Bullet Messenger defies WeChat’s Monopoly in China with its Unique Feature

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Sep 8, 2018

HMD Global sure knows how to keep her loyal customers and one way they are doing it is through regular updates of its software on new and existing models. The company rolled out new camera update for the Nokia 8 Sirocco, Nokia 7 Plus, Nokia 6.1. The Nokia 8 also got a Pro camera mode via update a couple of months back. Nokia’s Chief Product Officer, Juho Sarvikas has now disclosed that the device will get Android 9.0 Pie update soon.

The Nokia exec reveal this is in a reply to a Nokia 8 user who was querying why the company has not released the camera and face unlock update on the model on Twitter. Sarvikas revealed that Android 9.0 Pie will soon bring Face Unlock feature, ARCore support and another camera update. The Android Pie update is also being worked on for other of the company’s products and is expected to start rolling out to eligible models starting with the Nokia 7 Plus in early September.

The Camera 9.0 update earlier released for the Nokia 8 Sirocco, Nokia 7 Plus and Nokia 6.1 smartphones enables switching between different aspect ratios and shooting functions, along with adjustments to parameters within different camera modes, such as the intensity of effects like Bokeh and Beautify. With the update, the three smartphones have also received Google Lens support, directly in the camera app. The feature can be used for finding information about whatever image is being captured in real time. The update also enables Google Motion with which a user can capture short videos for directly sharing to messaging services and social media platforms as a GIF.

(source)

Android 8.0 Oreo testing for Moto G4 Plus to start soon

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Simranpal Singh

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Sep 8, 2018

Its good news for Moto G4 Plus users –Android 8.0 Oreo is on its way. Due to customer’s outcry, Motorola is soon going to test Android 8.0 Oreo for Moto G4 Plus. Earlier, Moto G4 Plus was not included on the list of the smartphones to get the Oreo update. It’s quite late but you know how its said, better late than never.

On the other hand, Google has launched the Android Pie and has even rolled it on the Pixel devices. But some devices are lagging behind for Android 8.0 Oreo. Moto G4 Plus is still running on Android 7.0 Nougat and will keep running till next couple of months until the testing completes. In Brazil, Motorola is accepting new beta testers for the Moto G4 Plus. So, if we make a rough guess then you guys will be getting the update in the next few months and that too depends on how the testing proceeds. Motorola will start soak tests probably after a month upon recruiting. Recently, Motorola started rolling out the Android 8.0 Oreo for the Moto G5 and Moto G5 Plus.

Read More: Moto G5 and G5 Plus finally starts receiving Android Oreo update

Additionally, Moto G4 Plus carries Snapdragon 617 with 2/3/4 GB RAM coupling with 16/32/64GB of internal storage. It packs 16 MP rear shooter with a 5 MP on the front for selfies. There’s a 5.5 inches of display having a pixel density of 401 ppi and is covered with Corning Gorilla Glass 3. In connectivity, it carries Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, microUSB 2.0, A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS.

(Via)

Razer Phone 2 appears on AnTuTu with Snapdragon 845, 8GB RAM, and 512GB storage

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Simranpal Singh

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Sep 8, 2018

Razer Phone 2 has been spotted on the AnTuTu benchmark with some high-end specs. It carries Snapdragon 845 with 8 GB of RAM and 512 GB of ROM. The new appearance has confirmed the previously leaked benchmark results on Geekbench. Previously, Razer Phone was spotted on Geekbench with similar specs. Along with the spec details, it scored 283,397 points which is really huge in terms of overall performance. Recently, the renders of the device surfaced which allowed us to know more about its design.

This time thanks to AnTuTu, we have some more details about the Razer Phone 2. It carries 5.7 inch of Sharp IGZO LCD screen with a resolution of 2560×1440 pixels. Razer Phone 2 has attained higher refresh rates at 120 hz with the help of Qualcomm Q Sync display technology. It will ultimately help users while playing high end games on the mobile device. Currently, it’s not clear whether Razer Phone 2 will carry a big notch display or waterdrop display.

Razer Phone 2 specs

In terms of specs, Razer Phone 2 will carry Snapdragon 845 with Adreno 630 for high-end gaming. It will come in the combination of 8GB+512 GB storage, which is quite a big upgrade in comparison to the 64 GB storage with the previous year’s model. Razer Phone 2 will run on Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box.

In Geekbench, for the single core test it scored 2,026 points and for multi core it hit 8,234 points. On Antutu, it scored overall 283,397 points, but we suggest not to take these scores seriously, as these are attained under the testing environments. In reality, the device might have a different (likely lesser) score as it will be in a real environment.

Recalling the Razer Phone first generation specs, it carries the same 5.7 inch IGZO LCD screen with the 1440X 2560 display. It packs Snapdragon 835 with 8GB of RAM. In the camera department, there is 12MP+12 MP of dual sensors for better photography.

We expect the device to launch in the month of October or November along with the Android 9.0 Pie on the board. What other changes do you expect from this year’s Razer Phone 2 ?

(Source)

Preorder Bakeey H8 Smart Watch Bracelet For Just $29.99 On Banggood

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Sep 8, 2018

The Bakeey H8 is a one-of-a-kind fashion wear that’s not only elegant but also boasts an impressive array of features. While the market is brimming with other high-end and eye-catching smartwatches from popular brands, they don’t come cheap.

In a bid to made the H8 available to fitness conscious buyers who are on a tight budget, Bakeey is currently doling out a noteworthy discount on the coveted smartwatch bracelet. As a result, you can now preorder the H8 smartwatch at a dropped price of just $29.99.

This is a noteworthy 50% reduction in the device’s original asking price of $59.99 and it will be valid for the rose gold, silver and black color version of the smartwatch. The feature-laden H8 comes with a slew of useful functions such as alarm, sedentary reminder, distance, sleep tracker, a pedometer, a camera and lots more.

With the dynamic heart rate tracing feature, the H8 smartwatch ensures that your heart stays fit. Moreover, the device is capable of recording the whole heart data continuously for 24 hours.

The H8 has a real-time blood pressure monitor that can test your blood pressure without requiring a cell phone. Furthermore, it boasts an IP67 certification, which makes it waterproof; however, it is recommended to avoid wearing it while bathing with hot water.

On the downside, the aforesaid discount on the H8 smartwatch bracelet will only be valid for 10 pieces. The next 200 pieces will set you back $33.99, while the remaining pieces will carry a slightly steep $49.99 price tag.

You can follow this link if you’re interested in taking advantage of the discount before the remaining pieces are sold out.

Get 50% Off On Bakeey H8 Smart Watch Bracelet

Xiaoxun Children Smartwatch S2 Launched At 299Yuan ($44)

By

Karthik K

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Sep 8, 2018

Xiaomi’s ecological chain company, Xiaoxun Technology which manufactures smartwatches for children, has announced the all-new Xiaoxun Children Smartwatch S2 which is an upgraded version of its Children Smartwatch S1.

Xiaoxun launched the Children Smartwatch S1 in early August of last year. Today, at the beginning of the back to school season, Xiaoxun has launched the upgraded version Children Smartwatch S2. It is launched at an introductory price of 299 Yuan (approximately $44).

Xiaoxun Children Smartwatch S2 Features:

Xiaoxun Children Smartwatch S2 comes with a 1.3-inch dial interface which is protected by a Japan-imported 2.5D curved glass. Xiaoxun has built the S2 watch with the macarons contrast color design strap to attract kids. As for the battery life, it is equipped with a 730mAh ultra-large capacity battery which the company claims to offer 7 days of battery life and 9 hours of conversation.

Read Also: A List of Our Favorite Xiaomi Smart Products

Xiaoxun Children Smartwatch S2 connectivity options include China Beidou and the GPS positioning system. It comes with a nano-sim type tray, micro USB port, built-in Wi-Fi. There are also options to call friends, family, calculate steps, etc.

Coming to the AI part of the Xiaoxun Children Smartwatch S2, its smart AI can translate texts, sing songs, recite poetry and even chat. There is also a camera sensor for photo scene assistance which can accurately locate the child’s position. Parents can control this Smartwatch with the help of its camera’s remote control function. They can remotely take photos and view the surrounding environment on their mobile APP.

Xiaoxun Children Smartwatch S2 uses a high-quality mainstream mobile phone antenna (LDS antenna). It offers a stable signal and reduces interference. This Smartwatch is also waterproof for day-to-day use. Coming to its safety features, it provides an option to call one of the guardians from the phonebook or by pressing SOS-button in a case of emergency. It also has an option to create a group chat using WeChat.

Xiaoxun Children Smartwatch S2 watch not only focuses on the child’s safety but it also offers a combination of fitness, games, and fun features.

What’s your thought on Xiaoxun’s latest Children Smartwatch S2? Tell us in comments!

(Source)

Benchmark Controversy Update: Huawei provides open access to “performance mode”

By

Simranpal Singh

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Sep 8, 2018

Huawei is now trying to make some amends after being caught cheating on the benchmark tests. Today, Huawei said in a statement that they will provide an open access to “performance mode”. They explained that its a user’s desire what they want to do with their device. So, they have provided access to the “performance mode” which was hidden in Huawei devices from a long time.

p20 new color aurora

What is Huawei Benchmark Controversy ?

We all are familiar with the benchmarks, it allows us to judge a devices performance. But results can be manipulated and various manufacturers have done this time and again to attain high scores. Benchmark manipulation has been in the industry for some time and many companies including OnePlus, Samsung and few other OEMs in the past have been found to tweak their benchmark scores for higher than normal results.

Couple of days ago, we got to know that Huawei devices were automatically shifting to the performance mode after detecting the benchmarking applications, which resulted in enhanced performance and better scores. Huawei and Honor devices such as P20, P20 Pro and Honor Play were using the “performance mode” to tweak the benchmarks. The results were attained by drawing more power from the Kirin 960 and Kirin 970 processors. Later in a report by UL, it is found that the power drawn by both the processors were more than sustainable levels for their architecture design.

Folks over at AnandTech exposed the whole scenario forcing Huawei to let users access the so called “performance mode”. Further, old devices such as Huawei Mate 9 and Huawei P10 are not affected. The devices prone to benchmark manipulation are primarily running on EMUI 8.0, the latest version of the company’s customised UI.

Affected Huawei Devices Delisted

Yesterday, after an uproar from various media houses and concerned authorities, UL delisted the affected Huawei and Honor devices from the benchmarks. Devices those were removed are Huawei P20 Pro, Nova 3, and Honor Play. UL stated that the devices were scoring 47% higher in performance on 3DMark app. It further added that “A device must run the benchmark as if it were any other application.”

Update: Official Huawei and UL joint Statement

huawei benchmark controversy

Huawei has just revealed a statement saying that benchmark throttling is executed using ethical ways and there was nothing wrong in it. They emphasized that the AI technology is optimising the performance of their devices by utilizing the CPU, GPU and NPU at right time. Here’s the official statement:

Huawei always prioritizes the user experience rather than pursuing high benchmark scores – especially since there isn’t a direct connection between smartphone benchmarks and user experiences. Huawei smartphones use advanced technologies such as AI to optimize the performance of hardware, including the CPU, GPU and NPU.

When someone launches a photography app or plays a graphically-intensive game, Huawei’s intelligent software creates a smooth and stable user experience by applying the full capabilities of the hardware, while simultaneously managing the device’s temperature and power efficiency. For applications that aren’t as power intensive like browsing the web, it will only allocate the resources necessary to deliver the performance that’s needed.

In normal benchmarking scenarios, once Huawei’s software recognizes a benchmarking application, it intelligently adapts to “Performance Mode” and delivers optimum performance. Huawei is planning to provide users with access to “Performance Mode” so they can use the maximum power of their device when they need to.

Huawei – as the industry leader – is willing to work with partners to find the best benchmarking standards that can accurately evaluate the user experience.

In short, Huawei will make the hidden performance mode available for all to end the Huawei Benchmark Controversy.

So, what do you think? Is it a big deal for you that companies manipulate their devices to perform best on benchmarking apps?

(Via)

Buy Xiaomi Mitu BT Wireless Speaker Mini Sound Box For Just $29.63 On Cafago [Coupon Code]

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Sep 8, 2018

Wireless speakers receive audio signals via radio frequency waves rather than over audio cables. Designed for portability, wireless speakers are extremely popular among music lovers who like to carry their music around.

If you’re in the market for a wireless speaker, you might want to take a look at Xiaomi’s Mitu wireless speaker mini sound box. Sporting a rabbit shape, this adorable speaker adopts BT 4.0 technology in a bid to bring you more entertainment and energize your auditory cells.

While most BT wireless speakers that are available on the market today carry steep price tags, Xiaomi is offering the Mitu at a considerably dropped price on Cafago. The Chinese electronics giant is giving a noteworthy 35% off on its well-received Mitu BT wireless speaker.
While this reduces the device’s retail price to just $41.15, you can extend this discount simply by applying coupon code ZPAA0496 at the time of checking out. The aforesaid coupon helps you save an extra $11.52 and bring your grand total down to just $29.63.

The discount will be valid for the white color version of the Mitu BT wireless speaker mini sound box. You can follow this link to take advantage of the discount and use the coupon before the promo ends.

Get 35% Off On Xiaomi Mitu BT Wireless Speaker Mini Sound Box

Buy Utorch Q2 Multifunctional Rechargeable LED Desk Lamp For Just $11.99 On GearBest

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Get 29% Off On Utorch Q2 Multifunctional Rechargeable LED Desk Lamp

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Sep 8, 2018

The market these days offer a wide selection of desk lamps. While one type may be better for you than others, it is imperative for you to bear in mind that selecting the right desk lamp is particularly important in the modern work environment as well as home office.

With the advent of new technologies, LED desk lamps have replaced traditional table lamps. While these LED-equipped desk lamps would normally set you back a pretty penny, you can now buy the Utorch Q2 rechargeable LED desk lamp at a dropped price on GearBest.

The Q2 usually carries a relatively steep price tag, but much to the relief of cost-conscious buyers, GearBest is selling it at a modest price of just $11.99. This is a noteworthy 29% reduction in the device’s original asking price.

An absolute bargain at this dropped price, the Q2 makes lighting easy with 3 lighting modes that can be adjusted depending on your liking. Moreover, it comes with a digital screen that displays a slew of information including time, calendar, week and even temperature.

The foldable Q2 LED table lamp can be rotated in 180-degree design on the head so that it can meet all your needs. Aside from that, it features touch-operated switches, independent for night lamp and desk lamp.

Created using light and delicate ABS material, the Q2 draws its juices from a non-removable, yet rechargeable 1200mAh lithium polymer battery. In order to avoid radiation and ensure flicker-free operation, the Utorch-branded LED table lamp uses eye-protective and anti-flicker light sheet that matches with 18 LEDs.

You can follow this link to check out more details about the Utorch Q2 rechargeable LED desk lamp and take advantage of the discount. It is worth noting that promo is slated to end in 9 days and there were only 11 pieces left for the Flash Sale price at the time of writing.

Grab $99-$50 Mega Coupon On GearBest

Check Out Alfawise Exclusive Sale On GearBest

Join The Anniversary Encore Party For Big Discounts On Banggood

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Get Significant Discounts On Various Products On Banggood

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Sep 8, 2018

As the price storm continues on Banggood, the Chinese online store that guarantees the best bang for your buck launched a new promotion sale dubbed, Anniversary Encore Party on September 7th. Just like the rest of its previously-launched promos, this campaign will also feature a wide selection of products that you can buy at the lowered price.

To expedite the search process, all products have been divided into multiple categories.

First off, we have the Anniversary Encore Highly Recommendation section wherein buyers can avail noteworthy discounts on a limited number of various items for a specific period. For the sake of an instance, you can get a 62% off on 800 pieces of XANES B05 smartwatch, which normally sells for $24.99.

Thanks to the time-limited offer, you can buy it at a dropped price of just $9.60. The discount will only be valid until September 8th.
The next section called Anniversary Return Special Offer comprises products carrying $0.99,$5.99 and $9.99 price tags. Products bearing the same price stickers have been separated in different categories in order to simplify the search process.

You can directly head to the next category called Big Discount This Time, which offers up to 40%, 60% and a whopping 80% discounts on a slew of useful products. In this division, you can avail a 50% off the Young Series Smart Wristband Watch, 80% discount on the Pair 72W 8000LM COB LED Car Headlights Fog Lamps Bulbs and lots more.

Likewise, you can receive noteworthy discounts on a broad range of newly arrived products in the New Products, Big Discount section. Apart from other well-received products, this category comprises the BlitzWolf BW-BS5 Tripod Selfie Stick, with a 30% discount on its original selling price of $29.99.
Banggood is giving tech buffs something to cheer about in the form big discounts on a myriad of popular smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and other accessories in the Smart Devices category. If you’re an RC drone enthusiast or an advanced user, the next segment called RC Toys and Hobbies is likely to sweep you off your feet.

Similarly, the site is offering discounts on all hot categories including electronics and tools, outdoor and auto gear, home, and lights. You can follow this link to check out the rest of the categories and take advantage of the discount before the promo comes to an end.

Download Banggood App To Get A 10% Off App Coupon

Get Big Discounts On OnePlus 6 And The OnePlus 3 Smartphones on GeekBuying [Coupon Codes]

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Get 8% Off On Oneplus 6 Smartphone With 6GB RAM+64GB ROM

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Sep 8, 2018

Much to the delight of smartphone lovers, OnePlus launched its long-awaited OnePlus 6 smartphone earlier this year. Packed with an impressive array of features, coupled with ample storage space, and massive RAM, the phone became an instant hit, especially among gamers.

While it would definitely be a treat to own the feature-laden smartphone, it doesn’t come cheap. In fact, it will normally set you back a pretty penny. But that’s about to change.

Taking the phone’s skyrocketing popularity into consideration, OnePlus is currently offering different variants of the OnePlus 6 at the lowered price on GeekBuying. Apart from shedding light on the aforesaid discount, we’ll show how you can save more money at the time of checking out.

OnePlus 6 (6GB RAM+64GB ROM)

You can get an 8% off on the OnePlus 6 smartphone that offers 6GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage on GeekBuying. While the version would usually set you back $579.99, you can now buy it at a dropped price of just $535.99 on the Chinese online store.

In addition to taking advantage of this 8% reduction in the phone’s retail price, you can use coupon code UZZCRGPM to get an additional $114 off. This will help you reduce your already lowered grand total to just $455.99.

On the downside, the promo was on the verge of wrapping up at the time of writing and the coupon is also likely to expire soon. You can head straight to this link without wasting time to receive the aforesaid discount.

OnePlus 6 (8GB RAM+128GB ROM)

Alternatively, you can go for the slightly larger variant with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage if you’re willing to shell out $599.99. It is worth noting that this version of the OnePlus 6 phone carries a steep $719.99 price tag, but you can now avail a 17% off on its original asking price on GeekBuying.

If you’re on a tight budget and wondering if you can save more money, we got good news for you. In order to save an extra $168, all you need to do is to apply coupon code TLZORDLD before placing your order. This will bring your grand total down to just $539.99.

If you’re interested in taking advantage of the discount, just visit this link. While the promo will be ending soon, the coupon is also likely to lapse shortly.

OnePlus 3

Even a couple of years after hitting the store shelves, the OnePlus 3 continues to garner popularity among smartphone lovers. Bearing that in mind, OnePlus is currently doling out a noteworthy discount on the phone’s original selling price.
As a result, you can now pre-order the OnePlus 3 smartphone at a dropped price of just $229.99. While this is a noteworthy reduction in the phone’s retail price of $244.99, you can save an extra $44 by using coupon code IQVEYYPE while placing your order.

This brings your grand total down to just $195.99. Since the presale price will only be valid for 200 pre-orders, follow this link to avail the discount and check out more details about the OnePlus 3 smartphone.

Get 17% Off On Oneplus 6 Smartphone With 8GB RAM+128GB ROM

Preorder The OnePlus 3 Smartphone At A Lowered Price

Mi 6X vs Honor 8X – Xiaomi & Honor Execs trade words over which model is best!

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Sep 7, 2018

It is usual practice for phone manufacturers to compare their models with those of the competition especially when both models fall under the same category. That was what Xiaomi‘s president Lin Bin did when he compared the specs and benchmark performance of the Mi 6X with those of the recently released Honor 8X. We’ll take a look at the comparison shortly but in the end, he concluded that the Mi 6X won the Honor 8X in all aspects.

The Weibo post apparently didn’t go down well with the guys at Honor who wasted no time to respond. Honor Business unit president, Xiong Junmin was the first to respond by touting Xiaomi and other OEMs as having been rattled with the good products coming from the Huawei brand. Honor brand’s president George Zhao also added his voice, suggesting that it is best we wait for independent media reviews and consumer comparison before concluding.

Read Also: Xiaomi is the Second Largest Smartphone brand in Indonesia with 25% market share: IDC

In all the responses, Honor really did not dispute the claim that the specs and benchmark performance of Xiaomi’s Mi 6X model are higher. The reason for the higher benchmark score is the excellent performance of the Snapdragon 660 compared to Kirin 660 on the Honor 8X. Some of the key difference in their specs apart from the chipset is that the Mi 6X comes with a USB-C port with QC 3.0 while the 8X only has a microUSB port. The front and rear camera setup of the Mi 6X also looks to be more powerful than its Huawei counterpart. Despite the differences, both models seem to adopt the same range of prices.

However, specs are just one part of the equation. Real life performance is what really matters and for that, we’ll have to pit these two devices head on to see who’s better.

(source)

Lenovo Cardio Plus HX03W smart band launched in India for Rs.1,999 ($27)

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Sep 7, 2018

Lenovo has launched its latest Cardio Plus HX03W smart band in India. The new smart band was only recently unveiled for the global market and it is priced at 1,999 Rupees (~$27) for the Indian market. This is lower than the prices slammed on the fitness tracker by third-party retailers who sell the band on Amazon India already. However, the smart band will officially go on sale on September 9 via Amazon India.

Lenovo Cardio Plus HX03W smart band comes with several features which makes it a great buy at that amount. It presents with multiple interface options and many health and fitness features. The wearable device comes with an IP68 waterproof and dustproof body which means it can stay in water of depth up to 1 metre. The smart band also comes with detachable straps with band light adjustment feature. The straps come in four cool colours namely; Black, Blue, Red, and Orange.

The Lenovo smart band itself features a 0.96-inch OLED full-screen display. It also houses a heart rate sensor and also fitness tracker, tracking key parameters such as steps, calories burnt, distance covered while running or walking and others. The band has a long standby time and the battery can be refuelled using the USB port.

The smart band is compatible with phones running Android 4.4 and higher as well as iOS 8.0 and above. It equally comes with several modes such as running mode, anti-sleep mode, long sitting alert and sedentary reminder features. All these features can be tracked using the Lenovo Life fitness app. The app has been revamped and now enables users to check daily activities. It also now includes features like dieting, shape training videos and private sports plans. It also has a real-time tracker that allows users to share activity result as well as timely correction of bugs. The app also allows users to share their sports data on Facebook and Twitter.

Razer Phone 2 key specs spotted via GeekBench listing

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Sep 7, 2018

Razer launched its powerful gaming smartphone in November last year and since then there have been a could of new smartphones developed specifically for gaming. Xiaomi Black Magic, ASUS ROG, Nubia Red Magic are some of the models specifically crafted for gaming which have been launched since then. While the trend isn’t catching on as we had expected, Razer is already working on the Razer 2 and that was officially confirmed recently.

The Razer Phone 2 has now been benchmarked on GeekBench giving us our first look at some of the specs of the model. Geekbench isn’t always very generous when it comes to specs details but it reveals some. The Razer phone 2 comes with 8GB of RAM and is powered by an octa-core Qualcomm processor which is likely the Snapdragon 845 chipset. This is a slight upgrade over the Razer Phone which features an 8GB RAM and a Snapdragon 835 CPU. The device runs Android 8.1 Oreo OS. Other details like the battery capacity and display are still unknown but we expect a bigger battery than the 4000mAh battery on the Razer Phone.

We expect more details of the Razer 2 to surface as the days go by

(source)

Xiaomi is the Second Largest Smartphone brand in Indonesia with 25% market share: IDC

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Sep 7, 2018

Xiaomi is definitely one of the fastest growing smartphone companies in the world right now. In just a few years, it was able to reach the top 5 world’s best smartphone manufacturers. One of the countries in which the Chinese company is obtaining the highest success is Indonesia, at least from what a new report is highlighting. Wang Xiang from Xiaomi has just tweeted that the company became the second smartphone brand in Indonesia, according to a report by the known research firm IDC. From the graphic published, we can clearly see that the company is very close to Samsung which currently occupies the first place in the ranking with a market share of 27 percent.

Instead, Xiaomi has a 25 percent market share which represents a growth of 23 percent compared to the same period of the last year. The data refers to Q2 2018, so the period which goes from April to June that is also the latest quarter passed. At the third and fourth spot in the ranking, there are Oppo and Vivo, both companies owned by BBK Electronics, with market shares of 18 percent and 9 percent, respectively. Unlike Xiaomi, Oppo has registered a decline of 6 percent points if we compare its performance in Q2 2018 to Q2 2017.

.@IDC reports that Xiaomi remains Indonesia’s #2 smartphone vendor in Q2 2018, with a market share of 25%! pic.twitter.com/NnIfw2TEWR

— Wang Xiang (@XiangW_) September 7, 2018

Read More: The Redmi 6 / 6A are the first Mediatek-powered Xiaomi phones landing India in four years!

A huge part of Xiaomi’s success was surely achieved thanks to its affordable mid-rangers such as the ones from Xiaomi Redmi Note series. Note that in the first quarter of the year, it was mainly Samsung and Oppo devices that were best sellers in Indonesia, at least from what Strategy Analytics reported. In the fourth place of the ranking, there is the local vendor Advan Digital. With high volumes and a very high growth potential, the Indonesian market actually represents one of the most interesting markets for smartphones manufacturers. From this link, you can find the top 100 best-selling smartphones in Indonesia in Q1.

Meizu 16X obtains good score on AnTuTu, but lower than Xiaomi Mi 8 SE

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Sep 7, 2018

When it comes to performance, getting an upper-midranger equipped with a Snapdragon 710 SoC is the best way to get close to a flagship without spending a lot of money. Xiaomi Mi 8 SE was among the first phones to hit the shelves with the new SoC and soon Meizu 16X will join the club. It should debut this month with an aggressive price tag, and now a real photo is giving us a glimpse of its performance. The photo shows the display of the phone after the user ran a test on AnTuTu Benchmark app, which is one of the most used apps to test smartphones’ performance.

The result obtained by Meizu 16X is 168,247: definitely not bad, but it disappoints because it is lower than the score of its direct rival Xiaomi Mi 8 SE. Note that Meizu 16 and 16 Plus with their Snapdragon 845 are able to reach almost 300,000 points on AnTuTu (about 290,000).

Meizu 16X has already been certified by TENAA, so we already know most of its specs sheet. It will measure 151.2 x 73.6 x 7.5 mm and it will weigh 154 grams. Its display will be an AMOLED panel with a diagonal of 6 inches, a Full HD+ resolution of 2160 x 1080 pixels and an 18:9 aspect ratio.

Read More: Meizu 16X full specs leaked on TENAA ahead of September launch

On the hardware side, we will find the Snapdragon 710 SoC paired with 6 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage, but the existence of other memory configurations is not excluded. On the rear side, there will be a vertical dual camera with resolutions of 12 and 20 Megapixel. The secondary lens will be able to do a 3x optical zoom. Further, there will be a great 20 MP snapper for selfies, while the battery will have a capacity of just 3000 mAh with the support of mCharge 4.0 technology.

(via)

ZTE Axon 9 Pro vs OnePlus 6 vs Xiaomi Mi 8: Specs Comparison

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Sep 7, 2018

ZTE is finally back in the smartphones market after the U.S. ban with a very complete flagship. If we exclude the foldable experiment Axon M, the Chinese company did not release any flagship phone since 2016, but a few days ago it has finally unveiled a surprising device under every point of view: Axon 9 Pro. But will this extraordinary handset be able to compete with the actual best affordable flagships out there? This comparison between Axon 9 Pro, OnePlus 6 and Xiaomi Mi 8 will help you find out.

ZTE Axon 9 Pro vs OnePlus 6 vs Xiaomi Mi 8

	ZTE Axon 9 Pro	OnePlus 6	Xiaomi Mi 8
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT	156.5 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm	155.7 x 75.4 x 7.8 mm, 177 grams	154.9 x 74.8 x 7.6 mm, 175 grams
DISPLAY	6.21 inches, 1080 x 2248p (Full HD+), 402 ppi, AMOLED	6.28 inches, 1080 x 2280p (Full HD+), 402 ppi, 19:9 ratio, AMOLED	6.21 inches, 1080 x 2248 pixels, 402 ppi, 19:9 ratio, Super AMOLED
PROCESSOR	Qualcomm Snapdragon 845, octa-core 2.8 GHz	Qualcomm Snapdragon 845, octa-core 2.8 GHz	Qualcomm Snapdragon 845, octa-core 2.8 GHz
MEMORY	6 GB RAM, 128 GB, micro SD slot	6 GB RAM, 64 GB – 8 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 256 GB	6 GB RAM, 64 GB – 6 GB RAM, 128 GB – 6 GB RAM, 256 GB – 8 GB RAM, 128 GB
SOFTWARE	Android 8.1 Oreo, Android One	Android 8.1 Oreo, Oxygen OS 5.1.11	Android 8.1 Oreo, MIUI 9.5
CONNECTIVITY	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS
CAMERA	Dual 12 + 20 MP f/1.8 20 MP front camera	Dual 16 + 20 MP f/1.7 16 MP f/2.0 front camera	Dual 12 + 12 MP f/1.8 20 MP f/2.0 front camera
BATTERY	4000 mAh Fast Charging with Quick Charge 4.0	3300 mAh Fast Charging with Dash Charge	3400 mAh, Fast Charging (Quick Charge 4.0)
ADDITIONAL FEATURES	Dual SIM slot, IP68 waterproof, stereo speakers	Dual SIM slot, splashproof	Dual SIM slot, infrared face unlock

Design

There is nothing special in any of these phones when it comes to aesthetics. They all come with a glass back, an aluminum frame, a chin and a tri-borderless notched display, and they even have similar looks. But we are going to choose ZTE Axon 9 Pro as the winner of the comparison because of its better build quality. Indeed, it is the only one to feature the IP68 certification which makes it fully waterproof and dustproof. OnePlus 6 is just splashproof, while the Mi 8 does not have any kind of certification for water resistance.

Display

Just like the aesthetics, even the displays are very similar, at least on the paper. All of them have a size of about 6.2 inches and a Full HD+ resolution. ZTE Axon 9 Pro and Xiaomi Mi 8 support the HDR10 technology, so their colors should be slightly richer than the ones of the OnePlus 6. But the OP6 has still a great display thanks to the high DCI-P3 coverage, so do not expect noticeable differences. Anyways, it is worth mentioning that ZTE Axon 9 Pro has slightly better multimedia capabilities thanks to its stereo speakers.

Specs & Software

ZTE Axon 9 Pro, OnePlus 6 and Xiaomi Mi 8 all come with top-notch hardware, you can not expect better components from a smartphone. They feature an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset and a high quantity of RAM: 6 GB on the Axon 9 Pro and up to 8 GB on OnePlus 6 and Xiaomi Mi 8. So, they all deliver blazing speeds with top-end stability, and they are smooth in every scenario, including gaming. In the most powerful configuration, we would choose OnePlus 6 because we like how the company optimized its software. While ZTE Axon 9 Pro and OnePlus 6 come with stock Android version (Android One for the 9 Pro), Xiaomi Mi 8 has a highly customized UI (MIUI).

Camera

Xiaomi Mi 8 seems to be the best camera phone among these ones. We say “seem” because we still have no chance to test the Axon 9 Pro as it was unveiled a few days ago, but on the paper, Xiaomi Mi 8 has a better camera department. However, note that ZTE Axon 9 Pro is more innovative due to its wide-angle secondary sensor reaching 130 degrees.

Read More: Check out ZTE’s latest premium Axon 9 Pro in pictures

Battery

On the battery side, ZTE Axon 9 Pro wins the comparison immediately, thanks to its huge 4000 mAh. OP6 and Mi 8 have classic 3300 and 3400 mAh batteries which can only reach the end of the day with a normal use, while ZTE Axon 9 Pro can survive even with a stressed use.

Price

I choose ZTE Axon 9 Pro as the overall winner of the comparison because of its stereo speakers, waterproof design, bigger battery and wide-angle camera (which I define more interesting on a mobile phone than the photo quality, as if I’d want real quality I’d buy a Reflex), but it has not the highest value for money and this would not allow me to buy it instead of the other twos. ZTE Axon 9 Pro will soon land in Europe for €650, while OnePlus 6 and Xiaomi Mi 8 can be actually bought with price tags of $519/€519 and less than $450/€400, respectively. Which would be your choice?

ZTE Axon 9 Pro vs OnePlus 6 vs Xiaomi Mi 8: PROs and CONS

ZTE Axon 9 Pro

PROs

Waterproof
Stereo speakers
Huge battery
Android One
Wide-angle camera

CONS

Higher price

OnePlus 6

PROs

Great performance
Splashproof
Good camera
Good price

CONS

No micro SD

Xiaomi Mi 8

PROs

Affordable price
Good hardware
Infrared face unlock
Great camera

CONS

No micro SD

Honor Magic 2 vs Oppo Find X: Potential Differences

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Sep 7, 2018

The original Honor Magic was announced in December 2016 as a very innovative device powered by AI. It came with a design curved on all sides and on both the front and rear panel. After almost two years, Huawei has teased its follow-up at IFA 2018 and, from what the company showed, we can immediately understand that it will be an even more innovative device. As you could already expect, its name will be Honor Magic 2.

It will be equipped with a FullView display which will guarantee one of the highest screen-to-body ratios out there. Indeed, the new handset will have a pop-up slider just like the recently-unveiled Oppo Find X. Given the screen-to-body ratio which will be very close to 100 percent (probably there will not even be a thicker chin on the lower part), there will be no space for the front camera. That is why it will be included in the slider. In this article, you will find the major differences that there should be between this device and the Oppo Find X we all know.

Read More: Honor Magic 2 to embrace AI features in Slider, Enters Mass Production!

Honor Magic 2 vs Oppo Find X: all the possible differences

The only reason why Honor Magic 2 is not the most innovative smartphone we have seen this year (when it comes to aesthetics) is the fact that it is very similar to the Oppo Find X. But there seems to be a first important difference between these two handsets.

While showing a prototype of the device to the public, George Zhao from Huawei manually opened the slider containing the front camera, while on the Oppo Find X it gets opened automatically. However, we do not know whether he did it because it was just an early prototype of the handset or it will only be possible to open it manually. Another possible difference: at the moment, we do not even know if the slider of the Honor Magic 2 will contain the rear cameras, even though it is speculated that they will be in there.

George Zhao has confirmed that this handset will be a flagship powered by the new Kirin 980 chipset, while the Oppo Find X boasts a Snapdragon 845 chipset by Qualcomm. These two processors are similar on the paper: both are octa-core chipsets with a max clock frequency of 2.8 GHz, but cores and GPU are different and Kirin 980 is currently the first and only SoC for mobile devices built on a 7 nm production process. Honor Magic 2 will also support the safe Magic Charge fast-charging technology working at 40W which boasts a 15-layer safety protection system and automatic identification of 3 critical parts in the charging system. Oppo Find X has the VOOC Flash Charge technology enabling 20W fast-charging at 5V / 4A.

The Redmi 6/6A are the first Mediatek-powered Xiaomi phones landing India in four years!

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