OnePlus has been pushing out major software updates for many of its smartphones introducing new animations, new touch controls and other improvements. The OnePlus 10R is yet to receive this update, however, the brand has released OxygenOS 14.0.0.620 for the device, which comes with multiple welcome changes.
You can now choose not to show the track when drawing the Lock screen pattern to unlock your device.
You can now adjust the size of a floating window by dragging its bottom and swiping up to close a mini window.
Integrates the June 2024 Android security patch to enhance system security.
Improves system stability.
It is worth noting that this update is currently rolling out to Indian users only. And as usual, it will be made available in batches, meaning that some users might receive it early, while others might have to wait for a few more days. To manually check for an update, go to the settings page, choose “About device,” and click on the blue ribbon. If an update is available, you can download and install it from there.
If you come across any bugs, you can report them by dialing *#800# and selecting the “Submit bugs” option. Please note that this method of bug submission is only available to users in India.
In related news, OnePlus has dropped the price of the OnePlus 11R to just ₹27,999 in India. This is a massive price cut of ₹12,000, as the smartphone debut in February 2023 for ₹39,999. Although it one generation old, it is still a good buy at the sub-₹30,000 price range, giving stiff competition to the likes of the Poco F6 and the Realme GT 6T.
Commuting with electric vehicles (EVs) has long been hampered by charging times that look pretty pale in comparison to the convenience of gas station fill-ups. Sure, planning and route optimization can work for longer trips, but that approach may soon be obsolete. Chinese battery giants BYD and CATL are on the cusp of launching ultra-fast-charging lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries that, in theory, could be fully recharged in just 10 minutes.
Upgrading the charging infrastructure is crucial in the long run
Battery technology is undergoing a rapid evolution. Recent years have seen significant improvements in both range and charging speed for EVs. BYD and CATL’s upcoming batteries are the latest example, aiming to revolutionize charging times. These companies are reportedly set to debut their ultra-fast-charging LFP batteries by the end of this year, potentially eliminating the need for lengthy charging stops during road trips.
The key to these rapid charge times lies in the 6C charging rate boasted by both the BYD Blade 2.0 and CATL Qilin 2.0 battery packs. In simpler terms, the “6” signifies that the charging multiplier is six times the battery capacity. For instance, a 100-amp-hour battery could be charged with a massive 600-amp current.
However, there are hurdles to overcome. Upgrading the charging infrastructure is crucial to support these speeds. Without an update to the charging network, owners of these advanced batteries won’t be able to fully benefit from their technology and will be limited by slower charging options. It’s also important to remember that batteries can’t maintain peak charging speeds throughout the entire charging cycle. Expect some strategic marketing around these new batteries, with a focus on specific charging windows, like 10% to 80% in 10 minutes. The 2024 Zeekr 001 with its 5C-rated battery is a prime example, achieving an 11.5-minute charge time for this range.
Specific details about the upcoming 6C batteries from BYD and CATL are still undisclosed. However, reports suggest that existing DC fast chargers designed for 4C-rated batteries (four times the charging speed compared to the capacity) can deliver up to 480 kW of power and a maximum current of 615 amps. Achieving even faster charging would necessitate an increase in either voltage or amperage (or both). While technically feasible, equipping thousands of DC fast chargers with such high-rated utility connections would require significant financial investment.
Progress is underway, though gradual. China has seen the deployment of the first 600 kW fast chargers from Huawei earlier this year. Additionally, Li Auto, the manufacturer behind the Mega minivan capable of gaining 310 miles of range in a 10-minute charge, has plans to install 5,000 5C-capable fast chargers by next year.
In comparison, Tesla‘s Supercharger network, the dominant DC fast charging network in the US, offers up to 250 kW of power from its V3 stalls. While respectable, there’s room for improvement, as evidenced by other US providers. Electrify America offers stalls delivering up to 350 kW, and Gravity Charging’s hub in New York boasts an impressive 500 kW per connected EV.
The future of EV charging appears to be speeding towards faster and faster charging times. While infrastructure upgrades and technical hurdles remain, the advancements by BYD, CATL, and other players in the battery technology space are paving the way for a more convenient and time-efficient electric vehicle ownership experience.
Huawei is rolling out a software update for the Mate 60 series, bringing HarmonyOS 4.2.0.130 to these smartphones. The focus of this update is threefold: enhancing the camera experience, introducing a new accessibility feature, and implementing general system optimizations.
Telephoto images will look much better and clearer with the new update
The update promises an overall improvement in the photo-taking capabilities of the Mate 60 series. Users can expect better image quality across various shooting scenarios. Specifically, telephoto photos should benefit from increased clarity, allowing for sharper details when zooming in. Portrait mode also sees an upgrade, with enhanced clarity and a more natural look for portrait shots.
The Mate 60 Pro+ and Mate 60 RS Master specifically gain a new accessibility feature called Smart Scanning. This function allows users to leverage the phone’s rear camera for quick QR code scanning and initiating payments while the phone is in desktop mode. The process is straightforward:
A QR code prompt appears on the screen.
Double-click the back of the phone or tap the QR code prompt at the bottom of the desktop.
Upon successful recognition (accompanied by a beep), you’ll be redirected to the corresponding service page.
Follow on-screen prompts to complete the desired action, such as launching an app or visiting a website.
For unified payment codes or situations with multiple codes, the default payment method will be automatically used.
It’s important to note that Smart Scanning is currently available on select Huawei models, including the Mate 50 series, Mate X3 series, Mate 60 series, and P70 series. The HarmonyOS update goes beyond camera improvements. The update also addresses other areas of the phone, including the overall user experience of the system. It also integrates the latest June security patches to enhance system security.
Microsoft released a preview update for Windows 11 Build 26241 today for Insiders in the Canary channel. This update focuses on improvements and bug fixes designed to enhance the overall desktop experience.
Microsoft is also aiming to prevent unnecessary notification clutter with the new update
The update delivers a range of improvements and fixes to address various issues that Insiders might have encountered. While the specific details aren’t available, Microsoft aims to improve the overall stability and performance of Windows 11.
Drag-and-Drop to Address Bar: Users can now use the File Explorer address bar for a more streamlined workflow. Simply drag and drop files directly onto the path displayed in the address bar for quicker navigation.
Enhanced File Selection: A thin border now surrounds the selected area in File Explorer, providing a clearer visual indication of the chosen files or folders.
Crash Fix: An issue that caused File Explorer to crash when entering the Home directory in previous updates has been addressed.
Taskbar and Notifications
App Icon Flickering Resolved: A bug that caused app icons to flicker on the taskbar has been squashed, ensuring a smoother visual experience.
Smarter Notification Recommendations: Microsoft has refined the logic behind notification recommendations. Now, the system will only suggest turning off notifications for apps that haven’t been interacted with by the user for an extended period. This should help prevent unnecessary notification clutter.
Lexar has unveiled three new memory card lines designed to meet the needs of videographers and content creators: the SILVER, SILVER PLUS, and SILVER PLUS microSDXC. All three series support capturing high-resolution videos at 4K resolution and 60 frames per second, ensuring smooth recordings.
The SILVER series guarantees a minimum sustained write speed of 30MB/s
The Lexar SILVER series adheres to the V30 standard, guaranteeing a minimum sustained write speed of 30MB/s. This ensures consistent performance for video recording. Notably, the microSD card variant in this series boasts IPX7 water resistance, allowing you to use it worry-free in various conditions. The Lexar SILVER UHS-I SDXC cards deliver read speeds of up to 205MB/s and write speeds of up to 140MB/s. These cards are available in 128GB and 256GB capacities, priced at $29.99 (approx. RMB 218) and $59.99 (approx. RMB 436) respectively.
Lexar bumps up the write speed in the SILVER PLUS series to 150MB/s, offering an improvement over the standard SILVER line. This series is available in both SDXC and microSDXC formats, catering to a wider range of camera types. The SDXC cards range from 64GB to 256GB, priced from $14.99 (approx. 109 Yuan) to $59.99 (approx. 436 Yuan). The microSDXC cards come in various capacities, including individual 128GB options and bundles offering multiple cards. Prices start from $24.99 (approx. 182 Yuan) and go up to $89.99 (approx. 654 Yuan) depending on the bundle chosen. It’s important to note that the performance specifications for the microSDXC versions match those of their SDXC counterparts.
To complement these new memory cards, Lexar has also launched a USB-A/C dual-head card reader. This reader provides a convenient way to transfer your captured footage to your computer and is priced at $17.99 (approx. 131 Yuan).
Samsung has filed a trademark application for “990 EVO Plus” with the Korea Industrial Property Information Service Center (KIPRIS), according to a report on June 19th. All this suggests an upcoming upgrade to the company’s popular 990 EVO solid-state drive (SSD).
The trademark application specifies storage products like flash drives and SSDs
Samsung’s EVO Series SSDs are known for their balance of performance and endurance, making them a popular choice for everyday users and professionals alike. The current 990 EVO boasts impressive read/write speeds and power efficiency, features likely to be further enhanced in the upcoming Plus model.
The trademark application specifies storage products like USB flash drives, NAND flash memories, and SSDs. This reinforces the expectation that “990 EVO Plus” refers to an upgraded SSD within Samsung’s EVO lineup.
Interestingly, Samsung also filed a trademark for “9100 PRO.” While this trademark falls under the storage and semiconductor category, it deviates from Samsung’s current naming conventions for consumer-grade storage products. The purpose of the “9100 PRO” trademark remains unclear.
Flow Computing, a Finnish startup, has introduced a novel chip technology with the potential to boost Central Processing Unit (CPU) performance significantly. Their Parallel Processing Unit (PPU) promises to double a CPU‘s capabilities and, with software adjustments, achieve up to 100x speed improvements – all without increasing power usage or heat generation.
PPU Promises Compatibility and Efficiency
Traditionally, CPUs handle tasks sequentially, one after another. Flow’s PPU acts as a companion chip, optimizing these tasks in real time. This allows the CPU to transition from serial processing to a parallel processing model, significantly streamlining operations. The analogy used by Flow’s CEO, Timo Valtonen, compares this shift to transforming a single-lane road into a multi-lane highway, enabling smoother traffic flow and faster processing speeds.
The PPU achieves this feat by managing tasks at incredibly short nanosecond intervals. By handling numerous processes simultaneously, it bolsters overall throughput without requiring changes to the CPU’s clock speed or underlying architecture.
While the potential benefits are undeniable, Flow acknowledges challenges in adoption. Integration of the PPU necessitates alterations at the chip design stage, potentially disrupting existing manufacturing processes.
Despite these hurdles, Flow has demonstrated the technology’s effectiveness through FPGA-based testing. Additionally, they have secured an initial €4 million in funding from venture capital firms. Currently, the company seeks industry partnerships to further develop and commercialize their solutions.
The success of Flow’s technology hinges on overcoming integration hurdles and demonstrating its effectiveness in real-world applications. If successful, the PPU could represent a major leap forward in CPU performance, impacting various sectors that rely on intensive processing power. From artificial intelligence and scientific computing to edge computing and autonomous systems, the potential applications are vast.
The tech industry will be closely watching Flow’s progress to see if their PPU technology can truly usher in a new era of high-performance, low-power CPUs.
Exciting offers have been applicable to the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 series and Pixel Watch 2. Interested buyers can get a free three-month MyFitnessPal, and 1000 Google Play Points by purchasing either of the mentioned watches from Best Buy. The discounts are time-limited and may soon run out of stock.
In addition to the three-month free MyFitnessPal subscription, which is worth $60, and the 1000 Google Play Points, which are equivalent to $1 each, there’s an additional $60 discount on top of it. You may get the Galaxy Watch 6 40mm variant for the price of $239.99 (Best Buy US here). It is a good value-for-money deal at the moment, as the Play Points come in handy while making in-app purchases and much more on the Play Store.
Meanwhile, the Pixel Watch 2 is also on sale (Best Buy US here), and the user can get an additional three-month free Google One subscription, along with 100GB of storage. Even though, there’s another $120 discount on the smartwatch if you trade in your old smartwatch.
Both smartwatches are now available at certain discounts that make the deal more luxurious, like an icing on the cake.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is already on discount in India, and the recent discount in the US is making it worth considering. The smartwatch comes in different sizes, like 40mm, 44mm, 43mm, and 47mm. However, if you prefer a large dial, then we’d suggest you get a Galaxy Watch 6. The smartwatch features heart rate, temperature, and sleep tracking. It also offers advanced body composition analysis and other features.
Pixel Watch 2 features a 1.2-inch AMOLED offering 450 x 450 pixels, and 320 PPI, and is well-protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 5. It bundles a 294 mAh battery, Qi wireless charging, 2GB RAM, and 32GB of internal storage.
Both the deals are worth considering, and it would help you save a few bucks.
There have been massive discounts this summer season on most of the Pixel devices. After bringing over a 20% discount on the Pixel 8 Pro and the Pixel 2 Watch LTE a few weeks ago, there’s up to a $300 discount on the Pixel 8 series duo across North America and some other regions.
Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro Deals
Interested folks can head over to the Amazon and Google Stores to get the most from the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro deals. Precisely, the Pixel 8 is retailing for $699 in Canada, and $543 in the US. The discounted price of $699 is applicable to both the Google Store and Amazon.
Meanwhile, the Pixel 8 Pro is up for sale for $1049, which is down from $1349. The price of the Pixel 8 Pro is the same across the Google Store and the Amazon Store.
Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro Specifications
While featuring the same design aesthetics, the smartphone features improved hardware and new software features, thanks to Android 14. Pixel 8 features a 6.17-inch OLED display with Full HD+ resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and 2000 nits peak brightness.
Furthermore, the Pixel 8 features a 50MP primary Samsung ISOCEll GN2 primary sensor and a 12MP IMX386 ultra-wide angle unit. It bundles the new Tensor G3 chipset, the Titan M2 security chip, and 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM. It bundles a 4485 mAh battery with 24W wired and 18W wireless charging.
Google Pixel 8 Pro features a 6.7-inch LTPO OLED, 3120 x 1440 pixels of resolution, a 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and up to 2400 nits of maximum brightness with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection. It comes with the same Tensor G3 SoC, 12GB RAM, 1TB storage, and a 5050 mAh battery. Interestingly, there’s another 512GB variant too, which is available at a few places. It features support for 30W wired and 23W wireless charging.
TDK Corporation is a Japanese company that manufactures, distributes, and sells electronic components and devices. It is the world’s leading electronic components and devices company that has high magnetics technology. This company became the first component manufacturer in India for iPhone batteries towards the end of last year.
Now the news is that TDK Corporation has managed to develop a a material for solid-state batteries with 100 times higher energy density.
Image: TDK
Nearly 100 times greater energy density than TDK’s conventional solid-state batteries
A higher energy density means more energy storage within less space inside a device. So, in theory, it may offer significantly longer battery life to compact battery-powered devices like smartphones and wearable products like TWS earbuds, smartwatches, and smart rings.
We are talking about a new solid-state battery technology that will offer an energy density of 1,000 Wh/L, which is nearly 100 times greater than the energy density of TDK’s conventional solid-state battery.
TDK has managed to develop a material for the new solid-state battery with a significantly higher energy density than TDK’s conventional mass-produced solid-state batteries (Type: CeraCharge). It has reportedly been possible due to the use of oxide-based solid electrolyte and lithium alloy anodes. The company aims to enhance the capacity of the batteries through multi-layer lamination technology and expand its operating temperature range with the help of the production engineering technology they have accumulated in the electronic components business.
According to the company, the new high-energy density solid-state batteries will also be safe to use. The use of oxide-based solid electrolytes is something that makes the new batteries “extremely safe”. The company mainly focuses on applying its new high-density batteries in compact wearable devices. Notably, the company also intends to replace the traditional coin cell primary batteries, which you cannot recharge. This will also comply with the EU battery regulations, which require rechargeable batteries. So, we can also expect TDK’s new solid-state battery technology to contribute to the reduction of environmental impact.
The company is committed to beginning the mass production of the battery cell and packaging structure as early as possible. However, the company didn’t share an exact timeline related to the development.
According to some previous rumors, Samsung has achieved success with its 3nm process nodes and the development of its 2nm process nodes is also progressing smoothly.
However, a recent report from Businesskorea indicates that Samsung Foundry’s 3nm process remains significantly inferior to TSMC’s, both in yield rate and power efficiency. For those unfamiliar, higher yield rates mean more functional chips per wafer, lowering the cost per chip and increasing profitability.
As a result, it is expected that most fabless manufacturers including NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, Qualcomm, MediaTek, and Apple will continue to rely on TSMC for their 3nm chips. It has also been reported that Google will switch to TSMC for its 2025 flagship chipset Tensor G5. Notably, the Tensor G4, which will power the upcoming Pixel 9 series, will still be manufactured by Samsung Foundry and will be based on an updated 4nm process.
Samsung talked about the mass production of their 3nm chips 3 years ago. Back in June 2022, Samsung Foundry was the first in the industry to apply the 3nm gate-all-around (GAA) process to mass production. However, due to the limitations, the company is still struggling to secure customers for the end product. The first generation 3nm process node (SF3E) has performed below the company’s expectations when it comes to performance and power efficiency. It has reportedly been adopted by some niche scenarios like chips for cryptocurrency mining. However, a widespread adoption will still require more improvements in power efficiency and yield rates.
The relatively lower yield rates and power efficiency of Samsung Foundry’s process nodes have long been problematic and are considered the main reasons for the performance gap between Snapdragon (those that are fabricated by TSMC) and Exynos-powered Galaxy devices.
According to a previous report, Qualcomm is considering a dual-sourcing strategy by partnering with Samsung Foundry alongside TSMC. While this is aimed at securing the company’s business by not relying on a single manufacturer, the company’s CEO mentioned “the current focus must be on the foundry production at TSMC.”
A new leak has provided some of the specs and renders of an upcoming gaming handheld said to be the Powkiddy K56. The early details about the gadget indicate that it will compete against the AYANEO Pocket Micro, KT Pocket R1, and ZPG A1 Unicorn gaming handhelds. Interestingly, Powkiddy has debunked the rumors as fake news.
The new retro gaming handheld is a successor to the Powkiddy X55 that was released in 2023. Powkiddy also recently announced the V10. The Powkiddy V10 is the brand’s first gaming handheld offering since the RGB20SX (currently priced at $102.99 on Amazon). The new leak was posted by Retro Handhelds who obtained information about the future gaming handheld with the K56 moniker. The branding of the K56 points to strong comparisons with and improvements over the X55. The Powkiddy K56 has a horizontal design and comes with a pair of joysticks. It also features two sets of shoulder buttons, ABXY and d-pad buttons in an orange accent.
The upcoming Powkiddy gaming handheld is actively cooled and features a small vent on its rear side. It has dimensions of 212 x 90 x 17 mm and its ergonomic design allows for seamless gaming. The ports available with the gaming handheld include a 3.5 mm audio jack, a MicroSD card reader, a mini HDMI port, and two USB Type-C ports.
The Powkiddy K56 is reportedly powered by an Helio G99 chipset. The MediaTek Helio G99 has been deployed in mid-range smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G. If the rumor is true, then the K56 could be as powerful as the AYANEO Pocket Micro, ZPG A1 Unicorn, and the KT Pocket R1. Of the trio, only the KT Pocket R1 is available for purchase currently.
The release date and pricing information for the Powerkiddy K56 are lacking. Sadly, this gadget may never come to life as Powkiddy has stated that the K56 isn’t an actual product in development.
Panasonic has launched the second generation of its TOUGHBOOK 40 rugged laptop, the TOUGHBOOK 40 Mk2. The upgraded version is designed for demanding environments and boasts significant improvements in processing power and durability.
Users can pick between an Ultra 5 or an Ultra 7 vPro processor
The core of the TOUGHBOOK 40 Mk2 is a next-generation “Meteor Lake” Core Ultra processor from Intel. Customers can choose between two vPro options: the Ultra 5 135H (offering 4 performance cores and 8 efficiency cores with a maximum frequency of 4.6 GHz) or the Ultra 7 165H (providing 6 performance cores and 8 efficiency cores, reaching up to 5.0 GHz). This translates to a substantial performance increase compared to the previous generation.
The display remains a 14-inch FHD LCD touchscreen, but with an impressive upgrade in brightness. The Mk2 now features a 1200 nit display, ensuring excellent visibility even when outdoors in bright conditions.
Connectivity has also received an overhaul. The TOUGHBOOK 40 Mk2 comes equipped with an advanced Intel BE200 Wi-Fi 7 network card, enabling blazing-fast wireless speeds. For reliable cellular connectivity on the go, optional 4G/5G network support is available. Additionally, the laptop includes eSIM functionality for added flexibility.
Durability is a hallmark of the TOUGHBOOK series, and the Mk2 maintains this tradition. It adheres to military standard MIL-STD-810H and MIL-STD-461H certifications, guaranteeing protection against shocks, vibrations, and other environmental stresses. The IP66 dust and water resistance rating ensures the laptop can withstand dust, rain, and even powerful water jets. Furthermore, the Mk2 can operate in extreme temperatures, ranging from -29°C to 63°C.
A key feature of the TOUGHBOOK line is its modular design. This allows for easy replacement of components like the battery, storage, and memory, maximizing uptime and ensuring the laptop can adapt to changing needs.
Measuring 54.4mm thick and weighing 3.35kg, the TOUGHBOOK 40 Mk2 is not the most lightweight option. However, its built-in 68Wh battery with Mobile Mark 25 standard offers a respectable 12 hours of operation on a single charge. To further extend runtime, the Mk2 supports the installation of a second battery.
The Mk2 also boasts various expansion options, allowing users to customize the functionality based on their specific needs. These expansion areas include slots for a second NVMe SSD, smart card reader, DVD/Blu-ray drive, additional battery, fingerprint unlocking sensor, and RFID card reader.
BenQ‘s professional esports-focused brand ZOWIE has just launched a new monitor called the ZOWIE XL2586X, as well as the ZOWIE U2 wireless mouse in India.
ZOWIE XL2586Xgaming monitor:
The ZOWIE XL2586X is the first monitor in India with a 540Hz refresh rate, featuring BenQ’s DyAc 2 technology. This technology improves motion clarity and reduces blur, helping gamers track fast-moving targets more accurately.
Key Features:
Display Technology: Fast-TN panel for sharp, clear motion and vibrant, accurate colors.
Ergonomic Design: Industrial-grade bearing mechanism for smooth height adjustments.
Visual Enhancements: Black eQualizer, Color Vibrance, Low Blue Light, and Flicker-free technology.
Connectivity: HDMI 2.1, DP 1.4, and a headphone jack.
Specifications:
Display: 24.1-inch Fast TN 540Hz FHD, 16:9 aspect ratio
Brightness & Contrast: 320 nits brightness, 1000:1 contrast ratio
Features: DyAc 2, Auto Game Modes, S Switch, Shield, K Locker
Dimensions & Weight: 517 mm (Highest) / 362 mm (Lowest) x 576 mm x 209 mm, 5.8 kg
Warranty: 3 years
ZOWIE U2 Wireless mouse:
The ZOWIE U2 wireless mouse is designed for professional gamers, offering enhanced control and agility. Its symmetrical design and lightweight build provide a comfortable grip and precise control during intense gameplay.
Key Features:
Design: Symmetrical shape with curvy sides and side buttons for easy thumb access.
Performance: Supports various DPI settings (400 / 800 / 1000 / 1200 / 1600 / 3200) and offers fast click response times.
Battery Life: Up to 70 hours, with the receiver doubling as a charging dock.
Battery & Connectivity: Up to 70 hours battery life, receiver doubles as charging dock
Dimensions & Weight: 12.4 cm x 3.8 cm x 0.1 cm, 60g
Color: Black
Pricing and Availability
The ZOWIE XL2586X monitor is available at leading gaming retailers and on Amazon.in for Rs. 94,990. Additionally, the ZOWIE U2 wireless mouse is available exclusively on Amazon.in for Rs. 14,990.
Philips has launched a new budget-friendly monitor in China, the 326M6FJSB, in the Chinese market. The monitor is currently available for purchase on JD.com at an introductory price of 999 Yuan (approximately $138).
Philips 326M6FJSB Monitor Specifications:
The monitor features a 31.5-inch display display with a 2K (2560 x 1440 resolution) IPS panel with a 60Hz refresh rate and 5ms response time. The panel boasts wide viewing angles of 178 degrees horizontally and 178 degrees vertically, ensuring excellent visibility from various positions.
The display boasts a 10-bit color depth (8-bit + FRC) with 108% NTSC and 126% sRGB color gamut coverage, ensuring vibrant and accurate colors for creative work or immersive entertainment. Additionally, the monitor boasts a 250 nits brightness rating and a 1200:1 contrast ratio, providing decent detail even in brighter environments.
The monitor features AMD FreeSync technology, which synchronizes the monitor’s refresh rate with compatible AMD graphics cards to eliminate screen tearing and stuttering for a smoother gaming experience. The monitor also features a selection of pre-set gaming modes that optimize settings for different game genres, such as FPS and RTS.
For eye comfort during extended use, the 326M6FJSB incorporates Philips’ LowBlue Mode technology that reduces harmful shortwave blue light emissions. It also features Flicker-free technology to minimize flickering, further reducing eye strain.
Additionally, it features Ambiglow technology that creates a halo of light around the back of the monitor that changes color based on the on-screen content, enhancing the viewing experience, especially in movies and games.
In terms of connectivity, the monitor offers a variety of options, including two HDMI 1.4 ports, a DisplayPort 1.2 port, and a VGA port for legacy devices. It also includes a headphone jack for audio output.
The stand allows for tilt adjustments, and the monitor is VESA mount (100x100mm) compatible for easy wall mounting. The monitor also comes with a Kensington lock slot for added security.
Close to completing a year since its launch last September, the Lenovo Legion Go (review) is all set to arrive in the Indian market. The brand officially announced the launch date of the handheld console in the country in a press note. Lenovo has also put up a microsite of the device on its official website revealing its key specifications which are the same as the global variant. The Lenovo Legion Go will compete against the likes of the ASUS ROG Ally and MSI Claw A1M in India.
Lenovo Legion Go set to arrive in India next week
Lenovo has confirmed that the Legion Go will be introduced in India on June 27, Thursday. It will come with three months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. The company does not divulge into any additional details regarding the handheld console’s availability. We should learn more about it next week. In Europe, the Lenovo Legion Go starts at EUR 799 (~Rs 71,604). We can expect it to be priced similarly in India. To jog your memory, the ASUS ROG Ally was launched at Rs 69,990 whereas the MSI Claw A1M starts at Rs 88,890.
As per the microsite, the Lenovo Legion Go will be compatible with Legion AR Glasses. The handheld console will feature an 8.8-inch LCD screen with QHD+ resolution and 144Hz refresh rate. It is confirmed to be powered by AMD Ryzen Z1 series processors paired with 16GB RAM and up to 1TB SSD with support for microSD card slot. Internally, the device has an advanced thermal design comprising an ultra-thin heatsink and up to 20W TGP for heat dissipation. It is confirmed to be backed by a 49.2WHr battery cell.
The Lenovo Legion Go features detachable controls. Software-wise, it runs on Windows OS.
Ajazz has launched a very unique gaming mouse in the Chinese market called the M259, boasting a unique design inspired by a classic car and impressive features for competitive gamers. Let’s check out its key specs.
Ajazz M259 Mouse Specifications:
The M259 breaks away from the conventional gaming mouse mold with a design inspired by the iconic grille of the Ferrari Testarossa. This unique approach isn’t just for aesthetics; Ajazz claims the magnesium-aluminum alloy shell, combined with a sealed ABS top cover, minimizes the feeling of coldness during extended use and prevents food debris and liquids from entering the mouse.
Despite its bold design, the M259 prioritizes performance. The mouse weighs a mere 64 grams, comparable to the weight of an egg. This construction allows for lightning-fast movements and reduces fatigue during long gaming sessions.
The M259 is equipped with the PixArt PAW3395 sensor, a popular choice among competitive gamers for its precise tracking and responsiveness. It comes with a maximum DPI of 26,000. The mouse also features a 1KHz polling rate, ensuring minimal latency between your movements and in-game actions.
The M259 caters to a variety of user preferences with its tri-mode connectivity. You can choose between a wired connection for the lowest latency, a 2.4G wireless connection for a clutter-free desktop setup, or Bluetooth connectivity for pairing with laptops or other devices.
The M259 boasts a built-in 350mAh battery, offering impressive battery life. Ajazz claims you can expect approximately 54 hours of use in 2.4G mode and 55 hours in Bluetooth mode on a single charge. Additionally, the mouse utilizes Huano Blue Translucent Dot microswitches with an 80 million click lifespan, ensuring durability for those intense gaming sessions.
Pricing and Availability
The mouse is available in matte black, white, and red colors. It is now available on JD.com for 269 Yuan (around $37).
Over the last couple of months, various PC brands have unveiled new laptops that feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite chip. This processor was launched last year and promised to offer impressive energy efficiency, great performance, and advanced AI capabilities. So here’s a list of all the notebooks from various brands that feature this chipset.
Back in May 2024, Acer unveiled the Swift 14 AI which is a new laptop model. This features Qualcomm’s high-end laptop chipset, the Snapdragon X Elite SoC. It arrives with a 14.5-inch screen with a 16:10 aspect ratio and a 120Hz refresh rate. The symbols on the trackpad and the laptop’s display lid are illuminated when Microsoft Copilot is being used. This model was announced for a 1,099 US Dollar price tag and is set to go on sale in August 2024.
2. ASUS
ASUS also has its very own Snapdragon X Elite offering. The company unveiled the Vivobook S 15 OLED last month. Previous iteration of this model ran on the Intel Meteor Lake-H chipset, but now, it also comes with the flagship ARM chipset for notebooks. This model is the brand-new ASUS AI PC, bringing a personalized AI experience based on the needs of the user. As the name suggests, it sports a 120Hz OLED HDR display.
3. Dell
Dell recently expanded its laptop offering with a new range of laptops with new Snapdragon X series chips. These models span across XPS, Inspiron, and Latitude series that target various needs and budgets. While the XPS 13 and Inspiron 14 Plus are powered by the Snapdragon X Plus, the Latitude 7455 and Latitude 5455 models have the Snapdragon X Elite options as well. The Latitude 7455 sports a QHD+ touchscreen display and cutting-edge Qualcomm Wi-Fi 7 technology, with optional 5G network support for seamless connectivity. These are set to launch later this year.
4. HP
Earlier today (19th June 2024), HP unveiled two new AI-powered laptops in India. This is the new EliteBook Ultra and the OmniBook X which first launched in the global market earlier this year. Both of these offer Snapdragon X Elite processor with Adreno graphics.
The duo comes with a dedicated NPU to accelerate AI related tasks locally on the system. HP’s Snapdragon X Elite powered notebooks feature the PolyCamera Pro which offers virtual interactions and AI filters like spotlight and auto framing. HP’s EliteBook Ultra has a 1699 US Dollar price tag, while the OmniBook X costs 1,149 US Dollars.
5. Lenovo
Similar to HP, Lenovo also has two notebooks that feature Snapdragon X Elite. This includes the Yoga Slim 7x 14 Gen 9 and the ThinkPad T14s Gen 6. The former is a thin and light notebook that weighs 1.28 kilograms, while the latter is built for working professionals and also has an ultra light weight of 1.24 kilograms. The Yoga Slim 7x 14 sports a 14.5-inch 3K 90Hz OLED panel.
Meanwhile, the ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 sports a 14-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS panel. Talking about the pricing, the Yoga model is currently on pre-order on Lenovo’s website for 1,289 US Dollars. The upcoming ThinkPad option is also on pre-order on the brand’s website for 2,699 US Dollars. There is also a Yoga Air 14s Q8X9 in the works with the same chipset.
6. Microsoft
Microsoft unveiled two Copilot+ PCs in the market, which include the Surface Laptop 7th Edition and Surface Pro 11th Edition. These are powered by the Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus chips. The Pro model is expected to offer a 120Hz OLED panel and both entries may come with an overhauled design, thin bezels, and more improvements.
7. Samsung
The South Korean tech giant just announced its first Snapdragon X Elite laptop this week. It is the new Galaxy Book 4 Edge, which features a 14-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x touchscreen display. This model promises to offer great battery life and portability for those who need performance on the go. It promises to offer up to 18 hours of battery life on a single full charge. It has a starting price tag of 1,349 US Dollars and is available for purchase.
MediaTek announced the Dimensity 9300+ in May 2024, whereas the Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 arrived in November 2022. The two are flagship smartphone chipsets built on TSMC’s 4nm process node.
Both chipsets have powerful CPU and GPU cores, and imaging capabilities, making it difficult to choose one over the other. In this post, we’ll present the benchmarking results and major differences between the two chips to help you make a better choice.
Quickly go through the spec sheet below for a basic understanding.
Dimensity 9300+
SD 8 Gen 2
Release Date
May 2024
November 2022
Process node
4nm TSMC
4nm TSMC
CPU
1 x Cortex-X4 @ 3.4 GHz 3 x Cortex-X4 @ 2.85 GHz 4 x Cortex-A720 @ 2.0 GHz
1 x Cortex-X3 @ 3.2 GHz 2 x Cortex-A715 @ 2.8 GHz 2 x Cortex-A710 @ 2.8 GHz 3 x Cortex-A510 @ 2.0 GHz
Max resolution (on-device): QHD+ @ 144 Hz, 4K Ultra HD @ 60 Hz Max resolution (external): 4K @ 60 Hz 10-bit color, HDR10+, HDR10, HDR Vivid
Connectivity
5G / 4G / 3G / 2G Wi-Fi 7 NFC Bluetooth 5.4 NavIC support
5G / 4G / 3G / 2G Wi-Fi 7 NFC Bluetooth 5.3 NavIC support
Dimensity 9300+ vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2: Benchmarks
Geekbench 6
Dimensity 9300+
SD 8 Gen 2
Single core
2313
1984
Multi core
7743
5356
AnTuTu 10
Dimensity 9300+
SD 8 Gen 2
CPU
538809
392389
GPU
940944
603295
Memory
472337
310704
UX
353177
287289
Total score
Dimensity 9300+ vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2: CPU
The octa-core Dimensity chip has four big cores (one Cortex-X4 core @ 3.4 GHz, three Cortex-X4 @ 2.85 GHz) and four Cortex-A720 mid-cores clocked at 2.0 GHz.
The CPU cluster in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 consists of one Cortex-X3 prime core running at 3.2 GHz, four performance cores (two Cortex-A715 cores @ 2.8 GHz, two Cortex-A710 cores @ 2.8 GHz), and three Cortex-A510 power-efficient cores with up to 2.0 GHz clock speed.
The Dimensity 9300+ has better cores than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, resulting in better performance. But, the Snapdragon chip has more power-efficient cores, which should result in better power efficiency.
Dimensity 9300+ vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2: GPU
The Dimensity 9300+ is equipped with Mali-G720 Immortalis MP12 GPU, whereas the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 has Adreno 740. Both are powerful GPUs and can handle high-end games without any lag.
The Mali-G720 Immortalis MP12 (in Dimensity 9300+) outperforms the Adreno 740 (in Snapdragon Gen 2) on gaming benchmarks. However, we all know there’s a difference between what you see on benchmarks and how the chip performs in real life.
Testing graphically demanding games such as PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact, and Asphalt 9: Legends at basic settings on devices powered by these two chips doesn’t show a big difference. However, the Dimensity 9300+ shows some FPS drops at maximum graphics settings, while the Adreno 740 doesn’t.
While the GPU benchmarks favour Mali-G720 Immortalis MP12, the Adreno 740 does a better job when you actually play games at higher settings. However, at basic settings, both chips do excellent work.
Well, GPU performance varies from game to game. So, if there’s a specific game you play the most, I recommend checking how these two chips handle that particular game.
The chips are equipped with many gaming features to offer a better experience. For instance, the Dimensity 9300+ has MediaTek Adaptive Gaming Technology, hardware-accelerated ray tracing, console-grade global illumination effects, and MediaTek HyperEngine NOS.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 also includes gaming optimizations, such as Snapdragon Elite Gaming, hardware-accelerated ray tracing, Game Post Processing Accelerators, and the Unreal Engine 5 MetaHuman framework.
Dimensity 9300+ vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2: AI & NPU
The Dimensity chip has the MediaTek NPU 790 generative AI engine. It can run large language models (LLMs) with 7 billion parameters at 22 tokens per second. The updated AI engine supports a wide range of LLMs, including 01.AI Yi-Nano, Alibaba Cloud Qwen, Baichuan,Google Gemini Nano, Meta Llama 2, Llama 3, and ERNIE-3.5-SE. Dimensity 9300+ also supports on-device LoRA Fusion and NeuroPilot LoRA Fusion 2.0.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 uses a hexagon NPU, which is significantly improved compared to its predecessors. It can run LLMs on-device. The Hexagon NPU used in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is one of the fastest inside a smartphone chip.
Both chips have powerful NPUs with generative AI capabilities and support a wide range of LLMs on-device.
Dimensity 9300+ vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2: Memory & Storage
The memory and storage technologies are pretty much the same in the two chips. Both support UFS 4.0 fast storage and LPDDR5X RAM (the Dimensity 9300+ also supports LPDDR5T).
Dimensity 9300+ vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2: Display & Multimedia
The Dimensity chip supports up to 4K screen resolution at 120Hz refresh rate or WQHD resolution with up to 180Hz refresh rate. The Snapdragon chip, on the other hand, supports 4K Ultra HD screen resolution with 60Hz refresh rate or QHD+ resolution with support for 144Hz refresh rate.
As for the camera, the Dimensity 9300+ features an Imagiq 990 18-bit ISP and supports a maximum camera resolution of 320-megapixel. The Snapdragon chip can go up to 200-megapixel for a single camera. It is equipped with an 18-bit Qualcomm Spectra Triple ISP. The chip also supports up to a 108-megapixel camera sensor with multi-frame noise reduction (MFNR) and zero-shutter lag (ZSL).
Both chips can record up to 8K videos at 30 FPS, but the Snapdragon chip can also record 4K videos at 120 FPS, which is limited to 60 FPS on the Dimensity chip.
Dimensity 9300+ vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2: Connectivity
Both chips support necessary connectivity features such as Wi-Fi 7, NFC, 5G/4G/3G/2G, and positioning systems (GLONASS, NavIC, Beidou, GPS, QZSS, Galileo).
The Snapdragon chip supports Bluetooth 5.3, whereas the Snapdragon chip supports a newer Bluetooth 5.4 standard. Both chips use their in-house modems. Another thing to note here is that the Snapdragon chip has a peak download speed of 10Gbps, which is 6.5Gbps in the Dimensity chip. This won’t make much difference unless you require a seriously high download speed.
Dimensity 9300+ vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2: Which is Better?
Both Dimensity 9300+ and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chips have high CPU and GPU performance. However, the Dimensity chip has a slight edge in CPU performance because of the newer Cortex-X4 and Cortex-A720 cores.
Both chips have highly capable and efficient GPUs that can smoothly handle games of all kinds. However, the Snapdragon chip tends to perform better at max settings.
If I had to pick one, I’d go with the Dimensity 9300+. However, if gaming is my primary concern, I’d be inclined more towards the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, as Adreno GPUs are better known for gaming stability.
Samsung is expected to launch the Galaxy Watch 7 series alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 6, Flip 6, and Galaxy Ring in the Galaxy Unpacked event scheduled for July 10. However, the Galaxy Watch 7 with the model number SM-L300 has already confirmed its appearance ahead of its launch through the the Indonesia Telecom certification platform.
While the listing doesn’t reveal any more information about the Galaxy Watch 7 series than the model number, we already know a few details about the series thanks to the FCC certification listing.
The Galaxy Watch 7 comes in a total of four models – SM-L300, SM-L305, SM-L310, and SM-L315. According to the FCC listing, the SM-L300 and SM-L310 models will be Wi-Fi only while the other two models will also offer LTE connectivity. According to previous rumors, the models will be available in two different sizes – 40mm and 44mm.
The Galaxy Watch 7 is also confirmed from the certification listing to support 15W wireless charging, which is a significant improvement over the Galaxy Watch 6 series’ 10W charging support. There could also be an Ultra model this time around, which is expected to be called the Galaxy Watch Ultra. Leaked renders of the Ultra model show a different design with a circular display within a squarish frame.
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