Author: Mukund Krishna Kumar

Apple Launches The New MacBook Air

Apple has launched an upgraded version of the MacBook Air at an event held by the company in New York. The laptop has a 13.3 inch Retina display with a resolution that is four times higher than the previous model. The new MacBook Air is also slimmer and lighter. Most notably, the laptop is made from 100% recycled aluminium, and is Apple’s ‘Greenest laptop ever’.

The new MacBook Air has a 13.3 inch display with a 2560 x 1600 px resolution. The laptop has a Retina display, making it the cheapest laptop in Apple’s lineup with a Retina display. The display also has thinner bezels, as Apple has made them 50% thinner than before. It also has 48% more colours compared to the previous generation, making the display more colourful.

The new MacBook Air also has Touch ID built-in. You can use this to unlock the device, access locked documents, notes, system settings and more. Additionally, it features the Apple T2 security chip, to make it more secure. This stores all the data on the SSD automatically, including the Touch ID data, and encrypts it as well. Another addition made by the T2 Chip is that of Siri, who can now be accessed through the MacBook Air.

For improved usability, the MacBook Air features the butterfly keyboard by Apple. This offers lesser travel and more key stability when compared to traditional keyboards. The keyboard has backlit keys with ambient sensors, helping you type in low-light conditions. The laptop also features a Force Touch Trackpad which performs different tasks based on the pressure applied. The new trackpad is also 20% larger, offering more room for Multi-Touch gestures.

The MacBook Air runs on the eighth generation i5 processor by Intel and has 8 GB or 16 GB of RAM. The device has storage options of up to 1.5 GB of SSD storage. It runs on the latest macOS Mojave and claims a battery life of up to 12 hours.

The laptop has two Thunderbolt 3 ports for connectivity and charging, along with a 3.5mm headphone jack. In terms of sound, it has 2x more bass than the previous generation, coupled with 25% more volume. Additionally, it has a three-microphone array to capture your voice and an HD camera for video calling.

The new MacBook Air starts at a price of $ 1,199 in the US. Details about the availability and price in India are yet to be revealed.

October 31, 2018
OnePlus 6T Launched In India Starting At Rs 37,999

The OnePlus 6T has been launched in India at an event held by OnePlus in New delhi. The phone is the successor to the OnePlus 6 and has a larger display, which replaces the traditional notch with a water-drop notch, which is less invasive. The fingerprint sensor has also been moved into the display. Internal specifications mostly remain the same, apart from a few distinct features.

The device has been launched at a starting price of Rs 37,999 and will be available starting November 1st on Amazon and the OnePlus website .

What’s New

OnePlus has worked hard in the design of the 6T to make sure that they deliver something unique. Apart from changes in the display, the phone is also now better water-sealed thanks to the lack of a headphone jack. Although it does not have an official rating yet, company officials claim that it is close to an IP 67 rating which will protect it from submersion in depths upto 1 metre. The display has Corning Gorilla Glass 6 which offers a high degree of protection, but OnePlus has pre-applied a screen protector to the device to ensure more safety.

The company has also gotten rid of the 64 GB storage variant due to lesser demand of the same. The RAM configurations of the phone remains the same as the OnePlus 6, with 6 GB and 8 GB options. Rumours about the microSD card slot in the 6T turned out to be false as the device does not have a slot for the same, but has a dual SIM card slot with 4G capability in both.

The display is a bigger, 6.41 inch Optic AMOLED display with a 2340 x 1080 px resolution and 402 ppi pixel density. The device has a 19:5:9 aspect ratio, owing to the water-drop notch which can also be hidden by accessing settings. The phone has a greater, 86% screen-to-body ratio compared to the 83% on the OnePlus 6.

What’s Same

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC is the same as seen on the OnePlus 6. Despite firing at the same speed, the phone is expected to be faster, thanks to performance and gaming improvements. It has Smart Boost which claims to improve the app cold start speed by 5-20 %.

The 6T uses the same sensors as its predecessor for its camera. It has a 16 MP + 20 MP dual camera setup at the back. Both the cameras have an f/1.7 aperture. The 6T records 4K 2160p video at 30 or 60fps. There are improvements in the main camera which does boost its performance. These include Nightscape, which make images taken in extreme low-light better by improving the sharpness, quality and the amount of light that in the scene. The main camera also has portrait mode and continuous to get OIS. The front camera has a 16 MP sensor with an f/2.0 aperture. It can record 1080p video at 30 fps.

The OnePlus 6T runs Oxygen OS based on Android 9 Pie with a 3,700 mAh battery. This is bigger, compared to the 3,300 mAh battery on the OnePlus 6.

Price & Availability

The phone has been launched at a price of Rs 37,999 for its 6 GB RAM + 128 GB Storage variant. The smartphone ships bundled with the OnePlus Type-C Bullets free. Additionally, you can avail Rs 1000 cash back on Citi Bank cards and a Rs 2000 discount on ICICI cards.

You can also watch our video below:

October 30, 2018
Samsung Galaxy S10+ To Have 93.4% Screen-To-Body Ratio

The upcoming Samsung Galaxy S10 flagship is one of the most anticipated devices, set to launch next year. Samsung is has set its focus on a lot on innovations this time around and the numerous leaks and rumours about the device seem to hold that true. The phone might have three variants, varying screens, an in-display fingerprint sensor. Most recently, reports of a 93 % screen-to-body ratio have surfaced.

Such a high screen-to-body ratio can only hint at one thing, a bezel-less, notch-less display. It is well known that Samsung will not be adapting the notch, especially for their next flagship. So the obvious conclusion is that Samsung has actually developed the in-display camera technology for its upcoming flagship. The in-display camera sensor will eliminate the need for a notch or a bezel, thus ensuring that the device can reach the said screen-top-body ratio. To put things into perspective, the Xiaomi Mi Mix 3, with its sliding camera has a 93 % screen-to-body ratio.

The Latest In Innovation

Samsung is said to be working on an in-display front facing camera as well. The company had introduced this concept at the 2018 Samsung OLED forum. The company had not only spoken about the in-display front camera, but also other OLED technologies such as a screen sound technology. Recently, a Samsung patent surfaced which showed a way to turn the entire display into a fingerprint sensor. This could have multiple possibilities in the future such as using any part of the display to unlock the phone. Along with using multiple fingers for authentication and not just one and also the ability for the device to constantly read your fingerprint while you sue it, for advanced security.

Also Read: OnePlus 6T Vs Huawei Mate 20 Pro Vs Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 : Specs Comparison

Recently, Samsung had teased the Galaxy A8s which is sad to have a camera cut-out for on its screen. While this is not exactly an in-display camera sensor, it might be the first step towards it. Samsung might be saving all of its best features for the flagship galaxy S10.

October 30, 2018

OnePlus 6T Vs Huawei Mate 20 Pro Vs Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 : Specs Comparison

The highly anticipated OnePlus 6T has been launched at an event held by the company in New York. The device brings some upgrades including an in-display fingerprint sensor, a bigger display, a water-drop notch, a bigger battery and more. The OnePlus smartphones have been nicknamed ‘Flagship Killers’ for their unbeatable specifications at a relatively lower price. So we compare the specifications of the latest OnePlus 6T with some of the hottest flagship devices in the market right now.

Design & Display

Each of the three devices sports a unique design. The Huawei Mate 20 Pro has a triple camera setup on the back with a traditional notch on its display. The OnePlus 6T has a dual camera setup on the back with a smaller, water-drop notch on its display. The Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 on the other hand, is totally different with a dual camera setup and a ‘sliding panel’ which houses the front camera and other sensors, eliminating the need for a notch or bezel.

All the three devices sport a glass back while the OnePlus 6T and Huawei Mate 20 Pro have an in-display fingerprint sensor.

Processor

The OnePlus 6T and the Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 run on the Snapdragon 845 SoC which is the flagship processor by Qualcomm. The Huawei Mate 20 Pro runs on the Hisilicon Kirin 980 chipset which is the latest offering by Huawei. The Snapdragon 845 has proven its worth and is adopted by almost all Android flagships. The Kirin 980 on the other hand is fairly new, so a comparison between the two is not possible at this time. However, it is noteworthy that the Kirin 980 is manufactured using the latest 7 nm process while the Snapdragon 845 uses the 10 nm manufacturing process.

The Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 offers RAM options upto 10 GB when compared to the maximum of 8 GB offered by the other two devices. All the three devices boast superior gaming capabilities as well and are supported by capable GPUs.

Camera & Battery

The Mi Mix 3 and OnePlus 6T have dual rear cameras while the Mate 20 Pro has a Leica triple camera setup. This consists of an ultra wide, wide and a telephoto lens. The OnePlus 6T has a 16 MP front camera while the Mate 20 Pro has a 20 MP front facing camera. The Mi Mix 3 has a 24 MP + 2 MP front camera setup in its sliding panel.

The Mate 20 Pro has a 4,200 mAh battery, which is the biggest out of the three. The OnePlus 6T has a 3,700 mAh battery and the Mi Mix 3 has a 3,200 mAh battery. The Mate 20 Pro also supports fast charging, fast wireless charging and reverse wireless charging. With this, you can charge another device with wireless charging capability using your Mate 20 Pro. The OnePlus 6T has Dash Charge for quick charging and the Mi Mix 3 has fast charging as well.

Also Read: OnePlus 6T Unboxing And Hands On Video

What’s More

All the three devices have a fingerprint sensor and face unlock. While the Mi Mix 3 has a physical fingerprint sensor, the other two have it within the display. Additionally, the Mate 20 Pro has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.

You can also refer to the table below to compare the specifications of the devices.

	OnePlus 6T	Huawei Mate 20 Pro	Xiaomi Mix 3
Price	6 GB + 128 GB – $ 549 Rs 40,304 (Approx)	6 GB +128 GB – EUR 1049 Rs 87,851 (Approx)	6 GB + 128 GB – 3,299 CNY Rs 34,827 (Approx)
Display	6.41 inch 2340 x 1080 px 402 ppi	6.39 inch 3120 x 1440 px 538 ppi	6.39 inch 2340 x 1080 px 403 ppi
Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon 845	Hisilicon Kirin 980	Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
CPU	Octa Core 4 x 2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold 4 x 1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver	Octa Core 2 x 2.6 GHz Cortex-A76 2 x 1.92 GHz Cortex-A76 4 x 1.8 GHz Cortex-A55	Octa Core 4 x 2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold 4 x 1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver
RAM	6 GB 8 GB	6 GB 8 GB	6 GB 8 GB 10 GB
GPU	Adreno 630	Mali G76	Adreno 630
Primary Camera	16 MP f/1.7 20 MP f/1.7	40 MP f/1.8 20 MP f/2.2 8 MP f/2.4	12 MP f/1.812 MP f/2.4
Front Facing Camera	16 MP f/2.0	24 MP f/2.0	24 MP 2 MP
Battery	3,700 mAh	4,200 mAh	3,200 mAh
Other Features	In-Display Fingerprint Sensor Water-Drop Notch Face Unlock	In-Display Fingerprint Sensor 3D Face Unlock Wireless Charging Reverse Wireless Charging IP68	Rear Mounted Fingerprint Sensor Wireless Charging Bezel-Less Display Sliding Camera

October 30, 2018

OnePlus 6T Unboxing And Hands On Video
The OnePlus 6T, as a revision, is one of the most anticipated phones to be launched this year. The phone is the successor to the OnePlus 6 which has proven to be a tough competition for even flagship devices. The update is in the typical OnePlus fashion, but this time around, it features a lot of changes.

[modal heading=”OnePlus 6T: What’s New ” text=”OnePlus 6T : What’s New?” variation=”btn-success”]In-Display Fingerprint Scanner 6.41 inch Display 3,700 mAh Battery Oxygen OS With Android 9.0 Pie Smart Boost 128 GB Storage Base Model [/modal]

Inside The Box
- USB Type-C to 3.5 mm Adapter
- Translucent Phone Case
- Fast Charging Adapter and Type-C Cable
- SIM Tray Ejector
- Quick Start Guide
- Safety Information
What Has Changed

In terms of look and feel, the OnePlus 6T is slightly different. The phone weighs a tad bit more than the OnePlus 6 and is also a bit thicker. However, when you hold and use it, it has the same feeling with its glass finish and good build quality. The 6T has a larger, 6.41 inch display, making it a bit taller than the OnePlus 6. The display sports a much smaller water-drop notch which houses the 3-in-1 ambient, distance/RGB sensor and front-facing camera.

The fingerprint sensor on the phone is now present under the display, which is one of the biggest changes brought around by the 6T. Using the sensor present on the display takes some time to get used to, but it is very responsive. One must make sure to use the entire thumb while setting up the fingerprint sensor. If you use just the tip of your thumb, the sensor might not be able to read your thumb when you use it. Although we need more time to test the fingerprint sensor completely, we are sure of the fact that it is better than other in-display sensors we have tested before. You can also continue to hold the area of the fingerprint sensor to access a quick access app drawer which is customisable, to get to your favourite apps.

Another big change is the lack of the 3.5 mm headphone jack. The fact that most of the companies are doing the same, and now that OnePlus has also adopted it, might hint at the fact that the headphone jack will be obsolete in some time. Another physical change is the ability to long press the power button to launch the Google Assistant. Which is similar to activating Siri on the iPhone.

The phone has a new Smart Boost feature which improves the app cold start speed by 5 to 20 percent. Its does so by storing the data from frequently used apps in the phones RAM. Currently, the device applies it to gaming apps but the feature reach other apps with future updates.

Under The Hood

The internals on the OnePlus 6T are the same as the OnePlus 6. It runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC with the Adreno 630 GPU. The device has 6 GB and 8 GB RAM variants. There is a slight change in terms of internal storage with the OnePlus 6T having a 128 GB base model and another 256 GB variant. Under the hood, the OnePlus 6T packs a bigger, 3,700 mAh battery.

The OnePlus 6T has the same 16 MP + 20 MP f/1.7 dual camera setup as the OnePlus 6. The front camera is also, the same 16 MP f/2.0 sensor as before. However, the company has made software improvements which it claims have improved camera performance. The device has a new Nightscape mode which claims to offer better images in low light conditions without losing sharpness and improving the image output. The device also offers overall improvements in terms of image quality and dynamic range.

Overall, when compared to the OnePlus 6, the one can’t really see a big difference in terms of performance.

Price & Availability In India

The OnePlus 6T has been launched at a starting price of $ 549, globally. The Indian launch of the device is set for the 30th of October. The 6 GB + 128 GB variant costs Rs 36,999 in India. The OnePlus 6T ships bundled with the OnePlus Type-C Bullets for free. Additionally, you can avail Rs 1000 cash back on Citi Bank cards and a Rs 2000 discount on ICICI cards.

You can also watch our detailed video below:
October 29, 2018
OnePlus 6 Vs OnePlus 6T: What’s Changed

The OnePlus 6T is the latest flagship offering from OnePlus. It has been launched at an event held by the company in New York and is the successor to the OnePlus 6. The phone is just an alphabet update and not a number update by OnePlus. This usually entails a few changes and upgrades here and there but nothing major. However, OnePlus has gone ahead and made sure that the 6T stands apart from its predecessor.

Larger Display, Smaller Notch

The OnePlus 6T sports a 6.41 inch AMOLED display with a water drop notch. The display has a 2340 x 1080 px resolution and a 402 ppi pixel density. The display is not only bigger, but is also a bit better. It has an 86% screen-to-body ratio, compared to the 83% on the OnePlus 6. The colour reproduction on the display seems to be more accurate and realistic. The water drop notch also offers more screen real estate on the device and looks much better as well. The Display is also protected by Gorilla Glass 6.

Fingerprint, On The Inside

The trend of a physical fingerprint sensors is getting a ‘bit out of touch’ as more and more manufacturers are doing away with it. The OnePlus 6T has an in-display fingerprint sensor which is a first for the company. This is the fourth generation of in-display fingerprint sensors and the best, according to the company. The sensor is very responsive, especially when compared to other in-display fingerprint setups.

The fingerprint sensor also lights up in a bright green colour which is powered by the AMOLED display. The green light is projected on to your finger, which helps the sensor to read your fingerprint faster. Do bear in mind to ensure you place the entirety of your finger or thumb while setting up the device. This is important as if you just register the tips, the sensor might not be able to work as efficiently.

Boosted Performance

The OnePlus 6T has a 3,700 mAh battery, larger than the 3,300 mAh battery on the OnePlus 6. Coupled with OnePlus’s proprietary Dash Charging technology, the battery will power you through the day. The 6T also has an improved version of the Oxygen OS, the best till date, according to OnePlus. The OS is based on Android 9 Pie and includes advanced gestures and a feature to activate Google Assistant by long-pressing the power button. Additionally, the smartphone also has a Smart Boost feature which claims to improve the app cold start by around 5-20 %.

Although the hardware is the same, OnePlus has boosted the camera performance of the device with some software changes. The phone now includes sharper images and also a new Nightscape mode. The Nightscape mode increases the amount of light in the image in extremely low-light conditions while ensuring that the sharpness of the image is not lost.

What Else?

OnePlus has done away with the 64 GB version of the phone and now offers a 128 GB base model. The device has also bid adieu to the 3.5 mm headphone jack .

Other than the aforementioned changes, the 6T is pretty much the same as the OnePlus 6. With some major changes and some minor, the Oneplus 6T is sure worthy of being called an update. The device has been launched globally at a starting price of $ 549. The India launch of the OnePlus 6T is set for 30 October. The Indian price of the 6 GB + 128 GB variant is Rs 36,999. The OnePlus 6T ships bundled with the OnePlus Type-C Bullets free. Additionally, you can avail Rs 1000 cash back on Citi Bank cards and a Rs 2000 discount on ICICI cards.

You can also watch our video below:

October 29, 2018
OnePlus 6T Launched With In-Display Finger Print Sensor And A Tiny Notch

The OnePlus 6T has been launched at an event held by OnePlus in New York. The phone is the successor to the OnePlus 6 and will carry forward the title of the ‘flagship killer’. The OnePlus 6T has features which set it apart from not only its predecessor but also other similarly priced devices. The new design has a larger display, which replaces the traditional notch with a water-drop notch, which is less invasive. The fingerprint sensor has also been moved into the display. This is the 4th generation in-dispaly fingerprint sensor and is expected to be much faster than the ones seen on the likes of the Vivo Nex. Internal specifications mostly remain the same, apart from a few distinct features.

What’s New

OnePlus has worked hard in the design of the 6T to make sure that they deliver something unique. Apart from changes in the display, the phone is also now better water-sealed thanks to the lack of a headphone jack. Although it does not have an official rating yet, company officials claim that it is close to an IP 67 rating which will protect it from submersion in depths upto 1 metre. The display has Corning Gorilla Glass 6 which offers a high degree of protection, but OnePlus has pre-applied a screen protector to the device to ensure more safety.

The company has also gotten rid of the 64 GB storage variant due to lesser demand of the same. The RAM configurations of the phone remains the same as the OnePlus 6, with 6 GB and 8 GB options. Rumours about the microSD card slot in the 6T turned out to be false as the device does not have a slot for the same, but has a dual SIM card slot with 4G capability in both.

The display is a bigger, 6.41 inch Optic AMOLED display with a 2340 x 1080 px resolution and 402 ppi pixel density. The device has a 19:5:9 aspect ratio, owing to the water-drop notch which can also be hidden by accessing settings. The phone has a greater, 86% screen-to-body ratio compared to the 83% on the OnePlus 6.

What’s Same

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC is the same as seen on the OnePlus 6. Despite firing at the same speed, the phone is expected to be faster, thanks to performance and gaming improvements. It has Smart Boost which claims to improve the app cold start speed by 5-20 %.

The 6T uses the same sensors as its predecessor for its camera. It has a 16 MP + 20 MP dual camera setup at the back. Both the cameras have an f/1.7 aperture. The 6T records 4K 2160p video at 30 or 60fps. There are improvements in the main camera which does boost its performance. These include Nightscape, which make images taken in extreme low-light better by improving the sharpness, quality and the amount of light that in the scene. The main camera also has portrait mode and continuous to get OIS. The front camera has a 16 MP sensor with an f/2.0 aperture. It can record 1080p video at 30 fps.

The OnePlus 6T runs Oxygen OS based on Android 9 Pie with a 3,700 mAh battery. This is bigger, compared to the 3,300 mAh battery on the OnePlus 6.

Price & Availability

The phone has been launched globally today and will launch in India on the 30th of October. The OnePlus 6T starts at a price of $ 549 for its 6 GB RAM + 128 GB Storage variant. The Indian price for the 6 GB + 128 GB variant is Rs 36,999. The smartphone ships bundled with the OnePlus Type-C Bullets free. Additionally, you can avail Rs 1000 cash back on Citi Bank cards and a Rs 2000 discount on ICICI cards.

You can also watch our video below:

October 29, 2018
Asus Zenfone 6 Leak Shows In-Display Camera

The Asus Zenfone 5Z was launched in India earlier this year and got a pretty good reception. The Zenfone Max Pro M1 was also an instant hit with its massive battery and attractive features. Latest leaks of the alleged Asus Zenfone 6 show that the company is not slowing down and plans on keeping up its streak of great smartphones.

The Future Of Displays

The leaked images showcase various prototypes of the Asus Zenfone 6. All of these devices sport a glass back and a large display. However, there are various combinations, with different camera setups and unique displays. The most striking one is that of a camera cut-out, which is said to be present in the upcoming Samsung Galaxy A8s as well. Different prototypes show different positions for the camera cut-out. It is placed on the left and right sides, as well as the in the middle of the display. The camera cut-out seems to be the next big step towards a bezel-less display. This might eliminate the need of having a sliding camera mechanism as seen on the Xiaomi Mi Mix 3.

The next prototype however, showcases the Asus Zenfone 6 with a tiny water-drop notch, which houses the front camera sensor. This is not all, the prototypes also showcase two different variants for the camera setup. One of the prototypes has a triple main camera setup while the other has a more common, dual camera setup.

While the camera cut-out on a display sure does look better and will take up lesser space, the placement is still an issue. If the company will place it on the sides rather than in the centre, the entire symmetry of the display could be lost. The notch on any phone is specially designed to ensure that the icons on each side of the notch are balanced equally and displayed in an aesthetic manner.

Also Read: Unboxing The Asus Zenfone 5Z

However, it is important to note that these are just prototypes of the devices. The retail unit might not be similar. But, we do hope that Asus brings some great changes to its next big smartphone.

October 29, 2018
HMD To Launch Nokia 7.1 In India In November

HMD Global had launched their Nokia 7.1 smartphone at an event held in London earlier this moth. The device was announced for the European market. An India launch was expected soon after, but HMD launched the device as the Nokia X7 in China after a few days. However, the India launch of the device is now near, according to a report, stating that we may see the Nokia 7.1 soon.

The device was also showcased at the Indian Mobile Congress held in New Delhi, adding to the fact that the device will arrive soon. The Nokia 7.1 is the successor to the Nokia 7 Plus and combines a premium style and finish with Zeiss optics and the Android One experience.

Nokia 7.1

The Nokia 7.1 has a one piece aluminium body with 2.5D curved glass edges. It has a 5.85 inch FHD+ display with a notch and a 2280 x 1080 px resolution. It has an aspect ratio of 19:9 and a 432 ppi pixel density. The Nokia 7.1 is the first smartphone by HMD to have the ‘Pure Display’ technology. This enables the display to have HDR10 support and therefore make it more crisp. The device has a special chip which lets it convert any content into the HDR10 format in real time. This feature is seen in flagship devices.

It runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 SoC, supported by the Adreno 509 GPU. The device offers 3 GB and 4 GB RAM variants and 32 GB/ 64 GB storage options. The storage can be expanded upto 400 GB using a microSD card. It has a 3,060 mAh battery and runs Android 8.1 Oreo. The company says that the phone will get the Android 9 Pie update by the end of November. Additionally, it is a part of the Android One program, meaning that it has a very clean stock Android experience and will receive speedy updates.

Zeiss Optics

The Nokia 7.1 has a 12 MP+ 5 MP dual rear camera. The 12 MP sensor has an aperture of f/1.8. The setup has Zeiss lenses, and offers the highest quality, according to the company. The rear camera also supports the live Bokeh feature, which was only available in the flagship Nokia 8 up until now. The device has an 8 MP f/2.0 front facing camera which features an advanced version of the Bothie Mode. The Bothie Mode by Nokia lets users take pictures or record video with both, the front and rear cameras at the same time.

Also Read: Realme To Soon Launch A Helio P70 Powered Smartphone

Price & Availability

The Nokia 7.1 is available in the European market for a price which converts to around Rs 25,000. The Indian price of the device is however, reported to be Rs 30,000. The device is also said to be an online exclusive.

October 29, 2018
Huawei Mate 20 Pro Launched In China With A New Variant

The Huawei Mate 20, Mate 20 X, Mate 20 Pro and the Porsche Edition Mate 20 RS were launched last week in an event held in London. The flagship devices from Huawei are the first to feature the Hisilicon Kirin 980 SoC, manufactured using the 7 nm process. The devices vary not only in terms of pricing but also in their features and target market. The Mate 20 is the entry-level device out of the lineup while the Mate 20 X is a gaming and performance oriented phone. The Mate 20 Pro on the other hand is their true flagship phone with all of Huawei’s latest features, to take on the likes of the Pixel 3 and iPhone XS.

A New Variant

However, the Chinese event introducing the devices saw a surprising new launch, that of a new variant of the Mate 20 Pro. One of the main features of the Mate 20 Pro was its in-display fingerprint sensor. The additional variant launched in China does not have a fingerprint sensor and has 6 GB of RAM along with 128 GB of storage. The change is huge, considering that the company dropped one of the most attractive features of the device.

At the same time, it also shows that the Mate 20 Pro has much more than just one feature that makes it attractive. The Chinese smartphone market is extremely competitive, even in the premium segment. With the launch of the Mi Mix 3 with 10 GB of RAM and also the upcoming Honor Magic 2, the smartphone manufacturer might be looking for ways to cut the price of the device to ensure it offers a better bargain.

Mate 20 Pro Specifications

The Huawei Mate 20 Pro has a 6.39 inch Curved OLED display with a resolution of 3120 x 1440 px and a 538 ppi pixel density. The display has a notch which houses the front camera and sensors for the 3D Face Unlock technology and has a 19:5:9 aspect ratio. The device also has an in-display fingerprint scanner for securely unlocking it. The device runs on the latest flagship processor from Huawei, the Kirin 980. The processor is made using the 7nm manufacturing process and is faster than the A12 Bionic chip by Apple, according to Huawei. The processor also has dual Neural Processing Units which help it compute solutions to task based questions with ease and in a shorter period of time. The NPUs also help in providing AI camera modes with automatic scene detection and different shooting modes while recording video.

The device has a triple camera setup which is made in collaboration with Leica. The setup consists of a main 40 MP wide lens with an f/1.8 aperture. Along with this it has a 20 MP f/2.2 ultra wide sensor and an 8 MP f/2.4 telephoto sensor. The camera has super HDR capability and can also take macro shots of objects as close as 2.5 cm. The Mate 20 Pro has an IP68 dust and water resistance rating and is also provided with a special underwater case which helps you shoot in depths of upto 5 metres.

Reverse Wireless Charging

The device has a 4,200 mAh battery along with a 40 W fast charger which claims to charge 1% in just 30 seconds. The device is also compatible with Huawei’s 15 W fast wireless charger. The Huawei Mate 20 Pro also features an impressive ‘reverse wireless charging’ feature with which you can charge other wireless charging capable device using yourMate 20 Pro.

Also Read: Huawei Launches The Huawei Mate 20, 20 X and 20 Pro

The Huawei Mate 20 costs €799 for its 4GB RAM and 128GB storage variant and €849 for its 6GB RAM and 128GB storage variant. The device will launch in India in the month of November.

October 27, 2018
OnePlus 6T Roundup: All You Need To Know

The launch of the OnePlus 6T is set for the 29th of October, barely a few days away. The device has been subjected to many leaks, including the most recent one which detailed the alleged specifications sheet. With almost so many rumours about the device out there, we round it up for you to ensure that you know everything there is about the upcoming flagship.

Design

The OnePlus 6T does sport some major design changes. The device has water-drop notch on the display, compared to the traditional notch featured by its predecessor. The water-drop notch is comparatively smaller and covers an area which is just enough to house the front camera sensor. The device is expected to have thinner bezels as well, resulting in a higher screen-to-body ratio. On the back, the device has a dual camera setup accompanied by the LED flash. The physical fingerprint scanner is no longer present as the device has now incorporated an in-display fingerprint scanner.

Display

The OnePlus 6T has a 6.4 inch screen with a 2340 x 1080 px resolution. This is comparatively larger than the 6.28 inch 2280 x 1080 px display on the OnePlus 6. It has an aspect ratio of 19:5:9 and an 86% screen-to-body ratio. Additionally, the display has Corning Gorilla Glass 6 for protection.

Processor

There are no shockers or surprise elements in this segment. The OnePlus 6T runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC and has 6 GB / 8 GB RAM variants. It has the Adreno 630 GPU and 128 GB and 512 GB storage variants. While some of the earlier reports said that the device will have a microSD card slot, the alleged specifications sheet does not mention anything of this sort. This is not surprising as OnePlus never offered expandable storage and 128 GB on the base model is plenty of storage for a smartphone. The device is running on Android 9 Pie and as mentioned by the company, the ‘best version of Oxygen OS’. This includes advanced navigational and gesture controls, along with a UI which is extremely intuitive and easy to use.

Additionally, the device has a single-core score of 2387 and a multi-core score of 8925 on Geekbench. While this is pretty close to the scores of the OnePlus 6, these might see an increase as the devices that are being tested are pre-production units. However, there won’t be much of a difference as the internals are the same as that of the OnePlus 6.

Camera & Battery

OnePlus 6T Camera Sample

The OnePlus 6T has a 16 MP+ 20 MP dual camera setup with an f/1.7 aperture, exactly the same as the OnePlus 6. While the sensors are the same, the company has made some software changes for improved performance on the upcoming device. The device has an improved Night Mode for better low-light performance and features such as Quick Capture, Super Slo-Mo recording and Portrait Mode. The front camera has a 20 MP sensor equipped with f/1.7 aperture.

The OnePlus 6T will have a 3,700 mAh battery supported by OnePlus’s propriety Dash Charging. The device is also rumoured to support wireless charging this time around.

In-Display Fingerprint

One of the biggest changes on the OnePlus 6T is the in-display fingerprint scanner. According to OnePlus, this is the most secure version and offers a higher unlock speed. The company claims to have put in a lot of hard work to ensure that it reaches the standard of a OnePlus device.

Additionally, the device lacks a 3.5 mm headphone jack. While this has caused some unrest amongst OnePlus fans, the company has ensured of alternatives which will be easily available. The company had announced a pair of Type-C Bullets a few months back, which will be compatible with the device. They also mentioned that these will be easily available unlike the Wireless Bullets which were pretty short in supply.

Price

The device is said to cost Rs 37,999 for the 6 GB + 128 GB variant, Rs 40,999 for its 8 GB + 128 GB variant and Rs 44,999 for its 8 GB + 256 GB variant.

The above-mentioned features, mostly cover everything there is to know about the device. However, it is to be noted that these are based on various leaks and rumours and might not exactly reflect the device that is about to be launched.

Also Read: Samsung To Launch A Smartphone With A Flexible Display

The OnePlus 6T will launch at an event in New York on the 29th of October, and will have an India launch the next day, in New Delhi. We will continuously keep you updated on any news about the device and make sure that you receive all the details about it the minute it launches. So stay tuned to iGyaan for everything OnePlus.

October 26, 2018
Samsung To Launch A Smartphone With A Flexible Display

It seems like Samsung has been bitten by an innovation bug recently as reports of new patents by the company are surfacing every day. It is well known that Samsung is working on new technologies for their OLED displays to produce a smartphone with a truly bezel-less display. The most recent report says that the tech giant will soon launch a smartphone with a flexible display. This display apparently wraps around the device, all the way to the back!

Display, Everywhere

The NLO (Netherlands Patent Office) and the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Office) have made public a patent by Samsung. The patent lists a ‘Flexible display of electronic device and method for operating the same’. This means that the display of the device will not only extend to the sides of the phone, but also on to the back, making this a device with a display all around it. The images in the patent explain how the technology works. They show us not only how the device will look but also about what functions it can perform.

As seen in the images, the device has slight edges on both the top and bottom. There appears to be what will act as a power button, on the top of the device. The images do not show the presence of any other physical buttons, instead, the curved sides double up as control panels. The illustration shows options such as music control, menus while watching videos and zoom capability while taking photos.

The patent also explains that other than these sides which can be used for all the apps. There are some app specific advantages of the unique design as well. For example, during gaming, the screen will have floating buttons on the top in landscape mode. These floating buttons will be clear of the main screen and will give a gamepad like experience to the user.

The patent also details other uses of the wrap-around display. Such as the ability to use two apps at once without quitting either of the two. And also arranging emails on the front display and opening and replying to one specific email on the back. Another feature is calling someone with one screen and using the GPS on the other screen. The patent also reveals that the device will be smart enough to understand whether the user is holding it in the left or right hand. It will then be placing the on-screen buttons accordingly, for added convenience.

Also Read: OnePlus 6T Specifications Leaked Along With Official Images

Just Another Patent?

The features listed in the patent are a fresh and welcome change in terms of smartphone innovation. But, it is tough to say whether we will see this becoming a reality any time soon. Various smartphone manufacturers, including Samsung have been known to hold on to a lot of their patented technologies. And we rarely see them make their way to retail models. For now, we can just hope that Samsung works on integrating a part of this technology, if not the entirety, into an upcoming smartphone.

October 26, 2018
Amazon Echo Plus Unboxing And First look

The new Amazon Echo Plus (2nd Gen) has been launched and it hosts a lot of improvements over the previous generation. The new improved Echo Plus is different both inside and out. With improved sound quality and some evident design changes, the Echo Plus looks promising, to say the least. Launched at a price of Rs 14,999, we take a look at what it packs inside.

Inside The Box

The Box houses the device itself, a quick start manual and warranty information. Apart from this, it houses the wall adapter which powers the Echo Plus. The wall adapter has a really long wire, ensuring that you can place the device at a spot of your convenience.

Design Changes

The new Echo Plus has a brand new design with a fabric mesh on the outside, giving it a really classy look. This is quite an improvement over the previous generation which had a plastic build. The redesigned Echo Plus actually looks like a device which is meant to be a part of your home, rather than the machine-like design of the previous generation.

The new Echo Plus is shorter but broader but is lighter than the previous version. The device has 4 control buttons on the top. Two of these let you control its volume while one is to disable your microphone and the other is to launch Alexa without having to call out to her. The Amazon logo has been moved to the bottom of the device. The Echo Plus has an LED rim which flashes blue when Alexa is listening to you or is saying something. The ring turns red when you deactivate the microphone. Near the bottom end of the device is the 3.5 mm aux port and the power port.

Audio Features

The Echo Plus claims better sound quality than the previous generation and is equipped with omnidirectional Dolby Audio. The device has a 0.8-inch tweeter and a 3-inch subwoofer. The tweeter is present in the lower half of the device, therefore improving the overall sound output. The improvement in sounds quality is quite evident and it has a pretty broad volume range. The Echo Plus is able to fill the room with good quality sound. Obviously, the sound quality will not match that of a dedicated speaker.

More than the output, the device can also hear you over the sound of whatever is playing. For example, even if you’ve got rock music blaring at full volume, Alexa responds to you and makes sure your command is executed. An interesting feature is the ability for it to connect to other Alexa enabled devices. So you can pair up your Echo Plus device with an Echo Spot or an Echo Dot and play your content across multiple rooms. Additionally, the device can also be connected to other speakers via the Aux port, which will result in better sound. Unfortunately, the device needs power at all times and is therefore not portable.

Home Control & Smart Capabilities

The highlight of the Echo Plus is the fact that it is a smart speaker. This means that the device has the ability to connect with and control smart appliances at your home as well as perform a variety of tasks with the help of Alexa.

The device can control switches, cameras, thermostats and bulbs among other smart devices. You can then control these devices just by using your voice. With Alexa’s increasing popularity, more and more manufacturers are producing devices which have Alexa integration.

Apart from connecting to smart devices, the speaker can perform multiple tasks, thanks to Alexa integration. You can ask the Echo Plus about the weather, a roundup of the latest news, to tell you a joke or even manage your calendar. It can also book a cab, order food and get you information from multiple sources. The device also has the feature to make calls through your mobile, but this is not available in India as of now.

Also Read: Top Smartphone Deals On Amazon Great Indian Sale

Rounding Up

The impressions from our initial use of the device prove that the Amazon Echo Plus (2nd Generation) is an obvious improvement over its predecessor. With a better and classier design, enhanced sound quality and integration of multiple features, it does stand out in its segment. The Echo Plus is available on Amazon for a price of Rs 14,999.

You can check out our video of the Amazon Echo Plus below:

October 26, 2018
OnePlus 6T Specifications Leaked Along With Official Images

The OnePlus 6T is set to launch next week and has fallen prey to another leak, yet again. It seems like the closer we are getting to the launch of a smartphone, the more we get to know about it. Unlike other leaks, this source claims to have the original specifications sheet along with official pictures from OnePlus. This is probably the most extensive leak of the OnePlus 6T until now and if it is true, gives us a very close look at the device.

Specifications Sheet

According to the alleged specifications sheet, the OnePlus 6T has the following features. It has a 6.4 inch Optic AMOLED display with a 2340 x 1080 px FHD+ resolution. The display sports a water drop notch and has an aspect ratio of 19:5:9. It has a screen-to-body ratio of 86%. The size of the display is not all that has improved and the device has Corning Gorilla Glass 6 for protection. The device measures 157.5 x 74.9 x 8.2mm and weighs 180 grams. It lacks a 3.5 mm headphone jack.

The device also has an in-display fingerprint scanner to unlock it securely. The device runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC and is available in 6 GB and 8 GB RAM variants. In terms of storage, the device has 128 GB and 256 GB options. Contrary to some earlier reports, the OnePlus 6T does not have microSD card support. Under the hood, it packs a 3,700 mAh battery and has a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer.

The device is running on Android 9 Pie, which was expected as the OnePlus 6 is already on the latest version of Android. The device has a dual 16 MP + 20 MP rear camera setup, and both the sensors are equipped with an f/1.7 aperture. It has features such as Quick Capture, Portrait Mode, and super Slo-mo recording. The front facing camera is a 20 MP sensor with an f/1.7 aperture.

Also Read: Nubia Red Magic 2 Gaming Phone Teased Ahead Of Launch

If the leak is valid, this is all there is to know about the OnePlus 6T! However, we will wait till the official launch of the device on the 29 of October to know what OnePlus has in store for us.

October 26, 2018
OnePlus 6T Gets Verizon Certification, Geekbench Scores Also Surface

The upcoming flagship from OnePlus, has crossed another milestone. The OnePlus 6T has passed Verizon’s certification labs, according to reports. This means that the smartphone will be the first OnePlus device to be compatible with the US based carrier. If the reports are true, it will boost the expansion of OnePlus in the US market. Other reports also show the Geekbench listing of the device.

OnePlus & Verizon

Along with the deal with Verizon, the company is also working on a partnership with T-Mobile in the US. The partnership with various mobile carriers will make sure that the device is known to more Americans, most of whom are not familiar with the company. The deal with these major mobile carriers will pave the way for OnePlus’s entry into the US market as well. Reports also suggest that the deal with Verizon can also carry on for future devices. This future device might be the 5G enabled phone that OnePlus is planning to release next year, most probably the OnePlus 7.

Geekbench Scores

The Geekbench listing of the device shows that it runs on Android 9 Pie and the Snapdragon 845 SoC. The device has 8 GB of RAM. The listing shows a single core score of 2,387 and a multi core score of 8,925. This is pretty similar to the performance of the OnePlus 6 and the scores on the retail device might be even higher considering that this is a pre-production unit.

The most exciting feature on the OnePlus 6T is its in-display fingerprint scanner. According to reports, the OnePlus 6T has a water-drop notch on its 6.41 inch Super AMOLED display. The device is running on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC with 6 GB and 8 GB RAM variants. It packs a 3,700 mAh battery and runs on a brand new version of the Oxygen OS. The device does however, lack a headphone jack. The OnePlus 6T is also rumoured to have microSD card support, which will be a first for OnePlus devices. The device also has a new and improved night mode to enhance its low-light performance.

Also Read: Apple & Samsung Penalised For Intentionally Slowing Down Phones

The alleged pricing and variants of the OnePlus 6T are also available. The device will launch on October 29.

October 25, 2018