Huawei Mate 30E Pro with Kirin 990E SoC starts at 5299 yuan (~$792) in China

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Oct 30, 2020

Recently, OnePlus launched OnePlus 8T as an updated version of OnePlus 8 with a better display, faster-charging speed, and newer design. This handset can be also called the direct successor to the OnePlus 7T. Last week, the device received its first system update and now, the company is seeding another update to this smartphone.

The latest system update for the OnePlus 8T comes with build number OxygenOS 11.0.2.3. The exact build numbers for different regions are as follows.

IN: 11.0.2.3.KB05DA
EU: 11.0.2.3.KB05BA
NA: 11.0.2.3.KB05AA

The new update does not add any new features to the device, rather it brings fixes, improvements, and optimizations. They are related to power consumption, heat generation, icons not displaying, Bluetooth connection & latency, preview photo loading, and intelligent 5G function.

OnePlus 8T OxygenOS 11.0.2.3 Official Changelog

System
- Optimized system power consumption and reduce heat generation
- Fixed the issue that icons are not displayed on the desktop in a small probability
- Improved system stability and fixed known issues
Bluetooth
- Optimized Bluetooth connection to reduce latency
- Improved connection stability
Gallery
- Fixed the abnormal display issue with loading preview photo
Network
- Optimized the intelligent 5G function to extend battery endurance capacity

Like all OTA system updates, the latest build for the OnePlus 8T is being rolled out in batches worldwide.

PUBG Mobile will finally stop working in India from October 30

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Oct 30, 2020

In September, the Indian government slammed a ban on the popular gaming app PUBG Mobile, alongside 117 other apps that are of Chinese origin. The ban affected both the PUBG Mobile and Mobile Lite but has not been effective since then as both apps still continue to accommodate gamers from India. However, that may end soon as Tencent has officially announced that it would be pulling the plug off the gaming apps for Indian gamers.

The announcement posted on the PUBG Mobile official website reads thus,

“Dear Fans,

To comply with the interim order of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology dated September 2, 2020, Tencent Games will terminate all service and access for users in India to PUBG MOBILE Nordic Map: Livik and PUBG MOBILE Lite (together, “PUBG Mobile”) on October 30, 2020. The rights to publish PUBG MOBILE in India will be returned to the owner of the PUBG intellectual property.

Protecting user data has always been a top priority and we have always complied with applicable data protection laws and regulations in India. All users’ gameplay information is processed in a transparent manner as disclosed in our privacy policy.

We deeply regret this outcome, and sincerely thank you for your support and love for PUBG MOBILE in India“.

While the announcement is a heartbreaking one, considering the popularity of the app among Indian gamers, we must take a positive statement from it. Tencent will be handing over the rights to publish the game in India to the owner of the PUBG intellectual property which is Blue Hole Studio. Recall that BlueHole recently announced the revocation of the license given to Tencent to distribute the game in India.

The South Korean company was reportedly in talks with India telecom company Reliance Jio to get the game up and running in India once again. Later on, a LinkedIn job listing also suggested the company was returning to India as PUBG corporation. Thus, it safe to conclude that the app will be relaunched soon in India with a new licensee in the driving seat.

For now, we can’t identify the company BlueHole will be granting the publishing rights to but we expect that to be made known in no distant time. We’ll keep you update as more details emerge.

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Google Pixel 5 sits at 15th place in DXOMARK Camera with 120 points

By

Balaji S

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Oct 30, 2020

Google launched the Pixel 5 last month. Exactly a month later, DXOMARK has come out with a new Camera review. And unfortunately, it looks like the Pixel 5 has just improved around 6.2% in the overall score compared to the predecessor(Pixel 4).

Jumping right in, Pixel 5’s overall DXOMARK camera score is around 120 points. If you split that into Photo, Zoom, and Video test, it has 129, 49, and 107 points. Sadly, the score is just 7 points above the 113 points of Pixel 4. Also, Pixel 5 has fared worse in the Zoom category with just 49 points compared to 55 points for Pixel 4. It now sits at 15th place on the DXOMARK’S current rankings(as of October 30) slotting behind Huawei’s yesteryear Mate 30 Pro.

That said, the score closer to Pixel 4 is slightly understandable considering the Pixel 5 has a similar rear-camera setup as follows:

12.2MP 1/2.55-inch main sensor with dual-pixel PDAF, OIS.
16MP 1/3.09-inch ultrawide-sensor with a 107-degree Field Of View(FOV).
An LED Flash
Features: 4K video at 30/60fps, 1080p up to 240fps, and has gyro-EIS.

Pixel 5: Photo

Talking about performance, the report says the main strengths of the Pixel 5 cameras are exposure, color reproduction, and autofocus while they maintain the artifacts originally. For still photos, it seems to produce images with good details via main & ultra-wide lens but also accompanies noise with it.

As mentioned above, Pixel 5 struggles in Zoom as well as limited FOV. In fact, the report says the noise starts creeping in as you zoom just above 2x as the lack of a Telephoto lens is surely hurting Google here. Additionally, the device seemingly struggles in bokeh simulation when there are more than two heads in the frame.

Pixel 5: Video

For Video, the report says that Google sets a new record in the autofocus category trying to be on par with the flagships. It clocks a 105 points for Autofocus equalling flagships like Huawei Mate 40 Pro. In Normal lighting, its shots are reportedly good with details, exposure, and colors, especially the stabilization in 4K 30fps mode. However, issues like noise, color casting, and bad exposure in low light sets it back.

Pixel 5 Camera: Pros & Cons

To sum up, it has Pros like Accurate Autofocus & white balance, Vivid colors, and good stabilization. However, its cons include Noise in Photo & Video, Frame shifts, Bokeh effects, Zoom, less detail in low-light shots. Looks like Google still is relying on its software power while setting the nitty-gritty issues behind.

Samsung SmartThings Find app helps locate your devices even when they are offline

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Oct 30, 2020

Most manufacturers usually include a Find device feature on their device’s companion apps for devices such as smartwatches and smartphones. For mobile;e phone, Google’s Find My Phone feature is super efficient in helping you tracing a device where your google account is logged on. However, in most cases, this feature is dependent on the device being online. Although Google‘s own “Find My Phone” feature can make the phone ring even when it is turned off, it can’t pinpoint the exact location when it is out of network coverage area or the data is turned off.

Korean tech giant Samsung is releasing a new app known as SmartThings Find which will let users find their Galaxy devices easily. The app will allow you to find the Galaxy phone, Galaxy Watch, tablet and even earbuds. The company has now pushed the app for the global audience.

Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets running Android 8 or later as well as Galaxy Watches running Tizen 5.5 or later as well as the Galaxy Buds Plus and Galaxy Buds Live are now receiving a software update that will enable the service on the models.

According to details released by the company (via), the SmartThings Find app uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and ultra-wideband technologies in order to locate the Galaxy device you are attempting to find. After the device is located, it deploys Maps and sounds to lead you to where the device is located.

Samsung expatiated further that a device produces a BLE signal that can be received by other devices once it has been offline for 30 minutes. The SmartThings Find app can then be used to signal that you are searching for the missing device and any nearby Galaxy smartphones or tablets that had the service running can alert the Samsung server about its location. Then, Samsung’s server will notify you.

Once you get close to the device, you can choose for it to “ring” or you can use the AR-based search nearby option, which shows you color graphics that get more intense when you’re getting nearer the device you’re searching for. Additionally, user data is encrypted and protected, so your device’s whereabouts are known only to you.

Samsung plans to expand the features with the inclusion of solutions such as tracking tags, so that you can find other belongings as well, not only locate your Galaxy devices.

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Huawei Mate 40 series launched in China: Pricing & Availability details

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Oct 30, 2020

Huawei today held the Mate 40 series China launch conference and as you can guess, the Mate 40 series was launched for the Chinese market. the company took the wraps off all the models in the series including the Mate 40, Mate 40 Pro, Mate 40 Pro+ and the Mate 40 RS Porsche Design Edition.

The Mate 40 series has already been launched in Europe last week so, the entire specs and Europe prices are already known. Here are the prices of the models in China.

Huawei Mate 40 8GB+128GB version – 4999 yuan (~$748)
Huawei Mate 40 8GB+256GB version – 5499 yuan (~$822)

Huawei Mate 40 Pro Price

Huawei Mate 40 Pro 8GB+128GB version – 6499 yuan (~$972)
Huawei Mate 40 Pro 8GB+256GB version – 6999 yuan (~$1047)
Huawei Mate 40 Pro 8GB+512GB version – 7999 yuan (~$1196)

Huawei Mate 40 Pro+ Price

Huawei Mate 40 Pro+ 12GB+256GB version – 8999 yuan (~$1346)

Huawei Mate 40 RS Porsche Design

Huawei Mate 40 RS Porsche Design 12GB+256GB version – 11999 yuan (~$1795)
Huawei Mate 40 RS Porsche Design 12GB+512GB version – 12999 yuan (~$1945)

Huawei also unveiled a Mate 40 RS Porsche Design Collector’s Edition. The Collector’s Edition models have an additional infrared temperature measurement function. At the same time, the Collector Edition model comes with a leather smart window protective cover and Huawei super-fast charging car charger (Max 66W). It is available in 12GB+512GB option and will be sold for 13,999 yuan (~$2094).

Availability

Huawei Mate 40 will officially go on sale on December 21 while the Mate 40 Pro has already gone on sale for the first time today. The Mate 40 Pro+ also went on sale today (October 30) for the first time. The Mate 40 RS Porsche Design sales also commenced today but there is no indication when the Collector’s edition will go on sale.

We must note that the price in China is way lower than that of Europe but then if you are a hardcore Huawei fan or have interest in any of the models, you should be more worried about being able to lay your hands on the device than the price. Huawei is likely to have issues with availability for the models considering the inability to get chip supply from TSMC a wanted due to the US ban.

You can check out our launch article for details of the Mate 40 series’ specifications including the Porsche Design Edition.

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Xiaomi is working on a foldable smartphone codenamed ‘Cetus’

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Oct 30, 2020

Foldables are said to be the next big thing in the smartphone market. Samsung is leading in this segment and the company has revealed its plans to launch this kind of phones across various price segments in 2021. Apart from the South Korean Electronics giant, Motorola is the only brand to sell foldables globally. Whereas, Royole is limited to China and even Huawei has less presence internationally. Now, according to a report, Xiaomi could be the next company to launch a foldable smartphone.

Xiaomi is one of the many popular smartphone makers yet to launch a foldable phone. The company officially teased a trifold foldable smartphone in early 2019. This very same device also appeared in two different short videos.

However, the Chinese tech giant neither revealed the specifications of that device nor cleared the air on when it will release. Instead, the company unveiled Mi Mix Alpha later that year, which itself did not make it to the shelves even after a year.

Now, almost two years after Xiaomi showcased its foldable, XDA senior member kacskrz has found code in the latest build of MIUI 12 Beta for Mi 10 Pro suggesting the company to be working on a foldable.

According to him, this device is codenamed ‘Cetus’ and will MIUI based on Android 11. As for hardware, it will be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset and will come with a 108MP camera. Other than these parameters, this handset is a complete mystery.

Having said that, since Xiaomi is known for offering bang for buck products, this foldable smartphone if ever launches, it could be the most affordable foldable in the market. But it will be probably limited to China like most of the company’s premium offerings.

Samsung’s next TWS Earbuds might be named ‘Buds Beyond’ as per an EU Trademark

By

Balaji S

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Oct 30, 2020

Samsung is probably tightening the saddle for another race with it’s Galaxy S21/S30 series in 2021. After trademarking names like ‘Samsung Blade‘, and ‘Galaxy Space‘, it is back with yet another trademark, this time at EUIPO.

Samsung’s trademark, as spotted by GalaxyClub(via Sammobile), is ‘Buds Beyond’. Now, as per the report, the description on EUIPO is pretty generic under Class 9. In the list, we can spot a few keywords like “Wireless headset for Smartphones”, “earphones” etc. That said, the naming does have a keyword “Buds” which has been widely used on earlier models. But we will have to wait a bit more to confirm if it’s the next TWS Earbuds from Samsung.

Anyway, the trademark, as of October 29, is still waiting for an examination at European Intellectual Property Office(EUIPO). Besides, we don’t have any other information apart from a simple name. Now before you get clunky, we do have few tidbits about the next alleged Earbuds from the company. Reports from Korea says mentions ‘Galaxy Buds 2’ from Samsung will debut alongside the Galaxy S21/S30 series. Not only the report’s naming is contrary to the current trademark, but also says it will have upgraded water resistance.

It is reportedly codenamed “Attic” and attire Black, Silver, and Violet colors. Before you take a breather, Samsung also has a trademark that has a naming [Galaxy] Buds Sound. That said, you must know that these are just trademarks, and may/may not corroborate with each other. Meaning, all the naming above could either turn out to be separate products or get stuck as trademarks forever.

Nonetheless, Samsung is likely to begin the production of its Galaxy S21/S30 series devices soon. And if a new TWS earbuds indeed launches alongside the smartphones in Jan 2021, we will have to wait and see if Samsung brings any design improvements over Buds Live. And features like ANC(Active Noise Cancellation), improved battery life, and Audio to the table. Also, if you are lucky, you might also get it for free while pre-ordering the new flagships as Samsung is usually known for its pre-order gifts.

Apple iPhone 12’s late launch had temporarily cleared $100 billion off its stock value

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Oct 30, 2020

The Apple iPhone 12 series was just recently launched. However, its announcement arrived later than when the company traditionally launches its annual flagship, which caused it to see the sharpest quarterly decline in iPhone sales in two years.

According to a Reuters report, the Cupertino based giant fell by over 5 percent during a point in after hours trade. This had the company’s stock market value fall by a sizeable 100 billion US Dollars. For those unaware, Apple annually launches its iPhone series every September. But due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, the company had to delay the announcement by an entire month.

Despite Macs and AirPods seeing an increase in sales during this period with the overall revenue and profit surpassing expectations, iPhone sales had plummeted by 20.7 percent down to 26.4 billion US Dollars. While lower sales had been anticipated, the holdback from consumers right before the launch of the new iPhones turned out to be a lot worse than what was initially projected, especially in China, where smartphone users already have access to 5G networking.

But apart from the initial shock, the company has outperformed its own expectations. In 2020, its product launches and services were also received fairly well. Tim Cook, Apple Chief Executive stated that, “5G is a once-in-a-decade kind of opportunity. And we could not be more excited to hit the market exactly when we did.” He further added that, “What we’re seeing in the early going in the first five days gives us a lot of confidence that China will return to growth in our fiscal Q1.”

Yahoo teams up with ZTE to launch the $50 Yahoo Mobile ZTE Blade A3Y

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Oct 30, 2020

Yahoo mobile is currently owned by US carrier Verizon. Well, the carrier has launched a smartphone under the Yahoo brand. The device is the product of a partnership with Chinese phone maker ZTE and it is dubbed Blade Z3Y.

The phone listed on Yahoo’s official store as Yahoo Mobile ZTE Blade A3Y packs a 5.45-inch display with an HD resolution of 720 pixels and 18:9 aspect ratio. The display has a considerable bezel size on the top and bottom edges. There is no notch design.

The phone is powered by a MediaTek quad-core processor paired with 2GB of RAM and there is 32GB storage option which is expandable up to 2TB. The phone packs a capacitive fingerprint sensor at the back. It also comes with Face Unlock.

For photography, the phone packs a single 8MP sensor at the back, as well as two LED flashlights. The rear camera and flash are stacked vertically at the top left corner of the back panel just like a dual or triple camera setup. For selfies, there is a 5MP sensor on the front with an LED flash as well.

The phone is powered by a disappointing 2,660mAh battery but Yahoo says it features Smart Power efficiency that can go all day. On the flip side, it runs on Android 10 OS out-of-the-box which is quite impressive. The Android isn’t entirely pure Android though, as the phone comes pre-installed with Yahoo apps such as Yahoo Mail, Yahoo News, Yahoo Sports, Yahoo Finance, and Yahoo Weather.

As for the price, the Yahoo Mobile ZTE Blade A3Y is available to grab for free if you are willing to trade your current smartphone. It is available for an introductory price of $50 even though the phone is worth up to $100.

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Huawei unveils AR Map 2.0, arrives with the Mate 40 series alongside various improvements

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Oct 30, 2020

Earlier today (30th October 2020), the Huawei Mate 40 series was finally launched in China. The company’s Consumer Business CEO and Executive Director Yu Chengdong launched the latest flagship, along with Huawei AR Map 2.0.

For those unaware, Huawei AR Map was originally launched with the P40 series earlier this year. Now, the next iteration has been unveiled for the Mate 40 series. The latest version arrives with various improvements in areas like speed, accuracy, AI recognition through visual positioning that works with coordinated optimization of software and hardware. It supports various new locations as well alongside the ones that were previously available.

The new Huawei AR Map 2.0 is said to be based on the Hetu technology, which should make mapping more accurate and quicker. Furthermore, this system also relies on an improved AI recognition solution. AR Maps is essentially an augmented reality feature that lets users experience notable landmarks and areas with a 1:1 ratio with the real world through their smartphones. Fun activities such as mythical creatures and virtual characters can be found when using the map in the real world as well.

Moto E7 bags multiple certifications, Launch seems imminent

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Oct 30, 2020

Earlier this month, a retailer listing had revealed the entire specifications of the unannounced Motorola Moto E7 smartphone. The listing had also carried the renders of the device. It appears that the announcement of the device is close at hand as the Moto E7 has bagged approval from bodies like (Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the U.S., National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) in Thailand, and TUV. These certifications show that the Moto E7 will break cover soon.

The NBTC certification revealed that the upcoming Moto E7 has the X2095-3 model number. A variant of the phone with model number X2095-1 appeared in the database of FCC to reveal some of its accessories such as AC adapter, battery, earphones, and USB cable.

1 of 5

The battery of the Moto E7 has a KG40 model number. This battery appeared in TUV certification to reveal 4,000mAh capacity. The listing also suggests that the device will arrive with a 5W charger. Only these details were revealed through the certifications.

Editor’s Pick: Motorola Kiev live shot and key specs appear, Expected to launch as Moto G 5G

Moto E7 specifications and price (Rumored)

The Moto E7 has a 6.2-inch LCD display with a waterdrop notch that offers HD+ resolution. It could be powered by the Snapdragon 632 chipset and 2 GB of RAM. The phone may come with an internal storage of 32 GB. The retailer listing had revealed that it has a 3,550mAh battery, but the TUV appearance tells a different story.

The Moto E has a selfie camera of 5-megapixel and it has a dual-camera setup that includes a 13-megapixel main camera and a 2-megpaixel depth sensor. Its other feature includes a microSD card slot, Android 10 OS, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, microUSB, and a 3.5mm audio jack.

(via)

BL6000 Pro – World’s First 5G Rugged Phone Will Soon be Launched via Indiegogo

By

Greeva Agnihotri

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Oct 30, 2020

4G is soon becoming a thing of the past as many new smartphones are launching with 5G network connection. Taking this into consideration, Blackview, recently introduced the much anticipated Blackview BL6000 Pro 5G- the world’s first 5G powered rugged phone. Along with outstanding durability, this smartphone will also provide ultra-fast connectivity.

5G Connectivity

5G network promises high-speed data connection and is expected to be almost 10 times faster than the current 4G network carrier. With its ultra-speed internet connection, BL6000 Pro will expand its horizons and deliver a foreign experience of using rugged smartphones. Along with internet browsing and downloading, the user can conduct uninterrupted, high-quality video conferencing, watch live and 4K video streams, and play online VR games, among other things. Additionally, its 5G NR modem provides full 2G-5G compatibility for added versatility.

Sturdy Built

Living up to its MO, Blackview BL6000 Pro is made from a robust metal frame and meets IP68, IP69K, and MIL-STD-810G certification. In other words, this rugged phone can withstand water immersion, drops, bumps, and shocks, making it an ideal companion to all adventures and beach trips. This device is also enhanced with one of a kind feature- IceMode that can withstand extreme cold conditions for up to -30℃. This attribute is a major plus point, given that winter is just around the corner.

Camera

BL6000 Pro packs a Sony IMX582 triple rear camera and Samsung S5K3P9-SP 16MP front camera, coupled with advanced software and processing features like PortraitColor, HDR, Night Mode, Underwater, Ultra-Wide, 4K 30fps, 1080P 60fps. Its optimized camera will let the users capture all their adventurous moments in decent quality pictures and videos.

Configurations and Additional Functions

BL6000 Pro features an FHD+ punch-hole display and runs on the Android 10 OS. It hosts a MediaTek Dimensity 800 processor with a 7mn chip to support the 5G network connection. The full-screen format will offer users an immersive experience while viewing content. This Blackview phone boasts a powerful 5280mAh battery that can last almost a day in a single charge. Other functions like GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, and Galileo come in handy during camping and hiking trips. NFC, fingerprint, and air pressure sensor further adds to its versatility.

BL6000 Pro is an ideal accessory for almost everyone; more so for people leading active lifestyles or people who work in harsh environments where water and rough grounds could cause harm to their device. Its price and availability time are not yet announced by the company; however, we do know that it will first be up for purchase on Indiegogo. Interested readers can subscribe to their newsletter to be updated about it.

For more information about the product, readers can click here.

Samsung to expand its foldable smartphone portfolio in 2021

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Oct 30, 2020

Earlier this week, Samsung Electronics revealed its operating profit and other details with its latest financial report. The South Korean tech giant accredited its growth and profits to various different factors and also stated its plans on expanding its foldable smartphone portfolio in 2021.

According to TheElec report, the operating profits of Samsung were the highest in two years, with sales also reaching an all time high for a quarter. From its overall profits of 12.35 trillion won (roughly 10.9 billion US Dollars), its smartphone business accounted for nearly a third or 4.45 trillion won (roughly 3.9 billion US Dollars), which is also a rise of 1.54 trillion won (roughly 1.35 billion US Dollars) from the same period back in 2019. The company stated that efficient management of costs and marketing is what helps in its profitability.

At the conference call, Samsung revealed that it plans to expand the price range of foldable smartphones as well. In other words, we would likely see foldable handsets with a bit more affordable price tag. At the moment, foldable devices only account for a small fraction of the company’s total smartphone sales, but it is projected to grow every year. Despite seeing a strong third quarter, Samsung is expecting profits and sales to drop by the final quarter due to increased competition from its rivals during year end sales.

The company stated that the pent up demand caused by the Coronavirus pandemic for smartphones also helped boost sales during the third quarter of 2020. This wasn’t limited to just smartphone sales, but also the company’s other consumer electronics product lineup as well. Larger screen devices also rose in popularity as the work from home scenarios have become the norm in 2020.

Motorola Kiev live shot and key specs appear, Expected to launch as Moto G 5G

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Oct 30, 2020

Last month, a German publication (TecknikNews) broke news about the existence of a Motorola phone codenamed as Kiev. The same publication revealed yesterday that this phone will break cover as the Motorola Moto G 5G. The name suggests that it will be an inferior version of the Moto G 5G Plus (available as Motorola One 5G in the U.S.) that debuted in July. Equal Leaks telegram channel has shared a live shot of the smartphone to reveal its front design.

The live shot shows that the Moto G 5G aka Kiev has a tall aspect ratio display with top-center selfie camera cutout. The leak claims that the smartphone features an AMOLED HDR display that supports 1080 x 2400 pixels. Previous leaks have claimed that the Kiev is powered by the Snapdragon 690 5G chipset. Strangely, the new leak tells it has Snapdragon 765Gv, which seems to be incorrect.

The leak further states that the device has 128 GB of UFS 2.1 storage, and it is packed with a 5,000mAh battery. It has a quad-camera setup that is lead by a 48-megapixel primary lens. The camera leak also contradicts with previous that said that the Kiev phone has a 48-megapixel triple camera system. The leak concludes by saying that the phone will launch globally.

Editor’s Pick: Motorola XT2091 will be also launching as a Lenovo smartphone

Previous reports have said that the Motorola Kiev’s support screen supports a 90Hz OLED refresh rate, and it has a 16-megapixel front camera. Its rear has a 48-megapixel Samsung GM1 main camera, an 8-megapixel telephoto lens, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. It has other features like 6 GB of RAM, 128 GB of storage, Android 10 OS, microSD card slot, and NFC. It is said that the XT2113-2 and XT2113-3 are the two variants of the phone.

(source|via)

Apple led the global tablet market in Q3 2020; Huawei slipped to fourth place

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Oct 30, 2020

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the demand for tablets continued to sustain even in Q3 2020. According to the latest report by IDC, the global tablet shipments reached 47.6 million units in the last quarter with 24.9% YoY growth. Apple continued to be the market leader, whereas Huawei slipped to fourth place.

As per the report, Apple shipped 13.9 million iPads in Q3 2020. The company’s growth increased by 17.4% YoY and captured 29.2% of the market. The iPad 7th Generartion (2019) and iPad 8th Generation (2020) shipped the most

In the second place with 9.4 million units, Samsung’s Galaxy Tab shipments improved by 89.2% YoY and the company accounted for 19.8% of the market. During this period, the brand introduced Galaxy Tab S7+ 5G as one of the first global 5G-enabled tablets.

Further in third place, Amazon acquired an 11.4% market share with 5.4 million units in shipments despite declining by 1.2% YoY. The Fire HD 8 2020 accounted for most of the shipments, closely followed by the 10.1-inch model. The Kids Edition of both these tablets also did well.

Despite 32.9% YoY growth, Huawei dropped to the fourth position with 4.9 million shipments and a 10.2% market share. The company’s decline was mostly due to Amazon’s better performance than Q2 2020. Nevertheless, Huawei’s tablet business is uncertain without component suppliers and GMS (Google Mobile Services).

Last but not least, Lenovo continued to remain in fifth place with an 8.4% market share. The company shipped 4.1 million units with 62.4% YoY growth.

Japan to shut out China from its Drone supply chains over security concerns: Report

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Oct 30, 2020

Japan is seeking to shut out China from supplying drones to its government. The primary reason is over security concerns, with the government aiming to protect sensitive information as per sources close to the matter.

According to a Reuters report, the news arrives from a few sources within the government and the ruling party. These sources have claimed that the move is a part of the country’s efforts to strengthen its national security. With the advancements in technology, the primary concern is being centered around information technology, supply chains, cybersecurity, and intellectual property. These concerns are also shared by various other governments as well in recent times.

Thus, the move to reduce its dependency on China, especially in regards to sensitive technology such as drones and security cameras is understandable. Furthermore, the situation also requires careful manoeuvering between the ongoing US-China trade tensions. As per a senior government official, “China is a big market and it is important for Japan. On the other hand, there are worries that advanced technologies and information could leak to China and could be diverted for military use.” At the moment, the defense ministry has several hundred drones, which includes those that have been manufactured by Chinese companies. Although, government bodies have clarified that these drones are not used for security related matters.

It is unclear if Japan would seek to replace all such drones or just employ a stricter screening process for data leaks over a newly reinforced policy. Notably, this would likely help boost the local drones business, since the government would likely seek drones sourced from within its own borders. However, this move also does not imply a cut in ties or souring relations with China. Another senior official added that “Japan will keep diplomatic ties with China but we will be more carefully respond to sensitive technologies and information.”

Check out HUAWEI Mate40 Pro+ Master Lu Benchmark scores here

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Oct 30, 2020

Last week, the HUAWEI Mate40 series made its global debut. These smartphones launched in China today. But ahead of it, Master Lu, a popular Chinese benchmarking platform had revealed the scores of HUAWEI Mate40 Pro+ on Weibo in the morning.

The scores of HUAWEI Mate40 Pro+ with HiSilcion Kirin 9000 are better than Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 865. But since the handset is yet to go on sale, the scores may come down as Master Lu Benchmark uses average score rather than the highest score.

But still, it will beat the older Snapdragon 865. The bigger question is how well it will stand against the upcoming Snapdragon 875, which is also reported to be based on 5nm manufacturing process.

That said, here’s a table comparing the current scores of HUAWEI Mate40 Pro+ and Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra.

Master Lu Benchmark Scores	HUAWEI Mate40 Pro+ (NOP-AN00)	Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra (M2007J1SC)
CPU	302,075	289,842
GPU	327,431	319,813
RAM	102,530	103,965
Storage	176,690	140,523
Total	908,726	854,143

Anyway, benchmark scores don’t translate real-world performances. Hence, we do not recommend anyone buying a smartphone purely based on the points scored by it on multiple benchmarking platforms.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 may arrive with an S Pen: Report

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Oct 30, 2020

Samsung had recently launched the Galaxy Z Fold 2. This was the successor to the company’s first foldable smartphone and arrived with various improvements. Now, a new patent reveals what appears to be the Galaxy Z Fold 3, which may arrive with an S Pen.

Earlier this year, the South Korean tech giant filed a patent with the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Office) for a new smartphone. The documentation describes the device while also offering various sketches as well. Looking at these images, it is clear that the handset in question is a foldable device, and on the bottom right corner is where the S Pen will be housed. The patent is also indicative of the company’s plans to include the stylus in future foldable handsets.

The device in the image resembles the original Galaxy Fold in design, but with the inclusion of a new S Pen. For those unaware, Samsung ships the stylus with larger screen smartphones like the Galaxy Note series or some of its tablets like the Galaxy Tab S series. Although, the stylus on the latter is larger than the former’s. Interestingly, the LetsGoDigital report also stated the company is also looking to use a new ‘Active Electrostatic Solution’ (AES) technology in the future. The application of this technology would work well with foldable smartphones since Samsung is also planning on raising the thickness of its UTG (Ultra Thin Glass) from 30 micrometers to 60 micrometers.

Unfortunately, this is just a design patent and we have no confirmation from the company regarding its plans for the future. The patent also doesn’t explicitly state the name of the device, so take this report with a pinch of salt as well. We had also previously covered another patent regarding a foldable device with a sliding keyboard, which might have also been another possible design for the Galaxy Z Fold 3. Samsung would likely launch its next gen foldable handsets next year, so we can expect to see more information arrive in a few weeks or even a couple of months.

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