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

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

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

Pricing and availability of the Asus ROG Strix GL702ZC

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

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

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

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

Specifications of Asus ROG GL702ZC

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

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

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

Conclusion

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

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

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

OPPO R15

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

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

OnePlus 6 Leaked Image

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

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

OnePlus 5

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

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

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

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

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

Expected specifications of the Huawei Y8

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

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

Honor 9 Lite

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nokia 7 Plus Specifications

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

Under the hood, the 7 Plus has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 chipset and 2.2GHz octa-core processor. That is coupled with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage which will be expandable via microSD card. The fingerprint sensor is now placed on the back and has the similar colour accents found on the Nokia 6 (2018).

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

Conclusion

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

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

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

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

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

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

Android P Features

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

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

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

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

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

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

iPhone X Notch

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

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

Asus Zenfone 5Z

Conclusion

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

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

Huawei P20 Pro

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

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

Specifications of Huawei P20 Pro

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

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

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

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

Specifications of Huawei P20

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

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

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

Specifications of Huawei P20 Lite

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Conclusion

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

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

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

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

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

Credits: Android Central

OnePlus 6 Specifications

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

OnePlus 5T

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

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

Conclusion

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

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

March 8, 2018

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Vs Honor 9 Lite: Specifications Comparison

Xiaomi Redmi 5 is expected to launch in India on the 14th of March. Considering the price of the Redmi Note 5, the Redmi 5 is expected to be cheaper in India. In fact, the 2GB RAM version is expected to retail for Rs 6,999 and the 3GB RAM version for Rs 8,999. For this price tag, the smartphone offers some of the best-in-class design and specifications. The Redmi 5 has a 5.7 inch 1440 x 720 px IPS LCD display with 18:9 aspect ratio, powered by Snapdragon 450 chipset. Even the 12 MP primary camera is exactly similar to the one used on the Note 5 and the Note 5 Pro.

The Honor 9 Lite takes a different route. In fact, this is the only smartphone to feature premium glass design with a quad-camera setup under Rs 15,000. The device has a 5.7 inch FHD+ 2160 x 1080 px display, which has more pixels than the Redmi 5. In fact, the smartphone does support face unlock using the front-facing camera, which is like the cherry on the cake. However, do note that the entry-level model of the Honor 9 Lite retails for Rs 10,999, which could be at least Rs 4000 more than the price of the Redmi 5.

Specifications	Honor 9 Lite	Xiaomi Redmi 5
Price	Starts at Rs 10,999	Expected to start at Rs 6,999
Display	5.65 inch IPS LCD 18:9 Aspect Ratio	5.7 inch IPS LCD 18:9 Aspect Ratio
Resolution	2160 x 1080 px 428ppi	1440 x 720 px 282ppi
Chipset	HiSilicon Kirin 659	Snapdragon 450
RAM	3GB 4GB	3GB 4GB
Storage	32GB 64GB Expandable up to 256GB	16GB 32GB Expandable up to 256GB
Battery	3000 mAh	3300 mAh
Primary Camera	13MP 2MP (depth sensor)	12MP
Primary Camera Video	1920 x 1080px @ 30fps	1920 x 1080px @30fps
Secondary Camera	13MP 2MP (depth sensor)	5MP
Add-ons	Fingerprint Sensor Face Unlock	Fingerprint Sensor

March 7, 2018

Xiaomi Teases Redmi 5 Launch In India On The 14th Of March

Xiaomi India launched the Xiaomi Mi TV 4A 32 inch and 43 inch on March 7th. However, the launch video of the television ended with a twist. At the end of the video, Xiaomi teases a new smartphone, which will be announced on the 14th of March. Hence, it seems like the Redmi 5 could be launched in India.

The video shows a phone’s side profile, which looks similar to the recently launched Redmi Note 5. The Redmi Note 5 is basically the Redmi 5 Plus which was launched along with the Redmi 5 in China back in early-December 2017.

The Xiaomi Redmi 5 is a miniature version of the Redmi Note 5. The smartphone has an identical design with a slightly compact form factor and inferior hardware.

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Specifications

The Xiaomi Redmi 5 has a 5.7-inch 1440 x 720 px display with an 18:9 aspect ratio. However, the bezels are still very visible, especially in the Gold colour variant.

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

There is a fingerprint sensor placed at the back of the phone just below the camera. However, that is mainly a signature Xiaomi decision and not due to the lack of bezels on the front. Powering the device is a 3300 mAh battery which, Xioami claims has a standby time of up to 12 days. The battery is charged via a micro USB slot which means no fast charging. There is a 3.5mm headphone jack placed next to the charging port as well.

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

Conclusion

The Redmi Note 5 is priced at Rs. 9999 for the base variant. The Redmi 5, if launched, will have to be priced below that. However, at a lower price, this could be a better option than the likes of the Redmi 5A priced at Rs 6999. Hence, it looks like the conundrum of the Redmi 5 and its position in the India market will only be solved on the 14th of March.

March 7, 2018
Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro Users Face Headphones Volume Issues

Xiaomi launched the Redmi Note 5 Pro and the Redmi Note 5 on the 14th of February. While the Redmi Note 5 succeeds the highly popular Redmi Note 4, the Redmi Note 5 Pro is essentially a more powerful Redmi Note 5. We still believe that the Redmi Note 5 Pro could have easily been the Redmi Note 5. However, Xiaomi clearly had different plans. Even after three flash sales, it is still difficult to get one due to its high-demand.

In fact, on the day of its first slash sale, the Redmi Note 5 Pro received the Face Unlock feature via an OTA update. However, all isn’t rosy in the Redmi Note 5 Pro land. A few users started reporting that the volume on the smartphone goes very low after connecting a wired headset. However, the volume through the loudspeaker was adequately sound.

Xiaomi was keen enough to listen to the customers about their query on the Mi Community Forum. In fact, the company has already issued a new MIUI 9.2.5.0 software update, which resolves the issue. However, our review unit is still running on MIUI 9.2.4.0 and haven’t received an update.

Specifications

The Xioami Redmi Note 5 Pro has a 5.99-inch 2160 x 1080p IPS LCD screen with Corning Gorilla Glass. This is the first global smartphone to use Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 processor with 4GB or 6GB RAM and 64GB storage.

The smartphone has a dual-camera setup on the back. The primary camera is a 12MP sensor while the other one is a 5MP camera used for depth effect shots. There is a 20MP front-facing camera which records 1080p videos.

The smartphone runs MIUI 9 on top of Android 7.1 Nougat. Powering the smartphone is a massive 4000 mAh battery which supports Qualcomm QuickCharge 2.0.

March 7, 2018
Apple Music For Android Gets A UI Update
Apple Music is the second most popular music streaming service in the world after Spotify. The subscription plan is priced at Rs 120 per month or Rs 1,200 per year in India. The music streaming service has about 45 million songs in its library. The company also offers free three months trial, by accepting debit/credit card details. One has to sign up using Apple ID, which can then be used on multiple Android or iOS devices. However, one can stream only on one device at a time.

Apple Music is free to download from Google Play Store. However, it needs an Apple ID and subscription to access the content. However, it is worth noting that Apple Music is only compatible with Android devices running Android 4.3 or newer version.

Now, Apple has silently updated the Apple Music for Android OS. After the latest update, the Apple Music on Android looks much cleaner and similar to the iOS counterpart. Similarly, the update also fixes some of the stability issues, which now offers a more fluid music playback experience.

The music video feature was available on the Android OS from 2016. However, the UI experience was not at par with its iOS counterpart. With this update, Apple has unified the UI of Apple Music on Android and iOS devices. This gives Apple an edge over YouTube which still lacks background playback capability. However, with Android 8 Oreo’s Picture-In-Picture mode, YouTube videos can be played while performing other functions. This, however, is still not possible on iOS.

New features on Apple Music for Android version 2.4
- Option to watch music videos in full screen or now playing window
- Watching music video while browsing the library
- Listening to a music video in the background, while surfing third-party application
- Adding your favourite music video to a playlist and watch them subsequently
March 7, 2018
Xiaomi Mi TV 4A Launched In India At Rs. 13999

Xiaomi launched the Mi TV 4 on the 14th of February, which has been critically acclaimed across India. Similarly, the company has launched the Xiaomi Mi TV 4A 32 inch and 43 inch India for the price of Rs 13,999 and Rs 22,999 respectively. The Mi TV 4A will be available on Flipkart, Mi.com and Mi Home from the 13th of March. To tackle the cumbersome nature of flash sales, there will be two sales every week on Tuesday and Friday.

Mi TV 4A 32 inch Specifications

The television has a 32 inch HD 1366 × 768px display with 178-degree viewing angle. However, the 43 inch variant has a 1920 x 1080 px resolution.

The Mi TV 4A is also the most affordable smart television. The television powered by Amlogic chipset with 1GB RAM and 8GB storage. This is a modern television, which runs on the AI-powered PatchWall OS based on Android. The PatchWall OS is an intuitive UI, which offers movies and shows recommendation based on AI.

Under the hood, the Television is powered by the 64-Bit Amlogic L962 Quad-core chipset. As for connectivity, the television has Wi-Fi ac 802.11 a/b/g/n, three HDMI ports, two USB ports, AV in, Ethernet port, and S/PDIF audio output (only in 43 inch variant). There is also the new Xiaomi remote for controlling the TV. However, unlike the Mi TV 4, this remote only has infrared connectivity.

March 7, 2018
The LG G7 Will Have An iPhone X Like Notch

At the recently concluded MWC 2018, LG unveiled the V30S ThinQ. This is not a completely new flagship instead, it is exactly like the LG V30 with an AI camera app. However, it is fair to assume that LG had much better plans for one of the largest mobile events in the world. The LG G7 was expected to be launched as a 2018 flagship smartphone.

That, however, did not happen as the company decided to overhaul its next flagship. The CEO of LG Mobiles conceded that the company would no longer follow a pattern for launching smartphones. This paved the way for a refresh of the LG V30 with trendy AI camera capabilities. However, the LG V30S ThinQ with its unusually long name was not the only LG device present at MWC 2018.

A leaked report suggests that the company had a plan to launch the flagship LG G7 at MWC 2018. In fact, it was even showed off behind closed doors. However, an Israeli publication managed to record a video of the upcoming LG G7 and it has astonishing features.

Renders

Studying the leaked video TechnoBuffalo and leaker, Benjamin Geskin have come up with renders of the G7. The renders reveal the possible design of the LG G7 (or whatever the company decides to call it). The most striking design aspect of the smartphone is the notch on the display. MWC 2018 saw a lot of smartphones launch with a notch. So much so that the iPhone X no longer looks like the odd one out.

Apart from the notch, the dual-cameras will be placed vertically on the back of the device. However, the placement is different from the ones found on the iPhone X. The fingerprint sensor will be placed just below the camera module. Similar to a lot of recent LG flagship smartphones, it will have an all-glass build with an aluminium frame.

Expected Specifications

The LG G7 is expected to have a 6 inch pOLED display with a 2880 x 1440 px resolution. Until Corning comes up with Gorilla Glass 6, we expect most flagship smartphones to have the Gorilla Glass 5 on top.

Under the hood, the G7 will have the Snapdragon 845 chipset. One of the primary issues with the LG G6 was its older chipset. By no means was the Snapdragon 821 a bad chipset but, the Galaxy S8 with the Snapdragon 835 made the G6 look archaic. However, that won’t happen this time around as Samsung no longer has exclusive access to the new chipset.

LG G7 Leaked Images

Features like water resistance, wireless charging and fast charging are expected to be retained. The dual-camera setup on the back will be placed vertically, this time around. The implementation is expected to be the same as the G6 and V30. A regular lens coupled with a wide-angle lens. This is also something that has been appreciated by many LG users.

Conclusion

There is no denying that LG has seen a rapid decline in its smartphone business. Veterans like Apple, Samsung and new entrants like Xiaomi and OnePlus have had much more popular products in the market. However, a rebranding of sorts and high-end specifications might sway consumers toward an LG flagship device.

March 7, 2018