Poll of the Week: Is the Surface Duo an overrated device?

By

-

Oct 8, 2019

Last week, Microsoft held an event in New York where it announced a bunch of new products. Some of the products announced include the Surface Laptop which brought along a 15” version too, the Surface Pro 7, and the Surface Pro X. However, the highlight of the event was the unveiling of the Surface Neo dual-screen laptop and the Surface Duo dual-screen phone.

Both the Surface Neo and Surface Duo won’t be available until 2020 holidays but they have sparked a series of conversations. Our focus is on the Surface Duo which can be called a mini version of the Neo based on its size. However, it is much more than that.

The Surface Duo marks Microsoft’s re-entry into the smartphone business following its exit a few years ago. Apart from the design, another interesting feature of the device is that it runs Android. So not only is Microsoft back to making phones but Android phones and not a new OS for mobiles.

Coming to the poll, the public seems to be divided on their opinions about the Surface Duo. While some are really excited and can’t wait for it to launch, others are of the opinion that Microsoft is doing nothing new that has not been done before, and feel the device is probably overrated.

Yes, the Surface Duo is not the first smartphone with two displays and a foldable design. The ZTE Axon M which launched back in 2017 is still fresh in our minds and there were others before it.

While we have our own opinions on the Surface Duo, we want to know what you think? So take our poll and tell us if you think the Surface Duo is overrated or not. We will also like to read your opinions, so do drop a comment in the comment box.

[yop_poll id=7]

UMIDIGI F2 will amaze your friends with its colors and Holographic back cover

By

Dimitris Economou

-

Oct 8, 2019

It took a lot of time for smartphone manufacturers to realize that colorful devices appeal to consumers. Even Apple that is considered to be the most design-driven company out there, insisted on Black and Silver colors for a long time until this year that a wide color palette was added to iPhones. But even now, monochromatic pastel colors are used in most cases. The new UMIDIGI F2 thinks otherwise and features the company’s all-new “Holographic Design” which is industry-leading craftsmanship that is not easy to find in the budget segment.

The 3D shimmering effect is achieved by using a depth layer containing millions of shimmering, microscopic prisms with curved textures, and on top of that, a 2.5D curved glass layer. Combined together, make the light virtually dance across the back of the phone as you move it around. Two colors are chosen: Phantom Blue and Midnight Black. The adjectives “Phantom” and “Midnight” are ideal to describe the gradient effect that evokes the appearance of a dynamic pattern or a twinkling night sky.

The clever design isn’t just restricted to color. UMIDIGI’s design innovations are hardly restricted to color. As you can see in the photo above, instead of using a notch or a pop-up camera the company went with the third solution by cutting a 4.5mm punch-hole into the top-left of the display to house the 32MP selfie camera. That, along with the side-placed fingerprint sensor results in a comfortable skinny phone with a nearly bezeless 6.53’” FHD+ display.

One the back, the quad-camera that hosts the 48MP main sensor along with the ultra-wide and macro cameras is laid out in an L-shape instead of the traditional I-shape—leaving more room inside for a 5150mAh big battery with NFC. What’s more, the phone comes with high-end specs like the Helio P70 SoC backed by 6GB of RAM and 128GB of UFS 2.1 fast storage as well as Android 10.

The phone will go on global sale next Monday on Aliexpress with its price being undisclosed for now. We expect it to be below $250, though. Also, judging from the fact that the Chinese manufacturer is celebrating its 8th Annual Sale, the promotional price should be a surprise. So you’d better add the F2 to your cart now at the UMIDIGI Official Store on Aliexpress in case you miss the deal.

Lastly, as always, the company is running a big giveaway to recruit 10 trial users that will help improve the user experience. You can check out the full specs of F2 and join the giveaway on their official website.

Meizu 16S Pro Plus appears on billboard teaser in China

By

Airyl Jaszly

-

Oct 8, 2019

This year thus far, Meizu has yet to release a larger flagship device. We’ve seen the company release the 16s and 16s Pro, but both those devices have 6.2-inch displays that aren’t that large in the grand market of devices. That’s probably why we’re now beginning to see rumours and leaked ads about the company’s new device, the Meizu 16s Pro Plus.

Apparently a teaser billboard appeared recently in China essentially confirming the device’s existence. We can pretty much assume that specification-wise, it’ll be exactly the same as the previous Meizu 16s Pro outside of the larger display. We aren’t exactly sure if there will be any bigger changes, though we’re not expecting any huge changes.

Both smartphones use a vertical triple rear camera setup as well as a dream white colour. According to a recent teaser, the front is consistent with the Meizu 16s series. It uses a tri-bezeless full-screen design. It’s worth noting that as the size of the device increases, it usually means that the device can accommodate larger batteries and better hardware.

At present, the Meizu 16s Pro 6GB+128GB variant is priced at 2699 yuan, the 8GB+128GB variant priced at 2999 yuan and the 8GB+256GB version is priced at 3299 yuan. We can probably expect the 16s Pro Plus to fall in a similar price bracket, though the only confirmed colour so far is the white. We’re also expecting the Meizu 16T launch soon, so we could see a double launch.

(Source)

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 series lands in Malaysia; pricing starts at RM599 ($143)

By

Jeet

-

Oct 8, 2019

A couple of months ago, in August, Redmi launched its Redmi Note 8 and Redmi Note 8 Pro smartphones in its home country China. A few weeks ago, the Redmi Note 8 Pro was made available in Europe. Today, the company has launched the Redmi Note 8 series in Malaysia.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 features a 6.53-inch IPS LCD display with waterdrop notch and supports Full HD+ screen resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, 90 percent screen-to-body ratio and Gorilla Glass 5 protection.

Under the hood, the device is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 chipset, coupled with up to 4GB RAM and 128GB internal storage. It also comes with a dedicated microSD card slot, enabling users to further expand the phone’s storage capacity.

In the camera department, the device features a triple-camera setup on the back which consists of Sony IMX586 48-megapixel primary lens with f/1.79 aperture along with an 8-megapixel sensor, a 2-megapixel macro lens with 2cm focal length and a depth sensor of 2-megapixel. On its front, there’s a 13-megapixel selfie camera powered with AI beautification features.

The smartphone is running Android 9 Pie operating system out-of-the-box with the company’s own MIUI 10 custom interface on top. The device is powered by a 4,000mAh battery which supports 18W fast charging through USB Type-C port.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro

On the other hand, the Redmi Note 8 Pro comes with the same 6.53-inch IPS LCD display with waterdrop notch offering Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, 91.4 percent screen-to-body ratio, and Gorilla Glass 5 panels for protection.

Unlike the standard model, the Pro variant comes powered by MediaTek Helio G90T chipset which is touted to be a gaming-centric SoC. The device is offered with 6GB of RAM and up to 128GB internal storage along with a dedicated microSD card slot for expanding storage.

Coming to the camera department, it’s the first smartphone from Xiaomi to feature a 64MP camera sensor. The quad camera setup on the device includes an f/1.7 aperture 64-megapixel ISOCELL Bright GW1 as primary lens, an ultrawide lens of 8-megapixel, a 2-megapixel macro lens with 2cm focal length and a depth sensor of 2-megapixel.

On the front side, the device comes equipped with a 20-megapixel snapper for taking selfies and video calling. The phone runs Android 9 Pie operating system with the company’s own MIUI 10 on top. The device is powered by a 4,500mAh battery and comes with 18W fast charging support.

Pricing and Availability

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8:
- 3GB + 32GB: RM 599 (~$143)
- 4GB + 64GB: RM 799 (~$191)
- 4GB + 128GB: RM 899 (~$214)
- Colors: Space Black, Neptune Blue, Moonlight White

The company will start taking pre-order for the smartphone from today till 11th October. While the 4GB + 64GB will go on sale from 12th October, the other two models will be available for purchase from 18th October. Buyers will also get the Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic free with the smartphone, which costs RM 99 (~$24).

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro:
- 6GB + 64GB: RM 1,099 (~$262) / RM999 (~$238) (online exclusive)
- 6GB + 128GB: RM 1,199 (~$286)
- Colors: Ice Jade and Fritillaria White

Similar to the Redmi Note 8, the Pro variant will also be up for pre-order from 8th October till 11th October. Xiaomi has not revealed the availability dates but has confirmed that the buyers will get Black Shark Gaming Controller Left for free, which is worth RM 169 (~$40).

South Korea’s Seoul city will expand its free Wi-Fi network by 2022

By

Jeet

-

Oct 8, 2019

South Korea’s Seoul city will be expanding its free Wi-Fi network service across the city to cover 100 percent public and residential areas, the city government has announced. The rollout of the free Wi-Fi service to cover the entire city is expected to be completed by 2022.

With an aim to provide free Wi-Fi access to the city’s residents and visitors, the city government has confirmed that the current free Wi-Fi service, which already covers 31 percent of the city, will be expanded to cover 100 percent of key public areas and residential areas by the year 2022.

The report reveals that the plan is to cover around 326 sq. km. of the city which includes areas that have been categorized as relevant to everyday life, such as parks, parking lots and recreational sites. Do note that places like individual households, schools, factories and warehouses are excluded from the plan.

The city is reportedly planning to set up 23,750 wireless access points by the end of year 2022, which represents triple the numbers than the current wireless access points which stands at 7,420.

The installation of new free wireless access points will begin with public venues such as bus stops and the public transportation system. It’s noteworthy that Seoul city first opened up its Wi-Fi network to the public in 2011 and has been increasing wireless access points across the city since then.

The idea of increasing free Wi-Fi coverage in the city is a part of the city’s 102.7 billion-won (approximately $859 million) plan to build a smart network that encompasses Wi-Fi and internet of things (IoT) technology. It is expected to enable various IoT services such as smart parking services and safety services for the elderly living alone.

Of the total budget mentioned, 47 percent of that will be used to expand the public Wi-Fi network while the remaining 52 percent will be flagged for building wired and wireless telecommunications infrastructure and developing IoT technology.

According to the estimate of the officials, when the plan is completed, it will cut annual mobile charges by 3.87 trillion won for around 6.12 million users who use 9.6GB of internet data on average each month.

(Source)

Banggood Launches the 2019 Xiaomi Ecological Chain Sale, Offering Up to 70% Off on Top-Branded Products

By

Vinay Patel

-

Oct 8, 2019

Living up to its reputation for offering the best bang for your buck, Banggood has launched the 2019 Xiaomi Ecological Chain Sale.

As part of its latest promo, the Chinese online store is doling out up to a whopping 70 percent off on a wide range of products. Known for manufacturing products for Xiaomi’s huge fanbase, the ecological chain companies make speakers, drones, and various other high-end products.

The activity page will be featuring over 150 different brands such as Xiaomi and FIMI. Every week, Banggood will offer more than ten high-quality products from different brands that will have generic coupons so that users can get their hands on their favorite products without emptying their pockets.

Updated every fifteen days, the activity page is crammed with well-received products carrying lowered prices. To expedite and simplify the search process, these products have carefully been split into multiple categories. Let’s check them out.

The first section called 5-Star Recommendation is likely to sweep you off your feet as it features amazing products that you can buy without breaking the bank. For instance, the Dreame V9 Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner, which usually retails for $287.49 can now be yours for just $229.99, thanks to a 20 percent discount.

The Coupon Center section has been divided into Group 1 and Group 2 sub-categories, with each category comprising big coupon codes that you can use for discounts on various products from Yeelight, Aqara, Wowstick, Soocas, AMAZFIT, and FIMI. The Flash Deals section also gives you a chance to buy products from leading brands like FIMI, Yeelight, and AMAZFIT at lowered prices.

The following category called New Product features electronic items that have been added to Top 1 and Top 2 sub-categories. Each sub-category includes top-end electronic devices that usually cost a bomb, but are now available for reduced prices.

Brand conscious buyers can head straight to the Super Brand Collection section, wherein they can grab noteworthy discounts on RC drones, and parts, lighting accessories, smart wearables, and more. For instance, the international version of the AMAZFIT Verge smartwatch usually carries a steep price tag of $249.99, but it is now available for just $129.99 with free shipping on orders over $19.99.

The concluding section of the activity page dubbed More Hot Brand features products from 70mai, Aqara, deerma, Haylou, etc. More importantly, these products will be up for grabs for considerably lowered prices during the activity period.

To check out the offers and take full advantage of them, all you need to do is to follow this link without wasting time.

Banggood 2019 Xiaomi Ecological Chain Sale

Buy Teclast T30 Tablet for Just $199.99 from Gearbest [Free Gifts]

By

Vinay Patel

-

Oct 8, 2019

Primarily known for making PCs, Teclast also makes a slew of other products including power banks, USB flash, laptops, tablets, and 2-in-1. The latest product from the Chinese company is the Teclast T30 tablet.

To mark the global launch of the tablet, Teclast has launched a new promotion on Gearbest, giving its huge fanbase a chance to get their tech-greedy hands on the new tablet for a lowered price. Aside from the discount, there’s more for Teclast fans to cheer about. We will talk about it in just a bit.

Featuring a larger 4GB of RAM and an ample storage space in the form of 64GB of ROM, the Teclast T30 has gone up for bearing a lowered price of just $199.99, as part of its global launch on Gearbest. This is a 29 percent drop in the tablet’s original asking price of $281.40.

Other promo includes an add-on item worth $8.99 on orders over $20. As if that weren’t enough, you get Tablet Holster Protective Cover Case for Teclast T30 worth $9.99 as a free gift. To check out these offers and to take their full advantage, all you need to do is to follow this link.

The Teclast T30 packs a powerful MediaTek Helio P70 processor, which is the long-awaited successor to the Helio P60 SoC. This newfangled CPU consumes less power but offers a longer battery life.

Moreover, it has a highly competent ARM-MALI G72 MP3 GPU under the hood for a seamless 3D game playing experience. It runs the latest Android 9.0 Pie OS with AI intelligence to optimize and accelerate the machine’s performance.

It sports a full laminating process 10.1-inches HD IPS touch screen and adopts the 2.5D arc edge technology for a superior viewing experience. Housed in a robust, yet slim metal body, the Teclast T30 offers a comfortable grip and can be easily carried wherever you go.

The power-packed tablet draws its juices from a robust 8000mAh battery that allows you to watch 1080P movies online for eleven hours without requiring charging, provided you use it with the default brightness. Furthermore, you can effortlessly connect to the internet anytime and anywhere.

You can visit the promotion page and check out more details about the Teclast T30 tablet, and grab the time-limited offers. With over two hundred pieces sold at the time of writing, this promotion sale is slated to end in five days.

Global Launch Teclast T30 Tablet

New leak reveals Honor V30 series camera specs and price

By

Habeeb Onawole

-

Oct 8, 2019

The Honor V30 and Honor V30 Pro are upcoming flagship phones from Huawei’s sub-brand, Honor. A few days ago, alleged specs of both phones were posted on Twitter. A new leak has surfaced today with some key differences and new details.

According to the source, the Honor V30 will indeed have a punch-hole LCD display while the V30 Pro will have an OLED display with a larger punch hole for dual cameras. The source says both phones are powered by the Kirin 990 5G.

Unlike the previous leak which said the Honor V30 has triple rear cameras, this new leak says the phone actually has a quad-camera setup on the back just like the Honor V30 Pro. However, the camera configuration is different for both phones.

The Honor V30 will have a 60MP primary camera paired with a 16MP super wide-angle lens, a 2MP 2.4 cm macro lens, and a ToF camera. Inside the hole in its screen is a 32MP selfie camera.

The Honor V30 Pro will also have a 60MP main rear camera but a 20MP super wide-angle lens, an 8MP telephoto lens, and a ToF camera. The main selfie camera is also a 32MP sensor but the configuration of the second camera is unknown.

The Honor V30 will draw power from a 4000mAh battery with support for 22.5W fast charging while the V30 Pro will have a 4200mAh battery with support for 40W fast charge and 15W wireless fast charge.

The source reports that the Honor V30 series will have a price tag not more than ¥3000 (~$420) and both phones are expected to be announced by the end of October.

(Via)

Google Pixel 4 camera samples boast of its exceptional Photography prowess

By

Sahil

-

Oct 8, 2019

Ever since their debut, Google Pixel smartphones have been touted as one of the best camera smartphones running on Android OS. However, with the launch of the Pixel 3 lineup in the year 2018, they have been deemed the best camera on any smartphone, regardless of the operating system.

However, with the latest iPhone 11 Pro that sports a triple camera setup, some believe that Apple once again started to take the lead pack from the Pixel 3. With that being said, Google is gearing for the launch of its latest Pixel 4 smartphone lineup which will be unveiled on the 15th of October. Ahead of their official announcement, full-resolution camera samples taken from the upcoming smartphones have surfaced that exhibit praiseworthy photography performance.

The first set of images boast of the selfie capturing capabilities of the Pixel 4. Surprisingly, both the images have a resolution of 4.5 MP which has a significantly lower resolution from the Pixel 3 that shot selfies in 8 MP resolution. Needless to say, the images produced still look remarkable.

The leak has also revealed some portrait-style images captured from Pixel 4’s dual rear camera, highlighting how much of a difference an additional sensor can make in comparison to just one sensor found on its predecessor. Right off the bat, bokeh effect around the subject in both the images look exceptional with proper subject recognition.

1 of 3

The Golden retriever also appears in few more camera samples of the Pixel 4 which look very crisp. It is currently unknown whether these photo samples are captured with the ‘Motion Mode’ processing turned on that the upcoming devices were previously reported to have. The first image has a resolution of 12.2MP shot and it boasts of impressive dynamic range.

While not many samples of action shots are available, we do have access to Pixel 4’s improved Night Sight performance. These samples demonstrate the extraordinary capability of the smartphone to capture bold colours even in under-lit conditions.

Google Pixel smartphones are well regarded for their Nightscape mode, but with Pixel 4, the company has taken this a step further. Going by the samples, the upcoming smartphones would even be able to take shots of the stars and the Milky Way at night. Clearly, these shots look breathtaking for something captured on a smartphone that can slide in a jeans pocket.

Other samples of the Pixel 4 include macro shots, silhouette shots and an appetise boosting food shot.

1 of 3

To wrap things up, all the images shared above look fantastic and Google might overdeliver in terms of photography with it latest smartphones. In order to obtain full specs, price and other features of Pixel 4, we will have to wait until its official launch which is set for the 15th of October, as previously mentioned.

(via)

Buy Tronsmart Spunky Beat Bluetooth TWS Earbuds for Just $24.99 from GeekBuying [Coupon]

By

Vinay Patel

-

Oct 8, 2019

It looks like music lovers are in for a treat! GeekBBuying’s recently launched Consumer Electronics Flash Sale offers up to 50 percent off on a wide range of products including phones, speakers, and other accessories.

Aside from that, the promotion gives you a chance to take advantage of big coupon codes for an extra discount at checkout. For instance, you can use a $2 OFF Coupon on orders over $20, a $5 OFF Coupon on orders over $70, and use a $10 OFF Coupon if your cart value exceeds $150.

From a music lover’s point of view, the promotion sale is offering a noteworthy discount on the Tronsmart Spunky Beat Bluetooth 5.0 TWS CVC 8.0 Earbuds, which has been placed under the Consumer Electronics category. We will check out more details about the discount and show how you can save more money at the time of checking out.

Tronsmart Spunky Beat Bluetooth TWS Earbuds

Powered by the latest Qualcomm QCC3020 chip, the Spunky Beat delivers a consistent and lossless audio streaming experience, paired with stable connectivity. Moreover, it packs custom graphene-coated drivers that produce detailed sound with deep bass, while aptX ensures distortion-free music.

The feature-rich Tronsmart Spunky Beat would normally set you back $47.99 on both online, as well as offline stores but you can buy it for a lowered price of only $24.99 from GeekBuying. Moreover, this 48 percent discount can be extended with the help of coupon code SPUNKYBEAT.

The coupon enables you to save $5 more by reducing the original asking price of the Tronsmart Spunky Beat Bluetooth TWS Earbuds to just $24.99 even before you place your order. An absolute steal at this price, the earbuds can be used separately with your device, allowing you to share your favorite music with your friends.

The device uses three decoding modes including aptX, AAC, and SBC, and adopts CVC 8.0 for background noise suppressing during calls. On top of that, it gives you voice activation ability with Siri or Google Assistant.

As if that weren’t enough, the Tronsmart Spunky Beat Bluetooth TWS Earbuds comes with an IPX5 rating that makes them invulnerable to sweat and accidental splashes. You can even wear them even in the rain.

You can follow this link to grab the discount and use the coupon before it expires. Since the promo is slated to end in 14 days, ensure you place your order without wasting time. There’s a $2 OFF New User Coupon available for those placing their order with GeekBuying for the first time.

Buy Tronsmart Spunky Beat Bluetooth TWS Earbuds

Consumer Electronics Flash Sale

OnePlus 7T tipped to get an Olive Green variant with 256GB of storage

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

Oct 8, 2019

OnePlus has already officially unveiled the OnePlus 7T in India and the premium flagship device is available in just two colours – Glacier Blue and Frosted Silver. The OnePlus 7T series is expected to be launched in Europe on October 10. We expect the company to unveil a surprise by launching the OnePlus 7T Pro alongside the 7T. We are not 100% sure of that but another twist is that the company might add a third finish to the two colour options the 7T comes with.

According to a tip by the popular tipster, Ishan Agarwal OnePlus was working on an Olive Green variant of the OnePlus 7T. The new colour variant was supposed to have been released and will be available in 8GB RAM and 256GB internal storage combo. However, the variant wasn’t released in India but may be released in Europe or China. It is also possible that OnePlus decided to scarp the variant.

Also, there was supposed to be another version of the OnePlus 7T! An 'Olive Green' colour in 8GB RAM + 256GB Storage variant. Wonder if it will be launched later OR it has been cancelled. Let's wait and watch. #OnePlus7T https://t.co/AOUvNXUaQn

— Ishan Agarwal (@ishanagarwal24) October 6, 2019

If OnePlus eventually released an Olive Green variant for the OnePlus flagship OP 7T, it will be the first time for a phone but not the first OnePlus device to get the Olive Green paint job. Earlier this year, the company launched the OnePlus Bullets Wireless headset with an Olive Green colour.

The OnePlus 7T is an interesting model even if it remains available in Glacier Blue and Frosted Silver only. A sleek design, powerful specs and decent pricing place it on top of the budget of many buyers who are shopping for a premium phone. As a reminder, the OP 7T packs a 6.5-inch Fluid AMOLED display complete with a 90Hz refresh rate and a waterdrop notch. Other features include a Snapdragon 855 chipset, Android 10, Warp Charge 30T, and a 3,800mAh battery.

Google will only approve Android version 10 after 31 Jan 2020 to boost adoption

By

Sahil

-

Oct 8, 2019

When it comes to the most popular operating system for smartphones, without a doubt, Google‘s Android comes on top. While its competitor, iOS comes nowhere near the number of devices running Android, Apple is praised highly for providing the latest software version of its mobile OS at a much faster rate and a lot more devices.

According to a report published by Google in the month of May, only 10% of all Android devices ran Android Pie which was the latest version of Google’s mobile operating system at that point. In comparison, the last generation of iOS i.e iOS 12 runs on 88% of all the mobile devices sold by the company.

Even though Google took several steps with Android 9 Pie to boost its adoption, it still holds the number two spot as Android Oreo is still the most popular Android version with a stake of 28%.

However, with the latest version of Android which is Android 10, Google is taking radical steps to maximise its adoption. The documents corresponding to the latest version of GMS (Google Mobile Services) has revealed that 31st January 2020 is the last date that Google will approve smartphones running Android 9 Pie. After that date, Google will only approve new devices running the latest Android version, Android 10.

For devices that are not planned to get an Android 10 update, Google will continue to approve software builds based on Android 9 Pie for a few more months. However, this will stop after the launch of Android 11 which is expected to happen in the year 2020 with the exception of approving security patch updates for older versions.

Besides, the Go Edition of Android 8.1 Oreo will also continue to approved until October 31, 2019 which is 10 months more than the approval window closed for the standard Android 8.1 Oreo.

All in all, this seems like a notable step from Google which would make sure that consumers that buy Android devices get the latest software experience from the company.

(via)

Samsung Galaxy A50, Galaxy Fold, and Xcover 4s to get monthly security updates

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

Oct 8, 2019

Samsung is still the world’s biggest smartphone manufacturer and as such, has got the largest catalogue of Android devices. Samsung has been pretty consistent with its updates to smartphones but the tech giant has just modified the list of devices it supports with security updates. A few phones were removed from the list and a couple of others added.

The Korean tech giant added three more models to the list of phones that are lined up to get monthly security updates. The models include the Galaxy Fold, Galaxy A50 and Galaxy Xcover 4s.

The Galaxy Fold is presently Samsung’s most expensive and premium smartphone and so, its inclusion on the list isn’t a surprise at all. The Galaxy A50 was launched around March this year and is part of Samsung’s effort to recapture the mid-range smartphone segment. The A50 also happens to be the company’s best-selling mid-ranger of the year and has received a lot of attention in terms of the software update. The device was already getting monthly updates so, the listing just made it official. This is clearly as a result of the A50’s massive sales as other mid-range models are in the category of phones receiving quarterly security updates. Even older flagships like the Galaxy S7, S7 Edge and S7 Active are in the category of models receiving quarterly updates.

The Galaxy Xcover 4s is the surprise inclusion on the list but that probably has a lot to do with its target customers. The rugged phone was launched in June this year and it is assumed that most of the sales of the device go to companies. If that is the case, security is very important and so that may explain its inclusion.

Finally, a couple of models were removed from the list entirely. That means they have come to the end of their journey with Samsung’s Android security update. The models are the Galaxy A5 (2016), Galaxy A3 (2016), and the Galaxy Tab S2 L/S Refresh.

(source)

Realme X2 Pro specs leak on TENAA, new renders show off “Poseidon” colour scheme

By

Airyl Jaszly

-

Oct 8, 2019

The Realme X2 Pro is set for launch on the 15th of October in China and Madrid, but the Realme have done a good job of keeping silent about the device’s specifications. Now however, the handset has passed TENAA with the model number RMX1931, spilling all the beans as to its specifications. So, what’s waiting for us other than that Snapdragon 855+ chipset?

According to the TENAA listing, the Realme X2 Pro will feature a 6.5-inch AMOLED display. We’ve got a quad-camera setup at the rear consisting of 64MP+13MP+8MP+2MP sensors, and the setup supports 3x optical zoom. We’ve got a 16MP selfie shooter up front, and the device will come in a 6GB+64GB option. The device weighs 199g and the dimensions include 161 × 75.7 × 8.7mm.

According to what we know, the new device will be a feature-packed smartphone as it not only runs on a flagship processor, but it also packs a 90Hz display like the OnePlus 7T. Additionally, it will also be the first Realme phone to come with 50W Super VOOC fast charging technology that can allegedly fully charge a smartphone in just 35 minutes. The TENAA listing surprisingly lists the battery as a 1950mAh unit, which seems rather unlikely.

Simultaneously to the TENAA listing, the Realme X2 Pro was also spotted on NBTC, Thailand confirming that the RMX1931 model number pertains to the Realme X2 Pro. The Realme X2 Pro was also spotted on the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) suggesting that the device will also launch soon in India as well.

Realme X2 Pro renders appear showing off new colour scheme

At the same time, Realme’s Marketing Officer Xu Qi Chase has gone to Weibo showing off a new render of the Realme X2 Pro. The render features a deep blue colour which Xu Qi refers to as “Poseidon”. It was allegedly inspired by the deep sea floor, and it’ll be another one of those designs that changes subtly when it’s reflecting the sun.

In terms of design, the X2 Pro toes the line of the Reno Ace which is its closest cousin both in terms of looks and features. Thankfully, the handset doesn’t skip on the headphone jack (which is frankly incredible) and also has NFC and UFS 3.0 storage. Overall, it’s really looking like an extremely impressive package from start to finish. The offset Realme logo is off putting, but other than that it’s a fairly good looking device.

If you’re really looking forward to seeing the device, you won’t have to wait long. The October 15th launch event will be hosted in Madrid, Spain, and it will start at 10 AM local time. The company previously said that X2 Pro will be presented in Asia and Europe simultaneously, and we already know the device is launching in China on the same day.

(Source 1, Source 2)

Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 3 50W officially goes on sale in China for 299 Yuan ($42)

By

Jeet

-

Oct 8, 2019

At a launch event in China on 24th September, along with the Mi 9 Pro 5G and Mi MIX Alpha smartphones, Xiaomi also launched a few other products, including the Mi Power Bank 3 which comes with 50W Super Flash fast charging support.

Now today, the company has officially started selling the Mi Power Bank 3 50W Super Flash in China for a price of 299 Yuan which roughly converts to $42.

As the name itself implies, this new power bank is similar in several aspects to the Mi Power bank 3 and the only major difference is that it comes with support for 50W fast charging technology.

The power bank packs a 20,000mAh capacity battery and has a bulkier build with a dimension of 153.5 × 73.5 × 27.5 mm. The company said that it is compatible with most digital equipment and can charge three devices at the same time.

It features two USB-A ports and a USB-C port and there’s also a separate USB-C port for refuelling the power bank. Thanks to the USB Type-C port, the power bank isn’t limited to charging smartphone but can also charge MacBooks and Switch among other products.

Thanks to the support for 50W fast charging, it can fully charge the company’s flagship smartphone like Mi 9 Pro in just 48 minutes, thanks to 40W fast charging capability in the device. Xiaomi confirmed that the Redmi Note 8 Pro can be fully charged 2.8 times while the Redmi K20 Pro can be fully charged 3.5 times.

As said, the Mi Power Bank 3 50W Fast Charge version is now available for purchase in China carrying a price tag of 299 Yuan, which roughly converts to $42. Currently, there’s no information available about the device’s availability in other markets.

Samsung profit tumbles as memory chip business suffers from low demand

By

Jeet

-

Oct 8, 2019

South Korean giant Samsung Electronics’ operating revenue has tumbled by 56 percent in the third quarter of this year. The main reason behind the drop is the memory chip business of the company which is currently suffering from low demand.

However, on the positive note, the demand for memory chips has shown sign of improvements in the current quarter. We’ll get the clear picture when the company publishes the report after the end of the fourth quarter.

The company has reported that its operating profit has reached 7.7 trillion won (approximately $6.4 billion) in the July-to-September period, down 56.2 percent from a year ago in its preliminary earnings guidance. Its revenue dropped 5.3 percent to 62 trillion won during the same period. However, the full numbers will be released later this month.

Samsung’s quarter-on-quarter operating profit rose by 16.7 percent while the company’s revenue increased by 10.5 percent, thanks to the rising demand for Samsung’s smartphones in the global market. This is mainly being attributed to the ban on Chinese giant Huawei in the United States.

As per the analysts, the earnings of the South Korean giant will improve in the fourth quarter as well as the next year, mainly because of the recovery in DRAM and NAND memory chips. Shares of Samsung Electronics were trading at 48,400 won during morning trading, up by 1.36 percent, mainly because of better-than-expected earnings.

While the company has witnessed low demand for the memory chip business, its smartphone business may offset the losses, thanks to the strong demand of the Galaxy Note 10 lineup as well as the revamped low-range and mid-range smartphones with the new Galaxy A-series and Galaxy M-series.

Since Huawei has been put on “Entity List” by the United States, effectively banning the company, Samsung, which is the leading smartphone brand globally, has been widening the gap with Huawei Technologies, the second leading smartphone brand, especially in the emerging markets.

Coming to the mobile shipments, Samsung’s smartphone shipments in the central and eastern Europe soared 21 percent in the second quarter compared to a year ago, solidifying its leadership in the region, reports Counterpoint Technology Market Research.

Buy BlitzWolf AIRAUX AA-UM1 True Wireless Earbuds for Just $25.99 from Banggood

By

Vinay Patel

-

Oct 8, 2019

Music accessories aren’t easy on the pocketbook. Music lovers usually end up spending a lot of money on Bluetooth speakers, wireless earphones, etc for a superior listening experience.

The market is brimming with various music appurtenances that connect wirelessly to your mobile device, giving you freedom from the hassle of wire. Much to the chagrin of cost-conscious buyers, these devices usually carry steep price tags.

BlitzWolf has teamed up with Banggood to make its AIRAUX AA-UM1 wireless Bluetooth earphone available to those on a tight budget. The BlitzWolf AIRAUX AA-UM1 would normally set you back $28.99, but you can now buy it for just $25.99 from Banggood. This is a 10 percent reduction in the device’s original asking price.

Launched by BlitzWolf’s sub-brand, AIRAUX the AA-UM1 wireless Bluetooth earphone adopts the latest Bluetooth 5.0 technology for stable transmission and low power consumption. It delivers a powerful bass with a crisp treble that brings your playlist to life.

The comfortable to wear BlitzWolf AIRAUX AA-UM1 earphone can be either used independently (L/R) or can be combined for stereo mode. Weighing in at just 5g, the ergonomic earbuds fit securely in your ears. Moreover, it has an IPX6 waterproof rating so you can listen to your favorite music even in the rain.

If you are interested in checking out more details about the BlitzWolf AIRAUX AA-UM1, and getting the discount Banggood is offering on it, simply follow this link. If your cart value exceeds $19.99, you get free shipping. The promotion sale will come to an end on October 10th.

BlitzWolf AIRAUX AA-UM1 Mini True Wireless Bluetooth 5.0 Earphone

Oppo Reno Ace key specifications revealed ahead of its launch on October 10

By

Jeet

-

Oct 8, 2019

Oppo has already confirmed that it will be launching its new flagship smartphone — Oppo Reno Ace at a launch event in China on 10th October. Along with that, the company will also be launching a GUNDAM edition of the Reno Ace.

Now, just a couple of days ahead of the official launch, Shen Yiren, Vice President of Oppo has revealed most of the key specifications of the upcoming smartphone.

He has confirmed that the Oppo Reno Ace will feature a 90Hz display with 135Hz sampling rate. While the Snapdragon 855 Plus chipset was also confirmed by the company, Shen Yiren has now revealed that it will have up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage which uses UFS 3..

It has been revealed that the phone will come with two stereo speakers and will not only support 18W PD but will also come with support for 18W Quick Charge as well as 20W VOOC Flash Charge technology. This is a bit confusing as it has been reported that the phone will come with 65W SuperVOOC fast charging support.

The phone will also come with a VC soaking plate for heat condensation along with composite carbon fiber, multi-layer graphite heat dissipation, which when combined will offer ice-carbon constant cooling system, says the company.

On the other hand, the Oppo Reno Ace GUNDAM Edition is confirmed to come with a quad-camera setup on the back which will feature a 48-megapixel primary sensor, same as the regular Reno Ace. It will also have support for Dual-WiFi, as confirmed by Shen Yiren. Rest of the specifications of this custom edition phone will be same as the standard model.

For the uninitiated, a few months ago, Oppo partnered with Gundam, a Japanese science fiction media franchise created by Yoshiyuki Tomino and Sunrise that features giant robots with the name “Gundam”. At the time, it was reported that under this collaboration, Oppo will be launching a special edition smartphone.

While Shen Yiren hasn’t revealed every specifications, the phone has passed through TENAA in China which has revealed everything that we need to know. It confirms that the phone has a 6.5-inch display. As for the rear cameras, it includes Sony IMX586 48-megapixel + 13-megapixel + 8-megapixel + 2-megapixel quad camera system. On the front side, there will be a 16-megapixel snapper for taking selfies and video calling.

OnePlus 7T and 7T Pro all set to launch in China on October 15

By

Jeet

-

Oct 8, 2019

OnePlus scheduled a launch event in India on 26th September where it launched the OnePlus 7T smartphone and now the company has scheduled another event on 10th October in India and London where the 7T Pro smartphone will make its debut.

Now, it has been confirmed that both the smartphones — OnePlus 7T and OnePlus 7T Pro will get launched in China on 15th October at the Beijing Olympic University Stadium. To know the pricing and availability details, we’ll have for the official launch to take place.

The OnePlus 7T looks similar to the OnePlus 7 launched earlier this year, still featuring waterdrop notch and slim bezels. The back has now got a circular camera housing and the panel is matte-frosted 3D Gorilla Glass that is more resistant to fingerprint smudges.

The phone features a 6.55-inch Full HD+ display which is slightly bigger than its predecessor. It offers 2400 x 1080 pixels screen resolution, 90Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, 20:9 aspect ratio, and 3D Corning Gorilla Glass protection on top.

Under the hood, the device is powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Plus octa-core processor, with 8GB of RAM and two options in terms of internal storage — 128GB and 256GB, using UFS 3.0 2-lane storage. There’s no support for expanding the storage capacity with a microSD card.

It comes with rear cameras – a 48MP f/1.6 Sony IMX586 with OIS and EIS and a 7P lens paired with a 12MP f/2.2 telephoto lens, and a 117° 16MP f/2.2 ultrawide angle lens. There is 2x optical zoom, 4K video recording, and super-slow-motion recording. On the front side, the phone has a 16MP selfie camera with EIS support.

The smartphone has an in-display fingerprint scanner, Face Unlock, NFC, Bluetooth 5.0, a vibration motor with advanced haptic engine, as well as stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos. It runs the latest Android 10 out-of-the-box with the company’s own OxygenOS on top.

The device is driven by a 3,800mAh battery and brings a new fast-charging technology called Warp Charge 30T which is claimed to be 23 percent faster than Warp Charge 30. The company says that you will be able to charge your phone from 0 to 70 percent in just 30 minutes and will be able to charge the phone and play games at the same time without worrying about the phone heating up.

OnePlus 7T Pro Haze Blue — OnePlus 7T Pro Render in Haze Blue color

On the other hand, the OnePlus 7T Pro is expected to come with a 90Hz AMOLED display of 6.65 inches offering quad HD+ resolution of 1440 x 3100 pixels. It will be powered by SD855+ SoC with up to 12GB RAM and 512GB storage.

The rear side of the smartphone has a vertical dual camera setup instead of the round-shaped camera housing, which includes Sony IMX586 primary lens, a 120-degree ultrawide lens of 16-megapixel and a telephoto lens of 8-megapixel. It will come with a 16MP snapper on the front-facing in a pop-up mechanism.

The handset may arrive with a 4,085mAh battery that will carry support for Warp Charge 30T fast charging technology. The tipster has further revealed that OnePlus could be selling cases such as Karbon Bumper, Nylon Bumper, Karbon Protective and Sandstone Protective for OnePlus 7T Pro smartphone.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Pro gets price cut in India, now starts at ₹11,999 ($169)

By

Jeet

-

Oct 8, 2019

After the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Pro smartphone’s sale in India at a discounted price during the festive season sales, the company has now permanently slashed the phone’s pricing in the Indian market.

With the new effective pricing, the Redmi Note 7 Pro now starts at ₹11,999 (~$169) for the 4GB RAM model while the 6GB RAM model is being sold for ₹13,999 (~$197) . The top-end model with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage is on sale for ₹14,999 (~$211).

The smartphone is available in three color options — Space Black, Nebula Blue, and Neptune Red. It is available for purchase in India through Flipkart and Xiaomi’s own online store Mi.com. The price cut could be in preparation to launch the Redmi Note 8 series in the Indian market, which should happen in a few weeks.

Coming to the specifications, the Redmi Note 7 Pro boasts a 6.3-inch Full HD+ Dot Drop display with 19.5:9 aspect ratio, 450 nits brightness, and 15000:1 contrast ratio. Under the hood, the device is powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 octa-core chipset which is manufactured using the 11nm FinFET process, coupled with Adreno 612 GPU.

As for the memory configuration, the smartphone comes with up to 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. There’s also a microSD card slot that enables users to further expand the phone’s storage capacity up to 512GB.

In the camera department, the smartphone features a dual-camera setup on the back, consisting of a 48-megapixel primary Sony IMX586 sensor with f/1.79 aperture and a 5-megapixel secondary sensor for depth sensing along with an LED flash. The company has also introduced an AI-powered Steady handheld night photography mode for the first time.

On the front side, the phone is equipped with a 13-megapixel front-facing camera with AI Beautify, Studio Lighting, Scene Detection, Portrait Selfie, etc. It also comes with support for AI Face Unlock feature.

Along with the usual set of connectivity options, it also supports Dual SIM and Dual VoLTE. In terms of software, the phone is running the company’s own MIUI 10 based on Android 9 Pie operating system out-of-the-box.

The smartphone comes with P2i coating that ensures protection from rain, water spills, and sweat. The device is powered by a 4,000mAh battery with support for 18W Quick Charge 4 fast charging support. The company claims that it offers 14 days of standby time, 45 hours of talk time and 8.5 hours of gaming.

UP NEXT: Samsung patents a unique smartphone with a flexible sliding display

EDITOR’S PICK: Meizu 16T scores 418K+ on AnTuTu

UP NEXT: Meizu 16T Launch invite reveals an October 23 launch date

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8

EDITOR’S PICK: South Korea’s capital Seoul city will expand its free Wi-Fi network service to 100% by 2022

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro

Pricing and Availability

UP NEXT: New leak reveals Honor V30 series camera specifications and pricing

EDITOR’S PICK: Google will only approve Android version 10 after 31 January 2020 to boost adoption

UP NEXT: OnePlus 7T flagship smartphone tipped to get an Olive Green variant with 256GB of internal storage

UP NEXT: Honor 9X with 8 GB RAM goes on sale in China

Editor’s Pick: OnePlus 7T tipped to get an Olive Green variant with 256GB of storage

UP NEXT: Google will only approve Android version 10 after 31 Jan 2020 to boost adoption

Tronsmart Spunky Beat Bluetooth TWS Earbuds

EDITOR’S PICK: First Samples from the 108MP Mi Mix Alpha is here & we are not impressed!

UP NEXT: Samsung Galaxy A50, Galaxy Fold, and Xcover 4s to get monthly security updates

Editor’s Pick: Samsung Galaxy A50, Galaxy Fold, and Xcover 4s to get monthly security updates

UP NEXT: Realme X2 Pro specs leak on TENAA, new renders show off “Poseidon” colour scheme

EDITOR’S PICK: Realme X2 Pro specs leak on TENAA, new renders show off “Poseidon” colour scheme

UP NEXT: Samsung profit tumbles as memory chip business suffers from low demand

EDITOR’S PICK: Oppo Reno Ace key specifications revealed ahead of its launch on October 10

Realme X2 Pro renders appear showing off new colour scheme

UP NEXT: Realme X2 Pro camera samples officially shared by Realme Product Director

UP NEXT: Samsung profit tumbles by 56 percent as memory chip business suffers from low demand in Q3 2019

UP NEXT: Oppo Reno Ace flagship smartphone’s key specifications revealed by the company’s VP Shen Yiren ahead of its launch on October 10

EDITOR’S PICK: OnePlus 7T and OnePlus 7T Pro flagship smartphones all set to launch in China on October 15th

UP NEXT: Oppo Reno Ace key specifications revealed by company’s executive ahead of its launch on October 10

EDITOR’S PICK: OnePlus 7T and OnePlus 7T Pro flagship smartphones all set to launch in China on October 15th

UP NEXT: Realme’s upcoming flagship smartphone Realme X2 Pro Europe launch scheduled for October 15 in Madrid

EDITOR’S PICK: Huawei’s 5G products expected to account for 50% of China’s 5G market in 2020

UP NEXT: Samsung is gifting employees with Galaxy S10+, other goodies after closing its last Chinese factory

EDITOR’S PICK: Google developing Game Device Certification program for gaming phones

UP NEXT: POCOPHONE global head, Alvin Tse, appointed as General Manager of Xiaomi Indonesia