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Meizu 17 series first update brings 120Hz refresh rate support and more

On May 8, Meizu took off covers from the Meizu 17 and Meizu 17 Pro smartphones. The flagship phones with stellar specs and impressive pricing. However, the fans of the Chinese firm were disappointed to know that the Meizu 17 and 17 Pro supported only a 90Hz refresh rate. Soon after the launch, the company promised that it will be enabling a 120Hz refresh rate through a software update. A few days later, it rolled out the update to the media review units of the Meizu 17 Pro. Today, Meizu released the first software update for Meizu 17 and Meizu 17 Pro. The update brings support 120Hz refresh rate and it also enables some other features.

Apart from support for higher refresh rate, the update also tags along with other features like HDR video playback and DC dimming support. The review units of the Meizu 17 Pro had received more features like easy access to a 129-degree ultrawide camera and fast charging while the screen was kept on. It is unclear whether these features are also included in the new update for general users of Meizu 17 and 17 Pro. Starting from today, the said features will be made available through OTA update in China. Alternatively, users can visit the official website of Flyme to manually download and install the firmware.

Meizu 17 update

Meizu 17 and Meizu 17 Pro specifications and price

The Meizu 17 models such as 8 GB RAM + 128 GB storage and 8 GB RAM + 256 GB storage are priced at 3,699 Yuan and 3,999 Yuan, respectively. On the other side, the Meizu 17 Pro comes in 8 GB RAM + 128 GB storage and 12 GB RAM + 256 GB storage choices. These models are priced at 4,299 Yuan and 4,699 Yuan, respectively.

As compared to the vanilla model, the Pro variant comes with some different features like ceramic chassis, LPDDR5 RAM, and 27W fast wireless charging. Also, it has an improved quad-camera system that includes a 64-megapixel main lens, an 8-megapixel telephoto shooter, a 32-megapixel ultrawide sensor, and 0.3MP ToF lens. The Meizu 17’s quad-camera setup has a 64-megapixel primary shooter, a 12-megapixel wide-angle lens, an 8-megapixel ultrawide sensor, and a 5-megapixel macro lens.

Both phones have 6.6-inch S-AMOLED full HD+ displays integrated with the fingerprint sensor. The Snapdragon 865 SoC and 4,500mAh batteries with 30W fast charging support powers both devices. They are equipped with 20-megapixel front cameras.

 

 

ZTE Axon 11 SE specifications revealed; Launches on June 1

ZTE recently confirmed that the upcoming Axon 11 SE will be the first 5G smartphone to support all four carriers in China such as China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom and China Broadcasting Network. The Chinese firm also confirmed that the Axon 11 SE will be made official on June 1. Recently, a new ZTE phone with model number ZTE 900N had surfaced on the database of China’s TENAA telecom authority. It seems to be the upcoming Axon 11 SE smartphone.

The TENAA listing states that the ZTE 900N is a 5G-ready handset. Its TENAA is fueled by an octa-core processor that works at 2.0GHz. According to a trustworthy Chinese tipster, it is fueled by the Dimensity 800 5G SoC.

The alleged Axon 11 SE has a 6.53-inch display that is equipped with a punch-hole at the top-left corner. It seems to feature an LCD screen that supports 1080 x 2340 pixels. The Android 10 OS along with the latest MiFavor UI will come preloaded on the smartphone.

ZTE Axon 11 SE

It has a rated battery of 3,900mAh capacity and is expected to come with support for 18W fast charging. The handset may come in storage choices like 64 GB, 128 GB, and 256 GB in China. It could be available in RAM options such as 6 GB and 8 GB.

The purported ZTE Axon 11 SE has a front camera of 16-megapixel. The back panel of the phone has a square-shaped camera module that houses a 48-megapixel main lens, an 8-megapixel sensor, and a pair of 2-megapixel lenses.  A fingerprint sensor can be also found on the backside of the device. The handset is speculated to arrive with a pricing of around 1,000 Yuan (~$141) in the home market.

 

 

(source)

Logitech Circle View camera with built-in privacy controls launched for $160

Logitech is well known for its range of keyboards, mouse and other accessories. The firm also has a home camera range dubbed Circle. The product line includes the Circle and Circle 2 cameras. Right now, a new product known as Logitech Circle View camera has been unveiled.

In terms of the specs, the Circle View is almost similar to its predecessor, the Circle 2. However, the design is quite different as the View’s camera housing has been completely redesigned. Also, the new model relies solely on Apple’s smart home system to function. Logitech Circle View camera

The Circle View is capable of recording 1080p videos and has a wide 180-degree field of view. The camera can capture infrared footage at night up to 15 feet away. The camera only supports WiFi 2.4GHz.

As regards working with Apple’s HomeKit smart home system, the camera is capable of streaming videos, send alerts about animals, people, and vehicles, and store recordings in iCloud if you are on a plan with enough storage. There’s no Android support but we could see that happen in the near future.

The major hardware change is in the design as it features a regular camera housing unlike the Circle 2 which uses a modular design. The camera housing has a sleek, black design and metal base. The camera also has an IP64 weatherproof rating making it suitable for use outdoors. The power cable is integrated and there’s no battery option, but it connects via USB so you might be able to sub in a power bank if you want to use it somewhere without a plug.Logitech Circle View camera

Perhaps, the feature that might interest buyers the most is the inclusion of a pair of nice privacy features to the camera. The first one is the ability to tilt the camera downwards to face its base so that you can easily block it from seeing anything. The second is a hardware button on the back that lets you shut off the camera and microphone so nothing is being monitored.

Logitech Circle View will be sold by Logitech and Apple later this month. It comes with a $160 price tag.

 

Viomi unveils 5G IoT products; AI Refrigerator, AI washing machine and more!

In addition to the 21Face smart screen, Viomi also brought us a variety of new 5G IoT products. Xiaomi has long set its sight on creating a smart ecosystem of products but Viomi, an ecological chain company, seems to be doing a better job in the smart IoT category.Viomi 5G IoT

One of the products is a new series of smart water purifiers, with an increased Reverse Osmosis flux rate from 400-600gfd to 800-1000gfd across the board. The water purifiers launched this time have four series: Super, Quick, Easy and Fast. At the same time, Viomi also launched ROX equipped with a new generation of RO large-flux water purification technology, with a maximum RO flux rate of up to 1600gfd. Compared with the previous generation of RO technology, ROX only needs a small pump to achieve mass flux, and the water temperature has almost no effect on the water volume. At the same time, the quality of the effluent can be adjusted. The main filter element can be used for 8 years without replacement.

Viomi also upgraded its range of smart kitchen appliances. The company unveiled a new range hood with the addition of AI capabilities for air separation operations across the board. At the same time, it also launched the CoooK series of smart gas cooker.

In addition, Voimi’s InkRock smart home series was released. The series includes smart sockets, smart switches and various sensors. The entire system has been upgraded to Zigbee 3.0, which has stronger compatibility, better security and lower power consumption.

The finale is the new products from Viomi’s high-end appliance brand coKiing. The new products include large appliances such as washing machines, air conditioners, refrigerators, water heaters, and small appliances such as health pots. The coKiing series also reflects Yunmi’s high-end brand strategy. The main attraction is the Viomi coKiing AI dual-screen refrigerator which uses a large interactive display screen.

 

(via)

 

Umidigi S5 Pro stumbles Samsung Galaxy A51 in performance, design and display, reveals a new unboxing

Just a few days are left for the Umidigi Fan Festival 2020 scheduled for May 26-28. The fans can get massive discounts on all Umidigi products using coupons. Surprisingly, a new Umidigi S5 Pro unboxing appears revealing its better performance, improved design, and vibrant display than the Samsung Galaxy A51. Similarly, Umidigi’s entry-level smartphone Umidigi A7 will rival the galaxy A11 in head to head comparison.

S5 Pro price

Umidigi S5 Pro was announced a few days ago and is slated to go live on May 26th at Umidigi Fan Festival 2020. It is the affordable yet powerful smartphone and competes against devices such as Galaxy A51. Before discussing the specifications of the smartphones, first, let’s see the video of S5 Pro unboxing.

Must See: Umidigi S5 Pro goes official with a Giveaway

Umidigi S5 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy A51

Both the Umidigi S5 Pro and Samsung Galaxy A51 are affordable devices offering brilliant specifications. However, there are some differences between both the smartphones where Umidigi S5 Pro overtakes the Korean giant’s mid-range smartphone.

S5 Pro-1

Design

As seen in the video, the Umidigi S5 Pro comes with a beautiful design, 4-sided 3D curved glass back for comfortable handling, and shining texture. It is much better than the plastic back of the Galaxy A51.

Display

Unlike the galaxy A51’s punch-hole display which bares the display view, the Umidigi features a full-view display. Thanks to the pop-up selfie camera module which comes handle to bring better viewing experience and even enhances the security. It’s quite a positive trade that the Umidigi S5 Pro possesses.

umidigi s5 pro

Performance

The smartphone from Umidigi also fares well in the performance category. Umidigi S5 Pro uses MediaTek Helio G90T chipset coupled with an octa-core processor and scored 290L points on ANTuTU. However, the Korean giant’s mid-ranger with Exynos 9611 ended at 175K AnTuTu score.

Being  a$100 cheaper, the Umidgi is a sole winner as it also offers betterRAM as the A51 comes in 4GB RAM, where the S5 Pro houses a 6GB RAM and 256 GB internal storage. It even houses a bugger 4680 mAh battery supporting a faster-charging technology.

Cameras

In the camera department, both the smartphone houses a quad-camera module with 48-megapixel primary sensor. However, the S5 Pro has a bigger aperture along with a higher resolution than the Galaxy A51’s selfie shooter.

S5 Pro-3

Connectivity

Umidigi S5 Pro offers compatibility with all major bands used across different technologies and networks globally. Whereas, the Umidigi S5 Pro support depends on the variant you own.

Pricing

Umidigi S5 Pro will be available for only $249 starting from May 26th. While the Galaxy A51 will be available for $399 for 4GB RAM + 128GB variant.

Umidigi S5 Pro fares well and offers better value-for-money than the galaxy A51 Pro. If you still have some conclusions then check our Specifications based comparison below.

umidigi s5 pro

Umidigi S5 Pro Vs Galaxy A51 Specs comparison

UMIDIGI S5 Pro Samsung Galaxy A51
Display 6.39″ FHD+ AMOLED Ultra FullView Display 6.5″ FHD+ AMOLED Dot Display
Rear Camera  48MP primary camera, 1/2”, F/1.79

16MP ultra wide-angle camera

5MP depth camera

5MP macro camera

48 MP primary camera, 1/2”, F/2.0

12MP ultra wide-angle camera

5MP depth camera

5MP macro camera

Front Camera 16MP Pop-up Selfie, F/2.0 32MP, F/2.2
Processor Helio G90T

(Antutu v8, 283k)

Exynos 9611

(Antutu v8, 175k)

Memory 6GB + 256GB 4GB + 128GB
Battery 4680mAh 4000mAh
NFC Yes Yes
Charge 18W 15W
Unlock In-screen fingerprint unlock In-screen fingerprint unlock
Bands Global Bands

FDD-LTE: B1 /2 /3 /4 /5 /7 /8 /12 /13 /17 /18 /19 /20 /25 /26 /28A /28B /66 /71

TDD-LTE: B34 /38 /39 /40 /41

Local Bands

FDD-LTE: B1 /2 /3 /4 /5 /7 /8 /12 /13 /17 /20 /26 /28 /66

TDD-LTE: B38 /40 /41

System Stock Android 10 One UI 2 Based on Android 10
Price $269.99

(Only $249.99 in May 26 – 27)

$399.99 (4GB+128GB)

 

Umidigi A7 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy A11

After competing in the mid-range category, here’s Umidigi’s entry-level A7 Pro vs Galaxy A11. Umidigi A7 Pro will be available at $99.99 for the 4GB + 64GB model on May 26. It edges out the Galaxy A11 in our comparison.

A7 Pro price

Umidigi A7 Pro houses a 6.3-inch display featuring full HD+ display against galaxy A11’s 6.4-inch HD + display and 1560 x 720 pixels resolution. The A7 Pro features a quad-camera module with 16-megapixel primary camera, whereas the Galaxy A11 is available with a tripel-rear camera module with a 13-megapixel main camera. A 16-megapixel camera is present for selfies on A7 Pro and the Galaxy A11 hosts an 8-megapixel sensor.

The user will get 6GB RAM instead of 4GB on Galaxy A51 and features a 4150 mAh battery than Samsung’s 4000 mAh. You can see more differences in the comparison below:

 

UMIDIGI A7 Pro Samsung Galaxy A11
Display 6.3″ FHD+ display, 2340*1080 6.4″ HD+ display, 1560*720
Rear Camera 16MP primary camera, F/1.8

16MP ultra wide-angle camera

5MP depth camera

5MP macro camera

13MP primary camera, F/1.8

5MP ultra wide-angle camera

2MP depth camera

Front Camera 16MP 8MP
Body Double-sided 2.5D curved glass & metal frame Plastic back & plastic frame
Processor Octa-core Processor

Antutu v8, 123k

Octa-core Processor

Antutu v8, 87k

Memory 4GB + 64GB/128GB 2GB/3GB + 32GB
Battery 4150 mAh 4000 mAh
Bands Global Bands

FDD-LTE: B1 /2 /3 /4 /5 /7 /8 /12 /13 /17 /18 /19 /20 /26 /28A /28B /B66

TDD-LTE: B34 /38 /39 /40 /41

Local Bands

FDD-LTE: B1 /2 /3 /4 /5 /7 /8 /20 /28

TDD-LTE: B38 /40 /41

USB Type-C Micro USB
Card slot 2+1 card slot 2+1 card slot
System Stock Android 10 Android 10
Price $119.99 (4GB + 64GB)

(Only $99.99 in May 26 – 27)

$179.99 (3GB + 32GB)

 

In this pandemic era, Umidigi has sufficient stocks of Umidigi S5 Pro and A7 Pro for global sale scheduled at Umidigi Fan Festival 2020 on AliExpress from 26th May. Moreover, the interested users can enter the giveaway to grab Umidigi A7 Pro for free. You can head over to the official Umdigi Website for more information on the giveaway.

Nokia employs former OnePlus Europe product marketing head

Adam Ferguson, former Marketing Director at OnePlus Europe, is now Head of Product Marketing at HMD Global, responsible for the product marketing strategy and implementation for the complete portfolio of Nokia phones. Through leading marketing positions at EE, Nestlé and Unilever, he brings a wealth of experience from the FMCG area. Ferguson will report directly to Stephen Tayler, Chief Marketing Officer.Nokia Logo

Ferguson will be responsible for leading HMD Global’s overall product marketing strategy for the entire portfolio of Nokia smartphones and feature phones. Adam’s appointment immediately follows the appointment of Stephen Taylor as the company’s chief marketing officer as HMD Global continues to strengthen its leadership team following a number of new product announcements.

Adam Ferguson, Head of Product Marketing, said: “As a mobile phone enthusiast, I am delighted to be able to work at HMD Global. There are not many devices that captivate the audience and inspire as much confidence as Nokia smartphones. I look forward to living up to this legacy and helping to offer fans of the brand what they expect: the best quality design and the latest technology at an affordable price. ”

Stephen Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer at HMD Global, said: “I look forward to working closely with Adam in his new role and am confident that the team can learn a lot from his experience. He is a marketing professional with broad experience in the global blue-chip FMCG, telco and consumer tech business who will undoubtedly help steer our product marketing strategy in new and exciting directions. ”

Adam Ferguson joins the company at an exciting time after recently announcing the very first 5G smartphone from HMD Global: the Nokia 8.3 5G. With the highest number of 5G frequencies on a phone to date, this smartphone offers global coverage with faster connections, demonstrating HMD Global’s commitment to making its devices future-proof to meet the needs of its customers around the world.

 

(source)

 

Nokia 5.1 Plus finally gets Android 10 update

The Nokia 5.1 Plus appears to be one of HMD Global’s most popular smartphones. Several owners have been asking when the Android 10 update will be made available to them and their request has been granted today.

The Nokia 5.1 Plus is the latest of HMD Global’s smartphone to get updated to Android 10. The update comes a week after the manufacturer announced the update for the Nokia 3.1 Plus.

The update is 1.32GB in size and comes with April 2020’s security patch. Below is the full changelog:

  • Dark Mode – take it easy on your eyes
  • Smart Reply – Save more time with recommended actions
  • Gesture Navigation – Get around with a swipe and a pull
  • Additional controls for privacy and location
  • Google Security Patch (2020-04)

The roll-out is gradual and is expected to roll-out to everyone by May 24th.

The Nokia 5.1 Plus was released in 2018 and it ran Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box. Counting the Android 10 update, the phone has received two OS upgrades. It should still be up for one more as HMD Global promises three years of software support which means it will get supported until next year.

 

(Source)

Pixel 4a reported to have dropped Active Edge feature

The Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL both came with a feature that allowed users to squeeze the device and carry out certain functions such as calling up the Google Assistant. The feature which was termed Active Edge has appeared on subsequent Pixel smartphones including the budget Pixel 3a but that will be changing with the upcoming Pixel 4a.

Pixel 4a

It has been reported by XDA-Developers that the upcoming Pixel 4a will be the first Pixel phone to not have the Active Edge feature. The info was confirmed by the site’s editor via an individual that has a pre-production unit. A screenshot of the Gesture Settings menu further confirms that the feature has been removed.

We do not know why Google has decided to remove the feature. However, there are speculations it may have become redundant since there are now more ways to call up the Google Assistant or that it has realized it is not a feature frequently used. If the upcoming Pixel 5 doesn’t have it too, then we can confirm it is as good as dead.

The Pixel 4a is expected to launch next month with a single rear camera, a Snapdragon 730 processor, and a rumored $349 price tag for the 128GB version.

Do you own a Pixel 2/2 XL and up? How often do you use Active Edge? Do let us know in the comment box below.

 

(Source)

Viomi’s 21Face interactive Smart screen is the world’s first 5G Smart TV

Xiaomi‘s ecological chain company Viomi today (Tuesday) held its 5G IoT new product launch. One of the products unveiled is dubbed 21Face interactive Smart screen.

The Viomi 21face smart screen comes in four sizes; 45-inch, 55-inch, 65-inch and 75-inch. The 75-inch version adopts a split design and has an 8K resolution of 7680×4320 pixels. The display also comes with a massive 120Hz refresh rate.

The smart TV is powered by a Quad-core processor integrated with dual-core GPU. The processor pairs with 8.5GB of RAM while there is 128GB of storage onboard. The TV packs a single powerful speaker with an output rating of 100 watts The speaker features HiFi-level passive filtering and Dolby Atmos support.Viomi 21Face interactive Smart screen

The 8K-supporting 75-inch version also brings support for 5G connectivity. This model is powered by a Qualcomm 5G chip. The TV is also equipped with AI camera and sensors at the top. The camera doesn’t use a pop-up design meaning it will remain open at all times. The sensors include two 3D interactive sensors, distance sensors and a 1080p HD camera. The 75″ model also supports multiple protocols such as Wifi 6, Zigbee, and Bluetooth.Viomi 21Face interactive Smart screen

In addition, the three models support AI somatosensory control meaning you can accomplish controls such as fast-forwarding and adjusting the volume without the use of the remote control. Viomi will also unveil 55-inch and 65-inch versions of the 21Face interactive smart screen that supports Wi-Fi6 network.

The product will be available for sale at offline stores and online via Jingdong, Tmall, Suning and Viomi website in China on June 18. The prices are yet to be announced.

 

OnePlus will adopt Android 10 Dark Mode for OxygenOS

OxygenOS is one of the best Android skins available in the market. But it still lacks some of the fundamentals like AOD (Always-on Display) and a proper Dark Mode. The former has been already confirmed by OnePlus and it even shared a rough timeline a few days back. Now, the brand has also confirmed to fix the latter by implementing Android 10 dark mode toggle in quick settings.

OxygenOS Logo Dark
Image Source: XDA Developers

It’s not that OnePlus smartphones don’t have a dark mode. It is present but the feature is buried inside customization settings. Since it does not support scheduling, users have to go through the settings every time when they need to enable or disable dark mode.

Thankfully, the company has confirmed to improve it by introducing native Android 10 dark mode toggle in the quick settings. With this, users can easily switch between dark and light modes with a single tap.

The bran said this feature will be internally tested this month and will be added in OxygenOS Open Beta builds, followed by stable release.

OnePlus announced the new dark mode in its OxygenOS Monthly FAQ in which it also revealed certain other tweaks such as optimizations for the new redesigned recents menu, slightly lower low volume levels, fixes for OnePlus launcher, and more.

 

(Source, Via)

POCO’s first truly wireless earphones will be called ‘POCO Pop Buds’

Yesterday, C Manmohan, the General Manager of POCO India tweeted out a poll to name the brand’s first TWS. Now, after 24 hours, the result is out as the poll has finally ended. According to it, POCO’s first-ever TWS will be called ‘POCO Pop Buds’.

Last month, POCO’s GM confirmed the launch of the brand’s first TWS or truly wireless earphones. After a month, he shared a poll on Twitter yesterday to crowdsource the name of their product.

Below-listed is the names included in the poll and the percentage of votes they have won.

  • POCO Move Buds – 23.9%
  • POCO Klip Buds – 5.8%
  • POCO Pop Buds – 42.4%
  • POCO Funkz – 27.9%

Having said that, although we have the name of POCO’s first TWS – POCO Pop Buds, we are not sure how the product will actually look in real life. Also, its specifications are a mystery as well.

On the other hand, there is a possibility of it being a rebranded  Xiaomi or Redmi TWS just like the POCO X2 and POCO F2 Pro. Anyway, we will know about the product soon once the brand starts teasing it in the coming days.

On the other hand, Redmi India is also teasing an audio product launch. It could be the brand’s first Bluetooth speaker in the country or maybe a TWS such as Redmi AirDots S.

 

Realme X3 SuperZoom launching in Europe on May 26

Realme has officially announced that the Realme X3 Superzoom will be launched in Europe on May 26. This was announced via a tweet on the Realme Europe official Twitter handle.

The Realme X3 Superzoom has been in the news for quite some time now with the moniker suggesting the presence of a periscope camera. In terms of the design, the Realme X3 SuperZoom looks like the X50. It packs a Quad camera setup at the rear stacked vertically at the top left corner of the rear panel. The first sensor is an 8-megapixel periscope lens said to be capable of 60x digital zoom and 5x optical zoom. The setup also includes a 64-megapixel main camera, an 8-megapixel wide-angle lens and a 2-megapixel macro lens.

As for the specs, the Realme X3 SuperZoom is said to pack a Snapdragon 855+ chipset and is equipped with a periscope zoom lens. The smartphone sports a 6.6-inch FHD+ display that supports a 120Hz refresh rate. It also crams a 4200mAh battery under the hood with support for 30W Dart flash charge.

The phone is said to feature punch-hole design at the front which holds a 32-megapixel dual camera. There is also a side-mounted fingerprint sensor onboard. The X3 SuperZoom will be available in Arctic White and Glacier Blue.

 

(source)

Redmi 10X now on reservation on Jingdong (JD.com) ahead of launch

Xiaomi’s independent Redmi brand is expected to officially unveil the Redmi 10X in China on May 26. Ahead of the launch, the device has now gone up for reservation on popular retail channel Jingdong (JD.com).Redmi 10X

The Jingdong product page shows that the Redmi 10X will be available in two different editions; a standard edition and a pioneer edition. However, no other details including the price were revealed. The accompanying pictures give us an idea of the rear design, though. The phone will pack a quad-camera setup and will have well-chamfered edges. It also shows that the model will be available in four different colour options; white, purple, blue and gold.

As for the specs, earlier leaks show the Redmi 10X will feature a 6.57-inch OLED display with an FHD+ resolution. It will be powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 820 chipset which brings 5G support. For memory, it will house 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. The device will be powered by a large 4,420mAh battery pack and also has an in-display fingerprint scanner on the front, where a 16-megapixel selfie shooter can also be found.

 

(source)

 

Here’s the official list of MIUI 12 Global eligible/supported devices

Late last month, Xiaomi officially unveiled MIUI 12 in China. The company has been even seeding out weekly beta builds for the eligible devices in the region. Now, as announced last week, the Chinese smartphone maker has finally launched MIUI 12 globally.

MIUI 12 Global

The MIUI 12 is a culmination of decade long existence of Xiaomi’s mobile software. It brings a refined design with dynamic animations, perfect rounded corners with G2 curvature, floating windows for multi-tasking, new Weather app, a ton of privacy features, Dark Mode 2.0, AOD+, a new MIUI camera app, and more.

What’s even more interesting is that it will be available for all the Xiaomi and Redmi devices launched globally from 2018. Additionally, there are also a couple of handsets from 2017. 

Anyway, here’s the complete list of global Xiaomi smartphones that will be receiving MIUI 12 in the coming months.

MIUI 12 Global Supported / Eligible Devices

  • Round 1 (June)

    • Xiaomi Mi Series
      • Xiaomi Mi 9
      • Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro
      • Xiaomi Mi 9T
    • Redmi K series
      • Redmi K20 Pro
      • Redmi K20
  • Round 2 (Uncertain)

    • Xiaomi Mi Series
      • Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro
      • Xiaomi Mi 10
      • Xiaomi Mi 10 Lite
      • Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite
      • Xiaomi Mi 9 SE
      • Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro
      • Xiaomi Mi 8
      • Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite
    • Xiaomi Mi Mix Series
      • Xiaomi Mi Mix 3
      • Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S
      • Xiaomi Mi Mix 2
    • Xiaomi Mi Note Series
      • Xiaomi Mi Note 10
      • Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Lite
      • Xiaomi Mi Note 3
    • Xiaomi Mi Max Series
      • Xiaomi Mi Max 3
    • Redmi Note Series
      • Redmi Note 9 Pro Max
      • Redmi Note 9 Pro
      • Redmi Note 9S
      • Redmi Note 9
      • Redmi Note 8 Pro
      • Redmi Note 8T
      • Redmi Note 8
      • Redmi Note 7 Pro
      • Redmi Note 7
      • Redmi Note 7S
      • Redmi Note 6 Pro
      • Redmi Note 5 Pro
      • Redmi Note 5
    • Redmi Series
      • Redmi 8
      • Redmi 8A
      • Redmi 8A Dual
      • Redmi 7
      • Redmi 7A
      • Redmi 6 Pro
      • Redmi 6
      • Redmi 6A
    • Redmi Y Series
      • Redmi Y2
      • Redmi Y3
    • Redmi S Series
      • Redmi S2
    • POCO
      • POCO F2 Pro
      • POCO F1
      • POCOPHONE F1
      • POCO X2

The list is huge as some of the handsets are repeated since they are sold with a different name in some regions. Nevertheless, almost Xiaomi / Redmi smartphones from last two years are getting the update except for Mi Mix 3 5G, the company’s first 5G smartphone.

In fact, the Mi Mix 3 5G is still running MIUI 10 based on Android Pie and has neither received MIUI 11 nor Android 10. There’s even a petition by users on Change.org, however, Xiaomi is yet to issue an official statement.

 

Grab Blackview X1 smartwatch at discounted price of $34.99

After excelling in the smartphone market, Blackview is now bringing smartwatches carrying useful features at an affordable price. The users are now moving towards smartwatches for instant access to information, notifications, and other essential services. The smartwatch market is booming for the past couple of years due to the availability of jaw-dropping features. Blackview X1 smartwatch is a new smartwatch offering splendid features. It is the smartwatch for every occasion and can replace your traditional watch easily. The company is offering Blackview X1 smartwatch at the reduced price of $69.99 $39.99.

Must See: Blackview launches X1 smartwatch and an affordable BV5500 Plus rugged smartphone

Blackview X1 is the fruitful upgrade over your traditional watch as it brings access to notifications, health stats, and normal time and date. It can easily track your daily exercise progress while moving and sitting. The smartwatch can help you accomplish your daily fitness goals easily, and can even record your day-to-day activity.  There’s an efficient heart rate sensor for monitoring pulse, blood pressure 24*7. There are many other applications of the Blackview X1 smartwatch:

Motivates for Daily physical activity

blackview x1 discount

The ability to track your fitness activity, even under rough and tough conditions like rain, storm, and snowfall. The smartwatch can easily distinguish different activities and provide you with accurate numbers of calorie count, steps count, and pulse rate. The users can even challenge their friends by using the inbuilt feature on the mobile application.

Seamless Smartphone integration

Blackview X1 has its dedicated Android and iOS app to keep track of different activities, and sync notifications. The smartwatch can facilitate the users who often found it laborious to pull out the smartphone from pocket or bag every time a notification beeps. The Smartwatch will ensure you don’t miss any important notification or call. Moe over, it can be your music or camera controller too.

Customization

Blackview X1 brings four different dials or watch faces. The different colored dials can be used with a different strap for a better look. It gives you the ample choice to choose between different UIs.

blackview x1 discount

Blackview X1 is available at a 51% discount for $24.99 from May 15 and May 24 PST. Don’t miss the chance to grab it from here. You can know more about the watch by heading to the official website.

Blackview BV5500 Plus

blacview bv5500

Blackview recently unveiled Blackview BV5500 Plus which is a fully waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof smartphone. It is even certified with IP68/IP69K ratings and can remain submerged under 1.5m depth for half an hour. The MIL-STD-810G military-grade protection will help it survive the rough and tough conditions with ease. It is a perfect companion for the users working in manufacturing, farming, industrial, and hazardous outdoor environments.

Giveaway 10 units Blackview X1

Blackview BV5500 Plus is a perfect match if you’re looking for a rugged smartphone that can survive under extreme climate. More information about the device can be found on the official website.

Related: Blackview BV9900 Pro with 4K-video recording and thermal imaging technology
available for $439.99

Honor X10 leaks in a video ahead of tomorrow’s official launch

Honor X10 series will be officially unveiled on May 20 in China. Ahead of it, the brand has been teasing it for about two weeks now. Additionally, the handset was also leaked through certifications and live images. Now, a new video leak gives us a final glimpse of the handset in different colors before it goes official tomorrow.

The device showcased in the video is definitely the standard Honor X10 since there’s no periscope camera. This handset already leaked in live images last Saturday

But that picture showcased a different third color, orange to be precise. However, in the video posted on Weibo, the third color is a combination of white and light purple similar to the official renders shared by Honor.

Having said that, we are yet to see the Honor X10 Pro in real life picture or video. We only have a single render leak of this handset that came with a specs leak.

Honor X10 Colors Video

Talking about specifications of Honor X10, it will sport a 6.63-inch 60Hz LCD panel and will be powered by Kirin 820 5G chipset. The triple camera setup on the phone will include a 40MP RYYB primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide unit, and a 2MP macro camera.

As for selfies, the phone will feature a 16MP pop-up selfie camera. Last but not least, the handset will be backed by a 4,200 mAh battery with support for 22.5W fast charging.

According to a leak, the Honor X10 will start at 2,299 Yuan ($323) for the base 4GB + 128GB configuration and will go up to 3,199 Yuan ($450)  for the 8GB + 256GB top-end variant.

 

(Via)

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

It’s been quite some time since Cubot P40 rumours and leaks started popping out. To end all that cycle of all unconfirmed information, the company has finally unwrapped the Cubot P40. The device is officially announced today featuring a Quad-rear camera module, 4GB RAM + 128GB internal storage and full-HD display. Surprisingly, Cubot P40 will start retailing at the exceptional price of $89.99 featuring powerful specifications.

Must See: Budget-friendly Cubot P40 smartphone with quad cameras launching on May 18

It is an excellent budget smartphone offering value-for-money. Cubot P40 is a one-in-all device which is globally made available at such a remarkable price. The interested users can grab the Cubot P40 at just $89.99 from June 6 via AliExpress brand activity.

Cubot P40 Specifications

Cubot P40 houses a beautiful 6.2-inch waterdrop display sporting HD+ resolution powering Incell technology. The narrow bezels paved a way for the 90.3% screen-to-body ratio.

cubot p40 launch

There’s a Samsung S5K2T7 20-megapixel front camera sits inside the waterdrop notch display for beautiful selfies and video calling using inbuilt AI Beautify. A Quad-rear camera module featuring Sony IMX486 12-megapixel primary + 5-megapixel macro lens for 2cm close-ups + 2X 2-megapixel other sensors. The camera sensors equip AI scene recognition for high-quality images.

Cubot P40 comes with a 1.8-GHz quad-core MediaTek Helio A22 chipset based on 12nm process, 4GB RAM + 128GB internal storage. The power-efficient chipset can manage power-intensive tasks efficiently and maintains a smooth operating experience.

cubot p40 spec

There’s a huge 4100 mAh detachable battery coupled with AI power management for longer standby times. It is effective enough to pull you through a day of extensive usage. The smartphone runs on stock Android 10 with features like system-wide dark mode, privacy control feature, and much more.

Cubot P40 incorporates NFC which allows the users to make contactless payments via Google Pay. Unlike the flagships, Cubot P40 features a 3.5mm audio jack and USB Type-C port for flawless connectivity. As leaked earlier, the smartphone comes in three colour options of Black, Green and Blue.

cubot p40 colors

In connectivity, the Cubot P40 offers Wifi, Bluetooth 4.2, NFC, OTG and GPS. There’s a Face ID, Proximity, Accelerometer, gyroscope, NFC, magnetic and light sensors on the board. The smartphone support Dual-SIM card and an SD card slot for expandable storage.

Cubot P40 Pricing and Availability

Cubot P40 will start retailing for the starting price of $89.99 on AliExpress from June 6. However, the shipments will commence within the next couple of weeks. The interested users can add the smartphone to cart for getting notified once it goes live.

The new smartphone offers impressive specifications at a compelling price. It is the best budget segment device, especially in the COVID-19 pandemic era when there’s a cash crunch throughout the globe.

Cubot is offering the Cubot P40 to 10 lucky trial users for a free trial via the ongoing giveaway. The interested users can head over to the official website to join the Cubot P40  giveaway.

Related: Cubot P40 poster confirms it as the ‘most affordable 4+128GB smartphone’ appears in leaked photos

Samsung smartphone business will gain from the US sanctions against Huawei

The world’s largest smartphone manufacturer, Samsung, has had stiff competition with Huawei for the top spot in the global market. However, it seems like the US ban against the Chinese tech giant will benefit the South Korean vendor.

For those unaware, the US extended the ban on Huawei and its subsidiaries over various concerns data security. While the Chinese smartphone OEM has often denied any such accusations, it has had its operations troubled since the start of 2019 and even now. Recently, the US Commerce Department introduced new sanctions, which effectively cut off chip supply from TSMC to Huawei.

Samsung

Back in 2019, Huawei had lost Google services support and now it has lost its major chip supplier as well. This could translate to an advantage for Samsung, as the market lost by Huawei could be more footing gained by the South Korean company. While this may not be applicable overall, especially in regions like China, Samsung can still gain market in European countries.

According to an analyst from NH Investment & Securities, “Last year, Huawei’s market share went down because it could not use Google Mobile Services on its products amid the U.S-China trade war, but this time, it might face a production problem. As Huawei sees damage, Samsung’s smartphone business can expand.”

Samsung

Interestingly, Samsung is also a major supplier of smartphone components like image sensors, OLED displays, and, soon, 5G modems for budget and mid level smartphone entries. So, even if it gains market standing in certain regions, the company can still lose out on orders from Huawei, that featured Samsung OLED displays and camera technology.

 

(Via)

Sony Patents Xperia phone with a Unique Popup Speaker and Camera System

Smartphone manufacturers have adopted numerous methods to achieve a full screen body on the front. One of the more popular ones was the popup selfie camera system, which had a raising mechanism that housed the image sensor. Now, a new report suggests that a new Sony Xperia device might also feature this technology, with its popup housing both a speaker and a camera system.

Sony

According to a recently published patent, Sony is considering adopting the retractable mechanism, which has been adopted by quite a few companies, especially from China. Looking at the patent details, we can observe that the company has not only offered a popup camera but a pop down speaker as well. The latter is lowered from the bottom chin of the smartphone and houses a front facing speaker.

The top also houses a speaker, but with a lone selfie camera near the right corner. Sony had applied for the patent back in 2018, which was finally granted earlier this month and published by the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Office). The patent images reveal a Sony smartphone with negligible bezels on every corner and a full screen body at the front. Just a narrow chin and notch are noticeable, which are the region which raises and lower.

Sony

This means that the Sony Xperia device will have a dual speaker system. These speakers also rise and fall according to the task being performed. The bottom and top portion are raised during a call, but only the top will rise for a selfie. In other words, these two mechanisms are completely independent and activate automatically. Unfortunately, this is just a patent and we have no way of currently knowing whether Sony is actually building such a smartphone or simply covering all bases.

 

(Via)

Vivo X50 Pro video teaser showcases the phone’s night mode camera feature

Vivo has scheduled a launch event in China on 1st June to launch its latest Vivo X50 smartphone. The company is expected to launch three smartphone in this lineup, including X50, X50 Lite, and X50 Pro.

Recently, the company had showcased the camera module of the upcoming flagship smartphone which features a triple-camera setup and will come with some advanced features to improve the photography experience. Today, Vivo has shared a new teaser video on its Weibo account which highlights the low-light photography features.

Thanks to micro-gimbal technology, it has improved shutter level for longer exposure which results in capturing larger amount of incoming light, thus the output offers a better low-light capabilities for the camera.

Previously, the company had confirmed that the X50 Pro features an ultra-large primary camera sensor with a focal length of 16-135mm and supports 5x optical zoom as well as 10x digital zoom. The company is also expected to be capable of 360-degree movements and offer anti-shake technology.

The smartphone will also have a stable micro gimbal, similar to what we’ve seen on the Vivo APEX 2020 concept phone. It will allow the X50 to offer better stabilisation while shooting photos and videos than regular OIS systems.

leaked image of the smartphone’s promotional material has revealed that the device will come with a punch-hole cutout in the top-left corner of the display for housing the front-facing camera sensor.

Currently, nothing much about the phone’s specifications is know. However, with a couple of weeks to go for the official launch, we expect the company to start sharing features and key specs on social media while pricing and availability details will be revealed on 1st June.