Category: Phones

  • India’s First Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 Smartphone: Poco F6

    India’s First Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 Smartphone: Poco F6

    Poco has officially announced the upcoming launch of its Poco F6 smartphone in India. Set for release on May 23rd, this device will be the first in the country to feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 SoC.

    Advanced Architecture and Performance

    The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 shares numerous architectural elements with the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. It includes the same Image Signal Processor (ISP), display, memory, and modem architecture. Additionally, it employs the robust Kryo “X4” core and is constructed using the 4nm TSMC fabrication process.

    Moreover, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 supports an impressive 10 billion parameters and features such as multi-modal generative AI. It is also compatible with various large language models (LLMs) like Baichuan-7B, Llama 2, and Gemini Nano.

    Benchmark and Competition

    Regarding performance, Poco asserts that the F6 achieves a remarkable score of over 1.5 million points on the AnTuTu benchmark.

    The smartphone is expected to compete directly with the forthcoming Realme GT 6T, which is also set to launch in India next week. The Realme GT 6T will feature a Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 SoC and boasts a comparable AnTuTu score of 1.5 million.

    Display and Camera Specifications

    Speculation suggests that the Poco F6 might be a rebranded version of the Redmi Turbo 3, which debuted in China recently. If true, the device will likely sport a 6.67-inch 1.5K resolution OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.

    In the camera department, the smartphone might include a primary 50MP sensor, presumably the Sony IMX-600, accompanied by an 8MP ultrawide sensor. The device is expected to be powered by a 5000mAh battery with support for 90W fast charging.

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  • Vivo Leads Q1 2024 Indian Smartphone Market, Samsung 2nd

    Vivo Leads Q1 2024 Indian Smartphone Market, Samsung 2nd

    India’s smartphone market witnessed a noteworthy shipment of 34 million units in Q1 2024, according to the International Data Corporation (IDC). This represents an 11.5% increase from the same period last year and marks the third consecutive quarter of growth. The surge is primarily driven by new product launches, promotional campaigns, and microfinancing options.

    Top Smartphone Brands in Q1 2024

    Vivo topped the list of smartphone brands in India, overtaking Samsung. Vivo’s success is largely due to its strong product lineup across different price ranges and solid support for offline retail partners. The company's strategic emphasis on the mass budget segment, where it enjoys a substantial market share, has been particularly effective.

    Samsung, now the second-largest brand, experienced mixed results despite introducing new products. The company saw growth in the premium segment, closely following Apple with a 44 percent share, but overall shipments decreased.

    Poco made a significant leap by surpassing OnePlus, boasting over 65 percent year-over-year growth in the online market. This performance made Poco the second leading brand in the entry-level segment, showing strong results in online sales. OnePlus, however, faced difficulties, especially in the mid-premium segment where it leads with a 38 percent share but saw an overall market decline. Despite its strong positions in specific segments, OnePlus’s shipments lagged behind competitors like Poco.

    Apple’s Performance

    Apple reported a strong first quarter with a 19 percent year-over-year growth. This success was fueled by the iPhone 14 and 15 models, which made up 56 percent of Apple's shipments. Apple continues to lead the super-premium segment, holding a 69 percent market share.

    Summary of Top 10 Brands

    To summarize, the top 10 smartphone brands in Q1 2024 include Vivo, Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, Realme, Apple, Poco, OnePlus, Motorola, and Tecno. Notably, Poco and Motorola recorded significant year-over-year growth of 72 percent and 110 percent, respectively.

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  • Poco F6 Pro Listed Early on Amazon: Cheaper Than Poco F5 Pro

    Poco F6 Pro Listed Early on Amazon: Cheaper Than Poco F5 Pro

    Leaks have been offering a sneak peek into the upcoming Poco F6 series, set to be launched officially on May 23rd. Xiaomi has confirmed that these devices are essentially rebranded versions of their China-only models.

    Pricing Strategy

    Given Poco’s reputation for competitive pricing, many buyers are likely focused on how much these new phones will cost. Tipster Sudhanshu Ambhore has found an early listing for the Poco F6 Pro on Amazon, which might give us some clues.

    The listing reveals the top-tier model with 16GB of RAM and a whopping 1TB of storage, priced at €619.90. This is actually lower than last year’s Poco F5 Pro, which started at €649.90 for the 12/512GB configuration. Hence, the base variant of the F6 Pro is expected to be even more affordable.

    Specifications and Features

    According to the Amazon listing, the Poco F6 Pro will be equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and a 5000mAh battery that supports 120W fast charging. The display is rumored to be a WQHD+ panel featuring a smooth 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 4000 nits, ensuring great visibility even in bright outdoor settings.

    For the camera setup, leaks suggest the F6 Pro will feature a triple-camera system led by a 50MP main sensor. Although details on the additional cameras are sparse, they are likely to include an ultrawide and a macro sensor. For selfies and video calls, a 16MP front-facing camera is expected.

    Software

    Interestingly, the leaks indicate that the Poco F6 Pro will come with MIUI 14 pre-installed rather than Xiaomi’s latest HyperOS skin. This seems like an error, as it would be unusual for the phone to ship with MIUI when HyperOS has been available for several months now.

    Poco F6 Pro Listed Early on Amazon: Cheaper Than Poco F5 Pro
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  • Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Prototype: Testing with Three Rear Cameras

    Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Prototype: Testing with Three Rear Cameras

    It’s been some time since the Galaxy S24 series was released, and now rumors about the Galaxy S25 series are already surfacing online. Contrary to earlier speculations, it appears the S25 series may not feature the stacked battery aimed at higher energy density. Instead, the series is expected to utilize AI technology to conserve power, potentially enhancing battery life.

    Galaxy S24 Ultra

    Fewer Cameras and Introduction of Variable Zoom

    A recent rumor from tipster @ISAQUES81 highlights three new aspects of the camera system of the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Samsung is reportedly testing an early prototype of its next Ultra flagship.

    According to the tipster, the S25 Ultra prototype features only three cameras on the back, a reduction from the four cameras offered by its predecessors. These cameras include a main, ultra-wide, and a single periscope telephoto lens. The company has apparently eliminated the “weak” 3x telephoto module and aims to compensate with digital zoom.

    Samsung had already been experimenting with zoom cameras since the predecessor model, where they replaced the “weak” 10MP 10x telephoto lens with a 50MP 5x one. The phone performs well with long-range zooms using the high-resolution 5x camera and AI capabilities. Applying a similar approach to the 3x range is theoretically feasible.

    Camera Enhancements

    The main camera maintains the same sensor size and resolution. However, the new sensor is expected to capture more light, possibly due to a larger aperture, which generally benefits the ISP and results in better image quality.

    The periscope telephoto lens uses a larger sensor compared to the Galaxy S24 Ultra, potentially improving detail in zoomed shots. The most significant change is the addition of variable zoom, which enhances the quality of zoomed images. Variable zoom employs mechanisms similar to dedicated cameras, creating a larger image on the sensor without cropping, thereby minimizing detail loss during zooming.

    However, unlike the Xperia 1 V, which offers 3.5x – 5.2x continuous optical zoom, the S25 Ultra will provide two fixed focal lengths—one between 4 and 5x zoom and the other between 6 and 7x zoom. This approach is akin to merging two different zoom cameras into one module. Digital zoom will still be used for values between the two fixed focal lengths, but the proximity of these focal lengths should result in minimal noticeable loss.

    Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Prototype: Testing with Three Rear Cameras
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  • SMIC’s 5nm Breakthrough to Power Huawei Mate 70 Processors

    SMIC’s 5nm Breakthrough to Power Huawei Mate 70 Processors

    SMIC has played a vital role in producing Huawei's Kirin chips, including the Kirin 9000S and 9010, both of which are fabricated using a 7nm process. The foundry is reportedly working on its own 5nm chip production technique.

    Milestone Achievement

    Recent reports from Business Korea and Hankyung indicate that SMIC has successfully reached this milestone, meaning their 5nm process is now prepared for chip manufacturing.

    This achievement is remarkable, especially given the infrastructure issues SMIC faces due to US export limitations. However, the reports highlight that SMIC's new 5nm node depends on the older Deep Ultraviolet (DUV) lithography rather than the more advanced Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) technology.

    Lithography Technologies

    DUV lithography employs deep ultraviolet light with a wavelength of approximately 193nm to engrave circuit patterns onto silicon wafers.

    In contrast, EUV lithography utilizes much shorter extreme ultraviolet light (around 13.5nm). This shorter wavelength facilitates the creation of finer features, enabling the production of more powerful and efficient chips. Consequently, EUV is deemed essential for achieving the most advanced chip designs.

    The reason SMIC cannot adopt EUV technology stems from ongoing US-China tensions. ASML, a major supplier of EUV lithography machines, is barred by US export regulations from providing its technology to Chinese foundries like SMIC. Hence, SMIC must rely on DUV lithography for its 5nm node.

    Future Prospects

    Despite concerns about production yield, Huawei is expected to utilize processors manufactured using SMIC's new 5nm node in its upcoming Mate 70 series.

    Additionally, there are rumors of a new Huawei laptop featuring a Kirin chip designed for PCs that is purported to compete with Apple's M2 in terms of performance. Whether these rumors hold true remains to be seen.

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  • Poco F6 Pro: Expected Performance and Camera Features

    Poco F6 Pro: Expected Performance and Camera Features

    Poco has revealed that it will be launching the Poco F6 series on May 23. The lineup will include two models: the Poco F6 and the Poco F6 Pro. These devices are essentially rebranded versions of the Redmi Turbo 3 and the Redmi K70, which are exclusive to China. In this article, we will delve into the specifications and features expected for the Poco F6 Pro.

    Specifications

    The Poco F6 Pro is anticipated to offer top-tier performance with advanced hardware. Given that it is a rebranded version of the Redmi K70, we can expect similar specifications. The device is likely to be powered by the latest Snapdragon processor, ensuring smooth multitasking and gaming experiences.

    Features

    The Poco F6 Pro is expected to come with a high-refresh-rate display, potentially 120Hz, for an enhanced visual experience. Additionally, the camera setup is likely to include multiple lenses, catering to various photography needs. Battery life should also be robust, with fast charging support to ensure minimal downtime.

    Pricing

    Pricing details for the Poco F6 series haven't been disclosed yet. However, it's expected to be competitively priced, aligning with Poco's tradition of offering high-performance devices at budget-friendly rates.

    Stay tuned for more updates as we approach the launch date.

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  • Nothing Phone (2a) Green Line Issue: Software Update or Hardware?

    Nothing Phone (2a) Green Line Issue: Software Update or Hardware?

    London-based tech company Nothing has recently launched the budget-friendly Nothing Phone (2a) in various markets, including India. Initially, the phone had several performance and camera issues, but Nothing has addressed most of these through multiple updates. However, the notorious "green line issue" has now appeared on the Phone (2a).

    Green Line Issue Emerges

    This problem is familiar to smartphones using OLED displays. Previous cases have shown brands like Samsung, Motorola, and OnePlus dealing with similar issues. An X (formerly Twitter) user has shared photos and a video of a Phone (2a) exhibiting a vertical green line on the right side of the screen. The device in question also has the latest Nothing OS 2.5.5.a update, released around 19 days ago. This seems to be the first known instance of a green line appearing on the Phone (2a).

    Potential Causes and Observations

    The user did not mention when or how the issue started. Notably, many green line problems on OnePlus and Samsung phones have emerged following software updates. While brands have not explicitly explained this, investigations suggest that software updates may change display parameters, like voltage settings, causing an electrical fault in the display that appears as a green line of dead pixels.

    There are other possible reasons for these green lines, including physical damage from dropping, bending, or applying too much pressure on the display. Additionally, damage or defects in the display connector or the flex cable connecting to the motherboard can also cause this issue.

    Current Status

    Regarding the Nothing Phone (2a), no other reports of the green line issue have been found on X or the Nothing Community forums, indicating that this might be an isolated case for now. Stay tuned for further updates on this matter.

    Nothing Phone (2a) Green Line Issue: Software Update or Hardware?
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  • Moto Razr 50 Ultra Specs Revealed Ahead of Launch

    Moto Razr 50 Ultra Specs Revealed Ahead of Launch

    Real-life photos of the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra have emerged online, showcasing the device’s dimensions. Now, thanks to OnLeaks, nearly all the key specifications of the Razr 50 Ultra (also known as the Moto Razr+ 2024) have been revealed. Let’s delve into the details.

    Motorola Razr 50 Ultra Specifications

    Similar to its predecessor, the Moto Razr 40 Ultra, the new model features a 6.9-inch 2640 x 1080 resolution flexible OLED inner display and a 3.6-inch cover display.

    While the display remains unchanged, the chipset has been upgraded from the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 to the latest Snapdragon 8s Gen 3. According to the leak, it comes with 12GB RAM and 256GB of internal storage. For context, the Moto Edge 50 Ultra and the newly released iQOO Z9 Turbo also utilize this chipset. It includes 1x Cortex-X4 core clocked at 3GHz, 4x Cortex-A720 cores running at 2.8GHz, and 3x energy-efficient Cortex-A520 cores.

    Significant Camera Upgrade

    Another major enhancement is in the phone’s rear camera system. The previous 12MP and 13MP sensors have been replaced by 50MP sensors. Additionally, the ultra-wide-angle lens has reportedly been replaced by a 2x telephoto lens. However, the 32MP front-facing camera remains unchanged.

    Battery and Other Enhancements

    The device also features a slightly larger 4000mAh battery compared to its predecessor’s 3800mAh capacity. It will support both wired and wireless charging.

    The water-repellent coating has been upgraded to an IPX8 dust and water-resistant rating. The IPX8 rating means the device can be submerged in up to 1.5 meters of fresh water, though it is not dust-proof. The phone will also offer eSIM support.

    This model will be Motorola’s first clamshell phone to feature the Hello UI, a custom interface based on Android 14.

    Pricing and Availability

    The Razr+ 2023 (8GB + 256GB variant) was introduced at a price of $999, and it appears that the price will remain unchanged.

    The Razr+ 2024 will come in three colors: Midnight Blue, Spring Green, and Hot Pink. It will be available in the US for $999 for the 12GB RAM + 256GB storage variant. The expected launch is in June.

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  • Xiaomi 15 Series Price Hike: More Expensive Than Predecessor

    Xiaomi 15 Series Price Hike: More Expensive Than Predecessor

    The Xiaomi 15 series has been the subject of much speculation recently. Today, both the standard and Pro variants were spotted on the IMEI database, hinting at their upcoming release.

    A credible source, Digital Chat Station on Weibo, mentioned that Xiaomi might face challenges in keeping the launch prices of the Xiaomi 14 series steady for its successors.

    This is somewhat expected given the climbing costs of chips, memory, and other components. For instance, the Xiaomi 14 launched at CNY 3,999 (around $552) in China, while the 14 Pro started at CNY 4,999 (around $691).

    Rising Prices

    Internationally, the base model of the Xiaomi 14 was priced at €999 (around $1,077). According to the latest leak, it seems like the Xiaomi 15 series will be even more expensive.

    Such a price increase could make Xiaomi’s phones less appealing to users, especially when brands like Samsung and Apple, with their stronger brand recognition, offer their latest flagships at similar or even lower prices.

    Competitive Landscape

    For example, the Galaxy S24 series ranges from $799.99 to $1,199.99 for the Ultra version. This is already more affordable than the starting price of the Xiaomi 14. So, if the Xiaomi 15 series is priced higher, it will be even more difficult for Xiaomi to compete with its rivals.Galaxy S24 series ranges from $799

    Specifications and Design

    Regarding specifications, both the Xiaomi 15 and 15 Pro will feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset and a triple-camera setup on the back, each sensor having 50 megapixels.

    In terms of design, they are expected to look similar to their predecessors. Xiaomi will also release a Titanium version of the Xiaomi 15 Pro with satellite communication capabilities as indicated in the IMEI listing. However, both the 15 Pro and 15 Pro Titanium are expected to be exclusive to the Chinese market, just like their predecessors.

    Xiaomi 15 Series Price Hike: More Expensive Than Predecessor
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  • Poco F6 Pro Design Unveiled; Confirms Redmi K70 Rebrand

    Poco F6 Pro Design Unveiled; Confirms Redmi K70 Rebrand

    Poco has an international event slated for May 20, 2024, where it will unveil the Poco F6 series smartphones. This series includes two models: the Poco F6 and the Poco F6 Pro. Recently, the company has hinted that the Poco F6 is essentially a rebranded version of the Redmi Turbo 3 by showcasing its design. Now, Poco has also disclosed the design of the Poco F6 Pro, which resembles the Redmi K70, a model exclusive to China.

    Design Teaser

    A recent teaser shared on X (formerly known as Twitter) has unveiled the design of the Poco F6 Pro. It features flat sides and a slightly curved back panel for better grip, along with a rectangular camera module that includes four cutouts, identical to the Redmi K70. Thus, it’s safe to assume that the Poco F6 Pro will be a replica of the Redmi K70, albeit with different branding.

    Poco F6 Pro Expected Specifications

    The Poco F6 Pro is anticipated to come with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, potentially coupled with up to 16GB of RAM. It’s expected to have a 6.67-inch OLED display with 2K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. For the camera setup, it might include a 50MP primary camera with OIS, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro sensor. The front camera is speculated to be a 16MP selfie shooter. Additionally, the device is rumored to pack a 5,000mAh battery with support for 120W fast charging.

    Poco F6 Pro Design Unveiled; Confirms Redmi K70 Rebrand
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