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Xiaomi Launches Mi Sports Bluetooth Headset Mini Priced At 169 Yuan (~$25)

Xiaomi has launched a new wireless sports Bluetooth headset which is its second generation model in the series. Xiaomi announced its first wireless Bluetooth headset in November last year and it turned out to be a good device with a waterproof and sweat proof body having IPX4 ratings. It’s also featured with a fairly lightweight design at 17.8g. The first-gen Mi Sports Bluetooth Headset also had a capable 110mAh battery which could last up to 7 hours of use. It also had features such as Bluetooth 4.1 and a multipoint feature, which allows a user to connect the headset to two devices and switch between both and it cost just 149 Yuan (~$22).xiaomi mi sports bluetooth headset

The new Mi Sports Bluetooth Headset Mini will be available on Mi Mall as from August 10 and is priced a little higher than the previous version with a price tag of 169 Yuan (~$25). Despite the slightly higher price, the Mi Sports Bluetooth Headset Mini comes with a lighter build, weighing just 14.5g as against 17.8g which the previous version weighs. The headset uses the same design which hangs over the ear and makes it difficult for the headset to fall off during sporting activities. It also comes with an IP4X waterproof body and a crystal trim appearance. In addition, the headset is housed in a waterproof storage box.

Read MoreXiaomi Launches New 1080p PTZ Smart camera For ¥149 (~$22)

No mention was made of the sound quality but expect the Mi Bluetooth headset Mini to deliver a top notch sound quality just like Xiaomi’s previous headsets. At 169 Yuan, the gadget looks like what will be a good bargain for our bucks.

Renders of Google Pixel 2 Leaked in High-Resolution Images

We have a couple of renders of the Google Pixel 2 on our hands showing what the design of the Google next-gen flagship will look like. The renders were created by someone who’s apparently a fan of the Google phones and are said to be based on the leaked details that are out about the device.Google Pixel 2

Even though the renders are not the real deal, they may give you an idea of what the final design of the flagship might look like. more often than not, renders created from leaks are to some extent accurate.Google Pixel 2 is reportedly being manufactured by HTC and would come with the code name Walleye. The renders depict the size of the device which is expected to feature a 16: 9 aspect ratio. Other features that can be noticed include the presence of bezels by the display as well as a single rear camera. A rear fingerprint sensor is also located on the renders, which align with earlier leaks detailing such feature.Google Pixel 2

Read More: Unofficial Case Images Hint at Google Pixel 2 XL Size

Recent rumours point to the lack of a physical home button up front and that is captured on the renders. The Pixel 2 and Pixel XL 2 will instead utilise virtual on-screen keys. In addition, the Pixel 2 and Pixel XL 2 will not feature the 3.5mm audio jack and will instead feature pressure-sensitive frames designed by HTC which are expected to be similar to the Edge Sense technology introduced in the HTC U11. But rumour has it that the Pixel XL 2 will not have the same design as the Pixel 2, the reason being that it would purportedly be manufactured by LG The Pixel XL2 is expected to come with a bezel-less design with an 18:9 aspect ratio just like the Galaxy S8. Both models are expected to become official in October this year, most likely running Android O.

(source)

A Bunch of LG V30 Live Photos Just Leaked, Thanks to LG Itself

LG is running an advertising campaign for its next flagship, the LG V30. The campaign called “Find Your Frame” is organised in conjunction with hitRECord.org, a production company owned by Hollywood actor, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who worked on a similar campaign for the LG V10 and LG V20 too.

LG V30 Find Your Frame

The campaign brings members together and let’s them collaborate on developing media. For Find Your Frame, the aim is to make video recordings of how you achieve that memorable footage. Submit your footage and it may be used for one of the LG V30’s ads.

Turns out some of the footage on the website contains the upcoming LG V30. Popular leaker and blogger, Roland Quandt has provided images from some of the clips and they match the schematic we saw last week.

The LG V30 is shown in only one color in all the images, and that is Ice Platinum. The images show the phone from various angles. In one shot we can see the phone’s camera app with the controls extending to where you’d usually find the lower bezel. You can also make out the curved corners of the POLED display.

READ MORE: Report: LG to Become Secondary OLED Supplier for Apple

Lenovo K8 Note and Lenovo K8 Plus Visit Geekbench, Both Powered By Mediatek Chips

Just when we thought we wouldn’t be seeing Lenovo-branded smartphones anymore, a Lenovo K series phone was seen on Geekbench. A teaser released on their Facebook showed a partially-revealed figure “8” revealing the phone will launch as the Lenovo K8 Note.

Today, two devices have been spotted on Geekbench with the K8 name. One is the Lenovo K8 Note and the other is the Lenovo K8 Plus. The Geekbench listing shows that both devices are powered by Mediatek processors.

Lenovo K8 Note

Lenovo K8 Note

The Lenovo K8 Note is powered by the MT6797 a.k.a Helio X20. The deca-core chip is clocked at 1.85GHz and is paired with 4GB of RAM. The benchmark results are not very far off from the first one we saw. The K8 Note scored 1551 points in the single-core test and 4664 points in the multi-core test. The device is shown as running Android 7.1.1.

Lenovo K8 Plus

Lenovo K8 Plus

The Lenovo K8 Plus on the other hand is powered by a MT6757CD octa-core SoC a.k.a Helio P25. There is 3GB of RAM and it also runs Android 7.1.1. It recorded 861 points in the single-core test and 3761 points in the multi-core test.

READ MORE: Lenovo TechWorld 2017: AI and AR Take Center Stage

OnePlus 5 Soft Gold Limited Edition Now Official

OnePlus has taken the wraps off its new smartphone set to launch today. Like the teaser suggested, it is actually a new color variant of the OnePlus 5. Along with the Slate Gray and Midnight Black color variants, the OnePlus 5 is now available in Soft Gold too.

 OnePlus 5 Soft Gold

The new OnePlus 5 Soft Gold is the same hue as that of the gold OnePlus 3T from last year, so there is nothing spectacular about it. The back has a matte finish, antenna lines are of a different shade and the front panel is white. It does look good and should feel good when you hold it too.

Specification wise, it is the same as that of the Slate Gray, which means it has 6GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. So if you have been hoping it will arrive with both configurations, sorry to burst your bubble.

The OnePlus 5 Soft Gold will sell for $479, same price as the gray model and it ships immediately. The official video says it is a limited edition, so you may want to hurry if you plan to pick it up as there is no info about the units available.

READ MORE: OnePlus 3T Gets A Taste Of MIUI 9

Samsung Galaxy Note 8’s First Real-Life Images Leaked: Bezel-less Monster!

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is pretty much expected to be launched on August 23 at the Galaxy Unpacked event scheduled to hold on that day. Before now, there have been series of leaks surrounding the specs and design of the device, giving us an idea of what to expect. We have now gotten what is likely the first set of real-life photos of the Galaxy Note 8 showing the design of the device from all angles. The images look like shots of a Note 8 prototype and they contain a number of blurred parts which masks a number of relevant texts and features but we still get to see the device in its full glory.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8

The newly leaked photos hit us courtesy of myeverydaytech.com who has since pulled down the original post from its website but not before the images got spotted. The images do not show so many differences in details from the leaked features that we have regularly been inundated with. Among the features which conform with previous leaks is the presence of a bezel-less infinity display just like the Galaxy S8. The device is also shown to feature the same 18: 9 aspect ratio as used on the S8 but here, you have a far bigger device tipped to be around 6.2 inches in size. The photos also show the Always On display which the Galaxy Note 8 will feature just like on the Galaxy S8.
Galaxy-Note-8

The picture showing the rear view of the Galaxy Note 8 confirms the presence of dual cameras at the rear which is said to be two 12MP sensors with Optical Image Stabilization. There is also a rear fingerprint sensor sitting at the side of the rear camera flash just like on the S8. We also can see the presence of the usual Stylus pen which the Galaxy Note series is known for. The source of the leak claims Note 8’s S Pen will be the same in terms of hardware as the botched Note 7, which means it will offer 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity, and will also be usable even when the Note 8 is submerged in water. The Note 8 will also be coming with a 3.5mm audio jack.Samsung galaxy note 8

Read Also: Snapdragon 845-Powered Galaxy S9 Appears on Geekbench As Samsung SM-G9650

As far as the specs go, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is expected to pack a Snapdragon 835 chip on some models and an Exynos 8895 chip on some others. The device will also feature 6GB RAM version as the standard model and a higher 8GB RAM version which would likely be China exclusive. The price is expected to go as high as 7,000 Yuan (~$1030).

(via)

Zoji Z6 Review: Rugged, Light & Affordable

Zoji is a new smartphone line from HomTom which itself is a sub-brand of DOOGEE. The Zoji line is aimed at providing users with rugged smartphones that are light and affordable. At the moment there are two phones under their belt: the Zoji Z6 and the Zoji Z7. I’ve had the former for a couple of weeks now and this is my review of the device.

Zoji Z6

Before I dive into the review, let’s take a look at the specs.

ZOJi Z6 Specs

  • 4.7-inch HD Display with  Gorilla Glass 4
  • 1GB RAM
  • 8GB ROM
  • MTK6580 Quad-Core SoC clocked at 1.3GHz
  • 8MP rear cameras with LED flash
  • 5MP front facing camera
  • 3000mAh Battery
  • Fingerprint Scanner
  • IP68 Rating
  • Android 6.0 Marshmallow
  • Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano Only)
  • Micro SD Card Slot
  • 3.5mm Audio Jack

 

Zoji Z6 Design

The Zoji Z6 is a mixture of metal and plastic, hard polycarbonate plastic that can take a beating. Once you hold it, you can tell it is a rugged phone from the way it is built. It is not ugly neither is it beautiful so it will probably go unnoticed when you bring it out of your pocket.

The Z6 is IP68 certified meaning you can dunk it in water and not have to worry about it getting spoilt. However, you have to make sure all the flaps are tightly shut which brings us to the first issue I have with the phone.

Zoji’s way of making this phone waterproof is covering all the ports with thick flaps. Opening these flaps the first time isn’t easy and if you have long nails, you need to be careful not to break them. You have three flaps in total: one for the charging port, another for the audio jack at the top, and a third that covers the SIM tray on the left.

The issue I have is with the earphone and charging ports. Because of the rugged design of the phone, the ports are buried deep which means your charging cable or earphone cable has to have a really long connector to reach it. To get the picture, imagine a soldier wearing an armor who needs to reach into the pockets of the clothing underneath.

The result is that earphones or auxiliary cables with a right-angle design won’t work since the connector won’t fully plug into the port. For charging cord, make sure you don’t leave the one that comes with it at home or lose it or else you will have to shave off the plastic from a spare cable.

This con also made it impossible to try my USB OTG flash drive.

 

Software

The Zoji Z6 comes with Android AOSP. There are very few bloatware apps which you can disable or uninstall. The phone uses capacitive buttons which sadly are not back-lit but at this price-point, it is not a deal breaker. You can choose between using an app drawer or having all the icons on the homescreen. There is Google Play Store and Gmail pre-installed, any other Google app you need can be downloaded from the store.

If you are familiar with Android AOSP, then you should know phones like this come with some additional features like gesture support and smart motions.

The storage is small, so if you plan to use this as a daily driver, you should invest in a microSD card. Since it is Android 6.0, you should be able to use the microSD card as an adoptable storage. I don’t have a microSD card slot as I haven’t used a phone that supports one in years, so I couldn’t test it.

The fingerprint scanner isn’t fast but it gets the job done. Sometimes you may have to try it twice before it responds.

 

Camera

The camera isn’t spectacular and takes fairly ok shots outdoors. Indoors, you have to make sure there is enough light to make sure the objects are visible as the LED flash does next to nothing. The camera app is slow too, so this shouldn’t be your choice if you are trying to take fast moving objects.

[envira-gallery id=”144018″]

Battery Life

There is a 3000mAh non-removable battery in it. It won’t last a whole day and will provide about 3.5 hours of screen on time.

 

Additional Features

There are some nice features that I like such as the fact that it has a FM radio which you also lets you record live broadcasts. This is  feature that is missing from most phones these days

 

Waterproof Test

The Zoji Z6 has an IP68 Rating. It is even boldly written on the back of the phone. I decided to try it out and I was disappointed. It does a good job keeping the water out but is practically unusable under running water or even submerged. The screen didn’t respond to my several attempts at unlocking it neither did the scanner. Though the latter was expected.

The Zoji is waterproof literally but if you take it swimming and think you can use it under water, I’m sorry to burst your bubble but it won’t work.

READ MORE: HOMTOM HT50 offers 5500mAh and Good Specs for just $99!

Get Doogee Mix for as low as $159.97!

All smartphone manufacturers appear to cut the corners of their displays and make them look bezel-less. There is not much practical use of that but those infinity displays just look great. The Chinese phone maker Doogee aims to deliver bezel less smartphone experience on a budget. You can now get the Doogee Mix for as low as $159.97 from lightinthebox.com

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wm0j5a4Tpc[/embedyt]

The design is the key selling point of Doogee Mix but the main question is if the device is truly bezel-less. Well, there are tiny bezels along with the black bars but they are cut to the minimum. Even though I would not call the Doogee Mix a truly bezel-less phone, it is still one of the best-looking budget devices you can buy. Anyway, the Xiaomi Mi Mix is not fully bezel-less neither.

A Samsung-made 5.5” 1080p AMOLED display is just gorgeous to look at as it is punchy and vibrant. However, I found the colors to be slightly oversaturated for my taste. The sunlight legibility is not the best but it is quite decent.

The Doogee Mix is not all about the looks as it is plenty powerful for the price. The device ships with an octa-core Helio P25 chip, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of expandable storage. You can also opt in for a slightly more expensive model that has 6GB of RAM.

You can now get the Doogee Mix for as low as $159.97 from lightinthebox.com

If you pay a little extra, you can get a 6GB model for just $179.97.

 

Samsung To Use Substrate-Like PCB For Galaxy S9 To Allow For Bigger Battery

In the last few years, we have witnessed a huge upgrade in a number of components that make up a phone. However, some have largely remained the same, one of which is the battery. Smartphone batteries are still poor in terms of how long they last. The only solution manufacturers have come up with is making them bigger and or adding fast charge.

Samsung’s plan for the 2019 Galaxy S9 is to fit a bigger battery inside it. A bigger battery usually means a thicker or larger phone unless you are able to shrink the size of the other components. Samsung’s approach to the matter is to use a Substrate-like PCB which will let it reduce the size of the main board, making way for a bigger battery.

Substrate-Like PCB

Just like batteries, the main board of phones haven’t seen much change. They still take up a lot of space unlike silicon chips and cameras which are now smaller. Substrate-like PCB or SLP for short, isn’t a new technology, it just isn’t widely used by smartphone manufacturers. Report has it that this year’s iPhone 8 will have SLPs.

The other advantage SLP has over the technology currently in use, which is High Density Interconnect (HDI), is that it allows for thinner connections (<15nm) between components. So since the distance between components are smaller and the board itself occupies less space, manufacturers can fit in bigger batteries.

READ MORE: Samsung SM-G9298 Flip Phone Officially Launched with Snapdragon 820, 4 GB RAM

Meizu M6 Note Details Leaked: Helio P25, Dual Cameras Similar to Redmi Pro’s

Despite still basking in the media attention the release of the Pro 7 elicited, Meizu is reportedly working on a new model which is the M6 Note, a successor to the M5 Note released last year. The M5 Note turned out to be a very popular device when it went on sale, with over a million units sold in just 21 seconds during its first sales. Some of the specifications of the Meizu M6 Note have reportedly surfaced online, as usual, from China’s Weibo the hub of China leaks.  meizu m6 note

According to the leaked specifications list, the Meizu M6 Note will feature a 5.5-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. The device will be powered by one of MediaTek’s latest chip, the Helio P25 (MT6757T) chip which is a 64-bit octa-core processor with Mali-T880 GPU. The processor will be backed by 3GB of RAM on some models while others will have 4GB of RAM. The storage will be either a 32GB and 64GB variant respectively. The M6 Note will also come with a dual camera setup which the tipster discloses will be like the Xiaomi Redmi Pro’s setup, that is a Sony IMX 258 main sensor. The camera is a 13MP sensor while the device will get its juice from a 4,000mAh battery.Meizu M6 Note

Read MoreMeizu M5 Note Review – Better Than Xiaomi? A Solid Budget Phone!

In addition, the posters also reveal the M6 Note will come with an all metal unibody and a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor. The leak also pitches the 4GB RAM variant of the M6 Note as coming with a 1,599 Yuan price tag (around $237). We can’t say when the device will be launched but that will likely be before the end of the year.

(source)Meizu M6 Note

Rumor: Bezel-less Honor Note 9 To Use Kirin 670 Based on 12nm Process

Apart from the Huawei Mate 10 which is expected to be launched before the end of the year, Huawei‘s elite Honor brand is also expected to take the wraps off the Honor Note 9 this year. The Note 9 is expected to feature a full-screen display and launch in September, which is next month.

galaxy S8
Galaxy S8

A new rumour has now revealed that the Honor Note 9 would come packing a new Hisilicon Kirin 670 chip. Until this latest rumour, the Note 9 was said to feature a Kirin 965 SoC. The Kirin 670 chip is said to be fabricated using the 12nm manufacturing process and would among other things feature four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.0GHz as well as a Mali G72 MP4 GPU. The full details of the unannounced chip are still sketchy but we’ll bring you more information here on Gizmochina as they unravel. Honor Note 9

Read More: Leaked Image Point To Bezel-Less Honor Note 9 Coming Very Soon

Earlier reports had tipped the Honor Note 9 as launching during IFA Berlin 2017 in Germany and also, it is expected to feature an 18:9 aspect ratio just like the Galaxy S8 as well as a full-screen design. The display will be covered with a 2.5D Curved glass and there will be narrow bezels at the upper and lower edges while the sides will be bezel-less. The Note 9 is also tipped to feature a 6.6-inch 2k display and would pack a dual camera set up at the rear as well as an 8MP front camera. The device is also expected with a 5,100mAh battery, 6GB RAM and Android 7.1.1 Nougat with a touch of Huawei’s EMUI.

(source)

LG Q6 Heading To India On August 10 As An Amazon Exclusive

LG’s latest FullVision display smartphone, the LG Q6 will be available in India come Thursday. This will be the second country getting it following its launch in Korea last month.

LG Q6 India

The LG Q6 has a 5.5-inch FHD+ FullVision Display with an 18:9 ratio providing you with an immersive video experience. The unique display also translates to a smaller body making it one of the few 5.5-inch devices you can operate with just one hand.

It has the mid-range Snapdragon 435 inside it paired with 3GB of RAM. Built-in storage is 32GB with support for expansion via a dedicated microSD slot.

For optics, the LG Q6 has a 13MP camera on the back and a 5MP front facing camera with a 100° viewing angle for those wide-angle selfies. The phone will also have the new Square Camera mode for creative images.

There are dual SIM slots, Bluetooth 4.2, and a micro USB port for connectivity. Battery is 3000mAh and there is Android 7.1.1 Nougat pre-installed. Sadly, the LG Q6 doesn’t have a fingerprint scanner. Instead you get face unlock and LG’s signature KnockCode.

READ MORE: LG V30 Render Leaks Alongside LG G6 & Galaxy S8 Revealing Entire Front

Windows 10-Powered Alcatel Idol 4 Pro Now Available for Purchase In The UK

The Alcatel Idol 4s Windows Edition released last year is one of the few Windows 10 smartphones in the market. Nearly a year after its release, it is just going on sale in the UK under a new name, Alcatel Idol 4 Pro.

Alcatel Idol 4 Pro

The Snapdragon 820 smartphone was supposed to be available in France and Germany back on July 26 but was delayed till July 31, and pushed to August 7 in the UK. Now, you can visit the Microsoft website in these three regions and you will find it available for purchase.

The Idol 4 Pro has a 5.5-inch Full HD AMOLED display protected by a 2.5D Dragontrail Glass. The display has an oleophobic coating and viewing angle of 180°. There is 4GB of RAM paired with 64GB of storage with a MicroSD card slot that accepts up to 512GB cards.

The rear camera packs a 21MP 1.12μm sensor with a f/2.2 aperture. Up front is an 8MP sensor that can record in 2K at 30fps, 1080p at 60fps, and 720p at 120fps.

The Idol 4 Pro has dual stereo speakers, a dedicated audio chipset for Hi-Fi audio and a smart amplifier. There is Bluetooth 4.1, dual band WiFi, a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner and a nano-SIM card slot. Under the hood is a 3000mAh battery that supports Quick Charge.

Since this is a flagship Windows 10 smartphone, it has support for Microsoft Continuum. Just hook up the phone to a Continuum accessory and pair it with a monitor, keyboard and mouse and you have a Windows 10-powered PC.

The Alcatel Idol 4 Pro sells for £419.99 ($548.25) tax inclusive and comes in Gold. In the US, Amazon has it for £210.65 ($275) and even includes a pair of Alcatel branded VR goggles. If you plan on buying it there, you have to confirm the bands work with your network provider. The bands supported according to a user who bought it are below:

GSM Quad-band 850/900/1800/1900
UMTS Bands: 1, 2, 4, 5
LTE Bands: 2, 4, 12, 5, 7, 17.

READ MORE: Alcatel Idol 5 Key Specifications Appear on GFXBench; Hints MediaTek Helio P20, Snapdragon 652 Variants

Foxconn VP Shares Sharp Aquos S2 Camera Samples Ahead of August 8 Launch

Sharp has long released a poster that points at an August 8 launch date for the Sharp Aquos S2 which has been the subject of leaks for a while now. Ahead of the launch event, Foxconn Technology Group’s senior VP Dr. Luo Zhongsheng has shared a couple of sample photos shot by the Aquos S2’s camera. Foxconn pretty much owns the Sharp brand, in case you’re wondering the connection. The Aquos S2 is expected to pack a dual camera setup at the rear and that is reflected by the watermark on some of the photos. 

The Sharp Aquos S2 is expected to come with a number of sleek features and more than one variant. There will likely be up to three variants, with the top most variant expected to pack a 2160 x 3840 display (UHD). The device also features stunning set of themes which the VP had shared a couple of days back. Now, talking about the sample photos, the Aquos S2’s dual camera is shown to be capable of giving Bokeh effects to photos but we can’t say if it is going to be an RGB or monochrome combination or a wide angle + telephoto combination. The VP also shared sample photos shot in a dark area and they point at a camera setup that not only performs in areas with good visibility but also in the dark using the camera’s flash light.Sharp Aquos S2

Read More: Sharp Aquos S2 Leak Suggest 4K Bezel-less Display, In-Display Fingerprint, Will Launch on August 8

Basically, the Aquos S2 is expected to feature a 5.5-inch display on all variants while the resolution may vary, with one having a 4K resolution. The device is expected with a 12MP + 8MP dual camera setup and up to 6GB of RAM.Also expected, is a Snapdragon 660 processor on one of the variants, as well as a Snapdragon 330 powered variant.  There may likely be a variant with a flagship SoC but we’ll keep our fingers crossed on that. The Aquos S2 is also expected to come with a full-screen display without bezels and a fingerprint sensor that won’t be at the rear but on the display itself. Qualcomm recently unveiled the in-display fingerprint technology, could we be seeing it for the first time on the Sharp model? We’ll find out about that tomorrow when the device goes official. Check out some more photos from below.

(source)Sharp Aquos S2Sharp Aquos S2Sharp Aquos S2Sharp Aquos S2Sharp Aquos S2Sharp Aquos S2Sharp Aquos S2

Sharp Aquos S2
Sharp Aquos S2 Theme
Sharp Aquos S2
Sharp Aquos S2 Theme
Sharp Aquos S2
Sharp Aquos S2 Theme
Sharp Aquos S2
Sharp Aquos S2 Theme

Zhimi Teases Air Conditioner Launching On August 10

Zhimi isn’t a brand most people are familiar with but I’m sure you have heard of their products before but under a different name. The Mi Air Purifiers. Yes, Zhimi is the company behind Xiaomi’s Mi Air Purifiers, just as 1More is behind the Xiaomi Piston earphones and Huami makes the Mi Band.

Zhimi Air Conditioner

It is not unusual to see some of these companies release products under their own names like the Amazfit Smartwatch. Zhimi just teased a new product set for an August 10 launch and we think it is an air conditioner.

The teaser shows a temperature reading along with a fan icon and a meter that shows the speed of air flow. These hints point at an air-conditioning unit.

READ MORE: Xiaomi Launches New 1080p PTZ Smart camera For ¥149 (~$22)

There is no detail about the design and pricing of the Zhimi Air Conditioner, so we will have to wait till Thursday to find out. The event will hold in Beijing and will begin at 1400hrs (Beijing local time).

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Speculated to Come with In-screen Fingerprint Scanner

Reports have claimed that Samsung failed to embed the fingerprint scanner under the screen of the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ smartphones. Also, the upcoming Galaxy Note 8 is unlikely to feature it. Fresh information shared by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the Galaxy Note 9 would be coming with an in-screen fingerprint scanner

The most noticeable trend that can be seen in 2017 smartphones is the introduction of full-screen displays. Such smartphones do not feature front-facing fingerprint scanners. The first full-screen phone is the Xiaomi Mi MIX concept phone that had debuted in October 2016. In this year, the LG G6, Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ have already arrived with full-screen displays. Theses phones have rear-facing fingerprint scanners.

The upcoming Galaxy Note 8 will continue to feature rear-mounted fingerprint reader. In a bid to include full-screen display on the rumored iPhone 8 that is speculated to launch in September, Apple is speculated to have replaced the Touch ID feature with an iris scanning feature called Face ID.

samsung-logo (1)

Read More: Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Supposed Release Date Leaks

Previous reports have claimed that Samsung and Apple have failed in their attempts at incorporating the fingerprint scanner under the display of their 2017 flagships. The deployment of adding rear-facing fingerprint scanners on Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ have met with disappointments from critics and users as there is a possibility of accidently smudging the camera lens while accessing the biometric recognition feature. To avoid accidental smudging on the upcoming Note 8, Samsung is rumored to have placed the LED flash unit between the dual rear cameras and the fingerprint scanner.

Sharp and Vivo are two companies that have successfully managed ted to embed the fingerprint reader under the screen of the respective upcoming smartphones, Sharp Aquos S2 and Vivo Xplay7.  According to Kuo, the Galaxy S9 and S9+ that are slated to debut in the first of 2018 will be coming with rear-mounted fingerprint readers.  He is of the view that the Galaxy Note 9 will be the first in-screen fingerprint scanner totting smartphone from Samsung.

Currently, Synaptics is providing fingerprint sensors to Samsung. However, in the next year, Samsung will replace Synaptics with Egis for the biometric recognition sensor, claims Kuo. The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 will need some unique selling points and the arrival of in-screen of fingerprint scanner could be one of its bestselling features that will also set it apart from the Galaxy S9 duo.

(source)

 

Alleged iPhone 8 Display Assembly Appears without Touch ID in Leaked Images

Plenty of details of the rumored iPhone 8 have appeared through the code of the firmware for Apple’s HomePod. One of things that have unearthed through it is that iPhone 8 may come with a 3D face recognition feature called Face ID instead of Touch ID fingerprint sensor. Leaked images of the alleged display assembly of the iPhone 8 suggests that it does not feature a Touch ID sensor.

An image of the front panel of the rumored iPhone 8 that had appeared in the previous week had revealed that its u-shaped upper bezel has cutouts for a pair of iris sensors for 3D face recognition feature. The leaked images of display assembly of the iPhone 8 show the presence of the same cutouts that probably belong to the iris sensors. Recent rumors have revealed that the facial recognition feature will not allow users to unlock the iPhone 8 but also to make payments through Apple Pay.

If this is true, there is a high possibility that the special edition iPhone that will be introduced in celebration of the tenth anniversary of iPhones will not feature Touch ID fingerprint scanner. Comparing the image of the display with that of the front panel of iPhone 8, it can be seen that a second horizontal shaped present on the latter cannot be seen in the newer images.

iPhone 8 screen protector

Read More: iPhone 8 Rumors: 7 New Features Include Face ID Apple Pay, OLED Status Bar, Tap to Wake, SmartCam &amp; More

There are some conflicting rumors that claim that the Cupertino company has successfully managed to test the iPhone 8 with on-screen fingerprint scanner. And there are some other reports that suggest that it would be arriving with a rear-facing fingerprint scanner. Some leaked renders show that the iPhone 8 would be coming with an elongated Power button that is integrated with Touch ID sensor.

According to well-known KGI Securities analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, the Cupertino company has cancelled the plans on embedding the fingerprint scanner under the screen of the next-generation flagship iPhone. However, there is no confirmation on when Apple decided to axe the embedded Touch ID feature. The removal of the Touch ID enabled Home button from the frontside could certainly make it possible to include a full-screen display on the upcoming iPhone 8.

The above leaked image showing the internals of the iPhone 8 (codenamed as Ferrari) suggests the presence of wireless charging ring along with a double-stacked circuit board. It also suggests that the rumored iPhone 8 would be coming with a L-shaped large-sized battery that will allow it to deliver enhanced battery life.

(source 1,2)

 

iPhone SE 2 Release Rumored in Q1 2018

The iPhone 5S that was launched in 2013 came with a 4-inch display. Since then, Apple has been releasing large-sized iPhones. Last year, Apple had released a 4-inch iPhone SE (Special Edition) for those iPhone fans who prefer small-sized iPhones. Since it came with a low pricing compared to other bigger iPhones, it was well-received among Apple fans. Fresh information suggests Apple may release a second-generation edition of the iPhone SE in the first quarter of 2018.

In the previous month, a French publication had reported that the iPhone SE 2 would be debuting in this month. However, fresh information suggests that it may be true that the iPhone SE 2 is under works, but it won’t be releasing this year. Wistron, a Taiwanese contract electronics maker has been manufacturing the first-generation iPhone SE in India since May. The Taiwanese company plans to build a new assembling facility in Bangalore, India in order to increase the production by threefold over the next five years.

Industry insiders are of the view that Apple iPhone SE 2 will be made by built Wistron and its shipments will begin in India in the first quarter of next year. It is rumored to release first in India before it is released in other countries. The iPhone SE 2 is expected to be available with a cheaper pricing since it will benefit from 10 percent reduction in customs duty tax.

iphone SE

Read More: iPhone 8 Rumors: 7 New Features Include Face ID Apple Pay, OLED Status Bar, Tap to Wake, SmartCam &amp; More

iPhone SE 2 Specifications

The iPhone SE 2 is rumored to feature a 4-inch or a 4.2-inch screen. It is expected to be powered by Apple A10 chipset and 2 GB of RAM. The latest iOS 11 is expected to come preloaded on the iPhone SE 2. A 12-megapixel camera that is available on the iPhone 7 is rumored to be present on the iPhone SE 2 along with a 5-megapixel selfie snapper.

The second-generation Touch ID sensor that was introduced on the iPhone 6S is speculated to arrive on the iPhone SE. The original iPhone SE came with a 1,624mAh battery. However, it successor may arrive with a larger battery of 1,700mAh capacity. It is likely to arrive in two storage editions of 32 GB and 128 GB. It is expected to be priced at 399 euros ($469). Currently, the 16 GB and 32 GB editions of the iPhone SE are available on Amazon India with respective pricing of Rs. 24,800 ($389) and Rs. 25,480 ($400).

(source 1,2,3)

 

Nokia 2: FCC Certification Reveals Band Support and Dimensions, Still No Specs

Last week live photos of the Nokia 2, said to have been gotten from the FCC were leaked online. More details have surfaced from the FCC filing but still doesn’t include some of the key specs.

Nokia 2

The new info includes schematics and band support for the Nokia 2 a.k.a TA-1029. Even though the Nokia 2 is a budget-smartphone, it will have LTE but limited to just three bands according to the document. The three bands are FDD-LTE B3 (2600 MHz) and B5 (850 MHz), and TDD-LTE B38 (2600 MHz). The Nokia 2 also supports WCDMA (1900 and 900 MHz) and 2.4GHz WiFi.

The schematics show the dimensions and the antenna placements for the phone. The Nokia 2 measures 15.4 cm diagonally (bezels included). With the design of the other Nokia phones so far and the images provided, we are looking at a display size of between 4.5 and 5.0 inches with a 720p resolution.

Nokia 2 Schematics

There is a wireless antenna at the bottom of the phone and a Bluetooth antenna at the top right corner.

The Nokia 2 is expected to come with Qualcomm’s low-end Snapdragon 210/212 mobile platform. It will be paired with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of storage. The quad-core chips only supports up to 8MP cameras, so that is the max we expect on either side of the phone.

READ MORE: Leaked Nokia 8 Camera Interface Reveals RGB & Monochrome Dual Rear Cam

Coolpad Note 5 Lite C Launched: Metal Body, Budget Specs & Cheap Price Tag

It’s been a while since Coolpad released a smartphone especially after the financial troubles of LeEco started. The last reported launch we reported was the Coolpad Cool Play 6 but a new smartphone has been launched by the tech company in India dubbed Coolpad Note 5 Lite C. The phone is a trimmed down version of the Coolpad Note 5 Lite launched in March this year and is the first model Coolpad will launch that would be sold exclusively offline. Also, it runs Android  7.1 Nougat based Cool 8.0 UI, another first for Coolpad.Coolpad Note 5 Lite C

The Coolpad Note 5 Lite C is an entry level smartphone despite having Android Nougat onboard and having a metal unibody. As far as specs go, the Note 5 Lite C comes with a 5-inch IPS display having a resolution of 1,280 x 720 pixels. The device also features a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 (MSM8909) processor running at 1.1 GHz as well as an Adreno 304 GPU. The processor is backed by a 2GB of RAM and there is 16GB of expandable storage. In addition, the Note 5 Lite C features an 8MP main camera at the rear with an f/2.4 aperture and LED flash, as well as a 5MP camera on the front with an f/2.4 aperture. The device also packs a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, dual SIM slots, 4G LTE and is fueled by a 2,500 mAh battery.Coolpad Note 5 Lite C

Read More: Coolpad Cool Play 6 Official- Gaming Phone, 6GB RAM, Large Battery & More

Talking about the price, the Coolpad Note 5 Lite C comes with a price tag of Rs. 7,777 ($122). The smartphone will be available in grey and gold colors and would be sold offline in stores across India starting from this month.