After India, OnePlus 5T Star Wars Edition Is Now Heading To Europe

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Dec 7, 2017

Xiaomi has announced a new product under the MIJIA crowdfunding platform. The product is the 139th product that tech giant would be churning out from its crowdfunding platform. The new product is manufactured by Chengdu Fun Sleep Technology Co., also known as 8H which is known for its quality products like the 8H Mattress launched last year.

The 8H fabric sofa comes with a minimalistic design and it utilises the simple spring and clothes sofa pattern. It is available as a single sitter, double sitter and three-sitter form, each with a different price tag but the price starts at 1,599 Yuan. You also get the option of three colours to choose from. There is an Autumn Blue colour, Ascot Gray and England Gray colours.

Design wise, it features a simple yet classic style design. The backrest and sit use removable cushion while the handrail is widened to guarantee comfort. Despite the presence of cushion, there is still high-carbo steel spring underneath for extra comfort and high weight support. The fabric is made from high-grade natural linen material. It is soft, delicate to touch, and is treated to ensure water doesn’t seep into the fabric if there is a spill. The sofa fabric is also removable and can be taken off for washing easily.

Perhaps, the most spectacular aspect is that the sofa comes with removable buckle bolt design. All joints are screwed together such that it can be disassembled when there is need to move the furniture. As for the prices, the single unit starts at 1,599 Yuan (~$241), while the double-sitter has a price of 2,499 Yuan (~$377) and a three-sitters is priced at 2,999 Yuan (~$453). The product is up for funding on Mi.com and would start shipping as from December 30.

Huawei Nova 2S is Official: Brings Dual Front and Rear Cameras and A Full-Screen Display

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Dec 7, 2017

Fresh off the launch of the Honor View 10 and Honor 7X in Europe, Huawei has returned to its home country to reveal yet another smartphone – the Huawei Nova 2s.

The Nova 2s is a flagship smartphone just like the V10/View 10, but its arrival will likely put fans of the brand in a conundrum when it comes to choosing between it and the Honor V10.

Dual Cameras or More Power?

The specs, design and pricing of the Nova 2s are similar to that of the Honor V10 but with some key changes. What one phone lacks, the other has. The selling point of the Nova 2s is its dual front and dual rear cameras. The V10 on the other hand has dual rear cameras only, but it comes with the latest Kirin 970 chip. The Nova 2s on the other hand comes with last year’s Kirin 960 processor.

So what will you be going for? Dual cameras or more processing power?

Nova 2s Specs

The phone has a 5.99” FHD+ display with 2.5D glass on top. Bezels are thinner at the top and bottom, but Huawei has managed to put a fingerprint scanner below the display.

The Nova 2s comes in three variants – 4GB RAM + 64GB, 6GB RAM + 64GB, and 6GB RAM + 128GB. All three are powered by the Kirin 960 and storage can be expanded via a MicroSD card slot.

The cameras are the highlights of the phone. The Nova 2s has dual front cameras and dual rear cameras. The front facing cameras are a combination of a f/2.0 20MP primary sensor and a 2MP sensor for capturing depth of field. There is also a LED flash on the front.

The rear cameras are a f/1.8 16MP RGB sensor and a 20MP monochrome sensor with support for dual camera zoom. The cameras come with a bunch of shooting modes.

The Nova 2s runs EMUI 8.0 based on Android 8.0 Oreo. It has NFC with support for Huawei, Bluetooth 4.2 with aptX and aptX HD, and a hybrid dual SIM slot (Nano only). Battery capacity is 3340mAh and can be charged from 0 to 100% in 2 hours via a USB-C port.

Nova 2S Price

The Huawei Nova 2S will sell for ¥2699 (~$408) for the 4GB RAM + 64GB ROM variant, ¥2999 (~$453) for the 6GB RAM + 64GB model, and ¥3399 (~$514) for the 6GB RAM + 128GB version.

These prices are the same as that of the Honor V10 with the exception of the 128GB model which sells for ¥3499 (~$529). So you see why folks will have a hard time choosing between both devices?

2nd Gen Nokia 6 In The Works, Model Number Revealed

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Dec 7, 2017

The Nokia 6 was the first Android smartphone released by HMD Global since it became a licensee for the Nokia brand. In less than a month, the phone will be a year old which means a successor should be announced. A new leak has revealed details of the successor which should launch soon.

An image posted on Baidu has revealed the model number of the 2nd gen Nokia 6 as well as memory configuration. The phone’s model number is TA-1054, but as we all know, this will differ depending on the market.

This is not the first time we seeing this model number. About a month ago, a phone with the same model number above was seen on the database of China’s Communications Commission and was thought to be the Nokia 9. As we can see the model number is for the 2nd gen Nokia 6.

The image also revealed that this model will come with 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. This will also vary with respect to markets. We expect there will be a 3GB RAM variant with the same amount of storage and probably a 4GB RAM variant with 64GB of storage too.

Sources say the 2nd gen Nokia 6 will feature a sturdy and durable body as the original, but with a major redesign. The chins will be smaller, which might mean it will launch with a full-screen display.

The fingerprint scanner will have to move to the back as a result of the new screen and navigational buttons will now be on-screen. The rear camera is also reported to feature a new design, one similar to that of the Nokia 5.

The 2nd gen Nokia 6 will also feature a more powerful processor. It is speculated to come with the Snapdragon 660. Knowing Nokia, I won’t be surprised if the phone comes with the Snapdragon 450 SoC.

The Nokia 6 wasn’t the only phone whose info was released by the source. A second image shows the model numbers of the Nokia 9 too. As we can see from the image above, the next Nokia flagship will come in three variants with model numbers TA-1005, TA-1009, and TA-1042.

Xiaomi Redmi 5, Redmi 5 Plus Full Screen Phones Officially Unveiled with Starting Price of 799 Yuan

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Dec 7, 2017

Xiaomi has finally unveiled the highly anticipated Redmi 5 and Redmi 5 Plus smartphones through its launch event in Beijing, China. The Redmi 5 duo are the first Redmi series phone from the company to arrive with full screen design.

Redmi 5 and Redmi 5 Plus Design

The backside of the Redmi 5 and Redmi 5 Plus sports the familiar three-stage design found on other Redmi phones. These phones feature full metallic body and they will be available in the market in four color options such as Gold, Rose Gold, Blue and Black. The Redmi 5 measures 151.8 x 72.8 x 7.7mm and it weighs 157 grams whereas the dimensions of the Redmi 5 Plus are 158.8 x 75.45 x 8.05mm and its weight is 179.5 grams.

The full screen design enabled Redmi 5 duo do not feature capacitive touch buttons. It means users can make use of the on-screen buttons for navigation. A fingerprint scanner can be found on the back panel of both phones. According to Xiaomi, it has left enough bezels around the display to ensure that the high screen to body ratio doesn’t translate into a fragile display.

Redmi 5 Specifications

The Redmi 5 that houses a 5.7-inch display carries support for HD+ resolution of 720 x 1440 pixels and an aspect ratio of 18:9. The Snapdragon 450 chipset that comprises of a 1.8 GHz octa-core processor and Adreno 506 graphics is present under the hood of the Redmi 5. It includes a battery of 3,300mAh battery.

It features an f/2.2 aperture 12-megapixel rear camera sensor with 1.25 µm pixel size that is equipped with a soft-LED flash. It is equipped with some other features like PDAF, dark light enhancement technology, facial recognition, HDR, Panorama and Burst mode. The front panel of the phone has a 5-megapixel selfie snapper that is coupled with features like Smart Beauty 5.0, facial recognition, and full HD video recording at 30 fps. It is running on Nougat flavored MIUI 9.

It is running on Nougat flavored MIUI 9. The connectivity features available on the Redmi 5 include hybrid dual SIM slot with support for microSD card, microUSB, full netcom support, 4G, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, 4.2 Bluetooth, 3.5mm audio jack and GPS.

Redmi 5 Pricing and Availability

The Redmi 5 featuring 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of storage is priced at 799 Yuan (~$120). The other model having 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage carries a price tag of 899 Yuan (~$135). Its first sale will begin on Dec. 12 at 10 AM in China through retailers like Xiaomi Mall, Jingdong Mall, Suning Tesco and Lynx.

Redmi 5 Plus Specifications

The larger Redmi 5 Plus houses an 18:9 display of 5.99 inches. It delivers Full HD+ resolution of 2160 x 1080 pixels. Xiaomi has used the Snapdragon 625 chipset in various smartphones such as Redmi Note 4, Xiaomi Mi Max and Mi Max 2 and it has used it once again to power the Redmi 5 Plus.

A huge battery of 4,000mAh capacity that can last for up to 2 days fuels the handset. It also features the same set of cameras and connectivity feature that are available on the Redmi 5. It is also preinstalled with Nougat OS that is skinned with MIUI 9.

Redmi 5 Plus Pricing and Availability

The base model of the Redmi 5 Plus has 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage and it costs 999 Yuan (~$151). The higher variant that includes 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage is priced at 1,299 Yuan (~$196). It will be also available for purchase alongside the Redmi 5 on Dec. 12.

Huawei Nova 2s Color Variants, Pricing Leaked Ahead of its Launch

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Dec 7, 2017

Huawei will be unveiling the Nova 2s smartphone later today. The rumor mill has revealed plenty of leaked images of the smartphone. Yesterday, an unboxing video of the Nova 2s smartphone was also leaked. Few hours ago, well-known tipster Evan Blass had released a high-resolution image that revealed the color variants of the Nova 2s. Also, the pricing of the two variants of the Nova 2s have also been leaked.

The 2s color pallette. pic.twitter.com/aFxi1l3X1x

— Evan Blass (@evleaks) December 6, 2017

The above image shows that the upcoming Huawei Nova 2s will be coming in color choices like black, red, gray and rose gold. Another image of the Nova 2s has also surfaced to shows off its entire design. The front panel features dual front cameras and a physical Home button that is enabled with fingerprint sensor. The left and top sides of the Nova 2s are barren, but the right edge has volume buttons and Power key. Its bottom edge features a 3.5mm audio jack, a USB-C port and an external speaker. The back panel is also fitted with dual cameras.

Read More: Huawei Nova 2S Official Invite Includes 4-in-1 Clip-on Lens Kit

According to the TENAA listing of the Huawei Nova 2s, it will be coming with a 6-inch display that will carry support for Full HD+ resolution of 2160 x 1080 pixels. It will be delivering an aspect ratio of 18:9. The handset measures 156.9 x 75.1 x 7.5mm and weighs 169 grams.

Rumors have revealed that Kirin 960 chipset is present under the hood of the Nova 2s. Its rear panel is pegged to feature 20-megapixel + 16-megapixel dual camera system. The front panel will be housing a pair of 20-megapixel snappers. It will come preloaded with EMUI 8.0 flavored Android 8.0 Oreo and it will also include other features such as Hi-Fi audio chip and NFC. A 3,340mAh battery will be powering the Nova 2s smartphone.

Fresh information suggests that the Huawei Nova 2s featuring 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage will be carrying a price tag of 2,899 Yuan (~$438). The other variant of the phone featuring 6 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage will be priced at 3,199 Yuan (~$483).

(source 1, 2)

Samsung Galaxy S9, S9+ May Get Unveiled at Mobile World Congress 2018

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Dec 7, 2017

Recent reports have suggested that Samsung may showcase the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ flagships behind closed doors to its partners at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2018 that will be held in January at Las Vegas. According to a South Korean publication, Samsung has said that it is unlikely to unveil the Galaxy S9 duo at the CES 2018.

Samsung has used the Mobile World Congress (MWC) platform to unveil the Galaxy S5, Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S7 smartphones. However, the unforeseen Galaxy Note 7 issues caused the company to launch the Galaxy S8 through its own launch event in March this year. Hence, the Galaxy S9 and S9+ are rumored to get unveiled at the MWC 2018.

Some reports have claimed that the South Korean company will be holding a launch event for the Galaxy S9 duo a day prior to the MWC 2018 that will be beginning on Feb. 26. Hence, the Galaxy Unpacked 2018 event may be held on Feb. 25.

The Samsung Galaxy S9 is expected to arrive with similar design as the Galaxy S8. However, it will be coming with improved specs and functions. The Galaxy S8’s Infinity Display design offered 84 percent screen-to-body ratio. However, the Galaxy S9 is speculated to deliver a higher screen-to-body ratio of nearly 90 percent through its Infinity Display. Its rear-mounted fingerprint scanner will be placed below the dual rear cameras.

Blackview BV9000 & BV9000 Pro 2017 : Which One Do You Choose?

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Buy Blackview BV9000 Pro For $299.99

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Dec 7, 2017

Blackview announced the BV9000 Pro a few weeks back with top-notch specs and premium design. The rugged smartphone maker is now set to unleash another model BV9000 into the market.

Talking about the specifications, the BV9000 features a 13MP dual Sony sensor at the rear. The rugged smartphone also comes equipped with the MT6757CD octa-core processor clocked at 2.6GHz with 4GB of RAM and there is 64GB of internal memory. The BV9000 still retains the 5.7-inch display size seen on the BV9000 Pro and it comes with a 4180mAH battery. The only difference between both models is the memory: 6GB RAM+ 128GB ROM on BV9000 Pro.

Both the Blackview BV9000 and BV9000 Pro are basically Blackview’s final rugged phone in 2017. They come with new accessories and a brand new design. The entire package comes encased in a premium upgraded solid wood packaging box and is not the same as the paper box packaging used on previous Blackview models. This no doubt keeps your phone safer and more upscale. Blackview BV9000 & BV9000 Pro also packs an earphone as well as a USB Type-C cable for data syncing and charging, and a charger inside their boxes.

The entire package of BV9000Pro is available at a starting price of just $299.99. If you are looking for an unusual and premium Christmas gift for yourself or relatives, it looks like a totally good pick.

Buy Blackview BV9000 Pro on Giztop

OUKITEL On Why it Choose 18:9 Display on OUKITEL MIX 2

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Dec 7, 2017

In this year, various smartphone manufacturers have switched to the new trend of launching phones with 18:9 display. OUKITEL too has used an 18:9 screen on the OUKITEL MIX 2. The Chinese firm has released a video to show the advantages of an 18:9 display and why it chose such a screen on OUKITE MIX 2.

As it can be seen in the above video, OUKITEL has compared the OUKITE MIX 2 with another smartphone that is equipped with a 16:9 display. The comparison of the two phones show that both the phones have similar dimensions, but the MIX 2 is equipped with a larger display of 5.99 inches whereas the other phone offers a regular-sized display of 5.5 inches. This shows that an 18:9 aspect ratio display allows a smartphone to feature a larger screen without increasing its dimensions.

The second advantage of having an 18:9 display that it provides a wider viewing area. Older smartphones show black frame on both sides of the display while watching a video or image. However, screens with 18:9 aspect ratio squeezes the frames on the sides to offer bigger viewing area.

The third advantage of having an 18:9 display smartphone is that it possesses a slimmer body compared to a 16:9 phone. Slimmer phones not only sport an impressive design, but also are easier to hold.

While playing games on an 18:9 display phone, users are able to benefit from its wide viewing area. For instance, while playing combating games, players will be able to get an early view of the opponent.

OUKITEL MIX 2 is now available with a price tag of $229.99. Follow the link to know more on the MIX 2. The smartphone can be availed in two color choices of Black and Blue.

Rumored 2018 iPhone X Plus with 6.5-inch OLED Screen to Feature Dual SIM Support

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Dec 7, 2017

In the previous month, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo had claimed that Apple would be releasing three iPhones in 2018. Fresh information shared by Nomura, a Japanese securities firm corroborates with the predictions of Kuo as it claims that the Cupertino company will be releasing two OLED iPhones and one LCD iPhone in 2018.

According to Nomura, the LCD iPhone arriving in 2018 will sport the same edge-to-edge design like the iPhone X. It will be featuring only a single camera on its rear panel. Its screen will not be equipped with Force Touch feature. It will be enabled with Face ID feature and it is expected to be priced between $650 to $900. Kuo has claimed that this model will be featuring a 6.1-inch TFT LCD screen.

The Japanese securities firm also claims that there will be an OLED iPhone that will feature a 5.8-inch display. It is expected to arrive as a sequel to the iPhone X. There will be another OLED iPhone dubbed as “Plus” model that will carry the same specs as the forthcoming 5.8-inch OLED iPhone, but it will be housing a larger display of 6.5 inches. It is expected to come with features like dual-SIM support and 512 GB storage.

These iPhones are unlikely to feature Touch ID sensor and all of them will be equipped the infamous “notch” that was introduced on the iPhone X. Nomura has also stated that the iPhones arriving in 2019 will be equipped with a rear-mounted 3D sensing camera. The inclusion of a rear-mounted camera that possesses features of the TrueDepth Camera will allow the company to fulfil its goal of bringing full-fledged AR support on iPhones.

The lower-priced LCD iPhone will be assembled by Pegatron and possibly Wistron. The other two OLED iPhones is expected to be assembled by Foxconn. According to Nomura, it was able to acquire the above information on 2018 iPhones through supply chain surveys. It claims that the suppliers and specifications of the forthcoming iPhones will not be finalized before late first quarter or second quarter of 2018.

Elephone S8 Red Limited Edition Will Hit The Market In The Coming Days

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Dec 7, 2017

Elephone S8 is one of the full-screen models that leverage on the huge success of the Samsung Galaxy S8. The device features a tri-bezel-less, full-screen design with an 18:9 aspect ratio and is available in Black and Blue colours before now but Elephone recently announced the addition of a cool red variant which will be a limited edition model. Red colour has always played a vital role in the fashion sector which never fades. Same thing applies in the tech industry. Red colour has the ability to add vitality and newness to relatively boring tech product.

Dubbed Elephone S8 Red Limited Edition, the smartphone will be released in the coming days. In the choice of colour and materials, it is much more difficult to produce than other colours. After almost half a year testing the production process and several adjustments to get the right colour shade, the team of engineers at Elephone have finally produced this gem-like red glass back cover. You got it right, the back cover is made of glass coated in Red and it looks like a gem. This variant will make all other colours look dull, so it is one to watch out for.

APart from the elegant red colour, the Elephone S8 Red Limited Edition features the same specs as the Black and Blue variants. As stated, it is a limited edition and so would be available in limited quantities. If you don’t want to miss out on the Red-coloured Elephone S8, keep a tab on the product availability by visiting their official website. You can also check out the various attractive products Elephone has on offer from there.

Qualcomm Reveals Snapdragon 845 Full Details, Focuses On Camera, AI, and Battery Life

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Dec 7, 2017

Qualcomm has officially revealed the full specification details of its latest chipset – the Snapdragon 845 Mobile Platform. The new chip is its most powerful till date and will power the flagships of 2018.

The Snapdragon 845 is a 2nd-Gen 10nm chipset built by Samsung just like its predecessor, the Snapdragon 835, and belongs to the premium-tier category. Qualcomm says the new chip offers a 25% improvement in performance and 30% improvement in battery life over the SDM835, but that is just the simplest way to describe the new chip.

The new SoC’s main features are actually more than just an increase in performance. It is a serious upgrade with features that will push Android devices to the forefront.

The Snapdragon 845 is an octa-core processor consisting of 8 Kryo 385 cores clocked at 2.8GHz and 1.8GHz respectively in the big.LITTLE arrangement. Its GPU is the Adreno 630 with support for OpenGL ES 3.2, OpenCL 2.0, Vulkan, and DX12.

The Adreno 630 GPU brings a 30% improvement in graphics and video rendering. Its visual processing subsystem is the first mobile platform to bring room scale 6 degrees-of-freedom with SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping), which is useful for wall-collision detection; and improved hand tracking and controller support.

The processor brings a new ISP – the Spectra 280, which allows you to record 4K videos with HDR at 60fps, record slo-mo HDR videos in 720p at 480fps, and high performance capture up to 16MP at 60fps. It also brings hardware accelerated face detection and active depth sensing to the cameras. This will come in handy for phones with face unlock next year as well as an improved portrait mode for pictures.

The new Hexagon 685 DSP brings the 3rd generation Hexagon vector DSP for improved AI and imaging capabilities. It also brings Hexagon Scalar DSP for audio.

Its new Snapdragon X20 LTE modem has support for 5x carrier aggregation with speeds of up to 1.2Gbps for download and 150Mbps for upload. It also brings Dual SIM Dual VoLTE (DSDV), a feature available on some MediaTek and Kirin processors already. This allows you to set both SIM cards to 4G for phones with dual SIM support. There is also 4×4 MIMO on up to 3 aggregated carriers.

The new Snapdragon 845 also has an isolated sub-chip for vault-like security called the Secure Processing Unit (SPU). This will allow it carry out security tasks independent of the main chip, thereby enhancing security by keeping your biometrics (fingerprint, iris, face, and voice) safe from being compromised when carrying out tasks like mobile payment.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkVOtqVID7Y[/embedyt]

Bluetooth 5.0 has also been improved. There is now support for multi-device broadcasting which lets you broadcast to multiple devices at the same time. An example given is for truly wireless earbuds.

Usually, there is an earbud that is the “master” which receives audio from the phone and then transmits to the second earbud A.k.A. the slave. With multi-device broadcasting, both earbuds receive audio from the phone at the same time. One of the advantages it brings is reduced battery consumption by up to 50% for the earbuds.

Qualcomm has also added 11ad and 2×2 ac Wi-Fi to its WI-Fi protocol, resulting in up to 16x improvement in connection speeds and reliability in connection. The Snapdragon 845 also supports Quick Charge 4+ for faster charging.

LG V30+ With 6-Inch OLED FullVision Display To Launch In India On December 13

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Jeet

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Dec 6, 2017

LG is all set to launch its flagship smartphone — LG V30+ in the Indian market. The company has now started sending out media invites for the launch event of LG V30+ smartphone.

The company is holding a launch event on 13th December at 11.30 AM IST in New Delhi, India. In terms of specifications, LG V30+ is almost similar to V30 in every aspect, except for the storage. While the LG V30 comes equipped with 64GB internal storage, the V30+ packs 128GB of internal UFS 2.1 storage.

The smartphone features a 6-inch QHD+ OLED FullVision display with a screen resolution of 1440 × 2880 pixels, 18:9 aspect ratio and narrow bezels. Under the hood, the device is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, coupled with Adreno 540 GPU and 4GB LPDDR4x RAM. It also comes with a microSD card slot, allowing users to expand storage capacity up to 2TB.

There is a 16-megapixel primary rear camera with f/1.6 aperture, Crystal Clear lens, Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS), EIS and Hybrid Auto Focus that combines both Laser Detection Auto Focus and Phase Detection Auto Focus. It also comes with a 13-megapixel secondary camera with 120-degree wide-angle lens.

It runs Android 7.1.2 Nougat operating system based LG UX 6.0+. The company has revealed that it will soon upgrade the smartphone to the latest Android 8.0 Oreo. It is IP68 certified for water and dust resistance. According to the company, it has passed 14 categories of the MIL-STD 810G Transit Drop Test, making it compliant with military operations.

The device features a 32-bit Advanced Hi-Fi Quad DAC, which is powered by ESS Technology’s SABRE ES9218P, along with digital filters, sound presets and sound tuning by B&O PLAY. Connectivity options on the device include 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 ac (2.4GHz and 5GHz), Bluetooth 5.0 LE, GPS, NFC, and USB Type-C 2.0. It is powered by a 3,300mAh battery which supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 as well as wireless charging.

It is not yet known if the LG V30 will be launched alongside V30+. Earlier, it was reported that the V30 will launch in India in December for the price of Rs. 47,990. The LG V30+ smartphone’s pricing for the Indian market is not yet known. In Korea, where the device was introduced in September, it is priced at 998,800 KRW (approx. $885). We’ll know the pricing as well as availability information of the smartphone in the Indian market once it gets launched on 13th December.

Meiigoo S8 Review – A Beautiful Newcomer to the Smartphone Game!

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Linus

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Dec 6, 2017

Meiigoo is a newcomer to the smartphone game and the S8 is their latest budget offering. It has a full-screen design, metal and glass construction and a lot more for a low price. Learn more in our Meiigoo S8 review.

Buy Meiigoo S8

VIDEO REVIEW

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oohMRK8GXE[/embedyt]

UNBOXING

The phone ships with some extra accessories like a screen protector and a nice soft TPU case.

DESIGN and DISPLAY

The Meiigoo S8 is yet another budget Chinese phone that offers an all-screen design that is packed into a well-constructed metal and glass body. One thing that I don’t really like is sharp edges on the back but I can live with that.

That 6.1” display is huge and vibrant, and it is easily one of the best-looking panels on any budget phone.

As most of the budget phone nowadays, we have a dual-camera setup on the back. There is also a 5MP shooter on the front.

I found the fingerprint scanner to be reliable and accurate but then there is a slight delay until the display lights up. There are some extra features like a notification LED light and a dedicated camera launch and shutter key. Finally, the phone still has a headset jack and the loudspeaker quality is kind of mediocre, like on most of the budget phones.

HARDWARE and PERFORMANCE

The Meiigoo S8 ships with great specifications for the price but gaming performance is not so great. The phone can’t handle even some 4-year-old games like Asphalt 8 on the highest graphics. Also, the device gets hot very quickly and that may impair gaming performance too. Obviously, you can still enjoy playing most of the games but you would need to reduce graphics settings.

BENCHMARKS

USER INTERFACE

The phone runs Android 7 and it has preserved most of its stock look and feel but there are quite a few added features and customization options. You can choose from quite a few transitions effects, themes or wallpapers. You can also use a fingerprint scanner as a navigation pad but I didn’t find this feature to be convenient to use since the scanner is implemented on the back. You can also customize the navigation bar or select from quite a few smart features like a split-screen mode that works well.

My overall user experience with the phone is positive since the device is really fast even after installing numerous applications.

IMAGE QUALITY

Since it’ winter time, I could only test the camera on a cloudy day, meaning that it can take better quality images on a sunny and bright day. Still, I expected better overall image quality but you can take a few decent images for social media needs. The SLR mode takes pictures with blurred background effect but as usual, don’t expect great results from a budget phone like this.

Selfies are usable but there could definitely be more detail.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj_7dxw-JC0[/embedyt]

1080p video looks quite good for a budget phone. The front-facing camera can shoot videos only in 480p resolution and as you can see, the quality is quite bad due to low resolution.

Download full resolution camera samples

CONNECTIVITY

As far as connectivity, I would rate the call quality above average and other options work just fine. The phone has a hybrid dual-SIM card tray and 12 sensors including a gyroscope for VR compatibility.

BATTERY LIFE

The battery life is okay but it could definitely be better. In fact, I wish the company implemented a larger power bank for a better battery life. I was able to achieve about 4.5 h of screen-on time but your results may vary, depending on the usage. Thankfully, the supplied charger fully charges the phone in about 1.5h.

CONCLUSIONS

The Meiigoo S8 is definitely one of the better-looking budget phones out there and its main attraction is a brilliant and huge display and great build quality. I also love that the phone performs well on the daily basis and it has a few extra features like a dedicated camera launch/shutter key.

However, the camera is inconsistent, gaming performance could be better and I expected a slightly better battery life.

At the end of the day, the Meiigoo S8 does offer quite a lot of value but as always, please consider all the pros and cons before buying it.

Buy Meiigoo S8

Huawei Nova 2S Unboxing & Hands On Videos Show Off A Premium Mid-range Goddess

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Dec 6, 2017

In the last couple of days, the internet has been buzzing with several leaked pictures of the real Huawei Nova 2S smartphone. The device has also appeared on TENAA revealing its specs sheet alongside the real photos. Apart from that, Huawei has also sent out invitations to the Nova 2S launch billed to hold on December 7. Now, ahead of the launch event, a couple of YouTube videos containing the Nova 2S unboxing and hands on activities have appeared online.

The videos give a visual confirmation of the Nova 2S, indeed showing that Huawei is set to unveil yet another premium mid-range goddess. The device is a perfect beauty that sure looks like a flagship model. Just recently, we saw the Honor View 10 (Honor V10) with a mid-range price tag and premium design as well as flagship specs. And now, the Nova 2S is coming with a similar setup. The video shows the device having a glass back, dual cameras both at the front and rear sides, a full-view 18:9 screen at the front. Despite the high screen to body ratio, the smartphone still features a front-sitting home button and fingerprint sensor just like the Honor View 10. Here’s one of the hands on videos below.

In a rare move, Huawei seems to include an earphone piece as one of the accessories available inside the Nova 2S box in addition to the charging adapter and USB cable. That is just complementary by the way. As a reminder, the Huawei Nova 2S will come with a 6-inch display and would be powered by last year’s flagship Kirin 960 chipset paired with 6GB of RAM. The dual camera on the device is a 20MP + 16MP combination reminiscent of the Honor V10’s. In addition, the rear cameras also have an f1.8 aperture apiece. Further, there is a dual 20MP camera setup at the front, making the device a quad-camera packing model. The smartphone is also expected to pack the EMUI 8.0 UI based on Android Oreo. There is facial recognition and you also get NFC for contactless payment as well as a built-in Hi-Fi chip. Check out the second Nova 2S unboxing and hands on video from below.

Meizu’s Blue Charm Brand Gets A New Logo, Appears In Official Letter

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Dec 6, 2017

Earlier this year, you would recall that Meizu restructured its administrative structure and grouped its operations under three different divisions comprising the Meizu division, Blue Charm division and Flyme division. The Meizu division was directly under the control of Jeffery Wang, Meizu’s chairman and CEO and the division was responsible for the manufacture of the company’s flagship models. The Blue Charm division was headed by Meizu VP Li Nan and became the bedrock of its mid-range and budget models including accessories like headphones. The Blue Charm division was recently rumoured to be undergoing some rebranding. That seems to be the case as a new logo for the Blue charm division has been spotted on an official letter Meizu sent out to its fans.

The letter meant to announce the 300 Yuan price cut on the Meizu Note 6 carried a logo which looks like two tiny pills lying unevenly side by side. From the look of things, the Meizu logo may likely be yanked off the Charm Blue models going forward as it is nowhere in sight on the letter (pictured below). However, that is yet to be officially confirmed by Meizu.

This is not the first time a logo said to be the new Charm Blue logo is appearing online. We had earlier seen two new logos which turned out to be fake. So, we cant be so sure about this one until it is officially unveiled. We must point out that the news story surrounding the rebranding of the Charm Blue division is on the increase and gathering more steam. It would be recalled that Meizu is rumoured as also planning to change the Charm Blue brand to mBlu and there have been several leaks which point in that direction.

More Xiaomi Redmi 5 & Redmi 5 Plus Specifications Leaked

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Dec 6, 2017

Xiaomi is intent on exhaustively utilizing the premium mid-range Redmi line this year. The tech giant has already launched the Redmi 5A, Redmi Note 5A, and is set to release two more models – Redmi 5 and Redmi 5 Plus on December 7. Ahead of the launch tomorrow, one more leak detailing the key specifications of the Redmi 5 and Redmi 5 Plus has appeared on Weibo.

The picture appears to contain the real smartphones with the specs printed on the removable film usually placed on the screen of Xiaomi phones. The specs listed on the screen align with those we have seen on TENAA and in several leaks and rumours that have appeared in the past.

The Redmi 5 is shown to come with a phablet-sized 5.7-inch display with an 18:9 aspect ratio. The smartphone is also listed to pack a Snapdragon 450 chipset and a 12MP rear camera. The front camera is promoted as having a soft flash and most of all, the phone is said t have a 13-day standby time. This might be just a gimmick anyway. On the other hand, the Redmi 5 Plus comes with a bigger 5.99-inch 18:9 display. It is powered by a Snapdragon 625 processor and also comes with a selfie soft flash. The Redmi 5 Plus is also listed with a 12MP rear camera and a 17 days standby time which suggests it is coming with a larger battery. In less than 24 hours time, Xiaomi will unveil the entire details.

ORICO Power Bank With Support For 7 Fast Charging Protocols Announced

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Dec 6, 2017

It is not unusual to see a power bank that has support for fast charging. There are a bunch of them in the market that support Qualcomm’s Quick Charge technology or the manufacturer’s proprietary fast charging technology. What is unusual is a power bank that has support for 7 different charging protocols, and that is exactly what ORICO’s latest power bank has.

The ORICO power bank has two-way fast charging support and comes in two variants – one has a capacity of 10000mAh and the other has a 20,000mAh capacity. Both contain lithium-polymer batteries.

The unique feature of the ORICO power bank is its support for 7 different charging protocols. Apart from the popular ones such as Qualcomm’s Quick Charge (2.0 and 3.0) and MediaTek’s Pump Express+ (1.1 and 2.0), it also supports Huawei’s FCP fast charging technology, Samsung’s Adaptive Fast Charge (AFC), Apple’s 2.4A/12W fast charge, BC1.2, and a smart identification fast charge technology.

The ORICO power bank isn’t done showing off. It has four ports in total – two full sized output ports, a micro USB input port and a USB-C port that charges both ways.

The micro USB and USB-C input ports support 5V/3A, 9V/2A, and 12V/1.5A. One of the full-sized ports supports 5V/2.4A while the other is a fast charge port that supports 5V/3A, 9V/2A, and 12V/1.5A. The USB-C port supports 5V/3A output.

One additional cool feature about the power bank is that the LED lights can indicate if it is fast charging or not. An orange LED means it’s in fast charge mode while a white LED means it is in normal charging mode. ORICO says the power bank comes with a kevlar-wrapped USB cable that can bear weights of up to 60kg without sustaining any damage.

Xiaomi Launches New Chi Light Haze Mask For 39 Yuan ($6) Having The KN95/PM2.5 Standard

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Dec 6, 2017

Xiaomi has launched another useful product under its crowdfunding platform. The products an anti-haze mask which will obviously be a useful one this season.It is already on sale today and comes with a price tag of just 39 Yuan ($6). In case you are wondering the name of the product, it goes by the name Chi Light breathing haze mask.

China and other industrialized countries have to grapple with the effects of urbanization, one of which is poor air quality. So, it is a popular sight to see people moving about with face mask over their face. This isn’t the first anti-haze mask Xiaomi has released but it is one of the cheapest at just 39 Yuan ($6). The new haze mask continues with the stylish design of the 69-Yuan AirWear mask released last year.

The new Chi Light Haze mask comes with the KN95 protection standard which can effectively block particles of PM 2.5 sizes. Apart from that, itis also effective against dust, pollen, car exhaust fumes, and other harmful particles in the air. The mask won’t likely pose problems of wearing discomfort as it is manufactured using TPU stretch film materials as well as environmentally friendly polyurethane cotton composite material. The material takes the shape of the user’s face as it is used continuously.

The straps are also made from user-friendly materials that won’t cause discomfort.The haze masks are also well equipped with a three-position ear hook which ensures it can be worn easily even when the user is putting on an eyeglass. The breathing valve has also been improved, thus bringing down the inhalation resistance from 175Pa to 100Pa. While the exhalation resistance stands at just 45Pa, thus ensuring that the mask stays dry always.

Yeelight Moonlight Chandelier Launched for ¥349

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Dec 6, 2017

Yeelight is one of the startups under Xiaomi’s Mijia ecosystem. The brand is known for its smart lamps, smart bulbs, and LED strips. Today it added a new product to its line-up – the Moonlight Chandelier.

The Moonlight Chandelier has a Nordic minimalist design that can be adapted to any decoration style. The body is made of an all-metal plate with a thickness of 0.8mm and a spray finish to prevent rust.

The chandelier uses E27 bulbs and has a hole at the top for letting out the heat from bulbs. Yeelight says it will work with LED bulbs, fluorescent bulbs, and tungsten bulbs.