OnePlus 5T Fresh Renders Reveal its Full Screen Design

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Oct 20, 2017

Huawei, Oppo, Vivo and Xiaomi are the four leading smartphone brands in China. Apple is one of the fifth spot and is concerned about its market share. Fresh information coming from China has revealed that 2018 iPhones that are aimed towards the country is codenamed as “Lisbon” and “Hangzhou”. These smartphones are speculated to come with many features that are available on the iPhone X. Also, the Lisbon and Hangzhou iPhones are expected to carry affordable price tags. By releasing these phones, the Cupertino company.

Apple has been always known alphanumeric codenames for its iPhones. For instance, the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are respectively codenamed as D20 and D22. If the information revealed China’s Economic Daily turns out to be true, the upcoming iPhones aimed towards will carry city name-based codenames.

The aforementioned codenames have been revealed by unnamed sources from Apple’s supply china. Macotakara, a Japanese tech blog speculates that the lower-end iPhone coming next year may be priced around $90 less than the iPhone X. It indicates that the Lisbon or Hangzhou iPhone may carry a pricing of around $909.

Recent reports have suggested that all the iPhones that will be releasing in 2018 are expected to come with an OLED screen, TrueDepth Camera system and Face ID. However, the report published on the Chinese publication does not clearly mention the features that will be borrowed by Lisbon and Hangzhou from iPhone X. It is likely that the cheaper iPhone X-like phones may house an LCD panel instead of an OLED panel. Also, they may feature Touch ID sensor instead of the newly introduced Face ID.

In China, the Cupertino company is facing fierce competition from local smartphone OEMs. In the third quarter of this year, Apple managed to reach a market share of 17.7 percent in China whereas Huawei is leading the pack with a 31 percent market share. China is the world’s biggest smartphone market. However, the $999 starting price for the iPhone X with 64 GB storage is unlikely to entice many buyers to purchase it.

Do you think Apple should sell iPhones with lower pricing? Share us your thoughts by adding your comments below.

(source 1, 2, 3)

HTC Confirms November 2 Event, Definitely U11 Plus Device Launch

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Oct 19, 2017

A few days ago, we reported that HTC sent out invites for an event scheduled for 2nd of November. The invite revealed the program of event as well as the venue. It also hinted at the device belonging to the U series.

HTC itself didn’t confirm the event, as the image of the invite was posted on Weibo by a third party. Not until today did HTC announce via Twitter that it has an event for November 2.

We're bringing something new for the #BrilliantU. pic.twitter.com/EqmmyPTuIp

— HTC (@htc) October 19, 2017

The accompanying image is similar to that of the invite but doesn’t have details of the venue and time.

The HTC U11 Plus is the device expected to launch but we may see other new products too, maybe the standalone Daydream VR headset.

The HTC U11 Plus is a 6” phone with thinner bezels and a 2:1 aspect ratio. It will come with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835, 4GB/6GB of RAM and 64GB/128GB of storage.

Nokia 7 Dazzles In Hands On Photos, Camera Samples Show Prowess of ZEISS Lens

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Oct 19, 2017

Nokia took the wraps off the Nokia 7 on Thursday, just over a month after unveiling the flagship Nokia 8. The Nokia 7 does not come with the paraphernalia of a flagship device but fall in the mid-range category just like the Nokia 6 but as we have seen in this new era where HMD Global call the shot at Nokia, the build is of a premium flagship quality.

The Nokia 7 hands-on photos, as well as camera sample, were spotted in the wild a few hours after it was officially launched. It is just apt that we deliver to it to you as fresh as it comes here on Gizmmochina. The Nokia 7 features a glass body laced with a 7000-series aluminium frame. The rear glass panel is a vacuum molded 3D Gorilla Glass 3. The device comes with IP54 rating which is nothing more than a splash-proof body. Also, the Nokia 7 comes in Gloss Black and Matte White and both colour variants are captured in the unboxing photo gallery.

You get a 5.2-inch IPS LCD display with Full HD resolution which should offer a clear display view even outdoors. The front display is also covered with a Gorilla Glass 3 protection. Perhaps, the most spectacular feature should be the 16MP ZEISS lens with a f/1.8 aperture. The camera samples also featured in the photo gallery below also shows how the new camera lens fare. No doubt, it can capture photos with vivid clarity during daytime but how it would fare at night remains to be seen. The camera doesn’t perform badly for a mid-range phone but we have seen better shots from mid-budget models like the Meizu M6 Note. That is just my opinion by the way.

The Nokia 7 also comes with a 5MP selfie sensor with f/2.0 aperture and an 84-degree FOV. The device is powered by a SNapdragon 630 processor backed by 4GB of RAM on some models and 6GB RAM on others. There is 64GB of expandable storage on board. There is also a 3,000mAh battery with 18W fast charging and that port onboard is a Type-C port. The Nokia 7 also comes with OZO audio technology which enables it to record 360-degree immersive sound. There is also a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor and other features. The device will be hitting shelves in China first on October 24 and the 4GB RAM version carries a price tag of 2,499 Yuan (~$377) while the 6 GB RAM variant costs 2,699 Yuan (~$407). Meanwhile, check out the camera samples and Nokia 7’s hands on photos below.

(source 1, 2)

[envira-gallery slug=”nokia-7-camera-samples”] [envira-gallery id=”154355″]

Motorola Announces October 24 Event, Likely Moto Z2 Force China Launch

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Oct 19, 2017

Motorola has taken to Weibo to announce that it has an event scheduled for October 24. The 10-second long video shows a mash-up of short clips possibly recorded with a phone. Our guess is that the launch is for the Moto Z2 Force.

The Moto Z2 Force was announced back in July but still hasn’t been unveiled in China. It was seen on TENAA in August with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, so that should be the variant China is getting.

The Moto Z2 Force is powered by the Snapdragon 835 processor. It has a 5.5-inch P-OLED QHD display and dual 12MP rear cameras. There is a 5MP front facing camera with its own LED. A 2730mAh battery sits under the brushed metal back. The fingerprint scanner is below the display and there is a USB-C port for audio and charging.

Like the first generation Moto Z series, the Moto Z2 Force has a bunch of connection pins at the back for connecting it to a Moto Mod. It will work with all of the first gen Moto Mods alongside the new ones released this year.

Apart from the Moto Z2 Force, Motorola may also release its own USB-C in-ear headphones. A second teaser image shows a pair of headphones made to form the figure 5 with a text that translates into “5 days to the event”. The earphones is plugged to a phone we believe is the Moto Z2 Force (the Moto Z2 Play has an audio jack).

OPPO F5 Will Launch in Three Versions, Pictures of Green Model Surface Ahead of Launch

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Oct 19, 2017

OPPO’s first full-screen smartphone, the OPPO F5, seems to be the focus of leakers this week. Yesterday, a Filipino retailer leaked the full specs of the device revealing that it will come with dual front cameras. Today, a new leak has shown that the OPPO F5 will launch in three versions.

OPPO F5

The image lists the models as an OPPO F5 with 4GB RAM and available in gold and black; an OPPO F5 6GB with 6GB RAM + 64GB ROM which will come in red and black; and an OPPO F5 Youth with a 16MP selfie camera, available in gold and black too.

Apart from these differences, the rest of the specs are the same – AI Beauty camera software, 6.0-inch display with a FHD+ resolution, and facial unlock. The image also says buyers can pre-order the phones and get gifts such as a VIP card, OPPO bag, and a special gift box.

LG V30 Scratch, Bend & Burn Test Shows It Isn’t Only About Sleek Looks

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Oct 19, 2017

LG V30 was announced about two months back sporting quite a number of scintillating features including a f/1.6 aperture camera which should be one of the best we are seeing in a smartphone camera. The device also features a Full Vision display with a nearly bezel-less design. The V30 has proven to be a lot different from other flagships in many aspects and that has again been reaffirmed by the latest Scratch, burn and bed test carried out on the V30 by JerryRigsEverything (Zacks Jerry).

We recently saw the teardown of the V30 which indicated a well thought-out internal design and hardware. The latest scratch, bend and burn test saw the V30 performing extremely well under tough conditions. The device was first subjected to a scratch test where the display is scratched with a scratch pen and the device was able to withstand up to level 6 on the Mohs scale. That is because the display is protected by a Gorilla Glass 5 protection. The scratch test was also carried out on the rest of the body and that shows the body is entirely made of metal which doesn’t scratch easily.

The V30 was next subjected to a burn test and the burn test revealed that after 10 seconds the screen started to show damage to the pixels. Since it is OLED display, the damage is irreversible but then, who exposes direct fire to a flagship’s display for up to 10 seconds? Lastly, the bend test was carried out and the V30 comes out victorious. Zacks Jerry noted that the LG V30 is a “solid, premium-feeling phone.”

To refresh our memories, the LG V30 features a 6-inch OLED display with a 1440 x 2880 resolution and 18:9 aspect ratio. It has 4GB of RAM that is paired with a Snapdragon 835 SoC. A 16MP f/1.6 sensor paired with a 13MP f/1.9 lens grace its back. Up in front is a 5MP f/2.2 sensor. The V30 also comes with an IP68 rating, packs a 3300mAh battery and runs Android 7.1.2 Nougat out of the box. HEre is the Scratch, Burn and Bend test video.

Sharp Launches 4.9” Tri-Bezel-less Aquos R Compact

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Oct 19, 2017

Sharp has been making bezel-less smartphones for years before it became a trend this year. Few months ago, it announced the Aquos S2 – a bezel-less smartphone with a similar design to the Essential Phone. Its latest phone announced in Japan today is the Aquos R Compact which also shares a similar design.

The Aquos R Compact is a smaller and less powerful version of the flagship Aquos R released earlier this year. The design is also different as it has little or no bezels on three of its sides unlike the Aquos R.

The phone has the same semi-circle cut-out in the display where the front facing camera is housed just like in the Aquos S2. However, its chin is bigger and is home to a fingerprint scanner/home button. Sharp has managed to squeeze a speaker at the top as well as a sensor.

The Aquos R Compact has a 4.9-inch FHD+ (2032 x 1080) IGZO display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The phone is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 660 mobile platform paired with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of expandable storage.

There is a 16.4MP camera on the back with hybrid AF (PDAF + contrast focus) and an 8MP sensor in front for selfies. Battery capacity is 2,500mAh with support for Quick Charge 3.0. The Aquos R Compact has a USB-C port, Bluetooth 5.0, and even an IP68 rating. It also runs EMOPA 7.0 based on Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box.

MIUI 9.0.2.0 Stable Version to be Released Soon

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Oct 19, 2017

Xiaomi had launched the MUI 9 custom ROM in July when it had announced the Mi 5X smartphone. Since then the company has only released the Developer Preview versions of MIUI 9. Millions of Xiaomi smartphones are eagerly waiting for the arrival of the stable version of MIUI 9. Today, MUI Marketing Deputy Director, Huang Longzhon has officially confirmed on Weibo that the stable build of MIUI 9 with version no 9.0.2.0 will be released soon.

He has also posted a snapshot of a Xiaomi Mi 6 that is running on MIUI 9.0.2.0 as a proof to show that a stable build is ready and it will be rolled out to smartphones soon. The company is working on releasing a stable version of MIUI 9 and rolling out an unstable version can be disastrous as it can affect millions of users.

He added that normal circumstances the stable version is rolled out within two months of releasing developer version. However, since MIUI 9 is a new system, it has taken more time to prepare its stable version. At the time of the launch, the company had confirmed on the list of supported Xiaomi devices that will be receiving the MIUI 9 Developer ROM.

These devices are also likely to receive the MIUI 9.0.2.0 build. However, some of the features like split screen multi-tasking will be available on certain devices. The MUI 9 is also expected to bring software-driven facial scanning feature. It means even without any specific hardware, the MIUI 9 enabled phones will allow users to take advantage of the new biometric recognition feature.

Apart from the aforementioned features, MIUI 9 will also bring along features like smart assistant and smart app launcher along with optimized system performance. Recent reports have revealed that the stable edition of MIUI 9 should be available to the users by the end of October or early November.

HTC U11 Plus Reportedly Arriving with a 4,000mAh Battery in a Compact Body

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Oct 19, 2017

HTC is speculated to announce the rumored U11 flagship phone on Nov. 2. The specifications of the smartphone have already appeared on benchmarking platforms. However, the exact size of the battery that will be powering was not revealed through benchmark listings. HTC ROM developer LlabTooFeR who is known for revealing accurate information on forthcoming HTC devices has revealed the battery capacity of the upcoming HTC U11 Plus.

According to LlabTooFeR, the physical size of the rumored HTC U11 Plus would be similar to that of HTC U11 that was launched in May this year. However, he maintains that there will some difference in the XYZ dimensions.

The HTC U11 measures 153.9 x 75.9 x 7.9mm and it includes a 5.5-inch display. It houses a 3,000mAh battery. According to CAD renders revealed by OnLeaks, the alleged U11 Plus measures 158.2 x 74.9 x 9.1mm. Even though the dimensions of the unreleased U11 Plus cannot be trusted, it suggests that the U11 Plus phone will be slightly taller device than the U11 even though it is expected to arrive with a 6-inch display. However, the U11 Plus seems to be a bit thicker. It could be probably because of the rumored large-sized battery of 4,000mAh capacity.

The rumor mill has already leaked the specifications of the HTC U11 Plus. Moreover, the handset has also appeared on GFXBench and Geekbench benchmarking sites. The 6-inch display of HTC U11 Plus is speculated to support 2:1 aspect ratio and a QHD+ resolution. It is expected to arrive in two variant such as 4 GB RAM + 64 GB storage and 6 GB of RAM + 128 GB storage. These variants will be powered by Snapdragon 835. For photography, it may feature 12-megapixel rear snapper and 8-megapixel selfie camera.

Huawei Mate 10 Pro AnTuTu Benchmarks Reveal Kirin 970 is a Worthy Rival for Snapdragon 835

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Oct 19, 2017

The Kirin 970 chipset is an 10nm chipset that is integrated with an exclusive Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for handling AI capabilities. The beasty Kirin 970 powers the recently introduced Mate 10 series smartphones. The AnTuTu benchmarks of Huawei Mate 10 and Mate 10 Pro that have surfaced recently indicate that the performance of the Kirin 970 is on par with Snapdragon 835.

Huawei Mate 10 Pro AnTuTu Benchmarks

The above image seems to show the AnTuTu benchmarks score of a Huawei phone with a model number of BLA-L29. The same model has been spotted with 6 GB of RAM multiples times on Geekbench over the past week. The BLA-L29 is the Mate 10 Pro and it has recorded an impressive score of 173,757 on AnTuTu.

The Mate 10 Pro has a 6-inch FHD+ OLED screen that offers an aspect ratio of 18:9. It includes 128 GB of storage. It has a 20-megapixel + 12-megapixel Leica certified dual rear cameras and is fueled by a 4,000mAh battery.

Huawei Mate 10 AnTuTu Benchmarks

The above image seems to belong to the regular Mate 10 as the model number of ALP-AL00 has appeared with 4 GB of RAM on the benchmarking site numerous times in the recent past. On AnTuTu, it has managed to score even higher with 176,174 points. Also, the listing shown in the above image seems to be authentic as the official AnTuTu site has the same listing sans the scores of Mate 10.

The Mate 10 has a 5.9-inch LCD screen that supports QHD resolution. It also features the same dual camera system and 4,000mAh battery that is available on the Mate 10 Pro.

Coming to the AnTuTu benchmarks, the Mate 10 and Mate 10 Pro have managed to list among the top 7 best performing smartphones. The Apple A11 Bionic chipset powered iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone 8 are respectively leading AnTuTu benchmarks with respective scores of 212,728 and 205,386. The Snapdragon 835 powered OnePlus 5 and ZTE Nubia Z17 that have respectively scored 181,410 and 177,770 are ranking ahead of Mate 10.

The Mate 10 Pro is not present in the above list, but its score of 173,757 should land it behind HTC U11 that has a score of 175,970. The Mate 10 and 10 Pro are also ahead of SD 835 powered Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ on AnTuTu

The above ranking shows that the Kirin 970 powered Mate 10 and Mate 10 Pro are scoring similar benchmark scores as Snapdragon 835 on AnTuTu. This indicates that Huawei has managed to create a beasty chipset that can rival with Snapdragon 835.

Xiaomi Launches Intelligent Fingerprint Door Lock Priced At ¥1699 (~$256)

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Oct 19, 2017

Xiaomi has launched what is its 123rd product under the crowdfunding platform and it is yet another smart home gadget. The product is the Loock Classic Intelligent Fingerprint Door Lock and it is priced at 1699 Yuan ($256). The price is said to include home installation.

The Fingerprint Door Lock can achieve four different types of unlocking procedures using the fingerprint, mobile phone app connected via Bluetooth, password and a physical key. Its main selling point is the fingerprint recognition apparatus, a design that doesn’t store fingerprint and its strong anti-breaking ability. The handle is manufactured using a seamless single moulding technology which gives it the capability to withstand up to 100,000 times pressure test and it carries a guarantee of up to 10 years without having to sag. The head looks like a fingerprint as well as the handle cover and the handle base giving it a more aesthetic appeal and there won’t be fingerprint stains as a result of frequent usage.

As for the fingerprint recognition technology, the door lock is said to utilize a live fingerprint chip where all internal data is stored in an independent safe area. Also, the technology is also expanded from the traditional 14years- 55years age range to 7 -70years with an error rate of 0.0005%. The smart gadget also has deep learning ability as it learns to recognize better from frequent use. The lock can also function very well under extremely high or low temperatures ranging from -25 degrees Celsius to 55 degrees Celsius.

In addition, there is an alarm system installed which goes off if an intruder tries to tamper with the door lock either with a pry or by inputting the wrong fingerprint up to 15 times. The password aspect also has an anti-peeping virtual password which is a 16-digit password that continues with the real password that is just 6 digits.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, Redmi 5 Plus Reportedly Arriving Before November 11?

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Oct 19, 2017

Xiaomi has recently launched the Redmi Note 5A with low-end specs. However, Xiaomi fans are eagerly waiting for the arrival of Redmi Note 5 that is expected to arrive with better specs along with dual rear cameras. Fresh information suggests that the three variants of Redmi Note 5 and a Redmi 5 Plus are likely to debut before Nov. 11.

Singles’ Day that is arriving on Nov. 11 is the biggest online shopping festival of China. It appears that Xiaomi is looking forward to make the most of the upcoming 11/11 annual shopping festival by announcing the Redmi Note 5 and Redmi 5 Plus before it.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5’s Standard variant that will be driven by MediaTek Helio P25 is likely to come in two choices. There could be 16 GB and 32 GB storage options with each one featuring 3 GB of RAM. These models are rumored to be respectively priced at 999 Yuan (~$150) and 1,299 Yuan (~$195).

The Redmi Note 5 High model is speculated to be driven by Snapdragon 630 chipset. It is rumored to include 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage. It may be priced around 1,599 Yuan (~$240). Even though the Redmi Note 5 has recently appeared on Geekbench with an aging Snapdragon 617 chipset, it seems that there is some error with the listing as it is pegged to be fueled by SD 630 SoC.

As previous reports have revealed, the Redmi Note 5 models may arrive with 5.65-inch FHD+ display from Pegasus that will deliver an aspect ratio of 18:9. It will not only sport full screen design, but also feature dual rear cameras with 16-megapixel + 5-megapixel sensors. The rear side of the Note 5 will also include a fingerprint reader.

Xiaomi is also rumored to announce a cheap full screen design phone called Redmi 5 Plus before 11/11. It is likely to feature a 5.7-inch display that will support 720 pixels. It may feature Snapdragon 450 chipset. Speculations are rife that it will be coming with a price tag of 799 Yuan (~$120).

More information on these Xiaomi phones are expected in the coming weeks.

Huawei Mate 10 Crosses 588,000 Pre-Orders On Its Official Website

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Jeet

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Oct 19, 2017

Huawei announced its Huawei Mate 10 series of smartphones on October 16 in Germany and now the company is all set to launch the devices in China on October 20.

Currently, the device is available for pre-order through the company’s own Huawei Mall (V Mall), a few selected third-party retailers and offline stores.

Since opening the pre-orders for the Mate 10 series on October 17, the company has already witnessed orders for more than 588,000 units on its own website. The number is expected to add another 100,000 units through third-party online retailers and offline stores.

The phone’s information on the official website suggests that the Mate 10 will be available in three versions — 4GB RAM + 32GB internal storage, 4GB RAM + 64GB internal storage, 6GB RAM + 128GB internal storage. and an international version with 4GB RAM and 64GB onboard storage.

The international version of the phone comes with just one configuration — 4GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage. There is a possibility that the other two variants are for China only. The Mate 10 series is powered by the company’s own Kirin 970 octa-core processor.

As per the reports, the Huawei Mate 10 standard version with 4GB RAM and 32GB onboard storage will be available in only one color — Bright Black, while the other two version will be available in Bright Black, Champagne Gold, Mocha Brown and Cherry Gold colors.

The pricing for the Mate 10 series is expected to start at around 3,299 Yuan. However, we’ll have to wait for the official launch to know for sure. Along with Mate 10, Huawei will also launch Mate 10 Pro and Porsche Design in China on October 20.

In Europe, the Huawei Mate 10 costs €700, while the Pro and Porsche Edition models are priced at €800 and €1,400, respectively.

(Source)

Nokia 7 Launched with Snapdragon 630, Premium Design and ZEISS Camera

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Oct 19, 2017

HMD Global has officially announced the Nokia 7 smartphone that boasts a premium design with mid-range specs. The smartphone was unveiled earlier today through a launch event in China.

Design and Display

The Nokia 7 is the first smartphone from the company to feature a glass and aluminum combination chassis. The rear panel of the smartphone features vacuum molded 3D Gorilla Glass 3 that is flanked with 7000-series aluminum frame. The IP54 rating ensures that it is a splash-proof body. The dimensions of the Nokia 7 are 141.2 x 71.45 x 7.92mm and it comes in color variants like Gloss Black and Matte White.

The Nokia 7 has a 5.2-inch IPS LCD display that carries support for full HD resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels. The screen is protected by a layer of Gorilla Glass 3. Like the Nokia 8, the Nokia 7 has thick bezels above and below the display. The bottom bezel houses capacitive buttons.

Performance, Cameras and Other Features

The Nokia 7 is fueled by Snapdragon 630 chipset and it comes in 4 GB and 6 GB RAM variants. The native storage available on the phone is 64 GB. It also features a microSD card slot. It is packed with a 3,000mAh battery that is enabled with 18W fast charging. The handset is preinstalled with Android 7.1 Nougat and it is upgradeable to Android Oreo.

The rear side of the Nokia 7 has a f/1.8 aperture 16-megapixel ZEISS lens that is enabled with a dual-tone LED flash. For shooting selfies, the smartphone is fitted with a f/2.0 aperture 5-megapixel snapper that offers an 84-degree field of view.

The Dual-sight technology that allows Nokia 8 users to shoot photos and videos using the front and rear cameras simultaneously is available on the Nokia 7. HMD Global calls such split screen videos and photos that are shot using both the cameras as Bothies. With OZO audio technology onboard, it can record 360-degree immersive sound. The other features of the Nokia 7 include rear-mounted fingerprint reader, USB-C port, 3.5mm audio jack, Cat. 6 LTE modem, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, v5.0 Bluetooth, NFC and GPS.

Pricing and Availability

Nokia 7 will be available in China starting from Oct. 24. The Nokia 7 model with 4 GB of RAM carries a price tag of 2,499 Yuan (~$377) and its 6 GB RAM variant costs 2,699 Yuan (~$407). As of this writing, there is no information available on which other countries will be receiving the Nokia 7.

Samsung’s Linux on Galaxy Arriving Soon for Seamless Linux OS Access Through DeX

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Oct 19, 2017

Samsung wants to bring seamless desktop experiences through its smartphones. During the Samsung Developer Conference 2017, the South Korean company has announced that the forthcoming Linux on Galaxy app will bring Linux environment on the makeshift desktop through Samsung DeX.

Samsung DeX was introduced earlier in this year alongside the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ to allow the users of these phones to enjoy full-blown Android desktop environment on a larger display. The feature is also available on Galaxy Note 8. Linux is preferred by many users when it comes to servers and software development. This is the reason why even Windows 10 has a subsystem for Linux.

Samsung wants to bring Linux environments and tools through the Linux on Galaxy app. The app will allow users to conveniently access the Linux OS environment whenever they want on their smartphone. With Samsung DeX, developers will be to work on Linux OS environment on a larger display. The South Korean company is still working on Linux on Galaxy and is expected to release it soon. The following link can provide information on its availability.

Samsung DeX is also designed to deliver immersive gaming experience on a desktop setting. The South Korean tech giant has partnered with game developers such as Super Evil Megacorp, Game Insight, Eric Froemling and Netmarble for respective games like Vainglory, Survival Arena, BoomSquad and Lineage 2 Revolution. It has also announced that the Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition will deliver enhanced gaming experience for Vulkan and DeX in the near future.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Geekbench Listing Reveals Obsolete Chipset, Android 7.1.2 Nougat

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Oct 19, 2017

Recent rumors have revealed that Xiaomi will be debuting the Redmi Note 5 smartphone soon. The budget phablet is expected to arrive with an 18:9 display and is rumored to be powered by Snapdragon 660 which is said to be the next powerful chipset after Snapdragon 835 that is designed for flagship phones. However, the listing of the alleged Redmi Note 5 on Geekbench benchmarking platform indicates that it may arrive with an aging processor.

A smartphone labelled as Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 has appeared on Geekbench. It reveals that the msm8952 chipset is fueling the handset. This means that the Snapdragon 617 chipset is present under the hood of this phone. It is likely that the benchmarking site may have messed up with the model number of the chipset as Snapdragon 617 is an obsolete chipset that has powered older smartphones like Moto G4, G4 Plus, HTC One A9, and Samsung Galaxy C5.

A recent Geekbench listing of Vivo X9 Plus shows that it is also powered by msm8952 chipset. However, the smartphone is actually powered by Snapdragon 653 chipset. Hence, it appears that there could be some problem with the Geekbench listing of Redmi Note 5 as it is unlikely to be powered by the aging Snapdragon 617 SoC.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5’s Geekbench listing shows that it has 3 GB of RAM. On single-core test, it has scored 1,403 and on multi-core test, it has recorded 2,939 score. It is preinstalled with Android 7.1.2 Nougat.

A recent report has revealed that an upcoming Xiaomi Redmi smartphone may feature the newly announced 14nm Snapdragon 636. This new chipset is meant for budget friendly phones as it carries support for 18:9 display and features the Kryo 260 cores which allows it deliver 40 percent better performance than Snapdragon 630.

Rumors have revealed that the Redmi Note 5 could be the first phone in its series to feature dual rear cameras. It is expected to feature 16-megapixel and 5-megapixel sensors in the dual camera system. Also, the phablet is speculated to house a huge battery of 4,000mAh capacity. The 16 GB and 32 GB models of the Redmi Note 5 is rumored to feature 3 GB of RAM and its 64 GB variant is likely to come with 4 GB of RAM. The base model is expected to cost 999 Yuan (~$150)..

(source|via)

OnePlus CEO’s Tweet About OnePlus 5 Popularity Suggests A New Product is In The Works

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Oct 19, 2017

The OnePlus 5 was last week reported to have gone off the shelves in most countries, including the U.S and this elicited lots of response. Speculations were rife that the unavailability of the OP5 stock was a sign that OnePlus is about to release a new model believed to be the OnePlus 5T. OnePlus kept mute about that. You would recall that a new variant of the OnePlus 3 dubbed OnePlus 3T was announced around this time last year. While the OnePlus 3 was released in June, the 3T dropped in November. The OnePlus 5 was announced around June 20 and November is just some days away. A new poster even appeared online which was an invitation to an event holding of November 15 but that turned out to be a rumour. OnePlus also kept mute on the rumours.

However, in a new twist to the entire drama that has been playing out around the OP5, OnePlus’ Carl Pei recently updated a Twitter post where he stated that “Guess the OnePlus 5 was more popular than we thought.” That looks like an indication that the device was intentionally pulled out of the market perhaps because a new model is in the works. From the look of things, the company has stopped producing the OP 5 but they didn’t expect the amount of media attention which the stoppage generated.

Guess the OnePlus 5 was more popular than we thought… ¯_(ツ)_/¯

— Carl Pei (@getpeid) October 16, 2017

The BBK subsidiary is yet to officially disclose the total number of units it shipped since the launch in June but we believe that would be a surprise when it is exposed. However, with the production of OP 5 seemingly stopped, it is safe to assume that a brand new smartphone is already being manufactured, tipped to be the OnePlus 5T. A recent leak showing the OnePlus 5T appeared online and it comes with a different form factor from its predecessor. The leaked photo shows the OP5T will sport a near-bezel-less 6-inch screen, possibly resembling the Vivo X20.

HTC U11 Plus 3D Renders Provide Early Look At Device

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Oct 19, 2017

HTC is expected to unveil the U11 Plus on November 2 judging from the invite it sent out a few days ago. The U11 has been seen on Geekbench and GFXBench and just a few hours ago, CAD based renders courtesy of Onleaks and Couponraja were posted online.

The HTC U11 Plus is supposed to have one key feature we have seen quite a number of manufacturers adopt this year and that is a full-screen display with an 18:9 aspect ratio. The other specs will largely be the same as that of the U11. At least we are sure of the Snapdragon 835 processor.

The renders show that HTC will be going for the same highly reflective Liquid Surface glass back design. It has a single rear camera sensor confirming that HTC is still not joining the dual camera bandwagon this year.

There is a LED flash beside the camera and a circular fingerprint scanner below the sensor. The phone has two white antenna lines at the bottom where the USB-C port is, two on the left side, and one each at the top and on the right.

The HTC U11 Plus lacks a 3.5mm audio jack like the U11 but appears to have stereo speakers (earpiece and bottom speaker beside the USB port).

According to GFXBench, the U11 Plus will have a 6” QHD+ display (with an 18:9 aspect ratio). This should mean smaller bezels. The bezels are still there as they are not super small but compared to the U11, there has been a reduction.

On the right of the top bezel sits the 8MP sensor listed by GFXBench. There are two small circles beside it, along with the earpiece/speaker in the middle, and another sensor on the left.

The front glass appears to be 3D but we will confirm when it launches. The power button and volume rocker are on the right and the left is bare. The device is said to have a rough dimension of 158.2 x 74.6 x 9.1 mm.

Echo Horizon Exceeds Expectations in Europe, Horizon Lite Coming Soon

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Oct 18, 2017

French smartphone manufacturer Echo launched the Horizon smartphone last month. The device which has a 18:9 display has exceeded expectations resulting in the company following with another model, the Horizon Lite.

The Horizon Lite has an aluminium build with a brushed metal finish. Though it has a full screen display, it still packs thick bezels at the top and bottom.

Like the name says, the Horizon Lite is a less powerful version of the Horizon. It keeps the 5.7-inch HD+ display but is now powered by the MT6737 SoC. RAM is down to 2GB and storage has been cut to 16GB.

The Horizon Lite has a single 8MP rear camera with a dual tone LED flash. Below the setup is a fingerprint scanner, and for selfies, the phone packs a 5MP camera.

There is a hybrid dual SIM slot (nano only) which lets users put a microSD card (32GB max) in the second SIM tray. It also has Bluetooth 4.0, single band Wi-Fi, 3.5mm audio jack and a USB-C port to recharge the 3,000mAh battery.