Chinese Tech

The Redmi Note 10 series is now available in India - on the other hand, it is missing its vanilla 5G variant. Now, there are signs that this Dimensity 700-powered phone is coming to the market after all, albeit under a different name. Xiaomi has attested that it will bear the POCO brand in India - and possibly in the US as well.

Motorola is geared to release its next budget device, the Moto G20, in the near future. Specs, features, and images of the phone have now been revealed, with a major talking point being the SoC—Motorola eschewing offerings from Qualcomm and MediaTek in favor of a UNISOC T700.

A new single-board computer from Chinese semiconductor designer Allwinner will feature an SoC based on the RISC-V 640bit architecture. However, the board lacks power due to its single-core CPU. Since it supports Linux and should cost less than US$15, the SBC should still be versatile enough for tinkering and projects.

Huawei regularly adds features to the Watch GT 2, one of its most popular smartwatches. This time around, Huawei has refined the weather app and has added the ability to download watch faces via a connected iPhone. The Huawei Watch GT 2's April 2021 update should be available to download now.

The latest update for this custom Android ROM now supports four more Xiaomi handsets and integrates the latest security patch from Google. The list of added features includes multiple UI changes, fixes, as well as always-on scheduling, system-wide app locking, and a new ringtone.

DJI is on the verge of launching the successor to the Mavic Air 2, apparently as early as April 15. The new drone, called the DJI Air 2S, has a larger 1-inch sensor that supports 10-bit colour and intelligent HDR. The DJI Air 2s features other innovations too, including ActiveTrack 4.0 and OcuSync 3.0.

New rumors about the expected Xiaomi Mi Pad 5 tablet have clashed in regard to the processor choices. Various models are likely to be released, with a potential Mi Pad 5 Lite, Mi Pad 5 Plus, and Mi Pad 5 Pro being part of the lineup. The likely Snapdragon-based tablet series from Xiaomi could be launched in mid-May.

Xiaomi has only just released its inaugural foldable in its native China. It has also announced its potential out-of-warranty repair costs, which specify amounts for which a whole new conventional flagship could be bought instead in some cases. For example, a 16GB Mi Mix Fold official motherboard replacement costs more than a brand-new Mi 11 Pro right now.

A Weibo account associated with Lenovo has released teasers for a new tablet called the Yoga Pad Pro - which might prove to be the Chinese variant of a slate to be called the Yoga Tab 13 in international markets. It is to be accompanied by another 11-inch tablet, as well as what might be a Yoga Duet 7i refresh.

The Xiaomi brand Redmi has indicated it will launch its first-ever Android phone for gaming in 2021. According to the leaker Digital Chat Station, it might be here sooner rather than later. The device is also now slated to launch in India as well as China, and to start at a markedly low ~US$300.

Huawei has launched new smart screens. They are also the inaugural models of a new series by the OEM, and are also the first with speaker arrays tuned by the high-end audio group Devialet. The devices run HarmonyOS out of the box and have 4K LCD panels with a TUV Rheinland low-blue-light certifications.

Three years after the release of the Mi Mix 3, Xiaomi looks set to deliver the next device in the series—the Mi Mix 4. Unofficial renders of the phone have surfaced, painting an image of a device with potentially the slimmest, cleanest display design yet, in part thanks to an under-display selfie camera.

The OnePlus 9R was originally presented as a "gaming" alternative variant of the OEM's latest flagship Android smartphone series that was exclusive to India. However, the company has now announced that it is to be available in China as well. The Snapdragon 870-powered device will debut in its new market in mid-April 2021.

Counterpoint Research has just released its first top-10 list of the best-selling smartphones in 2021. It shows that Apple dominates these rankings with no less than 6 different iPhones. They include every variant of the 12 series, although some were better placed than others. Samsung and Xiaomi secured the remaining slots.

ZTE has raised eyebrows with its first serious challenger to the high-end Android smartphone market with the impending launch of the Axon 30 Ultra. However, hopes that it might also be competitively prices have been dashed with a rumor pointing to a US$1,200 starting price.

Renowned YouTuber and smartphone breaker JerryRigEverything put the newly-launched Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 through the paces. The smartphone was quick to break in his bend test, much like the Asus ROG Phone 5. The area around the antenna lines seems to be the weak point, and gamers would do well to avoid applying pressure to that area.

The Redmi Note 10s' imminent global debut has effectively been confirmed through a new certification issued by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). The new document registers the phone by name, and also specifies multiple variants that might be destined for different regions. They may include India and the EU.

The Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra remains atop DxOMark's questionable leaderboard, where the Galaxy S21 Ultra scores less than its predecessor. The website's in-depth review compares the Mi 11 Ultra against the Huawei Mate 40 Pro Plus and the Galaxy S21 Ultra, which highlights the shortcomings of Samsung's latest flagship.

Lenovo's second gaming smartphone, the Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2, is finally official. Some of its key specs include a 6.9-inch 144Hz AMOLED screen, up to 18GB of RAM, a pop-up selfie camera and a massive 5,500mAh battery. Prices start at EUR 799 for the base variant, which will be up for grabs in May.

The Easter Sale campaign ran by MINISFORUM includes tempting deals on the brand's most popular devices, including the HM50 (US$100 for the first 100 units sold), UM270 and UM820/850 (US$50 off), as well as a mere US$20 off for the UM250 and X35G. Most of the discounts will be available until the end of the month.

Huawei is now thought to have a new smartwatch on the way. A Weibo-based leaker now asserts that it is to be called the Watch 3 and is not to be a 'sports' model. This source also believes that the OEM will install a "full" version HarmonyOS. The wearable might also support eSIMs and more third-party apps compared to its predecessors.

A well-known leaker now claims that OPPO is working on a prototype mobile device with that ever-popular "port-less" design in mind. However, it seems the OEM has struck a unique balance between function and looks in this concept, as it does in fact have a USB port (albeit one a user might have trouble finding). It is also said to integrate electrochromic glass and under-display tech in order to deploy its cameras at need.

Xiaomi has outlined plans to upgrade a host of devices to MIUI 12.5 by the end of next month. The rollout only applies to devices on the company's Chinese ROM though, so it may be May before Xiaomi's latest OS reaches devices globally. Others, such as the POCO F2 Pro and the Redmi Note 8 Pro will be left stranded on MIUI 12 until at least June 2021.

Huawei has another smartwatch in the works, and it will bear the model number GLL-AL04. The company has certified the GLL-AL04 with the Eurasian Economic Commission, signifying that it should be released outside of China.

The OPPO Reno series are smartphones with a half-yearly release cycle and an increasing tendency toward premium specs. The latest leak suggests that some of them might launch with Snapdragon 870 and 888 processors. They are also likely to launch with 65W charging

ZTE has revealed that its Axon30 line of Snapdragon 888-powered Android flagships will launch on April 15, 2021. The OEM has also strongly hinted at a rear camera hump that will contain 3 sensors of 64MP in resolution, with an extra periscope zoom lens in higher-end variants. The devices might also have a 4,500mAh battery with a 55W charging speed.

Recent rumors of Huawei's planned entry into the electric vehicle market seem to have been given more weight today thanks to the well-known leaker @RODENT950. It seems that the first car developed in partnership with the OEM will launch on April 17, 2021. Then again, it may be that Huawei has only provided the smart system for this product, which is likely only to be available in China.

The Legion 2 Pro is touted to become the world's first dual-fan gaming smartphone on its launch. New leaks might partially confirm this tip while spoiling its unique design in the process. These images show a mobile device with the back-lit logo one might expect from this upcoming Lenovo product, contained in a highly distinctive rear panel.

New rumors are swirling about the upcoming X70 Pro+ from Vivo. Currently, these speculations point to minimal improvements over the current X60 Pro+. The new phone will have the same SoC, a slightly larger camera sensor, and a slightly larger battery.

The Huawei P50 has now leaked in renders alongside its P50 Pro, and P50 Pro+ stablemates. As with its counterpart, the Huawei P50 will feature a particularly unusual looking rear camera arrangement although they will still be made in conjunction with Leica.

Under-display selfie camera; new 50MP Samsung main camera; up to 120W charging: the upcoming next-gen Vivo NEX is now slated to have it all. On the other hand, this phone might rock a constantly polarizing quad-curved display. It is also now said to launch in the next half of 2021.

OPPO has patented a new kind of phone or phablet with an optional secondary display to which it can attach using custom-designed hinges. Therefore, this detachable portion could act as a keyboard, or perhaps allow the entire product to imitate a Surface Duo at will. The OEM has also apparently patented a mobile gaming controller with in-built earphones.

The Huawei MatePad Pro 2 is currently touted as an upcoming rival to the iPad Pro or Samsung Galaxy Tab S7-series slates. According to a Weibo-based tipster, it might launch with HarmonyOS in China, at least. This new leak includes screenshots indicating that this UI will provide a "Dual Dock" when in tablet mode.

Lenovo avoided punch-holes or notches in the display of its first-gen Android gaming phone by developing an innovative pop-up selfie camera, hidden in one of this device's sides rather than in its top edge, instead. Now, the OEM has revealed this feature is making a comeback in its upcoming Legion 2 Pro flagship, leaving its 144Hz screen free of any interruptions.

Nokia has been rumored to have a new C-series phone in the works, which may launch during the HMD Global brand's April 8, 2021 product event. Now, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) has confirmed the device does indeed exist in the course of approving it to use the wireless technology. The C20's new certification also suggests it will be very cheap on its debut.

Although the brand-new OnePlus 9 Pro flagship is available for purchase from multiple retailers, only the ~US$1,000 model with 12/256 GB of memory/storage can be ordered right now. The version with 8/128 GB is nowhere to be found and there is no official information regarding its date of arrival.

Realme has already debuted its Buds Air 2 - now, their Neo variants have also been revealed. Like their immediate forebears, they feature active noise cancellation (ANC) and 10mm drivers; however, they also have a different form-factor, as well as slightly different battery life specs.

A noted leaker has dropped a hint that Xiaomi is preparing to launch its new Mi Pad tablets, which may be called the Mi Pad 5 and Mi Pad 5 Pro. It appears the main difference between the two Xiaomi Mi Pad 5 slates will be the processor used, with the regular tablet getting a Dimensity 1200 while the Pro is fitted with a Snapdragon 870.

Lenovo is currently hyping the imminent launch of its second-gen gaming phone with some of its high-powered specs prior to this event. They include its generous FHD+ AMOLED display with its 144Hz refresh rate. It will be kept on with a 5,500mAh battery that will apparently charge at up to 90 watts (W).

The Motorola Moto G60 has yet to be launched, yet is already being touted as a device in which a 108MP main camera trickles down into the middle tier of the smartphone market in 2021. A new leak appears to show this phone from all angles, possibly revealing its punch-hole display and 3.5mm headphone jack.

The Big Island GPGPU developed by Tianshu Zhixin is produced by TSMC on the 7 nm nodes with 2.5D CoWoS packaging. It integrates 24 billion transistors, is rated for 300 W TGP and the board includes 32 GB of HBM2 VRAM plus a single 8-pin connector. Its performance is comparable to AMD's Instinct MI100.

The premium smartphone brand iQOO has teased a new launch for a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888-powered device in India. A prominent leaker asserts that it is not merely the iQOO 7, but the BMW-themed Legendary version. It will cost ~US$545 at the most in its new market.

The electronics giant Huawei launched its first PC display in 2020. This 23.8-inch peripheral has an FHD IPS panel, and is mostly directed at enterprise-grade customers. It is also now available in a new market: the UK.

The OPPO Reno5 smartphones has been around for about 6 months now; therefore, going by this line's usual release cycle, it might nearly be time for a 6 series launch. New leaks suggest that they are indeed in the works, and will debut with similar premium mid-range specs, although at least 1 variant might get a newer SoC.

Some Realme fans might already be aware of Realmeow, this OEM’s recently-unveiled visor-rocking feline mascot. Now, some official-looking Twitter accounts allege that this character is to become much more to the brand. In fact, it is due to be rolled out as a smart assistant soon.

Eager Xiaomi fans outside of China can now order the new Mi Smart Band 6 from AliExpress, with prices starting from US$44.97. The NFC model is also available for purchase although the payment feature likely won’t function outside of China. A Mi Fit app update has introduced a useful sleep breathing quality monitor to the fitness tracker.

The Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra and Mi 11 Pro are already proving themselves to be big sellers for the Chinese manufacturer, by collectively raking in more than 1.2 billion yuan in sales in just one minute. The price tag for the Mi 11 Ultra in India, where it is being promoted as the SuperPhone, has apparently been leaked a few weeks before launch.

Huawei is geared to release its next set of flagship devices, the Huawei P50 series, shortly. A leak has thrown light on the phones' camera hardware, revealing huge sensors across the board. However, expectant fans may be disappointed considering the hardware we've already seen on Xiaomi's show-stopping Mi 11 Ultra.

Xiaomi has presented a new robot vacuum, the MIJIA Robot Vacuum Cleaner Pro. The company claims that the vacuum can automatically avoid small items, such as cables, thanks to its 3D ToF camera.