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Boat Airdopes Alpha Deadpool Edition earbuds launched in India for Rs 999

Indian electronics manufacturer Boat has joined the Deadpool and Wolverine bandwagon with the launch of the Airdopes Alpha Deadpool Edition TWS earbuds. The Boat Airdopes Alpha earbuds were initially launched last year.

boAt Airdopes Alpha Deadpool Edition

The Airdopes Alpha Deadpool Edition has a striking design. The earbuds come in a custom box with Deadpool and Wolverine on the front and an image of Deadpool on the back. The charging case also features Marvel Studios and Deadpool branding, with a USB Type-C port at the bottom. The earbuds are available in a red and black color scheme, with Deadpool’s insignia on one earbud and the boAt logo on the other.

Features and Performance

boAt Airdopes Alpha Deadpool Edition

These earbuds are equipped with a 13mm driver that delivers Boat’s signature sound quality. They offer up to 35 hours of playback time on a single charge. The ASAPTM Charge technology allows for 60 minutes of playback with just a 5-minute charge. The earbuds also come with dual microphones featuring ENXTM technology for clear calls, Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity for a stable connection, and Beast Mode with 50ms low latency for a better gaming experience.

Price and Availability

The boAt Airdopes Alpha Deadpool Edition is priced at Rs. 1,099 on Flipkart and Rs. 999 on boAt’s official website.

In related news, POCO is also gearing up to launch the POCO F6 Deadpool Limited Edition smartphone in India on July 26. This special edition device will come with a crimson-red paint job and a yellow-colored Poco logo.

Nubia Z60 Ultra Leading Version launched with a special texture on the back

As scheduled, Nubia has launched a refreshed version of the Nubia Z60 Ultra, which was launched back in December last year with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset.

The Nubia Z60 Ultra Leading Version comes in two color options – Black and Silver. You can get a better idea of the appearance from the images below

While the Black color option comes with a 1.15mm grating racing pattern and 25μm micro-etching process, the Silver variant is equipped with 5μm micro-ice crystal etching and 25μm micro-etching process. Just like the regular version, the phone offers a sliding button on the side. This button offers a number of controls including triggering the camera.

The phone comes with a boxy design that is very similar to the original version with minor changes to the camera island. Speaking of cameras, the phone packs a 50MP (1/1.49″) f/1.59 main camera with a 16+6P lens that offers a focal length equivalent to 35mm. This is paired with another 50MP 1/1.55″ sensor for the ultrawide (with 7P aspherical lens) and a 64MP (1/2″) sensor for the 85mm equivalent (3.3x) telephoto. All three cameras on the back support OIS.

On the front. there is a 6.8-inch 2.5D flexible 120Hz AMOLED screen with 400 PPI pixel density. This panel reaches a peak brightness of 1500 nits, covers 100% DCI-P3 wide color gamut, and supports 2160Hz high-frequency PWM dimming.

The “Leading Version” phone is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip (same as the original version). This is paired with LPDDR5X RAM + UFS 4.0 storage. The phone packs a 6000mAh battery that has an energy density of 750Wh/L. This energy density is said to be a 16% increase compared to standard graphite anode batteries.

Pricing and availability:

The phone is globally available for $649 (8GB + 256GB) through the company’s official website. The 12GB + 256GB, 16GB + 512GB, and the 16GB + 1TB versions are priced at $699, $779, and $879 respectively.

(Source | Via)

Redmi K70 Ultra Review: Yes, it disrupted the market again

I saw the Xiaomi launch event last week, which was hosted by Lei Jun. Obviously, the K70 Ultra is not the top performer. However, I believe many people are more interested in this model than the other two foldable smartphones. Of course, we will look at those two foldable phones later. For the time being, let us look at this high-performance machine that costs less than $360.

In the future, the K70 Ultra’s cameras may be upgraded and marketed globally as the Xiaomi 14T Pro. If you want to get your hands on this phone early or do not want to spend more money on the camera, go to Geekwills.com. The K70 Ultra is selling well.

WHERE TO BUY
Buy on GEEKWILLS from $429

Unboxing

The phone still comes with the most basic components, like the SIM card pin and instructions. The phone case is still made from frosted silicone. The charger is 120W and still features a USB-A connector. The cable is also USB A to C, which makes sense.

The charging protocol is as shown in the picture and is unchanged compared to previous Redmi phones.

Design

The design of the K70 Ultra still carries the gene of the K70 series, with the four cameras placed in the upper left corner. The lenses have gone from round to round rectangles. The power button has a non-slip finish. And the weight has slightly increased, presumably due to the larger battery capacity.

Other than that, it’s pretty much unchanged, with the same metal frame and glass back. There are no other features missing, but of course, the drawbacks are the same. Oh, I almost forgot, the K70 Ultra is probably the only phone in this price range that has IP68 dust and water resistance. That’s why it’s called Ultra, I guess.

Display

The K70 Ultra’s screen has an OLED panel from TCL. There are downgrades and upgrades compared to the K70 Pro. The Ultra’s resolution has been downgraded from 1440p to 1200p, the K60 Ultra did the same thing last year so I wasn’t too surprised.

The upgrades are in the brightness, which can be adjusted manually to 700nit and up to 1600nit in sunlight. The conditions for switching dimming modes have changed, with a switch to high-frequency PWM dimming only when it’s below 60nit. Moreover, the lower bezel has been further narrowed and is almost as narrow as many curved-screen phones. From a distance, you might think it’s a very expensive phone.

Some of you may complain that it doesn’t support LTPO, so check out the Realme GT6 China Edition that we reviewed a few days ago, that phone might be better for you.

Performance & Gaming

One of the key reasons for the K70 Ultra’s low price is that MediaTek’s CPUs are less expensive than Qualcomm’s. The Dimensity 9300+ is not the most expensive option, but it delivers some of the best performance in the phone’s SOC. There is little doubt that the score is somewhat higher than the eight Gen 3 phones. I have to say, even though I knew this CPU was fantastic, the K70 Ultra still surprised me.

I haven’t seen a frame rate graph that straight in a long time. And the best part is that it’s still very low in temperature and power consumption. I don’t know if it’s Redmi that’s awesome or MediaTek that’s insane, but anyway, it’s the best gaming experience I’ve had with a phone lately. And it’s also cheaper. So there is no reason for gamers not to pick this one.

It’s worth noting that the K70 Ultra also comes with the display chip D1 this time around, which boosts the resolution, and the latency of frame interpolation. I also didn’t find any images being torn down due to frame insertion, so turning on these features does improve the gaming experience significantly. Of course, that depends on whether the game you’re playing supports these features.

For example, Zenless Zero does not have the option of interpolation and resolution enhancement. However, with the excellent performance of Dimensity 9300+, it can provide an excellent gaming experience even without these features. As long as it conquers these two games from HoYoverse, other games will be a piece of cake.

Camera

The three cameras on the K70 Ultra are a 50 MP main camera, an 8 MP ultra-wide camera, and a 2 MP macro camera. Compared to other phones in the same price range, there isn’t much difference in image quality.

Most of the photographs captured with the main camera are outstanding. The dynamic range and saturation are perfectly balanced, and the clarity is excellent. Personally, I believe that the K70 Ultra’s main camera is on par with Xiaomi’s sub-flagship. Compared to other mid-range phones, the 8 MP ultra-wide camera performs poorly at night. Especially the image quality around the edges. I assumed I had not wiped the lens clean.

The 2 MP macro camera is mostly useless. The resolution is so low, that the photos cropped with the main camera are better than those taken with the macro camera. The main camera also has a slight purple-fringing issue. The video stabilization is also average, and only the main camera can record 4K video.

The rest is nothing to complain about; after all, the processor accounts for the majority of the budget.

Battery & Charging

I expected the K70 Ultra’s 5500mAh battery to not surprise us much, given that the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro has 6100mAh. However, the battery life is actually rather good, comparable to the GT6 China edition, and somewhat exceeds our expectations. It also has 120W wired charging, which takes roughly half an hour to fully charge the battery. Overall, I would rate the K70 Ultra an eight out of 10 for its charging and battery life performance.

Verdict

We’ve recently reviewed a lot of phones in the same price range, which one do you guys prefer?

Is it the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro with a 6100mAh battery? Is it the Realme GT6 China Edition, which is a more versatile performer? Maybe the cheaper K70 Ultra is more appealing to you? Anyway, they all have their own unique features, and they’re all pretty much worth buying for.

If you’d like to watch a battle between them, don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel. The K70 Ultra is also currently available on Geekwills, which you can check out by clicking the link below.

WHERE TO BUY
Buy on GEEKWILLS from $429

Realme Narzo N61 India launch date revealed: ArmorShell design & IP54 rating teased

Chinese smartphone maker, Realme, has just announced a launch date for a new Narzo smartphone. The device in question is the Narzo N61, which is likely the brand’s latest budget phone. This model is set to launch next week, so here’s everything we know so far.

Realme Narzo N61 India Launch Date

The company announced that the Narzo N61 will be launched in India on 29th July 2024 at noon. Realme did not reveal finer details of this phone like its specs and features. Although, the brand shared teasers that offer us a look at its design. The rear packs a dual camera setup that includes a 32-megapixel primary camera. The Narzo N61 also has an IP54 rating for water and dust protection.

Realme Narzo N61

Realme is also bringing the Rainwater Smart Touch feature, which lets you use the handset even with wet hands. Adding to its protection, the N61 has ArmorShell protection with TUV Rheinland High Reliability Certification. Just last month, the Realme announced the Narzo N63 with a vegan leather back and an affordable 7,999 INR price tag. So it is likely that the Narzo N61 will also have a similar sub 10,000 INR price tag.

To recall, the Narzo N63 sports a tall 6.74-inch IPS LCD panel that offers an HD+ resolution and 90Hz refresh rate. It is equipped with the UNISOC T612 SoC, which is paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. A large 5,000mAh battery pack powers this device, which supports 45W wired fast charging. It runs on the Android 14 OS out of the box. For optics, you get a 50-megapixel primary camera and a depth sensor on the rear, while the front houses an 8-megapixel selfie shooter. We can expect the Narzo N61 to have comparable hardware.

Xiaomi 14 Civi Limited Edition with Panda Design to launch in India on July 29

The Xiaomi 14 Civi was announced in India back in June. Now, the company has announced that this device is arriving in a Limited Edition variant in the region. Xiaomi has revealed that the Xiaomi 14 Civi Limited Edition with the Panda Design is dropping in India next week.

Xiaomi 14 Civi Limited Edition India Launch

The special variant was previously teased to launch in India, and the Chinese tech giant finally confirmed its release date earlier today (24th July 2024). Xiaomi 14 Civi with a new Panda design is set to launch on July 29. The company has revealed that the devices will come in new mirror glass and vegan leather version, Pink, Monochrome, and Blue editions.

Storage configurations of this limited edition smartphone are still unclear, but we can expect it to arrive in the top end 12GB + 512GB option. However, apart from its design, it will have features identical to those of the base Xiaomi 14 Civi. So the upcoming limited edition will sport a 6.55-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, 1.5K resolution, and up to 3000 nits of peak brightness.

Under the hood, the Xiaomi 14 Civi is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 SoC. A 4,700mAh battery pack powers this device, which supports 67W wired fast charging. For optics, you get a 50-megapixel triple camera setup on the rear and a 32-megapixel shooter for selfies and video calls.

The device runs on the Android 14 OS based HyperOS custom skin out of the box. Other notable features include an in-display fingerprint scanner, infrared sensor, Hi-Res audio, Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, and dual SIM support.

Realme P1 vs Redmi Note 13

Realme P1 vs Redmi Note 13

Realme P1: April 15, 2024

Redmi Note 13: January 10, 2024

SPECS TABLE

Realme P1Redmi Note 13
Price$192$179
Display6.67-inch AMOLED screen6.67-inch AMOLED screen
Refresh rate1 – 120Hz adaptive1 – 120Hz adaptive
Rear cameras50MP wide (f/1.8), 2MP depth (f/2.2).108MP wide (f/1.8), 8MP ultrawide (f/2.2), 2MP depth (f/2.4).
Front camera16MP (f/2.5)16MP (f/2.4)
ChipsetMediaTek Dimensity 7050MediaTek Dimensity 6080
RAM6GB, 8GB8GB, 12GB
Storage128GB, 256B128GB, 256GB
Battery5000 mAh5000 mAh
Charging45W wired33W wired
Water/dust resistanceIP54IP54
Size163 x 75.5 x 8 mm (6.42 x 2.97 x 0.31 in)161.1 x 75 x 7.6 mm (6.34 x 2.95 x 0.30 in)
Weight188g (6.63 ounces)174.5g (6.14 ounces)
ColoursPhoenix Red, Peacock GreenGraphite black (Stealth Black), Arctic White, Ocean Teal, Prism Gold

Is the Poco X6 Neo a worthy competitor against the newer Realme P1? Are you out shopping for a new device but are having troubles picking between which of these devices that you should purchase? These kinds of things can be quite challenging, but with this article, we’ll closely look at the specifications and features of these devices to help you with your purchase choice.

Realme P1 vs Redmi Note 13: Price

Realme P1
Redmi Note 13
realme P1 5G (Phonix Red, 6GB RAM, 128GB Storage)
Redmi Note 13 5G (Arctic White, 6GB RAM, 128GB Storage) | 5G Ready | 120Hz Bezel-Less AMOLED | 7.mm Slimmest Note Ever | 108MP Pro-Grade Camera
₹ 15,999
₹ 16,999
Realme P1
realme P1 5G (Phonix Red, 6GB RAM, 128GB Storage)
₹ 15,999
Redmi Note 13
Redmi Note 13 5G (Arctic White, 6GB RAM, 128GB Storage) | 5G Ready | 120Hz Bezel-Less AMOLED | 7.mm Slimmest Note Ever | 108MP Pro-Grade Camera
₹ 16,999

Please Note: When you buy something using the links in our articles, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Realme P1 vs Redmi Note 13: Design and colours

Realme P1:

This new device follows the design language of the Realme 12 series with their circular camera cutout. On the cutout there sits five cutouts: two hold the cameras, one holds the flash, and the remaining two hold nothing at all. The Realme P1 also comes with a flat screen as well as flat edges around the device. Available colours in this series are Phoenix Red and Peacock Green, both of which feature a brushed finish that’s impressive to look at.

Redmi Note 13:

Poco keeps things simple with the design on this device, as it features a square camera cutout. This cutout houses the cameras and the flash, all sides of the device are flat. The buttons sit on the right side, the USB-C port, speakers and microphone sit at the base, while the 3.5mm headphone jack sits at the top of this device’s frame. Available colours here are Graphite black (Stealth Black), Arctic White, Ocean Teal, Prism Gold.

Major differences:

  • A 3.5mm headphone jack on the Redmi Note 13.

Realme P1 vs Redmi Note 13: Display

Realme P1:

Realme launched this device with a 6.67-inch AMOLED screen that supports 120Hz refresh rate. The screen also offers up to 1200 nits peak brightness, making it the brighter option of these two devices. In terms of screen to body ratio, this device comes with an 87.3% screen-to-body ratio, which is quite impressive.

Redmi Note 13:

This device comes with a similar screen size with the Realme P1 measuring at 6.67-inch. The panel on this device is an AMOLED panel, and it supports 120Hz refresh rate, which ensures that users get a snappy response on all actions taken on the device’s screen. With a peak brightness of 1000 nits, this device slacks behind the Realme P1, however it outshines it by offering a screen-to-body ratio of 88.9%.

Major differences:

  • Brighter screen on the Realme P1.

Realme P1 vs Redmi Note 13: Cameras

Realme P1:

When it comes to cameras, the Realme P1 comes with a dual camera setup, housing a 50MP main camera and a 2MP front facing camera. Up front, we find a 16MP selfie camera that sits in the punch hole on this device’s screen. Both front and rear facing cameras on this device don’t support 4K video recording.

Redmi Note 13:

Redmi brings a triple rear camera setup to help this device outshines the competitor in this article. In place of a 50MP main camera sensor, this device from Poco features a 108MP main camera sensor, an extra 8MP ultrawide lens is available on this device, and a 2MP depth sensor. Up front is a 16MP selfie camera like we see on the competition from Realme in this article. 

Major differences:

  • 108MP main camera on the Redmi Note 13.
  • 8MP ultrawide camera on the Redmi Note 13.

Realme P1 vs Redmi Note 13: Performance

Realme P1:

Powering this device is the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 processor. Joining this processor is up to 8GB RAM and 256GB worth of storage capacity.

Redmi Note 13:

Under the hood of this device is the MediaTek 6080 processor. Supporting this processor is up to 12GB worth of RAM as an option. For storage, buyers of this device get to choose between either 128GB and 256GB storage capacity.

Major upgrades & differences:

  • A better processor on the Realme P1.
  • More RAM on the Redmi Note 13.

Realme P1 vs Redmi Note 13: Software

Realme P1:

This device currently runs on Android 14 and the Realme UI 5.0 software, and it supports up to three years of OS update.

Redmi Note 13:

Redmi launched this device with Android 13 and Hyper OS out of the box, as well as some software integrations unique to the brand. This device will also get up to three years of OS upgrades.

Major differences:

  • The Realme P1 runs Android 14 out of the box with Realme UI 5.0.

Realme P1 vs Poco X6 Neo: Battery life and charging

Realme P1 and Redmi Note 13:

Both devices launch 5000mAh battery capacity but the Realme P1 supports faster charging at 45W.

Major differences:

  • Faster charging on the Realme P1.

Realme P1 vs Redmi Note 13: Final Verdict

The Redmi Note 13 is the same device as the Poco X6 Neo that we’ve compared with the Realme P1 in a previous article. Considering this, we’ll maintain our stance that the Realme P1 is the better device to get in terms of performance. However, the Redmi Note 13 has an extra camera, so that can assure you of better pictures. But overall the Realme P1 wins this comparison against the Redmi Note 13.

Thomson Neo series laptops announced in India with Intel CPUs

Thomson has just announced a brand new lineup of laptops in the Indian market. The company’s Thomson Neo laptops are equipped with Intel processors and range from entry level to mid range models. So here are their specs, pricing, and more.

Thomson Neo Series Pricing & Availability

Thomson’s new laptops have been announced in India and are listed on Flipkart, a popular e-retailer in the region. There are multiple models and here are their pricing:

  • Intel Celeron, 4GB RAM, and 128GB SSD – 14,990 INR
  • Intel Core i3 12th Gen, 8GB RAM, and 256GB SSD – 26,990 INR
  • Intel Core i3 12th Gen, 8GB RAM, and 512GB SSD – 27,990 INR
  • Intel Core i5 12th Gen 1235U, 8GB RAM, and 512GB SSD – 37,999 INR
  • Intel Core i5 12th Gen 1235U, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD – 37,990 INR
  • Intel Core i7 12th Gen 1255U, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD – 43,999 INR
Thomson Neo Series Laptops

Thomson Neo Series Specs

The new laptops from the brand sport a 15.6-inch display that offers FHD resolution with slim bezels, except the Intel Celeron variant which features a 14.1-inch screen. Thomson’s Intel Core i3, Core i5, and Core i7 processor versions are paired with up to Intel Iris Xe graphics. All of these laptops run on the Windows 11 Home OS out of the box. Connectivity options include a USB-C port, a DC input charging jack, an HDMI port, an RJ45 Ethernet port, a USB-C port, a 3.5mm audio jack, and two USB 3.0 Gen 1 ports. Buyers also get a backlit keyboard on these laptops and a 2-megapixel webcam on the front for video calls.

Apple is working on a custom hand gestures feature for future head-mounted devices

The United States Trademark and Patent Office (USPTO) has today approved a new patent application from Apple which is related to custom hand gestures for head-mounted devices. The head-mounted devices could be both headsets like the Apple Vision Pro and smart glasses.

It should be beneficial for users physically unable to perform a pre-defined gesture

The Vision Pro detects pre-defined hand gestures performed by a user and performs a corresponding function in response. However, in some cases, a user may be physically unable to perform the pre-defined hand gesture or to perform the function with a different gesture.

According to the patent application, users can customize gestures to achieve different interactive responses in the future. The application describes that the concept aims to allow electronic devices to detect user-predefined gestures and respond to perform corresponding functions. The application includes 48 design sketches, detailing how to detect these user-preset custom gestures and assign them to tasks or functions.

The company introduced a new tool called Gesture Association Tool in the patent, which first asks the user what functions they want to create gestures for. For an available gesture that is not activated, the device will assign a name to it. You can see a demonstration of it in the image below.

The process will be performed by a device including an image sensor, one or more processors, and non-transitory memory. The image sensors will capture the hand movement and share it with the processor. Then the device will extract a first set of features from the collected data and will gesture matching criteria based on the information collected through the sensors. To get a better idea of the process, you can refer to the images below.

Image: Patently Apple

While the main focus is on head-mounted devices like the Vision Pro, according to the patent application, the concept could be used in many other aspects such as headphones, windows having integrated display capability, displays formed as lenses designed to be placed on a person’s eyes, and much more.

(Via)

CMF Phone 1 Review: What’s Left But The Design?

CMF Phone 1 by Nothing

It’s a little bit late, but we finally got our hands on this CMF Phone 1. As the name says, the highlight of the CMF Phone 1 is the design. You can even remove the back cover and knob to customize the look yourself. I’m sure you guys already know about it from other places, so we won’t talk about that today. Instead, let’s add something others may not have mentioned. So what else does it have?

Functionality

Being a budget phone, the CMF Phone 1 does come with some trade-offs on features. As you probably already know, the lack of NFC and IR emitter is probably one of its few regrets. Other than that, the rest of the specs are pretty much the same as any other phone in its price range. Even the SIM tray can support a 2TB TF card expansion, a feature that’s usually only found on entry-level phones, which is undoubtedly a highlight.

Display

Flip it over and let’s focus on that display, I would not say the display is superior, but hey, all budget phones are the same. As long as this OLED screen is bright enough to help me fight the sun outside, that’s all it matters. If you ask me what room for improvement, I’d say a screen with a better viewing angle would be nice.

Processor

The CMF Phone 1 uses a Dimensity 7300 processor, which is slightly weaker than that Dimensity 7200 in the Nothing Phone (2a). Yes, you heard it right, 7300 is weaker than 7200, that’s what MediaTek’s math teacher taught him. By the way, Qualcomm’s English teacher did the same thing, The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is weaker than the 8 Gen 3. Am I crazy, or is the world crazy?

Surprisingly, the CMF Phone actually outperformed its big brother, the Nothing Phone (2a), in the gaming test session. Perhaps thanks to a more aggressive strategy, the CMF Phone’s average frame rate was much higher. It still has overheating issues at the end, but it’s pretty awesome for a budget phone to be able to do that. What we need to do is lower the graphics or limit the frame rate to 30, the gaming experience will be a bit better. For example, by lowering the graphics on the Zenless Zero to medium, the smoothness is already similar to many flagships.

Camera

Unlike other budget phones, the CMF Phone replaces that 8 MP Ultra Wide Camera with a Depth of Field Camera. Although it can’t take photos on its own, it can support the main camera to get more professional camera-like photos. If you block this lens, the background bokeh is gone, so you can see that it does have a role to play. Having a nice background bokeh is pretty important for a photo, at least for portraits, it will make the photo look more professional.

As for the main camera, I would say it performs well most of the time. The colors are bright and vibrant, and the resolution is good, both at 1x and 2x. At night, with the help of the night mode, the clarity is also a bit better than the auto mode. Only if you take photos on a cloudy day, the night mode can easily be turned on automatically, that’s when the photos will be overexposed. You need to manually turn off the night mode to make the exposure accurate enough, not a big deal.

Video recording tops out at 4K30 with electronic image stabilization. Can’t really pick any faults other than a bit more noise in the darker areas. I think the CMF Phone 1’s main camera performance is good enough for most people, after all, it’s not that expensive.

Disassemble

Removing the back cover of the CMF Phone 1, you can see that it’s so different from others. To prevent you from removing parts, the motherboard is covered with a plate or tape. There’s also a warning not to remove the battery and related protective components by yourself.

Once you remove the sticker or unscrew the bolts, you’ll lose the warranty. But to put it in another way, you can repair or upgrade this phone yourself once it’s out of warranty. Or you can do things like this, remove the back cover to play games, that way you won’t have overheating issues. This is something that only CMF Phone can do.

Battery & Charging

The CMF Phone has a 5000mAh battery, wired charging power up to 33W, and no wireless charging. It’s acceptable at the $250 price point, the power is not too big or small, charging speed will not be too fast or too slow. The battery life is even a little better compared to its brother 2a.

There’s not much to say about the wired charging, it can be charged to 51% in half an hour and over an hour to have it fully charged. Roughly, the maximum input power during charging can be 27W. 5W of reverse wired charging is also useful for charging a lot of gadgets.

Verdict

Once upon a time, in the phone market, there were a lot of phones with modular design. But without any exception, they didn’t live long, or even never be launched. Although the CMF Phone 1’s swappable accessories are not as radical as those modular phones, I still hope that it will be a big seller. I’m hoping the next CMF Phone will be more and more modular until a truly modular phone comes out.

WHERE TO BUY
Buy on Amazon from $289

Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Ceramic Version Review: Better Display And Linear Motor

Xiaomi Smart Band finally has a linear motor, a better display, and there is also a ceramic version! In this review, we will show you how it performs, and some of the upgrades compared to the last gen.

If you want to buy this Xiaomi Smart Band 9, you can head to GeekWills.com.

WHERE TO BUY
Buy NFC version on GEEKWILLS from $59

Unboxing

Inside the box, we have the Instructions, a charging cable with a magnetic pin and USB-A port at the other end. Now this is the smart band itself, the texture of ceramic is really different from other materials, it is an effect that ordinary metal or glass cannot have. The whole body is made of this bright white color, it looks very good and you can sense the weight of it when you have it on your wrist. This could be the best material and design among all Xiaomi Smart bands.

However, the back is plastic, but it has some kind of frosted texture. The strap is made of rubber, l believe the regular version is TPU. The rubber strap has a better texture and is softer than TPU, if your skin is sensitive, this ceramic version is the way to go. One thing that is even better is that the buckle on the strap is also ceramic, it matches the body very well. So ten out of ten, what score would you give to this one?  

Next, let’s check on the weight. The Xiaomi smart band 9 weighs about 22.7 grams without the straps, it is indeed much heavier than the previous gen, that one was 14.3 grams. This is because ceramic is indeed heavier, and also the battery is bigger, more on that later.

Comparison

Next, let’s compare Xiaomi Smart Band 9 to the previous gen.

The most obvious thing is the upgrade in materials. The Xiaomi Smart Band 8 had a plastic frame, but it was painted with a metallic texture, it may not be as good as real metal. The regular Xiaomi Smart Band 9 has an aluminum alloy frame, and this one in our hand is ceramic. The overall texture is a big leap compared to the previous one. Moreover, the regular version has four colors, silver, black, blue, and pink gold, all made of aluminum alloy.

In addition to the material, the appearance of these two generations is actually very similar. The straps and charging pod are the same. Even the size and shape of the screens of the two are the same, both are 1.62-inch AMOLED “runway” screens. The 9 is actually one millimeter shorter than the 8, but the bezel at the bottom is still wider than the one on the top, so it is still not symmetrical. The refresh rate is still 60Hz, which is relatively smooth to use. The brightness of this screen is 1200nit, literally doubled compared to the previous gen. Everything on the screen will be clearer under the sun. 

The upgrades are also in the settings.

– For example, the Smart Band 9 has enabled the device to always turn on the screen upon raising your wrist throughout the day, it was not available on last gen.

– Then the auto brightness option is actually different. In this generation, if you turn on the automatic brightness, you cannot adjust the brightness anymore. You need to change the setting first.

– Now the battery has also increased. This time it is 233mAh, while the previous gen was 190 mAh. So the battery life has been significantly improved. The estimated battery life is about 21 days, if AOD is turned on or with intense use, it can last for about 9 days, much longer than last gen.

– The other important upgrade is the motor. It has changed from a very cheap rotor motor to a linear motor. Although it is only a Z-Axis linear motor, the vibration effect is indeed much better than the previous one. Although in this review you can not feel it ,but we tested it, the vibration is obviously very intuitive and crisp. This kind of performance has actually exceeded many smartwatches.  

– Next, let’s take a look at the back. Other than the layouts being different, the actual performance has also been upgraded due to these two infrared sensors at the top and bottom. Basically, the heart rate sensor is still located in the middle, but the red and green lights used for those purposes are separated. This layout actually improves the accuracy according to Xiaomi, it claims that the overall performance has increased by 16%.

System Upgrades

Let’s check out the upgrades of the system and software. This time the Smart Band 9 also uses the HyperOS. To support that, the processor has also been upgraded, from the previous Apollo 4 BlueLight to BES2700IMP. So these two major upgrades has improved the overall smoothness.

-For example, when we go back in the app, there is an animation, I believe there isn’t any of this on the 8. This seems to be a small upgrades, but it is still an improvement that you would definitely love.

-At the same time, the overall font size is a bit larger than that of 8, makes it a bit easier to read the info on the screen. Also, some of the UI have been redesigned, a bit better looking than before.

-The Mijia App is available on it also, you can add some prompts here, such as turn off all the lights in the bedroom.

-It also support operating with wet hand.

-In addition, you can customize the widgets on the watch face this time, you can change the colors and info you want in the watch face here. This feature was not available on the 8.

-This time, Xiaomi Smart Band 9 supports App store, you can download some games or some small apps. So it feels like this device is a big step closer to a real smart watch.

Special Feature

Here comes a surprise, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 potentially will support certain functions of Nintendo Switch. You can use this Xiaomi Smart Band as a motion recognizer, then you no longer need to use the handles. However, this function has not yet been available, and we are not sure if it will support the global version. So we need to wait a while for it.

Verdict

Alright, let’s summarize the upgrades of Xiaomi Smart Band 9. Simply put, they are the material and the Z-Axis linear motor, these make the overall user experience much better. The battery life is better, the UI has become smoother. In addition, you can install more Apps on it, it makes this product more like a smart watch. So would this one be your pick, let us know your thoughts here. And if you want to purchase this one, Geekwills has them on the shelf.

OnePlus Pad Pro Review: The OnePlus Pad 2 Running ColorOS, instead of OxygenOS

The OnePlus Pad should be very familiar to all of you, after all, it’s a tablet released a year ago. This time, the Pad product released with the Ace 3 Pro is actually not a second generation, but the Pro version. Em…… I’ve had a bad feeling, does it mean that there are actually not many upgrades for this tablet? After having it for a few days, I found out that I was right. The OnePlus Pad Pro is indeed a tablet with… no surprises.

Although there are no surprises, it doesn’t mean it’s not worth buying. If you just want a top-performing tablet, then the OnePlus Pad Pro is one of the few affordable options. To buy it you can click on the link at the bottom of the video and Geekwills will ship it to your house, both the tablet and the accessories.

WHERE TO BUY
Buy on GEEKWILLS from $499

Design

Even though I was prepared for this, I still couldn’t help but laugh a bit when I saw the design that was almost identical to some other pads. OPPO Pad 2, OPPO Pad Air2, OnePlus Pad, OnePlus Pad Pro. In just one year, the OPPO family has brought out four identical tablets. Then I look at the Ace 3 Pro right there that does the same thing, it suddenly makes sense again.

I can understand it’s all about the “business”, but you can’t stop me from saying it’s nothing new. Other than the design, other features are also the same, it’s still USB 2.0, no headphone jack, and no NFC. So for the ability to connect to your tablet with a touch on your phone like the Xiaomi Pad, you’ll have to buy its keyboard to do that.

keyboard Case

When it comes to the keyboard case, the Pro version of the keyboard is probably the one that has changed the most. There are more angles it can stand on, and it can connect to the tablet via Bluetooth as well, so it can also be used as a tablet stand. The trackpad is also bigger and easier to use. There’s also a new row of function buttons. All in all, it’s becoming more and more like a laptop keyboard.

As we just mentioned, you will be able to transfer data as soon as you touch the bottom right corner of your phone, which is also made possible thanks to the built-in NFC coil. If you want to really do some work stuff on the OnePlus Pad Pro, this keyboard is definitely worth buying. So can users who already own the standard version use this new keyboard case? The answer is No. Now you know this is one of the reasons why OnePlus wants you to buy the new tablet.

OnePlus Stylo Pro

This OnePlus Stylo Pro also gets some much bigger upgrades than the tablet. In addition to being black, the surface has been changed to a leather-like texture. The nib is rubberized to increase the friction of writing on the screen. And the Pressure Sensitivity has been increased by seven times, with a motor stuffed in it like the Apple Pencil Pro. It can simulate the writing feedback of a pencil or fountain pen, and it even has an exclusive writing sound in the Note App.

With support for laser pointers, it’s clearly made for business people. The writing latency doesn’t seem to be much of an improvement, but the good news is that it was already pretty low. It’s not the lowest latency I’ve ever seen, but good enough.

Display

Another good news is the screen isn’t exactly the same as the standard version. It’s a bit bigger, the resolution is a bit higher, and the brightness is slightly improved. But the bad news is that it’s still an LCD display, and the ratio is 7:5.One of the reasons why I’m not a fan of foldable phones is that their screen ratio is so close to 1:1. It’s not as good as a 16:9 tablet, whether you’re watching videos or browsing the web. Even games that can be displayed on a full screen, may get a smaller field of view.

So to be honest I’m not getting what the benefit of this ratio is, so if any of you know it, leave a comment, please.

Performances

The main reason why the OnePlus Pad Pro is a Pro is that the processor has been upgraded to the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Although Qualcomm is about to release the 8 Gen 4, the 8 Gen 3 is also quite a bit better than the Dimensity 9000 that was released two and a half years ago.

Thanks to the huge body of the tablet, thermal issues were not a problem either. We first tried to play Genshin Impact for half an hour, but of course, it was not difficult for it.

By the way, the OnePlus Pad Pro doesn’t have a 120FPS mode to choose from like the Ace 3 Pro, but the resolution can be boosted. It can be boosted from 864P to 1484P, which is really gaming at 2K rendering resolution. Playing at this resolution for another half an hour, the frame rate remained stable.

It’s normal for the temperature and power consumption to be a bit higher, after all, this big LCD screen is also a big consumer of power. Anyway, the overall gaming experience was pretty good, as my hands weren’t touching the heating area during the game.

Battery & Charging

The battery and charging power are exactly as you’d expect, completely unchanged. It still has the same 67W of charging power, but it only takes about an hour to fully charge the 9510mAh battery. You can play Genshin Impact for more than 5 and a half hours continuously and watch a movie for 14 hours before it dies. Even the standard version can standby for a month, so the Pro version with a more efficient processor is even less to worry about when it comes to battery life.

Software

Of course, OnePlus has done some good things over the past year. The latest ColorOS has created a lot of new features for the tablet. One of the most special features, and the one that I find the best to use, is this triple view feature. Unlike the traditional top-down or left-right split windows, this triple view can display the full screen at the same time as well as focus on a single window.

The point of this feature is that the three apps won’t be frozen or killed because they are on stage, and switching apps is easier and smoother. If you’re a mobile game fan, you should know how great this feature is.

Summarize

OnePlus seems to know that the Pad Pro’s upgrades aren’t quite enough, so it has a more friendly price. The less than four hundred dollar price tag still makes it a worthwhile purchase, but the problem is that it’s only sold in China at the moment. If the Pro version is sold globally, then the price shouldn’t be that low. I don’t know how much you guys are willing to pay for this modestly upgraded tablet, feel free to leave your comments.

WHERE TO BUY
Buy on GEEKWILLS from $499

Vivo V40 Pro camera specifications, color options officially confirmed, launching soon in India with V40

Vivo has started teasing the arrival of the Vivo V40 and V40 Pro in India. The landing page of the phone V40 series, which is now available on Vivo India’s website, has confirmed its key details. Here is a look at the details that the brand has officially confirmed.

Vivo V40 series’ key details officially confirmed

Vivo V40 series official teaser

The Vivo V40 and Vivo V40 Pro, co-engineered with ZEISS optics, will launch soon in India. The below image mentions the camera specs of one of the V40 series and reveals that it has a 50-megapixel front-facing camera and a triple camera setup featuring a Sony IMX921 50-megapixel primary camera. A 50-megapixel ultrawide lens and a 50-megapixel IMX816 telephoto camera with 2x optical zoom complement the setup.

Vivo V40 Pro camera setup

Most likely, these specs belong to the Vivo V40 Pro. The device can be seen sporting a curved-edge OLED panel and an oval-shaped camera design with a ring LED flash inside. Recently, the alleged device was spotted in Geekbench’s database with the Dimensity 9200 Plus chip, 8 GB of RAM, and Android 14.

Vivo V40 series’ battery size

The Vivo V40 series will pack a 5,500mAh battery with 80W fast charging. The company claims that with a thickness of 7.58mm, the V40 series will be the country’s slimmest phone with a 5,500mAh battery. In addition, it appears that both models will offer IP68-rated dust and water resistance.

The Vivo V40 and V40 Pro will both come in shades, such as Titanium Grey and Ganges Blue. The V40 will also come in a Lotus Purple option.

Speculations suggest that the V40 Pro will be a rebranded or tweaked version of China’s Vivo S19 Pro. On the other hand, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3-powered Vivo V40, which is already available in Europe, is a slightly modified version of China’s Vivo S19.

Upcoming Vivo X200 Pro, Oppo Find X8 Pro could be the best Dimensity 9400 phones for photography until Dimensity 9500 arrives

Vivo and Oppo are both working on their next-generation flagship phones that will feature the Dimensity 9400 chip. For those who don’t know, the D9400, which is expected to debut in October of this year, will be MediaTek’s most powerful chipset. A new leak by tipster Smart Pikachu suggests that the Vivo X200 Pro and the Oppo Find X8 Pro will be the best Dimensity 9400-powered phones for photography even in 2025.

Vivo X200s, X200s Pro may not launch in 2025

Last year, Vivo announced the Vivo X100 and X100 Pro equipped with the Dimensity 9300 chipset in October. Updated versions of these phones with the Vivo X100s and X100s Pro monikers equipped with the Dimensity 9300+ were announced in May in China.

The above leak suggests that Vivo will not launch the Vivo X200s and Vivo X200s Pro smartphones in 2025. According to the tipster, those seeking a Dimensity 9400-powered flagship phone for photography can either opt for the Vivo X200 Pro or the Oppo Find X8 Pro. He added that there will be no better photography-focused Dimensity 9400 phones than these in 2025. Therefore, it appears that the successors of these phones, possibly featuring the Dimensity 9500 chip and arriving at the end of 2025 may offer a better photography experience.

While he did not mention anything significant about the specifications of the Vivo X200 series or the Oppo Find X8 lineup, he revealed that the standard models (X200 and Find X8) will also offer a stellar photography experience as they will come equipped with a periscope telephoto camera. Both devices will also have a glass back and their highest variant will have 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage.

As per other reports, the X200 Pro may feature a 200-megapixel periscope telephoto camera, a large 2K 120Hz OLED panel with micro-curvature on all four sides and an in-screen fingerprint scanner. The X8 Pro, on the other hand, may feature a quad-camera setup equipped with two periscope telephoto cameras.

Xiaomi’s future wearable could offer much improved battery life with this new technology

Xiaomi has recently submitted a patent application about the use of solar energy to charge wearable devices. According to the records of the Tianyancha Intellectual Property Information Platform, the patent application has been approved.

The concept talks about the core elements of the new technology. The concept can reportedly be applied to various wearable devices such as smart rings and fitness bands and can be designed to meet the needs and preferences of different user groups.

Not to mention, the products will include solar panels along with all other hardware equipment. These key components will be cleverly placed in the housing of the device to form a compact and efficient energy conversion and storage system. You can see a concept design below.

As you can see from the concept design, the solar panel and battery are electrically connected to the control circuit board for the utilization of solar energy. It is worth mentioning that a special light concentrator is designed inside the shell, which includes a light-incoming surface and a light-outgoing surface and the the light-outgoing surface directly faces the solar panel.

With the help of the light concentrator, the light can be directed to the solar panel, thereby significantly increasing the amount of light hitting the solar panel and improving the light energy utilization.

While it won’t save much power, it can reduce or even completely eliminate the need to remove the device for charging, since the devices do not require much power to operate. According to a report, the patent aims to solve the battery life problem commonly faced by low-energy wearable devices, which are generally very small and cannot pack a large battery inside.

(Via)

Poco F6 Deadpool Limited Edition launch date officially confirmed

Marvel fans in India have something to rejoice about. Poco announced that it would unveil the Poco F6 Deadpool Limited Edition phone in India on July 26. This exclusive edition, created in partnership with Marvel’s beloved anti-hero Deadpool, is timed perfectly to coincide with the upcoming release of the third film in the iconic franchise, Deadpool & Wolverine.

Poco F6 Deadpool Limited Edition: What to expect?

Poco F6 Deadpool Limited Version’s leaked shot

Since it is a limited-edition phone, the Deadpool version of the F6 could be available in limited quantities. A leaked image that surfaced revealed that it will be available in a Crimson Red color with a yellow-colored Poco logo. It is speculated that the device will be available for purchase in the country by early August.

There is a possibility that the Poco F6 Deadpool Limited Edition may come in special packaging with some collectable items inside, apart from the phone, charger, cable, and usual documents. It may also flaunt a Deadpool-themed user interface. Most likely, the device will only be available in the 12GB+512GB version. The rest of the specs of the device may remain unchanged as compared to the regular Poco F6 (review).

Poco F6 specifications

The Poco F6 has a 6.67-inch AMOLED screen that offers a 1.5K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The device is powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chip, which runs on HyperOS-based Android 14. The device ships with LPDDR5x RAM, UFS 4.0 storage, and a 5,000mAh battery that supports 90W charging. On the front, it has a 20-megapixel selfie camera, and its back panel has an OIS-enabled 50-megapixel (main) + 8-megapixel (ultrawide) dual-camera system. It has an in-screen fingerprint scanner and offers IP65-rated water resistance. 

Gizmochina Daily: Apple’s Flip Phone Future & Samsung’s Triple Event Surprise!

First up today, we have something for Apple fans, as your patience might finally pay off! The iPhone Flip could be real, and we’ve got a potential launch year. 2026 might seem far away, but is it worth the wait for Apple’s first foldable? We’ll dive into the details.

But don’t think Samsung’s sitting still. They might be shaking up their launch schedule with a third event this year. What could they be hiding up their sleeve? A slimmer fold? A new tablet? We’ve got the scoop!

Meanwhile, Redmi’s staging a tablet takeover in India with not one, but two new models. From budget-friendly to 5G-ready, they’re covering all the bases.

And for those who love a splash of color, Xiaomi’s bringing its dual-toned CIVI to India. It’s not just a phone; it’s a fashion statement. But will it catch your eye?

All the juicy details on these stories are in today’s roundup below.


iPhone Flip to be Apple’s first foldable, launch timeframe leaks

The foldable phone revolution skipped Apple (mostly) in its early stages, leaving fans wondering when, or even if, a foldable iPhone would ever materialize. A new report now suggests 2026 might finally be the year for it.

Read more


Redmi Pad Pro 5G & Redmi Pad SE 4G launching in India on July 29: What to expect?

Xiaomi‘s Redmi sub-brand is set to make a splash in the Indian tablet market with the simultaneous launch of the Redmi Pad SE 4G and Redmi Pad Pro 5G on July 29. While these two tablets cater to different segments, both promise to offer compelling features at competitive price points. Let’s delve into what we can expect from these tablets.

Read more


Galaxy Z Fold 6 Slim and Tab S10 series to launch at a third Samsung event this year

Samsung typically follows a predictable release schedule every year. Its flagship Galaxy S series launches in the first quarter, followed by a second Unpacked event in the third quarter to unveil the latest foldable models. 

We’ve seen a similar launch pattern in 2024 so far. But a new leak suggests Samsung might break the tradition with a possible third event later this year.

Read more


Xiaomi 14 CIVI to launch in India with dual colored design

Xiaomi is getting ready to launch the Xiaomi 14 CIVI in India very soon. The company already unveiled the upcoming “14 CIVI” model in China under the name “CIVI 4 Pro.” Both phones are expected to have the identical specs. In China, Xiaomi introduced new custom color edition of the CIVI 4 Pro with a dual-colored theme. The new special edition phones might also be available in India.

Read more


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Alleged iQOO Z9s series phone surfaces on Geekbench with Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chip

iQOO has begun to tease the upcoming release of the iQOO Z9s series of smartphones in India. Although the brand has confirmed its August launch, it has not revealed any other device details. Now, a new Vivo device with the I2035 model number has been added to the Geekbench benchmarking platform’s database. The said phone, which could be one of the upcoming iQOO Z9s series phones, was recently spotted in the databases of Camera FV5 and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

Alleged iQOO Z9s Geekbench listing

Alleged iQOO Z9s Geekbench listing
Alleged iQOO Z9s Geekbench listing

According to the Geekbench listing of the i2305, it is equipped with a Qualcomm chip that comprises four CPU cores clocking at 1.80GHz, three CPU cores operating at 2.40Hz, and a prime CPU core working at 2.63GHz. The listing’s source code reveals that the chip features an Adreno 720 GPU. These specifications indicate that the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 powers the device.

In the first half of this year, iQOO launched the iQOO Z9 in China with the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 onboard. This phone is distinct from the iQOO Z9, which is available in India and features the Dimensity 7200. There is a possibility that the i2305 device could be a rebranded version of the iQOO Z9 (China variant).

The Geekbench listing of the i2305 further reveals that it has 12 GB of RAM and Android 14. In the single-core and multi-core tests, the device scored 1137 and 3044 points, respectively. A new poster, which showcases the white variant of the device, is shown below.

iQOO Z9s series phone
iQOO Z9s series phone

The iQOO Z9’s China variant has a 6.78-inch AMOLED screen that supports a 1.5K resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, it has the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset, up to 12 GB of LPDDR4x RAM, up to 512 GB of UFS 2.2 storage, and a 6,000mAh battery with 80W fast charging support. It features a 16-megapixel front camera and a 50-megapixel + 2-megapixel dual-camera setup on the back.

(via)

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 review: Raises bar for flip foldable with numerous AI features

The last time I used a flip phone was the Oppo Find N2 Flip, which debuted in 2022. I now possess the latest Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6, brimming with an array of AI features. It is the first flip phone to come equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. In India, the Galaxy Z Flip 6, currently has only one competitor, the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra.

The Razr 50 Ultra features the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chip and starts at Rs 99,999. On the other hand, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 starts at Rs 1,09,999. Here is a detailed review of the Z Flip 6 to help you decide if it is worth the premium price tag.

1. Design and Build

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
  • Unfolded: 165.1 x 71.9 x 6.9 mm
  • Folded: 85.1 x 71.9 x 14.9 mm
  • Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (back cover) | Aluminium frame | IP48 rating
  • Colors: Silver Shadow, Mint, Blue, Yellow (in some markets), Black, White, and Peach

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 maintains the iconic clamshell design of its predecessors but introduces several enhancements that make it stand out. The phone features a sleek, compact form factor that easily fits in a pocket when folded yet opens to reveal a large 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. On the other hand, the 3.4-inch cover screen continues to sport the folder-like design, which was introduced with the Galaxy Z Flip 5.

The outer shell is crafted from a combination of glass and metal, giving it a sturdy yet elegant feel. The cover screen is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2, enhancing its durability against scratches and drops. The edges of the phone are flat. The hinge and the frame of the Galaxy Z Flip 6 have improved armour aluminium frame. Therefore, it is designed to be more durable and offer a smoother folding and unfolding experience. The device can be closed or opened with just one hand. In my usage, I liked the fact that the hinge allows users to keep the device at different angles, which is not something new for Samsung’s Z-branded flip phones.

One of the standout features of the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is its IP48 rating. This rating indicates that the phone is resistant to both dust and water. Specifically, the number ‘4’ in an IP rating signifies protection against solid objects larger than 1mm, while the IPX8 rating signifies that the device can withstand immersion in water up to 1.5 meters deep for up to 30 minutes. It goes without saying that the Z Flip 6 has a premium appeal. The Z Flip 6 comes in six color options, such as Blue, Mint, Silver Shadow, Crafted Black, White, and Peach. The latter three are available exclusively through Samsung’s website. The retail box of the device includes the phone, a USB-C to USB-C cable, and some documents.

2. Display and Audio

  • Internal: 6.7-inch foldable AMOLED screen
  • Full HD+ (1080 x 2640 pixels) resolution | 120Hz refresh rate | 2600nits brightness
  • External: 3.4-inch AMOLED screen
  • HD (720 x 748 pixels) resolution | 60Hz refresh rate | 1600nits brightness

The Galaxy Z Flip 6’s main and cover displays remain largely unchanged from the previous generation. On the inside, it has a 6.7-inch foldable AMOLED panel with a 21:9 aspect ratio and a 120Hz refresh rate; on the outside, it has a 3.4-inch cover screen with a 60Hz refresh rate. Nevertheless, for better visibility outdoors, the internal display now supports up to 2600 nits of peak brightness. The previous generation offered 1750 nits of maximum brightness. The cover screen allows for quick access to notifications, widgets, and even apps, significantly improving the usability of the phone when folded.

When it comes to streaming services, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 supports HDR10 and HD10R+ on the internal screen. However, there is no support for Dolby Vision. While the Z Flip 6 does not support all apps, it does support a wide range of widgets. When it comes to audio, one speaker is lodged in the earpiece, and the other is on the bottom edge for stereo output.

3. Performance and Software

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy
  • LPDDR5x RAM | UFS 4.0 storage: 12GB+256GB | 12GB+512GB
  • 4,000mAh battery | 25W wired | 15W wireless charging
  • Android 14 | One 6.1.1

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 mobile platform for Galaxy, an overlocked edition of the regular Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 powers the Galaxy Z Flip 6. The Z Flip 5 came with 8 GB of RAM, but the successor comes equipped with 12 GB of RAM. It comes to storage options, such as 256 GB and 512 GB.

The Galaxy Z Flip 6 has 300mAh bigger battery than the Galaxy Z Flip 5. While the battery size has been increased to 4,000mAh battery, the support charging speed remains. It offers up to 25W wired charging, which takes around 1:30 hours to achieve a full charge. The device also supports 15W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. As far as battery life, the Z Flip 6 can last for the entire day with normal use.

The Galaxy Z Flip 6 runs on Android 14 and One UI 6.1.1. For Z Flip 6 users, Samsung has promised seven years of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates. The Z Flip 6’s biggest attraction is that it comes with several new Galaxy AI features. Instead, it allows users to access widgets, such as Calculator, Calendar, Clock Contacts, Gallery, Global Goals, Google (finance watchlist), Phone, Reminder, SmartThings, Spotify, Voice Recorder, and Weather. In addition, users can install Good Lock’s app and its MultiStar app to access almost any app on the cover screen. Shown below is an image where I could access our website and use a full-size keyboard. Here’s how the device performed on benchmarking apps.

4. Performance and Software (contd.)

The Galaxy AI features consist of the following:

  1. Call Assist: Automatically transcribes and provides summaries of phone calls, making it easier to keep track of important conversations. This can be done using the “Live Translate” option while on a call. I did a test call wherein I spoke in English and my mom responded in Hindi. While the features are good, they aren’t very accurate all the time.
  2. Chat Assist: Provides intelligent suggestions and auto-completion for messages, making texting faster and more efficient. The Galaxy AI icon that shows just above the on-screen keyboard can be used to access features, such as chat translation, composer, writing style, and spelling and grammar.
  3. Interpreter: Real-time translation for conversations in different languages, helping users communicate seamlessly. The other person can use the cover screen to view the translated text when using the Interpreter app.
  4. Note Assist: Automatically organizes notes and highlights key points, making it easier to review and find important information. This is available through the Notes app, wherein you get options like Auto format, Summaries, Correct Spelling, Translate, and Sketch to Image (if you have used the Notes app to draw something).
  5. Transcript Assist: Converts voice recordings into text, allowing for simple documentation and reference. When you record a voice using the voice record, you can tap the Transcribe button to generate the text version of the recording. You can access the Summary and Translate options.
  6. Browsing Assist: It works on Samsung’s built-in web browser, and it offers two features, such as Summarise and Translate.
  7. Photo Assist: Uses generative AI to provide users with features to move, remove, and resize people and objects, and then uses AI to fill up empty areas. The Portrait Studio can also be used to transform pictures of people using a wide range of artistic styles.
  8. Drawing Assist: It can turn drawings into images in the Samsung Notes app, Photo Editor, and the sidebar.
  9. Photo Ambient Wallpaper: This feature available in the Wallpaper and Style section of Settings allows users to create dynamic wallpapers using AI to change a photo based on the time and weather.
  10. Health Assist: Tracks health metrics and provides personalized insights and recommendations, integrating seamlessly with Samsung Health.

5. Cameras and Other Features

  • 50MP Samsung S5KGN3 main camera
  • 12MP Samsung S5K3LU ultrawide camera
  • 10MP Samsung S5K3J1 front camera

The Galaxy Z Flip 6 features a new 50-megapixel primary camera with OIS support. The ultrawide and selfie cameras are the same ones that are available on the Galaxy Z Flip 5.

The Galaxy Z Flip 6 captures good shots in daylight, with consistent colors between the main and ultrawide cameras. In Portrait mode, the phone offers 1x and 2x zoom options. Skin tones appear natural, and color reproduction is impressive. The 10-megapixel front camera produces excellent selfies with a good dynamic range. However, you may prefer capturing selfies using the rear cameras, with the cover screen functioning as a viewfinder. Below are some of its samples.

The Auto Zoom feature is a new addition to the Flex Cam. When using the phone in its partially folded Flex Mode, it automatically adjusts the zoom level to ensure the perfect framing of your subject (people or pets) in your photo. It only works in the Photo mode, and not in other modes like Pro and Video.

When it comes to low-light photography, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 captures decent shots with reduced noise. Here are some camera samples taken in low-light conditions.

All three cameras are capable of shooting 4K videos at 60fps. OIS is available for 30fps Full HD and Quad HD video recordings.

It comes with support for a nano-SIM and eSIM and for security, it has the Samsung Knox and a side-facing fingerprint sensor.

6. Verdict

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6

With a similar design onboard, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 may not seem like a major upgrade. However, the inclusion of the new chip, a higher amount of RAM, a big battery, a new primary camera, an improved build, longer software support, and plenty of AI features do show that it’s the biggest upgrade seen on a Flip series phone from Samsung. The only major competitor in most markets outside China is the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra, which is priced at Rs 99,999 in India. In China, the phone faces competition from options like the Razr 50 Ultra, the Honor Magic V flip, and the Xiaomi Mix Flip. Certainly, one area to improve is the charging speed, which Samsung needs to upgrade on almost all its flagship devices.

Overall, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 stands out in the foldable phone market with its blend of performance, innovative AI features, and stylish design.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 price in India

Here is how the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is priced in India:

  • 12GB+256GB:Rs 1,09,999
  • 12GB+512GB: Rs 1,21,999
  • Colors: Blue, Mint, Silver Shadow
  • Additional colors on Samsung India site: Black, White, Peach

Disclaimer: All of the opinions in this Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 review are mine and based on my own experiences. There has been no editorial input from Samsung.

Redmi Pad Pro 5G & Redmi Pad SE 4G launching in India on July 29: What to expect?

Xiaomi‘s Redmi sub-brand is set to make a splash in the Indian tablet market with the simultaneous launch of the Redmi Pad SE 4G and Redmi Pad Pro 5G on July 29. While these two tablets cater to different segments, both promise to offer compelling features at competitive price points. Let’s delve into what we can expect from these tablets:

1. Redmi Pad SE 4G

Redmi-Pad-SE-4G

The Redmi Pad SE 4G is the successor to the Wi-Fi-only model launched last year. As the name suggests, the biggest upgrade is the inclusion of 4G connectivity, making it more versatile for users on the go.

While the full specifications are yet to be officially confirmed, leaks suggest that the tablet will feature an 8.7-inch HD (1340 x 800 pixels) display with a 90Hz refresh rate, a MediaTek Helio G99 processor, and a decent 6650mAh battery with 18W charging.

Design-wise, the Redmi Pad SE 4G is expected to have a boxy form factor with thick bezels, which is typical for budget tablets. The tablet is expected to feature dual speakers with Dolby Atmos support, providing an enhanced audio experience for media consumption. It is also likely to have a 3.5mm headphone jack.

In terms of photography, the Redmi Pad SE 8.7 is expected to come with an 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera, capable of capturing basic photos and videos. The tablet will come with 128GB of inbuilt storage along with expandable storage of up to 2TB via a microSD card.

As per the official teaser, the Redmi Pad SE 4G will come in green and blue colors.

2. Redmi Pad Pro 5G

The Redmi Pad Pro 5G is a premium offering with a focus on performance and 5G connectivity. It is the 5G variant of the Redmi Pad Pro that has already been launched in China.

Redmi Pad Pro 5G boasts a larger 12.1-inch 2.5K LCD screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and Dolby Vision support. The tablet is powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 SoC, a more powerful chipset than the one in the Redmi Pad SE 4G, ensuring smooth multitasking and gaming performance.

The tablet’s design is expected to be more premium with slimmer bezels and a metal build. It comes with up to 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage, expandable via a microSD card.

The tablet is equipped with quad speakers supporting Dolby Atmos for an immersive audio experience, making it ideal for media consumption and gaming. It also features an 8MP rear camera and an 8MP front camera for video calls and casual photography.

The Redmi Pad Pro 5G is fueled by a substantial 10,000mAh battery with 33W fast charging support, promising long-lasting usage on a single charge.

3. Launch and Availability

Both the Redmi Pad SE 4G and Redmi Pad Pro 5G are scheduled to launch in India on July 29th. Pricing details are yet to be revealed, but given Redmi’s track record of offering competitive prices, we can expect these tablets to be attractively priced.

The Redmi Pad SE 4G will likely be the more affordable option, while the Redmi Pad Pro 5G will cater to those seeking a more premium tablet experience.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is now Available for Download on Xbox Game Pass

In a first for the franchise, Microsoft Xbox announced today that “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3” is now available for download on Xbox Game Pass for Console, PC Game Pass, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. The game became playable at 1 am Beijing time on July 25th (July 24th, 10:00 PM PST).

CoD: Black Ops 6 is also coming to the Xbox Game Pass at launch

This addition to the subscription service marks a turning point for the Call of Duty series on Xbox platforms. Previously, no Call of Duty title had been included in the Xbox Game Pass library. The move comes after Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the publisher behind the Call of Duty franchise.

Originally launched in November 2023, Modern Warfare 3 is a fairly known game in the Call of Duty series featuring a single-player campaign and a multiplayer mode.

While Microsoft has not commented on future plans for the Call of Duty series on Xbox Game Pass, they have confirmed that “Black Ops 6,” scheduled for release on October 25th, 2024, will also be available on the service at launch.

(Via)