Huawei Sound Joy 2 smart speaker with 26hrs battery life, IP67 rating, NFC launched in China

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Sep 24, 2024

Huawei has introduced its latest audio product, the Sound Joy 2, to the Chinese market following its global launch last month. Building upon the success of its predecessor, this new speaker aims to deliver a powerful audio experience with a focus on both sound quality and convenience.

Huawei Sound Joy 2 Specifications:

The Sound Joy 2 comes in two variants: a Bluetooth version and a smart version. The smart version offers additional features such as smart home control, voice control, WLAN connectivity, and online music streaming. Both versions feature Huawei Sound acoustic architecture and boast an impressive 26-hour battery life.

Coming to the specs, Huawei Sound Joy 2 comes in a sleek cylindrical design wrapped in durable fabric, featuring an LED light ring that syncs with music and displays battery and volume levels. It is powered by an 8800mAh battery, providing up to 26 hours of playback on a single charge, and supports 40W fast charging via a Type-C port.

The speaker sports a quad-unit Huawei Sound system that includes a 20W full-range speaker, a 10W tweeter, and two passive radiators, delivering deep bass and clear mid-tones for a balanced audio experience. The silk diaphragm tweeter offers high frequencies up to 20kHz, while the maximum volume reaches 85 dBA at a one-meter distance.

In addition to its robust audio performance, the Sound Joy 2 comes with smart features, such as the ability to pair two speakers for stereo sound or connect up to 100 speakers for a surround sound experience. It also supports tap-to-transfer for easy music transfer from your phone and can be controlled via a Huawei smartwatch.

The smart speaker is IP67-rated, making it dustproof and waterproof, ideal for outdoor use. It supports Bluetooth 5.2 (AAC/SBC) and includes 3 microphones for voice pickup, NFC for Huawei Share, and shake-to-pair for stereo mode by simply shaking two speakers together.

The Sound Joy 2 features 6 control buttons, Bluetooth calling, and gravity sensors for a versatile audio experience. It weighs 700 grams and supports fast charging, offering an hour of playback with just 10 minutes of charging.

Pricing and Availability

The speaker comes in three colors Fresh Green, Island Blue, and Obsidian Black. The Bluetooth model is priced at 999 Yuan ($142), while the Smart version comes in at 1199 Yuan ($170).

Does your Smartphone Really Need a Dedicated Camera Button?

By

Sean

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Sep 24, 2024

Apple recently unveiled its new iPhone 16 series with various improvements and the upcoming AI features. But that’s not all, the 2024 iPhones were showcased with changes in their design, with one of the biggest new inclusions being a dedicated camera button. We’ve seen this in the past on Android phones, but it is not as common anymore. So why is Apple bringing this back? It begs the question, do we really need a dedicated camera button on smartphones?

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1. History of Camera Buttons on Smartphones.

A physical camera button has been featured on various smartphones in the past. Back in the late 2000s, Samsung had also dabbled with the dedicated camera button in models like the Galaxy K Zoom. Other brands also launched devices with these buttons but in 2024, Sony is the last remaining Android smartphone maker with a hardware camera button. You can find these on Sony’s flagship Xperia series smartphones.

Now, it seems Apple wants to iterate on this feature, bringing it to its own premium offering. The camera button can be found on all four iPhone models, namely the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. It made sense that dedicated buttons lost popularity over time as smartphone cameras weren’t as advanced as their modern counterparts. But does that really justify its return?

2. What are the advantages of a physical camera button?

From photography enthusiasts to regular users taking a photo, a physical button with tactile feedback is definitely a better experience than the on-screen control. Image stabilization has become a lot more prominent now, but a camera button still helps in lowering the risk of a shaky shot. Taking a picture usually involves relying on the autofocus, or manually inputting it by tapping on the screen.

This is where Apple’s implementation of the camera button shines. The iPhone 16’s buttons are touch sensitive, basically allowing users to trigger multiple functions at ease. Apart from just clicking pictures, it can even help in video recording and adjusting various camera settings like zoom with simple swipes. This sounds pretty great for the most part, but people don’t always take pictures like holding a camera (landscape). Using the button when it is vertical (portrait), the awkward position of the button would have you return to the on-display controls.

3. So is it really worth it?

Adding another way of inputting some controls does not always make it convenient. Yes, the feature is helpful and makes it more tactile. Video artists, photographers, and vloggers will likely find great use of it. But I can’t help but feel that this feature is redundant. Apple has removed hardware like the 3.5mm audio jack for more space internally, but I’d rather have that over a camera button. The new button lets you access many things if you can learn it. But it’s almost like the Dynamic Island gimmick. Don’t get me wrong, the buttons are better than the Dynamic Island but not by a large margin.

4. Industry Response

Apple’s decisions usually lead to a larger trend that follows suit. It shouldn’t be too long till we see Android smartphone manufacturers bringing physical camera buttons into their upcoming devices. Chinese brands like Oppo are reportedly working on it already. Although it remains to be seen how each company improves on it.

HarmonyOS NEXT (free of Android) starts public beta testing next month

By

Rajesh Regmi

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Sep 24, 2024

Huawei’s homegrown operating system, HarmonyOS NEXT (known as Hongmeng in China), is taking a major step towards its official launch. The company announced today that HarmonyOS NEXT will be available for public beta testing starting October 8th.

The news comes just three months after Huawei started rolling out the beta to developers in June, and now, they are opening it for the public. Public beta testing allows a wider user base to experience the OS and provide feedback before a full and stable rollout.

This is a significant step forward in Huawei’s goal to establish HarmonyOS as a major player in the mobile operating system market.

As you might be aware, Huawei’s new OS completely ditches Android’s underlying libraries, meaning you won’t be able to run any Android app on it. Huawei, however, claims they already have over 10,000 native apps on the platform across 18 verticals that serve 99.9% of users’ needs in China.

To build a more robust app ecosystem for users, the company has teamed up with major players like Ant Group, China UnionPay, and iFlytek. Plus, their developer base has also increased – the Huawei Developer Alliance now has 6.75 million registered developers which is a tenfold increase in just five years, says Huawei.

The company is also demonstrably committed to developer support. They are investing over 6 billion yuan specifically to fuel developer innovation within the ecosystem.

Huawei seems confident in its progress. Their President of Mobile Cloud, Zhu Yonggang, even claims HarmonyOS NEXT has accomplished in a year what took Android and iOS “17 years.” That’s a bold statement, but only time will tell.

The public beta will initially be available on select Huawei devices, including the Mate 60 series, Mate X5 series, and MatePad Pro 13.2 series. Can HarmonyOS NEXT dethrone Android and iOS dominance? We’ll have to wait and see.

(Source 1, 2)

Upgrade Your Audio with iBasso Jr Macaron DAC: Dual CS43131 Chips and Apple-Friendly Design

By

Joane

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Sep 24, 2024

Are you tired of mediocre audio from your mobile devices? Get ready to transform your listening experience with the iBasso Jr Macaron Dongle DAC, now available for just $69.99 at GeekWills.

Superior Audio in the Palm of Your Hand

The iBasso Jr Macaron isn’t just another audio accessory. It is a portable powerhouse that brings studio-quality sound to your fingertips. Here’s why music lovers are raving about this tiny marvel:

Dual CS43131 DAC Chips: Experience ultra-low distortion (0.00013%) and crystal-clear audio with 132dB SNR and DNR.
Versatile Outputs: Choose between 3.5mm single-ended or 4.4mm balanced connections for optimal compatibility.
Apple-Friendly Design: With just 80mA power consumption, it’s perfect for iPhone users.
Universal Compatibility: Works seamlessly with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.
Stylish Color Options: Available in beautiful black, silver, blue, and pink to match your style.

Why You Need the iBasso Jr Macaron

Unparalleled Sound Quality: Enjoy 32-bit/384kHz PCM and Native DSD256x audio signals for a truly immersive experience.
Stylish Portability: The sleek aluminum alloy CNC shell is stylish, durable, and lightweight.
Powerful Performance: Delivers 210mW+210mW @32Ω, driving even demanding headphones with ease.
Flexible Gain Settings: Two-level gain modes accommodate both sensitive IEMs and power-hungry headphones.
Perfect Gift: An ideal present for the audiophile in your life, combining style and superior sound quality.

What’s in the Box?

iBasso Jr Macaron Dongle DAC
High-quality Type-C to Type-C cable

Ready to Transform Your Listening Experience?

Click now to grab your iBasso Jr Macaron Dongle DAC and step into a world of audiophile-grade sound on the go. Choose your favorite color and treat yourself or surprise an audio enthusiast.

BUY NOW

Tecno Phantom V Flip 2 vs Phantom V Flip: Here’s What’s Changed and Upgraded

By

Sean

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Sep 24, 2024

Tecno unveiled the Phantom V Flip 2 earlier this month as its latest foldable smartphone. It is the direct successor to the original Phantom V Flip. So what are all the changes in the V Flip 2? What upgrades has the brand made to its new flip phone? Read on to find out.

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1. Tecno Phantom V Flip 2 vs Phantom V Flip: Design & Display

The company’s Phantom V Flip 2 was announced with the same clamshell folding design as the first Phantom V Flip. Although, the brand has made improvements on its body with a refined aerospace-grade steel hinge. This makes the flip action smoother and improves its durability as well. Another major change is at the back, where the cover display is taller.

The original V Flip launched with a 1.32-inch circular AMOLED external display, while the Phantom V Flip 2 features a bigger 3.64-inch cover screen that supports over 2,000 apps. The main display retains the 6.9-inch LTPO AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, 2160Hz PWM dimming for eye comfort, and FHD+ resolution.

2. Processor

Tecno made an odd choice with the processor. It didn’t release the Phantom V Flip 2 with an improved processor, but didn’t ship it with the same chip either. The Phantom V Flip 1 arrived with the MediaTek Dimensity 8050 SoC and the Phantom V Flip 2 is equipped with the Dimensity 8020. While this may sound like a downgrade, both chips are fairly similar in overall performance. While the original released running on Android 13, the newer version is based on the Android 14 OS based HiOS custom skin.

3. Battery

The Phantom V Flip is powered by a 4,000mAh battery pack that supports 45W wired fast charging. On the other hand, Tecno made improvements on both the capacity and charging rates with the successor. The Phantom V Flip 2 houses a 4,720mAh battery pack, which supports 70W wired fast charging.

4. Camera

On the original Phantom V Flip, there is a dual camera setup on the back that consists of a 64-megapixel primary and a 13-megapixel ultra wide angle lens. For selfies and video calls, you get a 32-megapixel shooter. Tecno brings back dual camera setup on the Phantom V Flip 2, but with a 50-megapixel primary camera and a 50-megapixel ultra wide angle lens. The front still houses a 32-megapixel selfie camera. While it might seem like a downgrade in terms of resolution, megapixels don’t equate quality and these are different sensors altogether.

5. Pricing

Tecno launched its first ever flip phone for 700 Euros in Europe and around 600 US Dollars in other regions. So it seems like the next gen Phantom V Flip 2 is getting a slight price hike as it costs 699 US Dollars. But this seems reasonable considering the number of upgrades you get.

Tecno POP 9 5G Brings 120Hz Display, 5G Connectivity, And More To The Budget Segment

By

Viraj Gawde

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Sep 24, 2024

Tecno has launched a budget smartphone in India. The Tecno POP 9 5G arrives as the successor to the last year’s POP 8. It packs significant upgrades over its predecessor. The key USP of the device is high-refresh rate display and 5G connectivity at an affordable price tag. Read on to learn what the smartphone offers out of the box.

Tecno POP 9 5G specifications

The Tecno POP 9 5G features a 6.6-inch display with a centre-aligned punch-hole cutout. It bears an HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth viewing experience. Design-wise, the device has a squarish shaped camera island on the back panel and a side-mounted fingerprint scanner embedded in the power button. It is also IP54-rated dust and water-resistant.

The Tecno POP 9 5G has a 48MP Sony IMX582 main sensor and a secondary AI lens. There is an 8MP front-facing selfie snapper.

Internally, the Tecno POP 9 5G is equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor. It packs 4GB RAM along with virtual memory and up to 128GB storage option. The smartphone draws its power from a 5,000mAh battery unit with support for 18W fast charging. Software-wise, the device runs on HiOS 14-based Android 14.

Connectivity options on the Tecno POP 9 5G include 5G, dual 4G VoLTE, WiFi, USB-C port, and NFC.

The Tecno POP 9 5G comes in Midnight Shadow, Azure Sky, and Aurora Cloud colors. It costs Rs 9,499 and Rs 9,999 for the 4GB + 64GB and 4GB + 128GB variants respectively. The brand is also bundling two additional back panel skins. The smartphone will be available for purchase Amazon from October 7 with Rs 1,000 bank offer.

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	TECNO POP 9 5G (Midnight Shadow, 4GB+64GB) \| Segment’s 1st 48MP Sony AI Camera \| Segment’s 1st 5G…	Check Price on Amazon

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ASUS Launches A-Bean 14 Air Fragrance Edition Laptop with Ryzen AI 9 & Customizable Aroma

By

Sudhanshu

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Sep 24, 2024

ASUS has launched the A-Bean 14 Air Fragrance Edition laptop, powered by the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 processor. One of the unique aspects of this laptop is its built-in “fragrance box.” Users can insert scent tablets into the computer for a personalized aroma while they work. The laptop is also aesthetically unique with a “Golden Pink” color scheme.

ASUS A-Bean 14 Air Fragrance Edition laptop features:

The laptop features a 14-inch OLED screen with a resolution of 2880×1800 and a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. The support for Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) makes sure the display is smooth whether you’re watching videos or gaming. The keyboard and touchpad are designed to be silent.

Along with its distinctive design, the A-Bean 14 Air Fragrance Edition is built to handle demanding tasks. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 processor and AMD Radeon 880M graphics card ensure the laptop can handle both work and entertainment with ease. It also features an NPU unit with up to 50 TOPS of computing power, adding advanced AI capabilities to the device. It comes with 32GB of LPDDR5X memory and a 1TB solid-state drive, giving users plenty of power and storage.

ASUS has included a dual-fan dual-heat pipe cooling system to keep things running smoothly, which supports up to 50W of performance. The A-Bean 14 Air Fragrance Edition is equipped with a 75Wh battery, offering a solid amount of usage time. It also includes ASUS Flash Charge, allowing for quick recharging when needed.

Pricing & availability

The A-Bean 14 Air Fragrance Edition is priced at 8,999 yuan and will be available for purchase starting October 1 in China. It is unclear if ASUS has any plant to launch this laptop outside of China.

In other news, ASUS has also launched the ZenBook 14 Air in China, featuring a CNC-milled metal body available in Snow White or Mountain Gray. The laptop boasts a 14-inch 2.8K 120Hz Lumina OLED display, an Intel Core Ultra 7-258V processor, and a 72Wh battery offering up to 22 hours of use.

(Source)

Honor MagicBook X 16 2025 Combat Edition Launched, Starts at $500

By

Sudarshan Ravichandran

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Sep 24, 2024

Honor has quietly released MagicBook X 16 2025 Combat Edition in China. The new model arrives less than a year after the launch of the 2024 series. For the unaware, the last gen debuted in December 2023.

However, it is worth noting that the latest laptop is labeled ‘Combat Edition’ and not the regular X 16 2025, which may arrive later. This so-called edition is actually a downgrade from the X 16 2024.

Therefore, it is priced lower and comes in Starry Gray color instead of Glacier Silver. It not only has a less powerful chip but also a lower-capacity battery as well. Apart from these differences, the new notebook is the same as the old one.

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1. Honor MagicBook X 16 2025 Combat Edition Specifications

The laptop is powered by a 13th Gen Intel Core i5-13420H processor and ships with Microsoft Windows 11 operating system. This chip is paired with 16GB LPDDR4x 4266MHz RAM and up to 1TB SSD.

The device has a metal unibody design weighing 1.68kg and measuring 17.9mm in thickness. It sports a 16-inch IPS LCD screen with a 16:10 aspect ratio. This display offers a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels, a 60Hz refresh rate, and 300 nits peak brightness level.

On the connectivity front, the notebook comes with WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, and NFC, It has 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, 1 x full-functioned USB Type-C port, an HDMI port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Further, the laptop features a 720 webcam, dual speakers, and dual microphones. It is fitted with a full-size keyboard (featuring a dedicated numpad) and a 5-point touchpad.

Lastly, the device is backed by a 42Wh battery with support for 65W charging.

2. Honor MagicBook X 16 2025 Combat Edition Price

The Honor MagicBook X 16 2025 Combat Edition carries the following price tags in China.

16GB + 512GB – ¥3,499 (~$500)
16GB + 1TB – ¥3,799 (~$540)

The product is currently up for pre-order and will go on sale from September 30.

Should You Buy Xiaomi 14 Civi Under Rs 40,000?

By

Sean

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Sep 24, 2024

The Xiaomi 14 Civi launched as an affordable model from the brand’s premium Xiaomi 14 series. For a relatively cheaper price tag, the company offered some top notch specs and features, making it a budget flagship device. Now, the cost of the Xiaomi 14 Civi has been reduced, bringing it under 40,000 INR. But is it worth your hard earned money? Let’s find out.

Xiaomi 14 Civi Deal

The Chinese tech giant first announced the Xiaomi 14 Civi for a starting price tag of 42,999 INR for the 8GB + 256GB option. Meanwhile, the 12GB + 512GB configuration costs 47,999 INR. In its latest deal, the company is offering the base model for just 40,999 INR and the high-end option for 45,999 INR. But that’s not all, there is also an instant discount of 3,000 INR for ICICI and HDFC card holders, which brings the price down to just 37,999 INR and 42,999 INR respectively. Buyers can also avail a no cost EMI option and a 3,000 INR exchange bonus as well.

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	XIAOMI 14 CIVI (Shadow Black, 256 GB) (8 GB RAM)	Check Price on Amazon

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Is it Worth Buying?

The short answer is yes! Xiaomi’s 14 Civi is a great smartphone for this price tag. It is one of those steal deals in this segment. It sports a 6.55-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and 3,000 nits of peak brightness. Under the hood, the smartphone is equipped with the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3. On the rear, buyers also get a Leica lenses on a 50-megapixel triple camera setup. The front houses two 32-megapixel sensors for selfies and video calls.

The Xiaomi 14 Civi is powered by a 4,700mAh battery pack that supports 67W wired fast charging. Other notable features include Android 14 OS based HyperOS, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, vegan leather or glass back options, and in-display fingerprint scanner. All in all, it’s a great package with capable hardware that punches above its weight.

Redmi K80 to pack a massive 6500mAh battery and telephoto lens

By

Rajesh Regmi

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Sep 24, 2024

Redmi is set to launch its new Note 14 Pro series smartphones in China this week. Following that, the company is likely to introduce new devices from the K80 series, in November or December.

The K80 line is initially expected to include a vanilla Redmi K80 and a Pro model. Now in a new leak, a few key details of the standard Redmi K80 have surfaced which also includes mention of a big battery.

The leak comes from Weibo tipster Smart Pikachu, who suggests that the Redmi K80 will feature “flagship waterproof” capabilities. Last year’s Redmi K70 and the Pro model lacked any sort of waterproofing, so it’s a welcome upgrade for the K80.

We expect an IP68 rating at the very least, and possibly even an IP69 rating, especially since even the more affordable Redmi Note 14 Pro has already been confirmed to have an IP69 rating.

Moving on, the tipster claims the smartphone will have a telephoto lens capable of also shooting macro shots. If true, this is another noteworthy upgrade from the Redmi K70, which has a triple rear camera but without a telephoto lens. The back of the phone is said to be made of glass, and white could be one of the color options for it.

Last but not least, the leak mentions that a 6500mAh battery will power the phone. Big battery, especially in the range of 6000mAh, seems to be a trend for smartphones in 2024. Several flagship devices are rumored to include batteries in this range, and even Redmi’s own Note 14 Pro+ is confirmed to have a 6200mAh cell.

Besides this, a previous report suggests that the Redmi K80 may house a 2K OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset.

The K80 will launch alongside its Pro sibling, which is also expected to have the same chipset and display but may differ in charging and battery capacity.

There is a possibility that the K80 and K80 Pro could be rebranded as the Poco F7 and F7 Pro in markets outside of China.

Xiaomi Unveils Mouse X1: A Gaming Mouse with 26,000 DPI optical sensor & 8,000 Hz polling rate

By

Sudhanshu

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Sep 24, 2024

Xiaomi has introduced its latest gaming accessory, the Mouse X1, aimed at providing a solid option for competitive gamers with its practical features and ergonomic design.

The Mouse X1 comes with a 26,000 DPI optical sensor, offering precise tracking and accurate aiming. It also features an 8,000 Hz polling rate for fast response times, while the TTC optical switches deliver a satisfying, tactile click. Weighing in at 65g, the mouse is designed for comfort, with a grip that suits various play styles.

With a 530mAh battery, the Mouse X1 can run for up to 110 hours on a single charge in 2.4GHz wireless mode with a 1,000 Hz polling rate. Users can also save customized settings directly on the mouse, making it easy to switch between configurations.

Additional features include a smart USB wireless receiver, a USB adapter with a data cable, large Teflon foot pads, and Windows driver support.

Pricing & availability

The Mouse X1 will be available through crowdfunding starting today at 10 AM, with a retail price of 299 yuan ($42) and a special crowdfunding price of 279 yuan ($40).

In other news, Xiaomi has recently launched its first Mini LED gaming monitor for the international market, the Mini LED Gaming Monitor G Pro 27i. Originally introduced in China as the Redmi Display G Pro 27, it features a 27-inch QHD IPS panel with a 180Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and AMD FreeSync support for smooth gaming.

The standout feature is its Mini LED backlight with 1,152 local dimming zones, achieving 1,000 nits peak brightness and VESA DisplayHDR 1000 certification, offering deeper blacks and brighter highlights. The monitor also delivers high color accuracy, with factory calibration to ΔE<2 and wide color gamut coverage (97% Adobe RGB, 99% DCI-P3, and 100% sRGB).

(Source)

Redmi Note 14 Pro+ debuts the Snapdragon 7s Gen3 chip

By

Debasish

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Sep 24, 2024

The Redmi Note 14 Pro series is set to be launched on September 26. However, ahead of the official launch, Xiaomi China’s deputy general manager of marketing and Redmi brand general manager Wang Teng reveals the chipset of the Redmi Note 14 Pro+.

While the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ was previously expected to come with the Dimensity 7350 chipset, the official confirmed that the phone is going to be the first to pack the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3. According to the general manager of the Redmi brand, the goal was to ensure a smooth daily experience, which has prompted the company to use the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 to meet the processing requirements.

The chipset is also built with AI-related processing in mind and offers a 30% improvement in this category. Speaking of raw performance, the company claims that the phone will be able to maintain stable performance in “Honor of Kings”.

This new chipset reportedly scores around 1170 and 3150 in Geekbench single and multi-core tests respectively. For context, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is based on the Mediatek Dimensity 7200 Ultra chipset, which scored 1128 and 2710 on the same tests. So the successor should offer an improved performance in applications that require a lot of processing power such as multitasking, and gaming.

Based on previous rumors, the phone may also adopt a large 6200 mAh battery, which should offer a significant improvement in battery life as compared to its predecessor.

Notably, Redmi is also rumored to be using silicon-carbon battery technology, which offers high energy density and enables the phone to remain significantly slimmer and lighter despite packing a large capacity. According to a report from ITHome, the battery has an energy density of 814Wh/L, which is known as the “strongest Xiaomi Jinshajiang battery”. Surprisingly, the number is higher than what Oppo revealed to be the energy density of the battery for the upcoming Find X8 series. All things concerned, the Redmi Note 14 Pro series indeed looks like a worthy successor to the Redmi Note 13 series.

The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ has already been unboxed and the images have surfaced on the web ahead of its launch, which shows the refreshed camera design in detail. It also confirms that the phone supports 90W fast charging.

(Source)

Galaxy S25 Ultra’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 “For Galaxy” variant appears on Geekbench, scores lower than expected

By

Rajesh Regmi

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Sep 24, 2024

Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S25 series has been in the headlines quite often this month. It’s another day of it, and today the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has made an appearance on Geekbench, revealing what it could have in store in terms of performance.

Since Samsung uses custom “Snapdragon for Galaxy” chips in its flagship S-series phones, the chip that appeared with S25 Ultra is also likely the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 “for Galaxy” variant.

On Geekbench, the Galaxy S25 Ultra scored 3,096 and 9,080 points in single-core and multi-core tests, respectively. These numbers aren’t as high for Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 since we’ve seen it perform better in OnePlus 13 where it managed to churn out scores of 3,296 and 10,049 in single and multi-core tests, respectively.

However, it’s important to remember that these are likely early benchmarks and there are still optimizations need to be done to improve performance.

With Android 15 on board and plenty of time before the phone’s expected launch in early 2025, Samsung and Qualcomm have room to refine the chip’s performance for the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

The Geekbench listing also reveals some differences between the chips in Samsung and OnePlus models. Surprisingly, the Samsung version has slightly downclocked cores.

The performance cores, which handle demanding tasks, run at 4.19 GHz, compared to 4.32 GHz on the OnePlus 13. Similarly, the efficiency cores, designed for lighter tasks, are clocked at 2.90 GHz, lower than the 3.53 GHz seen in the OnePlus version.

This could be one of the reasons the S25 Ultra scored less in Geekbench than the OnePlus 13. On the bright side, the benchmark’s back-end code reveals that the chip was able to maintain its boost clock without any throttling. So that’s nice.

As we mentioned earlier, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is still months away from its expected January launch. Samsung has plenty of time to make improvements and boost its overall performance.

For now, the company is preparing for the upcoming launch of its new tablets and the S24 FE smartphone on September 26 — this Thursday.

Why Motorola phones are great, but these fixes could make them unstoppable

By

Soumyakanti

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Sep 24, 2024

As a tech reviewer, I’ve seen Motorola make significant strides in recent years, positioning themselves as a major player in the smartphone industry. Their hardware is excellent, offering sleek designs, robust performance, and features that rival their competitors.

However, there are still a few key areas where Motorola could improve, particularly in their software and user experience, which could ultimately boost their overall sales and customer retention. Here are a few things I believe Motorola should address.

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1. Native Gallery App Is a Necessity

One of the most notable drawbacks of Motorola phones is the absence of a dedicated gallery app. Motorola users have to rely on Google Photos, which while functional, doesn’t cater to every user’s needs, especially in the current AI-driven era where every major OEM is focusing on offering more personalized and feature-rich gallery experiences. For example, Google Photos’ heavy reliance on cloud storage isn’t always ideal, especially for users who prefer keeping their media offline.

Introducing a native gallery app would align Motorola with competitors and provide users with a more integrated, offline-friendly option. It would also give Motorola an opportunity to showcase unique features, such as AI-driven photo organization or editing tools, enhancing the overall user experience.

2. Refining the Camera App Experience

While Motorola’s cameras have improved in terms of hardware, the same can’t be said about the camera app. The app’s UI is not as smooth or intuitive as it could be. Moving between different modes can feel sluggish, and the overall user interface feels a bit dated compared to other OEMs. By optimizing the app’s performance and modernizing its design, Motorola could make the camera experience more fluid and enjoyable. After all, in today’s market, a smooth, user-friendly camera experience is just as important as the hardware itself.

3. Shifting to Flat Displays

The Motorola Edge series previously leaned heavily into curved displays, which, while aesthetically appealing, have practical drawbacks. Curved screens are more prone to accidental touches and cracks, making them less durable in the long term. The move towards flat displays, as seen in the Edge 50 Neo, is a step in the right direction. Most users prefer the practicality and durability of flat displays, and if Motorola continues in this direction, they’ll likely appeal to a broader audience.

4. Commitment to Software Updates

One of Motorola’s best recent moves is its commitment to software updates, with the Edge 50 Neo being promised 5 OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates. This is a huge leap forward, as users increasingly prioritize long-term software support when purchasing a phone. By expanding this policy across more of its lineup, Motorola can build stronger customer loyalty, encouraging users to stick with the brand for their future upgrades.

5. Catering to the Gaming Community

Motorola primarily targets balanced users who engage in casual gaming, but the growing demand for gaming-focused smartphones presents an opportunity for the brand. Instead of prioritizing durability at lower price points, Motorola could consider offering devices with more powerful chipsets that enhance overall daily performance and cater to gamers.

Additionally, developing a budget-friendly gaming phone could attract a large user base, especially with titles like Call of Duty Mobile and PUBG Mobile driving the mobile gaming market. A phone tailored for gaming, with features like high refresh rate displays, improved cooling systems, and gaming-optimized software, could help Motorola tap into this rapidly growing segment, boosting sales and brand appeal among younger audiences.

6. Conclusion

So addressing these issues like the lack of a native gallery app, refining the camera app, continuing with flat or maybe slightly less curved displays, maintaining long-term software support, and adding thoughtful software tweaks could elevate the Motorola user experience. These changes would not only improve customer satisfaction but also boost long-term sales as users come to trust Motorola as a brand that listens to their needs and adapts accordingly.

Redmi Note 14 Pro+ vs Redmi Note 13 Pro+: 5 major upgrades revealed

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Sep 24, 2024

R edmi Note 14 Pro+ is all set to make its debut on Sept. 26 in China. As the moniker goes, it will succeed the Redmi Note 13 Pro+, which debuted around the same time last year in the home market. In addition to a report that spilled a lot of announcements about the Redmi Note 14 Pro+, Redmi has also confirmed a couple of details about the smartphone. The details that have emerged so far suggest that the Note 14 Pro+ will be a comprehensive upgrade over the Redmi Note 13 Pro+. Here’s a look at the 5 major upgrades that will be available on the Note 14 Pro+.

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1. improved performance, thanks to Snapdragon 7s Gen 3

Redmi Note 14 Pro+ features Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chip

Redmi has confirmed that the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ will be the world’s first smartphone to feature the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3. The inclusion of the new chip will offer smoother performance, a new generation of AI experience, and less power consumption. It will support 120fs mode in the “Honor of Kings” game, offering a stable high frame rates experience.

To recall, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ came equipped with the Dimensity 7200 Ultra, which is also a 4nm chip featuring six Cortex-A510 cores working at 2.0GHz and two Cortex-A715 cores operating at 2.8GHz. Since the SD7sG3 is a brand-new chip, with no benchmark performance available, it is difficult to make a fair comparison between the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 and the older Dimensity 7200 Ultra.

However, the Snapdragon chip in the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ may offer better performance due to its advanced architecture featuring a combination of high-efficiency and high-performance cores. Apart from the performance boost, the SD 7s Gen 3 may be more efficient for gaming and multitasking than the Dimensity chip.

Like the Note 13 Pro+, its successor is expected to come in multiple variants, such as 12GB+256GB, 12GB+512GB, and 16GB+512GB.

2. Huge 6,200mAh battery

Redmi Note 14 Pro+ packs 6,200mAh battery

The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ featured a 5,000mAh battery with 120W rapid charging, whereas the upcoming Note 14 Pro+ will have a single-cell 6,200mAh silicon battery. It will also support 90W fast charging.

The larger battery capacity of the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ ensures prolonged usage on a single charge, which is advantageous for heavy users. Additionally, using silicon technology in the battery can improve overall efficiency and longevity compared to the standard battery in the Note 13 Pro+. The 90W rapid charging does not suggest a significant downgrade considering the substantial increase in battery capacity.

The larger battery will increase the weight of the Note 14 Pro+ to around 212 grams and the thickness to 9.36mm. In comparison, the Note 13 Pro+ with a smaller battery weighs around 200 to 204 grams and has a thinner body, measuring

3. New telephoto camera

Redmi Note 14 Pro+ image by ITHome

The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ is poised to elevate the camera experience significantly compared to its predecessor. While the Note 13 Pro+ boasted an impressive 200-megapixel (main, OIS) + 8-megapixel (ultra-wide) + 2-megapixel (macro) triple camera setup, the Note 14 Pro+ shifts focus on overall versatility and quality.

The new 50-megapixel main camera, coupled with a wider f/1.6 aperture, promises superior low-light photography and potentially improved dynamic range. But the real game-changer is the addition of a dedicated telephoto lens with 2.5x optical zoom, which reliable tipster Digital Chat Station has revealed. This will enable users to capture crisp, detailed shots of distant subjects without relying solely on digital zoom, a feature notably absent in the Note 13 Pro+.

While the ultra-wide lens’ specifications remain unconfirmed, there’s a possibility that the camera setup of the Note 14 Pro+ will have a dedicated camera for ultra-wide shots. Overall, these enhancements indicate a camera system geared towards delivering a more well-rounded and flexible photography experience.

4. Improved durability

Redmi Note 14 Pro+images by ITHome

The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ features a layer of Gorilla Glass Victus protecting its display, a curved glass back, a plastic frame, and an IP68-rated chassis. In comparison, the Note 14 Pro+ will continue to feature a curved-edge display like the Note 13 Pro+, but it will have the newer Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on top. It seems that the black and white editions of the Note 14 Pro+ will have Gorilla Glass Victus protection. Additionally, the Note 14 Pro+ is expected to arrive with an IP69 level of dust and water resistance.

With the upgrade to Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and a higher IP rating, the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ promises even better durability than its predecessor, ensuring greater peace of mind for users.

5. Refreshing design

Redmi Note 13 Pro+ (left) | Redmi Note 12 Pro+ (right)

The rear design of the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ appeared to be a refinement of what was seen in the Redmi Note 12 series. However, official images of the Note 14 Pro+ reveal a new squircle camera module that enhances its overall look. There does not seem to be a significant change in the front design, as both phones feature a curved-edge AMOLED screen with slim bezels. The Note 14 Pro+ is confirmed to arrive in three shades: Moon Porcelain White, Midnight Black, and Star Sand Green.

Galaxy S24 FE official unboxing video confirms its most important details

By

Rajesh Regmi

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Sep 24, 2024

The Galaxy S25 hype train is already building steam, but before we get there, Samsung has one more phone to launch in 2024: the Galaxy S24 FE. We’ve seen rumors and leaks, but now a seemingly official unboxing video has surfaced, courtesy of Evan Blass on platform X (formerly Twitter).

The unboxing video is one of Samsung’s own work to market the Galaxy S24 FE. And the unboxing itself is light on surprises. We can see the box has a SIM tool, a quick start guide, and a USB-C cable – no charger included, unsurprisingly. But the video does confirm some key specs and color options for the S24 FE.

The smartphone will be available in a total of five colors — blue, graphite, gray, mint, and yellow, just as previous leaks suggested. Its frame will be made of aluminium and you’ll get Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection on the front. Inside, it packs a decent-sized 4,700mAh battery which will likely support 25W wired charging.

Camera specs get a quick rundown too, confirming a 50MP wide-angle lens, 12MP ultra-wide, 8MP 3x telephoto zoom, and a 10MP selfie camera – all details we’ve already heard through the rumor mill.

The video also confirms that the phone will be powered by Exynos 2400e processor. We’ve also been hearing rumors about a Snapdragon variant in some markets, details of which are unclear at the moment.

The display also gets an upgrade, with Samsung highlighting a larger and brighter panel compared to the S23 FE. However, details on the exact size and refresh rate remain unclear.

Now the big question is will the S24 FE still be the value champion for those who want a flagship experience at an affordable price? The leaked video doesn’t reveal pricing, but rumors suggest the smartphone could see a $50 price hike this year. That is, the base 128GB model might retail for $649, while the 256GB variant will cost $709.

Pricing details are still not confirmed. But if Samsung does increase it, what do you think? Is the S24 FE could be a worthy successor?

Oppo Find X8 is lighter than its predecessor despite having a much larger battery

By

Debasish

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Sep 24, 2024

Many of the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 and Dimensity 9400-powered flagships will pack much larger batteries than their predecessors. However, while the battery life is expected to improve, many people are concerned about the weight and in-hand experience of the upcoming flagships.

According to previous rumors, the Oppo Find X8 packs a 5700 mAh battery, which is a significant upgrade compared to the 5000 mAh battery of the predecessor. There were comments on social media platforms asking if the weight had surpassed 200g. In the latest news, the product manager of the Oppo Find X8 series has shared an image confirming that the phone weighs less than 200 grams despite packing a larger battery.

He mentioned that the Oppo Find N2 was one of the first devices to focus on weight reduction strategies. The company has reportedly adopted similar strategies to reduce the weight of the Oppo Find X8 lineup. While he specifically talked about the base model, we can also expect the Find X8 Pro and Find X8 Ultra to be lighter than expected.

But how is this possible? Well, Oppo is using high-density silicon anode batteries for the Find X8 series. For those unfamiliar, this is the same battery technology that has been used to manufacture extremely thin batteries for phones such as the Honor Magic V3. It was previously revealed that Oppo’s new battery tech offers higher energy density (an industry-leading 763Wh/L) compared to traditional graphite batteries. In comparison, the Oppo Find X7 weighs 202 g with its 5000 mAh battery.

In terms of performance, both the Oppo Find X8 and Find X8 Pro will be powered by the Dimensity 9400 chipset, which is officially confirmed to launch on October 9. The chipset is rumored to pack much-improved graphics performance as compared to its predecessor, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and the A18 Pro that powers the iPhone 16 Pro models. So, paired with the larger battery, users can expect a reasonable improvement in gaming performance as compared to the Oppo Find X7.

Massive Discounts on Galaxy M and Galaxy F Series this Festive Season in India

By

Simranpal Singh

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Sep 24, 2024

Along with the OnePlus, Oppo, and other major smartphone manufacturers, Samsung has some exciting discounts for the festive season in India. The Korean giant offers splendid offers on the Galaxy M and Galaxy F series smartphones. Interested users can grab the Galaxy M35, at a Rs 6,000 discount, while the Galaxy F05 retails for Rs 6499. Let’s dive in for more details:

Amazon Great Indian Festival Deals for Galaxy M and Galaxy F Series Smartphones

Samsung is offering hefty discounts on the mid-range M Series and Galaxy F series smartphones. Precisely, the Galaxy M35 5G smartphone, which usually retails for the price of Rs 19,999, is now retailing for the price of Rs 13,999. It is an affordable smartphone that packs a 6.6-inch 120Hz Super AMOLED display, a triple camera module consisting of a 50MP primary camera, an 8MP ultrawide sensor, and a 2MP macro lens. Further, there’s a 13MP selfie camera. It is powered with the Samsung Exynos 1380 Octa Core chipset.

Furthermore, there’s a Galaxy M05, which is now available for Rs 6,499, and usually, it is up for grabs at Rs 7,999. The smartphone bundles a 5000 mAh battery and comes in a 4GB RAM and 64GB storage model.

Interested users can also grab the Samsung Galaxy F05 for the price of Rs 6,499, with a slight design and specs change in comparison with the Samsung Galaxy M05.

The sale will begin this weekend for all the users, and a few hours prior for the Prime users.

Samsung is preparing to release a new camera update for the Galaxy S23 Ultra

By

Erencan Yılmaz

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Sep 24, 2024

Following the release of One UI 6.1.1, some Galaxy S23 Ultra users complained about the camera taking blurry photos. When you took photos with a zoom between 16x and 19.9x, the images were rendered in a blurry manner. This is a problem that shouldn’t exist for a flagship as important as the S23 Ultra. Samsung subsequently rolled back the One UI 6.1.1 update and the brand is now working on a new update.

A new test build on the Samsung OTA server spotted for Galaxy S23 Ultra

Following the camera bugs in Samsung’s One UI 6.1.1 update, a moderator on the Samsung forum said that a new camera update is being prepared for the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Immediately after this announcement, a new test build was spotted on the Samsung OTA server. The version of this test build is S918BXXU6CXI1. S918 indicates the Galaxy S23 Ultra, XI indicates September 2024 and 1 indicates the first test build. Samsung is expected to fix bugs in the camera with the new update.

Someone with the username Alfatürk has revealed that Samsung is testing the new update for the Galaxy S23 Ultra. A few days after the Galaxy S23 Ultra received One UI 6.1.1, the update was rolled back. I’m currently running the One UI 6.1.1 update on my personal device and haven’t experienced any major problems other than the camera issue. We can expect Samsung to release the new camera update shortly, probably next month.

Unfortunately, the brand does not provide official release dates for the update, but it’s good news that the test build has been revealed. The Galaxy S23 Ultra was launched in 2023 and was one of the best Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC smartphones. It came with a 200MP high-resolution rear camera on the back. Although this camera bug is upsetting users, Samsung is working quickly to fix the problem.

MediaTek Dimensity 9400 launch date officially confirmed

By

Debasish

-

Sep 24, 2024

MediaTek has officially announced that its Dimensity 9400 flagship chipset will be launched on October 9. The “AI Chip Leap” slogan for the chipset suggests that it will enable upcoming flagships such as the Oppo Find X8 and Find X8 Pro to offer more demanding AI features.

The Dimensity 9400 will continue the all-large-core CPU design of its predecessor and adopt the ARM ‘BlackHawk’ CPU architecture, which reportedly offers improved performance. For fabrication, Mediatek is using TSMC’s N3E (3nm) process node.

The Dimensity 9400 uses a 3.63 GHz Cortex-X925 super core, 3 2.80 GHz X4 large cores, and 4 2.10 GHz A725 cores. For graphics, it uses the Mali-G925-Immortalis MC12. The chipset also reportedly supports the industry’s fastest 10.7Gbps LPDDR5X memory, which should enable smartphones to offer faster loading times for heavy apps and games.

According to NanoReview, the chipset scores 2874 and 8969 in Geekbench single and multi-core tests respectively. Speaking of graphics, the chipset reached 134fps in the GFX Aztec 1440P off-screen Vulkan test, which is 86% higher than the Apple A18 Pro that powers the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. It suggests that the upcoming chipset from MediaTek has the potential to offer a major improvement in gaming performance.

It’s worth mentioning that the score was also 41% higher than last year’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip. Weibo tipster Digital Chat Station also previously revealed that the GPU performance was 30% higher than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the 3D Mark test while the power consumption was 40% lower.

The ray tracing performance has been improved by nearly 20% compared with the previous generation. MediaTek offered a strong graphics performance last year and this year seems to be no different. The company is also working on a new ray tracing technology for its smartphone chips, which is reportedly comparable to the top ray tracing technology OMM (ray tracing accelerator) on PC. Not to mention, it has the potential to enable smartphone makers to take the graphics quality in games to the next level.