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Apple iPhone SE 2 Might Have Wireless Charging

Apple launched the iPhone X, which showcases the best of Apple’s design and engineering. Though it is a great smartphone, the US$ 1,000 price tag makes it a tough buy. Many features of the iPhone X will trickle down to upcoming iPhones. While major iPhone launch will happen in September, rumours about the iPhone SE 2 don’t seem to fade away.

A new leaked back case of the iPhone SE 2 shows design similarities to the iPhone 8. This picture suggests that the iPhone SE 2 will have a glass panel with support for wireless charging. Similarly, the case has round cutouts for the volume buttons, which is distinctive of the iPhone SE design.

Apple introduced the iPhone SE after the launch of the iPhone 6S. The iPhone SE had hardware similar to the iPhone 6S in a compact shell with aggressive pricing. In fact, the iPhone SE is the cheapest iPhone ever (launch price).

Most of the leaks and rumours about the iPhone SE 2 are very conflicting. A report says that the iPhone SE 2 is expected to follow the iPhone X’s design cues while others have conceded that the device will retain the original iPhone SE design.

iPhone SE 2 Concept

Considering the first scenario, if SE 2 comes with an iPhone X like the design, what will be the future of the iPhone 8, which might retail for a much higher price? In the second scenario, the company has to stick with Touch ID.

The certainty of the launch of an iPhone SE 2 is extremely slim. But, the constant leaks are enough to create an air of hope, especially with WWDC 2018 coming up soon.

March 17, 2018

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Vs Xiaomi Redmi Y1

Xiaomi Launched the Redmi 5 in India in on the 14th of March. The price starts at Rs 7,999 for the base variant and goes up to Rs 10,999 for the 4GB RAM and 64GB storage. This is the cheapest smartphone from the company with an 18:9 display. In late 2017, Xiaomi also launched the selfie-centric Redmi Y1 at a similar pricing.

In late 2017, Xiaomi also launched the selfie-centric Redmi Y1 at a similar pricing. Interestingly, the Redmi Y1 also retails for Rs. 8999 for the 32GB storage variant. So, does the Redmi 5 essentially makes the Redmi Y1 redundant?

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To begin with the display, the 18:9 aspect ratio display on the Redmi 5 is generations apart from the one found on the Redmi Y1 with 16:9 aspect ratio. The Redmi 5 has narrower bezels with a higher resolution display. The Redmi 5 takes the lead even with the build-quality. The Xioami Redmi Y1’s plastic unibody design is no match for the Xiaomi Redmi 5’s metal unibody design. The metal design not only looks premium, but it also helps to dissipate the heat in a faster way.

The Xiaomi Redmi Y1 is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 435. However, the 5 has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 chipset. Both the smartphones have an Octa-core processor. However, the Snapdragon 450, which is based on the 14nm FinFET technology is superior to the Snapdragon 435. The chipset on the Redmi 5 is a much more efficient and a faster chipset.

The camera is the one department, where the Redmi Y1 excels. The Redmi Y1 has a 16MP front-facing camera, which puts the 5MP front-facing camera on the Redmi 5 to shame. The primary 12MP camera on the Redmi 5 offers a much better 1.25 micron pixels and the Redmi Y1 packs in a 13MP primary camera with unknown pixel size. The 12 MP camera used on the Redmi 5 is an identical sensor, which has been used on other Xiaomi devices as well. In fact, the Redmi Note 5 Pro has an exact sensor.

Specifications comparision

Specifications	Xiaomi Redmi 5	Xiaomi Redmi Y1
Price	2GB RAM: Rs 7,999 3GB RAM: Rs 8,999 4GB RAM: Rs 10,999	3GB RAM: Rs 8,999 4GB RAM: Rs 10,999
Display	5.7 inch IPS LCD HD+ 1440 x 720px	5.5 inch IPS LCD HD 1280 x 720px
Design	Metal unibody design	polycarbonate shell
RAM	2/3/4GB	3/4GB
Storage	16/32/64GB	32/64GB
Primary camera	12MP with f/2.2	13MP with f/2.0
Front-facing camera	5MP	13 MP
Battery	3300 mAh	3080 mAh
Additonal features	Fingerprint sensor	Fingerprint sensor

March 17, 2018

Unboxing The Xiaomi Redmi 5
Xiaomi started 2018 with two great budget smartphones, the Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Note 5 Pro. While the Redmi Note 5 is essentially the Redmi 5 Plus that was launched in China, many expected the Redmi 5 to never hit the Indian shores. That, however, changed on the 14th of March when Xiaomi held a live stream event and launched the Redmi 5 in India.

At a starting price of Rs 7999, the Redmi 5 is a peculiar device for the India market. That doesn’t mean that it won’t sell because Xiaomi appears to have cracked the code for India. With three variants launched, there are a few options to consider. But, the base variant is expected to be the popular choice because the Redmi Note 5’s base variant essentially cancels out the other two models of the Redmi 5. Pricing:
- 2GB RAM/16GB storage: Rs 7999
- 3GB RAM/32GB storage: Rs 8999
- 4GB RAM/64GB storage: Rs 10999
So, does the Redmi 5 have enough firepower to have an impact on the increasingly congested budget smartphone segment of India? Let’s unbox the device and find out:
- Xiaomi Redmi 5
- Documentation
- Wall Charger
- Micro USB Cable
- Clear Case
First Impressions

Usually, the difference between a regular and a plus variant of a device is usually substantial, size wise. However, that is not the case with the Redmi 5 and Redmi Note 5 (Redmi 5 Plus). At a glance, the difference between the two is barely noticeable. The design and build quality of the Redmi 5 resembles the Redmi Note 5 with the same 18:9 aspect ratio. That being said, it still possesses considerable bezels which are even more prominent if you buy the Gold colour variant.

One of the two main differences between the Redmi 5 and Note 5 is the display. It has a 720P display which measures 5.7 inches.

Specifications

Under the hood, it has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 chipset, a 1.8GHz octa-core processor, Adreno 506 GPU, 2GB, 3GB or 4GB of RAM, 16GB, 32GB or 64GB of onboard storage which will be expandable via microSD card. In fact, the Snapdragon 450 is an underclocked Snapdragon 625 chipset, which is used in the Note 5.

There is a fingerprint sensor placed at the back of the phone just below the camera. However, that is mainly a signature Xiaomi decision and not due to the lack of bezels on the front. Powering the device is a 3300 mAh battery which, Xioami claims has a standby time of up to 12 days. The battery is charged via a micro USB slot which means no fast charging.

Xiaomi recently launched the Redmi Note 5 AI in China that, surprisingly, runs Android 8 Oreo. However, that is not the case in India as the Redmi 5 still runs Android 7 Nougat with MIUI 9 on top.

The device has a 12MP camera at the back with 1.25-micron pixel size. The camera surprisingly only records 1080P videos at 30fps. To the front of the device is a 5MP camera with Beautify 3.0, which is Xiaomi’s software for enhanced selfies. However, unlike the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro, the device misses out on Face Unlock feature.

Buy The Redmi 5 Here
March 17, 2018
Asus ZenFone 5Z

Asus has launched its new flagship smartphone, the Asus Zenfone 5Z in India. Astonishingly enough, the smartphone will retail for a starting price of Rs 29999, which is considerably cheaper than the OnePlus 6. The Zenfone 5Z has all the features for a 2018 flagship smartphone and will go on sale in India via Flipkart on 9th July. It is worth noting that there is a flat Rs 3000 discount upon using an ICICI Credit/Debit card, bringing the price down to Rs 26999 for the base model.

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Latest News

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Unboxing Video

March 17, 2018
Sony Xperia XZ2/ Xperia XZ2 Compact

The Sony Xperia XZ2 and XZ2 Compact were launched at Mobile World Congress 2018. The devices are the first from Sony to feature an 18:9 aspect ratio and the new Ambient Flow design. Apart from the Galaxy S9 and Asus 5Z, these are the only two smartphones launched at MWC 2018 to be powered by the Snapdragon 845 chipset.

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March 17, 2018
Nokia 8 Sirocco

HMD Global launched the Nokia 8 Sirocco at MWC 2018. This is the first flagship smartphone from the brand to feature an 18:9 aspect ratio display. The smartphones come with a premium glass finish with a stainless steel mid-frame. In fact, after the iPhone X, this is the only smartphone that has a stainless steel build.

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March 17, 2018
Mickey And Minnie Mouse AR Emojis Now Available For The Galaxy S9 & S9+

Over the years, emojis have become an integral part of one of the most common daily tasks, texting. Smartphone makers have now started incorporating AR with emojis for an even more personalised experience. It all with the Apple iPhone X and its Animojis. Apple used its 3D sensors for some very accurate AR emojis that have become quite famous. Samsung jumped aboard the bandwagon with Galaxy S9 and AR Emojis.

To add more customisation options, the company has introduced Minnie and Mickey Mouse emojis as well. However, unlike Animojis, the AR Emojis doesn’t match the standard set by Apple, in terms of replicating the expression. In fact, we tried the AR emojis on the Galaxy S9+ and it doesn’t look anything similar to reality. This is possibly due to the lack of hardware required for accurate AR experience that the iPhone X possesses.

One can download the Mickey and Minnie Mouse emojis using the camera on the Galaxy S9 and the S9+ for free of cost. Similarly, the company will add other Disney characters like The Incredibles, Zootopia, and Frozen in the coming days.

The company launched the Galaxy S9 and the S9+ in India on the 6th of March 2018. While the overall design remains identical to its predecessors, there are are some major camera upgrades.

What is AR Emojis?

AR Emojis are animated characters, that can replicate a user’s facial expressions. According to Samsung, it works on:

Deep learning and facial recognition technology to map more than 100 facial features to produce a 3D replica, allowing users to create fun, customized messages to send to friends.

Unlike Apple iPhone X, these AR emojis can be shared with other smartphone users, who don’t have a Galaxy S9 or S9+. To make the sharing process simpler, the smartphone creates 18 custom AGIF file format. However, Mickey and Minnie Mouse emojis do not support this feature. This means that these emojis are not very customisable, however, can be shared with everyone. One can also pin the AR emojis to the lock-screen (always on display) as well.

March 17, 2018
Xiaomi Blackshark Specifications Leaked

In one of our previous stories, we reported that Xiaomi could be working on a gaming smartphone under the “Blackshark” moniker. Now, a device codenamed BlackShark has been spotted on Geekbench.

This solidifies the argument that the company is indeed working on a gaming-specific smartphone. However, how viable is a gaming-centric smartphone in today’s day and age? Most flagship devices look and perform almost similarly. But, the one thing that should work in favour of the Blackshark is its pricing.

Xiaomi BlackShark

According to the listing, the Xiaomi Blackshark will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset with 8GB RAM. The device scored 2452 points on a single core and 8452 points on the multi-core performance. In fact, these scores are on par with other smartphones running on the Snapdragon 845.

The Razer Phone is the best example of a gaming smartphone. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipset with 6GB RAM with a dual front-facing stereo speaker. One thing that differentiates the Razer Phone from the competition is its display. The device has an IPS LCD display with a 120 Hz refresh rate. But, since this is only available on an LCD display, the company had to choose that feature over a better quality which an OLED display provides.

Conclusion

For a gaming smartphone to be a success, it needs to have the ability to tackle overheating. Interestingly, the Xiaomi Blackshark is expected to have a one of a kind aviation class cooling system. Apart from the cooling system, Xiaomi will have to introduce something worthwhile that will make this different from any other flagship smartphone.

If Xiaomi is planning to launch a gaming-centric smartphone, then the company has to make few sacrifices. Will Xiaomi choose the IPS LCD over OLED to offer a better refresh rate? Will the Blackshark come with dedicated stereo speakers with 16:9 aspect ratio?

March 17, 2018
LG Folder Flip Smartphone Officially Launched

We are slowly and steadily moving closer to that truly bezel-less smartphone. A display wrapped around the front of the phone with no bezels for distraction. But, smartphones or phones, in general, did not start out like that. Flip phones, in particular, used to be extremely famous before touchscreen devices came into being. While we have certainly moved on from that design, some companies continue to launch flip phones even today.

Samsung recently launched the W2018 in South Korea which was a flip smartphone running Android OS. Now, LG seems to be catching up on this throwback trend with the LG Folder flip phone.

Samsung W2018

Specifications of LG Folder

The LG Folder comes with a 3.0 inch WQVGA touch-enabled display. Under the hood, the phone is powered by MediaTek chipset 1.1 GHz Quad-core chipset with 1GB RAM and 8GB onboard storage. Similarly, the storage is expandable using micro SD card up to 32GB.

LG Folder

The device supports FM Radio and comes with a dedicated button to help the elderly users. The device has a 1740 mAh battery with a micro USB port for charging and data syncing. Similarly, the battery offers up to 350 minutes of continues voice call with a standby time of 260 hours, which is impressive for a battery of this size.

The device has a single 5MP camera, located on the back of the device which supports autofocus. However, the camera misses out on the flashlight.

The smartphone supports 3G and 4G connectivity. However, it misses out on the 2G capabilities. Additionally, the smartphone also offers Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Hotspot an Bluetooth for the wireless connectivity.

March 16, 2018
Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 AI Is The True Redmi Note 4 Successor India Deserved

Xiaomi India launched the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 in India on the 14th of February. The smartphone is the successor to Xiaomi’s best selling Redmi Note 4. While many believe the Redmi Note 5 Pro should have been the Redmi Note 5 in India, the true Note 4 successor has launched in China. It is similar to the Redmi Note 5 Pro but, with some better features and camera upgrades.

The Xioami Redmi Note 5 AI is available in two storage and three RAM variants. The 3GB/32GB combination and the 4GB/6GB and 64GB combination. The 4GB RAM model retails for CNY 1,399 and the 6GB RAM model retails for CNY 1,699. Interestingly, this pricing is very similar to the Indian pricing of the Redmi Note 5 Pro.

The Redmi Note 5 AI runs on Android 8 Oreo with MIUI 9 on top. In India, only the Mi A1 and Mi MIX 2 have been updated to Android 8 Oreo so far. It even supports Project Treble, which means it is bound to receive faster software updates when compared to other Xiaomi devices.

Specifications of the Xioami Redmi Note 5 AI

The smartphone has a 5.99 inch FHD+ 2160 x 1080 px IPS LCD display with 2.5D finish. Under the hood, the device has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 Octa-core chipset with 3GB or 6GB RAM and 32GB or 64GB storage.

On paper, the Redmi Note 5 AI has a similar dual camera setup compared to the Redmi Note 5 Pro. However, the Chinese version has a much better 12MP primary sensor with 1.4 micron pixel size and an f/1.9 aperture. However, the secondary sensor on the back remains the same for both the devices. The difference does not stop there, as the Redmi Note 5 AI’s camera also supports Dual PD dual-core speed focus for a faster autofocus speed. However, not all is doom and gloom for the Redmi Note 5 Pro as it sports a superior 20MP front camera compared to the 13MP sensor found on the Redmi Note 5 AI.

Finally, both devices come with a 4000 mAh battery. The Redmi Note 5 AI also supports Qualcomm QuickCharge 3.0 while the Redmi Note 5 Pro is limited to Quick charge 2.0.

March 16, 2018
Samsung Galaxy S10 Could Feature An In-Screen Fingerprint Sensor

Samsung launched the Galaxy S9 and the S9+ in India on the 5th of March. The Galaxy S9 devices are the latest flagship smartphones from the company that features a variable aperture for the first time ever. The smartphones went on sale today (16th March) and rumours about its successor have already started surfacing. According to a report, the Galaxy S10 will have an in-screen fingerprint sensor with 3D facial recognition.

While it is fair to assume that the Galaxy S9 successor will be the Galaxy S10, nothing is certain right now. As the company might take the Apple route and end up calling it something else.

The in-screen fingerprint scanner was expected to debut with the Galaxy Note 9. However, the technical challenges appear to have forced Samsung into pushing forward the technology for the Galaxy S10. This is because the company is seemingly working on the technology to eliminate its drawbacks.

Galaxy S10 Expected Features

The Galaxy S10 will have an in-screen fingerprint scanner with 3D facial recognition. The facial-recognition will be similar to the Apple iPhone X‘s Face ID. However, instead of placing it in a notch, the company will retain the bezels to house the required set of sensors.

Render image of the Galaxy S10

The Samsung Galaxy S10 will be the first smartphone to offer 5G. The Galaxy S10 will be the worlds first chipset based on the 7nm manufacturing process. The company has signed a strategic relationship agreement with Qualcomm, which means Galaxy S10 could be the first smartphone to deploy 5G using Qualcomm’s upcoming Snapdragon 855 chipset.

March 16, 2018
Google Wear OS Is Now Official

Wear OS is now officially the moniker that Google will use for its smartwatch OS. The new branding will be available on a select number of smartwatches, which were running Android Wear.

Google and its smartwatch OS has been fighting a losing battle with Apple’s watchOS. Apple Watch and its three iterations have helped Apple become the biggest watchmaker in the world. In the fourth quarter of 2017, Apple shipped more Apple Watches than the entire Swiss watch industry. With such enormous popularity, it feels like it will take more than just rebranding for Google to revive Android smartwatches.

While the rebranding kind of resembles the moniker Apple uses, the features are not similar in any way. Google, so far, has not announced any new features that will hit the market. Prominent non-Apple smartwatch makers like Samsung now use their own OS instead of Wear OS. However, unlike an Apple Watch, a Samsung S Gear watch is compatible with other Android devices.

Apple Watch

The exclusivity of the Apple Watch almost plays into its favour. Apple has built a massively impenetrable ecosystem around its devices. Every iPhone owner who wants a smartwatch is automatically no longer a potential Android smartwatch customer. That is solely because an Apple Watch works more cohesively with an iPhone.

Just like the Android OS market, Android Wear OS market is extremely fragmented. From Samsung, Huawei to Fossil, Android Wear smartwatches are made by a lot of manufacturers. This means that the level of customisation and cohesion that an Apple Watch provides, an Android Wear smartwatch simply cannot.

Google, however, is definitely trying to make it work. The smartwatch industry is well on its path to become similar to the tablet industry. Where its either an iPad or nothing. But, for Google to prevent that, it will take more than just rebranding.

March 16, 2018
Huawei P20 Lite Goes On Sale Before Official Launch
Huawei is all set to launch the Huawei P20 series on the 27th of March in France. However, even before the official launch, the device is already available for sale on the Huawei Poland website. This is a strange move from the brand, which has been creating the hype about the device from last few weeks. In fact, people have started uploading the unboxing videos of the device.

The Huawei P20 Lite is the most affordable smartphone in the lot, which comes with a design similar to the other two models with a cut down in the hardware. The device is available for PLN 1599 (Rs 30,335) in Poland via authorised resellers.

Specifications of the Huawei P20 Lite

The design is similar to the Honor 9 Lite, with a glass back, glass front, and a metallic mid-frame. In fact, the fingerprint scanner is also placed on the backside of the smartphone.

The Huawei P20 Lite comes with 5.84 inch IPS LCD FHD+ 2280×1080 px resolution display. Under the hood, the device has a HiSilicon Kirin 659 Octa-core chipset with 4GB RAM and 64GB onboard storage. Huawei has introduced the notch on the Honor P20 Lite. In fact, this could be the cheapest smartphone to embrace the notch, which houses the main microphone, front-facing camera and an LED flash.

The device has a dual primary camera setup with a 16MP RGB sensor and a 2MP depth sensor. In fact, this dual camera setup is similar to the one found on the Honor 7X. For the front-facing camera, the smartphone has a 16MP RGB sensor with support for facial recognition.

The device runs on Android 8 Oreo with custom EMUI 8.0 on the top. The device also packs in a non-user replaceable 3000 mAh battery with support for 9V2A fast charging via USB type C port. The smartphone also supports wireless payment using NFC chip built on to the smartphone.
- 5.84 inch FHD+ 19:9 display with a notch
- HiSilicon Kirin 659 Octa-core chipset
- 4GB RAM and 64GB Storage
- Dual 16MP+2MP camera setup
March 16, 2018
Apple iPhone SE 2 With An iPhone X Style Display Leaks In Video

After the launch of the iPhone X, there have been plenty of rumours about an iPhone X like iPhone SE 2. The original iPhone SE was launched back in 2016 and the company skipped an incremental update in 2017. However, many reports have claimed that Apple could launch the iPhone SE 2 at WWDC 2018. The reports have been conflicting, though, some claiming that the iPhone SE 2 will have hardware update and retain the design of the original iPhone SE. While some have claimed that it will have a design similar to the iPhone X.

You may also like: Apple iPhone SE 2: What To Expect?

A new video of a possibly fake iPhone SE 2 has surfaced online. The video showcases an iPhone X with a metal frame similar to the iPhone SE. While it might sound very interesting, it is highly unlikely that Apple would take this route. Especially considering that the iPhone SE 2 could be a much more affordable device than the iPhone X.

The size of the device in the video is also suspect. The iPhone SE was intended for people who wanted an iPhone with new hardware and the old small screen design. The leaked device has the same display as the iPhone X which potentially contradicts the reason behind the iPhone SE’s introduction.

Although it’s not the SE 2, the leaked video has given us a glimpse of what the iPhone X could look like with a metal frame instead of a steel one. It is possible that Apple will announce the iPhone SE 2 at WWDC 2018. Or, Apple could host a separate event for the iPhone SE 2. Apple is expected to launch a few upgrades for its MacBook lineup as well. Since WWDC usually focuses on software, its hardware products could be unveiled at an event after WWDC, or before it. However, there has been no confirmation from Apple so far.

March 16, 2018
Samsung Galaxy A6 And A6+ Specifications Leaked

Samsung might be getting ready to launch two more budget smartphones. This time, it is the Galaxy A6 and the A6+. In fact, these are the first set of Samsung smartphones to use the A6 nomenclature.

The devices were spotted under the model number SM-A600FN, and SM-A605G. The first model has an Exynos 7870 Octa-core chipset, whereas the second model is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 Octa-core chipset. The Qualcomm model is expected to launch in Europian markets and the Exynos model will be launched in Asian markets.

These devices are expected to have an 18:9 aspect ratio display, similar to the Samsung Galaxy A8+. However, the Geekbench listing doesn’t give a hint about the same.

Samsung Galaxy A6

The Samsung Galaxy A6 comes with a model number SM-A600FN, which is powered by Exynos 7870 Octa-core chipset. The device comes with 3GB RAM and runs on Android 8 Oreo OS. Coming to the benchmark scores, the device gets 723 points on the single core and 3605 points on the multi-core performance.

The Exynos 7870 chipset has been used in the earlier Galaxy J series smartphones. The chipset comes with Octa-core solution based on Cortex-A53 architecture.

Samsung Galaxy A6+

The Samsung Galaxy A6+ comes with a model number SM-A605G, which is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 Octa-core chipset. The device gets a boost in RAM, which comes with 4GB RAM and runs on latest Android 8 Oreo OS. In terms of benchmarking capabilities, the device scores marginally higher score on single core performance and go down in the multi-core performance. In fact, the phone scores 739 points on the single core and 3469 points on the multicore performance.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 Octa-core chipset is built on 14nm FinFET architecture with a base frequency of 2.0 GHz based on Cortex-A53.

Samsung Galaxy A8+

Conclusion

These devices follow the typical Samsung style of hardware. The Qualcomm variant will have the right model for the Europian markets. Similarly, the Exynos will have the right model for the Asian markets. Similarly, these devices are expected to go live in a month or two.

March 16, 2018