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Buy The F1 F1 Sport Smart Watch For Just $49.99 On Tomtop VIP

If you’ve restlessly been waiting to get your hands on a feature-laden smartwatch that doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket, we got good news for you. Tomtop VIP is doling out a big discount on the F1 sports smartwatch.

While the market is brimming with all sorts of smartwatches, they usually come bearing steep price tags or possess inadequate features. The F1, on the other hand, is crammed with an array of awe-inspiring specs and features that are likely to sweep fitness conscious people off their feet without emptying their pocket.

In other words, you don’t need to spend a fortune to buy the F1. In fact, it usually sells for just $129.99 on Tomtop VIP. But if you’re on a tight budget and aren’t willing to spend that kind of money on a smartwatch, you’ve come to the right place.

Tomtop VIP is currently offering a discount to bring the F1 smartwatch’s retail price down to just $49.99. The social e-commerce platform is giving cost-conscious buyers an opportunity to save $80 without breaking much of a sweat.

The F1 is quite a bargain at this considerably reduced price, given that it features an eye-catching sporty design, which is further augmented with a highly appealing stainless steel buckle and silicone strap. Moreover, the device comes with GPS (Global Positioning System).

Aside from that, the F1 features a 1.3-inches LCD touchscreen display which bears a screen resolution of 240 x 240 pixels. The smartwatch is housed in a robust alloy body, and it has two physical buttons that you can use for various functions.

The device houses a USB port for charging and a SIM card tray on its side. If you’re an adventure junkie who’s always on the go, the F1 can be your perfect companion. It is capable of independently receiving calls and messages so that you can always stay in touch with your friends and family even during outdoor activities.

The F1 is powered by a MediaTek MT2503 processor and it offers 32MB of RAM and 128MB of onboard storage. In terms of connectivity, the smartwatch offers GSM and Bluetooth connectivity.

Furthermore, the F1 comes with a myriad of useful features such as sleep monitoring, stopwatch, compass, pressure, independent call, track record, run, walk, riding, message notifications, and social app notifications. You can head straight to this link in order to buy the F1 smartwatch at a lowered price.

Get A Big Discount On The F1 F1 Sport Smart Watch On Tomtop VIP

Get 6% Off On All Products From The DD4-Owned Store [Discount Coupon Inside]

Deemed as one of world’s most popular wholesale and retail online stores, DD4 offers a broad range of top-end products. The site continues to upload more and more new products in a bid to meet skyrocketing market request.

DD4 comprises more than 7,000 vendors, and over 65,000 products have been sold to 600,000 customers worldwide. Much to the delight of cost-conscious buyers, the Shenzhen-based cross-border e-commerce platform is offering 6% off on all electronics, fashion gadgets, and other products that are available in its online store.

The promo dubbed, ‘Come On In and Have a Look – Buy More Pay Less,’ features numerous products that have further been separated into two categories i.e. New Arrivals and Most Popular. We’ll take a look at some of the items that you can buy on the DD4-owned store without emptying your pocket.

For the sake of an instance, you can get a considerable 12% off on the A64 RK3328 USB3.0 TV Box. The device would normally set you back a pretty penny, but thanks to the discount you can now get your hands on the coveted TV box at a dropped price of just $84.18. The deal is slated to end in 5 days.
Alternatively, you can go for the Xiaomi MiTu WiFi FPV HD Camera Mini RC Drone Quadcopter, which carries a price tag of $78.99. In order to reduce its selling price to just $74.25, all you need to do is apply the coupon code ‘DD4save6X’ during the check out process. In other words, you can save $4.74 simply by using the aforesaid coupon.

It is imperative for you to bear in mind that the coupon cannot be applied to promotion products. Keeping in line with that, you cannot use it get an additional discount on the A64 RK3328 USB3.0 TV Box and other similar products.

You can use the coupon code to get a considerable 6% off on all products from the DD4-owned store. However, it is worth noting that the coupon will be valid only for a limited period of time so head straight to this link if you’re interested in taking advantage of the discount.

Get 6% Off On All Products From DD4 Online Store

HMD Global may have discontinued the Nokia 6 (2018) in China

The Nokia 6 (2018) or Nokia 6.1 as it is known in other markets was the first phone launched by HMD Global this year. The device, like its predecessor, first launched in China before it made it to other markets. Six months later, it appears HMD Global has discontinued it in China.

Apparently, the device is no longer available at all three official retail partners. The Nokia 6 is officially sold by JD.comTmall, and Suning and all three of them don’t have it for sale anymore. Although the phone hasn’t been removed from the Nokia China site, the chances of these stores stocking it back are slim.

Nokia 6 (2018) Tmall
Nokia 6 (2018) Tmall listing

The Nokia 6 (2018) doesn’t seem like a good buy anymore. The Nokia 7 which shares the same processor as it now sells for ¥1199 (~$177) for the 4GB RAM + 64GB model. This is the same price as the 4GB RAM + 64GB Nokia 6 (2018) at Tmall before it was no longer available. It has the same 3000mAh battery too but a smaller 5.2-inch FHD display.

READ MORE: HMD Global Product Manager confirms Nokia X5 will be available outside China

There is also the new Nokia X5 which comes with a more modern design, a more powerful Helio P60 SoC, and has a cheaper price tag.

While discontinuing it may seem like a rash decision, it seems like the best thing to do. The Nokia 6 (2018) is still available in other markets and will likely continue to be sold there if Nokia doesn’t launch any of its newer phones in those markets.

Xiaomi’s POCOPHONE F1 European price leaks, may give OnePlus a run for its money

Xiaomi trademarked a new brand name called POCOPHONE about a month ago. The first phone under the brand has been certified at Taiwan’s NCC and has also been seen at the FCC. It is also among the five Xiaomi phones that got certified at the ECC last week. Now the selling price of the phone in Europe has been revealed.

Xiaomi POCOPHONE F1 FCC

The info comes from popular leaker Roland Quandt (@rquandt) who posted a tweet revealing the details. In the tweet, he said the POCOPHONE F1 is actually pretty cheap based on its price tag. In Eastern Europe, the 6GB RAM + 64GB ROM model is priced at about ~€420 while the 6GB RAM + 128GB model is priced at ~€460.

The base model is significantly cheaper than the OnePlus 6 which sells for €519 for the 6GB RAM + 64GB model. Even though the POCOPHONE F1 doesn’t have 8GB of RAM, the €460 price of the 128GB version is still a very good offer as against the 8GB RAM OnePlus 6 that sells for €569.

The POCOPHONE F1 surfaced in a hands-on video last week and the video showed revealed a few details. First, the codename of the device is “Beryllium” which is the fourth SD845-powered Xiaomi phone expected to launch this year and also be sold in India.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqtJ6T-27q4[/embedyt]

It also revealed the phone has a 2.8GHz processor, runs MIUI 9 based on Android 8.1 Oreo, and has 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. With respect to design, the phone has a notch similar to that of the Xiaomi Mi 8 but a different rear camera design.

The dual rear cameras sit in the middle and not on the left like Xiaomi’s recent releases. The design is also the same as that of the sketch at the FCC.

READ MORE: Xiaomi Mi Max 3 in pictures: Yet another awesome big-budget phone

Xiaomi Mi Pad 4 LTE version goes on sale tomorrow at 10 AM

Xiaomi launched the 4th generation Mi Pad about a month ago. The Snapdragon 660-powered tablet comes in Wi-Fi only and LTE variants but since it went on sale, only the Wi-Fi version has been available for purchase. Starting tomorrow, Xiaomi will begin to sell the LTE version.

The Mi Pad 4 LTE version comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of expandable storage and will sell for ¥1499 (~$220). It also has GPS and a nano-SIM slot. The rest of the specs are the same as that of the non-LTE models.

Mi Pad 4 LTE version sale

The tablet comes with an 8-inch 1920 x 1200 display with a 16:10 aspect ratio. It is the first and only tablet so far to have a Snapdragon 660 AIE processor powering it.

READ MORE: Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S gets 200 Yuan discount, now available for 3099 Yuan ($456)

Lenovo Z5 Aurora 6GB RAM and 64GB storage model to go on sale for 1,399 Yuan ($206)

Last week, Lenovo started selling the Lenovo Z5 Aurora edition for the first time in China. However, only the 6GB RAM and 128GB storage variant was available for purchase for a price of 1,799 Yuan, which roughly converts to $269.

Now, the company has announced that the 6GB RAM and 64GB storage model of the Lenovo Z5 Aurora will be available for purchase from July 26 for 1,399 Yuan (approximately $206), similar to the pricing of other color models. The Black and Blue color edition was already available for purchase prior to the launch of Aurora color edition.

Lenovo Z5 Aurora Color Edition

The Lenovo Z5 comes with a 6.2-inch Full-HD+ display with screen resolution of 2240 x 1080p pixels, 19:9 aspect ratio and a notch on top. The display is covered by a layer of 2.5D Gorilla Glass which protects it from minor scratches.

Under the hood, the device is powered by Qualcomm‘s Snapdragon 636 processor along with 6GB of RAM. The smartphone comes in two storage options — 64GB and 128GB, but the Aurora color variant is available for the 128GB internal storage model only.

There’s a dual camera setup at the back of the phone with a primary 16MP f/2.0 sensor and a secondary 8MP sensor for depth information. The smartphone provides enhanced camera experience using artificial intelligence with support for 4D beauty mode, AI noise reduction, night mode, and AI portrait mode. On the front side, there’s an 8MP f/2.0 sensor with beauty mode for taking selfies and video calling.

It runs on Android Oreo operating system out of the box with the company’s own ZUI 4.0 on top which brings fluidity of the UI and adds Full U-Touch 4.0 Screen gestures, AI-based voice commands, and features such as automatic call answer through gestures.

Read More: Lenovo Announces The Watch X: Measures Blood Pressure, Heart Rate And More

The company has also promised the upcoming Android P version update for the Lenovo Z5. The device is powered by a 3,300mAh battery which comes with support for 18W fast charging.

OnePlus 6 OxygenOS 5.1.9 update brings Intelligent Battery Saving feature

OnePlus’ current flagship smartphone — OnePlus 6 has received another update for the OxygenOS which brings the new feature of enhancing the battery life.

The latest OxygenOS 5.1.9 update add the intelligent battery saving feature to the OnePlus 6. The feature will optimize the battery and will intelligently turn off the network operations when the user is asleep. The feature works based on the user’s sleep patterns, where the phone guesses when it will be out of use for a long time.

oneplus 6

The China-based company is calling this new feature “Sleep Standby Optimization” and it’ll not be activated by default. Users can activate the feature using the advanced optimization section under the battery optimization option from the phone’s settings. The feature extends the battery life of the phone, which packs a 3,300mAh battery that can be charged up to 80 percent in just 30 minutes.

Earlier, an update for the OnePlus 6 brought slow-motion video support as well as notch hiding support. The recent update for the phone was supposed to fix some system stability issues and optimize call quality. However, several users complained about serious battery drain, which reduces battery life by half with the screen consuming more than usual. Some users also complained about the camera app freezing.

The OnePlus 6 features a 6.28-inch notched AMOLED display with screen resolution of  2280 x 1080 pixels and 19:9 aspect ratio. Under the hood, the phone is powered by Qualcomm‘s Snapdragon 845 octa-core processor. It packs up to 8GB RAM and up to 256GB internal storage with support for microSD card slot.

The phone is powered by a 3,300mAh battery, with support for the company’s fast charging technology. On the back side, there’s a dual camera setup, sporting a 16MP primary Sony IMX519 sensor with f/1.7 aperture, 1.22um pixels, and OIS, and a 20MP Sony IMX376K secondary camera sensor, mainly for depth information. On the front side, there’s a 16MP snapper for taking selfies and video calling.

Read More: Wireless charging not yet right for OnePlus phones says CEO

The device is running the company’s own OxygenOS, which is based on Android 8.1 Oreo operating system out of the box. However, the OnePlus is already a part of Android P Beta program and thus, users can also try out the upcoming Android P.

Xiaomi Mi Bunny Smartwatch 3 (4G version) with AMOLED display, Gorilla Glass 3 launched

Xiaomi has launched an upgraded version of the Mi Bunny Children Phone watch 2c. The new model is dubbed Mi Bunny Children Watch 3 and this is the 4G version. We couldn’t trace any record of a non-4G version released in the past so, it is possible that a version without LTE would drop later on. This new version comes with a price tag of 599 yuan (~$88).Xiaomi Mi Bunny Smartwatch 3

In terms of the design, the smartwatch features a 1.41-inch retina-class HD AMOLED display with a resolution of 320 x 360 pixels. The screen is further protected from scratch by a 2.5D curved glass There is also a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass 3 on the screen. Further, the Mi Bunny Watch 3 (4G) supports IPX7 waterproofing while the strap is made from food contact-grade material which is also comfortable to wear as it is not sensitive to the skin.Xiaomi Mi Bunny Smartwatch 3

In addition, the Mi Bunny phone watch 3 has full support for dual 4G network such that even when a call is being taken, a voice message will be delivered. It also packs a 2MP HD camera with a 30-degree shooting angle that perfectly matches the child’s shooting angle. The camera has the ability to identify plants in order to aid in the child’s learning process. It can be paired with a dedicated app which can be used to locate the child’s exact position. This feature is made possible as a result of the features like GPS, Beidou, Wi-Fi, gravity sensor, camera assist, EPO, HotStill, AGPS etc. Parents can also set a safety net on the app whereby the parents will be notified when the child heads out of the zone. This prevents loss of the device and reduces danger to the child.Xiaomi Mi Bunny Smartwatch 3

Related: Xiaomi Mi Bunny Children Phone Watch 2C Launched Priced At 199 yuan ($31)

It will be available in Blue and Pink colours just like its predecessor. The smartwatch will go on sale at 10 AM on June 24 via Mi Mall, Tmall, Jingdong and Suning.

Samsung sold 2 million units of Galaxy J8 and Galaxy J6 smartphones in India

A couple of months ago, Samsung launched two new smartphones in the Indian market — Galaxy J8 and Galaxy J6. Now, the company has revealed that it has managed to sell 2 million units of both the smartphones combined.

The South Korea-based company said that it attracted more than 50,000 customers a day for its recently launched budget devices. The Samsung Galaxy J6 was launched in May while the Galaxy J8 went on sale last month.

Samsung Galaxy J6

Commenting on this, Asim Warsi, Senior Vice President, Samsung India, said:

We are happy with the huge success of Galaxy J8 and Galaxy J6 smartphones. Our philosophy of keeping our ears to the ground and incorporating consumer feedback into our products has paid off. Galaxy J, known for unique ‘Make for India’ innovations, has a stellar legacy, accounting for one in three smartphones sold in the country. We are confident that the new devices will help us further increase our market share in the country.

The Samsung Galaxy J8 is currently available for purchase at Rs 18,990 (approximately $275) while Galaxy J6 costs Rs. 13,990 (approximately $203) for the 32GB ROM model and the 64GB ROM model is available at Rs. 15,990, which roughly converts to $232.

In the second quarter of 2018, the company shipped 9.9 million smartphones in India, registering almost 50 percent annual growth rate – its best since the fourth quarter of 2015, according to the market research firm Canalys.

Samsung-Galaxy-J8-2018

The Samsung Galaxy J6 features a 5.6-inch HD+ Super AMOLED Infinity Display and is powered by the company’s own Exynos 7870 octa-core14nm chipset, coupled with Mali T830 GPU. It packs 3GB/4GB RAM with 32GB/64GB ROM, along with microSD card slot for expanding storage.

There’s a 13-megapixel rear camera and an 8-megapixel front camera, both having LED flash. Connectivity options on the device include 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2 LE, and GPS. Running on Android 8.0 Oreo operating system out of the box and is powered by a 3,000mAh battery.

On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy J8 sports a 6-inch HD+ Super AMOLED Infinity Display and is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 octa-core processor clocked at 1.8GHz, along with Adreno 506 GPU and 4GB RAM.

Read More: Samsung Galaxy Note 9 certification by Brazil’s telecoms agency confirms 4000mAh battery

It packs 16GB of internal storage and has a microSD card slot for storage expansion. On the back side, there’s a 16MP primary camera and a secondary camera sensor of 5MP. On the front side, there’s a 16MP snapper for video calling and taking selfies. It runs on Android Oreo and is powered by a 3,500mAh battery.

Samsung patents phone with a “fold-back” display and a single camera

A strong patent portfolio is an integral part of a business and in the mobile industry, Samsung is one of the manufacturers with the most patents. A new patent filed by the Korean giant has surfaced online and it shows a phone with a display that stretches and folds to the back.

Samsung foldback phone media controls

The patent was filed at the WIPO in March before it was published earlier this month. According to the patent description, the phone has a flexible display that stretches to the top and then folds back to cover the upper part of the phone’s rear. This design gives the phone a tri-bezel-less appearance as well as a dual-display look. It also has just a single camera and it is at the back.

Samsung foldback phone normal photo

Images in the patent show that the “rear display” can act as a viewfinder when taking selfies. If you want to take a regular picture, the front part acts as the viewfinder but the rear also shows the focus object in the viewfinder. In a separate picture, we see the rear display show something else when using the front as the viewfinder, in this case, a bird which we believe is to hold the attention of the child whose photo is taken.

Samsung foldback phone selfie photo

While there doesn’t seem to be a dedicated shutter button for taking a selfie using the rear display, the user can simply tap on the main screen. Another option we think can be adopted and which is already in use now is to set the volume control as a shutter button.

READ MORE: Samsung Galaxy Watch, the rebranded Gear S4 will launch on August 9

Meitu T9 to launch in Taiwan, will cost NT$20,900 ($685)

Meitu, the selfie-centric smartphone maker has announced that its latest phone, the Meitu T9 will be available in Taiwan. A poster has surfaced online and it reveals more details.

Meitu T9 Taiwan launch

Meitu will have a launch event in Taipei on Thursday, July 26. The phone will then be available for pre-order starting the same day until July 29. The selling price for the phone is given as NT$20,900 (|$685).

For the above price, you will get a phone with a 6.01-inch Samsung AMOLED 18:9 display. It will have a Snapdragon 660 processor, 6GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. The phone is also available in a 4GB RAM + 64GB configuration but we don’t know if that model will be sold in Taiwan.Meitu T9 Berry red

The selling point of the phone is its cameras. There are dual cameras on both sides. The primary sensors on the front and rear are Sony IMX363 12MP sensors and both have OIS and PDAF. They are paired with 5MP sensors for capturing depth of field details.

READ MORE: Meitu MP1710 visits TENAA: Quad cameras, same hexagonal design

Samsung’s foldable smartphone might not be called “Galaxy X”

There has been a lot of speculation on the much-anticipated Samsung foldable phone which is supposed to be released in January at CES 2019. Before now, rumor has it that the device would be named “Galaxy X” as most top-notch devices use the letter X letter. However, this may not be the case with this Samsung device, as a recent tweet by a Twitter tipster who is an insider indicates that the device wouldn’t be named Galaxy X. The tipster didn’t share the name the smartphone would be called, so, at this point in time, it is unclear the name the South Korean company would choose for the smartphone. It is now speculated that the Galaxy X branding might be used on the Samsung gaming smartphone lineup, which Samsung is already working on.

If this is the first time you bumping into the device, Samsung’s new foldable smartphone would adopt a display that can be folded vertically and this is unlike the early prototypes. The device would be just like a normal smartphone and operated normally if laid out flat but if folded, the top and bottom portions of the panel can be operated separately. However, a second hidden display would pop up if the device is completely folded which would allow the users to glance at notifications, weather forecast, and some other information.

Read Also: Samsung goes neck and neck with Xiaomi in India, Canalys Q2 2018 report shows

The first production of the device is said to be limited by Samsung to around 300,000 and 500,000 units depending on the demand on the product. The pricing of the smartphone could have a high starting price of $2,000 but if the demand on the product is high just like the original Galaxy Note Edge, the brand might significantly increase and improve the next generation of the foldable smartphone.

OnePlus promises 6 new features at Open Ears Forum in India

In order to improve its relationship with its fans, OnePlus started a program called Open Ears Forum. The program is usually hosted in different cities and is an avenue for OnePlus to hear feedback from its fans. It held one in Goa, India recently and at the event, it promised six new features coming to OnePlus devices.

First of its promise is porting the OnePlus 6‘ “selfie portrait mode” to the OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 5T. OnePlus has also promised to keep working on removing the “oil painting effect” plaguing the default camera app on the OnePlus 6.

Another feature coming to OxyegnOS is a night mode or “Dark Theme” for the OnePlus Shelf on the homescreen. Users will also get more accent colors for the theme. OnePlus also promised that the OnePlus Switch App will now have more features including support for desktop backups. The FileDash app for data transfers will also gain support for OnePlus apps. It will also make the app easy to access.

READ MORE: OxygenOS 5.0.4 Brings July Security Patch and Camera Improvement to OnePlus 3/3T

Xiaomi rolls out MIUI 10 Global Beta ROM 8.7.19 for 20 models

Xiaomi did schedule to release a new MIUI 10 Global Beta ROM for eligible devices today. Indeed, MIUI 10 Global Beta ROM version 8.7.19 has been released for up to 20 different models. The latest ROM brings fixes for several issues that were spotted in the previous releases. This is the second update the Chinese OEM is releasing in the space of a few weeks, having released MIUI 10 Global Beta 8.7.5 recently.MIUI 10 Global Beta ROM

Top among the new fixes the update brings are translations in the security settings. There have been some reports of some content in the security settings not getting translated. This new update fixes that. It also fixes the clock error whereby the digits are not shown properly.. Xiaomi had announced a new Anti-Rollback feature that comes through MIUI 10 for the Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Note 5 Pro earlier this month. The new feature serves to restrict their downgrading. The new update also fixes issues with the Mi 5 which keeps the notification LED on when a new notification comes on the handset, without any of the usual blinkings.

In addition, the official changelog shows that the latest MIUI 10 Global Beta update has fixed the blur effect on the Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Note 5 Pro that was disappearing for some users after saving photos in the gallery. Also for the Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Note 5 Pro, the update fixes the issue that was pushing the devices to ask users to log in when they enable sync messages from Mi Cloud in the Messaging app. The update also fixes the force close of a “security core component” that surfaces when holding the Menu key in the ‘Dual app’ search bar. However, it is yet to roll out on the Redmi Note 5 and Note 5 Pro as the latest update is said to be currently suspended for both models.

The models that are eligible to get the new upgrade includes the Redmi 4X, Mi 5s, Mi Max 32GB/ 64GB/ 128GB, Mi 5s Plus, Redmi 4A, Redmi 5A, Redmi Note 4 Qualcomm Edition, Redmi Note 4X, Mi Max 2, Redmi Note 5A/ Redmi Y1 Lite, Redmi Note 5A Prime/ Redmi Y1, Redmi 5, Redmi 5 Plus, Mi 6, Mi Mix 2, Mi Mix 2s, Redmi S2, Mi 5, Mi Note 2, and Mi Mix. The download links for these models are available on MIUI forum.

Read Also: Xiaomi Mi Pad 4 gets MIUI 10 global beta update

For those who own compatible models and want to update their phones, it is advised that they backup their data before upgrading to MIUI 10. According to the instruction on MIUI Forum, if you’re already using MIUI 7, MIUI 8, or MIUI 9 stable ROM, you can update your handset to MIUI 10 using the fastboot method. There is a detailed instruction on how to do that on the MIUI forum. But in the case of users with models running MIUI 9 Global Beta ROM, the latest update can be availed by going to “settings” and then check for updates from the “About phone” section. Such users can also update compatible models using the Updater app.

(source, via)

Fake Galaxy Note9 gets unboxed in leaked video

We are a few weeks away from the launch of the Galaxy Note9, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that there will be new leaks surfacing on the web. However, while some may be genuine, there will also be fake ones. A video has surfaced online and it shows the Galaxy Note9 getting unboxed. However, this unit is likely a fake.

Galaxy Note 9 Hi-res render

The phone comes in a similar box as other Samsung flagships with the only difference being the specs of the phone and of course, the name of the device. On the rear of the sleeve, the specs are listed out.

It says the Galaxy Note9 has a 6.3” Quad HD+ sAMOLED display and measures 160.5mm (full rectangle). It also has Dual Pixel 12MP OIS + 12MP OIS rear cameras, an 8MP AF selfie camera, IP68 water and dust resistance, and an iris scanner. The variant in the box has 6GB of RAM and 64GB of built-in storage. It also supports wireless charging and comes bundled with AKG earphones.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hs8XYsMBHHU[/embedyt]

Plastered on the front of the phone is a sticker that reads “Galaxy Note9”. The device isn’t turned on so we don’t get to see the UI. On the back, we can see the dual rear cameras, a LED flash, and a blood pressure sensor. There is also a fingerprint scanner below the setup. Samsung’s logo is inscribed in the middle, and at the bottom, there is Galaxy Note9, a CE marking, and other info such as where the phone was made. In this case, this unit was manufactured in Vietnam. Other items included in the box are a charger, two USB-C adapters, a pair of earphones, and a USB cable.

So how do we know this is fake? First, the sleeve case says this is a T-Mobile unit judging from the sticker at the bottom of the box’s outer sleeve. That sticker isn’t unusual but for Samsung phones sold by T-mobile, the box usually has T-Mobile written on it not just a sticker. For the Galaxy Note8, T-Mobile’s logo is printed on the back of the sleeve case where the specs are written and also on the sides.

READ MORE: Galaxy Tab S4 ditches fingerprint scanner for Iris Scanner and Intelligent Scan

Oneplus 6 VS Xiaomi Mi 8: 2018 Flagship Phones Comparison

oneplus 6 vs xiaomi mi 8

Welcome Smartphone fans. I recently took a trip to my hometown where I went camping in some of the American Mountain west’s most amazing areas, watched some concerts, and had a great time with family. I brought along 2 phones with me… The OnePlus 6, a phone that doesn’t seem to want to leave my side, or should I say that I don’t want IT to leave my side, and the new Xiaomi Mi 8. Although I did plenty of comparisons, and will include the usual side-by-side spec showcases, I’m not exactly going to grade these off of each other so much as I feel they are generally for different customers so this will be a different style video than my recent comparisons. Let me show you what I mean. My name is Adam, Tech Editor for GizmoChina, and I believe I’ve included plenty of information which can assist you in your buying decisions. Make sure to watch the whole video for results over 5 different sections that is sure to help you pick a favorite. Let’s get to it!

Now that we’ve compared the design, display, power, experience, and camera we have some good ideas on which device is ahead of the other in most ways… However, the Xiaomi Mi 8 can be found for 50-60% the price of the Oneplus 6, making it a very budget friendly flagship.

For me, the winner of this comparison has a user experience that is nearly perfect, with a design that stuns, power to do just about anything, with a knock-out display, and one of the better smartphone cameras I’ve used.

Picking the right phone for you will come down to which of these features you feel you need for your budget. I know which one I prefer… how about you?

 

 

Sony announces new IMX586 image sensor with 48 megapixel resolution

While Sony’s smartphones have not been performing well in sales, there’s one market where the company has been on top — camera sensors. Today, the Japan-based company has announced a new imaging sensor — Sony IMX586, which supports resolution of 48 effective megapixels, which Sony says is the highest in the industry for smartphones.

The IMX586 image sensor, made for the smartphones and other portable devices, is claimed to have the world’s smallest pixel size of 0.8μm, making it possible to pack 48 effective megapixels onto a 1/2-type unit.

Sony IMX586 Image Sensor

Further, it comes integrated with Sony’s exposure control technology and signal processing functionality directly into the image sensor. This enables real-time output with a much better dynamic range that is four times greater than conventional units.

The new sensor also uses the Quad Bayer color filter array, where adjacent 2×2 pixels come in the same color, which allows for a higher sensitivity shooting. The sensor can also be devised to use signals from four adjacent pixels during low light, resulting in increased sensitivity. The company is promising that the Sony IMX586 will provide brighter images with lower noise regardless of the lighting conditions.

In a statement, Sony said:

This product was designed and manufactured with techniques that improve light collection efficiency and photoelectric conversion efficiency over conventional products, resulting in the world’s first 0.8 μm pixel size, with both high sensitivity and high saturation signal level.

It is also capable of recording full frame at 30 frames per second and can also record 4K videos (4096×2160) at 90 frames per second. Currently, all the major flagship smartphones in the market are capable of recording 4K videos at 60 frames per second.

Read More: Sony confirms new product launch at IFA 2018, likely to announce the Xperia XZ3 and Xperia XZ3 Compact

The Sony IMX586 is priced at 3,000 Japanese Yen, which roughly converts to $27 and will start shipping the CMOS image sensor in September this year. However, the company has not revealed when we’ll be able to see the sensor packed in a smartphone.

Sony Xperia XZ3 case renders appear to reveal design

Sony is rumored to debut the Sony Xperia XZ3 flagship phone at the IFA 2018 event at the end of the coming month. However, a UK-based retailer named MobileFun had listed the smartphone on its site in the previous week even though Sony is yet to confirm on its existence. The same retailer has listed protective cases for Xperia XZ3 made by Olixar. The case renders available on the listing has once again revealed the design of the smartphone.

The case renders tell a lot about the appearance and form factor of the upcoming Xperia XZ3. The front design of the smartphone is same as Xperia XZ2 that was unveiled earlier this year which suggests that it could be featuring an 18:9 aspect ratio display.

The only dual camera smartphone from Sony is the Xperia XZ2 Premium that was unveiled in April. The newly spotted case renders show that the Xperia XZ3 could be the next dual camera phone from the Japanese firm. In fact, the Xperia XZ3 is expected to feature the exact same 19-megapixel + 12-megapixel Motion Eye dual camera setup that is available on the Xperia XZ2 Premium. The XZ3 is also rumored to feature the same 13-megapixel front camera present on the XZ2 Premium.

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The dual camera setup is placed in a vertical design on the XZ3. Below it is the fingerprint scanner which is positioned at the center of the back panel. Since the protective case for the smartphone is ready, its arrival could be very close at hand. Now that the Japanese firm has recently confirmed that it will be holding a launch event on Aug. 30 at IFA 2018, the Xperia XZ3 may get announced at the said date. The company may also launch Xperia XZ3 Compact alongside it.

Read More: Sony Xperia XA2 Plus with 6-inch 18:9 display, SD630, 6 GB RAM is official

MobileFun’s Xperia XZ3 listing had revealed that it features a 5.7-inch display that supports Full HD+ resolution of 2160 x 1080 pixels and an aspect ratio of 18:9. The Snapdragon 845 SoC and 6 GB of RAM are present under the hood of the phone. It has a native storage of 64 GB. The handset receives power from 3,240mAh battery. It was listed with a price tag of 849 euros (~$993).

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Xiaomi Mi Max 3 Pro may still exist; Found listed with Snapdragon 710 phones on Qualcomm site

Last week, Xiaomi had introduced the highly anticipated Snapdragon 636 SoC powered Mi Max 3 smartphone in China. Before the launch of the smartphone, the rumor mill had claimed that there will be a higher version of the p hone called Xiaomi Mi Max 3 Pro driven by Snapdragon 710 SoC. However, the company did not speak anything on it at its launch event. Today, a screenshot of “Qualcomm processor specifications table” has surfaced on Weibo that contains a list Snapdragon mobile platform. The list contains a smartphone named Xiaomi Mi Max 3 Pro along with Xiaomi Mi 8 SE and Vivo NEX (lower-edition) that are powered by Snapdragon 710. This indicates that the SD710 edition of Mi Max 3 Pro may exist.

Xiaomi Mi Max 3 Pro Proof

A report from the previous month had claimed that the Mi Max 3 Pro features Snapdragon 710, 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. Some of the Chinese retailers such as JD.com have listed Mi Max 3 Pro model, but there is no official confirmation on its existence. If it really exists, the company may soon release a teaser on it in the near future.

xiaomi-mi-max-3-pro-listing_

The 64 GB and 128 GB storage variants of the Mi Max 3 that respectively features 4 GB and 6 GB of RAM are now available for buying in China. These models are respectively priced at 1,699 Yuan ($250) and 1,999 Yuan (~$294).

 

The Mi Max 3 was recently spotted at AnTuTu with an impressive average benchmarking score of 118,471 which shows its performance is quite close to Snapdragon 660 powered phones. The Mi Max 3 is fitted with a 6.99-inch IPS LCD display that supports Full HD+ resolution and 18:9 aspect ratio. It is packed with a 5,500mAh battery that comes with support for Quick Charge 3.0.

Xiaomi Mi Max 3

The phablet features 12-megapixel + 5-megapixel dual camera setup and a fingerprint scanner on the rear panel. It has a frontal shooter of 8-megapixel. Currently, the smartphone is available exclusively in China. Probably, it may arrive in international markets by the end of Q3.

Read More: Xiaomi Mi A2 listed on two popular online retail stores for pre-orders ahead of launch

Will Xiaomi launch Snapdragon 710 version of Mi Max 3 Pro? Share us your thoughts by adding your comments below.

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Google could launch second-generation Pixelbook along with Pixel 3 this year

Google’s upcoming hardware devices — Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL have been in news from quite some time. However, it’s not just the smartphones that the company is planning to launch later this year. According to the new reports, Google is also planning to launch the second-generation Pixelbook this year.

Evan Blass tweeted that Google is planning to launch a second-generation Pixelbook with smaller bezels, which will start shipping before the end of this year. This doesn’t seem surprising given that the company has been offering discounts on the first-gen device.

Pixelbook

The next-generation Pixelbook will be unveiled along with Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL smartphones. Along with that, rumors also suggest that the company could announce a Pixel Watch as well as a new generation of Pixel Buds.

The first-generation Chrome OS-running device from Google is among the best Chromebooks device and offers killer performance with amazing keyboard and a sturdy build. However, the bezels on the device look bit dated and the smaller bezels on the second-gen Pixelbook will be a welcome change.

Read More: Google Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL Design Revealed Through 360-Degree Renders

The first-generation Pixelbook was pretty expensive but we’ll have to wait a bit longer to know if the company reduces the pricing for the upcoming device. While it still seems like a speculation at this time, there’s a good possibility that the second-generation Pixelbook is coming.

We are expecting to see Google’s lineup of hardware devices for the year 2018, including the Pixel 3-series smartphones, to get unveiled in October, approximately a month after Apple launches its next-generation iPhone.

(Source)