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Samsung Galaxy S20 FE vs OnePlus 8 vs Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro: Specs Comparison

Samsung released a new affordable flagship to cannibalize the sales of Chinese manufacturers in that segment: the Galaxy S20 FE offers a lot of things but, unlike other Samsung flagships, it comes with a very interesting price tag. Is it enough to beat Chinese flagship killers or you can get something better in the same range? In order to understand it, we decided to compare it with the above-mentioned devices. This is an in-depth specs comparison between Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, OnePlus 8, and Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro. Not the most affordable flagships out there, but three devices that can give you a complete user experience at a non-excessive price. Note that in this comparison we are referring to the 5G variant of the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE sporting a Snapdragon 865 chipset sold in the global market, not the 4G variant with Exynos 990.

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G vs OnePlus 8 vs Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G

Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G OnePlus 8 Samsung Galaxy S20 FE
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT 162.6 x 74.8 x 9 mm, 208 g 160.2 x 72.9 x 8 mm, 180 g 159.8 x 74.5 x 8.4 mm, 190 g
DISPLAY  6.67 inches, 1080 x 2340p (Full HD+), Super AMOLED 6.55 inches, 1080 x 2400p (Full HD+), Fluid AMOLED 6.5 inches, 1080 x 2400p (Full HD+), Super AMOLED
PROCESSOR Qualcomm Snapdragon 865, octa-core 2.84 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 865, octa-core 2.84 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 865, octa-core 2.84 GHz
MEMORY  8 GB RAM, 256 GB – 12 GB RAM, 256 GB – 12 GB RAM, 512 GB 8 GB RAM, 128 GB – 12 GB RAM, 256 GB 6 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 256 GB – micro SD slot
SOFTWARE  Android 10, MIUI Android 10, Oxygen OS Android 10, One UI
CONNECTIVITY  Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS  Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5, GPS
CAMERA  Quad 108 + 12 + 8 + 20 MP, f/1.7 + f/2.0 + f/2.0 + f/2.2
20 MP f/2.0 front camera
Triple 48 + 16 + 2 MP, f/1.8 + f/2.2 + f/2.4
16 MP f/2.0 front camera
Triple 12  + 8 + 12 MP f/1.8, f/2.0 and f/2.2
32 MP f/2.0 front camera
BATTERY  4500 mAh, fast charging 50W, Fast wireless charging 30W 4300 mAh, fast charging 30W 4500 mAh, fast charging 15W, fast wireless charging 15W
ADDITIONAL FEATURES Dual SIM slot, reverse wireless charging 5W, 5G Dual SIM slot, 5G, IP68 waterproof Dual SIM slot, 5G, reverse wireless charging 4.5W, waterproof

Design

I would personally exclude the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE from the design comparison at the beginning because of its materials. While OnePlus 8 and Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G come with premium materials including a glass back and an aluminum frame, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE has a plastic body. Further, OnePlus 8 and Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G come with a more elegant curved display, while Samsung Galaxy S20 FE has a flat display. On the other hand, Samsung Galaxy S20 FE is the only waterproof phone of the trio and it carries the IP68 certification which offers protection against dust and water.

 

Display

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE has the most advanced display. Not the best panel out there, but still the only one in this comparison to offer a 120 Hz refresh rate. OnePlus 8 and Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G stop at 90 Hz, while the rest of the display specifications of these three devices are pretty similar. With all of them, you get a Full HD+ resolution (so a similar level of detail) and the HDR10+ certification to stream content with great image quality.

 

Hardware/Software

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, OnePlus 8, and Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G are all powered by the Snapdragon 865 mobile platform which is currently one of the best chipsets you can get in the smartphones market. But with the OnePlus 8 and the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G, you can actually get a higher amount of RAM if you choose the most expensive configuration: up to 12 GB. If you go for the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G, you even get more internal storage (up to 512 GB). On the other hand, Samsung Galaxy S20 FE may be blessed with longer software support than Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro as Samsung flagships get 3 years of major Android updates.

 

Camera

The best camera setup belongs to the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G which includes a 108 MP main sensor, a 12 MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom, an 8 MP telephoto lens with 3.7x optical zoom, an ultrawide 20 MP sensor, dual OIS, and laser autofocus. Right after, we got the Galaxy S20 FE with a 12 MP triple camera including a telephoto sensor with 3x optical zoom (but it wins the selfie comparison thanks to its 32 MP front snapper). OnePlus 8 is disappointing since it lacks a telephoto sensor and it provides an overall inferior photo quality.

 

Battery

We had no chance to test all of these devices, but judging from the specs on the paper, Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G has more chances to provide a longer battery life with its 4500 mAh battery and its 90 Hz display. OnePlus 8 has a smaller battery and, unlike Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro and Galaxy S20 FE, it lacks wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.

 

Price

You can currently find the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro for less than €800/$900 thanks to online street prices, Samsung Galaxy S20 FE costs less than €800/$900 too. With a bit of luck, you can get the OnePlus 8 for less than €650/$760. While OnePlus 8 only wins the value for money comparison, the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro and the Galaxy S20 FE are very close. I would go for the former due to its better camera department, charging speeds, and materials, but Galaxy S20 FE 5G has a better display and it is waterproof.

 

 

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G vs OnePlus 8 vs Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G: PRO and CONS

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE

PROS

  • Waterproof
  • Wireless charging
  • 3 years of updates
  • 120 Hz display
  • Great front camera

CONS

  • Slower charging speeds

 

Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G

PROS

  • Great design
  • Amazing cameras
  • Wireless charging
  • Fastest charging

CONS

  • Price

 

OnePlus 8

PROS

  • Good price
  • Great software and performance
  • Premium design

CONS

  • Less impressive cameras

Amazon takes on the Mi TV Stick with the $30 Fire TV Stick Lite; 3rd-gen Fire TV Stick tags along

Amazon had an invite-only launch event today during which it announced several new products. Among the products announced is the Fire TV Stick Lite and 3rd-gen Fire TV Stick.

Fire TV Stick Lite

The new streaming stick is priced at $29.99, undercutting the Mi TV Stick which is priced at ~$39.99. The Fire TV Stick Lite supports 1080p streaming at 60fps and comes with an Alexa Voice Remote Lite that ditches some of the buttons on the remote for its other streaming devices.

The Fire TV Stick Lite supports HDR, HDR 10, HDR10+, HLG, and Dolby Audio (pass-through HDMI only). Amazon says it doesn’t support TV controls. It has an unnamed quad-core processor clocked at 1.7GHz and comes with 8GB of built-in storage. The streaming stick has Bluetooth 5.0 and Bluetooth Low Energy, Dual-band Wi-Fi, a micro-USB port for power, and an HDMI port.

Fire TV Stick Lite box contents

The Fire TV Stick Lite is available for pre-order on Amazon and will be available for purchase on September 30.

3rd gen Fire TV stick

Amazon also announced an upgraded version of its $39.99 2nd-gen Fire TV Stick. Amazon says it is 50% more powerful than the previous generation but it still only supports 1080p streaming. Unlike the lite version, this one has TV controls.

The new Fire TV Stick has a 1.7GHz quad-core chipset with a PowerVR GE8300 GPU. There is 8GB of storage onboard for apps, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, Bluetooth Low Energy, a MicroUSB port, and an HDMI port.

The new TV stick keeps the $39.99 price tag and is already available for pre-order. It will go on sale on September 30 too.

 

Huawei to launch Watch GT 2 Pro and Watch Fit in Japan next month

Huawei sees Japan as one of its important territories as it recently got more supplies from the country amidst a tussle with the US. Although its own products are limited in Japan, the company is looking to launch two new Huawei Smartwatches in the country next month.

Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro

A report from Nikkei says two new Smartwatches will be Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro and the Huawei Watch Fit. In fact, the company has already launched the Watch GT 2 in Japan back in November. The report adds that two versions of Huawei’s GT 2 Pro, and Watch Fit will retail for 30,000($285) and 13,800($131) Japanese Yen respectively.

In a conference, Huawei is quoted highlighting the seamless integration and ability of Watch GT 2 Pro. Apparently, he highlighted its ability to convert images from a Huawei phone to its wallpaper seamlessly.

Will Huawei retain its Smartwatch segment in Japan?

However, Huawei has only a handful of Smartphones in Japan to succeed in its 1+8+N strategy. Nikkei’s report says it had only 5% of the Smartphone share in Japan as of 2019 according to Euromonitor Intl. With the US restricting Huawei more in 2020, that hasn’t improved a lot. Also, it hasn’t launched many of its 5G outside of China after the USA ban let alone Japan.

Editor’s Pick: Huawei in talks with other manufacturers to use HMS and HarmonyOS: Guo Ping

In spite of all this, its Smartwatch market share has remained healthy at 15.6% as of Q2 2020 as per an IDC report. This could due to the value-for-money features they offer for the price. Hence, it might play the trick of launching new Smartwatches in a bid to maintain a healthy position second to Apple. That being said, it will be interesting to see how Japan welcomes the new Smartwatches considering Huawei’s products lack GMS(Google Mobile Services) as well.

Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro and Watch Fit Specifications

Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro + Huawei Watch Fit

Huawei’s Watch GT 2 Pro has a 1.39-inch 454×454 AMOLED rounded display with scratch-resistant glass, titanium body, and ceramic underside. It has two versions- Classic, Sport. There are more than 100 workout modes, many watch faces to choose from. Other features include Kirin A1 SoC, 4GB RAM, Huawei Lite OS, offline navigator, SpO2 and heart-rate monitor, GPS, NFC, and 14-days battery life.

Huawei recently launched the budget Watch Fit in the UAE. It has a squircle 1.64-inch 280×456 AMOLED display. The Smartwatch features GPS, SpO2 and heart-rate sensor, 6-axis IMU sensor, 11-sport modes, 10 days of battery life.

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ASUS has begun to recruit Android 11 beta testers for ZenFone 7 & ZenFone 7 Pro

Smartphone OEMs have begun to work on delivering Android 11 to their devices. In late August, ASUS opened beta recruitments for ZenFone 6 and even seeded out the initial build last week. Now, the company has started recruiting Android 11 beta teasers for its newly launched ZenFone 7 and ZenFone 7 Pro.

ASUS ZenFone 7 ZenFone 7 Pro Android 11 Beta Recruitment

ASUS has only launched a handful of smartphones this year – ASUS ROG Phone3 series and ASUS ZenFone 7 series. All the four devices in these two series ship with Android 10 out of the box. Although the company has not confirmed it yet, all of them should get an update to Android 11.

After rolling out the first Android 11 beta build to Zenfone 6, the company has now opened beta registrations for its latest ZenFone 7 and ZenFone 7 Pro. Interested users on build number 29.12.18.16 can apply for it by heading over to Settings > System update > Gear icon on the top right > Enroll in the Beta Test Program

According to the official announcement on ZenTalk Community (via XDA Developers), the registrations will be open till October 5. Further, the eligibility criteria for the program include locked bootloader and the user should be an active member in the official forums.

That means, we can expect the first Android 11 beta build for the ZenFone 7 series to drop in either the second or the third week of October.

 

High-res renders and video gives us a first look at the Nokia 7.3

Prior to the Nokia Mobile event a few days ago, there were reports that the Nokia 7.3 will launch on September 22. However, that was not the case as HMD global only announced the Nokia 2.4 and Nokia 3.4 alongside a number of accessories. While a launch date is still unknown, renders and a 360° video of the Nokia 7.3 has surfaced on the web.

Nokia 7.3

The renders and images are from Steve Hemmerstoffer who is best known as OnLeaks and he has partnered with the tech blog, IPEEWorld, to give us a first look at the mid-range phone.

The Nokia 7.2 has a waterdrop notch but the Nokia 7.3 makes the switch to a punch-hole display. The hole in the screen is at the top left corner as we have seen on many phones. The screen is said to be 6.5-inches in size with an FHD+ resolution, rounded corners, and a moderate-sized bottom bezel.

The back of the phone is similar to that of its predecessor with some slight changes. The camera housing now holds four cameras and the additional camera has forced the LED flash to a new position. The Nokia 7.3 still has its fingerprint scanner on the back. Surprisingly, the source says the phone has a plastic back unlike the Nokia 7.2 which has a Gorilla Glass back.

The images show there is an audio jack at the top of the phone while the bottom is home to the USB-C port, primary microphone, and speaker. The dimensions are given as 165.8 x 76.3 x 8.2 millimeters.

The Nokia 7.3 has been reported to have a Snapdragon 690 processor that brings 5G support. It is also rumored to have a 4000mAh battery with support for 18W fast charging.

At the Nokia event on Tuesday, it was revealed that there are more products coming soon, so we should expect at least two more announcements before the end of the year, one of which should be for the Nokia 7.3.

 

Google Pixel 4a users are facing a touch sensitivity bug after Android 11 update

Google’s Pixel lineup of devices is equally known for its controversy like software bugs, hardware issues. Devices like Pixel 3, 4, 4XL have faced hardware issues. And users of older 2XL have faced random reboots, freeze, and whatnot. Now, Google is once again under the radar of blame as quite a few users of Google Pixel 4a have reported touch sensitivity problems.

Soon after the release of Android 11, several users of Pixel 4a took to forums like XDA, Google, and Reddit(via Android Police) to point out the touch sensitivity problems. The issue seems to mainly pop-up for people who use screen protectors.

Editor’s Pick: OnePlus adds its Messages app to the Google Play Store

What is the issue?

It is not clear if the issue is present on every Pixel 4a but it’s probably a touch sensitivity mishap. Users experience phantom aka ghost touches, unresponsive scrolling. Ghost touch is when the phone automatically performs a touch function but the user hasn’t really touched the screen.

Apart from this, the issue includes unresponsiveness in navigation gestures and gesture-based keyboard actions. And factory resetting, clearing cache, rebooting doesn’t seem to help. That said, few users said that removing the screen protectors solved the issue. And few others suggested that by setting the accessibility>touch and hold delay>short, the issue got resolved.

Is it hardware or software related?

Also, according to a few users, the issue started popping after upgrading to Android 11. To ascertain this, some said that the issue vanished on downgrading to Android 10. Additionally, a user on Google’s Issue Tracker says that the issue could also be due to the absence of a touch sensitivity toggle which the Pixel 4 already has, to improve touch response with screen protectors.

Google might have carried this change mistakenly over to the Pixel 4a but without a toggle. On the contrary, an employee responded to the issue saying that it is hardware related. While this needs more light, it is certain that Google is working on a fix already.

Up Next: High-quality images of Pixel 4a 5G appear on UK retailer website ahead of launch

Garmin Venu Sq with an Apple Watch-like square design launched

Garmin is presently ranked as the fifth as the world’s largest wearble manufacturer in Q2 2020 and the second-largest smartwatch vendor in the first half of the year. In order to consolidate on its standing, the company has lauched a new smartwatch that looks like Apple’s budget-friendly Watch SE. Garmin Venu Sq

The watch is dubbed Garmin Venu Sq and is a trimmed down version of the premium Venu smartwatch launched last year. This new model takes a detour from the round shape used by the Venu to feature a square-shaped design reminiscent of the Apple Watch series.Garmin Venu Sq

The watch weighs 37.6 grams and has a thickness of 11.5mm. The watch features a 1.3-inch display which is made of an LCD screen instead of AMOLED as used on the Venu. The resolution is also downgraded from 390 x 390 pixels to 240 x 240 pixels. Further, the watch packs an aluminium frame and Gorilla Glass 3 screen protection.Garmin Vernu sq

The device can remain on for up to six days on a single charge but when the GPS mode is turned on, the battery can last up to 14 hours. Apart from GPS, the watch also comes with all-day health monitoring capabilities going for it, as well as sleep, menstrual cycle, and stress tracking. There is also a Pulse Ox sensor which keeps an eye on your blood oxygen saturation levels.Garmin Venu Sq

The Garmin Venu Sq is priced at $199.99 and is available to buy from Garmin’s website and Amazon. It is available in orchid/metallic orchid, white/light gold, and shadow gray/slate combos. There is also a Venu Sq Music Edition which comes with phone-free listening support thanks to on-device music storage and the ability to download songs and playlists from a number of different services, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Deezer included, for easy access on your wrist. This model is priced at $249.99 and is available in light sand/rose gold, navy/light gold, moss/slate, and black/slate colours.

 

First-ever Mi TV Stick update fixes Bluetooth disconnection & audio delay issues

Earlier in August, Xiaomi launched Mi TV Stick in India at an affordable price tag of ₹2,799 ($38). With this streaming stick, users can turn their dumb TV into smart without spending too much. It runs Android TV Pie with support for all the leding streaming platforms. Now, more than a month later from its release in the country, it has begun to receive its first OTA update.

Xiaomi Mi TV Stick Review 13

Xiaomi became India’s top smart TV brand within a few quarters from its entry, thanks to its affordable feature-packed televisions. Though it now has a larger number of  competitors than before, it still continues to lead the market with brand recognition and reliability achieved through its smartphones.

To further increase its market share in streaming devices in India, Xiaomi launched Mi Box 4K, a rebadged Mi Box S and Mi TV Stick this year. The latter is now receiving its first-ever system update with two fixes and one improvement.

The rollout of this update with build number R536 was announced by Sudeep Sahu, the Product Manager of Mi TV India on Twitter. He even described the changelog of this new OTA update. According to him, the update improves system performance and brings fixes for Bluetooth disconnection and audio delay issues.

Hence, if you are a Mi TV Stick user, then make sure to download and install this update when you receive it. Like any other over the air system update, it is currently being pushed in batches.

Having said that, if you don’t own a Mi TV Stick and are interested in buying it, then do check out our review of this product in both written and video formats.

 

OnePlus 8T will launch on October 15 in China

OnePlus already announced that the OnePlus 8T will be unveiled on October 14. That launch date is for India and the rest of the world. However, China will be getting it at a later date.

OnePlus has announced that the new flagship will be launched in China on October 15, a day after the global launch. OnePlus will also have a pop-up event in the country where fans will be able to experience and purchase the new phone.

OnePlus 8T China launch

The OnePlus 8T launch event will be held in Beijing and will begin at 14:00 hrs local time.

The OnePlus 8T will have a flat AMOLED display with a punch hole at the top left corner of the screen and a 120Hz refresh rate. It will be powered by a Snapdragon 865 processor paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. It will also have 48MP quad rear cameras, a 32MP selfie camera, and support for 65W fast charging.

 

OxygenOS 11 Beta 2 for OnePlus 8 series brings a cool new feature called Canvas

OnePlus has rolled out a new OxygenOS 11 Beta update based on Android 11 for the OnePlus 8 series. The new update not only brings fixes and optimizations but also comes with a cool feature we can’t wait to arrive for those of us missing out on trying out OxygenOS 11 beta.

The new feature is called “Canvas” and what it does is to draw a wireframe image of your lockscreen wallpaper for use as an Always-On Display photo. It is actually a pretty neat feature and should work best with images of people and pets.

OnePlus Canvas
OnePlus Canvas | Image source: XDA-Developers

You can access Canvas by going to Settings > Customizations > Wallpaper > Canvas. You can also see a photo preview under the menu.

The fixes and optimizations are listed in the changelog below:

System

  • Optimized some UI display in Settings.
  • Fixed the low probability issue that widgets did not respond.
  • Fixed the failure to wake up Google Assistant in some cases.
  • Fixed the issue that the HD icon on the call log interface was not centered.
  • Fixed the black screen issue when the user entered “Tips & Support” interface.
  • Improved system stability.

Clock

  • Fixed the issue that numbers disappeared in Timer under some special circumstances.

Ambient display

  • Newly added Canvas feature that can automatically draw a wireframe picture based on a lock screen photo on your phone. You can view it anytime without waking up the screen(Path: Settings-Customization-Wallpaper-Canvas-Choose photo preview and it can be generated automatically).

Network

  • Optimize the power consumption of the Smart 5G.

The forum post for the release says that users in India who update to the new Open Beta 2 may be missing some functions.

 

OnePlus officially announces Warp Charge 65 to debut on the OnePlus 8T 5G

The internet has been buzzing with news that OnePlus will soon announce the OnePlus 8T smartphone after initial rumours that the 8T would be skipped this year. More interesting is the rumour that the OnePlus 8T will come with support for 65W Warp charge support. OnePlus has officially announced that the OP8T will indeed bring support for the 65W Warp charge just as rumoured. This was disclosed by the company in a press release today.OnePlus 8T render

The 65W Warp Charge dubbed Warp Charge 65 will debut as OnePlus’ fastest charging solution yet. The solution more than double the charging speed of its predecessor, Warp Charge 30T and is capable of charging the OnePlus 8T 5G’s 4500mAh battery fully in 39 minutes and deliver up to 58% charge in just 15 minutes.

According to OnePlus’ CEO Pete Lau, “Charging should be quick and simple to help make your digital life as burdenless as possible.” He added, “With OnePlus’ focus on delivering a fast and smooth flagship experience, we changed our approach to fast charging with the OnePlus 8T 5G. Our new Warp Charge 65 technology will continue to transform the way people think about charging.”

OnePlus says the OnePlus 8T will have a twin-battery design which is similar to the battery setup utilised on the Find X2 series by OPPO, a fellow BBK subsidiary. The Find X2 features a pair of 2,130mAh cells and has onboard OPPO’s 65W SuperVOOC 2.0 charging technology charges both cells simultaneously.

The new twin-battery configuration allows the OnePlus 8T 5G to charge more than twice as fast as Warp Charge 30T. With this new setup, both batteries can charge at more than 30W simultaneously while staying cool even when using the phone.

OnePlus will also ship the OP 8T with the Warp Charge 65 power adapter which is designed to offer high compatibility with other devices. It features a dual-end USB-C port design and supports all previous OnePlus charging protocols. It also supports up to 45W PD charging, providing users with the ability to juice up multiple supporting devices such as laptops or tablets.

On top of the already secure chip framework, OnePlus added an additional encryption chip to the charger and cable and 12 temperature sensors in the phone to allow OnePlus devices to charge intelligently and efficiently in different situations. Furthermore, a new heat dissipation system has been included in the OnePlus 8T 5G to keep the charging temperature at a comfortable level. All of these features have been added to ensure that Warp Charge 65 is not only lightning fast but also safe to use at any time.

The OnePlus 8T 5G, along with the new Warp Charge 65 technology, will officially launch on October 14, 2020. The flagship phone OnePlus 8T 5G available for pre-book starting 25 September to 16 October 2020 at all OnePlus exclusive stores. Pre-booking for the device starts at INR 2000 giving them first preference once open sales are live for the OnePlus 8T 5G.

 

realme announces realme UI 2.0 Early Access Roadmap

Earlier this week at the realme narzo 20 series launch event for India, the brand officially unveiled realme UI 2.0 based on Android 11. The second iteration of the company’s Android skin is (as expected) a tweaked version of OPPO ColorOS 11. While announcing it, the firm only revealed the update plans for realme X50 Pro. But now, the brand has finally shared the early access roadmap for all the eligible devices in realme Community.

realme UI 2.0 Android 11 Logo Featured

Before listing the devices, we would like to inform you that realme calls it “early access roadmap” for a reason. The schedule mentioned below only denotes when these eligible smartphones will begin to receive limited rollout.

That means the final release to the public may commence after weeks or even a month after the period described in the timeline. In a nutshell, it is a rough update schedule and therefore, the rollout may vary based on bugs and other related factors.

With doubts out of the way, let us take a look at all the eligible devices for realme UI 2.0 and their update timeline.

realme UI 2.0 (Android 11) Early Access Roadmap

  • September 2020
    • realme X50 Pro
  • November 2020
    • realme 7 Pro
    • realme narzo 20
  • December 2020
    • realme 6 Pro
    • realme 7
    • realme narzo 20 Pro
    • realme X2 Pro
  • January 2021
    • realme X3
    • realme X3 SuperZoom
    • realme X2
    • realme 6
    • realme C12
    • realme C15
  • February 2021
    • realme 6i
    • realme narzo 10
  • March 2021
    • realme C3
    • realme narzo 10A
  • Q2 2021
    • realme X
    • realme XT
    • realme 3 Pro
    • realme 5 Pro
    • realme narzo 20A

realme UI 2.0 Android 11 Early Access Roadmap Update Timeline Schedule

 

Lastly, we would like to inform you that when the company will start to roll out the final release to the public, it will be seeded out in batches. Hence, do not worry if you don’t get the update the same time as other users.

 

High-quality images of Pixel 4a 5G appear on UK retailer website ahead of launch

We are just 5 days away from the official launch of the new 5G Pixel phones. The company will launch smart speakers along with a 5G version of Pixel 4a, and Pixel 5 at the event. Google had announced the new pixels briefly during the 4a launch. However, thanks to various leaks we already know the entire specifications of the Pixel 4a 5G and 5 ahead of launch. And now, high-quality images of the Pixel 4a have appeared on a UK retailer website giving us a good look at the device.

Google Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 5G poster leak

First spotted by 9to5Google, the images appear on a UK retailer named John Lewis. Although it appears under the regular 4a listing, it has a “5G” icon on one of the product images. That said, the images have the same look with ports and buttons placed similar to the 4G version. There is even a cut-out for the headphone jack at the top. While the color variants of the 4a 5G could be Black and White, the product image shows only the Black version.

Resembling the 4G version

The display also has a cut-out at the top left and thick bottom bezels like the 4a. That said, the other info on the page is about the 4G version and we couldn’t spot any details regarding the 4a 5G. Hence, this could be just an incorrect listing for the 4G version displayed accidentally. Also, the images corroborate with the early renders which showed almost a design identical to its 4G sibling.

Besides, the rear fuselage of the 5G has a matte finish with a similarly placed fingerprint sensor. There are two cameras inside the layout instead of one. Also, it could be a polycarbonate panel as the rumors say but we can’t confirm it by just looking at the images.

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Pixel 4a 5G Specifications, Price and Availability

Pixel 4a 5G will have a slightly larger 6.2-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with 413 PPI, and a resolution of 2340×1080 pixels. Snapdragon 765G SoC will likely power the device paired with 6GB of RAM and 128GB storage.

As for the rear optics, it will have a 12MP main and 16MP ultra-wide with 107° FOV and an 8MP selfie shooter at the front. Other features include a 3,800mAh battery with 18W charging, Dual SIM with an e-SIM, 5G, WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, GNSS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou), USB Type-C 3.1 (Gen 1), and Android 11.

Google has already confirmed that Pixel 4a 5G will start at $499. It will be available in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, Ireland, France, Germany, Japan, and Taiwan.

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WhatsApp Beta for Android 2.20.201.4 adds Catalogue shortcut and revamped Call button for Business chats

Besides rigorous testing to include features like multi-device support, WhatsApp is also working to make the UI intuitive and simple. The company is rolling out a new Beta version where it has merged the voice and video call button in business chats. This will accommodate the catalog shortcut beside it and make the UI simpler.

whatsapp dark mode

As spotted by WhatsAppBetaInfo, the feature appears on the new 2.20.201.4 beta version of Android. The company was spotted working on the feature early this month. That said, the new Call button will integrate both the voice and video call option inside it. To make a call, the user has to tap on the single call button to bring a pop-up sub-menu. It will have options to make a voice/video call. This way the space above the chat can be utilized well.

Catalog shortcut

Accordingly, the catalog shortcut now appears left of the call button inside a business chat. For starters, a catalog in a WhatsApp is a simplified version of a mobile storefront for businesses. Through this, people can browse products of their liking. Introduced last year, the feature helped many businesses from the hassle of sending info repeatedly. However, the new update adds a proper shortcut which makes it more accessible than ever.

Editor’s Pick: Samsung India introduces customer care via WhatsApp amid COVID-19

That said, the catalog shortcut will appear only if a business has listed at least a product in its catalog. Also, the new call button change is present only on the business chats as of now. However, there is a possibility that this could land in a regular version as well.

That’s not all, as the company is working on a number of features like Expiring media, doodles, Wallapaper customizations. It is also working on improving the web version by introducing fingerprint authentication.

Android users can either join the beta program/update the app on the Play Store to test it. That being said, the latest update is limited to Android users and there is no word on iOS yet.

 

Up Next: WhatsApp finally brings animated stickers, Available on Android, iOS & Desktop

 

 

Huami announces Walmart stores will now sell Amazfit smartwatches

Huami is trying to expand its reach and its latest announcement may help it increase its share of the wearable market by bringing its Amazfit smartwatches to more people in the US.

Amazfit GTS all colors
The Amazfit GTS will be sold in Walmart stores across the US

An official statement released by Huami today says they have partnered with retail giant, Walmart, to offer its Amazfit line of smartwatches across its stores in America. Prior to the announcement, Amazfit watches could only be purchased online in the US.

Walmart has about 2780 stores across the United States and this should greatly help Huami sell more watches as folks can simply walk into a Walmart store near them and purchase any watch of their choice. The press statement says Walmart will offer just two watches for now – the Amazfit GTS and the Amazfit Bip S.

The Amazfit GTS was announced last year and it shares a resemblance to Apple’s own smartwatches but sells for much less. The watch, which has a retina AMOLED display, a heart rate sensor, built-in GPS, and support for tracking up to 12 sports modes, will be available in black and gold at Walmart stores.

The Amazfit Bip S is an improved version of the Amazfit Bip. It was announced in January and boasts features such as support for 10 sports modes including elliptical, yoga, and swimming (stroke rate, stroke times, and SWOLF Index). It also has a heart rate monitor, a GPS chip, sleep tracking, and a battery life that lasts up to 40 days.

There is no info on when other products will be available but we expect Huami will announce when it happens.

 

Vivo Watch is available for Purchase on Giztop in Brown & Orange straps

The wait is finally over as Vivo enters the wearable segment category with its cutting-edge Vivo Watch. Featuring 46mm and 42mm versions, the smartwatch boasts a stainless steel body with an etched ceramic bezel and features two buttons on its flank to offer user-convenience. Additionally, you can schedule reminders to stay organized, view upcoming tasks, prioritize your work, and monitor current notifications in a hassle-free way with this cutting-edge watch. Doubling as a remote control, the Vivo Watch allows you to conveniently snap images on your smartphone too!

Vivo Watch
Vivo Watch

The new smartwatch is loaded with top-notch features like sensors to track heart rates and blood oxygen levels. One can also track sleep and stress levels and other activity metrics like daily steps, floors climbed, and calories burned for added versatility. It also features up to 5ATM water resistance and an 18-day battery life.

Launched on 22nd September, the watch is already on sale on the Giztop website. The Vivo smartwatch is priced at $239 offering good value for a premium round watch. On Giztop, you can choose between orange and brown straps. 

 

READ ALSO: Vivo Watch with a premium design, 18 days battery life launched for ¥1299 (~$191)

Samsung Wireless Charging Trio & 20000mAh PD Power bank launched in Korea

Samsung has launched two new charging devices in South Korea. The devices are the Wireless Charging Trio which was first unveiled last month and a 20000mAh PD power bank.Samsung Wireless Charging Trio

Samsung Wireless Charging Trio is a successor to the Wireless Charing Duo which was launched way back in 2018. As we can grab from the name, the Wireless Charging Trio can fire up a maximum of three different devices at the same time. The pad has a rectangular shape and has a round cutout on one side where a Galaxy Watch3 will fit perfectly. The charging pad utilises the Qi charging standard.

With the help of six charging coils, Samsung’s new wireless charging board can charge up to three devices at the same time. It supports 9W fast wireless charging and 5W normal wireless charging. You can also use the 7.5W Qi wireless charging function to quickly charge a compatible iPhone. The charging board has three status LED lights and a special magnetic stand, which can charge the Galaxy smartwatch. It is available in black and white colors. The device comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable.Samsung PD power bank

On the other hand, the PD power bank has a capacity of 20000mAh and packs three USB ports. The ports include a USB Type-A and two USB Type-C ports. Thus, it can charge three devices at the same time and can quickly charge compatible smartphones, tablets and other products. The power bank supports 25W fast charging and comes in dark gray colour only. The power bank also comes with a USB Type-C to USB Type-C cable inside the box.

As for the prices, the Samsung Wireless Charging Trio is priced at 99,000 won (approximately $84) in South Korea while the 20,000mAh PD power bank is priced at 77,000 won (approximately $65).

 

Get the Elephone R8 Smartwatch at just $39.99

If you are a fan of smartwatches with sleek and practical design, the new Elephone R8 SmartWatch is just the right device for you. Featuring an HD resolution of 360*360p and full-circle touch display with drag-feeling interaction, this Elephone smartwatch brings a simple round yet refined design. Its stylish yet straightforward UI has well-spaced fonts for convenient visual adjustment and reading.

Features like heart rate and sleep monitor, brightness customization, blood pressure management, and calorie calculation further enhance the utility value of the Elephone smartwatch.

Packed with a host of useful features, the Elephone R8 is now on sale and available for just $39.99 on the official store. This offer is for the first 500 pieces and can be availed before October 2020. Note that it comes with a metal body and comfortable straps offering convenience and safety from minor bumps.

You can grab the new Elephone R8 smartwatch from the Elephone store at $39.99.

MIUI for TV 3.0 goes live and here are the new key features

Xiaomi announced MIUI for TV 3.0 in July and now the update is already live and hitting devices. While the launch post did cover some of the new features, more details have now surfaced after the update went live for users in China.

MIUI for TV 3.0 symmetry

MIUI for TV 3.0 brings a revamped user interface that drops the asymmetry of the previous version for a symmetrical one. This change greatly improves the appearance and increases clarity.

Another visual change is the information page for a show or movie. It has now been redesigned to show the most important details of the movie/show and also three relevant recommendations at the bottom of the screen.

MIUI for TV 3.0 movie information page

Xiaomi has also added new animations to movie tabs making them dynamic. The animations include burning embers, falling snowflakes, and ripples. It has been reported that this new animation is currently only available for the Master series but will be made available for other devices soon reports Chinese tech blog MyDrivers.

MIUI for TV 3.0 animated movie tabs

Another new feature that MIUI for TV 3.0 brings is the support for modes including Adult Mode, Kids Mode, and Office Mode. This makes it easy for each member of the household to find content that interests them.

MIUI for TV 3.0 is available for all Xiaomi TVs and TV boxes save for the 1st-generation Mi TV Box and 1st-gen Mi TV.

 

Mi Band 4 NFC Europe availability expands as it is launched in Ukraine & Belarus

Xiaomi launched the Mi Band 4 last year in Cian and later on rolled out the smart band for the international market as Mi Smart Ban 4. The wearable device has already gotten a successor in the i Band 5 launched earlier this year but the compay hinted that it will launch an NFC version of the Mi Band 4 back in June. The new version was later rolled out in Russia. The Mi Band 4 NFC is now spreading to other European markets as the product has now been unveiled in Belarus and Ukraine.Mi Band 4 NFC

The product is released in the two Europen countries in collaboration with Mastercard who powers the contactless payment service using the NFC chips onboard the device. The arrangement also has a number of Belarusian and Ukrainian banks as partners but is only for Mastercard holders.

Xiaomi is yet to announce an elaborate roll out outside the countries where it has already been rolled out. But since this is a partnership with Mastercard, we may likely see a wider roll out in the coming weeks.

Apart from contactless payment, the Mi Band 4 NFC packs all the fitness and sports features onboard the regular Band 4 such as heart rate sensor, sleep tracker, waterproof build and other sports-centric features.