Blog

The Motorola One Action, Who Should Buy It?

Motorola has freshly announced the Motorola One Action in India which features an unconventionally tall display that has an aspect ratio of 21:9. The smartphone is offered in a single storage configuration and is priced at Rs 13,999.

Falling in a price bracket that is one of the most popular, the question arises where does the Motorola offering stand in front of smartphones like the Redmi Note 7 Pro and Realme 5 Pro that are laden with features.

In this article, we will look at both the pros and cons of the Motorola One Action. Besides, we will also discuss, who should get the latest offering from the company that birthed mobile phones in 1973.

In order to provide a reference point, we have laid out the specifications of the Motorola One Action and its competitors in a tabular manner.

Feature/
Device

Motorola One Action

Realme 5 Pro

Redmi Note 7 Pro

Display

6.3 inch LCD

432 ppi

21:9 Aspect Ratio

Punch Hole

6.3 inch LCD

409 ppi

Corning Gorilla Glass 3+

19.5:9 Aspect Ratio

Waterdrop Notch

6.3 inch LCD

409 ppi

Corning Gorilla Glass 5

19.5:9 Aspect Ratio

Waterdrop Notch

Front Camera

12 MP

16 MP

13 MP

Rear Camera

12 MP (PDAF)

16 MP (ultrawide)

5 MP (Depth Sensor)

48 MP (PDAF)

8 MP (ultrawide)

2 MP (Depth Sensor)

2 MP (Macro Lens)

48MP (PDAF)

5 MP (Depth Sensor)

Battery

3,500 mAh

10 W Fast Charging

10 W Box Charger

4035 mAh

20 W Fast Charging

20 W Vooc Charger (In Box)

4,000 mAh

18 W Fast Charging

10 W Box Charger

Security

Rear Mounted Fingerprint Sensor

Face Unlock

Rear Mounted Fingerprint Sensor

Face Unlock

Rear Mounted Fingerprint Sensor

Face Unlock

Chipset

Exynos 9609

Octa Core CPU

Mali G72 MP3 GPU

Snapdragon 712

Octa Core CPU

Adreno 616 GPU

Snapdragon 675

Octa Core CPU

Adreno 612 GPU

Price

4 GB + 128 GB: Rs 13,999

4 GB + 64 GB: Rs 13,999

6 GB + 64 GB: Rs 14,999

8 GB + 128 GB: Rs 16,999

4 GB + 64 GB: Rs 13,999

6 GB + 64 GB: Rs 14,999

6 GB + 128 GB: Rs 16,999

Build (Front/Rear)

Front Glass

Rear Plastic

Front Glass

Rear Plastic

Front Glass

Rear Glass

Android 9 Pie

Android One

Android 9 Pie

ColorOS 6

Android 9 Pie

MIUI 10

We can clearly see that the Motorola One Action not only has a smaller battery but it also does not support 18 W or 20 W fast charging like its competitors. We feel this is the only con that the newly launched smartphone has.

However, if fast charging is not your biggest concern and you can overlook this aspect. There are plenty of features that he Motorola One Action offers which are listed below:

Bloatware Free Experience: The Motorola One Action runs on the stock version of Android 9 Pie which is devoid of any custom skins. Therefore, the UI is free from any intrusive ads that Xioami owners would be well aware of.
Besides, it does not have any bloatware or custom apps that are found on devices including Xiaomi and Realme. Although it is debatable, we believe stock Android offers a much more slick UI and first-time device owners can learn it without much hassle.

Moreover, there are no proprietary versions of apps like gallery or music that continuously prompt for device permissions like storage and location which may send user data off-shore to data centres in the name of improving user experience.
Android One Certification: Like most other Android smartphones from the company, the Motorola One Action is a part of the Android One Program. Therefore, it is assured to receive at least two upgrades of Android operating system and security patches for 36 months which is a considerable factor.
In the case of Motorola One Action, the smartphone is guaranteed to receive the upcoming Android 10 which was freshly unveiled and its succeeding version which will be unveiled in 2020.
21:9 Aspect Ratio Display: The Motorola One Action has a 6.3 inch LCD display that has a pixel density of 432 ppi. As observed with the previously launched Motorola One Vision, the latest offering from the company also has an unconventionally tall display that has an aspect ratio of 21:9.
For readers who do not know most of the movies are shot in 21:9 ratio and the content creators on YouTube are also gradually moving over to his aspect ratio. To make it easier to understand, the black area above and below any video content is minimised while viewing them on the Motorola One Action. Therefore, it is able to provide an immersive viewing experience.
Punch Hole Camera: The 6.3-inch display of the Motorola One Action features a punch hole that houses the selfie camera. In comparison to the waterdrop notch that is found on almost every other Android smartphone, the punch hole looks a lot more futuristic and intriguing.
Due to this feature alone, the Motorola One Action stands out the crowd and could be a conversation starter while in a social or formal gathering.
128 GB Storage: As we know the Motorola One Action is offered in just one storage capacity that is 4 GB + 128 GB. Unlike its competition, Motorola has opted to go with 128 GB of onboard storage on the sole, base variant. While its competitors are offered in the same ROM capacity, they are at more expensive than the Moto offering.
Based on our experience and encounters, most users buy 32 GB or 64 GB variants of mid-range smartphones and after the 4G revolution and plenty of digital content to consume, they find these storage capacities filling up quickly. On the other hand, 128 GB is perfect for most users.

In addition, if power users end up filling the whole storage, they are covered with the support of memory expansion upto 512 GB via a microSD card.
117 Degree Action Camera: One of the key highlighting features of the Motorola One Action is its 117-degree ultra-wide video camera. Ingeniously, Motorola has mounted the sensor in a sideways position.
This allows the users to shoot landscape video with the Motorola One Action even when it is held in portrait orientation. This feature is inspired from action cameras like GoPro, which also explains the name of the smartphone.
Moto Actions: Staple to most Android smartphones from the company, the Motorola One Action also supports ‘Moto Actions’, some of which include ‘Fast Torch’, ‘Three Finger Screenshot’ and ‘Quick Capture’.

In order to toggle the flashlight on the Motorola One Action, the users can quickly shake the handset in a back and forth motion. The same gesture can be used to toggle the flashlight off.
To quickly pull up the camera application, the users can twist their wrist twice while holding the Moto One Action. Moreover, the same gesture can be used to switch between the front and rear camera.

As the name suggests, holding three fingers on the display captures a screenshot which is much easier than pressing the power button and volume button simultaneously or clicking the button from the navigation menu.

Until one has actually used these gestures to toggle certain features they would not know how much utility to provide. On top of that, this is something that other companies should draw inspiration from as it does not require any additional hardware.

Also Read: The OnePlus TV Will Have A 55 Inch QLED Display, Company Confirms

To sum things up, Motorola One Action has turned out to be a better offering than we initially thought it to be. Most importantly, all of these features make sense because the company has managed to price the device aggressively.

In case, the device was priced at Rs 16,000 or upwards, most of the features have been overshadowed due to the fierce competition.

The answer to the question “Who Should Buy The Motorola One Action?” is, anyone who is looking for an elegant mid-range smartphone that offers up to date features and has an innovative ultrawide camera.

Don’t forget to watch our unboxing video of the smartphone.

August 23, 2019

Motorola One Action Unboxing And Hands On
Motorola launched its One series of smartphones back in 2018. The range is distinguished by its Android One support and its latest instalment has just been launched in India. Motorola One Action is a mid-range smartphone with a triple camera setup on the rear. Here is our unboxing and hands on of the newly launched device.

Video

What’s In The Box?
- Motorola One Action
- Power Adapter
- Type-C Cable
- Quick Start Guide
- Safety Information and Warranty Card
- Case
- SIM Tray Ejector
Design

The Motorola One Action bears similarilities in design with the previously released Motorola One Vision. However, unlike the latter, the former has a plastic back rather than a glass one. The device measures 160.1 x 71.2 x 9.2mm and weighs about a 181g. On the front, the device features minimal bezels which is in part due to its in display punch hole selfie camera. The build feels robust and the polycarbonate back rounds the corners as well.

Motorola One Action’s flanks house the volume rockers and power button on the right while the left is bare with just a SIM card slot. On the rear, the device has a triple camera module on the top left with an LED flash right below it. The signature batwing style “M” logo is found in the fingerprint scanner in the middle while the Android One branding can be seen at the bottom.

Display

Motorola One Action features a 6.3 inch LTPS IPS LCD Full HD+ display with a resolution of 2520 x 1080px. Notably, the device has an aspect ratio of 21:9 which is great for watching movies or videos that are also natively filmed at this ratio. Usually, black bars have to fill the top and bottom due to devices having an 18:9 display. The display, as mentioned above, has a punch hole selfie camera which also allows for an unintrusive viewing experience.

Chipset, Storage and Other Features

Under the hood, the Motorola One Action houses the Exynos 9609 SoC which is manufactured using a 10nm fabrication process. Interestingly, the chipset is also found in the Motorola One Vision as well. The mobile CPU consists of an octa core processor which is clocked at 2.2GHz alongside the Mali G72 MP3 GPU. It offers 4GB of RAM which is coupled with 128GB of internal storage similar to the One Vision. Furthermore, the storage of the handset can be further expanded up to 512GB via a microSD card.

Camera

Motorola’s One Action stands out from the One Vision with a triple camera setup over the latter’s dual cameras housing. The primary lens is a 12MP shooter with f/1.8 aperture alongwith 5MP depth sensor combined with a wide angle action camera with a 117 degree field of view. On the front, the device houses a 12MP with f/2.0 aperture and 1.25um pixel size for selfies.

Battery and Connectivity

The device is powered by a 3,500mAh battery which unfortunately does not support fast charging with only a 10W charge rating. For connectivity, Motorola One Action includes Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, dual 4G VoLTE, GPS, NFC and bottom mounted 3.5 mm jack and USB Type C port which can be used for charging and data syncing.

Colour Options and Other Features

Motorola One Action is available in two colour options that are Denim Blue and Pearl White. Additionally, the device packs many noteworthy features such as face unlock, Action Cam, 21:9 display, Moto Actions and Gesture support and more. It also houses many of the basic sensors like a fingerprint reader, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, Gyroscope and others. Notably, the smartphone is an Android One device which means it is guaranteed to receive to major OS updates and three years security updates.

Also Read: Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Lineup Will Support Dedicated Gaming Accessories

Price and Availability

Motorola One Action can be purchased from 30th August 2019 and will be available from Flipkart.com and will also arrive in select offline stores. The price of the single storage variant (4GB RAM + 128GB ROM) is INR 13,999.

Click here to check out the Motorola One Action on Flipkart
August 23, 2019
The OnePlus TV Will Have A 55 Inch QLED Display, Company Confirms

OnePlus, a Chinese electronics OEM who is best known for its smartphones, announced last year that it will release a Television soon. While the details about the device were scarce for a while, a few days ago, the company revealed that the OnePlus TV is ready for primetime and will be launched next month in September. As we move closer to the official announcement, OnePlus has finally revealed the display size and type of the device. According to a post on microblogging website Twitter by the company’s official handle, the upcoming OnePlus TV will have a 55-inch QLED display.

OnePlus TV

Upgrade to an unparalleled viewing experience with a 55″ QLED display on the OnePlus TV ?

Get notified – https://t.co/LTDvaPHwH0 pic.twitter.com/Wyg4aONW9W
— OnePlus India (@OnePlus_IN) August 22, 2019

As mentioned above, the OnePlus TV will feature a QLED display panel measuring 55 inches. QLED or 4K Quantum Dot displays are a more affordable offering than the competing OLED panels, which have become ubiquitous in televisions these days. Alongside the tweet, the company also posted a link to Amazon India, which means that the upcoming device may exclusively be available on the e-commerce platform when it is launched in India. Users can register by going to the link in the tweet and click on the “Notify Me” button to receive a notification when the television is available for sale.

Also read: Nokia Announces Android 10 Update Schedule For Existing Smartphones

OnePlus has already confirmed in the past that its television will be first launched in the Indian market next month. This will be followed by its release in Europe and North American market later this year. As the company is known for making premium, affordable smartphones, the OnePlus TV can also be expected to be a premium device. While the pricing and other details are not available yet, we will not have to wait too long to find out as the release date is just around the corner.

August 23, 2019
Nokia Announces Android 10 Update Schedule For Existing Smartphones
In the last couple of hours, we have received two major news from Google and Nokia. First, that Google’s Android Q’s official name is Android 10. Second, Nokia has announced its Android 10 schedule for its existing smartphones that are part of the Android One program. The announcements came one after the other and here’s a short breakdown of it.

Nokia Update Timeline

Nokia had re-entered the global market with its Android One smartphones two years ago. Since then, the company has seen a warm welcome owing to a bloatware-free experience its devices offer. Most of the handsets offered by Nokia are targetted towards mid to budget range which is uncommon for an Android One device to be. For those unaware, it is a program started by Google that ensures the device running the stock Android gets at least two major Android updates and security patches for three years.

After being the fastest to upgrade Nokia phones from N to O and O to P, I am super excited to share with you that the Q(ueue) for Nokia phones is moving fast as we get ready to welcome Android 10 on Nokia smartphones – roll out starts in Q4, 2019! #Nokiamobile #android10 pic.twitter.com/qXM4ZXAPBo
— Juho Sarvikas (@sarvikas) August 22, 2019

In other words, Nokia devices are ensured for long term use. The company shared its schedule regarding the roll-out of Android Q on its devices which is as follows:

2019 Q4:
- Nokia 7.1
- Nokia 8.1
- Nokia 9 PureView
2020 Q1:
- Nokia 6.1
- Nokia 6.1 Plus
- Nokia 7 Plus
- Nokia 2.2
- Nokia 3.1 Plus
- Nokia 3.2
- Nokia 4.2
- Nokia 1 Plus
- Nokia 5.1 Plus
- Nokia 8 Sirocco
2020 Q2:
- Nokia 2.1
- Nokia 3.1
- Nokia 5.1
- Nokia 1
Google Android 10

Google has officially announced that it is parting from its beloved naming philosophy. The sweet-toothed names that were associated with each new generation of the OS are finally being sobered down. It has been confirmed that Android Q will officially be called Android 10. The reason the company said for this major change is to help people understand generations better.

Also Read: Samsung Announces Galaxy A30s, Features A Triple Rear Camera

The example given out was that some regions cannot distinguish between L or R in regional languages. So, simply saying Lollipop makes no sense to them. Thus, Google is employing a clean, sober and chronological name scheming. It would also seek to not have certain countries in the world feel left out over dessert names from their region (R for Rasgulla Or L for Laddo ;)). The move by Google is purely unifying and simplifying in nature.
August 23, 2019
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Lineup Will Support Dedicated Gaming Accessories
Chinese conglomerate, Xiaomi is bracing for the launch of Redmi Note 8 smartphone lineup which will be unveiled on the 29th of August. As the launch date of the handsets near, the company keeps on sharing more details about them.

According to a fresh teaser, the upcoming Redmi Note 8 smartphones will have exclusive gaming accessories including a gamepad with a joystick. Moreover, it has been revealed that the devices will have a liquid cooling system which will keep the temperatures under check during intensive gaming.

The teaser shared by the company reveals that the liquid cooling system is capable of reducing temperatures as much as 6-degree C which is a considerable difference.

Besides, the company had previously shared a bar graph that compares the Antutu benchmark of three mid-range chipsets which include the MediaTek Helio G90T, Huawei Kirin 810 and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 710. For readers who are unaware, the upcoming Redmi Note 8 smartphones will be equipped with the Helio G90T chipset.

The chart reveals that the SoC found in Xiaomi’s offering registers a significantly higher score than the SD710 which is present on devices like the Realme X (a competitor of the Redmi Note 8). However, the G90T scores a slightly lower score than the Kirin 810 which is found on the Huawei 9x and 9X Pro.

Redmi Note 8 Pro Leaked Images

Also Read: Samsung Launches Galaxy A50s With Improved Cameras And Holographic Back

According to past reports and leaks, the specifications of the Redmi Note 8 Pro will be as follows:
- Display: 6.3 inch IPS LCD, Waterdrop Notch
- Design: Front Glass, Rear Glass
- Storage Variants: 6 GB + 64 GB, 6 GB + 128 GB, 8 GB + 128 GB
- Battery: 5,000 mAh, 18 W Fast Charging
- Chipset: Helio G90T
- Read Camera: Quad Sensor (64 MP Primary Sensor)
- Biometric Security: Rear Mounted Fingerprint Sensor
In order to learn the official specs and price of the Redmi Note 8 lineup, we will have to wait for the official announcement. As previously mentioned, the handsets will be unveiled on the 29th of August in China.
August 23, 2019
Motorola One Action Mid Range Smartphone Launched In India
Earlier this month, Motorola LLP launched the Motorola One Action smartphone in several countries that include Brazil, Mexico and a few European regions. On the 23rd of August, the handset has been launched in India as well. Like the previously launched Motorola One Vision, it also has an unconventionally tall display and is Android One Certified.

Motorola One Action Design and Features

The newly launched Motorola One Action has glass on the front while its rear panel is made out of plastic. Holding the device together is a polycarbonate chassis. The handset measures 160.1 x 71.2 x 9.2 mm and it weighs 181g.

The front of the Motorola One Action accommodates a 6.3 inch LTPS IPS display that has a resolution of 2520 x 1080 px and a pixel density of 432 ppi. As previously launched Moto One Vision, it also has an unconventionally tall display that has a 21:9 aspect ratio.

Noteworthy, the display of the smartphone has punch hole on the top left corner which makes room for the 12 MP selfie camera. For rapidly and securely bypassing the lock screen, it has a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor. Besides, it also supports face unlock technology and the traditional screen lock.

The Motorola One Action runs on the latest Android 9 Pie and it is Android One certified. The certification states that the smartphone is assured to get two major Android updates and security updates for three years.

Under the hood, it is kitted with Exynos 9609 SoC which is manufactured by Samsung. The chipset is comprised of an octa-core CPU and the Mali G72 MP3 GPU.

In addition to the selfie camera, the Motorola One Action has a triple rear camera setup which consists of an f/1.8 aperture equipped 12 MP sensor, 5 MP depth sensor and an ultrawide sensor that has a 117-degree field of view. Notably, the wide-angle sensor is arranged in a sideways manner which means the device can capture landscape videos even when it is held in portrait mode.

The Motorola One Action is powered by a 3,500 mAh battery which shockingly supports on 10 W fast charging. Connectivity options on the handset include 802.11 ac Wi-Fi, 4G VoLTE, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, USB Type C port and a 3.5 mm headphone jack.

Motorola One Action Price, Storage Variants and Colours

Also Read: Nokia Announces Android 10 Update Schedule For Existing Smartphones

The Motorola One Action is offered in three colour options which include Denim Blue, Pearl White. As observed with several other offerings from the company, the newly launched handset will be sold online on Flipkart.com and select offline retailers. The sale of the smartphone will commence from the 30th of August.

In terms of memory and storage, the Motorola One Action is available in just one variant for which the price is as follows:
- 4 GB + 128 GB: Rs 13,999
Click here to check the official listing of Motorola One Action on Flipkart

Overall, the device has an elegant design and is comprised of modest features. However, we will have to see how it fairs against the likes of the Redmi Note 7 Pro and Realme 5 Pro.
August 23, 2019
Samsung Announces Galaxy A30s, Features A Triple Rear Camera
Samsung had first introduced its Galaxy A series of smartphones back in 2014. The focus of this range was at upper mid range as well as affordable smartphones. Today (22nd of August), the company in a very quiet manner has released two new devices named Galaxy A30s and Galaxy A50s. Both devices will directly succeed the previously released Galaxy A30 and Galaxy A50 that were launched earlier this year.

Galaxy A30s

The Galaxy A30s sports a 6.4-inch HD+ Super AMOLED Infinity-V display which means it has a waterdrop notch on the top. Its display has a resolution of 1560x720px. On the front, the notch houses necessary sensors alongside the 16MP selfie shooter with an f/2.0 aperture. Its rear features a holographic carbonate back which provides an attractive look. For security, the device also has an in display fingerprint scanner which was not present in its predecessor.

Under the hood, the Galaxy A30s sports the Exynos 7904 chipset core SoC which consists of an Octa Core CPU. One core difference that the Galaxy A30s has in comparison to its preceding device is an additional camera sensor. The A30 only had a dual camera setup while the updated one has a triple camera setup. The primary is a 25MP (f/1.7 aperture) sensor along with the 5MP depth sensor and an 8MP ultra wide lens.

Samsung’s Galaxy A30s is powered by a large 4,000mAh battery which supports 15W fast charging. For connectivity, the device features usual WiFi, Bluetooth, 4G VoLTE, GPS, 3.5mm headphone jack and a USB Type-C port. It runs the latest Android 9 Pie and which is skinned with One UI. Additionally, the left of the device houses both the power button and volume rockers while the left is bare. On the bottom, you will find a USB-C port flanked by a headphone jack and lone speaker grill.

Also Read: LG Announces Mid Range Smartphones, K40s and K50s With Military Grade Durability

Price & Availability

The Galaxy A30s will be offered in multiple colours named Prism Crush Black, Prism Crush White, Prism Crush Green and Prism Crush Violet. Furthermore, it is available in two storage options which are as follows:
- 3 GB + 32 GB
- 4 GB + 64 GB
Unfortunately, Samsung hasn’t announced the price of the smartphone. However, it can be expected to arrive in the sub-20k bracket similar to its predecessor.
August 22, 2019
Samsung Launches Galaxy A50s With Improved Cameras And Holographic Back

Korean smartphone maker, Samsung, on the 22nd of August silently updated its two existing smartphones which were launched earlier year. The newly launched devices are dubbed the Galaxy A50s and Galaxy A30s and they have improved camera optics and a different back panel in comparison to their predecessors.

In this article, we will discuss the Galaxy A50s, however, if you want to see the specs and features of the Galaxy A30 you can do so by clicking this link.

Galaxy A50s Design and Features

Like its predecessors, the Galaxy A50s has glass on the front and a polycarbonate back. However, instead of a solid colour rear panel, the new device has a holographic design which looks very elegant. The handset measures 158.5 x 74.7 x 7.7 mm and it tips the scale at 169g.

The front of the Samsung Galaxy A50s accommodates a 6.4-inch Infinity U display. The display on the devices uses a Super AMOLED panel that has a resolution of 2340 x 1080 px. Like the Galaxy A50, it also features an in-display fingerprint scanner. The power button and volume rockers are situated on the right side of the device while the SIM card tray is placed on the left side.

The rear glasstic panel of Galaxy A50 has a triple rear camera setup which is comprised of a 48 MP + 5 MP + 8 MP sensors. It also features an f/2.0 aperture equipped 25 MP front camera which is placed in the Infinity U notch above the display.

It is powered by a 4,000 mAh battery which supports 15 W fast charging via the bottom-mounted USB Type-C port. Under the hood, the Galaxy A50s packs the Exynos 9610 chipset which consists of four Cortex A73 cores, four A53 cores and Mali G72 MP3 GPU. Connectivity options on the handset include 802.11 ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS and 3.5 mm audio jack.

Also Read: Google To Launch The Nest Mini Smart Speaker Alongside The Pixel 4 Lineup

Unfortunately, Samsung has not revealed the price of either the Galaxy A50s or the Galaxy A30s. Nonetheless, it is expected to be announced at the upcoming IFA Berlin convention which will kick off from the 6th of September.

Although the new smartphone is not a huge upgrade but improved optics and all new holographic rear panel are a welcoming addition.

August 22, 2019
Google To Launch The Nest Mini Smart Speaker Alongside The Pixel 4 Lineup

Back at the Google I/O in the month of May, the company announced that it is rebranding the Home lineup of devices to be called the Nest series. This means that going forward, all the smart speakers and smart displays that once featured in the Google Home range, will now be referred to as Google Nest devices. Now, the latest reports claim that the company is planning to add another smart speaker to the lineup. Allegedly called the Nest Mini, it will be the successor to the Home Mini speaker, which was first unveiled in the year 2017.

Google Nest Mini

Google Home, Home Mini

According to a report by a known publication, the upcoming smart speaker by Google will be known as the Nest Mini. It will have roughly the same size as its predecessor, with the latest device speculated to be slightly larger. New features that are expected in the upgrade are better sound quality, with more bass and higher maximum volume. It is being rumoured that the Nest Mini will bring along a wall mount built-in. This may be an indication that the speakers will be mountable on the user’s wall with the help of screws.

Another addition to the upcoming Google Nest Mini will be a 3.5mm audio port, which the Home Mini lacked. The addition of the port will allow users to connect their smartphone to the speaker directly via an auxiliary cable. It will also bring the device in line to its competitor, the Amazon Echo Dot, which has the 3.5mm audio port since its launch in the year 2016. The upcoming smart speaker may also have some kind of proximity awareness, which is speculated to include certain motion sensors. These may be able to detect emergency situations like fire and smoke, or may just be used for directional audio features.

Also read: Upcoming PUBG Mobile Update Will Add Helicopters, RPGs And Combat Vehicles

Pricing for the Google Nest Mini is reported to stay the same, so the device, when launched may be priced at US$49 (INR 4,999 in India) just like its the Home Mini. The smart speakers are expected to launch alongside the Pixel 4 series of smartphones, which have historically been announced in October. If the aforementioned launch date turns out to be correct, which seems highly likely, we may not have to wait too long to confirm the details about the Nest Mini.

August 22, 2019
Upcoming PUBG Mobile Update Will Add Helicopters, RPGs And Combat Vehicles

PUBG Mobile has seen massive success across the globe. The credit to Tencent Games’ mobile port is definitely its hardworking developers that brought popular battle royale franchise to handheld devices. But, a multiplayer game is only alive as long as the game is constantly updated with new content and features. Hence, a bold new update is bringing the fight from the skies with helicopters soon being added to the game.

New Vehicles

Previously, Tencent Games had confirmed that it was working on a rework of the map Erangel for PUBG Mobile which was first introduced in PUBG PC. Now, the company is further expanding on that update by also rolling out new types of vehicles that bring an entirely new dimension of aerial combat. The helicopter itself seems to bear resemblance to the real-life Boeing AH-6 Light Helicopter.

It can be found on a helipad on top of School in Erangel and is currently in the beta version of the Chinese build of PUBG Mobile. Furthermore, a new BRDM combat ground vehicle will be added to the game which was also first seen in PUBG PC. BRDM is a vehicle that is extremely durable against gunfire and explosions and can travel both on land and water.

New Weapons

PUBG Mobile’s update that brings the helicopters may turn the tide heavily in the favour of those that get to the chopper first. However, gamers do not worry as Tencent is also adding a bunch of new guns to counter the flying vehicle. In the new update, a homing missile launcher will be present to make sure the hail of bullets from above do not win from mere advantageous positioning.

Also Read: Oppo Has Revealed The Full Specs Of The Reno 2 Before Launch

It means that both the team on the ground and the ones flying in the sky need to keep an eye on each others movement. Other guns such as a grenade launcher is also being added and will be one of the go to weapons against BRDM users in PUBG Mobile. Unfortunately, it is currently unknown when the feature goes live since it is only available in China, but a global launch is expected to arrive soon.

August 22, 2019

LG Announces Mid Range Smartphones, K40s and K50s With Military Grade Durability

Korean electronics maker, LG has launched two new mid range smartphones ahead of IFA Berlin 2019. Dubbed the K50s and K40s, they are members of the K series which is targeted towards the budget segment. Both the newly launched devices have heterogenous chipset with key difference being display size, rear camera and battery capacity.

LG K50s and K40s Features

Both the LG K50s and the K40s have a similar design with a water drop notch display on the front and a glass back. While the former sports a 6.5 inch display, the latter sports a 6.1 inch display. Display panels on both the smartphones have an HD+ resolution.

The LG K50s and the K40s feature a 13 MP selfie camera which is housed in the waterdrop notch above the display. Both handsets also have a rear mounted fingerprint sensor along with the company branding and the camera setup. While the K40s has 13 MP + 5 MP dual rear cameras, the K50s has a triple camera which consists of same sensor as the former in addition to a 2 MP depth sensor.

In terms of battery, the K40s is powered by a 3500 mAh battery while the K50s is powered by a 4000 mAh battery. Both the smartphones feature an Octa Core CPU which is clocked at 2.0 GHz. Additional features of the newly launched K series smartphones include 3D Surround Sound and MIL-STD 810G compliance.

Both the LG K50s and the K40s are offered in two colour variants which include New Aurora Black and New Morrocan Black. Unfortunately, LG has not yet revealed the price of these smartphones. However, it is expected to be announced at IFA Berlin which will kick off from the 6th of September.

For easy reference we have also listed their specs in a tabular manner which are as follows:

LG K50s and K40s Quick Specs

Also Read: Apple Will Launch A Stylus With iPhone 11, Suggests Luxury Casemaker

	LG K50s	LG K40s
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT	165.8 x 77.5 x 8.2mm	156.3 x 73.9 x 8.6mm
DISPLAY	6.1-inch 19.5:9 HD+ FullVision Display	6.5-inch 19.5:9 HD+ FullVision Display
PROCESSOR	octa-core 2 GHz	octa-core 2 GHz
MEMORY	3 GB RAM, 32 GB micro SD support (upto 2 TB)	2 GB RAM, 32 GB micro SD support (upto 2 TB)
SOFTWARE	Android 9 Pie	Android 9 Pie
CONNECTIVITY	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 5, GPS	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS
CAMERA	13 MP (PDAF) 5 MP (Wide Angle) 2 MP (Depth Sensor)	13 MP (PDAF) 5 MP (Wide Angle)
BATTERY	4000 mAh	3,400 mAh
ADDITIONAL FEATURES	Rear Mounted Fingerprint Sensor DTS:X 3D Surround Sound MIL-STD 810G Compliance Google Assistant Button	Rear Mounted Fingerprint Sensor DTS:X 3D Surround Sound MIL-STD 810G Compliance Google Assistant Button

August 22, 2019

Oppo Has Revealed The Full Specs Of The Reno 2 Before Launch

Previously, Oppo had shared teasers and posters online regarding its upcoming second generation of Reno smartphones. It is a bold move considering the first iteration have been on the shelf for barely four months. We had covered multiple reports that shed some light regarding the upcoming series and now finally have confirmation for the Reno 2. In a surprising move, Oppo has revealed key features regarding the smartphone in a media statement.

Revealed Specs

Oppo Reno 2 will feature a 6.55 inch FHD+ AMOLED Panoramic display. The display has an aspect ratio of 20:9 with a 93.1% screen to body ratio. Its high ratio is achieved due to the front having no notches with minimum bezels owing to the shark-fin popup selfie camera. Notably, the device will have an in-display fingerprint scanner for security. The front of the smartphone is protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 6 while the back has Gorilla Glass 5. Oppo Reno 2 features Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 730G coupled with 8GB of RAM and a massive 256GB of internal storage.

Oppo Reno With Shark Fin Popup Camera

For gaming, the company is offering anti-cheat extensions and promises up to 25% bump in graphical performance. It also supports HDR10 Gaming support and Game Assistant among other functions. Oppo has revealed that the device will be powered by a large 4,000mAh battery which will support 20W VOOC 3.0 fast charging via a USB Type-C port. Additionally, the company also revealed more features such as Frame Boost 2.0, Touch Boost 2.0 and Link Boost. These will help aid connectivity and overall user experience of the customers.

What Else To Expect

Oppo is yet to confirm a lot of the finer details regarding the Reno 2. For example, the camera of the device will undoubtedly be one of its highlighting features. Hence, the company has probably intentionally left out the details for its launch announcement. However, the sensors are most likely to be a 48MP primary, 8MP wide angle lens, 2MP depth and a 13MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom. Notably, the telephoto lens will capable of 20x hybrid zoom.

Also Read: Apple Will Launch A Stylus With iPhone 11, Suggests Luxury Casemaker

Oppo Reno 2 series is also rumoured to feature two more devices which are expected to be announced alongside the Reno 2. The smartphone is expected to launch in India in two colours, Ocean Blue and Luminous Black. For more information stay tuned for updates that should arrive at or prior to the launch event.

August 22, 2019
Apple Will Launch A Stylus With iPhone 11, Suggests Luxury Casemaker

Apple is about to launch the highly anticipated iPhone 11 lineup which allegedly consists of three devices like last year, 2. Several rumours about the design and features of the upcoming handsets have leaked in the past. Interested readers can read them here (1,2,3).

According to freshly listed cases on the MobileFun website, Apple will finally embrace a stylus for its smartphones. Apart from the triple rear cameras that the upcoming flagship iPhones are reported to have, this could be one of the biggest addition to one of the world’s most popular smartphone since its debut in the year 2007.

Apple iPhone 11 Case With Stylus

Noteworthy, the late Apple co-founder, Steve Jobs in the past had mocked companies like Microsoft who showcased the touch capabilities of Windows via a Stylus. Nonetheless, as previously seen with the latest generation iPad Pro, the possibility of Apple launching a smaller sized stylus or an Apple pencil for the iPhone could turn out true.

Besides, the listing does not reveal any other specifics of the stylus. Though as observed with the iPad Pro, it is assumed to be magnetically connected to the rear of the upcoming iPhone.

Apple iPhone 11 Mockup

As the device is currently unannounced, we can only make assumptions about the features it would offer. Similar to the newly launched S-Pen for the Galaxy Note 10, it might have a physical button which could toggle the camera shutter. Moreover, it might support air gesture to navigate between apps or switch between the front or rear camera.

To sum things up, the probability of Apple making a compact Pencil/stylus for iPhone 11 lineup are quite high. However, in order to confirm the leaks and rumours, we will have to wait for the official launch event. Going by past experiences, the future iPhone will be unveiled in the second week of September which is just around the corner.

Also Read: Xiaomi Announces Digital Drawing Tablets With 365 Days Battery Life

What do you think about Apple launching a stylus for smartphones? Do you think they offer any practical benefits or it is just a gimmick? Let us know in the comments below.

August 22, 2019
Redmi Note 8 And Note 8 Pro Will Feature Helio G90T Gaming SoC

Redmi, the Xiaomi subsidiary, has seen massive success across the Asian market with its smartphone offerings. The company was founded to penetrate markets with affordable devices that carried noteworthy specs. It holds true even in India where its Note series devices are one of the annual best selling smartphones. Now, its latest entry in the series, Note 8 and Note 8 Pro, have some of its rumours confirmed.

Alleged Note 8 Pro

Redmi Note 8 Series

Previously, we had reported on the Redmi Note 8 Pro sporting the gaming centric SoC named Helio G90T. But, the company has now confirmed that the entire Note 8 series will sport the new chipset. The MediaTek mobile CPU was announced back in July which a Redmi executive confirmed will be featured on an upcoming smartphone soon. Although the name wasn’t announced back then rumours had already pointed towards the new Note 8 series.

What We Know So Far

Earlier this month, we had also covered reports that have since been confirmed. The Redmi Note 8 Pro will feature a quad camera setup with a primary sensor being a 64MP camera. On the other hand, the base Note 8 will probably feature a 48MP sensor. The 64MP shooter on the Note 8 Pro is also confirmed to be Samsung’s ISOCELL GW1 sensor. The device will be one of the first to feature the newly unveiled camera module from the South Korean giant alongside Realme XT.

Also Read: Samsung Working On A Smartphone That Can Fold Both Ways

It is yet to be confirmed if the Note 8 series will house a fingerprint sensor on the back or an in-display scanner under an AMOLED panel. Furthermore, it is rumoured that NFC connectivity will finally arrive to the mid-range devices. Unfortunately, finer details like RAM, storage and other features are still a mystery so we will have to wait for an official announcement. The device will be unveiled on 29th August 2019 so stay tuned for more updates.

August 22, 2019
Xiaomi Mi MIX 4 To Launch Next Month With Quad Cameras & Snapdragon 855+ SoC

Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi launched the first smartphone under its flagship MIX series back in 2016. Dubbed the Mi MIX, the device is believed to have kickstarted the modern trend of a bezel-less display in handsets. The series has since seen generation refreshes in the subsequent year, with the latest Mi MIX 3 being launched in 2018. Now, fresh reports claim that the company is ready for its successor, as the purported Mi MIX 4 is scheduled to launch next month with top-end specifications.

Mi MIX 4

Mi MIX 3

A post on the Chinese social media website Weibo has surfaced which claims to reveal key specifications of the upcoming Mi MIX 4. It has been mentioned in the post that the smartphone will have a curved 2K display. Exact size is not mentioned, but it is believed that the handset will have a bezel-less display; just like its predecessors and may employ a pop-up selfie camera or the front camera under the display to achieve it. Since its a flagship device, the leak also claims it will run on the latest 7nm Snapdragon 855+ SoC announced a few weeks ago. The chipset is comprised of an Octa-core CPU and an overclocked Adreno 640 GPU.

In terms of optics, the leak claims the Mi MIX 4 will have a quad camera setup. While it has been known that the primary lens will be a 108MP Samsung HMX sensor, announced a while ago. The secondary and tertiary lens will be a 16MP ultrawide and a 12MP lens. One of the main attractions will be the fourth sensor, which is rumoured to use a periscope mechanism to provide advanced zooming capabilities.

Mi MIX 2S

To ensure high speeds on the forthcoming Mi MIX 4, the leak claims it will support UFS 3.0 storage, like the Galaxy Note 10 series and the OnePlus 7 Pro. For memory and storage, the device may feature up to 12GB of RAM and internal storage of up to a whopping 1TB in capacity. The handset is claimed to be powered by a 4500mAh battery with support for 30W fast wired charging. Like the latest Samsung and Huawei flagship smartphones, the upcoming Xiaomi Mi MIX 4 will also support reverse wireless charging. To top it all off, the device may also very well be the first Xiaomi handset to run on the upcoming MIUI 11, which is speculated to deliver an improved user experience.

Also read: Realme XT Confirmed To Arrive Before Diwali With A 64MP Quad Camera

While the leaked specifications of the Xiaomi Mi MIX 4 are in line with a top tier flagship smartphone in 2019, it is recommended to take the leak with a grain of salt. Since the information arrives from a new source, it may very well be false. However, in the case it turns out to be true, the Mi MIX 4 has the potential to be one of the best flagship smartphones of the year. The device launches next month according to the source, so we may not have to wait too long to confirm our suspicions.

August 22, 2019