More Galaxy S21 leaks have arrived. This time, they come to us thanks to @MauriQHD over at Twitter. The leaked images show what is believed to be the Samsung Galaxy S21+ in its Phantom Violet color option, and what can we say? It looks stunning.
The new leaked images of what seems to be the Samsung Galaxy S21+ have recently surfaced. They show a device that could be a preview unit, which is not intended to hit the shelves. However, focusing on what’s important, these photos show us that the new Galaxy S21+ will indeed arrive with a flat display, a hole punch camera, and very thin bezels. This Phantom Violet color option also looks fantastic, even with the ginormous camera bump in the back.
Now, this image gives us a better idea of what we may get next month, as rumors still suggest that the new Samsung Galaxy S21 series will arrive on January 14. Still, under-display selfie cameras would seem to skip Samsung’s next flagship, and there are some who believe that they may finally make their debut in the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3. You shouldn’t expect to see them in the Galaxy Z Flip 3, as recent rumors say that Samsung’s next clamshell will probably stick to LTE connectivity, and it could also become part of the company’s mid-range segment, or at least one variant.
Further, the Samsung Galaxy S21 series is already available for pre-order in the US, and you can get up to $700 off when you trade in an eligible device. Now, you may want to take a look at other leaks that show us the other Galaxy S21 variants. We have also received images of the official protective cases for every Galaxy S21 variant, as well as their key specifications and features, as well as the latest FCC listing that confirms that the Galaxy S21 Ultra will offer S Pen stylus support.
For a person who often gets stuck in currency conversion while writing articles or confusing weight while putting a recipe to work in the kitchen, I often turn to a quick Google Search for unit conversion. However, it is nothing short of hassle opening a new tab in a web browser or a conversion app on my phone, and then manually entering the values that I need to be converted. Thankfully, Android’s Smart Selection tool has gained a handy unit conversion shortcut that will make life a tad easier for folks like me.
First spotted by the folks over by Android Police, the new Smart Selection feature lets you do a unit conversion in a jiffy. All you have to do is select the text and tap on the ‘convert’ option that appears in the toolbar above. However, it is unclear when exactly this tool was added to the arsenal of Smart Selection.
Once you tap on the convert button, you are taken to the conversion window in the Google app. You don’t have to enter any number here, as the value you initially selected will automatically appear converted in a different unit here. For example, if you selected $10 while reading an article on Chrome browser, the conversion window will already have that number fed in one of the boxes in the Google app. All you have to do is select the currency from the drop-down menu in the corresponding box where the converted value appears.
So far, I’ve tested this feature on phones running Android 10 and 11, and it works just fine. As for the units of conversion, I tried currency, temperature, mass, volume, and time conversion, and the response has been positive so far. It even converted the amount of an ingredient from teaspoon to a tablespoon, and cup into tablespoons for recipes.
However, if you are trying something more scientific such as the amount of work in Joule or force applied in Newton, the unit conversion tool doesn’t appear in the Smart Selection toolbar. Another inconvenience is that the unit conversion window opens in the Google app. So, if you’re reading an article in the Google app, you’ll be taken to the unit conversion window on a new page, but performing the back gesture doesn’t return you to the original article, and instead takes you to the Google app’s home page.
We’ve been hearing rumors of Apple readying an AirPods Pro successor in the first half of 2021 for a couple of months now. So far, details about what Apple has in the pipeline have been fairly slim, which is not surprising considering the notoriously secretive streak of Apple. Now, a new leak suggests that Apple might offer the second-generation AirPods Pro in two sizes, which might come as a welcome surprise for my stans and potential buyers. Leakster Mr-White has shared what appears to be an image of the AirPods Pro 2’s internal components.
New in-house chip and a stem-less design
Spotted by the folks over at Macrumors, it is worth noting that the flat connection relays are of two sizes, indicating that Apple might be experimenting with two sizes with the same core hardware such as audio chip and drivers. However, it is also possible that the smaller component might be destined for the rumored AirPods Pro Lite model that we’ve been hearing about lately. Talking about chips, the tipster notes that the AirPods Pro 2 might use the in-house W2 chip.
It appears that the W2 chip will be a successor to the W1 chip that was fitted inside the standard AirPods and a few Beats headphones such as the Beats Solo 3 Wireless and the Beats PowerBeats 3 Wireless. It enables a seamless pairing experience and is also said to play a role in conserving battery juice as well. At this point in time, it is unclear what improvements the W2 chip inside the AirPods Pro 2 will bring to the table compared to the W1 silicon. However, a previous leak did mention that Apple’s upcoming wireless earbuds will come equipped with a new in-house chip.
AirPods Pro Lite are also rumored to be in development
If other rumors are anything to go by, Apple is reportedly trying to remove the stem from the second-gen AirPods Pro. Doing so would give them a smaller, more easily manageable profile similar to what Samsung has done with its Galaxy Buds range. Such a design also ensures a better in-ear fit and reduces the risk of the earbuds falling off from the ears. And with Apple reportedly offering the AirPods Pro 2 in two sizes, buyers will get to choose the one that provides a better in-ear fit and offers the best experience, especially when it comes to sealing the ear canal and achieving better noise isolation.
We have several gaming laptops available today, but we will start with the Best Laptop Brand winner of 2020 with the ASUS ROG Strix G17, which is getting a $150 discount, leaving it at $1,549.10, plus $9.87 shipping. This will get you a powerful laptop with a 17.3-inch display, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 GPU, an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB RAM, and 512GB storage space.
The Razer Blade 15 Base Gaming Laptop features the same Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB RAM, and 512GB storage space, but it comes equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 GPU, and it can be yours for $1,500 with $300 savings. The ROG Zephyrus G15 is also up for grabs at $1,100 with a $200 discount, which will get you an ultra-slim gaming laptop powered by the AMD Ryzen 7, 16GB RAM, and 1TB SSD.
If you’re looking for a new smartphone, you can currently get the Sony Xperia 1 II with 256GB storage space for $1,098 with $100 savings. The Moto One Action with 128GB is up for grabs at just $198.45 with $175 savings. Now, the OnePlus 7T is available for $350 with $250 savings if you want the unlocked version, but you can save even more when you choose the T-Mobile Unlocked version as it’s selling for $300 with the same 128GB storage space.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 is also on sale, and you can get the entry version for just $450 or go for the Ultra version for $750. The Samsung Galaxy S20 series starts at $415, if you go for the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, or get the Galaxy S20+ starting at $350, or go Ultra for $550.
The Apple Watch Series 6 is also on sale. You can get yours starting at $339 with $60 savings in the GPS-only 40mm version. However, you can get the Apple Watch SE with LTE connectivity in its 44mm variant for the same $339 with a $20 discount.
if you’re in the market for an Android tablet, you can currently get the 128GB Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ for $699 with $150.99 savings. The regular Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 with the same storage space is selling for $550 with a $100 discount, and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite with 64GB storage is available for $279 with a $70.99 discount. Now, if you want a foldable device that works as a tablet, the new Microsoft Surface Duo is up for grabs starting at $1,200 with a $200 discount.
Remember the leaked live images of the OnePlus 9 5G that surfaced online a few weeks ago? The one that gave us our first real look at the upcoming ‘flagship killer’s’ design? Well, it was put up for sale on eBay last week for $6,000, and it has finally exchanged hands for half that sum. The eBay listing is currently live, but with a closed status and a final price of $3,000 attached to it.
Now, this listing was allegedly the source of all those leaked images that popped up online, showing the device from various angles. “The leaked images on all internet sites are similar to this because I took the pictures and leaked this to all of them when I purchased it,” says the seller. The device in question ran a test build of OxygenOS that likely won’t receive an update and there might be a ton of bugs on it due to experimental features.
“This is a prototype model with a beta oxygen os Android 11. I cannot guarantee a software update for this phone. This phone has a permanent set of numbers and letters displayed at the bottom that cannot be removed as of now. This is the phone only, no charger or anything else included in this sale,” the eBay listing adds. Now, the device has a lot of identifiers on it and it can be traced back if the company desires. Needless to say, someone is going to be in trouble if OnePlus investigates the source of this leak.
As for the OnePlus 9 itself, the upcoming device will reportedly offer support for 65W wired fast charging, 30W wireless charging, and reverse charging as well. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 will provide the processing might, while a 120Hz display will likely handle the content consumption duties. There are conflicting reports regarding the camera hardware, but the leaked images clearly show three lenses at the back.
It will probably be very, very easy for OnePlus to trace this device back to its owner. I don't know what compels people to put up prototype devices for sale online, especially without even redacting identifiable information.
After renders, key specifications and even pricing details of the Galaxy S21 series surfaced online, the official Samsung protective cases for the upcoming flagships have appeared in leaked images. MySmartPrice, in collaboration with tipster Ishan Agarwal, mentions that Samsung will launch a wide range of covers with different design and material choice. “The company will launch Clear View Cover, Led Cover, Led View Cover, Silicone Case, Leather Cover, Protective Standing Cover, Clear Protective Cover, Clear Standing Cover, Clear Cover,” the report adds.
Tap to see full-sized images in a new tab (Credit: MySmartPrice / Ishan Agarwal)
A rich variety of case designs to choose from
Starting with the transparent silicon case, it will come in multiple flavors – one with a lanyard cable at the back and the other one with a kickstand. Coming to the rugged protective case, it appears to be made out of hard polycarbonate with a glossy finish on top. As per the leaked renders, it will be offered in multiple colors and adds a dash of versatility with a kickstand. And just like the Galaxy S20 series, the company appears to be readying Kvadrat cases for the Galaxy S21 family as well. These cases have a fabric-like mesh texture and are made of recycled material with multiple color options to choose from.
Tap to see full-sized images in a new tab (Credit: MySmartPrice / Ishan Agarwal)
For those with a taste for finer things, there will also be a leather case that will be up for grabs in multiple colors such as the classic tan brown and black. However, it covers the raised camera island as well, which means if you want to flaunt the dual-tone finish on Galaxy S21’s purple trim, Samsung’s leather case is not the best fit.
Tap to see full-sized images in a new tab (Credit: MySmartPrice / Ishan Agarwal)
There will also be flip cases on the table with two design choices – one with a vertical transparent strip to see the notifications, while the other one is solid with color block aesthetics. Agarwal notes that the Clear View Case for S21 Ultra is wider than usual because it has a slot for housing the S-Pen. In case you’re wondering, a US FCC certification has confirmed that the Galaxy S21 Ultra will offer S Pen support. However, leaks suggest that the stylus won’t be housed in a slot on the device akin to the Galaxy Note series, and will likely be sold separately.
Chinese smartphone-maker vivo has today launched its latest flagships – the X60 and X60 Pro. The two 5G-ready phones share a lot of their internal specs and come with a couple of firsts. vivo claims that the X60 and its Pro sibling are the world’s first smartphones to come equipped with Samsung’s Exynos 1080 SoC that is based on the 5nm process. Additionally, the vivo x60 is touted to be the thinnest 5G-enabled phone in the world, thanks to a thickness of just 7.36mm. For comparison, the iPhone 12 Mini is just a hair thicker at 7.4mm. But hey, bragging rights are a thing, right?
Coming to the internals, the vivo X60 and X60 Pro offer a 6.56-inch FHD+ (2376×1080 pixels) OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ certification and hole-punch at the top. Even though the key display specs are identical, the vivo x60 rocks a flat panel, while the Pro model has a curved profile along the edges. On the inside, the Exynos 1080 handles things, ticking alongside 8/12 gigs of RAM (only 12GB configuration on the Pro model) and 128/256 GB of fast UFS 3.1 internal storage.
vivo x60
120Hz OLED display and 33W fast charging
The key differentiator between the two phones is their ZEISS-branded camera hardware. The vivo x60 Pro packs four rear cameras, while the vanilla vivo x60 features three snappers at the back. Both the phones feature an optically stabilized 48MP main camera based on a gimbal-like system that first made its debut with the X50 series.
It is accompanied by a 13MP wide-angle camera with a 120-degree FOV on the vivo x60 duo, sitting alongside a 13MP portrait camera. However, the x60 Pro also adds an 8MP pericope-style telephoto camera at the back with 5x optical zoom and 60x hybrid zoom output. You also get a ton of camera tricks such as night mode portrait shots, a sports portrait mode, and the ability to colorize vintage black-and-white photos using AI.
Camera setup of the vivo x60 Pro
Surprisingly the vanilla vivo x60 packs a larger 4,300mAh battery, while the x60 Pro offers a 4,200mAh Li-ion unit. However, support for 33W flash charge is a trait shared between both the devices. On the software side, the vivo X60 duo runs the new Origin OS 1.0 skin based on Android 11. Of course, both the devices support 5G, while authentication is handled by an in-display fingerprint sensor.
Vivo has priced the x60 starting at ¥3,499 (~ $535), while the x60 Pro will set buyers back by at ¥4,498 (~ $690). The two devices are currently up for pre-orders from vmall in China, but details about their international are not known at the moment.
Apple launched its first-ever pair of over-ear headphones and included them in its AirPods lineup. While the new headphones share the naming scheme, everything else from the price to the design is vastly different. Hence, you might be wondering which ones are the best for your new iPhone. Here’s an AirPods Max vs AirPods Pro comparison to help you make an educated purchase decision.
AirPods Max vs AirPods Pro: Price
Let’s start off by comparing the price since both reside in different segments. The AirPods Max costs $549, which is much more than its direct competitors that usually sell low $300. On the other hand, the AirPods Pro was launched for $249. However, that’s not the price you pay now. The earphones have since dropped to as low as $199. Hence, it is a $549 vs $199 competition.
AirPods Max vs AirPods Pro: Design
Comparing the design of the AirPods Pro vs AirPods Max is not the ideal way to differentiate. They offer different form factors. The most prominent difference between the two devices is obviously the design.
While the AirPods Max is an over the ear pair of headphones with memory foam cups, the AirPods Pro has an in-ear approach that has replaceable ear-tips for the perfect seal in your ear canal. The former should technically form a seal around your ears and deliver high-quality sound.
Wear it and forget it?
With the AirPods Pro, you might forget you have them in your ears with hours of usage. However, the AirPods Max won’t let you forget that you spent $550 on it as you’ll feel them on your head with prolonged usage. One benefit that the latter does offer is that it wouldn’t accidentally fall out of your ears. I lose my AirPods Pro all the time. And, I lose them in the house because they are so small. By contrast, that won’t be the case with its Max sibling.
Size and Weight
There is no option for you to adjust the size of the AirPods Pro. On the other hand, you can adjust the length of the AirPods Max with their telescoping arms. Not to forget, you get replaceable ear tips with the Pro to offer you the best fit possible.
As for the numbers, the AirPods Max is much heavier than its Pro sibling. The former weighs 384.8 grams, which is even more than the competitors like Sony WH-1000XM4 that weighs 253 grams. Meanwhile, the AirPods Pro weighs just 5.4 grams each, which totals 10.8 grams of weight in your ears.
Colors
The AirPods Pro is available in a single color option. However, with its new AirPods Max, Apple has taken the route of iPhones and iPads for color offerings. The Max comes in five color options, namely: Silver, Space Grey, Sky Blue, Pink, and Green.
Controls
The AirPods Max isn’t one of the usual offerings with touch controls. Apple decided to bring its Watch’s Digital Crown to its latest product. The headphones have this crown and a dedicated Noise Cancelation button to switch between ANC on/off and transparency modes.
By contrast, the AirPods Pro has pressure-sensitive stems. You can press them on both ears to play/pause music, skip tracks, enable/disable active noise cancellation and more. It must be noted that you can’t control the volume levels on the Pro, while the Digital Crown handles it with ease on the Max. To change the volume on the AirPods Pro, you will either have to ask Siri to do it or use your iPhone’s volume rocker.
Case
Let me tell you straight off the bat, the AirPods Max case serves no purpose. It is smaller than the competition, but it is honestly useless. It doesn’t serve a purpose other than to place the headphones on standby. Yeah, these headphones don’t have a switch on/off button and they never switch off. In this case, you cannot carry any wires or other accessories. Plus, unlike the AirPods Pro, it doesn’t add any functionality, like wireless charging. Coming to the AirPods Pro, the charging case forms part of a fairly simple accessory pack that comes within the box. Plus, it provides extra battery life to the earbuds.
Water and Sweat Resistance
The most premium AirPods from Apple don’t offer any sort of water or sweat resistance, which is quite surprising. On the other hand, the AirPods Pro offers IPX4 sweat and water resistance, which means you can use them even in light rain. The Max is likely to handle some level of sweat, but don’t go out wearing them if it’s raining.
AirPods Max vs AirPods Pro: Performance
Both AirPods are equipped with a wide range of features. They have Active Noise Cancelation, Spatial audio, top-class audio quality, and more. Let’s focus on all these aspects one by one.
Sound Quality
Generally, headphones sound better than earphones. Hence, it is reasonable to expect the AirPods Max to deliver better sound than the Pro. After all, the Max sports 40mm drivers within the ear cups, compared to the tiny driver inside the AirPods Pro. Plus, Apple has used a custom-designed dynamic 40mm driver for the AirPods Max. They vibrate to the beat in a way that doesn’t deter from the music or video, making the sound more immersive than the Pro.
Moreover, the memory-foam ensures that your ears get a seal, which translates into better sound quality. The Max also has a dual-neodymium ring magnet motor, which is claimed to be modeled after the ones you’d find in high-end floor speakers. On paper, you get spatial audio on both devices, but it is seriously amazing on the Max.
The AirPods Max doesn’t dominate everything, though. They are fine for phone calls, but not necessarily as good at picking up your voice as the AirPods Pro. Moreover, the Max can track your head movements to anchor the sound output, so it seemingly originates from a consistent source point even as you look around.
Active Noise Cancelation (ANC)
Active Noise Cancelation effectively cuts out the background noise. Both these audio devices feature ANC. The AirPods Pro is referred to as the gold standard of ANC on TWS earphones. That said, in the words of our own Jaime Rivera, ANC on the AirPods Max is “epic,” which was expected since headphones generally offer batter ANC.
The AirPods Pro uses one external mix on each earbud to measure outside noise and cancel it out. On the other hand, the AirPods Max have six such mics on the outside and two inside, for a total of eight microphones working together for noise cancelation.
There is a Transparency mode on both the devices as well. For the unaware, with Transparency, you will be able to hear outside sounds along with whatever is playing on your headphones. And, the number of mics help the Max here too. Jaime says that transparency is the best on the AirPods Max out of the devices he has tested so far. To trigger ANC on the AirPods Pro, you need to long press the stem, while on the AirPods Max, you get a dedicated button for the function.
Battery and Charging
Unsurprisingly, the AirPods Max, due to its size, offers a better battery life than the AirPods Pro. The former is claimed to last up to 20 hours on a single charge with ANC and spatial audio enabled. Meanwhile, the Pro counterpart is slated to last up to 4-5 hours on a single charge. However, unlike the AirPods Max, the Pro comes with a charging case that can charge the earbuds multiple times for a total battery life of 24 hours.
As mentioned under ‘Case’, the AirPods Max never switches off, and you place it in the case to have them in standby mode. Moreover, they lose about 2% battery life per hour, while sitting out of the case when not in use. Both these headphones charge via Lightning cables. However, Apple includes a USB Type-C to Lightning cable in the box with the AirPods Max.
AirPods Max vs AirPods Pro: Which ones to go for?
Going from AirPods Pro to the Max is quite a price jump. Hence, price is one of the most prominent deciding factors when comparing the AirPods Max vs AirPods Pro. The AirPods Max offers better sound, Spatial Audio, and ANC but is a bit messy to travel with since they do not fold. On the other hand, the AirPods Pro is compact, offers similar battery life with the case, has sweat and water resistance rating as well as wireless charging support. You can’t go wrong with either of them.
Samsung has launched two clamshell foldable phones so far – the Galaxy Z Flip and its slightly faster 5G sibling – both of which came equipped with a flagship Snapdragon 8xx series SoC from Qualcomm. Now, a fresh leak suggests that Samsung might favor a non-flagship silicon for its next flip folding phone that might debut under the Galaxy Z Flip 3 name, instead of the more logical Galaxy Z Flip 2 moniker. Maybe wants to streamline the naming scheme of its foldable phones by launching the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and the Galaxy Z Flip 3 next year?
A 5G-enabled variant might also be in the pipeline.
The folks over atGalaxyClub have unearthed the model number of what they claim to be the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and it goes SM-F720F. Now, the letter ‘F’ suggests that this particular model is destined for the international market and that it will offer 4G support. The reason behind the latter assumption is that all Samsung phones with 5G support reportedly have the letter ‘B’ attached at the end of their model number. But as we mentioned earlier, a 5G model might be released for certain markets at a later date.
Now, going with a 4G-only phone means one thing – Samsung will have to make do with a non-flagship chipset. That is because Qualcomm’s current flagship – the Snapdragon 888 – comes with 5G as part of the package, and Samsung’s own Exynos 2100 SoC that will power the Galaxy S21 line next year also has 5G connectivity at its heart. Now, that leaves a few options on the table – Samsung can go with a mid-range Qualcomm chipset, or use the one-generation old Snapdragon 865 hooked up with a 4G modem and its own Exynos 990 SoC with a 4G modem linked to it.
However, the aforementioned details are based on speculations that have been drawn merely on the basis of a device’s model number. So yeah, nothing is concrete for now and Samsung might change its product strategy down the road for the Galaxy Z Flip 3. What do you think of the approach though? Do let us know in the comments below.
OnePlus Nord, which was launched in the mid of 2020 has started receiving a new update. It is also receiving the latest Android security patch alongside several other updates. There is not much else apart from the OnePlus Store and a few bug fixes. The version number of the update for India is OxygenOS 10.5.10.AC01DA, for Europe, is OxygenOS 10.5.10.AC01BA and the global version number is OxygenOS 10.5.10.AC01AA. It is being rolled out in an incremental manner. This means, the company will test it on a few devices at first, and if it doesn’t find any issues, it will make it available for all.
The new OxygenOS update for OnePlus Nord brings the December 2020 Android security patch to the mid-range device. It is also getting the September 2020 Google Mobile Services (GMS) package. The update also brings along general bug fixes and improves overall system stability. Moreover, Indian users will get an OnePlus Store app. It will allow users to shop for OnePlus products in a more intuitive and convenient way. However, it is not a forced change, and the users can uninstall the app.
Currently, the new OxygenOS update for OnePlus Nord is reaching a small percentage of users before a wider rollout. The OnePlus Nord users who haven’t received a notification can manually check for the update by going to Settings > System > System updates. We recommend you have a sufficient battery charge and a good Wi-Fi connection to download and install the update.
Changelog
System
Updated Android Security Patch to 2020.12
Updated GMS package to 2020.09
General bug fixes and improved stability
OnePlus Store
An intuitive and convenient way to manage your OnePlus account, get easy-to-access support, discover exciting members-only benefits, and shop for OnePlus products. (Please note that it can be uninstalled) – IN only
We recently reported that two new Motorola budget phones are in the pipeline. These could be launched in the first quarter of next year. The Motorola Capri and Capri Plus (or caprip – not the official name) are the upcoming two phones from the Lenovo-owned company. The Motorola Capri reportedly has model number XT2127 while the Motorola Capri Plus comes with model number XT2129. Now, the latter has been spotted on various certifications sites.
As per FCC, the Motorola Capri Plus smartphone will have the model number XT2129. It has also been spotted on Geekbench. As per the listing, the upcoming device will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 SoC. It will have 4GB of RAM and run Android 11 out of the box. The phone scored 306 points and 1258 points in single-core and multi-core tests respectively. Further, Motorola Capri Plus has also been certified by TÜV Rheinland, which reveals that it will pack a 5,000mAh battery. It will also have support for 20W fast charging.
As per earlier reports, the Motorola Capri is said to feature an HD+ (720×1,600 pixels) display with a standard 60Hz refresh rate, and have two SIM slots. It could be powered by the Snapdragon 460 SoC, paired with 4GB RAM and 64GB of internal storage. On the optics front, the Motorola Capri might sport a 48MP primary camera, a 2MP depth sensor, a 2MP macro camera, and an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens. It could also have NFC support.
As for the Plus model, it is tipped to feature a 90Hz display with an HD+ resolution. It might come in 4GB + 64GB and 6GB + 128GB storage configurations, In the optics department, it could come equipped with a 64MP primary camera, a 2MP OmniVision depth sensor, and a 13MP ultra-wide-angle lens. On the front may lie a 13MP selfie shooter.
OnePlus Nord N100 was released as a budget offering last month. Now, it is receiving a new OxygenOS update that brings various system improvements. The update is available as OxygenOS 10.5.5 in Europe and OxygenOS 10.5.4 in North America. It also brings the latest Android security patch. Like the other updates, this one is rolling out for OnePlus Nord N100 users in batches as well.
The company took to its forum to post the changelog of the OxygenOS update for the OnePlus Nord N100. It highlights that the update optimizes system power consumption. It also adds a button to the quick settings that let users switch between silent, ringing, and vibration modes. The smartphone is also receiving an improved user experience for the camera app. Plus, it’s also getting improvements in the stability of communication functions as well as optimizations to compatibility with Bluetooth devices.
Coming to fixes, the OxygenOS update for OnePlus Nord N100 fixes an issue that makes the phone not wake up under certain circumstances. It also gets a fix for a low probability call noise issue. The OnePlus phone has also started receiving the December 2020 Android security patch. It is also receiving a Google Mobile Services package update to version 09.2020.
The latest OxygenOS update is rolling out gradually for OnePlus Nord N100 users. You can check its availability by going to Settings > System > System Update.
Changelog
System
Optimized system power consumption in some scenarios
Added a quick setting switch to adjust mute, ringtone, and vibration
Fixed the issue that the phone cannot wake up under certain circumstances (NA only)
Xiaomi held a virtual event yesterday, December 28 in China where it unveiled the Mi 11. It is the first smartphone to be powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC. The smartphone comes with a 108MP sensor primary sensor, 120Hz AMOLED display, top-notch charging specifications as well as a refined design. However, Xiaomi didn’t unveil the Mi 11 Pro at this event. Now, a new leak has appeared online that spills the beans on the launch timeline for the Pro sibling.
As per the tipster “Digital Chat Station” on Weibo, Xiaomi will unveil the Mi 11 Pro in China after the Spring Festival. This translates to a mid-February 2021 launch. That said, we don’t have an exact launch date yet. However, we expect it to feature a telephoto camera given that it’s missing from the vanilla variant. The Mi 11 Pro could have a 20MP ultrawide lens as well. It is likely to be similar to the Mi 11 in terms of display specifications.
Xiaomi Mi 11
For the unaware, the Mi 11 features a 6.81-inch QHD+ AMOLED display with a 515ppi pixel density. It supports a 120Hz refresh rate, while the touch response rate goes up to 480Hz. It comes with up to 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. Moreover, it is claimed to go up to 1500 nits brightness and supports HDR10+standard.
There is a 108MP primary rear camera with an f/1.85 aperture and OIS. It packs a 4,600mAh battery that supports 55W wired fast charging, 50W wireless fast charging as well as 10W reverse wireless charging. The device also comes equipped with an IR Blaster and stereo speakers tuned by Harman Kardon. The Mi 11 Pro is tipped to pack a 4,500mAh battery with similar numbers for fast charging capabilities.
LG has announced plans to introduce a new family of TVs called QNED series that will use the Mini LED technology and will be sold in multiple sizes (up to 86-inch) and resolutions going up to 8K. The company will be showcasing the flagship 86-inch model of its QNED lineup at CES 2021 that kicks off on January 11. The QNED portfolio will be the cream-of-the-crop when it comes to the company’s LCD TV line-up, but will still sit below the OLED family of TVs when it comes to raw quality as well as pricing.
Mini LEDs will bring traits of OLED panels to LCD TVs
“As the first TVs to combine quantum dot and NanoCell in one product, LG QNED TVs produce incredibly accurate colors while the advanced LED backlight offers better contrast and deeper blacks for images of exceptional vibrancy and realism. And with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, these TVs render motion smoothly and more naturally,” LG said in a blog post.
What is Mini LED technology?
In case you’re wondering, the Mini LED technology is still linked deeply to the LCD panels, but it tries to emulate the properties of an OLED panel. As the name makes it abundantly clear, a large number of Mini LEDs (each diode measuring at 0.2mm or less) are used to light up an LCD panel, serving as local dimming spots. Now, using multiple local dimming spots rather than a single large one (or a few smaller ones) offers better control over backlighting, so you get deeper blacks and improved contrast. Plus, the brightness output is also touted to be higher.
QNED TVs are still LCDs, but better than regular LCD TVs
Essentially, Mini LEDs try to do what was LED panel does, but at a lower cost. Additionally, it is easier to make a large LCD panel with Mini LED technology compared to an OLED panel. So, you get the best of both worlds – a viewing output that tries to copy all the good traits of an OLED panel and a lower price tag to go with it. However, do keep in mind that OLEDs still offer a better viewing experience because backlighting is controlled at a pixel level, rather than relying on dimming zones.
How LG is leveraging the Mini LED tech?
LG says that its QNED TVs with the Mini LED technology pack up to 30,000 tiny LEDs(hence, the name) to deliver a contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1 and achieve a superior brightness output compared to a regular LCD panel. With up to 2,500 local dimming zones, LG claims that its QNED TVs will offer a refined visual experience that is tailor-made for HDR content. In addition to an 8K TV with the Mini LED technology, LG will also offer more affordable options in its QNED TV family that target a lower 4K resolution and smaller screen real estate.
MacBooks and iPads with Mini LED display are coming
Plus, a MacBook Air with the same technology will likely arrive in 2022. Analyst Min-Chi Kuo has also mentioned that the adoption rate of Mini LED technology has picked up steam at Apple and that its adoption will be faster for MacBooks compared to iPads.
Samsung is also keen on jumping the Mini LED bandwagon, and soon. The company recently trademarked the name “Samsung Quantum Mini LED” before the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), says a Business Korea. Samsung plans to introduce “four mini-LED TV models ranging from 55 inches to 65, 76 and 85 inches,” adds the report. Another report from SamMobile mentions that Samsung’s Mini LED TVs are just around the corner and that they might arrive easily in 2021.
LG is all set to introduce a new TV lineup at its CES 2021 event. It will launch its first-ever QNED Mini LED TVs at the all-virtual event. The upcoming product will be the top-of-the-line product offering among its 2021 premium TV lineup. As per LG, the Mini LEDs as a light source are far superior to that of conventional LCD televisions, courtesy of quantum dot and NanoCell technologies. The upcoming 2021 lineup will include 10 new 4K and 8K models. These will cover a wide range of large screen sizes of up to 86 inches.
The new LG QNED Mini LED TVs will exist right beside the OLED TVs, which offer self-lit pixels and independent dimming control. The company is aiming to offer a compelling option for consumers with its new technology. These TVs will have a new panel structure enhanced by LG’s advanced Mini LED backlighting. It will enable them to deliver a truly immersive viewing experience in the LCD space.
With its QNED Mini LED TVs, LG is combining quantum dot and NanoCell technology in one product. It is claimed to produce “incredibly accurate colors while the advanced LED backlight offers better contrast and deeper blacks for images of exceptional vibrancy and realism.” The company will offer up to 120Hz refresh rate with their new TVs.
The Mini LED backlighting comprises up to almost 30,000 tiny LEDs that produce peak brightness and a contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1 when paired with up to 2,500 dimming zones and advanced local dimming technology. This results in very high HDR image quality with amazing “contrast and blacks, a wide color gamut and incredible color accuracy,” says LG.
Our new QNED Mini LED series is a premium home entertainment option that expands and improves the LCD TV space and gives consumers another terrific viewing choice. These TVs deliver an experience that set them apart from other LCD TVs and speak to our commitment to innovation and pushing the standard forward.
Nam Ho-jun, senior vice president of R&D at LG’s Home Entertainment Company.
