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Google Pixel 3a, 3a XL discontinued; Pixel 4a launch could be near

Last year in May, Google announced the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL as its first non-flagship Pixel-branded smartphones. The Pixel 3a series with its sub-$400 pricing was well-received than the Pixel 3 series of flagship phones. A fresh report on Android Police states that it received an official confirmation from Google that it will not be adding more stock of the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL phones on the Google Store in the U.S.

Customers in the U.S. who are interested in purchasing the Pixel 3a duo can avail it through third-party retailers while the supplies last. The Pixel 3a is now “out of stock” on the Google Store in the U.S. Meanwhile the Google Pixel 4a is busy bagging different certifications which indicates its launch could be near.

Google Pixel 3a series out of stock

Recently, the Google Pixel 4a was certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in India, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) in Singapore and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the U.S. The Pixel 4a was initially expected to debut at the Google I/O 2020 event. However, the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was then speculated that the smartphone will be announced in June. However, a reliable tipster had recently claimed that the Pixel 4a may go official on July 13. Various reports have claimed that the search engine giant will not be releasing the Pixel 4a XL handset. The company is yet to release an official confirmation on the arrival of the Pixel 4a.

Google Pixel 4a specifications (Rumored)

The Google Pixel 4a has a Full HD+ 5.81-inch OLED panel with a punch-hole design. It has a front camera o 8-megapixel. Its rear features a square-shaped module that houses an LED flash and a 12.2-megapixel camera. The rear panel has a traditional fingerprint sensor.

Pixel 4a

The Snapdragon 730 SoC fuels the device with 6 GB of RAM. It may house a 3,080mAh battery that may support 18W fast charging. The phone may arrive in 64 GB and 128 GB storage variants. They are likely to be priced at $299 and $349, respectively.

 

(via)

iQOO Z1x 5G launch event to be held on July 9

Numerous reports have claimed that the iQOO is planning to launch a handset named iQOO Z1x as the weaker edition of the iQOO Z1 phone that debuted in May. Yesterday, the smartphone appeared on TENAA with its entire specifications and images. Today, the company confirmed through its official Weibo account that the iQOO Z1x 5G will be made official on July 9.

The launch poster only confirms the unveil date and the iQOO Z1x 5G moniker. Rumors surrounding the smartphone have claimed that it will be the first non-flagship phone from the brand. Hence, it will be arriving as the cheapest iQOO smartphone with a pricing of under 2,000 Yuan (~$282).

iQOO Z1x 5G specifications

The iQOO Z1x 5G’s TENAA listing revealed that it has a 6.57-inch IPS LCD screen. It has a round-shaped cutout for the 16-megapixel selfie camera at the upper-left corner. The screen produces 1080 x 2400 pixels Full HD+ resolution and 20:9 aspect ratio. The iQOO Z1x 5G is expected to support a 120Hz refresh rate.

The 2.4GHz Snapdragon 765G is said to power the iQOO Z1x 5G along with 6 GB or 8 GB of RAM. The phone is expected to release in China in storage editions like 64 GB, 128 GB, and 256 GB. The Android 10 OS along with the latest iQOO UI will come preloaded on the smartphone.

iQOO Z1x TENAA

The iQOO Z1x 5G has a 48-megapixel + 2-megapixel + 2-megapixel triple camera system on its rear. The device draws the power to perform from a 5,000mAh battery. iQOO is expected to offer 33W fast charging support on the device. It features a side-mounted fingerprint reader and lacks a microSD card slot.

 

 

Amazfit Zenbuds launched on Indiegogo for the global market

Huami has finally launched the Amazfit Zenbuds TWS earbud for the global market via Indiegogo crowdfunding platform. The Zenbuds was first announced in January this year alongside the Powerbuds, T-Rex smartwatch and Amazfit HomeStudio treadmill.Amazfit Zenbuds

The Amazfit Zenbuds isn’t just an earphone but offers more especially helping users to get a good sleep at night as well as stay focused during the day and find your zen. The earbuds are available for $69 for the single unit early bird deal. After the exercise, the Zenbuds will be sold for $149. There is a second perk bundled with an eye mask.Amazfit Zenbuds

Amazfit ZenBuds are designed to help you de-stress and have a good night’s sleep. It comes with a noise-blocking design (still fit snugly in your ears) and is backed by Knowles Balanced Armature.Amazfit Zenbuds

It features Smart Interference to create the “right environment and generate sleep-inducing, soothing sounds” to help you sleep better. It also wakes you up with a gradually-rising personal alarm.

The device automatically detects when you are asleep to turn off the sounds, along with heart rate tracking, body position, and movement data collection. As for the battery life, the company claims that ZenBuds offer 12-hours of battery backup on a single charge but you can extend it to 8 nights with the charging case. This includes 12 hours every night – with three hours of music playback, followed by sleep tracking.

Huami will start shipping the ZenBuds to backers in September.

 

(source)

 

Nokia 8.3 5G now on pre-order in Switzerland, will go on sale in September

Nokia had announced its first 5G phone, the Nokia 8.3 5G, during an online event in March this year. The company unmasked the device and also announced its features and price. But talking about the availability, Nokia hinted that the device will be available in Europe this summer. Indeed the phone has gone on pre-order in the UK but the release date is still undisclosed.Nokia 8.3 5G

However, a new listing by a retailer in Switzerland has been spotted. The listing points to the phone going on sale on September 15 in the country. The retailer did not include the pricing of the phone but it will come in a Polar Night colour.

We’ll have to at the Clove UK listing to find the Nokia 8.3 5G price as it is listed for £499. Availability is scheduled for this month though no exact date is specified. The phone is listed in a single 6/64GB trim and it remains to see if the 8/256GB variant will also be available. As usual, we’ll be on the lookout for new developments regarding the launch of the Nokia 8.3 5G.Nokia 8.3 5G

As a reminder, the Nokia 8.3 5G features a mammoth 6.81-inch PureDisplay with an FHD+ resolution, punch-hole and a 20:9 aspect ratio. The phone features a Pixelworks chip that helps it convert SDR to HDR content.

The device is powered by a Snapdragon 765G processor paired with 6GB or 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 64GB or 128GB of expandable storage. For photography, it packs a Quad camera setup at the rear comprising a 64MP primary camera, a 12MP ultrawide angle camera, a 2MP depth sensor and a 2MP macro camera. All four cameras have ZEISS optics. A 24MP camera is housed in the punch-hole in front for selfies.

 

(source 1, 2)

 

ASUS ROG Phone 3 launch date is July 22

Last month, ASUS confirmed that it will be launching the ROG Phone 3 gaming smartphone in July. The exact launch date was not revealed. Fresh information reveals that the Taiwanese company sent out invites for the ROG Phone 3 launch event that will be held on July 22.

ASUS ROG Phone 3 July 22 launch date

The ‘ROG 2020 Game Changer’ launch event for the ASUS ROG Phone 3 will be held at three places such as Taiwan, Milan (Italy) and New York (USA). The online-only unveil event will kick at 11 PM in Taiwan, at 5 PM local time in Italy, and at 11 AM in the U.S. As the company revealed in June, the ROG Phone 3 will be arriving with gaming optimizations from Tencent in China.

ASUS ROG Phone 3 launch poster

Recently, the handset had surfaced on TENAA with all its specifications and images. The smartphone is believed to debut as one of the first smartphones fueled by the Snapdragon 865+ mobile platform.

The ROG Phone 3’s TENAA appearance revealed that it has a 6.59-inch AMOLED display that produces Full HD+ resolution. It is likely to arrive with support for up to 144Hz refresh rate. The display of the ROG Phone 3 could be integrated with a fingerprint sensor.

ASUS ROG PHone 3 TENAA

The ASUS ROG Phone 3 features a front camera of 13-megapixel. The rear side of the phone has a 64-megapixel triple camera unit. The SD865+ SoC could be coupled with up to 16 GB of RAM. It may offer users with up to 512 GB of built-in storage. The ROG UI based Android 10 OS will run on the device. The phone houses a 5,000mAh battery with 30W fast charging support.

 

(via)

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 & Note 20+ (Ultra) cases & screen protectors leak

The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra official renders were accidentally shared by Samsung Russia showing the rear design upon a mystic bronze paint job. But before then, prolific tipster Ice Universe had shared pictures of the Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20+ cases. The cases were taken from an angle that gives a vivid indication of the size of both models.Samsung Galaxy Note 20

The pictures also show the camera bumps of both models with that of the Note20+ clearly larger, suggesting it will use the S20 Ultra’s camera or a higher version of it. A 108MP sensor is rumoured to be included, although the periscope cam digital zoom will go up to 50x.

The vanilla Galaxy Note20 most likely will use the S20/S20+ camera with the main sensor being 12MP, teaming up with a 16MP ultra-wide module and a 64MP sensor for zooming and 8k video. There are other differences between both models, the Note20+ will have a curved 1440p+ display with a refresh rate of 120Hz, while the Note20 will have a flat 1080p+ screen with 60Hz refresh rate.

Also for the Galaxy Note20+ are two different screen protectors, with thinner bezels compared to that of the Galaxy Note10+. Presumably, it will be thinner than the Note20 bezel.Samsung Galaxy Note 20

Other news about the Samsung’s flagship series as released by Ice Universe, shows the Galaxy Note20+ (which might probably be called Note20 ultra), will come with a copper colour option with a slight pinkish tint. The most important is the glass that will be frosted, suggesting that the other colours will, like the current model, have a glossy finish.

 

(via)

 

Samsung Galaxy A31 price slashed in India one month after launch

Samsung‘s latest Galaxy A series model, the Galaxy A31 that was recently launched in India has received a price cut there, less than a month after launch. The Galaxy A31 has a single 6GB RAM and storage of 128GB, which was previously sold at Rs. 21,999, is now priced at Rs. 20,999, a reduction of Rs. 1000. The revised price is already reflecting in online stores like Amazon India and Samsung India eStore, with the revised price on offline stores expected soon. However, Flipkart, which also has the phone listed, is yet to revise the price.Samsug Galaxy A31

The Samsung Galaxy A31 runs Android 10 with One UI on top. The phone is packed with 6.4-inch Infinity-U Super AMOLED display with a Full HD+ resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixel. It is powered by the octa-core MediaTek Helio P65 SoC processor paired with 6GB of RAM. The onboard 128GB storage can be expanded up to 512GB via microSD card.

The phone sports a quad rear camera setup housing a 48-megapixel main camera, 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, 5-megapixel macro sensor and 5-megapixel depth sensor. For selfie and video call, it is equipped with a 20-megapixel front camera,

Options for connectivity on the phone include the dual 4G VoLTE, Bluetooth version 5.0, Wi-Fi, GPS/ A-GPS, and USB Type-C port. Furthermore, the Galaxy A31 packs a 5,000mAh battery that has 15W fast charging support.

 

(via)

 

Samsung Ukraine accidentally posts image of the Mystic Bronze Galaxy Note20 Ultra

The launch of the Galaxy Note20 series is still more than a month away. While CAD renders have given us an idea of what the phones will look like, we now have our first official look at the Galaxy Note20 Ultra thanks to Samsung Ukraine.

The official Samsung Ukraine website accidentally put up images of the Mystic Bronze variant of the phone and it is a really gorgeous device. The pictures were posted under the Galaxy Note8’s page according to Max Weinbach (@MaxWinebach) who shared them on Twitter.

Galaxy Note20 Ultra

The Galaxy Note20 Ultra is shown to have four rear cameras, one of which has a periscope lens that will provide up to 50x zoom. The phone has a pretty thick rectangular camera bump that also houses the LED flash.

Galaxy Note20 Ultra

The images show the S Pen in a matching color but none shows the front of the phone.

The Galaxy Note20 Ultra will launch alongside its sibling on August 5. The phone will be powered by a Snapdragon 865 processor and have support for 5G. There will also be an Exynos version of the phone. Other features are a QHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate, up to 16GB of RAM, an in-display fingerprint scanner, and support for wireless charging.

 

(Source)

Samsung announces a UV Sterilizer for phones in Thailand

Samsung has announced a UV sterilizer for phones that costs roughly $50. The product announcement was made today in Thailand but there is no mention of its release in other markets.

Samsung UV Sterilizer

It is no news that our phones are one of our dirtiest possessions and can help in spreading germs. Therefore, it is advised that we frequently clean our devices. The UV-C Portable sterilizer is designed to kill the germs on phones. Samsung says the device can kill up to 99% of germs on both sides of the phone in just 10 minutes.

It can also be used to sterilize other devices and items including earbuds, smartwatches, and masks. One of the product images even shows it being used to sterilize a pair of sunglasses.

Samsung UV Sterilizer

Another feature of the sterilizer is that it doubles as a wireless charging power bank. So if you are running low on battery, you can throw your phone in and have it charge while sterilizing. Samsung says charging doesn’t stop once sterilization is completed. The sterilizer itself charges via a USB-C port.

The sterilizer measures 22.8 x 12.8 x 4.9 centimeters and can hold devices as large as the Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G and the Galaxy Z Flip when unfolded. You can only sanitize the Galaxy Fold when it is folded.

The Samsung UV Sterilizer is priced at ฿1,590 (~$51) and is already available for purchase on the official Samsung Experience Store and partner stores.

 

(Source, Via)

List of countries where the OnePlus Nord will be available

In the past few days, a lot of details have been revealed about OnePlus‘ upcoming budget smartphone. The name is confirmed to be OnePlus Nord and the company’s CEO has even explained the meaning and vision behind the name selection. The company has also started receiving pre-orders for the model.

A prototype of the OnePlus Nord
A prototype of the OnePlus Nord

Also in the open, is the fact that the Nord will not be heading to North America right away even though the name has something to do with “North”. However, noted tipster Ishan Agarwal has now shared a list of countries where the OnePlus Nord will be available to pre-order. All of the countries on the list are in Europe which is rational. OnePlus is mostly popular in Europe and India. India isn’t listed but the phone will be available in India where it can be pre-ordered via Amazon India.

The list of countries where the OnePlus Nord will be launched includes;

  • France
  • Germany
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Bulgaria
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Latvia
  • Malta
  • Netherlands
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Romania
  • Slovenia
  • Slovakia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • United Kingdom

Although the  Nord won’t be heading to North America, OnePlus did hint that a “select number” of users on the continent would be able to participate in a limited beta program after launch. We expect the company to come out with modalities for the selection of participants for the beta program after the launch is done and dusted.

 

(source)

 

Cubot X30 penta-camera flagship device launching on July 10

Cubot is popularly known for bringing affordable smartphones. After bringing affordable Cubot P40 earlier last month, the company is here with Cubot X30 featuring a Penta-camera rear module. The smartphone is soon launching a new premium smartphone carrying high-end specification on July 10. It will feature a new Penta-camera module featuring 48-megapixel AI primary camera.

cubot x30

See More: Cubot P40 goes official with Quad-Camera, 4+128GB storage and 6.2-inch HD display for $89.99!

Cubot X30 will come with a 6.4-inch FHD+ punch-hole display sporting a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2310 pixels. There’s a Curved glass is present on the rear side to provide protection and premium look. It’s available in two different storage variants featuring a 6GB RAM + 128 GB internal storage and 8GB RAM + 256GB internal storage.

The Cubot X30 embeds a Penta-rear camera module featuring a 48-megapixel primary AI lens, 16-megapixel super wide-angle lens, a macro lens and others. Other details about the rear-camera module are not yet available. However, a beautiful squarish module hosts Penta-camera along with an LED flash.

cubot x30 color

It runs on stock Android 10 with seamless gesture navigation, improved privacy controls, and much more. There won’t be any bloatware which affects the smartphone’s performance. The stock Android-like experience of the smartphone makes it worth every cent.

The company is hosting a free giveaway of Cubot X30 smartphone that you can enter by heading to the official website. You can add the X30 smartphone to cart by heading to the Aliexpress.

Related: Cubot P40 with Quad-Camera, NFC and Android 10 goes on sale for $89.99

Redmi 9A vs Honor 9A vs Samsung Galaxy M01: Specs Comparison

Yesterday we assisted in the launch of three entry-level phones unveiled on the same day: Redmi 9A, Redmi 9C, and Realme C11. All of them will be sold with a price tag inferior to €100, which is the reason why we decided to compare them. But they are not the only valid devices you can find for less than €100 in this second half of 2020. That is why we decided to compare one of them with other entry-level phones launched recently. In this article, we decided to compare the Redmi 9A to the amazing Honor 9A and the Samsung Galaxy M01. After checking the differences between the Redmi 9A and these two rivals, you can our previous comparison to see how it performs against the Redmi 9C and the Realme C11. If you want other entry-level comparisons between the most recent devices, let us know in the comments.

Xiaomi Redmi 9A vs Huawei Honor 9A vs Samsung Galaxy M01

Huawei Honor 9A Xiaomi Redmi 9A Samsung Galaxy M01
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT 159.1 x 74.1 x 9 mm, 185 grams N/D 147.5 x 70.9 x 9.8 mm, 168 grams
DISPLAY 6.3 inches, 720 x 1600p (HD+), 278 ppi, IPS LCD 6.53 inches, 720 x 1600p (HD+), 270 ppi, IPS LCD 5.7 inches, 720 x 1520p (HD+), 294 ppi, PLS TFT
PROCESSOR Mediatek Helio P22, octa-core 2 GHz Mediatek Helio G25, octa-core 2.0 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 439, octa-core 1.95 GHz
MEMORY 3 GB RAM, 64 GB – micro SD dedicated slot 2 GB RAM, 32 GB – micro SD dedicated slot 3 GB RAM, 32 GB – micro SD dedicated slot
SOFTWARE Android 10, EMUI Android 10, MIUI Android 10, One UI
CONNECTIVITY Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS
CAMERA Triple 13 + 5 + 2 MP f/1.8, f/2.2 and f/2.4
8 MP f/2.4 front camera
Single 13 MP
5 MP front camera
Dual 13 + 2 MP f/2.2 and f/2.4
5 MP f/2.2 front camera
BATTERY 5000 mAh 5000 mAh, 10W charging 4000 mAh
ADDITIONAL FEATURES Dual SIM slot Dual SIM slot Dual SIM slot

Design

When it comes to the look, my favorite device of this comparison is the Redmi 9A. Unfortunately, it lacks a fingerprint reader, but it has a cleaner back and a compact camera module, unlike the Honor 9A. But some may prefer the Samsung Galaxy M01 due to its more compact size, given its smaller display. It has a lower screen-to-body ratio, but it is the most compact entry-level here. The color variants of the Honor 9A are awesome, but I do not like its bigger camera module. On the other hand, it is the only to offer a fingerprint reader, which is rear-mounted. The handset is even more compact than the Redmi 9A but bigger than the Samsung Galaxy M01.

 

Display

Samsung Galaxy M01 has the most compact display and it is easier to use with one hand and to keep in a pocket, but its PLS TFT display is inferior to the panels found on the Redmi 9A and Honor 9A. Not that its rivals come with amazing panels: they got below-average displays with a just acceptable HD+ resolution, but at least they are IPS panel. And they also offer a wider diagonal. If you want a higher display quality, you should go either for the Redmi 9A or the Honor 9A without thinking twice.

 

Specs & Software

The Helio G25 chipset is actually the most powerful of the trio and it offers higher CPU and GPU performance. Despite it is an entry-level SoC, it is meant for gamers thanks to its good GPU and HyperEngine technology by MediaTek. But while the Helio G25 is a better chipset, some may prefer the Samsung Galaxy M01 because it offers a Qualcomm’s SoC and 3 GB of RAM instead of 2 GB. It became extremely hard to find a Qualcomm’s chipset in the lowest price segment, but Samsung Galaxy M01 is fueled by the Snapdragon 439 which is Qualcomm’s entry-level offering. With its Helio P22, Honor 9A comes with the weakest hardware department, but it has more internal storage: 64 GB instead of 32 GB. However, in each case, you can expand the internal storage with a micro SD.

 

 

Camera

Honor 9A is the most advanced camera phone because it has a better main sensor with a brighter focal aperture, so it is able to shoot better photos in more light conditions. It is also a better camera phone because it is the only one with an ultrawide sensor. It is a low-end 5 MP lens, but better than nothing. The ultrawide sensor is paired with a depth sensor sporting a 2 MP resolution, while Samsung Galaxy M01 has just a main sensor and a depth sensor. Redmi 9A comes with just a single 13 MP sensor, so it is not the best choice for photography. Honor 9A also wins the selfie comparison thanks to its 8 MP front camera.

 

 

Battery

The huge 5000 mAh batteries found on the Redmi 9A and the Honor 9A will allow them to last a lot more than Samsung Galaxy M01 on a single charge. It is hard to say which one between Redmi 9A and Honor 9A will last more, we had no chance to test the battery life of the Redmi 9A and this comparison is only based on the specs on the paper. Samsung Galaxy M01 still delivers a very long battery life, so you may opt for this device if you want a faster battery charging since none of these handsets features a fast charging technology.

 

Price

Redmi 9A is priced just €75/$84, Honor 9A costs €114/$128, and Samsung Galaxy M01 has a €106/$119 price tag. There is not a definitive winner of this comparison: the Redmi 9A offers the highest performance and amazing battery life but a more disappointing camera department. Honor 9A has the best cameras and great battery life, but it lacks a great hardware side. Samsung Galaxy M01 sits right in the middle with decent hardware and cameras, but with a smaller battery and an inferior display.

 

 

Xiaomi Redmi 9A vs Huawei Honor 9A vs Samsung Galaxy M01: PROs and CONS

Huawei Honor 9A

PROs

  • Better cameras
  • More internal storage
  • Fingerprint reader
  • Long battery life

CONS

  • Nothing particular

 

Samsung Galaxy M01

PROs

  • Very compact
  • Very affordable
  • FM radio
  • Good hardware

CONS

  • Inferior display

 

Xiaomi Redmi 9A

PROs

  • Very affordable
  • Long battery life
  • Advanced chipset
  • IR blaster

CONS

  • No depth sensor

 

Carl Pei explains meaning behind “Nord” name

More details have been pouring in with respect to the upcoming OnePlus Nord. Earlier today, Qualcomm revealed the phone is powered by a Snapdragon 765G processor.

For its first mid-range phone in years, OnePlus is going with a name rather than a number or even an alphabet. There have been speculations about what the name Nord means. You don’t have to wonder anymore as OnePlus’s CEO Carl Pei has explained the meaning behind the name.

OnePlus Nord

In an Instagram post, the company executive said the name comes from the “concept of true north”. He goes on to explain that we all have an inner compass that guides us. And then concludes by saying the new product line is a reminder for them to always search for their true north.

The OnePlus Nord is the first of an affordable line of smartphones from the Chinese manufacturer. It will be priced under $500 and will have support for 5G. Other features are dual selfie cameras, 30W fast charging, and an AMOLED display with a high refresh rate.

 

Xiaomi POCO M2 Pro allegedly spotted on GeekBench

POCO India earlier disclosed that the POCO M2 Pro will be launched in the South-East Asian country on July 7. Ahead of the launch, the model has reportedly appeared on GeekBench.

We couldn’t independently locate the listing on GeekBench’s database but a Twitter user shared a screenshot of the Geekbench listing. The model is listed as Xiaomi POCO M2 Pro and would be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. The processor listed as Gram will team up with 6GB of RAM while the phone will run on Android 10.

The Poco M2 Pro is expected to arrive as the leader of a new M series that POCO is introducing. The phone had earlier received certification from India’s BIS as well as Bluetooth and WiFi certification.

The phone is rumoured to be an upgraded Redmi K30 Pro but the M2003J6CI model number of the device from certification sites is similar to the Redmi Note 9 series. The design revealed on the launch teaser video also bears some resemblance with the Redmi note 9 Pro European variant. Whatever it is, we’ll likely be seeing a rebranded model launched as the M2 Pro.

 

(via)

 

Xiaomi is working on MIUI 12 “Paper” Reading Mode

Xiaomi announced MIUI 12 at the end of April. Since then, the company has been releasing weekly beta builds in China. In addition to that, some devices have also begun to receive stable update worldwide. Having said that, the company is still adding new features to MUI 12 with every beta releases. The latest June 30 (20.6.30) build adds code for new “Paper” mode under Reading Mode settings.

MIUI is known to offer different display options for years. With MIUI 12, the company introduced Dark Mode 2.0 with dynamic contrast and brightness based upon the environment. It also brought animated AOD+ with better customization options.

Now, as per findings by kacskrz, an XDA senior member, the Chinese smartphone maker has included code for new “Paper” mode in the recent beta build rolled out yesterday.

Xiaomi is yet to enable this feature from their end. When they do, we can expect the display on the phone to mimic paper texture for a better reading experience. Anyway, looks like it won’t be available for all the MIUI 12 devices.

Apart from the above-mentioned code, the new build also brings three different modes along with temperature option under Reading Mode. Unlike the “Paper” mode, these features are currently live on supported devices running the latest beta release.

  • Full colors (All colors with a yellow tint)
  • Light colors (Faded colors)
  • Black & White

That said, we are not sure when these new additions will be rolled out to Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO devices eligible for MIUI 12 update.

 

(Via)

Huawei and ZTE classified as security threats by the FCC

Huawei and ZTE are definitely far from the United States’ favorite companies. The two tech giants have faced sanctions in recent years from the North American country. These sanctions have greatly affected their businesses and cost them millions of dollars. Unfortunately, their troubles are from over.

Huawei + ZTE

The United States’ Federal Communications Commission, yesterday, classified both companies as national security threats to the nation’s communications networks. The ruling is said to also affect their affiliates and subsidiaries.

With today’s orders, and based on the overwhelming weight of evidence, the bureau has designated Huawei and ZTE as national security risks to America’s communications networks – and to our 5G future.
– Ajit Pai, Chairman FCC.
The official statement released by the agency said “both companies have close ties to the Chinese Communist Party and China’s military apparatus. They are also both subject to a Chinese law that obligates them to cooperate with the country’s intelligence services”. Huawei has always maintained that it will never hand over customers’ data to the government.

It was also stated that the new development makes it impossible for American businesses to purchase, obtain, maintain, improve, modify, or otherwise support any equipment or services produced or provided by Huawei and ZTE using money from the FCC’s $8.3 billion Universal Service Fund.

UGREEN HiTune True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds with Qualcomm aptX available for $33.69

Wireless EarBuds Market is booming from the past few years due to extensive features and ease of access and usability. UGREEN also offers high-quality HiTune True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds featuring highly-anticipated specifications for a super affordable price of $33.69. The interested buyers can use the coupon code to get an additional 5% until 2020/7/5.

Enhanced Audio

UGREEN HiTune True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds houses a Bluetooth 5.0 chip for stable and secure connection while maintaining the maximum battery efficiency. It supports Qualcomm aptX Audio Codec for robust audio quality and low-bit rate audio transmission. The 5.8mm dynamic bass delivers an immersive sound experience coupled along with Noise Cancellation technology.

Noise Cancellation

UGREEN houses a Qualcomm cVc 8.0 Noise Cancellation technology which automatically reduces ambient noise and offers advanced audio effects. The optimal settings to suppress noise works really well helps you to focus on your world. It helps to enjoy crystal clear phone call with 20-30db noise reduction.

Battery Capacity

The Earbuds offers 9H of playtime upon a single full charge of its earbuds which carries 60mAh battery capacity each. Moreover, a 300 mAh Case battery support playtime of up to 27 hours. It can give 2 hours of playtime upon 15 minutes of charging.

Flawless Ugreen design

UGREEN HiTune True Wireless Earbuds features compact and beautiful design following all the ergonomic principles. It is coupled with all size ear tips including Small, Medium and Large size for comfortable use. The earphone houses an IPX5 waterproof coating to protect from water splashes. It is a perfect fit for any sports activity and as well as a business meeting.

The intuitive touch gestures allow the user to easily control music, calls and toggle Siri and Google Assistant. You can toggle between TWS/Mono audio modes with a simple gesture.

Technical Specification of UGREEN HiTune True Wireless Earbuds:

  • Bluetooth Version 5.0
  • Bluetooth Range 10M
  • Qualcomm aptX, AAC and SBC
  • Microphone Sensitivity 105 ± 3dB at 1KHz
  • EarBuds Battery 2* 60mAh
  • Charging Case Capacity 300mAh 3.7V (1.11Wh)

Pricing

UGREEN HiTune True Wireless Earbuds usually retails for $49, but you can get it for $33 using a coupon code HITUNETWS. You can grab it from the official Amazon Store at a reduced price until July 7.

Realme X50 Pro Android 11 Beta 1 goes live for the Chinese variant

Realme is part of Android 11 Beta program with its Realme X50 Pro smartphone. Even last year, the brand participated in the Android 10 Beta with its budget offering Realme 3 Pro. But unlike 2019, this year, the company has released Android 11 Beta 1 build with Realme UI instead of AOSP.

Realme X50 Pro China Android 11 Beta 1

Though Realme has released Android 11 Beta 1 for Realme X50 Pro, it can be only installed on the Chinese variant with model number RMX2071. But it is worth noting that Madhav Sheth, CEO of Realme India also tweeted the availability of Android 11 Beta. Hence, we might see dedicated builds for Indian (RMX2076PU) and European (RMX2076EU) versions in the near future.

Further, the build that has been released now cannot be installed on Realme X50 Pro Player Edition. A separate build for this handset is expected to be made available sometime later this month.

Having said that, if you own the Realme X50 Pro Chinese variant, then you can install the Android 11 Beta 1 by downloading the appropriate file from the end of this post. Do note that it is not suitable for everyone as it may contain unknown bugs and performance issues. Also, it will factory reset your phone upon installing.

Anyway, the installation procedure is very simple. The only pre-requisite is that your device should be running RMX2017_11_A.20 build. If not, you can download it from here and install it just like Android 11 Beta as mentioned below.

Once you have downloaded the required ozip file, copy it to the root of your phone’s internal storage. Then, open the file manager and select the file to initiate the installation process. In the same manner, you can install the rollback file to revert back to the Android 10 stable release.

Download Realme X50 Pro Android 11 Beta 1 (Password – yovk)

Download Realme X50 Pro Android 11 Beta 1 Rollback (Password – t9j5)

 

(Via)

MIUI 12 global stable update rolling out to Mi 9T series, Mi 9, and Redmi K20 series

Xiaomi is rolling out the MIUI 12 global stable update to a number of its smartphones. According to a tweet by the official MIUI Twitter account, the update is rolling out to the Mi 9T series, Mi 9, and Redmi K20 series.

MIUI 12 stable update

The Mi 9T and Mi 9T Pro are the rebadged versions of the Redmi K20 and Redmi K20 Pro respectively for Europe. However, since the list also mentions the Redmi K20 and Redmi K20 Pro, it means the update is rolling out in India too. The Mi 9 which is Xiaomi’s 2019 flagship is also getting the update.

MIUI 12 brings a number of new features such as a new UI, new animations, Dark Mode 2.0, Super Wallpaper, new privacy settings, new themes, floating apps, and health tracking.

 

Redmi’s product director hints the company is considering small-screen phones

The smartphone market is dominated by large screen phones. This is mainly due to market forces as a good number of persons prefer large-screen models to their small display counterpart. However, there are still some persons who would prefer to have a small screen phone that can easily fit into the pocket.

Xiaomi is considering returning to manufacturing small screen smartphones under the Redmi brand. Xiaomi’s Redmi product director, Wang Teng Thomas disclosed this on Weibo recently. He noted that only the iPhone 11 Pro was the notable small screen phone available. He also hinted that the brand is evaluating the demand for small screen phones and of course, no definite decision has been made yet. He further added that if the company was to start producing compact models, a number of features will have to make way due to the compact layout available for internal components.

It is difficult to predict if small screen phones will perform well in sales. But going by the demand for phones with powerful specs that can withstand heavy gaming and video streaming with an immersive viewing experience, such needs may not fit into what a smalls screen phone can provide.