Asus is gearing up to launch its next-generation gaming smartphone, the ROG Phone 9 Pro. The device has recently appeared in a certification listing in China, confirming its development.
The ROG Phone 9 Pro, bearing the model number “ASUSAI25001A,” was spotted at the China Quality Certification Centre (CQC). This listing reveals no specific details about the device, but it does confirm its support for 65W charging. Its predecessor, the ROG Phone 8 Pro also features 65W fast charging, so it looks like we won’t be seeing better charging speeds.
The CQC listing does not provide any further details, however, we can expect it to feature the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor, alongside a robust cooling system. The ROG Phone 8 series debuted in January, so we likely have a few months of waiting ahead of us, unless the brand decided to launch the ROG Phone 9 series earlier. In the meantime, you can check out the spec sheet of the ROG Phone 8 Pro to get an idea of what to expect from its successor.
ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro specs:
The ROG Phone 8 Pro features a 6.78-inch 165Hz LTPO Samsung E6 AMOLED display and is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor with an Adreno 750 GPU. It comes with 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage.
For cameras, it has a triple rear setup with a 50MP Sony IMX890 sensor and a 32MP front camera for selfies. The phone is equipped with a 5,500mAh battery that supports 65W fast charging. Gaming-specific features include responsive AirTrigger buttons, IP68 dust and water resistance, and a high-quality 5-magnet speaker system.
Huawei is set to unveil its latest tablet, the MatePad Pro 12.2, at its upcoming launch in Barcelona on September 19. For those unaware, the brand already launched the MatePad Pro 12.2 tablet in its domestic Chinese market.
The global MatePad Pro is expected to come with a PaperMatte display designed for improved clarity and brightness, even in difficult lighting conditions. This display is aimed at enhancing both productivity and creative tasks, such as digital painting.
The MatePad Pro will also feature an updated version of the GoPaint app, which will include more brush tools that simulate real-life painting techniques. New interactive features, like ink splatter effects, will allow users to add more creativity to their digital art. We can expect other details to be similar to the MatePad Pro 12.2 China model.
Huawei MatePad Pro 12.2 (China) specs:
The MatePad Pro 12.2 features a 12.2-inch OLED display offering a 2.8K resolution with a peak brightness of 2,000 nits. Other display features include a 144Hz refresh rate, a P3 wide color gamut, and a 3:2 aspect ratio.
Under the hood, the tablet features a Kirin 9000S CPU based on a 7nm process. The device has a 10,000mAh battery that supports 100W fast charging. The camera setup includes an 8MP front-facing camera and a rear dual-lens system with a 13MP main sensor. For audio, it has eight speakers tuned for both high and low frequencies.
The MatePad Pro 12.2 also supports the Huawei Star Leap Keyboard, which has a built-in charging slot for the M-Pencil stylus and a magnetic smart axis for easy one-handed operation.
In other news, Huawei is also gearing up to launch the Watch GT 5 in the global market. Specifications and renders of the watch have already leaked, and it was also recently spotted on a UK retailer’s website, revealing its pricing.
Just two months after its initial launch, Oppo has unveiled a new color option for its K12x 5G smartphone in India. The brand has announced that the device will now be available in an attractive Feather Pink color, set to hit the market on September 21st at 7 PM.
This new color variant will be exclusively available on Flipkart and the official website of Oppo India and is expected to be part of the upcoming Flipkart Big Billion Days Sale.
Oppo K12x specs:
The Oppo K12x features a 6.67-inch HD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate, protected by Panda Glass, and capable of reaching 1,000 nits of peak brightness. The MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset powers it and includes a large 5,000mAh battery that supports 45W wired fast charging. The device also boasts military-grade durability (MIL-STD-810H) and an IP54 rating for water and dust resistance.
The phone comes with a hybrid dual SIM slot that supports microSD card expansion. It runs on Android 14 with Oppo’s ColorOS 14 custom skin. In terms of cameras, the rear setup includes a 32-megapixel primary sensor and a 2-megapixel portrait sensor, while the front has an 8-megapixel selfie camera. Additional features include a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, Bluetooth 5.1, a slim 7.68mm design, 5G support (both NA and NSA), and Dual 4G VoLTE.
The Oppo 12x 5G is offered in two storage configurations: 6GB + 128GB and 8GB + 256GB, with the former costing 12,999 INR, while the latter costs 15,999 INR.
In other news, Oppo is reportedly developing a new K-series phone, model PKS110, for the Chinese market. Tipster Digital Chat Station has revealed that the device will feature a 6,500mAh battery, Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset (SM7550), an OLED FHD+ display, and a 50-megapixel primary camera. It will also support 80W fast charging and have a slim, lightweight design with a high-strength polymer composite frame.
Apple‘s latest iPhone line-up might not be generating the usual opening weekend fervor. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, known for his Apple supply chain insights, reported “lower-than-expected” demand for the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models based on pre-order data and shipping estimates.
While overall pre-orders reached an estimated 37 million units, that number falls short of the iPhone 15 series’ first-weekend performance by a significant 13%. The culprit seems to be the Pro models, with Kuo estimating a 27% and 16% drop in pre-orders for the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max compared to their predecessors.
Interestingly, the standard iPhone 16 and 16 Plus appear to be faring better than their iPhone 15 counterparts. Their pre-order numbers are reportedly up, but not enough to completely offset the Pro models’ sluggish start.
So, what’s holding back the Pro party? According to Kuo, a key factor is the delayed arrival of Apple Intelligence, the rumored suite of AI-powered features heavily promoted during the iPhone 16 launch event. These features won’t be available until the October release of iOS 18.1. Essentially, early adopters who snag a Pro model now will have to wait a month to experience the full package.
Another potential roadblock is competition. Kuo suggests the iPhone lineup is facing “intense competition” in China, a crucial market for Apple. While the details are unclear, Huawei seems to be part of the equation, having just launched the world’s first tri-fold phone shortly after Apple’s iPhone 16 reveal. The foldable device appears to be doing well, with millions of pre-orders even before its official release.
It’s still early days, and pre-order numbers don’t paint the complete picture. Actual sales figures after launch will be a more definitive indicator of the iPhone 16’s performance. But this early glimpse suggests Apple’s premium models might need some time to find their footing, especially if they’re facing a feature delay and fierce competition abroad.
In the past weeks, Samsung officially announced One UI 6.1.1. As of today, many devices such as Galaxy S23 series, Z Fold5 / Flip5, and Tab S9 series have started to receive the new One UI 6.1.1 update. The Galaxy S23 series received this update 5 days ago in Korea, and has now received the new update in more than one country. So what does this update offer? The answer is simple: Galaxy AI.
One UI 6.1.1 coming to more devices
Samsung has officially released One UI 6.1.1, first to the Galaxy S24 series and then to the previous flagships Galaxy S23 series, Tab S9 series, and Z Fold 5 / Flip5. Of course, the brand is founded in South Korea, so it thinks a lot about Korean users. This is also evident from the updates released. After being released to Korea first, users in other regions can now access One UI 6.1.1.
The size of the update is in the range of 2.5GB-3GB and the size may vary depending on the devices. Currently, many users can access this update without any problems. But the only important update that everyone is waiting for is One UI 7. Samsung will probably announce One UI 7 at the developer conference and the beta program is expected to be announced.
One UI 7 will be based on Android 15. Android 15 is Google’s latest operating system. The new Android version includes significant optimizations and innovations. While users are impatiently waiting for the major One UI 7 update, we will follow new developments for you.
Apple announced iOS 18 at its 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference back in June this year. The company is finally rolling out the latest version of iOS to a number of iPhone models. The iPhone 16 series devices, which will be available starting September 20, will come with iOS 18 pre-installed.
Special features in iOS 18:
As you probably already know, Apple’s latest iOS version comes with a number of AI features which are collectively called Apple Intelligence. The integration of AI features in system apps is aimed at enhancing the user experience.
For example, iOS 18 offers new ways to write, generate images, and interact with Siri. The integration of AI models allows users to rewrite, proofread, and summarize text in apps like Mail and Notes. There’s also an app called Image Playground that can generate images based on simple text prompts.
With the integration of Apple Intelligence, Siri has become smarter and more contextually aware. It can now perform actions like basic photo editing and manage files on behalf of the user. While Apple prefers on-device processing prioritizing user privacy, tasks that involve more complex processing, are handled by ChatGPT.
While we’ve already seen these features in Google’s Pixel and Samsung’s Galaxy flagships—which are powered by Google AI—Apple’s implementation raises the competition, which is beneficial for future developments.
Compatible iPhone models:
iPhone 16 series (all models)
iPhone 15 series (all models)
iPhone 14 series (all models)
iPhone 13 series (including mini, Pro, Pro Max)
iPhone 12 series (including mini, Pro, Pro Max)
iPhone 11 series (Pro, Pro Max)
iPhone XS, XS Max, XR
iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation)
However, it’s important to mention that Apple Intelligence will only be available on iPhone 15 Pro models and later.
Other improvements in iOS 18:
In addition to the AI features iOS 18 also offers some customization features such as the ability to rearrange apps and widgets. The new Control Centre lets users resize controls and create multiple screens for different functions.
With iOS 18, iPhone 14 and newer models get support for satellite messaging, which enables text communication without a cellular or Wi-Fi connection.
Samsung has not released a Chromebook for the last few years. However, a new Chromebook from Samsung is expected to launch at Google’s upcoming Chromebook Showcase in New York City on September 24th.
The next-generation Chromebook, which is expected to be called the Galaxy Chromebook Plus, is rumored to be equipped with a display with adaptive color function. The news comes from Robby Payne from Chrome Unboxed who cited Chromium Gerrit entries that suggest a feature being worked on for the device that could have the OLED panel adjusting colors and temperatures based on the surrounding environment.
This technology is expected to mark a major leap forward in the Chromebook field and may also change the way users interact with the screen. Notably, Apple uses a similar technique, which is dubbed as True Tone.
The new Chromebook will be able to intelligently sense the lighting condition of the surrounding environment and will automatically adjust the color temperature and saturation in real-time. It will ensure optimal visual comfort and clarity in a changing lighting environment.
The Galaxy Chromebook Plus is expected to accurately capture and respond to changes in external light through a built-in high-precision ambient light sensor. Samsung may also utilize the camera to detect lighting conditions.
However, there’s a catch
The report also notes that the development is specifically aimed at improving the Night Light feature. In contrast, Chromebooks generally use an adjustment slider to adjust the color temperature. So there’s a chance that the device will use this tech only for Night Light. Nonetheless, it will be a very strange move since users typically don’t need to adjust the color temperature of Night Light more than once to match their liking.
The upcoming Galaxy Chromebook Plus is expected to boast a 15.6-16-inch OLED screen, which is not common in Chromebooks.
After the recent render and specification leak, Huawei‘s highly anticipated Watch GT 5 has been spotted listed on a UK retailer’s website, revealing its features as well as the pricing.
Design and Display
As per the report, the Watch GT 5 comes in a 46mm size with two distinct strap options: a Woven Nylon strap and a Fluoroelastomer strap. The smartwatch sports a vibrant 1.43-inch AMOLED touchscreen display. The smartwatch measures 45.8 x 45.8 x 10.7mm and weighs 77 grams with the Fluoroelastomer strap and 74 grams with the Nylon strap.
Operating System and Connectivity
Powered by Huawei’s Harmony OS, the Watch GT 5 promises to offer a smooth and intuitive user interface. The smartwatch is compatible with both iOS 8.0 or later and Android 13 or later. Additionally, it supports Bluetooth 5.2 and GPS connectivity for seamless integration with smartphones and location-based services.
Battery Life and Charging
One of the standout features of the Watch GT 5 is its impressive battery life. The listing claims that the smartwatch can last up to 14 days on a single charge. The smartwatch takes approximately 100 minutes to fully charge.
Health and Fitness Tracking
The Watch GT 5 is packed with health and fitness tracking features. TruSense technology enables accurate monitoring of various metrics, including walking, running, swimming, mountain hiking, skiing, cycling, boxing, jump rope, football, heart rate, blood oxygen, sleep, stress, and breathing exercises. The smartwatch also includes an AI weight management program, nutrition analysis, SpO2 cycle tracking, menstrual cycle tracking, and abnormal blood oxygen reminders.
Smart Features
Beyond health and fitness, the Watch GT 5 offers a range of smart features, including music control, alarm clocks, remote shutter functionality, find-my-phone capability, Bluetooth calling, app notifications, calendar integration, and SMS quick reply.
The Watch GT 5 also incorporates several additional features including Bad weather warnings, a cycle calendar, a running position sensor, a wrist map, sleep breathing awareness, and the Sunflower positioning system are among the notable additions.
Pricing
The Huawei Watch GT 5 is already listed in two color options: Black with a Fluoroelastomer strap and Silver Blue with a Woven Nylon strap. The Black Fluoroelastomer strap variant is priced at £229.99, while the Silver Blue Woven Nylon strap is slightly more expensive at £249.99. The brand has yet to make an official announcement regarding the pricing & specifications, so take these details with a pinch of salt.
Back in 2021, a patent application from Samsung about its rollable phone surfaced on the web. Since then, the development of the rollable phone has appeared in the news several times. The company’s first rollable phone was speculated to launch in 2025. After almost a year, we finally have some new information about the rollable phone.
via Ice Universe
In the latest news, TheElec reaffirms that the phone could indeed launch in 2025. The report notes that the phone will come with a massive 12.4″ display that can be rolled up. For context, the recently released tri-folding phone from Huawei packs a 10.2″ screen.
This rollable phone is also rumored to come with under-display camera technology. Samsung’s book-style foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold6 already use this technology for one of its selfie cameras. However, it remains unclear how many cameras of the upcoming rollable phone will use the under-display tech especially because the phone will have a different form factor.
Samsung was also working on a tri-folding device
Notably, Samsung was also working on a tri-folding device as far back as 2021 and even showcased a prototype. However, the phone never made it to market. Meanwhile, Huawei became the world’s first to release a tri-folding device with the Huawei Mate XT Ultimate. Huawei’s offering folds in a Z shape rather than inward twice and utilizes a portion of the large foldable display as its cover display.
While it may be surprising to see Huawei take the lead, despite Samsung working on a tri-folding smartphone early on and even showcasing a prototype, the reason reportedly lies in Samsung’s business strategy.
An insider familiar with Samsung’s internal affairs said “I heard that the Mobile Experience division, which is in charge of devices such as smartphones is recently focusing on cost reduction to increase profitability” Another official said, “Samsung Electronics has gone to the extent of cutting costs to the point where it will stop producing mock-up products provided to general mobile phone stores starting this year.”
HMD has introduced a new smartphone in India. The latest offering is the HMD Skyline that had debuted globally few months ago. It takes you back to the Nokia Lumia era with the design. The Indian variant comes with similar specifications and falls in the mid-range segment.
HMD Skyline specs
The HMD Skyline comes with a pOLED display that measures 6.5 inches. It features an FHD+ resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. The screen is layered with a Gorilla Glass 3 on the top.
The HMD Skyline has a slim profile with sharp corners (although the bezels around the screen are rounded) and a squarish camera island. There is a side-mounted fingerprint scanner embedded in the power button. The device also has a custom button for setting up particular tasks like launching a game or triggering personal assistant. The smartphone also comes with a Gen2 repairability for easy DIY repairs.
The HMD Skyline’s triple rear camer setup comprises a 108MP main sensor with hybrid OIS, an 8MP ultrawide angle unit, and a 50MP telephoto snapper capable of shooting 50mm portraits. There is a 50MP front-facing selfie camera with autofocus and eye tracking. There’s also a built-in selfie gesture feature that lets you capture selfies with simple gestures.
The HMD Skyline is powered by a Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor. It packs 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. The device runs on a 4,600mAh battery unit with support for 33W wired and 15W wireless charging. The phone ships with Android 14 and is confirmed to get 2 OS updates.
The HMD Skyline is priced at Rs 35,999 and comes in Neon Pink and Twisted Black colors. It can be purchased starting tomorrow from Amazon, retail stores, and HMD’s website.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 was released in October 2021, and two years later, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 arrived with more powerful and efficient cores. Both are flagship smartphone chips and are already powering many high-end phones from popular brands such as OnePlus, Samsung, and Xiaomi.
Being a newer chip, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is ahead of its first-gen counterpart in almost every aspect. But the real question is, how big is the difference? Is it worth upgrading, or is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 still good enough to stick with? Let’s compare them to see how they stack up against each other.
Let’s begin with the spec sheet:
SD 8 Gen 3
SD 8 Gen 1
Release date
October 2023
November 2021
Process node
4nm
4nm
Manufacturer
TSMC
Samsung
Cores
8
8
CPU architecture
1 x Cortex-X4 @ 3.3 GHz 3 x Cortex-A720 @ 3.15 GHz 2 x Cortex-A720 @ 2.96 GHz 2 x Cortex-A520 @ 2.27 GHz
1 x Cortex-X2 @ 3 GHz 3 x Cortex-A710 @ 2.5 GHz 4 x Cortex-A510 @ 1.8 GHz
GPU
Adreno 750 770 MHz frequency Snapdragon Elite Gaming Hardware Accelerated Ray Tracing
Adreno 730 Snapdragon Elite Gaming Unreal Engine 5 support
NPU
Hexagon NPU
Hexagon NPU
Camera
18-bit Spectra Triple ISP 200MP single camera 108MP camera with ZSL 64MP+36MP dual cameras with ZSL 36MP+36MP+36MP triple cameras with ZSL *ZSL = Zero Shutter Lag
18-bit Spectra Triple ISP 200MP single camera 108MP camera with ZSL 64MP+36MP dual cameras with ZSL 36MP+36MP+36MP triple cameras with ZSL *ZSL = Zero Shutter Lag
Geekbench is a popular benchmarking platform for measuring the CPU performance of a device. It outputs single-core and multi-core scores. The former shows CPU performance when a single core is at work, and the latter analyzes the CPU strength when all cores are used.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has scored 30% better in the single-core test, but the difference in the multi-score is significant — it’s almost 2x.
SD 8 Gen 3
SD 8 Gen 1
Single Core
2,288
1,681
Multi Core
7,184
3,712
(AnTuTu 10)
AnTuTu is another popular benchmarking platform for measuring CPU, GPU, memory, and UX of devices.
AnTuTu 10 also shows a significant performance difference between the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and 8 Gen 1 chips. The CPU and GPU of the newer chip have over 50% better AnTuTu scores, whereas the memory score is more than 2x. Overall, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has scored around 65% better than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 brings major CPU and GPU upgrades, as far as the benchmarking results are concerned. However, as you already know, the benchmarks do not necessarily tell the real-world performance. But having used devices powered by these two chips, I can say the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has much better performance and efficiency.
SD 8 Gen 3
SD 8 Gen 1
CPU
436,191
285,638
GPU
709,117
417,527
Memory
363,493
175,782
UX
308,966
219,728
Total Score
18,17,769
10,98,675
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs 8 Gen 1: Key Differences
Both Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and 8 Gen 1 are octa-core chips manufactured using a 4nm process node. The newer chip is built by TSMC, which has advanced chip manufacturing technologies that are better than Samsung, which has produced the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. TSMC’s manufactured chips generally are more efficient than Samsung’s.
Although both are octa-core chips, their cores and core clusters differ. The SD 8 Gen 3 has a Cortex-X4 prime core, which is more powerful and efficient than the Cortex-X2 in SD 8 Gen 1. The five Cortex-A720 performance cores also perform better and are more efficient than the Cortex-A710 in the 8 Gen 1.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s Cortex-A520 offers 22% better efficiency at the same performance as the Cortex-A510 in the 8 Gen 1.
Highly efficient cores with better performance are one of the primary reasons for the huge performance gap between the two chips.
Not only the CPU but also the GPU is rocking the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. It’s the Adreno 750, which is probably the best GPU for Android smartphones. It brings notable improvements over its predecessors and introduces new gaming features and improvements that cater to the latest gaming technologies.
Other differences include LPDDR5X support for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, whereas the 8 Gen 1 supports LPDDR5 RAM and has a lower peak frequency. The newer chip also supports faster storage—UFS 4.0 (vs. UFS 3.1 on 8 Gen 1). Notably, the SD 8 Gen 3 brings support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, whereas the older chip supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs 8 Gen 1: Final Words
Both the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and 8 Gen 1 are flagship smartphones capable of delivering smooth performance. However, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is significantly ahead in terms of raw power and efficiency.
Choosing one of these two chips really depends on your preference. If you’re into high-end gaming, editing, or anything that requires a lot of processing, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is the clear winner.
On the other hand, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 still remains a solid choice for everyday tasks and casual gaming. And the fact that Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 phones are now available at a steep discount, it’s still an excellent value for most users.
We recently reviewed the Tecno Phantom V Fold 2 and found that it’s a great choice for your first foldable smartphone. But how does this model compare to the industry veteran Samsung and its flagship Galaxy Z Fold 6 foldable smartphone? Let’s check it out.
Tecno worked with LOEWE to design the Phantom V Fold 2. It features a premium vegan leather back panel with rounded metallic frames. It is clear that the company placed a big focus on its design. But Samsung is no slouch in this area either. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 blends aluminum frame with Gorilla Glass Victus 2. Ensuring protection and a premium design. Its camera module also appears a lot cleaner than the large rectangular camera island on the Phantom V Fold 2. So some might prefer the more minimal aesthetic that Samsung offers.
Talking about the displays, Tecno Phantom V Fold 2 sports a 6.42-inch LTPO AMOLED cover display that has a 120Hz refresh rate, peak brightness of 1600 nits, and it has 2160Hz high-frequency PWM dimming. The primary screen is a larger 7.85-inch panel with almost the same specs as the external display. This means both its inner and outer screens are taller than Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6. To recall, it offers a 6.3-inch cover display and a 7.6-inch big inner screen. These screens match the Phantom V Fold 2 in almost every way and Samsung is known for its bright AMOLED displays. So the Phantom V Fold 2 rivals ultra premium foldable phones.
2. Specifications: Samsung flagships are no slouch
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
Tecno equips the Phantom V Fold 2 with the MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ SoC, which is a high end chip that promises capable performance. This chip is paired with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage. But Samsung takes the lead here as the Galaxy Z Fold 6 packs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Users can also opt to buy it with 12GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage.
A 4,400mAh battery pack powers the Z Fold 6, which supports 25W wired fast charging and 15W wireless fast charging. Meanwhile, the Phantom V Fold 2 houses a larger 5,750mAh cell that offers a much faster 70W wired fast charging as well as 15W wireless fast charging. Tecno claims that the phone can charge to full in just 40 minutes. Tecno has an edge on battery performance.
3. Camera: Tecno’s versatile offering
All three cameras on the rear are a 50MP sensors on the Phantom V Fold 2. These include a main, ultra wide angle, and telephoto shooter. This makes them a bit more versatile than the Galaxy Z Fold 6, which features a 50MP (main) + 12MP (ultra wide angle) + 10MP (telephoto) setup. Even the selfie cameras are two 32MP shooters on the main the cover screen, while Samsung has a 10MP shooter on the external panel and a 4MP under display sensor on the bigger display. Megapixel count doesn’t imply quality, so real world use might show the difference more clearly.
4. Verdict
Tecno has yet to reveal the pricing for the Phantom V Fold 2, but it is expected to be priced at around 1,099 US Dollars. But the Galaxy Z Fold 6 starts from 1,900 US Dollars. This means it is quite a bit more expensive. So the Phantom V Fold 2 is a great option for those looking to try out a new foldable phone without going all out. But for those with a bigger budget could check out the Galaxy Z Fold 6.
Lava, the Indian smartphone brand, has officially launched the Lava Blaze 3 5G in the country. It’s the successor to the Lava Blaze 2 from last year and is an entry-level 5G smartphone. Let’s see what it brings to the table.
Specifications
The Lava Blaze 3 offers a fairly standard package for a budget 5G phone. It’s 6.5-inch HD+ display boasts a 90Hz refresh rate and 720p resolution.
Under the hood, the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 SoC handles processing duties. This mid-range chipset is a common choice in affordable 5G phones, offering reliable performance for everyday tasks.
It’s paired with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of expandable storage. You will also get support for 6GB of virtual RAM. And on the software side, the Lava Blaze 3 runs stock Android 14 out of the box.
As for the camera, the phone boasts a 50MP primary sensor with a secondary 2MP sensor that’s more of a placeholder. The 8MP front-facing camera should handle basic selfies and video calls.
There’s also a new feature called Vibe Light, which allows users to adjust the color temperature for a more “studio-like” photography experience. How effective this is in practice will depend on implementation.
Keeping the phone running is a 5000mAh battery which supports 18W fast charging. Security-wise, the phone offers a side-mounted fingerprint sensor and face unlock for authentication.
Other features include dual-app support, anti-peeping features (which likely involve displaying privacy filters), and support for a microSD card for storage expansion.
Price and Availability
Priced at Rs 11,499 for the sole 6GB/128GB variant, the Blaze 3 sits firmly in the budget segment. It’s available in two color options: Glass Gold and Glass Blue. Sales will kick off on September 18th, 2024, through the Lava India website and Amazon.
Xiaomi has just unveiled brand new budget 4K smart TVs in India from its Redmi sub-brand. The Redmi Smart Fire TV 4K was teased last week, and now, the new models have finally launched in the region with some notable specs and features and an affordable price tag.
Redmi Smart Fire TV 4K Specs
To recall, the Redmi Smart Fire TV first arrived with a 32-inch screen and FHD resolution. The Chinese brand is now releasing higher end models with 4K resolution and two new screen sizes. This includes a 43-inch and 55-inch options. In terms of specs, the two new variants are almost identical. Both of these feature 4K HDR support, MEMC technology, Dolby Audio, and DTS: Virtual X technology.
Although, the taller 55-inch option has a 30W speakers setup built in, while the 43-inch variant has smaller 24W speakers. One of the notable aspects of the new smart TVs is their design. Redmi is offering a premium metal frame with ultra slim bezels on three sides. Under the hood, the Redmi Smart Fire TV 4K is equipped with a quad core Cortex A55 SoC, which is paired with 2GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage.
Users also get a Redmi Voice Remote that supports Alexa and has dedicated buttons for Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and Amazon Music. Other notable features include dual band WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0, a 3.5mm headphone jack, HDMI 2.1, and support for V1, H.265, H.264, Real, and MPEG1/2/4 codecs.
Pricing and Availability
The Redmi Smart Fire TV 4K was launched with a starting price tag of 24,999 INR (roughly 298 US Dollars) for the 43-inch option. On the other hand, the 55-inch variant costs 35,999 INR (roughly 429 US Dollars). ICICI bank card holders can avail an instant discount of 10 percent, which brings its effective price down to just 23,499 INR. The new Smart TVs will be available for purchase on Flipkart and Xiaomi’s official website from 18th September 2024.
Shortly before the unveiling of the Redmi Note 14 series, new information continues to emerge. The Gizmochina team has spotted the Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G and POCO X7 in the IMEI database. Both smartphones will have similar specifications. This suggests that the POCO X7 is a rebranded Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G. Of course, there will be some differences between the Note 14 Pro 5G and the POCO X7. You will especially see this difference from the camera’s point. Xiaomi’s goal is to sell the POCO X7 at a lower price and make it easier for users to access this new smartphone. Therefore, we accept this strategy as correct.
Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G & POCO X7 appear in the IMEI database
The Redmi Note 14 series is coming and we’re getting more details about the smartphones. Earlier this month, it was revealed that the Redmi Note 14 5G will be relaunched as the POCO M7 Pro 5G. Now, we officially confirm that the Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G will be relaunched as the POCO X7.
24090RA29G24095PCADG
The Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G has model number 24090RA29G, while the POCO X7 comes with model number 24095PCADG. A few weeks ago, the Note 14 Pro 5G was seen passing the 3C certification with model number 24090RA29C. And the smartphone that passed the 3C certification had 45W fast charging support. This is a disadvantage. Because the previous Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G came with 67W fast charging support. The new Note 14 Pro 5G will be able to fast charge up to 45W. Although the new generation Note 14 series is superior in terms of SoC, etc., we have spotted some shortcomings compared to the previous series.
Meanwhile, the Redmi Note 14 5G can fast charge up to 45W, and this is an improvement compared to the Note 13 5G. The Redmi Note 13 5G supports 33W fast charging. We can understand that Xiaomi has made some changes. However, a regression in fast charging in the Pro model is not a good situation. We’ve already confirmed that the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G will be the first smartphone to feature Snapdragon 7s Gen 3. The new Redmi Note 14 series is highly anticipated and we expect the devices to be officially unveiled at the end of the month.
Honor‘s new budget tablet has finally gone on sale in the Indian market. The company has just launched the Honor Pad X8a with a tall 120Hz display, a premium metal design, and more for a budget friendly price tag. So here’s everything you need to know.
Honor Pad X8a Specs
The Honor Pad X8a was just dropped with a tall 11-inch TFT LCD display with a 1920 x 1200 resolution, a 90Hz refresh rate, and 400 nits of peak brightness. Users also get a TÜV Rheinland certification for low blue light and flicker free experience. Under the hood, it is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 SoC, which is paired with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. You can even expand storage by up to 1TB via a microSD card slot. It features a slim 7.25mm body that weighs 496 grams.
Honor Pad X8a
Despite its budget price tag, the Honor Pad X8a has a premium metal body with an aluminum frame and aluminum back. Honor’s latest tablet runs on the Android 14 OS based MagicOS 8.0 custom skin out of the box. A massive 8,300mAh battery pack powers this device, although, there is only standard 10W charging. For optics, there is a 5-megapixel camera on the front and back. Other notable features include dual band WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.1, and a quad speaker setup with Hi-Res audio.
Pricing and Availability
The Honor Pad X8a was announced in a single Space Gray color option. It has a 12,999 INR (roughly 155 US Dollars) price tag for the lone 4GB + 128GB storage configuration. The budget friendly tablet is available via Amazon India, with buyers getting a free Honor Flip Cover.
You can also click here to check out our comparison of this tablet with the Redmi Pad SE.
In a welcome development for consumers, Google‘s second foldable phone, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, has earned praise for its repairability in a recent teardown by iFixit, a popular tech repair website.
Foldable phones, with their complex designs and delicate screens, have historically posed challenges for DIY repairs. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold, however, appears to be a step in the right direction.
iFixit lauded the phone’s “intuitive layokmjnhut” of internal components, with one member jokingly remarking they wouldn’t mind switching to Android for such a user-friendly design.
Replacing commonly failing parts like the USB-C port is straightforward, as they are situated independently from other components. Google’s choice of screws further simplifies disassembly compared to competing foldables.
iFixit also highlighted the ability to remove the external display without requiring heat, a process known to be risky for inexperienced repairers.
However, the teardown wasn’t without its criticisms. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s battery replacement process was deemed less than ideal. iFixit specifically faulted Google’s use of pull tabs for battery removal, finding them to be “flimsier” than those used by Samsung and prone to breakage even with the application of heat.
Another point of concern was the phone’s logic board, which iFixit described as “flimsy” and cautioned users to handle with extreme care to avoid damage.
The inherent nature of foldable screens also presents repairability challenges. The hinge design, while impressive, makes the screen more susceptible to dust and liquid ingress, potentially leading to costly repairs.
Despite these drawbacks, Google’s efforts to improve repairability are commendable. The company’s decision to provide detailed repair guides alongside the phone is another positive step. When combined with its user-friendly design for common repairs, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold emerges as a more repairable option than many foldables currently on the market.
Motorola has finally made its debut in India. The company has just released the Edge 50 Neo in the region with military grade durability, ultra smooth display, a 50MP Sony camera, and a premium design with its vegan leather. So let’s check out its specs, features, pricing, and special launch offers.
Motorola Edge 50 Neo Specs
The Motorola Edge 50 Neo was just released with a 6.4-inch pOLED display that offers a 1.5K resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness, and Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection. Under the hood, this device is equipped with the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 SoC, which is paired with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB of internal storage.
Motorola Edge 50 Neo
For optics, there is a triple camera setup on the rear. This comprises a 50-megapixel Sony LYT700C primary sensor, a 13-megapixel ultra wide angle lens, and a 10-megapixel 3x telephoto shooter. Meanwhile, the front houses a 32-megapixel sensor for selfies and video calls.
A 4310mAh battery pack powers the Edge 50 Neo that supports 68W wired fast charging and 15W wireless fast charging. It runs on the Android 14 OS out of the box. Other notable features include dual SIM support, an in-display fingerprint scanner, an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, MIL-STD 810H certification, a vegan leather back panel, Bluetooth 5.3, and stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos.
Pricing and Availability
The Motorola Edge 50 Neo was just announced in three color options, which include a Latte, Nautical Blue, Grisaille, and Poinciana. It was announced for a price tag of 23,999 INR (roughly 286 US Dollars) for its lone storage configuration. This model will go on sale via the brand’s official store, Flipkart, and offline stores starting from 24th September 2024. There is also a flat 1,000 INR bank discount, 1,000 INR exchange bonus, No Cost EMI options from leading banks, and benefits worth 10,000 INR from Reliance Jio.
HMD’s Indian division has teased the arrival of a new smartphone. The teaser includes the phrase “what it means to touch the sky,” suggesting that the company might be hinting at the India launch of the HMD Skyline, which was officially announced globally in July. A major highlight of the device is its support for the company’s “Gen 2 repairability,” which allows users to fix issues related to the screen, battery, and charging themselves, using spare parts provided by HMD.3
HMD Skyline teaser
HMD Skyline specifications, price
The HMD Skyline features a 6.55-inch P-OLED FHD+ screen with a 144Hz refresh rate and Gorilla Glass 3 protection. It is powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor and offers two RAM options: 8GB and 12GB. For storage, users can choose between 128GB and 256GB variants.
The HMD Skyline is equipped with a 4,600mAh battery, supporting 33W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and 5W reverse wireless charging. It runs on Android 14 and is promised to receive two major OS upgrades.
HMD Skyline
The front camera is a 50-megapixel sensor with autofocus, while the rear camera setup includes an OIS-enabled 108-megapixel main sensor with OIS, a 13-megapixel ultra-wide sensor, and a 50-megapixel 2x telephoto sensor. Additional features of the Skyline include side fingerprint sensors, dual speakers, a microSD card slot, and eSIM support. The device has an aluminium frame and an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance. In terms of dimensions, the HMD Skyline measures 159.8 x 76 x 8.9mm and weighs 209.5 grams.
In the global market, the HMD Skyline’s base model is set at $499, which is approximately Rs 41,950. It comes in two shades, such as Blue Topaz, Twisted Black, and Neon Pink.
Several reports have claimed that Infinix is working on its first-ever flip phone, dubbed the Infinix Zero Flip. The brand has finally started teasing its arrival by releasing an image. Surprisingly, a Pakistani retailer named Chugtai Mobile released a Zero Flip banner image last month, which went completely unnoticed. The image not only revealed the complete design of the phone but also shed a few details about its key features.
Infinix Zero Flip’s first teaser released
Infinix Zero Flip teaser
The official teaser mainly confirms the Zero Flip moniker, reveals the black variant and focuses on its hinge design. However, it does not reveal anything about the specifications of the device. The image below, released by Chugtai Mobile, reveals that in addition to black, the device will also be available in a Violet Garden color, similar to the Infinix Zero 40 5G.
Infinix Zero Flip image by Chugtai Mobile on Facebook
The above image confirms that the Infinix Zero Flip will have a 3.64-inch cover OLED panel that offers a 120Hz refresh rate. It will be protected by a layer of Gorilla Glass. The so-called “zero-gap hinge” will ensure minimal creases on the foldable display.
It will be a vlogging-focused device, allowing users to capture 4K video using the front and rear cameras. Like the Infinix Zero 40 5G, the Zero Flip will also come equipped with Go Pro features for an enhanced videography experience.
The Zero Flip appears to feature a side-facing fingerprint scanner. Its bottom edge has a SIM slot, a microphone, a USB-C port, and a speaker grille. The left edge appears to be barren, and the top edge seems to feature a secondary microphone. The Zero Flip’s overall design appears to be similar to the Phantom V Flip 2 from Tecno’s sibling brand.
As per other reports, the Infinix Zero Flip will measure 170 x 73.4 x 7.64mm in the unfolded state. It is likely to pack a 4,700mAh or 4,720mAh battery with 70W rapid charging support. Under the hood, the Zero Flip could be equipped with the Dimensity 8020 chipset, 8 GB of RAM, and 512 GB of storage.
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