Category: Tech News

Xiaomi’s sub-brand Poco’s X-series will be launching Poco X3 Pro globally on March 22, 2021. It will set foot in the Indian market on March 30, 2021. 

The company has officially declared that the unveiling will take place in an online event scheduled for 20:00 GMT+8 (5:30 pm IST) on March 22. The Poco X3 was launched globally in September last year. The Pro version, however, is going to come to India in March itself.

Here’s All We Know!

Poco came out as an offshoot of Xiaomi back in 2018 with its first smartphone Poco F1. It was separated from the parent brand last year before its second phone came out. 

Speculations are already in the air which suggests that the new phone could be very similar to Poco X3, or even Redmi K40. Apparently, a Vietnamese e-retailer recently listed the X3 Pro’s renders on its website by mistake. 

As per the leaked details, the phone would have a 6.67-inch Full HD+ display. A distinct rumour is about its better screen protection. The smartphone is expected to have Gorilla Glass 6 protection which is tougher and more durable than the last-gen Gorilla Glass 5 screen protection.

The phone was apparently listed to be 9.4 mm thick and 215 mm in weight and to be running on Android 11 out-of-the-box. It will most probably be available in three colours— Frost Blue, Metal Bronze, and Phantom Black. 

The camera gear is a circular rear quad-camera setup with a 64 megapixel (MP) primary sensor, an 8 MP ultra-wide-angle shooter, and two 2 MP sensors. It may also have a 20 MP front camera sensor. 

Performance

A Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 SoC powers the phone. This was an unannounced specification that may debut alongside the phone. The previous X3 ran on Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G. 

Two variants with 6 GB+ 128 GB and 8GB + 256GB UFS 3.1 storage are expected. It may also have microSD card support for storage expansion of up to 1TB. Additionally, it may have a 5,200mAh battery with 33W fast charging support. The Indian version might come with an even bigger 6000mAh battery.

For better connectivity and accessibility the phone appears to have GPS/ A-GPS, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, and a headphone jack. The leaked info also suggests a side-mounted fingerprint sensor and a 120Hz refresh rate. 

Poco is counting on the better overall performance of its new smartphone as the USP against its cost. While comparing the Poco X3 Pro with the previous version, it seems to have a higher AnTuTu benchmark score of around 500k.  

The 6GB+128GB variant might cost roughly between Rs.21,700-Rs.23,300 ($300-$322). Past leaks and assumptions suggest that the high-end variant might cost somewhere near Rs.28,000.Recent information puts the pricing of the 8GB+256GB variant at around Rs.25,200 ($348). 

All in all the Poco X3 Pro remains speculation until 5:30 pm IST, March 22, 2021. Its brand-new processor, lightweight, OS, and camera performance are things to look forward to and analyze how much justice the product does to the pricing.    

Focusing on bringing Indian smartphones to the limelight, Micromax has taken a positive step towards its goal. Micromax In 1, released on 19th March 2021, is the latest phone in the budget-friendly Micromax In Series.

 What You Get

Ahead of the launch, there was an armada of rumours surrounding the Micromax In 1. And most of these rumours have come true. The Micromax In 1 has a plethora of features all for a very modest price tag.

 Display And Looks

Offering a 6.67-inch FullHD+ display, the Micromax In 1 comes with a centre notch cut into the display that houses an 8 MP front camera and also features a 2.5D curved glass. At the rear end, Micromax In 1 comes with a glossy back cover with X-shaped decals, the In phone branding, a triple camera setup, and a circular fingerprint sensor.

Clicks And Tasks

The Micromax In 1 focuses on the lower end of the budget sector. However, it makes no compromise in offering smooth performance and phenomenal photos. Boasting a triple camera setup with a 48 MP main snapper and two 2 MP sensors, the Micromax In 1 can click very detailed pictures.

Under the hood, the Micromax In 1 comes with a MediaTek Helio G80 octa-core processor with speeds up to 2 GHz paired with an ARM Mali G52 GPU. While many were expecting a bit more on the processor side but Micromax In 1 brings a notable combination to the market.

Battery And Charging

The Micromax In 1 pack a monstrous 5000 mAh battery. When you run out of juice the 18W fast charger will see to it that you are back on track without losing much time. This phone will make sure that you don’t have to go a minute without using your phone.

What’s Unique

Micromax re-entered the arena of the budget of phones in India with two very successful models. One of them being the new Micromax In 1. Offering a stunning body, a beautiful design, lag-free processing, and seamless clicks at budget-friendly prices. The Micromax In 1 offers its first variant of 4 GB RAM & 64 GB internal for Rs 9999. While the second variant of 6GB RAM & 128 GB internal is offered for Rs 11499. These low prices can make Micromax In 1 a very popular and budget-friendly option for customers.

Are you in search of a new phone that is packed up with the latest features but also does not burn a hole in your pocket? Well, if that’s the case, then the all-new Samsung Galaxy M12 is probably the best choice in the market right now! What’s better is that you can purchase it from the comforts of your home via Amazon.

Why Choose Samsung Galaxy M12?

Given that there are so many new models of smartphones in the market right now, it might be difficult for you to choose which gadget is the one that fits your requirements. But, this choice can be made easier when you know what a smartphone has to offer.  

Samsung Galaxy M series is quite popular among those with big expectations and a smaller budget for a new smartphone. Galaxy M series was launched in February of 2019 and had since then captivated the market with its various models. Samsung launched the Galaxy M12 model on 5th February 2021. If you are a millennial looking for your first phone or trying to find a phone on a limited budget, then M12 may be the right choice for you!

Knowing a phone’s specifications can help you make the right choice. Below are some features of the smartphone, which can help you determine if M12 is the right phone for you:

1. Display: 6.50-inch/16.55 centimetres (720×1600 pixels resolution) with Infinity V-cut display and 90 Hz screen refresh rate
2. OS: Android 11
3. Camera: 

• Front- 8MP 
• Rear- 48MP + 5MP + 2MP + 2MP

      4.   Processor: Octa Core 2.0GHz

      5.   Memory & Storage: 4GB RAM & 64GB Storage and 6GB RAM & 128GB        Storage expandable upto 1TB

      6.   Sim: Dual sim (nano+nano; 4G + 4G)

      7. Battery Capacity: 6000 mAH lithium-ion battery with quick adaptive charging (USB port: Type-C)

       8. Sensors: Fingerprint sensor, ambient light sensor, proximity sensor, accelerometer

       9. Wireless connectivity: 

• Wi-Fi- 802.11 b/g/n
• Bluetooth v5.00

Besides this, the smartphone is ideal for multi-tasking/browsing, watching videos of high quality, playing games, taking pictures, and many other tasks that you might want to use it for. 

Find it on Amazon:

On Amazon, the phone is available for purchase in three different colours: Blue, Black, and White. You can also order it in two different sizes: 

1. 4GB RAM & 64GB Storage and;
2.  6GB RAM & 128GB Storage;

 For ₹10,999 and ₹13,499, respectively, as of 20th March 2021. 

Payment Options:

As for making payment, you can choose from the following options on Amazon:

• You can pay for it all at once; 
• buy it on EMI (Equated Monthly Installment) starting from ₹518/month; 
• take advantage of offers like exchange offer; 
• use an ICICI credit card to get a discount, 
• Avail cashback. 

Other offers are also available on the website while placing your order. 

Micromax, after two successful launches, is planning to release the Micromax In 1, a phone that guarantees you the best in class performance without creating a crater in your wallet. Set to release on 19th March 2021 the In 1 may very well be the giant slayer in its class, competing against some prominent phones in its price range.

 Micromax In 1 will be following its elder siblings In Note 1 and 1b. While Note 1 is on the higher end and 1b on the lower end, In 1 is expected to be the bridge between the two.

Features

Micromax In 1, Micromax’s latest endeavour, has a promising set of features that will surely be gaze-turners and force buyers to give this phone a second look.

Looks & Captures:

The Micromax In 1 share its display specs with the Micromax In Note 1 and comes equipped with a 6.67-inch Full HD+ resolution screen with a rumoured 21:9 aspect ratio and punch hole cut-out for the selfie camera. Micromax has also paired up the display in the front with a Triple Camera setup at the back. 

The camera setup includes a main 48 MP snapper along with two 2MP cameras which may be a depth sensor and macro sensor most probably. The main drawback to this camera setup is the absence of an ultra-wide lens unlike the In Note 1. The front camera is an 8 MP lens placed in the centre punch-hole cut-out. The phone will have a 60 Hz refresh rate to ensure a lag-free and smooth display.

 Under the Hood

The tech inside the Micromax In 1 is probably the crown jewel on the phone. The MediaTek Helio G80 octa core processor supports the Micromax In 1. This is a very budget-concious gaming processor. The octa-core processor offers a speed of up to 2 GHz. It is ideal for gamers on a budget and fast response on the rear-mounted fingerprint sensor. 

The Micromax In 1 will have multiple variants in terms of the memory. It offers with a maximum of 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage. A 5000mAh battery that supports 18W fast charging will power the phone. The phone will come with a stock Android 10 without ads and software updates for upgrading to Android 11 and 12.

The Cherry On The Top

While the market is buzzing with the features and the expected performance of the Micromax In 1, the phone also holds a symbolic value. The Micromax In 1 has been completely developed within India starting from its design, its R&D, and right down to its manufacturing. Micromax In 1 is a shining example of Make in India.

Not much news is available about the pricing of the Micromax In 1. However, it is rumoured that it will be priced in the range of Rs 10,000 which will justify its position between its two previous models.

The Buzz

There is a huge variety of mid-budget models in the market. Micromax In 1, however, stands out from the crowd. It is unrivalled as it offers a smooth gaming experience along with a stunning display and a humongous battery. 

The launch on March 19 will surely turn some heads. It might even be a testament to the fact that mid-budget phones can be designed to rival if not excel top-end phones in their performance. Micromax In 1 has a lot of features to offer. However, its lack of an ultra-wide lens is a bit disappointing given its decent but not that good camera setup, in comparison to its competitors.

The fast-paced market of electronic devices has witnessed another beast of the phones released by Xiaomi, the Redmi Note 10. Revamped and introduced on March 4 this phone has a lot to it than what meets the eyes. Packed with a powerful processor and a newly introduced ‘Evol’ design, Redmi Note 10 might soon become the first choice of many.

Features

The Redmi Note 10 is packed to the brim with some of the most premium features of Xiaomi. Though the price may be slightly on the expensive side, yet the features provided tend to justify the price tag to some extent.

How It Displays And Captures A Moment?

The Redmi Note 10 comes with a 6.43-inch full-HD+ AMOLED display and produces colours that are vibrant and pop. This feature of the Redmi Note 10 allows it to reproduce even minute details which make for a super immersive experience.

The capturing of moments that you want to treasure is taken care of by the unique quad-camera setup with a 48 MP main camera with a Sony IMX582 sensor along with an 8 MP ultra-wide lens, two 2 MP lenses as depth, and a macro sensor to complete the quad-camera setup. 

The camera setup disappoints a little as Xiaomi has done nothing out of the ordinary except creating a unique design of arranging the lenses in a module that has a very catchy look. The selfie powers are provided by a 13 MP front camera placed in the punch-hole notch at the centre of the display.

The screen display is refreshed at a rate of 60 Hz so you won’t be facing any lag issues but the masterstroke Xiaomi plays to send the ball out of the park is the IP53 rating for splash and dust resistance that is very unusual at this price rate.

Performance

Probably the star of the show is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 678 octa-core chipset that offers speeds up to 2.2 GHz paired with an Adreno 612 GPU and 4 GB RAM to make sure Redmi Note 10 redefines speed and smooth usage. Even graphics-intensive games run perfectly well without any significant heat generation proving a testament to Xiaomi’s investment into quality processing. 

The phone runs on an MIUI 12 built on Android 11. Even though it gets a little overwhelming with all the bloatware, Xiaomi has promised customers it will take care of the bloatware in the next MIUI update. The Redmi Note 10 though slim packs a large 5000 mAh battery that supports 33W fast charging and is claimed to fully charge in 74 minutes. Combined with a large battery and fast charging it’s pretty obvious that you won’t have to leave your phone alone at any point in the day.

What Else Can I Get?

Keeping aside the phenomenal display and the superfast processor, Redmi Note 10 also packs a few additional goodies. A Corning Gorilla Glass 3 makes up the screen. The phone also comes pre-applied with an adhesive-protective film. The Redmi Note 10 comes with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor that is superfast in its response.

The Redmi Note 10 costs Rs 13,999. This is a bit expensive. However, given the increase in taxes, Xiaomi has done a wonderful job at keeping the price of this phone low. The Redmi Note 10 promises a lot of premium features. This includes a crisp display with IP53 rating and a Snapdragon 678. Thesse features rival that of other phones in its niche.

The Redmi Note 10 is a very stiff competition. It is a perfect example of Xiaomi’s commitment to delivering quality phones at low budgets.

Vivo’s sub-brand iQoo freshly launched its new smartphone iQoo Neo 5. This an addition to the family of iQoo 5 and 5 Pro which were launched earlier in the latter half of 2020. The smartphone was launched on 16th March 2021 and is in a pre-sale mode in China, while it is yet to be launched in India.

The Neo 5 comes as a comparatively more affordable and efficient version after iQoo 5 in August last year. The smartphone boasts of optimized features enveloped in a lower price range than its previous products.

Specifications On Point: What Does The Phone Offer?

The 163.34 × 76.37 × 8.43 mm dimensions pack a sleek, electric design for a 196g lightweight device. The Neo 5 is available in three colours as of now— Night Shadow Black, Cloud Shadow, and Pixel Orange. 

Specially designed focusing on the needs of performance and gaming, the phone has a 6.62 inches Full HD touchscreen display with a resolution of 1080 × 2400 pixels. The pixel density is at 397 pixels per inch (PPI) and the aspect ratio is 20:9. Adding to the display quality is Samsung E3 Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz high refresh rate. 

The in-display fingerprint scanner in the smartphone combines with a touch response of 1000Hz which is absolutely awesome. It also comes with 120 frames per second (fps) gaming support and Turbo Boost 5.0 for optimal performance. 

A Snapdragon 870 octa-core processor powers the Neo 5. The Adreno 650 GPU makes the gaming and graphics possible. The smartphone comes with 8-12 GB of RAM and 128-256 GB of internal storage from its low-end to high-end version.

The Neo 5 software runs on OriginOS based on Android 11. The device has a Li-ion 4400 mAh battery backed up by a 66W fast charger. It can charge from 0-100% in barely 30 minutes, bringing the fast-charging technology to the edge. 

iQoo Neo 5 Camera

For the camera crazy out there, the iQoo Neo 5 packs 3 rear cameras—a 48 megapixel (MP) primary camera with optical image stabilization helped by an f/1.79 aperture; a 13 MP wide and ultra-wide angle camera with f/2.2 aperture; and 2 MP depth camera with f/2.4 aperture. The front has a 16 MP camera with an f/2.0 aperture. 

Its multiple shooting modes like Pro sports mode, RAW HDR, HDR Panorama night mode, Night mode 5.0, Extreme night vision 2.0, Super Night portrait, vlog mode, and more, make it the supreme camera-phone choice. 

Neo 5 with its connectivity options—GPS, Bluetooth (v 5.10), dual-band WiFi, NFC and USB Type-C— is one of the most versatile smartphones to come out recently. The phone supports Dual Nano-SIMs and 3G to 5G connectivity.

The sensor technology of the phone creates a smooth user experience — In-display fingerprint sensor, Magnetometer, Proximity Sensor, Accelerometer, Ambient Light Sensor and Gyroscope. 

iQoo as an offshoot of Vivo attempts to bring technology to the affordable end of the spectrum with its newer launches, including the yet-to-be-announced but scheduled Qoo 7 later. Sticking to Vivo’s motto of “Camera & Music” the Neo 5 is targeting a broader income-group user base.

The price of the smartphones falls within the range of INR 33,800 to INR 41,600. This is a slight decrease from iQoo 5. Qoo 7 may be brought to India by the end of March. However, there has been no official information for iQoo Neo 5’s launch in the country.

Replacing its F17 Pro, Oppo released its F19 Pro and Pro+ this month and it is already getting quite some attention, for comparison-to-the-minute is the ultimate key in the mid-range smartphone market. Available in Fluid Black, Space Silver and Cosmo Blue the new smartphone is just 7.8 mm thick and 173 grams to weigh. 

Given the ridiculously sleek design, the Li-Polymer 4,310 mAh battery is a feat in a phone that has already been tested to not overheat while charging or using. The battery is backed up by a 30W fast-charging ability in Pro, and a 50W fast-charging in Pro+. 

A Sneak Peek Into Some Specifications

The front of the phone is a 6.43-inch screen along with a punch-hole camera in the top left corner. This is in contrast to the dual front camera in F17. 

The display is Super AMOLED type with a screen resolution of 1080×2400 pixels at 409 pixels per inch (PPI) pixel density and aspect ratio 20:9. The refresh rate of the phone is still the standard 60 Hz and much can’t be said as to why this wasn’t increased to something faster; though this isn’t much of a hindrance while using. 

Oppo F19 Pro is available in two variants— 8GB RAM+ 128GB internal storage, and 8GB RAM+ 256GB internal storage. For Pro+ only one variant with 8+128 GB is available. 

The octa-core MediaTek Helio P95 chipset, which is the same as used in F17, powers the F19 Pro. On the other hand, the MediaTek Dimensity 800U processor powers the F19 Pro+. The Pro+ processor supports 5G. The software is Android11 with ColorOS 11.1, making the user interface (UI) extremely responsive by allowing exciting wide-range personalization features. 

Oppo’s brand image sits on its popular taglines like “Capture the real you” and “Selfie expert”, for which reason it is the ‘camera phone’ in the market’s imagination. Oppo sticks to the image with F19 by using the tagline “Flaunt the nights”, hinting at its slow-lighting camera features. 

Camera Setup

The phone has a quad-camera setup at the back—a 48 megapixels (MP) Omnivision primary sensor with f/1.7 lens; an 8 MP ultra-wide-angle macro shooting camera with f/2.2 aperture; a 2MP macro camera and a 2 MP mono camera. The front camera is 16 MP with an f/2.4 aperture.

With F19 Pro+ the user also gets dual-video options where the front and the back cameras can shoot at the same time. AI highlight portrait video, AI scene enhancement 2.0, and few other additional night-time filters allow for brighter photos after sunset.  

A PowerVR GM9446 GPU and an octa-core processor maintains the phone’s performance. An in-display fingerprint scanner, USB Type-C, A-GPS, dual-band WiFi and Bluetooth 5.1 are some other features that lend to its efficiency and better connectivity. 

Oppo F19 Pro prices in India start from Rs.21,490 while F19 Pro+ costs Rs.25,990. With F19 Pro it seems Oppo is trying its best to tap into the mid-range smartphone market in India, which is a competitive space. Competition comes from brands like Vivo (V20 pro) and OnePlus (Nord) which have given us thinner, more stylish designs, quantitatively better displays and better camera and video quality, all costing under Rs.25,000.

Oppo seems to be just getting at the sweet spot. But for now, F19 Pro seems to be a step in the right direction.