Advertisement

Meizu stops Android 10 development for Meizu X8 and Note 8; cites severe system instability

Android 11 is already here but there are still a large number of devices yet to even get updated to Android 10. Among these devices are the Meizu X8 and Meizu Note 8 smartphones. Today, Meizu announced it is ceasing the development of an Android 10 update for the two phones.

The Meizu X8 and Meizu Note 8 were announced in 2018 as part of Meizu’s mid-range lineup. They ran Android 8 Oreo out of the box and a few months ago, Meizu announced the phones will get an Android 10 update. Today, it released a statement saying the two phones will no longer get updated due to the numerous problems encountered during development.

Meizu X8 and Meizu Note 8 Android 10 update

According to Meizu, the Android 10 development has resulted in multiple issues such as IMEI and baseband loss, Bluetooth failure, fingerprint scanner failure, and system instability for the two phones. Apparently, they have tried but couldn’t find a fix to all the issues. After deliberation, they decided to cease development. The official statement includes an apology to users of both devices.

Meizu says it has begun rolling out a new stable update (Flyme 8.1.5.0A) to beta testers to fix these issues and return them back to working conditions. It also said that both phones will continue to receive Flyme system updates and application updates.

 

Sony Xperia 5 II lands in Taiwan for NT$ 29,990 (~$1030 USD)

Sony has launched the flagship Xperia 5 II in Taiwan. This coming just over a week after the company announced the smartphone for the global market. In Taiwan, it will retail for 29,990 New Taiwan Dollars (~$1030). This is quite higher than the price it is expected to be sold in the US which is $950.Sony Xperia 5 II

The Xperia 5 Ⅱ emerges as Sony’s first device with 120Hz refresh rate but when compared to the Xperia 1 II, the resolution is reduced to FHD+. The Xperia 5 Ⅱ sports a 6.1-inch OLED HDR display and is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor paired with 8GB of RAM while there is 256GB of storage onboard.  The phone packs a 4000mAh battery and has an IP68 dustproof and waterproof rating.

For photography, the Xperia 5 II features a triple camera setup, comprising of a 12MP f/1.7 primary sensor, a 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide-angle camera, and another 12MP f/2.4 telephoto lens. The phone is capable of shooting 4K HDR videos at 120fps, which can also be played back at 5x slow motion at 24fps.Sony Xperia 5 II

It is worth noting that the China version of the Xperia 5 Ⅱ will be released on October 15 and is expected to be priced between 6000-7000 yuan.

 

Huawei P Smart 2021 vs Redmi Note 9 vs Realme 7: Specs Comparison

The ban did not stop Huawei from releasing affordable phones for the global market. The company just came up with the new Huawei P Smart 2021, but is Huawei still competitive in the affordable segment? There is no better way to understand it than comparing it with other potential best-sellers of this year offering amazing specifications at very affordable prices. For this comparison with P Smart 2021, we chose the Redmi Note 9 and the Realme 7. Is Huawei still able to release something as interesting as the latest Xiaomi and Realme budget phones? Let’s find it out together.

Huawei P Smart 2021 vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 vs Realme 7

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Huawei P Smart 2021 Oppo Realme 7
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT 162.3 x 77.2 x 8.9 mm, 199 grams 165.7 x 76.9 x 9.3 mm, 206 grams 162.3 x 75.4 x 9.4 mm, 197 grams
DISPLAY 6.53 inches, 1080 x 2340p (Full HD+), 395 ppi, IPS LCD 6.67 inches, 1080 x 2400p (Full HD+), 395 ppi, IPS LCD 6.5 inches, 1080 x 2400p (Full HD+), 405 ppi, IPS LCD
PROCESSOR MediaTek Helio G85, octa-core 2 GHz Huawei Hisilicon Kirin 710A, octa-core 2 GHz MediaTek Helio G95, octa-core 2.05 GHz
MEMORY 3 GB RAM, 64 GB – 4 GB RAM, 64 GB – 4 GB RAM, 128 GB – micro SD dedicated slot 4 GB RAM, 128 GB – micro SD slot 6 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 128 GB – micro SD dedicated slot
SOFTWARE Android 10, MIUI Android 10, EMUI Android 10, Realme UI
CONNECTIVITY Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5, GPS Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS
CAMERA Quad 48 + 8 + 2 + 2 MP f/1.8, f/2.2, f/2.4 and f/2.4
13 MP f/2.3 front camera
Quad 48 + 8 + 2 + 2 MP f/1.8, f/2.4, f/2.4 and f/2.4
8 MP f/2.0 front camera
Quad 64 + 8 + 2 + 2 MP f/1.8, f/2.3, f/2.4 and f/2.4
16 MP f/2.1 front camera
BATTERY 5020 mAh, fast charging 18W 5000 mAh, fast charging 22.5W 5000 mAh, fast charging 30W
ADDITIONAL FEATURES Dual SIM slot, water-repellent, reverse charging Dual SIM slot Dual SIM slot

Design

Due to its huge camera module including a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, the Redmi Note 9 is not brilliant if we talk about the aesthetics. With their rectangle-shaped camera modules and side-mounted fingerprint readers, Huawei P Smart 2021 and Realme 7 are definitely more attractive. Realme 7 is actually the most beautiful one because of its color variants and more compact dimensions, despite not everyone may like it since it comes with a smaller display.

 

Display

The winner of the display comparison is the Realme 7 for a simple reason: it provides a higher 90 Hz refresh rate. For the rest, the display specifications are more or less the same as its rivals. Realme 7, Redmi Note 9, and Huawei P Smart 2021 are equipped with 1080p displays, but the Huawei P Smart 2021 has a wider 6.67-inch panel, while Redmi Note 9 and Realme 7 stop at 6.5 and 6.53 inches, respectively. Besides getting a higher 90 Hz refresh rate, with the Realme 7 you also get a higher 480 nits brightness.

 

Specs & Software

Realme 7 wins even when it comes to the hardware department. It is powered by a stronger Helio P95 chipset by MediaTek, which is naturally better than the Helio G85 found on the Redmi Note 9 and more powerful than the Kirin 710A found on the Huawei P Smart 2021. Besides packing a better chipset, Realme 7 has a higher-end memory configuration with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of UFS 2.1 internal storage. There is no challenge: Realme 7 is way better under every point of view. Further, note that the Huawei P Smart 2021 does not have Google services installed: they were replaced by Huawei Mobile Services due to the U.S. ban.

 

Camera

Realme 7 actually comes with a better main camera than Redmi Note 9 and Huawei P Smart 2021 on its rear camera setup. We are talking about a Sony sensor with a 64 MP resolution and f/1.8 focal aperture. Just for this reason, Realme 7 is a better camera phone. The secondary sensors are similar to the ones of its opponents, including the 8 MP ultrawide camera and a pair of 2 MP lenses for macro and depth info. Even the front camera is actually better with its 16 MP resolution.

 

Battery

Realme 7 and P Smart 2021 pack a 5000 mAh battery, while Redmi Note 9 has a 5020 mAh unit. Realme 7 has an inferior battery life because it comes with a 90 Hz display which is more energy-demanding. Redmi Note 9 should last more thanks to its standard refresh rate and smaller display than Huawei P Smart 2021. On the other hand, Realme 7 features a faster charging technology with a 30W power.

 

Price

Redmi Note 9 is priced less than €200/$230 globally, Huawei P Smart 2021 costs €230/$270, and Realme 7 starts from €174/$203 in India and it is still not available globally. Realme 7 wins this comparison thanks to a higher refresh rate, better chipset, and cameras.

 

Huawei P Smart 2021 vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 vs Realme 7: PROs and CONS

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9

PROs

  • Very affordable
  • IR blaster
  • Water-repellent
  • Reverse charging

CONS

  • Uglier design

 

Huawei P Smart 2021

PROs

  • Affordable
  • Nice design
  • Side-mounted fingerprint reader

CONS

  • No GMS

 


Oppo Realme 7

PROs

  • Faster charging
  • Best cameras
  • Great hardware
  • 90 Hz display
  • Side-mounted fingerprint reader

CONS

  • Limited availability

OnePlus teases a new Nord smartphone is coming soon

It has been more than two months since the launch of the OnePlus Nord. Prior to the launch of the phone, OnePlus revealed that Nord will be a line of smartphones and not just one device. It appears the next OnePlus Nord phone will launch soon as the official OnePlus Nord Instagram account posted a teaser today.

The teaser is a photo of a hand-drawn OnePlus logo in black along with a caption that says #ComingSoon.

View this post on Instagram

#ComingSoon

A post shared by OnePlus Nord (@oneplus.nord) on

A few weeks ago, it was revealed that OnePlus has a new affordable smartphone heading to the US that will launch as the OnePlus Nord N10 5G. We want to believe this is the phone that is coming soon

The Nord N10 5G will have a 6.49-inch FHD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate. The phone will come with a Snapdragon 690 5G processor with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. With respect to cameras, it has been reported that this will be the first OnePlus phone with a 64MP primary rear camera. The phone will also have an 8MP ultrawide camera, and two 2MP cameras.

The other specs are still unknown but the price tag is said to be under $400. OnePlus is most likely targeting the Pixel 4a and the iPhone SE 2020 with its new phone and it remains to be seen if it can measure up to the aforementioned devices.

 

Two new Galaxy M Smartphones reportedly in development, may launch before 2020 ends

Looks like Samsung is not done with the Galaxy M series of smartphones just yet. A new report says that the company is working on two Galaxy M smartphones. And they might launch before the year 2020 ends.

Samsung Galaxy M31s Render Leak 02

Sammobile comes with exclusive news that the company is working on two new devices with model numbers SM-M425F, and SM-M127F. While the naming of the devices isn’t confirmed yet, the report says the devices might be named the Galaxy M42 and Galaxy M12s respectively. Previously, Samsung reportedly canceled the supposed successor of Galaxy M40, the Galaxy M41, and went ahead with M51.

But the new leak has model numbers hinting that a Galaxy M42 might be possible as well. This is because Samsung’s naming reflects the model numbers on many occasions. The keyword ‘M’ after the SM usually represents the M series while model numbers like SM-F415F turned out to be the new F series.

Possible naming and specifications

Also, the older entry-level Galaxy M10s has the model number SM-M107F. And its ‘non-s’ variant Galaxy M10 has SM-M105F. Likewise, the earlier launched Galaxy M40 had the model number SM-405F. All these suggest that the model numbers usually with the keyword ‘5F’ seem to be the normal variant of the device. And the ‘7F’ turns out to be the s variant.

Hence, there are chances that the devices could end up being called the same. Of course, these might not be true always, and as the report says, Samsung might change the name entirely at any point in time.

Editor’s Pick: Samsung to launch more flagship Galaxy Fan Edition smartphones

Moving on, the report adds that the SM-M425F will have a 64MP main camera and 128GB of internal storage. However, there is no info on SM-M127F. This suggests that the former should be a mid-ranger while the latter an entry-level smartphone. Besides, if reports are true the software development for M425F has already begun and it will likely launch before the end of the year.

Samsung is bombarding phones in markets like India at the moment. It recently launched the Galaxy M51, and before we take a breather it is back with the Galaxy F41. Regarding the new leak, it is very early stages and hence, we will have to wait and see how Samsung plays with this one.

Up Next: Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 hits India in WiFi & LTE models starting at 17999 (~$244)

OPPO Reno4 F coming on October 12 with a similar design to the F17 Pro

Next quarter, OPPO should announce the Reno5 series in China but it appears it is not yet done with the Reno4 series as it prepares to launch a new model next month. OPPO Indonesia has released a teaser poster and video that reveals a new phone called the Reno4 F will launch next month.

OPPO Reno4 F

The poster shows the side view of the OPPO Reno 4F. It says the smartphone is “ultra sleek” and “ultra light” and it will be announced on October 12, 2020. A page on the OPPO Store for the country says the phone will have 4GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and come in White. The teaser video below, posted on the OPPO Indonesia YouTube Channel, doesn’t reveal much either.

Thankfully, Sudhanshu Ambhore, the Indian leaker, has shared a poster on Twitter that reveals more details of the upcoming phone.

The image which we have posted below shows the Reno4 F has the same design as the OPPO F17 Pro. The screen has a double punch hole at the top left corner for two selfie cameras and on the back are four cameras arranged in a squircle. The image also reveals that the OPPO Reno4 F will be available in Black and White colorways with a two-tone finish.

OPPO Reno4 F

As stated on the poster, the phone has a Super AMOLED display, a 4000mAh battery with support for 18W fast charging, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. The cameras are loaded with features including an AI Color Portrait mode, AI Beauty Mode, Ultra Clear 108MP mode, 4K video recording for the front cameras, a night selfie mode, and a night flare portrait mode.

While the design is similar to that of the F17 Pro, we can’t say if the Reno4 F is just rebadged until we see the full specs sheet. We wouldn’t rule out the possibility of OPPO changing a few specifications such as the processor or the camera configuration just to distinguish both phones. The F17 Pro is already sold in some parts of Europe as the Reno4 Lite.

 

OnePlus 8T will make its entry alongside five other OnePlus products – Rumour

OnePlus is expected to launch the OnePlus 8T on October 14 and that will be quickly followed by a launch in China on October 15. Apparently, the flagship smartphone isn’t the only product that the company will launch on that day. That is if the latest rumour by noted tipster Ishan Agarwal is anything to go by.

According to the tipster, OnePlus is planning to unveil “almost five” other products alongside the OnePlus 8T. The tipster didn’t share any detail as to what the products are and even assured that we won’t be able to guess one of the products as they have not featured in any leak as of this moment.

In a follow-up tweet, the tipster just writes the word “bass,” hinting at some sort of audio device. This may likely refer to a Bluetooth speaker. There is also speculation that the OnePlus Watch will also be going official as well and a teaser is expected on October 4.

However, OnePlus is yet to officially reveal any product is coming apart from the OnePlus 8T which has been confirmed. We expect more details to emerge in the coming days.

 

Samsung Galaxy M21 starts getting One UI core 2.1 update with September security patch

Samsung is finally rolling out the One UI core 2.1 update for the Samsung Galaxy M21 smartphone. The company had released an update for its sibling, the M31 a few days back. The new update for the M21 brings the latest changes in security patch, camera features, and more.

Samsung Galaxy M21

The One UI 2.1 core update for the Samsung Galaxy M21 bears a firmware version M215FXXU2ATI9. Also, this includes the latest September 1, 2020 security patch. Additionally, a screenshot by Sammobile shows the update size is 1,292.01MB and other features present in the update. It includes new camera features like My Filters, Single take, Night hyper-lapse.

Also, the core update from 2.0 to 2.1 brings options like Quick Share, Music share and Samsung seems to have made some stability improvements for Galaxy M21 as well. However, we are not sure what changes it brings in the performance of the device. It is also unclear if the update brings the ‘shutter speed controls’ in Pro Mode just like the Galaxy M31.

Editor’s Pick: BOE seeks to surpass Samsung in OLED by 2024

Samsung’s latest UI is the One UI 2.5. While this entered the stage with Note 20 series, the older One UI 2.1 was introduced with the Galaxy S20 series early this year. That said, the update is core-side, and there is no info on if the Galaxy M21 will get Android 11 yet.

The update is rolling out to users across Europe and Asia. As is the case with every update, this one should be rolled out in phases. Hence, users will have to wait for a while to see it on their device. In the meantime, users can also check for the update manually by navigating to Settings>Software update>download and install.

Up Next: The Galaxy Tab Active3 is Samsung’s latest rugged tablet

Google Messages may soon auto-delete OTPs after 24 hours

Google Messages is one of the widely used messaging apps on Android smartphones as it comes pre-installed on a number of devices. Earlier this year, even Xiaomi ditched its own messaging app for Google’s offering on the global variants of its handsets. This app is simple and does not offer extra functionalities like the stock messaging app found in different OEM skins. But not anymore, as the search giant is working on a very useful feature, which is currently not found in any messaging app (as far as we know).

Google Messages Logo Featured

OTPs or One Time Passwords have become common these days. Currently, almost all apps and services use them for authentication. Hene, our inboxes are filled with them.

Therefore, one needs to dedicate time to trash the unwanted OTPs that are usually only valid for 10 minutes and are of no use thereafter. Thankfully, according to an APK teardown by XDA Developers, Google Messages is working on to delete these OTP messages automatically after 24 hours.

That means you will no longer have to spend time deleting these text messages manually. Also, it is worth noting that this feature will be optional when it goes live. Anyway, who would disable it?

If this works well, then we certainly expect other messaging apps to implement this functionality.

 

OPPO A33 is a budget phone with a 90Hz display and a Snapdragon 460 processor

OPPO has expanded its A-series lineup with the new OPPO A33 mobile phone that was announced in Indonesia today.

OPPO A33 featured

The new smartphone is powered by the Snapdragon 460 Mobile Platform, a processor we have seen on a lot of budget mid-range phones announced in the past month.

The OPPO A33 has a 6.5-inch display, while the resolution is HD+, it has a 90Hz refresh rate. There is a hole in the top left corner of the screen for an 8MP f/2.0 selfie camera. The back of the phone has three rear cameras – a 13MP primary camera, a 2MP depth sensor, and a 2MP macro camera.

OPPO A33

The phone ships with 4GB of RAM and 32GB of expandable storage. It also has stereo speakers with Dirac Audio, a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, and a  5000mAh battery under the hood with support for 18W fast charging. It runs ColorOS 7.2 based on Android 10 out of the box.

The OPPO A33 comes in Moonlight Black and Mint Cream and will be available for purchase on October 1. There is no info on the price yet.

 

Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 hits India in WiFi & LTE models starting at 17999 (~$244)

Samsung has launched the Galaxy Tab A7 in India, weeks after the product was first unveiled. The tablet is hitting India in Dark Gray Silver and Gold colours and is priced at Rs. 17999 (~$244) for the Wi-Fi version. The LTE model is priced at Rs. 21999 (~$298). It is available from Samsung.com, select retail stores and leading online portals including Amazon.in and Flipkart.samsung-galaxy-tab-a7-2020-image

To recall, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 is the newest member of the affordable Galaxy Tab A series. The slate features a 10.4-inch TFT display having a WUXGA+ resolution of 2000×1200 pixels and a screen-to-body ratio of about 80%.

The Tab A7 tablet is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 Mobile Platform. The processor is an octa-core chipset built on an 11nm process. The architecture includes four Kryo 260 cores clocked at 2GHz and four Kryo 260 CPUs clocked at 1.8GHz. The processor also includes the Adreno 610 GPU. The processor is backed by a 3GB RAM and there is 32GB and 64GB storage options. The storage can be expanded via microSD card.Samsung Galaxy Tab A7

The tablet packs a single 8MP camera at the rear while for selfies and video chat, there is a 5MP camera at the front. For an immersive multimedia experience, the slate packs four speakers which is more than what you find in most tablet in this range. For a longer usage time, the tablet packs a 7,040 mAh battery and there is a USB-C port on board for faster charging. The tablet equally packs a 3.5 mm audio jack while for connectivity, you get Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac.

 

Xiaomi crowdfunds the Viomi Instant Hot Water Dispenser with a front display

Xiaomi‘s ecological chain company Viomi has launched the Viomi Instant Hot Water Dispenser under crowdfunding on the Youpin platform. The product can be heated in one second without installing a water purifier.Viomi Instant Hot Water Dispenser

The water purifier can monitor the water level in the cup without setting and stop when the water is full. At the same time, it also has functions such as a six-stage filter element and one-second instant heating. The device carries a crowdfunding price of 1,699 yuan (~$249) and is expected to start shipping on November 11.

The water dispenser has an infrared sensor probe located under the water outlet of the drinking machine which can monitor the real-time water level in the cup. Thus, the user does not need to set the water volume in advance according to the cup volume and does not need to press the water outlet button all the time. When the cup is full of water, the machine will automatically stop water outlet.

For users who love hot water, this water purifier is equipped with thick film instant heating technology, and it only takes 1 second to heat cold water to boiling water. At the same time, the machine also matches the best water temperature range for brewing milk, making tea and other beverages, and can automatically heat the water to a suitable temperature.

The water dispenser is equipped with a newly upgraded 6-stage deep filtration system which is an increase of two stages compared to the previous generation. The filter can remove 99.99% of the impurities such as sand, heavy metals, bacteria, and odours in the tap water.

The water dispenser uses a more compact dual-core design and a newly upgraded waterway system. The dual-core design combines the original 5 filter elements into one, which only needs to be replaced once a year.

It is also equipped with a large 5-inch touch screen through which users can view real-time water quality status and select different modes.

 

Apple suppliers to invest $900 million in the next five years in India

Cupertino giant Apple’s contract manufacturers plan to expand the production in India. According to the latest reports, suppliers like Wistron, Pegatron, and Foxconn have reportedly planned to invest close to $900 million in the country.

A report from Reuters says that the suppliers plan to gain benefits from the Production Linked Incentive Scheme(PLI) of India. Previously, the Ministry of Electronics, Govt of India, had introduced incentives like PLI, SPECS, and EMC 2.0 worth $6.6 billion. Out of them, PLI requires companies to produce smartphones locally for the next five years. Accordingly, it helps companies get incentives while transforming India into an export hub.

Editor’s Pick: MOMAX Airbox is a multi-device Wireless Charging Power Bank for Apple devices

Coming back, the three suppliers of Apple are Foxconn, Wistron, and Pegatron. As per the report, Foxconn has applied for investing 40 billion INR($542 million), while Wistron and Pegatron have plans for 13 and 12 billion INR under the PLI scheme. While the range of devices that would be focussed on is unclear, insiders say that iPhones will be the cynosure.

Further, Wistron is looking to expand iPhone SE 2020 production to 400,000 per month by the end of 2020. This will likely create 10,000 jobs. Also, Foxconn which already assembles iPhone 11 is looking to widen the scale. Lastly, Pegatron, which is a new entrant, is already in talks with Govt of Tamil Nadu for setting up a plant as per the report.

However, this is not the first time for Apple. After the US ban, Apple started to divert itself and shit production outside of China with Pegatron moving to Indonesia last year. But in the case of India, Apple began assembly of the original iPhone SE through Wistron way back in 2017. It then expanded operations with the help of Wistron and Foxconn started making older flagships like iPhone 7.

That said, its newer devices are still slapped with import duties and in a bid to change that, it has been restrategizing its plan in India. Some of the latest changes include its own online store, an Exclusive retail-store under-construction in Mumbai.

Up Next: Apple iPhone 12 Mini could be the name of the 5.4-inch model

TENAA: vivo V2034A is a budget smartphone with HD+ AMOLED display

A few days back, a vivo smartphone with model number V2031 was spotted on TENAA. Now, once again, another mysterious vivo handset with a similar model number (V2034A) without 5G connectivity makes its appearance on the Chinese regulatory website. Going by its design and specifications, this phone and the previous device seem to be part of the same series.

vivo V2034A Featured

According to the TENAA listing, the upcoming vivo V2034A smartphone will be powered by a 2.0GHz unknown processor paired with 4GB/6GB/8GB RAM and 64GB/128GB internal storage.

On the front, it will sport a 6.52-inch dew-drop notch AMOLED display but with HD+ resolution (720 x 1600 pixels), instead of 6.44-inch FHD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels) panel found on the other phone.

 

The back panel of this handset looks identical to the vivo V2031 with the same vivo brandling placement, however, the LED flash is smaller and will be located below the camera module instead of in-between.

Further, looking at the size of its power key, we expect it to feature a side-mounted fingerprint sensor unlike the in-screen version in the former device. Unsurprisingly, this phone will come with an inferior triple camera setup consisting of 13MP primary sensor paired with two 2MP sensors, which we believe to be macro and depth respectively. Whereas, the front camera will be of 8 megapixels.

Last but not least, it will run Android 10 backed by a 4,910mAh battery with support for fast charging (18W?) and will measure as well as weigh 164.41×76.32×8.41(mm) and 192.3g respectively.

 

LG Signature OLED TV R reported to go on sale next month

One of the highlights of CES 2019 was LG’s rollable TV which is officially known as the LG Signature OLED TV R. The TV even made it to our list of Best of CES 2019. While it has been almost two years since it was announced, it is yet to go on sale. New from Korea says that changes next month.

LG Signature OLED TV R

According to Business Korea, the LG Signature OLED TV R will be available as early as next month. It has also been reported that LG will have a small event by mid-October, after which the TV will go on sale.

The launch of the TV is coming nearly a year after LG said it will go on sale. The 65-inch TV is expected to sell for more than 100 million (KRW) which converts to over $85,000.

The LG Signature OLED TV R runs webOS but has support for Google Assistant. LG said it will also gain support for Amazon Alexa and Apple’s AirPlay 2. The flexible display takes just 10 seconds to unroll from the base which doubles as a 100W speaker. The display can also be unrolled to different heights.

We expect LG to make an official announcement soon along with pricing and availability details.

 

MIJIA Braun Electric Shaver launched for 199 Yuan (~$29)

Xiaomi has today launched the MIJIA Braun Electric Shaver under crowdfunding. The product carries a price tag of 199 yuan (~$29) released today, with a retail price of 249 yuan (~$36). The crowdfunding exercise will commence at 10 am on September 30 while the product will start shipping from October 14.MIJIA Braun Electric Shaver

The MIJIA Braun Electric Shaver is designed with a small body and is very portable when going out. The knife net is a German bionic knife net with a design that is inspired by dragonfly wings, known as German Seiko.

In terms of power, the motor rotates at 7200 per minute, with independent floating double cutter heads which adapt to facial contours. German-made cutting elements, skin-friendly tooth combs, comb first and then shave to ensure that the jaw can be shaved, and goodbye to the pulling feeling.MIJIA Braun Electric Shaver

In terms of battery life, the device can last up to 40 minutes of use which is equivalent to about 21 days of battery life if it is used 3 minutes each day. It also comes with Quick charge which can deliver a full charge in 1 hour and with just 5 minutes of charging, you get enough power to last a single shaving session.

In addition, the razor is also waterproof all over, supporting both dry and wet shaving.

 

 

Samsung could be working on a 65W fast charging solution

Samsung could be working on a new fast-charging adaptor for the next flagship series. A new leak suggests that the next fast charging adaptor might be a 65W charger and it might debut on the next Galaxy S21 or the even with the Note series next year.

The leak is reported by GalaxyClub(via Sammobile) from the Netherlands. The report says that Samsung is working on a charger with model number EP-TA865. We have two reasons to say that this could be the new Charger from Samsung. For one, it is certified in Korea from the Radio Research Agency and is listed as a travel adapter. Also, it seems to be manufactured by Solum Vina Co Ltd., from Vietnam and the report says the company has made several chargers for Samsung.

Editor’s Pick: Samsung Galaxy S20 FE vs OnePlus 8 vs Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro: Specs Comparison

Second, this charger has a model number similar to the earlier launched 45W adapter. It had the model number EP-TA845. All these, suggest that the model number is indeed a charging brick. However, it need not necessarily be a 65W charging brick. In fact, after a long time, Samsung’s 45W charger’s model number coincided with wattage. Hence, we think that the ’65’ on the model number might indicate the same but it isn’t confirmed yet.

Samsung 65W adapter certification
Image Credit: GalaxyClub

Besides, if we take Samsung, very few devices like Galaxy S20 Ultra, Galaxy Note 10+ support its highest 45W charging. But comes with just a 25W adapter in the box. To make it worse, Samsung went backward by not including the 45W support on its latest Note 20 series. While this posts serious doubts on the 65W tagline for the charger, it’s high-time Samsung had one for itself.

The year 2020 so far has shown the trend of faster-charging solutions and companies like Oppo, Xiaomi, Nubia, have hopped on the train recently. The latest one to join is OnePlus with its 65W adapter on the upcoming 8T. Hence, it makes total sense for Samsung to join the bandwagon next year. However, the certification of Samsung’s charger doesn’t give any specific details for us and we are left to guess it on our own for now.

Up Next: Samsung to have strong Q3 2020 earnings as smartphone sales recover

Grab $90 OFF on Urevo’s Indoor Cycling Bike on Amazon (US)

Cardio exercises are essential for all-around health, and nothing can be more convenient than doing them indoors. Out of all the cardio options, indoor cycling is one of the most preferred activities in fitness centers and at home for most people. Urevo Indoor Cycling Bike is one such appliance that allows one to practice fitness in a time-efficient way and from the comfort of their own home. Moreover, the company is offering a $90 coupon on the product for US customers.

Urevo stationary exercise bike (3)

The Urevo cycling bike features an adjustable brake and resistance unit that allows the user to simulate real road riding experience. In case of a sudden stop, one can pull the emergency brake lever and shut it instantly. The pure wool brake pad and belt-driven design reduce noise and vibration to offer smooth operation. Additionally, a heavy momentum of 22lbs flywheel keeps the spin bike steady and secure. The aluminum alloy cage pedals on the spinning bike are adjustable and prevent feet from slipping to offer more support.

The front panel of this Urevo cycle features an LCD screen that helps track the time, speed, distance, and calories burned. With a plush seat cushion and spring buffer, this cycle provides a superior riding comfort. The multi-grip handlebar has a smooth texture and can be adjusted according to an individual’s preference. This unit also features a phone and bottle holder to keep the user entertained and hydrated while exercising.stationary

Moreover, the 4-leveler keeps the bike stable while the wheels at the front add ease during maneuverability. The Urevo indoor cycle can support a maximum weight of up to 260 lbs.

 

You can currently avail a $90 coupon on the Urevo Indoor Cycling Bike on Amazon US.

urevo deal

The Galaxy Tab Active3 is Samsung’s latest rugged tablet

While rugged phones are a bit more common, there are also rugged tablets, and Samsung is one of the few manufacturers that cater to this category. The Korean giant has announced the Galaxy Tab Active3 today and it brings new features and upgrades in key areas including display and performance.

Galaxy Tab Active3

The Galaxy Tab Active3 has an 8-inch IPS LCD screen just like the 2017 Galaxy Tab Active 2 but the resolution has been bumped up from 1280 x 800 to 1920 x 1200. The display has a touch sensitivity option that allows users to operate it even with gloves on.

Under the hood is the Exynos 9810, the chipset that powered the Galaxy S9 series released in 2018. The tablet will be available in two configurations – 4GB RAM+64GB and 4GB RAM+128GB. There is a MicroSD card slot that allows users to add up to an additional 1TB of storage.

The Galaxy Tab Active3 has a single 13MP autofocus camera on the back and a 5MP front-facing camera. The camera app has certain features such as barcode scanning.

Samsung has also included NFC, face recognition, a fingerprint scanner, an IP68 S Pen that is stored at the top of the tablet, an extra button called the Active Key which can be programmed to launch most used apps or for launching Push to Talk. The tablet also has Wi-Fi 6, Samsung DeX, support for ARCore, runs Android 10, and is MIL-STD-810H certified.

The Galaxy Tab Active3 has a removable 5050mAh battery with support for fast charging via USB and POGO pins. Samsung says that the tablet also has a “No Battery Mode” which allows it to work without a battery. This feature was added for businesses that use the tablet in a fixed location such as a kiosk.

The new rugged tablet goes on sale today in select markets including Europe and Asia. However, Samsung didn’t reveal its price tag. Once we get the pricing details, we will update the post.

 

Nokia 9.3 PureView, Nokia 7.3 and Nokia 6.3 to launch in November: Report

HMD Global is apparently planning on launching the latest series of Nokia smartphones sometime in November 2020. The launch lineup includes the flagship Nokia 9.3 PureView, the mid range Nokia 7.3 5G, and entry level Nokia 6.3.

Nokia 9.3 PureView

According to a NokiaPowerUser report, HMD Global was in the final stages of development work on all three devices, with final testing and production being pushed in September/October. Now, sources close to the matter have revealed that the Nokia handsets will soon launch, with HMD planning a major event in November. While the original tip didn’t mention the Nokia 6.3, it is still possible that the company will launch or at least reveal a few tidbits for the more affordable device.

The report further added that the launch event is also currently in the planning phase, so postponement is still a possibility. However, if there are no hurdles and unforeseen obstacles, the source claims that the company could launch its latest generation of smartphone sometime in November or December. In other words, we can look forward to a late final quarter launch event.

Nokia 7.3

The Nokia 9.3 PureView is the company’s latest flagship and arrive immediately after the failed launch of the 9.1 PureView. It will likely sport top notch specs like Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 SoC while the mid range Nokia 7.3 5G will reportedly arrive with a Snapdragon 690 chipset. On the other hand, the 6.3 may feature a Snapdragon 670 or 675 chip. Although, this is still speculation, so take it with a pinch of salt for now and stay tuned for more updates.