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Xiaomi eBook Reader Pro to launch in China tomorrow for 1,090 yuan ($167)

Last year, in the month of November, Xiaomi had launched its eBook reader in the market through crowdfunding and now the company is all set to launch its successor. As per the report, Xiaomi eBook Reader Pro is all set to go official tomorrow, i.e. 15th December. It will be available for 1,090 yuan ($167) instead of a retail price of 1,299 yuan (~$199).

The teaser poster shared by the company showcases that the color of the device has been changed from White to Black. Also, it seems that the device now has a narrow frame around the screen compared to its predecessor.

Xiaomi eBook Reader Pro

The size of the screen is not yet known but it’s likely to be similar to the 6-inch display on the Xiaomi eBook Reader given that the upcoming device in the poster looks very similar to that in terms of form factor.

However, there’s a change in the design of the device. Unlike the original model, the upcoming Pro variant will have a home button, giving it the look of an Apple iPad. More details about the product remain unknown but everything will be revealed tomorrow when the device officially goes on sale.

EDITOR’S PICK: OPPO unveils triple-fold concept smartphone highlighting the future of foldable phones

For those who are unaware, the Xiaomi eBook Reader launched last year comes with an e-ink display that offers a pixel density of 212PPI, along with an anti-glare experience. It also has a built-in LED reading light which supports 24 stages of dimming.

It is powered by an Allwinner quad-core processor which is clocked at 1.8GHz, coupled with 1GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. The device runs the Android 8.1 Oreo operating system and supports a variety of content, including books, web-based works, as well as high-quality comics. It also supports txt files, EPUB, and PDF among other file extensions.

 

Oppo acquires shares of a Semiconductor based company in China

Earlier this month, China based Microelectronics Technology Co Ltd. underwent an industrial and commercial change. The company had added Oppo as one of its shareholders and even brought in other investors to raise its registered capital.

Oppo

The Chinese smartphone manufacturer currently holds about 10 percent of the shares of Microelectronics Technology. Alongside other investors, the company has raised its registered capital from 1,314,880 Yuan (roughly 201,000 US Dollars) to 1,753,194 Yuan (roughly 268,000 US Dollars), which marks an increase of 33 percent. The Shanghai based Microelectronics Technology was established back in 2019 and its business scope has revolved around integrated circuit chip design and service, as per an ITHome report.

Furthermore, it also includes development in technology in the semiconductor fields, with intelligent solutions and computer technology as well. In other words, Oppo has invested and acquired shares into a semiconductor based firm. At the moment, the semiconductor field is booming with industry giants like TSMC being a primary supplier for companies across the globe. Oppo’s investment into a company from its home country showcases its possible local sourcing solutions for the future.

oppo logo

Recently, as Huawei struggles with the impacts of the US sanctions, other Chinese firms have worked on reinforcing their own supply chains. Huawei has also invested in multiple firms based around semiconductor technology, so it isn’t surprising that another smartphone brand like Oppo do the same. Although, we have no means of knowing what the company has planned at the moment, so stay tuned for more updates.

 

OPPO showcases conceptual design of ‘music-link’ accessories centered around TWS earphones

OPPO has unveiled yet another concept smartphone, this time it features a triple-folding design. The device has been conceptualized in partnership with Japanese design studio Nendo and it’s not just the smartphone but the Chinese company has also announced some of the accessories.

The company has unveiled designs for a bunch of products that are being referred to as “music-link” which is basically a collection of devices centered around a pair of True Wireless Earphones. Apart from that, it also includes a smartwatch, AI speaker, portable charger, and a wireless charger that all work together seamlessly.

EDITOR’S PICK: India is offering financial incentives to Samsung to relocate display factory from China

OPPO says that all these devices can interact with each other and compliments each other in several different ways. For instance, the wireless charger has a recessed space that can hold the earbuds and on top of that, a portable charger can be attached.

The company also says that when the earphones and the portable charging case are placed on the AI speaker, the music seamlessly transitions from the headphones to the speaker. OPPO claims that the design reinforces the company’s human-centric design philosophy.

Do note that just like the OPPO Slide-Phone unveiled by the company, these accessories are also concept at this point in time and are not yet launched commercially. But it’s pretty evident that the company has some cool products up its sleeves and we expect some interesting offerings in the near future.

 

Vivo X60 series design, key specs officially revealed before December end launch

Earlier this year, Vivo announced the Vivo X50, Vivo X50 Pro, and Vivo X50 Pro+ smartphones in June. Recent reports have revealed that the Chinese brand will be launching the Vivo X60 series of smartphones in December. Leaked information that surfaced last week claimed that the Vivo X60 series will break cover on Dec. 28v. Today, the brand released a poster to confirm the rear appearance of the Vivo X60 series along with some of its key features.

The official poster confirms that the Vivo X60 series will be fueled by the Exynos 1080 chipset. While Vivo has worked with Samsung in developing the 5nm chipset, the company has collaborated with Germany-based ZEISS optics for the X60 series. Hence, it appears that the Vivo X60 lineup will not only offer topnotch performance, but also a stellar photography experience.

Vivo X60 December 29 Launch

The Vivo X50 series came equipped with a micro-gimbal camera system for capturing stable videos. The company will be offering an even better experience on the Vivo X60 as it is equipped with an ultra-stable micro gimbal. The poster suggests that the X60 will have a triple camera setup, whereas the Pro model could be blessed with an additional square-shaped lens. It could be a periscope telephoto sensor.  The X60 series is expected to arrive in three colors such as gradient blue, black, and white.

Vivo is yet to reveal the front appearance of the Vivo X60 models. The X50 lineup came with AMOLED screens with an upper-left corner positioned punch-hole. The leaked images of the Vivo X60 series that have appeared in the recent past have revealed that its screen has a top-center aligned punch-hole. The X60 series will be the first Vivo phones to come preinstalled with the all-new OriginOS UI. It is believed that the 3C certified Vivo phones such as V2047A, V2046A, and V2059A could be Vivo X60 series smartphones as they were spotted with a 33W fast charger.

 

OPPO unveils triple-fold concept smartphone design highlighting future of foldable phones

OPPO is yet to officially launch a commercial foldable smartphone but what the company is working on seems much better and advanced than what other companies are doing in terms of foldable devices.

The Chinese smartphone brand has today unveiled a new concept phone which it has developed in collaboration with Japanese design studio Nendo. The device, which OPPO is referring to as “slide-phone”, features a triple-fold design.

With a triple-fold design, the device can be easily fit into the palm of the hand when it is folded. Sliding up one fold offers a 1.5-inch screen, which seems good enough for checking notifications or answering phone calls, or access a music player.

Further sliding up, to unfold the phone a second time, offers a 3.15-inch display, which the company claims is good enough for taking photos and some casual gaming. When fully unfolded, the phone has a 7-inch screen with narrow bezels. However, the form factor is unusually long but could be good for multitasking, especially in landscape orientation.

EDITOR’S PICK: India is offering financial incentives to Samsung to relocate display factory from China

OPPO is also offering a stylus, which can be tucked away into the phone’s body. There are three camera sensors on the phone’s outer shell along with an LED flash. As the company is highlighting the phone’s design, the specifications have not been revealed.

The design of this new OPPO “slide phone” concept seems quite impressive but the fact is that we won’t be able to get hands on such a device anytime soon. While the company has not confirmed this, the device is still a few years away from making its commercial debut.

As said, OPPO is yet to launch its first foldable smartphone and we expect that to happen soon. There’s a possibility that the first such device from the company could be a rollable display smartphone, which it showcased recently as OPPO X 2021 Concept Smartphone.

 

India is offering financial incentives to Samsung for setting up display factory

India’s one of the largest states, Uttar Pradesh, has confirmed that it will be providing financial incentives to the South Korean giant Samsung Electronics to set up a display factory in the region, which is expected to cost about $655 million.

In a statement given to the media, the state of Uttar Pradesh has claimed that the company is moving its factory from China to India. This is being viewed as a move that will help boost the Make in India initiative that aims to project India as a manufacturing hub.

Samsung Display

Samsung will be getting 7 billion rupees in financial benefits for setting up the display plant. On top of that, the state government has also confirmed that the company will get an exemption from a tax payable on the transfer of land for the factory.

The unit is expected to be operational from next year, but the exact timeline is not yet known. Once the factory starts operations, it is expected to create 510 direct jobs. It’s noteworthy that Samsung already has the world’s largest mobile phone manufacturing plant in Uttar Pradesh, India.

EDITOR’S PICK: Xiaomi Mi 11 camera sample may have been revealed by Redmi’s product director ahead of launch

The development comes just months after the Indian government approved financial incentives of around $6.5 billion for 16 countries to boost domestic production of smartphones. The list of companies set to benefit from this includes Samsung, along with Apple suppliers such as Foxconn and Wistron, among others.

Many companies are now looking to India as a potential replacement for China when it comes to manufacturing. Apart from Samsung, several other companies are moving their production to India, including Apple, which is now making several of its products in India is expected to expand the same in the coming months.

 

Huawei Nova 8 series launch date is December 23

Today, Huawei took to Weibo to confirm that it will be unleashing the new Nova 8 series of smartphones on Dec. 23 in China. It can be said based on recent reports that the Chinese brand will announce the Nova 8 and Nova 8 Pro phones through the upcoming unveil event. While the Huawei Nova 8 SE debuted last month as a budget-friendly 5G phone from the brand, the forthcoming Nova 8 could be an upper mid-range phone and the Nova 8 Pro could be a flagship device.

Huawei Nova 8 Series December 23 Launch

The poster released by the brand has a silhouette of Nova 8’s back panel. It shows that the handset is equipped with an oval-shaped camera housing. This reminds us of a leaked schematic from last month that revealed that the Nova 8’s oval-shaped camera module could be housing four or five cameras.

Honor V40 and Nova 8 series camera design
Honor V40 and Nova 8 series camera design

The front design of the Nova 8 and Nova 8 Pro is yet to be officially confirmed by the brand. There are speculations that the Nova 8 could be featuring a flat-screen with a dual punch-hole design, whereas the Nova 8 Pro’s dual punch-hole display may have curved edges. Both phones are also rumored to support high refresh rates.

Ideally, the Nova 8 Pro should be powered by a Kirin flagship such as the Kirin 9000 or Kirin 9000E. It is already known that Huawei is unable to use Kirin chipsets due to the ongoing US ban. Hence, it is unclear whether the Nova 8 and Nova 8 Pro will be equipped with Kirin or Dimensity chipset.

A recent leak had revealed that the Dec. 23 launch event will see the arrival of two other devices such as the Huawei Enjoy 20 SE and Huawei Watch Fit. The latter will be a dedicated launch for China since it has already gone official in global markets. Rumors have it that the Nova 8 may begin at 3,000 Yuan (~$459), and its Pro sibling could carry a starting price of 4,000 Yuan (~$612).

 

iQOO U3 with 90Hz display, Dimensity 800U, and 5,000mAh battery launched in China for 1,498 Yuan (~$229)

Vivo’s sub-brand iQOO has announced a new smartphone called the iQOO U3. The iQOO U3 is a budget-friendly 5G smartphone that features a high refresh rate display, a large-sized battery, and 48-megapixel dual rear cameras.

iQOO U3 specifications and features

The iQOO U3 has 164.15 x 75.35 x 8.4mm dimensions and it weighs 185.5 grams. The device is fitted with a 6.58-inch IPS LCD screen that has a waterdrop notch for an 8-megapixel selfie camera. The screen supports a 20.07:9 aspect ratio, a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2408 pixels, a 401ppi pixel density, HDR10, and a refresh rate of 90Hz. The iQOO U3 offers a screen-to-body ratio of 90.61 percent.

The rear side of the phone features a uniquely designed dual camera setup housed inside a rectangle camera module. It includes a 48-megapixel main shooter with an f/1.79 aperture and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. The phone comes with support for photography features such as night scene mode, panorama, time-lapse photography, EIS, and 4K video recording.

iQOO U3
iQOO U3

The iQOO UI 1.5 based Android 10 OS comes preinstalled on the iQOO U3. The Dimensity 800U chipset along with up to 8 GB of LPDDR4x RAM fuels the device. It has UFS 2.2 storage of 128 GB and it lacks support for external storage.

The iQOO U3 is backed by a 5000mAh battery that supports 18W dual-engine fast charging. The other features that are available on the device include liquid cooling technology, dual SIM support, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS, USB-C, face unlock, a side-facing fingerprint reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack.

iQOO U3 pricing and availability

The iQOO U3 has landed in China in two options such as 6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage and 8 GB RAM + 128 GB storage. It has a starting price of 1,498 Yuan (~$229) and 1,698 Yuan (~$259) and it comes in two colors like Black and Glow Blue. The handset is now up for pre-orders in the home market with a 50 Yuan discount and it is expected to hit the Chinese markets by Dec. 17.

 

Specs of 10.5” iPad 2021 leaks; will start at $299

Apple launched a number of new iPads this year but the cheapest of them is the 8th gen iPad (2020) which launched alongside the 2020 iPad Air a few months ago. A new leak says we will be getting a successor early next year, and one with a cheaper price tag.

8th Gen iPad

The 8th-gen iPad has a starting price of $329, a 10.2-inch screen, and an Apple A12 Bionic chipset but its successor will pack a larger display, a more powerful chipset, and a lower starting price. Awesome, right?

According to the leaker that goes by Tron (@cozyplanes), the 2021 iPad will have a 10.5-inch Retina display with a home button that has Touch ID. This means with respect to design, it should have thick bezels just like the current model. However, he does say that the new tablet will be thinner and lighter.

Under the hood, the 10.5-inch iPad will have the A13 Bionic chipset, the same chipset found in the iPhone 11 series. The processor will be paired with 4GB of RAM but there is no info on the storage variants. The 2020 model comes with 3GB of RAM and can be purchased in two variants – 32GB and 128GB.

EDITOR’S PICK: Apple launches its first-ever wireless headphones, AirPods Max, with ANC, 20hrs battery life

The new iPad has been reported to have a starting price of $299, even cheaper than the $329 starting price of this year’s model. However, the low price tag may be a hint that the base model will have 32GB of storage. Yeah, we know the available storage will be barely enough but since the new model will cost less and be more powerful, we can’t complain too much.

Although not stated, the new iPad should support the Apple Pencil (hopefully 2nd gen), Apple Smart Keyboard, and Xbox, PS4 and or PS5 controllers. It should also have an LTE variant.

Apple is expected to launch this new iPad in early 2021 which is less than six months since the launch of this year’s model. Regardless, we will advise you to take the info above with a grain of salt until more details surface.

 

Pranav Mistry: NEON is not coming with Galaxy S21 or any other Galaxy device

In late November, we reported that NEON, the artificial human product that was announced at CES 2020 by Samsung Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) Labs will be coming to phones this December. Now, the CEO of STAR Labs, Pranav Mistry, has said that will not be the case.

Apparently, a few days after we reported that the AI product will be coming to smartphones, Mr. Mistry had posted a tweet saying that NEON View, the version made for mobile devices, “will not be coming for general availability in the near future”.

In the tweet, he said that NEON is “first targeted for Business-to-Business, as an API” that makes use of its “real-time conversation capability to mobile apps and web services”.

Today, there was a tweet from the leaker that goes by Tron (@cozyplanes) that NEON would be available only on the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. Another leaker, Chun (@chunvn8888) also said that there would be a press release. Turns out both were wrong.

In a now-deleted tweet, Pranav Mistry clarified that there will be no press release and that NEON will not be coming with the (Galaxy) S21. The head of the research lab then posted another tweet saying that NEON is an independent service and it will not be coming with the Galaxy S21 or any other Galaxy devices.

My NEON

So if you were excited about NEON coming to phones, sorry to burst your bubble, but that will not be happening soon. The NEON website does say that “My NEON”, an artificial human friend, will be coming in 2022 but we don’t know if it will come with phones or in a different consumer device.

 

realme Buds Air Pro Master Edition and realme Watch S Pro to launch on Dec. 23

realme has announced that it has a launch event on December 23 in India. The launch is for the realme Buds Air Pro Master Edition TWS earbuds and the realme Watch S Pro smartwatch.


realme Buds Air Pro Master Edition

realme has a trend of releasing a Master Edition of its products. While it has been limited to phones such as the realme X Master Edition, realme X2 Pro Master Edition, and realme X50 5G Master Edition, the realme Buds Air Pro Master Edition is the first non-phone product to get the treatment.

realme Buds Air Pro Master Edition

The main difference between this and the standard version is the color. As seen in the image above, the realme Buds Air Pro Master Edition will come in silver with a glossy finish. The standard models come in Rock Black and Soul White.


realme Watch S Pro

The realme Watch S was announced last month in Pakistan and Europe and now, it is set to get a pro model. The realme Watch S Pro packs a bigger display at 1.39-inches and swaps the LCD panel of the standard model for an AMOLED one with a higher 454 x 454 resolution.

realme Watch S Pro

The display is housed in a stainless steel case, unlike the realme Watch S that has an aluminum case. You also get two buttons on the right side. Surprisingly, the pro model supports 15 sports modes, 1 less than that of the standard version. However, it has GPS, a feature not available on the realme Watch S.

Other features of the watch are blood oxygen and heart rate monitoring and 14-day battery life. The promotional images show that the realme Watch S Pro will be available with a brown leather strap. The video above also shows the watch with black, orange, and blue silicone straps.

realme Watch S Indian launch

realme will also announce the standard realme Watch S, which is yet to launch in India, on December 23.

 

Xiaomi Mi 11 camera sample may have been revealed by Redmi’s product director

We exclusively brought you a report that the Mi 11 series may be launched in China on December 29. Before now, there have been several leaks concerning the Mi 11 flagship including leaked renders of the device showing the from and fear designs.Xiaomi Mi 11 camera sample

We have come across the first camera sample shot by the Mi 11. Xiaomi’s Redmi Product Director Wang Teng Thomas today published a Weibo post that contained a picture of the snowy night scene of Xiaomi Technology Park. Some internet users discovered that Wang Teng’s Weibo post did not reveal the model used to publish the post. Now, Mr Thomas’ previous Weibo posts were posted using the Redmi Note 9. Based on this, it is speculated that the Redmi product director may have already started using the Mi 11 flagship series.

Also, the product director responded with a grinning face emoji when a netizen made a comment about the missing phone model. This is seen as an indication that he is actually using an unannounced Xiaomi model and that should the Mi 11. The night screen camera sample is also pretty impressive but it is far from certain that the Mi 11 captured the scenery.

At present, Xiaomi Mi 11 has been approved by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. It uses a curved punch-hole screen while the front camera is located in the upper left corner. This is consistent with the hole-punch position of the Mi 10‘s display.

In terms of core configuration, the Mi 11 is expected to be the first flagship powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 888 processor and it will have support for 55W fast charging. In addition, the leaked render shows that the Mi 11 will feature a rear camera housed in a square-shaped module. The rear camera is a triple camera setup and the main camera is expected to support OIS (optical image stabilization).Xiaomi Mi 11

It is worth noting that the Mi 11 series is expected to have a Pro version with a resolution of 2K+, AMOLED screen, and a high refresh rate of at least 120Hz. Digital Chat Station had earlier hinted that the Mi 11 screen quality is topnotch.

The Mi 11 flagship models are expected to be announced on December 29 but we expect the device to be released in January 2021.

UP NEXT: Exclusive: Xiaomi Mi 11 scheduled for December 29 launch

OPPO 50W mini Super VOOC charger now on sale in China for 399 yuan (~$60)

In July this year, OPPO first announced the 50W mini Super VOOC charger known as biscuit charger due to its size. Since then, the product has been elusive as the company was yet to release it in the market. OPPO has now started selling the portable 50W mini Super VOOC n china via Huantai mall (a collaboration of Oppo, Realme, and OnePlus).Oppo 50W mini SuperVOOC Charger

The OPPO 50W mini Super VOOC charger adopts a track-style ultra-thin shape, a large area application of multi-curve design, and a folding pin design. The 50W super flash biscuit charger adopts a new charging technology-pulse charging. The official said that compared with the traditional charging method, pulse charging has a very short charging gap, the polarization reaction of the battery will be eliminated, the loss of the battery is smaller, and the temperature change is also smaller.

The 50W ultra-flash biscuit charger introduces a gallium nitride high-frequency switch, which reduces the single energy storage requirement of the transformer, thereby reducing the size of the transformer. OPPO’s self-developed ACF (Active Clamp Flyback) control architecture realizes zero voltage (ZVS) and zero current (ZCS) switching, and the switching loss is infinitely close to zero.

The 50W mini SuprVOOC charger is slimmer than other similar models in the market measuring at only 1.05cm in thickness. This charger supports popular fast-charging protocols like Oppo’s own SuperVOOC, 27W PD (Power Delivery), 50W PPS (Programmable Power Supply), and others.

Oppo advertises this charger to be as small as a biscuit. It can be carried in all sorts of pockets include those of pants, shirts, and coats, thanks to a foldable/retractable pin as well as its size.

UP NEXT: Samsung is being sued by Ericsson over patent licensing disputes

 

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Nokia PureBook X14 listing appears on Flipkart with a heavy price tag

Thanks to Nokia’s licensing agreements, the Nokia brand name is not only found on phones but also on TVs, streaming boxes, and now, laptops. Technically, Nokia laptops are not new as there was a netbook called the Nokia Booklet 3G that was announced back in 2009. This new computer coming out soon is the Nokia PureBook X14 and it has been spotted on Flipkart ahead of its launch.

The listing has now been deleted but Tushar Mehta of XDA-Developers was able to get screenshots. Details provided by the listing reveal the Nokia PureBook X14 will have a 14-inch FHD LED display with side bezels that measure 4.8mm in thickness. It is powered by an Intel 10th Gen Core-i5 processor paired with 8GB of RAM and 512GB NVMe SSD storage.

For connectivity, there are two USB 3 ports, one USB 2.0 port, one USB-C port, an ethernet port, an HDMI port, a microphone+audio jack combo port, and a barrel-type charging port. The notebook supports 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi and also has Bluetooth 5.1, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos. The PureBook X14 will be available in Matte Black and will run Windows 10 Home out of the box.

EDITOR’S PICK: Nokia 5.4 full specifications leak online ahead of launch

The listing also states that one of the selling points of the laptop is its weight. With its magnesium-aluminum alloy body, the Nokia PureBook X14’s weight is just 1.1 kilograms.

Coming to the price, the Nokia PureBook X14 will cost a pretty penny. The Flipkart listing shows that the price tag is INR 90,000 (~$1,220). That is nearly double the INR 54,999 (~$745) price of the Mi Notebook 14 Horizon which has an Intel 10th Gen Core i7 processor, NVIDIA MX350 graphics card, 8GB RAM, and 512GB NVMe SSD storage.

There is still no official release date but we won’t be surprised if it launches this week. We also expect to see more models, hopefully, more affordable ones, in the near future.

 

Ulefone Armor 10 5G has Started Mass Production

Ulefone recently launched its flagship Armor 10 5G, and it has already been on hot sale for quite some time. If you are one of the people who love rugged smartphones and are following this hot new device, there’s good news for you. According to the recently released render, if you place the order for this device now, you can expect fast and immediate delivery. Furthermore, the company has also launched a new video on YouTube about the production process of the factory so that users are relieved.

From the above video, it is pretty clear that Ulefone Armor 10 5G has already started its manufacturing process and it seems pretty organized and efficient with a tidy and clean environment that is very important as it contributes to the device’s quality. And after being assembled, each rugged smartphone undergoes through the necessary quality check along with rigorous tests to verify its durability. This video gives hope that immediate delivery is more than just words.Ulefone-Armor-10-5G-image-12

Ulefone Armor 10 5G has an IP68/IP69K rating meaning it is waterproof, dustproof and drop-proof. It features Dimensity 800 5G SoC with 8GB RAM and 128GB ROM, 64MP quad-rear camera, ultra-large 6.67-inch FHD+ punch-hole display, a massive 5800mAh battery with 15W wireless charging. Furthermore, its operating system can be upgraded to Android 11 via OTA in the early next year.

To know more about its ruggedness, check out its durability by clicking in the link below.

https://www.gizmochina.com/2020/12/13/ulefone-armor-10-5g-undergoes-drop-weight-temperature-factory-test-to-prove-durability/Ulefone-Armor-10-5G-image-12

Currently, Ulefone Armor 10 5G is up for sale on Banggood and can be purchased for just $399.99. It is a pretty reasonable price as compared to other 5g rugged smartphones in the market. As if this wasn’t enough, the first 700 buyers also stand a chance to win an additional $40 smartwatch- Ulefone Watch for free. This deal is up only for a limited period, so hurry and make the most of it.

To know more about this device, click here.

Ulefone Armor 10 5G Undergoes Drop, Weight, Temperature Factory Test to Prove Durability

As we all know, after high-anticipation and wait, Ulefone finally put the Ulefone Armor 10 5G up for sale. It the hot new rugged phone by the company that combines both software and hardware exceptions. With durability being the company’s MO, Ulefone decided to show people how this smartphone is fully tested before it leaves the factory. Being a rugged phone, the testing measures are much more rigorous than usual; hence the company decided to release a video of the final factory test that the product goes through.

As seen from the video, it is proven that Ulefone Armor 10 5G has to pass through over 200,000 tests before it is delivered. This includes tests like 1.5m directional dropping, button pressing, ball impact of different weights, screen touches, USB endurance, soft pressing, high and low-temperature resistance, sand and dust resistance, airtightness, and more. The tester verified all of these tests, and despite all of them, the smartphone was still in good working condition, proving its ability to endure extreme conditions and situations.Ulefone-Armor-10-5G-image-17

Apart from featuring certifications like IP68, IP69K, MIL-STD-810G grade protection, and high-speed 5G connectivity, Ulefone Armor 10 5G is also packed with 8GB RAM and 128GB ROM for seamless multi-tasking. 64MP quad-rear camera helps one take decent pictures while 6.67-inch full view display offers an immersive experience. Other highlights that offer added user-convenience include a 5800mAh battery with 15W wireless charging, NFC and Google Pay support, and much more.Ulefone Armor 10 5G

Ulefone Armor 10 5G is up for sale on Banggood at a pretty reasonable price of just $399.99. As if the budgeted range wasn’t enough, the website is also offering a free Ulefone smartwatch to the first 700 buyers. The offer is valid only till 13th December, so hurry and get your smartphone now.

Bonus: The products have already been in mass production, meaning the product will be shipped immediately after the order is placed, cutting down the delivery time significantly.

To know more about this rugged phone, click on the link below.

https://www.ulefone.com/armor-10-5g.htmlarmor10 5G (2)

Exclusive: Xiaomi Mi 11 scheduled for December 29 launch

Xiaomi’s CEO, Lei Jun, revealed at the beginning of the month that the Mi 11 will be the first phone in the world to come with the spanking new Snapdragon 888 flagship processor. Now, a tip we just received gives us the specific date that the launch will happen.

The source of the info is the same one who informed us of the launch date of the Mi Watch Lite and that checked out. According to him, Xiaomi has set December 29 as the date it plans to unveil the Mi 11. Unfortunately, we are not sure if this will be a global launch event or for China.

Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro
Xiaomi Mi 11 render by Ben Geskin

 

An earlier report said that the phone will also go on sale this month. Seeing as there are only two days left before the end of the month if the December 29 launch date turns out to be true, then it is safe to assume that the phone will go on sale the same day it is announced.

While this tipster has not given us a reason to doubt him, there is a possibility that Xiaomi may decide to change its plans with respect to the launch of the device. Regardless, the Mi 11 will be the first smartphone in the world with the new chipset whenever it decides to launch.

Leaked renders, shows the flagship will have a curved display with a punch hole at the top left corner of the screen. The rear design has undergone a change from that of its predecessor. There are also fewer sensors – three down from the quad-camera setup of the Mi 10 5G. A leak revealed the primary camera is a 108MP sensor and it brings along with it a 13MP ultrawide camera and a 5MP macro camera.

Other reported specifications are a 120Hz refresh rate, a 4780mAh battery capacity with support for 55W fast wired charging, and a new version of MIUI called MIUI 12.5 based on Android 11.

 

Electrochromic tech will be used by many smartphone OEMs next year including Xiaomi’

In January this year at the CES 2020, OnePlus announced the Concept One smartphone which is equipped with a rear glass panel that has electrochromic technology in order to hide the rear cameras. The Reno 5 Pro+ 5G that was launched recently also has electrochromic technology on the rear panel.

OnePlus Concept One
OnePlus Concept One

There are indications that the technology may become a new trend in the mobile phone circle next year. According to noted tipster Digital Chat Station, the electrochromic technology which premiered on the Concept One and is going commercial on the Reno 5 Pro + will be utilized on many phones next year.  The source tips mobile phone manufacturers such as Vivo, Xiaomi, Meizu, and Nubia as working on smartphones that will use electrochromic technology. Testing of this technology has reportedly started.OnePlus Concept One Electrochromic tech

Electrochromic technology uses an invisible alloy called tungsten oxide. When tungsten oxide is applied to glass, the surface can conduct electricity, and the passed charge can change the composition of glass molecules, thereby generating a variety of gorgeous colors.

This technology allows users to customize the color of the back cover of the mobile phone and can prompt the user accordingly by changing the color of the back cover according to different application scenarios for functions such as incoming calls, message notifications, or health.

It is worth mentioning that, although the principle of electrochromic technology is complicated, it has minimal impact on the battery power of mobile phones. On the OnePlus Concept One, the electrochromic rear panel is monitored to consume only 2-3mAh of battery power in one hour.

At present, electrochromic technology has been widely used in buildings, airplanes, and automotive glass. It is believed that this technology will become one of the selling points of various mobile phone manufacturers in the near future.

UP NEXT: Samsung is being sued by Ericsson over patent licensing disputes

 

Get Double Discount on Xiaomi DreameTech T20 at Amazon

It is a well-known fact that handheld vacuum cleaners are way more convenient and efficient than traditional ones. The only drawback that comes with this convenience is its high-price tag. Taking this into consideration, Xiaomi introduced Dreame T20 at a pocket-friendly price rate of $359.99. And as if that wasn’t enough, Amazon has decided to offer a huge $72 discount on it that users can redeem using a coupon code. Additionally, they can also get a treat of an added $10 off using code- WERAIGMF.Dreame T20-1-

Xiaomi Dreame T20 features a strong suction power that allows it to clean thoroughly. With over 26 patents, its SPACE 4.0 Motor can operate at 125,000 RPM for added efficiency. This vacuum cleaner boasts a hair tangle-free design, built to conveniently peel off the hair wrapped around the roller to prevent disruptions. This especially comes in handy when people have furry pets.Dreame T20-2-

Dreame T20 works on 4 modes that help clean the house swiftly by meeting various cleaning needs. The user can keep changing the suction level to fit any surface or area. It comes with a crevice nozzle, 2-in-1 brush, all-surface brush, and mite removal brush to help clean every surface ranging from marble floors to car seats and hard-to-reach areas. Furthermore, T20 also features an intelligent auto mode that can adjust the suction power across various floor types. It helps the user get a deep clean throughout their home while also preserving battery run-time and working life time.Dreame T20

Dreame T20 is light in weight and has an 8-stage noise reduction to offer seamless use. The finger-free form, detachable dust cap, and wall-mount storage are other such attributes that make this unit ultra-versatile.Dreame T20-3-

Designed to offer end-to-end convenience, Xiaomi’s Dreame T20 makes cleaning look fun and easy. Currently, this unit is being sold at a discounted rate at Amazon where the page offers $72 off, using a coupon code. An additional $10 discount can also be redeemed by adding the “WERAIGMF” code, bringing its final price down to just $259 from the original- $359.99 price tag. This deal is valid only till December 12th, so hurry and buy yours now.

ICYMI: A recap of last week’s exciting product announcements

A number of exciting products launched last week and if you missed them, this recap is the best place to bring yourself up to speed.

AirPods Max

AirPods go max!

Apple launched its first pair of premium over-the-ear headphones under the AirPods line. The AirPods Max, as it is called, has an interesting design that makes it stand out from the plethora of headphones in the market. It has noise cancellation, spatial audio, support for Siri, a 20-hour battery life, and isn’t cheap with its $549 price tag.

OPPO Reno5 Pro 5G

OPPO’s Reno series enters 5th gen in under 2 years

OPPO announced the Reno5 series last week. It is surprising we are already on the 5th gen considering that the Reno line made its debut last year. The Reno5 and Reno5 Pro have a slightly refreshed design, improved cameras, slightly bigger batteries, and run Android 11 out of the box. A third mode, the Reno5 Pro+ with a Snapdragon 865 processor will launch later this month.

Mi Watch Lite

Their watch starts now

Two new smartwatches were announced last week. The Mi Watch Lite arrived first with a striking resemblance to the Redmi Watch but with more sports modes, GPS, and longer battery life. boAt, the Indian company which climbed to the 5th spot on IDC’s list of largest wearable brands in Q3 2020, also announced its latest offering, the Enigma. It supports fewer sports modes than the Mi Watch Lite but has a SpO2 sensor and a cheaper price tag.

Huawei MateStation B515

Huawei enters the desktop PC business

Huawei announced its first desktop computer, the MateStation B515, last week. The computer is powered by an AMD processor and comes with a 23.8-inch monitor, a mouse, and a keyboard with a built-in fingerprint scanner.