the Galaxy S20 series had a range of 3 meters while Apple made sure they cover as long as 6 meters.

This led to a lot of inaccuracy and eventually, Samsung removed it last year. This year, it continued the momentum and as quoted in the report(via Sammobile), a Samsung executive says that users are happy with the camera features on the Galaxy S21 and hence, there’s no need for a ToF lens on the successor(probably Galaxy S22).

Either way, it’s too early to talk about the Galaxy S22 series right now considering we are just three months past the Galaxy S21 launch. However, we can expect the company to reveal them around the Q1 of 2022.

RELATED:

Samsung Galaxy Jump gets spotted at the Google Play Console

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Apr 19, 2021

Earlier this year, Samsung announced the Galaxy A32 5G smartphone in Europe. It appears that the company is now gearing up to launch a variant of the phone with the Galaxy Jump moniker. Tipster Mukul Sharma revealed that this phone is now listed in the Google Supported Devices. Also, this device has also appeared in the database of Google Play Console.

The Google Supported Devices list shows that the Samsung phone with SM-A326K model number will be released as the Galaxy Jump. The image of the phone reveals that it will sporting a waterdrop notch screen.

The Google Play Console listing revealed that it supports an HD+ resolution of 720 x 1339 pixels and a pixel density of 300ppi. The phone is loaded with Android 11 OS and it is powered by the Dimensity 720 chipset, which is mentioned as MT6853V/NZA in the listing. The SoC is coupled with 6 GB of RAM and the Bluetooth SIG certification of the device had revealed support for Bluetooth 5.0. It is speculated that the Galaxy Jump could be a phone designed for the South Korean markets.

The other details like the battery details and camera configurations of the Galaxy A32 5G are not known yet. It remains to be seen whether there are any differences between the Galaxy A32 5G and Galaxy Jump.

The Samsung Galaxy A32 5G features a 6.5-inch IPS LCD screen with support for 720 X 1600 pixels resolution, Dimensity 720, up to 8 GB of RAM, up to 128 GB of storage, and a 5,000mAh battery with 15W fast charging support. It has a front camera of 13-megapixel and a 48-megapixel + 8-megapixel + 5-megapixel + 2-megapixel quad-camera system.

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Get $20 OFF on OnePlus 9R at Giztop (Coupon)

By

Daily Deals

-

Apr 19, 2021

Giztop is giving $20 Off on the OnePlus 9R via coupon code: OP9R20. So the smartphone which is retailing at $549 can be now bought for $529 only.

WHERE TO BUY

OnePlus 9R at $529 (after discount)@Giztop

OnePlus 9R is powered by Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) chipset and comes with a 6.55-inches 120Hz Fluid AMOLED display. The smartphone features a rear quad camera setup with a 48MP main camera and 16MP + 5MP + 2MP secondary cameras. The front sports a 16MP selfie camera.

OnePlus 9R comes in three storage variants viz: 8GB + 128GB , 8GB + 256GB, 12GB + 256GB and is fueled by a 4500mAh battery and supports 65W Super Warp charging. Retailing at $549 you can now buy the OnePlus 9R for a discount of $20 via coupon code: OP9R20. Please note that this discount is applicable on both the Black and Blue color variant. So order your discounted OnePlus 9R before the deal expires.

Please note that the above-mentioned price is only for the base variant. The final price may vary according to the variant and shipping cost.

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

Counterpoint: Tecno overtakes Samsung to lead African smartphone market, Xiaomi doubles its share

By

Habeeb Onawole

-

Apr 19, 2021

Transsion Holdings has been the market leader in Africa for a while now with its three brands Tecno, Itel, and Infinix. The combination of these three brands gives it the largest market share in the continent. However, 2020 was the first time one of its brands actually took the top spot and overtook Samsung.

According to a Counterpoint report, Tecno toppled Samsung to claim the top spot in 2020. The smartphone brand saw its market share rise to 18% even though the market experienced a 6.7% drop in smartphone shipments YoY. The report revealed the COVID-19 pandemic also disrupted the market in the first half of 2020 with the second quarter being the worst as countries went into lockdown. However, by July, sales significantly improved. The market even recorded a 1.5% gain YoY in the fourth quarter of the year.

Samsung who had a market share of 18% in 2019 saw it drop to 15% in 2020 no thanks to issues with supply chain due to the pandemic and a slow reaction towards the end of the year. Things should get better for Samsung this year as it has already launched its new Galaxy A smartphones in multiple markets in the continent.

Itel, another Transsion Holdings brand takes the third spot with a market share of 12%. Itel offers more affordable phones than its sister brands Tecno and Infinix. You wouldn’t be wrong to call its lineup entry-level and as we can see, that segment has helped it enter the top three.

Huawei still keeps the fourth spot in Africa despite the challenges it is facing. Counterpoint says the first three quarters were strong but its shipments declined significantly in the fourth quarter. We can attribute that to the trade ban which has prevented it from getting components and thus affected the launch of new models in the market. Its market share has dropped from 10% to 8% and is expected to drop even further as things haven’t improved this year even with the new U.S. administration.

Infinix, the third Transsion Holdings brand closes the top 5 with a market share of 7%. Counterproint reports that they recorded strong market gains in the second half of the year and it is the transsion brand with the highest average selling price. However, it has begun to lower its prices based on market realities and is expected to grab a larger share of the market this year.

Xiaomi saw its market share double from 2% in 2019 to 4% by the end of 2020. Its shipments increased by 126% YoY, thanks to increased sales in key markets such as Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, and Nigeria. Xiaomi is also said to be expanding its offline presence in the continent and by directly managing channels, it should record an increase in market share this year. Xiaomi has already announced its Redmi Note 10 series in key markets like Nigeria where they will slug it out with Samsung’s new Galaxy A series smartphones.

OPPO also doubled its market share from 2% to 4% and saw its shipments grow 57% YoY. It made its entry into the continent a few years ago and has already recorded success in markets such as Egypt and Algeria. OPPO is also building its offline channels and is partnering with key operators in the continent.

Apple and HMD Global (Nokia) both retain their 1% market share. The latter hasn’t recorded significant success in the continent, no thanks to better offerings at lower prices from the competition. Another name on the list is Realme who didn’t have a market share in 2019 but now controls 1%. The brand is yet to launch in some markets such as Nigeria but we won’t be surprised if they do so this year.

Counterpoint also revealed that most of the sales recorded, over 80% to be specific, come from smartphones in the sub-$200 category and that trend is expected to continue. 5G smartphones are not popular yet in the region and will most likely not be in the next few years since deployment is yet to commence in several countries, nevertheless, a few 5G devices are already being sold.

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