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Vivo X50 vs Vivo X50 Pro vs Vivo X50 Pro+: Specs Comparison

Vivo recently launched its latest high-end series and it is soon going to be available in the international market. For the first time, the latest X series is composed of three smartphones, including a flagship. We are talking about Vivo X50, X50 Pro, and X50 Pro+. While the first twos are upper-midrange devices, the latter is a top-tier flagship with amazing features which also brings some kind of innovation to the shelves. In this comparison, you will learn the main differences between the new devices from the X50 series.

Vivo X50 vs Vivo X50 Pro vs Vivo X50 Pro+

Vivo X50 Vivo X50 Pro Vivo X50 Pro+
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT 159.5 x 75.4 x 7.5 mm, 173 g 158.5 x 72.8 x 8 mm, 182 g 158.5 x 72.8 x 8 mm, 182 g
DISPLAY  6.56 inches, 1080 x 2376p (Full HD+), AMOLED 6.56 inches, 1080 x 2376p (Full HD+), AMOLED 6.56 inches, 1080 x 2376p (Full HD+),  AMOLED
PROCESSOR Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G, octa-core 2.4 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G, octa-core 2.4 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 865, octa-core 2.84 GHz
MEMORY 8 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 256 GB 8 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 256 GB 8 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 256 GB – 12 GB RAM, 256 GB
SOFTWARE  Android 10, Funtouch OS  Android 10, Funtouch OS Android 10, Funtouch OS
CONNECTIVITY  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 Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS
CAMERA Quad 48 + 13 + 8 + 5 MP, f/1.6 + f/2.5 + f/2.2 + f/2.5
32 MP f/2.5 front camera
Quad 48 + 8 + 13 + 8 MP, f/1.6 + f/3.4 + f/2.5 + f/2.2
32 MP f/2.5 front camera
Quad 50 + 8 + 13 + 8 MP, f/1.9 + f/3.0 + f/2.5 + f/2.2
32 MP f/2.5 front camera
BATTERY  4200 mAh, fast charging 33W 4315 mAh, fast charging 33W 4315 mAh, fast charging 44W
ADDITIONAL FEATURES Dual SIM slot, 5G Dual SIM slot, 5G Dual SIM slot, 5G

Design

You should pay attention to this paragraph since there are important differences between the aesthetics of these three devices. Vivo X50 is the thinnest and lightest device of the trio, but it lacks a curved screen and the Pro variants come with a higher screen-to-body ratio. That is why X50 looks uglier than its siblings, despite being sleeker. Both X50 Pro and X50 Pro+ come with a curved screen and a very high screen-to-body ratio, but only the X50 Pro+ has a leather variant. If you love unique materials, then you should go for the X50 Pro+. But if you want a standard phone with a glass back and an aluminum frame, then X50 Pro is enough as it features almost the same design as the glass version of the X50 Pro+.

 

Display

Vivo X50, X50 Pro, and X50 Pro+ all feature an amazing display. They come with a higher refresh rate, a great image quality thanks to the HDR10+ resolution and the AMOLED technology, and a Full HD+ resolution. There is only one single difference which lets the X50 Pro+ become the winner of this comparison: it has a higher refresh rate. While X50 and X50 Pro stop at 90 Hz, the  X50 Pro+ offers a 120 Hz refresh rate. In each case, you get a 6.56-inch diagonal, but as mentioned above, the X50 lacks a curved display, unlike its more expensive siblings.

 

Hardware/Software

When it comes to the hardware department, Vivo X50 and X50 Pro can be considered as upper-midrange smartphones, while the X50 Pro+ is a true flagship. Instead of the Snapdragon 765G, the Plus variant has a powerful Snapdragon 865 chipset paired with up to 12 GB of RAM and up to 256 GB of internal storage. You get more power and better performance with intensive usage. Given that they belong to the same series of phones, these three handsets come with exactly the same software including Android 10 and the customized user interface Funtouch OS 10.

 

Camera

With the Vivo X50 Pro+, you get the best camera department with a better main sensor for the rear camera. Both X50 Pro and X50 Pro+ support gimbal OIS, a new stabilization technology that is actually better than classic OIS systems. X50 Pro and X50 Pro+ have the same secondary sensors and the same front camera, only the main sensor changes. They both support optical zoom up to 5x. X50 has the same front camera and the same main sensor as the X50 Pro, but it lacks gimbal OIS and the periscope lens with 5x optical zoom.

 

Battery

The longest-lasting phone on a single charge is the Vivo X50 Pro. Just like the X50 Pro+, it has a 4315 mAh battery capacity, but its display has a lower refresh rate, so the phone is actually more efficient than the X50 Pro+. X50 has a smaller 4200 mAh battery.

 

Price

Vivo X50 is priced $500 in its base variant, X50 Pro starts from $625, and X50 Pro+ begins at €630. Which one is worth going for? If you are a power user and you care about having the highest performance and the best camera quality, then you should definitely go for the X50 Pro+. But if you don’t, X50 Pro is enough for you. The X50 is an X50 Pro without a curved screen, an inferior camera, a slightly smaller battery, and slower fast charging technology. But for the rest, it is almost the same device.

 

 

Vivo X50 vs Vivo X50 Pro vs Vivo X50 Pro+: PRO and CONS

Vivo X50

PROS

  • More affordable
  • Thinner and lighter
  • Same display specs as X50 Pro

CONS

  • Inferior cameras

 

Vivo X50 Pro+

PROS

  • Flagship hardware
  • Best cameras
  • Beautiful design
  • Leather variant
  • Best display

CONS

  • Price

 

Vivo X50 Pro

PROS

  • Amazing cameras
  • Big battery
  • Beautiful design

CONS

  • Midrange hardware

First-ever system update for OnePlus Nord brings optimizations for cameras

OnePlus launched Nord, its first mid-range smartphone in years a few hours ago. The phone will go on sale starting August 4 in India and Europe. Currently, the device is only in the hands of media, YouTubers, and influencers. But the company has already rolled out the first-ever system update for the handset with improvements for camera performance.

OnePlus Nord Blue Marble Featured

OnePlus Nord cuts the unnecessary corners to provide an overall good smartphone experience for only €399 / £379 / ₹24,999. It features a quad-camera setup at the back and a dual-camera setup on the front. The first system update for the handset brings optimizations for these cameras.

According to a screenshot shared by Ishan Agarwal, a well-known leaker on Twitter, the first update for OnePlus Nord comes with build number OxygenOS 10.5.1AC01DA for the Indian unit. It weighs only 103MB in size and is all about optimizations for camera-related stuff like depth sensor effect, indoor image quality, and more.

OnePlus Nord OxygenOS 10.5.1 Official Changelog

  • System
    • Optimized video calling performance
  • Camera
    • Optimized depth sensor effect
    • Optimized indoor image quality
    • Optimized power efficiency for video shooting at 4K 60fps
    • Improved camera experience and system stability

If OnePlus does not rollout another new update, then this will be the first OTA for customers buying the Oneplus Nord starting next month.

 

AMD Ryzen 4000 G-Series & Athlon 3000 Desktop SoCs with Radeon GPU unveiled

AMD seems to be firing on all cylinders, thanks to the rapidly growing popularity of its products for laptops and desktop PCs. Just right after the launch of the Ryzen 3000XT series of desktop processors, the company has now announced a new Ryzen 4000G series alongside the Athlon 3000 series Desktop processors.AMD Ryzen 4000 Series

The Ryzen 4000 series processors are touted to be the world’s first and most advanced 7nm x86 desktop processors with built-in graphics for consumer and commercial PC markets. Both the Ryzen 4000 Series and the AMD Athlon 3000 Series Processors are equipped with AMD’s Radeon Graphics which offer the best graphics performance available in a desktop processor.

The new AMD Ryzen 4000 G-Series Desktop Processors deliver impressive generational leaps in performance and amazing power efficiency for consumers, gamers, streamers, and creators. Built for modern business PCs, AMD Ryzen 4000 Series Desktop Processors with PRO technologies offer enterprise-class solutions, advanced technology, and multi-layered security features. Ryzen 4000 Series Desktop Processors are built on the industry-leading 7nm process and “Zen 2” core architecture, offering unmatched user experiences and power efficiency in the state-of-the-art AMD socket AM4 platform.AMD

With responsive performance and flawless visuals with Radeon graphics built-in, consumers can now enjoy the enthusiast-level performance for gaming and content creation in AMD Ryzen 4000 G-Series processor-powered pre-built desktops without the need for a discrete graphics card.

Additionally, the new AMD Athlon 3000 G-Series Desktop Processors provide responsive performance and modern features for entry-level PCs using the same “Zen” core architecture and built-in Radeon graphics as the high-performance AMD Ryzen Desktop Processor family.AMD

For now, the processors will be available to OEMs only. The Ryzen 4000 G-Series Desktop Processors are expected to be available in systems from OEM partners including Lenovo and HP starting in Q3 2020. The Ryzen PRO 4000 Series Desktop Processors will be available from SIs at launch on July 21st and are expected in systems from OEM partners starting later this fall.

 

(source)

 

Galaxy M31 July 2020 security update brings Glance, a content-driven lockscreen wallpaper service

Samsung launched the Galaxy M31 earlier this year as the first phone in the series to feature 64MP quad-camera setup. It will be soon succeeded by Galaxy M31s, which will be the first device in the series to come with an in-display fingerprint sensor. Ahead of it, Samsung is rolling out July 2020 security patch for the Galaxy M31 with build number M31FXXU1ATG2. This update brings RCS support for Vodafone Idea and even adds Glance, a content-driven lockscreen wallpaper service that promotes stories from the internet.

Samsung Galaxy M31 July 2020 Security Patch Udpate Glance Lockscreen Wallpaper service

Galaxy M31 is considered to be an alternative for people who don’t want to invest in smartphones from Chinese brands in India. My dad bought this phone (6GB + 64GB) in March and since then, it has received multiple security patches including the one which bricked some units.

As months passed by, I began to notice slight lags here and there. Last week, while my dad was in a Zoom meeting, the device prompted overheating and exited the app. On top of that, the company has been adding new ways to monetize via system updates like the Discover feature in the app drawer and the newly added Glance, which is found on handsets from most Chinese OEMs. Thankfully, both of them can be disabled.

Anyway, though the Samsung Galaxy M31 is a good phone for casual users, it does have monetization issues (advertisements) like phones from Xiaomi and Realme. However, they can be turned off easily when compared to software on devices from other companies.

Having said that, the degradation of the performance of Exynos 9611 in just a few months is a big concern. It is worth noting that even Galaxy S20 Ultra with Exynos 990 has similar issues. The South Korean tech giant must really work on to improve its in-house silicon for smartphones.

 

Honor Router 3 with WiFi 6+ support launched in Europe

Honor‘s latest WiFi 6 router dubbed Honor Router 3 has been launched in Europe. The router is now on pre-sale in several European countries including Germany, France, Spain, and the Netherland. The pre-order will open in Italy on Friday, July 24.Honor Router 3

The router is on offer for €79.90 and Honor is equally offering a free Honor Band 5 (Pink or Black) and Honor AM115 Bluetooth earphones (Red or Black)  for those who pay for the product before July 31. It will also be sold in the UK for £79.90 but there are no associated perks.

The Honor Router 3 looks similar to the Huawei AX3 Series WiFi 6+ router except for the base. In fact, it has the same specifications as the standard AX3. The router measures 242mm x 151.9mm x 40.9 mm in dimensions and weighs 379g.

The router is powered by in-house Lingxiao dual-core processor clocked at 1.2GHz paired with 128MB of RAM and 128MB flash memory. The power consumption is rated less than 12W with 12V DC / 1A power input. It runs the Huawei RTOS system can be controlled using the Huawei Smart Life app available on both Android and iOS.

It is capable of operating in both 2.4GHz (574Mbps) and 5GHz (2402Mbps) modes simultaneously with a maximum transmission rate of 3976Mbps. The router features a total of four antennas with a gain of 5dBi.Honor Router 3

Further, the router supports transmission protocols such as 802.3, 802.3u, and 802.3ab. It also has three modes namely Wall Penetration, Standard, and Sleep. As for security, it comes with features like WPA3, firewall, DMZ, DoS attack protection, etc.

Other additional features of Honor Router 3 include speed limit, bandwidth limit, parental controls, gaming acceleration, WiFi relay, guest network, MAC address filtering, VPN, and more.

 

(source 1, 2)

 

ROG Phone 3 accessories gets a makeover; 6000mAh battery capacity confirmed

The ROG Phone 3 will be unveiled tomorrow and just like its predecessors, it will have a variety of accessories that bring extra features to the device. Ahead of the launch, some of these accessories have leaked courtesy of PriceBaba, and they show ASUS has redesigned them. In addition, ASUS has also confirmed the battery capacity of the phone on its Weibo account.

ROG Phone 3 Accessories

The ROG Phone 3 will come with a redesigned version of the Kunai Gamepad. The joysticks have a slightly different look but retain the indentations for the thumbs. ASUS has also moved the right joystick to the bottom while the action buttons are now above it. The Kunai Gamepad also gets some new buttons on each side such as the Home, Select, and Start buttons.

Another accessory that leaked is the Lighting Armor Case. This too has a new design and appears to feature an AniMe Matrix Display similar to the one found on the Zephrus G14.

There is also the TwinDock which looks the same but there is a possibility that the display now has a 144Hz refresh rate to match that of the phone. The aero-active cooler has also been slightly redesigned but it still has the LED ROG logo along with an audio jack and USB-C port at the bottom.

6000mAh Battery

ASUS has also confirmed that the flagship gaming phone packs a 6000mAh battery, the same capacity as that of its predecessor.

ROG Phone 3 6000mAh battery

The ROG Phone 3 launches tomorrow as one of the first phones to be powered by the Snapdragon 865 Plus. Lenovo will also announce its Legion Gaming Smartphone tomorrow too which is also powered by the same chipset.

 

OnePlus Buds with an Airpods-like appearance, powerful audio hits!

OnePlus finally unveiled the OnePlus Nord smartphone and alongside the premium mid-range model came the OnePlus Buds, a pair of sleek true wireless earphones. The Buds are billed to be released on July 27 and this time around, buyers in the US and Canada will be able to pick up the product. OnePlus Buds

The OnePlus Buds seems to have taken inspiration from Apple’s Airpods and that isn’t a surprise as a number of hearable devices also took a leaf from the popular AirPods. The Buds are shaped like Earpods but with a stem while the charging case looks like a pack of dental floss. The distinct part of the Buds’ appearance is its exterior, which features the CD-accent also found on OnePlus’ other Bullet headphones.OnePlus Buds

The gadget is a portable one with the case measuring 52.2 x 59.6 x 37.9 mm while each bud comes in at 18.8 x 16.1 x 37.9 mm. The case also has a matte finish making sure it won’t slip easily.

The Buds boast impressive Warp Charging speeds – 10 minutes are enough to get 10 hours worth of listening. That is 10 hours combining the charge inside the buds and their case. The buds themselves get 100 minutes worth of listening in 10 minutes of charging. When fully filled, the buds and the 430 mAh battery in the case offer 30 hours of listening (for comparison, AirPods last 24 hours).

OnePlus Buds
OnePlus Buds. Image source – GSMArena

Also, the earbud is equipped with a 13.4 mm dynamic driver as well as Bass Boost and Dolby Atmos options for improved audio output. The buds are IPX4 water-resistant and support Fast Pair. They also offer customizable double-tap and long-press gestures.

The OnePlus Buds carries a retail price of $80 and the White variant will go on sale on July 27. The Gray option will go on sale in August while the Nord Blue variant will only be sold in Europe and India.

 

OnePlus Nord launches as a premium mid-ranger with flagship features and a low price tag

More than 6 months after we first heard of a mid-range OnePlus phone, the device has finally been announced. The OnePlus Nord as it is called, launched today in India and Europe. The launch which was done in AR is the first of its kind in the smartphone industry.

OnePlus Nord featured

The OnePlus Nord is the manufacturer’s first mid-range phone in a while and will be the first of hopefully many more. OnePlus has brought several features from its flagships to this mid-range device such as a 90Hz AMOLED display, the same 48MP Sony IMX586 primary rear camera in the OnePlus 8, Warp Charge 30T, and its much-loved Android-based OxygenOS. Below is the full spec sheet:

  • 6.44-inch FHD+ 90Hz AMOLED display
  • 180Hz touch sampling rate
  • Snapdragon 765G
  • 6GB RAM, 8GB RAM, or 12GB RAM
  • 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB of UFS 2.1 storage
  • Rear cameras – 48MP Sony IMX586 primary rear camera with OIS + 8MP 119° ultrawide angle camera + 5MP depth sensor + 2MP Macro Camera
  • Front cameras – 32MP Sony IMX616 + 8MP 105° ultrawide angle camera
  • In-display fingerprint scanner
  • Dual SIM Support (nano only)
  • NFC
  • 4115mAh battery
  • Warp Charge 30T – 0-70% in half an hour
  • OxygenOS 10.5 based on Android 10 with Google’s Messages, Duo, and Dialer apps
  • Colors – Blue Marble and Gray Onyx

READ MORE: The mid-range OnePlus Nord was inevitable and Here’s Why!

The OnePlus Nord will go on sale in India, UK, and Europe starting August 4. Below is the price tag for each regions:

India

  • 6GB RAM + 64GB – INR 24,999 (Available in September)
  • 8GB RAM + 128GB – INR 27,999
  • 12GB RAM + 256GB – INR 29,999

It will be available for purchase on Amazon.in, OnePlus.in and at OnePlus Experience stores.

Europe

  • 8GB RAM + 128GB = €399
  • 12GB RAM + 256GB = €499

UK

  • 8GB RAM + 128GB = £379
  • 12GB RAM + 256GB = £469

The OnePlus Nord will be available on OnePlus.com in the UK and Europe as well as at partner network stores.

OnePlus Nord Creator cases

OnePlus has also announced a bunch of accessories for the phones such as cases and screen protectors. Below are their prices:

  • OnePlus Nord 3D Tempered Glass – €19.9/£17.99/₹990
  • OnePlus Nord Creator Case – €29.90/£26.99/₹1,290
  • OnePlus Nord Clear Bumper Case – €14.90/£13.99/₹790
  • OnePlus Nord Sandstone Bumper Case – €19.90/£17.99/₹790

 

Huawei’s teaser points to the imminent launch of the FreeBuds 3i in India

Huawei FreeBuds 3 TWS which was launched in India back in May may soon get a new variant. A recent teaser from Huawei shos that the company was planning to release a new product in India but the exact product wasn’t mentioned. As a matter of fact, the teaser is a crossword puzzle.

The crossword contains words such as noise cancellation, battery life, instant pairing, noise-free, light, earphones, pure sound, comfortable, quality audio. Without any doubt, the new product is an earphone and a quality one at that. Although not explicitly mentioned, it is speculated to be the FreeBuds 3i.

The Huawei Freebuds 3i was first launched in China in May and is expected to feature a 10mm dynamic drivers, three microphones, and support touch controls. The teaser also confirms the presence of active noise cancellation. The earbuds are also said to take a detour from the Freebuds 3 and will feature silicone tips of four different sizes for passive sound isolation.

As for the battery life, the Bluetooth 5.0-supported Huawei FreeBuds 3i packs a 37mAh battery each which can offer up to 3.5 hours of audio playback on a single charge while the 410mAh capacity charging case can deliver up to 14.5 hours of battery life.

The Freebuds 3i charges through a USB-C port and comes in two color variants – Carbon Black and Ceramic White.

 

Samsung Galaxy M31s spotted on Google Play Console confirming the Exynos 9611

It emerged yesterday that Samsung would take the wraps off the Galaxy M31s on July 30. Key specs of the model have also appeared online. The Galaxy M31s has now been spotted on Google Play Console with the listing confirming the presence of an Exynos 9611 chipset.

 

The listing also shows the device will come with 6GB RAM and run on Android 10. The M31s is also listed to have an FHD+ resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels. The display is expected to be S-AMOLED display with a hole punch design for the selfie camera but the screen size is still elusive. Other listed specs include a 64MP main camera as well as mammoth 6,000 mAh battery and support for 25W fast charging.

Furthermore, the Galaxy M31s is expected to be available in 64/128GB storage options and will have a retail price of around Rs 20,000 in India.

In a related development, the Galaxy M31s product page has been spotted on Samsung Russia website. Although the page doesn’t reveal any details other than the model number, it reaffirms the launch is imminent.

 

(via)

 

Google G025E listed on Boom! Mobile could be the Pixel 4A 5G

Google Pixel 4A is one of the most leaked smartphones in recent years. However, the company is yet to launch it. Additionally, a report from earlier this month revealed the search giant to be working on two 5G phones, one of which is said Pixel 4A 5G. This handset has been now likely listed by Boom! Mobile, an MVNO carrier on its 5G compatible list.

Google G025E Pixel 4A 5G Boom Mobile

Since Google Pixel 4A has leaked multiple times over the past few months in such a quantity that we know almost everything about it. Late last month, the phone was spotted on FCC with the following model numbers – G025J, G025M, and G025N.

Now, a Google smartphone with a similar model number – G025E was spotted by cstark27, an XDA Senior Member on Boom! Mobile’s “List of 5G Compatible Phones”. Hence, XDA Developers believe it to be the Pixel 4A 5G codenamed “bramble”.

If that is the case, then this handset will be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G similar to Pixel 5. But it may have cheaper plastic build just like Pixel 3A/3A XL and Pixel 4A. Further, it will have a punch-hole AMOLED display, dual-camera setup, and will be larger than the Pixel 4A 4G as per the renders.

 

Samsung Galaxy A01 Core launched in Indonesia for $74

Samsung has launched the Galaxy A01 Core smartphone in Indonesia without much fanfare. The smartphone is an entry-level model and it comes as the brand’s most affordable model. Samsung and affordable phones usually don’t fit in the same sentence but this model should alter that notion.

The Galaxy A01 Core presents with a 5.3-inch PLS LCD screen with HD+ resolution and 18.5:9 aspect ratio. The phone offers just a single rear camera which is an 8MP camera and LED flash. For selfies, there is a 5MP front camera housed under the top bezel. The back panel of the phone is designed with a ridge-like pattern on the back which not only adds aesthetics but also ensures the phone doesn’t slip off the hand easily.

Coming to the processor, the Galaxy A01 Core is powered by a Quad-core Mediatek MT6739 chipset paired with 1GB RAM. There are 16GB and 32GB storage options available. Keeping the lights on is a decent 3000mAh non-removable battery. The A01 Core also features a 3.5mm audio jack and hybrid SIM slot.Samsung Galaxy A01 Core

As for the pricing and availability, the Samsung Galaxy A01 Core is priced at IDR 1,099,000 ($74). However, Samsung Indonesia is offering buyers the option of getting it for IDR 999,000 ($67) as part of the first flash sale event which ends on July 23. The phone is available in Black, Blue and Red colours.

 

(source)

 

Google Lens now available on KaiOS for reading and translations

Currently, Android and iOS are the only two major platforms for smartphones. As for feature phones, there is KaiOS, which is trying to bridge the gap between smartphones and feature phones since its release. Google has been a long partner of this platform and has even invested $22 million in it. The search giant’s most used services such as YouTube, Google Assistant, and Google Maps are already available on KaiOS. Now, the company is also bringing Google Lens support for this rising feature phone OS.

Google Lens KaiOS

KaiOS is one of the unique operating systems, which run on feature phones providing smart functionalities. It is mostly found on Nokia handsets as well as devices from carriers like Jio. Apart from Google apps, these phones also support Facebook and WhatsApp.

Google has been closely working with this platform to bring its services so that people from all walks of life can experience the services provided by the Mountain View-based tech giant.

In a post on Google India Blog, the company officially confirmed the availability of Google Lens built right into Google Assistant on KaiOS phones. To access it, users will have to long-press the center button with mic icon to launch the Google Assistant and select the camera icon.

Then, users can point their phone’s camera at any text to read it aloud or translate it to a number of Indian languages. Here’s the complete list of languages that are supported right now.

  • English
  • Hindi
  • Bengali
  • Telugu
  • Marathi
  • Tamil

Apart from the above-mentioned languages, Google will be soon adding the below-listed two languages as well.

  • Kannada
  • Gujarati

Last week, at the Reliance AGM (Annual General Meet), Google also announced to invest ₹33,737 crores ($4.5 billion) in Jio Platforms Ltd for a 7.73% equity stake. As part of the deal, it is partnering with Jio to develop an entry-level smartphone.

 

LG may launch an ultra light AR glasses in 2021

LG is apparently gearing up for the launch of a new wearable device. This gadget is reportedly a new ultra light AR glasses, which might be launched sometime in 2021.

LG
Oppo AR Glasses

According to a new ETNews report, sources have claimed that the South Korean tech giant is teaming up with Japan’s NTT DoCoMo. This collaboration will be to build AR glasses that are “very light.” Apparently, the new glasses would weigh in just 79.38 grams. Although this is still heavier than a typical pair of eyeglasses, it is still a lot lighter than AR or VR headsets that are currently available in the market.

The report suggested that both LG and NTT DoCoMo are in the process of discussing and finalizing features. Notably, the two companies have partnered up in the past as well to work on both 5G and LTE networking. Unfortunately, LG has declined to comment on the matter at this moment, but if the reports are true, we can see these new AR glasses sometime in 2021.

LG

While the idea of a light AR glass sure is attractive, there are still too many unknown factors. With the weight of the wearable being so light, we can expect that most of the processing power and calculations being done through a smartphone or another secondary gadget, with connectivity made through a custom specialized software. Although, that is just a speculation, so take it with a pinch of salt.

 

LG recalls certain OLED TVs that are affected by overheating

LG Electronics is recalling close to 60,000 units of OLED TVs in South Korea. The company is making such a large recall due to an apparent overheating issue that requires a replacement in their power boards to fix.

According to official notes from the company, 18 OLED TV models are affected by this issue, which were sold between February 2016 and September 2019. The components that are affected are within the power boards and are used to minimize current noises. The company stated that a few of the components used have shown performance drop over a period of time, which caused the current increase that could potentially lead to overheating.

Here is the list of the affected models:

  • 2016 – OLED65E6, OLED65G6, OLED65G6
  • 2017 – OLED65B7, OLED65C7, OLED65E7, OLED65W7, OLED77G7, OLED77W7
  • 2018 – OLED65G8, OLED65W8, OLED77C8, OLED77W8
  • 2019 – OLED65W9, OLED77B9, OLED77C9, OLED77W9

An LG official said that, “The overheating issue occurred only in very few models out of the total that used the component, but we will provide free component swaps for all of them for customer safety.” So, if you’re OLED TV is any one of these models in South Korea, do make sure to get it sent to avoid any possible harm.

 

Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 (2020) key specifications leaked through Google Play Console appearance

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 series is expected to go official as early as tomorrow. Recent reports have revealed that the South Korean company may launch a few other tablets in the coming months. One of them is the Galaxy Tab A7 (2020) tablet that was recently approved by different authorities such as Bluetooth SIG, Wi-Fi Alliance, China’s 3C authority, and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the U.S. These listings did not reveal the main specs of the tablet. The device has surfaced in the database of Google Play Console (first spotted by 91mobiles) through which some of its key specs have been revealed.

The Galaxy Tab A7 (2020) is powered by the new Snapdragon 662 mid-range chipset that went official at the beginning of this year. The chipset includes Adreno 610 graphics. The SoC is coupled with 3 GB of RAM. Its screen supports 1200 x 2000 pixels resolution and a pixel density of 240ppi. The tablet runs on Android 10 OS.

samsung-galaxy-tab-a7-2020-image

The source code of the Google Play Console listing of the Galaxy Tab A7 (2020) revealed that it has a 10.4-inch display. It also revealed that the tablet could be made available in 32 GB and 64 GB storage choices.

The FCC listing of the Galaxy Tab A7 (2020) had revealed that it measures 247.6 x 157.36 x 293.37mm. The rear diagram of the device that was found in its FCC listing revealed that it has a single rear camera. The Tab A7 (2020) will be available in Wi-Fi only and LTE versions. It could be housing a 7,040mAh battery and it may come with a 7.5W charging support.

 

Nubia Red Magic 5S listed on JD.com for registration, new grey color teased

Earlier today (21st July 2020), the Nubia Red Magic 5S was officially revealed to launch on 28th July 2020. Although, despite being a week away from launch, the device was spotted for registration on JD.com, which also teased a new Silver/Grey variant.

Nubia

Notably, the previously launched Red Magic 5G only featured a Neon, Red, and Black variant. So it would seem that the upcoming launch is also offering a new Silver color variant. Even the promotional image for the device teased the color, although, both the image and the listing do not reveal any specifics in regards to the design. At the moment, we only get a slight glimpse of the new flagship.

Nubia

For those unaware, the Nubia Red Magic 5S is the latest gaming smartphone from the company. It will feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 865 SoC along with a fast 144Hz refresh rate display on the front with a 240Hz touch sampling rate and support for dual shoulder buttons on the sides for gaming which also has a 320Hz touch sampling rate as well.

 

Upcoming Vivo S7 5G with largest and thinnest front camera module could be the best selfie smartphone

Vivo unveiled the Vivo S6 5G in China in March this year. Vivo is reportedly planning to launch a new S-series smartphone in the home market. The leaked promotional materials of the Vivo S7 5G that surfaced yesterday revealed that it will be a lightweight selfie flagship. A Weibo user has shared some vital information on the selfie camera capabilities of the Vivo S7.

It goes without saying that Vivo will want to offer the best selfie shooting experience on the Vivo S7 5G phone. According to the leak, it has been learned through the camera supply chain that Vivo has been working on a high-resolution front camera module for the S7 5G. Its aperture will be the largest among similar modules. Also, it is said that the module will be the thinnest among the current modules.

The tipster further stated that Vivo wants the Vivo S7 5G to be the benchmark when it comes to selfie performance in smartphones. The Chinese firm is also expected to focus on the software side of selfies. Hence, the Vivo S7 5G may better front camera experience when it comes to front camera video recording, stabilization, and special effects.

Vivo S6 5G Streaming Mystery 03

Appearance could be another selling point of the Vivo S7 5G. Vivo has been aiming the fashionable S-series phones towards the younger audience in China. The Vivo S5 from 2018 came with an attractive diamond-patterned camera module and the Vivo S6 5G also managed to impress the audience with its design and gradient color variants. The upcoming Vivo S7 5G may also arrive with a slim and lightweight chassis along with an attractive design.

Except a few flagship phones like the Samsung Galaxy S20, Huawei P40, and OnePlus 8, most of the upper mid-ranger and mid-tier 5G phones available in the market weigh around 200 grams. However, the Vivo S6 was a lightweight 5G phone that weighed 181 grams. It debuted in China as one of the first affordable 5G phones in the Chinese markets. Because of its impressive design, 5G capabilities, and attractive design, the Vivo S6 5G received a good reception in the offline markets of China.

 

Samsung plans to manufacture 500,000 bean shaped wireless charging Galaxy earbuds per month: Report

With the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 series being just around the corner, the company is apparently planning on also launching other peripheral electronics as well. Reportedly, Samsung is planning on releasing new smartwatches and bean shaped truly wireless earbuds as well, both with wireless charging.

Samsung
Galaxy Buds+ Aura Blue

According to a new ETNews report, industry sources have claimed that the South Korean tech giant will be strategically launching two new smartphones along with new wearable devices in the second half of August 2020. The two handsets in question are the Galaxy Note 20 series and the company’s Galaxy Z Fold 2. Furthermore, the new TWS earbuds are likely to be a new model within the Galaxy Buds series with a bean shaped design.

Samsung
Wireless Charging RX Module concept (Image via Wits)

The second half of 2020 is very important for Samsung, who is trying to bounce back from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. The company’s overall smartphone sales declined during the first half, but it appears to be preparing for a stronger presence in the second half. Interestingly, Samsung is also planning on including a new feature on its upcoming smartwatch and TWS earbuds, with both featuring an RX module, which is for receiving wireless power.

The charging case for the earbuds will feature the wireless charger and so will the upcoming smartwatch. Notably, this is also indicative of the new trend with new wearable generations featuring wireless charging. Apple AirPods Pro was one of the first to support this technology and have seen great success worldwide; so much so, that Apple had to turn to Chinese companies to double the earphone production.

Samsung

Similarly, Samsung is also reportedly planning on producing 500,000 bean shaped wirelessly charging TWS earbuds per month. Wireless charging has become a new and emerging demand within the market and the suppliers of such technology have been seeing an influx of orders for the relevant components from various vendors. Additionally, Samsung is even hinted at bringing the technology to mid to lower end smartphones as well. Although, this is still an unconfirmed report, so take it with a pinch of salt for now.

 

US smartphone market sales plunged by 25% in Q2 2020, Samsung was the least affected

The COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected smartphone markets around the world including the US. The latest report on the country by Counterpoint Research shows the sell-through volumes to have fallen 25% in Q2 2020. Samsung remained the least affected while Chinese OEMs like ZTE, OnePlus and Lenovo-owned Motorola were hit the most.

US Smartphone Market Sales Q2 2020 Counterpoint Research

Unlike other regions, the US is primarily an offline and postpaid smartphone market. Since most brick and mortar stores were closed as part of lockdowns to curb the spread of coronavirus from mid-March, April was the weakest month for smartphone sell-through.

However, the market began to recover from May till June in such a fashion that the sales were stronger than that of June 2019. This occurred due to the opening of carrier and retail stores supported by pent-up demand.

Talking about OEMs, the sell-through declined for all the major players, however, Samsung remained the strongest with only 10% drop followed by Alcatel at 11%. Whereas, sales of Apple and LG decreased by 23% and 35% respectively.

On the other hand, ZTE was the most affected company with 68% dip. Similar story for Lenovo-owned Motorola (62%) and OnePlus (60%), both of which launched their most expensive flagship smartphones in the second quarter of 2020.

Further, Samsung Galaxy S20 series activations were 38% less than that of Galaxy S10 series in the first four months. But Apple iPhone SE 2020 sold well as over 30% of buyers upgraded from either iPhone 6s or older models. Interestingly, 26% of new users were one who switched from Android, which happens to be higher than normal Android to iOS switching.

Though the US smartphone market is slowly recovering, we will have to wait and see how it responds when Samsung and Apple launch their new products starting next month.