Last week, OnePlus started rolling out the Android 12-based OxygenOS 12 stable update for the Nord CE smartphone. Now, the brand has also started rolling out the update for the OnePlus Nord CE 2.

According to an official OnePlus community post, the update has started rolling out for users in India, while global users are also expected to receive the update in the coming days.

The upgrade (version C.05) includes all the features Google added to Android 12 as well as a few OnePlus optimizations and the July 2022 Android security fixes. You can check out the detailed changelog of the update below.

System

• Optimized desktop icons with improved textures, by using a design inspired by brand-new materials and uniting lights and layers
• Optimized AI System Booster to 2.1 to support the system to run smoothly even when the load is high
• Optimized software algorithm and improved face recognition to better identify the features and skin color of different figures

Dark mode

• Newly added three adjustable levels, bringing a more personalized and comfortable user experience

Shelf

• Newly added style options for Cards, making data contents more visual and easier to read
• Newly added access to OnePlus Scout in Shelf, allowing you to search multiple contents on your phone, including Apps, Settings, Media Data, etc
• Newly added OnePlus Watch Card in Shelf, to easily glance at your health status

Work Life Balance

• Newly added Work Life Balance feature, allowing you to effortlessly switch between Work and Life mode via quick settings
• Newly supported automatic Work/Life mode switching, based on specific locations, Wi-Fi network, and time, also bringing customized App notification profiles according to the personalization

Gallery

• Newly supported switching between different layouts with a two-finger pinch gesture, intelligently recognizing the best-quality pictures, and cropping the thumbnail based on the content, making the gallery layout more pleasing

Canvas AOD

• Newly added diverse styles of lines and colors, for a more personalized lock screen experience with inspiring visuals
• Newly added multiple brushes and strokes and support for color adjustment

The update is rolling out in an incremental fashion and is expected to arrive on every OnePlus Nord CE 2 device (Indian variant) by the end of this week. If you haven’t received the OTA notification, you can manually check for the OxygenOS 12 update on your device by navigating to Settings > System > System updates.

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• ColorOS 13 Beta is now up for public testing on OnePlus 10 Pro

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Last week, the OnePlus Nord 2T 5G was silently listed on AliExpress. The device is already available in many regions like Dubai and Nepal. Now, OnePlus appears to have slipped up again and prematurely teased the launch date of the device in Europe and India.

The Chinese smartphone manufacturer uploaded a live stream countdown video earlier today to their Youtube channel which was quickly taken down within minutes. The video revealed that the OnePlus Nord 2T 5G, the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G, and the OnePlus Nord Buds will launch in Europe on May 19th. As the Nord CE 2 Lite and Nord Buds have already been launched in India, the company will only be launching the Nord 2T 5G in India.

OnePlus Nord 2T 5G

The device has a 6.43-inch flat AMOLED panel with a 90Hz refresh rate and FHD+ resolution. It has a punch hole if the top left corner for the front camera like most OnePlus devices.

Under the hood, the smartphone has the Dimensity 1300 SoC paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The device comes with a 4,500mAh battery with 80W SUPERVOOC fast charging support. It boots Android 12-based OxygenOS 12.1 out of the box.

For optics, the device has a 50-megapixel Sony IMX766 primary sensor with OIS support, an 8-megapixel ultrawide camera, and a 2-megapixel macro camera. On the front, the device brings a 32-megapixel IMX615 sensor for selfies and video calls.

The earlier listing on AliExpress revealed that the smartphone will have a price tag of around $400 and in India, it is expected to cost below ₹30,000.

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Yesterday, Oppo officially debuted the Oppo F21 Pro series in India. The lineup consists of two models, namely Oppo F21 Pro and Oppo F21 Pro 5G. The former is scheduled to go on sale first. It will be up for grabs in the country starting from April 15.

The Oppo F21 Pro is a 4G-only handset. It arrives in a single 8GB + 128GB memory configuration priced at ₹22,999. 

The phone comes in two color options and both of them use a different rear material. The Sunset Orange version has a fiberglass leather finish, while the Cosmic Black features a matte glass panel.

You can learn more about the device in our review. You will get a better picture of whether you should invest in it.

In case, you are looking for other options in this price segment, then we got you covered. In this article, we have listed all the best alternatives for Oppo F21 Pro in India.

The Oppo F21 Pro has tough competition in India. All of its competitors offer better specs. Some of them are even cheaper. Before we list its competitors, let’s take a look at its specifications.

Best Oppo F21 Pro Alternatives in India

Redmi Note 11 Pro Plus 5G

The Redmi Note 11 Pro Plus 5G is the first smartphone that comes to mind when we talk about the under ₹25,000 price segment in India. Though the handset does not bring much of an upgrade over its predecessor (Redmi Note 10 Pro Max), it is still one of the best options available in the market right now.

Unlike the F21 Pro, it not only offers up to a 120Hz refresh rate but also a brighter screen with up to 1,200 nits peak brightness. It also comes with dual stereo speakers, an IP53 rating, a larger 5,000mAh battery with 67W fast charging, and a 5G-enabled Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chipset.

The Redmi Note 11 Pro Plus 5G is priced at ₹20,999, ₹21,999, and ₹24,999 for 6GB + 128GB, 8GB + 128GB, and 8GB + 256GB memory configurations respectively.

Oneplus Nord CE 2 5G

Oneplus entered the sub-₹25,000 price category in India last year with the Oneplus Nord CE 5G. Its successor Oneplus Nord CE 2 5G is currently one of the hottest products in the market.

As the name suggests, it offers 5G connectivity, thanks to the Mediatek Dimensity 900 chip. It flaunts the same-sized display as the F21 Pro but the panel’s brightness can reach up to 800 nits. Further, it can record videos in 4K quality, supports 65W fast charging, and sports an ultra-wide camera.

Oneplus Nord CE 2 5G (review) arrives in two memory variants — 6GB + 128GB and  8GB + 128GB. They cost ₹23,999 and ₹24,999 respectively.

Realme 9 5G SE

The Realme 9 5G SE (Speed Edition) is the cheapest alternative to the Oppo F21 Pro. The main highlights of this smartphone are its display and chip.

The Realme phone features a screen with up to a 144Hz refresh rate, however, it is an LCD panel but with 600 nits peak brightness level. It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G SoC, which is one of the best 5G-enabled mid-range mobile chipsets in the market. Finally, it also has a larger 5,000mAh battery.

The Realme 9 5G SE starts at ₹19,999 for the 6GB + 128GB models and goes up to ₹22,999 for the 8GB + 128GB variant.

iQOO Z5 5G

The iQOO Z5 5G is the only device in the list with LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 storage. It is also the only one capable of shooting 4G videos in 60fps.

It is run by a 5G-supported Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G SoC. Despite sporting an LCD screen with up to a 120Hz refresh, the brightness level on this panel can reach up to 650 nits. Lastly, it has a larger 5,000mAh battery, 44W fast charging support, and dual stereo speakers.

The iQOO Z5 5G costs ₹23,990 for 8GB + 128GB variant and ₹26,990 for 12GB + 256GB version.

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• OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G Review: Fancier Design but no Major Hardware Upgrades
• OPPO Reno7 5G Review: Good Looks Alone Don’t Make a Worthy Upgrade
• Oppo F21 Pro Review: Should you Buy it or Skip it?
• Redmi Note 11 Pro Plus 5G vs Competition in India
• The Best Realme GT 2 Pro Alternatives in India

The post The Best Oppo F21 Pro Alternatives in India appeared first on Gizmochina.

The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G is here, and it brings subtle upgrades to the lineup as compared to its predecessor. The brand’s CE edition stands for Core Edition and keeps the bare-bones features which include 5G, aiming to keep the cost down and offer a cheaper entry into the OnePlus ecosystem.

One of the biggest changes is in terms of its design, which seems to be inspired by its sibling, the Realme 9 Pro+.

Let’s take a closer look at this new Nord model from OnePlus and see whether it’s a good buy in its price segment.

What’s In the Box

• Phone
• Manual
• Charger – 65W SuperVOOC charger
• Case
• Pre-applied screen protector
• USB-A to USB-C cable
• Branded stickers.

Design & Build

This year’s Nord CE 2 doesn’t bring any significant upgrades as compared to its predecessor but features a premium-looking design and color scheme, a much-needed change from the boring old design on the original CE model.

However, this also makes it similar to the two phones from its sister brands – OPPO (Reno7) (our review here) and Realme (9 Pro+). They are placed in a similar price segment, but this one is the cheapest of the lot. To achieve this cheap pricing, the brand had to cut down on some features too, but the design isn’t one of them.

The phone I’ve got is the Grey Mirror edition, and it definitely looks a lot more premium than its segment rivals. I especially like how the camera module curves into the body, giving it a unibody finish. I’m sure a lot of customers will appreciate this design, especially the two large camera sensors in black, which complement the silver body.

Another highlight of the phone is that it retains the slim and light build of its predecessor. The phone weighs just 173 grams and is 7.8mm in thickness. So whether it’s reaching out to its in-display fingerprint sensor with your thumb or just holding it with one hand, you shouldn’t have any major issues. The weight is also evenly distributed, and holding it for long periods of time is comfortable.

Moving on to the front, the phone features a punch-hole camera on the top-left corner like most of its rivals in the segment. There’s a 1080p 6.43-inch AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support. The AMOLED display is good for the price and I have no major complaints. Note that the phone is Widevine L1 certified, so HD streaming won’t be an issue.

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Like its predecessor, the iconic alert slider gets a miss on the CE edition, but you do get a 3.5mm headphone jack if that’s any consolation. There are no stereo speakers, which is a bummer. The speakers are relatively loud, but at max levels, the sound can be tinny and bass-less.

One thing worth mentioning is that the in-screen fingerprint sensor is very fast. It’s as good as any other flagship phone fingerprint sensor, so you would have no issues in this particular area.

Nord CE 2 5G Hardware

The Nord CE 2 5G comes with the mid-range Dimensity 900 CPU featuring Mali-G68 4-core GPU which performs similar to the previous-gen Nord CE 5G. In your daily use, you should have no major hiccups and everything including the animations and apps load up quickly with no visible stutter or lags. 

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The phone comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of ROM, which is actually its top-end variant. There’s a cheaper variant with 6GB of RAM, but I would advise getting the 8GB variant for an additional INR 1000.

You can play most games on the Nord CE 2 5G, but know that the Dimensity 900 won’t be able to support high fps in resource-intensive games. Even in games like PUBG Mobile, the phone will fluctuate between 40-60fps. So if it’s just for casual gaming, the phone will suffice, but if you need a phone for some heavy-duty gaming, look elsewhere. One positive thing about the phone was that it didn’t heat up much, even when playing for long periods of time. But again, this was at the cost of a relatively low frame rate.

Nord CE 2 5G Camera

The original Nord CE wasn’t known for its cameras and its successor, the Nord CE 2 5G doesn’t bring any surprises either. This is because their cameras are exactly the same, featuring a 64MP main shooter and an 8MP ultra-wide sensor. There’s an additional 2MP Macro camera but like most cameras in this price range, it struggles to capture good images.

The primary camera is pretty decent if you have good daylight conditions. However, the quality of the pictures drop as soon as the ambient lighting goes down. You’ll often find a lack of details and even noise in images shot under low-lighting conditions.

Check out the samples below from the main camera.

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As for the ultrawide camera, again you can get usable shots under good lighting scenes but as soon as the lighting goes down, the quality drops significantly. So capturing ultra-wide photos under low light is not recommended.

Software

The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G comes with OxygenOS 11.3 which is unfortunately still based on Android 11. So it looks like OnePlus is struggling to bring Android 12 for its OxygenOS powered devices. This coupled with the two Android version update promise makes the software scene on the CE 2 5G a bit disappointing.

That said, the Nord CE 2 5G retains the clean UI from the premium end OnePlus phones with smooth UI transitions and performance. If you can ignore the fact that the phone is still running Android 11, the software is pretty nice and useful, with very limited bloatware.

Battery & Charging

Dimensity 900’s biggest selling point is that it’s manufactured on a 6nm node. This makes the chip efficient as compared to its rivals, and the same is reflected in the device’s battery life. The phone can last for more than a day on average use, thanks to this chip and its 4500mAh battery. You are likely to end up with 30-40% battery left on the device by EOD.

And topping up the battery takes only about 30 minutes, thanks to the 65W SuperVOOC charger. In short, battery life and charging is one of the selling points of this phone.

Verdict

Overall, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G is a very gentle update to its predecessor. The phone would have been better off with a few more key upgrades, especially in the camera department.

This price segment has a lot of competition, so it will have a tough time standing out.

The post OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G Review: Fancier Design but no Major Hardware Upgrades appeared first on Gizmochina.

A few days back, Xiaomi brought the Redmi Note 11 Pro lineup to India comprising of two devices. These are the exact same smartphones that were announced in Europe and other markets a few weeks back. The only difference is that the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G goes by the name of Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G in India.

This handset is scheduled to go on sale for the first time at 12 PM on March 15 (Tuesday) in the country. It carries the following price tags.

• 6GB + 128GB – ₹20,999
• 8GB + 128GB – ₹21,999
• 8GB + 256GB – ₹24,999

Customers can avail it in either Stealth Black, Phantom White, or Mirage Blue color options from Mi.com, Amazon, Mi Homes, and official retailers.

Having said that, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G is not the only phone available in this price category. It has multiple competitors from different brands. Let’s take a look at its competition based on specs.

Before we begin, here’s a quick rundown of Redmi Note 11 Pro Plus 5G’s specifications.

Redmi Note 11 Pro Plus 5G vs Competition

Realme 9 5G SE

The main highlight of the Realme 9 5G SE (Speed Edition) is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G SoC present underneath it. This chipset is more powerful than the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695G powering the Redmi Note 11 Pro Plus 5G.

Further, the realme handset can record at 4K 30fps from the main camera, which is not possible on Redmi. It also arrives with a  dedicated MicroSD card slot instead of a hybrid one as the Redmi.

But unfortunately, it falls behind in most other aspects. It has a plastic body, LCD screen but with up to 144Hz refresh rate, mono speaker, and, 30W fast charging.

As far as the cost is concerned, it is priced at ₹19,999 and ₹22,999 for 6GB + 128GB and 8GB + 128GB memory configurations respectively.

OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G

The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G comes powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 900 chip, which is slightly better than the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 silicon residing inside the Redmi Note 11 Pro Plus 5G. The OnePlus phone not only supports 4K 30fps video recording from the primary camera but also has a dedicated MicroSD card slot.

Though the OxgenOS 11 running on the OnePlus handset is based on the unified codebase of ColorOS and OxygenOS, it continues to offer one of the best software experiences with little to no bloatware. Finally, it is backed by a smaller 4,5000mAh battery, which can be filled quicker with 65W fast charging.

The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G costs ₹23,999 for the 6GB + 128GB variant and ₹24,999 for the 8GB + 128GB version.

iQOO Z5 5G

The iQOO Z5 5G is also run by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G SoC like the realme 9 5G SE but arrives with a faster LPPDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 storage. Unlike other competitors of the Redmi Note 11 Pro Plus 5G, it not only sports dual stereo speakers but also can max at 4K video recording in 60fps from the main camera.

However, it lacks a MicroSD card slot and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Lastly, it comes with a plastic body, an LCD panel with up to a 120Hz refresh rate, and 44W fast charging.

The iQOO Z5 5G retails at ₹23,990 (8GB + 128GB) and ₹26,990 (12GB + 256GB) in India.

Motorola Edge 20 Fusion

The Motorola Edge 20 Fusion is the only competitor of the Redmi Note 11 Pro Plus 5G with an inferior chipset. It houses a MediaTek Dimensity 800U SoC underneath it. Anyway, it can still record videos in 4K 30fps from the primary camera.

Also, unlike any other smartphones on the list, including Redmi, the Edge 20 Fusion is the only one sporting a 10-bit 90Hz OLED display. It features a plastic design and supports only 30W charging.

The Motorola Edge 20 Fusion is priced at  ₹21,4999  and ₹22,999 for 6GB + 128GB and 8GB + 128GB memory variants respectively.

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• Opinion: Redmi Note 11S is a better deal than Redmi Note 11 Pro

The post Redmi Note 11 Pro Plus 5G vs Competition in India appeared first on Gizmochina.

After months of rumors and a week-long teaser campaign, OnePlus has finally launched the latest addition to their core series smartphones dubbed the OnePlus Nord CE 2. The smartphone offers many improvements over its predecessor at an enticing price point, so let’s take a look at its specs and features.

Design and Display

Design-wise, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 is pretty similar to the Nord CE, with the only difference being the camera bump. This time, the camera module design is noticeably influenced by the OPPO Find X3 Pro.  The Nord CE 2 has the volume rocker located on the left, and the power button on the right side. And like its predecessor, it appears to be missing the iconic OnePlus alert slider. The phone is also the slimmest OnePlus smartphone since the OnePlus 6T, measuring at just 7.8 mm thick.

On the front, it features slim bezzles on three sides with a sizable chin on the bottom. The device comes with a 6.43-inch FHD+ AMOLED HDR10+ certified display with a 90Hz refresh rate. The display has a punch-hole cutout located in the top left for the front camera.

Cameras

For photography, the smartphone houses a triple camera system comprising of a 64MP primary sensor, an 8 MP ultra-wide camera, and a 2 MP macro lens. The primary 64MP sensor has a large f/1.7 aperture which helps it capture vibrant images even in low light environments.

Talking about low light imaging, the Nord CE 2 gets AI-based Nightscape support which basically takes up to nine different pictures at varying exposures and intelligently, weaving them together to produce clearer, brighter, and more dramatic photos.

The Nord CE 2 gets the improved Portrait Mode 2.0 which offers more accurate edge detection compared to its predecessor and also offers there ability to adjust the level of software-produced depth of field when capturing a subject for greater creative control. The new Portrait mode is supported on both the primary camera as well as the front camera of the device.

But that’s not the end of camera improvements as low light video capturing gets a bump in performance too. The Nord CE 2 comes with Improved AI background lighting and color optimization that improves the video quality while filming in low light and unevenly lit environments. Additionally, the phone gets another quirky feature called the Dual-View Video, which essentially allows you to record with both its front and rear cameras simultaneously.

Performance

The device comes powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 900 octa-core SoC that features inbuilt 5G and WiFi 6 modems. The SoC is boasted to have been optimized for power efficiency which in turn offers improved thermals and system stability making it ideal for gaming.

The device is offered in up to 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 128GB UFS 2.2 storage, which can be further expanded by 1TB using a TF card. A major improvement over the last-gen Nord CE is the charging capabilities of this device. The company has claimed that using the 65W SUPERVOOC fast charging, the Nord CE 2 can be charged from 20%-75% in just 15 minutes and can charge the device from 1% to 100% in just 32 minutes.

The OnePlus Nord CE 2 comes pre-installed with OxygenOS 11.3, complete with an improved dark mode, new one-handed usage features, and more. OxygenOS 12 will be available for the device in the second half of 2022. In total, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 will receive 2 years of Android version updates and 3 years of Android security patches.

Other features of the device include a 3.5mm headphone jack, a SIM tray capable of housing two SIM cards, and a dedicated MicroSD card slot.

Pricing and Colors & Availability

The OnePlus Nord CE 2 will be offered in two colors namely Gray Mirror and Bahama Blue. As the name suggests, Grey Mirror has a mirror-like finish with flashy overtones that looks like polished metal while the Bahama Blue offers a gradient finish that provides mesmerizing color transitions of blue and yellow.

For Indian customers, the Nord CE 2 is priced at Rs. 23,999 for the 6GB + 128GB variant and Rs. 24,999 for the 8GB + 128 GB variant. The device will go live for sale on February 22nd in India and can be purchased at OnePlus.in, OnePlus Store App, Amazon.in, OnePlus Experience stores and authorized partner stores. OnePlus & Amazon India are also giving bank offers and other discounts on the purchase of the Nord CE 2 which you can check out by visiting their respective sites.

European customers can pre-order the Nord CE 2 starting March 3rd and the device will go on sale starting March 10th. In UK, the 6GB + 128GB variant will cost £299. For the rest of Europe, the device will come with a starting price of €349.

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The post OnePlus Nord CE 2 launched with Dimensity 900 SoC, 65W fast charging & more appeared first on Gizmochina.

The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G is all set for a 7 pm launch today and while its design and specs are already known, the pricing had still been kept in the dark. But thanks to notable tipster Ishan Agarwal, that bit is now revealed as well.

According to Ishan, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G will carry a starting price of Rs 23,999. This can be brought down by Rs 1,500 if you got an ICICI credit card lying around or if you make the purchase using EMI through debit/credit cards, effectively slashing the price to Rs 22,499.

Said pricing is expected to be for the base 6GB RAM + 128GB internal storage variant. It will be joined by another 8GB + 128GB config that will be priced a little higher. Both variants will be available for purchase soon via Amazon India.

The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G is expected to feature a 6.43-inch FHD+ 90Hz AMOLED display and is powered by the Dimensity 900 SoC. The chip will be supported by up to 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 128GB of UFS 2.2 storage.

OnePlus Head of Product Oliver Zhang recently shared in an interview that the Nord CE 2’s battery will be sized 4,500mAh battery with support for 65W fast-charging through OPPO’s SuperVOOC tech.

For photography, the smartphone will pack a triple camera system comprised of 64MP AI primary, 8MP ultra-wide, and 2MP sensors. On the front, it will come with a 16MP selfie shooter.

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• OnePlus 10 Pro comes to India this Holi, launch date revealed

The post OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G pricing and offers tipped ahead of launch appeared first on Gizmochina.