Pete Lau: removing the audio jack will speed up development of wireless headphones

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Mar 9, 2019

OnePlus ditched the audio jack when it launched the OnePlus 6. It was officially confirmed the 2018 flagship won’t have the 3. 5mm audio jack even before the phone was launched. OnePlus said the removal would allow for a bigger battery but there was really nothing more, not even an official IP-rating even on its successor (it will survive splashes and an accidental drop in a puddle), the OnePlus 6T.

With the launch of the OnePlus 6 came the OnePlus Bullets Wireless – its first wired earphones. It received lots of positive reviews and boasts features such as fast charging via a USB type-C port and support for Google Assistant.

OnePlus CEO, Pete Lau, further expressed his opinion on the removal of the earphone jack in a Weibo post yesterday. He believes the removal of the audio jack will help spur development of wireless earphones. As with each passing generation, the technology should get better. He added that even though the Bullets Wireless is very good, it can still be better. He ended the post by asking for suggestions on how to improve their earphones.

We haven’t found any evidence yet or heard rumors but we won’t be surprised if the OnePlus 7 launches along with a new pair of wireless earphones, maybe even OnePlus’ first truly wireless earbuds. Whichever one it might be, we can be sure it will be better than the Bullets Wireless.

Qualcomm announced aptX Adaptive audio for wireless audio devices last year. The technology will compress audio at variable bitrates depending on the signal strength. The minimum and maximum bitrates of aptX Adaptive are lower than the current bitrate for aptX and aptX HD but have the same quality.

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Full specs and render of OPPO A5s mid-range phone leaks

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Mar 9, 2019

The OPPO A-series line of mid-range smartphone may soon get a new member as the full specs of a phone called the OPPO A5s have leaked. The OPPO A5s will likely be the successor to the OPPO A3s released last year.

Surprised that there is no OPPO A4s? A lot of Chinese manufacturers avoid using the number “4” in the name of their phones because it sounds nearly the same way as the word “death” in Cantonese.

The OPPO A5s will have a 6.2-inch HD+ display (1520 x 720). An attached official render shows the phone has a waterdrop display. The image also shows it has a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, unlike the A3s. The power button is on the right while the volume rocker is on the left.

The phone is powered by the Helio P35 and will come in 2GB, 3GB, and 4GB RAM variants with 32GB or 64GB of expandable storage. There is an 8MP f/2.0 camera sitting inside the notch and on the rear are dual cameras in a 13MP f/2.2 + 2MP f/2.4 configuration.

The OPPO A5s has a 4,230mAh battery and will run ColorOS 5.2 based on Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box. It will have support for dual Nano-SIM but we are not sure if it is a triple card slot or a hybrid slot.

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Black Shark 2 scores over 400k points in new AnTuTu benchmark result

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Mar 9, 2019

Yesterday, the AnTuTu result of the Black Shark 2 gaming phone surfaced on the web. The result revealed some of its key specs but its overall score is low compared to other Snapdragon 855 devices. A new benchmark result has surfaced and it is higher than any we have ever seen.

The AnTuTu benchmark result confirms the Black Shark 2’s codename as “Skywalker” just like the Geekbench result revealed. Its overall score is 430,882 points, a big leap from the 359,973 points of the first result.

The score is broken down into four – a CPU score of 128,597 points, a GPU score of 157,094 points, a UX score of 130,837 points, and a memory score of 143,54 points.

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Huawei P30 teaser posters highlight its impressive “Super Zoom” capabilities

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Mar 9, 2019

Huawei will announce its new flagships phones – the P30 and P30 Pro – on March 26 in Paris. We are really excited to see what the Chinese giant comes up with especially in the camera department. Last year’s P20 Pro and Mate 20 Pro rank among the phones with the best cameras and Huawei is set to improve upon that this year.

One feature the upcoming P30 duo are said to have is a Super Zoom feature that trumps that of any phone released so far. Ahead of the launch, Huawei has released nine new teaser posters that show how great the Super Zoom mode is.

So far, the Huawei P30 Pro is the only one confirmed to have the Super Zoom feature thanks to a periscope-type lens that lets it achieve up to a rumored 5x optical zoom with a focal length of 16 – 125 mm but we hope the regular P30 has it too.

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Apart from Super Zoom, the P30 phones will also have an enhanced low-light shooting mode which is not only supported by software but backed by hardware too.

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Huawei planning to unveil two non-WearOS smartwatches alongside P30

By

Simranpal Singh

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Mar 9, 2019

Huawei is continuously working to bring new innovative devices for its consumers. Recently, Huawei has come up with its first foldable smartphone, Mate X at MWC 2019. Now, they are set to launch the new Huawei P30 and P30 Pro at an event in Paris, France. As per the latest reports from our folks at WinFuture, it is revealed that the Chinese company is allegedly working on two new Watch GT smartwatches. Indeed as like of the Huawei Watch GT, these two new variants will also work on its own Lite OS.

Last year, Huawei announced the first Watch GT smartwatch alongside Huawei Mate 20 Pro. Now, it is speculated that the new variants of the device will make their debut with the launch of Huawei Mate P30 Pro and P30 on March 26 in France.

According to the report, the new models are named as Huawei Watch GT Active and Huawei Watch GT Elegant. Both these smartwatches will have a different set of features and designs. Users can see the “Active” model in the image above in “Dark Green” and “Orange” colours. It will cost 249 Euros which roughly translates to $280 or 1882 Yuan. While for the “Elegant” model you have to shell out 229 Euros (~$ 257 or 1727 Yuan). Moreover, Huawei Watch GT is retailing for 199 Euros aka $224 throughout the world.

These two new smartwatches obviously will elope some new upgrades both in Software and Hardware. Although, we can clearly see some key differences in the new models with respect to the old Watch GT. These new variants of the Watch GT carry a different appearance. Its physical buttons, overall finish and the metal colour, are the key aspects that make it different than its predecessor. Furthermore, there’s no extreme change in the design of new alledged versions of Watch GT.

Read More: We were right, the Honor Watch Magic is a cheaper Huawei Watch GT

In the recent past, Wear OS has received new upgrades but some issues remained intact. As like, Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 chipset is not receiving any incremental updates to fix problems that people are facing in day to day operations. Further, decreasing interest among third-party development companies aiming regular support are the primary concern among smartwatch manufacturers. This behaviour is the main reason for the elevation of big manufacturers not to produce WearOS smartwatches anymore.

(Source)

Lenovo Z5 Android Pie internal test update brings various new changes

By

Simranpal Singh

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Mar 9, 2019

Lenovo Z5 smartphone which was launched last year in summers is receiving internal test update on a few units. It gained good popularity due to bezel-less display at that time. There are multiple enhancements that Lenovo has added in the latest update. Although Lenovo is a little late to the party, but it is always better late than never. Nearly after a year of its launch, Lenovo has started testing the Android P upgrade.

There are many changes that Lenovo is aiming to engulf into the Z5 Android P upgrade. They are testing kernel upgrade for enhanced performance and increased power efficiency. Further, there would be an appearance upgrade with new User Interface experience. It is targeted to improve the overall user experience and improve the accessibility of the device. The new ZUI will incorporate various new features which will make it more user-friendly. They have incremented the new update with 4D U-touch gesture, magic input box, PiP mode, and other enhancements.

Moreover, the internal test update brings various new improvements. It will carry the latest Android 9.0 Pie carrying refined face recognition. Users can enable the new unlocking method by heading over to phone’s settings>security>fingeprint. It has also added extreme power saving technology which will improve the efficiency of the device by turning off any unnecessary tasks in the night. Even, it is also helpful in saving your battery charge if your device remains idle for long hours.

Moreover, Lenovo has added a new calorie count feature which will monitor your daily intake. A card display is also present, helping you to process payments quickly and securely. It brings a new Desktop editing mode with new layouts. The new gesture controls allow users to turn on flashlights, camera and can even manually set up its control.

Read More: Xiaomi Mi 9 vs Lenovo Z5 Pro GT vs Huawei Mate 20 Pro: Specs Comparison

Additionally, Lenovo Z5 comes with a 5.99-inch bezel-less display with Corning Gorilla Glass protection. In the camera section, the device comes with dual 16+8 MP rear camera. On the front side, there’s a single 8 MP camera for selfies and video calling. Lenovo Z5 is powered with Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 Octa Core processor and 6GB RAM.

It may take some time for the stable update to hit the Lenovo Z5 in next some couple of months.

(Via)

Get Big Discounts On Two Variants Of The A5X MAX RK3328 Android 9.0 TV Box On GeekBuying [Coupons]

By

Vinay Patel

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Mar 9, 2019

Looking for an RK3328 SoC-equipped Android TV box that doesn’t cost a bomb? The A5X Max Android 9.0 TV Box might just fill the bill.
As part of its latest promotion, GeekBuying is offering two variants of the A5X Max TV box for heavily discounted prices. In addition to revealing more details about the discounts, we’ll show how you can save extra money at checkout.

A5X MAX Android 9.0 TV Box (4GB RAM, 32GB ROM)

The aforesaid variant that ships with 4GB of RAM and offers 32GB of internal storage capacity would normally set you back $83.67, but you can now buy it for just $54.99 on GeekBuying.

Moreover, you can extend this 34 percent discount by applying coupon code GIZ_ZIXQZCMR. The coupon helps you save $17 more by reducing the device’s retail price to just $39.99 before you place your order.

You can follow this link to avail the discount. Note that the promo will end in just two days.

Get 34% Off On A5X MAX Android 9.0 TV Box

A5X MAX RK3328 Android 9.0 TV Box (4GB RAM, 64GB ROM)

The slightly larger model offering 4GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage capacity usually sells for $82.99, but it is currently available for a considerably reduced price of just $57.99 on GeekBuying.

If this 30 percent drop in the device’s original asking price doesn’t impress you much, you can apply coupon code GIZ_HBGKNQCA and get an extra $9 off. The aforesaid variant can now be yours if you are willing to shell out just $48.99 on GeekBuying.
You can head straight to this link in order to avail the discount and use the coupon before it expires.

An absolute steal at this price, the A5X MAX Android 9.0 TV Box boasts an impressive array of features and top-end. Here’s a brief glimpse of what the coveted TV box has to offer in terms of specifications:

Rockchip RK3328 chipset
Android 9.0 Pie OS
True 4K Media Player
Mali-450 GPU
Bluetooth 4.0
4G WiFi

Get 30% Off On A5X MAX RK3328 Android 9.0 TV Box

Banggood Has Launched The Toys Hobbies And Robot Big Spring Sale [9% Off Category-Wide Coupon Inside]

By

Vinay Patel

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Mar 9, 2019

Banggood has launched it’s Toys Hobbies & Robot Big Spring Sale,’ The Chinese online store that guarantees the best bang for your buck will be offering a wide selection of items including RC drones, toys etc. at lowered prices.

Aside from doling out noteworthy discounts on select products featured on the promotion page, Banggood is also giving its loyal users a chance to save money by offering the 9% off category-wide coupon code 19RCSP.

While the aforesaid coupon will be valid for the Toys Hobbies and Robot category, it will not work for items that carry already reduced prices or are associated with any other promotional offer. The coupon is slated to expire on March 15th.

In order to expedite and simplify the search process, all products featured on the promotion page have been added to different categories. The ‘Highly Recommendation’ section features Eachine-branded drones that you can buy at reduced prices.

For instance, the Eachine E58 would normally set you back $69.99, but as part of its 2019 spring sale, Banggood is now offering it for just $54.99. This is a 30 percent reduction in the device’s original asking price.
The next section features a special offer valid for a limited period of time. Dubbed as ‘Flash Deal on March 4-March 15,’ the section feature all sorts of items that you can buy for heavily discounted prices.

On top of that, eight products including the Eachine Windmill E014 WIFI FPV With 720P HD Camera Optical Flow Altitude Hold Mode RC Quadcopter, Flytec 9118 1/18 2.4G 4WD Alloy Off-Road and more will receive a large discount at 1:00 (UTC+8) on March 10th.

The promo also includes a myriad of cost-effective items that you can purchase for less than $9.99. Likewise, there are various items that sell for $10-$29.99, while a few that retail for more than $30. You can find these items under the ‘High Cost-Effective Goods’ segment.

You can click here to visit the promotion page and check out the rest of the categories that feature high-end drones, batteries, radios, RC parts and other accessories that you can get your hands at reduced prices.

Check Out The Toys Hobbies & Robot Big Spring Sale On Banggood

Buy i10 TWS Bluetooth 5.0 Earbuds And QCY T1C/T1 TWS Earphones At Reduced Prices On GeekBuying [Coupons]

By

Vinay Patel

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Mar 9, 2019

Music lovers who fancy listening to their favorite songs on the go usually spend a lot of money on music accessories like earphones, headphones and wireless earbuds.
Those who aren’t willing to spend a lot of money on top-branded earphones, on the other hand, usually end up compromising on quality, but it looks GeekBuying is bent on changing that.

In order to make earbuds and a slew of other high-end music accessories available to its loyal users at lowered prices, the Chinese online store has launched the i10 TWS Earbuds Sale.

As part of this recently kicked-off promo, GeekBuying is offering the i10 TWS Bluetooth 5.0 Earbuds and QCY T1C/T1 TWS Dual Bluetooth 5.0 Earphones at heavily discounted prices for a limited period of time. We’ll shed light on the discount and show how you can save more money at checkout.

i10 TWS Bluetooth 5.0 Earbuds

The i10 comes with an auto-pairing feature that ensures they are automatically paired and powered up as soon as they are taken out of the charging box.

It works with multiple applications with a transmission distance of 10m and delivers a barrier-free connection.

The i10 TWS earbuds would normally set you back $29.99, but GeekBuying is giving its users a chance to purchase the earbuds for only $19.99.
Regrettably, this 33 percent discount will be valid for the first 500 pieces only until March 15th. The i10 will go up for sale bearing a $22.99 price sticker starting from March 16th.

Aside from availing the discount, you can use coupon code GIZ_XUFDWYTK and get an extra $7 off. In other words, you can bring the already reduced retail price of the i10 TWS earbuds further down to only $18.99 by applying the aforesaid coupon before placing your order.

You can visit this link to grab the discount. Note that the promo will come to an end in six days.

Get 33% Off On i10 TWS Bluetooth 5.0 Earbuds

QCY T1C/T1 TWS Dual Bluetooth 5.0 Earphones

The QCY T1C/T1 TWS earphones adopt Bluetooth v5.0 technology boosts the sound transmission speed twice higher. Moreover, the device delivers improved anti-interference performance, coupled with a more stable connection.

While a music lover would gladly shell out a lot of money on earphones offering comparable features, the QCY T1C/T1 TWS earphones can now be yours for just $21.99. Much to the relief of those living on a tight budget, GeekBuying is offering a 24 percent discount on the earphones’ original asking price of $28.99.
On top of that, you can use coupon code GIZ_VKUBQUSO and save $1.32 more during the checkout process. The aforesaid coupon helps you reduce the original asking price of the QCY T1C/T1 TWS earphones to just $20.67.

You can follow this link to grab the discount, which will be valid for the black color version of the earphones. There’s a 44 percent off on the white-tinted QCY T1C/T1 TWS earphones that are currently available for only $22.89 on GeekBuying.

Get 24% Off On QCY T1C/T1 TWS Dual Bluetooth 5.0 Earphones

Check Out i10 TWS Earbuds Sale On GeekBuying

Buy Alfawise Q5 And Xiaomi 70mai Dash Cams At Slashed Prices On Gearbest

By

Vinay Patel

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Updated Mar 11, 2019

Gearbest is known for offering China’s best electronic items at unbeatable prices. Staying true to its reputation, the popular online is now doling out noteworthy discounts on the Alfawise Q5 and Xiaomi 70mai Dash Cams.
Aside from shedding light on the aforesaid discounts, we’ll show a brief comparison between the two well-received dashboard cameras. So without further ado, let’s delve into the details.

Alfawise Q5 Full HD 1080P Car DVR Dash Cam

As part of its latest flash sale, Gearbest is offering the Q5 car DVR dash cam at a lowered price of just $29.99. This is a 41 percent reduction in the device’s original asking price of $50.68.
You can follow this link to visit the promotion page and avail the discount, which will be valid for the remaining 193 pieces of the Alfawise Q5 dash cam’s black color version. This flash sale will end in twelve days.

Get 41% Off On Alfawise Q5 Full HD 1080P Car DVR Dash Cam

Xiaomi 70mai Dash Cam Smart WiFi Car DVR

The 70mai Dash Cam usually carries a $50.31 price tag on both online as well as offline stores, but you can now buy it for only $39.99 on Gearbest. This is a 21 percent reduction in the device’s original asking price.
You can head straight to this link to take full advantage of the discount, which will be valid for the midnight color version of the 70mai Dash Cam. With only 159 pieces left, this promo will come to an end in four days.

Get 21% Off On Xiaomi 70mai Dash Cam Smart WiFi Car DVR

Alfawise Q5 Vs Xiaomi 70mai Dash Cam

The Q5 sports a traditional design unlike the columnar design adopted by the Xiaomi 70mai dash cam.

While both dashboard cameras offer a 1080P Full HD video resolution, the 70mai doesn’t feature a screen while the Q5 sports a 3-inch screen with 360×460 pixels resolution. Aside from that, the Q5 offers higher brightness and no color cast.

Under the hood, the 70mai packs a Mstar MSC8328P chip. The Alfawise Q5, on the other hand, is powered by the Zhuhai Jieli JL5601 processor.

In terms of image sensors, the Xiaomi-branded dash cam features a SONY IMX323 sensor with F 2.2 aperture and Q5 comes with a Polylight 0806 sensor with F2.0 aperture.

The international version of the Xiaomi 70mai features an English language package but since it does not have a screen, there’s no menu. The Q5 supports Packing instructions, English Menu English / Japanese / Korean / French / Russian / German / Chinese / Chinese Traditional.

Based on the hands-on review, the Xiaomi 70mai is relatively less satisfying despite carrying a CE FCC certificate and a steep price. The Q5 is certified by CE application, making it a great choice for those looking for a cost-effective dash cam that doesn’t compromise on quality.

Buy DOOGEE Y8 Smartphone In Bulk From Sunsky And Avail Great Discounts

By

Vinay Patel

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Mar 9, 2019

DOOGEE’s long-awaited Y8 smartphone was finally made available to the public earlier this year. The device became an instant hit among the loyal fanbase of the Shenzhen-based handset manufacturer.
While well-received mobile devices from popular brands aren’t usually easy on the pocketbook, Sunsky is bent on changing that. The popular whole-selling website is giving its users a chance to save a considerable amount of money by purchasing more units of the DOOGEE Y8.

For the sake of an instance, if you buy a single unit of the Y8 smartphone, you’d end up spending $80.78; however, 2 units would set you back $79.99, and you end up saving $0.79. Alternatively, you can go for an entire case and avail of bigger discounts.
For example, those buy 1/4 case will shell out $79.20, while Sunsky users who order 1/2 case or 1 case will spend $78.41 and $77.62. A case of 20 units usually retails for $1615.60, but you can get your hands on it for only $1552.40.

The Y8 comes with a water drop 6.1-inch full-screen display having an HD screen resolution of 600×1280 pixels and pixel density of 270ppi (pixels-per-inch). The device is powered by an MT6793 quad-core processor for a superior system operating experience.

It packs a competent IMG GE8100 GPU to ensure smooth advanced multitasking. Moreover, the DOOGEE Y8 ships with 3GB of RAM and offers 16GB of internal storage capacity (expandable up to 128GB) for you to save your favorite content. The rest of the features include:

0MP+5.0MP rear-mounted cameras with F/2.2 auto-focus LED Flash
0MP selfie shooter with F/2.2 80 degree wide-angle
Android 9.0 Pie OS
Built-in 3400mAh polymer battery
Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor
G-sensor, Ambient Light sensor, Proximity sensor, Fingerprint sensor, and Geomagnetism

You can follow this link to purchase the DOOGEE Y8 smartphone in bulk from Sunsky and save more money. The phone comes in three color versions including emerald, midnight black, and phantom purple.

Buy DOOGEE Y8 In Bulk

Samsung Galaxy A90, A40 and Galaxy A20e listed on company’s official UK website

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Mar 9, 2019

Still firing from all cylinders, Samsung doesn’t seems to have any intention to let off some steam in its bid to maintain its lead as the number one smartphone vendor globally. The company recently adjusted its strategy, chosin to devote more attention to the mid-range and budget segment while still maintaining its lead in the flagship segment. The rise of Chinese OEMs in the mid-range segment has seen Samsung almost lost the segment entirely. We are gradually losing count of the number of mid-range models the Korean company has released and those it is planning to release. Some upcoming Samsung models have popped up on Samsung UK’s website.

Three new models, the Galaxy A90, Galaxy A40 and Galaxy A20e were all listed on the UK website. The pages are basically blank ones and so don’t have any details of the specifications or pictures of the models. The A90 has featured a couple of times in leaks with a recent one showing that the model will not be exclusive to China but will be available in other markets. The Galaxy A90 is also rumoured to pack a pop-up camera as well as a a rotating camera technology.

The Galaxy A20e is thought to be a variant of the Galaxy A20. When launched, it will be the first A series device to utilise the “e” moniker. The model was earlier spotted with the model number SM-A202F and may just be a trimmed down variant of the Galaxy A20. The device is expected to hit global markets later this spring.

Finally, the Samsung Galaxy A40 was also listed. The device was earlier spotted on Samsung’s Germany website some weeks ago, so it shouldn’t be a surprise if it is launched in the UK. It is unclear if the three models will be officially announced soon but since the company has already started testing the product page on its website, their launch shouldn’t be far away.

(source)

Buy CUBOT X19 And Gocomma B6 2 in 1 Bluetooth Receiver Transmitter At Lowered Prices On Gearbest

By

Vinay Patel

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Mar 9, 2019

With smartphones becoming an inseparable part of our fast-paced lives, mobile phone accessories such as earphones, phone cases, wireless chargers, Bluetooth speakers etc. have also garnered huge popularity.
If you’re in the market for a cost-effective smartphone and mobile phone accessories that don’t cost a bomb, Gearbest’s got your back. The Chinese online store is now offering the CUBOT X19 phablet and Gocomma B6 2 in 1 Bluetooth Receiver Transmitter at lowered prices.

CUBOT X19 4G Phablet

Launched in January this year, the X19 is an irresistible phablet that boasts an impressive array of features and top-end specs. As a phablet, the X19 features a 5.93-inch FHD+ display with a screen resolution of 1080 x 2160 pixels.

It packs a powerful MT6763T ( Helio P23 ) Octa-Core 2.5GHz 64-bit processor, paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage capacity. The device houses a 16MP+2MP dual-camera setup at the back and an 8MP front shooter for selfies.
While you’d normally end up spending a lot of money on a top-branded phablet offering comparable features, the twilight color version of the CUBOT X19 can now be yours for only $119.99 on Gearbest.

This is a 27 percent reduction in the device’s original asking price of $165.43. Alternatively, you can go for the black-tinted CUBOT X19 that usually retails for $157.97.

Much to the delight of cost-conscious buyers, the aforesaid color version is now available for a reduced price of only $119.99 on Gearbest. This is a 24 percent drop in the device’s original asking price. You can follow this link to buy your favorite color version of the CUBOT X19.

There were 224 pieces of the twilight and only 114 pieces of the black color versions remaining at the time of writing. The promo is slated to end in three days.

Get 27% Off On CUBOT X19 4G Phablet

Gocomma B6 2 in 1 Bluetooth Receiver Transmitter

Known for offering top-end mobile accessories that don’t cost a bomb, Gocomma makes everything from Bluetooth car chargers, screen protectors to adapters. Staying true to its reputation, the popular brand is offering its B6 2 in 1 Bluetooth Receiver Transmitter for a lowered price on Gearbest.

The B6 Bluetooth receiver transmitter would normally set you back $12.53, but you can now buy it for only $8.49 on Gearbest. This is a 32 percent reduction in the Gocomma B6 Bluetooth Receiver Transmitter’s retail price.

As part of an imminent flash sale, the device will be up for grabs bearing a further reduced price tag of only $7.99. Moreover, Gearbest users spending $20 will qualify for an add-on item for just $2.99.

You can visit this link to check out more details about the Gocomma B6 Bluetooth Receiver Transmitter and grab the discount, which will be valid for the black color version for a limited period of time.

Get 32% Off On Gocomma B6 2 in 1 Bluetooth Receiver Transmitter

AU Optronics unveils 6.2-inch through-hole punch display with tiny 4.2mm cutout, smaller than Honor V20’s

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Mar 9, 2019

Samsung is presently the top smartphone display manufacturer globally. The tech giant is closely followed by rival Korean company LG Display. The rest of the top 7 display manufacturers include Tianma, Japan Display Incorporated, AU Optronics, Sharp and Foxconn. Each of these companies is increasingly mapping out strategies to outwit their competitors. Taiwanese display manufacturer AU Optronics unveiled its own strategy when it launched a 6.4-inch full-screen display panel with blind-hole punch in January this year. DigiTimes reports that AUO has now started shipping the new 6.4-inch blind-hole all-screen handset displays to clients, with plans to ship another model of 6.4-inch blind-hole displays in the second quarter of 2019.

The report quoted company sources to have also disclosed that AUO has rolled out 6.2-inch LTPS all-screen hole-punch handset displays, using through-hole punching technology. The LTPS panel comes with a 21:9 aspect ratio in an ultra-thin bezel design packed with a TDDI (touch and display driver) IC for further slimming down the panel’s thickness. Perhaps, the most interesting aspect is the size of the punch-hole which is said to be a 4.2mm aperture. This is smaller than the 4.5mm aperture of the Honor V20. The Honor V20 uses the blind technology which looks similar but is different from the through-hole punch which AUO has just unveiled. The through-hole penetrates the LCD panel, the screen up to the backlight layer. On the other hand, the blind hole penetrates only the liquid crystal panel layer.

The source also disclosed that related technology for the production of the 6.2-inch LTPS through-hole punch handset displays is ready and AUO is capable of kicking off volume production on demand. Furthermore, AU Optronics is also said to be developing inkjet printing technology for the production of OLED panels. The Taiwanese company has reportedly set up an R&D line for the production of the inkjet-printed OLED panels already. Initial products that would feature the ink-jet printed OLED include large-size gadgets such as TVs and other products.

(source)

BlackBerry CEO does not believe in foldable phones, finds them Bulky!

By

Michele Ingelido

-

Mar 8, 2019

Samsung and Huawei are putting a lot of efforts on foldable phones since they believe these handsets represents the future of mobile devices. People are every day in need of bigger displays and a smartphone which can transform into a tablet could be the best for a lot of users. But BlackBerry CEO John Chen does not share the same opinion. According to Chen, besides carrying a very high price, these devices are too bulky.

He wouldn’t let anyone outside of lab testing at its company buy a foldable phone. And according to him, there are no breakthroughs on the horizon after fingerprint readers, facial recognition and iris scanners. Only time will tell us if the BlackBerry CEO is right or not: after all, foldable phones are still not on the shelves.

Read More: Samsung working on two new foldable phones, one featuring Mate X-esque design

The first foldable phone to hit the global market will be the Samsung Galaxy Fold and it will probably be available starting from May, with a starting price tag of about $2,000. After that, in summer, Huawei Mate X with a totally different concept (the foldable screen is placed externally) will hit the market as well. According to reports, Samsung is even working on two more foldables.

(source)

First 5G launch delayed most likely to Q2 2019 in South Korea

By

Michele Ingelido

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Mar 8, 2019

5G is currently among the most awaited upcoming technologies. It was expected to launch for the first time in South Korea within the first three months of 2019. But according to the South Korean government, the first major launch of 5G networks will be delayed to Q2 2019, most likely in April. The government did not give a definitive confirmation about the delay, but it is almost sure.

South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT gave two main reasons for the delay. The first is the lack of 5G phones: the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G should have been ready and completely tested within March, but it seems that the handset will not be ready for a launch in March. LG is waiting to adopt the Snapdragon X50 modem (that is the first 5G modem by Qualcomm) on the V50 ThinQ, but it will not be ready until April.

Read More: MediaTek 7nm 5-G chipset in works will be a step ahead than Helio P90

The second reason for the delay is the pricing structure of South Korean carriers. The government rejected the proposals from the famous local carrier SK Telecom because the requested prices were too high and not suitable for normal users. The plan was defined expensive and thought only for people in need of huge amounts of data.

(source)

Qualcomm updates camera specifications for Snapdragon chipsets with more details

By

Michele Ingelido

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Mar 8, 2019

Just like smartphones, even chipsets have a specs sheet and it is very important for manufacturers to know all the platforms’ specifications in order to equip their devices with supported components. Several chipsets are adopted by smartphones manufacturers for years, especially Qualcomm’s Snapdragon platforms. Just imagine SoCs such as the Snapdragon 625 released in 2016 (or even Snapdragon 660) that is still widely used on several last-generation phones.

A lot of new display panels and camera sensors with new specifications were released after these chipsets and, even though they often do not meet their specs sheets, they are often paired with these mobile platforms in the same phones. For example, look at the Redmi Note 7 boasting a Snapdragon 660 chipset and a 48 Megapixel camera. Its initial specs sheet says it does not support such high Megapixel count. How is it possible?

Simple, the fact that the specs of certain components do not meet the official requirements does not necessarily mean that it is not compatible with a mobile platform.

In order to make things clearer, Qualcomm just updated the specs sheets of several Snapdragon chipsets with more accurate camera specifications. This will help users, manufacturers, and developers to know immediately which camera sensors are compatible with those chipsets. Folks at XDA Developers discovered that the official pages of Snapdragon 845, 710, 675 and 660 were updated in early February with new camera specifications, such as new info about the frame rates, Megapixel, resolution limitations, codec support, Multi-Frame Noise Reduction, Zero Shutter Lag and more.

Read More: Xiaomi sold over 200,000 Redmi Note 7 units in India in just minutes

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In the images above, you can clearly see the differences between the chipsets pages before February and the actual ones which contain more detailed camera specifications. If you dig in the official website, you will probably find even more updated pages for several other chipsets. These specs will also be useful for all those developers who want to create ported camera apps for smartphones with the listed chipsets.

(source)

Huawei Watch GT to debut in India on March 12

By

Michele Ingelido

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Mar 8, 2019

It was October 2018 when Huawei announced the Watch GT alongside the Mate 20 series. A smartwatch based on a proprietary operating system instead of Wear OS, but still with flagship-class specification and a special focus on physical activity. Now, the company finally announced that the wearable will debut in India starting from next week. It will be available to purchase starting from March 12 and, according to the official teaser post published on Twitter, it will bring a revolution in the world of fitness.

Slim. Beautiful. Strong.
The all new #HuaweiWatchGT is set to bring a revolution in the world of fitness!
Notify me: https://t.co/XiLGWCTZTu #OneChargeTwoWeeks pic.twitter.com/K5fEzlyNM1

— Huawei India (@HuaweiIndia) March 7, 2019

Amazon India has already set up a landing page for the new Huawei Watch GT with its main specifications and features. The smartwatch boasts a Cortex M4 chipset and it is waterproof up to 5 ATM. It comes with a 1.39-inch AMOLED display showing images with a resolution of 454 x 454 pixels, one of the highest ever seen on a circular smartwatch. It is equipped with a GPS module as well as an accurate optical heart rate sensor.

Read More: Buy Huawei Watch GT Sports And Huawei Watch GT Classic At Lowered Prices On Giztop

Huawei Watch GT will be available to purchase in two variants: a Sports version and a Classic one with a more elegant design. Its battery is able to last up to 30 days if you only use it for notifications, up to two weeks with heart tracking and exercise monitoring and 22 hours with GPS enabled.

(via)

Xiaomi Mi 9 and Mi 9 SE updated with Fingerprint Shortcut feature

By

Michele Ingelido

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Mar 8, 2019

Did you ever think about how wonderful it would be to use the in-display fingerprint reader of your phone to quickly open any app or feature you need? Well, the new Xiaomi Mi 9 and Mi 9 SE are going to get this useful feature through a new update starting this week. The MIUI update that the Chinese giant is going to roll out to both its latest high-end devices will allow everyone to simply touch on the fingerprint reader area in order to open customized shortcuts.

In order to use the feature, the user will need to long press on the fingerprint reader: after that, a menu with several shortcuts will appear and the user will need to swipe on the desired app or feature in order to open it. Besides opening apps, the new fingerprint shortcut feature can also be used to summon the Xiao AI voice assistant, to open the mobile payments screen and much more.

Besides Xiaomi Mi 9 and Mi 9 SE, the feature will be available even on other Xiaomi devices, but only the ones equipped with an in-display fingerprint reader: the Mi 8 Pro was already confirmed a few days ago, and probably the feature will soon land even on the Mi 8 Explorer Edition that is the world’s first Xiaomi phone with a pressure sensitive in-display fingerprint reader.

Read More: Xiaomi Mi 9 Hands On: Premium Curved Design meets Affordable Pricing!

The update for the Xiaomi Mi 9 SE and Mi 9 SE will also bring some camera improvements to the two handsets: there will be a new 48 MP camera mode, a super wide-angle mode with the support to flash and more. Last but not least, the update brings new security patches. In order to check if it is rolling out on your unit, you can head to the Settings menu and check the Info section about your device, then tap on Software updates.

(source)

Vivo hits the low-end market with the sleek Vivo Y91i priced at Rs.7,990 ($114)

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Mar 8, 2019

Vivo continues to update its Y-series which is focused on the low-end segment. The Chinese company was rumoured to be planning to launch the Vivo Y91i in India today and that has turned out to be true. The Y91i is now official in India just about five months after launching the Y91 which was first released in November last year.

Vivo Y91i is very much similar to the Y91 in terms of design and even in the specifications but it comes with a cheaper price tag. The same resemblance exists with the Y91i sold in other markets such as Malaysia and Thailand. The Y91i is similar to the earlier Y91i in design but the earlier model packs a Snapdragon 439 chipset. O note, though, that the new Y91i is India’s version of the Y91C which is currently available in Pakistan.

In terms of the specification, the phone features a 6.22-inch display with HD+ resolution of 720x1520pixels and 19:9 aspect ratio. The device has a waterdrop notch (halo) which houses the selfie camera just like the Y91. The Vivo Y91i is powered by the 12nm MediaTek Helio P22 (MT6762) chipset. This is paired with 2GB of RAM while there is 16GB storage on the base model and 32GB for the higher variant. The device comes with a microSD card slot for expansion.

In other aspects, the Y91i packs an 8 MP front camera which is also used for facial recognition since there is no fingerprint sensor at the back. The device equally packs a single 13MP f/2.2 shooter at the rear. For software, Vivo Y91i runs on Vivo’s Funtouch OS 4.5 on top of Android 8.1 Oreo. Dual SIM slots are present and the device is powered by a solid 4,030 mAh battery, which can be topped up via the dated microUSB.

As for the pricing, the Y91i starts at RS7990 ($114) for the 2GB+16GB variant. The 2GB+32GB variant is priced at Rs 8490 ($121). Considering the design and hardware configuration, the pricing is just spot-on and will surely ensure the device rakes in huge sales for the BBK subsidiary. The smartphone is already on sale in India and buyers get color options such as Fusion Black, Sunset Red and Ocean Blue.