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Xiaomi Mi MIX 2s Leaked Video Reveals A Tiny Notch On Top

Xiaomi started the trend of bezel-less smartphones by launching the Xiaomi Mi MIX. The Mi MIX 2 had an identical design, with a much more compact form factor. However, users were still not satisfied with the placement of the front-facing camera. However, it looks like Xiaomi might address this issue with the upcoming Mi MIX 2S. The company is all set to launch the Mi MIX 2S in Shangai on the 27th of March.

Leaked Video Reveals A Tiny Notch On Top

The Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S has been heavily leaked in last few weeks. The company has already confirmed that the MIX 2S will be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset with a dual camera setup.

Recent leaks suggest that the Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S will have a dual AI-powered primary camera. In fact, the Mi MIX 2S could be the first Xiaomi smartphone to support wireless charging. Similarly, a fresh live video has been leaked, which showcases the notch on the device with the front-facing camera. The smartphone is allegedly running on the MiUi 9 with the “Limitless” theme.

However, XDA Developers recently unearthed that the Mi MIX 2S will have the front facing camera housed in the bottom bezel. Much like the Xiaomi Mi MIX and Mi MIX 2. Only time will tell what turns out to be true.

Leaked Mi MIX 2S Image

Expected specifications of Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S

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

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

March 7, 2018
What To Expect From The Xiaomi Mi TV Launch Event

The Xiaomi Mi TV 4 with 55 inch 4K HDR display is selling like hot cakes. In fact, the TV went on flash sale three times, where it was sold out in less than three minutes every single time.

The Mi TV 4 is one of the best Smart TV that is available in the Indian market, which offers great value for money. In fact, the TV has been critically acclaimed for the colour reproduction and the picture quality. However, a lot of people have complained about the size of the TV. Most people believe that does not suit an average Indian house. Recent leaks suggest that the company might address this issue with a couple of new launches.

The company is expected to launch the Mi TV 4 with 32 inch and 43 inch displays. The televisions are expected to be priced at Rs 12,999 and Rs 21,999/27,999 respectively. In fact, these models are already available in China, with the brand name Mi TV 4A and Mi TV 4C.

Xiaomi India is hosting a launch event today at 3 pm where these televisions will be unveiled.

Mi fans! It's time to switch to something smarter, slimmer & sleeker. Time to #SwitchToSmart TV. A new series coming soon! pic.twitter.com/ARiE3I54A7

— Xiaomi India (@XiaomiIndia) March 1, 2018

Expected specifications of Xiaomi Mi TV 4 43 inch

The Xiaomi Mi TV 4C will have a 43 inch 1920 x 1080px IPS LCD display with HDR 10 capability. Under the hood, the TV is powered by Amlogic Quad-core chipset with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage. Also, we might see a model with 2GB RAM and 8GB storage, which will be priced at Rs 21,999.

However, do note that the Mi TV 4 came with 2GB RAM and 8GB storage and the Mi TV 4C listing says 3GB RAM and 32GB storage.

The smart TV will also support dual-band Wifi b/g/n/ac with Bluetooth 4.2. In terms of audio capability, the TV will support Dolby audio with DTS HD surround sound.

Expected specifications of Xiaomi Mi TV 4 32 inch

This will be the most affordable smart TV from the company, which is expected to retail for Rs 12,999. As mentioned above, the TV will have a 32 inch display with 1366 × 768px resolution. Under the hood, the TV will be powered by Amlogic Quad-core chipset with 1GB RAM and 4GB storage.

The TV will be powered by the custom PatchWall OS based on Android. The TV will support all the standard connectivity ports like Dual HDMI port, USB type-A port, and a normal 3 Pin connector. As this is a smart TV, it will also support WiFi wireless network. However, the 32 inch model does not support Bluetooth.

March 7, 2018
BlackBerry Sues Facebook For Patent Infringement
Once considered to be one of the biggest mobile makers in the world, BlackBerry has gone through its fair share of dip. Ever since the rise of iOS and Android OS platforms, BlackBerry and its popularity has been on a decline. The BlackBerry Messenger used to be one of the most popular messaging services and has since been replaced by the likes of WhatsApp. However, it appears that BlackBerry feels undone by Facebook as it has sued the social networking company for patent infringement.

In a Los Angeles Federal Court, BlackBerry, Ltd. filed a lawsuit against Facebook, Inc. for infringing a patent on its messaging technology. The lawsuit focuses on Facebook Messenger and Facebook-owned properties like WhatsApp, Instagram. BlackBerry claims that for several years, it has attempted to have a dialogue with Facebook over the infringed patents.

Facebook Messenger

A few things that have been noted in the lawsuit include showing an unread message indicator on top of an icon. Something that WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger introduced a while ago. Here are a few other features noted in the lawsuit:
- Showing multiple incoming messages in the inbox
- Not showing timestamps of every message in a thread
- Selecting a Photo Tag
The lawsuit appears to be related to BBM, once highly popular and now, obsolete. Using BBM, users could send unlimited messages to each other, a lot like iMessage. However, as the popularity of Blackberry devices dwindled, the company made the messaging service available for iOS and Android.

Considering companies like Apple, Google have similar messaging apps, it is surprising that they weren’t in the firing line as well. Facebook, on the other hand, has come out with a harsh response to the lawsuit:

BlackBerry’s suit sadly reflects the current state of its messaging business. Having abandoned its efforts to innovate, BlackBerry is now looking to tax the innovation of others. We intend to fight.

Conclusion

If past lawsuits are anything to go by, this legal battle will be on for a while.
March 7, 2018
Google Lens Now Available For All Android Devices
Google introduced the Google Lens at I/O 2017. Subsequently, the Google Pixel 2 and the Pixel 2 XL became the first smartphones to feature Google Lens. Google has officially announced that the Lens feature will be available for the Android users via Photos app. Photos is a preparatory app/platform from Google, which offers unlimited cloud storage for storing standard quality photos and videos.

The users will receive an update in the next few days, which enables them to use the Lens via Photos app. Similarly, the update in will available for iOS users in the upcoming week.

Features of Google Lens
- Identify the type of flower in the picture
- Provide details regarding the show/movie in the picture
- Providing information about a hotel/restaurant
- Getting contact details out of a document/visiting card
The Lens feature is restricted to English language users. However, as of now, there is no information about the rollout of the feature for the other language users.

The users with flagship smartphones will also receive camera-based Google-lens and the Google Assistance app in the coming weeks. However, there is no exact time frame has been given from Google regarding the rollout.

The AI-based app from Google helps to get information on the wide-range of objects or places. This AI technology is used to get information on objects, buildings and products. Similarly, the company is working on a newer algorithm to distinguish between different animals. In fact, this will help the tourists, who are in a new place and wants to get information on different places. However, Google Lens will not work on everything, at least in India.
March 7, 2018
HTC U12 Will Feature Matte White Glass Design

The next flagship smartphone from HTC is expected to be the HTC U12. Like the Galaxy S9, the HTC U12 will be an incremental update, which is expected to retain the design from the current HTC flagship, the U11+. However, in terms of hardware, the smartphone is expected to suit up with the top of the line 2018 specifications.

HTC U11+

Like the HTC U11+, the U12 is expected to have an 18:9 aspect ratio and thin bezels. Hence, the fingerprint sensor will be placed on the back of the smartphone. The HTC U12 is also expected to feature dual primary camera setup. However, we are still unsure about what the implementation will be.

The device is expected to feature HTC’s trademarked liquid-glass design with a matte finish. In fact, the company might go with the ceramic-coating to achieve the matte white glass finish.

Leaked specifications

The HTC U12 will have a 5.99 inch display with a 2880 x 1440 px resolution with 18:9 aspect ratio like the HTC U11+.

HTC M8 with Dual camera setup

Under the hood, it will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset. The new flagship chipset is no longer Samsung-exclusive and is already present in smartphones from Asus and Sony as well. Coupled with this chipset will be up to 6GB of RAM and 256GB of onboard storage. However, details about other variants have not been revealed. It will be IP68 rated for water and dust resistance, a staple for modern-day flagship phones.

Interestingly, the leak mentions HTC Face Unlock as well. Now, it is a known fact that Face Unlock is the new trend of the industry. However, it will be interesting to see how HTC implements this feature and how secure it’ll be. On the back of the smartphone will be a dual camera setup of a 12MP sensor coupled with a 16MP Sony IMX3xx sensor. No details about the nature of these sensors have been revealed so far.

The HTC U12 will run Android 8 Oreo out of the box with HTC Sense UI on top. Powering the device will be a 3420 mAh battery which will support QuickCharge 4.0.

March 7, 2018
Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S Will Support Wireless Charging

The launch of the Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S is just a few days away. Xiaomi has taken to the Chinese social media website, Weibo to tease a few features of the Mi MIX 2S. We have already seen images hinting towards a dual-camera setup and integration of AI. However, what has continued to be a mystery is the design of the device. For a smartphone launching in 2018, this is very unusual since renders and authentic images get leaked very early.

However, XDA Developers have caught hold of another set of firmware files and have found some interesting details about the Mi MIX 2S. Previously, it decoded another set of firmware files that revealed the presence of a 3400 mAh battery, IR Blaster and an 18:9 aspect ratio with a 2160 x 1080 px resolution. These specifications are very similar to the Mi MIX 2S.

Mi MIX 2S Camera Watermark

The Mi MIX 2S could be the first ever Xiaomi smartphone with wireless charging support. Evidence supporting this claim has been found within the MiuiKeyguard app. Recently, it was revealed that the Xiaomi Mi Max 3 would also support wireless charging. However, the Mi MIX 2S will be launched before the Mi Max 3.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the Mi MIX 2S so far has been its design. A couple of renders leaked so far reveal that the device will have a tiny notch on the top right corner. This notch will house the front-facing camera. However, a deep dive into the firmware file has revealed a different story. The code found within the MiuiCamera application suggests the Mi MIX 2S will have a front-facing camera housed in the bottom bezel. This means the Mi MIX 2S won’t look all too different from the Mi MIX 2.

Leaked Mi MIX 2S Image

Conclusion

Xiaomi could be forgiven for launching the Mi MIX 2S with a design similar to the Mi MIX 2. That is, however, if the Mi MIX 2S has enough features packed into it. If these findings turn out to be true, Xiaomi could launch a great device running on the latest hardware with flagship features. However, the price will be important, at least in India. Anything under Rs. 40,000 and it could be a great prospect for consumers.

March 7, 2018
Florence Game Coming Soon To Android

Annapurna Studios is all set to launch it’s critically acclaimed Florence Android OS. The novel-like game is already available on iOS for US$ 2.99. The game is based on the romantic situations of the lead character Florence Yeoh. The app was originally released for iPhones and iPads on Valentine’s day. In fact, the game has received a positive response from users as well as reviewers.

The studio behind “Florence”

Florence is the first gaming title from the Monument Valley designer Ken Wong’s Mountain studio. The concept has been brought to the mobile platform by Annapurna Interactive. In fact, this is the company that is behind the trending iOS titles like Flower and the puzzle game, Gorogoa. So, the company might launch the Android versions of these as well.

The game has webcomic-like visuals which look really impressive. In fact, it looks similar to old-school oil paintings. The game is all about discovering yourself by solving simple puzzles. If you are looking for a game with a narrative screenplay, then this could be the game that you can consider.

As of now, the company has not announced any launch date or pricing. However, it will be a paid app, just like the iOS counterpart.

March 6, 2018
Unboxing The Samsung Galaxy S9+
Samsung has launched the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ in India at a starting price of Rs. 57900. Both the smartphones will go on sale via Flipkart and Samsung.com from the 16th of March. However, the preorders began a day after its official global launch. The Samsung Galaxy S9+ and S9 succeed the highly popular S8+ and S8 from early-2017. So, do the new Galaxy S9 flagship smartphones have enough to replicate the success of 2017?

Let’s unbox the Samsung Galaxy S9+ and see what we get:
- Samsung Galaxy S9+
- Documentation
- Sim Ejector Tool
- AKG Earphones
- Wall Charger
- USB Type C Cable
Samsung Galaxy S9+ First Impressions

The first noticeable aspect of the S9+ is its familiarity. If you’ve ever held a Galaxy S8+, this device won’t feel all too different. The screen size is the same while the bezels have been ever so slightly trimmed. The infamous Bixby button retains its place on the left side of the Galaxy S9+. The power button can be found on the right while the volume rockers are situated just above the Bixby button.

Bixby Button

One of the most requested changes in the Galaxy S9+ and S9 is the placement of the fingerprint sensor. In our review of the Galaxy S8 and S8+, we mentioned the unusual placement of the sensor which prompted many users to use the iris scanner instead. This time around, the fingerprint sensor is placed below the camera module. While there was barely any difference between the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+, things are a bit different this time around.

The Samsung Galaxy S9 has a single camera on the back while the Galaxy S9+ has a dual-camera setup, similar to the Galaxy Note8. Despite its large 6.2 inch display, it isn’t cumbersome to hold the S9+. One-handed usage will be tough for people with smaller hands and ghost touch is still an issue. Although Samsung has optimised its software to prevent accidental touches, it isn’t foolproof yet.

Samsung Galaxy S9+ Specifications

As is with its smaller sibling, the Galaxy S9+ has the same screen size as the Galaxy S8+. It sports a 6.2 inch Super AMOLED display with a 2960 x 1440 px resolution.

Under the hood, it is powered by the Exynos 9810 chipset.The Galaxy S9+ is available in 6GB RAM/64GB storage and 6GB RAM/256GB models in India.

Intelligent Scan

Out of the box, the Galaxy S9+ runs Android 8 Oreo with Experience 9.0 on top. Powering the smartphone is a 3500 mAh battery, just like the Galaxy S8+. The smartphone will support wireless charging as well. Similar to its predecessor, the Galaxy S9+ also has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.

The main difference between the two S9 models this year is in the camera department. Unlike its predecessor, the Galaxy S9+ has a dual-camera setup on the back. The Galaxy S9+ has one wide-angle 12MP camera with an f/1.5 aperture and the other is a 12MP telephoto lens with an f/2.4 aperture. The telephoto lens is the same one found on the Galaxy Note8, which means it has OIS. On the front of the smartphone is an 8MP camera with an f/1.6 aperture and records 4K videos.
March 6, 2018

Samsung Galaxy S9 Vs LG V30+ Vs Sony Xperia XZ1: Specs Comparison

Samsung launched the Galaxy S9 in India on the 6th of March, for the starting price of Rs 57,900. The latest flagship offering from Samsung has a premium glass design with new hardware. In fact, this is the first smartphone to have a camera with variable aperture. The smartphone is powered by the Exynos 9810 Octa-core chipset with 4GB RAM and 64GB or 256GB storage. Similarly, the storage is also expandable up to 400GB using a micro SD card.

The LG V30+ is the one smartphone, that can match the premium Samsung flagship smartphone design. The smartphone is priced at Rs 44,990 and offers a premium glass design with an aluminium mid-frame. The LG V30+ is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipset with 4GB RAM and 128GB storage. Just like the Galaxy S9, the storage of the V30+ is expandable using a micro SD card. One of the main features of the smartphone is its IP68 certification with MIL-STD 810G military certification.

Another smartphone that is priced close to the LG V30+ is the Sony Xperia Xz1. Though the smartphone has an outdated boxy design, it has an impressive camera. The smartphone is powered by the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipset with 4GB RAM and 32GB storage. The Sony Xperia Xz1 is priced at Rs 44,200 and available across the e-commerce websites.

Specifications	Samsung Galaxy S9	LG V30+	Sony Xperia Xz1
Price	Starting at Rs 57,900	Rs 44,990	Rs 44,200
Display	5.8 inch Super AMOLED	6 inch POLED display	5.2-inch HDR Display
Resolution	2960 x 1440 px 18.5:9 570 ppi	2880 x 1440 px 18:9 537 ppi	1920 x 1080 px 16:9 424 ppi
Chipset	Exynos 9810	Snapdragon 835	Snapdragon 835
RAM	4GB	4GB	4GB
Storage	64GB 256GB Expandable up to 400GB	128GB Expandable up to 2TB	32GB Expandable up to 256GB
Battery	3000 mAh Fast charging	3300 mAh QuickCharge 3.0	2700 mAh QuickCharge 3.0
Primary Camera	12MP Dual Pixel f/1.5 to f/2.4	16MP f/1.6 Primary + 13MP f/1.9 wide-angle	19MP f/2.0 aperture
Primary Camera Video	3840 x 2160 px @ 60fps 1280 x 720 px@ 960fps 1920 x 1080 px @ 240 fps	3840 x 2160 px @ 30fps 1920 x 1080 px @ 60fps	3840 × 2160p @ 30fps 1240 x 720p @ 960fps
Secondary Camera	8MP f/1.7	5MP f/2.2	13MP f/2.0 aperture
Ad-Ons	Fingerprint Sensor IP68 Certification Wireless Charging Intelligent Scanner Samsung Pay	Fingerprint sensor Facial and Voice Recognition Wireless charging ESS Quad DAC	Fingerprint Sensor 3D Scanning Mode

March 6, 2018

Xiaomi Mi MIX 2s Leaked Image Reveals iPhone X Like Dual-Camera Setup

Xiaomi will launch the Mi MIX 2S on the 27th of March. The smartphone will be the successor to the Mi MIX 2. As already confirmed by Xiaomi, the Mi MIX 2s will be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset and a new dual camera setup.

A new live image of the Xiaomi Mi MIX 2s has surfaced online, which gives a rough idea about the design language of the device. In fact, the smartphone is placed beside the Mi MIX 2. Overall, the design remains similar to the MIX 2. However, this time the smartphone has a dual primary camera setup, similar to the one found on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro. That in turn, looks similar to the iPhone X and its vertically placed dual-camera setup.

However, one of the most anticipated aspects of the Mi MIX 2S its notch. It is expected to have a tiny notch on the top right corner which will house the front-facing camera.

Mi MIX 2s Leaked Specs

The company released a teaser image that talked about the camera of the Mi MIX 2S. What started with the Pixel 2 devices, the trend of implementing AI and machine learning in the camera has caught on. The Mi MIX 2S will have enhanced AI capabilities for, in theory, a better image capture.

Another teaser from the company hints towards a dual camera setup. Unlike others, this camera setup is expected to function independently. As per the previous leaks, the device is expected to feature Sony IMX 363 sensor. In fact, the smartphone is expected to be able to distinguish between different objects like food, dog, vehicles, documents and more.

Mi Mix 2s Renders

Expected specifications

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

The device is expected to have a 4400 mAH Li-ion battery with fast charging. Wireless charging seems improbable if the leaked image turns out to be genuine. The phone will run on Android 8 Oreo OS with custom MIUI 9 skin on the top. However, none of the Xiaomi devices, barring the Mi A1, run on Android 8 Oreo as of now.

March 6, 2018
Top Samsung Galaxy S9, S9+ Pre-Booking Offers In India

Samsung has officially launched the Galaxy S9 and the Galaxy S9+ in India on 6th of March. However, the devices will go on sale from the 16th of March via offline authorised sellers, Flipkart, and Samsung India’s official website.

The Samsung Galaxy S9 and the Galaxy S9+ will be available in Lilac Purple, Midnight Black, and Coral Blue. Here are the detailed Pre-booking offers on these smartphones.

Model Storage Price

Samsung Galaxy S9 64GB Rs 57,900

256GB Rs 65,900

Samsung Galaxy S9+ 64GB Rs 64,900

256GB Rs 72,900

Cashback for HDFC Card Holders

If you pre-order the Samsung Galaxy S9 or the Galaxy S9+ using an HDFC credit card, you get Rs 6,000 cash back on all four models.

No Cost EMI

Samsung is offering no-cost EMI on all four variants for users, who opt for 3/6/12 months of EMI plans. This offer is applicable for credit card users from leading banks, as well as Bajaj Finance.

Cashback on Paytm Mall

Paytm Mall is offering Rs 6,000 cashback for those who purchase the smartphone from Paytm Mall.

Exchange offer

For exchange offers, Samsung is offering Rs 6000 plus the value of your current smartphone. Ex: if your old smartphone is worth Rs 5000, the total cash back value will be Rs 11,000. However, it is worth noting that the exchange is only applicable on Samsung smartphones.

Galaxy S9, S9+ Colour Variants

Special telecom offers

Airtel offers double data plans for postpaid users on Rs 499 and Rs 799 plans up to 30 months. This also includes a 1 year of Amazon Prime subscription with unlimited voice calls and SMSs.

Jio has announced a special Rs 4999 annual subscription pack, which comes with 1 year of validity with 1TB data and complementary Jio streaming services.

Vodafone offers a free subscription to Netflix for 12 months, for the users with Vodafone RED plan with 75GB LTE data per month.

March 6, 2018
Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S Could Have A Dual Camera Setup

Xiaomi will launch its first flagship smartphone of 2018 on the 27th of March. The Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S will be an upgraded iteration of the original Mi MIX 2, which was launched in late 2017. However, unlike, the Mi MIX 2, the Mi MIX 2S is expected to have better cameras with AI capabilities.

In fact, the company released a teaser image that talked about the camera of the Mi MIX 2S. What started with the Pixel 2 devices, the trend of implementing AI and machine learning in the camera has caught on. The Mi MIX 2S will have enhanced AI capabilities for, in theory, a better image capture.

A new teaser from the company hints towards a dual camera setup. Unlike others, this camera setup are expected to function independently. As per the previous leaks, the device is expected to feature Sony IMX 363 sensor. In fact, the smartphone is expected to be able to distinguish between different objects like food, dog, vehicles, documents and more.

Expected specifications

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

The device is expected to have a 4400 mAH Li-ion battery with fast charging. Even wireless charging is expected to be introduced for the first time in a Xiaomi smartphone. The phone will run on Android 8 Oreo OS with custom MIUI 9 skin on the top. However, none of the Xiaomi devices, barring the Mi A1, run on Android 8 Oreo as of now.

March 6, 2018
Samsung Galaxy S9, S9+ Launched In India At Rs. 57,900

On the 25th of February, Samsung officially launched the Galaxy S9 and S9+ at an event in Barcelona. The two flagship smartphones from Samsung have now been launched in India at a starting price of Rs. Both the smartphones will be Flipkart-exclusive and go on sale from the 16th of February along with the rest of the world. The pre-orders on Flipkart begin at 2 pm on the 6th of March. However, the 256GB variant of Galaxy S9+ will be sold exclusively at Reliance Digital stores, Samsung exclusive stores and on Samsung Shop.

The Samsung Galaxy S9 will start a price of Rs. 57,900 and the 256GB variant will be priced at Rs. 64900. The Galaxy S9+, however, will start at Rs. 65,900 and the 256GB model will retail for Rs. 72,900. To put things into perspective, the Galaxy S8 was launched at a price of Rs. 57900 and the S8+ for Rs. 64900.

The Samsung Galaxy S9 and its bigger sibling, the Galaxy S9+ succeeds the Galaxy S8 and S8+ as the 2018 flagship phones. Unlike the previous generation, the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ have more differences than just the display and battery sizes. Samsung has made the Galaxy S9+ a bit more feature-packed to justify the higher price tag.

As expected, the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ look extremely similar to their predecessors. The bezels are slightly thinner but, it is hard to differentiate between the two generations, at least from the front. To the back of the devices is where you see the difference. While the Galaxy S8 and S8+ were two of the most successful Android smartphones of 2017 and were lauded for their looks, there was an issue with the design.

Due to the decreased bezels, Samsung had to move the fingerprint sensor to the back of the phone. However, the execution left a lot to be desired as the sensor was placed next to the camera module. It looks like Samsung took the criticism into consideration. The Galaxy S9 and S9+ come with a fingerprint sensor placed below the camera module. This is a much more ergonomic placement for a rear-facing fingerprint sensor.

The Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ have a new feature similar to Apple’s Animojis. It is called AR Emoji. Basically, the smartphone captures the face data, analyses it, which allows users to make animated versions of themselves. These can later be customised further.

Samsung Galaxy S9

The Samsung Galaxy S9 has a 5.8 inch Super AMOLED display with a 2960 x 1440 px resolution. This translates to an 18.5:9 aspect ratio, which means it is slightly taller than the usual bezel-less smartphones.

Depending on the market, the Galaxy S9’s chipset will vary. For the US and South Korean market, the S9 will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset. The Galaxy S9 and S9+ are the first-ever smartphones launched with the new flagship chipset. For India, it will be powered by the new Exynos 9810 chipset. Coupled with the chipset is 4GB of RAM and 64GB or 256GB of onboard storage. Similar to a lot of Samsung smartphones, the storage will be expandable up to 256GB via a MicroSD card.

Out of the box, the Samsung Galaxy S9 will run Android 8 Oreo with Experience 9.0 on top. Powering the smartphone will be a 3000 mAh battery, just like the Galaxy S8. The smartphone will support wireless charging. Similar to its predecessor, the Galaxy S9 also has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. The Galaxy S9 also has a dual stereo speaker system tuned by AKG and Dolby surround sound.

The Galaxy S9 has a single Dual Pixel 12 MP sensor with dual /1.5 and f/2.4 apertures. In bright lighting conditions, the camera will use the f/2.4 aperture, while the wider f/1.5 aperture is used in dark lighting conditions. It also captures 720P videos at 960fps and 4K videos at 60fps, similar to the Apple iPhone X. On the front of the smartphone is an 8MP camera with an f/1.6 aperture and records 4K videos.

Samsung Galaxy S9+

As is with its smaller sibling, the Galaxy S9+ has the same screen size as the Galaxy S8+. It sports a 6.2 inch Super AMOLED display with a 2960 x 1440 px resolution.

Under the hood, it will either be powered by the Exynos 9810 chipset. Unlike the Galaxy S9, the S9+ will be available in 6GB RAM/64GB storage and 6GB RAM/256GB models in major markets across the world.

Out of the box, the Galaxy S9+ will also run Android 8 Oreo with Experience 9.0 on top. Powering the smartphone will be a 3500 mAh battery, just like the Galaxy S8+. The smartphone will support wireless charging. Similar to its predecessor, the Galaxy S9+ also has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.

The main difference between the two S9 models this year is in the camera department. Unlike its predecessor, the Galaxy S9+ has a dual-camera setup on the back. The Galaxy S9+ has one wide-angle 12MP camera with an f/1.5 aperture and the other is a 12MP telephoto lens with an f/2.4 aperture. The telephoto lens is the same one found on the Galaxy Note8, which means it has OIS. On the front of the smartphone is an 8MP camera with an f/1.6 aperture and records 4K videos.

March 6, 2018
Honor 7C To Launch On March 12th

Honor is all set to launch the Honor 7C in China on the 12th of March. The Honor 7C has been thoroughly leaked in the last few days. In fact, it has specifications similar to the Honor 9 Lite. However, unlike the Honor 9 Lite, the smartphone features an aluminium metal unibody design with plastic antenna bands.

Leaked Specifications

The Honor 7C has a FullView 5.99-inch 1440 x 720p IPS LCD display, with 2.5D curved tempered glass protection. Under the hood, the smartphone is powered by HiSilicon Kirin 659 Octa-core chipset with 3/4GB RAM and 32GB storage. Similar to a lot of Honor devices, the fingerprint sensor will be placed on the back. However, the bottom chin can easily house the sensor which currently, has the Honor branding.

The 7C has a primary dual camera setup on the back. Similar to devices like the Honor 9 Lite, it is a combination of a 13MP primary camera and a 2MP depth sensor. On the front is an 8MP camera. The Honor 7C will run Android 8 Oreo with custom EMUI 8 skin on the top. The smartphone packs in a 2900 mAh Li-ion battery. Similarly, the smartphone will support 4G VoLte and WiFi, and Bluetooth.

The phone will be available in Black, Blue, and Gold colour options with a micro USB port and a 3.5 mm headphone jack.

Conclusion

As per the leaked specifications, the Honor 7C is expected to be priced cheaper than the Honor 9 Lite. The smartphone will be initially launched in China, however, there is no information about the Indian launch as of now.

March 6, 2018
Apple Could Launch Over The Ear Headphones With Noise Cancellation

In 2016, Apple removed the beloved 3.5mm headphone jack from its iPhone 7 devices. The AirPods were subsequently unveiled which, at the time of the launch, received a lot of flak for its looks. However, with time, the AirPods have become the most successful wireless earbuds in the market. So much so that it dominates the market with up to 85% market share of Bluetooth earbuds. In fact, the company has sold more than 13 million pairs of AirPods in 2017 alone.

According to a report, Apple is working on a pair of premium over-the-ear headphones, which will be launched by the end of 2018. However, this plan is not set in stone as the company might scrape off the idea completely. It has been reported that Apple’s plans of launching over the ear headphones have been dodgy over the past year or so.

Apple AirPods

The report also suggests that the company will not launch the over the ear headphone under the Beats moniker. In fact, the company plans on making it a standalone product, similar to the AirPods.

Features

The premium wireless headphones are expected to offer active noise-cancellation. The headphones will be powered by a custom energy-efficient chipset like the W1 found on the AirPods. These headphones will cater those, who are looking for traditional feel headphones with active noise cancellation. In fact, just like the upcoming Apple AirPods 2, these headphones are expected to offer water resistance and wireless Siri integration.

Conclusion

There is no denying that the market is not short on wireless headphones with noise cancellation. Companies like Bose and Sony have plenty of headphones to cater to those who prefer this feature. However, the Apple headphones will largely attract people already in its ecosystem. The presence of the W1 chip means seamless pairing across all Apple products. However, the price of the headphones will be an interesting factor while competing with the likes of Sony, Bose and others.

March 6, 2018