Category: Mobile

Smartphone News and Reviews, Latest Cellphones, Accessories, New Launches, Specifications, Details with Image and Video from Apple, Samsung, Lenovo, Moto, HTC, Xiaomi, Oneplus, Meizu, Sony, Lava, Micromax Yu Mobile and More.

Realme 5 Pro Vs Redmi Note 7 Pro: Which One To Choose?

On the 20th of August, Realme launched two new smartphones which include the Realme 5 and Realme 5 Pro. As the name suggests, the latter is a beefed-up variant and it sports a better chipset and camera. Going by its pricing, the newly launched device competes against the Redmi Note 7 Pro which is one of the best value smartphones in this segment available in the country.

Both the handsets from Realme and Redmi have similar specs which make it difficult for the consumer to choose the best option. To help solve the dilemma we have laid out the different aspects of the Realme 5 Pro and the Redmi Note 7 Pro. Consequently, after reading the article you will determine which device suits your need and which one you should pick if you planning to buy a mid-ranger.

Design and Build

In terms of build, both the Redmi Note 7 Pro and the Realme 5 Pro have glass on the front and back which is held together with a polycarbonate chassis. The front of the two handsets have a waterdrop notch display which provides them with an elegant look.

The Redmi Note 7 Pro is offered in four colour variants which include Nebula Red, Neptune Blue, Space Black and Astro White. In contrast, the Realme 5 Pro is offered in two variants which include Crystal Green and Crystal Blue.

Based on our design preferences, we feel the holographic rear panel of the Realme 5 Pro looks more appealing therefore we give it the first round.

Display

Both the Redmi Note 7 Pro and the Realme 5 Pro are equipped with an LCD display that measures 6.3 inch. Moreover, the resolution of the display panel on the two smartphones is 409 ppi and they have an aspect ratio of 19.5:9.

While the former is safeguarded with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 the latter settles down with the Gorilla Glass 3. Due to better display protection, Redmi Note 7 Pro wins this round.

Battery

The Redmi Note 7 Pro is powered a 4,000 mAh battery that supports 18 W fast charging. On the other hand, the Realme 5 Pro has a slightly larger battery which has a capacity of 4,035 mAh and it also supports VOOC 3.0 technology.

The technology allows the smartphone to be charged with a maximum power of 20 W which is tad bid higher than the Note 7 Pro. However, the Realme 5 Pro ships with a 20 W compatible charger whereas its competitor is shipped with a 10 W charger. Slightly bigger battery and in-box fast charger make Realme’s offering take this round.

Chipset

Both the smartphones are kitted with Qualcomm chipsets. While the Realme 5 Pro packs the Snapdragon 712 SoC, the Redmi Note 7 Pro packs the Snapdragon 675 SoC.

Chipsets on both smartphones consist of Octa-Core CPU though they have disparate GPUs. The SD712 incorporates the Adreno 616 while the SD675 Adreno 612 GPU. Although we are yet to test the Realme’s offering, the performance that the two can churn out is expected to be comparable. Therefore, based on the assumptions this round results in a tie.

Other Features

Connectivity options on the two smartphones are also heterogenous which include dual 4G VoLTE, 802.11 ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, 3.5 mm headphone jack and the bottom-mounted USB Type C port which can be used for charging and data transfer.

Both the Redmi Note 7 Pro and the Realme 5 Pro also have a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor which allows to rapidly and securely bypass the lock screen. However, one feature that only the former offers, is an IR blaster. Although not a huge deal breaker or deal maker, this feature can come in handy more often than not.

Just for the record, the inclusion of an infrared sensor makes the Note 7 Pro steer ahead of its competitor in this segment.

Conclusion

Specifications	Redmi Note 7 Pro	Realme 5 Pro
Price	4 GB + 64 GB: Rs 13,999 6 GB + 64 GB: Rs 14,999 6 GB + 128 GB: Rs 16,999	4GB + 32GB: Rs 13,999 6GB + 64GB: Rs 14,999 8GB + 128GB: Rs 16,999
Display	6.3 inch IPS LCD 2340 x 1080 FHD+ 19.5:9 Aspect Ratio 409 ppi Corning Gorilla Glass 5	6.3 inch IPS LCD 2340 x 1080 FHD+ 19.5:9 Aspect Ratio 409 ppi Corning Gorilla Glass 3+
Chipset	Snapdragon 675 11 nm Fabrication Process Octa-core (2×2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6×1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver) Adreno 612 GPU	Snapdragon 712 10 nm Fabrication Process Octa-core (2×2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6×1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) Adreno 616 GPU
RAM	4 GB 6 GB	4 GB 6 GB 8 GB
Storage	64 GB 128 GB	32 GB 64 GB 128 GB
Primary Camera	48 MP, f/1.8, PDAF Sony IMX586 5 MP, f/2.4, depth sensor 2160p video@30fps	48 MP, f/1.8, Sony IMX 586 (PDAF) 8 MP, f/2.4, depth sensor 2 MP 2 MP 2160p video@30fps
Front Facing Camera	13 MP 1080p@30fps	16 MP 1080p@30fps
Battery	Non-removable Li-Ion 4000 mAh battery 18 Watt Fast Charge Support Ships With 10 W Charger	Non-removable Li-Ion 4035 mAh battery 20 Watt Vooc 3.0 Charge Support Ships With 20 W charger
Operating System	MIUI 10 Android 9 Pie	ColorOS 6 Android 9 Pie
Other Features	3.5 mm Headphone Jack Rear Mounted Fingerprint Scanner Face unlock IR Blaster	3.5 mm Headphone Jack Rear Mounted Fingerprint Scanner Face unlock

All in all, the two smartphones offer excellent value for money. The Redmi Note 7 Pro which was the most feature-laden smartphone at this price bracket six months ago.

Though due to a higher number of camera sensors, faster-charging support (along with fast charger) and a refreshing design we feel the Realme 5 Pro could be a better choice than the Redmi Note 7 Pro for a lot of consumers.

Also Read: Realme 5 And Realme 5 Pro With Quad Cameras Launched In India

Nonetheless, Xiaomi is gearing for the launch of the Redmi Note 8 Pro which is reported to cover the shortfallings of the Note 7 Pro.

Consequently, we will be comparing the two smartphones once the forthcoming Xiaomi device is launched.

Who do you think is a better smartphone out of the two? Let us know in the comments below.

August 20, 2019

Are Gaming Smartphones Really Worth Buying?
Gaming smartphones are one of the new trends with the last couple of generation in the mobile industry. The devices, as the name suggests, are made with modifications or tweaks with gaming in mind. Previously, the genre had failed miserably with many unsuccessful attempts of bringing a new breed of cellular yet portable gaming consoles to the mainstream markets. Since then, consumer’s perspective has changed and the unique handsets are now widely sought after. But, do we really need a gaming smartphone?

To answer the question lets take a look at the brief history of gaming smartphones alongside other portable gaming devices.

Xiaomi Black Shark 2

Portable Gaming

The first video game ever created was Pong back in 1958. Since its inception, a new multi-billion dollar industry has been borne with gaming as its business model. Soon after, in the early 1960s, consumers were looking at video games as the next big thing in the entertainment industry. Hence, companies took notice and game studios were founded. By 1970s, there were already multiple studios with various games for PCs alongside the first form of gaming consoles. Interestingly, the first consoles also birthed the race for portable consoles that have a wider reach and easier accessibilities.

Nintendo DS

Nintendo is widely credited for being the company to popularize the handheld console market with its release of Game Boy in 1989. The portable gaming console was explosive in success and dominated the market for years into the future. Note, this was also the time where the mobile industry had devices become more compact meaning more portability. The gaming industry and mobile industry went parallel for the better part of each respective infant stages. However, the advancement in technology meant a cross over was soon to be expected.

Game Boy Original

Gaming Smartphones of Old

Gaming smartphones are not a new breed. Although they are now certainly a lot more viable than before. The reason why many established OEMs kept their distance from them is due to their infamous history. Devices such as the Nokia N-Gage, Sony Ericsson Xperia Play and more are a few that pop into mind. The gaming phones of old were surprisingly more powerful and capable than their handheld gaming consoles at the time in some scenarios.

Nokia N-Gage

For example, the N-Gage was a direct competitor to Game Boy Advance while featuring a much better processor. But, speed isn’t enough as the implementation of controls whilst having games actually made for your platform is rather difficult. The devices launched then suffered either of the two problems or both. At the time, the game studios had no inclination or incentive to collaborate with the mobile OEMs either, since the portable consoles were extremely popular at the time. However, that has since changed.

Known Gaming Phones and Handheld Consoles
- Nokia N-Gage
- Sony Ericsson Xperia Play
- PlayStation Portable (PSP)
- PlayStation Portable Vita
- Game Boy & Game Boy Advance
- Samsung SPH-B5200
Sony Ericsson Xperia Play

Gaming Smartphones Now

Surprisingly, even after the harsh history of the breed, gaming smartphones have stood the test of time. It indirectly implies the unending growth of gaming culture and entertainment. Currently, the smartphone gaming market accounts for more revenue than both PC gaming and console gaming market combined. In other words, studios earn more from games like Candy Crush over games like Call of Duty.

Nubia Red Magic 3

Furthermore, we all know the PUBG Mobile fever that has infected globally, especially India. After the game’s launch, we have seen more smartphone like the Asus ROG Gaming Phones being launched. These smartphones unlike regular feature aesthetical changes which make them look a lot more appealing and gaming-centric. They also carry tweaks and modifications, especially to the UI, to provide an enhanced gaming experience. Unlike the past, there is a booming mobile gaming market to cater to the increasing capabilities of smartphones.

PUBG Mobile

Are They Really Worth It?

Finally, the reason why you are here. Gaming smartphones are worth buying now more than ever before. Tech giants have recognised the true potential of the gaming genre and its immense value and are heavily invested in many mobile gaming studios. However, it would still be advised to wait just a bit longer. Yes, gaming smartphones are the best they have ever been, but they can be better. What we see now is the gaming industry finally penetrating the main stream market of smartphones or as they say, “just the tip of the iceberg.”

Razer Phone 2

Hence, it is expected that specialised hardware, such as MediaTek Helio G90T SoC that is made for gaming, will improve with time and exclusive more mobile gaming studios like Tencent Games will emerge. Regardless of its popularity, the gaming smartphone market is still a niche with its sales not being close to mainstream devices.

MediaTek G90T SoC

Also Read: Gamescom 2019 Roundup Of The Best Upcoming Games

Additionally, there really isn’t a lot that difference, in most cases, between a gaming smartphone and a regular flagship. For the most part, gaming handsets offer a better display with a higher refresh rate panel, overclocked SoC or even better cooling solutions. Conclusively, it is a great time for mobile gamers and huge potential in the industry. With a bit more time, it is expected to mature into a gaming world of its own within amazing portability that beats any handheld consoles.
August 20, 2019
Realme 5 And Realme 5 Pro With Quad Cameras Launched In India
Realme once an Oppo subsidiary has quickly grown to become one of the top 10 smartphone OEMs in the world. On the 20th of August, it launched the highly anticipated Realme 5 and Realme 5 Pro in India. Both smartphones are mid-range devices but the Pro variant have comparativley bumped up specs.

Realme 5 & Realme 5 Pro

Both the Realme 5 and Realme 5 Pro have a crystal design on the rear panel which mimics a holographic effect. They feature a 6.3 inch FHD+ display with an impressive 90.6% screen to body ratio. The 16MP selfie camera is housed in the waterdrop notch on the front through which the high screen to body ratio is achieved. For security, the smartphone duo house a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner.

Under the hood, the Realme 5 houses the 11nm Snapdragon 665 AIE chipset which consists of an octa-core CPU alongside Adreno 610 GPU. On the other hand, the Realme 5 Pro features Qualcomm’s 10nm Snapdragon 712 SoC which also has an Octa-Core CPU along with Adreno 616 GPU. Both smartphones feature a quad-core camera which carries an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, 2MP depth sensor and 2MP macro camera. The Realme 5 sports a 12MP primary shooter while the Pro variant has a 48MP Sony IMX586 sensor.

The Realme 5 is powered by a large 5,000mAh battery while the 5 Pro houses a 4,035mAh battery. The latter supports the company’s VOOC 3.0 fast charging upto 20W with a compatible charger bundled in the box. Both smartphones feature a much-welcomed headphone jack and offer similar connectivity options that include Bluetooth 5.0, 802.11 ac Wi-Fi and dual 4G VoLTE. Both the smartphones run on ColorOS 6 which is based on top of the latest Android 9 Pie. According to the company, ColorOS 6 has a simplified UI as it draws a lot of inspiration from stock Android.

Price & Availability

The Realme 5 will be available from 12PM (IST) on the 27th August 2019. It will be purchasable on Flipkart and Realme’s official websites. The smartphone will be available offine soon after its official launch. It is offered in two colours, Crystal Blue and Crystal Purple, and will be available in three different RAM and ROM configurations:
- 3 GB + 32 GB: Rs 9,999
- 4 GB + 64 GB: Rs 10,999
- 4 GB + 128 GB: Rs 11,999
Also Read: How Chinese Companies Have Helped In Making Smartphones Affordable

Realme 5 Pro will arrive after the base variant and will be available from 12PM (IST) on 4th September 2019. The device will also be available on Flipkart and Realme’s official website. Again, offline sales are expected to arrive soon after. The device will be offered in two colours, Sparkling Blue and Crystal Green, and will be available in three different RAM and ROM configurations for which the price is as follows:
- 4 GB + 64 GB: Rs 13,999
- 6 GB + 64 GB: Rs 14,999
- 8 GB + 128 GB: Rs 16,999
Conclusively, both the smartphones are value for money offerings and will give handsets from Samsung, Xiaomi and other brands a good run for their money.
August 20, 2019
Useful Smartphone Accessories You Might Not Know Exist

The internet and e-commerce sites are filled with boatloads of mobile accessories which range from selfie sticks to tripods to power banks. However, we have scoured the web to find those accessories which are actually useful and you might not even know that they exist.

Neck Smartphone Holder

As the name suggests, this accessory allows the user to hang a smartphone around their neck. It features an extendable mobile holder that can stretch upto 7.5 inch. The legs aka the stand of the accessory are made out of flexible tubing, therefore, the users can adjust them according to their comfort and viewing angle.

Funnily enough, the key purpose of this smartphone holder is to replace human hands which would feel tired when staying steady in a given position for an extended period. Besides being used around the neck, users can also encompass it around their back and consume digital content in a leaned back position.

In additon to the two previously mentioned formats, it can also be used as a dock or a selfie stick.

Wall Mounted Phone Holder

A large majority of people charge their smartphones overnight and chuck it under their pillow which is bad both for the human body and the smartphone. Due to improper heat dissipation, the device may get hot and has a possibility of catching flames which clearly is hazardous.

Besides, reports have proven that keeping a mobile as less as 10 cm away from the body can eliminate 98% of the radiation emitted by them. Therefore, the next product on the list, which is a wall-mounted phone holder is a really good option that one must consider.

In addition, it also has a cable management system with whose help the user can hide the extra cable. This allows maintaining a tidy and nice aesthetic in a living or workspace. An alternative to this is the ‘flybase’ that hangs on the charger and allows a smartphone to rest on its lap while charging. However, this is ideal for situation when the charging cable is not long enough to reach the ground or a flat surface.

Waterproof Pouch For Mobile

The next accessory in the list is the waterproof mobile pouch. It is made out of leather and has a see-through TPU layer on the front and back. The top of the pouch has a triple seal which ensures water cannot come in contact with the smartphone that is placed inside.

Due to this feature, it can also be used for underwater photography. However, we recommend checking seals on the unit you receive before submerging your smartphone entirely underwater. Besides it also has a built-in lanyard which allows for easily carrying the smartphone while you are enjoying your beach holiday.

Although there are several choices online that start for as cheap as Rs 100, we suggest buying a quality product whether the one listed below or any other.

Mobile Cleaning Kit

Smartphones have become an integral part of a modern man’s life and they accompany us wherever we go. Throughout our day we come across several surfaces, out of which, many have a possibility of being contaminated with microbes or pathogens which are invisible to the human eye. Consequently, we can easily pass on these unicellular organisms to our smartphones as well.

Besides, smartphones have a high possibility of catching dust and lint from the pocket which can accumulate in grooves or slits like the earpiece grill or the charging port. After we take a bath or wash our hands we are able to get rid of most of the dirt or unicellular organisms but that never happens with our mobile phones.

The next product on the list is an anti-microbial cleaning gel kit. Not only does it remove any surface dirt, but it can also kill the microbes from the surface of a mobile phone which can spread communicable diseases.

Travel Organiser Bag

If you are somebody like us who owns a lot of gadgets and their accompanying accessories. This organiser bag can be a nifty addition to your setup. It has several zip secured pouches which can be used to store different miscellaneous items that can range from a sim ejector pin to chargers and whatnot.

It also has a dedicated section with elastic straps which can be used to neatly store different cords and cables. For easily carrying it around, the whole pouch wraps into a compact form factor which can be secured with a push buckle.

Hi-Speed USB C Pendrive

Although there are plenty of applications available for mobile devices that allow to wirelessly transfer or share data, they might not be the best option for moving large size files. A USB C Pendrive could prove beneficial if you often transfer files larger than 5 GB like us too and from your smartphone.

Besides sharing data from mobile to mobile, it can also be used to transfer data from smartphone to computer as it also has a conventional USB A port. Although the company claims a transfer speed of 150 Mbps, users can get speeds of upto 50 Mbps which is much faster than wireless sharing.

Also, mobile devices like the iPad Pro and OnePlus smartphones, don’t support memory expandability via a microSD card, the Dual USB Drive 3.0 could be used to boost the internal memory. Interested users can buy Pendrive of upto 256 GB which will be more than sufficient for most scenarios.

Also Read: Xiaomi Plans To Disrupt The Budget Segment With This Smartphone

Which accessory do you think is the best on this list? Let us know in the comments below.

August 19, 2019
Xiaomi Plans To Disrupt The Budget Segment With This Smartphone
Last week, we detailed the TENAA listing of an unreleased Xiaomi Smartphone which was believed to be the Redmi 8. According to freshly leaked images, it is instead the Redmi 8A which will be targeted towards the budget segment. As the name suggests, it will succeed the Redmi 7A which debuted in the month of May in China and was later launched in India.

Although the strategy seems counterproductive to launch a successor in less than 6 months, we assume this could be due to rising competition from companies like Realme. Readers who do not know, the latter has already launched a multitude of handsets in over a year of its existence. Moreover, its latest lineup which consists of the Realme 5 and Realme 5 Pro will be unveiled on the 20th of August.

Xioami Redmi 8A Front and Back

As per the leaked images, the Redmi 8A features a waterdrop notch display on the front that has a high screen to body ratio. The rear of the device is made out of plastic and it accommodates the company branding and dual camera setup which is arranged vertically in a capsule-shaped ridge. Besides it also features a fingerprint sensor which is a welcoming addition.

While we have already talked about the detailed specifications of the Redmi 8a in this post. We will reiterate upon the features which according to us will make this budget smartphone stand out of the crowd.

Before we begin, it must be noted that these features will only stay relevant if Xiaomi manages to price the upcoming handset similar to the Redmi 7A. According to us, the pricing of the device should be around the Rs 6,500 mark for the base variant which is about Rs 500 expensive than the corresponding variant its preceding device.

Best Features of The Upcoming Redmi 8A

Xioami Redmi 8A Dual Camera & Fingerprint Sensor
- Display: The Redmi 8A features a 6.3-inch HD+ display which is a significant upgrade over its predecessor that has a 5.45 inch panel. Moreover, it has a high screen to body ratio which is achieved due to the waterdrop notch present on top of the display.
- Battery: A lot of customers that buy entry-level Android smartphones are migrating from feature phones while some buy them to use as a secondary handset. For both the scenarios, a large battery is important and 5,000 mAh battery found on the Redmi 8a can easily allow day-long backup. In fact, for most users, the battery will last for 2 days or even more.
- Storage: Due to affordable internet plans, the consumption of digital media has also seen multi-fold growth all around the world. Although the maximum number of Android smartphones support memory expansion via microSD card, most users never bother to buy and install one. Therefore, storage as much as 64 GB on an entry-level smartphone is a great feature.
- Fingerprint Sensor: In order to keep costs down whilst still providing a form of biometric verification, companies have opted to go with the face unlock feature which was even observed with the Redmi 7A. However, all of us know, the kind of reliability they offer. Therefore, the fingerprint sensor on the Redmi 8A is a great addition. As it is more reliable and at times easier to the use in situations like under-lit environments.
Xioami Redmi 8A UI In Spanish

The leaked images of the Redmi 8A exhibit the menus in the Spanish language. Consequently, it is expected to debut in Europe and later on make its way to India.

Also Read: Oppo Reno 2, Reno 2F And Reno 2Z Specs and Indian Pricing Leaked

Even though Xiaomi has not officially revealed its launch date, the device is assumed to be unveiled at the upcoming event on 29th of August which will see the launch of Redmi Note 8 and a 70-inch Redmi branded TV.

To sum things up, the upcoming Redmi 8a holds the potential to become of the best selling smartphone in the budget segment. However, as previously mentioned, Xiaomi needs to retain an aggressive price to give it an edge over its competition.

What are your thoughts on the upcoming Redmi 8A, Which feature do you think is its biggest USP (Unique Selling Point)? Let us know in the comments below.
August 19, 2019
Oppo Reno 2, Reno 2F And Reno 2Z Specs and Indian Pricing Leaked

Oppo, in a surprising move, has planned on launching its second generation of Reno smartphones mere months after the original’s release. Previously, we had covered the initial announcement made by the company on Twitter. Unfortunately, apart from the launch date of 28th August 2019, Oppo was yet to reveal any details including specs or features of the devices. A new report claims to leak the Indian pricing and specs of three upcoming Reno series smartphones.

Oppo Reno 2 Series

The Reno2 series arrives barely 4 months after the launch of the original Reno series in India. The latest generation will debut in India prior to its global launch. Reportedly, all three Reno2 series smartphone will feature a quad-camera setup alongside 20x Zoom. Interestingly, it is also reported that the new series will still sit right below Oppo’s Reno 10x Zoom.

New angles present new possibilities. Get ready for #OPPOReno2 pic.twitter.com/Uhho6FjJj7
— OPPO (@oppo) August 16, 2019

According to the report, Oppo Reno 2 will feature a 6.5 inch AMOLED display with a 20:9 aspect ratio. The device will have a 93.1 percent screen to body ratio with an in-display fingerprint scanner and Gorilla Glass 6. Notably, The Reno2 could potentially be the first smartphone in India to sport Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 730G SoC. In terms of storage, the device will feature a 256GB ROM alongside 8GB of RAM. The RAM and ROM configurations may probably launch in multiple variants. Additionally, Reno2 will run the Android 9 Pie-based ColorOS 6.0.1 but the company has promised availability of Android Q. The smartphone will replace the original Reno and will be priced around INR 35,000.

The smartphone will feature a quad-camera setup on the rear with a 48MP Sony IMX586 primary sensor with f/1.7 aperture. It will also include an 8MP ultra-wide lens, 13MP 5x hybrid zoom camera alongside a 2MP depth sensor. The camera will feature special portrait modes such as “Ultra Dark Mode”, Portrait Mode 2.0, Ultra Steady Videos, 3D audio zoom, real-time portrait videos, and hybrid image stabilization. Oppo Reno 2’s selfie shooter is a 16MP camera with the similar sharkfin popup mechanism accompanied by “soft light flash.” The device will be powered by a 4,000mAh battery that supports VOOC 3.0 fast charging and also has Gorilla Glass 5 on the back.

Reno 2Z

Oppo Reno 2Z is a toned-down iteration in the Reno2 series. It will also feature a large 6.53 inch AMOLED display with an FHD+ resolution. Oppo will add Corning’s Gorilla Glass 5 to the smartphone which will also house an in-display fingerprint scanner. Reno 2Z features MediaTek Helio P90 SoC with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. The device is expected to be released with a price tag around INR 25,000.

The camera on Oppo Reno 2Z also houses a 48MP primary shooter alongside 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens and 2MP depth sensor. Features such as the OS, front-facing camera and battery are said to be similar to the above-mentioned Reno2.

Reno 2F

The third smartphone in the series is still shrouded in mystery. Oppo Reno 2F is likely to also feature much of the features regarding camera module but will run on a slightly weaker chipset. The exact display size is currently unknown but going by its INR 20,000 price bracket it can be assumed to be smaller than the former two devices.

Also Read: Realme 5 Pro Will Have The Snapdragon 710 Claims Geekbench Listing

The report is yet to be confirmed by the company. However, the specs do seem highly likely as replacing the Reno flagship in just a short amount of time seems like a counterproductive move on their part. More information is expected to be available soon. stay tuned for updates.

August 19, 2019
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Launch Date Revealed
On the 19th of August, Xiaomi’s co-founder Lei Jun shared the teaser of the upcoming Redmi TV on the Chinese social media site, Weibo. The teaser states that the upcoming TV from the company will have a 70-inch display and will be launched on the 29th of August.

Noteworthy, a Chinese netizen commented on the post asking ‘note8 the same day?’. The official instantly replied to the comment with a ‘thumbs up’ emoji which makes it clear that the highly anticipated 8th generation Redmi Note is launching before the month-end.

Although the current teaser does not reveal any features or specifications of the upcoming handset, they can be derived from previous teasers.

Leaked Redmi Note 8 Render

In the past, the official claimed that the camera setup on the Redmi Note 8 lineup will be a significant improvement, in comparison to its predecessor. The Note 7 smartphones including the Redmi Note 7s and Note 7 Pro have a 48 MP primary rear camera. Therefore, smartphones in the Redmi Note 8 lineup are expected to have a relatively higher resolution sensor.

Besides, it has already been revealed that the company is working on a photography centric smartphone that will boast of a 64 Main sensor. Although it has not been confirmed, we believe the smartphone with a 64 MP Samsung made GW1 sensor will be a member of the Redmi Note 8 lineup.

Moreover, it was previously confirmed that the Redmi Note 8 will pack a bigger battery than its preceding devices. Additionally, the alleged Redmi 8 was spotted on Chinese regulatory website TENAA and it is powered by a massive 5,000 mAh battery. Likewise, the Note 8 is also expected to feature a similar capacity battery.

In terms of chipset, the upcoming Redmi Note 8 smartphones are assumed to be kitted with the MediaTek Helio G90 which was announced last month. To strengthen the claim, at the time of the launch, Manu Kumar Jain from Xiaomi India confirmed that the company will soon launch a device with the newly released MediaTek SoC.

Although the details about its display size are currently unknown, the company is believed to pack a display as big or larger than the one found on Note 7 smartphones that accommodate a 6.3-inch panel.

In order to make it easier to understand, we have combined the confirmed and expected features of Redmi Note 8 lineup in a linear manner.
- Battery: 5,000 mAh, Fast Charging
- Chipset: MediaTek Helio G90
- Screen: 6.3 inch or larger
- RAM: 4 GB, 6 GB, 8 GB
- Storage: 64 GB, 128 GB
- Front Camera: 13 MP or higher
- Rear Camera: Quad Camera Setup, 64 MP Main Camera
- Biometric Security: In-Display Fingerprint Sensor
Also Read: Realme 5 Pro Will Have The Snapdragon 710 Claims Geekbench Listing

Taking all the upgrades into account, the Redmi Note 8 is expected to carry a price tag higher than its predecessor and is assumed to start from Rs 15,000.

In order to confirm all the leaks and claims, we will have to wait for its official launch. As previously mentioned, the lineup will be revealed on the 29th of August.
August 19, 2019
Realme 5 Pro Will Have The Snapdragon 710 Claims Geekbench Listing

BBK electronic’s sub-brand and OnePlus’ sister company, Realme is bracing for the launch of its latest smartphone lineup which will carry the Realme 5 branding. The lineup will consist of two handsets which include the ‘standard’ variant and the ‘Pro’ variant.

Earlier this month, the Realme 5 was listed on the popular benchmarking website, Geekbench which revealed its key specs. Similarly, another Realme smartphone has been spotted on the website which allegedly is the beefed up Realme 5 Pro.

According to the listing, the smartphone packs the Snapdragon 710 SoC which is dissimilar to what was previously claimed. Another unverified report in the past claimed that the device will pack the Snapdragon 712 SoC which may turn out false. Nevertheless, talking about SD710, it consists of an Octa-Core CPU and Adreno 616 GPU.

The listing also revealed that the alleged Realme 5 Pro has 8 GB of RAM which is usually found in high-end flagship smartphones. In terms of Geekbench result, the device secures a single-core score of 1143 points and a multi-core score of 4618 points.

Shockingly, both the single-core and a multi-core score of this Realme smartphone is much less in comparison to other devices featuring the same chipset including the Realme X. However, benchmarks can be improved by tweaking the software ahead of official announcement.

Although the listing does not reveal any other aspects of the Realme 5 Pro, key details can be derived from prior reports. The key highlighting feature of the smartphone will be its quad-camera rear setup out of which the main sensor will either have a resolution of 48 MP or 64 MP.

Also Read: The Upcoming Xiaomi Redmi 8 Packs A Massive 5,000 mAh Battery

Additionally, it has already been confirmed that the Realme 5 will be priced under Rs 10,000. Accordingly, we believe the Pro variant will cost between the Rs 12,000 and Rs 18,000 which will vary depending on the storage variant.

In order to confirm all the rumours and leaks, we won’t have to wait for long as the launch date of the smartphone is set for the 20th of August.

August 17, 2019
The Upcoming Xiaomi Redmi 8 Packs A Massive 5,000 mAh Battery
Not long ago, we reported about the upcoming Redmi 8 whose images were revealed on TENAA. Freshly, the listing has been updated and detailed specifications of the smartphone have been revealed ahead of its official announcement. The key highlighting feature of the handset will be its mammoth 5,000 mAh lithium cell which will provide for a long battery backup.

Redmi 8 Design and Features

According to the TENAA listing, the Redmi 8 measures 156.3 × 75.4 × 9.4 mm and its tips the scale at 190 g. The handset features a 6.2-inch display that has an HD+ resolution of 1520 x 720 px. Besides, the display has a waterdrop notch up top that houses an 8 MP selfie camera.

Under the hood, the Redmi 8 features an Octa-Core CPU which has a clock speed of 2.0 GHz. In several other similar listings, we have been able to predict the chipset by matching it with the CPU frequency. However, the 2.0 GHz matches at least three budget chipsets that we are aware of which include the Helio P22, Helio P60 and Snapdragon 625. Therefore, the exact chipset cannot be confirmed, as of now.

Redmi 8 Official Image (From TENAA)

In terms of storage, the Redmi 8 will be offered in three variants which are listed below:
- 2 GB + 16 GB
- 3 GB + 32 GB
- 4 GB + 64 GB
In addition to the inbuilt storage, it will also support memory expansion upto 512 GB via a microSD card. As previously mentioned, the handset will be powered by a gigantic 5,000 mAh battery. We hope that smartphone supports some sort of fast charging and Xiaomi is generous enough to bundle a fast charger along with the device itself.

The rear of the Redmi 8 features a dual-camera setup, fingerprint sensor and the company branding. The rear camera setup consists of a 12 MP sensor, 8 MP sensor and an LED flash which is placed above the capsule shaped module. It runs on latest Android 9 Pie which is destined to be skinned with MIUI.

Redmi 8 Quick Specs

Redmi 8 Official Image (From TENAA)
- Display: 6.2 inch TFT, HD+ 1520 × 720 pixels
- Operating System: MIUI 10 based on Android 9 Pie
- Processor: Octa Core, 2.0 GHz
- RAM: 2GB/3GB/4GB
- Storage: 16GB/32GB/64GB
- Rear Cameras: 12MP + 8 MP, LED Flash
- Selfie Camera: 8 MP
- Security: Rear Mounted fingerprint scanner
- Connectivity: Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 ac 2.4G + 5G, Bluetooth
- Battery: 5000mAh
- Dimensions: 156.3 × 75.4 × 9.4 mm
- Weight: 190 g
Also Read: Flipkart Launches Its Video Streaming Service To Take On Amazon Prime Video

All in all, the Redmi 8 seems like a worthy entry-level smartphone. If Xiaomi is able to carry forward the aggressive pricing to the Redmi 7’s successor, it is likely to rake in considerable sales figures for the company.
August 17, 2019
This Is Huawei’s Answer To The Budget Oriented Redmi 7A
Despite the US ban, Huawei’s product launches have remained unaffected. An upcoming budget-oriented smartphone from the company has been listed on the Chinese regulatory website, TENAA which states its launch will happen soon. Noteworthy, the arrangement of the rear camera sensor, company branding and the front fascia of this device is highly reminiscent to the previously launched Redmi 7A.

According to the listing, the Huawei smartphone carries the AMN-AL10 model number. Although the name of the device is currently unavailable it is believed to be placed below the Enjoy 9e which was launched earlier this year.

The front of the smartphone accommodates a 5.71-inch display that features a waterdrop notch up top. The top, left and right bezels around the display are negligible while the chin below it is comparatively thicker. It also features the company branding below the display which is once again identical to the Redmi 7A.

In terms of memory and storage, the Huawei smartphone will be offered in two variants which are as follows:
- 2 GB + 32 GB (expandable upto 512 GB)
- 3 GB + 64 GB (expandable upto 512 GB)
As previously mentioned, the rear of the handset features a single 13 MP camera which is accompanied by an LED flash. Under the hood, the Huawei smartphone features an Octa-Core CPU which is clocked at 2 GHz.

The device is powered by a 3,000 mAh battery that supports 10 W fast charging. Connectivity options on the smartphone include Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS and 3.5 mm headphone jack. It will be offered in three colour variants which include Vermiculite Black, Amber Brown and Turquoise Green.

Huawei AMN-AL10 specifications
- 5.71-inch (1520 × 720 pixels) HD+ 19:5:9 2.5D curved glass display
- 2GHz Octa-Core processor
- 3000mAh battery
- 13MP rear camera with LED flash
- 5MP front-facing camera
- Dimensions: 147.13×70.78×8.45mm; Weight: 146g
- Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS + GLONASS
- 2GB RAM with 32GB storage / 3GB RAM with 64GB storage, expandable memory up to 512GB with microSD
- Android 9.0 (Pie) with EMUI 9.1
- Dual SIM (nano + nano + microSD)
Also Read: Mysterious Xiaomi Smartphone Hits TENAA, Could Be The Redmi 8

Although the price of the smartphone currently unavailable, going by its specs, it will be targeted towards the Rs 6,000 and Rs 8,000 price bracket. In order to gain the availability details and official price, we will have to wait until its launch which is expected to happen soon.

Users who are interested in checking out the official listing can do so by clicking here.
August 17, 2019
Mysterious Xiaomi Smartphone Hits TENAA, Could Be The Redmi 8

On the 16th of August, an upcoming Redmi branded smartphone with model number ‘M1908C3IC’ was listed on the Chinese regulatory website TENAA. While some new agencies claim that this is the Redmi Note 8, which was previously announced to launch soon, we feel that is not the case.

Instead, this could be the Redmi 8, the successor of the Redmi 7 which was launched in the month of March. In the past, Redmi smartphones have been upgraded once a year however this may change with the upcoming device. As it has just been six months since the current gen Redmi smartphone was launched.

We believe this could be a new strategy that Xiaomi has to adopt due to stiff competition from companies like Realme. For users who do not know, in just over 1.5 years of its existence, Realme has launched three generations (1,2,3) and the 4th generation, the Realme 5 will be announced on the 20th of August.

In terms of design, the alleged Redmi 8 features a water drop notch display on the front along with a plastic back. The front of the smartphone features a considerable chin which houses the Redmi branding. Overall the front of this smartphone is reminiscent of Redmi 7A which is a budget offering.

The rear panel of the alleged Redmi 8 has a glossy finish which houses a fingerprint sensor, dual camera setup along with an LED flash, and the company branding which is inscribed vertically. The left side of the smartphone is occupied by what seems to be the power button and the volume rocker.

Unfortunately, the TENAA listing does not contain any specifications of the device, therefore, we will have to wait until the listing is updated or the handset is officially launched. Speaking of which, its launch date is currently unannounced, nonetheless, the mandatory certification suggests that smartphone will launch soon.

Also Read: Motorola One Action Launched, Features A 6.3 Inch Punch Hole Display

What are your thoughts on this Redmi handset, Do you think that this is the Redmi 8 or some other smartphone? Let us know in the comments below.

Readers who are interested in checking out the official listing can do so by clicking here.

August 17, 2019
Motorola One Action Launched, Features A 6.3 Inch Punch Hole Display
After much anticipation and numerous leaks, Motorola has finally launched the Moto One Action in Brazil, Mexico and several European countries. The key highlighting feature of the smartphone includes a punch-hole display and a triple rear camera setup.

Motorola One Action

The Motorola One Action features glass on the front and plastic on the back which is held together with a polycarbonate chassis. It measures 160.1 x 71.2 x 9.2 mm and it tips the scale at 181g. It features a 6.3 inch LTPS IPS display with a resolution of 2520 x 1080 px.

Like the previously launched Moto One Vision, it also has an unconventionally tall display that has a 21:9 aspect ratio. The display of the smartphone has punch hole cutout on the top left corner which houses a 12 MP selfie camera. For biometric security and rapidly logging into the UI, it also has a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor. Additionally, it also supports face unlock technology.

The Motorola One Action runs on the latest Android 9 Pie and is Android One certified; which means it will receive two major software updates and security updates for three years. Under the hood, it is kitted with Exynos 9609 SoC which is manufactured by Samsung. The chipset is comprised of an octa-core CPU and the Mali G72 MP3 GPU.

For photography, the Motorola One Action has a triple rear camera setup which consists of an f/1.8 aperture equipped 12 MP sensor, 5 MP depth sensor and an ultrawide sensor that has a 117-degree field of view. As previously mentioned, it also has a 12 MP front-facing camera.

The Motorola One Action is powered by a 3,500 mAh battery which support 10 W fast charging. Connectivity options on the smartphone include 802.11 ac Wi-Fi, 4G VoLTE, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, USB Type C port and a 3.5 mm headphone jack.

Motorola One Action Price, Storage Variants and Colours

The Motorola One Action is offered in three colour options which include Denim Blue, Pearl White and Aqua Teal. The device is available in just one storage variants for which the price is as follows:
- 4 GB + 128 GB: £219 (around Rs 18,964)
All in all, the device has an elegant design which is backed with modest innards. However, we feel the price of the device is a bit steep in comparison to its competitors.
August 16, 2019
Oppo Reno2 With 20x Zoom Quad Camera To Launch On 28th August

Earlier this year, Oppo launched its flagship device named Reno 10x Zoom. It featured a hybrid 10x Zoom capabilities as the name suggests and features Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 855 SoC. It was released in April alongside a more affordable variant that has watered down specs. After a short run, it is being reported that its successor by the name Reno2 with 20x Zoom will soon make its debut in India.

New angles present new possibilities. Get ready for #OPPOReno2 pic.twitter.com/Uhho6FjJj7
— OPPO (@oppo) August 16, 2019

Reno2 Series

The Oppo Reno2 will make its debut in India, unlike last time before its eventual launch in other markets. The device was confirmed today (16th August 2019) by the company by a post shared on Twitter. According to the image shared, the Reno2 will feature a quad-camera setup on the rear alongside the signature shark-fin popup selfie shooter. The camera setup is stacked vertically with one on top of the other. Unfortunately, Oppo hasn’t given out any finer details regarding the device in question.

Furthermore, it is also confirmed that the event will see the launch of multiple iterations of the Reno2. Which means, Oppo is likely to introduce a mid-range variant alongside the flagship. It may be possible that the series will feature a 64MP camera similar to its competitor, Redmi and Realme. The latter was previously an Oppo subsidiary so it’s not far fetched that a similar sensor could be introduced between the companies. The flagship in the series might also feature Snapdragon 855+ which is expected to soon be seen in smartphones of competing brands.

Price & Availability

The Oppo Reno2 series will be unveiled on 28th August 2019. It is likely that its pricing will be close to its predecessors due to such a short interval between the generations. The Reno 10x Zoom variant was priced at INR 39,999 while the base variant retailed for INR 32,990. Hence, the price bracket for the series could also revolve around the 30-50k range.

Oppo Reno & Reno 10x Zoom

Also Read: Realme 5 Is The Worlds First Quad Camera Smartphone Under INR 10K

The news is surprising considering the smartphone launched barely 3 months ago in India. In other words, Oppo already is making the previous iteration obsolete in such a short lifespan. However, the news probably arrives after many factors such as new Qualcomm SoC and innovations in the photography department being introduced by its competitors.

August 16, 2019
Xiaomi Patents A Smartphone That Transforms Into A Tablet

Earlier this year, a senior Xiaomi executive showcased a foldable smartphone that could transform into a large-screen tablet. Following the event, Samsung and Huawei launched their first foldable smartphones which are dubbed the Galaxy Fold and Mate X respectively. Unfortunately, due to quality issues, the launch of both these handsets have been pushed back to September.

While Xiaomi was also assumed to launch its foldable smartphone soon after the launch of Huawei and Samsung’s offering, clearly that has not happened. But the company has been granted patents of a foldable smartphone that suggest that the device could launch soon.

According to the patents, the front of the Xiaomi smartphone has a flexible display that can fold from either end. Noteworthy, the bezels around the display are negligible which provides the device with an overall elegant design.

The rear of the Xioami smartphone seems to be made out of metal with two rubber straps that conceal the foldable hinge. The rubber-like material is similar to what is found on the previously launched Royole Flexpai. In addition, it also houses a triple camera setup.

The images do not reveal any cutout or notch for the front-facing selfie camera on the Xiaomi smartphone. It is likely that the device will debut with an under-display selfie camera, which several companies (1,2) are working on.

Also, it does not have a rear-mounted or side-mounted biometric sensor, perhaps, it will have an in-display fingerprint sensor which is slowly becoming a common sighting on premium and mid-range smartphones.

In addition to functional design, the Xiaomi smartphone is expected to have high-end specifications. Therefore, it could feature the Snapdragon 855 or 855 Plus chipset. In terms of memory, it is expected to at least have 6 GB of RAM.

Also Read: Top Tech Best Budget Tech Gadgets and Accessories: August 2019

In order to verify the claims and leaks, we will have to wait patiently until Xiaomi addresses the device publically. Besides, the foldable smartphone from Xiaomi is expected to be more affordable than Samsung and Huawei’s offering which cost about US $ 2000.

What are your thoughts on the foldable smartphone from Xiaomi? Let us know in the comments below.

August 16, 2019
Chinese Man Spotted Using The Huawei Mate 30 Pro On A Subway Train

Over the last few years, Huawei has been a major contributor to the development of smartphones and its corresponding technologies. Due to its designation to the US entity list, Huawei had to face a major setback earlier this year. Nonetheless, it is advancing its thought of visionary smartphones at an unaffected pace.

The prime example of such handsets will be the members of Mate 30 lineup which will succeed Mate 20 branded devices from the year 2018.

The renders and features of upcoming Mate 30 and Mate 30 Pro have been revealed at multiple instances (1,2). Freshly, a traveller on the Chinese subway train was spotted using a unique smartphone which is believed to be the high-end Mate 30 Pro.

The front of the alleged Mate 30 Pro has an edge-to-edge display that has extremely curved sides. Besides, the top of display features a wide notch that goes in line with previously leaked renders.

The rear of the smartphone is concealed with a plastic case that has a couple of cutouts and it covers the camera sensors. The rear left side of the plastic case has a narrow slit which makes room for an elongated flashlight.

Unfortunately, the current leak does not exhibit any specifications of the Mate 30 Pro. Nonetheless, it is believed to feature the HiSilicon Kirin 985 or 990 (name not finalised) which will be manufactured by TSMC.

The upcoming Huawei smartphone is believed to have quad rear camera setup which will be mounted in a circular module.

Also Read: Realme 5 Is The Worlds First Quad Camera Smartphone Under INR 10K

In order to gain more details including the price and features of the Mate 30 Pro we will have to wait until its official launch which is believed to happen in the month of October.

On the basis of leaked renders and images, what are your thoughts on the Mate 30 Pro? Let us know in the comments below.

August 16, 2019