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Amazfit looking to bring ECG and blood pressure monitoring to its wearables

New York Stock Exchange-listed wearable manufacturer Huami has over the years come out with various innovative features for its smartwatch and fitness bands. The Mi Band manufacturer seems poised to continue to blaze the trail of innovation in the wearable market.Amazfit GTR GTS featured smartwatch comparison (7)

The company is reportedly working on new features that would be introduced to consumers in the near future. Some of the features include ECG and blood pressure monitoring, improvements in AI deep learning, and possible Spotify integration.

This was disclosed in an interview by Zepp Health COO Mike Yeung (via). Zepp is a separate brand under Huami just like the Amazfit brand. The COO hint Huami was currently engaging with the US FDA to get its algorithm certified and also working on areas such as ECG and blood pressure monitoring. He also stated that the company was already in partnership with Alivecor in the US.

Alivcor is a renowned EKG sensor manufacturer and is acclaimed as the first company to get an ECG accessory for the Apple Watch approved by the FDA.

“Everybody heard about how Apple Watch got FDA approval, but to be frank, almost 18 months before that, we actually had our Health Band certified as a medical device by the China FDA so it can measure ECG accurately as a medical device,” Yeung added.

Huami isn’t just trying to get onboard the ECG-packing smartwatch train, instead it is working on a new innovation – cuffless blood pressure monitoring and glucose tracking. “Our biggest achievement is firstly our ECG, and secondly, sleep research. We’re going to continue to refine those further, and then the upcoming is in blood pressure and blood glucose monitoring. We are also quite optimistic now, based on current progress, about glucose monitoring. It’s been a difficult nut to crack, but we are now more optimistic than ever that we can do it,” Yeung disclosed.Amazfit GTS 2e All Colors Featured

In order for its product to appeal to a wider audience in the west, the company is partnering with some prominent brands suchas Spotify, according to Mr Yeung. “We’re with ecosystem partners in some instances, such as Spotify. Music playing and payment, for example, are things we are engaging with all the local partners to beef up. Over half of our products are sold overseas, outside of China. But mostly in Europe and Southeast Asia. We do have a very ambitious plan for North America’s expansion. Actually, we planned to expand very aggressively in North America last year, but due to COVID, we suspended that to resume,” he added.

We can’t say if these new features will be on the upcoming products but we won’t wait for too long to find out.

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Sony Xperia Pro teardown reveals a huge vapor cooling chamber and more!

Sony‘s premium Xperia Pro smartphone which was launched in the US in January this year has received the teardown treatment from JerryRigEverything.Sony Xperia Pro teardown

The teardown shows that the pricy device which comes in at $2,499, utilises a plastic frame and back panel instead of metal and glass used on the Xperia 1 II model. We can’t tell why Sony decided to use plastic but for that price, we expect something more premium.

Inside the device, a mammoth vapr cooling chamber which is said to be the latest that has been seen on a smartphone could be seen. Vapor cooling chambers are usually known to be a design feature of gaming smartphones.  However, the Xperia Pro not only has one, but it is reputed to be the largest around to date.

The big vapour cooling chamber has a metal plate that functions as the interface with various graphite sheets conducting heat away from components and leading it to the plate. This includes sheets that help cool the phone’s 5G antennas. The metal plate in turn transfers heat to an enormous vapor chamber – it’s almost as tall and wide as the phone. The chamber then dumps all the heat out through the screen.

As a reminder, the Xperia Pro is powered by the old Snapdragon 865 chipset from last year and that is because it was first unveiled last year and was expected to have been launched last year.

Check out the full video from below.

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OPPO’s new Enco X just has a new paint job; will go on sale on March 19

Last week, OPPO released teaser posters that hinted at the release of a new pair of Enco X earbuds alongside the Find X3 series. The new pair of TWS earbuds, which is actually just a new colorway, is dubbed the Enco X Blue Edition and it will go on sale on March 19.

Enco X Blue Edition

Just as the name says, the new colorway has a blue paint job, and it brings the color options which include black, white, and Bamboo Green to four. OPPO has gone with a glossy finish for the earbuds and most part of the case, save for the frame which has a metallic finish. Inside the box are two pairs of extra silicone tips in the same blue color as the earbuds. Other than the different paint job, the features are the same.

Each earbud of the Enco X weighs 4.8 grams and has an 11mm driver and a 6mm speaker unit. The Enco X has four-levels of noise cancellation (counting when it is turned off too) including a transparent mode. The earbuds also support SBC, AAC, and LHDC codecs.

The battery life for each earbuds is about 5.5 hours and it goes up to 25 hours with the charging case. With ANC turned on (at the highest level), the total battery life drips to 20 hours. The case charges via USB-C and also supports Qi wireless charging.

The Enco X Blue Edition will sell for ¥999 (~$154), the same price as the other colorways. However, early buyers will be able to grab it for ¥919 (~$141) from JD.com.

 

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Sony is shutting down the PlayStation Communities feature on PS4

Sony is gradually winding down a number of features that were prominent with its PlayStation 4 console, as greater attention is now shifting to the PS5. Sony has notified its registered users of the PS4 via email of plans to discontinue the PlayStation Communities by April 2021.PlayStation 4 featured

The PlayStation Communities has provided a fertile platform for gaming enthusiasts and fans to interact, play games and discuss related interests. It had grown to become a melting pot of ideas and competition among users prior to the release of the successor Console, the PS5. Back in March 2020, Sony had discontinued the PlayStation Communities app from the PlayStation Store and gradually limited its functionalities.

The impending shutdown of the Communities feature follows the discontinuation earlier this month, of rental and movie purchases via the PlayStation Store, applicable for all current versions of the gaming console: PS4, PS4 Pro and PS5.

Sony has adduced some reasons behind the decision to pull the plug on the Communities feature, amidst a general realignment of features on the PlayStation Store. It stated that due to massive growth in subscription-based and ad-based entertainment services on its various consoles, the need for the feature was no longer necessary.

Sony also informed its customers that these changes will not come to force before August 31st this year and users can still access their purchased movie and TV content via the PlayStation Store.

The unfolding moves by Sony, even though aimed at providing high-quality content and services to its existing customers (PS4 users inclusive) could also be viewed with apprehension by owners of the PS4 console that their devices may become totally obsolete anytime soon. However, Sony is quite oblivious of this perception and has assured continuous support of the PS4 via regular updates and upgrades of its firmware for better and continuous performance.

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(source)

Apple’s VR headset controller may be a device worn on two fingers, patent reveals

It is no longer news that Apple is in an advanced stage of development of a virtual reality (VR) headset. This has been the subject of several leaks, providing the design and operations of the innovative device that would certainly be a big statement by Apple when it is finally released.Apple VR controller

A recent slew of patents obtained by Apple and spotted by Patently Apple, has again brought the VR headset into the spotlight, as the patents point to how the headset can be controlled via a couple of rings worn on the fingers, that is, the likelihood of hand tracking controls for the device.

Although a patent may not provide definitive information about an upcoming product, it provides important glimpses about the possible design or operation of the product, and the Apple patents relating to the VR headset are no different.Apple VR headset

The leaks and patents, when pieced together carefully, have shown that the Apple headset has, in addition to VR, both mixed reality (MR) and augmented reality (AR) capabilities, which underscores the overall versatility of the device. Apple’s patent titled “self-mixing interferometry-based gesture input system including a wearable or handheld device” may therefore be referring to the VR headset’s control apparatus with two rings that would be worn on the thumb and index fingers. The finger movements would therefore be the inputs needed for the subsequent applications in any of the spheres whether VR or AR or MR. The emerging technology of alternative reality holds lots of promise in the tech space and several manufacturers are exploring development in this direction.

While further developments are awaited in the evolution of the VR headset, Apple is yet to put out any statement regarding the product, neither has it affirmed that the product is in development. However, this is the expected response as the company continues to grapple with numerous leaks of its trade secrets.

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Apple discontinues the HomePod after three years

In November 2017, Apple announced its smart speaker, the HomePod although the cylindrical speaker with a $349 powered by Siri didn’t ship until the following year. A few days ago, it was announced that the speaker has been discontinued.

Apple revealed to TechCrunch that it will instead focus on the HomePod Mini which launched last year and has received mostly positive reviews. The mini is not only smaller but is also more affordable with a$99 price tag.

Apple HomePod

It has been reported that the HomePod will continue to be available for purchase until stock runs out and existing units will still receive software updates and support. Knowing Apple, we do not think it will toe the same line Microsoft and Harman Kardon did for the Cortana-powered Invoke. For those in the dark about that situation, Microsoft decided to end support for the assistant for the speaker, however, a new update is expected to roll out that will transform the smart speaker into a regular Bluetooth speaker.

The smart speaker is the second major product Apple has discontinued this month. Earlier, it revealed that the iMac Pro has been discontinued. The desktop computer targeted at professionals and developers had a starting price of $4,999.

We expect Apple will announce new models under the HomePod series in the future and maybe we will get a bigger model that succeeds where the original failed.

 

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New Chuwi 3:2 series laptops are best-suited for office culture, and improves productivity

The pandemic did give us all a blow in all aspects. Everyone’s life changed in ways they never expected. User preferences saw a major shift from luxury to productivity when it comes to purchasing a laptop. Chuwi, a company that’s been customer-centric for quite a long time seems to realize this well. And now, Chuwi launched the Gemibook and Corebook Pro 13-inch laptops, which targets more of the office guy inside you.

Related: Chuwi LarkBook Ultra-thin Laptop launched with Intel N4120 processor

Laptops aren’t something that’s new to us. Also, we’ve all seen thin and light professional/office laptops. But what’s makes the new Gemibook and the Chromebook special is the not so common 3:2 aspect ratio, near bezel-less display and so much more. So let’s have look at what these Chuwi laptops bring to the table.

Both the models come in with a 13-inch display, which when paired with the metal body design gives them a luxurious look and feel. These devices only weigh 1.34 kg, which is considered by many to be the standard for a thin and light laptop. The 3:2 display of the device is now larger than the previous models. Here are the detailed specifications of both these devices.

Chuwi Gemibook

The Gemibook comes with the following specifications.

  • 2160*1440 (1440p) IPS display for a better viewing experience.
  • Intel Celeron quad-core J4115 processor.
  • Intel UHD Graphics 600 integrated graphics.
  • 12GB RAM with 256GB SSD storage.
  • 38Wh battery, front-facing camera and full-size keyboard.
  • Windows 10.
  • Reserved USB3.0, Type-C and other necessary interfaces.

With all these specs, the device is reasonably priced at $399 and is available via the official Chuwi store.

Chuwi CoreBook Pro

It comes with a similar 1440p display to that of the Gemibook. But the screen sRGB colour gamut can reach 100% if needed. The device is powered by Intel Core i3-6157U. It comes with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD storage. In terms of battery, it boasts a much higher 46.2Wh battery and a full-size keyboard. Runs on Windows 10 and there is a USB Type – C for faster commutation.

At $469, the CoreBook Pro might be the best choice for a professional class experience at a reasonable budget. It is available from Offical Chuwi Store.

Must See: Chuwi Hi10 XR is the World’s First 10.1-inch Intel N4120 Tablet

Xiaomi Mi 11X Pro may be a rebadged Redmi K40 Pro+; the K40 Pro may not launch globally

Earlier this month, Chinese tech giant Xiaomi launched the Redmi K40 series in China. Rumours soon emerged not long after the launch that the models will launch in the global market under the POCO brand. However, that speculation was soon squashed by a senior member of the XDA Forum, kacskrz who discovered evidence, by way of code snippets, that the devices will launch in India and elsewhere under the ‘Mi’ branding.

Redmi k40 Review 05
Redmi k40 Review 05

The tipster has now spotted more evidence which gives a clearer picture of the models Xiaomi may release for the global market. The new evidence suggests that the Mi 11X Pro which will likely be launched alongside the Mi 11X will arrive as the Redmi K40 Pro+ which was launched as the topmost variant in China. That is an indication that the Redmi K40 Pro which bears the cidemname “haydn” may not be launched outside China.

The screenshot which he shared shows that the Mi 11X Pro will go by the codename “haydnin pro”. This is an indication that it will be a rebadged Redmi K40 Pro Plus which has the codename “haydn pro”. As per the tweet, the device will also launch in other markets apart from India but will bear the moniker Mi 11i. On its part, the global variant adopts the codename “haydn pro global.”

Redmi k40 Pro Review 22
Redmi K40 Pro

The earlier code snippet shared by the tipster contained a Xiaomi device listed as ‘Mi 11X‘ and with the model number M2012K11AI. The device bears the codename ‘aliothin’ which is similar to the codename of the Redmi K40 – “alioth”. The “in” surfix added to it is what has fuelled speculations that the Mi 11X is a rebranded Redmi K40.

We expect more details to emerge as time goes on.

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LG Stylo 7 certified by Bluetooth SIG with three model numbers

In November 2020, we get to see the design of the upcoming LG Stylo 7 for the first time via 3D CAD renders. A month later, the phone appeared in even better colorful renders. Now, this smartphone has been certified by Bluetooth SIG.

LG Stylo 7 5G 3D CAD Render Featured 02

According to Bluetooth SIG, the forthcoming LG Stylo 7 will come with three model numbers. They are LG-Q201126, LM-K735MM, and LM-K735PM respectively. 

All three variants will feature Bluetooth 5.1. But unfortunately, the listing does not reveal anything else apart from these minute details, 

Anyway, there’s a chance that these three model numbers could belong to three different names of the same handset. In other words, apart from LG Stylo 7, this phone could release with two other names in different markets.

That said, according to previous reports, this smartphone will sport a 6.8-inch flat display with a single punch-hole at the top center. The type of the screen is not known but the fingerprint sensor will be located on the right side.

Further, other than a silo for the stylus, the device will also feature a 3.5mm headphone jack at the bottom. Last but not least, the LG Stylo 7 will measure 170.4 x 77.2 x 8.8mm in dimensions and there’s no info on when it will be launching.

 

 

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(Via)

Photos of OnePlus Warp Charge 50 evoke a familiar feeling

After announcing Warp Charge 65 last year with the launch of the OnePlus 8T, it appears OnePlus will be backtracking as a leak has revealed that its next fast charging technology will arrive as OnePlus Warp Charge 50. The leak also includes images of a new power adapter for the charging technology.

Little is known about the technology behind Warp Charge 50 and which of the upcoming OnePlus 9 phones will support it. However, the images of the power adapter which were originally posted on Weibo before they were deleted and reposted on Twitter by TechDroider, show a charger that shares a striking resemblance to the OPPO 50W mini SuperVOOC charger that was announced last year.

The charger has a white glossy finish and a foldable plug design that helps with its portable design. It also comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable inside the box, unlike the Warp Charge 65 power adapter that doesn’t come with a cable.

If this is a rebadged device, then the OnePlus Warp Charge 50 power adapter uses GaN technology and should support Power Delivery, Programmable Power Supply (PPS). However, some new additions may include backward compatibility with OnePlus’ own previous fast charging technologies such as Warp Charge 30T and Warp Charge 30.

We expect the charging technology will be announced before the launch next week while the power adapter will launch alongside the phones next week.

 

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Grab NucBox 2 Mini PC with Intel Core i5 8259u processor for a $50 discount

We have earlier covered deals on GMK’s first-gen Nucbox mini-PC and the XPanel 4K monitor. Here’s another good news, the company is providing yet another fruitful deal. Perhaps, a better deal, on its latest iteration of the mini-PC – Nucbox 2. You’ll be able to save up to $50 all thanks to a special pre-order coupon code.

Must See: Get up to $20 Off on GMK Xpanel- NucBox and KD1 Computer Monitor

Interested users can hit the official website of GMK to levy $50 OFF with the coupon code: WELCOME50. If you’re wondering the selling price of Nucbox 2 is $499. So, with the coupon code, you can take home the mini-PC for just $449 as a pre-order benefit.

COUPON CODE: WELCOME50 ($50 OFF)

In case if you don’t know, GMK NucBox 2 is a mini PC – An improved variant of the Nucbox. As mentioned by GMK, NucBox2 is the second generation of NucBox with a higher-end processor and better graphics card, and it can serve as your media player, mobile office tool, and gameplay device, etc. Indeed, GMK carries an i5 8th Gen CPU based on Coffe Lake Architecture for the Nucbox 2, which is, by all means, better compared to the Intel Celeron processor boarded by its predecessor.

Other notable specs include an SSD of up to 512 GB storage and 8 GB RAM. The device is cubical and compact in shape with metal finishes. More info on the product can be seen on their official website, where, as mentioned above you can grab $50 OFF if you’d like to pre-order the mini-PC now.

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

Super Deal: Get Amazfit T-Rex Smartwatch for just $74.99

For all fitness enthusiasts out there, Giztop is giving out the Original Amazfit T-Rex Smartwatch at a discounted price of $74.99 only.

WHERE TO BUY
Amazfit T-Rex Smartwatch at $74.99 @Giztop

 

amazfit t rex

Amazfit T-Rex Smartwatch embodies the perfect combination of rugged design and technology. Its rugged yet resilient design is reflected through the 1.3-inch AMOLED screen with an “always-on display” function and 360×360 resolution. The smartwatch is 50m water-resistant. This means you can dive into a swimming pool or swim in the open seas without worrying about damaging the smartwatch. Moreover, the multiple sports mode function gives 14 different activity tracking options, making the watch suitable for almost everyone. Run, Walk, Swim, Climb, Cycle, etc are some of the modes available along with daily activity tracking. 

amazfit t rex 2

However, the highlight of Amazfit T-Rex lies in its 12 Military Grade certifications which makes it perfect for harsh environments. The smartwatch can withstand extreme heat and cold, is resistant to corrosion, moisture resistance, and has a durable body. It comes with a heat resistance of 70℃, resistance to severe cold of -40℃, has passed 240-hour damp heat test, and 96-hour acid-alkali test. Powered by a 390mAh battery the smartwatch offers up to 20 days of battery life on a single charge. And equipped with Huami’s self-developed BioTracker™ PPG Bio-Tracking Optical Sensor, the smartwatch gives high-precision heart rate monitoring 24 hours a day. 

amazfit t rex 1

Amazfit T-Rex with its tough and rugged appearance and solid craftsmanship is a smart choice for fitness enthusiasts and for a limited period, Giztop is giving this smartwatch at a heavily discounted price of $74.99 only. Please note that this offer is applicable on the Global Edition, Black color variant only. So if you are looking for a smartwatch for your daily use or fitness goals, go and grab this super deal asap. 

Apple AirPods 3 won’t enter mass production until Q3 2021: Ming-Chi Kuo

Apple is expected to announce new products on March 23. Although the company hasn’t shed any light on this yet, reports said that it would launch AirPods 3 along with others like AirTags, iPad Pro, and the long-rumored Apple TV. However, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has said that the next-gen AirPods won’t enter mass production until Q3 2021.

Apple AirPods 3 Render
AirPods 3 Render

In an investor’s note(via 9to5mac), Kuo says that Apple is currently in a state of dilemma whether to stick to the AirPods 3 production or still make AirPods 2 later in the year. Either way, according to his report, the AirPods 3 will go into mass production only by Q3(i.e around July/August).

This means it won’t be ready to ship till the end of the year, to say the least. Whether or not, Apple plans to bring it during the September event, it looks like the product won’t go official this month. This contradicts his own and several other early reports that indicated a launch around Q2.

Coming to the AirPods 3, lot of designs showing earbuds with shorter stems have been leaking on the internet. Here, there is a discrepancy on whether it would get the replaceable ear tips or not. however, we can expect it to feature improved ANC(Active Noise cancellation).

Further, Kuo shares some predictions about the AirPods shipments in 2021. He says that there will be a 25% YoY decline in shipments from Q1 to Q3 and fall to 55 million units. After the launch of the AirPods 3, if the demand is high, the shipments might rise to 78 million units for the whole of 2021.

Some of the prime reasons for this drop is said to be the competition from rivals. Many of the TWS in the market have good overall features and Apple’s USPs like quick pairing and fast switching doesn’t seem to help.

To add fuel to the fire, AirPods Max has had very little impact on the overall AirPods shipments(1 million units). Kuo finally says that if Apple needs to get on the heels of the competition, it should focus more on providing more health-related features on its AirPods.

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Deal: Get Xiaomi Mijia Precision Screwdriver Set for $17.99 (Original Price $25)

Banggood is giving a flash deal on Xiaomi Mijia 24 in 1 Precision Screwdriver Set. The set which usually retails at $25 is now available for $17.99 only

WHERE TO BUY
Xiaomi Mijia 24 in 1 Precision Screwdriver Set at $17.99 @Banggood

mijia precision screwdrivers

Xiaomi Mijia Precision Screwdriver set comes with 24 pieces of screw bits and one screwdriver. With 9 different kinds of screw bits this 24 in 1 set of precision screwdriver takes care of almost all your day-to-day needs. From huge household appliances like TV and Refrigerator to small devices like a watch or smartphone, this screwdriver can be used to repair and maintain almost all appliances and machines. The screwdriver handle is designed for precision and comfort. Made with aluminium alloy the high-quality device is both skid proof and rustproof. The whole set comes with a beautifully designed aluminium alloy storage box which is easy to carry around. 

mijia precision screwdrivers 1

Generally retailing at $25 Xiaomi Mijia Precision Screwdriver set is available for $17.99 only. Please note that this deal which is live only for the next 2 days, is applicable only on orders made from the CZ warehouse. Additional shipping charges may apply to this product. So go buy your discounted screwdriver set 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.

Official: Black Shark 4 Pro will feature a triple camera setup

The year has just started, but we already have new gaming smartphones from two different brands. These devices are none other than the RedMagic 6 series and ASUS ROG Phone 5 series. The next phones in this niche segment are expected to be the Black Shark 4 series, which the company has been teasing for quite a while now.

Black Shark 4 Pro Camera Sample
Black Shark 4 Pro Camera Sample | Source: 黑鲨罗语周 (Weibo)

Earlier today, the CEO of the Black Shark brand shared a picture shot on the Black Shark 4 Pro smartphone on Weibo. The image has a watermark at the bottom that confirms that the handset will feature a triple camera setup.

It is not surprising to know that Black shark will stick with a triple camera setup, just like last year. Cameras take more space and therefore, by avoiding extra lenses, companies could make use of that space for other gaming-related features.

That said, the exact camera system on the Black Shark 4 Pro is a mystery as of now. But we can expect a primary wide-angle camera, a secondary ultra-wide camera, and a tertiary depth or macro camera.

According to previous reports, the upcoming Black Shark Pro 4 gaming smartphone codenamed Kaiser will bear the model number KSR-A0. It will come with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC, 5G, Android 11, 6.67-inch display, 4,500mAh battery, 120W fast charging, and will measure 163.83 x 76.35 x 10.3mm in dimensions.

 

 

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OPPO could bring Wireless Charging up to 30W for the Reno6 series of smartphones

OPPO brought the Reno5 series to China just three months back. The company has launched multiple handsets inside the series including the flagship Reno5 Pro+ 5G. However, none of the devices support wireless charging. That is about to change soon as Reno6 is expected to bring support for 30W wireless charging.

OPPO Reno5 Pro 5G 18
Representative image: Reno5 Pro 5G

Leaker Digital Chat Station has said that three new OPPO Reno6 series of smartphones are in the final stages of testing. He is expecting an early launch this year, and considering we are getting the info just three months after the Dec’2020 launch, we can expect towards the end of H1 or the beginning of H2 2021.

Anyway, he hasn’t spoken anything about the naming scheme of the devices but going by the past record, we can expect it to be Reno6, Reno6 Pro, and Reno6 Pro+. These are just our guesses so let’s wait for the official word. Anyway, he also says that OPPO will finally bring the Wireless charging tech to the mid-high segment of devices.

If this turns out to be true, the affordable Reno series of smartphones will support wireless charging. Specifically, he says that the devices will support up to 65W wired fast charging(should be SuperVOOC 3.0) and 30W wireless charging.

OPPO recently unveiled the Find X3 series of devices and the devices support up to 30W AirVOOC Flash Charge charging protocol. This company has launched a 45W AirVOOC charger already and it might just aid OPPO in selling the Reno6 series in the future even if the overall price jumps up a bit.

It’s too early to comment on the specs of the Reno6 series of devices but looking at the predecessors, we think that OPPO might continue the Qualcomm + MediaTek combo. That said, the top-of-the-line flagship is very likely to feature the next-gen flagship processor of Qualcomm just like the Reno5 Pro+ 5G.

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Top stories from last week: OnePlus confirms Hasselblad partnership, new Mi 10 and Mate 40 phones, OPPO Find X3 series arrives with a big splash, and more

Last week was packed full of important announcements that included new partnerships and several new products. Here is a roundup of the top stories from last week:

OnePlus 9 Series Official Render Featured

OnePlus confirms partnership with Hasselblad, announces launch dates for OnePlus 9 series

OnePlus officially confirmed its partnership with Swedish camera manufacturer, Hasselblad. The three-year partnership will see both companies develop imaging solutions for OnePlus phones. OnePlus also announced that it is investing $150 million in research and development which will include the setting up of two imaging labs in Japan and the United States.

It was also announced that the OnePlus 9 series will be announced globally on March 23 and in China on March 24.

 

New Xiaomi Mi 10 and Huawei Mate 40 phones

Last week, Xiaomi and Huawei announced new models for their flagship series from last year. Xiaomi announced the Mi 10S, a Snapdragon 870-powered phone with the design of the Mi 10 Ultra and slightly upgraded features from the Mi 10 5G.

Huawei, on the other hand, announced the Mate 40E, which is a less-powerful version of the Mate 40. It comes with the Kirin 990E processor and also swaps the 50MP main rear camera of the Mate 40 for a 64MP sensor.

 

ROG Phone 5 Series

ROG Phone 5 – first phone with 18GB of RAM

ASUS announced the ROG Phone 5 series last week. Available in three models including an Ultimate edition with up to 18GB of RAM, the ROG Phone 5 sets a new standard not only for gaming phones but for the smartphone industry at large.

 

OPPO Find X3

OPPO makes a big splash with the Find X3 series

OPPO announced the Find X3 series last week at two simultaneous events for the global market and Chinese market. The series includes the Find X3 Pro, the China-exclusive Find X3, and the international-exclusive Find X3 Neo and Find X3 Lite.

 

Partners pulling out of MWC Barcelona

MWC Barcelona plans to be an in-person event this year. While the organizers have announced safety measures such as cutting down the number of attendees, some partner companies have announced they won’t be attending the event which is stlll about four months away. Among those that have announced they won’t be attending are Nokia (not HMD Global), Ericsson, Oracle, and Sony.

 

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Key specs, render and price of the Nokia G10 leaked ahead of April 8 launch

HMD Global recently announced an event scheduled for April 8 where the company is expected to launch the Nokia X10 and X20 5G phones. Apart from that, the company is also expected to launch the Nokia G10 in India, and ahead of that, the specs and render of the G10 as well as the pricing for the Indian market has leaked. Nokia G10

The Nokia G10 has earlier been touted as the first smartphone to feature in the new Nokia G-series. The leaked specs show that the device will likely be the cheapest model that will be announced on April 8.

The Nokia G10 will feature a massive 6.4-inch HD+ display and will run Android 11 out of the sad. The processor wasn’t mentioned but the phone will feature an octa-core chipset. The processor is backed by 3GB RAM/4GB RAM while there is 32GB and 64GB storage options expandable via microSD.

The G10 will pack a quad-camera setup made up of four sensors which includes a 48MP main sensor as well as a 2MP depth sensor, a 5MP ultrawide, and a 2MP macro. The phone will also pack a 16MP selfie camera in the front for selfies, and a LED flash on the rear side.

To keep the lights on will be a generous 4,000mAh battery which will also have support for 10W fast-charging. The G10 will also come with dual SIM support.

The leak first covered by NPU also shows that the Nokia G10 will have a price tag of €140 for the base model. The phone will be available in blue and purple colours.

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New Google phone certified by India’s BIS, Could be Pixel 5a

A few days back, news broke out that Google will double down on its Pixel smartphone strategy in India this year by improving the inventory for the successor of Pixel 4a. Now, a mysterious Google Pixel smartphone has appeared on India’s BIS certification bureau.

Pixel 5a render
Google Pixel 5a 3D CAD Render | Source: @OnLeaks via Voice

An unknown Google smartphone with model number GR0M2 has been certified by BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). The certification does not reveal anything about his handset. But there’s a chance that it could be none other than the Pixel 5a.

But unfortunately, we do not have concrete proof to confirm this. Also, the previous-gen Pixel a-series featured completely different model numbers in India. Such as Pixel 3a (G020F), Pixel 3a XL (G020B), and Pixel 4a (G025N).

Anyway, coming back to Pixel 5a, we know how this device will look, thanks to a number of 3D CAD renders by @OnLeaks (Steve Hemmerstoffer). According to the renders, Google’s next affordable smartphone will have a similar design as the Pixel 4a 5G.

The phone is reported to sport a 6.2-inch FHD+ OLED display on the front with a punch-hole at the top left corner. Further, as per renders, it will house a dual-camera setup and a capacitive fingerprint sensor on the back. Lastly, just like its predecessors, this handset will also come with a plastic build, an accented power key, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a USB Type-C port.

Last but not least, the Pixel 5a could measure 156.2 x 73.2 x 8.8mm in dimensions and may launch on June 11 in the US.

 

 

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realme 8 Pro unboxed several days before launch

realme is bringing the realme 8 series on March 24. However, the unboxing videos of the realme 8 Pro is out several days before the launch. Let’s take a look at the in-box contents, and features of the realme 8 Pro.

realme 8 pro
realme 8 Pro Credit: Tech Spurt

Right off the bat, we see two color variants of realme 8 Pro being sent out to different reviewers. They are Infinite Black and Infinite Blue. Apart from this, the device is also said to get an Illuminating Yellow color that glows in the dark.

realme 8 Pro: in-box contents

Anyway, the following are the in-box contents of the realme 8 Pro courtesy of an unboxing video from Tech Spurt:

  • realme 8 Pro(Infinite Black- in Video)
  • TPU case(Silicone)
  • SIM ejector pin, Documentation
  • USB-A to USB-C Charging cable
  • 65W SuperDart Charger

As you can see from the pictures above, realme does include the TPU case and a charger inside the box. This is a welcoming change considering the situation is changing nowadays and the response isn’t good for such a trend.

realme 8 Pro Design

Anyway, the realme 8 Pro also comes with a dedicated micro-SD card slot, 3.5mm audio jack, and a pre-installed screen protector.

On the right, we have power and volume buttons, SIM & micro-SD card tray to the left, Type-C and Speakers along with primary mic & 3.5mm audio jack to the bottom, and a secondary mic up top.

The rear has a big ‘DARE TO LEAP’ logo, square-shaped quad cameras and a realme branding at the bottom left. The black version has a textured finish and as per the video, the realme 8 Pro has a plastic back panel. Upfront, we have an AMOLED display with a single punch-hole to the top left.

realme 8 Pro features(confirmed from Video)

realme has already confirmed that the device will feature a  quad-camera setup with a 108MP camera. Apart from this, the device will boot in realme UI 2.0 based on Android 11. It will also feature an in-display fingerprint sensor.

The realme UI 2.0 is said to include features like motion gestures, global theme customizations, improved dark mode & always-on display, third-party launcher support, deep-sea privacy, and more. You can check the video to see camera samples of the 108MP sensor.

We will know the other features of the realme 8 Pro as we approach the launch date.

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