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LCD In Display Fingerprint Scanner Arriving In Smartphones Next Year

The in display fingerprint scanners for smartphones was first shown off at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) last year by Vivo. Few months after, the technology was made commercially available in the form of the Vivo X21 UD smartphone. Since then, many other major OEMs have started providing an in display fingerprint sensor on their devices.

OnePlus 6T

Notably, the feature has been limited to smartphones that feature an OLED display. Mainly due to the reason that only an OLED display allows light to pass through; to authenticate a fingerprint via the underneath mounted sensor. While there are benefits to an OLED display, they are significantly expensive than LCD displays to be used in smartphones.

Now, another Chinese display giant BOE; who is one of the world’s largest display suppliers has announced it has successfully developed the technology. The company plans on mass producing LCD displays with support for in display fingerprint scanners by the end of this year. This suggests handsets with the technology will be ready for primetime by early next year.

What Makes It Groundbreaking?

As mentioned above, traditional in display fingerprint scanners use light to authenticate and unlock the smartphone, like in the OnePlus 6T. These are called Optical fingerprint scanners. Samsung in its Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10+ and Galaxy S10 5G uses an ultrasonic in display fingerprint sensor. As opposed to optical ones, these use a sonic pulse wave to authenticate the user’s fingerprint and is claimed to be more secure than the former. In the past, both instances have used an OLED display to work because neither light nor a sonic pulse wave can pass through conventional LCD displays.

As LCD displays are more affordable to manufacture and are found in abundance in budget and mid-range smartphones; an LCD in display fingerprint scanner is big news. This insinuates future budget devices may be featuring a fingerprint sensor inside the handset’s screen. Surprisingly, a senior executive at Xiaomi has already confirmed that smartphones with this feature will be released as early as the next year.

In Display Fingerprint Sensor

Also read: Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 Leaked In Images

Back in the month of April, a Chinese company Fortsense also announced; that it has successfully tested working in display fingerprint scanning technology for LCD displays. This news was considered a groundbreaking breakthrough, as Statistics have shown that LCD-screen models accounted for up to 85% of a total of 1.456 billion smartphones shipped worldwide in 2018. It also meant that if more major display makers follow suit, the technology would be available in major budget devices.

June 29, 2019
First Live Images Of The Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ Surface

Earlier this year, Samsung launched the tenth iteration of the Galaxy S series of smartphones which carry the “Galaxy S10” branding. Following the successful launch of S10 lineup, Samsung is bracing for the launch of another flagship lineup of handsets, the Galaxy Note 10.

Samsung Galaxy S10+

Unlike past years, the company will launch multiple variants of the 10th Gen Galaxy Note. The upcoming devices will allegedly be called the Galaxy Note 10e, Galaxy Note 10+, Galaxy Note 10 5G and the standard Galaxy Note 10.

Renders of the upcoming smartphones based on rumours and claims have previously surfaced on the internet. But with the latest leak, the actual images of Galaxy Note 10+ have been revealed by a user on the micro-blogging website, Twitter.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ Punch Hole Camera

The leaked images of the Galaxy Note 10+ exhibit a smartphone with large screen display which is surrounded by insignificant bezels. Noteworthy, it also presents a punch hole selfie camera in the display which goes in line with the previously leaked screen protectors.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ Front

The Tweet consists of three images, out of which the first one clearly shows that the high end Galaxy Note 10 will be called Galaxy Note 10+ and not Galaxy Note 10 Pro which some reports in the past claimed.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ Rear

The third image shared by the leakster reveals the rear of the Galaxy Note 10+. Although the image is very blurred, it can be derived that the smartphone will have a quad rear camera setup which past renders have shown.

The current leak does not provide any specifications of the Galaxy Note 10+ but they can be extracted from past leaks which were previously mentioned.

The Galaxy Note 10+ is reported to sport a 6.6 inch display which will house an under display fingerprint sensor. Also, it is claimed to have a piezoelectric sensor built in, therefore, the whole display can be used as an earpiece for listening to phone calls.

In terms of chipset, the Galaxy Note 10+ is destined to feature the Snapdragon 855 or the Exynos 9820 SoC which will depend on the region. The device is reported to feature a 4500 mAh battery which will support fast charging of 25 W or upwards.

Also Read: Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 Leaked In Images

All in all, the Galaxy Note 10+ looks like unique handset with visionary design and top notch features. In order to get precise details of the smartphone including price and features, we will have to wait for Samsung to officially publicise them at the launch event which is expected to happen in the second week of August.

June 29, 2019
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 Leaked In Images

Korean technology giant Samsung rebranded its wearable lineup by dropping the “Gear” label to adopting the iconic “Galaxy” moniker; starting from last year’s Galaxy Watch smartwatch. The company then launched a slew of devices under the new brand name, including the Galaxy Watch Active launched in the month of February this year. It is a fitness-focused wearable and a separate device from the original Galaxy Watch. Now, images of its successor, purportedly called the Galaxy Watch Active 2 have been leaked online.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2

As mentioned above, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 will be a successor to the smartwatch released a few months ago. The design of the wearable revealed in the image is reminiscent of its predecessor, albeit with a few changes. Unlike the previous generation, the home/power button is round in shape; while the back button on the top right is rectangular. A red circle is also visible in one of the images; which is claimed to be just a design quirk. Over at the back, the device has a new design, with it sporting a circular ring around the heart rate sensor.

Also read: Jony Ive Is Quitting Apple

In terms of specifications, it has been revealed that the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 will have two variants; one with LTE support and one with support for just Wi-Fi networks. The former will be powered by a 340mAh battery while the latter will be provided with a 237mAh cell. The smartwatch is said to ship with OneUI version 1.5, which is supposedly a considerable improvement over the current version 1.0. Unfortunately more details like the features and the launch date of the Galaxy Watch Active 2 are not known yet. However, the leaked images suggest the device is ready for primetime. While it is arguable that a four-month-old wearable does not need a successor, we trust Samsung to know better; and hope that the update is worth the asking price.

June 29, 2019
Jony Ive Is Quitting Apple
Apple’s Chief Design Officer Sir Jonathan Paul Ive aka Jony Ive has announced his departure from the world’s most valuable company. The senior executive is leaving Apple to start his own design firm which will be called ‘LoveForm’.

Jony Ive joined Apple in the year 1992 and since then has been a crucial contributor in the company’s remarkable growth. The executive was appointed the head of Apple’s design studio in the year 1996 when the company was facing poor financial health and was cutting jobs.

In the year 1998, Apple launched the highly successful iMac G3 desktop computer which was designed by none other than Jony Ive. The success that Apple had acquired with the desktop computer was carried forward to the original iPod in the year 2001 which revolutionised the music industry forever.

Other notable devices that were designed under Jony Ive’s leadership include:
- 2004 – iPod Mini
- 2007 – iPhone
- 2008 – MacBook Air
- 2010 – iPad
- 2015 – Apple Watch
- 2016 – AirPods
Another noteworthy project that was the brainchild of Jony Ive is Apple’s new corporate headquarters, Apple Park. The said establishment is an ultra-modern complex designed in partnership with British architects Foster + Partners.

Even though it won’t be feasible to replace the vision of the legendary industrial designer, Apple has already announced Jony Ive’s successors. Yes, you read that right, after Jony Ive departs from Apple later this year, the company will split the hardware and software design into two separate domains. Since the year 2012, both the departments were supervised by Jonathan Ive.

In the future, Evan Hankey will be taking over as industrial design domain (hardware) and Alan Dye will become the vice-president of human interface design (software).

Although there are hardly any details known about LoveForm, it is reported that the new company will focus on Product design. Noteworthy, Apple will be the first client of the product that LoveForm designs. Besides, another contributor at Apple, Marc Newson will join the newly incorporated firm.

Also Read: Xiaomi Redmi 7A To Launch In India Soon, Company Confirms

As previously mentioned, it won’t be easy to substitute the legacy left behind by Jony Ive. However, thinking of the bright side, after a very long period, products coming out of Apple’s stable may see a complete redesign.
June 28, 2019
Flipkart Sale: Top Deals On Best Selling Smartphones
The Flipkart Sale is currently live and numerous smartphones from companies including Samsung, Asus, Xiaomi, Realme among others are being offered on huge discounts. Therefore if you re planning on buying a new smartphone, you can do that right now while saving some cash.

The Flipkart Sale which is currently ongoing will last until the 30th of June 2019. Out of all the products listed, we have shortlisted the devices that offer the best value for money. Mentioned below is the list compiled by us:

Poco F1

The Poco F1 was launched last year by Xiaomi as a ‘flagship killer’ which it did live up to an extent. The smartphone boasts of the Snapdragon 845 SoC with an Octa Core CPU. It has a robust build and sports a 6.18 inch display with FHD+ resolution.
- 6 GB RAM and 64 GB ROM
- 6 GB RAM and 128 GB ROM
- 8 GB RAM and 256 GB ROM
- 8 GB and 256 GB ROM (Armoured Edition)
Chipset Snapdragon 845 SoC

OS Android 9 Pie

Display 6.18-inch Full HD+

Rear Camera 12MP + 5MP

Front Camera 20MP

Battery 4,000mAh

Click here to buy the Poco F1

Google Pixel 3a

Pixel 3a is the first mid-range offering from Google’s line up of smartphones. The device design strikes a resemblance to its beefier siblings. The Pixel 3a sports the Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 octa-core processor on a 6.0 inch FHD+ OLED display.

Chipset Snapdragon 670 SoC

OS Android 9 Pie

Display 6.00-inch Full HD+

Rear Camera 12MP

Front Camera 8MP

Battery 3,000mAh

Click here to buy the Pixel 3a on Flipkart

iPhone X

Apple’s 2017 flagship that marked the 10th anniversary to the original iPhone which was one of the best selling smartphones of its time.
- 3GB RAM and 64GB ROM
- 3GB RAM and 256GB ROM
Chipset A11 Bionic + Neural Engine

OS iOS 12

Display 5.80-inch

Rear Camera 12MP + 12MP

Front Camera 7MP

Battery 2,716mAh

Click here to buy the iPhone X on Flipkart

Realme 3 Pro

The Realme 3 Pro is the latest entry in the company’s flagship lineup with the Snapdragon 710 SoC. The smartphone offers competitive specifications at a lucrative price tag. On the latest sale, it is now more affordable and offers a better value for money proposition.
- 4GB RAM and 64GB ROM
- 6GB RAM and 128GB ROM
Chipset Snapdragon 710 SoC

OS Android 9 Pie

Display 6.00-inch Full HD+

Rear Camera 16MP + 5MP

Front Camera 25MP

Battery 4,045mAh

Click here to buy the Realme 3 Pro on Flipkart

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7S

Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 7S is the latest smartphone that features minor upgrades over the Note 7. It is also the most affordable device in the country with a 48MP primary camera. The handset features an attractive design, which is complemented by powerful hardware inside it.
- 3GB RAM and 32GB ROM
- 4GB RAM and 64GB ROM
Chipset Snapdragon 660 SoC

OS Android 9 Pie

Display 6.40-inch Full HD+

Rear Camera 48MP + 5MP

Front Camera 13MP

Battery 4,000mAh

Click here to buy the Redmi Note 7S On Flipkart

Xiaomi Black Shark 2

The Xiaomi Black Shark 2 is a smartphone built specifically for gaming with aesthetics and software and enhancements alongside top-notch specs. It is one of the first devices in India to feature the latest 7nm Snapdragon 855 SoC.
- 6 GB and 128 GB – Rs 32,600
- 8 GB and 128 GB – Rs 35,700
- 12 GB and 256 GB – Rs 42,800
Chipset Snapdragon 855 SoC

OS Android 9 Pie

Display 6.39-inch Full HD+

Rear Camera 48MP

Front Camera 20MP

Battery 4,000mAh

Click here to buy the Black Shark 2 on Flipkart

Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1

Asus launched the mid-range budget smartphone in April 2018 with the stock Android interface and a massive 5,000mAh battery. While the second generation of the device is already out, the handset is still a very popular budget offering that promises great value for money.

Chipset Snapdragon 636 SoC

OS Android 9 Pie

Display 5.99-inch Full HD+

Rear Camera 13MP + 5MP

Front Camera 8MP

Battery 5,000mAh

Click here to buy the Zenfone Max Pro M1 on Flipkart

Motorola One Power

Motorola One Power was an Indian exclusive mid-range device with a notched display and a large 5,000mAh battery. It is an Android One certified device, which means that it runs on stock, bloatware free software with guaranteed updates for two years and security patches for up to three years.

Chipset Snapdragon 636 SoC

OS Android 9 Pie

Display 6.20-inch Full HD+

Rear Camera 16MP + 5MP

Front Camera 12MP

Battery 5,000mAh

Click here to buy the Motorola One Power on Flipkart

LG G7+ ThinQ

The LG flagship from 2018 that after receiving numerous price slashes became a premium top-notch smartphone on a budget. The device features a modern design with an ultra-bright display, boomsound speakers and an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.

Chipset Snapdragon 845 SoC

OS Android 9 Pie

Display 6.10-inch Full HD+

Rear Camera 16MP + 16MP

Front Camera 8MP

Battery 3,000mAh

Click here to buy the LG G7+ ThinQ on Flipkart

Nokia 6.1 Plus

The Nokia 6.1 Plus was a mid-range smartphone that sported a dual camera setup with an aluminium frame body. It offers a clean and stock build of Android which is topped by the Android One certification. This means that it will receive major software updates for two years and security patches for at least three years.

Chipset Snapdragon 636 SoC

OS Android 9 Pie

Display 5.80-inch Full HD+

Rear Camera 16MP + 5MP

Front Camera 16MP

Battery 3,060mAh

Click here to buy the Nokia 6.1 Plus on Flipkart

Nokia 5.1 Plus

Also Read: HP Omen X 2S Gaming Laptop With Two Screens Launched In India

The Nokia 5.1 Plus was unveiled in 2018 as a budget smartphone under 11k that sported a dual camera set up. It offers a clean and stock build of Android which is topped by the Android One certification. This means that it will receive major software updates for two years and security patches for at least three years.

Chipset MediaTek Helio P60

OS Android 9 Pie

Display 5.80-inch HD+

Rear Camera 13MP + 5MP

Front Camera 8MP

Battery 3,060mAh

Click here to buy the Nokia 5.1 Plus on Flipkart
June 28, 2019
Xiaomi Redmi 7A To Launch In India Soon, Company Confirms
Xiaomi launched its latest budget smartphone, the Redmi 7A in China last month. The device is the successor of the Redmi 6A and is a part of the company’s widely popular Redmi A series. Unfortunately, the company did not provide any specific date for the Indian unveiling of the handset at the time. Now, a senior Xiaomi executive has revealed that the Redmi 7A will be introduced in the Indian market soon. The smartphone may be launched alongside the Redmi K20 series next month.

Redmi 7A

#BelieveMiOrNot! ?

Total no. of #Redmi 4A, 5A & 6A phones sold in India = 23.6M units (till April '19), which is > population of #Australia! ?

And now #SmartDeshKaSmartphone #Redmi7A is coming to continue the legacy! ??

Mi Fans! Any guesses on launch date? ?#Xiaomi ?? pic.twitter.com/mHg7bdEjLY
— Manu Kumar Jain (@manukumarjain) June 28, 2019

To recall, the Redmi 7A measures 146.30 × 70.41 × 9.55mm, weighs 150g and has a polycarbonate construction with a similar design to its predecessor. It has a 5.45 inch LCD display with a resolution of 1440 x 720 px and an aspect ratio of 18:9. There are significant bezels on the top and bottom of the device with the company branding at the chin. As it is a budget device, it lacks any form of biometric security like a fingerprint scanner. Users will instead have to rely on conventional unlocking methods; such as numerical pins, patterns and passwords to access the Redmi 7A.

The Xiaomi Redmi 7A runs on the 12nm Snapdragon 439 SoC which is also seen in the Nokia 4.2 (Review). The chipset is comprised of an Octa-core CPU and the Adreno 505 GPU. In terms of optics, the smartphone has a single 13MP rear camera with LED flash. For selfies, a 5MP front-facing camera is present on top of the display. For memory and storage, the handset may be available in the following variants.
- 2GB RAM and 16GB ROM
- 3GB RAM and 32GB ROM
The Xiaomi Redmi 7A is powered by a 4000 mAh battery with support for 10W wired charging. Furthermore, the handset has a triple card slot which supports two SIM cards; and a separate microSD card of up to 256GB in capacity. It has a hydrophobic P2i coating which should make it resistant to a degree of liquid splashes. The smartphone runs on MIUI 10 on top of the current Android 9 Pie.

Pricing & Availability

Also read: Sony PlayStation 5 Benchmark Reveal A 4x Performance Jump Over PS4

The Redmi 7A as mentioned above is expected to launch in India next month. The smartphone may be launched alongside the Redmi K20 and Redmi K20 Pro which are confirmed to launch in July. While the pricing of the upcoming budget device is not known for the Indian market; it is expected to be priced near the Rs. 6,000 mark.
June 28, 2019
HP Omen X 2S Gaming Laptop With Two Screens Launched In India
HP has introduced new entries in its range of gaming laptops. Omen laptops are known to sport top end hardware specifications for gaming purposes. The company has now unveiled the world’s first dual-screen gaming laptop, Omen X 2S, which will feature unique cooling mechanisms alongside the new OMEN 15 and Pavilion Gaming 15 laptops.

Key Features:
- 6-inch secondary 1080p display
- 15-inch primary with options between FHD and UHD displays.
- Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut Thermal Solution
- NVIDIA Series Graphics Card upto RTX 2080.
Dual screens laptops have started slowly gaining a more mainstream commercial audience. Computex 2019 was one of the major events where the technology had gained major coverage. The technology is not brand new, but for the first time is available to the gaming markets instead of first-look on prototypes. HP, in a press release, introduced the Omen X 2S that is going to be launched in India along with HP Omen 15 and Pavilion Gaming 15.

New Secondary Screen

The unique gaming laptop will receive various HP enhancements in the software to improve the overall gaming experience. HP Omen X2S will offer numerous multitasking capabilities to the user with its new secondary display. Most gamers out there would tend to listen to music, watch game streamers or even check messages every now and then. The new screen offers the same functionality without ever needing to reach for a smartphone of turning away from the system.

Players can text friends on chatting apps like WhatsApp, browse through the music of their choice from Spotify and even connect to Youtube and Twitch. This is made possible on the 6-inch 1080p secondary screen above the keyboard of the laptop. The smaller display has its interface run by the OMEN Command Centre software that enables simple controls of the new space. The second screen can also highlight certain aspects seen on the main screen such as the map in racing and shooter games.

Design & Cooling

Gaming laptops have historically been known to run with higher power requirements and temperature. Various OEMs have tackled this with their own proprietary cooling solutions. HP brings its own take to the issue with its new OMEN “Tempest”. HP’s Omen X 2S is the first laptop to feature an applied liquid metal compound for its thermal solutions. HP claims that the aforementioned technology will pave the way for smaller and cooler heat management systems.

The upcoming gaming laptop is built on a 20mm full-metal body chassis. Omen X 2S sees a 20% reduction in size over its predecessors with the new cooling method. In terms of aesthetics, the device sports a familiar design that has been seen in previous iterations. The unique hinge and angular designs are what people have come to expect from HP’s Omen lineup.

Internal Specifications

The upcoming gaming laptop, including the Omen 15, are available various configurations that potential buyers can opt for. Omen laptops can be equipped with the latest generation of 9th Gen Intel Core i9 octa-core processor. Graphical fidelity can be provided by the latest video cards from NVIDIA such as the RTX 2080 that feature the cooler and quieter Max-Q designs.

The amount of storage has yet to be detailed but upto 16GB of RAM will be provided by HP. Furthermore, since laptops are portable and more mobile than its desktop variants, the new Intel Wi-FI 6 is being provided as well. It is claimed to be 3 times faster in terms of file transfer speed over the older Wi-Fi 5.

Other Offerings

Two additional gaming laptops have also been announced for prospective buyers that don’t intend on spending too much. HP’s Omen 15 and Pavilion Gaming 15 will launch alongside the Omen X 2S. The later is a laptop designed on a thinner frame than its older variants but with improved specifications and performance. However, the gaming system will not receive similar top-notch hardware as the Omen X 2S. The laptop only receives upto the 9th Intel Core i7 CPU alongside NVIDIA’s GTX 1660 Ti with Max-Q design.

Price and Availability

The world’s first dual-screen gaming laptop “Omen X 2S” prices start from Rs. 2,09,990. HP OMEN 15 laptop will have buyers shell out Rs. 1,24,990 while the Pavilion Gaming 15 Laptop will go for Rs. 70, 990. An Omen gaming mouse is being sold on the side which is priced at Rs.1,799. HP is also offering the OMEN Outpost Mousepad which can charge the gaming mouse through the Qi wireless charging technology.

Also Read: Amazon Mi Days Sale, Top Deals On Best Selling Xiaomi Smartphones And Accessories

OMEN X 2S is expected to be available from July 1st via HP’s official website. The other two gaming laptops are currently available on the aforementioned website. These products from HP will seek to expand the company’s gaming horizons in the southeastern nation. India, although slow, is rising with the number of people with gaming-specific requirements. The Indian market holds great potential for any OEM and HP’s reception with the products shall be seen in the arriving weeks.
June 28, 2019
Sony PlayStation 5 Benchmark Reveal A 4x Performance Jump Over PS4

Sony revealed a few key details about its next generation of gaming console a few weeks ago. This device assumed to be called the PlayStation 5, will be the successor to the PlayStation 4 launched in the year 2014. The loading times of the upcoming console were shown off a while ago which revealed a ten times improvement over the last generation. Now, a tipster on the microblogging website Twitter has leaked the benchmarks scores of the PlayStation 5 and it is claimed to be four times as much as the PlayStation 4. The tipster notes that the four time improvement will not apply to the latest PlayStation 4 Pro.

Sony PlayStation 5

According to the tipster on Twitter, the Sony PlayStation 5 has been codenamed, Gonzalo. The upcoming console has scored an impressive score of 20,000 on the 3DMark Fire Strike benchmark. This is four times higher than the roughly 5,000 score of the PlayStation 4. It also corroborates the company’s promise that the latest device will be a big jump in performance and power. The score of the upcoming gaming console are on par with what the NVIDIA GeForce 2070 has scored in the test, if not better. This is supposedly an indication that the PlayStation 5 can finally match up to the gaming performance of gaming PCs.

Also read: NASA’s Dragonfly Mission Will Send A Drone To Saturn’s Moon In Search For Life

Sony previously revealed information regarding some features of the upcoming console. For instance, the PlayStation 5 is expected to sport 3D audio technology, which will enable gamers to have immersive gaming experience. Another speculated feature of the PS5 is the incorporation of a Solid State Drive or an SSD. This will lead to visibly faster game load times and seamless switching between various applications within the console’s interface. The device is expected to launch towards the end of next year at an expected price of US$ 550 (~INR 39,000). This is the same time when Microsoft will also announce its latest gaming console, called Xbox Project Scarlet.

June 28, 2019
Amazon Mi Days Sale, Top Deals On Best Selling Xiaomi Smartphones And Accessories

Xiaomi and Amazon are back with the ‘Mi Days Sale’ which is currently ongoing and will continue until June 30. During the sale, several smartphones and accessories from Xiaomi are being offered at discount. Therefore, the consumers who looking to buy any of the Mi devices mentioned below, this might be the best time to do so.

The users who are willing to replace their old devices with a brand new one can also exchange their existing smartphone. The company is offering an additional exchange bonus of upto Rs 3000 which varies depending on the user’s old handset.

Furthermore, Yes Bank credit card holders get an additional 10% discount, if they opt for this mode of payment during checkout. Following is the list of Xiaomi smartphones offered on discount during Mi Days Sale:

Redmi 6 Pro

The Redmi 6 Pro was launched last year as Xiaomi’s budget smartphone in the sub 15k price bracket. It has been discounted by up to Rs. 3,500 from its MRP. During the Mi Days Sale, the smartphone will be available at a price of Rs. 9,999 for the variant with 4GB of RAM and 64GB internal storage.

To recall, the Redmi 6 Pro features a 5.8-inch display with a notch. In terms of performance, the smartphone is kitted with the Snapdragon 625 Octa-core processor. A 4000mAh battery powers the device and the handset runs on Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box. In terms of optics, the Redmi 6 Pro has a 12MP + 5MP dual rear camera setup and a 5MP camera for selfies.

Xiaomi Mi A2

The Xiaomi Mi A2 is the second Android One certified smartphone from the company and is the successor to the Mi A1. During the Mi Days Sale, it will be available at a discounted price of Rs. 10,999 for the variant with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. The version with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of onboard storage is priced at Rs 15,999.

Talking about the specifications, the Mi A2 has a 5.99-inch display with a resolution of 2160 x 1080 px. The smartphone runs on the Snapdragon 660 Octa-core SoC. It is powered by a 3010mAh battery which supports fast charging. As mentioned before, the Mi A2 is Android One certified which implies that it has a clean, stock UI with Android 9 Pie. For photography, it has a dual rear camera setup comprised of a 12MP and a 20MP sensor. The front facing camera is a 20MP sensor.

Redmi Y2

he second gen selfie focussed smartphone from Xiaomi, the Redmi Y2 will also be available at a reduced price during the Mi Days Sale. It will start at Rs 7,999 for the version with 3GB RAM and 32GB internal storage. The variant with 4GB of RAM and 64GB onboard memory has been priced at Rs. 9,719.

The Redmi Y2 is the successor to the Redmi Y1 and features a 5.99-inch display with HD+ resolution. It runs on the Snapdragon 625 Octa-core chipset and is powered by a 3080mAh battery. The smartphone runs on Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box. In terms of optics, there is a dual 12MP + 5MP camera set up at the back while a 16MP sensor is responsible for selfies.

Redmi Note 5 Pro

The Redmi Note 5 Pro was launched in the Q1 of last year and it was one of the first budget device with such thin bezels and dual rear cameras. During the Mi Days Sale, it will be discounted up to Rs. 6,000 from its MRP. The version with 4GB RAM and 64GB of internal storage has been priced at Rs. 11,600. The variant with 6GB RAM and 64GB onboard memory will be available for Rs. 11,999 for a limited time.

In terms of specifications, the Redmi Note 5 Pro has a 5.99-inch display with an FHD+ resolution. The smartphone runs on the Snapdragon 636 SoC and is powered by a 4000mAh battery. At the time of launch, it has Android 7.1.1 Nougat out of the box but has since been updated to Android 8 Oreo. The device has a dual rear camera setup comprising of a 12MP and a 5MP sensor. For selfies, there is a 20MP front camera housed above the display.

Mi Sports Bluetooth Wireless Earphones

The Mi Sports Bluetooth Wireless earphones were launched on the 28th of February in the country. They have an ergonomic design which provides for a comfortable fit. The earphones also have an in line controller which has three buttons volume up, volume down and play/pause.

The Mi Sports Bluetooth Wireless earphones have and an IPX4 rating that makes them sweat proof, making them a good companion for users who work out regularly. The Bluetooth earphones have an MRP of Rs 1,799 but during the Mi Days Sale they are available for a price of Rs 1,499.

Mi Power Bank 2i

Taking the price into consideration, Xiaomi offers one of the best power banks that have a solid build quality. It has an outer metal casing which gives it a premium look and feel. The Mi Power Bank 2i has a 10,000 mAh battery which can be charged via the top mounted USB type C port.

The Mi Power Bank 2i has dual USB A ports on the top which can simultaneously charge devices. For convenience, it also has a 4 LED indicator which denotes the amount of remaining charge. It has an MRP of Rs 1,199, however, during the Mi Days Sale it is available for Rs 899.

June 28, 2019
Samsung XCover FieldPro Rugged Smartphone Leaked

Samsung had just unveiled the XCover 4S earlier this month. A fresh report now showcases that the South Korean company is working on a new device in the lineup of rugged phones. These smartphones are robust and do not require extra protection like cases. The new handset will be dubbed the XCover FieldPro and will bring improvements across the board for the upcoming device.

Samsung applied for a trademark for the device that will probably be an advanced variant of the previously launched XCover 4S. The aforementioned series of smartphones are built to survive tough usage and resist wear and tear in harsh environments not recommended for traditional smartphones. Rugged phones are designed to be dust and waterproof devices and be used in fieldwork areas such as construction or off-shore sights. The XCover FieldPro will most likely sport a more powerful processor and an improved camera over its previous iterations.

Unfortunately, no additional information is available apart from the trademark being filed under the XCover FieldPro name. It is clear through its name that it is a ‘Pro’ model and should feature top of the line or at least better internal specifications than its predecessors. Samsung had previously also launched an extra model for its XCover 3. However, the new variant the XCover 3 Value Edition arrived a year later with just software improvements.

The XCover FieldPro will also run on the Android 9 Pie OS similar to the XCover 4S, if not the upcoming Android 10 Q version. The name of the device initially makes it sound like a gadget accessory for the XCover series but the filed report clearly defines a smartphone. Samsung had filed the patent in the United Kingdom on the 27th of June 2019 with the EUIPO (European Union Intellectual Property Office).

Also Read: Building The Ultimate, Stupid Fast SSD RAID Setup: iGyaan Beast PC Build

The tech giants rugged XCover lineup of smartphones are integral to the primary industries. These devices are a necessity due to the variety of features offered, such as communication, even in non-ideal workplaces. Samsung’s new addition to the rugged family will be a welcomed entry in the professional series and more information is expected to be revealed in the arriving weeks.

June 28, 2019
NASA’s Dragonfly Mission Will Send A Drone To Saturn’s Moon In Search For Life

The National Aeronautics and Space Association (NASA) of the United States has announced a new mission called Dragonfly. This mission will send multiple sorties or drone-like aircraft to the Titan, one of Saturn’s natural satellites. The icy celestial body is the largest moon of Saturn and the second largest natural satellite in the solar system. It is also the only moon to have a dense atmosphere, which is why the Dragonfly mission is being sent to study clues of life.

NASA’s Dragonfly Mission

The Dragonfly Mission by NASA is scheduled to launch in the year 2026 and will take eight years to reach Titan in 2034. The rotorcrafts or drones will fly to dozens of locations on the satellite to look for prebiotic chemical processes, which are a link between Titan and Earth. It will mark the first time the organization will fly a multi-rotor vehicle on another celestial body. This device is claimed to have eight rotors and will fly like a normal drone or UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle). The moon is credited to have four times the dense atmosphere than of Earth; which will be taken advantage of by Dragonfly in flying its science equipment payload to new places for repeatable access to materials on the surface.

Also read: Apple Increases iPhone Production After Huawei US Ban

The icy moon of Saturn is claimed to be the analogic representation of prehistoric Earth. During the 2.7 years long Mission Dragonfly, it will explore different environment factors; to search for the possibility of life. It is said that that the key to life once existed on Titan tens of thousands of years ago. So while the mission may or may not find the existence and sustenance of life there, it is said to give us the chemical evidence of the past or extant life on the moon.

June 28, 2019
Apple Increases iPhone Production After Huawei US Ban

Apple and Huawei have been neck-and-neck in regards to their global smartphone market share. The lead is taken by Samsung while the aforementioned companies go back and forth for the second place. Huawei had almost cemented its lead when the US-China trade wars severely hampered the company’s business. A new report now points at Apple raising its iPhone production following the ban on the Chinese company.

Huawei had been accused of installing backdoors on its networking equipment and providing the data to its home Government, China. The ban sought to isolate the eastern tech giant due to concerns regarding data security by the US Government. Apple is reportedly taking advantage of the ban and is increasing the production of its handsets across the entire quarter. The report has claimed that the American company will make an incremental rise over past estimates.

Apple was originally reported to have planned manufacturing about 39 million units, which has now been estimated to rise to 40 million. The increase will last till the end of Q2, that is the end of June. It has been speculated that Apple is increasing production to respond to increasing demand for the iPhone in a few markets. The increase should fill the gap in the market left behind by Huawei, one of the largest smartphone OEM.

Apple is predicted to focus 75% of its increased production on iPhone XR, iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max models. The remainder will be spread largely across the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 lineups. The bump is a temporary measure as the tech giant cannot hope to maintain the rise in the long run. Apple could potentially warrant US tariffs on iPhone sales due to the production of its devices in China.

Also Read: Honor Promises Continued Support For Existing Android Smartphones

The US Trump ban on Huawei has barred the company from sales of technology and components from American-based companies. Apple will take full advantage of the situation to secure a lead over its crippled competitor. Furthermore, the iPhone 2019 flagship models are just around the corner. It is expected to release in September to its global audience and will be a great new addition to its wide offerings of electronic devices.

June 28, 2019
Motorola One Pro Flagship Grade Smartphone Leaks

Apart from the G series of handsets, Motorola is also populating the One series which is targeted towards the mid range and premium segment. Earlier this month, the company unveiled the Moto One Vision that has a bunch of unique features. The said features include an unconventionally tall display that has a 21:9 aspect ratio and a punch hole selfie camera.

Motorola One Vision

Another smartphone that Motorola has been rumoured to introduce in this lineup is the Motorola One Pro which will be a flagship-grade device. Although the launch date of the device is still unknown, it has been spotted in the wild previously. To reiterate the past claims, a Twitter user has shared the case images of Motorola One Pro which has revealed its design from all angles.

Motorola One Pro Design and Features

As per the source, the Motorola One Pro seems to have a metal rear panel that tapers towards the edges. The rear of the device houses a fingerprint scanner and quad camera set up along with an LED flash. Surprisingly, the loudspeaker on the device is mounted on the top which is unlike any past offering from Motorola.

The right side of the Motorola One Pro is occupied by the power button and volume rockers while its left side is devoid of any controls. The cutouts in its case reveal that the bottom of the smartphone harbours the USB Type C charging port and a 3.5 mm jack which is a welcome addition.

The source does not provide any information about the front of the Motorola One Pro, though they can be derived from the past leak. Accordingly, the Moto One Pro features a 6.2 inch waterdrop notch display on the front that is assumed to have FHD+ resolution. In terms of dimensions, it measures 158.7 x 75 x 8.8mm.

Also Read: Honor Promises Continued Support For Existing Android Smartphones

All in all, the Motorola One Pro looks like a promising premium handset with up to date features. If Motorola is able to launch the handset at an aggressive price while maintaining the build quality it offers on its current devices, the smartphone is likely to see a warm welcome from the consumers.

June 28, 2019
Xiaomi Mi CC9 Custom Edition Details Revealed

Xiaomi announced its latest CC smartphone series last week. This lineup was revealed to have been made in collaboration with another Chinese manufacturer Meitu; of whose hardware business the former took control of last year. The first devices that are expected to be launched in the series are the Mi CC9e and the Mi CC9, which may be announced at an event in China on the 2nd of July. Now, a senior Xiaomi executive has confirmed that a special edition of the latter called the Mi CC9 Custom Edition will also make an appearance at the event. In a post on the country’s popular social networking website Weibo; the executive has also revealed the retail box and storage options of the special edition handset.

Mi CC9 Custom Edition

As mentioned above, the Mi CC9 Custom Edition will be a special edition version of the regular Mi CC9. The image shared on the social media by the Senior Xiaomi executive reveals a retail box of the smartphone, alongside the box for the regular variant. It is significantly larger than the retail box for the Mi CC9; which may indicate that the device will be bundled with different accessories or will have a new design altogether.

Alongside the retail box, it has also been confirmed that the handset will arrive in a new colour variant. In terms of optics, while the Mi CC9e and Mi CC9 were revealed to have image optimisations done by Meitu, the Custom Edition will have a camera setup developed by it. This explains the special place for the Meitu branding on the retail box.

Mi CC9

Also read: Honor Promises Continued Support For Existing Android Smartphones

Other details revealed about the Mi CC9 Custom Edition by the Xiaomi executive; is the presence of 8GB RAM alongside 256GB internal storage in the smartphone. As it is a special edition version, the smartphone may be available to purchase in limited quantities. It is also expected to cost significantly higher than the regular Mi CC9. Unfortunately, more details like the specifications and the exact pricing of the CC9 Custom Edition are not available yet. But all our question will be answered next week when the company officially reveals the device on the 2nd of July.

June 28, 2019
Honor Promises Continued Support For Existing Android Smartphones

Huawei has been going through extremely rough waters for the last couple of weeks. The Chinese company, however, has not taken a step back with its business in any manner. The tech giant has shown no signs of slowing down, with new smartphones such as the Nova 5 series being released. Now, Honor, Huawei’s subsidiary, announced its commitment towards every one of its users with continued Android support and updates.

Our commitment to our fans. More information to follow. pic.twitter.com/qXVp1CcdiF
— Honor India (@HiHonorIndia) June 27, 2019

The sub-brand was made by Huawei as a dual-brand strategy. The former will aim at mid to low budget smartphones while the latter will compete in the premium markets. Honor provides smartphones that target younger consumers and is known to release tablet and wearable electronic gadgets as well.

Honor India went on Twitter to share a few lines dedicated to its loyal customers in a reassuring move. The tweet has the company promise its continued support for existing as well as upcoming smartphones that have been unveiled in the recent past. The support will encompass Android and its various security patches and updates. This claim will include every Honor smartphone and tablets that have already been launched.

Honor’s tweet will seek to ease tensions surrounding the uncertainty of support on their handsets. The public message was for all existing and future owners of Honor smartphones. Furthermore, devices in the Honor 20 series, namely the Honor 20, 20 Pro, 20i will receive Android Q in the near future. The company has also planned the Android 10 update for more of its “popular” handsets, although no official list has yet been given. The move from Huawei’s sub-brand should alleviate concerns from its loyal customers and prospective buyers.

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The China-based company’s words will have its customers breathe a sigh of relief. Honor has been successful in India due to its wide range of smartphones that are available at every price bracket. The devices essentially cater to every possible demographic of users. The arriving weeks will tell how true the promise turns out to be, and how the company fares under increasing tensions.

June 27, 2019