In September 2023, China’s Nio, which is best known for its electric vehicles, launched its first smartphone, the Nio Phone, in the home market. In March of this year, the company’s CEO, William Li, confirmed that the Nio Phone 2 reportedly entered the developmental phase. He also said the company plans to launch one new phone yearly. The arrival of the Nio Phone 2 is near, as it has reportedly received approval from China’s 3C certification platform.
Nio Phone 2 3C certified
Before its launch, the Nio Phone, with model number N2301, appeared on the 3C certification platform, equipped with a 100W charger. However, the phone only supports 66W wired charging and 50W wireless charging.
NIo Phone 2 3C listing
As seen above, the 3C database has spotted a new Nio smartphone with the model number N2401, along with a 100W charger. This device is likely the upcoming Nio Phone 2. Although it has a 100W charger listed, it’s unclear if it will support 100W charging or 66W charging like its predecessor.
Nio Phone 2 battery
It should be noted that a Nio battery with model number NBET02 and 4,900mAh (rated value) was spotted in May at the 3C certification. It is likely that this battery, with a probable 5,000mAh typical value, may power the Nio Phone 2. To recall, the Nio Phone appeared in 3C’s database in September and went official in the same month. Hence, there is a possibility that the Nio Phone 2 may debut later this month or in August.
Nio’s decision to build phones is a defensive strategy in response to Huawei and Xiaomi entering the electric car market. To recall, the Nio Phone is designed to work as a comprehensive car key, allowing owners to unlock, lock, and even start their vehicles using their phone, even when the phone is turned off. It also enables extensive vehicle control, allowing users to adjust settings like air conditioning, seats, and music, directly from their phone. Additionally, the phone seamlessly integrates with the car’s infotainment system, enabling features like automatic syncing of music and contacts, and smooth transitions of video meetings between devices.
The Nio Phone features an overclocked 3.36GHz Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, a 6.81-inch AMOLED 2K 120Hz screen, a 50-megapixel triple camera setup, and a 5,200mAh battery. There is a possibility that the Nio phone may come equipped with an overclocked version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is a popular choice among flagship phones. It was released in October last year and is already powering multiple phones from different brands. The Exynos 2400, on the other hand, is Samsung’s fastest chip for smartphones, released earlier this year.
The Exynos 2400 is a 10-core chip, whereas the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has 8 cores. Despite fewer cores, the Snapdragon chip offers impeccable performance. But how does it stack up against the Exynos 2400? Let’s compare them to find the best of both.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs Exynos 2400: Spec Sheet
SD 8 Gen 3
Exynos 2400
Release Date
Oct 2023
Jan 2024
Process Node
4nm (TSMC)
4nm (Samsung)
CPU
1 x Cortex-X4 @ 3.3 GHz 3 x Cortex-A720 @ 3.2 GHz 2 x Cortex-A720 @ 3 GHz 2 x Cortex-A520 @ 2.3 GHz
1 x Cortex-X4 @ 3.21 GHz 2 x Cortex-A720 @ 2.9 GHz 3 x Cortex-A720 @ 2.6 GHz 4 x Cortex-A520 @ 1.95 GHz
GPU
Adreno 750 Adreno 700 architecture Hardware-accelerated ray tracing Global illumination Snapdragon Game Super Resolution Adreno Frame Motion Engine 2.0 Game Post Processing Accelerator Snapdragon Shadow Denoiser
Xclipse 940 AMD RDNA 3 architecture Hardware-accelerated ray tracing
Bluetooth 5.4 Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi 6/6E, Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 4
Bluetooth 5.3 Wi-Fi 6/6E, Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 4
Location
Galileo, Beidou, NavIC, GPS, GLONASS, QZSS
Galileo, Beidou, GPS, GLONASS
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs Exynos 2400: Geekbench 6 CPU Test
The Geekbench 6 test measures the CPU capabilities of devices. The test outputs single-core and multi-core scores. The single-core test evaluates the performance of a single CPU core, and the multi-core test shows the combined performance of all CPU cores working together.
For this test, we took the Galaxy S24+ (powered by Exynos 2400) and Galaxy S24 Ultra (powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 3) to minimize the differences caused by software optimizations.
The Galaxy S24+ managed to pull off 2,074 points in the single-core test and 6,616 points in the multi-core test. On the other hand, the Galaxy S24 Ultra scored 2,219 points in the single-core test and 6,741 points in the multi-core test.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3-powered Galaxy S24 Ultra has outperformed the Exynos 2400-powered Galaxy S24+ in single-core as well as muti-core tests on Geekbench. In other words, this means the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has a more powerful CPU than the Exynos 2400, as per Geekbench.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs Exynos 2400: AnTuTu 10
AnTuTu is another popular benchmarking platform that measures CPU, GPU, memory, and UX performance. Again, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3-powered Galaxy S24 Ultra is ahead of the Galaxy S24+ powered by Exynos 2400.
In the CPU test on the AnTuTu 10 platform, the Galaxy S24+ scored 413,360 points, whereas the Galaxy S24 Ultra scored 437,464 points. The S24+ has a GPU score of 617,368, which is 650,004 for the S24 Ultra. Memory is another important metric, where the S24+ scored 329,760 points, whereas the S24 Ultra stands at 360,619 points.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra has outperformed the Galaxy S24+ in the UX test as well on the AuTuTu benchmark.
Geekbench favored the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the CPU test, and the AnTuTu results showed a faster GPU and memory than the Exynos 2400.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs Exynos 2400: 3D Mark GPU Test
3D Mark is one of the best benchmarks for evaluating device GPU performance. In the Wild Life test, the Galaxy S24 Ultra (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3) scored 18,182 points, while the Galaxy S24 (Exynos 2400) couldn’t even touch the 15,000 mark (it scored 14256, to be precise).
The Wild Life Extreme test gives the Galaxy S24 Ultra 5,134 points, but the S24 only managed 4,267 points. Solar Bay testing yields similar results, with the S24 Ultra leading by 286 points.
The two chipsets have massive differences in GPU stress testing. On the 3D Mark WildLife Stress test, both Galaxy S24 Ultra (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3) and Galaxy S24 (Exynos 2400) went head-to-head in the beginning, but the Snapdragon device had more consistent GPU performance over a long period.
Both chips have high-performance GPUs and can smoothly run high-end games, but the Snapdragon chip has a slight edge over the Exynos 2400 for long gaming sessions.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs Exynos 2400: Performance & Efficiency
The Exynos 2400 chip uses the same cores as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 but has two extra cores. Despite that, it was beaten down by the 8-core Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 on the CPU benchmarks because of its higher clock speeds.
The benchmarking results also suggest that TSMC’s 4nm fabrication process is more efficient than Samsung’s.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs Exynos 2400: Which Is Better?
Samsung Exynos 2400 is a powerful smartphone chip and can very well compete with flagship chips from other brands. It has plenty of processing power and a powerful GPU to offer a smoother performance. However, it couldn’t beat the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 on any benchmarks. That doesn’t make the Exynos 2400 a bad chip. It’s still one of the best flagship chips right now.
Samsung has done well with Exynos 2400, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is still ahead of it. However, another chip, Dimensity 9300, from its rival MediaTek, is giving tough competition to this flagship Snapdragon chip. Look at the tough battle between Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Dimensity 9300.
Tomorrow, Xiaomi will unveil the Xiaomi Mix Flip as the company’s first flip-style foldable phone. Yesterday, the brand confirmed key details, such as the chipset, battery size, and design of the device. Today, the brand released the following poster to confirm the external screen size as well as related features.
Xiaomi Mix Flip key features
According to Xiaomi, the Mix Flip features a 4.01-inch external display with 1.5K resolution and 1600 nit global brightness. The cover display has equal bezels and a curved-edge design on all four sides. It is shielded by a layer of Xiaomi’s Dragon Crystal Glass.
The Xiaomi Mix Flip’s external screen stands out due to the dedicated earpiece and microphone situated just above its top bezel. This will allow Mix Flip users to make calls without opening the device. The larger external screen supports a full-size keyboard for convenient typing. Additionally, the display offers smart partitions, full-screen photography, and other intelligent features, making it both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
As per other reports, the Xiaomi Mix Flip features the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, up to 16 GB of LPDDR5x RAM, up to 1 TB of UFS 4.0 storage, and a 4,780mAh battery with 67W rapid charging.
The Mix Flip is said to have a 50-megapixel (main) + 60-megapixel (2x telephoto) dual-camera system on the back. It is expected to arrive in three shades, such as black, white, and purple. At present, there is no information about the price of the device.
Tomorrow’s event will also see the arrival of other Xiaomi devices, such as the Mix Fold 4, the Watch S4 Sport, the Smart Band 9, and the Buds 5 TWS earbuds.
First up in today’s roundup, Xiaomi’s finally spilling the beans on why they’re fashionably late to the flip phone party. Their Mix Flip is coming, but why the wait? We’ve got the inside scoop straight from the CEO.
Meanwhile, Samsung’s playing hard to get with their rumored Galaxy Z Fold 6 Ultra. Looks like this ultra-premium foldable might be giving most of us the cold shoulder, staying exclusive to just two countries. We’ll dive into the details and what this means for foldable fans worldwide.
But hold onto your ethical hats, because Apple’s in hot water over their AI training methods. YouTube videos as AI fodder? We’re breaking down the controversy and what it means for content creators and tech giants alike.
And if you’ve ever wanted to see yourself as a 3D character (who hasn’t?), Tencent’s got you covered. Their new app turns your selfies into printable 3D avatars. It’s like magic, but with more pixels!
All the details on these stories are in today’s roundup below.
Xiaomi will launch the Xiaomi Mix Flip along with the Mix Fold 4 on July 19. However, many of Xiaomi’s competitors have been offering clamshell foldables for quite a while. Today the company’s CEO reveals the reason why Xiaomi is yet to release a clamshell foldable. According to him, the product “will not be released until it is ready”.
Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Fold 6 in the Galaxy Unpacked event earlier this month. However, the company didn’t announce the speculated Galaxy Z Fold 6 Ultra in the event. The latest news is that this product has not been canceled, but it will be released exclusively in China and South Korea. While we don’t know the exact release date, it is speculated to be in October.
We have previously come across numerous reports claiming that OpenAI used YouTube content to train its text-to-video model, Sora. Now it’s reported that companies like Apple, Nvidia, Anthropic, and more are also using the ‘publicly available data’ generated by users to train their AI models. Apparently, Apple used tens of thousands of YouTube videos with subtitles to train Apple Intelligence, which is against the platform’s content policy.
Tencent Yuanbao, a large-scale model application by Tencent, has introduced a groundbreaking feature called “3D Avatar Dream Factory,” transforming the landscape of 3D character creation.
This feature allows users to effortlessly generate personalized 3D characters from a single front-facing image, making it the first universal app to achieve such high-quality 3D generation.
Hisense has introduced a new range of Smart TVs in India, just in time for the Amazon Prime Day Sale and Flipkart G.O.A.T sale starting July 20th. The lineup includes various models with advanced features for different budgets and viewing preferences.
Hisense Q7N QLED TV
The Q7N QLED TV is aimed at premium entertainment. It comes with IMAX certification, a bezel-less design, and sizes from 55 to 100 inches. It offers 4K resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, Quantum Dot technology, and Dolby Vision. The audio system includes 61W speakers with Dolby Atmos and DTS X. Connectivity options include 4 HDMI 2.1 ports, built-in Alexa, and support for screen sharing and Airplay 2.
Hisense U7N Mini LED TV
The U7N Mini LED TV focuses on picture quality with Mini LED technology for precise lighting control. Available in 55 and 65 inches, it offers a 240Hz refresh rate, 1500 nits brightness, and Dolby Vision. The audio system includes 49W speakers with Dolby Atmos. This model also comes with a premium remote control.
Hisense U6N Pro Mini LED TV
The U6N Pro offers a balance of features and affordability. It includes Mini LED and Full Array Local Dimming for clear visuals. Available in 55 and 65 inches, it features 4K resolution, Quantum Dot technology, and Dolby Vision. The audio system includes 20W speakers with Dolby Atmos.
Hisense E68N 4K TV
For Google TV users, the E68N integrates with the platform and is available in 43 and 55 inches. It includes Google Assistant for easy content browsing and control, 4K resolution, Quantum Dot Colour, and 4K AI Upscaler technologies. The audio system includes 24W speakers with Dolby Atmos, built-in Alexa, screen sharing, and Airplay 2.
Pricing & availability
Pricing for these new models starts at Rs. 53,999 for the Q7N on Amazon.in. The U6N Pro begins at Rs. 59,999 on Flipkart.com. The U7N is priced at Rs. 79,999 for the 55″ model and Rs. 1,14,999 for the 65″ model, available on both Flipkart.com and Amazon.in.
The E68N starts at Rs. 29,999 for the 43″ model and Rs. 41,999 for the 55″ model, available on Flipkart.com and Amazon.in. All models will be available for purchase starting July 19, 2024.
Dell has launched two new laptops in India, the XPS 13 and Inspiron 14 Plus, both featuring the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Series processors and boasting AI capabilities.
XPS 13: Thin, Light, and Long-Lasting
The XPS 13 is the company’s thinnest and lightest XPS model yet. It runs on the Snapdragon X1 Elite processor (12 cores, up to 3.4 GHz, Dual Core Boost up to 4.0 GHz) and comes with the Qualcomm Adreno GPU and Qualcomm Hexagon NPU for smooth graphics and power efficiency. Users can choose between:
13.4-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200) InfinityEdge non-touch display: 500-nit brightness, 100% sRGB color gamut, 2000:1 contrast ratio, 30-120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision, Eyesafe technology, and anti-glare coating.
13.4-inch OLED 3K (2880 x 1800) InfinityEdge touch display: 400-nit brightness, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, VESA Display HDR TrueBlack 500 certification, 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, 48-60Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision, Eyesafe technology, anti-reflective and anti-smudge coating.
Both options boast excellent color accuracy and Dolby Vision for immersive visuals. The XPS 13 comes with up to 32GB LPDDR5x RAM and up to 1TB PCIe 4 SSD storage. It houses a 55Whr battery with ExpressCharge 1.0 technology and supports Qualcomm FastConnect 7800 Wi-Fi 7 for blazing-fast wireless connectivity.
Inspiron 14 Plus: Powerful Performance and AI Integration
The Inspiron 14 Plus boasts a 10-core Snapdragon X Plus processor and offers up to 21 hours of local video playback. It features a spacious 14-inch QHD+ (2560 x 1600) IPS touch display and a variety of ports, including:
2 USB Type-C ports with DisplayPort and Power Delivery
1 USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 port
MicroSD card reader
Headphone jack
The Inspiron 14 Plus comes with 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM and offers storage options of 512GB or 1TB M.2 SSD. It has a 54Whr battery with a 65W USB-C adapter and supports Qualcomm FastConnect 7800 Wi-Fi 7. Security features include a fingerprint reader with Windows Hello support (optional), a webcam privacy shutter, and hardware TPM with Pluton.
AI Features
Both laptops come with unique AI features powered by the Snapdragon platform, designed to improve productivity and creativity:
Cocreator: This app allows users to generate images with AI based on their descriptions and brushstrokes.
Live Captions: This feature translates audio from 44 languages to English in real time, making video calls and online content more accessible.
New Windows Studio Effects: Enhance video calls with lighting adjustments and creative filters to create a more professional or personalized appearance.
Pricing & Availability
XPS 13: Available in three variants, priced between Rs. 1,39,990 and Rs. 1,69,990.
Inspiron 14 Plus: Available in two variants, priced at Rs. 1,15,590 (512GB) and Rs. 1,19,590 (1TB).
Both models are available for purchase today on Dell.com, Dell Exclusive Stores (DES), and major retailers across India, including Croma, Reliance Retail, Vijay Sales, multi-brand outlets, and Amazon.in.
Retail Offers
Dell is offering various retail offers on both laptops:
ASUS has introduced the ProArt 13 2024, a convertible laptop designed to empower creative professionals. This AI-powered machine boasts a powerful AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor with Zen 5 cores and RDNA 3.5 architecture graphics handled by the Radeon 880M (16 CUs). The integrated NPU delivers up to 50 TOPS of computing power, ideal for demanding creative workloads.
The 2.8K OLED touchscreen display has a 550 nits peak brightness
The centerpiece of the ProArt 13 2024 is its stunning 2.8K OLED touchscreen display. This high-resolution panel covers 100% of the P3 color gamut for vibrant colors, boasts a peak brightness of 550 nits for excellent clarity even in bright environments, and supports stylus input for a natural drawing experience.
Despite its impressive performance, the ProArt 13 2024 remains surprisingly thin and light. Measuring just 15.8mm thick and weighing only 1.38kg, it’s perfect for creators on the go. ASUS’s Glacier Pro cooling system, featuring dual fans, four heat pipes, and liquid metal thermal compound, ensures the laptop stays cool even when unleashing its full 115W of performance.
The ProArt 13 2024 comes equipped with a long-lasting 73Wh battery, a built-in 1080p IR camera for secure facial recognition, and a 240Hz refresh rate touchpad for smooth and responsive control. ASUS is also offering a generous six-month free membership to a clipping service (availability may vary by region).
The ASUS ProArt 13 2024 is now available for pre-order and will officially launch on July 28th at a price of 14,999 yuan (approximately $1,204 USD).
ASUS has introduced the ProArt 13 2024, a convertible laptop designed to empower creative professionals. This AI-powered machine boasts a powerful AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor with Zen 5 cores and RDNA 3.5 architecture graphics handled by the Radeon 880M (16 CUs). The integrated NPU delivers up to 50 TOPS of computing power, ideal for demanding creative workloads.
The centerpiece of the ProArt 13 2024 is its stunning 2.8K OLED touchscreen display. This high-resolution panel covers 100% of the P3 color gamut for vibrant colors, boasts a peak brightness of 550 nits for excellent clarity even in bright environments, and supports stylus input for a natural drawing experience.
Despite its impressive performance, the ProArt 13 2024 remains surprisingly thin and light. Measuring just 15.8mm thick and weighing only 1.38kg, it’s perfect for creators on the go. ASUS’s Glacier Pro cooling system, featuring dual fans, four heat pipes, and liquid metal thermal compound, ensures the laptop stays cool even when unleashing its full 115W of performance.
The ProArt 13 2024 comes equipped with a long-lasting 73Wh battery, a built-in 1080p IR camera for secure facial recognition, and a 240Hz refresh rate touchpad for smooth and responsive control. ASUS is also offering a generous six-month free membership to a clipping service (availability may vary by region).
The ASUS ProArt 13 2024 is now available for pre-order and will officially launch on July 28th at a price of 14,999 yuan (approximately $1,204 USD).
Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Fold 6 in the Galaxy Unpacked event earlier this month. However, the company didn’t announce the speculated Galaxy Z Fold 6 Ultra in the event. The latest news is that this product has not been canceled, but it will be released exclusively in China and South Korea. While we don’t know the exact release date, it is speculated to be in October.
Galaxy Z Fold 6
A report from GalaxyClub states that Samsung is developing firmware for a phone with model number SM-F958N, where the last letter represents the region. For reference, the Galaxy Z Fold6 has model number SM-F956. The “N” in the model mane reportedly stands for South Korea, while the Chinese model uses “0”.
It is also reported that the firmware of SM-F958N is suitable for the major Korean operator codes KOO, KTC, SKC, and LUC, which represent the unlocked version, KT roaming, SK Telecom, and LG U+ respectively. It indicates that the device will be launched on the three major operators in the home country. In addition to South Korea, the new phone will also be launched in the Chinese market. According to Allround-PC, the new book-style foldable phone from Samsung will be called Galaxy Z Fold 6 Ultra.
According to GalaxyClub, the device could still be in its development stage. The publication also speculates that the device could be “far from an official launch” as the company is still working with the firmware. That being said, the phone might not be ready for a launch until the fourth quarter of the year or early next year.
While we currently don’t know much about the upcoming foldable, the naming suggests similarities with the just-released Galaxy Z Fold 6. So here’s a recap. The phone comes with IP48 dust and water resistance, and equips a 7.6″ inner display with a resolution of 1856 x 2160 pixels and a peak brightness of 2600 nits. The outer display is measured at 6.3″, which offers a resolution of 968 x 2376 pixels. The phone is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, which is paired with UFS 4.0 fast storage.
Speaking of cameras, the phone boasts a 50MP main camera and a 10MP 3x telephoto, both of which support OIS. There is also a 12MP ultrawide on the back. The phone equips a 4MP sensor for the cover camera and another 10MP sensor selfie camera on the outer screen. The phone packs a 4400 mAh battery and supports 25W charging.
Xbox is hosting a sweepstakes event to win a limited-edition Deadpoolwireless controller to celebrate the upcoming movie “Deadpool & Wolverine.” This unique controller won’t be sold in stores and features a design inspired by the superhero. Why is this design special? Because it sticks out – there’s literally a butt on the back of the remote.
This special edition Xbox controller is anything butt subtle
To enter the sweepstakes, simply follow Xbox on X (formerly known as Twitter) and repost their official announcement. You must also be 18 years or older. Entries will be accepted until August 11th, 2024.
The grand prize winner won’t just get the controller, but also a custom Deadpool-themed Xbox Series X console with a stand featuring foam replicas of Deadpool’s katanas. Collector’s items for sure — expect to see these items on eBay with huge price tags soon.
TCL has unveiled two new high-end soundbars, the Q85H and Q75H at a recent press conference. These soundbars cater to home theater enthusiasts seeking immersive sound experiences.
TCL Q85H Specifications
The Q85H boasts a 7.1.4 physical surround sound setup, featuring 12 channels with 15 independent sound units. This translates to a powerful 860W output with deep bass reaching down to 45Hz. The system includes a wireless subwoofer with a 200W power rating and large ferrite magnets for rich bass reproduction.
TCL incorporates their proprietary RAY-DANZ technology in the Q85H, which widens the omnidirectional sound arc. Additionally, T-Chord synchronized sound emission technology ensures perfect compatibility with TCL TVs for a seamless audio experience. The soundbar supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X for spatial sound enhancement, and has won the Red Dot Design Award for its aesthetics.
Design-wise, the Q85H features a glass string aesthetic with Al Sonic-Adaptation technology that adjusts the sound field based on the environment. It offers six audio modes for customization (standard, movie, music, sports, news, games) and is Golden Ear tuned for audiophile-grade sound. Connectivity options include Airplay 2, a custom CEC protocol, HDMI eARC with VRR and ALLM support, 4K HDR, and Dolby Vision passthrough, allowing control with a single remote.
TCL Q75H Specifications
The Q75H offers a 5.1.2 physical surround sound experience with its 8-channel configuration. It delivers a cumulative peak power of 620W and features a wireless subwoofer with a 200W rating for deep bass. Similar to the Q85H, it utilizes RAY-DANZ technology and Dolby Atmos & DTS:X support for an immersive listening experience.
Like its bigger brother, the Q75H employs T-Chord technology for seamless integration with TCL TVs. It provides six sound modes, Bluetooth 5.1, and AirPlay2 for wireless connectivity. The design combines mirror glass with brushed aluminum for a premium look. It also comes with carved touch buttons that enhance user interaction. The soundbar includes HDMI eARC for high-resolution audio and low-latency connections, making it ideal for dynamic home entertainment setups.
Pricing and Availability
The TCL Q85H is priced at 3499 yuan (approximately $482) at launch, while the Q75H comes in at 2699 yuan (approximately $372). These soundbars are now up for pre-order on JD.com.
Volkswagen (Anhui), a joint venture between Volkswagen and Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group, has launched its debut electric vehicle, the ID.UNYX. This sporty coupe SUV starts at 209,000 yuan (around $28,790 USD) and comes in three variants.
The car comes standard with IQ.Drive, Volkswagen’s intelligent driving assistance system.
The ID.UNYX boasts a head-turning exterior design. The coupe SUV silhouette with a sloping roofline creates a dynamic stance. The sleek front fascia features a light strip and LED headlights, complemented by blacked-out A-pillars and trim accents for a unified look. Semi-hidden door handles and 21-inch wheels further enhance the sporty feel. The rear echoes the theme with an illuminated logo and taillights, while a lower diffuser adds a touch of aerodynamic aggression. A golden VW logo adds a hint of luxury.
Inside, the ID.UNYX features a familiar Volkswagen family design language. A floating central control screen and digital instrument cluster dominate the dashboard, while a flat-bottom steering wheel and shift knob offer a driver-centric feel. The latest ID.S 5.0 infotainment system keeps occupants entertained and connected. Depending on the trim level, the ID.UNYX can be equipped with a panoramic sunroof, rear air conditioning vents, and an electric tailgate for added comfort and convenience.
Technology is a major focus for the ID.UNYX. The car comes standard with IQ.Drive, Volkswagen’s intelligent driving assistance system. This suite includes Travel Assist 3.0 with features like lane change assist, making highway driving more relaxing. Standard IQ.Park takes the stress out of parking with features like memory parking and remote control. A 360-degree panoramic camera and 12 ultrasonic radars ensure the driver has a complete picture of their surroundings.
The ID.UNYX offers a choice of two powertrains. A rear-wheel-drive version utilizes a 170 kW electric motor, while an all-wheel-drive option pairs an 80 kW front motor with a 170 kW rear motor. The all-wheel-drive variant achieves 0-100 km/h acceleration in a brisk 5.6 seconds. Both configurations come equipped with an 82.4 kWh battery pack, offering a range of 621 km for the rear-wheel-drive model and 565 km for the all-wheel-drive variant. Drivers can choose from five driving modes: Sport, Eco, Comfort, Individual, and Dynamic Traction Control, to tailor the car’s performance to their needs.
Measuring 4663 mm long, 1860 mm wide, and 1610 mm tall, the ID.UNYX offers a spacious and comfortable interior with a wheelbase of 2766 mm. This new electric SUV marks a significant step for Volkswagen (Anhui), established in 2017 as the automaker’s third joint venture in China. The ID.UNYX represents the first electric car produced by the venture, and it’s sure to turn heads with its stylish design, advanced technology, and impressive range.
boAt, a leading audio brand in India, has introduced the Nirvana Space TWS earbuds. A standout feature is the 360° Spatial Audio, developed in collaboration with AMI Technologies, offering an immersive listening experience.
The earbuds include diamond-like carbon drivers and boAt’s signature sound with EQ modes, providing clear and customizable audio. They also feature active noise cancellation (ANC) up to 32dB to reduce background noise, and call quality is enhanced with quad-mic ENx technology.
For gaming and watching videos, the earbuds offer a 60ms low-latency mode. Additional features include in-ear detection, touch controls, and multipoint connectivity, allowing pairing with two devices simultaneously.
The battery life is notable, offering a total of 100 hours of playtime. A fast-charging Type-C port provides 4 hours of playback with just a 15-minute charge.
Available in black and white, the boAt Nirvana Space earbuds will be sold exclusively on Amazon.in during Prime Days for Rs. 1,999.
In related news, boAt has also recently launched the Bassheads 122 ANC wired earphones, featuring Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) for under Rs. 1,000. Designed for workouts and travel, these earphones offer a secure fit, 13mm drivers for deep bass and clear sound, and ANC that reduces ambient noise by up to 25 dB. They also have an ambient mode, an inline microphone, USB Type-C connector, and in-line controls.
We have previously come across numerous reports claiming that OpenAI used YouTube content to train its text-to-video model Sora. Now it’s reported that companies like Apple, Nvidia, Anthropic, and more are also using the ‘publicly available data’ generated by users to train their AI models. Apparently, Apple used tens of thousands of YouTube videos with subtitles to train Apple Intelligence, which is against the platform’s content policy.
The news comes from an investigation by Proof News that was co-published with Wired.
According to the investigation, Apple and the other companies were using a dataset called YouTube Subtitles that included transcripts of 173,536 YouTube videos from over 48,000 channels. Videos in the dataset span from educational channels such as Khan Academy and MIT to news sites including The Wall Street Journal, to some of the platform’s top creators like MrBeast and Marques Brownlee.
According to Marques Brownlee, Apple technically avoids “fault” as they sourced their AI from companies that used the transcripts from YouTube videos instead of using the data directly. Nonetheless, the data/transcripts still contribute to the AI models, in which the creators invested their time and money. Brownlee concluded by saying that this is going to be an evolving problem for a long time.
Proof News also created a tool for creators to search for their content in the dataset. The YouTube Subtitles dataset does not include imagery from videos but does include some translated subtitles in languages. The dataset was reportedly created by a non-profit research lab called Eleuther AI, which focuses on promoting open science norms.
None of the companies mentioned above immediately commented on the matter. YouTube chief executive Neal Mohan has already made it clear in an interview that companies using YouTube videos to train their AI models is a “clear violation” of the platform’s policies.
Honor has recently launched its latest book-style foldable, the Magic V3, in China. Now, Honor has released a preview on its official UK website, suggesting that this phone will soon be available in the UK market. However, the company has yet to announce a specific launch date for the phone. You can see one of the main selling points of the device below.
According to the preview information, users can become “Magic Insiders” by answering a few questions and have the opportunity to get a one-month trial of Honor Magic V3, win a shopping voucher worth £1,000, and a trip to Germany.
The phone is only 9.2mm thick while closed and 4.35mm while opened. For context, it breaks the thickness record of the Honor Magic V2, which is 9.9mm and 4.7mm while closed and opened respectively. The phone weighs only 226g, which is 5g lighter than its predecessor. This is also lighter than Samsung’s bar flagship Galaxy S24 Ultra and the book-style foldable Galaxy Z Fold 6 (239g).
Although the phone is measured only 4.35mm in thickness, it still packs a 5150mAh battery. This is made possible thanks to the Si/C battery technology.
Both the inner and outer screens of Honor Magic V3 use the new Honor Vision Soothing Oasis Eye Protection Screen. The inner screen is measured at 7.92 inches which comes with a 2344 x 2156 resolution. This is a 1-120Hz LTPO panel that reaches a peak brightness of 1800 nits. Speaking of the outer screen, it is measured at 6.43″. This is also an LTPO panel with a resolution of 1060 x 2376 (402ppi) that reaches a peak brightness of 2500 nits (higher than the inner screen).
The Honor Magic V3 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and runs on MagicOS 8.0.1, which is based on Android 14.
Despite the thin body, the phone packs a 50MP 1/1.56″ main sensor, a 50MP 1 telephoto with 3.5x optical zoom, and a 40MP ultrawide. The main and telephoto also supports OIS. There are also two 20MP sensors for selfies.
The phone comes with an IPX8 dust and water resistance rating, which means it’s still not officially protected against water.
The smartphone world has gotten progressively larger over the years, but some users crave a return to the days of compact devices. The wait is over now!
The Unihertz Jelly Max, touted as the world’s smallest 5G phone, has launched its crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter. Starting at an early bird price of just $199, the Jelly Max packs a powerful punch despite its pocket-friendly size.
Unihertz Jelly Max Specifications:
The Jelly Max features a 5.05-inch, 720 x 1520 resolution LCD display with a punch-hole cutout for the front-facing camera. Despite its diminutive size, the phone is surprisingly hefty at 180g and measures a mere 128.7 x 62.7 x 16.3mm. For comparison, the iPhone 13 mini comes in slightly larger at 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.65mm.
The device comes with the powerful MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor, a significant upgrade from the Helio G99 found in its predecessors. This processor is paired with a whopping 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage, ensuring smooth performance for everyday tasks and even some light gaming.
For photos, the Jelly Max features a triple-camera system on the back. The main sensor is a whopping 100MP, accompanied by an 8MP telephoto lens and a 32MP front-facing camera for selfies and video calls.
The Jelly Max is equipped with a 4000mAh battery, which is impressive for a compact smartphone. Additionally, the phone supports 66W fast charging, which is claimed to juice the battery up to 90% in just 20 minutes.
The device runs the latest Android 14 operating system and boasts a variety of connectivity options, including 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC for contactless payments, and an infrared port for controlling appliances. It also includes a fingerprint sensor on the back for security.
Unihertz will start shipping Jelly Max from October of this year.
ASUS has announced the Fearless Pro16 2024, a gaming laptop boasting a powerful AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 processor (codenamed Strix Point) and a stunning 16-inch 3.2K 120Hz OLED display.
The 16-inch 3.2K OLED panel has a 120Hz refresh rate
The Ryzen AI 9 365 processor, with its Zen 5 cores and integrated XDNA 2 NPU, promises strong performance for gamers and creative professionals. The Radeon 880M graphics card, built on the RDNA 3.5 architecture, delivers a 15% improvement over the previous generation and rivals the performance of a 40W RTX 3050.
The centerpiece of the Fearless Pro16 2024 is its display. The 16-inch 3.2K OLED panel boasts a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth visuals, 100% P3 color gamut for vibrant colors, 10-bit color depth for richer details, and a peak brightness of 600 nits for excellent clarity even in bright environments.
ASUS has equipped the Fearless Pro16 2024 with a capable cooling system featuring dual fans and dual heat pipes. This system allows the laptop to unleash up to 50W of performance when needed. The laptop itself is surprisingly thin and light for its capabilities, measuring just 13.9mm thick and weighing only 1.5kg. The all-metal body offers a sleek and durable design, and the 180-degree hinge provides maximum flexibility for various usage scenarios.
In terms of connectivity, the Fearless Pro16 2024 comes equipped with HDMI 2.1 TMDS, USB4 ports, a microSD card reader, and a USB-C port that supports power input across a wide voltage range (5V-20V). Additionally, the laptop features an RGB keyboard for personalized lighting, a 240Hz sampling rate trackpad for responsive control, a 1080p IR camera for secure facial recognition, and a 75Wh battery for extended use.
The ASUS Fearless Pro16 2024 is now available for pre-order and will officially launch on July 28th at a price of 7,999 yuan (approximately $1,102 USD).
Mechanic has introduced the K500-M61, an entry-level keyboard featuring a magnetic axis design. The keyboard utilizes Hall effect technology for actuation, registering key presses with a high 8K return rate.
The keyboard has a 61-key layout and features PBT keycaps
The K500-M61 is equipped with a 61-key layout and sports a magnetic gray axis with a linear travel of 4mm. The keycaps are made from PBT material, known for their durability and resistance to wear and tear. They are also light-transmitting, allowing the keyboard’s RGB backlighting to shine through.
In terms of customization, the K500-M61 offers a variety of options. Users can adjust individual key trigger points within a range of 0.1mm to 4mm to suit their preferences. The keyboard also supports DKS, MT, TGL key macros, and other functions.
The K500-M61 has an aluminum alloy top cover for a sleek and sturdy design. It features 16.77 million color RGB backlighting with 15 preset lighting effects. Additionally, the keyboard comes with dedicated software that allows for further customization of lighting effects, key mapping, macro programming, and music synchronization.
Crucial, a consumer brand under Micron Technology, has launched a new M.2 NVMe solid-state drive, the P310. Designed for portability and performance, the P310 comes in a compact 2230 form factor and offers capacities of 1TB and 2TB.
The P310 utilizes a PCIe Gen 4 x4 interface with a DRAM-less controller
According to Crucial, the P310 is ideal for handheld gaming consoles, mini consoles, and ultralight laptops. It boasts compatibility with popular devices like the Valve Steam Deck, ASUS ROG Ally, certain Microsoft Surface models, and the Gigabyte Aorus Mini.
The P310 joins the Western Digital WD_BLACK SN770M as one of the few recently released M.2 2230 consumer SSDs. It utilizes a PCIe Gen 4 x4 interface with a DRAM-less controller (PS5027-E27T) co-developed by Micron and Innodisk. This configuration allows for sequential read and write speeds of up to 7,100 MB/s and 6,000 MB/s respectively, along with random read and write IOPS of up to 100,000 and 1,200,000.
Independent tech publication AnandTech reports that the P310 employs Micron’s own 176-layer 3D QLC NAND flash memory.
iQOO has just launched the iQOO Z9 Lite 5G in India. The device is the company’s most affordable 5G phone, with a starting price of Rs 9,999 (~$120 – inclusive of offers). Here are my first impressions about iQOO’s latest mid-range powerhouse:
I received the Mocha Brown variant of the Z9 Lite. As can be seen in the images, it has a matte shimmery finish on the back, and the flat edge of the phone feels good in hand. The IP64 rating for dust and water resistance provides peace of mind against accidental spills or exposure to dust.
The iQOO Z9 Lite 5G has a teardrop notch display with thick bezels on all four sides, which is a bit of a letdown. However, the 6.56-inch IPS LCD HD+ resolution panel offers good sun legibility as it supports up to 840 nits of brightness. The screen supports a 90Hz refresh rate, which enables a smooth experience during usage. While it lacks HDR support, it supports HD content on Netflix and Prime Video as it is a Widevine L1-certified device.
2. Performance and Software
The MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset is a slightly overclocked version of the existing Dimensity 810 chipset, which is coupled with LPDDR4x RAM and eMMC 5.1 storage. The phone comes in 4GB and 6GB RAM variants, both offering 128GB of storage. The device supports up to 6GB of virtual RAM and has a microSD card slot for additional storage. In terms of gaming, the device is good enough for casual gaming.
The 5000mAh battery easily lasts me through a full day with normal usage. The in-box 45W charger allows the phone to go from 0 to 100 percent in nearly 2 hours. Since it is an entry-level 5G phone, here’s how it performed in a 5G speed test on a Jio network.
The iQOO Z9 Lite runs on the latest FunTouch OS 14 based on Android 14. It comes with some handy features, such as the App Retainer, which is useful for quickly resuming apps where I left off, and the ability to hide sensitive photos, adding an extra layer of privacy. It is good to know that Z9 Lite owners will receive Android upgrades for two years and security updates for three years. Shown above is how the device performs on different benchmarking apps.
Another good thing about the device’s software is that while there are many preloaded apps, most of them are from Google and iQOO, with some additional apps like PhonePe, Netflix, and Truecaller. To sum up, there are no annoying investment apps, unnecessary party app store apps, or short video creation apps, which are usually considered bloatware.
3. Cameras and Other Features
For selfies, the iQOO Z9 Lite 5G has an 8-megapixel OmniVision OV8A010 front camera and a 50-megapixel Sony IMX852 + 2-megapixel macro dual-camera setup on the back. When the lighting is good, the Z9 Lite 5G managed to capture decent shots.
The main camera supports 2x in-sensor zoom, while the same sensor captures portrait shots in 1x. The other photography modes available on the device include Night, Video, 50MP, Panorama, Documents, Slow Motion, Timelapse, Pro, and Live Photo. In addition, the device allows beautification features, filters, and aperture settings (portrait mode). When it comes to video recording, the front and rear cameras offer up to 30fps 1080p video recording, but there is no stabilization support as it is a budget device.
For security, the device is equipped with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor. When it comes to audio, it features a top-mounted speaker and a 3.5mm audio jack available on the bottom edge. Even the earpiece of the device emits sound while playing audio or video.
For additional storage, the device features a hybrid SIM slot, which supports two SIM cards or one SIM card and a microSD card at a time.
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4. Final thoughts
In conclusion, the iQOO Z9 Lite 5G is a decent device if you are looking for the latest and budget-friendly 5G phone. It is good to see iQOO offer longer software support for this device when many of the competing devices in the price segment get only at least one major Android upgrade. The offer price of Rs 9,999 makes it a good 5G budget phone contender. However, if you can shell out a few more thousand Rupees, you will find several good options, one of them being the Redmi 13 5G, which recently debuted for Rs 13,999.
iQOO Z9 Lite 5G price in India
The iQOO Z9 Lite 5G has arrived in India with two options: 4GB+128GB for Rs 10,499 (~$125) and 6GB+128GB for Rs 11,499. The phone is scheduled to go on sale on July 20 through Amazon India and iQOO India’s e-store. Those who are interested can take advantage of a Rs 500 discount via ICICI and HDFC credit/debit card and credit card EMI transactions until July 31.
Apple launched the Vision Pro high-end VR headset back in February of this year. As you probably know, it can be integrated with a Mac for an immersive experience with a large virtual display. Now the news is that Samsung is about to launch the “Android version of Vision Pro”, which is also expected to compete with Apple’s $3,500 offering.
The Apple Vision Pro alternative from Samsung
Soon after the launch of the Vision Pro, it was revealed that Samsung and a number of Chinese manufacturers are also working on the form factor to grab the market share.
According to the latest leak, Samsung’s upcoming headset is codenamed Moohan. The developer version of it will be available in October and the consumer version will be available in March 2025. Reportedly, Samsung will deliver the headset to developers in October this year, and will officially announce the product at the Galaxy S25 series launch conference in 2025. The headset is expected to go on sale in March.
Samsung’s alternative to Apple Vision Pro will reportedly come with two 1.03-inch OLED screens with a resolution of 2500×2500. It means a pixel density of 3500PPI. The displays will offer a refresh rate of 90Hz.
For context, the Apple Vision Pro offers 1.41-inch displays that have 3,660 × 3,200 resolution and a pixel density of 3,386 PPI. So the Apple Vision Pro could still beat Samsung’s offering in immersion. Nonetheless, the overall user experience will also depend on the OS.
According to a previous report, the headset will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+ Gen2 processor, and will also boast 12 built-in cameras. The device is expected to be priced around 10,000 Yuan, which is equivalent to $1,377.
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