Huawei has reserved Kirin 9000 chips for P50 and Mate 50 series smartphones

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Jan 21, 2021

Huawei recently launched its HiSilicon Kirin 9000 chipset, which is likely the last flagship mobile processor from the company for the time being as it is restricted by the United States from using American technology or components.

The company had launched the Huawei P40 series smartphones powered by the Kirin 9000 SoC, which was expected to be the last flagship offering from the company on its own Kirin lineup of processors. However, that may not be the case.

As per the latest information coming from China, Huawei executive has revealed that the company has reserved a significant portion of the Kirin 9000 SoC for future smartphones, including the likes of the P50 series and Mate 50 series that could launch this year.

It is also being reported that the upcoming Huawei P50 series smartphones will be equipped with the Kirin 9000 and Kirin 9000e chipsets. The standard variant will have a display with a 90Hz refresh rate while the high-end model will feature a 120Hz screen.

EDITOR’S PICK: OnePlus reportedly merges with OPPO’s R&D department, software features will remain unaffected

Huawei’s flagship smartphones are known for their camera performance and that is expected to continue with future devices as the company hasn’t stopped the Research & Development for the P-series and Mate-series phones.

To maintain the image quality that Huawei phones are well-known for, the company will continue to use the Leica lens. The upcoming P50 lineup is expected to camera setup similar to the Mate40 lineup, but with increased zoom capabilities.

The smartphones in the series are expected to have 66W fast charging and 50W wireless charging while the top-end variant could end up supporting 135W charging if the battery density and durability test passes successfully. Interestingly, it is not expected to be running HarmonyOS and will have an Android-based EMUI 11 operating system.

Apple shifts some production from iPhone 12 mini to iPhone 12 Pro to meet high demand: Report

By

Sean

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Jan 21, 2021

Apple has apparently shifted some production capacity away from the iPhone 12 mini to the iPhone 12 Pro. The move was done to raise the manufacturing capacity for the higher end iPhone 12 model, which is seeing high demand.

According to a MacRumors report, the Cupertino based giant has reportedly slashed iPhone 12 mini production by two million units to open up production capacity for the iPhone 12 Pro. The company has made the move for the first quarter of this year to improve upon the existing lead times for the high end iPhone 12 model, which is seeing a higher than originally expected demand. At the moment, lead times for the iPhone 12 Pro can last up to 10 days, which is also the highest any model has seen in the past four years.

Just two weeks prior, the lead time for iPhone 12 models reached up to 22 days, before Apple ramped up production as per the company’s supply chain. In other words, 2 million additional iPhone 12 Pro models are being produced at the cost of 2 million lesser iPhone 12 mini models. Although, that shouldn’t bother the company too much as the lower end variant from its latest lineup saw lackluster sales and only managed to capture just 6 percent of the total iPhone 12 series sales during the launch period.

Furthermore, the report also states that the non Pro iPhone 12 models are apparently performing better in China, in comparison to the US. In the Asian country, the iPhone 12 reportedly holds 20.3 percent of the market share, which is a new 18 month high. Similarly, the base model is also said to have achieved the largest base of any iPhone launched in China, at least since the past four years.

ZTE A7030 smartphone images leak online as it passes FCC certification

By

Jeet

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Jan 21, 2021

ZTE has been making interesting smartphones lately and with last year’s Axon 20, it has become the world’s first company to offer commercial smartphones having under-display camera technology. Now, it is working to launch its successor pretty soon.

However, ahead of the launch of the under-display camera smartphone, the company could launch another device — ZTE A7030. This new phone’s images have leaked online as it passes through the FCC certification process, which is likely to be a Blade-series offering.

Based on the images leaked, the smartphone will feature a display with curved edges and will have a punch-hole cutout or waterdrop notch on the top of the screen for housing a front-facing camera. As for the back panel, the device seems to have a textured-back and the leaked image shows a Blue colored variant.

As for the camera configuration, it appears that this upcoming ZTE A7030 features a triple-camera setup on the back. The camera sensors are arranged vertically, along with an LED flash, all placed inside a rectangular camera module on the top-left corner.

EDITOR’S PICK: OnePlus merges with OPPO’s R&D department, software features will remain unaffected

The FCC listing also reveals that the device features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, embedded inside the power button. It has a USB Type-C port for charging the device but the charging capacity is not yet known. It is likely to be running the Android 10 or Android 11 operating system out-of-the-box.

From the looks of it, the device is likely a mid-range offering from the company. We expect to know more about the smartphone in the coming days, including its name, specifications, features, and pricing details. As the device has passed the FCC certification process, we expect it to get launched pretty soon.

Huawei Nova 7 SE 5G LOHAS Edition images, specs and pricing emerge, may launch tomorrow

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jan 21, 2021

In April 2020, Huawei announced the Kirin 820 chipset powered Huawei Nova 7 SE smartphone in China. The handset is no longer available for purchase as it has been discontinued. A Dimensity 800U powered Nova 7 SE Vitality (Youth) Edition went official in October in the home market. While the company has already launched the Nova 8 series of smartphones, it is speculated that it is planning to launch a new Nova 7 series phone called the Nova 7 SE 5G LOHAS Edition (model number CDL-AN50). The said phone has appeared with images, specifications, and pricing on China Telecom’s website.

Huawei Nova 7 SE 5G LOHAS Edition specifications (Rumored)

The listing states that the plastic-bodied Huawei Nova 7 SE 5G LOHAS Edition measures 162.31 x 75 x 8.58mm and it weighs 187 grams. It has a punch-hole display of 6.5 inches that produces a 1080 x 2400 pixels Full HD+ resolution.

The LOHAS Edition is powered by a new chipset called the Kirin 820E. The details of the new chip are not known yet. The handset has 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of built-in storage. It runs on EMUI 10.1.1 based Android 10 OS.

Editor’s Pick: Huawei Mate X2 full specifications leaked, launching in February?

The Huawei Nova 7 SE 5G LOHAS Edition has a 16-megapixel front camera. The rear shell of the device has a 64-megapixel + 8-megapixel + 2-megapixel + 2-megapixel quad-camera system. It has a 4,000mAh battery and it was spotted with a 40W charger at China’s 3C certification agency in the recent past.

Huawei Nova 7 SE 5G LOHAS Edition pricing and availability (Rumored)

The Huawei Nova 7 SE 5G LOHAS Edition is expected to arrive in colors like black, purple, silver, and green. The China Telecom listing states that the phone will be hitting the Chinese markets by Jan. 22 (tomorrow) with a price tag of 2,299 Yuan (~$359).

OnePlus merges with OPPO’s R&D department, software features will remain unaffected: Report

By

Sean

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Jan 21, 2021

Earlier this week, a new report had surfaced that stated that OnePlus and OPPO have merged their respective research and development departments into one. Both brands have now merged their R&D but will still offer unique features and software.

As per a new report, an insider source from OPPO had told DoNews (Via ITHome) that the research and development departments for both Chinese smartphone makers have now been merged. Reportedly, both companies had made this as early as December 2020. In other words, either companies’ R&D is no longer separate, although, both OEMs would still offer unique software and features and the merger is not mirrored at the product level.

Apparently, this was adopted to bring a relationship, which is similar to the one shared by Xiaomi and its subsidiary Redmi. Both companies just share a research and development system. Furthermore, this move also brings OnePlus and OPPO closer together under the Ouga Group. The rumors of the merger of R&D had first emerged back in June 2020, and now, it seems that both companies have finally gone ahead with the decision.

The merging of the companies’ research and development could also have both firms benefit, especially in regards to certain innovations or breakthroughs despite being independent brands. However, this is still an unconfirmed report so take it with a pinch of salt for now and stay tuned for more, as we will be providing more updates when additional information is available.

Samsung Galaxy M12 / F12 specifications leaked, Galaxy A82 said to be in works

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jan 21, 2021

It was reported last month that Samsung started the mass production of the upcoming Galaxy M12 smartphone in India. The device may likely go official in February. Ahead of the launch, popular tipster Ishan Agarwal teamed up with 91mobiles to reveal the specifications of the Galaxy M12. The device has a model number SM-M127. Another device with model number SM-F127 has also been in the news. It is speculated that the F12 could just be a rebadged version of the M12. At the same time, both models have surfaced at the Google Play Console, which indicates that their launch may not be far away.

Samsung Galaxy M12 / F12 specifications (Rumored)

The Galaxy M12 / F12 is expected to house a 6.5-inch TFT LCD screen with an Infinity-V notch and HD+ resolution. It could be powered by the Exynos 850 chipset and 3 GB / 4GB / 6 GB of LPPDR4 RAM.

The device may come with 32 GB / 64 GB / 128 GB of eMMC 5.1 storage. It has a microSD card slot for additional storage. It is expected to arrive with a 6,000mAh battery. The charging capabilities of the smartphone are under wraps. It will come with Android 11 OS.

Editor’s Pick: Samsung files patent for “Under Panel Camera” for its smartphones and TVs

1 of 2

The Galaxy M12 / F12 may sport a quad-camera setup on its back. It could be equipped with a 48-megapixel primary camera, a 5-megapixel ultrawide lens, a 2-megapixel depth sensor, and a 2-megapixel macro shooter. For selfies, it may possess an 8-megapixel front camera. It is unclear whether the phone features a side-mounted or a rear-facing fingerprint scanner. Shown above are the Google Play Console listings of the Galaxy M12 and F12 shared by @TTechnical on Twitter

Agarwal also revealed that the South Korean company is working on a handset named Galaxy A82. As the moniker suggests, it will be replacing the Galaxy A80 phone that launched back in 2019. The A82 may break cover in South Korea in the coming weeks.

Giveaway: win 3 units Amazfit GTS 2e smartwatches

By

Shine Wong

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Jan 21, 2021

Gizmochina along with Amazfit is conducting 3 units of Amazfit GTS 2e smartwatches as a giveaway gift to 3 lucky readers. Like always, you just have to follow the steps mentioned on the Gleam widget to get a chance to win these amazing gifts.

Amazfit just released the GTS 2e, GTR 2e smartwatches on CES 2021. The brand Amazfit is one of the most professional smartwatch manufacturers in the market right now. The Amazfit GTR 2e and the GTS 2e, both retaining the Essential core functionality from their more expensive siblings. The affordable variants come with stable endurance and a similar design.

Where to Buy

Official shop:
GTS 2e
GTR 2e

AliExpress:
GTR 2E
coupon code: 2021AMAZFIT 3USD off

Amazon:
GTS 2e
GTR 2e

How to enter this giveaway? Just follow this step:

First, watch this review video, and subscribe to Gizmochina’s Youtube channel.

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

Terms & Conditions:

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

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

Once again, good luck.

Giveaway: win 3 units Amazfit GTS 2e Smartwatches

Update: Congratulations! Francisco, Michael, and Andreas are the winners who are picked by Gleam randomly. Please contact us to provide the shipping address, the gift will be shipped out in 2 weeks by Amazfit. Thank you all.

Sony Xperia 10 III CAD renders appear, reveals design similar to predecessor model

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jan 21, 2021

Sony announced the Sony Xperia 10 II smartphone in February. It is likely that the Japanese tech giant may launch its successor edition in the coming month. Ahead of the rumored launch, popular tipster Steve Hemmerstoffer has shared the CAD renders of the Sony Xperia 10 III (also known Xperia 10 Mark 3) smartphone.

Sony Xperia 10 III CAD renders 2 — Sony Xperia 10 III CAD renders

The CAD renders of the Xperia 10 III show that it has a flat-screen with sizable bezels around it. The leak mentions that the device measures 154.4 x 68.4 x 8.3mm and it houses a 6.0-inch display. The top bezel of the phone houses a selfie camera of 8-megapixel and some other sensors. The phone promises stereo audio output as it is flanked by two front-firing speakers. It is fitted with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.

Editor’s Pick: Sony Xperia 5 II gets the Android 11 update

There is a vertical camera module on the backside of the Xperia 10 III. It is said to be equipped with a 12-megapixel primary camera, an 8-megapixel telephoto lens, and an 8-megapixel ultrawide shooter. The handset has a 3.5mm audio jack on its top edge. The renders show that the appearance of the Xperia 10 III is quite similar to the Xperia 10 II.

It was reported in November that the Japanese brand wil launch three phones in February. The first one will be a flagship device that may arrive with Xperia 1 III moniker, Qualcomm’s flagship chip – the Snapdragon 888, and quad rear cameras. The second device will be a mid-tier product with Xperia 10 III moniker and Snapdragon 690 chipset. It appears that the Xperia 10 III will be debuting as the company’s first mid-tier phone with 5G capabilities. The third device that is rumored to break cover in February is the Helio P35 powered Xperia L5 low-budget phone.

Nokia 1.4 full specifications, pricing, and color variants emerge

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jan 21, 2021

HMD Global unveiled the Nokia 1.3 entry-level smartphone in March last year. The device was reportedly planned to launch at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2020 tech exhibition. However, its launch was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Finnish firm is expected to unleash new phones across different price points at the upcoming MWC 2021 event. One of the devices that may go official soon could be the Nokia 1.4 entry-level phone. Reliable tipster Sudhanshu Ambhore has teamed up with My Smart Price to bring the full specifications of the Nokia 1.4 handset.

Nokia 1.4 specifications (Rumored)

The Nokia 1.4 is expected to arrive with a 6.5-inch LCD screen that produces an HD+ resolution. The device will be powered by an unspecified 1.3GHz quad-core processor and a 4,000mAh battery.

The smartphone will boot to Android 10 (probably, Go edition). It will ship with 1 GB of RAM and 16 GB of native storage. For photography, it will have a 5-megapixel front camera and an LED flash assisted 8-megapixel + 2-megapixel dual camera setup on its rear.

Editor’s Pick: HMD Global is reported to launch four Nokia 5G smartphones in 2021

The Nokia 1.4 will be a dual SIM (4G + 2G) phone that will come equipped with other features such as an ambient light sensor, proximity sensor, accelerometer, a microSD card slot, a fingerprint scanner, 4G LTE, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, microUSB 2.0, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The handset will measure 166.42 x 76.72 x 8.7mm. There is no word on the appearance of the Nokia 1.4 smartphone.

In comparison, the Nokia 1.3 came with a smaller screen of 5.71 inches, a single rear camera, a smaller battery, and it lacked a fingerprint scanner.

Nokia 1.4 pricing (Rumored)

The Nokia 1.4 is expected to cost under 100 euros (~$121) at launch. It is likely to arrive in Blue and Grey color editions.

[Updated] Redmi to launch its first gaming smartphone; to be powered by the Dimensity 1200

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Jan 21, 2021

Update: Story updated with an official statement from Redmi’s GM, Lu Weibing.

Redmi has come a long way since it moved from being just a line of smartphones to being a subsidiary of Xiaomi. Its product portfolio has expanded to include more products such as TVs and computers but smartphones are still the heart of the company. Now, it has been reported that the first Redmi gaming smartphone is on the way and it will be powered by MediaTek’s new Dimensity 1200 chipset.

The source of the news is the Chinese leaker that goes by Digital Chat Station on Weibo. According to his post shown below, the just-announced Dimensity 1200 processor would power the first Redmi gaming smartphone.

Redmi’s General Manager, Lu Weibing, has also confirmed that it will indeed launch its first gaming flagship smartphone this year. He also revealed that the Dimensity 1200 will make its world debut in a Redmi phone, most likely the Redmi K40 series which is expected to launch soon. This means we should have two Redmi phones powered by the Dimensity 1200.

EDITOR’S PICK: Redmi K40 series confirmed to launch in February, key specs and price revealed

There is a lot we do not yet know about the Redmi gaming smartphone. For instance, will it be the first of a new series or will it launch under an existing series? We also do not know what the other specs are and what features it will have that give it an advantage over the other gaming smartphones in the market. We also do not know how soon it will launch.

Nevertheless, we expect the Redmi gaming smartphone to have a high refresh rate, though it might be an LCD and not an AMOLED display. We also expect a big battery capacity, super-fast charging, and possibly, extra features such as shoulder buttons.

The Dimensity 1200 is a 6nm chipset with four Cortex-A78 cores and four Cortex-A55 cores. It has a prime Cortex-A78 core that is clocked at 3.0GHz. It also has a Mali-G77 MC9 GPU which should be able to handle any game you throw at it but not as well as the Mali-G78 that is found in the Exynos 1080, Exynos 2100, and Kirin 9000/9000E chipsets.

OPPO F19 / F21 series tipped to launch in February

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jan 21, 2021

OPPO announced the OPPO F17 and OPPO F17 Pro smartphones in September in India. In the same month, My Smart Price had claimed that the Chinese firm could be launching the OPPO F21 Pro around November in the country. It mentioned that the company will be skipping the F19 moniker. However, the F21 Pro did not debut last year. Fresh information shared by XDA Developers’ Tushar Mehta reveals that the OPPO F19 series will debut in February.

Mehta claims that OPPO will be launching its next F-series smartphones in February. He is unclear whether it will be called F19 or F21. Unfortunately, he did not share any information on the specs of the upcoming F-series phones.

I've learnt that OPPO will launch its next F series — most likely F19 and F19 Pro — in India next month i.e. in February 2021.

Given the irregular naming, this can also be called F21 instead but that's simply a hunch. #OPPO #OPPOF19Pro https://t.co/cg4n3ukmNa pic.twitter.com/gotOG1scL9

— Tushar Mehta 🤳 (@thetymonbay) January 20, 2021

Since it is the year 2021, it is likely that the Chinese manufacturer may announce its next F-series phones as the OPPO F21 and OPPO F21 Pro. According to MSP’s report, the successor of the F17 series will be flaunting a sleeker design. The F21 Pro is likely to sport a glass back and its rear pattern will be different from the F17 Pro.

The F17 series came with 30W rapid charging support. Probably, the successor edition may offer users with faster charging solution.

Editor’s Pick: OPPO Find X3 Pro receives FCC certification ahead of March launch

OPPO F17 Pro specifications

The Helio P95 powered OPPO F17 Pro has a 6.43-inch S-AMOLED screen that offers a 20:9 aspect ratio and an FHD+ resolution. The screen is integrated with a fingerprint sensor. It has 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage.

The F17 Pro backed by a 4,015mAh battery. For photography, it features a 16-megapixel + 2-megapixel dual selfie camera system and a rear-facing quad-camera setup that included a 48-megapixel primary camera, an 8-megapixel ultrawide lens, a 2-megapixel macro lens, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor.

Get Mi True Wireless Earphones 2C for FREE on purchasing Mi Smart Speaker in India

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Jan 21, 2021

Back in late September, Xiaomi launched Mi Smart Speaker in India as a rebranded Xiao AI Speaker Art with Google Assistant. A month later in October, the company released Mi True Wireless Earphones 2C alongside the Mi 10T/10T Pro smartphones. Now, ahead of Republic Day sale, the firm is offering a couple of interesting deals on these two products.

India’s largest online retailers, Flipkart and Amazon India, are holding sale events for the country’s 72nd Republic Day. Hence, Xiaomi is providing discounts and offers on a plethora of its devices.

One of these discounts is on the Mi True Wireless Earphones 2C. This TWS is priced at ₹2,499 ($34). But on the occasion of the sale, Xiaomi has reduced its price by ₹500 ($7). Therefore, interested customers can grab these wireless earbuds for only ₹1,999 ($27).

If that wasn’t enough, you can get the Mi True Wireless Earphones 2C for absolutely free on purchasing Mi Smart Speaker worth ₹3,999 ($55). However, unlike the former offer, which is available on both Mi.com and Flipkart, this one can be availed exclusively on Mi.com.

It is worth noting that Xiaomi offered the Mi Smart Speaker at half the price for a very long time on buying select smartphones, Mi TVs, Mi Notebooks, and Mi Air Purifier on Mi.com and Flipkart. But it seems like that offer is no longer active but it may go live again sometime later.

Anway, if you are interested in the new deal, make sure to make use of it by January 24

Buy Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2C – Flipkart

Buy Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2C – Mi.com

Buy Mi Smart Speaker and Mi True Wireless Earphones 2C Combo – Mi.com

Huawei Mate X2 full specifications leaked, launching in February?

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jan 21, 2021

Huawei announced the first-generation Huawei Mate X foldable smartphone in February 2019 and it was made available for purchase in November the same year. The Chinese manufacturer announced its updated version as the Huawei Mate Xs in February last year. The release pattern of the predecessor models suggests that the company could be planning to launch the rumored Huawei Mate X2 in the coming month. Yesterday, the Mate X2 with TET-AN00 / TET-AN10 model number emerged at China’s TENAA certification platform. The listing did not reveal any information on its specs. However, a reliable tipster from China shared the entire specifications of the Mate X2 today.

Huawei Mate X2 specifications (Rumored)

The tipster claims that the engineering unit of the Huawei Mate X2 has 161.8 x 145.8 x 8.2mm dimensions and weighs 295 grams. Multiple reports have revealed that the company will be ditching the outward folding design that was made available on the Mate X and Mate Xs models. The new leak claims that the Huawei Mate X2 has an 8.01-inch inward folding display that produces a resolution of 2480 x 2220 pixels.

The front side of the phone features a second display that measures 6.45 inches. It offers a resolution of 2270 x 1160 pixels. The foldable phone has a front camera of 16-megapixel.

Editor’s Pick: HUAWEI releases Chinese New Year 2021 Limited Edition case for the Mate40 series

A 50-megapixel + 16-megapixel + 12-megapixel + 8-megapixel quad-camera setup is available on the backside of the Huawei Mate X2. The leak claims that the foldable phone supports 10x hybrid optical zoom.

The Kirin 9000 flagship processor will be fueling the Mate X2 along with a 4,400mAh rated battery. It is expected to arrive with support for 66W fast charging. It will come preinstalled with Android 10 OS.

Master Lu ranks ColorOS as the smoothest UI of 2020, Huawei remains the performance king!

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jan 21, 2021

Master Lu is a popular benchmark app for devices like smartphones similar to AnTuTu and Geekbench,. The app may not be as popular as GeekBench and AnTuTu but it is quite ppopular in China. Its benchmark listing usually gets attention among the western media especially when its of an unannounced model. Also, the benchmark tool has a database of all the major smartphones released in the past one year and has released an award ranking of smartphone brands based on perfromance in various aspects including User Interface.

The 2020 mobile phone performance ranking data comes from the comprehensive performance scores of Master Lu Data Center captured from January 1, 2020 to December 31st, 2020. The sampling is for the 2020 listed models, and the number of tests carried out on the models that made the cut is more than 100.

The brand ranks OPPO’s ColorOS as the “Smoothest UI of the year (2020).” This is due to the smooth and natural user experience which OPPO’s ColorOS affords users. last year’s iteration was ColorOS 7 but this year, the brand will roll out updates to ColorOS 11 bearing the same design language, fully opening the permissions of UI and UX settings.

The ColorOS 11 which is based on Android 11, also features the newly added anti-stuttering engine, AI application pre-launch, multi-core fusion algorithm, and other features aimed at further improving the overall fluency of the system.

Huawei’s Mate 40 Pro+ smartphone still ranks as the overall performance king with averge score as high as 871220 points. The device is powered by the self-developed 5nm Kirin 9000 chipset which may as well be Huawei’s last flagship SoC unless the new US government lifts the ban on Huawei. . With the mysterious power of 5nm, the number of transistors increased from 10.3 billion to 15.3 billion. The A77 super-large core with the highest CPU frequency of 3.13GHz, and the GPU directly pulls to 24 cores. Compared with its previous generation Kirin 990 5G, the performance improvement of Kirin 9000 is also obvious

In the Top 10 performance list, the remaining 9 models are all flagship phones equipped with Snapdragon 865 and Snapdragon 865+. Other models that made tye curt includes the ASUS ROG3, Redmi K30S Commemorative Edition, Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, Mi 10 and others.

UP NEXT: Leaked Samsung Galaxy A52 images show Camera layout, 3.5mm audio jack, & more

(via)

OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro get OxygenOS 11 (Android 11) open beta update

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Jan 20, 2021

After waiting for months, OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro owners can now get to experience OxygenOS 11 based on Android 11. Today, OnePlus released an Open Beta 1 build for the two flagships.

The release of the open beta was announced on the official forums along with the changelog and steps on how to install it. The announcement comes two weeks after OnePlus released the OxygenOS 11 Open Beta build for the OnePlus Nord.

The update brings a redesigned user interface, optimizations to some third-party apps, an updated camera UI, new camera features, ambient display, dark mode, and a redesigned shelf. Below is the full changelog:

System

Update to OxygenOS 11 version.
Fresh new UI visual design brings you a more comfortable experience with various optimizations of details.
Optimized the stability of some third-party applications and improved the experience.

Camera

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

Ambient Display

Newly added Insight clock style, a joint creation with Parsons School of Design. It will change according to the phone usage data ( To set: Settings > Customization > Clock Style).
Newly added Canvas feature that can automatically draw a wireframe picture based on a lock screen photo on your phone（Path：Settings-Customization-Wallpaper-Canvas-Choose photo preview and it can be generated automatically).
The Always-On-Display feature is under internal test and will be released in subsequent versions. In this build, you can use the “Ambient Display” by picking up your phone or tapping the screen, it can be turned on in the Settings.

EDITOR’S PICK: Another leaker confirms the OnePlus 9 Lite is coming; will launch in India and China

Dark Mode

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

Shelf

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

Gallery

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

Since this is a beta build, there are bound to be issues and OnePlus has listed some of the known ones. It includes an increase in power consumption; the gallery app sometimes loading slowly and not displaying some images; audio Bluetooth devices occasionally not playing sounds, and a brightness adjustment lag in some scenarios.

The forum post also includes a guide on how to install the beta update as well as how to roll-back to a stable build. Do note that the latter will result in the erasure of your data, so make sure to backup your data.

For those who will rather wait for the stable update, we expect OnePlus to release it next month.

HeroBook Pro+ Notebook series officially goes on sale for $269

By

Simranpal Singh

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Jan 20, 2021

HeroBook Pro+ recently made its debut with several new advancements and improvements. The device carries a 3K resolution 13.3-inch display carrying Intel J3455 SoC, 8GB RAM, and 128GB internal storage. It is now officially on sale for the affordable price of $269 on all major online retail platforms.

Must See: Nexstgo launches VAIO E15 and VAIO SE14 laptops in India

Detailed Display

HeroBook Pro+is the cheapest laptop featuring a 3K Retina display with a resolution of 32 x 1800 pixels and 277 PPI. It uses a Samsung display panel for better quality, improved saturation, and enhanced picture processing. The display is a perfect fit for watching movies and doing other work.

Powerful Hardware

The laptop comes with a powerful industrial-grade Intel J3455 processor coupled with an 8GB LDPPR4 RAM and 128GB eMMC storage. Moreover, the graphics-intensive work can be easily accomplished with a built-in Intel HD Graphics 500 GPU. It can even render 4K videos on YouTube and other platforms without any issue.

The EMMC storage offers 2x speed than the traditional HDD. It only takes 10 seconds to boot the device. However, users can expand storage using TF cards.

Excellent Build Quality

HeroBook Pro+ uses a lighter polycarbonate material to keep the device light-weight measuring just 1.160 grams. Thanks to its compact size as it can be easily packed inside a bag. It houses a narrow-bezel keyboard for better typing and be more productive. The users can easily switch between 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless networks.

The device offers more than 7 hours of battery life with a 38Wh polymer lithium battery with up to 24W fast charging.

Overview

HeroBook Pro+ is a fully-furnished package featuring a 13.3-inch 3K display, Intel J34555 process, 8/128GB storage, and a 38Wh battery. It is retailing for the price of $269. The interested users can gran more information about the HeoBook Pro+ by heading to the official website.

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

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

Jan 20, 2021

Earlier today, MediaTek took the wraps off the much-anticipated Dimensity 1200 5G chip. The rumor mill was agog recently with speculations that Redmi will be the first to launch a phone powered by the latest MediaTek flagship. While we expect other notable OEMs to utilize the chipset, an unexpected announcement just popped up from Chinese phone maker Ulefone.

Ulefone is expected to unveil the Armor 12 later in the year and the company has come out to disclose the rugged phone will be powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 1200. A teaser poster released by the company confirms the device will be called Ulefone Armor 12. It is touted to launch as the world’s first rugged phone powered by the Dimensity 1200 SoC.

Furthermore, the device is shown to come in a 12GB RAM and 256GB storage combo. Apparently, there will be other storage options. Specifically, the device is expected to go official in June this year.

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The Ulefone Armor 12 will be a rugged phone, as are all other Armor-branded smartphones from Ulefone. The Dimensity 1200 is MediaTek’s 6nm processor, and the company’s first to use Cortex-A78 cores. It comes with a 1+3+4 configuration, and the Cortex-A78 core runs at 3GHz. There are also three Cortex-A78 cores clocks at 2.6GHz. The remaining four cores are more power-efficient, we’re looking at Cortex-A55 cores.

MediaTek did say that the Dimensity 1200 SoC is up to 25-percent more power-efficient than the Dimensity 1000. It is also 22-percent more powerful than the Dimensity 1000, when it comes to performance, of course.

The chip also comes with a five-core imaging signal processor, which supports camera sensors that can capture photos up to 200 megapixels, and HDR videos. It also comes with an updated six-core APU 3.0 AI processor, with a 12.5-percent better performance than its predecessor.

This processor comes with MediaTek’s M70 5G modem, and it supports 5G, including Sub-6 band support, and carrier aggregation (2CC). It also supports 5G dual SIM dual standby.

We expect more information about the smartphone to be released by Ulefone as time goes on.

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Grab Zhiyun Weebill-S 3-Axis Gimbal for $299 using a coupon code

By

Simranpal Singh

-

Jan 20, 2021

Videos have become the most consumed media on the internet. Rather than reading, people are more inclined towards viewing videos. Apart from entertainment, this popular type of media has become a great source of information. Content Creators are actively working to gain traction. It has even increased the demand for video making apparatus. Among all those expensive rigs, the interested creators can grab Zhiyun Weebill S Gimbal Stabilizer for professional DSLR and Mirrorless cameras. It is currently retailing for $399, but our readers can grab the gimbal for $299 after applying 253DQSX5 Coupon Code.

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Zhiyun Weebill S Gimbal Stabilizer offers some exceptional features like Electronic focus control, Via Touch 2.0 wireless transmission, and presence of intuitive OLED display for adjustable features.

The gimbal is now perfectly fit for heavy DSLRs as it got 300% improvement in motor torque and 50% increase in responsiveness. It can perfectly balance large DSLRs with heavy lenses. It offers a 14-hour runtime. The Gimbal provides effortless handling experience with latch-lock design.

Zhiyun Weebill S GImbal provides electronic focus and mechanical focus control with a handy control wheel. Moreover, the presence of OLED display makes it easy for the creators to look at important aspects like speed, strength, angle, etc.

The users can enjoy Intelligent Auto-Tune for calibrating a particular type of camera. Apart from running the camera for 14-long hours, it can even charge your camera in real-time. It has a 3-axis lock design for easier and convenient movement. The users can wirelessly monitor the video and images at 1080p 30 fps quality.

There are six different shooting modes include full-range POV mode, Vortex Mode, GO Mode, F Mode, PF Mode and L Mode. Overall, it is a professional gimbal at an exemplary price. You can grab it from Amazon for $299.

Coupon Code: 253DQSX5

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Samsung files patent for “Under Panel Camera” for its smartphones and TVs

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

Jan 20, 2021

A new patent from South Korea’s regulatory agency for intellectual property and patents has revealed that tech heavyweight Samsung may be finalizing plans to release an under-display camera for its smartphones. The patent comes with the trademark “Under Panel Camera” or UPC emanated from Seoul-based Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) and is linked to Samsung. The patent falls under the category: Smartphone/ TV display panel and began flying around the grapevine less than a week ago

Recall that there had been some buzz since December 2020, when a number of tipsters predicted that it was likely that the Galaxy Z Fold 3 could have an under-display camera module, as Samsung has been known to have been working on such design for quite a while.

The race for under-display technology deployment for smartphones has been a keenly contested one and we are gradually seeing some of the manufacturers now crossing the finish line, with the release of smartphones incorporating under-display technology for their camera system.

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Chinese phone maker ZTE in September 2020, unveiled the ZTE Axon 20 5G which was the first-ever smartphone with an under-display camera. The Axon 20 5G comes with four rear cameras and a single 32MP under the display camera. The sensors of the Axon 20 include an under-display and optical fingerprint sensor. However, as should be expected in an area where the technology is evolving at an astounding pace, there is still a lot to be done to improve on the under-display technology deployed in the production of the front camera model of the Axon 20.

Again, the fast-rising Chinese brand, Xiaomi also recently said that it had chosen not to release any product with an under-display system until the technology for such has been up to speed, as the research continues into this area of smartphone development, with greater implication for the industry.

It is unclear what is the stage of development of under-display technology for Samsung, but with some leaks already revealing the impending launch of such technology for the Galaxy Z Fold, we may not be looking too far from the berthing of this technology by Samsung. We keep our fingers crossed and see whether any manufacturer will beat Samsung to the prize.

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(source, via)

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra teardown shows replacing the screen and battery will be difficult

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

Jan 20, 2021

PBK Reviews has released a teardown video detailing what it found when it disassembled Samsung’s latest Galaxy S21 Ultra smartphone. The teardown of the S21 Ultra comes barely a week after PBK released its review of the teardown of the Galaxy S21. The teardown was done on the international version of the smartphone.

The teardown reveals some exciting features of Samsung’s flagship product in the S21 lineup, the Galaxy S21 Ultra. A look at the camera module of the S21 Ultra showed that the camera lens is embedded inside a metal covering similar to the frame of the smartphone. The durability of this lens, held by solid adhesive to the glass panel is a remarkable improvement from the approach of Samsung in using glass covers for the lens previously, as seen in the S-series line up of smartphones.

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In addition, the disassembling also revealed that there are no mmWave aerials on both sides of the device although their slots were visible on both sides of the inside of the phone.

A scrutiny of the three cameras of the S21 Ultra also revealed that all three cameras have optical image stabilization capabilities to produced greater visuals. The internal ecosystem of the S21 Ultra also has graphite deployed for the NFC antennae as well as motherboard, yielding better efficiency in heat dissipation for the device.

The internal sound architecture of the S21 Ultra showed some significant differences from the S21 which was disassembled earlier. The speaker at the top of the device does not have foam ball insulation for a greater sound performance. In addition, the S21 Ultra does not have a detachable screen connector cable implying that it will be quite difficult to replace the screen. The S21 had foam ball insulation as well as a detachable screen connector cable, which yielded an above-average repairability score quite higher than that of the S21 Ultra.

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Huawei Nova 7 SE 5G LOHAS Edition specifications (Rumored)

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Samsung Galaxy M12 / F12 specifications (Rumored)

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Nokia 1.4 specifications (Rumored)

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Nokia 1.4 pricing (Rumored)

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OPPO F17 Pro specifications

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Huawei Mate X2 specifications (Rumored)

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Overview

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