Xiaomi Rolls Out MIUI 9.2 With Exciting Features And Improvements

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Jan 22, 2018

After announcing the arrival of the MIUI 9 OS on 4o new devices, Xiaomi has started rolling out a new version of its user interface on some of its latest smartphones: MIUI 9.2. Considering that it is not a major update, there are just a few changes and improvements than the original v9, but it is worth noting that some very interesting features have been implemented. The MIUI 9.2 will only roll out to devices which has already received the update to the v9 Global Stable ROM. Other devices will have to wait for this release until they get their Global Stable update.

According to the changelog, MIUI 9.2 brings the App Vault feature, a new Gallery editor, and the Mi Video app. Further, there is a fix for the KRACK WPA2 security vulnerabilities and a fix for the dual notification bug spotted in WhatsApp and Telegram in the previous version of the firmware. The UI has been simplified and now the Mi Mover app supports data migration restart. This means that if you are migrating your data from a phone to another and the hotspot connection accidentally interrupts, it will be restored automatically and it will continue from the same point. The update also adds dynamic calibration function for the distance sensor, which will enable the screen to turn off and on correctly when needed.

There are also some fixes for the fingerprint reader and some compatibility issues with third-party software on full-screen devices. Other minor optimizations in MIUI 9.2 include home screen, themes, the App Lock, the Backup function and the Mi Account. The update has been rolled out in its Stable version on the Xiaomi Mi Mix 2, Xiaomi Redmi Note 4, Xiaomi Redmi 4, Xiaomi Redmi Y1, Xiaomi Redmi Y1 Lite and Xiaomi Redmi 5A. Unfortunately, we do not know when the update will hit the other devices of the company.

(Via)

Meizu Live Headset Hands On Photos: Sleek Transparent Design, Rich Sound, IPX7 Casing

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jan 22, 2018

Meizu finally unveiled its highly-anticipated Meizu Live headset alongside the mBlu S6 smartphone last week. The Meizu Live headset is undoubted, one of the most beautiful headset Meizu has in its arsenal presently. The headset comes with a 1299 Yuan (~$202) and is already on sale in China. Here are some sleek hands-on photos of the Meizu Live fresh out of the box.

Meizu Live features a body manufactured using a combination of transparent polycarbonate and metal parts constructed using metal powder metallurgy. Unlike the Meizu Flow, it is a wired headset, using a cord with fine weaved thread covered with transparent plastic which protects the wire. Inside the earphones are four precisely engineered moving iron units which have low-frequency armatures and medium and high-frequency armatures. The Meizu Live uses an MMCX connector and comes with replaceable tuning nozzles that allow you to change the frequency as you deem fit. It also comes with 7 pairs of earbuds of different sizes and an IPX7 rated carrying case.

The sleek headset comes in silver color only and it offers a rich sound output with deep bass. You can find more photos of the Meizu Live hands-on from down below. Hopefully, the sleek headset would be available outside of China soon.

(source)

Giveaway – Win 2 Wieppo S6 Dual-camera Smartphones

By

Shine Wong

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Jan 22, 2018

Gizmochina along with Wieppo official is conducting 2 units Wieppo S6 smartpones as giveaway gift to 2 readers. Like always, you just have to follow the steps mentioned on the Gleam widget to get a chance to win this amazing gift.

How to entry this giveaway? Just follow these steps via Gleam widget:

Visit and Like Wieppo on Facebook page ;
Visit and Like the official Giveaway event page on Facebook (They offer another 2 phones as giveaway gifts on Facebook);

Visit and Like Wieppo on Facebook

Visit and Like Wieppo Giveaway Event

Terms & Conditions:

1. The giveaway is an international giveaway.
2. We are not responsible for lost shipments.
3. We are not responsible for any duties, import taxes that you may incur.
4. We reserve all rights to make any changes to this giveaway.
5. The prize will be shipped in a week when the giveaway end.

Just follow the steps mentioned in the Gleam widget to participate in the giveaway.

Once again, good luck.

Giveaway – Win 2 Wieppo S6 Phones

New Xiaomi Mi 7 Render Reveals Bezel-Less Design And Dual Rear Cameras

By

Jeet

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Jan 22, 2018

Xiaomi has confirmed to participate in the upcoming Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The company is expected to launch its upcoming flagship phone — Xiaomi Mi 7 at the event.

While it is known that the company’s upcoming flagship phone will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 845 processor, nothing has been confirmed about the physical design aspects of the device.

Recently, a shady render of the phone appeared online through a Nigerian website, however, we couldn’t confirm if it was genuine or not. Now, a new render of the phone has appeared online, which is quite different from the earlier image.

The newly leaked render shows the phone with a bezel-less design, similar to what we saw on Xiaomi’s Mi MIX 2. The bezels are extremely thin on the three sides — left, right and bottom. However, the bezel is a bit thicker on the top side, mainly to house camera, earpiece and other sensors.

The back panel reveals that the phone will come with a dual camera setup and a dual-tone LED flash. The camera module has been placed on the top-left corner. There is also a fingerprint sensor placed at the top-centre position. At the bottom part, there’s Mi branding.

The recently leaked render suggested that the phone could have a glass back panel. This is in line with earlier reports which said that the phone is likely to come with Wireless Charging support — the first for the China-based smartphone manufacturer.

There are also reports making rounds which suggests that the Mi 7 will be the first device from Xioami to have Artificial Intelligence capabilities for the rear camera to offer stellar photography experience. According to the rumours, the phone will come with 6-inch AMOLED display with full-screen 18:9 aspect ratio.

The Xiaomi Mi 7 is said to come equipped monochrome + RGB dual camera system. It is likely to feature a 12-megapixel Sony IMX380 sensor and a 20-megapixel Sony IMX350 sensor. Last month, during the announcement of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 845 processor, Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun said that the company’s upcoming flagship will be powered by the same chipset.

Along with Mi 7, the company is also expected to launch Mi 7 Plus at the Mobile World Congress. However, the company has not yet officially confirmed this. So, we’ll just have to wait for the Mobile World Congress to kick-off.

Google Fuchsia OS Shown Running on Pixelbook

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Jan 22, 2018

Back in 2016, news of a new Operating System by Google surfaced on the internet. Called Fuchsia, the OS is based on a new microkernel called Zircon instead of Linux like Android and ChromeOS. There were reports that Fuchsia would replace Android but Google has not confirmed that.

Fast forward to January 2018; Google released a guide on how to run Fuchsia on the Pixelbook and the team at Ars Technica made a video giving us a look at the new operating system.

The over 8-minute long video shows a number of features most of which are not working since the OS is unfinished. However, there are some pretty cool features.

On the lock-screen, there is a Fuchsia logo at the top left corner that lets you switch between phone mode and laptop mode. You can also switch the orientation from portrait to landscape or vice versa when in phone mode.

There are a number of buttons at the bottom right corner such as Login, Wi-Fi, and Guest. Ars Technica says only “Guest” works. Click on it and you get taken to the homescreen.

The homescreen is sort of a blend of Google Now and your regular homescreen. Above the Google search bar are icons for time, date, WiFi (doesn’t work), and battery level (works). There is also a Fuchsia button which opens up a quick settings panel.

The OS also supports split-screen multitasking in both vertical and horizontal modes as well as a new tab mode.

Most of the features do not work but you get an idea of what is to come when Google eventually finishes it. However, there are reports that this may not happen soon.

Continue

Upcoming Sony Xperia Smartphone With 5.7-Inch Display Hits FCC

By

Jeet

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Jan 22, 2018

Sony, the Japan-based manufacturer which recently launched its entry-level and mid-range phones at the Consumer Electronics Show, is expected to launch a range of phone under its Sony Xperia branding this year.

While we have seen a lot of leaks surrounding Sony Xperia devices, a new phone from the company with the model number ID PY7-21831A has surfaced online as it passed through FCC. While FCC listing usually does not reveal anything about the phone, this one reveals that there won’t be a 3.5mm audio jack on this device.

If this turns out to be true, then this could be the first phone from the company to ditch the 3.5mm audio jack. As there’s very low possibility that Sony could drop the audio jack in a mid-range device, this upcoming Sony phone could be the Xperia flagship device.

The schematic image in the FCC listing reveals the use of a combined USB / headphone jack cable connection. Furthermore, the attached document also highlights the dimensions of the phone with 152.79 x 72.42 mm, and a 5.7-inch screen diagonal display. However, it is not yet known if the display carries the regular 16:9 aspect ratio of the trending 18:9 aspect ratio for full-screen displays.

Sony has confirmed that it is holding a press event at the upcoming Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. At the event, the company is expected to unveil its new devices, including the Xperia XZ Pro. According to the latest reports, the XZ Pro is expected to come with a 4K OLED display.

Apart from the Xperia XZ Pro, the company is also expected to take the curtains off Xperia XZ2. Sony’s press event will take place on 26th February. So, we’ll have to wait until the event to know which phones the company is launching.

(Source)

Xiaomi to Build More Offline Stores to Rival with Samsung in India, Will be Launching Around 8 Phones in 2018

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jan 22, 2018

Samsung has dominated the smartphone market in India for the past few years. However, a research conducted by International Data Corporation (IDC) for Q317 revealed that Xiaomi has managed to equal its market share with Samsung to dethrone Samsung from the number spot in India.

In a recent interview with Reuters, Manu Kumar Jain, the Global Vice-President and Managing Director of Xiaomi India said that company has been focusing on building its offline presence in 2017 and 2018. In May 2017, it opened its first Mi Home store India. At present, it has 17 Mi Home stores across India.

In the previous year, Jain had said that Xiaomi is aiming to build 100 Mi Home Stores by mid-2019 in India. Talking about the current status of its stores, Jain has said that the company is ahead of its schedule. Moreover, Xiaomi will be also partnering with other stores that will largely stock its devices apart from products from other brands.

Since the time Xiaomi entered the Indian market, it has been aggressively selling its smartphones online. Its strategy of selling its devices through flash sales major online retailer sites like Amazon India and Flipkart has allowed it to increase its market share significantly in the country. Xiaomi reportedly accounts for about 50 percent of the online smartphones sales in India. And now the company is strengthening its offline sales.

In 2017, Xiaomi had launched eight smartphones. The Redmi 5A came with a lowest pricing of Rs. 4,999 (~$78) whereas the Mi MIX 2 that costs Rs. 32,999 (~$517) is the costliest Xiaomi phone in India in 2017. On the other sides, its major rival Samsung sold around 40 smartphones in the country last year. Jain has also confirmed that the Indian market will be seeing around six to eight new smartphones across different price points this year.

The Chinese manufacturer is selling air purifiers and fitness bands in India. It is likely to unleash one or two smart products in the country this year. In the near future, it is also expected to sell other products like TVs, water purifiers, scooters and rice cookers.

A report from the previous week had stated Samsung India will be taking on Xiaomi by launching a new series of smartphones that will be exclusively sold online. Xiaomi has recently started building its offline presence. However, Samsung has been selling its phones offline since several years. It has around 1.5 lakh offline stores all over the country. A Samsung spokesperson said that it will take some time for Xiaomi to build such a huge offline presence in India.

Man Bites An iPhone Battery In China To Test If Its Fake, Phone Explodes!

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jan 22, 2018

Apple products are always known for their topnotch quality ranging from the display, processors to the battery and other accessories. But once in a while, there have been pockets of reported cases of filing hardware. One hardware that is usually prone to failure is the battery. There have even been a few reported cases of swollen or exploding iPhone battery in the past. Recently, a case of exploding iPhone 8 battery was reported in China and yet again here is another case.

A video has emerged which captures the scene of an Apple iPhone explosion inside a phone shop. The video showed the young man standing in from of the sales counter, apparently checking out the phone before sealing the deal. The young man then inserted the iPhone into his mouth and bit on the battery in order to test if it was original or fake. Just as soon as he removed the smartphone from his mouth, the iPhone burst into a rapid explosion with occupants of the shop scampering to safety. That is perhaps, a close shave with death but thankfully, no one was hurt during the incident.

We can’t say for sure why the battery went up in flames but it may be connected to the unstable nature of lithium batteries. It is unlikely the iPhone was a new one but maybe a fairly used model. The shop looks like a pawn shop where Now you know, it is best to treat the smartphone battery as a potentially explosive material and so handle it with care. You can catch a glimpse of the video from here.

(source)

OnePlus Opens First Offline Store in Mumbai, Offers Bullet V2 Earphones for Free

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jan 22, 2018

Chinese smartphones brands are working on building their presence offline in India. OPPO and Vivo smartphones are available offline since a couple of years in India. In the recent past, Xiaomi has also opened Mi Home stores in various locations across India. Honor too is expected to start its experience stores in the country. In order to complements its online business, OnePlus has also started a new “OnePlus Authorized Store in Mumbai, India to sell its smartphone offline.

OnePlus had collaborated with Croma stores in India in September last year to sell its products offline. It had also started “OnePlus Experience Store” in Bengaluru in 2017 to allow OnePlus fans to experience its complete range of products.

The new store in Mumbai is offering Bullet V2 earphones for free to early buyers of any OnePlus smartphone. OnePlus has recently started the sales of the OnePlus 5T Lava Red edition in India. This new color variant will be also available for buying at the new store in Mumbai. The Chinese manufacturer will be starting more offline stores in India in this year

Samsung Patents Simultaneous S-Pen + Finger Input, May Come With Galaxy Note 9

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Jan 22, 2018

Samsung’s Galaxy Note series is the king of productivity for smartphones, thanks mainly to its S-Pen stylus. Over the years, the S-Pen has evolved – it now packs more features and is also waterproof. Nevertheless, more features may be coming according to a new patent release.

The patent application filed at the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) will allow users control their phone with the S Pen and finger at the same time.

Images provided show a settings screen where you can choose the input method for an application. Like in the one above, which lists various screen scrolling methods, you can choose to use a combination of finger touch and S-Pen where the S-Pen is for input or where the finger is for input.

You can also configure how the stylus should respond when the screen senses a finger touch. An example is shown in the image below where the thickness of the line is increased when the user taps and holds the screen.

Samsung has also added a number of hand gestures that serve as shortcuts. Drawing a Z will move to the next memo and drawing it in a mirror-like fashion takes you to the previous memo. You can also add an attachment or delete a memo by drawing a circle clockwisely or anti-clockwisely respectively.

Continue

Huawei Nova 2S Acacia Red Pre-orders Begin with 3,399 Yuan Pricing

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jan 22, 2018

Huawei had launched the Nova 2s smartphone in December 2017. At the launch, the Chinese manufacturer had confirmed that smartphone would be available in multiple choices. However, the Acacia Red variant of Nova 2s has been only made available today. The new color variant is now available on pre-orders with a pricing of 3,399 Yuan (~$531) on Vmall.

The Huawei Nova 2s Acacia Red smartphone features 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of native storage and it carries support for full netcom. Its shipments will begin from Jan. 24. Apart from Acacia Red, the Nova 2s is also listed in color options like Light Blue, Silver Diamond Gray and Obsidian Black.

The other three color variants are available in multiple RAM and storage options like 4 GB RAM + 64 GB storage, 6 GB RAM + 64 GB storage and 6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage. These models are respectively priced at 2,699 Yuan, 2,999 Yuan and 3,399 Yuan (~$531). At the launch of Nova 2s, the company had also announced Cherry Pink color edition for the smartphone. However, this variant is not available for purchase yet.

Aimed towards the youth, the Nova 2s sports glass panels on front and rear sides. The rear glass has a reflective appearance. It is one of the few full screen design smartphones to feature a front-facing fingerprint reader. The Kirin 960 chipset powers the smartphone. It is fitted with a 5.99-inch Full HD+ resolution supporting display that offers an aspect ratio of 18:9.

The rear panel of the Nova 2s features 16-megapixel + 20-megapixel dual camera module whereas a dual camera setup featuring 20-megapixel and 2-megapixel sensors can be found on the frontside. The 3,340mAh battery of the Nova 2s carry support for fast charging through USB-C. The handset is running on EMUI 8.0 flavored Android 8.0 Oreo.

(source)

Samsung Galaxy S9 & S9+ Receive 3C Certification In China

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jan 22, 2018

Samsung is expected to unveil the Galaxy S9 and S9+ at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2018 in Barcelona next month. The models are also expected to be launched in the world’s largest smartphone market, China soon after the MWC unveiling. Ahead of its arrival in China, Samsung has started putting things in place to get the next-gen Galaxy flagships approved in China. Secevral models of a Samsung smartphone believed to be the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ reportedly received China’s Compulsory Certificate (3C) last week.

The Samsung Galaxy models that got 3C nod include models bearing the model numbers SM-G9650/DS, SM-G9600/DS, and the SM-G9608/DS. The SM-G9600/DS model is said to be the Chinese variant of the Galaxy S9 while SM-G9608/DS is the Galaxy S9+. In addition, the SM-G9608/DS is said to be the smaller 5.8-inch Galaxy S9+ model that is meant for the Taiwan market.The suffix “DS” attached to the model number shows that all three models are expected to have dual SIM car slots. The SIM slots of all three models are expected to follow suit with the Hybrid SIM etup of the Galaxy S8 series where the second SIM slot can be interchanged with a microSD card.

As usual, 3C listing doesn’t reveal much details regarding the specifications of the smartphone but is a sure indication that the launch is somewhat imminent. Previous leaks point to the use of the flagship Snapdragon 845 chip on the Galaxy S9 while some models will have an Exynos 9810 processor. The 3C listing also shows all the three models will come with fast charging support at 9V /1.67A and 5V / 2A. Apart from these few details, nothing else is revealed but we hope to see more details in the coming days, especially when the models hit TENAA.

(via)

Nokia 6 (2018) or Nokia 7 to Launch in the U.S. Soon

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jan 22, 2018

The Nokia 7 smartphone that was launched in October last year is not available for buying outside of China. Even the newly unveiled Nokia 6 (2018) is exclusively available for buying in the home country. Fresh information suggests two models of a same Nokia phone has been approved by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the U.S. It is speculated that it could be the Nokia 7 or the second-generation Nokia 6 that would be arriving in the U.S. soon.

The model number of the two Nokia phones that have been certified by FCC are TA-1045 and TA-1016. These are single-SIM and dual-SIM editions of the Nokia 7 or Nokia 6 (2018) for the U.S. The FCC documentation of these phones state that they have been built to specifically function in the U.S. HMD Global has reportedly used a proprietary software to disable support for non-US frequencies on TA-1045 and TA-1016 that will make the smartphone usable in the U.S.

The FCC has revealed that the upcoming Nokia phone for the U.S. includes a 3,000 mAh battery and it will come preloaded with Android 8.0 Oreo. The Nokia 7 and Nokia 6 (2018) are both packed with 3,000 mAh battery. Also, both smartphones are now receiving the Android 8.0 Oreo update in the home country. Hence, it is difficult to tell whether the Nokia 7 or Nokia 6 (2018) would be landing soon in the U.S.

Which smartphone among the Nokia 7 and Nokia 6 (2018) will be heading to the U.S.? Share us your views by posting your comments below.

(source|via)

Save Up To $90 On Selected UmiDigi Smartphones On Banggood

By

Vinay Patel

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Jan 22, 2018

Smartphone enthusiasts, rejoice. You can now save up to $90 on selected UmiDigi-branded smartphones on Banggood. The site is offering this massive discount as part of its top brand promotion.

UmiDigi S2 Pro

First off, the site is giving a considerable 30% reduction in the S2 Pro’s original selling price of $399.99. As a result, the phone is currently up for preorder for only $279.99 on Banggood.

UmiDigi S2 Pro sports a massive 6-inch capacitive multi-touch display with a screen resolution of 2160 X 1080 pixels. The phone is powered by Helio P25 Octa-core 2.6GHz processor and it offers 6GB of RAM and 128GB of ROM.

You can choose between black and red color variants of the S2 Pro. It is imperative for you to bear in mind that the promo is slated to end on January 29. Moreover, there were only 97 pieces left at the time of writing.

UmiDigi Plus E

Banggood is also offering a 33% discount on the original asking price of UmiDigi Plus E 4G smartphone, which is powered by MTK6757 Helio P20 Octa-Core processor. The handset is up for preorder on Banggood bearing a discounted price of just $179.99. The phone is only available with black color option.

Apart from getting a considerable discount, you also earn 179 Banggood points when you preorder the Plus E smartphone on Banggood. However, it’s worth noting that only 98 pieces of the black-tinted Plus E smartphone were left at the time of writing.

In terms of specs, UmiDigi Plus E comes with 6GB of RAM, 64GB of onboard memory, which can be expanded up to 256GB. The Plus E sports a 5.5 Inch display with a resolution of 1920 X 1080 pixels. It has a 13MP camera at the back and a 5MP front shooter.

UmiDigi C Note 2

Banggood is extending a 29% discount on UmiDigi C Note 2 4G smartphone’s selling price of $169.99. You can preorder the C-Note 2 by shelling out just $119.99 on Banggood.

The site is offering two color options including black and blue for UmiDigi C Note 2 smartphone, which has 4GB of RAM, 64GB of internal memory and is powered by MTK6750T Octa-core processor.

Moreover, only 98 pieces were left at the time of writing. You can take advantage of this discount before it ends on January 29. Those who preorder UmiDigi C Note 2 on Banggood also earn 119 Banggood points.

UmiDigi Z1 Pro

Sporting a 5.5-inch AMOLED display with a screen resolution of 1080×1920 pixels and Corning Gorilla Glass 4 on top, the Z1 Pro runs on Android 7.0 operating system. Those who have restlessly been waiting to get their hands on the device can finally preorder it on Banggood.

The site is offering 20% discount on the phone’s primary asking price of $299.99. You can now preorder the Z1 Pro for just $239.99.

However, if you’re planning to take advantage of the promo, bear in mind that it is slated to end on January 29. Also, only 99 pieces were left at the time of writing. The site is offering a red color version of the Z1 Pro.

UmiDigi S

Backed by a robust 4000mAh battery, the UmiDigi S is a power-packed smartphone. It carries MTK Helio P20 Octa-core processor, along with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of ROM, under the hood.

Gold and black color versions of the UmiDigi S smartphone are currently up for preorder on Banggood. The site is offering 30% discount on the handset’s selling price of $199.99 to those who preorder it before January 30.

It’s also worth noting that only 99 pieces of the UmiDigi S mobile phone were left at the time of writing. You earn 139 Banggood points when you preorder UmiDigi S on Banggood. You can head straight to this link in order to save up to $90 before the promo ends on January 29.

Banggood Is Offering Up To $90 Off On UmiDigi-Branded Smartphones

Xiaomi Mi A1 Arrives Unlocked in the U.S. for $225

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jan 22, 2018

Xiaomi is yet to launch its smartphones officially in the U.S. However, its smartphones are available in the country through third retailers. The Mi A1 is the newest Xiaomi phone that has arrived in the U.S. It is available for purchase through an eBay retailer.

On eBay, a retailer with a positive feedback rating of 99.3 percent is selling the factory unlocked edition of the Xiaomi Mi A1 with a pricing of $224.99. The smartphone is available in limited quantities. At the time of writing this post, only the Gold color variant was available for buying.

The Xiaomi Mi A1 is the first Android One smartphone from the Chinese manufacturer. Hence, it is running on the stock edition of Android OS. It was launched with Android Nougat in September 2017. The Android 8.0 Oreo has been already rolled out for the smartphone. The very same smartphone was launched in China as Mi 5X.

Xiaomi Mi A1 includes a 5.5-inch Full HD display that is protected by Gorilla Glass 3. The Snapdragon 625, 4 GB of RAM and 3,080 mAh battery powers the smartphone. It comes with 64 GB of storage and a microSD card slot. It has a dual camera setup that includes a pair of 12-megapixel snappers and a 5-megapixel selfie camera. The only difference between the two phones is that the Mi A1 does not feature MIUI 9 that is found on the Mi 5X.

(source|via)

Sony Xperia XZ Pro to Feature 4K OLED Display?

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jan 22, 2018

Sony has recently confirmed that it will be holding a press event at the upcoming Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2018 event in the next month. Previous leaks have suggested that the Japanese tech giant would be unveiling new flagship phones such as the Xperia XZ Pro at MWC 2018. It is speculated that it could be the first smartphone in the world to feature 4K OLED display. During a recent interview with Hitoshi Osawa, Head of UX product planning for Sony Mobile in Europe confirmed that the company will be launching mobile devices with 4K OLED display very soon.

Sony had launched Xperia Z5 Premium and Xperia XZ Premium smartphones respectively in 2015 and 2017. Both the smartphones carry support for 4K resolution on their LCD screen. However, the upcoming Xperia XZ Pro is speculated to arrive with OLED panel that will deliver 4K resolution. Osawa has claimed that the Japanese tech giant Is investing money in OLED panels. None of the flagship smartphones available in the market feature 4K OLED display. He added that fans will not be disappointed as 4K OLED is the next step for the company after launching 4K LCD phones.

Osawa did not confirm whether the company will be launching a 4K OLED display phone at MWC 2018. Sony’s MWC 2018 press event will take place on Feb. 26. It is speculated that the two flagship phones that may get unveiled at the upcoming press meet by Sony are Xperia XZ Pro and Xperia XZ2.

The Xperia XZ Pro is rumored to arrive with 13-megapixel + 12-megapixel dual camera setup and a rear-facing fingerprint reader. Other rumored specs of the phone include 6 GB of RAM, 128 GB of native storage, Android 8.0 Oreo and 3,420mAh battery. It is likely to launch in the market with a pricing of 6,000 Yan (~$930. After getting unveiled at MWC 2018, the new flagship phones from the company may hit the market in June.

(source|via)

Samsung Galaxy S9’s Rumoured Tagline Implies Awesome Camera Performance

By

Jeet

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Jan 22, 2018

Samsung’s upcoming flagship phones — Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus are expected to be announced on 26th February at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. We have already seen a lot of rumours and leaks related to the devices.

Now, a new rumour suggests how the company is planning to market these two new phones. A Twitter user @Ricciolo has reported that the tagline for the Galaxy S9 series will be “Film Your Story As You Intended”.

This suggests that the South Korean giant will be focusing on the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus’ camera capabilities to sell these devices. Thus, it’s safe to assume that both the phone will come with super awesome camera performance.

According to the previously leaked specifications, the Galaxy S9 will sport a single rear-facing camera, while the Galaxy S9 Plus will feature a dual rear-facing camera setup. Some reports suggest that the company will be offering f/1.5 aperture instead of the f/1.7 aperture.

The display size will be same as of their predecessors — the Galaxy S9 will have a 5.8-inch display while the S9 Plus will feature a 6.2-inch display. Both the devices will be powered by Qualcomm‘s Snapdragon 845 processor in the United States and China, while the international variant will be powered by the company’s own Exynos 9810 chipset, which comes with improved CPU, GPU performance, artificial intelligence (AI), and deep learning.

The Samsung Galaxy S9 is expected to pack 4GB RAM and will be available in two variants based on the internal storage — 64GB and 128GB. On the other hand, the Galaxy S9 Plus will come with 6GB RAM and will have four storage variants — 64GB, 128GB, 256GB and 512GB. As per the reports, the 512GB internal storage variant will be available in select regions only that too in limited quantity.

Earlier this week, a leak from ANATEL, Brazil’s equivalent of the FCC, revealed that the Galaxy S9 will come powered by a 3,000mAh battery while the bigger variant, Galaxy S9 Plus will have a 3,500mAh battery — same as their predecessors.

(Source)

Xiaomi Mi 6X Render Suggesting 18:9 Display, Vertical Dual Camera Has Appeared

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jan 22, 2018

Xiaomi Mi 5X that was launched in July last year had received good reception in China. Few months later, it was launched as Xiaomi Mi A1 Android One in global markets. Recent leaks have suggested that the Chinese manufacturer is working on Xiaomi Mi 6X. A recent report had revealed the rear panel of the smartphone and now another leaked render showing the TPU soft case of the Mi 6X has also surfaced to reveal its front and rear design.

The below image corresponds with the previous leaks that claim that the Mi 6X will be arriving with vertically arranged dual camera setup like the Apple iPhone X. An LED flash is slotted between the two sensors. The back panel of the phone also features a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner.

The cutouts present on the bottom portion of the TPU soft case for the alleged Mi 6X phone seems to be featuring an external speaker grill, a USB-C port and a 3.5mm audio jack on the bottom side of the phone. The IR blaster could be placed on the top edge of the phone. The buttons for controlling volume and Power key appear to be fitted on the right side.

The image showing the front side suggests that the Mi 6X will be sporting a full screen design. It indicates that it be supporting an aspect ratio of 18:9. There is a possibility that the Mi 6X may house a 5.7-inch or 5.9-inch FHD+ resolution supporting screen. However, there are no details available on the specifications of the smartphone. Since the Mi 5X was launched in July 2017, it is speculated that the Mi 6X may get a mid-2018 launch.

Do you think that the Xiaomi Mi 6X will be coming with a full screen design? Let us know your views by posting your comments below.

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Meizu 15 Plus Renders Leaked, Reveals A Beautiful Full Screen Design

By

Jeet

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Jan 22, 2018

Meizu, the Chinese smartphone manufacturer which recently launched Meizu M6S is now gearing up to launch a new phone — Meizu 15 Plus. While the phone has been leaked a few times in the past with different designs, we now have the leaked renders of the Meizu 15 Plus.

The China-based manufacturer will be launching the Meizu 15 Plus as well as the Meizu 15 to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the company. The devices are expected to be available for purchase from March 2018.

The leaked images of the phone reveal that it will come with ultra-narrow bezels on the left and right size as well as at the bottom. The top bezel is, however, a little bit thicker compared to other sides. but it’s still considerably thinner than what we usually see. This suggests that unlike the Mi MIX, the front-facing camera will be on the top bezel, along with other sensors.

The design of the phone’s back panel has also been leaked, which reveals that it will come with a dual-camera setup, with lenses stacked vertically. Below that, there’s a ring-type design which could be flash and laser focus module or a fingerprint sensor.

The leak also mentions that the Meizu 15 Plus could be powered by Qualcomm‘s Snapdragon 845 processor or Samsung’s Exynos 8895. It further suggests that the device could get launched for a price tag of 3,599 Yuan (approximately $562) or more.

Previously, it was reported that the phone will be offered in two variants based on the memory configuration — one with 6GB RAM and 128GB internal storage while the other will pack 8GB RAM and 128GB internal storage.

The company’s founder Jack Wong had previously confirmed that the Meizu 15 Plus will be officially introduced next spring around China’s Spring Festival, which will take place in February. The phone is expected to be available from March this year.

According to the reports, Meizu is going to launch six new smartphones in the first half of 2018. While five of those phones are expected to be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processor, one phone will pack Samsung’s Exynos processor. With Meizu M6S already launched with Exynos chipset, there’s a high possibility that Meizu M15 Plus will be powered by Snapdragon 845 chipset.

Vivo X20 Plus In-Screen Fingerprint Version Will be Unveiled on January 24, Launch Invitation Released

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jan 22, 2018

At the recently held Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2018, Vivo had showcased the X20 Plus in-screen fingerprint version as the world’s first smartphone to feature under-display fingerprint scanner. At the start of this month, the smartphone had bagged 3C certification and around a week ago the smartphone had received certification from TENAA. Previous rumors had suggested that it would be launching as Vivo X20 Plus UD. Today, Vivo has officially confirmed that the Vivo X20 Plus in-screen fingerprint variant will be unveiled to the world on Jan. 24.

Vivo will be holding an unveil event for the smartphone in Beijing, China on Jan. 24. It will begin at 7:30 PM local time. The launch poster does not confirm on the specifications or pricing of the smartphone. However, previous leaks have revealed that its specs will be quite similar to that of the regular X20 Plus.

Vivo X20 Plus in-screen fingerprint version will be featuring Clear ID 9500 optical under-display fingerprint sensor by Synaptics. The sensor will be placed between the glass panel and the OLED screen. Apart from unlocking the X20 Plus in about 0.6 or 0.7 seconds, the in-display fingerprint scanner can be also used for authenticating payments.

Coming to the specs of the Vivo X20 Plus in-screen fingerprint version, it will be arriving with a 6.43-inch OLED screen. It will be supporting FHD+ resolution and 18:9 aspect ratio. The Snapdragon 660 chipset along with 4 GB of RAM will be present under the hood of the phone. It will be featuring a native storage of 128 GB. It will come pre-installed with Android 7.1.2 Nougat OS.

The dual camera setup featuring a 12-megapixel sensor and a 5-megapixel sensor will be residing on the back panel of the phone. It will be coming with a selfie snapper of 12-megapixel. A 3,800mAh battery will be powering the X20 Plus in-screen fingerprint version.

A previous report had revealed that the Vivo X20 Plus in-screen fingerprint variant would be carrying a price tag of 3,998 Yuan (~$625). This seems to be possible as the regular X20 Plus was introduced with a pricing of 3,498 Yuan (~$546).