Vivo X21, Vivo V9 receive price cuts in India ahead of Vivo V11 Pro launch

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August 27, 2018

vivo, vivo nex, india launch, price, specifications — Vivo X21 features an in-display fingerprint scanner

Vivo has just announced price cuts on several smartphones ahead of the Vivo V11 Pro launch. The Chinese smartphone manufacturer has slashed the prices of the Vivo V8, Vivo Y83 and the Vivo X21 by up to Rs. 4,000. The price cut will take effect on both online as well as offline channels starting today, August 27.

Starting with the cheapest smartphone of the bunch, the Vivo Y83 which was earlier priced at Rs. 14,990 is now available for Rs. 13,990. The company's popular mid-range smartphone, Vivo V9 has received a price cut of Rs. 2,000 bringing its price down from Rs. 20,990 to Rs. 18,990. Notably, Vivo V9 was initially launched at a price of Rs. 22,990 and got a price drop of Rs. 2,000 last month.

Vivo's first smartphone with an in-display fingerprint scanner to enter the Indian market, the Vivo X21, has also received a price drop for the first time. The Vivo X21 was launched with a price tag of Rs. 35,990. The firm has slashed the price of the smartphone by Rs. 4,000 bringing its price down to Rs. 31,990. The X21's pricing has not yet been changed on Flipkart and Vivo e-store but it is expected to change soon.

Also Read: What is Oppo’s Super VOOC charging? Why should OnePlus fans be excited?

Meanwhile, Vivo is currently gearing up to launch their next mid-range smartphone in India, the Vivo V11 Pro. The company has already rolled out media invites for the upcoming September 6 event. As per the teasers of the V11 Pro, the phone is expected to come with a waterdrop-style notch, a dual-camera setup and an in-display fingerprint scanner.

OnePlus 6T to launch soon: Here's what we know so far

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Tech Desk

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August 27, 2018

Since the OnePlus 3T, the company has started to launch two smartphones every year. So just like the last year, we are going to see a T variant of the recently launched OnePlus 6. Although the company has not yet started to speak openly about the upcoming device, a recent report claims that a new smartphone has been listed which is being codenamed as ‘OnePlus A6013’.

The OnePlus A6013 is most probably the OnePlus 6T considering that OnePlus 6 and 5T were codenamed A6000 and A5010 respectively. The upcoming smartphone has already received the EEC (Eurasian Economic Commission) certification. However, the listing does not reveal much about the OnePlus 6T.

In terms of specifications, the OnePlus 6T will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC. It is expected to come with up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. However, as Samsung recently launched the Galaxy Note 9 with 512GB, OnePlus might bring a 512GB variant as well. Further, the firm will stick to a Super AMOLED display for the upcoming smartphone. The OnePlus 6T is most likely to run Android Pie out of the box.

As for the improvements over the OnePlus 6, the company might finally bring IP68 or IP67 rating for the smartphone which will make it water resistant. Further, the company might bring stereo speakers or a QHD+ display instead of the FHD+ found on the previous generations. The upcoming smartphone is also expected to come with an improved charging technology based on Oppo's Super VOOC charging.

Also Read: What is Oppo’s Super VOOC charging? Why should OnePlus fans be excited?

According to another report, the OnePlus 6T will go on sale via T-Mobile in the U.S. which will drastically improve the sales of OnePlus devices in the US as people prefer to buy phones via carriers. As for the pricing, the OnePlus 6T is expected to come at a starting price of USD 550 (roughly Rs. 38,500). The launch of the smartphone is expected to take place in November 2018.

Realme 2 will start at Rs 7000, launching on August 28: Exclusive

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Tech Desk

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August 27, 2018

Realme 1 was one of the best smartphones in its price segment.

Oppo launched a new sub-brand with the name Realme a few months back. The company had an explosive debut in the Indian market with its first smartphone, Realme 1. After the huge success the brand saw with its first smartphone it decided to cut ties with its parent company and got itself declared as a completely separate entity.

Now, they are ready to launch a new smartphone, Realme 2 on August 28. Which according to us will start at Rs. 7,000. The device is said to have much better internals compared to its predecessor but for a comparatively lower price.

Beetel Bite has exclusively learnt that, Realme 2 will be priced starting at Rs. 7,000 for the base variant and go up all the way up to Rs. 12,000 for the top variant. Blogtweet, an influencer handling agent for Realme contacted one of our readers. The company is claiming that their client is ready to offer up to 30 percent off on their upcoming product that will cost between Rs. 7,000 and Rs. 12,000 for fulfilling some deliverables in return.

As you can see in the e-mail screen grab above, the company has also claimed to be sending a followup email to eligible applicants. In which it will be confirming details of the upcoming product.

Also Read: Realme 2 to launch soon: Here are some alternatives

Realme 2 Specifications

As of now, not much is confirmed as to what specifications the device might come with. However, according to earlier reports, Realme 2 will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. The base variant will feature 3GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage all the way up to 6GB of RAM and 128GB internal storage for the top variant. The smartphone will sport a notched display upfront spanning 5.99-inches with a 19.5:9 aspect ratio display.

Also Read: Xiaomi Redmi Y2 vs Oppo RealMe 1: Which is the best budget smartphone?

Availability

The smartphone will be announced on August 28 and is expected to go on sale a week after being launched. The smartphone will be a Flipkart exclusive product, Realme 1 was an Amazon exclusive device.

Disclaimer: We had to blur out some details in the e-mail screen grab, to keep our source safe.

What is Oppo's Super VOOC charging? Why should OnePlus fans be excited?

By

Devesh Arora

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August 26, 2018

oppo, super vooc — Super VOOC can charge the Oppo Find X in less than 35mins

Oppo has recently launched the Oppo F9 Pro in the Indian market. Which comes with the company's new fast-charging technology called Super VOOC. The charging technology was first introduced by the company with the launch of the Oppo Find X Lamborghini Edition.

Some questions regarding the charging technology might be clouding your mind. These might include - What is Super VOOC charging?, How fast is it?, What does it mean for OnePlus smartphone users? Here are some of the answers you might be looking for.

What is Super VOOC charging?

Oppo originally showcased its VOOC charging technology two years ago. Since then the company has made many improvements in the technology, which has made it much faster and better. The Super VOOC charging technology is comparatively faster than many other fast charging technologies. Oppo claims that Super VOOC charging can charge a 2,500mAh battery in about 15 minutes. The company has claimed that the Oppo Find X with a 3,730mAh battery can be charged within 35 mins using Super VOOC technology.

Why is Super VOOC charging technology so fast?

To understand the tech what goes behind fast charging or even normal charging, you first need to know that, Watt(W) = Voltage(V) x Current(A). Basically, in order to deliver more Watts, either the Voltage or the Current has to increase. While Qualcomm with its Quick Charging technology uses higher voltage, VOOC charging uses higher current.

oppo, vooc — VOOC Flash Charge uses a higher current to charge the phone faster

Now, the trick is to keep the device cool while making it charge faster. So, what Oppo does with its Super VOOC technology is that it uses a hefty wall adapter and a thicker cable similar is the case with OnePlus. This helps the charger do the conversion much more efficiently and the thicker cable helps in carrying more current.

Also Read: OnePlus 6 vs Asus ZenFone 5Z: Battle of the affordable flagships

What is the difference between VOOC and Super VOOC technologies?

Remember the mathematics we went through to understand the last question? The same math needs to be applied here. The VOOC Fast Charger has an output of 5V/4A which delivers 20W. The Super VOOC charger, on the other hand, supports an output of up to 10V/5A which technically produces 50W of power. The amount of power/watt produced is now double, hence, drastically improving the charging speed.

Also Read: Oppo R17 Pro with Super VOOC charging launched: Price, Specifications and Alternatives

Why should OnePlus fans be excited about Super VOOC technology?

Now coming to OnePlus fans, Dash Charge technology which is known to be one of the fastest charging technology is nothing but a rebranded version of the Oppo's original VOOC Charging. Yes, this means that in future, Super VOOC might be made available to OnePlus users as well. There are a few reports suggesting that OnePlus is looking to rebrand its Dash Charge technology to Warp Charge. The company might take the opportunity to bring Super VOOC as Warp Charge. You can expect the tech to arrive with the OnePlus 6T or possibly the OnePlus 7.

Planning to buy a Samsung Galaxy Note 9? Here's what you should be aware of

By

Devesh Arora

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August 26, 2018

samsung, galaxy, note 9, first impressions — Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is available in three colour variants

Samsung recently launched the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 in India and the smartphone is now finally up for sale via online as well as offline markets. The Galaxy Note 9 is a premium smartphone and buyers will have to pay a fortune to get this device. So, here are some tips on how you can save some money while grabbing the Note 9.

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Specifications

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 sports a 6.44-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1440x2960 pixels and an 18.5:9 aspect ratio. The device is powered by the Exynos 9810 processor coupled with Mali-G72 GPU. The dual-SIM handset comes in two variants, one with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of onboard storage while the other one carries 8GB of RAM and a whopping 512GB of internal storage which is further expandable up to 512GB using a microSD card. It runs on Android 8.1 Oreo and all of this is backed by a 4,000mAh battery.

On the optics front, the Galaxy Note 9 sports a dual-camera setup consisting of two 12-megapixel sensors with OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on both. Up front, there is an 8-megapixel selfie shooter.

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 via E-commerce websites

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is available on both Flipkart as well as Amazon India. The smartphone comes in at a starting price of Rs. 67,990 while the 512GB variant comes in at a price of Rs. 84,900 on both the websites. Using an HDFC debit or credit card on any of these websites will get you an instant cashback of Rs. 6,000 effectively bringing down the price of the base variant to Rs. 61,900. Additionally, if you are looking to exchange your old smartphone for the Galaxy Note 9, Flipkart and Amazon are offering up to Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 11,300 exchange benefit respectively.

If you do not have an HDFC card, PayTM mall is offering Rs. 6,000 cash back on Samsung Galaxy Note 9 which brings down the price of the 128GB variant to Rs. 61,900 while the 512GB variant will cost you Rs. 78,900. However, unlike Flipkart and Amazon, you will not get any exchange benefits or no cost EMI options in PayTM Mall.

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 via Carrier

Currently, the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is being offered by only one carrier in India. The smartphone is available via the Bharti Airtel online store. Customers can purchase the phone via Airtel by just giving a downpayment of Rs. 7,900 for the base model. Then the company will charge Rs. 2,999 monthly and will provide 75GB of 4G data every month.

Look for some alternatives

The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is a premium flagship smartphone from the company for which customers will have to pay a hefty price as well. However, there are some smartphones that can offer you 80 per cent of the features for half the price. We recommend looking for a OnePlus 6 or the Asus ZenFone 5Z. Also, if you can live without the S Pen, Samsung Galaxy S9+ can be grabbed for a cheaper price tag.

Oppo R17 Pro with Super VOOC charging launched: Price, Specifications and Alternatives

By

Devesh Arora

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August 26, 2018

Oppo, the Chinese smartphone manufacturer has finally launched the much-awaited Oppo R17 Pro. The company recently introduced the Oppo R17 and now its premium variant is here with Super VOOC charging and a triple camera setup at the back. The R17 Pro will available in China in October at a price of CNY 4,299 (Rs. 44,000).

Specifications

As far as the specifications are concerned, the Oppo R17 Pro features a 6.4-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080x2340 pixels. The smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 SoC. The dual-SIM handset packs in 8GB of RAM and 128GB of non-expandable storage. It runs on Android 8.1 Oreo-based ColorOS 5.2 out of the box. All of this backed by a 3,700mAh battery.

On the optics front, the Oppo R17 Pro bears a triple camera setup at the back consisting of a 12-megapixel, a 20-megapixel and a TOF 3D stereo camera. Up front, there is a 25-megapixel selfie shooter.

Alternatives

Huawei P20 Pro

If you only want a smartphone with a triple camera setup at the back, currently the Huawei P20 Pro is the only option available in India. The Huawei P20 Pro features a triple camera setup consisting of a 40-megapixel sensor, a 20-megapixel sensor and an 8-megapixel sensor. The P20 Pro is quite costly when compared to the R17 Pro.

Vivo Nex

If you are looking for a smartphone with at least one distinguishable feature from other smartphones, the Vivo Nex is worth a look. It sports a 6.59-inch Super AMOLED display with a FullHD+ resolution. The smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC and comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of onboard storage. It also features an in-display fingerprint scanner and a pop-up selfie camera. The Vivo Nex is priced at Rs. 45,999.

OnePlus 6

In case you want to save some money and also want more power, look no further than the OnePlus 6. It features a 6.28-inch FullHD+ Super AMOLED display and it is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset which is way more powerful than the SD710 found on the Oppo R17 Pro. The dual-SIM handset packs in up to 8GB of RAM coupled with 256GB of onboard storage. OnePlus 6 is available in India at a starting price of Rs. 34,999 while the top of the line variant costs Rs. 43,999, still being cheaper than the R17 Pro.

Lava Z60s launched in India: Here are some alternatives

By

Tech Desk

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August 25, 2018

lava, z60s, android go — Lava Z60s sports an HD display and runs on Android Go

Lava Mobiles has launched another Android Go smartphone in India, the Lava Z60s. The Z60s is an entry-level smartphone that runs on Google's Android Oreo (Go Edition). The Go Edition takes up less space and makes an entry-level device feel faster. The smartphone is launched in India at a price of Rs. 4,949 and will be made available in Gold and Black colour variants.

Specifications

As far as the specifications are concerned, the Lava Z60s features a 5-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720x1280 pixels. The entry-level phone is powered by a 1.5GHz quad-core processor. The dual-SIM handset packs in 1GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage which is further expandable up to 64GB using a microSD card. It runs Google’s Android 8.1 Oreo (Go Edition). All of this is backed by a 2,500mAh battery.

On the optics front, the Lava Z60s comes with a 5-megapixel camera at the back with a LED flash. Up front, there is a 5-megapixel selfie snapper with a soft flash.

Alternatives

Samsung Galaxy J2 Core

Samsung recently launched their first Android Go smartphone in India. The Samsung Galaxy J2 Core features a 5-inch TFT display. The device is powered by the Exynos 7570 processor paired with 1GB of RAM. For storage, the device comes with 8GB of internal storage which is further expandable using a microSD card.

Nokia 1

Nokia 1 is one of the most popular options when it comes to Android Go Edition smartphones. It features a 4.5-inch IPS LCD display and it is powered by the entry-level MediaTek MT6737M processor. The device packs in 1GB of RAM paired with 8GB of storage which is expandable using a microSD card. It is currently available in India for a price of Rs. 4,999.

Micromax Bharat Go

Micromax Bharat Go also comes with MediaTek MT6737M processor paired with 1GB of RAM. It features a 4.5-inch IPS LCD display and runs on Android Oreo (Go Edition). The Micromax Bharat Go is available for a price of Rs. 4,399.

Here's everything we know about the Google Pixel 3 XL

By

Tech Desk

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August 25, 2018

google, pixel 3, pixel 3 xl — Google Pixel 3 XL will come with a notch up front

While Samsung recently launched their flagship Galaxy Note 9, now it's Apple and Google's turn to unveil their 2018 flagship smartphones. Apple will be launching the new iPhones for which we have already seen a lot of leaks. Things are different for the Google Pixel 3 XL. The latter smartphone already has an unboxing video on YouTube which seems to be legit.

Google has a hardware event upcoming in October where they will unveil the Google Pixel 3 and the Pixel 3 XL. However, the unboxing video of the smartphone is already here way before the launch. Moreover, a Ukrainian merchant is already selling the smartphone in the Black Market for a whopping price tag of USD 2,000 (roughly Rs. 1,39,550).

Coming back to the YouTube video by Распаковываем, the video shows a proper unboxing of the upcoming smartphone. Inside the box, there are a set of USB Type-C earbuds which actually look like a wired version of the PixelBuds. Digging in further, there sits the Pixel 3 XL in all its glory. The model in the video had the white variant of the smartphone. For accessories, there is a headphone jack adapter, a USB Type-C to USB Type-A adapter, a USB Type-C cable and a European-style wall adapter.

There was another video leaked on YouTube as well as other social media platforms which shows a Google Pixel 3 XL charging wirelessly. The guy in the video first shows off the Pixel 3 XL and then keeps it on a wireless charging pad by which obviously the phone starts charging.

Also Read: Here’s how to get an iPhone X or Pixel 2 on rent at a starting price of Rs. 2,099 per month

If these leaks are to be believed, which are in fact looking quite legit, the Google Pixel 3 XL will sports a huge notch up front and will have wireless charging. According to the videos, the Pixel 3 XL comes with a dual-camera setup up front while still keeping a single lens at the back.

As for the specifications, the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC coupled with Adreno 630 GPU. The base variant of the Pixel 3 XL is said to carry 4GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage. The smartphones will run on the latest version of Android Pie out of the box.

OnePlus 6 vs Asus ZenFone 5Z: Battle of the affordable flagships

By

Devesh Arora

-

August 25, 2018

asus, zenfone 5z, oneplus, oneplus 6 — Asus ZenFone 5Z and OnePlus 6 are two of the best affordable flagship smartphones available

Asus recently launched their affordable flagship smartphone in India, the Asus ZenFone 5Z. At a starting price of Rs. 29,999, the 5Z gives direct competition to the OnePlus 6. Both the smartphones are powered by the Snapdragon 845 SoC and come with up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of onboard storage. So, here is what sets these smartphones apart.

Display

The OnePlus 6 sports a 6.28-inch Super AMOLED display while the Asus ZenFone 5Z features a slightly smaller 6.2-inch IPS LCD display. Both the displays feature FullHD+ resolutions and 19:9 aspect ratio with a notch up front. The AMOLED display on the OnePlus 6 delivers better viewing angles and punchier blacks. This does not mean the ZenFone 5Z's display is bad. The IPS LCD display on the 5Z is bright enough and has a great colour reproduction.

Design & Build

Both the OnePlus 6 and the Asus ZenFone 5Z feature a glass sandwich design. Though the design looks intriguing and gives a premium feel to the phone, it is equally fragile. So no matter which phone you pick, we highly recommend using a case with it. Speaking of cases, both the smartphones also come with a free case bundled right into the box.

Software & UI

asus, zenfone 5z. review — The ZenFone 5Z and OnePlus 6 ship with Android Oreo on board

The smartphones run on Google's Android Oreo operating system out of the box. However, the difference here is the UI. Asus chose to go in with their ZenUI which brings in a ton of features while OnePlus took the suttle route and opted in for OxygenOS which is quite close to stock Android with minor tweaks here and there. Also, it is worth noting that OnePlus 6 runs on Android 8.1 Oreo while the ZenFone is still running on Android 8.0.0.

Features

The Asus ZenFone 5Z comes with a ton of features including AI Charging, AI Ringtone, Fast Charging and much more. OnePlus 6, on the other hands, has fewer extra features like Dash Charge and the Ring mode slider. In case you are curious to know which is faster in terms of charging, the OnePlus 6 takes the lead while the ZenFone 5Z does not remain far behind. The 5Z recently got an update where Asus brought gesture-based navigation. However, the gesture navigations feel much faster and natural on the OnePlus.

Price

Both the smartphone fall under the affordable flagship category which is why the companies have priced them very aggressively. The OnePlus 6 was unveiled back in June at a starting price of Rs. 34,999. The ZenFone 5Z was launched in India last month at a starting price of just Rs. 29,999.

Verdict

The Asus ZenFone 5Z and the OnePlus 6, both go neck in neck in terms of specifications and features. Where the ZenFone 5Z offers a ton of extra features, OnePlus believes in simplicity and offers a way cleaner UI. At the end of the day, the call is yours. If you prefer stock Android and AMOLED display then you should opt in for the OnePlus 6. However, if you are on a tight budget and prefer better speakers on your smartphone, you can never go wrong with the Asus ZenFone 5Z.

Samsung Galaxy A8 Star launched in India: Price, Specifications and Alternatives

By

Tech Desk

-

August 24, 2018

Samsung has launched a new mid-range smartphone in India, the Samsung Galaxy A8 Star. The highlights of the smartphone include the Infinity display and the dual-camera setup at the back. The package comes in at a price of Rs. 34,990 and will be available exclusively via Amazon starting August 27.

Specifications

On the specifications front, the Samsung Galaxy A8 Star features a 6.3-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080x2220 pixels and an 18.5:9 ratio. The smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor. The dual-SIM handset packs in 6GB of RAM and 64GB onboard storage which is further expandable using a microSD card. The device runs on Android 8.1 Oreo All of this is backed by a 3,700mAh battery.

In the camera department, the Samsung Galaxy A8 Star bears a dual-camera setup at the back consisting of a 16-megapixel primary and a 24-megapixel secondary sensor. Up front, there is a 24-megapixel selfie shooter.

Alternatives

OnePlus 6

The Samsung Galaxy A8 Star is priced at Rs. 34,990. At that price point, it directly competes against the OnePlus 6. However, the OnePlus 6 comes with a much better Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor. It features a 6.28-inch FullHD+ Super AMOLED display and packs in 6GB or 8GB of RAM. The device runs on Android 8.1 Oreo-based OxygenOS. OnePlus 6 is available in India at a starting price of Rs. 34,999.

Asus ZenFone 5Z

ZenFone 5Z is the latest affordable flagship smartphone Asus. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC coupled with up to 8GB of RAM. The device sports a 6.2-inch FullHD+ IPS LCD display with a 19:9 aspect ratio. The dual-SIM handset comes with up to 256GB of internal storage which is further expandable using a microSD card. The ZenFone 5Z is available at a starting price of Rs. 29,999 while the top of the line variant is available for Rs. 34,999.

Samsung Galaxy S8

In case you are looking for a Samsung smartphone only, we would highly recommend checking out the Samsung Galaxy S8. The S8 comes with much better specifications and a much better display when compared to the Galaxy A8 Star.

Beetel BiteTech News, Reviews, PC Mobile Phones, Tablets and more

Realme 2 Specifications

Availability

What is Super VOOC charging?

Why is Super VOOC charging technology so fast?

What is the difference between VOOC and Super VOOC technologies?

Why should OnePlus fans be excited about Super VOOC technology?

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Specifications

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 via E-commerce websites

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 via Carrier

Look for some alternatives

Specifications

Alternatives

Huawei P20 Pro

Vivo Nex

OnePlus 6

Specifications

Alternatives

Samsung Galaxy J2 Core

Nokia 1

Micromax Bharat Go

Display

Design & Build

Software & UI

Features

Price

Verdict

Specifications

Alternatives

OnePlus 6

Asus ZenFone 5Z

Samsung Galaxy S8