Realme C25 with Helio G70, 6,000mAh battery, and 48MP triple cameras launched

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Mar 23, 2021

Realme held a launch event in Indonesia today to announce the Realme C21 and Realme C25. While the C25 is an entirely new smartphone, the C21 had previously launched in February in Malaysia. Compared to other C-series Realme phones that have launched so far this year, the C25 offers the strongest specs as it is equipped with a gaming-focused midrange chip, a massive battery with fast charging support, and a 48-megapixel triple camera system.

Realme C25 specifications and features

The Realme C25 has a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with a waterdrop notch display. The screen delivers a 20:9 aspect ratio and 720 x 1600 pixels HD+ resolution. For snapping selfies, the handset offers users an 8-megapixel front-facing camera.

The square-shaped camera island placed on the polycarbonate rear of the Realme C25 features a 48-megapixel primary camera, a 2-megapixel depth sensor, and a 2-megapixel macro shooter. For security, the back panel also has a rear-facing fingerprint scanner.

The Realme C25 has a massive 6,000mAh battery that supports 18W fast charging. The Helio G70 chipset is present under the hood of the device with 4 GB of RAM. The device comes preloaded with Realme UI 2.0 based Android 11 OS and it comes with 64 GB / 128 GB of storage. For additional storage, it has a dedicated microSD card slot.

On the other side, the Realme C21 has a 6.5-inch IPS LCD HD+ screen with a teardrop notch. It has a 5-megapixel front camera and a 13-megapixel + 2-megapixel dual-camera system. The Helio G35 chipset powers the phone with 3 GB of RAM. It has 32 GB / 64 GB of native storage and a microSD card slot. It boots to Realme UI-based Android 1OS. Lastly, it features a 5,000mAh battery with 10W charging support.

Realme C25 pricing and availability

The Realme C25 starts at IDR 2,099,000 (~$146) and its color variants are grey and blue. Its first flash will be carried out on March 27 and it will be available for purchase through regular sales from April 2. Priced at IDR 1,549,000 (~$107), the Realme C21 can be bought in black and blue colors. Its first flash sale will be held on March 24 in Indonesia.

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Honor Pad 7 with 10.1-inch FHD display goes official; pricing starts at 1,399 yuan ($215)

By

Jeet

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Mar 23, 2021

Huawei recently sold off the Honor brand and the company is now being run independently. Soon after splitting from Huawei, Honor had launched its Honor V40 smartphone and today the company launched the Honor V40 Lite Luxury Edition in China.

At the same event, the company has also launched its new tablet, dubbed Honor Pad 7. It features a 10.1-inch Full HD display with a screen-to-body ratio of 80 percent. Further, the screen is certified by TUV Rheinland for eye protection.

To make multitasking easier for the users, the company is offering support for Split Screen for up to four different applications. It allows users to run and use different applications simultaneously. For instance, it can be used to listening to lectures, checking materials, and taking notes — all at the same time.

Tablets have become a go-to device for students and to make the most of this use-case, Honor has provided an Education Center in the device that allows children to concentrate on their learning efforts.

Internally, the device is powered by the MediaTek Helio P22T chipset, which is a major change compared to its predecessor which was powered by Huawei’s HiSilicon Kirin 710A SoC. The tablet is running the Android 10 operating system out-of-the-box.

The Honor Pad 7 Wi-Fi version comes in two variants — 4GB RAM + 64GB Storage and 4GB RAM + 128GB Storage, costing 1,399 yuan (~$215) and 1,699 yuan (~$261) respectively. There’s also an LTE version that comes in 4GB RAM + 64GB Storage and 4GB RAM + 128GB Storage, priced at 1,599 yuan (~$246) and 1,899 yuan (~$292) respectively.

It comes in two color options — Blue and Black. The devices will be available for purchase in the company’s home country China from 26th March while the pre-sale will start from today itself and the Wi-Fi version will be the first to go on sale.

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Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro and Mi 11 Ultra confirmed to launch on March 29

By

Jeet

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Mar 23, 2021

Xiaomi recently announced that the company will be hosting its 2021 New Product Launch Event on 29th March in China as well as globally. At the time, the company has not revealed what products will get launched.

Now, with a few days to go for the event, the company has officially confirmed that it will launch a couple of variants of the Mi 11 flagship smartphone, namely the Mi 11 Pro and the Mi 11 Ultra. Apart from that, the company will also launch a few more devices.

The company has also shared a teaser poster of the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro retail box which doesn’t include a charger in the box. Further, the Chinese brand is calling the “thin and lightweight” smartphone “Android King.”

When Xiaomi launched the Mi 11 smartphone, it didn’t include a charger in the box but there was another variant of the phone at almost the same price which added a charger in the retail box. We expect the company to follow the same with the upcoming devices.

Both the upcoming Mi 11-series smartphones — Mi 11 Pro and Mi 11 Ultra are expected to come with support for 67W fast charging. When compared with the vanilla variant, it is a step ahead in terms of charging speed.

Xiaomi has reportedly made a GaN charger especially for the two upcoming flagship smartphones and it will be a great deal if the company offers that for free with the purchase of those phones.

Apart from these smartphones, the company will be launching the Mi Notebook Pro laptop at the same event. There will be a few more products getting launched on 29th March but to know more about them, we will have to wait for a few more days.

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Samsung to reportedly launch a double-folding smartphone this year

By

Jeet

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Mar 23, 2021

Samsung, apart from being one of the first device makers to launch a foldable smartphone, also has the most number of foldable smartphones in the market. The company has been trying to improve the design with each iteration and now the South Korean giant is gearing up to launch a new phone.

After launching smartphones with horizontal fold and vertical fold, the company is now planning to launch a new device with a double-folding design. There’s a possibility that the phone could be announced later this year.

Samsung had previously said that it will diversify its portfolio of foldable smartphones in the year 2021 as the company aims to make this category more accessible. Along with a double-folding design, Samsung is also expected to launch a Galaxy Z Fold Lite.

It’s noteworthy that Samsung won’t be the first smartphone maker to work on something like a double-folding design. TCL had showcased its double-folding concept smartphone about a year ago and Xiaomi is also reportedly working on the same.

There are two concept designs of the upcoming Samsung smartphone — one with screen bends in two opposite directions and another with sides folding backward and their edges meeting around the rear panel.

It remains to be seen what the company ends up calling this foldable smartphone and when exactly the device will be launched. We expect to know more about the phone in the coming weeks or months but one thing is for sure — the device won’t be cheap.

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Vivo X60, X60 Pro, X60 Pro+ pricing for India revealed before launch

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Mar 23, 2021

Yesterday, Vivo held a global launch event to announce the Vivo X60 5G and Vivo X60 Pro 5G smartphones. Unlike their Chinese counterparts that feature the Exynos 1080 chipset, their global editions are equipped with Snapdragon 870 chipset. On Thursday, the Chinese manufacturer will be holding a dedicated launch event in India to announce the X60 series. Recent reports have revealed that the country will be also receiving the Vivo X60 Pro+ flagship smartphone apart from the X60 and X60 Pro. Ahead of the launch, a fresh leak has revealed the pricing of the X60 series pricing for the Indian market.

According to offline retailer Mahesh Telecom, the Vivo X60 will be arriving in India in two variants such as 8 GB RAM + 128 GB storage and 8 GB RAM + 256 GB storage. Both models will be priced at Rs 39,990 (~$552) and Rs 43,990 (~$606), respectively.

The Vivo X60 Pro will come in a sole version of 12 GB RAM + 256 GB storage, and it will be priced at Rs 49,990 (~$690). The X60 Pro+ will also arrive in a 12 GB RAM + 256 GB storage model and it will cost Rs 69,990 (~$968).

Vivo X60 series specifications

The Vivo X60 and X60 Pro global variants have a 6.56-inch AMOLED FHD+ 120Hz display and a 32-megapixel front-facing camera. The rear-mounted triple camera system on both phones has a 48-megpaixel primary camera (f/1.79 aperture on X60, f/1.48 on Pro) a 13-megapixel ultrawide lens, and a 13-megapixel depth sensor.

The Chinese edition of the X60 Pro has a 48-megapixel quad-camera system. The Snapdragon 870 SoC powers both phones and they carry support for 33W fast charging. The Pro model has a 4,200mAh battery, whereas the vanilla edition has a 4,300mAh battery.

The X60 Pro that arrived in China came with specs like a 6.56-inch AMOLED FHD+ 120Hz screen, a 32-megapixel selfie camera, a 50-megapixel quad-camera system, Snapdragon 888 chipset, and a 4,200mAh battery with 55W fast charging.

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Samsung unveils new range of high-resolution monitors

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Mar 23, 2021

Samsung has officially announced its lineup of high-resolution monitors targeted at bsinesses and consumers. The new lineup of monitors consists of 12 different models and this time around, Samsung has included HDR support on virtually all the models.

At the top of the pack is the Samsung S8 flagship lineup which will be available in two 27-inch models with model numbers S80A and S80UA. There is also a 32-inch model with model number S80A. They all come with 1 billion color (10-bit) IPS panels and 4K Ultra HD resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 pixels. Samsung claims the displays are HDR10 compatible but in the real sense they are not. The displays can only output 300 nits of brightness which is below the minimum VESA certified DisplayHDR spec of 400 nits.

Furthermore, the Samsung S8 monitors adopt a flat borderless design with slim bezels and support 10Gbps data via USB-C, along with a USB hub. The 27-inch S80UA model also brings support for 90W charging. Thus, it can be used to fast-charge laptops that charges via a USB-C port or even smartphones.

The S8 monitors also come with full swivel and tilt functions. The monitors also support HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.2 input and have a super-fast gaming response time of 5-millisecond.

Unlike the S8, the S7 series monitors are comprised of just two models, the 27-inch S70A and 34-inch S70A. The two models come with flatscreen 4K displays that have support for HDR10, and 1.07 billion (10-bit) colors. The display also comes with a slim-bezel design, and tilt adjustment.

There is also an S6 lineup which is comprised of six models with sizes ranging from 24 to 34 inches. The displays of five of the models feature QHD resolutions of 2,560 x 1,440 pixels. The S65UA, which is the largest model with a 34-inch curved display, features a UWQHD resolution of 3,440 x 1,440 pixels. All the S6 models come with support for HDR10 with 1.07 billion colors (10-bit) support.

Samsung is yet to release the pricing and availability displays for these monitors.

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Purported OPPO Reno5 Lite with Dimensity 800U seen at Geekbench

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Mar 23, 2021

It was reported earlier this year that OPPO is working on a smartphone named Reno5 Lite 5G for China. Rumors have it that the OPPO phone with PELM00 that appeared at 3C and TENAA certification platforms in the recent past could be the Reno5 Lite 5G smartphone. Today, the PELM00 OPPO phone appeared in the database of the Geekbench benchmarking platform (via. Nashville Chatter Class).

The Geekbench listing states that the OPPO PELM00 smartphone is powered by a Dimensity 800U chipset, which is mentioned as MT6853V/TNZA. The listing further states that the device has 8 GB of RAM and Android 11 OS. The phone scored 585 and 1706 in the single-core and multi-core tests of Geekbench, respectively.

The TENAA listing of the phone revealed that it is a 5G-ready device that measures 160.1 x 73.4 x 7.8mm. It has a 6.43-inch display with a hole-punch design. It is equipped with a 4,220mAh rated and its 3C listing suggested that it may ship with a 30W charger.

It was recently reported that India’s OPPO F19 Pro+ 5G will be sold as the OPPO Reno5 Z in other Asian markets and as OPPO A94 5G in Europe. A recent tweet by leakster Sudhanshu Ambhore revealed that the upcoming OPPO A94 5G will be rebranded as the Reno5 Lite in the home market of OPPO. He also mentioned that while the A94 5G has a 60Hz display, the Reno5 Lite will support a refresh rate of 90Hz.

OPPO Reno5 Lite 5G TENAA certified — Alleged OPPO Reno5 Lite at TENAA

The F19 Pro+ 5G offers specs like a 6.43-inch FHD+ 60Hz AMOLED display, a 16-megapixel selfie camera, a 48-megpaixel + 8-megapixel + 2-megapixel + 2-megapixel quad-camera system, Dimensity 800U chip, 8 GB of RAM, 128 GB of built-in storage, and a 4,310mAh battery with 50W charging.

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OnePlus Watch key specifications, features leaked before launch

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Mar 23, 2021

Earlier this year, OnePlus ventured into the wearable technology market by announcing the OnePlus Band fitness tracker. Today, it will be taking off covers from the OnePlus Watch as its first smartwatch. Before the launch, reliable tipster Mukul Sharma (aka stufflistings) has shared the key specifications and features of the OnePlus Watch.

The leak reveals that the OnePlus Watch will have a 1.39-inch AMOLED display that will offer an HD resolution of 454 x 454 pixels and 326ppi pixel density. It will be backed by a 402mAh. A recent report claimed that the watch can last for around a week by charging it for only 20 minutes.

The new leak claims that the OnePlus Watch will offer 25 hours of continuous exercise with GPS and 5 days of blood oxygen/sleep monitoring. The right edge of the smartwatch has two buttons, one is a power key and the other one is a function button. Some of the supported features of the OnePlus Watch include a microphone, a speaker, and a linear motor

OnePlus Watch Cobalt Limited Edition leak by Mukul Sharma

The OnePlus Watch will be compatible with Android devices. However, the leak claims that it will not support iOS devices. It is not clear whether the company will iOS support a bit later. The smartwatch will offer 5ATM and IP68 rated dust and water resistance.

Yesterday, tipster Ishan Agarwal revealed that the OnePlus Watch will be costing 150 euros in European markets and it will come in Silver and Black colors. Sharma revealed that the company will also announce a special Cobalt Limited Edition variant of the OnePlus Watch. This model will have a flat-screen with sapphire glass, and a vegan leather strap.

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Trump to launch a new social network within the next few months

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Mar 23, 2021

Former U.S President Donald Trump who suffered a massive media blackout in the aftermath of the Capitol riots in January that led to the loss of lives may soon unveil his own social networking platform in a few months. One of Trump’s aides, Jason Miller hinted in a Fox News interview that the former president will launch his own social network in about three months.

Donald Trump had endured an anticlimactic last few days as President following his open support for protesters who later overran the Capitol while a session was ongoing to cement his loss to his contender Joe Biden in the Presidential polls. Twitter and Facebook had responded swiftly by blocking him from their platforms on the accusation that he encouraged violence. Millions of his supporters had quit the platforms in support of Trump but the ban had remained.

While the details of this new social network by Trump are not yet available, he will certainly have to overcome several hurdles to establish the platform. There would be both regulatory and operational challenges that must be overcome for Trump’s plans to become reality. Although he might have a strong conservative support base that may form the backbone of this new social network, it remains to be seen whether this is another of Trump’s usual theatrics and alternative facts or a real response to the humiliation and isolation he suffered in the last days of his presidency.

Part of the stumbling blocks that must be overcome is the fact that Trump had become a sort of heavy-duty public personality and may not be able to muster the much-needed support of companies who had publicly severed ties with him in the aftermath of the Capitol incident, in terms of provision of cloud services.

There are also regulations in force that will seriously limit Trump’s ability to float the social network. The coming months will therefore reveal whether the dream will become a reality or if we have to wait much longer, or forever!

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OnePlus 9, 9 Pro, 9R prices for India leaked ahead of launch

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Mar 23, 2021

OnePlus will be announcing the OnePlus 9 series of smartphones and OnePlus Watch today at 7:30 PM (local time) in India. Ahead of the launch, tipster Abhishek Yadav shared the pricing of the OnePlus 9, OnePlus 9 Pro, and OnePlus 9R for the Indian market.

According to the leak, the OnePlus 9 will come in two variants in India such as 8 GB RAM + 128 GB storage and 12 GB RAM + 256 GB storage. These variants will be priced at Rs 49,999 (~$691) and Rs 59,999 (~$829), respectively. It could be available in color variants like Astral Black, Winter Mist, And Arctic Sky.

The leak mentions that the OnePlus 9 Pro will also come in two options like 8 GB RAM + 128 GB storage and 12 GB RAM + 256 GB storage. These could be priced at Rs 64,999 (~$898) and Rs 69,999 (~$967), respectively. It may come in three colors like Stellar Black, Morning Mist, and Pine Green.

OnePlus has already confirmed that the OnePlus 9R will be an Indian-exclusive device. The leak states that it will also arrive in 8 GB RAM + 128 GB storage and 12 GB RAM + 256 GB storage versions. It could be priced at Rs 39,999 (~$552) and Rs 43,999 (~$608), respectively. The OnePlus 9R could be available in Carbon Black and Lake Blue color editions.

The above-mentioned pricing may not be accurate. Hence, readers are recommended to digest the pricing leak with a grain of salt. There is no word on the Indian pricing of the OnePlus Watch. Yesterday, tipster Ishan Agarwal revealed that it will be priced at 150 euros in the European markets.

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Brazilian state fines Apple $2 million for selling iPhone 12 without a charger

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Mar 23, 2021

Apple‘s decision to not include a charger in the iPhone 12 was seen as a bold step in some quarters, and the move even drew the attention of other manufacturers to tinker with the traditional accessories known to come with phones from headsets to chargers. But a recent decision by the Consumer Protection Agency of the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo to fine Apple for leaving out the phone charger from the iPhone 12 box may have brought the issue to the front burner again, at least in Brazil for now.

It is reported that the consumer watchdog in the state of Sao Paulo had fined Apple the equivalent of about $2 million for omitting the phone charger from the iPhone 12 series. The state consumer regulator says Apple’s action was a violation of Brazil’s Consumer Defense Code. It is also probable that there have been complaints and petitions by aggrieved buyers since the iPhones began selling in the country.

Apple was first notified of the alleged violations in December 2020 and Apple had responded to that by stating the decision was based on ensuring a better environment with a reduced carbon footprint. It is also known that there were also accusations that the company gave incorrect information on the water-resistance capabilities of the device that has led to losses for consumers whose smartphones got immersed in water and did not get a replacement or repairs of their devices within the warranty period by Apple.

At this time Apple hasn’t made any official response about the fine but the U.S tech giant has the option of launching an appeal if it is not comfortable with the decision. If Apple is unable to overturn the fine, it could have global ramifications for the company as well as a few other manufacturers who had joined Apple in omitting accessories from their packages on environmental or other considerations. However, it is known that some manufacturers have cut a deal with the regulator, thus avoiding the fine.

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Poll of The Week: Are you still interested in Huawei flagships after the ban?

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Mar 23, 2021

The US ban has dealt a huge blow to Huawei‘s business. The former second-largest phone manufacturer in the world, which used to be a popular choice among phone buyers has lost a significant part of its global market share. Even in China, where it was the market leader up until the end of 2020, OPPO has now overtaken it.

The ban has also affected the timeline of Huawei’s flagships. This time last year, it was just a few days before the announcement of the P40 series of flagship smartphones. However, this year’s P50 series is not expected to arrive till the middle of next month. And we presume that just like the Mate 40 series, only select models or limited units will be available right away with others going on sale much later.

We want to believe the delay in announcements, availability, and lack of Google Mobile Services must have affected user interest in Huawei flagships

So for this week’s poll, we want to know if our readers are still as interested in Huawei flagship phones prior to the U.S. ban or if their level of interest has waned. So please take the poll and also share your thoughts in the comment box below.

[yop_poll id=”78″]

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New ZTE S30 Pro 5G posters show the phone in black, will weigh 178 grams

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Mar 22, 2021

The ZTE S30 Pro 5G will be announced on March 30 as the first of a new series of smartphones from the Chinese manufacturer. Over the past few weeks, ZTE has been revealing key specs and features of the phone. Now, it has shared a photo that shows the color variants that the phone will be available in.

We have already seen the ZTE S30 Pro in a pink-blue gradient finish but this image reveals the phone will also come in black. The image shows both colors side-by-side as well as the front. The screen is flat and has a centered punch hole.

Another image shared by ZTE shows that the S30 Pro will weigh 178 grams and have a thickness of 7.8 millimeters, making it lighter and thinner than the ZTE Axon 20 5G.

So far it has been confirmed that the ZTE S30 Pro 5G will have a display with a 144Hz refresh rate and a 360Hz touch sampling rate. It will also have 64MP quad rear cameras, a 44MP selfie camera, a 4200mAh battery capacity, and support for 55W fast wired charging. The phone will also run ZTE’s new MyOS user interface.

We expect more details will be announced and we hope that one of them is the chipset that will power the device.

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Tencent granted patent for a game console design similar to Nintendo Switch’s

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Mar 22, 2021

Chinese tech giant Tencent is apparently planning to launch its own handheld gaming console, going by a patent spotted recently. Tencent happens to have got the exclusive right to distribute the Nintendo Switch in China and it launched the handheld console in China on December 4, 2019.

According to the Qicha app, Tencent Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. obtained approval for a patent titled “Game Console” on March 19. The patent application was filed in October 2020 bearing the publication number CN306392452S.

The product image clearly shows it will be a portable handheld device. It adopts a classic design similar to the Nintendo Switch handheld console but there are some marked differences between Tencent’s and the popular Nintendo Switch.

Thus, the patent fuels speculations that Tencent may be planning to enter the game console industry on its own. Tencent has always been a major player in the industry but focuses more on gaming software. In recent times, the brand entered into a partnership with gaming phone brands like ASUS ROG, Red Magic, and Black Shark to launch gaming phones.

The console itself looks like what is designed to be played as a standalone and connected to a Windows PC. There is what looks like the Win10 logo on one of the buttons at the left button of the handheld console. Also, the rear aspect has the text inscribed “PC Console” and “For PC Console gamer”. Thus, the console may appear as a Win-based handheld.

In other respects, the game console also uses a Type-C interface and has collapsible support at the rear.

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(source)

OnePlus releases OxygenOS 11 (Android 11) stable update for the OnePlus 7T series

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Mar 22, 2021

Just a day before the OnePlus 9 series arrives, OnePlus has announced that it has begun the roll-out of OxygenOS 11 based on Android 11 stable update for its 2019 flagship phones, the OnePlus 7T and the OnePlus 7T Pro.

The updates which were expected to arrive much earlier bring a redesigned UI, new features, and February 2021’s security patch. Below is the complete changelog:

System

Update to OxygenOS 11 version
Fresh new UI visual design brings you a more comfortable experience with various optimizations of details
Optimize the stability of some third-party applications and improve the experience
Updated Android Security Patch to 2021.02
Updated GMS package to 2021.01

Camera

Updated the camera UI and optimized some of the function paths to offer a more convenient operation
Newly added HEVC codec to reduce video storage size seamlessly, capture and shoot more without compromising on quality
Newly added access to a third-party app to share the picture by pressing and holding it in preview
Newly added the quick access to recording mode by pressing and holding the shutter button and by sliding the button, you can easily zoom in or zoom out
Newly added the playback display in Time-lapse mode to show the actual filming time

Ambient Display

Newly added Insight clock style, a joint creation with Parsons School of Design. It will change according to the phone usage data (To set: Settings > Customization > Clock on ambient display)
Newly added Canvas feature that can automatically draw a wireframe picture based on a lock screen photo on your phone（Path: Settings – Customization – Wallpaper – Canvas – Choose photo preview and it can be generated automatically

Dark Mode

Added the shortcut key for Dark Mode, pull down the quick setting to enable
Supporting automatically turn on feature & customize time range (path: Settings – Display – Dark Mode – Turn on automatically – Automatically enable from sunset to sunrise/Custom time range)

Game Space

Newly added gaming toolbox for convenient switches of Fnatic mode. You can now choose three ways of notifications: text-only, heads up, and block, just for your immersive gaming experience
Newly added quick reply feature in a small window for Instagram, WhatsApp, and Telegram (Enable it by swiping down from upper right/left corners of the screen in gaming mode)
Newly added “mis-touch” prevention feature. Enable it, swipe down from the top of the screen, click and the notification bar will pop out

Shelf

Newly shelf interface design, the interface is clearer
Added weather widget, animation effect smarter

Gallery

Supporting Story function, automatically form weekly videos with photos and video in storage
Optimize the loading speed of the gallery, and the image preview is faster

OnePlus says the update will take time as it comes with many new features. It also added that the AOD feature is still under testing in the open beta builds, so expect another update to bring the feature. As usual, the OTA will have a staged rollout – a limited number of users will get it today before a broader rollout once there are no critical bugs.

OnePlus is yet to release the update for the OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro.

RELATED:

Vivo X60 Pro 5G Global version arrives with triple cameras, SD 870; Vivo X60 5G too

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Mar 22, 2021

BBK subsidiary Vivo has today taken the wraps off the much-anticipated Vivo X60 series in Malaysia. The launch signal the global release of the premium flagship series with improvements in their cameras at the fore. The Vivo X60 series is made up of the X60 and X60 Pro. Even though the brand earlier on launched the X60 Pro+ in China earlier this year but we doubt if that model will be launched outside China.

The Vivo X60 5G and X60 Pro 5G both adopt a similar design with the major differences being in the specifications. The two models are powered by a Snapdragon 870 chipset. This is against an Exynos 1080 chipset utilized on the Chinese version of the X60 Pro.

The Snapdragon 870 chipset is a slightly more affordable processor than the top-end flagship processor. It features the Kryo 585 CPU which has its prime core clocked at 3.2GHz. The processor also bundles an Adreno 650 GPU and the Snapdragon X55 5G modem provides support for mmWave and sub-6GHz networks. The chipset also has support for Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 6, and Quick Charge 4+. The processor is paired with 12GB of RAM on both models with 256GB of internal storage onboard.

The camera aspect is yet another part where the X60 Pro 5G China version differs from the global version. The original model launched in China not too long ago features a Quad camera setup with the fourth sensor being an 8MP 5x periscope lens. The X60 Pro 5G packs a triple camera setup at the rear just like the X60 5G.

Interestingly, the X60 Pro 5G has the same camera configuration as the vanilla X60 5G. The front camera is a 32MP sensor on both models while the rear camera setup consists of a 48MP+13MP+13MP combo. However, the apertures on the cameras on both models are different. The camera also comes with Gimbal Stabilization 2.0 designed to aid the user capture clear shots even when the phone is not held in a stable manner.

Vivo also introduced a self-developed technology called Pixel Shift Ultra HD Imaging. When shooting, the gimbal moves to collect more pixel information. An algorithm integrates the information and then compensates for missing data in order to produce higher definition (HD) shots with more vivid details. The camera is still co-engineered with Zeiss with the Zeiss badge at the side of the module.

The Vivo X60 Pro 5G and X60 5G pack a 6.56-inch AMOLED display each with an FHD+ resolution of 2376×1080 pixels. In addition, the displays come with a centrally located punch-hole camera as well as a gradient rear panel. There is also an in-display fingerprint sensor on the two models as well as support for HDR10 and HDR10+. While the X60 Pro packs a 4200mAh battery, the X60 5G’s battery is slightly bumped up to 4300mAh. Both models feature 33W fast charging support.

PRICING & AVAILABILITY – VIVO X60 5G/ VIVO X60 PRO 5G

As for the pricing, the Vivo X60 will retail for RM 2699 (~$657) in Malaysia while the X60 Pro 5G is priced at RM 3299 (~$803). Both models will be available in Midnight Black and Shimmer Blue color options.

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Nokia C20 might accompany X & G-series devices at HMD Global’s April 8 event

By

Balaji S

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Mar 22, 2021

HMD Global has already announced a launch event on April 8. Here, the company is expected to several smartphones like the Nokia G10, G20, X10, X20. Now, a report by nokiapoweruser.com says that the Nokia C20 might join the list of devices for the day.

nokia c3 — Representative image: Nokia C3

As per the report, Nokia C20 will be available in 1GB RAM and 16GB internal storage variant. The last time Nokia launched a 1GB RAM phone, it was the Nokia 1.4 from February 2021.

Given Nokia’s recent change of naming conventions like the G-series, it is possible that the Nokia C20 might either replace the Nokia 1.xx lineup or be the successor of the C-series of devices from 2020.

Mind you, we have a device named Nokia C1 Plus from Dec. 2020 with 2GB RAM and Nokia C3 from August 2020 with a 3GB RAM variant so it’s really unclear what Nokia C20 is going to succeed at this point.

Anyway, the Nokia C20 is expected to launch in two colors – Blue and Sand options. It is also expected to run Android 11 Go edition and the HTML5 test page shows that it’s running Android 11. Lastly, the device is likely to be priced around 89 euros(~$106).

Looking at multiple news about HMD Global lately, I think that they are finally addressing the issue of the confusing naming scheme of their devices. However, naming isn’t everything as the internals and pricing play a major role in the company’s sales charts.

I just hope that HMD Global renovates itself in 2021 and launches phones with good price-to-performance ratios and not end up like last year.

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Xiaomi Mi Zoom Selfie Stick is a ‘Swiss Army Knife’ for budget-conscious creators

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

-

Mar 22, 2021

Xiaomi sells a wide variety of products other than smartphones. It is also one of the old companies known for selfie sticks. In fact, the firm has been still releasing new versions every once in a while. Hence, we are not surprised to learn that it will be crowdfunding a new model called Mi Zoom Selfie Stick on March 24.

The new Xiaomi Mi Zoom Selfie Stick comes in a single black color option. It is priced at ¥99 ($15), however, the company will be crowdfunding it for only ¥79 ($12) on March 24 at 10 AM on Mi.com China.

As the name suggests, this selfie stick comes with zooming functionality. In simpler words, it has a button to let users zoom in and out. It also lets users switch between the front and the rear camera with a single click.

Lastly, the Mi Zoom Selfie Stick can be also used as a tripod. Hence, this product is like a ‘Swiss Army Knife’ for creators. Also, for the retail price of just ¥99 ($15), the new selfie stick from Xiaomi is probably cheaper than most options available in the market with a similar set of features.

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What are your thoughts on Xiaomi Mi Zoom Selfie Stick? Do you think the company should bring it to global markets? Let us know in the comment section below.

Samsung Galaxy A80, Galaxy A40 get the Android 11(One UI 3.1) update

By

Balaji S

-

Mar 22, 2021

Samsung’s leftover older devices have been getting the Android 11 updates lately. The latest ones to join the list are the Galaxy A40 and Galaxy 80 smartphones. The former gets a One UI 3 whereas the latter has received the One UI 3.1 update.

Galaxy A80 A40 — Galaxy A80(left), A40(right)

The 2019 mid-range Galaxy A80 is getting an update with firmware version A805FXXU5DUC7 in parts of Europe. If you recall, this device, which launched with Android 9 Pie has already got one Android version upgrade and this should be the second upgrade, which is probably its last one.

However, it should get the security updates for at least another year considering it’s on the official list released by Samsung. Anyway, the latest update brings Android 11 features, One UI 3.1 features, and March 2021 security patch.

Some of One UI 3.1 features include revamped UI, Private Share, GPS location data removal on Images, more Lock screen widgets, improved stock apps, & more. Users in other countries like India should get it soon now that it’s has started rolling out in Europe.

Similar to the Galaxy A80, the Galaxy A40 is also getting the Android 11(One UI 3.1) update with March 2021 security patch. It is getting the firmware version A405FNXXU3CUC2 and is rolling out to users of Vodafone Germany in Europe. That being said, expect the other regions to pick it up in the coming days.

Galaxy A40 launched with Android 9 Pie and hence, this could be the last update for it too. If you are living in Europe and are having either of these devices, you can visit Settings > Software update > Download and install.

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Samsung Galaxy M62 5G gets certified in India, launch imminent

By

Balaji S

-

Mar 22, 2021

Samsung launched the Galaxy A52 4G and Galaxy A52 5G a few days ago. However, the company only brought the 4G variant to countries like India. Now, as suspected earlier, it looks like the 5G variant will come under the Galaxy M-series to the country as it gets certified by BIS.

Galaxy M62 5G A52 5G — Galaxy M62 5G could be a rebadged Galaxy A52 5G

A Samsung device with model number SM-M626B/DS has got India’s BIS certification. Courtesy of Ankit(@technoAnkit1), the listing suggests that the device would debut in India as Galaxy M62. Before you get to know-how, you should note that we spotted a similar device on Bluetooth SIG a while ago.

Further, this model number is also reminiscent of the Galaxy A52 5G(SM-A526B/DS) that is on markets like Europe. All these, along with the name ‘Galaxy M62’ on the SIG listing make us believe that it should be the rebadged Galaxy A52 5G for India.

Samsung generally focuses on the Axx series for the offline markets. The Galaxy A51 was one of the most shipped devices and contributed more to the company’s market share. The M-series, on the other hand, is focused mostly on the online audience and Samsung is doing it to vent out the competition in India whilst grabbing itself a bite.

In that case, the 5G version could make sense to India(despite the auction for 5G spectrum is still pending). Anyway, let’s wait and see if Samsung finalizes the idea of launching the Galaxy M62 5G in the country.

All in all, if Galaxy M62 5G launches as a rebadged Galaxy A52 5G, it should feature a 6.5-inch Infinity-O AMOLED FHD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate, Snapdragon 750G chipset, 64MP quad-camera setup, 4,500mAh battery with 25W charging, & more.

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