Get Top-End Home Appliances At Considerably Lowered Prices On Banggood

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Jan 17, 2019

Daily household chores can prove to be backbreaking once in a while. There’s no dearth of devices that can take care of these daunting tasks, but they aren’t easy on the pocketbook.

In a bid to make top-branded home appliances that come in handy in day to day life, Banggood is now doling out big discounts on highly useful items. The promo dubbed, ‘Home Appliance Festival’ features Derma DX700 vacuum cleaner, Xiaomi Sothing Mini Warmbaby portable warmer, Xiaomi Huohou multi-functional knife, Blitzwolf BW SDB0 Bluetooth soundbar for desktop and laptop PC and Xiaomi Mijia DFB01CM rice cooker.

The Deerma DX700 is an irresistible handheld vacuum cleaner that normally sells for $119.99, but thanks to a 42 percent reduction in its original asking price, you can now buy it for just $69.99 on Banggood. This promo will end on January 22nd.

The Sothing Mini Warmbaby portable warmer would normally set you back $46.89, but Xiaomi is now offering it at a dropped price of just $34.99 on Banggood for a limited period of time. You can extend this 25 percent discount by apply coupon code b0a761.
The aforesaid coupon helps you get an extra $11.66 off at checkout. In other words, you can bring the already lowered selling price of the item further down to just $23.33 simply by applying the coupon.

The Xiaomi Huohou multi-functional knife usually carries a $62.88 price tag, but it has now gone up for sale bearing a lowered price of just $35.88 on Banggood. Aside from grabbing this 43 percent discount, you can stand a chance to win KCASA KC-F14 ELPLORER New Waterproof Double Arc Lighter as a free gift along with this order.
The BW-SDB0 smart soundbar’s original selling price is $42.99, but much to the delight of those living on a tight budget, Blitzwolf is now offering this feature-rich mini soundbar at a considerably reduced price of $31.44 on Banggood.

On the downside, this 27 percent discount will only be valid for the first 200 pieces.

Likewise, you can grab a 10 percent discount on the Mijia DFB201CM small rice cooker, which normally sells for $68.88. Thanks to the above-mentioned discount, you can now buy it for only $62.33 on Bangood.

In addition to the aforesaid items, this promo features a slew of other equally useful items that you can buy without breaking the bank for a limited period of time. Note that a slew of new products is slated to go up for sale carrying reduced prices on January 17th.

You can click here to visit the promotion page and check out the rest of the products.

Lenovo A5s specifications and render leaked

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jan 17, 2019

In June, Lenovo had launched the Lenovo A5 smartphone in China and in October it was made available in India. It was low budget phone that came with a starting price of 599 Yuan (~$88). Fresh information shared by 91Mobiles reveals that the Chinese manufacturer is working on a smartphone called Lenovo A5s. The leaked specs of the unannounced phone suggest that it will be an upgraded version of the Lenovo A5.

The Lenovo A5s was recently certified by Indonesia’s TKDN body and Bluetooth SIG authority. These certifications had confirmed the existence of the Lenovo A5s. The publication has shared new details on the specifications of the smartphone.

It claims that the Lenovo A5s will be arriving with a display that will offer an aspect ratio of 18:9 with thick bezels at the top and bottom. The exact size of the display of the Lenovo A5s is not known, but it is known that it will carry support for HD+ resolution of 720 x 1440 pixels.

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

The leak further reveals that the Lenovo A5s will be powered by MediaTek MT6761 which is nothing but the Helio A22 SoC. It will be assisted by 2 GB of RAM. The handset will come preinstalled with Android 9 Pie OS. There is no information available on the other specs of the Lenovo A5s.

The inclusion of the Helio A22 indicates that the Lenovo A5s will indeed arrive as a higher version of the Lenovo A5. The leaked image shown above reveals that the Lenovo A5s suggests that its front design will be almost same as the A5 smartphone.

The Lenovo A5 with 3 GB of RAM along with 16 GB and 32 GB storage choices. Hence, there could be a 3 GB RAM edition of the upcoming Lenovo A5s. It could be one of the first Lenovo phones to go official this year. More details of the smartphone are expected to surface through forthcoming leaks.

(source)

Buy AIWO 737A2 And Deffpad L955AT Laptops At Unbeatable Prices On GearBest [Coupons Inside]

By

Vinay Patel

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Jan 17, 2019

As part of its recently kicked-off promotion, GearBest is offering 20% off on a wide selection of electronics, PC and office items.

Dubbed as ‘Computer Gear Summer Sale,’ the promo also offers unmissable $0.99 deals and an opportunity to win free gifts. In a bid to simplify and expedite the search process, all items have been split into Best Sellers, Computer & Office, Consumer Electronics, and Automobiles & Motorcycle categories.

If you are looking for high-end laptops that do not cost a bomb, you can head straight to the ‘Best Sellers’ section, where you can get the AIWO 737A2 and the Deffpad L955AT laptops at heavily discounted prices. Aside from taking advantage of the discounts, we’ll show how you can save extra money at checkout.

AIWO 737A2 Laptop

Sporting a 13.3-inch FHD TFT-LED display, the AIWO 737A2 delivers true-to-life images and videos. It runs Microsoft Windows 10 OS that retains the Start Menu from Windows 7 while introducing a slew of new features such as the Edge Web browser.

Under the hood, it packs a powerful Intel Cherry Trail Z8350 Quad Core 1.1GHz, up to 2.2GHz processor along with Intel HD Graphics GPU for an immersive overall experience. Furthermore, it comes with 4GB of DDR3L RAM and offers 128GB of eMMC ROM storage capacity for you to save your favorite content.
On optics front, the AIWO 737A2 houses a 0.3MP front camera for video calling. The laptop draws its juices from an 8000mAh large capacity battery that lasts longer, giving you the best experience throughout the day.

The AIWO 737A2 laptop would normally set you back a pretty penny, but you can now buy it for just $229.99 on GearBest. This is a noteworthy 28 percent reduction in the device’s retail price of $320.92.

Moreover, you can use coupon code IL1229w5 and bring the already lowered selling price of the laptop further down to only $185.99. In other words, you can get an extra $44 off simply by applying the aforesaid coupon before placing your order.

It is worth noting that the discount will be valid specifically for the gray color version of the laptop. The coupon will available for select countries including Israel, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Algeria, Tunisia, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, and United Arab Emirates.

You can follow this link to avail the discount before the promo comes to an end.

Get 28% Off On AIWO 737A2 Laptop

Deffpad L955AT Laptop

The Deffpad L955AT features an eye-catching 15.6-inch FHD screen display that bears a high screen resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, making it a great choice for watching your favorite videos or playing popular games. It is powered by Intel Core i7-3687U Quad Core 1.9GHz processor and has an Intel HD Graphics 4000 Integrated Graphics GPU that makes it ideal for business as well as casual use.

The Deffpad L955AT ships with 8GB of RAM, which is enough for advanced multitasking, and it comes with 128GB of onboard storage capacity, allowing you to save your favorite videos, photos and other multimedia content without worrying about running out of storage space.

Furthermore, the Deffpad L955AT features a 0.3MP front shooter so that you can capture memorable moments and chat with friends and family. The laptop runs Microsoft Windows 7 OS and is backed by a robust 3500mAh battery.

The denim dark blue color version of the Deffpad L955AT laptop usually sells for $488.22. But much to the delight of those living on a tight budget, this appealing variant of the laptop has now gone up for sale carrying a dropped price of only $449.99 on GearBest.

You can even extend this 8 percent discount by applying coupon code GBNBDFI7. The coupon helps you get an extra $20 off by reducing the laptop’s original asking price to $429.99.

Alternatively, you can go for the black color version of the laptop that usually sells for $581.29 but is now available for a lowered price of just $449.99 on GearBest. Regrettably, there were only 19 pieces of these color versions remaining at the time of writing.

You can follow this link to avail the discount. Note that the promotion sale is slated to end in five days.

Get 8% Off On Deffpad L955AT Laptop

Check Out GearBest’s Computer Gear Summer Sale

Xiaomi confirms MWC 2019 February 24 event; Likely to announce Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 5G

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jan 17, 2019

A leaked invitation poster by Xiaomi for the Feb. 24 event was shared by popular design and leakster Benjamin Geskin through his Twitter account. The tweet was quickly deleting after posting. However, by then it was already shared on Reddit by some users. Xiaomi has now confirmed to Pocket-lint publication that it will be indeed hosting a press event on Feb. 24.

Various smartphone makers are expected to showcase their 5G-ready products at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2019 tech expo that will be held between Feb. 25 and Feb. 29. Even though Xiaomi has confirmed that it will be holding an event on the eve of MWC 2019, there is no confirmation yet on what devices it will be announcing. Rumors are rife that like other companies, Xiaomi may also announce the 5G version of the Mi MIX 3 smartphone.

Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 5G was displayed at Qualcomm booth at the recently held Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2019 tech trade show. Even 5G prototypes from Samsung, OPPO and Vivo were present at CES 2019.

Read More: Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 7 has a significant camera bulge, no thanks to the 48MP sensor

At the launch of the Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 smartphone in October last year, Xiaomi had confirmed that it will be introducing 5G edition of Mi MIX 3 in Q1 2019. Hence, it is being speculated that the Chinese firm may announce the Mi MIX 3 5G at MWC 2019.

The Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S that was unveiled in March 2018 was an upgraded version of the Mi MIX 2 from September 2017. The Mi MIX 2S came with improved internals but sported more or less the same design as the Mi MIX 2. Hence, it is likely that the Mi MIX 3 5G edition may not appear very different Mi MIX 3. Instead of Snapdragon 845 that powers Mi MIX 3, the 5G edition will be fueled by Snapdragon 855 with X50 LTE modem for 5G connectivity. The handset may also come equipped with 10 GB of RAM.

(source)

Pre-Order The 20000mAh Xiaomi Power Bank 3 For Just $45.99 On Banggood

By

Vinay Patel

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Jan 17, 2019

Xiaomi is gearing up to launch the third generation of its well-received Mi Power Banks in 10,000mAh and 20,000mAh capacities.
The 20000mAh Mi Power Bank 3 has already gone up for pre-orders bearing a considerably lowered price tag on Banggood. Before we delve further into the details about the discount, let us take a gander at the power bank awe-inspiring features.

The Mi Power Bank 3 will come with USB-C 45W two-way fast charge with a big capacity of 2000mAh and three outputs. The device’s USB-C interface can act as both input as well as output, delivering power of bidirectional 45W MAX.

The USB Type-A single port delivers 5V/2.4A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A fast charge, but it provides a 5V/3A output when two charging ports are active simultaneously. In terms of safety, the 20000mAh Mi Power Bank 3 features surge protection, short circuit prevention and a slew of other advanced safety features.

Aside from charging the mobile phone, it can charge the USB-C interface of Xiaomi’s notebook, Macbook as well as Switch. The 20000mAh Mi Power Bank 3 is designed according to the GB/T 35590-2017 standard has gone through the inspection items of appearance identification.

Xiaomi claims that the Mi Power Bank 3 Pro Edition gets fully charged in 11 hours when charged with a standard 10W charger; however, by using the 45W-supported power brick, the charging time can be lowered to just four and a half hours.

The 20000mAh capacity variant of the Mi Power Bank 3 would normally set you back a pretty penny, but you can pre-order it for a dropped price of just $45.99 on Banggood. This 8 percent discount will specifically be valid for the first 100 pieces.

The next 300 pieces will sell for $47.99, while the remaining 1000 pieces will go back to its original asking price of $49.99. In order to avail the discount, all you need to do is to follow this link without wasting time.

Pre-Order 20000mAh Xiaomi Power Bank 3

Redmi Note 7 Teardown video: Here’s what you can find inside the flagship killer

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jan 16, 2019

The newly launched Redmi Note 7 by Xiaomi has gotten the teardown treatment, giving us our first look at what lies inside the flagship-killer. The teardown is contained in a short video that was published on Chinese video sharing platform QQ. However, the video has been re-uploaded on YouTube for ease.

From the video, we can understand that the Redmi Note 7 is not very much different from other smartphones in terms of the arrangement of its internals. The device features a glass body and so, to disassemble, the rear glass panel has to be removed. Other parts are held in place by a few screws. One spectacular thing about the device is that the USB Type-C port is on a secondary board and so, shouldn’t be too hard to replace if it gets faulty. There are two ribbon cables connecting the main board to the secondary board and other lower components like the loudspeaker, microphones, haptic motor, and the secondary board which houses the USB-C port.

https://youtu.be/telKzIbFbBQ

A recent post of ours had dwelt on the camera protrusion of the Redmi Note 7 as a result of the 48MP sensor. This, we observed. could make the glass covering the lens glass to shatter easily if the phone falls down. The teardown shows the lens cover on the dual camera setup is a single part, which makes it easy to replace if the glass cover on the camera has broken. Further, the teardown video also highlights the 48MP Samsung ISOCELL camera sensor as well as the Snapdragon 66 AIE chipset.

(source, via)

Android Pie-based EMUI 9.0 to be rolled out to 150 million users by 2019

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jan 16, 2019

Huawei‘s terminal mobile phone product line, He Gang, has disclosed that the company will continue its massive upgrade of its models to EMUI 9.0 based on Android Pie this year. Last year, the company was able to push EMUI 9.0 update to 23 Huawei models with an estimated 6 million users getting the upgrade. Now, He Gang is saying that the upgrade will continue this year, and will benefit a total of 150 million users.

This disclosure has shown that the company is yet to even push EMUI 9.0 to up to 10% of the users of its smartphones and we’re sure most of the updates were pushed to users in China. The 150 million targeted users are expected to extend beyond China to the rest of the world. However, the timeline for the update wasn’t disclosed but we hope all models will get updated quite early. That may not happen anyway as some models might still be getting EMUI 9 updates when EMUI 10 would have been unveiled.

To recall, EMUI 9.0 comes with some changes in the UI which Huawei says makes it “Simple, Enjoyable and Consistent.” The changes include new gesture controls which aid users to quickly navigate, multitask and open the AI assistant. There is also a new password manager capable of auto-filling passwords using ID verification from the fingerprint scanner or via facial recognition. The settings menu wasn’t spared as the items there have been trimmed down. EMUI 9 also comes with GPU Turbo 2.0 which reduces the touch response of the phone by 36% and adds a new app assistant. This new GPU 2.0 feature will support four more games: Vainglory, Arena of Valor, Rules of Survival, and NBA 2K18. These are in addition to PUBG and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang which also carries support for the second generation version of GPU Turbo.

(source)

Motorola RAZR to be revived as a $1500 foldable phone

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Jan 16, 2019

The Motorola RAZR was really popular back in its days. Its aluminum shell and flip-design stood out from the plethora of phones being sold then. Now Motorola (technically Lenovo) is bringing back the RaAZR but in a different way.

New reports say Lenovo will bring back the Motorola RAZR as a foldable phone with a flexible display. A foldable phone still has a sort of clamshell design, right?

The news of the foldable Motorola RAZR was first reported by The Wall Street Journal and they say it will be pretty expensive as it will be priced at $1500! WSJ also says Lenovo is partnering with Verizon to offer the device exclusively in the US. It also plans to manufacture over 200,000 units of the phone.

Not only is the upcoming Motorola RAZR going to be expensive, but it will likely also be available as early as next month in the United States.

Samsung’s foldable phone which is currently referred to as the Galaxy F is scheduled to launch on February 20, so it is no coincidence that Lenovo is also targetting a February release date for its own foldable phone. However, there is a probability the release date of the Motorola RAZR changes as it hasn’t yet been finalized.

Continue

Realme 2 Pro now allows Bootloader unlocking

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Jan 16, 2019

Bootloader unlocking is a popular phrase among the mobile community. A phone with an unlocked bootloader can be rooted and gets support for custom ROMs and kernels. If you own a Realme 2 Pro, you will be excited to know there is now a way for you to unlock the bootloader of your phone.

Realme has released a tutorial on how owners of the Realme 2 Pro can unlock their bootloader though they have named it “In-depth Test”.

Unlocking the bootloader includes several steps, one of which is submitting an application that may take up to seven days to be reviewed. Once approved, an OTA will be sent to your phone. After installing the OTA you can then proceed with the rest of the steps.

Unlocking the bootloader will result in a complete data wipe, so ensure you back up your data before beginning. There may also be issues with certain features of your phone after you are done and you will also not be able to receive new versions of OPPO’s ColorOS when available.

Continue

Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 7 has a significant camera bulge, no thanks to the 48MP sensor

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jan 16, 2019

The newly launched Redmi Note 7 continues to dominate the headlines in the tech space. The reason is not far from the solid build comprising a rock solid Gorilla Glass 5 and a powerful 48MP sensor, coupled with the amazing 999 yuan price tag. The first flash sale was over in just a little over 8 minutes, underscoring the popularity of the product. In terms of the design, it turns out Xiaomi had to sacrifice a small camera protrusion for the big 48MP dual camera setup at the rear. A fan who recently picked up the device complained about the significantly high camera bump at the back. This elicited a response from Lei Jun who acknowledged the camera bump but stated that the height should be acceptable, mainly for the quality of the 48MP camera.

The Redmi Note 7 packs a 48MP sensor as the main camera which is a Samsung ISOCELL GM1 Ultra Clear sensor with a 1/2 inch size. The sensor is in the same category as the Sony IMX586 sensor used on the Nova 4. The sensor adopts Quad Bayer pixel arrangement which can combine four 0.8μm pixels into one by four-in-one pixel technology (Pixel binning). A large pixel of 1.6 μm (the output photo becomes 12MP) increases the amount of light entering the camera. This arrangement means the camera can capture better images at night. Xiaomi recently hinted that the Note 7 will get the Mi Mix 3’s night scene mode update soon and that means even better camera output.

The only snag about the camera protrusion may be the risk of getting damaged if the phone falls which is rare but possible. Since it is protruded, it may likely hit the floor first and take some impact that might shatter the screen. We’re not sure the glass covering camera lenses is Gorilla Glass 5 but it just might be. Unfortunately, Zack Jerry may likely not be getting his hands on this model for a durability test since it isn’t a flagship.

(source)

Vivo Y91 vs Realme C1 vs Honor Play 8A: Specs Comparison

By

Michele Ingelido

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Jan 16, 2019

The entry-level segment of the smartphones market is expanding every day more and now even more people are preferring affordable devices to flagships compared to the past years. Vivo, Oppo, and Huawei are the most important manufacturers of affordable smartphones alongside Xiaomi. Vivo Y91 just hitten Indian shelves with a very interesting price tag and it seems to be a unique entry-level device judging from its specifications. Here, we will compare it with other interesting low-end devices launched recently which raised a consistent amount of hype in the last period: Realme C1 from the new Oppo’s sub-brand and the new Honor Play 8A.

Vivo Y91 vs Oppo Realme C1 vs Huawei Honor Play 8A

	Vivo Y91	Oppo Realme C1	Honor Play 8A
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT	155.1 x 75.1 x 8.3 mm, 163 grams	156.2 x 75.6 x 8.2 mm, 168 grams	156.28 x 73.5 x 8 mm, 150 grams
DISPLAY	6.22 inches, 720 x 1520p (HD+), 270 ppi, IPS LCD	6.2 inches, 720 x 1520p (HD+), 271 ppi, IPS LCD	6.09 inches, 720 x 1560p (HD+), 290 ppi, IPS LCD
PROCESSOR	Qualcomm Snapdragon 439, octa-core 1.95 GHz	Qualcomm Snapdragon 450, octa-core 1.8 GHz	MediaTek Helio P35, octa-core 2.3 GHz
MEMORY	3 GB RAM, 32 GB – micro SD slot	2 GB RAM, 16 GB – micro SD dedicated slot	3 GB RAM, 32 GB – 3 GB RAM, 64 GB – micro SD slot
SOFTWARE	Android 8.1 Oreo, Funtouch OS	Android 8.1 Oreo, Color OS	Android 9 Pie, EMUI
CONNECTIVITY	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS
CAMERA	Dual 13 + 2 MP f/2.2 and f/2.4 8 MP f/1.8 front camera	Dual 13 + 2 MP f/2.2 and f/2.4 5 MP f/2.2 front camera	13 MP f/1.8 8 MP f/2.0 front camera
BATTERY	4030 mAh	4230 mAh	3000 mAh
ADDITIONAL FEATURES	Hybrid Dual SIM slot	Dual SIM slot	Hybrid Dual SIM slot

Design

It is very rare that a Vivo handset comes with an ugly design: in the last years, the company managed to release incredibly beautiful and innovative devices. Vivo Y91 wins the design comparison with its very high screen-to-body ratio, its waterdrop notch and its gradient colors that you can see on the back cover. It is also the only device of this trio to feature a fingerprint reader, that is placed on the back side of the phone. But some may like the Honor Play 8A more due to its cleaner design and an even smaller notch, but it comes with slightly thicker bezels. Realme C1 is nothing so exciting with its plastic body and its pretty big notch, but it seems to have better build quality.

Display

Oppo Realme C1, Vivo Y91, and Honor Play 8A are all equipped with low-end HD displays, so do not expect a huge image quality. You will not see a noticeable difference in both level of detail and color reproduction, so you can choose by basing on your tastes. Note that Honor Play 8A has a slightly smaller screen that is more comfortable to use with one hand, while Realme C1 has the Gorilla Glass 3 protection that should make it more sturdy.

Specs & Software

Even though it is more affordable than Vivo Y91, the Honor Play 8A is equipped with the most powerful chipset, so it is the handset that will provide the best performance. It comes with the new Helio P35 by Mediatek which can be compared with the Snapdragon 632 by Qualcomm, 3 GB of RAM and up to 64 GB of internal storage that you can furtherly expand with a micro SD. Vivo Y91 and Realme C1 come with low-end Snapdragon 400 series chipsets that can not compete with the Helio P35.

Camera

Despite not being a dual camera setup, I liked a lot the rear camera of the Honor Play 8A because of the high detail captured and decent performance in low light, that is the weakest point of mobile phones, especially entry-level ones. But Vivo Y91 has a better selfie camera and it is also better at capturing depth info thanks to its secondary sensor. Realme C1 has a rear module with similar performances to Vivo Y91, but the front camera is inferior.

Battery

If you want the longest battery life, you should go either for the Vivo Y91 or the Realme C1. The former as a slightly smaller battery but a more efficient chipset, while the latter has a bigger one but an older 14 nm chipset that has a higher consumption. But more or less, they have similar battery life and it is incredibly long given that they have HD+ displays and low-end specs. Honor Play 8A has a much smaller battery so it is not able to compete with these devices and it can last about one day with slightly above-average battery life in every scenario.

Price

In our opinion, Vivo Y91 is slightly better than Honor Play 8A and Realme C1 due to its big battery, good cameras, the fingerprint reader and a slightly more attractive design. But its price is a lot higher: it costs about €200/$227, while its rivals can be found at just €100/$115 more or less. That is why we think Honor Play 8A has the best value for money with its better performance and good cameras.

Read More: Honor 8A is official with waterdrop notch screen, Helio P35 and 799 Yuan (~$116) price

Vivo Y91 vs Oppo Realme C1 vs Huawei Honor Play 8A: PROs and CONS

Oppo Realme C1

PROs

Bigger battery
Micro SD dedicated slot
Good build quality
Affordable

CONS

Lower-end cameras

Vivo Y91

PROs

Big battery
Good design
Great front camera
Fingerprint reader

CONS

Price

Huawei Honor Play 8A

PROs

Very affordable
Good rear camera
Nice hardware
Android Pie
Micro SD dedicated slot

CONS

Smaller battery

Redmi Note 7 Pro could be the first Snapdragon 675 phone

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

-

Jan 16, 2019

After launching the Redmi Note 7 smartphone on Jan. 10, Redmi had confirmed that the company will be launching the Redmi Note 7 Pro smartphone in the coming month after the Spring Festival in China. The company had revealed that the Note 7 Pro will be arriving with improved main camera. Rumors are rife that the smartphone may feature a different processor. Probably, it could be equipped with the all new Snapdragon 675 SoC.

Different leaksters are now claiming on Weibo that the Snapdragon 675 chipset will be powering the Redmi Note 7 Pro. The SoC was unveiled in October last year and Xiaomi had claimed that it would be debuting the first smartphone with Snapdragon 675. Recent reports have revealed that following smartphones such as Motorola P40, HiSense U30 and Meizu Note 9 will be driven by the Snapdragon 675. However, if the new rumors are true, the Redmi Note 7 Pro could end up as the first SD675 phone.

The Snapdragon 660 does not carry support for 48-megapixel camera. Hence, it is very likely that the Note 7 Pro may come equipped with a different chipset. The 11nm Snapdragon 675 features a more powerful CPU than the one present inside Snapdragon 710. However, the SD675 includes a slower GPU and inferior ISP than SD710.

Read More: Leaked launch invite tips Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G to launch on February 24

Apart from different processor, the Redmi Note 7 Pro will be equipped with a Sony IMX586 48-megapixel sensor instead of the Samsung ISOCELL GM1 sensor available on the Note 7. There is no information available on the pricing of the Note 7 Pro. The highest configuration variant of the Note 7 that features 6 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage carries a price tag of 1,399 Yuan (~$207). The presence of Sony IMX586 sensor and the alleged inclusion of Snapdragon 675 on the Note 7 Pro suggests may cost around 1,699 Yuan (~$250) or above.

(source 1, 2)

Samsung Galaxy A40 appears on Geekbench powered by Exynos 7885

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Jan 16, 2019

Earlier this week we reported that Samsung was planning to release three Galaxy A-series phones with in-display fingerprint sensors. The three phones are the Galaxy A90, Galaxy A70, and the Galaxy A50. Now a fourth model in the series, the Galaxy A40, has shown up on Geekbench along with some specs.

The device was benchmarked earlier today as the “samsung SM-A405FN”. It runs Android 9, has 4GB of RAM and is powered by the Exynos 7885 processor. This is the same chipset that will power the Galaxy M20 scheduled to launch on January 28.

Since the A-series is technically higher than the Galaxy M-series, the Galaxy A40 should come with some features that will make it a better buy than the Galaxy M20. So probably higher quality materials, a bigger battery and better cameras are the features we expect it to have.

Continue

Xiaomi crowdfunds the Machine Island AI Reading Pen priced at 299 yuan ($44)

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jan 16, 2019

Xiaomi has launched a new product under the Youpin (formerly MIJIA) crowdfunding platform and it is the 304th crowdfunded product from the tech giant. The product is listed as Machine Island AI Point Pen but instead of being used for writing, the pen is used for reading among other functions. The product is a third-party one, manufactured by Nanjing Machine Island Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd and is priced at 299 yuan ($44)

The Machine Island AI reading pen isn’t a writing pen but works like braille in that it reads out the words as the pen is swiped across the book. Perhaps, the most spectacular feature is the integration XiaoAI smart assistant. The device also functions as a story machine, a learning machine and a translator as it can provide Chinese-English translations. The pen supports smart pronunciation evaluation, intelligent learning report. The pen can also be synchronised with the MIJIA app in order to see useful data such as the child’s learning interest and process at a glance. It comes with WiFi 802.711 b/g/n which provides unlimited download capability, automatic content updating. The WiFi also allows the pen to automatically read the voice resources for dedicated pictures-only storybooks.

The pen is designed to assist the development of the kid in five core competencies of self-care, social, psychological, cognitive and logical thinking. The database contains 20 sub-themes, over 1200 knowledge points, and over 2000 Chinese and Engish vocabulary. Since it is developed for kids, the design is just cool and attractive in line with children’s aesthetics. The body is made from silicone with smooth finishing and also comfortable to hold. The gadget is said to have got the certification of the US FDA.

As for the design, the pen is shaped like a regular pen but with a robust build and design like a small teddy bear putting on a bow tie. The butt assumes the shape of a head with two antenna lights that looks like ears. There is an aperture for a microphone at the top half just under the bow tie. Just under the mic is a smart intercom key. The volume control buttons are at the side of the intercom key while at the other side is the power button and USB charging port. The device has some grills at the back housing the speaker. The design is done to make the gadget usable like a walkie talkie. Finally, the tip is actually the reading recognition area and cannot produce any ink for writing. The pen will be available in blue and pink colours.

The AI pen is expected to start shipping on February 28 but is still on crowdfunding. The crowdfunding has been a tremendous success with up to 700,000 yuan raised so far when the company only needed 10,000 yuan.

(source)

OPPO’s new in-display fingerprint technology has a wider scanning area & support two-finger unlocking

By

Habeeb Onawole

-

Jan 16, 2019

OPPO not only announced a new camera technology today but it also announced a new optical in-display fingerprint scanning technology. The new fingerprint scanning technology is said to be faster and covers a wider area than previous generations.

The new in-display fingerprint scanning technology is said to cover 15 times the area of current versions. This should allow users to unlock their phones much more easily since the sensor area is now larger.

It is also reported to be faster, more secure and even has better power consumption. Another new feature it brings is support for two-finger unlocking. With this, you can unlock your phone with two fingers simultaneously e.g. two thumbs.

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OPPO announces 10x hybrid optical zoom technology

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Jan 16, 2019

Today, OPPO announced its new 10x hybrid optical zoom camera technology for smartphones. The new technology is a follow-up to the 5x precision optical zoom it unveiled at MWC 2017.

The new 10x hybrid optical zoon uses three cameras instead of two. It has added an ultra-wide camera to the main camera + telephoto lens dual camera setup of the 5x precision optical zoom. The ultra-wide angle camera sits atop the ultra-clear main camera while the telephoto lens maintains its periscope-like setup. The new design provides a zoom range of 15.9mm to 159mm.

OPPO says it has also added optical image stabilization to the ultra clear main camera and the periscope telephoto camera. The manufacturer hasn’t said anything about the aperture of the cameras which is quite important for the final output. However, it did promise that it will reveal a working sample of the camera at MWC 2019.

OPPO also added that the new 10x hybrid optical zoom technology is ready for mass production, so this may end up in OPPO phones launching this year. The working sample at MWC 2019 might actually even be a smartphone.

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Leaked launch invite tips Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G to launch on February 24

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jan 16, 2019

Xiaomi may likely make an appearance at the Mobile World Congress 2019 which would run from February 25-29 where it may unveil the Mi Mix 3 5G which has severally been bandied around for a while now. We think so because 5G will take centre stage at MWC 2019. Also, a leaked invitation which was spotted online recently shows the tech giant will hold an event on February 24 which is the eve of MWC Barcelona 2019. The invite featured in a tweet by popular tipster Venya Geskin but it was quickly deleted after posting. This wasn’t before some users picked up the post. Unfortunately, there is no screenshot of the post but the leaked poster is already in circulation.

The poster contains the text; “We make it happen,” with the Mi logo but it doesn’t explicitly point at anything. Geskin’s deleted tweet had read, “Exclusive: Xiaomi will hold an event on February 24, possibly for Mi Mix 3 5G.” The reason for deleting it is still unclear but we believe the company want to keep the topic at bay until it is ready to promote the launch event. And so, may have prevailed on Geskin. In another light, the tipster may have discovered the news is fake hence the removal.

However, there is no doubt Xiaomi has got a 5G version of the Mi Mix 3. The device was showcased at the China Mobile Partner Conference a couple of months back. Xiaomi has also released a video demonstration of the Mi Mix 3 5G in action alongside the Mi smart bedside lamp. The Mi Mix 3 5G version features a Snapdragon X50 modem and was said to have download speeds of up to 2 Gbps. The device is identical in design and other aspects to the 4G version in existence presently.

(via)

Xiaomi’s partner Runmi technologies launches the 90 Points Lite Suitcase

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jan 16, 2019

Chinese suitcase manufacturer and Xiaomi‘s ecological chain company, Runmi technologies best known by its brand name 90 Points, has launched a new product, its first for the year. The 90 Points Lite suitcase is the product of a collaboration between the company and Jingdong.

The suitcase comes in three different sizes and three colour variants and pricing starts at 399 yuan ($58). As stated, the 90 Points Lite suitcase is jointly built by Jingdong and 90 minutes with Jingdong bringing in its expertise in the use of business simplicity to play. The suitcase is designed for the contemporary youth with sizes of 20 inches, 24 inches and 28 inches. Color otions are also youthful, coming in black, gray and blue colours.

The suitcase utilizes a new storage system of two U-shaped independent partitions. One side is a mesh surface, woven strong, breathable and moisture-proof while the other side is a closed surface, placed with privacy items, and a separate storage bag, suitable for placing small pieces, travel objects orderly. The outer case is wear resistant and anti-fall, manufactured from Germany Covestro three-layer PC material (colored PC + fiber enhanced PC + colored PC). The suitcase equally features aviation aluminum alloy lever, adjustable in four levels or gears. In addition, it has F1 racing grade smooth silent wheel which will wear less than 2mm after 12km walking.

Furthermore, the 90 points suitcase is equipped with a TSA-certified customs code lock. The built-in lock plate design is integrated with the cabinet. With one hand, the slider is instantly opened.

There is no word yet on its availability.

Nokia 3.1 Plus receives January 2019 security patch; gets Rs. 1,500 ($21) price cut in India

By

Jeet

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Jan 16, 2019

A few months ago, HMD Global launched the Nokia 3.1 Plus smartphone in the Indian market for a price of Rs. 11,499, which roughly converts to $154. Now, the device has received a price cut of Rs. 1,500 in India and will now cost Rs. 9,999 (approximately $140).

The Nokia 3.1 Plus is also receiving a new update and the changelog says that the phone is receiving the latest January 2019 security patch. The update changelog from the company doesn’t mention any feature addition or bug fixes.

The latest Android security patch rollout for the Nokia 3.1 Plus comes after Finland-based HMD Global released the same security patch for the Nokia 6 and Nokia 7.1 smartphones. While the company didn’t mention, users reported that the new update brought back the option to hide the notch on Nokia 7.1.

The update, which is about 70MB in size, is currently being rolled out over-the-air (OTA) but in case you don’t receive OTA notification anytime soon, you can check for the update manually through going to Settings and searching system updates.

The Nokia 3.1 Plus features a 5.99-inch HD+ IPS display that offers a screen resolution of 1440 x 720 pixels and 18:9 aspect ratio. Under the hood, the device is powered by MediaTek P22 octa-core chipset which is manufactured using the 12nm process. This is the same chipset that powers the Xiaomi Redmi 6 smartphone.

The device comes with 3GB RAM + 32GB internal storage and a dedicated microSD card slot, enabling users to further expand the phone’s storage capacity. In terms of optics, the smartphone features a dual camera setup on the back, offering a 13-megapixel primary sensor and a 5-megapixel secondary sensor.

For taking selfies, it comes with an 8-megapixel front-facing snapper. Both cameras come with support for live bokeh or Portrait mode for capturing images with blurred background. As for the software, just like other Nokia smartphones, this one too is a part of Google‘s Android One programme and is promised to receive monthly security updates. It runs the latest Android Pie operating system out-of-the-box.

Connectivity options on the device include Dual SIM, 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth v4.1, GPS/A-GPS, 3.5mm headphone jack, and micro-USB port. The phone is powered by a 3,500mAh battery but lacks fast charging support.

(Via)

LG V40 ThinQ India launch set on 20th January, will be available exclusively via Amazon

By

Jeet

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Jan 16, 2019

We recently reported that LG is all set to launch its flagship smartphone LG V40 ThinQ in the Indian market by the end of this year. The phone was originally launched in October last year.

Now, it has been confirmed that the smartphone will be launched in the Indian market on 20th January. It will go on sale exclusively via Amazon India on 20th January while Amazon Prime subscribers will be able to get their hands on the device a day earlier, i.e. on 19th January at 12:00 PM.

The phone comes in four colors — Aurora Black, Platinum Grey, Carmine Red, and Moroccan Blue but it’s not yet known which colors will make it to India. As for the pricing, the smartphone is expected to be priced around Rs. 45,000 which roughly converts to $634.

The LG V40 ThinQ features a 6.4-inch P-OLED display with 3120 x 1440 pixels QHD+ screen resolution and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection on top. Under the hood, the device is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 845 octa-core processor with Adreno 630 GPU.

The phone comes with 6GB RAM and either 64GB or 128GB of internal storage. However, in India, the phone is expected to come with 128GB of internal storage model. It also supports microSD card slot for expanding the storage capacity.

As for the camera, the phone has got triple-camera setup — 12-megapixel f/1.5 standard sensor, 16-megapixel wide-angle f/1.9 (107-degrees) sensor, and 12-megapixel telephoto f/2.2 sensor. The triple shooters will allow it to capture images with a much broader perspective. It carries built-in AI features such as AI beautify, AI stabilization with Multi-frame HDR technique.

On the front side, there’s an 8-megapixel f/1.9 and 5-megapixel wide angle f/2.2 cameras. All cameras on the front and the rear side supports portrait mode. The phone also comes with Boombox Speaker technology to boost low-frequency output.

The device is running Android 8.1 Oreo operating system out-of-the-box with the company’s own custom interface. The phone is powered by a 3,300mAh battery with support for Quick Charge 3.0 fast charging technology.