Category: All News

March 21, 2024
Xiaomi, Huawei, Honor, Oppo Collaborate on New HDR Image Standard, UWA Approval
Xiaomi is known for its top-notch smartphone camera technology, but the company is now expanding its influence in the imaging industry by leading the development of a new HDR image standard. This initiative is part of a project approved by the World Ultra-HD Video Industry Alliance (UWA Alliance) focusing on creating a single-layer format for High Dynamic Range (HDR) still images.
Collaborative Efforts for Innovation
Xiaomi is spearheading this project in partnership with the China Electronics Technology Standardization Institute, Huawei, Tencent, OPPO, and Honor. Together, they aim to establish a standardized framework for HDR image processing by late 2024.
Advancements in HDR Technology
The project sets standards for two types of HDR still image formats – single-layer and double-layer. The double-layer format combines HDR with Standard Dynamic Range (SDR), while the single-layer format exclusively features HDR. Xiaomi is particularly focusing its efforts on the development of the single-layer distribution format.
Benefits of Single-Layer HDR Images
The UWA Alliance highlights several advantages of single-layer HDR images, such as the ability to capture HDR photos and create HDR images without the need for additional SDR content. Editing HDR images becomes more efficient, with higher compression efficiency leading to savings in storage space and transmission bandwidth. Moreover, private information can be selectively erased when distributing HDR images.
Upon completion, this new standard will define the distribution format of single-layer HDR images, covering aspects like image formatting, metadata, HDR to SDR conversion, as well as guidelines for producing, editing, transmitting, and viewing single-layer HDR images.
Tags: HDR Standardization, honor, Huawei, Imaging Industry, Oppo, Xiaomi
March 21, 2024
Tecno Pova 6 Pro India Launch Date Revealed
Tecno has officially announced the launch date for the much-anticipated Pova 6 Pro smartphone model in India. Initially unveiled at the MWC 2024 global event, the device is now making its way to the Indian market. Here is all you need to know about it.
Tecno Pova 6 Pro India Launch
The smartphone company has confirmed that the upcoming device is scheduled to be launched in India on March 29, 2024. This launch is in partnership with Playground Season 3, a series on Amazon miniTV. Tecno will unveil the first unboxing of the handset during the show. The Pova 6 Pro is positioned as a mid-range smartphone, boasting a semi-transparent design with a lithography precision texture.
Innovative Design and Features
The back of the phone is adorned with LED light strips, reminiscent of the Nothing Phone lineup. Official sources mention 210 mini LEDs on the back offering nine lighting modes. Additionally, the rear houses a 108-megapixel dual camera setup. On the front, users will find a tall 6.78-inch AMOLED display with Full HD+ resolution, a 32-megapixel selfie camera, and a 120Hz refresh rate.
Powerful Performance and Battery
Internally, the Pova 6 Pro is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6080 SoC coupled with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, supporting virtual RAM expansion. The device is fueled by a hefty 6,000mAh battery, supporting 70W wired fast charging and 10W wireless reverse charging. Available in Meteorite Grey and Comet Green color variants, this smartphone promises to deliver a compelling user experience.
Stay tuned for more updates as we approach the exciting launch event next week.
Tags: Smartphone Launch Event, Tecno, Tecno Pova 6 Pro
March 21, 2024
Vivo T3 Launches in India: iQOO Z9 with Three Rear Cameras
The Vivo T3 has been officially launched in India today as planned. This new budget smartphone by Vivo is quite similar to the recently unveiled iQOO Z9, differing mainly in its inclusion of three rear cameras instead of two.
Vivo T3 Successor
The Vivo T3 follows the Vivo T2 introduced last year, which itself bore a strong resemblance to the iQOO Z7x.
Vivo T3 Specifications
Constructed with a plastic build akin to its predecessor and many other devices within its price range, the Vivo T3 sports a flat frame. Featuring a trio of rear cameras situated on a slightly elevated rectangular island, the phone boasts a 6.67-inch centered punch-hole AMOLED display. This display offers a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels, 394 PPI, and a rapid 120Hz refresh rate, capable of reaching 1800 nits peak brightness.
Powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7200 chip coupled with LPDDR4x RAM and UFS 2.2 storage, the Vivo T3 runs on a 5,000mAh battery supporting 44W wired charging. Its rear camera setup includes an OIS-assisted Sony IMX882 primary sensor, a 2MP depth sensor, and a flicker sensor, while the front houses a 16MP shooter.
Features and Connectivity
The smartphone is equipped with dual stereo speakers, an in-screen fingerprint sensor, a MicroSD card slot, and an IP54 rating. Connectivity options include dual SIM support, 5G, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, GNSS, and USB Type-C. The device runs on Funtouch OS 14 based on Android 14.
Vivo T3 Price and Availability
In India, the Vivo T3 is priced as follows:
- 8GB + 128GB – ₹19,999 (~$240)
- 8GB + 256GB – ₹21,999 (~$265)
Available in Cosmic Blue and Crystal Flake color variants, the Vivo T3 will go on sale starting at 12 PM IST on March 27 through Vivo.com, Flipkart, and various retail outlets nationwide. Customers can enjoy a ₹2,000 instant discount on transactions made with HDFC Bank and SBI credit cards.
Tags: Budget smartphone, laptop specifications, Vivo T3
March 21, 2024
Xiaomi Reveals Release Date for Mijia Smart Audio Glasses: March 25th
Xiaomi's Smart Ecosystem has officially announced the upcoming launch of the new Mijia smart audio glasses on March 25. The promotional material showcases a glass with the phrase "Mirror Enjoy Listening," hinting at intriguing audio capabilities for the product.
Xiaomi's Latest Mijia Smart Audio Glass
The previous iteration of Xiaomi's Mijia Smart Audio Glasses, released last year at 799 Yuan (~$110), introduced features like noise reduction for calls. It offered a range of five frame and sunglass styles, including options like a square half-frame and a full-frame design.
Features of Last Year's Mijia Smart Audio Glasses
The earlier Mijia smart audio glass incorporated "open sound field technology," delivering a 360-degree surround sound experience. Equipped with a dual-mic AI call noise reduction feature, it also provided intelligent call enhancement functionalities. Moreover, it supported dual device connectivity and featured a 30mm touchpad on each side for intuitive gesture controls. The product boasted an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance, ensuring protection against environmental elements and water splashes.
Battery Performance and Beyond
The battery life of the previous smart glass model allowed up to a week on standby, over 22 hours of regular usage, and more than 10 hours of continuous music playback or 7 hours of calling. As the successor to this popular product gears up for launch in a mere four days, consumers can anticipate even more impressive power efficiency improvements.
Tags: Audio Technology, Mijia Smart Audio Glasses, smart glasses, Xiaomi
March 21, 2024
Oppo A60 Camera, Battery Specs, Fast Charging Revealed – Launch Soon
The upcoming Oppo A60 appears to be the next smartphone in the A-series lineup by the brand. Identified by the model number CPH2631, this device has garnered approval from several certification platforms including Thailand’s NBTC, Indonesia’s SDPPI and TKDN, and the UAE’s TDRA. It has also been spotted in the databases of TUV Rheinland and Camera FV-5.
Oppo A60 Certification Details
Certifications obtained in Thailand, Indonesia, and the UAE for the Oppo A60 confirm its name and model number. According to TUV certification, the device is likely to feature a robust 5,000mAh battery supporting 45W fast charging.
Camera Specifications and More
Listed on Camera FV-5, the Oppo A60 is expected to sport a 50-megapixel primary camera along with an 8-megapixel front camera, both potentially equipped with EIS stabilization. While these details have surfaced, other specifics about the device remain undisclosed.
The naming convention suggests that the Oppo A60 could follow in the footsteps of the A59 model, which was introduced back in 2023. The A59 boasted a 6.56-inch LCD display with FHD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. Its camera setup included a 13-megapixel dual-camera system and an 8-megapixel front camera, running on Android 13 with ColorOS 13.1.
Featuring a Dimensity 6020 chipset, 4 GB of RAM, 128 GB of storage, and a 5,000mAh battery supporting 33W fast charging, the A59 also came with a side-facing fingerprint reader. Additional features comprised dual 5G SIM support, a microSD card slot, dual stereo speakers, a 3.5mm audio jack, a side-facing fingerprint scanner, and an IP54-rated chassis.
Tags: camera specifications, Certification Details, Oppo A60
March 21, 2024
Flying Taxi Available for Online Purchase in China!
In an unprecedented move, EHang, the Chinese maker of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles, has revealed the debut of its EH216-S flying taxi on Alibaba’s online retail platform, the Taobao marketplace. Priced at 2.39 million yuan (US$332,000), the EH216-S is positioned to transform urban transportation and represent a significant milestone in the age of autonomous passenger-carrying aircraft.
EHang’s EH216-S has attracted considerable attention and praise, having completed more than 42,000 successful test flights in over 14 nations. Notably, it attained the distinction of being the world’s first recipient of a Type Certificate and Standard Airworthiness Certificate for unmanned eVTOLs from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), emphasizing its safety and dependability.
EHang’s Strategic Expansion
The debut of the EH216-S on Taobao indicates EHang’s strategic maneuver to enter the growing market for urban air mobility solutions. Priced at US$410,000 for international buyers, with sales set to kick off on April 1st, EHang is positioning itself for global reach.
Confidence in EH216-S
Hu Huazhi, the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of EHang, has expressed strong belief in the EH216-S, emphasizing the transformative impact of securing airworthiness certification. This accomplishment has spurred a surge in demand and driven revenue growth, with fourth-quarter earnings skyrocketing by 260.9% compared to the same period in 2022.
Key Features and Applications
Key specifications of the EH216-S encompass a top speed of 130 kilometers per hour, a cruising speed of 100 kilometers per hour, and a maximum altitude of 3,000 meters. Boasting a range of 30 kilometers, a flight duration of 25 minutes, and a recharge time of 120 minutes, the EH216-S offers unmatched efficiency and convenience for urban travelers.
EHang envisions a myriad of applications for the EH216-S, spanning from air taxi services and aerial tourism to airport shuttles and cross-island transit. The company has forged strategic alliances with various city governments to fortify the growth of low-altitude economic ecosystems.
The commercial launch of flying taxis on Taobao signals a new era of accessible urban air mobility, in line with China’s strategic outlook for emerging industries. With approximately 20 provinces prioritizing the advancement of the low-altitude economy, EHang’s EH216-S now stands at the vanguard of innovation, primed to redefine the future of transportation.
Tags: Autonomous Passenger-Carrying Aircraft, EHang EH216-S, Urban Air Mobility
March 21, 2024
iQOO Neo 9 Pro New Variant Now Available in India – Most Affordable Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Phone
On February 22, iQOO introduced the iQOO Neo 9 Pro in India, unveiling the phone in three different configurations. However, for initial sales, only the 8GB+256GB and 12GB+256GB versions were made available. As of today, customers can now purchase the 8GB+128GB variant of the device in the country.
iQOO Neo 9 Pro’s Latest Variant Available in India
The newly introduced 8GB+128GB variant of the iQOO Neo 9 Pro is priced at Rs 35,999 ($433). Buyers have the opportunity to avail discounts such as up to Rs 2,000 ($24) off using an ICICI credit card or an exchange bonus of up to Rs 4,000 (~$48). The phone is offered in two color options, Fiery Red and Conqueror Black, and can be purchased through Amazon and iQOO India’s e-store.
iQOO Neo 9 Pro Specifications Overview
The iQOO Neo 9 Pro features a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 1.5K resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. Powering the device is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, along with LPDDR5x RAM and UFS 4.0 storage. It packs a 5,160mAh battery with 120W fast charging support.
The smartphone boasts a 16-megapixel front camera for selfies and video calls. On the back, it sports a 50-megapixel Sony IMX920 main camera with OIS and an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens.
Running on FunTouch OS 14-based Android 14, the Neo 9 Pro is promised to receive three Android OS updates and four years of security patches. Additionally, it includes features like dual speakers, an in-display fingerprint sensor, an x-axis linear motor, an IR blaster, and a 6K VC liquid-cooled 3D heat dissipation system. The device has a thickness of 7.99mm and weighs approximately 190 grams.
Tags: iQOO Neo 9 Pro, Smartphone, specifications
March 21, 2024
Realme GT Neo 6 SE: Potential 100W Fast Charging Feature
The Realme GT Neo 6 SE is anticipated to make its debut in China by late March or April. Recently, the smartphone appeared on the 3C certification site, providing insights into its capabilities.
Revealing Features
While not officially confirmed, the device identified with model number RMX3850 is likely the Realme GT Neo 6 SE. The listing discloses the utilization of a SUPERVOOC charger with model number VCBAOBCH, indicating support for 100W wired charging technology.
Certification Details
Besides its 5G connectivity, additional specifications remain undisclosed in the certification. Realme has, however, verified that the smartphone will be powered by the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset.
Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 Chipset
The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (SM7675) is reported to incorporate a core cluster consisting of 1 x 2.9 GHz Cortex-X4 + 4 x 2.6GHz Cortex-A720 + 3 + 1.9GHz Cortex-A520. It is complemented by the Adreno 732 GPU for graphics processing.
Tags: 100W wired charging, Realme GT Neo 6 SE, Snapdragon 7 Gen 3
March 21, 2024
Xiaomi Civi 4 Pro: Officially Confirmed Bionic Dual Front Cameras with AI Features
The Xiaomi Civi 4 Pro is set to debut in China at 14:00 PM today. Just before its launch, Xiaomi has teased the device's 32MP dual front camera setup. These front cameras offer varying fields of view, with one providing a 78-degree FOV and the other a wider 100-degree FOV.
Xiaomi Civi 4 Pro Camera Features
The device boasts a 32MP dual front camera setup with AI capabilities, including the innovative AI GAN 4.0 AI neck wrinkle removal feature. This technology aims to address neck wrinkles, a common aging sign characterized by horizontal creases on the neck. The incorporation of AI in photography for this purpose marks a significant advancement in the field.
Advanced Imaging Capabilities
In addition to the AI neck wrinkle removal, the Xiaomi Civi 4 Pro offers other AI features such as skin tone unification and 'AI white teeth and bright eyes'. The device also introduces the "Master Portrait" function from the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, enhancing its imaging capabilities.
Collaborative Camera Development
Xiaomi has collaborated with Leica, a renowned German camera lens manufacturer, to jointly develop the lenses for the Xiaomi Civi 4 Pro's cameras. The rear main camera boasts a wide f/1.63 aperture and utilizes an OmniVision Light Hunter 800 sensor behind the custom lenses.
The Light Hunter 800 sensor supports a dynamic range of 13.2 EV, showcasing impressive imaging capabilities. This sensor was previously featured in the Redmi K70 Pro released towards the end of the previous year.
Tags: AI Photography Features, Leica Collaboration, Xiaomi Civi 4 Pro
March 21, 2024
Vivo V2359A Certified with 120W Fast Charging, Possibly Vivo X100s
Vivo is preparing to unveil its latest lineup of products in China this week, including the Vivo X Fold 3 series, a new tablet, and a TWS earbud. Additionally, rumors indicate that Vivo is also developing new smartphones within the X100 series.
New Vivo Smartphone Certification
A new Vivo smartphone, potentially named the Vivo X100s, has recently obtained certification from the 3C certification website. Identified with the model number V2359A, this device is set to feature 120W fast charging capability.
Specifications and Design
Beyond the fast charging aspect, specific details regarding the Vivo X100s remain scarce from the certification. However, tipster Digital Chat Station has been steadily disclosing specifications of the upcoming device over the past few months.
The leak suggests that the phone will be available in Black, White, Green, and Titanium color variants. Reports hint at a flat OLED display with minimal bezels and a resolution of 1.5K. The device is anticipated to have a flat metal frame and a glass back panel.
Performance Details
Regarding performance, the X100S might be equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 9300 Plus SoC built on a 4nm architecture. Noteworthy improvements in the Plus model include potentially enhanced clock speeds.
The Dimensity 9300 features a single Cortex-X4 core clocked at 3.25GHz, three Cortex-X4 cores at 2.85GHz, four Cortex-A720 cores at 2.0GHz, and a Mali-G720 Immortalis MP12 GPU.
Future Launch
The forthcoming flagship device from Vivo is rumored to make its debut in China later this month. Despite these speculations, the company has not officially disclosed any details about the smartphone’s release, casting doubt on a March launch.
Tags: Premium Flagship Launch, Smartphone rumors, Vivo V2359A