OnePlus 7 is expected to come with a pop-up selfie camera
OnePlus is now gearing up to launch their next flagship smartphone, the OnePlus 7. As the launch is coming closer, we are witnessing more leaks and rumours about the device. Recently, a Chinese retailer listed the smartphone online giving us hints on the specifications and the price. Here's everything we know about the upcoming smartphone so far.
According to a recent report, the OnePlus 7 will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor. It will feature a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 2316x1080 pixels. The dual-SIM handset will pack in up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of onboard storage. It will run on OxygenOS 9 based on Google's Android 9.0 Pie operating system. All of this will be backed by a 4,000mAh battery, which will support the company's latest Warp Charge technology.
Source: Giztop
On the optics front, the OnePlus 7 will come with a triple camera setup at the back consisting of a 48-megapixel primary camera, a 20-megapixel sensor and a 5-megapixel sensor. Up front, there will be a 16-megapixel pop-up camera just like we saw on the recently launched Oppo F11 Pro.
OnePlus 7 will feature a glass sandwich design and a vertical camera set up at the back. However, the glass back does not mean that the phone will get wireless charging. Just like the OnePlus 6T, the new smartphone will also lack a headphone jack.
As far as the pricing is concerned, the OnePlus 7 is expected to be launched at a starting price of USD 569, which roughly converts to Rs. 40,000.
With new processors coming in, even the mid-range phones are able to play PUBG Mobile on high setting
PUBG Mobile has become one of the most popular mobile games. Not every smartphone is able to offer the best in-game experience. While any of the flagship devices can easily run the game with high graphics, here are some of the mid-range phones that will not disappoint.
Redmi Note 7 Pro
Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Pro comes with a 48-megapixel camera
Xiaomi has recently launched its two new smartphones in India, the Redmi Note 7 and Redmi Note 7 Pro. Both the smartphones are quite capable, but we would recommend the latter for a better overall experience. Redmi Note 7 Pro comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 chipset and it is available at a starting price of Rs. 13,999.
Poco F1
Currently, Poco F1 is one of the best value for money smartphones
While it is not a true flagship smartphone, the Poco F1 does come with a flagship chip inside. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 powered smartphone can run almost any game thrown at it. The dual-SIM handset packs in up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of onboard storage, which is just an icing on the cake. Additionally, the phone also has a liquid cooling system, which will keep it cool even during long PUBG Mobile matches. Poco F1 is currently available at a starting price of Rs. 19,999.
Honor Play
Honor Play comes with flagship grade hardware at a relatively lower price.
Just like the Poco F1, the Honor Play also offers flagship grade specifications at a relatively lower price point. The smartphone comes with the company's own Kirin 970 processor coupled with 6GB of RAM. The combination is good enough to run almost any game on high graphic settings. Honor Play is up for grabs at a starting price of Rs. 16,999.
Samsung Galaxy A50 comes with an in-display fingerprint scanner
While mid-range Samsung phones have been difficult to recommend in the past, with the new Galaxy M-series and A-series, Samsung is changing that. At a starting price of Rs. 19,990, the Samsung Galaxy A50 brings in the latest Exynos 9610 octa-core chipset coupled with up to 6GB of RAM. The phone manages to run PUBG Mobile on high settings without any lag or hiccups.
Asus ZenFone 5Z
Asus ZenFone 5Z sports a notch up front
Asus ZenFone 5Z is a flagship smartphone that does not ask for flagship money. The smartphone is currently available at a starting price of Rs. 24,999, which makes it a killer deal. It comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor paired with up to 8GB of RAM. It also brings in a premium design on board.
Sony's PS4 Remote Play app is now available for iOS devices
With the PlayStation 4, Sony released a feature, which iOS users have been craving for years now. After being on Windows and Android platforms for a while now, the PS4 Remote Play app is finally hitting Apple's App Store allowing iPhone and iPad users to experience the application. With the help of this app, iOS users will be able to use an iPad or iPhone to display PS4 content over Wi-Fi.
If you have only one controller and still want to play with a friend, the Remote Play feature can convert your smartphone or tablet into a controller. Interestingly, Sony has also enabled voice chat support for some of the popular games. Additionally, users will be able to type on search bars and different areas using the keyboard on the iPhone or iPad, which is a huge plus as typing from the controller can be quite annoying at times.
According to Apple's App Store, the PS4 Remote Play app will run on any iOS device running on iOS version 12.1 or later. This means that anything above iPhone 5S should work perfectly fine. However, Sony recommends using an iPhone 7 or later, 6th-generation iPad or later, or a 2nd-generation iPad Pro or later for best results. Notably, the app will work only when the PS4 and the iOS device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Third party apps like R-Play made the feature available to iOS devices long back. However, they used to charge a premium of around USD 12 (roughly Rs. 840). Sony, on the other hand, offers the feature for free.
While 2018 was all about notches and bezel-less displays, 2019 is going to be about punch hole cameras, 5G and more. Companies like Xiaomi, LG and Samsung have already showcased their 5G enabled smartphones and they will soon be made available in select markets. So, here are the top 5 upcoming smartphones with 5G support.
Huawei P30 Pro
Huawei is all set to launch its next flagship smartphone, the Huawei P30 Pro. The company is hosting an event on March 26 in Paris to unveil the smartphone. It is most likely to come with the Kirin 980 processor coupled with the Bailong 5000 5G radio chip, the same combination as we saw on the Huawei Mate X at the MWC 2019.
Samsung Galaxy S10 5G
Samsung Galaxy S10 5G comes with a quad camera setup at the back.
At the recent Samsung Unpacked event, Samsung launched a couple of new smartphones, one of which was the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G. While the smartphone looks quite identical to the Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus, it does carry a few changes under the hood. The smartphone comes with the latest Exynos 9820 processor. It will soon be made available in select markets.
OnePlus 5G
OnePlus 5G will look quite similar to the OnePlus 6T.
While OnePlus is about to launch the OnePlus 7, the company will launch a 5G smartphone separately for select markets. The 5G enabled smartphone will come with Qualcomm's latest flagship Snapdragon 855 processor. Rest of the specifications are expected to remain more or less the same.
LG V50 ThinQ gets a Dual Screen Attachable Display case
LG launched the LG V50 ThinQ at the MWC 2019 event. The new smartphone comes with a 6.4-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 3120x1440 pixels. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor coupled with 6GB of RAM. The device will soon be made available to more countries.
Xiaomi Mi Mix 3
The Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi launched its first 5G smartphone at the MWC 2019, the Mi Mix 3 5G. As the name suggests, the smartphone is pretty similar to the Mi Mix 3, except the fact that it comes with an updated chipset and 5G radio chip inside. The handset sports up to 10GB of RAM and runs on Android 9 Pie.
Applications are bread and butter of a modern era smartphone
Smartphones and applications on our smartphones have developed so much in the modern era, that apps like Facebook and Snapchat are only the basic of things you can do. In the modern era, for women who work as well as manage their home and families, there are apps like birth controlling and budgeting and much more. Here are some of the apps we think are essential for any women.
Shop Savvy (iOS, Android)
ShopSavvy is an application that lets to do your shopping a bit smarter. It has a built-in barcode scanner and an SKU finder that helps to scan any product's barcode and get all the details you will ever need for that product. It will also compare its price from its database of places to get you the best deal. You can also add it to your watchlist and it will alert you when the item goes on a sale.
myPill (iOS, Android)
myPill is a little personal application, but it can be a lifesaver for some. If you forget to take your pills on time you can end up with a big unexpected surprise. This app can remind you to take your pills on time. It can also track your cycle and inform you to buy pills and other products.
Mint (iOS, Android, Windows)
Mint is the perfect expense management app
Mint is one of the best budgeting application in the market. You can link your bank account to it, so it automatically adds all the expenses you have made. It can also categorize expenses based on travel, entertainment, food and etc.
If you travel, then Google Translate is a must-have program for your smartphone. It holds more than 70 languages and you can download them so you don't need an active internet connection. You can use it t translate any supported language to another supported language. It is not quite perfect, but is a very handy application and saves the hassle of a translation book.
7-Minute Workout Challenge (iOS, Android)
Most of us never hit the gym due to the sheer shortage of time we have in our daily life. 7-minute workout challenge is an application that provides workouts that lasts typically 7 minutes. You can do those anywhere whenever you find just 7 minutes of time. The applications also provide photos and videos so you can ensure you are not doing it wrong.
Wunderlist (iOS, Android, Windows)
It is the perfect productivity assistant
Wunderlist is the perfect tool for every busy person, may it be a man or a woman. It helps you create a list of tasks, break it into subtasks and add a list of things to every subtask. What's more that you can assign the tasks to other persons and track their progress in a shared workspace.
Uber lets you call taxies anywhere you want on demand. It will come and pick you up at your location and it will drop you off at the specified location. It calculates the bill based on the distance and time taken. You can also link your bank accounts to make automatic payments for the trip so you don't have to fiddle around with the cash.
CamCard (iOS, Android, Windows)
If you are a businessperson, then you know the struggles of handling multiples business cards. You often lose them and later regret that and entering information onto your phone then and there only is a tedious task. Camcard lets you quickly scan and organize your business cards digitally.
Circle of 6 (iOS, Android)
Best app for making you feel safe
Circle of 6 acts as an SOS application. With only two taps the application will automatically send a message to your six chosen friends or family. It will also tell them you need help. You can use the application for a less drastic situation like getting out of a bad date.
The companion app lets your friends and family virtually walk to your destination making sure you reach your destination safely. You enter your destination, and it will track your progress. If you start doing erratic tasks like start running, drop your phone, or don't make it to your destination on time, your virtual friends will message you whether you are okay or not. If you don't reply within 15 minutes it will alert the police.
Since the past few years, Samsung has been developing an app called Good Lock. The application allows the Samsung Galaxy user to take the customisation to a whole new level without needing to root the device. With Android 9 Pie and One UI coming on board, Samsung had to release an update to the Good Lock app.
The South Korean giant has finally released Good Lock 2019, which supports Android 9 Pie based One UI. With the updated version, the new application also brings a couple of new features. However, the core features of Good Lock still include Quickstar, Lockstar, Task Changer, Routines, Clockface, Edge Touch, Edge Lighting and others. The development team claims that the update also brings some improvements for these features.
While the Task Changer brings new styles for recent apps, MultiStar enables some of the Multi Window functionality that was eliminated from Pie due to a Google policy.
Samsung has still not removed the geographical restrictions for Good Lock. The app is only available to users living in the United States, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, Canada, and the United Kingdom. While the list does not include India, the app is available in the country and users can get it right away.
Head over to Galaxy Apps on your Samsung smartphone
Search for Good Lock 2019
Hit Install
Do note that Good Lock 2019 is currently available only for Samsung Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8 Plus, Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9 Plus, Galaxy Note 8 and Galaxy Note 9 devices running on Android 9.0 Pie.
Tencent Games recently rolled out an update for PUBG Mobile, which brought in Zombies to the game making it even more exciting. The game even got a Zombie mode where players get a 30-minute round, which includes three days and two nights. Now a recent report suggests that the game will soon allow players to play as a Zombie in the new game mode.
According to the report, PUBG Mobile is expected to get a new zombie mode, where players will get to become zombies to attack and defeat standard players. The report comes from the YouTuber MrGhost Gaming. The feature is said to come with the next major update for the PUBG Mobile. It is also speculated that the next update will mostly be about the zombies.
As of now, we do not have any official word from PUBG Corp. or Tencent Games. However, the YouTuber claims that the feature should be made available in the version 0.13 or 0.14 of the game. It might be similar to the humans vs zombie mode that is available for PUBG PC.
Meanwhile, PUBG Mobile recently receoved an update, which added the new Zombie mode to the game. The new game mode allows a 30-minute round, which includes three days and two nights. Within the time period, a total of 60 players will compete against each others as well as the zombies. There will be multiple kinds of zombies inspired by the popular Resident Evil 2 game.
Xiaomi has revealed a couple of features that will be made available to MIUI users with the upcoming updates. While some of the features will be made available on the MIUI 10, others will make an appearance on the next version of the user interface. From system-wide dark mode to Dolby sound, here's everything Xiaomi is soon going to introduce in MIUI.
The Chinese smartphone manufacturer has revealed the list at MIUI's official website. As of now, the company has listed a total of 28 features. However, the forums on the website suggest around 35 more features will be adopted in the future. It also shows a list of features that are on popular demand by MIUI users.
As for the MIUI 10, the developers are working on bringing Dolby Atmos sound, superpower saving, improved garbage cleaning, system-wide Dark mode, ability to lock an app using face or fingerprint, option to adjust font and display sizes separately, battery charging status on the lock screen, the ability to wake up device screen using voice commands and much more.
MIUI 11 is currently under developmet and it is most likely to arrive later this year. The new version of the user interface will bring in the functionality to delete an APK file after installing the app, children mode, support for cropping photos to 18:9 aspect ratio, sleep reminder function, option to cancel the sleep timer sound, dynamic clock optimisation, shortcut to increase the screen lit time, ability to add text when dragging the cursor magnifier, emergency contact information displayed on lock screen and much more.
Microsoft is working on a lighter version of Windows currently being called Windows Lite
Microsoft is reportedly working on a new version of Windows. Its not a successor to the Windows 10, rather its a stripped down version of the same. The operating system is being developed for dual-screen laptops and the company is aiming to compete against the Chromebooks with this new lite operating system.
According to a recent report by The Verge, Microsoft is working on Composable Shell (C-Shell) and Windows Core OS for the upcoming Windows Lite OS. The report further claims that the Windows Lite will be a tonned down version of Windows 10 and it will miss out on a few features in order to make the operating system light weight. However, it will still have the ability to run apps from the Microsoft Store and progressive web apps. As the operating system is aimed towards low end systems, the company will be working on making the OS light on RAM and storage.
While the Windows Lite will look quite similar to Windows 10, it will carry a combination of Surface Hub shell and Windows Phone Continuum user interface (UI). The report also suggests that the first device running Windows Lite will be launched later this year. However, we do not know, which OEM will be the first to produce such device. It also depends on chip makers like AMD and Intel.
Also, the upcoming Windows is currently being referred as Windows Lite internally, which is most likely to change once the product is officially announced. Microsoft might launch the new operating system at the upcoming Build Conference in May.
Vivo V15 Pro sports a Ultra Full View Super AMOLED display.
Vivo recently launched its new mid-range smartphone in India, the Vivo V15 Pro. It brings in a lot of new and unique features on board. Some of which have been dragged down directly from its high-end smartphones like the in-display fingerprint sensor, a bezel-less display, pop-up selfie camera, 48-megapixel primary camera and much more. Are these features really helpful or are they just a bunch of gimmicks? Let's find out in our full review:
Vivo V15 Pro Review: Specifications
Vivo V15 Pro sports a 6.41-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 2340x1080 pixels. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 processor coupled with Adreno 612 GPU. The dual-SIM handset packs in 6GB of RAM and 128GB of onboard storage. Under the hood, there is a 3,700mAh battery with support to Vivo’s Super Engine Fast Charging.
Price: Rs. 28,990
Vivo V15 Pro Review: Design
When you pick up the Vivo V15 Pro for the first time, you will immediately be impressed by its design. On the front, the device offers a nearly bezel-less display with no notches at all, thanks to the new pop-up camera. While the selfie camera is hidden inside, the earpiece grille is on the top of the display. Even the chin is close to non-existent.
The 32-megapixel pop-up selfie camera is one of the main selling points of the device.
On the back, the device features a dual-tone gradient colour finish, which looks quite attractive, and the vertically positioned triple camera setup adds to the already great aesthetics of the smartphone.
On the bottom edge, there is a microUSB port, which is quite disappointing. However, considering most people still have microUSB cables lying around their houses and the fact that the cable is much cheaper compared to USB Type-C cables, this might have been the right choice for the company to make. A speaker grille and the primary microphone also sit near the microUSB port.
The vertical triple camera setup looks quite unique here.
The left edge holds a dedicated Google Assistant button, whereas, on the right edge you will find a power button and the volume rockers. On the top edge, there is a secondary noise-cancelling microphone along with a 3.5-mm headphone jack.
Vivo V15 Pro Review: Display
Just like its predecessor, Vivo V15 Pro also sports a Super AMOLED panel. AMOLED panels offer deeper blacks and better viewing angles, which are great for media consumption. Also, considering the fact that the device has no notches and almost no bezels, it makes the device one of the best smartphones for media consumption.
AMOLED panel also allows for the Always-on-Display feature
As far as the in-display fingerprint scanner is concerned, the technology has improved quite a lot over the years. The new fifth generation scanner works much better than the one on the Vivo V11 Pro. The unlocking speed is now much faster and even the failure rate has been marginally decreased.
Vivo V15 Pro Review: Performance
Vivo V15 Pro is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 processor clocked at 2.02GHz. The graphics are being pumped by an Adreno 612 GPU. In terms of benchmarks, the V15 Pro managed to get a respectable score of 180472 on AnTuTu. On GeekBench 4, the device secured 2393 for single core and 6578 for multi-core operations.
The Snapdragon 675 performs decent enough.
In terms of gaming, we were able to play PUBG Mobile on high settings without any lag or hiccups. However, the more recent Asphalt 9 did stutter a bit on high settings.
Due to the 6GB of RAM, switching between apps was quite seamless. Even normal day-to-day tasks like swapping between multiple social media apps also felt flawless.
Vivo V15 Pro Review: Software and UI
Vivo V15 Pro runs the company's own custom skin, FunTouch OS 9, which is built on top of Google's Android 9 Pie. Though the software brings in a high level of customisation options including a built-in theming engine, it does lack basic functions like an app drawer. The user interface (UI) is quite different from most Android phones and it mostly inspired by iOS.
FuntouchOS is inspired by Apple's iOS.
The software is on a bit of the hard side of the scale to learn. So we recommend that you be ready to learn the interface without getting frustrated.
Additionally, this year the company has also added a Dark Mode, which switches all the UI elements to a darker colour making it easier on the eyes as well as the battery during night times.
Vivo V15 Pro Review: Camera
Cameras have been an area of performance where Vivo has always been able to shine. The company focuses a lot of its efforts on cameras. Here's what we thought about the device's cameras.
Vivo V15 Pro comes with an industry first 32-megapixel pop-up selfie shooter. The camera does deliver sharp and detailed selfies. The software also offers a ton of features like AI Mode, Portrait Light Effect, Live Photo and much more.
1 of 10
Selfie
48-megapixel sensor is able to capture some great photos
Indoor
Night Mode
Normal shot
Wide-Angle shot
Selfie
Flipping the phone around reveals a triple camera setup, which includes a 48-megapixel primary sensor, an 8-megapixel ultrawide sensor and a 5-megapixel depth sensor. In good lighting conditions, the device manages to capture some great shots with a ton of detail and nice bokeh effects. Even under low lighting conditions, the phone brings out some magnificent shots.
Vivo V15 Pro Review: Battery
Vivo V15 Pro is backed by a 3,700mAh battery, which seems like a great proposition on paper. During the review period, the device managed to pull off a full day with normal usage, which included a few phone calls, social media scrolling and some light gaming. With the help of included 18W fast charger, the device usually took around 90 minutes to get fully charged. However, the phone did get slightly warm while charging.
Vivo V15 Pro Review: Verdict
Vivo also throws in a pretty good case inside the box.
While the Vivo V15 Pro is not here to impress you with its specifications, it is quite appealing to the eyes. The 32-megapixel pop-up camera and the new fifth-generation in-display fingerprint scanner make the smartphone stand out a lot from all the other devices in the market. With the V15 Pro, Vivo is trying to bring futuristic tech, great design and an amazing set of cameras to the masses.
In a nutshell, the Vivo V15 Pro, at Rs. 28,999, might seem an expensive deal when compared to something like a Poco F1. However, it does pack a punch, and you won't regret buying it according to us.
