AnTuTu announces AI benchmarking tool to rank devices

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Jan 29, 2019

Just last week, DxOMark began rating the selfie camera(s) in phones. Now popular benchmarking tool AnTuTu has announced an AI benchmarking tool.

With AI performance being a much-advertised feature of processors and phones these days, we can say the tool has arrived just in time. AnTuTu says the tool is still in beta.

In an official press release, AnTuTu revealed there is still no unified standard for AI as each chipset manufacturer sees it differently. Qualcomm uses its DSP to handle AI tasks while Huawei, Samsung, and MediaTek have a dedicated AI unit called NPU (APU for MediaTek). All the chip manufacturers also have different SDKs too.- NeuroPilot for MediaTek, SNPE for Qualcomm, and TensorRT for NVIDIA. Samsung hasn’t announced its own yet.

Nevertheless, they have been able to develop a unified standard for testing thanks to cooperation from processor manufacturers. The test is said to be divided into two categories – image classification and object recognition.

Image Classification is based on Inception v3 neural network and the test includes 200 pictures. Object Recognition is based on mobilenet SSD neural network and its test is a 600-frame video.

AnTuTu advises that the test should be done using Wi-Fi as the data packet is about 160MB in size even though the app itself is just 33MB. Downloading the data packet on a device you intend to test is a one-time thing even if you plan to run the test multiple times. However, there will be a data packet verification every time.

Devices are ranked based on a combination of speed and accuracy. Hence, a device that is fast but not accurate will rank lower. AnTuTu says there are other conditions that may make a device score lower.

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Xiaomi Redmi Go vs Xiaomi Redmi 6A: Specs Comparison

By

Michele Ingelido

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Jan 29, 2019

Xiaomi finally joined the Android Go club by announcing the Redmi Go for the global market. It is the most affordable last-generation phone by the Chinese company, but it is not its only device sold for less than €100. There is another super cheap Xiaomi device that people can opt for: the Redmi 6A. After the launch of the Redmi Go, a lot of potential buyers are wondering which one is worth buying, given that they share a similar price. Here, we will try to let you find out with in-depth specs comparison between the two compact and affordable handsets.

Xiaomi Redmi Go vs Xiaomi Redmi 6A

	Xiaomi Redmi Go	Xiaomi Redmi 6A
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT	140.4 x 70.1 x 8.4 mm, 137 grams	147.5 x 71.5 x 8.3 mm, 145 grams
DISPLAY	5 inches, 720 x 1280p (HD+), 294 ppi, 16:9 ratio, IPS LCD	5.45 inches, 720 x 1440p (HD+), 295 ppi, 18:9 ratio, IPS LCD
PROCESSOR	Qualcomm Snapdragon 425, quad-core 1.4 GHz	Mediatek Helio A22, quad-core 2 GHz
MEMORY	1 GB RAM, 8 GB, micro SD dedicated slot	2 GB RAM, 16 GB – 3 GB RAM, 32 GB – micro SD dedicated slot
SOFTWARE	Android 8.1 Oreo, Android Go	Android 8.1 Oreo, MIUI
CONNECTIVITY	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.1, GPS	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS
CAMERA	8 MP f/2.0 5 MP f/2.2 front camera	13 MP f/2.2 5 MP f/2.2 front camera
BATTERY	3000 mAh	3000 mAh
ADDITIONAL FEATURES	Dual SIM slot	Dual SIM slot

Design

Even though it is a more recent device, Xiaomi Redmi Go has a more outdated design than Xiaomi Redmi 6A. The latter comes with a taller display as well as thinner bezels, so a definitely better look on the front side. Regarding the rear sides, all depends on your tastes. Xiaomi Redmi 6A has a body that looks like metal (but it is plastic) while Xiaomi Redmi Go has a cleaner backside but it is evident that it is made of polycarbonate. On the other hand, Xiaomi Redmi Go is more compact and also more lightweight, even though there is not a big difference in weight and dimensions as you can see from the specs sheets above.

Display

When you are about to buy an entry-level phone, you should never expect an excellent display. Xiaomi Redmi Go and Xiaomi Redmi 6A are equipped with different IPS panels, but their viewing quality is almost the same. They have more or less the same level of detail and similar color reproduction (just sufficient). The big difference is the size: Xiaomi Redmi 6A has a bigger and taller display, while Xiaomi Redmi Go has a smaller panel with the classic 16:9 aspect ratio. If you often use your device with one hand, then Xiaomi Redmi Go may be ideal for you, but if you want a better display for multimedia and advanced activities, then go for the Xiaomi Redmi 6A. But again, even under this point of view, differences are marginal.

Specs & Software

Xiaomi Redmi 6A has a much better hardware department than Xiaomi Redmi Go. It comes with one of the most performing quad-core chipsets, up to 3 GB of RAM and up to 32 GB of internal storage. Xiaomi Redmi Go comes with only 1 GB of RAM. However, while Xiaomi Redmi 6A has the classic MIUI, Xiaomi Redmi Go runs Android Go, so it can deliver a similar performance in daily use. Android Go is an enlightened version of the operating system which takes less space and runs smoothly even on devices with 512 MB of RAM. So the fact that Redmi Go has just 1 GB of RAM is not a big issue. By the way, if you want to play games, then you should still go for the Xiaomi Redmi 6A.

Camera

While both Xiaomi Redmi Go and Redmi 6A have the same, sufficient front camera for selfies, what changes in the camera setup is the rear sensor. The Redmi Go has a more disappointing 8 MP sensor which cannot even record videos in 1080p, while Xiaomi Redmi 6A has a more acceptable 13 MP rear camera. Xiaomi Redmi 6A is everything but a camera phone, but its shots are not so bad when light conditions are good. So, it wins the camera comparison, even though Redmi Go has a brighter f/2.0 which is more useful with low light.

Read More: Redmi Go will be available in Europe in February, will sell for under €80

Battery

You cannot understand which device will last more from the battery capacity as both Xiaomi Redmi Go and Redmi 6A boast a 3000 mAh battery. Basing on the specs on the paper, Redmi Go should last more because it has Android Go installed, a very efficient SoC and a smaller display to manage. But in order to give a definitive verdict, we will have to test Redmi Go’s battery life and now we still cannot do it as the phone is not on sale.

Price

People wonder which device is the best to buy because, as we said at the beginning of this article, their prices are very similar. While Redmi Go costs €80/$91 in the global market, Xiaomi Redmi 6A is available for about €90/$103 in the Chinese market. Despite the presence of Android Go on the Redmi Go, I would personally spend a bit more and go for the Xiaomi Redmi 6A because it has a better camera, more RAM and more internal storage than Redmi Go.

Xiaomi Redmi Go vs Xiaomi Redmi 6A: PRO and CONS

Xiaomi Redmi Go

PRO

Android Go
More compact design
Very affordable price
Global availability

CONS

Lower-end hardware

Xiaomi Redmi 6A

PRO

Bigger display
Higher-end hardware
MIUI additional features
Better camera

CONS

Slightly more expensive

Sharp eyes OLED supply for iPhones as more LCD makers get on the supply chain

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jan 29, 2019

Japan tech giant Sharp has unveiled its OLED panel line designed for handsets, sources indicate. The brand which is owned by Foxconn Group is reportedly aiming to enter the supply chain for future iPhones that would utilise OLED displays. In addition, there are speculations that Fitipower Integrated Technology, another Foxconn company, is engaged in the development of OLED panel driver ICs jointly with Sharp.

OLED seems to be the future of smartphone displays and more LCD panel suppliers are now capable of producing OLED displays for smartphones in commercial volume. As a result, Taiwan-based driver IC firms and related backend houses are gearing up to grow their presence in the OLED panel segment in 2019. According to industry sources, Taiwan-based LCD driver IC firms including Novatek Microelectronics and Himax Technologies, and related backend companies including Chipbond Technology and ChipMOS Technologies are looking to start developing their businesses in the OLED panel sector in 2019. Chinese vendors such as BOE technology and Tainma are also putting efforts to grow their OLED panel supply. A recent data showed that BOE technology surpassed LG in terms of OLED supply for last year and the company is reported to supply Huawei OLED panels. LG Display has also seen improvement in sales of its OLED panels which accounted for over 10% of total panel revenues, according to the sources.

Samsung Display still dominates the market for OLED panel, something it has been doing for quite some time now. AU Optronics (AUO) with its flexible OLED panel technology is also likely to cut into the supply chain of Android phone vendors, the sources continued. The industry is also said to be promoted on mid-range models featuring OLED displays this year and not just on flagships. Meanwhile, foldable smartphones adopting OLED panels are being reportedly regarded as the development focus of major brand vendors for their new generation series this year.

(source)

Honor to release smart TV this April, Huawei’s to come in H2 2019

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Jan 29, 2019

Last year, OnePlus announced it was entering the smart TV business with its first TV scheduled to launch this year or in 2020. It appears they are not the only smartphone manufacturer expanding their portfolio. A new report has revealed that Huawei and its Honor sub-brand will launch smart TVs this year.

Huawei and Honor plan to release smart TVs this year

According to the source, Honor will launch its first smart TV in April while Huawei will launch its first TV in the second half of the year. Huawei’s smart TVs won’t be affordable ones like Xiaomi’s but mid-range and high-end ones. They are also expected to start from 65-inches and up. Honor-branded TVs are expected to be cheaper and available online only.

The report says Huawei already has a team of about 200 – 300 people for its TV division which is under its Internet of Things Department. However, its plan isn’t just to release TVs but to create a demand for 5G communication. Huawei believes the popularity of 4K and 8K TVs will increase demand for 4K and 8K content which is best provided via a reliable and fast internet connection which 5G will provide. And since Huawei is also known for its network business, this is a win-win situation for it.

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Google confirms some LG flagships don’t autofocus while in AR mode

By

Simranpal Singh

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Jan 29, 2019

Google has introduced AR core for Android device couple of years ago. Since then, most of the Android devices come packed with this AR core kit to bestow devices with Augmented reality features. It needs some primary sensors to fully work on any device. Google allows third-party developers to utilize the ARCore platform to bring augmented reality on various Android apps. Despite the complex mechanism it can work even on mid-level devices without any issue. Sadly, it seems to be out of gear on different LG flagship smartphones.

Recently, Google has updated a list of Android devices which currently support AR core. Surprisingly, LG’s four flagship devices have not made it to the list. Google has not found AR core fully functional on LG V30, LG V35, LG V40, and LG G7. Particularly, Autofocus in AR mode is not working on either of the devices mentioned above. Even though despite having different variants like LG G7 Fit, LG G7 One, LG V30+, LG Signature edition, none of them works perfectly with Autofocus on AR. On the other hand, LG’s mid-range devices such as LG Q6 and LG Q8 are unaffected by the issue.

AR Core camera uses Autofocus to set a fixed focus for motion tracking. In order to eliminate poor tracking quality on various device, Google added autofocus. Though due to some technical complications, LG’s flagship devices are unable to use Ar core functionalities.

Read More: LG V40 ThinQ with five cameras, SD845 and Rs. 49,990 (~$700) goes official in India

App developers who are trying to utilize the AR core kit on their apps won’t be able to run it on above mentioned LG smartphones. The Korean giant has not responded about the issue, and even there’s no information about the acknowledgment of the same. We expect LG to rectify the problem as soon as possible by rolling out an update.

(Via)

Honor Watch Magic and Honor Band 4 Running Edition launched in India

By

Jeet

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Jan 29, 2019

Huawei’s sub-brand Honor launched its new flagship Honor View 20 in the Indian market. Along with that, the company has also launched its two wearable devices — Honor Watch Magic and Honor Band 4 Running Edition.

As for the pricing, the Honor Watch Magic starts at Rs. 13,999 ($197) for the premium sports version while the Leather Band model is priced at Rs. 14,999 ($211). On the other hand, the Honor Band 4 Running Edition is priced at Rs. 1,599 ($22). Both the devices will be available for purchase in India through Amazon India and Honor’s official website.

Coming to the specifications, the Honor Watch Magic comes with a 1.2-inch HD AMOLED display with 390 x 390 pixels screen resolution which offers 326ppi pixel density. Under the hood, the device is powered by ARM M4 chipset, coupled with 16MB RAM and 128GB internal storage.

The display is housed in a 316L stainless steel frame that measures 9.8mm in thickness (11mm with the glass). It supports GPS, GLONASS, and GALILEO for precise positioning and also comes with Bluetooth 4.2, 5ATM Water-resistant up to 50 meters, NFC for Huawei Pay and a 178mAh battery which is claimed to offer up to 7 days worth of battery life.

As for the features, the Honor Watch Magic has Huawei’s TruSeen 3.0 technology for continuous heart rate monitoring. Also, with Huawei’s TruRelax technology and support from the Institute of Psychology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the watch provides 24-hour blood pressure monitoring and will suggest breathing exercises with real-time feedback.

On the other hand, the Honor Band 4 Running Edition comes with similar specifications as that of the conventional Band 4 launched year along with some added features such as running posture monitoring, water-resistance up to 50 meters and two wearing modes.

The fitness tracker comes with a 0.95-inch OLED display and a 2.5D glass on top. Just like the Xiaomi’s Mi Band 3, the Honor Band 4 is also water resistant up to 50 meters and also recognizes Swim strokes. It supports functions such as sleep tracking, exercise tracking, pedometer, continuous heart rate monitoring with Huawei TruSeen 2.0 technology, and sedentary reminder.

In addition to tracking activities, the device also shows notifications on the OLED display and even offers an incoming call-mute function. The device also comes with built-in NFC support, meaning that it can also be used to make payments. Under the hood, the fitness tracker is powered by a 100mAh battery, which the company claims can deliver standby time of up to 14 days.

Xiaomi’s Lin Bin reveals the Mi 9 will get an Explorer Edition

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jan 29, 2019

When Xiaomi launched the flagship Mi 8 last year, one of the models that stood out was the limited Explorer edition with a translucent body. The popularity, perhaps, outweighed Xiaomi’s expectation so it was a surprise they decided to launch the Mi 8 Pro with the same translucent body but a more robust availability. Xiaomi’s president Lin Bin, today asked a question on Weibo about the Mi 8 Explorer edition, after extolling the translucent back feature of the model. The question was to the effect that if the phone (apparently referring to Mi 9) is configured the same, how much buyers will be willing to pay.

The question very much suggests the company may be toying with the idea of replicating the Mi 8 Explorer’s translucent back design on the Mi 9 flagship. This isn’t a bad idea but according to Lin Bin, the design is not cheap to produce. Despite the pricing of the Mi 8 Explorer edition, the model was always sold out each time it goes on sale.

If the company finally decides on an Explorer edition for the Mi 9, the difference should lie only in the design. The model will utilise the same specification as the regular Mi 9. The flagship Mi 9 is expected to pack a Snapdragon 855 chipset. the device may likely feature the waterdrop notch design and triple rear cameras.

(source)

Bluetooth 5.1 comes with direction metric and location accuracy of upto a centimeter

By

Simranpal Singh

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Jan 29, 2019

Bluetooth is present on every smartphone device since the past decade. It is helping users to connect different wireless devices and offers an ability to transfer files over a small distance. Bluetooth has improved a lot over time and is now more efficient concerning power consumption. The latest versions of Bluetooth protocol helps to connect multiple devices simultaneously. Today, Bluetooth Special Group (SIG) has introduced a new feature with the latest version of the Bluetooth protocol.

As per the Bluetooth SIG, the new version will carry some more advancements. It helps devices to get a more accurate location upto centimeters along with direction parameter. A new era of Bluetooth will begin where it can be used in the proximity-based services or devices. It will even help users to track objects or devices accurately within the range. Moreover, it will help the devices to provide exact indoor locations.

Currently, it is used along with the GPS to track the exact location but not used solely for the same purpose. Bluetooth 5.1 will give commercial or personal users an ability track location accurately within malls, bigger cities, building and even on different shelves. It can be used to track another Bluetooth 5.1 device with an accuracy of over a centimeter. Talking about the same Bluetooth SIG executive director Mark Powell said, “Location services is one of the fastest-growing solution areas for Bluetooth technology and is forecasted to reach over 400 million products per year by 2022. This is great traction, and the Bluetooth community continues to seek ways to further grow this market with technology enhancements that better address market needs, demonstrating the community’s commitment to driving innovation and enriching the technology experience of users worldwide.”

It is a game changer for various industries, it will allow them to track objects efficiently and accurately. Bluetooth 5.1 is a boon for enterprises which have big warehouses. Further, there are many other possibilities through which Bluetooth 5.1 can cater to the needs of customers.

Read More: Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 845 Features The Capability To Stream Music To Multiple Bluetooth Devices

From the past few years, Bluetooth has seen numerous improvements such as improved efficiency, faster transfer rates, multiple devices connected and much more. The Bluetooth 5.0 has allowed portable devices such as wireless headphones to communicate over power-conservative Bluetooth Low Energy.

It is great to see such an advancement on the Bluetooth protocol.

(Via)

Giveaway – Win 1 of 500 Mystery Gifts

By

Cheky Zhu

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Jan 29, 2019

Gizmochina along with BESTEK is conducting 1 of 500 units Mystery Gifts as giveaway gift to lucky readers. You just have to follow the giveaway page on bestekmall to win amazing gifts. BESTEK offers many amazing gifts, which are Vacuum Cleaners (150pcs); Blenders (100pcs); Power Inverters(50pcs) and Power Strips(200pcs).

It is open to all users from US, CA, UK, FR, DE, IT and ES. If you want to win these amazing gifts, you just need to fill out the form first, and then follow the steps. The Giveaway runs from Jan. 28th PDT to Feb. 14th 23:59 PDT. If you win the prize, you will receive the email from BESTEK on Feb. 18th 2019.

What’s more, the BESTEK Mall is holding the Flash deals. There are so many products have the 60% off discount, and it is the big chance for you to change something to new.

You can click here to get more information about the Valentines Day Giveaway.

Valentines Day Giveaway Page on BESTEKMALL

How to entry this giveaway? Just follow these steps:

Registrate on BESTEKMALL.
Share this giveaway contest on Facebook, Twitter and Reddit;

Terms & Conditions:

1. The giveaway is an international giveaway.
2. We are not responsible for lost shipments.
3. We are not responsible for any duties, import taxes that you may incur.
4. We reserve all rights to make any changes to this giveaway.
5. The prize will be shipped in a month when the giveaway end.

Just follow the steps mentioned in the Gleam widget to participate in the giveaway.

Once again, good luck.

Vivo V15 Pro may debut as Vivo X25 for China

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jan 29, 2019

The rumor mill is gradually revealing features of the Vivo V15 Pro smartphone that it speculated to go official in India in the coming month. Vivo China is also rumored to introduce its new X series smartphone in the home market. Last year, Vivo had launched the Vivo X21v and X21 UD smartphones in China. Later in September, it had released the Vivo X23 phone in the home country. The X23 Symphony Edition was made official in September last year. Hence, it appears that the arrival of the Vivo X25 smartphone may not be far away. The Chinese media is now speculating that the Vivo V15 Pro arriving in India in the coming month may go official as Vivo X25 in China.

During the weekend, case images of the upcoming Vivo V15 Pro had surfaced on one of the retailer sites in China. The image revealed that the V15 Pro would be equipped with a vertical triple camera setup at its top-left corner. The case images had also revealed that the device features a larger cutout at the right side of its top edge which suggested that the handset could be equipped with a pop-up selfie camera.

Leaked information that had surfaced around two weeks ago revealed that the upcoming OPPO’s R-series phone as well as Vivo’s X-series smartphone will come equipped with pop-up selfie camera. The R19 will be featuring its vertical rear camera setup at the top-center of the back panel and its pop-up selfie shooter will be placed at the center of its top edge. On the other side, the Vivo X25 will have the pop-up camera at the top-right corner of the upper side of the phone and its rear camera will be placed on the top-left corner of the aback panel. The arrangement of the cameras for the Vivo X25 matches with the leaked case images of the Vivo V15 Pro. Hence, it is speculated that the Vivo V15 Pro for India may debut as Vivo X25 in China.

A report by 91mobiles that was published at the end of the previous week had stated that a Vivo spokesperson had revealed that the company will be launching the Vivo V15 and Vivo V15 Pro as their next mid-range smartphones. The source also confirmed that the V15 and V15 Pro will have 32-megapixel primary sensors and they will also feature an in-display fingerprint scanner. The Vivo V15 could be priced between Rs. 20,000 and Rs. 25,000 whereas the Pro model may be priced Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 30,000. The Vivo V15 series phones are expected to go official by the end of February.

Realme to reportedly ditch ColorOS in favour of its own RealmeOS

By

Jeet

-

Jan 29, 2019

Realme has managed to establish itself in the budget smartphone segment in a very short period of time. So far, the company has launched five smartphones in the Indian market and a couple of accessories and lifestyle products.

The brand was started off as a subsidiary of Oppo, but soon split from its parent company to become an independent brand, and is now being led by former Oppo VP Sky Li. However, the company is still using Oppo’s custom user interface ColorOS for its smartphones.

Now, a new report claims that the company could ditch the ColorOS and instead start offering its own custom operating system RealmeOS based on Android. The company has even filed a trademark application with the United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office for “RealmeOS.’

The trademark description suggests that the ‘RealmeOS’ could be used for OS programs, software to maintain and operate computer systems, and downloadable apps for mobile devices, among others. While the future Realme phone may pack RealmeOS, it’s highly unlikely that it will be available in a couple of weeks.

Recently, we reported that the company is also working on launch its own app store which will work as an alternative to the Google Play Store through which users can download apps and games. Some users demanded a dedicated app store for Realme users on its community platform and the company responded to that by saying that it is considering to launch its own app store.

Realme launched a new variant of Realme C1 entry-level smartphone in India, dubbed Realme C1 2019, which comes with 32GB of internal storage. Meanwhile, the company is also gearing up to launch its next mid-range smartphone — Realme 3, which is expected to launch by the end of March this year.

(Via)

Honor View 20 priced at Rs. 37,999 (~$534) debuts in India

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

-

Jan 29, 2019

Last week, Huawei’s sub-brand Honor had held an international launch event for the Honor View 20 smartphone in Paris, France. Today, the Chinese manufacturer has introduced the Honor View 20 smartphone in India with a price tag of Rs. 37,999 (~$534). It is the very same Honor V20 phone that was announced in December 2018.

Honor View 20 Specifications and Features

The glass-bodied Honor View 20 smartphone is the world’s first phone to go official with punch-hole display. The smartphone houses a 6.4-inch punch-hole screen that offers 19.5:9 aspect ratio and full HD+ resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels. It offers an impressive screen-to-body ratio of 91.82 percent.

Huawei’s homebrewed Kirin 980 is present under the hood of the device. The Kirin SoC is supported by up 8 GB of RAM. Compared to conventional flagship phones that feature large-sized heat pipe, the View 20 smartphone comes with a smaller one. The device comes with an inbuilt storage of up to 256 GB but lacks support for microSD card slot. The Android 9.0 Pie OS flavored with company’s Magic 2.0 UI is available preinstalled on the Honor View 20.

The View 20 has a horizontal camera setup on its rear which includes the marvelous Sony IMX586 48-megapixdel sensor with f/1.8 aperture and a 3D ToF (Time of Flight) sensor. Located on the frontside of the phone is a 25-megapixel selfie camera with f/2.0 aperture. The View 20 receives power from a 4,000mAh battery that is equipped with 18W charging. A fingerprint scanner is available on the backside of the View 20 smartphone.

Read More: Redmi GM: Honor V20 has sold less than one-third that of the Redmi Note 7

Honor View 20 Price and Release Date

The Honor View 20 editions such as 6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage and 8 GB RAM + 256 GB storage are respectively priced at Rs. 37,999 (~$534) and Rs.45 ,999 (~$646) in India. The View 20 comes in colors like Sapphire Blue and Midnight Black. Honor will begin its official sales in the country from tomorrow at 12 AM. The smartphone will be exclusively available for purchase through Amazon India and Honor India’s official online store.

What’s your opinion on the price tag of Honor View 20 for India? Do you think it’s a good rival for the OnePlus 6T? Share us your views by adding your comments below.

TSMC factory glitch affects Nvidia and Huawei Kirin chips production

By

Simranpal Singh

-

Jan 29, 2019

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. production has stopped due to some defective chemical. TSMC is the manufacturer of various chipsets which are usually used on iOS and Android devices. It is a production house for different chipset makers such as Huawei, Apple, Qualcomm, Nvidia, and MediaTek.

Today it marks the second production problem in the last six months halting the chipset development process. TSMC is suffering from weak demand due to the global slowdown in smartphone sales. Notably, the company expressed concerns over the low sales of Apple iPhone and other premium smartphones. It even cited the current US-China trade war as a primary culprit behind the weak sales. This latest glitch will create a troublesome environment for TSMC to process orders timely.

According to our sources, TSMC production problem is linked to some defective chemical shipment which is used in the manufacturing of wafer yield in chipsets. A photoresist chemical which is crucial in the chipset development has disrupted the manufacturing process.

Majorly the production at Fab 14B site in Southern Taiwan has been affected due to the bad chemical. Huawei’s chipset arm HiSilicon are among the customers who will now face some production problems. Nvidia is also going to face some production hurdles after recent TSMC factory glitch. In an official statement, the company said that they are investigating the cause of the problem and responding to customers.

Read More: TSMC to begin Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 mass production in Q4 2018

Last year, TSMC encountered a similar situation when a computer virus made them stop production for three days in August. At the time, Apple’s advanced chips production was hindered due to an unforeseen situation. Currently, we are not completely sure whether the recent production issue at TSMC will affect Huawei’s upcoming smartphones or not.

(Source, Via)

Sony Xperia XZ4 specifications sheet leak reveals tall aspect ratio display, multiple colors and more

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

-

Jan 29, 2019

Sony is expected to announce the Xperia XZ4 flagship smartphone at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2019 in the coming month. A leaked specs sheet of the smartphone had surfaced over the weekend to reveal the entire specifications of the Xperia XZ4. The screenshot of the specs sheet suggests that it was taken from the Chinese or Taiwanese edition of the official Sony Mobile website.

The specs sheet screenshot does not contain the “Xperia XZ4” name. However, the information present on specs sheet seems to belong to an upcoming flagship phone from Sony. Hence, it is speculated to be specs of the forthcoming Xperia XZ4. Before reading ahead, readers are recommended to take this report with a grain of salt since the leaked screengrab has surfaced through an unverified source.

The screengrab reveals that the Sony Xperia XZ4 will be featuring a 6.4-inch OLED display that deliver an aspect ratio of 21:9. The tall display of the phone will carry support for HDR and produce quad HD+ resolution of 3360 x 1440 pixels. The screen will be protected by Gorilla Glass 5 panel.

The Snapdragon 855 chipset will be powering the Xperia XZ4 along with 6 GB of RAM. It will have an internal storage of 128 GB and for additional storage, it will carry support for microSD card slot. The Android 9 Pie OS will come preloaded on the device. The leak reveals that the phone will include a massive battery of 4,400mAh battery which sounds too good for a Sony flagship phone.

Read More: Sony confirms MWC 2019 February 25 event; Likely to debut Xperia XZ4, XA3, XA3 Ultra and L3

The pricing of the Xperia XZ4 is not known. The smartphone will be available in colors like black, silver, blue and deep purple. Like the predecessor model, it will be an IP68 certified handset. It will measure 167 x 72 x 8.2mm and weigh 191 grams. Unfortunately, the leak does not contain any information on the camera configurations of the Xperia XZ4.

Do you think that the upcoming Sony Xperia XZ4 will be a promising phone? Share us your thoughts by posting your comments below.

(via)

BlackBerry ‘Adula’ smartphone running Android 9 Pie may be in the works

By

Jeet

-

Jan 29, 2019

BlackBerry is reportedly working on a new smartphone — BlackBerry ‘Adula’. In the BlackBerry DTEK security application, some code was found related to the company’s upcoming smartphone, which is being referred by the company as ‘Adula’.

BLACKBERRY KEY2 LE — BlackBerry KEY2 LE Smartphone

There are several companies holding a license for making BlackBerry smartphones, which includes TCL, Optiemus and BB Merah Putih and this upcoming new handset could be from any one of them. However, there’s a possibility that the phone could be coming from Optiemus, which launched the Evolve and Evolve X smartphones in India.

The Editor-in-Chief for the CrackBerry forums adds that the device may not be a new one and instead belonging to someone in the location called Adula. Another forum member pointed out that this could be the long-rumored smartphone with the code name ‘Aurora 2’. The report also notes that ‘Aurora 2’ may be running a “special BBM Emtek” along with “preloaded bloatware including the in-app optional packs”.

According to the report, it is likely that the device may come with Android 9 Pie operating system out-of-the-box. Rumors about this device come months after the company launched its BlackBerry Key2 LE. Currently, there’s no clarity about when the company is planning to launch the new device.

Since this new information comes weeks before the Mobile World Congress 2019 in Barcelona, there’s a possibility that the device could be unveiled and showcased during MWC 2019 which kicks-off from 25th February in Barcelona, Spain.

(Source)

Oppo to soon launch a new smartphone in India via Flipkart, could be Oppo K1

By

Jeet

-

Jan 29, 2019

China-based smartphone manufacturer is gearing up to launch yet another mid-range smartphone in the Indian market. It seems that the upcoming smartphone with affordable pricing will be available for purchase in India exclusively through online marketplace Flipkart.

The company has already created a landing page on Flipkart for the upcoming smartphone but the name of the device is not yet revealed. Only one feature of the said phone is known so far — in-display fingerprint sensor.

While the company has not revealed which phone it plans to launch, the bottom portion of the phone in the teaser images suggests that the phone is likely to be the Oppo K1, which was launched in China in October last year.

To remind you of the specifications, the Oppo K1 features a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display with 2340 x 1080 pixels screen resolution and 91 percent screen-to-body ratio. The display is protected by a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass on top.

Under the hood, Qualcomm‘s Snapdragon 660 octa-core processor is powering the device, along with either 4GB or 6GB of RAM. Both models come with 64GB of internal storage and also comes with a microSD card slot that enables you to further expand the phone’s storage capacity.

As for the camera configuration, there’s a dual camera setup on the back, with camera sensors stacked horizontally in the top-left corner along with an LED flash. It consists of a 16-megapixel primary sensor and a 2-megapixel secondary sensor with AI-based features to enhance the camera performance.

On the front side, the phone comes equipped with a 25-megapixel shooter for taking selfies and video calling. The company has tried to include all the trendy features in the phone. As a result, along with the smaller waterdrop notch, you also get an in-display fingerprint sensor.

The phone runs on Android 8.1 Oreo operating system out of the box with the company’s own ColorOS 5.2 on top. Connectivity options on the device include 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi i 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth v5.0, GPS/ A-GPS, and GLONASS. It is powered by a 3,500mAh battery that supports Super VOOC fast charging technology.

(Source)

Buy Top Variants Of The Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S Smartphone At Dropped Prices on GeeKmaxi

By

Vinay Patel

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Jan 29, 2019

Even months after hitting the store shelves, the Xiaomi’s Mi Mix 2S smartphone continues to garner popularity.
The Chinese tech company made its long-awaited Mi Mix 2S smartphone available to its loyal fanbase last year in April. While it became an instant hit, the phone failed to grab the attention of those living on a tight budget.

In order to ensure that budget-conscious buyers can get their tech greedy hands on the coveted smartphone, Xiaomi has teamed up with GeekMaxi. Thanks to this collaboration, you can now buy the Mi Mix 2S without breaking the bank.

Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S (6GB RAM+64GB ROM)

The aforesaid variant of the Mi Mix 2S smartphone would normally set you back a pretty penny, but you can now buy it at a dropped price of just 359,00 € (about $450) on GeekMaxi.

This is a noteworthy reduction in the device’s original asking price of 384,00 € (about $439). This discount will be valid for the black color version of the smartphone.

Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S (6GB RAM+128GB ROM)

If you fancy having more space for storing your favorite photos, videos, and other multimedia content, you can go for the slightly larger variant of the Mi Mix 2S that comes with 125GB of internal storage capacity.

While this variant usually sells for 424,00 € (about $485), you can now buy it on GeeKmaxi for just 399,00 €, which translates roughly to about $456. You can choose between black and white color versions of this model.

Sporting an eye-catching curved ceramic design, the Mi Mix 2S is an irresistible smartphone that features a 5.99 inches full-screen display. The phone is housed in a sturdy curved aluminum frame.
Under the hood, the global version of the phone packs a powerful Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 processor and a highly competent Adreno 630 GPU.

As far as the optics are concerned, it houses a 12MP + 12MP dual camera setup with dual PD and flashlight on the back.

Up front, there’s a 5MP camera with AI Beautify, Selfie countdown, Face recognition, Mirror, HDR for self-portraits and 1080p video call with real-time Beautify.

The phone MIUI 9 based on Android 8.0 Oreo OS and is backed by a non-removable Li-Ion 3400 mAh battery. The Mi Mix 2S also features a slew of useful sensors such as a fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass.

You can visit this link in order to check out the rest of the specifications on the Mi Mix 2S and avail the discount, which will be valid only for a limited period of time.

Buy Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S Smartphone At A Lowered Price

Lenovo Z5 Pro GT sold out in 32 seconds in its first sale

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jan 29, 2019

Lenovo Z5 Pro GT, the world’s first smartphone with Snapdragon 855 chipset went on sale for the first time today at 10AM (local time) in China today. The smartphone was made available for purchase through Jingdong Mall. A screenshot shared by MyDrivers shows that the Lenovo Z5 Pro GT was sold in less than in a minute in its first sale. Moreover, Lenovo has released an official poster which states that Z5 Pro GT was sold out in just 32 seconds.

The publication claims that the popularity of the Lenovo Z5 Pro GT is such that it had received 220,000 reservations before it went on sale at 10 AM (local time). Hence, it is no surprise to see the phone to get sold out so quickly. Even though the Lenovo Z5 Pro GT comes in a 12 GB RAM variant, the company is currently selling only three variants of the smartphone such as 6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage, 8 GB RAM + 128 GB storage, and 8 GB RAM + 256 GB storage. These models are respectively priced at 2,698 Yuan (~$400), 2,998 Yuan (~$445) and 3,398 Yuan (~$504).

The smartphone was also made available for purchase through Lenovo China’s online store and Lynx. Customers who managed to place an order will be receiving their shipments from Feb. 1. Lenovo and JD.com are yet to confirm on the date of the second sale of the Lenovo Z5 Pro GT.

Read More: Lenovo device believed to be the Phab 3 hits the FCC, packs large battery and single rear camera

The Lenovo Z5 Pro GT is an advanced version of the Snapdragon 710 chipset powered Lenovo Z5 Pro slider phone. The Z5 Pro GT features a 6.39-inch S-AMOLED display with an in-screen fingerprint scanner. The slide of the phone features 16-megapixel + 8-megapixel dual camera setup. The back panel of the smartphone features 24-megapixel + 16-megapixel dual camera setup. It is fueled by a 3,500mAh battery and comes loaded with ZUI 10 based Android 9 Pie OS. The smartphone is available in Black color only. There is no word on the international availability of the Z5 Pro GT.

Redmi Note 7 sold out within 10 minutes and 56 seconds in yet another sale in China

By

Jeet

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Jan 29, 2019

Earlier this month, Redmi Note 7 smartphone was launched in China — the first device from Redmi after it split from the parent company Xiaomi to work independently. The phone was available for purchase through flash sale three times in China in which the device sold out within minutes.

Today, the Redmi Note 7 went on sale in China for the fourth time and this time too, the smartphone sold out in 10 minutes and 56 seconds. However, the company has not disclosed how many units were available for purchase in this recent flash sale.

In the first sale, the device sold out in 8 minutes and 36 seconds while it sold out in 2 minutes and 50 seconds in its third flash sale in China. The 3GB RAM + 32GB storage costs 999 Yuan (approx. $147), 4GB RAM + 64GB storage model costs 1,199 Yuan (approx. $177) while the top-end model with 6GB RAM + 64GB storage is priced at 1,399 Yuan (approx. $206).

The Redmi Note 7 comes with a premium glass body and a massive screen-to-body ratio thanks to the waterdrop notch display. It features a 6.3-inch Full HD+ display with 2340 x 1080 pixels screen resolution and 19.5:9 aspect ratio. The display carries support for 450-nits brightness, 1,500:1 contrast ratio, sun legibility, and eye protection mode.

Under the hood, the device is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 octa-core chipset with 3GB/4GB/6GB RAM and 32GB/64GB internal storage. It also comes with a dedicated microSD card slot allowing users to expand the storage capacity.

Redmi has focused on offering a premium photography experience with this budget smartphone. The device comes with an f/1.8 aperture 48-megapixel primary sensor and a 5-megapixel secondary camera with artificial intelligence technology.

On the front side, there’s a 13-megapixel camera housed in the display notch. It is also equipped with features like AI Smart Beauty and AI face unlock. The Redmi Note 7 is equipped with a 3.5mm audio jack and features an infrared blaster which makes it possible to use it as a remote control. A fingerprint scanner resides of the backside of the smartphone.

As for the software, the smartphone is running Android 9 Pie-based MIUI 10 out-of-the-box. The phone is powered by a 4,000mAh battery with support for Quick Charge 4.0 fast charging technology. With an 18W fast charger, which needs to be purchased separately, the phone can be fully charged in just 1 hour and 43 minutes.

Recently, Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun started a survey to know which is the most popular Redmi Note 7 variant. The poll also includes two unreleased models with 128GB internal storage — 4GB RAM and 6GB RAM. While the 4GB + 128GB model has been approved by TENAA, the 6GB + 128GB model emerged as a fan favorite. Now, either of the two models is expected to launch in China this week.

Buy MY001CN Portable AI Translator And boeleo W1 AI Touch Control Voice Translator At Lowered Prices On GearBest

By

Vinay Patel

-

Jan 29, 2019

As part of its latest promo dubbed, ‘2019 Chinese New Year Sale,’ GearBest is doling out up to a whopping 80 percent off on a wide selection of electronic items and products that come in handy in day to day life.

The products featured in this recently kicked-off promo have been added to separate categories so that users can find exactly what they’re looking for without breaking a sweat.

For instance, the ‘Top Electronics’ has been divided into five sub-categories including smartphones, consumer electronics, tablet PC, computer accessories and 3D printers & supplies.

More importantly, all items included in this promo are now up for grabs bearing considerably lowered price tags.

Staying true to its reputation for offering China’s best electronic items at unbeatable prices, GearBest is now doling out noteworthy discounts on the MY001CN Portable AI Translator and boeleo W1 AI Touch Control Voice Translator.

MY001CN Portable AI Translator

Designed to deliver the most professional translation than any other translator available in the market today, the MY001CN boasts a multifunction design.

Aside from translation, the MY001CN can efficiently play music, check the currency, play the news and perform a slew of other useful tasks.

Moreover, the MY001CN supports fourteen types of languages, assuring professional translation. In other words, you can travel around 170 countries and regions without worrying about the language barrier.

Moreover, the device draws its juices from a robust 900mAh Li-polymer battery that delivers standby time of 7 days and 8 hours of continuous translation. It is a great choice for frequent travelers.

While the market is brimming with all sorts of steeply-priced translators, the dark gray color version of the MY001CN portable AI translator will set you back just $89.99 on GearBest.

You can visit this link to buy the MY001CN. With just 19 pieces remaining, this promo was on the verge of wrapping up at the time of writing.

You can follow this link to buy the silver color version of the MY001CN, which has gone up for sale carrying a price tag of $71.04.

boeleo W1 AI Touch Control Voice Translator

Marketed as the smart business travel AI translator, the boeleo W1 efficiently translates 45 languages, allowing you to travel to more than 200 countries.

Moreover, it boasts a multi-person translation function that enables the user to connect to 500 people via chat. The device supports multi-language chat to ensure users do not face any sort of communication problems.

On top of that, the boeleo W1 supports eight system languages including Chinese, English, Arabic, German, Spanish, French, Japanese and Russian.
While a top-branded translator offering comparable features will most probably burn a hole in your pocket, you can buy the boeleo W1 at a dropped price of just $99.99 on GearBest.

This is a noteworthy 51 percent reduction in the device’s original asking price of $204.88. Moreover, you can use a 20% off to save more money if your grand total exceeds $100.

You can follow this link to grab the discount, which will be valid for the platinum color version of the boeleo W1 voice translator. There were 68 pieces remaining for this promo, which will end in fourteen days.

You can get a 46 percent off on the blue-tinted boeleo W1 that usually retails for $183.57, but is currently available for just $99.99 on GearBest.

There were only 24 pieces of this color version remaining with the promo scheduled to end in one day.

Check Out GearBest’s 2019 Chinese New Year Sale