iGyaan Network

Author: Vipul Vij

  • Samsung Galaxy S9, S9+ Launched In India At Rs. 57,900

    Samsung Galaxy S9, S9+ Launched In India At Rs. 57,900

    On the 25th of February, Samsung officially launched the Galaxy S9 and S9+ at an event in Barcelona. The two flagship smartphones from Samsung have now been launched in India at a starting price of Rs. Both the smartphones will be Flipkart-exclusive and go on sale from the 16th of February along with the rest of the world. The pre-orders on Flipkart begin at 2 pm on the 6th of March. However, the 256GB variant of Galaxy S9+ will be sold exclusively at Reliance Digital stores, Samsung exclusive stores and on Samsung Shop.

    The Samsung Galaxy S9 will start a price of Rs. 57,900 and the 256GB variant will be priced at Rs. 64900. The Galaxy S9+, however, will start at Rs. 65,900 and the 256GB model will retail for Rs. 72,900. To put things into perspective, the Galaxy S8 was launched at a price of Rs. 57900 and the S8+ for Rs. 64900.

    The Samsung Galaxy S9 and its bigger sibling, the Galaxy S9+ succeeds the Galaxy S8 and S8+ as the 2018 flagship phones. Unlike the previous generation, the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ have more differences than just the display and battery sizes. Samsung has made the Galaxy S9+ a bit more feature-packed to justify the higher price tag.

    As expected, the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ look extremely similar to their predecessors. The bezels are slightly thinner but, it is hard to differentiate between the two generations, at least from the front. To the back of the devices is where you see the difference. While the Galaxy S8 and S8+ were two of the most successful Android smartphones of 2017 and were lauded for their looks, there was an issue with the design.

    Due to the decreased bezels, Samsung had to move the fingerprint sensor to the back of the phone. However, the execution left a lot to be desired as the sensor was placed next to the camera module. It looks like Samsung took the criticism into consideration. The Galaxy S9 and S9+ come with a fingerprint sensor placed below the camera module. This is a much more ergonomic placement for a rear-facing fingerprint sensor.

    The Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ have a new feature similar to Apple’s Animojis. It is called AR Emoji. Basically, the smartphone captures the face data, analyses it, which allows users to make animated versions of themselves. These can later be customised further.

    Samsung Galaxy S9

    The Samsung Galaxy S9 has a 5.8 inch Super AMOLED display with a 2960 x 1440 px resolution. This translates to an 18.5:9 aspect ratio, which means it is slightly taller than the usual bezel-less smartphones.

    Depending on the market, the Galaxy S9’s chipset will vary. For the US and South Korean market, the S9 will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset. The Galaxy S9 and S9+ are the first-ever smartphones launched with the new flagship chipset. For India, it will be powered by the new Exynos 9810 chipset. Coupled with the chipset is 4GB of RAM and 64GB or 256GB of onboard storage. Similar to a lot of Samsung smartphones, the storage will be expandable up to 256GB via a MicroSD card.

    Out of the box, the Samsung Galaxy S9 will run Android 8 Oreo with Experience 9.0 on top. Powering the smartphone will be a 3000 mAh battery, just like the Galaxy S8. The smartphone will support wireless charging. Similar to its predecessor, the Galaxy S9 also has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. The Galaxy S9 also has a dual stereo speaker system tuned by AKG and Dolby surround sound.

    The Galaxy S9 has a single Dual Pixel 12 MP sensor with dual /1.5 and f/2.4 apertures. In bright lighting conditions, the camera will use the f/2.4 aperture, while the wider f/1.5 aperture is used in dark lighting conditions. It also captures 720P videos at 960fps and 4K videos at 60fps, similar to the Apple iPhone X. On the front of the smartphone is an 8MP camera with an f/1.6 aperture and records 4K videos.

    Samsung Galaxy S9+

    As is with its smaller sibling, the Galaxy S9+ has the same screen size as the Galaxy S8+. It sports a 6.2 inch Super AMOLED display with a 2960 x 1440 px resolution.

    Under the hood, it will either be powered by the Exynos 9810 chipset. Unlike the Galaxy S9, the S9+ will be available in 6GB RAM/64GB storage and 6GB RAM/256GB models in major markets across the world.

    Out of the box, the Galaxy S9+ will also run Android 8 Oreo with Experience 9.0 on top. Powering the smartphone will be a 3500 mAh battery, just like the Galaxy S8+. The smartphone will support wireless charging. Similar to its predecessor, the Galaxy S9+ also has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.

    The main difference between the two S9 models this year is in the camera department. Unlike its predecessor, the Galaxy S9+ has a dual-camera setup on the back. The Galaxy S9+ has one wide-angle 12MP camera with an f/1.5 aperture and the other is a 12MP telephoto lens with an f/2.4 aperture. The telephoto lens is the same one found on the Galaxy Note8, which means it has OIS. On the front of the smartphone is an 8MP camera with an f/1.6 aperture and records 4K videos.

  • Apple Could Launch Over The Ear Headphones With Noise Cancellation

    Apple Could Launch Over The Ear Headphones With Noise Cancellation

    In 2016, Apple removed the beloved 3.5mm headphone jack from its iPhone 7 devices. The AirPods were subsequently unveiled which, at the time of the launch, received a lot of flak for its looks. However, with time, the AirPods have become the most successful wireless earbuds in the market. So much so that it dominates the market with up to 85% market share of Bluetooth earbuds. In fact, the company has sold more than 13 million pairs of AirPods in 2017 alone.

    According to a report, Apple is working on a pair of premium over-the-ear headphones, which will be launched by the end of 2018. However, this plan is not set in stone as the company might scrape off the idea completely. It has been reported that Apple’s plans of launching over the ear headphones have been dodgy over the past year or so.

    over the ear headphone
    Apple AirPods

    The report also suggests that the company will not launch the over the ear headphone under the Beats moniker. In fact, the company plans on making it a standalone product, similar to the AirPods.

    Features

    The premium wireless headphones are expected to offer active noise-cancellation. The headphones will be powered by a custom energy-efficient chipset like the W1 found on the AirPods. These headphones will cater those, who are looking for traditional feel headphones with active noise cancellation. In fact, just like the upcoming Apple AirPods 2, these headphones are expected to offer water resistance and wireless Siri integration.

    Conclusion

    There is no denying that the market is not short on wireless headphones with noise cancellation. Companies like Bose and Sony have plenty of headphones to cater to those who prefer this feature. However, the Apple headphones will largely attract people already in its ecosystem. The presence of the W1 chip means seamless pairing across all Apple products. However, the price of the headphones will be an interesting factor while competing with the likes of Sony, Bose and others.

  • Vivo APEX With Pop-Up Camera Could Go On Sale In Late-2018

    Vivo APEX With Pop-Up Camera Could Go On Sale In Late-2018

    Vivo became the first-ever company to embed a fingerprint sensor under the display of a consumer-ready smartphone. However, at MWC 2018, the company unveiled an even more exciting product. At its unveiling, Vivo conceded that the Vivo APEX was just a concept phone. However, the response to the device and excitement around it has convinced Vivo to change its plans.

    Subsequently, Vivo has officially unveiled the APEX in China and announced that its mass production will begin in mid-2018. However, the company has not spilt the beans on all the specifications of the Vivo APEX as of now.

    Vivo APEX Specifications

    The APEX has a 5.99 inch OLED display with COF technology. The smartphone has the thinnest bezels yet on a smartphone. In fact, the company claims it has a record screen-to-body ratio of 98%. The thickest bezel on the phone is its chin, which is about 4.3mm thin. The size bezels measure at 1.8mm.

    Vivo has confirmed that the APEX will be powered by the Snapdragon 845 chipset. This is a great step by Vivo considering the X20 Plus UD skimmed out on a lot of specifications to accommodate the Clear ID technology. For a price close to US$ 700, it was powered by the Snapdragon 660 chipset. While the X20 Plus UD had an impressive fingerprint sensor, albeit a few limitations, the APEX takes it a notch further.

    The Vivo APEX has a fingerprint sensor which covers almost half the display. This simply means that a user has a larger area to access Clear ID rather than a tiny space found on the X20 Plus UD. The company has also placed the ambient and proximity sensors under the display. The whole display will work as an earpiece, similar to the Xiaomi Mi MIX from 2016. According to Vivo, the new SoundCasting Technology essentially transports the sound across the glass of the display.

    The most talked-about feature of the Vivo APEX is its front-camera. The APEX features a pop-up front camera which takes about 0.8 seconds to be completely out of the device. It is an 8MP camera with HDR and a dynamic range of up to 14 EV.

    Conclusion

    While the APEX comes across as a futuristic smartphone with a seemingly great solution for bezel-less devices, it has its caveats. It will be interesting to see how so many moving parts inside a smartphone will age. Accidental drops might also have much more severe implications now. However, all of that is secondary as the company prepares to mass produce the APEX from mid-2018. It might subsequently go on sale in late-2018.

  • Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S Will Have Enhanced AI Camera Capabilities

    Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S Will Have Enhanced AI Camera Capabilities

    Xiaomi will launch the Mi MIX 2S on the 27th of March. Apart from a few sketchy renders, we don’t really have a lot of information about the upcoming device. However, Xiaomi has taken the onus to build up the launch of its new flagship smartphone. A couple of days ago, a teaser video was released which confirmed that the Mi MIX 2S will be powered by the Snapdragon 845 chipset.

    The company has now released a teaser image that talks about the camera of the Mi MIX 2S. What started with the Pixel 2 devices, the trend of implementing AI and machine learning in the camera has caught on. The Mi MIX 2S will have enhanced AI capabilities for, in theory, a better image capture. The teaser image was accompanied with a question for all the users.

    Xiaomi asked users to guess whether the teaser image was clicked solely via the camera or has AI been implemented for the background effect. The answer, logically, will be yes. Since the company is promoting the AI feature in the post already.

    Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S Specs

    Most of the specifications of the Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S are already known. In fact, the company announced that the Mi MIX 2S will be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 845. The smartphone will be launched in China on 27th March. Similarly, the smartphone will have a notch on the right corner, which houses the front-facing camera.

    Xiaomi Mi MIX 2s
    Mi MIX 2s Leaked Specs

    As this is a premium smartphone, we are anticipating 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. This time around, the MIX 2S is expected to offer superior camera performance compared to the Mi MIX. The company has also confirmed enhanced AI capabilities of the upcoming flagship smartphone.

    Unlike the Xiaomi Mi 7, the MIX 2S has a rear-facing fingerprint sensor. The device will have a massive 4400 mAH Li-ion battery with fast charging. However, we are unsure about the wireless charging, as the last two Mi MIX models featured ceramic panel, which doesn’t support wireless charging.

     

  • Sony Will Launch A Bezel-Less Smartphone With 4K Display In 2018

    Sony Will Launch A Bezel-Less Smartphone With 4K Display In 2018

    Up until MWC 2018, Sony had a portfolio of extremely similar looking flagship smartphones. Despite the industry largely moving to an 18:9 aspect ratio, the company launched its smartphones with a 16:9 aspect ratio. However, all of that changed at MWC 2018 with the launch of the Sony Xperia XZ2 and XZ2 Compact.

    However, a heavily anticipated feature was missing in the two phones. Prior to the launch, it was widely expected that Sony would launch a smartphone with a 4K display and 18L9 aspect ratio. That, however, did not happen since the Xz2 and XZ2 Compact have a 2160 x 1080 px resolution. But, a new report by ITHome claims that Sony will indeed launch a 4K display smartphone in 2018.

    Xperia XZ2

    The smartphone could be launched with the Xperia XZ2 Pro moniker. The device will be based on the new “Ambient Flow” design language that Sony unveiled at MWC 2018. The smartphone will have very thin bezels, an 18:9 aspect ratio and a 4K+ resolution of 4320 x 2180 px. The last Android smartphone Sony launched with a 4K resolution was the Xperia XZ Premium.

    The Sony Xperia XZ Premium, which went on sale in June 2017, still had the age-old OmniBalance design. In fact, Sony was the first company to launch an Android smartphone with a 4K resolution. In 2015, the company unveiled the Xperia XZ5 with a 4K resolution. Since then, however, Sony has worked on the technology to make it better. Maybe, with the Xperia XZ2 Pro, the company will finally implement better VR experience as well.

    Expected Specifications

    The smartphone is expected to be launched in the latter part of 2018. It is expected to have a 5.5 inch IPS LCD display with a 4320 x 2180 px resolution. This will translate into an 18:9 aspect ratio. Under the hood, it is expected to have the Snapdragon 845 chipset, like many other 2018 flagship smartphones.

    While these are still speculations, the company is expected to launch a premium Android smartphone later this year. However, the price, again, will be of utmost importance for it to succeed in global markets.

  • Huawei P20 Lite Live Images Leaked

    Huawei P20 Lite Live Images Leaked

    Huawei is all set to launch the Huawei P20 Pro, P20, and the P20 Lite on the 27th of March. After skipping a major mobile launch at MWC 2018, the company has been promoting its launch event that will take in Paris. The Huawei P20 Pro with a triple camera setup is expected to be the highlight of the event.

    However, the Huawei P20 Lite has been in the news for a while now. After a few leaked renders, a new set of live images have been leaked online of the smartphone. The Huawei P20 Lite is expected to be the most affordable version of the three smartphones.

    Honor 9 Lite

    The leaked images, however, do not reveal anything we don’t know about the device already. Subsequently, the P20 Lite is expected to sport an iPhone X-like notch and a dual-camera setup on the back. From the images, the build quality reminds us of the Honor 9 Lite with a shiny back panel, possibly made of glass. The vertically-placed dual cameras also remind us of the iPhone X although, the LED flash is placed below the module.

    Expected Specifications

    With bezels getting thinner, the standard size of a smartphone has increased from 5.5 inches to 6 inches. The Huawei P11 Lite is expected to have a 6 inch display with a 2880 x 1440 px resolution. Just like the Mate 10, Huawei could use an OLED panel as well. However, nothing can be said for certain as of now.

    Under the hood, it will have the HiSilicon Kirin 970 chipset along with 6GB or 8GB of RAM. The fingerprint sensor will be placed on the back of the phone. While the smartphone is expected to be thin, it is expected to house a big battery that will support SuperCharge

     

     

  • Moto G6 Play Live Images Leaked

    Moto G6 Play Live Images Leaked

    Lenovo-owned Motorola is expected to launch quite a few smartphones in the coming weeks. Three smartphones each in the Moto E and Moto G series have been leaked so far. Recently, live images of a possible Moto E5 Play were leaked. However, new images of the Moto G6 Play have now surfaced online.

    The leaked images reinstate a few details we already knew about the upcoming lineup of Moto smartphones. The Moto G6 Play is expected to have an 18:9 aspect ratio. The bezels thinner than previous gen Moto phones. However, it will by no means, be the thinnest we will ever see. A lot like the Redmi Note 5 or Note 5 Pro. The “Moto” branding will be replaced by “Motorola” on the front.

    On the back of the smartphone will be a single camera and an LED flash. The fingerprint sensor appears to be housed in the Moto logo, which is an interesting implementation. Probably something Apple could have done with the iPhone X? The Moto G6 Play was recently listed on GeekBench with the complete specifications.

    Specifications:

    The Moto G6 Play has a 5.7-inch IPS LCD 1440 x 720 px resolution, protected by 2.5D curved glass. Under the hood, the smartphone sports the Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 Octa-core chipset with 3GB RAM. The device scores 472 points on a single-core and 1801 points on multi-core on Geekbench.

    The device might run on Android 8 Oreo out of the box. However, instead of stock Android, the Moto G6 Play comes with Lenovo’s custom ZUK skin. However, that is hard to believe since Motorola has had success with its close to stock Android OS devices. Finally, the smartphone packs in a massive 4000 mAh battery with no mention of fast charging what so ever.

  • HTC U12 Specifications Leaked Ahead Of April Launch

    HTC U12 Specifications Leaked Ahead Of April Launch

    HTC, unlike a few smartphone makers, decided to skip any MWC 2018 launches. Instead, the company displayed its current flagship devices in its booth. However, that means the launch of the HTC U12, its next flagship device, is nigh. A few days ago, it was believed that the HTC U12 was leaked at a 5G convention where HTC was present. Subsequently, a new leak has revealed some important details about the device.

    Leaked Specifications

    A leaker on Twitter ousted a few key specifications about the HTC U12. Evan Blass, a very popular and often accurate leaker, agreed with this leak as well. According to this tweet, the HTC U12 will have a 5.99 inch display with a 2880 x 1440 px resolution. This means that the company will continue launching 18:9 smartphones, like the HTC U11+.

    HTC U11+

    Under the hood, it will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset. The new flagship chipset is no longer Samsung-exclusive and is already present in smartphones from Asus and Sony as well. Coupled with this chipset will be up to 6GB of RAM and 256GB of onboard storage. However, details about other variants have not been revealed. It will be IP68 rated for water and dust resistance, a staple for modern-day flagship phones.

    Interestingly, the leak mentions HTC Face Unlock as well. Now, it is a known fact that Face Unlock is the new trend of the industry. However, it will be interesting to see how HTC implements this feature and how secure it’ll be. On the back of the smartphone will be a dual camera setup of a 12MP sensor coupled with a 16MP Sony IMX3xx sensor. No details about the nature of these sensors has been revealed so far.

    The HTC U12 will run Android 8 Oreo out of the box with HTC Sense UI on top. Powering the device will be a 3420 mAh battery which will support QuickCharge 4.0. It will be interesting to see if the smartphone will support wireless charging.

    Conclusion

    The HTC U12 promises to be an interesting flagship phone. If priced intelligently, the HTC U12 could pose as a potent competitor to the likes of Galaxy S9 and soon-to-be-launched Mi MIX 2S. The leaker also claims that the HTC U12 will be launched in April.

  • Nokia 7 Plus Vs Moto X4

    Nokia 7 Plus Vs Moto X4

    HMD Global launched the Nokia 7 Plus at MWC 2018. Leaked way ahead of its official launch, the Nokia 7 Plus garnered a lot of interest. It was touted to be the first-ever Nokia smartphone with an 18:9 aspect ratio. However, the Nokia 89 Sirocco, launched along with the 7 Plus, has the same aspect ratio. The price of the Nokia 7 Plus EUR 399 (Rs 31000).

    However, if the company decides to launch the Nokia 7 Plus in India, it will have to be priced below the estimated price. The Nokia 7 Plus at a price of Rs. 25000 would really be one of the best options on the market. At Rs. 28000 or thereabouts, the Honor View10 has a better chipset and features like AI integration. However, at Rs. 25000 price bracket, the Nokia 7 Plus has competition from the Moto X4 and Honor 8 Pro at best.

    The Moto X4 has a glass back while the Nokia 7 Plus has an aluminium unibody design. However, the Nokia 7 Plus has subtle accents around the camera and fingerprint sensor, similar to the Nokia 6 (2018). So, if the Nokia 7 Plus is launched at around Rs. 25000, which smartphone comes out on top? Let’s find out!

    Specifications
    Specifications Nokia 7 Plus Moto X4
    Price EUR 399 (Rs. 31000) Starting at Rs. 20999
    Display 6 inch
    IPS LCD    		 5.2 inch
    LTPS IPS LCD
    Resolution 2160 x 1080 px
    18:9 Aspect Ratio
    403 ppi    		 1920 x 1080 px
    16:9 Aspect Ratio
    424 ppi
    Chipset Snapdragon 660 Snapdragon 630
    RAM 4GB 3GB
    4GB
    6GB
    Storage 64GB
    Expandable Up to 256GB    		 64GB
    Expandable Up to 256GB
    Battery 3800 mAh 3000 mAh
    Primary Camera Carl Zeiss Optics
    12MP f/1.8 Wide-Angle
    13MP f/2.6 Telephoto    		 12MP f/2.0 aperture
    8MP f/2.2 aperture
    Primary Camera Video 3840 x 2160 @ 30fps 3840 x 2160 @ 30fps
    Secondary Camera 16MP
    f/2.0    		 16MP
    f/2.0
    Add-Ons Fingerprint Sensor
    Android One    		 Fingerprint Sensor
  • Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S Leaked Image Reveals In-Display Fingerprint Sensor

    Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S Leaked Image Reveals In-Display Fingerprint Sensor

    The recently concluded MWC 2018 was devoid of a Xiaomi spectacle. This was, however, expected since the company announced a March event for the launch of the Mi MIX 2S. Over the past few weeks, we haven’t seen a lot of leaked images of the Mi MIX 2S but, a few specifications have been revealed. However, a new image of the device has surfaced which reveals a very interesting feature of the Mi MIX 2S.

    The leaked image shows an “Always On” display with a fingerprint image. This suggests an in-display fingerprint sensor, similar to the Vivo X20 Plus UD. The always on display might seem Un-Xiaomi like but, considering this device will have an OLED display, it is believable. Thanks to it being an OLED panel, an always-on display mode won’t consume a lot of battery.

    However, the most talked-about feature of the Mi MIX 2S so far has been the notch. Unlike new Android smartphones, Xiaomi will have a different implementation of the infamous notch. The front camera will be housed in a small protrusion on the top right corner. The leaked image shows a smartphone with black bezels and the display is turned off. Therefore, it is hard to gauge whether this a genuine image.

    This leak corroborates with a recent report that suggests that the Mi MIX 2S will have Samsung’s OLED panels. If true, the Mi MIX 2S could be one of the best smartphones of this year. It has already been confirmed the Mi MIX 2S will be powered by the Snapdragon 845 chipset.

    Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S Specs

    Most of the specifications of the Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S are already known. In fact, the company announced that the Mi MIX 2S will be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 845. The smartphone will be launched in China on 27th March. Similarly, the smartphone will have a notch on the right corner, which houses the front-facing camera.

    Xiaomi Mi MIX 2s
    Mi MIX 2s Leaked Specs

    As this is a premium smartphone, we are anticipating 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. This time around, the MIX 2S is expected to offer superior camera performance compared to the Mi MIX.

    Unlike the Xiaomi Mi 7, the MIX 2S has a rear-facing fingerprint sensor. The device will have a massive 4400 mAH Li-ion battery with fast charging. However, we are unsure about the wireless charging, as the last two Mi MIX models featured ceramic panel, which doesn’t support wireless charging.

  • Top 5 Unveilings At MWC 2018

    Top 5 Unveilings At MWC 2018

    Barcelona, Spain hosted yet another edition of MWC 2018 in February. While smartphones like the Galaxy S9 and Xperia XZ2 were heavily leaked, there were a few surprise launches that caught a lot of attention. Nokia, for instance, launched as many as 5 devices. So, what are the top five smartphones that launched at MWC 2018? Let’s find out!

    Samsung Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9+
    Galaxy S9, S9+ Colour Variants

    This is an obvious entry on the list. The Galaxy S9 and S9+ were the most anticipated smartphones of MWC 2018. Follow up to 2017’s successful flagship duo, a lot was expected from the Galaxy S9 and S9+. As was expected from the numerous leaks, the Galaxy S9 and S9+ did not look too different from their predecessors.

    However, there are a few important upgrades that could be interesting. First one is in the camera department. The Galaxy S9 and S9+ now feature a variable aperture. The Dual Pixel 12 MP sensor has a dual f/1.5 and f/2.4 aperture. In bright lighting conditions, the camera will use the f/2.4 aperture, while the wider f/1.5 aperture is used in dark lighting conditions. It also captures 720P videos at 960fps and 4K videos at 60fps, similar to the Apple iPhone X.

    Also, the fingerprint sensor is finally placed below the camera module, something we saw on the Galaxy A8+ as well. The S9 has a single camera setup while the S9+ now has a dual-camera setup similar to the Galaxy Note8. Both the smartphones will be launched in India on the 6th of March and go on sale on March 16th.

    Also Read: From Samsung Galaxy S8 to S9: What Has Changed?

    Vivo Apex

    This smartphone is not a consumer-ready product yet. However, it is still one of the coolest devices displayed at MWC 2018. Over the years, MWC has been a witness to some amazing concept phones. Even this year, Nokia was expected to unveil the Penta-lens concept phone. However, that did not happen. But, Vivo did turn up and one-upped its CES 2018 unveiling.

    The Vivo Apex has an in-display fingerprint sensor that covers almost half the display. While the Vivo X20 Plus UD only had a regular-sized fingerprint sensor underneath the display. In fact, this is not even the most interesting feature of the Apex. To accommodate probably the thinnest bezels on a smartphone, Vivo came up with a very different implementation of the front camera. The Apex has a hidden front camera which pops out every time it has to be used.

    Although it is still a concept phone, the implementation is very interesting here. Let’s hope more companies come up with consumer-ready products with such intricate and satisfying design elements.

    Also Read: What Is The Future Of Front Cameras?

    Nokia 7 Plus

    HMD Global launched not one, not two, but five devices at MWC 2018. Apart from the smartphones, it also announced that all Nokia devices will now be Android One devices. The Nokia 7 Plus, another heavily leaked device was one of the five phones to be launched. Along with the Nokia 8 Sirocco, the Nokia 7 Plus is the only Nokia smartphone with an 18:9 aspect ratio and thin bezels. A follow up to the China-only Nokia 7, the 7 Plus has a great design and build quality.

    Under the hood, the 7 Plus has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 chipset and 2.2GHz octa-core processor. That is coupled with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage which will be expandable via microSD card. The fingerprint sensor is now placed on the back and has the similar colour accents found on the Nokia 6 (2018).

    If the European price of the smartphone is anything to go by, it will have a steep price in India. However, for it to work in the Indian market, HMD Global will have to price below Rs. 25000 to keep the Honor View10 at bay, which has flagship specifications and costs Rs. 28999. At under Rs. 25000, the 7 Plus will compete with the likes of the Moto X4.

    Also Read: Nokia 7 Plus Launched

    Asus Zenfone 5Z

    At MWC 2018, companies like Sony and Samsung were expected to launch Snapdragon 845 powered smartphones. However, the most interesting device powered by the flagship chipset was unveiled by Asus. Apparently, this smartphone flew under the radars of leakers online and Asus had a worthy unveiling in its hands. From the moment you look at it, the Zenfone 5Z looks like an iPhone X lookalike.

    Although Asus claims the notch on the Zenfone 5Z is smaller than that of the iPhone X, it is still a notch. Also, one thing that the iPhone X achieved was uniform bezels around the display, thanks to the notch. However, the Zenfone 5Z kind of defeats the purpose of a notch as it also carries a thicker chin. That being said, the flagship Asus device has a lot going on for it.

    If and when Asus launches the Zenfone 5Z in India, it could nullify the effect of the OnePlus 5T if launched at a price of Rs. 40,000 or less. That is until the OnePlus 6 is launched.

    Also Read: OnePlus 5T Vs Asus Zenfone 5Z Vs Mi Mix 2

    Sony Xperia XZ2, XZ2 Compact

    For the past couple of years, Sony smartphones have failed to capture the imagination of many consumers. Even in 2017, when many smartphone makers made a shift to bezel-less design, Sony continued to launch its signature boxy style devices. However, that finally changed at MWC 2018. Sony unveiled the Xperia XZ2 and Xperia XZ2 Compact with an 18:9 aspect ratio and thin bezels. However, still not the thinnest bezels you’ll see this year.

    The Sony Xperia XZ2 and the smaller sibling also run on the latest and greatest Snapdragon 845 chipset. Apart from the Galaxy S9 and Zenfone 5Z, they are the only devices to run on the new flagship chipset. Sony still has a single camera setup on the front and back. So, it has still clinged on to a few Sony signature features.

    Even for the Sony Xperia XZ2 and XZ2 Compact, the devices will have to be priced competitively in India.

    Also Read: Sony Xperia XZ2, XZ2 Compact Launched

  • Huawei P20 Lite Images With iPhone X-Like Notch Leaked

    Huawei P20 Lite Images With iPhone X-Like Notch Leaked

    At MWC 2018, Huawei was expected to launch the Huawei P20 Lite and save the other two devices for the March event. However, it only launched its MateBook X Pro and MediaPad M5 . This means that on the 27th of March, the company will unveil three smartphones out of which, the P20 Plus will have a triple-camera setup.

    A few days ago, 360-degree renders of the P20 Lite were leaked by OnLeaks. However, live images of the smartphone have now been leaked by another popular leaker on Twitter, Evan Blass. As expected, P20 Lite will follow the footsteps of many Android phones unveiled at MWC 2018. It will have an iPhone X-like notch on the display which will house the earpiece, sensors and front camera.

    P20 Lite
    Previous P20 Lite Leaked Images

    On the back of the smartphone are a few decisions reminiscent of the iPhone X as well. The dual-camera setup is placed vertically and resembles that of the iPhone X. However, unlike the iPhone X, the LED flash is placed below the camera module, instead of between the two cameras. The fingerprint sensor is placed in the centre, which many missed on the iPhone X. The smartphone has a matte finish possibly made of aluminium.

    Specifications

    With bezels getting thinner, the standard size of a smartphone has increased from 5.5 inches to 6 inches. However, that won’t be the case with the Huawei P20 Lite. It is expected to have a 5.6 inch display with a 2160 x 1080 px resolution. Expect the resolution to be a little different, because of the notch.

    Under the hood, it will have the HiSilicon Kirin 659 chipset, also found on the likes of the Honor 7X and even Honor 9 Lite. This will be paired with either 4GB or 6GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage. Powering the smartphone will be a 3520 mAh battery and it will run Android 8 Oreo out of the box. However, the smartphone will have Huawei’s EMUI on top as well.

  • What Is The Future Of Front-Facing Cameras?

    What Is The Future Of Front-Facing Cameras?

    We all love bezel-less smartphones. Even since the turn of 2017, the bezels have become increasingly thinner and displays have become taller. All this while, the size of the whole device has remained constant. The trend has caught on so much that capable devices like the OnePlus 5, even the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus were deemed “archaic” for the modern times. By no means are they bad-looking devices, they just have modern looking siblings that are more appealing.

    But, while we despise anything with bezels, we need to remember that bezels on a display have a role. While we like to call smartphones like the iPhone X or the Galaxy S9 as “bezel-less,” in reality, they aren’t. No smartphone has a 100% screen-to-body ratio and there is a genuine reason behind that. Modern day smartphones have different implementations of the front-facing cameras and the earpieces. Along with that, you need space to store all the sensors as well.

    While the Mi Mix and Mi Mix 2 moved the front-facing camera on the bottom bezel to trim the other three sides, it hasn’t been a popular decision. The Galaxy S9 and S9+ with their infinity displays still have a chin and forehead which houses the sensors, camera and an earpiece. The iPhone X has a notch that houses everything. Similarly, the Essential Ph-1 has a cyborg eye-like notch for the front camera while the rest is situated just above the display.

    However, it looks like two companies might have the answer to the front camera conundrum. At the ongoing MWC 2018, Vivo unveiled a concept phone, the Vivo Apex. Apart from having some of the thinnest bezels on a smartphone, it has an interesting implementation of the front camera as well. The Apex has a camera housed in the smartphone. It essentially means that when a user has to take a selfie, a camera pops out of the smartphone. It doesn’t use up any screen real estate which allowed the company to keep the bezels at 1.8mm thick.

    While this is still a concept phone, it is an interesting implementation. Certainly, it is better than what Xiaomi did with the Mi Mix and Mi Mix 2. Another interesting smartphone unveiled at MWC 2018 is the Bluboo S2. However, the Bluboo S2 has an interesting implementation of the camera as well. Similar to what the OPPO N1 did, the Bluboo S2 has a rotating camera. You basically lift the camera from behind and it stands upright for front-facing functionalities.

    While this does seem futuristic, more brands, and mainly, bigger brands need to adapt these for it to grow. Until we get a screen-embedded camera, these could be some of the best options to completely get rid of the bezels.

  • Xiaomi Mi 7 To Feature In-Display Fingerprint Sensor And Wireless Charging

    Xiaomi Mi 7 To Feature In-Display Fingerprint Sensor And Wireless Charging

    Xiaomi has recently confirmed that its first device to run on Snapdragon 845 will be the Mi Mix 2S. However, it is fair to assume that the launch of the Mi 7 is not too far away. Many expected the Mi 7 to be launched at MWC 2018 but, the company has decided to keep its flagship smartphone under the wraps for a few more months.

    However, that has not stopped more rumours to surface about the Mi 7. The Mi 7 could be launched with one of the most anticipated features of 2018 devices, an in-display fingerprint sensor. Vivo launched the first-ever smartphone with an in-display fingerprint sensor at CES 2018 and one-upped its own feat with the Vivo Apex. Apart from a futuristic “pop out camera,” the Apex has an in-display fingerprint sensor spread across half of the device’s display.

    Xiaomi Mi 7
    Vivo X20 Plus UD

    The Xiaomi Mi 7, on the other hand, might have an implementation similar to the Vivo X20 Plus UD. If this turns out to be true, the Mi 7 might see an increase in price. The Vivo X20 Plus UD, for its specifications, is very pricey, mainly due to the technology it possesses.

    Another interesting feature the company might debut in the Mi 7 is wireless charging. This was also rumoured back in September 2017 when Xiaomi joined the Wireless Power Consortium. Wireless Power Consortium was formed back in 2008. It’s sole purpose is to promote wide market adoption of the Qi wireless charging technology.

    This means that the Mi 7 will have a glass build, similar to the likes of the Galaxy S9 and iPhone X. Again, the price of the Mi 7 could be defining factor in the success or failure of the device.

    Conclusion

    The buzz around the launch of the Mi Mix 2S won’t die out soon. However, the Mi 7 is expected to have a few features that will be a first for Xiaomi. The pricing and launch date will be interesting, considering devices like the OnePlus 6 and Asus Zenfone 5Z will be on the market as well.

  • Samsung Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9+ To Launch In India On 6th March

    Samsung Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9+ To Launch In India On 6th March

    On the 25th of February, Samsung launched the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ in Barcelona. In India, the devices will be launched on the 6th of March and go on sale on the 16th of March. While the prices of the smartphones will be unveiled at the launch event, they are already up for pre-orders on the official Samsung India website.

    However, days before the official launch, the price of the devices was leaked yesterday. The Samsung Galaxy S9 will start a price of Rs. 62,500 and the 256GB variant will be priced at Rs. 71000. The Galaxy S9+, however, will start at Rs 70,000 and the 256GB model will retail for Rs 79000. In fact, the Galaxy S8 was launched at a price of Rs 57900 and the S8+ for Rs 64900. The smartphones will be sold online via Flipkart and the official website of Samsung India.

    S9+

    Samsung Galaxy S9, S9+

    From the Galaxy S8 to S9 devices, the physical changes are very minimal. The fingerprint sensor is now at a much better placement and the smartphones have a dual stereo speaker system tuned by AKG. The Samsung Galaxy S9 has a 5.8 inch Super AMOLED display with a 2960 x 1440 px resolution. The Galaxy S9+ sports a 6.2 inch Super AMOLED display with a 2960 x 1440 px resolution.

    The Galaxy S9 and S9+ will be the first-ever smartphones launched in India with the new Exynos 9810 chipset. Coupled with the chipset is 4GB of RAM and 64GB/256GB storage for the Galaxy S9. The S9+, however, will be available in 6GB RAM/64GB storage and 6GB RAM/256GB models in India.

    S9+

    The Galaxy S9 has a single Dual Pixel 12 MP sensor with dual /1.5 and f/2.4 apertures. Unlike its predecessor, the Galaxy S9+ has a dual-camera setup on the back. The Galaxy S9+ has one wide-angle 12MP camera with an f/1.5 aperture and the other is a 12MP telephoto lens with an f/2.4 aperture. On the front of the smartphones is an 8MP camera with an f/1.6 aperture and records 4K videos.

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