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Top Five Budget Dual Camera Smartphones In India
Dual cameras are one of the features, that the majority of consumers will consider when buying a smartphone. The trend of two cameras started with the Apple iPhone 7 Plus in 2016. Similarly, flagship Android smartphones adopted the feature, which later started trickling down to budget smartphones as well. In fact, a dual-camera setup has become staple for most budget smartphones today.

So, if you have a budget of around Rs. 15000 and need a smartphone with a dual-camera setup, what do you pick? Let’s have a read!

Xiaomi Mi A1
- 5.5 inch IPS LCD 1920 x 1080 px display
- Snapdragon 625
- 4GB/64GB
- 12MP wide-angle + 12MP telephoto
- 4K video recording
Xiaomi Mi A1 is an allrounder smartphone, which retails for Rs 13,999. The smartphone has a premium metal unibody design with a USB type C port. The device has a dual camera setup, which is similar to the iPhone X with a 12 MP wide angle lens and a 12 MP telephoto lens with lossless zoom. However, the camera misses out on any kind of image stabilisation. The smartphone also has an added advantage of the Android One programme, which guarantees regular software updates.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro
- 5.99 inch 2160 x 1080 px IPS LCD display
- Snapdragon 636
- 4GB/6GB RAM, 64GB storage
- 12MP+5MP depth sensor
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro is the latest smartphone to join the dual camera clan. The smartphone has an 18:9 aspect ratio with a 5.99 inch FHD+ display. This is also the first smartphone to use the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 chipset. The dual camera setup on the device consists of a 12 MP primary sensor and a 5 MP depth sensor, which helps take the depth of field/bokeh effect. The smartphone is priced at Rs 13,999 for the 4GB RAM variant and the 6GB variant will cost Rs 16,999. However, the only caveat this great device has is its Flash Sales.

Moto G5s Plus
- 5.5 inch 1920 x 1080 px display
- Snapdragon 625
- 4GB/64GB
- 13MP RGB + 13MP Monochrome
The Moto G5s Plus is one more smartphone, that offers a great value for money. The device runs on stock Android OS and retails for Rs 14,750 on Amazon. The device has a full metal unibody design with a matte finish. The smartphone is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 Octa-core chipset, that also powers the Mi A1. The smartphone has a 13MP RGB and a 13MP monochrome sensor, which helps to produce selective black and white photos.

Honor 7x
- 5.99 inch 2160 x 1080 px IPS LCD
- Kirin 659
- 4GB, 32GB/64GB
- 16MP +2MP depth sensor
The Honor 7x is available on Amazon for Rs 12,999 for the 4GB RAM and 32GB storage variant. The device has a 6 inch 18:9 display, powered by the Kirin 659 Octa-core chipset. The dual cameras on the smartphone consist of a 16MP RGB sensor and a 2MP depth sensor. The device has an 8MP front-facing camera and expected to support Face Unlock via future software updates.

Honor 9 Lite
- 5.65 inch 2160 x 1080 px IPS LCD
- Kirin 659
- 3GB/32GB, 4GB/64GB
- 13MP + 2MP depth sensor
The last but definitely not the least is the Honor 9 Lite. In fact, this is the only smartphone that has a premium glass design with a quad camera setup. The pricing starts at Rs 10,999 for the 3GB RAM and 32GB storage. The device has a 5.65 inch FHD+ 18:9 display, powered by Kirin 659 chipset. The phone has a 13MP primary shooter and a 2MP depth shooter both on the front as well as on the back.
March 9, 2018
Huawei P20 Pro Porsche Design Leaked
A few smartphone OEMs are known for launching limited edition devices and Huawei is one of them. The company is known for launching Porsche Design variants of its flagship Mate and the P series smartphones. However, Huawei is not the only one since Blackberry has also launched Porsche design phones in the past.

BlackBerry Porsche P9983

As Huawei is getting ready to launch the P20 series, the company is also expected to launch a Porsche Design of the P20. Similarly, a render of the Huawei P20 Porsche Design has been leaked. The company will be launching the Huawei P20 Pro, P20, and the P20 Lite on the 27th of March. Similarly, we can also expect the launch of the Porsche Design P20 and the P20 Pro as well.

The specifications remain identical to the standard edition. However, the retail package of the Porsche edition is known to include additional accessories and retail at a premium price tag.

Huawei P20 Pro Porsche Design

Specifications of Huawei P20 Porsche Design

The phone is expected to have a 6 inch 2160 x 1080 px IPS LCD display with a notch on the top. Under the hood, the smartphone will be powered by the Kirin 970 chipset with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. However, we might also see a plus version with OLED display and 8GB RAM.

Huawei P20

The smartphone is likely to house a dual lens primary camera setup with RGB + wide angle lens combination. On to the front, the smartphone is likely to have dual camera setup. In fact, the dual front-facing camera can aid the facial recognition system as well.

The device will run on Android 8 Oreo with custom EMUI. However, the smartphone will have specially developed themes with premium elements.
- Kirin 970 Chipset
- 6 inch IPS LCD Display
- 6GB RAM and 128GB storage
- Leica branded dual camera setup
March 9, 2018
Xiaomi Berlin Leaked Running On Unannounced Snapdragon 632
Xiaomi is getting ready to launch its premium Xiaomi Mi MIX 2s in China. Similarly, the company is silently testing out a new smartphone with the codename Berlin. The Xiaomi Berlin is powered by Snapdragon 632 Hex-core chipset. However, this is an unannounced chipset from Qualcomm.

Xiaomi is known for launching the smartphones with the newest chipsets in the past. In fact, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro is the first smartphone to feature Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 chipset. This could be a wrong report, as the Geekbench clearly mentions that, the chipset has 6 cores with a base frequency of 1.02 GHz. In fact, the chipset is expected to have octa-core CPU.

Specifications of Xioami Berlin

The smartphone has been spotted on the latest Geekbench 4.2.0, which does not say anything about the display size or resolution. Under the hood, the device will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 Hexa-core chipset with 3GB RAM. Similarly, looking at the benchmark, the device scores 1155 points on the single-core and 2738 points on the multi-core performance. This means the chipset might be based on the custom Kryo 280 CPU.

The smartphone runs on Android 7 Nougat. Similarly, the device is expected to feature MIUI skin on the top. However, looking at the specifications we can consider that, the Xiaomi Berlin will be Redmi series smartphone.

Summary:
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 chipset
- 3GB RAM
- Android 7 Nougat
March 9, 2018
Android Has More Loyal Users Than iOS

The debate of Android vs iOS always seems to reach an impasse. At the end of the day, comparing an iPhone X to a Galaxy S9 is like comparing apples and oranges. However, loyalty towards a smartphone or a platform can be measured and compared. A study has done exactly that and conceded that Android users are more loyal than iOS users.

A new report from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners has claimed that Android users do not switch to iPhones as frequently as they used to. The study has found out that Android has a 91% loyalty rate, compared with 86% for iOS. This is measured as the percentage of U.S. customers who retained their OS platform when they upgraded their smartphones in 2017.

MIUI On Redmi Note 5 Pro

Mike Levin, partner and co-founder of CIRP explains:

With only two mobile operating systems at this point, it appears users now pick one, learn it, invest in apps and storage, and stick with it. Now, Apple and Google need to figure out how to sell products and services to these loyal customer bases.

Experience 9.0 On Galaxy S9+

It is worth noting that the rate of switching is different from the total number of people switching. Levin said:

We know Android has a larger base of users than iOS, and because of that larger base, the absolute number of users that switch to iOS from Android is as large or larger than the absolute number of users that switch to Android from iOS.

Looking at the absolute number of users in this way tends to support claims that iOS gains more former Android users, than Android does former iOS users.

This has become more obvious than ever. With the dwindling popularity of BlackBerry and feature phones a thing of past, Android and iOS are the only players left in the OS game. This explains the two companies’ behaviour as well. As smartphones now reach a saturation point, services these companies provide will play a major role in influencing consumer behaviour.

That somehow explains the Apple HomePod. From the outside, the HomePod seems like an absurd smart speaker which can’t even connect to an iOS device. However, Apple is pushing its services to people who want a really good sounding smart speaker. With time, Apple will rely heavily on services for major revenue generation, services like Apple Music.

For Android users, brand loyalty is evident thanks to the array of devices available. Users can move from one device to another and pick up from exactly where they left off. There are definitely more options to choose from for Android users which means they can get a better experience from a new device without changing their services.

Stock Android 8.1 Oreo On Pixel 2 XL

However, it is worth noting that iOS was once the more loyal platform. Back in 2013, iPhone users were more loyal than Android users. But, ever since then, the loyalty of Android users has been on a rise.

Conclusion

With smartphones becoming more or less the same, at least in the flagship category, it seems like people have picked their preferred OS. Now, it is up to Google and Apple to maintain that customer base and keep innovating to provide more options to users part of their ecosystem. As for the debate of iOS vs Android, it will continue on for a long period of time.

March 9, 2018
Leaked Images Of Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S Reveal Extremely Thin Bezels And No Notch

Xiaomi will launch the Mi MIX 2S in China on the 27th of March. Over the past few weeks, the leaks of the new device have been on a rise. A few weeks ago, we barely had one sketchy looking render of the Mi MIX 2S. However, new live images of the smartphone have surfaced online that differ from the previous information we have had about the Mi MIX 2S.

Leaked Video Reveals A Tiny Notch On Top

The leaked images reveal a uniform bezel-less design, unfamiliar with the MIX series. The bezels on all four sides are extremely thin and there is no notch on the top right corner. While that would’ve surely been an interesting design, these images look pretty good, too. The front-camera might not be visible but, it is housed in the bottom bezel where the home button usually resides. Could we see gestures for navigation on the Mi MIX 2S? Maybe, since they were introduced in MIUI 9 Beta for the Mi MIX 2.

The back of the phone is not visible in the photos. However, Xiaomi and later on, XDA Developers confirmed that the Mi MIX 2S will indeed have a dual-camera setup with AI capabilities. It will be interesting to see what the back of the device will be made of. Multiple leaks suggest that it will be the first Xiaomi smartphone to support wireless charging.

However, that will clash with another set of images. A few days ago, a leaked image of the back of the device revealed that it will have an iPhone X-like dual-camera setup with a ceramic back.

Leaked Mi MIX 2S Image

Expected specifications of Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S

The smartphone is expected to have a 6 inch 2160 x 1080p display with a notch at the top right corner. Under the hood, the smartphone will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. However, the smartphone will not support memory expansion.

The device is expected to have a 3400 mAH Li-ion battery with wireless and fast charging. The phone will run on Android 8 Oreo OS with custom MIUI 9 skin on the top. However, none of the Xiaomi devices, barring the Mi A1, run on Android 8 Oreo as of now.

March 9, 2018

Samsung Galaxy Note8 Android 8 Oreo Update To Be Rolled Out By End Of March

Samsung launched the Galaxy S9 and S9+ in India for a starting price of Rs 57,900. The smartphone comes with a new dual aperture camera with the latest software update. The company has already updated the Galaxy S8 and S8+ smartphones with Android 8 Oreo. However, the Galaxy Note8 is yet to receive Android 8 Oreo update, which was, in fact, is the newer model compared to the S8.

Samsung’s official Turkey website lists the upcoming devices that will receive Android 8 Oreo update. According to the website, the Galaxy Note8’s update is scheduled to go live on the 30th of March. Similarly, the website also lists few other devices, which will receive the Android 8 Oreo update.

Smartphone	Date
Samsung Galaxy Note8	30th of March
Samsung Galaxy S7	13th of April
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge	13th of April
Samsung Galaxy A7 2017	25th of May
Samsung Galaxy A5 2017	25th of May
Samsung Galaxy A3 2017	25th of May

The above-mentioned smartphones will receive the Android 8 Oreo update. However, this does not mean that these are the only devices that are eligible for the Android 8 Oreo update.

March 8, 2018

Asus ROG Strix GL702ZC Launched In India For Rs 1,34,990

Asus launched the Asus ROG Strix GL702ZC in India, which is the world’s first AMD Ryzen powered gaming notebook. It has a 17.3 inch FHD display with AMD’s Freesync Technology. Similarly, the notebook uses Asus Splendid visual optimization technology to enhance the quality of the content.

The notebook has ROG gaming centre feature, which offers game specific settings in the control menu. The keyboard supports anti-ghosting technology to ensure simultaneous and instantaneous keystroking. In fact, one can press up to 30 keys in a single stroke.

Pricing and availability of the Asus ROG Strix GL702ZC

The Asus ROG Strix GL702ZC will be available in India from the 20th of March. Similarly, the notebook is up for pre-order on Flipkart for Rs 1,34,990.

Arnold Su, National Business Development Manager (PC and Gaming), ASUS India said:

ROG is dedicated to the pursuit of extreme performance and the delivery of ultimate gaming experiences to champions worldwide. With the addition of the all new ROG Strix GL702ZC, the gaming beast & in collaboration with AMD, we are extremely excited to offer the most powerful gaming experience to the gaming community in India.

ROG Strix GL702ZC with AMD Ryzen changes the gaming hardware dynamic. We’re excited to partner with AMD, to bring together the world first and most powerful 8 Core AMD based gaming machine for smooth and shutter free gaming experience.

Specifications of Asus ROG GL702ZC

The Asus ROG Strix GL702ZC has a 17.3 inch FHD 1920 x 1080p IPS LCD display.Similarly, the display has 60Hz refresh rate and AMD FreeSync technology. Under the hood, the notebook is powered by AMD Ryzen 7 1700 processor, clocked at 3.7 GHz with 8-cores and 16 multi-threads. This processor is coupled with 16GB DDR4 2400MHz SDRAM with 256GB SSD and 1TB hard disc.

The 4GB by AMD Radeon RX580 graphics card handles the graphics. In fact, this GPU supports VR content. The company has not skimped on any ports, as it has three USB 3.0, one USB type C, RJ-45, and an HDMI 2.0 compatible. Similarly, there is a mini display port.

The notebook weights at 3.2 KG, which puts it on a heavier side. However, considering the 17.3 inch screen, the weight is acceptable.

Conclusion

The Asus ROG GL702ZC has all the reasons to be called as the gaming-notebook. However, the 17.3 inch display might not be suitable for those who are looking a travel-friendly gaming notebook.

March 8, 2018
Could This Be The OnePlus 6?
Over the past couple of years, OnePlus has gained a loyal fanbase in markets like India. One of the main reasons for that is its devices’ price and the specifications they provide at that price. However, there has been a steady increase in the prices of OnePlus devices. The OnePlus 5 received a lot of flak for a hike in its price.

In 2018, OnePlus will launch the OnePlus 6, and in all probability, the OnePlus 6T. While the OnePlus 6T is far away right now, the OnePlus 6 is expected to be launched in the next couple of months. So far, we know that it will be powered by the Snapdragon 845 chipset and have up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.

OPPO R15

Recently, a leaked image of the OnePlus 6 revealed that, like so many of new Android devices, it could also have an iPhone X-like notch. However, it won’t go all out Apple route as the back of the device doesn’t look anything like an iPhone X. However, it is expected to move away from the aluminium build and embrace the “glass sandwich” design. The image shows that the OnePlus 6 will have a shiny back made of glass which means it could support wireless charging.

However, we might get a better look at the possible OnePlus 6 when the OPPO R15 is launched in China. The R15 is tipped to have a design very similar to what is being speculated for the OnePlus 6. A trailer of the OPPO R15 has been leaked, which reveals a glass back with a shiny finish and a dual-camera setup.

OnePlus 6 Leaked Image

The OnePlus 5 was essentially the OPPO R11 with better hardware and the same was with the 5T and R11s. Similarly, we expect the OnePlus 6 to be almost identical to the OPPO R15 which is due to launch soon. If so, we could have an early look at what the OnePlus 6 might turn out to be, eventually. It is, however, worth noting that the shape of the fingerprint sensor on the OPPO R15 is different than the leaked image of the OnePlus 6.

Also, the dual-camera setup of the R15 looks more like the OnePlus 5T. The leaked image of the OnePlus 6 tells us a different story about the dual cameras which are placed vertically. There is no denying that the OnePlus 5’s comparison to the iPhone 7 Plus was mainly due to the camera placement. However, OnePlus has no reason to tinker with that. After all, it is a leaked image and the end product could be different.

OnePlus 5

The most interesting aspect of the OnePlus 6 will be the apparent notch. The same notch is found on the OPPO R15, in fact, it is rumoured to sport a 19:9 aspect ratio. The Asus Zenfone 5Z also has the same aspect ratio and a notch, and similar design is expected from the OnePlus 6. However, what is yet to be seen is whether the notch on the OnePlus 6 will serve any purpose. Apple went with a notch to not only house a lot of sensors in it, but, to also keep the bezels uniform on the rest of the three sides.

However, what we have seen so far from Android smartphone makers is blatant copying without a cause. Even the Zenfone 5Z has a bigger chin which defeats the purpose of a protruded area. OnePlus has shown its keenness to Face Unlock with the OnePlus 5T. Hence, it won’t be surprising if the OnePlus 6 has an advanced facial recognition system to compete with Face ID. In that case, a notch would definitely serve a purpose and its existence will be justified.

OnePlus 6 Expected Specifications
- 6.22 inch Optic AMOLED display
- 2280 x 1080 px resolution; 19:9 aspect ratio
- Snapdragon 845 chipset
- Up to 8GB of RAM, 128GB storage
- Android 8.1 Oreo
- Face Unlock, Fingerprint Sensor
March 8, 2018
Huawei Y9 2018 Looks A Lot Like The Honor 7X
Huawei is getting ready for its biggest launch of 2018 on the 27th of March to unveil the P20 series. However, it is not stopping the brand from launching other smartphones like the Huawei SE in the US. A new device from the company has passed the FCC certification, which is expected to be launched at in the US.

The Huawei Y9 2018 looks similar to the Honor 7x with a few cosmetic changes. In fact, the company has started teasing a new smartphone launch with the quote “best 4G smartphone”, which is expected to be launched on the 15th of March. The company recently launched Huawei Mate 10 Pro in the US. In fact, the company also made an exclusive deal with AT&T to offer its devices on a contract basis. However, AT&T pulled out of the deal at the last minute due to anonymous security concerns.

As a result, Huawei smartphones are available in the US in an unlocked or off-contract model. However, most of the smartphone buyers in the US prefer contract based models, which is stopping the company from being a successful smartphone brand.

Expected specifications of the Huawei Y8

The smartphone has a 5.93 inch FHD+ 2160 x 1080px IPS LCD display with 18:9 aspect ratio. The device will be powered by Kirin 659 Octa-core chipset with 3/4GB RAM and 64GB storage.

The phone has a rear dual camera setup with a 16MP primary sensor and a 2MP secondary depth sensor. Similarly, the phone has a dual front-facing camera with a 13MP primary sensor and a 2MP depth sensor, which helps to capture depth effect. In fact, the primary camera setup is similar to the Honor 7x and the front-facing camera setup is similar to the Honor 9 Lite.

Honor 9 Lite

The device will run on Android 8 Oreo with custom EMUI on the top with face unlock. The device still has a micro USB port and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The volume rockers and power button are on left side and the SIM tray is on the right side.

Summary:
- 5.93 inch FHD+ display with 18:9 aspect ratio
- Kirin 659 Octa-core Chipset
- Dual primary camera setup
- Dual front-facing camera
- Android 8 Oreo with custom EMUI skin
March 8, 2018
Nokia 7 Plus Could Cost Rs. 23000 In India

HMD Global unveiled the Nokia 7 Plus at MWC 2018. While the company launched as many as five devices, the Nokia 7 Plus, for its build quality and price, is the most exciting one out of the lot. The 7 Plus recently went on sale in China which hints at a possible price of the smartphone for the Indian market.

In China, the base variant of the Nokia 7 Plus is priced at CNY 2300 which is about Rs. 23500. Considering the company’s aggressive pricing of the Nokia 8, the 7 Plus could be priced at around Rs. 23000 in India. At such a price, its real competition comes from the Moto X4 which starts at Rs. 19999 for the base variant.

However, the Nokia 7 Plus possesses a better chipset and from what we have seen so far, looks much better as well. It has a better design with the new 18:9 aspect ratio and thin bezels. But, the fact that it is an Android One device is what makes the 7 Plus a great prospect, at least on paper. While the specifications hardly ever tell the full story, on paper, the Nokia 7 Plus at a price of Rs. 23000 could be a smash hit in India.

Another thing in favour of the device will be the price category. At a price range of Rs. 20,000 to 25,000 apart from the Moto X4, only the Honor 8 Pro is a relatively new device. The OnePlus 3T is no longer available and Samsung’s devices have an older hardware. Hence, the Nokia 7 Plus could be a great option for people looking to spend that kind of money on a smartphone.

Nokia 7 Plus Specifications

The Nokia 7 Plus has a 6 inch display with an 18:9 aspect ratio hence, the “Plus” moniker. The Nokia 7 plus also features a dual-tone design thanks to a few gilded bits and pieces.

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).

On the back of the 7 Plus is a dual-camera setup powered by Zeiss optics. The primary wide-angle sensor is a 12MP camera with an f/1.75 aperture coupled with a 13MP telephoto lens with an f/2.6 aperture. The telephoto lens will allow for bokeh shots which have now become very trendy. On the front is a 16MP fixed focus camera with an f/2.0 aperture, 1-micron pixels, and Zeiss optics.

Conclusion

While the prospect of an Rs. 23000 priced Nokia 7 Plus is promising, nothing is certain as of now. HMD Global has not confirmed that the 7 Plus will be launched in India in the near future. However, if it gets the pricing right, the Nokia 7 Plus could sell like hot cakes in India.

March 8, 2018
Google Ends Software Support For Nexus 5X, 6P

Google released the first developer version of the Android P, which will be the successor of Android 8 Oreo. However, less than 1.5% of Android phones run on Android 8 Oreo right now. To improve this, Google introduced Project Treble which enables the faster Android updates, without interfering with the OEM.

Google follows the 2 years update policy, where the smartphones and tablets will receive two major OS upgrades. However, this changed with the launch of the Pixel series of smartphones. To keep up with Apple (which offers four major OS upgrades), the Pixel devices will receive three major OS upgrades. Similarly, the Pixel will update to Android P and Android Q and the Pixel 2 will also be updated to Android R.

However, this is not applicable to the Pixel C tablet, Nexus 5X and the Nexus 6P. These devices have received two major software update and they are no more eligible to receive Android P. However, all three devices are eligible to receive monthly security updates until September 2018.

As these devices are very popular amongst the developers, the devices might receive unofficial build of Android P via third-party developers.

Android P Features

The Android P is expected to overhaul the user interface completely. In fact, the biggest change is the native support for the infamous notch. In fact, one can test these features by installing the developer version on a supported device.

The dock in Android P will also look like a dock now. The four app icons along with the Google Search bar will have a cloudy background, distinguishing it from the rest of the screen. A microphone icon has been added to the Google Search bar to access Google Assistant or do a quick voice search. The volume slider has been moved to the side of the screen and shrunk in size.

Another feature added is something that has been there in custom skins for a while. A user can now take a screen from the power menu, that pops up by long pressing the lock/unlock button. This will come in handy during one handed usage. Visually, there are not many changes in the first developer preview of Android P. However, this can change by the time the official version rolls out. Google might introduce a few visual changes or keep it the way it is. Time will tell.

March 8, 2018
Apple iPhones In 2019 Will Not Have A Notch

Before Apple launched the iPhone X, there were enough speculations that it would be different from anything we had soon thus far. Leaks pointed to an unusual design language with a notch on top. However, nobody knew what purpose this notch was going to solve. At the launch event, Apple launched the iPhone X with its notch and Face ID. However, what felt like an aberration back in September, is now becoming a trend.

But, it looks like the notch was a temporary fix for Apple. A report from South Korea’s Electronic Times claims that the iPhones in 2019 will not have a notch. In fact, the display will completely “fill the front of new iPhones”. This means that Apple is already working on a way to embed all the sensors and the front-camera inside the display.

iPhone X Notch

That being said, the report apparently cites a few inside sources who are familiar with the matter. However, we have not seen any patents granted to Apple that take this route of embedding sensors and camera inside the display. Although, we came across a Samsung patent that envisions something similar. It is fair to assume that this will be the eventual future of smartphones, as companies strive for a truly bezel-less phone.

The possibility of Apple going the Vivo APEX route also seems scarce. Having moving parts inside a smartphone doesn’t seem like a great idea. Since iPhones are made in such enormous quantities, quality assurance will also be an issue with a pop-up camera.

Asus Zenfone 5Z

Conclusion

While the iPhone X received a lot of flak initially, the notch has become iconic. A lot of Android smartphones launched at MWC 2018 sport a notch as well but, without any real purpose. Maybe, with 2019 iPhones launching without a notch, 2020 Android smartphones will also ditch it.

March 8, 2018
Huawei P20 Pro, P20, And P20 Lite Press Renders Leaked
The flagship smartphones from Huawei are known for the camera capabilities. In fact, Huawei is the only smartphone maker that works with the Leica, which manufactures optics for the high-end cameras. This year, smartphones like the Pixel 2, iPhone X, and Galaxy S9 have proven their camera capabilities.

Huawei P20 Pro

The upcoming Huawei P20 series smartphones are also expected to concentrate a lot on their camera performance. A series of leaks have revealed that the Huawei P20 Pro will have a triple Leica branded camera setup. Similarly, these newly leaked renders from a tipster corroborate the same.

The leaked renders of the Huawei P20 series are in line with most of the speculations. The Huawei P20 Pro has a notch and a triple Leica branded camera setup. The Huawei P20 has a notch and a dual Leica branded camera setup and the P20 Lite has a dual camera setup. Similarly, the Huawei P20 Pro and P20 have a front-facing fingerprint sensor while the P20 Lite has a fingerprint scanner on the back.

Specifications of Huawei P20 Pro

The smartphone is expected to have a 6 inch 2880 x 1440 px OLED display with a notch on the top. Under the hood, the smartphone will be powered by the Kirin 970 chipset with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. In fact, the smartphone is expected to support native face unlock algorithm similar to the iPhone X.

The device is also expected to offer a wide range of AI capabilities, which is expected to improve the smartphone photography.

The smartphone is likely to house a triple lens primary camera setup with RGB + wide angle + telephoto lens combination. On to the front, the smartphone is likely to have dual camera setup. In fact, the dual front-facing camera can aid the facial recognition system as well.

Summary:
- 6 inch OLED Display with a notch
- Kirin 970 Chipset
- 6GB RAM and 128GB Storage
- Leica branded triple camera setup
Huawei P20

Specifications of Huawei P20

The phone is expected to have a 6 inch 2160 x 1080 px IPS LCD display with a notch on the top. Under the hood, the smartphone will be powered by the Kirin 970 chipset with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. However, we might also see a plus version with OLED display and 8GB RAM.

The smartphone is likely to house a dual lens primary camera setup with RGB + wide angle lens combination. On to the front, the smartphone is likely to have dual camera setup. In fact, the dual front-facing camera can aid the facial recognition system as well.

Summary:
- 6 inch IPS LCD Display with a notch
- Kirin 970 Chipset
- 6GB RAM and 128GB storage
- Leica branded dual camera setup
Huawei P20 Lite

Specifications of Huawei P20 Lite

The smartphone is expected to have a 6 inch display with a 2160 x 1080 px resolution. Under the hood, it will have the HiSilicon Kirin 970 chipset along with 4GB or 6GB of RAM. However, as this is a Lite edition, we expect the company to go with a Kirin 600 series chipset, instead of Kirin 970.

While the smartphone will be thin, it is expected to house a big battery that will support SuperCharge. The Huawei P20 Lite is expected to have a 16 MP + 2 MP primary camera setup and a 16 MP front-facing camera.

Summary:
- 6 inch IPS LCD Display with a notch
- Kirin 970/600 series Chipset
- 4/6GB RAM
- Dual camera setup
March 8, 2018
Android P Developer Preview 1: What’s New?

Google has released the first developer preview of its next version of Android OS, Android P. While there is enough time to discuss the possible names of the new version, a few interesting things need to be addressed first. The developer preview has only been made available to Pixel owners as of now. Since this is the first preview, it is advised to install it on a secondary device or if you’re an app developer.

With Android P, a few things are already expected to be there. Better app management, battery efficiency, a few UI changes, these changes are made in every update. However, one of the most interesting new features is the support for a notch. With more and more Android devices launching with an iPhone X-like notch, Google seems to have given in on the trend.

Once enabled, the clock moves to the left hand side of the notch along with notification icons. Other icons like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth remain on the right side of the notch. Interestingly, different sizes of a notch can be emulated. Visually, other changes include a slight redesign of the notification panel. The icons in the quick settings pull down have rounded corners now. If activated, the icons will be blue in colour and when inactive, it will turn gray. To access other quick settings toggle, the user has to pull down on the gray bar just underneath the initial menu.

The dock in Android P will also look like a dock now. The four app icons along with the Google Search bar will have a cloudy background, distinguishing it from the rest of the screen. A microphone icon has been added to the Google Search bar to access Google Assistant or do a quick voice search. The volume slider has been moved to the side of the screen and shrunk in size.

Another feature added is something that has been there in custom skins for a while. A user can now take a screen from the power menu, that pops up by long pressing the lock/unlock button. This will come in handy during one handed usage. Visually, there are not many changes in the first developer preview of Android P. However, this can change by the time the official version rolls out. Google might introduce a few visual changes or keep it the way it is. Time will tell.

As expected, there are some behind-the-scenes changes that Google has made. For instance, Android P now restricts access to mic, camera, and all SensorManager sensors from apps that are idle. This means that you can finally prove that Facebook is not listening to your conversations, or vice versa. Other changes include better Autofill feature for people who don’t like typing their passwords often.

Conclusion

As is with every new Android version release, the changes will be welcomed. However, it is fair to assume that very few people outside the Pixel/Nexus ecosystem will receive an update to Android P. Although, initiatives like Project Treble guarantee sooner software updates, it will be far off from the adoption rate of iOS 12 expected to launch a month or so after Android P.

March 8, 2018
OnePlus 6 With 19:9 Aspect Ratio Spotted On AnTuTu

OnePlus is expected to launch the OnePlus 6 in mid-2018. While the launch of the smartphone is still a few months away, leaks about it have been in full swing. Recently, an image of the OnePlus 6 revealing the shiny glass design was leaked. Similarly, it was leaked that the OnePlus 6, just like many other Android devices, would support a notch.

According to a leak, a new OnePlus smartphone with the model number A6000 has been leaked. In fact, the device was spotted on AnTuTu scoring 276510 points. The OnePlus 5 carried the model number A5000, hence, it makes sense for the OnePlus 6 to be A6000. The device has broken the previous record set by the Xiaomi Mi MIX 2s. The device has a 19:9 aspect ratio display, which suggests the existence of the notch on the top similar to the Asus ZenFone 5z.

OnePlus 6 sporting a notch should not be that surprising. The OnePlus 5 looked uncannily similar to the iPhone 7 Plus at the time of its launch. However, the company did change things up a bit with the OnePlus 5T.

Credits: Android Central

OnePlus 6 Specifications

The device will have a 6.2 inch 2160 x 1080 px Optic AMOLED display with a higher screen to body ratio. The device will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset with up to 8GB RAM and 256GB, similar to the OnePlus 5 and 5T.

OnePlus 5T

There will be a tiny notch up front, which will house the front-facing camera and the earpiece with an LED flash unit. In fact, the smartphone is expected to have a Face ID like feature, which uses the front-facing camera. Hence, we could see some extra sensors in that notch to enable a much more secure facial recognition system. That will also sort of justify the notch, just like on the iPhone X.

The device will have a dual primary camera setup, similar to the OnePlus 5T, were, the secondary sensor will be used for low light photography.

Conclusion

In the last few years, the company didn’t have any contenders in the affordable flagship market. However, now the market has many interesting smartphones like the Asus ZenFone 5z and the Honor View10, which costs much less than the OnePlus 5T. Similarly, this year will be a real challenge for OnePlus and its devices.

Over the years, OnePlus devices have taken “inspiration” from OPPO devices. The OnePlus 5, for instance, looked similar to the OPPO R11 while the 5T looked uncannily similar to the R11s. With the OPPO R15 launch expected soon, it won’t be surprising if the OnePlus 6 turns out to be a more powerful R15.

March 8, 2018