Sony has announced a setback for photography enthusiasts, delaying the release of its highly anticipated 85mm f/1.4 GM II lens from late June to late August. While this news might disappoint many, it also hints at the possibility of additional product launches from Sony within the same timeframe.
The α7M5 model has been confirmed to not launch in 2024
Rumors suggest a potential successor to the FX9 movie camera and a new FE 24-70mm f/2.0 GM lens as possible additions to Sony’s product lineup. However, the FE 24-70mm f/2.0 lens is more likely to be unveiled in September.
Despite anticipation for a new α7 series full-frame camera, reliable sources have confirmed that the α7M5 model will not be released in 2024.
Photography enthusiasts will have to wait until the end of August for the release of the 85mm f/1.4 GM II lens and stay tuned for potential announcements of additional Sony products.
OnePlus has launched a major update for its Nord 4 smartphone in India and globally. This update is being rolled out in phases, with some users already receiving it and others expected to get it within a week or two. The update, sized at 6.25 GB with firmware version CPH2661_14.1.0.320, is currently available on the Indian variant and will soon reach other regions.
Update Highlights
This update includes several key improvements:
System Enhancements
AI Best Face Feature: Fixes closed eyes in group photos.
Improved Stability and Performance: Improves overall system stability and performance.
Camera Improvements
Ultra HDR Support: Adds support for Android’s Ultra HDR for ProXDR photos, offering better dynamic range on compatible devices.
Enhanced Camera Performance: Improves general camera performance for a better photography experience.
How to Update
To check for the update:
Go to the settings page.
Select “About Device.”
Tap on the top blue ribbon to check for updates.
In other news, POCO has launched a limited edition POCO F6 Deadpool & Wolverine smartphone in India, featuring a red design with Deadpool and Wolverine images and a Deadpool logo on the flash area. It has a special box that includes a Deadpool-themed charger and SIM ejector tool. Only 3,000 pieces of this limited edition device will be available for purchase starting August 7th via Flipkart.
Realme has scheduled a launch event in India on July 30th for its latest products, including the Realme 13 Pro Series 5G smartphones, the Realme Watch S2, and the Realme Buds T310 earbuds.
Realme 13 Pro Series details:
Ahead of the launch, Realme has confirmed some key details about the Realme 13 Pro and 13 Pro+ 5G smartphones. As per the brand, these devices will be powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 5G 4nm SoC, promising improved performance over their predecessors. The Realme 13 Pro Series will also feature a 9-layer 3D VC Cooling System, the largest in its segment, designed to prevent overheating during intense use.
Battery life is another area of improvement, with the Realme 13 Pro Series coming with a 5200mAh battery, an upgrade from the 5000mAh battery in the Realme 12 Pro series. Realme claims this battery will maintain high endurance even after four years of regular use.
For photography, the Realme 13 Pro+ will be equipped with a 50MP Sony LYT-701 sensor and a 50MP Sony LYT-600 3x periscope telephoto camera, promising high-quality photos and zoom capability.
Early Access Sale
Realme has also announced an early access sale for the realme 13 Pro Series 5G on July 30th from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM on realme.com and Flipkart. Customers can take advantage of a Rs. 3,000 bank offer and a 12-month no-cost EMI option. Additionally, there will be an extended one-year warranty and a 30-day free replacement guarantee for devices activated before August 12, 2024.
Alongside the smartphones, realme will also launch the Realme Buds T310. These new earbuds will feature 46dB Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), an upgrade from the 30dB ANC in the previous model, the Buds T300. The Buds T310 will also retain the 12.4mm Dynamic Bass Drivers, ensuring deep bass and clear vocals. Other features include a 360° Spatial audio effect, up to 40 hours of total playback, and IP55 ratings for water and dust resistance.
Samsung’s flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S24+, is available on Flipkart with a huge discount of up to ₹11,500. The Samsung Galaxy S24+ was launched earlier this year, along with the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24 Ultra. The primary highlights of the Galaxy S24 series related to software are that it will get 7-year updates and new AI features.
If you are looking for a premium Android smartphone, then consider this deal on the Samsung Galaxy S24+ 256GB model. The smartphone has been available at its lowest price since its launch.
Galaxy S24+ Deal Details
There’s an ₹8,000 discount on select bank debit or credit card options. The discount will reflect once you enter card details, and the amount of the ₹8000 discount will deduct against the total. Upon discount, the Galaxy S24+ price settles down to ₹71,999. Moreover, the discount increases with the “Flipkart Axis Bank Card,” where there’s a 5% cashback. It brings down the effective price of the smartphone to ₹68,499 (₹11,500 OFF).
Samsung Galaxy S24+ Specs and Features
Samsung Galaxy S24+ features a 6.7-inch 3120 x 1440 QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. It is powered by an Exynos 2400 Soc, which is built on a 4 nm process. The smartphone comes with 8 GB of RAM and three storage options, i.e., 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. There are also 12GB RAM variants, which come with 256GB and 512GB storage options.
Galaxy S24+ has a triple camera setup at the back with a 12 MP ultra-wide lens, a 50 MP main camera with OIS and F1.8 aperture, and a 10 MP telephoto lens. For selfies and video chats, there is a 12 MP lens with an F2.2 aperture. The phone packs a 4900 mAh battery with 45W Super Fast charging and Fast Wireless Charging 2.0. Samsung Galaxy S24+ is available in Amber Yellow, Cobalt, Onyx Black, and Marble Gray color options.
Realme will launch new products on July 30th, including the Realme Buds T310, the Realme 13 Pro series, and the Watch S2. These products will soon be available in India.
The Realme Buds T310 will have some improvements over the Buds T300. They will feature 46dB Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), an upgrade from the 30dB ANC in the Buds T300. The earbuds will also have 12.4mm Dynamic Bass Drivers for better bass, clear sound, and a 360° Spatial audio effect. The design of the Buds T310 will be similar to the Buds T300, with a long stem and a compact charging case.
They are expected to be lightweight and will support gaming mode, AAC codec, and fast charging. They will offer up to 40 hours of playback and are rated IP55 for water and dust resistance.
The realme Buds T300 was priced at Rs. 2,299, so the Buds T310 will likely be priced similarly. After the launch, the realme Buds T310 will be available on realme.com, Flipkart, and in offline stores.
In other news, Boat has launched the Airdopes Alpha Deadpool Edition TWS earbuds, featuring a striking red and black design with Deadpool and Wolverine branding. These earbuds come in a custom box with Marvel Studios and Deadpool branding on the charging case, which has a USB Type-C port. The earbuds are priced at Rs. 1,099 on Flipkart and Rs. 999 on boAt’s official website.
Following the December 2023 launch of the Redmi 13C 5G, Xiaomi appears to be prepping its successor, the Redmi 14C 5G. Now, MySmartPrice has spotted the phone’s model numbers, 24108PCE21 and 2411DRN47I, on the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification website.
The listing itself offers no concrete details about the phone’s specifications. However, it does raise an interesting possibility. The listing also includes the “POCO” brand name alongside Redmi.
So the Redmi 14C 5G might be rebranded as a POCO device in some markets, mirroring Xiaomi’s usual strategy of offering similar phones under different sub-brands.
This isn’t the first time the Redmi 14C 5G has piqued our curiosity. The phone has already been spotted in the IMEI database listings with four distinct model numbers: “2411DRN47G,” “2411DRN47R,” “2411DRN47I,” and “2411DRN47C.”
The suffixes likely denote regional variations, with “G” possibly signifying a global model, “R” for Japan, “I” for India, and “C” for China. These listings hint at a widespread launch strategy for the Redmi 14C 5G.
Despite the mounting evidence, Xiaomi remains tight-lipped about the upcoming budget phone. While the BIS certification suggests an imminent launch, particularly in India, no official details regarding specifications, pricing, or release date have been revealed.
However, given the increased activity surrounding the phone, it’s reasonable to expect more information to emerge in the coming days. For budget-conscious smartphone buyers looking for a 5G option, the Redmi 14C 5G is shaping up to be a potential contender. We’ll continue to monitor the situation and update you on it as new details become available.
Yesterday, the promotional material of the entire Pixel 9 series leaked out revealing key details. Now, the same source has dropped new renders of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. It reveals the foldable phone’s color options and also gives us a clear look at the device. The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is set to arrive as the successor to the Pixel Fold that debuted in 2022. The search giant seems to have made plenty of changes to the upcoming offering.
Pixel 9 Pro Fold leaked renders reveal design and color options
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold looks like a proper foldable device compared to its predecessor which had a wider aspect ratio. In fact, the external screen is taller and looks more like a slab phone. It has a centre-aligned punch-hole cutout and symmetrical bezels on all sides. The internal screen is also surrounded by symmetrical bezels. The punch-hole cutout for the selfie snapper is at the top right corner.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold has rounded corners that should offer a better grip in hands. The back panel is seen with a rectangular camera island that has two pill-shaped cutouts accommodating three sensors and an LED flash unit outside. The volume rocker and power buttons are located on the right edge. The leaked renders reveal the upcoming foldable in Obsidian and Porcelain colors.
As per the leaked promo material, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is expected to feature a 6.3-inch external and a large 8-inch internal Super Actua display. The camera setup will comprise a 48MP main, 10.5MP ultra-wide, and 10.8MP telephoto sensors. The device will be powered by a Tensor G4 chipset coupled with 16GB RAM and is confirmed to come with Gemini AI.
POCO has launched a new limited edition of its POCO F6 smartphone in India, just in time for the release of the Deadpool and Wolverine movie. The POCO F6 Deadpool Limited Edition features a bold red design with Deadpool and Wolverine images on the back, and the Deadpool logo on the flash area.
The phone comes in a special box with a premium feel and includes a charger with a Deadpool sticker and a SIM ejector tool shaped like Deadpool’s mask. The casing also has slogans that fans of Deadpool will recognize, though there are no custom themes or wallpapers.
POCO F6 Deadpool & Wolverine edition specs:
The POCO F6 Deadpool Edition shares the same specs as the original POCO F6 launched earlier this year. It has a 6.7-inch 1.5K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 2400 nits of brightness. The display supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision and is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
The phone is powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor with an Adreno 735 GPU and comes with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. It has a 50MP rear camera with a Sony IMX882 sensor an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 20MP front camera.
Other features include an in-display fingerprint sensor, USB Type-C audio, stereo speakers, and Dolby Atmos. It supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and has a 5000mAh battery with 90W fast charging.
Pricing & availability
The POCO F6 Deadpool Edition will be available exclusively on Flipkart from August 7th, priced at ₹29,999. Please note that only 3000 units of this limited edition device will be sold.
Honor has launched a new smartphone in China. It is the Honor X60i and arrives as the successor to last year’s Honor X50i. The latest offering packs incremental upgrades over its predecessors including a new design, larger battery, and a better display. Read on to know what the device offers out of the box.
Honor X60i specifications and features
The Honor X60i comes with an OLED display measuring 6.7-inches and bearing an FHD+ resolution. It features an integrated fingerprint scanner, 2,000 nits peak brightness, and a 90Hz refresh rate. There is a pill-shaped cutout with symmetrical bezels on all sides. It works similar to Dynamic Island by displaying notifications and more. The device has a square camera module on the back panel with a subtle Huawei Pura-series-like look. It is IP64-certified dust and water-resistant.
On the imaging front, the Honor X60i has a 50MP main and 2MP macro rear camera setup. There is an 8MP front-facing selfie snapper. There’s AI Elimination feature that removes any unwanted objects from the images.
Internally, a MediaTek Dimensity 6080 processor keeps the Honor X60i running. It packs up to 12GB RAM and 512GB internal storage. There is also virtual RAM for smooth performance. The device is draws its power from a 5,000mAh battert unit with support for 35W fast charging.
The Honor X60i is offered in Coral Purple, Cloud Blue, Moon Shadow White, and Magic Night Black colors. As for pricing, it starts at CNY 1,399 for the base 8GB + 256GB variant. The 12GB + 256GB and 12GB + 512GB RAM and storage configurations cost CNY 1,599 and CNY 1,799 respectively. The smartphone will be available for purchase from the brand’s official website and JD.com starting August 2.
To be honest, the Xiaomi MIX Fold 4 is a premium model, and expensive as well, so it must have something to convince users to buy it. So, does it? In short, I believe it does. It manages to cram a big battery, wireless charging, and four cameras into a body that is less than 5 mm thick (unfolded). There is no second foldable phone in the world that can do this. This is supposed to be the best phone that Xiaomi has ever made with its cutting-edge tech. Could it be the best foldable phone of 2024? Let’s check it out.
If you are reading this article or watching the review video to the end and really think the MIX Fold 4 is very much to your liking, then buying it from GEEKWILLS is your best option. Since MIX Fold 3 was not released globally, MIX Fold 4 may not either. So getting the Chinese version early is the right thing to do.
Numbers always stay on the surface, maybe you don’t have a clear idea of how thin the less than 5mm MIX Fold 4 really is. Then I will put it this way: if you plug the charging cable into the USB-C port, you’ll realize that the plug is even thicker than the body.
Everyone should have some keys, right? Put one next to the MIX Fold 4 and you’ll realize they’re actually about the same in terms of thickness. So this is the MIX Fold 4, one of the thinnest foldable phones in the world. There shouldn’t be any phone much thinner than it in the future, after all, there’s no way to make the USB-C port any smaller.
It also manages to be extremely light. Anyway, when you use it folded, it’s really very close to the experience of a normal phone. The rest of the features are pretty much the same as most foldable phones, with IR emitter, NFC, and side fingerprint recognition. The USB specs are the same as the MIX Fold 3, which is 3.2 Gen 1.
Of course, there is nothing perfect in the world. The camera module bulges out quite a lot, as you have to cram in four cameras. The Fold 4’s two speakers are placed diagonally, meaning that no matter how you hold the phone, your hand will always block one of them, which is a bit annoying. The tightly shut hinge and rounded frame make it incredibly slippery. Plus, it’s just so thin. If you are not being careful when you unfold it, you may have to pay a heavy price.
Hinges
Because it got thinner, the hinges got smaller. And since the hinges have gotten smaller, the creases have gotten deeper. If you’re the type of person who cares a lot about creases, then the MIX Fold 4 might drive you crazy. The center area would be rarely touched in everyday use, and it’s only noticeable when you look at it sideways. So I personally don’t care much about that.
Thanks to the hinge material and craftsmanship upgrades, the MIX Fold 4 opens and closes much more smoothly. It’s also more stable when hovering at any angle. The carbon fiber version I have also has a certain textured finish on the hinge area. Here again, I recommend this colorway, it’s really nice and silky smooth, and I love it so much.
Display
There’s not much to say about the screen. No unacceptable drawbacks, except for the more noticeable creases we just mentioned. The specs are not much of an upgrade over the Fold 3, and all the features that should be there are there. The look and feel of the inner and outer screens are also in line, even if they come from different manufacturers.
The protective glass of the outer screen is made of Xiaomi’s latest Dragon Ceramic Guard glass, and the top and bottom are also curved. Overall, they are still two excellent screens, just not particularly impressive.
Performance & Gaming
The processor in the MIX Fold 4 is still the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Benchmark scores will be a little lower than a regular 8 Gen 3 phone. Considering how thin it is, it makes sense. Unsurprisingly, in the heavy gaming test MIX Fold 4 screwed up.
It’s clear that the gaming experience isn’t as good as the previous generation. The reason for this is also simple, just look at the power consumption and temperature, and you can see that the 8 Gen 3 wasn’t able to play at full strength because it was too hot.
But also for the same reason, the heat dissipates very quickly. Check out this curve bump, I just put it on my desk for a few seconds to measure the temperature, and its gaming frame rate recovers quickly. With the help of a phone cooler, maybe its gaming experience can reach the next level.
Anyway, if you often play big games on your phone, then MIX Fold 4 is not for you. Or maybe all foldable phones are not for you, so let’s not be too harsh on Xiaomi either.
Camera
Although the MIX Fold 4 has four cameras like the MIX Fold 3. Unfortunately, the 3.2x telephoto lens of the 3 has been replaced with a 2x standard lens. so the focal length coverage of the MIX Fold 4 is not as wide as its predecessor.
The good news is that the imaging quality of this lens is better, with a higher amount of pixels. Combined with the fact that this sensor supports In-Sensor Zoom, 4x zoom is actually not a problem for the Fold 4. There is no noticeable loss of clarity in good lighting conditions. Even with the help of AI, it will be clearer when zoomed in on some specific environments. And it’s the only lens that supports the macro zoom feature, which creates beautiful photos in the right scene. Overall this camera is great, but there is one big downside to this 2x camera: there is no Optical Image Stabilization.
when the light is bad, even photos taken at the 46mm native focal length can be blurry. Even an expert photographer can’t guarantee that every photo will be clear. So I still prefer the telephoto camera of MIX Fold 3, at least the night shooting experience will be much better.
The other three cameras are among the best in foldable phones. Pretty much the same as the previous generation, I’m very satisfied with every single photo. Because there is not much sharpening effect, the photos all look very natural. Unlike the 14 Ultra, the MIX Fold 4’s colors are a little less saturated in Leica AUTHENTIC mode. So whether to take photos with Leica AUTHENTIC or the VIBRANT, has to be decided by your own experience.
Battery & Charging
Because of the increased battery capacity, the battery life will be improved. You can’t avoid charging twice a day if you use the inner screen frequently. The wired charging power is still 67W, and since the battery has gotten a little bigger, the charging speed doesn’t look as good as the MIX Fold 3. The charging time is close to an hour, it is on the slow side nowadays, and it is something that the MIX Fold 5 will need to address.
Conclusion
So, it’s true that the MIX Fold 4 is a great foldable phone. It’s just that it’s not as much of an improvement over the MIX Fold 3 as I thought it would be. It has become lighter and thinner, and not much else has changed. A lot of the software has not been optimized for it either, and it’s exactly the same as last year.
Again, every phone has its target audience. I’m sure a lot of people who care about weight and thickness will like the MIX Fold 4 a lot. At least the price has not gone up, and it’s still one of the best options for most people.
Xiaomi continues to expand its foldable smartphone family. The latest additions to their lineup are Mix Fold 4 and Mix Flip, which stand out with their design, features, and performance.
Until now, we’ve seen numerous foldable smartphone models from Xiaomi as well as competitors like Samsung, OPPO, and Huawei. However, most of these have been bulky devices with usability issues.
Fortunately, Xiaomi is addressing this by introducing a foldable phone that you will genuinely want to use. So what makes Xiaomi Mix Fold 4 so special? Here are the details…
What Makes Xiaomi Mix Fold 4 Special?
If you’ve ever held a foldable smartphone, you already know the biggest issue with these devices. While they are engineering marvels and perform well in tablet mode, the situation changes when they are folded.
Most are thick, heavy, and not ergonomic. Additionally, when folded, the outer display frames make them resemble early Android smartphones from 2014.
As one of the world’s thinnest foldable smartphones, the Xiaomi Mix Fold 4, has a thickness of just 4.59 mm at its thinnest point when unfolded. When folded, this thickness increases to 9.47 mm.
To put this into perspective, the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which many find quite ergonomic despite its size, is 8.25 mm thick, and the Galaxy S24 Ultra is 8.6 mm thick. This means that even when folded, the Mix Fold 4 is nearly the same thickness as these two phones.
This makes it not just an intriguing model but also a truly usable product, unlike many of its competitors on the market.
Moreover, this thickness, combined with a 6.56-inch AMOLED panel with a screen-to-body ratio of 86.07%, results in a smartphone that can be comfortably used with one hand even when folded, unlike many of its competitors. Additionally, weighing in at just 226 grams, it is also lighter than the S24 Ultra.
Xiaomi’s MIX Fold 4 has some design differences compared to the previous model. The most notable change is the more oval-shaped rear camera island. On the side, the power button, which also functions as a fingerprint scanner, stands out.
To maintain the aforementioned thinness, Xiaomi chose not to use an under-display fingerprint reader. Additionally, to reduce weight, the T800H high-strength carbon fiber architecture has been utilized. Xiaomi claims that the hinge can withstand 500,000 folds.
Despite this, the device is IPX8 certified. The external display of the Xiaomi MIX Fold 4 is 6.56 inches and features curved edges on all four sides. The internal display is 7.98 inches and offers 2K resolution. Both screens support a 120 Hz refresh rate, 3000 nits peak brightness level, and Dolby Vision.
The Xiaomi MIX Fold 4 comes with a quad rear camera setup co-engineered with Leica. The 50 MP main camera is accompanied by a 12 MP ultra-wide camera, a 50 MP portrait telephoto camera with 2x zoom, and a 50 MP periscope camera with 5x zoom. The phone offers up to 16 GB of RAM (LPDDR5x) and up to 1 TB of storage (UFS 4.0).
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, this foldable phone is equipped with a 5100 mAh battery, supporting 67W wired and 50W wireless charging. Lastly, it features an integrated ultra-thin VC system for heat dissipation. The Xiaomi MIX Fold 4 is available in black, white, and blue color options.
Samsung has started One UI tests of the Galaxy W25, and this suggests that the foldable device will be unveiled in the near future. There are great expectations for the device spotted on Samsung OTA servers. The Galaxy W25 will only be available in the Chinese market, and that’s one of the things that makes it special. Gizmochina has spotted that Samsung has started One UI tests of the Galaxy W25.
Galaxy W25 One UI Test
Galaxy W25 (Z Fold6 Slim) has passed the One UI software test twice so far. The spotted software has the build number W9025ZCU0AXG7/W9025CHC0AXG7/W9025ZCU0AXG7. The fact that the device has only been tested twice shows that it is still under development.
The Z Fold 6 Slim will only be available in China and Korea. The device will have different names when sold in these regions. In the Chinese market, it will be sold under the model number “SM-W9025” and the name Galaxy W25. In the Korean market, it will have the model number “SM-F958N”. The foldable device will be called “Z Fold 6 Slim” or “Z Fold 6 Ultra” in Korea. Although the device has different names depending on the region, the common internal codename will be “Q6A”.
Z Fold 6 Slim will be even thinner than previous models, as the name suggests. Samsung’s thinnest foldable phone to date is the Z Fold 6. The Z Fold 6 has a thickness of 5.6 mm when unfolded. In folded form, it can reach 12.1 mm thick. Z Fold 6 Slim will be even thinner than this thickness.
The Z Fold 6 Slim’s external display may come with an aspect ratio of 19.5:9. This aspect ratio is the same as the last flagship Galaxy S24 Ultra. This suggests that it may have a different aspect ratio than previous Fold models. It is also among the leaks that the outer screen has a 6.5-inch size and the inner screen has an 8-inch size.
We don’t have clear information about when the Z Fold 6 Slim will be released. Z Fold 6 Slim may be introduced with the Galaxy Tab S10 series in October.
Xiaomi‘s first foray into vertical foldable, the Mix Flip, is officially crossing international waters. After years of the flagship Mix Fold remaining China-exclusive, the Mix Flip will be the company’s first foldable to debut in the European market.
This launch was confirmed by Nikolai Nankov, Xiaomi’s Bulgarian country manager, in an interview with Mobile Bulgaria magazine. Nankov announced that the Mix Flip would debut in Eastern Europe in the next few weeks, with sales starting after August 15, 2024. He also mentioned that the price would be around 2,600 Bulgarian Lev, or approximately €1,300.
Xiaomi Mix Flip Specifications
The Mix Flip boasts a 6.9-inch foldable OLED main display capable of reaching a peak brightness of 3000 nits and a refresh rate of 120 Hz. Its exterior features a smaller, four-inch cover display that integrates the dual rear cameras. Xiaomi says you can use the external display for various tasks without having to unfold the phone.
Powering the device is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, its current best SoC. The camera system comprises a 50-megapixel main sensor with phase detection autofocus and optical image stabilization, as well as a 50-megapixel telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom.
To cater to users’ needs, Xiaomi has equipped the Mix Flip with a substantial 4,800mAh battery. While the company offers three storage configurations in China – 12GB or 16GB of RAM paired with 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of internal storage – it remains unclear which options will be available in the European market.
Xiaomi’s entry into the global foldable smartphone market with the Mix Flip offers an exciting alternative for consumers. However, with a price tag of €1,300, Xiaomi will face tough competition from established players like Samsung and Motorola, who have already secured a strong presence in the foldable market globally.
Oppo is expected to launch the Find X8 line of smartphones in the fourth quarter of 2024. Although the company hasn’t officially disclosed details about the phones, rumors have been circulating. Adding to these speculations, reliable tipster Digital Chat Station (DCS) revealed some interesting features of the lineup today.
According to DCS’s post on Weibo, the Find X8 series will include Oppo’s Live Photos feature, which was first introduced with the Reno 12 series.
It’s similar to Apple’s Live Photos, capturing a burst of moments just before and after the shutter is pressed, creating a short video clip within the still image. These Live Photos can then be shared directly on social media platforms, a feature not commonly available on most Android phones at the moment.
More intriguing, however, is DCS claim that the Find X8 lineup would even support Apple’s Airdrop. The tip suggests that the Find X8 series might enable seamless two-way file sharing between Oppo devices and iPhones. If Oppo successfully implements this feature, it could be a compelling reason for iPhone users to consider switching to Android.
Oppo Find X8 and X8 Pro Specifications
As for the specs of the phone, previous reports have revealed that the Find X8 and Pro will be powered by a Dimensity 9400 processor.
The display is rumored to be an OLED panel with 1.5K resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. But it could be a flat display for the Find X8 while the Pro variant may house a curved-edge screen.
For the cameras, we are expecting a triple unit on the rear including a 3X periscope telephoto lens and Hasselblad tuning. The main camera is likely to be a 50MP Sony sensor with a large 1/1.4″ size. Oppo may also introduce a new image-processing algorithm to improve camera performance.
First up, Xiaomi’s foldables might make you unfold your wallet a bit wider than expected. The Mix Fold 4 and Mix Flip are turning heads, but their repair costs might make your head spin! We’ve got the breakdown on what it’ll cost to keep these cutting-edge devices in tip-top shape.
But wait, there’s more! Nothing’s cooking up something extra with their Phone (2a) Plus. They’re teaming up with MediaTek for a chip that’s anything but nothing.
Meanwhile, October’s looking spicy with the potential unveiling of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4. And finally, Google’s not letting the foldable party pass them by. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is flexing some serious screen muscle, catching up to the competition.
All the juicy details on these stories are in today’s roundup below.
Xiaomi has unveiled the out-of-warranty repair costs for its recently launched foldable smartphones, the Mix Fold 4 and Mix Flip. While the devices have garnered significant attention for their innovative designs and cutting-edge technology, the price tags for replacing damaged components might give consumers pause.
We shared with you the news about the upcoming Plus model of Nothing Phone (2a) back in April. Now, Nothing just posted a new teaser on Twitter. It has been confirmed that the upcoming Nothing Phone (2a) Plus will feature the MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro chip.
As leaks about the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 keep rolling in, Qualcomm‘s date for their upcoming Snapdragon Summit might have just been revealed. A recent post on a Chinese tech blog revealed that Qualcomm’s next Snapdragon Summit will be held on October 21.
The Google Pixel 9 series launches next month on August 13th, and alongside the standard models, Google will debut the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Fresh new details about the foldable have now surfaced online.
In a tit-for-tat move, Taiwanese chipmaker MediaTek and its subsidiaries HFI Innovation and MTK Wireless have filed a lawsuit against Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. before the High Court of Justice for England and Wales.
The lawsuit, which remains under seal, comes just days after MediaTek disclosed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange that it was the target of a patent infringement action by Huawei in China.
Details surrounding the specific technologies at stake in both lawsuits remain undisclosed. However, sources familiar with the matter confirmed to Intellectual Asset Management (IAM) that both cases involve patents related to cellular communication technologies.
The dispute reportedly stems from failed negotiations over a component-level licensing agreement, which collapsed after three years of talks, according to Chinese media reports.
Huawei is reportedly pursuing a licensing approach that deviates from the standard licensing approach for cellular Standard Essential Patents (SEPs).
Traditionally, SEP licensing focuses on end products like smartphones. However, Huawei appears to be pursuing a component-level licensing strategy, targeting chipsets directly.
The company’s rationale behind this shift remains unclear. But one anonymous lawyer told IAM that “given that both parties are 5G chip manufacturers there could be a business strategic reason behind this art of war”.
Meanwhile, a Chinese media outlet suggests that Huawei’s shift towards component-level licensing could be a strategy to shift royalty fee pressure from major phone manufacturers like itself and Samsung to chipmakers such as MediaTek and Qualcomm. This could potentially allow Huawei to offer more competitive device pricing.
An anonymous patent expert commented that the dispute might also be a “signal to Qualcomm that it is ready to collect royalties from it even if it may not do so immediately”. US sanctions currently restrict Qualcomm’s ability to sell advanced chips to Huawei, but the situation could change.
A research team led by the Institute of High Energy Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has made a breakthrough discovery. They identified a gamma-ray spectrum line with an energy of up to 37 MeV, the highest ever observed from a celestial object. This finding, published in the journal “Science China: Physics, Mechanics and Astronomy,” sheds new light on the mysteries of gamma-ray bursts and relativistic jets.
Researchers identified a gamma-ray spectrum line with an energy of up to 37 MeV,
The groundbreaking discovery was made by analyzing data from the Polar Space Telescope and the Fermi satellite. The observed spectrum line not only boasts record-breaking energy but also exhibits a unique power-law evolution in both energy and luminosity.
This significant achievement offers crucial clues for scientists to unravel the secrets of gamma-ray bursts and the powerful jets associated with them. It marks a major milestone in the field of gamma-ray burst research and paves the way for further exploration of these celestial phenomena.
TP-Link has unveiled the Archer BE3600, its first Wi-Fi 7 router aimed at overseas markets. This router boasts a sleek design with four external antennas and efficient heat dissipation. Currently available only on Walmartfor $99.99 (around ¥727), The Verge claims that the Archer BE3600 as the most affordable Wi-Fi 7 router in the US market.
The TP-Link router is also compatible with the EasyMesh networking standard
The Archer BE3600 features a powerful quad-core CPU for smooth operation. It boasts a 2.5Gbps WAN port, a 2.5Gbps LAN port for ultrafast wired connections, and three additional Gigabit LAN ports. A USB 3.0 port allows for easy connection of storage devices.
The Archer BE3600 offers dual-band Wi-Fi 7 with speeds of 688 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 2882 Mbps on the 5GHz band, reaching a total of 3570 Mbps. Additionally, it supports key Wi-Fi 7 features like MLO, 4K QAM, and Multi-RU, ensuring a future-proof experience. This router is also compatible with the EasyMesh networking standard for seamless mesh network integration.
This router positions itself as an attractive option for users seeking to upgrade to Wi-Fi 7 technology at a competitive price point.
Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, is facing its first antitrust fine from the European Union. The tech giant is accused of bundling its classified advertising service, Facebook Marketplace, with its main social network platform, giving Marketplace an unfair advantage.
The fine could be huge, up to $13.4 billion
The European Commission alleges that Meta abused its dominant market position by imposing unfavorable conditions on competing online classified ad services that advertise on Facebook or Instagram. This practice, according to the EU, stifled competition.
Meta could face a hefty fine of up to $13.4 billion, representing 10% of its 2023 global revenue. The company has denied the allegations, maintaining that its actions benefit consumers and promote competition.
The EU Commission is expected to make a final decision in the coming months, with a potential fine to be issued before the departure of EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager in November.
Xiaomi has unveiled its latest air conditioner, the Mijia Air Conditioner Natural Wind Pro, in a new simple white color. This model boasts a super-first-class energy efficiency rating, thanks to a new generation compressor and a double-row condenser.
The air conditioner will support Xiaomi’s Pengpai Zhilian ecosystem.
The air conditioner is equipped with Xiaomi’s Lingyun intelligent control engine, enabling features like ultra-fast temperature control and vibration suppression. Notably, it supports Xiaomi’s Pengpai Zhilian ecosystem, allowing for control via the Mi Home app and Xiao Ai voice assistant.
Priced at 2,999 yuan, the Mijia Air Conditioner Natural Wind Pro Simple White Edition is now available for purchase. While specific configurations mirror the previously released silver-gray model, the new white variant offers a fresh aesthetic while maintaining the product’s core features.
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