Android 9 in development for the vivo V11i, benchmark listing reveals

vivo launched a closed Android Pie beta program towards the end of last year in China, and it seems the time for updates is nearing. Oddly enough, it's none of the original devices enlisted that's now surfaced on GeekBench running Android 9.0. Instead, it's the V11i or simply V11, as it is known in India. While we haven't had the chance to test this particular variant of the V11 (we did review the V11 Pro), the results posted with the new OS version are very much in line with what we've gotten out of other phones powered by the Helio P60 chipset, so the update shouldn't bring any...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/android_9_in_development_for_the_vivo_v11i_benchmark_listing_reveals-news-35153.php

Deal: Refurbished Apple HomePod for $240 in the US, today only

Apple's HomePod Siri-enabled smart speaker was never particularly affordable at $349 in the US, but at $240 you could be tempted. That's what it goes for now on Woot - or rather $239.99. Both the white and space gray color options are available. Mind you, it's not new-new, but refurbished, and comes with a 90-day Woot warranty, instead of the usual one year. Additionally, if you're in Alaska or Hawai (or anywhere outside the US, for that matter) - tough luck, it doesn't ship there. The HomePod, announced in the summer of 2017 (how time flies), is Apple's answer to the Amazon Echo...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/deal_refurbished_apple_homepod_for_240_in_the_us_today_only-news-35152.php

Exynos Galaxy S10 visits GeekBench, still behind the iPhone XS in single-core test

The Samsung Galaxy S10 has been spotted on GeekBench and the numbers are in. This time, it's the Exynos 9820 variant for South Korea (SM-G973N), and there are notable differences with the previously seen results from the S10+ in Snapdragon 855 trim. The single-core result, in particular, is far ahead of any other chip in the Android world - the current Kirin 980 (around the 3400s) and Snapdragon 845 (ballpark is in 2400s) are no match for the next-gen Exynos, and early Snapdragon 855 figures are much lower too (3400-3550 depending on who you ask). In fact, the older Exynos 9810...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/exynos_9820_galaxy_s10_geekbench_behind_iphone_xs_singlecore_test-news-35151.php

Here's an early look at the Samsung Galaxy S10 lineup

It wouldn't be a big Samsung announcement if months ahead of it we didn't have a barrage of leaks coming our way. Such is the case with the Galaxy S10 that's to be unveiled on February 20, and this time around we're treated to a side-by-side look of the three differently-sized (and likely and evidently - differently-specced) versions of it. Samsung Galaxy S10E, S10, and S10+ (L to R), encased pic.twitter.com/Pk2gpXkXxn— Evan Blass (@evleaks) January 19, 2019 Left to right, it's the Galaxy S10 Lite (which may or may not be called S10E), Galaxy S10, and Galaxy S10+. The info that the...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/heres_an_early_look_at_the_samsung_galaxy_s10_lineup-news-35150.php

German court stops Apple from using a deceptive statement following iPhone ban

Back in December, the German court ruled in favor of Qualcomm and moved to ban sales of those affected iPhone including the iPhone 7 and 8 models due to an ongoing patent dispute with Qualcomm. Following the ban, Apple released a statement regarding the ban. It said that while 15 retailers in Germany would no longer sell the phones, the affected models would still be available "through more than 4,300 carriers and resellers across Germany," as per the Retuers report. A three-judge panel of the German court agreed that Apple should remove the second part of the statement on the grounds...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/german_court_stops_apple_from_using_a_deceptive_statement_following_iphone_ban-news-35149.php

Nokia 3.1 Plus running Android Pie spotted on GeekBench, update imminent

The Nokia 3.1 Plus was released back in October with Android 8.1 pre-loaded. Many are perhaps wondering when the Android Pie update will arrive for the Android One smartphone. Well, thanks to a new benchmark spotted on GeekBench by Nashville Chatter, the update could come fairly soon. The benchmark result shows that the "HMD Global Nokia 3.1 Plus" was tested running "Android 9" in the test result. It was actually run a total of three times (1,2,3) within two hours or so and each run has comparable scores to the last. The Nokia 3.1 Plus is powered by a MediaTek Helio P22 with...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_31_plus_running_android_pie_spotted_on_geekbench_update_imminent-news-35148.php

Huawei Mate 20 Pro gets 109 overall score in DxOMark, tied with another Huawei phone

DxOMark has published its evaluation of the Huawei Mate 20 Pro, giving it an overall score of 109. It technically has the highest score that DxOMark ever gave to a smartphone, but it is tied with another Huawei phone, the P20 Pro. The breakdown of the score is identical to that of the P20 Pro. The main differences in scores are bokeh, which scores 60 - 10 points less than the P20 Pro, and it knocked a few points off in a couple of categories of video. Specifically, DxOMark knocked a few points off for Noise and a couple off of stabilization. As a result, the Mate 20 Pro scores 114...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_mate_20_pro_gets_109_overall_score_in_dxomark_tied_with_another_huawei_phone-news-35147.php

Samsung Galaxy M10 and M20 prices leak

Samsung's Galaxy M10 and M20 have been leaking left and right lately, ahead of their official unveiling on January 28. One detail that hasn't been convincingly outed so far is how much they are going to cost. Today from "a source close to Samsung's pricing strategy" for the upcoming Galaxy M series comes news that the M10 will start at only INR 8,990 in India. That's about $126 or €110 at the current exchange rates. The M20 on the other hand will start at INR 12,990 ($182 or €160). That's definitely some bold pricing right there, but Samsung has no choice since it's feeling a lot of...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_m10_and_m20_prices_leak-news-35146.php

Huawei P Smart (2019) in for review

Just last month, the Huawei P Smart (2019) became official last month and the device is already available at retailers in the UK and coming soon to other EU markets. The P Smart has been updated with a larger 6.2-inch display, newer generation Kirin 710, and a beefier 3,400 mAh battery pack. Huawei kept the unibody but strayed away from a metal jacket, opting instead for a polycarbonate shell while improving the appearance of the phone. Our Sapphire Blue device has a beautiful gradient finish that fades from almost a teal blue at the top to a deep blue at the bottom. On...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_p_smart_2019_in_for_review-news-35145.php

Windows Phone is officially obsolete, Microsoft tells users to switch to Android or iOS

Yes, you did read that correctly - Microsoft has officially set a sunset date for Windows Phone. In a Microsoft support page titled "Windows 10 Mobile End of Support: FAQ" some questions are answered regarding the eventual drop of support for the Windows Phone platform. Under "What should Windows 10 Mobile customers do now?" Microsoft recommends that Windows Phone users "move to a supported Android or iOS device." Windows Phone devices will no longer receive security on December 10 of this year. Though third party apps may continue supporting Windows Apps, Microsoft will no longer support...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/windows_phone_is_officially_obsolete_microsoft_tells_users_to_switch_to_android_or_ios-news-35144.php

Foxconn cuts 50,000 workers earlier than expected, due to slowing smartphone sales

Foxconn has cut some 50,000 contract workers from its workforce since October. The number is not unusual compared to previous years, but the timing is different as the contractors were let go much earlier this time. According to an unnamed source close to the issue the workers are from the factory in Zhengzhou, in China's Henan Province, which is responsible for the bulk of iPhone production. It could stand to reason that the cutbacks are a direct response to Apple scaling down iPhone production. Normally workers' contracts would be renewed on a monthly basis from August until...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/foxconn_cuts_50000_workers_earlier_than_expected_due_to_slowing_sales-news-35139.php

Deal: Razer Phone 2 discounted to $699

Razer Phone 2 was announced back in October for $799. It comes with a Snapdragon 845 chipset, THX-certified amplifiers with the speakers, 120Hz IGZO QHD display and 8 GB RAM. It was initially exclusive to AT&T in the United States, but now it's available from a bunch of other retailers and carriers. To boost sales of unlocked devices, Razer is offering its second Phone with a $100 discount on Amazon, as well as the online and offline stores of BestBuy and Microsoft Store, but you can get up to $250 more back if you decide to go through Verizon. If you choose Big Red, the carrier...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/deal_razer_phone_2_is_discounted_100_now_costs_699-news-35138.php

The Pocophone F1 finally gets 960fps slo-mo video recording and night mode

Pocophone's developer's team rolled out the beta build of MIUI 10 last month for the Pocophone F1 carrying much-anticipated features like super slo-mo video recording and a special night mode for the stills. Now the stable version of MIUI 10 v10.2.2.0 is rolling out. The patch enables 960fps super slo-mo in the default camera app in addition to the already existing 120 and 240fps modes. There's also a new night mode for low-light scenery, which stitches 8 photos with different exposure levels and produces one less noisy, better exposed image. We are yet to see how well it works in real...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/the_pocophone_f1_finally_gets_960fps_slomo_video_recording_and_night_mode-news-35134.php

vivo unveils brand new color and font

This year vivo will put a new coat of paint on its brand - Pantone 2386, specifically (the old color was 2925 C). And it is retouching its logo with a new font. The redesign will debut in China first, but will go global in by the end of March. Are you ready? Here's the new logo with the new color: Okay, that was a bit underwhelming. But the font is different, it's rounder and vertically compressed. Here's another sample, which shows labels you will see on the box of new vivo phones: And here's the full alphabet - the Latin one, plus a sample of Chinese...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/vivo_unveils_brand_new_color_and_font-news-35136.php

Xiaomi President smashes a walnut using a Redmi Note 7 in slow motion

The Redmi Note 7 looked solidly-built in its official teardown video, but there's only one real way to prove that a phone is tough - smash a walnut with it. Okay, maybe that's not the proper way to do it, but who are we to argue? After all, this video was posted by Lin Bin, co-founder and President of Xiaomi. And not just that, the video was shot in 960fps with a Mi 8 so you can see the carnage in slow motion. To be clear, it was the nut that got smashed to bits. via GIPHY The Redmi Note 7 is getting the Night mode of more premium phones, so could this be a hint of upcoming 960fps...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_president_smashes_a_walnut_using_a_redmi_note_7_in_slow_motion-news-35135.php

Netflix posted 35% YoY growth and 29 million new paying subscribers

Netflix just posted its annual stats recording a revenue of $16 billion in 2018. That's around 35% growth year-over-year while doubling its operating profit to $1.6 billion. The revenue growth is primarily due to an increase in paying subscribers - in 2018 the company lured 29 million new paying subscribers the year and 9 million of them came in the last quarter. Now the current count of paying subscribers is 139 million and Netflix expects around 8.9 million to come in this quarter. The streaming company also boasted about the success of Bird Box, which earned 45 million views in...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/netflix_posted_35_yoy_growth_and_29_million_new_paying_subscribers-news-35132.php

Galaxy A8 (2018) and Galaxy A9 (2018) Android Pie update is already in testing

The Samsung Galaxy A8 (2018) and Galaxy A9 (2018) are both being tested with Android 9.0 Pie and will likely get the update by April (along with the Galaxy A8+ (2018)). The confirmation for both the Galaxy A8 (2018) and the Galaxy A9 (2018) has come in the form of certification forms in the Wi-Fi Alliance wherein both are running Android 9.0. Samsung is currently seeding the Android 9 update to the Galaxy S9 and Note9 devices and just begun the beta testing for Android Pie on the Galaxy S8/S8+ and the Galaxy Note8. Source 1 | 2 | Via

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_a8_2018_and_galaxy_a9_2018_in_line_for_android_pie-news-35133.php

Xiaomi opens its biggest European Mi Store in Paris

Today Xiaomi is taking a new step in its expansion in Europe. The company opens the biggest Mi Store on the Old Continent in Paris, France, at the famous Champs-Elysees street. Although the launch is scheduled for 1 PM local time, some people started lining at sunrise with temperatures around 0 degrees Celsius. The new Mi Store The official photos on Twitter revealed Xiaomi will sell pretty much everything from its product portfolio - from smartphones like the Redmi Note 6 Pro and Pocophone F1 to headphones, Yi cameras, purifiers and plenty of other home appliances. The new...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_biggest_european_mi_store_paris_france-news-35131.php

vivo Apex 2019 is coming on January 24

Plenty of smartphone manufacturers demoed their current technologies at CES 2019, but vivo decided to do its own thing. The company showcased elements of a design, called Waterdrop, that is going to arrive on January 24. Today vivo posted another image on its Weibo profile, effectively revealing the new device will be called vivo APEX 2019. Current vivo teaser • Previous vivo teaser Almost a year ago we saw the first vivo APEX that was essentially a concept smartphone with pretty much bezel-less screen, pop-up camera and UD scanner that worked anywhere in the bottom half of...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/vivo_apex_2019_is_coming_on_january_24-news-35130.php

Google buys mysterious smartwatch technology from Fossil for $40 million

Today the Fossil Group has announced that it's entered an agreement to sell Google some secret still in development smartwatch technology for $40 million. The deal involves intellectual property related to that technology, as well as some of Fossil's R&D team's members joining Google. The agreement will eventually result in the launch of "a new product innovation that's not yet hit the market", according to Greg McKelvey, EVP and chief strategy and digital officer of the Fossil Group. The mysterious technology in question has been developed by Fossil on top of what it acquired when it...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/google_buys_mysterious_smartwatch_technology_from_fossil_for_40_million-news-35129.php

LG G8 leaks in CAD-based renders and video, doesn't fold, doesn't have two screens

LG's G8 has finally received the leaked CAD-based renders treatment, ahead of its possible unveiling at MWC next month. There's also a video showcasing the renders, which you can find embedded if you scroll down a bit. This is definitely not a foldable smartphone, so if LG is in fact working on something like that, then it will get another name and might be part of a wholly new, more experimental series. Other rumors have talked about an LG handset with an "attachable" second display, but we're not sure how that might work, especially on this phone that doesn't seem to have any special...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/lg_g8_leaks_in_cadbased_renders_and_video_doesnt_fold_doesnt_have_two_screens-news-35128.php

Verizon has a Buy One, Get One free deal for iPhones, Pixels, Samsungs, and LGs

Verizon has decided to offer a pretty interesting Buy One, Get One free (BOGO) deal starting today. In essence, you buy one device from a brand and you can get another one from the same manufacturer for free. There are multiple caveats, as you'd expect, chief of which is the fact that the handset you're receiving for no cost is the cheaper of the bunch. So, for example - if you purchase an iPhone XR, XS, XS Max, or X, you can get an iPhone XR for free. Alternatively if you don't like Apple's most affordable model, the carrier will give you $750 off any other iPhone. The deal works...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/verizon_has_a_buy_one_get_one_free_deal_for_iphones_pixels_samsungs_and_lgs-news-35127.php

Apple iPhone XR's successor to have better LTE performance

Opting for the cheaper iPhone XR will not only get you a less impressive IPS display and a single-camera setup on the back, it will also have slower LTE speeds than the more expensive iPhone XS and XS Max. However, according to a Barclays research note, the next-generation iPhone XR will no longer be at a disadvantage compared to its peers. The upcoming "budget" iPhone will feature 4x4 MIMO (multiple-input, multiple-output) antenna design, which will significantly improve the LTE reception and data transfer speeds. The current high-end iPhone XS and XS Max boast a Gigabit-class LTE...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/iphone_xrs_successor_to_have_better_lte_performance-news-35124.php

Moto G7 with Snapdragon 625 benchmarked, could be the G7 Play

The Moto G7 has been subject to a lot of leaks lately and the Geekbench score sheet that we have here appears to reveal some of the specs of the Play model. It lists the aging Snapdragon 625 chipset and that just doesn't seem like a good fit for the main or the Plus-sized versions. Plus, we've seen solid evidence pointing at Snapdragon 632 and Snapdragon 660 SoCs. Perhaps the vanilla Moto G7 will go with the SD632 while the Plus variant will take the more powerful SD660 on board. If this is true, then we must be dealing with the budget Play model here with Snapdragon 625 and 3GB of...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/moto_g7_spotted_running_a_snapdragon_625_could_be_the_g7_play-news-35126.php

LG G7 ThinQ gets stable Android 9 Pie update in South Korea

The LG G7 ThinQ started beta testing Android 9 Pie in November with a promise to deliver the update in Q1 2019 and it's now here. Or rather, it is there - in South Korea. LG typically releases updates in its home market first and then globally a couple of months later. Here's what you have to look forward to. The change log includes Pie's gesture navigation and the battery optimization features. An LG-supplied issue is the support for dual apps, so you can use two social networking apps simultaneously. LG G7 ThinQ change log for Android 9 Pie (in Korean) The camera gained LG...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/lg_g7_thinq_gets_stable_android_9_pie_update_in_south_korea-news-35123.php

Honor posts steady growth despite shrinking smartphone market

Huawei's sub brand Honor posted strong growth in Q3 of 2018. Its shipments in Q3 of 2018 went up 27.1% that's despite a 3.1% global slowdown in smartphone shipments. However, that's lower than the 32.9% overall growth posted by Huawei, suggesting that the sub-brand is doing worse than its parent. Honor also says that it now ranks first in market share in the mid and high-end online channel market for the same period - an enviable feat for such a young company. The company says it's on track to achieving its goal of becoming a Top 5 manufacturer in the next three years and Top 3 in the next...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/honor_grew_faster_than_parentbrand_huawei_in_q3_of_2018-news-35122.php

The first Android Q beta build leaks, reveals some of the upcoming features

Android Pie is yet to reach anything close to mass adoption, but Google's developers team is already busy building the new Android Q. The guys over at XDA Developers have come across the earliest build of Google's upcoming OS version tested on a Google Pixel 3 XL and shared some of its features. The build date of the ROM was just last week along with February 2019's security patch and it's up-to-date with Google's AOSP internal master. Of course, a lot of features are missing at this point, but some interesting discoveries were made nonetheless. The first thing that came out was...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/the_first_android_q_beta_build_leaks_reveals_some_of_the_upcoming_features-news-35119.php

Apple loses appeal, $440M patent infringement fine stands

The patent battle between Apple and VirnetX has come another step closer to a conclusion after the Cupertino company lost its appeal over the $440 million fine. More than a year ago it was ordered to pay the sum for willful infringement of licenses for secure LTE connectivity used in plenty of iOS apps, including FaceTime. The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld the original verdict, but Apple is planning to appeal once more with a higher court, according to Reuters. The whole fine of $440 million is a sum of a $302 million fine, additional $41 million in penalties,...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_loses_appeal_to_pay_440m_for_virnetx_patents-news-35120.php

Redmi Note 7 is getting Xiaomi's Night Mode

If you weren't already impressed with Redmi Note 7's 48MP camera maybe Night mode will change your mind. This update was announced on MIUI's official Weibo page and will be released "later" (with no further clarification). The Redmi Note 7 is the first of its siblings to feature the large 1/2" ISOCELL GM1 sensor with 48MP resolution. Individual pixels measure 0.8µm, but they can be binned to simulate a 12MP sensor with 1.6µm pixels. Xiaomi included four sample shots with the new mode and they are indeed in 12MP resolution. Redmi Note 7: Night mode camera samples...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/redmi_note_7_is_getting_xiaomis_night_mode-news-35121.php

Oppo R19 and vivo X25 to arrive with pop-up cameras

The summer of 2018 was an exciting period for envelope-pushing smartphone designs and camera setups. First the vivo NEX arrived with a pop-up selfie shooter just to be overshadowed by the Oppo Find X a while. According to a popular Chinese leakster, both companies are planning to bring the periscope selfie camera design to their next flagships, meaning vivo X25 and Oppo R19 are likely to have pop-up cameras and all-screen fronts. The source revealed factory parts and molds are being prepared for the new designs. Oppo is likely going for the same solution with the whole top side...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/oppo_r19_vivo_x25_arrive_popup_cameras-news-35118.php

First Xiaomi Mi 9 renders are here, it and the Mi 9 SE get certified in China

Unofficial renders of the Xiaomi Mi 9 have hit the web and while they are not the usual CAD-based affair, they hit all the key points from the rumors so far. Starting from the back, there's a triple camera with a 48MP main module. The other two reportedly have 18MP and 8MP sensors. Speculative Xiaomi Mi 9 render Going to the front, the screen is expected to have a 6.4" diagonal and a teardrop notch (though probably not as small as depicted here). The Mi 9 will most likely be powered by a Snapdragon 855 chipset and will feature very fast charging. Here's an alternative...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/first_xiaomi_mi_9_renders_are_here_it_and_the_mi_9_se_get_certified_in_china-news-35117.php

Sony Xperia XA3, XA3 Ultra and L3 receive Bluetooth certifications

The Sony Xperia XA3 and XA3 Ultra have been in a holding pattern for a while. One of the few remaining hold-ups was a certificate from the Bluetooth SIG and they have that now. The XA3 was benchmarked with Snapdragon 660 and 6GB of RAM. It will have a 5.9" 1,080 x 2,160px screen. You can feast your eyes on these CAD-based renders, the dual camera design is fairly unusual (confirmed by these cases). The Xperia XA3 Ultra will have a similar design, but its screen goes up to 6.5". Sony Xperia XA3 (CAD-based renders) The third model is likely the Xperia L3. Unofficial...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_xa3_xa3_ultra_and_l3_receive_bluetooth_certifications-news-35116.php

Amazon Echo Input now available in India

Amazon has launched the Echo Input in India. It is priced at INR 2999 ($42). The Echo Input is the cheapest of the Echo range. It is essentially the Echo Dot but without the built-in speaker. This means it relies entirely on being connected to a speaker system. The Echo Input is aimed at those who not just want an affordable way to use Alexa in their home but also a way to turn their regular home audio system into a smart speaker system. You just have to plug this into any active speaker system with the provided audio cable and turn it into an Alexa-enabled speaker system. The...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/amazon_echo_input_now_available_in_india-news-35115.php

nubia Red Magic Mars with 10 GB RAM now up for sale

The ZTE subsidiary nubia introduced its gaming smartphone Red Magic Mars back in November with three memory options - 6/64 GB, 8/128 GB, and 10/256 GB. The first two are selling for quite some time, but the most powerful is only now becoming available online. The phone comes in Camo color, costs CNY3,999 and can be bought today and shipped tomorrow. The gaming device has a 6" IPS LCD screen with 18:9 tall ratio and two touch-sensitive areas on the rim that act like shoulder buttons. There is also a "4D Shock" haptic feedback, stereo speakers and a dual heat pipe and convection...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/nubia_red_magic_mars_with_10_gb_ram_finally_up_for_sale-news-35114.php

Google Pixel 3 Lite leaks in full in a hands-on video

It's happening all over again. Google's production and supply chain let a whole unit escape months ahead of announcement. The Google Pixel 3 Lite has just starred in a hands-on video - just like its more expensive siblings, the Pixel 3/3 XL did last year. According to the video, the Pixel 3 Lite is coming this spring right after the Google I/O conference. Anyway, the smartphone, codenamed Sargo, follows the same design language as its more expensive siblings but swaps out the metal and glass for plastic. Also, the SIM tray has been placed on the right side, and there are no stereo...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/google_pixel_3_lite_leaks_in_full_in_a_handson_video-news-35113.php

Samsung's Galaxy Fold (SM-F9000) gets certified by CMIIT

The Samsung Galaxy F or Fold is spotted going through the CMIIT (China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology) which means that Samsung plans to bring the Galaxy F to the Chinese market. This just in time as Samsung's Unpacked event next month will likely see the debut of the Galaxy F. The main model number is SM-F9000, likely followed by a letter that would identify the market it is intended for. "U" is for US, "F" is for EU, and "A" might be for Asia. Aside from seeing this model number in an official document, there isn't much else revealed about the device...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsungs_galaxy_fold_smf9000_gets_certified_with_cmiit-news-35110.php

vivo launches Xchange trade-in program in India

Chinese phonemaker vivo is launching a new trade-in program in India. It lets you exchange your old phone for credit towards a new vivo phone directly from vivo's online store at shop.vivo.com/in. Cashify.in will be handling the exchange program for vivo and as a promotional offer, vivo will offer an additional INR 1000 to anyone turning in an old vivo device from today through January 19. To perform an exchange with vivo's new Xchange program, you first have to go to the vivo e-store and select the device you'd like to buy. Next, click on "check availability" to confirm...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/vivo_launches_xchange_tradein_program_in_india-news-35112.php

Samsung Galaxy S10+ live photo reveals the dual selfie cam

Samsung is having an Unpacked event in San Francisco on February 20 and we expect to see at least three new phones, including the Samsung Galaxy S10+ with four cameras on the back and two on the front in a cutout of the Infinity-O display. There might be more than a month to the official launch, but the S10+ already appeared in a live photo, posted on Reddit, revealing the front panel of the device. The rumors are true and there will be two selfie cameras, tucked in the upper right corner, while bezels look like they are getting even thinner than the Galaxy S9+. One user in the...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s10_live_photo_dual_selfie_cam-news-35111.php

LG is introducing foldable smartphone at MWC 2019

CES 2019 is behind our backs, and we're looking at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona next month. Xiaomi already confirmed their presence, while Sony started handing out invites. Another big player that will join next month is LG, and according to sources from South Korea, the maker will introduce a foldable smartphone. The new device will not have a flexible screen like the Samsung Galaxy F or the Huawei concept. According to a company representative, it will be similar to the ZTE Axon M, but with a thinner bezel, making both screens merge into one continuous display. The...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/lg_foldable_smartphone_mwc_2019-news-35109.php

Google signs 32-bit only apps' death penalty

Google is cleaning house - starting on August 1 2019 it will no longer accept new apps or app updates that do not support 64-bit processors. You will still be able to download the old versions of those apps, however. Note that games built with Unity 5.6 or older will be exempt from this and can still be updated. There's a way around this - 32-bit only apps can be updated, but they won't run phones with Pie (of which there will be plenty after the MWC). This makes it less likely that developers will be willing to put in the work. 64-bit transition timeline Also, from August 1...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/google_unveils_timeline_to_kill_32bit_only_apps_on_the_play_store-news-35108.php

Galaxy S10's UD fingerprint reader won't work with screen protectors

Troubling news for those of you who want to keep a screen protector on your phones for some extra peace of mind. According to the latest rumor, the Galaxy S10's under-display fingerprint reader won't work with screen protectors. The vanilla Galaxy S10 and the Galaxy S10+ will make use of a new in-display fingerprint tech. It is believed that they will introduce the ultrasonic fingerprint technology that tends to be more reliable, faster and more accurate than the currently existing optical fingerprint tech. However, there might be a big downside as per this tweet. We have tested our...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/galaxy_s10s_ud_fingerprint_reader_wont_work_with_screen_protectors-news-35105.php

Apple's foldable phone to take a different approach, will launch in 2020

Samsung is preparing to introduce its new and exciting foldable Galaxy smartphone on February 20, followed by other manufacturers such as Huawei and LG. Of course, Apple wouldn't want to be left out and it's working on a design of its own, except it is taking a totally different approach. Or at least that's what a Samsung exec believes. While the Galaxy F phone folds inwards, Apple's vision of a foldable phone involves an outwards folding design. It is said that this is a cheaper and easier way to do things but the overall body will end up bulkier and generally less...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/apples_foldable_phone_to_take_a_different_approach_will_launch_in_2020-news-35102.php

Samsung Galaxy M10 to have 6.2" screen, Exynos 7872 chipset

The Samsung Galaxy M10 will be the smallest of the new M-series, but that doesn't make it less relevant. Leaked specs by way of a manual show that it will have a 6.2" screen (720p+) with a teardrop notch (the so-called Infinity V). The nfo suggests that the chipset will be an Exynos 7872, not 7870 as Geekbench reported. This means a move from eight A53 cores to 2x A73 + 4x A53 and a newer, more capable GPU as well. The phone will come in versions with 2GB and 3GB of RAM and will have a dual SIM slot with a dedicated spot for a microSD card. The Galaxy M10 will pack a relatively large...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_m10_to_have_62_screen_exynos_7872_chipset-news-35104.php

Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 passes the torture test with flying colors

The Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 is one of the hottest flagships right now and it offers a mechanical sliding mechanism that's just like the Honor Magic 2 and the Lenovo Z5 Pro. But is it sturdy enough to challenge the classic smartphone design and hold up to the torture tests of JerryRighEverything? Yes, like a champ! The durability test kicks off in the usual fashion with some scratch tests revealing that the ceramic back is indeed noticeably harder to scratch than metal and glass. The ceramic has been an integral part of all Mi Mix phones so far and it's good to see Xiaomi sticking to it despite...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_mi_mix_3_passes_the_torture_test_with_flying_colors-news-35107.php

Motorola RAZR may return as a $1,500 foldable phone

Once upon a time RAZR phones were on top of the world. Lenovo and Verizon may pull a Jurassic Park on us and resurrect the former king. WSJ is reporting that new Motorola RAZR phones will be available as soon as February, exclusively from the US carrier. It will be a foldable phone with a price tag of around $1,500 according to sources. The phones are still being tested, so the launch date is not set in stone. Last year Lenovo's CEO teased the possibility of a new RAZR, later on some patent drawings showed a flip phone with a foldable screen. There was talk of a MotoMod as well, but...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_razr_may_return_as_a_1500_foldable_phone-news-35106.php

Samsung kicks off Galaxy S8/S8+ Android Pie beta program as well

After launching the beta program for the Galaxy Note8 yesterday, Samsung is now launching the Galaxy S8 and S8+ beta program as well. Owners of the two phones will be able to register and participate starting today. The Samsung Members app currently only accepts participants from India but we are sure other markets will get it soon enough. For instance, the Galaxy Note8's beta program opened up yesterday in India and South Korea but today United Kingdom also joined the list. Owners who are approved will get the beta firmware for the Galaxy S8 and S8+ with build numbers G950FXXU4ZSA5...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_kicks_off_galaxy_s8_s8_android_pie_beta_program_as_well-news-35103.php

Sony announces a6400 with improved autofocus and flip out display

Sony has launched the a6400, the newest model in its range of APS-C mirrorless interchangeable lens camera system. The new model sits below the flagship model in the series, the a6500, and above the older a6300 model. The a6400 boasts of an improved autofocus system, that features 425-point PDAF system that can lock focus in 0.02 seconds. It also features advanced eye focus system that keeps the focus locked on the subject's eye instead of an arbitrary point. The camera features a 24.2MP APS-C sensor that is capable of 4K recording with full pixel readout. The camera can do...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/sony_announces_a6400_with_improved_autofocus_and_flip_out_display-news-35101.php

Nokia 8.1 now available in the UK

The Nokia 8.1 has arrived in the UK and it can be yours for £380. Currently, only the 4/64GB model is available, with Blue/Silver and Steel/Copper color options. You can find it at Clove UK. Note that this phone is a successor to the Nokia 7 plus, which made its debut in March last year at £350 (it has since dropped to £288). We checked, but there are no other (legitimate) stores offering the Nokia 8.1 at the moment. If you find something we missed, leave a link in the comments. No carrier deals yet, either.

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_81_now_available_in_the_uk-news-35100.php

Xiaomi official MWC 2019 event is scheduled for February 24

Xiaomi launched the Mi Mix 3 slider at the end of last year in China with a Snapdragon 845 chipset. The company promised a 5G variant for the European market in Q1 2019 and the now we have an exact date for its debut. A company representative confirmed Xiaomi will have a media briefing on February 24, the day before the MWC 2019's official start. An invite revealed the date and while it's not explicitly mentioning the Mi Mix 3G, the slider is the obvious favorite for becoming the star of the show. The mobile conference in Barcelona will see a bunch of makers introduce...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_official_mwc_2019_event_is_scheduled_for_february_24-news-35099.php

Meizu working on three Snapdragon 855 phones, one of them for gaming

In a Weibo post, the founder of Meizu, Jack Wong, revealed its plans to release three Snapdragon 855-powered smartphones this year with the first two coming as early as May. The phones are Meizu 16s, 16s Plus and 16T. The first two are direct successors to last year's Meizu 16 and 16 Plus while the 16T is going to be a gaming-oriented smartphone. None of the phones will feature a notch and screen sizes will be 6.2" and 6.5" for the standard Meizu 16s and the Plus-sized one, respectively. Since the gaming phone is still in development, Jack Wong has opened a poll for users to vote...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/meizu_working_on_three_snapdragon_855_phones_one_of_them_gaming-news-35098.php