Tag: Android one

Motorola One Vision To Have A 3500mAh Battery With 18W Fast Charging
Motorola launched the Moto One Power in India last year. It was a part of a new lineup of products by the company under Google’s Android One program. Devices that are Android One certified offer clean, stock Android OS and are guaranteed to receive software updates for at least two years. A new handset from Motorola under the initiative has leaked through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the United States. The smartphone has been listed as the model number XT 1970-1; which suggest it is the next device in the Moto One lineup. Reports claim it will be called Moto One Vision and will launch soon. It was previously leaked as the Moto P40 which is assumed to be its China specific name.

Moto One Vision

The Moto One Vision is rumoured to embody a new design language by Motorola. The renders of the smartphone were leaked previously which reveal it will have a glass sandwich design with a glossy back. The front of the device has a 6.2 inch IPS LCD display with minimal bezels on all sides, and a punch-hole cutout for the front camera on the top left side of the display. The design on the front is reminiscent of the Galaxy A8s which was launched in the month of December last year. For biometrics and security, the Moto One Vision will have a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, housed in the Motorola batwing logo.

Under the hood, the Moto One Vision has been leaked to run on the 11nm Exynos 9610 SoC by Samsung. Notably, this is the same chipset that is kitted inside the Galaxy A50 which was announced last month. The smartphone will be available in China with the 11nm Snapdragon 675 SoC. In terms of optics, the renders reveal it will have a dual rear camera setup consisting of a 48MP sensor with an f/1.75 aperture; and a secondary 5MP depth sensor. For selfies, there will be a 12MP sensor housed in the punch-hole cutout on the top left of the display. For memory and storage, the device is expected to be available in the following variants:
- 4GB RAM and 64GB ROM
- 6GB RAM and 128GB ROM
The leaked FCC listing reveals that the Moto One Vision will have a 3500mAh battery with 18W fast charging support. As mentioned earlier, the smartphone will be Android One certified; and will run on the latest Android 9 Pie. As far as connectivity is concerned, the Moto One Vision is confirmed to have Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac dual band and NFC support.

Pricing & Availability

Moto One Power

Also read: Apple Launches Updated AirPods With New H1 Chip & Wireless Charging

The Moto One Vision’s leaked FCC listing hints that the launch of the smartphone is imminent. Unfortunately, no details are available regarding the pricing of the device. But, taking the price of its predecessor into consideration, it may launch under Rs 20,000 in India.
March 22, 2019
Xiaomi Is Working On The Android One Powered Mi A3
Xiaomi is a popular smartphone brand in India. The Xiaomi Redmi series smartphones are one of the highest selling devices in India. Apart from the Redmi series, the company also sells the Mi ‘A’ series of smartphones which are based on the Android One platform. In other words, these smartphones run on stock Android which provides for a smooth and bloatware free experience.

The first Android One smartphone that the company launched was the Mi A1 which was followed by the Mi A2 and Mi A2 Lite. The Mi A2 is rated one of the best camera smartphones under the price of Rs 20,000. The device due to its sturdy build and lag free OS experience was appreciated by most. Xiaomi in an attempt continue this streak of successful Android One smartphones is working an all-new Android One device which is believed to be the Mi A3.

Mi A3 Aka The Orchid_Sprout

A junior member at XDA developers while digging through the Android 9 Pie based MIUI 10 firmware files discovered a mystery device with the code name “orchid_sprout”. Close inspection revealed that every Android One smartphone manufactured by Xiaomi carries the sprout suffix in their code names.
- Mi A1 – tissot_sprout
- Mi A2 – jasmine_sprout
- Mi A2 Lite – daisy_sprout
This piece of information clearly indicates the orchid_sprout is indeed an Android One smartphone. Going by the chronological order, the upcoming smartphone will perhaps be the Mi A3 unless the company is planning another surprise. Alas, the source does not disclose any information about the physical overview or any specifications of the Mi A3. Nonetheless the smartphone will have better specifications than its predecessor, the Mi A2.

Expectations From The Mi A3
- Better Camera Performance- The camera performance was definitely a distinctive feature of the Mi A2 and the Mi A3 is only expected to take that performance even further.
- Larger Battery Capacity- Albeit the Mi A2 has an optimised UI which provides a good battery life, it only has a 3,000 mAh battery and larger capacity would surely be appreciated.
- Thinner Bezels- The left and right bezels of the Mi A2 are quite thin while the top and bottom bezels are quite chunky. Thick top and bottom bezels just did fine in the year 2018 but to step up the game the Mi A3 must have thinner all around bezels and maybe the small unintrusive water drop notch.
Launch Date

Also Read: Moto Z4 Play Leaks With A Water Drop Notch

Unfortunately, the launch date of the Mi A3 is also unavailable but it can be launched in the early second half of 2019 as its predecessor was also launched during that time period in 2018.
January 4, 2019
HMD To Launch Nokia 7.1 In India In November

HMD Global had launched their Nokia 7.1 smartphone at an event held in London earlier this moth. The device was announced for the European market. An India launch was expected soon after, but HMD launched the device as the Nokia X7 in China after a few days. However, the India launch of the device is now near, according to a report, stating that we may see the Nokia 7.1 soon.

The device was also showcased at the Indian Mobile Congress held in New Delhi, adding to the fact that the device will arrive soon. The Nokia 7.1 is the successor to the Nokia 7 Plus and combines a premium style and finish with Zeiss optics and the Android One experience.

Nokia 7.1

The Nokia 7.1 has a one piece aluminium body with 2.5D curved glass edges. It has a 5.85 inch FHD+ display with a notch and a 2280 x 1080 px resolution. It has an aspect ratio of 19:9 and a 432 ppi pixel density. The Nokia 7.1 is the first smartphone by HMD to have the ‘Pure Display’ technology. This enables the display to have HDR10 support and therefore make it more crisp. The device has a special chip which lets it convert any content into the HDR10 format in real time. This feature is seen in flagship devices.

It runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 SoC, supported by the Adreno 509 GPU. The device offers 3 GB and 4 GB RAM variants and 32 GB/ 64 GB storage options. The storage can be expanded upto 400 GB using a microSD card. It has a 3,060 mAh battery and runs Android 8.1 Oreo. The company says that the phone will get the Android 9 Pie update by the end of November. Additionally, it is a part of the Android One program, meaning that it has a very clean stock Android experience and will receive speedy updates.

Zeiss Optics

The Nokia 7.1 has a 12 MP+ 5 MP dual rear camera. The 12 MP sensor has an aperture of f/1.8. The setup has Zeiss lenses, and offers the highest quality, according to the company. The rear camera also supports the live Bokeh feature, which was only available in the flagship Nokia 8 up until now. The device has an 8 MP f/2.0 front facing camera which features an advanced version of the Bothie Mode. The Bothie Mode by Nokia lets users take pictures or record video with both, the front and rear cameras at the same time.

Also Read: Realme To Soon Launch A Helio P70 Powered Smartphone

Price & Availability

The Nokia 7.1 is available in the European market for a price which converts to around Rs 25,000. The Indian price of the device is however, reported to be Rs 30,000. The device is also said to be an online exclusive.

October 29, 2018
HMD Launches Nokia 3.1 Plus In India

HMD Global has launched the Nokia 3.1 Plus smartphone. Following the Nokia 6.1 Plus and 5.1 Plus, this device is the latest budget offering from the company. The device has a 6 inch screen, a dual camera setup. Android One and premium looks among other features. The device is priced at Rs 11,499 for the 3 GB RAM variant.

Also Read: HMD Launches Nokia 7.1 With Android One And Zeiss Optics

Design & Display

The device has a 2.5 D curved glass design with an aluminium cover. The device has a matt finish and looks very premium. On the back of the device, there is the dual camera setup along with the fingerprint sensor and Android One branding. It is available in Blue, White and Baltic colours.

The Nokia 3.1 Plus has a 6 inch HD+ display. It has a 18:9 aspect ratio and does not feature the immensely popular notch. The display has considerable bezels on the top and bottom and thin bezels on the side

Processor & Battery

Running on the MediaTek Helio P22 SoC, the device has 3 GB of LPPDDR3 RAM. It has an internal storage of 32 GB which is expandable up to 400 GB via a microSD card.

Under the hood, it packs a 3,500 mAh battery which should be enough to get you through the day, according to the company. The device is running Android Oreo and gives a pure stock Android experience with the Android One program. Nokia also said that they will ensure monthly updates to keep the device secure at all times.

Camera & Connectivity

The Nokia 3.1 Plus has a 13 MP + 5 MP dual rear camera setup. The rear cameras are accompanied by an LED flash. The front snapper has an 8 MP sensor.

The device has Bluetooth 4.1, Wi-Fi, VoLTE and GPS among other features. It uses a Micro USB cable for charging and connectivity.

Price & Availability

As mentioned before, the device is priced at Rs 11,499 for the 3 GB RAM and 32 GB storage variant. This will put it in direct competition with devices such as the Redmi 6, Realme 2 and others in a highly competitive segment. Tell us your thoughts about the new Nokia 3.1 Plus in the comments!

October 11, 2018
HMD Launches Nokia 7.1 With Android One And Zeiss Optics

HMD Global unveiled the Nokia 7.1 Plus smartphone at its highly anticipated event in London. The Nokia 7.1 is made up of all the right things that Nokia had done during its glory days. It has a 5.84 inch FHD+ HDR display, a premium and stylish finish, a Zeiss rear camera setup and Android One.

Design

The Nokia 7.1 has a simple but elegant design. It is made of one piece aluminium and 2.5D curved glass edges. The display sports a notch and the back of the device has the dual rear camera setup, along with the fingerprint scanner and Android One branding.

Also Read: LG V40 ThinQ Launched With Five Cameras

Display

Sporting a 5.85 inch FHD+ display with a notch, and has a resolution of 2280 x 1080 px. It has a 19:9 aspect ratio and a pixel density of 432 ppi. The Nokia 7.1 is the first smartphone by HMD to carry their “Pure Display” technology. Usually, flagship devices have HDR10 support, making the display more crisp.

The Nokia 7.1 has a special chip created by PixelWorks which helps it to convert any content to the HDR10 format. This is the standard HDR format and Nokia says this conversion is done in real-time. What this means is that no matter what you will view on your device, it will be in HDR. An HDR display is not a bump in resolution but in terms of the Dynamic Range, resulting in more vivid, contrasting colours and a better viewing experience.

Processor

The device runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 SoC with the Adreno 509 GPU. It has an Octa Core Kryo 260 CPU with a clock speed of 1.8 GHz. It offers 3 GB and 4 GB RAM options and 32 GB and 64 GB storage options. The storage is expandable up to 400 GB using a microSD card. Under the hood, the device packs a 3,060 mAh battery. Nokia claims that it will offer full day performance.

Running Android Oreo out of the box, the device will receive Android 9 Pie by the end of November, according to the company. The Nokia 7.1 runs on Android One. This gives the device a clean stock Android experience and speedy software updates.

Camera

The Nokia 7.1 has a 12 MP + 5 MP dual rear camera setup. The 12 MP f/1.8 is a Zeiss lens which offers the highest quality, according to Nokia. We have seen that earlier Nokia devices with Zeiss lenses always offered a great camera experience and the same can be expected from the Nokia 7.1. The 5 MP lens is a depth sensor. This helps the camera create better portraits, and also support the live Bokeh feature.

As of now, Nokia only offers this feature in its Flagship Nokia 8 smartphone. The live Bokeh mode features a slider which lets the user control the amount of blur in the background while taking a shot. The device also features a 8 MP front facing camera with an aperture of f/2.0. The device also features an improved ‘bothie mode’ which allows users to take a picture using the front and rear camera at the same time. The camera also has AI integration which will improve its performance.

Price & Availability

The Nokia 7.1 has been launched and will reach the European market soon. However, there is no word about the India launch. The device will go on sale in the US for $ 349 which is around Rs 25,000 and is available in Gloss Midnight Blue and Gloss Steel colours.

October 5, 2018
Motorola One With Android One Announced

Motorola announced the launch of its new Motorola One smartphone. This announcement was made alongside the announcement of the Motorola One Power which is exclusively for India. the announcement was made by Motorola through a blog post, unlike a typical launch. The device runs on Android One and will be one of the first devices to receive the Android 9.0 update.

The Motorola One has a 5.9 inch FHD+ display. The display also has a distinct notch and a chin. It has a 19:9 aspect ratio and a native resolution of 1520 x 720 pixels. The device has a dual camera setup at the back with a 14 MP sensor. The camera has extensive AI integration according to Motorola and can shoot 4K videos at 30 fps.

Also Read: OnePlus 6T Confirmed,Design and Specifications

Running on the Snapdragon 625 octa core processor, the device has 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage. The Motorola One has a 3000 mAh battery and also has TurboPower capability for faster charging. The device also comes with Android One which means that it will be one of the first to receive all Android updates. This will also give the device a clean stock android experience and rid it of any unnecessary pre-installed apps, according to Motorola.

The Motorola One is priced at €299 and will be soon available globally, according to Motorola.

August 31, 2018
The Difference Between Android Go, Android One, And Stock Android

It was in the year 2007 when Google officially introduced the Android ecosystem to the world. However, before the announcement, Android started as a small company by the name Android Inc., with Andy Rubin as the CEO. Android got its name from a Latin word “Androides”, meaning, human-like robot. The term Android also shares some resemblance with the ex-CEO and founder, Andy Rubin. Android is an operating system primarily designed for devices with touchscreen. Google has followed a sweet related alphabetical naming convention with each new version of Android. Starting with the first version, Android Cupcake launched in the first quarter of 2009 with Donut to follow, in the same year. Android has evolved not only in terms of versions but also in terms of its varieties. The recent years gave us Android One and Android Go in addition to stock Android.

What Is The Difference Between These Three Android Variants?

Many people think Android Go and Android One are more or less the same. While Stock Android is more or less the operating system users receive in their smartphones, out of the box. However, this is a fairly common misconception as these three could not be more different. While the likes of Android Nougat, Oreo, and the latest, Android P are OS version, the formerly mentioned are the variants. Let’s take a look at stock Android first.

Stock Android

Image: Samsung TouchWiz and Stock Android On Pixel 2

Under the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), Google provides the source code of the Android OS to various manufacturers. Google then allows these manufacturers to build around the Android OS and develop their own flavour/skin or add additional features. For instance, Samsung uses its proprietary skin called TouchWiz while Xiaomi uses the MIUI skin. However, these are not what one should refer to as the stock Android experience. A heavily skinned version such as the TouchWiz or EMUI overshadows the minimalistic functionalities of what Google tends to offer with “stock Android”. In this version, a user will only find a few Google apps, meaning, the stock Android experience is free of bloatware. By bloatware, we mean additional apps like Samsung Pay, which already have an alternative Google app available on Google Play Store. It was the Nexus line of smartphones which started the stock Android experience and later adopted by the Pixel lineup. With stock android, it also becomes easy for users to receive new security patches and major OS updates. Especially, since manufacturers do not intervene to build their own take of the OS.

Android One

Image: Mi A2 Running On Android One

Android One is yet another variant of the OS with initial intentions to be exclusive to the South Asian markets like India. Its original initiative to cater to the low-end smartphones later changed as Android One is also seen on the mid tier flagship devices like the Moto X4. In a nutshell, Android One is for those manufacturers who would rather spend time focussing on putting together a good hardware rather than working on the software, Google provides the Android One for such companies. Much like stock Android, Android One smartphones are the first to receive the latest OS updates. One of the latest smartphones running on Android One is the Xiaomi Mi A2.

Also Read: Google Pixel 3 XL Renders Reveal A Thick Chin, A Notch And Colourful Power Buttons

Android Go

Image: Nokia 1

While Android One is available for all smartphones, Google did not give up on the idea of making the OS compatible with low-end devices either. The recently announced Android Go delivers the latest OS to devices with RAM as low as 512MB. Android Go is the watered-down build of the Android Oreo (8.0). This OS is built to work on low-powered devices without any jitters. With Android Go, users will find that the OS takes significantly less amount of space than even Android Nougat, which released before Oreo. The OS also offers lite versions of Google apps like YoutTube Go, Gmail Go, and Files Go. This allows it to run smoothly on smartphones with storage space as small as 8GB. The latest smartphone to launch with Android Go out of the box is the Nokia 1.

Regardless of its variants, Android will keep on evolving to a better version of its predecessor. With that said, for users looking for a smartphone which won’t hurt the pocket but won’t also bog down in the long run then an Android One or an Android Go device is the best bet. However, instead of price, top of the line specifications and the first to receive the software updates are a user’s priorities, then smartphones like the ones from the Pixel lineup will be a viable option.

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August 8, 2018
Xiaomi Mi A2 and A2 Lite Launched

When Xiaomi launched the Mi A1 back in September 2017, it also revealed the company’s sales figure for the month. Moreover, the Mi A1 was also the company’s first Android One device. The was also the company’s first smartphone in the Mi A series. Xiaomi claimed that it had sold close to 10 million devices in the month of September alone, making the Mi A1 one of the most bought smartphones of the year. Now, in the month of July 2018, the company has launched the Xiaomi Mi A2 and A2 Lite. While not much has changed from the Mi A1 to the Mi A2, there are still a few things that the company has decided to differently with the latter. The smartphone has launched on 24th July globally in Madrid, Spain.

Also Read: Xiaomi Mi Max 3 Price Revealed Before Launch On 20th July

What’s Changed From The Mi A1 To The Mi A2?

The only similarity which both the Mi A1 and the Mi A2 share is that both of them are Android One devices, other than that, the company has introduced a lot of changes. The Xiaomi Mi A2 has a front glass design and an aluminum body. The display on the Mi A2 is a 5.99-inch panel with an aspect ratio of 18:9 and a resolution of 2160 x 1080 px. This display is an IPS LCD panel. Whereas, the Mi A1 has a 1920 x 1080 px IPS LCD panel.

Mi A2 Lite

Powering the Xiaomi Mi A2 is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 chipset with the Adreno 512 GPU. Whereas, the Mi A1 had the Snapdragon 625 with the Adreno 506 GPU.

The camera setup on the Mi A2 consists of a total of three sensors. The primary camera has a 12 MP sensor with a f/1.75 aperture and another 20 MP sensor with a f/1.75 aperture. Secondary camera of the device is a 20MP sensor with front-facing LED flash and a f/2.2 aperture. While the Mi A1 had a primary dual-camera with two 12MP sensors.

Mi A2 Camera

What Xiaomi could have also done differently is add a fast charging capability to the Mi A2 since the chipset supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 4 technology. There are three storage variants of the Xiaomi Mi A2, a 4GB RAM and 32GB storage, 4GB RAM and 64GB storage, and a 6GB RAM and 128GB storage variant.

Why The Mi A2 Lite?

Even though the Mi A1 did really well, especially in the Indian market, many complained that the smartphone was slightly on the expensive side. To address this issue, Xiaomi has launched announced the Mi A2 Lite. The smartphone is advertised as the “entry-level Android One king”. Entry-level, because, the price of the Mi A2 could be under the Rs. 15,000 price bracket.

MI A2

While there is no word about whether this device will be launched in India, but we can expect it to arrive in India under another alias.

The display on the Mi A2 Lite is a 5.84-inch panel with an aspect ratio of 19:9 and a resolution of 2280 x 1080 px. The Mi A2 Lite sports a notch-display. Both the Xiaomi Mi A2 and A2 Lite have an IPS LCD panel. The Mi A2 Lite is powered by the Snapdragon 625 with the Adreno 506 GPU. This chipset also featured in the Mi A1.

Pricing And Availability

The Mi A2 starts at a price of €249 (Rs. 20,071.20 approx) for the 32GB variant, with the 64GB costing around €279 (Rs. 22,500.42 approx), and the 128GB variant around €349 (Rs. 28,145.69 approx). While the Mi A2 Lite will start at €179 (Rs. 14,434.23 approx). The Mi A2 will go on sale in Spain starting 10th August, in France on 27th July, and in Italy and India on 8h August. While the Mi A2 will be available in India, the Mi A2 Lite will be sold in countries other than India.

Xiaomi celebrated its first Android One anniversary with the launch of the Xiaomi Mi A2 and A2 Lite. The company has also emphasized the AI capabilities of both the smartphones through the launch. While you have to wait for our full review of the Mi A2, we already have an unboxing video ready for the smartphone. Take a look.

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July 24, 2018
Motorola One Is An Android One Smartphone That Looks Similar To Motorola One Power

The Motorola One Power has been in the news for a while now. The mysterious smartphone has been leaked consistently and is expected to launch sooner rather than later. A more compact version of the device, the Motorola One has now been leaked in new renders and will be an Android One smartphone from Motorola. The two smartphones look identical and could launch together.

The renders leaked by Android Headlines reveal that the Motorola One will be a smaller phone when compared to the Motorola One Power. As of now, it has not been confirmed whether the device will be smaller in terms of the display, or smaller in regards to the thickness of the device, or both. It is possible that the word “Power” would suggest a bigger battery which means that the Motorola One would be thinner than the One Power.

Left: Motorola One Right: Motorola One Power

Looking at the renders of the Motorola One, it looks a lot like the Motorola One Power. There are, however, subtle differences between the two devices. The dual cameras on the back, for example, look separate. On the Motorola One Power, the protrusion is more pronounced. On the front, both the smartphones have a notch and a small chin that houses the Motorola branding.

Must Read: Unboxing The Moto G6

The fingerprint sensor appears to be housed inside the Moto logo on the back. So far, there are no details about the specifications of the Motorola One. However, we expect more details to be revealed before the eventual launch of the smartphone.

June 30, 2018
Motorola One Power Leaked Specs Reveal 6.2 Inch Notched Display And Snapdragon 636

Motorola One Power appears to be the next big launch in the company’s plans for 2018. Lenovo-owned Motorola has already launched the sixth generation of Moto G series in India and unveiled the Z3 Play in Brazil. The soon to be launched smartphone has been leaked several times and the newest piece of information reveals all the major specifications of the device.

It is almost certain that the Motorola One Power will have a notched display. However, unlike other Android OEMs, Motorola has not gone for a slim notch and it looks uncannily similar to the iPhone X. It is, however, highly unlikely that Motorola will introduce advanced facial recognition hardware in the Motorola One Power like the iPhone X. This also means that it’ll be the first Moto device to launch with a notch.

It has also been a while since Motorola used the full name as part of a smartphone’s moniker. Usually, the company sticks to “Moto” followed the series and then the number. The company will also jump on the vertical dual-camera bandwagon with the new device. The Motorola One Power looks to be a first in terms of many things for Motorola.

According to the leak, the smartphone will have a 6.2 inch display with a 2280 x 1080 px resolution. It is not confirmed that whether the smartphone will have an IPS LCD or an AMOLED display panel. With a notch, users will benefit from an AMOLED display since they’ll be able to hide the notch using the software.

Must Read: Moto Z3 Play Running On Snapdragon 636 Officially Launched

Under the hood, the device will run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 chipset. This means that the smartphone will be priced under Rs 20000 if it launches in India. The new budget SoC will be coupled with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage which should be expandable via a microSD card. The fingerprint sensor is placed on the back of the smartphone housed inside the Moto logo.

Powering the smartphone will be a 3780 mAh battery. That is a sizeable battery and should last a day easily, in theory, at least. Out of the box, the smartphone will run stock Android 8.1 Oreo. The name, Motorola One Power suggests that the device will be an Android One smartphone.

The back also houses a dual-camera setup consisting of a 12MP primary sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and a 5MP secondary sensor. The notch on the display houses an 8MP camera with an f/2.2 aperture. The previous leaks suggested a 16MP camera with an f/1.9 aperture. But, these are leaks at the end of the day and should be taken with a pinch of scepticism.

There is no date set for the launch of the Motorola One Power as of now. However, with more and more leaks coming to the fore, it shouldn’t be too far away. We will keep you updated with all the leaks and information about the upcoming Motorola One Power.

June 9, 2018
Xiaomi Mi A2 Running On Snapdragon 660 Spotted On Geekbench

Xiaomi has recently launched the Redmi Y2 in India at a starting price of Rs 9999. While the company’s Redmi lineup in 2018 has been confusing, Xiaomi has not launched a Mi-branded smartphone in India yet. Many expect the Xiaomi Mi A2 to be the first Mi-branded device to launch in India. A new Geekbench listing reveals a few details about the Mi A2, which will essentially be a rebranded Mi 6X which was launched in China on April 25th.

According to the listing, the Xiaomi Mi A2 will run on the Snapdragon 660 chipset. This the same chipset that powers the Mi 6X as well. The variant in the listing has 4GB of RAM but, Xiaomi is expected to launch the 6GB RAM model in India as well. There are also chances that the company will only launch one variant of the Mi A2 in India. The Mi A2 scores 1,630 in single-core test and 4,657 in multi-core test.

Since the Mi A2 will be an Android One version of the Mi 6X, it will run Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box. The Mi A1 was fairly quick to receive the Android 8 Oreo update. The company rolled out an update on December 31st, 2017. However, it was riddled with many bugs and the company had to pull the plug on the software update. The Mi A1 now runs on Android 8 Oreo which is stable and should receive an update to Android P as well.

The Mi A2 could also miss out on a headphone jack. The Mi 6X launched in China does not have a headphone jack which means the Mi A2 would also skip it, considering they’re both the same smartphones. This could be a deal-breaker for many consumers in India as there aren’t many affordable Bluetooth headphones available here. iGyaan did, however, cover top five Bluetooth headphones in India which should help out the people who want to the Mi A2.

Mi 6X

The launch of the Xiaomi Mi A2 is inevitable. The company would want to build on the success of the Mi A1 instead of abandoning the lineup after just one generation. The moniker it’ll go with is something only time will tell.

June 8, 2018
Xiaomi Could Launch 2 Android One Devices In India

On September 5th, 2017, Xiaomi launched the Mi A1 in India. It was the first-ever Xiaomi smartphone to run stock Android OS and so far, it is the only one. On 25th April, Xiaomi launched the Mi 6X in China, which is highly anticipated to succeed the Mi A1 in India. That is mainly due to the fact that the Mi A1 was nothing but a rebranded Mi 5X. Hence, a similar move is expected from Xiaomi this year as well. However, it appears that Xiaomi might be planning something else for its stock Android loving Indian consumers. New firmware files obtained by XDA Developers reveal that the company might launch two Android One smartphones in India.

Xiaomi Mi A1

Along with a Mi series Android One device, Xiaomi is expected to launch a Redmi smartphone running stock Android OS as well. CEO of Xiaomi, Lei Jun hinted at this possibility last week:

Yes, we plan to have more Android One devices. Some of our users in India seem to like stock Android, and we are willing to bring in more devices with Android One including the Redmi series.

Now, the the firmware files of a device codenamed “daisy-sprout” were accessed. It is worth noting that the “sprout” was the codename for the first generation Android One devices. This Redmi Android One smartphone will run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 chipset, the same SoC found in the Xiaomi Mi A1. However, considering this will be a Redmi device, it will be marketed as a budget smartphone.

This is all the more interesting considering the Redmi S2 will soon launch in China. It is extremely likely that the Redmi S2 might be rebranded as an Android One device for India. If true, we can expect this Redmi Android One smartphone to be launched under Rs 10,000 in India.

Mi 6X

The next set of files retrieved are of a device codenamed “jasmine_sprout.” The codename of the Mi A1 was “tissot_sprout” where “sprout” signifies Android One. According to the report, the Mi A1 successor will be based on the recently launched Mi 6X but, whether it will be a rebranded Mi 6X or not can not be confirmed right now.

Certain similarities between the mystery ‘Mi’ series Android One device and Mi 6X have been found. For starters, the “jasmine_sprout” will run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 chipset, the same chipset found in the Mi 6X. Also, the Mi 6X and the Android One smartphone will have the same front-facing 20MP Sony IMX376 sensor.

These files certainly point towards a Xiaomi strategy that wants to build on the success of the Mi A1 in India. It does make sense for Xiaomi to launch a more affordable Android One device considering how price sensitive the Indian market is. Having two solid offerings under Rs 10000 and Rs 15000 running stock Android OS could be a game changer for the Chinese smartphone maker.

April 30, 2018
Unboxing The Nokia 7 Plus
HMD Global has officially launched the Nokia 7 Plus in India at a price of Rs 25999. The smartphone will be up for preorders from the 20th of April via Amazon exclusively. Subsequently, the Nokia 7 Plus will go on sale on the 30th of April. Unlike a lot of other smartphones, the Nokia 7 Plus is only available in 4GB RAM/64GB storage variant. However, it will retail in two colours, Black with Copper and White with Copper, both of these look extremely premium and well built.

Nokia has had a rocky start ever since making its return to the smartphone industry under a new management. In 2017, the company launched quite a few but, pricey budget smartphones in India. The brand Nokia picked up momentum when the Nokia 8 was launched in India at a very competitive price.

With the launch of the Nokia 7 Plus, the once celebrated phone brand has entered untested waters. At a price of Rs 25999, the Nokia 7 Plus will try to fill the gaping hole in a segment where the Moto X4 is a lone warrior. The company has moved on from an older-looking design and refreshed its highly successful (in China) Nokia 7 for the global market.

[section label=”Unboxing”]

Inside the box of the Nokia 7 Plus :
- Nokia 7 Plus
- Clear Case
- Documentation
- Sim Ejector Tool
- Earphones
- Wall Charger (Fast Charging compatible)
- USB Type C Cable
[section label=”Initial Impressions”]

The Nokia 7 Plus is a welcome refresh from HMD Global and that is visible the moment you hold the device. It has a metallic unibody design with a matte finish to the back which does not look cheap at all. On the contrary, it looks extremely premium and should give others in this range a run for their money.

Another significant change in the Nokia 7 Plus is the placement of the fingerprint sensor. Up until now, HMD Global either placed the fingerprint sensor on the front or decided to have a phone sans fingerprint sensor. However, with the bezels considerably shrunken on the 7 Plus, the fingerprint sensor resides on the back. However, it is very centrally positioned which means it is easy to reach and is distinguishable.

While the 7 plus sports a taller display with thin bezels, they aren’t the thinnest by any stretch, in fact, the phone has a significant forehead and chin. The Nokia 7 Plus has a 6 inch IPS LCD display with a 2160 x 1080 px resolution. The bezels are visible on all the sides of the device but, after a few minutes of usage, your eyes and mind get used to the black space around the display. Thanks to its taller 18:9 aspect ratio the 7 Plus, even with its 6 inch display is easy to use and unless you have tiny hands, the one-handed usage should not be an issue.

The Full HD+ IPS LCD display is bright and vibrant. It has great viewing angles and the 18:9 aspect ratio means the display can fit more content while the overall size of the smartphone has not changed drastically. The single bottom firing speaker is a let down hence, we suggest using external speakers or headphones for any sort of media consumption.

The Nokia 7 Plus runs stock Android 8 Oreo OS and also supports the Android One program. This means the smartphone will receive timely software and security updates for at least a couple of years. Just like the previous Nokia devices, it runs stock OS which means no bloatware. However, there are a few people who prefer a custom skin like MIUI over stock OS. For them, apps like the Nova Launcher is the only way to heavily customise their UI.

Under the hood, the Nokia 7 Plus has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 chipset. In fact, it is the first ever smartphone launched in India that is powered by the chipset. The 2.2 GHz octa-core processor handles day-to-day tasks extremely well. The stock OS and lack of any sort of bloatware also help its cause. The smartphone feels snappy to use and handles gaming quite well.

The Nokia 7 Plus has a dual-camera setup on the back. The primary wide-angle sensor is a 12MP camera with an f/1.75 aperture coupled with a 13MP telephoto lens with an f/2.6 aperture. In our brief testing, we found the camera app to be a bit laggy and even while recording videos, the app stutters a bit.

With an impressive build and stock Android out of the box, the Nokia 7 plus promises to be an exciting seller in the market. However, India being extremely price sensitive, sales might change that opinion. Stay tuned for our full review!

[section label=”Unboxing Video”]

Unboxing Video
April 6, 2018
Moto X4 Is Getting Android 8.0 Oreo Update

Moto X4 Android One edition has started receiving Android 8.0 Oreo update. At the time of its launch, the company had promised an update of Android 8.0 Oreo by the end of the year, and it has delivered on the promise. In addition, the update also includes the latest Android security fixes.

The Moto X4 that launched in India is the regular variant which, even though has a stock Android OS, is far from being an Android One phone. However, with the Moto X4 Android One variant receiving the Android 8 Oreo update, it is fair to assume that an update for the regular Moto X4 might not be too far away.

The Moto X4 has a 5.2 inch 1920 x 1080 px LTPS IPS LCD display with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 on top for protection.

The Moto X4 has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 630, 2.2 GHz octa-core processor and Adreno 508 GPU, along with 3GB or 4GB of RAM and 32GB or 64GB of onboard storage which can be expanded up to 2TB via microSD card. The fingerprint sensor is housed inside the home button which also doubles up as a single navigation button. The Moto X4 is powered by a 3000 mAh battery with TurboCharge capabilities. The company claims that the 15 mins of charge can give up to 6 hours of talk time. It has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.

The Moto X4 has a dual-camera setup at the back. The main camera is a 12MP sensor with an f/2.0 aperture, and the 8MP secondary camera with an f/2.2 aperture is equipped with a wide-angle lens. The dual-cameras allow users to have depth effect shots, bokeh effect shots, ultra-wide angle shots, and selective focus shots. On the front of the device is a 16MP camera with an f/2.0 aperture and an LED flash. The cameras record 4K videos at 30 FPS.

We will keep you updated as and when the Android 8.0 Oreo update for the non-Android One variant comes out.

December 23, 2017
HTC U11 Life Launched In Two Variants

HTC has launched the HTC U11 Life in two variants, one variant running Android 7.1 Nougat with Sense UI and an Android One variant running Android 8.0 Oreo. The HTC U11 Life is priced at US $349 (Rs 22500 approx.) for the unlocked version in the US. There is no official word on its availability in India as of now.

Following up the launch of the flagship phone, the HTC U11+, the HTC U11 Life will be a part of the ‘U’ lineup from HTC and pegged as a mid-range device. The HTC U11 Life will offer the consumers a choice between custom skin and pure stock Android OS without compromising on any other aspect. The HTC U11 Life has HTC’s new “liquid surface” design language with two glossy panels that meld into a metal frame.

The HTC U11 Life has a 5.2 inch IPS LCD display with a 1920 x 1080 px resolution which translates to a 16:9 aspect ratio. The HTC U11+ also has Corning Gorilla Glass on top of the display.

Under the hood, the device has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 chipset, 3GB or 4GB of RAM, 32GB or 64GB of onboard storage which can be expanded via microSD card. The fingerprint sensor is housed inside the home button that is placed below the 5.2 inch display. The 3.5mm headphone jack is missing on the U11 Life but, the box will include a pair of USB C earphones with active noise canceling. Powering the device is a small 2600 mAh battery.

The HTC U11 Life has a 16MP rear-mounted camera with an f/2.0 aperture and PDAF. Similar to the HTC U11+, the camera records 4K and slo-mo videos as well. On the front of the device is a 16 MP fixed focus sensor with an f/2.0 aperture which records 1080P videos.

The Edge Sense feature from the U11 retains its place with new features and more customisability. With the HTC U11 Life, you can assign a light squeeze to access Google Assistant, and a hard squeeze to access the Amazon Alexa and vice versa. The squeeze feature is now a remappable button and can perform specific tasks depending on which app you’re in. If you have the YouTube app, you can remap the squeeze to take you to the subscriptions window or if you are in Google Maps, you squeeze to zoom in or zoom out. HTC has also added a new radial menu which can be accessed with a squeeze. It is a round shaped menu which customises on the basis of your usage.

November 2, 2017