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Qi standard is getting an upgrade with magnets and faster charging.

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Since 2008, Qi has become the standard for wireless charging. So much so that almost all smartphone, tablet, and other electronic device manufacturers have been using it. And finally, Qi2 was announced at the beginning of 2023 and is now set to debut near the end of the year. So, what will the long wait for Qi2 wireless charging bring to the table?

First, what is Qi?

Qi (pronounced “chee”) is an open-interface standard developed by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) for sending power wirelessly. Without needing to insert any sort of wire, the Qi charging pad utilizes the properties of electromagnetic induction to deliver power to your device. Even Apple built on top of this standard for their MagSafe.

Qi wireless charging

Qi2 Wireless Charging Overview:

Profiles

There are two profiles in this new version of the Qi standard.

Magnetic Power Profile (MPP)

This profile from Qi2 is similar to MagSafe, as Apple contributed to its development. With this, the chargers can maintain a 15W charging speed for all supported devices and can magnetically align with the device. You might think that even the current Qi-certified chargers can reach 15W. What’s so new about Qi2? And the answer is that the Qi wireless charging standard is inconsistent across devices.

Qi2 wireless charging - iPhone 15
The iPhone will now support any Qi-certified charger.

For context, Android phones could reach a maximum of 15W charging with the present Qi pads. However, the average speed would sit right around 10W. Additionally, iPhones can get only 7.5W charging speed with these chargers if they are not MagSafe (in that case, they would go 15W). Moreover, the Android phones would charge at 5W or less using a MagSafe. Yikes! It’s messy.

Extended Power Profile

The second profile is an improved version of the existing EPP (Extended Power Profile) which discards magnets but complies with the v2.0 standard. That being said, Qi v2.0 EPP products will have the same old Qi logo instead of the Qi2 one.

One thing to note here is that the Qi2 compatible devices without a magnet can still charge with a wireless magnetic charger.

Qi2 Wireless Charging Availability:

As per WPC, the iPhone 15 will be one of the first smartphones to meet Qi2 standards. Also, companies like Belkin, Mophie, Anker, and Aircharge are already testing their Qi2 chargers for future releases. The first device is scheduled for the holiday season (late November to the end of December).

Meanwhile, check out our review of the Realme GT 3 with 240W fast charging:

Apple is finally bringing RCS messaging to the iPhone

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It’s finally happening! After years of public outcry and marketing campaigns from brands like Google and Samsung calling out Apple, the company is finally bringing RCS messaging support to the iPhone in 2024. It’s still not getting rid of the whole “blue bubble vs green bubble” debate but iPhone users will finally be able to enjoy features like read receipts, high-res media, and more with RCS when texting with Android users.

RCS on iPhone: An overview

According to Apple, “We believe the RCS Universal Profile will offer a better interoperability experience when compared to SMS or MMS”. This seemingly unexpected decision is most likely Apple’s response to the increasing pressure from the European Union (EU)’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which requires Apple to make its service interoperable with other platforms.

Last week (November 16, 2023) was the deadline for Apple to argue to the EU regulators that iMessage shouldn’t be designated as a core platform service. Therefore, it’s clear that Apple’s move to support RCS messaging is to appease the regulators.

What problems will it solve?

The introduction of RCS in iPhone will eliminate the disparity in messaging features between iPhone and Android users. As mentioned before, issues like pixelated media files, the absence of read receipts, and the lack of iMessage-style functionalities will become a thing of the past when texting between Android users. So with RCS, Apple gets to offer a seamless, feature-rich experience for all users, regardless of their choice of smartphone.

RCS on iPhones

But why is RCS better than SMS or MMS?

RCS (Rich Communication Services) is not an app, but a messaging protocol that enhances the traditional SMS/MMS experience. It introduces high-quality media transfer, tap-back reactions, read receipts, and Wi-Fi texting. Bringing it closer to the iMessage experience.

RCS over SMS
Image: cm.com

The struggle with SMS and MMS limitations is a thing of the past with the introduction of RCS in iPhone. So while iMessage is quite dominant in the US, this move marks a significant step towards easier cross-platform messaging.

Is it a big deal outside the US?

But outside of the US, it’s a different story entirely. iMessage is really not that popular in other parts of the world as most people prefer other messaging apps like WhatsApp, Viber, and Messenger. Nonetheless, Apple’s plan to adopt RCS messaging is a welcome move for iPhone-owners everywhere.

Forget ChatGPT, this AI could actually advance scientific discoveries

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The AI race is in full swing as numerous big tech companies are trying to develop super-advanced artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, AI has already shown wonders, doing something that was once deemed impossible. But let’s be honest, they have failed at doing a couple of things, like being original. However, Polymathic AI promises to be “built differently” than other LLMs as it hopes to build AI models specifically geared for scientific application.

Polymathic AI: An Overview

As mentioned before, most AI models lack originality. They are predominantly constructed from billions of diverse parameters based on some sort of large language models (LLMs). AIs exhibit unoriginality in the sense that their responses are purely derivative.

For the uninitiated, OpenAI‘s ChatGPT and other LLMs can feel like an all-knowing, highly intelligent tool. But they are simply prediction machines after all. For the same reason, they are super good at generating texts but not so much at doing difficult mathematical calculations. This is primarily because they are predictive machines, and you cannot do complex mathematical calculations simply by making predictions.

However, an international group of scientists have collaborated to initiate a new research project, namely Polymathic AI. This project will utilize the same technology as ChatGPT to construct an AI, but one that’s specifically designed for scientific discoveries.

Contrary to ChatGPT, which is mostly about text generation, Polymathic AI will concentrate on scientific discoveries through training on numerical data and numerous physics simulations.

Polymath of Polymathic AI

Clusters of Gas

In case you didn’t know, a polymath is someone with intricate knowledge in different fields. For instance, Leonardo Da Vinci, Aristotle, and Benjamin Franklin are some of the well-renowned polymaths. Through Polymathic AI, researchers hope to understand the most unknown phenomenon of the universe.

From supergiant stars, dark matter, and dark energy to studying the smallest known entities like the fundamental particles and their specific properties. Thus increasing the scope of knowledge and making science more accessible.

“Polymathic AI can show us commonalities and connections between different fields that might have been missed,”

The Polymathic AI team, comprised of experts in physics, astrophysics, mathematics, artificial intelligence, and neuroscience, will actively engage in future groundbreaking projects. This initiative involves harnessing knowledge from various sources within physics and astrophysics, with future expansion planned into fields like chemistry and genomics as stated by its creators. The Polymathic AI team expects that its collective expertise will drive the learning process and enable the application of its multidisciplinary prowess to tackle a diverse array of scientific challenges.

What else?

Furthermore, Polymathic AI distinguishes itself from ChatGPT through a crucial enhancement: a focus on precision. Numerical data is treated as authentic numbers, not mere characters, and the project utilizes real scientific datasets that encapsulate the underlying physics of the universe.

This emphasis on precision aligns with Polymathic AI’s commitment to transparency and openness. The team envisions making all their work publicly accessible, aiming to democratize AI for scientific research. Ultimately, the goal is to provide the scientific community with a pre-trained model that can enhance analyses across diverse problem areas and domains, marking a significant stride toward expanding the application of AI in scientific discovery.

  • Meanwhile, check our AYANEO Pocket Air review

Vivo Watch 3 launched with company’s own BlueOS

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Vivo released the Watch 3 alongside the Vivo X100 and X100 Pro on November 13 as promised. This smartwatch is the first one to bring the company’s self-developed BlueOS. So without further delay, let’s dive into the specifications of Vivo Watch 3, including its availability and expected price in Nepal.

Vivo Watch 3 Overview:

Design and Display

Starting with the design, the Vivo Watch 3 features a round shape with a curved display at the top. On the right is a rotating crown made of stainless steel, which also doubles as a menu button. There is another button beneath it for navigation. By the way, the watch comes in a single 46.1mm size, weighing 36 grams.

Vivo Watch 3 Design and Display

However, there are two different variants of Watch 3 in terms of straps. The leather version of it comes with twin lugs to hold the watch, while the silicone one doesn’t have any sort of lug. Furthermore, it comes in two different colors: Black and Silver.

For display, Vivo has decided to go with a 1.43-inch display for the Watch 3. The panel is AMOLED, boasts a resolution of 466 x 466 pixels, and supports always-on display. Likewise, the watch can also survive water up to 5 meters deep, thanks to its 5ATM standards.

Connectivity

Moreover, you get two connectivity options for the Vivo Watch 3: one with eSIM and another with Bluetooth only. Sadly, there is no WiFi connectivity. It relies on Bluetooth 5.2 with support for Low Energy (BLE). Additionally, the watch includes a microphone and a speaker for BT calling.

Performance

Under the hood, the BES2700BP chip is what powers the Vivo Watch 3. Further, there is 4GB of RAM and 64GB of ROM. With this, you can install a wide range of apps from BlueOS’s App Store. While we are on this subject, let’s talk about the new OS this watch operates on.

BlueOS

Vivo developed the Blue River Operating System for their watches, which they call BlueOS. This new OS is crafted using Rust and integrates Vivo’s voice assistant, Jovi. It also has 10 pre-built watch faces to choose from. Plus, there is an AI running coach that will assign exercise tasks based on your habits.

Vivo Watch 3 BlueOS

Health Tracking

Besides, the brand-new Watch 3 includes 100+ sports modes. It features 8-channel heart rate and 16-channel blood oxygen monitoring using a “Star Ring” health sensor that runs 24/7. Plus, for sleep tracking, the watch uses infrared light for “non-disturbing heart rate monitoring”. Likewise, there is also menstrual cycle tracking for women.

Vivo Watch 3 Health Tracking

Battery

Lastly, there is a 505mAh cell that fuels the Watch 3 from Vivo. It can last 16 days in standalone mode, 8 days with Bluetooth and notifications turned on, and 3 days with everything turned on.

Vivo Watch 3 Specifications:

  • Body: 46.1×46.1×13.7mm, 36g (without strap)
  • Display: 1.43″ AMOLED panel, 466×466px resolution
  • Chip: BES2700BP
  • Memory: 4/64GB
  • OS: BlueOS
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth LE 5.2, LTE
  • Sensors: Optical heart rate/blood oxygen sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, altitude sensor, geomagnetic sensor, ambient light sensor, hall sensor
  • Battery: 505mAh, wired charging

Vivo Watch 3 Price in Nepal and Availability

The price of this smartwatch starts at CNY 1,099 for a base Bluetooth model with a silicone strap and goes as high as CNY 1,399 for the eSIM model with a leather strap. If it ever launches here in Nepal, we expect the price of Vivo Watch 3 to start at NPR 25,000.

Vivo Watch 3 Price in China (Official) Price in Nepal (Expected)
Bluetooth Silicone Strap CNY 1,099 NPR 25,000
Leather Strap CNY 1,199 NPR 27,000
eSIM Silicone Strap CNY 1,299 NPR 28,700
Leather Strap CNY 1,399 NPR 30,500
    • Meanwhile, check out our video review of the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic:

    Mivi DuoPods T50 with 13mm drivers makes its way to Nepal!

    Mivi, an Indian accessories brand, has now launched DuoPods T50 in Nepal. These earbuds come with a premium design, large drivers, and some nifty features. In this article, we will discuss the Mivi DuoPods T50 in further detail along with its expected price in Nepal.

    Mivi DuoPods T50 Overview:

    Design

    The Mivi DuoPods T50 is an in-ear wireless earbud that features a long stem with a metallic finish. They come alongside a circular Choco Pie-like case featuring the company logo at the centre. In terms of ingress protection, you get an IPX4 rating, withstanding your sweat during workouts pretty easily.

    Mivi DuoPods T50 IPX4

    The Mivi DuoPods T50 are available in five colour options: Raven Black, Cobalt Blue, Lush Green, Coral Plush, and Ivory Sheen.

    Audio and the rest

    These TWS earbuds from the Indian brand feature large 13mm electroplated drivers. The company claims that these drivers provide “Deep, Thunderous Bass And Crisp Sound”. Additionally, it also offers an AI ENC feature for noise reduction during calls.

    Mivi DuoPods T50 AI ENC

    The TWS connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth v5.3. You can amp down the latency to 50ms with the gaming mode feature of these earbuds. Lastly, the Mivi DuoPods T50 can provide you with 8 hours of playback time on its own. This number jumps to 55 hours when you factor in the case as well.

    Mivi DuoPods T50 Specifications:

    • Design: In-ear design with a metallic finish
    • Sound Driver: 13 mm electroplated driver
    • Playback: 8 hours (Earbuds), 55 hours (with case)
    • Charging: Via USB Type-C
    • Resistance: IPX4
    • Connectivity: Bluetooth v5.3
    • Noise Cancellation: AI Environmental Noise Cancellation
    • Other Features: Gaming Mode (50ms latency)
    • Colour Options: Raven Black, Cobalt Blue, Lush Green, Coral Plush, and Ivory Sheen

    Mivi DuoPods T50 Price in Nepal and Availability:

    These earbuds are available to purchase in India at a price tag of INR 1,599. Meanwhile, the Mivi DuoPods T50 price in Nepal is set at NPR 3,250. You can purchase it through authorised stores all across the country.

    Mivi TWS Earbuds Price in Nepal Availability
    DuoPods T50 NPR 3,250 Hukut Store
    • Meanwhile, check out our best TWS to buy in 2023 video.

    Honor X50i+ goes official with a 108MP primary camera

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    Honor has launched a new midrange phone in China, called the Honor X50i+. It’s a follow-up to the regular Honor X50i and comes with a few premium-esque qualities. In this article, we will discuss the new Honor X50i+, including its detailed specifications, expected price in Nepal, and so on.

    Honor X50i+ Overview:

    Design and Display

    The Honor X50i+ has quite a unique layout for the camera module. It’s got a sliced circular camera island on the back with three camera bumps. Whereas up front, it features a center-aligned pill-shaped cutout that imitates the look of Apple’s “Dynamic Island”.

    Thus, it’s clear that Honor is imitating the “iPhone aesthetic” to some extent in terms of design with the X50i+. Moving on, the phone is available in four color options: Pink, Black, Blue, and Green.

    Honor X50i+ Design

    Up in front, we are getting a symmetrical 6.7” AMOLED screen with a resolution of 2,412 x 1,080 pixels. It offers a 90Hz refresh rate, 3,240Hz PWM dimming, and DCI-P3 color gamut, along with a peak brightness of 2,000 nits.

    Performance

    Under the hood, the Honor X50i+ comes with a MediaTek Dimensity 6080 chipset. This 6nm-based processor is just a rebranded Dimensity 810, by the way. Memory-wise, you get 12GB of RAM that can be virtually extended to 20GB. It is then coupled with one of two storage options, viz. 256GB and 512GB. In the meantime, no information regarding storage expansion is available. Furthermore, the phone ships with Honor MagicOS 7.2 based on Android 13.

    Camera and the rest

    Getting to the optics, the phone sports a 108MP primary camera, coupled with a 2MP depth sensor. Meanwhile, we are getting an 8MP shooter on the front for the selfies. Both the rear and front cameras are capable of recording videos at 1080p.

    Honor X50i Plus - Cameras

    Powering the phone is a 4,500mAh battery that can be juiced up with 35W of fast charging. The phone supports dual SIM with 5G cellular, dual-band WiFi, and Bluetooth 5.1 wireless connectivity. On the other hand, the Honor X50i+ features a headphone jack and USB-C 2.0 for wired connectivity. Lastly, it also supports five-way navigation while featuring a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for security.

    Honor X50i+ Specifications:

    • Dimensions: 161.05 mm x 74.55 mm x 6.78 mm
    • Weight: 166 grams
    • Display: 6.7” AMOLED panel, 90Hz refresh rate, 2,000 nits peak brightness, 3,240 Hz PWM dimming, DCI-P3 color gamut
    • Resolution: FHD+ (2,412 x 1,080)
    • Chipset: Octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 6080 5G (6nm)
    • Memory: 12GB RAM, 256/512GB storage
    • OS & UI: Android 13 with MagicOS 7.2 on top
    • Rear Camera: Dual (108MP primary + 2MP depth)
    • Front Camera: 8MP (center-aligned capsule cutout)
    • Security: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
    • Sensors: Gravity, Compass, Ambient Light, Proximity Light
    • Navigation: GPS, AGPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo
    • Battery: 4,500 mAh Li-Po with 35W fast charging
    • Connectivity: Dual SIM, 5G, Dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth 5.1, USB 2.0 (Type-C), 3.5mm headphone jack
    • Color Options: Pink, Black, Blue, Green

    Honor X50i+ Price in Nepal and Availability

    In China, the Honor X50i+ is up for grabs at CNY 1,599 and CNY 1,799 for the 256GB and 512GB variants respectively. The phone will likely make its way to the international market including Nepal in the coming months. If and when it arrives here, we expect the Honor X50i+ price in Nepal to start from NPR 35,299.

    Honor X50i+ Price in China (Official) Price in Nepal (Expected)
    12/256GB CNY 1,599 NPR 35,299
    12/512GB CNY 1,799 NPR 39,699
    • Meanwhile, check out our Xiaomi 13T Pro review

    Samsung customers’ personal data exposed by yet another data breach

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    In recent times, the importance of data security has become a great deal of concern for individuals and companies alike. And in the middle of all this, Samsung has confirmed that the personal data of a handful of its UK customers were exposed in the latest data breach. This is the company’s third data breach in just two years, by the way.

    Samsung Data Breach 2023: What happened?

    According to the company, Samsung UK’s online store has suffered this data breach, affecting customers who shopped between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020. Samsung says it discovered this exploit on November 13, 2023.

    Samsung Data Breach

    Apparently, a hacker exploited a vulnerability in a third-party app used by Samsung, gaining unauthorized access. On top of that, customer names, phone numbers, postal addresses, and email addresses were exposed. But speaking to TechCrunch, Samsung assures that “no financial data, such as bank or credit card details or customer passwords, were impacted”.

    Earlier in March 2022, the hacking group “Lapsus$” breached Samsung’s network, stealing data, including source code, algorithms for biometric authentication, and more. Whereas just 3 months later in July 2022, hackers accessed and stole Samsung customer names, contacts, and other details.

    What was the response?

    As for the response, Samsung says it has reported it to the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). And ICO — which is the UK’s data protection regulator — is on the case, initiating inquiries. However, the company has remained silent on the specifics of the incident. Not revealing the number of affected customers or how the hackers got in.

    What about the affected customers?

    A letter sent by Samsung to affected customers mentions that the attackers exploited a vulnerability in an unnamed third-party business app. But it’s surprising that it took Samsung well over three years to detect this data breach.

     

    @troyhunt another dataset to keep your eyes open for 🙄 pic.twitter.com/VwNCd1nUF1

    — Michael Valentine (@KwyjiboUK) November 15, 2023

    Needless to say, Samsung’s third data breach in two years highlights ongoing and evolving cybersecurity threats. So companies should implement strong security measures and communicate clearly during breaches. Whereas customers should take it upon themselves to stay vigilant in times when cyber threats challenge digital privacy and security as well.

    • Meanwhile, check our review of Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 series

    Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 announced with major performance boosts!

    Qualcomm launched its top-of-the-line Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip just a few weeks back. The company has now announced a new member to its “Snapdragon 7” series of midrange mobile chipset as well, called the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3.

    Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 Overview:

    The Snapdragon 7 series has become convoluted with some recent launches like the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 and Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2. Although it sounds like the 7 Gen 3 is the successor to both of them, it’s the true successor to the very first Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 instead. And it actually sits between the 7s Gen 2 and 7+ Gen 2. I told you things were convoluted here!

    Internals

    Anyway, Qualcomm’s latest midrange chip has been fabbed under TSMC’s 4nm process. Its octa-core CPU cluster consists of one primary core clocked at up to 2.63 GHz. Similarly, Qualcomm has coupled it with three performance and four efficiency cores, with a maximum clock speed of 2.40 GHz and 1.80 GHz, respectively. Qualcomm says all this results in a 15% better CPU performance and 20% better power efficiency versus Snapdragon 7 Gen 1.

    Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 Highlights

    Likewise, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 features an unnamed Qualcomm Adreno GPU that’s 1.5x more powerful compared to the 7 Gen 1. In addition, the latest chipset also features a Qualcomm Hexagon NPU that apparently offers 60% faster AI performance per watt.

    Hardware support and more

    Moving on, this third-gen “Snapdragon 7” series processor can support up to 16GB LPDDR5 RAM. Meanwhile, it supports UFS 3.1 storage as well as Qualcomm Quick Charge 5 technology via USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C connection. In terms of cameras, a Snapdragon 7 Gen 3-powered phone can handle up to 200MP photo capture and even record 4K HDR videos at up to 60 fps.

    Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 for mobile

    Additionally, it supports a WFHD+ on-device display with a 168Hz refresh rate, or WQHD+ @120Hz. While supporting up to a 4K 60Hz external display. In terms of wireless connectivity, this chipset supports WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and six-way navigation with GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, QZSS, and NavIC.

    Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 Availability

    According to Qualcomm, Honor and Vivo will be the first adopters of the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chip. Furthermore, devices featuring this processor are expected to make their way later this month.

    • Meanwhile, check out our Ayaneo Pocket Air review video

    ColorOS 14 (Android 14) Beta Update Roadmap is here for OPPO smartphones!

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    The Android 14 update, initially introduced on Pixel phones, is gradually making its way through. Oppo, the Chinese tech giant has also disclosed the Android 14 roadmap with ColorOS 14. Here’s a brief overview of the updated roadmap and key features of ColorOS 14 for Oppo smartphones.

    Oppo ColorOS 14 Update Roadmap:

    The ColorOS 14 update has already started. The first one to get a stable version of this OS will be Oppo Find N2 Flip in mid-November. Others will first get the beta update, and based on the feedback, Oppo will fine-tune the stable release of the OS for that device.

    Beta Update Rollout timeline

    The ColorOS 14 beta update timing may vary depending on the region you live in. But here is the general schedule:

    October 2023

    November 2023

    December 2023

    • K series: Oppo K10 5G
    • A-series: Oppo A77 5G

    January 2024

    April 2024

    • Reno series: Oppo Reno8 Z 5G
    • F-series: Oppo F21s Pro 5G
    • A-series: Oppo A95 5G

    One flaw I found here is that the Oppo F21s Pro 5G has been mentioned twice. Hence, one of them might be the F21 Pro 5G.

    What’s new in Oppo ColorOS 14?

    There are many tweaks and turns in this update. But I will focus on the important ones quickly.

    Design

    Remember the Aquamorphic design from the last version? It is getting an upgrade in ColorOS 14. Specifically, the feature will have new sound effects, color systems, and interactions based on the smartphone’s status, time, and on-screen content. Plus, the new Aqua Dynamics design integrates bubbles, capsules, and panels expandable from the status bar for enhanced interaction.

    Oppo ColorOS 14 Aqua Dynamics design

    Plus, ColorOS 14 brings in GO Green Always-On-Display, displaying environment-based animations linked to your step count. The animations signify reduced carbon emissions through walking instead of alternative transportation. Users can also open Snapchat easily with a lock-screen shortcut. Additionally, “Snapchat Card on Shelf” provides a quick view of messages, status, and friend locations.

    Oppo ColorOS 14 Design
    Left: GO Green AOD, Right: Snapchat Lock-screen Shortcut

    AI-powered features

    The AI-based Smart Touch enables users to collect texts, images, and videos from all apps into the new File Dock (situated at the Smart Sidebar). The stored contents can then be dragged and used across other apps. The added benefit is that this “clipboard-like thing” is synced across Oppo devices.

    Oppo ColorOS 14 AI-powered features

    Another feature that uses AI is “Smart Image Matting,” which crops out multiple subjects from an image or a frame of the video. Users can edit the cutouts as well as share them with friends. And the new “Smart Charging” adjusts the charging current based on the smartphone’s usage, minimizing battery wear and tear.

    Trinity Engine

    ColorOS 14 promises smoother performance across Oppo devices, thanks to virtualization in their Trinity Engine. ROM virtualization compresses apps and files to save up to 20GB of data. While the RAM virtualization keeps more memory for background apps. And lastly, CPU virtualization strikes a balance between efficiency and performance using better scheduling of tasks.

    Oppo ColorOS 14 Trinity Engine

    Privacy

    Aside from that, ColorOS 14 also focuses on privacy. It introduces Picture Keeper, retaining Android 14’s ability to prevent apps from getting your whole gallery. Instead, the app will need permission for selected images from the user every time for added security.

    Oppo ColorOS 14 Privacy

    • You might also be interested in:

    Vivo X100 and X100 Pro go official with Mediatek Dimensity 9300 SoC

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    With Mediatek announcing the Dimensity 9300 SoC, Vivo X100 and X100 Pro become the first smartphones to pack this flagship chip. This top-end duo from Vivo sports a pretty impressive triple camera setup and more. Without further ado, let’s delve into the specs, features, and expected price of the Vivo X100 and X100 Pro in this article.

    Vivo X100 Series Overview:

    Flagship Dimensity 9300 SoC

    One of the headlining features of this new flagship X100 duo is the Dimensity 9300 chipset. Packing the big core architectures, this silicon is all about power and efficiency, thanks to TSMC’s 3rd gen 4nm+ architecture. You get a prime Cortex-X4 core at 3.25GHz, three Cortex-X4 cores running at 2.85GHz, followed by four Cortex-A720 cores clocking at 2.0GHz.

    Mediatek Dimensity 9300 SoC

    On top of that, Vivo has used LPDDR5T RAM tech, albeit limited to the top-end variant— 16GB RAM and 1TB storage of the vanilla X100 model only. As for the software, both smartphones boot on OriginOS 4 built on top of Android 14.

    Design and Display

    The X100 and X100 Pro boast the same design language with a circular camera module protruding from the rear. As the flagship duo, you get an IP68 rating against dust and water drips. Vivo ships both phones in Star Trail Blue, Sunset Orange, White Moonlight, and Cheyne Black shade options.

    Vivo X100 Pro Design and Display

    Talking of the display, both siblings get a 6.78-inch AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, 8T LTPO 2800 x 1260 resolution, P3 color gamut, 2160Hz PWM dimming, and 3000 nits of peak brightness.

    Also Read:

    Camera

    Another articulating factor of the X100 duo is none other than its flagship triple camera setup, co-engineered with ZEISS. The Pro model flaunts a 50MP primary shooter with OIS, a 50MP ultrawide unit, and a 64MP telephoto lens with 4.7X optical zoom and up to 100X digital zoom. Meanwhile, the vanilla sibling also gets the same setup except for the telephoto unit being a 50MP shooter.

    Vivo X100 Pro Camera

    What’s common between the telephoto units of both models is the ZEISS-certified Vario-APO-Sonar lens to correct chromatic aberration, reducing color fringing and blurriness. Adding some more flare and glares, there is a custom V3 imaging chip from Vivo with enhanced night video capabilities. Getting to the front, you get a 32MP snapper housed on the punch hole cutout on the X100 duo.

    Battery and Others

    Fueling the Vivo X100 is a 5,000mAh cell with 120W fast charging support. Meanwhile, the Vivo X100 Pro packs a 5,400mAh battery with 100W wired and 50W wireless charging. Talking of the connectivity options, you get 5G, triband WiFi 7, NFC, GPS, and a USB Type-C Gen 3.2 port. Likewise, there is an indisplay fingerprint scanner for biometrics security.

    Vivo X100 and X100 Pro Specifications:

    • Display: 6.78-inches AMOLED panel, 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, 3000nits peak brightness, 8T LTPO, 2160Hz PWM dimming
    • Resolution: 2K (2800 x 1260 pixels)
    • Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 9300 (4nm+)
    • Memory: 12/16GB LPDDR5 RAM, 16GB LPDDR5T (X100 only*) Up to 1TB UFS 4.0 storage
    • Software & UI: Android 14 with OriginOS 4 on top
    • Rear Camera: Triple (with LED flash);
      – 50MP primary (OIS)
      – 50MP ultrawide lens
      – 64MP telephoto (X100 Pro), 50MP telephoto (X100), 4.3x optical zoom
    • Front Camera: 32MP
    • Security: In-display fingerprint sensor (optical)
    • Battery: 5000mAh with 120W fast charging (X100), 5,400mAh with 100W wired fast charging, 50W wireless charging (X100 Pro)

    Vivo X100 Pro Price in Nepal and Availability

    In China, the pricing of Vivo X100 and X100 Pro begin at CNY 4,999 and CNY 3,999 for the base 12/256GB variant. We expect the Vivo X100 and Vivo X100 Pro price in Nepal to start from NPR 95,999 and NPR 119,999 if they ever make their way here.

    Smartphones Variants Price in China (Official) Price in Nepal (Expected)
    Vivo X100 12/256GB CNY 3,999 NPR 95,999
    16/256GB CNY 4,299 NPR 102,999
    16/512GB CNY 4,599 NPR 109,999
    16GB/1TB CNY 4,999 NPR 119,999
    16GB/1TB (LPDDR5T) CNY 5,099 NPR 121,999
    Vivo X100 Pro 12/256GB CNY 4,999 NPR 119,999
    16/256GB CNY 5,299 NPR 126,999
    16/512GB CNY 5,499 NPR 131,999
    16GB/1TB CNY 5,499 NPR 143,999