Author: Sahil Kapoor

OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro Get Android Q Beta, How To Install Guide
Earlier this month, Google held its annual developer conference, Google I/O in Mountain View, California where it showcased the upcoming Android Q. The future Android update will introduce several new features while simultaneously enhancing the existing ones. The consumer-ready update of the latest Android version is expected to roll out in the month of August. However, interested device owners can experience the Beta version of Android Q which takes a bit of tinkering to install.

During the conference, Google published a list of OEMs whose devices are eligible for the Beta software update. As promised, Chinese smartphone maker, OnePlus has dropped the said Android Q beta for its latest flagship smartphone duo which includes the OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro. Consequently, interested OnePlus 7 and 7 Pro owners can install the latest software on their devices and experience what the future version of Android has on offer. Though, it must be noted that Beta software has certain issues which will be fixed gradually with upcoming updates. The list of known issues is listed below:
- Ambient Display is not working
- System stability issues
- Cannot send SMS when VoLTE is on
- Navigation gesture is not working
- Recovery mode doesn’t work
- Some apps may not function as expected when running on this Developer preview release
- An issue with MTP that doesn’t allow you to copy rollback file from PC to Phone
After going through the list of known issues, if you still want to install Android Q beta on your OnePlus 7 or OnePlus 7 Pro, the following guide will help you

How To Install Android Q Beta On OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro?

Note:
- The update will delete the existing data on your smartphone, therefore backup important data before installing the update.
- Make sure your device is 30% charged and has at least 3 GB of available storage space.
Steps:
- Download the latest ROM upgrade zip package. (OnePlus 7, OnePlus 7 Pro)
- Copy the ROM upgrade package to the phone storage.
- Navigate to Settings > System > System Updates > Click top right icon > Local upgrade > Click on the corresponding installation package > upgrade
- After the upgrade is complete, click Restart.
- The phone will boot into recovery mode to format user data, it will reboot again after formatting.
- Update successful.?
May 21, 2019
Nokia 3.2 With 6.26 Inch Display and 4000 mAh Battery Launched in India
After launching the Nokia 4.2 earlier this month in India, HMD Global has launched its younger sibling the Nokia 3.2 in the country. The smartphone was originally unveiled at MWC 2019 which was held in Barcelona, Spain in the month of February. Staple to Nokia phones, it has a robust build quality and is targeted towards the budget segment.

Nokia 3.2 Looks and Features

The Nokia 3.2 has a contemporary design with a high screen to body ratio display on the front that features a waterdrop notch up top. The rear glass panel of the smartphone accommodates the company branding, the Android One certification, the fingerprint sensor and the single camera setup. The Android One certification assures the smartphone will receive the latest Android OS updates for at least two years.

On the front of the Nokia 3.2 sits a 6.26 inch display which is surrounded with thin bezels on all sides. The display panel has an HD resolution of 1520 x 720 px and a pixel density of 269 ppi. The handset is kitted with the Snapdragon 429 SoC which is comprised of an Quad Core CPU and the Adreno 504 GPU. One highlighting feature of the device is it’s dedicated Google assistant button which is mounted on the left side. Like the Nokia 4.2, the power button on the new device also doubles up as the notification LED.

The Nokia 3.2 runs on the latest Android 9 Pie stock OS. It is powered by a large 4,000 mAh battery which supports 10 watt fast charging. In terms of connectivity, the device offers 802.11 Wi-Fi a/b/g/n, 4G VoLTE, Bluetooth 4.2, 3.5 mm audio jack and the bottom mounted Micro USB 2.0 port. Talking about the optics, the Nokia 4.2 has a 13 MP rear facing camera and 5 MP selfie camera.

Nokia 3.2 Price, Colour and Storage Options

Also Read: Flagship Grade Redmi K20 Confirmed To Have A 4,000 mAh Battery

The Nokia 3.2 is offered in two colour options which include Black and Steel. The device will be available for purchase via both online and offline platforms starting from the 23rd of May. It is offered in two storage variants for which the price is as follows:
- 2 GB + 16 GB- Rs 8,990
- 3 GB + 32 GB- Rs 10,790
In addition to the inbuilt storage, it also supports memory expansion upto 400 GB via a microSD card.
May 21, 2019
Flagship Grade Redmi K20 Confirmed To Have A 4,000 mAh Battery

Xiaomi’s offshoot Redmi is bracing up for the launch of its upcoming flagship grade smartphone which will be called the Redmi K20 aka Killer 20. With the ‘Killer’ suffix, Redmi is boasting of a smartphone that offers high-end features at an aggressive price point. For a short while, the company has been sharing teasers revealing the features of the upcoming handset.

A freshly shared teaser confirms that the Redmi K20 will be powered by a large 4,000 mAh battery. Reports from the past have also claimed that the smartphone will support 27 W fast charging which is yet to be confirmed. Except for the current teaser, the company had previously shared several teasers which exhibit crucial information about the device like chipset, benchmarks score and camera resolution.

The Redmi K20 will feature the Snapdragon 855 SoC which is the top of the line chipset offered by Qualcomm. It is comprised of an Octa Core CPU and the Adreno 640 GPU. The said chipset is also featured on numerous flagship smartphones including the OnePlus 7 Pro and the Lenovo Z6 Pro GT. Noteworthy, the device registers an impressive Antutu score of 4,50,000+ which is about 20% higher than its competitors. The official case renders indicate the upcoming device will have a triple rear camera setup which is again to be confirmed. Though it is assured that the main sensor in the setup will have a resolution of 48 MP.

Also Read: PlayStation 5 Loading Speed Shown Off, Will Be Ten Times Faster Than The PS4 Pro

All in all, the Redmi K20 seems to be an impressive handset. Albeit we will have to wait for the official launch which is set to the 28th of May, 2019. Its official price is yet to be announced but the smartphone is expected to carry a price tag of sub US $ 500 (Rs 36000 approx).

Are you excited about the upcoming Killer 20 from Redmi? Let us know in the comments below.

May 21, 2019
Xiaomi Mi Band 4 With A Colour Display And NFC To Launch Soon

After the sensational success of the Mi Band 3, Xiaomi has been anticipated to launch the updated Mi Band 4. IDC, a leading market research agency stated that the Mi Band 3 is currently the world’s second most selling smart wearable after the high end Apple watch. The research agency also revealed that Xiaomi sold more than 10 million units of the current generation device within 6 months of its launch. Fresh reports suggest that the upcoming device will be significantly different in terms of features in comparison to the current device.

Mi Band 4 Key Updates

Mi Band 3 (For Representation Purpose)

According to the source, the upcoming Mi Band 4 will have a colour display which is a praiseworthy upgrade over the OLED display present on the Mi Band 3. As a colour display consumes more power than a conventional OLED display, the future smart wearable will have a 135 mAh battery which is a considable bump from 110 mAh on the current device. Noteworthy, disparate to previous Mi Band versions, the Mi Band 4 will have an inbuilt charging port. The previous generation devices have proprietory charging connectors which have not been well received by numerous consumers.

In terms of connectivity, the Mi Band 4 will be offered in two variants. The affordable variant will only have support for Bluetooth 5 while the top end variant will also support NFC. Reports also suggest that the upcoming smart wearable from Xiaomi will have a heart rate sensor which will allow it to target customers who clearly need to choose the Apple Watch for the said feature.

Mi Band 4 Price & Launch

Also Read: Huawei US Ban Delayed For 90 Days

With a considerable bump in features, the Mi Band 4 is also bound to get pricier. The NFC + Bluetooth variant will reportedly cost CNY 499 (Rs 5,000 approx) while the Bluetooth only variant will cost somewhere between CNY 200 and 300. Xiaomi is yet to announce the launch date of the smart wearable. However, going by the previous launch cycle, it will launch soon.

May 21, 2019
Huawei US Ban Delayed For 90 Days

Update

Since writing the story, Huawei has issued a statement to clarify its stance on US ban which is as follows:

Huawei has made substantial contributions to the development and growth of Android around the world. As one of Android’s key global partners, we have worked closely with their open-source platform to develop an ecosystem that has benefitted both users and the industry.

Huawei will continue to provide security updates and after-sales services to all existing Huawei and Honor smartphone and tablet products, covering those that have been sold and that are still in stock globally. We will continue to build a safe and sustainable software ecosystem, in order to provide the best experience for all users globally.

Original

The US government for a long time has accused Chinese tech titan, Huawei for stealing user data and sending it over to the Chinese government for malpractices. Even though the allegations are yet to be proved, the Trump government took a drastic step which has negatively affected the fate of the company. On the 19th of May, 2019, the US government revoked all American companies to have any sort of trade relations with Huawei.

The former is currently the world’s second largest smartphone manufacturer and they all run Android OS which is developed and facilitated by Google, an American conglomerate. Due to the ban implied by the US government, Google had to break all ties with Huawei resulting in the withdrawal of support for services like the Play Store, Youtube, Maps and many more. Albeit Android is an open source operating system that any OEM can install on devices they offer. In order to ship the device with the aforementioned applications and services from Google, the OEM needs to get its devices licensed.

Following the convulsive change, the US Commerce Department has delayed some of the consequences of the said order for Huawei by 90 days. This period has been granted to the Chinese company so that it can purchase American made networking devices including servers which can be used for providing software updates to existing Huawei smartphones. Also, during the 90 day period, the company can get its existing smartphones Android Q certified which will provide some comfort to Huawei smartphone owners in the country.

Also Read: Redmi Note 7 Vs Note 7s Vs Note 7 Pro: Which One Should You Buy?

Noteworthy, Huawei still cannot launch any new smartphones that are not already certified by Google. The about to launch Honor 20, Honor 20 Pro and the Mate X that have already received the certifications are safe and can be launched without any hindrance. Conclusively, only time will tell what the future beholds for Huawei.

May 21, 2019
Nokia 3.2 To Soon Launch In India Hints Teaser

Earlier this month Nokia launched its latest smartphone, the Nokia 4.2 in India which is a budget focussed offering. Fresh video teaser shared on the Nokia India’s Twitter account indicates that the company will soon launch another budget-oriented handset, the Nokia 3.2. The teaser boasts of a smartphone with long battery backup which is accompanied by the #ViewMoreDoMore caption. Even though the teaser does not overtly talk about the aforementioned smartphone, the said caption corroborates with the Nokia 3.2 which was unveiled at MWC 2019.

Nokia 3.2 Design and Specifications

Get ready to get caught in the world of endless bingeing. Stay tuned to #ViewMoreDoMore. pic.twitter.com/KBZge8nHRM
— HMD India (@HMDdevicesIN) May 20, 2019

The Nokia 3.2 has a modern design with a high screen to body ratio display on the front which features a waterdrop notch up top. Staple to latest Nokia handsets, it has a rear glass panel that harbours the company branding, fingerprint sensor, camera setup and Android One certification. The certification assures the device will receive the latest Android updates for two year and monthly security updates for 3 years.

Nokia 4.2 (for representation purpose)

The Nokia 3.2 sports a 6.26 inch display on the front which is surrounded with thin bezels on all sides. The display panel has a resolution of 1520 x 720 px and a pixel density of 269 ppi. Under the hood, the device features the Snapdragon 429 SoC which consists of an Octa Core CPU and Adreno 504 GPU. The international variant was unveiled in two storage variants which include 2 GB + 16 GB and 3 GB + 32 GB. But we will have to wait for the official announcement to establish what storage variants will be offered in India. In addition to the inbuilt storage, it also supports memory expansion upto 400 GB via a microSD card.

The Nokia 3.2 is powered by a 4,000 mAh battery and supports 10 W fast charging. It runs on the latest Android 9 Pie stock OS which provides for a bloatware free experience. Connectivity options on the device include Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, 4G VoLTE, 3.5 mm audio jack and bottom mounted Micro USB 2.0 port. The rear camera of the Nokia 3.2 has a 13 MP sensor while the front selfie camera has a resolution of 5 MP.

Nokia 3.2 Price and Availability

Also Read: Redmi Note 7 Vs Note 7s Vs Note 7 Pro: Which One Should You Buy?

The India specific price of Nokia 3.2 will be revealed at the time of official launch but it is expected to be similarly priced the US variant which costs US 139 (approx Rs 9600). The exact launch of the smartphone is yet to be announced, however, the teaser suggests it will soon launch in the country.

May 20, 2019

Redmi Note 7 Vs Note 7s Vs Note 7 Pro: Which One Should You Buy?

On the 28th of February 2019, Xiaomi launched two smartphones in India which include the Redmi Note 7 and the Redmi Note 7 Pro. The former was originally launched in China in the month of January and it has a notable difference in comparison to the Indian variant. The Indian variant has 12 MP + 2 MP rear camera sensors while its Chinese counterpart has 48 MP + 5 MP resolution sensors. This move faced a lot of criticism from the Indian customers who were left dissatisfied.

In order to make up for the backlash, the company has launched the Redmi Note 7s in India that has the said 48 MP + 5 MP sensors as its Chinese variant. The price of the two variants makes it sit between the Note 7 and the beefed-up Note 7 Pro. This has lead to a perplexing situation for the consumer who wants to get a Redmi device in the 10K to 15K price bracket.

Factually, the three devices have a handful of differences in terms of specifications which further contributes to the confusion. The key differences between the trio include dissimilar storage options, camera sensors, chipset and price. Let’s start with the dissimilarities which will be followed with the heterogeneous features.

Camera & Chipset

Model	Main Rear Camera	Chipset
Redmi Note 7	12 MP, f/2.2; 2 MP	Snapdragon 660 Octa Core Adreno 512
Redmi Note 7s	48 MP, f/1.8 Samsung ISOCELL GM1; 5 MP	Snapdragon 660 Octa Core Adreno 512
Redmi Note 7 Pro	48 MP, f/1.8 Sony IMX586; 5 MP	Snapdragon 675 Octa Core Adreno 612

All three smartphones have a dual rear camera setup but they have entirely different specifications. The Redmi Note 7 features an f/2.2 aperture equipped 12 MP sensor and a 2 MP depth sensor. The Redmi Note 7s features the f/1.8 aperture equipped Samsung ISOCELL GM1 48 MP sensor and a 5 MP secondary. While the Redmi Note 7 Pro features the f/1.8 aperture equipped Sony IMX86 sensors which is also present on the flagship grade devices like the Honor View 20. The secondary sensor on the former has 5 MP resolution which is the same as the Redmi Note 7s. In terms of chipset, the Redmi Note 7 and the Redmi Note 7s feature the Snapdragon 660 SoC while the Redmi Note7 Pro features the 675 SoC which is significantly more powerful than the former.

Click here to buy the Redmi Note 7 Pro

Click here to buy the Redmi Note 7

Click here to buy the Redmi Note 7s

Price

All three smartphones are available in two storage options for which the prices are listed below:

Model	Variant 1	Variant 2
Redmi Note 7	3 GB + 32 GB= Rs 9,999	4 GB + 64 GB= Rs 11,999
Redmi Note 7s	3 GB + 32 GB= Rs 10,999	4 GB + 64 GB= Rs 12,999
Redmi Note 7 Pro	4 GB + 64 GB= Rs 13,999	6 GB + 128 GB= Rs 16,999

Screen, Battery, Front Camera & Connectivity

Specification	Redmi Note 7,Redmi Note 7s and Redmi Note 7 Pro
Screen	6.3 Inch, IPS LCD 2340 x 1080 px, 409 ppi Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Battery	400 mAh QuickCharge 4.0, 18 W Charging
Front Camera	13 MP
Connectivity	Dual 4G VoLTE 802.11 a/b/g/n/a/c Wi-Fi Bluetooth 5.0
Ports	3.5 MM Audio Jack USB Type C Reversible Connector
Other Features	Rear Mounted Fingerprint Sensor P2i Nano Coating

The Redmi Note 7, the Redmi Note 7s and the Redmi Note 7 Pro feature a 6.3 inch LCD display that has a resolution of 2340 x 1080 px and a pixel density of 409 ppi. The three smartphones are powered by a 4,000 mAh battery which support 18 W fast charging. The smartphones run on the latest Android 9 which is skinned with Xiaomi’s MIUI 10. Connectivity options on the devices include 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, Dual 4G VoLTE, 3.5 mm audio jack and the bottom mounted USB Type C port. The front camera on the trio is also identical which has a resolution of 13 MP.

Verdict

Also Read: Xiaomi To Launch The Redmi K20 Flagship Smartphone On The 28th Of May

If the user has a defined budget and cannot expend more than Rs 12000, both the Redmi Note 7 and Redmi Note 7s are worthy options. If the user wants more storage space they can opt for the 4 GB + 64 GB Note 7, while if the focus is on photography, we would suggest the Note 7s. By spending just Rs 1,000 more for Redmi Note 7 Pro the buyer ends up with a better camera and chipset.

Click here to buy the Redmi Note 7 Pro

Click here to buy the Redmi Note 7

Click here to buy the Redmi Note 7s

May 20, 2019

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7s With 48 MP Camera Launched In India
Earlier this year Xiaomi turned the Redmi lineup of smartphones into an independent brand. The first device that the newly separated company launched was the Redmi Note 7 which received rave reviews. The smartphone was later launched in India but with a notable change. Both the Indian and Chinese variants of the Redmi Note 7 have a dual rear camera setup but with essentially different sensors. The rear camera setup of India specific Redmi Note 7 has 12 MP + 2 MP sensors while the China specific variant has 48 MP + 5 MP sensors.

This disparity in the choice of sensors faced a major backlash from the Indian community and has been a thorn in the side of Redmi Note 7. To cheer up the consumers, the company has launched the updated Redmi Note 7s in the country which has identical camera sensors as its Chinese counterpart. Other than updated camera sensors, the rest of the specifications are the same as the original device.

Redmi Note 7s Design And Specifications

The front of the Redmi Note 7s accommodates a 6.3 inch LCD display with a small dot notch up top. The display panel has a 19.5:9 aspect ratio with a resolution 2340 x 1080 px and a pixel density of 409 ppi. To safeguard it against scratches, it also has Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on both the front and back. The top, left and right side bezels around the display are negligible while the bottom bezel is comparatively thicker.

Click here to buy the Redmi Note 7s

The right side of the Redmi Note 7s houses the power button and volume rockers while the left side houses the Dual-Sim slot. The USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer is present on the bottom of the device which is flanked by the loudspeaker and the microphone grille. The top side of the device accommodates the 3.5 mm audio jack and an IR Blaster.

The rear panel of Redmi Note 7s harbours the Redmi branding, the fingerprint sensor and the dual camera setup. The smartphone is available in three colour options which are as follows:
- Sapphire Blue
- Ruby Red
- Onyx Black
The dual rear camera setup of the smartphone is comprised of a 48 MP Samsung ISOCELL GM1 sensor and a 5 MP secondary depth sensor. The front facing selfie camera of the device uses a 13 MP sensor which is housed in the waterdrop notch above the device. Appreciably, it also has the P2i hydrophobic nano coating which will allow the device to sustain accidental liquid spillages.

The Redmi Note 7s packs the Snapdragon 660 SoC which consists of Adreno 512 GPU and an Octa-Core CPU. Out of the eight CPU cores, four Kryo 260 cores are clocked at 1.8 GHz for better battery efficiency and four Kryo 260 cores are clocked at 2.2 GHz for maximum performance. It is powered by a large 4,000 mAh battery which supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 4.0. The Quick Charge 4.0 support allows the handset to be charged with 18 watts of maximum power. Connectivity options on the device include 802.11 ac Wi-Fi, 4G VoLTE, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, and FM Radio. It also has a whole host of sensors which include an accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, and a compass.

Redmi Note 7s Price And Availability

Also Read: Xiaomi To Launch The Redmi K20 Flagship Smartphone On The 28th Of May

The Redmi Note 7s will be available for purchase from the 22rd of May on Flipkart.com, Mi.com and Mi offline stores. It is available in two storage variants for which the price is as follows:
- 3 GB + 32 GB- Rs 10,9999
- 4 GB+ 64 GB- Rs 12,999
Click here to buy the Redmi Note 7s
May 20, 2019
Top Alternatives To The OnePlus 7 Pro
On the 14th of May, OnePlus launched its latest smartphones which include the OnePlus 7 Pro and the OnePlus 7. Both devices are loaded with high-end specifications, prominently the former pack’s certain features that help it pull it ahead of the pack. If you are looking for a flagship-grade device and for some reason do not want to buy the OnePlus 7 Pro. Here are some of the alternatives that could be your choice.

Also, for reference following are the specifications of the OnePlus 7 Pro
- Screen Size- 6.67 inch Fluid AMOLED, 3120 x 1440 px, 516 ppi, 90 Hz Refresh Rate
- Rear Camera- 48 MP (f/1.6) + 16 MP (f/2.2) + 8 MP (f/2.4)
- Front Camera- 16 MP, Pop Up Camera
- Battery- 4,000 mAh, 30 W Fast Charging
- Chipset- Snapdragon 855
- Screen Protection- Corning Gorilla Glass 6
- SD Card Support- N/A
Price: Rs 52,999 (8 GB + 256 GB)

Galaxy S10 Plus

The Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus is apparently one of the most the obvious alternatives to the OnePlus 7 Pro. It offers sensational performance with a dignified design and is made from premium materials. It sports a 6.4 inch Dynamic AMOLED display with a punch hole that houses dual selfie cameras. There are certain features that steer the Galaxy S10 Plus ahead of its competitor. The said features include upto 512 GB storage option (1 TB: In USA), memory expandability via microSD card, a 3.5 mm audio jack, slightly larger battery with 4100 mAh capacity, IP68 certification, support for wireless charging along with reverse wireless charging.
- Screen Size- 6.4 inch Dynamic AMOLED, 3040 x 1440 px, 522 ppi
- Rear Camera- 16 MP (f/2.2) + 12 MP (f/1.5) + 12 MP (f/2.2)
- Front Camera- 10 MP (f/1.9) + 8 MP (f/2.2)
- Battery- 4,100 mAh, Upto 15 W, Wireless & Reverse Wireless Charging
- Chipset- Exynos 9820
- Screen Protection- Corning Gorilla Glass 6
- SD Card Support- up to 1 TB (uses SIM 2 slot)
Price: Rs 91,900 (8 GB + 512 GB)

Huawei P30 Pro

Huawei’s latest flagship, the P30 Pro is also a worthy contender to the newly launched OnePlus 7 Pro. The key highlighting feature of the P30 Pro is the quad rear camera setup which supports upto 50x zoom. Notably, the camera setup includes a ToF (Time Of Flight) sensor which the OnePlus 7 Pro misses out on. The sensor allows the device to capture depth information which allows in clicking pictures and videos with better bokeh effect. Also, the P30 Pro has a larger 4200 mAh battery which is 200 mAh battery larger than the 4000 mAh cell on the OnePlus 7 Pro. However, the distinguishing feature of the P30 Pro is support for 40 W charging which can charge the device to 70% in 30 minutes.
- Screen Size- 6.47 inch OLED, 2340 x 1080 px, 398 ppi
- Rear Camera- 40 MP (f/1.6) + 20 MP (f/2.2) + Periscope 8 MP + TOF 3D Camera
- Front Camera- 32 MP
- Battery- 4,200 mAh, 40 W Fast Charging
- Chipset- Kirin HiSilicon 980
- Screen Protection- N/A
- SD Card Support- Nano SD card (upto 256 GB, uses SIM 2 slot)
Price: 8 GB + 256 GB- Rs 71,990

Xiaomi Redmi K20

Xiaomi will launch it latest flagship, the Redmi K20 aka the Killer 20 on the 20th of May. The device is confirmed to feature Snapdragon 855 SoC like the OnePlus 7 Pro. Earlier this week, the Xiaomi shared the Antutu result of the upcoming smartphone which registers an impressive score of more than 4,50,000. In comparison, the OnePlus 7 Pro registered an Antutu score in the range of 3,60,00 and 3,70,000. Certainly, the difference between the benchmark result among the two devices is significant. However, we will have to wait until the official announcement of the K20 to verify the results. Notably, the K20 is destined to cost less than its competitor which will give it another advantage in a price sensitive market like India. Following are the specifications of the Redmi K20 as per leaks
- Screen Size- 6.39 inch OLED, 2340 x 1080 px, 403 ppi
- Rear Camera- 48 MP + 13 MP + 12 MP + 8 MP
- Front Camera- 20 MP
- Battery- 4,000 mAh, 27 W Fast Charging
- Chipset- Snapdragon 855
- Storage: 16 GB +256 GB
Price: TBA

ZenFone 6

The ZenFone 6 was released on the 16th of May and with the latest flagship, Asus has certainly managed to turn a lot of heads. Under the hood, it features the Snapdragon SoC and undercuts the OnePlus 7 Pro in terms of price with a considerable margin. Also, it has a smaller form factor which makes it more portable than the OnePlus 7 Pro that has a notable footprint. The feature that makes the ZenFone 6 stand out is its unique flip-up dual rear camera that also doubles as the selfie camera. Besides, the camera setup can actively track an object as the camera flip can independently manoeuvre accrediting to its mechanised hinge. Stable to most modern Asus smartphones, the ZenFone 6 is powered by a mammoth 5,000 mAh battery which paired with modest specifications will churn out a longer battery backup. Reportedly, the smartphone will soon launch in India and it will be exclusively available on Flipkart.com.
- Screen Size- 6.4 inch LCD, 2340 x 1080 px, 403 ppi
- Rear/Front Camera- 48 MP (f/1.8) + 13 MP (f/2.4)
- Battery- 5,000 mAh, 18 W Fast Charging
- Chipset- Snapdragon 855
- Screen Protection- Corning Gorilla Glass 6
- SD Card Support- up to 1 TB (dedicated slot)
Price: 8 GB + 256GB= €599 (Rs 47,000 approx) [Indian Price: TBA]

Black Shark 2

Also reported to soon launch in India, the Black Shark 2 is a true alternative to the OnePlus 7 Pro if you are a gaming enthusiast. Primarily built to be a gaming smartphone, the Black Shark 2 offers certain benefits over the OnePlus 7 Pro. The Black Shark 2 supports dedicated gaming accessories which include gamepads with physical buttons. The said accessories offer a level of control which is hard to achieve via the on-screen controls. To provide the users with an advantage over the competitors, the display panel has a polling rate of 240 Hz which can register touch input at a rate.
- Screen Size- 6.3 inch AMOLED, 2340 x 1080 px, 403 ppi
- Rear Camera- 48 MP (f/2.2) + 12 MP (f/2.2)
- Front Camera- 20 MP
- Battery- 4,000 mAh, 27 W Fast Charging
- Chipset- Snapdragon 855
- Screen Protection- N/A
- SD Card Support- N/A
Price: 12 GB + 256 GB – ¥4199 (Rs 42,800 approx) [Indian Price: TBA]
May 20, 2019
Full Specifications Of The Huawei P20 Lite (2019) Leak
Continuing the practice of labelling new smartphones as updated editions of older models, Huawei will soon launch the Huawei P20 Lite (2019) edition. Before the official announcement of the smartphone, its full specifications and design renders have been revealed by a reliable tipster Roland Quandt.

Huawei P20 Lite Design and Features

In comparison to its predecessor, the upcoming Huawei P20 Lite (2019) has an all new design. It measures 159.1 x 75.9 x 8.3 mm and tips the scale at 178 grams. The device features a 6.4 inch LCD display with a punch hole that houses the 16 MP selfie camera. The bezels around the display are fairly thin which provide the device with a high screen to body ratio. Under the hood, the smartphone packs the Kirin 710 SoC which consists of an Octa-Core CPU and the Mali G51 GPU.

The right side of the Huawei P20 Lite (2019) is occupied by the volume rocker and the power button while the left side is free from any ports or switches. Moving to the bottom side, it is occupied by the USB type C port, loudspeaker grille and the 3.5 mm audio jack. The rear panel of the device is made out of glass and it harbours company branding, fingerprint sensor and a quad camera setup. The rear camera setup consists of an f/1.8 aperture equipped 24 MP sensor, an 8 MP sensor and dual 2 MP sensors.

Connectivity options on the upcoming Huawei P20 Lite include Bluetooth 4.2, 802.11 ac Wi-Fi, NFC and the aforementioned 3.5 mm audio jack and USB type C port. The device is powered by a 4,000 mAh battery and runs on the latest Android 9 Pie which is skinned with EMUI 9.1. The smartphone will be available in three colour options which are as follows:
- Midnight Black
- Crush Blue
- Charming Red
Also Read: Intel Working On A Smartphone With A 360 Degree Camera

Conclusively, the specifications of the device will be verified once it is officially announced by Huawei. Going by the specifications, it will be sub US $ 300 or Rs 20,000 smartphone.
May 18, 2019
Xiaomi Will Soon Launch An Ultrabook Laptop Called The RedmiBook 14
Xiaomi has never confined itself in terms of the number of products it offers. It has an ever-expanding portfolio of products ranging from consumer electronics to clothing to even electric scooters. A fresh report claims that the company will soon launch an ultraportable laptop which will carry the RedmiBook 14 moniker. To further strengthen the claims, the specification sheet of the laptop has also been leaked.

RedmiBook 14 Features and Design

Mi Notebook Air

Even though the source lacks real-life images of the RedmiBook 14, it reports the upcoming device will have a silver metal body that measures 309.6 mm x 210.9 mm x 14.8 mm and weighs 1.3 Kg. As the name suggests, it will sport a 14-inch display that has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 px. Under the hood, it will pack an 8th Gen Intel Core i5 CPU which has dual cores and four threads.

The RedmiBook 14 will run on the Windows 10 64 bit operating system. In terms of memory and storage, it will be available in two storage variants which are as follows:
- 4 GB DDR4 RAM + 128 GB SSD
- 8 GB DDR4 RAM + 256 GB SSD
The upcoming device also has a MicroSDHC card reader which can either be used for increasing the inbuilt storage or transferring data. For easy operability, it will have a full size island-style backlit keyboard with numeric keypad. An island style keyboard has isolated keys that decreases the chances of mistyping. Like most modern smartphones, it will also have a fingerprint sensor for securely unlocking the device.

RedmiBook 14 Price And Launch

Mi Notebook Air

Also Read: OnePlus 7 Pro: Unboxing and Hands On

Xiaomi is yet to reveal the official launch date of the RedmiBook 14. However, the source claims it will be released in the month of July later this year. The precise price of the ultraportable laptop will be revealed at the time of the official launch. Though coming from the house of Redmi it will be priced aggressively.
May 18, 2019
OnePlus 7 Pro: Unboxing and Hands On
The highly anticipated OnePlus 7 Pro has finally been launched. It is the successor to the OnePlus 6T which was launched in the Q4 of 2018. The OnePlus 7 Pro has an all new design and significantly bumped up specifications. Here is our experience with the Unboxing and Hands-On of the newly launched flagship.

What’s In The Box?
- OnePlus 7 Pro
- Quick Start Guide
- 30 W Warp Charge Adapter
- USB Type C Reversible Cable
- SIM Ejector
- Protective Case
- Screen Protector (pre-applied)
Design

The design of the OnePlus 7 Pro has been thoroughly revamped in comparison to its predecessor. The device measures 162.6×75.9×8.8 mm and tips the scale at 206 grams. It has a robust build with glass on both the front and back which is held together with a metal chassis. The front of the smartphone has negligible bezels on all sides with no obstructing notch in sight.

The OnePlus 7 Pro has a pop-up selfie camera which is similar to the one present on the Vivo V15 Pro. The rear of the handset has an attractive gradient coloured panel which houses the company branding and triple camera setup. The right side of the smartphone is occupied by the power button and the sound profile selector while its left side is occupied by the volume rockers. Disparate to its predecessor, the new device has SIM Card slot on the bottom.

Display

The OnePlus 7 Pro is fitted with a gorgeous 6.67 inch Fluid AMOLED display that tapers towards the sides. The display panel has a praiseworthy QHD+ resolution of 3120 x 1440 px and a pixel density of 516 ppi. Another notable feature of the display is it’s 90 Hz refresh rate which provides for an enhanced viewing experience.

Furthermore, the display of the smartphone is laminated with Gorilla Glass 5 which safeguards it against scratches and accidental drops. Like the OnePlus 6T, the new device also features an in-display fingerprint sensor along with support for face unlock and the conventional pattern lock.

Processor

One of the key highlighting features of the OnePlus 7 Pro is its chipset. The smartphone is kitted with the Snapdragon 855 SoC which is also present on devices including the Galaxy S10 lineup (US Variant) and the Xiaomi Black Shark 2. The chipset is manufactured using a 7 nm fabrication process which makes it highly power efficient in comparison to the Snapdragon 845 that the OnePlus 6T incorporates. The Snapdragon 855 consists of an Octa-Core Kryo CPU and the Adreno 640 GPU.

Memory and Storage

The OnePlus 7 Pro is the world’s first smartphone to utilise the UFS 3.0 2 lane storage standard which has very high read and write speeds. It also packs high-speed LPDDR4X RAM which contributes to nimble performance. The smartphone is offered in three storage variants which are listed below:
- 6 GB RAM + 128 GB ROM
- 8 GB RAM + 256 GB ROM
- 12 GB RAM + 256 GB ROM
Camera

Talking about the cameras on the OnePlus 7 Pro, it has a single front-facing selfie camera and triple rear facing cameras. The front camera is an f/2.0 aperture equipped 16 MP sensor that resides in the aforementioned pop up mechanism. OnePlust claims that the front camera elevator mechanism has been tested over 3,00,000 times and assures unaltered functionality for 5 years if it is used 150 times a day.

To further protect the elevating module, the mechanism can instantly retract itself when it is in freefall which is detected using the accelerometer and the gyroscope on the device. The triple rear camera setup of the OnePlus 7 Pro is vertically arranged in an elongated capsule-like module that slightly protrudes out of the back panel. The setup consists of an f/1.6 aperture equipped 48 Sony IMX586 sensor, an f/2.4 aperture equipped 8 MP telephoto sensor and an f/2.2 aperture equipped 16 MP ultra wide sensor that has a field of view (FOV) of 117°.

Battery and Other Features

The OnePlus 7 Pro is powered by a large 4,000 mAh battery that supports 30 W Warp Charge. The Warp Charge 30 was first introduced with the limited McLaren Edition of the OnePlus 6T. The smartphone runs on OxygenOS 9 which is built on top of the latest Android 9 Pie. It also packs dual Stereo speakers which are Dolby Atmos certified that deliver loud and clear audio output. To keep the temperatures of the device in check while running resource hungry tasks like games, the OnePlus 7 Pro has 10 layer Liquid Cooling System.

Connectivity and Colour Options

Connectivity options on the OnePlus 7 Pro include dual 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, GPS and bottom mounted USB Type C Port. It also has a whole host of sensors which include an Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity sensor, Ambient Light Sensor, Electronic Compass and a Laser Sensor which is used by the rear camera setup. The OnePlus 7 Pro is available in three colour options which are listed below:
- Nebula Blue
- Mirror Gray
- Almond
Price and Availability

Also Read: OnePlus 7 Pro Launched With 90Hz Display And Snapdragon 855 SoC

The OnePlus 7 Pro is available in three storage variants for which the price is as follows:
- 6GB RAM + 128GB ROM: Rs 48,999
- 8GB RAM + 256GB ROM: Rs 52,999
- 12 GB RAM + 256 GB ROM: Rs 57,999
Colour availability:
- Mirror Gray [6 GB + 128 GB, 8 GB + 256 GB]: 17 May
- Nebula Blue [8 GB + 256 GB, 12 GB + 256 GB]: 28 May
- Almond [8 GB RAM + 256 GB Storage]: June
May 17, 2019
Samsung Galaxy M40 With Punch Hole Display To Launch In India In June

Earlier this year, Samsung launched the Galaxy M lineup of smartphones in India which are sold exclusively via online channels. The devices in the lineup are packed with worthy features and carry a lucrative price tag. Accrediting to which, they have been warmly welcomed by the Indian consumers. The current lineup of Galaxy M smartphones includes the Galaxy M10, the Galaxy M20 and the Galaxy M30. Previously, Samsung was reported to add a more premium device in the lineup which will carry the Galaxy M40 moniker. Fresh reports claim that the anticipated device will launch in the month of June in India at an expected price of Rs 25,000.

Galaxy M40 Features

According to the source, the upcoming Galaxy M40 will be kitted with the Snapdragon 675 SoC which is also present on devices like the Galaxy A70 and the Redmi Note 7 Pro. Distinctly, this is the first time that a Galaxy M smartphone will be kitted with a Qualcomm chipset as the previously launched devices feature Exynos SoCs which are manufactured in-house by Samsung.

Noteworthy, the Galaxy M40 is reported to have a punch hole display like the flagship grade Galaxy S10. Similar to the Galaxy M30, the future device will also have a triple rear camera setup. The source did not provide any specific details about the camera sensors but they are predicted to have similar sensors to that of the M30. The camera setup of the former consists of a standard sensor, an ultra wide sensor and a depth sensor.

Also Read: Xiaomi Wants You To Buy Phones From A Vending Machine

Staple to the Galaxy M lineup, the Galaxy M40 will also pack a large battery. Leaks from the past claim that it will be powered by a mammoth 5,000 mAh battery which is likely to support fast charging. More details about the device are expected to surface as Samsung officially talks about it in the near future.

May 13, 2019
Xiaomi Wants You To Buy Phones From A Vending Machine
Chinese conglomerate Xiaomi is an unconventional company when it comes to their business strategies. It was the first company in India to exclusively sell smartphones online which allowed to offer feature rich smartphones at lower prices in comparison to its competitors. Furthermore, in order to expand its offline growth the company opened thousands of small stores in areas like villages across the country. Another unorthodox initiative taken by the company is the newly installed electronics vending machine which the company is referring to as a Mi Express Kiosk.

Xioami India’s senior executive, Manu Kumar Jain on his Twitter account shared images of the aforementioned vending machine. Called the Mi Express Kiosk, it sells smartphones and smartphone accessories. The machine has been installed in Manyata Tech Park which is located in Bengaluru and the company reports to bring more of these to different locations soon.

In terms of design, the Mi Express Kiosk resembles a traditional vending machine with a see-through glass pane that displays the offered products. To buy a certain product, the user can select options with the help of a large touch screen display which is placed on the top right side of the unit. The mode of payment that the Mi Express Kiosk supports include Cash, Debit or Credit Card or even UPI transfer. The idea of a machine selling electronics does seem innovative but the fact cannot be denied that vending machines never really took off in the country. Primarily due to the following reason:
- Users perceive purchasing products from machines a complicated process.
- Security is another factor that has limited the adaptation of vending machines. With cases arising from ATM’s being looted, vending machine with expensive electronics would be looted if security is not in sight.
However, Xiaomi has designed a simple UI that is easy to use. Also, the machines are likely to be installed in generally safer locations like malls and airports. To conclude, only time will tell whether these machines take over the country with storm or fail miserably.

Also Read: Apple To Open Largest Store In The Indian Subcontinent In Mumbai

What are your thoughts on the Mi Express Kiosk? Will you buy a smartphone from a vending machine?

Do let us know in the comments below!
May 13, 2019
Live Images Of The Realme X Spotted Ahead Of May 15 Launch

Oppo’s subsidiary Realme is set to launch it latest mid range smartphone, the Realme X which will be unveiled on the 15th of May in China. Days before the official announcement, the live images and the official teaser of the smartphone have been leaked on Twitter which reveals its design and key features.

Realme X Looks

For starters, the Realme X has a refreshing design with a gradient coloured back that harbours the dual camera setup and company branding. Like the previously launched Realme 3 Pro, the top most camera in the arrangement has a Golden ring around it which provides the smartphone with a distinctive look.

Moving forward to the front, the Realme X accommodates a large screen display with negligible bezels on all sides except for the bottom chin which is comparatively thicker. It also features an in-display fingerprint scanner which is slowly becoming the industry standard for both midrange and premium smartphones. Noteworthy, it also has a motorised pop up style selfie camera which helps the device to offer a high screen to body ratio. The teaser does not exhibit any specifications of the upcoming device but they can be derived from past leaks and previously discovered Geekbench listing.

Realme X Specifications

The Realme X sports a 6.5 inch AMOLED display that has a resolution of 2340 x 1080 px. The smartphone measures 161.2×76×9.4 mm and tips the scale at 191 grams. Under the hood, it is kitted with the Snapdragon 710 SoC which is also present on the Realme 3 Pro. The Realme X is powered by a 3680 mAh battery and it runs on the latest Android 9 Pie which will be skinned with ColorOS. In terms of optics, the Realme X has a dual rear camera setup consisting of 48 MP + 5 MP sensor and a 16 MP selfie camera housed in the popup notch.

Also Read: Android’s Digital Wellbeing Slowing Down Pixel Smartphones, Here’s How To Turn It Off

In order to verify the leaks, we won’t have to wait for long as the launch of the smartphone is imminent and will take place on the 15th of May.

May 13, 2019