Hyundai executives are reportedly split over Apple Car manufacturing partnership

Cupertino's interest in the electric car business has been a constant presence in the rumor mill for a good few years now. Earlier this month Korean giant Hyundai actually put out a tentative statement that it is in ongoing talks with Apple on the matter, only to quickly scramble to alter the information multiple times. Nothing out of the ordinary, really, given Apple's track record of extreme secrecy on projects and products. One thing became clear from those events, however - that Hyundai Motor Co Group has at least some insight into the matter. We can only assume that prompted...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/hyundai_executives_are_reportedly_split_over_apple_car_manufacturing_partnership-news-47491.php

Xiaomi is now suing the US government in hopes of reversing investment ban

The ongoing Xiaomi/US saga is quickly escalating. If you haven't been following it closely, basically one of the swan songs of Trump's government was to designate Xiaomi as a “Communist Chinese military company”. A title that would qualify it to fall under the administration's Executive Order from November that bars American securities and investment companies from putting capital in said companies. What being on the list currently entails in more practical terms is that if the decision stands all American institutional investors in Xiaomi would be forced to withdraw holdings in...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_is_now_suing_the_us_government_in_hopes_of_reversing_investment_ban-news-47490.php

Black Shark 4 TENAA certified with a 6.67" screen

We know Black Shark will soon unveil the Black Shark 4 as the company has already kicked off its teaser campaign. And while we don't have an announcement date yet, the Black Shark 4 has been certified by China's TENAA, moving it a step closer to the launch. The TENAA listing of Black Shark 4 sporting model code SHARK KSR-A0 reveals the smartphone will run Android 11 and pack a 6.67" screen, which according to Google Play Console, has a 2400x1080-pixel resolution. Black Shark 4 on TENAA (machine translated from Chinese) The Chinese certifying authority also lists the battery with...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_black_shark_4_tenaa_certified-news-47489.php

Asus ROG Phone 5 passes through TENAA revealing some specs and images

The latest gaming flagship from Asus inches closer to announcement as the phone passes through China’s TENAA revealing some key specifications and a couple of images of the incoming phone. The ROG Phone 5 (tentative name) with model number I005DA will be powered by the Snapdragon 888 chipset and come with a 6,000 mAh battery. This battery will consist of two 3,000 mAh batteries, hinting at some super-fast charging speeds, possibly for a 65W charger which was also mentioned in the phone’s 3C certification. The triple cameras will consist of a 64MP main camera and the backside of...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/asus_rog_phone_5_passes_through_tenaa_revealing_some_specs_and_images-news-47488.php

Myth debunked: Samsung’s 100X zoom doesn’t fake moon photos

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has two telephoto cameras, one is a 3X zoom and the other is a 10X zoom. Working with the phone’s AI, the S21 Ultra can capture a digitally enhanced photo of the moon’s surface. The conspiracy was that Samsung was able to apply a texture of the moon to anything that resembled it. Samsung denied this and explained that the camera’s AI Super Resolution takes multiple frames of the moon and assembles a more detailed final image. Easy to Show. Tried it just now. Here: Even if you take an unsharp/messy photo of something that looks like a moon it snaps a moon(ish)...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/myth_debunked_samsungs_100x_zoom_doesnt_fake_moon_photos-news-47487.php

OnePlus 8 finally gets Android 11 update on Verizon and T-Mobile

Never settle? When it comes to updates for carrier-branded devices, OnePlus is more like Sometimes settle. Or even - Always settle. We're talking about how long it takes carrier versions of its handsets to receive big new Android updates. Case in point, the OnePlus 8. Unlocked units have been bathing in the glory of Android 11 since mid-October. And yet, if you bought one from Verizon or T-Mobile, the rollout has only started today, more than three months later. That's... something. But hey, it's better than nothing. So if you have a OnePlus 8 on Verizon or T-Mobile, it may be time...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/oneplus_8_finally_gets_android_11_update_on_verizon_and_tmobile-news-47486.php

New TV ad for Samsung Galaxy S21 and S21+ is all about the cameras

Remember when people went on trips? For fun? Yeah, those were the days. Samsung seems either unaware of the ongoing global pandemic and the measures taken by most Western governments to deal with it by restricting traveling, or wants you to forget about all that and just picture yourself on an epic trip. That's the theme of the company's latest TV ad for the Galaxy S21 and S21+, which just became available in stores today. The main focus (pardon the easy pun) is on the cameras, with 8K video recording being mentioned among many other things. Curiously though, at one point the ad...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/new_tv_ad_for_samsung_galaxy_s21_and_s21_is_all_about_the_cameras-news-47485.php

Android 11 beta now available for Oppo Reno2 F, Reno 10x Zoom and F15

Oppo just opened up the Android 11 beta program for three of its phones - the Reno2 F, the Reno 10x Zoom and the Oppo F15. However, this applies only to the Indian variants but will soon be available to other regions as well. Also, the registration for Reno2 F users has already ended. The Android 11 beta comes with ColorOS 11 on top and you can enroll your device by going to Settings > Software Update > Settings again and then "Trial version". It's simple as that. After you've filled out the form, you will be able to upgrade to the beta version of the software. Via

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/android_11_beta_now_available_for_oppo_reno2_f_reno_10x_zoom_and_f15-news-47484.php

Apple might use the battery as a haptic engine in its future Watches

As per a new patent filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office, Apple is looking into the option of making its future Watch thinner by removing the haptic feedback engine altogether. But since the haptic feedback is essential to the user experience, the company wants the battery itself to take over that role. It describes a "moving battery component" that provides the haptic feedback. By removing the vibration motor, Apple might free up some space and make the battery itself bigger and ultimately improve battery life. Or the manufacturer has some other plans to utilize the free...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_might_use_the_battery_as_a_haptic_engine_in_its_future_watches-news-47477.php

Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro to sport a 5,000 mAh battery

Numerous previous reports claimed that the upcoming Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro will feature a 4,700 mAh battery but according to an inside source that has access to an early engineering sample, the unit will actually be 5,000 mAh. A famous Chinese tipster on Weibo revealed the details saying that the battery is split in two suggesting that some ultra-fast charging is at hand - not that it was ever in doubt. However, he doesn't name his source and just said that the latest engineering sample came with a 5,000 mAh battery. This is even a step up from last year's Mi 11 Ultra. Earlier reports...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_mi_11_pro_to_sport_a_5000_mah_battery-news-47470.php

Moto G9 Power review

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_moto_g9_power-review-2221.php

Google Play Store to allow real-money gambling apps in 15 more countries

Real-money gambling apps on the Google Play Store are currently only allowed in the UK, Ireland, France and Brazil but starting from March 1 this year, an additional 15 countries will be added to the mix. The Play Store policy change will allow gambling apps in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Romania, Spain, Sweden, and the United States. The accompanying developer note on Google’s support page specifies four gambling categories including online casino games, lotteries, sports betting and daily fantasy sports....

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/google_play_store_to_allow_realmoney_gambling_apps_in_15_more_countries_-news-47478.php

Renders show a possible iPhone 12S Pro (or 13 Pro) design - almost the same as the current 12 Pro

The iPhone 12S is expected to have the same design as the current 12-series, except for being slightly thicker. LetsGoDigital and Concept Creator partnered up to create speculative 3D renders of what the iPhone 12S Pro will look like. The design is not an exact replica of the current Pro as the notch is smaller. However, what you can’t see is even more important. For one, Apple is expected to include its first ever in-display fingerprint reader on the 2021 models. Speculative renders of the Apple iPhone 12S Pro (aka iPhone 13 Pro) Who will supply those sensors is an interesting...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/renders_show_a_possible_iphone_12s_pro_design__almost_the_same_as_the_current_12_pro-news-47471.php

ZTE Axon 30 Pro might come with Samsung's 200MP sensor

Two new Weibo posts about ZTE's upcoming Axon 30 Pro hint that the phone might come with Samsung's yet-to-be-announced 200MP S5KGND sensor. The information comes from a Chinese tipster and an official ZTE representative. First, let's go through ZTE's official post. It says that the handset will feature a Snapdragon 888 chipset, which isn't really a surprise, but the text stresses the new Spectra 580 ISP and the fact that it supports 200MP cameras. Why would he mention that? He also boasted the handset's ability to take low-light photos in extremely dark conditions - as low as 0.1...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/zte_axon_30_pro_might_come_with_samsungs_200mp_sensor-news-47475.php

Telegram’s latest update lets you import chat history from other apps

Telegram v7.4.0 is now making its way to users across Android and iOS and it brings the option to migrate chat history from other messaging apps like WhatsApp, Line and KakaoTalk. This move comes after WhatsApp’s controversial privacy policy change to share user data with Facebook which led millions of users to jump ship and switch to other platforms like Telegram. The new chat transfer feature works for both individual and group chats. Move your message history from apps like WhatsApp, Line and KakaoTalk to Telegram. https://t.co/PediepRhyt pic.twitter.com/VPeuilGt2T— Telegram Messenger...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/telegrams_latest_update_lets_you_import_chat_history_from_other_apps-news-47472.php

Xiaomi Mi 11 and MIUI 12.5 global announcement scheduled for February 8

After a successful launch in China, the Xiaomi Mi 11 is ready to go global – that will happen on February 8. There’s no official word on the Mi 11 Pro (or Mi 11 Lite for that matter) yet, though. But that doesn’t mean the phone is coming alone to the party, it will arrive hand-in-hand with the global announcement of MIUI 12.5. Xiaomi will announce the exact details of Mi 11’s international rollout at the event, which starts at 12PM UTC. So far Spain seems to be the only country confirmed to get it, but other EU countries with Mi stores also seem like safe bet. The exact price will...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_mi_11_and_miui_125_global_announcement_scheduled_for_february_8-news-47476.php

Samsung Galaxy S21 series goes on open sale

Exactly two weeks after it kicked in pre-orders, Samsung opened regular sales for its brand new Galaxy S21 series in over 60 countries across Asia, Europe and North America. Availability will grow to 130 countries by the end of February. Those who preordered their new Galaxy flagships will start receiving their phones today. You can head this way for a detailed comparison of all three models. Check out the table below for the base prices of all three models in major markets. Country Galaxy S21 Galaxy S21+ Galaxy S21 Ultra...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s21_series_goes_on_open_sale_-news-47467.php

Watch how the new Samsung Galaxy S21 ringtone “Over the Horizon” was made

Samsung launches its Galaxy S21 series today, and as is tradition, the new flagships got a new rendition of the “Over the Horizon” ringtone. The melody went through many changes since its introduction with the Galaxy S II back in 2011, and this year’s variant is a reflection of what we endured in 2020. The piece was created and performed by pianist and composer Yiruma, who wanted to “give users a sense of comfort and familiarity.” Check out the full track below: Samsung has also posted a short Making of video, showcasing how Yiruma composed the new piece that actually sounds like...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/watch_how_the_new_samsung_galaxy_s21_ringtone_over_the_horizon_was_made-news-47474.php

Xiaomi Black Shark 4 appeares on Google Play Console

Xiaomi is working on the Black Shark 4 gaming phone, and the device has just appeared on Google Play Console with some key specs. The phone is codenamed Kaiser (the German word for emperor) and will have 8GB RAM and Android 11 out of the box. Xiaomi Black Shark 4 on Google Play Console The listing also revealed the Black Shark 4 would have Full HD+ resolution with a 20:9 ratio. While this is hardly a surprise, the listed chipset is listed as Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, which is clearly a mistake. That's also confirmed by the phone's AnTuTu score of nearly 800,000. We might lack...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_black_shark_4_appeares_on_google_play_console-news-47469.php

Realme 7i arrives in Europe as a rebranded Narzo 20

The Realme 7 series in Europe includes three smartphones - Realme 7, Realme 7 5G, and Realme 7 Pro. Today the company added a fourth member to the lineup as it introduced the Realme 7i in the Old Continent. However, the Realme 7i arrived in Europe is not the same as the one announced last year in India and a few other Asian countries. The European 7i is actually a rebranded Narzo 20. That means the Realme 7i in Europe comes with a Helio G85 SoC, 6.5" HD+ screen, and a 6,000 mAh battery with 18W charging. Realme 7i (Europe) • Realme Narzo 20 For photography, the 7i has a...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/realme_7i_europe_price_sale_date-news-47473.php

Pro versions of iPhone 13 (or 12s) rumored to feature 1 TB of storage

Apple is reportedly working on 1TB versions of the upcoming iPhone 13 – actually, the iPhone 12S, says leakster Jon Prosser. Current Apple phones top out at 512GB, have done so since the XS generation from 2018. The new model is still very much in the prototype stage of development. And some prototypes of the Pro models have 1 TB of memory built in – the cap for the vanilla models is, as usual, lower. Storage aside, Prosser quotes a source who stated that the iPhone 12S/13 will have a smaller notch – but not that this means smaller height, not smaller width as you may have hoped (fair...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/pro_versions_of_iphone_13_or_12s_rumored_to_feature_1_tb_of_storage-news-47468.php

Canalys: Tablet shipments hit all-time high in Q4 2020

The unusual times we live in today pushed customers towards PC, notebook, and tablet purchases for education and entertainment. According to the latest report by Canalys, manufacturers shipped 52.8 million tablets in Q4 2020 - the highest amount ever. The analysis also revealed Chromebook sales went through the roof, with 11.2 million shipments in Q4 2020 and 30.7 million for the calendar year. That’s almost two-fold increase over 2019 when makers shipped only 14.7 million units. Shipments / Company Q4 2019(in million) Q4 2020(in million) Change 2019(in...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/canalys_tablet_shipments_hit_alltime_high_in_q4_2020-news-47466.php

Samsung Galaxy S21 series goes on sale

Exactly two weeks after it kicked in pre-orders, Samsung opened regular sales for its brand new Galaxy S21 series around the world. Those who preordered their new Galaxy flagships will start receiving their orders today. You can head this way for a detailed comparison of all three models. Check out the table below for the base prices of all three models in major markets. Country Galaxy S21 Galaxy S21+ Galaxy S21 Ultra US $799 $999 $1,199 Germany €849 €1,049 €1,249 France €859 €1,059 €1,259 UK £769 £949 £1,329 India INR 69,999 INR...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s21_series_goes_on_sale_-news-47467.php

Here's Apple's 'Shot on iPhone' special for the Chinese New Year

Every year Apple makes a special short film to commemorate the Chinese New Year and every year it's "Shot on iPhone". This year the film is shot on the iPhone 12 Pro Max, but just like before Apple notes that additional hardware and software was used. The film itself is a nice heartwarming tale about a girl and the mythical Nian creature, which according to Chinese folklore is a beast that lives in the Sea or Mountains and comes out at the beginning of the Chinese New Year to feed on people and animals. Here's the entire 12 minute clip. And as usual Apple posted another clip for...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/heres_apples_special_shot_on_iphone_for_the_chinese_new_year-news-47465.php

Oppo A94 gets certified with 30W charging

An Oppo device with model designation CPH2203 was certified by Singapore's IMDA about two weeks ago, which we now know is the Oppo A94 as the smartphone has bagged NBTC certification. The Thai certifying authority reveals the A94 will be a 4G smartphone, but other than that, it doesn't divulge anything. Oppo A94 certified by Thailand's NBTC However, the A94 has also been certified by China's CQC, revealing 30W charging in the process. Oppo A94 certified by China's CQC We also saw CPH2205 on Geekbench with a Helio P95 SoC, 6GB RAM, and Android 11, which is believed to be...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/oppo_a94_nbtc_certified-news-47463.php

Meizu 18 appears in a hands-on video with under-display camera

The Meizu 17 series was unveiled last May, but we may see the company introduce its successors earlier this year since the Meizu 18 has appeared in a new hands-on video. The clip shows the Meizu 18 with an all-screen front. The smartphone has slim bezels, and we don't see the selfie camera, meaning it's likely under the screen. However, Meizu won't be the first brand to bring an in-display camera smartphone to the market. That honor goes to ZTE for its Axon 20 5G. You can read our ZTE Axon 20 5G review to learn all about it. Details are scarce about the Meizu 18 right now,...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/meizu_18_in_display_camera_hands_on_video-news-47462.php

Motorola also demonstrates its own long-distance wireless charging

Motorola has introduced its understanding of how devices should charge wirelessly from a distance, just after Xiaomi introduced Mi Air Charge. The technology of the Lenovo subsidiary can charge from a one meter distance, provided nothing stands in the way between the charger and the device. According to the official video, two Motorola Edge phones (likely modified for the test) are placed in a standing position 80cm and 100cm away from the charger, respectively. They immediately start to fill up the battery, but once a person places his hand on the charger, the process stops. Here’s the...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_also_demonstrates_its_own_longdistance_wireless_charging-news-47464.php

Xiaomi introduces Mi Air Charge, wireless charging from across the room

Xiaomi introduced Mi Air Charge technology this Friday morning. According to the company “remote charging technology” can charge multiple devices simultaneously and will recharge a smartphone that’s being used, “while walking around or even when something’s in the way”. We're excited to bring you the remote charging technology - Mi Air Charge Technology! Charge multiple devices simultaneously while you're gaming, walking around or even when something's in the way, no strings attached. Another giant leap forward in wireless charging technology! pic.twitter.com/wEoB10wOQ2— Xiaomi (@Xiaomi)...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_introduces_mi_air_charge_wireless_charging_from_across_the_room-news-47461.php

Samsung Galaxy A52 5G and A72 5G show up in leaked official renders

Samsung's already in the process of refreshing its mid-range A series of smartphones for 2021, and it won't stop anytime soon. In fact, it's yet to get to the A5x, which has traditionally been its best selling smartphone. While we wait for an official announcement, Evan Blass of @evleaks fame has got a hold of the following official-looking leaked render, which depicts the upcoming Galaxy A52 5G. Compared to its predecessor, the A51 5G, the front looks eerily similar, while on the back the camera arrangement is both different when it comes to placement of the sensors, but also in...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_a52_5g_and_a72_5g_show_up_in_leaked_official_renders-news-47460.php

Samsung Galaxy S21 video teardown takes a peek at its insides

Following up his durability test that revealed a weird double screen protector, YouTuber Zach from JerryRigEverything has taken a deep dive... inside the Galaxy S21 Ultra. If you were wondering what lies beneath all that glass, here's your chance to find out without destroying your own unit. It is quite expensive after all, so definitely don't try this at home. As you can see, the battery glue is still to the usual Samsung level of "apocalypse proof", while the camera modules are, well, huge, and three of four have OIS too. The vibration motor is at the top, which isn't a usual...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s21_video_teardown_takes_a_peek_at_its_insides-news-47459.php

First Sony Xperia 1 III renders show a periscope camera, slimmer bezels

You saw the Xperia Compact renders, now check out the big guns - @OnLeaks published images showing what the Sony Xperia 1 III will look like. And, for the most part, it will look the same as the Mark II. The most interesting change is on the back, a periscope lens will be added to the setup. It’s still a triple camera system, though, so perhaps the main sensor will go above 12MP to fill in the mid-range zoom gap. The cameras will feature ZEISS-branded lenses with T* coating and the 3D ToF sensor will stay for another year. Unfortunately, further specifics about the camera are not...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/first_sony_xperia_1_iii_renders_show_a_periscope_camera_slimmer_bezels-news-47457.php

Counterpoint: Apple took the lead in Q4, but Realme grew the most in 2020

Alongside IDC and Canalys, Counterpoint also released its report on the last quarter of 2020 as well as the full year. It confirms that Apple took over at the front, but since its data includes the top 10 maker it also gives us some more interesting findings. Such as the fact that Realme was the biggest gainer, posting a year over year increase of 65%. Let's talk Apple first. In the months October through December the Cupertino company shipped nearly 82 million iPhones - up 13% over the same three months last year. According to Counterpoint's numbers, Apple tied Samsung for top spot in Q4...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/counterpoint_apple_captured_q4_but_realme_grew_the_most_in_2020-news-47456.php

Our Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra camera review video is up

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is the company’s no-compromise flagship. It’s Samsung’s most feature-packed phone currently out and after we brought you our detailed written review, it’s now time for out dedicated camera breakdown in video form. With its four cameras around the back headlined by the 108MP ISOCELL HM3 main sensor, 12МP ultrawide snapper and two zoom lenses (3x telephoto and 10x periscope) Samsung is offering arguably the most versatile mobile shooter on the market. In our testing we liked the sharpness and detail preservations as well as the balanced colors from the main...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/our_samsung_galaxy_s21_ultra_camera_review_video_is_up-news-47458.php

Samsung Galaxy M21 receives Android 11 with One UI 3.0 ahead of schedule

While still not perfect, Samsung has really improved its update game – even affordable models like the Galaxy M21 are quickly moving up to Android 11. The update for the phone is already rolling out in India, even though it was originally scheduled for a March release. The new firmware, M215FXXU2BUAC, brings all the goodies of One UI 3.0 and includes the January security patch. You can read our mini review of the latest Galaxy skin or watch the video below for a quick summary. And don’t forget the Good Lock customization options. One UI 3.0 (Android 11) update for the Samsung...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_m21_receives_android_11_with_one_ui_30_ahead_of_schedule-news-47447.php

DxOMark: iPhone 12 mini good enough for 14th place

The iPhone 12 mini was able to score the 14th overall spot on DxOMark's ever-changing table of tested phones thanks to good overall performance in photos and videos. Accurate exposure (both scene and target) and fast and on point focus were quoted as strengths of the tiny iPhone, while noise and occasional blue casting in the white balance were issues. DxOMark was able to make the iPhone 12 mini clip some highlights in certain scenes (case in point - an indoor shot where the phone made the room brighter in favor of the tiny slit of light in the window), pointing to a limited dynamic...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/dxomark_iphone_12_mini_good_enough_for_14th_place-news-47453.php

WhatsApp integrates biometric security in web and desktop clients

WhatsApp has announced a neat new security feature that adds another layer of security to your account by requiring biometric authorization when signing into a web or desktop client. The new functionality has been rolled out to both Android and iOS users. Today we’re starting to roll out a new security feature for WhatsApp Web and Desktop: face and fingerprint unlock when linking devices. WhatsApp does not see your face or fingerprint data. Chats for your 👀 onlyhttps://t.co/qR3zsexzfj pic.twitter.com/Ei5G35MPpA— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) January 28, 2021 Before you authorize the ...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/whatsapp_integrates_biometric_security_to_its_web_and_desktop_clients-news-47451.php

iOS 14.4 and iPadOS 14.4 fix security vulnerabilities

Apple’s latest mobile software updates are here with the official release of iOS 14.4 and iPadOS 14.4. Both updates carry significant kernel and WebKit vulnerability fixes so it’s best to install them on your devices as soon as possible. According to a security document shared by Apple, an unnamed malicious app could gain elevated privileges and serve as a gateway for exploits. The WebKit issues allowed remote attackers to execute harmful code on your device. Apple is doing an ongoing investigation of the matter and assures the exploits were patched with the new updates. The new iOS...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/ios_144_and_ipados_144_fix_security_vulnerabilities_-news-47454.php

Airtel becomes the first carrier in India to test a 5G network, is holding off the launch

Indian carrier Bharti Airtel trialed a live 5G network today, the test was conducted in the Hyderabad region using the 1.8 GHz band. The carrier spent the last year upgrading its network using Ericsson hardware manufactured in India. And now it can enable 5G with the push of a button. But that would be a mistake, CEO Gopal Vittal believes. He insists that a true 5G experience is only possible after the government allocates mid-band spectrum (2.5-3.7 GHz) for the new networks. That hasn’t happened yet, so the only option right now is for 4G and 5G networks to share spectrum (using...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/airtel_becomes_the_first_carrier_in_india_to_test_a_5g_network_is_holding_off_on_launching-news-47450.php

ZTE confirms Axon 30 Pro 5G is one the way with impressive camera setup

ZTE brought the Axon 20 smartphone back in September - it was the first commercially available device with a camera hidden under the display. Just five months later the company is already preparing the successor after its president announced a ZTE Axon 30 Pro 5G is on its way. Ni Fei, President of Mobile Devices at ZTE, has said on his personal Weibo profile that the new Axon 30 Pro will be among the best phones of 2021 and it will have one of the mightiest camera setups. The profile of the manufacturer posted an image of an irregular shape that looks like a folder or a sim card....

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/zte_confirms_axon_30_pro_5g_will_have_one_of_the_best_camera_setups-news-47449.php

Honor CEO says future devices will have Google services

After Honor's separation from Huawei, everyone was wondering if the company's future phones would be allowed to partner with Google and have its services installed. Now the CEO, George Zhao, clears the air and says that there's no reason for the company not to partner up with Google again. So far, the company has confirmed partnerships with Intel, AMD, Qualcomm and MediaTek with Google being the most major name missing from the list. In an interview for South China Morning Post, the company's CEO said that the two tech firms are already in talks. However, that doesn't clarify...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/honor_ceo_theres_no_reason_future_devices_wont_have_google_services-news-47448.php

Samsung Galaxy Note10 Lite gets Android 11 with One UI 3.0

The latest Samsung phone to get the Andriod 11 and One UI 3.0 update treatment is the Galaxy Note10 Lite. Last year’s affordable Note member is now getting the N770FXXU7DUA8 update which also brings the January security patch. Currently, the update has been spotted in France and it should naturally make its way to more regions soon. It is the first major OS upgrade for the Note10 Lite which launched with Android 10. Based on Samsung’s promise of three generations of OS updates the device should see at least two more major Android OS updates in its lifetime. Feel free to check out...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_note10_lite_gets_android_11_with_one_ui_30-news-47446.php

Canalys: competitors gobble up Huawei's lost market share in Q4, Honor faces uphill battle

2020 ended with a strong three months for Apple – the company shipped the most iPhones ever in a single quarter, specifically 81.8 million units, according to data from Canalys. This pushed Apple to the top spot in terms of market share. Samsung failed to defend its position as shipments declined 12% year-on-year (YoY), down to 62 million units. But the Apple/Samsung fight wasn’t the highlight of the quarter. Huawei fell out of the Top 5 smartphone makes for the first time in six year. Competitors from China were quick to gobble up its market share with Xiaomi growing an impressive...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/canalys_competitors_gobble_up_huaweis_lost_market_share_honor_faces_uphill_battle-news-47445.php

Samsung reports yearly profit increase despite COVID-19 pandemic

Samsung has just announced its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2020 and the full fiscal year, and the numbers look impressive for both periods. The company saw a 26% increase in profit just for the October-December period, compared with the same three months in 2019, while sales increased ever so slightly - just under 3%. Samsung has also recorded a nearly 30% increase in profit for the whole pandemic-disrupted calendar year, while sales improved by KRW6 trillion ($5.36 billion) on a yearly basis, but a quarter of the gains (approximately KRW1.4 trillion/$1.2 billion) were...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_reports_yearly_profit_increase_despite_covid19_pandemic-news-47443.php

DxOMark: Sony Xperia 1 II's camera comparable to a two-year-old flagship

Almost a year after the release of Sony Xperia 1 II, DxOMark did a comprehensive camera review and the results aren't all that impressive. The overall score is just 112 points, which ranks the handset right after the two-year-old Samsung Galaxy S10+ and the OnePlus 7 Pro. But it does share its position with the vanilla Galaxy Note20 from last year. What the reviewers didn't like is the rather narrow dynamic range in moderate to low-light conditions, hue shift artifacts in all photos, unreliable autofocus, low detail in the telephoto stills and problems with AF and dynamic range in...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/dxomark_sony_xperia_1_iis_camera_comparable_to_a_2yearold_flagship-news-47444.php

IDC: Smartphone sales return to growth in Q4, Apple takes the lead

We have the latest IDC report on worldwide smartphone shipments and after a highly turbulent year, things settled down in the October 1 – December 31 period. The market saw a bounce-back quarter with a total of 385.9 million shipments headlined by Apple’s 90.1 million share. As a whole, the market grew by 4.3% compared to Q4 2019 and all top smartphone vendors (sans Huawei) saw positive growth levels to end off 2020. Fueled by the release of its iPhone 12 series, Apple saw the best shipment volume of any vendor in a single quarter which rightfully translated to a 22.2% year over year...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/idc_q4_global_smartphone_shipments_normalize_apple_leads_the_way-news-47442.php

Xiaomi working on two phones supporting 67W wireles charging

A dissection of MIUI 12.5 beta build reveals that Xiaomi is working on two new phones supporting 67W wireless charging. The two phones in question are codenamed "star" and "mars". Evidence suggests that one of them is likely the still unannounced Mi 11 Pro but the other one remains a mystery. Could this be a Mi 11 Ultra? One thing is for sure, though, these phones are somehow related to each other as the model names end in K1 and K1A. It could also mean that these are the same phone but designated for different regions. Additionally, "star" will surely be running Qualcomm's Snapdragon...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_working_on_two_phones_supporting_67w_wireles_charging-news-47441.php

New affordable Realme appears on TENAA with photos and key specs

Realme is preparing a new smartphone and it has just appeared on TENAA with photos and some key specifications. The device with model number RMX3121 will have a big screen with a waterdrop notch, a big battery, and three cameras on the back. Realme RMX3121 The phone, rumored by some to be called Realme V13, will bring a 6.52” LCD, and we know the technology of the panel because the fingerprint scanner is on the side, acting as a power button as well. The device will have 5G connectivity, a 5,000 mAh battery, and Android 11 out of the box, and that’s pretty much everything we...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/new_affordable_realme_appears_on_tenaa_with_photos_and_key_specs-news-47440.php

Chinese brands accounted for 77% of smartphone shipments to India in 2020

The latest research from Canalys gives us insight to the smartphone trends of the Indian smartphone market. The nation had a rough start of the year as smartphone shipments stagnated around the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, smartphone shipments greatly improved in the second half of the year with a record high Q3. Q2 2020 saw the biggest decline, dropping more than 40% YoY compared to Q2 2019. The market was able to recover in Q3, which bested the same quarter from the previous year. Meanwhile, Q4 saw 13% growth, with 43.9 million units. Xiaomi (including...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/chinese_brands_accounted_for_77_of_smartphone_shipments_to_india_in_2020-news-47439.php

Apple Q1 2021 earnings report: $111.4 billion revenue, Apple has over 1 billion active iPhone users

Apple released its fiscal Q1 2021 results. The company has reached two major milestones during this quarter which encompasses the months of October, November, and December. In addition to Apple breaking past $100 billion in revenue of any quarter in the company’s history, Apple CEO Tim Cook also revealed to Retuters that the iPhone has surpassed 1 billion active users for the first time. Apple ended the quarter with $111.44 billion in revenue, and reported $28.6 billion in profits. This is compared to 2020’s Q1 which ended with $91.8 billion in revenue and $22.2 billion in profits. Apple...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_q1_earnings_report_1114_billion_revenue_and_apple_now_has_over_1_billion_active_iphone_users-news-47438.php

Samsung Galaxy F41 gets Android 11 update with One UI 3.0

Samsung's weird F-series mid-ranger that is practically a Galaxy M31 with one less camera and no NFC is now in luck. The update to One UI 3.0 based on Android 11 is now on its way to the Galaxy F41, at least those units that have been sold in India. The update arrives over-the-air and once you install it, you'll be on build F415FXXU1BUAC, and you'll also have the January 2021 security patch level. As usual with such rollouts, this one too is likely to be staged in such a way that it might take at least a few days for all F41 units to receive the update notification. If you're...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_f41_gets_android_11_update_with_one_ui_30-news-47437.php