Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 bags 3C certification, reveals 15W fast charging

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May 7, 2021

The global coronavirus pandemic that has prevailed since early 2020 has affected sales projections in India’s smartphone market. The market has reportedly taken a dip, especially offline stores and outlets, as consumers continue to get their favorite brand products via numerous online outlets.

Presently, there is a lull in the rate at which smartphone brands open physical retail outlets, as most deployments have been stalled because of the negative growth outlook. Recent sales data show that the Indian smartphone market had experienced a general decline from its performance previously. Still, retail outlets with no online presence bore the brunt of the drop. This has warranted a downward review of the current growth forecasts, according to industry analysts.

A report by Counterpoint Research says the initial market share of offline sales has been downgraded to 55% due to the unimpressive numbers that have been recorded in the past two quarters. It is expected that the projections for the year will be reviewed further downwards, as the pandemic still bites hard on India. Other experts have given a similar outlook for the year.

There had been a gradual shift from the traditional offline sales model to e-commerce, but it seems this was further accentuated by the COVID-19 pandemic that saw much of the world under a forced lockdown for much of 2020. However, the offline retail outlets remain an integral component of the marketing strategy of some established brands in India like Xiaomi, Vivo, and others who continue to expand their physical presence in India through retail outlets. While small and medium shops continue to grapple with survival in the present circumstances, several offline channels have closed shop. This is projected to result in the loss of an estimated 50,000 jobs.

We expect the sales outlook to improve as vaccine rollout improves and the infection curve starts flattening out.

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Xiaomi’s new Redmi Smart TV appears on Google Play Console listing

By

Jeet

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May 7, 2021

Xiaomi, the China-based smartphone maker has also become one of the leading Smart TV manufacturers. The company’s sub-brand Redmi has also started selling TVs in the market it is available and is set to launch a new device.

Now, Mukul Sharma has tweeted information about a new Redmi Smart TV that has appeared on the Google Play Console listing as a part of Google Supported Devices. The device is codenamed ‘tarzen’ and has model number MiTV-MOOQ3.

The listing shows that the TV has support for Full HD screen resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. It is powered by a MediaTek T31 chipset with 2GB of RAM. The device is running the Android 10 operating system, which is the latest for TVs.

However, the screen size of the device is not yet known. Based on the configuration of the upcoming Redmi Smart TV on the Google Play Console, the company is placing the device in the budget category.

It also remains to be seen in which market is the company planning to launch the device but it’s likely that the device could soon get announced in the Indian market. We expect teasers from the company related to this in the coming days or weeks.

So far, Xiaomi has launched only one series of Smart TVs under the Redmi brand in the Indian market — the Redmi Smart TV X series which offers three devices in three different sizes — 50-inch, 55-inch, and 65-inch.

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Samsung develops an innovative I-Cube4 chip packaging technology: Faster & Efficient

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May 7, 2021

Amidst the global chip shortage, leading chipmaker Samsung has announced a new chip packaging technology. Potentially, the new technology could yield more efficient and faster chips using an innovative chip-packing technique. Samsung continues to maintain its leading position globally in the semiconductor space, and the improved technology will help it sustain its leadership of the segment.

The new technology is called I-Cube4 and is an improved hybrid of Samsung’s homegrown I-Cube2 and X-Cube technologies. The I-Cube4 technology was developed in March 2021. It is a 2.5D heterogeneous chip packaging innovation that can be used to place horizontally, multiple dies like the CPU, GPU, and NPU atop a silicon interposer. The arrangement forms a system in which each die will work as a single chip. The fast-evolving technology has been used successfully to combine one logic die, and four High Bandwidth Memory dies on a single chip.

The emerging possibilities for the high-performance chips that could be produced with this technology are numerous. It can be deployed to 5G, cloud, AI, and several applications that require super-fast semiconductors. It will enable faster communication between components of a chip. For example, memory and logic tasks would be accomplished better than the prevalent chip technology.

Samsung is also pursuing other more robust chipmaking technologies as demand for super-efficient chips continues to rise across the industry. According to Moonsoo Kang, a senior executive at Samsung Electronics, the explosion of high-performance applications has led Samsung to provide what he calls a total foundry solution to improve overall performance and efficiency of chips. Samsung is committed to scaling up its production capacity of these super-packaged chips to meet demand expectations.

Although the emerging technology would have certain aspects that would still need improvement, Samsung Foundry believes the materials are durable. There is the potential possibility that the silicon interposer could bend or warp under intense conditions. There are also improvements in the product quality control process to enhance the identification of defective products during the production process.

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Aqara Hub E1 with a USB stick design listed on the Mi Home app

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May 7, 2021

Xiaomi‘s ecological chain company Aqara has over the years carved a niche for itself as a dependable brand for smart home gadgets. The company has grown to become one of the major players in the industry and its products can be found in millions of homes in different regions of the world including the US, China, and Europe among others. The tech company continues to expand its product catalog and seems to be working on launching a new smart home hub.

A device that looks like a new Aqara hub has been spotted on the Mi Home app. The device is listed as Aqara Hub E1 and is basically a Zigbee 3.0 hub that also arrives with HomeKit compatibility. In terms of the design, the Aqara Hub E1 adopts a USB stick design reminiscent of the Mi TV Stick, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and other such products. It has a USB-A plug on one end which can be plugged into any USB port.

Why this sounds interesting is that previous models get their power supply from a regular power supply but this model seems to use any USB port as a power source. We can’t confirm this since the entire specs are yet to be revealed.

The product is only listed on the Mi Home app Mainland China server and isn’t listed on the Aqara app. That is suggestive of the device getting launched in China soon. It may be launched under crowdfunding on Xiaomi Youpin in the coming days. We’ll keep you posted if more details emerge.

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Nubia Z30 Launch Date revealed, Will offer top-notch Photography Experience

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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May 7, 2021

Recent reports have claimed that Nubia is gearing up to launch a new Z-series phone called the Nubia Z30. Leaked renders and key specifications of the Z30 have also surfaced in recent reports. Today, Nubia co-founder Ni Fei took to Weibo today to reveal that the company will be launching the Z30 series of smartphones on May 20. The new Z-series handsets promise a top-notch photography experience.

Mobile photography has always one of the key features of high-end Nubia phones. Fei claimed that Nubia brought the industry’s first camera phone with professional SLR function with pioneering features like multiple exposure, adjustable aperture, star trail shooting, and other functions.

Fei added that the upcoming Nubia Z30 Pro flagship will continue to offer a stellar mobile photography experience. The smartphone will excel at capturing the starry sky, among other photography features. The company is yet to reveal the specs of the Z30 Pro handset.

Nubia Z30 render — Render of the alleged Nubia Z30

It is believed that the Nubia phone with NX667J, which was recently spotted at China’s 3C certification site is the upcoming Z30 series. The 5G phone was spotted with a 120W fast charger. The handset is yet to appear in the database of China’s TENAA certification.

Recently, the rumor mill had leaked render and a live shot of the Nubia Z30 handset. The leaked images revealed that the handset has a full-screen display with curved edges. Probably, it is equipped with an under-screen selfie camera. The rear camera setup of the phone has four cameras that carry support for up to 100x digital zoom. This phone is rumored to be powered by the Snapdragon 888 mobile platform. Hopefully, Nubia will be confirming more features of the Z30 series before the official announcement.

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Xiaomi Mi Pad 5 will pack an 8520mAh dual-cell battery, 3C listing reveals

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May 7, 2021

Xiaomi last updated its tablet lineup in 2018 and so was thought to have abandoned the segment entirely. But in recent times, the company had hinted that it will update its tablet lineup this year. Perhaps spurred by the surge in the use of tablets for e-learning and other purposes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the company is going all out to use a flagship configuration for the tablet lineup.

The Mi Pad 5 has now been certified by China’s 3C, with the listing giving us a glimpse of what to expect on the slate. The listing shows the device will be equipped with a dual-cell battery with a cumulative power of 8520mah. In effect, each of the cells has a capacity of 4260mAh.

Unfortunately, Xiaomi is yet to officially reveal any detail concerning the flagship tablet but the device has kept the rumor mill buzzing. It is rumored to come in two models- the Mi Pad 5 and Pad 5 Pro. The models will be powered by MediaTek Dimensity 1200 and Snapdragon 870 chips, respectively. The Pro version will focus on the high-end tablet market currently occupied by the likes of iPad Pro and Huawei Mate Pad Pro.

The Mi Pad 5 Pro is also expected to be equipped with a 2K resolution LCD screen, which supports a 120Hz refresh rate, a 240Hz touch sampling rate, and also supports 4096-level touch. The Pro version will bring support for the stylus pen.

Further, Xiaomi had earlier disclosed that it will develop an MIUI for Tablet version specifically for tablets. The interface will feature a handheld PC mode and will have a PC-centric interface including the classic start menu and control center.

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Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra gets sold out on first day sale in the UK

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May 6, 2021

The Mi 11 Ultra has made its way to the UK about a week earlier than it was scheduled to go on sale in Europe. The phone which went on sale today for the first time is now sold out.

The Mi 11 Ultra is available in a single configuration with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. There is only one color variant and it is black. With a price tag of £1199, Xiaomi is not offering any free gifts with the purchase, however, you do get double Mi Points. So, for the Mi 11 Ultra, you get 2398 points. Xiaomi says that Mi Points can be used towards offsetting up to 20% off the price of future purchases. Do note that 100 Mi Points is equivalent to £1.

While we wait for the Mi 11 Ultra to be restocked, Xiaomi also has the Mi 11 Lite 5G available for £369, £30 less than its official price. The phone is available in Citrus Yellow, Mint Green, and Truffle Black, and has 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.

The Mi 11 Special Edition (Lei Jun) 5G is also available for purchase for £799 and it has 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Those who order this special edition get a free Mi Watch worth £119.

You will be able to avail these discounted prices and free gifts on the official Xiaomi UK site between today, May 6, and Sunday, May 9.

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Google brings Gboard to Wear OS, says more exciting features are coming

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May 6, 2021

A lot of people will agree that Google’s handling of Wear OS has been very disappointing, to say the least. The operating system which was designed to power smartwatches lags behind when compared to Apple’s own watchOS and Samsung’s Tizen. Things are about to change for the better according to Google and the first step is the announcement of Gboard for Wear OS.

Gboard for Wear OS is said to be the first new app for the operating system in years. The announcement brings a much easier and faster way for users to type. According to Google, Gboard brings multi-language support, scrollable word suggestions, voice input, gesture typing, and a full QWERTY keyboard.

Google seems to have more interesting things in store for Wear OS as it has said that it can’t wait to share the other things it has planned for the operating system this year.

With Google I/O scheduled for later this month, there is a possibility that we may get to learn about these new features sooner rather than later.

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Deal: Buy Xiaomi Mijia 1C Robot Vacuum Cleaner for $184.72

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May 6, 2021

AliExpress is giving out a fantastic deal on Xiaomi Mijia 1C Robot Vacuum Cleaner. The device which generally retails at $295 is available for a heavily discounted price of $184.72 only.

WHERE TO BUY

Xiaomi Mijia 1C Robot Vacuum Cleaner at $184.72 (after discount)@AliExpress

Xiaomi Mijia 1C Robot Vacuum Cleaner comes with the brand new Mi Robot Vacuum Mop Visual Navigation technology with fast calculations and accurate floor mapping. Fitted with the powerful CortexTM Quad-Core processor and VSLAM Algorithm this robot is smart and intelligent enough to perform advanced computing and mapping.

The electronically controlled 200ml water tank controls the water usage and ensures zero leaks and spillage. With both wet and dry mopping functions and auto-recharge and app control features, this device is a one-stop solution for your cleaning needs.

Xiaomi Mijia 1C Vacuum Cleaner Robot usually retails at $295. But as a limited-time offer AliExpress is giving out this device at $184.72 only. The offer is valid only on the EU version and gray color variant. Additional new user coupons and free shipping is available on this deal. So go get your robot vacuum cleaner 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.

Deal: Get Aukey True Wireless Earbuds for $18.89 (Coupon)

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May 6, 2021

Aukey True Wireless Earbud which generally retails for $30 is now available for a discounted price of $18.89 only on Amazon US by using the $10 page coupon.

WHERE TO BUY

Aukey True Wireless Earbuds at $18.89 (After Discount) @Amazon US

Aukey True wireless earbuds come with 10mm enhanced dynamic drivers that deliver rich and crystal clear sound into your ears. This means a great treble for your music and greater clarity on your voice calls.

The earbuds feature a USB-C quick charge port and give you 5 hours of non-stop music with just 1.5 hours of charge and 30 hours of playtime when fully charged. Moreover, with the touch control function, you can easily manage music and calls using the dedicated button on each earbud. Aukey True Wireless Headphone is IPX6 certified water-resistant and comes with Bluetooth 5.0 which gives you a strong and stable wireless connection.

Generally retailing for $30, you can now buy Aukey True Wireless Earbuds for $18.89 only from Amazon US. Please note that this deal is applicable only on the black color variant.

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.

Lenovo gives us an early look at the Xiaoxin Pad Plus, confirms chipset

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May 6, 2021

Yesterday, Lenovo revealed some key specs of its upcoming tablet, the Xiaoxin Pad Pro 2021. It also included some images that gave us a partial look at the flagship tablet. Today, it has shared another press render, this time of its other tablet, the Xiaoxin Pad Plus.

The Xiaoxin Pad Plus will have a smooth soft finish according to Lenovo. The tablet is shown in white with a dual-tone finish in the image but there is a possibility this will not be the only colorway available.

The render also shows that the tablet has dual rear cameras that protrude and Dolby Atmos.

The Xiaoxin Pad Plus will be a mid-range tablet with a Snapdragon 750G processor powering it. Lenovo confirmed the chipset in a reply to a question about the chip inside it. The Xiaoxin Pad Plus is expected to have a 5G modem but there should also be Wi-Fi variants available for those who want.

There is a possibility that the tablet will be sold outside China as the Lenovo Tab M10 5G. This is because the Tab M10 5G’s model number (TB-X607Z) is similar to that of the Xiaoxin Pad Plus (TB-J607Z). However, the former will have a different processor – the Snapdragon 690 – which is also a 5G processor.

Lenovo is yet to announce a release date for the new Xiaoxin Pad tablets neither has it announced when the new Tab M10 5G will be unveiled.

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Samsung Galaxy M11 gets Android 11 (One UI Core 3.1) update

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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May 6, 2021

Samsung launched the Galaxy M11 in the first half of 2020. Since, its debut, the smartphone has received multiple price cuts, at least in India. Almost a year after its announcement, the device has started receiving the Android 11 update.

The Android 11 update for the Samsung Galaxy M11 arrives as One UI Core 3.1. According to a report by SamMobile, this update is currently live in Vietnam.

The latest system update for the South Korean tech giant’s budget smartphone comes with firmware version M115FXXU2BUD8. Apart from bringing Android 11 and the new One UI features, the new update also bumps up the security patch level to April 2021.

Users in Vietnam can head over to Settings > Software update > Download and install to check whether their unit has received the Android 11-based One UI Core 3.1 update. Users in other markets can also try this since they should also get this update in the coming days.

That said, the Samsung Galaxy M11 launched with One UI 2.x based on Android 10. Hence, One UI Core 3.1 (Android 11) is the handset’s first-ever major system update. It is not sure whether this phone will be receiving Android 12 in the future. However, it has been confirmed to get at least four years of security updates.

ZTE’s new enterprise-exclusive Tianji Axon A31 series is based on the Axon 30 series

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May 6, 2021

ZTE has announced a new series of smartphones in China. The Tianji Axon A31 series is based on the Axon 30 series but adds a security chip, support for dual profiles, and is exclusive to enterprise users (government officials, the police, and business professionals).

The Axon A31 series includes the Axon A31, the Axon A31 Pro, and the Axon A31 Ultra. The Axon A31 and the Axon A31 Pro share the same design as the Axon 30 Pro while the Axon A31 Ultra is based on the Axon 30 Ultra. All three phones have support for dual profiles – one for work and the other for personal use. They also have a special security encryption chip.

Unlike the other two models, the Axon A31 is not a flagship and some of its specs are different from that of the Axon 30 Pro. It swaps the Snapdragon 888 processor for the Snapdragon 768G, has a 64MP + 8MP + 2MP + 2MP quad camera, and instead of a 16MP selfie camera, it has a 44MP selfie camera.

The three phones run MyOS 11 based on Android 11.

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OnePlus 6/6T users can finally experience Android 11 courtesy of LineageOS 18.1

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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May 6, 2021

Late last month, OnePlus revealed that Android 11-based OxygenOS 11 Open Beta for the OnePlus 6 and the OnePlus 6T will be released by the end of August. That means the stable update for these smartphones could be arriving after Android 12 goes official. But thankfully, power users of these devices can experience Android 11 right away.

At the end of March, LineageOS 18.1 based on Android 11 went official. The new version of the popular custom ROM brought Android 11 to 76 devices at launch.

Now, more than a month later, developers have released official nightly builds for the OnePlus 6 and the OnePlus 6T. Hence, interested users can try Android 11 on their smartphones without waiting till August for OxygenOS 11 Open Beta.

In order to install LineageOS 18.1, users will have to unlock the bootloader of their phone. Followed by that, they will have to replace the stock OnePlus recovery with a custom recovery like TWRP.

Once done, all they have to do is download the latest available nightly build from the LineageOS official website and install it via custom recovery. Additionally, they will have to install GApps package like OpenGApps for Google apps and services.

Unfortunately, custom ROMs are not for everyone. Hence, if you don’t have any prior experience, it’s better to wait for the official Android 11 update from OnePlus later this year.

Deal: Get Ulefone Armor 8 Pro for $169.99 (Original Price $250)

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May 6, 2021

Ulefone Armor 8 Pro which has a retail price of $249.99 is available for a heavily discounted price of $169.99 only at AliExpress.

WHERE TO BUY

Ulefone Armor 8 Pro at $169.99 @AliExpress

Ulefone Armor 8 Pro is specifically designed for adventure lovers and globe trotters who regularly find themselves in harsh conditions and extreme environments. The smartphone is powered by a MediaTek Helio P60 AI processor and comes with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage space. It features a beautiful scratch and drop-proof, waterdrop 6.1-inch screen and is fueled by a massive 5580mAh battery with 15W fast charging.

The phone comes with IP68/69 and MIL-STD 810G military certification, which makes it waterproof, dustproof, drop-proof, and high temperature and pressure resistant. It features a rear triple camera set up with a 16MP main camera and 5MP + 2MP secondary cameras. As for your selfies, you have a versatile 8MP front-facing camera. With tailor-made shortcut keys and a face ID and fingerprint sensor, the smartphone is easy to use and safe and secure.

Generally retailing at $249.99, you can now buy Ulefone Armor 8 Pro for just $169.99 on AliExpress. Please note that this deal is applicable on the Red, Orange, and Black color variant shipped from the China warehouse. So place your order before this super 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.

Lenovo Tab M10 5G appears online with Snapdragon 690, 6GB RAM, and WUXGA display

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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May 6, 2021

Last month, Lenovo officially confirmed that it will be launching a new tablet called Xiaoxin Pad Plus in China. Additionally, a tipster revealed that the company will be also releasing a 5G variant of this tablet. Now, weeks later, the international variant of the said tablet appears on Geekbench and Google Play Console.

Lenovo Tab M10 5G Google Play Console — Lenovo Tab M10 5G | Source: Google Play Console via MySmartPrice

A new Lenovo tablet called Lenovo Tab M10 5G has been spotted on online databases. The device’s listings confirm some of its specifications.

According to Geekbench, this unreleased tablet will run Android 11 and will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 SoC coupled with 4GB RAM. Whereas, Google Play Console suggests that there will be a 6GB RAM variant as well.

Further, this tablet will sport an unknown-sized display with a resolution of 1200 x 1920 pixels (WUXGA) and 240 DPI. Lastly, the Lenovo Tab M10 5G will come with model number TB-X607Z.

This model number is similar to that of the WiFi-only variant of the Lenovo Xiaoxin Pad Plus (TB-J607Z). Hence, we think the Lenovo Tab M10 5G will be sold as Lenovo Xiaoxin Pad Plus 5G in China.

But there’s a problem with this speculation. Digital Chat Station claims that the Xiaoxin Pad Plus 5G will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G chipset.

Hence, as of now, we can say that there could be two 5G variants of this tablet with different chipsets.

Get Xiaomi Mi 11 5G for $649 from Giztop

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