Huawei to fall from Top 6 rankings in 2021; as global smartphone production to crosses 1.3 billion units: Report

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Jan 5, 2021

Due to the impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic, global smartphone production had fallen to just 1.25 billion units in 2020. Although, this figure is expected to rise to 1.36 billion in 2021; Huawei is also expected to fall from the top 6 rankings, during this time.

According to a TrenForce report, 2020 had seen a record breaking 11 percent year on year decline in smartphone production. In the previous year, the top 6 rankings were held by Samsung, Apple, Huawei, Xiaomi, and Oppo, in terms of production volume. But despite 2021 seeing an increase in overall global smartphone production, the Chinese tech giant is expected to see a massive fall in its market share, falling from its top 6 rankings entirely.

Furthermore, 2021 will also have its sub brand, Honor, operating independently from Huawei. The reason the company sold off its budget smartphone unit was to ensure its survival after it faced various US sanctions against its own operations. In other words, Honor will now be competing against its former parent company in the smartphone market. Furthermore, TrendForce also believes that Huawei will face more difficulties in regaining its lost smartphone market share.

With people starting to become more accustomed to the “new normal,” the report believes that the smartphone industry will see a rise in unit production by up to 9 percent this year. The new top 6 brands are now expected to be Samsung, Apple, Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, and Transsion, which will make up almost 80 percent of the total global smartphone market as well. Although, TrendForce believes that the pandemic still plays a big variable at the moment, while 5G enabled handsets will rise to reach 37 percent of the total handset production in 2021. However, production is expected to cause constraints due to limited foundry capacities across the globe.

Mi CC9 Pro receives Android 11 update, Mi Note 10/10 Pro should get it soon

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Jan 5, 2021

Xiaomi launched the Mi CC9 Pro and Mi CC9 Pro Premium Edition as the world’s first smartphones with a 108MP camera in late 2019. These phones are also known and Mi Note 10 and Mi Note 10 Pro. They debuted with MIUI 11 based on Android 9.0 (Pie) and were updated to Android 10 and MIUI 12. Now, they have started receiving the Android 11 update.

For those unaware, the Mi CC9 Pro and Mi CC9 Pro Premium Edition are basically the same smartphones with differences in RAM, storage, and lens. Hence, they run the same MIUI build.

Since they are also sold as Mi Note 10 and Mi Note 10 Pro outside China, there are a total of five different MIUI builds namely China, Global, EEA, Russia, and Indonesia. All of them are currently on MIUI 12 based on Android 10 except for China.

The Chinese version (original) of the phone has been receiving weekly MIUI builds based on Android 11 for a very long time. But it has begun to receive the stable update only now with build number V12.1.3.0.RFDCNXM.

Currently, the build is in the ‘Stable Beta’ phase, and hence, it is only available for select users. Anyway, we expect Xiaomi to extend the update’s availability to more users as well as other regions in the coming days.

That said, the Mi CC9 Pro has now joined the elite list of Xiaomi smartphones (so many) that are currently running the latest version of Android.

Apple supplier Foxconn plans to invest in Chinese Tesla rival, Byton

By

Sean

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Jan 5, 2021

Known Apple supplier Foxconn Technology Group is in talks to invest in a Chinese electric vehicle start up called Byton. The deal would have the Taiwanese company expand its horizons into the automobile industry over just being an iPhone assembler.

According to an SCMP report, Foxconn is planning on investing somewhere around 200 million US Dollars into the potential Tesla rival and also aims to start mass production of the Byton M-Byte by the first quarter of 2022, as per a source close to the matter. At the moment, this news has still not been made public, but we might see it being announced as early as Monday as per the source.

The deal for Byton could be a major opportunity if the news is true since it is still struggling to produce its first vehicle, despite having unveiled the M-Byte concept car being revealed several years ago. Furthermore, the Apple supplier is also looking in talks with other Chinese electric car makers for potential partnerships as well, as per another person familiar with the matter. Unfortunately, Foxconn has yet to respond to this news for now, while Byton has declined to comment.

The move from Foxconn also signifies its diversification from just being a major supplier in Apple’s supply chain. Similarly, other tech companies have also been increasing their investments towards the development of next gen cars, especially electric vehicles, and related technologies. An example being Huawei, which is developing technology that will be housed within smart cars, under its HiCar branding.

TCL to unveil its next gen Mini LED and ‘Future display technologies’ at CES 2021

By

Sean

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Jan 5, 2021

TCL Electronics, the known display maker, is one of the companies that will showcase its latest innovations at the CES 2021 event. The company is set to unveil its next gen Mini LED and Future display technologies at the conference.

During the online event, the company will showcase the ‘TCL AI x IoT lifestyle’ under the theme #ExperienceMore. This will have it feature the Chinese company’s newest advancements in display technology along with other products as well. Kevin Wang, CEO of TCL stated that “TCL is proud to be at CES 2021 and a member of this vibrant industry. As one of the leading consumer electronics brands in the world, and second largest TV brand in America, it is our mission to make life intelligent with innovative technology through our AIxIoT strategy. Moving forward we are committed to providing the best smart products and services to global users.”

For those unaware, TCL is known for its Mini LED and QLED TVs, alongside other products like soundbars, smart home appliances, other consumer electronic gadgets as well. The company will showcase its latest innovations on 11th January 2021. The conference would be fall under the company’s AIxIoT strategy, to expand its presence in the global market. So stay tuned for more, as we will be providing updates on CES 2021 and other notable technologies that will be showcased in the online event.

Apple to launch AirTags, AR device and more in 2021, claims Ming-Chi Kuo

By

Jeet

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Jan 5, 2021

For many months, Apple has been rumored to be working on AirTags — a device that can allow users to track any object it is attached to using the company’s Find My system. While it has been leaked a few times, we now have more information.

Ming-Chi Kuo, a well-known and reputable Apple analyst, claims that the Apple AirTags could get launched this year, along with a number of other products, including an unnamed Augmented Reality (AR) device. This was reported by MacRumors.

EDITOR’S PICK: HONOR Mall to officially launch on January 12, will offer the company’s products and services

The Apple AirTags first reported in April 2019 and since then several reports have claimed different launch schedules. Even Apple itself had confirmed that the company is working on it. However, the product still remains unannounced and there’s no information available about its launch date.

Recently, an alleged Apple AirTag carrying accessory was leaked online, which looks like a small leather sleeve for the device that can allow users to easily place it within the leather cover, which is attached to the stainless steel keyring.

Kuo has revealed that apart from AirTags and AR devices, Apple is also set to launch new AirPods, more Apple Silicon-powered MacBooks, along with the fist Mini-LED display panel featuring iPads and MacBooks.

Redmi Note 5/5 Pro has begun to receive MIUI 12 update

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Jan 5, 2021

Xiaomi launched the Redmi Note 5 Pro in early 2018 in India with MIUI 9 based on Android 7.1 (Nougat). This very phone later debuted as Redmi Note 5 in China and other markets. The handset was updated to Android 8.1 (Oreo) and Android 9.0 (Pie) along with MIUI 10 and MIUI 11. Now, it has started receiving MIUI 12 update.

The Redmi Note 5/5 Pro aka ‘Whyred’ (codename) is one of the popular Redmi Note series smartphones among consumers as well as the custom ROM community.

The device has three different MIUI builds – Global, China, and Russia. Usually, the Chinese variant gets the first dibs on a new update but MIUI 12 has been initially made available for the variant running Global build. Hence, the update with build number V12.0.2.0.PEIMIXM is live in all the regions worldwide except China and Russia.

Currently, the update is in the ‘Stable Beta’ phase, and therefore, it is only available for select users. But it should be soon available for all the users if there aren’t any major issues with the build. We also expect Xiaomi to release the update for the variant sold in both China and Russia in the coming days.

Having said that, MIUI 12 is the last major update for the Redmi Note 5/5 Pro. The smartphone is not eligible for the Android 10 update but it may receive the minor MIUI 12.5 update later this year.

HONOR Mall to officially launch on January 12, will offer company’s products and services

By

Sean

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Jan 5, 2021

Honor has just announced that it will be launching its own online shop, the HONOR Mall on the 12th of January 2021. The company made the announcement earlier today (5th January 2021) and will offer its products and services through this online store.

The Chinese tech giant made the announcement through a Weibo post, a Chinese microblogging website. For those unaware, this online store will have the company offer its HONOR-branded services and products. This would also have its very own after sales services as well. As per Honor officials, the company will closely work with its partners to provide safety upgrades and better after sales service for its various products.

The company had previously revealed that the HONOR Mall will launch sometime in January 2021, and now we finally have a confirmation on the date. In this store, the company’s Honor V40 will also be officially launched, although it was previously said to be on the same date as when the online channel goes live, new reports suggest a possible delay. Furthermore, this news also arrives as the brand separated from its former parent company, Huawei. So far, Honor branded products had been sold through Huawei’s official channels, so the move signifies its independence as well.

The company is also planning on launching a separate app for this online store, which will also reportedly carry forward users’ data from the Huawei Club. Although, that is still unconfirmed at the moment, so stay tuned for more as we will be providing more updates when additional information is available.

Xiaomi Mi 10i 5G with 120Hz display, SD750G, flagship 108MP HM2 camera launched for Rs 20,999 (~$287)

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jan 5, 2021

Xiaomi has unveiled the Xiaomi Mi 10i 5G smartphone in India. It is the newest addition to the Mi 10 series, which includes phones like Xiaomi Mi 10, Mi 10 Pro, Mi 10T, and Mi 10T Pro. While these models are powered by Snapdragon 865, the Xiaomi Mi 10i is equipped with a mid-range chipset with 5G capabilities. Some other highlights of the smartphone include a 120Hz refresh rate supporting display and a 108-megapixel quad camera setup.

Xiaomi Mi 10i 5G specifications and features

The Xiaomi Mi 10i 5G has an IPS LCD panel of 6.67 inches. The FHD+ screen offers a 20:9 aspect ratio, 450nits brightness, HDR10, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a 240Hz touch sampling rate. The punch-hole screen and the rear shell of the device are blessed with Gorilla Glass 5 protection. It weighs 215 grams, and it measures 165.4 x 76.8 x 9mm. The Mi 10 5G is an IP53 rated device that comes with a water-repellent coating.

The Xiaomi Mi 10i 5G has a selfie camera of 16-megapixel with EIS. It can shoot 30fps 1080p videos and 120fps slow-motion videos. There is a round-shaped camera module on the backside. It features the brand-new Samsung ISOCELL HM2 108-megapixel camera as the primary shooter. It is the second-generation lens that succeeds the 108-megapixel shooter found on the other Mi 10 series smartphones. The main camera of the Mi 10i 5G is coupled with an 8-megapixel superwide lens with a FOV of 120 degrees, a 2-megapixel macro camera, and a 2-megapixel depth assist lens. With dual native ISO and 9-in-1 pixel binning technology available for the main camera, the Mi 10i 5G promises better photography results in dim light conditions. It supports up to 30fps 4K video recording and 960fps slow-motion video shooting.

The Snapdragon 750G chipset that tags along with Adreno 619 graphics powers the Xiaomi Mi 10i 5G. The SoC is accompanied by up to 8 GB of LPPDR4x RAM and 256 GB of UFS 2.2 storage. There is a shared SIM slot onboard for adding a microSD card to the device. The Mi 10i 5G has built-in 11 temperature sensors on the rear side for modulating on-device temperature. In addition, its internal temperature is regulated by means of the inbuilt cooling system.

Editor’s Pick: Xiaomi is offering free repairs for owners of bricked Mi A3 units

The Xiaomi Mi 10i 5G comes preinstalled with MIUI 12 based Android 10 OS. The device is backed by a 4,820mAh battery that is coupled with 33W fast charging. The handset comes with a host of other features like dual SIM support, 4G/5G, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS, dual-frequency GPS, NFC, USB-C, IR blaster, Hi-Res Audio support, stereo speakers, a linear motor for in-game vibrations, Widevine L1 support, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Last, it also features a side-mounted fingerprint scanner.

The Xiaomi Mi 10i is a modified version of the Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite. Both phones have identical specs, but they only differ in the main camera department. The Mi 10 Lite has a 64-megapixel primary camera, whereas the Mi 10i gets the new 108-megapixel lens. Also, the Mi 10i is already available in China with a different moniker of Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G.

Xiaomi Mi 10i 5G price in India

Here is the pricing of the different variants of the Xiaomi Mi 10i 5G:

6 GB RAM + 64 GB storage – Rs 20,999 (~$287)
6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage – Rs 21,999 (~$300)
8 GB RAM + 128 GB storage – Rs 23,999 (~$328)

The Xiaomi Mi 10 5G can be purchased in three colors such as Midnight Black, Atlantic Blue, and Pacific Sunrise. The Chinese firm will be starting with the sales of the smartphone from 12 PM on Jan. 8 through Amazon, Mi.com, and Mi Home. Amazon India will be giving early access to Prime subscribers through the Prime Day sale on Jan. 7 (12 PM). The 6 GB RAM + 64 GB storage variant will be available for purchase a bit later.

Customers using ICICI Bank credit cards and EMI transactions for purchasing the Mi 10i 5G will be provided with a flat discount of Rs 2,000. Purchasers can also benefit from Rs 10,000 worth of Jio benefits. The handset will be soon available through offline retailers in India.

Huawei MateBook 14 and MatePad T 10S to launch in Singapore on January 16

By

Sean

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Jan 5, 2021

Earlier today (5th January 2021), Huawei announced that it would be launching the MateBook 14 AMD edition in Singapore along with the MatePad T 10S. The laptop is a part of the company’s ultra portable notebook lineup and will be available for pre orders starting from the 9th to the 15th of January.

MateBook 14

The Huawei MateBook 14 is a light portable notebook that is designed to offer performance in a slim form factor. It features an AMD Ryzen 4000 series chipset under the hood and sports a 14 inch display. The display has a 2K resolution and is surrounded by thin bezels, which helps it achieve a 90 percent screen to body ratio. Its aspect ratio is 3:2, while the keyboard houses the recessed camera and a fingerprint power button for added security.

Notably, the Chinese tech giant is also offering TÜV Rheinland low blue light
certification that limits blue light emissions, for a more comfortable viewing experience. The AMD chipset is from the 4000H series, meaning, it offers notable performance along with Team Red’s integrated Radeon Graphics as well. For cooling, Huawei has outfitted the laptop with its Shark Fin 2.0 cooling fans for better thermal performance even during heavy loads.

A 56Whr battery powers the laptop, which can run up to 10 hours continuously while playing a 1080p video on a single full charge, as per official claims. The laptop only arrives in a single 16GB Ram + 512GB SSD storage variant and is priced at 1,298 Singapore Dollars (roughly 985 US Dollars). It will launch on 16th January 2021 and will be available for pre orders from 9th to the 15th of January.

MatePad T 10S

The Huawei MateBook 14 is being launched in Singapore alongside the MatePad T 10S as well. The tablet features a 10.1 inch display, with an 80 percent screen to body ratio and is built to be an “entertainment powerhouse.” It arrives with the company’s Huawei ClariVu technology, which offers improved visuals and an enhanced viewing experience. The tablet even sports speakers from known audio based company, Harmon-Kardon.

Under the hood, a Kirin 710A processor runs the device paired with 3GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, which is also expandable via a microSDXC slot. The MatePad T 10S houses a large 5,100mAh battery pack as well. The laptop is priced at 298 Singapore Dollars (roughly 226 US Dollars) and will be available for purchase from 16th January 2021 alongside the MateBook 14.

OnePlus 9 Pro flagship smartphone could support 45W wireless charging

By

Jeet

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Jan 5, 2021

OnePlus established its presence in the highly-competitive smartphone market with its “flagship killer” smartphones and the company eventually started launching its own flagship smartphones but as a trade-off for keeping prices low, it missed some premium features.

The OnePlus 8 Pro was the company’s first smartphone to come with support for wireless charging. Now, as per the new report, its successor, the OnePlus 9 Pro, will come with 45W wireless charging support and for the first time, reverse wireless charging support.

The faster wireless charging can charge the smartphone up to 50 percent in 30 minutes. This also hints that the company could also bump up wired charging technology for the smartphone to 65W.

Apart from these, nothing much is known about the OnePlus 9 Pro smartphone at this point in time. However, a leak related to the OnePlus 9 indicates that the device will feature a 6.65-inch AMOLED 120Hz refresh rate display.

EDITOR’S PICK: Xiaomi Mi 11 Hands-on — Premium Design with a fabulous 2K 120Hz AMOLED screen

In the software department, the phone will be running the company’s own OxygenOS 11, which as the name indicates, is based on the latest Android 11 operating system.

Under the hood, the phone is expected to come powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset with up to 12GB of RAM. It could feature a dual-48MP rear camera setup and is likely to pack a 4,500mAh battery.

This time, the company is expected to launch three smartphones in the lineup — OnePlus 9, OnePlus 9 Pro, and OnePlus 9 SE (or 9 Lite). We expect to know more about the smartphones in the coming weeks and could get launched in the coming months.

Samsung Galaxy M02s goes official in Nepal ahead of India launch this week

By

Jeet

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Jan 5, 2021

Samsung recently confirmed that its upcoming budget M-series smartphone — Samsung Galaxy M02s will be officially launched in the Indian market on 7th January. Now, just days before the launch, the same device has been officially unveiled in Nepal.

The smartphone features a 6.5-inch HD+ IPS LCD display with 1560 x 720 pixels screen resolution and a notch on top of the screen that the company refers to as Infinity-V. Under the hood, it is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 octa-core processor.

As for the memory configurations, it comes packed with 4GB RAM and 64GB of internal storage. There’s also a microSD card slot for expanding the storage capacity up to 512GB.

In the camera department, the phone features a triple-camera setup on the back that includes a 13MP primary sensor, a 2MP depth sensor, and another 2MP macro lens. On the front side, there’s a 5MP snapper for taking selfies and video calling.

EDITOR’S PICK: Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 480 5G chipset will bring even more affordable 5G phones

Coming to the software, the smartphone runs the Android 10 operating system out-of-the-box along with the company’s own OneUI custom interface on top. The phone is powered by a 5,000mAh battery and supports 15W fast charging.

The Samsung Galaxy M02s is priced at ₹15,999 in Nepal and comes in three color options — Blue, Black, and Red. We expect the phone to have similar pricing when it gets launched in the Indian market on 7th January.

Vivo X60 Pro+ passes network certification; key specifications leaked

By

Jeet

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Jan 5, 2021

A few days ago, Vivo officially launched its next-generation X-series smartphones under the X60 lineup — Vivo X60 and Vivo X60 Pro. At the time, the company had confirmed that the top-end phone in the series — Vivo X60 Pro+ will be launched in late January.

Now, the upcoming smartphone has passed through the network certification process, as reported by leaker ‘Digital Chat Station.’ Along with that, some of the key specifications of the device have also surfaced online.

It has been reported that the Vivo X60 Pro+ smartphone will feature a 120Hz refresh rate display and will have a single punch-hole cutout in the top-center for housing the front-facing camera sensor.

The leak also claims that the phone will be powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 flagship chipset, making it Vivo’s first smartphone to pack this new processor. This is the same chipset that powers the Mi 11 and will be in many upcoming flagship phones.

EDITOR’S PICK: OPPO Reno5 Pro 5G confirmed to launch in India on January 18th

For those who are unaware, the recently launched X60 and X60 Pro come powered by the Samsung Exynos 1080 chipset which was announced in November. They are also the first phones to come powered by the Exynos 1080 SoC.

Further, it has also been revealed that the smartphone will have a quad-camera setup on the back which will include a 50MP full-focal range sensor. While the battery capacity is not yet known, the phone is said to have 55W fast charging support.

Based on the leaks, it’s evident that the upcoming Vivo X60 Pro+ will be the company’s flagship offering, competing against the likes of Xiaomi Mi 11 and the upcoming iQOO 7, among several others.

OPPO Reno5 Pro 5G confirmed to launch in India on January 18

By

Jeet

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Jan 5, 2021

Last month, Chinese smartphone maker OPPO had launched its next-generation Reno lineup in its home market — OPPO Reno5. The series includes four phones — Reno5, Reno5 Pro, Reno5 Pro+, and the newly launched Reno5 4G.

Today, OPPO has officially confirmed that the OPPO Reno5 Pro 5G smartphone will be launched in the Indian market on 18th January. It is touted to be India’s first device to come powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 1000+ chipset.

As for the specifications, the Reno5 Pro features a 6.55-inch OLED display that offers 2400 x 1080 pixels screen resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. Apart from being powered by the Dimensity 1000+ SoC, the phone comes with up to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage.

Currently, there’s no information available about which memory variants will be unveiled in the Indian market. To know for sure, we will have to wait for a couple of weeks more for the official launch event to take place.

EDITOR’S PICK: Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 480 5G chipset will bring even more affordable 5G phones

However, the highlight of the OPPO Reno5 Pro remains the camera department and the company is making sure to market the phone as such. It features a 64MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide sensor, and two 2MP sensors, completing the quad-camera module.

On the front side, the device features a 32MP snapper for taking selfies and video calling. The phone, which supports Dual SIM 5G, is running the latest Android 11 operating system out-of-the-box with ColorOS 11 on top. The device is powered by a 4,350mAh battery that supports 65W SuperVOOC 2.0 fast charging technology.

Redmi Note 9T 5G renders emerge before official launch

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jan 5, 2021

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T 5G is all set to launch at 12 PM on Jan. 8. Ahead of the launch, the handset was found prematurely listed at Amazon Germany. The listing carried the key specs and renders of the smartphone. It is now no longer accessible as it has been taken down.

Shown below are some of the renders of the Redmi Note 9T 5G that a tipster managed to download before the Amazon listing was deleted. As can be seen, the Redmi Note 9T 5G will be available in at least black and violet colors.

The renders show that the Redmi Note 9T 5G has a punch-hole display and a side-facing fingerprint scanner. The back panel of the phone has a round-shaped camera module with three cameras and an LED flash inside it.

1 of 3

Editor’s Pick: Xiaomi is offering free repairs for owners of bricked Mi A3 units

Redmi Note 9T 5G specifications

The Redmi Note 9T 5G has a 6.53-inch FHD+ display. The screen supports a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels and an aspect ratio of 19.5:9. The handset is fitted with dual speakers.

The Dimensity 800U chipset is present under the hood of the Redmi Note 9T 5G. It has LPPRDR4x RAM, UFS 2.2 storage, and a microSD card slot. The handset has support for 18W fast charging for its 5,000mAh battery. It carries support for NFC connectivity.

The Redmi Note 9T 5G has a front camera of 13-megapixel. The rear-facing triple camera system has a 48-megapixel main camera, an 8-megapixel ultrawide shooter, and a 2-megapixel.

At present, there is no word on the pricing of Note 9T 5G. It will be breaking cover as a rebadged version of China’s Redmi Note 9 5G.

(via 1, 2)

Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 480 5G chipset will bring even more affordable 5G phones

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Jan 4, 2021

Last year was a significant one for the mobile industry as chip manufacturers such as MediaTek, Qualcomm, and UNISOC announced 5G chipsets that helped phone manufacturers bring affordable 5G smartphones to the market. This year is expected to be no different, and Qualcomm has decided to take the lead with a new 5G chipset, the Snapdragon 480 5G.

The Snapdragon 480 5G is a significant chipset not only for Qualcomm but also for the mobile industry at large. The Snapdragon 400 series is known to power phones and tablets in the ~$150 category, and with this new chipset, it means we should expect 5G phones that can be bought for less than $150 to hit markets soon.

Snapdragon 480 5G specs

Part number – SM4350
Process – 8nm
CPU – Kryo 460 octa-core processor clocked at 2.0GHz
GPU – Adreno 619; OpenGL ES 3.2, Vulkan 1.1, Open CL 2.0
Modem – Snapdragon X51 5G with support for sub-6GHz and mmWave
Wi-Fi – 802.11a/b/g/n, 802.11ax-ready (Wi-Fi 6), 802.11ac Wave 2; 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands
Bluetooth – Bluetooth 5.1
Qualcomm FastConnect – Qualcomm FastConnect 6200
Location – Beidou, Galileo, GLONASS, Dual-frequency GNSS, NavIC, GPS, GNSS, QZSS, SBAS

EDITOR’S PICK: MediaTek dethrones Qualcomm to become biggest Smartphone chipset vendor in Q3 2020

The Snapdragon 480 5G is an 8nm octa-core processor. The shift to a smaller node size from the 11nm mode of the Snapdragon 460 will bring improvements in efficiency and power management. Qualcomm says the Kryo 460 CPU and Adreno 619 GPU each bring an improvement of over 100% over its predecessor.

The processor has a Snapdragon X51 5G modem that brings support for sub-6Ghz and mmWave networks and both SA and NSA modes. The chipset is also Wi-Fi 6-ready and boasts connectivity speeds that reach up to 9.6 Gbps. It also has support for WPA3 security protocols.

The Snapdragon 480 5G has a Spectra 345 image signal processor that supports a single camera up to 64MP. The ISP allows for simultaneous capturing from all three (wide, ultrawide, and telephoto) cameras. It also supports HEIF photo capture and HEVC video capture. Support for FHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate combined with Qualcomm aptX audio means that users can enjoy smooth gaming with great audio. The Hexagon 686 inside the processor brings a 70% improvement in AI performance compared to the previous generation. And last but not the least, Qualcomm states that the chipset also supports Quick Charge 4+.

HMD Global, OnePlus, and OPPO to launch Snapdragon 480 5G phones

The official press release for the chipset revealed that HMD Global, the current licensee for Nokia-branded smartphones will announce a smartphone powered by the chipset. Chinse manufacturers, OPPO and OnePlus, have also confirmed they will launch phones with the Snapdragon 480 5G inside.

The first set of Snapdragon 480 5G phones are expected to arrive early this year.

LG Bendable Cinematic Sound OLED display will also be unveiled at CES 2021

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jan 4, 2021

Over the past few weeks, LG Display has showcased a number of innovative displays that are expected to be officially unveiled at CES 2021. About a week ago, they revealed their QNED Mini LED TVs. The company also recently announced that it would be showcasing its transparent OLED panels at the upcoming event. In the same light, the Korean tech giant has now announced a 48-inch Bendable Cinematic Sound OLED (CSO) TV that is optimized for gaming. The innovative display will equally be showcased to the public at CES 2021.

The new LG Bendable Cinematic Sound OLED (CSO) TV utilises an extremely thin OLED panel, something LG is known for. The display features a 48-inch screen and can unfold to curvature of 1,000R for immersion when gaming. The display can also be straightened out to a flat display when watching regular TV.

Editor’s Pick: Best Concept Smartphones of 2020: OPPO, Xiaomi, Vivo, & More

The display is specifically designed for gaming and has a response time of 0.1 milliseconds thanks to its OLED technology. It also features a wide variable refresh rate range of 40Hz to a peak refresh rate of 120Hz. Another impressive technology built-in is how the display itself produces sound with an ultra-slim film exciter that measures just 0.6mm thick.

Commenting on the announcement, Chang-ho Oh, Executive Vice President & Head of the TV Business Unit at LG Display said:

“LG Display’s 48-inch Bendable CSO display is optimized for gaming as it maximizes the use of advanced technology that produces another level in terms of providing an immersive experience. In other words, it offers the very best gaming environment to gamers”.

We might have to wait until the later part of the year to get this product on store shelves as LG isn’t expected to announce the pricing and availability details at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

UP NEXT: Xiaomi Mi 11 Hands-on: Premium Design with a fabulous 2K 120Hz AMOLED screen

Xiaomi is offering free repairs for owners of bricked Mi A3 units

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Jan 4, 2021

The Mi A series of Android One smartphones by Xiaomi is practically dead already seeing as no new model was released last year. Nevertheless, the last model in the series, the Mi A3 is still receiving updates as it has not yet reached its end of life. Unfortunately, the latest update released for the phone has brought sadness to owners rather than joy as it ended up bricking the device. Now, Xiaomi is offering free repairs to those affected.

Last week, Xiaomi had rolled out a surprise Android 11 update for the Mi A3 which, unfortunately, had caused the device to get bricked. Following widespread reports, Xiaomi had to halt the rollout. An official statement sent to us has informed us that affected users can get their device fixed for free even if their device is out of warranty. All they have to do is visit any of the over 2000 service centers across the country near to them.

Xiaomi also offers its apologies to the affected users in the official statement but that may not be enough for some users. Xiaomi has constantly had issues with the Mi A series when it comes to updates. For example, the Mi A2 Lite Android 10 update had to be released thrice. The Mi A1 also had several issues when it was updated to Android Pie and Mi A3 users had to sign a petition to force Xiaomi to release the Android 10 update.

At the moment, there is no news of when a new update will be available. Once we have more details we will inform you.

Fresh Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra leak reaffirms S Pen and touts MicroSD exclusivity

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jan 4, 2021

Samsung just confirmed today that the Galaxy S21 series will officially be unveiled on January 14, ending weeks of speculations about the launch date. The Galaxy S21 series will continue to keep the rumour mill buzzing until the official unveiling. The Galaxy S21 Ultra case has now appeared online and it seems to confirm a key feature that will find its way to the Galaxy S series for the first time. That is an S-Pen stylus.

The leaked S View Flip Cover with S Pen for the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra seems to suggest that the S21 Ultra will not have a housing on the fuselage for the stylus. Instead, you will need to get a case that will hold the stylus.

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The renders which were uncovered by German blog WinFuture, show that the device will have a slightly wider frame so as to be able to accommodate the thick S pen. Also, the case will hold the stylus in the right position for it to be charged wirelessly by the phone. The Bluetooth functions of the stylus such as a remote shutter and an accelerometer and gyroscope to detect gestures make it mandatory to keep the stylus charged always.

The leak also revealed that the S21 Ultra’s S Pen will cost €40, the same price as the Note20 model. Samsung will also sell it in a bundle with the Flip Cover and select silicone case as well.

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Further, tipster Roland Quandt has tipped that the Galaxy S21 Ultra will be the only variant in the series that will have a MicroSD slot. In other words, both the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21+ will NOT have an SD card slot. The detail is said to have emerged from two different sources and not from an official specs sheet. However, the tipster scores the info a 9/10 confidence rating.

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(source 1, 2)

Xiaomi patents 7 foldable smartphone designs

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Jan 4, 2021

Earlier in December, Ross Young, the founder as well as the lead analyst at DSCC (Display Supply Chain Consultants) revealed that there will be four foldable smartphones from Xiaomi, OPPO, and vivo combined in 2021. Then, on Christmas Eve, he tweeted that Xiaomi itself may release three different types of foldables this year. Now, after New Year, four Xiaomi patents have emerged exposing seven different foldable smartphone designs.

These four Xiaomi patents were unearthed by none other than LetsGoDigital. They were published on January 1, 2021, and contain a total of 7 foldable smartphone designs. Out of the total count, 3 models feature clamshell form factor, whereas the remaining 4 sport tablet form factor. Let us take a look at them one by one.

Xiaomi Clamshell Foldable Smartphone Design Patents

As mentioned above, Xiaomi patented three new clamshell foldable smartphones. The first two models have a full-screen display without any notch or punch-hole and a narrow horizontal cover display at the top portion of the phone on the back.

Whereas, the bottom portion of the rear includes the camera setup. The first model has a single large camera paired with an LED flash. On the other hand, the second design includes a vertically aligned quad-camera setup accompanied by an LED flash, an unknown sensor (could be a laser for auto-focus), and what appears to be the secondary microphone hole.

Lastly, the power, as well as volume keys, reside on the right side and the USB Type-C port sits at the bottom.

Talking about the third and the last clamshell design, this one looks like an upside-down Motorola razr 5G. This model has a thick forehead nesting a dual-camera setup for selfies and video calls. Hence, the bottom part is bezel-less and it may interfere while operating the phone.

On the plus side, this one features a much larger cover display, even bigger than the one found on Motorola razr 5G. Further, there’s a triple camera setup on the back, and the power key, volume rocker, as well as SIM card slot are present on the right side.

Xiaomi Large Screen Foldable Smartphone Design Patents

Apart from three clamshell foldable phone designs, Xiaomi has also patented four large screen foldable smartphones that unfold into a tablet. All of them look like Galaxy Z Fold2 with some minor differences between them.

Two of them feature Mi MIX Alpha’s signature design element (surround display). Their folding screen runs along the side to the outside to become the cover display. In simpler words, these two designs feature a single flexible OLED panel that acts as both the main inside screen and the outside cover screen without any notch or punch hole.

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The only dissimilarity between them is the camera setup. One of them sports a vertically aligned quad-camera setup, whereas the other features a single large AI Super Camera. Further, there’s a single button on the right side, which could be either for turning on the screen or for unlocking the device to unfold it (like HUAWEI Mate Xs).

Finally, the last two designs do not feature a fancy surround display. Instead, the inside main display and the outside vertically place narrow cover screen are two different panels. Just like the above-listed five designs, they also do not sport any notch or punch-hole.

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Although both have a quad-camera setup, the design and size of the camera sensors are different. But the power and volume keys are located on the right side of both of them.

Having said that, we cannot tell for sure if these foldable smartphone designs will be implemented by Xiaomi. As of now, only one thing is sure that the Chinese tech giant is working on a foldable smartphone codenamed ‘cetus’ with a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset, a 108MP camera, and MIUI based on Android 11.

Huawei Smart Selection Camera Pro, the first cam to run Harmony OS goes on sale

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jan 4, 2021

In November last year, Huawei held an online event where the Smart Selection Camera Pro and Smart DoorBell Pro were unveiled. The camera happens to be the first smart camera equipped with HarmonyOS but it was yet to go on sale since then. Well, until now. The Huawei Smarty Selection camera Pro is now on pre-sale on Jingdong (JD.com). The product is on offer for 289 yuan (~$44) for the 32GB version and 389 yuan (~$60) for the 64GB variant. This is slightly lower than the RRP which is 299 yuan (~$46) for the 32GB storage version and 399 yuan ($61) for the 64GB storage version. It is expected to start shipping on January 16.

The Huawei Smart Choice Camera Pro is a surveillance camera that has four selling points: HarmonyOS, secure built-in storage, AI smart detection+, and 2K ultra-high-definition picture quality. The camera can be placed in the child’s room and can achieve a 360-degree portrait that automatically tracks the child’s movement. The camera can also be connected to a screen in the living room or in the parent’s bedroom.

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In addition, the Huawei Smart Camera Pro also supports one-click video calls and NFC tags which support one-touch fast network distribution. The smart camera is equipped with 32GB and 64GB eMMC flash memory which makes it capable of storing surveillance videos without an SD card. The read and write life is 5 times that of ordinary SD cards, and the speed is 10 times that of SD cards.

In terms of security, the HiLink SDK of Huawei Smart Camera Pro has obtained the highest security certification in the IoT field, which can ensure camera security and prevent intrusion. The camera can be connected to a smartphone, providing live surveillance and other possibilities.

Huawei also launched a smart camera S which starts at 159 yuan (~$24).

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Xiaomi Clamshell Foldable Smartphone Design Patents

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Xiaomi Large Screen Foldable Smartphone Design Patents

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