Author: Vipul Vij

Xiaomi Mi MIX 2s Launch Likely After Mi MIX 2 Receives Another Price Cut

Xiaomi launched the Mi MIX 2s at an event in China, after skipping any major launches at MWC 2018 in Barcelona. Since its launch, the Mi MIX 2s has received a lot of praise for its top of the line specifications and design. However, it has remained a China-exclusive so far with no communication from the company about its possible global launch yet. However, a recent activity regarding the price of the Mi MIX 2 in India suggests otherwise.

Mi MIX 2

The Mi MIX 2 received another price cut which means that it now retails for Rs 29999 in India. The price has been changed on all retailing platforms like Flipkart and Xiaomi’s India website. This suggests that it is a permanent price cut and not a temporary offer. In January 2018, the device received the first price cut which brought its price down to Rs 32999. At a price of Rs 29999, the Mi MIX 2 could be a great buy for users who prefer Snapdragon chipsets over Honor’s Kirin series.

A price cut usually indicates the launch of a newer generation which, in this case, is the Mi MIX 2s. So far, we have not heard anything from Xiaomi about a possible launch. In fact, the company is set to launch the Redmi S2 as Redmi Y2 in India next month. However, it is entirely possible that this price cut is the first step towards a possible Mi MIX 2s launch.

Must Read: Xiaomi Redmi S2 With 18:9 Aspect Ratio, 16MP Front Camera Launched

The Xiaomi Mi MIX 2s looks great with its new design and the ceramic body. Interestingly, the Mi MIX 2s also has wireless charging, a feature the OnePlus 6 misses out on. The vertically placed dual-camera setup resembles the iPhone X and it is also worth noting that the Mi MIX 2s doesn’t have a notch. The OnePlus 6 goes on sale in India on May 21st at a starting price of Rs 34999. If Xiaomi keeps the price competitive, the Mi MIX 2s could be a great competitor for the OnePlus 6 in India.

May 18, 2018
Lenovo Z5 Will Have A World-First 4TB Of Onboard Storage

Lenovo is really going all out with the new flagship smartphone. The company has already teased that the Lenovo Z5 could be the first smartphone to offer a 95% screen-to-body ratio. For context, the iPhone X as an 81.1% screen-to-body ratio. Lenovo VP Chang Cheng has been active on his Weibo account recently, teasing different aspects of the soon to be launched Android smartphone.

In his latest post, Chang claims that the Lenovo Z5 will have a massive 4TB onboard storage. This is an extremely bold claim and we will wait before we jump the gun here. This could very well be a vague reference to cloud storage that Lenovo will provide with the Z5. In his post, he claims that this was possible thanks to “particle technology” and this amount of storage can hold 2000 HD movies, 150,000 lossless music files, and 1 million photos.

A few days ago, Lenovo’s Vice President Chang Cheng shared a teaser image of the company’s upcoming flagship device on his Weibo page. The image revealed the top-left side of the smartphone which hinted at the fact that the device won’t have a notch. The bezels were also extremely thin. He then posted a sketch of the smartphone which revealed extremely thin uniform bezels around the display. Cheng has again posted a teaser of the Lenovo Z5, revealing the bottom half of the smartphone.

There are rumours that the smartphone will have a flip-up front camera, something we saw at MWC 2018. The fingerprint sensor could have easily been placed at the back but, rumours claim the smartphone will have an in-display fingerprint sensor. However, considering how expensive that tech still is, we expect a rear-mounted fingerprint reader on the Lenovo Z5. The sketch also revealed the USB C port located at the bottom while the headphone jack is missing. It is possible that the company could place it on the top but, considering the industry-wide trend, we could see headphone jack-less Lenovo Z5.

Bit by bit, the Lenovo Z5 is being introduced to the world, and so far, the details look promising. The launch is set for June 14th and it’ll be interesting to see if this device will ever make its way outside China.

May 18, 2018
HTC U12+ Official Specifications And Renders Leaked

Ever since Google acquired HTC’s smartphone division, HTC has launched a few impressive devices. The HTC U11+ had an 18:9 aspect ratio and that beautiful clear design at the back. Earlier in 2018, HTC has launched the Desire 12 and Desire 12+, two budget smartphones. The company has already announced that its new flagship smartphone will be unveiled on May 23rd. Official renders and a specifications sheet of the HTC U12+ has leaked ahead of the launch, leaving nothing to one’s imagination.

Evan Blass, the ever-reliant leaker posted two images on his Twitter account. The first image was an official render of the HTC U12+ revealing the design and colour variants of the soon to be launched flagship device. He then posted an image of what looks like the official specifications sheet of the smartphone, revealing all the details there are to be known.

The HTC U12+ will be the first flagship smartphone from HTC to sport a dual-camera setup. It will feature the same Liquid Glass design that we have seen on devices like the HTC U11 and U11+. The Edge Sense feature retains its place wherein users can squeeze the frame of the smartphone and launch a particular app or action.

HTC has decided to stick to an LCD panel for the HTC U12+. The smartphone will have a 6 inch Super LCD6 display with a 2880 x 1440 px resolution.

(Full specs) pic.twitter.com/tYHcHwG5iD
— Evan Blass (@evleaks) May 17, 2018

It will run on the Snapdragon 845 chipset coupled with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The onboard storage will be expandable up to 2TB via microSD card. Powering the smartphone will be a 3500 mAh battery which will charge via a USB C port. Sadly, that is the only port on the device as the headphone jack is missing. Out of the box, the HTC U12+ will run Android 8 Oreo with HTC’s SenseUI on top.

The dual-camera on the back consists of a 12MP wide-angle lens with an f/1.75 aperture while the secondary 16MP camera is equipped with a telephoto lens and an f/2.6 aperture. Like the iPhone X, Galaxy S9, and the OnePlus 6, the HTC U12+ will also record 4K videos at 60fps. This is a great feature, especially for content creators who like shooting with their smartphones. To the front is an 8MP camera with an f/2.0 aperture.

The HTC U12+ has flagship-grade specifications and a few interesting features. The official launch is set for May 23rd, although, don’t expect it to hit the Indian shores anytime soon.

May 18, 2018
Nokia X6 Will Launch In India Soon

HMD Global launched its new budget smartphone in China on May 16th. On the same day, OnePlus also launched the OnePlus 6 and it appeared that the Nokia X6 would not get the attention it deserves. However, that does not appear to be true as many people want the Nokia X6 to be launched in more countries other than just China.

Juho Sarvikas, Chief Product Officer, HMD Global ran a poll on Twitter, asking people if they want a global launch of the Nokia X6. This wouldn’t normally happen and Juho did this because they obviously saw the traction that the China launch of the Nokia X6 received. It is also unlikely that a company would take an expensive decision like this based on a Twitter poll. The focal point here is that the company is willing to launch the Nokia X6 globally, and India could be one of the countries.

Getting a lot of traffic on this so let's ask around. Should we bring Nokia X6 to other markets too?

— Juho Sarvikas (@sarvikas) May 17, 2018

India is one of the largest smartphone markets in the world. Moreover, the demand for budget smartphones under Rs 20000 is higher than that of a premium device. The Nokia X6 slots in perfectly here and if the company gets the pricing right, it could be a great alternative to the Redmi Note 5 Pro which is so hard to buy via the flash sales.

The Nokia X6 has a 5.8 inch TFT display with a 2280 x 1080 px resolution. This translates into a 19:9 aspect ratio, the same as the P20 Lite. There is also a notch on the display, which is the reason why the smartphone has a taller aspect ratio.

The smartphone runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 chipset along with either 4GB or 6GB of RAM coupled with either 32GB or 64Gb of onboard storage. The onboard storage will be expandable via microSD card. The fingerprint sensor is placed on the back which has a glossy finish thanks to an all-glass design.

Powering the device is a 3060 mAh battery which charges via a USB C port. We are still a couple of years away from budget smartphones adopting the USB C port altogether but, this is a great step by HMD Global. Out of the box, the Nokia X6 will run stock-ish Android 8.1 Oreo with little customisations done by HMD Global.

The vertically placed dual-camera setup is in the usual Nokia position but, the “Carl Zeiss” branding is missing. The back has a 16MP primary sensor along with a 5MP secondary sensor. The dual-camera setup will be able to take portrait shots, a feature that has become very popular recently. The front houses as a 16MP camera with an f/2.0 aperture.

HMD Global will have to learn from its previous offerings in India and nail the pricing with the Nokia X6. It looks like a great device with its TFT display being the only drawback. However, if priced at under Rs 15000, not many people would be complaining about it.

May 18, 2018
Unboxing The OnePlus 6 Avengers Infinity War Edition
On December 14th, almost a month after launching the OnePlus 5T, OnePlus unveiled the OnePlus 5T Star Wars Edition. It was a limited edition smartphone in association with the Star Wars: The Last Jedi film. On May 17th, one day after globally launching the OnePlus 6 in London, the Chinese smartphone maker launched the OnePlus 6 Avengers Infinity War Edition in India. The limited edition smartphone is in association with the recently released Avengers: Infinity War film.

OnePlus 5T Star Wars Edition

The smartphone will be available in variant only, with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. In India, the device will retail for Rs 44999 via Amazon from May 29th. The special edition smartphone will also come in a different style of box.

[section label=”Unboxing”]

Inside the box of the OnePlus 6 Avengers Infinity War Edition
- OnePlus 6 Avengers Infinity War Edition
- Wall Charger
- Type C Cable
- Sim Ejector Tool
- Documentation
- Special Avengers Case
- Medallion
[section label=”Initial Impressions”]

OnePlus has gone out of its way to make this smartphone a special buy for Marvel fanatics. Every OnePlus 6 Avengers Infinity War Edition will retail with a special Avengers case, in our package was an Iron Man case. Every retail box will also have a gold coloured medallion. The company has announced if you collect 6 medallions, there is a special prize in store for you. The company has, however, not announced what the prize will be.

The build quality, specifications are exactly the same as the regular OnePlus 6. However, with the OnePlus 6 Avengers Infinity War Edition, the back of the device has a carbon fibre finish underneath the glass. This look is reminiscent of the Carbon Fibra back panel which was available for the OnePlus One and OnePlus 2. The OnePlus continued to sell a snap-on case for its other devices with the carbon fibre finish. Like what OnePlus did with the OnePlus 5T Star Wars Edition, we expect the OnePlus 6 Carbon Fibre to be launched in other countries without the Avengers branding.

It has a 6.28 inch Optic AMOLED display with a 2280 x 1080 px resolution. The aspect ratio is 19:9 which means it is slightly taller than the OnePlus 5T.

It runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset which has an octa-core processor clocked at 2.8GHz. Coupled with the flagship chipset is 8GB of RAM and 256GB onboard storage. The storage is still not user-expandable just like every other OnePlus device. The fingerprint sensor is still placed on the rear but, it has a more oval shape this time around.

Powering the device is a 3300 mAh battery with DashCharge support. DashCharge continues to be one of the fastest charging technologies and could be the reason why OnePlus did not think that wireless charging was necessary here. Out of the box, the OnePlus 6 will run Android 8.1 Oreo with OxygenOS on top. The smartphone will have gesture support which we tested on the OnePlus 5T during its Beta test. There is a special Avengers theme which is a dark theme with gold accents. There are also exclusive Avengers wallpapers pre-installed. It would have been really cool to have an Avengers font as well but, that is not available yet.

The dual-camera setup on the back includes a 16MP Sony IMX 519 sensor and a 20MP Sony IMX 376K sensor. Both are RGB sensors and have an f/1.7 aperture with OIS, another first for a OnePlus device. The cameras also record 4K videos at 60fps which is a great feature for content creators. To the front of the smartphone is a 16MP Sony IMX 371 sensor with an f/2.0 aperture and EIS which records 1080P videos.

The OnePlus Avengers Infinity War Edition is a collector’s dream and looks really good as well. It has the sturdiness of the OnePlus 6 and the carbon fibre underneath the glass gives it a distinguished look among the increasingly similar-looking flagship smartphones.
May 17, 2018
OnePlus 6 Avengers Infinity War Edition Launched In India For Rs 44999

A day after launching the OnePlus 6 in London, the company has launched a new variant of the flagship smartphone in India. The OnePlus 6 Avengers Infinity War has launched in India for a price of Rs. The limited edition variant will be available in the 8GB RAM/256GB storage variant only. It is priced at Rs 44999 and go on sale in India from the 29th of May. The device will go on sale via Amazon exclusively and like the OnePlus 5T Star Wars Edition will be available in a limited number only.

The OnePlus 6 Avengers Infinity War Edition has the same all-glass design like the OnePlus 6. However, there is a carbon fibre finish underneath the glass, giving it a very different look than the regular OnePlus 6. The alert slider also has a golden accent as opposed to the black colour on the regular OnePlus 6. It is possible that this particular look and feel will be launched in other countries as a OnePlus Carbon Fibre variant just like the OnePlus 5T Sandstone.

With the OnePlus 6 Avengers Infinity War Edition, you also get custom Avengers Infinity War wallpapers. There is also an Avengers Theme preinstalled which has a dark look to it with golden accents. It is possible that this theme will somehow make its way to other OnePlus devices as well in the future. For now, however, it is exclusive to limited edition OnePlus 6. The specifications remain the same as the OnePlus 6.

It has a 6.28 inch Optic AMOLED display with a 2280 x 1080 px resolution. The aspect ratio is 19:9 which means it is slightly taller than the OnePlus 5T.

It runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset which has an octa-core processor clocked at 2.8GHz. Coupled with the flagship chipset is 8GB of RAM and 256GB onboard storage. The storage is still not user-expandable just like every other OnePlus device. The fingerprint sensor is still placed on the rear but, it has a more oval shape this time around.

Powering the device is a 3300 mAh battery with DashCharge support. DashCharge continues to be one of the fastest charging technologies and could be the reason why OnePlus did not think that wireless charging was necessary here. Out of the box, the OnePlus 6 will run Android 8.1 Oreo with OxygenOS on top. The smartphone will have gesture support which we tested on the OnePlus 5T during its Beta test.

The dual-camera setup on the back includes a 16MP Sony IMX 519 sensor and a 20MP Sony IMX 376K sensor. Both are RGB sensors and have an f/1.7 aperture with OIS, another first for a OnePlus device. The cameras also record 4K videos at 60fps which is a great feature for content creators. To the front of the smartphone is a 16MP Sony IMX 371 sensor with an f/2.0 aperture and EIS which records 1080P videos.

The OnePlus 6 Avengers Infinity War Edition looks extremely nice and could be a great buy for Marvel fanatics looking for a special edition product for their collection!

May 17, 2018
OnePlus 6 Launched In India Starting Rs 34999

OnePlus launched its latest flagship smartphone, the OnePlus 6 at an event in London on May 16th. The company held a separate event in Mumbai on May 17th to launch the device in India. The OnePlus 6 will be available in three variants, one with 6GB RAM/128GB storage, the other 8GB RAM/128GB storage, and the final variant will have 8GB RAM/256GB storage.

The base model is priced at Rs 34,999, and the 8GB RAM/128GB model will retail for Rs 39999.

The OnePlus 6 has a 6.28 inch Optic AMOLED display with a 2280 x 1080 px resolution. The aspect ratio is 19:9 which means it is slightly taller than the OnePlus 5T.

Must Read: Unboxing The OnePlus 6

The 6 runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset which has an octa-core processor clocked at 2.8GHz. Coupled with the flagship chipset is either 6GB or 8GB of RAM with three storage options of 64GB, 128GB and 256GB. The storage is still not user-expandable just like every other OnePlus device. The fingerprint sensor is still placed on the rear but, it has a more oval shape this time around.

Powering the device is a 3300 mAh battery with DashCharge support. DashCharge continues to be one of the fastest charging technologies and could be the reason why OnePlus did not think that wireless charging was necessary here. Out of the box, the OnePlus 6 will run Android 8.1 Oreo with OxygenOS on top. The smartphone will have gesture support which we tested on the OnePlus 5T during its Beta test. The company has announced that users will be able to download Android P Developer’s Preview from the OnePlus website soon.

OnePlus has stuck to its guns in terms of optics. The company dropped the telephoto lens with the OnePlus 5T and replaced it with another RGB sensor. The same is the case with the OnePlus 6. The company believes that its software can take good enough portrait modes (a feature that has become popular over the past two years). The dual-camera setup includes a 16MP Sony IMX 519 sensor and a 20MP Sony IMX 376K sensor. Both are RGB sensors and have an f/1.7 aperture with OIS, another first for a OnePlus device. The cameras also record 4K videos at 60fps which is a great feature for content creators. To the front of the smartphone is a 16MP Sony IMX 371 sensor with an f/2.0 aperture and EIS which records 1080P videos.

At a starting price of Rs 34999, it is marginally pricier than the OnePlus 5T. New design, features and a solid pricing mean the OnePlus 6 has great potential in the Indian market.

Unboxing Video

May 17, 2018
OnePlus Launches OnePlus Bullets Wireless Earbuds In India For Rs 3990

OnePlus took to stage in Mumbai to launch the OnePlus 6 in India. However, just like the London event, OnePlus launched the OnePlus Bullets Wireless earbuds at a price of Rs 3990 The earbuds will be available via Amazon but, the availability details have not been revealed yet.

The OnePlus Bullets Wireless earphones are not truly wireless earbuds like the AirPods. The left and the right earbuds are connected via a wire that goes around the user’s neck. Interestingly, the earbuds have fast charging, and can be charged using a type C cable. OnePlus claims that just 10 minutes of charge can provide up to 5 hours of battery life which sounds incredible.

The battery of earbuds rests on the neck and there is also an inline control for music and call-taking. OnePlus also announced that the earbuds are magnetic, and once connected together, the earbuds switch off automatically to save battery life. Interestingly enough, users can pick up incoming calls by simply detaching the earbuds. These features are backwards compatible with the OnePlus 6 and previous OnePlus smartphones.

The earbuds have a range of up to 10 meters and are powered by the Google Assistant. Considering these are earbuds and users would want to use them for outdoor activities, the earbuds are also sweat and dust resistant.

May 17, 2018
Unboxing The OnePlus 6
OnePlus has finally lifted the curtains off of the OnePlus 6 at an event in London. The OnePlus 6 will launch in India on May 17th where the pricing details will be announced. The OnePlus 6 follows up the successful OnePlus 5T, which was launched in November, about five months after the OnePlus 5 launch. Makes you wonder whether the OnePlus 6T is just around the corner!

The base model of the OnePlus 6 is priced at US$ 529 (Rs 35,800 approx.), the 8GB RAM/128GB model will retail for US$ 579 (Rs 39200 approx.) while the 8GB RAM/256GB storage variant will cost you US$ 629 (Rs 42500).

OnePlus has really made the OnePlus 6 a feature-packed smartphone, addressing the main complaints that users had with previous OnePlus smartphones. Even before the launch, OnePlus confirmed that the new flagship device will have an all-glass design and even have some sort of water resistance.

[section label=”Unboxing”]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLXzejzQM8Y[/embedyt]

Inside the box of the OnePlus 6
- OnePlus 6
- Documentations
- Sim Ejector Tool
- Wall Charger
- USB C Cable
[section label=”Initial Impressions”]

Just like every other OnePlus smartphone, you do not get any earphones inside the box. OnePlus has, however, launched a new pair of Bluetooth earbuds which should be available in India soon. The moment you take the OnePlus 6 out, you realise that this isn’t anything like a previous OnePlus device. The smartphone has a glossy finish thanks to an all-glass design. The aluminium frame gives it a solid build, maintaining a superior build quality we have known OnePlus smartphones to have. The back of the device is a fingerprint magnet and it is strongly suggested that you use a case or a skin.

The 3.5mm headphone jack retains its place on the bottom of the smartphone next to the USB C port. The OnePlus 6 is now water resistant as well but, the exact rating has not been confirmed yet. The alert slider has been shifted on the right-hand side with the power button, while the volume rockers sit on the left-hand side.

The OnePlus 6 has a 6.28 inch Optic AMOLED display with a 2280 x 1080 px resolution. The aspect ratio is 19:9 which means it is slightly taller than the OnePlus 5T. The notch has also become very common among Android smartphones but, users will have an option to hide the notch via software.

The 6 runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset which has an octa-core processor clocked at 2.8GHz. Coupled with the flagship chipset is either 6GB or 8GB of RAM with three storage options of 64GB, 128GB and 256GB. The storage is still not user-expandable just like every other OnePlus device. The fingerprint sensor is still placed on the rear but, it has a more oval shape this time around.

Powering the device is a 3300 mAh battery with DashCharge support. DashCharge continues to be one of the fastest charging technologies and could be the reason why OnePlus did not think that wireless charging was necessary here. Out of the box, the OnePlus 6 will run Android 8.1 Oreo with OxygenOS on top. The smartphone will have gesture support which we tested on the OnePlus 5T during its Beta test.

The OnePlus 6 has a dual-camera setup on the back similar to the OnePlus 5T. The setup includes a 16MP Sony IMX 519 sensor and a 20MP Sony IMX 376K sensor. Both are RGB sensors and have an f/1.7 aperture with OIS, another first for a OnePlus device. The cameras also record 4K videos at 60fps which is a great feature for content creators. To the front of the smartphone is a 16MP Sony IMX 371 sensor with an f/2.0 aperture and EIS which records 1080P videos.

We will be testing out the OnePlus 6 in details for our full review. The Honor 10, launched on May 15th, also has a glass back and a dual-camera setup. Would like to see a comparison between the two smartphones? Let us know in the comments!
May 16, 2018
OnePlus 6 Officially Launched Starting US$ 529

After months of leaks, the OnePlus 6 has been unveiled. The young Chinese smartphone maker took to stage in London, one day after the Honor 10 launch to reveal the new flagship smartphone which will launch in India tomorrow on May 17th. The OnePlus 6, as expected, will be available in three variants, one with 6GB RAM and 64GB storage, one with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage and the third with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. The base model is priced at US$ 529 (Rs 35,800 approx.), the 8GB RAM/128GB model will retail for US$ 579 (Rs 39200 approx.) while the 8GB RAM/256GB storage variant will cost you US$ 629 (Rs 42500 approx.).

The OnePlus 6 has a lot of ‘firsts’ for OnePlus flagship smartphones. Even though the OnePlus X had a glass back, the OnePlus 6 is the first flagship smartphone from the brand to have an all-glass design. One thing worth noting here is that the OnePlus 6 doesn’t support wireless charging, despite the glass back. The dual-camera setup is now placed vertically as opposed to the iPhone 7 Plus-style horizontal placement on the OnePlus 5/5T. Then there is the infamous notch which can be hidden through software but, already has a polarising opinion among reviewers and consumers alike.

The OnePlus 6 has a 6.28 inch Optic AMOLED display with a 2280 x 1080 px resolution. The aspect ratio is 19:9 which means it is slightly taller than the OnePlus 5T.

The 6 runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset which has an octa-core processor clocked at 2.8GHz. Coupled with the flagship chipset is either 6GB or 8GB of RAM with three storage options of 64GB, 128GB and 256GB. The storage is still not user-expandable just like every other OnePlus device. The fingerprint sensor is still placed on the rear but, it has a more oval shape this time around.

Powering the device is a 3300 mAh battery with DashCharge support. DashCharge continues to be one of the fastest charging technologies and could be the reason why OnePlus did not think that wireless charging was necessary here. Out of the box, the OnePlus 6 will run Android 8.1 Oreo with OxygenOS on top. The smartphone will have gesture support which we tested on the OnePlus 5T during its Beta test. The company has announced that users will be able to download Android P Developer’s Preview from the OnePlus website soon.

OnePlus has stuck to its guns in terms of optics. The company dropped the telephoto lens with the OnePlus 5T and replaced it with another RGB sensor. The same is the case with the OnePlus 6. The company believes that its software can take good enough portrait modes (a feature that has become popular over the past two years). The dual-camera setup includes a 16MP Sony IMX 519 sensor and a 20MP Sony IMX 376K sensor. Both are RGB sensors and have an f/1.7 aperture with OIS, another first for a OnePlus device. The cameras also record 4K videos at 60fps which is a great feature for content creators. To the front of the smartphone is a 16MP Sony IMX 371 sensor with an f/2.0 aperture and EIS which records 1080P videos.

The OnePlus 6 is marginally pricier than the OnePlus 5T. It will be interesting to see how the pricing in India is affected at the launch event on May 17th. Stay tuned for all the India-specific details about the OnePlus 6!

May 16, 2018
OnePlus Launches OnePlus Bullets Wireless Earbuds For US$ 69

OnePlus kicked off its OnePlus launch event in London with the launch of the OnePlus Bullets Wireless. The Bullets Wireless will retail for US$69 (Rs 4700 approx.) from June 5th. The price and availability details for India could be unveiled tomorrow at the OnePlus 6 India launch.

The OnePlus Bullets Wireless earphones are not truly wireless earbuds like the AirPods. The left and the right earbuds are connected via a wire that goes around the user’s neck. Interestingly, the earbuds have fast charging, and can be charged using a type C cable. OnePlus claims that just 10 minutes of charge can provide up to 5 hours of battery life which sounds incredible.

The battery of earbuds rests on the neck and there is also inline control for music and call-taking. OnePlus also announced that the earbuds are magnetic, and once connected together, the earbuds switch off automatically to save battery life. Interestingly enough, users can pick up incoming calls by simply detaching the earbuds. These features are backward compatible with the OnePlus 6 and previous OnePlus smartphones.

The earbuds have a range of up to 10 meters and are powered by the Google Assistant.

At a price of US$ 69, the OnePlus Bullets Wireless look promising. It will be interesting to see if OnePlus launches these earbuds in India and what the price will be.

May 16, 2018
Xiaomi Mi 7 Will Have iPhone X Like 3D Facial Recognition Technology

The Xiaomi Mi 7 has been in the news ever since the company decided to not launch it at MWC 2018. Xiaomi instead launched the Mi MIX 2s and it appears that the Mi 7 won’t launch very soon. Numerous reports have claimed that the Xiaomi Mi 7 will have Face ID-like 3D facial recognition hence, also sport a notch very similar to the iPhone X. A new image posted on Weibo gives a glimpse of what technology Xiaomi will use to attain the accuracy that Face ID has.

The image was uploaded by a prominent Chinese tipster who claims that this is an official image revealing all the sensors that will be housed inside the Mi 7 notch. Coincidently, the image looks very similar to Apple’s promotional images of the notch. The module is designed by Xiaomi itself and will include an Infrared (IR) sensor, a dot projector, front-facing camera, earpiece, ambient light sensor, and a proximity sensor. For context, the iPhone X notch houses an Infrared camera, flood illuminator, a dot projector, and a front-facing camera along with necessary sensors.

Must Read: Lenovo’s Next Flagship Smartphone Will Be Tailor-Made For Notch Haters

If Xiaomi pulls it off and these reports have any weight of truth, the Mi 7 could be a very interesting Android smartphone. The Mi 7 could be what the Mi MIX was for Android devices in 2016 with its nearly bezel-less design. Companies like Samsung, Huawei, Google will also look to implement a similar technology sooner rather than later if the Mi 7 is launched with 3D facial recognition technology.

Another interesting thing to note in the Weibo post is that the smartphone has the Mi 8 moniker. This is speculated because 2018 is Xiaomi’s 8th anniversary and there are rumours that the Mi 7 will be launched as Mi 8 to celebrate the anniversary. This would again be similar to what Apple did with the iPhone X, skipping the iPhone 9 moniker to celebrate ten years of iPhones.

The launch of the Mi 7 could happen soon, and the smartphone will go on sale later in the year. How Xiaomi goes about the whole launch and sale situation is yet to be seen.

May 16, 2018
Nokia X6 With All-Glass Design And A Notch Launched

HMD Global has launched another budget smartphone in China, the Nokia X6. The new budget smartphone will be available in China exclusively for now but, we do expect the company to launch it in countries like India where budget smartphones always have an audience. We already have smartphones like the Redmi Note 5 pro, Zenfone Max Pro and now the Realme 1 vying for the top budget smartphone spot. The addition of the Nokia X6 will be a welcome one.

HMD Global will have to get the pricing right in India, though. In China, the Nokia X6 will be available in three variants. One with 4GB RAM/32GB storage is priced at CNY 1,299(Rs 13,800 approx.), second with 4GB RAM/64GB storage at CNY 1,499 (Rs 16,000 approx.) and the most premium model with 6GB RAM/64GB storage will retail for CNY 1,699(Rs 18,100 approx.).

The Nokia X6 has a 5.8 inch TFT display with a 2280 x 1080 px resolution. This translates into a 19:9 aspect ratio, the same as the P20 Lite. There is also a notch on the display, which is the reason why the smartphone has a taller aspect ratio.

The smartphone runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 chipset along with either 4GB or 6GB of RAM coupled with either 32GB or 64Gb of onboard storage. The onboard storage will be expandable via microSD card. The fingerprint sensor is placed on the back which has a glossy finish thanks to an all-glass design. The Snapdragon 636 chipset has been quite successful in devices so far. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro was the first smartphone to run on the chipset and has been well-received in India for its performance. The Redmi Note 5 pro competitor, the Asus Zenfone Max Pro also runs on the Snapdragon 636 chipset.

Powering the device is a 3060 mAh battery which charges via a USB C port. We are still a couple of years away from budget smartphones adopting the USB C port altogether but, this is a great step by HMD Global. Out of the box, the Nokia X6 will run stock-ish Android 8.1 Oreo with little customisations done by HMD Global.

The vertically placed dual-camera setup is in the usual Nokia position but, the “Carl Zeiss” branding is missing. The back has a 16MP primary sensor along with a 5MP secondary sensor. The dual-camera setup will be able to take portrait shots, a feature that has become very popular recently. The front houses as a 16MP camera with an f/2.0 aperture.

The Nokia X6 can be a solid offering in India if HMD Global gets the pricing right. So far, all Nokia smartphones have been a tad bit overpriced which can be monumental in a price sensitive market like India.

May 16, 2018
LG Is Giving Away A Free 43 Inch 4K TV With Every LG G7 ThinQ Pre-Order

On the 2nd of May, LG launched its new flagship smartphone, the LG G7 ThinQ. The smartphone’s unusually long name might put some people off. Nevertheless, the smartphone has high-end specs, build and design as the company plans to resurrect its smartphone business. It is fair to say that a lot is riding on the success or failure of the LG G7. To promote the smartphone in Canada, LG is giving away a 43 inch 4K smart TV to people who preorder the LG G7 ThinQ.

Colour Variants

The promotion will run from May 18th to May 31st. This gives users a lot of time to decide whether they want to buy the smartphone. The offer is available to users who pre-order the smartphone through a qualifying carrier and retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, Rogers, Bell, and Telus. A couple of months ago, Sony was giving away a PS4 or PSVR with every order of the Xperia XZ2. So, it isn’t unusual for brands to give away extravagant products. However, a 4K smart TV from LG and the G7 ThinQ is a great deal for LG-loving Canadians.

The G7 ThinQ has a 6.1 inch IPS LCD display with a 3120 x 1440 px resolution. The device has a 19.5:9 aspect ratio which will come in handy when the user decides to hide the notch.

Under the hood, the smartphone runs on the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset coupled with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage. The storage will be expandable via a microSD card. Powering the G7 ThinQ is a 3000 mAh battery with QuickCharge 4.o and wireless charging. The G7 ThinQ+ will have 6GB of RAM and 128GB of onboard storage.

The new flagship smartphone will run Android 8 Oreo out of the box LG’s AI Pack 2.0. LG has announced that it plans to push out an update for Android P as soon as Google launches it.

The fingerprint sensor placed on the back of the smartphone no longer doubled up as a power button. The power button now sits on the right side of the device in a more conventional position. Interestingly, there is a Google Assistant button placed below the volume rockers on the left side. The button is not remappable right now and can only be disabled if a user is not a fan of the Google Assistant. AI is a theme well spread out throughout LG’s UI here. The camera app has an AI Cam button wherein the camera can sense a scene and automatically tweak certain settings for, theoretically, a better shot.

To the back of the smartphone is a vertically placed dual-camera setup. The primary 16MP wide-angle sensor has an f/1.9 aperture while the secondary 16MP RGB sensor has an f/1.9 aperture. To the front of the device is an 8MP camera with an f/1.9 aperture.

LG is clearly trying to push people into buying its new flagship. A lot is riding on the G7 ThinQ and LG would hope that this lucrative offer convinces a lot of consumers (in Canada, at least) to buy the LG G7 ThinQ over devices like the OnePlus 6 or Galaxy S9.

May 16, 2018
Lenovo Z5 Will Be The Truly Bezel-Less Smartphone Everyone Wants

Every year, the smartphone industry is dictated by a trend. 2017 was all about the 18:9 aspect ratio and shrinking the bezels. In September 2017, Apple launched the iPhone X which had a different take on a “bezel-less” design and featured a notch. While the iPhone X was ridiculed in the beginning, it has since become the bestselling smartphone in the world and also inspired an industry-wide trend of 2018, notches. However, it appears that Lenovo won’t be a part of the herd and launch a truly bezel-less smartphone, the Lenovo Z5 this year.

A few days ago, Lenovo’s Vice President Chang Cheng shared a teaser image of the company’s upcoming flagship device on his Weibo page. The image revealed the top-left side of the smartphone which hinted at the fact that the device won’t have a notch. The bezels were also extremely thin. He then posted a sketch of the smartphone which revealed extremely thin uniform bezels around the display. Cheng has again posted a teaser of the Lenovo Z5, revealing the bottom half of the smartphone.

The screen of the smartphone is off in the image so it is hard to make out the size of the chin. However, even in the image, the bezels look extremely thin and somehow, too good to be true. But, with such bold claims by the VP of Lenovo, it is certain that the company will deliver to those claims.

There are rumours that the smartphone will have a flip-up front camera, something we saw at MWC 2018. The fingerprint sensor could have easily been placed at the back but, rumours claim the smartphone will have an in-display fingerprint sensor. However, considering how expensive that tech still is, we expect a rear-mounted fingerprint reader on the Lenovo Z5. The sketch also revealed the USB C port located at the bottom while the headphone jack is missing. It is possible that the company could place it on the top but, considering the industry-wide trend, we could see headphone jack-less Lenovo Z5.

The launch of the Z5 is still over a month away. It’s becoming more likely that this could be the truly bezel-less smartphone we’ve all been waiting for. However, we can’t 100% sure until the smartphone has launched.

May 16, 2018