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Honor View 20 pre-orders begins on January 15 in India with free Honor Sport BT earphones

Honor View 20, the international edition of the Honor V20 phone that was unveiled in China in previous month will be launching in India on Jan. 29. The Chinese manufacturer has confirmed that it will start receiving the pre-orders of the View 20 handset from Jan. 15. Customers who pre-book the device will be provided with Honor Sports BT earphones.

The Honor View 20 will be exclusively available for purchase through Amazon India. As of this writing, there is no information on the price tag of the View 20 for India. Based on pricing of the China’s Honor V20 handset, it can be guessed that the View 20 will be costing between Rs. 35,000 and Rs. 40,000 in India.

Honor View 20 Pre-Order

In order to take advantage of the free Honor Sport BT earphones offer during the pre-order period of the View 20, users are required to purchase Honor View 20 gift card of worth Rs. 1,000 from Amazon India. The gift card will be emailed to the buyer and when the sales of the View 20 begins in India on Jan. 30, users need to purchase the phone using the same account that was used for availing the gift card. Once the handset is purchase, the retailer giant will send another email with coupon code to avail the free Honor Sport BT which can be redeemed before Feb. 15. Users need to add the Honor Sport BT to cart and use the coupon code at checkout to avail it for free.

Honor View 20 pre-orders in India

Apart from Amazon India, even Honor India’s official HiHonor website will also begin with the pre-bookings of the Honor View 20 from Jan. 15 in India. It is also providing the same pair of earphones for free with the handset. To avail it, users need to pre-book the phone with Rs. 1,000 and use the Honor View 20 coupon code. Doing so will return Rs. 1,000 to the buyer.

The Honor View 20 features a punch-hole display of 6.4 inches which carries support for full HD+ resolution and 19.5:9 aspect ratio. The Kirin 980 chipset along with 8 GB of RAM powers the 128 GB and 256 GB versions of the View 20. It runs on Magic UI 2.0 based Android 9 Pie OS.

The dual camera setup on the rear side of the phone features a Sony IMX586 48-megapixel primary sensor and a ToF (Time of Flight) 3D stereo camera for measuring depth. It is equipped with a selfie snapper of 25-megapixel. The handset draws power from 4,000mAh battery. Before debuting in India, Honor will be holding a global launch event for the smartphone in Paris, France on Jan. 22.

Huawei Y9 2019 launched in India for Rs. 15,990 (~$230)

Huawei had launched the Huawei Y9 2019 smartphone in China in October last year. The same phone has been gone official in India. The Y9 2019 will be available for buying from next week with a price tag of Rs. 15,990 (~$230). The handset comes with four cameras, a notched screen and a big battery.

Huawei Y9 2019 Specifications and Features

The Huawei Y9 2019 features a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display. The notched screen produces full HD+ resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels along with an aspect ratio of 19.5:9.

The Kirin 710 chipset powers the smartphone along with 4 GB of RAM. It comes with a native storage of 64 GB. For more storage, it is equipped with a microSD card slot. A 4,000mAh battery has been packed inside the phone to keep the lights on. It carries support for 10W charging through microUSB.

The Huawei Y9 2019 comes loaded with Android 8.1 Oreo OS that is overlaid with EMIU 8.2. There is a Game Assistant 2.0 mode which optimizes the resources of the phone while gaming. It carries support for Histen 5.0 audio technology which brings support for Party Mode with 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound system.

Huawei Y9 2019

The front notch of the Huawei Y9 2019 features a dual selfie camera setup which includes f/2.0 aperture 16-megapixel primary sensor and f/2.4 aperture 2-megapixel secondary sensor. On the rear, it is equipped with a dual camera module which includes 13-megapixel main sensor with f/1.8 aperture and 2-megapixel secondary sensor with f/2.4 aperture.

Huawei Y9 2019 Price and Availability

The Huawei Y9 2019 which is priced at Rs. 15,990 (~$230) in India will be exclusively available buying through Amazon India from Jan. 15. It will be available in color like Midnight Black and Blue Sapphire. For a limited-period, Huawei is giving away Boat Rockerz Sports Bluetooth earphones worth Rs. 2,990 to the buyers of Huawei Y9 2019.

Buy Top-Branded Projectors At Heavily Discounted Prices On GearBest

Looking for a cost-effective projector that doesn’t compromise on quality? You have come to the right place.


Popular brands including VIVIBRIGHT, Cheerlux, and Excelvan have teamed with one of China’s best online stores for electronic items, GearBest to offer their well-received projectors at unbeatable prices. So without further ado, let’s check out the details.

VIVIBRIGHT GP100 Projector

Designed keeping the middle-income families in mind, the VIVIBRIGHT GP100 is a whole new projector that delivers an unmatched home cinema experience. It boasts an impressive array of features that include an impressive LED light utilization efficiency of 3200 lumens (typical).

Moreover, it delivers HD level output with a physical resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels for crystal clear images. The device’s WXGA resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels provides 3.5x higher resolution than the SVGA that offers a standard resolution of 800 x 480 pixels for HD image content.
VIVIBRIGHT GP100 is without an iota of doubt, an irresistible projector that usually sells for $181.05 on online as well as offline stores. Thanks to the collaboration between VIVIBRIGHT and GearBest, this feature-laden projector can now be yours for a lowered price of just $149.99.

The Chinese online store is doling out a noteworthy 17 percent discount on the retail price of the GP100 projector for a limited period of time. On top of that, those spending $20 will qualify to get an add-on item for just $2.99.

You can follow this link to check out more details and avail the discount, which will be valid for the basic version of the GP100 projector before the promo ends. Note that you can get a 20 percent off on the Android version of the VIVIBRIGHT GP100 projector.

Cheerlux CL760 3000 Lumens Lumens LCD Video Projector

The Cheerlux CL760 projector breathes new life into your home theater and gaming station. It delivers HD resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels for clearer, true-to-life images, but that’s not all.

This feature-rich projector is also compatible with blue-ray DVD players allowing you to enjoy 3D Blu-ray movies without leaving the comfort of your room. It is a full-fledged entertainment setup that comes with two HDMI ports and an integrated speaker.
While aforesaid features completely justify the $177.71 price tag the Cheerlux CL760 usually carries, you can now buy it for just $139.99 on GearBest. This is a noteworthy 21 percent discount and it will be valid specifically for the remaining 44 pieces of the black color version of the projector.

By spending $20, you can qualify to get an add-on for $2.29. You can visit this link to avail the discount before the promo comes to an end in seven days.

GT-S8 European Specification High Definition Household Projector

As part of its latest Flash Sale, GearBest is now offering the GT-S8 projector at a considerably dropped price of just $105.99. This is a significant 10 percent drop in the device’s original asking price of $117.47.

An absolute bargain at this price, the GT-S8 portable home theater projector allows you to enjoy your favorite shows, movies, sports and lots more in the form of a 120-inches dynamic image. Moreover, it has multiple functional interfaces including HDMI, USB1, USB2, AV, VGA, and AUDIO OUT.


The GT-S8 has built-in speakers; however, you can still connect an external speaker or headset since it comes with a 3.5mm audio interface. The device uses up to 30000 hours of the LED light source, making it perfect for entertainment and home video.

You can click here to check out more details about this portable home theater projector and get your hands on one of 49 remaining pieces that are currently up for grabs carrying lowered prices. You also qualify for getting an add-on for $2.99 by spending $20. Note that the promo ends in eight days.

Vivo V91 price and specs leaked for India; Launch seems imminent

Vivo has recently launched the Vivo Y93 smartphone in India. A new report from 91mobiles reveals that the Chinese manufacturer will be soon launching the Vivo Y91 phone in India. The handset is speculated to carry a price tag of Rs. 10,990.

In November, Vivo had launched the Vivo Y91 smartphone in Philippines and it was made available in Pakistan in December. The Chinese manufacturer has been gradually making it available in other Asian markets. Citing information received from retail sources, the publication the company will be releasing the Vivo Y91 in India before Jan. 20. Vivo is expected to soon release an official statement on the arrival of the Vivo Y91 phone.

The Vivo Y91 features a 6.22-inch Halo FullView display that supports HD+ resolution of 720 x 1520 pixels and an aspect ratio of 19:9. The Snapdragon 439 chipset is present under the hood of the device. The chipset is coupled with 3 GB of RAM. For storage, the Y91 handset is equipped with an inbuilt storage of 32 GB and it also features a microSD card slot.

In India, the company is expected to launch the MediaTek Helio P22 chipset edition of the Vivo Y91. The SoC will be assisted by 2 GB of RAM.

Vivo-Y91-Indian-specs-696x696

The back panel of the Vivo Y91 is equipped with 13-megapixel + 2-megapixel dual camera module. For capturing selfies, it features a frontal shooter of 8-megapixel. The handset will be receiving power from 4,030mAh battery. It comes preinstalled with Android 8.1 Oreo OS that is customized with FunTouch OS 4.5 UI. A fingerprint reader is available on the rear side of the phone.

Starry Black and Ocean Blue are the two color variants of the Vivo Y91 smartphone.  With a price tag of Rs. 10,990, it will be selling as one of the cheapest smartphones with waterdrop notch screen.

 

(Source)

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Is Now Accepting Pre-Order On Giztop

After floating around the rumor mill for quite a long time and making several appearances on the internet in the form of leaks, Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 was finally announced earlier this month.
Much to the delight of Xiaomi fans, the hotly-anticipated smartphone has now gone up for pre-order on Giztop. You can choose between multiple color and storage options depending on the amount you are willing to shell out.

The 3GB RAM+32GB ROM variant comes in black and blue color versions and will set you back $179. The 4GB RAM+64GB ROM model which comes in black, blue and gradient red color options carry a $214 price tag.

You can go for more power under the hood with the final variant that would ship with 6GB of RAM and offer 64GB of onboard storage space. This model will be up for grabs in three color versions including black, blue and gradient red and will retail for $249 on Giztop.
In terms of specs, the Redmi Note 7 sports an appealing 6.3 inches IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen display with 1080 x 2340 pixels resolution and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on top for added protection. Under the hood, it packs a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor along with an Adreno 512 GPU for an immersive experience.

On the photography front, the Redmi Note 7 houses a 48.0MP+5.0MP dual AI camera setup on the back and a 13.0MP front shooter for selfies and video chatting. The phone runs MIUI 10 based on Android 9 Pie operating system and is backed by a robust 4000mAh battery.

Aside from a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, the Redmi Note 7 features a slew of other useful sensors including an accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass. You can follow this link to check out the full specification and pre-order your favorite variant of the Redmi Note 7. Note that the phone will be shipped within 5-7 days.

Buy Beelink GT1 MINI And Alfawise A8 Pro TV Boxes At Lowered Prices On GearBest

The market is rife with all sorts of TV boxes that enable you to access your favorite TV series, live sports, movies, along with a slew of apps and games. On the downside, these highly sought after multimedia devices do not come cheap.
Deemed as one of China’s best online stores for electronic items, GearBest is now offering a couple of feature-rich TV boxes at unbeatable prices. So without further ado, let us delve straight into the details.

Beelink GT1 MINI TV Box with Voice Remote

If you have explored the TV box market, the Beelink GT1 MINI might sound like a familiar name. Like numerous smartphone, tablets, and smart TVs, this mini TV box from Beelink runs Android 8.1 Oreo operation system.

Capable of supporting premium 4K UHD video, the Beelink GT1 MINI TV box packs a powerful Amlogic S905X2 CPU and a highly competent Quad-core ARM G31 MP2 Graphics GPU that produces better 4K graphics than other similar products available in the market today.

The 2GB RAM+32GB ROM model of the Beelink GT1 MINI would normally set you back $66.99, but you can now get it for only $59.99 on GearBest. This 10 percent discount will be valid for the black color version of the TV box.

Moreover, those spending $20 will qualify for add-on item for just $2.99. You can visit this link for more details and avail the discount. With only 99 pieces remaining, the promo is slated to end in seven days.

 

 

 

Alfawise A8 Pro 2.4G + 5G Wifi Magic TV Box

If you fancy a happy movie time with your family and friends without emptying your pocket, you might want to take a gander at the Alfawise A8 Pro 5G magic box. With the ability to transform a regular television into a smart TV, Alfawise’s new TV box runs Android 8.1 Oreo OS to play videos in 4K resolution without any sort of interruption.

The Alfawise A8 Pro ships with 2GB of RAM and offers a hearty 16GB of onboard storage space. Moreover, it comes with a PIP (picture-in-picture) function so you watch your favorite videos while accessing other applications. The device can stream multimedia content like photos, videos, games from your mobile phone to the TV.
While you’d expect a top-branded TV box that offers comparable features to cost you a bomb, that’s not the case with the Alfawise A8 Pro. Keeping in line with that, the 5G Wifi Magic TV box has gone up for sale carrying a dropped price tag of only $27.99 on GearBest.

This is a 13 percent drop in the black color version of the TV box that usually sells for $32.24. While you can follow this link to avail the discount, it is imperative for you to bear in mind that there were only 25 pieces remaining for the promo, which is slated to end in two days.

 

Nokia 6.2 specs leaked, said to be the device with a punch hole

Yesterday renders of a Nokia phone said to be the Nokia 8.1 Plus were posted online but there are sources saying it may be a different Nokia device entirely, the Nokia 6.2 to be exact. Although it is still unconfirmed, specs of the phone have leaked.

Nokia 6.2
Rumors say this is the Nokia 6.2 and not the Nokia 8.1 Plus

The Nokia 6.2 specs were shared on Twitter by @LeaksNokia, an account that is known for posting Nokia-related news and leaks.

According to the account, the Nokia 6.2 or Nokia 6 (2019) will have a 6.2-inch display. It will be powered by the Snapdragon 632 processor and will come in 4GB RAM and 6GB RAM variants. There is no mention of the storage but expect 32GB and 64GB of onboard storage with support for expansion.

The Nokia 6.2 will have 16MP dual rear cameras with Zeiss optics. There is no mention of the secondary rear camera and the front-facing camera. The phone will also have Nokia’s OZO Audio technology. There is no info about the battery capacity but we expect it to be bigger than the 3,000mAh capacity of last year’s model.

READ MORE: Nokia 8 Sirocco receives Android Pie stable update

Lenovo Smart Tab P10/M10 also has a Baidu DuerOS version

Smart displays became popular last year and more are expected to launch this year. Lenovo already has one that is powered by the Google Assistant but at CES 2019 this week, it unveiled two new ones for Amazon’s Alexa. It turns out that the two tablets also have a version for Baidu’s DuerOS.

Lenovo Smart Tab Baidu

So if you reside in China and purchase either the Lenovo Smart Tab P10 or Lenovo Smart Tab M10, you get Baidu’s DuerOS smart assistant when you dock the tablet. You can use the tablet to control DuerOS compatible smart devices or ask the assistant questions.

The Lenovo Smart Tab P10 and Lenovo Smart Tab M10 both have a 10-inch 1920 x 1200 display and are powered by the Snapdragon 450. The M10 has 2GB/3GB of RAM and 16GB/32GB of storage while the P10 has 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage.

For optics, the M10 has a 2MP front-facing camera and a 5MP rear camera while the P10 packs a 5MP selfie camera and an 8MP rear camera. The M10 has 2 front facing Dolby Atmos speakers and packs a 4850mAh battery while the P10 has 4 front-facing speakers and a 7,000mAh battery. It also has a fingerprint scanner, unlike the M10. Both tablets run Android 8.1 Oreo.

Lenovo Smart Tab Baidu DuerOS

The dock is the same for both models. It has 2 x 3W full-range speakers and 3 x far-field microphones. There is also a mute button and volume control buttons. Charging is via a pogo pin connector. When docked, the tablet also charges.

READ MORE: Lenovo announces portable smart clock with speaker and Google Assistant

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 vs Lenovo Z5s vs Asus Zenfone Max Pro (M2): Specs Comparison

Today Redmi became an independent brand, Xiaomi took this decision in order to focus more on flagships. Redmi Note 7 is the first smartphone after the separation and it debuted with an incredibly affordable price tag. That is why we think it is time to compare it with the best smartphones for quality-price ratio you can get at this moment. Among the most interesting ones there are Lenovo Z5s that is one of the cheapest smartphones with Snapdragon 710, and Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 that is one of the phones with the longest battery life. If you want to know who is the best, go ahead with this specs comparison.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 vs Lenovo Z5s vs Asus Zenfone Max Pro (M2)

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Lenovo Z5s Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT 159.2 x 75.2 x 8.1 mm, 186 grams 156.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm, 172 grams 157.9 x 75.5 x 8.5 mm, 175 grams
DISPLAY 6.3 inches, 1080 x 2340p (Full HD+), 409 ppi, IPS LCD 6.3 inches, 1080 x 2340p (Full HD+), 409 ppi, LTPS IPS LCD 6.26 inches, 1080 x 2280p (Full HD+), 403 ppi, IPS LCD
PROCESSOR Qualcomm Snapdragon 660, octa-core 2.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 710, octa-core 2.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 660, octa-core 2.2 GHz
MEMORY 3 GB RAM, 32 GB – 4 GB RAM, 64 GB  – 6 GB RAM, 64 GB – micro SD slot  4 GB RAM, 64 GB  – 6 GB RAM, 128 GB – micro SD slot 4 GB RAM, 64 GB – 6 GB RAM, 64 GB – 6 GB RAM, 64 GB – micro SD dedicated slot
SOFTWARE Android 9 Pie, MIUI Android 9 Pie, ZUI Android 8.1 Oreo
CONNECTIVITY Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5, GPS Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5, GPS  Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5, GPS
CAMERA Dual 48 + 5 MP f/1.8 and f/2.4
13 MP front camera
Triple 16 + 8 + 5 MP f/1.8, f/2.4 and f/2.4
16 MP f/2.0 front camera
Dual 12 + 5 MP f/1.8 and f/2.4
13 MP f/2.0 front camera
BATTERY 4000 mAh, fast charging 3350 mAh, fast charging 5000 mAh
ADDITIONAL FEATURES Hybrid Dual SIM slot Hybrid Dual SIM slot  Dual SIM slot

Design

Its narrower bezels, its thin profile, and its gradient color variants make me prefer Lenovo Z5s when it comes to aesthetics. In my opinion, it is the most beautiful handset of the trio and it is also the most compact and lightweight. Right after that there is Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 with its minimal waterdrop notch. Even though I like Lenovo Z5s’ look more, I would pick the Redmi Note 7 due to its better build quality. Indeed, it comes with strengthened glasses and the Gorilla Glass 5 protection making it more sturdy and resistant. Further, it is water and dust resistant, even though the company did not talk about any IP certification. Note that even Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 has a strong protection for the display: Gorilla Glass 6, which is the strongest one. But it is not water resistant and it has a plastic body, despite it looks like glass at a first glance.

 

Display

The clearest and most performing display seems to be the one of the Lenovo Z5s, and it also comes with narrower bezels around it. But the difference between this screen and the ones of Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 and Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 should be just marginal. The level of detail is the same and the color reproduction does not differ so much. So, if you have to make a choice, consider the other specifications instead of focusing on the display quality.

 

Specs & Software

The most powerful hardware side belongs to the Lenovo Z5s. As we said above, it is one of the most affordable devices to sport the best midrange SoC by Qualcomm: the octa-core Snapdragon 710 running at a max frequency of 2.2 GHz. Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 and Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 are equipped with the lower-end Snapdragon 660: they still offer great performances but they are slower than Lenovo Z5s in the most demanding scenarios. Note that while Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 and Lenovo Z5s come with Android Pie out of the box, Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 is still based on Android Oreo.

 

Camera

The most outstanding rear camera is the one of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7, at least on the paper. The reason is simple: it is one of the first phones with the amazing 48 MP Samsung ISOCELL sensor which is able to capture a huge amount of detail and bright shots even with low-light conditions. Lenovo Z5s is an awesome camera phone too, even though it is far from top camera phones. It comes with a triple camera equipped with a telephoto lens for 2x lossless zoom and a depth sensor. The most disappointing on the camera side is definitely the Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 with its average dual camera.

 

Battery

While Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2’s cameras are not excellent, the handset wins the comparison when it comes to battery life, thanks to its huge 5000 mAh unit. It can last more than two days with a stressed use, reaching three days of battery life with a moderate use. At the second place, there is Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 with a 4000 mAh unit, while Lenovo Z5s offers an average battery life.

 

Price

I define the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 as the highest value for money phone of this trio: it costs just $147/€170 in China and it comes with outstanding cameras as well as a very long battery life. However, you should go for the Lenovo Z5s if you want better performances, while if you get Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 you will have an even longer battery life. Lenovo Z5s is available with a listing price tag of about €220/$250, while Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 starts from about €200/$230.

 

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 vs Lenovo Z5s vs Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2: PROs and CONS

Lenovo Z5s

PROs

  • Great performance
  • Affordable price
  • Triple camera
  • Beautiful design

CONS

  • Smaller battery

 

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7

PROs

  • Amazing camera
  • Big battery
  • Good design
  • Very affordable

CONS

  • Nothing particular

 

Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2

PROs

  • Huge battery
  • Affordable price
  • Micro SD dedicated slot
  • Gorilla Glass 6

CONS

  • Worse cameras

LG pulls the plug on Android updates and security patches for the V20 and G5

LG launched the LG V20 in September 2016 while the G5 was announced in earlier at the Mobile World Congress in February 2016. That means both flagship models are more than two years old. Thus, LG seems to have finally removed them from the list of models that will get any security update. XDA Forum Moderator Redline recently discovered that the LG V20, as well as the G5, are no longer listed on LG’s Security Bulletin webpage. The archive of the page on the WayBack Machine as at December 13 still had the models listed. However, the latest security bulletin saw both models missing.LG V20

This is an indication that the devices will no longer receive updates, security patches or otherwise. For fans of the models still having hope that the phones will get Android Pie, that hope should be killed. The models were launched with android Naugat but were updated to Oreo. With this latest development, the devices will not get past Android Oreo.lg g5

Read Also: LG G9 packing an SD 821 SoC, QHD+ screen, 4GB RAM, IP68 waterproof body launched in Korea

LG is one of the major Android OEMs that agreed with Google’s Android Enterprise Recommended program. That means LG must offer at least four security updates within one year of the phone’s launch. The program also recommends Android OEMs to provide flagships smartphones with security updates for at least two years. However, LG will still offer security and OS updates for the G6 and G7 series, V30, V35, V40, CV series, LV series, LG Stylo (SF3), and Q series.

(source)

Samsung Galaxy S10 unpacked event to hold on February 20

It is official! The Samsung Galaxy S10 series Unpacked Event will hold on February 20.

Galaxy S10 launch

Samsung took to Twitter to announce that its next-generation smartphone will be unveiled next month in San Francisco. The date is a few days before Mobile World Congress 2019 which is scheduled to hold in Barcelona. The launch will also be live-streamed on Samsung’s official website.

The Galaxy S10 series is reported to have at least three models – a lite version that has been reported will launch as the Galaxy S10 E; the Galaxy S10; the Galaxy S10+; and a Galaxy S10 5G version. Samsung is also expected to announce a new Galaxy Watch and its foldable smartphone at the event.

READ MORE: Samsung Notebook 9 Pro high-end convertible with stylish design announced at CES 2019

Lei Jun confirms Redmi is working on a 2500 Yuan (~$370) flagship smartphone

Xiaomi today held its first independent launch event for the new Redmi brand and during the event, the company launched the Redmi Note 7 as its first product. Xiaomi also explained the need for the Redmi brand to be independent. Xiaomi’s CEO Lei Jun also officially announced that Lu Weibing, the former president of Gionee, who has recently joined Xiaomi Group, will serve as vice president of Xiaomi Group and general manager of the new Redmi brand. Later on, Lei Jun granted the media an interview where he disclosed that he had to persuade Lu Weibing for two years until the former Gionee chief had to turn off his own startup and joined Xiaomi.Redmi Note 7-featured

Lei Jun also shared some details of the Redmi brand stating that the brand will continue to pursue the ultimate cost-effectiveness, focusing on the e-commerce market and attracting sales from the Internet. The Redmi brand has always been known for its affordability. That isn’t likely to change as Lei Jun reportedly hinted during the media chat the Redmi brand will manufacture its own flagship mobile phone which will cost just around 2500 yuan ($370). The Mi brand, on the other hand, will focus on high-end phones

Read Also: Redmi Note 7 with premium glass body, 19.5:9 screen and 48MP camera is now official for 999 Yuan (~$147) only!

This effectively confirms speculations that the unbundling of the company’s phone brand is similar to what Huawei and Honor did, as well as OPPO and Realme brands. The split will undoubtedly be a good move for Xiaomi, perhaps a cash cow and so, we look forward to seeing how the company will milk this one.

(source)

Redmi Note 7 Pro with 48MP Sony IMX586 sensor to launch after Spring Festival

The Redmi Note 7 is Redmi’s first phone since it became a standalone brand and also the first Xiaomi/Redmi phone with a 48MP camera but it won’t be the last. Xiaomi revealed at the event that it will launch a Redmi Note 7 Pro after the Spring Festival which will also have a 48MP rear camera but this time a Sony IMX586 sensor.

Redmi Note 7 Pro

Actually, the Sony IMX586 was supposed to be the sensor in the Redmi Note 7 but supply issues caused Xiaomi to switch to Samsung’s GM1 sensor. The above info was revealed at the event earlier today. Redmi says the Redmi Note 7 Pro has been made for users who are more focused on camera performance and plan to unveil it after the Spring Festival.

Based on the above statement, it is clear the Samsung GM1 sensor isn’t as good as the Sony IMX586 but how significant is the difference in performance?

While both are 0.8μm-pixel sensors, the Sony IMX586 uses a Quad-Bayer array that is arranged in 4×4 for a pixel count of 48 million while Samsung’s sensor can actually only do 12MP but interpolates to 48MP.

Sony IMX586 Quad Bayer Array
Sony IMX586 Quad Bayer Array

So even if the output from the GM1 sensor is 48MP, it can’t be compared to that of the IMX586 which is truly a 48MP sensor. The difference in the camera performance can be seen when you zoom in on images taken with both photos.

Will the camera sensor be the only difference between the two phones? Most likely not. Even though the design is similar and specs like the screen and battery capacity will likely remain unchanged, we believe the Redmi Note 7 Pro will come with a more powerful processor.

Samsung GM1 48MP sensor
Samsung GM1 48MP sensor Bayer array

Samsung GM1 48MP sensor

Nevertheless, the Redmi Note 7 still offers good value for money and if you are on the lookout for a new phone right now, you should consider it. However, if you can wait, you should do so just bear it in mind that you will also be paying more for the Pro version.

READ MORE: OPPO joins Xiaomi to make a push for the UK market; maiden launch set for January 29

Xiaomi Mi Box 4 SE Android TV Box launched for 189 yuan ($27)

Xiaomi has officially announced a new set-top box dubbed Mi Box 4 SE in China. The Xiaomi Mi Box 4 SE enters the market battle ready to take on similar products like Amazon’s Fire TV, Google Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku’s wide range of media players, Scishion set-top boxes and even Xiaomi’s existing TV boxes. Xiaomi continues its renowned reputation of offering well-studded devices for ultra cheap price tags with the Mi Box 4 SE which comes with a price tag of 187 yuan ($27). The device is a successor to the Mi TV Box 4 and TV Box 4C launched in China around this time last year.XIaomi Mi Box 4 SE

In terms of specifications, the Mi Box 4 SE comes with the PatchWall UI, which is the same as the smart TV UI that is found on Xiaomi Mi TVs. This adds brings many smart features to any TV when connected via HDMI or AV. PatchWall UI itself supports voice control,  channel switching on your DTH connection, channel switching, weather check and voice commands. In addition, the TV box also features full-HD (1080p) streaming. The device also packs a Cortex-A7 quad-core processor paired with 1GB of RAM and there is 4GB of 4GB eMMC flash memory. The device also packs a Mali-400 GPU. For connectivity, the set-top box comes with HDMI, AV and USB ports. In addition, the TV box supports WiFi download of high-definition video and big data files. You can also watch movies from your phones , hard disk or USB flash drive. The device also allows the installation of games and other apps just like most TV boxes.

Read Also: Xiaomi Mi Box 4 And Mi Box 4c With 4K HDR Launched In China

Furthermore, the Mi TV Box 4 SE comes with support for screen mirroring from smartphones and is a part of the Xiaomi’s wide range of non-smartphone products. The device will go on sale on January 11 via Xiaomi Mall. Reservation for its first flash sale is already ongoing.

(source)

Samsung foldable phone shown to select few at CES 2019, 5G prototype on public display

Samsung took a foldable smartphone to last year’s CES but it was shown to a few people at a private event. This year, it did the same thing at CES 2019. Definitely not the same device as last year’s but seen only by a few yet again.

This has been Samsung’s move for a couple of years now, since 2014 according to some. Take a prototype to the event and show it off to a select few which might include carrier executives and other business partners.

Samsung Foldable Smartphone

According to the source, one of those who saw the device said Samsung is working on software optimizations and polishing the hardware. “When unfolded, Samsung’s foldable phone does not show any crease indicating it had been bent,” said the executive who saw the device. However, he did say that Samsung is working on leaving the sides slightly lifted when folded.

The phone was first shown to a wider audience back in November at Samsung’s Developer Conference (SDC) though it was put in a case that covered its design. The phone has two displays – a 4.6-inch screen that is outside and can be used when it is folded and a 7.3-inch screen on the inside when it is laid out flat.

Samsung is expected to officially announce the foldable phone in H1 2019 and from all indications, it won’t be cheap.

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While the foldable smartphone was only shown to a few, Samsung’s 5G prototype smartphone was on public display and it appears not a lot of people noticed it or maybe they were just uninterested since it didn’t get a lot of coverage.

The phone is shown with a case on and docked in a Samsung DeX in a show-glass. The words “5G Prototype Smartphone” can be seen written boldly at the bottom. This is probably one of Samsung’s existing flagships with a 5G modem, probably the Galaxy S9+.

READ MORE: Samsung’s latest patent shows smartphones that can be connected magnetically

Xiaomi Mi TV 4X Pro 55-inch, Mi TV 4A Pro 43-inch and Mi Soundbar launched in India

Since Xiaomi first made a foray into the smart TV market in India February last year, the company has continued to make tremendous progress. In November 2018, the company announced that it had sold over 1 million smart TVs in India, barely nine months after opening shop. Spurred by this success, the company has continued to shun out more smart TV models and now  the Chinese tech giant has launched two new versions of its Mi smart TVs in India. The Mi TV 4X Pro 55-inch and Mi TV 4A Pro 43-inches were today unveiled for the Indian market alongside the Mi Soundbar.

The two Mi TV models are upgraded models of the Mi TV 4X 55-inch and Mi TV 4A 43-inch. Xiaomi had launched the Mi TV 4X 55-inch in may last year and now this Pro version. Also, the Mi TV 4A 43-inch version is also getting a Pro version in the Mi TV 4A Pro 43-inch. Both new models are powered by the Amlogic 960X processor and run on Xiaomi’s Patchwall interface as well as Android TV.

Xiaomi Mi TV 4X Pro

Further, the larger Mi TV 4X Pro 55-inch variant sports a 4K UHD display with 10-bit colour depth and HDR10 support. The design of the display includes thin bezels on all four sides while the body has a metallic finish with a coating which the company calls Piano Black. As stated earlier, it is powered by the 64-bit Amlogic quad-core processor with Mali-450 GPU. In terms of memory capacity, the Mi TV 4X Pro outpaces the Mi TV 4A Pro as it packs 2GB of RAM and 8GB of storage. For connectivity, the TV features Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n (2.4GHz/5GHz), Bluetooth v4.2, three HDMI ports, two USB ports, one S/PDIF port, and one Ethernet port as well. The TV also comes with 20W stereo speakers with DTS-HD surround sound support for high-quality sound output.Xiaomi Mi TV 4a pro 43 inches

On the other hand, the Mi TV 4A Pro 43-inch variant sports a FullHD display panel with a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels as well with 8-bit colour depth. For memory, the Mi TV 4A Pro features just 1GB RAM as well as 8GB of storage. It also comes with 3.5mm audio jack support.

The two variants come with a Bluetooth remote that offers Google Assistant voice command support. The TVs support built-in Chromecast, and the PatchWall OS features content from 14 different partners with over 700,000+ hours of content. The company says that online and set-top box content is seamlessly integrated for ease in discovery. Some of the top content partners include Hotstar, Hungama, Sony Liv, Voot, Eros Now, Zee5, Hooq, Epic ON and more.

Read Also: Xiaomi India records a milestone, sells 1 million Mi TVs in less than Nine months

As for the pricing, the Mi TV 4X Pro 55-inch will retail in India for Rs. 39,999 ($567) and the Mi TV 4A Pro 43-inch is priced at Rs. 22,999 ($326). Both the models will be available on Flipkart, Mi.com, and Mi Home stores from January 15. On the other hand, the Mi SOundbar will adopt a retail price of Rs. 4,999 ($70) and will be available from January 16 via Mi.com and Mi Home stores.

Redmi Note 7 with premium glass body, 19.5:9 screen and 48MP camera is now official for 999 Yuan (~$147) only!

The Redmi Note 7 that has gone official in China today is the first smartphone after the separation of Redmi brand from its parent company Xiaomi. Last year, Xiaomi had released the Redmi 6A, Redmi 6 and Redmi 6 Pro smartphones in China, but it had skipped the Redmi Note 6 handset probably because it featured similar specs as the Redmi Note 5 phone. Unlike the Note series predecessor models, the Redmi Note 7 has arrived with a premium glass body. It offers an impressive screen space through its waterdrop notch display. Also, the smartphone is equipped with a 48-megapixel rear camera.

Redmi Note 7 1

Design and Display

The glass-bodied Redmi Note 7 measures 159.21 x 75.21 x 8.1mm. Redmi claims that the Note 7 features a “rock solid and diamond-like” durable body. The handset is fitted with 2.5D Corning Gorilla 5 glass panels with additional 0.8mm thickness on its front and rear. To protect it from breaking easily, the company has strengthened its four corners and the “microcrack” edge polishing process has increased the sturdiness of the device. Hence, the drop protection performance of the glass build of the Note 7 is four times stronger than competing glass.

REdmi Note 7 7

The Note 7 is the first dustproof and water-resistant Redmi phone. However, the company did not confirm on the IP rating of the phone at its launch. The buttons and ports of the smartphone have been specially treated to protect it from water damage. It is the first Redmi smartphone to arrive in attractive color gradient choices.

The 6.3-inch screen of the Redmi Note 7 produces 19.5:9 aspect ratio and full HD+ resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels. The display carries support for 450-nits brightness, 1,500:1 contrast ratio, sun legibility and eye protection mode. The size of its side bezels is reduced to 1.95mm. Also, the chin of the device is not very thick.

Redmi Note 7 8

Performance

The Snapdragon 660 chipset from last year is the driving force of the Redmi Note 7. The handset comes in 32 GB and 64 GB storage choices. Both models are equipped with up to 6 GB of RAM. At the launch event, Redmi compared the performance prowess of the smartphone with OPPO K1. It revealed that the Snapdragon 660 powered Note 7 scored 144,599 on AnTuTu benchmarks whereas the OPPO K1 and Vivo X23 driven by the same SoC respectively scored 133,961 and 128,616. Redmi claims that the Note 7 even outscored the Kirin 710 powered Honor 8X smartphone in AnTuTu benchmarks.

Redmi Note 7 2

The Redmi Note 7 has a dedicated microSD card slot for expanding its storage. The latest MIUI 10 based Android 9 Pie OS comes preloaded on the Redmi Note 7. There is a 4,000mAh present inside the smartphone. The Note 7 is also the first Redmi phone to come equipped with USB-C port for Quick Charge 4.0. It takes around 2 hours and 5 minutes to charge it with a regular 10W charger that comes bundled with the phone. However, the 18W fast charger that can be purchased separately will allow the phone to charge to the full in just 1 hour and 43 minutes.

Cameras and Other Features

Photography is one of the major features of the Redmi Note 7 since it is equipped with f/1.8 aperture 48-megapixel + 5-megapixel AI dual camera setup. Redmi has used Samsung ISOCELL GM1 48-megapixel Ultra Clear sensor as the primary sensor. The company claims with the help of the Samsung lens, the Redmi Note 7 can capture poster-level HD photos. Also, it can shoot amazing photos in low-light conditions by combing four pixels into one large pixel.

Redmi Note 7 black

Sitting inside the frontal notch of the Redmi Note 7 is a 13-megapixel camera that has a large pixel of 1.6micron. It is equipped with features like AI Smart Beauty and AI face unlock. The Redmi Note 7 is equipped with a 3.5mm audio jack and it also 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.

Price and Release Date

Here are the color variants and pricing of the different variants of the Redmi Note 7:

  • 3 GB RAM + 32 GB storage – 999 Yuan (~$147)
  • 4 GB RAM + 64 GB storage – 1,199 Yuan (~$177)
  • 6 GB RAM + 64 GB storage – 1,399 Yuan (~$206)

It can be bought in Black and color gradient editions of Fantasy Blue and Twilight Red. The smartphone comes with a free protective cover. The company is also selling trendy cover with random holes on it for heat dissipation only for 29 Yuan (~$4). The Chinese manufacturer is also providing 18 months of warranty for the buyers of Redmi Note 7. The pre-sale of the phone starts today, and it will be available for buying from Jan. 15 from 10:00 AM.

Redmi Note 7 specs summary -zh

Lastly, Redmi has revealed that there will be a Sony IMX586 48-megapixel camera edition of the Redmi Note 7 coming in the near future. This handset will be hitting the market as Redmi Note 7 Pro.

Giveaway – Win a Tsumbay Ai01 TouchAI (3 units)

Gizmochina along with Banggood is conducting 3 units Tsumbay Ai01 TouchAI as giveaway gift to 3 lucky readers. Like always, you just have to follow the steps mentioned on the Gleam widget to get a chance to win this amazing gift.

Tsumbay Ai01 TouchAI is an one-click wake up AI assistant that you can control your smartphone to send Facebook messages, play music, navigate to some places, and more through touching and talking. The TouchAI can support for all Android smartphones with Bluetooth. The battery life of the TouchAI is long. The working time is about 70 hours and the standby time is about 200 hours. With the fast charging, it only takes 1.5 hour to fully charge. It is recommended that the TouchAI installs in the gear handle position, which can achieve better signal connection without, while not interfering with the Bluetooth signal on car. What’s more, it is easy to install it with the magnetic design and round metal pad.

TouchAI is a new type product for you, and you can click here to get more information.

How to entry this giveaway? Just follow these steps via Gleam widget:

  1. Visit Tsumbay Ai01 TouchAI on Banggood’s website(Buy Tsumbay Ai01 TouchAI at $29.99 on Banggood’s APP: https://bit.ly/2tBvb9P).
  2. 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.

Giveaway – Win a Tsumbay Ai01 TouchAI

Xiaomi crowdfunds the 8-in-1 Yeelight Smart Yuba light priced at 599 yuan ($88)

Xiaomi has today announced a new product under the Youpin crowdfunding platform. The product comes from Xiaomi’s ecological chain company Yeelight and is listed as Yeelight Smart Yuba. The product comes with a decent price tag of 599 Yuan ($88) and is expected to start shipping on March 10. Yeelight Smart Yuba

The Yeelight SMart Yuba is and 8-in-1 smart light meant for the bathroom and which is mounted on the ceiling. The light comes with LED bulbs and is also embedded with a powerful Japanese Nidec motor which can deliver air through the vents. The motor has a speed of up to 1500rpm and the air volume can get as high as 240m3/h and this will heat up the bathroom in just 15 minutes. The yuba can provide both hot or cool air depending on the weather situation. In cold conditions, the Yuba will require just 3 minutes to warm up the room to 15 ° C. For heating, the device uses high-quality ceramic heating sheets with 47 pieces of rear curved blades and a 165mm wind wheel. There are also several multi-wing centrifugal air vents at the front. The automatic movement of the air vents can be adjusted to three speeds.

In addition, the oscillatory motor comes with a working life of over 15,000 hours while there is a 24V low voltage control onboard for safety. Apart from that, the Yeelight Smart Yuba comes with several smart functions such as support for MIJIA app control, XiaoAI voice control through simple prompts like “Open Yuba”. In the rainy season, the Yeelight Yuba can be used to dry clothes.  In summer, hot air in the bathroom can be evacuated in seconds by the smart Yuba and make the bathroom comfortable. Talking of the light, the brightness can be adjusted according to your needs just by sliding the adjuster on the app via a smartphone. The Yeelight Smart Yuba also comes with a wall-mounted control panel.

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Lu Weibing appointed as the General Manager of the independent Redmi brand

It turns out the rumors were true indeed. Xiaomi has just announced that Lu Weibing, the former President of Gionee, will head the independent Redmi brand. The company also confirmed we’ll meet the Redmi Note 7 at the event today, its first smartphone after becoming independent.

Lu Weibing will act as the General Manager of the Redmi brand and will be the VP of Xiaomi Group. As the head, he’ll be responsible for brand building, product design, and sales of the Redmi brand. Weibing will directly report to Xiaomi’s President and co-founder, Lin bin.  The appointment goes into effect today and he’ll present at the Redmi Note 7 unveiling event that starts in a few minutes.

Lu WEbing of Redmi Xiaomi

Splitting up the Redmi brand will turn out to be an important move for the company. Huawei’s sub-brand Honor seems to be doing extremely well, and we’ve seen further split-ups like POCO and Realme proving successful. In this regard, splitting up the Redmi brand makes sense. However, it’ll be interesting to see how Lu Weibing steers the brand in this competitive market.

It is also worth noting that Xiaomi’s share price on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange has been falling down in recent times. The share price has fallen down below HKD 10 as of writing this article, which is more than 40% drop from its IPO price of HKD $17.

 

 

Lu Weibing stepped down from his position as President of Gionee back in 2017. He has over 20 years of experience in this industry.

The Redmi Note 7 will be joined by a couple of other products at the event today. If you are looking for what to expect from the Redmi Note 7 before its announcement, check out this roundup from us.