Realme has been gaining some decent traction with the Android community. Unlike most companies, Realme has been very dev friendly, allowing users to easily unlock the bootloader of its phones. They’ve also been releasing kernel sources for their devices ever since the Realme 1, and now they’re keeping with the trend by releasing kernel source codes for the Realme XT, Realme 5 and Realme 5 Pro.
Kernel sources are very important for developers and power users. It allows them to dive deeper into the code that runs their device, allowing them to figure out different ways to improve their device’s overall performance and capabilities. Kernel source releases are also helpful for custom ROM development, which in turn benefits users who aren’t satisfied with the stock ROM on their phone.
With the release of the kernel sources for the Realme XT, Realme 5, and Realme 5 Pro, we expect to see a major boost in third-party development for these devices. All three devices run Realme’s ColorOS based on Android Pie. Since the devices are expected to receive the Android 10 update next year, the kernel source release spells good news for those of you who would like to try Android 10 before the official release.
Vivo V17 Pro, the premium mid-range smartphone from the Chinese brand, which was launched in India last month, has now received a price cut. The company has announced a price cut of ₹2,000, roughly $28.
The smartphone packs 8GB RAM and 128GB of internal storage and was launched for ₹29,990 (~$422) but is now available for ₹27,990 (~$394) after the price cut just a few weeks after its official launch.
The new pricing of the smartphone is now reflecting on the eCommerce platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart. It seems that the price cut is also applicable for the offline stores. The Vivo V17 Pro comes in two color options — Midnight Ocean and Glacier Ice.
The handset features a 6.44-inch Super AMOLED display with 2340 x 1080 pixels screen resolution. It is a true full-screen display, all thanks to the pop-up design and boasts 91.65 percent screen to body ratio.
Under the hood, the device is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 processor with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. As for the battery, the phone has a 4100mAh battery and supports 18W fast charging.
The company is offering a quad-camera setup on the back featuring a 48MP Sony (IMX582) primary sensor with f/1.8 aperture, an 8MP f/2.2 AI Super-wide angle lens, a 13MP f/2.5 telephoto lens that supports 2x optical zoom (10x digital zoom) and a 2MP f/2.4 depth sensor.
It is the world’s first smartphone to feature a dual pop-up front camera. The primary camera is a 32MP f/2.0 lens while the second 8MP wide-angle camera is aimed at ‘groufies’ with its 105-degree field of view.
The phone also comes with an in-display fingerprint sensor. It is relatively thick at 9.8mm and weighs 201 grams. Other features include BL 5.0, Wi-Fi dual-band, Android 9 Pie operating system based FunTouch OS 9.1.
There have been reports that Xiaomi’s Mi CC9 series will be getting a new member this month. Honestly, we think Xiaomi (and some other top manufacturers) has released more than enough smartphones this year. The phone is said to be called the Mi CC9 Pro and its alleged specs and price have leaked.
The source of the leak is Sudhanshu Ambhore (@sudhanshu1414). Although he doesn’t specifically state which device it is, the spec of the primary camera corresponds to what we have heard about the Mi CC9 Pro.
The Xiaomi CC9 (pictured above) is expected to get a Pro version soon
The phone will have a 6.4-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a waterdrop notch and an in-display fingerprint scanner. It will be powered by the Snapdragon 730G processor, the same chipset inside the Realme X2. There will be 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. There is no mention of other configurations, so we may be getting a single variant.
The selling point of the Mi CC9 Pro will be its cameras. There will be three sensors on the rear with the primary one being a 108MP camera, the same one as the Mi MIX Alpha. The phone will also have a 13MP ultrawide angle camera and an 8MP telephoto camera. Inside the notch will be a 32MP camera.
Snapdragon 730G 6.4" Full HD+ AMOLED with waterdrop notch In-display FS 108MP + 13MP (Wide Angle) + 8MP (Telephoto) 32MP 4000mAh with 20W+ charging Android 10 IR blaster NFC 9mm thick 180g 6GB+128GB around 2599 Yuan
Xiaomi will ship the Mi CC9 Pro with a 4000mAh battery with support for 20W+ fast charging (most likely 27W fast charging like that of the Mi 9). It will run Android 10 out of the box, have NFC, and an IR blaster. The leak also mentions the phone weighs 180 grams.
The Mi CC9 Pro will not be cheap. It will sell for ¥2599 (~$367), much higher than the Realme X2 which has a price tag of ¥1899 (~$268) for its 8GB + 128GB version.
Xiaomi is yet to announce when the phone will launch but we expect a date will be revealed next week.
A number of Hisense phones have been certified by TENAA in the past couple of months but the electronics manufacturer hasn’t announced any new phone yet. That changes on October 23 as Hisense is set to announce two new devices – the Hisense A5 and the Hisense A6L.
Hisense A5
The Hisense A5 is not like a lot of the other phones out there. It has been reported that the phone will have an e-ink display and not an IPS or OLED display. Just a single e-ink display with an aspect ratio unlike that of other e-ink readers. The poster says it is a new type of e-ink display for the mobile industry.
The image shows the Hisense A5 has a single rear camera on the back. The photo seems to match that of the Hisense HLTE202N that was certified by TENAA last week.
The TENAA listing reveals the display is 5.84-inches in size with a 1440 x 720 resolution. The phone has a 1.8GHz octa-core processor and up to 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The rear camera is a 13MP sensor and there is a 5MP camera in front. There is also a 3900mAh battery under the hood and Android 9 Pie pre-installed.
Hisense A6L
The Hisense A6L is a successor to the dual-screen Hisense A6 that was announced last year. There are no details about the device but the image shows that there are two cameras above the e-ink display on the back of the phone, unlike its predecessor which has just one rear camera.
We are aware of the fact that at least some electronic devices which include home appliances have been proven guilty of surveilling people around them. According to new study originating from Princeton University, smart TV boxes which are found in most houses in countries like the U.S are no exception.
Arvind Narayanan who is associate professor of computer science at Princeton University wrote a mail to TheVerge stating:
If you use a device such as Roku and Amazon Fire TV, there are numerous companies that can build up a fairly comprehensive picture of what you’re watching
There’s very little oversight or awareness of their practices, including where that data is being sold.
Clearly, the sale of user data is one major reason these TV boxes have gotten cheaper over the last few years. For reference, Roku is able to sell its TV box for as less as $ 200 only because the device is subsidized by money generated from targeted advertisements. Most of us are unaware, we agree to this while signing up for the contract as these terms are buried in lengthy privacy policies that most of us are never bothered to read.
Like other publishers, smart TV app developers can use Google’s ad services to show ads against their content, and we’ve helped design industry guidelines for this that enable a privacy-safe experience for users
Depending on the user’s preferences, the developer may share data with Google that’s similar to data used for ads in mobile apps or on the web
Although it is possible to turn off personalised advertisements on these TV boxes, this would only stop a user’s advertising ID from being tracked. Other details like the device serial number, Wi-Fi network could still be tracked which can be used to pinpoint the user making the opt-out option somewhat irrelevant.
Similar to TV boxes, smartphone manufacturers are often observed serving advertisements on their devices which allows them to price their offerings a little lower.
What are your thoughts on targeted ads as a means of revenue? Do you support this, as it often makes a given service or product more affordable for consumers or are you willing to retain your privacy by shelling out money from your pocket? Let us know in the comments below.
GeekBuying has launched a new promotion dubbed Best Sellers, which is updated every day.
Aside from doling out on amazing products across various categories, the Chinese online store is giving PayPal users a chance to save more money with PayPal Exclusive Coupons.
You can use coupon code GKB50PP for $50 off on orders over $500, coupon code GKB20PP helps you get $20 off on orders over $200, you can use coupon code GKB10PP to save $10 if your cart value exceeds $100, and coupon code GKB02PP enables you to grab an extra $2 off on orders over $10. The rest of the products have carefully been placed under specific categories.
We will be checking out the noteworthy discount you can get on the AMAZFIT GTS smart sports watch, which is placed under the TOP 10 category on the activity page. Aside from that, we show how you can save a considerable amount of more money during the check out process.
AMAZFIT GTS Smart Sports Watch
Huami announced the Amazfit GTS along with Amazfit Stratos 3 in China and took the wraps off both watches in Germany during the IFA 2019 trade show. This is probably the fastest international launch for an AMAZFIT branded product.
Loaded with exciting features, the Amazfit GTS sports a 1.65-inch rectangular Super Retina-grade AMOLED display with HD resolution of 348 x 442 pixels and 2.5D Gorilla Glass 3 on top for added protection. Moreover, it offers a hundred different watch faces.
The watch has GNSS (GPS+GLONASS) and is backed by a 220mAh Lithium polymer battery that delivers an impressive battery life of two weeks (25 hours with GPS turned on). On top of that, it has a heart-rate sensor that can continuously track up to 12 different sporting activities.
The AMAZFIT GTS is 50 meters water-resistant, which means you can wear it while swimming and also record your data. It features 20mm quick release silicone straps, which are available in six different colors. Moreover, the watch is compatible with both, Android, as well as iOS devices.
There’s no dearth of smart wearables offering comparable features in the market, but they aren’t easy on the pocketbook. The AMAZFIT GTS Smart Sports Watch, on the other hand, can now be yours for a lowered price of just $149.99 from GeekBuying. This is a 46 percent drop in the watch’s original asking price of $279.99.
On top of that, you can use coupon code 3VRUCC7B for an extra $10 off. In other words, you can bring the already lowered asking price of the GTS further down to only $139.99 simply by applying the aforesaid coupon at the time of checking out.
If you place your pre-order with PayPal, you can get the AMAZFIT GTS Smart Sports Watch for only $132.99, which is an absolute steal. You can visit this link and check out more details about the AMAZFIT GTS and take advantage of the coupon before it expires.
Also, check out GeekBuying’s Best Sellers promotion for great discounts on a wide selection of products.
As we’ve informed you last week, the Blackview BV9800 Series is finally available on the Kickstarter crowdfunding platform where huge discounts for super early birds are offered. Three Super Early Bird perks are currently available for BV9800 and BV9800 Pro so let’s check them out.
Perk details
BV9800 Pro
Super early bird: $399, limited quantity of 200, packed with a gift of tempered screen protector
Early bird: $429, limited quantity of 300, packed with a gift of tempered screen protector and Type-C adapter
Kickstarter special: $469, unlimited quantity, packed with a gift of tempered screen protector and 3-in-1 data cable
BV9800
Super early bird: $299, limited quantity of 200, packed with a gift of tempered screen protector
Early bird: $329, limited quantity of 300, packed with a gift of tempered screen protector and Type-C adapter
Kickstarter special: $369, unlimited quantity, packed with a gift of tempered screen protector and 3-in-1 data cable
The BV9800 series gained skyrocketing popularity among rugged smartphone fanatics and outdoor adventurers since it features exceptional thermal imaging functions and a top Sony® 48MP camera, the same that most 48MP phones are using. Let’s take a glance at what the box has to offer.
The BV9800 Pro box includes the phone, a pair of earphones (that’s a surprise), a charging adapter, a USB Type-C cable, a screen protector, a user manual, a shaped card, and a SIM ejector.
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In terms of design, build quality, hardware configuration, and performance, both the BV9800 and BV9800 Pro are quite promising. Both sport a 6.3″ IPS FHD+ display with a waterdrop notch design that hosts the 16MP selfie camera. In addition, the good old 3.5mm headphone jack is present while the bottom hosts the USB Type-C port. What’s more, the BV9800/BV9800 Pro come equipped with a fingerprint sensor placed on the right side.
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Of course, they continue to be rugged flagships so both come with IP68/IP69K waterproof body and MIL-STD-810G certification. In addition, there is GPS, GLONASS and Beidou triple navigation system as well as a big, 6580mAh battery. Definitely an ideal configuration for outdoor enthusiasts or adventurers. And their performance is no slouch either as they feature MediaTek’s Helio P70 8-core SoC backed by 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage expandable via a microSD slot.
All the above are standard to most Blackview rugged phones but the killer feature of the Series is the 48MP triple rear camera on both phones and the FLIR® Lepton® thermal imaging camera found in the Pro version. It is a 5MP camera assisted with thermal imaging.
Now the Blackview BV9800 series is available on Kickstarter. If you love outdoor adventures and you need a rugged phone, then you maybe be interested in the Blackview BV9800 series. Don’t forget that the Pro version can let you see the heat and capture every good moment with the 48MP Sony camera. You can back the campaign over here.
Besides the Kickstarter campaign, Blackview also launched a giveaway on its official website to recruit 10 testers for the BV9800 and BV9800 Pro. Visit the promotion activity to try your luck.
Huawei, which is currently the world’s second-largest smartphone maker in the world has been designated to a blacklist by the U.S Commerce Department which bars all American corporations from having any sort of trade relations with the company. Due to this, Huawei cannot certify its new handsets with Google‘s license despite running on the latest version of AOSP (Android Open Source Project).
Following the ban, it was revealed that Huawei was working on a secret OS for a long time, codenamed HongMeng OS. Huawei was reported to have developed this platform as a unified OS compatible with a wide variety of products ranging from smartphones to smart TVs to car infotainment systems.
While this OS, which is officially dubbed HarmonyOS has already been publicized with the launch of Honor Vision TV, it still isn’t very refined. In simpler words, a lot of time and effort is required to be invested before it can be ready for other consumer devices like smartphones. Noteworthy, Huawei’s CEO Ren Zhengfei had recently made a statement that “HarmonyOS will be able to compete with Apple’s iOS in 2 years”. Although this seems like a bold claim, it’s worth adding that Huawei has the resources to deliver on its promise.
But even if Huawei manages to ready the HarmonyOS in the coming months, it will be hard to convince users to purchase a device with an unfamiliar OS. In order to solve this dilemma, Huawei might have come up with a thoughtful solution – dual OS.
According to reports, the upcoming P40 which will succeed the Huawei P30 from the current year will be capable of dual-booting both Android and HarmonyOS, straight from the factory. The concept of a dual boot on smartphones hasn’t really caught on but this might be the only possible solution for Huawei to evade this tricky situation.
Honor Vision Smart TV with HarmonyOS
In case you are unaware of what dual boot means, Huawei is said to ship its upcoming P40 flagship device with two separate operating systems, HarmonyOS and AOSP, which will be completely independent of each other. Explaining a bit further, the OSes will be independent of each other, with their own set of apps and files. Essentially, it will function like two different smartphones in one package.
With this strategy, users will be able to experience what Huawei’s latest operating system brings to the table. They would also be safeguarded by the backup option to run Android (AOSP), in case they don’t like HarmonyOS.
Besides this will not only allow Huawei to get vital customer feedback which can be used to further enhance the user experience but also enable it to showcase some of its original features that might currently be missing on most popular mobile operating systems — iOS and Android.
Huawei P30 Pro
Going by the previous launch cycles of Huawei’s “P” lineup of smartphones, the P40 is expected to launch in March of 2020. Henceforth, we will have to wait patiently to learn whether chooses to go this route or not.
What are your takes on this possible solution from Huawei? Do let us know in the comments below.
Apple has been long anticipated to launch a pair of TWS earphones which would support active noise cancellation. While they have previously been claimed to launch on numerous occasions, unfortunately, all of them have turned out false. However, last month the logo of redesigned AirPods was discovered in the source code of the latest beta version of iOS. Surprisingly, these matched exactly with prior case leaks that originated from China which sealed the deal about their existence.
According to a fresh report published by China Economic Daily, we won’t have to wait for long as the long-awaited “AirPods Pro” will launch before the end of October. As you would have noticed, the upcoming wireless pair of earphones from Apple won’t be named AirPods 3 which was previously claimed, instead, they will carry the “Pro” branding similar to what has been observed with the iPhone XI and iPhone XI Pro.
Alleged Case of redesigned AirPods
Therefore, they are presumed to coexist with the regular AirPods which were last updated earlier this year with the H1 chip and support for wireless charging. In terms of pricing, they are reported to cost NT$ 8,000 before taxes which roughly translates to US $ 260. Their higher price tag also strengthens the assumption of them coexisting with the standards AirPods which are sold at a price of $ 199 inclusive of taxes.
Although the final design is yet to be publicised by Apple, based upon leaks and reports, several renders have been made, out of which one is shared below.
AirPods Pro render based on past leaks
In comparison to the current variant, these feature an in-ear style design with silicon buds which would prevent them from slipping outside of the ear while working or performing other intensive physical activities. Besides, their stem has also be reworked which would allow them to fit in a smaller charging case whose image is shared above.
To wrap things, the launch of the AirPods Pro seems imminent, however, we will have to wait until the official announcement to obtain precise details including its exact price.
What are your thoughts on their design renders? Do you prefer these or the original AirPods look more appealing to you? Let us know in the comments below.
The yet-to-be-released Vivo U3 may give some of the new mid-range phones in the market a run for their money. It not only has impressive specs but adds an affordable price tag too.
A pre-order page is already live on Jingdong.com and it reveals the new mid-range phone has a starting price of ¥999 (~$140)! That is an amazing price for a phone that has a Snapdragon 675 processor, triple rear cameras, and a 5000mAh battery. But that isn’t all the new Vivo phone has to offer.
The Vivo U3 has a 6.53-inch FHD+ display with a 19.5:9 aspect ratio and a 90.3 screen-to-body ratio. The display has a waterdrop notch that is home to a 16MP f/2.0 AI selfie camera that can identify 103 different facial features.
On the back of the phone are three cameras arranged vertically. The first is an 8MP f/2.4 super wide-angle camera and it is followed by a 16MP f/1.78 sensor which is the primary camera. At the bottom just below the LED flash is a 2MP f/2.4 camera with a macro lens. There are a number of camera features such as Super Night View 2.0, 4 cm macro photography, and even Face Wake which unlocks your phone super fast using your face.
[envira-gallery id=”283970″]
The Snapdragon 675 processor is paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. There is also a 6GB RAM version with the same amount of storage for ¥1199 (~$169). If you want more storage, Vivo has got you covered as the U3 has a triple card tray for 2 nano SIMs and a MicroSD card (256GB max.).
The Vivo U3 has a 3D curved body and underneath is a 5000mAh battery. There is support for 18W fast charging but you have to make do with a MicroUSB port. It also has an audio jack and a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner.
The phone weighs 193 grams and measures 162.15 x 76.47 x 8.89 millimeters. It is available in porcelain green, black, and blue. The pre-order runs until the 00:00 on October 24 which means the phone should be announced on the same day.
Huawei’s pace of launching new devices in spite of the U.S ban seems unaffected. Earlier today, it had teased the Huawei Nova 5Z mid-range smartphone and now, renders of an upcoming high-end tablet from the company have surfaced online. The device is alleged to be the MediaPad M7, the successor of the huawei MediaPad M6 which was launched earlier this year.
Right off the bat, the design of the Huawei MediaPad M7 looks heavily inspired by the Apple iPad Pro. The upcoming Huawei tablet features a large screen display on the front which is surrounded by thin bezels on all four sides. Its body/shell seems to be made out of aluminium which will provide for a sturdy in-hand feel. The rear of the device houses the company branding and a capsule-shaped camera module which protrudes slightly from the surface.
The leak has also revealed two accessories for the tablet which includes a detachable physical keyboard and a stylus which rests on its top when not in use, that is assumed to charge it’s the built-in battery. Like the MediaPad M7 draws inspiration from the iPad Pro, its accessories also look highly reminiscent to those of the iPad.
While the MediaPad M7 has dual bottom-firing speakers and USB C port, Huawei seems to have done away with the 3.5 mm headphone jack. Even though the source has not revealed any specs of the upcoming tablet, it is presumed to have top of the line features.
Accordingly, the MediaPad M7 could be kitted with the HiSilicon Kirin 990 SoC and 8 GB of RAM or higher. All in all, it looks like a worthy flagship-grade tablet which along with Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S6 can lead the bandwagon of Android tablets against Apple’s iPads that have a significant market share.
Even though its launch date has not been revealed yet, it could be unveiled alongside the Nova 5Z which will launch on 21st of October.
A new Hisense phone has been certified by TENAA just a few days after we reported two new ones received their certifications. The new phone’s model number is HLTE226T and it is a mid-range device with a big battery and contact pins for possible modular accessories.
The Hisense HLTE226T has a 6.517-inch screen with a 1600 x 720 resolution. It is powered by a 2.0GHz octa-core processor paired with 4GB, 6GB or 8GB of RAM. Depending on the RAM, the phone will have 64GB, 128GB or 256GB of storage.
[envira-gallery id=”283944″]
Hisense has put three cameras on the rear of the phone. The primary camera is a 13MP sensor and it is paired with two 2MP sensors. There is also an 8MP camera in front for selfies.
The TENAA listing says the phone supports storage expansion (128GB max.). It has an oddly-shaped fingerprint scanner on the back and at the bottom are ten gold contact pins that hint at the device having support for accessories that slap on to the back.
The Hisense HLTE226T has a 5360mAh battery and runs Android 9 Pie. It weighs 205 grams and measures 166.2 x 76.4 x 9.47 millimeters. It will be available in black and green.
In June of this year, Huawei announced the Nova 5 series. The series includes the Kirin 710F-powered Nova 5i, the Nova 5 with a Kirin 810 processor, and the Nova 5 Pro flagship powered by the Kirin 980. The following month, it announced the Nova 5i Pro and followed it with the Nova 5T, a rebranded Honor 20, in August for markets outside China. Huawei isn’t done yet as it has just released a teaser for a new phone called the Nova 5z.
The teaser poster not only reveals the design of the phone but also mentions some key specs. Starting with the design, the Nova 5z has a display devoid of a notch but has a hole in the top left corner. The top and side bezels are also really slim though it does have a little bit of chin.
The rear of the phone does stand out thanks to its matrix-style quad rear cameras. The squircle camera housing is a bit raised and beside it is an LED flash. Underneath the four cameras is a fingerprint scanner. The phone is shown in two variants – green and aurora.
For the specs, the poster reveals the Nova 5z will have a Kirin 810 processor inside. This is the 7nm chipset Huawei announced this year as a successor to the Kirin 710. The poster also mentions the primary rear camera is a 48MP sensor and the selfie camera is a 32MP sensor with night mode.
Huawei didn’t mention a release date but it should be around the corner.
Touted as one of China’s leading manufacturers of robotic home cleaners and other cleaning appliances, Roborock has launched the Roborock S5 2nd Anniversary promotion on Gearbest.
As part of the recently kicked-off promo, Gearbest users will be able to get $10 off $100 on the Roborock brand. The promotion page features some of Roborock’s popular cleaners including the Roborock S50, Roborock S6 LDS, Roborock S55, along with a slew of Roborock accessories.
More importantly, you can buy these amazing products for considerably lowered prices. For the sake of an instance, the Roborock S50 Smart Robot Vacuum Cleaner would normally set you back $664.20, but you can now buy it for just $379.99 from the promotion page.
To extend this 43 percent discount, all you need to do is to apply coupon code GB-ROBOROCK at checkout. The coupon helps you save $10 more by reducing the retail price of the S50 to just $369.99 before you place your order.
The Roborock S6 LDS Scanning SLAM Algorithm Robot Vacuum Cleaner which normally carries a $656.77 price tag has gone up for sale bearing a lowered price of only $599. This is a noteworthy 9 percent drop in the vacuum cleaner’s original selling price.
On top of that, you can save $10 more by applying coupon code GB-ROBOROCK. The coupon enables you to reduce the original asking price of the Roborock S6 LDS Scanning SLAM Algorithm Robot Vacuum Cleaner to just $589 even before you click the ‘Place Your Order’ button.
Alternatively, you can go for the Roborock S55 Smart Vacuum Cleaner, which usually retails for $560.51, but can now be yours for a lowered price of just $379.99. This is a 32 percent reduction in the device’s original asking price.
Moreover, you can get an extra $10 off by applying coupon code GB-ROBOROCK at the time of checking out. In other words, you can bring the already lowered asking price of the S55 smart vacuum cleaner further down to just $369.99.
The Roborock Accessories category features devices that help you enhance the overall performance of your Roborock branded vacuum cleaners. More importantly, you can get these accessories at lowered prices during the activity period.
The section features Roborock S50 S55 Main Brush Cover, Roborock Dock Charger, Durable Vacuum Cleaner Accessories Home Improvement for XIAOMI Mijia Roborock Robot Vacuum Cleaner, and Water Tank Filters Accessories. These accessories will be up for grabs for reduced prices until the promotion comes to an end.
For example, the Roborock S50 S55 Main Brush Cover is currently available for just $12.73; while it would normally set you back $15.23 on both online, as well as offline stores. This 16 percent discount will be valid for a limited period only.
You can click here to visit the activity page and take full advantage of the discounts before the promo comes to an end.
The concluding section dubbed More Deals features other amazing Gearbest promotions you might want to check out. It is also worth noting that the brand code GB-ROBOROCK will be valid for the first hundred Roborock branded items.
Vivo has basically got its fans covered in all categories ranging from budget, mid-range to flagship models. The company recently unveiled the Vivo U3x in China precisely on September 23 with entry-level specs. Yet another entry-level device may likely be launched soon as teased an upcoming Vivo U3 that is powered by a Snapdragon 675 chipset.
Apart from revealing the presence of a Snapdragon 675 chipset onboard the Vivo U3, the teaser also contained the render of the device showing the rear panel. The U3 will have a triple camera setup at the rear which is angled vertically in a single module at the top left. The device also packs a physical fingerprint sensor. We must point out that the U3 looks identical to the Vivo U3x which itself is a rebranded version of the Vivo U10.
Other specifications were not disclosed but we turn to TENAA where a Vivo model had appeared with the model number V1934A/T a while back. The TENAA listing showed the phone will feature a 6.53-inch FHD+ display with a waterdrop notch design. The notch houses a 16MP selfie camera. The phone will be available in 4GB/6GB RAM versions as well as 128GB of expandable storage. The triple rear camera comprises a 16MP main shooter teaming up with an 8MP ultrawide angle sensor and a 2MP depth sensor. The device packs an impressive 5000mAh battery.
The Vivo U3 is expected to go on pre-sale in China on October 21 but the price and official launch date are still hazy. According to rumors, it will be priced in the 1,000 yuan ($140) range. We expect more details to emerge in the coming days.
A Weibo user has posted a screenshot of his private message exchange with Xiaomi‘s Li Xiaoshuang, general manager of Xiaomi TV. The blogger had asked when the next-generation Mi TV will be launched since the year s drawing to an end. The Xiaomi exec is said to have hinted that the Mi TV 5 will be released in no distant time, specifically, within a month.
If we are to take Li’s statement literally, it implies that the Mi TV 5 will be released before November 19 and that is likely to be in China. IT Homes quotes an inside source to have said that the Mi TV 5 will be released before 11.11 (November 11). Interestingly, there has been virtually no indication of a new-generation Mi TV coming. The company recently launched the Mi TV Pro but apart for the 8K support, the TV isn’t too spectacular.
Xiaomi TV factory India
Xiaomi continues to rank as the number one smart TV brand in China and even in India. According to data released by Aowei.com, the firm shipped a total of 5.4 million smart TV units in the first half of 2019. This represents a year-on-year increase of 64.9%. It may interest you to note that the Chinese giant shipped 8.4 million units in 2018. So, this year’s shipment will likely be higher and Xiaomi will want to rejig sales with a new-gen Mi TV 5. Xiaomi TV’s GM recently conducted a Weibo survey which suggested the company was planning to take on the premium TV segment similar to what OnePlus did with the OnePlus TV Q1 models. So could we see Xiaomi launch a QLED TV this year? Let’s keep our fingers crossed.
OnePlus is among the early birds to launch a 5G smartphone with the launch of the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G alongside the OnePlus 7 earlier this year. Although the premium phone maker announced the OnePlus 7T and 7T Pro recently, both models did not come with 5G support.
Oneplus 7 pro
In a surprise twist, OnePlus Founder/CEO Liu Zuohu has hinted that the company will launch a dual-mode 5G phone before the end of this year. The CEO stated this in an interview where he also gave reasons why the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G wasn’t launched in China, stating that it is exclusively for the overseas market. Thus, the upcoming dual-mode 5G phone will be launched in China and may be exclusively for the Chinese market.
Liu Zuohu didn’t reveal an exact date when the device will be launched or the moniker it adopts. But he stated that it will be unveiled in Q4 2019. One thing is sure, though, the device will be a premium phone model as the CEO also added that the 5G era will not rely on low-end 5G mobile phones to grab market sales.
The most outstanding part of the disclosure is that the device will support the non-standalone (NSA) and standalone (SA) modes for 5G. Non-standalone (NSA) and standalone (SA) are two 5G tracks that communication service providers can opt for when transitioning from 4G to the next-generation mobile technology. The first 5G networks to roll out are NSA deployments that focus on enhanced mobile broadband to provide higher data-bandwidth and reliable connectivity. NSA mode entails 5G networks will be aided by existing 4G infrastructure. So service providers who want to be first to offer 5G speeds will start with NSA and, once 5G coverage is established, implement standalone 5G.
Further, the OnePlus is said to have hinted that the 5G phone will likely use the Qualcomm SM7250 processor which isn’t a flagship SoC. The processor is a mid-range chipset but comes with a 5G modem.
We may need to see more details to get an idea of what the 5G phone has onboard in terms of hardware. But we expect the device to come with cheaper pricing than the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G. We’ll keep you updated when more details emerge.
Realme went official with the much-touted Realme X2 Pro flagship in China. The device comes with several spectacular features, the most prominent is the 90Hz display refresh rate and a Snapdragon 855+ chipset. One would have expected the phone to come in at around $500 with these features but the device hits with an affordable starting price of 2,599 Yuan (~$367) for the 6GB+64GB storage version! While we wait for the BBK subsidiary to launch the device in India slated for November 20 and subsequently in other global markets, here are some hands-on pictures of the X2 Pro right out of China.
As a reminder, the device packs a 6.5-inch AMOLED display with a waterdrop notch which gives it a 91.7 per cent screen-to-body ratio. The display is covered by a Gorilla Glass 5 panel offers full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels as well as 90Hz refresh rate. It also comes with some other exciting features like USB 3.0 storage, 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C, dual-frequency GPS, NFC, 3.5mm audio jack and 50W fast charging.
You also get an in-display fingerprint scanner that can unlock the device in just 0.23 seconds. There is also dual-SIM slots but no microSD slot as the device doesn’t support storage expansion.
At the rear is The Realme X2 Pro has a vertical camera module in the upper half of its back panel which houses four sensors. The main sensor is a Samsung GW1 64-megapixel lens with f/1.8 aperture. There is also a telephoto lens of 13-megapixel with support for up to 20x hybrid zoom, an ultrawide lens of 8-megapixel with 115-degree field-of-view and a 2-megapixel depth sensor.
Realme redesigned its logo at the back placing it in a horizontal orientation just by the quad-camera module. For snapping selfies, the Realme X2 Pro is equipped with an AI-driven 16-megapixel selfie shooter.
Check out some cool photos of the Reame X2 Pro capturing all sides of the device from below.
In a global market choosing between products has become really hard so just imagine what a nightmare it is if someone had to buy a laptop. With hundreds of choices out there some newer models stand-out thanks to their excellent value/price ratio. Today, XIDU Tour Pro is our guest as we’ve had the chance to test it for a while and here’s our short review.
The Tour Pro is among the 3 new models that the Chinese manufacturer launched this year and it is for the most part business-oriented as it sports a 12.5″ display to be more portable but at the same time hosts a full-sized keyboard that is backlit and allows you to work in low-light conditions. The design is obviously affected by Apple’s design language while the 2K display is mostly found in more expensive models.
So, a beautiful design combined with a relatively powerful Intel Kaby Lake CPU live-up to the expectations of the company when they started planning the ideal portable workstation. For anyone looking for a go-anywhere, lightweight, beautiful ultraportable laptop that will take care of productivity tasks and even handle some gaming, the XIDU Tour Pro seems the perfect choice. Is it? Let’s see what our impressions were during the time we got our hands on it.
Design and Hardware
The device is made of metal and it’s pretty thin (0.62″) and light (3.5 pounds) despite the fact that it comes with a 180° hinge that allows the display to open all the way back on a table. Speaking of the display, it’s a 12.5″ one with 2K resolution and 10-point multitouch. The bezels around it are relatively thin and the screen/body ratio goes up to 88%. Also, XIDU managed to fit a full-sized backlit keyboard there too. The overall volume stays low and makes the laptop very portable.
Now, the Tour Pro might be called “a workstation” by the company but it doesn’t carry the power of the common workstations we know. It is not a performance beast but it balances between performance and cost featuring the Intel Kaby Lake R 3867U 1.8GHz CPU with a top clock speed of 4.0GHz. In order to make multitasking more comfortable, XIDU added 8GB of LPDDR4 RAM and 256GB SSD which can be expanded up to 512GB more via the SSD extra slot. What’s more, connectivity is decent as it sports more ports than a usual ultrabook like 1 x USB Type-C, 1 x USB 3.0, 1 x MicroSD reader, 1 x Headphone jack, and 1 x Charging Port. Obviously, the killer feature is the 2K resolution on such a small display as the usual resolution at this price range is HD or FHD.
Performance
Performance-wise, the XIDU Tour Pro is a perfect decision for expending media content (videos/music) and doing office work. The moderately powerful CPU backed by the 8GB of RAM and SSD (not eMMC) offers smooth performance and stable multitasking experience. No problems were reported during 2K video playback on YouTube while performing other tasks at the same time.
Speaking about the display of a laptop, the main problem most users face is the low brightness and/or contrast that makes it impossible to use outdoors on a sunny day. This proved a non-problem for the Tour Pro as the brightness is adequate for outdoor use. Let us add that the speakers perform well but take into account that we are talking about laptop speakers. In addition, the backlit keyboard is a surprise as the luminance is even without any dark or bright spots detected. We even tried some 2K video editing as well as some 2K gaming during the hands-on and although the performance was obviously lower than gaming or workstation machine, it was acceptable. Lastly, the one-touch power button that allows you to power on the device while performing the fingerprint authentication using the Windows Hello platform, worked well and you jump into the Desktop in just 3 seconds.
Having used the XIDU Tour Pro 12.5 consistently for seven days, the overall impressions we got were positive. It is well-built, lightweight, and the body feels sturdy. The hinge is well-calibrated to allow opening the lid with one hand and it is stiff enough when using the touch display. The lid bounce is practically non-existent while the touchpad doesn’t experience the ill effects of the sluggishness.
For a student that takes online courses, the 2K display is brilliant and the GPU capabilities are a surprise. We tested Skyrim and it run well, albeit at low graphics settings. Don’t forget that we are talking about a device without a dedicated video card. Also, we used Blender for 3D design and 3D printing and no serious problems were faced there either. Again, nothing runs blazing fast but everything runs without problems.
The personal favorite part of the device is how well proportioned the design is. The 88% screen/body ratio and the big touchpad show that smart design isn’t dead. And that is the real surprise here as even the design king -Apple- offers the MacBook that is obviously very well built but comes with lower screen/body ratio that outcomes in extra space around the keyboard and display. Everything is beyond organized better than a MacBook to me.
We must confess that our expectations were low prior to getting our hand on the real thing but XIDU really delivered with the Tour Pro, especially for a laptop that costs under $500. If you are in the same position and want a device with a 2K display and good overall performance, you should definitely add the Tour Pro to your list. They even have their own online store now and you can get it for $50 off using coupon Tour50. Also, you can find it on Amazon US for a total of $60 off using coupon V8E3G6RE ($30 off + another $30 off using page coupon). Lastly, it’s also available on Aliexpress while you can get coupons for more XIDU devices here.
If you are searching for a high-end phone but you do not want to spend money in a large amount, you currently have a lot of choices, especially if you opt for Chinese smartphones. The latest alternatives for money savers in a lot of countries are Nubia Red Magic 3S, OnePlus 7T and Oppo Reno 2. All of them hitten the global market in the last days and they carry very interesting price tags. But they are made for different kinds of users. Here is a comparison between their specifications and features which should help you to better understand each of these devices and discover which one you should prefer.
Nubia Red Magic 3S vs OnePlus 7T vs Oppo Reno2
Nubia Red Magic 3S
OnePlus 7T
Oppo Reno 2
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
171.7 x 78.5 x 9.7 mm, 215 g
160.9 x 74.4 x 8.1 mm, 190 grams
160 x 74.3 x 9.5 mm, 189 g
DISPLAY
6.65 inches, 1080 x 2340p (Full HD+), AMOLED
6.55 inches, 1080 x 2400p (Full HD+), Fluid AMOLED
Triple 48 + 12 + 16 MP, f/1.6, f/2.2 and f/2.2
16 MP f/2.0 front camera
Quad 48 + 13 + 8 + 2 MP, f/1.7, f/2.4 and f/2.2
16 MP f/2.0 front camera
BATTERY
5000 mAh, fast charging 18W with Quick Charge 4+
3800 mAh, fast charging 30W
4000 mAh, fast charging 20W with VOOC Flash Charge 3.0
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
Dual SIM slot
Dual SIM slot
Hybrid Dual SIM slot
Design
If you are looking for the most elegant and innovative design, then Oppo Reno 2 is undoubtedly your top choice. It is the only to sport a notch-less display and it integrates a shark fin motorized pop-up camera which helps to minimize the bezels around the screen. Even the rear side made of glass is very original and elegant. Further, the Oppo Reno 2 is a more compact device than its opponents. Nubia Red Magic 3S is all but elegant since it is a gaming-centric phone and it has an aggressive design. But it is a lot better for gamers since it has not only RGB LEDs, but also additional keys to improve the gaming experience. The phone is indeed equipped with pressure sensitive zones on the back.
Display
If you are looking for the best display quality choose the OnePlus 7T without thinking twice. The support to full DCI-P3 coverage and the HDR10+ standard deliver the best performance in color reproduction and with multimedia content. OnePlus 7T also comes with a high 90 Hz refresh rate that is great for gamers. At the second place, we find the Nubia Red Magic 3S which still features an AMOLED display with a 90 Hz refresh rate, but it lacks the HDR10+ support. In each case you get a Full HD+ resolution.
Hardware/Software
OnePlus 7T and Nubia Red Magic 3S are the best performing phones since they are equipped with the best chipset by Qualcomm: the octa-core Snapdragon 855+ clocked at 2.96 GHz. Oppo Reno 2 is just an upper-midrange phone if we only consider performance, since it sports a Snapdragon 730G SoC. Nubia Red Magic 3S is more suitable for gaming since it integrates a built in fan instead of a classic cooling system, which helps to dissipate the heat a lot more. On the other hand, OnePlus 7T has a better software optimization and runs Android 10 out of the box, while Nubia Red Magic 3S and Oppo Reno 2 are still based on Android Pie.
Camera
Oppo Reno 2 has the most complete camera department since it sports an amazing quad camera on the back and even a good front camera with a front-facing LED flash. It has a bright focal aperture and it even supports OIS. Not many upper-midrange smartphone comes with such features. OnePlus 7T is almost at the same level with its rear triple camera, it has an even brighter aperture but it lacks a fourth monochromatic sensor.
Battery
Nubia Red Magic 3S is equipped with the biggest battery, so it should be able to last more on a single charge with most of the usage patterns. Oppo Reno 2’s battery is bigger than the one of the OnePlus 7T, but the latter fully charges in less time due to its faster charging technology.
Price
Nubia Red Magic 3S starts at €479/$534 globally, OnePlus 7T costs €599/$668 and Oppo Reno 2 costs €499/$556. Overall, OnePlus 7T is a more complete smartphone, but gamers should prefer the Nubia Red Magic 3S. Oppo Reno 2 is for everyone who does not need the best performance and display but wants to spend less money to get an amazing camera as well as an elegant design.
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Arvind Narayanan who is associate professor of computer science at Princeton University wrote a mail to TheVerge stating:
Right off the bat, the design of the Huawei MediaPad M7 looks heavily inspired by the 
