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Boston Dynamics’ Spot deployed by the French Army in combat drill for reconnaissance

The French Army has recently deployed a group of robots in the simulation of a combat mission held in a military school. The robotic dog named Spot, produced by US robotics manufacturer Boston Dynamics was among several robots deployed for offensive and defensive missions in collaboration with military school students. According to the school’s commandant, Jean-Baptiste Cavalier, the two-day training exercise provided an opportunity for the organizers to measure the added value that robots introduce into combat actions. The combat exercises saw Spot carrying out reconnaissance missions.Boston Dynamics

The robots used for the combat exercise were given to the French Army by Shark Robotics and Nexter Group. Boston Dynamics has said that it was aware that its robot Spot was being used for military exercises but was unaware of the present combat exercise’s details. The combat drills consisted of various offensive and defensive missions that were simulated by the students first without using robots and then using the robots.

The combat exercise analysis showed that the robots were a bit slower on their tasks than the students, and Spot was reported to have run out of battery life in the middle of a mission. However, the robots kept the troops safer, thus justifying their possible deployment in actual combat operations. The current exercise reflects the growing use of robots for military applications, bound to enhance and modify the way the military operates in actual combat situations.

We have read stories of Spot being deployed for other activities but this is the first time we are coming across a combat deployment. Boston Dynamics had previously produced several robots used in military applications, though, both offensive and defensive. The company has, however, gradually transformed into a robotics manufacturer of non-military-grade robots. It recently launched its proprietary and easy-to-deploy robot with a versatile robotic hand and mobility for packing and unpacking loads in warehouses. The robot has the ability to work on its batteries for several hours on a full charge.

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LG will reportedly supply OLED TV panels to rival Samsung starting from Q2 2021

In the most unambiguous indication yet of the unfolding shift away from LCD technology for its TV panels, reports say Samsung has agreed on terms with LG to supply OLED TV panels. Multiple independent reports monitored in South Korea indicate that Samsung will buy one million OLED TV panels from its rival and market leader, LG’s display subsidiary beginning from the second quarter of 2021.LG

Officials from both companies reportedly met recently to finalize the deal that could see up to four million OLED TV panels supplied to Samsung by 2022. While LG has been having some challenges coping in some areas of its business model, outsourcing, and even shedding off some businesses, it continues to wax strong in the Display business. Sony, Hisense, and Vizio are some of its famous customers. The growing demand for its OLED TV panels has seen it expand its production capacity, with up to 8 million units expected to come out of its plants this year.

The past few years have seen Samsung scaling down its LCD panels’ production for most of the current Samsung TVs. It has had to maintain sustainability amidst the growing popularity of cheaper brands with comparable quality. Besides, since Samsung exited the OLED display market a few years back, it has continued to develop alternative technologies, some of which adorn some recent high-end TV products launched by the South Korean electronics giant. These include Quantum Dot OLED (QD-OLED) and MicroLED TV panels, although the prototype TV using the QD-OLED technology reportedly had low brightness issues.

Even though multiple independent sources have reported on the new deal between Samsung and LG, both companies are yet to confirm the story at this time. Samsung has dismissed the reports as unfounded.

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(source)

 

Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+ with BLE & UWB technology hits the global market

Samsung has again provided an intelligent solution to finding lost items with the launch of the Galaxy SmartTag+ for the global market. The device was announced in January this year alongside the Galaxy SmartTag but the launch was revealed to be later in the year while the SmartTag went on sale immediately. Earlier this month, the device was listed for pre-order in the US by retailer B&H Photo. Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+

The Galaxy SmartTag+ features advanced technology to assist users in locating tagged objects without any hassles quickly. The device can be attached to items prone to be misplaced, like your bunch of keys and several other everyday things, and you’re sure of locating the item quickly whenever you’re searching for them, using the SmartThings Find service on your smartphone.Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+

The Galaxy SmartTag+ uses both Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and ultra-wideband (UWB) technology to precisely map the tagged object’s location. It then deploys augmented reality (AR) technology to visually guide the user to the object’s location using the smartphone’s camera. The AR Finder on the smartphone gives you the distance from your tagged object and gives you directions until you are close to the object. A buzzer can be activated on the SmartTag+ to notify you when you are at a touching distance from the object.Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+

The UWB technology implemented on the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+ has set the current tag ahead of its predecessors, as it can precisely pinpoint the location of things and reduce the stress of still searching for the object even when you’re in its vicinity. The Executive Vice President of Samsung’s Mobile Communications arm, K. J. Kim, notes that Samsung will continue to explore UWB technology throughout the Galaxy ecosystem and find new ways to leverage the technology to improve people’s everyday lives in comfort and convenience.Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+

The Galaxy SmartTag+ will also help you locate your lost item even when it’s far away. Using the app, you can easily find the missing object. Samsung has provided an exciting approach to help you get back your device, using the resources of nearby tags and the Samsung server.

The Bluetooth range is about 120m, although this is greatly limited when there are obstacles ahead of the object. The SmartTag+ will only work on Android 8.0 or above and a minimum RAM capacity of 2.0GB. Also, location tracking must be activated through the SmartThings Find service of the app, and the SmartTag+ can only work with Galaxy devices with UWB technology.

The Galaxy SmartTag+ will be available from April 16 in select markets globally but it would be available in the US in the coming weeks.

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MIUI 12.5 update confirmed for Xiaomi Mi 8 series, MIX 3, and MIX 2S

Xiaomi began the rollout of stable MIUI 12.5 for flagship devices in China recently and it is expected to expand up to 28 devices soon. Meanwhile, Xiaomi executive has confirmed that the MIUI 12.5 will also arrive on older devices like Xiaomi Mi 8 series, MIX 2S, and MIX 3.

Xiaomi rolled out the MIUI 12 update for the Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S and MIX 3 back in August 2020. The devices, which didn’t make the cut in the Android 11 eligible devices list, are said to get the MIUI 12.5 update as per the Xiaomi executive Zhang Guoquan’s post on Weibo.

He says that the MIX 2S has Snapdragon 845 chipset and the engineers have worked on the MIUI 12.5 on its update together with MIX 3. Speaking of which, the MIX 3, which also has Snapdragon 845 chipset, launched with MIUI 10 while the MIX 2S came with MIUI 9 out of the box.

Hence, the MIUI 12.5 will be the fourth MIUI update for the MIX 2S while the MIX 3 will get it as a third major update. It is appreciable of Xiaomi to support older flagships despite them going past the software support period.

Moving on, Zhang said that along with the MIX devices, the Xiaomi Mi 8, Mi 8 Explorer Edition will also get the MIUI 12.5 update. These devices got their last major MIUI 12 update in July and August 2020 respectively.

That said, Zhang hasn’t mentioned the 5G version of the Mi MIX 3 5G which got the direct update to MIUI 12 in September. But, we can expect it to be on the roster. What is uncertain is the update rollout date for the above-mentioned devices.

Zhang says that the update will come a little later after the company finishes the pending projects and ensures the test build is free of bugs. So, don’t expect the intermediate MIUI 12.5 on them anytime soon.

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Lenovo GeekPro 2021 launched with up to Intel i7-11700F CPU and NVIDIA GTX 1660 SUPER GPU

Lenovo has launched the GeekPro 2021 gaming desktop in China. The latest edition comes with a similar cabinet as its predecessor GeekPro 2020 but with upgraded internals. Let us take a look at its specs, features, price, and availability.

Lenovo GeekPro 2021 Featured 01

Lenovo GeekPro 2021 Specifications and Features

The newly released Lenovo GeekPro 2021 looks identical to its forerunner, however, it features new internals. Unlike the previous model, which is available in three variants, this one only comes in two variants.

The cheaper version houses an Intel Core i5-11400F processor paired with a 4GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER GPU. On the other hand, the costlier variant features an Intel Core i7-11700F processor coupled with a 6GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER GPU.

Apart from the above-mentioned dissimilarities, both the variants have the exact same specs. They come with 16GB DDR4-2933 RAM, 256GB NVMe PCIe SSD, and 1TB 7200RPM HDD.

On the connectivity front, they support dual-band WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0. As for ports, they sport a headphone and microphone combo jack, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A, and 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A on the front.

Whereas, on the back, they sport a headphone jack, 1 x HDMI, 1 x VGA, 1 x Gigabit Ethernet, and 4 x USB 2.0 Type-A. Additionally, the GPU on the i5 variant has 2 x DisplayPort (DP) and HDMI, whereas the GPU of the i7 variant includes a DisplayPort (DP), Digital Visual Interface (DVI), and HDMI.

Lastly, both the variants of Lenovo GeekPro 2021 come with RGB on the front, Microsoft Windows 10 Home Chinese Edition, 310W ES power supply, 3-year warranty, and door-to-door service.

Lenovo GeekPro 2021 Price and Availability

The Lenovo GeekPro 2021 retails for the following price tags in China.

  • i5-11400F + GTX 1650 SUPER – ¥5,199 ($793)
  • i7-11700F + GTX 1660 SUPER – ¥6,999 ($1,068)

Unfortunately, there’s no official word on international availability.

 

 

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Alleged new renders of Apple iPad mini 6 leaked

Yesterday, we saw alleged dummy images of the upcoming iPad mini model. It showed that the display had thick bezels, a physical Home button, and a design similar to the predecessor. However, we have received new renders of the iPad mini 6 and the renders tell us a whole new story.

Alleged iPad mini 6 render

The renders of the Apple iPad mini 6 we received were from an anonymous source so we aren’t sure if it’s 100% legit. Anyway, talking about them, the alleged images seem to be listings for a screen protector of the iPad mini 6.

Unlike the images leaked before, we see construction that has a more boxy design with somewhat sharp edges and not curvy edges on the back. Also, these resemble the iPad Pro 2020 and the latest iPhone 12 series design language.

We see a Power button at the top, volume buttons to the right. Upfront, the selfie camera is tucked inside the bezels and not present underneath the display inside the punch-hole. Speaking of which, the renders are quite different from the one we saw in January.

That older report said that the iPad mini 6 would have punch-hole display upfront and host an in-display fingerprint sensor(Touch ID on display). Contrary to this, a report by a Japanese website Mac Otakara said that iPad mini will emanate iPad Air 3 design, continue to have Touch ID on the home button which is clearly missing on the new renders.

So far, reports say that the iPad mini 6 will feature either 8.5-inch or 9-inch display out of which 8.4-inch seems to be most likely. Either way, it will be an upgrade from the 7.9-inch screen on the iPad mini 5. And unlike the ‘Pro’ version, Apple will probably release this model with the lightning port in 2021.

Apple brought the Touch ID on the power button with the iPad Air 4 last year and it is still unclear which of the options Apple would choose for iPad mini 6. Lastly, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that an iPad mini, alongside a new ‘Pro’ model, is coming with a mini-LED display but there are no further reports on the same.

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Giveaway: Win 3 Conico Video Doorbells

Gizmochina along with Conico is conducting 3 Conico Doorbell Camera ($70.99 on Amazon)as a giveaway gift to 3 lucky readers. Like always, you just have to follow the steps mentioned on the Gleam widget to get a chance to win these amazing gifts.

conico doorbell camera

Conico Doorbell Features:

  • 【Smart Motion Detection & 2-Way Audio】The Conico Wi-Fi video doorbell camera adopts the most advanced motion sensor, which can detect the moving human activity within 10 meters. You can use the mobile app to talk to the person who rings the doorbell in real-time, or a pre-recorded 30-second voice message to quickly respond when you are inconvenient.
  • 【Battery & Two Ways Storage】Conico Video doorbell camera has a built-in 6700mAh rechargeable battery, which can be used for 1 ~ 2 months when fully charged.
  • 【1080P FHD & IR Night Vision】wifi video doorbell camera own 166 Degree Wide View Angle protects could protect your home in real-time 24 hours. Wireless Doorbell Camera could quickly capture people in the detection range even at night with 1080P full HD technology and infrared night vision.
  • 【2.4G Wi-Fi & IP65 Waterproof】Smart video doorbell camera connects with 2.4GHz Wi-Fi (not support 5GHz Wi-Fi). Wireless doorbell camera can be used perfectly in any weather conditions with IP65 Weatherproof design.
  • 【Easy to install 】Follow the setup steps in the manual, you can quickly install Conico wireless doorbell camera in 3 minutes.

How to enter this giveaway? Just follow this step:

First, visit Gizmochina’s Youtube channel and subscribe.

The winner will be posted on Gizmochina’s twitter and Gizmochina’s Facebook, so please follow us on Twitter and Facebook, so that you don’t miss the winner announcement.

Terms & Conditions:

1. The giveaway is an international giveaway.
2. We are not responsible for lost shipments.
3. We are not responsible for any duties, import taxes that you may incur.
4. We reserve all rights to make any changes to this giveaway.
5. The prize will be shipped in a month when the giveaway ends.

Just follow the steps mentioned in the Gleam widget to participate in the giveaway.

Once again, good luck.

Giveaway: Win 3 Conico Doorbell Camera

Lenovo YOGA Duet 2021, YOGA Pad Pro, Xiaoxin Pad Plus key specs revealed ahead of launch

The world’s largest PC maker Lenovo has confirmed to launch not one but three new tablets in the coming days. These products are Xiaoxin Pad Plus, YOGA Pad Pro, and YOGA Duet 2021. Apart from revealing their names, the company has also teased some of their specifications. But it did not announce when they will be officially unveiled.

Lenovo YOGA Duet 7i Featured
Lenovo YOGA Duet 7i (aka Lenovo YOGA Duet 2020)

Lenovo Xiaoxin Pad Plus

This is the first time we are hearing about the Xiaoxin Pad Plus. According to the official Lenovo Xiaoxin Weibo account, this WiFi-only tablet with model number TB-J607Z will run Android 11. The company did not mention anything else about it.

Since last year’s Xiaoxin Pad and Xiaoxin Pad Pro are sold as Tab P11 and Tab P11 Pro in global markets, we can expect this one to launch as a Tab P series tablet outside China. This device has been already listed on the Android zero-touch enrollment page.

Lenovo YOGA Pad Pro

Unlike the previous tablet, we know some of the key specs of the Lenovo YOGA Pad Pro. This WiFi-only tablet will bear the model number YT-K606F. It will run ZUI 12.5 based on Android 11 in China with support for Lenovo One.

It has been also confirmed to feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 SoC coupled with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. According to the device’s Google Play Console listing, it is expected to sport a 13-inch 2K display with a resolution of 1350 x 2160 pixels and 240 DPI.

Last but not least, this tablet will be sold as Lenovo YOGA Tab 13 in global markets.

Lenovo YOGA Duet 2021

The Lenovo YOGA Duet 2021 will be the successor to the YOGA Duet 2020, which is sold as YOGA Duet 7i in global markets. It will be identical to its predecessor except for the processor.

This upcoming 2-in-1 Windows machine will be available in Intel Core i5-1135G7 and i7-1165G7 variants paired with up to 16GB DDR4-3200 RAM and 1TB M.2 2242 SSD.

 

 

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Redmi’s gaming phone with Dimensity 1200 may launch this month

The Realme Neo GT was recently announced in China as the first-ever smartphone powered by the Dimensity 1200 chipset. Reports have revealed that Redmi is also working on a gaming-focused phone powered by the same chip. A reliable tipster seems to have claimed that the Redmi phone with D1200 chip may debut by the middle or at the end of this month.

Past reports have revealed that the upcoming Xiaomi phone with model number M2104K10C is the Redmi phone with Dimensity 1200 chip onboard. This model is yet to appear in the database of China’s TENAA and 3C certification platforms.

The handset is said to be codenamed Ares and it is likely to sport a quad-camera system headlined by a Sony IMX686 64-megapixel main lens. At present, there is no other information available on the specs of the device.

Redmi gaming phone with Dimensity 1200 coming this month

The Indian variant of the phone with model number M2104K10I was recently spotted in the country’s IMEI database. The listing revealed that this device is likely to arrive in India with a POCO branding. Since the Dimensity 1200 is expected to offer a flagship-grade performance like the Snapdragon 870, this device may possibly debut as an F-series flagship. However, it is advisable to wait for further reports to confirm whether China’s Dimensity 1200 powered Redmi phone will be rebadged as a POCO smartphone in India.

The Realme GT Neo is selling in China with a starting price of 1,799 Yuan (~$275). It is likely that the upcoming Redmi phone with D1200 could be rivaling the GT Neo with similar pricing.

There is another Xiaomi phone with an M2103K19PC model number waiting in queue to debut in China. While it is expected to arrive with specs like a 90Hz LCD screen, a 48-megapixel primary camera, a side-facing fingerprint scanner, and a 5,000mAh battery with 22.5W fast charging, its final product name is under wraps. This device is also expected to get rebranded as a POCO phone in India.

HONOR X20 tipped to feature MediaTek Dimensity 1200 SoC

HONOR X series of smartphones used to compete with the Redmi Note series. But unfortunately, with the Huawei ban, last year’s HONOR X10 did not make it to the global markets. Now, as we are approaching the anniversary of its launch, details about its successor HONOR X20 have started popping up.

Honor X10
HONOR X10

According to a leakster (@馬然熊猫) on Weibo, the upcoming HONOR X20 will be powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 1200 SoC. This piece of information comes from the same person who recently tipped the key specs of the vivo X70 series and the alleged vivo NEX 5.

Unfortunately, he did not say anything else about this forthcoming handset. According to a previous report, the HONOR X20 will be a mid-range phone like its predecessors.

For those unaware, last year, HONOR made changes to the X series branding. The number in the name is now preceded by X. Also, the HONOR X10, which is still being sold in China is the first device in the series with 5G connectivity.  

The highlights of this handset include a pop-up selfie camera like its forerunner HONOR 9X, HiSilcion Kirin 820 SoC, 9 5G bands, and a 40MP Sony IMX600y RYYB sensor.

If the upcoming HONOR X20 is indeed powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 1200 chipset, then it could be one of the cheapest phones with this SoC. It will likely compete with the recently launched realme GT Neo and the upcoming Redmi gaming smartphone.

 

 

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(Via)

Realme 8 5G series to launch on April 21 in Thailand

Last month, Realme announced the Realme 8 and Realme 8 Pro smartphones in India. Today, Realme’s Thailand wing officially confirmed today that the Realme 8 5G series will be launching in Thailand on April 21.

The teaser video showcases the rear design of the Realme 8 5G. It is likely that the company will be releasing more teasers of the Realme 8 5G and Realme 8 Pro 5G before the launch event, which will be held at 6 PM (local time) on April 21 in Thailand.

A new Realme phone with an RMX3241model number was certified by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) authority of Thailand. This phone has also been approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) authorities in the recent past.

While the BIS certification did not reveal any specification of the Realme 8 5G phone, its FCC listing revealed that it measures 162.25 x 74.8 x 8.5mm and it weighs 185 grams. The FCC certification also confirmed a few other details such as Realme UI 2.0 based Android 11 OS, dual 5G, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth, GPS, GLONASS, BDS, and a 5,000mAh battery.

Speculations are rife that the Realme 8 5G will be equipped with the Dimensity 700 chipset. It is speculated that it could be arriving as one of the most affordable 5G phones from the brand. Nothing much is known about the Realme 8 Pro 5G. Rumors surrounding it have claimed that it could be equipped with the Snapdragon 750G. A recent leak claimed that the Realme 8 5G and Realme 8 Pro 5G will be breaking cover on April 22 in India. The country is also expected to receive another phone called the Realme 8i.

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Google Pixel 5a 5G rumors about discontinuation refuted by Google

A reliable tipster recently claimed that Google has been canceled the Pixel 5a smartphone due to the chip shortage issue. Soon a report by Android Central appeared stating that the Pixel 5a 5G will get a limited release in the U.S. and Japan, and it will not realize in other regions. Google quickly debunked the rumor about Pixel 5a’s cancellation by saying that it will be launching the Pixel 5a 5G smartphone.

A Google spokesperson speaking to 9to5Google refuted the rumors by saying, “Pixel 5a 5G is not canceled. It will be available later this year in the US and Japan and announced in line with when last year’s a-series phone was introduced.” The official statement not only confirms the arrival of the smartphone but also reveals that it will carry support for 5G connectivity. However, it is unclear whether there will be another model with only 4G LTE support.

Google Pixel 5a render by Steve Hemmerstoffer
Google Pixel 5a render by Steve Hemmerstoffer

It is interesting to see that Google’s spokesperson has specifically mentioned the US and Japan as the only two markets that will be receiving the Pixel 5a 5G. Last year, the Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 were made available in limited markets and it seems that the upcoming Pixel 5a 5G could be will available in just two markets.

Past reports have claimed that the Google Pixel 5a could be debuting in June. A recent report claimed that the Pixel 5a could be coming to India since it has been certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Probably, the country could be treated with the 4G edition of the device. Nothing much is known about the specifications of the Pixel 5a. Early renders of the smartphone have revealed that it will look a lot like the Pixel 4a 5G.

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Legion Duel 2 vs Asus ROG Phone 5 vs Black Shark 4 Pro: Specs Comparison

The gaming phone niche became wide enough to give gamers a lot of choices. Four brands released top-tier gaming phones in 2021: Nubia, Lenovo, Asus, and Black Shark. The latest one is the Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2, packing some very innovative features such as the side-mounted pop-up camera and a new advanced cooling system involving physical fans. But is the Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 the most impressive gaming phone you can actually buy or the concurrence has a few better alternatives on the paper? Let’s find it out through a specs comparison between Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2, Asus ROG Phone 5, and Black Shark 4 Pro!

Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 vs Asus ROG Phone 5 vs Xiaomi Black Shark 4 Pro

 

Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 Asus ROG Phone 5 Xiaomi Black Shark 4 Pro
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT 176 x 78.5 x 9.9 mm, 259 grams 172.8 x 77.3 x 10.3 mm, 238 grams 163.8 x 76.4 x 9.9 mm, 220 grams
DISPLAY 6.92 inches, 1080 x 2460p (Full HD+), 388 ppi, AMOLED 6.78 inches, 1080 x 2448p (Full HD+), 395 ppi, AMOLED 6.67 inches, 1080 x 2400p (Full HD+), 395 ppi, Super AMOLED
PROCESSOR Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, octa-core 2.84 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, octa-core 2.84 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, octa-core 2.84 GHz
MEMORY 12 GB RAM, 256 GB – 16 GB RAM, 512 GB 8 GB RAM, 128 GB – 12 GB RAM, 256 GB – 16 GB RAM, 256 GB 8 GB RAM, 256 GB – 12 GB RAM, 256 GB – 16 GB RAM, 512 GB
SOFTWARE Android 11, ZUI Android 11, Rog UI + Zen UI Android 11, Joy UI
CONNECTIVITY Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax/6e, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS
CAMERA Dual 64 + 16 MP f/1.9 and f/2.2
44 MP f/2.0 front camera
Triple 64 + 13 + 5 MP f/1.8, f/2.4, and f/2.0
24 MP f/2.5 front camera
Triple 64 + 8 + 5 MP f/1.8, f/2.2, and f/2.4
20 MP f/2.5 front camera
BATTERY 5500 mAh, fast charging 65W or fast charging 90W 6000 mAh, fast charging 65W 4500 mAh, fast charging 120W
ADDITIONAL FEATURES Dual SIM slot, 5G, triggers, RGB logo, side-mounted pop-up camera, physical cooling fans Dual SIM slot, 5G, AirTriggers, RGB logo, reverse charging Dual SIM slot, 5G, physical gaming triggers

Design

The design is not very important when it comes to gaming phones, but the position of the various gaming-related elements is. All the phones offer either pressure-sensitive or physical triggers on the borders and/or on the rear side of the device, which is a very useful feature for advanced gamers. But the Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 has more. Another interesting feature of the Lenovo gaming phone is the side-mounted pop-up camera: it is very useful if you are a YouTuber or you want to stream your games. Further, all the components which generate heat on the Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 are placed at the center, far from your hands while you play in landscape mode. On the other hand, the design of the Asus ROG Phone 5 offers compatibility with more external accessories. But the Black Shark 4 Pro is the most elegant one with its punch-hole display.

 

Display

Do you need the most advanced display in terms of image reproduction? Go for the Asus ROG Phone 5 without thinking twice. Its AMOLED display is able to show up to one billion colors. On the other hand, the Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 features a wider panel (6.92 inches) and a way higher touch sampling rate (720 Hz!) which is definitely more useful for gamers. All the phones come with a 144 Hz refresh rate and a Full HD+ resolution.

 

Specs & Software

Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2, Asus ROG Phone 5, and Xiaomi Black Shark 4 Pro are all fueled by the Snapdragon 888 mobile platform, so you actually get the same flagship-class performance level. They all feature up to 16 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1, but you should note that only the Black Shark 4 Pro and the Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 have configurations with 512 GB of internal storage. The phones are all based on Android 11 but the Asus ROG Phone offers an important additional feature: it gives you the chance to switch to stock Android from a customized user interface.

 

Camera

These handsets are not camera phones and you should not expect a high photo quality from them. However, they offer pretty nice midrange cameras. The Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 is the most surprising because it features an amazing 44 MP front camera: as mentioned above it is side-mounted, a great feature for streamers. When it comes to the rear cameras, these phones are more or less at the same level with their 64 MP main sensors.

 

Battery

The Asus ROG Phone 5 has the biggest battery with a 6000 mAh capacity. However, it has the slowest fast charging technology with “just” 65W. The Black Shark 4 Pro features whopping 120W fast charging, but it has the smallest battery with a capacity of 4500 mAh. The Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 sits in the middle with a 5500 mAh battery and 90W fast charging (if you use two cables).

 

Price

Asus ROG Phone 5 is priced €799/$950 in its base variant in the global market, Black Shark 4 Pro did not hit the European market (it starts from €516/$614 in China), and Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 starts from €799/$950 as well. Which phone would you pick?

 

Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 vs Asus ROG Phone 5 vs Xiaomi Black Shark 4 Pro: PROs and CONS

Asus ROG Phone 5

PROs

  • Gorilla Glass Victus
  • Great display
  • Huge battery
  • Better connectivity
  • Several compatible accessories

CONS

  • Price

 

Xiaomi Black Shark 4 Pro

PROs

  • Faster charging
  • Physical gaming triggers
  • Good price
  • Borderless display

CONS

  • Smaller battery

 

Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2

PROs

  • Side-mounted pop-up camera
  • Great front camera
  • Cooling fans
  • Triggers
  • Wider display

CONS

  • Dimensions

 

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Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 tipped to launch on April 27, price leaked

Exactly a month ago, Roland Quandt of Winfuture.de leaked the entire specs of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 4. Now, he is back with the launch date and price of the upcoming laptop.

According to the report, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 will launch on April 27. While the uncertainty of it launching via an event or a press release continues, here are the leaked prices of the 13.5-inch and 15-inch variants:

Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 Price (Expected):

  • Surface Laptop 4 (13.5-inch)

    • Intel Core i5
      • 8GB + 512GB – 1499 euros
      • 16GB + 512GB – 1699 euros *
    • Intel Core i7
      • 16GB + 512GB- 1899 euros
    • AMD Ryzen 5 SE
      • 8GB + 256GB- 1149 euros
      • 16GB + 256GB- 1399 euros
    • AMD Ryzen 7 SE
      • 16GB + 512GB- 1799 euros*
  • Surface Laptop 4(15-inch)

    • Intel Core i7
      • 16GB + 512GB- 1999 euros
      • 32GB + 1TB- 2699 euros*
    • AMD Ryzen 7 SE
      • 8GB + 256GB- 1499 euros
      • 8GB + 512GB- 1699 euros
      • 16GB + 512GB- 1899 euros

*- The prices of certain variants may vary with different regions due to the currency conversion and taxation difference in the respective countries.

Note: ‘SE‘- Surface Edition processor

We had predicted earlier that the Surface laptop 4 might start at the same $999 as the predecessor. In line with that, Roland says that there are base models with Intel Core i5 / AMD Ryzen 5 SE processors, 8GB RAM, 128GB storage.

Although its European price is unknown, the Intel Core i5 model is likely to sell for $999 in the USA.

Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 Specifications and Features(Expected)

As mentioned above, the Surface Laptop 4 is said to come with milled aluminum chassis and two sizes- 13.5 and 15-inch models. Accordingly, the 13.5-inch will likely measure 308 x 223 x 14.5 mm and weigh 1.31kg(Intel), 1.25kg(AMD) while the 15-inch will measure 339.5 x 244 x 14.5 mm and weigh 1.54kg(Intel).

The display on the 13.5-inch model will have a resolution of 2256 x 1504 pixels while the 15-inch will have 2496 x 1664 pixels. However, both the devices would have 3:2 format, 10-point multi-touch, pixel sense display, 201 PPI.

Under the hood, the Intel variants will feature Core i5-1145G7 / Core i7-1185G7 processors paired with Iris Plus Graphics 950 graphics while the AMD Ryzen editions will have ‘SE‘ processors like the Ryzen 5 4680U(max frequency boost- 4.4GHz)  / Ryzen 7 4980U paired with Radeon Graphics.

As for the memory variants, the laptops will probably have either 8GB/16GB/32GB RAM and 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB PCIe NVMe SSD storage options. Other expected features include Surface Connect, USB A, USB C ports, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, 49WHr, and Windows 10 Home OS.

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Super Deal: Buy Xiaomi Mijia T100  Electric Toothbrush for $9.99 (Original Price $18)

Banggood is giving out Xiaomi Mijia T100 Sonic Electric Toothbrush for $9.99 only.

WHERE TO BUY
Xiaomi Mijia T100 Sonic Electric Toothbrush at $9.99 @Banggood

 

xiaomi mijia toothbrush

Xiaomi Mijia T100 sonic electric toothbrush features a vibration frequency of 16500 rpm and a 360-dimensional cleaning function which helps you to clean every nook and cranny of your teeth. The mini head made with imported high-quality soft bristles helps to clean the hard-to-reach areas and dual brushing modes help to meet your different dental needs. 

xiaomi mijia toothbrush3

The electric toothbrush comes with a 2 minute stop and 30-sec zone change reminder that helps you to clean all the different zones of your teeth and stop brushing after 2 minutes.  The toothbrush can last up to 30 days with one single charge and the light and compact design make it easy to carry in your pouch or travel case. 

xiaomi mijia toothbrush1

Generally retailing at $18, Xiaomi Mijia T100 Sonic Electric Toothbrush is now available for $9.99 only at Banggood. The deal is applicable on Blue, White, and Pink color variants ordered from the China warehouse. 

Please note that this super deal expires in the next 11 days. So grab this highly discounted toothbrush asap.

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

* Please Note: When you buy something using the links in our articles, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

 

Deal: Grab Yi PTZ Outdoor Camera for $59.99 (Coupon)

YI PTZ outdoor camera which generally retails for $80 is available for $59.99 only at AliExpress.

WHERE TO BUY
YI PTZ outdoor camera at $59.99(after discount)@AliExpress

yi ptz outdoor camera

Designed to create intelligent and innovative video and imaging solutions, Yi PTZ outdoor camera comes with a 1080P Full HD camera for clear and sharp images and features advanced functions like a built-in alarm system, motion tracking, human detection, color night vision, 2-way audio, etc. 

yi ptz outdoor camera2

The outdoor camera which comes with wifi connectivity also features a microSD card slot and 128bit end-to-end encryption to keep all your personal data safe. With an IP66 certification, the camera is weatherproof and can be used throughout the year without worrying about seasonal and climate changes. 

yi ptz outdoor camera1

Generally retailing for $80, YI PTZ outdoor camera is available at a discounted price of $59.99 via coupon code: YIBESTFORYOU. So get your discounted outdoor camera asap. 

Please note that the above-mentioned price is for the base variant only. The final price may vary depending upon the 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.

 

LG officially commits to three years update for its premium phones

LG earlier this week confirm the closure of its smartphone arm after several unsuccessful bids to revive the once bubbling business. One question that has often been asked is what happens to the existing users of LG phones in terms of software updates.

LG Rollable Smartphone
We’ll never get to see the LG Rollable phone after all

Well, LG has now released an official statement to that effect. The company disclosed that it is pledging to push up to three versions of Android updates for all its premium smartphones. The three updates will start counting from when the phone was released. Thus, a phone that has already received Android 10 and 11 updates will only be eligible for one more major update. Whereas phones like the LG Velvet, G-series, V-series, and Wing released recently may go up to Android 13.  The company also disclosed that some models released in 2020 like the LG Stylo and K series will get two OS updates.

LG Wing featured
LG had hoped the Wing smartphone will turn its fortunes but it didn’t fly as expected

LG in an earlier official statement disclosed that it was stepping away from the mobile phone business and will focus on other areas like electric vehicle components, connected devices, smart homes, robotics, artificial intelligence, and business-to-business solutions, as well as platforms and services.

The brand also hinted that it will clear out existing stock but expects to completely shut down the entire mobile business by July 31. Before that happens, LG says it will work closely with suppliers and business partners for a seamless winding down of the mobile phone division.

Going forward, LG plans to deploy its robust mobile expertise and mobile-related technologies like 6G in other businesses, and also in existing and future products.

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Apple iPhone 12 tops the chart in global Top 10 best-selling smartphones list for January 2021

Last year, Apple iPhone 11 topped the charts on the best-selling smartphones during the first half. Later, the device went on to be one of the most shipped smartphones for the entire year as well. Today, Counterpoint Research has come up with a report for the global Top 10 best-selling models for January 2021, and Apple dominates the list yet again with iPhone 12 at the top.

smartphones

As per the report, Apple iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max accounted for 71% of Apple’s entire sales for the month and occupied the first three positions in the Top 10 list. As reported earlier, the demand was high for the 5G Apple devices due to a late launch in 2020.

The yesteryear iPhone 11 is still at the fourth spot and this isn’t that surprising considering the device is still a value for money for Apple lovers. Also, the report says that 1/3rd of Apple’s total sales comes from the US.

credit: Counterpoint Research

Apple also has two more devices on the list and one of them is the iPhone 12 mini, yes you heard it right. Reports said that Apple could discontinue the mini version by Q2 but look like it has garnered some sales in January. The other iPhone model is the iPhone SE 2020.

The Top-10 list is once again shared only by Samsung and Xiaomi apart from Apple. We have Redmi 9A and Redmi 9 in the fifth and sixth spots. The report says that the sub $150 phones accounted for 25% of Xiaomi’s total sales for January.

Talking about Samsung, the Galaxy A21s and the Galaxy A31, which recently got price cuts in India, occupy the seventh and ninth spot respectively. Lastly, the report says that Xiaomi is growing gradually in the MEA region while Samsung is looking to attract more HONOR with its Galaxy A devices.

That being said, with more 5G mid-range devices launching in the coming months, we can expect them to dominate the Top 10 list this year.

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GMK NucBox2 and NucBox Mini PC gets massive discount of $60 and $53, respectively

After bringing a successful GMK NucBox Mini PC to the market a few months ago, the company has introduced its successor – NucBox2 with several new upgrades. The new Mini PC Box offers exceptional hardware including an Intel i5-8259u chipset coupled with Intel Iros Plus Graphics 655, 8GB RAM, 256GB M.2 Nvme 2280 SSD. GMK NucBox2 is retailing for the price of $439.99, but you can grab a $60 discount by using coupon code Easter60OFF from Amazon and Official GMK Store.

Must See: Get $25 to $40 OFF on GMK NucBox Mini PC & XPanel 4K External Monitor this Week!

There are several other advancements including support for a 4K resolution display, additional 2.5-inch 500GB-2TB SATA HDD, WIFi 5, BT 4.2 and Giga LAN (RJ45). The Mini PC box weighs 426 grams and measures 4.9 x 4.3 x 1.9 inch in size. You can have a look NucBox2 in action via the video below:

GMK is offering a straight $60 discount with a coupon code which should be applied while checkout. Moreover, the company is offering free shipping and NucBox carry bag via Amazon and the official GMK website.

Coupon Code: Easter60OFF

Buy from Amazon

Buy from GMK Store

GMK NucBox Mini PC

The company has not only offering a massive discount on the latest variant. Meanwhile, a $53 discount on the GMK NucBox brings down the actual retail price to $189.99.

The Chinese PC maker offers splendid features such as the Intel Celeron J4125 processor coupled with Intel UHD Graphics, 8GB RAM with 128/256/512 GB SSD. The device offers 10W fast charging and retails with built-in WIndows 0. It houses multiple interfaces 2x USB 3.0, 1x HDMI 4K@60Hz, 1x Type-C, 1x Headphone Jack and a microSD card slot.

The NucBox has already received a massive response from the buyers and is already listed on the websites such as Amazon, Banggood, and AliExpress, Initially, the GMK Nucbox retailing via the Indiegogo campaigning website.

The interested buyers can grab the device with a $53 discount on the 128GB variant. Its actual retail price will shoot down to $186.99 on the occasion of a 7-day deal across Amazon and the official GMK store. It is a time-limited deal and will end on April 11. However, you will get a $20 discount + Free Bag and free shipping if you grab it from the official website.

Coupon Code – NucBox20OFF

Buy Now from GMK Store

Grab from Amazon

Related: X-Mas Deal: $30 off on GMK NucBox Palm-Sized Mini PC & Xpanel Portable Monitor

 

Deal: Get 70mai Car Tire Inflator for $33.99 (Original Price $50)

70mai Car Tire Inflator is now available on Bangood for just $33.99.

WHERE TO BUY
70mai Car Tire Inflator at $33.99 @Banggood

70mai air pump
70mai Car Tire Inflator is a mini portable and light car air pump that gives you about 420ml airflow per second. This means you can easily fill an empty tire within 5 minutes by using this pump. The pump is designed to give continuous airflow up to 30 minutes and comes with advanced safety features like smart charge and stop and high-temperature resistance, corrosion-resistance, etc.

70mai air pump1

70mai Car Tire Inflator comes with accurate pressure measurement and a precision cylinder and the integrated design fits in all the parts including the inflated tube, power cord, conversion nozzle, etc into a single compact box making it easy to carry during your travel. 

70mai air pump3

Generally retailing at $50, Banggood is giving 70mai Car Tire Inflator for just $33.99. This flash deal ends in the next 11 days. So grab your car air pump 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.