The first week of July 2023 was pretty interesting with new product releases to pivotal legislative decisions, the period was a whirlwind of activity that shaped the trajectory of various tech sectors. Twitter also saw a brand new rival in the form of Threads from Meta. 

In the realm of consumer electronics, major brands like Asus, OnePlus, Fairphone, and Samsung marked their presence by unveiling innovative devices. Asus’ ROG Ally handheld gaming console found its way into the Indian market, offering gaming enthusiasts a blend of performance and convenience. OnePlus added to its Nord lineup, with the Nord 3 and Nord CE 3 capturing attention due to their impressive specs. Fairphone, known for its sustainable and ethical approach, made its much-awaited Fairphone 4 5G available in the US. Samsung quietly launched the Snapdragon variant of the Galaxy S21 FE in India, while Apple revealed more details about its 15-inch MacBook Air, illustrating how the transition to Apple Silicon made its larger format possible.

Amidst these product announcements, a significant legal development took place in France, as lawmakers passed a bill allowing police to remotely access and activate suspects’ digital devices. This move sparked intense debates about privacy rights and the potential for state surveillance.

In essence, last week exemplified the ongoing interplay between rapid technological advancements, shifting market dynamics, and evolving societal norms.

Here were the top tech news stories from last week.

Reliance Jio and HMD Global Release Feature Phones with UPI Support

Reliance Jio and HMD Global unveiled new affordable feature phones, including the Nokia 110 4G and Nokia 110 2G, all supporting UPI payments. The 4G model, offering Bluetooth 5.0 and Micro USB 2.0, is priced at Rs. 2,499, while the 2G model, with 2G network support, is set at Rs. 1,699. Both models feature wireless FM radio functionality and long-lasting batteries.

Nokia and Apple Sign New Long-Term Patent Agreement 

Nokia and Apple have entered a new long-term patent cross-license agreement, focusing on Nokia’s 5G technology and other critical patents. With the previous agreement set to expire by year-end, the new deal will ensure Apple’s payment to Nokia for multiple years from 2024. The partnership highlights Nokia’s contributions to cellular standards and affirms Apple’s plan to incorporate Nokia’s technology into its future 5G-enabled devices.

Xiaomi Gears Up for New Flagship Release with Advanced Manufacturing System 

Xiaomi has launched its new manufacturing line, the Xiaomi Smart Manufacturing Digital Intelligence System 2.0, at its Beijing Yizhuang Smart Factory. The new system promises enhanced precision and intelligence, leading to stronger and thinner products. Xiaomi’s upcoming MIX Fold 3, scheduled for an August release, will be the first product manufactured under this new system. Featuring a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and a quad-camera setup with a 5X periscope telephoto lens, the new foldable phone will also support 67W wired and 50W wireless fast charging. The phone’s international availability remains uncertain.

Xiaomi Bolsters Customer Service with 3-Layer Escalation Matrix in India 

Celebrating its 9th anniversary in India, Xiaomi has rolled out a new customer service initiative, the 3-Layer Escalation Matrix. Intended to streamline the resolution process for customer complaints, the system promises swift, efficient responses to issues within a specified time frame. Customers can lodge complaints via multiple platforms, including the Mi Store app, Xiaomi Service+ app, or Xiaomi’s official website. Complaints that remain unresolved within 48 hours automatically escalate to higher levels, ultimately reaching the company’s President’s office if necessary, promising a response within 12 hours. Customer complaint statuses can be tracked via the Xiaomi Service+ app.

Xiaomi Preps MIUI 15 Update, Improved Animations and More Expected

Ahead of the Android 14 release, Xiaomi has been found testing alpha builds of its latest MIUI 15 software, hinting that development began several months ago. The new update, potentially based on both Android 13 and 14, is expected to offer improved animations and numerous other upgrades. Specific features remain under wraps, but the release timeline should mirror MIUI 14, suggesting a rollout to compatible Xiaomi phones by Q1 2024. Initial testing appears to be taking place on a device codenamed  garnet,  rumored to be part of the forthcoming Redmi Note 13 lineup.

Xiaomi Pad 6 Launching in Europe: Enhanced Display and Audio Features

Set to hit European shelves on July 10, the Xiaomi Pad 6 offers an improved tablet experience with upgraded display and audio features. The device boasts an 11-inch 2.8K LCD display with a 144Hz refresh rate and HDR10/Dolby Vision support. The Pad 6 is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 SoC, up to 8 GB of RAM, and 256 GB of storage, along with WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 for reliable connectivity. The tablet caters to multimedia use with a 13MP rear camera, an 8MP front camera, and Dolby Atmos-supported quad speakers. It’s also compatible with the Xiaomi Smart Pen 2nd Gen and comes with a battery life bolstered by an 8,840mAh battery and 33W fast charging.

Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme Console Now Available on Flipkart in India

Asus’s new ROG Ally Z1 Extreme handheld gaming console is now on sale in India via Flipkart. The device, featuring a 7-inch IPS display, AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, 16GB RAM, and 512GB storage, offers an immersive gaming experience on Windows 11. The console is priced at Rs 69,990, with various bank offers and EMI options available.

OnePlus Expands Nord Lineup with New Nord 3 and Nord CE 3 Models

OnePlus unveiled two additions to its Nord lineup, the feature-rich mid-ranger Nord 3, and the more affordable Nord CE 3. The latter sports a 6.7-inch AMOLED display, Snapdragon 782G chipset, up to 12GB RAM, and a 5000mAh battery with 80W fast charging. Available in two variants, 8GB+128GB and 12GB+256GB, Nord CE 3 will be released in August, with prices starting at Rs 26,999.

Eco-Friendly Fairphone 4 5G Debuts in the US with Emphasis on Repairability and Privacy

The environmentally conscious and repairable Fairphone 4 5G has launched in the US, underlining the brand’s commitment to sustainability and privacy. The device, which uses 100% recycled plastics and offers easily replaceable parts, runs Murena’s privacy-centric /e/OS, devoid of Google services. The phone comes in two variants, starting at $599, and features a 6.3-inch display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G processor, up to 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage.

Samsung Quietly Launches Snapdragon 888 Variant of Galaxy S21 FE in India

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, powered by the Snapdragon 888 chipset, has quietly gone on sale in India for INR 49,999, with an introductory price of INR 44,999. Replacing the Exynos processor, this model retains the same features, including a 6.4-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 4,500mAh battery, and a camera setup featuring a 12MP primary sensor, 12MP ultra-wide angle lens, and an 8MP telephoto camera. The device also offers water and dust resistance with an IP68 rating.

Apple’s 15-Inch MacBook Air: A Triumph of Apple Silicon Over Intel’s Constraints

Apple’s marketing executives disclosed that they had wanted to create a 15-inch MacBook Air for years but were restricted by the high power consumption of Intel’s chips. The shift to Apple Silicon enabled the company to maintain a slim, light design without compromising on battery life or performance. This new, larger MacBook Air is not only beneficial for consumers but also serves enterprise customers who have long requested such a device. This demonstrates Apple’s commitment to its transition to Apple Silicon and its responsiveness to customer demands.

Threads by Instagram Gaining Traction Despite Missing Features

Despite lacking key features like search, hashtags, and a following feed, Threads by Instagram, Meta’s bid to challenge Twitter’s dominance, is gaining user momentum. Instagram’s head, Adam Mosseri, assured that these features are underway, although no timeline was given. Threads’ successful integration with Instagram has been instrumental in its initial success, having already attracted over 30 million signups and being the top free app in Apple’s App Store.

France Grants Police Remote Access to Suspects’ Devices, Stirring Privacy Concerns

French lawmakers have passed a justice reform bill granting police the power to remotely access and activate suspects’ device cameras, microphones, and GPS systems, stirring controversy. Critics argue the measure infringes on fundamental liberties and leans towards authoritarian surveillance. Although the law restricts usage to serious crimes and requires judicial approval, privacy advocates are concerned about the potential for abuse. Justice Minister Éric Dupond-Moretti argues the law is a necessary tool for saving lives.

Top Specials We Wrote From Last Week

• Do we really need 24GB RAM on smartphones?
• Quick Take: Is Nothing’s Transparent Cable Innovative?
• Nothing Phone (2) Roundup: Everything We Know So Far
• Does it make sense to buy Xbox Series S 512GB in 2023?

The post Top Tech News From Last Week: MIUI 15, ROG Ally Sale, Nokia UPI Phone, Nothing, Nord CE 3 & More appeared first on Gizmochina.

Xiaomi officially confirmed earlier this week that it would launch the Mi Mix 4 flagship on August 10. Since the announcement, the company has been consistent in the release of several teasers promoting the device. One of the latest teaser posters from the Chinese tech giant suggests the device will utilize the UWB technology. The poster bears the title “new technology, new understanding” and contains a silhouette of what we believe to be the Mix 4 pointed toward a TV.

The Ultra-wideband (UWB) is a radio-based communication technology for short-range use and fast and stable transmission of data. It is a more advanced version of Bluetooth as it can precisely locate smart devices up to centimeter-level. A couple of months back, it was first rumored that the Mix 4 will arrive with a UWB chip.

A second teaer shared today by the company further reaffirms the Mix 4 will come with an under display camera teachnology. The original Mi Mix took the industry by storm with its full-screen, notch-less design. In subsequent models, Xiaomi has experimented with different designs ranging from pop-up camera to slider camera design featured on the Mix 3.

The chip will be used by Mi Share, a peer-to-peer file transfer service found on devices from some popular Chinese smartphone brands. The usage might expand as more products utilizing the UWB tech are released just like the Apple and Samsung smart tags.

In a related news, a blogger has leaked what he says is the tempered glass of the Mix 4. The tempered glass sits alongside that of the Mi 11, showing the difference in screen design between the two models. It can be seen clearly from the picture that although the Mix 4 uses a curved screen design, the curvature on both the left and right sides is much smaller than that of the Mi 11. This will likely bring a better display effect. Also, the comparion shows the Mix 4 screen is shorter and narrower than the Mi 11 which is visually more beautiful.

RELATED:

• Apple sees record shipments in Q2 2021, while Xiaomi becomes 2nd largest smartphone brand
• Xiaomi Mi Pad 5 series specifications tipped once again before rumored August launch
• Xiaomi MIUI+ now supports window resizing & custom shortcut keys
• Xiaomi to launch its first high end smart speaker with Mi MIX 4 on August 10

(source 1, 2)

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Last month, Xiaomi confirmed the MIUI 12.5 update for some of its older flagship smartphones. The Mi MIX 3 was one of those and it has now finally started receiving the said update. Similarly, the budget Redmi 10X 4G from last year has also begun to receive the update.

The MIUI 12.5 update for the Mi MIX 3 and the Redmi 10X 4G is currently live in China with build numbers V12.5.1.0.QEECNXM and V12.5.2.0.RJOCNXM respectively. These software builds are being rolled out in batches. Hence, they are labeled as ‘Stable Beta’.

Anyway, the update should be available in all the regions. For those unaware, the Redmi 10X 4G is known as Redmi Note 9 in international markets. Hence, that device will also get the latest version of MIUI in the coming days.

Xiaomi launched the Mi MIX 3 in late 2018. The handset debuted with MIUI 10 based on Android 9.0 Pie. It was updated to Android 10, MIUI 11, and MIUI 12 respectively. Unfortunately, it is not eligible for Android 11 but it is at least getting the MIUI 12.5 update.

On the other hand, the Redmi 10X 4G was released last year with MIUI 11 based on Android 10. So far, the device has received MIUI 12 and Android 11. Xiaomi is seeding out MIUI 12.5 update right now and it will likely get MIUI 13, unlike the Mi MIX 3.

RELATED: 

• Xiaomi is the biggest beneficiary of Huawei’s exit from the mid-range phone segment in Europe
• Chinese brands like Xiaomi, Vivo to use UTG in foldable smartphones arriving in H2 2021
• Xiaomi’s 2020 Sustainability Report reflects the brand’s resolve to build a sustainable world
• Xiaomi overtakes Apple to become the world’s second-largest smartphone company

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Xiaomi announced MIUI 12.5 at the Mi 11 launch event in late December 2020. The company has been rolling it out to eligible devices for the past few weeks. However, the handset maker did not reveal when the older devices will be receiving the update. Now, as the firm is about to finish the rollout for newer smartphones, a company executive has named an older flagship smartphone that will be receiving the MIUI 12.5 update in near future.

A netizen on Weibo inquired Zhang Guoquan (Director of Xiaomi Mobile System Software) about the availability of the Mi 8 MIUI 12.5 update. To this, the executive simply replied that the update is ready. 

This means we can expect Xiaomi to start rolling out the  MIUI 12.5 update for the Mi 8 in the coming days. The other models in the Mi 8 series should also receive the update at around the same time.

Back in April, the same executive revealed that all the smartphones powered by Snapdragon 845 will be getting the MIUI 12.5 update.  Hence, Mi 8, Mi 8 Explorer Edition (aka Mi 8 Pro), and Mi MIX 2S will be updated to the current latest version of MIUI along with Mi MIX 3 featuring a Snapdragon 855.

Unfortunately, it’s still now sure whether the POCO F1 is eligible for the MIUI 12.5 update. But we believe it should receive the update as it has the same chipset as the Mi 8.

RELATED:

• Xiaomi establishes ‘MIUI Pioneer Group’ to fix problems faced by users
• Xiaomi J18s foldable smartphone tipped to launch in Q4 2021
• MIUI 13 is coming soon, suggests latest MIUI Cleaner beta
• Xiaomi is expanding team for its Electric Vehicles business

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Xiaomi began the rollout of stable MIUI 12.5 for flagship devices in China recently and it is expected to expand up to 28 devices soon. Meanwhile, Xiaomi executive has confirmed that the MIUI 12.5 will also arrive on older devices like Xiaomi Mi 8 series, MIX 2S, and MIX 3.

1 of 4

Xiaomi rolled out the MIUI 12 update for the Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S and MIX 3 back in August 2020. The devices, which didn’t make the cut in the Android 11 eligible devices list, are said to get the MIUI 12.5 update as per the Xiaomi executive Zhang Guoquan’s post on Weibo.

He says that the MIX 2S has Snapdragon 845 chipset and the engineers have worked on the MIUI 12.5 on its update together with MIX 3. Speaking of which, the MIX 3, which also has Snapdragon 845 chipset, launched with MIUI 10 while the MIX 2S came with MIUI 9 out of the box.

Hence, the MIUI 12.5 will be the fourth MIUI update for the MIX 2S while the MIX 3 will get it as a third major update. It is appreciable of Xiaomi to support older flagships despite them going past the software support period.

Moving on, Zhang said that along with the MIX devices, the Xiaomi Mi 8, Mi 8 Explorer Edition will also get the MIUI 12.5 update. These devices got their last major MIUI 12 update in July and August 2020 respectively.

That said, Zhang hasn’t mentioned the 5G version of the Mi MIX 3 5G which got the direct update to MIUI 12 in September. But, we can expect it to be on the roster. What is uncertain is the update rollout date for the above-mentioned devices.

Zhang says that the update will come a little later after the company finishes the pending projects and ensures the test build is free of bugs. So, don’t expect the intermediate MIUI 12.5 on them anytime soon.

RELATED:

• Redmi Note 10S’ Indian edition with MIUI 12.5 receives Bluetooth SIG certification
• Xiaomi Mi 10, Mi 10 Pro get the stable MIUI 12.5 update in China
• Xiaomi Mi 9 SE gets the MIUI 12.5 stable update in China

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Xiaomi’s Mi Mix 2S and Mi Mix 3 recently got their MIUI 12 update based on Android 10 in China. The devices, being more than a year old, aren’t going to get the Android 11 which is a no brainer. However, if you own one of these devices, and are wanting to try out the new features of Android 11, you just got lucky.

Both the Mi Mix 2S and Mix 3 have got(via Notebookcheck) a new Custom ROM based on Android 11. The ROM is called ArrowOS. ROMs of both the devices are developed by an XDA member with username palaych. For the unware, ArrowOS is a custom ROM based on AOSP/CAF. AOSP is an Android Open Source Project while CAF is Code Aurora Forum. The ROM has a simpler UI with no bloatware and is closer to the stock android experience. The ROM has two versions- VANILLA and GApps. VANILLA is without Google Apps(pure AOSP) and the latter includes one.

Mi Mix 2S Android 11

The Android 11 build for Mi Mix 2S(codename: Polaris) is ArrowOS 11.0 with Linux Kernel 4.x. The ROM is official meaning it is constantly supported by the Developer but is currently in Alpha state. This means the ROM might have a few bugs here and there. The dev says almost everything works well in the custom ROM so you don’t have to worry about broken LTE or major glitches. Below are that’s not working as of now:

• Encryption(disable it)
• Wi-Fi display
• Android Auto
• SELinux status: permissive.

Mi Mix 3 Android 11

For the newer of the two, Mi Mix 3, Android 11 ROM is the same ArrowOS 11.0 with Linux Kernel 4.x. The codename of the device is Perseus. The developer says almost everything is working as usual. It is currently listed as an Alpha build just like the Mix 2S. Below are few bugs spotted as of now:

• WiFi Display
• Android Auto doesn’t work.
• “Ok, Google” doesn’t work with display off.

If we recall, Mi Mix 2S launched with Android Oreo(8), whereas Mix 3 launched with Android 9 Pie. They got their Android 10 update but didn’t make the cut for the list of devices to get Android 11 from Xiaomi.

Hence, this custom ROM compiled by developers is a blessing for the users whose devices aren’t sure to get the next MIUI 13 in the first place.

UP NEXT: Xiaomi Mi Water Purifier H600G launched with a dual outlet design

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Xiaomi has been updating its devices to MIUI 12 for months. But the rollout is yet to end. In fact, it has just begun in certain regions. Currently, the update is being rolled out to older flagships and select budget smartphones in China. If these devices have only a single or two international variants, those models are getting higher priority than global variants of newer smartphones. Hence, the global variants of Mi Mix 3 and Mi Mix 2S have started to receive the update.

The Chinese variants of both Mi Mix 3 and Mix 2S were only updated to MIUI 12 earlier this month. Since these devices have only two international variants – Global and Russia, those have already begun to get the update.

It is worth noting that the Russian variant of Mi Mix 3 is yet to start receiving the update. But it should happen anytime soon in the coming days. With that being said, here are the build numbers of MIUI 12 update for these handsets.

• Mi Mix 3
  • China – V12.0.1.0.QEECNXM
  • Global – V12.0.1.0.QEEMIXM
• Mi Mix 2S
  • China – V12.0.1.0.QDGCNXM
  • Global – V12.0.1.0.QDGMIXM
  • Russia – V12.0.1.0.QDGRUXM

Although the above-mentioned two devices are flagship smartphones, Mi Mix 2S is not getting all the new features of MIUI 12 due to its LCD screen. That means users of this phone miss out on Super Wallpapers and AOD+ but the Mi Mix 3, on the other hand, gets all the new stuff.

Having said that, the new software update for these two Xiaomi devices is being seeded out in phases. Therefore, it will take time to reach every unit.

(Via 1, 2)

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After updating its current-gen flagships and mid-range smartphones to MIUI 12 stable in China, Xiaomi has begun to roll a similar update to budget as well as older flagships. The company’s 2018 premium smartphones – Mi Mix 2S and Mi Mix 3 have now begun to receive the update in its home country.

The Mi Mix 2S launched with MIUI 9 based on Android Oreo out of the box. On the other hand, the Mi Mix 3 debuted with MIUI 10 based on Android Pie. Currently, both the devices are on MIUI 11 based on Android 10.

That means the latest MIUI 12 stable update is third and second MIUI update for these handsets respectively. Unfortunately, none of them is eligible for Android 11 update according to the preliminary official support list. And it is not sure if they will get MIUI 13 next year.

Hence, MIUI 12 could be the last major update to these handsets. As mentioned in the beginning, the update is currently limited to the Chinse variants of these phones and their build numbers are as listed below.

• Mi Mix 2S – V12.0.1.0.QDGCNXM
• Mi Mix 3 – V12.0.1.0.QEECNXM

We expect Xiaomi to roll out this update to the global variants of these devices in the coming days.

UP NEXT: No MIUI 12 update plans for Mi Mix 3 5G, says Xiaomi

(Via)

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When Xiaomi announced the Mi Mix 3 5G at MWC 2019, the phone came preinstalled with Android 9.0 Pie-based MIUI 10. Since then, the company has pushed a major Android update, at least to some models and has also updated its custom ROM. The 5G phone missed out on both updates and that recently prompted a fan to float a petition on Change.org in a bid to get the Chinese tech giant to update the software.

More tales of woe for the Mix 3 5G owners as Xiaomi has reportedly confirmed that it would push MIUI 12 update to the Mi Mix 3 5G in October. If you think that is good news, wait for the catch. A spokesperson for Xiaomi revealed this detail while responding to an inquiry by a fan. The Xiaomi spokesperson also hinted that the device will still be stuck with Android9 even with the MIUI 12 update. Thus, it is unlikely that the Mix 3 5G will ever be updated past Android 9.

The decision to push MIUI 12 to the 5G phone may be as a result of the company bowing to pressure from users who are agitating for an update. The phone is yet to get MIUI 11 update and may likely skip that entirely. But Xiaomi may likely never give the Mix 3 5G Android 10 update. The company had hinted that only a few units were sold and so software support were halted.

UP NEXT: OPPO VP: Don’t be too Excited about Under Screen cameras this year

(via)

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Xiaomi seems to have discontinued the Mi Mix 3 that was launched back in 2018. It was the last commercially available Mi Mix series phone by the company in China. Notably, the Mi Mix 3 5G model was never released in the Chinese market. Also, the current-gen Mi Mix Alpha surround screen phone is merely a prototype and is not yet available for sale.

The Chinese smartphone maker has removed the listing of Mi Mix 3 on its official website suggesting it to be discontinued. It does make sense since the device is now over one and a half years old and Xiaomi itself offers better products for less than the asking price of the Mix 3. Nevertheless, if you are interested in this device, you can still buy the Forbidden City limited edition priced at 4,999 Yuan (~$712).

The Mi Mix 3 by Xiaomi was launched back in October of 2019 powered by the flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor. The device was available in up to 10GB RAM and 256GB UFS 2.1 storage. It featured a full-screen display design, courtesy of a manual slider mechanism. The AMOLED panel of the phone measured 6.39-inches with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels (FHD+), 403 PPI, 19:5:9 aspect ratio, and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 Protection.

The handset featured a 12MP primary + 12MP telephoto dual-camera setup at the back and a 24MP + 2MP dual-camera setup at the front for selfies and video calls. It was launched with MIUI 10 based on Android Pie and was later updated to Android 10-based MIUI 11. The phone was backed by a small 3,200 mAh battery with support for 18W wired fast charging and 10W wireless charging.

(Via)

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Xiaomi has commenced the OTA push of Android 10-based MIUI 11 Global stable updates for the flagship Mi Mix 3. The Mi Mix 3 is the current flagship model for the Mix series and was launched last year running Android 9 with the MIUI 10 overlay. The series started receiving Android 10 updates in China around December last year but users outside China had to wait until now for the update.

The Android 10 update arrives with the version number MIUI 11.0.3.0 QEEMIXM and has a size of 2GB. Apart from the major changes and features that Android 10 offers, the update also ushers in the February 2020 security patch and a couple of bug fixes.

EDITOR’S PICK: Xiaomi’s Aqara officially unveils its range of smart home products in the US

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.

MIUI 11 also delivers an 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 aeroplane to rail and bus. The update also brings an improved currency converter and an extreme power-saving mode.

UP NEXT: OPPO Watch launched in China as a beautiful Apple Watch alternative

(source, via)

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Xiaomi‘s latest MIUI 11 custom ROM is available on almost all known eligible Mi smartphones. The thing is, the update didn’t usher in Google‘s latest Android 10 even though there are several new features inspired by Android 10 onboard. The Mi Mix 3 is one of the early models to get MIUI 11 update based on Android 9. Xiaomi later rolled out beta update of Android 10-based MIUI 11 for beta testers in China late October. Right now, there are indications that the stable version is now being pushed to Mix 3 users in China.

EDITOR’S PICK: First Samples from the 108MP Mi Mix Alpha is here & we are not impressed!

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.

MIUI 11 also delivers an 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 aeroplane to rail and bus. The update also brings an improved currency converter and an extreme power-saving mode.

UP NEXT: Xiaomi Haylou SmartWatch Hands-On: A $14 Smart Band in Disguise

(source)

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The Mi MIX 3 is one of the most impressive devices launched by Xiaomi last year. Its magnetic slider design, build quality and features all got positive comments from reviewers. While the slider-design may have taken a back seat this year, it seems Xiaomi isn’t done with it yet. A new patent has surfaced that shows the slider design isn’t yet dead, at least for Xiaomi.

The patent which was first reported by TigerMobiles was filed at the Chinese National Intellectual Property Agency (CNIPA) and it shows a device similar to the Mi MIX 3. The front is practically all screen and when you slide the device down, you have dual front-facing cameras.

Where it differs greatly from the Mi MIX 3 is on the rear. Rather than dual cameras positioned on the left side of the phone, the phone doubles the sensors to 4. It doesn’t stop there but adopts the circular camera housing we have come to associate with Motorola phones. There is also no fingerprint scanner which most likely means there is one under the display. The patent also shows the device keeps the dedicated AI assistant button of the Mi MIX 3.

It is too early to say if this device will see the light of day or it is just Xiaomi trying to build its patent box. But I, personally, wouldn’t mind seeing another slider phone.

Another patent filed by Xiaomi ditches the slider design for a notch but this is a different type. Rather than a U-shaped notch or waterdrop notch, this is a long but narrow notch much like an indentation caused by applying slight pressure. Inside this new-style notch are two cameras.

On the rear, the device has three cameras arranged vertically on the left along with an LED flash. There is no visible fingerprint scanner here too, so we will assume it is under the display.

(Source, Via)

UP NEXT: Xiaomi shares Mi A3 disassembly video but skips screen components to showcase cameras

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The premium Mi Mix 3 flagship has gotten its biggest price cut yet on Xiaomi‘s official website. The Mi Mix 3 6GB RAM with 128GB storage variant is presently on offer for 2299 yuan (~$334) which is 1000 yuan (~$145) lower than its initial price of 3299 yuan ($479). The price of the 8GB+128GB variant also comes down to 2599 yuan ($377) from 3599 yuan ($523). Finally, the 8GB+256GB variant is on offer for 2999 yuan ($435), down from 3999 yuan ($581).

The new price offer is a limited time offer. It opened today (June 25) and will end on June 26 at 0.00. Despite the price cut, buyers will still get a free 10W wireless charge for each unit purchased.

We must say that this is the highest price cut the Mi Mix 3 is getting since it was launched last year. It is rare for a hot-selling model to get such huge price cut except the company is trying to clear the shelves for the arrival of a successor. The price cut could be an indication that Xiaomi is preparing the ground for the arrival of the Mi Mix 4. However, Xiaomi has maintained a watertight silence regarding details of the Mix 4. Since the Mi Mix 3 and previous models were launched around September and October, it is still too early to say.

EDITOR’S PICK: Xiaomi India announces Mi Beard Trimmer, costs INR 1199 (~$17)

The Mi Mix 3 still remains one of Xiaomi’s best smartphones to date, a flagship phone at that. To refresh our memories, the device packs a 6.39-inch 1080 x 2340 display with a 19.5:9 aspect ratio. It has a slider design, so the front cameras are hidden when the phone is closed.  The front-facing cameras are a 24MP + 2MP sensor and on the rear is a 12MP wide-angle lens paired with another 12MP telephoto lens.

The phone is powered by a Snapdragon 845 processor and also comes in 8GB RAM and 10GB RAM variants with 128GB or 256GB of storage. It has a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner and packs a 3,200mAh battery with support for wireless charging and Quick Charge 4+. It doesn’t have an audio jack nor does it have a MicroSD card slot. The phone runs on MIUI 10 based on Android 9 Pie out of the box.

UP NEXT: Lenovo Z6 confirmed to be powered by 4,000mAh battery with fast charging support

(source)

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AnTuTu benchmarking platform has released the list of the top 10 best performing Android phones in the global market for February 2019. The list has been compiled considering the average benchmarking score of each smartphone between Feb. 1 and Feb. 28 on the AnTuTu Benchmark v7 app. AnTuTu claims that it has tested at least 1,000 units of each model that have been included in the top 10 list.  The list is led by 8nm Exynos 9820 powered Samsung Galaxy S10+ with an average benchmarking score of 332,850.

The second spot goes to the Honor V20 that has recorded an average benchmarking score of 305,599. The Huawei Mate 20 X is placed on third spot with an AnTuTu score of 304,588. The fourth position goes to Huawei Mate 20 that has recorded a score of 302,985.  Sitting on the fifth spot is the Honor Magic 2 with 300,743. These Huawei and Honor phones are powered by 7nm Kirin 980 SoC.

The Xiaomi Mi MX 2S powered by Snapdragon 845 is on the sixth place with 298,007 AnTuTu score. The OnePlus 6, ASUS ROG Phone and Xiaomi Mi 8 have respectively bagged seventh, eighth and ninth positions. These phones have respectively scored 297,076, 297,037 and 297,001. The Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 slotted on the tenth position is yet another Snapdragon 845 powered Xiaomi phone in the list. With multiple SD855 fueled phones coming to the market, it is likely that smartphones driven by it may rank higher in the top 10 list of best performing Android phones in the coming months.

(source)

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Just a week after it was announced that Mi MIX 3’s Super night Scene mode will hit the Mi 8 SE later this month, Xiaomi has announced that it will also come to the Mi 8 Lite. At this rate, Xiaomi’s Super Night Scene mode may become a standard feature for most of its phones henceforth.

The Mi 8 Lite is the least powerful model in the Mi 8 series and according to Xiaomi’s co-founder Wang Chuan, he is working overtime to bring the Mi MIX 3’s Super Night Scene algorithm to the Mi 8 Lite.

The super night scene mode which is similar to the Pixel 3’s Night Sight greatly enhances photos taken in low-light or at night. There is no info yet on when the feature will roll out to the device but we expect it to come after that of the Mi 8 SE.

READ MORE: Alleged Xiaomi Mi 9 spotted in public, sports triple rear cameras

This makes it two things owners of the Mi 8 Lite should look forward to. A few months ago, it was announced that the phone will get Android Pie, with a beta update rolling out in China first.

(Source)

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The Mi MIX 3 has received generally positive reviews. It is one of the best camera phones of 2018 according to DxOMark but what really sets it apart from other phones is its slider design which uses magnets instead of springs or an electric motor.

YouTuber JerryRigEverything has made a teardown video of the Mi MIX 3 and it also shows how the slider works. There are a bunch of magnets in the device and Xiaomi employed the basic rule of magnets – opposite poles attract and like poles repel. It is a simple but very effective solution that ensures the phone stays opened or closed.

The teardown video also revealed the bundled cable with the phone is specially designed to allow you to slide the phone open while charging. A third party cable won’t let you do so.

READ MORE: Xiaomi’s flagship-killer Pocophone F1 hits DXOMark with performance on par with iPhone 8

The Mi MIX 3 packs a 6.39-inch FHD+ AMOLED display. It is powered by the Snapdragon 845 processor with up to 10GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. It has dual 12MP rear cameras and a 24MP + 2MP dual camera combo in front. It also has a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner and a 3,200mAh battery with support for Quick Charge 4+ and wireless charging. Xiaomi even includes a wireless charger in the box.

(Source)

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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)

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Over the past couple of years, we have seen the RAM sizes available on smartphones increase from 2GB, 3GB, right up to 6GB. Recently, 8GB RAM sizes got into the fray and this year, we have seen a few smartphones launched with 10GB of RAM. Some had posited back then that 8GB of RAM on flagship phones is more like overkill but DigiTimes reports that we may likely see more smartphones roll out this year with 10GB or more RAM.

The tech blog cites industry sources who also hinted that new Android smartphones will also get some other core components to upgrade this year as it is a major strategy for smartphone companies this year. Some of the additional upgrades include artificial intelligence (AI), multiple lenses. The report also hinted at the strong possibility that 10GB RAM will be the mainstream spec for flagship smartphones released by Android OEMs this year as several of them are already promoting their flagship models with more than 10GB of RAM. Already, we have seen Chinese OEMs Xiaomi, ZTE and Vivo launched new models with 10GB RAM while Lenovo recently unveiled the industry’s first 12GB RAM phone, the Z5 Pro GT.

Read Also: Samsung announces ultra-slim ISOCELL camera sensor for punch hole smartphones

This upgrade isn’t likely to affect the demand for mobile DRAM substantially until the second half of 2020, the sources said. It will also not likely affect the demand for smartphone replacement as that is expected to remain sluggish until 5G phones go fully commercialized.

(source)

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DxOMark is known for its camera comparisons. However, for smartphones it has always been limited to just the rear cameras, leaving users to find out themselves which phone takes better selfies. Now, they have begun rating front-facing cameras and have released a list of the phones with the best selfie cameras.

According to the ranking, if you want to take the absolute best selfies, the Google Pixel 3 is the device you should go for. If you don’t like the Pixel 3, then you should choose the Samsung Galaxy Note9 as it has the same selfie camera score as the Pixel 3.

Xiaomi’s Mi MIX 3 comes in at the third spot with 84 points, a significant distance from the Pixel and Note, but if it is any consolation, it beats the iPhone XS Max and the Galaxy S9 Plus which come after it in that order. The second gen Pixel is sixth and DxOMark says it takes better selfies than Huawei’s 2018 flagships – the Mate 20 Pro and P20 Pro. The Galaxy S8 and the iPhone X also make the list of the top 10 selfie camera phones.

DxOMark says the rating is based on how well the phones perform while taking solo selfies, group selfies,  indoor and outdoor selfies, video recording, under natural light and much more before. So this isn’t just about pictures alone. So for example, the Galaxy Note9 is better at recording videos with the front camera than the Pixel 3.

READ MORE: Huawei Mate 20 Pro is now leading DxOMark along with P20 Pro with 109 score

Thinking out loud, do the Nubia X and Vivo NEX Dual Display get to enter as contenders for the selfie king since their rear cameras are actually also selfie cameras? Let us know what you think about the list in the comment box.

(Via)

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Xiaomi redesigned its full-screen Mi Mix 3 flagship, utilising a sliding design that ensures the bezels around the display are at the barest minimum. Although the slider technology at play has been shown to be different from the ones on slider phones of yore, there are still concerns about its durability. Our posts on a slider test video from China still receives engagements from curious fans who want to get some assurance before breaking the bank to get the device. Well, if you need some convincing about the durability of the Mi Mix 3, Zack Nelson of JerryRigEverything has come to the rescue.

The YouTube recently posted a video of the Mix 3 undergoing the extreme torture tests that he has gained notoriety for carrying out. Thankfully, the Mix 3 seems to hold its own well in the scratch, bend, and burn tests that were carried out. Of particular interest is the resistance of the glass to scratch. The ceramic back is also pretty resistant to scratch compared to metal or glass panels. Even the earpiece is sown to be made of metal and so won’t get damaged easily when scratched with sharp metal.

Read Also: Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S Teardown: Here’s What You Can Find Inside Its Sexy Ceramic Body

The only snag about the slider isn’t related to its performance or sturdiness but the small gap between the two parts which could allow specks of dirt and sand get in easily. Talking about the bend test, the Mi Mix 3 survives in style. Even though it bends a little but it doesn’t snap like other slider phones such as the OPPO Find X. This could be as a result of the tough ceramic body it packs.

(source)

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Within the next two months, Xiaomi will be launching the Mi MIX 3 5G flagship phone and Redmi Note 7 Pro phones in China. Another rumored phone from the company is Redmi Go Android Go smartphone. Previous reports haven’t revealed any details on Redmi Go phone. Today, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China (CMIIT) has approved three Xiaomi models such as M1903F2A, M1092F1A and M1092F1T. It is speculated that these could be Redmi Go and Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 5G or Redmi Note 7 Pro.

The M190F1A and M1902F1T are variants of a single phone which could either be the Redmi Note 7 Pro or Mi MIX 3 5G or any other upcoming Xiaomi phone. The M1903F2A could be the Redmi Go smartphone because a similar model number of M1903CGCX was certified by IMDA authority of Singapore in December last year.

The above speculations are just calculated guess based on the rumored phones that Xiaomi may debut in the near future. The M1902XXX models could end up as Xiaomi Mi 9 models. Hence, it is advisable to digest the report with a grain of salt and wait for newer reports to confirm on the identities of M1903F2A, M1902F1A and M1902F1T.

The Redmi Note 7 that was unveiled in the previous week featured a waterdrop notch, Snapdragon 660 chipset, 48-megapixel Samsung ISOCELL GM1 + 5-megapixel dual camera and 4,000mAh battery. Redmi has already confirmed that the Redmi Note 7 Pro will be swapping the Samsung GM1 sensor with 48-megapixel Sony IMX586 sensor. Rumors are rife that the Redmi Note 7 Pro would be fueled by the more powerful Snapdragon 675 chipset.

• Read More: Xiaomi Mi 9 new concept render shows nearly bezel-less display with a waterdrop notch

Xiaomi will be holding a media event on Feb. 24, just a day ahead of Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2019. Rumors are rife that the Snapdragon 855 chipset powered Mi MIX 3 5G phone will be officially announced at the Feb. 24 press event.

(via)

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A leaked invitation poster by Xiaomi for the Feb. 24 event was shared by popular design and leakster Benjamin Geskin through his Twitter account. The tweet was quickly deleting after posting. However, by then it was already shared on Reddit by some users. Xiaomi has now confirmed to Pocket-lint publication that it will be indeed hosting a press event on Feb. 24.

Various smartphone makers are expected to showcase their 5G-ready products at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2019 tech expo that will be held between Feb. 25 and Feb. 29. Even though Xiaomi has confirmed that it will be holding an event on the eve of MWC 2019, there is no confirmation yet on what devices it will be announcing. Rumors are rife that like other companies, Xiaomi may also announce the 5G version of the Mi MIX 3 smartphone.

Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 5G was displayed at Qualcomm booth at the recently held Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2019 tech trade show. Even 5G prototypes from Samsung, OPPO and Vivo were present at CES 2019.

• Read More: Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 7 has a significant camera bulge, no thanks to the 48MP sensor

At the launch of the Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 smartphone in October last year, Xiaomi had confirmed that it will be introducing 5G edition of Mi MIX 3 in Q1 2019. Hence, it is being speculated that the Chinese firm may announce the Mi MIX 3 5G at MWC 2019.

The Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S that was unveiled in March 2018 was an upgraded version of the Mi MIX 2 from September 2017. The Mi MIX 2S came with improved internals but sported more or less the same design as the Mi MIX 2. Hence, it is likely that the Mi MIX 3 5G edition may not appear very different Mi MIX 3. Instead of Snapdragon 845 that powers Mi MIX 3, the 5G edition will be fueled by Snapdragon 855 with X50 LTE modem for 5G connectivity. The handset may also come equipped with 10 GB of RAM.

(source)

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Xiaomi may likely make an appearance at the Mobile World Congress 2019 which would run from February 25-29 where it may unveil the Mi Mix 3 5G which has severally been bandied around for a while now. We think so because 5G will take centre stage at MWC 2019. Also, a leaked invitation which was spotted online recently shows the tech giant will hold an event on February 24 which is the eve of MWC Barcelona 2019. The invite featured in a tweet by popular tipster Venya Geskin but it was quickly deleted after posting. This wasn’t before some users picked up the post. Unfortunately, there is no screenshot of the post but the leaked poster is already in circulation.

The poster contains the text; “We make it happen,” with the Mi logo but it doesn’t explicitly point at anything. Geskin’s deleted tweet had read, “Exclusive: Xiaomi will hold an event on February 24, possibly for Mi Mix 3 5G.” The reason for deleting it is still unclear but we believe the company want to keep the topic at bay until it is ready to promote the launch event. And so, may have prevailed on Geskin. In another light, the tipster may have discovered the news is fake hence the removal.

Read More: Xiaomi president Lin Bin posts an image of Mi MIX 3 connected with a 5G network

However, there is no doubt Xiaomi has got a 5G version of the Mi Mix 3. The device was showcased at the China Mobile Partner Conference a couple of months back. Xiaomi has also released a  video demonstration of the Mi Mix 3 5G in action alongside the Mi smart bedside lamp. The Mi Mix 3 5G version features a Snapdragon X50 modem and was said to have download speeds of up to 2 Gbps. The device is identical in design and other aspects to the 4G version in existence presently.

(via)

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A couple of weeks back, the headline ‘Xiaomi outs the new Redmi Note 7 smartphone’ would have been technically correct. But now, it’s not. Redmi is a separate brand and so is Xiaomi’s Mi.

Welcome, 2019!

Redmi’s first smartphone this year, the Redmi Note 7 turned out to be great — not like the Redmi Note 6 Pro and the Redmi 6 which were lackluster. I mean, these two phones were not bad, they were not Xiaomi good either.

See what I did there? Xiaomi has become equivalent to value and affordability. But that’s not necessarily a good thing for the recently listed company.

The decision to split Redmi from the Xiaomi family was not just for the budget focused brand. Xiaomi’s flagship brand, ‘Mi’ should eventually benefit more from this decision. So, despite the spotlight being around Redmi going independent, I think we should see the real picture here, which is ‘Mi’ getting its own niche market.

Redmi’s the Real Hero!

Xiaomi has always been popular for its budget smartphones. Heck, if you are out to buy a budget phone, chances are, you have shortlisted a bunch of Redmi phones. Indeed it was Redmi phones that drove the company’s growth to a considerable extent all these years. So it wasn’t surprising to see analysts mentioning Redmi smartphone models that helped the Beijing-based company become the fourth largest smartphone maker in the world. But the same reports often failed to mention its flagship models.

A report from Kantar World Panel reveals that Xiaomi Mi 8 was the most popular smartphone in China in Q3 2018. So, it’s clear that the company is making efforts to fix this problem. Getting its flagship smartphones to sell well is most likely a priority for the company right now. After all, high-end smartphones command better margins, unlike budget phones. And it’s not just about margins. High-end users are likely to spend more on services, boosting overall revenue.

But with Redmi and Xiaomi walking the same road, it was always going to be difficult.

Finding Your Niche

Consider Honor and Huawei. Both of them have low-end phones as well as high-end phones. Honor’s new Honor View 20 with its punch hole camera shined at CES 2019 for its high-end features. Huawei’s low-end model, like the Huawei Enjoy 9 isn’t half bad for its price. But when you think of the two brands, how do you perceive them?

It’s very likely that when you think of Huawei, you think of the premium Mate 20 series and the P20 series. In short, when you are out to buy a flagship phone in 2019, a few of Huawei’s models are automatically shortlisted. Similarly, for affordable flagships or for affordable mid-rangers, Honor’s likely in your potential list. This perception hasn’t risen just out of a phone-by-phone comparison, it is a result of both brands being very clear about where they stand.

OnePlus is a good example of a successful niche brand. Realme and POCO are some additional examples which show how focusing on a particular market segment is the way to go.

Weak Flagship Game

Xiaomi knows its flagship game isn’t strong. Yes, the Mi Mix 3 is inspiring, but how many of you are seriously considering purchasing the device? In an important market like India, Xiaomi doesn’t even have a true flagship lineup. The best selling flagship model from the company is the POCO F1. But see how it’s not associated with the Xiaomi brand? Not to mention, the POCO F1 is an affordable flagship and not a premium one. 

Oh yes, if you really look around, you’ll find that the Mi Mix 2S is available in India. But it’s not doing so well. And they haven’t even launched its successor yet. 

The existing Xiaomi Mi 8 / Mi 8 Pro lineup have capable options. Heck, with the new updates, their cameras have become better as well. But they are overshadowed by the company’s brand perception.

But with Redmi and its budget offerings being sliced out of the Xiaomi brand, they have a chance. Mi series may finally advance as a solid premium brand!

Maybe, at the end of the year, I’ll be looking at a Xiaomi flagship (possibly the Mi 9 or the Mi Mix 4) as the best smartphone of the year.

With Xiaomi making its move to strengthen its premium segment, I am pretty confident that we would see a flagship that takes on the upcoming Mates and Galaxies in the market.

What say you?

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Xiaomi‘s slider phone, the Mi MIX 3 is now available in Europe. Spain and Italy are the first countries to get it and Xiaomi’s official Twitter accounts in both countries have confirmed the arrival of the flagship.

https://twitter.com/XiaomiEspana/status/1081883078136680449

In Spain, the phone will go on sale tomorrow and will be available on Mi.com, AliExpress Spain, and Mi Home stores. The 6GB RAM + 128GB Mi MIX 3 is the version that will be sold in the country and it is priced at €499.

In Italy, the Mi MIX 3 will be available for purchase on Wednesday, January 9, on Mi.com and at Mi Home stores. The price is €549 but there will be a flash sale on the first day that will allow lucky buyers to purchase at €499. The phone will be available in Sapphire Blue and Black Onyx.

Mi MIX3 Disponibile dal 9 Gennaio a partire da 549,9€ in tutti i Mi Store Italia e su https://t.co/AIZANK7Anj, nelle colorazioni Sapphire Blue e Onyx Black.
Solo per la giornata del 9 sarà possibile acquistarlo in FLASH SALE a 499,9€ su https://t.co/AIZANK7Anj! pic.twitter.com/zbUJY99NSf

— Xiaomi Italia (@ItaliaXiaomi) January 7, 2019

If you do not mind waiting, Xiaomi says a 5G version of the phone with a Snapdragon 855 processor will launch in Europe later this quarter. You not only get a 5G phone but a more powerful version of the Mi MIX 3. As expected, you will also be shelling out more money.

The Mi MIX 3 has a 6.39-inch 1080 x 2340 display with a 19.5:9 aspect ratio. It has a slider design, so the front cameras are hidden when the phone is closed.  The phone is powered by a Snapdragon 845 processor and also comes in 8GB RAM and 10GB RAM variants with 128GB or 256GB of storage. The front-facing cameras are a 24MP + 2MP sensor and on the rear is a 12MP wide-angle lens paired with another 12MP telephoto lens.

READ MORE: Xiaomi Mi A3 Android One phone could be in works

It has a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner and packs a 3,200mAh battery with support for wireless charging and Quick Charge 4+. It doesn’t have an audio jack nor does it have a MicroSD card slot. It runs MIUI 10 based on Android 9 Pie out of the box.

(Via)

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Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 was the first Xiaom model to launch with MIUI 10 and the model has continued to get steady updates. A new version has just hit the Mi Mix 3 and it is MIUI v10.2.1.0.PEECNXM. The update package volume is about 663MB and can be assessed via the phone’s settings option, for those who are yet to receive the OTA push update.

The new update brings a new camera photo capture mode and also fixes the rear camera flash issues. The update also fixes the occasional auto-continuous shooting issues and full-screen camera reference line issues. In addition, the new version brings onboard a photo frame editing function to the photo album. The update also fixes the issues of “the hotspot not opening” and several other bug fixes.

Read Also: Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 Sapphire Blue edition released in China for 3,599 Yuan (~$525)

As a reminder, Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 features a 6.39-inch display with an aspect ratio of 19.5:9 and screen ratio of about 93.4%. The high screen ratio, the biggest on any Xiaomi phone was made possible as a result the lack of a selfie camera at the front. Instead, the device utilises a sliding design. The Mi Mix 3 slider has been proved to be an advanced technology and one which won’t fail anytime soon. A tech geek claimed to have subjected the slider to up to 600,000 times without any hassle. Xiaomi on its part claims the slider has a service lifespan of 300,000 slides. The device is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset and packs a 3200mAh battery. There is also a 12MP+12MP dual rear camera setup as well as a 24MP+2MP dual camera at the front for selfies.

(source)

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Through the official Xiaomi MIX Weibo account, the Chinese smartphone maker has announced the arrival of the Sapphire Blue edition of the Mi MIX 3 right from the beginning of this 2019. The Sapphire Blue model of the smartphone comes with 8 GB of RAM and an internal storage of 128 GB. It carries a price tag of 3,599 Yuan (~$525).

Xiaomi introduced the Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 smartphone to the world in October last year. At the launch event, the company had confirmed that thee MI MIX 3 will be available in colors like Black, Sapphire Blue and Emerald Green. However, since its launch, Xiaomi has been selling only the Black edition of the phone. Beginning from today, the Sapphire Blue model is available for purchase in the home market. The company is yet to release its Emerald Green version.

The 6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage, 8 GB RAM + 128 GB storage and 8 GB RAM + 256 GB storage editions of the Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 are respectively priced at 3,299 Yuan (~$481), 3,599 Yuan (~$525) and 3,999 Yuan (~$584). These variants can be availed in Black while only the 8 GB RAM + 128 GB model can be bought in Sapphire Blue.

• Read More: Huawei, Xiaomi, OPPO and Vivo to maintain lead in China in 2019

The Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 is fitted with a 6.39-inch Super AMOLED display. The notch-less screen supports full HD+ resolution and 19.5:9 aspect ratio. The Snapdragon 845 chipset is present under the hood of the device. The handset lacks support for microSD card and 3.5mm audio jack. The slider of the MI MIX 3 houses 24-megapixel + 2-megpixel dual camera setup. Placed on the rear shell of the phone is 12-megapixel + 12-megapixel dual camera module.

A fingerprint scanner is available on the backside of the Xiaomi Mi MIX 3. It is packed with a 3,200mAh battery that is enabled with support for Quick Charge 4+ and wires charging. Xioami has promised to release the Snapdragon 855 powered Mi MIX 3 5G edition in the first quarter of 2019.

(source 1, 2)

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At present, Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 is ranking on the sixth position in the list of best rated camera smartphones by DxOMark. It is ranking higher than the Huawei P20 and Google Pixel 3 in the list. Still, Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun can be seen using his Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S on Weibo. When he was asked why he was not using Mi MIX 3, he replied that he is still testing the Mi MIX 2S.

On Weibo, Jun shared a post that Dec. 29 was the last working day of the company. He thanked employees for working harder even on the last day of the year. One Weibo user questioned Jun on why he wasn’t using the Mi MIX 3. He responded that the company is upgrading the camera experience on the Mi MIX 2S and he is assisting with the tests. Jun also said that the year “2019 is definitely worth looking forward!”

In October, Xiaomi had launched the Mi MIX 3 flagship phone that came with Night Mode camera feature for capturing rich photos in dim-light conditions. The same feature was brought to Mi MIX 2S handset through an update in November along with slow-motion video shooting.

The Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S features a pair of 12-megapixel sensors that includes a wide-angle lens and a telephoto lens. The dual cameras carry support for 2x optical along with optical image stabilization. The primary Sony IMX363 lens offers a large pixel size of 1.4micron pixels for better photography experience in darker conditions. There is a noise reduction mechanism that helps in improving the image quality.

• Read More: Xiaomi releases short video to review its year 2018

The Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S was launched in March this year as the company’s first Snapdragon 845 chipset powered smartphone in China. The handset comes with up to 8 GB of RAM and an inbuilt storage of 256 GB. There is a microSD card slot for more storage. The Mi MIX 2S is fitted with a 5.99-inch display that supports full HD+ resolution of 2160 x 1080 pixels and a tall aspect ratio of 18:9.

The 3,400mAh battery of the phone carries support for fast charging and wireless charging. It has a front-facing camera of 5-megapixel. The handset has been treated with Android 9 Pie OS flavored MIUI 10 update.

(source)

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Xiaomi has today announced a new Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 Palace Special Edition, priced at 4,999 Yuan which roughly converts to $725. Unlike other special edition phones, this one is limited to just 500 units and will go on sale tomorrow, i.e. 21st December.

This is the second special edition of the Mi MIX 3 launched by Xiaomi. Earlier, the Chinese company had launched Mi MIX 3 Forbidden City Edition that went on sale last week, along with the Sapphire Blue Ceramic Edition. The Forbidden City Edition is also priced at 4,999 Yuan, roughly $725.

The Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 Palace Special Edition is jointly developed in partnership with the Palace Museum and comes in a Sapphire Blue color. To make it stand out, the phone’s body is engraved with the sacred animal pattern. It comes with a collection gift box, which contains the ancient hand-painted gold bronze statue, and an exclusive three-year flow card as well as a mobile phone case.

As for the memory configuration, the smartphone packs 10GB RAM and 256GB of internal storage. The USP of the smartphone is its manual slider design that allows the phone to sport a notch-less and bezel-less display. This is also the company’s second smartphone to feature 10GB of RAM.

The rest of the phone’s specifications are similar to the regular edition. It features a 6.39-inch Samsung AMOLED display with 2340×1080 pixels screen resolution and 19.5:9 aspect ratio. Under the hood, the device is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 octa-core processor.

For photography, the handset comes with dual rear camera setup consisting of a 12-megapixel primary lens and a 12-megapixel secondary telephone lens. There’s also a dual camera setup on the front side, featuring a 24-megapixel primary sensor and a 2-megapixel secondary sensor.

Read More: Xiaomi’s Mijia Smart Air Conditioner announced for 2,499 Yuan (~$362), will go on sale from December 27

The smartphone is running Android 9 Pie operating system out-of-the-box with the company’s own MIUI custom interface and Xiao AI Voice Assistant. The device is powered by a 3,200mAh battery that supports Quick Charge 4 fast charging as well as 10W wireless charging.

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Xiaomi held a conference in Taiwan and during the event, the company took the wraps off the flagship Mi Mix 3 for the Taiwanese market. The launch will avail fans of the brand in the local market the opportunity to get the 6GB+128GB version which is the only one launched. Interestingly, the model comes with a rather affordable price tag of NT$14,999 (~$486).

The Mi Mix 3 is a 6.39-inch device with a display aspect ratio of 19.5:9 and screen ratio of about 93.4%. The high screen ratio, the biggest on any Xiaomi phone was made possible as a result the lack of a selfie camera at the front. Instead, the device utilises a sliding design. The Mi Mix 3 slider has been proved to be an advanced technology and one which won’t fail anytime soon. A tech geek claimed to have subjected the slider to up to 600,000 times without any hassle. Xiaomi on its part claims the slider has a service lifespan of 300,000 slides.

The Mi Mix 3 has at its heart a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset and as stated, Taiwan gets only the 6GB RAM + 128GB storage version, at least for now. Other specs include a 32oomAh battery, a 12MP+12MP dual rear camera setup as well as a 24MP+2MP dual camera. The device will go on sale on December 22.

Read Also: Vivo NEX Dual Display vs Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 vs Samsung Galaxy A8s: Specs Comparison

Apart from the M Mix 3, Xiaomi also launched the Mi AI speaker, MIJIA induction cook and the Zhiwu cooking pot for the Taiwanese market.

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China Mobile Partner Conference has kicked off in Guangzhou, China. Xiaomi has demonstrated the Mi MIX 3 5G edition at the Chinese exhibition. Now that the 5G capabilities of the Mi MIX 3 has been publicly demoed, it appears that it will be one of the first 5G phones to go official in the coming year.

Xiaomi will be one of the companies to participate in the China Mobile 5G pre-commercial city field test that will take place in Q1 2019. At the exhibition today, Xiaomi demonstrated web browsing and video calling of the Mi MIX 3 5G variant to reveal what sort of 5G experience people can benefit from in the near future.

The Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 5G edition is powered by Snapdragon 855 chipset that is equipped with X50 LTE modem that brings 5G capabilities to the phone. Combined with Xiaomi’s smart antenna switching technology, the Mi MIX 3 5G version can achieve up to 2 Gbps of download speeds. The smartphone reportedly features aviation polymer cooling technology for creating high-efficiency heat conduction system for enhancing the user experience. The rest of the specs of the 5G version of the Mi MIX 3 could be same as its regular version.

• Read More: Xiaomi President hints 48MP camera smartphone launch in January; Could it be the Xiaomi Mi 9?

The Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 5G edition has a ceramic build. It I a slider phone with a 6.4-inch AMOLED screen that offers 93.4 percent screen-to-ratio. The slider of the smartphone is fitted with 24-megapixel + 2-megapixel dual selfie snapper. The back panel of the handset is fitted with a pair of 12-megapixel cameras. It includes 3,200mAh battery that supports Quick Charge 4.0. The smartphone has received MIUI 10 flavored Android 9 Pie OS update. There is a possibility that the Mi MIX 3 5G edition may include 10 GB of RAM and an inbuilt storage of 256 GB. The smartphone will go official in Q1 2019 and the first market to receive it could be Europe.

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The Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 comes in four color variants – Onyx Black, Jade Green, Sapphire Blue, and a special Forbidden City Edition with a different kind of blue hue and gold engraving. So far only the black and green variants are available for purchase. Xiaomi has now announced that the Forbidden City Edition will go on sale in December.

The Mi MIX 3 Forbidden City Edition has a blue hue inspired by ceramic vases from the Chinese Dynasty era. It has a gold engraving of a mythical creature on its back and even comes with 10GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.

Its retail box is different, featuring the same mythical creature. It also comes with a 24K gold figurine, a Xiaomi data card that gives you access to 10GB of high-speed data every month for three years and free data for 20 days in select countries. Like the regular variants, it also comes with a wireless charger which unfortunately is white.

READ MORE: Buy The Global Version Of Xiaomi Mi 8 For Just $399 On Giztop; Get Big Discounts On Xiaomi Global Smartphones [Coupons]

Xiaomi says the Mi MIX 3 Forbidden City Edition will sell for ¥4999 (~$720) but has not revealed the exact date it will go on sale.

(Source)

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Last month, on 25th October, Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi announced its next-generation Mi MIX series smartphone — the Xiaomi Mi MIX 3. It is the first smartphone to feature a magnetic slider design with a full-screen display.

During the launch, Xiaomi confirmed that it will be releasing a 5G version of the Mi MIX 3 in the first quarter of 2019. With the launch of the 5G model of Mi MIX 3 nearing, details related to the device is now surfacing online.

In the latest development, Xiaomi president Lin Bin posted an image on the Chinese microblogging platform Weibo which teases the upcoming Mi MIX 3 5G smartphone. On seeing the image closely, we can see the Android Pie logo in the top-left corner. In the top-right corner, there’s a 5G signal flag, suggesting that the phone is connected over a 5G network.

The development indicates that the Mi MIX 3 phone’s development is completed and is currently in the testing phase. If everything goes as per the plan, there’s a possibility that we could see the phone launching during CES 2019 in January or MWC 2019 in February.

Apart from Xiaomi, other manufacturers, including Samsung, OnePlus, and Huawei are working on a smartphone with 5G connectivity. OnePlus has also confirmed that it will be among the first to launch a 5G smartphone early next year.

The 5G variant of the Mi MIX 3 is expected to have the same specifications as the original model. The phone features a 6.39-inch AMOLED Full HD+ display with 19.5:9 aspect ratio and a 93.4 percent screen-to-body ratio.

Under the hood, it is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 octa-core processor. It packs up to 10GB of RAM and up to 256GB of internal storage. The Mi MIX 3 is equipped with two magnetic components underneath the display that enables the sliding mechanism. It can be customized for different functions such as accessing the dual selfie camera, answer phone calls, among others.

As for the camera, there’s a dual camera setup on the back featuring a 12-megapixel Sony IMX363 main sensor with f/1.8 aperture and another 12-megapixel Samsung S5k3M3+ secondary sensor with f/2.4 aperture. On the front side too there’s a dual camera setup — a 24-megapixel Sony IMX576 primary sensor and a 2-megapixel secondary sensor.

It is running on the latest MIUI 10 which is based Android 9 Pie operating system and also comes with the company’s Xiao AI voice assistant. The device is powered by a 3,200mAh battery that carries support for Quick Charge 4+ and 10W wireless charging.

Read More: Xiaomi takes over Meitu’s phone business, will manufacture Meitu-branded phones and smart products

Meanwhile, Xiaomi has scheduled a launch event in New York on 8th December. While it’s not yet known what the company is planning to unveil at the event, it is believed that Xiaomi could make an official entry in the US smartphone market with the launch of Mi MIX 3.

(Source)

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Xiaomi is working hard to improve its sale and marketing channels further. Well, that hard work seems to be paying off in the latest Mi Mix 3 EEC certification. EEC is European certification agency as like of FCC in the U.S. and TENAA in China. In other words, Xiaomi is readying the launch of Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 in Europe. Recently unveiled Mi Mix 3 model number M1810E5A has just appeared on European Economic Community.

Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 has already been certified from Bluetooth SIG, and even there are rumors that it is going to debut in Germany on December 1st. Now, as all the paths are leading to the same way, we can believe that Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 is officially going to break the great China wall and will land in Europe by next month.

Currently, no official details have been out, but Germany can be the maiden country to get Mi Mix 3. We are expecting some official announcement before the purported launch date from Xiaomi. The Chinese electronics maker is assumed to bring expanded availability across the whole region and details might surface just before the launch.

Xiaomi launched the slider device last month at an event in China with high-end specs. It carries Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 on board with upto 10GB of RAM and 256 internal storage. It has ceramic back with 12 megapixels Sony IMX363 main sensor with f/1.8 aperture and pixel size of 1.4micron, and another 12 Megapixel Samsung sensor with a pixel size of 1 micron. On the front, there’s a 24 megapixel Sony IMX576 + 2-megapixel dual camera setup.

Xiaomi has emphasized a lot on the Artifical Intelligence (AI) in the device. Many features such as AI beautify, scene recognition, battery saving, and a lot more things have been optimized by AI. Currently, it runs on MIUI 10 and packs Quick Charge 4+ tech along with 10W wireless charging.

Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 is equipped with a 6.39 inch AMOLED display having an aspect ratio of 19.5:9. Its display features a resolution of 2340×1080 pixels with 103.8 percent color gamut and 600 nits of brightness.

• Read More: Xiaomi Black Shak Helo, Mi MIX 3 European release could be very near

We are expecting the same pricing and specs in the European variant also. Xiaomi will make available in 6/8/10GB RAM and 128/256GB internal storage variants.

So, how many of you are waiting for its lunch in Europe?

(Via)

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Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 slider design was one of the major attractions of the flagship model when it was announced last month. The design afforded the Chinese phone manufacturer an opportunity to further trim the bezels around the phone’s display. So the Mi Mix 3 comes with the highest screen to body ratio on any Xiaomi phone. However, the slider design which is somewhat mechanical gave rise to concerns about its durability especially as a result of persistent usage. Fair enough, Xiaomi has assured that the slider is durable and isn’t like the slider technology that was in use in the past. That claim has now been reaffirmed with an independent test carried out to ascertain the durability of the Mi Mix 3 slider.

The slider test is the second one that the Mi Mix 3 has been subjected to. The slider was reported slid 350,000 times in the first test. This one almost doubles the first test at 600,000 times. Even after the milestone has been achieved, the phone was slide vigorously tested hands-on and it still came out unscathed.

Read Also: Display hole tech would be popular next year reveals leakster, sliders in trouble?

Thus, users are assured that the slider is the least problem they should worry about on the Mi Mix 3. Instead, with such mammoth display, users should be more concerned about not dropping the phone by accident as we are not sure the display screen will survive a single drop.

(source)

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The Mi MIX 2S is one of the Xiaomi phones that has received the Mi MIX 3‘s Night Mode camera feature. Chinese photographer, Cai Shi, already got the update and decided to give it a spin. Below are camera samples that were taken with night mode on. The ones directly below is compared with another one taken with the normal mode.

The picture above does show there is a significant improvement when you shoot with Night Mode on. You can see the scales on the dragon statue and even the grooves inside its mouth. However, night mode isn’t perfect. For example, in the third image below, the photo seems overexposed.

[envira-gallery id=”222339″]

Nevertheless, Night Mode is a welcome addition and will come in handy in a lot of situations. Hopefully, future updates will improve the results. Also, photo editing apps can be helpful if you want to edit pictures that are too bright.

READ MORE: Xiaomi teaser hints at a new phone launching tomorrow, might be the Mi MIX 3 Lite?

The Night Mode feature has also been released for the Mi 8, Mi 8 Pro, and the Mi 8 Explorer Edition albeit as a beta update. A stable version will be available later.

(Source, Via)

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Xiaomi is slowly expanding its smartphone portfolio in China. Some of the new phones that had arrive in the European markets in the recent weeks include Redmi Note 6 Pro, Poco F1, Mi 8 Pro and Mi 8 Lite. Fresh information that has surfaced today claims that Xiaomi’s brand new phones that are currently available in China such as Mi MIX 3 and Black Shark Helo will be launching soon in the European markets.

The Mi MIX 3 and Black Shark Helo phones are expected to land in multiple European markets such as the U.K, Spain, Italy and France. A recent report had revealed that Black Shark has hinted its early supporters that it may globally introduce the Black Shark brand on Nov. 9. Hence, it is speculated to announce the global version of the Black Shark Helo smartphone on the said date. There is no information available on the rumored pricing of the Black Shark Helo and Mi MIX 3 for Europe.

The Black Shark Helo has arrived as the successor of the Black Shark smartphone that was unveiled in April. The Black Shark Helo comes with a 6.01-inch IPS LCD FHD+ display and it is powered by Snapdragon 845 chipset. It is the first phone in the world to arrive with 10 GB of RAM. The handset features up to 256 GB of inbuilt storage.

The 12-megapixel + 20-megapixel dual camera resides on its rear. For shooting selfies, it is equipped with a front-facing shooter of 20-megapixel. It is packed with a 4,000mAh battery.

• Read More: Xiaomi marks its UK debut with the launch of Mi 8 Pro for £499 ($654)

The Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 slider phone features a 6.39-inch S-AMOLED screen with FHD+ resolution. It is also powered by Snapdragon 845 chipset. It comes with up to 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage.

A pair of 12-megapixel cameras are placed on the rear of the Mi MIX 3. The slider of the smartphone features 24-megapixel + 2-megapixel dual selfie camera setup. It is packed with a 3,200mAh battery. In China, the company is also selling a special edition of the Mi MIX 3 that features 10 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage.

(source|via)

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The Mi MIX 3 has a camera mode called Night Scene which allows users to take HDR photos at night that appear super bright even if lighting is poor. It is their own version of Huawei’s Night Mode. Xiaomi did confirm that the feature will be made available to its older flagships and it appears the Mi 8 Pro is first in line to get it.

According to AnTuTu, they found the feature has been added to the phone’s internal firmware. The discovery was shared on their official Weibo account and they believe it will arrive with the next beta update and then later be released along with a stable update.

The Night Scene mode takes several photos at different exposures and combines them into a single image that is bright and with as less noise as possible. The camera is able to do it by combining 8 different technologies including HDR, AIS, 4-axis OIS, and multi-frame noise reduction.

READ MORE: Xiaomi Mi 9 could be first Snapdragon 8150 fueled phone, claims report

The Mi 8 Pro has a 6.21-inch S-AMOLED screen, the same Snapdragon 845 processor as the Mi MIX 3 and MIX 2S, up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It also has the same dual 12MP cameras on its rear as the Mi MIX 3. There is a 20MP selfie camera sitting in its notch along with an infrared face recognition system. There is also a fingerprint scanner under the display. The Mi 8 Pro packs a 3,000mAh battery with support for Quick Charge 4.0+.

(Source, Via)

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Xiaomi has very little presence in the US so far but it looks like the company is onto something. The company’s Operational Project Manager for North America, Aaron Yang, has shared a post on Reddit inviting users to an experience event in New York on December 8. This would be the first such event by the company in the North American market. The reddit post asks users (preferably living in the US) to fill out a form to show interest in participating in the event next month.

While Xiaomi has steadily advanced into new regions including Western Europe in recent times, the US has been a tricky market to crack. After seeing Huawei’s big setback with the Mate 10 Pro launch a few months back and then what happened with ZTE, Xiaomi is taking things real slow when it comes to its entry in the region. Note that there are a few products that are already sold in the US market, like the company’s Mi Box, 360-degree camera, and power bank. But these are ancillary products and not really the star performers for the company.

The New York event in December could be the real entry for Xiaomi in the North American market. The timing of this event is actually very interesting. If you remember, the WSJ had published back in March that the Chinese smartphone giant was planning to make its entry in the US as early as this year. Things did get hard for China based companies in the following months, so it was only natural that the launch plans were likely going to be scrapped or postponed for the time being. So, instead of a formal launch of its smartphones, Xiaomi could be testing the waters with this particular event.

• READ MORE: Xiaomi attends OnePlus 6T India launch event but its for mischief. Find out how

Aaron didn’t reveal anything about the event. All we know is that the event is going to have the “latest and the greatest” Xiaomi products and its on December 8. No venue or timing details so far, but expect to hear more about it in the following weeks.

Now wouldn’t it be great if Xiaomi showcased the full screen slider Mi Mix 3 flagship in the US at the event?

What do you think?

Also, don’t forget to check out our Mi Mix 3 unboxing and first impressions from below!

(Source, Via)

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