Advertisement

Complete specs of the OnePlus 7 Pro leaks ahead of release

Shortly after the release of hi-res images of the OnePlus 7 Pro, the phone’s complete spec sheet has leaked. The spec sheet mentions every technical detail related to the phone including the storage variants it will come in.

Oneplus 7 Pro blue

 

The major highlight of the OnePlus 7 Pro is its display. The Fluid AMOLED display which measures 6.67-inches in size has a 3120 x 1440 resolution and a 516 PPI. It has a maximum refresh rate of 90Hz and is home to an in-screen fingerprint scanner.

The phone will come in three variants – 6GB RAM + 128GB UFS 3.0, 8GB RAM + 256GB UFS 3.0, and 12GB RAM + 256GB UFS 3.0. It will have Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 855 octa-core SoC powering it along with an Adreno 640 GPU.

The OnePlus 7 Pro will have a triple camera setup on the rear. The primary sensor is a 48MP Sony IMX586 f/1.6 camera with a 7P lens and optical image stabilization. It is paired with a 16MP f/2.2 wide-angle camera with a 117° field of view and an 8MP f/2.4 telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom and a 78mm focal length.

[envira-gallery id=”252259″]

The phone will have Phase Detection Autofocus, Laser Autofocus, Continuous Autofocus, and a dual LED flash. It will be able to record 4K videos at 30fps/60fps, 1080p videos at 30fps/60fps, 720p videos at 30fps, and super slow motion videos at 1080p 240fps or 720p at 480fps.

The selfie camera is a 16MP f/2.0 Sony IMX471 with Electronic Image Stabilization. The camera can record 1080p videos at 30fps and 720p videos at 30fps.

READ MORE: OnePlus Bullets Wireless 2 and Warp Charge 30 Car Charger leaked

Fresh hi-res OnePlus 7 Pro renders show the phone from multiple angles

The date for the OnePlus 7 Pro launch draws closer with each passing day. We already know what the phone looks like thanks to leaked press images. More photos have leaked and they show more details about the phone’s design.

The images which were shared on the web by Ishan Agarwal (@IshanAgrwal24) on Twitter show the OnePlus 7 Pro in Almond and Nebula Blue. There are the regular front and rear images we have seen before, albeit in a higher resolution. There are also some that show the phone from new angles.

[envira-gallery id=”252251″]

The display looks gorgeous in these images and we can’t wait to see what it looks like in real life. Though we know reviewers and YouTubers already have their hands on the device and will drop their reviews minutes after the announcement. What’s left of the bezels (chin and forehead) are pretty thin, so brace up for a fully immersive experience. If you zoom in close, you should see a thin and long slit between the display and the frame for the earpiece. It is wide because it also doubles as one of the two stereo speakers.

The OnePlus 7 Pro’s selfie pop-up camera slides out from a spot that is a few millimeters off the center. There is no LED flash as we have seen on some phones this year but you should be able to take some decent selfies using the phone’s screen as a flash.

The phone has a curved display and the glass on the back is curved too where it meets the frame. The right side of the frame is home to the textured alert slider switch and the power button. There is an antenna line at the top and another close to the bottom. The left side of the frame houses the volume rocker. It also has antenna lines but there are two at the top and one at the bottom.

[envira-gallery id=”252248″]

There are also images of the top and bottom. The top is home to a noise-canceling microphone which keeps the selfie camera company. The bottom, on the other hand, is where the SIM tray, the USB Type-C port, and the speaker grille. There are two microphone holes flanking the charging port.

The rear of the OnePlus 7 Pro also looks amazing. The cameras, LED flash, OnePlus logo, and engraved name all lay in a single straight line. We understand if you do not want to put a case on this phone when you purchase it, but don’t forget the screen is pretty expensive.

READ MORE: First look at OnePlus 7 press renders and not a lot has changed

Huawei seems to have found a solution to the notch, patent reveals

In a bid to provide customers with smartphones bearing minimal amount of bezels around the display, smartphone OEMs have adopted different styles of notch design. Even though the notch offers us a higher screen ratio, they are not very popular with fans. Most fans would rather not have a phone with the notch.  No doubt, the era of flagship phones with 16:9 aspect ratio is gone so OEMs have ventured into sliding and pop-up camera designs as alternatives to the notch. But then, we have to grapple with the challenges of having a mechanical sliding design that raises concerns about durability. Huawei may have got a workable alternative to the notch that doesn’t involve using a slide or pop-up selfie cam.Huawei patent

The smartphone as envisioned in the patent document sports a notchless display which is joined by a thin chin and side bezels. Huawei is by all accounts playing with the possibility of an adjusted upper bezel. The top edge is curved in a pattern similar to Meitu’s iconic phone design. The outward curve creates enough space to house the selfie camera and audio receiver speaker. However, the design doesn’t look any spectacular.

Read Also: Sharp Aquos R3 with dual notches, IGZO display and Snapdragon 855 launched!

Huawei’s design will in all likelihood be utilized solely in the low-end and mid-tier segment whenever it is ready to be commercialized. In any case, since this plan is essentially a patent at this stage, there’s no assurance the tech giant will ever release a phone with this sort of design.

(source)

OnePlus 7 Pro Rumor Roundup: Everything You Need To Know (Specs, Price, Release)

OnePlus will officially take the wraps off its new OnePlus 7 series on May 14. The launch event is being held in 3 cities (New York, London, Mumbai), in three different continents, simultaneously. It’s a big deal for the company and an even bigger deal for the millions of OnePlus fans across the globe.

However, this year, OnePlus is going to take a different route. The company has decided to release an additional ‘OnePlus 7 Pro’ model alongside the standard variant. So, unlike the ZTE Axon 10 Pro (where the ‘Pro’ is actually unnecessary because there’s just one model in the lineup), here the ‘Pro’ tag is justified by releasing two flagship grade smartphones.

OP7 Pro by Ishan Agarwal
OP7 Pro render by Ishan Agarwal

The OnePlus 7 Duo: A Road Not Taken

OnePlus’ decision to release a ‘Pro’ version isn’t surprising. The company has built a huge fan base across the globe eagerly looking forward to their smartphones every six months. However, it also has been slowly but steadily raising the prices of each iteration (OP5T – $499 | OP6 – $529 | OP6T – $549 ). OnePlus’ recent flagships have come close to breaking their popular ‘affordability‘ quotient. But the dilemma here is that OnePlus also wants to be known as a top-tier smartphone maker.

So how do you offer cutting edge technology in your flagship without raising its price?

Well, you can’t, not in this age!

So what you do instead is release two models, a standard OnePlus 7 that keeps your affordability quotient intact and then offer another model, the OnePlus 7 Pro that houses high-end features. Matter solved.

 

OnePlus 7 Pro Design

Now that the company has decided to offer a ‘Pro’ variant, they have to ensure it’s worth every additional penny. The very success of this higher-end variant will depend on the perception of the device amongst the top-tier flagships in the market.

OnePlus 7 Pro
OnePlus 7 Pro in Nebula Blue
Source: Roland Quandt

You can’t slap an average FHD+ AMOLED screen with a notch and get your fan’s attention. So, what OnePlus is planning to do is use a custom made AMOLED panel with a full-screen notch-less design. The OnePlus 7 Pro is said to use a pop-up mechanism to house its front camera, keeping its front super clean. There should be a thin bottom bezel, but overall, it will be a bezel-less design.

OnePlus 7 Pro in Almond shade
OnePlus 7 Pro in Almond shade
Source: Roland Quandt

The back of the OP7 Pro is going to be refined as well. The company is opting for a symmetric theme, that goes well with most users. So, the triple camera setup at the back will be vertically arranged at the center followed by its flash and the OnePlus logo. It’s definitely one of the more refined designs from OnePlus in recent times.

OnePlus 7 Pro Nebula Blue-
OnePlus 7 Pro Nebula Blue
Source: Roland Quandt

The power button and alert slider will be on the right, while the volume buttons should lie on the left.

Further, there should be three colors available at launch — gradient Nebula Blue (the renders look beautiful!), Almond (more like soft gold), and a Mirror Grey (more like black).

OnePlus 7 render featured
OnePlus 7 Source: Roland Quandt

For the standard OnePlus 7 model, not a lot has changed as compared to its predecessor. You’ll get a waterdrop notch, and a dual camera setup at the back.

 

OnePlus 7 Pro Display

OnePlus’ displays have been good but nothing extraordinary. When top-tier flagship models featured Quad HD+ displays, OnePlus had to stick to FHD+ panels on its flagship models to keep the pricing affordable.

OnePlus 7 Pro confirmed to feature UFS 3.0 storage
OP7Pro
Source: Roland Quandt

With the OnePlus 7 Pro, the company can actually afford to take the display game a step higher. In this regard, OnePlus has already confirmed that the OnePlus 7 Pro will feature a ‘breakthrough’ display. In fact, CEO Pete Lau went on to say the phone features:

‘a whole new display which has to be seen to be believed’

OnePlus CEO, in an interview with the Verge, revealed that the company has spent nearly three times as much as its previous displays in order to bring something that “redefine fast and smooth”. Official specs are not yet available, but earlier leaks have revealed a 6.64-inch Quad HD+ custom-made AMOLED curved panel for the Pro version. Yes, it would be a curved panel, as hinted by the recent tempered glass panels for the device.

Recent OnePlus teasers were all about ‘smooth and this could be a way to hint its 90Hz refresh rate. Such a high refresh rate would make images and animations extremely smooth and snappy on its large screen. Gaming should be a treat as well! It is being said that the phone can automatically switch between 60Hz-90Hz based on the content and usage.

Talking about treats, did we mention that the OnePlus 7 Pro is confirmed to support HDR10+ content?! Watching Netflix on its large 6.6-inch display should be a delight! Also, that 3X price for the new screen seems to be paying off as the OnePlus 7 Pro has earned DisplayMate’s A+ — its highest rating for smartphones.

So, what about the standard OnePlus 7 model?

OnePlus 7
OP7
Source: Roland Quandt

No custom-made display for this cheaper variant, so expect things to be very similar to the OnePlus 6T. Basically a 6.2-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED panel. Nothing extraordinary.

 

OnePlus 7 Pro Camera

Recent OnePlus 7 Pro camera leaks have converged to this: a triple camera setup with a 48MP f/1.6 primary lens with OIS, an 8MP f/2.2 telephone lens with OIS and a 16MP f/2.2 Ultrawide lens with PDAF. In line with recent smartphones, the phone will feature 3X optical zoom. We have already seen a few samples of its zoom capabilities, you can check it out here.

Source: Concept Creators
A OP7Pro concept based on leaks

There should be a 16MP camera up front. As mentioned above, it should be housed in a pop-up design. A recent newspaper ad by the company further confirms this notch-less all display design.

The setup looks good, right? But what about the quality?

OnePlus’ imaging director, Simon Liu had some more information to share about the ‘Pro’ model’s camera. While talking to Wired, he said that the OnePlus 7 Pro’s camera samples will be visibly better than its predecessors.

“Our pictures are a lot more detailed compared to our previous phones” — Simon Liu

He added that the new model will retain the simple camera UI seen in the current models. While there should be a significant increase in the quality of the samples, Liu says that the OP7Pro might not be able to beat the top-tier flagships. Still, there should be significant upgrades in elements such as HDR, portrait mode, and night mode.

OnePlus 7
Source: Roland Quandt

Like with the display, the standard OnePlus 7 should be overshadowed by its elder sibling in the camera department as well. The standard edition is said to feature a dual camera setup with a 48MP primary camera with f/1.7 and a 5MP secondary sensor likely for depth information. So, no fancy stuff like a wide angle or telephoto lens. Expect camera performance similar to the OnePlus 6T.

 

OnePlus 7 Pro Specs

Here’s the summary of what to expect in terms of specs for both the devices.

SPECS OnePlus 7 OnePlus 7 PRO
DIMENSIONS 157.7 x 74.8 x 8.1mm 162.6 x 76 x 8.8mm
DISPLAY 6.2-inch AMOLED FHD+ 6.64-inch AMOLED Quad HD+ 90Hz
CPU Snapdragon 855 Snapdragon 855
MEMORY 6GB + 128GB

UFS 3.0

6GB+128GB

8GB+256GB

12GB+256GB

UFS 3.0

CAMERAS REAR: 48MP f/1.6 OIS + 5MP depth sensor

 

REAR: 48MP f/1.6 OIS + 8MP f/2.2 OIS + 16MP f/2.2 UW

Front: 16MP

COMMS. No headphone jack

No IP rating

Stereo speakers

No headphone jack

No IP rating

Stereo speakers

BATTERY 3700mAh battery with 30W Warp Charge

No Wireless charging

4000mAh battery with 30W Warp Charge

No Wireless charging

SOFT. OxygenOS based on Android 9 OxygenOS based on Android 9
COLORS Mirror Black Mirror Grey, Almond, Nebula Blue
LAUNCH May 14, 2019 May 14, 2019

It’s worth adding that the 12GB RAM OnePlus 7 Pro passed through Geekbench a few days back with a spectacular score of 11012 in its multi-core test, beating even the Galaxy S10+.

Notably, the OnePlus 7 Pro won’t feature 5G. The company will launch its 5G model separately later this year.

 

OnePlus 7 Pro Price

Here’s what OnePlus 7 Pro is expected to cost in the EU based on recent rumors.

  • 6GB+128GB: €699?
  • 8GB+256GB: €749
  • 12GB+256GB: €819

The EU prices should fluctuate by around €10 in different markets.

As for the US prices, it’s likely going to be the same figures for all variants with € replaced with $.

While in India, the pricing should be as follows (as revealed by Ishan):

  • 6GB+128GB: Rs. 49,999
  • 8GB+256GB: Rs. 52,999
  • 12GB+256GB: Rs. 57,999

Alongside the new OnePlus 7 duo, we expect accessories like Bullets Wireless 2 and a new car charger to be revealed at the May 14 event.

We don’t have any information on the standard OnePlus 7’s pricing, but it should be close to the OP6T. Somewhere around $549 – $580 can be expected. But this is pure speculation.

This basically sums up what we know about the OnePlus 7 and the OnePlus 7 Pro!

 

AnTuTu Best value for money smartphones in April 2019

AnTuTu has released a chart of the top Value-for-money smartphones that sold in the Chinese market in the month of April 2019. The ranking categorized into two different price ranges; those priced between 1000~1999 yuan ($147-$294) and models with price ranging from 2000~3000 yuan ($294-$442).

AnTuTu

In the 1000~1999 yuan ($147-$294) price category, the Meizu X8 4GB+64GB version emerged as the most cost-effective phone, more than half-a-year after it was launched in China. The Snapdragon 710-powered Meizu X8 is presently selling for 1,198 yuan ($176) on JD.com. For a premium mid-range model, the price sure gives buyers value for their money. Surprisingly, the phone is not even too popular among buyers. That notwithstanding, the X8 pipped other popular models such as the Meizu Note 9, Mi 8 SE to clinch the title.

Read Also: Realme 3 Pro Review: The Best Budget Phone Ever?

In the price range of 2000~3000 yuan ($294-$442), the most cost-effective mobile phone is the ZTE Axon 9 6GB+64GB version, another device that isn’t too popular. The flagship Axon 9 packs a Snapdragon 845 chipset and the 6GB+64GB version is currently sold at 2098 yuan ($309) in China. The phone also features a 6.21-inch AMOLED full screen, HDR10 display, a built-in 4000mAh battery, a rear dual camera setup with support for 130 ° ultra wide-angle camera, and has ultra-linear dual speakers. That should be an amazing buy for just $309. Unfortunately, you won’t get the phone for that amount anywhere outside China. Other great value-for-money phones include the Meizu 16th (6GB+64GB version), Xiaomi Mi 8 (6GB+128GB), Lenovo Z5 Pro GT (6GB+128GB), Smartisan R1 (6GB+128GB), Mi 9 (6GB+128GB), Mi Mix 2s (6GB+128GB) etc.

(source)

Google Pixel 3a vs Xiaomi Mi 9 SE: Specs Comparison

There are two categories of phones that is every day more impossible to find in the actual market. We are talking about compact phones and affordable phones with flagship-class cameras. With people searching for big phablets with huge displays and due to the high costs of high-end camera modules and R&D, a lot of people struggle to find such devices. But it seems some companies understood it and they released two models which fit this kind of demand perfectly. We are referring to the atypical Google Pixel 3a which is the first affordable device from the Pixel series, and the Xiaomi Mi 9 SE which comes as an affordable variant of the Mi 9 flagship. Through this specs comparison, we will try to let you know which one fits your needs the most.

Google Pixel 3a vs Xiaomi Mi 9 SE

Google Pixel 3a Xiaomi Mi 9 SE
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT 151.3 x 70.1 x 8.2 mm,

147 grams

147.5 x 70.5 x 7.5 mm,

155 grams

DISPLAY 5.6 inches, 1080 x 2220p (Full HD+), 441 ppi, 18.5:9 ratio, OLED 5.97 inches, 1080 x 2340p (Full HD+), 432 ppi, 19.5:9 ratio, Super AMOLED
PROCESSOR Qualcomm Snapdragon 670, octa-core 2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 712, octa-core 2.3 GHz
MEMORY 4 GB RAM, 64 GB 6 GB RAM, 64 GB – 6 GB RAM, 128 GB
SOFTWARE Android 9 Pie Android 9 Pie, MIUI
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
CAMERA 12.2 MP f/1.8
8 MP f/2.0 front camera
Triple 48 + 13 + 8 MP f/1.8 and f/2.4 and f/2.4
20 MP f/2.0 front camera
BATTERY 3000 mAh
Fast charging 18W
3070 mAh, Fast Charging 18W
ADDITIONAL FEATURES / Dual SIM slot

Design

Just like its older sibling Pixel 3, the Google Pixel 3a shows a very original design, especially on its rear side composed of two pieces of slightly different colors. Despite that, it is not among the devices with the most premium look and builds quality, and it has a cheap polycarbonate body as well as a display with pretty thick bezels. On the other hand, Xiaomi Mi 9 SE has a premium and flagship-like design, it is hard to distinguish it from the vanilla Mi 9. It is equipped with a glass back, it has a very high screen-to-body ratio and it comes in stunning gradient color variants. Further, it is even more compact, despite Google Pixel 3a has a smaller display.

 

Display

While there are big differences in build quality between the Google Pixel 3a and Xiaomi Mi 9 SE, it is not the same with their displays. They both feature compact AMOLED panels which are easier to use with one hand than most of the smartphones out there. Further, they even come with the OLED technology providing brilliant colors and deep blacks. I personally prefer the Xiaomi Mi 9 SE for its more narrow bezels, a great color reproduction thanks to the HDR10 standard, and its in-display fingerprint reader. On the other hand, Google Pixel 3a is a better handset for music lovers as it features stereo speakers and a 3.5 mm audio jack.

 

Specs & Software

Both Google Pixel 3a and Xiaomi Mi 9 SE are equipped with an upper-midrange hardware department, but Xiaomi Mi 9 SE is superior. Indeed, it has a more powerful chipset (Snapdragon 712 vs Snapdragon 670) boasting a better GPU (so better graphics performance), as well as a higher amount of RAM (6 GB) and internal storage (128 GB) in its most expensive variant. Last but not least, it has expandable storage. Google Pixel 3a is better only when it comes to software, as its stock Android version will get updated quicker by Google and will make it a safer device.

 

Camera

On the camera side, there is a very hard battle. Google Pixel 3a has just a single camera on its rear side, but it is the same sensor as the vanilla Pixel 3 which is one of the best camera phones actually in the market, especially in low light conditions thanks to its advanced algorithm. It even has optical stabilization and it can record 4K videos. Xiaomi Mi 9 SE has a triple camera setup which includes the same 48 MP main sensor found on the Mi 9, an ultrawide lens and a telephoto lens. And it can shoot awesome photos as well in every light condition. I personally prefer the Google Pixel 3a due to its main camera and algorithm allowing to shoot amazing photos with low light, as well as its astonishing 8 MP selfie camera.

 

 

Battery

Unfortunately, we still had no chance to test the battery life of the Google Pixel 3a. And given that it comes with more or less the same capacity of the Xiaomi Mi 9 SE, it is hard to understand which one will last more on a single charge. If we base on previous Google device, Pixel 3a might be optimized better and it may last more in most of the scenarios, but we can not give a verdict right now.

 

Price

In the global market, Xiaomi Mi 9 SE has a starting price tag of €350/$392, while Google Pixel 3a starts from €399/$399. Whatever you choose it will be a very good choice, but the Xiaomi Mi 9 SE is my favorite one due to its more beautiful aesthetics, higher-end hardware, UD fingerprint scanner, and micro SD support.

 

 

Google Pixel 3a vs Xiaomi Mi 9 SE: PRO and CONS

Google Pixel 3a

PRO

  • Amazing cameras
  • Stereo speakers
  • Software gets updated quicker
  • Original rear design

CONS

  • No dual SIM

 

Xiaomi Mi 9 SE

PRO

  • Bigger display
  • Better design and build quality
  • Higher performance
  • More affordable
  • Awesome cameras
  • UD fingerprint scanner

CONS

  • Nothing particular

Sharp Aquos R3 with dual notches, IGZO display and Snapdragon 855 launched!

Since the era of bezel-less phones, we have seen OEMs adopt various design styles ranging from the iPhone X-styled notch, water drop notch, punch-hole, pop-up and sliding design, aimed at reducing the display bezels. The main goal is to increase the screen-to-body ratio and thus give users better user experiences. Even before notch-screen design became a trend, Sharp has long been using the design on its phones. We recently received rumours that the Japanese display giant is planning to implement a dual notch design on its upcoming phone. The rumours turned out to be true as Sharp has launched the Aquos R3 sporting dual notches at the top and bottom of the display. Sharp Aquo S3

Sharp Aquos R3 comes with all the dressings of a flagship phone and even more. This is the first phone we’ll be meeting with such a design. Critically analysing the display design, you’ll see there is a waterdrop notch at the top housing the selfie camera and a wider one at the bottom aspect. We can’t say for sure why Sharp opted for such a strange design. Even though some might find it interesting, we doubt if proponents of retaining the symmetrical design of phones will smile at this one. The bottom notch seems to have offered Sharp the space to cram a front-facing stereo speaker on the device. This is one design we have missed on smartphones as you won’t have to the back of your mobile phone to listen to music blasting from the speakers. The device even seems to have a second speaker at the top edge meaning the sound output will be spectacular. The speaker uses Dolby Atmos surround sound technology.Sharp Aquos S3

As for the specification, Sharp Aquos R3 features a 6.2-inch Pro IGZO LCD display and is powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 chipset. The phone comes in 6GB+128GB memory combination.  Under the hood is a 3200mAh battery with support for 11W fast charge. On the camera end, there is a single 16.3 MP camera house in the waterdrop notch up at the front. The device packs a dual camera setup at the rear made up of a 12.2 MP + 20MP sensors. The rear camera supports 125° super wide-angle shooting. The device has a body thickness 8.9mm and weighs 185g.Sharp Aquos S3

Read Also: Case maker leaks Sharp Aquos R3′s design; has dual notches

  Sharp is yet to release the Aquos R3 price and release itinerary. We’ll update you with more information as they drop.

(source)

Huawei P Smart Z with pop-up selfie camera gets silent launch in Spain and Italy

The Huawei P Smart Z has appeared on the manufacturer’s Italian and Spanish website confirming that both phones will be sold in the two European countries. The listing reveals all the specs and features of the phone.

huawei p smart z back design color green

 

The Huawei P Smart Z comes with what Huawei has dubbed an Ultra FullView Display. There is no notch or punch hole on the screen like some of Huawei’s other phones. It is practically all-screen with a slightly thick lower bezel. The LCD screen is 6.59-inches with an FHD+ (2340 x 1080) resolution. There is a small grille in the frame for the earpiece.

Since there is no notch, punch hole, or top bezel, the 16MP selfie camera has a new home. It is hidden inside the phone when not in use and pops up in just 1 second when needed for a selfie and retracts when you are done. Huawei boasts the selfie camera can withstand a pressure of 12kg and has been tested over 100,000 times. It can also work in environments with temperatures between -20°C and 60°C.

Huawei P Smart Z selfie camera

The selfie camera is loaded with tons of features. It has a 6P lens, 8 different selfie-timer scenes, and can take 3D portraits (available on the rear camera too).

The P Smart Z is powered by the Kirin 710F processor with 4GB RAM and 64GB of expandable storage. There is a 16MP + 2MP dual camera combo on the rear which can identify up to 500 different scenes under 22 categories. There is also a fingerprint scanner on the back. The phone packs a 4000mAh battery that charges via a USB Type-C port. It has NFC, dual-band Wi-Fi, and dual-SIM slot. It also runs EMUI 9.0 based on Android Pie.

READ MORE: This Sci-Fi short film was shot entirely on the Huawei P30 Pro

Xiaomi Mi 9 SE latest update brings along the ability to take a shot of the Moon!

Xiaomi has over the last two years continued to improve on the camera configuration of its phones. The progress made is very evident on the DXOMark ranking of Xiaomi’s flagship models which presently rank among the top 10 phone cameras. The camera samples from the mid-range and budget models often leave some persons including yours sincerely awestruck. Xiaomi Mi 9 SE

For reference, the latest flagship Mi 9 received a score of 107 points on DXOMark and comes with features such as Moon mode among others. Xiaomi has now pushed a fresh update to the Mi 9 SE which brings the new Moon mode among other features. The update version number is MIUI V10.3.10 and as the name implies, the Moon mode allows users to capture a shot of the moon on the Mi 9 SE.

To use the feature, just open the camera app, aim at the moon then turn on the AI camera. You then tap the screen to focus and then adjust the zoom factor to 4 times or more, The camera will automatically recognize and display that you have entered moon mode. At this point, hit the capture button and you’ll shoot a clean shot of the moon. The biggest advantage of this mode is that you don’t need manual focus, you don’t need to manually set the ISO, the shutter. Thus, even a novice without any previous knowledge about photography can capture a clear shot of the moon thousands of miles away with a smartphone camera!

Xiaomi 9 SE stable version system update: finally ushered in "moon mode"

Read Also: Buy Xiaomi Mi 9 SE Global Version For Just $329 on Giztop [$20 Off Coupon]

The camera configuration of the Mi 9 SE is almost similar to the Mi 9, so it shouldn’t be a surprise this feature is hitting the mid-range model. To recall, the Mi 9 SE packs a 48 MP Sony IMX586 wide-angle lens + 8MP telephoto lens and a 13MP super wide -angle lens at the rear. The Mi 9 features a 48 MP Sony IMX586 main sensor+ 12MP + 16 MP super wide-angle sensors. Apart from the Moon mode, the Mi 9 SE also features the Super Night scene mode and 960 frames slow-motion photography.

(source)

Android 9 Pie is now powering more than 10% of active devices

Google has updated its Android Distribution Dashboard, which confirms that Android Pie has indeed made progress since its release last year. The company had not updated the dashboard for more than six months, and the last available data is of October 2018.

Now, the dashboard has been updated to reflect the distribution of various versions of Android across active Android devices. The Mountain View-based company now claims that there are over 2.5 billion active devices running Android 9 Pie. This means that the new version is powering 10.4 percent of active devices. This is ahead of the schedule compared to the past releases.

samsung-one-ui-android-pie

This quick adoption of Android Pie can be seen as a win for Google, and specifically for Project Treble. The new update method was first introduced in Android Oreo and Pie gave it its first chance to really work.

The data reveals that Android Oreo, which was released about two years ago, is currently the most widely used operating system among all active devices. It has an install base of 28.3 percent with Android 8.0 Oreo active on 12.9 percent devices and Android 8.1 Oreo on 15.4 percent devices.

Android Adoptation Chart

Android Oreo is followed by Android Nougat, which has a total install base of 19.2 percent with Android 7.0 Nougat on 11.4 percent devices and Android 7.1 Nougat on 7.8 percent devices. The distribution index is based on data collected during a 7-day period that ended on May 7, 2019.

Read More: CameraX API will bring great improvements on the Android camera apps

Google has also provided an update on the massive number of devices running on Android. During the keynote, the company confirmed that a whopping 2.5 billion devices are currently running on the Android platform as monthly active devices.

(Source)

Source code shows some of the Pixel 3a XL OLED panels are supplied by China’s Tianma

Google took the veil off the Pixel 3a and 3a XL yesterday, ending lingering speculation about the models. The models present with a Snapdragon 670 chipset under their hood and unlike the Pixel 3 models, they retain the 3.5mm audio jack. The Pixel 3a models also come with OLED displays which is our point of focus of this report.Pixel 3a XL Not long after the launch conference, the Pixel 3a/3a XL kernel source code appeared on Google’s support library. One of the major things we can grab from the listing is that the display panels of the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL are supplied by Samsung and Chinese firm Tianma. The source code for the Pixel 3a XL was specifically listed to be manufactured by both Samsung Display and Tianma while that of the Pixel 3a is manufactured by Samsung Display only.Pixel 3a XL souce code

Tianma Micro-Electronics is a China-based display producer that was established in 1983. TianMa has been active with OLED R&D since 2010. The company presently manufactures OLED panels in its 6-Gen LTPS AMOLED fab in Wuhan, China. This is a good development which means Samsung’s monopoly in the aspect of OLED panels supply.

Read Also: Google confirms that it is working on foldable smartphone prototypes

The source code also shows that Google had finalized the industrial design of the Pixel3a as far back as 2013. The camera module was completed in 2016 and the core chip was installed in 2017. Also, we got to know that the Pixel 3a is codenamed Sargo while the Pixel 3a XL comes with the code name Bonito.

(via)

CameraX API will bring great improvements on the Android camera apps

Google made several announcements including the Pixel 3a and Android Q launch at the Google IO 2019 keynote session. Various new APIs and other software related upliftments were made public for the developers. Similarly, CameraX, a new API aimed at improving camera apps on Android is released. It works across most Android devices with easy-to-use implementation and compatibility across Android 5.0+ devices.

Developers can easily code the new camera apps using CameraX by utilizing the CameraX Extensions and optional add-ons. It can easily leverage the camera experience provided by the preinstalled camera app on any device. Developers only need to add a couple of lines code to induce all the features from the native camera app. It let fetch capabilities like Portrait, HDR, Night, and Beauty.

It is an easily usable API and will drastically reduce the code on third-party Android camera apps. The time-consuming task to code for every specific device in the camera app will end. Google has developed a dedicated CameraX test lab to examine the improvements in all operating systems starting from Android 5.0.

Google has modeled it in a plug-and-play environment to catch basic camera behavior easily. A set of different use-cases – Preview, Image analysis, and Image Capture is part of the latest API.

The new API is currently in Alpha stage, and Google recommends not to use it for the production environment. However, Google is promoting its use for testing purposes.

CameraX will surely benefit developers who code camera apps for Android. It will lead to better, streamlined, and well-optimized camera apps with compatibility across wider user-base.

(via | source)

Redmi laptop may launch alongside Redmi flagship phone

At the last Redmi event in China, the new company announced its first non-phone related product – the Redmi 1A washing machine. Its next event is rumored to be on May 13 where it will unveil its Snapdragon 855-powered flagship phone. Alongside the phone, it has been reported Redmi will launch “one more thing”.

Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air 13.3
Redmi may announce its own notebook line on May 13

There are speculations as to what the second product may be with some even saying it might be a smart home device. A new leak we came across suggests that may not be true. According to a tweet by Sudhanshu Ambhore, the second product is actually a Redmi laptop!

Yes, the leaker says, Redmi will also release their laptops (more than one) just like Xiaomi’s Mi Notebook, along with their flagship phone.

We haven’t gotten any proof to back up this info but it doesn’t seem far-fetched. Xiaomi already makes computers, so it won’t be hard for its spin-off company to also release its own models. Think of it as how Huawei and Honor both release computers under the MateBook and MagicBook line respectively.

READ MORE: Redmi flagship phone confirmed to come with an ultrawide camera, 3.5mm audio jack, and NFC

Google plans to make more affordable Pixel phones

Google announced the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL yesterday on Day 1 of this year’s edition of Google I/O. Both devices are the cheapest smartphones Google has released ever since it ditched the Nexus line in favor of the Pixel line a few years ago. The good news is they won’t be the last.

Pixel 3a

According to a report by Android Police, the Pixel 3a smartphones are not “one-off” devices. Google’s plan is to continue releasing affordable versions of its Pixel smartphones for the “foreseeable future”.

There is no confirmation yet that these future devices will get the “a” suffix (Pixel 4a, Pixel 5a) but they will happen. The move is also a win for Google in a way. Rather than wait a whole year before the launch of the next Pixel phone, the tech giant will have two main phone launches each year, keeping them in the news.

READ MORE: Google announces Android Q; Realme 3 Pro, Mi 9 among devices getting beta 3

Realme X confirmed to carry 48MP Sony IMX586 camera with Nightscape mode

Realme is launching its flagship device Realme X on May 15 at an event in Beijing. The multiple rumors regarding its features and design are hinting the presence of high-end specifications. The company itself is revealing a lot of details about the Realme X. In a recent teaser, Realme confirms the presence of a 48MP Sony IMX586 sensor having an f/1.7 aperture on the Realme X.

As like of the Realme 3 and Realme 3 Pro, the Realme X will also feature Nightscape mode for low-light imaging. It will adjust the camera settings to get clearer and brighter photos in the night. However, it was not clear until now whether the company will use the Samsung GM1 sensor or Sony’s. The new poster unfolded almost every detail regarding its rear camera. Here’s an image showing the zooming capabilities of the 48-megapixel sensor on the Realme X.

The company in the recent past also confirmed the presence of an AMOLED display panel and a notchless design on the upcoming flagship device. Additionally, it will be powered with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 730 SoC and an on-screen fingerprint scanner. Realme X is rumored to support VOOC 3.0 fast charging, Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection and a 3680 mAh battery. A 6.5-inch FHD+ display is expected on the Realme X, reveals a recent TENAA listing.

Read More: Realme X officially confirmed to arrive with 91.2% high screen space and pop-up selfie camera

It will launch in China with disruptive pricing and later will unveil in India. Realme X will surface in three different variants – 6GB + 64GB storage for 1599 Yuan (~$236), 6GB + 128GB version for 1799 Yuan (~$265), and the 8GB + 128GB storage version for 1999 Yuan(~$295). Another Realme X version – Realme X Pro expected to feature Snapdragon 855 chipset is also coming soon.

(source)

EMUI 9 prioritizes battery life over performance in Huawei P30 Pro: AnTuTu

A few users of the Huawei P30 Pro were upset about the phone’s lower score of 238,000 on AnTuTu benchmarking platform and expressed their views on Chinese microblogging platform Weibo. The score is well below the average score of a Snapdragon 855-powered phone.

AnTuTu officially responded to this and revealed that the EMUI 9, the custom version of the Android 9 Pie-based operating system that the phone users, prioritizes the phone’s battery life over the performance.

AnTuTu Scoring of Huawei P30 Pro

This means that the performance mode isn’t activated by default and the resultant score gets compromised. The company added that if you manually activate the performance mode from the battery settings, then the benchmarking scores will be different.

Recently, AnTuTu released a list of top performing smartphones for April 2019. The first position is occupied by Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer Edition with an average benchmarking score of 373,715. The second position is acquired by Xiaomi Mi 9 that has scored 373,511 points while Xiaomi’s Black Shark 2 gaming phone comes third with a score of 371,837 points.

Placed on the fourth is the new entrant Meizu 16s smartphone with a score of 370,306. The Vivo iQOO Monster edition gaming-focused smartphone with 12 GB of RAM has recorded 363,360 on the benchmarking platform. The Samsung Galaxy S10+ and Galaxy S10 smartphones have respectively scored 395,936 and 358,726 on AnTuTu.

Read More: Honor 20 Pro’s protective shell leak reveals two vertical strips for rear-facing cameras

The Vivo iQOO standard edition is placed on the eighth position with 354,138 scores. All the aforementioned smartphones mentioned in the list are powered by Snapdragon 855 mobile platform. The Snapdragon 845 SoC powered Nubia Red Magic Mars gaming smartphone is on the ninth position with a score of 310,612. The last phone in the list is the Honor V20 with 306,289 points, which is powered by the Kirin 980 chipset.

Honor 20 Pro’s Protective Shell teased by VP reveals two vertical strips for rear cameras

Honor is expanding its affordable lineup with Honor 20 and Honor 20 Pro soon. Both the devices are slated for launch in London on 21st of this month. There’s minimal information available about the upcoming device as of now. However, the rumor mill managed to bring forward some details like the presence of pop-up camera design, quad rear camera module with a ToF and an LED flash, and other details. A piece of new information appeared today via a protective shell teased by Honor VP’s Weibo handle.

The protective shell is teasing two vertical strips on the rear side of the device. Some tech experts believe, a triple camera module will take place on the left strip, whereas a macro lens or ToF sensor will be present on the right strip with an LED flash. Its triple camera module is expected to carry a 16-Megapixel Super wide angle lens, 48-Megapixel primary sensor, 8-Megapixel Telephoto lens, and a 2MP macro lens. The camera will surely benefit from added 4-axis OIS (Optical Image stabilization) and Laser Autofocus.

honor 20 pro protective shell

A sticker on the Honor 20 Pro’s protective shell is bearing a model number RNY-AL01, and some other details such as 4G compatibility. The protective shell is hinting towards the presence of an on-screen fingerprint sensor, rather than the one on the rear side. Additionally, placeholders for volume rockers and power button are present on the right side of the device. Whereas on the left, a small opening for the SIM card slot can be seen.

Related: What does the Honor 20 Pro actually look like? These alleged promo images makes it more confusing

According to slashleaks, Honor 20 Pro will easily capture detailed low-light photos with improved aperture and four-in-one pixel fusion technology.

(source)

Moto Z4 to arrive with SD675, 48MP camera, 25MP selfie camera and more

Recent reports have revealed that Motorola will be soon releasing Moto Z series of smartphones. Earlier this year, @OnLeaks had shared renders of Motorola Moto Z4 Play smartphone. In March, a new Motorola phone codenamed as “foles” was approved by Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The same phone is said to be internally codenamed as “stingray.” It was found that the phone is packed with mid-range specs. Earlier this month, Evan Blass shared a render of the Moto Z4 smartphone. Fresh information shared by XDA Developers that Z4 Play renders shared by @OnLeaks could actually belong to the Moto Z4 phone. Hence, it can be said that the Moto Z4 will be arriving as a mid-range phone.

The FCC documents of the “foles” Moto Z4 has a model number of XT1980-3. It is powered by the Snapdragon 675 chipset. It will be arriving with 4 GB or 6 GB of RAM. It may come in UFS 2.1 storage options such as 64 GB and 128 GB. It will be packed with a 3,600mAh battery. FCC reveals that its stock power adapter carries support for 18W fast charging.

The smartphone will be equipped with a single camera on its rear. It will include a 48-megapixel S5KM1SP sensor by Q technology that will be able to capture 12-megapixel shots by default. Fore capturing selfies, the handset will feature 25-megapixel Samsung S5K2X5 sensor.

Moto Z4 render

The FCC filings do not have any information on the size of its display of the Moto Z4 smartphone. The handset measures 157 x 75mm which is similar to the Moto G7 Plus smartphone that comes with a 6.2-inch IPS LCD display with waterdrop notch. Hence, the Moto Z4 is likely to arrive with the same-sized screen. What’s known about Z4’s display is that it will be equipped with Goodix supplied in-display fingerprint reader. The smartphone is expected to come preloaded with Android 9 Pie OS. Lastly, the phone will carry support for Moto Mod accessories.

Recently, a leakster had revealed that the Moto Z4 will be available with a price tag of $399. He had also revealed some other features of the phone such as it will be sporting an IP67 rated chassis and it will be arriving in two models such as 4 GB RAM + 64 GB storage and 6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage.

The tipster had also revealed that Motorola will be also releasing Moto Z4 Force flagship phone powered by the Snapdragon 855 mobile platform and 8 GB of RAM. It is expected to sport the same display as Moto Z4. The other rumored features of the Z4 Force include 128 GB of native storage, in-display fingerprint scanner, a 3,230mAh battery and a triple camera setup with a 48-megapixel main sensor, a 13-megapixel sensor and a telephoto lens. It could be priced at $650.

(via)

Buy EU and Non-EU Versions of Ulefone Armor 6E Smartphone at Lowered Prices on Banggood

Ulefone unveiled its long-awaited Armor 6E smartphone in April this year. The phone comes in two versions including one that’s designed for people located in the European Union region and the other that works outside the European Union region.

Much to the delight of Ulefone fans located in European Union as well as Non-European Union regions, both versions of the Armor 6E are available bearing heavily discounted prices on Banggood. Aside from taking advantage of the discount, Banggood users stand a chance of winning a free gift as well.

The European Union and the Non-European Union would normally set you back a pretty penny on both online as well as offline stores, but you can get them for considerably lowered prices of just $249 from the Chinese online store.

This is a noteworthy reduction in the device’s original asking price of $249.99, but that’s not all. First 99 lucky users will qualify for receiving a data cable as a free gift along with their orders. This offer will be available on the first come, first served basis.Ulefone Armor 6E An absolute steal at this price, the Ulefone Armor 6E boasts an impressive array of features and top-end specs. Here’s a brief glimpse of the awe-inspiring features:

  • 2 Inch FHD+ Capacitive Touch Screen with 1080 x 2246 pixels
  • Helio P70 MT6771T Octa-core 64-bit 2.1GHz Processor
  • ARM Mali G72 MP3 900MHz GPU
  • 4GB RAM / 64GB ROM (up to 256GB expandable)
  • 16MP + 2MP rear-mounted cameras
  • 0MP front camera
  • IP68/IP69K waterproof
  • 5000mAh Li-Polymer battery
  • Android 9.0 Pie OS

You can head straight to this link to check out the full specifications and grab the discounts available on the European Union and Non-European Union versions of the Ulefone Armor 6E smartphone before the promo ends.

Buy Ulefone Armor 6E at Lowered Price

Huawei P30 Pro Special Edition pictures show luxurious and glittery design

Huawei’s flagship smartphone — Huawei P30 Pro was launched last month at an event in Paris, France. The Honor P30 series has been well received by the users and has broken several sales records for the company.

Yesterday, we reported that Huawei has launched a new limited edition version of the smartphone, dubbed Huawei P30 Pro Special Edition, which is also being referred to as Huawei P30 Pro Limited Edition by many.

Huawei P30 Pro Special Edition

Here are the images of the Special Edition version of P30 Pro, showcasing how it is different from the standard variant. First, let’s take a look at the box set. It comes with a silver colored box having a glittery texture on top, giving it a premium and luxurious look.

Huawei P30 Pro Special Edition

There a handle to open to box, which reads “Special Edition” on it. The same handle is also present on the phone unit holder. The company has also included a card in the box that highlights the fact that this is a special edition smartphone.

Huawei P30 Pro Special Edition

Huawei has also included a custom case for the smartphone in the box. It comes with the same glittery texture but in multiple colors. The cover also has a white and reddish-pink gradient effect, making it look more impressive. The company says that the protective case is treated with a metallic texture.

Huawei P30 Pro Special Edition

Removing the upper layer from the box presents three new boxes, which houses the accessories such as charging cable and wall adopter for the smartphone, as well as the information booklets.

Read More: Huawei trolls Samsung with a giant P30 Pro billboard on top of the South Korean company’s store in Australia

All the specifications of the smartphone remains the same as the standard variant. Coming to the pricing, the 8GB RAM + 128GB storage model is priced at 5,888 yuan (approximately $871) while the 8GB RAM + 256GB storage model costs 6,388 yuan (approximately $945).

The top-end variant with 8GB RAM + 512GB storage costs 7,188 yuan, which roughly converts to $1,063. It is avaialable for pre-booking through Huawei Mall in China and is set to go on sale from 10th May.