Every Android OEM is supposed to make the kernel source code of their device public. With new Android updates, the code is tweaked to support the latest software and the device’s hardware. So when the company rolls out a new Android update, it is mandatory for them to share the updated kernel source code. That’s what Xiaomi has done for Mi 8 SE, Mi 9SE, Mi 8 Lite, Mi 9 Lite, and Mi Max 3.

Xiaomi recently updated the above-listed handsets to Android 10 and since these devices use the same family of Qualcomm chipsets, their updated kernel source code was released together.

For instance, the Mi 8 SE, Mi 9 SE, and Mi 9 Lite are powered by Snapdragon 700 series, Snapdragon 710 and Snapdragon 712 to be exact. Hence, Xiaomi has unified the Android 10 kernel source code of these three handsets. The Mi CC9 Meitu Edition, which is the original Mi 9 Lite also shares the same source tree.

On the other hand, Mi 8 Lite and Mi Max 3 feature the same Snapdragon 660 chipset. Therefore, kernel source code for their Android update have been unified now.

Kernel source code plays an important role in the development of custom ROMs. Since Xiaomi has been releasing them in a timely manner (now), its devices are the most popular in the developer community.

UP NEXT: Kernel source code for OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro is now live

(Via)

The post Xiaomi releases Android 10 kernel source code for Mi 8/9 SE, Mi 8/9 Lite & Mi Max 3 appeared first on Gizmochina.

Update: Xiaomi has rolled out the Android 10 stable update to Mi 8 Lite as well. You can find download links for all the devices below.

Xiaomi has a long history of updating its entire smartphone lineup to the latest MIUI version available at the time. However, the same cannot be said for the underlying Android platform the MIUI builds are based on. And thus, five of the brand’s yesteryear flagships and their lite devices are receiving the Android 10 stable update only now. The list includes the likes of Mi 8, Mi 8 Pro, Mi 8 SE, Mi 9 SE, and Mi 9 Lite.

All the above-mentioned Xiaomi devices were already updated to MIUI 11 in Q4 2019. But all of them received releases based on Android 9.0 Pie rather than the latest version of Android. Following that, these devices did have several beta builds of Android 10 but the company did not roll out the stable releases to the normal users until now.

The stable MIUI 11 builds based on Android 10 is being currently rolled out to the users of Mi 8, Mi 8 Pro, Mi 8 SE, Mi 9 SE, and Mi 9 Lite via OTA. However, if you are one of those advanced users who don’t like to wait, you can download the respective ‘Recovery’ and ‘Fastboot’ builds of the update from the links provided below.

UP NEXT: Xiaomi rolls out the long-awaited Android 10 update to Mi 9 Pro 5G

(Via)

The post [Update: Mi 8 Lite too] Android 10 Stable Update now available for Xiaomi Mi 8, Mi 8 Pro, Mi 8 SE, Mi 9 SE and Mi 9 Lite appeared first on Gizmochina.

Xiaomi are making good on their promise to bring MIUI 11 to all their devices, with the latest device being the Mi 8 SE. The new 2GB MIUI 11 9.10.23 beta update brings Android 10 to the popular mid-ranger, as well as Google’s October Security Patch. It’s not stable yet, and some apps don’t work well with Android 10, but it’s definitely progress.

Xiaomi’s MIUI 11 is a big update that changes up a lot of things for the popular Android skin. Starting with the visual aspects, you get slightly softer icons, a system-wide dark mode, new Mi Lan Pro system font and improved always-on display functionality. There are also new animations, themes, wallpapers and improved notification system.

EDITOR’S PICK: Xiaomi’s Smart Rubik’s Cube helps you solve the cube, also controls smart home gadgets

Another big new addition in MIUI 11 is the enhanced audio experience with all-new dynamic natural sound effects and alarms. Xiaomi also announced the new Mi Go Travel suite which will help you with booking tickets for a broad range of transport ranging from airplane to rail and bus alongside currency conversion and an extreme power-saving mode.

If you’re already using the development version of MIUI, you can directly upgrade via OTA. If the you’re on the stable ROM however, you’ll need to head over to the MIUI website to get a the flashable 2GB file. Xiaomi also recommends backing up all your files before attempting to install the beta, as it’s still really unstable.

If you want to know everything about the MIUI — its features and tools that the company is offering in this newer version, click here.

UP NEXT: Xiaomi HiFi Hybrid Earphones presale now live on JD.com for ¥699 (~$98)

(Source)

The post Xiaomi Mi 8 SE MIUI 11 beta brings Android 10 and October security patch appeared first on Gizmochina.

The Xiaomi Mi 8 series began receiving the Android Pie update back in December. It already arrived on the Mi 8 and Mi 8 Explorer Edition and now it is rolling out to the Mi 8 SE.

The Mi 8 SE is an upper mid-range phone powered by a Snapdragon 710 processor. Unfortunately, Xiaomi didn’t release it outside China. The update is rolling out as MIUI 10.2.2 and you can download it from the source link if you don’t want to wait for the OTA. You wouldn’t notice any visual changes since the device already runs MIUI 10 which is heavily customized.

Xiaomi has also slashed the selling price of the Mi 8 SE. The 6GB RAM + 64GB variant is now priced at ¥1599 (~$236) instead of ¥1699 (~$250). You can grab it at this new price on JD.com or on Xiaomi’s online store. The 128G version is sold at ¥1699 (~$250). The new price applies to all color variants.

READ MORE: Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 surpasses sale of 1 million units in China

The Mi 8 SE has a 5.88” FHD+ Super AMOLED display and covered with Gorilla Glass 5 on both sides. There is a Snapdragon 710 processor under the glass back and a 3,120mAh battery. It has a 20MP selfie camera and a 12MP + 5MP dual camera combo on its rear. It also has a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner and support for face unlock, though it will do you good to know the latter isn’t secure.

(Sources: 1, 2)

The post Xiaomi Mi 8 SE receives Android Pie stable update, gets official price cut too appeared first on Gizmochina.

The Mi MIX 3‘s Super Night Scene mode has been made available for the Mi 8 Pro, Mi 8 and the Mi MIX 2s. Last week, the feature was also released for the Redmi Note 7 via an update. The feature has also been announced to arrive on the Mi 8 SE too.

The Mi 8 SE is currently Xiaomi’s most powerful mid-range phone. It has an AMOLED display and is powered by the Snapdragon 710 processor.  Xiaomi’s co-founder and president, Lin Bin, announced via a Weibo post that the phone will also get the Super Night Scene mode of the Mi MIX 3.

In the post, Mr. Bin said since the Mi 8 SE sports the same 12MP primary rear camera as the Mi 8 and also has the same 20MP front-facing camera, its camera performance is comparable to that of the Mi 8. However, in order to further improve its performance, they will roll out an update that brings Super Night Scene Mode to the phone. The update will arrive at the end of February.

READ MORE: Xiaomi’s Lin Bin reveals the Mi 9 will get an Explorer Edition

Mr. Bin also announced that the 6GB RAM + 128GB version of the Mi 8 SE is currently on sale for ¥1799 (~$267) instead of ¥2299 (~$341) as a result of its on-going Spring Festival promotion.

(Source, Via)

The post Mi 8 SE to get the Mi MIX 3’s Super Night Scene mode in February appeared first on Gizmochina.

The Mi 8 SE is one of the numerous Mi 8 phones released by Xiaomi this year. It is an upper mid-range phone with a Snapdragon 710 processor and a notched display.

When it launched, it ran MIUI 9.5 based on Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box and even after receiving the MIUI 10 update, its Android version didn’t change. Xiaomi is still gradually rolling out Android Pie to its phones and the Mi 8 SE is scheduled to get a beta version this quarter.

However, Android 9.0 Pie may not be the last major OS update for the phone as a version of the Mi 8 SE running Android Q has been seen on Geekbench.

This is definitely a very early test device as Android Q will not get a beta version until Q2 next year after it must have been unveiled at Google I/O 2019. Nevertheless, it is pretty exciting to know that the Mi 8 SE is in line to get the next version of Android.

One of the confirmed features we know Android Q will bring is an upgraded split-screen multitasking feature where both apps running in split-screen are active instead of one being inactive.

READ MORE: FCC images show Xiaomi’s Mi True Wireless Earphones is a rip-off of the AirPods

The Mi 8 SE is the third phone seen in less than a week on Geekbench running Android Q. A few days ago, a version of the Pixel 3 XL running Android Q was also spotted on the benchmark site. The next day, the first generation Pixel was also seen running Android Q.

(Source, Via)

The post Xiaomi Mi 8 SE running Android Q seen on Geekbench appeared first on Gizmochina.

The Lenovo S5 Pro launches in a few days and Lenovo is counting down to the day by releasing one teaser poster each day. The teaser posters for yesterday and today reveals details of the cameras as well as the color variants the phone will come in.

The teasers were shared on Weibo by the company’s CEO and they also take a swipe at Xiaomi’s Mi 8 series. For example, yesterday’s teaser takes on the Mi 8 and brags that the S5 Pro’s 20MP sensor which forms one of the two AI dual front-facing camera is better than that of Xiaomi’s flagship.

The secondary 8MP sensor is not shown in the image but we can tell that the S5 Pro in the poster has a Rose Gold finish. This is actually not one of the colors listed by TENAA.

On the other hand, the teaser poster released today takes on the Mi 8 SE. Lenovo boasts the S5 Pro’s f/1.8 sensor is superior to that of the Mi 8 SE. The primary camera on the rear of the Mi 8 SE is a 12MP f/1.9 sensor while the secondary camera is a 5MP f/2.0 sensor. TENAA says the Lenovo S5 Pro has a 20MP + 12MP dual rear camera combo and the teaser above says one of the sensors has a f/1.8 aperture. On paper, the Lenovo is superior but it remains to be seen if it can beat the Mi 8 SE in a shootout.

The poster also reveals some other details. We can see one of the sensors has a 5P lens while the other has a 6P lens. It also confirms the phone has a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner and will come in blue. This color is also not among the ones listed by TENAA.

READ MORE: Lenovo announces rollout of ZUI 4.0 update for its ZUK smartphones

The Lenovo S5 Pro launches on October 18. It will have a 6.18-inch 2246 x 1080 display, a Snapdragon 660 processor, up to 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It will also have a 3500mAh battery and run Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box.

(Sources: 1, 2)

The post Latest Lenovo S5 Pro teasers reveal camera specs and color variants appeared first on Gizmochina.

The Xiaomi Mi 8 SE has been a best-selling model since it officially went on sale. Barely one month after the model got its first price cut for the 6GB + 64GB version, Xiaomi has activated another cut in the price of the mid-range model. This time around, the 4GB + 64GB version is on offer for 1699 yuan (~$248) which is 100 yuan lower than its launch price tag. The Mi 8 SE went on sale on June 8 with a starting price of 1799 yuan for the 4GB+64GB version while the 6GB+64GB sold for 1999 yuan.

The slight price reduction is likely going to be a limited time offer but there is no indication as to when it will end. However, we draw some optimism from these consistent price reductions to look forward to a slash in the price of the model outside China.

Read More: MIUI 10 Stable ROM update rolls out on Xiaomi Mi 8 SE and Mix 2

 Xiaomi Mi 8 SE comes with a 5.88-inch AMOLED display, dual cameras and fingerprint sensor at the rear, as well as a powerful 3120mAh battery and more. Aside from having a beautiful design, the main standout feature of the Mi 8SE is definitely the Snapdragon 710 chipset onboard. This is Qualcomm’s latest premium mid-range chipset with some level of improved performance and energy efficiency over the Snapdragon 660 chipset. The device is available in 4GB + 64GB and 6GB + 64GB variants. A high-end 6GB+128GB memory variant was announced towards the end of July and went on sale a couple of weeks back for 2299 yuan (~$338).

(source)

The post Xiaomi Mi 8 SE gets yet another price cut appeared first on Gizmochina.

The Xiaomi Mi Pad 4 is the only tablet with a Snapdragon 660 processor. It is also the cheapest device powered by a Snapdragon 660 as it has a starting price of just ¥1099 (~$160). Xiaomi has announced a price cut for the Mi 6X which is also powered by the same chipset. All though it isn’t as cheap as the Mi Pad 4, it makes it one of the cheapest Snapdragon 660 phones on the market.

The 4GB RAM + 32GB variant of the Mi 6X is now priced at ¥1199 (~$175), ¥300 (~$43) down from its original price. However, the price cut is limited to the Cherry Powder and Champagne Gold variants, though the latter color variant isn’t in stock at the moment.

Xiaomi is also selling the Mi 8 (6GB RAM + 64GB) and Mi 8 SE (6GB RAM + 64GB) for ¥100 less bringing their prices to ¥2599 (~$380) and ¥1899 (~$278) respectively. The price reduction is for today only, so you may want to hurry and grab a unit.

READ MORE: Xiaomi’s new Mi Wireless Charger with 10W fast charging support costs 69 Yuan ($10)

All three phones can be purchased on the official Mi online store.

(Sources: 1, 2, 3)

The post Xiaomi Mi 6X gets price cut, might be the cheapest SD660 phone; Mi 8 and Mi 8 SE slashed too appeared first on Gizmochina.

The Mi 8 SE is turning out to be a best-seller for Xiaomi since it officially went on sale The premium mid-range model was launched alongside the Mi 8 and Mi 8 Explorer Edition on May 31. The Mi 8 SE went on sale on June 8 with a starting price of 1799 yuan doe the 4GB+64GB version while the 6GB+64GB sold for 1999 yuan. Xiaomi has now effected a temporary 100 yuan price cut for the 6GB + 64GB version which will be on offer for 1899 yuan for just one day.

Apart from the 100 yuan price slash for the 6GB + 64GB version, the Mi 8 SE 6GB + 128GB version comes bundled with a free gift of Mi Band 3. The high-end 6GB+128GB memory variant was announced towards the end of July and went on sale a couple of weeks back for 2299 yuan (~$338). 

Check This Out: Buy Xiaomi Mi 8 SE 4G Phablet For Just $329.99 On GearBest

Aside from having a beautiful design, the main standout feature of the Mi 8SE is definitely the Snapdragon 710 chipset onboard. This is Qualcomm’s latest premium mid-range chipset with some level of improved performance and energy efficiency over the SD 660 chipset. Xiaomi Mi 8 SE equally comes with a 5.88-inch AMOLED display, dual cameras and fingerprint sensor at the rear, a powerful 3120mAh battery and more.

(source)

The post Xiaomi Mi 8 SE gets its first price cut appeared first on Gizmochina.

Xiaomi had announced a 6GB RAM + 128GB storage variant of the Mi 8SE some days ago and reservations for the new variant was opened on Xiaomi Mall and Suning Tesco. The new memory variant of the premium mid-range smartphone has now officially gone on sale in China. The new Xiaomi Mi 8 SE memory variant comes with a generous 2299 yuan ($338) price tag. 

As would be recalled, the Mi 8 SE was launched alongside the Mi 8 and Mi 8 Explorer Edition on May 31. The Mi 8 SE was available in 4GB+64GB and 6GB+64GB versions. This new variant expands the options buyers have to choose from. The price isn’t too costly at 2299 yuan considering the 4GB variant has a price tag of 1799 yuan ($264) while the 6GB + 64GB version comes in at 1999 yuan ($293).

Read Also: Xiaomi Releases Cheap Compact Backpack In 8 Different Colors

Apart from a beautiful design, the main standout feature of the Mi 8SE is definitely the Snapdragon 710 chipset onboard. This is Qualcomm’s latest premium mid-range chipset with some level of improved performance and energy efficiency over the SD 660 chipset. Xiaomi Mi 8 SE equally comes with a 5.88-inch display, dual cameras and fingerprint sensor at the rear, a powerful 3120mAh battery and more.

The

The post Xiaomi Mi 8 SE 6GB+128GB variant officially goes on sale for 2299 yuan (~$338) appeared first on Gizmochina.

Just a few days after announcing a new storage variant for the Redmi Note 5 (Pro), Xiaomi has also announced a new variant for the Mi 8 SE.

When the Mi 8 SE was unveiled in May, it was available in two variants – a 4GB RAM + 64GB version and a 6GB RAM + 64GB version. Now, both variants have been joined by a third which has 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.

The new variant will sell for ¥2299 (~$338) and will be available in gold, dark gray, bright red, and bright blue. Apart from the increase in storage, it has the same specs as the other variants.

The Mi 8 SE is the first phone in the world to come with a Snapdragon 710 processor. It has a 5.88-inch FHD+ Samsung AMOLED display. It also has a notch at the top of the screen.

On the back are dual 12Mp + 5MP cameras with AI features, portrait mode, and lots of beauty modes. The selfie camera is a 20MP sensor with AI portrait mode, HDR, and soft light.

READ MORE: Xiaomi announces launch date for the Mi A2 in India

Under its glass back is a 3120mAh battery with support for Quick Charge 3.0. It has dual SIM slots, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, an IR sensor, and a USB-C port. Sadly it doesn’t have a 3.5mm audio jack.

The new variant of the Mi 8 SE will go on sale tomorrow July 27 at 10 AM (local time) on Xiaomi’s official online store.

(Via)

The post Xiaomi Releases Mi 8 SE 6GB + 128GB version for ¥2299 (~$338) appeared first on Gizmochina.

On May 31, Xiaomi had announced the all new MIUI 10 ROM. At the beginning of June, it had rolled out the Developer ROM closed beta in China for first batch of devices and the same devices had received public beta by the end of the month. Today, the Chinese manufacturer has released the developer ROM closed beta to the second batch of devices.

The first batch of devices that were treated with MIUI 10 Developer ROM included Xiaomi Mi 8, Mi 8 SE, Mi 6, Mi MIX 2S, Mi MIX 2, Mi MIX, Mi Note 2, Redmi S2 and Redmi Note 5. Since the registrations for the Developer ROM closed beta ended yesterday in China, the company has made it available to the second batch of Xiaomi phones starting from today. After the closed beta testing comes to an end, the public beta is likely to arrive for the same second batch of devices by the end of this month.

The second batch of 17 Xiaomi phones that are now receiving the MIUI 10 Developer ROM closed beta are Xiaomi Mi Note 3, Mi 5S Plus, Mi 5S, Mi 5X, Mi 5C, Mi 4C, Mi 4S, Mi Max, Mi Max Prime, Mi Max 2, Redmi Note 5A, Note 5A Prime, Redmi Note 4X (Snapdragon variant), Redmi 5 Plus, Redmi 5, Redmi 5A and Redmi 4X.

The company has stated that the arrival of the public beta of Mi 5X will be delayed. The specific release time for the smartphone will be announced through its social media channels. By this, Xiaomi is bringing the latest MIUI 10 to a total of 27 smartphones.

Read More: Xiaomi Mi Pad 4 gets MIUI 10 global beta update

The MIUI 10 Developer ROM closed beta can be installed in two ways. Devices on MIUI 6, 7, 8 and 9 developer version can navigate to System Settings > My Device > MIUI version and then access the direct OTA update. It is recommended to back up devices on MIUI 6, 7, 8 and 9 stable versions are recommended ad then install the upgrade via fastboot with unlocked bootloader.

(source)

The post MIUI 10 Developer ROM now available for second batch of Xiaomi phones appeared first on Gizmochina.

It is not unusual for manufacturers to brag about sales especially when they have crossed a target within a short period of time. This time around, it is the turn of Xiaomi and the Mi 8 series.

The Xiaomi Mi 8 series – Mi 8, Mi 8 Explorer Edition, and the Mi 8 SE – launched on May 31. The three devices then went on sale on June 5. A little over two weeks later, Xiaomi says it has sold over 1 million units!

Sharing some amazing news.

The Mi 8 series first went on sale on June 5. Just 18 days later, we've already sold over 1M units!#Xiaomi #Mi8 pic.twitter.com/dH36P6Wgt8

— Donovan Sung (@donovansung) June 23, 2018

The announcement was made on Twitter by Donovan Sung, global spokesperson for Xiaomi.

The Mi 8 Explorer Edition is the top flagship with an in-display fingerprint scanner and 3D facial recognition. The Mi 8 comes with the same Snapdragon 845 chipset but skips on an in-display fingerprint scanner and has a less advanced face recognition. The Mi 8 SE is the world’s first Snapdragon 710 smartphone and comes with an AMOLED display and dual cameras.

READ MORE:

In other news, Xiaomi also announced that it is now the 3rd largest e-commerce platform in India based on smartphone shipments, coming after Flipkart and Amazon.

(Sources: 1, 2)

The post Xiaomi Has Sold 1 Million Units Of the Mi 8 Series appeared first on Gizmochina.

Back in April, Xiaomi released a statement saying it would release the kernel source code for devices within three months following its release. So far, it has kept to its promise for its major devices. Less than a month after it launched the Mi MIX 2s, it released its kernel source code. Now it has released the kernel source code for the less than a month old Mi 8 SE.

The Mi 8 SE is the first Snapdragon 710 smartphone in the world. It is also the cheapest in the Mi 8 series announced last month. With its kernel source code now available, we expect custom ROMs and the likes be made available for it.

Now that the Mi 8 SE is out of the way, we should see the kernel source code for the Mi 8 and Mi 8 Explorer Edition made available. There are also a bunch of other Xiaomi phones such as the Redmi S2, Redmi Note 5 Pro, Redmi 5 Plus etc. whose source codes haven’t been released.

READ MORE: Xiaomi Mi Pad 4 To Launch In China On June 25

Although Xiaomi promises a time frame of three months following the release of a device, we won’t be surprised if not all of its devices have their source codes made available. The source code for the Mi 8 SE is available on Github.

(Source)

The post Xiaomi Releases Kernel Source Code For Mi 8 SE appeared first on Gizmochina.

Xiaomi had a blast announcing not one or two but a total of 7 new products at its 8th Anniversary event in Shenzhen earlier today. The products ranged from smartphones, VR headsets, Mi TVs, and even fitness trackers. Overall, it was a feast for Xiaomi fans and now we want to know which was your favourite Xiaomi product from the event today.

Out of the 7 products announced at the event, there were three smartphones, a new generation of its OS, a large screen Mi TV, a fitness tracker, and finally a VR headset for China.

We take a look at the key details of each of the products announced today in this post, and let us know which is your favourite among these.

1. Xiaomi Mi 8

• Snapdragon 845
• Dual Frequency GPS
• 6.21-inch AMOLED Display
• 12MP AI Dual Cameras with 1.4um Pixels
• 99 DxOMark Score
• IR Face Unlock
• Starts at 2699 Yuan (~$421)

2. Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Edition

• Snapdragon 845
• Pressure Sensitive In Display Fingerprint
• 3D Facial Recognition
• Translucent Back
• 8GB + 128GB
• Rest Same As Mi 8
• Starts At 3699 Yuan ($577)

3. Xiaomi Mi 8 SE 

• Snapdragon 710
• 5.88-inch AMOLED Display
• 12MP + 5MP AI Cameras
• Enhanced Low Light Photography
• 20MP Front Camera With AI Portraits
• 3120mAh
• Starts At 1799 yuan ($280)

4. MIUI 10

• New Recent Apps Menu
• Full Screen Optimizations
• New Voice Assisted Driving Mode
• New Smart Home Manager
• Single Camera AI Portraits
• New Visual UI

5. Mi TV 4 75-inch

• Super Thin Body
• Integrated Voice Assistant
• 4K HDR UltraHD Display
• 2GB + 32GB
• 64-bit Cortex A53 Powered Quad Core Chip
• Dolby/ DTS Audio
• 8999 yuan ($1405)

6. Xiaomi Mi Band 3

• 0.78-inch OLED Touch Display
• 20 Day Battery Life
• Call & App Notifications
• Swimming Pool friendly (50M)
• 169 Yuan ($26)

7. Mi VR Standalone

• Rebranded Oculus Go
• SD821
• 2K Fast Switch Screen
• 1000 Oculus Optimized Games
• 360 Degree Audio Experience
• ¥1499 (~$234)

So what is your favourite Xiaomi product from today’s event? Which one will you pick?

Personally, at a starting price of ~$580, the Mi 8 Explorer Edition looks like a solid deal! What’s your take?

The post What Was Your Favourite Product From Xiaomi’s Anniversary Event Today? appeared first on Gizmochina.

Apart from launching the Xiaomi Mi 8 as its 8^th Anniversary flagship and Mi 8 SE smartphones today through an unveil event in Shenzhen, Xiaomi has also launched the Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Edition which is nothing but an advanced version of the Xiaomi Mi 8. At the launch event, the Chinese manufacturer said that the Mi 8 Explorer Edition smartphone offers a number of world premiere features. It’s the first Android smartphone that supports 3D facial recognition. It is also the first phone along with Mi 8 to feature dual-band GPS technology. Also, it is equipped with an pressure-sensitive in-display fingerprint reader.

Design and Display

Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Edition features a 2.5D translucent glass rear that is curved towards the edges. The translucent back gives a clear view of the innards of the phone such as the new design for the NFC coil, Kevlar texture for the battery and other components. The handset measures 154.9 x 74.8 x 7.6mm and it weighs 177 grams. The size of the phone is similar to a traditional 5.2-inch phone.

The Xiaomi Mi 8 EE also features a 6.21-inch S-AMOLED display like the Mi 8. It produces 18.7:9 aspect ratio and FHD+ resolution of 2248 x 1080 pixels. and it delivers a screen-to-body ratio of 86.12 percent. The screen is enabled with features like DCI-P3 color gamut, 60000:1 contrast ratio, up to 600nits brightness, HDR support, Eye protection mode, and Always-On Display.

In-Display Fingerprint Scanner and 3D Facial Recognition

The Mi 8 Explorer Edition has an in-screen fingerprint reader that enables users to unlock the phone simply touch and scan fingerprint sensor embedded that is embedded in its display. Xiaomi claims that since the display of the phone is equipped with highly sensitive pressure sensor, it can instantly scan and unlock the phone by touching on the screen gently. Hence, a user does not require to press harder on the screen to unlock it. Xiaomi claims it is the first smartphone in the world with pressure sensitive in-screen fingerprint technology.

Like the iPhone X’s Face ID feature, the Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Edition features a complex structured light 3D module to enable 3D facial scanning. The notch of the Mi 8 Explorer Edition includes components like selfie camera, proximity sensor, ambient sensor, infrared lens, flood illuminator and dot projector.

The selfie camera captures the face data of the user by analyzing more than 33,000 invisible points of the face of the users to create a depth map. The infrared lens also captures the infrared image of the face at the same time. The AI engine of the SoC comes into play to convert the depth map and infrared image into a mathematical representation which is then matched the registered facial data stored on the phone to unlock it. Xiaomi claims that the probability of cracking the Face ID on MI 8 Explorer Edition is like one in one million. Even Apple said the same thing when it announced Face ID for iPhone X.

Dubbed as “Mi Meng” in Chinese is Xiaomi’s take on animated emojis that is also available on the iPhone X. With AI, the front camera can capture up to 52 facial muscle movements to create different animated characters that can imitate the face expressions and voice of the user.

Performance

Like the Mi 8, the Mi 8 Explorer Edition is driven by Snapdragon 845 that comes with an Artificial Intelligence Engine. The SoC is coupled with 8 GB of RAM and it comes with an inbuilt storage of 128 GB. It also features a 3,000mAh battery that is found under the hood of the Mi 8. The Mi 8 EE supports Quick Charge 4+ fast charging. It pre-loaded with MIUI 10 based Android 8.1 Oreo.

Cameras and Other Features

The dual camera setup that includes a wide-angle 12-megapixel Sony IMX363 primary sensor that is equipped with f/1.8 aperture and 1.4micron pixel size. It is accompanied by a secondary 12-megapixel S5K3M3 telephoto lens that has an aperture of f/2.4 and 1micron pixel size. It offers camera features like 4-axis OIS, optical zoom and dual autofocus, AI Studio Lighting for enhanced portrait shots, AI scene detection and video editing, 4K UHD video shooting and Full HD slow-motion recording at 240fps. Xiaomi revealed the camera prowess of the phone by saying that the Mi 8 has scored 105 in photography benchmarks on DxOMark.

The 20-megapixel selfie camera is placed inside the notch. Apart from 3D facial recognition, it offers features like 3D Beauty, 10 kinds of AI scene detection, mirror function and HDR.

The connectivity features available on the Mi 8 Explorer Edition include 4G VoLTE, dual-SIM support, Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C and 3.5mm audio jack. Like the Mi 8, the Explorer Edition is also blessed with dual-band GPS for accurate GPS navigation compared to conventional smartphones.

Pricing and Availability

The Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer comes in a single edition which features 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage and it is priced at 3,699 Yuan (~$577). Xiaomi is yet to reveal information on its availability.

The post Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Edition with 3D Facial Recognition, In-Display Fingerprint Sensor & Translucent Rear Goes Official appeared first on Gizmochina.

Through the 8^th annual product launch event today, Xiaomi has introduced the Xiaomi Mi 8 as the 8th anniversary flagship phone to succeed the Mi 6 phone from last year. The Mi 8 has arrived as the most powerful Snapdragon 845. Also, it is blessed with amazing dual rear cameras and a display that offers a huge screen space.  The Chinese manufacturer has also launched the advanced Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Edition and Xiaomi Mi SE  alongside the Xiaomi Mi 8.

Design and Display

The Xiaomi Mi 8 is the first phone from the company to feature a notched display that offers an aspect ratio of 18.7:9. The backside of the phone is made out of glass that has a unique “water drop arc” design. It features a 7000-series aluminum frame. The device measures 154.9 x 74.8 x 7.6mm. The dimensions of the phone are equivalent to a 5.5-inch smartphone which makes it suitable for one-handed use. The color variants of the Xiaomi Mi 8 include Black, Blue, White and Gold.

The Mi 8 is fitted with an S-AMOLED screen that produces Full HD+ resolution of 2248 x 1080 pixels. It delivers a screen-to-body ratio of 88.5 percent. The AMOLED display is equipped with features like support for DCI-P3 color gamut, 60000:1 contrast ratio, up to 600nits brightness, HDR support, Eye protection mode, and Always-On Display.

Infrared Face Unlock and Fingerprint Scanner

The notch present at the top of the display comprises of a 20-megapixel front-facing camera, proximity sensor, earpiece, infrared lighting and infrared lens. The advanced facial recognition feature has been dubbed as Infrared Face Unlock which indicates that it will offer better facial recognition than other Android phones with face unlock feature.

However, it is not as advanced as the Face ID feature on the Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Edition and iPhone X’s Face ID that offer 3D facial scanning. Hence, the Xiaomi Mi 8 also features a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner for added security.

Performance and Variants

The Snapdragon 845 chipset powered Xiaomi Mi 8 is the first smartphone to break average benchmarking score of 300,000 on AnTuTu. The handset recorded a stunning score of 301,472 on AnTuTu. The 64 GB, 128 GB and 256 GB storage editions of the phone respectively feature 6 GB of RAM. The handset receives power from 3,400mAh battery enabled with Quick Charge 4+ fast charging. The handset is preinstalled with Android 8.1 Oreo that is skinned with the latest MIUI 10.

Cameras and Connectivity Features

In terms of photography, the Xiaomi Mi 8 features a wide-angle Sony IMX363 12-megapixel primary sensor with f/1.8 aperture and 1.4micron pixel size and a secondary 12-megapixel S5K3M3 sensor with f/2.4 aperture and 1micron pixel size. The dual cameras offer features like 4-axis optical image stabilization, optical zoom and dual pixel autofocus.

It is packed with some exciting AI features for photography. The Studio lighting portrait photography which enhances the appeal of the subject to appear like a celebrity. The dual rear cameras also offer AI scene detection and video editing. In DxOMark mobile photography platform, the Mi 8 has salvaged highest score of 105 for photo shooting and its overall DxOMark score is 99. Here are some camera samples that were shown at the unveil event:

Coming to the front camera of the Mi 8, it includes a 20-megapixel sensor with f/2.0 aperture with a massive pixel size of 1.8micron. It supports AI portrait selfies and AI Beauty.

The Xiaomi Mi 8 is the world’s first smartphone to come with dual-frequency GPS. This helps in reducing inaccuracies in GPS tracking caused due to interfaces like buildings and signal delays. The other features of the Mi 8 include dual-SIM support, 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ac NFC, Bluetooth 5.0 and 3.5mm audio jack.

Pricing and Availability

The 64 GB, 128 GB and 256 GB editions of the Xiaomi Mi 8 are respectively priced at 2,699 Yuan (~$421), 2,999 Yuan (~$468) and 3,299 Yuan (~$515). The pre-orders of the black and white editions of the smartphone will start today at 6 PM (local time) in China with a deposit of 100 Yuan (~$16). Its shipment will begin from June 4.

The post Xiaomi Mi 8 is Official: Snapdragon 845 Powerhouse with a Highly Rated Dual Camera Setup, Infrared Face Unlock appeared first on Gizmochina.

Xiaomi Mi 8 is launching alongside the Mi 8 SE tomorrow, and the rumor mill has become quite active in leaking new details on both phones. A leaked press renders of the Mi 8 and Mi 8 SE that was published few minutes ago revealed that these phones will be available for buying respectively from June 5 and June 8. Freshly leaked hands-on photos of the Xiaomi Mi 8 have appeared on SlashLeaks.

The press render of the Mi 8 has revealed that the corners of its display will be more rounded than the smaller-sized Mi 8 SE smartphone. The same can be seen in the hands-on images of the Mi 8. Also, as one of our readers have spotted, the handset features a slightly thick chin.

The temporary protective layer of plastic on the Mi 8’s display reveals some of its key features. The handset will be equipped with AI dual camera and its primary sensor will be of 20-megapixel. The Snapdragon 845 mobile platform equipped with Artificial Intelligence Engine will be powering the phone.

Also, the Xiaomi Mi 8 will be the first smartphone that will come equipped with dual GPS module for accurate location tracking. Earlier today, a new video was released by Xiaomi on Weibo. The video is titled as the final spoiler video of Xiaomi Mi 8. It shows the inaccuracies of the GPS positioning and navigation in the most common scenarios that are faced by smartphone users in daily life. It is another proof that Mi 8 users will not problems related to GPS navigation.

Read More: Xiaomi Mi 8 Teaser Poster Tips The Flagship To Launch Globally In 8 Other Countries

Xiaomi will be revealing more information on the dual-GPS feature tomorrow at annual press event that will begin at 2 PM in Shenzhen, China. The Chinese manufacturer will be also launching Mi Band 3 and MIUI 10 through the same event. Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun has claimed that the company will be also announcing some other new products.

(source|via|source 2)

The post Xiaomi Mi 8 Hands-On Images Emerge; Will Debut as World’s First Phone with Dual GPS Module appeared first on Gizmochina.

The Xiaomi Mi 8 and Mi 8 SE smartphones are launching tomorrow. An official image showing the pre-order details and press renders of the Mi 8 and Mi 8 SE have surfaced just ahead of their launch. Also, the other leaked photo that seems to show a Mi Home store in China reveals that the Chinese manufacturer has already started advertising the Xiaomi Mi 8 smartphone offline.

The above image shows that the blue-colored Mi 8 being advertised at a Mi Home store. The handset features a notched display, a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner and a vertical dual camera setup. The text mentioned on the left is the same one that was seen in the previous leaks. It reveals that the Mi 8 is packed with dual GPS module, Snapdragon 845, AI dual camera and IR face recognition.

The below image reveals the availability of the Mi 8 and Mi 8 SE smartphone. After getting unveiled on May 31, the pre-sale of the Xiaomi Mi 8 will begin on the very same day tomorrow at 6 PM (local time) in China. The official sales of the smartphone will start on June 5 at 10 AM (local time). There is no information available on the pre-sale period of Xiaomi Mi 8 SE. It seems that the handset will be directly available for buying starting from June 8.

Recent leaks have suggested that the Xiaomi Mi 8 SE will be less powerful than the Mi 8. Hence, the Mi 8 SE could be the smaller device in the above image.

The press renders of the Xiaomi Mi 8 and Mi 8 SE reveal that both the smartphones will be coming with notched display design along with support for 3D face recognition. The corners of the display of the Mi 8 are more rounded compared to the Mi 8 SE.

Read More: Xiaomi Mi 8 SE’s First Camera Sample Reveals its Low Light Photography Prowess

Xiaomi is heavily rumored to launch a device under-display fingerprint scanner. Recent reports have revealed that the Mi 8 will be coming with a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner. The Mi 8 SE is likely to arrive as a cheaper device than Mi 8 and it may be priced around 2,000 Yuan (~$310). Hence, it appears that the Mi 8 SE may not feature an in-screen fingerprint scanner.

Since Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun has himself hinted that the forthcoming flagship features under-display fingerprint scanner, there is a possibility that there could be a more powerful and costlier edition of Mi 8 that may come with the advanced fingerprint scanning technology. Mystery surrounding the Mi 8 duo will be revealed through tomorrow’s event that will also serve as a platform for other products like Mi Band 3 and MIUI 10.

(source|via)

The post Xiaomi Mi 8, Mi 8 SE Press Renders, Pre-order Details Appear Ahead of Launch appeared first on Gizmochina.

Multiple sources have revealed that there will be special edition Mi 8 smartphone that may hit the market with Xiaomi Mi 8 SE moniker. It was speculated that like the Mi 8 smartphone, the Mi 8 SE will also feature the Snapdragon 845. However, a leaked document has revealed that it will be fueled by the newly announced Snapdragon 710 mobile platform. The very same document has also revealed that the Mi 8 SE is equipped with AI dual camera with 1.4μm pixel size and LED flash enabled 20-megapixel front-facing camera. It seems that the Mi 8 SE will deliver stellar photography experience. A camera sample shot through the Mi 8 SE has leaked on Weibo. It reveals how good it is when it comes to low-light photography.

The watermark present on the image states that image has been snapped using the AI dual camera of Mi 8 SE. The overall quality of the photo is quite good as the buildings and surroundings have been captured with rich details. Since the smartphone is said to be powered by Snapdragon 710, it could be positioned under Xiaomi Mi 8. Hence, it may get introduced with a pricing of 2,000 Yuan.

Read More: Xiaomi Mi 8, Mi 8 SE to Arrive as the Best Camera Smartphones from Xiaomi

There is no information available on the other specs of the Xiaomi Mi 8 SE. In April, it was revealed that Comet and Sirius are the two codenames of the upcoming Xiaomi Mi series smartphones. Their leaked firmware files had revealed that they are fitted with OLED panels with Always on Display feature.

The Comet phone could be featuring a regular display, but the screen of the Sirius phone is expected to feature a notch. Since the Xiaomi Mi 8 SE is speculated to feature a notched screen, there is a possibility that it could be the Sirius phone. Some of the features that have been revealed through the firmware files of the Sirius phone include 3,120mAh battery, Portrait mode for photography, Android 8.1 Oreo, dual-SIM support and IR blaster. This handset lacks support for microSD card and NFC.

Xiaomi’s 2018 annual product launch event will be held tomorrow. It will be announcing new devices like Xiaomi Mi 8, Mi 8 SE, MIUI 10 and Mi Band 3 fitness tracker. The accurate details on Mi 8 and Mi 8 SE smartphones are still under the wraps. Hence, Xiaomi fans will have to wait until tomorrow to know everything about the Mi 8 duo.

(source)

The post Xiaomi Mi 8 SE’s First Camera Sample Reveals its Low Light Photography Prowess appeared first on Gizmochina.

Xiaomi is all set to launch its flagship smartphone Xiaomi Mi 8 at a launch event in China on 31st May. Along with Mi 8, the company is also set to launch its next-gen OS MIUI 10 as well as fitness tracker Mi Band 3. Further, reports indicate that Xiaomi will also launch Mi 8 SE, the lower-end variant of its upcoming flagship smartphone.

Now, an image of the Mi 8 SE’s key features has surfaced online through Weibo. It reveals that the smartphone will be powered by Qualcomm‘s recently announced Snapdragon 710 AIE processor. If this turns out to be true, then the Mi 8 SE will be the first smartphone to be powered by Snapdragon 710 SoC.

The newly launched Snapdragon 710 mobile platform is a 10nm chipset that includes two cores of Kryo 360 Cortex A75 that clocks at 2.2 GHz and six cores of Kryo 360 Cortex A55 that offers a processing speed of 1.7 GHz. The octa-core processor is coupled with Adreno 616 graphics that promises 35 percent better rendering of graphics.

The leaked image also suggests that the Mi 8 SE will come equipped with AI-powered dual cameras at the back with 1.4μm pixel size and a 20-megapixel front-facing camera with selfie light.

The flagship Mi 8 is expected to come with an under-display fingerprint sensor. But given that the Mi 8 SE seems like a low-cost variant of the Mi 8, we expect the smartphone to come with the traditional fingerprint sensor at the back of the phone instead of the in-display sensor. It is also unclear if the smartphone will come with Face Unlock feature or not.

The leaked image hints at a notched display on the Mi 8 SE, similar to the one that is expected for the company’s flagship smartphone. The previous report indicates that the Mi 8 SE could come in storage editions — 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB with all the three models packing 6GB of RAM.

Read More: Xiaomi Redmi Y2 Appears On Geekbench Ahead Of Its Official Launch On June 7

The Xiaomi Mi 8 is rumored to become the first Android smartphone with 3D facial recognition feature. The smartphone is expected to come with a 6.2-inch notched enabled OLED display, up to 6 GB of RAM, and 64 GB of internal storage. Powered by 3,300mAh battery, the device is expected to be available in Grey, Gold, Blue, and Red colors.

(Source)

The post Xiaomi Mi 8 SE To Pack Snapdragon 710 SoC And AI Dual Cameras appeared first on Gizmochina.

Even though the rumor mill has revealed the upcoming Xiaomi Mi 8 smartphone through grainy leaked shots and videos, we are yet to see a clear press render that shows off the appearance of the highly anticipated flagship phone. Fresh posters of the black and white color variants of the Mi 8 fitted with a tempered glass have surfaced on SlashLeaks. The new images reveal the front and rear design of the alleged Xiaomi Mi 8 phone.

In the new images, the Xiaomi Mi 8 can be seen sporting black front for both black and white variants. The handset can be seen sporting a wider notch that is speculated to house the complex 3D facial recognition feature.

The chin of the device appears to be a bit thick compared to thin bezels available on the sides of the display. The backside of the phone features a vertical dual camera setup and a fingerprint scanner. The bottom edge of the phone seems to feature a USB-C port and a speaker grille.

There is no confirmation on the authenticity of the above images. The image showing the black Mi 8 appears like a photoshopped version of the iPhone X. Hence, it is advisable to digest the report with a grain of salt.

Read More: Xiaomi Mi Band 3 with 169 Yuan Pricing Spotted at Official Listing

Through recent leaks it has been revealed that the Mi 8 could be sporting an OLED panel and it will be fueled by Snapdragon 845. It may feature up to 6 GB of RAM and up to 256 GB of native storage. For photography, it may feature 20-megapixel f/1.7 aperture + 16-megapixel f/2.0 aperture dual camera setup and f/2.0 aperture 16-megapixel front-facing camera.

It is being speculated that the Mi 8 would be a regular flagship phone with 3D facial scanner and rear-mounted fingerprint reader. Rumors have it that the special edition of Mi 8 SE could be an advanced phone feature 3D facial scanner as well as under display fingerprint reader. The Mi 8 SE is also expected to house a larger display than the Mi 8.

(via)

The post Xiaomi Mi 8 Appears in Black, White Variants in Tempered Glass Poster appeared first on Gizmochina.

Xiaomi has recently confirmed that its upcoming flagship phone will be arriving as Xiaomi Mi 8. Some reports have claimed that the Mi 8 could be equipped with 3D facial recognition as well as under display fingerprint scanner. However, a leaked poster that has surfaced today seems to be a good proof that the Mi 8 will feature a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner.

The below shown poster showcases the very same blue edition of the Mi 8 that was spotted at the end of last week. However, this time around the rear-facing fingerprint sensor is clearly which was hidden in the previous leak.

The wider notch present reveals that it will include structured light 3D module for 3D facial scanning. A report that was published few hours ago states that the like the Mi 8 series will carry support for animated emojis like the iPhone X.

The Chinese text mentioned on the poster states that it will be equipped with dual-GPS module, Snapdragon 845 chipset, AI dual camera and IR facial recognition. Like the predecessor Mi 6 phone, the rear shell of the phone seems to be made out of glass.

So, what about the rumored in-screen fingerprint feature? Around two months ago, Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun had claimed that the company’s next flagship phone will be equipped with an under display fingerprint sensor. It was revealed in the last week that there could be two versions of its upcoming flagship phone, namely the Xiaomi Mi 8 and Mi 8 SE (could be Special Edition). The latter could be an advanced smartphone compared to the Mi 8 and it may exclusively feature in-screen fingerprint scanner.

The advanced Xiaomi Mi 8 SE may arrive in multiple storage choices like 64 GB, 128 GB and 256 GB each featuring 6 GB of RAM. It is likely to be available in colors like black, blue, white and gold. On the other side, the Mi 8 is speculated to feature 64 GB of internal storage and 4 GB of RAM. It may arrive in color options like gray, gold, blue and red.

Read More: What To Expect From Xiaomi’s Anniversary Event On May 31

The Xiaomi Mi 8 duo could be the first phones to run on MIUI 10 Android skin that will be also unveiled on May 31. The same launch event will also mark the arrival of Mi Band 3 fitness band. Rumors have claimed that the Surge S2 home-brewed SoC will be also unveiled at the same platform, but there is no official confirmation on it yet.

(source)

The post Xiaomi Mi 8 With Rear Fingerprint Scanner Appears in a Freshly Leaked Poster appeared first on Gizmochina.

Xiaomi Mi 8 flagship phone will be debuting in the next week. However, a recent report has revealed that the company may launch as many as three smartphones will be unleashed at the Shenzhen event. Ishan Agarwal, a reliable tipster from India has claimed that the upcoming Xiaomi flagship phones are Xiaomi Mi 8 and Xiaomi Mi 8 SE (Special Edition?). He has also revealed some key information on the storage and color variants of both phones.

After scouring through the internal code of the Xiaomi’s website, the tipster has revealed the names of the two flagship phones from Xiaomi that may get unveiled on May 31. Here are the two screenshots that confirm Mi 8 and Mi 8 SE monikers.

The Mi 8 is expected to arrive in RAM variants such as 4 GB of RAM and 6 GB of RAM. Both the models are likely to come with 64 GB of storage. The handset may come in colors like gray, blue, gold and red.

The Mi 8 SE seems to be an advanced smartphone as it is likely to arrive in storage editions such as 64 GB, 128 GB and 256 GB. All the three storage models of the Mi 8 SE are likely to feature 6 GB of RAM. Its speculated color variants include black, blue, white and gold. Probably, this handset could be equipped with an advanced 3D facial recognition feature.

Read More: New Xiaomi Mi TV 4C, 4X and 4S Models Launched in China

The other image that has been shared by the tipster reveals that the company will be announcing the Mi Band 3 fitness tracker at Shenzhen next week. Xiaomi has already confirmed that it will be showcasing the MIUI 10 and a recent report has revealed that the company may also launch its Surge S2 SoC at the same event.

(source 1, 2)

The post Xiaomi Mi 8, Mi 8 SE Likely to Debut Next Week; Storage and Color Variants Leaked appeared first on Gizmochina.