Samsung Galaxy S9 pair top global sales in April

Counterpoint put out some interesting figures in its latest Market Pulse April Edition report. It details the top-selling smartphones worldwide - a chart which Samsung's current Galaxy S9 and S9+ appear to be dominating. The company's analysts measured particularly good performance for the Korean giant in North America and the Asia-Pacific markets. Aggressive price cuts, bundle and cashback deals, and the similarities with the S9, have also allowed the last-gen Galaxy S8 a place in the top 10 list. Still, despite seeing the iPhone X all the way in third place, on a broader...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s9_pair_top_global_sales_in_april-news-31588.php

Honor 10 gets software update, enhances fingerprint usability, camera app tweak and more

Some users are already getting the new software version for the Honor 10 with build number COL-L29 8.1.0.120 that adds some useful and maybe not as much, new features. The first one you will notice is the so-called Party Mode app that connects several devices via NFC to form a surround sound experience by playing one song simultaneously. The Honor View 10 also got the app, but we can't confirm if both devices can be paired via the Party Mode app. We wonder, however, how many users actually use it, if it's restricted to Honor devices only. Anyway, let's start with the helpful...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/honor_10_gets_software_update_enhances_fingerprint_usability_camera_app_tweak_and_more-news-31585.php

Sunday debate: Bigger battery or slimmer phone?

Ro: "Fast charging to the rescue!" If we were discussing this three or four years ago, I would definitely tell you that thicker phones with bigger batteries are better. But things have changed since then. First, the battery density has increased significantly and now every mid-range device carries at least 3,000 mAh of charge, which should get you through the day without a sweat, unless you are a power user, of course. Secondly, semiconductor technology has reached new heights. A few years back, devices used chips based on the 28nm manufacturing process whereas now, TSMC is...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/sunday_debate_bigger_battery_or_slimmer_phone-news-31590.php

Samsung Galaxy Note9 case shows new fingerprint reader position and a new mystery button

Samsung's eagerly-anticipated Galaxy Note9 phablet has been leaking left and right lately. Unearthed early accessory prototype, like this screen protector, have already shed some light on hardware. Following the typical order of things, today brings a fresh new case leak. Note9's protective case, we see its fingerprint sensor position. pic.twitter.com/acHwdYq64k— Ice universe (@UniverseIce) June 9, 2018 The latter reaffirms the currently-standing theory that the Note9 will have a horizontally-mounted fingerprint reader on the back. Hence, the upcoming phablet's back will likely be a...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_note9_case_shows_new_fingerprint_reader_position_and_a_new_mystery_button-news-31586.php

Official TWRP recovery for OnePlus 6 and Huawei P20 Pro is now available

Recovery is essential for all custom ROM lovers and the TWRP recovery is arguably one of the best out there and fortunately, there's an official one from the developer team for the fresh OnePlus 6 and Huawei P20 Pro flagships. Aside from those two, TWRP adds support for several new devices like HTC Desire 830, Nubia M2, Planet Gemini PDA and Vanzo A315. In addition, all variants of the old LG G4 can use one unified recovery. Keep in mind, though, that the installation of the TWRP for OnePlus 6 is slightly different than on the previous versions. It's because of Google's Project...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/official_twrp_recovery_for_oneplus_6_and_huawei_p20_pro_is_now_available-news-31583.php

The Apple Watch will ditch it's physical button in favour of a solid state one

Industry chatter has it that the Apple Watch digital crown and button combo will soon be going the way of the iPhone home button - replaced by solid state technology. Apparently, the wearable's physical button will stop moving back and forth and instead rely on a touch surface, to register inputs and a small Taptic Engine, to give feedback. As per the report, the digital crown will, however, continue to rotate, just as it has so far, to navigate through content. This falls in line pretty well with Cupertino's openly-stated an ongoing strive to refine its design, to the point where...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/the_apple_watch_will_ditch_its_physical_button_in_favour_of_a_solid_state_one-news-31584.php

Oppo orders Samsung's Edge Displays, not for Find X though

Another interesting report coming from the Korean media The Bell. According to its sources, Oppo has ordered Samsung's curved OLED panels that will be delivered by the end of June. Chances are they won't make it in time for the upcoming Oppo Find X, as that's coming in two weeks - before even the first shipment arrives. But it also makes us wonder, what Oppo handset will feature the 6.42-inch panels. Our best guess is that it's going to be a high-end device because a single Infinity or Edge display from Samsung costs almost five times more than its conventional alternatives....

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/oppo_reportedly_orders_samsungs_edge_displays_to_be_included_in_future_flagship-news-31577.php

OnePlus 6 review

If the letter T is OnePlus' way of branding an interim half-generation upgrade, why isn't this latest one named the 5TT? Yes, we're talking about the OnePlus 6, and a quick look at the specs will tell you what we are on about. Still let's not dwell on what hasn't changed and focus instead on what has.

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/oneplus_6-review-1776.php

Instagram update lets you share posts that mention you in your own story

Instagram has pushed a minor update to its iOS and Android app that allows reposting of content you are tagged in. Starting today, if someone tags you in their Instagram Story, you will get a DM from that person with the Story post. With it will be an option to share that post to your own Story. Tap the button and your Story editor opens up and you can do the same sort of editing you'd normally with a Story post and then publish. Once the post is published to your story, the name of the original person who posted the photo or video will be visible at the top and people can tap on it...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/instagram_update_lets_you_share_posts_that_mention_you_in_your_own_story-news-31576.php

Apple cuts orders for 2018 iPhones by 20%

Apple has requested suppliers to lower deliveries of products by 20%, Nikkei reported today. The company decided to play it safe in 2018 after overestimating the demand for the $1000+ iPhone X. The 2017 iPhones reached 77.31 million shipments for the October-December quarter, but Apple expected numbers close to 100 million. A source revealed the expected numbers for this year are 80 million, or similar to last year's performance. Nikkei reported earlier the Cupertino-based company plans to launch three phones, two of them with an OLED panel, while one sticking with an LCD. All of...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_plan_20_percent_lower_component_supply_2018_iphones-news-31574.php

More live images of the Google Pixel 3 XL surface

It's a busy day for the Google Pixel 3 XL. Today we had two different batches of real-life photos showcasing the upcoming flagship from Google and the latest one leaves little to the imagination. Pixel 3 XL front and back The second set of photos appears to confirm the single camera on the back, which might leave a bitter feeling for some of you who are eagerly waiting for the third installment of the Pixel XL. It seems that Google won't be jumping on the "double camera" bandwagon, but it does seem to follow the less than universally welcomed notch trend. We just hope the...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/more_live_images_of_the_google_pixel_3_xl_reveal_a_bit_more_about_the_design-news-31573.php

Samsung Gear to stay with Tizen OS

Last month Evan Blass tweeted that some Samsung employees were spotted rocking Gear smartwatches with Wear OS, instead of the in-house Tizen OS. Update: turns out these were actually just one-offs made by Google and seeded to some Samsung workers (i.e. keep moving, nothing to see here).— Evan Blass (@evleaks) June 7, 2018 A reasonable guess was that Samsung is preparing a switch or at least an extension of its smart wearable lineup. Yet now new info comes in to that it was a one-off stunt by Google and the Korean manufacturer has not decided to change the wearable OS. This...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_gear_to_stay_with_tizen_os-news-31572.php

MediaTek's first 5G modem is Helio M70, coming in 2019 smartphones

MediaTek is the next manufacturer to introduce a chipset with 5G capabilities. The modem is called Helio M70 and will be built by TSMC on the 7nm process, incorporating EUV technology. Shipments will begin in 2019 to answer the demand for 1 Gbps internet. In the deployment of 5G solutions around the world, MediaTek has revealed it made contact with Nokia, China Mobile and Huawei for technical cooperation and specs negotiation. With the rollout of the latest regulations that enable the standard, MediaTek decided to reveal the Helio M70 to support global smartphone vendors and...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/mediatek_5g_chipset_helio_m70_2019_smartphones-news-31571.php

Google brings Android Go to Brazil

Google's Android Go platform, which is aimed at entry-level smartphones, and also known as Oreo (Go Edition) - has officially debuted in Brazil. The announcement was made at the annual Google for Brazil event. New devices featuring Android Go will be made available in the country by Positivo, Multilaser and alcatel. Google also announced more Assistant Actions for Brazil, saying it's working with as many as 30 local partners to add actions like ordering food, making reservations, and hailing a cab. The company said Google Search is also getting new Football-related features -...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/google_brings_android_go_to_brazil-news-31567.php

TSMC is ramping up 7nm chips production to meet growing demand

As most of you know, TSMC is one of the leading semiconductor manufacturers and has some big-name clients like Qualcomm, Nvidia, MediaTek and even Apple. And according to industry sources, the Taiwanese company is moving its 7nm chips to mass production in response to the growing demand from its customers. It seems that most of the fabless companies are going to skip the 10nm node and jump on the 7nm directly. Huawei's HiSilicon, MediaTek, Qualcomm, Xilinx and Nvidia all have announced that their next-generation products will be built on TSMC's 7nm manufacturing process. TSMC's 7nm...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/tsmc_is_ramping_up_7nm_process_production_to_meet_growing_demand-news-31569.php

Motorola One Power leaked specs reveal 6.2" Full HD+ screen

Motorola is launching an Android One device that is expected to be the successor of the Moto X4. It will be called Motorola One Power and more specs of the device leaked, revealing a Snapdragon 636 chipset, coupled with 4 GB RAM. The notched screen was confirmed to measure 6.2" in diagonal with Full HD+ resolution. The dual camera setup is listed as 12MP f/1.8 + 5MP f/2.0, while the selfie snapper has 8MP resolution and an unimpressive f/2.2 lens. The new specs contradict a previous leak that suggested a 16MP snapper with f/1.9 aperture. They also mention 6GB RAM as opposed to...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_one_power_leaked_specs_full_hd_screen-news-31570.php

Google now offers free Wi-Fi in 400 train stations in India

Google announced its joint project with Indian Railways and RailTel to bring public Wi-Fi to India's train stations. The initiative began back in 2015, and now 400 train stops have free access to the internet. Caesar Sengupta, Google VP and Head of the Next Billion Users Team, said in a press release that the service is used by 8 million users monthly. The milestone was published along with a video of a mother that uses the free Wi-Fi to provide better educational materials for her son. According to Sengupta, she is just one of the people that consume 350 MB of data per session and...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/google_free_wifi_400_train_stations_india-news-31568.php

Nokia 3.1 goes on sale in Russia and Jordan

The newly-unveiled Nokia 3.1 is now available for purchase with Russia and Jordan the first markets to get the device. In Russia - where the phone was already available for pre-order - the phone's price tag is RUB 11,990($190). Available color options include white, blue, and black. In Jordan, the Nokia 3.1 is available in all sale points. All color and memory/storage options are on sale. Pricing isn't officially confirmed, but it should be very similar. The US should also be getting the phone soon - both B&H and Amazon have the phone listed already even if they are yet to...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_31_released_now_available_in_russia_and_jordan-news-31565.php

Oreo-powered Samsung Galaxy A8 (2016) gets WiFi certified

The Samsung Galaxy A8 (2016) has been spotted on the website of WiFi Alliance. What's interesting here is the 'operating system' entry which shows Android 8.0 Oreo. So this is a strong indication that the Oreo update for the Galaxy A8 (2016) is now finalized and is about to start rolling out. There's currently no information on exactly when the update will arrive, but given that it has started collecting certification, it can't be far away. Source | Via

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_a8_2016_with_oreo_on_board_gets_wifi_certified-news-31563.php

Samsung Galaxy J3 (2018) and J7 (2018) mid-rangers announced

Samsung just unveiled the successors to the Galaxy J3 (2017) and Galaxy J7 (2017) but revealed little about their hardware. The Samsung Galaxy J3 (2018) and J7 (2018) are still mid-range devices as evident by just looking at their photos, but details are scarce. Samsung Galaxy J7 (2018) The more interesting Samsung Galaxy J7 (2018), the model brings almost identical specs to its predecessor, at least when it comes to the camera setup. We've got the same 13MP main sensor with f/1.7 lens and a 13MP front-facing camera, again with f/1.9 aperture. On paper, the Galaxy J7 (2018)...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_j3_2018_and_j7_2018_announced__vague_specs_and_no_pricing-news-31566.php

Sharp Aquos S3 High Edition arrives with Qi wireless charging

Sharp announced the Aquos S3 smartphone back in March with Snapdragon 630 chipset and surprisingly small body for a device with 6" tall screen. Now the Japanese company announced an upgraded version of the smartphone with more powerful internals - the chipset is now Snapdragon 660, the RAM is 8 GB and the phone has Qi wireless charging support. Apart from the new performance specs, the device stays with an IPS LCD of FullHD+ resolution. The camera setup is 12 MP + 13 MP with f/1.75 aperture. The front cam is 16 MP with a standard f/2.0 lens. They all support AI face recognition,...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/sharp_aquos_s3_high_edition_wireless_charging-news-31564.php

Google Pixel 3 XL prototype leaks in live images with a notch and chin

Over the past few weeks, we've started seeing more and more rumors about Google's Pixel 3 and 3 XL, smartphones due to be officially introduced at some point in October. The bigger model will have a screen notch, according to past leaks, while the smaller one won't. Coming today to confirm half of that theory are two images depicting a prototype Pixel 3 XL in all its glory, front and back. Here they are for your viewing pleasure (click the thumbnails for higher-res versions). Google Pixel 3 XL prototype The device looks strikingly similar to the Pixel 2 XL from the back, with...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/google_pixel_3_xl_prototype_leaks_in_live_images_with_a_notch_and_chin-news-31558.php

Amazon announces Fire TV Cube with hands-free voice control

Amazon has announced the Fire TV Cube, a new product in its series of media players that is controlled entirely by voice. The Fire TV Cube is built almost like an Echo, which means it includes eight far-field microphones so you can talk to it directly without needing a remote and it can hear you even over the sound of the television. You can tell it to turn on the television or just directly tell it to play your favorite content. It can turn on the television automatically over HDMI-CEC and then automatically navigate itself to the particular content, even if it is within a non-Amazon...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/amazon_announces_fire_tv_cube_with_handsfree_voice_control-news-31557.php

MediaTek is readying an upgraded Helio P60 chip with emphasis on AI

With AI starting to be a big part of our lives, manufacturers continuously push more and more AI-related technologies into their handsets. In response, chip makers have to produce capable hardware that can take the load. Well, MediaTek is planning to do so by optimizing its current flagship Helio P60 chip. The Helio P60 has had a pretty successful launch this year and has attracted numerous Chinese smartphone OEMs like Oppo and vivo. MediaTek has also outed the first mid-range 12nm chip based on TSMC's manufacturing process, the Helio P22, and has sold like a hot cake in China and...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/mediatek_is_readying_an_upgraded_helio_p60_chip_with_emphasis_on_ai-news-31555.php

Upcoming Snapdragon 1000 might have 12 W TDP, take on Intel directly

Qualcomm unveiled the Snapdragon 850 a couple of days ago, its first chip exclusively targeted at laptop-style devices. Sure, it's a slightly overclocked 845, but it's a start. More info is surfacing about the Snapdragon 1000 and it will be more powerful than expected. It will reportedly have a TDP of up to 12 W, nearly double the TDP of the S850 and massive for ARM chip. For comparison, Intel's U-series - e.g. 8250U and 8550U - are rated at 15 W and have four cores with eight threads each. Intel's cores are huge compared to the typical ARM core, but then software isn't great at using...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/snapdragon_1000_might_have_12_w_tdp_take_on_intel_directly-news-31554.php

Alleged Sony Xperia XZ3 specs leak - an XZ2 with XZ2 Premium dual camera?

A purported spec sheet of the Sony Xperia XZ3 has leaked in Japan, ushering the phone into the rumor mill. The sheet points to a meek update over the Xperia XZ2 - a slightly bigger battery, more RAM (6GB) and the dual camera from the Xperia XZ2 Premium - 19 MP (25mm, f/1.8, 1/2.3" 1.22µm) + 12 MP B/W (f/1.6, 1/2.3", 1.55µm). The selfie camera seems to be the same 13MP f/2.0 snapper. The Xperia XZ3 is also slightly thinner and lighter than Sony's current phone. If these leaked specs turn out truthful, then the Xperia XZ3 will retain the 5.7-inch 2160x1080 LCD and Snapdragon 845...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/alleged_sony_xperia_xz3_specs_leak__an_xz2_with_xz2_premium_dual_camera-news-31553.php

Samsung Galaxy A9 Star and A9 Star Lite pricing revealed

Samsung semi-unveiled the Galaxy A9 Star and A9 Star Lite a coupled of days ago and started accepting pre-orders. Except details on price and shipping were vague at best. Not any more - the two phones ship out on June 15. Here's what these phones are about and how much they cost. Samsung Galaxy A9 Star The Samsung Galaxy A9 Star shares many similarities with the A6+, but it's not identical. For one, it has a larger 6.3" Super AMOLED screen with 1,080 x 2,220 px resolution (and no notch). And the design is noticeably different too. The dual camera is tucked into the upper left corner...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_a9_star_and_a9_star_lite_pricing_revealed-news-31552.php

Honor's new earbuds measure your heart rate and have Hi-Res audio

Honor 9i and Honor Play surely stole the show yesterday at Huawei's event, but let's not forget that one more cool device was announced - the Honor Earphones. With all the wireless earbuds nowadays, Honor is sticking to the cords but compensates with a fresh new feature for the sporty types out there. These buds measure your heart rate because why not? According to Honor, since the human ear is filled with a lot of capillaries, it measures the heart rate more accurately compared to the conventional wrist trackers. A dedicated app is needed to use the feature and works with most...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/honors_new_earbuds_have_hi_res_audio_and_measure_your_heart_rate-news-31551.php

OnePlus will hold its next Open Ears community event in India next month

OnePlus will hold its next Open Ears community event in India on July 7. if you're not familiar with Open Ears - it's an event at which OnePlus meets with select users and fans to discuss specific topics related to OnePlus' services and products. The India-based Open Ears will focus on Products and OnePlus will hand pick 30 people to participate in the event - all expenses paid. Registration for the Open Ears event is open until June 12. OnePlus prides itself on being a community-driven company. It held previous Open Ears events in Hamburg and London, getting feedback from its...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/oneplus_will_hold_its_next_open_ears_community_event_in_india_next_month-news-31550.php

BlackBerry Key2 hands-on review

In a sea of smartphone sameness, there are very few outliers, that can still boast a unique angle of their own. Most of TCL's lineup still proudly fits into that category. Understandably, all the turbulence and leadership change in recent years did result in some plain devices, like the DTEK models. On the flip side, devices like the Keyone embody the classic BlackBerry spirit in full.

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/blackberry_key2_hands_on-review-1775.php

BlackBerry Key2 is a love letter to physical buttons and sharp edges

At an event held in New York, today TCL officially announced the few remaining details we didn't already know about the BlackBerry Key2, which was leaked heavily in the past couple of days. Unsurprisingly, the Key2 is a continuation of the Keyone in almost every respect. It retains the squarish form factor that's highlighted by an iconic physical keyboard and a 3:2 aspect screen and adds a dual camera on the back - a BlackBerry first. The camera is a dual 12MP with a regular f/1.8, 1.28um, and a telephoto f/2.6, 1.28um that's used for optical zooming as well as portrait shots with...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/blackberry_key2_is_a_love_letter_to_physical_buttons_and_wide_screens-news-31542.php

vivo accidentally leaks its upcoming vivo NEX and NEX S, only one has in-display fingerprint

We've heard a lot in about the upcoming spectacular vivo devices based on the APEX concept phone, which is rather expected with the nearing launch on June 12. The latest leak, however, comes from vivo's official website, so the information should be as accurate as it gets. vivo NEX and vivo NEX S The vivo NEX S and vivo NEX were showcased for a brief moment on vivo's website revealing almost everything you could think of. It also confirms the latest report claiming that the vivo NEX S is actually the premium version of the phone while the vivo NEX is a slightly toned-down...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/vivo_accidentally_leaks_its_upcoming_vivo_nex_and_nex_s_only_one_has_indisplay_fingerprint-news-31549.php

Watch the BlackBerry KEY2 announcement livestream here

We saw multiple new devices announced the recent weeks - the new phone season is in full swing. The next big planned announcement is by TCL, the owner of the BlackBerry brand. The Chinese company will introduce the Key2 in New York today at 3PM UK time (10 AM local NY time), and you can watch it below. The BlackBerry Key2 might appear for the first time at an official event, but the full specs sheet already leaked yesterday, including 4G bands, dimensions, preloaded apps, etc. The new phone will have 4.5" panel and will keep the 3:2 ratio we saw in the first iteration - the BlackBerry...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/watch_blackberry_key2_livestream_here-news-31537.php

HTC Desire 12 and Desire 12+ go live in India

Launched back in March, the two low-end HTC devices, the Desire 12 and Desire 12+, make it to the Indian market as well. It's obvious that the Taiwanese company is trying to make a dent in the Indian market where Samsung is losing some ground to the Chinese manufacturers, namely Xiaomi, vivo and Oppo, but will this be enough? HTC Desire 12 Anyway, since both Desire phones have had their official global release, the specs are hardly of anyone's surprise. The Desire 12 comes with 5.5-inch low-res (720x1440), tall 18:9 display, quad-core MediaTek MT6739 chipset, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/htc_desire_12_and_desire_12_go_live_in_india-news-31543.php

MIUI 10 goes global - performance, camera and UI improvements

Just a week ago, Xiaomi announced its high-end trio, the Mi 8, Mi 8 Explorer Edition and MI 8 SE and the latest version of its MIUI skin along with it. Today, with the Redmi Y2 in India, the company is officially rolling out the MIUI 10 as well. The new interface focuses on speed, re-designed UI, cool new nature sound notifications and bokeh portraits without the second camera. The UI is now more refined and utilizes the new tall screen ratio and full-screen displays. The recent menu has been revamped as well to better display the content of the apps. The performance improvements...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/miui_10_goes_global__performance_camera_and_ui_improvements-news-31546.php

Oppo Find X to have a telephoto lens with optical zoom

Oppo is launching its true flagship Find X on June 19. The company confirmed the news on Tuesday with a press release, and now all it has left is to tease various features until the device is launched. The latest post on the Chinese social network Weibo is an image of a person with a telescope, looking at the sky. A cryptic text, roughly translated as "Galileo looked at the sky and reached the universe", suggests that the Find X is likely to have massive optical zoom since the astronomer and mathematician is the inventor of the telescope. We already know that Oppo is capable of...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/oppo_find_x_telephoto_lens_optical_zoom-news-31540.php

Samsung Internet browser v7.4 Beta brings handy new features

If you are a Samsung user, you've probably already tried the Samsung Internet browser, and if you did, you've noticed that it's not your usual pre-installed bloatware that OEMs usually put on your phone. Well, to be fair, Samsung does that by pre-loading tons of other apps on your Galaxy handset, but the browser definitely isn't one of them. In fact, it seems to be a pretty good alternative to Google's Chrome. And if you are a fan of Samsung Internet, you can get a taste of the latest features that the v7.4 Beta brings. The most notable feature is the enhanced Intelligent Scan....

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_internet_browser_v74_beta_brings_handy_new_features-news-31539.php

Xiaomi Redmi Y2 arrives in India, is a rebadged Redmi S2

Xiaomi had an event today in New Delhi where the Redmi Y2 was announced. The device was introduced by Manu Kumar Jain, VP of Xiaomi, and head of the Indian division. The Redmi Y2 arrives in India as a rebranded Redmi S2. It has a Snapdragon 625 chipset with octa-core CPU, clocked at 2 GHz. The screen is 5.99" in diagonal with a tall 18:9 ratio and an HD+ resolution (1440 x 720 pixels). Memory versions are two - 3/32 GB and 4/64 GB. Xiaomi Redmi Y2 Since the phone is selfie-centric, Manu Kumar Jain spent most of the time talking about the cameras. The selfie snapper has...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_redmi_y2_arrives_in_india_rebadged_redmi_s2-news-31544.php

Facebook shared user data with major smartphone manufacturers

Facebook has been under fire recently for giving data third-party apps, allegedly without user's consent. After an investigation by The New York Times, it was discovered the social media gave deep access to all major smartphone makers. Latest information revealed that the now-banned Huawei was one of them, along with three other Chinese companies - Lenovo, Oppo, and TCL (the owner of the BlackBerry and alcatel brands). They join the company of Samsung, Apple, and Amazon that were initially unveiled on Sunday. According to The New York Times, the partnership between Facebook and the...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/facebook_shared_user_data_with_major_smartphone_manufacturers-news-31538.php

Sony Xperia XZ1 series and XZ Premium getting new update

Sony has started pushing out a new update to the Xperia XZ1 series and XZ Premium smartphones. Carrying a build number of 47.1.A.12.205, it's a security update that brings along Android fixes for the month of June. There's currently no information on what other changes (if any) are included in the update. As is usually the case with OTA roll outs, it may take time for the update notification to pop up on your unit, so you'll have to be patient. Via

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_xz1_series_and_xz_premium_getting_new_update-news-31534.php

Now you can add Apple Maps to your website

At the ongoing WWDC, Apple has announced a major change related to Apple Maps. The company has made available to third-party developers the ability to embed Apple Maps on websites, something which can be done using the newly-launched JavaScript library MapKit JS (which is currently in beta). Here's what Apple's official website says: MapKit JS brings Apple Maps to the web. This new JavaScript library lets you add interactive maps to webpages — complete with annotations, overlays, and interfaces to Apple Maps services such as Search and Directions — to enable rich...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/now_you_can_add_apple_maps_to_your_website-news-31536.php

Xiaomi Mi 8 SE goes on sale on June 8

Xiaomi launched its three variants of the Mi 8 in on May 31 and shortly after, the standard Mi 8 version went on sale on June 5 only to be sold in under two minutes. Now, the first ever Snapdragon 710-powered smartphone, the Mi 8 SE will be made available for purchase on June 8. Since the device comes in two memory configurations, the pricing is different as well. The 4GB/64GB model will set you back CNY 1,799 ($282) while the 6GB/64GB variant asks CNY 1,999 ($313). That's pretty good value, right? Well, if you think so too, we strongly recommend getting in line early in the morning...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_mi_8_se_goes_on_sale_on_june_8-news-31541.php

Nokia 3.1 US launch imminent as Nokia 6 and 5 get June updates

When the Nokia 3.1 was officially unveiled, HMD said the device will be available for purchase in June. Since then, the device has already got its Indian pricing confirmed, and has also gone on pre-order in Russia. And now, its US launch also seems imminent. The device is currently listed on retailer B&H Photo's website as coming soon. The price tag, as you can see, is $159, which is exactly what was revealed during the phone's unveiling. Sadly, there's currently no information on exactly when the Nokia 3.1 will go on sale in the US. Meanwhile, in a separate but Nokia-related...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_31_us_launch_imminent_as_nokia_6_and_5_get_june_updates-news-31535.php

Reportedly, Samsung is keeping the same Galaxy Note8 design for the Note9 to cut costs

Reports of the upcoming Galaxy Note9 have been fairly vague, but every single one of them adds to the puzzle piece by piece. The latest one points at no design changes, whatsoever. On the left is the real Note9 Screen Protector pic.twitter.com/BS8rydeqnS— Ice universe (@UniverseIce) June 5, 2018 According to the same leakster who brought you Galaxy Note9's screen glass protector revealing the front design, we know have a solid confirmation that the overall looks won't be much different than the Note8. Reportedly, this is because the company is looking to save on some manufacturing...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/reportedly_samsung_is_keeping_the_same_galaxy_note8_design_for_the_note9_to_cut_costs-news-31527.php

You can now buy Amazon's Alexa-powered fashion camera Echo Look

Amazon's Echo Look that was announced back in April is now on sale on Amazon.com. The fashion smart cam was up until now only available in limited quantities and through an invite system. For the price of $199 you get an Alexa powered smart camera that can snap photos and 6-second video. Using its built-in LEDs and depth sensors the Echo Look can capture photos with background blur and put emphasis on your clothes. These photos and videos can be organized in the Echo Look app in collections of your favorite "looks". Daily Look takes a photo of your outfit each day for future...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/you_can_now_buy_amazons_alexapowered_fashion_camera_echo_look-news-31526.php

HTC continues to lose money, makes 46% less than in May of 2017

HTC has released unaudited results for May 2018 and they don't look good. Revenue for the month of May is NT$2.45bn (around €70m) which is down 46% compared to the NT$4.53bn (around €130m) of May 2017. HTC posted its January through May 2018 results as well. Total revenue was NT$13.33bn (€380m) - that's quite poor compared to the NT$23.77bn (€678m) of the January-May period of 2017. The one silver lining is that the May 2018 revenue is 16% higher than earnings from April. May is also the month HTC announced the U12+ and started selling the Vive Pro. The U12+ will go on sale this...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/htc_continues_to_lose_money_makes_46_less_than_in_may_of_2017-news-31525.php

ZTE nubia Z18 photographed in the wild

ZTE's nubia Z18 mini is official and it has already been through a few rounds of sales. And yet its bigger sibling, the ZTE nubia Z18 is still missing. The phone has been teased, it posted impressive scores in AnTuTu and we even saw a live photo of it. Here are a few more photos, this time without the odd angles and reflections. For example, you can now clearly see the Essential-style notch that holds the selfie camera. The next photo shows the viewfinder of the camera. ZTE nubia Z18 poses for a few unofficial photos According to TENAA, we're looking at a 24 MP + 8 MP dual...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/zte_nubia_z18_photographed_in_the_wild-news-31524.php

Deal: Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ with a free Gear 360 (2017) camera

You may have noticed some YouTubers switching to 360° cameras - the great thing about them is that you get to rotate the camera around in post-production. Or maybe you want to shoot videos for VR headsets, either way capturing omnidirectional video can be cool. Best Buy is currently running a promotion that will net you a free Samsung Gear 360 (2017) camera if you buy a Galaxy S9 or Galaxy S9+. The retailer lists the camera at $170, though if you wait for a promo you can get it as low as $100. -Still, a $100 for free is nothing to sneeze at. The Galaxy S9 is $670 unlocked (64 GB)...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/deal_samsung_galaxy_s9_and_s9_with_a_free_gear_360_2017_camera-news-31522.php

OnePlus 6 receives an update in China, adds selfie portrait mode and battery percentage

With all the missing features and bugs that came along, we can't get over the feeling that the OnePlus 6 is a half-baked product, but we also can't miss the fact that the company is pretty fast with the software updates and swiftly fixes most of the problems that occurred. Case in point, the latest OTA update to hit the HydrogenOS in China fixes some of the reported issues. The update adds support for selfie portrait mode - or the so-called bokeh effect - and includes the battery percentage icon that was missing since launch. The list also adds "game optimization", which probably means...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/oneplus_6_receives_an_update_in_china_adds_selfie_portrait_mode_and_battery_percentage-news-31521.php

Moto Z3 Play goes official, works with all Moto Mods

Motorola has just unveiled the new Moto Z3 Play. The phone comes just one year after the Moto Z2 Play and pioneers the new Z3 series. The Z3 Play, just like the previous Z phones, is built around the Moto Mods concept. This means it accepts all existing Moto Mods and as such is rather limited when it comes to design. The Z3 Play has a thin aluminium frame and Gorilla Glass 3 panels for both the front and the back. While the Moto Z3 Play is keeping the same footprint as the Z and Z2, the maker still managed to put a taller 6" Super AMOLED screen of 1,080 x 2,160 pixels. The...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/moto_z3_play_goes_official_works_with_all_moto_mods-news-31523.php