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YU Yutopia: Benchmarks, Gaming and Questions

Micromax’s subsidiary Yu Televentures launched the Yutopia smartphone yesterday. At a price of Rs. 24,999, the device has some solid features like an all-metal body and Snapdragon 810 chipset along with 4 GB of RAM. We put the device to test and checked its hardware and graphic capabilities.

Have a look at our benchmark, gaming and heating test:

The device sports a 5.2-inch quad HD IPS display, powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 chipset, with 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB storage. There is a 3000mAh battery pack with Quick Charge 2.0 feature, which means that the phone will be equipped with charging capabilities up to 75% faster than conventional charging mechanisms. The device runs on Android 5.1 Lollipop with Cyanogen OS 12.1.

We ran AnTuTu and Vellamo on our device and here are its scores along with OnePlus 2, and Nexus 5X:

Test

Yutopia

OnePlux 2

Qiku Q Terra

AnTuTu 60369 54929 65164

Vellamo (Metal) 1346 1678 2226

So, as you can see above, Yutopia scored 60,369 in the AnTuTu test and does better than OnePlus 2 but falls short of Qiku Terra’s score. However, a score of 60K is decent in our opinion. The Yutopia does poorly in comparison to the other two devices in the single core Vellamo test.

Questions Answered

The fingerprint scanner on the back is fast and responsive, and unlocks the phone quickly. The response time is right up there with the HTC One A9 and iPhone 6s.

There have been several queries regarding the OTG support on the device. We checked out this aspect and found that Yutopia does support OTG.

The device surprisingly does not heat up and after playing games like Asphalt 8, the phone stayed under 40-degree celsius, which is a sigh of relief for a device sporting a Snapdragon 810 chipset

We will have the full review of the Yu Yutopia soon. Meanwhile, you can click here to watch our unboxing and hands-on video.

December 18, 2015
OnePlus Power Bank is Back in Stock on Amazon

There’s good news for OnePlus fans out there. OnePlus is offering a limited stock of the OnePlus Power Bank starting today exclusively on Amazon India. The Power Bank is being offered at a price of Rs. 1,399.

The OnePlus Power Bank is curved and has a delicately crafted design that feels comfortable in the hand. The current limited stock of the OnePlus Power Bank is available in Sandstone Black. The device requires only 5-6 hours for power bank to charge to full capacity. It also contains 2 USB ports, 5V/2A, allowing fast, simultaneous charging of two devices. You’ll also receive a one-year manufacturing warranty along with the device.

 

So, if you’ve been eagerly waiting for the OnePlus Power Bank, now is the time to get it before the stock runs out. Head on over to Amazon India and shop away.

December 18, 2015
Apple Music to Have 8M Paid Subscribers This Year, 20M in 2016

Music analyst Mark Mulligan has estimated that Apple Music will have more than 8 million paid subscribers before the closing of 2015. The number will be more than double in 2016 as it is expected to hit 20 million.

If these numbers indeed turn out to be correct then Apple Music would have gained twice the number of subscribers within 6 months of what Spotify did in the first 4 years of its launch. Apple Music had become the number two music service by mid-2015 in a very brief period post its launch.

“Apple might not have found the subscription market quite the plain sailing it had anticipated but it has still managed to establish itself as the second player with astounding pace,” says Mulligan.

Come 2016, if Apple does indeed manage to get 20 million paid subscribers, it will be very close to catching up with Spotify, albeit still being on the no.2 spot.

December 18, 2015
Samsung and LG Smartphones to Not Have 4K Displays in 2016

There have been a lot of talk around whether Samsung and LG are planning to embrace Ultra HD (4K) panels for its smartphones in 2016. Latest reports from iNEWS has stated that Samsung in particular will stick with QHD (2560 by 1440) panels due to lack of 4K content in the market. Another report suggests that LG is pulling out too.

Another reason behind this decision is perhaps the overheating issues and power efficiency with 4K panels from LG Display and Samsung Display. Samsung would have benefited from 4K displays for its smartphone as would have worked well its Gear VR headset. However, the population for Gear VR users is still mighty low as of now, which is why Samsung deemed it unnecessary.

What these companies are planning to do instead is try to improve on its existing displays in power draw and outdoor visibility, especially the 1440p panels that are expected in next year’s flagships. Currently, Sony is the only phone manufacturer with 4K display resolution in the market.

December 18, 2015
Samsung Galaxy A9 Passes FCC, Likely to Launch in January

Samsung is not just busy with the flagship Galaxy S7 devices. We know that Samsung likes to equally focus on its low-end and mid-range devices too. Just a few weeks ago, Samsung’s Galaxy A7 was spotted on FCC, which meant that an official announcement was imminent. Now, the upcoming Galaxy A9 device has been spotted on FCC as well. This means that the device will soon be available to the public.

Yesterday, Samsung announced that it would be present at the CES press conference in January. The company’s blog mentioned that some announcements will take place at the event, but mostly centred around TV and home appliances. While it’s almost certain that Samsung will not unveil its flagship S7 devices at the event, it is now highly likely that the Galaxy A9 will debut at the CES.

A couple of days ago, leaked images from China emerged revealing that the Samsung Galaxy A9 is going to sport a 6-inch 1080p Super AMOLED display. It will also have a battery marked at 4000 mAh to match the huge screen.

Other specs are expected to include a 13 MP main camera, 8 MP front camera, 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage. Additionally, the phone would also have a fingerprint scanner, will run on octa-core Snapdragon 620 and come equipped with Samsung Pay. The Galaxy A9 is expected to be priced around $450 or close to Rs. 30,000.

December 18, 2015
iPhone 6C: Everything We Know So Far

It’s sort of a tradition now for Apple to release a cheaper variant of its flagship devices. it was the case for the iPhone 5C and so will be the case with the iPhone 6C. For weeks now we have been hearing rumours that Apple is working on a 4-inch iPhone. The device is likely called the iPhone 6C and here’s everything we know so far from the various rumours that have been going around. Let it also be known that Apple has not confirmed any of this.

Design

Ming-Chi Kuo, a prominent and reliable Apple analyst, has predicted that the company will indeed bring out a new 4-inch model. On the design front, it remains unknown whether the iPhone 6C will follow the aluminum iPhone 5S design or the candy-colored polycarbonate iPhone 5C, though we’re leaning towards the latter as some colourful polycarbonate frame will be a welcome sight rather than the usual colours of silver, space grey, gold, and rose gold.

Other rumours have suggested that the miniature iPhone will not come with a physical home button and will also ditch the 3D Touch feature, which makes sense if Apple is going for a cheaper device.

Display

One rumour in particular that has been making the rounds for a while is that the device would sport a sapphire display, which is highly scratch and shatter resistant. In fact, some of the higher-end Apple Watch models have sapphire display as well as OLED technology, which Apple is rumoured to bring to its next flagship device, but will not likely be seen in the iPhone 6C.

Processor

The iPhone 6C will come as an entry-level device, which means that it will not feature current-gen processor. That being said, the new iPhone 6C will likely move on from the A7 chip found in the iPhone 5S to the A8 chip in the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.

Camera and Storage

On the camera front don’t expect a major bump. The iPhone 6C will likely stick with an 8MP rear from the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus and might even let go of OIS. Apple rarely changes the storage options with its iPhones and is not likely to do so with the iPhone 6C as well. You can expect the device to be available in 16 GB and 32 GB variants.

Apple may be planning to launch the 4-inch iPhone 6C in the first half of 2016. We’ll know how much of the rumours come true as we approach the launch. Follow this space for more on the iPhone 6C.

December 17, 2015
Samsung Might Not Unveil Galaxy S7 at CES in January

The annual CES event is ready to kick off 2016 in style, promising some great new products and showcases by some of the biggest names in the industry. The event, which will take place in early January, will see Samsung unveiling some new products, too. And while many were eagerly expecting a new flagship smartphone in that list, that might not happen just yet.

Samsung released an invitation that confirms the Korean company’s presence at the CES along with a statement that read, “Samsung Electronics will once again kick off its CES with a major press conference, unveiling its latest innovations in TV, home appliances and more on January 5.”

It looks like the company’s main focus at the CES will be in unveiling a new TV and some home appliances, while there is no mention of smartphones. So, it looks unlikely that the Galaxy S7 flagship devices will be revealed in January, though Samsung has expressed its desire to have an early 2016 launch.

It is likely that the company will stick to a March launch for the upcoming devices like it did with the Galaxy S6. Samsung may still push the event forward, but we’ll know more as we approach closer to Samsung’s event.

December 17, 2015
Top 5 Power Banks of 2015

2015 is coming to an end and tradition tells us to cap it off by looking back at some of the best gadgets of the year. So, today we look at some of the best power banks that came out this year.

Xiaomi Mi Power Bank (10,400 mAh)

Xiaomi’s power banks have changed the way consumers in India look at power banks. They did exist before Xiaomi came into the picture, but one needs to credit the Chinese company for coming out with great looking power banks at a very reasonable price. The Mi Power Bank balances portability with capacity.

Asus Zen Power (10,050 mAh)

The Asus Zen Power is pricier than the Xiaomi Mi Power Bank and has a lower capacity compared to the latter. Light Weight aluminum outer casing gives a smooth and premium finish to the gadget and stays true to the Zen aesthetics. It also features fast charging capabilities with up to 2.4 A output which is the USP of the device. However, the cost remains a dampener here at Rs. 1,670.

 

Honor Powerbank (13,000 mAh)

The Honor Powerbank has enough juice to charge your device up to four times. Not only is this power bank big on capacity but it also comes with two ports which means you can simultaneously charge two devices like your phone and tablet. It has an aluminium unibody construction that is resistant to dust, can withstand light splashes of water and is protected from sweat corrosion. The device is priced at Rs. 1,399.

OnePlus Power Bank (10,000 mAh)

Chinese makers love to create beautiful devices. The OnePlus Power Bank is curved and has a delicately crafted design that feels comfortable in the hand. You get two OnePlus signatures textures to choose from: Silk White & Sandstone Black. The device requires only 5-6 hours for power bank to charge to full capacity. It also contains 2 USB ports, 5V/2A, allowing fast charging of more than one device at the same time. The Power Bank is currently sold out but keep your eyes open for when it comes back.

Sony CP-V10A Power Bank (10,000 mAh)

Not only does this power bank charge your smartphone and tablets, but it’s also compatible with other devices including XperiaTM, Cyber-shotTM, Handycam and Walkman players which can be charged via computer’s USB port or AC-USB adapter. The device is priced at Rs. 2,328.

 

December 17, 2015
Do You Use Your Smartphone While Driving?

A poll conducted in the US revealed that a vast number of people use smartphones while driving. The survey was conducted with 1300 people and about 80% of the participants confessed to using their smartphones while driving. However the frequency of the usage varied across users.

It seems technology is only getting more and more life-threatening every day. You may think your latest selfie is cool enough to be posted on Facebook immediately, but it’s definitely not cool enough for you to risk your life over it. Surprise, surprise.

[poll id=”36″]

December 17, 2015

Yu Yutopia Unboxing and Hands-On

Micromax spinoff , Yu televentures, launched the YUtopia today, this also marks Micromax/Yu’s first entry into the high end flagship scene for a price of Rs. 24999 .The handset ties in a lot of firsts for the company and also a good overall hardware package.

The Yutopia comes with an all metal construction from a single shell of alloy. Manufactured completely in India, the handset resembles and appears to be a premium version of the Yuphoria.

The phone is just 7.2 mm in thickness and around 155 grams in weight. It is well balanced and has a very lumia like camera protruding from the back.

The phone comes with good in-box accessories, including a screen protector, and house of Marley earphones The final box is expected to ship with an included back case.

The company has launched the phone on preorders on the website Amazon.in, and is expected to go on sale in late December.

While the Qualcomm snapdragon 810 chipset is surrounded by woes of heating, it seems adequate steps have been taken to ensure that heat is dissipated from the device and vents are seen around the back of the phone, disguised as microphone grills. The chipset runs on 2.0GHz octal core CPUs ensuring good in-hand feel especially when tied in with Cyanogen.

The 5.2 inch QHD display is also a first from the company and may be a first in the segment this year, with Oneplus leaving it out on the OnePlus 2. Leaving out the traditional Corning Gorilla Glass, the phone comes with CORNING CONCORE GLASS which is already fused with the display made by Sharp and considered the same as Gorilla Glass 3.

The 21 MP camera made by Sony seems promising, and is capable of capturing 4K video. The camera is fast and responsive and captures a lot of detail.

Check out our full Unboxing and hands on Video below.

pecification	YU Yutopia
Display	5.2 -inch Sharp WQHD IPS display, 2K
Resolution	2560×1440 pixels, 567 PPi
Chipset	64 bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 810
CPU	2.0 GHz Octa-core
GPU	Adreno 430
RAM	4 GB
Front Camera	8 MP FF
Rear Camera	21MP AF camera, 4K video recording
Storage	32 GB
Expandability	Using Micro SD card 128 GB
Battery	3,000 mAh battery with 2.0 Quick Charge
Operating System	Android Lollipop 5.1 with Cyanogen OS 12.1
Price	Rs. 24,999

December 17, 2015

Brazil Shuts Down WhatsApp for 48 Hours

Update: Within 12 hours of issuing it, the ban has been revoked. WhatsApp is working again in Brazil, for now.

Looks like it’s time to shove that smartphone aside for two days and look up from the phone screen if you’re in Brazil. The country has closed WhatsApp for 48 hours. Reasons for this have not been disclosed.

In the past, there has been much ado by Brazil’s telecommunication companies to curb interaction on WhatsApp. They claim that the free calling feature of the app is illegal and requires stricter regulations.In an attempt to distinguish itself from countries like the US, especially post the entire NSA spying scandal, Brazil had passed net neutrality laws in 2014, the internet ‘Bill of Rights’ being an example. Two years down the line, things seem to be taking a turn for the worse in Brazil. Soon, individuals would have to enter their address and phone numbers, among other details, to be able to use websites and apps.

With the government having given no explicit reason for this 48-hour long ban, the current picture is just as hazy as the future of WhatsApp in Brazil. The ban has already let to a huge uproar with grievances being expressed on social media. At the same time, WhatsApp competitors like Telegram are doing exceptionally well. Let’s see where it goes from here for the Brazilian cyber space and internet laws.

December 17, 2015

Spec Battle: YU Yutopia vs OnePlus 2 vs Qiku Q Terra vs Nexus 5X vs Moto X Play

Yu Televentures launched its flagship smartphone, Yu Yutopia, today and the smartphone, called “the most powerful phone ever” according to the company packs a bunch of high-end specs for a device priced at Rs. 24,999.

The device sports a 5.2-inch quad HD IPS display, powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 chipset, with 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB storage. There is a 3000mAh battery pack with Quick Charge 2.0 feature, which means that the phone will be equipped with charging capabilities up to 75% faster than conventional charging mechanisms. The device runs on Android 5.1 Lollipop with Cyanogen OS 12.1.

On the camera front, the Yutopia packs a massive 21MP AF rear with 4K video recording, Full HD video recording, with OIS and PDAF. There is an 8MP front-facing camera for selfie lovers. Other features include a fingerprint sensor that not only provides security but can also be used to take selfies. The device is launched at a very competitive price of Rs. 24,999 and is exclusively available for pre-booking on Amazon.in.

To find out just where the Yutopia device stands, we pit the smartphone against the OnePlus 2, Nexus 5X, Qiku Q Terra and the Moto X Play. Check out the specs of the devices and let us know what you think in the comments below.

Specification	YU Yutopia	OnePlus 2	Nexus 5X	Moto X Play	Qiku Q Terra
Display	5.2-inch Sharp WQHD IPS display, 2K	5.5-inch, LTPS LCD capacitive touchscreen, Corning Gorilla Glass	5.2-inch Full HD IPS display	5.5 inch, Capacitive touchscreen, Corning Gorilla Glass 3	6-inch full HD display, Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution	2560×1440 pixels, 567 ppi	1080 x 1920 pixels, 401 ppi	1920 x 1080 / 423ppi	1080 x 1920 pixels, 403 ppi	1920×1080 pixels, 386 ppi
Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon 810	Qualcomm Snapdragon 810	Qualcomm Snapdragon 808	Qualcomm Snapdragon 615	Qualcomm Snapdragon 808
CPU	1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 and 2.0 GHz Cortex-A57 octa-core processor	Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & Quad-core 2 GHz Cortex-A57	Quad-core 1.44 GHz Cortex-A53 & dual-core 1.82 GHz Cortex-A57	Octa-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 & Quad-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A53	2.3 GHz Quad-core processor
GPU	Adreno 430	Adreno 430	Adreno 418	Adreno 405	Adreno 430
RAM	4 GB	3/4 GB	2 GB	2 GB	3 GB
Front Camera	8 MP	5 MP	5 MP		8 MP f/2.4
Rear Camera	21 MP AF	13 MP	12.3 MP AF	21 MP rear, auto-HDR, dual-LED flash	13 MP f/2.2
Storage	32 GB	16 GB/ 64 GB	16 GB/ 32 GB	16 GB/ 32 GB	16 GB
Expandability	MicroSD card slot	NA	NA	MicroSD expandable up to 128 GB	Up to 128 GB via MicoSD
Battery	3000 mAh battery	3,300 mAh battery	2,700 mAh	3630 mAh battery	3,700 mAh battery
Connectivity	–	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot, dual SIM Bluetooth v4.1, A2DPGPS with A-GPS, GLONASS,	Wi-Fi 802.11 a, b, g, n, ac / Bluetooth 4.2 / NFC / Type-C USB	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-bandBluetooth v4.0, Micro USB v2.0	Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz b/g/n WCN3680 / Bluetooth 4.0/ 4G LTE
Operating System	Android 5.1 Lollipop with Cyanogen 12.1 OS	Android 5.1.1 Lollipop	Android 6.0 Marshmallow	Android 5.1 Lollipop	Android 5.1.1 Lollipop-based 360 OS
Price	Rs. 24,999	Rs 22,999 (16 GB)/24,999 (64 GB)	Rs. 24,000 (16 GB)/ Rs. 33,990 (32 GB)	Rs. 18,499 (16 GB), Rs. 19,999 (32 GB)	Rs. 19,999 (invite)/ Rs. 21,999 (without invite)

December 17, 2015

YU Yutopia Launches with 21 MP Camera For Rs. 24,999

YU Yutopia launches at a price of Rs. 24,999 at an official event in Delhi today. Along with Micromax co-founder and CEO, Rahul Sharma, the event was attended by Kirt McHare, CEO of Cyanogen, Sunil Lalvani, President of Qualcomm India, and Tokuji Hayakawa, Managing Director of Sharp.

Yutopia is company’s first flagship and is manufactured entirely in India. The phone has a super-slim 7.2 mm body, comes with a 5.2 inch Quad HD display and runs on Qualcomm Snapdragon 810. Some of the other highlights of the YU Yutopia include:

Camera: Speculations regarding the camera of the device have been proven true as Yutopia is equipped with a whopping 21 MP camera with 4K video recording. The camera is manufactured by Sony.

Fingerprint Sensor: Yutopia also boasts of a fingerprint sensor -which can be used not only for security purposes but also for clicking a selfie. It’s very low on power consumption, claimed Rahul Sharma at the event.

Battery: The phone has a a 3000 mAh battery with Quick Charge. This also means that the phone will be equipped with charging capabilities up to 75% faster than conventional charging mechanisms.

https://www.facebook.com/iGyaanIn/videos/vb.138708732815524/1103280906358297/

Around YU: YU has become the first mobile brand to integrate a host of services under one name and it’s called Around YU. It ensures that the user no longer requires multiple apps for different things like shopping, ordering food, booking tickets etc.
Around YU would let you book cabs, flight and check PNR status; railway ticket booking will come soon, promises YU. This integrated service will get customised and become user-specific as it is used over time. Like HTC BlinkFeed, it is present on the left-most corner of the screen and is described by Rahul Sharma as, “new way to discover your services, to discover your life”.

Find all other specs of Yu Yutopia below.

Specification	YU Yutopia
Display	5.2 -inch Sharp WQHD IPS display, 2K
Resolution	2560×1440 pixels, 567 PPi
Chipset	64 bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 810
CPU	2.0 GHz Octa-core
GPU	Adreno 430
RAM	4 GB
Front Camera	8 MP FF
Rear Camera	21MP AF camera, 4K video recording
Storage	32 GB
Expandability	Using Micro SD card
Battery	3,000 mAh battery with 2.0 Quick Charge
Operating System	Android Lollipop 5.1 with Cyanogen OS 12.1
Price	Rs. 24,999

There is a Fast Charger in the box along with House of Marley earphones. Pre-orders for Yutopia begin exclusively on Amazon starting at 2 PM today. It will be ready for shipping 26th December onwards.

Stay tuned for our unboxing and hands on.

December 17, 2015

Watch the Launch of the Yu Yutopia Here

Yu Televentures is ready to launch the Yu Yutopia flagship smartphone. Click here to watch now : YUtopia Live!

December 17, 2015
Samsung to Have Snapdragon 820 Exclusivity Until April

As we all know, Qualcomm is ready to start off the new year with its new and powerful Snapdragon 820 chipset. And it has also been rumoured that many of 2016’s flagship devices will sport the new chipset. However, word around the rumour mill is that Samsung is planning to keep the chipset to itself for the first three months.

Here’s why that is. As you may also know that Samsung is planning to unveil its next flagship Galaxy S7 devices. These devices will come in two versions. One will sport Qualcomm’s newest chipset while the other will feature the Exynos 8890 chipset. And Samsung wants exclusive rights to the Snapdragon 820, at least initially. The company wants to show off the new SoC with the Galaxy S7 before anyone else gets there.

So what does this mean for other companies like Xiaomi which is ready to launch the Mi 5 flagship smartphone with the Snapdragon 820 chipset? The Chinese company had already delayed the launch that was initially supposed to take place in December due to the launch of the Snapdragon 820 chipset. Now, if rumours are true and Samsung does indeed hold exclusive rights to the next-gen SoC until April, then this would mean that other flagship devices like the Mi 5 and LG G5 won’t see a launch in the first quarter.

Samsung’s next flagship smartphone has been rumoured to come with a pressure sensitive screen (like Apple’s 3D Touch), a retina scanner, a USB Type-C port, and an improved camera, among other things.

December 17, 2015

Test	Yutopia	OnePlux 2	Qiku Q Terra
AnTuTu	60369	54929	65164
Vellamo (Metal)	1346	1678	2226

Blog

Test

Yutopia

OnePlux 2

Qiku Q Terra

Questions Answered

Design

Display

Processor

Camera and Storage

Xiaomi Mi Power Bank (10,400 mAh)

Asus Zen Power (10,050 mAh)

Honor Powerbank (13,000 mAh)

OnePlus Power Bank (10,000 mAh)

Sony CP-V10A Power Bank (10,000 mAh)