China Mobile’s ultra cheap 5G phone coming at the end of June

While 5G is still in its infancy, China Mobile and Tsinghua University team up to work on 6G!

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May 31, 2019

A couple of months back, when US president Donald Trump spoke of 5G technology, urging the US to speed up the process of deployment, he also urged for the development of 6G in the US. Some section of the media found it funny, especially since 5G technology with blazing fast internet speed was still being tested. Well, it is apparently not too early to start discussing 6G. China Mobile and Tsinghua University have announced a strategic patnership framework that would see both institutions deploy their respective advantages to promote the alliance of “production and learning”, accelerate the innovation of key basic technologies, and lead the transformation and industrialization of technological innovations. Details of the agreement include that the two sides will conduct scientific research cooperation in the future mobile communication networks, next-generation Internet and mobile Internet, industrial Internet, artificial intelligence and other key areas for 6G. A joint research institute will also be established to create leading technologies, solutions and products, and promote the technological transformation and application of results.

At the same time, the two sides will carry out joint training of higher-level talents, explore synergistic innovation mechanisms for industry, academia and research, promote the deep integration of innovation chain, industry chain, capital chain, policy chain and talent chain, and stimulate new kinetic energy of science and technology innovation cooperation.

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It is understood that China Mobile has a full-time R&D team of more than 10,000 people, and its annual science and technology expenditure exceeds 20 billion yuan. It has undertaken 172 major scientific research projects and patent applications exceeding 16,000.

5G technology takes over from 4G and offers new opportunities in not just telecommunication but also health care, the automobile industry and several other sectors. 5G is said to be 100 times faster than the present 4G technology. 6G may still be some light years away but we just can’t imagine the speed it will offer, considering the potentials of 5G.

UP NEXT: Huawei equipment for 5G spotted during BBC Breakfast program

Buy Leagoo M13 Smartphone for Just $79.99 from Banggood

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Get 50% Off on Leagoo M13 Smartphone

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May 31, 2019

OTEDA Group Holding Limited-owned Leagoo brand is known for making smartphones that boast an impressive array of features. Living up to its reputation, Leagoo unveiled its long-awaited M13 smartphone in March this year.

There are no prizes for guessing that the recently unveiled phone is loaded with jaw-dropping features and top-end specs that would sweep smartphone lovers off their feet. Surprisingly, this feature-rich smartphone won’t set you back a pretty penny.

While you’d normally end up shelling out a lot of money on high-end smartphones, the Leagoo M13 has gone up for pre-order bearing a considerably lowered price tag on Banggood. The Chinese online store that offers the best bang for your buck recently launched the ‘M13 New Arrivals’ promo.

As part of its latest promotion, Banggood will be doling out a noteworthy 50 percent off on the Leagoo M13 smartphone. On top of that, the online store will either be offering a free product or free order to one lucky buyer each day. Buyers will be randomly selected for this 5-pieces giveaway.

The 4GB RAM+32GB ROM variant of the M13 smartphone carries a $159.99 price tag, but thanks to the aforesaid discount you can now buy it for just $79.99 from Banggood. In addition to this great discount, those who order over $19.99 will be eligible for free shipping.

An absolute steal at this price, the Leagoo M13 offers the following features:

1 Inch HD IPS display with 1280 x 600 pixels resolution
MediaTek MT6761 Cortex-A53, Quad Core, 2.0GHz processor
IMG GE8300 @ 660MHz GPU
4GB RAM, 32GB ROM
0MP+2.0MP rear-mounted cameras with F/2.2 aperture
0MP front shooter with F/2.4 aperture
Android 9.0 Pie OS
Built-in 3000mAh battery

You can visit the promotion page by clicking here to check out the full specification and avail the discount, which will be valid for the Twilight, and Phantom Black color versions of the phone. The discount will be valid for the first 499 pieces, while the remaining 999 pieces will carry an $89.99 price tag.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 could ditch physical keys and headphone jack

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May 31, 2019

Samsung has already launched its Galaxy S-series flagship smartphones a few months back and the South Korean giant is now gearing up to launch the next-generation Galaxy Note-series flagship smartphone.

While the Galaxy Note 10 launch is still months away, information about this upcoming smartphone has now started surfacing online. In the latest leak, it is said that the next-gen Galaxy Note smartphone could ditch physical keys and headphone jack.

So, if the information turns out to be true, then the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 will come without a 3.5mm headphone jack as well as there won’t be the Bixby button along with the power button and the volume rocker keys.

While a couple of mid-range smartphones from Samsung doesn’t come with a 3.5mm headphone jack, Samsung is the only major smartphone maker that still sells flagship smartphones with a 3.5mm headphone jack. But it seems that that is about to change.

Instead of the physical buttons, the company could use prominent/raised capacitive or pressure-sensitive areas to act as a sort of fake buttons. It is not yet known if the company is planning to carry these changes over to the Galaxy S11 next year.

As per the reports, Samsung is expected to launch two smartphones under the Galaxy Note 10 lineup with different screen sizes. The phone could come with a 6.28-inch display and another with a 6.75-inch display. However, nothing much is known yet.

We advise you to take all this information with a pinch of salt as nothing has been officially confirmed by the South Korea-based company yet. We’ll have to wait for more information to surface online to know for sure.

Latest Xiaomi crowdfunder is an Acupressure Massager

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Airyl Jaszly

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May 31, 2019

Xiaomi crowdfunding is always a fun topic, because it’s so unpredictable what’s coming next. Last month we saw the MIJIA Handheld Vacuum Cleaner, a truly wonderful product, come through with 20 million yuan. This time, we’ve got an egg-looking Acupressure Massager. Intriguing indeed, let’s take a closer look at why it is what it is.

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Essentially, what the Acupressure Massager does is allow one to massage very specific points on their body. It’s a nifty little thing if you frequently suffer from things like neck pains, back pains and carpal tunnel. Using it is pretty simple, just point the massager where you want, turn it on, and apply pressure. The ecstatic lady in the picture gives a pretty clear image of how to use it.

The massager has two speeds that can be adjusted, 50 rpm and 90 rpm. It apparently also features interchangeable heads, allowing for more accurate ways to alleviate body pains. It’s also quite silent, so it’s completely usable in office spaces according to them. The thing is battery powered however, and it needs to be charged on a dock.

The Acupressure Massager comes in at a decent 320g, with three colour options to choose from. You’ve got your standard black and white, but there’s also a pretty pink option available. The thing costs 119 yuan, which translates to about $18. It’s really not too bad of a price for something like this. As per usual, all Xiaomi crowdfunding products are available on their site, but it’s possible we’ll see it hit some stores in the future.

UP NEXT: Xiaomi wants 50% of Indian marketshare

Redmi GM believes Xiaomi can conquer 50% of India marketshare

By

Airyl Jaszly

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May 31, 2019

Today we’ve got a spicy topic to discuss. In an interview with Sina Tech, Redmi GM Lu Weibing claimed that Xiaomi could possibly conquer 50% of the Indian smartphone marketshare in the future. He also cites how Xiaomi have been ranked number 1 in the Indian market for seven consecutive quarters now.

This is some staggering confidence, but it’s definitely not unfounded. Xiaomi is doing unbelievably well in India, with seven of their devices being in the top 10 best selling list. Still, we find it extremely hard to believe that the company can break 50% marketshare. In Q1 of 2019, despite selling plenty of units, still only held 29% of the market. We’re glad Xiaomi’s enthusiastic at least, and we’d love to see accomplish this.

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Now, with Xiaomi’s new lineup, we’d say it’s possible they could come closer to achieving their goal. The company’s latest products cover almost every single segment of the market. They’ve got the Redmi GO on the extreme low-end, the Redmi Note 7 line on the mid-range, the Redmi K20 for the budget flagship market and the Mi9 itself as a premium flagship. We’re looking at Xiaomi that’s covering all grounds here, even more than before.

It isn’t surprising to see why Xiaomi is doing so well in India. The brand mostly caters to the mid-range segment, where the growth is phenomenal. In the past quarter, Xiaomi launched a number of smartphones, headlined by the Redmi Note 7 Pro and Redmi Go. The Redmi Note 7 Pro, in particular, turned out to be both a critical and commercial success.

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Get Great Discounts on Amazfit-Branded Smartwatches [Coupon]

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Buy Huami Amazfit Cor 2 Fitness Smartband Global Version, Coupon Code ROHMCor2

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May 31, 2019

Bent on improving the way people connect with each other and the internet, Amazfit has a reputation for offering top-end smart wearables that adopt state-of-the-art technology, coupled with data-driven innovations.

In a bid to make the world more connected, Amazfit teams up with Xiaomi and the company’s sole partner of wearables Huami to come up with awe-inspiring smart wearables from time to time. On the downside, these devices aren’t easy on the pocketbook.

Much to the delight of cost-conscious buyers, leading online stores GearVita and Gearbest are now offering select smart wearables from Amazfit at considerably lowered prices. So without further ado, let’s delve into the details.

Huami Amazfit Cor 2 Fitness Smartband Global Version

The Huami Amazfit Cor 2 sports an easily readable 1.23 Inch capacitive color IPS touch screen with an HD resolution of 80 x 160 pixels. It comes with corning gorilla glass material on top for added protection and is housed in a high-quality 316L stainless steel frame.

The Amazfit Cor 2 fitness band usually retails for $69.99, but you can buy it for just $45.99 from GearVita. As if that weren’t enough, you can extend this 34 percent discount by applying coupon code ROHMCor2 at the time of checking out.

The coupon helps you get an extra $4 off. In other words, you can reduce the original asking price of the Amazfit Cor 2 fitness band to just $41.99 simply by applying the aforesaid coupon before placing your order.

You can follow this link to avail the discount. Note that the promo is slated to end soon.

Xiaomi Amazfit Stratos / Pace 2 Smartwatch Global Version

The Xiaomi Amazfit Stratos Pace 2 smartwatch is a great choice for both sports as well as business. This simplistic, yet stylish smartwatch is housed in a 3D carbon fiber texture case and has hard anti-scratch ceramic bezel with crystal 2.5D curved glass, ultra-fine minute scale, 316L stainless steel buttons, reflective color touch screen and more.

The global version of this feature-rich smartwatch would normally set you back $310.67, but you can now buy it for just $155.99 from Gearbest. This is a significant 50 percent reduction in the device’s original asking price.

On the downside, this discount will only be valid for the first 412 pieces. The promo was on the verge of wrapping up at the time of writing. You can follow this link to grab the discount.

Get 50% Off on Xiaomi Amazfit Stratos / Pace 2 Smartwatch Global Version

Xiaomi AMAZFIT A1608 Bip Lite Version Smart Watch

The AMAZFIT A1608 Bip Lite Version adopts the Bluetooth 4.0 technology for a faster and more stable connection with your smartphone. Aside from a sleep monitor, the device has a heart rate monitor that provides detailed information about your heart rate anytime anywhere.

While you’d normally end up shelling out $75.37 on this Xiaomi-branded smartwatch, Gearbest is giving you a chance to buy it for a reduced price of just $59.99. This is a noteworthy 20 percent drop in the device’s original selling price.

It is worth noting that there were only 13 pieces remaining for this promo, which will come to an end shortly. You can choose between three eye-catching color options including bright orange, black and deep green. Click here to take advantage of the discount now.

Get 20% Off on Xiaomi AMAZFIT A1608 Bip Lite Version Smart Watch

Meizu EP2C Headset sporting a new design, USB Type-C interface launched for 129 yuan ($18)

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May 31, 2019

Apart from smartphones, one other area that Meizu is renowned is in the manufacture of powerful headphones. The Meizu EP lineup is one of the top-grossing range of headsets in China and sales overseas are also impressive. During the Meizu 16X launch event yesterday, the company also unveiled a new headset dubbed Meizu EP2C. The headset comes with a 129 yuan ($18) price tag and is scheduled to go on sale at 10 AM on June 10.

The Meizu EP2C uses a USB Type-C interface. In terms of appearance, the headset adopts a new one-piece streamlined design with distinct ridge lines and a straight arc to the root of the earmuffs, freeing the rigid shape of the straight line. Moreover, the new curve design not only facilitates the space created in the ear cavity and guides the sound into the ear, but also is comfortable to wear and fits the auricle.

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The outer cavity is made of PC+ABS material while the part that goes into the ear is made of high-elastic rubber, which is soft and comfortable. The earphones are lustrous and sleek and are also wear and dirt-resistant. It has a built-in 14mm double material synthetic diaphragm, the horn diaphragm is made of ultra-fine bio-fiber paper film, and the edge film is made of TPU high compliant material. The moving coil unit is made of neodymium iron boron magnet with 32 ohm + 105db low resistance and high sensitivity design.

The headset can be used with a mobile phone as well as computers and any other music player with a Type-C port.

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Huawei Mate 20 Pro gets reinstated to the Android Q beta program

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May 31, 2019

After the U.S. put Huawei in the Commerce Department’s Entity List, banning the Chinese company to do business with the US-based firms and technology without a license from the United States, Google was among the first to suspend its business with Huawei.

Last week, it was reported that Google had removed the Huawei Mate 20 Pro smartphone from the list of smartphones that are part of the Android Q beta program. Now, Google has reinstated the Mate 20 Pro in the Android Q beta program.

This means that the Android 9 Pie won’t be the last update for the flagship Huawei smartphone and the phones will get the Android Q update. There’s also a possibility that the company’s upcoming flagships, Mate 30 series, could come powered by Huawei’s own mobile OS instead of Android.

The development comes after the U.S. Commerce Department offered a 90-day reprieve to the Chinese company. Apart from Google, SD Association and Wi-Fi Alliance both have reinstated Huawei, making it a bit easier for the Chinese giant.

After Google suspended business operations with Huawei, in a statement, the US-based search giant said that services like Play Store and security from Google Play Protect will keep working on the existing Huawei devices.

Currently, the list of smartphones eligible for the Android Q beta program includes Asus Zenfone 5Z, Essential Phone, LG G8 ThinQ, Nokia 8.1, OnePlus 6T, Oppo Reno, Realme 3 Pro, Sony Xperia XZ3, Tekno Spark 3 Pro, Vivo X27, Vivo NEX S, Vivo NEX A, Xiaomi Mi 9, Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 5G, Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel and the Pixel XL.

The Huawei Mate 20 Pro features a notched 6.39-inch QHD+ AMOLED display with 3120 x 1440 pixels screen resolution and is powered by the company’s own Kirin 980 chipset, coupled with 8GB RAM and 128GB internal storage.

It comes with a 40 MP + 20 MP + 8 MP triple rear camera setup and a 24 MP front-facing snapper with 3D face unlock support. It runs Android 9 Pie-based EMUI 9.0 and is powered by a 4,200mAh battery with 40W SuperCharge fast charging technology.

(Via)

Huawei equipment for 5G spotted during BBC Breakfast program

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May 31, 2019

Britain has announced that it has officially launched the country’s first 5G network and BBC informed that it also made the first telly broadcast over 5G. But, the interesting part of the story is that the equipment used to make this possible is sourced from Huawei.

The use of Huawei equipment wouldn’t be the highlight of the story but given that the Chinese telecom equipment giant is banned from doing business with US-based firms and US origin technologies, and pressure from the United States on its allies to drop business with Huawei, this is now the highlight.

pic.twitter.com/BZp1G0k8JQ

— Beth Timmins (@Beth_LeahT) May 30, 2019

No one would have come to know the usage of Huawei made transmission apparatus but the state broadcaster posted pictures of the branded equipment on its website. The outside broadcast van was being used to relay morning’s BBC News program. However, shortly after sharing the images, the pictures were deleted.

EE, one of the UK’s cellular providers, officially launched its 5G network in six cities across the country including Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, London, and Manchester. To help illustrate one of 5G’s biggest advantages, BBC reporter Rory Cellan-Jones did a live report during its BBC Breakfast program that was streamed over EE’s 5G network.

Huawei declined to celebrate the occasion publicly which is understandable given that EE, whose network went live today, hastily dropped Huawei’s flagship Mate 20 handset from its list of 5G launch devices after the US ban.

While the US, Australia, and New Zealand has banned Huawei from supplying telecom equipment, no European country has formally blocked Huawei and the majority of the company’s current global 5G contracts are with companies operating within Europe.

As per the reports, despite pressure from the United States, Germany has resisted a ban while France has not indicated it plans to follow a tough line against the Chinese company. On the other hand, Huawei is not facing much heat from Asian countries.

(Via)

Buy MINIX NEO Storage, USB-C Multiport SSD Storage Hub for Just $69.99 from GeekBuying [Coupon]

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Buy MINIX NEO C SSD USB-C Multiport Storage HUB, Coupon Code 3WRXQAPS

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May 31, 2019

Designed for the Apple MacBook, MacBook Air, and the MacBook Pro, the MINIX NEO Storage, USB-C Multiport SSD Storage Hub is a perfect storage companion.

The MINIX NEO is touted as the world’s first to combine SSD storage with additional data and display output ports for superior convenience and high-speed transfers. Housed in a lightweight, aluminum hub that suits the Apple MacBook, the MINIX NEO has a built-in SSD Storage, HDMI (4K @ 30Hz), 2 x USB 3.0 and USB-C (Power Delivery).

In order to enjoy super-fast SSD storage, all you need to do is to connect MINIX NEO Storage to a USB-C port on the MacBook. On top of that, it also keeps your Apple MacBook charged through the USB-C pass-through charging port. Note that it does not support Apple SuperDrive.

While the aforesaid features justify the $101.99 price tag the MINIX NEO Storage usually carries, you can now buy it for a lowered price of just $74.99 on GeekBuying. You can extend this 26 percent discount with the help of coupon code 3WRXQAPS.

The aforesaid coupon helps you get an extra $5 off. In other words, you can bring the already reduced asking price of the MINIX NEO Storage further down to just $69.99 even before placing your order simply by applying the coupon at checkout.

You can head straight to this link in order to grab the discount, which will be valid for the Space Gray color version of the MINIX NEO C SSD storage hub. Note that the promotion sale is slated to end in four days.

Check Out New arrivals of Local Stock Promotion on GeekBuying

Get Xiaomi Mi 9 Global Version Phone Only $379.99 on Gearbest

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Buy Xiaomi Mi 9 Global Version

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May 31, 2019

After floating around the rumor mill for quite some time and making several appearances online in the form of leaked images, the Xiaomi Mi 9 was finally launched in March this year.

Loaded with an impressive array of features, it was only a matter of time before the phablet became an instant hit among Xiaomi fans. Taking the device’s undying demand into consideration, Xiaomi is now looking to make it available to the cost-conscious buyers.

Keeping in line with that, the Chinese electronics giant has teamed-up with Gearbest to offer the Mi 9 phablet for an unbeatable price. The 6GB RAM+64GB ROM variant of the Mi 9 phablet comes in black and blue color options, bearing $516.87 price tags.

As part of its latest flash sale, Gearbest is offering the black-tinted model for a lowered price of just $379.99. This is a significant 26 percent drop in the device’s original asking price.

It is worth mentioning here that the discount will be valid for the first 701 pieces only. The promo will come to an end in sixteen days.

Alternatively, you can go for the blue color version of the Mi 9 4G phablet if you are willing to shell out $389.99. This 25 percent discount will be available for the first 457 pieces and the promo will wrap up in fifteen days.

An absolute steal at this price, the Xiaomi Mi 9 phablet offers the following features:

39-inch display with 2340 x 1080 pixels resolution
Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Octa Core 2.84GHz processor
Adreno 640 GPU
6GB RAM, 64GB ROM
0MP + 12.0MP + 16.0MP cameras at the back
0MP front shooter
MIUI 10 based on Android 9.0 Pie OS
Built-in 3300mAh battery

You can head straight to this link to check out the full specifications and avail the discount before the promo comes to an end.

Check Out 2019 Xiaomi Spring Flash Sale on Gearbest

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7S is now available through open sale in India

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May 31, 2019

A couple of weeks ago, Xiaomi launched the Redmi Note 7S smartphone in the Indian market, replacing the Redmi Note 7 that was launched a few months ago. The major difference between the Redmi Note 7 and Redmi Note 7S is the camera configuration.

Now, just 10 days after its launch, the company has announced that the smartphone will be available through open sale and potential buyers won’t have to wait for the flash sales to get their hands on the device. It is available for purchase through Mi.com, Flipkart, and Mi Home Stores across the country.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7S (Full Specs) comes with a 6.3-inch IPS LCD display featuring a “dot” notch, offering a Full HD+ screen resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels. The front, as well as the rear side of the Redmi Note 7S, comes equipped with Gorilla Glass 5 panel.

Under the hood, the device is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 octa-core chipset and comes in two variants — 3GB RAM + 32GB internal storage and 4GB RAM + 64GB internal storage. Both models are equipped with hybrid SIM slot for adding a microSD card.

The dual camera setup on the phone’s back panel features a 48-megapixel Samsung GM1 sensor with f/1.8 aperture and a depth sensor of 5-megapixel. It comes with features like PDAF, Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS), AI Portrait Mode and LED flash. The standard Redmi Note 7 features a 12 MP + 2 MP camera setup on the back.

On the front side, there’s a 13-megapixel camera present inside the front notch of the phone, which can capture AI-driven portrait shots. The phone runs Android 9 Pie operating system customized with MIUI 10 custom interface.

The device is powered by a 4,000mAh battery that supports 10W charging through a bundled charger. However, the phone supports 18W fast charging but the users of the Redmi Note 7S will need to separately buy a Quick Charge 4 charger to take advantage of this feature.

Samsung Galaxy M40 render leaked; 32MP triple camera and 16MP front camera confirmed

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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May 31, 2019

Samsung will be launching the Galaxy M40 smartphone in India on June 11. A landing page for the phone is now live on the official website of Samsung India. The firm has confirmed several features of the phone through its landing page. A render of the phone has also appeared to reveal its front and rear design. Also, Samsung India’s Senior VP for Smartphone Business Asim Warsi have revealed the camera details of the Galaxy M40 to 91mobiles.

The landing page of the Galaxy M40 on Samsung India’s website reveals that it will be first M-series phone with punch-hole display design. It will be featuring Snapdragon 6 series processor and a triple camera setup on its rear. Showing below is the render of the phone that has appeared to give a good look at its design.

Except for the slightly thick-sized chin, the punch-hole display of the Galaxy M40 is surrounded by super-slim bezels. The rear shell of the smartphone features a vertically arranged triple camera setup. A fingerprint reader is also available on the backside of the device. The smartphone can be seen sporting a blue colored rear. There is a possibility that it could be also arrive in Black color option like the Galaxy M30 and Galaxy M20 smartphones.

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According to Warsi, the Galaxy M40’s triple camera unit will be featuring a 32-megapixel primary sensor. For shooting selfies, the phone will be equipped with a 16-megapixel lens. He also stated that the smartphone will be priced under Rs. 20,000. Apart from these details, he did not share anything else on the specs of the Galaxy M40.

Rumors surrounding the Galaxy M40 have revealed that it will be driven by the Snapdragon 675 chipset and 6 GB of RAM. The One UI based Android 9 Pie OS is expected to arrive preloaded on the device. The Galaxy M30 and M20 phones are both packed with 5,000mAh batteries. Probably, the M40 may feature a same-sized battery. It may come with a native storage of 128 GB. The highest configuration edition of the Galaxy M30 phone that features 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage is priced at Rs. 17,990 (~$258). The M40 may hit India with a price tag of Rs. 19,990 (~$287).

Do you think that the Samsung Galaxy M40 will be a promising phone? Share us your views by posting your comments below.

(source 1, 2)

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Huawei Nova 5i variants and key details through multiple certifications

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Anvinraj Valiyathara

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May 31, 2019

Huawei is expected to soon unleash the Nova 5 and Nova 5i smartphones in the near future. While the Nova 5 is expected to arrive with flagship specs, the Nova 5i will be a mid-ranger with Kirin 710 SoC onboard. The Nova 5i has appeared on Geekbench to suggest that it will be indeed arriving with Kirin 710 SoC. The handset has also received approval from National Communications Commission (NCC) authority in Taiwan through which its storage variants have been revealed. Also, the Nova 5i has also been certified by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the U.S. through which its battery size been revealed.

The Huawei Nova 5i has appeared with its model number GLK-LX3 on Geekbench. While it is not directly mentioned on the Geekbench listing that the phone is powered by Kirin 710, the base frequency of the processor and benchmarking scores suggests that it could be featuring the very same SoC. The smartphone features 4 GB of RAM and it runs on Android 9 Pie OS. In the single-core and multi-core tests of Geekbench, the handset has respectively scored 1538 and 5388.

The NCC certification of the Nova 5i has revealed that the phone is equipped with 4 GB of RAM and it will be arriving in 64 GB and 128 GB storage choices. It will also be featuring a microSD card slot for more storage. The FCC documents of the phone reveals that it is backed by a 3,900mAh battery that carries support for 10W charging. Even the 3C certification of the Nova 5i in China had revealed that it will offer only 10W charging.

Rumors have it some markets like Europe may receive the same with Huawei P20 Lite (2019) moniker. The smartphone is expected to arrive with a 6.4-inch IPS LCD panel with a punch-hole at its top-left corner. It will carry support for full HD+ resolution. For capturing selfies, it may feature a front camera of 16-megapixel. Its rear-facing triple camera setup my include a 24-megapixel primary sensor, an 8-megapixel ultrawide lens and a 2-megapixel depth sensor.

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The Kirin 710 SoC may fuel it with 4 GB of RAM and it could be powered by a 4,000mAh battery with 10W charging. The EMU 9.1 based Android 9 Pie OS may come preinstalled on the device. The smartphone is expected to release in Midnight Black, Crush Blue and Charming Red color options and it could be priced under 330 euros.

(via)

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Amazfit Verge Lite launched: Brings improved 20 days battery life but cheaper 499 yuan ($72) price

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May 30, 2019

Huami has unveiled a new smartwatch in China. The name of the device translates to Amazfit smartwatch Youth Edition but we believe this is the Amazfit Verge Lite considering the similarity in design with premium Amazfit Verge. The features are also basically similar to those of the Verge except that this version offers longer battery life.

The Amazfit Verge Lite comes with a cheaper price tag of 499 yuan ($72) and is presently on presale in China. The smartwatch comes with same hardware lineup as the Verge. It packs a 1.3-inch circular display with a diameter of 43mm. The Verge Lite is also equipped with an AMOLED display with a resolution of 360x360pixels as well as Gorilla Glass 3 on top. Huami says there is a coating on top of the screen which prevents fingerprint smudges from accumulating on the screen during use. The smartwatch is equipped with a silicone strap that can be removed in the same manner as those of the Amazfit Pace and Stratos.

The Verge Lite is lightweight, weighing just 46 grams as it is tailor-made for lightweight sports and daily use. It has real-time motion tracking, heart rate monitoring, long battery life and offline payment, and other functions. In terms of functions, the AMAZFIT Verge Lite supports automatic heart rate monitoring throughout the day. Users can pay attention to their heart rate interval data in the app at any time, and intuitively control their heart rate changes in different time periods and different sports conditions. When the heart rate exceeds the warning value, the watch will vibrate immediately. It also records nighttime sleep data, analyzes sleep quality, and there is a built-in sedentary reminder.

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You also get the variety of sports mode as the device comes with support for 11 different sports mode including Golfing, Riding, Running, hiking, Gym training, Soccer and Boat riding. It also has GPS+GLONASS support.

The Verge Lite also has low-power sensor design which ensures it can deliver up to 20 days of battery use in daily usage. However, if the GPS is turned on, the battery can only do 40 hours. There is also support for AliPay offline payment function which can still work without a phone. This suggests the global version may get support for Google Pay or something similar but there’s no indication if it has NFC. Apart from having several Watchfaces, the Verge Lite supports more personalized settings whereby users can customize the dial background and dial display information according to personal preferences. No mention is made of XiaoAI or ALEXA voice assistant support.

At 499 Yuan ($72), the Amazfit Verge Lite is a tad cheaper than the 799 yuan (~$116) price tag which the Verge was launched with.

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Redmi K20 vs Samsung Galaxy A80 vs Oppo Reno: Specs Comparison

By

Michele Ingelido

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May 30, 2019

For 2019, Xiaomi, Samsung, and Oppo completely revolutionized their midrange line-ups in order to face the concurrency in the best way. Redmi is not just a series of Xiaomi phones anymore: now it is an independent brand and it even includes a high-end line-up in which you can find the Redmi K20. Oppo launched a brand new series called Reno, which is also the same name of the first device from the series. Samsung renewed the A series with a new name scheme and innovative phones with a higher value for money, such as the Samsung Galaxy A80. Here is a comparison between Redmi K20, Samsung Galaxy A80, and Oppo Reno that you should definitely check if you are looking for the best upper-midrange handset.

Xiaomi Redmi K20 vs Samsung Galaxy A80 vs Oppo Reno

	Xiaomi Redmi K20	Oppo Reno	Samsung Galaxy A80
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT	156.7 x 74.3 x 8.8 mm, 191 grams	156.6 x 74.3 x 9 mm, 185 grams	165.2 x 76.5 x 9.3 mm
DISPLAY	6.39 inches, 1080 x 2340p (Full HD+), 403 ppi, AMOLED	6.4 inches, 1080 x 2340p (Full HD+), 402 ppi, AMOLED	6.7 inches, 1080 x 2400p (Full HD+), 393 ppi, Super AMOLED
PROCESSOR	Qualcomm Snapdragon 730, octa-core 2.2 GHz	Qualcomm Snapdragon 710, octa-core 2.2 GHz	Qualcomm Snapdragon 730, octa-core 2.2 GHz
MEMORY	6 GB RAM, 64 GB – 6 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 256 GB	6 GB RAM, 128 GB – 6 GB RAM, 256 GB – 8 GB RAM, 256 GB	8 GB RAM, 128 GB
SOFTWARE	Android 9 Pie, MIUI	Android 9 Pie, Color OS	Android 9 Pie, One UI
CONNECTIVITY	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS
CAMERA	Triple 48 + 13 + 8 MP f/1.8 and f/2.4 and f/2.4 20 MP f/2.2 front camera	Dual 48 + 5 MP f/1.7 and f/2.4 16 MP f/2.0 front camera	Triple 48 + 8 MP + TOF f/2.0 and f/2.2
BATTERY	4000 mAh, fast charging 18W	3765 mAh, fast charging with VOOC 3.0	3700 mAh, fast charging 25W
ADDITIONAL FEATURES	Dual SIM slot	Dual SIM slot	Dual SIM slot

Design

Goodbye notches, finally. None of these devices comes with a display interruption: they are all full-screen phones, but they rely on different solutions to get rid of bezels. Redmi K20 has a classic pop-up camera, Oppo Reno has a shark fin pop-up camera and Samsung Galaxy A80 comes with the most innovative solution: a rotating rear camera which can be used as selfie camera as well. In my opinion, it is not the high screen-to-body ratio (neither the pop-up cameras) to make the difference. The rear side of the Redmi K20 with its “liquid” finish is simply amazing, so the Redmi K20 is my favorite one aesthetically.

Display

It is really hard to pick a winner among these displays as you will not easily notice the difference in everyday use. If you are a multimedia lover, you may like the Redmi K20 more because it is HDR-compliant, so it enhances the colors in a brilliant way. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy A80 comes with a wider display and a taller 20:9 aspect ratio which is very interesting as well. Last but not least, Oppo Reno has good DCI-P3 coverage, so good colors too. All of them come with an under-display fingerprint scanner. Given the marginal differences, we do not suggest you focus on the display quality.

Specs & Software

Given that Oppo Reno is powered by a less powerful Snapdragon 710 chipset, it loses the hardware comparison. The main battle is between the Redmi K20 and the Samsung Galaxy A80 which come with the same SoC and the same amount of RAM in the most expensive memory configuration. However, Redmi K20’s high-end variant wins the comparison because it is equipped with more internal storage (256 GB). None of these devices supports a micro SD expansion slot, while all of them come with Android 9 Pie out of the box, as well as a custom user interface.

Camera

When it comes to the rear cameras, Redmi K20 has the most impressive setup on the paper. It is composed of a main 48 MP sensor with a bright f/1.8 aperture, a secondary ultrawide lens with a 13 MP resolution and a telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom. On the other hand, when it comes to selfies, Samsung Galaxy A80 wins as it allows to use the rear camera as a selfie camera thanks to its rotating mechanism.

Battery

In each case, you get an above-average battery, but Redmi K20 is the real winner as it simply comes with a bigger 4000 mAh unit. Samsung Galaxy A80 has the fastest charging technology but also the smallest battery. We are satisfied with Redmi K20’s battery life, it lasts one full day with moderate use.

Price

Samsung Galaxy A80 carries a price tag of €650/$723, Oppo Reno starts from €500/$555, Redmi K20 costs just €260/$290. Given the higher value for money and the bigger battery, Redmi K20 wins this comparison.

Read More: Galaxy A80 powered by Snapdragon 730, scores over 200K points on AnTuTu

Xiaomi Redmi K20 Samsung Galaxy A80 vs Oppo Reno: PROs and CONS

Xiaomi Redmi K20

PROs

Amazing cameras
More affordable
Bigger battery
3.5 mm jack
HDR display

CONS

No micro SD

Samsung Galaxy A80

PROs

Innovative design
Great cameras
Faster charging technology
Bigger display

CONS

Higher price
No micro SD

Oppo Reno

PROs

Innovative design
Nice cameras
3.5 mm jack
More memory options

CONS

No micro SD
Lower-end hardware

Throwback Tech Thursday: Nokia N9’s Weird Selfie Camera Revisited

By

Joel Joseph

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May 30, 2019

It was the year 2011 and Nokia was still the largest phone maker in the world. Android was just getting some traction but the Finnish giant was still sticking to its own Symbian OS. With its market share dwindling, Nokia decided to try out a new OS called Meego. This gave birth to the one and only Nokia N9 – the first and the last commercially available Meego smartphone from the company, all thanks to its newfound relationship with Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS.

While many know the N9 as a failed but beautiful phone running Meego, there was one feature that we all might have missed. On this day, we take a look at the weird secondary camera of the Nokia N9. It could have been one of the first smartphones to actually feature a bottom right corner front-facing camera. Definitely, the inspiration for Xiaomi’s first premium full-screen smartphone, the Xiaomi Mi MIX.

Back in 2011, when selfies were not exactly invented (I mean popularized), it was simply a secondary VGA camera with very little purpose. In fact, if you read a GSMArena post about the Nokia N9, you would see that many didn’t even know what it was at first.

I mean, you can’t blame folks back in 2011. Selfie cameras were not mainstream back then, and the placement was the weirdest of all. Without leaksters like Evan Blass or Roland Quandt or Steve Hmmerstoffer (OnLeaks) in the industry, very little was known about a phone before it was launched. In fact, even after a phone was announced, there would still be a few details that were left unrevealed. So you usually had to wait for a review to know exactly what’s what!

Another highlight of the N9 was, of course, its Meego OS. While the operating system didn’t really catch on, it was definitely way ahead of its time. Everything in the OS was gesture based (what we call swipes today), very similar to what we see in Android and iOS smartphones. It’s really a shame that the OS didn’t catch on, probably because it didn’t have any strong backers. Well, Intel did back it for a while, but Intel wasn’t into making smartphones. Nokia ditched Meego after the N9’s release and switched to Windows Phone.

After the Nokia Lumia 800’s release – its first Windows Phone-powered smartphone, the end of Meego was nigh. Google was supporting Android while Microsoft was backing its own Windows Phone platform. With these two giants focused on their own operating systems, hardly anyone else could have survived. And today, we are left with Google’s Android dominating a major chunk of the smartphone space followed by Apple’s iOS.

So, in this episode of Throwback Tech Thursday, let’s remember the Nokia N9, not just as the first and last Nokia phone with Meego, but also as the inspiration behind the legendary Xiaomi Mi MIX series’ camera placement!

Despite its tragic fate, the Nokia N9 was definitely ahead of its time! What are your thoughts?

UP NEXT: Xiaomi’s New AutoFull Gaming Chair Is Inspired By A Basketball Court!

Xiaomi Mi 9T (Redmi K20) listed early on online store, starts at €359

By

Habeeb Onawole

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May 30, 2019

Xiaomi is yet to officially unveil the new member of the Mi 9 series it teased yesterday. The name has already been confirmed to be Mi 9T, and now, an early listing has revealed the price of the phone in Italy.

The listing, which was first reported by Smartprix, is on an Italian e-commerce store called GrossoShop. The listing says the Mi 9T will be available in three color variants – Carbon Black, Glacier Blue, and Flame Red.

The Mi 9T will also come in three configurations – 6GB RAM + 64GB, 6GB RAM + 128GB, and 8GB RAM + 256GB. In China, the Redmi K20 was only announced in the first two configurations but the listing on the official site includes the third variant.

The listing states the Mi 9T supports LTE Band 20 and a conversation between Smartprix and the store’s customer support confirmed the phone does support the aforementioned band. The customer support also said the phone will be in stock in a few days which means that a launch date is close.

Below is the price for the three variants:

6GB RAM + 64GB = €359.99
6GB RAM + 128GB = €379.99
8GB RAM + 256GB = €499.99

Grossoshop is already taking pre-orders for the phone. Interested buyers will be required to pay up a deposit of €25. However, they will also get a €50 coupon for use at checkout. This means those who pre-order will get the Mi 9T for €25 less.

The Mi 9T has a 6.39-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a fingerprint scanner under the screen. It is powered by the Snapdragon 730 processor, has 48MP + 8MP + 13MP triple rear cameras, and a 20MP pop-up selfie camera. It also has a 4000mAh battery with 18W fast charging and runs MIUI based on Android 9 Pie.

(Sources: 1, 2)

UP NEXT: Redmi K20 series may launch as the POCO F2 and POCO F2 Pro in India

Redmi K20 Pro Hands On Pictures: Redmi’s first flagship phone is a cost-effective beauty

By

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May 30, 2019

On May 28, Xiaomi’s Redmi brand launched the Redmi K20 Pro and Redmi K20 as its first flagship phones powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 855 chipset. Before now, the Redmi brand is known for budget and premium mid-range phones with affordable pricing. All that has changed with the Redmi K20 and K20 Pro, well, except for the cost-effective price they adopt. Pricing for the K20 Pro starts at 2,499 Yuan (~$362) for the 6GB+64GB variant. Here we bring you the Redmi K20 Pro hands-on pictures as a captured by Chinese tech blog MyDrivers.

The Redmi K20 Pro is no doubt the top-end variant among the two and a look at the design features affirm that. The phone adopts a notch-less design and Xiaomi was able to achieve this using a pop-up selfie camera. The camera is located in the top left corner of the display and houses a 20MP sensor. The camera is said to pop up in just 0.8 seconds and has a sapphire lens cover. The device comes with a USB-C port at the bottom edge and also has the SIM card slot at the bottom edge instead of on the side. This is due to the pop-up camera on the area the slot is supposed to be located. The phone has dual SIM slots and sadly, there is no microSD slot if there is need to expand the memory.

At the rear, the phone packs a triple camera setup aligned vertically at the centre. The glass back panel means there is no rear fingerprint sensor. Instead, you get an in-display fingerprint sensor onboard the K20 Pro. The Redmi logo is crest at the bottom with the inscription “Designed by Xiaomi”. The glass panel is curved at the edges, adding to the aesthetics of the device.

Editor’s Pick: Redmi 20-inch Suitcase launched for 299 Yuan ($43) as Redmi’s product offerings expand

As a reminder, the phone packs a 6.39-inch AMOLED display with 91.9% screen ratio. The phone comes with hardware DC dimming feature. At the helm is a Snapdragon 855 chipset paired with 6GB/8GB of RAM. There are 64GB, 128GB and 256GB storage options. The device gets its power from a 4000mAh battery with support for 27W fast charge. It is available in flame red, glacial blue, and carbon fibre black colours. Check out more pictures of the Carbon fibre black variant from below. For more details on the models, read our launch article.

UP NEXT: OPPO Reno Z with Helio P90, Waterdrop notch launched for 2499 Yuan ($362)