Ulefone Armor 10 5G flaunts wireless charging efficiency with UF003 charger

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Feb 3, 2021

Ulefone has always stood in front to bring innovative evolutions to the rugged smartphone market. Ulefone Armor 10 5G is such a rugged smartphone that made wireless charging available for masses. It is a lone Ulefone device that comes with a 15W fast wireless charging. However, the company seems extensively testing the Wireless Charging efficiency in the latest video.

Must See: Ulefone Armor 12 rugged phone with Dimensity 1200 5G SoC launching soon

Ulefone Armor 10 5G smartphone features a 5800 mAh battery capacity with support for 15W fast charging. However, the video shows Ulefone Armor 10 5G’s ability to rapidly charge its massive battery. The device got 6% charged once plugged in for charging for 5 minutes, and 30 minutes later it got 25% charged. The smartphone managed to charge 42% battery within an hour and was fully charged after 3 hours and 22 minutes.

Fast charging technology on a rugged smartphone enhances overall productivity and helps a lot in case of emergency.

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Ulefone used its latest wireless charging pad – UF003 that supports up to 15W fast wireless charging. It is an affordable Qi-enabled device which supports several smartphones and devices from Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei and others.

However, Ulefone UF003 and Armor 10 5G are on sale via the official store. More information is available at the official Ulefone Website.

Related: Ulefone Armor 10 5G extreme test result shows impressive resilience

Exclusive: Nokia 5.4 launching in India on Feb. 10; Nokia 3.4 may tag along

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Feb 3, 2021

Nokia may have plans in motion to launch a number of smartphones in India. We have exclusive information that the Nokia 5.4 will be launched in India on February 10. The company has not released any teaser to that effect just yet but started teasing the Nokia 3.4 earlier today. That could be an indication that the 3.4 will be launched on the same day as well.

The Nokia 5.4 was first launched in December 2020 as a mid-range smartphone. The phone is powered by a 6.39-inch IPS LCD display that produces an HD+ resolution of 720 x 1560 pixels and a 19.5:9 aspect ratio. The phone is powered by a Snapdragon 662 chip and boots the Android One edition of the Android 10 OS. It comes with a dedicated physical key to access the Google Assistant as well as a rear-mounted fingerprint reader.

The freshly teased Nokia 3.4 smartphone, on its part, was introduced in September 2020. The launch is coming three months after the Nokia 2.4 came on board in November 2020 in India.

The specs of the Nokia 3.4 include a 6.39-inch (720 x 1560 pixels) HD screen, 19.5:9 aspect ratio, 2.5D curved glass display, with 400 nits (typ.) / 300 nits (min.) brightness, and 70% NTSC color gamut.

The smartphone is powered by an Octa-Core Snapdragon 460nm 11nm processor (1.8GHz x 4+1.6GHz x 4 Kryo 240 CPUs) with 600MHz Adreno 610 GPU. The processor is paired with 3GB/4GB RAM and there is 32GB/64GB of expandable storage onboard.

It is a Dual SIM (nano + nano + microSD) device running on Android 10, with capability to be upgraded to Android 11 and 12. Its 8MP front-facing camera, 13MP rear camera with LED flash, a 5MP ultra-wide camera, 2MP depth sensor all combine to give a decent picture experience.

In November 2020 when the Nokia 2.4 was unveiled for the Indian consumers, it sold for Rs. 10,399, and it is expected that the price of the Nokia 3.4 will be significantly different from the Nokia 2.4.

However, we keep our fingers crossed as we await the official release of Nokia 3.4 and 5.4 into the saturated Indian market in the coming days.

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Gearbest Sale: Xiaomi MDZ-27-DA Soundbar Available for just $111.9

By

Greeva Agnihotri

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Feb 3, 2021

Of late Xiaomi has become a synonym for a lot many product categories than just smartphones. The most talked-about product from the brand recently is Xiaomi MDZ-27-DA Soundbar. It is a mid-range speaker that brings with it a host of connectivity options and a good performance for its price range. This soundbar is currently up for sale on Gearbest and available for just $111.9 (original price: $115.99). Use the coupon code- RPWVXKKMVM to avail this offer. Xiaomi MDZ-27-DA Sound

Xiaomi MDZ-27-DA Soundbar has 8 sound units that are tuned for cinematic audio, delivering deep bass and strong highs. It has a Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity with 10m transmission distance. At a time, it can connect any one device like a smartphone or laptop. Apart from this, it offers cable connection for AUX, line input, SPDIF, and fibre. This Xiaomi speaker can be set up in just about a minute as users need to simply connect it to their TV. Its sleek and minimalist design gives it a high-end look.

Compared to speakers in this range, the Xiaomi MDZ-27-DA Soundbar delivers a performance worth every penny spent on it. Interested readers can buy it at a discounted price of $111.9 (original price: $115.99) by using the coupon code- RPWVXKKMVM. This is a limited time offer that ends on 31st February. With Valentine’s just around the corner, it can be an ideal gifting option for self and loved ones alike.

Meizu’s press release hints at the company sticking to flagship phones for the foreseeable future

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Feb 3, 2021

Meizu has released a press statement that hints at its plans for the future of its smartphone business.

The press statement was shared on its official Twitter account and it states that the company achieved sustained profitability with the two phones it launched last year which are the Meizu 17 and Meizu 17 Pro. For your information, these two phones were launched in China only.

The tone of the press statement hints at Meizu’s intention to stick to the high-end market with future phones. The manufacturer has the Meizu 18 series planned for release soon and it appears these are the only phones we will be getting this year.

In 2020, #MEIZU has achieved sustained profitability, and we know that gains are not easy. So we are more firmly committed to the original intention of products. Thanks for every support, 2021 will get better and better.
Click here for more👉 pic.twitter.com/ngXFE4WBSM

— MEIZU (@MEIZU) February 3, 2021

Meizu also doesn’t say anything about its re-entry into international markets, so the Meizu 18 and Meizu 18 Pro phones may be exclusive to China too.

Smartphones are not the only products Meizu will be announcing. The manufacturer says its newly launched One-Core-Two-Wings strategy has smartphones at the core while “smart wear” and “smart home” are the two wings.

Meizu’s smart home line is the new brand called Lipro which it announced early last month. Lipro has a bunch of smart lights that start at under $10 and goes up to $155. Meizu says the Lipro brand will also include products under security and control categories, so we should expect smart home cameras and smart hubs to be announced in the future.

For its smart wear line, the manufacturer has a smartwatch coming this quarter that will arrive as the Meizu Watch. The smartwatch will run a special operating system called Flyme for Watch.

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Render gives us an early look at the Huawei Mate X2

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Feb 3, 2021

Huawei has been missing from the foldable smartphone scene for a while now but the Chinese giant is set to release a new model later this month. Now, a render has surfaced that gives us an early look at what the upcoming foldable phone which will launch as the Mate X2.

The render which was posted on Weibo by Digital Chat Station shows the device in its folded and unfolded states. In the former, the phone looks like the Xperia 1 II with a pill-shaped punch hole for dual front-facing cameras. Based on this design, the aspect ratio should be 21:9. According to the leaker, one of the front-facing cameras is a 16MP sensor.

Huawei Mate X2 render | Source: Weibo via Digital Chat Station

In the unfolded state, the Mate X2 has a full-screen design. There is no notch or hole for a camera as we have on Samsung’s Galaxy Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 2 respectively.

The Mate X2 takes on a new design compared to its predecessors. The upcoming folds inward unlike its predecessor that has an outward fold. So rather than a single display panel that doubles as the external screen when folded and the main display when unfolded, the Mate X2 has two different display panels.

The switch to an inward-folding design also means that the Mate X2 can’t use the same cameras for both the unfolded and folded states as in the case of the Mate X and Mate Xs. So we should have rear cameras asides from the dual-front-facing cameras on the external display of the Mate X2.

The new foldable is scheduled to launch in China on February 22 and we expect it to come with the Kirin 9000 processor. There is no info on a global release yet but if that will happen, quantities may be limited.

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China’s chip imports climb to nearly $380 billion in 2020

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Feb 3, 2021

The recent US ban on some Chinese companies such as Huawei prompted the company to stockpile chips in 2020. A recent report by Bloomberg shows that China’s chip imports in 2020 will climb to nearly $380 billion USD, accounting for about 18% of total domestic imports.

According to Bloomberg’s analysis of official trade data, China purchased nearly US$32 billion in equipment from Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and other places for chip production in 2020, an increase of 20% over 2019.

“In the short term, China will rely on imports to improve the level of chip manufacturing,” said Wang Dan, a technical analyst at Gavekal Dragonomics. “China does not yet have the ability to produce the chip manufacturing equipment required for advanced processes. But China is investing heavily, and success requires ten Years of hard work.”

Chinese chip manufacturing companies, such as SMIC, have purchased more equipment needed to manufacture silicon wafers and chips. According to a report by the International Semiconductor Industry Association (SEMI) in December last year, China has become the largest market for semiconductor equipment in 2020.

Due to the restrictions imposed by the United States, Chinese companies reserve chips in advance, and China’s chip imports surged by about 14% in 2020. In addition, due to the new crown pandemic being forced to work and study at home, strong demand for PCs has also stimulated the import of Chinese chips and the export of smartphones and PCs.

According to statistics, China’s top 7 sources of chip imports exceeding US$300 billion include Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, the United States, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Among them, Taiwanese companies including TSMC have benefited the most.

In 2021, the demand for chips will continue to grow. The International Semiconductor Industry Association predicted in December that global chip sales will increase by 8.4% this year. Companies such as Intel, TSMC, and Samsung Electronics will continue to benefit.

Chinese chip manufacturing companies will also continue to purchase semiconductor equipment to produce more chips, which will help the sales growth of companies such as Tokyo Electronics and ASML.

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Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop P gets a Multi-Map feature via Firmware update

By

Balaji S

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Feb 3, 2021

Xiaomi released the Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop P smart cleaning robot recently in countries like India. On request of various fans, the company has rolled out a firmware update to enable the Multi-Map support.

In a press release, the company says that an update with the firmware version 3.5.8_0035 brings the Multiple Maps support. In fact, you can now save up to 10 different maps. For the unware, the robot can build and store the cleaning area in the form of real-time maps to make the process easier.

Anyway, to update, the user needs to update the firmware to the latest first. To update, follow the steps below:

Open Mi Home App->Select the device(Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop P)
Select “⋮” on the top right and choose the firmware update option.
After updating, restart the app and the robot once.

To create and access the new Maps, you can do the following:

Create a New Map: Settings -> Map List -> Create New Map.
Access the Saved Map: Settings -> Map List.

If you are new to the robot, you can watch this tutorial by Xiaomi India to know the WHATs and HOWs(Pairing) of the Smart cleaning Robot. That said, the update might take a few days to reach everyone so we suggest you wait patiently.

Xiaomi’s Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop P is currently selling for ₹24,999($343). However, it got introduced for a lesser price of ₹17,999($247) during the crowdfunding period. This Automatic Cleaning robot features LDS (laser distance sensor) & IF sensors, quad-core Cortex-A7 processor, 2 in 1 sweeping and mopping functionality, 3,200mAh battery, and more.

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Nokia 1.4 with a 6.51-inch display, 4000mAh battery launched for €99

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Feb 3, 2021

Nokia has launched the Nokia 1.4 entry-level smartphone, a successor to the Nokia 1.3 released last year. The new smartphone comes with some improvements in the display size and battery capacity.

Talking of the specifications, the Nokia 1.4 features a 6.51-inch LCD IPS display with an HD+ resolution of 72-0+. The display uses a 20:9 aspect ratio. In contrast, the Nokia 1.3 sports a 5.71-inch display. Also, the battery is bumped up from a 3000mAh battery on the Nokia 1.3 to 4,000 mAh battery on this new model.

However, that didn’t come with a corresponding upgrade in charging speed – 5W is all you get and (worse still) it’s piped through microUSB. As always, HMD is promising 2 days of battery life.

The Nokia 1.4 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 215 chipset which is a 1.3GHz clocked smartphone packing quad Cortex-A53 processor and paired with Adreno 308 GPU. The processor is paired with 1GB of RAM and packs 16GB of storage onboard which can be upgraded up to 128GB via microSD card. The phone also has a 3GB RAM + 64GB storage version.

The phone runs on Android 10 Go Edition from the go and Nokia hints the device will get Android 11 Go later on.

For photography, the Nokia 1.4 features an Oreo-style camera design housing two camera setups including an 8MP main camera and a second 2MP macro cam. The device also packs a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor. There’s also the 5MP selfie camera.

Furthermore, the phone comes with two nano-SIM slots and LTE Cat. 4 connectivity. In addition, the phone also comes with Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS, as well as a 3.5 mm headphone jack, and FM radio.

The Nokia 1.4 is expected to be available from today and carries a starting price of €99.

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Xiaomi patents a Smartphone design with a surround display and an iPhone-like notch

By

Balaji S

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Feb 3, 2021

Xiaomi is known for launching out of the world concept phones and patenting weird designs. The company has done the former through the Mi Mix Alpha and the latter via n-number of patents. For instance, we recently saw a smartphone design with a detachable camera layout. Today, yet another patent appears online and this time it’s the wrap-around display, again.

Xiaomi is not new to patenting smartphone designs with a surround display. The latest patent, which was applied by Xiaomi and approved by WIPO’s Hague International Design System, also has one. LetsGoDigital has unearthed this patent, and as it says, the design is reminiscent of an older patent.

If you recall, one of the company’s patents having a surround display with a pop-up camera at the top got published recently. Well, this one seems to have similar schematics but the difference is a display with a notch. That is, this design doesn’t have any mechanical parts but has a wide notch in the front to accommodate selfie shooters and sensors.

At the bottom, everything from Speaker, Primary Microphone, 3.5mm audio jack, Type-C port placements are the same. However, at the top, the pop-up is missing(obviously) and the power key and secondary mic are at the left instead of the right. The display, which wraps around the device, has a notch like the recent iPhones.

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It’s worth noting that the 3D renders show that the selfie arrangement is projecting slightly up(Model 2 from Image) from the display area. While the reason is unknown, this could just be to keep the phone slimmer or maybe grab the energy of the impact when fallen upright down. Either way, these are just speculations from my side.

Considering the Mi Mix Alpha didn’t even enter mass production, we can’t expect this to debut as a commercial design anytime soon. Meanwhile, Xiaomi is finally figuring out to launch a foldable device in 2021.

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OPPO starts rolling out the ColorOS 11 (Android 11) update for OPPO A9

By

Balaji S

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Feb 3, 2021

OPPO unveiled the ColorOS 11 Globally on September 14, 2020. The company has already shared rollout plans of the stable and beta versions. Accordingly, it has started rolling out the stable version of the UI based on Android 11 for the OPPO A9.

In a tweet, the company’s ColorOS division has replied to a user that the Official version of the ColorOS 11 based on Android 11 is rolling out to the OPPO A9. Originally, the OPPO A9 was supposed to start receiving from Jan. 21 as per the timeline. It’s also worth noting that this is not OPPO A9 2020. The latter is said to receive the ColorOS 11 Beta only by Q2.

The OPPO A9 launched in July 2019 with Helio P70 chipset whereas the A9 2020, which debuted in September 2019, has Snapdragon 665. With that out of the way, the new OTA(Over-The-Air) update will increment the Android version to 11.

Previously, the device came with Android 9 having ColorOS 6 on top out of the box. Thus, it has received a second major update now after the ColorOS 7 in 2020. As for features, you can expect UI customizations, Battery life improvements and Three-finger translate. To know about the goodies of the ColorOS 11, check out our article on the same.

Coming back, the update seems to be rolling out only in phases as of now. The user has replied to the tweet that despite being on the latest firmware, he hasn’t got the OTA yet. Hence, we request you to wait for a bit and if you have already received it, do let us know in the comments below.

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vivo V19 is receiving Android 11-based Funtouch OS 11 update in India

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Feb 3, 2021

Chinese smartphone maker vivo launched the vivo V19 in India in mid-May. The handset arrived with Funtouch OS 10 based on Android 10. Now, over eight months after its release, the phone is receiving its first major update in the form of Android 11-based Funtocuh OS 11.

Earlier last month, vivo revealed Funtouch OS 11 update rollout plan for India. According to the schedule, the company was supposed to release the Android 11 update for vivo V19 at the end of January 2021.

Hence, the update is finally live for certain users in the country. According to PiunikaWeb, it comes with build number vivo rev 6.71.16 and weighs a whopping 3.76GB in size.

For those unaware, the brand’s update plan clearly states that it is meant only for beta version. But interestingly, random users have begun to get the update already. This suggests that vivo’s beta builds are similar to Xiaomi’s ‘Stable Beta’ builds.

That means the currently rolling out build is basically stable but since it is being pushed in batches for safety reasons, vivo might be considering it beta. Anyway, if you happen to own vivo V19 and have received this OTA update on your device, then make sure to download and install it to experience new UI and features.

Having said that, it is a shame that vivo has reserved its brand-new OriginOS for its high-end smartphones. It would have been nice if the company had made it available for the mid-rangers as well.

Grab AirPods styled MK101 Bluetooth Speakers for $12.99

By

Simranpal Singh

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Feb 3, 2021

Apple and its products are often loved by several users across the globe. However, if you’re obsessed with AirPods design and want a similarly styled speaker, then MK101 SoundBox Bluetooth Speaker is a perfect choice. The beautifully crafted speakers are built with ABS material and measures 222mm x 100mm x 90mm in size. The smartphone is on sale for the price of $12.99 via Gearbest. It is available in five different colour options of Aquamarine, Sky Blue, Black, Deep Peach and White.

Related: Apple to launch 2nd Gen AirPods Pro in the first half of 2021: Report

MK101 SoundBox Bluetooth Speaker carries a massive 1200 mAh battery with 5-8 hours of backup time. The device comes with a Bluetooth 5.0 for flawless connectivity and better reach. Moreover, the device features 9 different interfaces ranging from Power on/off button to USB, TF Card Slot.

The user can tun into FM Radio, or enjoy music by inserting a TF card and USB stick. Moreover, there’s an AUX cable port for easy and seamless accessibility. It even carries HD microphone. MK1010 SoundBox houses a 2-inch heavy low tone speaker which will produce premium sound.

It is a beautiful device that features AirPods design for better voice audibility. It is on sale for the price of $12.99 via Gearbest. You can grab it by hitting the button below.

Grab Now

Must See: New Nokia phone certified by Bluetooth SIG believed to be Nokia 2.4’s successor

Xiaomi begins recruiting Pilot Testers before the Global MIUI 12.5 launch on February 8

By

Balaji S

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Feb 3, 2021

Xiaomi is gearing up to launch the next MIUI version, i.e, the MIUI 12.5 Globally. The launch, which is scheduled for February 8, will also see the 2021 flagship Mi 11’s debut. Ahead of this, it has started the Global MIUI Pilot testers program.

Xiaomi, in a community post, shared the details of the program along with the eligible devices list. You can take a look at the list below:

If you recall, the MIUI 12.5 launched on December 28, 2020, in China. The company has already started testing the Chinese version and released the first batch of updates. Amidst reports of a slight suspension in China Beta ROMs between Feb. 8-19, the company has begun the Global Pilot Testing program to test the Stable Beta builds.

If you are a Global user of any of the devices above, visit this link to apply and submit the required details including the correct IMEI number of your device and Mi Account details. To get the IMEI number, open the phone dialer and type *#06#. The last date for registration is March 1.

Xiaomi also includes a few Notes for the pilot testers. Since the update will be rolled out via OTA, you need to be on a Global Stable ROM while applying to avoid any hiccups. Further, you should be 18/18+ yrs of age, know the tricks to recover the phone (in case of flashing issues). Also, do note that devices like India’s Redmi K20(which is Mi 9T Globally) are also on the list.

While using the Beta ROMs, you can report the bugs if any on the Feedback App. To know the further whereabouts and how to do it, visit here.

Generally, MIUI China and Global Versions have few differences. Hence, let’s wait till Feb. 8 to know what Xiaomi brings for the Global audience. Meanwhile, you can look at the MIUI 12.5 China features.

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AnTuTu January 2021: Xiaomi Mi 11 loses its crown to iQOO 7

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Feb 3, 2021

AnTuTu releases its monthly report on best performing Android smartphones at the beginning of every new month. As we have entered February, the company has now published the report for January 2021. The latest report is no different from that of December 2020 except that the top performer has once again changed with a newcomer.

Just like the past few AnTuTu Benchmark’s monthly reports on Android smartphones, there’s no major change in the list of the mid-range phones this time too. The changes are only in the list of flagship handsets.

First and foremost, the Xiaomi Mi 11 no longer holds the crown for the best performing Android smartphone. It has lost its place to the new player iQOO 7 in just a single month. It is worth noting that both are powered by the all-new Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 and their high-end variants come with 12GB RAM and 256GB internal storage.

Further, the list also includes another new device in the form of OPPO Reno5 Pro+ 5G. But since it is powered by last year’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 865, it only manages to come fifth. Anyway, it is currently the top performer with the said chipset.

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On the other hand, the list for mid-range phones is basically the same as mentioned above. Only the rankings have slightly changed among the already included handsets.

Samsung Galaxy F62 could debut under ₹25,000($343) in India

By

Balaji S

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Feb 3, 2021

Samsung Galaxy F62 is an upcoming device that will probably bridge the Gap between Smartphones and Tablets. It will likely share a lot of specs with another device coming as Galaxy M62 in certain markets. Accordingly, the Phablet-like device could feature a bigger FHD+ AMOLED panel. Now, we have new info suggesting that the device could debut under ₹25k in India.

The latest information comes from Mukul Sharma who says that Samsung will soon launch the Galaxy F series device. He says that the device will debut under ₹25,000 in India. To recall, the Galaxy M51 has the highest price(₹24,999) for a Samsung F/M series yet. Hence, the upcoming Galaxy F(probably the F62) won’t break this norm going by the leak.

Further, Mukul also shared a picture that has what looks like a leaked marketing teaser image having a ‘Flagship level’ tagline with Exynos and four blanks( _ _ _ _ ). A comparison against Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G 5G chipset is also shown. If this is true, Samsung is clearly looking to target the performance and 5G capabilities here.

[Exclusive] Samsung is indeed launching a new F series smartphone. It's supposed to be a #FullOnSpeedy phone. The multi-core score (2401) will outperform the 765G processor. Price will be less than 25k 😍
Hey @samsungindia, which one eh?
Any guesses #stufflistingsarmy? pic.twitter.com/x0dA80sXDz

— Mukul Sharma (@stufflistings) February 3, 2021

A recent Geekbench listing shows that the Galaxy F62 will feature an Exynos 9825 flagship chipset. In case you don’t know, Exynos 9825 powers the Galaxy Note 10 Series from 2019.

Interestingly, this chipset (first Samsung SoC to be built on 7nm), although having 4G as default, also is 5G-ready when paired with an Exynos 5100 modem. Hence, it is possible that Samsung might surprise everyone by bringing the Galaxy F62 as a 5G device.

Samsung Galaxy F62 has been in the rumors for quite a while now. A listing on FCC with model number SM-E625F/DS, which is tipped to be the Galaxy F62, reveals features like NFC, 7,000mAh battery with 25W charging. Other expected specs include quad-cameras, storage up to 256GB, USB-C and 3.5mm audio jack ports, run Android 11, and more.

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Apple and Kia close to signing deal worth $3.6 billion for making electric cars: Report

By

Sean

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Feb 3, 2021

A new report has revealed that Apple and Kia are nearing a deal that would have the former make a 3.6 billion US Dollar investment into the latter for the manufacturing of electric vehicles in the future.

According to a DongA report (Via GSMArena), the Cupertino based giant is apparently planning on working with the Hyundai subsidiary, Kia, for its production site in Georgia, US. Reportedly, the iPhone maker is expecting that its large investment production of electric vehicles will begin by the year 2024. Apple targets on reaching 100,000 cars being produced per year, with future expansion growing the number to 400,000 units per year.

The report arrives from sources close to the matter, which have stated that Apple is leaning towards Hyundai as its primary partner to enter into car production. The main reason for this is due to the automobile giant’s electric vehicle platform, E-GMP, along with its production facilities in the US and the supposed ability to begin production by the year 2024. Kia will be responsible for handling the production and manufacturing process.

Meanwhile, Apple will be in control of the self driving or autonomous systems. This would include the software, hardware, user experience, battery technologies, semiconductors, and other aspects. Furthermore, Apple and Hyundai have been in talks for the the electric vehicle production for a while now. Currently, it is unclear if the deal is set in stone as reports claim that the automobile maker’s execs are still assessing the deal, while other news claim that the company is more than ready to enter into the deal. So stay tuned for more updates regarding this matter.

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Xiaomi Mi 10T and Mi 10T Pro get Android 11 update in India

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Feb 3, 2021

Xiaomi launched the Mi 10T series in India comprising of Mi 10T and Mi 10T Pro in mid-October ahead of the Diwali festive season. The phones debuted with MIUI 12 based on Android 10. Now, over three months after their release, these handsets have started receiving Android 11 update in the country.

The Mi 10T and the Mi 10T Pro run the same software build. Because these smartphones are identical in terms of both specs and design except for their primary camera. Similarly, the Mi 10T is also sold as Redmi K30S Ultra in China.

Since the Chinese counterpart is part of MIUI Weekly Beta program, Xiaomi has been releasing Android 11-based MIUI builds for this phone for a while now. Hence, the stable update should have been first available for this variant.

But for some reason, the Indian variant, which is known as Mi 10T is receiving the Android 11 stable update first along with the Mi 10T Pro. Anyway, the update with build number V12.1.1.0.RJDINXM is currently in the ‘Stable Beta’ phase and therefore, it is only available for select users in the country.

We expect Xiaomi to extend the availability of this update to more users as well as other regional variants of these handsets in the coming days. That said, being high-end devices, the Mi 10T and Mi 10T Pro should be receiving three MIUI updates and another Android update in the future.

TikTok lays off employees in India months after the countrywide ban

By

Sean

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Feb 3, 2021

TikTok has announced that it will be downsizing its staff in India. This news arrives months after the social media platform was banned in the region, implying that the company might be withdrawing from the country.

According to TheVerge report, a TikTok spokesperson confirmed that the company is reducing its workforce in India. In the statement, the representative told TheVerge that “Given the lack of feedback from the government about how to resolve this issue in the subsequent seven months, it is with deep sadness that we have decided to reduce our workforce in India… [We] hope to get the chance to relaunch TikTok in India to support the hundreds of millions of users, artists, story tellers, educators and performers there.”

In other words, over seven months after the social media app was banned from the region, the company is finally downsizing the Indian staff. At the moment, it is unknown how many employees TikTok will be retained in the country. Furthermore, a source close to the matter also added that “most” local employees are planned to be laid off. Although, the company has yet to clarify the news.

Previously, India was a large market for TikTok, which is owned by ByteDance, with over 30 percent of TikTok’s downloads were from the nation. For those unaware, the social media platform was banned from the country back in June 2020 by the Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology that accused the app on engaging “in activities which are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order.”

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Infinix SMART 5 will launch in India on February 11 as a rebranded HOT 10 Play

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Feb 3, 2021

Infinix is one of the three Transsion brands, which are more popular in Africa. But the company also has a good presence in India. In fact, the three of them witnessed their highest-ever shipments in the country last year. That said, Infinix is now set to launch its first smartphone of 2021 in India in the form of Infinix SMART 5 on February 11.

Infinix Smart 5 aka Hot 10 Play Featured — Infinix SMART 5 aka HOT 10 Play

For those unaware, Infinix debuted the SMART 5 first in Africa in mid-August 2020. So it does not make sense for the brand to release an old device half a year later in India. Hence, the SMART 5 launching in India next week will be the recently unveiled HOT 10 Play.

In simpler words, the Infinix SMART 5, which has been officially confirmed to launch in India on February 11 will be a rebranded Infinix HOT 10 Play, as per the official teaser posters shared by Infinix on its social media channels.

Before going official in Pakistan and the Philippines in January, the Infinix HOT 10 Play was certified by FCC in December. The device received its BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) certification in the same month itself. Hence, it certainly makes sense that the upcoming SMART 5 for India will be HOT 10 Play.

Some of the specs of this handset include MediaTek Helio G25, 6.82-inch HD+ LCD screen, 13MP dual camera, 8MP selfie camera, fingerprint sensor, 6,000mAh battery, and Android 10 Go Edition.

Apple patents Project Titan related tech that assists driver visibility in bad weather conditions

By

Sean

-

Feb 3, 2021

Earlier this week, Apple was granted a new patent that was related to its upcoming Project Titan. The new patent was for technology related to assisting the driver’s visibility to help in poor weather conditions.

According to a PatentlyApple report, the Cupertino based giant was recently granted the patent by the US Patent and Trademark Office, which is related to its Project Titan. The document in question is regarding a new visibility system that is designed to assist drivers in viewing key road signs. This would be especially useful in bad weather conditions like heavy snow, thick fogs or smogs, and even dust. In driving, visibility is a very crucial aspect, which heavily ties into safety as well.

Thus, in low visibility conditions, a system that helps drivers in seeing other vehicles on the road or other hazards could reduce the risk of accidents or any other incidents. As per the patent, the vehicle with this system would be able to lower the risk of collision by utilizing an additional system that features radar systems, vision based cameras, and even light detection and ranging through LiDAR technology. Since poor weather conditions could also affect the reliability of the visibility system, like water vapor that can absorb or scatter light, improving detectability is paramount to such systems.

The patent granted to Apple covers a retroreflector system that includes a “plurality of retroreflectors.” In other words, the retroreflectors are configured to reflect a radar signal, a light, a LiDAR signal, or any other type of signal to a respective signal source. This might even have the sensor being partially embedded in an outer panel of the vehicle, which can be configured to allow the radar signal to pass through to the plurality of retroreflectors. While the system is described in detail, it is still unknown if Apple is actually working on such a product. So stay tuned.

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