Category: Phones

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  • Huawei Nova Flip Phone with Kirin 9010E May Launch in August

    Huawei Nova Flip Phone with Kirin 9010E May Launch in August

    The anticipated release of the Huawei Nova series flip phone was initially rumored to be in July. However, a fresh leak suggests the launch might take place in early August.

    Huawei Pocket 2

    News about the release comes from a Weibo tipster known as “Dingjiao Digital.” The Nova series flip phone is expected to be priced more affordably compared to the Huawei Pocket 2, which was introduced in February this year. The new flip phone could be priced between 4,000-5,000 yuan (~$550 – $688), making foldable devices more accessible to a broader audience. The tipster also mentions that this phone will feature the same processor as the recently launched Pura 70 Satellite Messaging Edition.

    For context, the Huawei Pura 70 Satellite Messaging Edition is equipped with the Kirin 9010E chipset. This includes one 2.19GHz Taishan core, two 2.18GHz Taishan cores, three 1.55GHz Cortex-A510 cores, and a Maleoon 910 GPU operating at 750MHz. The CPU’s clock speed is 111MHz lower than the Kirin 9010, with the other cores running at nearly identical frequencies.

    Design and Display

    The Nova series flip phone is expected to have a different exterior design compared to the Huawei Pocket 2. The Pocket 2 features a small circular external display, while the new flip phone is rumored to offer a larger and more functional outer display.

    For comparison, the Huawei Pocket 2 sports a 6.94-inch LTPO OLED inner display with a resolution of 1136 x 2690 pixels (~420 ppi) and a peak brightness of 2200 nits. Its outer circular display is also an LTPO OLED panel, measuring 1.15 inches with a resolution of 360 x 360 pixels. The device includes an XMAGE branded quad-camera setup on the back, consisting of a 50MP main camera, 8MP 3x telephoto camera with OIS, 12MP, and 2MP hyperspectral AI camera. For selfies, it offers a 10.7MP center punch-hole camera on the front. The Pocket 2 is powered by the Kirin 9000S chipset.


    Huawei Nova Flip Phone with Kirin 9010E May Launch in August
  • Xiaomi 14 Ultra Receives Major Price Reduction

    Xiaomi 14 Ultra Receives Major Price Reduction

    Xiaomi is anticipated to unveil the Xiaomi 15 series around mid-October. As of today, all models of the Xiaomi 14 Ultra (review) have received a price reduction of 500 Yuan, which is approximately $68. With this discount, the series now starts from 5,999 Yuan (~$825). The revised pricing details are listed below:

    Configuration Price before July 5 Discounted price
    12GB+256GB 6,499 Yuan 5,999 Yuan
    16GB+512GB 6,999 Yuan 6,499 Yuan
    16GB+1TB 7,299 Yuan 7,799 Yuan
    16GB+1TB titanium 8,799 Yuan 8,299 Yuan

    A Camera-Focused Flagship From Earlier This Year

    The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, complemented by LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage. It features a USB 3.2 Gen 2 port that supports 10Gbps data transfer and 4K DisplayPort output.

    However, the standout feature of this device is its camera. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra boasts a quad-rear camera setup, each with a 50MP resolution. The primary sensor is the 1″ Sony IMX989 with a variable aperture of f/1.6-f/4.0. The camera array includes two telephoto lenses: a 75mm (3.2x) and a 120mm (5x). Additionally, it features an ultrawide lens with a 12mm focal length. The camera system is branded by Leica and uses Leica Summilux lenses. It also incorporates the third-generation Leica color science and Xiaomi Image Brain 3.0, supporting advanced features like UltraHDR, UltraRAW, and UltraZoom beta.

    Display and Battery

    On the front, the phone features a 6.73″ LTPO AMOLED display with a resolution of 1440 x 3200 pixels (~522 ppi density). It achieves a typical brightness of 1000 nits and can peak at 3000 nits, ensuring a great visual experience even in bright outdoor settings.

    The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is equipped with a 5,300 mAh battery that supports 90W wired and 80W wireless fast charging. Dedicated chips are integrated to enhance charging speed and efficiency.

    Design and Build Quality

    In terms of design, the phone has flat sides made of either titanium or aluminum. Both the display and back panel have slight curves on the sides. Users can choose between a glass or eco-leather back panel, with the phone weighing 219.8 / 224.4 / 229.5 grams depending on the material. This makes it lighter than the 232g Galaxy S24 Ultra.

  • OnePlus Names New China Exec as India Head Amid Retail Boycott

    OnePlus Names New China Exec as India Head Amid Retail Boycott

    Chinese smartphone titan OnePlus is experiencing a significant leadership change in India, with veteran executive Robin Liu returning to oversee operations. This shift occurs amid a boycott by offline retailers and the Indian government’s push for local leadership in major companies.

    Robin Liu Returns as CEO Amid Leadership Shakeup

    Liu, who previously led OnePlus India’s sales for nearly two years, is taking over from Lincle Peng, who has stepped down. This leadership transition also sees the departure of several senior executives, including Samrudh Pai, the former head of offline business, and Ranjeet Singh, the sales director. Singh is now tasked with leading the online sales channel.

    The reshuffle comes at a crucial time for OnePlus India, which has been experiencing friction with its offline retailer network. In April, several major retail chains across various Indian states stopped selling OnePlus phones, citing issues such as low profit margins, delayed settlements of claims, and product bundling practices. The South Indian Organised Retailers Association (ORA) accused OnePlus of favoring online channels over traditional retail stores.

    Challenges with Offline Retailers

    The dissatisfaction has also spread to northern regions, where retailers accuse OnePlus of diverting stock from offline channels to online aggregators, thus disrupting sales cycles and tax collection. Although OnePlus claims to have resolved most outstanding issues, ORA members report that 10-20% of claims remain unsettled, leading to a continued halt in purchases since April.

    The appointment of a Chinese executive to lead Indian operations stands in contrast to the Indian government’s efforts to promote local talent in leadership roles. This decision by OnePlus could further raise questions about the company’s commitment to the Indian market and its long-term strategy for offline retail partnerships.

    Upcoming Launch Event

    OnePlus has a launch event scheduled for July 16 in Milan, where it will unveil the Nord 4 smartphone. The phone is rumored to be a rebranded version of the China-only OnePlus Ace 3V and may feature a metal design, 120Hz AMOLED display, Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chip, and a 50MP main camera. Other anticipated launches include the OnePlus Watch 2R (the international version of the Watch 2) and the OnePlus Buds Pro 3.

  • Vivo V40 Launch in India: Should You Wait for This Premium Mid-Ranger?

    Vivo V40 Launch in India: Should You Wait for This Premium Mid-Ranger?

    Vivo has recently introduced a new addition to its V series lineup, the Vivo V40. This model is a slightly modified version of the Chinese Vivo S19, which debuted in May 2024. Currently available in the EU, certifications such as the Bureau of Indian Standards suggest that it will soon make its way to the Indian market. But is it worth the anticipation?

    Camera is its main strength

    The Vivo V series is comparable to the Oppo Reno series in the premium-midrange category, offering a balanced set of features. One of the standout aspects of the V40 is its camera system. It features a ZEISS optics 50 MP primary camera with an f/1.88 aperture, optical image stabilization, and an 84° field of view. This is complemented by another 50 MP ultra-wide sensor equipped with ZEISS lenses and Autofocus support, featuring an f/2.0 aperture and a 119° field of view. The front camera is equally impressive, boasting a 50 MP Autofocus Group Selfie Camera with an f/2.0 aperture and a 92° field of view.

    For video recording, the rear camera can shoot in up to 4K at 30FPS with gyro-EIS stabilization, while the front camera also supports video recording in up to 4K at 30FPS.

    Hardware choice is a bit puzzling

    Under the hood, the V40 is powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor, the same chipset found in its predecessor, the Vivo V30. Although the processor, released in November 2023, offers decent performance, Vivo has opted for LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 2.2 storage. This combination is usually found in more budget-friendly devices, leaving some puzzled as to why Vivo did not upgrade to more advanced options to better compete in the premium mid-range segment.

    Given the hardware, users can expect the V40 to perform similarly to the V30, as it also features the same LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 2.2 storage paired with the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor.

    Display & design

    The V40's design is one of its highlights, featuring a sleek body that is just 7.58mm thick and weighs 190 grams. The device has rounded edges and a glass back available in two matte finishes: Stellar Silver and Nebula Purple. It also boasts IP68 water resistance, allowing it to survive submersion in up to 1.5 meters of water.

    The front of the device sports a 6.78-inch 1.5K (2800×1260 pixels) Curved AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support, offering peak brightness of 4500 nits. The display also incorporates a fingerprint sensor for biometric unlocking.

    Large battery with respectable fast charging

    The V40 is equipped with a large 5,500mAh battery supporting 80W wired fast charging. While not the fastest in the market, it can fully charge the device in approximately 48 minutes. Notably, it supports USB-PD charging instead of proprietary fast charging technology, meaning any PD charger with at least 80W capacity can be used for fast charging the device.

    Final thoughts

    The Vivo V40 is an appealing smartphone, particularly for those interested in high-quality cameras, with an excellent front camera ideal for group selfies. Performance-wise, it handles everyday tasks smoothly and can manage casual gaming, although it may struggle with high frame rate games. For those seeking a device for taking great photos and selfies, the Vivo V40 is a worthwhile option.

    For those considering alternatives, the Vivo V30, launched in March, offers similar features. If the release of the V40 results in a price drop for the V30, it could present a cost-effective option.

    As of now, there is no official announcement regarding the Vivo V40's release in India, but rumors suggest it might be unveiled later this month or in August.

  • Motorola Razr 50 Ultra with Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, Twin 50MP Cameras

    Motorola Razr 50 Ultra with Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, Twin 50MP Cameras

    Motorola has introduced its latest foldable phone, the Razr 50 Ultra, to the Indian market. This launch follows its recent debut in China alongside the standard Razr 50. The new model boasts several enhancements over its predecessor.

    Motorola Razr 50 Ultra

    Specifications & Features

    The Razr 50 Ultra comes with a 6.9-inch FHD+ internal foldable LTPO pOLED display, featuring a refresh rate range of 1-165Hz. The screen supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, offers peak brightness of 3000 nits, and covers 100% of the DCI-P3 color spectrum. The device also has a 4-inch FHD+ outer pOLED display, an upgrade from the previous 3.6-inch screen, with a 95% screen-to-body ratio. Both displays have the same 1-165Hz refresh rate and are protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.

    Under the hood, the Razr 50 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 SoC, coupled with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage. It includes a built-in Google Gemini AI assistant, accessible via the external display. Users will receive a three-month subscription to Gemini Advanced for free, which provides 2TB of cloud storage and AI features in Google apps such as Gmail and Docs.

    In terms of cameras, the phone is equipped with dual 50MP sensors (main and 2x telephoto) and a 32MP front-facing camera, ensuring excellent photo and video quality. The device has a 4000mAh battery, supporting 45W wired fast charging and 15W wireless charging.

    The Razr 50 Ultra is designed for durability, featuring IPX8 underwater protection and Gorilla Glass Victus. Motorola claims the device has undergone testing for over 600,000 folds, promising long-term reliability.

    Pricing and Availability

    The Motorola Razr 50 Ultra is available in Spring Green, Peach Fuzz, and Midnight Blue, with a price tag of Rs. 99,999 for the 12GB + 512GB variant. A limited-time early bird discount reduces the price to Rs. 94,999. Pre-bookings commence on July 10th via Amazon.in, Reliance Digital, Motorola.in, and leading retail stores across India.

    Launch promotions include a Rs. 5000 bank discount, free Moto Buds+ worth Rs. 9,999 for those who pre-book, no-cost EMI options starting at Rs. 5000 per month from major banks, three months of Google Gemini Advanced Subscription with 2TB of cloud storage, and Jio benefits valued at Rs. 15,000.


  • Motorola Razr 50 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6: Buy Now or Wait?

    Motorola Razr 50 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6: Buy Now or Wait?

    Motorola has introduced its latest high-end flip phone, the Razr 50 Ultra, which is now available in markets including India. But is it worth buying the Razr 50 Ultra now, or should you wait for the impending Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6? Let’s delve into their comparisons.

    Razr 50 Ultra vs Galaxy Z Flip 6: Display Differences

    Although Samsung has not yet officially announced the Galaxy Z Flip 6, several rumors and reports give us a glimpse of its potential specifications. It’s anticipated to feature a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display with Full HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The cover screen might be a smaller 3.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel, also potentially offering a 120Hz refresh rate.

    Motorola seems to have an advantage in terms of display dimensions. The primary screen on the Razr 50 Ultra is a 6.9-inch LTPO pOLED display with a 1-165Hz refresh rate, FHD+ resolution, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, DCI-P3 color gamut, and a peak brightness of 3000 nits. Its outer panel is a 4-inch pOLED display with FHD+ resolution and the same variable refresh rate. Both screens are protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.

    Given Samsung’s reputation for high-quality displays, the Z Flip 6 is likely to feature a bright panel. However, if screen size is crucial for you, the Razr 50 Ultra may be the better option. We still need to see what Samsung has to offer.

    Specifications & Features

    When it comes to hardware, both Motorola and Samsung offer top-tier specifications. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 is expected to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, surpassing the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 found in the Razr 50 Ultra, which is typically seen in more affordable flagship devices.

    Battery life has been a point of criticism for Samsung’s Flip series, but the Z Flip 6 might come with a 4,000mAh battery, which would put it on par with the Razr 50 Ultra. Motorola, however, offers faster charging options with 45W wired and 15W wireless charging, whereas Samsung’s Z Flip 6 is likely to offer 25W wired and 15W wireless charging.

    In terms of cameras, Samsung is rumored to include a 50MP + 12MP rear camera setup and a 10MP front camera. The Razr 50 Ultra features a higher resolution for the telephoto (50MP) and selfie camera (32MP), and matches the main sensor’s 50MP resolution.

    Both phones incorporate AI features. Motorola includes a built-in Google Gemini AI assistant accessible from the external display, while Samsung’s Z Flip 6 will likely feature Galaxy AI, offering functionalities such as Live Translate AI for real-time language translation.

    Pricing & Verdict

    The Razr 50 Ultra is priced at 99,999 INR for the 12GB + 512GB model and is currently available with an early bird discount of 5,000 INR. Last year, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 was launched at 109,999 INR, and the Galaxy Z Flip 6’s price may reflect this or be higher.

    While Motorola’s specifications might make it seem like a clear choice, Samsung’s experience in the foldable phone market is a significant factor. The overall user experience, including the UI, plays a crucial role. Therefore, if you are willing to spend around a lakh, it might be worth waiting for the Galaxy Z Flip 6 to have another option to consider.

  • OnePlus Nord 4 Poster Reveals Horizontal Camera and Dual-Tone Design

    OnePlus Nord 4 Poster Reveals Horizontal Camera and Dual-Tone Design

    OnePlus is gearing up for its Summer launch event on July 16. While the brand hasn't officially disclosed the names of the new products, it is widely anticipated that the Nord 4 smartphone, TWS earphones, and a smartwatch will be unveiled. Earlier today, a schematic of the OnePlus Nord 4 leaked, revealing its design. Now, a new official-looking poster of the upcoming smartphone has surfaced, providing a clear glimpse.

    OnePlus Nord 4 Official Poster Leaked

    OnePlus Club shared a poster of the forthcoming Nord 4 smartphone on X (formerly known as Twitter). The poster shows the smartphone with a flat frame. The volume rocker and power buttons are positioned on the right side, while the alert slider is on the left. Unlike last year’s Nord 3, the Nord 4 will not have a vertical camera arrangement. Additionally, OnePlus intends to differentiate the Nord 4 from the Nord CE 4 and 4 Lite 5G. The new model will feature two horizontally aligned camera rings and an LED flash near the right edge.

    Design and Features

    The OnePlus Nord 4 will sport a dual-tone back panel. The area beneath the camera sensors will have a glossy finish, while the rest of the panel is expected to feature a metal finish. This design is reminiscent of the early Pixel smartphones. The device will be available in three colors: Green, Silver, and Black. The Silver variant will have diagonal stripes below the glossy section. OnePlus has hinted that the device will come with a metal unibody. A frontal view of the Nord 4 reveals a center-aligned punch-hole cutout display with very thin bezels.

    OnePlus is likely to disclose more information about its upcoming devices as the launch date approaches.

  • iQOO Z9 Lite: IP64 Rating & 50MP Dual Camera Confirmed

    iQOO Z9 Lite: IP64 Rating & 50MP Dual Camera Confirmed

    iQOO Z9 Lite 5G is set to make its debut in India later this month, with availability confirmed on Amazon. The e-commerce giant has already launched a microsite for the upcoming device, revealing some essential specifications before its official release. This new model will be the third in the Z9 series, following the Z9 5G and Z9x 5G introduced earlier this year.

    iQOO Z9 Lite Key Specifications

    According to the microsite, the iQOO Z9 Lite 5G will sport a dual rear camera configuration, featuring a 50MP main sensor and a 2MP bokeh lens. The device will boast an IP64 rating for dust and water resistance. Design-wise, it will have a flat frame with a rectangular camera module and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor. The phone is confirmed to be powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor, coupled with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. This variant has achieved a score of 414,564 points in the AnTuTu benchmark test.

    More Details to Come

    Additional information about the iQOO Z9 Lite 5G will be unveiled in the days leading up to its official launch on July 15. It appears that this device could be a rebranded version of the Vivo T3 Lite, which was launched in India last month. The Vivo T3 Lite features a 6.5-inch display with HD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. It is powered by a 5,000mAh battery that supports 15W charging and is equipped with the same Dimensity 6300 SoC, available with either 4GB or 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.

    Entry-Level 5G Smartphone

    The iQOO Z9 Lite 5G is expected to be an entry-level 5G smartphone from Vivo's sub-brand. For reference, the Z9x 5G and Z9 5G models are priced starting at Rs 12,999 and Rs 19,999, respectively. Official details and pricing for the iQOO Z9 Lite 5G will be announced on July 15.

  • CMF Phone 1 Design Unveiled: Multiple Attachments & Removable Back

    CMF Phone 1 Design Unveiled: Multiple Attachments & Removable Back

    CMF by Nothing is set to unveil its inaugural smartphone, the CMF Phone 1, on July 8. This device is anticipated to be priced below INR20,000 in India. Prior to its release, the brand has disclosed the complete back design, while a separate leak from Yogesh Brar, which has since been deleted, confirmed its front design.

    Specifications

    The leaked front image verifies some rumored specifications: the device will be equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor, 8GB RAM, and the option to expand RAM virtually. Storage will start at 128GB. For cameras, it will feature a 50 MP primary rear camera and a 16 MP front camera. The display will be a 6.67-inch AMOLED with moderate bezels. Powering the device is a 5,000mAh battery, and it will run on Nothing OS 2.6.0 upon launch.

    Design and Features

    The back of the CMF Phone 1 will support various attachments like a kickstand, a strap hook, and what appears to be either a power bank or a wallet for credit cards. The back cover is removable and will be available in four colors: black, blue, light green, and orange. Interestingly, the SIM ejector tool will also serve as a screwdriver to assist in changing the back cover and adding attachments.

    In other news, CMF will also be launching the CMF Buds Pro 2 on July 8. These earbuds will offer 50 dB active noise cancellation (ANC) and dual drivers for HiFi sound quality. Additionally, they will integrate ChatGPT, enabling users to interact with the AI chatbot through a gesture.


  • Redmi K70 Ultra Performance Benchmark Hints at Imminent Launch

    Redmi K70 Ultra Performance Benchmark Hints at Imminent Launch

    Xiaomi is preparing to introduce the Redmi K70 Ultra in China. Ahead of its launch, the smartphone has surfaced on a Geekbench listing, revealing several key specifications.

    The device appears on Geekbench with the model number 2407FRK8EC and has also been spotted in the IMEI database with the same model number.

    Performance and Specifications

    In terms of performance, the benchmark indicates that the phone scored 2218 points in single-core tests and 7457 points in multi-core tests. The Redmi K70 Ultra will be powered by the flagship MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ SoC. This chip, built on TSMC’s 4nm processor, features an octa-core setup with a Cortex-X4 clocked at 3.4GHz, three Cortex-X4 cores at 2.85GHz, and four Cortex-A720 cores at 2.0GHz.

    Durability is also a key focus, with Xiaomi confirming an IP68 rating for the phone. This means it will be dustproof and water-resistant for up to 30 minutes in up to 1.5 meters of fresh water.

    Charging and Camera Features

    Regarding charging capabilities, the 3C certification indicates that the K70 Ultra will support 120W fast-wired charging. Additionally, rumors suggest that Xiaomi may offer variants with up to 24GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. The battery is expected to have a 5,500mAh capacity supporting 120W fast charging.

    The phone is likely to feature a 20-megapixel front camera for selfies and a triple rear camera setup, including 50-megapixel, 8-megapixel, and 2-megapixel sensors. The display will be a flat 8T OLED panel with a 1.5K resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. For added durability, the phone will have a metal middle frame.

    For those interested, a modified version of the Redmi K70 Ultra with enhanced cameras is anticipated to launch globally under the Xiaomi 14T Pro name.