OnePlus Store app gets a version for Canada and the United States

By

-

Mar 17, 2021

Last year, OnePlus released the OnePlus Store app for India. The app was another way for users to purchase OnePlus products alongside the official website/online store. Now, folks in Canada and the United States are getting their own version.

Unlike some apps that allow you to switch regions within the app itself, OnePlus has decided to go with a separate app for this new region. We guess there is a reason why they decided to go with this method rather than adding new regions within the existing app.

The app will not only provide you with your favorite products but also provide access to offers such as weekly deals; quick support and diagnostic tools; and member-only benefits. You will also get notifications for deals and discounts on items. The app also has a feature called OnePlus Club which is a sort of reward program where you earn experience points that unlock exclusive benefits.

The OnePlus Store in United States & Canada app as it is officially called is 27MB in size and is compatible with devices running Android 6.0 and up. While you can download it now from the Play Store, OnePlus revealed to XDA Developers that there will be an official launch on March 18.

RELATED:

OPPO Reno5 and Reno5F launched in Nigeria

By

Habeeb Onawole

-

Mar 17, 2021

Today, OPPO announced the Reno5 and the Reno5F smartphones. Both phones have AMOLED displays, quad-rear cameras, and support 4G LTE.

Reno5

The Reno5 has a 6.4-inch AMOLED screen with an FHD+ resolution, a 90Hz refresh rate, and a punch hole for the front-facing camera. It comes with a Snapdragon 720G processor and is available in a single configuration – 8GB RAM + 128GB.

In front is a 44MP camera with beauty effects while the quad-rear camera setup includes a 64MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide angle camera, a 2MP macro camera, and a 2MP mono camera. The camera app comes with features such as Dual-view video, AI Mixed Portrait, and AI Highlight Video for brighter and clearer videos in low light.

OPPO ships it with a 4310mAh battery with support for 50W VOOC Flash Charge. It claims a 5-minute charge will provide 3 hours of video playback and a full charge takes just 48 minutes. You also get a Super Power Saving Mode and a Battery Guard that optimizes charging when plugged in overnight.

The Reno5 ships with ColorOS 11 which has features such as Gamer Mode for uninterrupted and enhanced gaming experience; Flex Drop for resizing apps into floating windows; and hand gesture support that allows you to control your device without touching it. The phone also has an audio jack, an in-display fingerprint scanner, and a MicroSD card slot.

OPPO has put a price tag of NGN 169,000 on the Reno5 and it is available in Fantasy Silver and Starry Black. It is available for pre-order on Jumia Nigeria and Buyoppo.ng ahead of when it goes on sale on March 21. Those who pre-order get a free pair of OPPO Enco W11 TWS earbuds.

OPPO Reno5F

The Reno 5F has a 6.43-inch AMOLED display with an FHD+ resolution, punch hole, and a 60Hz refresh rate. The Helio P95 processor is paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of expandable storage.

Its main rear camera is a 48MP f/1.7 sensor and it comes along with an 8MP ultrawide angle camera, a 2MP macro camera, and a 2MP mono camera. Its front-facing camera is a 32MP sensor. The camera app has an AI Color Portrait Video mode that highlights the color of the subject while turning the background black and white. There is also a monochrome video mode that highlights only one color while turning everything else into monochrome.

The Reno5F has a 4310mAh battery with support for 30W VOOC Flash Charge 4.0. You get a USB-C port, an audio jack, and an in-display fingerprint scanner. It comes with ColorOS 11 based on Android 11 pre-installed.

The Reno5F is more affordable, as it is priced at NGN 129,000. It is available in Fantastic Purple and Fluid Black. It is available for pre-order on the same platforms as the Reno5. Those who pre-order get a free power bank.

RELATED:

Ulefone Note 11P performs exceptionally well in its first Hands-On Video

By

Simranpal Singh

-

Mar 17, 2021

Previously, the Ulefone Note series was well known for entry-level smartphones. Now, the Ulefone Note 11P has scaled the Note series as a mid-range lineup. Apart from decent specifications and affordable pricing, the device also offers some good design aesthetics. However, the new Ulefone Note 11P is available for pre-orders globally via Banggood and Aliexpress.

Must See: Ulefone Armor 11 5G’s build-quality tested with Cement and Steel nails

Ahead of its first sale, the first hands-on video has been surfaced online officially on the company’s YouTube channel. The video details a few specifications of the smartphone along with a detailed preview. As per the video, the phone’s massive display looks massive as it carries a punch-hole cutout. Moreover, it offers great performance while gaming. Its 48MP primary rear camera can record high-quality videos and capture vivid images. A 120-degree wide-angle camera captures broader photos. It runs Android 11 on the top along with features such as the Conversation bubbles, Smart Home Control, New Screenshots & Edits, multitasking interface, etc.

Talking about the specifications, the device features a 6.55-inch IPS LCD display coupled with 720 x 1600 pixels resolution, a 20:9 aspect ratio, and 268 PPI density. Under the hood, the Mediatek Helio P60 (12 nm) Chipset powers the device. It hosts 8GB RAM and 128GB internal storage. There’s a quad rear camera, 8MP selfie camera, and packs a 4,500 mAh battery.

In pricing, the Ulefone Note 11P carries a price tag of $139.99 and is retailing via AliExpress and Banggood. The price may vary based on the selected colour variant. You can know more about the device by heading to the official website.

Related: Ulefone Armor 11 5G’s build-quality tested with Cement and Steel nails

HiBy Crystal 6 Multi-BA IEMs launched to provide premium and accurate sound

By

Simranpal Singh

-

Mar 17, 2021

HiFiGo is finally here with its new IEM – HiBy Crystal 6. It provides an all-new level of audio quality and clarity while carrying a beautiful design. It is built-in with 6 BA drivers in a 4-way crossover on both sides. The flagship IEM can easily handle any type of music genre while providing a subtle experience. HiBy Crystal 6 is on sale for an introductory price of $399. However, the price will climb the ladder after the 25th of March and will retail for $459.

Must See: Hifigo launched Kinera Baldr Multi-Driver IEM for $1399.99

Hify Crystal 6 IEM hots some exciting features including premium 6BA configuration on each side. The richness of the sound is maintained with the 4-Way crossover design, Universal 0.78mm 2-pin connectors, and ergonomically designed buds. It is a purely lightweight product that has 14ohms impedance and 107dB/mW sensitivity. Other features of the flagship In-Ear-Monitors are as follows:

Premium Drivers

Hiby Crystal 6 comes with a Knowles 22955 Low-frequency driver, 2 custom-tuned 1006 BA units for transparent mid-frequencies, a custom-tuned 20098 and two 31735 BA units to provide mid-frequencies. These enable the IEM to provide rich sound quality while listening to different genre music.

Professional 4-Way Crossover

To reduce the frequency overlapping, the HiBy Crystal 6 uses a 4-way crossover and 4 independent acoustic tubes. It provides ultra-low multi-driver distortion with accurate imaging and tonality.

Natural, Clear, and Premium Sound

The IEM provides detailed sound output with natural tonality using tuning done by a professional acoustic engineer at HiBy. It further enhances the experience by offering the minutest details.

Meaningful Design

HiBy Crystal 6 is a visual treat as it houses a German Nice-Fit UV cured enamel exterior and dyed wooden faceplates while carrying a unique texture on each and every unit. Moreover, the design provides a meaningful and comfortable fit for its users. It weighs 6.5gm on each side.

A 3.5mm SE, silver-plated copper wire cables are present to eliminate any distortion and noise.

Useful Accessories

TO further aid the music experience, the HiBy Crystal 6 comes with a bundle of some useful accessories. It offers a 4.4mm balanced OCC (Ohno Continous Cast) copper cable and the other is a 3.5mm single-ended Silver -Plated Copper cable. Moreover, the users can choose from different ear tips including, Bass silicone ear tips, Memory Foam tips, and a high-quality leather carry case.

Price and Availability

HiBy Crystal 6 is currently retailing for $399, but it will start retailing for $459 from 25th March. The price under the early bird offer is limited till 25th March. More information is available on their official store.

Related: HiBy launches 4G flagship R8 Music Player with exceptional audio features for $1819

Deal: Get Cubot Note 20 Pro for $129.79 (Original Price $150)

By

Daily Deals

-

Mar 17, 2021

Attention readers! There is a flash deal going on at AliExpress for Cubot Note 20 Pro. the smartphone which generally retails at $150 is available for a discounted price of $129.79 only.

WHERE TO BUY

Cubot Note 20 Pro at $129.79@AliExpress

Cubot Note 20 Pro is powered by an MTK Octacore processor and comes in two memory variants viz: 6GB + 128GB and 8GB + 128 GB. It features a 6.5-inch display and packs a quad-rear camera sensor featuring a 12-megapixel Sony IMX486 sensor, a 20-megapixel Sony IMX350 depth sensor, and a 0.3-megapixel photosensitive lens. An 8-megapixel AI selfie camera is encased inside the waterdrop display for beautiful selfies.

The smartphone is fueled by a 4200 mAh detachable battery and comes in three color variants viz: Black, Green, and Blue. The smartphone which generally retails at $150 is available for $129.79 only. Please note that this offer is available only on the 8GB +128GB variant and comes with free shipping from the China warehouse. The offer is valid only for the next 36 hours. So get your discounted Cubot Note 20 Pro 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.

Logitech G333 is the brand’s first gaming ‘in-ear monitors’ priced at $50

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

Mar 17, 2021

Logitech has been silently building its accessories and devices with greater attention to wireless capability for its products. The premium Logitech Pro X wireless headset which the company released in 2020 has been very successful. However, with the release of its first-ever wired in-ear monitors (IEMs), well suited for gaming applications, the product dubbed Logitech G333 marks a big shift from the trend aid product development in the company.

At a cost of $50, the Logitech G333 wired in-ear monitors have three colour mix variants namely silver/light purple, black/bright blue, purple/yellow. and seeks to attract gaming enthusiasts with a more comfortable gaming experience from a snugly-fit device. The move to wired in-ear devices in favour of the wireless alternative may be seen as counter-productive but it may be a deliberate decision by the company to pinpoint the relevance of wired applications even in the face of a trend of wireless devices over the past years.

The G333 in-ear monitor has as accessories a 3.5mm jack and a USB-C adapter. It is quite easy to connect the device to any gaming platform including PC and mobile games and enjoy gaming content of your choice, whether it is Xbox, PlayStation, or Nintendo.

The G33 has a close resemblance to Logitech’s Oculus 2 headphones from 2020, although a few modifications are apparent, including a powerful microphone, and a layout and general audio quality which the company insists is at par with the predecessors of the G333. It is hoped that this affordable in-ear monitor will provide a superior gaming experience for gamers across all the gaming platforms.

The G33 sells for $50 and is expected to be swarmed by gaming enthusiasts due to its affordability and relative quality. The G333 wired in-ear monitor is now available online through Logitech and a number of retailers.

RELATED:

SA predicts Xiaomi will emerge as the third-largest smartphone vendor in 2021

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

Mar 17, 2021

Strategy Analytics has released a research report which projects how the smartphone market will rebound post-COVID 19. The report shows that the smartphone market will rebound in 2021 with expected shipments of 1.38 billion units, representing +6.5% growth over last year’s shipments.

The growth is expected to be driven mainly by a resurgence in the global economy as the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy abates. Also, the number of old smartphones in circulation has reason partly due to the penchant of users to hold on to their phones longer than before and the effect of the pandemic on the economy last year. Thirdly, the aggressive push by OEMs to produce 5G phones in segments other than the flagship category. Now, there are 5G mid-range and even affordable models.

Strategy Analytics’ Smartphone Analyst Abhilash Kumar also disclosed that the firm expects Xiaomi to emerge as the third-largest global smartphone vendor, replacing Huawei. This projection is based on the Chinese brand’s positive performance in the Indian and Russian markets. The company has also made an aggressive push in Central & Eastern Europe and Western Europe.

Linda Sui, Senior Director at Strategy Analytics, added that 2021 was going to be the year of Chinese smartphone vendors. He also noted that the trio of Vivo, Xiaomi, and OPPO are expected to become top 3 players “driven by aggressive marketing, expanding channel footprints, and competitive pricing.”

Furthermore, the report stated that Transsion Holdings will emerge as the largest vendor ]in Africa & Middle East, ahead of Samsung. While Samsung will occupy the second spot, Xiaomi will hop into the third spot.

Xiaomi is also expected to cement its hold on the third spot in Western Europe, behind Apple and Samsung.

RELATED;

(source)

Samsung Galaxy A52 4G and 5G launched: Specifications, Features, and Price

By

Balaji S

-

Mar 17, 2021

Samsung has finally launched the Galaxy A52 alongside the Galaxy A72. Unlike the A72, the A52 comes in both 4G and 5G variants. Let’s take a look at the specs and features of the device.

Samsung Galaxy A52 4G, Galaxy A52 5G Price, Variants

Samsung has launched both the Galaxy A52 4G and 5G in four colors- Awesome White, Awesome Black, Awesome Violet, and Awesome Blue. You can take a look at the storage variants below:

Samsung Galaxy A52 4G
- 4GB + 128GB
- 6GB + 128GB
- 8GB + 256GB
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G
- 6GB + 128GB
- 8GB + 256GB

The 4G version starts at €349 whereas the 5G models will be available from €429 in Europe. As for availability, the devices go on sale in select markets starting today whereas in the US, they will be available from April. In Nigeria, the 4G model starts at N139,500.

1 of 5

Samsung Galaxy A52 4G and 5G Specifications and Features

The Samsung Galaxy A52 4G and 5G have a plastic back, measure 75.1 x 159.9 x 8.4mm and weigh 189 grams. The devices feature a 6.5-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED
Infinity-O Display. This display has a resolution of 2400×1080 pixels, 407 PPI, and brightness up to 800 nits.

Here, the 4G version has a 90Hz refresh rate whereas the 5G version comes with a 120Hz panel. Both the displays are also SGS certified and are Eye Care Display low blue light certification.

1 of 4

Under the hood, the Galaxy A52 4G is powered by Snapdragon 720G chipset while the 5G variant has an Octa-core chipset with 2x cores at 2.2GHz + and 6x cores clocked at 1.8GHz. This is probably the Snapdragon 750G chipset. Apart from internal storage, the devices also come with a MicroSD for storage expansion up to 1 TB.

For cameras, we have a Quad-camera setup with a 64MP f/1.8 lens with OIS, 12MP f/2.2 ultrawide, 5MP f/2.4 macro, and a 5MP f/2.4 depth sensor. Upfront, there is a 32MP f/2.2 front camera.

Samsung has included camera features like 4K Video Snap, Scene Optimizer, Night mode, AR emoji and My Filters, and a Fun mode(Snapchat partnership) where you can apply AR Lenses from Snapchat while using the native camera.

Other features include a 4,500mAh battery with 25W charging, MicroSD slot(up to 1TB), 4G LTE, 5G Sub6 FDD, 5G Sub6 TDD(on Galaxy A52 5G), Wi-Fi 5GHz, Bluetooth 5.0, and GPS, Glonass, BeiDou, Galileo, NFC, and MST(differs by regions).

The devies also sport a Type-C port, 3.5mm audio jack, stereo speakers tuned by AKG, surround sound with Dolby Atmos, display fingerprint scanner, face unlock, Samsung Knox security, SmartThings find, IP67 water & dust resistance, Android 11 with One UI 3.1 on top.

As always, Samsung promises three generations of Android upgrades and up to four years of security updates on the Galaxy A52 devices.

RELATED:

Deal: Buy Xiaomi Pinlo Braised Beaker/Thermos for $28.99 (Original Price $35)

By

Daily Deals

-

Mar 17, 2021

AliExpress is giving a fantastic deal on Xiaomi Pinlo 550ml braised beaker. The insulated thermos/food container which usually retails at $35 is now available for $28.99 only.

WHERE TO BUY

Xiaomi Pinlo 550ml braised beaker at $28.99 @AliExpress

Xiaomi Pinlo 550ml braised beaker is an insulated thermos/ food container that can be used to keep your food warm/cold for up to 6 hours. The stainless steel interior ensures that the food quality is not compromised and the 7 cm diameter wide mouth gives easy access to pour and use the food.

The portable and lightweight food container is made with a scratch-resistant PP exterior and comes with a detachable lid which makes it easy to clean and wash the thermos. Designed for portability and comfort, this beautiful white braised beaker is a perfect companion for office, school, hospital, camping, and traveling needs.

Retailing at $35 Xiaomi Pinlo 550ml braised beaker is now available for $28.99 only at AliExpress. With free shipping and a new user coupon on AliExpress, this is a bargain deal, too good to be ignored. So get your Xiaomi Pinlo 550ml braised beaker right now.

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

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

Samsung Galaxy A72 4G packs a high refresh rate, IP67 rating, telephoto camera, and more

By

Habeeb Onawole

-

Mar 17, 2021

Updated: The post has been corrected to reflect that the Galaxy A72 comes with a 25W charger. We reported earlier that it ships with a 15W charger. That was an error and we apologize for the misinformation.

Samsung has announced the Galaxy A72 4G smartphone today, unfortunately, the 5G version is missing in action. The new phone comes with upgrades such as a high refresh rate, upgrades cameras, an IP-rating, and a bigger battery capacity.

Galaxy A72 Design

Just as we have seen with a lot of Samsung phones released this year, the Galaxy A72 4G also comes with a display with a centered punch hole. On the back is a camera housing with four sensors and an LED flash. The back of the phone is covered in polycarbonate and one commendable addition is that the Galaxy A72 4G has an IP67 rating making it water (up to 1m for up to 30 minutes) and dust resistant.

Samsung has shown time and time again that it is not afraid of playing with colors and it does that again with the new Galaxy A72. The phone is available in Awesome Black, Awesome Blue, Awesome Violet, and Awesome White.

Galaxy A72 4G specifications

The Galaxy A72 4G has a 6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display with a brightness of up to 800 nits, SGS Eye Comfort Shield, and a 90Hz refresh rate. Samsung doesn’t say if the device has HDR10, so we will assume it doesn’t just like its predecessor.

The phone swaps the Snapdragon 730 processor of the Galaxy A71 for the Snapdragon 720G and it comes with 6GB/8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of storage. A MicroSD card slot will allow you to add up to an extra 1TB of storage.

You get four rear cameras on the Galaxy A72 4G – a 64MP f/1.8 camera with optical image stabilization, a 12MP f/2.2 ultrawide angle camera with a 123° field of view, an 8MP f/2.4 telephoto camera with OIS and 3x optical zoom, and a 5MP f/2.4 macro camera. Samsung says the phone also has 30x Space Zoom. The front-facing camera is a 32MP sensor.

The Galaxy A72 4G has Dolby Atmos stereo speakers, an audio jack, a USB-C, and an in-display fingerprint scanner. Samsung has bumped the battery capacity to 5000mAh and it supports 25W fast charging like its predecessor. It also comes with a 25W fast charger.

As expected, you get Android 11 pre-installed with Samsung’s One UI 3.0 interface on top.

Galaxy A72 Price and Availability

The phone will be sold for €450/£420 for the base model with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. There is no price yet for the 8GB RAM + 256GB version.

RELATED:

Future OnePlus phones may run OPPO ColorOS in China

By

Balaji S

-

Mar 17, 2021

OnePlus devices in China run a Chinese version of the OxygenOS and it is called the HydrogenOS. Looks like it won’t be the case in the future as an XDA report says the company might switch over to OPPO’s ColorOS in the future.

According to the report, an XDA Senior Member hikari_calyx has found an announcement on the OnePlus QQ Official group. A screenshot says that the official website of the HydrogenOS will shut down on March 24 which is the launch date for the OnePlus 9 series in China.

Anyway, the announcement also says that the OTA servers of the HydrogenOS will subsequently be shut on April 1. If this is true, the company would be withdrawing the developments on HydrogenOS after so many years. Besides, OPPO and OnePlus aren’t that apart to begin with.

The majority of OnePlus and OPPO shares are owned by Oujia Holdings Ltd.(OPlus) and Pete Lau is the Senior Vice President at OPlus since August 2020. Back then, OnePlus had confirmed that he will also serve as the CEO of the company.

Additionally, the company merged its R&D department with OPPO back in January 2021 but said that software features will be unique. Cut back to present times, the alleged announcement says that OnePlus devices will switch to OPPO’s ColorOS and be sold via the OPPO store in China.

Before OnePlus could confirm this news as true/false, forums in China have spread this info and the reactions are mixed. While this is happening, an OnePlus spokesperson has confirmed to XDA that OnePlus devices will continue to run OxygenOS globally.

Few users also say that OnePlus might unveil this news at the OnePlus 9 series and the device may run the OS out of the box. However, these are early guesses, and let’s wait for the official info in the coming days.

RELATED:

Deal: Get Yeelight Smart Light Strip 1M for $10.45 (Original Price $15)

By

Daily Deals

-

Mar 17, 2021

If you are looking for a LED RGB Color Strip to change the look of your home or office then be sure to check out this deal on Yeelight Smart Light Strip. The 1m extendable smart light strip which generally retails at $15 is now available for $10.45 only at AliExpress.

WHERE TO BUY

Yeelight Smart Light Strip at $10.45@AliExpress

Yeelight Smart Light Strip Yeelight Smart Light Strip is made of flexible material which can be easily bent and folded and attached to almost any surface with its adhesive strip on the back. This means you get colorful flashing lights in your space instantly, with zero fuss.

This wifi-enabled smart LED light strip comes with a million color options and can be controlled with Alexa, Google assistant, and Mijia App. Moreover, the smart strip comes with a dimming option and can be used for scheduled lighting and illumination.

Generally retailing at $15, AliExpress is giving out Yeelight Smart Light Strip 1m for $10.45 only. Please note that the LED strip can be easily extendable by adding more strips to the base pack. With free shipping and a new user coupon, this offer is simply value for money. So grab this deal asap, before it 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.

Honor Magic 3 to come with Snapdragon 888; Magic X likely to be the foldable phone

By

Habeeb Onawole

-

Mar 17, 2021

It is no longer news that Honor is planning to release a new phone for its Magic series this year. Earlier reports have revealed that this new model will be a foldable smartphone. More details have now surfaced, revealing that we will be getting not one but two models in the Magic series and they will arrive as the Magic 3 and Magic X.

According to a tweet posted earlier today by RODENT950, Honor’s upcoming flagship phones include the Honor 40 series, the Magic 3, and the Magic X. We already know the Honor 40 series is expected to come later this summer. However, this is the first time we are knowing the official names of the new Magic series phones.

I'm looking forward to new Honor flagship products
including Honor 40 series, Magic 3 and Magic X, also new X20 mid-range phone pic.twitter.com/9sU4y1pSt7

— Teme (特米)😷 (@RODENT950) March 17, 2021

In a separate tweet, the leaker revealed that the Magic 3 will have a Snapdragon 888 processor, a classic Magic design, and a single punch hole. He also says the phone will be announced in July of this year.

Seeing as the Magic 3 will have what we believe is a regular candybar design, it is safe to assume that the Magic X will be the foldable phone. Unfortunately, the leaker didn’t reveal which processor the Magic X will have or what foldable design it will adopt

Magic 3
SD888
Classic magic design
Single hole
Coming in July 2021

— Teme (特米)😷 (@RODENT950) March 17, 2021

Another phone mentioned to be in the pipeline is the Honor X20 which will be a mid-range smartphone. This should be the successor to the Honor X10 5G that launched last May. We expect this new model to also have support for 5G and may likely be powered by a MediaTek processor.

RELATED:

Samsung Galaxy A70 starts receiving One UI 3.1 (Android 11) update

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

-

Mar 17, 2021

The Samsung Galaxy A70 was one of the best-selling smartphones in 2019 just like its smaller sibling Galaxy A50. The latter started receiving the One UI 3.1 (Android 11) update last week. Now, the company has begun to roll out this same software update to the former device as well.

The South Korean tech giant launched the Galaxy A70 with One UI based on Android 9.0 Pie. The handset was later updated to Android 10-based One UI 2.x. Now, Samsung has even started seeding out One UI 3.1 (Android 11) update for this phone.

According to SamMobile, the Android 11 update for the Galaxy A70 is currently live in Ukraine. The update comes with firmware version A705FNXXU5DUC6 and March 2021 security patches in the country. It weighs about 1.9GB in size.

Users living in this region can head over to Settings > Software update > Download and install to check if their unit has got the OTA update. Similarly, customers in other regions can also do the same since they are also expected to get the update in the coming days.

That said, Android 11 should be the last major update for the Samsung Galaxy A70. However, this smartphone should receive security updates up until 2023.

OPPO AirVOOC 45W Wireless charger gets certified in Indonesia, global launch imminent

By

Balaji S

-

Mar 17, 2021

OPPO launched the 45W AirVOOC Wireless Charger a day after the Find X3 Pro unveiling. The charger is priced at 329 yuan($50) in the country. Now, it has appeared on Indonesia Telecom certification indicating an imminent global launch.

Spotted by Mukul Sharma, an OPPO wireless charger with model number OAWV02 appears on the Indonesia Telecom website. This the 45W AirVOOC wireless charger that launched in China. Although the Find X3 Pro wireless charging up to 30W, we don’t have a charger that supports AirVOOC protocol globally yet.

Well, this could be the one that OPPO is bringing to complement the 2021 flagship. Surprisingly, OPPO Ace2, which launched in China last year, supports a higher wireless charging of up to 40W which is 10W higher than the 2021 Find X3 Pro.

Besides, OPPO’s sister OnePlus is also bringing a 50W wireless charger to the Global markets with the OnePlus 9 series. Let’s wait and see how these chargers differ from each other although we think they might be similar, at least on the inside.

Speaking of which, the OPPO 45W AirVOOC Wireless charger supports inputs from 18W/20W/65W adapters. For the output, devices that support AirVOOC tech can make use of the 45W but others(Qi protocol) are limited to 15W.

The charger has features like a Type-C port, six protections including over-voltage, over-current, and foreign body detection, a fan to keep itself cool, supports phones with cases having thickness <2mm.

RELATED:

Official: realme narzo 30 will launch in 4G and 5G variants

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

-

Mar 17, 2021

Last month, realme launched the realme narzo 30 Pro 5G as the most affordable 5G smartphone in India. Now, the company has officially confirmed to release another such cheap 5G handset. This device will be called realme narzo 30 5G.

Madhav Sheth, the CEO of realme India and realme Europe answers the questions asked by the public once every month in a YouTube video series called ‘AskMadhav’. In the recently released Episode 25 of the series, the company executive confirms the arrival of realme narzo 30.

In the latest video, Mr. Sheth reveals that the realme narzo 30 has reached the end of the testing and development phase. But due to the recent demand for 5G smartphones, the brand has decided to launch a 5G variant of this handset. He even confirms that both the models will be released together.

However, the executive does not say when these phones will go official. He merely uses the word ‘soon’. Hence, the launch could take place in a few weeks or even months from now.

Anyway, although we appreciate realme for democratizing 5G technology for the masses, the brand lags behind in the software department. The company debuted the realme narzo 30 Pro 5G with Android 10. This device is scheduled to get Android 11 beta only in Q3 2021.

Hopefully, realme improves its software support as soon as possible.

POCO X3 Pro to feature Corning Gorilla Glass 6 for protection

By

Balaji S

-

Mar 17, 2021

POCO is gearing for a launch event both in India and other global markets. At the event, the company is expected to launch the flagship killer POCO X3 Pro. Surprisingly, POCO India hasn’t revealed the name officially yet. However, today, the company has teased the presence of Corning Gorilla Glass on it.

POCO X3 Pro Renders Leak Featured 01 — POCO X3 Pro renders, Credit: Ishan Agarwal(Twitter)

POCO India, in an official tweet, shared a video of the toughness test of the Gorilla Glass 6. If you recall, Corning launched the Gorilla Glass 6 back in 2018 with 2x durability than the predecessor.

Anyway, the upcoming POCO X3 Pro‘s display will feature the Gorilla Glass 6 with improved scratch resistance and durability. In the video, POCO also shows a test where the Gorilla Glass is able to handle a load of about 28.65Kgf. That said, the company hasn’t confirmed if both the front and back of the device will have it.

Yesterday, we saw leaked renders of the POCO X3 Pro and the device looks very similar to its smaller sibling, POCO X3. And the non-Pro, which launched in September 2020, has an LCD display protected by Gorilla Glass 5 and not 6. Looks like POCO is making a few changes to make the flagship killer worthy of its price.

G🦍rilla Fact: Unmatched strength for the madder you!

T🦍ugher
Str🦍nger
Scr🦍tch resistant

Mad #PROformance, guaranteed! pic.twitter.com/Wr2g6nyQjZ

— POCO – Madder By the Minute (@IndiaPOCO) March 17, 2021

The POCO X3 Pro is said to arrive in Phantom Black, Metal Bronze, and Frost Blue color options. The device will have a side-mounted fingerprint sensor and a supposedly FHD+ display with a punch-hole at the center.

As for Specs, it is said to feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 860 chipset, 4G, dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, 48MP quad-camera setup, 6GB/8GB RAM, 128GB/256GB storage, and MIUI 12 and retail for a starting price of €269.

RELATED:

Apple iPhone users’ loyalty hits all time high while Android sees decline: Survey

By

Sean

-

Mar 17, 2021

A new survey has revealed that the loyalty of Apple iPhone users has reached an all time high, while Android sees a slight dip in this regard. The survey was conducted with 5,000 American smartphone users earlier this month.

According to the SellCell survey (Via AndroidAuthority), iPhone loyalty has hit a new peak with an all time of 91.9 percent willingness of iPhone users to choose the same brand again when purchasing a new handset. On the other hand, the best performers from the Android side was Samsung‘s userbase. Although, the South Korean smartphone maker’s loyalty fell from 86.7 percent in 2019 to just 74 percent this year.

Furthermore, it gets worse for other brands as loyalty for brand further drops for companies like Google, with only 65.2 percent of Pixel users likely to buy a new device from the same lineup. Similarly, only 37.4 percent and 29 percent of LG and Motorola users respectively intend to stay with their current smartphone brand. As per the survey, the Cupertino based giant’s recent privacy push might have played a part in this, as about 52.9 percent of people shifting away from Samsung might opt for an iPhone in the future.

This arrives amid consumers becoming more aware and sensitive towards data privacy and data tracking. The survey found that 31.5 percent of all people converting to another brand stated that privacy was the primary reason for their shift in loyalty as users were concerned regarding their devices tracking them and were willing to switch brands that promised more protection and data security.

RELATED:

HONOR NTN certified by FCC as a 4G smartphone without carrier aggregation

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

-

Mar 17, 2021

HONOR is expected to launch a bunch of new products in both China and global markets in the coming days. Multiple devices from the brand are in the news via leaks, certifications, and rumors. One of those handsets is HONOR NTN, which was spotted on EEC in February. Now, a month later, this smartphone has been certified by FCC as well.

According to FCC (Federal Communications Commission), the upcoming HONOR NTN will be a 4G smartphone. The device will have support for 3G, 2G, dual-band WiFi, and Bluetooth 5.0. Unfortunately, it will not arrive with carrier aggregation.

Further, the listing reveals this handset to come with a 4,200mAh rated battery and TÜV Rheinland certification for low blue light emission. That’s not all, just like the HONOR CHL, this phone will be also shipped with a bundled earphones.

Also, like HONOR CHL, the software on HONOR NTN could be Magic UI 5.0. Because it is listed with software version 5.0.0.79(C900E74R1P2).

That said, nothing else is known about this smartphone except for the above-mentioned specifics. Anyway, if this handset is set to release soon, then we can expect to learn further about it via other certification bureaus, benchmarking platforms, and more.

Xiaomi arrives 1st in China for total design applications awarded by WIPO

By

Sean

-

Mar 17, 2021

Earlier today (17th March 2021), Xiaomi announced that the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) had released its results of the 2020 international registration of patents, trademarks and industrial designs. In this report, it was revealed that the smartphone maker arrives first in China and fifth worldwide for the total number of design patents awarded.

According to the WIPO report (Via ITHome), the registration results of the International Design System found that the number of Chinese companies in the listing increased by 22.7 percent. Out of which, 516 design registrations were awarded to Xiaomi. this had the company arrived first in its home country and fifth globally. Furthermore, the report also found that as of March 2021, the Chinese tech giant and its ecosystem have won more than 600 international and domestic design awards as well.

Meanwhile, South Korean consumer electronics maker, Samsung, topped the list in the Hague filers for the fourth consecutive year as it was awarded with 859 designs in published applications; the brand was followed by Procter & Gamble of the US and (623), Fonkel Meubelmarketing of the Netherlands (569), Volkswagen of Germany (524). Additionally, China remained the largest user of WIPO’s PCT System, with 68,720 applications, marking a 16.1 percent year on year growth. This was followed by the US with 59,230 applications, and Japan with 50,520 applications.

RELATED: