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Samsung Electro-Mechanics will supply main camera modules for Galaxy A52/A72

By
Sudarshan Ravichandran
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The upcoming Galaxy A52 and Galaxy 72 are expected to be the next best-selling smartphones from Samsung. Both these handsets have been leaked once in the past few days. The reports were regarding their cameras. Now, once again, another report from South Korea says that Samsung Electro-Mechanics will be supplying camera modules for the main cameras on these two phones.

Samsung Logo Blue Featured

According to previous reports, the Galaxy A 52 is said to come with a 64MP quad-camera setup. On the other hand, the Galaxy A72 will be Samsung’s first smartphone with a penta-camera setup. It will also have a 64MP primary sensor and also an 8MP sensor with a 3x telephoto lens. You can learn more about them from here.

Now, a new report by The Elec says that Samsung Electro-Mechanics has won the deal to supply camera modules for the primary (main) cameras on the above-mentioned smartphones. 

This is expected to intensify the competition between other camera module makers in South Korea. That’s because Samsung is reported to launch more multi-camera setup handsets in the coming months. Additionally, some of the high-end Galaxy A series phones are also said to come with OIS (Optical Image Stabilization).

Samsung has been lately focussing more on mid-range smartphones as the Galaxy S20 series did not sell well on account of higher price tags and pandemic. Samsung Electro-Mechanics is known for supplying camera modules for high-end devices but given the current situation, the company announced its plans to enter the mid-range market in July.

UP NEXT: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra could feature 108MP camera and 65W fast charging

 

Huawei FreeBuds Studio headphones officially announced, will arrive alongside Mate 40 series

By
Sean
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Earlier today (13th October 2020), the Huawei FreeBuds Studio Headphones have been officially announced. This marks the company’s entry into the studio grade headphones category, which will be launched alongside the upcoming flagship Mate 40 series.

Huawei

The Huawei Mate 40 series of smartphones is scheduled to be unveiled on 22nd October 2020. So, we can expect that the launch conference will also have the Chinese tech giant release the FreeBuds Studio Headphones as well. Previously, we had reported on the headphones being spotted on the company’s AI Life app with images circulating online. However, now, Huawei has officially revealed the launch date of the headphones.

Editor’s Pick: Vivo V20 with 44MP selfie camera, 64MP triple rear cameras, and Snapdragon 720G launched in India for Rs 24,990 (~$340)

For those unaware, images of the FreeBuds Studio Headphones have showcased a black design with what appears to be calfskin leather on the earcups and band. It is expected to feature the company’s Kirin A1 chip and may also have support for Bluetooth 5.1 or Bluetooth 5.2. Furthermore, the inclusion of active noise cancelation is also expected and will likely also support AI voice assistants as well.

Huawei FreeBuds Studio

Unfortunately, the company has yet to divulge any additional details regarding these headphones at the moment and the specs mentioned above are just speculations. Thus, we will have to wait for the official launch event to know for sure. So stay tuned for more updates and the conference, since we will be covering the launch as well.

UP NEXT: Realme launches Buds Air Pro, Buds Wireless Pro, Electric Toothbrush M1 and and more in China

 

Vivo V20 with 44MP selfie camera, 64MP triple rear cameras, and Snapdragon 720G launched in India for Rs 24,990 (~$340)

By
Anvinraj Valiyathara
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Last month, Vivo announced the Vivo V20, Vivo V20 SE, and Vivo V20 Pro phones in Southeast Asian markets. Today, the Chinese firm held a dedicated launch event in India to announce the Vivo V20 smartphone. Like the predecessor V-series phones, the V20 offers top-notch photography experience as it is equipped with a 44-megapixel front-facing camera and a 64-megapixel triple camera system.

Vivo V20 specifications and features

The Vivo V20 sports a glass rear and it measures 161.3 x 74.2 x 7.38mm. The device weighs 171 grams, and it houses a 6.44-inch S-AMOLED display with a waterdrop notch. The 20:9 aspect ratio supporting full HD+ display is integrated with a fingerprint sensor. The predecessor Vivo V19 had the same-sized display, but it featured a dual punch-hole cut for its 32-megapixel + 8-megapixel dual selfie camera system. The newly announced Vivo V20 has autofocus enabled 44-megapixel selfie camera with f/2.0 aperture. It offers users with features like eye autofocus, super night selfie, dual-view video, steadiface selfie video, 4K selfie video shooting, and slow-motion selfie video.

Vivo V20

The Vivo X50 series like camera housing on the backside of the Vivo V20 houses a 64-megapixel main lens with f/1.89 aperture, an 8-megapixel multi-function camera for wide-angle, macro, and bokeh shots, and a 2-megapixel mono lens. The rear cameras support features like motion/eye/object autofocus, super night mode, super wide-angle video, art portrait video, ultra-stable video, 4K video recording, and more.

The Snapdragon 720G mobile platform fuels the Vivo V20. It is the first-ever phone to ship with the newest Android 11 OS preinstalled. The OS is skinned with the latest FunTouch OS 11 UI. It has up to 8GB of LPPDDR4x RAM and up to 256GB of UFS 2.1 storage. There is a microSD card slot onboard for more storage. The 4,000mah battery of the Vivo V20 is blessed with 33W FlashCharge support. The phone comes with connectivity features like dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS, USB-C, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Vivo V20 price in India

The Vivo V20 variants such as 6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage and 8 GB RAM + 128 GB storage are priced at Rs 24,990 (~$340) and Rs 27,990 (~$382). It comes in three colors such as Midnight Jazz, Moonlight Sonata, and Sunset Melody. The handset is up for pre-booking through Flipkart in India and it will go on sale from Oct. 20.

At the event, Vivo India also revealed that the country will be soon receiving the Vivo V20 SE. It confirmed only few details of the phone such as 32-megapixel selfie camera, 33W fast charging support, and Gravity Black and Aquamarine Green color variants. The company is expected to reveal the Vivo V20 SE’s price in India and availability in the near future.

OnePlus 8T Pop Up Event will be hosted within OnePlus World starting October 14

By
Sean
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With the OnePlus 8T launch being just one day ahead, the company has announced the smartphone’s Pop Up Event for the device that will take place in its virtual reality platform, OnePlus World, which it had previously unveiled.

OnePlus World

For those unaware, OnePlus World is a VR platform from the smartphone maker and is designed as an interactive experience for its users. The Chinese brand will likely add other inclusions and events in this platform and is now even bringing the OnePlus 8T Pop Up event to the digital 3D realm. This event is said to begin starting from 14th October 2020 at 8:20 pm IST (Indian Standard Time).

Editor’s Pick: Realme launches Buds Air Pro, Buds Wireless Pro, Electric Toothbrush M1 and and more in China

The company is also promising to offer a “unique engagement experience for the community including a virtual unboxing of the pop up bundle, a virtual experience of the device in AR and purchase.” For those interested, you can get the pop up bundle through the OnePlus World platform by going to the Ultra Store and clicking on ‘Get OnePlus Pop-Up Box’ and then on ‘Buy Now.’

OnePlus 8T Render Color Options
The OnePlus 8T in Silver and Green

The OnePlus 8T 5G launch event will be held on October 14, 7:30 pm IST globally. It is the latest flagship from the company and arrives as the late premium device launch the company typically announced later in the year. The handset is expected to feature top notch specs like the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 SoC that will power its 120Hz refresh rate display. So stay tuned for more updates.

UP NEXT: Smartisan Nut Pro 4 revealed to pack SD865 SoC, 108MP primary camera, 16GB RAM and more

 

Xiaomi Mi Air 2 Pro TWS earphones up for pre-sale in China; priced at 699 yuan ($104)

By
Jeet
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Xiaomi is gearing up to launch its latest truly wireless earphones in its home market China — Mi Air 2 Pro. Ahead of the launch, the company has now started taking pre-orders for the same through JD.com.

The upcoming TWS earphones from Xiaomi are priced at 699 yuan, which roughly converts to $104. While the pre-sale is now on, the company has not yet revealed the exact date for the launch or shipment.

Xiaomi Mi Air 2 Pro

The Mi Air 2 Pro adopts a design which is similar to Apple’s AirPods Pro design with an angled earpiece with silicone tips. It will reportedly weigh 6.5 grams and boast in-ear design with three microphones.

The highlighting feature is the ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) and additionally, the TWS earphones also have hybrid digital noise reduction, similar to AirPods Pro from Apple. The Mi Air 2 Pro comes with a 12mm driver with an LCP composite diaphragm, along with the noise reduction intensity of 35dB.

EDITOR’S PICK: Smartisan Nut Pro 4 revealed to pack SD865 SoC, 108MP primary camera, 16GB RAM, and more

The company is also offering four different sizes of ear tips in the box to ensure a proper fit for the users — Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large. Xiaomi also revealed that the earphones are tuned by Grammy-winning musician Luca Biggardi.

It will also have support for features like wireless charging, wake-up, auto-connect, and more. As for the battery life, the company has revealed that it can offer seven hours of usage on a single charge and up to 28 hours using the charging case.

UP NEXT: Xiaomi teases launch of Mi True Wireless Earphones 2C in India for October 15

 

Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 finally gets MIUI 12 update globally

By
Sudarshan Ravichandran
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Xiaomi launched Mi Mix 2 in the second half of 2016 as the successor to the original Mi Mix from 2016. The smartphone debuted with MIUI 9 based on Android Nougat. It was later updated to MIUI 10 and MIUI 11 in the following years along with Android Oreo and Android Pie. Now, after three years from its release, the handset has begun to receive its last major update in the form of MIUI 12.

Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 02 Featured

Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi has been rolling out MIUI 12 update to its devices since late April. However, the company is yet to finish the rollout. That said, Mi Mix 2 has now become the latest handset to get this update.

The MIUI 12 update for Mi Mix 2 is being rolled out to both China and Global variants of this smartphone. The build number for the former is V12.0.1.0.PDECNXM, whereas the latter variant is receiving V12.0.1.0.PDEMIXM.

EDITOR’S PICK: Xiaomi Mi TV LUX Pro 82-inch 8K 5G & Mi TV LUX 82-inch 4K launched in China

 

In China, the rollout began in early September and hence, we believe the company to have pushed the updates to all the units by now. On the other hand, the global variant has only begun to receive the update now and it is currently in “Stable Beta” form.

That means the said MIUI 12 build is being only pushed to limited users in international markets. If these early adopters don’t face any major issues, the update will be made available for more users in the coming days.

Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 01 Featured

Having said that, as we stated in the beginning, MIUI 12 is the last major update for Xiaomi Mi Mix 2. The device may now only receive critical security patch if required down the line.

UP NEXT: Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G gets direct update to MIUI 12 from MIUI 10

 

Realme launches Buds Air Pro, Buds Wireless Pro, Electric Toothbrush M1 and and more in China

By
Jeet
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Realme today launched its three new smartphones under the Realme Q2 series in China. Along with that, the company also launched a few more products in the market, including Buds Air Pro, Buds Wireless Pro, Electric Toothbrush M1, and, Smart Cam 360°, and GaN 65W Super Flash Charging Kit.

Realme Buds Air Pro

realme Buds Air Pro Black Render

The latest true-wireless earphones from the company come with 10mm drivers and have support for Active Noise Cancellation up to 35db. The company is also offering a Transparency mode.

Another important feature of the TWS earphones is 94ms Low Latency Gaming Mode. The headset, which is rated IPX4 for water resistance, comes with support for touch controls and offers 25 hours of battery life using the charging case.

The Realme Buds Air Pro was launched in India earlier this month. In China, it is priced at 449 yuan (~$67) and will go on sale from 19th October.

Realme Buds Wireless Pro

Realme Buds Wireless Pro

It comes with a design that is identical to the regular Realme Buds Wireless but without wings. There’s also a different inline remote control with four buttons instead of three. The new model comes with Active Noise Cancellation up to 35dB and support for Sony LDAC as well as Hi-Res Audio.

The company has also increased the size of the drivers to 13.6mm compared to 11.2mm in the standard model. Further, the Realme Buds Wireless Pro comes with 22-hour battery life, almost double the 12 hours of battery life on the regular version.

As for the pricing, the wireless earphones are priced at 399 yuan in China, which is about $59 and is set to go on sale from 19th October.

EDITOR’S PICK: Realme Q2, Q2 Pro, and Q2i smartphones launched in China with 998 Yuan (~$148) starting price

Realme M1 Electric Toothbrush

Realme M1 Sonic Electric Toothbrush

This new elective toothbrush from Realme is powered by an advanced sonic motor from LEBOND which is claimed to vibrate 34,000 times per minute. It is also equipped with Dupont bristles that contain 99.9% antibacterial properties.

It can be operated in four different modes — Soft Mode for very sensitive teeth, Clean Mode for daily routine, White Mode for deep cleaning, and Polish Mode for achieving brighter teeth. It is water-resistant with IPX7 ratings.

The Realme M1 Electric Toothbrush is powered by an 800mAh battery which is claimed to offer 90 days of battery life when used twice a day. Offered in two colors — White and Blue, it is priced at 169 yuan (~$25) and will go on sale from 19th October.

Realme Smart Cam 360°

Realme Smart Cam 360° featured

It is designed to offer 24/7 protection and comes with features like 1080p video recording with H.265 video encoding, wide dynamic range support, and 3D noise canceling.

The product also comes with support for AI motion detector, infrared night vision, voice talkback, and 360-degree rotation. There’s an AES-128 data encryption and TLS 1.2 transmission encryption.

It has support for a microSD card of up to 128GB and comes with a built-in Wi-Fi extender and it can be inverted or upright. It is priced at 179 yuan (~$27) and will be available for purchase in China from 19th October.

UP NEXT: Smartisan Nut Pro 4 revealed to pack SD865 SoC, 108MP primary camera, 16GB RAM, and more

 

Smartisan Nut Pro 4 revealed to pack SD865 SoC, 108MP primary camera, 16GB RAM and more

By
Jeet
-

Smartisan, a China-based smartphone maker, has scheduled a launch event on 20th October where the company is expected to launch its Nut Pro 4 smartphone. Now, ahead of the launch, the company has revealed key specifications of the device.

The poster shared by the company confirms that the smartphone will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 flagship chipset. It has also confirmed that the primary camera sensor on the device will be of 108-megapixel.

Smartisan Nut Pro 4 Key Specs

Further, it has been revealed that the smartphone will pack up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage. The device will also have dual-mode SA/NSA 5G connectivity support, thanks to the chipset powering the phone.

The Chinese company will hold this new product launch conference physically at Wukesong·M Space at 19:30 local time on October 20th. While the company has not confirmed the name, we expect it to be the Nut Pro 4 which could have a white-colored back panel and a full-screen design.

EDITOR’S PICK: Huawei 5G base station teardown reveals almost 30 percent of parts sourced from the United States

The last time Smartisan launched a major smartphone product was on 31st October last year when the Nut Pro 3 was unveiled. The phone is a flagship model powered by the Snapdragon 855 Plus processor and packing a quad-camera setup.

The specs of the upcoming smartphone from the company seem promising but it remains to be seen how the device is priced in the market, what memory variants get launched, and when it will go on sale. To know those details, we will have to wait a few more days.

UP NEXT: Huawei Mate X2 concept 3D render shows an inward folding display, hinge, quad-cameras, and more

 

Huawei 5G base station teardown reveals almost 30% US-based parts

By
Jeet
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Huawei, the world’s leading manufacturer of telecom equipment, has been facing various sanctions from the United States at a time when there’s a fierce competition between the US and China for controlling the 5G technology.

Now, Nikkei Asia reports that the breakdown of the core base station unit from Huawei for the fifth-generation wireless network shows that the phone is using about 30 percent of the parts from US-based suppliers.

Huawei Logo MWC 2019

It is also revealed that the main semiconductor device in the unit, which has codename “Hi1382 TAIWAN” representing HiSilicon chipset, was supplied by a Taiwan-based contract manufacturer TSMC.

The report sheds light on the fact that the Chinese giant is still not totally independent from sourcing components from the US-based firms. But given that the company has been restricted, it will have to make do with the stockpiled components for the time being.

The Huawei baseband unit measures 49cm x 9cm x 34cm and weighs about 10kg. The device is usually placed on the roof of a building to process voice signals for transmission to and from mobile phones.

EDITOR’S PICK: Smartphones with support for 100W fast wireless charging are reportedly coming next year

The estimated production cost for the unit is $1,320, of which Chinese-made components account for 48.2 percent, which higher than the comparative figure for the 5G model of Huawei’s top-of-the-line smartphone, the Mate30, which is 41.8 percent. The US-made chips and other components account for a large 27.2 percent of the total cost.

The United States imposed a few new restrictions on Huawei, which went into effect last month. With that, it has now been banned from sourcing chipsets from US-based companies or companies that use US technologies.

However, the companies have now started applying for special licenses with the United States to continue doing business with Huawei. While Intel and AMD have already been granted a license, companies like Qualcomm, Samsung, MediaTek, etc. have also applied for a special license from the U.S.

UP NEXT: Realme Q2, Q2 Pro, and Q2i smartphones launched in China with 998 Yuan (~$148) starting price

 

Xiaomi launches the OPPLE Self-powered Wireless Doorbell for 55 yuan (~$8)

By
Jed John Ikoba
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Xiaomi Youpin has played host to yet another innovative product. An innovative product dubbed OPPLE Self-powered Wireless Doorbell has been launched for open sale on the Youpin website. The product carries a  price tag of 55 yuan (~$8).OPPLE self-powered wireless doorbell

The OPPLE Doorbell is an entirely wireless device with up to 80 metres of wireless transmission. It is equipped with an external unit (doorbell) and an internal unit (receiver). When the visitor presses the external button on the doorbell, it generates power and 80 meters of wireless transmission.

The button outside the door has a built-in power generation module. When pressed by a finger, the kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy, and the power generation and wireless signal transmission are completed instantly, without wiring or battery.OPPLE self-powered wireless doorbell

The doorbell switch is pressed with a force of <5N, and it can be activated by lightly touching with your fingertips. It can be easily be triggered by the elderly and children at home. The button has been subjected to over 100,000 press tests and is durable.

Its innovative floating antenna design effectively reduces the problem of signal attenuation. It can transmit signals stably at 30 meters indoors and 80 meters outdoors.

OPPLE wireless doorbell’s volume is set to 5 levels of loudness. The highest volume is not too low such that even in noisy environments such as cooking, you can hear the knock on the door. There are 36 polyphonic ringtones onboard which can be switched freely. It also supports the silent mode. In the silent mode, only the light flashes to alert the homeowner and there is no ringing, so as to avoid disturbing family members sleeping and resting.OPPLE self-powered wireless doorbell

It also has a power-off memory function, set ringtones and volume, after an unexpected power-off and restart, it will still remember the last set value instead of restoring the default file, reducing the trouble of repeated settings.

Apart from the doorbell function, the OPPLE self-powered wireless doorbell can also be a pager. It can be placed in a room that needs care for children, the elderly, or pregnant women such that they press a button when in need of attention. It can be flexibly configured according to your needs.

Apart from the one doorbell and one receiver set, users also get the option to buy one doorbell and two receiver or two doorbells and one receiver, for slightly higher prices.

UP NEXT: POCO C3 for Rs 7,499 (~$102) brings 6.53-inch display, Helio G35, 13MP triple cameras and 5,000mAh battery

 

Asus Zenfone 7 Pro grabs top spot in DxOMark rankings for video recording

By
Jeet
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Asus Zenfone 7 Pro, the company’s flagship smartphone continues with the unique flip-camera setup that was introduced with its predecessor. Thanks to the flip camera, it can be used as the main camera or front camera.

The phone offers a triple-camera setup that includes a 64-megapixel Quad-Bayer primary sensor, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens with a 16.6 mm focal length, and an 8-megapixel tele lens that offers an 80 mm focal length.

Asus Zenfone 7 Pro DxOMark

Now, DxOMark has reviewed the smartphone’s camera and has given an overall score of 101. With the photo score of 104, the Zenfone 7 Pro grabs the second position in the list, just after Huawei P40 Pro.

Surprisingly, in the video department, the device has scored 96 points, making it the best smartphone for video recording according to the DxOMark rankings. It has taken the top spot in the rankings for the video department.

EDITOR’S PICK: Carl Pei leaves OnePlus; reported to be starting his own venture

Zenfone 7 Pro featured

The review says that the Asus Zenfone 7 Pro gets all the basics right when it comes to still photography, including good exposure in all conditions, wide dynamic range, and accurate colors with nice skin tones.

For the video, the review adds that the smartphone provides excellent texture and detail rendering, and good exposure even in very low light conditions. It captures natural skin tones and nice colors with very little image noise.

As for the drawbacks, the phone has a limited depth of field and a slightly unnatural rendering of skin texture. When looked closely at images captured, some detail looks a little oversharpened and too contrasty.

To know more about the flip camera setup on the Zenfone 7 Pro, check out our post that sheds light on the camera mechanism based on a teardown video.

UP NEXT: DxOMark announces it will hold a special event on October 20

 

Realme Q2, Q2 Pro, and Q2i 5G phones launched in China with 998 Yuan (~$148) starting price

By
Anvinraj Valiyathara
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Realme held a launch event this morning in China to announce the Realme Q2 series of smartphones. The series includes three devices such as Realme Q2i 5G, Realme Q2 5G, and Realme Q2 Pro 5G. Here is all the information on the specifications, features, and pricing of the Realme Q2 series.

Realme Q2 series

Realme Q2 and Q2 Pro specifications and features

The Realme Q2 5G has a 120Hz refresh rate supporting LCD panel. The punch-hole screen display produces full HD+ resolution and a 20:9 aspect ratio. It offers a screen-to-body ratio of 90.7 precent. It has a side-mounted fingerprint scanner.

The Realme Q2 Pro 5G has a 6.4-inch AMOLED display with a punch-hole design. It offers full HD+ resolution, 20:9 aspect ratio, 180Hz touch sampling rate. The display is integrated with a fingerprint sensor. The Q2 Pro offers a screen space of 90.8 percent. Both displays are protected by Gorilla Glass panels.

Realme Q2 poster

The Realme Q2 5G and Q2 Pro 5Gsmartphones are fueled by the Dimensity 800U chipset. The Q2 comes with up to 6 GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 128 GB of UFS 2.1 storage. It houses a 5,000mAh battery with 30W fast charging support through USB-C.  The Q2 Pro has 8 GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 128 GB / 256 GB of UFS 2.1 storage. It is backed by a smaller 4,300mAh battery that supports 65W SuperDart fast charging technology.

The Realme Q2 and Q2 Pro are equipped with 16-megapixel front-facing cameras. The Q2 possesses a triple camera system on its rear that comprises of a 48-megapixel main camera with f/1.8 aperture, a 119-degree 8-mgeapixel ultrawide lens with f/2.3 aperture, and a 2-megapixel macro shooter with 4cm focal length.

Realme Q2 Pro featured

The Realme Q2 Pro 5G has a quad-camera system that features a 48-megapixel main shooter with f/1.8 aperture, a 119-degree 8-mgeapixel ultrawide lens with f/2.3 aperture, a 2-megapixel black and white portrait lens, and a 2-megapixel macro camera with 4cm focal length. The Realme Q2 and Q2 Pro are loaded with Realme UI 2.0 based Android 10 OS. Both phones offer other common features such as dual SIM support, 5G, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, USB-C, 1216 super linear speaker, and Hi-Res audio support. The Realme Q2 has a 3.5mm audio jack and a microSD card. These features seem to be absent on the Pro model.

Realme Q2i specifications and features

Realme Q2i featured

The Realme Q2i 5G is a polycarbonate-bodied smartphone with a 6.5-inch IPS LCD panel. The waterdrop notch screen offers HD+ resolution and a 20:9 aspect ratio. It delivers a screen-to-body ratio of 88.7 precent. The handset is preinstalled with Realme UI 2.0 flavored Android 10 OS.

The Realme Q2i 5G has an 8-megapixel selfie snapper. Its rear has a square-shaped camera housing that features a 13-megapixel primary shooter with f/2.2 aperture, a 2-megapixel macro lens with a 4cm focal length, and a 2-megapixel depth assist lens. It has a rear-positioned fingerprint sensor.

The Dimensity 720 chipset is present under the hood of the Realme Q2i. The phone offers users with 4 GB of RAM, 128 GB of built-in storage, and a microSD card slot. It has a 5,000mAh battery with 18W fast charging support.

Realme Q2, Q2 Pro, and Q2i pricing and availability

Here is the pricing of the different variants of the Realme Q2 series:

Realme Q2i 5G

  • 4 GB RAM + 128 GB storage – 998 Yuan (~$148)
  • Color variants: Blue and Moonlight Silver
  • First sale date: Nov. 1

Realme Q2 5G

  • 4 GB RAM + 128 GB storage – 1,199 Yuan (~$177)
  • 6 GB RAM + 128 Gb storage – 1,299 Yuan (~$192)
  • First sale date: Oct. 19
  • Color variants: Blue and Silver

Realme Q2 Pro 5G

  • 8 GB RAM + 128 GB storage – 1,599 Yuan (~$237)
  • 8 GB RAM + 256 GB storage – 1,799 Yuan (~$266)
  • Color variants: C-color (color gradient) and Light Tide Gray that comes with a leather back
  • First sale date: Nov. 1

Grab $22 Off on Dere R9 PRO Notebook Till 14th October

By
Greeva Agnihotri
-

Working on systems that offer seamless operation helps one increase focus and productivity. DERE R9 Pro Notebook is one such device packed with a host of features and comes in a pocket-friendly price range of $299.99. This device can currently be purchased at a discounted rate of $277.99 by using a coupon code.

Dere R9 Laptop

DERE R9 Pro Notebook runs on a 2.5GHz Intel Celeron J4115 Quad-core processor that offers smooth functioning. Microsoft Windows 10 provides the latest features and layout for optimal use. The device has 8GB RAM and 128GB SSD for uninterrupted multitasking and convenient storage.

The DERE R9 Pro notebook boasts a 15.6-inch IPS LCD screen with 1920x1080p resolution to offer HD viewing. The screen has a 170-degree wide perspective and 5mm bezel to provide an immersive experience. Featuring a sleek border on the keyboard and a large touchpad with a swift response, this device enables convenient typing for added efficiency.

dere r9 pro battery

Boasting a 5000mAh battery with 7.2V output, this notebook can last for up to 8 hours while working and up to 72 hours on standby mode. The device weighs just 1.5kgs, offering convenient portability. Inputs like USB 3.0, HDMI, audio, RJ45 LAN interface, and a TF/SD card slot allow multiple connectivity options to share and receive data or network. The decent quality of speakers and the camera further add to its versatility. It also features wireless connections like 2.4G WiFi and BlueTooth.

Interested readers can buy DERE R9 Pro Notebook at a discounted price of $277.99 by adding “DERER9” as the voucher code; however, the offer is available until 14th October only. To purchase the device, click here.

 

Carl Pei leaves OnePlus; reported to be starting his own venture

By
Habeeb Onawole
-

Carl Pei and Pete Lau are the two faces of OnePlus. Both of them founded OnePlus in 2013 and have run the company together as co-founder and CEO respectively. It has now been reported that Carl Pei has exited the company.

Carl Pei featured

 

News of Carl Pei leaving OnePlus has come as a big surprise as he’s the more familiar face, especially when it comes to product launches, press conferences, and interviews in the west.

Hints of the co-founder’s exit first surfaced via a Redditor, JonSigur, who shared an internal memo detailing OnePlus’s leadership. Carl Pei’s name was not only missing from the document but he has also been replaced as the head of the OnePlus Nord line by Emily Dai who is the India Regional CEO. The document says Ms. Lai will report directly to Pete Lau.

Tech website, Android Central, says the news has been confirmed by two sources. However, both the publication and Android Police who first reported the news have reported that OnePlus has declined to comment on the matter when asked about it.

If you are wondering where Mr. Pei is headed, TechCrunch reports that he is starting his own venture. There is no info on what the new company will be involved in. It also remains to be seen if this new venture will be related to BBK Electronics.

As at the time of writing, Carl Pei’s Twitter bio still reads “#NewBeginnings @oneplus”. His LinkedIn profile still lists him as a co-founder of OnePlus. We expect more details will surface in the coming days or weeks about his new venture and his exit from the company he co-founded.

UP NEXT: OxygenOS 11 stable update arrives for OnePlus 8/8 Pro

 

Rumor: Phones with support for 100W fast wireless charging coming next year

By
Habeeb Onawole
-

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.

Mi 55W Wireless Charging Stand

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.

100W fast wireless charging

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.

UP NEXT: Xiaomi Mi 20W Smart Tracking Wireless Charger Pad Review

 

MediaTek’s monthly sales report shows a staggering 61.2% YoY surge in September revenue

By
Balaji S
-

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

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.

Editor’s Pick: Skyworth Q71 series 8K TV with MediaTek S900 chip, pop-up AI camera official

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.

Up Next: MediaTek announces MT9602 smart TV SoC; will debut in Motorola TVs

DxOMark announces it will hold a special event on October 20

By
Habeeb Onawole
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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.

UP NEXT: Vivo’s IFEA Camera smartphone concept with modular design wins Red Dot Award

 

POCO C3 vs Infinix Hot 9 vs Realme C12: Specs Comparison

By
Michele Ingelido
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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.

Xiaomi POCO C3 vs Infinix Hot 9 vs Realme C12

Realme C12 Xiaomi POCO C3 Infinix Hot 9
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT 164.5 x 75.9 x 9.8 mm, 209 grams 164.9 x 77 x 9 mm, 196 grams 165.4 x 76.8 x 8.8 mm, 185 grams
DISPLAY 6.5 inches, 720 x 1560p (HD+), 270 ppi, IPS LCD 6.53 inches, 720 x 1600p (HD+), 270 ppi, IPS LCD 6.6 inches, 720 x 1600p (HD+), 266 ppi, IPS LCD
PROCESSOR Mediatek Helio G35, octa-core 2.3 GHz Mediatek Helio G35, octa-core 2.3 GHz Mediatek Helio A25, octa-core 1.8 GHz
MEMORY 3 GB RAM, 32 GB – micro SD dedicated slot 4 GB RAM, 64 GB – 3 GB RAM, 64 GB – micro SD dedicated slot 2 GB RAM, 32 GB – 3 GB RAM, 32 GB – 3 GB RAM, 64 GB – 4 GB RAM, 64 GB – 4 GB RAM, 128 GB – micro SD dedicated slot
SOFTWARE Android 10, Realme UI Android 10, MIUI Android 10, XOS
CONNECTIVITY Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS
CAMERA 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.

 

 

Xiaomi POCO C3 vs Infinix Hot 9 vs Realme C12: PROs and CONS

Realme C12

PROs

  • Biggest battery
  • Reverse charging
  • Fingerprint reader

CONS

  • Thicker

 

Infinix Hot 9

PROs

  • Best cameras on the paper
  • Fingerprint reader
  • Wider display
  • More memory configurations
  • Punch-hole display

CONS

  • Inferior hardware

 

Xiaomi POCO C3

PROs

  • Very affordable
  • Compact
  • MIUI 12 out of the box
  • Best hardware

CONS

  • No fingerprint reader

 

OnePlus’s new 10,000mAh Power Bank will reportedly start at ₹1,200 ($16)

By
Balaji S
-

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.

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.

Up Next: OnePlus 8T won’t use Snapdragon 865+ & It’s Not Surprising, Here’s Why

First 5G Rugged Phone – BL6000 Pro to be Launched by Blackview via Indiegogo

By
Greeva Agnihotri
-

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.

BL6000 Pro (4)

 

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.

BL6000 Pro (1)

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.

BL6000 Pro (2)

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.

To know more about this device, click here.

BL6000 Pro (3)

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