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LG Gram +view 16-inch extended screen with 2K 16:10 display launched in China

The LG Gram +view 16-inch extended screen is now available in China. The Gram +view has a 2K resolution and a 16:10 aspect ratio. It supports Type-C one-line communication and covers 99% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. The model was first launched in 2022 in LG’s home market of South Korea.

LG Gram +view

One of the major highlights of the new LG Gram +view 16-inch extended monitor is that it can be connected via a USB-C cable, unlike previous models. It offers a more balanced and square screen ratio than the existing smaller monitors. Its 16:10 aspect ratio affords extra vertical resolution and better productivity than 16:9 models. It has the same screen specification as the LG Gram laptop from 2022.

LG Gram +view

The LG Gram +view monitor weighs 660g and utilizes an anti-glare panel with up to 350 nits of brightness and a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels. With support for USB-C connectivity, the monitor can provide a 45W reverse power supply for a laptop. It comes in a portable design and weighs less than 1kg with its protective case. The Folio cover/ stand provides a solid balance and leverage to prop the monitor as needed. The monitor supports two angle adjustments of 105º and 120º. The monitor omits speakers and the user will have to rely on external speakers.

LG Gram +view

Pricing & Availability

The LG Gram +view screen is currently only provided as a gift for some LG Gram notebooks in China but has a domestic price tag of 3,999 yuan ($552). The overseas price of the LG Gram +view extended screen is $349.99 and it is available in several markets.

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The Moto Buds and Moto Buds+ earbuds are now on sale in China starting at 299 yuan ($41)

Lenovo‘s Moto Buds and Moto Buds+ wireless headphones are now available on retail platforms in China after they were unveiled recently. This is coming on the heels of their release and availability in India. The Lenovo Moto Buds/ Buds+ are Bose-tuned for an enhanced audio output.

Lenovo Moto Buds

Features

The two new Lenovo Moto Buds/Buds+ wireless headphones are equipped with 12.4 mm dynamic drivers and are primed as the most compatible headphone series in the market. The headphones feature the Lenovo Xiaotian AI Assistant which can be activated by pressing and holding the interaction button. The new headphones look similar externally but come with different noise reduction capabilities, as well as other functions.

The Lenovo Moto Buds can deliver 2 hours of playback with just 10 minutes of charging. Its battery can last for up to 9 hours on a single charge. The Moto Buds headphones come in coral orange and starry night blue colors. The Lenovo Moto Buds+ supports active noise cancellation (ANC) with a noise reduction depth of up to 50dB. The headset is Bose-tuned and is compatible with Dolby Atmos sound effects on Motorola smartphones. It supports adaptive mode, transparency mode, and Dolby head tracking. The Moto Buds+ can last up to 8 hours on a full charge, with 10 minutes of charge translating into about 3 hours of playback. The headset is available in starry blue and coral orange.

Lenovo Moto Buds

Pricing & Availability

The Lenovo Moto Buds series is available on pre-sale in China and will be available on May 24. The Moto Buds have a price tag of 299 yuan ($41) while the Moto Buds+ retails at 599 yuan ($83). It is expected that the availability of the Lenovo Moto buds/ buds+ will subsequently spread to other markets outside India and China.

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Redmi 13 4G renders & specs leak along with pricing

Redmi is gearing up to debut a new device in its numbered series called the Redmi 13 4G. It will be the successor of the popular Redmi 12 4G, which debuted in India back in August 2023. Ahead of its launch, tipster Paras Guglani, in collaboration with the publication PassionateGeeks has leaked its renders and key specifications.

Redmi 13 4G

Redmi 13 4G details

As per the report, the Redmi 13 4G will be available in four vibrant colors: Midnight Black, Ocean Blue, Pearl Pink, and Yellow. The device will offer a boxy design with flat edges, two camera lenses, and an LED flash on the flat back.

In terms of hardware, the Redmi 13 4G is expected to feature the MediaTek Helio G91 Ultra processor, which was unveiled earlier this year. For optics, the Redmi 13 will sport a high-resolution 108MP main camera, a significant improvement over the Redmi 12’s 50MP camera.

The display is expected to be 6.79 inches diagonally with a 90 Hz refresh rate. The device will be offered in two configurations: one with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and a more affordable version with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The report mentions that the base model is expected to start at €199 and the higher-end model at €229.

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European smartphone market grew by 10% in Q1 2024 led by Samsung, Apple & Xiaomi

The European smartphone market showed encouraging signs of life in the first quarter of 2024, shaking off a prolonged slump with a 10% year-on-year increase in shipments, according to Counterpoint Research. This marks the first positive growth since the third quarter of 2021, suggesting a potential turning point for the region.

Europe Smartphone Shipments Q1 2024

Top Brands Drive Market Growth Amid Recovery

Tech giants Samsung, Apple, and Xiaomi maintained their dominance, but the story within the top three is one of contrasting fortunes. Samsung, with a 7% shipment increase, emerged as the market leader with a 32% share. This marks a welcome turnaround after a period of decline, likely fueled by the success of their AI-powered Galaxy S24 series. The launch of the new A35 and A55 models towards the end of Q1 could further bolster their position in the coming months.

Apple, on the other hand, experienced a slight 1% dip in shipments despite holding a strong 25% market share. This can be attributed to the natural sales cycle of iPhones, with iPhone 15 sales tapering off due to seasonality. The absence of a new iPhone SE model in 2024 suggests further declines until the highly anticipated iPhone 16 launch later this year.

Europe Smartphone Shipments Q1 2024

Xiaomi displayed consistent growth with an 11% shipment increase, solidifying its position as the third-largest player with an 18% share. Their success story was particularly prominent in Western Europe, especially in Spain and Italy, driven by the well-received Redmi Note 13 series. However, Xiaomi faced challenges in Central and Eastern Europe, where rising competition from Samsung and Tecno pushed their market share to its lowest since early 2022.

Beyond the established players, the report highlights some interesting trends. Realme saw a significant 59% growth, fueled by strong performance in Western Europe and a rebound in key markets like Italy and Spain. Their affordable C series remained bestsellers, with the new Realme 12 finding traction as well.

Another notable player is Honor, which achieved a remarkable 67% growth, surpassing Oppo to capture the coveted fifth position in Europe for the first time. This impressive feat was driven by their success in Western Europe, where shipments doubled year-on-year thanks to exciting devices like the Magic V2, Magic 6, and Honor 90.

While the recovery is promising, Counterpoint Research analyst Jan Stryjak cautions against excessive optimism. The 2023 slump was significant, and the European market is still far from pre-pandemic levels. Growth is expected to continue at a modest pace throughout the rest of 2024, but catching up to pre-pandemic numbers will likely take longer.

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iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro images leak showing all the design upgrades

Reliable Apple leaker Majin Bu is back again with a new leak of the iPhone 16 Pro, this time comparing it against the 15 Pro. 

The tipster has shared new images of a dummy iPhone 16 Pro against the 15 Pro and the most noticeable difference between the two models appears to be the screen size.

iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 16 Pro Image leak

The iPhone 16 Pro is expected to boast a 6.3-inch display compared to the 6.1-inch offering on the iPhone 15 Pro. While the increase isn’t drastic, it should provide a slightly more expansive viewing experience.

Previous leaks also suggest slimmer bezels for the iPhone 16 Pro, thanks to a rumored Border Reduction Structure (BRS) technology. However, since the leaked dummy doesn’t have a functional screen, it’s impossible to confirm this detail definitively.

The camera system seems to be another key area of improvement. The iPhone 16 Pro is rumored to sport a bigger sensor compared to the iPhone 15 Pro.

More significantly, the leaks point towards the inclusion of two new cameras: a 12MP periscope telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom (borrowed from the iPhone 15 Pro Max) and a 48MP ultrawide camera. These upgrades may propel the iPhone 16 Pro to the top of the best camera phone lists for 2024.

The leaked images also reveal a dedicated capture button, a rumored feature that has been gaining traction. This button is expected to combine a physical press with touch sensitivity, mimicking the experience of a traditional camera shutter button. It might even offer additional functionality like zoom control.

Despite these changes, the overall design seems to remain fairly consistent with the iPhone 15 Pro. At a glance, it may be difficult to distinguish between the two models. Beyond the screen and camera upgrades, the iPhone 16 Pro is also expected to pack a more powerful chip and a slightly larger battery capacity.

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POCO F6 vs Motorola Edge 50 Pro: A Close Contest

The POCO F6 debuted in global markets recently. It packs premium specifications in the mid-range price segment, most notably a Snapdragon 8-series chipset.

The device goes up against a plenty of other phones, including Redmi Note 13 Pro+, Realme 12 Pro+ 5G, and more in the market. However, in this post, we will compare the POCO F6 with the Motorola Edge 50 Pro that launched not long ago. 

POCO F6 vs Motorola Edge 50 Pro

The POCO F6 and Motorola Edge 50 Pro are quite different compared to each other. However, both are sub-Rs 30,000 priced smartphones in India. This makes it difficult to choose either of the smartphones if you’re interested in both.

While Motorola is a legacy brand, POCO offers value to customers at attractive price points. In this post, we compare everything between the F6 and Edge 50 Pro. 

1. Display and Design

The POCO F6 has a 6.67-inch OLED flat screen with a 1.5K resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and 2,400 nits peak brightness. There is an integrated fingerprint scanner. Meanwhile, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro boasts a 6.7-inch p-OLED display with curved edges that gives a premium feel. It has the same 1.5K resolution as the POCO F6. However, the Edge 50 Pro has an edge here due to its higher 144Hz refresh rate and Pantone Validated display that offers realistic colors and accurate skin tones. 

The POCO F6 has a simple design with two protruding camera rings on the back panel and a flat frame. This would appear quite bland for those who want a stylish look. On the other hand, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro has a raised squarish camera module on the back panel. Although we have seen it on older phones, it does give a unique look.

The Edge 50 Pro is also IP68-certified whereas POCO F6 has an IP64 rating. The former is available in leather-textured Black Beauty and Luxe Lavender color options whereas the Moonlight Pearl has a gradient texture finish.

2. Hardware

Under the hood, the POCO F6 is equipped with a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor paired with up to 12GB LPDDR5x RAM and 512GB UFS 4.0 storage. It also has a heat dissipation system onboard. The device draws its power from a 5,000mAh battery with support for 90W charging. 

Coming to the Motorola Edge 50 Pro, it is powered by a Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor which is not anywhere close to the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3. However, it is still capable of everyday usage and some light to medium gaming. The device is offered with up to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. It lacks a thermals onboard for cooling down the device. The smartphone is backed by a 4,500mAh cell with support for a faster 120W wired as well as 50W wireless charging. The latter is a cherry on the cake. But do note that the base variant is limited to only 68W wired charging. 

3. Cameras

The POCO F6 has a dual camera setup of a 50MP OIS-enabled Sony LYT-600 main sensor and an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens. It has motion-tracking focus and is capable of recording 4K HDR10+ videos. There is a 20MP selfie snapper. 

The Motorola Edge 50 Pro gets the upper hand in the photography department. The triple camera setup comprises a 50MP OIS primary sensor, a 13MP ultra-wide-angle lens that doubles up as a macro and depth unit, and a 10MP telephoto camera with 30x hybrid zoom. Up front, the device has a 50MP camera. The Edge 50 Pro’s camera is again Pantone Validated which captures true colours. 

4. Software

The POCO F6 ships with HyperOS-based Android 14 out of the box. The Motorola Edge 50 Pro also comes with Android 14. Both phones are eligible for three OS updates and 4 years of security patches. 

The POCO F6 packs smart sensing AON that includes smart gestures, smart lock detection, smart AOD, and smart screen rotation. Meanwhile, the Edge 50 Pro comes with Generative AI theming for creating your own unique wallpaper powered by AI. There are also Motorola Experiences like shaking the phone to enable the flashlight and twisting the wrist to launch the camera. 

5. Pricing & Conclusion

The POCO F6 starts at 29,999 for the 8GB + 256GB variant, whereas the 12GB + 256 costs Rs 31,999. The 12GB + 512GB option carries a price tag of Rs 33,999.

On the other hand, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro is priced at Rs 31,999 and Rs 35,999 for the 8GB + 256GB and 12GB + 256GB variants, respecively. 

In our conclusion, both phones give tough competition to each other. The Motorola Edge 50 Pro outdoes the POCO F6 in the display, design and camera department whereas the POCO F6 ups its ante in the performance area as well as in software features. The POCO F6 is also slightly cheaper.

 

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OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite 5G spotted on Malaysia’s SIRIM website ahead of launch

The OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite 5G is nearing its launch, with the latest approval from Malaysia’s SIRIM. The smartphone, identified by the model number “CPH2621”, received its certification on May 24, 2024, signaling an imminent release in Malaysia.

Previously spotted on international platforms such as TDRA, IMDA, and BIS certification, the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite 5G has been confirmed to support NFC and boasts a 5,500 mAh battery with 80W fast charging capability. Other key specifications remain undisclosed at this time, however, the phone is expected to be a rebrand of the Oppo A3.

Oppo A3 TENAA certification Image

Rumors suggest the smartphone might feature the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 SoC. Anticipated specifications include a 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, an in-display fingerprint sensor, and a triple rear camera setup with 50MP, 2MP, and 16MP lenses.

It is also expected to launch with Android 14, offering two OS upgrades and three years of security updates. One of the key attractions of its predecessor, the Nord CE 3 Lite 5G, is that it has a starting price below Rs 20,000 in India. With that in mind, we expect the Nord CE 4 Lite 5G to also come with a similar price tag.

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Samsung to outsource 67 million smartphones from Chinese ODMs in 2024

Samsung‘s reliance on outsourced production for its budget phone segment seems to be growing. According to The Elec, the South Korean tech giant is projected to produce 67 million smartphones in 2024 through Chinese ODMs (original design manufacturers) and JDMs (joint device manufacturers). 

That’s a significant jump from 44 million units in 2023 and makes up a substantial 25% of Samsung’s overall smartphone production target of 270 million units this year.

The report further indicates that Vietnam will play a role in Samsung’s outsourcing strategy, with an estimated 28 million units expected to be produced in Vietnamese factories. 

Samsung is believed to be outsourcing so heavily to reduce costs that will allow it to offer more competitive pricing for its budget phone lines.

Samsung’s foray into outsourced production for affordable phones began in 2019. The approach does give the brand an advantage with low production and R&D costs, but it raises concerns about quality compromises outsourcing a product might bring. 

ODM partners to increase their profit margins might cut corners on materials or components that may impact the overall user experience. A case in point is the Samsung Galaxy A03s believed to be an outsourced phone. 

While it received some praise for its battery life and usability improvements, it also faced criticism for its cheap build quality and sluggish performance.

Despite these potential drawbacks, Samsung’s strategy seems to be resonating with consumers. The company held the distinction of being the only Android manufacturer with phones listed among the top 10 best-sellers in both 2022 and 2023. 

So the cost-effective approach achieved through outsourcing is delivering budget-friendly Android devices that find a market.

Moving forward, it will be interesting to see how Samsung manages the balancing act between affordability and quality control in its outsourced phones. 

The company will need to ensure its ODM partners maintain sufficient standards while delivering competitive pricing for budget-conscious consumers.

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AOC launches Q24G4E gaming monitor with 2K 180Hz Fast IPS panel, 1ms response & more

AOC, a renowned name in the monitor industry, has launched its latest offering: the Q24G4E 23.8-inch gaming monitor in the Chinese market. This comes after the recent launch of the 24G10E gaming monitor.

AOC Q24G4E Monitor

The monitor is now available for purchase on JD.com and boasts impressive features aimed at gamers and professionals alike, all for an attractive price of 999 yuan ($140). Let’s check out its key specs.

AOC Q24G4E Monitor Specifications:

The Q24G4E features a 23.8-inch Fast IPS panel with a resolution of 2560×1440 (2K), providing sharp and clear images. This monitor supports an impressive refresh rate of 180Hz, which ensures exceptionally smooth motion in fast-paced scenes, an essential feature for competitive gaming and fluid video playback.

The panel boasts a rapid 1ms response time (GTG), minimizing ghosting and blurring. It can achieve a brightness level of up to 350 nits and offers a static contrast ratio of 1000:1, ensuring vivid colors and deep blacks.

In terms of color accuracy, the monitor covers 122% of the sRGB and 96% of the DCI-P3 color gamuts, indicating a broad and accurate color spectrum suitable for various professional applications. The monitor also supports HDR 10, which allows it to display a wider range of colors and greater contrast ratios.

In terms of connectivity, the monitor includes 1 HDMI 2.0 port, 1 DP1.4 port, and a 3.5mm audio port. The monitor stand does not support adjustment, but the monitor itself supports VESA 100x100mm wall mounting.

The monitor is equipped with technologies such as AI Smart Quality Control Engine, MBR Sync, and Adaptive Sync, which help reduce motion blur and synchronize the frame rate between the monitor and graphics cards, respectively. These features are crucial for preventing screen tearing and stuttering.

AOC has emphasized user comfort and health by incorporating low blue light and flicker-free technologies, which help reduce eye strain during long sessions. The monitor comes calibrated from the factory, ensuring professional color accuracy right out of the box with a Delta E<2 across the sRGB spectrum.

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AMD to rebrand upcoming Ryzen CPUs with “Ryzen AI 300” moniker to one-up Intel’s 200-series processors

A fresh new leak suggests AMD might be overhauling its mobile processor branding strategy. 

According to reputable leaker Golden Pig on the Bilibili forums, AMD is allegedly ditching its existing Ryzen nomenclature for its next-generation Zen 5 mobile processors. The new branding is rumored to be “Ryzen AI” followed by a 300-series number. 

The news comes after an earlier Asus leak hinted at the possibility of a 100-series numbering scheme for the first Ryzen AI processors. However, Golden Pig’s report suggests AMD has opted to skip ahead to the 300-series to one-up Intel’s rumored “inferior” 200-series numbering for their next-generation Lunar Lake/Arrow Lake processors.

It’s also possible AMD wants to highlight the inclusion of a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) in these chips, a key component for Microsoft’s new Copilot+ AI PCs.

AMD’s history of mirroring competitor branding strategies, particularly in the motherboard space, lends some credence to this rumor. The company’s alleged adoption of the B650 chipset name reportedly forced Intel to use B660 for their competing chipset to avoid confusion.

If true, the “Ryzen AI” branding would likely include AMD’s entire mobile processor lineup featuring their XDNA NPU technology. That will include Strix Point, the codename for AMD’s next-generation mainstream Ryzen mobile processors succeeding the Ryzen 8040 series. 

Strix Point is expected to feature Zen 5 CPU architecture, RDNA 3.5 graphics, and an XDNA2 NPU with around 30 TOPS of performance. Strix Halo, the codename for AMD’s high-performance mobile APU designed to compete with the likes of Apple’s M3/M4 processors, could also fall under the “Ryzen AI” umbrella.

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Xiaomi launches Mijia Smart Waist Massager with dual-function lumbar support and dual-sided heating

Xiaomi has unveiled a new massage device, the Mijia Smart Waist Massager, designed to target lumbar pain and fatigue. The massager boasts several features, including dual-function lumbar support and massage, dual-sided heating, and Mi Home App connectivity, all at a price tag of 499 yuan (roughly $70).

Reservations can be made on Xiaomi Youpin from May 25th at 00:00 until May 27th at 09:59 (Chinese time). The pre-sale period runs from May 27th at 10:00 until May 31st at 19:59 (Chinese time).

Xiaomi Mijia Smart Waist Massager Specifications:

The Mijia massager is equipped with a unique double-sided heating feature, which allows users to adjust the temperature on both sides independently. This function is beneficial for different scenarios such as massaging, leaning, or warming the belly. The device also features three levels of temperature adjustment, catering to various comfort preferences.

The smart massager includes 20 built-in massage balls designed to deliver a three-dimensional massage covering a large area of the waist muscles. These massage heads are arranged at varying heights to simulate the effect of finger pressure, alternating between light and heavy pressures.

This rhythmic massage helps alleviate pain, relieve stiffness, and reduce fatigue. The device supports forward and reverse-speed massages, which are combined with different speeds to simulate manual massage techniques.

The Mijia Smart Waist Massager is designed with comfort in mind. It utilizes memory foam that offers firm support during massages, and the curved lumbar support surface is comfortable to use even without the massage function activated.

For smart features, the Waist Massager integrates NFC for quick pairing with the Mi Home App on smartphones. It comes with 10 pre-set modes, including relaxation, gentle, decompression, waist support heating, nap, and vitality. Users can also create and add three self-developed modes which can be used offline.

In terms of specifications, the product model is MJYBAMY01YMYY, with a rated input of 5V=2A. It has a battery capacity of 2400mAh and takes approximately 3.5 hours to charge fully. The dimensions of the device are 345×281×122mm, and it weighs around 1.45kg.

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Snapdragon X Elite muscles out Apple M2 in multi-core test but M2 still wins in single-core performance

Microsoft recently debuted its new Surface Laptop featuring ARM-based Snapdragon SoCs. These laptops are currently available for pre-order, with shipping starting in July. That means there’s still some time before we can see the real-life performance of the new chipset.

However, hardware enthusiast HXL recently shared benchmarks for the new Surface Laptop powered by the Snapdragon X Elite processor and it shows the processor might hold its own against Apple’s M2 chip. 

The benchmark ran was CPU-Z on a Surface Laptop 7 with the Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100 SoC. Since the CPU-Z isn’t available on MacBooks, HXL booted a virtual Windows 11 to run the benchmark.

Note that virtual machines can introduce performance overhead, potentially hindering the M2’s score. So take this data with a pinch of salt. 

The Surface Laptop 7 scored a significantly higher multi-threaded score (7,923.5 points) compared to the M2 in the virtual machine (3,822.3 points), while the M2 held a slight edge in single-threaded performance (749.5 points vs 686.0 points).

Snapdragon X Elite is claimed to outperform current offerings from Intel and AMD. However, this is the first real-world comparison we’ve seen for Apple silicon. 

It shows that Snapdragon X Elite laptops could be a viable alternative for users who prefer thin-and-light designs and extended battery life, while still offering a choice between Windows and macOS.

Qualcomm is also bringing official Linux support for the Snapdragon X processors which will certainly appeal to those who prefer open-source operating systems. 

The benchmark shows that the X Elite could be a strong competitor against Apple’s well-regarded M-series chipset. However, we’ll need to see more data to fully understand how it compares.

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Motorola Razr 50 leaks in full before official launch

Motorola is expected to launch its new flip-phones in the Razr 50 series soon. There will be two models in the line, a top-tier Razr 50 Ultra and Razr 50, the latter of which has now been revealed in full, courtesy of its appearance on China’s TENAA certification. 

The listing reveals that unlike its predecessor, the Razr 40, the Razr 50 will sport a cover display measuring 3.6 inches in size with a 1056 x 1066 pixels resolution. It will be an OLED panel with 10-bit color depth.  

Motorola Razr 50 TENAA certification

The inside will house a 6.9-inch OLED display with a Full HD+ (1080 x 2640 pixels) resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. TENAA says the phone will be powered by an octa-core chip clocked at 2.5GHz. 

Based on previous leaks, it is expected to be the yet-to-be-announced MediaTek Dimensity 7300X. It will be paired with up to 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage. 

As for the cameras, the phone will have a dual-camera setup on the cover display with a primary sensor of 50MP and a secondary sensor of 13MP. The inner display will likely house a 32MP front-facing camera for selfies.

Keeping all this powered will be a dual-cell battery with a combined capacity of 3949mAh, likely to be marketed as 4200mAh. Charging will come at 33W, per 3C certification.

The Razr 50 will be quite lightweight at around 188 grams and will measure 171.3 x 73.9 x 7.2mm. The TENAA listing also confirms the presence of standard sensors like a gravity sensor, distance sensor, light sensor, fingerprint recognition, and face recognition.

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ViewSonic launched this 27″ 4K monitor that also serves as a 65W fast charger

ViewSonic launched a 44.5″ curved ultra-wide monitor for gamers & multitaskers with a 165Hz refresh rate last month. Now the company has launched a smaller 27″ 4K monitor with a 60Hz refresh rate, but for less than one-third of the price.

ViewSonic VA2779-4K-HDU

The new 27″ monitor comes with the model number “VA2779-4K-HDU” and is currently available on JD.com for 1,499 Yuan (nearly $210). So, let’s see what’s special about this monitor and if it’s worth the price.

ViewSonic VA2779-4K-HDU specs and features:

The monitor offers an IPS panel with a resolution of 3840 x 2160, thin bezels on three sides, and a wide viewing angle of 178°.

The display goes up to 400 nits in peak brightness and supports DisplayHDR 400, which is the minimum specification required for displaying HDR content. A monitor with a higher tear certification will have better HDR output.

It can display 1.07 billion colors and does it accurately with a 99% sRGB rating and also a blue light filter for eye protection.

A specialty of this monitor is the full-featured Type-C port, which offers 65W PD charging for your supported devices such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets, alongside high-speed data transmission to support the video-out feature. It lets your workflow run a bit smoother.

This monitor also offers you deeper integration with Apple‘s MacOS. Other than that, it offers the following ports:

  • 2 x HDMI 2.0
  • DP1.2
  • Audio port

Notably, you will need to purchase the HDMI and Type-C cable separately.

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The classic iPod had a Tetris game all this time, but we never knew about it

The YouTube channel Apple Demo recently found a rare prototype of the third-generation iPod with an unreleased game called Stacker. It’s a game similar to Tetris, but it never made it to the final version released to the public.

Apart from Stacker, the engineering sample of the iPod also has other unreleased titles like Block0 and Klondike, as reported by Engadget.

iPod Tetris game

The back of the prototype has a “DVT” (Design Validation Testing) label etched on it suggesting the device could be in the mid-development stages, according to Apple Demo. Additionally, there are two songs and a playlist named “Battery Test” likely for the testing of battery life. 

The iPod Apple Demo got their hands on was non-functional at first but they managed to revive it by translating its internal hard drive into a functional second-generation iPod.

Out of the games available, the folks at Apple Demo only showed Stacker in action. And as mentioned earlier, it’s a Tetris knock-off. 

The channel even contacted Tony Fadell, the former Senior Vice President of Apple’s iPod division, to understand why Stacker didn’t make it to the final product. Fadell’s response, however, offered little insight.

He simply mentioned in 2022 that “we added games with later software release,” leaving the specific reason for Stacker’s exclusion a mystery.

Years later, Apple did release a licensed Tetris game for the “Classic” iPod models, allowing users to purchase additional titles through the iTunes Store.

Stacker uses the iPod’s click wheel for basic gameplay. Users could move the falling blocks left and right, while the center button dropped them instantly. 

Mirroring Tetris, the goal was to score points by completing and clearing lines of bricks, avoiding a pile-up that would reach the top of the screen.

Although the uncovered game wasn’t entirely polished – there’s a bug where a rotated brick overlapped another and got stuck – it still operated as intended.

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Google to source Tensor G5 chips from TSMC, leaked documents reveal

We’ve been hearing rumors that Google will itself design the Tensor G5 chip for the Pixel 10 and 10 Pro. Unlike previous Tensor chips, which have relied on Samsung’s expertise and Foundry since its debut, G5 is said to make a switch to TSMC for its fabrication process. 

Now, the publication Android Authority has got its hands on the shipping manifest for a sample Tensor G5 chip imported into India, confirming that Google is switching to TSMC.

The document reveals several details about the chip, including Google’s part number (G313-09488-00), the product categories (Integrated Circuit, System on a Chip), and that it is a new product.

It also confirms that TSMC is the manufacturer of the SoC. The speculation that this is the Tensor G5 SoC is supported by the component’s codename, LGA, which stands for “Laguna Beach,” believed to be the codename for the fifth-generation Tensor chipset.

Another sign that TSMC is making the Tensor G5 can be seen on the document where InFO POP is listed as the packaging technology used on the chipset. InFO POP technology is exclusive to TSMC.

Additionally, the document confirms the chip passed a system-level test (SLT) simulating basic functionalities. It also mentions 16GB of POP (package-on-package) RAM, potentially hinting at similar memory options for the upcoming Pixel 10 series.

Considering this leak, if you’re planning to upgrade to a Pixel phone this year (Pixel 9 series), you might want to wait for the Pixel 10 in 2025. The Pixel 10 is likely to feature a more powerful and customized chip designed by Google, offering optimized performance for the Pixel 10 line.

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Anbernic RG Cube officially unveiled with key specs confirmed

The much-awaited Anbernic RG Cube gaming handheld has now been officially unveiled. The new Anbernic retro gaming handheld has been the subject of leaks in recent weeks. Anbernic also released the first official promo video of the RG Cube, thus confirming the earlier leaked specs of the handheld.

Anbernic RG Cube

The official announcement of the Anbernic RG Cube reflects its similarities with the Powkiddy RGB30 but retains some hardware from the RG556. The upcoming Anbernic gaming handheld could turn out as one of the most powerful in its class. It is powered by a Unisoc Tiger T820 chipset and runs on Android 13.

The Anbernic RG Cube will be available in Radiant Purple, Beige White, and Grey color options. It is equipped with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM, and the Unisoc Tiger T820 chipset has a Mali-G57MP4 GPU clocked at 50MHz and ARM Cortex-A55/ A76 CPU cores in two clusters of four cores each. Anbernic has also confirmed that the model will have 128GB of UFS 2.2 flash storage in addition to its 8GB of RAM. The Anbernic RG Cube’s storage can be expanded by up to 2TB via microSD cards.

The RG Cube has a 3.95-inch IPS display with a resolution of 720 x 720 pixels. It is a touchscreen and features full OCA lamination. Connectivity options for the Anbernic RG Cube are Bluetooth 5.0 and WiFi 802.11 ac. The new Anbernic retro gaming handheld will be equipped with a 5,200mAh battery that lasts up to 7 hours of usage.

Going by the trajectory of the leaks and official specifications, pricing and release details for the RG Cube will be available shortly.

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AOC launches an affordable 23.8″ FHD 180Hz gaming monitor with Fast-IPS panel, 1ms response & more

AOC has launched a new gaming monitor, the 24G10E, featuring a 23.8-inch Fast-IPS panel in the Chinese market. The monitor is now available for purchase on JD.com for a starting price of 699 yuan (around $98). Let’s check out its key specs.

AOC 24G10E Monitor

AOC 24G10E Monitor Specifications:

This monitor boasts a 1920×1080 resolution Fast-IPS panel with a high refresh rate of 180Hz. The monitor supports 1ms response time along with Adaptive Sync which ensures minimal motion blur and ghosting during fast-paced scenes.

The 24G10E supports 10-bit color depth (8-bit + FRC), providing a rich and vibrant color display. It covers 110% of the DCI-P3 color gamut and 130% of the sRGB color gamut, ensuring accurate and vivid color reproduction. The monitor has a brightness level of 300 nits.

Additionally, the monitor features HDR10, which expands the dynamic range between dark and bright areas, enhancing the visual details and realism in games and videos. The professional-grade color accuracy, with an average ΔE<2, makes it suitable for both gaming and graphic design.

For connectivity, the AOC 24G10E includes two HDMI ports, one DisplayPort (DP), and a 3.5mm audio port. The monitor stand is height adjustable, allowing users to set it to their preferred viewing position for ergonomic comfort.

The AOC 24G10E also includes features to reduce eye strain, such as a blue light filter and flicker-free technology. These features make it comfortable for long gaming sessions and daily use, protecting the eyes from harmful blue light and reducing flickering that can cause eye fatigue.

The monitor features several gaming-oriented features such as Low Input Lag, a blue light filter to reduce eye strain during long gaming sessions, and G-Menu adjustment software for customizing various display settings. It also includes several FPS-specific features like dark field control and an auxiliary crosshair overlay.

The monitor’s design is both functional and stylish, featuring red decorative strips and a space grey triangular stand with a round cable management hole for a clean and organized setup.

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1MORE Fit SE Open Earbuds S31 launched with lightweight design & AI-powered noise cancellation

1MORE has refreshed its Fit SE Open Earbuds line with the launch of the S31, offering comfort for extended wear. New “gravity-balanced” ear hooks with a snug, silicone coating ensure a comfortable fit, though the internal support wire uses steel instead of titanium.

These open-ear earbuds boast large 14.2mm drivers, promising rich and detailed sound. The earbuds also have cutting-edge bass enhancement algorithms to provide punchy bass without compromising sound quality.

They also come with a 4-mic AI-powered noise cancellation setup and have a 30-hour battery life with a 2-hour charge time (for the case). The earbuds take 90 minutes to fully charge. The S31 comes in at a mere 8.2 grams per bud, while the case weighs around 63 grams, making for a total weight of 80 grams. The earbuds also offer IPX5 water resistance, which can protect it from sweat and accidental splashes.

Pricing & availability

To celebrate the launch, 1MORE offers a 15% discount on the S31, bringing the price down to $42.50, exclusively on their website. Currently, only white is available.

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Rapoo unveils VT3 PRO MAX & VT3 Pro gaming mice with Custom PixArt Sensor & 8K Polling Rate

Rapoo has teamed up with Pixar to launch a new line of high-performance gaming mice. The star of the show is the VT3 PRO MAX, featuring a custom-designed PixArt 3950 Ultimate optical engine with an adjustable lift-off distance, native 30,000 DPI, and independent X/Y axis sensitivity. It also boasts a low-power Realtek chip for wired and wireless (future update) connectivity at an 8K reporting rate.

Rapoo VT3 series gaming mouse

A more affordable option, the VT3 Pro, will come equipped with the tried-and-true PixArt 3398 sensor. Both mice are designed for right-handed users with medium-sized hands.

Rapoo VT3 series gaming mouse

Specific launch dates and pricing are yet to be revealed, but Rapoo’s previous VT1 PRO/Air MAX mice with the same PixArt 3950 sensor started at 299 yuan (around $45 USD).

In related news, Keychron has recently unveiled its M2 4K Wireless Mouse with PixArt PAW3395 sensor and a high polling rate of 4000Hz. At 408 yuan (around $60 USD), this mouse is also a good choice for gamers as well as professionals.

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