Realme UI 2.0 early access program announced for X50 5G and X50m 5G

Realme has announced the Realme UI 2.0 early access program for the X50 5G and X50m 5G in China. Those interested can participate in the program by heading to the Settings > Software Update menu on their phone, clicking on the gear icon in the top-right corner, then on "Trial version", and submit the required details. After these steps are completed, and you are enrolled in the early access program, the Android 11-based Realme UI 2.0 early access build will arrive on your phone before January 29. But do note that there are only 200 slots, so you might want to be quick if you don't want to...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/realme_x50_x50m_realme_ui_2_early_access_update-news-47370.php

Nokia preparing to launch plenty of new phones in Q1 and Q2 2021

According to Nokiapoweruser, HMD Global is readying to launch a plethora of new handsets ranging from Nokia 1.4 all the way up to Nokia 7.3 and 7.4. The earliest one to arrive is the Nokia 1.4, which is scheduled for sometime in February. Most of the phone's specs are already known. Next on the list are the Nokia 6.3 and 6.4 5G and are supposed to be unveiled in late Q1 or early Q2 this year. It is believed that the "Quicksilver" codename that popped-up the other day belongs to the Nokia 6.3/6.4 5G. The specs for the two devices are also known. Lastly, the Nokia 7.3/7.4 5G are also...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_preparing_to_launch_plenty_of_new_phones_in_q1_and_q2_2021-news-47369.php

Cyberpunk 2077 gets v1.1 patch on PC, consoles, and Stadia

CD Projekt Red is rolling out its version 1.1 update for Cyberpunk 2077 as promised. The update is available for download across all platforms, including PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Stadia. Patch 1.1 is out on PC, consoles and Stadia!In this update, which lays the groundwork for the upcoming patches, we focused on various stability improvements and bugfixes. List of changes: https://t.co/NlSEKjsax7 pic.twitter.com/WjLcD0SaZk— Cyberpunk 2077 (@CyberpunkGame) January 22, 2021 v1.1 focuses only on fixing some of the major game-breaking bugs and also improves performance in some...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/cyberpunk_2077_gets_v11_patch_on_pc_consoles_and_stadia-news-47373.php

vivo S7t to come with Dimensity 820 SoC

vivo unveiled the S7 5G last August and followed it up with the S7e 5G in November. Now tipster Digital Chat Station claims vivo will add a third member to the S7 lineup dubbed vivo S7t, which will be powered by the Dimensity 820 SoC. The source says that the rest of the specs of the S7t will remain the same as the vanilla S7, meaning it will feature a 6.44" FullHD+ AMOLED screen with a fingerprint reader underneath and pack a 4,000 mAh battery with 33W charging. vivo S7 5G The S7t will have a total of five cameras onboard - 44MP wide and 8MP ultrawide cameras on the front, with...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/vivo_s7t_specs_tipped-news-47368.php

OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro key specs tipped

Leaked renders and images of the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro rumored to arrive in March revealed both smartphones will pack punch hole displays. Now we learn the punch holes on the OnePlus 9 duo will measure about 3.8mm. This information comes from a reliable tipster Digital Chat Station, who also revealed that the OnePlus 9 Pro will pack a 6.78" QHD+ 120Hz curved screen while corroborating a previous leak that claimed the non-Pro variant will sport a 6.55" FullHD+ 120Hz flat display. OnePlus 9 Pro render leaked by OnLeaks Additionally, the source said that the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro will be...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/oneplus_9_9_pro_key_specs-news-47367.php

Oppo Reno5 Pro 5G gets January patch and camera optimization with the latest update

The Oppo Reno5 Pro 5G that was announced for global markets earlier this week and went on sale in India yesterday is receiving its second software update. The first update (CPH2201_11_A.03) was released last month before the launch, which optimized the camera quality and system performance. The new update bumps up the Android security patch level on the Reno5 Pro 5G to January 2021 and improves the system stability and performance. It also optimizes fingerprint unlocking and smoothness of the videos shot with the camera. Oppo Reno5 Pro 5G software update The new build comes...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/oppo_reno5_pro_5g_global_january_2021_update-news-47366.php

Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2021) surfaces in rough CAD-based renders

Aside from the Galaxy Tab S7 Lite, Samsung is also busy working on another, even more low-end tablet. We're talking about the Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2021), the successor to the Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2020), unsurprisingly. That model launched in March of last year, so expect to see its successor around the same time. As we wait for the official introduction, we now get to gawk at some very rough-looking CAD-based renders of the upcoming tablet. These reveal rounded corners, thin-ish bezels for this price point, a single camera on the back, and no physical buttons on the front. There...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_tab_a_84_2021_surfaces_in_rough_cadbased_renders-news-47365.php

Samsung allegedly wants to invest $10 billion in a 3nm chip manufacturing plant in Texas

According to a new report from China, Samsung's semiconductor manufacturing arm is looking to invest around $10 billion in a fab in Texas, which would presumably churn out 3nm chips. This would be its most advanced chip making plant globally, and the location is meant to help Samsung reach more US customers in its battle with Taiwanese chip making giant TSMC. Samsung's plans are apparently just preliminary at this point, with the goal being to start construction this year, then install the major equipment from 2022 onwards. As for the debut of operations, that's scheduled for 2023....

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_allegedly_wants_to_invest_10_billion_in_a_3nm_chip_manufacturing_plant_in_texas-news-47364.php

LG K42 makes it to India with military-grade durability and low price

While LG may or may not leave the smartphone market soon (there's a lot of conflicting information on that right now), at the moment the company is definitely still in the game. And so it has launched a new device in India today, the K42. This rugged-looking handset was initially announced back in September of last year, but now it's finally made it to the subcontinent. It's priced over there at INR 10,990 (about $150 or €123 at the current exchange rates). It will become available from Flipkart on January 26 in green and gray. If you buy a K42, you will get a two-year warranty as...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/lg_k42_makes_it_to_india_with_militarygrade_durability_and_low_price-news-47363.php

Realme Buds Q2 pass FCC certification

The next addition in Realme’s TWS earbud range will be the Buds Q2, a successor to last year’s Buds Q. A new FCC listing for the Buds Q2 reveals their design, key features and two colorways. Realme Buds Q2 listing Bearing the RMA2010 model number, the Buds Q2 feature a design similar to their predecessor with an oval carrying case. Apart from stealthy black, the new model also comes in a bright volt green colorway. The ear tips themselves seem nearly identical in size to the original Buds Q but the outward shell appears to have a larger touch area this time...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/realme_buds_q2_pass_fcc_certification-news-47352.php

Samsung working on a Galaxy Tab S7 Lite, coming in three variants

Inside sources have revealed to SamMobile that the company is working on a sequel to the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite from last year, which will come in three variants - Wi-Fi only, LTE and 5G. The model numbers are SM-T730, SM-T735, and SM-T736B / SM-T736N, respectively. The exact name of the device is still unclear though, as some speculate it could be Galaxy Tab S7 Lite while others believe it would be Tab S8e. Additionally, we should look forward to a plus-sized version of this lite model, although there are even fewer specifics there. Source

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_working_on_a_galaxy_tab_s7_lite_coming_in_three_variants-news-47360.php

The next MacBook Air will be thinner and lighter, with smaller bezels too

According to a recent report from Bloomberg, Apple is working on an upgraded MacBook Air which will have a revamped design and new hardware. It's supposed to come around towards the end of this year and now the author of the report has revealed some more details on the design changes. The next gen Air will sport a thinner and lighter chassis while the screen would have trimmed bezels further reducing the footprint. We will also see the return of the MagSafe charging system. Moreover, it will carry a more distinctive design making it stand out from the MacBook Pros. In addition to...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/the_next_macbook_air_might_be_thinner_and_lighter_with_smaller_bezels_too-news-47358.php

Samsung Galaxy A52 5G receives Bluetooth and Wi-Fi certification

The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G has been certified by the Wi-Fi Alliance and Bluetooth SIG, inching a couple of steps closer to its announcement. The phone will support dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0. The devices in the certifications are the SM-A526B (and its Dual-SIM counterpart) and the SM-A526N (the Korean model). Samsung will release both a Galaxy A52 5G and a 4G model. The main difference between them is expected to be the chipset - Snapdragon 750G on the 5G model and Snapdragon 720G on the LTE one. We know the device will have a Prism-like finish on the rear, a new Teal color...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_a52_5g_receives_bluetooth_and_wifi_certification-news-47357.php

Poco X2 gets stable Android 11 update

The latest smartphone in Poco’s lineup to get Android 11 is the Poco X2. The device got the MIUI 12 beta way back in August and now after a lengthy testing period, the Android 11 build has finally graduated to stable. According to early reports, the update is currently exclusive to India though it should make its way to more regions in the coming weeks. Android 11 update for Poco X2 The new update is specified as MIUI 12.1.2.0 RGHINXM and comes in at 2.4GB in size. It brings the January security patch and standard Android 11 features like chat bubbles, overhauled notifications...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/poco_x2_gets_stable_android_11_update-news-47356.php

Google threatens to exit Australia over news content law disputes

Google has announced it is considering pulling out its search engine from Australia, following a law dispute with the country's government. The projected law says that Google has to share royalties with news outlets since Australian users find articles through the search engine. Australia might say goodbye to news in Google Search According to Google Australia managing director Mel Silva, the laws are “unworkable,” and the company will be pushed to stop making Google Search available in the country. Lawmakers accused Google of “blackmail,” and senators went even further, saying if...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/google_might_exit_australia_after_law_disputes_over_news_content-news-47354.php

HarmonyOS 2.0 beta now available for Huawei P30 and Mate 30 Pro 5G

Beta versions of HarmonyOS 2.0 have started rolling out to more devices, including the Huawei P30 and Mate 30 Pro 5G. You can see it running on real hardware in the videos below. Finally... A video of #HarmonyOS Beta 1 on #Huawei Mate 30 with #EMUI11 on top.There is not so much to see. Apart from how Android apps are fluid. I doubt that they are native apps.However, what could make Harmony OS so fast to running android apps? Can't wait to discover :) pic.twitter.com/yyiVbHztza— Marco Improda (@marcoimproda90) January 21, 2021 If the interface looks familiar, this is because it’s EMUI...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/harmonyos_20_beta_now_available_for_huawei_p30_and_mate_30_pro_5g-news-47353.php

Honor CEO confirms partnerships with Intel and Qualcomm

Honor just unveiled the V40 5G smartphone, marking its new beginning as a properly independent company. Following the announcement, the CEO George Zhao announced his team has signed partnerships with major chip suppliers MediaTek and Qualcomm. On top of that, it has also struck deals with AMD, Intel, Micron, Microsoft, Samsung, SK Hynix, and Sony, Reuters reports. Honor V40 5G is already selling in stores George Zhao commented the last five months have been “an extremely difficult but meaningful time for Honor”. The company felt expectations from partners and consumers as it is...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/honor_ceo_confirms_partnerships_with_intel_qualcomm-news-47350.php

LG Rollable's fate still undecided, may be canceled even if LG keeps its mobile division

LG wowed the virtual crowds at CES 2021 with a short demo of its Rollable phone and the days after brought news of a September launch target. However, there is now rising uncertainty as to whether the prototype will be converted to a mass market device. The Korea Herald reports that detailed launch plans for the Rollable have not actually been decided (despite previous reports). LG issued the nebulous statement that it is “open to every possibility”. And right now the possibilities aren’t looking great. LG’s CEO is considering leaving the mobile business and there is talk that...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/the_launch_of_the_lg_rollable_still_undecided_may_be_canceled_even_if_lg_keeps_its_mobile_division-news-47351.php

Red Magic 6 design leaks, Tencent Games edition coming

The Red Magic 6 series will be nubia’s next entry in the gaming phone world and we’ve already seen official teasers as well as certification listings detailing at least two phones. Today we have an actual look at what appears to be a Tencent Games edition Red Magic 6. nubia Red Magic 6 Tencent Games edition The design is a big departure from the Red Magic 5S with a horizontally placed quad-camera setup and X-shaped element where we presume the built-in cooling fan will reside. There’s also a visible Red Magic logo below and Tencent Games branding in the middle. Speaking of...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/red_magic_6_design_leaks_tencent_games_edition_coming_-news-47349.php

Oppo Reno5 Pro 5G and Enco X TWS earphones go on sale in India

The Oppo Reno5 Pro 5G announced in India earlier this week is now available for purchase in the country through Flipkart and offline retail stores. It comes in a single 8GB/128GB variant priced at INR35,990 ($495/€405) and has two color options - Starry Black and Astral Blue. The Reno5 Pro 5G is powered by the Dimensity 1000+ SoC and runs Android 11-based ColorOS 11.1. It's built around a 6.55" 90Hz FullHD+ Super AMOLED screen having a fingerprint reader underneath and a punch hole in the upper-left corner for the 32MP selfie camera. The back of the smartphone houses a quad...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/oppo_reno5_pro_5g_enco_x_india_price_sale-news-47347.php

Ultra-affordable Realme C20 is official with Helio G35, big 5,000 mAh battery

Realme has introduced a new phone from its affordable C lineup, and the first market to see the phone is Vietnam. The Realme C20 comes with a Helio G35 chipset, a big battery and a single camera on the back. The C20 comes with a 6.5” LCD of HD+ resolution, which is a usual affair for the Realme C phones. It has a waterdrop notch on the top for a pretty basic 5MP selfie camera. On the back, there is a big square island that hosts a lonely 8MP shooter, accompanied only by the LED flash. The speaker is also on the back, while the bottom sports a 3.5mm audio jack, a microphone, and a...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/ultraaffordable_realme_c20_is_official_with_helio_g35_big_5000_mah_battery-news-47348.php

Fossil’s first LTE smartwatch is now available from Verizon

Fossil’s LTE-enabled smartwatch is now available exclusively from Verizon. The company has previously seen much success making stylish Wear OS-powered smartwatches across its family of Fossil watch brands. The smartwatch packs the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 platform and comes with 8GB of storage. There’s a 1.3-inch screen in the 44mm body and the watch comes in either black or pink color schemes. There’s a 400 mAh battery that promises 20 hours of use or up to 3 days of standby time when connected to Verizon’s LTE network. The Gen 5 LTE can make or receive calls without a tethered...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/fossils_first_lte_smartwatch_is_now_available_from_verizon-news-47345.php

Realme Watch 2 full specs and design revealed by FCC

Last week we learned Realme is gearing up to launch the Watch 2 and Watch 2 Pro soon as the smartwatches were mentioned in the source code of Realme Link app. While Realme hasn't divulged anything about these wearables yet, the Watch 2 has bagged FCC certification, revealing its design and specs in the process. The Realme Watch 2 bearing model code RMW2008 has the power button on its right side and features a 1.4" 320x320-pixel resolution TFT color touchscreen like the first-gen Watch. But the detachable silicon straps now come with Realme's "Dare To Leap" slogan that we've already seen on...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/realme_watch_2_full_specs_image_fcc-news-47344.php

LG reportedly in talks to sell smartphone business to Vietnamese conglomerate

LG Electronics has been making headlines with swirling reports that the company plans to exit the smartphone business. The latest development involves a Vietnamese conglomerate who is reportedly in talks of buying the smartphone business from LG Electronics. According to BusinessKorea, Vietnam’s Vingroup Co has put the most attractive offer to buy LG’s smartphone business. The company accounts for 14% of Vietnam’s market capitalization of listed Vietnamese companies. It has a diverse portfolio of businesses with hands in various industries including hotels, real estate, distribution,...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/lg_reportedly_in_talks_to_sell_smartphone_business_to_vietnamese_conglomerate-news-47343.php

Honor V40 5G is official with Dimensity 1000+ chipset, 50 MP main camera

Honor has announced its first phone since the company officially has separated from Huawei - say hello to the Honor V40 5G. The device comes with a Dimensity 1000+ chipset, a new 50 MP camera, and plenty of more specs to be intrigued about. The screen of the Honor V40 5G is a 6.72” OLED with curved sides and a pill-shaped punch hole for the dual selfie cameras. The panel supports a 120 Hz refresh rate and up to 300 Hz touch sampling rate and is TUV Rheinland-certified for AI adaptive brightness. The resolution is exactly 2676 x 1236 pixels. On the back, we have three cameras - the...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/honor_v40_5g_is_official_with_dimensity_1000_chipset_50_mp_main_camera-news-47346.php

OnePlus and Oppo’s R&D departments merge, statement confirms

A report surfaced from DoNews that cited Oppo insiders who claimed that Oppo and OnePlus had merged their research and development departments, adding that new employees brought onto the new department were to be hired by Oppo and not OnePlus. The merge reportedly happened as recently as December but hasn’t been officially stamped until recently. “It’s similar to the relationship between Xiaomi and Redmi, sharing the same R&D system”. This was quoted by the Oppo insider. OnePlus 8 Pro Shortly after the report was covered by Android Authority, the outlet was emailed an official...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/oneplus_and_oppos_r_d_departments_merge_statement_confirms-news-47342.php

Verizon is offering the iPhone 11 Pro for just $599.99 until Sunday, cheap LG Velvet too

If you don't mind Verizon being your carrier of choice, the company is offering some very good deals on three smartphones right now as an online-only flash sale. These are all valid until Sunday, and only through Big Red's website. Let's start with the star of the show. The iPhone 11 Pro can now be yours for just $599.99, which as far as we can tell is the cheapest it's ever been. You need to add a new line for it, however, and pick an eligible Unlimited plan in order to get the price so low. If Android phones are more up your alley, you can get the Motorola One 5G UW for free with...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/verizon_is_offering_the_iphone_11_pro_for_just_59999_until_sunday_cheap_lg_velvet_too-news-47341.php

Sony Xperia Pro is finally nearing launch almost one year after its unveiling

Remember the Xperia Pro? For almost a year, neither did Sony. But now it looks like the company is finally almost ready to launch this elusive smartphone, that was announced alongside the Xperia 1 II in February of last year. The Xperia 1 II arrived on the market several months later, but there's still been no trace of the Xperia Pro anywhere. That's about to change, however, for Sony servers have now started to host firmware files for the Xperia Pro. That's a sure sign that the actual market availability isn't far. The Xperia Pro is only expected to be offered in the US, which makes sense...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_pro_is_finally_nearing_launch_almost_one_year_after_its_unveiling-news-47340.php

Samsung Galaxy S21 5G review

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s21-review-2218.php

2021 iPhones will have smaller notches, LiDAR and sensor-shift OIS

Back in 2017, Apple introduced its iPhone X as one of the biggest redesigns in its smartphone line. Four iPhone generations later the iPhone 12 series is still sporting the same sized notch but according to the latest DigiTimes report backed by supply chain insiders, the next generation of iPhones will finally offer smaller cutouts. The same information was confirmed in a previous report from earlier this month. The company will fit the infrared camera and dot projector in a single module allowing for a more compact design. In addition to having smaller notches, the next iPhones...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/all_2021_iphone_will_have_smaller_notches_lidar_and_sensorshift_ois-news-47338.php

Samsung rolls back Android 11/One UI 3.0 update for the Galaxy S10 lineup

Earlier this month, Samsung pushed an OTA update to the entire Samsung Galaxy S10 lineup containing Android 11 and the maker's One UI 3.0. However, the company abruptly stopped the update and is no longer available for the Galaxy S10 phones. Samsung still hasn't disclosed the reason for rolling back the update, although clearly these are related to some bugs discovered in the code. Some users say that the update has introduced a couple of annoying bugs like a strange blur in photos and devices heating during normal use. We suspect that there are more than a few bugs that forced...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_rolls_back_android_11_one_ui_30_update_for_galaxy_s10-news-47336.php

Nokia phone codenamed “Quiksilver” visits Geekbench

An upcoming Nokia phone powered by the 5G ready Snapdragon 690 chipset appeared in a listing on Geekbench. The device is code-named “Quicksilver” and managed 471 points in the single-core department and 1,500 on the multi-core test. According to speculations, this is the rumored Nokia 6.3/6.4 which appeared in renders two weeks ago. Nokia "Quicksilver" Geekbench listing The new listing reveals the device packs 6GB RAM and boots Android 11. According to past rumors, the Nokia 6.3/6.4 will release a 6.45-inch waterdrop notch display with a 16MP selfie cam. Nokia 6.3/6.4...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_phone_codenamed_quiksilver_visits_geekbench_-news-47335.php

nubia Red Magic 6 Pro passes 3C certification with 120W charger

After last year’s Red Magic 5G and 5S, nubia is looking to build on its success with the upcoming Red Magic 6 series. Last week we got an official teaser for the Red Magic 6 series which alluded to a 4,500 mAh battery with 120W charging and today we have a certification listing that confirms these will be part of the Red Magic 6 Pro's specs sheet. NX669J-P and NX669J listings on 3C The listing on China’s 3C certification agency shows nubia’s NX669J-P believed to be the Red Magic 6 Pro will indeed support charging at up to 120W speeds. In addition, a second model bearing the NX669J...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/nubia_red_magic_6_pro_passes_3c_certification_with_120w_charger-news-47329.php

Android 12 will reportedly feature App Pairs to simplify launching apps in split screen mode

Google built a split-screen multitasking feature into Android 6.0 Marshmallow (2015), but it was experimental. The feature was officially enabled by default the following year with 7.0 Nougat. Later came 9.0 Pie, which changed how app switching worked and people were upset because the new gesture was slower and less convenient. The history lesson is over and there’s good news – launching split-screen may become more convenient on Android 12. 9to5Google has seen evidence that Google is working an a feature called App Pairs. This will allow you to have single icons that launch two app of...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/android_12_willreportedly_feature_app_pairs_to_simplify_launching_apps_in_split_screen_mode-news-47334.php

Caviar celebrates the year of the ox by putting a golden ox head on a Galaxy S21 Ultra

Caviar is celebrating the Lunar New Year with specially-adorned Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra phones. It’s the year of the Ox, which sets the theme for one design that can’t be contained in two dimensions. The other versions have (in Caviar’s own words) a more “restrained design”. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Ox by Caviar The Galaxy S21 Ultra Gold Ox has a three dimensional bas-relief of an ox head mounted on the back. A 24 carat gold ring runs through its nose and it can pivot freely (so you can use it as the world’s most expensive phone grip). As if that wasn’t enough, two...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/caviar_celebrates_the_year_of_the_ox_by_putting_a_golden_ox_head_on_a_galaxy_s21_ultra-news-47333.php

vivo X60 Pro+ unveiled: camera monster with 1/1.3" main sensor, upgraded gimbal stabilization

The vivo X60 Pro+ brings an upgraded version of the gimbal stabilization system, better sensors for the cameras and a fast Snapdragon 888 chipset to deliver the new image processing algorithms. There’s a lot to cover, but let’s start with that monstrous camera setup. Meet the vivo X60 Pro+ The main module is built around a large 1/1.3” ISOCELL GN1. This one has a classic OIS rather than a gimbal. This camera's large 1.2µm pixels (2.4µm with binning) and the bright f/1.57 aperture are a great foundation for excellent low-light imaging. Super Night Mode 2.0 builds on that – it...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/vivo_x60_pro_unveiled_large_main_sensor_upgraded_gimbal_stabilization_dual_tele_lenses-news-47337.php

Renders of iPad mini 6 suggest two punch holes: for the selfie camera and for the FP reader

Leaked renders of the iPad mini 6 suggest that Apple is on the verge of a major change in direction – for its tablets and perhaps later on for its phones too. The images come @xleaks7 and CoverPigtou, a collaboration that has a good (though not perfect) track record when it comes to leaking designs of upcoming devices. Look at the renders and notice what is there and what isn’t there. This tablet could become Apple’s first device to feature a punch hole front camera. And there is no FaceID hardware, the mini will keep using a fingerprint reader. And not just any FP reader, this one that...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/renders_of_ipad_mini_6_suggest_two_punch_holes_one_for_the_selfie_camera_and_one_for_the_fp_reader-news-47330.php

Samsung starts mass producing OLED panels for laptops

OLED panels for laptops have been around for a while now but they came with a number of trade-offs. Notebooks launched with OLED screens suffered from high power consumption and ghosting issues. However, Samsung promises it has resolved those and is now mass producing 90Hz OLEDs for laptops. The "large quantity" of OLED displays will be adopted by multiple notebook manufacturers and they would offer 10x better response time than other OLEDs and are on par with their 120Hz LCD counterparts. The panels are said to be 14" but resolution and aspect ratios aren't mentioned. Given the...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_starts_mass_producing_oled_panels_for_laptops-news-47327.php

Redmi pledges allegiance to Dimensity 1200, promises a gaming phone in 2021

Mediatek introduced two new chipsets yesterday, the Dimensity 1200 and Dimensity 1100, and Redmi has revealed it will launch the first phone with the mightier platform. The announcement was made by brand CEO Lu Weibing who also confirmed on his Weibo profile that a gaming Redmi phone is also in the works and should arrive this year after the company will focus more on e-sports. While it is logical to assume that the two will coincide, the executive did not confirm that the new handset will come with a Mediatek chip. Lu revealed that thanks to TSMC’s new 6nm process technology, the...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/redmi_pledges_allegiance_to_dimensity_1200_promises_a_gaming_phone_in_2021-news-47331.php

Samsung Galaxy A82 might be in the works with a flip-up camera

Remember the Galaxy A80? The phone had a camera that could rise and flip around when you wanted to take a selfie. That kept the front neat with slim bezels and no punch holes. However, this model didn’t get a sequel last year as the device rumored to be the A81 turned out to be the Note10 Lite instead. So here we go again – rumor has it that Samsung is working on a Galaxy A82 (with alleged model designation SM-A826B, though that isn’t certain yet). Unfortunately, there’s no confirmation that the phone will feature a flip-up camera like the A80. So far we really only know that it will be a...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_a82_might_be_in_the_works_with_a_flipup_camera-news-47328.php

Infinix Hot 10 Play announced with Helio G25, 6.82" screen, and 6,000 mAh battery

Infinix announced the Hot 10 and Hot 10 Lite smartphones last year, and today the company added a Play variant to the series. The Infinix Hot 10 Play is powered by the Helio G25 SoC and runs Android 10 (Go Edition) with XOS 7.0 on top. The Hot 10 Play comes in 2GB/32GB and 4GB/64GB memory options, and it also has a microSD card slot for storage expansion by up to 512GB. The Helio G25-powered smartphone is built around a 6.82" IPS screen of HD+ resolution with a waterdrop notch for the 8MP selfie camera. The rear panel has quite an interesting design and is home to a fingerprint scanner...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/infinix_hot_10_play_specs_price_sale_date-news-47326.php

Samsung Galaxy S21 preorders expected to surpass the Galaxy S20

Samsung introduced the Galaxy S21 smartphones last Thursday, and now the first reports about the pre-order campaign are coming. Industry insiders in South Korea revealed that Samsung is getting 15-20% more orders compared to last year's Galaxy S20 lineup. The major increase comes from those going for unlocked phones, while pre-orders placed through carriers are unchanged. Back in 2020, only 10% of pre-ordered phones in South Korea were unlocked; the rest were on-contract deals. This year the interest in those has tripled. The push for unlocked devices was also stimulated by...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s21_preorders_expected_to_surpass_the_galaxy_s20-news-47325.php

Motorola Edge S appears in live images and AnTuTu listing

Motorola is all set to introduce its Snapdragon 870-packing Edge S on January 26. Just ahead of next week’s announcement, live images of the device emerged on Weibo , while an official AnTuTu test run shared by Lenovo China’s GM of mobile Chen Jin gives us an idea about the performance of the new chipset. Motorola Edge S live images The images show out a tall display with dual punch hole cutouts and interestingly enough the device is recognized as the Motorola Edge+ which was last year’s Moto flagship. We can see the back houses a square camera cutout with four modules headlined...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_edge_s_appears_in_live_images_and_antutu_listing-news-47324.php

Huawei Mate X2 full specs tipped, Kirin 9000 and 50MP camera in tow

The foldable Huawei Mate X2 we've been hearing about for a year now bagged TENAA certification last November, but its listing didn't detail the specs. However, reliable Chinese tipster Digital Chat Station has filled in the gaps, sharing the full specs of the Mate X2. The Mate X2 will be powered by the Kirin 9000 SoC and feature an inward folding display with a resolution of 2480x2200 pixels and a diagonal of 8.01". The secondary screen on the outer cover will measure 6.45" diagonally and have 2700x1160-pixel resolution. Huawei Mate X with outward folding display The Mate X2 will...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_mate_x2_full_specs_tipped-news-47322.php

Google Messages APK teardown shows app eventually won’t work on “uncertified” devices

A new APK teardown of the Google Messages app version 7.2.203 for Android revealed a strong of text that suggested some change is coming to the default SMS client for Android. Google took charge of the next generation of SMS called RCS and the latest effort was offering end-to-end encryption for the instantaneous messaging service. Perhaps it is due to this new secure feature of Google Messages that Google might be disabling the app from working on “uncertified devices” this is according to an APK teardown by XDA-Developers that revealed a string of text, suggesting that phones not...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/google_messages_apk_teardown_shows_app_eventually_wont_work_on_uncertified_devices-news-47321.php

Nokia 1.4 leaks in full, reveals basic specs, low price tag

HMD Global is planning to launch a new ultra-affordable smartphone, and it looks like a successor of the Nokia 1.3 is on its way. It will be called Nokia 1.4 and will have basic specs and a low-low price of under €100. The new phone will have a quad-core CPU at 1.3 GHz rates. That looks like the very same Qualcomm QM215 platform for affordable phones, but Nokia might have decided to go with something different. Aside from that, there are updates pretty much everywhere else - the camera on the back is said to be a dual setup, the battery got a massive increase to 4,000 mAh, and the screen...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_14_leaks_in_full_reveals_basic_specs_low_price_tag-news-47323.php

Amazon offers its resources for new Biden Administration’s vaccination efforts

Amazon is the second largest employer in the United States with over 800,000 employees and has a massive transport and logistics network with reach all over the US. In a letter addressed directly to the newly inaugurated President Joe Biden, Amazon offers its resources to assist in Biden’s goal of vaccinating 100 million Americans during his first 100 days in office. Additionally, we are prepared to leverage our operations, information technology, and communications capabilities and expertise to assist your administration's vaccination efforts. Our scale allows us to make a meaningful...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/amazon_offers_its_resources_for_new_biden_administrations_vaccination_efforts-news-47320.php

Sony Xperia 10 III leaks in official looking renders

New year, new Roman numerals for Sony. In 2021 we're all anxiously waiting for the company's IIIrd generation of its smartphones, and today one of these has been uncovered. It's the Xperia 10 III, successor to the Xperia 10 II from last year, and virtually indistinguishable from it as you can see from the leaked renders below. The Xperia 10 III will sport a 6-inch screen, and Sony is sticking with huge bezels all-round. The phone's dimensions are said to be 154.4 x 68.4 x 8.3 mm (9.1mm where the camera bump is), and that makes it quite compact for this day and age. It's also marginally...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_10_iii_leaks_in_official_looking_renders-news-47319.php

Chrome 88 checks for compromised passwords, adds tab search

Google has pushed out v88 of Chrome for desktop, which includes a handful of important changes. The browser will now check if your saved passwords have been compromised, a feature standard to most dedicated password managers. If it finds a compromised password, it will then provide you with an alert to change it to something more secure. v88 also adds the tab search feature that was previously found in v87 on Chrome OS. If you have too many open tabs, you can use this to search for any of the open tabs. However, the feature isn't readily available yet and has to be...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/chrome_88_checks_for_compromised_passwords_adds_tab_search-news-47318.php

OnePlus 7 and 7T series get OxygenOS 11 beta

OnePlus has released the OxygenOS 11 public beta firmware to the OnePlus 7 and 7T series so those wanting to give Android 11 a try as quickly as possible can now do it. The beta firmwares are available for the OnePlus 7 and 7 Pro, as well as the 7T and 7T Pro. There are some known issues you should be aware of. Brightness adjustment might lag in some cases, some Bluetooth-connected devices may not produce sound occasionally, there's a chance of higher power consumption and decreased stability. In turn the devices will get the new overhauled OxygenOS 11 with host of features (new...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/oneplus_7_and_7t_series_get_oxygenos_11_beta-news-47316.php