Oppo and Vivo were some of the first companies to launch foldable phones, including both flip-style and larger folding screens. But according to a new rumor, they might be taking a break from flip phones in 2024.
Word for it comes from insider Digital Chat Station (DCS) who revealed in his latest Weibo post that two major brands won’t “update” their clamshell foldables this year.
While he didn’t name the names, we can guess it’s Oppo and Vivo. Samsung is expected to launch the Galaxy Z Flip 6 in July, Motorola has a flip phone in the works, and Xiaomi hasn’t released a flip phone yet. That leaves Oppo and Vivo as the remaining big players.
The news also aligns with what analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported in February: Oppo and Vivo might have stopped development on new flip phones for the Chinese market in 2024. It seems to be due to slower sales, although Huawei is reportedly still interested in clamshells despite them being less profitable.
DCS also suggests that instead of a flip phone, one of these two brands might launch a completely new type of foldable phone in 2025.
Huawei Tri-folding phone patent
The details are unclear, but it could be something different from the usual folding or flipping styles. The possibilities include phones that fold in a Z-shape (tri-folding) or have a rollable display.
So far, only Samsung and Huawei have been rumored to be working on Z-style foldable. Rollable phones are also an idea that’s been floating around.
POCO’s F6 series is expected to comprise standard and pro variants. Both phones have started bagging certifications hinting at their imminent arrival. After the POCO F6’s appearance on Geekbench recently, the more premium F6 Pro’s global variant has also been spotted on the benchmarking platform. The upcoming offering has already passed FCC and NBTC certifications in the past. Read on to know what the Geekbench database reveals.
POCO F6 Pro spotted on Geekbench
The POCO F6 Pro is listed on the Geekbench benchmarking platform with model number 23113RKC6G. It mentions a motherboard codenamed ‘kalama’ and the configuration comprises of three cores at 2.02GHz, four cores clocked at 2.80GHz, and a prime core ticking at 3.19GHz. This suggests that the device will be powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. As per the benchmark database, the POCO F6 Pro will pack a huge 16GB RAM and we can expect more options at launch. The smartphone will ship with pre-installed Android 14 OS out of the box.
In the Geekbench’s single-core and multi-core test results, the POCO F6 Pro scores 1,421 and 5,166 points respectively. The benchmark database does not reveal any additional details.
As per FCC, the POCO F6 Pro will be backed by a 4,880mAh battery unit. The Android 14 OS will be layered with HyperOS skin on the top. The model numbers of the F6 Pro suggest that it could be a rebranded Redmi K70 from China since they match except for the last initial which is ‘G’ and ‘C’ referring to global and China respectively. The Redmi K70 has a 120Hz 2K OLED display with 4,000 nits peak brightness, a 5,000mAh battery with 120W fast charging, and a 50MP triple rear camera setup.
Vivo just launched the Pad 3 Pro tablet in China, and it seems they’re planning to release even more tablets soon.
That is because three new tablets from Vivo (including some from their sub-brand iQOO) have been spotted on China’s 3C certification database. These tablets have the model numbers iPA2475, PA2455, and iPA2453.
Following their convention of using “i” prefixes for iQOO devices, speculation suggests the iPA2475, paired with a 66W fast charger listing, could be the iQOO Pad 2 Pro. Rumors suggest it might be a rebrand of the Vivo Pad 3 Pro.
Meanwhile, the iPA2453, listed with a 44W charger, could be the standard iQOO Pad 2. The PA2455 model, sporting a 44W charger listing, is said to be the vanilla Vivo Pad 3.
According to rumors, Vivo Pad 3 will be the first tablet to feature the new Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset. Like the iQOO Pad 2 Pro, the iQOO Pad 2 is also rumored to be a rebranded version of the Vivo Pad 3.
Apart from the tablets, a likely Vivo smartwatch has also appeared on the 3C listings with model number iW2356. It supports 5W charging and is said to be the upcoming Vivo Watch 4.
As usual, the 3C certification doesn’t reveal extensive details about these devices. However, it’s clear that Vivo and its sub-brand have new devices on the horizon. We’ll keep you updated on any new details that emerge.
Sony‘s next-gen flagship smartphone, Xperia 1 VI, has just been spotted in another leak. But this time around, it is not just cameras and designs. We have a complete breakdown of its internal hardware and more. So here’s everything we know so far.
According to an MSPowerUser report, the Japanese brand’s upcoming flagship phone features a sleek and slim body. The rear has a frosted textured glass panel that is paired with fine slits on the sides for a better grip. The report claims that it will be available in black and platinum silver color options.
On the front, it sports an OLED display that features a 1.5x brighter panel compared to the Xperia 1 V. The screen will reportedly offer a 19.5:9 aspect ratio and variable refresh rates up to 120Hz, which is in line with our previous report. We can expect the higher brightness to kick in under direct sunlight and other display tech like BRAVIA HDR to make a return for improved contrast and colors.
2. Specs & Performance
Sony could be placing a greater focus on gaming performance with the Xperia 1 VI. Under the hood, it could feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which is a flagship grade processor. But for mobile gamers, this device will apparently offer an FPS optimizer and a 240Hz touch sampling rate. All of this could help give a smoother gaming experience. A large 5,000mAh battery pack powers this device, which likely offers fast charging and wireless charging.
The high end hardware would even get a dedicated vapor chamber to help maintain performance for extended periods of use. The leak adds that Sony could even offer Xperia 1 VI owners one year of free Sony Pictures movie streaming, giving them access of up to five Sony movie titles remastered with IMAX video and DTS sound.
3. Camera & Audio
Back in April, we covered a report regarding the camera system on the Sony Xperia 1 VI and Xpiera 10 VI. This showcased the triple camera module that offers a wide angle sensor with a 24mm to 48mm lens (2x optical zoom), ultra wide angle lens, and a telephoto shooter (up to 7x optical zoom). The primary camera is the “Exmor T for mobile” stacked CMOS image sensor, which could have a 48-megapixel resolution.
Sony typically offers an enhanced audio and the Xperia 1 VI is no different. A new high performance audio chip may be featured on the upcoming flagship for dynamic and clear audio. We can expect Hi Res audio, Hi Res wireless, 360 Reality audio, LDAC, DSEE Ultimate, and even a 3.5mm headphone jack. Sony Pictures and Music engineers also tuned the sound profile for improved bass and clarity for audiophiles.
Vivo has recently been very active in the smartphone market, introducing four new models: the Vivo Y18, Y18e, Y38, and V30e. Adding to this lineup, they have now unveiled the Vivo Y100 4G smartphone for consumers. This smartphone is essentially a rebrand of the Vivo V30 Lite.
Vivo Y100 4G specs:
The Vivo Y100 4G comes with a 6.67-inch E4 AMOLED display offering a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, along with a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1,800 nits.
Under the hood, it features a Snapdragon 685 chip, coupled with 8 GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256 GB of UFS 2.2 storage. For optics, the device comes with a 50MP primary camera and a 2MP bokeh sensor on the back, while it features an 8MP selfie snapper on the front.
The phone has a 5,000mAh battery with 80W fast charging support. It comes with Android 14 out of the box and features an in-display fingerprint scanner for security. It offers other features, such as dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, a USB-C port, a microSD card slot, and a flicker sensor. As for audio, it has dual stereo speakers.
Pricing & availability
The vivo Y100 4G is now purchasable in select Asian markets, with a price tag of around $250.
Qualcomm‘s next-gen flagship mobile processor, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, is expected to arrive this fall. While leaks about its specs and performance have been circulating for months, a new one throws prior benchmarks into question.
A new leak by the tipster Digital Chat Station suggests the previously leaked benchmarks were based on low-frequency engineering samples of the 8 Gen 4. This isn’t uncommon though – early silicon often runs at lower speeds for stability testing purposes.
But it does suggest that the numbers we’ve seen so far might not be indicative of the final performance.
The new details shared by the tipster also reveal that the latest version of Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 has a “2+6” core architecture. The “2” likely refers to a pair of high-performance cores that may have clock speeds of 3.6 GHz to 4.0 GHz.
The other “6” cores are likely the efficiency cores, though the tipster didn’t share their clock speed details. Still, the chip is claimed to have scores of around 2,700 points in single-core and 10,000 points in multi-core tests in Geekbench 6.
The leak also suggests a mid-October launch for the first smartphone powered by the new chip. Xiaomi and OnePlus are typically among the first brands to use Qualcomm’s latest high-end processors.
Meanwhile, OnePlus will also equip the chip in its upcoming flagship, the OnePlus 13. Rumors so far suggest a design overhaul for the smartphone, with a possible departure from the brand’s signature rear camera layout in favor of a stacked camera system.
Vivo has just unveiled a new Y series smartphone model in India. The device in question is the brand’s latest budget grade handset, which packs some notable specs and features despite its affordable price tag. This announcement arrives mere days after the company unveiled the Vivo Y18e, so let’s check it out.
Vivo Y18 Specs
The Chinese brand’s new Y18 model sports a 6.56-inch LCD panel that offers HD+ resolution, TUV Rheinland certification, and 840 nits of peak brightness. While it comes with lower resolution, it makes up for detail with a smooth 90Hz refresh rate screen. Under the hood, it is equipped with the MediaTek Helio G85 SoC that is paired with up to 4GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage.
Users can expand the storage via microSD card slot and even raise the RAM via 4GB virtual RAM expansion. The Vivo Y18 packs a 50-megapixel dual camera setup on the rear, while the front houses an 8-megapixel selfie shooter.
A large 5,000mAh battery pack powers this device, which supports 15 wired fast charging via USB Type-C. Although, it is worth noting that the retail box does not include the charging brick. Other notable features include Android 14 OS based FunTouch OS 14 custom skin, side mounted fingerprint scanner, and an IP54 rating for water and dust resistance.
Vivo Y18 Pricing & Availability
The Vivo Y18 has a starting price tag of 8,999 INR (roughly 108 US Dollars) for the 4GB + 64GB storage configuration. Meanwhile, the 4GB + 128GB option costs 9,999 INR (roughly 120 US Dollars). It is available for purchase through the Vivo eStore. You can get your hands on this smartphone in a Space Black and Gem Green color variant.
A lawsuit challenges Meta’s control over user feeds. It centers on a tool called “Unfollow Everything” which allows users to curate feeds intentionally. Facebook banned its creator after he took control of his feed and saw a big drop in usage.
Now, a researcher wants to study it but can’t access it, so they’re suing Meta. They argue users have the right to control their online experience, protected by a section of the Communications Decency Act. This could set a precedent, giving us the power to break free from algorithms and curate our own social media feeds.
The US is trying to stop Huawei and other foreign companies from certifying their wireless devices on certification websites in the US.
This month, the FCC will decide on a plan that would keep companies like Huawei from using the equipment authorization program.
Until Tuesday, Huawei was recognized as an accredited lab by the US, but that has since expired. The FCC has reportedly denied the request of the Huawei lab to extend the recognition.
After China, Huawei has silently launched the Pura 70 series in Malaysia. The lineup consists of three models: the Pura 70, the Pura 70 Pro, and the top-of-the-line Pura 70 Ultra.
Each variant comes in a single RAM and storage configuration. The Pura 70 (12GB RAM, 256GB storage) costs RM3,699 ($780), while the Pura 70 Pro (12GB RAM, 512GB storage) costs RM4,899 ($1034). The feature-packed Pura 70 Ultra (16GB RAM, 512GB storage) comes in at RM6,599 ($1394).
Bose‘s has launched its biggest Bluetooth speaker to date, the SoundLink Max.
The speaker measures 26cm wide and weighs in at under 2.27kg. Despite its size, the speaker is built tough with IP67 water resistance, dustproof, and shockproof capabilities. It also supports the latest Bluetooth 5.3 standard.
Celebrating a decade of dominance in the gaming mouse market, Logitech marks the 10th anniversary of the “world’s best-selling gaming mouse,” the G502. To commemorate this milestone, they’re offering a special edition G640 mousepad to those who purchase designated G502 models.
The Google Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 8 Pro come with a glossy camera bar, whereas the non-pro models offer a matte finish. The camera bar is made of aluminum, which scratches very easily and the glossy finish makes it even more noticeable. One of the few aspects of the last two pro models from Google that people don’t like is this glossy finish on aluminum camera bar, which is meant to protect the camera assembly.
Surprisingly, a user has found a way to reduce the visibility of the scratches and fingerprints on it. However, we suggest you not to do the same with your Pixel.
AnTuTu has shared its list of high-performing smartphones in the flagship and flagship-killer categories for April. The ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro stays at the top of the flagship category for a second month (covered separately), while the OnePlus Ace 3V maintains its number one spot in the flagship-killer list for the second consecutive month as well.
JBL has unveiled its latest lineup of speakers in India, called the JBL Authentics series. This series, which pays homage to the iconic 1970s JBL L100 speaker, comes with three models:the Authentics 200, 300, and 500 models. These speakers sport a premium aluminum frame, synthetic leather enclosures, and the classic Quadrex grille.
Luxury tech brand Caviar is making a grand entrance into the e-bike market with their latest offering, the Herzog, a customized Porsche eBike Cross 3rd Gen. This luxurious design takes the already stylish e-bike and elevates it to a whole new level with the inclusion of 18K gold and golden carbon fiber parts.
A recent leak on Chinese social media platform Weibo may have spilled the beans on Huawei‘s upcoming Kirin PC chip. If the information proves true, it looks like Huawei is gearing up to launch a processor that can go toe-to-toe with offerings from Apple and Intel in terms of performance.
The leak reveals the specs of the alleged Kirin PC chip suggesting that it will utilize Taishan v130 architecture and has an 8-core CPU setup with a clock (likely base) speed of 2.5 GHz. The graphics processing unit (GPU) is rumored to be a 10-core unit codenamed “Ma Liang 920.”
The leak also includes performance benchmarks of the chip. But it’s wise to take them with a grain of salt since their accuracy is up in the air.
Reportedly, the Kirin PC chip manages to score 11640 points on multi-core tests in Geekbench 6 while drawing 30W of power. The score puts it in a similar performance bracket as Apple’s M2 and the Intel’s i7-13700H processor, which has an average multi-core score of 10064 and 12203, respectively.
On Geekbench 5, it is said to achieve a single-core score of 1130 and a multi-core score of 8765. While on the 3D Mark Wild Life Extreme test it scored 6490 points while consuming 20W power.
Moreover, Cinebench R24, another benchmarking tool, focused on CPU rendering performance, is claimed to deliver a CPU score of 72 points, a single-core score of 680 points, and a multi-core score of 1695 points.
Additionally, the leak suggests that the upcoming Kirin PC chip could support up to 32GB of LPDDR5-6400 memory running in a 128-bit bus setup and offering a bandwidth of 100GB/s. It’s also rumored to support up to 2TB of solid-state storage (SSD) and include three USB-4 ports.
It’s worth noting that these details aren’t confirmed, and we’re not sure if the leak is genuine. So, it’s wise to be a bit skeptical about it.
Korean tech giant Samsung Music Frame HW-LS60D wireless speaker has been released. The new Samsung audio product is a 6-speaker system with Dolby Atmos, Spotify, and Tidal support amongst other features. The product was first displayed at the 2024 World of Samsung event and has the appearance of a picture frame. The speaker is capable of streaming audio content wirelessly from various input devices including TVs, smartphones, digital audio players, computers, and game consoles.
Features
The new Samsung Music Frame has a design that adds to the aesthetic appeal of the room. It can be easily mounted on a wall or placed on a table. The frame and its 8 x 8-inch matted photographs can be swapped by the user. The Music Frame features Adaptive Sound functionality that enables it to deliver clearer dialogue at all volume levels when connected to a TV. It can serve as the primary external speaker for the TV or as an additional speaker when combined with existing Samsung TV speakers and sound bars. The product also offers automatic room optimization for an immersive listening experience.
The Samsung HW-LS60D features Spotify and Tidal Hi-Fi connections for streaming audio content. It supports Hi-Res and MP3 to FLAC AV decoding. It also supports Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity and is well-integrated with Samsung phones for seamless and quick audio streaming. The speaker can also connect to home theater systems via an optical Toslink cable. Smart assistants like Alexa, Airplay, and Chromecast are also featured on the Music Frame wireless speaker.
Pricing & Availability
The Samsung HW-LS60D Music Frame wireless speaker has a retail price of $399. It can be purchased directly from retail platforms like Amazon and BestBuy.
Beelink has released the SEi14 mini PC and it is equipped with the Intel Core Ultra 5 chipset. The new Beelink mini PC offering is the first Beelink product that features the Intel Meteor Lake processor. It has a mid-range Intel Core Ultra 5 125H processor and an Arc iGPU with 7 cores.
Beelink SEi14 mini PC
Features
The Beelink SEi14 bears a close semblance to the Beelink SER8 model which was released recently. It has dimensions of 135 x 135 x 44.7mm, thus it can be snugly fit into the workspace without any problems. It has rounded corners similar to the Apple Mac Mini and comes with an efficient cooling system.
The Beelink SEi14 can be paired with an eGPU and it is equipped with a USB4 port that is capable of 40Gbps speed. It also features several other ports for enhanced versatility of the mini PC. The other ports include two USB 3.2 Type-A, two USB 2.0, one USB Type-C (10Gbps), one DisplayPort 1.4, one HDMI 2.1, and a 2.5G LAN. The mini PC can simultaneously handle three display outputs.
The Beelink SEi14 mini PC has a dust-proof design and its bottom has a high-density mesh. There are two SODIMM slots in the device, offering up to 96GB of RAM (DDR5). It also has two PCIe 4.0 slots that offer up to 1TB in storage. The model is equipped with a new cooling system, and vapor chamber (MSC2.0-VC). Other features of the new product are WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity, as well as low noise operation.
Pricing
Beelink is offering the SEi14 mini PC at a starting price of 2,699 yuan ($373) for the barebones model. Global availability and pricing details for the Beelink SEi14 are lacking at this time.
Xiaomi has likely wrapped up its major smartphone releases for the year. So we can now expect the company to focus on its next-gen tablet. Namely, the Xiaomi Pad 7 series.
The lineup is expected to include two models, Pad 7 and Pad 7 Pro, both of which we’ve been sharing leaks about time and again. Now a new leak by Smart Pikachu has revealed the tentative launch timeframe of these tablets.
According to the tipster, Xiaomi will launch the Pad 7 series in the third quarter of this year. It’s a considerable delay compared to the launch timing of its predecessors, the Pad 6 and Pad 6 Pro, which debuted in April last year.
Nonetheless, the tipster further suggests that the tablets will be suitable for “car use” in a Plug and Play manner. That is to be expected from Xiaomi who is also an EV maker now. Ensuring compatibility across its product ecosystem is what a company will want in the first place.
Xiaomi Pad 7 Series Specifications
Although details about the Pad 7 series are still scarce, tipster Digital Chat Station has revealed some of the key specifications of the Pad 7 Pro.
It’s expected to be equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, a 12.45-inch display with a 144Hz refresh rate and a tall 16:10 aspect ratio, and keeping everything powered will be a 10,000mAh battery pack. The Pad 7 Pro’s 3C certification also revealed support for 120W fast charging.
The tablet is also said to have a dual 50MP camera setup on the back and quad speakers for audio.
In contrast, there’s very little we know about the vanilla Pad 7, except for a leak that suggests it might feature a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor.
Back in July 2022, HTC announced HTC A101 tablet in markets like South Africa and Russia. Nearly two years later, the brand has unveiled the HTC A101 Plus Edition tablet in Russia. Here is a look at what the mid-range tablet offers in terms of specifications and price.
HTC A101 Plus Edition specifications and features
HTC A101 Plus Edition
The HTC A101 Plus Edition features a 10.95-inch WUXGA IPS display with a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels and a 16:10 aspect ratio. It is powered by a Unisoc T606 chipset, which clocks at 1.6GHz. Despite being a Plus model, its performance will be slightly lower than that of the Unisoc T618-powered HTC A101.
The A101 Plus Edition comes with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage, expandable up to 256GB via microSD card. The tablet houses a 7,000mAh battery with 10W charging support. Thankfully, the tablet runs on the latest Android 14.
The A101 Plus Edition boasts a 13-megapixel dual rear camera setup on the back and an 8-megapixel front camera. Other specifications include quad speakers, face unlock, Wi-Fi 802.11 dual-band support, Bluetooth 5.0, USB Type-C connectivity, and dual nanoSIM slots. The tablet measures 256.6 x 168.2 x 7.5mm and weighs 501 grams.
HTC A101 Plus Edition price and availability
In Russia, the HTC A101 Plus Edition costs RUB 15,990, which is approximately $170. It will be available color options, such as gray and silver. Currently, there is uncertainty regarding the tablet’s global market release.
The US Department of Justice’s (DoJ) ongoing antitrust lawsuit against Google has uncovered something quite interesting: a $20 billion payment made by Google to Apple in 2022. This hefty sum allegedly secured Google’s position as the default search engine on Apple’s Safari browser across iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
Google and Apple have previously chosen to keep this information under wraps
The revelation comes from a recently released court document. Interestingly, Google and Apple have historically kept the terms of this agreement under wraps, despite renegotiating it multiple times since 2002, when Google first became the default search engine on Apple devices.
The DoJ’s relentless pursuit of transparency has finally yielded results. A lawsuit filed last year indicated that Google’s payments to Apple constituted 36% of Apple’s total Safari revenue, hinting at a significant figure. Now, the exact amount – a staggering $20 billion – is confirmed.
This deal has drawn criticism from competitors like Microsoft. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella claims the agreement stifles competition for search engines like Bing. He even revealed that Microsoft previously attempted, unsuccessfully, to have Apple adopt Bing as the default.
Apple, however, defends its choice. In court testimony, Apple’s Eddy Cue expressed concerns about Bing’s ability to match Google in “quality and functionality.” According to Cue, Apple simply believes Google delivers the “best” search experience for its users.
The future of this agreement is now resting on the DoJ lawsuit. Closing arguments are set for later this week, with a final decision from the judge expected sometime in 2024. If Google loses the case, the deal with Apple could be nullified. Stay tuned to Gizmochina for future coverage on the same.
Qualcomm chipsets power most Android phones available in the US, with the exception of a few that feature Samsung’s Exynos chip. On the other hand, many smartphone brands offer MediaTek powered smartphones at different price points. The landscape of Android phones in the US is set to shift soon, as MediaTek has confirmed during its Analyst Day event that a MediaTek-powered phone will make its debut in the US this year. What’s especially noteworthy is that this won’t be an entry-level or mid-range phone; instead, it will be a high-end device.
As can be seen above, a premium segment smartphone featuring MediaTek will be released later this year in the US. Unfortunately, the chipmaker did not disclose anything else about the device. Therefore, it remains uncertain which brand’s MediaTek-powered phone will be introduced in the US in 2024.
The most recent flagship chip from MediaTek is the Dimensity 9300, which debuted last year in November. The Vivo X100 and X100 Pro are the first phones to feature it. The Taiwanese chip maker will be announcing the Dimensity 9300 Plus, an overclocked edition of the D9300, on May 7 in China. It is speculated that the Vivo X100s and X100s Pro will be the first phones to feature it.
MediaTek is also expected to announce the Dimensity 9400 chip in October of this year. It could be a 3nm chip featuring ARM’s next-generation Cortex-X5 CPU core. The Vivo X200 series is likely to feature the new chip. The chip will also power an upcoming Oppo flagship phone, which seems to be the Oppo Find X8. It remains to be seen whether any of these devices make it to the US market this year.
In December 2023, iQOO unveiled the iQOO Neo 9 and Neo 9 Pro for the Chinese market. The standard model came equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, whereas the Pro version featured the Dimensity 9300. The Neo 9 faced competition from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2-powered OnePlus Ace 3, which debuted in January of this year. It appears that the upcoming iQOO and OnePlus will compete against each other with their next Neo and Ace branded phones.
OnePlus Ace 3 Pro specifications, launch timeframe (rumored)
According to reports, the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro will arrive with a 6.78-inch 8T BOE LTPO curved-edge screen with a 1.5K resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, the device will feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, up to 16 GB of LPDDR5x RAM, 1 TB of UFS 4.0 storage, and a 5,800mAh battery supporting 100W charging.
The phone may sport a 16-megapixel front camera and a triple rear camera setup with an OIS-enabled 50-megapixel primary sensor. Its design is rumored to include a metal middle frame and a glass back. Reports claim that it will have a new design for the rear camera module, which suggests that its back panel may look similar to the OnePlus Ace 3V, which features a vertical camera setup. The device is anticipated to launch in the third quarter of this year in China.
iQOO Neo 9s Pro specifications, launch timeframe (rumored)
The iQOO Neo 9s Pro is expected to feature a 6.78-inch flat 8T LTPO OLED display that offers a 1.5K resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. It is also said to feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, up to 16 GB of LPDDR5x RAM, and up to 1 TB of UFS 4.0 storage. There is no word about its battery capacity. However, it may offer a 5,160mAh battery with 120W fast charging support, like the Neo 9 Pro. The back panel of the phone is likely to feature an OIS-enabled 50-megapixel triple camera unit.
The iQOO Neo 9s Pro will make its debut immediately after the ongoing May Day holidays in China, according to tipster Smart Pikachu. The tipster suggests that the Neo 9s Pro will particularly appeal to buyers prioritizing cost-effectiveness and performance over imaging capabilities. Additionally, Smart Pikachu has reiterated some of the rumored specs of the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro. With the Neo 9s Pro expected to launch this month and the Ace 3 Pro anticipated to arrive in June or July, both phones are poised to rival each other, offering buyers a competitive market with more options to choose from.
Samsung continues to expand its product lineup. In line with this, the company’s next move is to add a new member to its popular F series, the Galaxy F55 5G.
But what will this phone’s design and features look like? Here’s a look at the expected specifications for the Samsung Galaxy F55 5G.
Samsung Galaxy F55: Expected Features and Specifications
The Samsung Galaxy F55 5G will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 processor. This chipset, which has been previously used in models like the Honor 90, Xiaomi 13 Lite, and Galaxy M55 5G, offers excellent performance for daily tasks and is also well-suited for gaming, thanks to its Adreno 644 GPU.
It’s worth noting that this is an affordable smartphone, so it’s not fair to expect the same performance as a device using a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. Leaks also indicate that the phone will come with 8 GB of RAM. The storage capacity is expected to be 256 GB.
The Samsung Galaxy F55 5G will undoubtedly make a name for itself with its camera features. The device will have a 50 MP main camera with OIS support, an 8 MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 2 MP macro lens. On the front, there will be a 50 MP selfie camera.
Looking at the screen features, we’re likely to see a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED Plus panel with Full-HD+ resolution. Samsung is already one of the largest screen manufacturers in the world, so it’s no surprise that they offer better screens than most of their competitors.
The Samsung Galaxy F55 5G, which is expected to deliver standard battery performance, will come with a 5000 mAh battery. Users can charge this battery with 25W wired fast charging.
Out of the box, the phone will run on Samsung One UI 6.0 based on Android 14 and is likely to receive the 6.1 update soon. However, it’s worth noting that this information is currently based on leaks, so when the phone is released, there might be some differences from this content.
Display
6.7-inch Full-HD+ Super AMOLED Plus
120Hz refresh rate
Up to 1000 nits of peak brightness
Processor & Memory
Snapdragon 7 Gen 1
8 GB of RAM
Up to 256 GB of internal storage
Camera Setup
Rear Camera:
50MP main camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS)
8MP ultra-wide lens
2MP macro lens
Front Camera:
50MP selfie camera
Battery & Charging
5000 mAh battery
25W wired fast charging
Operating System
Samsung One UI 6.0 (based on Android 14)
Galaxy F55 Expected Design
The highly anticipated Samsung Galaxy F55 5G will undoubtedly be one of the standout models of 2024, thanks to its design. When we take a look at its leaked images, we will notice that it has an unconventional appearance.
As you know, most smartphones today have a rear panel made of glass or plastic designed to look like glass. The Samsung Galaxy F55 5G, on the other hand, comes with a leather back panel, a feature that’s quite rare in modern smartphones.
Moreover, its stitching details suggest it breaks away from ordinary designs. It’s refreshing to see a different design in a market where every model tends to look alike.
Additionally, it will provide natural protection for those who love using cases because it won’t have problems like scratching or breaking the skin.
While it’s not certain, it’s speculated that Samsung might be using synthetic leather in this model. Therefore, users with sensitivities like this shouldn’t have anything to worry about.
Several reports have claimed that Vivo will unveil the Vivo X100s series of smartphones later this month in China. A poster that surfaced on Weibo earlier this week revealed the designs of the upcoming Vivo X100 Ultra and the Vivo X100s. Now, a fresh set of images has emerged on Weibo, giving a good look at the design of the X100s.
Vivo X100s real-life images
The Vivo X100, which debuted in November 2023, came equipped with a curved-edge OLED panel. Rumors surrounding the X100s have claimed that it will have a flat display. As can be seen in the first image, the alleged X100s have a flat screen.
It appears that the edges of the Vivo X100s are flat, and it continues to sport a round camera deco. Inside, there are three cameras and a Zeiss logo. The top-right corner of the back panel displays a vertically positioned LED flash.
On May 7, MediaTek will unveil the Dimensity 9300 Plus chip at the MediaTek Dimensity Developers Conference (MDDC) in China. The D9300+ will be an overclocked version of the Dimensity 9300, which powers the Vivo X100 and X100.
Speculations are rife that, apart from the Vivo X100s, the company may also announce the Vivo X100s Pro. Both are expected to debut as the first phones powered by the Dimensity 9300 Plus. According to reports, the inclusion of the new chipset and a flat screen will be the only major upgrades as both phones are expected to inherit other specs from the X100 and X100 Pro. In addition to the X100s duo, the Vivo X100 Ultra (or X100s Ultra) equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip may also go official along with the X100s and X100s Pro.
In July last year, Oppo launched the Enco Air 3 Pro TWS earbuds in the Indian market for ₹5,000. Now, these earbuds have been discounted by ₹1,000, making them the perfect pick for people looking to spend around ₹4,000 on a new pair of earbuds.
Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro TWS discount
The Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro earbuds are currently selling for ₹3,999 on Amazon, down from their original price of ₹4,999. Oppo has not confirmed whether this is a permanent or a temporary price cut. That being the price is quite attractive considering the premium features onboard.
Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro specs & features:
Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro (full review) adopts a design similar to Apple AirPods, with in-ear buds and a charging case shaped like a pebble. It features unique 12.4mm drivers made from bamboo fiber.
These wireless earphones support Bluetooth 5.3, LC3, AAC, SBC, and even LDAC audio codecs and are certified for Hi-Res audio. They also include Oppo’s spatial audio technology. With up to 49 decibels of Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and low latency of 47ms, they’re suitable for gamers.
The Enco Air 3 Pro offers up to 30 hours of battery life on a single full charge, with the earbuds alone lasting 7 hours. They also come with IP55 water and dust resistance for added durability.
The Vivo V30e has been launched as the third V30 series phone, following the Vivo V30 and V30 Pro, in India. The V30e is also heading to other Asian markets like Malaysia and Indonesia. Like the standard and Pro models, the V30e comes with an attractive design and promises a stellar photography experience. Here is a look at our hands-on experience with the device.
Vivo V30e: What’s in the box?
The Vivo V30e’s retail box includes the following items: the V30e handset, a transparent case, a 44W charger, a USB-A to USB-C cable, a SIM ejector tool, a warranty card, and Quick Start Guide.
Design and Display
Vivo V30eVivo V30eVivo V30eVivo V30e
The Vivo V30e has a sleek and slim design, measuring around 7.99mm in thickness. Despite having a slim body, the phone packs a 5,500mAh battery, which is 500mAh larger than what most mid-range phones currently offer. Showcased in the images here is the Velvet Red edition of the V30e. It also comes in a Silk Blue variant.
The Velvet variant looks quite luxurious with a matte finish when there is less light and has a glittery appeal when viewed under sunlight. The textured ribbon strip on the right adds a unique touch to the device. Like the other V30 models, the V30e sports a curved-edge AMOLED display on the front with slim bezels around. Overall, the phone has a good in-hand feel. As far as durability is concerned, it offers IP64-rated water and dust resistance.
Vivo V30eVivo V30eVivo V30e
The Vivo V30e has a 6.78-inch curved-edge AMOLED display that delivers a 93.3 percent screen space. The display supports an FHD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, a P3 color gamut, and an in-screen fingerprint scanner. With a maximum brightness of 1,300 nits, which offers a good viewing experience under bright sunlight. For eye protection, the V30e is an SGS low blue light, low motion, and low flicker certified.
Camera Capabilities
It goes without saying that cameras are the major strengths of the Vivo V30e. The round camera module on the back has an OIS-enabled 50-megapixel Sony IMX882 primary camera, which is accompanied by an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens. The main camera doubles up as a portrait lens with a 50mm focal length, and it also supports 2x in-sensor zoom. It also supports up to 4K 30fps video recording.
The dual-camera setup is coupled with Aura Light LED, which gives studio-like control over soft lighting with varying distances and color temperatures from 1000K to 9000+K. Shown below are some of the camera samples.
1xPortraitPortraitultrawide1x2x1x2x1xPortrait selfieSelfiePortrait Portrait shot with Aura LED (warm tone) – Shot taken in with almost no light in the room Portrait shot with Aura LED (warm tone) – Shot taken with almost no light in the room
On the front, the Vivo V30e has a 50-megapixel selfie camera with support for eye autofocus and 4K video recording. It uses advanced focusing algorithms to keep you in focus, delivering poster-quality images with clear details and a natural bokeh effect. The selfies in low light are also acceptable.
Performance
Vivo V30e on CPU ThrottleVivo V30e on AnTuTuVivo V30e on Geekbench
Under the hood, the Vivo V30e offers the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, LPDDR4x RAM, and UFS 2.2 storage. The phone offers 8 GB of virtual RAM and a dedicated microSD card slot.
This combination of hardware ensures smooth performance and is sufficient for casual gaming. The 5,500mAh battery takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes to achieve a full charge using the 44W fast charger. The phone ships with Android 14 and FunTouch OS 13. It is confirmed to receive three generations of Android updates and four years of security updates.
Final Thoughts
Vivo V30e
Overall, the Vivo V30e appears to be a compelling option for those seeking a premium-looking smartphone experience with a good display, flagship-grade cameras, and performance, including a longer battery life. Additionally, it’s good to see Vivo offering a longer software update and raising the durability factor by offering an IP64-rated chassis.
While the Vivo V30e offers an impressive array of features, it’s notable that the device lacks dual speakers, which are increasingly common even in lower-priced smartphones. For example, the Vivo T3x 5G, a more budget-friendly option, includes dual speakers. Although the absence of a second speaker in the V30e is not a deal-breaker, it would have been a nice addition to enhance the audio experience. While there are a couple of competitors in the Vivo V30e’s price segment, the Realme 12 Pro series and the Oppo Reno 11 are the only camera-focused rival phones.
The Vivo V30e has been launched in India with two storage variants:
8GB+128GB: Rs 27,999 (~$335)
8GB+256GB: Rs 29,999 (~$360)
Colors: Silk Blue and Velvet Red
Pre-booking for the Vivo V30e is currently open in India. Starting May 9, the smartphone will be available for purchase through Flipkart, Vivo India’s e-store, and offline retail stores. Online buyers can enjoy a 10 percent discount through HDFC and SBI banks. Offline buyers can benefit from a flat 10 percent discount with ICICI, SBI, IndusInd, IDFC, and other banks. Additionally, offline buyers can also avail of a 12-month zero-downpayment option with select NBFC partners.
Disclaimer: All of the opinions in this Vivo V30e first impressions post are mine and based on my own experiences. There has been no editorial input from Vivo.
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