Author: Yashonil Gupta

Apple’s iOS 13 To Get Dark Mode, New Undo Actions And More: Reports

Apple is scheduled to kickstart its developer’s conference, called WWDC on the 3rd of June this year. The company is expected to announce the latest version of iOS, the operating system used in the iPhones and iPads. Allegedly called the iOS 13, it is expected to bring about a plethora of changes to the software. Fresh reports claim the update will introduce the much awaited dark mode and a new undo action among many others.

iOS 13: What To Expect?

The upcoming iOS 13 from Apple as mentioned above, will introduce a host of changes in the operating system. The biggest change in the update will be the introduction of dark mode. According to reports, this will be a system-wide implementation and will be available as an option in settings. The final implementation may end up looking like the dark mode on the latest MacOS Mojave, which was rolled out last year. The second significant change will be applicable to the iPads running on iOS 13. With the new software, the ability for apps to have multiple windows will be added. These windows will contain individual sheets which can be attached/detached. The new update is expected to make multitasking better on the iPads.

iPhone X

Another overhaul in the upcoming iOS 13 will be regarding the undo system. In previous generations, users could physically shake the device to undo the last typed characters on the keyboard. The latest update will change this as a new three-finger tap gesture will replace the aforementioned actions. With the new iteration, users will be able to slide left or right after the three fingers tap to undo or redo their actions respectively. With iOS 13, the company will also add a new font management panel to access font settings more easily.

iPhone XR

Also read: PUBG Mobile v0.12.0 Update Introduces New Weapons, Enhanced Zombie Mode And More

Other notable changes in the forthcoming iOS 13 will be an upgraded Mail app. The new app will be capable of organising messages into categories like marketing, travel or not important. Similar to third-party email apps, the new, updated Mail app will also be able to categorise messages as “read later”. Like the above-mentioned software, the Reminders app will also get a major overhaul. The voice assistant for Apple devices, Siri will also be better at rejecting noises such as laughter or crying babies with the iOS 13. The latest operating system will hit iPhones and iPads later this year. All the devices from iPhone 6s and above, iPad Mini 2 and above and the iPod touch 6th Gen is expected to receive the update.

April 16, 2019
Google Pixel 3a, 3a XL Launch Date Teased By The Company

It has been long anticipated that Google will release two affordable smartphones in the Pixel lineup. These devices will allegedly be called the Pixel 3a and the Pixel 3a XL. While there was no official confirmation by the company, key details of the handsets have been leaked multiple times in the past. A fresh listing on the company’s product store insinuates when the aforementioned smartphones will launch. The two new Pixel devices may make their debut on the 8th of May (IST). Notably, this is the first day of the company’s annual developer’s conference, the Google I/O.

Pixel 3a/3a XL

The Google Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL will be an entirely new offering by the company. They will be the mid-range variant of the premium Pixel 3 and the Pixel 3XL respectively. Past leaks have revealed the smartphones will sport a design reminiscent of their siblings; except they will feature a polycarbonate build instead of metal and glass on the more premium models. According to the reported specifications of the devices, the Pixel 3a will have a 5.6 inch OLED display while the Pixel 3a XL will sport an OLED display measuring 6 inches diagonally. For biometrics and security, both the devices will have a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor.

The Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL are expected to run on the Snapdragon 670 SoC which is manufactured using 10nm fabrication process. The chipset consists of an Octa-core CPU and the Adreno 612 GPU for graphics. In terms of optics, both the smartphones will have a single 12 MP rear camera like their elder siblings. For selfies, a single 8 MP camera will be housed on the top of the display. In terms of memory and storage, the Pixel 3a smartphone duo will feature 4GB of RAM and up to 64GB of internal storage.

Past leaks have revealed the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL will be powered by a 3000 mAh battery. Like its elder siblings, they are expected to run on the current Android 9 Pie with a stock interface and will receive fast software updates. The leaked images also confirm the presence of a 3.5mm headphone jack on at least one of the two devices.

Pricing & Availability

Google Pixel 3XL

Also read: Future Android Updates To Be Delivered Via The Google Play Store

The upcoming Pixel 3a smartphone duo from Google as mentioned above may make their debut at the Google I/O 2019. While there is no official confirmation regarding the pricing of the smartphones, previous leaks have claimed the Pixel 3a will be priced around Rs. 35,000 while the Pixel 3a XL may cost up to Rs. 45,000 in India.

April 16, 2019
Future Android Updates To Be Delivered Via The Google Play Store

Google’s Operating System Android is one of the most popular softwares in the world. Its popularity can be justified with the wide variety of devices it is compatible with. However, despite the popularity, one Achilles Heel the OS has faced time and again is the disparity in software updates. While smartphone OEMs like Google, Essential and Nokia have been known for pushing updates constantly, the majority of devices lack the latest version of the software. A post on the social media website Reddit insinuates Google is looking forward to changing that.

In the post, the user claimed they received an Android software update through the Google Play Store, Android’s application store. This is an unconventional way of dealing with an update, as in the past all the new iterations to the AndroidOS were delivered through the settings menu. The new type of software update was seen in testing on the latest Android Q Beta 2.

Future Android Updates

While it is not set in stone, the aforementioned change could revolutionise the way future software updates are delivered. While the user on Reddit claimed it was a relatively small update package; it may be an indication that the new way of pushing changes in software through the Google Play Store would be limited, at least initially to monthly security patches. This suggests heavier files, like the ones packing major changes to the software, could still be delivered via the settings menu, as the conventional method.

Also read: Free To Play Forza Street Out On PC, Will Also Launch On Android And iOS

Delivering monthly security patches through the Google Play Store may be a monumental move on Google’s part. Because of this, smartphones which were abandoned and would not receive updates otherwise; would have a chance of receiving an update. This would make the AndroidOS one step closer to a privacy focussed software.

April 16, 2019
Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL Price Leaked, Launch Imminent

It has been leaked multiple times that Google will release a specced down version of its Pixel 3 lineup of smartphones this year. The devices were allegedly called the Pixel 3a and the Pixel 3a XL. Not long ago, a listing on Google’s website mentioned the Pixel 3a lineup. This suggests the handsets are closer to launch than ever. Now, a user on social networking website Reddit has leaked the Canadian pricing of the upcoming mid-range smartphones from Google.

Pixel 3a/3a XL

The Pixel 3a lineup will be Googles first mid-range offering. The smartphones have been previously leaked to sport a design that is reminiscent of their elder siblings. However, the material of choice is expected to be polycarbonate instead of metal and glass on the Pixel 3 & 3 XL. The front is expected to be dominated by a 5.6-inch OLED display on the Pixel 3a while the Pixel 3a XL will have a 6 inch OLED display. For biometrics and security, both the devices will have a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor.

Google Pixel 3XL

Under the hood, the Pixel 3a and 3a XL are expected to run on the 10nm Snapdragon 670 SoC. The chipset is comprised of an Octa-core processor and the Adreno 612 GPU. For optics, a 12 MP rear camera is expected in both the smartphones, while the front camera will have a resolution of 8 MP. In terms of memory and storage, the devices are expected to have 4GB of RAM and up to 64GB of onboard storage.

Past leaks suggest that both the smartphones in the Pixel 3a lineup will be powered by a 3000 mAh battery with support for fast charging. Like its elder siblings, they are expected to run on the current Android 9 Pie with a stock interface and will receive fast software updates. The leaked images also confirm the presence of a 3.5mm headphone jack on at least one of the two devices.

Pricing & Availability

Google Pixel 3XL

Also read: Nubia Patent Suggests A Flexible Smartphone Screen With Dual Notch

It was earlier rumoured the company will launch the Pixel 3a smartphone duo at Google I/O next month. The leak of the pricing of both the devices insinuates their launch is imminent. It has been revealed the Pixel 3a will start at CAD 649 (Rs. 33,900). While the Pixel 3a XL will start at CAD 799 (Rs. 41,600). One word of caution though, these are reportedly the carrier pricing, the final price may be lower.

April 15, 2019
Honor 20, 20 Pro Flagship Smartphones To Launch On The 21st Of May
Honor, a subsidiary of telecommunications giant Huawei launched its flagship smartphone, the Honor 10 last year. The device offered top tier specifications at a more affordable price than the competition. In a fresh invite sent by the company, it has teased the launch of the successor of the aforementioned handset. Honor has confirmed through the invite that multiple variants of the smartphone will be launched, allegedly the Honor 20 and the Honor 20 Pro. The devices will be launched in London, the UK on the 21st of May.

Honor 20 / 20 Pro

The Honor 20 and the Honor 20 Pro will be the newest flagship smartphones by the company. They are expected to have a similar design language as its predecessor, complete with glass on the front and back with a metal chassis. While key details of the former aren’t known, the latter was leaked in detail earlier. The leak reveals the Honor 20 Pro will have a 6.1 inch OLED display with a FullHD+ resolution. To keep the screen to body ratio as high as possible, the devices may feature a waterdrop notch on the top of the display. For biometrics and security, the handset will have an in-display fingerprint sensor with support for face unlock technology.

As the Honor 20 and Honor 20 Pro will be the company’s flagship offerings, they are expected to be kitted with the 7nm Kirin 980 SoC. The chipset has an Octa-core CPU and Mali G76 GPU. In terms of optics, the smartphones are expected to have a triple rear camera setup. It will consist of a 48MP sensor, combined with a 20MP ultra-wide angle sensor and an 8MP telephoto sensor. For selfies, the devices will have a 32MP camera housed in the notch on the top of the display. In terms of memory and storage, while the details about the Honor 20 aren’t known yet, the Honor 20 Pro is expected to be available in the following variants.
- 6GB RAM and 128GB ROM
- 8GB RAM and 128GB ROM
- 8GB RAM and 256GB ROM
The Honor 20 and Honor 20 Pro will be powered by a 3650mAh battery with support for 22.5W fast charging. For enhanced gaming and CPU performance, the smartphones will support the company’s CPU/GPU Turbo technology.

Pricing & Availability

Honor View 20

Also read: Samsung Galaxy A2 Core Goes On Sale In India

While the pricing of the less feature-rich Honor 20 isn’t known; The latest leak of the Honor 20 Pro claims it will start at CNY 2999 (Rs. 31,000) for the version with 6GB RAM and 128GB internal storage. The variant with 8GB of RAM and 128GB onboard memory will cost CNY 3399 (Rs. 35,200). Top end variant of the device with 8GB RAM and 256GB of internal storage will retail at CNY 3799 (Rs. 39,400). As mentioned above, Honor will launch the smartphones on the 21st of May in Europe. It is expected to make its way into the Indian market soon after the announcement
April 15, 2019
Samsung Galaxy A2 Core Goes On Sale In India

Samsung has launched its latest smartphone, the Galaxy A2 Core in India. The device is the newest entrant in the company’s Android Go lineup after the J2 Core which was launched a while ago. Handsets under the Android Go initiative generally feature humble specifications, usually around 1GB of RAM and run an optimised version of Android which is certified to work smoothly for a longer period of time.

Galaxy A2 Core

The Samsung Galaxy A2 Core is the most affordable smartphone in the company’s current lineup. It features a polycarbonate body which isn’t surprising to see in a smartphone in this price range. The handset has a 5 inch TFT display with a resolution of 960 x 540 px. As it is a budget device, there are significant bezels around the display. There is no physical fingerprint scanner present on the smartphone. It instead relies on conventional methods to unlock the smartphone, like pattern lock, numerical pins and passwords.

Under the hood, the Galaxy A2 Core runs on the 14nm Exynos 7870 SoC. The chipset is comprised of an Octa-core CPU and Mali T830 GPU. In terms of optics, the smartphone has an f/1.9 aperture equipped 5 MP rear camera with an LED flash and an f/2.2 aperture equipped 5 MP front-facing snapper. For memory and storage, the smartphone will be available with 1GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. The device also supports memory expansion via microSD cards of up to 256GB.

The Galaxy A2 Core is powered by a 2600 mAh battery. In terms of connectivity, the smartphone has support for 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2 LE and GPS. Contrary to previous reports, the device runs on the latest Android 9 Pie Go edition.

Price & Availability

Also read: Motorola Razr Foldable Phone Launch Imminent Suggests Bluetooth SIG Listing

The Galaxy A2 Core will be available for sale starting today from select offline stores. The smartphone has been priced at Rs. 5290 and will be available in two colours, Blue and Grey.

April 15, 2019
Huawei P30 Pro To Go On Sale In India For The First Time Today

Huawei, the world’s second-largest smartphone maker launched its latest photography-centric flagship smartphone, the P30 Pro in India on the 9th of April. The handset was originally launched last month in Paris and has some industry-first features. The newly launched device succeeds the Huawei P20 Pro which was launched in 2018.

Pricing & Availability

The Huawei P30 Pro is the most expensive smartphone from the company to be launched in India till date. It has been priced at Rs 71,990 in the country. Notably, the company is offering the Huawei Watch GT along with the smartphone for an extra Rs 2,000 for initial buyers of the device. Noteworthy, the aforementioned smartwatch usually retails for a price of Rs 15,990.

Huawei P30 Pro

To recall, the Huawei P30 Pro features a similar design to the Huawei P20 Pro. It has a significantly larger, 6.47 inch OLED display with a resolution of 2340 x 1080 px. Unlike the regular P30, the display edges are tapered to the sides, similar to the ones seen in the Mate 20 Pro. For safely and swiftly unlocking the handset, it has an in-display fingerprint scanner and support for face unlock technology.

The Huawei P30 Pro is kitted with the 7nm Kirin 980 chipset, which consists of an Octa-core CPU and the Mali G76 GPU. In terms of optics, the smartphone has a quad rear camera module comprising of an f/1.6 aperture equipped 40MP primary sensor, an f/2.2 aperture equipped 20MP ultra-wide sensor, a third f/3.4 aperture equipped 8MP periscopic telephoto lens with an f/3.4 aperture and a fourth ToF (Time of flight) sensor. The periscopic lens provides lossless 5x zoom capability, which is the highest amongst any smartphones right now. For selfies, it has a 32MP front camera housed in the notch up front.

Also read: Samsung Galaxy A80 India Launch Early Next Month With Aggressive Price

The P30 Pro is powered by a large 4,200 mAh battery, which supports Huawei’s 40W SuperCharge Wired Charging. The device also supports Reverse wireless charging. Moreover, it is IP68 dust and water resistant.

April 15, 2019
Samsung Galaxy A80 India Launch Early Next Month With Aggressive Price

Samsung launched the Galaxy A80 and the Galaxy A70 smartphones at an event on the 10th of April. The former features a distinctive sliding, rotating camera setup which became the talk of the town soon after the announcement. Our sources have revealed that the innovative Galaxy A80 will soon launch in India which could be as soon as next month. Distribution partners in the company’s supply chain tell us the smartphone will be aggressively priced, possibly retailing around the Rs. 30,000 price bracket.

Samsung Galaxy A80

The Samsung Galaxy A80 features a modern and unique looking design. It has a ‘3D Glass’ design on the back giving it an attractive look and feel. The front of the smartphone is dominated by a ‘New Infinity’ 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 px. It has minimum bezels around the display with no obstructions like a notch or a hole-punch in view. Like the previously announced Galaxy A50, the device has an in-display fingerprint sensor for securely unlocking the handset.

The Galaxy A80 runs on the newly announced 8nm Snapdragon 730G SoC. The chipset has an Octa-core CPU and the Adreno 618 GPU. In terms of optics, the smartphone, as mentioned above has an innovative sliding, rotating triple camera setup. This offers the device the capability of capturing images and videos from the front as well as the rear of the handset. The setup consists of an f/2.0 aperture equipped 48MP sensor; combined with an f/2.2 aperture equipped 8MP sensor and a 3D Time of Flight (ToF) sensor for capturing depth information. Talking about memory and storage, the Galaxy A80 has 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage.

The Galaxy A80 smartphone is powered by a 3700 mAh battery which supports fast charging up to 25W. The device runs on the latest OneUI by Samsung on top of the current Android 9 Pie. It is available in three colour variants, namely Phantom Black, Angel Gold and Ghost White.

Pricing & Availability

Also read: Honor 8S Budget Smartphone Render, Specifications Leak Online

While the Galaxy A80 will be available for sale globally starting May 28, it may be launched sooner in India, according to our sources. It is also known that Samsung will price the smartphone under Rs. 40,000. The company may initially sell the device in limited quantities. This is because it is sceptical of the reception a smartphone with mechanical parts will receive. Noteworthy, similar handsets from Oppo and Vivo were not highly successful because of the presence of moving parts.

April 15, 2019
Honor 8S Budget Smartphone Render, Specifications Leak Online

Huawei’s subsidiary Honor is widely known for launching smartphones offering contentious specifications at a lucrative price tag. The company is very well known in markets like Europe, China and India. Now, fresh leaks of an upcoming budget device from the company called the Honor 8S has surfaced revealing its design and specifications. Going by its specifications, it will compete with devices like the Xiaomi Redmi 6A.

Honor 8S

The upcoming smartphone from the company, Honor 8S will be the successor to the Honor 7S launched last year. The renders reveal the 8S will sport a polycarbonate body with a textured back panel. Leaked specifications reveal the device will have a 5.71 inch IPS display with a resolution of 1520 x 720 px. Renders of the handset exhibit a waterdrop notch on top of the display to maximize the screen real estate. Since it will be a budget smartphone, a physical fingerprint scanner is not present anywhere on the device. The handset will instead rely on conventional unlock methods like patterns, numerical pins and passwords.

Reports unveil the upcoming Honor 8S smartphone will run on the MediaTek Helio A22 SoC. The chipset has an Octa-core CPU and a PowerVR GPU. In terms of optics, the smartphone will have a single 13 MP rear camera. For selfies, a 5MP camera is housed on the top of the display. For memory and storage, the handset is expected to feature 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. The Honor 8S smartphone will be powered by a 3020 mAh battery with support for fast charging via a micro USB port. Leaked renders reveal the device will be available in three colours, namely Black, Gold and Blue.

Pricing & Availability

Also read: Xiaomi Redmi Y3 With A 32MP Selfie Camera Will Launch On the 24th Of April

The leaked images and specifications of the Honor 8S insinuate it will be launched soon. Unfortunately, pricing of the smartphone isn’t available as of yet. But it is expected to be priced at Rs 5,999 in India.

April 15, 2019
Xiaomi Redmi Y3 With A 32MP Selfie Camera Will Launch On the 24th Of April
Xiaomi launched its first selfie focussed smartphone, the Redmi Y1 back in the year 2017. The device features a high-resolution front-facing camera and competitive specifications. The handset was followed by its successor, the Redmi Y2 the next year. A fresh tweet by a senior Xiaomi executive reveals the successor to the latter, allegedly called the Redmi Y3 will be launched on the 24th of April.

Redmi Y3

The upcoming smartphone from the company, the Redmi Y3 is expected to carry over a lot of features from its sibling, the Redmi Note 7. As previous versions of the selfie-centric series are known for borrowing features from the Note series of smartphones. Like its predecessors, the upcoming Redmi Y3 is likely to have a metal construction. A 6.3-inch display with an FHD+ resolution is expected. Like its siblings, the device may have a waterdrop notch to maximise the screen to body ratio. For biometrics and security, it will have a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor with support for face unlock technology.

Redmi Y2

Reportedly, the upcoming Redmi Y3 will run on the 14nm based Snapdragon 660 SoC. The chipset has an Octa-core CPU and Adreno 512 GPU. In terms of optics, the smartphone will have a dual rear camera setup; consisting of a 12MP main and a 2MP depth sensor. The tweet by the senior Xiaomi executive reveals the device will have a 32MP selfie camera. In terms of memory and storage, the handset may be available in the following variants.
- 3GB RAM and 32GB ROM
- 4GB RAM and 64GB ROM
Also read: OnePlus 7, OnePlus 7 Pro To Launch On The 14th Of May

Earlier leaks of the Redmi Y3 revealed it will run on the latest MIUI 10 on top of Android 9 Pie. In terms of connectivity, the smartphone will support Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n connectivity. Unfortunately, the company hasn’t announced the price of the device, but it is expected to cost starting Rs. 9,999. But we don’t have to wait too long to find out because as mentioned above, the Redmi Y3 will launch on the 24th of April.
April 15, 2019
OnePlus 7, OnePlus 7 Pro To Launch On The 14th Of May

OnePlus, since its inception in the year 2013 has become a well-known smartphone OEM all over the world. Its last device, the OnePlus 6T received positive reviews for its affordability compared to similarly specced handsets. Now, fresh reports from a known gadget leakster on microblogging website Twitter has revealed when the company is going to launch its next flagship smartphones. Unlike past update cycles, the company is reported to two launch smartphones allegedly called the OnePlus 7 and the OnePlus 7 Pro. The leakster claims that both the smartphones will be launched on the 14th of May globally.

OnePlus 7, 7 Pro Specifications

As mentioned above, OnePlus is expected to launch two new devices at the event. While the regular variant and the successor to the OnePlus 6T will be called the OnePlus 7, another variant with slightly bumped up specifications and possible support for 5G will be called the OnePlus 7 Pro. Apart from a few differences, key features of both the smartphones are expected to be similar. The leaks claim the former will have a 6.5-inch display while the latter is reported to sport a 6.67-inch display. Both devices will employ a pop-up camera to house the front-facing snapper in an attempt to maximise the screen real estate. Like the Samsung Galaxy S9, the Pro variant of the upcoming device will have a display that tapers towards the edges. Like their predecessor, the handsets will feature an in-display fingerprint scanner with support for face unlock technology.

Sources claim both the OnePlus 7 and the OnePlus 7 Pro will run on the 7nm Snapdragon 855 SoC. The chipset consists of an Octa-core CPU and the Adreno 640 GPU. In terms of optics, while both the smartphones will have a triple rear camera setup; the former will have a 48 MP sensor, combined with a 20 MP and a 5 MP sensor; The latter will feature a 48 MP main sensor, combined with a 16 MP telephoto and an 8 MP sensor. Both devices will have a 16 MP selfie camera housed in the pop-up mechanism on the top of the smartphone. In terms of memory and storage, the handsets may feature up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage.

Previous leaks suggested the OnePlus 7 will be powered by a 4000 mAh battery with support for 44W fast charging. The Pro model may feature a bigger cell because of the rumoured support for 5G connectivity. Both the smartphones will run on the latest Oxygen OS 9 on top of the current Android 9 Pie.

Pricing & Availability

OnePlus 6T

Also read: Samsung Galaxy M40 Passes Wi-Fi Certification, Launch Imminent

As mentioned above, the latest flagships from OnePlus will launch on the 14th of May. Like every iteration by the company, it is expected they will be priced higher than their predecessor. While the OnePlus 7 is expected to start at US$ 569 (Rs. 40,000), the OnePlus 7 Pro may start at US$ 700 (Rs. 48,500).

April 15, 2019
Samsung Galaxy M40 Passes Wi-Fi Certification, Launch Imminent

Samsung has been on a smartphone launch spree lately, after launching the Galaxy M series of devices in January, it introduced the current Galaxy A lineup. It seems like the company is planning to launch a new device in the former range of handsets. An unknown Samsung smartphone, believed to be the Galaxy M40 has been certified by the Wi-Fi Alliance suggesting an imminent launch.

Samsung Galaxy M40

The Galaxy M40 will be the latest entrant in the Galaxy M series of devices. The listing on the Wi-Fi Alliance website mentions a smartphone by Samsung with a model number SM-M405F/DS. Since the Galaxy M30 had the model number M305F for the Indian variants, it is expected the aforementioned listing is of its elder sibling, the Galaxy M40. The upcoming device is expected to sport a polycarbonate design with an AMOLED display on the front. To maximise the screen real estate, an Infinity U style waterdrop notch may also be implemented on the top of the display. For biometrics and security, the handset may include an in-display fingerprint scanner with support for face unlock technology.

Galaxy M30

While the specifications of the Galaxy M40 aren’t known yet, it is expected to feature the 10nm Exynos 9610 SoC which was last seen in the Galaxy A50 smartphone. Like the Galaxy M30, a triple rear camera is also expected in the handset. The leaked listing of the device confirms it will run on the latest OneUI on top of Android 9 Pie. This is surprising considering the previous entrants in the lineup featured Android 8 Oreo out of the box. In terms of connectivity, the Galaxy M40 will have support for Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac bands and Bluetooth 5.0 on board.

Price & Availability

Also read: OnePlus To Skip Foldable Smartphones This Year, To Release A Smart TV Instead

Unfortunately, there is no official announcement from Samsung regarding the Galaxy M40 but the WI-Fi certification insinuates it might be launching soon. Expected price of the device will be Rs 19,990 for the Indian market.

April 13, 2019
Has Samsung Finally Figured Out The Budget Smartphone Segment?

Samsung, the world’s number one smartphone manufacturer is known for creating some praiseworthy flagship devices. Taking the latest Galaxy S10 lineup as an example, the handsets perfectly blend in great hardware with appreciable software. But, in the past few years, it’s budget smartphones have been struggling to perform well in terms of sales due to fierce competition from Chinese OEMs. The company, in a bid to change that, launched the current Galaxy M and the Galaxy A series of devices. Not only the hardware on the handsets is noteworthy, but they also have a competitive price to maintain themselves in the game. So, has Samsung finally figured out the budget smartphone segment?

History Of Samsung’s Budget Smartphones

Galaxy On7

Before this year, Samsung had a convoluted lineup in which it placed its budget smartphones. There was the Galaxy J series, which started from the bottom of the barrel and continued to the mid-range price bracket. Then there was the Galaxy On Series, which targeted budget segment online. On the top end of things, there were the Galaxy A and Galaxy C lineup of smartphones. These were the company’s mid-range offerings which went up to the premium mid-range price bracket. No prizes for guessing, all the aforementioned devices looked archaic and did not really offer competitive specifications for the price they were targeting. In the end, Samsung had to discontinue all the devices in the above lineups and started to reinvent itself.

The Current Situation

Galaxy A30

After struggling to understand what the consumers really wanted in a budget smartphone, Samsung went back to the drawing board. In an attempt to take over the market captured by Chinese rivals such as Xiaomi and Honor; it released the Galaxy M and the Galaxy A lineup of smartphones in 2019. As mentioned above, the devices changed what the company used to do in this segment, which has forced the competition to take notice. Not only they featured good, sometimes beautiful hardware, but the overhauled software experience with a good price tag was also a pleasant change. Notable devices of the series included the Galaxy M30, Galaxy A30 and the Galaxy A50. Most of these devices have already been the bestsellers for the company.

Galaxy M30

So, why did it take the company so long to devise a strategy that they knew was going to work? It is because it finally dared to take risks. Chinese rivals, while not as well known, have always attempted to do something different to stand out. While this may not always work, it does help in hogging the limelight away from the competition. Samsung, a huge player in the segment could not afford to take such a huge risk with little chances of payoffs. But, it seems like it finally made up its mind and has been offering distinctive features like the flashy ‘Glasstic’ glossy 3D back panel and a waterdrop notch.

The Future

Galaxy A80

Also read: Honor Launches The 8A Pro With A Waterdrop Notch

While Samsung might have succeeded in discerning the market and the budget smartphone segment, it still has a long way to go. Catching up to its rivals just means giving them a headstart. For example, the Galaxy M30’s triple camera layout may be innovative for the price range, but its bland design and weaker gaming performance cannot be ignored. As these are the first iterations of the handsets, it is expected they will get better every year. No matter how late Samsung is to the party, there is no denying it has left a sizeable dent in it. Additionally, an extra amount of competition will eventually be good for the consumers for the number of choices there will be.

April 13, 2019
OnePlus To Skip Foldable Smartphones This Year, To Release A Smart TV Instead

OnePlus, one of the most well-recognised smartphone OEMs in the world has seen unprecedented success since its inception in 2013. The company is known for launching just two devices every year since 2016. Fresh reports claim that it may now be looking to expand its lineup of products. A senior OnePlus executive has said in an interview to an Italian publication and confirmed that while the company may not launch a foldable smartphone this year, it may release a smart television soon. Alongside the smart TV, It is also planning products in the automotive and PC market for the future.

OnePlus’ Plans For The Future

The senior executive at OnePlus, said there are many reasons for the company not to invest in a foldable smartphone just yet. The reasons cited are not providing any additional functionality than a regular handset; and the cost of the current foldable smartphones, which are known to be considerably expensive. According to him, the prospect of developing a smart TV is something the company is looking forward to. The executive further claims there has been no significant innovation in the space for around 20 years, which OnePlus is planning to tackle with their product. The final product from the company may not feature a remote control as it is developing an Artificial Intelligence (AI) to take its place. Interestingly, the idea of a smart TV developed by OnePlus isn’t new and the plans for it were announced a while ago.

OnePlus 6T

Also read: Honor Launches The 8A Pro With A Waterdrop Notch

Furthermore, OnePlus is not stopping at smart TVs, or ‘Smart Displays’ as the senior executive calls them. The company is also developing products in the automotive sector. While creating a car is too complex according to the executive, development in the software side of things is being looked into. Also in the pipeline are products for a smart office, which includes the PC and cloud space, to allow for seamless connectivity. Unfortunately, no information on when to expect the aforementioned products have been provided. However, given an official confirmation, they are expected to be announced starting later this year.

April 13, 2019
Samsung Galaxy A20e

Samsung Galaxy A20e is the latest smartphone in the company’s mid-range Galaxy A lineup. The device features competitive specifications at a lucrative price. It has an Infinity V style waterdrop notch to increase the screen real estate as much as possible and uses a Super AMOLED display for the best media viewing experience on the smartphone.

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April 12, 2019