Xiaomi has taken the wraps off a new router in China, the BE5000, boasting the latest Wi-Fi 7 technology at an attractive price point. While details on a global launch are yet to be revealed, the BE5000 offers a significant upgrade for Chinese consumers looking to boost their home Wi-Fi.
The BE5000 promises blazing-fast speeds, with a theoretical maximum of 5,011 Mbps. Xiaomi claims this translates to a noticeable improvement over Wi-Fi 6, with throughput and speed increases of up to 68% and 48%, respectively.
The BE5000 packs features like Multi-Link Operation and Xiaomi’s Xrange 2.0 technology for smoother connections and wider coverage. This translates to a more stable connection, which is especially beneficial for larger homes or users battling signal drops.
Gamers will appreciate the built-in game accelerator, while integration with Xiaomi’s HyperOS system allows for easy connection and management of smart home devices.
The BE5000 sports a sleek white design with five antennas and offers a variety of connection options, including a 2.5G port and three Gigabit LAN ports.
Pricing
The Xiaomi BE5000 router is priced at just 279 yuan (around $40) in China. It is currently unknown if or when the brand plans to launch the router in the global market.
MSI is back once again to shake things up with the launch of the RTX 4070 Ti SUPER Shadow 3X graphics card, the first product in their new Shadow series. This card boasts the latest NVIDIA Ada Lovelace architecture and impressive specs, promising high-performance gaming.
The GPU has three DisplayPort 1.4a ports and one HDMI 2.1a interface
The Shadow series departs from the existing Ventus series with a dark brown color scheme, offering a sleek and stylish look for those seeking a more subtle aesthetic. While technical specifications seem similar to the Ventus series, the Shadow series might appeal to those prioritizing a unique visual design for their PC build.
Packing serious muscle, the RTX 4070 Ti SUPER Shadow 3X features 8448 CUDA cores, 16GB of GDDR6X memory, and a boost clock of 2640 MHz. This ensures smooth performance for even the most demanding games. Connectivity options include three DisplayPort 1.4a and one HDMI 2.1a interface, providing flexibility for multi-monitor setups and high-resolution displays.
Information regarding the specific features and potential differences between the Shadow and Ventus series remains limited. The official MSI website currently uses the same product description for both series. However, the launch of the RTX 4070 Ti SUPER Shadow 3X suggests MSI might be expanding their graphics card lineup to cater to diverse user preferences. We’ll likely learn more about the defining characteristics of the Shadow series as MSI unveils future models.
BYD unveiled the Hiace 07 EV, a feature-packed electric SUV built on their new e-platform 3.0 Evo. This platform promises a powerful and efficient driving experience. The Hiace 07 EV boasts a sleek, coupe-like design inspired by BYD’s Ocean Network family. It offers a spacious interior with ample storage and a unique dual-state LED logo at the rear.
The company is launching a dedicated charging service for the mobile app as well
Technology is a major focus inside, with a HUD display, crystal gear lever, and premium sound system. Standard features include in-vehicle toll collection, smartphone connectivity, and voice control for over 1,000 car functions. Comfort is well-considered with ventilated/heated seats and a magnetic charging microphone for voice interaction.
BYD is launching a dedicated charging service on their Haiyang App for seamless charging. Safety is prioritized with 11 airbags, advanced driver-assistance features (planned for future installation), and a direct tire pressure monitoring system.
The Hiace 07 EV comes in three powertrain options, with two-wheel drive models offering 230kW or 170kW motors. The four-wheel drive version features a combined 390kW of power. An impressive high-performance motor enables a top speed of 225km/h. The single-motor model offers a choice between 550km and 610km of range, while the dual-motor version boasts a 550km range. Additionally, the Hiace 07 EV implements a fast charging technology that utilizes the full capacity of most public DC charging stations. With its stylish design, tech-laden interior, and impressive range, the BYD Hiace 07 EV appears to be a pretty solid option in the electric SUV market.
Keychron surprised fans with the unexpected launch of the V4 Max, a three-mode customizable mechanical keyboard in their V Max lineup. This 60% layout keyboard starts at an affordable US$69 (around ¥498). The V4 Max provides a comfortable typing experience with a Gasket structure, PC positioning plate, and sound-dampening materials. South-facing RGB lighting adds a touch of personalization.
For connectivity, there are options of 2.4Ghz wireless, Bluetooth and wired connection.
For customization, users can choose from three Jiadalong Jupiter switches (tactile, linear, or tactile with a bump) and durable OSA PBT double-shot keycaps. Connectivity is versatile with 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth, and wired options. Dual 2.4GHz receivers ensure wider compatibility.
The V4 Max boasts impressive specs, including hot-swappable switches, up to 1000Hz polling rate for smooth response, and QMK/VIA compatibility for customized layouts. It even supports switching between Windows and macOS layouts with ease. A 4000mAh battery keeps the keyboard powered, with support for 5V 1A charging.
Keychron offers two models: the V4M-Z2 kit (US$69) for those who want to personalize everything and the V4M-B1 keyboard (US$89) that comes pre-equipped with switches and keycaps. Interestingly, Keychron hasn’t officially announced the V4 Max, and the launch date remains a mystery. The official website even shows the product as out of stock with a launch countdown stuck at zero. Would you be enticed to buy this keyboard when it comes back in stock?
While we are still a few months ahead of the Android 15 official release, most of the new features and changes have already been revealed, thanks to developer preview and beta builds. I have gone through all the features that have been discovered in Android 15 so far and can tell you that it’s going to be an exciting OS upgrade.
Android 12 was the last OS upgrade that brought a whole new design language and a plethora of new features. While the recent ones, Android 13 and Android 14, haven’t been very impressive. They didn’t introduce groundbreaking features or any UI changes; felt like minor upgrades.
But Android 15 is coming with plenty of exciting features that’ll make you eagerly wait for it. While you wait for the official release, check out the 10 best features Android 15 will offer.
Satellite Connectivity Support
Ever since Apple announced satellite connectivity support for iPhones, Android users have been desperately waiting to try this. Google has finally listened to them as Android 15 is confirmed to bring this new feature.
With satellite connectivity support, you’ll be able to text your friend even if there are no cell towers nearby. Android 15 also allows SMS apps and preloaded RCS apps to use satellite connectivity support for sending and receiving messages. This means the satellite connectivity will not be limited to emergency uses only. It could be a big blow to Apple, which restricts satellite connectivity support on iPhones for emergency uses only.
Android 15 Developer Preview 2 build supports satellite connectivity at the operating system level. However, we are not sure if the final release will have this feature at the OS level. If this happens all Android 15 phones will have satellite connectivity support, even the budget phones.
Find Your Phone Even if It’s Offline
Google’s Find My Device feature is getting a major upgrade in Android 15. As per the findings by Android Police, all Android 15 phones can ping each other via Bluetooth and can contribute to the network, which will help other Android users find their lost devices.
The Find My Network relies on Android devices broadcasting, which are essentially Bluetooth signals. The nearby Android devices part of the Find My Device network can pick up Bluetooth signals from the broadcasting device and upload the encrypted location details to Google’s servers. Only the broadcasting device owner and the people with access to the encryption key can decrypt the location.
That means billions of Android devices will ping each other via Bluetooth once they’re added to the Find My Device network, and can help others find their lost Android devices. If everything goes well, Android will have a much bigger lost device tracking network than Apple’s Find My network.
Google is also reportedly working on a “Powered Off finding” feature that will allow users to find their Android devices even if it’s powered off. Sadly, this feature can’t be enabled on any Android device running Android 15 or later as it requires hardware support for powering the Bluetooth controller when the device is shut down.
The Pixel 8 models will reportedly support Powered Off Finding once they are upgraded to Android 15. Sadly, this feature won’t come to older Pixel devices, including the Pixel 7 series and Pixel Fold.
Google hasn’t confirmed the Powered Off Finding feature, but it’s likely to be announced at the Pixel 9 series launch in October this year.
Battery Health
Android 15 could allow users to see the battery health of their device. This feature was first spotted in Android 14 QPR2 Beta 2, but it wasn’t fully backed in, and hence never made to any Google Pixel device. It seems Android 15 will make the battery health information accessible to users.
The battery degrades over time because its capacity to hold the charge becomes lesser with time. The battery health feature tells the percentage of original battery capacity remaining, and hence it’s a useful metric that helps users replace the battery at the right time.
Apple iPhones have had the battery health feature for years, and now, it seems to be coming to Android devices with Android 15.
App Archiving
App archiving is a handy feature that lets you save some storage by uninstalling unused apps while keeping user data. So, when you reinstall the app next time, you can get back where you left off. Apple iPhones already have this feature as “offload apps”.
Google already has the app archiving feature through the Google Play Store. The drawback here is you can’t archive apps installed outside of the Google Play Store. Android 15 supports app archiving at the OS level, thus allowing users to archive any installed apps from the app info page.
Android 15 also has an option to automatically archive apps that you don’t use often. When you archive an app, the app icon becomes gray(ish) and shows a download icon, tapping on which redirects you to the Google Play Store to download the app. You can also unarchive an app by tapping Restore on the app info page.
Notification Cooldown
Another useful feature coming to the new Android OS is “Notification cooldown.” It lowers the volume of successive notifications from the same app. This feature prevents users from getting annoyed by too many notifications.
The notification cooldown was spotted in the first Developer Preview build of Android 15 but was hidden in the first beta. Probably, Google is taking more time in baking this feature before releasing it to the public.
Folks at Android Authority have also spotted a new toggle called “vibrate when unlocked” in fresh builds of Android 15. Enabling it will prevent your locked phone from vibrating when you receive successive notifications from the same app. The device will only vibrate for successive notifications when it’s unlocked.
High-Quality Webcam Mode
There are many third-party apps to use your smartphone as a webcam for your PC. But what’s better than having it natively integrated into the system? Well, Google introduced this feature in the Android 14 QPR 1 release for Pixel smartphones, but the output was below average.
Android 15 introduces a new high-quality webcam mode that results in significantly improved video quality. There’s a new “HQ” symbol in the webcam preview that enables this new webcam mode. It disables power optimizations on the device to offer better video quality. Hence, an increased battery drain if used for a longer duration.
Partial Screen Sharing
Partial screen sharing is another useful and privacy-focused addition to Android 15 that allows users to share and record a single app rather than the entire screen. So, you can stay calm even if you mistakenly open an app that you didn’t want while screen sharing.
This feature was first introduced in Android 14 QPR 2 on Pixel devices but will now be available to all Android 15 devices. The new OS might offer additional privacy features such as private space and sensitive notifications, which I’ll cover later in this post.
Edge-to-Edge Apps by Default
Android smartphones can show more content than before, thanks to slim bezels and large screen sizes. However, many apps don’t use the entire height and width to show their content. Android 15 resolves this by forcing all apps to go edge-to-edge by default, improving the user experience.
Private Space
Android 15 might introduce Private Space for securing your important apps and files. As the name suggests, it creates a private space where you can add apps and data, and use a different password or PIN for better security. Samsung phones already have a similar feature with a different name “Secure Folder.”
Users will be able to hide private space from the apps list, change the lock screen, install apps in private space, and delete private space.
Google still hasn’t announced Private Share as I write this post. However, we believe that one of the upcoming Android 15 beta builds will include this feature.
Sensitive Notifications
OTP frauds have been growing exponentially. One of the major reasons is malicious third-party apps with access to messages. They can read all your messages, including those containing OTPs, and can use them for all sorts of negative purposes. Android 15 aims to fix that by introducing “Sensitive Notifications” that prevent malicious apps from reading your OTPs.
These are the 10 best features that have been discovered in Android 15 so far. Google may add more features to the new OS until it reaches the platform stability phase. While Android 15 doesn’t have an official release date yet, it’s expected to arrive sometime in October.
Before you leave, don’t forget to check the Motorola, Samsung, OnePlus, and Google Pixel phones that’ll get the Android 15 update. Also, check our Android 15 section for the latest news around the new Android OS.
Last year in September, Huawei announced the Eyewear 2 smart glasses in China. The company has now revealed the launch of the sunglasses version of the same product. It will be announced at the Summer 2024 product launch event in the country on May 15. Alongside the smart glasses, the brand is also expected to unveil other devices including laptops, tablets, and more.
Huawei Eyewear 2 sunglasses launching in China next week
The Huawei Eyewear 2 sunglasses are seen in a squarish frame. The upcoming offering will serve those who wear sunglasses occasionally when they go outside and for fashion purposes. They will also be ideal for those who don’t wear prescription glasses.
The details about the Eyewear 2 sunglasses are not known yet but we can expect the same specs and features as the prescription glasses. The latter is offered in five styles including rimless, aviator, square half-rim, titanium hollow, and gold wire.
To recall, the Huawei Eyewear 2 smart glasses come with interchangeable Zeiss prescription lenses. Users can perform various functions by tapping or swiping on the temple area of the glasses. The Eyewear 2 is equipped with a built-in speaker that has a forward-facing dual diaphragm immersive unit for improved audio. There is also triple noise cancellation onboard for clear quality on calls.
The Huawei Eyewear 2 smart glasses are rated to offer 11 hours of battery life on a single charge. There is support for fast charging with 10 minutes of charging said to offer three hours of usage. The Eyewear 2 smart glasses carry a starting price tag of EUR 300 in Europe and CNY 1,699 in China.
Apple has just launched its most expensive iPad Pro with the new M4 chip. Now Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that Apple is deploying its M series chips in its cloud servers, and it seems to be related to the AI features in the upcoming iPhone 16 lineup.
Some AI features may require more compute than what on-device processing can offer
Apple is working on some AI features for the iPhone 16 series. Earlier it was reported that the company is focusing on running the AI features on-device for privacy of user data. The company also acquired French startup Datakalab to make its on-device LLM more capable and efficient. However, it seems that Apple still needs to run some more demanding AI features on the cloud. Here comes the deployment of Apple Silicon (M series chips) in its servers.
According to Mark Gurman, the servers running on Apple Silicon are specially designed to handle AI-related tasks. Apple is using its M2 Ultra chip (that powers last year’s Mac Pro and Mac Studio) in its AI servers. Although, the company reportedly has plans to use the new M4 chips as well going forward.
Dedicated chips for the servers are also under development
There are also reports that the company is developing dedicated chips for its AI servers which will use TSMC’s 3nm process node. However, that’s far from completion, unlike the iPhone 16 series. It could be a reason behind the deployment of the M2 Ultra chips. The dedicated AI server chip is expected to enter mass production in the second half of 2025.
Choosing the cloud servers for running some of the features (that might also involve working with user data) is a shift from Apple’s initial plan. Nonetheless, it’s good to see that the company is arranging the computing and running the features on their own servers instead of asking companies like Google to handle the job with their models on their servers.
People involved with the development of the dedicated server chips informed that the chips have components inside to protect user privacy. The company reportedly uses a method called “Secure Enclave” to isolate data from security vulnerabilities.
The ASUS ROG Ally was launched last year. Now, the Taiwanese brand has confirmed an improved version of the first-generation handheld console. It’s not going to be the Ally 2, a true successor to the original offering. Instead, the upcoming iteration is the ROG Ally X and it will be announced early next month. ASUS SVP Shawn Yen shared some juicy details about the forthcoming handheld console with The Verge. Read on to know everything below.
ASUS ROG Ally X is coming soon, key changes revealed
The ASUS ROG Ally X will be launched on June 2. It is confirmed to pack changes in terms of battery life, RAM and SSD, ports, physical changes, and more repairability.
Perhaps, the biggest change on the ASUS ROG Ally X is the battery unit. Yen says that it will pack a massive increase in the battery capacity and it is way more than 30 to 40 percent. The original Ally had more room for a larger battery pack. The company has seen how users strap giant external batteries to the handheld consoles.
ASUS revealed that the ROG Ally will have more than 16GB RAM capacity found in the current generation so that it can be allocated to the GPU without impacting the system. The SSD slot is also getting an upgrade from the M.2 2230 to M.2 2280 meaning users can plug in larger drives. The company has also moved the SD card reader away from the heatsink.
The ASUS ROG Ally X will also be more repair-friendly with interchangeable redesigned joystick modules. There will be revised grips and slightly tweaked D-pads and triggers. The upcoming handheld will be slightly weight heavier due to the larger battery pack. The console will also be available in a Black colour variant.
ASUS says that the improvements will make the Ally X a bit more expensive than the original console. However, the latter is said to stick around and get some discounts.
Oppo‘s Enco Air 4 Pro TWS earbuds are expected to debut soon. These earbuds were recently spotted on Malaysia’s SIRIM certification website. Now, these earbuds have also picked up Singapore’s IMDA certification.
The Oppo Enco Air 4 Pro has been spotted on the IMDA certification website with model number ETEA1. Although the certification does not reveal any specifications, we can take a look at the Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro to get an idea of what to expect.
Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro specs:
The earlier model featured advanced 12.4mm bamboo fiber drivers, Bluetooth 5.3, and supported high-quality audio codecs such as LDAC and LC3. The Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro (review) included Oppo’s spatial audio, up to 49dB active noise cancellation, and a 47ms low latency mode aimed at gamers.
These earbuds were also practical for everyday use, offering touch gesture controls, multi-device connectivity, and an IP55 rating for resistance to dust and water. On a single charge, the earbuds lasted up to 7 hours, with the case providing an additional 23 hours.
Huawei‘s response to the U.S. trade ban isn’t just focused on hardware efforts. The company is also making a major leap in software development with HarmonyOS Next, a new operating system that completely ditches from Google’s Android app support.
Now, a fresh report by Nikkei Asiasuggests that Huawei will finally depart completely from Google’s Android operating system this year. The new HarmonyOS Next will ship first with Huawei Mate 70 series smartphones.
The new OS reportedly offers improved memory efficiency and on-device AI capabilities. However, the true test lies in app availability.
While HarmonyOS Next currently has over 4,000 apps, including popular names like Alipay and McDonald’s, Huawei has set its sights on a much larger library, aiming for 5000 within the year, and top 500,000 eventually.
The success of last year’s Mate 60 series has catalyzed Chinese corporations and businesses to join Huawei in developing apps for HarmonyOS Next, as noted in the report.
The company then launched the Nova 12 series and recently debuted the Huawei Pura 70 series, all of which have been well-received by consumers.
TechInsights, a Canadian research firm, predicts that Huawei will sell 10 million Pura 70 handsets this year. The upcoming Mate 70 series is expected to drive the sales numbers further taking Huawei back to the top of China’s smartphone market after a long absence.
WeChat, a dominant messaging app in China with over a billion users, holds significant sway over HarmonyOS Next’s fate. Huawei’s ability to secure support from such major players will be crucial for the platform’s survival within China.
If successful, HarmonyOS Next will certainly be a major competitor to Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android, creating a three-way battle for smartphone dominance. However, the road ahead is not without challenges, and only time will tell if Huawei can navigate them effectively.
New smartphones don’t stop coming. Three brands have scheduled events for next week.
Two of these launches will happen in India, while the remaining one will be held in China. Only the latter conference will witness the debut of premium devices.
The two Indian events will be headed by iQOO and Samsung. On the other hand, Vivo will host the event in China.
Let’s check out these forthcoming handsets one by one.
Vivo has scheduled an event in China for May 13 (Monday). The conference will begin at 7 PM GMT+8.
The company will unveil three devices, namely Vivo X100 Ultra, Vvio X100s, and Vivo X100s Pro. As the name suggests, the former will be the most premium of all, whereas the latter two will be refined versions of X100 and X100 Pro from late last year.
The Ultra will be powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip as opposed to a Dimensity 9300 Plus SoC inside the other two phones. It will feature top-end camera hardware comprising a 50MP Sony LYT-900 1-inch primary sensor, a 200MP 1/1.4-inch periscope telephoto shooter, and a 50MP ultrawide unit.
2. iQOO Z9x
The iQOO Z9x is set to launch in India on May 16 (Thursday). It will be positioned below the iQOO Z9.
The device is teased to arrive with a 6.72-inch 120Hz 1000 nits display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 SoC, 2 years of Android updates, a 50MP rear camera, a 6,000mAh battery, and 44W charging support.
Other features of the handset will include dual stereo speakers, a 3.5mm headphone jack, a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, and an IP65 rating.
3. Samsung Galaxy F55
The Samsung Galaxy F55 is planned to go official in India on May 17 (Friday). The product will be a rebranded version of the China-only Galaxy C55 for global markets.
The phone will share most of its specs with the Galaxy M55. However, it will come with the most unique design in Samsung’s current smartphone portfolio. The device will sport a vegan leather back, unlike any other recent Samsung handsets.
As far as specs are concerned, the product will arrive with a 6.7-inch 120Hz Super AMOLED display, a Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 SoC, a 50MP rear camera, a 50MP selfie camera, a 5,000mAh battery, and 45W charging support.
In the smartphone market, trends arise and disappear swiftly. This pattern is also seen in the design of new and upcoming devices. So why does the Samsung Galaxy F55 stand out? Specs and features aside, here’s why its design is special for a Galaxy device.
1. Samsung Galaxy F55: First-ever Galaxy phone with leather?
The Galaxy F55 is technically the first ever phone from Samsung to feature a vegan leather back panel in the global market. The back still comes with the vertically stacked triple setup, but the glass/plastic panel was replaced with leather. So far, Chinese brand’s have been more proactive in using such materials on their smartphones. But it seems like the South Korean tech giant is also catching up with a stitched design. The upcoming handset measures just 7.8mm in thickness and weighs 180 grams. But this isn’t truly the first leather-bound Galaxy phone.
2. Specs: Is it the Galaxy M55 or C55?
Essentially, the Galaxy F55 is the same as the M55 and C55 models. For those unaware, the F55 is just a rebranded version of the C55 for the global market. The Galaxy C55 model is exclusive to China. On the other hand, you can say that the Galaxy M55 is the non-leather version. Meaning, all three phones are the same in terms of specs.
They sport a tall 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display that offers FHD+ resolution, 100 nits of peak brightness, and a 120Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, the Galaxy F55 is also equipped with the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 SoC, which can be paired with up to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage as well. A large 5,000mAh battery pack could power this device, which may support 45W wired fast charging.
3. Camera: Three on the back, one in the front
For photography, the Galaxy F55 is expected to feature three image sensors on the rear. The primary sensor is a 50-megapixel camera that supports OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) that is paired with an 8-megapixel ultra wide angle lens, and a 2-megapixel macro shooter. The front houses a 50-megapixel shooter for selfies and video calls. This is a versatile set of cameras, which will likely support dual-camera recording functions as well. This allows simultaneous recording from the rear and front cameras.
4. Pricing
Based on our earlier report, the Galaxy F55 will launch in three storage options, namely 8GB + 128GB, 8GB + 256GB, and 12GB + 256GB. The device is rumored to start from 26,999 INR ($323) in India, while the 8GB + 256GB and 12GB + 256GB options may cost 29,999 INR ($359) and 32,999 INR ($395) respectively. Reportedly, Samsung will even offer a 2,000 INR bank discount on this device. Unfortunately, the launch date of this device is still at large, so stay tuned for more updates.
Yesterday, Realme announced the GT Neo 6 in the China market. The brand’s India branch also confirmed the arrival of the Realme GT 6T in the country later this month. It is the first ‘T’ model in the GT series and is confirmed to be powered by a Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 processor. Now, ahead of the launch, the upcoming GT 6T has bagged multiple certifications revealing some key details.
Realme GT 6T spotted on multiple certification websites
The Realme GT 6T has appeared on NBTC, BIS, EEC, FCC, and Camera FV-5 certification platforms. It is listed with a model number RMX3853. The first three aforementioned certification websites do not mention any key details of the smartphone but confirm its launch in the countries.
Coming to the FCC certification, the Realme GT 6T is listed with a 2,750mAh typical / advertised battery whereas the rated value is 2,680mAh. This is expected to be dual-cell battery values meaning that the typical battery capacity could be 5,500mAh whereas the rated battery unit will be 5,360mAh. The listing also confirms that the upcoming offering will support 120W fast charging.
In terms of dimensions, the Realme GT 6T will measure 162 × 75.1 × 8.65mm and weigh 191 grams. Software-wise, it will ship with Android 14-based realme UI 5.0 out of the box.
The Camera FV-5 database mentions that the Realme GT 6T will have a 50MP primary camera with f/1.8 aperture and support for OIS. Up front, it is expected to feature a 32MP selfie snapper.
In India, the Realme GT 6T is confirmed to be available from Amazon. The microsite of the device also confirms a curved display with a centre-aligned punch-hole cutout.
The most powerful flagship phone from Xiaomi has finally arrived in Japan. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra was already available for sale in Europe and China in recent months, and now the camera monster is available in Japan as well.
Xiaomi typically introduces certain phone models in Japan on a different time frame. For instance, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra was initially unveiled on February 22nd and arrived in Japan on May 9th, a span of three months for the latest flagship to be offered in Japan.
Xiaomi 14 Ultra is out in Japan, with Photography Kit
Xiaomi Japan recently announced via Twitter that the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is now available for purchase. The phone carries a price tag of 199,000 Yen (roughly $1,285, 16GB+512GBvariant). It’s important to note that this is higher than the price in China due to potential factors like import taxes and carrier agreements. On top of that Xiaomi Japan gives users some exclusive benefits.
Xiaomi 14 Ultra exclusive benefits in Japan
Sweetening the deal for Japanese buyers, Xiaomi is throwing in some extras with the Xiaomi 14 Ultra purchase. These include 100GBGoogle One cloud storage for six months. You’ll also get three months of YouTube Premium, granting ad-free viewing and background playback. Xiaomi 14 Ultra purchased in Japan comes with a global warranty, including a one-time screen replacement for accidental damage.
Xiaomi 14 Ultra in Japan
Alongside the phone, Xiaomi’s Photography Kit is also available for purchase, priced at 22,000 Japanese Yen (approximately $140 USD). This kit is perfect for photography enthusiasts who want to unlock the full potential of the 14 Ultra’s impressive camera system. Head over to Xiaomi Japan’s website to explore the Xiaomi 14 Ultra and Photography Kit in detail. You can place order as well if you’re in Japan.
On May 20, Vivo plans to host a launch event to debut new smartphones in the Vivo Y200 series. The brand has confirmed that the Vivo Y200 GT will be one of the devices launching that day.
While the brand has not revealed any specifications, the design of the device indicated that it could be a rebrand of one of the recently launched iQOO Z9 series smartphones. Going by the GT moniker, it is more than likely that it could be a rebrand of the iQOO Z9 Turbo. You can take a look at the iQOO Z9 Turbo’s specifications to get an idea of what to expect.
iQOO Z9 Turbo specs:
The iQOO Z9 Turbo matches the standard model’s 6.72-inch OLED display with 1.5K resolution, 4,500 nits peak brightness, and 144Hz refresh rate. Powered by a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor, it offers up to 16GB LPDDR5x RAM, 512GB UFS 4 storage, and 16GB virtual RAM. The phone features a 6K VC liquid cooling system.
Its camera setup consists of a 50MP main sensor with OIS and an 8MP ultra-wide lens, while the front camera is 16MP. With a 6,000mAh battery, it supports 80W wired charging and 7.5W wired reverse charging, running Android 14 OS with OriginOS 4. Connectivity includes Wi-Fi6, Bluetooth 5.4, and a USB-C port.
Infinix recently unveiled the GT Verse, which is its upcoming lineup of products that will focus on gaming. The brand is gearing up to release the Infinix GT 20 Pro smartphone and GT Book laptops in India under this branding, and now, we may finally have a release date.
Infinix GT 20 Pro & GT Book Launch Date
According to a 91Mobiles report, sources close to the matter have claimed that the Infinix GT 20 Pro and GT Book will be launching in India on May 21. If this is true, then the release isn’t too far away and we can expect official teasers or confirmation to follow soon as well. The launch event for these two devices may also include other gaming related peripherals as well.
Infinix GT Book features up to Intel’s Core i9-13900 and RTX 4050 graphics. It sports a tall 16-inch 120Hz display and RGB keybard. It has a unique design that seems to resemble the Cyber Mecha 2.0 design of the GT 20 Pro. Speaking of the phone, it arrives with a 6.78-inch FHD+ 144Hz AMOLED display, Dimensity 8200 Ultra SoC, 108MP triple cameras, large 5,000mAh battery, and 45W fast charging.
Meizu has officially revealed the launch date for the third member of its Meizu 21 series – the Meizu 21 Note. While the Meizu 21 and 21 Pro launched with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, the Note will take a step down to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.
The official launch is set for May 16th in China. Meizu has also released a poster showcasing the design of the phone. The 21 Note features a flat display with minimal bezels.
The back panel sports a dual camera system with an RGB ring LED flash and will be available in black and white color options. The design contradicts earlier leaks that suggested an iPhone-like rear camera layout.
Confirmed specs for the device include a 6.8-inch OLED display with a 1.5K resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC will be accompanied by 16GB of RAM and a 5,500mAh battery. The company also revealed the phone will boot on Flyme “AIOS” which will likely be based on Android 14.
While details are scarce, Meizu is expected to reveal more information about the phone leading up to the launch.
As for other specs, previous leaks suggest the phone will feature LPDDR4x RAM, 66W fast charging, a 16-megapixel front camera, and a rear camera system consisting of a primary 50-megapixel Sony IMX882 sensor with OIS and an additional 8-megapixel sensor.
Other rumored features include dual speakers, an x-axis linear motor for improved haptics, an NFC for contactless payments, an IR blaster, a glass back, a metal middle frame, and an IP53 rating for dust and water resistance.
Mobvoi has released the TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro, a refined version of its popular TicWatch Pro 5 smartwatch. The new model shares core features with its predecessor but includes significant improvements in durability and functionality.
The TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro retains the 1.43-inch AMOLED display but upgrades to sapphire crystal for better scratch resistance. It runs on the Snapdragon W5 Plus Gen 1 chipset, supports 2GB RAM and 32GB storage, and operates on Wear OS 3.5.
The smartwatch is slightly slimmer at 11.95mm, though it weighs a bit more at 44.8 grams. Notable physical updates include a reinforced bezel, an updated rotating crown, a side button, and a 24mm Fluororubber band that enhances overall durability.
Battery performance has also improved, with Enduro offering up to 90 hours of use in Smart Mode and 45 days in Essential Mode. A new feature allows the use of fitness apps like Nike Run Club and Strava in a low-power mode that does not fully activate the OLED display, extending battery life further.
The fitness and health tracking features have been upgraded. The TicExercise app now has a larger interface and offers more tailored workout choices. It includes standard functions like GPS tracking and distance measurements for activities. The TicHealth app merges various health monitoring tools such as heart rate, blood oxygen, and sleep tracking. Plus, users get a free 12-month VIP subscription for sleep monitoring.
Pricing & availability
The TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro is offered in Obsidian and is priced at $349.99 in the U.S. and Rs. 34,999 in India.
Oppo launched the Find X7 and Find X7 Ultra in January this year. The company also released a satellite communication edition of the Find X7 Ultra towards the end of March with most of the other specifications unchanged. While it is only two months from the latest addition to the Find X7 series, the successor Find X8 series is already appearing in the news.
May arrive in early Q4 of 2024
Today, reliable tipster Digital Chat Station claimed that Oppo has ramped up the pace of development of the Find X8 series. He added that the company might release the Find X8 series in early Q4 of 2024.
According to a previous rumor, the Find X8 may use the upcoming Dimensity flagship while the Ultra model will stick to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, which is similar to the Find X7 series. Alongside the next-generation flagship chips, the Find X8 Ultra may finally offer an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner. However, the Find X8 may still stick to the optical fingerprint scanner.
If the latest news is true, the Find X8 series may directly compete with the Xiaomi 15 series with a similar launch time. The OnePlus 13 may also be released around the same time.
Previously it was expected that the first model with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 (which might come out in mid-October) will again be a Xiaomi flagship. Now it seems questionable with the speculated early release timeline of the next Oppo flagship. Nonetheless, according to tipster Yogesh Brar, Xiaomi still holds the exclusive first launch rights for Snapdragon flagship chips.
When it comes to Qualcomm’s upcoming flagship, it will feature the company’s self-developed Oryon CPU cores with a 2+6 architecture. While there isn’t much information available about either the phone or the chip at this point, we’ll share more details as they become available.
Realme GT Neo 6 was just announced as the successor to the GT Neo 5 in China (Check out Realme GT Neo 6 v Realme GT Neo 5). But the new smartphone wasn’t alone as the brand also unveiled the new Realme Buds Air 6 and Buds Air 6 Pro TWS in the region. These offer some pretty notable specs and features, so here are all the details.
Realme Buds Air 6
The Chinese brand’s Buds Air 6 model features 12.4mm titanium plated dynamic drivers. These support LHDC 5.0 and Hi-Res Audio for an improved listening experience. The company promises dynamic bass and up to 50 decibels of Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). For mobile gamers, there’s also a dedicated gaming mode that lowers the latency down to just 55ms. You can even pair these earbuds with two devices at the same time.
On a single full charge, it can last for up to 40 hours with the charging case while just 7 minutes of charging offers 7 hours of audio playback. Other notable features include IP55 water and dust resistance, Bluetooth 5.3, IP55 water and dust resistance, and touch controls. The Realme Buds Air 6 is currently listed on JD.com and the brand’s official website in China for 269 Yuan (roughly $37).
Realme Buds Air 6 Pro
Unlike the base model, the Buds Air 6 Pro variant offers a dual driver setup that consists of a 6mm tweeter and an 11mm woofer. It retains the 50dB ANC along with dual noise reduction microphones that reduce noise by up to 4000Hz. The earbuds also feature AI deep noise cancellation for calls. Apart from this, other aspects like the battery life, water resistance rating, and more are identical between the two versions. As of right now, the Realme Buds Air 6 Pro is also available on Realme online store and JD.com. It has a 469 Yuan price tag (roughly $65).
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