Motorola One Vision specs leak: 48MP primary camera, Exynos 9610 and more

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Mar 20, 2019

More details of the Motorola One Vision have surfaced. The phone which was spotted on Geekbench earlier this week is said to be the global version of the Motorola P40. These new details which were first reported by XDA-Developers reveal more of the phone’s specifications.

The Motorola One Vision is said to be codenamed “Robusta2” which confirms it is a successor to the Motorola One and Motorola One Power which are codenamed “RobustaS” and “RobustaNote” respectively. It will be powered by the 10nm Exynos 9610 as revealed by Geekbench and come in 3GB RAM and 4GB RAM variants with 32GB, 64GB, or 128GB of storage.

The phone will have a screen resolution of 2520 x 1080 and an aspect ratio of 21:9. There is no confirmation of the screen size but previous leaks have said the Motorola P40 has a 6.2-inch screen.

The phone will have a 48MP primary camera that shoots 12MP by default. There is no info on the secondary cameras but Motorola is said to be working on two camera features called “Video 3D HDR” and “Long Exposure”. The latter is supposed to be for better low-light images where the sensors can take in more light.

The Motorola One Vision will launch with Android 9 Pie out of the box with Digital Wellbeing and ARCore support. It will also come with Motorola features like Moto Actions, Moto Display, and Face Unlock. The phone will also have Dolby audio.

The phone’s model numbers are as follows – XT1970-1, XT1970-2. and XT1970-3. There is no confirmation yet but the aforementioned models might include Brazillian and Indian variants of the Motorola One Vision. The phone will come in Blue and Gold but there might be other colors at launch.

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Xiaomi Redmi 7 global rollout commences with Ukraine launch

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Mar 20, 2019

Just days after the launch of the Redmi 7 in China, the device has now started its global journey with a launch in Ukraine. The Redmi 7 was first launched in China on Monday and today, Xiaomi Ukraine’s official Facebook page has announced that the device is now available for online pre-order at partner retailers. The Facebook post also reveals that the device is available for offline purchase at the official Mi Store. Xiaomi has over 60 stores in Ukraine. The budget device comes with a price tag of UAH3,999 or $147/€130 for the base model with 2GB RAM and 16GB storage.

As for the specification, the Redmi 7 deviates from the compact size of its predecessors and even has a gradient finish. It features a 6.26” HD+ screen with a resolution of 1520 x 720 pixels. It offers 19:9 aspect ratio and carries support for 84 percent NTSC colors. Since it is a TUV Rheinland display, the Redmi 7 users won’t experience eye fatigue since it effectively reduces the emission of harmful blue rays. The device also comes with a Corning Gorilla Glass 5 panel on top the display. The budget phone also comes with P2i splash-resistant coating.

The Redmi 7 is powered by a Snapdragon 632 SoC paired with 2GB, 3GB and 4 GB of RAM on different variants. The device also packs 16GB, 32GB and 64GB storage options. For photography, the device packs a 12MP + 2MP dual camera setup at the rear. While for selfies, there is an 8MP sensor with features such as AI Beauty and AI Face Unlock. It gets its interface from Android 9-based MIUI 10 while a 4000mAh battery keeps the lights on. You also get features such as dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, Infrared remote control, microUSB 2.0 and 3.5mm audio jack.

(source)

Sony Xperia 4 tipped to replace the compact series with a 21:9 aspect ratio

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Mar 20, 2019

In the face of a saturated smartphone market, OEMs are looking at revamping their business so as to increase revenue. Japanese tech giant Sony is no exception as it is striving to reorganise its ailing smartphone division. One way it is doing so is by redesigning its product offerings. The Xperia 1 and Xperia 10 that were launched recently speak volume of the firm’s plans. The models deviated entirely from Sony’s traditional design to feature a full-screen 21:9 aspect ratio design. There are rumours that the Compact lineup will be pushed closer to the mid-range instead of having flagship specs and may also be renamed.

A recently shared image on the Esato forums tends to compare the two older Compact models, the Xperia Z5 Compact and XZ2 Compact with the Xperia 4 which is said to be in the works. The upcoming Xperia 4 retains the 65mm width of the older Compact models but the screen aspect ratio jumps to 21:9 from the usual 16:9 on older models. The Xperia XZ2 Compact featured an 18:9 aspect ratio, though.

The Xperia 4 is also rumoured to pack a Snapdragon 710 chipset which places it in the premium mid-range category. This will be different from the previous Compact lineup that usually features flagship specs and SoC on a compact body. The new Xperia 4 is also said to pack a thinner frame at just 8.3mm, which is slimmer than the 12.1mm-thick Xperia XZ2 Compact. The 3.5mm audio jack is said to have been sacrificed for that purpose. The source hints the Xperia 4 will be sold exclusively by popular carrier NTT DoCoMo in Japan. We believe the model will be available in the global market.

(source)

Xiaomi Redmi 7 vs Competition: See how the Phone fares in the Budget Segment

By

Joel Joseph

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Mar 20, 2019

Redmi announced the Redmi 7 yesterday, to take on the other budget smartphones out there. It turns out, it is one of the best value for money devices in its segment, which is something that the Redmi series is known for. However, the Redmi 7 faces stiff competition from a number of different manufacturers like Asus, Realme, and surprisingly, even from Samsung!

We currently don’t have a Redmi 7A model yet in the market unlike the sixth generation Redmi series which has a lower-end Redmi 6A model. So, at present, the cheapest current generation Redmi model that you can buy is the 2+16GB Redmi 7.

If you are looking at the 2GB RAM version, then the Redmi 7 hardly has any solid competitors. Priced just over $100, the phone is definitely a steal, given its beautiful design, decent SD632 processor and a large 4000mAh battery. But if you are looking to get yourself the 3GB RAM model, the competition gets stiff.

In China, the Redmi 7’s MSRP is roughly $120 after conversion for the 3GB + 32GB model. That’s a pretty aggressive price tag considering its specs, but if you look around, there are a few alternatives available, especially if you consider a competitive market like India.

For example, you have the Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 with the same Snapdragon 632 processor as the Redmi 7 and there’s the Galaxy M10 with an Exynos 7870 SoC. These two models are priced very close to the Redmi 7. There is also the Realme C1 (powered by SD450) and even its elder sibling, the Realme 3, which is just about $10 more expensive but offers better camera features and a better processor.

So let’s take a closer look at each of these models that compete in the same segment as the Redmi 7.

First, let’s take a look at the best and cheapest 2GB RAM smartphones we have got right now.

SPECS	Redmi 7	Galaxy M10	Realme C1
DIMENSIONS	158.7 x 75.6 x 8.5mm 180g	155.6 x 75.6 x 7.7mm 163g	156.2 x 75.6 x 8.2mm 168g
CPU	SD632 @ 1.8GHz	Exynos 7870 @ 1.6GHz	SD450 @ 1.8GHz
MEMORY	2+16GB 3+32GB 4+64GB Expandable	2+16GB 3+32GB Expandable	2+32GB 3+32GB Expandable
DISPLAY	6.26-inch IPS LCD GG5 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio	6.22-inch PLS TFT — 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio	6.2-inch IPS LCD GG3 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio
REAR CAM	12MP f/2.2 + 2MP	13MP f/1.9 + 5MP	13MP f/2.2 + 2MP
FRONT CAM	8MP	5MP f/2.0	5MP f/2.2
BATTERY	4000mAh 10W (bundled)	3400mAh 5W (bundled)	4230mAh 5W (bundled)
FEATURES	P2i rating	NO FINGERPRINT	32GB default ROM
PRICE (IND Market)	2+16GB = ~$104 3+32GB = ~$120	2+16GB = ~$116 3+32GB = ~$130	2+ 32GB = ~$110 3+32GB = ~$124

The three phones mentioned above are some of the best budget smartphones that you can purchase at around $100. Redmi 7 does take things up a notch by bringing Snapdragon 632 into the equation. Not to mention that 10W charger that comes bundled with the phone right out of the box.
Personally, if my budget was under $110, I would definitely go for the 2+16GB model of the Redmi 7. While I agree 16GB is really small for a smartphone in this age, there’s a dedicated MicroSD card slot on board, which does make things better.
Camera quality won’t be too different among the above three models, so I won’t comment on that. Even the display quality should be quite similar.
However, that 10W charger with the Redmi 7 changes the equation. Given that the other two models come with a 5W stock charger, the Redmi model has a definite advantage in this regard. The other two phones are going to be painfully slow while charging.
In terms of design, all three phones are well built. Realme C1 and Redmi 7 brings a few fancy options as well. However, I am a fan of that Nebula Red color of the new Redmi model. Also, that blue gradient option looks pretty slick for a $100 phone!
I wouldn’t personally pick Galaxy M10 because it skips on Gorilla Glass for its screen protection and doesn’t even have a fingerprint sensor.
But if I were to pick the Realme C1 instead of the Redmi 7 in this price segment, it would only be because I want 32GB storage. Plus, its lighter than Redmi 7.

But overall, at $100, I personally believe, the Redmi 7 shines among its 2GB RAM competitors.

RELATED: Xiaomi Redmi Go officially announced at an extremely cheap price tag!

Now, let’s take a look at the best and cheapest 3GB RAM smartphones we’ve got.

SPECS	Redmi 7	Asus Zenfone Max M2	Realme 3
DIMENSIONS	158.7 x 75.6 x 8.5mm 180g	158.4 x 76.3 x 7.7mm 160g	156.1 x 75.6 x 8.3mm 175g
CPU	SD632 @ 1.8GHz	SD632 @ 1.8GHz	Helio P70 @ 2.1GHz
MEMORY	2+16GB 3+32GB 4+64GB Expandable	3+32GB 4+64GB Expandable	3+32GB Expandable
DISPLAY	6.26-inch IPS LCD GG5 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio	6.26-inch IPS LCD — 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio	6.22-inch IPS LCD GG3 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio
REAR CAM	12MP f/2.2 + 2MP	13MP f/1.8 + 2MP	13MP f/1.8 + 2MP
FRONT CAM	8MP	8MP	13MP f/2.0
BATTERY	4000mAh 10W (bundled)	4000mAh 10W (bundled)	4230mAh 10W (bundled)
FEATURES	P2i rating	Lightweight	Flashy design, night mode photography, powerful SoC
PRICE (IND MARKET)	3+32GB = ~$120	3+32GB = ~$123	3+32GB = ~$130

If you are looking at the cheapest 3+32GB smartphones in the market, then the ones mentioned above are some of the best options available. The new Redmi 7 makes things even more exciting in this price segment (~$130).

Among the phones mentioned above, Realme 3 is slightly more expensive. In fact, often you would compare the Realme 3 to the Redmi Note 7 model. But personally, I believe, Realme’s 3GB RAM model can take on the Redmi 7 in the same memory configuration. If you are looking for something with 3GB RAM on board, and if you can spend a few dollars more, then do it and get the Realme 3. For a few bucks more, it offers a more powerful processor with a slightly larger battery, as well as a feature-packed camera with a night mode as well (nightscape). For around $130, you can’t really go wrong with the Realme 3’s 3GB RAM model.
But if you can’t spare a few bucks more, Redmi 7 is your best bet. Personally, I wouldn’t pick the Zenfone Max M2. I find Redmi 7’s design modern and lively. Also, you have Gorilla Glass 5 protecting that 6.26-inch HD+ screen. I also prefer MIUI over ASUS’ UI any day as the latter is still far from perfect.
The only reason why I would go for the Zenfone model is because I would want something that’s lightweight. The Asus model is nearly 20 grams lighter than the Redmi 7, with the same battery capacity on board. So, if you are looking for something thinner and lighter at this price, the Zenfone Max M2 is your friend.

In conclusion, the Redmi 7 is the best choice if you are looking for a 2GB RAM phone priced at around $100.

But if I want something with more storage and RAM, like 3+32GB, I would go for the Realme 3. For $10 more, I get a more powerful chipset and a bigger battery than the 3GB model of the Redmi 7. If you don’t care for more processing power, the Redmi 7 is the next best device. I won’t be surprised if it also gets a Night Scene mode via a future update.

What are your thoughts? Which one will you pick among these models and why? Also, did we miss out on a good model in this price segment?

Get Xiaomi Redmi 7 Global Version on Giztop

Buy Xiaomi Redmi 7 Global Version on Banggood

Huawei to launch Enjoy 9S, Enjoy 9e and a new MediaPad M5 Youth Edition on March 25

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Mar 20, 2019

Huawei has revealed it has an event scheduled for March 25. Rather than let us guess what it will be launching, the Chinese giant has released posters which reveal the new products are the the Enjoy 9S, the Enjoy 9e, and a new MediaPad M5 Youth Edition. The posters also reveal some of their key features.

[envira-gallery id=”241993″]

The Enjoy 9S will come with triple rear cameras which include a 24MP primary camera and a 16MP ultra-wide angle camera. The three cameras are arranged vertically on the left of the phone with two of them sharing the same housing. The poster also reveals the Enjoy 9S will have a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, run EMUI 9.0, have 128GB of storage and AI features.

The Enjoy 9e will also tag along. This is a more affordable model with a single 13MP camera on its back. There is no fingerprint scanner visible but there is a possibility it is on the front of the phone. The poster also reveals the Enjoy 9e will have FM Radio, Huawei SuperSound technology, and 64GB of storage.

Last but not least is the MediaPad M5 Youth Edition or MediaPad M5 Lite. We feel there should be “2019” in the name to distinguish it from the MediaPad M5 Lite which was announced back in October. First, this version is a smaller but more powerful model.

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Alleged Moto Z4 Play (XT1980-3) passes FCC certification

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Mar 20, 2019

A new Motorola smartphone with a model number XT1980-3 has received certification from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the U.S. The FCC documents of the smartphone contains few information on its specifications and dimensions.

The FCC filings of the Motorola XT1980-3 have revealed that it measures 157 x 75mm. The Moto G7 Plus smartphone that was announced in February also measures 157 x 75mm. Hence, it appears that the XT1980-3 will be equipped with a 6.2-inch full HD+ display like the Moto G7 Plus.

Through FCC it has been known that the XT1980-3 is packed with a 3,600mAh battery that carries support for 18W fast charging. When it comes to connectivity, the handset is equipped with features like Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth LE, GPS, GLONASS, NFC and FM radio. There is no information available on the other specs of the phone.

There is no concrete evidence to prove that the XT1980-3 phone is indeed the Moto Z4 Play. Last year, Motorola had launched the Moto Z3 Play in June. Hence, it is likely that that the Lenovo-owned company could be planning to launch its successor around the same time this year. Previous leaks have claimed that the Moto Z4 Play could be equipped with a 3,600mAh battery.

Rumor surrounding the Moto Z4 Play have revealed that it will be equipped with a 6.2-inch S-AMOLED display with waterdrop notch. It is expected to come equipped with in-display fingerprint reader. The Snapdragon 675 chipset is expected to power the smartphone with 6 GB of RAM. It come with an inbuilt storage of 128 GB. The presence of magnetic connector for attaching Moto Mods will set this phone apart from other mid-range phones. The handset will come loaded with Android 9.0 Pie OS that will deliver near stock experience.

The Motorola Moto Z4 Play smartphone is rumored to be fitted with 48-megapixel S5KGM1SP sensor by Q Technology. It is expected to release in models like 4 GB RAM + 64 GB storage and 6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage. There is no word on the pricing of the Z4 Play.

Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 5G wins CE certification; Claims to be first Snapdragon 855 phone to bag it

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Mar 20, 2019

Xiaomi President Lin Bin has confirmed through Weibo that the Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 5G edition has bagged the 5G CE certification. By this it become the first smartphone powered by Snapdragon 855 chipset and X50 5G modem to achieve such a certification.

According to Bin, the Mi MIX 3 5G version has recently passed rigorous inspection tests of Sporton, a professional third-party mobile communication laboratory andCE certification of European Union. During the launch event of the Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 5G, Xiaomi had confirmed that the smartphone will be heading to the European markets in May. It is reported that CE is one of the important quality assessments for the import and sale of products by the European. Hence, the CE approval of the Mi MIX 3 5G is line with its release in the European markets.

In Europe, the Mi MIX 3 5G will be carrying a price tag of 599 euros for the starting variant. It comes with a 6.39-inch Super AMOLED notch-less display with slider design. The slider is equipped with 24-megapixel + 2-megapixel dual front-facing cameras and there a pair of 12-megapixelsensors are available on its backside. The MIUI 10 based Android 9 Pie is loaded on the device. There is no external storage on the phone. The handset features a dedicated hardware button for accessing Google Assistant.

The smartphone features a 3,800mAh battery that is coupled with Quick Charge 4+ and 10W wireless charging technology. The Snapdragon 855 mobile platform present inside the phone is assisted by 6 GB of RAM. The handset comes in two storage choices of 64 GB and 128 GB. It will be available in Onyx Black and Blue Sapphire colors.

The Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 5G edition will be also releasing in China. As of this writing, there is no information available on its release timeframe for the home market.

(source)

Xiaomi to take on Samsung by expanding its offline reach in India

By

Simranpal Singh

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Mar 20, 2019

Xiaomi is planning to introduce more partnerships with offline retailers across India. In a bid to suppress competition from Samsung, the Chinese smartphone maker is keen to invest in India’s offline market. The company’s expansion plans are aimed to boost sales of products beyond smartphones, such as televisions, Bluetooth accessories, smart home products and other accessories.

“Our biggest success story has been our offline journey, including setting up more preferred partners, more Mi Home stores,” said Manu Kumar Jain, Vice President, Xiaomi and Managing Director, Xiaomi India, at an event.

Xiaomi will set up new Mi experience stores, and will also increase offline reach via third-party retailers. Currently, Xiaomi owns 50 Mi Home stores, 500 Mi Stores, and 4000 preferred partners stores across the country. Apart from increasing to 100 Mi Home stores in cities, Xiaomi also plans 5000 small Mi Stores in Rural India, helping the company to reach out to every potential customer. According to Economic Times, the company wants to increase its presence in the multi-brand retail segment also.

“2019 will also witness more ambitious retail expansion of our offline channel to extend support for newer categories such as Mi LED TVs. In smartphones, Xiaomi is the second largest brand in the offline market with nearly 18% market share as of January GFK smartphone tracker,” the spokesperson told ET.

Xiaomi is the largest smartphone manufacturer in India, while Samsung is following it up at the second place. Xiaomi is now looking to dethrone the Korean giant, currently leading the offline market in the country. “For the entire CY 2018, according to IDC numbers, we were almost 30 percent bigger than the second largest brand. In Q4, we were 50 percent bigger than the second biggest brand,” Jain added.

On the other hand, Samsung is now actively working to capture most of the mid-range smartphone market. They have already announced the new mid-range devices under its Galaxy A-series and M-series.

Xiaomi’s online portal Mi.com is India’s third largest e-commerce platform. To further scale up the company’s presence, Xiaomi is launching new products in the next few months. “We’re also launching new categories. Overall, the company is doing exceptionally well in India. From a smartphone business perspective we are now the No. 1 brand for six consecutive quarters by a huge margin.” said Jain.

Read More: Xiaomi invests 35 billion INR into its India business

Xiaomi manufactures every smartphone sold in India within the country. Xiaomi has exceptionally increased its manufacturing capacity to 3 smartphones per second during operating hours. To expand the brand’s overall presence, Xiaomi is further looking for options to invest in India.

Xiaomi hopes to take on Samsung amid increased competition in both online and offline segments.

(Via: 1, 2)

Xiaomi Mi 9 shipments expected to exceed 1.5 million units by the end of this month

By

Jeet

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Mar 20, 2019

Xiaomi had launched its flagship smartphone — Mi 9 last month in China. Following that, the phone was launched globally during the Mobile World Congress 2019 in Barcelona, Spain.

While the smartphone has been available for sale in China through the flash sale model, it’s not easy to get hands on the device because the company hasn’t been able to match the demand. The phone went on sale in China on 26th February and its pricing starts at ¥2999 (~$447).

Now, the company has officially released the financial report for the year 2018. Additionally, the company has also revealed regular revenue figures and the report mentions the Xiaomi Mi 9 and its production capacity. It says that the supply of Mi 9 will certainly exceed 1.5 million units by the end of this month.

The Mi 9 packs a 6.39-inch 2340 x 1080 AMOLED display with a waterdrop notch that houses the selfie camera. The display panel is supplied by Samsung and is protected by a layer of Gorilla Glass 6. Under the hood, it runs Snapdragon 855 processor and is paired with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.

There is also an 8GB RAM variant with 128GB of storage too. The Mi 9 is Xiaomi’s first triple camera phone. The first camera with the holographic ring around it is actually the telephoto lens – a 12MP Samsung ISOCELL S5K3M5 sensor with an f/2.2 aperture and 2x optical zoom.

The next sensor is the primary camera – a 48MP Sony IMX586 f/1.75 sensor with a 6P lens. There is also a 16MP Sony IMX481 f/2.2 sensor for taking wide-angle photos and macro shots. The selfie camera is a 20MP sensor and comes with a bunch of modes including AR avatars and an integration with TicTok.

It comes with an in-display fingerprint scanner which is 25% faster than the previous generation. It has NFC with NXP’s new SN100T chip for faster transaction speeds, a dedicated AI button, Bluetooth 5.0 dual-frequency GPS for better positioning, an infrared port, and a USB Type-C port.

The phone runs Android 9 Pie-based MIUI 10 out-of-the-box and is powered by a 3,300mAh battery. It comes with support for 27W fast-charging which allows you to charge the phone from empty to 70% in just 30 minutes.

Samsung Galaxy Fold Showing An Unmissable Screen Crease Surfaces Online

By

Vinay Patel

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Mar 20, 2019

Looks like Samsung fans that have restlessly been waiting to get their tech greedy hands on the South Korean handset’s makers first foldable phone are in for a treat.

While the Galaxy Fold isn’t slated to hit the store shelves anytime soon, the rumor mill hasn’t ceased churning out all sorts of speculations around the hotly-anticipated smartphone. Aside from that, the Galaxy Fold has made several appearances online in the form of leaked renders.

Keeping in line with that, the Galaxy Fold was recently spotted in a new hands-on video that was shared on YouTube. The aforesaid footage was posted on a YouTube channel called phoneoftime, and it gives us a glimpse of an AT&T model of the imminent handset. We even get a chance to check out its display crease.

If recently surfaced reports are anything to go by, the video hails from Vietnam, where Samsung’s major production hubs are located. A person booting up the phone and testing its foldable screen can be seen in the video. It seems safe to say that the person handling the phone is promoting their unlocking services.
The Galaxy Fold shows awe-inspiring responsiveness; however, the crease along the device’s central folding line is likely to pose an issue for the user. The crease is clearly visible when the phone is unfolded.

The purported Galaxy Fold seen in the video has not been confirmed as a final production unit, and chances are it might be a completely different handset. Despite the convincing footage, the final consumer device may not have any sort of fallibility since the officially unveiled Galaxy Fold did not seem flawless, unlike the handset seen in the video.

Related: Samsung Galaxy Fold is official: Dual Displays, Dual batteries, 6 cameras and a whopping $1980 price tag

If continued use is likely to create a dent in the screen, this will significantly damage a user’s overall experience. Those willing to shell out a whopping $2000 on the Galaxy Fold are likely interested in taking full advantage of the phone’s extra large, inward-facing screen, probably for playing games or watching their favorite videos.

Delving into their favorite activity with a visible incision across the content might leave them feeling cheated. As if that weren’t enough, there’s hearsay that the phone isn’t reliable as far as long-term durability is concerned.

The Galaxy Fold will be made available in the American market on April 26th so we still expect more shreds of information regarding the device to surface online. Stay tuned in here for more news and updates about the Samsung Galaxy Fold.

(Source: 1)

Xiaomi Q4 Revenue Skyrockets As The Company Plans to Expand in New international Markets This Year

By

Vinay Patel

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Mar 20, 2019

Much to the delight of Xiaomi, its fourth-quarter net profit has skyrocketed to a whopping CNY 1.85 billion, which roughly converts to about $275.59 million. The Chinese tech behemoth made the revelation on Tuesday.

The aforesaid profit surpasses the average estimate of ten analysts by exceeding CNY 1.7 billion, Refinitiv data revealed. During this period, the revenue upheaved an impressive 27 percent to CNY 44.4 billion.

According to Refinitiv data, this figure is lower than CNY 47.4 billion, which is the amount estimated by thirteen analysts. If the results are anything to go by, Xiaomi is rising above the decelerated Chinese market by leaving no stone unturned in a bid to have a firm grip in the Indian and European markets.

Xiaomi accumulated earnings of CNY 174.9 billion for the entire 2018 calendar year. The company’s net profit came up to CNY 8.6 billion. Since its Initial public offering (IPO) in Hong Kong, this is the third set of financial results for the renowned handset maker.

Xiaomi’s shares have surged about 30 percent after experiencing a dip earlier this year. Regrettably, they still haven’t reached their July listing price.

Xiaomi’s increasing focus in the European market can be attributed to its declining performance in China. Since its debut back in 2018, the company has managed to grab the fourth spot as the largest phone vendor in the continent.

Sales from outside the home market comprised 40 percent of Xiaomi’s earnings in the fourth quarter last year, Xiaomi CFO Shou Zi Chew told reporters while speaking on a call. He also pointed out that the company would be focusing more on global expansion in 2019.

“We will continue to explore the global markets and replicate the success in India in other key markets such as Indonesia and Western Europe,” Shou Zi Chew confirmed. He also revealed that they intend to capture unexplored international markets this year.

In order to boost its profit margins, Xiaomi introduced a slew of steeply-priced devices. Keeping in line with that, Xiaomi fans now have to pay 17 percent more to buy the company’s phone in China. The earnings report also shows that Xiaomi has increased the overseas selling price of their phones by a considerable 10 percent.

During the Mi 9 launch event, Xiaomi’s founder Lei Jun noted that the company will no longer manufacture handsets carrying price tags under CNY 3,000. In the fourth quarter, smartphone sales provided 65.1 percent of the company’s overall revenue. Cash flow from a slew of other hardware generated 25.1 percent and internet services made up 9.1 percent.

Xiaomi played its ace card i.e. the latter segment while pitching to investors in the initiation to its IPO. Dubbed as a “triathlon business model,” the pitch enabled those who purchased smartphones to use revenue-generating apps and services that either supported advertisements or micropayments.

(Source: 1)

Official: Huawei P30 pre-sale to start on March 27

By

Simranpal Singh

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Mar 20, 2019

Chinese smartphone maker Huawei is set to announce new flagship devices at an event in Paris on March 26th. According to new information from Huawei official Weibo handle, P30 will be made available for pre-sale at 00:00 on March 27. Alongside the pre-sale announcement, the company once again teased its super zoom capability in a new video.

Both the devices have leaked multiple times in the past via rumours and reports, and now a new teaser revealed its pre-sale date. As like of the previous Huawei P-series smartphones, the Huawei P30 and P30 Pro will also focus on the photography. Carrying high-end specifications, the P30 series is expected to be coming at the starting price of EUR 749 which translates to 5699 Yuan.

Details regarding the availability of both the devices have not yet surfaced. We expect new information to surface in the next few days.

Huawei P30 Pro specifications

Amazon’s Huawei P30 Pro listing pulled off the wraps from its specifications. It will be powered by the Kirin 980 chipset carrying Dual NPU and improved GPU. The device will be equipped with 8GB RAM and 128 GB internal storage along with a 4200 mAh battery. It will be carrying a quad camera setup featuring four Leica cameras – a 40 MP primary camera, a 20MP ultra-wide lens, 8MP telephoto lens, and a ToF sensor. It will be showcasing Huawei’s recently announced 10x hybrid zoom. For selfies, there’s a 32-megapixel front-facing camera.

Some other hardware details were missing from the retailer’s listing. Although the box contains a USB-C headset, charging adapter, a Type-C cable, and microUSB to Type-C adapter. As per some other reports, the device will feature a 6.5-inch OLED display. It will be dust and waterproof which can sustain in 5 feet water.

Huawei P30 Specifications

There are some differences in the specification of P30 pro’s sibling. Its standard version will include a 6.1 inch OLED display featuring a resolution of 1080x 2340 pixels and 19.5:9 aspect ratio. Along with some similarities, the P30 will sport a tri-camera module on the rear side along with 6GB RAM and 128GB internal storage. The device will come with a 3500 mAh battery.

Read More: Huawei P30 Pro red variant renders leaked; Key features also revealed in fresh images

Both the devices of P-series will be the first to feature a dew-drop display. According to a trusted source, Huawei P30 will start retailing at Euro 749 (~5699 yuan/$850), and P30 Pro featuring 8GB/128GB internal storage will debut at Euro 1099/ $1250 / 8373 yuan.

(Via)

Samsung Galaxy S10 series shipments exceed 500,000 units in Mainland China

By

Jeet

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Mar 20, 2019

Samsung’s newly launched flagship smartphones — Galaxy S10 series, have been very well-received. The company seems to have managed everything that matters to a regular user in one package — design, camera, performance, and battery life.

In Mainland China, according to the reports, the South Korean giant has managed to ship more than 500,000 units of its Galaxy S10 series smartphones so far. This isn’t surprising given that the company had managed to sell the same number of S10 series devices in 7 days what took 30 days for the S9 series phones.

Recently, the phone was sold out in Hong Kong within two weeks of its launch. Seeing the demand for the newly launched flagship smartphones, the sales forecast for the devices have been increased by 3 percent and Samsung is expected to sell around 40 million to 45 million units this year.

Coming to the pricing, the Galaxy S10e is priced at 4,999 Yuan and costs just 1,999 Yuan if you exchange your old device. The Galaxy S10 is priced at 5,999 Yuan but costs 2,999 Yuan with old-for-new phone offer. On the other hand, the Galaxy S10 Plus costs 6,999 Yuan but is available for 3,999 with the exchange offer.

The Galaxy S10 sports a 5.8-inch “Dynamic” Infinity-O AMOLED while the S10+ comes with a bigger 6.44-inch display. The display supports QHD+ resolutions and 19:9 aspect ratios and is HDR10+ certified. The devices come with an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor which Samsung says is faster than the optical fingerprint sensors.

The new S-series smartphones are powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 855 chipset while the international version will be powered by Exynos 9820 chipset. As for the memory configuration, the S10 will be available with 6GB/8GB RAM and 128GB/512GB storage while the Galaxy S10 Plus comes with 6GB/8GB/12GB RAM and 128GB/512GB/1TB of native storage.

The camera configuration includes a regular 77-degree 12MP sensor with an F1.5/F2.4 variable aperture, a 12MP 2x telephoto snapper with a 45-degree viewing angle and a fixed aperture of F/2.4 and an ultra-wide 16MP camera with a 123-degree viewing angle and a fixed F2.2 aperture. The front sensor for the Galaxy S10 is a single 10MP camera while the Galaxy S10 Plus has a dual camera with an 8MP RGB secondary sensor.

Both the smartphones come with stereo speakers, a USB Type-C port, IP68 water-resistance, and a dedicated Bixby button. The S10 is powered by a 3,500mAh battery while the S10 Plus packs a bigger 4,100mAh cell, both supporting wired as well as wireless fast charging.

On the other hand, the Galaxy S10e comes with a 5.8-inch Infinity-O AMOLED display with a resolution of 1440×2960 pixels and is powered by Snapdragon 855 chipset paired with 6GB+128GB and 8GB+256GB combo.

The phone doesn’t have an in-display fingerprint reader but has a traditional fingerprint sensor on the right side of the device. The device packs a dual camera setup on the back, which includes a 12MP dual aperture camera (F/1.8; F/2.4) with optical image stabilization, alongside a 16MP ultra wide angle one. The phone still has a 10MP sensor for selfies just like the others.

The Samsung Galaxy S10e packs a 3100mAh battery while for connectivity, it has Wi-Fi 6 (Wi-Fi 802.11 ax), LTE Cat. 20 with up to 2Gbps download speeds, NFC and Bluetooth 5.0. Just like the Galaxy S10, S10 Plus, this one too runs Android 9 Pie-based One UI custom interface on top.

Samsung Galaxy A40 press renders leaked showing the design from all angles

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Mar 20, 2019

Samsung is definitely not letting off some steam in its bid to recapture the mid-range/budget segment of the phone market where it had lost out to Chinese OEMs. The Korean giant has been on a launch spree with its Galaxy A series. The Galaxy A50, A30, and A10 have already been released. The Galaxy A20 was also recently announced in India. The Galaxy A40 is expected to join the fray in no distant time. Before then, the press renders of the A40 has leaked online, giving us a quick look at the design captured from all angles.

The renders show the Galaxy A40 will have a design that is similar to those of its siblings. At the front, there will be a u-shaped notch on the full-screen display which houses the front camera. At the back, the device packs a fingerprint sensor at the middle. The device equally sports a dual camera setup is at the top left corner arranged vertically with an LED flash at the bottom.

The Samsung Galaxy A40 is expected to feature a 5.7-inch display and its earlier GeekBench appearance showed the device will be powered by an Exynos 7885 chipset paired with 4GB of RAM. The Galaxy A40 also features a USB Type-C port, a speaker grill as well as a 3.5mm audio jack at the bottom edge. The renders show the A40 will be available in Black, Light Blue, and Coral. The device is expected to go official on April 10 alongside the A90 but we won’t forget the empty Galaxy A40 page which appeared on Samsung UK website recently.

(source)

Xiaomi Mi 8 Transparent Edition makes way for the new model, No longer Available

By

Joel Joseph

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Mar 20, 2019

Xiaomi’s Mi 8 transparent edition turned out to be quite popular among fans, all thanks to its unique see-through back design. Naturally, when Xiaomi announced the new Mi 9 lineup earlier this year, we got a new Mi 9 transparent edition as well. However, it looks like the company has finally decided to remove last year’s Mi 8 transparent edition from its official channels.

IThome was first to spot that the old model was no longer available to purchase on the company’s website. A simple search revealed that only its cases were left for purchase. Even on JD.com, it was found that the old model was nowhere to be seen. So it’s quite clear that Xiaomi decided to scrap the old model in favor of the new one.

In case you don’t know, the transparent back on both the Mi 8 and Mi 9 models doesn’t really show the internals of the phone. Unlike the transparent HTC U12+ which did reveal some of its parts, Xiaomi’s take on this design is to fake the internals. This means that what you see on the back is just another design element that’s placed below the glass.

The new Mi 9 transparent model comes with an even fancier design. And, if you don’t mind that it’s a fake design, then it’s definitely something that will stand out of the crowd. Of course, you’ll have to shell out a lot more for the transparent edition, and currently, it retails for nearly $600, that is, if you can get hold of one in a flash sale.

(Via)

Alleged Meizu 16s bags 3C certification; Launch could be imminent

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Mar 20, 2019

A new Meizu phone with model number M971Q has bagged 3C certification in China. The 3C filing has revealed that the handset will be made available with a charger that supports 24W rapid charging. Hence, it is speculated that the handset could be the upcoming Meizu 16s smartphone.

Meizu CEO Jack Wong has already confirmed some of the key features of the upcoming Meizu 16s smartphone through Weibo. The overall design of the Meizu 16s will be similar to the Meizu 16th that was unveiled in the second half of 2018. The Meizu 16s is expected to sport reduced China nadbrzeels compared to the Meizu 16th. This will allow the phone to deliver higher screen-to-body ratio.

The smartphone is expected to arrive with a 6.2-inch AMOLED display that will carry support for full HD+ resolution. The screen will be shielded by Corning Gorilla Glass 6. The smartphone may sport a thinner profile thane the Meizu 16th. The Snapdragon 855 mobile platform will be fueling the smartphone. The SoC could be coupled with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of native storage.

The smartphone will be equipped with OIS enabled Sony IMX586 48-megapixel sensor. It is likely to come with a 3,600mAh battery that will carry support wireless charging apart from 24W fast charging.

The Meizu 16s is expected to make its debut in April. Meizu CEO has hinted that the smartphone would be costing 500 Yuan more than the Meizu 16s that was introduced with a starting price of 2698 Yuan. Hence, the Meizu 16s may come with a starting price of 3,198 Yuan (~$476).

The Meizu 16s is not the only upcoming flagship phone from the company. The Chinese manufacturer will be also launching the Meizu 16s Plus smartphone as well as gaming focused Meizu 16T phone. Even though these phones are powered by SD855, they may not carry support for 5G connectivity.

Xiaomi’s Mi Universal Remote is now available in China for 79 Yuan ($12)

By

Jeet

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Mar 20, 2019

Xiaomi, expanding the portfolio of devices under its smart home system, has today launched a new device — Mi Universal Remote. As the same suggests, the device can be used to control various home appliances. It is now available for purchase in China.

The purpose of the Mi Universal Remote is to operate several home appliances through a single device using the company’s “Mi App”. Along with that, home appliances can also be controlled using voice commands.

The device offers 360-degree omnidirectional infrared emission, ensuring that all the devices can be controlled using the Mi Universal Remote, no matter where you have placed them. The company says that it supports more than 6,000 mainstream appliances.

The company has introduced its own voice control feature, which along with the company’s smart speakers such as Xiaomi AI Speaker, Xiaoai Speaker Mini, controls other IR-based home appliances. You simply have to give a voice command such as “turn the TV volume down” or “set the air conditioner to 23-degree Celsius” and it will do the needful.

With 360-degree omnidirectional infrared emission, it can easily control devices or appliances within 10 meters linear distance, with the support of various code library and thousands of home appliances from several brands.

Xiaomi’s Mi Universal Remote is now officially available for purchase in China for 79 Yuan, which roughly converts to $12. It’s available through six platforms — Xiaomi Mall, Xiaomi Youpin, Tmall, JD.com, Suning, and Xiaomi Stores.

Nubia’s Red Magic 3 will feature a massive 5000mAh+ Battery!

By

Joel Joseph

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Mar 20, 2019

Nubia’s Red Magic gaming phone lineup has been in the market for around a year and a new update is in the works. These phones are quite hot right now and have carved out a good fan following. Recently we saw even Vivo get into this niche segment with its iQOO model.

The company’s GM, Ni Fei, was kind enough to let us know the key features of the phone before launch, but there was one feature we weren’t clear about: battery.

In the earlier post, Ni Fei had revealed that the new Red Magic 3 will upgrade its battery capacity. While this confirmed that the battery capacity will exceed 3800mAh, we wouldn’t have imagined it to be significantly big. But that’s the case here. Ni Fei confirmed earlier today that the Nubia Red Magic 3 will come with a 5000mAh+ battery. This would make it one of the largest battery gaming phones in the market today.

RELATED: Vivo iQOO vs Xiaomi Mi 9: Why I would pick iQOO over the Xiaomi flagship

We know that the new phone will come with Snapdragon 855 with 12GB RAM on board. There will be liquid + air cooling to ensure that the phone doesn’t overheat even under extreme stress. What’s even more exciting is that the Nubia Magic 3 is said to be equipped with a screen that boasts of a better refresh rate than ‘most gaming screens’ out there. While we don’t have the specifics, it’s worth noting that the premium Razer Phone came with an astonishing 120Hz screen refresh rate. Anything close to this figure will be amazing. Other expected features include shoulder buttons and 4D vibration motors.

We won’t have to wait too long to meet the Red Magic 3. The phone is said to launch sometime in April.

(Source)

Oppo officially announces ColorOS 6 with a fresh design and several optimizations

By

Jeet

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Mar 20, 2019

Oppo has now announced its updated custom user interface — ColorOS 6. The newly announced Android skin is now available on the Oppo F11 Pro. It comes with several improvements compared to its predecessor.

In terms of design, the company says that it has opted for a border-less symmetry which is based on invisible lines and grids. With this, the stock applications now offer proper full-screen experience with cleaner borders and other UI elements.

The company has also shifted towards a lighter color-tone which resembles the Google Material Design language with plenty of white. However, the company is offering users the ability to replace the white color with their own color choice through theme engine.

Apart from the design related changes, the new custom skin also brings in several operational changes as well. The navigation panel now includes shortcuts and the app drawer has also been added, which can be accessed through the swipe-up gesture from the home screen.

In order to reduce power consumption, the company has introduced a feature called “AI Cold Storage” which uses artificial intelligence to freeze background apps. It also comes with a “Remote Guard” feature that lets parents monitor their children’s phone usage.

With a feature called “Touch Boost”, the company promises up to 22 percent faster touch response while the “Frame Boost” feature offers up to 40 percent improvement in frame rate stability. Both of these features are the part of Game Boost 2.0 mode on the ColorOS 6.

It also comes with System Boost and App Boost mode, which as the name itself suggests, improves the general performance of the system and app launches. The new ColorOS 6 also comes with improvements for app notifications, night mode for photography, among others.

As for the availability, the ColorOS 6 is available for the Oppo F11 Pro users out-of-the-box. It will also be present in the upcoming Opp Reno smartphone, that is scheduled to launch on 10th April. Next month, the update for this new interface will be rolled out to Oppo R15 and R15 Dream Mirror Edition.

The company has also planned to update the Oppo Find X, Oppo R17, R17 Pro by August and Oppo R11, R11 Plus, R11s, R11s Plus, A7z, and A3 in September. Oppo’s sub-brand Realme will also update all its smartphones to ColorOS 6 by June this year.

Check Out GearBest 24Hours Lightning Flash Sale

By

Cheky Zhu

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Mar 20, 2019

As one of the most popular online shopping mall, GearBest is holding a series of sales promotions to celebrate the 5^th Anniversary. The 24H Lightning Flash Sale is started at 16:00 UTC on Mar 20, and ended at 15:59 UTC on Mar 21. It is to your profit to pick favorite products in this amazing event.

The shopping mall has posted a list about Top 12 Bestsellers calculated from previous orders. All of the products on this page have great discount with limited units.

Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 smartphone of global version is only sold at $489.99 and limited 100 units, the original cost of it is about $653.03 in GearBest. Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 is powered by Snapdragon 845 processor, coming with 6.39-inch display with FHD screen and having the resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels. This number one phone on the bestsellers list ships with 24MP+2MP rear camera and dual 12MP front-facing camera. Fueled by 3200mAh built-in battery, the handset has 6GB of RAM and 128GB internal storage.

There are not only the smartphones, but the 3D printer, tablet, vacuum cleaner and other categories are joined in the lowest ever price sales. Let’s check out the promotion and pick what you like.

Check Out GearBest 24Hours Lightning Flash Sale