Category: Phones

  • Leaked Pricing and Launch Details of Infinix Hot 40i’s India Launch Imminent

    Leaked Pricing and Launch Details of Infinix Hot 40i’s India Launch Imminent

    Infinix is apparently planning on releasing a new budget smartphone model in India soon. The company’s Hot 40i is making its way to the region and a fresh report has revealed some details regarding its launch and pricing. So here are all the details.

    Infinix Hot 40i India Launch & Pricing

    According to a 91Mobiles report, the Infinix Hot 40i will be available for sale in the first half of this month. In other words, the release is mere days away and an official announcement should be right around the corner. The company had first released the Hot 40i smartphone in Saudi Arabia back in November 2023. Now, the latest report claims that the Hot 40i will be the first model from the Infinix Hot 40 series, which is arriving in India.

    Storage Option and Specifications

    Furthermore, the handset will come in a single 8GB + 256GB storage option. Since it is a budget phone, it could be the most affordable smartphone with 256GB storage in India. The Infinix Hot 40i could likely offer support for virtual RAM expansion of up to 8GB and a microSD card slot just like its global variant. To recall, it sports a 6.56-inch LCD panel with HD+ resolution and 90Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, the device is equipped with the UNISOC T606 SoC.

    Battery and Camera Features

    A large 5,000mAh battery pack powers this model, which also supports 18W fast charging. The rear packs a 50-megapixel dual camera setup, while the front houses a 32-megapixel selfie shooter. Other notable features include side mounted fingerprint scanner, dual SIM card slot, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

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  • Nokia and Vivo Strike a Long-Term 5G Patent Cross-Licensing Deal

    Nokia and Vivo Strike a Long-Term 5G Patent Cross-Licensing Deal

    Vivo and Nokia have announced a multi-year patent cross-licensing agreement, putting an end to their legal battle over 5G technology. This agreement comes shortly after Nokia settled a similar dispute with Oppo, another brand under the BBK Electronics portfolio.

    Vivo gains access to Nokia’s cellular technology patents

    Under the terms of the agreement, Vivo will gain access to Nokia’s foundational cellular technology patents. However, Vivo will be required to make ongoing payments to Nokia for the use of these patents. These payments will also include “catch-up” fees that will cover the period of the dispute. This agreement settles all outstanding legal matters between the two companies.

    Background on the legal conflict

    Nokia initiated a legal conflict by claiming that brands under the BBK Electronics portfolio, including Vivo and Oppo, were infringing on 5G wireless communication technology patents. This eventually led to a lawsuit, resulting in a defeat for these smartphone brands in court.

    As a consequence of the court ruling, Oppo, Vivo, OnePlus, and Realme had to withdraw from the German market. However, the recent 5G patent agreement between Oppo, Vivo, and Nokia opens a way for BBK brands to re-enter the German market. In fact, OnePlus has already started selling its latest OnePlus 12 and 12R models in the country.

    Quotes from the involved parties

    Jenni Lukander, President of Nokia Technologies, expressed her satisfaction with the agreement, stating, “We are delighted to have reached an agreement with Vivo which reflects mutual respect for each other’s intellectual property rights. We look forward to bringing more innovation to their users around the world through our collaboration.”

    Vivo’s General Manager, Xianwen Xu, also expressed satisfaction with the agreement, emphasizing the company’s commitment to research and development and providing users with high-tech products.

    Vivo’s return to the German market

    This agreement is particularly significant as it paves the way for Vivo’s return to the German market, which is a key market for the company. It is worth noting that this is Nokia’s sixth major smartphone licensing agreement in the past 13 months. The company has already signed deals with Apple, Samsung, Oppo, Honor, and Huawei.

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  • OnePlus 10 Pro and OnePlus 8T Now Getting OxygenOS 14.0.0.402 and OxygenOS 14.0.0.300 Updates in Order

    OnePlus 10 Pro and OnePlus 8T Now Getting OxygenOS 14.0.0.402 and OxygenOS 14.0.0.300 Updates in Order

    OnePlus 10 Pro and OnePlus 8T are receiving a new firmware update bringing some new improvements and fixes along with the January 2024 Android Security patch. OxygenOS 14.0.0.300 for the OnePlus 8T and OxygenOS 14.0.0.402 for the OnePlus 10 Pro are now available for the Indian variant. The update is currently seeding and may reach each unit over the coming few days. Below are the details for each update on the respective smartphone:

    OnePlus 8T Update Details

    OnePlus 8T is bringing the latest security patch, along with system stability and performance improvements. It even enhances the battery life and fixes the fingerprint icon that keeps showing even after unlocking the smartphone. Further, the background stream feature in the Smart Sidebar is now removed. It even adds some stability fixes for the smartphone camera.

    OnePlus 10 Pro Update Details

    On the other hand, the OnePlus 10 Pro is also receiving the latest security patch via Oxygen OS 14.0.0.402. It adds an auto-brightness button in Quick Settings and improves the system’s stability and performance. OnePlus 10 Pro fixes certain issues, like the inability to switch between apps, and the flicker issue is gone, which was quite annoying when you tapped the ongoing call bubble in the status bar. Even the Smart Sidebar issue of getting inadvertently stopped is fixed.

    Both the updates to the respective devices are rolling out in a staggered way. It may take a few days for the update to reach each unit. Users can also check for updates by heading to the device Settings > About Device > Software Update > Download Now. In case of bugs or issues, users can always submit them by heading to the OnePlus Community or by dialing *#800# on Google Dialer.

    Additionally, OnePlus is already seeding OxygenOS 14 for its compatible smartphones, including the OnePlus 11 Series, OnePlus 10 Pro, OnePlus 10R, OnePlus Nord 3, and OnePlus Pad. We expect the remaining smartphones to receive the ColorOS 14 update soon.

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  • Samsung receives “special pricing” offer from MediaTek for its chips

    Samsung receives “special pricing” offer from MediaTek for its chips

    MediaTek is reportedly offering Samsung a discounted deal on its chips for use in budget-friendly phones, in an attempt to challenge Qualcomm’s dominance in the market. While it is unlikely that Samsung will use MediaTek chips in its premium Galaxy S series due to an existing agreement with Qualcomm, there are rumors that the Korean tech giant might consider using MediaTek processors in its more affordable smartphones.

    MediaTek’s Potential Win

    If this deal materializes, it would be a significant win for MediaTek, as Samsung is the world’s largest Android smartphone manufacturer. Reliable tipster Revegnus wrote on Twitter that MediaTek has offered special pricing exclusively for Samsung, suggesting that Samsung’s budget lineup may expand its use of MediaTek processors.

    Usage in Budget Smartphone Lineup

    These MediaTek processors are expected to be used in Samsung’s budget smartphone lineup, particularly in the entry-level models of the A, M, and F-series. However, recent sightings on benchmarking sites indicate that mid-range smartphones in the A and M-series might still use Exynos processors.

    Qualcomm’s Strong Position

    Currently, Qualcomm holds a strong position in the high-end smartphone market, while MediaTek has established dominance in the budget segment. If Samsung chooses to use MediaTek processors for its budget phones, Qualcomm will face a formidable challenge in outperforming MediaTek in this particular market.

    Potential Partnership Benefits

    A partnership with Samsung would not only increase MediaTek’s market share but would also open new doors for future collaborations with Samsung. However, it is important to note that this is just a rumor, and Samsung has not confirmed any plans to use MediaTek chips in its smartphones. Stay tuned for further updates on this matter.

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  • Upcoming Launch of Nothing Phone (2a) in India, Flipkart Microsite Now Active

    Upcoming Launch of Nothing Phone (2a) in India, Flipkart Microsite Now Active

    Over the last couple of weeks, we have covered various rumors and reports regarding a new budget smartphone from Nothing. The model in question is the Nothing Phone (2a), which is expected to be announced soon. Now, the Indian availability has just been confirmed via an e-commerce listing.

    Nothing Phone (2a) Surfaces on Flipkart

    So far, Nothing has annually released its top end models with the latest entry being the Phone (2). Now, a budget smartphone is set to launch soon carrying the Phone (2a) moniker. The device is expected to be unveiled at the MWC 2024 event (Mobile World Congress), which is set to kick off later this month. But ahead of any official announcement, the handset has surfaced on Flipkart, with its microsite already being live.

    Live Images and Wallpaper Leak

    Heading to the Flipkart page, we can see a short video teaser for the upcoming Nothing Phone (2a). Earlier today (5th February 2024), live images of the smartphone were spotted, which offered us a look at the front and rear design. Another report that suggested the imminent launch of the device was a recent wallpaper leak. Just recently, the Nothing Phone (2a) received the TUV certification. This listing confirmed its 45W wired fast charging rate.

    Possible Specifications

    Based on what we know so far, the Phone (2a) could sport a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It may be equipped with the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 SoC along with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. This is all the information we have at the moment, so stick around for more updates regarding this device.

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  • Apple Surpassed by Huawei as China’s Top-selling Smartphone Brand in Early 2024

    Apple Surpassed by Huawei as China’s Top-selling Smartphone Brand in Early 2024

    Huawei experienced an exciting growth in the Chinese smartphone market in 2023. Recently IDC report revealed that Huawei’s shipments increased by 36.2% in Q4, 2023 making it the fourth-largest smartphone brand in China.

    Huawei Tops Smartphone Sales in China in 2024

    A new report by Counterpoint Research now reveals that Huawei has clinched the top spot in smartphone sales during the first two weeks of 2024.

    The achievement is particularly noteworthy, not just because it has surpassed Apple, but also because it’s the first time since the 2019 US ban that Huawei has secured the leading position in terms of smartphone sales in China.

    Mate 60 Series Key to Huawei’s Success

    As expected, the Mate 60 series is the key to Huawei’s recent success in the Chinese market. Launched last year, the smartphones feature a Kirin 9000S processor and Harmony OS operating system. Mate 60 series is still said to be in high demand in the mainland, according to local distributors.

    Huawei’s Ambitious Plans for Harmony OS NEXT

    Looking ahead, the company has ambitious plans to launch Harmony OS NEXT; an operating system with Huawei’s own kernel which will phase out Android app support completely. Expected to launch by the end of 2024, its success will have a significant impact on Huawei’s smartphone business.

    Nova 12 Series Boosts Sales

    Except for the Mate 60, the Nova 12 series launched back in December has also helped Huawei to increase its sales numbers. These are all mid-range smartphones powered by Kirin processors, except for the Nova 12 Lite which has a Snapdragon 778G 4G chip inside.

    Chinese Brands Chipping Away at Apple’s Market Share

    According to a Counterpoint report, the high-end smartphone market in China saw a growth of 27% in 2023. While Apple continues to hold the top position, Huawei and other Chinese brands have been gradually chipping away at Apple’s market share since the third quarter of 2023.

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  • Introducing Vivo V30: Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, 50MP Selfie, and Dual 50MP Rear Cameras

    Introducing Vivo V30: Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, 50MP Selfie, and Dual 50MP Rear Cameras

    Vivo has quietly unveiled the Vivo V30 for the global market. The company has not confirmed the device’s price but has assured that it will be released in 30 markets in the near future. These markets include countries such as India, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and the UAE. As anticipated, the Vivo V30 is a modified version of the Vivo S18, which made its debut in December in the Chinese market.

    Vivo V30 specifications and features

    The Vivo V30 features a 6.78-inch curved-edge AMOLED panel with a centrally positioned punch-hole. The screen delivers a 1.5K resolution of 1280 x 2800 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate. Operating on Android 14, overlaid with the FunTouch OS 14, the company has confirmed that the V30 will provide 50 months of a smooth experience, hinting at approximately 4 years of software updates.

    It is the first smartphone to launch outside of China with the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chip onboard. Depending on the market, the smartphone will be available in multiple configurations, such as 8 GB RAM + 128 GB storage, 8 GB RAM + 256 GB storage, 12 GB RAM + 256 GB storage, and 12 GB RAM + 512 GB storage. The device houses a 5,000mAh battery with 80W fast charging support.

    Camera and Design

    On the front, the Vivo V30 features a 50-megapixel OmniVision OV50E selfie camera with autofocus support. On the back, it showcases a 50-megapixel main camera with OIS support, a 50-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and an Aura LED flash, equipped with smart color temperature adjustment support.

    The Vivo V30 comes with an IP54-rated chassis, measuring 7.45mm in thickness and weighing around 186 grams. It is available in shades such as Noble Black, Bloom White, Waving Aqua, and Lush Green.

    • Introducing Vivo V30: Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, 50MP Selfie, and Dual 50MP Rear Cameras
    • Introducing Vivo V30: Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, 50MP Selfie, and Dual 50MP Rear Cameras
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  • Launching on February 8 in India: Itel P55+ Boasts 45W Charging and iP55 Offers 256GB Storage

    Launching on February 8 in India: Itel P55+ Boasts 45W Charging and iP55 Offers 256GB Storage

    Itel recently confirmed that it will announce as many as three P-series Power Play phones in February in India. Today, a landing page showcasing the arrival of two new phones, the itel P55 and itel P55+, has gone live on Amazon India. The listing reveals that both phones are scheduled to launch on Feb. 8 in the country. The brand has confirmed the key specifications and design of both smartphones.

    Itel P55+

    The major highlight of the itel P55+ is that it will offer 45W fast charging. According to the company, the phone can go from 0 to 70 percent in just 30 minutes. It will offer three levels of charging: Hyper Charge for quickly replenishing the battery, allowing users to gain 25 percent battery power in just 10 minutes. The Smart Charge option relies on AI to charge the phone based on the user’s usage pattern. There is also a Low-Temp Charge option that will charge the device without overheating.

    The device is also expected to offer up to 16 GB of RAM, including virtual RAM. It will come equipped with a 50-megapixel dual-camera system. Additionally, one of the color variants of the phone has a dual-tone finish featuring a leather-textured portion.

    Itel P55

    The itel P55’s main feature is that it will offer users 256 GB of built-in storage. It will also feature a dual-camera system. The other details of this phone are yet to be confirmed.

    Specifications

    Since these devices are already available in the African market, their specs are already known. Both phones will have:

    • 6.56-inch HD+ 90Hz LCD panel
    • Unisoc T606 chip
    • Android 13
    • 8-megapixel front camera
    • 5,000mAh battery (18W charging on P55)

    The series is also expected to receive a third model named the itel P55T. This phone is likely to pack similar specs and will also offer a 6,000mAh battery as a differing feature.

    • Launching on February 8 in India: Itel P55+ Boasts 45W Charging and iP55 Offers 256GB Storage
    • Launching on February 8 in India: Itel P55+ Boasts 45W Charging and iP55 Offers 256GB Storage
    • Launching on February 8 in India: Itel P55+ Boasts 45W Charging and iP55 Offers 256GB Storage
    • Launching on February 8 in India: Itel P55+ Boasts 45W Charging and iP55 Offers 256GB Storage
    • Launching on February 8 in India: Itel P55+ Boasts 45W Charging and iP55 Offers 256GB Storage
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  • Redmi K50 Receives Long-Awaited HyperOS Update and January 2024 Security Patch

    Redmi K50 Receives Long-Awaited HyperOS Update and January 2024 Security Patch

    Xiaomi has released a stable HyperOS update for the Redmi K50 in China. The firmware version 1.0.2.0.ULNCNXM is now available for all users, weighing around 5.7GB. The update is being rolled out incrementally and may take some time to reach all units. However, it brings various improvements and feature upgrades.

    New Features and Enhancements

    The update brings all the new features of HyperOS, along with the luxuries of Android 14. It also includes the January 2024 security patch to enhance system performance and power efficiency. After the update, the smartphone may experience overheating or other issues for a couple of days. However, these issues should be resolved once the system optimization is completed.

    Redmi K50 HyperOS Update

    The Redmi K50 initially received the HyperOS Developer Version, followed by beta builds. Now, the stable build is finally available. The Redmi K50 was listed in the second batch of devices to receive the HyperOS update.

    HyperOS Official Changelog

    Here are the official changes included in the HyperOS update:

    • Xiaomi HyperOS: Xiaomi’s ThePaper OS creates a “full ecology for people, cars, and homes” operating system.
    • System: Update Google security patch (2024#01) to improve system security.
    • Low-level refactoring: The bottom layer of Xiaomi’s ThePaper OS is reconstructed to optimize hardware performance.
    • Cross-terminal intelligent connection: Xiaomi HyperConnect allows efficient cross-device interconnection and collaboration.
    • Global security: Enhanced security and privacy architecture for device interconnection.
    • Aesthetics of life: Improved aesthetics for a comfortable visual experience, including motion language, color system, weather design, and lock screen.
    • Unified system fonts: Designed for global use.
    • New artistic lock screen: Turns every photo into a poster with dynamic glass material.
    • Upgraded desktop icons: Renewed colors and shapes.
    • Reconstructed multi-task window management: Improved interaction and usability.

    Users can check for the latest firmware by going to Device Settings > About > Software Update > Check for Update. It is recommended to have sufficient storage and battery before upgrading to avoid potential issues or data corruption.

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  • Realme RMX3993: Potential Radio Certification for Realme GT Neo 6

    Realme RMX3993: Potential Radio Certification for Realme GT Neo 6

    Anticipated Elements and Launch Timeline of Realme GT Neo 6

    Realme is gearing up for the debut of a fresh array of smartphones in the Chinese market, encompassing the Realme 12+ 5G, Realme 12 Pro 5G, and Realme 12 Pro+ 5G. Simultaneously, the much-awaited Realme GT Neo 6 is poised for launch in the near future.

    Purported Features of Realme GT Neo 6

    An unidentified gadget bearing the model number RMX3993 has surfaced within China’s radio certification database, hinting at the likelihood of it being the GT Neo 6 in the process of certification before its official unveiling. Nevertheless, the formal nomenclature of the device remains unverified.

    OLED Display:

    • 1.5K resolution
    • 144Hz refresh rate

    Central Processing Unit (CPU):

    • Snapdragon 8 Gen 2

    Storage Capacity:

    • Up to 24GB LPDDR5 RAM
    • Up to 1TB UFS 4.0 storage

    Operating System:

    • Realme UI 5 based on Android 14

    Estimated Price Tag:

    • Around 2,000 Yuan (~$277)

    Competitive Landscape

    Realme GT Neo 6 is set to rival other smartphones equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, including:

    • OnePlus Ace 3
    • Honor 90 GT
    • Redmi K70
    • iQOO Neo 9

    Its fusion of robust capabilities and an enticing price point is anticipated to resonate with individuals in search of a top-tier smartphone experience minus the exorbitant expenses.

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