It looks like the graphics card that introduced many gamers to ray tracing and high-fidelity visuals is nearing its end. According to a new rumor, Nvidia is planning to discontinue production of the ever-popular RTX 3060, which has been a top performer in the Steam Hardware Survey.
The news comes from a post on the Chinese tech forum Bobantang, known for insider scoops within the hardware industry. While the information hasn’t been officially confirmed by Nvidia, Board Channels has a track record of accuracy, having previously predicted the RTX 3060 Ti’s discontinuation.
According to the forum post, Nvidia has notified its manufacturing partners to place final orders for the RTX 3060. This doesn’t mean the card will vanish overnight. Existing stock will continue to trickle through retailer channels for the next few months, allowing gamers a final window to snag this workhorse GPU.
The RTX 3060 was launched in February 2021 at a time when crypto-mining and chip shortages drove GPU prices to absurd heights. Initially, it was available only in a 12GB GDDR6 version, with an 8GB variant introduced later.
Both versions struck a good balance between price and performance. Although early buyers faced inflated costs, the 3060 eventually became a budget-friendly option for gamers wanting a taste of Nvidia’s Ampere architecture.
The card currently reigns at the top of the Steam Hardware Survey with a 5.71% market share. It offered a significant jump in performance over its predecessor, the GTX 1660 Ti, enabling smooth gameplay at 1080p and even respectable performance at 1440p with some graphical adjustments. The inclusion of ray tracing capabilities, albeit at a limited capacity, further added to its appeal.
But with Nvidia’s new RTX 40 series arriving, the landscape is changing. The RTX 4060, as the successor to the RTX 3060, offers better performance at a similar price. While the 3060 will likely still be available in the used market, the 4060 is a more attractive option for new buyers.
Infinix has recently launched the Note 40X smartphone in India. Now the company is working on releasing its XBuds 3 TWS earphone, which has been spotted by MySmartPrice on the TDRA and BIS certification platforms.
Launch date of XBuds 3 TWS appears to be imminent
According to the TDRA certification listing, the XBuds 3 is a Bluetooth earphone that comes with the model number XE31. The application was issued on 3rd August 2024. It hints that the product is going to launch soon in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Unfortunately, the listing does not reveal any more information about the earphones.
The XBuds 3 (with the model number XE31) has also been spotted on India’s BIS certification platform, confirming the device’s imminent launch in India.
It has also been spotted on Indonesia’s SDPPI and the TUV certification platform, which confirmed that it is going to be a TWS earphone.
Infinix is also working on X series smartwatches and a tablet for the Indian market
The company is also gearing up to launch its first smartwatch series in India. The series includes a total of three models – Xwatch 3, Xwatch 3 Plus, and Xwatch 3 Classic. The watches have also appeared on several certification platforms. The company is going to launch its X series products in India, which will also include the Infinix XPad.
Image: PassionateGeekz
According to previous reports, the Infinix XPad will come in three colors – Frost Blue, Stellar Grey, and Titan Gold. The tablet will offer a dual-tone finish on the plastic back. In the top left corner, a square module with rounded edges appears to house a dual camera unit on the back as well as an LED flash.
It will reportedly house an 11-inch FHD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate and 239 ppi pixel density. The device will be running on the MediaTek Helio G99 Ultimate 4G chipset and will be paired with 4GB of RAM. It will likely be based on the company’s XOS based on Android 12.
ASUS has finally released its brand new ROG Ally X handheld gaming console in India, following its Chinese release. Like its predecessor, it arrives with a portable design, offering capable specs for gaming on the go. The company has also made a couple of improvements since the ROG Ally X is a mid generation refresh. So here are its specs, pricing, and availability.
ASUS ROG Ally X Specs
The brand has launched the ROG Ally X with a 7-inch IPS LCD panel that offers a 120Hz refresh rate, 1080p resolution, 100 percent sRGB color gamut, 16:9 aspect ratio, and a Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for protection. Under the hood, the ROG Ally X is equipped with the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor that is paired with 24GB of LPRRD5X RAM and 1TB of NVMe M.2 SSD storage. A sizeable 80Wh battery pack that supports 65W charging via USB Type C port.
ASUS ROG Ally X
This gaming handheld runs on the Windows 11 operating system out of the box. A new dual fan system promises to offer 10 percent higher airflow for improved cooling. Connectivity options include a Thunderbolt 4 port with DisplayPort support, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, a UHS-II microSD card reader, Wi-Fi 6E (triple-band), and Bluetooth 5.2.
For audio, users get Hi-Res certified audio with AI noise cancellation. Talking about some of the other improvements, the ROG Ally X has a redesigned ergonomic chassis with deeper handgrips, improved joysticks and D-pad, repositioned controls, and a processor fingerprint sensor.
Pricing and Availability
The ASUS ROG Ally X has a price tag of 89,990 INR or roughly 1,073 US Dollars. It is currently available for purchase through the brand’s official ROG Store, ASUS e-shop, Amazon India, and Flipkart. So you can buy it from both major online and offline channels.
Realme announced the new Watch S2 and Buds T310 last week. Now, the brand’s latest smartwatch and truly wireless earbuds have finally gone on sale in the Indian market. These new wearables are currently listed on popular e-retailers in India and other channels. So here are its pricing, specs, and special introductory offers.
The Chinese company announced the Watch S2 with a stainless steel textured body, which is coupled with a steel or silicone strap. It sports a 1.43-inch AMOLED display that offers 600 nits of peak brightness. This panel can display over 150 watch faces and arrives with a Super AI Engine that brings AI Voice Assistant and Smartwatch Face Engine. Realme Watch S2 supports heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen mapping, female menstrual cycle tracking, and more.
For fitness enthusiasts, the smartwatch packs more than 110 sports modes. It is powered by a 380mAh battery pack that offers 20 days of battery life. Thanks to its dual mode Bluetooth chip, built in speakers, and a microphone, users get access to Bluetooth calling as well. Other notable features include IP68 water and dust resistance, Realme Link app, 4GB of storage, music and camera controls.
2. Realme Buds T310
Realme Buds T310
Alongside the new smartwatch, Realme also unveiled the Buds T310, which has a stem design. It houses a 12.4mm dynamic bass driver that can offer 360 degree spatial audio effect. Realme Buds T310 features up to 46 decibels of ANC (Active Noise Cancellation). For an improved calling experience, the hearables has a 6 mics to enable ENC (Environmental Noise Cancellation). There are also three levels of adjustable noise reduction and AI Depp call noise reduction.
On a single full charge, the Realme Buds T310 can last for up to 40 hours. It also supports fast charging, with just 10 minutes of charging enabling 5 hours of audio playback. Other notable features include Bluetooth 5.4 support, AAC and SBC audio codecs, IP55 rating for water and dust resistance, Realme Link app, support for touch controls, dual device connection, and low latency of 45ms for gaming.
3. Pricing & Offers
The brand unveiled the Realme Watch S2 in two variants. The Ocean Silver and Midnight Black variant costs 4,999 INR. There is also a 500 INR cash benefits on these two colors. On the other hand, the Metallic Gray option has a price tag of 5,299 INR. It offers a 300 INR discount on cash benefits. These two variants are currently on sale via Realme’s official website, Flipkart, and other major channels.
The Realme Buds T310 TWS was announced in multiple color options as well, namely Monet Purple, Vibrant Black, and Agile White. It costs 2,499 INR along with a cash benefit of up to 300 INR. You can buy this model via the company’s official website, Flipkart, and other major channels.
Lenovo announced the ThinkBook Plus Hybrid 2-in-1 earlier this year, which is now up for pre-sale and will officially launch on August 10. This laptop “takes 2-in1 to the next level” with a built-in Android tablet. So let’s take a look at what you can expect from this machine.
The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Hybrid 2-in-1 equips both Windows and Android to function both like a Windows laptop and an Android tablet. The detachable display can function like an Android tablet. Not to mention, the display portion houses all the essential internals to function as an Android tablet, while the base houses the internals for a Windows laptop and runs Windows 11.
Speaking of performance, the base equips the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H chipset which is paired with 32GB LPDDR5x RAM and 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD. To power the system it packs a 75Wh battery on the base, which reportedly supports 100W fast charging. On the other hand, the lid contains the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, 12GB LPDDR5x memory, and 256GB UFS3.1 storage.
The display is measured at 14″ and equips a 2.8K OLED panel inside. It covers a 100% DCI-P3 color gamut and also supports a stylus. The tablet portion has 1 x USB-C port, packs a 38Wh battery, and supports 50W PD/PPS fast charging. There is an FHD+IR infrared camera on the front and a 13MP + 5MP camera setup on the back.
The base equips 2x Thunderbolt 4 ports and a 3.5mm audio jack. According to a report, both the Windows and Android dual systems in this hybrid machine equip 10GB of storage space, specifically for sending files to a hybrid folder that implements a system synchronization.
Speaking of the build, this machine adopts a CNC-integrated molding technology. It weighs 1.75 kg and is 15.9mm thick. Notably, the tablet portion is measured at only 6.6mm and weighs 785g.
This product will be priced at 15,999 Yuan (~$2,240).
Vivo’s upcoming X200 series has been the subject of leaks for a while now. The series, which is rumored to include the X200 and X200 Pro, is expected to be the first to use the Dimensity 9400 chipset.
However, a new leak suggests the company might be planning to expand the lineup with a smaller variant, possibly called the Vivo X200 mini.
Word for it comes from reliable tech tipster Digital Chat Station (DCS). The insider revealed that this compact model in the Vivo X200 series will have a 6.3-inch flat display with a 1.5K resolution.
The camera setup is expected to include a 70mm 3x periscope telephoto lens, along with a custom image processing chip, which is also rumored for the X200 and X200 Pro models. Additionally, all three variants are said to share the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 processor.
Last but not least, DCS suggests the smartphone will have a high-density silicon battery with a capacity exceeding 5500mAh.
DCS clarified that these specs do not belong to the standard Vivo X200, which is rumored to have a larger display of around 6.5-6.6 inches. This further suggests that the new phone is a more compact option in the Vivo X200 series which will likely cater to users who prefer smaller phones.
It’s important to remember that this is still a leak, and Vivo hasn’t confirmed the existence of an X200 Mini or its specifications. We’ll likely have to wait for an official announcement from Vivo or further leaks to get a clearer picture of this phone. With the rumored October launch of the X200 series approaching, it shouldn’t be too long before we have more concrete information.
OnePlus and Poco are close rivals in the smartphone industry, just like their parent companies OPPO and Xiaomi. The competitiveness of these brands is not only seen in their more expensive devices but also their affordable entries. For this article, we will compare two devices from both OnePlus and Poco to find out which is a better purchase. The devices in question are the OnePlus Nord CE 4 and the Poco X6. Let’s not place the stats on these devices side by side and see which is best for you.
Please Note: When you buy something using the links in our articles, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.
OnePlus Nord CE 4 vs Poco X6: Design and colours
OnePlus Nord CE 4:
This is a good-looking device and if you’ll agree with me, the OnePlus brand logo on it makes it look cooler. The OnePlus Nord CE 4 comes with a dual rear camera setup vertically with the main sensor above the secondary lens, and the secondary lens above the ring-shaped torch. All edges of this device are flat, and the volume and power buttons sit on the right side of the frame. At its base are the USB-C port, microphone, SIM tray slot, and speakers And at the top sits the upwards firing speakers. Available colours for this device are Celadon Marble and Dark Chrome.
Poco X6:
The design of the Poco X6 helps it to stand out from a lot of other devices out there. It features a large camera cutout that spans from one end of the device’s top rear panel to the other end. This cutout houses not only the three rear cameras and flash but also the Poco logo. The edges of this device are flat and the volume rocker and power button sit on the right frame. As for the USB-C port, speakers, microphone, and the SIM tray are at the bottom of the device. At its top sits the 3.5mm headphone jack as well as an upward firing speaker. Available colours for the Poco X6 are Black, White, and Blue.
Major differences:
3.5mm headphone jack on the Poco X6.
OnePlus Nord CE 4 vs Poco X6: Display
OnePlus Nord CE 4 and Poco X6:
The displays on this device are quite different from each other, as the Poco X6 features a smaller 6.67-inch display. As for the display technology, the OnePlus Nord CE 4 features a fluid AMOLED panel while the Poco X6 features an AMOLED panel. Both devices offer 120Hz refresh rate, but the Poco X6 offers more brightness at 1800 nits in comparison to the 1100 nits peak brightness on the OnePlus.
Major differences:
Brighter screen on the Poco X6.
OnePlus Nord CE 4 vs Poco X6: Cameras
OnePlus Nord CE 4 and Poco X6:
While the OnePlus Nord CE 4 comes with a dual camera set up, the Poco X6 features a triple camera setup. For their main cameras, the OnePlus Nord CE 4 comes with a 50MP sensor, while the Poco X6 flaunts a 64MP sensor. Ultrawide lenses on both devices are 8MP as standard and this similarity carries on to the selfie cameras which are both 16MP lenses. Unlike the OnePlus Nord CE 4, the Poco X6 comes with an extra 2MP rear camera and this lens serves as a macro lens.
Major differences:
2MP macro lens on the Poco X6.
64MP main camera on the Poco X6.
OnePlus Nord CE 4 vs Poco X6: Performance
OnePlus Nord CE 4 and Poco X6:
In terms of performance, these two devices come with processors from the same Snapdragon m series, but one performs better than the other. Yes, the OnePlus Nord CE 4 comes with the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor, while the Poco X6 uses the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor. The OnePlus Nord CE 4 is the better performing device in this comparison, but the Poco X4 offers users up to 12GB worth of RAM capacity and up to 512GB storage.
Major upgrades & differences:
A more powerful processor on the OnePlus Nord CE 4.
Up to 12GB RAM on the Poco X6.
OnePlus Nord CE 4 vs Poco X6: Software
OnePlus Nord CE 4 and Poco X6:
Both devices run on Android 14 out of the box but with different software packages as the OnePlus Nord CE 4 runs ColorOS 14 and the Poco X6 runs Android 13 out of the box. If you purchase any of these devices, you’ll get up to three years of OS upgrades and five years of security updates.
Major differences:
OnePlus Nord CE 4 runs ColorOS 14.
Poco X6 runs MIUI 14.
OnePlus Nord CE 4 vs Poco X6: Battery life and charging
OnePlus Nord CE 4 and Poco X6:
The OnePlus Nord CE 4 comes with a larger battery and faster charging capabilities. It features a 5500mAh battery and supports 100W fast charger. As for the Poco X6, it comes with a 5100mAh battery capacity and supports 67W fast charging.
Major differences:
Faster charging and a larger battery on the OnePlus Nord CE 4.
OnePlus Nord CE 4 vs Poco X6: Final Verdict
If you’re looking out to get a device with value for your money, then the Poco X6 is the better pick for you. Despite being older and more affordable, this device packs a ton of features that put it head-to-head with the OnePlus Nord CE 4. However, if you’re looking out to purchase the best device overall, the OnePlus Nord CE 4 is the better pick for you.
This entry has a better display, a better processor, faster charging, and a slightly larger battery. When it comes to the designs of these devices, the choice boils down to personal preferences. Which choice best suits your needs? Let us know in the comment section below.
International Data Corporation (IDC) has released its “China Wireless Headset Market Monthly Tracking Report”, according to which, the shipments of wireless earphones have reached 55.4 million units in the first half of this year. This reportedly represents a year-on-year growth of 20.8%.
TWS and open-back headphones have become more popular among consumers
Among the 55.4 million products, 35.08 million were TWS earphones, which represents a year-over-year growth of 5.6%. In comparison, the open-back headphone market has also achieved significant growth, with shipments of 11.84 million units in the first half of 2024, a year-on-year increase of 303.6%.
The growth of TWS earphones slowed down in the first half of this year. The competition in the product space is also fierce. Leading manufacturers are working on entry-level products and the overall market is competing with new technologies at aggressive pricing. It has resulted in long battery life, improved noise reduction, and audio quality.
TWS earphones with a price tag of less than 200 Yuan (~$28) have reached 65%, which is an 11% increase as compared to the same period last year.
Earphones that use bone conduction, despite having certain technical barriers and being targeted at a specific user group, have reportedly entered a relatively stable stage of development. This product category has also seen a 34% year-over-year growth in shipments in H1 this year.
Neckband earphones have reportedly seen a decline in shipments
The shipment volume of neckband headphones fell 24.1% year-on-year in the first half of 2024. In the long run, the shipments of this product category are expected to continue to decline. One of the reasons is that TWS headphones have become more popular. It is also reported that leaking manufacturers have reduced their investment in the product category.
IDC predicts that the overall market shipments of Bluetooth headsets will continue to grow slowly in the future. They also predicted that TWS earphones would maintain their popularity. The growth rate of open-type headsets will gradually stabilize after 2024.
As scheduled, Infinix has launched the Note 40X 5G in India. The phone targets budget-conscious users looking to enter the 5G market without spending much. And for the price, the company offers a good range of specs, including a mid-tier MediaTek processor, a triple-camera setup, and AI features. Let’s dive into the details.
Specifications
To start with, the Note 40X’s design follows current trends with a hole-punch display and flat edges. The display is a 6.78-inch IPS LCD panel with Full HD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. The peak brightness is capped at just 500nits which may not be sufficient for outdoor use.
Infinix is also offering iPhone’s Dynamic Island clone as Dynamic Bar which offers interactive notifications on the notch of the screen. Entertainment is handled by dual stereo speakers with DTS Sound compatibility.
Powering the device is a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor with software side handled by Android 14-based Infinix’s XOS 14. Memory option includes 8/12GB of LPDRR4x RAM and 256GB of USF 2.2 storage. The latter is expandable uo to 1TB via microSD card.
The Note 40X’s rear camera system features a 108MP lens as the main sensor. It’s accompanied by an 8MP ultrawide lens and a 2MP depth camera. The front-facing camera utilizes an 8MP sensor which has its own LED flash.
As aforementioned, there are a bunch of AI features on board here. This includes AI Cmera to enhance shots captured, AI Sky Shop to change the sky in photos, and an AI wallpaper generator. Additionally, there’s AI App Boost, which, as the name suggests, helps improve app performance.
Rounding out the specifications, the Note 40X 5G packs a 5000mAh battery with support for 18W fast charging. Connectivity options include dual SIM support, 5G compatibility, WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.2, and GPS. Users will also find a 3.5mm headphone jack and a side-mounted fingerprint scanner for security.
Infinix Note 40x Price in India and Availability
Priced at Rs 14,999 for the base 8GB RAM and 256GB storage variant, the Note 40X 5G sits firmly in the budget segment. There’s also a higher-end option with 12GB of RAM available for Rs 15,999. Both variants will be available for purchase on Flipkart and in offline stores across India starting August 9th.
iQOO is gearing up to launch the Z9s and Z9s Pro smartphones in India on August 21st. While full specifications haven’t been officially revealed, a report by GSMArena has revealed some key features of the upcoming mid-range devices.
According to iQOO, the Z9s series is designed for the busy lives of young adults – “primarily college students and young professionals who are balancing work/academics, social life, and extracurricular activities and their need for fast connectivity and seamless entertainment.”
The report suggests the Z9s Pro will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 SoC, while the Z9s opt for the MediaTek Dimensity 7300.
Both phones will share a 50MP Sony IMX882 main camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), 4K video recording capabilities, and Super Night Mode for low-light photography. AI features like AI Erase and AI Photo Enhance will also be present, with the Z9s Pro adding an 8MP ultrawide lens for capturing broader scenes.
Both the Z9s and Z9s Pro boast a slim profile at 7.49mm and utilize a 3D curved AMOLED display. However, there’s a significant difference in peak brightness – the Z9s reaches a respectable 1,800 nits, while the Z9s Pro boasts a much higher 4,500 nits for improved outdoor visibility.
When it comes to battery life, the Z9s Pro is said to pack a 5,500mAh battery, so you can expect a full day’s use on a single charge depending on usage patterns. Both phones will reportedly be manufactured in India at Vivo’s Greater Noida facility, aligning with the government’s “Make in India” initiative.
As for the price, both phones are expected to land under INR 25,000 (roughly USD 300 or EUR 275) in India. We’ll have to wait until the official launch for full details and confirmation on pricing.
Xiaomi has quietly launched a new monitor under its Redmi brand, the A27U. It’s a 27-inch offering that prioritizes affordability for users seeking a 4K display without breaking the bank. Here are the details.
Redmi Monitor A27U Specifications
As the name suggests, the A27U features a 27-inch IPS panel with a 3840 x 2160 (4K) resolution. The display covers 95% DCI-P3 and 100% sRGB color gamuts and has a typical brightness of 300 nits with a contrast ratio of 1200:1.
While the monitor offers a high pixel count, it comes with a standard 60Hz refresh rate and a response time of 6ms. Therefore, it’s not hard to guess the A27U is not ideal for competitive gamers but should suffice for casual use.
Xiaomi has also introduced its “Qingshan Eye Protection” technology for the first time in the A27U. The technology, co-developed with the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology and the Sun Yat-sen University Zhongshan Eye Center, reportedly combines display optics with visual health considerations to create a more user-friendly experience. Additionally, the A27U carries German TÜV Rheinland low blue light certification.
The monitor utilizes a three-micro-edge design, minimizing bezels for an immersive viewing experience. The stand offers a degree of adjustability, allowing for tilting, swiveling, and height adjustments for ergonomic viewing.
For connectivity, the Redmi Monitor A27U comes equipped with dual HDMI 2.0 and dual DP 1.4 interfaces. It also supports VESA 75 x 75 wall mounting for space-saving setups.
Here’s a summarized table of the monitor’s key specifications:
Feature
Specification
Power Input
24V 2A
Rated Power
48W
Screen Size
27 inches
Dot Pitch
0.1554(H) x 0.1554(V) mm
Brightness
300 nits (typical)
Contrast Ratio
1200:1 (typical)
Colors
1.07 billion
Aspect Ratio
16:9
Resolution
3840 x 2160
Refresh Rate
60Hz
Response Time
6ms (typical)
Product Size (with Base)
613 x 185 x 511 mm
Net Weight (with Base)
5.2 Kg
Wall Mount Support
VESA 75 x 75 mm
Stand Adjustment
-5° forward tilt, 21° backward tilt
Price and Availability
The monitor carries an initial pre-sale price of 1,199 yuan (approximately USD 169) on JD.com, with official sales starting on August 12th, 2024.
Here’s a list of the top stories from the weekend.
Xiaomi’s Ad Dilemma: Dive into Xiaomi’s recent confirmation about system ads, and what it means for users hoping for an ad-free experience.
Google’s Charging Upgrade: Get the scoop on Google’s rumored new 45W charger for the Pixel 9 series.
Huawei’s Affordable Foldable: Learn about Huawei’s upcoming Nova Flip, set to launch on August 5. We’ll break down the expected features and how it might disrupt the foldable phone market.
Xiaomi’s Global Success: Discover how Xiaomi has become the only Chinese phone maker to crack the top 10 best-selling list in Q2 2024.
Plus, don’t miss our roundup of other exciting stories, including the best phones under ₹20000, a comprehensive VPN review, and future iPhone camera upgrades!
A recent leak suggested that Xiaomi may finally be working to bring a single toggle to switch off system ads entirely. But in a move likely to disappoint many users, the company has now confirmed that this toggle won’t be making an appearance on its Android skin anytime soon.
With Google‘s Pixel 9 event set for August 13th, leaks about the new devices keep coming. While most attention has been on the Pixel 9 series and the Pixel Watch 3, a recent leak has shed light on a lesser-known but crucial accessory: a new 45W USB-C charger.
Huawei is all set to launch its upcoming foldable smartphone Nova Flip in the Chinese market on August 5, 2024. Positioned as a more affordable alternative to its premium Pocket series, the Nova Flip promises to bring the foldable experience to a wider audience. In this article, we will delve into its expected features based on the leaks and the info we have got so far.
Counterpoint Research has published its list of the top 10 best-selling smartphones in Q2 2024. Generally, the list is occupied by the last two generations of iPhones and some (mostly affordable) Galaxy devices. Surprisingly, a Xiaomi device managed to make its way to the list of top ten best-selling devices for the second quarter.
OnePlus is now reportedly working on the next-generation Ace-branded models for the Chinese market. Over the weekend, tipster Digital Chat Station released a Weibo post to claim that the Ace 5 series of smartphones will be announced by the end of this year in China. The leak also suggested that the brand may announce two models, the OnePlus Ace 5 and the Ace 5 Pro. In a new leak, the tipster has seemingly revealed the key specifications of the Ace 5.
OnePlus Ace 5 key specifications (rumored)
The above Weibo post suggests that the OnePlus Ace 5 will have a 6.78-inch 8T LTPO screen. The screen will offer a 1.5K resolution and have a micro-curvature design.
The OnePlus Ace 3 featured the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and a 5,500mAh battery. It appears that the Ace 5 will have the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 onboard. In terms of the battery, it looks like the Ace 5 will have a massive 6,200mAh dual-cell battery with 100W fast charging support.
The leak further reveals that the Ace 5 will have a 50-megapixel primary camera backed by a large camera sensor. Lastly, the device will also feature an alert slider. The other phone’s details are under wraps. It is specualted that the same phone may get rebranded as the OnePlus 13R in the global market.
The specifications of the OnePlus Ace 5 Pro have yet to be revealed. While it will likely feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, the OnePlus 13, which is expected to debut early in October or November, may also have the same chip. While the Ace 5 Pro focuses mainly on performance, the OnePlus 13 will be an all-rounder, including stellar cameras.
OnePlus entered the budget smartphone category in India with the launch of the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite in 2022. This device was introduced as a toned-down version of the OnePlus Nord CE 2, which itself was a watered-down version of the OnePlus Nord 2.
These three series of handsets make up OnePlus’ mid-range and budget smartphone portfolio. They are currently in their 4th gen, hence the number ‘4’ in their names.
On the other hand, we did not get a chance to try out the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite. But we got to play around with the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite, which shares almost everything with its successor. We were surprised by the unexpected goodness it offered.
Now, two years later, how does the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite fare? Having used the phone over the past few days, I have shared my thoughts in this article.
Before I pen down my opinion, I want to let the readers know that OnePlus India who loaned us a review unit had no editorial input or early look. The thoughts shared here are mine alone.
Unlike in the premium smartphone segment, consumers get a wide variety of options in the budget category. Thus, handsets come in all shapes and sizes.
Since design is subjective, companies cannot satisfy all users with a single design. But there are some designs that cater to a wider audience. The OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite has this.
Personally, I prefer the looks of the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite over any other sub-₹20000 smartphone in India right now. It is simple yet elegant, especially in Ultra Orange. You can also avail it in either Mega Blue or Super Silver color options.
The device features a sturdy flat plastic frame like most phones in the segment. This frame houses tactile power and volume buttons on the right side and a dual SIM/MicroSD (shared) card slot on the left. A USB Type-C port and a 3.5mm headphone jack can be found at the bottom.
The two cameras are vertically placed on the top left corner of the handset’s rear plastic panel which looks and feels like glass. With a thickness and weight of 8.1mm and 191g, respectively, the phone is comfortable to hold.
The product doesn’t have any unnecessary large text anywhere on its body. It only has the iconic OnePlus logo on the center of the rear panel.
Simply put the design is as clean as the one offered by Samsung’s smartphones. Thus, I believe it would be preferred by most people.
I know I described the product’s design a lot because that’s the only thing that stood out more to me other than its battery life. The 5,500mAh battery inside it can easily last for more than a day even with 5G mobile data.
Refueling it can be done within an hour, thanks to 80W SuperVOOC fast charging support. The required power adapter and cable are included in the box along with a basic silicone protective case.
As for longevity, OnePlus promises two Android upgrades and three years of security patches. Currently, the smartphone boots Android 14-based Oxygen OS 14, and therefore, it should receive up to Android 16 in the future.
This is not the best software support in the segment but it is comparable to most devices.
2. Up to Standard
The most notable upgrade that the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite offers over its predecessor is the display. The device finally gets an AMOLED panel compared to LCD screens on the previous two models.
The new 6.67-inch centered punch-hole display retains the 120Hz refresh rate and FHD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels) resolution. Additionally, it is noticeably brighter with an official spec of 1200 nits brightness in auto high brightness mode (HBM). The peak brightness is rated at 2100 nits but it’s of no use as the product cannot play HDR content.
The main camera also gets an upgrade in the form of an OIS-assisted 50MP Sony LYT-600 primary sensor. However, the secondary sensor is merely a 2MP depth sensor and the selfie camera continues to be the same 16MP shooter. There’s no 2MP macro snapper as found on the forerunners.
The output from the camera setup is just fine. There’s nothing to home about. It does a decent job when there’s adequate light. But in low light, it struggles a lot which is common among most phones in the category.
The dual speakers do their job of offering stereo sound effects. The sound quality, however, is average. There’s also a ‘300% Ultra Volume Boost’ mode which can be activated by pressing the volume up button after the volume bar hits the maximum level. This artificial bump in volume is terrible but can be useful in traffic for gig workers.
3. The Achilles’ Heel
The one thing that hasn’t changed in the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite from its predecessors is its chipset — Qualcomm Snapdragon 695. The chip is paired with the same LPDDR4x RAM and UFS 2.2 storage.
This silicon cannot handle the new OxygenOS 14 efficiently. The animations are slow and there are frame drops all over the place.
I faced the same on the more expensive OnePlus Nord CE 4 as well as its forerunner OnePlus Nord CE 3. So this is not limited to OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite, however, it is more pronounced given the less powerful nature of the system on chip.
On top of this, the app opening time and touch responses are slower compared to other handsets in the same price segment. This is not a deal breaker for many but when there are better options, why settle?
OnePlus is known to improve the overall experience of its products post-launch through software updates. I expected a similar magic for the Nord CE 4 Lite but unfortunately, none of the OTA updates brought meaningful changes in the performance department.
The Snapdragon 695 is an Achilles’ heel for the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite. The brand shouldn’t have cheaped out by using an older and less powerful chipset.
4. Conclusion
Historically, the OnePlus Nord CE Lite series has not been the best offering in the sub ₹20000 price category in India. But still, the first two models were not only the brand’s best sellers but also the whole segment in some quarters. I won’t be surprised if the latest model continues this tradition.
Unlike in other regions, OnePlus has a ‘premium image’ in India. It is considered an equal to Samsung and Apple in India.
To credit where it’s due, OnePlus offers an overall premium experience from unboxing to after-sales service compared to its Chinese counterparts in the region. This is the primary reason that drives the sales of its most affordable smartphone lineup.
Anyhoo, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite was a good option when it was released. It was almost the same as most competitors of its time. I cannot comment on its successor OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite as I did not get to experience it.
Coming to OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite, it lacks behind competitors in nearly all aspects. Today, there’s a better smartphone for all things, be it performance (iQOO Z9 / Vivo T3) or camera (Realme Narzo 70 Pro).
Therefore, it’s hard for me to recommend the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite wholeheartedly. I hope the company comes up with an improved successor next year.
It’s been only a few months since the launch of the Pixel 8a, and the smartphone has been heavily discounted for the first time within these few months. The smartphone has been retailing for $399 over the past few days, inclusive of a $100 discount. It was launched for $499 for 128 GB of storage. It is an exciting deal for interested folks who’d like to try the new smartphone featuring several upgrades over its predecessor, i.e., the Pixel 7a.
Pixel 8a Discount in the US
It could be a strategic discount, that is pushed to make space for the Pixel 9, which is expected to launch in the coming days. However, the Pixel 8a 128GB variant is now available for the price of $399, while the 256GB is available for the price of $349.
Pxiel 8a Specifications and Features
Pixel 8a was launched in May with the Google Tensor G3, which has 8 GB of RAM and is available in 128GB or 256GB of internal storage options. Furthermore, the smartphone has a 6.1-inch OLED display with a 1080 x 2400 pixel resolution and a 120 Hz refresh rate. It houses a 4492 mAh battery with 18W fast wired charging and 7.5W wireless charging.
The smartphone runs the latest Android 14 and is promised to receive more than 5 years of security updates. In optics, there’s a 64MP primary sensor with OIS support and a 13MP wide-angle lens. Meanwhile, it features a 13 MP front camera sensor with an f/2.2 aperture.
In terms of connectivity, the smartphone bundles Bluetooth 5.3, WiFi 6E, and Sub-6 5G mmWave support. Pixel 8a measures 152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9 mm and weighs 188 g. With an IP 67 rating indicating protection from dust over an extended period and protection against objects greater than 1 mm. It is available in Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay, and Aloe color options.
Casio has recently announced that it has expanded the reach of its WS-B1000 digital watch to multiple markets around the globe. Launched in June, it’s now available in Malaysia, Europe (Netherlands, France and Spain) and the US. This watch combines traditional timekeeping with modern features.
Casio WS-B1000 features:
With a sporty look, the WS-B1000 includes practical features such as a step tracker synced with the Casio app to show your daily step goals which can be set between 1,000 and 999,999 steps. It has Bluetooth connectivity for time updates, alarms, and phone location tracking. It also has a stopwatch, countdown timer, and a long-lasting battery. It has an LCD display with an LED backlight. The battery of the watch can last up to two years.
The watch is durable, featuring 100-meter water resistance and a sturdy resin construction. Its lightweight design, weighing just 36 grams ensures comfort for extended wear. While not a smartwatch, the WS-B1000 offers a practical balance of functionality and simplicity. It goes for $55.95 in the US and €59.90.
In other news, Casio has also recently announced the G-SHOCK GBD-300 smartwatch. Designed for athletes and fitness enthusiasts, it features a slimmer, more compact design, dual bezel protection, a high-contrast LCD display, and advanced fitness tracking capabilities. The watch tracks distance, pace, steps, and calories burned, and connects to smartphones via Bluetooth for notifications and enhanced functionality through the G-SHOCK MOVE app.
Last month, Honor introduced the Xiaopai Smart Camera Pro under its Honor Choice label, a home security camera with impressive features, including up to 20x super zoom capability. Priced at 249 yuan (approximately $35), the security camera is now up for sale on JD.com.
Honor Xiaopai Smart Camera Pro Specifications:
The Xiaopai Smart Camera Pro features a triple-lens setup with 4MP telephoto and wide-angle lenses, both having an f/1.6 aperture. The wide-angle lens offers a broad field of view, while the telephoto lens captures detailed distant images. It supports a 20x hybrid optical zoom, enabling clear magnification of details.
The camera offers intelligent dual-light full-color night vision with infrared and high-power warm fill lights. Users can choose between intelligent, full-color, and infrared night vision modes. In intelligent mode, the camera uses infrared but switches to full color when detecting human shapes. Full-color mode keeps the white light on all night, while infrared mode provides black-and-white images.
In terms of coverage, the camera offers a horizontal visual range of 360° and a vertical visual range of 125°, enabling panoramic surveillance. The camera also supports dual-screen synchronous live broadcasts and recordings, which allows users to monitor a wider area in real time. Additionally, the guard lens is fixed to monitor key areas consistently.
The Xiaopai Smart Camera Pro is designed with practical features such as two-way calling, making it easy for family members to communicate, especially the elderly and children. It also supports dual network connection methods, including 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and a wired network port, ensuring a stable and interference-free connection.
The camera’s local AI capabilities enable intelligent tracking of humans and pets, automatically capturing and recording movements. It also features cross-border/area detection, triggering alarms if something or someone enters a predefined area. To enhance security, the camera can emit a high-decibel alarm either manually or automatically upon event detection.
Storage options for the Xiaopai Smart Camera Pro include local storage via microSD cards with a capacity of up to 512GB and cloud storage through the Honor Smart Space App, available for purchase separately. The app facilitates real-time monitoring, playback of recorded footage, and overall device management.
Realme GT 6T was released in May this year with a primary focus on performance. It’s a good smartphone overall, currently up for sale at a starting price of Rs. 30,999 and goes up to Rs. 39,999 for the top-end variant. At a similar pricing, there are phones with more powerful chips that can deliver better performance.
Here, I’ll show you the five best alternatives to Realme GT 6T with a more powerful chipset. Before that, let’s quickly recall Realme GT 6T specs with the spec sheet below.
Realme GT 6T Spec Sheet
Realme GT 6T
Body
163.4 x 75.1 x 8.65 mm 191 g
Display
6.78″ 120Hz LTPO AMOLED 1264 x 2780 pixels resolution 1450 nits peak brightness Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Poco F6 is one of the best alternatives to the Realme GT 6T with a more powerful Snapdragon chip at a slightly lower price.
A Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chip powers the Poco phone, whereas the Realme GT 6T has a Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3. Both phones come in various RAM and storage options, with the top-most being 12GB+512GB. Please note that the 8GB+128GB version of the Realme GT 6T has UFS 3.1 storage, while the remaining models get UFS 4.0.
The Realme GT 6T has a slightly larger screen, although both have the same refresh rate and a punch-hole selfie cutout.
Both devices have a 50MP primary camera with OIS and an 8MP ultrawide lens on the back with up to 4K video recording. However, the Realme phone has a 32MP selfie shooter (vs. 20MP on the Poco F6) and supports 4K videos, which the Poco F6 lacks.
Poco F6 may be disappointing regarding battery capacity and charging speed, as the Realme GT 6T is slightly ahead in both areas.
So, the bottom line is that the Poco F6 has a better chipset and a comparable camera setup but slightly less battery capacity and charging speed compared to the Realme GT 6T.
OnePlus 12R is a solid smartphone, but you’ll need to spend a few more thousand rupees than you’d for the Realme GT 6T.
The Realme GT 6T has a Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3, whereas the OnePlus 12R is powered by a more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip. Both have the same screen size, refresh rate, resolution, and protection.
The phones have a 50MP primary camera and an 8MP ultrawide lens on the back, but the OnePlus 12R also has a 2MP macro sensor. The rear camera setup on both devices can record up to 4K videos. There’s a 16MP selfie shooter on the OnePlus 12R with up to 1080p video recording support.
The OnePlus 12R and Realme GT 6T have the same battery capacity of 5,500 mAh, but the latter supports faster wired charging.
Overall, OnePlus 12R is a better smartphone than the Realme GT 6T.
iQOO Neo 9 Pro is another good alternative to Realme GT 6T for performance-loving people. It comes with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which is more powerful than the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3-powered Realme GT 6T.
The iQOO device also has an LTPO AMOLED panel with a higher refresh rate of 144Hz — however, the display brightness peaks at 3,000 nits, lower than the Realme GT 6T.
Both phones have a dual camera setup on the back that consists of a 50MP primary camera and an 8MP ultrawide lens, but the iQOO Neo 9 Pro can record up to 8K videos, which is limited up to 4K on the Realme GT 6T. However, the Realme phone can record up to 4K videos with its 32MP selfie camera, but the 16MP selfie shooter on the Neo 9 Pro can only record 1080p videos.
The iQOO phone has a slightly lesser capacity battery, although both support 120W fast charging.
If you can spend a few extra thousands, the Xiaomi 14 Civi might be a better choice over Realme GT 6T, as it offers a more powerful chipset and camera setup.
The Xiaomi 14 Civi has a slightly smaller screen size but more pixels, colors, and Dolby Vision support. It doesn’t support adaptive refresh rate support, as it doesn’t have an LTPO panel.
The Xiaomi phone is powered by a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, which is more powerful and efficient than the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 inside the Realme GT 6T.
Coming to the optics, the Xiaomi 14 Civi boasts a powerful camera setup, which includes a 50MP primary sensor, a 50MP telephoto camera, and a 12MP ultrawide camera. It has two 32MP sensors on the front for great selfies and clear video calling. Both camera setups can record up to 4K videos.
Xiaomi didn’t go aggressive with the battery features on the 14 Civi as it offers a decent 4,700 mAh capacity with support for 67W fast charging.
OnePlus Nord 4 has a similar spec sheet and is offered at a lower price than the Realme GT 6T, making it an excellent alternative.
The Nord 4 has nearly the same screen size but is a non-LTPO panel with a lower peak brightness. The same Snapdragon chip powers both smartphones, but the Realme GT 6T has a better cooling mechanism, resulting in a better gaming experience.
Both phones have a dual camera with the same camera resolutions and 4K video recording support. However, the selfie camera only supports 1080p recording on the Nord 4, whereas the Realme GT 6T can record up to 4K videos.
The smartphones carry the same battery capacity, but the Realme GT 6T offers faster charging.
In short, the OnePlus Nord 4 is suitable for most people. However, those prioritizing gaming should go with Realme GT 6T, which has better cooling systems and game optimizations.
So, these are the five best alternatives to the Realme GT 6T. Are you still going for Realme GT 6T, or have you decided to buy among these five alternatives? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Samsung launched the Galaxy Tab A9+ Kids Edition in Indonesia towards the end of last year with a customized exterior that better protects it from external damage. Now the company has announced the availability of the Tab A9+ Kids Edition in the US with a price tag of $270 for 4GB + 64GB configuration. For context, the standard Tab A9+ is currently available for $179 for the same configuration.
The Kids Edition comes with a customized UI and three different colors on the exterior – Blue, Red, and Yellow.
It is powered by the Snapdragon 695 chipset. While the chipset is 5G capable and the standard Galaxy Tab A9+ also offers 5G connectivity, the Kids Edition solely relies on WiFi.
It packs an 11″ TFT LCD display that has a resolution of 1920 x 1200. It packs an 8MP camera on the back and a 5MP one on the front. It has a dimension of 168.7 x 257.1 x 6.9mm and weighs 480g. There is a 7040mAh battery inside, which is the same as the standard version. It also supports the same 15W charging speed.
Samsung Kids App offers a number of controls to the parents
According to the company, this new product is meant to ensure a safer environment for kids in this digital age. “The Galaxy Tab A9+ Kids Edition is designed to provide a space for children to use technology safely, while also providing them the room to learn, grow, create, stream, and explore,” said Drew Blackard, Vice President of Mobile Product Management. He also revealed that parents can even create profiles for their children and personalize their settings.
The device comes preloaded with the Samsung Kids app which empowers parents to curate customized safety protocols. With this feature, parents will have the ability to set specific screen time limits, restrict access to certain apps, and monitor their children’s online activities.
Sony‘s next TWS earbuds offering called the WF-C510 has leaked. The leak comes via renders and marketing material shared by tipster @MysteryLupin over at X (formerly Twitter). For those unaware, the WF-C510 will be a direct successor to the WF-C500.
Design-wise, the WF-C510 is a carbon copy of its predecessor. It retains the familiar shape, command button, and charging case. While it lacks ANC, it boasts a slightly improved 22-hour battery life. Additional features include dual device pairing, ambient sound mode, and IPX4 water resistance.
Expected to launch in September 2024 for around $100, the WF-C510 will compete in the crowded budget TWS market. More details are expected to be revealed in the coming days.
Other than Sony, OnePlus and Nintendo have also recently garnered headlines in the world of TWS earbuds. As per reports, OnePlus is working on the OnePlus Buds 3 Pro, which is expected to debut with a €199 pricetag, alongside an 11mm woofer, 6mm tweeter, and Dynaudio-tuned sound. It is said to offer improved 50 dB noise cancellation and up to 43 hours of battery life.
On the other hand, Nintendo has released new Zelda-themed wireless earbuds in green and white variants, exclusive to the UK and Ireland, priced at £34.99. These join the existing black version. The earbuds offer Bluetooth 5.0, a balanced sound profile, and six hours of battery life per charge, with the charging case providing three additional charges.
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