HMD Global had announced Nokia 5.1 in the Indian market in August last year and started selling the smartphone through Nokia Online Store and Flipkart in October last year. Now, the company has finally started selling the Nokia 5.1 through offline stores in India.
As for the pricing, the Nokia 5.1 will be available through offline stores in India for a premium of Rs. 500 (~$7), bringing the phone’s pricing to Rs. 10,500 (approximately $149). While the phone was launched in India for Rs. 10,999 (approximately $156), it is currently being sold for Rs. 9,999 (approximately $142).
To remind you of the phone’s specifications, it comes with a 5.86-inch HD+ display with 1520 x 720 pixels resolution, 2.5D curved glass, and 19:9 aspect ratio. Under the hood, the device is powered by an octa-core MediaTek Helio P60 SoC, paired with 3GB of RAM. It has 32GB internal storage and features a microSD card slot enabling users to further expand the phone’s storage capacity up to 400GB.
In the camera department, there’s a dual camera setup on the back consisting of a 13-megapixel primary sensor and a 5-megapixel secondary sensor. On the front side, there’s an 8-megapixel front-facing snapper for taking selfies.
As for connectivity, it supports 4G VoLTE, Dual-SIM, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth v4.2, GPS, 3.5mm audio jack and USB Type-C port. Other features on the device include a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner and face unlock support.
Just like other Nokia smartphones, this one too is a part of Android One program and runs Android Oreo operating system out-of-the-box but has recently received Android Pie update. The phone is powered by a 3060mAh battery, which should be enough to last an entire day of moderate usage.
Xiaomi made its long-awaited Mi Pad 4 Plus available to the public in August last year. The tablet PC not only garnered popularity with Xiaomi’s loyal fanbase but also became an instant hit among those who fancy watching videos and playing popular games on a big-screen mobile device. The Chinese tech giant is now offering two well-received variants of the Mi Pad 4 Plus on Banggood.
Much to the delight of those living on a tight budget, we will show how you can save a considerable amount of money during the checkout process. So without further ado, let us delve straight into the details.
Xiaomi Mi Pad 4 Plus (4GB+128GB)
The Mi Pad 4 Plus is an irresistible tablet PC that boasts an impressive array of features including an extra large 10.1 inches IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen display with a screen resolution of 1200 x 1920 pixels. This easy-to-handle device delivers an unmatched visual experience. This Mi Pad 4 Plus variant would normally set you back $369.99 on Banggood, but you aren’t willing to shell out that kind of money on a tablet PC, all you need to do is to apply coupon code 5170e8 at the time of checking out.
The coupon helps you get an extra $73 off by reducing the device’s retail price to only $296.99. You can follow this link to avail the discount before the promo comes to an end.
Alternatively, you can go for the slightly lower variant of the Mi Pad 4 Plus that ships with 4GB of RAM and offers 64GB of internal storage capacity. The original asking price of this model is $339.99; however, cost-conscious buyers can save $60 simply by applying coupon code f8d9e5 before placing their order.
The above-mentioned coupon helps you bring the retail price of this model down to just $279.99 without breaking a sweat. You can visit this link to grab this discount, which will be valid for the black color version of the tablet for a limited period of time.
An absolute bargain at this price, the Xiaomi Mi Pad 4 Plus packs a powerful Snapdragon 660 Octa Core up to the 2.2GHz processor along with a competent Adreno 512 GPU, under the hood. It runs MIUI 9.0 based Android OS and is backed by an 8620mAh battery.
On the optics front, the Mi Pad 4 Plus houses a 13.0-megapixel camera on the back and a 5.0-megapixel front shooter for video chatting and selfies. Its dimensions are 245.6 x 149.1 x 8mm and it weighs in at just 485g, making it an easy-to-carry tablet.
Samsung is gearing up to take on the rivaling Chinese smartphone brands in India with the introduction of the new Galaxy M lineup. The South Korean company will be launching the Galaxy M phones in global markets, but it plans to debut them first in India. Fresh information shared by Asmi Warsi who is heading Samsung India’s mobile division to Reuters reveals that the three new Galaxy M series smartphone will be available for purchase exclusively through Amazon India in order to double its online sales.
Warsi claims that the Galaxy M series will be aimed towards millennial consumers in India. He added India will be receiving the first Galaxy M phones by the end of this month before they are released in global markets. He added that the upcoming Galaxy M phones will be priced between Rs. 10,000 (~$142) and Rs. 20,000 (~$284) and they will come with huge batteries along with support for rapid charging.
Warsi did not reveal the names of the Galaxy M phones that will be announced by the end of this month. Rumors have it that the South Korean company will launch the Galaxy M10 and M20 phones first and later it will be releasing the more powerful Galaxy M30 handset.
The Galaxy M10 is speculated to be debut as an entry-level smartphone. Past reports have revealed that the M10 will be possessing a 6-inch LCD Infinity-V display. It will be powered by Exynos 7870 chipset, 3 GB of RAM and 3,000mAh battery. For photography, it is expected to come with a 13-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel selfie snapper. The handset will be arriving with an inbuilt storage of 32 GB and may come loaded with Android 9 Pie OS.
The Galaxy M20 may house a 6.1-inch LCD Infinity-V screen. It could be fueled by Exynos 7904 (or Exynos 7885) chipset, 4 GB of RAM and 5,000mAH battery and it may feature an inbuilt storage of 64 GB. For photography, it will be equipped with 12-megapixel + 5-megapixel dual camera and an 8-megapixel selfie shooter.
As mentioned above, the Galaxy M10 and M20 may go official first while the M30 may debut in February. The Galaxy M30 may feature 6.38-inch LCD Infinity-U display, Exynos 9610 chipset, 5,000mAh battery and triple camera setup.
Honor View 20 pre-orders will be starting in India on Jan. 15. However, the company is yet to disclose the pricing of the smartphone. Industry sources have revealed to Indo-Asian New Service (IANS), the View 20 could be priced around Rs. 40,000 in India.
The Honor View 20 is the very same Honor V20 phone that was made official in China in December 2018. After the pre-orders of the View 20 begins in India on Jan. 15, its shipments will start on Jan. 29. Apart from Honor India’s official website, the handset will be exclusively available for purchase through Amazon India. Honor is giving away free Honor Sport BT earphones worth Rs. 2,999 to customers who pre-order the Honor View 20 smartphone.
In China, the Honor V20 comes in three flavors such as 6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage, 8 GB RAM + 128 GB storage and 8 GB RAM + 256 GB storage. These editions are respectively pried at 2,999 Yuan (~$443, ~Rs. 31,000), 3,499 Yuan (~$517, ~Rs. 36,000) and 3,999 Yuan (~$591, ~Rs. 41,600).
The Honor View 20 features a 6.4-inch All-View Display that features a punch-hole at the top-left corner. It carries support for full HD+ resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels. The Kirin 980 chipset will be present under the hood of the device. The Android 9 Pie OS customized with Magic UI 2.0 will be available on the phone.
The View 20 is packed with a 4,000mAh battery that carries support for fast charging. On the rear is a 48-megapixel Sony IMX586 main sensor which is coupled with a ToF (Time of Flight) 3D camera. It features a selfie shooter of 25-megapixe. There is LTE Turbo feature on the View 20 which combines Wi-Fi and LTE signals for uninterrupted connectivity. In China, the handset is available in three colors like Charm Blue, Charm Red and Midnight Black.
Honor will be holding a launch event in Paris, France on Jan. 22. The company will be announcing the international version of the View 20 at the event.
Meizu Note 9 could be the first Meizu phone to release in 2019. Meizu CEO Jack Wong has been sharing vital information on the smartphone on Meizu’s official forum site. A render of the Meizu Note 9 has also been shared by netizens on the forum. Here is all the information that have been leaked on the smartphone.
The below render shows that the Meizu Note 9 could be the first phone from the company to feature a display with waterdrop notch. The size of the display could be 6.3 inches. The handset will be running on Android 9 Pie OS along with Meizu’s latest Flyme UI.
The leak does not reveal the rear design of the phone. It is speculated that the handset may not feature a rear-mounted fingerprint reader. It is tipped to feature a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
The smartphone will be featuring 48-megapixel camera lens as the primary sensor in its dual camera setup. It may feature the Samsung GM1 camera sensor which is available on smartphones like Samsung Galaxy A8s and the recently announced Redmi Note 7. The camera sensor is inferior to Sony IMX586 48-megapixel sensor since it can capture 48-megapixel photos in HD mode by interpolation.
The Meizu Note 9 is confirmed to feature Snapdragon 6150. According to recent reports, Snapdragon 6150 is the codename of the Snapdragon 675. In the recent past, a Meizu phone with model number M923Q was spotted on the database of China’s 3C body. The handset will be packed with a 4,000mAh battery.
It appears that the Meizu Note 9 could be Meizu’s weapon to take on the Redmi Note 7. The Redmi Note 7 is available with a starting price of 999 Yuan. Meizu may also sell the Note 9 with the same starting price. As far as the launch date of the smartphone is concerned, it is speculated that the company may make it official after the Spring Festival which will be observed on Feb. 5 in 2019.
When you are looking for a cost-effective projector, you would normally end up buying a mediocre device that may or may not meet your expectations in terms of performance. But GearBest is bent on changing that.
The Chinese online store known for offering the country’s best electronic items at unbeatable prices is now doling out noteworthy discounts on a wide selection of top-branded projectors that usually carry steep price tags. In addition to grabbing these discounts, we’ll show how you can save extra money during the checkout process.
Wanbo S5 Home Theater Projector
The Wanbo S5 comes with a zoom range of just a few millimeters for faster and clearer output. Equipped with electric focus, the S5 is an easy-to-overshoot projector that has manual adjustments.
Moreover, the Wanbo S5 delivers up to a whopping 180-inch large screen display bringing an immersive, theater-like experience to your home. Aside from that, it adopts square pixel structure rather than diamond pixel for a less jagged and smoother image edge.
The Wanbo S5 usually sells for $380.74, but 15 lucky buyers can get their hands on this coveted home theater projector at a dropped price of just $289.99 on GearBest. This 24 percent discount can be extended further by applying coupon code WANBOS5 at checkout.
The coupon helps you get an extra $10 off by reducing the original asking price of the Wanbo S5 to just $279.99. You can follow this link to avail this discount before this promo wraps up in ten days.
H96 – P DLP Mini Projector
The H96 – P DLP Mini adopts DLP technology in a bid to deliver high fidelity image as well as crystal clear images. It supports depth customization system along with office, online videos and games and can be wirelessly connected to Apple’s iPhone, iPad, and a Wi-Fi enabled laptop.
This practical projector uses DLP imaging system and boasts an impressive array of other features such as keystone correction, trapezoid screen, and smart adjustment. It uses LED light source, saves energy and is easy on the pocketbook as well. The 1GB RAM + 8GB ROM model of the H96 – P DLP Mini projector would normally set you back $221.99, but you can now buy it for a dropped price of only $189.99 on GearBest. This is a noteworthy 14 percent reduction in the device’s original asking price.
Aside from that, those who spend $20 will qualify to get an add-on for $2.99. You can visit this link to check out more details and grab the discount, which will be valid for the black color version of the H96 – P DLP Mini projector for a limited period of time.
Xiaomi Mijia Laser Projector
Marketed as the world’s first ultra-short projector to adopt the ALPD (advanced laser display) technology, the Xiaomi Mi Laser projector is designed to deliver up to an impressive 150 inches of full HD quality images in 50cm. with a longer product life of up to 25,000 hours. Xiaomi resorts to using a compact, minimalist “box” design language in order to give the Mi Laser projector a user-friendly design.
You can control this Xiaomi-branded projector from any corner of your room using a AAA battery-powered remote control. On top of that, it comes with a voice assistant along with other interactive ways that enable you to quickly find your favorite program, giving you an unparalleled movie watching experience.
The Xiaomi Mijia Laser projector would normally set you back a pretty penny on both online as well as offline stores, but you can now buy it for a dropped price of just $1689.99 on GearBest. This is a significant 20 percent drop in the device’s original selling price of $2114.22. But there’s more for you to cheer about.
You can apply coupon code IT-CN10CMI and save $10 extra at the time of checking out. In other words, you can reduce the projector’s retail price to just $1741.96 simply by applying the aforesaid coupon code before proceeding to checkout.
You can head straight to this link to avail this discount, which is currently valid for the white color version of the Xiaomi Mijia Laser projector.
If you are looking for a 4G LTE-enabled phablet that doesn’t cost a bomb, the ALLDOCUBE Cube M8 might just fill the bill. The M8 is a powerful phablet that packs an MTK6797X, Deca Core, up to 2.6GHz processor along with a highly competent Mali-T880 graphics processing unit, under the hood. It ships with 3GB of RAM and offers a hearty 32GB of onboard storage so that you can play your favorite games, run video and photo editing apps, and browse the internet without any sort of interruption.
The ALLDOCUBE Cube M8 sports an extra large 8 inch IPS display with 1920 x 1200 pixels resolution that breathes new life into your videos and photos. The dual-SIM phablet is as slim as 8.4mm and weighs in at just 345g so that you can carry it everywhere you go without breaking a sweat.
On the photography front, the Cube M8 houses a 5.0-megapixel rear-mounted camera and a 2.0-megapixel front shooter for selfies and video chatting. It runs Android 8.0 Oreo OS and is backed by a 5500mAh Li-ion battery that lasts longer 20 percent longer than other 8-inch range of phablets available in the market today. While the aforesaid features justify the $207.99 price tag the ALLDOCUBE Cube M8 usually carries, you can now get your hands on this feature-laden phablet for a considerably lowered price of just $150.99 on GeekBuying. You can even extend this 27 percent discount by using coupon code GIZ_LQJDACZE at checkout.
The aforesaid coupon helps you get an extra $10 off by bringing the already lowered selling price of the phablet further down to just $145.99 before you place your order. Regrettably, this promo is slated to end in just three days.
You can follow this link to grab the discount before the promo ends. Note that the coupon is also likely to expire soon.
The market is rife with steeply-priced sports smartwatches that boast exceptional features, but if you are looking for a cost-effective, yet feature-laden smartwatch, the Bakeey EX17s might just fill the bill. Striking a perfect balance between science and technology, the EX17s draws its juices from a robust 610mAh, CR2450 (Japan Maxell) battery that offers a standby time of about 12 months under normal use and 18 months standby under energy-saving mode. It sports a 1.22-inch FSTN full angle display so that the wearer can easily read the data even in sunlight.
Furthermore, the Bakeey EX17s is waterproof up to 5ATM so you can wear it while swimming, diving and surfing without worrying about damaging the watch. On top of that, it comes with a 24 hours real-time sports monitoring that records step counts, burned calories and walking mileage.
In addition to that, the EX17s features a slew of other useful functions including an alarm, stopwatch, and date. Moreover, it supports social media platforms like WeChat, WW, Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, Skype and has timely bell vibration reminders for missed calls and SMS to ensure you do not end up missing an important call or text message. The Bakeey EX17s allows you to capture memorable moments thanks to its one-touch remote photography feature. The shutter function has been extended to smartwatches to enable photography within a range of 10 meters.
The EX17s is a sturdy smartwatch that features a case and strap made of high wear-resistant TPU material. Moreover, its buckle is made from 316L stainless steel. The device’s dimensions are 58x50x14mm and it weighs in at just 62g.
While we would normally expect a top-branded smartwatch offering comparable features to carry a steep price tag, the Bakeey EX17S has now gone up for pre-order bearing a considerably lowered price of just $19.99 on Banggood. This is a whopping 71 percent reduction in the device’s original asking price of $69.99.
You can choose between black, blue and wine red color versions. If you are interested in checking out more details about the Bakeey EX17S smartwatch and taking advantage of the aforesaid discount, all you need to do is to follow this link without wasting time.
Last month, we saw variants of the Redmi Note 5/Redmi Note 5 Pro running Android Pie on Geekbench. Xiaomi has now confirmed that it is indeed bringing Android Pie to the phone and some other models too.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 to get Android Pie
According to a post on the official MIUI forum, Xiaomi is recruiting beta testers for Android Pie for the Redmi Note 5, Mi 6X, Redmi S2, and Redmi 6 Pro. Apart from the Redmi Note 5, the other three phones launched with Android Oreo out of the box, so they should at least get one major OS upgrade. The Redmi Note 5 launched with Android 7.1.2 Nougat out of the box and already got an update to Android Oreo, so the fact that it is getting Android Pie is a big deal.
The above models are the Chinese models but the Android Pie update should eventually roll out to the Redmi S2 which is known as the Redmi Y2 in India and the Redmi Note 5 which is sold as the Redmi Note 5 Pro. The Mi 6X and the Redmi 6 Pro already run Android Pie outside China since they are the Android One phones the Mi A2 and Mi A2 Lite respectively.
Nubia’s Red Magic Mars comes in three color variants. They are Flame Red, Meteorite Black, and Camouflage. The first two variants have been available for purchase for about a month now. Nubia has announced that it has begun taking pre-orders for the camouflage edition ahead of its first sale tomorrow.
This version of the Red Magic Mars not only has a nice paint job, but it is also the only variant with 10GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The camouflage edition also has a special anti-fingerprint coating. The price tag is ¥3999 (~$591) and pre-orders are already live on Jingdong.com for those interested in purchasing a unit.
The Nubia Red Magic Mars has a 6.0-inch 1080 x 2160 display, a Snapdragon 845 processor, 6GB/8GB/10GB of RAM and 64GB/128GB/256GB of storage. There is no support for storage expansion.
There is a 16MP f/1.8 sensor on the rear and an 8MP f/2.0 sensor in front for selfies. It has a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, packs a 3,800mAh battery, and runs Android 9 Pie with Red Magic UI on top. There is an RGB strip on the back, two touch-sensitive shoulder buttons on the side, and stereo speakers with DTS 7.1 surround sound.
In a world where large screen phones are now commonplace, there is still a percentage of buyers who prefer phones with small displays or an overall small form factor while still packing flagship specs. Sony’s Compact series caters to that percentage but new reports say the Japanese smartphone maker may ax it this year.
According to ITHome, VP of Sony Mobile, Don Mesa said in an interview that the business is undergoing restructuring which also includes leadership and all arms of its business.
The Xperia XZ2 Compact may be the last Compact phone by Sony
Speaking on the Compact series, Mesa is reported to have said that they have kept the series for long because of its ease of use. He then added that “different sizes are needed, but people now want more screen area to display content.” These words have been taken to mean the Compact series may be canceled.
Mesa did confirm that it will unveil a new product at MWC 2019 which is believed to be the Xperia XZ4 but based on his words, there may not be an Xperia XZ4 Compact.
While Sony canceling the series is sad news, we sort of saw this coming since they didn’t release an Xperia XZ3 Compact last year.
The Xperia XZ4 is said to have a tall display with a 21:9 aspect ratio. It is also expected to pack three rear cameras.
The OnePlus 7 isn’t expected to launch until around May/June but a live photo said to be that of the phone has surfaced online, providing what can be our very first proper look at the upcoming flagship.
The OnePlus 7 is shown in an industrial case side by side with the OnePlus 6T. The case makes it look as if the phone has really thin bezels but we don’t think it is any thinner than that of the OnePlus 6T. However, there isn’t a notch on the device and the speaker is much wider than that of the OP6T.
Unfortunately, the image doesn’t show the lower half of the device, so we can’t see if the chin has gotten thinner.
The lack of a notch has led to speculations that the OnePlus 7 may have a slider. However, one can’t say if it is a mechanical one or a motorized one.
The OnePlus 7 should come with a Snapdragon 855 processor and be available in different RAM and storage configurations. It should also come with Warp Charge 30 which debuted on the OnePlus 6T McLaren Edition.
There are also rumors that it may be the first OnePlus phone with support for wireless charging since OPPO, a sister company has joined the Wireless Power Consortium and OnePlus may follow suit.
Android Go is the perfect solution for all those people who have a very low budget but need a good smartphone. For less than €100, thanks to this enlightened version of Google’s operating system, you can get a phone which provides a smooth user experience even with low-end hardware components. The latest Android Go phone released is the Alcatel 1x which debuted at CES 2019 in Las Vegas. Here, we will compare the new TCL’s entry-level with other important Android Go phones manufactured in China: Huawei Y5 Lite and Nokia 2.1.
Excluding the Nokia 2.1 which comes with an aluminum frame, all these Android Go have a full polycarbonate design in order to cut costs. Given the aluminum frame of the Nokia 2.1 and the Gorilla Glass protection for its display, it has the best build quality and it should be the most resistant. However, it is not the most beautiful one as it has thicker bezels due to its 16:9 display. Alcatel 1x has a definitely better look thanks to its 18:9 display and its clean back. Note that Nokia 2.1 is the only device to feature stereo speakers for a more solid audio experience, while Alcatel 1x is the only to feature a fingerprint reader which is placed on the back cover.
Display
In each case, you get an HD+ display, the resolution is not so high but it is sufficient for a decent level of detail. Huawei Y5 Lite does not seem to have an IPS panel, so it should be inferior. I would personally prefer Nokia 2.1 because it has a wider 16:9 display that is also protected by Gorilla Glass. Further, the big display alongside the stereo speakers is able to provide a better multimedia experience, at least with video contents. That is why I prefer Nokia 2.1 when it comes to display and multimedia.
Specs
Nokia 2.1 has the fastest and most powerful processor: the quad-core Snapdragon 425. But it has just 8 GB of internal storage and only 1 GB of RAM. That is why talking about performance, Alcatel 1x should be slightly better. Despite its processor is less convincing, it has 2 GB of RAM as well as 16 GB of internal storage. The higher quantity of RAM should make it easier to manage more apps at the same time, while 8 GB of internal storage found on the Nokia 2.1 is often insufficient on a 2018 smartphone. On each of these devices, you get a micro SD slot to expand the internal storage. All the phones have Android Go installed, based on the version 8.1 Oreo.
Camera
On the paper, Alcatel 1x has a superior camera department. The dual camera on the back with a 13 MP primary sensor and a 2 MP depth sensor definitely makes the difference. It should be able to capture more detailed photos as well as a better bokeh effect. Further, the front camera comes with a front-facing LED flash that is not present on the Nokia 2.1, while it can be found on the Huawei Y5 Lite. But the latter’s rear camera should not be at the same level as Alcatel 1x 2019, that is why it takes the second place.
Battery
Nokia 2.1 is a battery champion and it can last more than two days on a single charge. It has a 4000 mAh battery which can usually provide a very long battery life even on midrange and high-end phone, so imagine on an entry-level one with a low-resolution display and a low-end chipset. It is one of the best smartphones for battery life. Judging from the components and the marginal difference between the capacities, Alcatel 1x and Huawei Y5 Lite should have more or less the same battery life, but the software optimization will surely make the difference and we still can not test it as the Alcatel 1x was unveiled just two days ago.
Price
The price is the strongest point of these handsets and every smartphone with Android Go installed out of the box. While Nokia 2.1 and Huawei Y5 Lite have are sold at about €100/$115, Alcatel 1x 2019 will soon hit the shelves with a price tag of €120/$137 in Europe. Even though it has only 8 GB of internal storage, I would personally give a chance to the Nokia 2.1 because of its stereo speakers, its better build quality, its bigger battery and the huge software support by HMD Global in the last year. But someone may also like Alcatel 1x 2019 because of its fingerprint reader, a more advanced hardware department and a better rear camera. For me, the battery makes the difference on an entry-level device, that is why I would go for the Nokia 2.1. I would definitely not choose the Huawei Y5 Lite because it offers nothing special compared with its rivals and it is inferior to both Alcatel 1x and Nokia 2.1.
Xiaomi‘s partnership with Hasbro, owner of the Transformer franchise dates back to 2016 when both firms teamed up to release a Transformer robot that can transform into a dummy Mi Pad tablet. Xiaomi has now been licensed by Hasbro to manufacture the Mi Bumblebee computer backpack which is shaped like a Bumblebee. In case you don’t know, Bumblebee is a fictional robot character from the Transformers franchise. In most versions, Bumblebee is a small, yellow with black stripes Autobot. The character is named after the Bumblebee, a black-and-yellow striped bee which inspired his paint scheme.
The Xiaomi Bumblebee Backpack features a cool and stiff body with a special protective double-layer shell on ergonomic design. As stated, the design is inspired by the Bumblebee in Transformers and it features a faceted element and an arched tough body with high strength and extra large space. With a total internal capacity of 16L, the backpack has reasonable storage.
Its circumference is 53x35x16cm, and the surface is a double-shell with a combination of high-strength PC and EVA material. The design also includes a hidden zipper which is placed at the back. The shoulder strap is stuffed with cotton lining with a built-in luggage strap. On the internal, there is a separate computer compartment made from cashmere material and which can comfortably hold a 15.6-inch laptop and is equipped with multiple function storage pockets. There are other partitions which are detachable and designed to meet different storage needs.
The Mi Bumblebee computer backpack will be available in Beetle Yellow and Armor Gray. It comes with a price tag of 539 yuan ($79). Xiaomi is yet to reveal when the backpack will go on sale.
At the moment, no OPPO phone has support for wireless charging. The Find X which was its flagship for last year only brought a faster quick charging technology called SuperVOOC. However, that might be changing soon as OPPO has now joined the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), creators of the Qi wireless charging standard.
OPPO joining the WPC has sparked speculations that OnePlus may add wireless charging support to the OnePlus 7
If we are to go by the close relationship between OPPO and its sister company, OnePlus, we think this may also mean the next OnePlus flagship, the OnePlus 7 may have support for wireless charging.
The news of OPPO joining the WPC was first reported by ChargerLab and it points at the manufacturer releasing a phone with wireless charging support soon.
If we were to take a guess, we would say the OPPO R19 (possibly OPPO R19 Pro) will be the first OPPO phone with support for Wireless Charging. OPPO may also surprise us and launch a successor to the Find X that will come with the feature.
The fact that some of OPPO and OnePlus phones share very close features has generated speculations that OnePlus may follow suit and launch a phone with wireless charging. However, this is just speculation. OnePlus hasn’t joined the Wireless Power Consortium and it will have to if it plans to launch a phone with the feature.
ColorOS 6 brings a brand new interface along with Android 9 Pie to the OPPO R15. The new UI uses a lot of white and also tries to reduce the use of text to create a non-clustered interface. OPPO says the new OS has been designed for full-screen (18:9 and up displays) phones.
The update also brings a new Chinese font called OPPO Sans, and an AI-based application freeze feature that learns which apps are frequently used and which to suspend to free up system resources. Once an app has not been used for more than 20 minutes, the system will already know based on studied usage pattern if it is an app that is frequently used to know if it should freeze it or not.
CES is a place to showcase the best tech from all around the world. Here we see big screen TVs, monitors, gaming PCs, weird robots that automate everyday tasks, weird robots that look scary but are useful and a lot more. In fact, the event is flooded with products that try to be unique and stand out from the rest. While you’ll find a lot of interesting products at the event, we have picked out what we thought were the best of the lot. The products mentioned below stood out from the rest and are favorites among our team.
So, let’s take a look at Gizmochina’s Pick of the Best of CES 2019. This article is a bit different than the usual ones in the sense that each of our Gizmochina team members contributed to this list. Below we tell you which products stood out according to each one of us and why.
There were two products that really stood out for us at the event and almost everyone here at Gizmochina agrees that these two were the very best.
1. LG’s Signature Series OLED TV R
If there was one product that stood out for us at CES 2019, it was the LG Signature OLED Rollable TV. Now, we know LG has shown off rollable TV prototypes before, but what’s really cool this time is that it’s a commercial product. Yes, for a very, very large sum (which is yet to be announced), you will be able to take home this beauty sometime later this year.
What makes it incredible is the way it works. For me, that’s the best part of this product. You push the power button and what looks like a low hung stand in your room gives birth to this incredible 65-inch OLED TV. Once your entertainment needs are over, it will silently roll itself back into its housing. It’s pretty NEAT!
This was one product that every one of Gizmochina’s team nominated as one of the best products at CES 2019!
“If you are a minimalist, you will love the LG Signature OLED TV R. If you have kids, you will appreciate the OLED TV R. And if you just love having a piece of tech you can show off to your friends when they come over, then this is for you.” — Habeeb
“I know that it may be an obvious choice but I think that rollable displays will ease people’s lives as everyone will be able to bring the most sophisticated hi-tech products everywhere” — Michele
“What’s cool is that even the size of the screen can be adjusted for playing songs, viewing photos.” — Anvin
“This will bring some ease to moving a giant TV around the home or even when changing apartment. But let’s hope we won’t have to sell an organ to get this one. “ — Jed
“I love the fact that the base stand also works as a sophisticated sound bar (apart from being the TV housing!).” — Jeet
2. Bell’s Nexus VTOL aircraft ( Uber Elevate Air Taxi)
Another product that almost everyone here at Gizmochina thought stood out from the crowd was Bell’s Nexus Air Taxi. While we are still a good 3-4 years away from seeing air taxis in action, this is a promising development in the field. Despite being a non-functional unit being displayed at the event, the fact that it can take off like a helicopter and cover nearly 150 miles in just one hour promises some really big things for the transport industry.
“I find it really amazing because it looks like one of those aircraft you only see in sci-fi movies. Yet, there it is right before our very eyes and the company even hinted we could see it flying in the air space in a few years time.” — Jed
“It’s cool because it’s a vehicle which could help to solve traffic congestion and pollution problems in big cities sooner than expected” – Michele
“While it looks like an oversized drone, it’s much more than that. The company has made quite a progress compared to what it showcased last year and it’s fascinating that this sci-fi like thing could become a reality in a few years.” — Jeet
Jeet’s Picks
3. NReal Light MR Glasses
We have previously seen mixed reality glasses such as Microsoft Holo Lens and Magic Leap One but they aren’t practical to wear everywhere. Solving this problem is ‘Light’ mixed reality glasses from Nreal, which was founded by former Magic Leap engineer.
The ‘Light’ glasses looks very much similar to the regular sunglasses and have smaller profile than others. They are also considerably lighter in weight compared to the conventional MR glasses. It will be priced at around $1,000 and will hit the markets in H1 2019.
4. Hyundai Elevate
Hyundai showed off its Elevate project at CES 2019 which the company is calling an “ultimate mobility vehicle” that combines technology from electric cars with robotics. While most car manufacturers are making products just for everyday transportation purpose, Hyundai has unveiled a product that can be used in the time of crises. Further, the product combines the best of both worlds — electric car technology and robotics technology.
Hyundai Elevate is a walking search and rescue car that is designed with four mechanical legs with wheels for feet. It can roll along on extended legs or retract them to be driven like a car.
Hyundai executive John Suh says that the need for search and rescue, and humanitarian aid, is growing around the world and ‘Elevate’ is designed to save lives in disasters.
Did you know, it can LITERALLY WALK on any terrain, just like any other mammal!
Habeeb’s Picks
5. LG Display Neo Art
I use an external display plugged into my PC and I am sure a lot of other people do too. There are times when I have to resort to my laptop’s display, such as when I am at my parent’s place, but there is a feeling of “digital claustrophobia” if I can call it that, that sets in after some time.
The LG Display Neo Art is a 27-inch “portable” monitor that connects via USB-C to your laptop for both power and display output. There is no power cable crisscrossing HDMI cable. All you need is a single cable and a stand to set it up on.
The display can be easily moved around rooms but moving it long distances (e.g. from home to work and back) without breaking it isn’t something you want to be doing. For that to happen, the display has to be much more portable and the only way I can see that happening is if it were flexible – allowing you to roll it up in a case much like a building plan. Nevertheless, the technology is still pretty great even at this stage and I look forward to it being available for consumers in the next few years.
6. Samsung Space Monitor
The Samsung Space Monitor was announced before CES 2019 began but since Samsung brought it to the event, I guess it makes the list.
If your desk is no wider than 4ft, then you know how cramped it is after you add a desk lamp, an external monitor, a keyboard and mouse, and your laptop. With Samsung’s Space Monitor, you can reclaim more space as the monitor clamps to your desk and sits flush to the wall instead of on the desk itself.
Another advantage of the monitor is that the display isn’t too close so it’s not hurting your eyes, although the hinge design of the clamp means you can pull it forward when you need to.
The Space Monitor should bring a bit of sanity to your desk while providing incredible display quality.
Anvin’s Pick
7. Lenovo Smart Clock
The best part of this nifty little Alarm clock from Lenovo is that it doesn’t try to do a lot. It’s cheap (which means accessible to more people), super compact, and can easily replace your existing alarm clock. But with google assistant on board, it’s really smart too! Given its size and price, its made for the masses. It’s a really good way to start your life in a smart way.
Michele’s Pick
8. Samsung Gem exoskeleton
Looking at the high amount of people who struggle with manual jobs (especially older people), I think it will be amazing for people to get back to their regular routine with this setup. Maybe, in the future, we’ll see an exoskeleton from Samsung that will increase our abilities tenfold, just like we see in the movies!
Jed’s Pick
9. Sony LSPX-S2 Glass Sound speaker
Sony’s naming system always looks weird but the products are hardly less cool. The glass speaker from Sony at CES 2019 actually elicited thoughts of a romantic candlelight dinner in my head. Won’t be a bad idea to have the light illuminate the table while at the same time cool, romantic music envelopes the arena from the same gadget. The LSPX-S2 is one smart speaker that doesn’t even look like a speaker but that’s cool. So long the output is rich and impressive.
10. Valeo XtraVue ‘Invisible’ Trailer (My Personal Pick)
One of the products that I thought was extremely cool at CES 2019 was Valeo’s XtraVue ‘Invisible’ Trailer. Yes, it’s exactly what you think. It’s a trailer from that’s nearly invisible from the front half. The trailer itself is not what really excites me, but if the technology works anywhere as good as what we see in the video, the future possibilities are endless. It’ll be so cool seeing (oh wait, I mean not seeing) an invisible car, something like in the movie Die Another Day!
There are a lot of other cool products showcased at the event. But we thought the above 10 really stood out!
Xiaomi floated an IPO on the Hong Kong stock exchange aimed at generating revenue for the expansion of the company. During the initial public offer, te company did not describe itself as just a smartphone company but as an internet company despite gaining a wide reputation from its smartphone brand. Xiaomi is now set to invest in other spheres which would position it as truly an internet company. According to a Bloomberg report, the Chinese giant will invest at least 10 billion yuan ($1.5 billion) on artificial intelligence and smart devices over the next five years.
The huge investment is part of the Chinese giant’s strategy of grabbing more revenue from high-value services and the Internet of Things (IoT). The innovative Chinese company is also focusing on pushing for the top of the market while working towards expanding its tentacles into Europe. While speaking to Bloomberg TV recently , Xiaom’s CEO Lei Jun stated; “Now is the time for the action. We are all in on AIoT.” This is a reference to the incorporation of artificial intelligence into Internet of Things in order to create a smart ecosystem of connected devices. We have seen the firm implement this system of combining its XiaoAI smart assistant with its smart home (IoT) devices lately. However, XiaoAI is only adapted for Chinese speakers and we are yet to see other languages become supported. Adding more supported languages may likely be part of the development plan. This will surely boost the sales of the company’s growing catalogue of IoT gadgets whenever they become available outside China.
Lei Jun didn’t elaborate on the company’s investment plans but the company is looking to generate more revenue in the face of a brewing trade war between China and the US that has caused uncertainty to envelop the economic space. Also, the company may be fast looking outside smartphones to diversify its revenue as the smartphone market experiences some saturation. It is yet to be seen if the company holds as much prospects as first speculated. Investors don’t seem to be very confident about that as the company’s stock has plummeted by roughly 40% since after its July 2018 initial public offering.
If you need a well-balanced midrange smartphone which does not disappoint under any point of view, then the new Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 released after the official separation between Redmi and Xiaomi (Redmi became an independent sub-brand) is the perfect phone for you. But it is not the only one. If you are trying to understand which device is the most suitable for you, then you may like this comparison between the new Redmi Note 7 and the latest Huawei mid-rangers P Smart (2019) and Honor 10 Lite. Three different phones sold at a similar price: which one has the best value for money? Go ahead with the comparison to know it.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 vs Huawei P Smart (2019) vs Huawei Honor 10 Lite
The design is an aspect on which both Huawei and Xiaomi are focusing a lot in the last period. Indeed, all these devices are incredibly beautiful and well-built. Talking about the look, the one I like more is the Honor 10 Lite due to its high screen-to-body ratio and the gradient color variants, but I would prefer Redmi Note 7 due to its more solid build quality. Indeed, according to the company, the rear glass is very resistant and the display also comes with the Gorilla Glass 5 protection. Further, Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is water and dust resistant, even though no IP certification was provided.
Display
No matter which device you buy, you will get more or less the same display quality from these handsets. But Huawei P Smart (2019) should be slightly better in terms of viewing quality because LTPS panels are able to provide a lower power consumption as well as more controlled temperature ranges and a higher contrast. Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 has a slightly bigger display (just 0.1 inches), while Huawei P Smart 2019 and Honor 10 Lite have exactly the same display size.
Specs & Software
Just like the displays, even the hardware departments of these handsets do not differ so much. I would prefer the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 because in my opinion, it has a better GPU inside the Snapdragon 660 chipset. Huawei Honor 10 Lite takes the second place with its Kirin 710, while Huawei P Smart 2019 takes the last spot of the ranking because it does not have a variant with 6 GB of RAM, neither 128 GB of internal storage. All the devices come with the latest Android version out of the box (Android Pie), but while Redmi Note 7 has the MIUI 10 to customize it, Huawei P Smart 2019 and Honor 10 Lite have the EMUI 9 installed.
Camera
The best camera side belongs to the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7. It is equipped with the new Samsung’s sensor sporting a resolution of 48 MP and a secondary 5 MP depth sensor. It provides a stunning detail in photos for a midrange, as well as low levels of noise in low-light conditions. Honor 10 Lite has a great camera too, better than Huawei P Smart 2019, but it is far from its Xiaomi’s rival. But when it comes to the front camera, Honor 10 Lite should be the best with its 24 MP resolution and f/2.0.
Battery
With a 4000 mAh unit, Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 will be able to provide the longest battery life. It should have no problems lasting up to two days on a single charge, while Huawei P Smart 2019 and Honor 10 Lite have just an average battery life: one day with moderate use. Further, Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 has the support to Quick Charge 4.0, while its opponents do not offer any kind of fast charging technology.
Price
Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 debuted in China with a price tag of about $147, Huawei P Smart 2019 costs about €250 in the global market, and Honor 10 Lite was launched with a €210 price tag. I would personally pick Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 not only for the price but also for its great camera and its long lasting battery.
During the Redmi Note 7 launch conference yesterday, Xiaomi also released another product just as it had promised. The Xiaomi MIJIA Photo Printer was officially launched clutching a 499 yuan price tag. The device comes with a set of color papers comprising 4o photo papers and a ribbon, which will cost an extra 59 yuan ($8). This printer was earlier tipped t launch on December 19 but apparently, XIaomi had other ideas.
This is not the first photo printer Xiaomi is launching if our memory serves us right. The company, last year, crowdfunded the XPRINT AR photo printer but then, it was only a third-party AR photo printer and not a Xiaomi branded product. In this case, the MIJIA photo printer can print photos taken with your phones in various formats. Xiaomi’s CEO Lei Jun spoke glowingly about the photo printer, extolling its capability to print pictures just the way they are, in terms of quality.
The photo printer comes with a compact but cool size, a regular feature of most Xiaomi products. The printer is capable of print pictures at a maximum size of 6 inches. It is understood that the print resolution of Xiaomi Mijia Photo Printer is 300 x 300dpi, using CMY 3-color dye sublimation printing technology, which can realize 256-level color scale complete output presentation. Sublimation technology can present more rich color levels and wider color gamut, ensuring a better color reproduction. In order to solve the problem of photo fading and yellowing. The Xiaomi Mijia photo printer is automatically coated with a colorless transparent protective film at the last step of photo printing, showing excellent scratch, anti-fingerprint and splash-proof properties, while the photo dye factor is protected from gas, light or moisture. While fading, the color of the photo stays longer. In addition, the device is said to have 655 vents and 12 different apertures with a sleek appearance. The vents are perhaps to let in air in order to keep it cool always. As a result of this, it can print photos continuously in a stable manner.
The printer comes with support for Mijia APP, WeChat app. The device also supports AirPrint screen printing, computer wireless printing, and can be controlled using the power button which also doubles as the print button. print photos with one button. Te smart printer also allows you to share your photos with friends and family even when you are not with the printer.
There is no word yet as to when it will be available in China and even elsewhere.
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