Category: All News

May 27, 2024
Samsung Galaxy F55 5G Launches in India: Snapdragon 7 Gen 1
Samsung has introduced the Galaxy F55 5G smartphone in India after some delays. This device is a rebranded version of the Galaxy C55, which is exclusive to China, and boasts a vegan feather finish.
Samsung Galaxy F55 5G Specifications
The Galaxy F55 5G comes with a 6.7-inch FHD+ display that supports a 120Hz refresh rate and delivers a peak brightness of 1000 nits. It runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 processor and uses Android 14 as its operating system. The phone is available in three configurations: 8GB/128GB, 8GB/256GB, and 12GB/256GB.
For photography enthusiasts, the device features a triple rear camera setup that includes a 50MP main camera with OIS, an 8MP ultrawide camera, and a 2MP macro camera. Additionally, a 50MP front camera ensures high-quality selfies.
The phone is powered by a 5000mAh battery that supports 45W fast charging, although the charger is not included in the package. Other notable features include USB 2.0, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, dual stereo speakers, an in-display fingerprint sensor, and IP67 water and dust resistance. The device also offers Knox security and promises four years of Android updates along with five years of security updates.
Pricing & Availability
The Galaxy F55 5G is available in three variants: the 8GB/128GB model is priced at Rs. 26,999, the 8GB/256GB at Rs. 29,999, and the top-tier 12GB/256GB variant at Rs. 32,999.
To celebrate the launch, Samsung is offering a Rs. 2,000 cashback on HDFC bank transactions. Customers can also buy a 45W power adapter for Rs. 499 or a Galaxy Fit 3 smartwatch for Rs. 1,999. These promotional offers are valid until May 31st. The first sale of the smartphone will start at 7 PM today.
Tags: India launch, Samsung Galaxy F55 5G, Smartphone Specs
May 27, 2024
Are Smartphones Outshining Digital Cameras? Study Reveals Insights
In Japan, digital cameras were once considered indispensable household items. However, the scenario has shifted drastically in recent years, largely due to the impact of smartphones.
According to a survey by the Japanese Cabinet Office at the end of 2023, only 48.6% of households owned digital cameras. This marks the first instance since 2004 that the ownership percentage has dipped below 50%. Compact cameras, in particular, are bearing the brunt of this decline. The graphical representation below illustrates the declining adoption rate of digital cameras in Japan over the years, in contrast to the rising adoption of smartphones.
Trade-offs for Accessibility
Over time, the advancement of smartphone camera systems, along with easy internet access and the ability to share images on social media, has influenced people’s choice for their imaging needs. Moreover, the computational photography features of smartphones make capturing good photos effortless. Notably, the camera systems in recent flagship smartphones like the Xiaomi 14 Ultra and the Oppo Find X7 Ultra stand out.
Additionally, the superior qualities of images taken by dedicated cameras often require a trained eye to appreciate.
Industry Impact
The Japan International Camera and Imaging Products Association (CIPA) has also confirmed the decline in digital camera adoption. Data shows that shipments have plummeted from 11.11 million units in 2008 to just 910,000 units currently. This trend affects not only camera manufacturers but also the country’s overall competitiveness in this sector.
Japan’s home appliance industry is also feeling the pinch of competition. According to the Home Appliances Association, the production of goods in Japan has steadily decreased over the past decade, from 7.7 trillion yen in 2000 to 3.8 trillion yen in 2022.
Trade Imbalance
The value of Japan’s imports of video recording and playback equipment has reportedly surpassed the value of its exports. In 2023, the trade balance revealed that Japan imported 72.5 billion yen more of this equipment than it exported.
Tags: Digital Cameras Decline, Japan Home Appliance Industry, Smartphone Camera Rise
May 27, 2024
Galaxy S25 Ultra Camera Specs: Telephoto & Ultrawide Major Upgrade
Samsung still has ample time before the launch of its Galaxy S25 series. While we are presently anticipating the release of the Galaxy foldable, rumors regarding the Galaxy S25 series have already started to emerge. A recent leak has unveiled the camera specifications of the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Camera Upgrades
According to the reputable source Ice Universe, the S25 Ultra will maintain the quad-camera setup seen in its predecessors but will introduce two significant upgrades. The informant states that the phone will feature a 200MP primary camera, a 50MP ultrawide sensor, a 50MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 50MP super-telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. These enhancements indicate better performance for the ultrawide and one of the telephoto lenses.
Comparing to Galaxy S24 Ultra
For comparison, the Galaxy S24 Ultra comes with a 12MP ultrawide lens and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The primary and super-telephoto sensors remain the same at 200MP and 50MP resolutions. Earlier rumors had suggested that Samsung might reduce the number of cameras on the S25 Ultra to three. However, since Ice Universe has a reliable history of leaking Samsung details, it’s likely that the Galaxy S25 Ultra will keep its quad-camera setup.
Additional Rumors
Although the tipster didn’t mention it, there are additional rumors that the S25 Ultra may utilize a newer 200MP sensor, nearly 1 inch in size. If accurate, this would represent a significant hardware upgrade in camera capabilities for the S25 Ultra. The device is also expected to feature the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor and One UI 7 based on Android 15, though any design changes may be minimal.
Tags: Camera Upgrades, Galaxy S25 Ultra, Ice Universe leaks
May 27, 2024
Xiaomi Air Conditioner Sales Soar 63% in Q1 2024
Xiaomi, the Chinese tech behemoth recognized for its wide-ranging product lineup, has witnessed a significant surge in its air conditioner division, recording a 63% year-on-year growth in shipments for the first quarter of 2024. The company dispatched an impressive 690,000 units, marking a steady upward trend that has been evident for several years.
Financial Growth and Market Entry
This achievement is part of a larger narrative for Xiaomi, which recently reported a doubling of net profits to 6.5 billion yuan ($897.6 million). This growth is fueled by robust sales in smartphones, IoT products, and smart home appliances. Xiaomi made its foray into the air conditioner market in 2021. Since then, the company has seen remarkable growth, shipping over 2 million units in its debut year. In 2022, this figure rose to 3 million, maintaining a consistent 50% annual growth rate.
Continued Momentum and Future Projections
The momentum continued into 2023, with Xiaomi shipping an impressive 4.4 million air conditioner units, reflecting a 49% increase from the previous year. The second quarter of 2023 was especially successful, with a shipment surge of over 90%. Looking ahead to 2024, projections suggest that Xiaomi is on course to ship more than 7 million air conditioners, capturing an 11.5% retail share. This would solidify Xiaomi's status as the third-largest player in the online market and potentially across all channels, underscoring the company’s expanding influence in the smart home appliance sector.
Strategic Shift and Future Aspirations
However, Xiaomi's ambitions for its air conditioner business extend beyond these achievements. Industry experts forecast that by 2026, air conditioner shipments could surpass those of Xiaomi TVs, a traditionally strong category in the company’s IoT portfolio. This shift would make air conditioners the top revenue generator for Xiaomi’s IoT business, highlighting the growing importance of this category in the company’s broader strategy.
The success of Xiaomi’s air conditioners can be attributed to various factors, including a dedication to innovation, aggressive pricing, and seamless integration with Xiaomi’s broader ecosystem of smart home devices. By prioritizing energy efficiency, smart features, and appealing designs, Xiaomi has managed to capture an increasing share of the air conditioner market, especially among tech-savvy consumers.
Future Growth and Market Position
As Xiaomi continues to enhance its presence in the smart home sector, the air conditioner business is set to play a critical role in its future growth. With a commitment to continuous improvement and a focus on meeting customer demands, Xiaomi is well-positioned to sustain its upward trajectory in this rapidly evolving market.
Tags: Smart Home Appliances, Xiaomi Air Conditioners
May 27, 2024
ASUS NUC Pro+ Mini PC Launches in India with Intel Core Ultra 9
ASUS has recently introduced a new Mini PC model in the Indian market. The NUC Pro+, which was officially announced earlier this year, is now available in this region. This model features a compact metal design paired with next-generation hardware. Here are all the details.
ASUS NUC Pro+ Specifications
The ASUS NUC Pro+ boasts an innovative modular design that includes a smart cooling system. It features a 5 x 4-inch anodized aluminum chassis. Despite its small size, it is powered by the Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU, which works alongside Intel’s Arc GPUs, Intel AI Boost, and Intel’s latest NPU. There are also options to purchase models with Core Ultra 7 and Ultra 5 CPUs.
The higher-end model offers a 65W TDP compared to the 40W TDP of the more affordable options. Internally, it includes 2 x SODIMM RAM slots that support up to 48GB of DDR5-5600MHz memory and 2 slots for M.2 NVMe SSDs. For connectivity, it features two Thunderbolt 4 Type-C ports, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port, a USB 2.0 Type-A port, two HDMI 2.1 ports, an RJ45 LAN port, a DC-in port, and a Kensington Lock on the rear.
Port Configuration
On the front side, the ASUS NUC Pro+ provides a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port and two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports. Additionally, the Mini PC supports Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6E standards. For more detailed information about this device, you can click here. This introduction follows the recent launch of the ROG NUC mini gaming PC in China.
Tags: ASUS NUC Pro+, Intel Core Ultra 9-185H, Mini-PC
May 27, 2024
New Oppo A3 Pro Variant with Flat Display Spotted on TENAA
A new Oppo smartphone has been spotted on a Chinese certification website. This device is rumored to be a flat display variant of the earlier launched Oppo A3 Pro. Let’s dive into the details.
Oppo A3 Pro Spotted on TENAA
The new A3 Pro variant from the Chinese brand appeared on TENAA with the model number PKA110. According to the certification, it features a flat display on the front with a punch hole cutout for the selfie camera. The rear design remains similar to the regular A3 Pro, showcasing a large circular camera island housing two image sensors. The certification also provided more information about its battery specifications.
Battery and Specifications
The TENAA listing reveals that this upcoming mid-range smartphone will be powered by a 4,870mAh battery, with its typical value likely rated at 5,000mAh. Although specific details were not fully disclosed, it is expected to share most of its features with the existing A3 Pro model. For reference, the Oppo A3 Pro debuted with a tall 6.7-inch curved AMOLED display that supports a 120Hz refresh rate and Full HD+ resolution.
Under the Hood
The device is equipped with the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 SoC, paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage. It is powered by a large 5,000mAh battery that supports 67W wired fast charging. The front camera is an 8-megapixel shooter, while the back features a 64-megapixel dual camera setup. This is all the information we have at the moment, so stay tuned for more updates.
Tags: Flat Display Movement, OPPO A3 Pro 5G, TENAA certification
May 27, 2024
Samsung Galaxy M35 5G: Exynos 1380, 6000mAh, 50MP OIS Camera
Samsung Galaxy M35 5G has been introduced in Brazil as the follow-up to last year’s Galaxy M34, which was equipped with the Exynos 1280 chipset. This new model boasts several enhancements, including a slightly larger display, a new processor, and stereo output capabilities. Below are the specifications, features, and pricing details of the device.
Samsung Galaxy M35 5G Specifications and Features
Samsung Galaxy M35 5G
The Galaxy M35 5G features a 6.6-inch S-AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of up to 1,000 nits. It also includes an in-display fingerprint sensor and dual speakers, marking an upgrade from the previous model’s side-mounted fingerprint scanner and single speaker.
For photography, the Galaxy M35 is equipped with a 13-megapixel front camera. The rear camera setup includes a 50-megapixel main sensor with OIS, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 2-megapixel macro camera. The device operates on One UI 6.1, based on Android 14, and is guaranteed to receive four years of Android OS updates along with up to five years of security patches.
Performance and Battery
Powered by the Exynos 1380 chipset paired with 8 GB of RAM, the Galaxy M35 houses a 6,000mAh battery that supports 25W fast charging. Note that the retail package does not include a charger. It offers 256 GB of internal storage with the option to expand via a microSD card.
The smartphone supports dual SIM 5G and Wi-Fi 6, among other connectivity options. Samsung has incorporated an advanced cooling system to manage heat dissipation. The M35 measures 162.3 x 78.6 x 9.1mm and weighs 222 grams.
The Galaxy M35 shares many similarities with the Galaxy A35, which was launched earlier this year. The main differences include alternative color options and a slightly smaller 5,000mAh battery in the A35.
Samsung Galaxy M35 5G Price and Availability
In Brazil, the Galaxy M35 5G is priced at R$2,699 (~$525). It is available in Dark Blue, Light Blue, and Gray color variants. The smartphone is expected to launch in other markets, including India, in the near future.
Tags: Brazil Launch, Samsung Galaxy M35 5G, specifications and features
May 27, 2024
Oppo Find X8, Realme GT6 Pro, OnePlus 13 to feature 6000mAh battery
Tipster "Smart Pikachu" on Weibo recently disclosed that Oppo’s Find X8 Series, the next-generation foldable, Realme GT6 Pro, and OnePlus 13 will feature a substantial 6000mAh battery capacity. This is likely due to the high-performance next-generation flagship chips. An earlier report today mentioned the use of these chipsets in some of the forthcoming flagship models.
Potential Weight Increase of Upcoming Flagships
If the larger batteries are indeed used, the weight of these phones could increase significantly. For reference, the Find X7 and Find X7 Ultra are both powered by 5000 mAh batteries, while the Realme GT5 Pro and OnePlus 12 come with slightly larger 5400 mAh batteries. These devices weigh between 202g and 224g. Without adopting much lighter materials for the body, the addition of a 600mAh capacity will likely make the phones heavier.
Expected Launch Timeline and Chipset Details
Another recent leak suggests that the Find X8 series will be launched in October, which is several months earlier than the January release of its predecessor. The Find X8 series is anticipated to feature both Dimensity and Snapdragon chips. Qualcomm’s Chief Marketing Officer previously announced that the company will host the Snapdragon Summit in October, where it will introduce the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset. Oppo is expected to unveil its next Find series flagship shortly after the Snapdragon Summit, incorporating the new chipset.
Battery Requirements for New Chipsets
Some earlier reports have indicated that Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 flagships will need larger batteries to sustain or improve battery life, as the new chipset is more power-intensive than its predecessor. Current information suggests that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4’s performance cores will reach speeds up to 4.2GHz. The Adreno 830 GPU, an upgrade from the Adreno 750, is expected to compete with Apple’s M2 chip.
On the other hand, the Dimensity 9400 will feature one Cortex-X5 Prime CPU core, three Cortex-X4 Prime CPU cores, and four Cortex-A720 performance CPU cores.
Tags: 6000mAh battery, Oppo Find X8 Series, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 4
May 27, 2024
Realme GT 6T Early Access Sale in India Tomorrow: Up to ₹6,000 Off
Last week, Realme introduced the Realme GT 6T, marking India's first smartphone powered by the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 1 chipset. This device delivers outstanding performance, achieving an AnTuTu score exceeding 1.5 million points. Although the official sale is set to commence on May 29, Realme has announced an early access sale scheduled for tomorrow.
Realme GT 6T Early Access Sale Details
According to the announcement, Realme will conduct an early access sale for the GT 6T starting at 12 PM tomorrow (28 May). This sale will be available until 2 PM on Realme.com and Amazon.in.
The device comes in four configurations: 8GB+128GB for INR 30,999, 8GB+256GB for INR 32,99, 12GB+256GB for INR 35,999, and 12GB+512GB for INR 39,999. With bank offers (INR 4,000) and coupons (INR 2,000), all variants can be purchased at a discounted rate of INR 6,000.
Realme GT 6T Specifications
The GT 6T features a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display, boasting the highest market brightness at 6,000 nits peak, and offers a variable refresh rate from 1Hz to 120Hz, thanks to its 8T LTPO technology. This display is safeguarded by Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
Equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset, the phone is paired with up to 12GB of LPDDR5x RAM and up to 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage. It also includes a 9-layer ice-cooling vapor chamber for optimal heat dissipation.
Camera and Battery
In terms of cameras, it has a dual rear setup featuring a 50MP Sony LYT-600 main sensor and an 8MP ultra-wide lens, along with a 32MP front camera.
The smartphone is powered by a 5500mAh battery with 120W SuperVOOC charging and comes preinstalled with Android-14-based Realme UI. It promises 4 years of software updates and 3 years of OS updates. Connectivity features include Bluetooth 5.4, Wi-Fi 6, and dual 5G SIM support.
Tags: Early Access Sale, Realme GT 6T, Snapdragon 7 Gen 1
May 27, 2024
Redmi K80 Pro Specs Revealed Ahead of Launch
Redmi’s K70 lineup encompasses three models: the Redmi K70e, K70, and K70 Pro, which are powered by the Dimensity 8300, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipsets, respectively. The company plans to launch the Redmi K70 Ultra with the Dimensity 9300 Plus chip in China this July. Post this launch, the focus will shift to the Redmi Note 14 series and the Redmi K80 Pro series, both expected to debut in the last quarter of this year. Well before the launch, tipster Digital Chat Station has leaked the main specifications of what appears to be the Redmi K80 Pro.
Redmi K80 Pro Specifications (Rumored)
Without specifying the device’s name, DCS indicated that a forthcoming “sub-series” phone will be equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset, a 5,500mAh battery, and a flat OLED screen boasting a 2K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate.
Rumor suggests that these specs might belong to the Redmi K80 Pro, which is anticipated to be released in China in November. Details regarding its RAM, storage, and camera configurations remain undisclosed.
Further Details
According to other sources, the Redmi K80 will feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. Similar to the Pro model, the standard variant’s flat OLED screen is expected to support a 2K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. It is speculated that the K80 Pro might include a telephoto camera like the K70 Pro. However, it remains uncertain if Redmi will integrate a telephoto camera into the K80.
Another leaker suggests that both phones will sport a new design on the back, utilizing a new glass material.
Redmi Note 14 Pro Series
As previously mentioned, Redmi is reportedly working on the Redmi Note 14 Pro series. A recent report disclosed that the Note 14 Pro will feature an AMOLED panel offering a 1.5K resolution, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset, and a 5,000mAh battery.
Tags: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, Redmi K80 Pro, Redmi Note 14 Pro