Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Captured From All Angles In New Leaked Renders

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Jul 21, 2017

Despite talks that it would be launched this year, details of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 has been irregular up until this moment, unlike the Galaxy S8. We have seen a couple of leaked renders of the device but the specifications are still unclear. Yet again, a couple of renders of the Galaxy Note 8 has leaked, said to be from case maker Ghostek who most likely has got the prototype to work with.

The renders show the Note 8 from all angles, capturing all the features including a dual camera setup at the rear. The most prominent feature is the full-screen display with curved edges looking similar to the infinity display on the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus. The Note 8 will still have a higher screen-to-body ratio and that would make it one giant full-screen phone. The flagship device seems to also have a ultra-thin body build despite its large size. Apart from the size and the presence of a dual-camera set up at the rear, the device looks similar to the Samsung S8.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8’s dual camera setup at the rear is said to consist of two 12MP sensors with Optical Image Stabilization. There will also a rear fingerprint sensor and as usual a Stylus pen. As for the specs, the Galaxy Note 8 is detailed to pack a 6.2-inch display and will be powered by 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 that would be available in China. The price is expected to go as high as 7,000 Yuan (~$1030).

(source)

Check Out Amazing Xiaomi Deals (Buy 1, get 1 free and much more)

By

Linus

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Jul 21, 2017

Xiaomi is known for producing all sorts of gadgets. Obviously, the company has made one of the most popular budget smartphones in the world but they also produce some cool yet very cheap devices. Gearbest now has a lot of Xiaomi products on sale.

Check Out Amazing Xiaomi Deals

Just a few products that are on sale right now:

Xiaomi Mijia MI SPHERE 3.5K 360 Camera

Xiaomi has a wide range of gadgets and their 360 camera is one of their latest offerings. It is compact, well-built and it can shoot in 3.5k resolution, and it has some other cool features.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62OpOsXulp4[/embedyt]

The Xiaomi 360 camera looks and feels quite different than generic Chinese cameras. It is thin and light and the build quality is just top notch. Dual Sony IMX 206 sensors with f/2.0 aperture and 190-degree wide angle lens and Ambarella A12 chipset does all the magic to seamlessly stitch the footage into a 3.5k 360 video.

You can now get Xiaomi Mijia MI SPHERE 3.5K 360 Camera for just $248.99!

Buy Xiaomi 360 Camera

Xiaomi Bluetooth Receiver

The Xiaomi Bluetooth receiver is a hot new product that costs just $21, so it will not break anyone’s bank. It has some cool features like one button to power on / off, it supports connecting to 2 Bluetooth devices simultaneously and it has the Bluetooth V4.2 chip.

Buy Xiaomi Bluetooth receiver

Xiaomi Huami Amazfit PACE

The market of smartwatches is pretty crowded and you can choose from the most expensive and feature packed watches like the Samsung Gear S3 or look for cheaper yet high-quality alternatives. I’ve been using the Amazfit Pace smartwatch, which is made by the Xiaomi’s subsidiary Huami. It looks great, it has a built-in GPS and some other cool features.

You can now get it for just $104.49, which looks like a great deal!

Buy Xiaomi Huami Amazfit

Xiaomi Mi Band 2

The market is full of fitness trackers but not all of them are affordable.

Usually, cheap fitness trackers look and feel cheap but the Mi Band 2 is well-built and it is super light. Also, it is IP67-certified, meaning that you can use it in the rain, shower or elsewhere.

The star of the show is a 0.42” Oled display, which shows basic info like a clock, steps taken, calories burned, distance walked, heart rate and various notifications from your smartphone. You can navigate with just one capacitive button and I found it to be very simple yet convenient.

You can now get the Xiaomi Mi Band 2 for just $22.59

Buy Xiaomi Mi Band 2

Xiaomi Roidmi 2S Bluetooth Car Charger

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

To be honest, I’ve been looking for a great versatile car charger that has the FM modulator feature since my car does not have neither the AUX input port nor Bluetooth.

The Roidmi 2s is very-well built and sturdy charger that has 2 ports with the power output of 2.4A that can charge the phone very fast.

One of the key features of this device is the FM modulator. All you have to do is download the Roidmi App, connect the charger to your phone via Bluetooth, select the same radio bands on your car’s stereo and on the app and you are ready to stream music.

Buy Xiaomi Roidmi 2s

You can also check out some other cool gadgets in this video:

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

Check Out Amazing Xiaomi Deals

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Unpacked Event Confirmed for August 23

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jul 21, 2017

Samsung has confirmed that it will be holding a Galaxy Unpacked event on Aug. 23. It is pretty obvious thanks to the heaps of rumored information that Samsung would be unleashing the Galaxy Note 8 on Aug. 23. The South Korean media had reported in the previous week that the company would be debuting the Note 8 on the said date. The media invitation that Samsung has sent out does not directly carry the “Galaxy Note 8” words, but a hint of an S-Pen in the image clearly hints that the next-generation Galaxy Note is arriving in the next month.

The above image describes the Note 8 with the words “do bigger things” which indicates that it will be coming with a large-sized display. The event will be also live streamed on Samsung’s official site. The invitation carries showcases the design of the Note 8 with slim bezels at the top and bottom bezels. The equal sized top and bottom bezels debunk a rumor that had surfaced in the previous week that suggested that the Note 8’s upper bezel will bigger than the lower bezel.

Its left and right edges are not visible which hint that it would be featuring the Infinity Display that was introduced on the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ smartphones. Rumors have revealed that the Galaxy Note 8 would be equipped with a 6.3-inch S-AMOLED display that will be supporting an aspect ratio of 18.5:9.

The Exynos 8895 chipset and Snapdragon 835 chipset variants featuring 6 GB of RAM will be hitting different markets. Markets such as China and South Korea are speculated to receive Galaxy Note 8 Emperor Edition with 8 GB of RAM and highest internal storage. The Galaxy Note 8 will be the first Note series phone to arrive with dual rear cameras. The controversial fingerprint reader will be sitting on the backside of the phone. Since the LED flash will be sitting between the horizontal dual snappers and fingerprint scanner, users will not end up touching the camera sensors while accessing the fingerprint sensor. The phablet will be accompanied with an upgraded S-Pen stylus.

The Galaxy Note 8 will be decked with an all-glass unibody design with IP68 rating. Rumors have also revealed that a 3,300mAh battery will be powering the phablet. The Note 8’s arrival, the LG V30 has been confirmed to debut on Aug. 31.

Moto Z2 Force Coming with Smaller Battery; U.S. Edition Disappoints with Modest Specs

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jul 21, 2017

Motorola was announced at the start of the previous month. The company will be holding a launch on July 25. It is expected to debut Moto Z2 and Moto Z2 Force flagship smartphones on the said date. Fresh details of the Moto Z2 Force suggest that it will be coming with the smaller battery compared to its predecessor. Moreover, the specs of the U.S. version of the phone will end up disappointing the audience.

Venture Beat has the marketing material of the Moto Z2 Force flagship smartphone. The promotional materials of the flagship reveal that the smartphone will be coming with major improvements in the chipset and photography departments. As previous rumors have suggested that the Moto Z2 Force will be fueled by the Snapdragon 835. The Moto Z Force from 2016 was driven by Snapdragon 820 chipset.

The Moto Z Force came with a 21-megapixel rear snapper. However, its successor will be coming with a pair of 12-megapixel snappers sitting on its rear side. Like the Moto Z Force, its successor will be coming with a 5-megapixel front-facing camera. The image suggests it will also feature a selfie flash.

Different regions will be receiving different RAM and storage editions of the Moto Z2 Force. What’s disappointing is that the U.S. version of Z2 Force will be equipped with modest specifications.

moto z2 force

The Moto Z2 Force with 6 GB of RAM along with 64 GB will be coming to the rest of the world. China will be receiving a Moto Z2 Force variant featuring 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. What about the U.S.? As said above, the Moto Z2 Force with modest configuration like 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage will be releasing in the U.S. A microSD card slot that can support up to 2 TB capacity will be available on all the Moto Z2 Force variants.

Compared to the original Moto Z Play that features 3,510mAh battery, the Moto Z2 Play came with a 3,000mAh battery. Motorola is using the same strategy on the Moto Z2 Force. The original Z Force came with a 3,500mAh battery, but the successor phone will be coming with a 22 percent smaller battery of 2,730mAh capacity.

The Moto Z2 Force will be featuring a ShatterShield display. It will be equipped with a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED POLED screen that will be supporting a QHD resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 pixels. The handset will be covered with water-repellant nano-coating that will protect it from water splashes. It will be coming with Android 7.1.1 Nougat and will be upgraded to Android O in future. The Z2 Force flagship would be available in color choices such as Super Black or Fine Gold. In the U.S., T-Mobile customers will be receiving an exclusive color variant of Lunar Grey.

(source)

Nokia 2 Leaked Photo Appears; Reveals Frontal Design

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jul 21, 2017

HMD Global is rumored to debut new smartphones in the second half of this year. During a recent interview with HMD Global’s , it was confirmed that the forthcoming Nokia phones names would be called Nokia 7, Nokia 8 and Nokia 2. Another leaked information that surfaced in the previous week revealed that the list of Nokia phones for 2017 along with their processors. The list revealed that Nokia 2 would be an entry-level smartphone that would be driven by Snapdragon 212 chipset in some markets and by a MediaTek processor in other regions. Now, a leaked photo of the smartphone has surfaced.

Nokia 212 is expected to be cheapest Nokia branded phone in this year. It may not be cheaper than the Nokia 3310 (2017) but is likely to carry lower price than the Nokia 3. In the below image, the leaked image of Nokia 2 smartphone can be seen sitting alongside a drawing of Nokia 3 phone. According to the source, the Nokia will be fueled by Snapdragon 212 chipset. However, he also claims that the Snapdragon 210 may also power the phone.

As it can be seen in the image, the Nokia 2 has rounded corners. Since the size of the display appears to be similar to that of Nokia 3, it is likely to arrive with a 5-inch screen. It may carry support for HD resolution of 720 x 1,280 pixels. The screen shows that it will be supporting on-screen buttons. None of the newer phones from Nokia have such a feature. Also, it features thick bezels. By comparing the images of both the phones, it can be said that the Nokia 2 will be a bit smaller than the Nokia 3.

Nokia does not feature a fingerprint reader. The Nokia 2 does not feature a front-mounted fingerprint reader and since it will be sporting lower specs than the Nokia 3, it is unlikely to feature a rear-facing fingerprint sensor. The leakster who revealed the image of the Nokia 2 claims that the phone will resemble the Lumia 620 from 2013.

There is no information available on the other specs of the phone. However, the rumor mill is expected to reveal more information on it the coming weeks. Nokia has recently released Nokia 130 and Nokia 105 feature phones and the arrival of the highly anticipated flagship phone from Nokia is drawing near.

(source)

LG Q8 With Dual Cameras, Water Resistant Body & Flagship Specs Launched

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jul 21, 2017

Barely one week ago, South Korean tech giant LG announced the LG Q6, Q6+ and Q6a with the Q6 looking like a compact G6. Now, the tech giant has launched yet another smartphone, this time dubbed LG Q8. The smartphone was unveiled in Italy with specs that are in no way mid-range but flagship in all aspect.

LG Q8 Design & Specification

In terms of the design, the Q8 looks very much like a compact version of the LG V20 which was unveiled last year and has a similar secondary display up front. It features a metal body and is listed with an IP68 certification meaning it is dust and water proof and can survive up to 1.5 meters underwater for 30 minutes just like the flagship G6. The device also packs a fingerprint sensor at the rear and a similar horizontally aligned dual camera arrangement similar to the V20.

Talking about the specification, the LG Q8 sports a 5.2-inch QHD display with a 2560 x 1440pixel resolution. The Q8 has onboard a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chipset giving it the firepower and that is backed by 4GB of RAM while there is 32GB of expandable storage inside. The dual cameras are configured as a 13MP + 8MP telephoto and wide angle lens combination and are capable of recording 4K videos. The Q8 also features a Hi-Fi DAC sound system for superior audio quality and keeping the lights on is a decent 3,000 mAh non-removable battery. It comes with a dimension of 149 x 71.9 x 8 mm, weighing just 146g.

LG Q8 Price & Availability

The LG Q8 is slammed with a hefty €599 in Europe and sales will commence later this month. It is not known if and when LG will roll out the model for other regions.

Samsung Says You Should Note The D8, August 23 It Is

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Jul 20, 2017

Samsung has officially confirmed the date of the Galaxy Note 8 launch as August 23. The announcement was made via its official twitter account over an hour ago.

Find out what it means to do bigger things on 08.23.2017. pic.twitter.com/xsbqdP0QBM

— Samsung Mobile (@SamsungMobile) July 20, 2017

A few days ago, Samsung’s CEO, DJ Koh had said at an event in Taiwan that the stylus-toting Galaxy Note 8 will launch late August. He also mentioned that availability will be in two phases. South Korea, US and UK will get it in September and then rest of the world will get it in October.

The Galaxy Note 8 is expected to feature the same infinity display design as the Galaxy S8 and S8+ and the launch poster confirms that. There are no bezels on the sides and the top and bottom ones feature the same curves and probably thickness as the S8. The aspect ratio will be 18.5:9 and the display will be 6.3-inches.

Another major feature coming to the Galaxy Note 8 is dual cameras. Leaked CAD images show the cameras positioned horizontally in the middle of the phone with the LED flash, laser focus module and fingerprint scanner flanking the sensors on the left.

Continue

MIUI 9 To Feature Smart Ad Filter Which Blocks Unimportant Notifications

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jul 20, 2017

Within the space of one week, the Chinese tech space is buzzing with news of the MIUI 9 which would be launched along with the Xiaomi Mi 5X on July 26. Already, Xiaomi has announced the start of the Closed Beta program from the new ROM and that would be followed by the Open beta, perhaps before the July 26 launch.

Among the prominent features, the MIUI 9 is tipped as coming with a split-screen feature which would allow users run two separate apps on the same screen. There is also a picture-in-picture mode, a redesigned dock bar and others which have been revealed in the past. Now, a new leak from a Weibo user, who is probably a beta tester, has tipped the MIUI 9 to come with a Smart advert filter which blocks ads embedded in apps from popping up unsolicited. The new feature already appears on the beta version of MIUI 9.

Just like the ad block feature of the opera browser this feature may be a hard one for developers of free apps who live by the ads sustained in the apps. But the feature may likely be such that users can turn it on and off as desired. The feature is still in development and is said not to block all advertisements presently but that could change in the near future when it has been perfected. Here’s a screenshot of the MIUI 9 interface below showing the ad filter with one notification filtered as not important.

(source)

Xiaomi Mi 5X in Live HD Photos – Dual Cameras, Three Colors & More

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jul 20, 2017

Finally, the mysterious phone which Xiaomi is tipped to launch in order to compete with OPPO and Vivo in the mid range category has been unravelled. The Xiaomi Mi 5X is the new smartphone which Xiaomi will be releasing shortly, precisely on July 26. Not only has the specification of the device been revealed but now also, we have real live photos of the Mi 5X.

We might forgive you if you confuse this for the OPPO R11 because you are not alone. But then, who doesn’t copy each other. The OPPO R11 looked very much live the iPhone 7 Plus and the circus continues. But this is the Xiaomi Mi 5X, one of the few Xiaomi models that would have a dual camera setup at the rear. There is also a rear mounted fingerprint sensor while at the front there is no physical home button but a virtual button. That differentiates the Mi 5X from the OPPO R11, by the way. The device also comes with well-chamfered edges with cute speaker grills at the bottom edge. It utilises the u-shaped fused antenna band design and has a 3.5mm audio jack unlike the Mi 6. From the photos, we can also gather that the device will come in three colours of Rose Gold, Gold and Black.

In terms of the specifications, the Xiaomi Mi 5X’s dual rear cameras are said to be a combination of a Sony IMX386 sensor and a Samsung S5K3M3 CMOS sensor that would function is a wide angle and telephoto combo. It will also have a 16MP front-facing camera. An earlier leaked poster tips the Mi 5X as having a 5.5-inch display and fuelled by a Snapdragon 625 processor with 4GB of RAM. The device is expected to come with a killer price tag of 1999 Yuan (~$295) which is way cheaper than the OPPO R11. But then, the OPPO R11 features a more powerful Snapdragon 660 chip than the SD 625 said to be at play here. The Mi 5X is also expected to feature a 3,000mAh battery and USB Type-C port with support for 5V/2A fast charging.

We must point out that there are talks of a Snapdragon 660 model with 6GB of RAM and 64GB storage coming also. We can’t say for sure if that is true but it sure will be interesting. That should place the Mi 5X in the 2500-29999 Yuan price category where the R11 falls. We’ll get to find out about the full package on July 26, 6 days away.

New Meizu Pro 7 Images Leaked Ahead Of July 26 Launch

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Jul 20, 2017

It is no news anymore that Meizu’s next flagship is the Pro7. We have seen the official invite and even yesterday the official FlymeOS account tweeted about it. Both the invite and the tweet confirm that the Meizu Pro7 will feature a secondary display.

The launch of the Pro7 is scheduled for 7:30PM CST on July 26 at the Zhunai Grand Theatre in China. Ahead of the launch comes new images showing the device in all its glory.

[envira-gallery id=”141685″]

While we won’t pass a final judgement on the Pro7 till we get to see it and touch it, we are not really excited about its looks. We get Meizu is trying for a new design by adding a secondary display at the back but not at the expense of failing in the overall appearance.

Take the front for example. The size of the top and bottom bezels could have been made smaller giving it a more premium look. The back plate is brushed metal but I think glass would have looked much better. The Pro7 will cost at least $400 which is around the same price as the Xiaomi Mi 6. And you will agree that the Mi 6 is a good looking device.

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Coral Blue Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ Launching In US Tomorrow

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Jul 20, 2017

The Galaxy Note 7 may have been short-lived but fans really dug its coral blue color. After the recall, Samsung had no choice but to relaunch the Galaxy S7 in coral blue. That move saw the S7 score more sales as it remained the only Samsung flagship you could buy up until the Galaxy S8′ release. Samsung has confirmed the S8 and the S8+ will also be getting the Coral Blue treatment and it will be arriving in US tomorrow.

The new color variant will be available both as unlocked and carrier versions. Both versions will be sold by Best Buy while Samsung itself will sell only the unlocked models. The locked versions will be available on Verizon, Sprint, and AT&T.

From July 21 to July 29 Best Buy will run a promo that will see customers get up to $400 off the retail price of the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ if their purchase or activation qualifies. Samsung will also offer a limited promotion that offers $150 off the retail price.

If you have a device that meets Samsung’s trade-in conditions, you can receive a credit towards the purchase of an unlocked model.

Continue

Xiaomi MIUI 9 Update to Hit These Mi, Redmi Note, Redmi Devices

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jul 20, 2017

The MIUI 9 update is coming preloaded on the Xiaomi Mi 5X that will be unveiled on July 25. Also, the Xiaomi Mi 6 and Redmi Note 4X are expected to be the first smartphones from the Chinese firm to receive the update. Recently, the company confirmed that it would be releasing the MIUI 9 update to Xiaomi Mi 2S, a device that had released in 2013.

It seems that apart from Xiaomi Mi 1, all the other Xiaomi smartphones and tablets will be receiving the MIUI 9 update. Following screenshots from the MIUI 9 registration app for the closed beta, the list of Xiaomi devices that can be upgraded to MIUI 9 has been revealed.

Mi devices: Xiaomi Mi 6, Mi 5s Plus, Mi 5s, Mi 5C, Mi 5, Mi 4S, Mi 4C, Mi 4, Mi 3, Mi 2s, Mi 2, Mi MIX, Mi Max 2, Mi Max, Mi Note 2, Mi Note Pro, Mi Note, Mi Pad 3, Mi Pad 2, and Mi Pad.

Redmi Note devices: Redmi Note 4X (MediaTek, Snapdragon editions), Note 4, Note 3, Note 2, Redmi Note and Redmi Pro.

Redmi devices: Redmi 4X, 4A and 4; Redmi 3S, 3X and 3; Redmi 2A and 2, Redmi 1S and Redmi 1.

All the above Xiaomi devices will not get the MIUI 9 update simultaneously. The first batch of Xiaomi devices to get MIUI 9 update include Xiaomi Mi 6, Redmi Note 4X and the recent flagships. The second wave of update would include devices like Mi Note 2 and some other videos. Older devices like Xiaomi Mi 2 and 2S are likely to get the update later on.

Xiaomi has already confirmed that it will be rolling out Androd 7.1 Nougat update to Mi 6, Mi Max 2, Mi 5C and Redmi 4X. The company will be releasing Android 7.0 Nougat update to devices like Mi Max, Mi MIX, Mi Note 2, Mi Note Pro, Mi 5, Mi 5s, Mi 5s Plus, Redmi 4S, Redmi 4C and Redmi Note 4X.

Are you about the fact that most Xiaomi devices will be getting the MIUI 9 update? Share us your views by commenting below.

(source)

WhatsApp Users in China Reportedly Blocked From Sending Images & Videos

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jul 20, 2017

China is unarguably one of the largest markets in terms of fashion, consumer products, tech gadgets and apps, internet services and several other business niches. This, perhaps, explains why a good number of foreign companies are trying to make inroads into the Chinese market. These efforts have usually not gone without several challenges and one of such challenges is China’s strict cyber censorship laws. Whatsapp, one of Facebook’s text messaging app, may have become the latest victim of the cyber security laws in force in China.

A report on the New York Times indicates that China has allegedly disrupted Whatsapp services in the country. According to the report, some users cannot send pictures or videos via the hugely popular messaging app. Some Whatsapp users are said to even report inability to send text messages over the platform in China.

This latest incident could be as a result of the government’s new cyber security law that was issued last month and the services could well have been blocked partially or entirely but we can’t verify how true that is right now. If you are a Gizmochina reader based in China, maybe you could help us by dropping your thought in the comment section indicating if this is true or not. If this is true, then, Whatsapp joins the pair of Facebook and Instagram which had been blocked in China way back in 2009 and 2014, respectively.

(source)

Samsung OWY and ASUS High-End Smartphone Gets Bluetooth 5 Certification

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Jul 20, 2017

The latest Bluetooth version is 5 and so far only flagships released this year have it. The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ were the first phones to launch with it but the OnePlus 5, Mi 6, and Xperia XZ Premium also. So when we see a device getting Bluetooth 5 certified we believe its a high-end device. An ASUS phone with model number ZS551KL and a Samsung OWY smartphone are the latest devices to get certified.

The ASUS ZS551KL is not among the list of ASUS Zenfone 4 devices set to launch but we believe it is a high-end variant that will probably carry the Deluxe or Pro name. The model number is also similar to that of the US version of the Zenfone 3 Deluxe (ZS550KL).

The Samsung OWY on the other hand is unusual as the Korean company doesn’t usually use such naming schemes for an unreleased device. However, the singular fact that it has Bluetooth 5.0 makes it a pretty important device.

Bluetooth 5 brings a number of new features. It has 4x the range of Bluetooth 4.2 so you can still remain connected to compatible devices up to 800 ft away. It also has double the transfer speed of 4.2. The most important feature of all is the ability to support two wireless devices at the same time. An example is connecting to your earphones and speaker at once.

Continue

Xiaomi MIUI 9 Closed Beta: Here’s How You Can Become a Beta Tester

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jul 20, 2017

Xiaomi will be debuting the MIUI 9 update along with Xiaomi Mi 5X smartphone on July 26. It is fully loaded with features, looks like iOS and has a simple design. Some may hate it but there are users who simply love the MIUI 9 skin. At present, the Chinese firm is looking for beta testers for MIUI 9 China ROM. Users can download the MIUI Forum app to enroll as beta tester and try the Android skin before the official launch.

Even though the MUI 9 update will be rolled out in the next week, it won’t be coming to the list of compatible devices all at once. It may take couple of weeks for some devices to get the MIUI 9 update. Hence, by applying for the closed beta of MUI 9, users can get early access to all its features.

The official blog of MIUI has revealed that the Global ROM of MIUI 9 would be available in the near future. However, there are some users who can get the closed beta without completing any application process. These include moderators, app reviewers, eligible device, news site or a fan site, designer or photography team member.

If you do not belong to any one of the above then you will have to submit an application which is available on the MIUI Global Forum app. One should be aware of the fact that the all communications will be done in English language by using the QQ messenger.

On the app, users need to select Recruitment and enter details in the three fields. Users who are selected for the first batch of beta testers will be intimated on July 25.

Here is the list of devices that can receive the closed beta version of MIUI 9:

Mi devices: Mi 6, Mi 5s Plus, Mi 5s, Mi 5c, Mi 5, Mi 4S, Mi 4c, Mi 4, Mi 3, Mi 2/2S, Mi MIX, Mi Max 2, Mi Max, Mi Note 2, Mi Note/Pro, Mi Pad 2, Mi Pad 1

Redmi Note devices: Redmi Note 4X (MediaTek), Note 4X (Snapdragon), Note 4, Note 3 (MediaTek), Note 3 (Snapdragon), Note 2, Redmi Note,

Redmi devices: Redmi Pro, Redmi 4X, 4A, 4, 4 Prime, Redmi 3S, 3S Prime, Redmi 3, Redmi 2, 2A, 2 Prime, Redmi 1S and 1

(source)

Monochromic Images Show Off Meizu Pro 7’s Low Light Potential

By

Zhen Wan

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Jul 20, 2017

Photos taken with the upcoming Meizu Pro 7 have been released by Meizu’s Senior Vice President, Jeffrey Yang, mainly showing off the potential of the Meizu Pro 7’s monochromic camera capabilities.

This recent post has been Meizu’s effort to share the limelight of the Pro 7’s secondary display and raise the hype of the device’s camera also.

The post consists of four photo sample teasers, three of which are taken in monochrome and the other is in color. According to the source, this suggests that the Meizu Pro 7 will have a dual camera setup with an RGB-color sensor paired with a monochrome sensor to provide high-contrast results.

The images all show scenarios that provide difficult lighting conditions with very promising results.

The disappointing factor is no EXIF info is provided with the images thus there is no further detailing of the cameras, all we do know is the pictures have been taken with a 12-megapixel camera, according to the source.

In relation to photography, we also know that the secondary display will function as a control to take selfies with the main camera.

More details would be expected to be unveiled closer to the official announcement on July 26.

(Source)

OPPO Takes The Lead in The 2500-3000 Yuan Segment In June: Sino Research

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jul 20, 2017

A report by China-based Sino market research has shown that in the first half of June alone, OPPO R11 was the highest selling smartphone in China in the 2500-3,000 Yuan price category. This is perhaps a manifestation of OPPO’s continued dominance in the mid-range category.

Sino Research has been in the business of market research since 1992 so they have a high level of credibility. The Beijing based company is focused on the mobile communications industry, making them the go-to guys in mobile phone research. The company also covers the entire mobile industry chain, providing retail monitoring services and thematic research services for chips, applications, products, channels and users, and dominating research in the mobile communications market.

As for the report, OPPO raked in the largest market share under the 2500-3000 Yuan category. The data also shows that in the top 5 best-selling mid-range models for the last six months, three OPPO models fall in. The models are the OPPO R9s, OPPO R11 and OPPO A57. The OPPO R9s maintained its lead as the top best-selling model in that category despite the sales dropping by 0.4%, followed by Vivo X9. It must be noted that all five models are either from OPPO and Vivo, two companies owned by BBK holdings.Read Also: OPPO A77 Listed On Official Website: 4GB RAM, Snapdragon 625 & 16MP Selfie Camera

In addition, statistical data also shows OPPO continues its stronghold on the offline sales channel it perfected in addition to selling online. Still, on the 2500-3000 Yuan, OPPO cornered more than half of what Apple got in market share. The closest rival still was BBK co-travellers Vivo who also got more than double of the market share of Apple. Both OPPO and Vivo were able to command more than half of the market share in this category for offline sales which is a reflection of their dominance.

Xiaomi Mi 5X Allegedly Spotted At FCC Before July 26 Launch

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jul 20, 2017

Xiaomi Mi 5X is slated to get announced on the coming Wednesday. Even though the smartphone has been officially made available for registrations, its specifications are still under the wraps. It seems that the Xiaomi Mi 5X may have received FCC approval, but the FCC documents do not directly mention that the details belong to Xiaomi Mi 5X. The model number of the Xiaomi phone found in the FCC documents is MDG2.

The FCC documents shows that the Xiaomi device with model number MDG2 has a battery of 3,000mAh capacity. However, rumors surrounding the Xiaomi Mi 5X suggest that it would be featuring a 3,680mAh battery. To be precise, the phone has a 3,000mAh Li-Po battery that can be charged using a USB Type-C that is equipped with a 10W adapter (5V/2A).

Since the Xiaomi Mi 5X is the only smartphone that is poised to get announced soon, it is speculated that the Xiaomi Mi 5X may come with a 3,000mAh battery. The FCC documents do not contain any information on the other specs of the device.

The Xiaomi Redmi Pro from last year is the first smartphone from the company to come with dual rear cameras. This year’s Xiaomi Mi 6 became the second phone from the company to feature rear-facing twin cameras. The official images of the Xiaomi Mi 5X reveals that it has dual cameras on its backside which makes it the third phone from the company to feature it. The dual camera system of the Mi 5X is expected to include a wide-angle lens and a telephone lens.

Another interesting that has been revealed through the official images of the Mi 5X is that it features a 3.5mm audio jack at the bottom. Except for Xiaomi Mi 6 that do not feature a 3.5mm jack, all the other Xiaomi phones have the audio jack located at the topside, but the Xiaomi Mi 5X will be arriving as the first company to feature it on the bottom side.

Since the Xiaomi Mi 5X is confirmed to debut with MIUI 9 update on July 26, it would be the first smartphone to get the latest software upgrade which will be based on Android 7.1.1 Nougat. As far as specs are concerned, it would be coming with a 5.5-inch FHD display, Snapdragon 625 chipset, 4 GB RAM and 64 GB storage. It will be priced at 1,999 Yuan (~$295). It is coming in colors like rose gold, gold and black.

(source)

Nokia 8 Official Website Listing Appears Temporarily; Launch Imminent

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jul 20, 2017

Nokia 8 is the highly anticipated flagship phone from the company that is slated to debut soon. Its arrival seems all the more imminent as it appeared briefly on the official website as it was taken down shortly after. A screenshot of the official listing of Nokia 8 has surfaced.

The official page of the Nokia 8 also contained an image of the blue version of the phone. It resembles with the blue colored Nokia 8 photo revealed by well-known tipster, Evan Blass. The appearance on the official page also confirms on the existence of the Nokia 8.

The blue and silver Nokia 8 press renders revealed by Blass has the date mentioned as Thursday, June 20. However, in the previous month, June 20 was on Tuesday. The image of the Nokia 8 that appeared on the official website (now taken down) has the revised date of Thursday, July 20. Smartphone brands are known for putting the date of announcement of the phone’s screen in press renders. Hence, speculations are hinting that Nokia may launch the phone today. However, this seems unlikely as the company has not released any official invitation on the launch of Nokia 8.

Nokia had held launch events for it mid-range phones during the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2017. Hence, the Finnish company should be holding a proper launch event for the phone. Two major flagship phablets, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 and LG V30 are expected to launch in the next month. HMD Global will not want to clash the launch of its flagship phone with the big-sized phablet flagships. Speculations are rife that the Nokia 8 would be announced on July 31. However, there is no official confirmation on it.

Rumors have revealed that the Nokia 8 will be arriving with a 5.3-inch screen that will support Quad HD resolution. Some rumors also hint that it features a 5.7-inch QHD display. The flagship phone would be powered by Snapdragon 835 chipset and 4 GB of RAM. It will be coming with a native storage of 64 GB. It will arrive preloaded with Android 7.1.1 Nougat and it is expected to get the latest Android O version before the end of 2017. Leaked renders have revealed that the Nokia 8 has ZEISS branded dual cameras featuring a pair of 13-megapixel sensors. It may be priced around €550 (~$634).

(source)

Bixby English Version Arrives in the U.S as Samsung Kills Bixby Smart Speaker Rumors

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jul 20, 2017

It was recently reported that the arrival of the English version of the Bixby AI was delayed in the U.S. because of insufficient language resources. However, the English Bixby has been officially released in the U.S. The rumor mill had predicted Samsung would be launching a smart speaker equipped with Bixby AI. Newer information suggests that Samsung is not working on such a device.

The beta version of Bixby was made available to the users in the U.S. in June. It was the found that beta testers did not enjoy using the Bixby assistant as it could not respond to questions and requests in English. Now that the English edition has finally arrived, Samsung seems to have resolved the major issues. So, the Bixby AI is available on the Galaxy S8 duo in the U.S. and South Korea. The Galaxy Note FE and Galaxy A7 (2017) are the two smartphones that support Bixby AI in South Korea even though these smartphones do not feature a dedicated launcher button for Bixby

To use Bixby in English, users need to update to the latest version of the software. And then, users can use the dedicated Bixby button to launch it. Users can say “Hi Bixby” to launch it. Bixby can learn and understand the preferences and behavior of the user. Switching between voice, touch and text commands is a seamless experience on Bixby and this is something that sets it apart from other digital assistants. It is well-integrated with core apps from Samsung, but its support for third-party apps is not that efficient. However, Bixby Labs is working on integrating Bixby with more apps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWXIDwHTg-8

Earlier in this month, the Wall Street Journal had reported that Samsung is working on a Bixby enabled smart speaker and the device is codenamed as Vega. All the major brands like Amazon, Google, Apple and Microsoft have their smart speaker system and Samsung was also expected to join the bandwagon. The official stated by the South Korean company puts to rest all the rumors surrounding the Bixby powered smart speaker.

Here is the official statement from the company: “Samsung currently does not view Al speakers as marketable, as the global market is already dominated by unbeatable Amazon and the Korean market is too small to make profits.”

Speculations claimed that once the English version of Bixby is made official, Samsung may work on the smart speaker. It was expected to be equipped with Harman Kardon speaker and support other smart home products from Samsung.

(source 1,2)