A reported explosion at the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) plant in Phoenix on Wednesday sparked concerns, though no injuries or facility damage were reported, according to the company’s statement.
The incident involved a waste disposal truck, with the driver rushed to the hospital. TSMC confirmed that neither employees nor construction workers were harmed during the event. Firefighters responded promptly to the scene, although further details from fire officials were not immediately available.
TSMC’s significance in the global semiconductor industry cannot be overstated. As a leading manufacturer of advanced semiconductors worldwide, the company recently secured a significant grant of $6.6 billion under the CHIPS and Science Act from the Biden administration.
Efforts to bolster chip manufacturing in the United States have seen TSMC expand its operations beyond its traditional stronghold in Taiwan. Recent expansions include facilities in Japan, Germany, and notably, Arizona, USA, where the Phoenix campus is located.
The Arizona expansion, part of TSMC’s broader initiative to bring cutting-edge chip manufacturing to the US, is poised to create thousands of jobs in both manufacturing and construction sectors. However, the project has faced challenges, including initial construction delays due to safety concerns from local unions and objections to bringing in workers from Taiwan.
Despite these challenges, Arizona’s role in the semiconductor industry has been steadily growing, with significant investments pouring into the state, exceeding $100 billion since the introduction of the CHIPS Act.
The incident at the TSMC Arizona facility comes at a critical juncture, as the company recently announced plans to expand its investment by an additional $25 billion, bringing the total to $65 billion. This expansion includes the addition of a third factory by 2030, showcasing TSMC’s commitment to US-based manufacturing.
Technological advancements are also on the horizon, with the second Arizona factory set to produce the world’s most advanced 2-nanometer technology, with production expected to commence in 2028.
Market response to the incident was initially mixed, with TSMC’s shares rising before paring gains upon news of the incident. Nevertheless, the company remains optimistic about its expansion plans and technological advancements despite the temporary setback.
Philips has released a new gaming monitor with some impressive specs to its European audience. The Philips Evnia 49M2C8900L is equipped with a Quantum Dot OLED panel (QD-OLED) and delivers a peak brightness of 1,000 nits, as well as a 144 Hz display refresh rate.
The Evnia 49M2C8900L is similar in many ways to the Evnia 49M2C8900 model released recently. In fact, the new gaming monitor is a cheaper alternative to its predecessor which is currently priced at $1,499. The Evnia 49M2C8900L has a 49-inch screen with a curvature of 1800R. It is based on a Gen 2 Samsung Display QD-OLED panel. The new gaming monitor comes at a lower display refresh rate (144 Hz) than the Evnia 49M2C8900 which featured a 240 Hz refresh rate.
The new Philips Evnia 49M2C8900L gaming monitor has a display resolution of 5,120 x 1,440 pixels (5K2K), an aspect ratio of 32:9, and a GtG response time of 0.3 ms. The monitor has a DCI-P3 color gamut coverage of 99% and 125.2% AdobeRGB color space coverage. The new Philips Evnia gaming monitor supports AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and NVIDIA G-SYNC technologies to address image tearing. The monitor’s peak brightness of 1,000 nits drops to 450 nits or 250 nits in SDR mode.
The Philips Evnia 49M2C8900L monitor has four 7.5 W speakers with a 2.2 channel setup and a single 3.5 mm audio jack. It is also equipped with DisplayPort 1.4 (x1), HDMI 2.1 (x2), USB-A (x4), and a USB-C port with 90W Power Delivery/ DisplayPort Alt Mode. The four USB-A ports of the monitor have a maximum speed of 5 Gbps.
Pricing & Availability
The Philips Evnia 49M2C8900L gaming monitor comes with a cheaper price tag than its predecessor. It is priced in the UK at £869,99 ($1,103) and €1,089 ($1,184) in the Eurozone. It is therefore evident that the new gaming monitor is significantly cheaper than the Philips Evnia 49M2C8900 by up to $400. It is also much cheaper than some of its competitors with the same Samsung QD-OLED panel. The US pricing of the new Philips gaming monitor has not been released yet.
Immerse yourself in a visually stunning experience with the VIVO X100 Ultra’s 6.78-inch FHD+/2K Samsung E7 AMOLED display. Whether you’re streaming content or browsing, enjoy vibrant colors and crisp details, even in bright outdoor conditions, thanks to its 120Hz refresh rate and 1500 nits brightness.
Here’s an enticing deal for tech enthusiasts: Get VIVO X100 Ultra at a special presale price of $100 off! Simply use the coupon code “GX100” to avail of this discount. This offer is only valid until May 29, 2024.
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, the VIVO X100 Ultra ensures lightning-fast performance for all your daily tasks, from multitasking to gaming. With 12GB/16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage, experience seamless responsiveness and efficiency.
Forget storage concerns with up to 1TB of internal storage on the VIVO X100 Ultra, allowing you to store photos, videos, apps, and more without sacrificing speed or performance.
Capture every moment in stunning detail with the VIVO X100 Ultra’s advanced camera system, featuring a 50MP primary sensor, 50MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a groundbreaking 200MP portrait sensor with 2x optical zoom. Plus, with a 50MP front camera, your selfies will always look flawless.
Stay powered throughout the day with the massive 5500mAh battery and 80W fast charging support, getting up to 50% battery in just 11 minutes and a full charge in 34 minutes.
Keep your device cool during intense sessions with the VIVO X100 Ultra’s VC liquid cooling solution, ensuring optimal performance without overheating worries.
Enjoy added convenience and versatility with features like NFC, HiFi audio support, dual stereo speakers, and an in-display fingerprint sensor. Plus, with dual SIM dual standby support, stay connected wherever you go.
The VIVO X100 Ultra offers cutting-edge technology, powerful performance, and sleek design for an unparalleled smartphone experience, whether you’re working, gaming, or capturing memories.
Oppo has scheduled the release of its Reno 12 Series smartphones and Enco Air 4 Pro earbuds for May 23, 2024, in China. Pre-orders for the earbuds are now open on JD.com, TM Mall, and Oppo Mall.
Ahead of the launch, specs of the upcoming Enco Air 4 Pro earbuds have been revealed. As per the listing on Oppo Mall, the Enco Air 4 Pro earbuds feature 12.4mm titanium-plated diaphragm drivers for powerful bass and support LHDC 5.0 audio codec for high-fidelity sound. They offer noise cancellation up to 49dB, cover a 4000Hz ultra-wideband, and include intelligent dynamic noise cancellation. Three microphones ensure clearer call quality.
The phone uses Bluetooth 5.4 for connectivity and offers a 47ms latency mode. It also provides single-touch pairing and easy switching between devices. Although battery sizes were not disclosed, Oppo states that the earbuds can last up to 44 hours with the charging case and 12 hours on a single charge. A 10-minute quick charge provides an additional 4 hours of use.
The earbuds will be available in White and Gray color options. While the pricing will be revealed on May 23 in China, these earbuds are also heading to the global market, as indicated by their certification listings in Malaysia and Singapore.
In a significant leap forward for autonomous driving technology, Baidu Apollo unveiled its 6th Generation Robotaxi in Wuhan, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of smart mobility. The announcement was made by Yunpeng Wang, Baidu’s Corporate Vice President and President of Intelligent Driving Group.
Key highlights of the launch include a substantial reduction in unit cost, now priced at approximately RMB 200,000 (under $30,000), marking a more than 50% decrease from the previous generation. These cost savings pave the way for large-scale deployment, with Apollo Go aiming to deploy 1000 6th Gen Robotaxis in Wuhan by 2024.
Operating on Apollo Go, Baidu’s autonomous ride-hailing platform, these vehicles signify a paradigm shift towards fully autonomous transportation. The development is bolstered by Apollo Go’s fully autonomous Robotaxi operation network in Wuhan, capable of managing every aspect of the Robotaxi operation without human intervention. This innovation not only enhances efficiency but also significantly reduces operational costs.
The introduction of Apollo ADFM, the world’s first foundation model supporting Level 4 autonomous driving, further solidifies Baidu Apollo’s position at the forefront of autonomous technology. Integrated into the 6th Gen Robotaxi, this model enables the rapid deployment of driverless operations in new cities within six months, paving the way for widespread adoption.
Moreover, the upgraded Apollo Self-Driving (ASD) intelligent driving software, based on Apollo ADFM, will be accessible on all Ji Yue vehicle models, allowing users nationwide to experience intelligent driving wherever Baidu Maps is available.
In terms of safety and market adoption, Apollo Go’s service area in Wuhan now spans over 3,000 square kilometers, serving 7.7 million people, and has provided over six million rides nationwide. Notably, Apollo Go has achieved a remarkable milestone of traveling over 100 million kilometers without any major accidents as of April 2024, reassuring users with RMB 5 million insurance coverage per Robotaxi.
With these advancements, Baidu Apollo is not only reshaping the landscape of autonomous transportation but also paving the way for a safer, more efficient future of mobility.
Following Apple‘s latest product showcase, Caviar, a company known for its ultra-luxury custom electronics, has unveiled the “Criss-Cross.” This limited-edition iPad Pro 2024 boasts a design inspired by Marvel’s Deadpool.
Caviar Criss-Cross iPad Pro 2024 Specifications:
Caviar specializes in transforming everyday tech into collector’s items using premium materials and intricate craftsmanship. The design of the Criss-Cross incorporates several luxurious elements.
The centerpiece of the design is a three-dimensional bas-relief of Deadpool’s signature weapons, two Desert Eagle Mark XIX pistols, forming an “X” on the back of the iPad. These decorative guns are crafted from aviation-grade titanium and embedded within a titanium casing with a PVD coating, a process typically used in high-end Swiss timepieces.
The composition is further accentuated by blades made of black, hardened titanium, drawing inspiration from Wolverine, another iconic Marvel character slated to appear alongside Deadpool in an upcoming movie release. Red accents across the case are made from a composite element used to create custom Desert Eagle grips, adding a subtle touch that complements the overall theme.
Pricing and Availability
Only 99 units of the Criss-Cross will be produced, ensuring exclusivity for collectors and tech enthusiasts. The iPad will be available in both 11-inch and 13-inch variants, with options for Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity.
Storage options range from 256GB to 2TB, catering to users with varying needs. The price starts at $12,200 for the 11-inch Wi-Fi model and reaches $12,630 for the 13-inch Wi-Fi and cellular variant.
Caviar’s custom iPad Pro caters to a specific audience. With its high price tag and bold design inspired by a comic book character, the Criss-Cross is likely to appeal to tech enthusiasts and collectors who prioritize exclusivity and a unique aesthetic over raw performance or value for money.
The European Union (EU) is cracking down on Meta (formerly Facebook) with a formal investigation into its handling of child safety on Facebook and Instagram. Announced on Thursday, the probe centers on concerns that Meta’s platforms may be harming children’s mental and physical well-being.
The EU Commission will carefully examine if Meta is going against the DSA
The EU Commission will specifically examine whether Meta is violating the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA). Here are the key areas of concern:
Addiction and Algorithmic Manipulation: The EU worries that Facebook and Instagram’s design and algorithms could be fostering “behavioral addictions” in children, essentially trapping them in endless content loops.
Inappropriate Content and Age Verification: The investigation will assess if Meta is doing enough to shield minors from harmful content and if its age verification tools are truly effective in preventing underage access.
Privacy and Safety for Minors: The EU will also scrutinize whether Meta’s content recommendation systems and default privacy settings adequately prioritize the privacy, safety, and security of children on its platforms.
This probe follows Meta’s recent efforts to improve child safety on its platforms, like restricting access to harmful content and limiting interactions with suspicious adult accounts. However, the EU’s investigation suggests these efforts might not be sufficient.
The Commission will now gather further evidence and determine the course of action. While no deadline exists for the investigation, the EU can take temporary enforcement measures against Meta during this period. If found in violation of the DSA, Meta could face hefty fines of up to 6% of its global revenue. EU Commissioner Thierry Breton emphasized the bloc’s resolve, stating, “we are sparing no effort to protect youth.”
Previously, Motorola released the Moto Buds and Moto Buds+ overseas, and now, reports have announced the release of the same two new wireless headphone models by Lenovo in China. Read our previous coverage of the same wireless earphones here.
The Moto Buds+ offer Active Noise Cancellation over the standard Moto Buds
Both models feature 12.4mm dynamic coils and long-press interaction button activation for Lenovo Xiaotian AI Assistant. They come in different colors, with Moto buds available in starry night blue and coral orange, while Moto buds+ sport dark dark green and misty gray.
The key difference lies in noise reduction and other features. Moto buds offer a base battery life of 9 hours with fast charging support, while Moto buds+ boasts active noise cancellation (ANC) up to 50db, Dolby Atmos sound effects compatibility with Motorola phones, multiple audio modes, and Dolby head tracking. Reflecting these additional features, Moto buds+ comes with a slightly shorter battery life (8 hours) and a higher price point (599 yuan) compared to the Moto buds (299 yuan).
Both headphones started pre-sale on May 16th and will be available for purchase on May 24th.
Qualcomm’s high-end flagship mobile chipsets get a “plus” version every year, but this year has been a different story. The chip giant has introduced an “s” version of its flagship chip – the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3. Many are excited to see how this new Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chip compares with the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
We’ll bring you every detail you need to know about these two high-end Qualcomm chipsets, including the benchmarking details, to help you make a better purchase decision.
Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 vs 8 Gen 3: Spec Sheet Comparison
Features
Snapdragon 8s Gen 3
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
Process Node
4nm (TSMC)
4nm (TSMC)
CPU Cores
8
8
CPU Architecture
1 x Cortex-X4 @ 3.0 GHz 4 x Cortex-A720 @ 2.8 GHz 3 x Cortex-A520 @ 2.0 GHz
1 x Cortex-X4 @ 3.3 GHz 3 x Cortex-A720 @3.15 GHz 2 x Cortex-A720 @ 2.96 GHz 2 x Cortex-A520 @ 2.27 GHz
GPU
Adreno 735 @ 1100 MHz
Adreno 750 @ 770 MHz
NPU
Hexagon NPU
Hexagon NPU
RAM/Storage
– Up to 24 GB RAM – LPDDR5X RAM @ 4200 MHz – UFS 4.0 Storage
– Up to 24 GB RAM – LPDDR5X RAM @ 4800 MHz – UFS 4.0 Storage
– Snapdragon X70 5G Modem – Up to Wi-Fi 7 Support – Bluetooth 5.4 – 5G Support
– Snapdragon X75 5G Modem – Up to Wi-Fi 7 Support – Bluetooth 5.4 – 5G Support
NFC
Supported
Supported
Charging
Quick Charge 5 Support
Quick Charge 5 Support
Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 vs 8 Gen 3: Benchmarks
Geekbench 6 scores:
Geekbench 6
Snapdragon 8s Gen 3
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
Single-core
2012
5452
Multi-core
5545
7091
Geekbench 6 GPU scores:
Geekbench 6 (GPU)
Snapdragon 8s Gen 3
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
OpenCL
8745
14987
Vulkan
10367
16538
AnTuTu V10 scores:
AnTuTu V10
Snapdragon 8s Gen 3
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
CPU
371183
464461
GPU
536455
877776
Memory
368763
402467
UX
276644
370028
Total score
1553045
2114732
Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 vs 8 Gen 3: CPU
Both Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 and 8 Gen 3 chipsets have eight Kyro cores and pack the same cores, although they have dissimilar core architectures with different clock speeds, which makes a significant difference in the benchmarks.
The Cortex-X4 prime core in the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is clocked at 3.0 GHz (vs 3.3 GHz in the 8 Gen 3). The four Cortex-A720 performance cores operate at 2.8 GHz in the 8s Gen 3, while the 8 Gen 3 has three of them clocked at 3.2 GHz and two running at 3.0 GHz.
The SD 8 Gen 3 has more performance cores, and all of them run at higher clock speeds than those in the SD 8s Gen 3. The Cortex-A520 power-efficiency cores in SD 8s Gen 3 run at 2.0GHz (vs 2.3 GHz in the SD 8s Gen 3).
While Qualcomm has used the same cores in both chipsets, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has a different core architecture, featuring an additional performance core, and all eight cores operate at a higher clocked speed than those in the SD 8s Gen 3. So, there’ll be a performance gap with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 leading the race.
Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 vs 8 Gen 3: RAM and Storage
Both Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 support UFS 4.0 storage, ensuring fast read and write speeds. However, the LPDDR5 RAM on the 8s Gen 3 operates at a lower speed of 4200 MHz (vs 4800 MHz on the 8 Gen 3). This means the files can be fetched at the same speed in both chipsets, but it will take less time to load into the memory on a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3-powered phone.
Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 vs 8 Gen 3: GPU
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 ships with an Adreno 735 GPU, while the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has a more powerful Adreno 750 GPU. You can easily guess that the latter would provide a better gaming experience.
While the Adreno 735 in the SD 8s Gen 3 supports most Snapdragon Elite Gaming features, including Hardware-accelerated Ray Tracing, Super Resolution, HDR gaming, and Adreno Frame Motion Engine, it lacks support for Unreal Engine 5 Lumen Global Illumination and Reflection System. This means games running on an SD 8s Gen 3-powered phone won’t offer the same lighting, reflections, and shadows as you see on SD 8 Gen 3-powered phones.
Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 vs 8 Gen 3: NPU
Both the Snapdragon chipsets feature a Hexagon NPU to support generative AI models with up to 10 billion parameters on-device. However, you can’t expect the same AI performance on both chipsets, as the CPU and GPU are involved in AI tasks. Hence, the SD Gen 3 has an edge over the SD 8s Gen 3, again.
Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 vs 8 Gen 3: Multimedia
The two Qualcomm chipsets feature a Qualcomm Spectra 18-bit Triple Cognitive ISP, which is responsible for converting the raw data captured by the phone’s camera sensor and transforming it into a final image. It leverages on-device AI for real-time image and video enhancements and supports real-time semantic segmentation with up to 12 layers.
While the ISPs are the same, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 lets you record up to 8K HDR videos at 30 frames per second (FPS), which is limited up to 4K HDR videos at 60 FPS in the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3. The former can take 4K videos at 120 FPS and slow-mo 720p videos at 960 FPS, while the latter can take 1080p slow-mo videos at 240 FPS.
Both the chipsets support the same camera combination, which are:
Single camera with up to 200 MP resolution
Single 108MP camera with MFNR and ZSL
64 MP+ 36 MP dual cameras with MFNR and ZSL
36 MP triple cameras with MFNR and ZSL
MFNR stands for Multi-frame Noise Reduction, and ZSL means Zero Shutter Lag.
Besides 8K video recording, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 lacks support for several camera features, such as Truepic photo capture, AI-powered Night Vision, and video object eraser.
Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 vs 8 Gen 3: Connectivity
Both the Qualcomm chipsets feature the same Qualcomm’s FastConnect 7800 system. Hence, both of them support Bluetooth 5.4, Bluetooth Low Energy, and Wi-Fi 7. However, they do differ in terms of modems.
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 has an older Snapdragon X70 5G modem with pack download and upload speeds of 6.5 Gbps and 3.5 Gbps, respectively. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 features a newer Snapdragon X75 5G modem that can offer a maximum download speed of 10 Gbps while the upload speed remains the same.
Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 vs 8 Gen 3: Which is Better?
From the spec sheet itself, it’s pretty clear that the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is a toned-down version of the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip. The latter has powerful CPU, GPU, and imaging capabilities. In fact, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has an edge over the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in all departments.
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is an affordable version of the flagship 8 Gen 3 chip, allowing OEMs to offer Snapdragon 8-series smartphones at a more affordable price. Although there are clear differences in CPU and GPU performance, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, in my opinion, is still a great chipset for high-end phones.
Which one of these two Qualcomm chipsets would you pick for your next smartphone? Do let us know your valuable thoughts in the comments below.
Meizu today launched the Meizu 21 Note smartphone. The company has also launched the Lipro Downlight E2 series smart lights. It consists of two different models – the E2 Air and E2 Pro. Both the E2 Air and E2 Pro adopt a large beam angle of 58° and a golden ratio of UGR ≤ 13. It offers a good lighting effect and also increases the lighting coverage area.
Meizu Lipro Downlight E2 series features:
In addition, the smart lights reportedly cover 94.86% of the spectrums of sunlight. It also offers Ra97 color rendering and supports RG0 low blue light. It also reportedly manages to fully eliminate the flickering completely.
However, not everything is the same between the two products. The Lipro downlight E2 Pro adopts a 42mm deep light source design and offers a customized anti-glare lens to accurately control light and spread it evenly.
The E2 Pro supports the native Lipro smart home app. In addition to that, it also connects to other ecosystems such as Mijia, Matter, Xiaoai, and Apple, which makes the series an appealing option to a much wider range of users.
According to the company, its self-developed dimming algorithms can adjust the brightness between 0.01% – 100% range.
Meizu’s Lipro Downlight E2 series smart lights are also available in three different models based on power rating – 7W / 9W / 11W. The series also offers three different color temperature options to choose from – 3500K / 4000K / 5000K.
Pricing:
The Lipro Downlight E2 Air starts at 119 Yuan and the Downlight E2 Pro starts at 249 Yuan.
The much-awaited smartphone from Meizu, Meizu 21 Note is finally here. Despite numerous rumors surrounding the device, it has now officially launched.The unveiling date for the Meizu 21 Note was set for May 16th, and today it was revealed in China. We actually know lots of details as previous leaks revealed, the only mystery was the price. Meizu 21 Note has very good specs offered at a fair price.
Meizu 21 Note boasts a minimalist design, a powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, and a stunning OLED panel – all at a surprisingly affordable price in China. The more interesting is that all configurations of the phone has 16GB of RAM. The base version (16GB+256GB) is priced at 2599 CNY (around 360 USD), with the 16GB+512GB variant priced at 2799 CNY (approximately 387 USD).
Meizu 21 Note
We can confidently say that the Meizu 21 Note is a strong flagship device, boasting beefy specifications even though its camera capabilities may not be so great. The phone is equipped with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and comes in two different configurations: 16GB+256GB and 16GB+512GB. It features LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 3.1 storage. The 21 Note is not the best in the Meizu 21 series but it’s great that Meizu offers 16GB of RAM in both configurations. The phone comes in black and white colors, the white variant has white bezels as well.
Meizu 21 Note in White and Black
Meizu 21 Note sports a 6.78-inch 1.5K LTPO OLED panel with a 144Hz refresh rate. The display dynamically adjusts its refresh rate between 1Hz and 144Hz. This display can reach a maximum local brightness of 5000 nits and 1600 nits in HBM mode. Additionally, the phone’s screen supports 2160 Hz PWM dimming.
Meizu 21 Note packs a whopping 5500 mAh battery, despite being only 8.2mm thick. The charging speed is capped at 66W. Meizu’s ability to fit such a large battery into a relatively thin device showcases their impressive design work. Consider that phones with over 5,000mAh battery capacity often exceed 8.2mm in thickness.
The new Meizu phone, Meizu 21 Note comes with a dual-camera setup with a 50MP f/1.7maincamera (S5KGN5) and a 13MP f/2.4 ultra-wide-angle camera (S5K3L6). On the front, there is a 16MP selfie shooter, OIS is available only on the main camera. The phone is capable of recording videos up to 8K resolution and has dual speakers.
Samsung had the Galaxy F55 5G launch event scheduled for tomorrow (May 17), however, the brand has now postponed this launch event to the last week of the month.
The Galaxy F55 5G launch is now set to take place on May 27. Currently, there is no information on why the launch has been postponed. That said, the launch event is pretty much to unveil the exact price of the smartphone as the majority of other details have already been revealed.
Samsung Galaxy F55 5G specs:
The Samsung Galaxy F55 5G is expected to have a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED Plus display with a 120Hz refresh rate, FHD+ resolution, and a peak brightness of 1,000 nits. It will likely run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset. The phone could come in two storage options, offering 8GB of RAM with either 128GB or 256GB of internal storage.
The camera setup might include a 50MP main camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), an 8MP ultrawide camera, and a 2MP macro camera. For selfies, a 50MP front-facing camera is expected. The Galaxy F55 5G is anticipated to have a 5,000mAh battery with support for 25W fast charging. It will probably run on Android 14-based One UI 6.0.
A recent price leak has revealed that the 8GB + 128GB model of the smartphone will cost Rs 24,999 with bank offers.
LG has expanded its range of Tone Free wireless earphones. The newest offering from the South Korean brand is the LG Tone Free T90S. The audio device packs premium specifications and features. They pack noise cancellation and superior sound quality along with focussing on comfort and hygiene. Read on to know all the details below.
LG Tone Free T90S specifications and features
The LG Tone Free T90S have an in-ear ergonomic design with medical-grade hypoallergenic soft ear gels for a comfortable fit. The design is supported by South Korea’s POSTECH Ergonomic Design Technology Lab. The TWS earphones come in a storage case featuring a built-in UV light that is said to eliminate 99.99 percent of bacteria. The earbuds are IPX4-rated water-resistant.
On the audio front, the LG Tone Free T90S is equipped with a pure graphene driver. They feature Dolby Head Tracking technology for delivering consistent 3D immersive audio based on the user’s head movements. There is also Dolby Atmos support for studio-level audio quality. Additionally, the TWS earphones feature a Dolby Virtualizer that expands spatial dimensionality and the optimizer delivers natural and louder distraction-free sound. The Tone Free T90S come with adaptive ANC that adapts to real-time surrounding noise levels. There are three built-in microphones with Voice Pickup Unit for clear quality on calls. The audio device is also developed in collaboration with Meridian Audio.
The LG Tone Free T90S comes with Whisper mode for private conversations. The listening mode keeps the user aware of their surroundings. The TWS earphones feature a conversation mode that amplifies the person’s voice.
The LG Tone Free T90S can be paired with up to five devices and can connect to two devices simultaneously. The earbuds are rated to deliver up to 9 hours of playback whereas with the case, the battery life extends to 36 hours. The T90S can also be connected to non-Bluetooth devices as the case has a 3.5mm jack and works as a transmitter.
The LG Tone Free T90S is offered in Black and White colours. It carries a price tag of EUR 199 (~$216). The TWS earphones will be available for purchase later this month.
Xiaomi entered the foldable smartphone market in March 2021 with the Mi Mix Fold, but has not yet released a flip smartphone. Since January of last year, Xiaomi has been reportedly developing a flip device. Now, this new smartphone, called the Xiaomi Mix Flip, seems to be nearing launch as it goes through key certification processes like China’s 3C. Here’s what to expect from this upcoming flip phone.
While the brand has not revealed what the Mix Flip will look like, a recently leaked image of the smartphone confirms that it will feature a large cover display, with a rectangular camera island above it. The flip phone will have two camera cutouts on the back.
The primary display is said to feature super slim bezels, however, detailed specifications of the display are still under wraps. That said, rumors suggest that it could offer a 1.5K resolution. As for the hinge, Xiaomi could use the same tech that it uses on its Mix Fold 3, which will allow it to withstand over 500,000 folds.
2. Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 or 8 Gen 3?
While initial reports indicated that the Mix Flip would come with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, which made sense at the time since the brand’s premium Mix Fold 3 also uses this chip. However, it looks like Xiaomi will offer the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip onboard the Flip 3. We expect the chip to be coupled with LPDDR5x RAM and UFS 4.0 storage since it looks like Xiaomi won’t be cutting any corners on its upcoming flip phone.
3. Premium camera setup
The camera setup on the Mix Flip will feature premium sensors like Sony’s Light Hunter 800 for the 50MP primary camera and the Omnivision OV60A sensor for the 60MP 2X optical zoom camera.
While these aren’t exactly flagship-grade sensors, they are still considered quite premium, especially the LYT800, which is a 1” type sensor. Additionally, the recently leaked live image of the device has the Leica logo on it, which means that the famous German camera company is working on optimizing and improving the camera system of the Mix Flip.
4. Large battery & fast charging
Reports indicate that Xiaomi plans to equip the Mix Flip with a 4,800mAh or 4,900mAh battery. In comparison, the Galaxy Z Flip features a 3,700mAh battery, while the Oppo Find N3 Flip and Vivo X Flip come with 4,300mAh and 4,400mAh batteries, respectively. This suggests the Mix Flip may offer a slightly longer battery life, though the difference might not be significant given its more powerful chip.
Additionally, the Mix Flip is notable for its fast charging capabilities, as 3C certification has confirmed support for 67W fast charging, which is higher than other flip phones.
5. Satellite connectivity
Tipster DCS has reported satellite connectivity is on the cards for the upcoming Xiaomi Mix Flip. So we can expect the device to offer two-way texting via satellite and the ability to send SOS signals for emergencies.
Earlier today Motorola announced the Edge 50 Fusion in the Indian market. The Lenovo-owned brand is expected to launch a new smartphone in the G-series soon. The G85 5G was spotted on the European retailer’s website last week. Now, it has surfaced on the Geekbench benchmarking platform revealing some of the hardware specifications. The upcoming offering will arrive as the successor to the last year’s Moto G84 5G.
Moto G85 5G appears on Geekbench
The Moto G85 5G is listed with a motherboard codenamed ‘malmo’. The octa-core setup comprises of six cores clocked at 2.02GHz and two cores ticking at 2.30GHz. There is an Adreno 619 GPU. The processor seems to be an unannounced one and is speculated to be the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 3. Because the GPU is found on the Snapdragon 695 and 480 with different clock speeds.
The Moto G85 5G is listed with 8GB RAM. It runs on Android 14 OS out of the box. In the Geekbench’s single-core and multi-core test results, the smartphone scores 939 and 2,092 points respectively. The benchmarking database does not reveal any additional information about the smartphone.
As per the retailer listing, the Moto G85 5G could be available in 12GB + 256GB RAM and storage variant. It will be priced at approximately €300 which is the same as its predecessor.
To recall, the Moto G84 5G (review) has a 6.55-inch FHD+ pOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. There is a 50MP OIS main camera with an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens. The smartphone is powered by Snapdragon 695 and backed by a 5,000mAh battery with support for 30W charging.
Xiaomi’s latest earbuds, the Redmi Buds 6 Active is currently available for pre-order in China. However, it’s not accurate to say that the Redmi Buds 6 Active launched, since Xiaomi has yet to even add them to their official Mi Store website. Currently, the earbuds is available for purchase on JD.com, a popular Chinese shopping website. Pre-sales started on May 16th and will end on May 20th.
Redmi Buds 6 Active specs
Redmi Buds 6 Active comes in three color options: black, blue, and white. These earbuds boast a large 14.2mm driver and built-in noise reduction. This technology helps minimize wind noise during calls, even in windy conditions up to 4 m/s.
Redmi Buds 6 Active
The Buds 6 Active offers a total battery life of 30 hours when combined with the charging case. On a single charge, the Redmi Buds 6 Active provides 6 hours of battery life, and a quick 10-minute charge yields 1 hour of listening time. Xiaomi’s new budget-friendly earbuds supports Bluetooth 5.4.
The Buds 6 Active is currently available for pre-order in China at a price of 99 CNY, approximately 13 USD, it’s unclear whether the Redmi Buds 6 Active will be available in other markets.
The Google Pixel Tablet is a solid mid-range Android tablet, but its initial price tag wasn’t exactly budget-friendly. Fortunately, there are now a few ways to save without sacrificing your entire wallet.
Unlike some of its competitors, the Pixel Tablet isn’t currently seeing any straightforward price drops. However, both Google and Best Buy are currently running trade-in offers for the Pixel Tablet. Best Buy’s offer maxes out at $300, while Google’s promotion can give you a saving of up to $450.
Naturally, the final amount you receive depends on the model and condition of your trade-in device. In a best-case scenario, Google’s offer could see you walk away with a Pixel Tablet for as little as $50.
There’s another way to get yourself a Pixel Tablet via Amazon. Here, you can split the cost of the Pixel Tablet into 12 monthly payments. hile this won’t ultimately save you money, it can make the purchase more manageable for your wallet. Note that it won’t reduce the overall price.
The Pixel Tablet comes in two storage configurations: 128GB and 256GB. Both options include a charging speaker dock, making it a functional smart display when not in use.
The standard price for the 128GB model is $500, though it has dipped as low as $400 during previous sales. The 256GB variant typically sits at $600, but some retailers have offered a $100 discount in recent weeks.
In terms of performance, the Pixel Tablet uses a Google Tensor G2 CPU paired with 8GB of RAM. Apart from tablet, you can use the Pixel Tablet as a smart home hub.
The Google Assistant in it helps you control your Nest devices, letting you manage thermostats, view doorbell cameras, and interact with visitors – all from the tablet’s interface.
Lenovo has recently launched the MK9 wired mechanical keyboard, which is now available on e-commerce platforms such as JD.com. This keyboard is priced starting at 99 yuan ($14) and will soon be available for pre-sale on JD.com. The MK9 comes in four color options: Sakura White, Obsidian Black, Elegant Pink, and Sky Blue, offering a variety of choices for different aesthetic preferences.
Lenovo MK9 Keyboard Specifications:
The Lenovo MK9 keyboard features a Gasket structure and a 98-key layout. This design reduces the usage area by approximately 20% compared to traditional 104-key layouts, making it more compact and space-efficient.
The keyboard’s construction includes double-shot injection keycaps that use two colors of plastic to create clear and sharp fonts, reducing character wear and improving the lifespan of the keys. The key switches, which are of the red switch type, are designed for a smooth typing experience, offering excellent tactile feedback.
The key switches have a lifespan of 20 million keystrokes, thanks to special material contacts that help reduce oxidation and meet long-term usage requirements.
Additionally, the keyboard features a PET soundproof cushion, which optimizes the keystroke sound performance, making it quieter and more suitable for office environments. The MK9 uses a Type-C interface with a detachable cable design, enhancing its portability and ease of storage.
In terms of ergonomics, the MK9 is equipped with a two-stage foot support design, providing three adjustable heights. This feature ensures comfort and adaptability for various typing positions. The keyboard also includes a satellite-axis balancing rod, which enhances the stability and performance of larger keys.
The MK9 also comes with a rotary volume adjustment knob, which allows for intuitive and easy control of audio levels. This knob also supports a one-key mute function, adding to the convenience of the keyboard. The keyboard’s dimensions are approximately 389.79 x 143.79 x 41.72mm, and it weighs around 780g±50g, making it a solid and sturdy option for users.
Oppo is gearing up to launch the Reno 12 series in its home market of China on 23rd May 2024. Alongside the new mid range smartphones, the company will also be unveiling the Enco Air 4 Pro as well. But that’s not all, it seems like another TWS dubbed the Enco R3 will also be arriving in China along with a fresh new Oppo Pad Air 2 color option. So let’s have a look.
Oppo Pad Air 2 in Purple & New Enco R3
The Chinese tech giant is set to launch the Pad Air 2 in a new color option. This is the new Aurora Purple, which brings a subtle purple hue to the existing tablet. To recall, the Pad Air 2 was first announced in a Space Gray and Streamer Silver color option. It sports a tall 11.35-inch LCD panel that offers 2.4K resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. It is equipped with the MediaTek Helio G99 SoC.
A large 8,000mAh battery pack powers this device, which supports 33W wired fast charging. Both the front and rear pack 8-megapixel cameras. Other notable features include a microSD card slot for storage expansion, a 3.5mm headphone jack, Bluetooth 5.2, and quad stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos.
Just recently, the Enco R3 earbuds was spotted on the China Telecom website with the ETEC1 model number. Based on what we know so far, the hearables offer ultra spatial sound and AI call noise cancellation. Finer details regarding these earbuds are still at large so stay tuned for more as we will be covering the launch event next week.
Samsung has been rumored to be working on the Galaxy S24 FE model. Reports have hinted that the smartphone would be launching this summer. And now, a fresh sighting has also hinted that its release might be right around the corner. So here’s everything we know so far.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE seen in One UI test build
The South Korean tech giant’s upcoming Galaxy S24 FE was previously spotted on the UK carrier list, which revealed its SM-721U model number. While initial rumors had pointed at a summer release, later reports hinted at the launch being delayed by a few months. To recall, the Galaxy S23 FE was launched back in October 2023, so we can expect a launch timeline near November or later.
As of right now, the new Samsung FE model was reportedly spotted in the One UI test build. The build version on Samsung’s firmware server is S721BXXU0AXE3/S721BOXM0AXE3/S721BXXU0AXE3. This lists the device with the SM-S721B model number. In other words, it could be the European version of the Galaxy S24 FE. Unfortunately, this is all the information that was revealed regarding this smartphone.
BREAKING ‼️
Galaxy S24 FE: FIRST One UI test build spotted on the server today 👀
Samsung’s Galaxy S24 FE was spotted on the One UI test build by Tarun Vats, who shared this information on X (formerly Twitter). Although this is all the details we have at the moment, you can click here to check out our expected features list of the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE.
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