Category: Phones

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  • Revolutionary Samsung Update Alters Wi-Fi Calling Usage

    Revolutionary Samsung Update Alters Wi-Fi Calling Usage

    Samsung continues to expand its smartphone family, not neglecting to add new features to its existing products. Recently, the company introduced artificial intelligence features called Galaxy AI, alongside the S24 series. Now, Samsung has enhanced the call recording functionality on its Galaxy smartphones, allowing users to record calls in VoWiFi (Voice over WiFi) mode. Here are the details…

    Samsung Galaxy Phones Get a Boost as VoWiFi Call Recording is Here

    Samsung has introduced the VoWiFi call recording feature on the Galaxy S24 series and some other Galaxy phones running OneUI 6.1 or later software. This feature allows you to record voice calls made over Wi-Fi. In case you’re not familiar, VoWiFi stands for “Voice over WiFi,” enabling you to make and receive voice calls using your Wi-Fi network, which can be handy when your cellular signal is weak or when you have better access to a Wi-Fi network.

    Certainly, this can be particularly useful for recording long and important conversations. However, it’s still important to be cautious. Recording someone’s voice, especially without their consent, isn’t a good practice. It can be a legal issue with consequences in many countries. Therefore, it’s advisable to think twice before using such a feature.

    How to Use VoWiFi Call Recording:

    Open the Settings app on your phone.

    Navigate to the Calls option.

    Touch the option for Other call settings.

    Find and enable the VoWiFi call recording option.

    Also, if you can’t find the VoWiFi call recording option, make sure your phone is running on OneUI 6.1 or later software.

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  • Unexpectedly Affordable: Xiaomi 14 Ultra Surprises with an Unbelievable Price

    Unexpectedly Affordable: Xiaomi 14 Ultra Surprises with an Unbelievable Price

    The long-awaited Xiaomi 14 Ultra is set to make its global debut. Xiaomi has already revealed that the phone will be introduced on February 25 at the MWC event in Barcelona. And now the discount coupons of Xiaomi 14 Ultra have been revealed by Xiaomi Netherlands, providing some details about the company’s upcoming flagship device, even the possible Xiaomi 14 Ultra launch date in Europe.

    Xiaomi 14 Ultra pricing

    There are two separate coupons on Xiaomi’s website, €100 and €200, these are most likely for Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Ultra. According to the information on Xiaomi Netherlands’s website, you have to join the live stream of Xiaomi 14 series launch event on mi.com to get the €200 discount coupon.

    Xiaomi 14 and 14 Ultra vouchers

    Xiaomi’s website indicates that the coupons are valid until March 31, 2024 and this suggests that the official launch date of Xiaomi 14 Ultra in Europe could be in early March. Although Xiaomi 14 Ultra is set to be unveiled in Barcelona on February 25, it won’t be available for sale immediately, and the launch date may vary depending on regions. While the coupons do not reveal the exact launch date, it is reasonable to predict that March 2024 will mark the European introduction of Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

    Xiaomi 13 Ultra was introduced in Europe with a price tag of €1499 a year ago, and rumors circulating on the internet suggest that Xiaomi 14 Ultra’s price could be €1699. However, if you manage to get the €200 discount coupon revealed on Xiaomi’s website, you can actually buy the 14 Ultra at the same price as the 13 Ultra’s launch price. Of course, the €1699 price for Xiaomi 14 Ultra has not been confirmed yet, but rumors on the web point in that direction.

    Xiaomi 14 Ultra is an exceptionally powerful smartphone, as it comes with significant refreshments in the camera department. Xiaomi will offer a wide aperture in all the cameras, potentially making Xiaomi 14 Ultra the smartphone with the widest aperture main and telephoto camera to date. Additionally, Xiaomi 14 Ultra is expected to have satellite connection and an under-display camera, factors that contribute to its higher price.

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  • Huawei P70 models set to include diverse chipset frequencies and potential satellite communication.

    Huawei P70 models set to include diverse chipset frequencies and potential satellite communication.

    Huawei is preparing for the launch of its upcoming flagship smartphones, the P70 series. Recent information suggests that these devices will offer different chipset frequencies across models, along with other exciting upgrades.

    Huawei P70 Series and Curved Displays

    According to a tipster on Weibo, the standard and high-end models of the P70 series may feature a powerful Kirin chipset, potentially the Kirin 9000s found in the Mate 60 series. However, there’s a twist: the high-end models like the P70 Pro, P70 Art, and the rumored P70 Pro+ might come with an overclocked version of this chipset, aiming to provide a 20% performance boost. While the core architecture details are still unknown, different clock speeds could be the key to achieving this improvement. Reports suggest that China’s largest chipmaker, SMIC, is preparing to produce these 5nm chips.

    The tipster also reveals that all four models in the P70 series might feature a curved 1.5K resolution screen for enhanced visuals. Huawei is reportedly testing various screen sizes and experimenting with a combination of four China-made display panels, indicating significant display upgrades compared to previous generations.

    Satellite Communication Technology

    Another exciting aspect of the P70 series is the potential inclusion of satellite communication technology. Tipsters claim that all models might integrate satellite features, offering an improved and more widespread experience. Previously, satellite connectivity was mostly limited to high-end models, with the base variants missing out.

    Huawei first introduced smartphone satellite connectivity with the Mate 50 Pro in 2022, enabling one-way satellite SMS functionality. The P60 Pro and P60 Art expanded on this by introducing two-way satellite SMS. The Mate 60 series then took it a step further by offering two-way satellite calling for the Pro and Pro+ models. With the P70 series, Huawei could democratize satellite features across all models or adopt a similar strategy to the Mate 60 series, where higher-end variants offer calling capabilities while the base model retains two-way SMS.

    Launch Date and HarmonyOS NEXT

    The Huawei P70 series is expected to be launched in the Chinese market by the end of March or early April. Additionally, the company is actively developing HarmonyOS NEXT, a next-generation operating system built on its proprietary kernel. This operating system will completely eliminate support for Android apps.

    • Huawei P70 models set to include diverse chipset frequencies and potential satellite communication.
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  • Apple Pay Users Now Have Virtual Card Numbers for Increased Security

    Apple Pay Users Now Have Virtual Card Numbers for Increased Security

    Apple has released its latest iOS 17.4 beta, which includes a significant upgrade for Apple Cash users. This new feature allows users to generate a virtual card number, providing a solution for making payments in places where Apple Pay is not accepted.

    Virtual Card Numbers for Non-Apple Pay Locations

    The beta version of iOS 17.4 introduces the ability to create virtual card numbers, although it may not be available to all testers at this time. To check if you have access to this feature, simply open the Wallet app, select your Apple Cash card, and look for the option to create a virtual card number. The process is quick and easy, requiring just a few steps.

    Accessing Virtual Card Details

    Once you have set up your virtual card number, you can view the card details, including the card number, expiration date, and security code, within the app. It is important to note that Apple Cash will still have a separate card number for Apple Pay transactions, which can be accessed through an additional step in the app.

    Enhancing the Utility of Apple Cash

    This update greatly enhances the usefulness of Apple Cash. Despite the widespread adoption of Apple Pay, there are still many places where it is not accepted. With the addition of virtual card numbers, Apple Cash becomes more versatile, allowing users to avoid the hassle and fees associated with transferring funds to a bank account for non-Apple Pay purchases.

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  • China’s UFCS Charging Supported in Newly Launched Bull GaN Charger

    China’s UFCS Charging Supported in Newly Launched Bull GaN Charger

    Bull’s Latest Charger with UFCS Backing

    Overview

    Bull, a renowned accessory manufacturer, has unveiled a new charger in the Chinese market that is geared towards supporting the UFCS charging standard. This charger, identified as model number GNV-A1652U, represents an enhanced iteration of the previously existing GNV-A1652U.

    Characteristics

    Endorsement of UFCS Charging Standard

    The distinctive feature of the Bull charger lies in its embrace of China’s indigenous UFCS charging standard. UFCS, or Universal Fast Charging Standard, was officially introduced in September of 2022, with the Oppo Reno 9 All Things Red claiming the title of the maiden smartphone to align with this particular protocol. Yet, even a year subsequent to its unveiling, there remains a scarcity of chargers and smartphones that are compatible with this standard.

    Robust and Adaptable

    The Bull power adapter boasts a robust power delivery capacity of up to 65W, showcasing two output portals: USB Type-C and USB Type-A. Notably, the Type-A portal is capable of outputting a maximum of 18W, while the output from the Type-C port reduces to 45W in situations where both ports are simultaneously in use.

    Apart from its UFCS compatibility, the charger also extends its support to various renowned protocols including USB PD (Power Delivery), Qualcomm QC (Quick Charge), Samsung AFC (Adaptive Fast Charging), Huawei FCP (HiSilicon Fast Charging Protocol), and Apple 2.4. This extensive compatibility range ensures seamless operation with a diverse array of gadgets.

    Pricing and Accessibility

    The Bull charger is presented in a single elegant gray hue and is currently available at a preemptory price of ¥118 (~$16). However, the likelihood of a global market release for this charging device appears slim, necessitating interested buyers to opt for import channels to acquire it.

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  • Leaked HQ Renders of Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Reveal Design and Color Options

    Leaked HQ Renders of Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Reveal Design and Color Options

    Recent reports indicate that Asus is preparing to unveil the Zenfone 11 and Zenfone 11 Ultra in various markets. A recent leak has divulged almost everything about the Zenfone 11 Ultra, suggesting similarities with the ROG Phone 8. In a recent leak, prominent leaker Evan Blass shared high-quality renders of the device, showcasing its four color options.

    Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra HQ renders

    Leaked HQ Renders of Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Reveal Design and Color Options

    The previous leak revealed that the Zenfone 11 Ultra will be available in five shades, such as Eternal Black, Skyline Blue, Misty Gray, Verdure Green, and Desert Sienna. However, the HQ renders shared by Blass do not show the green variant of the device.

    Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Design

    The general design of the Zenfone 11 Ultra is not different from the ROG Phone 8 series. Apart from a slight change in the rear camera design, all the other design elements are quite similar between the Zenfone 11 Ultra and the ROG Phone 8 series. Here is a look at the previously leaked specifications of the 11 Ultra.

    Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Specifications

    The Zenfone 11 Ultra is expected to feature a 6.78-inch FHD+ AMOLED LTPO panel that will support up to a 144Hz refresh rate. The device is expected to ship with the Android 14 OS and feature an in-screen fingerprint scanner for security.

    Leaked HQ Renders of Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Reveal Design and Color Options

    The 11 Ultra will have a 32-megapixel front-facing camera. The back panel of the device will feature a gimbal OIS-enabled 50-megapixel IMX890 main camera, a 13-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and an OIS-assisted 32-megapixel telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom.

    Leaked HQ Renders of Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Reveal Design and Color Options

    The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip will power the Zenfone 11 Ultra. It will arrive with up to 16 GB of LPDDR5x RAM and up to 1 TB of UFS 4.0 storage. The device will pack a 5,500mAh battery with 65W wired and 15W wireless charging support.

    Leaked HQ Renders of Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Reveal Design and Color Options

    Leaked HQ Renders of Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Reveal Design and Color Options

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  • Geekbench Lists HMD Legend and LegendPro with Unisoc Chip

    Geekbench Lists HMD Legend and LegendPro with Unisoc Chip

    At the end of last month, HMD confirmed that it will be soon releasing self-branded products. At least 9 smartphones are expected from the company shortly.

    HMD Smartphone with 108MP Camera

    Two upcoming HMD-branded smartphones codenamed Legend and LegendPro have appeared in the Geekbench database. Their listings disclose a common chipset and different RAM capacities.

    These handsets will be powered by an entry-level Unisoc T606 chip. The Legend will house a 4GB RAM module, while the LegendPro will arrive with 8GB RAM.

    As for software, both of them will boot Android 14. They will likely offer a near-stock Android experience as Nokia-branded phones.

    Unfortunately, that’s all the information we have on these forthcoming products. We expect to learn more about them in the next few days.

    More HMD Phones

    Apart from these handsets, HMD is expected to release a smartphone featuring a 108MP camera with OIS. Prolific tipster Evan Blass also shared the codenames of 6 HMD phones recently.

    Two of these products are the aforementioned Legend and LegendPro. The others are Pulse, Pulse+, PulsePro, and Legend.

    HMD (Human Mobile Devices) has scheduled its MWC 2024 event for February 25. Some of these or perhaps all of these handsets could be announced at the conference.

    Also, it is worth noting that HMD has confirmed that it will continue to release Nokia-branded smartphones. In fact, more than 17 models are expected in 2024.

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  • European price leaks for vanilla Xiaomi 14; Xiaomi 14 Pro not launching globally

    European price leaks for vanilla Xiaomi 14; Xiaomi 14 Pro not launching globally

    Xiaomi’s latest flagship smartphone, the Xiaomi 14, is set to make its global debut on February 25th. According to a leak from Techmaniacs, the smartphone will be priced at €1,099 in Greece for the 12GB RAM and 512GB storage model. This is a slight increase from the Xiaomi 13, which launched last year at €999 with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage.

    Changes in RAM for Global Consumers

    While the Chinese models of the Xiaomi 14 boast an impressive 16GB RAM with 512GB storage or more, it seems that Xiaomi has downgraded the RAM for global consumers. The leak suggests that the 512GB variant for global consumers will be paired with 12GB of RAM instead.

    Exclusivity of Xiaomi 14 Pro

    The leak also supports previous rumors that the Pro version of the Xiaomi 14 will remain exclusive to China. This is likely because Xiaomi plans to launch the Xiaomi 14 Ultra alongside the standard model. Xiaomi seems to be betting that consumers will either choose the base Xiaomi 14 or opt for the feature-packed Ultra, making the Xiaomi 14 Pro a less desirable option among consumers.

    Titanium Edition of Xiaomi 14 Ultra

    According to a recent report, there is a special titanium edition of the Xiaomi 14 Ultra in development. This edition is said to come in a 16GB+1TB configuration only. There will also be a standard model in the same configuration, expected to start at a price tag of 7299 yuan (~USD 1,000). The titanium edition, however, will cost at least 500 yuan more (~USD 70).

    Both the vanilla Xiaomi 14 and the Ultra models will come with flagship features such as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, a Leica co-engineered camera, and a high-resolution AMOLED display. As soon as new details become available, we will keep you informed about the Xiaomi 14 series.

    European price leaks for vanilla Xiaomi 14; Xiaomi 14 Pro not launching globally
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  • Indian smartphone suppliers hesitant to establish presence in India pose challenges for Xiaomi

    Indian smartphone suppliers hesitant to establish presence in India pose challenges for Xiaomi

    Xiaomi, the leading smartphone brand in India, has expressed concerns about India’s strict scrutiny of Chinese companies, which is affecting the establishment of operations by smartphone parts suppliers in the country. In a letter to India’s Ministry of Information Technology, Xiaomi requested manufacturing incentives and reduced import tariffs on certain smartphone components to address the situation.

    Challenges Faced by Component Suppliers

    Xiaomi’s letter, dated February 6, was a response to an inquiry on how India can boost its domestic parts manufacturing. The company’s president in India, Muralikrishnan B., emphasized the need for trust-building measures to encourage component suppliers to do business locally. The letter highlighted challenges faced by Indian subsidiaries of Chinese companies, particularly in terms of compliance and visa issues.

    These concerns reflect the broader challenges encountered by Chinese companies operating in India. Indian authorities have accused Chinese smartphone company Vivo of violating visa regulations and embezzling significant amounts of money from India. Xiaomi itself has faced asset freezes due to allegations of illegally transferring funds to foreign entities.

    Regulatory Scrutiny and Visa Delays

    India’s regulatory scrutiny extends beyond smartphone manufacturers, with over 300 Chinese apps banned since 2020 and halted projects involving Chinese companies like BYD and Great Wall Motors. Executives from Chinese electronics firms have reportedly faced difficulties in obtaining visas and experiencing delays in investment approvals due to the strict scrutiny.

    Xiaomi’s Proposed Solutions

    In response to these challenges, Xiaomi has called for further reductions in India’s import duties, following recent moves by the Indian government to lower import tariffs on certain components. The company believes that reducing import tariffs could enhance the competitiveness of Indian manufacturing in terms of cost. However, Xiaomi also acknowledges that additional incentives will be necessary to persuade component makers to establish factories in India.

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  • OnePlus 12R offers an additional exchange bonus of Rs 4,000 on top of bank discount

    OnePlus 12R offers an additional exchange bonus of Rs 4,000 on top of bank discount

    OnePlus introduced the OnePlus 12R alongside the OnePlus 12 and Buds 3 TWS on Jan. 23 in India. The 12R became available for purchase for the first time on Feb 6. Shortly after its release, the company announced that the 12R received an excellent response from the market, quickly going out of stock. The next sale of the 12R is planned for Feb 13. Before the upcoming sale, the company revealed an enticing exchange bonus for buyers of the 12R.

    OnePlus 12R’s new offer confirmed

    The updated page on OnePlus India’s website states that buyers can benefit from a Rs 1,000 instant discount via ICICI Bank or OneCard credit card and credit card EMI transactions. In addition, the offer is also applicable via ICICI Bank net banking. Buyers can also benefit from up to Rs 1,200 off on OnePlus Audio in RCC-linked device benefits. Additionally, users can avail themselves of benefits worth Rs. 2,250 on the JioPlus Postpaid Plan.

    On Amazon India, the OnePlus 12R is also available with a new offer of up to Rs 4,000 (~$48) extra discount with the exchange. The ICICI and OneCard offers are also applicable on Amazon.

    Pricing and Specifications

    The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2-powered OnePlus 12R is priced at Rs 39,999 (~$480) for the base variant that offers 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. On the other hand, the higher 16 GB RAM + 256 GB storage model is priced at Rs 45,999 (~$555).

    By applying the bank and exchange bonus offers on Amazon, the 12R can be purchased with an effective starting price of Rs 33,999 (~$410). The device comes in two shades, such as Ice Cool and Iron Gray.

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