Category: Phones

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May 21, 2024

iQOO Neo 9s Pro with Dimensity 9300+ and 144Hz LTPO Display
Following the release of the Neo 9 and Neo 9 Pro in late 2023, iQOO has now introduced the Neo 9S Pro, a mid-year update to their lineup featuring the newly unveiled MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ chipset. This article will delve into the specifications, features, and pricing of the Neo 9S Pro.

iQOO Neo 9S Pro Specifications

The main distinction between the Neo 9S Pro and its predecessors lies in the chipset. While the original Neo 9 Pro was equipped with the Dimensity 9300, the 9S Pro leverages the enhanced Dimensity 9300+.

This new SoC boasts an upgraded CPU and APU for better performance, though the GPU remains the same. Additionally, the phone is equipped with iQOO’s proprietary e-sports chip, the Q1, designed to enhance gaming experiences. To handle thermal management during intense gaming sessions, the device employs a 6K VC liquid cooling system.

Memory options for the Neo 9S Pro include up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage, offering ample space for users.

Display and Camera

The display on the Neo 9S Pro remains consistent with the previous Neo 9 Pro models, featuring a 6.78-inch 144Hz LTPO OLED panel with a 1260 x 2800px resolution and a 20:9 aspect ratio.

The panel includes high-frequency PWM dimming at 2,160Hz to reduce flicker. The front-facing camera is a 16MP module located within a punch-hole cutout.

On the rear, the Neo 9S Pro features a dual-camera setup. The primary sensor is a 50MP Sony IMX920, accompanied by another 50MP lens for ultrawide shots.

Battery and Additional Features

The Neo 9S Pro retains the 5,160mAh battery from its predecessor, supported by 120W fast charging. However, it does not support wireless charging.

iQOO has also collaborated with the NBA for the launch of the Neo 9S Pro, offering buyers a chance to win tickets to the NBA finals through participating retailers.

Price and Availability

The Neo 9S Pro is now available for purchase in China with a limited-time discount on each variant. Here’s a breakdown of the pricing, including discounts:
- 12GB+256GB: 2,699 yuan
- 12GB+512GB: 2,999 yuan
- 16GB+512GB: 3,299 yuan
- 16GB+1TB: 3,699 yuan
Currently, there’s no official news regarding a global release for the Neo 9S Pro.
Tags: iQOO Neo 9S Pro, MediaTek Dimensity 9300
May 21, 2024

Vivo X Fold 3 Pro India Launch Date and AI Features Teased

Vivo has started hinting at the launch of its first foldable phone in India. The Vivo X Fold 3 Pro is set to rival the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and OnePlus Open in the market. Prior to the official launch event, a microsite has been created for the upcoming device, showcasing some important details. We’ve discovered the launch date for the foldable phone in the disclaimer section of this microsite. Moreover, it’s confirmed that the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro will be available on Flipkart.

Vivo X Fold 3 Pro India Launch Date

By going through the disclaimer section on the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro microsite, it reads, ‘as of its launch date until June 6, 2024’. This indicates that the foldable phone might launch on June 6 in India. Vivo might officially announce this date in the upcoming days.

Features and Specifications

The Vivo X Fold 3 Pro is set to be a pioneer in several areas within India. It is claimed to be the slimmest and lightest, with a thickness of 11.2mm when folded and a weight of 236 grams. The device will feature the largest display in the country with an 8.03-inch internal screen. It will also boast the brightest display in a foldable phone with a peak brightness level of 4,500 nits. Furthermore, the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro will be the first foldable phone in India powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset.

Camera and Additional Features

The microsite also indicates that the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro will include ZEISS-branded triple rear cameras, consisting of two sensors and a periscope lens capable of 10x zoom. It will also feature ZEISS multifocal portrait mode, allowing for shooting across various focal lengths. The carbon fibre hinge is designed to withstand 500,000 folds and has a lifespan of 12 years. Vivo has confirmed the presence of Gemini AI, including features like AI note assist, AI transcript assist, and AI screen translation in the X Fold 3 Pro.

Tags: Foldable Phones Market, India launch, Vivo X Fold 3 Pro
May 20, 2024

OPPO K12x Launches in China with Starting Price of $180

OPPO recently launched its K12x smartphone this month, featuring a Snapdragon 695 processor, a robust 5500mAh battery, and 80W fast charging capabilities. Today, it went on its first sale.

The phone is offered in three variants: 8GB+256GB priced at 1,299 yuan ($180), 12GB+256GB at 1,499 yuan ($207), and 12GB+512GB for 1,799 yuan ($249).

Design and Display

Available in titanium air gray and condensed green, the K12x weighs 191g and has a thickness of 8.1mm. It boasts a 6.67-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2400×1080, a peak brightness of 2100 nits, and a full-screen brightness of 1200 nits. The display supports wet-hand touch and offers refresh rates of 120Hz/60Hz.

Performance and Battery

Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G processor with a peak frequency of 2.2GHz, the K12x is paired with LPDDR4x RAM and UFS 2.2 storage. The 5500mAh battery supports several fast charging protocols, including SuperVOOC, VOOC 3.0, PD3.0, and UFCS.

Camera Features

The camera system features a 50MP main camera with an f/1.8 aperture and autofocus, but lacks OIS. Additionally, there is a 2MP portrait lens with an f/2.4 aperture. For selfies, the phone is equipped with a 16MP front-facing camera with an f/2.4 aperture and an 82° field of view.

Tags: 80W fast charging, Oppo K12x, Snapdragon 695
May 20, 2024

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Update Fixes Heating Issue

OnePlus has released an update for its Nord CE 4 smartphone to address heating issues experienced by some users. The update, version IN: CPH2613_14.0.1.429(EX01), also enhances camera stability and overall system performance.

Limited Release Initially

At present, the update is being distributed to a limited number of users, with a broader rollout anticipated soon. Users in India who receive the update can report bugs by dialing *#800# and selecting 'Submit Bugs.'

Global Availability Expected

While OnePlus has not confirmed plans to release this update in other regions, it is likely to become available worldwide shortly. This update follows the recent OxygenOS 14.0.1.427 update, which introduced an AI eraser tool.

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Specs

The Nord CE 4 5G features a 6.7-inch AMOLED FHD+ screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance. It is powered by a Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor and offers up to 256 GB of storage. The device is equipped with a 5,500mAh battery that supports 100W fast charging. Running Android 14 and OxygenOS 14, it is set to receive at least two major software updates and three years of security updates.

The smartphone includes a camera system with a 50-megapixel main sensor featuring Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens. Additional features include dual stereo speakers, an in-screen fingerprint sensor, and Aquatouch technology.

Tags: OnePlus Nord CE 4, smartphone features, software updates
May 20, 2024

iPhone 15 Series Now Available at Record-Low Prices in China

Apple is resorting to significant price cuts on its iPhone 15 lineup in mainland China to revive sluggish sales. Major online retailers like JD.com and Alibaba’s Tmall platform are offering the phones at new lows.

For instance, the top-tier 256GB iPhone 15 Pro Max is now priced at 7,949 yuan ($1,100) on these platforms. That’s a big 2,050 yuan (20%) reduction from its initial September 2023 launch price of 9,999 yuan.

Price Reductions Across Models

The base 128GB iPhone 15 also sees a 23% price drop, going from 5,999 yuan ($829) to 4,599 yuan ($635).

Note that Apple’s official mainland online store is listing the iPhone 15s at their original launch price. The discount is only available on major e-commerce platforms.

Apple is believed to be offering such aggressive discounts to reignite Chinese audience interest in their flagship product. For those unaware, iPhone sales in Greater China (including mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan) dipped by 8% to US$16.4 billion in the March quarter.

Competitive Market Moves

Apple’s unusual discount strategy in Chinese online marketplaces began in January. It came after several Chinese manufacturers like Xiaomi and Honor slashed prices of their phones on both online and offline markets.

So in the same month, Apple itself offered discounts of up to 800 yuan on its mainland online store for iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, AirPods, and Apple Watches.

According to market research firm Counterpoint, Apple’s market share in mainland China’s smartphone market shrunk to 15.7% in the March quarter, down from 20.2% a year earlier.

Market Share and Competition

The decline placed them behind Vivo (17.4% share) and Honor (16.1% share). Huawei, with its successful 5G handset comeback featuring the Mate 60 Pro, secured a 15.5% market share during the same period.

Despite the concerns, the discounts on iPhones may be yielding some positive results for Apple. Data published by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology earlier this month suggests that shipments of foreign-branded smartphones in China grew 12% compared to March 2023. While the academy didn’t specify the brand, Apple typically dominates foreign handset sales in mainland China.

Tags: iPhone 15, Smartphone Market Share
May 20, 2024

Anker Zolo Power Bank 10K & 20K with Dual Cables Released

Anker has introduced the Zolo Power Bank 10K and 20K models in China. These power banks, available in 10,000mAh and 20,000mAh capacities, come equipped with integrated USB-C and Lightning cables. They are currently on sale in China, with international availability anticipated soon.

Innovative Features

The Zolo Power Banks feature an integrated display, a unique addition to such devices. Both models support 30W charging via the USB-C port and hold Apple MiFi certification. The USB-C port can charge an iPhone 15 up to 60% in 30 minutes, while the Lightning port offers 27W charging, capable of recharging an iPhone 14 Pro up to 57% in the same time frame.

Charging Capabilities

In addition to the built-in USB-C and Lightning cables, these power banks include a 30W USB-C port and a 22.5W USB-A port. The 20K model can recharge an iPhone 15 Pro approximately 4.2 times. The integrated display provides real-time battery status.

Design and Color Options

Compact in design, the power banks feature 13.7 cm long braided cables. Color choices for the devices include black, white, blue, and pink.

Pricing & Availability

The Anker Zolo Power Bank 10K is priced at 129 yuan ($18), while the 20K model costs 159 yuan ($22). There are speculations that the 10K model will be priced at $39 when it becomes available in the United States, but official global pricing and availability details are yet to be confirmed.

Tags: Anker Zolo Power Bank
May 20, 2024

€199 HMD Pulse+ Business Edition Launches with OTA Firmware Service

HMD has introduced the Pulse+ Business Edition, designed for enterprise use with a strong emphasis on security and repairability. This phone features several business-centric functionalities such as network lockdown, pin pad scramble, and the ability to disable biometric identification during the initial setup.

It also includes HMD’s new Firmware-Over-The-Air (FOTA) service, enabling business users to manage and update apps across multiple devices simultaneously. Currently available in Europe, the phone is priced at €199.

A Device for Business, Sustainability, and Security

HMD guarantees a 3-year warranty and 5 years of security updates for the HMD Pulse+ Business Edition. It is compatible with enterprise security needs, featuring a PIN-only power-off option.

HMD also emphasizes repairability with easy solutions, allowing users to fix phones with spare parts provided through a partnership with HMD Repair Hub and iFixit. For more complex repairs, HMD offers DHL Express Door-to-Door Care.

Available in three colors—Apricot Crush, Glacier Green, and Midnight Blue—the phone weighs approximately 187g and has a thickness of 8.45mm. It is powered by the Unisoc T606 chipset, coupled with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.

Display and Camera Features

The front of the phone sports an HD+ (1612 x 720) 6.56″ IPS display with a 20:9 aspect ratio and a 90Hz refresh rate, along with an 8MP centered punch hole selfie camera. The rear features a 50MP dual camera system and a flash module. A 5000mAh QuickFix replaceable battery is included, allowing users to easily swap batteries at home using spare parts.

Connectivity

For wireless connectivity, the device supports NFC, WiFi, and Bluetooth 5.0. It also includes a USB Type-C 2.0 port for charging and OTG functionality.

Tags: HMD Pulse+ Business Edition, Repairability Focus
May 20, 2024

Huawei Mate X6 Foldable Expected to Launch in Late 2024

In September 2023, Huawei introduced its Mate X5 foldable smartphone to the Chinese market. This device is equipped with an in-house Kirin 9000s chip and features an advanced camera system. Recent information has emerged regarding the anticipated release of the Mate X5's successor.

According to tipster Smart Pikachu on Weibo, Huawei plans to refresh its X series of foldable phones in the latter half of 2024. While specific details or the name of the new device have not been disclosed, it is expected that the new model will be called the Mate X6.

Anticipated Improvements

The forthcoming foldable smartphone is likely to come with an enhanced camera system, a more advanced hinge mechanism, and potentially a new processor. Huawei might choose between the Kirin 9010 or the upcoming "super core" chip, which is rumored to be used in the Mate 70 series. By looking at the specifications of the Mate X5, we can infer potential upgrades for its successor.

Huawei Mate X5 Specifications

The Huawei Mate X5 boasts a 6.4-inch OLED LTPO external display with a resolution of 2504 x 1080, a 20.9:9 aspect ratio, a 300Hz touch sampling rate, and Kunlun glass. The internal display is a 7.85-inch foldable OLED LTPO screen with a resolution of 2496 x 2224, an 8:7.1 aspect ratio, and a 240Hz touch sampling rate. Both screens support a refresh rate between 1Hz-120Hz, 10-bit colors, P3 color gamut, and 1440Hz high-frequency dimming. A side-mounted fingerprint scanner is also included.

The Mate X5 is believed to utilize the Kirin 9000s chipset and may offer 5G support. It comes with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. The front camera is 8MP, while the rear camera setup includes a 50MP main sensor, a 13MP ultra-wide lens, and a 12MP periscope telephoto camera with OIS. The device runs on Harmony OS 4.0.

Additional Features

The smartphone features a 5,060mAh battery with 66W wired and 50W wireless charging capabilities. Other notable features include dual SIM support, an NM card slot, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS, dual-frequency GPS, NFC, 2D face unlock, USB-C (USB 3.1 Gen 1), two-way satellite connectivity, and IPX8 water resistance.

Tags: Foldable Smartphone, Mate X6
May 20, 2024

TCL Unveils World’s First Tri-Foldable Phone at SID 2024

TCL CSOT (TCL China Star Optoelectronics Technology) has introduced the world’s first operational tri-foldable phone at the Society for Information Display (SID) 2024 exhibition. This comes five years after they presented a non-functional prototype of a similar design in 2019.

The tri-foldable phone boasts a “Free-type” display that unfolds into a 7.85-inch screen, offering a tablet-like experience when fully opened. When laid flat, the screen maintains a typical tablet aspect ratio and features a unique folding mechanism that supports both “G” and “Z” shaped configurations.

Slim Design and Advanced Features

One of the main challenges with previous tri-foldable phones has been excessive thickness. TCL seems to have tackled this issue effectively, with their model being just 427 microns thick.

The phone also incorporates a Sensor Under Panel (SUP) design, enabling 3D facial recognition through sensors placed beneath the display. This technology supports mobile payments and device unlocking.

Consistent Visual Experience

Both the regular display area and the SUP region offer a consistent pixel density of 420PPI, ensuring a uniform visual experience.

The panel includes modern tech such as LTPO technology, allowing the device to adjust its refresh rate between 1Hz and 120Hz while maintaining low power consumption. Durability is another key focus, with TCL asserting that the display is built to last.

Future Prospects

TCL has not yet disclosed any plans for the commercial release of this tri-foldable phone. It’s also noteworthy that major companies like Huawei are rumored to be developing similar devices, with whispers of Huawei potentially launching a tri-fold phone featuring a 10-inch display later this year.

Tags: TCL CSOT, Tri-foldable phone
May 20, 2024

Xiaomi Unveils 45W GaN USB-C Charger Kit for Just $8

Xiaomi has introduced a new fast charger, the 45W GaN "Little Pudding" Charger Set. This charger features a compact design, rapid charging abilities, and broad compatibility, making it a potentially appealing choice for mobile users.

Xiaomi 45W GaN Charger Specifications

The charger utilizes Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology, allowing for a notable reduction in size and weight compared to conventional chargers. With a volume of just 29 cubic centimeters, it is 59% smaller than Xiaomi's standard 33W charger. This compact form factor makes it convenient to store and carry, perfect for those who are often on the move.

The Xiaomi 45W GaN charger supports multiple fast charging protocols, including PD 3.0, QC 3.0, and PPS. This ensures it can effectively charge a variety of mainstream smartphones, tablets, and other electronic devices. It also supports fast charging for the new iPhone 15 series, adding to its versatility.

The charger is equipped with extensive safety features. Its shell is made from UL94-V0 material, which is both fire-resistant and high-temperature resistant. It includes numerous safety protections such as input overcurrent protection, input overvoltage protection, and output overtemperature protection. These safety measures help mitigate charging risks and ensure dependable performance.

The charger has earned several authoritative certifications, including RoHS environmental certification, CQC, and CCC certifications, confirming its quality and safety standards.

Detailed Specifications

The 45W charger has dimensions of 32.2 x 32.2 x 32mm and comes in a stylish white color. It operates efficiently within a temperature range from -10°C to 40°C. The package includes a 1-meter 4A USB-C to USB-C data cable.

The Type-C interface supports various output parameters, including 5V at 3A, 9V at 2A, 10V at 2.25A, 11V at 2.05A, and 12V at 1.5A. Input parameters are 100-130V at 50/60Hz and 0.7A, while output parameters can reach up to 5V at 3A, 9V at 3A, 10V at 4.1A, and 11V at 4.1A, with a maximum of 12V at 1.5A.

Pricing and Availability

The Xiaomi 45W GaN charger set will be available for purchase tonight at 8 PM China Standard Time on JD.com and other e-commerce platforms. The introductory price is set at 59 yuan (approximately $8). Last month, Xiaomi also launched a similar ultra-compact 120W GaN charger set.

Tags: Fast Charging Technology