After a series of tweets which hinted at its launch, Xiaomi finally unveiled the Redmi Note 5 Pro Red edition. The device is also available for sale on the company’s official website and will be available on Flipkart soon.
The Redmi Note 5 Pro had been launched in India with four colours; black, blue, gold and rose gold. The red coloured variant had been released in China but was not made available in India. However, with a tweet this morning, Xiaomi announced the launch of the Red edition in India as well.
Red is my favourite colour! It is the colour of love ???
Excited that we are launching the brand new Red coloured #RedmiNote5Pro, India's No. 1 selling dual camera phone!
The Red edition of the Redmi Note 5 Pro Red edition retains all the other specifications and features of the Redmi Note 5 Pro. The device has two variants, because of varying RAM. It has a 4 GB and 6 GB variant. The internal memory of the device is 64 GB. The memory of the device is expandable up to 256 GB.
It runs on the Snapdragon 636 processor clocking out at 1.8 GHz. The device features a dual rear camera with a 12 MP and a 5 MP sensor. The Redmi Note 5 Pro Red edition packs a 4000 mAh battery and runs Android 7 Nougat and MIUI 9.
The Redmi Note 5 Pro Red edition is already available on the official Xiaomi website and will soon be available on Flipkart. The device is priced at Rs 14,999 for the 4 GB/64 GB variant and Rs 16,999 for the 6 GB/ 64 GB variant.
LG introduced its new smartphone, the Q Stylus+. The device aims to provide another dimension to its ‘exceptionally priced’ mid-range smartphones, according to LG. They also say that the phone is aimed to further optimise the role of a stylus to ensure maximum utilisation of the device.
The device has a 6.2 inch FHD+ display with an 18:9 aspect ratio. Unlike the current trend, the device does not have a notch, it sports bezels instead. The device has a 1.5 GHz octa- core processor and has 4 GB of RAM. Running on Android 8.1 Oreo, the LG Q Stylus+ has 64 GB of internal memory which can be extended up to 2 TB.
Breaking another trend, the LG Q Stylus+ has a single camera setup on the back. This has a 16 MP sensor while the front camera has an 8 MP sensor. The device has a 3,300 mAh battery and is IP68 dust and water resistant.
LG has laid great focus on the stylus capability of the device. The stylus has ‘handwritten input features’. An intelligent palm rejection system ensures that if your hand is resting on the display, it will not meddle with the stylus’s input. The device can recognise and record handwritten notes even while the display is off. Additionally, the stylus can be used to personalise images and videos to create GIFs.
Motorola announced the launch of its P30 Note in China. The device is the latest addition to the P series of phones, following the Motorola P30.The massive 5000 mAh battery sets it apart from its predecessor. The Motorola P30 Note is already on sale in China.
The Motorola P30 Note has a massive 6.2 inch LCD display with an 18:9 aspect ratio. The display has a native resolution of 2246 x 1080 pixels and also sports a massive notch.
The device runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 chipset and has 4 GB/ 6 GB of RAM. It has an external memory of 64 GB. This is expandable up to 128 GB or more, according to reports. The device has ZUI 4.0 running with the Android 8.1 Oreo OS.
Checking out the camera department, the P30 Note has a dual camera setup at the back. Two 16 MP + 5 MP sensors with an aperture of f/1.8 and f/2.2 respectively, comprise the setup. The front camera has a 12 MP sensor with an aperture of f/2.0 and supports AI beauty features.
However, the device is deeply similar to the Motorola One Power which is going to be launched exclusively in India. A few minor differences set them apart. The big difference being, the Motorola P30 Note runs the ZUI 4.0 OS and not Android One like the Motorola One Power.
The device packs a huge 5000 mAh battery, which adds to its weight. The device is available on sale in China at CNY 1,999 (Rs 20844) for the 4 GB version and CNY 2,299 (Rs 23,973) for the 6 GB version.
The upcoming Apple iPad Pro 2018 has been leaked with full specifications and detailed renders. The iPad Pro is expected to launch in a 12.9 inch and a smaller 10.5 inch variant at the upcoming Apple Launch Event.
Design:
From the very first glance we can see that the iPad Pro 2018 is starkly different form its earlier variants. We can see the lack of a home button, a sharper design and thin, uniform bezels around the device.
The absence of a home button could hint at the fact that the device is getting a true depth camera and Face ID. Other than this, the lack of a headphone jack is also noted on these renders. The charging port is at the bottom middle of the device. However, this is right below the Smart Connector, which is placed on the back.
The Smart Connector is used to pair the iPad Pro with a keyboard to increase usability. The move to shift the Smart Connector to the bottom could be because of the fact that Face ID does not work horizontally. Therefore, the new iPad Pro might be used vertically, even for typing.
Specifications:
Two variants, the 12.9 inch and 10.5 inch iPad Pro are expected this year. However, it is reported that neither of them will have an OLED, rather they will have an LCD panel.
The iPad Pro 2018 is also reported to run on the new A12X chipset. According to rumours, the A12X is going to be made using the 7nm technology which boosts performance and increased battery life. However, the devices are expected to have 4 GB of RAM, with varying storage variants going up to 512 GB.
Additional Features:
The new iPad Pro will continue to offer Apple Pencil support, according to reports. The slimmer bezels will mean that the iPad Pro 2018 will be smaller in size, despite the same screen size as its predecessor.
Launch and Price
The iPad Pro 12.9 2018 is expected to be launched at Apple’s annual Keynote event. The event will be held on 12th September. Reports place the 10.5 inch variant to start at Rs 54,999 and the 12.9 inch variant to start at Rs 64,999.
Apple seems to be battling with hardware problems in some of its devices. The iPhone 8’s logic board has been affected because of which multiple problems plauging the device. Apple has launched a new logic board repair program for the iPhone 8 to tackle the same.
The logic board in some iPhone 8 models are causing major problems. It is therefore causing the device to restart, freeze and even be unresponsive for periods of time. Apple says that a ‘very small percentage’ of devices have logic boards with manufacturing defects which is causing the problem. Apple says that the units sold between September 2017 and March 2018 in China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Macau, New Zealand, and the U.S are affected.
If your device is amongst those which has been affected, you can apply for a fix. The repair will be done free of cost, according to Apple. You can check whether your iPhone 8 is covered by this program. To do so enter the serial number of your device on this website. The problem does not affect iPhone 8 plus or any other iPhone models. If you have an eligible device, you can make an appointment at an Apple retail store, contact an Apple Authorised Service Provider or even arrange for mail-in service through Apple support.
Apple also recommends affected customers to back up their iPhone to iTunes or iCloud before giving it for repair. Any iPhone 8 device with damage that can affect the ability to complete a logic board, such as a cracked screen, needs to be repaired prior as it won’t be covered in this program. The program also covers affected iPhone 8 devices for three years after the first retail sale of the unit.
10 years ago, Google brought the Chrome internet browser into this world. At a time when Firefox was battling the giant Internet Explorer and Safari was used by a few, Chrome marched in and built an empire for itself. Most switched to Google Chrome around 8 years back, and since then, have never looked back.
Google officially introduced Chrome in 2008 and it supported Windows at that time. By 2009, the company released Chrome for Mac Os and Linux as well. Fast forward to 2018 and Chrome now holds more than 60% of the internet browser market share, way ahead of its competition, the closest holding 11 %. The journey has been incredible, both for Google and the users. So here’s a look at 10 years of Chrome and the revolution that it brought along.
The Rise and Fall of Microsoft:
In the early 2000’s, the only competition Microsoft had was from Netscape. After it gained certain victory over Netscape, Microsoft now dominated the market, mostly because it had no rival. Microsoft introduced the Internet Explorer 6 along with Windows XP. Internet Explorer 6 worked very well with certain features of XP and came into a booming internet market. The users of Windows XP utilised IE 6 to access the web and soon it became synonymous with the internet for those users. IE 6 continued to rise in popularity and soon commanded more than 90% of the market. The top position gave Microsoft the power to do what it felt, or so it thought. Microsoft started disregarding open web standards and policies. Most websites started optimising themselves for IE 6, giving one the best experience.
With the rising popularity of the web, were set which would help developers design sites to work across various browsers and platforms. Microsoft largely ignored these standards. With the rising popularity of IE 6, developers had no other way out than to optimise their websites for IE.
Soon competition rose in the form of Firefox and it came out with new features such as tabbed browsing and a pop-up blocker. With IE 7, Microsoft introduced tabbed browsing and a few other features to ensure its relevance is up to date. However, it didn’t make much of an effort to improve its compliance with web standards. The criticism against Microsoft started growing.
Enter: Google Chrome!
Google Chrome came crashing down on this. It focused on web standards and passed the Acid 1 and Acid 2 tests. These tests determined the degree of compliance with web standards that a browser exhibited. Microsoft had not been able to pass these tests at that point of time.
The entry of Google Chrome made the Internet Explorer a Meme Favourite
Soon, developers started moving towards Chrome as they could now build better websites based on web standards. Now Microsoft had two threats to worry about and the internet browser battle ensued. Google used components from Apple’s WebKit rendering engine and Mozilla’s Firefox to help build Chrome. It also made Chrome’s source code available openly under the name Chromium Project.
One of the most important features that Chrome brought with it was that of sandboxing. In simple words, sandboxing ensured that the contents of one tab stay in that tab. For example, if you accidentally access a sit which has malware or has been hacked, the sandboxing feature ensure that the other tabs will not be affected. Furthermore, the malware from that tab won’t spread into other parts of your computer. Sandboxing also helps in increasing the speed and stability of Chrome.
Soon, Chrome evolved to become something that was just more than a browser for PC’s. Over the years, it has grown to be one of the most preferred browsers for laptops, mobiles and tablets as well. Numerous applications such as Opera and Steam also use Chrome’s Blink engine.
However:
It is not all sunshine for Google. Recently, Google has drawn criticism as some allege it is stepping into the same spot that Microsoft did years back. With the development of new apps that ‘work best with chrome’ on the rise, some comparisons can certainly be drawn. Apps like Google Meet, Allo, YouTube TV, Google Earth, and YouTube Studio Beta block Microsoft Edge from accessing them and instruct users to download Google Chrome instead.
The use of the Google homepage for the ‘propagation’ of Chrome is also something which cannot be ignored Since google is the most widely used search engine, millions of people visit the homepage every day. If you happen to visit the page through a browser other than google, numerous messages will suggest that you download Chrome instead of the regular browser.
Companies other than Google are also making ‘Chrome only’ apps and websites optimised for Chrome. This surely does remind us of Microsoft’s tactics with IE 6. This is ironic, considering that Google Championed the cause of sticking to open web standards.
The Future:
Via Bleeping Computer
Over a decade, Chrome has evolved into a platform and it is no longer just an internet browser. Chrome books are extremely successful and perform a majority of tasks revolving around the browser. Considering the fact that it has grown to such an extent within this time, it is exciting to think about what it may bring in the coming few years.
The Nubia Red Magic was launched earlier this year, adding to the growing list of specialised gaming smartphones. Not much time has passed after its launch and we hear that the Nubia Red Magic 2 is on the way. The Nubia Red Magic 2 gaming smartphone will supposedly be powered by the Snapdragon 845 chipset and bring along a whole new set of upgrades.
More Power, More Gaming:
According to a twitter user, Nubia is already working on the Red Magic 2 gaming smartphone. The device will have shoulder mounted buttons and a Snapdragon 845 SoC to improve its gaming experience, according to reports. Not much about the Nubia Red Magic 2 is known as of now. However, the Nubia Red Magic is well known in the gaming smartphone segment.
Nubia Redmagic actually seems pretty nice for 449 Euro with SDM835, 8/128GB and all the other fancy stuff. Btw: new Redmagic device w/ Snapdragon 845 and shoulder buttons is in the works. pic.twitter.com/m64KS9LTfk
The Nubia Red Magic packs a Snapdragon 835 SoC despite being a dedicated gaming phone. This can be off-putting considering that it doesn’t use the faster Snapdragon 845. However, Nubia claims that it still offers one of the best gaming experiences. The Red Magic has a 6.0-inch 1080 x 2160 screen. It comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The back is made of aluminum and has an RGB LED strip. There is a single 24MP sensor on the back and an 8MP front-facing camera above the display. It has a smart amplifier and DTS audio. There is a 3,800mAh battery under the hood with support for fast charge. It also has a new air convection cooling system to keep the device cool.
The Nubia Red Magic is one of the few gaming smartphones available now, though the number is growing. Recently we saw many manufacturers taking to making a dedicated gaming smartphone such as the Xiaomi Black Shark and the Asus ROG. The timeline for the release or the price of the phone is not available, but it is possible that it may be launched late 2018 or early 2019.
The new 3 Degree of Freedom Virtual Reality Motion Simulator seems to be a dream for gaming enthusiasts. The simulator looks like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. The simulator is a hemispherical platform which houses various controls. It has an immersive 3-degree movement which brings the game to life with its movement and real life vibrations.
Virtual Reality Redefined:
The name of the device originates from its ability to move in three directions. Thus giving the user an ability to yaw, pitch and roll. For those not familiar with these terminologies, these are the basic three axis along which an aircraft moves. The cockpit style simulator is set on an array of omni wheels, therefore easing movement.
The simulator is mean to offer the experience of large motion simulator rigs in VR arcades, right in your home. The simulator’s has an ability to change direction quickly and thus offers agility. However, this is done very quietly. The extra verisimilitude, built-in tactile transducers add immersive surround vibration. All this gives you a very realistic experience of racing games or flight simulators.
According to the the creator, Mark Towner, it offers a proper Virtual Reality experience. VR is about the thrill and adventure of exploring another world and usually you only get half the experience, according to him. While other VR simulators offer great visuals and amazing sounds, the lack of proper movement can be a kill joy. Therefore, the extensive movement brought by this device ensures that you actually feel like you’re flying a plane or driving a car.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feKgOiyqvpM
Thrill Of Adventure:
“Most motion simulators are ugly steel frames, noisy as hell, and insanely expensive “,Towner says. Another great feature is the modular design of the simulator which allows a user to switch the seat for special add-ons to fit the particular VR scenario.The Freedom Motion Virtual Reality Simulator targets a large section of gamers who enjoy racing and flying games but do not have the budget to buy a good simulator. You can find the device on the project’s kickstarter page, which is a crowdfunding website.
The weekend is here and its a time to rejoice. While some of us may have bigger plans, most might just prefer to stay in and watch something good. So, whether its an immersive experience or just some light content you’re looking for, here’s a list of Top 10 shows on Netflix that are sure to make you go wow.
The Sci-Fi show is a Netflix original which is based 300 years in the future. The society has been transformed by technology, and death is no longer permanent. One can be brought back to life with the possibility of interchangeable bodies. The protagonist, Takeshi Kovacs is the only surviving soldier of an elite warrior force. They were defeated in an uprising against the new world order. For centuries, his mind had been imprisoned when he was given a chance to come back to life. However, he has to undertake an impossible task to do so. Based in the future and in a society which is overrun by technology, Altered Carbon is a visual treat. The narrative is fresh and original and will leave you wanting for more.
This is a must watch for anyone who loves The Crown or Sherlock. The show is set in post World War I England and follows the activities of a criminal gang. The gang soon comes under the scanner of Chester Campbell, a detective sent by Winston Churchill himself to clear out crime.The Show stars Cillian Murphy and Tom Hardy among others and won the British Academy Television Award for Best Drama Series this year.
Brooklyn Nine Nine is arguably one of the most popular comedy series out there right now. Having picked up a huge fan following over the past few years, it has now acquired a cult status. The show is based in a police precinct in New York, filled with weird and whacky officers of the law. The protagonist, Jake Peralta is played by Saturday Night Live star Andy Samberg and he is supported by other notable comedians such as Terry Crews. The series can be described as nothing short of a laugh riot and deserves to be watched right away.
Sacred Games has redefined Indian television and set a really high benchmark for the same. The story revolves around a Mumbai cop, Sartaj Singh (Saif Ali Khan) and Ganesh Gaitonde (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) and their bitter contest. Sartaj is taken off Gaitonde’s case, however he still continues to pursue Gaitonde for the sake of justice. What follows is a series of crimes and a thrilling story which is sure to grip you with its beautiful narrative. Sacred Games also gives us a sense of pride as we see the Indian television industry matching up to be world class.
Lost in space is another Sci-Fi show which makes it to the list. The Human Race is facing a catastrophe which threatens its survival. To combat this, various missions are sent into space to colonise the Alpha Centauri star system. The story revolves around the Robinson family. The Robinson family is one of many who live on board the Resolute, the mother ship which is carrying all the human beings. However, an alien robot forces them to evacuate and land on a nearby planet. They must now try a way to combat the harsh conditions of the planet, ensuring their survival.
Comedians in cars getting coffee is one of the most original ideas seen till date. The show has host and comedy star Jerry Seinfeld taking other famous comedians out for coffee, in amazing cars. Yes, each episode features a new comedian and a different car. The cars are usually vintage classics or supercars which are sure to make your jaw drop. We see the comedians involve in a candid conversation, giving us a closer look at our beloved stars. The show also maintains a balance between talking about the comedians and also giving us a detailed dose of the beautiful machines.
Vikings is a must watch show for history and action lovers. Based on Nordic stories, it is about a farmer who rises up to his call and emerges as one of the most fearless warriors. The series revolves around the stories of Ragnar Lothbrock and how he eventually becomes a king. Vikings stars Travis Fimmel and is sure to leave you awestruck with its rawness and intensity.
Mindhunter is a crime based drama, and it is sure worth a watch. The story revolves around two FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench, who try to understand serial killers in order to catch them. This has them go through many killers and cases, but along the way they develop what is the modern day serial killer profiling method. Along with intense acting, the series is backed by Oscar-nominated director David Fincher and Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron as the show’s executive producers. The show might just redefine crime for us as we know it.
Another Indian TV series to make this list, Ghoul is nothing short of a masterpiece. It is a fantasy horror drama, starring Radhika Apte. The story is set in a ‘totalitarian near-future India’ and involves a mysterious prisoner being brought in to a top secret army facility. The interrogating offers soon realise to their horror that the prisoner has the power to unleash a demon from Arabic folklore, which exposes their deepest secrets. Ghoul has redefined what horror means when it comes to India and has set a standard, apart from the terrible attempts at horror in the past.
Disecnhantment is an animated comedy series by Netflix. The story is based in medieval times and revolves around a princess. The twist however, is that the princess breaks every convention of being one. She continues to wreak havoc in her father’s kingdom along with her elf friends. The show is a dig at the same old structure of a fairy tale and offers a good deal of laughs as one goes along. While it may seem to be just another animated comedy on the surface, the creators have subtly sown satire into the story which takes a jab at our modern society too.
These TV shows are not ranked in any particular order and cannot be compared as they cover different spectrums. Whatever your pick, a good time is guaranteed!
Huawei has confirmed that the Huawei Mate 20 and Huawei Mate 20 Pro Smartphones will be launching on 16th October. After revealing the date during the IFA 2018, Huawei said that the devices will be running the latest flagship processor, the HiSilicon Kirin 980.
Huawei Mate 20 & Mate 20 Pro:
Huawei has not revealed any more information about the device. However,numerous ‘leaks’ and spy shots give us a fair idea about the smartphones. Earlier leaks and renders reveal that the devices sport a ‘water drop notch’. The notch is smaller than the notches we can see on other phones. The devices supposedly have a triple camera setup, which is quite unique to look at.
Renders Via XDA
The devices reportedly have 6+ inch screens and a massive 4200 mAh battery.
Renders Via XDA
Most recently, a Spanish technology blog ‘spotted’ a Mate 20 device at the IFA 2018. The device is apparently in the hands of a Huawei employee and is protected by a thick back cover. The cover prevents one from getting a better view at the device. But the unique camera setup which matches the renders of the device makes a compelling case. The price of the devices will be known in October.
The Huawei HiSilicon Kirin 980 is the company’s latest flagship processor. The processor will be used in all upcoming Huawei flagship devices, according to the company. The chipset is the first production SoC to have used the 7nm for its manufacturing. The 7nm manufacturing process makes a chipset more power efficient. It is designed around the ARM’s Cortex-A76 CPU and the Mali-G76 GPU, which are new designs. According to the company, the Kirin 980 has 6.9 billion transistors running on it. Comparatively, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 has 4.3 billion.
Huawei also says that the octa-core Kirin 980 utilises two cores for ‘turbo performance’ and two for long term performance. The other four are used to maximise power efficiency. Normally, a CPU uses a combination of only high performance and high efficiency cores. Therefore, making this a step away from conventional design.
For increased Ai performance, the Kirin 980 has a dual NPU ( Neural Processing Unit). This performs AI assisted image recognition tasks at a rate of 4500 images per minute, according to Huawei. Comparatively, Apple’s A11 bionic chip identifies 2371 images and the Snapdragon 845 recognises 1458, the company added.
Huawei believes that the Kirin 980 is far better than the Snapdragon 845, which has already been out for some months now. The Kirin 980 is set to launch in October, while Qualcomm is working on the successor to the Snapdragon 845. It will be exciting to see how many of Huawei’s claims come true after the launch of the Kirin 980.
Motorola announced the launch of its new Motorola One smartphone. This announcement was made alongside the announcement of the Motorola One Powerwhich is exclusively for India. the announcement was made by Motorola through a blog post, unlike a typical launch. The device runs on Android One and will be one of the first devices to receive the Android 9.0 update.
The Motorola One has a 5.9 inch FHD+ display. The display also has a distinct notch and a chin. It has a 19:9 aspect ratio and a native resolution of 1520 x 720 pixels. The device has a dual camera setup at the back with a 14 MP sensor. The camera has extensive AI integration according to Motorola and can shoot 4K videos at 30 fps.
Running on the Snapdragon 625 octa core processor, the device has 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage. The Motorola One has a 3000 mAh battery and also has TurboPower capability for faster charging. The device also comes with Android One which means that it will be one of the first to receive all Android updates. This will also give the device a clean stock android experience and rid it of any unnecessary pre-installed apps, according to Motorola.
The Motorola One is priced at €299 and will be soon available globally, according to Motorola.
Motorola has announced the Motorola One power. However, it is set to release only in India. The Android One based smartphone will be released in India in October. There has been no talk about it being launched anywhere else as of now.
The Motorola One Power sports a 6.2 inch FHD+ display. The display has a 19:9 aspect ratio and a native resolution of 2246×1080 pixels . However, also present on the display is a notch and a chin at the bottom. The device has a dual camera setup on the back . It has a 16 MP+ 5 MP sensor, according to reports. The Motorola One Power might have an AI powered camera like the Motorola One.
Under the hood, the device packs a Snapdragon 636 Octa core processor. It has an internal storage of 64 GB. The Motorola One Power supposedly packs a 5000 mAh battery. Motorola claims the device has great battery life and is supported by Turbo Power. The device also comes with Android One. This means that it will be one of the first to receive all Android updates. This will also give the device a clean stock android experience. It will also rid it of any unnecessary pre-installed apps, according to Motorola.
The launch of the Motorola One Power is scheduled for October in India. The price and further specifications of the device have not been disclosed.
The few weeks have been filled with extensive leaks of the Google Pixel 3 XL. Unboxing videos, benchmark scores and camera samples have made it seem like the XL variant is already out. However, nothing much was available about the smaller Google Pixel 3, until now. The latest leak has given us elaborate images of what the user claims to be the Google Pixel 3.
Display:
The latest images of the alleged Google Pixel 3 confirm that the device will not sport a notch, unlike the bigger Pixel 3 XL. The device has a 5.5 inch display, an upgrade from the 5 inch screen of the Pixel 2. Despite the bezels, the device has a 18:9 aspect ratio and a native resolution of 2160 x 1080 pixels which gives it a pixel density of 440 ppi.
Taking a look under the hood, we get to see that the device runs on a Snapdragon 845 chipset with an Adreno 630 GPU. The device will offer 4 GB of RAM. These specs are almost the same as what we had reported earlier.
Screenshots from the leaked device.
Battery:
Google has apparently given the smartphone a 2915 mAh battery, an upgrade from the Pixel 2’s 2700 mAh battery. The 2915 mAh battery is pretty good to provide the Pixel 3 with a better performance. This is not the case with the Google Pixel 3 XL. The XL variant reportedly carries a 3430 mAh battery, which might be underpowered for such a massive display. Reports also suggest that the Pixel 3 will have wireless charging capability.
Camera:
Clearly visible from the image, the device has a single rear camera. It is reported to be a 12 MP sensor. However, considering the Pixel’s past performance, the camera performance is expected to be top notch. The leaks also confirm to us that it has dual front cameras. The two front cameras are both equipped with 8 MP sensors and an aperture of f/1.8. The two front facing camera might provide the smartphone with better selfies with a wide-angle portrait. It is rumoured that they will also be used for the face recognition feature the device might carry.
The device also has a stereo speaker setup in the front, according to reports. Further details such as the availability and pricing has not been revealed yet. With such frequent and detailed leaks, we are curious to see what new features Google will unveil at the launch event.
The time is here for the notch to move aside, probably. The hottest trend in the smartphone market is now a sliding camera with a completely bezel less display. Honor has given us a glimpse of its Magic 2 smartphone which will feature a truly bezel less and notch free screen.
Earlier this year, Vivo had introduced its NEX S concept, which it soon made available in the market. The device has a pop-up camera which hides inside the phone, removing the need for a notch. Soon after this, Oppo launched the Find X, which adapted this feature in a more creative way. The device features a sliding part on the top which houses the front camera, a sensor and also the primary cameras on the back.
Honor showed us a glimpse of the Honor Magic 2 while on stage during the IFA in Berlin. Demonstrating the sliding mechanism on stage, he appeared to manually push the back of the phone to reveal the sliding part housing the front camera. This is quite different from what we have seen earlier, as the Oppo Find X and Vivo NEX do the same mechanically.
The device will feature the second generation of its 40 W fast charging mode which was first introduced with the Honor Magic last year. Honor has also gone through various steps to ensure safety in this new technology. The phone has a 15 layer protection. This will not let the mechanism start until the phone identifies the charger, cable and battery as safe.
Not too much about the Honor Magic 2 was revealed at the event by the company. Honor wanted to announce the product prior to launch, as copycat devices were expected out of China soon. Just a few hours later, Xiaomi announced their upcoming Mi Mix 3 device with a sliding mechanism.
Mi Mix 3
The Honor Magic 2 is expected to release in December this year, which is when we will find out the full specifications, availability and price. It is also rumoured to run the new flagship Kirin 980 processor, hinting that this will be a flagship device. We are not sure if this device will make it to India and other parts of the world. But here is hoping.
The Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are two upcoming flagship devices which we will see from Google. The Pixel device has been known to set the standard for what an Android device is capable of. The building anticipation to see what the new devices will bring has led to a lot of rumours. Most of these rumours are fuelled by extensive leaks that happened recenlty. So lets get straight into it.
Via @Wylsacom
Launch:
The devices are expected to launch at Google’s annual ‘Made By Google’ event. Reports suggest that this would be around 9th October, falling in line with the date for the last year’s launch event. It is expected that Google will launch both the devices on the same day itself.
Via @Wylsacom
Design:
What the new Pixel devices will look like has been a hot topic for discussion throughout the year. The beginning of the year had most people believing that the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL will feature fully edge to edge display. This would make the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL the third device to feature a full display, after the Vivo NEX and Oppo Find X. However, an extensive leak of the pre-production samples made it very clear as to what the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL could look like.
Via Rozetked
The alleged devices sport two very different looks. The bigger Pixel 3 XL has a notch, following up with the latest trend in the smartphone market. This is astonishing as Google is known to never follow trends, as it prefers to set them. However, the Notch is much bigger than what we have seen on other devices. The notch will also house two front cameras and an Infrared Scanner. The Infrared scanner might help in aiding the face recognition feature rumoured to be in the device according to leaks.
Via Rozetked
The Pixel 3 on the other hand has a completely traditional design with bezels on the top and bottom of the screen and thin bezels on the sides and rounded edges. Both the devices have identical backs which house the circular fingerprint sensor and a single camera setup. The Pixel 3 XL reportedly has a 6.7 inch screen with a native resolution of 1440 x 2960 pixels.
Reports suggest that the Google Pixel 3 XL will run a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset with the Adreno 630 GPU. The device is rumoured having 6 GB of RAM and upto 512 GB of internal storage. This is what is expected form a flagship device in 2018, however, if a leak by a twitter user is to be believed, you sure will be disappointed.
According to this leak, the Pixel device will only run with 4 GB of RAM, which is not a defining standard in these times. The chipset still stands to be a Snapdragon 845. However a smooth experience can be expected as the Pixel devices run the best stock android.
The devices are expected to run the latest Android 9.0 Pie out of the box. Google might have fine tuned the Pixel to gel with the best features of the new OS such as improved gesture control, according to experts.
Battery:
Based on the leaks, the Pixel 3 XL is equipped with a 3430 mAh battery. This is a slight downgrade from the 3520 mAh battery that the Pixel 2 XL has. This might however, not necessarily mean a diminished battery life. Google might have worked on optimising the OS and apps to ensure better performance, according to experts.
A video displaying the wireless charging capability of the alleged Pixel 3 XL surfaced online recently. This is an exciting new feature added to the device.
Camera:
The Pixel devices have been known to set a standard for when it comes to cameras. With the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL launched last year, Googled proved that the number of cameras isn’t what dictates the quality of the image. Taking the leaks into consideration, we will see a similar single rear camera setup for both the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL.
Image claimed to be taken by a Pixel 3 XL ( Via @Khoroshev)
The rear camera is reported to have a 12.2 MP sensor. The front notch will also house a dual camera setup with at least one 8 MP sensor. The sensor might be used for the face recognition technology, according to reports.
Price:
Most reports and analysts expect the Pixel 3 to be priced around $650 and the Pixel 3 XL around $ 750. This sure does seem to be a low estimate as most flagship phones are available at the $ 1000 mark these days. This could be a strategic placement, according to experts.
Via Rozetked
Know More:
Pixel devices are known to get Android updates first, ensuring that devices are up to date. The phone is said to use a USB type-C charger which was present in the box in a leaked image. Along with this we can see earphones, provided by Google for the very first time. More images show that the Pixel 3 XL will continue to support the Active Edge feature. This activates the Google Assistant when the phone is squeezed.
With new leaks, images and tests surfacing almost everyday, we will keep updating this article to ensure you get the latest about the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. So keep watching this space to know everything about the upcoming flagship device from Google.
