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OnePlus 6 Now For As Low As Rs. 31,999

The flagship killer from OnePlus has always been known to deliver far higher than what it costs. The OnePlus 6 sure broke records and set a few benchmarks when it was launched this year. The OnePlus 6 phone ia already placed at a killer price for all the features it provides. One can now obtain it for an even lesser price. Now, through an offer one can get it for as low as Rs 31,999.

Also Read: Unboxing The OnePlus 6

Offers

The device has 6GB of RAM/64GB of internal storage in its base model which is for Rs 34,999. The device, runs on the flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC. It also offers 8 GB RAM/ 128 GB storage and 8 GB RAM/ 512 GB storage variants. On purchasing the device on Amazon India, Axis Bank credit card users get an instant discount of Rs 1500. This offer is also available for HDFC Bank credit/debit card owners who can avail a 5% instant discount, subject to a maximum of Rs 1500.

Along with this, one can obtain a further discount of Rs 1500 upon exchange of their old smartphone. Along with this, Idea postpaid users are eligible for a minimum discount of Rs 2000 upon the purchase of a OnePlus 6. This will be credited over a series of billing cycles. However, this offer on the OnePlus 6 is only valid for Idea’s Nirvana plan users. OnePlus owners who open a Kotak 811 account before January 31st 2019 will get accidental and liquid protection insurance worth Rs 2000 free.

If you decide to sign up for Amazon Prime video’s subscription through your new OnePlus 6, you will receive Amazon pay balance of Rs 250. Also, OnePlus 6 users who register through the kindle app will receive a promotional credit. This will be a maximum of Rs 500 which can be used to purchase e books from the Kindle store. With a mix of these offers you can get the OnePlus 6 for a lower price. However with the Poco F1 craze and the OnePlus 6T already leaking would you want one ?

August 27, 2018
Top 5 Upcoming Electric Super Cars

The Tesla Roadster, as one of the first electric super cars shook the automobile industry when it set its 0-60 mark at 1.9 seconds. Here is a car which is extremely fast, stylish, and it is electric. Probably the first time those three words have been used in the same sentence. Apart from its mind boggling acceleration, the Tesla Roadster has a top speed of over 250 mph and a range of 620 miles.

However, the arrival of the Tesla Roadster set a chain of events into motion. Each and every supercar maker is now in the race. Which out of these electric super cars will reach the finish line and that’s what counts! With Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Jaguar and Porsche in on it already, the stakes are already high! So here is our list of Top 5 upcoming electric cars which would be the dream of both an environmentalist and auto enthusiast.

Also Read: Why A Tesla Smartphone Could Be Revolutionary

Top Electric Super Cars:

1. Jaguar E-Type:

Yes, you read that right. Jaguar announced that it will be making an all electric production version of the E-Type. It all started in September 2017, when jaguar installed an electric engine inside the timeless classic. This was done to demonstrate what Jaguar believes to be a glimpse into their electric future. The E-Type Zero Concept then moved on to become a reality. According to Jaguar, they are “Future-proofing the enjoyment of Classic Cars”. With the shift to electric for the E-Type Jaguar aims to reach a range over a 170 miles and will be powered by a 40kWh battery. Jaguar plans to start delivery by early 2020 and will also offer the existing owners of the E-Type a switch to electric. Soon, we’ll have the world’s most beautiful car back on the roads again. Going electric will also make this the perfect car for a spy, stylish and stealthy.

2. Ferrari Electric Supercar:

Ferrari’s electric super cars are yet to be named, in fact nothing much is known about them. CEO Sergio Marchionne proclaimed that Ferrari would make sure their electric supercar hits the road before the Tesla Roadster in 2020. Speaking at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, he said, “If there is an electric supercar to be built, then Ferrari will be the first.” Marchionne further went on to say that he is not trying to undermine what Elon Musk has done, he’s just trying to prove that everyone can do it. While his statements are exciting, they come with the certainty that Ferrari will produce electric super cars . Its not too far in the future when we’ll see the iconic brand roll out its electric supercar .

3. Porsche Mission E:

“A sports car that covers over 300 miles with superb performance—but without a drop of gasoline? Welcome to the future: the Mission E electric concept car”. This is what the landing page of the Mission E’s website reads. Porsche’s ideology with this car is clear, electric, sustainable and powerful. The two motors in the Mission E produce a combined output of more than 600 hp (440 kW) and throw it from 0-60 in less than 3.5 seconds. Along with this, the battery only requires 15 minutes of charge to go another 250 miles. Porsche has made this remarkable achievement possible by doubling the standard charging voltage to 800. The Mission E also sets a benchmark when it comes to cutting edge design futuristic looks.

Combined with this is an entirely new and interactive cockpit for the driver. Five OLED panels surround the driver and adjust themselves to the driver’s movements to avoid parallax error. Along with this the new eye tracking technology ensures that the Mission E knows which instrument the driver is looking at and with the push of a single button, that particular instrument will be activated.

4. BMW i8 Roadster Electric:

The BMW i8 has been around for a long time. It went from a concept to production and then a roadster version of the hybrid car came up. Now, BMW is working on bringing a completely electric model of this Roadster variant of the iconic i8. As of now, the Roadster is powered by a Hybrid Synchronous Motor and a Three-Cylinder gasoline engine. BMW has already started working towards this as the new i8 roadster has an improved electric range. Slowly, they plan to make this so efficient that it becomes electric, through and through. even though a specific date hasn’t been fixed for it to come out, looks like it is not too far away.

5. Audi PB18 e-tron:

The PB18 e-tron has just been unveiled to the world. While most other cars might aim to be driven daily as well, the e-tron has one objective- dominate the race track. This can be seen with the driver’s seating position dead-centre in the car. Despite this, Audi does claim that it can be used for everyday purposes and can even accommodate a passenger. The PB18 e-tron looks like something straight out of a sci-fi movie.

While its got looks to kill for, what it’s packing under the hood is also worth a look. Three motors, one in the front and two in the rear combine to give an output of more than 500 kW which can propel the car from 0-60 in just over 2 seconds. This impressive performance makes the e-tron a beast on the track. However, no one over at Audi would confirm as to when this car would go into production and join the league of electric super cars. Fortunately, they never denied it either, making sure the possibility still hangs around.

Bonus: Mercedes Benz EQ Silver Arrow

Mercedes Benz unveiled its EQ Silver Arrow concept at the Monterey Car Week. The electric super car is a tribute to the record-breaking W 125 car from 1937. The Silver Arrow series of Mercedes Benz prides itself in using the best in design to deliver top speeds. Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer at Daimler AG, said ” Over 80 years ago, the historic Silver Arrows demonstrated that Mercedes-Benz was a pioneer when it came to speed thanks, among other things, to their streamlined shape.”

The impressive machine packs a 80 kWh battery which gives it a range of 400 km. The powerful electric motors provide an output of 550 kW ( 750 hp). The Mercedes Benz EQ Silver Arrow is a visual extravaganza, with unique features such as a single seater cockpit which can be folded forwards. Bringing in design elements form the past and the best of technology, it can never cease to impress. Despite the fact that it is a concept car, we hope that Mercedes Benz might consider making a production variant of the same to compete with all the other electric super cars out there.

The Future is here:

While electric super cars are the way to the future and sustainability, nothing excites us more than the fact that iconic companies are slowly pushing their efforts towards this. While most people might be excited about the electric part, lets not forget that each of these cars will come in strong and fast, trying to set new records, making our hearts race harder than before.

August 27, 2018
Honor 8X and 8X Max Official Launch On September 5

After weeks of hints and teasers, Honor finally announced the launch date for its upcoming Honor 8X and 8X Max smartphones. This announcement was made through the Chinese micro-blogging site Weibo, and said that the devices will be launched at an event on 5th September, in China. These devices will be launched into the budget smartphone segment, adding to Honor’s already competitive array of smartphones.

The Honor 8X and 8X Max will not have many differences except for when it comes to size as the name ‘Max’ suggests. Based on the numerous speculations and what we expect from the devices, here’s all we know about the Honor 8X and 8X Max.

Display:

Some details of the device had been seen earlier this month when an image of an official TENAA listing of the Honor 8X Max was doing the rounds. The design sports a tiny notch, popularly called the ‘water drop’ notch along with thin bezels. The 8X Max has a 7.12 inch FHD+ display while the Honor 8X will sport a slightly smaller display. Both the devices however, will sport an 18:9 aspect ratio.

Also Read: Google Pixel 3 XL Leaked With Extensive Hands On Images

Processor & RAM:

What these devices might be packing under the hood is still not sure, with rumours suggesting that they may even have a Snapdragon 660 chipset, contrary to the previous devices. If not, the smartphones will have the Kirin 710 chipset. The devices will have an octa-core chipset which will clock in at 1.8 GHz. Both the smartphones will have 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage which will be expandable up to 256GB.

Camera:

The phones will have a dual camera setup which would incorporate AI features to ensure better images. The back will host a 16 MP + 2 MP dual camera with a depth sensor. The back of the device will also house the fingerprint sensor. The 8X Max is also rumoured to have a massive 4900 mAh battery which will power it through the day.

Honor will mostly have the Honor 8X and 8X Max running Android 8.1 with EMUI 8.2 out of the box. The date of launch for these devices in India has not been confirmed yet. However, the Indian launch is expected soon after the Global launch.

August 27, 2018
Samsung Galaxy A8 Star Unboxing And First Impressions
The Samsung Galaxy A8 Star has been launched in India at a competitive price of Rs 34,990. Launched between the 30-35k price bracket, the Samsung A8 Star packs a whole lot of features.

Design:

The design of the A8 Star looks and also feels premium. With a glass body and metallic frame, the A8 Star sits comfortably in your hands. The A8 Star comes with Infinity display and has thin bezels at the top and bottom. The back of the phone houses dual camera setup and a rectangular fingerprint scanner. The A8 star also comes with a headphone jack and a dedicated Bixby button to the left.
- Samsung Galaxy A8 Star
- In-Ear Earphones
- USB C Cable
- Fast Charger
- Sim Ejector Tool
- Documentation
Display:

The 6.3-inch Super AMOLED infinity display gives the vibrant Samsung display experience. Along with this, the phone has a ‘always on’ feature which ensures that notifications and other information is available throughout. The phone also offers great viewing angles, however the phone does not have S pen support like the Note Series.

Once inside, we see the familiar Samsung launcher and come across a few pre installed apps. Other than some Samsung apps, it is pre loaded with a few Microsoft Office apps which cannot be uninstalled. The device runs Android 8.0 and the Samsung experience 9. The A8 star can access the Bixby assistant by using the dedicated button and upon swiping up one can access Samsung Pay Mini. However, payments can only be made over NFC.

Click Here To Buy The Phone

Camera:

The device houses a unique dual camera setup. It uses the dual intellicam system from Samsung and has 16MP+24MP cameras both with an aperture of f/1.7. The 24MP camera uses the TetraCell technology to capture pictures in lowlight conditions. The Tetra Cell uses 4 pixels instead of 1 pixel in lowlight conditions and then combines those 4 pixels into 1 pixel to give you the best output. The main camera captures 4K video at 30fps. In the front we have a 24MP camera that uses a variety of creative effects to give a sharper image. A number of AR stamps, stickers and filters add to the experience.

Chipset, Battery & Storage:

The A8 Star houses a Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 chipset with an Adreno 512 GPU. It has 4GB of ram and 64GB internal storage which is expandable up to 400GB. Powered by a 3700 mAh battery, the A8 Star comes with adaptive fast charging with a 9V, 1.67 A charger.

Additionally, it has a fingerprint sensor at the back and also comes with Face Detection. For more about the experience of using the Galaxy A8 Star, check out our video below.
August 25, 2018
Sony Xperia XZ3 Images Leaked Showing Entire Design

The Sony Xperia XZ3 has been the subject to a lot of attention and hence a lot of “leaks”. With the most recent leak containing an image which shows the entire phone- from the front and the back. If this latest image is to be believed, then we sure are in for some surprises from Sony. The rising incidents of leaks, counting this one has many guessing that Sony is going to make a big announcement at the upcoming IFA 2018.

The images show something that defy two of the biggest trends in the flagship smartphone segment right now. The Sony Xperia XZ3 apparently lacks a notch or a dual camera setup, rendering it very close to the Xperia XZ2 in design. The device has not-so-thin bezels at both the top and bottom. The back houses a single camera lens and the fingerprint scanner. We can also see that the sides of the display might go edge-to-edge.

Alleged spec sheets of the device are out, which gave us an insight to what the device packs. The Xperia XZ3 will house a Snapdragon 845 SoC with an Adreno 630 GPU. It has a 5.7-inch Full HD screen which will be protected by Gorilla Glass 5. The big question this spec sheet raises however is that of the camera setup. A Japanese website put out the spec sheet and has been continuously leaking tremendous amounts of information about the device.

The latest images show a single camera setup while the spec sheet talks about a dual camera one. We had seen a dual camera setup in the Xperia XZ2 premium, not including it in the XZ3 will be a step backwards for Sony. Google however has proven with the Pixel that a dual camera setup isn’t require for amazing performance.

Also Read: Sony Xperia XZ3 With 18:9 Aspect Ratio And Running Android 9 P Spotted On Geekbench

While the anticipation for the device is high, the leaks might tell a whole new story. Considering this leak, we are getting a device which is extremely similar to the XZ2, launched in February this year. This could mean either of two things. We are not getting a new flagship from Sony and it is an upgraded version of the Xperia XZ2. This is possible because the design and features are to similar for a new phone and also the fact that the XZ2 is fairly new.

Another explanation could be that the leaks are wrong and what we are getting is completely different. This can be true because if Sony is making another flagship device, it would not bring out one with just a few minor upgrades. Considering the state in which Sony’s smartphone market is in right now, we hope that a much better phone is coming our way.

August 25, 2018
OnePlus 6T Confirmed : Design and Specifications

The OnePlus 6 has been out and about for a while, making it that time of the year when everyone is waiting for the OnePlus 6T. This wasn’t confirmed until recently when a certificate seeming to be that of the OnePlus 6T emerged online. Certified by the Eurasian Economic Commission, it looks like the long awaited release of the OnePlus 6T is happening sooner than we thought.

For the past couple of years, OnePlus has been following up its flagship device with a special ‘T’ edition, essentially an upgraded version of the phone. One can therefore expect some definite design upgrades and a step up in performance from the already super-fast OnePlus 6. These upgrades cannot be significantly higher than what the OnePlus 6 is running right now.

As seen with the OnePlus 5 and 5T last year, OnePlus will keep the upgrades to a minimum. This is because it doesn’t make sense to have a phone that competes with what you released just a few months back. It also clears the way for the next flagship, the OnePlus 7. Even while it kept upgrades to a minimum, the OnePlus 5T managed to almost replace the OnePlus 5.

This does not mean that the OnePlus 6T won’t have its own exciting features to look forward to. Based on speculations about the phone and what we’d like to see, here’s what you can expect from the 6T.

Also Read:OnePlus 6T Could Feature A Pop-Up Selfie Camera

Display:

The design of the phone may sport thinner bezels and even a smaller notch. Keep in mind the fact that Oppo, Vivo and OnePlus share their parent company . OnePlus might therefore draw some inspiration form its ‘siblings’ when it comes to design. This could mean a motorised camera which pops up, to give a truly notch-free screen. The screen size is something that might not be changed but the resolution might be bumped up for a more flagship experience.

Camera:

A finger print scanner underneath the display might be a revolution to the camera segment. How, you ask? Well, the removal of the fingerprint reader will give them the area required for a “third” primary camera. Having seen almost all devices reach the two camera mark, this might be the next big thing.

OnePlus however, might be saving this revolutionary idea for the OnePlus 7. Regardless, a jump in the camera segment is expected if Oneplus really wants to attract its customers.

Performance:

When it comes to the increase in performance or speed, we cannot expect a huge jump. While OnePlus might carry on with the processor and RAM options, it might expand in the internal memory segment. A jump from the existing 256GB to a more favourable 512Gb will be welcome as OnePlus doesn’t provide memory card support.

Flagship Features:

What OnePlus might add could be a bigger battery and possibly wireless charging. Other flagship features such as water resistance could be an upgrade as the OnePlus 6 was only ‘splash proof’. A new array of colours can be expected for sure along with the minor design upgrades.

The early release of the OnePlus 6T could also mean something else. With a release inOctober, it could be around the same time as the Google Pixel 3 XL. What it could mean for either phones is not clear as of now, but can give us a clear idea that the OnePlus 6T might not be running the Android 9 before the Pixel 3 XL.

August 25, 2018

Honor Play Vs Poco F1: Clash Of The Best Budget Flagship Phones

The Honor Play exploded into the market when it was released. The high performance device, set a benchmark for flagship killers and gives tough competition to higher-end devices. Everyone had come to terms with the fact that nothing could beat the Honor play when boom, the Poco F1 raced into the public sphere. The only phone to offer the Snapdragon 845 in this price range, it’s not just speed that sets the Poco F1 apart.

While the pricing of the base model of the Poco F1 is directly competitive with that of the Honor Play, the two devices do have many differences. The Poco F1 offers its 6GB/64GB variant at a highly lucrative price of Rs 20,999. Sitting just a little away from this is the 4GB/64GB Honor Play. The 6GB/128GB and the 8GB/256Gb variants of the Poco F1 cost Rs 23,999 and Rs 28,999 respectively.

Also Read: Honor Play Gaming Smartphone Launched

Display:

The Honor Play has a 6.3-inch Full HD display, complete with thin bezels on the side and a notch on the top. With a resolution of 2340×1080 pixels and a 19:9 aspect ratio, the Honor Play provides an immersive visual experience at 409 ppi. Not lagging behind, the Poco F1 gives a similar performance with its 6.18-inch, Full HD display. At 2246×1080 pixels, it gives us a density of 403 ppi.

Processor:

This is where Poco F1 really hits the sweet spot. With Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 845 chipset and the Adreno 630 GPU, the specs speak for themselves. Also adding to this is the fact that it is liquid cooled, which Poco claims will ensure that the Processor gives out peak performance always. Honor also brings on the heat with its Kirin 970 chipset coupled with its GPU Turbo technology, which has been promised will change gaming experiences for everyone.

RAM & Storage:

Another segment in which the Poco F1 surges forward with its higher specifications, what really adds to this is the expandable storage. With a memory card, the Poco F1’s storage can reach more than half a TB in its top model, providing more power for the user. The Honor Play has upto 256GB of expandable memory, giving you all the space you need.

Also Read: Xiaomi Launches Poco F1 With Snapdragon 845

Camera:

While both the devices have AI enabled cameras which provide extensive scene detection and other smart features, they do differ fundamentally. The Poco F1 has with a 12MP and 5MP sensor for its rear camera with an aperture of f/1.9 and f/2.0 respectively. the Honor play at the same time only offers a 16MP and 2MP sensor with an aperture of f/2.2 and f/2.4 respectively. It can be seen that the Honor Play does not really bring flagship specs when it comes to the camera. The AI technology however, helps it overcome this hurdle. Another cool feature that we’re looking forward to is the special scene detection for India in the Poco F1 which shows that they went that extra mile.

Both the devices house their front-facing cameras in the notch. They are similarly equipped with AI and an improved portrait mode. The Poco F1 has a 20MP, f/2.0 sensor while the Honor Play carries a 16MP, f/2.2 sensor.

Battery:

Neither of the phones come with flagship features like wireless charging but they do pack a punch. The Poco F1 packs a massive 4000 mAh battery and Quick charge 3.0. The Honor Play carries a 3750 mAh battery along with the Huawei Super charge 3.0. Each of the devices claim advanced AI and curated operating systems will ensure that battery life is further optimised.

Is The Hunt Over?

While the two smartphones bring an unbelievable amount of flagship features to us for great prices, will they really make their mark? As both the phones are sold in flash sales conducted from time to time, the impact they make on the audience may not be that concrete. Although it creates a buzz and ensures that anxious buyers are always lined up to buy the devices, companies like OnePlus are in the lead in this segment due to the availability of their phones in the market. Let’s wait and watch as to how these new entrants change the Indian Market.

[table style=”table-hover”]

Specifications	Poco F1	Honor Play
Price	6GB+64GB : Rs 20,999 6GB+128GB : Rs 23,999 8GB+256Gb : Rs 28,999	4GB+64GB : 19,999
Display	6.18 inch 2246 x 1080 FHD+ 18:7:9 Aspect Ratio 403 ppi	6.29 inch 2340 x 1080 FHD+ 19:5:9 Aspect Ratio 409 ppi
Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon 845, Liquid Cooled Octa Core @ 2.8 GHz Adreno 630 GPU	Kirin 970 Octa Core @ 2.3 GHz GPU Turbo
RAM	6GB 8GB	4GB
Storage	64GB, Expandable storage up to 256GB 128GB, Expandable storage up to 256GB 256GB, Expandable storage up to 256GB	64GB, Expandable storage up to 256GB
Primary Camera	Primary 12MP rear camera, f/1.9 + Secondary 5MP rear camera, f/2.0 4K video, 30 fps AI Enabled	Primary 16MP rear camera, f/2.2 + Secondary 2MP rear camera, f/2.4 4K video, 30 fps AI Enabled
Front- Facing Camera	20MP, f/2.0	16MP, f/2.2
Battery	4000 mAh Quick charge 3.0 USB Type-C charger	3750 mAh Huawei Super charge 3.0 USB Type-C charger
Additional Features	3.5 mm Headphone Jack Fingerprint scanner Infrared Scanner Face unlock	3.5 mm Headphone Jack Fingerprint scanner Face Unlock

[/table]

August 24, 2018

Xiaomi And Flash Sales: It’s Complicated

The flash sale model was pioneered by Xiaomi back in 2014 when it was using e-commerce platforms to slowly inch its way into the Indian market. They have come a long way since then and now hold the top position in the market share in India. Xiaomi is a respected brand and has carved out a huge fan following over time. However, they still use the flash sale method to sell some of their phones. Xiaomi now also aims to dominate the premium smartphone segment with the Poco F1. With so much at stake, is it a good idea for Xiaomi to stick to this or is it time to move on?

The concept behind flash sales is very simple. Deliberately create a shortage in supply to ensure that the demand for the product goes up. This system has numerous positives compared to the few negatives it may have. Demand for the product increases in the first place, making sure that it creates a lot of hype. This hype therefore attracts more consumers as everyone wants to get a piece of something that is not easy to obtain. The biggest advantage it offers is for smaller companies.

Redmi Note 5 Pro

Small companies cannot afford to invest in producing large number of smartphones only to see them go unsold. Therefore, a flash sale will allow them to produce smaller quantities which they are sure will sell. The intervals between flash sales can also help the company to gauge the mood of the people and know if the hype to buy the device is still around.

Also Read: Xiaomi Launches Poco F1 With Snapdragon 845

After Xiaomi ushered in this concept to the Indian smartphone market, quite a few others have followed it. That is good for a company which is just stepping in, but for Xiaomi, it can be a cause of concern. A lot of customers are unhappy because even though they’re willing to buy a Xiaomi phone, its not easily available. While they did change that and moved to selling phones via other methods, the Poco F1 seems like Deja Vu.

The Poco F1 is supposed to help Xiaomi establish itself in the flagship segment as well. We’ve already seen what the Poco F1 can do. It is also evident that Xiaomi holds the top spot in the Indian market share. If Xiaomi wants the Poco F1 to be its entry ticket to the premium segment, why is it holding back?

A few years back, not many people were trusting of Chinese brands like Xiaomi or OnePlus. Sales in India were low and it seemed uncertain as to how many devices could be sold. OnePlus, at the time, wasn’t big enough to take that risk and therefore started sales on an invite basis. Soon their sales grew, giving enough confidence and capital to move to a regular model of sales. OnePlus trashed the invites. This was a risky move as they weren’t sure as to how many people will buy the next flagship without the hype of an invite around it. OnePlus holds the top spot in the premium smartphone segment, having beaten Samsung and Apple.

While Xiaomi holds back with its sales, frustrated customers might go in for an alternative phone. The Poco F1, despite being an excellent device might go off without making a mark. Considering the fact that Xiaomi now holds a powerful spot in the Indian market, it’s up to them to make the next big move.

August 24, 2018
Google Pixel 3 XL Leaked With Extensive Hands On Images

The Google Pixel was launched back in 2016 to replace the Nexus line of smartphones and to provide Google a spot in the flagship segment. Pixel smartphones provide a flagship by the makers of Android setting benchmarks and redefining the smartphone camera segment. With the launch date of the highly anticipated Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL nearing, curiosity is high amongst fans. However, a series of leaks, especially the latest, might have some of the answers we were looking for.

New images posted by a user on Twitter reveal full body pictures of the Pixel 3 XL, revealing the entire device.

Display:

The new images reveal a huge notch which rests on the massive 6.7-inch screen. This notch redefines the design of the Pixel 3 XL. It also redefines the ideology of Google, which never gave into trends before. Adding to this the front of the Pixel 3 XL seems to have a huge chin and rounded corners.

The notch however, houses two front cameras and an Infrared Sensor which might be to help improve the Face Recognition feature. This can be called out to being very similar to the Face Id technology used by Apple. The device is said to have a 1440×2960 resolution, which gives us a pixel density of 491 ppi on the 6.7-inch screen, which would result in a display which will not be not as sharp. The display also houses two speakers, as part of the stereo speaker experience in the Pixel 3 XL.

Camera:

The device sports a dual front camera and a single main camera. The two front cameras might be having varying focal lengths to perhaps give a better portrait experience. On the back, the single primary camera, is sure to carry the great legacy of Pixel devices if the leaks are true. Images claimed to be taken by the Pixel 3 XL display extensive dynamic range and depth. The camera may be housing a 12.2 MP sensor with an f/1.8 aperture.

Image claimed to be taken by a Google Pixel 3 XL

Google’s integration of software to its camera is something to look forward to. It banks not only on the ability of the sensor but also ensures that complimentary software brings out the best. A picture of the home screen of the Pixel 3 XL shows the camera icon having a tiny paw print on it. We are excited to see what this means and what new software google has to better the camera experience.

Device:

Supposedly running a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset with an Adreno 630 GPU. Although details about storage and RAM aren’t available, it is obvious that Google won’t run with anything below 128 GB of storage and 6 GB of RAM if not higher.

As we look inside the phone, the device is apparently getting its power from a 3430 mAh battery, which might be underpowered considering the size of this device. A larger display will obviously take a toll on the battery, so we are expecting the device to carry Quick charge 3.0 at the least if not Quick charge 4.0. Another surprising feature in a video put up by a twitter user, displays the wireless charging capability of the Pixel 3 XL.

Also Read : The Difference Between Android Go, Android One, And Stock Android

What’s More:

The Pixel 3 XL should be running Android 9 out of the box. Pixel devices are known to get Android updates first, ensuring that devices are up to date. The phone will use a USB type-C charger which was present in the box in a leaked image. Along with this we can see earphones, provided by Google for the very first time. More images show that the Pixel 3 XL will continue to support the Active Edge feature. This activates the Google Assistant when the phone is squeezed. This hints at the fact that HTC is manufacturing these devices since it owns this technology.

It is pretty clear as to what we can expect from the Pixel 3 XL at this point in time. What is actually going to be the biggest hurdle for Google is getting the price right. As flagship killers offering the same chipset at lower prices are on the loose, it’s going to be tough. Google cannot hope to win people over with just a great camera. We hope to see some more surprises when it comes to the pricing and the Pixel 3 XL itself.

August 23, 2018
iPhone 6.1 Inch Specs Leaked Ahead of September Launch

Apple will launch the next versions of the iPhone on 12th September 2018. The phones are expected to be based primarily on the iPhone X and launched as incremental updates. One of the expected iPhones to launch in 2018 is a new “affordable 6.1 inch variant. This may as well be dubbed the iPhone 9.

The 6.1 inch iPhone is expected to have an LCD display allow for comparatively more affordable pricing with respect to the flagship iPhones it will launch with. Developers have found information relating to the new iPhone in Apple Xcode. Apple’s Xcode shows names like “iPhone xx” and “iPhone9.7”. The code also reveals that the 6.1-inch phone will have the following model number : “N84”.

More information found in Xcode reveals that this new device will have a DCI-P3 LCD panel and will be powered by Apple’s A10 chipset.

2018 iPhone Lineup

Apple is expected to launch three new iPhones this year. With rumours speaking of dual sim options the 6.1 inch variant may be the most likely recipient of this feature. This variant will be aimed more towards markets like India and China. Apple will launch the new Apple iPhones on 12th of September with Pre Orders expected to begin 14th of September.

Also Read : These Are The Three Variants of the New 2018 Apple iPhone

Pricing will be key, however, if Apple continues its upwards trend for pricing the flagship model may as well cross US$ 1200. This will make the smartphones far less affordable for users. However the device with a 6.1 inch display may be priced as low as US$ 699 making them a tad bit cheaper. This will offer a more affordable option for buyers.

The iPhone X will be upgraded and launched in two variants, most likely the iPhone XI and XI Plus. The plus variant may end up being the most expensive iPhone yet. Apple is expected to bump up performance for tasks like Gaming, AR and machine learning. New improvements for Siri with the launch of the iOS 12 are also expected on the new iPhones.

Apple will also pay good focus on cameras this time around, and with the focus of most brands on front cameras, the 2018 iPhones may finally have excellent front cameras with upto 4K video recording courtesy the high performing chipsets. Apple will also improve on FaceID features, but it is highly unlikely that TouchID will make a comeback with an in-display fingerprint sensor in the 2018 iPhones.

August 23, 2018
Xiaomi Launches Poco F1 With Snapdragon 845 Starting Rs. 19,999

Xiaomi has launched their new Sub brand Poco with their first phone the Poco F1. The phone is a Flagship Killers worst nightmare with specifications equalling Flagship tier 1 smartphones for as low as Rs. 20,999. The phone features a glass front and polycarbonate back with a vertically placed dual camera setup at the back. The front of the phone has a 6.18 inch 18.7:9 display with a 2246 x 1080 px FHD+ resolution. The front also has Gorilla Glass ( but the version is unspecified ). The display has a max brightness of 500 nits, a contrast ratio of 1500 : 1 and 84% NTSC color coverage.

The front also has a 20MP front camera with a 1.8 micron pixel “4-in-1 Super Pixel” sensor an ƒ/2.0 aperture HDR, AI scene detection, AI Beautify, AI portrait mode along with Face unlock using Infrared illuminator and an infrared camera essentially allowing for Face unlock to work in low light.

Inside the Poco f1 is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 with 8x KryoTM 385 cores- Up to 2.8GHz AIE 845 and the Adreno 630 GPU a new cooling technology that the company calls LiquidCool identical to what we saw with the Note 9. As the CPU heats, fluid inside the cooling module evaporates to vapour, moving to the cooler end, where it re-condenses as liquid.

The Poco F1 will have options of 6GB+64GB, 6GB+128GB, 8GB+256GB The RAM used is the LPDDR4X DRAM while for storage the poco F1 uses UFS 2.1 storage. The storage can be further expandable up to 256GB microSD.

The Poco F1 runs a new layer MIUI for POCO which is based on MIUI 9.6, and on Android O with the update to Android P soon after. The main camera layout has 12MP + 5MP AI dual camera setup. The primary 12MP camera is a Sony IMX363 ƒ/1.9 and 1.4?m Dual Pixel Autofocus with HDR, Multi-frame Noise Reduction and AI scene detection with the usual Beautify and portrait options .

The Poco F1 also has 4000 mAh battery with Quick charge 3.0 and a 9V 2 Amp charger is included in the box. The Poco F1 also has USB Type C USB 2.0 port with support for OTG.

The Poco F1 is a ridiculously well priced smartphone with a starting price of Rs. 20,999 ( Rs. 1000 cash back for HDFC card holders) with great specifications that will trouble a lot of other brands. POCO F1 is available with polycarbonate backs in Graphite Black, Steel Blue, and Rosso Red.

POCO F1 will retail at INR 20,999, INR 23,999, and INR 28,999 for the 6GB+64GB, 6GB+128GB, and 8GB+256GB respectively.

The Armoured Edition Poco F1 has a back panel made of DuPont Kevlar and a 8GB+256GB configuration and will retail at INR 29,999. POCO F1 will go on sale on mi.com and Flipkart on 29th August 2018, starting 12 PM.

August 22, 2018
Job Opening At Apple Hints At Health-Centric Processor

With its disputes with Qualcomm, Apple decided to use Intel chipsets in its upcoming smartphones. However, the company also announced that it will focus on using in-house chipsets for the iPhones. Which is why along with the iPhone X and iPhone 8, the company introduced the A11 Bionic chip. This chip has a dedicated neural processing unit for AI applications. A new job posting on Apple’s website shows that the company may be planning on bringing a health-centric chipset to its products.

In the list of Apple products which would use a health-focussed chip, the Apple Watch could be the first. According to the job post, the company is looking for ASIC (Application-specific integrated circuit) architect. Unlike common SoC, an ASIC chip only has a specific task to perform. For instance, high-efficiency Bitcoin miner is an ASIC. In simple terms, a Bitcoin is a form of electronic cash. However, the Cupertino company wants to use these ASIC chips for health focussed functionalities. The previous job openings at the company were for people with experience in health, wellness, and fitness sensors. These listings hint at the company’s future plans with its products, including, but not limited to, the iPhones.

Image: Apple ASIC Architect Job Opening

The current line of Apple iPhones including the iPhone 8 and iPhone X use the A11 Bionic chipset. This chipset uses a custom Apple GPU for graphics output. For LTE connectivity one of the iPhone variants uses a Qualcomm modem while the other variant uses an Intel modem. This is also what the company could be planning to move away from. In favour of in-house chipsets and modems, Apple may soon drop Intel and Qualcomm modems. However, the new 2018 iPhone lineup would most likely use the Intel modems. There is no word on the availability of this ASIC chipset but we think it could be seen in the next generation-Apple Watches. Stay tuned as we will be bringing more updates on the story on further development.

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August 16, 2018
BlackBerry Key 2 LE Official Images Leaked Before August 30th Launch

On July 13th, BlackBerry released the BlackBerry Key 2 in the USA. Soon after, on 31st July, the company launched the smartphone in India via Amazon for Rs. 42,990. The company which made the QWERTY keypad so popular joined the Android smartphone league a while ago. The BlackBerry Key 2 is one such smartphone which is true to its QWERTY roots, but, it also embraces the new OS. Not even a month after the smartphone’s launch, the company is ready to unveil a new addition to the Key series. Leaked press images and renders suggests that BlackBerry will launch the BlackBerry Key 2 LE on 30th August IFA event. The IFA is an international product showcase event which takes place annually in Berlin.

Also Read: Razer Phone 2 To Launch By The End Of The Year

The leaked press renders reveal a new blue colour variant for BlackBerry smartphones. Along with the new colour, the BlackBerry Key 2 LE also has a textured finish for the rear panel. The smartphone seems to be rocking a rear dual-camera setup with an LED flash. The left side of the smartphone lacks any kind of button while the right side has both the power, volume rocker, and the Convenience key. The Convenience key is BlackBerry’s hardware button to launch the user’s favourite app from anywhere in the Android OS.

The rumours suggest that the BlackBerry Key 2 LE will run on Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 SoC. This chipset uses the Adreno 509 GPU for graphics output. Since the BlackBerry Key 2 has 64/128GB storage and 6GB RAM options. the Key 2 LE could also launch with the same variants. With the BlackBerry Key 2 LE, the company plans on launching a Lite version of the already available Key. So it is safe to assume that the Key 2 LE will be relatively cheaper than its predecessor. Stay tuned for a full coverage when the smartphone launches.

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August 16, 2018
Google Has Announced The Android 9 Pie Go Edition

It was in the year 2007 when Google officially introduced the Android ecosystem to the world. Android got its name from a Latin word “Androides”, meaning, human-like robot. The term Android also shares some resemblance with the ex-CEO and founder, Andy Rubin. Android is an operating system primarily designed for devices with touchscreen. Android has evolved not only in terms of versions but also in terms of its varieties. The latest version of the Android OS is the Android 9 Pie. The recent years gave us Android One and Android Go in addition to stock Android. Google announced Android Go as a watered-down version of Android 8 (Oreo) for low-end smartphones. It seems that now the company wants to continue the Android Go series with the Android 9 Pie Go edition.

Also Read: POCOPHONE F1 Leaked Ahead Of 22nd August India Launch

Android Go delivers the latest OS to devices with RAM as low as 512MB. Android Go is the watered-down build of the Android Oreo (8.0). This OS is built to work on low-powered devices without any jitters. With Android Go, users will find that the OS takes significantly less amount of space than even Android Nougat, which released before Oreo. The OS also offers lite versions of Google apps like YoutTube Go, Gmail Go, and Files Go. This allows it to run smoothly on smartphones with storage space as small as 8GB. The latest smartphone to launch with Android Go out of the box is the Nokia 1. In a blog post from Google, the company announced that it will also launch the Android 9 Pie Go edition as a continuation of the current series.

The Android 9 Pie Go edition would share a lot in common with the Android Go (Oreo). However, Google claims that the Pie Go edition would take up even lesser space and provide faster device boot times for smartphones. The Android 9 Pie Go edition will also cater to the low-end devices like the Android Oreo Go edition. The company promises top-of-the-line security features and an accessible dashboard for tracking and monitoring data consumption. Companies like Nokia, Micromax, and Lava are already on the list of smartphone brands to receive Android 9 Pie Go edition.

It is reassuring to see that Google wants to keep the low-end low-budget smartphones just as relevant as the flagship Android devices. With the Android 9 Pie Go edition, it will allow users on a tight budget to enjoy a fast, smooth, and the latest Android experience.

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August 16, 2018
Honor 8X Spotted In A TENAA Listing With A V-Shaped Notch

The Honor is a sub-brand of the Chinese company, Huawei. When Honor announced the Honor 8, the company debuted it as a flagship smartphone. In addition to the Honor 8, the company also released a Pro and a lite version. Both of these smartphones catered to flagship as well as the mid-range price segment. According to a TENAA listing, it seems that the company is ready to release yet another the smartphone in the Honor 8 series. The reports suggest that this could be the Honor 8X, a mid-range offering from the company. What sets this smartphone apart from the rest of the series, is its V-shaped notch.

Also Read: Galaxy Note 9 Launched

While a V-shaped notch is not new in the smartphone market, it certainly is a first for an Honor smartphone. With notch-less displays, devices like the Oppo Find X and the Vivo Nex make it evident that smartphone companies are ready to move past the notch trend. However, these smartphones were not the first to try moving away from the current notch trend. Smartphones like the Essential Phone PH1 and the Sharp Aquos S2 had the smallest possible notch on a smartphone. The new Honor 8X follows much of the same design pattern to keep the notch as minimalistic as possible. The V-shaped notch seems to be housing only the front-facing camera sensor.

With the Honor 8X, the company most likely wants to introduce a budget-friendly smartphone. However, in the Honor 8 series, the Honor 8 Lite is already a mid-range smartphone. The rumours suggest that the smartphone would run on a Snapdragon 660 paired with the Adreno 509. The images posted on TENAA reveal that the smartphone would rock a dual rear-facing camera along with a fingerprint sensor. The Honor 8 was available in a 32 and 64GB storage variant with 4GB of RAM. Quite likely, the same storage variants would be available for the Honor 8 X as well. With the exception of the RAM, which could be bumped up to a 6GB RAM.

There is not much information available about the price or availability of the Honor 8X. However, we think that the smartphone could launch in the month of October at a starting price of $188 (Rs. 13,222). Stay tuned as we will be bringing more news about the Honor 8X soon.

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August 16, 2018