Google finally pushes OTA update to Pixel 6 and 6 Pro after botched December update

The Google Pixel 6 and 6 Pro are finally receiving the January update. In addition, Google has also published the system images and OTA files for the Pixel duo. The January update brings all the fixes that were on the December update plus some new ones for this month. If you're updating from the November patch, the update pulled will be 215MB and just 40MB if you're coming from the December patch. Google Pixel 6 Pro There’s a lengthy list of fixes on the Google’s support page for the update. Major fixes include the use of Call Screen and bug squashes related to making emergency...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/google_finally_pushes_ota_update_to_pixel_6_and_6_pro_after_botched_december_update-news-52700.php

Google is testing Smart Downloads on its Android YouTube app

YouTube is reportedly testing out a new Smart Downloads feature, which downloads 20 videos each week based on your watching preferences. Of course, the app will download the content only using Wi-Fi. The mission is to save up mobile data when you are on the run and watching your favorite channels. The new feature can be accessed only by Premium subscribers in Europe. You can enable it through Settings > Try new features > Try it out. You should do so before February 14 to participate in the testing stage. The app will always notify you if you are running out of storage before...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/google_is_testing_smart_downloads_on_its_android_youtube_app-news-52690.php

iOS 15 adoption rates reach 63%, iPadOS 15 nearly at 50%

As of January 11, an estimated 63% of all iOS devices ran iOS 15. The data comes from the App Store support page on Apple’s Developer portal and also details the install statistics for iPads. According to the numbers, 72% of iPhones introduced in the last four years boot iOS 15 which is a considerable step up from the majority of compatible iPhones but that’s still behind iOS 14 and its 81% install rate about a year ago. iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 adoption rates As for the iPad side, 49% of all tablets run iPadOS 15 while 57% of devices four years old and up boot the latest tablet OS....

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/ios_15_adoption_rates_reach_63-news-52684.php

nubia Red Magic 7's photos also appear on TENAA

The upcoming gaming flagship nubia Red Magic 7 already got its specs revealed by TENAA and today the listing was updated with images of the phone. We get to see the changes nubia is bringing on the design side. The ZTE subsidiary will keep the vertical camera design, shoulder sensor triggers and the aggressive gaming looks, but we can see the air intake vent has moved from the side onto the back panel. nubia Red Magic 7 The front-facing camera is positioned in the top left side, it appears that much like its predecessor it's mounted on a full bezel - no notches or punch...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/zte_nubia_red_magic_7_photos_also_appear_on_tenaa-news-52683.php

Oppo Pad benchmarked with Snapdragon 870 and 6GB RAM

Oppo’s tablet has been rumored throughout the second half of 2021 but more recent evidence points to an imminent launch. The most recent report saw the tablet pass through 3C certification with support for 33W fast charging. Now, the unreleased tablet (OPD2101) has been spotted on Geekbench 4’s database. Source: Geekbench 4 browser The benchmark contains the same model number as that of the 3C certification. In the benchmark it’s listed that the device is running Android 11 and 6GB of RAM. There’s also mention of “kona” and clock speeds of up to 3.19GHz – indicating the tablet will...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/oppo_pad_benchmarked_with_snapdragon_870-news-52682.php

Valve’s Steam Deck pre-orders will begin arriving at the end of February

The most recent update from Valve confirms that the first wave of Steam Deck handheld gaming device will be arriving by the end of February. After being announced back in July of 2021, the portable gaming device has faced supply chain delays from its originally planned target of December 2021. In the update, Steam reveals that the Steam Deck verified program has been ongoing in which some game developers have been provided with developer kits with “hundreds” shipped in the last month with plans to send out more of them to devs. Some of the first production units being evaluated....

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/valves_steam_deck_preorders_will_begin_arriving_at_the_end_of_february-news-52681.php

Fortnite will be playable on iOS via Nvidia GeForce Now's closed beta

On Thursday, Nvidia is announcing that Epic Games’ Fortnite is coming to iOS Safari and Android in a closed beta it’s launching for GeForce Now. Remember, GeForce now is a cloud gaming service that lets you stream from 1000 titles when you link Steam or Epic Games Store. The limited-time closed beta will launch for mobile users who stream the service using the Android app or Safari browser on iOS. The beta is open for registration for all GeForce Now members, and will help test our server capacity, graphics delivery, and new touch controls performance. Members will be admitted to...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/fortnite_will_be_playable_on_ios_via_nvidia_geforce_now_closed_beta-news-52680.php

Motorola Edge 30 Ultra will have a Smart Stylus that you can tuck into a Folio Case

While we wait for Motorola's upcoming flagship smartphone, the Edge 30 Ultra, to finally become official, today a couple of accessories for it have been leaked. We're talking about the Motorola Smart Stylus and the Folio Case. It's no coincidence that these were leaked together, since the Folio Case is designed in such a way as to house the stylus on its back, as you can see below. There are apparently going to be software triggers for when the stylus is removed, including detecting when it's been out of the case for a long time and yet hasn't been used - you'll get an alert for...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_edge_30_ultra_will_have_a_smart_stylus_that_you_can_tuck_into_a_folio_case-news-52679.php

Realme 9i coming to India on January 18

Realme 9i debuted in Vietnam earlier this week, and now India is about to welcome it. The Snapdragon 680-powered phone will arrive on January 18, according to the local branch of the company. The screen of the affordable midranger is a 6.6” LCD with FullHD+ resolution and 90Hz refresh rate. Other highlights include a 5,000mAh battery with 33W charging and a 50MP main camera. The Realme 9i was announced with two memory options - 4/64 GB and 6/128 GB, and we’re wondering whether the company will bring them both to India. The company is promising more teasers in the upcoming days, but...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/realme_9i_heading_to_india_on_january_18-news-52668.php

A new report corroborates the iPhone 14 Pro will have a 48MP camera

A fresh new report by TrendForce has corroborated earlier accounts that the iPhone 14 Pro will move to a 48MP main camera. This will mark the third time an iPhone has increased the resolution of its main camera (iPhone 4 to 4S - 5MP to 8MP; iPhone 6 to 6s - 8MP to 12MP) and would be a serious shift in Apple's way of doing cameras. It's likely that Apple needs the higher resolution in order to offer 8K video recording on its Pro phones, but that they'll also shoot in different resolutions, depending on the scene. A portrait or a landscape could use more megapixels, while a low-light...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/a_new_report_claims_the_iphone_14_pro_will_have_a_48mp_camera-news-52665.php

Motorola Tab G70 lands in Brazil

Yesterday we saw the Motorola Tab G70 listed on Flipkart with its key spec and no pricing as the device will come to India on January 18. Today we get the full breakdown as the device was launched in Brazil complete with pricing details. Motorola Tab G70 in Green The Android 11 slate comes with an 11-inch IPS LCD with a 2,000 x 1,200px resolution and 400 nits of brightness. There’s a quad-speaker setup with Dolby Atmos support. You get an 8MP selfie camera and a 13MP rear shooter. Tab G70 brings a Helio G90T chipset paired with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage which is expandable via the...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_tab_g70_lands_in_brazil-news-52664.php

Google Pixel foldable animation found in latest Android 12L Beta

Following Wednesday’s release of Android 12L’s second Beta build, 9to5Google reports about some visual assets found within the new build. Specifically, some new animations contained in the build reveal the unreleased Google Pixel foldable device. When in the SIM setup page of the Pixel, an animation will usually show how to pop open the SIM tray to insert a SIM card. One of the animations contained depict the foldable codenamed “Pipit”. 9to5Google explains the possibility that the following animation may not be finalized or could even be removed before the public release of Android...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/google_pixel_foldable_animation_found_in_latest_android_12l_beta-news-52662.php

Android 12L Beta 2 now available for eligible devices

On Wednesday afternoon, Google pushed the Beta 2 built of Android 12 L to eligible devices. Both system images and OTAs are available from Google’s site for Pixel 3a (XL) and all newer Pixels. All except the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro – which have already been dealing with update delays for the December patch and could be liked to a delay here. Google Pixel 5 Android 12L Beta 2 brings bug fixes and optimizations, as well as a few fixes for refinement of the resizing of icons relative to the screen size. It also finalizes APIs and system behaviors for this version of Android so that...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/android_12l_beta_2_now_available_for_eligible_devices-news-52661.php

Apple releases iOS 15.2.1 and iPadOS 15.2.1

Today Apple has a new update for its mobile devices going out, labeled as iOS 15.2.1 and iPadOS 15.2.1. As the minor incrementation in versioning implies, it's a bug fixer, this one, although it does come in at a pretty hefty 970MB to download, which is weird considering the changelog is incredibly short, noting that the update contains bug fixes including "Messages may not load photos sent using an iCloud Link" and "Third-party CarPlay apps may not respond to input". That's the extent of what Apple has acknowledged about this update. The second bug mentioned does seem like it could be...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_releases_ios_1521_and_ipados_1521-news-52660.php

Realme 9 Pro sketches leak

What an amazing time to be alive! Today we present you leaked sketches - seriously, yes, sketches - of the upcoming Realme 9 Pro. Not images of the phone, mind you - not even "CAD-based renders". No, these are literally sketches. See for yourself below. According to the (still can't believe it's come to this) sketches, the Realme 9 Pro will have a 6.43" AMOLED display, surprising absolutely no one, as well as a "Sony Customized Main Sensor" on the back. The source of this incredible (in both senses) leak obviously claims the sketches are legit, but what does that even mean? Did...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/realme_9_pro_sketches_leak-news-52659.php

Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 will have high-refresh inner display, more usable outer one

The Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 will bring upgrade displays compared to the current Mix Fold, per Digital Chat Station on Weibo. For starters, the inner display will now support 120Hz refresh rate, like the external one. The Mix 2 Fold will be similar in aspect to the just announced Honor Magic V and thus have a more-usable external display. The Magic V has a 21:9 outer display and a 10.3:9 inner one, splits into two roughly 21:9 halves. Finally, the Xiaomi Mix 2 Fold will run on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 platform. We expect Xiaomi to unveil the Mix 2 Fold sometime in Q1 with...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_mix_fold_2_will_have_highrefresh_inner_display_more_usable_outer_one-news-52645.php

Oppo A36 announced with a 5,000 mAh battery, Snapdragon 680

The Oppo A36 made its official debut in China today. It is an affordable handset with a Snapdragon 680 chipset for people who don't mind missing on the 5G fun for the time being. The screen of the Oppo A36 is a 6.56” LCD with 90Hz refresh rate and 180Hz touch sampling rate, but just 720p resolution. It has a punch hole in the top left corner for the 8MP selfie camera. The dual cameras on the back resemble the Reno7 design with two large, vertically aligned circles. The main one has a 13MP sensor and f/2.2 lens, while the second one is a 2MP portrait helper. Oppo gave the A36...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/oppo_a36_is_a_dualcam_entrylevel_smartphone_with_a_5000_mah_battery-news-52644.php

Benco V80s is a privacy-focused phone without cameras and GPS

A very unusual Android smartphone launched today - the benco V80s comes without any cameras and omits a GPS receiver in its quest to bring you a privacy-centric device. The phone comes with a 6.5-inch IPS LCD, Unisoc SC9863A chipset and a 5,000 mAh battery. Strangely enough, the phone still sports a waterdrop notch despite not having a selfie cam. benco V80s You can use it to take and make calls at 4G network speeds and you also get dual-band Wi-Fi support. The back houses a fingerprint scanner and a cutout for the speaker neat the bottom. You get Android 11 on the software side...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/benco_v80s_is_a_privacy_oriented_phone_without_any_cameras_or_gps-news-52643.php

vivo pushes 20,000 iQOO 9 units in 10 seconds

The iQOO 9 and iQOO 9 Pro arrived earlier this month in China. They are the first vivo devices with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, and consumers unsurprisingly cleared the first batch in 10 seconds. According to iQOO, income from sales exceeded CNY100 million ($15.7M/€13.8М), which means around 20,000 phones were pushed during the flash event. The iQOO 9 comes with 120W fast charging for the 4,700 mAh battery and the new OriginOS Ocean out of the box. Its price was set between CNY3,999 ($630) and CNY4,799 ($755), depending on the memory combination. The Pro sibling brings improved...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/vivo_pushes_around_20000_iqoo_9_phones_in_10_seconds-news-52642.php

Alleged pricing for Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 lineup leaks

A report from Appauls claims to know the pricing and configurations of Samsung’s entire Galaxy Tab S8 lineup. We’ve compiled all the pricing into a table below. The only devices that aren’t included in the report are the price ranges for the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra with 12GB+512GB. Model Storage/RAM Price Galaxy Tab S8 (Wi-Fi) 8GB + 128GB EU 680-700 Galaxy Tab S8 (Wi-Fi) 8GB + 256GB EU 830-850 Galaxy Tab S8 (5G) 8GB + 128GB EU 830-850 Galaxy Tab S8 (5G) 8GB + 256GB EU 880-900 ...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/alleged_pricing_for_samsung_galaxy_tab_s8_lineup_leaks-news-52641.php

Sony Xperia 5 III finally becomes available in the US

Sony definitely likes to take its sweet time launching smartphones - specifically, the Japanese company is probably the one to constantly let the most time pass from a new device's announcement to its release. Case in point: the Xperia 5 III. Unveiled in April of last year, it was eventually released in October, half a year later. Not in the US, though. In the US, the Sony Xperia 5 III has only become available today, almost nine months after its announcement, and nearly three months after it was in stores elsewhere. We can't help but think Sony doesn't care very much about the US market...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_5_iii_finally_becomes_available_in_the_us-news-52640.php

Samsung Galaxy Fold 5G gets Android 12 with OneUI 4.0 update

After issuing the OneUI 4.0 and Android 12 update to the Galaxy Fold, Samsung is now pushing an update to the Galaxy Fold 5G. The phones are nearly identical, save for a small difference in battery capacity. The firmware for the Galaxy Fold 5G is F907BXXU6GULB and carries the January 2022 security patch. Naturally, it also brings OneUI 4.0 along with a number of new features. This isn't the same firmware that was seeded to the Galaxy Fold, which only included the December 2021 security patch. So far it seems only UK-based Galaxy Fold 5G phones are getting the update, but it's...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_fold_5g_gets_android_12_and_oneui_40_update-news-52638.php

Firefox Focus for Android now prevents websites from tracking you via cookies

Firefox has always been about privacy so it makes sense to bring one of its best features to the Android version of the Focus browser. The feature is called Total Cookie Protection and it prevents cross-site tracking. Firefox is doing so by storing the cookies into a virtual "cookie jar" and prevents websites from accessing information about your online behavior. This is standard practice for ad targeting so that the companies know what your shopping preferences are. The Total Cookie Protection has been part of the desktop version of the web browser and is enabled by default, but...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/firefox_focus_for_android_now_prevents_websites_from_tracking_you_via_cookies-news-52637.php

Exynos 2200 launch reportedly delayed

Samsung Semiconductor was supposed to unveil the Exynos 2200 today, but leakster Ice Universe reports that the launch has been postponed. Indeed, the original tweet that pinpointed the January 11 date has been deleted from the company's official Twitter account. According to Korean media, Samsung will unveil the Galaxy S22 series on February 8 with sales set to start on the 24th. Last year, the Exynos 2100 was announced on January 12, the S21 series arrived two days later, so there is still time to unveil the 2200 chip before the S22 series goes live. Even so, such last minute...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/it_seems_that_the_exynos_2200_launch_has_been_delayed-news-52635.php

Apple paid developers $60b in 2021, record sales between Christmas and New Year

Apple announced that it has now paid developers more than $260 billion since the App Store launched in 2008. The number stood at $200b at the end of 2020, which puts dev earnings in 2021 at $60b. Apple also said that users spent 'more than ever before' between Christmas and New Year's, which is in stark contrast with previous year's when Apple would divulge the actual numbers, including disclosing the record $386M on New Year's day 2020. The great numbers come as Apple is facing lawsuits all over the world over its App Store policies and particularly the cut it has been taking from...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_paid_developers_60b_in_2021_record_sales_between_christmas_and_new_year-news-52633.php

Nokia Lite Earbuds and Nokia Wired Buds launch in India

The Nokia Lite Earbuds have been on the European shelves for a while and now HMD Global is bringing them to India as well. Along with the wireless buds, the company announced the Nokia Wired Buds. The Lite Earbuds have 6mm drivers and can last about 6 hours continuous playback and 36 hours with the extra charge in the case. The case has a 400 mAh battery and charges over USB-C. Gesture control and Google Assistant/Siri support are also on the list of features. The only available color is Charcoal and the price is INR 2,799 ($38). The Wired Buds, on the other hand, connect...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_lite_earbuds_and_nokia_wired_buds_announced_in_india-news-52628.php

Xiaomi 12 Pro disassembly video apperas

Xiaomi’s 12 Pro was one of the last devices announced in 2021 and among the first with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and PBKreviews is here to give us an inside look at the flagship. The big brother to the Xiaomi 12 packs some impressive hardware but how easy is it to repair? Prying off the back and a total of 19 screws as well as the metal bracket leaves you with the motherboard and after disconnecting a few more cables the host manages to give us a closer look at the camera setup. The 50MP Sony IMX766 main sensor comes with OIS while the ultrawide and telephoto modules do not. The 12...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_12_pro_disassembly_finds_out_how_easy_it_is_to_repair-news-52623.php

OnePlus 10 Pro is official: SD 8 Gen 1, 80W charging and LTPO 2.0 display

The OnePlus 10 Pro made its official debut in China today. The new flagship is a big improvement over its predecessor, bringing Qualcomm's latest chipset, faster charging, and a second-generation LTPO screen with even more flexible adaptive refresh rate. The 10 Pro comes with a 6.7" LTPO 2.0 AMOLED screen of 1440p resolution. The panel supports an adaptive refresh rate anywhere from 1Hz to 120Hz and the second-generation LTPO panel allows it to decrease the frame rate in even more cases, boosting the battery savings. The phone's chipset is Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, which is hardly a...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/oneplus_10_pro_is_official_sd_8_gen_1_80w_charging_and_ltpo_20_display-news-52622.php

Google’s Senior VP says he isn’t asking for iMessage on Android, but for RCS to work on iPhone

Last week, a report from WSJ highlighted the mental health effects of teenagers who feel outcast by their friends who use an Android phone. The report gathered lots of attention over the weekend and Google’s Senior VP Hiroshi Lockheimer Tweeted against peer pressure and bullying as a way for Apple to sell products. Following the weekend that the topic was discussed at length under the SVP’s Tweet, Lockheimer tweeted again with some thoughts and clarifications about the ordeal. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max To start, Lockheimer makes clear that Google isn’t...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/googles_senior_vp_says_he_isnt_asking_for_imessage_on_android_but_for_rcs_to_work_on_iphone-news-52620.php

Watch the OnePlus 10 Pro announcement here

The date is set and now's the time - OnePlus will unveil the OnePlus 10 Pro in just a few moments from now and you can watch the announcement right here. Let's recap the rumors on what the OnePlus 10 Pro will bring to the table. OnePlus' new flagship has a new design, which blends the triple camera bump into the phone's metal frame. The glass back panel features wireless charging, to the tune of 50W. The 5,000mAh battery will also support a faster 80W wired option. Speaking of faster, the phone will equip a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip with up to 12GB of RAM on its way to a 36-month fluency...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/watch_the_oneplus_10_pro_announcement_here-news-52615.php

Google asks Apple to stop green bubble bullying on iMessage

Apple’s iMessage introduced free messages between iPhone users a decade ago has been discriminating against Google users, and that has been affecting mental health of Android users, a recent report from The Wall Street Journal revealed. Hiroshi Lockheimer, Senior VP at Google then took it to Twitter to address Apple. He stated that using peer pressure and bullying as a way to sell products is “disingenious for a company that has humanity and equity as a core part of its marketing”. Android’s own account chimed in, saying texting should bring us closer together and there is a...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/google_asks_apple_to_stop__green_bubble_bullying_on_imessage-news-52612.php

Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G is the latest model to receive Android 12 update with One UI 4

A few days ago, Samsung's Galaxy A52 mid-ranger started receiving the update to Android 12 with the Korean company's One UI 4 on top. This was quite a feat for one of Samsung's best-selling devices, considering how quickly it was able to taste the latest Android version after the flagships all got a bite. Usually this period takes many weeks, it was only a few short ones this time around (or less, depending on region and which flagship line you compare to). Samsung's impressive update march shows no signs of slowing down, and today the update to Android 12 with One UI 4 has reached another...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_a52s_5g_is_the_latest_model_to_receive_android_12_update_with_one_ui_4-news-52619.php

Samsung to announce the Galaxy S22 series on February 8, local media reports

Given the extensive leaks for the last few months, we already know what to expect from the Galaxy S22 trio in terms of features and hardware. We also knew it's coming in February but the exact date was a mystery until now. Now a new report from South Korea suggests the event will be at the start of next month and a couple weeks before the MWC 2022 kicks off. The report coming straight Korea's DDaily says the announcement is taking place on February 8. It goes on to reveal that pre-orders will kick off a day after and actual shipments will start on February 24. If these reports hold...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_to_announce_the_galaxy_s22_series_on_february_8_preorders_start_a_day_after-news-52613.php

Realme 9i is official with a 5,000mAh battery, 33W charging, SD680

Realme just launched the 9i smartphone in Vietnam. The phone is on sale now for VND 6,490,000 ($290/INR 21,200) in two colors - Blue and Black, and in a single 6/128GB configuration. You can expand the 128GB of memory through a microSD card and add an additional 5GB to the RAM by deducting it from the built-in storage. The Realme 9i uses a 6nm Snapdragon 680 chipset and a 6.6-inch FHD+ IPS LCD that can refresh from 30Hz, through 48-50-60Hz all the way to 90Hz. There's a 16MP selfie camera and a triple camera on the rear - a 50MP f/1.8 wide and a pair of 2MP sensors - one macro and...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/realme_9i_official_with_5000mah_battery_33w_charging_sd680-news-52609.php

iQOO Z5 gets Android-12 based Funtouch beta update

In October, iQOO shared an Android 12 update timeline for some of its handsets and the iQOO Z5 was supposed to get the beta version of Funtouch 12 last month. After a slight delay, iQOO is now distributing the release. Once again, this is a public beta version of the software we are talking about so the final, stable release should arrive soon enough. Those who have access to the beta program can download the 5.08GB package with build number PD2148F_EX_36.9.2. Looking ahead, we expect the iQOO 3 to get its beta software by the end of March. Via

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/beta_funtouch_12_on_top_of_android_12_is_being_distributed_to_iqoo_z5-news-52606.php

The Oppo Pad will support 33W fast charging, gets a 3C certification

Oppo has been so busy with the hotly anticipated Find N that it hasn’t had time to launch its first tablet, the Oppo Pad. Preparation for the launch of the slate is still ongoing though, as evidenced by the recent certification by the 3C. It shows that the Oppo Pad (OPD2101) will support 33W fast charging (11V, 3A), however, it is not clear if such a charger will be included in the retail package. Its cousin, the Realme Pad, did come with an included charger. The Realme slate only goes up to 18W, though. The Oppo tablet will be larger and more powerful – rumored specs include a...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/the_oppo_pad_will_support_33w_fast_charging_gets_a_3c_certification-news-52605.php

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G launches in India with Exynos 2100

Samsung announced its Galaxy S21 FE 5G last week on the global stage and now the phone has officially made its way to India. There’s one key difference between the global model and its Indian counterpart - Samsung went with its in-house Exynos 2100 SoC instead of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888. The rest of the spec sheet is identical between the two phones. You get a 6.4-inch 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2x panel with a centered punch hole for the 32MP selfie cam. The phone boots Samsung’s latest One UI 4 on top of Android 12 and also comes with a triple cam setup on the back. The main shooter is a...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s21_fe_5g_launches_in_india_with_exynos_2100_-news-52603.php

Watch the Honor Magic V announcement here

The day has come for Honor to unveil its first foldable phone, the Honor Magic V. The event will be livestreamed starting at 11:30 UTC from a stage in China. This is billed as the global launch for the V and Honor is indeed welcome to sell its phones globally. However, we don’t know where the Magic V will be sold – in China certainly, maybe in Europe too? This information is typically reserved for the final slides of the presentation. One of those slides was caught in a spy photo (presumably during a rehearsal), which suggests that the V will be quite pricey. Honor did tease a few...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/watch_the_honor_magic_v_announcement_here-news-52604.php

Xiaomi 11T Pro coming to India on January 19

Even though it launched back in October, Xiaomi’s 11T Pro was not yet available in India but that’s about to change as we now have official confirmation that the phone is coming on January 19. The teasers for the phone focus on the Hyper tagline with a 120Hz “HyperView” AMOLED display, 10-bit colors and a centered punch-hole cutout. It takes a revolution to create a powerful smartphone like this. Introducing #𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗛𝘆𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲 - Xiaomi 11T ProExperience the perfect amalgamation of Design & Power on 19.01.2022The Revolution continues.#HyperchargeRevolution Know more: https://t.co/2syPoOtfsz...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_11t_pro_coming_to_india_on_january_19-news-52602.php

Oppo Find N faces shortages as 1 million people register to buy it

The Oppo Find N was unveiled less than a month ago, and the first batch immediately sold out. The demand for the foldable is so high, the brand cannot keep up with the orders, and the Find N is facing supply issues as 1 million people registered their interest in the phone. Liu Bobbee, Oppo China President, revealed the main reason for the high demand was the attractive price of CNY7,699/CNY8,999 (about $1,200/$1,400), as well as the small form factor and the practically invisible crease on the inner display. Reservations for smartphones in China work differently than around the...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/oppo_faces_find_n_shortages_as_1_million_people_register_for_the_phone-news-52601.php

Top 10 trending phones of week 1

Happy New Year everyone! In the two weeks since the last installment of our trending chart things changed dramatically with new faces all around. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE finally debuted this weeks after many a delay and unsurprisingly it occupied the top spot. It's joined on the podium by the Xiaomi 12 Pro and the Realme GT2 Pro - two more phones to debut in the past couple of weeks. The OnePlus 10 Pro is not even official yet - that comes on Tuesday - but you guys are already refreshing its specs page enough to send it to the fourth position. In fifth and sixth we have the...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/top_10_trending_phones_of_week_1-news-52600.php

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE hot take

The long-anticipated Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is finally here and it has some big shoes to fill, its predecessor being more than well-received by the Android community. The new phone brings key improvements, but several delays mean it may not be arriving at the best possible time and may struggle to replicate the success of its predecessor. From killing the flagships to joining them The idea behind the original "Fan Edition" was to offer a premium set of features and powerful hardware at a lower price point. And although the launch price of the Galaxy S20 FE wasn't exactly low, it did come...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s21_fe_hot_take-news-52597.php

Weekly poll: did the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE arrive in the nick of time or is too late?

“Better late than never” or “too little, too late”? That’s the inevitable question that surrounds the delayed launch of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE. Its predecessor sold 10 million units (4G and 5G versions combined), making it one of the best-selling Galaxy phones last year, so this newcomer has big shoes to fill. We’ve been hearing about the S21 FE for about half a year now, but between the pandemic and the global chip shortage, rumors of delays and cancellations quickly started circulating. Well, the phone is very much real, in fact, it’s already on sale in some regions and will...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/weekly_poll_did_the_samsung_galaxy_s21_fe_arrive_in_the_nick_of_time_or_is_too_late-news-52572.php

Flashback: goodbye, BlackBerry, and thanks for all the keyboards

Earlier this week we waved goodbye to the classic BlackBerry devices - all the ones that came before the brand's pivot to Android stopped working on January 4 2022. They can't access the Internet, send messages or make calls, not even to emergency services. This is the end of a legacy that stretches back over two decades with the earliest BlackBerry messengers. Their hardware QWERTY keyboards, advanced instant messaging and serious business attitude made them quite popular in the early noughties. While they supported apps, they had trouble adapting to the new smartphone era....

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/flashback_goodbye_blackberry_and_thanks_for_all_the_keyboards-news-52587.php

Weekly poll results: Xiaomi 12 Pro well loved, its two siblings remain in its shadow

Xiaomi gambled that people may be interested in smaller high end phones, but last week’s poll shows once again that larger devices are just more popular. The Xiaomi 12 Pro came out on top with a healthy lead over the alternative options. Some questioned if it’s enough of an upgrade over the Mi 11 Pro, others are tempted by the idea of a “Xiaomi 12 Ultra” (we’ve seen signs that it does exist). Ultimately, the majority of people divided into two camps – those that like MIUI and those that don’t. Xiaomi is known for offering a lot of bang for the buck hardware-wise and the 12 Pro is no...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/weekly_poll_results_xiaomi_12_pro_well_loved_its_two_siblings_remain_in_its_shadow-news-52568.php

Sony has a pending patent for a 3D scanner that puts real-world objects into VR

Sony's patent for a 3D scanner that can put real-world objects into virtual reality isn't something new. In fact, the listing dates back to June last year, but since the patent office asked Sony to re-submit the documents with more details and the company has done so, we believe that the tech giant is serious about this endeavour. The patent hasn't been granted yet, but the documents reveal that the 3D scanner might be used to put real-life objects into the virtual world, or it can be used to better blend the real surrounding with the virtual one. Moreover, the user will be able to...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/sony_has_a_pending_patent_for_a_3d_scanner_that_puts_realworld_objects_into_vr-news-52599.php

2021 Winners and losers: Asus

Asus has always done things just a bit differently in the mobile space. Looking back at the company's releases for the past year reveals a total of 8 phones. Even fewer actually different models, in practical terms, once we group up all of the different ROG Phone 5 variants and ignore the Snapdragon Insiders demo device. We are actually looking at two "mainstream" flagship phones and a gaming flagship with a later chipset revision. If we had to categorize Asus in recent years, "boutique" manufacturer kind of springs to mind. The selection and availability are rather limited, and so are the...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/2021_winners_and_losers_asus-news-52493.php

Samsung shuts down the Tizen app store

Starting this year, Samsung's Tizen app store is no longer accessible, both to new and existing users. Last year in June, the company closed registrations and made the store available only to existing users and they could only get previously downloaded apps. After December 31, 2021, however, the Tizen app store is permanently closed. So in case you are using a Samsung Z series smartphone, it might be time to switch over to Android or iOS. The last Samsung Z4 phone running Tizen OS was released back in 2017 so it was kind of an expected turn of events. It seems like the company is...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_shuts_down_the_tizen_app_store-news-52598.php

Tecno introduces the world's first telescopic macro lens for smartphones

Tecno teased its sensor shift IS technology for smartphone cameras back in mid-December and is now announcing a telescopic macro lens that promises to significantly improve not only the quality of macro shots but also the whole experience taking them. This is a telephoto macro lens that extends from the body, as the video below shows, and allows you to take close-up shots without having to get too close to the subject. It offers 5x optical zoom and the end result is comparable to the main camera's, the company claims. That's something we haven't seen before with the current macro...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/tecno_introduces_the_worlds_first_telescopic_macro_lens_for_smartphones-news-52584.php