Page 568 – GadgetByte Nepal

iPhone SE 2 officially available in Nepal

Nikhil Shrestha

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July 20, 2020

iPhone SE 2 officially available in Nepal

So… Apple dropped a brand new iPhone back in April and it is a big one. Well, “big” not in terms of the physical dimensions but in the sense of what it represents, and how its mere existence is a major red flag to the upper-mid-range market; you know where Android OEMs thrive. The new iPhone SE (2020) or the iPhone SE 2 as everyone’s calling it, packs a damn powerful A13 Bionic chipset, has an IP rating, wireless charging, all for the starting price of just $399. And it is finally available for purchase in Nepal, albeit at a slightly exorbitant price.

iPhone SE 2 Overview

Design

Right off the bat, the iPhone SE 2 isn’t a classically fancy smartphone you’d expect in 2020. It borrows the same design choice we last saw in the company’s iPhone 8 series – thick bezels at the top and a Touch ID on the bottom. While you’d think Apple’s fit in the Face ID sensors and whatnot found in the newer iPhones with that bathtub notch, the Touch ID’s all you have on the SE 2. From unlocking the phone to making transactional approvals, you know where your thumb needs to be.

Moreover, the iPhone SE 2 shares a lot of similarities with the standard iPhone 8 in terms of design. Same dimensions & weight, glass/aluminum body, IP67 dust/water resistance, wireless charging; no wonder Apple was quick to discontinue the iPhone 8 & 8 Plus. There are three color options available: Black, White, and a special (PRODUCT) RED variant. Here, the company will be donating a certain amount to the global COVID-19 relief fund on the money made from the sales of each iPhone SE 2 (PRODUCT) RED. Nice!

Display

Besides the apparent dated design, the one other thing that the iPhone SE 2 is getting being criticized for the most is its small display. Apparently, the 4.7-inches Retina HD IPS panel just isn’t doing it for people these days and I can understand why. The one consistent change in the smartphone industry in the past couple of years is unmistakenly the way phones have been getting bigger. A phone with a pocketable large screen is what the manufacturers have been trying to achieve by cutting the bezels & other techniques.

But the iPhone SE 2’s display isn’t downright terrible. It is about 18% larger than the original iPhone SE and as aforementioned, is the same as the iPhone 8, or the iPhone 7, 6, etc. Expecting a large OLED panel with minimal bezels on an iPhone lineup pre-established as a compact & economic model isn’t a great idea.

Performance & Memory

It’s powered by the Apple A13 Bionic chipset; the same one in the latest iPhone 11 series. Need I say more? Well, I do but how cool would it have been if I didn’t? This hexa-core SoC based on TSMC’s 7nm N7P process is still wiping the floor with other flagship chipsets which is absolutely humiliating for the Android smartphone market. Even the latest Snapdragon 865 falls behind it in terms of single/multi-core CPU and GPU performance. And that’s something you’ll find in $1000 phones (though there are a couple of exceptions as well). To quote Android Central:

The cheapest iPhone has a more powerful processor than the most expensive Android phone.

Furthermore, let’s briefly talk about software support. The iPhone SE 2 runs on iOS 13 out-of-the-box and you know it’s gonna get software updates for years to come. To put things to perspective, the iPhone 6s/6s Plus from September 2015 is updated to the same iOS 13. Software support on a device almost half a decade old? That’s something absolutely unheard of in the Android community.

Also read: Apple iPad PRO 2020 launched with Magic Keyboard support

Moving on, the original iPhone SE (2016) came with a storage option starting from 16GB. But that’s simply not enough for 2020, and Apple knows that. Therefore, the base model of iPhone SE 2 has 64GB storage. You can also opt for the 128 or 256GB options by adding either $50 or $100 respectively. While 64GB may already suffice for many, the phone does have features like 4K video recording which can eat up a lot of memory in a matter of minutes. So I think the 128GB iPhone SE 2 for $449 is the best deal of the three.

Cameras

Getting to the cameras, there are two of them – one up front, and one at the back. Let’s discuss the back camera first. It’s a 12MP f/1.8 wide lens just like the iPhone XR. Now though that may not seem like a lot, Apple’s capable software-based photography makes it a compelling option anyway. You can still shoot portrait images with various studio lighting effects, 5x digitally zoomed photos. Moreover, it also brings the “Smart HDR” & 4K@60fps (with OIS) video recording option found in Apple’s more expensive set of phones.

On the other hand, the front camera is a standard 7MP f/2.2 lens. It also supports portrait images with those lighting effects, 1080p@30fps video recording, Auto HDR, and more. However, Apple’s Animoji support remains absent on this one.

Battery

In a typical Apple fashion, the company hasn’t disclosed the exact battery capacity on the iPhone SE 2. Their product launch events have always leaned on to using comparison-based information delivery rather than spit out the specific details in many cases. Here, Apple says that iPhone SE 2’s battery “Lasts about the same as iPhone 8“. Therefore, we can conclude with some degree of uncertainty that its battery size is the same 1821mAh cell of the iPhone 8. It also supports 18W fast charging which can take the phone to 50% with half an hour of charge. Similarly, the phone supports Qi-based wireless charging too.

iPhone SE 2 Specifications:

Body: 5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29-inches ; 148 gm; IP67 dust/water resistant
Display: 4.7-inches Retina HD IPS panel; True Tone, Wide Color (P3) display; 625nits brightness; 326PPI
Resolution: HD (1334 x 750 pixels); 16:9 aspect ratio
Chipset: Apple A13 Bionic; 7nm+ Mobile Platform
CPU: Hexa-core (2×2.65 GHz Lightning + 4×1.8 GHz Thunder)
GPU: Apple GPU (4-core graphics)
RAM: 3GB
Storage: 64 / 128 / 256GB
Software & UI: iOS 13
Rear Camera: Single; 12MP f/1.8 wide lens; Dual-LED dual-tone flash
Front Camera: Single; 7MP f/2.2 selfie shooter
Security: Touch ID sensor (front-mounted fingerprint sensor)
Connectivity: Nano-SIM (and/or eSIM), WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (dual-band), Bluetooth 5.0 LE, GPS with A-GPS/GLONASS, Lightning connector
Audio: Stereo speaker
Battery: “Lasts about the same as iPhone 8”, 18W fast charging, Qi-based wireless charging
Colors: Black, White, (PRODUCT) RED

iPhone SE 2 (2020) Price in Nepal, Availability

The Phone SE 2 is officially available for purchase in Nepal. And it can be done from Apple authorized resellers like Oliz and Evo Store. Although the base variant costs $399 in the US, the price of iPhone SE 2 in Nepal starts at Rs. 70,000.

Apple SE 2 2020 Variant	Price in US	Price in Nepal
iPhone SE 2 (64GB)	US$399	NRs. 70,000
iPhone SE 2 (128GB)	US$449	NRs. 79,500
iPhone SE 2 (256GB)	US$549	NRs. 96,000

Check out top 7 iPhone SE 2 alternatives:

Oppo Enco M31 neckband headphone with LDAC codec launched in Nepal

OPPO

GadgetByte

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July 19, 2020

0

Oppo Enco M31 neckband headphone with LDAC codec launched in Nepal

Oppo has launched yet another Enco headphone in Nepal. This time, however, it is not a TWS. The newly launched Oppo Enco M31 is neck-band style wireless headphones. Read along to know more about the device, including its specs, features, price, and availability of Oppo Enco M31 in Nepal.

Oppo Enco M31 Overview

Design and Build

The Oppo Enco M31 is a neckband style wireless headset. It sports a metallic core made up of shape memory alloys. It is hidden within the liquid silicone rubber. The curved neckband has a smooth surface for comfortable wearing. The earbuds have silicone tips, so you can change them for a better fit. Enco M31 also has magnets behind the buds that users can use to stick the earbuds when not in use. Sticking the two earbuds automatically disconnects it from the paired device. When separated the connection is automatically restored.

Sound Quality

Oppo Enco M31 is equipped with 9mm full-range dynamic driver. The titanium-plated diaphragms can extend frequency up to 40KHz. For lower frequency, Oppo has included independent bass chambers. Like the Enco W31, it also has a dedicated bass mode. The Enco M31 supports the usual SBC and AAC codec. On top of that, it also supports Sony’s proprietary LDAC codec. If your smartphone runs on Android 8 or above, chances are your phone supports LDAC codec. All you need to do is enable it under the developer option. With the LDAC codec, Oppo claims transmission speed of up to 990Kbps.

Also Read: Oppo Enco W11 launched in Nepal

Control

Oppo Enco M31 comes with a multi-function button alongside dedicated buttons for volume control. Tracks can be changed by pressing and holding volume up or down key for one second. You can play or pause the current track by pressing the multi-function key. Pressing the button twice will switch between Balanced and Bass modes. Similarly, pressing the button thrice will activate your device’s voice assistant.

Battery and Others

Oppo Enco M31 features an 88mAh rechargeable Li-ion battery which promises up to 12 hours of music playback at 50% volume (SBC, AAC codec). If you are using the LDAC format, expect battery endurance of up to 8 hours. It takes almost an hour to charge the device completely using the Type-C charger. The neckband has an IPX5 certification against low-pressure water jets. Similarly, the neckband also supports AI-powered noise reduction during calls.

Oppo Enco M31 Specifications:

Driver: 9.2mm, dynamic
Connectivity: Wireless (Bluetooth)
Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz (44.1KHz) / 20Hz – 40KHz (LDAC)
Music Time: 12hours (non-LPDCcodec), 8hr (LPDC)
Audio Codec: AAC, SBC, LPDC
Battery capacity: 88mAh
Charging time: 60min
Bluetooth Version: v5.0
Sweat Resistance: Yes, IPX5 Rating
Noise Reduction: Yes, AI-powered
Power Case Charger: Type-C
Color: Green, Black

Oppo Enco M31 Price in Nepal and Availability

Oppo has launched the Enco M31 exclusively via Daraz in Nepal with a price tag of Rs. 4,990.

TWS model	Price in Nepal
Oppo Enco W31	Rs. 4,990

Check out our list of best wireless earbuds (by mobile brands)

Oppo Enco W31 launched in Nepal with Wear Detection and Bass mode

OPPO
TWS

GadgetByte

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July 19, 2020

0

Oppo Enco W31 launched in Nepal with Wear Detection and Bass mode

Oppo debuted its Enco lineup of wireless earbuds in Nepal with Enco Free. Then, it launched the budget Enco W11. And now, the company is following it with Enco W31. The Oppo Enco W31 features advanced specs and a heftier price than the Enco W11. Check out the complete specs, features, price, and availability of Oppo Enco W31 in Nepal.

Oppo Enco W31 Overview

Design

The Oppo Enco W31 earbuds come with a pebble-shaped charging case, which is different from what we saw in both Enco W11 and Enco Free. Interestingly, the LED indicator is now on inside the case so you will have to open the lid to check the battery status. The case along with the earbuds inside weighs around 50 grams. The earbuds feature a stem design with the heads of the earbuds bulky than the stem. Oppo claims that the design with the silicone tips will ensure a better fit. The Oppo Enco W31 is available in two color options – Black and White.

Connectivity

Here, the Oppo Enco W31 comes with Bluetooth v5.0. It can connect to devices that are within its 10m radius. With the Binaural Bluetooth Transmission, data can be transmitted to both the earbuds simultaneously. As a result, the transmission is smoother than other budget earbuds with Master-Slave transmission. You can even choose to use only one earbud at a time. Enco W31 also supports low-latency transmission in phones powered by Snapdragon and MediaTek processors.

Sound Quality

Oppo Enco W31 features 7mm dynamic drivers with a sensitivity of 95 dB at 1kHz. The earbuds cover the audible frequency range of 20Hz – 20kHz. Oppo has included dual TPU composite graphene diaphragm. With the Enco W31, you can enjoy your favorite music in two modes – Balance Mode and Bass Mode. The former provides a more balanced sound whereas the latter boosts lower frequencies for a better bass experience.

Wearing Detection and Controls

Oppo is advertising the quick pairing feature on the Enco W31. However, it is not compatible with all smartphones. The feature is available in Oppo smartphones running on at least ColorOS v7.0, excluding A-series, F-series, and some Reno devices. The device has an optical sensor that can automatically play or pause the music depending on whether you are wearing it or not.

Users can use the touch-based control to change music, switch between modes, and to summon voice assistant. A double-tap on the right bud plays the next song in the queue. Similarly, a double-tap on the left bud will switch between Balanced and Bass modes. A triple tap on either side will activate your phone’s default voice assistant.

Battery and Durability

Each earbud feature 25mah battery that can last up to 3.5 hours given that you are listening at 50% volume. It can be boosted to up to 15 hours with the charging case, which has a 350mAh battery. Both the battery size and endurance are inferior to the Enco W11. It takes 150 minutes to charge the earbuds, which is more than what it takes to charge the Enco W11 that has a larger battery.

This TWS has an IP54 certification against dust and minor splashes. Thus, you can take it to for workouts.

Oppo Enco W31 Specifications:

Driver: 7mm, dynamic
Connectivity: Wireless (Bluetooth)
Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz
Music Time: 3.5hours ( with 50% volume), 15hr (with charging case)
Audio Codec: AAC
Battery capacity: 25mAh (Each Earbud); 350mAh (Power case)
Charging time: 150min(Earbuds)
Bluetooth Version: v5.0
Sweat Resistance: Yes, IP54 Rating
Noise Cancelling: Yes, Dual-microphone
Power Case Charger: Type-C
Color: White, Black

Oppo Enco W31 Price in Nepal and Availability

Oppo has launched the Enco W31 exclusively via Daraz in Nepal with a price tag of Rs. 6,990.

TWS model	Price in Nepal
Oppo Enco W31	Rs. 6,990

It isn’t necessarily a better TWS than W11 as it has smaller drivers, longer charging time despite having a smaller battery, and is more prone to water damage. However, it comes with automatic wear detection, low-latency mode, and a dedicated bass mode. Thus, be sure of what we want before buying any of the two.

Check out our list of best wireless earbuds (by mobile brands)

Honor announces MagicBook 14 & 15 with Ryzen processors

GadgetByte

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July 18, 2020

0

Honor announces MagicBook 14 & 15 with Ryzen processors

Honor has launched the Ryzen Editon of the MagicBook 14 and 15. The laptops feature the latest AMD’s Ryzen 4000U processor. Read along to learn more about the specs, features, expected price, and availability of Honor MagicBook 14 and 15 (Ryzen Edition) in Nepal.

Ryzen Edition MagicBook 14 and 15 Overview

Display

As the moniker implies, MagicBook 14 features a 14-inch display. Similarly, the MagicBook 15 sports a 15.6-inch display. These displays utilize LCD panels. The bezels on the MagicBook 14 and 15 measure 5.3mm and 4.8mm, respectively. The screen to body ratio on the MagicBook 14 and MagicBook 15 are 84% and 87% respectively. The display has a viewing angle of 178-degree.

The bodies of these ultrabooks are made up of metal. MagicBook 15 has a thickness of 16.9mm and weighs around 1.53kg. Similarly, MagicBook 14 thinner at 15.9 and weighs 1.38kg.

Performance

These devices are powered by AMD Ryzen 4000 series mobile processors. You get to choose between Ryzen 5 4500U and Ryzen 7 4700U. They are both based on AMD’s Zen 2 architecture and can attain clock speed of up to 4GHz. Unfortunately, these processors don’t support Simultaneous Multithreading, so the threads count on the 4500U and 4700U are six and eight, respectively. The graphics are handled by Radeon RX Vega 6 and Vega 7.

The APUs are paired with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD. There is also a Ryzen 5 variant with 8GB +256GB exclusive to MagicBook 15. The RAMs used here are DDR4 RAMs. Similarly, the storages included are PCIe NVMe SSD.

Battery, Ports, and Others

Both the device feature 56 Watt-hour battery with support for 65W fast charging. Similarly, the in-box USB-C charger weighs around 160gms and can charge the MagicBook 15 up to 53% in 30 minutes. Users get 1 x USB Type-C port (with fast charging support), 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A port, 1 x USB 2.0 Type-A port, an HDMI port, and 3.5mm headphone jack. For biometrics, the ultrabooks feature a fingerprint sensor. Interestingly, the front-facing camera pops up from one of the keys.

Honor MagicBook 14 / 15 2020 Specifications:

Display: 14-inch / 15-inch display, 84% / 87% screen to body ratio, 100%, 178-degree viewing angle
Weight:1.38 kg / 1.58 kg
Resolution: FHD
Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 4700U/ AMD Ryzen 5 4500U
Graphics: AMD Radeon Graphics
RAM: 8/16GB DDR4
Storage: 256 /512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
Ports: 1 x USB Type C port (with fast charging support), 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 port, 1 x USB 2.0 port, 1 x HDMI port, and 3.5mm headphone jack
Battery: 56W-hr battery
Powerd Adapter: 65W USB-C fast charger, 160g

Honor MagicBook Ryzen Edition 2020 Price and Availability

Honor MagicBook 2020 Ryzen Edition is will go on sale starting from July 22 with a starting price of 3,599 Yuan. The price of Honor MagicBook 14 is 3,999 Yuan and 4,499 Yuan for Ryzen 5 and Ryzen 7, respectively. Similarly, the price of similarly specced Honor MagicBook 15 is 4,199 Yuan and 4,699 Yuan, respectively. We expect the starting price of Honor MagicBook Ryzen Edition 2020 to be around NPR. 63,000 in Nepal, if it launches.

Ultrabook Model	Expected Price in Nepal
Honor MagicBook 15 (Ryzen 5 4500U, 8GB + 256GB)	~ Rs. 63,000
Honor MagicBook 14 (Ryzen 7 4700U, 16GB + 512GB)	~ Rs. 70,000
Honor MagicBook 14 (Ryzen 5 4500U, 16GB + 512GB)	~ Rs. 79,000
Honor MagicBook 15 (Ryzen 5 4500U, 16GB + 512GB)	~ Rs. 74,000
Honor MagicBook 15 (Ryzen 7 4700U, 16GB + 512GB)	~ Rs. 82,000

Check out the rumors of the Ryzen C7 mobile chipset.

Honor launches budget-oriented Tablet 6 and Tablet X6

Honor
Tablet

GadgetByte

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July 17, 2020

0

Honor launches budget-oriented Tablet 6 and Tablet X6

In a market dominated by Apple’s iPad lineup, it’s rare to see companies release an Android tablet. There has been a sharp decline in the demand and supply of Android tabs; however, there are brands that are still launching them. And Honor is of them. The Huawei sub-brand has announced two new tablets. Let’s take a look at the specs, features, expected price, and availability of Honor Tablet 6 and Tablet X6 in Nepal.

Honor Tablet 6, X6 Overview

The Honor Tablet 6 is a successor to last year’s Honor Tablet 5. There are some apparent differences between the design of the two devices. First, Tablet 6 is designed to use in landscape orientation. Therefore Honor has shifted the front camera from the top to the side of the device. The front of the device doesn’t have any branding, giving a cleaner look. On the back, the camera is now enclosed inside a square camera module instead of a circular one.

Honor Tablet 6 features a 10.1-inch LCD screen. It sports FHD resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels. The tablet is 7.55mm thick and weighs 460 grams. On the other hand, Honor Tablet X6 features a 9.7-inch display with a resolution of 1200 x 800 pixels. While the Honor Tablet 6 supports Honor Magic Pencil stylus, we aren’t sure if the X6 has it too.

Performance

Both tablets run on the Kirin 710A processor. It’s a 14nm chip which is slightly different than the Kirin 710 that Honor included in the Honor Tablet 5. The chipset four Cortex A73 cores as performance cores and four Cortex A53 cores as efficient cores. Tablet 6 and Tablet X6 have 3GB and 4GB RAM variants respectively. Tablet X6 is available in 32GB and 64GB storage variants while Tablet 6 also has a 128GB variant.

Also Read: Samsung Galaxy Tab S7, S7+ Rumors

Rest of the specs

Honor Tablet 6 series features a 5MP main camera at the back. On the front, there is a 2MP sensor. Similarly, users get a 5,100mAh battery. It can be charged via the USB-C port but there is no information about the actual charging speed. On the software front, Honor Tab 6 series ships with Magic Ui 3.0 on top of Android 10.

Honor Tablet 6, X6 Specifications:

Display: 10.1-inch LCD panel (Tablet 6) / 9.7-inch LCD panel (Tablet X6)
Resolution: 1920 x 1200 pixels (Tablet 6) / 1200 x 800 pixels (Tablet X6)
Rear Camera: 5MP
Front Camera: 2MP
Processor: HiSilicon Kirin 710A; 14nm node
GPU: Mali-G51
RAM: 3/4GB
Storage: 32/64/128GB
OS: Magic UI 3.1 on top of Android 10
Battery: 5,100 mAh

Honor Tablet 6, X6 Price in Nepal and Availability

Honor Tablet 6 series will go on sale in China starting July 28th. The price of Honor Tablet 6 & X6 starts at ¥1299 and ¥1099 for 3/32GB Wi-Fi only model. We expect the starting price of Honor Tablet 6 and Tablet X6 in Nepal to be Rs. 24,500 and Rs. 20,000 respectively.

Honor Tablet Model	Price in China	Expected Price in Nepal
Honor Tablet X6 (WiFi: 3/32GB)	¥1,099	NPR 20,000
Honor Tablet X6 (WiFi: 4/64GB)	¥1,199	NPR 22,000
Honor Tablet X6 (4G: 3/32GB)	¥1,199	NPR 22,000
Honor Tablet 6 (WiFi: 3/32GB)	¥1,299	NPR 24,500
Honor Tablet 6 (WiFi: 4/64GB)	¥1,399	NPR 27,000
Honor Tablet 6 (WiFi: 4/128GB)	¥1,699	NPR 32,000
Honor Tablet 6 (4G: 4/64GB)	¥1,599	NPR 29,500
Honor Tablet 6 (4G: 4/128GB)	¥1,899	NPR 35,000

Check out our review of Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite

Samsung says it’s never too early to think about 6G

Samsung

GadgetByte

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July 17, 2020

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Samsung says it’s never too early to think about 6G

It wasn’t until this year that 5G smartphones started getting mainstream. 5G network is still out of reach for the majority of the world’s population. We are yet to witness the true potential of this groundbreaking innovation. However, Samsung is already working on its successor. Yes, you heard it right – Samsung is already thinking of a 6G network. The Korean tech giant has outlined its vision on the upcoming 6G network on a white paper titled “The Next Hyper-Connected Experience for All.”

Samsung’s vision for 6G network

The white paper states that Samsung started working for the next hyper-connected experience as early as May 2019. Samsung Research, which is the R&D hub within the company’s SET Business, set up an Advanced Communication Research Center solely to focus on 6G networks.

Sunghyun Choi, who heads the Advanced Communication Research Center, stated that it’s never too early preparing for 6G. According to the company, it will take nearly a decade of research to commercialize the 6G. The ongoing study builds on the industry’s knowledge about the existing network technologies.

Supported Technologies

The researchers believe that the first implementation of 6G could come as early as 2028. However, it would take two more years for the mass rollout. Both humans and machines would be able to make use of the new network. With it, technologies like extended reality (XR), high-fidelity mobile hologram and the digital replica will start to become common.

The latter is a rather new concept. According to the paper, we would be able to create digital replicas of physical entities (in the virtual world) with the help of advanced sensors, AI, and communication technologies. This will allow users to observe and detect problems in a distant environment without being physically present there.

Also Read: TSMC to start mass-producing 2nm chips in 2023 – 2024

Performance, Architecture, and Trustiness

While 5G was more about the performance, 6G will focus on three different aspects – performance, architecture, and trustworthiness. 6G will be characterized by the peak data rate of 1,000 Gbps and air latency less than 100 microseconds. The data rate is 50 times better than that of 5G. Similarly, the latency is one-tenth of that of 5G.

6G will also be resolving issues related to the computation capability of mobile devices and the implementation of AI. The network will also be flexible for the integration of new network entities. Since it will be dealing with huge user data and AI technology, the trustworthiness will also be taken care of.

The paper also lists some technologies that could be part of the 6G technology. It includes the terahertz (THz) frequency band, novel antenna technology, duplex technology, an advanced network, topology, and spectrum sharing.

Check out our review of Samsung Galaxy M11

Here’s when Qualcomm and Mediatek will release their new chipsets

GadgetByte

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July 17, 2020

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Here’s when Qualcomm and Mediatek will release their new chipsets

It is always fascinating to know what chipmakers are up to. After all, their products are powering your device. Thus, what they produce has a huge impact on smartphones. The major force in this industry is undoubtedly Qualcomm. Its latest Snapdragon 865 processor currently powers most of the flagship while the new Snapdragon 865+ powered phones will be hitting the shelves pretty soon. And not much behind is MediaTek. So let’s take a look at the leaked roadmap of Qualcomm and MediaTek.

Qualcomm, MediaTek Roadmap Overview

Recently, a Weibo user shared what lies ahead for these two chipmakers. It is based on the research made by an investment bank. And the post sheds light on the roadmap of future processors from these two chipmakers.

Qualcomm will obviously follow up on its flagship Snapdragon 865 by releasing its successor. The first quarter of 2021 is the scheduled release date of Snapdragon 875G. This chipset is based on Samsung’s 5nm EUV process. And the rumor is that TSMC will be manufacturing the silicon. However, surprisingly there’s no mention about the already-confirmed Snapdragon 865+ processor anywhere in this report.

Anyway, other than the 875G, Qualcomm will most likely launch another mid-range chipset. It will be the Snapdragon 735G and it too is based on Samsung’s 5nm EUV process. Furthermore, there’s a rumor about an entry-level 5G chipset in the form of Snapdragon 435G.

What about MediaTek?

Moving on, MediaTek has some projects ready to be launched too. This year, we will probably get to see Dimensity 600. It is based on a 7nm process and will support 5G. And the chipset will release sometime around the third quarter this year.

The most interesting one, however, is the Dimensity 400. This chipset is scheduled to launch around the turn of the year. Information about the Dimensity 400 is still scarce. However, we do know that it has been listed as a 6nm chipset. Speculation is that the chipset will combine both 7nm and 5nm elements. Also, there’s a mention of a flagship SoC from MediaTek. It will release during the second quarter of 2021 and will be a 5G enabled chipset based on a 5nm process.

Check out the possibly upcoming Ryzen C7 mobile SoC from AMD!

iQOO U1 launched with Snapdragon 720G and 4500mAh battery

iQOO
Vivo

GadgetByte

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July 17, 2020

0

iQOO U1 launched with Snapdragon 720G and 4500mAh battery

Last week, Vivo’s sub-brand iQOO unveiled the iQOO Z1x. And now it has come up with another device. Their new device is called the iQOO U1. The iQOO U1 is the company’s most affordable smartphone. And features some exciting specifications. It has a good processor, a huge battery, and more. Let’s find out more about the specifications and the expected price in Nepal of iQOO U1.

iQOO U1 Overview

The device has a huge 6.53-inch IPS LCD panel. It offers a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels and a screen space of 90.72%. On the top left corner, the screen has a punch-hole cutout. It houses the 8MP selfie shooter.

On the rear side, the device has a triple-camera setup. The three sensors are arranged in a vertical unit. Its primary sensor is of 48MP. And it is accompanied by a 2MP portrait lens and a 2MP dedicated macro lens. There’s no fingerprint sensor on the back. Rather it has a side-mounted one.

Under the hood, the device runs on the Snapdragon 720G SoC. It is accompanied by either a 6GB or 8GB LPDDR4X RAM. The storage options are of 64GB and 128GB. However, there’s no microSD card slot. The entire device is powered by a 4500mAh battery. It charges through a dated MicroUSB port.

Specifications:

Display: 6.53″ TFT LCD display with Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2408 pixels)
Rear Camera: Triple, 48 MP primary lens + 2 MP macro lens + 2 MP depth sensor with f/2.4 aperture
Front Camera: 8 MP
Processor: Octa-core 8 nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G
GPU: Adreno 618
RAM: 6 GB, 8 GB
Storage: 64 GB, 128 GB, non-expandable
Battery: 4500 mAh
Sensors: Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass

IQOO U1 Price and Availability in Nepal

The device will go on sale in China from July 23. Currently, it is up for pre-orders. As for the price, the base 6/64GB variant is priced at CNY 1,198 (~$170). Hence, we can expect the Vivo IQOO U1 to launch in Nepal for a starting price of Rs. 20000, if it launches. Similarly, at CNY 1,398 (~$190), you can get the 6/128GB variant. The top-end 8/128GB variant will cost CNY 1,598 (~$230).

Vivo U1Variants	Price in Nepal [Expected]
6/64GB	¥1,198 (Rs.20,000)
6/128GB	¥1,398 (Rs.25,000)
8/128GB	¥1,598 (Rs.30,000)

Oppo A12s unveiled with Helio P35 chipset, 4230mAh battery

GadgetByte

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July 16, 2020

0

Oppo A12s unveiled with Helio P35 chipset, 4230mAh battery

A new device has been added to Oppo’s A-series. The Chinese smartphone makers today launched the new Oppo A12s. However, it is not entirely new though. The device is basically your A12 with a somewhat different design. Thus, spec-wise it does not introduce anything new. Let’s get into the details of the Oppo A12s along with its price and availability in Nepal.

Oppo A12s Overview

The device comes with a 6.22-inch display with HD+ resolution and a waterdrop notch. The notch houses a 5 MP selfie shooter with AI Beauty Mode. For protection, the screen comes with a coating of Corning Gorilla Glass 3 on top.

Around the back, we can see a change in design from the A12. It does not have any gradient-like finish. Rather it is a plain plastic back. The back camera is a dual-cam setup. It comes with a 13MP primary sensor and a 2MP depth sensor. And there is a fingerprint sensor on the back too.

Also Read: Oppo Mobiles Price in Nepal [Updated]

Under the hood, the device uses Helio P35 SoC. 3GB of RAM and 32 GB internal storage complement the chipset. However, you can expand the storage to up to 256GB. The device altogether is powered by a 4230mAh battery which can be charged through a dated micro USB port. However, the micro-USB port is not the only dated thing in this smartphone. The OS on this device is old too. The Oppo A12s runs on Android 9.0 Pie with ColorOS 6.1 on top.

Oppo A12s Specifications:

Display: 6.2- inches HD+ IPS LCD display with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 Protection
Chipset: Helio P35
RAM: 3GB
Storage: 32GB; expandable up to 256GB via a dedicated slot
Rear Camera: Dual; 13MP primary lens, 2MP depth sensor
Front Camera: 5MP
OS: Android Oreo 9.0 with ColorOS 6.1
Sensors: Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery: 4,230 mAh, 10W charging
Colors: Deep Blue, Flowing Silver

Oppo A12s Price in Nepal and Availability

This new Oppo A12s is already available for purchase in Cambodia. And there the device will be available for $129. There have been no words about the global availability of the device. However, we can expect the Oppo A12s to launch in Nepal for a price of Rs. 15,999.

Oppo A12s Variant	Expected Price in Nepal
3GB/32GB	Rs. 15,999

Jio to manufacture entry-level 5G smartphones in partnership with Google

GadgetByte

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July 16, 2020

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Jio to manufacture entry-level 5G smartphones in partnership with Google

The Indian smartphone market segment has been dominated by major Chinese players. These brands have been providing value for money products that have been well appreciated by the consumers. However, this could all change as Jio has announced to launch entry-level 5G smartphone in partnership with Google.

Jio – Google Partnership

Google has announced to invest $4.5 billion in the Jio Platform in exchange for a 7.73% stake in the company. It is the first of many investments to come under the India Digitization Fund. With this new partnership, Google looks to make technologies, particularly smartphones, more accessible to the Indian people.

The announcement about the Jio’s upcoming 5G smartphones came during Reliance’s Annual General Meeting 2020. Mukesh Ambani, the man behind the company, acknowledged Google’s effort in empowering Indians and making technology more accessible to them. He added that Jio and Google are on the same team when it comes to boosting India’s economy with the help of the internet and digitization.

Jio to manufacture affordable 5G smartphone

Jio smartphones are part of Jio’s Atmanirbhar campaign. The company is also working on a 2G-mukt campaign through which it attempts to eradicate slower connections by making 4G and 5G more affordable and accessible. Jio is also working on a homegrown 5G solution.

But all that would mean nothing if people can’t afford compatible devices. As of now, Jio has launched several smart feature phones based on KaiOS. The recent collaboration between Google and Jio means that the former will be helping the latter manufacture value-engineered Android smartphones. Google will optimize the software experience and Play Store, especially for these affordable phones.

Can Jio smartphone compete against Chinese brands?

We will still have to wait to see what Google comes up to facilitate Jio’s smartphones. In the past, we have seen Google come up with Android One program for price-sensitive markets like India. Similarly, Android Go was introduced to shift users from bar phones to smartphones.

While Google’s optimization is good enough, Jio can actually step in as a major smartphone brand in India. This announcement comes amidst the boycott China campaign. Jio could capitalize on the growing anti-China sentiment among the Indian and concrete its position as a major player in the smartphone market. Also, Xiaomi, the biggest smartphone brand in India, had its community app Mi Community banned in the country for compromising India’s national security.

The US-China Trade War and India

When the US enlisted Huawei in the Entity list, it marked the beginning of an unannounced trade war between the two countries. The US has since then banned technologies and gears from Huawei and ZTE from its network. Similarly, it is also investigating the alleged involvement of Chinese apps including Tiktok in illegal data mining. If proven, these apps will be banned from the country. And it isn’t just the US; many other countries are growing suspicious of Chinese companies.

Companies with business ties with China-based companies are growing insecure. The latest example is Apple, which is keen on shifting its manufacturing plant and China. India stands as the most favorable alternative to China. Earlier it was reported that Foxconn is planning to invest $1 billion in India. Similarly, Google has already promised to invest $10 billion for India Digitization Fund.

Check out our comparison between Oppo F15 and Samsung Galaxy A51