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OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro flagship phones appear on Amazon affiliate page

By
Jeet
-

OnePlus is gearing up to launch its next-generation flagship smartphones — OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro. While there are few reports making rounds about the phone’s design and renders as well as specifications and features, we now have an official confirmation about the phones.

Amazon India, which has been a partner of OnePlus since its debut in the Indian market, has listed two upcoming flagship smartphones on its Amazon Affiliate page — OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro, confirming these two as the company’s next-gen flagships.

OnePlus 8, 8 Pro Amazon Affiliate

The listing of the phones in the Amazon India Affiliate page hints that the official launch of the smartphones isn’t far away. There are reports claiming that the devices could be officially announced at MWC 2020 or soon after that. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find the phones mentioned on the Amazon affiliate page anymore. So, it’s possible that Amazon removed the two model names soon after it was spotted.

The upcoming OnePlus smartphones are expected to go on sale soon after the official unveiling. As per the reports, there will be three devices in the lineup this time — OnePlus 8, 8 Pro, and 8 Lite. The devices are also expected to come with 5G connectivity support.

EDITOR’S PICK: Vivo’s sub-brand iQOO officially teases 5G smartphone launch in India
OnePlus 8 Pro Renders
OnePlus 8 Pro Renders

While there are several reports regarding this upcoming smartphones, OnePlus is yet to officially confirm the phones as well as the launch date and hasn’t even shared a teaser yet. However, the company recently announced its 120Hz AMOLED display, which is expected to make its way to the upcoming series of phones.

The Chinese company recently joined Wireless Power Consortium, boosting rumors about the upcoming OnePlus 8-series smartphones having support for wireless charing — the feature which has been among the most-requested one.

As per the reports, the smartphone will come with a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, the device will come powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 SoC with 5G support and will feature a quad-camera setup on the back.

UP NEXT: Alleged Nokia 5.2 live photos, specs, and price leaks; to launch in March

 

(Source)

Vivo iQOO officially teases 5G smartphone launch in India

By
Jeet
-

Earlier it was reported that Vivo‘s sub-brand for premium gaming smartphones iQOO is all set to start operations in India and soon after that, the company itself confirmed this development, announcing that it’s first phone will go official in India in February.

Now, iQOO has teased the launch of a new 5G smartphone for the Indian market. The company is promoting the device with #MonsterInside, hinting at the smartphone being a powerhouse. Further, the company has also launched India-specific website – iqoo.com/in/.

The iQOO phone will be India’s first smartphone powered by Snapdragon 865 Mobile Platform and will also feature 5G support. The company has already revealed that the device will be be offering robust performance capabilities in the charging, gaming, and design department, and providing phone phonetics uninterrupted content consumption.

EDITOR’S PICK: UFS 3.1 unveiled; brings improvements to speed and power efficiency

It has also been confirmed that the company will be selling the smartphones through online platforms, at least initially. Later, it plans to sell devices through offline stores as well and more details related to this is expected to be revealed in the coming weeks.

For those who are unaware, Vivo launched iQOO sub-brand for premium gaming smartphones in China last year. It said that iQOO stands for ‘I Quest On and On’, and has launched several smartphones in its home country.

As for the Indian market, apart from the 5G smartphone, the company is also planning to launch 4G smartphones in the country with high-end specifications. Gagan Arora, Director of Marketing at iQOO, says that the company sees extreme potential in the premium segment smartphone market in India.

UP NEXT: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip hands-on video posted on the web; to cost €1599 in Europe

 

Huawei MateBook 13 and MateBook 14 2020 spec sheet leaked

By
Habeeb Onawole
-

The MateBook 13 and MateBook 14 will be getting new models this year. The new computers should launch at Mobile World Congress 2020 later this month. However, we do not have to wait until then to know their features as the full specifications sheet for both notebooks has been posted on the web.

 

MateBook 13 2020

The MateBook 13 will have a 13-inch 2160 x 1440 (2K) IPS display with a 3:2 aspect ratio and an 88% screen-to-body ratio. The spec sheet says the screen has bezels that measure just 4.4 millimeters.

It will be available in two CPU variants – a Core i5-10210U model and a Core i7-10510U model. Both variants will have NVIDIA’s MX250 GPU. The PC will also come in 8GB and 16GB RAM variants with 512GB PCIe SSD.

The MateBook 13 will have a fingerprint scanner that doubles as the power button. It will also have 2 x USB Type-C ports and an audio jack. The spec sheet also mentions Shark-Fin dual cooling fans and 65W superfast charging. The notebook has a 41.7Wh battery, is 14.9 millimeters thick and weighs 1.32 kilograms.

MateBook 14 2020

The MateBook 14 will also have a 2160 x 1440 2K display with a 3:2 aspect ratio but a 90% screen-to-body ratio. It has the same CPU variants as the 13-inch model and will also be available in 8GB RAM and 16G RAM configurations with 512GB of PCIe SSD storage.

It also has a one-touch fingerprint scanner but its cooling fan is just one but bigger. For connectivity, Huawei has included 1 x USB 3.0 port, 1 x USB 2.0 port, 1 x HDMI port, 1 x “full function” USB Type-C port, and 1 x audio port.

The Huawei MateBook 14 hs a 56Wh battery and also supports 65W superfast charge over USB-C. It is 15.9 millimeters thick and weighs 1.53 kilograms.

The price tags for both Huawei notebooks are still unknown so also is their design.

UP NEXT: Huawei surpasses Apple in entire 2019 shipment ranking; Xiaomi, OPPO makes top 5

 

(Source)

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip hands-on video posted on the web; to cost €1599 in Europe

By
Habeeb Onawole
-

Asides the Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20 Plus, and the Galaxy S20 Ultra, Samsung will also announce the Galaxy Z Flip. This is its second phone with a foldable display, but unlike the Galaxy Fold, this folds across the horizontal axis (vertically) like a clamshell phone. Ahead of the February 11 launch event, a hands-on video of the phone has been posted on the web.

The video was shared on Twitter by a user that goes by “yunis ali (@sliverarow)”. The 20-second video shows the purple variant of the phone in use.

From the video, one can see the device has a reflective body that can pass for a mirror. It has dual rear cameras, arranged horizontally, on the right side (when folded) while a pretty small display flanks it on the other side. The display shows the date and time.

When unfolded, the Galaxy Z Flip reveals its pretty long and flexible Infinity-O display with a centered punch hole for the selfie camera. It has been reported that it is an AMOLED screen with 2636 x 1080 resolution and a 22:9 aspect ratio.

The phone appears to have a button at the top. We are not sure if that is the power button or if Samsung has buried it under the fingerprint scanner which you can see at the 10-second mark, when he closes the device.

The Galaxy Z Flip will launch with a 6.7-inch FHD+ flexible screen and a 1.06-inch secondary display. There will be a Snapdragon 855+ processor inside the device along with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.0 storage. The dual rear cameras are a 13MP f/1.8 primary sensor and a 12MP f/2.2 123° ultrawide-angle camera. The selfie camera is a 10MP f/2.4 sensor.

The phone has a 3300mAh battery that is split into two (900mAh + 2400mAh) and supports 15W wired charging and also supports wireless and reverse wireless charging. Samsung will ship it with Android 10 with One UI 2 on top.

Roland Quandt said in a tweet today that the device will sell for €1599 in Europe according to the info he got from retailers. While its US price is put at $1400. It will be sold via carriers as well as unlocked.

UP NEXT: Samsung Q4 profits slumps by 34%, hopes 5G improves the current situation

 

(Sources: 1, 2)

Alleged Nokia 5.2 live photos, specs, and price leaks; to launch in March

By
Habeeb Onawole
-

HMD Global has confirmed it will have a launch event in Barcelona on February 23. It is expected to announce a couple of midrange phones including the Nokia 8.2 5G, an entry-level phone, and a feature phone. There have been reports of a Nokia 5.2 being in development but it is unconfirmed if it will launch at MWC 2020. Yesterday, an unknown Nokia smartphone presumed to be the Nokia 5.2 surfaced online. The leak includes photos, specs, and the price of the device.

The source of the leak is Evan Blass (@evleaks) and in his tweet, he revealed the phone’s codename as Captain America. The device has 6GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. Unfortunately, the screen size, battery capacity, and processor were not revealed. The tweet also mentioned the phone will cost $180 at launch and might be announced on the 4th of March.

Nokia Captain America (Nokia 5.2)

Coming to the design, the Nokia phone has a waterdrop notch and a moderately thick lower bezel with Nokia inscribed on it. The device is probably running Android 9 Pie but has three-button navigation turned on.

[envira-gallery id=”303382″]

The back of the device is more interesting. The Nokia phone has four cameras arranged in a circular housing with a pill-shaped LED flash in the middle. The camera housing protrudes a bit and right below it is a fingerprint scanner. The back of the phone appears to be covered in frosted glass or plastic with curved sides and it sure is a fingerprint magnet.

Since the identity of the phone is unconfirmed, we advise you to take the info about it being the Nokia 5.2 with a grain of salt.

(Source)

Download Gapps for Android 10 (Google Apps)

By
Simranpal Singh
-

Google Apps or GApps are primarily used to flash Google services on custom ROMs. Usually, most of the custom ROMs come without any support for Google services. It is also an advantage of third-party ROMs that they don’t carry any inbuilt support for any assistance. However, the GApps zip package was compatible with Android 9.0 Pie or earlier versions, but now it has been extended to support Android 10. The interested users can now download GApps for Android 10 from the respective link below.

android 10 gapps

Read More: Download Gcam 7.3 APK mod for all Android devices

It’s been a few months since Google posted the AOSP source code for the latest Android. The same AOSP code is being used by the major OEMs to develop their ROMs based on different skins. They often add or remove the Android’s base functionalities to make it compatible the smart devices, including Smart Watch, Smart TVs, Smart Box, Smartphone, and more.

On the other hand, third-party custom ROM developers like Pixel Experience, LineageOS, Nitrogen OS make the AOSP source code available with extensive features. Now, it depends upon the developers to either include Google Apps or not. Then the role of flashable GApps comes into play.

Until recently, it was impossible to get Google Apps on Android 10 based custom ROMs. It means the users were unable to install apps from Play Store. They are unable to use the Google-powered backup features and some other essential services.

Types of GApps

There are different GApps packages based on multiple apps available in the zip. Here’s the differentiation

  • Pico – The Pico GApps package consists of only the minimal and essential Google services base.
  • Nano – The Nano features Offline speech and Google search app.
  • Micro – Along with the Nano package, there are few more apps like and services support. It brings FaceUnlock, Google Calendar, Google Text-to-Speech service framework.
  • Mini – In addition to Micro Apps, the Google features Hangouts, Maps, YouTube apps in Mini package.
  • Full – The GApps package features a full lot brochure of Google services except Google Mail, Camera, and Keyboard. It even overlaps the AOSP Calendar app with Google.
  • Stock – Like the Full, The Stock package brings all the features and services of Google.

Download GApps for Android 10

After over a few months, the Open GApps community has come up with the Android 10 compatible GApps. However, the GApps are currently available in pico and nano packages. The team is pouring in extra efforts to bring in support for other packages on Android 10.

The interested users can grab the GApps by heading to the SourceForge powered Open GApps repository.

Download Open GApps

Related: Download Samsung Galaxy S20 Wallpapers in HD Quality

ASUS Zenfone Max Pro M1 and Zenfone Max Pro M2 get Android 10 beta

By
Habeeb Onawole
-

ASUS has rolled out Android 10 stable updates to the Zenfone 6 and Zenfone 5Z. Now it is rolling out a beta update to the Zenfone Max Pro M1 and the Zenfone Max Pro M2, its popular mid-range phones from 2018.

ASUS ZenFone Max Pro (M2) (ZB631KL) phablet

ASUS promised the Zenfone Max Pro M1 would get two Android upgrades and it already got one last April when it was updated to Android 9 Pie. Since the Max Pro M1 will be getting Android 10, it only makes sense that its successor, the Max Pro M2 also gets updated. Both devices launched with Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box.

The beta update for the Zenfone Max Pro M1 comes as version 17.2017.1911.407 and weighs in at 1.6GB in size. The update for the Max Pro M2 arrives as version 17.2018.1912.409 and is 1.5GB in size. If you are interested in trying it out, you can download it for your device from the source links below and sideload it on to your device. This is a beta update, so it is expected to experience issues. It is therefore advised that you backup your data before updating.

Android 10 brings changes in the user interface, Dark Mode, Smart Reply for messaging apps, and a new navigation system.

The stable update is expected to also arrive this month according to a tweet from an ASUS staff. So if you are not up for the issues a beta update may bring, you can wait for the stable update.

UP NEXT: ASUS ROG Phone II will face a temporary shortage in India due to Coronavirus

 

(Sources: 1, 2)

UFS 3.1 unveiled; brings improvements to speed and power efficiency

By
Habeeb Onawole
-

Phones come with either eMMC storage or UFS (Universal Flash Storage) and it is no news that the latter is the faster type of storage. UFS used to be found mostly on flagship phones but in recent times, they have been put into mid-range devices too while eMMC storage has been relegated to entry-level devices.

UFS

The JEDEC Solid State Technology Association has now unveiled the latest version of UFS called UFS 3.1 (JESD220E). It succeeds UFS 3.0 which appeared in Samsung’s 2019 flagships and even OnePlus’s own phones too.

According to the press release by JEDEC, UFS 3.1 is designed for mobile applications and computing systems that require high-performance with low power consumption. The new storage technology brings three major improvements over the last generation. They are:

  • Write Booster: an SLC non-volatile cache that amplifies write speed.
  • DeepSleep: a new UFS device low power state targeting lower-cost systems that share UFS voltage regulators with other functions.
  • Performance Throttling Notification: allows the UFS device to notify the host when storage performance is throttled due to high temperature.

JEDEC also announced a companion standard called UFS Host Performance Booster (HPB) Extension which provides the option to cache the UFS device logical-to-physical address map in the system’s DRAM.

There is no information regarding when we will begin to see the new storage standard in devices but we will not be surprised if it shows up first in a Samsung device.

UP NEXT: Samsung has announced 12GB RAM and UFS 3.0 storage combo for mid-range devices

 

(Source, Via)

Apple to close its stores and offices in Mainland China through February 9

By
Habeeb Onawole
-

As the Coronavirus continues to spread, more offices and factories are closing down until things are under control. Just a few days ago, Xiaomi announced all its offline stores across China will be closed. Now, it has been reported that Apple will be closing its stores and offices across Mainland China too.

The tech giant released a statement announcing that it will be shutting down work and business at its offices and stores through February 9. Apple has a total of 42 stores across China but its online store will be up and running, so buyers can purchase from there.

“Out of an abundance of caution and based on the latest advice from leading health experts, we’re closing all our corporate offices, stores and contact centers in mainland China through February 9”

– Apple’s statement to CNN BUsiness

Apple says it has been conducting checks on its store employees and carrying out deep cleaning too.

The impact of the virus outbreak on the mobile industry is still considered small but that may change if the outbreak continues for longer. Managing Director of equity research at Wedbush Securities, Daniel Ives, is quoted to have said: “…..if the lockdown in China [and] outbreak spills into later February or March, then we have darker storm clouds on the horizon for the tech space and global markets, with China consumer demand doldrums.”.

It was reported a few days ago that the outbreak will affect the production of the iPhone 9, however, Foxconn released a press statement saying the current health situation will not affect the production of iPhones.

“We do not comment on our specific production practices, but we can confirm that we have measures in place to ensure that we can continue to meet all global manufacturing obligations,”
– Foxconn

The manufacturing contractor has a large factory in Wuhan but it has been closed down since the holidays which have been extended to today.

UP NEXT: Apple shipped an impressive 70.7 million iPhones in Q4 2019 to top the chart

 

(Sources: 1, 2 | Via)

Realme C3 will ship with Realme UI, powered by Helio G70, and have 12MP + 2MP dual cameras

By
Habeeb Onawole
-

The Realme C-series will be getting a new model in a few days. We already know what the device looks like thanks to an official poster. Now Realme has released another poster confirming the mid-range device will ship with the new Realme UI.

Realme C3 Realme UI

A few Realme phones are already getting a new update that replaces Color OS with Realme UI. However, the Realme C3 will be the second (not the first as the poster says) Realme phone to ship with the new custom user interface out of the box.

Realme UI brings a new user interface and a number of new features such as Focus Mode, Smart Gestures, and personal information protection.

Powering the Realme C3 will be the new Helio G70. The chipset was announced by MediaTek a few weeks ago and is designed for gaming. The 12nm Helio G70 processor has four Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2.0GHz and four Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 1.7GHz. It also has a Mali-G52 GPU clocked at 800MHz.

Prior to its announcement, a leak revealed that the chipset will power the yet-to-be-announced Redmi 9. As it turns out, the processor will be appearing first in the Realme C3 scheduled to launch in a few days while there is still no official news of the Redmi 9.

The official Realme Twitter account has also confirmed that the Realme C3 will have a primary 12MP rear camera paired with a 2MP portrait lens. We do not know the manufacturer of the main camera but we know its aperture size is F1.8 while that of the second camera is F2.4. The Realme C2 launched with a 13MP F2.2 + 2MP F2.4 dual camera. The Realme C3 should be able to take brighter photos since it has a larger aperture size.

Other confirmed features of the Realme C3 include a 6.5” Mini-drop Fullscreen and a 5000mAh battery capacity.

UP NEXT: Realme CMO reveals smartphone models that will receive the Android 11 update

 

(Sources: 1, 2)

ASUS ROG Phone II will face temporary shortage in India due to Coronavirus

By
Habeeb Onawole
-

The ROG Phone II was announced last September in India. The phone is the second gaming smartphone from ASUS’s ROG gaming line. Today, the official Twitter account for ASUS ROG India announced that there will be a temporary shortage of the phone.

ASUS informed its fans through an open letter that the ROG II will face temporary shortages due to the “disruption in the supply chain caused by the prevailing situation in Asia”. While not stated, the cause for the disruption is the recent outbreak of the coronavirus which has caused factories to suspend work.

The open letter goes on to say that work is underway to make sure that the device is available soon. As at the time of writing, the ROG Phone II is still available for purchase on Flipkart

The ROG Phone II has a 6.59-inch 2340 x 1080 display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It is powered by the Snapdragon 855+ processor and comes with 8GB or 12GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage. There is a 48MP + 13MP dual-camera setup on the back of the phone while a 24MP camera is in front for selfies and video calls.

The phone has DTS:X stereo speakers, an audio jack, aptX HD audio, and Bluetooth 5.0. It has a USB 3.1 port for charging at the bottom while a second one is on the side for connecting peripherals and also for charging. It also has touch-sensitive trigger buttons built-in to the right side of the frame.

The ROG Phone II tops up its impressive specs with a massive 6000mAh battery with support for 30W fast charge and 10W reverse charging.

UP NEXT: Samsung Galaxy S20 series accessories supply is delayed by the Coronavirus outbreak in China

 

(Source)

Huawei Nova 7i vs Redmi K30 vs Realme X2: Specs Comparison

By
Michele Ingelido
-

Huawei just launched the Nova 7i: it is not a completely new device but it is just a rebranded version of the Huawei Nova 6 SE for markets outside of China. So you would get exactly the same specifications which you can consider midrange-class. But given that many people outside of China did not care about the Nova 6 SE since it was not for their market, we decided to compare it with other trending mid-rangers in order to give you a satisfying idea of what this handset is able to offer. We think there is nothing better than Redmi K30 and Realme X2 for such a specs comparison.

Huawei Nova 7i vs Xiaomi Redmi K30 vs Oppo Realme X2

Xiaomi Redmi K30 Oppo Realme X2 Huawei Nova 7i
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT 165.3 x 76.6 x 8.8 mm, 208 grams 158.7 x 75.2 x 8.6 mm, 182 grams 159.2 x 76.3 x 8.7 mm, 183 grams
DISPLAY 6.67 inches, 1080 x 2400p (Full HD+), 395 ppi, IPS LCD 6.4 inches, 1080 x 2340p (Full HD+), 403 ppi, Super AMOLED 6.4 inches, 1080 x 2310p (Full HD+), 398 ppi, LTPS IPS LCD
PROCESSOR Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G, octa-core 2.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G, octa-core 2.2 GHz Huawei Hisilicon Kirin 810, octa-core 2.27 GHz
MEMORY 6 GB RAM, 64 GB – 6 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 256 GB – micro SD slot 6 GB RAM, 64 GB  – 8 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 256 GB – micro SD dedicated slot  8 GB RAM, 128 GB – nano memory card slot
SOFTWARE Android 10, MIUI Android 9 Pie, Color OS Android 10, EMUI
CONNECTIVITY Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5, GPS Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5, GPS  Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5, GPS
CAMERA Quad 64 + 8 + 2 + 2 MP f/1.9, f/2.2, f/2.4 and f/2.4
Dual 20 + 2 MP f/2.2 and f/2.4 front camera		 Quad 64 + 8 + 2 + 2 MP f/1.8, f/2.3, f/2.4 and f/2.4
32 MP f/2.0 front camera		 Quad 48 + 8 + 2 + 2 MP f/1.8, f/2.4, f/2.4 and f/2.4
16 MP f/2.0 front camera
BATTERY 4500 mAh, fast charging 27W 4000 mAh, fast charging 30W 4200 mAh, fast charging 40W
ADDITIONAL FEATURES Hybrid Dual SIM slot Hybrid Dual SIM slot Dual SIM slot

Design

I consider Redmi K30 as the most impressive device in terms of aesthetics for a simple reason: the materials used. Redmi K30 is the only one to come with both a glass back (protected by Corning’s Gorilla Glass 5 just like the display) and an aluminum frame. Realme X2 has a glass back as well, but it sports a plastic frame, while Huawei Nova 7i has a full plastic design, despite it has a very nice look due to its single punch hole and its modest dimensions. Naturally, your personal tastes will play an important role in this kind of decision.

 

Display

On the display side, it is a close fight between Redmi K30 and Realme X2. The former comes with an LCD panel that is not a trending technology, but it boasts a very high 120 Hz refresh rate and even the HDR10 technology. The latter has a pleasing AMOLED display which even comes with an in-display fingerprint reader, unlike Redmi K30 and Huawei Nova 7i. Do you prefer a higher refresh rate delivering a smoother user experience or an AMOLED panel and an under-display biometric sensor?

 

Specs & Software

The Snapdragon 730G chipset that you can find on the Redmi K30 and Realme X2 is definitely a more interesting SoC than the Kirin 810, despite Kirin 810 is built with a better production process. Indeed, it comes with very high graphics performance, you have more option for modding and even an amazing CPU. Both Redmi K30 and Realme X2 sport up to 8 GB of RAM and up to 256 GB of UFS 2.1 internal storage, so what makes the difference is the software. MIUI is currently more advanced than the ColorOS found on the Realme X2, but the phone will soon update to Realme UI and its software department will improve a lot. But for now, Redmi K30 takes the crown.

 

Camera

It is a very close fight between Realme X2 and Redmi K30 even when it comes to cameras. They have essentially the same quad camera on the rear side, both better than Huawei Nova 7i on the paper. But their front cameras are different: the Redmi K30 has a dual front camera including a depth sensor, while Realme X2 has a single 32 MP sensor (better than the 20 MP one found on the Redmi K30) but it lacks a depth sensor.

 

Battery

Redmi K30 has the biggest battery: with 4500 mAh it should last more than Huawei Nova 7i and Realme X2. The Realme X2 has just 4000 mAh but it charges faster thanks to a 30W charging technology. Huawei Nova 7i sits in the middle in terms of battery capacity, but it has the fastest charging technology with 40W, and that is why it wins the battery comparison.

 

Price

Huawei Nova 7i debuted with a €300 price tag, Realme X2 starts from €300 globally ($254 in China) and Redmi K30 starts from €255 in China (we learned it will launch globally as the Poco X2). At the end of the day, Redmi K30 is more interesting due to its bigger battery, 120 Hz display, good software, and more. But Realme X2 is not so far with its AMOLED panel, same hardware, good cameras and an upcoming software update which will add interesting improvements.

 

Huawei Nova 7i vs Xiaomi Redmi K30 vs Oppo Realme X2: PROs and CONS

Xiaomi Redmi K30

PROs

  • Great performance
  • 120 Hz display
  • Bigger battery
  • Dual front camera
  • Android 10

CONS

  • Limited availability

 

Realme X2

PROs

  • Amazing performance
  • Great front camera
  • AMOLED display
  • Micro SD dedicated slot

CONS

  • Still Android Pie

 

Huawei Nova 7i

PROs

  • Faster charging
  • Good design
  • Android 10

CONS

  • Plastic body

[Update: Download Page Removed] How to install Realme UI on Realme XT and Realme 3 Pro?

By
Simranpal Singh
-

01-February Update:  The update has bricked some devices in the last couple of days. In the wake of such reports, Realme has removed the download page and is further investigating the issue. As a precautionary measure, we have removed the download links and request users to wait for the official OTA. 

Realme is working to bring the recently unveiled Realme UI to most of its devices. The users who are fed up with the gradual rollout of Realme UI across various Realme smartphones can now manually upgrade. Yesterday, Realme CEO Madhav Seth took to Twitter to make a formal announcement about the update.

realme ui update manual

Must See: Realme UI with stock Android designs officially detailed with Roadmap

The unusual wait for Realme UI has ended with the availability of the manual OTA files from Realme. The user can easily sideload the Android 10 based OTA update by downloading them on their smartphones. Both the Realme XT and Realme 3 Pro users can now manually update to Android 10.

There are many new features that have been a part of the Realme UI. It is more like an Android-based device than iOS. It is more like Stock Android experience rather than the iOS. However, the Realme UI is much lighter than the MIUI and offers a neat and clean experience.

Features of Realme UI

Improved Typography and Refined UI – Realme UI is more refined and minimal skin in comparison with the MIUI. The system offers round shaped icons, fewer animations, and more intuitiveness.

More customization – The user can choose custom icon styles – material, Pebble or Default. There’s also an ability to tweak a lot of system-based features. Several new static and live wallpapers are part of the new Realme UI.

New Gestures – The Realme UI engrossed some features from OxygenOS, some from EMUI and others from stock Android. The new system offers double tap to lock, optimized three-finger screenshot and additional Android 10 gestures.

Improved Camera UI – The new camera UI has been tweaked slightly for ease of accessibility to features. Simple swipes in either direction can switch modes.

Enhanced Security, Audio and Communication – Realme UI also supports file sharing between Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo. The presence of Dual Mode Music makes it connect with Bluetooth and wired earphones.

Focus Mode – It also adds the new Focus Mode as the Zen Mode in OnePlus smartphones.

Riding Mode – Bikers would love the new Riding Mode along with the existing Smart Driving Mode. In Riding Mode, the phone mutes all alerts except for incoming calls. There are various other changes that Riding Mode makes for the riders.

Dark Mode – As like the native Android 10, Realme UI has received the global Dark Mode support.

Apart from these, there are a ton of other changes for Realme UI.

Manually Update Realme UI on Realme 3 Pro and Realme XT

It’s quite an easy process to install the Realme UI update manually.

Note:  The update has bricked some devices in the last couple of days. In the wake of such reports, Realme has removed the download page and is further investigating the issue. As a precautionary measure, we have removed the download links and request users to wait for the official OTA. 

Prerequisites

  • Realme 3 Pro / Realme XT are only compatible devices right now.
  • The battery should be at least up to considerable levels.
  • Download the respective Realme UI update file.
    • Realme 3 Pro Update file
    • Realme XT Update file

Steps to update Realme 3 Pro and Realme XT 

  1. Download the respective update file from the above links.
  2. Now, move the file from the computer to your device.
  3. Open the File Manager App on your phone and navigate to download location.
  4. Now, tap on the Realme UI update file and install it.
  5. Your device will automatically boot into recovery and will install the update.
  6. Your phone will automatically reboot into Android 10 based on Realme UI after a successful installation.
  7. Enjoy!

This is the little procedure to install the Realme UI on Realme XT and Realme 3 Pro devices. If you get any problem, then let us know via the comments below.

Related: Realme CMO reveals smartphone models that will receive the Android 11 update

Huawei surpasses Apple in entire 2019 shipment ranking; Xiaomi, OPPO make top 5

By
Jed John Ikoba
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Three of the major market research firms Counterpoint, Canalys and Strategy Analytics (SA) have all published their report showing the shipping estimates of the major smartphone companies. The data all seem to correspond with each other and shows Samsung retained its position as the number one brand in terms of smartphone shipment for the whole of 2019.

Huawei maintained its 2018 record by staying ahead of Apple to become the world’s second best selling smartphone manufacturer in 2019. This is especially surprising considering that the brand has been grappling with an obnoxious ban by the US government hinged on security concerns. Huawei shipped an estimated 240 million mobile phones, a tad higher than its entire shipment in 2018. On the other hand,  Apple managed to corner 200 million units, representing a slight drop in shipment.

EDITOR’S PICK: Xiaomi’s Aqara officially unveils its range of smart home products in the US

Xiaomi emerged as the fourth largest phone maker in 2019 with shipments estimated at 125 million. The figure is slightly higher than the company’s feat in 2018. Oppo rounded out the list of the top five manufacturers.

Despite individual gains, all three reports reveal that the industry experienced a slump with fewer phones sold in 2019 than in 2018. Counterpoint Research notes that this is the first time the smartphone market has ever declined for two years in a row. With the US’s trade wars still ongoing, and China’s coronavirus scare having potential implications for supply chains, 2020 could be another challenging year.

UP NEXT: Moto G Stylus full specs leaked; new render shows the position of the stylus

 

(source 1, 2)

Samsung Galaxy S20 series live images spotted in the wild

By
Jed John Ikoba
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Samsung has been pretty generous with leaks regarding the Galaxy S20 series that is expected to go official on February 11. Almost everything is practically known about the series and more still keep coming. The latest is a photo of the three Galaxy S20 models lying side by side. Samsung Galaxy S20

The image which is said to be making the rounds on Twitter shows the rear aspect of all three Galaxy S20 models. Even though the rear cameras were blurred in this image, we can make out the fact that the three models will differ slightly in sizes. Also, we also get to see how much of a camera bump the Galaxy S20 models would have.

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The series is made up of the Galaxy S20, S20 Plus and S20 Ultra. Samsung will be confirming the pricing of the S20 models at the launch event on Feb. 11. Rumors have it that the Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G will be costing $1,300. In the Europe, the Galaxy S20 4G will cost 899 euros and its 5G variant could be priced at 999 euros. The S20+ 5G may cost 1,099 euros. The South Korean company is also rumored to debut the Galaxy Z Flip at the same event. The clamshell Galaxy Z Flip which is the second phone from the company to sport a flexible screen is expected to be priced at $1,500 in the U.S.

UP NEXT: First Samples from the 108MP Mi Mix Alpha is here & we are not impressed!

 

(source)

 

Xiaomi Yuemi Single-axis Stabilizing Gimbal launched

By
Jed John Ikoba
-

Xiaomi’s ecological chain company Yuemi Technology has gained a solid reputation as a manufacturer of mechanical keyboards. Since the first mechanical keyboard was introduced in 2016, it has launched several other models, including the Yuemi mechanical keyboard Cherry version, the Yuemi mechanical keyboard Pro, Yuemi mechanical keyboard 104-key keyboard products with prices ranging from 329 yuan-699 yuan.

The brand has now expanded its product category form just PC peripherals with the launch of a new single-axis Stabilizing Gimbal. The device allows a single-click stable recording of mobile phone videos. It is also dual-use, having a bracket for holding the phone in addition to the stabilizer.

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The Yuemi single-axis stabilizer uses a 32-bit ARM processor, is equipped with a 6-axis acceleration gyro sensor, a flight control stabilization algorithm, and a dedicated brushless motor magnetic force sensor. The powerful movement gyroscope, combined with high-precision motor control and advanced camera-stabilization algorithm, can improve the shake and shake of mobile phones in real-time.

The handle can be extended up to a distance of 420 ± 10mm, and the stretching distance of the mobile phone clip is up to 11mm. When it is folded, it is only 190mm long and has a net weight of 229g, making it easy to carry around.

Further, Yuemi single-axis stabilizer gimbal supports 180° automatic horizontal lock, 360° horizontal and vertical screen switching. You don’t require an app to control the device. There is a remote control which can pair with a smartphone via Bluetooth and can be used to control the gadget remotely.Yuemi-single-axis-stabilizer-2

The device crams a built-in 450mAh capacity battery which meets your daily beauty shooting needs. When the stabilizer is out of power, you can use your hand to turn the stabilizer to use it as an ordinary selfie stick.

Pricing details and availability were not disclosed.

Puma PT9100 smartwatch launched in India for Rs 19,995 ($280)

By
Jed John Ikoba
-

Sports brand Puma and watchmaker Fossil first teamed up in September 2019 to launch the Puma PT9100 smartwatch. The smartwatch has now been launched in India just four months after its initial debut.Puma PT9100

The new smartwatch features a classic design similar to the Galaxy Watch series. It features a 1.19-inch AMOLED touchscreen with a resolution of 390 x 390 pixel. The watch is encased in a casing that is 44mm in diameter and has a digital crown just like a mechanical wristwatch. Some of the features include a heart rate monitor, NFC, water-resistance up to 5ATM and all the standard fitness tracking modes you’d find on other smartwatches.

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The Puma smartwatch runs on the Snapdragon Wear 3100 chipset paired with 512MB RAM and 4GB storage. Battery life is rated at 24 hours of endurance with constant GPS usage. It runs Google WearOS. The Wear OS interface can be operated via the touch screen or through the digital crown. The watch syncs over Bluetooth 4.2 and is compatible with any iOS 9.3+ and Android OS 4.4+ phones.

As for the price, the Puma PT9100 is on offer for Rs 19,995 (~$280). The watch is available in black, yellow and white colours.

UP NEXT: First Samples from the 108MP Mi Mix Alpha is here & we are not impressed!

 

 

 

Poco India releases a new Poco X2 teaser video and it confirms the Redmi K30 design

By
Jed John Ikoba
-

The countdown is already on towards the February 4 launch of the Poco X2. POCO India has been consistent in releasing teasers of the upcoming device which will be the brand’s first model since it went solo. The tech giant has released yet another teaser video on its official Twitter handle.

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The teaser basically erases any doubt that the upcoming model is a rebadged Redmi K30. The video shows what looks very much like the Redmi K30 purple variant. The video lived up to its billing as a teaser since it didn’t allow us to have a focused look at the design., However, the side-mounted fingerprint sensor which doubles as the power button. The rear camera arrangement is also similar to what the K30 utilised.

This discovery really shouldn’t hit anyone as a surprise. The cues have been everywhere this past few days. Even though we have seen the signs, some still wish they were untrue. The Poco X2 is coming two years after the company first launched the Poco F1. So, we had expected an upgrade. That befitting upgraded model may still be in the works.

The Poco X2 has already been revealed to come with a 27W charging support. The display will also have up to 120Hz refresh rate. It is expected to be sold exclusively on Flipkart.

UP NEXT: First Samples from the 108MP Mi Mix Alpha is here & we are not impressed!

 

 

Moto G Stylus full specs leaked; new render shows position of stylus

By
Habeeb Onawole
-

It is no longer news that Motorola plans to announce a phone with a stylus. The device which will launch as the Moto G Stylus has been in the news a lot lately. Now a new leak reveals the full spec sheet as well as features of the stylus and a render of the device.

Motorola Moto G Stylus

The Moto G Stylus will have a 6.36-inch 2300 x 1080 display with a hole in the top left corner for the selfie camera. There will be a Snapdragon 665 processor inside and it will be paired with 64GB or 128GB of storage. There is no mention of storage expansion but XDA Developers reports that the phone will come in single SIM and dual-SIM variants

With respect to cameras, it turns out the Moto G Stylus has three sensors on its back and not four. We erroneously reported it has four cameras but on closer inspection, the fourth hole actually houses a laser focus system and not a sensor.

The primary camera is a 48MP f/1.7 Samsung S5KGM1 camera and it is paired with a 16MP f/2.2 117° wide-angle “Action Cam”. The wide-angle camera is the same one that debuted on the Motorola One Action. The camera allows users to record wide-angle videos even though the phone is held in portrait mode. The third sensor is a 2MP f/2.2 macro camera. Motorola has put a 25MP f/2.0 camera in front for selfies.

The Moto G Stylus has a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner and packs a 4000mAh battery. While we expect it to have support for at least 15W fast charge, it is said that the FCC filing for the device says it supports just 10W fast charge.

The phone will have NFC in some regions while other regions will miss out on the feature. What is consistent across all markets is that it will run Android 10 out of the box.

The phone will have four regional variants – North America, Latin America, China, and an international variant.

The source also mentions some software features of the phone. The Moto G Stylus will have an app that can be configured to launch an app or shortcut when the stylus is removed from its slot. There is also a feature called “Moto Note” whose function doesn’t need to be explained. However, it has been revealed that users will be able to erase with a finger while using the stylus. They will also be able to add a watermark with a date on written notes.

This app will also record the time and location you removed the stylus and send you a notification if the stylus has not been reinserted after a certain duration. This way, you can keep track of the location of the stylus.

Moto G Stylus bottom

A render of the phone’s bottom shows the stylus is positioned at the bottom right corner of the phone. There is an audio jack to the far left while a USB Type-C port sits in the middle and a speaker grill flanks it on the right.

The launch date for the Moto G Stylus is still unknown.

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(Source)

Moto G series sales hit 100M; Motorola marks the milestone with discount offers

By
Jed John Ikoba
-

Lenovo-owned Motorola has announced that the Moto G-series has sold up to 100 million units since inception. This was revealed by the company on Thursday. To mark the milestone, the US company is on a discount spree which will see customers purchase selected Moto models at pocket-friendly prices. The models include the Moto G7 series, Moto Z3 Play, Moto Z4, Motorola One Zoom, and Motorola One Action.Moto G7 Plus

The most spectacular offer is that of a free smartphone with each purchase of select models. In this regard, customers who opt for the Moto G7, Moto G7 Power, Motorola One Action, Motorola One Zoom or Moto Z4 will get a 32GB Deep Indigo Moto G6 or Moto G6 Play free of charge. Regardless of the free phone offer, all the models listed above are also available at jaw-dropping price tags.

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In addition, Motorola is offering a BOGO deal for customers who specifically choose to buy a Moto G6 or Moto G6 Play. Here are the listed price tags.

Moto G7 – $200 ($100 off)
Moto G7 Power – $180 ($70 off)
Moto G7 Play – $130 ($70 off)
Moto Z3 Play – $230 (up to $320 off + two Moto style shells)
Motorola One Action – $250 ($100 off)
Motorola One Zoom – $350 ($100 off)
Moto E6 – $100 ($50 off)
Moto Z4 – $400 ($100 off + Moto 360 camera mod or Polaroid Insta-Share Printer)
Moto G6 – $150 ($170 off)

Furthermore, military personnel that are on active service including veterans, retired officers, and reservist personnel are eligible to receive a further 10% military discount. This also applies to students who are interested in any of the models in this discount promo.

UP NEXT: First Samples from the 108MP Mi Mix Alpha is here & we are not impressed!

 

(source, via)

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