This year, phone manufacturers pushed the fast charging technology to new limits. Phones such as the iQOO 5 Pro and Mi 10 Ultra support 120W fast wired charging, and more devices should also join the list seeing as Qualcomm has announced Quick Charge 5.0 which brings 100W+ fast wired charging to a lot of devices.
Wired charging is not the only one that has gotten faster this year. Wireless charging has also seen a significant jump with phones like the Mi 10 Ultra supporting 50W fast wireless charging. It has now been reported that we may see phones with support for 100W fast wireless charging arrive next year.
The info comes from the Chinese leaker Digital Chat Station who says he had the chance to see the roadmap of the research lab of several manufacturers and a common goal for next year is phones with support 100W wireless fast charging.
At the moment, there is no info on which manufacturers are developing 100W fast wireless charging but we have a few guesses of our own. Xiaomi seems like a no-brainer seeing as they are the current leaders in fast wireless charging technology. While their Mi 10 Ultra flagship phone maxes out at 50W, Xiaomi actually has a commercially available 55W fast wireless charger.
OPPO is another manufacturer that is most likely also working on pushing wireless charging to 100W. In July, the Chinese phone company announced 65W AirVOOC Wireless Charging technology which is capable of charging a 4000mAh battery from empty to full in just 30 minutes, however, it is yet to make its commercial debut.
This year has been an interesting one for the phone industry with respect to advancements in charging technology. We sure are eager to see what they come up with next year.
Taiwanese semiconductor giant MediaTek has flourished so far in 2020 thanks to its revolutionary 5G SoCs. And now, a recent report from the company shows, the revenue has clocked at a sequential MoM(Month-over-Month) increase of 15.7% in September 2020.
MediaTek revealed(via DigiTimes) its Monthly sales revenue for the month of September 2020. Its revenue for September is at NT$37.866 billion(US $1.32 billion). This is a 61.2% increase YoY(Year-on-Year) compared to NT$23.494 billion in 2019. Also, if we look at sequential month revenue, its a huge 15.7% bump up from August 2020. And, as per Digitimes report, the third-quarter revenue of MediaTek has touched NT$97.17 billion.
This is a whopping 43.9% QoQ rise in revenue during Q3 from Q2 2020. Also, this has crushed the previously estimated revenue of NT$82.5-87.5 billion making it a Quarterly high so far. It goes without saying that 5G smartphone chip shipments played its part for MediaTek in Q3. However, the consignment numbers show that its market has reportedly widened outside of China into markets like the US.
That said, this is a healthy trend for MediaTek considering the challenge it generally faces from Qualcomm in the US and Europe. Previously, Mediatek captured a spot inside the top 10 Global IC companies’ revenue rankings. Following this, the company showed encouraging Q1 2020 sitting just behind Samsung. Only after it’s Dimensity SoCs became mainstream, the company saw steady growth. As per the official records, its consolidated revenue from January through September is NT$225.74 billion which is a staggering 24.37% YoY increase from 2019.
And it is only going to get better for MediaTek from hereon. The company recently unveiled its flagship Dimensity 1000C 5G SoC in the United States. It will power devices like the LG Velvet in the US and if it manages to grab the attention, then its no stopping the Taiwanese giant. That said, it is reportedly estimated to touch an annual high of NT$300 billion in 2020 despite a flat growth/slight dip in Q4.
DxOMark Image Labs (DxOMark) is best known as a review lab for the camera and audio performance of smartphones. Today, it announced that it has a special event coming up later this month and we are curious to know what it is for.
According to the tweet posted by the official account, the event which is tagged “DXOMARK FOCUS” will hold on October 20 at 5:00 PM CET. The tweet says the event is going to be big but doesn’t give any hint on what to expect. The link attached to the tweet takes you to the YouTube live-stream page.
Is it a product launch? Probably. A few years ago, DxOMark was a part of the French company, DxO Labs before becoming an independent and privately-owned company. Back then, DxO Labs launched a camera accessory called DxO One that attaches to iPhones and iPad via the lightning connector. Will next week’s event be for the launch of the DxO Two? We will have to wait until next week to find out.
You can actually get a lot of valid entry-level phones in the Indian market. The best ones were launched in the last period, including the new POCO C3 which is the first entry-level device from the POCO brand. For those who do not know, it is a rebranded Redmi 9C for the Indian market. Besides Xiaomi, even Realme came up with a lot of budget phones: the main rival of the POCO C3 is the Realme C12. In the same price range, you can even find the amazing Infinix Hot 9 which offers unique specifications for that segment. Here is an in-depth specs comparison between POCO C3, Infinix Hot 9, and Realme C12.
Quad 13 + 2 + 2 MP f/2.2, f/2.4 and f/2.4
5 MP f/2.0 front camera
Triple 13 + 5 + 2 MP, f/1.8, f/2.4 and f/2.4
5 MP front camera
Quad 13 + 2 + 2 MP + QVGA or 16 + 2 + 2 MP + QVGA
8 MP front camera
BATTERY
6000 mAh
5000 mAh, 10W charging
5000 mAh
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
Dual SIM slot, reverse charging
Dual SIM slot
Dual SIM slot
Design
The most attractive design belongs to the Infinix Hot 9, at least in my honest opinion. One of the reasons is that it has a punch-hole display instead of a classic waterdrop notch, and it makes the device look more elegant. Even the color variants are more attractive with their prism pattern. On the other hand, Realme C12 and POCO C3 are more compact in terms of dimensions. But the Infinix Hot 9 is thinner and lighter: this is another reason which would let me go for it. What would your choice be?
Display
You’d better focus on the other specifications because there are no big differences between the displays of these devices and we are not talking about great displays. They come with below-average HD+ resolution, so you do not get a very high level of detail. They are good panels, but there are a lot of better options if you increase your budget a bit. I would personally go for the POCO C3 due to its high brightness, but the Infinix Hot 9 has a wider panel with a punch-hole design. Note that POCO C3 does not feature a fingerprint reader.
Specs & Software
The most advanced hardware setup belongs to the POCO C3, at least in the most expensive memory configurations. It is fueled by the Helio G35 mobile platform by Mediatek paired with up to 4 GB of RAM and it is actually better for advanced users and multi-tasking. Right after, we got the Realme C12 with an Helio G35 chipset paired with 3 GB of RAM. Unfortunately, Infinix Hot 9 boasts a weaker Helio A25, but you can get more internal storage: up to 128 GB. In each case, you get Android 10 out of the box and a micro SD dedicated slot to expand the internal storage.
Camera
On the paper, Infinix Hot 9 has a more interesting camera department. In its most expensive configurations, it has a 16 MP quad-camera instead of the 13 MP triple camera found on the POCO C3 and the Realme C12. The quad-camera includes a pair of 2 MP sensors for macro and depth calculation and a QVGA low light sensor to improve shots in the dark. Further, the Infinix Hot 9 has a better 8 MP front camera. This device is all but a camera phone, but it is superior to its rivals. POCO C3 and Realme C12 come with the same entry-level camera setup with the algorithm and camera apps making the difference.
Battery
The strongest point of the Realme C12 is battery life: this handset has a mammoth 6000 mAh battery which lasts up to three days with moderate use. Unfortunately, it does not support fast charging, but it supports reverse charging and it can be used as a power bank. With their 5000 mAh battery, POCO C3 and Infinix Hot 9 provide more or less the same battery life; none of them supports fast charging.
Price
POCO C3 is the most affordable with an Rs. 7,499 ($102) starting price, Infinix Hot 9 costs Rs. 8,499 ($115), and Realme C12 is priced at Rs. 8,999 ($123). My favorite device from this comparison is the Realme C12 because of its bigger battery. The Infinix Hot 9 has better cameras, but its chipset is too weaker, while the POCO C3 is just a Realme C12 with a smaller battery, but it carries a more affordable price.
OnePlus is not new to Power Banks. Previously, in 2015, it launched a 10,000mAh Power Bank in Sandstone black. However, the company has been mum about a successor although its fast chargers have improved a lot. Well, that could change any moment now as a tip from Ishan Agarwal reveals the entire specifications and price of an upcoming Power Bank from OnePlus.
According to Ishan, the new OnePlus Power Bank will have a capacity of 10,000mAh. It will launch in two color options- Black and Green. One of them even has a big “Never Settle” logo with a carbon-fiber like texture with a small v-shaped cutout at one end. Beneath the v-texture is an array of four LED lights. This is probably to indicate the amount of juice that’s left inside.
OnePlus Power Bank 10,000mAH
-18W Fast Charging -3 Ports -2 USB-A Out Ports -1 USB-C Input/Output Port -Lightweight -Black & Green Color Options -INR ₹1,200-1,400
Looking at the design, it resembles the Oppo Power bank 2 a lot. This is understandable considering OnePlus is under Oujia which also has major shares in OPPO. Also, the company uses a lot of resources from OPPO including its factories. Anyways, the new Power Bank will have three ports in total – 2xUSB-A output, 1xUSB-C.
And, the sole USB-C port will be an input/output port. Furthermore, Ishan says the power bank will support up to 18W fast charging. This is definitely a bummer considering all of OnePlus’ devices including the Nord support a minimum of 30W charging. Moving on, the OnePlus Power Bank will likely be priced between ₹1,200-₹1,400(~$16-$19).
However, OnePlus hasn’t confirmed its arrival yet let alone the specifications. OnePlus will unveil the OnePlus 8T on October 14. And, a new OnePlus Buds Z will accompany the smartphone as well. While Ishan hasn’t shared a launch date, it is obvious that OnePlus Power Bank will most likely occupy the product portfolio that OnePlus is said to reveal on Wednesday. In case you are wondering what to expect from the OnePlus 8T – check this article.
With the help of Indiegogo, Blackview will be conducting the biggest event of the year in November. And by writing “5G” on their pages, the company has suggested that rumors of the World’s first 5G rugged phone are, in fact, true. 5G is a new-generation network that promises high-speed data connection for downloading content, playing VR games, and watching movies of 4K resolution seamlessly. The smartphone will be called Blackview BL6000 Pro 5G, and to get the conversation started, the company has released a teaser of information.
Blackview BL6000 Pro 5G is expected to have a new full-screen design to make content viewing an immersive experience. The most talked-about 5G network will supposedly be 10 times faster than the 4G network carrier. With 2.3GBp/s downloading and 1.2GBp/s uploading capacity, this network is here to save all the buffering time and make life convenient for its users. Naturally, the high-speed connection will enable one to download HD movies within seconds, enjoy a clear and uninterrupted live stream of 4K videos, online gaming experience, and much more. The BL6000 Pro smartphone is also expected to support SA and NSA 5G/4G global band networks. The 5G NR modem provides full 2G-5G compatibility for added versatility.
Given the MO of Blackview, this rugged smartphone, too, is built to withstand extreme conditions. With IP68 and IP69K rating, the BL6000 Pro 5G prevents damage caused by water and dust while its MIL-STD-810G certification ensures protection against accidental drops and bumps. This Blackview 5G smartphone will host MediaTek Dimensity 800 processor with a 7mn chip, designed explicitly for performance pumped 5G networks. Featuring an 8GB RAM and 256GB ROM, this device will let one work on various tabs simultaneously without any lag and offer ample space for storing documents, media, and application-based files.
Boasting a 48MP triple rear camera, the user can click and record decent quality pictures and videos. BL6000 Pro 5G features a 5280mAh battery that is sure to last throughout the day, adding to user-convenience. The sleek and straightforward design of this smartphone gives it a minimalist appeal. Despite its limited information, the Blackview BL6000 Pro 5G smartphone has successfully caught people’s attention. The phone will be launching in November; however, interested readers can get a “Super Early Bird” discount on this first 5G rugged phone before it goes live by subscribing to their newsletter.
This year, Huawei took a different approach for its Watch GT series. Instead of announcing the Huawei Watch GT 3, it decided to launch the Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro. Now, it appears the Watch GT 2 lineup is about to get bigger with a new model that should arrive as the Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro ECG.
Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro ECG version may be on the way
ECG is a feature that we have been seeing on more smartwatches lately. From the OPPO Watch ECG version to the Galaxy Watch3 to the Apple Watch Series 6, and now Huawei’s own Watch GT 2 Pro will be joining the list.
The info comes from Teme (@RODENT950), the leaker known for Huawei-related leaks. He posted a tweet earlier today mentioning all the models of the Watch GT 2 series and included in the list is the Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro ECG which is yet to launch.
Huawei Watch GT2 (Fashion, Sport, Classic, GT2 PD, GT2 Pro (Fashion, Sport, Classic), GT2 Pro ECG
We are not sure when Huawei will announce this new model but it should not be far off. We won’t be surprised if it launches at the Mate 40 series event on October 22.
The list also includes the yet-to-be-announced Huawei Watch GT 2 Porsche Design that leaked last month and a Fashion variant of the Watch GT 2 Pro which is currently available in Sport and Classic variants.
Huawei is set to unveil the Mate 40 series on October 22 in China. The Mate 40 smartphones are sure to be on the stage. However, there is a pinch of hope for the rumored Huawei Mate X2 to debut that day. And now, a concept created by Jermaine Smit(YT: Concept Creator) gives us a good look at the foldable device.
Credits: Concept Creator/LetsGoDigital
The concept video shared by LetsGoDigital courtesy of Jermaine shows the device in Grey color. Just like the patented design, the renders show an inward folding on the device. Also, the video shared by Jermaine on his YouTube channel has a 3D render that didn’t miss out on the placement of ports as well. It has chamfered edges with volume buttons and a power button to the right. The USB-C and speaker grille gets split between the side housing the camera and secondary display.
The vertical hinge looks a lot similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 with an inward bending motion, and so is the rear camera housing. But this rectangular housing has four lenses instead of three on Samsung. The front camera is on the cover display inside the pill-shaped hole. Further, the renders also grab the attention with a thicker portion housing the camera, and a thinner portion housing the smaller display. If this were to be a final design, we guess the thicker portion might house the battery.
Regarding the specifications, a tip reveals that the bigger display on Mate X2 will likely be 8.03-inches with a resolution of 2480×2220 pixels. And sport a 120Hz refresh rate screen. However, the device codenamed “Teton” will likely retain the CPI(Transparent Polyimide) and not have an Ultra-Thin Glass(UTG) like Samsung.
As for the optics, the render shows a periscopic lens similar to the patent. And rumors say it will host two 40MP sensors. One of them will likely be an ultra-wide lens. Other features OIS, 3x optical zoom are expected. The front will either feature one/two sensors for selfies.
The device may feature Kirin 9000 SoC that is probably coming with Mate 40 series. For connectivity, an alleged Wi-Fi certification shows it will likely have a Hi1105 chipset for Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1. And subsequent leaks say it will run EMUI 11 based on Android 10. If the device ever passes the hurdles to reach the users, it is sure to steal everyone’s hearts.
Xiaomi has launched the KCotson Graphene Moxibustion Device under the Youpin crowdfunding platform. The product carries a crowdfunding price ta of 199 yuan (~$29).
Moxibustion is a form of heat therapy in which dried plant materials called “moxa” are burned on or very near the surface of the skin. The intention is to warm and invigorate the flow of Qi in the body and dispel certain pathogenic influences.
The moxibustion device uses a magnetic storage box that can be used when you pick it up and recharge when you put it down. The storage box is a bit like an oversized AirPods Pro.
The Graphene Smart Moxibustion Apparatus is based on the transmission of moxibustion herbal medicine, replacing traditional open flame physiotherapy with new materials including of graphene, three-stage temperature control and other technologies, allowing users to enjoy the convenience of modern technology. You can also experience the effects of traditional open fire moxibustion.
The product uses graphene heating technology, and its material has the characteristics of balanced heat conduction. With warm moxibustion with wormwood essence, it can quickly act on the human body without any smoke or open flame during the whole process.
In terms of design, the KCotson Graphene Moxibustion Device has a compact shape and is very easy to carry, allowing users to make full use of the fragmented time and turn on the moxibustion mode anytime and anywhere.
The product is equipped with a magnetic charging box, which not only stores the moxibustion head but also continuously charges it when it is idle. A fully charged gadget will deliver up to nine times continuous moxibustion.
AnTuTu is a well-known benchmarking app for smartphones. Companies are known to advertise their devices with AnTuTu scores. The firm behind the app releases charts for top-performing smartphones every month, quarter, and year. Now, as we have almost crossed 10 days of October, AnTuTu has published a report on best performing flagship and mid-range smartphones of September 2020.
The AnTuTu chart for the month of September 2020 mostly remains unchanged from August 2020 with a single major difference and some minor differences. That’s because there weren’t any powerful handsets launch in China last month.
That said, talking about the chart for flagship smartphones, the iQOO 5 Pro has dethroned Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra to obtain the top position, followed by the standard iQOO 5 in the second place. Whereas, the 10th-anniversary Mi-branded Xiaomi smartphone now sits in the third place.
Further, Redmi K30 Pro, which acquired the tenth position in August is no longer on the updated list. That’s because the chart now includes a newcomer in the fifth place in the form of Lenovo Legion Duel aka Lenovo Legion Pro.
On the other hand, the list for the top-performing mid-range smartphones includes the same phones that were present in the last chart. Even the order is identical except for a single change and that is the Redmi 10X Pro now leads the list instead of the regular Redmi 10X.
AnTuTu Benchmark September 2020
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Having said that, we expect these charts to get entrants in the next release as realme (realme Q series) and Redmi (Redmi Note 10 series) are slated to release new smartphones soon.
Huawei is expected to unveil the Mate 40 series on October 22 which has officially been confirmed. Ahead of the launch, Huawei’s smartphone division head, He Gang, has shared what is likely the first camera sample captured by the Mate 40 camera.
The Huawei exec posted a picture of the moon captured at dawn in China. The proximity of the moon and the clarity of the shot is suggestive of a powerful zoom camera onboard the flagship models. Although the main configuration of the camera is still unknown, the device is definitely going to improve on the zoom camera featured on the previous two generations of Mate series models.
Huawei gets most of the credits for making moon camera shots trendy for smartphones with zoom cameras. The Mate 40 series is expected to come with upgraded cameras which will likely hold the title of best camera phone for a while after the launch. The models are expected to also sport a 50MP main camera. It is already confirmed to pack a Kirin 9000 chipset, the brand’s first 5nm SoC.
The Mate 40 series will comprise of the Mate 40, Mate 40 Pro, Mate 40 Pro+ and Mate 40 Pro+ Porsche design variant. All the models will vary in their display sizes but will all be powered by the Hisilicon Kirin 9000 chipset built on TSMC’s 5nm node.
The last quarter of the year is usually packed full of launch events and this year is no different even with the pandemic. Some manufacturers have already announced the dates of their events and others are expected to do so. Today, it is the turn of Lenovo and it has revealed the dates for its annual Lenovo Tech World event.
According to a Tweet posted by the official Motorola account, Lenovo Tech World 2020 will be a 2-day event that begins on October 28 and ends on October 29. This year’s edition will be a virtual one and interested participants can register here.
Across your screen & across the globe. Join us for #LenovoTechWorld wherever you are.
Lenovo says it will be showcasing several new technologies that can transform our daily lives and our futures for the better. Expect to see innovations designed for businesses, education, remote working, entertainment, and gaming technology.
While there won’t be a shortage of interesting products and technologies, there is a chance they may not become commercially available based on previous years. Lenovo only showcases these products but they hardly ever become available for consumers to purchase.
Xiaomi is expected to launch the Mi 10T series in India on October 15. A newe teaser has now emerged showiingthat the company will also launch another product on the same date. Xiaomi is teasing the launch of the Mi True Wireless Earphones 2C in India on October 15th. The headset will be sold exclusively on Flipkart.
The Mi True Wireless Earphones 2C is designed as a cheaper version of the Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 which has earlier been launched in India. The headset brings support for Bluetooth 5.0, dual microphones for environmental noise cancellation (ENC) during calls. The basic version has the same 14.2mm drivers, but only comes with AAC codec and not the LDHC Hi-Res audio codec.
Each of the earbuds feature a semi-in-ear design to fit your ear canal, making it comfortable to wear and doesn’t fall off easily. Each headset weighs just 4.7 grams which the carry case weighs 48 grams.
The Mi TWS Earphones 2C also features support for automatic connection with phones running MIUI after removing the headset from the charging case. The earbuds offer up to 5 hours of standalone battery life and a total battery life of 20 hours with the case. Te case cares via USB Type-C and will be fully charged in 1.5 hours. It also comes with touch controls for volume and track change as well as infrared sensor for intelligent wear detection so it automatically pauses when you remove them.
The Mi True Wireless Earphones 2C is expected to retail for Rs. 3499 ($47) going by an early Flipkart listing but the final price may be cheaper. The earbuds will be available in White colour only.
If you are an avid reader of our website, you probably know everything about the upcoming OnePlus 8T by now. And, to top it off, a new port by XDA member linuxct allows you to download and use it’s live wallpapers a couple of days before the launch.
The new OnePlus 8T live wallpapers are seemingly tested on Sony Xperia XZ Premium running on Android 9 Pie. Also, they are forced to run at 4K resolution that is supported by the Sony smartphone. That said, the report says, the wallpaper will work on devices running Android 8.0 and above. The XDA member has extracted three wallpapers in total- OxygenOS 11, and two OnePlus 8T’s live wallpapers. While the OxygenOS 11 wallpaper has purple accents, the 8T’s wallpapers have a mix of Green, and Silver on their own.
Here they are, the brand new OnePlus 8T Pro Live Wallpapers, ported to any Android 8.0+ device! 👀 #OnePlus8T5G
As you can see from the thread above, the wallpapers rotate horizontally responding to the swipe. And, on locking and unlocking the device, the arc shades inside the wallpaper close and open accordingly. This is a cool new addition and the transitions look great. Further, the wallpapers also have colors that can change dynamically according to the time of the day.
Download 8T live wallpapers APK
That said, the live wallpapers are identical to the static ones that were available almost a week before. Additionally, the wallpapers are reportedly rendered using OpenGL. For the unware, OpenGL® is a cross-platform graphics API(Application Programming Interface). Hence, the live wallpapers might work well only on devices with good OpenGL performance.
Nevertheless, if you are eager to try it out, you can download the APK from APKMirror. After installing the APK, you can head over to your device’s wallpaper settings or use the Google Wallpapers app to find and select them. OnePlus will unveil the OnePlus 8T on October 14. The device will have a 6.55-inch FHD+ AMOLED display, Snapdragon 865, 4,500mAh battery, 65W charging, and more.
OnePlus has started rolling out a new update for the OnePlus 6/6T. The new update brings the September 2020 Android security patch along with a few other improvements.
The latest update from OnePlus for the OnePlus 6 and OnePlus 6T is the OxygenOS 10.3.6. Accordingly, the full OTA package is about 1.75GB, and 1.84GB for the former and latter. The changelog for the update is as follows:
System
improved system stability and Fix general bugs.
Update Android security patch- September 2020(2020.09)
If we recall, OnePlus rolled out a similar OxygenOS 10.3.5 update back in August. The update introduced features like OnePlus Buds support, optimizing RAM management, and July security patch. Also, an earlier 10.3.4 update brought Epic Games(India only), Work-Life balance, etc. Besides, both the OnePlus 6 and 6T, which are already two years old, launched with Android 8.1 Oreo and 9 Pie respectively. Hence, it will be interesting to see if both the devices get an Android 11 update sometime in the future.
Coming back, the update is reportedly rolling out(via XDADevelopers) in a phased manner. It refers to an initial rollout for limited users. And, after ensuring the update doesn’t have any crazy bugs, OnePlus will eventually roll it out to all the users. If you are someone who has either of these devices, you can check for OTA notification in Settings->Sytem->System Updates to see if you are one of those lucky ones. Else, if you are impatient, you can download the OTA packages from below:
It has become a tradition for OnePlus to launch the T-variant of its flagship phone with Qualcomm’s most powerful mobile processor available. What this means is that if you are picking up a phone from the OnePlus T-series, it will be powered by Qualcomm’s most powerful processor available the year it was launched. However, that will not be the case with the OnePlus 8T this year, and we are sure there are folks wondering why. In fact, we are not surprised by this decision and we’ll explain why.
A brief history of the OnePlus T-series
The very first OnePlus T smartphone was the OnePlus 3T released in 2016. That year, there were two flagship Snapdragon processors – the Snapdragon 820 which powered the OnePlus 3, and the higher-clocked Snapdragon 821 which OnePlus shipped with the OnePlus 3T.
The following year, Qualcomm released only the Snapdragon 835, so both the OnePlus 5 and the OnePlus 5T had the same processing power though both devices looked very different with respect to design compared to the OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T.
In 2018, there was also just one flagship Snapdragon processor for mobile phones – the Snapdragon 845. This meant both the OnePlus 6 and OnePlus 6T featured the same processor. However, there were other significant differences between both phones.
Last year, Qualcomm returned to making two flagship chipsets. There was the Snapdragon 855 that powered the OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro while the OnePlus 7T and OnePlus 7T Pro launched with the slightly more powerful Snapdragon 855+ among other upgrades.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 is very real and very powerful 🐲 #OnePlus8T
This year, Qualcomm also has two flagship Snapdragon chipsets – the Snapdragon 865 and the Snapdragon 865 Plus. When the latter launched, we expected it will be the chipset that will power the OnePlus 8T, but as you can see in the tweet above, OnePlus has confirmed that it will come with the less-powerful Snapdragon 865.
Plausible reasons behind OnePlus’ decision to use the Snapdragon 865
There are a handful of reasons we believe may be responsible for this decision and we will take a look at them below:
Price – the Snapdragon 865 itself is expensive, and as we know, it did drive the cost of flagship Android phones up this year. The Snapdragon 865 Plus definitely costs more which will translate to an even more expensive phone. This year has been a rough one for practically everyone including phone companies; and with folks cutting back on expenses, a phone that costs less while offering value is what they will opt for.
Low adoption rate of the Snapdragon 865+ across the board – As we have seen, the Snapdragon 865+ has a lesser adoption rate compared to last year’s Snapdragon 855+ which powered a large percentage of the flagships announced in the second half of the year. From the Black Shark 3S to the Nubia Red Magic 5S to the Mi 10 Ultra, all of these phones are powered by the Snapdragon 865 even though they were announced after the launch of the Snapdragon 865+. These manufacturers have decided to offer more than just a slight increase in performance. It is thus not surprising that OnePlus has decided to follow the same route.
No significant difference in performance – the difference in performance between the two chipsets isn’t a lot and benchmark results have shown that some manufacturers can better optimize the Snapdragon 865 more than others. As shown below, the Black Shark 3S which is powered by the Snapdragon 865 has a higher AnTuTu score than the Lenovo Legion Pro which features the more powerful Snapdragon 865 Plus processor.
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Snapdragon 865 vs 865 Plus AnTuTu
Snapdragon 865 vs 865 Plus 3dmark
For 3DMark which focuses on GPU, the Snapdragon 865 Plus-powered ROG Phone 3 and Lenovo Legion Pro come out on top with the highest overall scores but the Black Shark 3S and Red Magic 5S don’t trail too far behind.
Qualcomm says the Snapdragon 865 Plus brings a 10% increase in CPU and GPU performance over the Snapdragon 865. Based on the above benchmark results, there is only a 2% increase in CPU performance (ROG Phone 3 vs Black Shark 3S) while for the GPU, 3DMark shows that performance increase (ROG Phone 3 vs Black Shark 3S) is about 6.28%.
The story is not too different for last year’s Snapdragon 855 and Snapdragon 855 Plus. Android Authority reported that the latter offered a 4.5% increase in single-core performance while multi-core performance was a measly 0.5% increase. Where the Snapdragon 865+ really shined was in GPU performance which increased by up to 15%.
This little difference in performance may be one of the reasons why fewer manufacturers have picked up the Snapdragon 865 Plus this year. We won’t be surprised if next year’s Snapdragon 875 doesn’t get a Plus variant for the second half of 2021.
OnePlus’ positioning of the OnePlus 8T – the main reason behind the decision to go with the Snapdragon 865 instead of its “Plus” variant is most likely because of where the OnePlus 8T sits in the manufacturer’s lineup. According to OnePlus, it is not releasing a OnePlus 8T Pro because the OnePlus 8 Pro has no room for upgrade. If it were to ship the 8T with a Snapdragon 865 Plus processor, it will put the phone ahead of the OnePlus 8 Pro in terms of performance. Let us not forget the OnePlus 8T already has an advantage in terms of fast charging (Warp Charge 65). OnePlus clearly wants the OnePlus 8T to sit between the OnePlus 8 and Oneplus 8 Pro and one of the ways it has achieved this is by not shipping it with a more powerful processor.
Does the absence of the Snapdragon 865 Plus processor make the OnePlus 8T not worth buying?
The shortest answer is no. The OnePlus 8T with its Snapdragon 865 processor will handle anything you throw at it. It is a flagship chipset after all and the same one that powers most of the premium phones announced this year.
OnePlus 8T render | Source: Onleaks x Pricebaba
Other than the processor, the upcoming phone brings a handful of upgrades when compared to the OnePlus 8. The OnePlus 8T is coming with 65W fast charging, the fastest on a OnePlus device; a higher refresh rate; a bigger battery, and more cameras including a new ultra-wide-angle selfie camera.
So the OnePlus 8T is definitely worth buying if you plan to upgrade your smartphone this year. On whether it is the best option available, that is an entirely different conversation and one we will visit after it launches.
Blackview is famous for its rough and tough rugged smartphones. A few days ago, Blackview introduced the lightweight version of the BV6300 on their website at an even lower price than its predecessor BV6300 Pro. As the poster suggests, the Blackview BV6300 smartphone will go on sale on 12th October 2020.
Blackview BV6300 features IP68 and IP69Ke protection for dust and water. The phone has further undergone drop, pressure, salt spray, tumbling, and distortion test to qualify as military-grade(MIL-STD-810G). With TPU sides, thick corners, and an aluminum alloy body, the BV6300 prevents damage from accidental bumps and drops to offer durability.
This smartphone comes with an Android 10 OS to offer the latest functions, while the MediaTek A25 12nm Octa-core processor that operates with a speed of up to 1.8GHz provides seamless use. Featuring 3GB RAM and up to 32GB ROM, the Blackview BV6300 allows decent multitasking experience with space to store all the documents, applications, and media files. With a 5.7-inch HD+ In-cell display, a resolution of 1440 x 720p, and an 18:9 aspect ratio, this smartphone offers a vivid and comfortable viewing experience.
The Blackview BV6300 smartphone features a quad rear camera of Sony IMX258- 13MP and a front camera of Sony IMX134- 8MP to let the user take standard selfies and pictures. AI Color Portrait effect can be used with both front and rear cameras to take studio-style photos with the colored subject in greyish white background. HDR and Night mode offers a crisp and clear quality of images in case of low-light or high-illumination. The front camera also comes in handy while using the face unlock feature for added security and convenience.
What sets this rugged smartphone apart is its 11.6mm slim body and weight of about 230g, which is unlike any other phone of this category. With a 4380mAh battery, OTG, and reverse charging options, the Blackview BV6300 is sure to last throughout the day. Furthermore, functions like NFC payments and fingerprint unlock offer added user convenience. GPS, GLONASS, and BeiDou provide accurate location and navigation coordinates. This smartphone will come in color variants of Black, Green, Orange, and Yellow colorways with a four-tone finish.
Apart from introducing Blackview BV6300, the company is also running a giveaway contest where 15 users can get a chance to win rugged outdoor smartphones. Interested readers can participate in the giveaway for the next 24 days in 15 different ways. Simply follow the rules below to be one of the lucky winners-
Add BV6300 to Cart
Join World’s First 5G Group
Follow Blackview on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and share the post
Subscribe Blackview on YouTube
Readers can click here to check and enroll for the giveaway.
LeEco may be down but definitely not out as the brand still has some of its sub-brands running. The LeTV brand is one of them and a new product has been launched in China. The LeTV Zero65 Pro is a mural TV with an ultra-slim build. It has a thickness of just 13.5mm which makes it easy to hang on the wall.
In terms of basic parameters, the LeTV Zero65 Pro Mural TV features a full-screen design with the screen accounting for 97% of the screen ratio. The screen also covers 85% NTSC color gamut. It supports MEMC motion compensation, HDR, etc. The TV seems to have a modular design which consists of a display component and a host known as a smart box. The two components are connected through a Superlink.
Further, the Zero65 Pro Mural TV is equipped with Morningstar 6A938 flagship processor which has a 4-core A72 architecture. The processor is integrated with a Mali-T820 GPU and is paired with 3GB of DDR3 RAM and there is 32GB storage onboard.
The TV also uses new forward sound design and optical anti-blue light technology. The phone runs on LeEco’s proprietary EUI 8.0 operating system and has a smart voice remote control, among others.
In other respects, the TV frame is made of metal while the back panel is made from brushed aluminium-plastic plate. Further, the smart box is made of crystal glass, and it also supports seat mounting.
The LeEco Zero65 Pro is priced at 6,999 yuan (~$1037) and is presently on pre-sale. It is expected to start shipping on November 7.
Chinese Smartphone maker Coolpad Group Limited., is all set to launch a new smartphone in India. The Coolpad COOL 6 that will launch on Amazon, is likely a successor to the COOL 5 from last year.
Credits: coolpad/Amazon India
A new Coolpad COOL 6 teaser has popped up(via 91Mobiles) on Amazon India. It is under the ‘Amazon Specials’ category meaning it will be exclusive to Amazon. From the looks and specifications, it is an upgrade in every aspect to its predecessor. The official renders on Amazon show a notch-less screen on the front and a triple-camera setup with a fingerprint sensor on the back. The teaser page also shows two colors- blue, and silver options. Although there is no launch date on the microsite, the company’s twitter handle says a launch will happen this week.
Regarding the specifications, Coolpad COOL 6 will sport Mediatek’s Helio P70 SoC. This is an upgrade from Helio P22 on the COOL 5. Moving on, the device will have two storage variants- 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, and 6GB RAM, 128GB storage. Then, the display on the COOL 6 has no notches and is a full-view display with a pop-up camera ditching the water-drop notch on COOL 5.
As for the optics, the new COOL 6 gets a huge upgrade as well. On the back, it will have a 48MP sensor, along with two 2MP sensors. As per the teaser page, it will be guided by AI and have features like Night mode, HDR, UHD, Panorama, Pro, and intelligent scanning. On the front, the pop-up camera will be a 21MP sensor. Interestingly, the features listed for the front camera also show UHD, Pro, HDR, Night mode, Filters, and Beauty modes. However, we are not sure if the UHD means 4K in video.
That said, other details are scarce at the moment. Looking at a hint from the company, we can expect it to get launched next week and go for sale in Amazon’s Great Indian Sales. Let’s wait for an official announcement regarding price, availability, and offers.
Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 3 Ultra Compact is a new power bank within the Mi Power Bank 3 series and is expected to launch in Europe soon. A new report has suggested that the company might be planning on bringing the new 10,000mAh power bank to the region, as per a trusted source.
According to a MySmartPricereport, the Mi Power Bank 3 Ultra Compact will be launching in Europe soon and as its name suggests, will feature a light and compact design to offer better portability, weighing just 200 grams and 90×63.9×24.2mm in measurements. Looking at the product images, the size of the new power bank is quite small and measures somewhere close to the length of an average credit card. Its power capacity is 10,000mAh while its rating capacity is around 5,500mAh.
The Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 3 Ultra Compact is small and also offers a new finish on top, which is likely to allow for a better grip on the compact device. The battery is a lithium polymer cell inside the shell that also houses four ports in total. This includes two USB Type A, one Type C, and one Micro USB port. Notably, it also supports dual input and can be charged using both the Micro-USB and the Type-C charging port.
Furthermore, the power bank supports up to 24W PD (power delivery) input via the Type-C port, and up to 18W through the micro-USB port. The Xiaomi power bank takes 6 hours to completely charge using a standard 5V/2A charger, and 3.5 hours with a 24W PD charger. Through the two USB Type A and a Type C port, it can also charge up to 3 devices simultaneously.
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