Chinese Tech

Xiaomi is running a temporary battery replacement service for 21 Xiaomi and Redmi-branded smartphones. The program will operate from July 1 to July 7 and users will only have to pay 49 yuan (US$7) to take advantage of the scheme. The Xiaomi Mi 9, which has been criticized for its poor battery life, is included as is the popular Redmi Note 7.

Apart from the slew of additional features already on offer, MIUI 12 is also slated to get a nifty functionality that allows per-app volume control called Sound Assistant. Meanwhile, Chinese variants of the Mi 9 Transparent Edition, Redmi K30 5G Racing Edition, and the Mi 10 Lite Youth Edition have now started receiving the MIUI 12 stable ROM OTA with global rollouts expected soon.

The Xiaomi Haylou LS01 is a smartwatch with 9 sports modes, 24 hours heart rate monitoring and up to 14 days of battery life. The 1.3-inch smartwatch is also IP68 certified and is down to just CNY 119 (~US$16.81). The Xiaomi Haylou LS01 is available from third-party retailers like AliExpress and Gearbest too.

The list of devices that have received MIUI 12 has reached 15. A comprehensive list outlines which models have so far been upgraded to Xiaomi's latest OS, which continues to be based on Android 10, and on which branches of MIUI.

The OnePlus Z will reportedly ship with two selfie cameras featuring a 32MP sensor assisted by an 8MP wide-angle lens. An earlier leak suggested that the phone would come with a quad-camera setup at the rear. The device is slated for a July 10th release and will allegedly retail at $300.

Some Xiaomi Redmi K20 and Mi 9T owners have awoken to a new update, but not quite the one for which many had hoped. Xiaomi has delayed the release of MIUI 12 for EU versions of the Redmi K20 Pro and Mi 9T Pro too, despite having recently upgraded other editions.

As usual, the latest software update for Xiaomi's Mi A1 comes with a few spam videos on YouTube that mention Android 10. Sadly, the patch comes on top of the old Android 9 core that will not get updated via the official channels. Luckily, those who want Android 10 can pick one of the good third-party choices available.

The 98-inch Redmi Smart TV Max from Xiaomi is still pulling in massive sales for the Chinese OEM. It has now been announced that over 1,500 units of the Redmi Max 98 have been snapped up in 10 hours and 32 minutes. Redmi manager Lu Weibing offered up an interesting statistic to help put that incredible sales total into perspective.

TCL has confirmed that its upcoming display panels have attained an Eyesafe display certification for blue-light reduction and color performance. This standard has been developed to protect user eye health. They are applied to various screen types, those for PCs or monitors included, and may become a preferred spec in the new devices of the near future.

Xiaomi released the Mi Band 5 with NFC last month, but it has emerged that the global edition will not support the functionality. Called the Mi Smart Band 5, the fitness tracker will support blood oxygen monitoring thanks to the inclusion of a SpO2 sensor.

The stable MIUI 12 update for the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 may arrive after the Dragon Boat Festival, according to Piunikaweb. The initial MIUI 12 build may upgrade the Redmi Note 8 to Android 10, too.

The Huawei P10 and P10 Plus may not be eligible for EMUI 10 or EMUI 10.1, but they have just received a sizeable update. Based on Android 9.0 Pie, the new update includes several new features and is available to download now.

OnePlus has teased that its next smartphone, which may have more cameras than the OnePlus 8, will be marketed under its recently-established NORD brand. However, there is evidence to suggest that the device will actually be called the OnePlus NORD 20s.

Realme has launched a new pair of affordable TWS earbuds in India. The Realme Buds Q has a 10mm driver, offers up to 20 hours of playback with the charging case, is rated IPX4 for dust and water resistance, and comes with a 119ms low-latency gaming mode. It will be available for sale on July 1st on Amazon and Realme's official website for INR 1,999 ($27).

Realme has officially launched the Realme X3 and Realme X3 SuperZoom in India. Both phones come with a 6.6-inch 120Hz LCD panel, a 4,200mAh battery that can be charged at 30W, quad-rear cameras, dual-selfie cameras, and more. Prices start at 24,999 ($330) for the Realme X3 and 27,999 ($370) for the Realme X3 SuperZoom.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 and Redmi Note 8T are now receiving new updates. No, the updates don't bring Android 10 to the phones, but that isn't far away either as Xiaomi is expected to begin the Android 10 rollout after fixing the bugs it discovered in an early firmware.

Xiaomi has been celebrating the fact that 1,000 units of the massive 98-inch Redmi Smart TV Max were sold in just 3 minutes and 28 seconds. It’s an incredible sales feat, especially when you consider the 19,999 yuan (US$2,825) price tag. Buyers of the Redmi Max 98 can enjoy 4K resolution picture quality and the advantages of MEMC technology.

It has been rumored that Huawei is planning on releasing a Mate Watch at the same time as the expected Huawei Mate 40 smartphone series. According to a leaker, the Huawei Mate Watch will operate with Harmony OS (known as HongMeng OS in China) and could be launched on October 1.

Xiaomi has been slashing the price of its Mi 10 flagship smartphone again as a special Dragon Boat Festival offer. Three RAM + storage variants have been reduced during the holiday period, by 200-300 yuan depending on the model (US$28-US$42). The offer is expected to start on June 25, but unfortunately it is only for the Chinese market.

The Xiaomi Mi Band 5 activity tracker has been spotted in Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification, leading to speculation that the popular wearable will soon be launched in India. Although no concrete prices have been given for the Mi Band 5 in India yet, a figure of ₹2,499 (US$33) has been suggested.

The first stable MIUI 12 update has been released for the global and Indian versions of the Xiaomi Redmi K20 and Mi 9T. The updates, which are arriving as OTA downloads, introduce a host of changes for the devices and follow the introduction of MIUI 12 on the global version of the Redmi K20 Pro and Mi 9T Pro. The European version of the Mi 9 has been recently upgraded to MIUI 12 too.

The Honor 9A is making its way to the UK and the Eurozone on July 1. The device, which features a 5,000 mAh battery and a 6.53-inch display, will retail for £149.99 and €149.90.

The Powkiddy V90 is another handheld retro games console. Styled on the Game Boy Advance SP, the Powkiddy V90 is available in red or yellow for US$39.99. The device comes with a 1,040 mAh battery, a USB Type-C port and a 3.0-inch IPS display.

Prolific leaker Digital Chat Station states that Xiaomi is expected to release a phone powered by MediaTek's Dimensity 1000+ SoC in July. It is very likely the Redmi K40, as earlier leaks speculated that it would come with a MediaTek chip, 144Hz screen, and support for 33W fast charging.

OnePlus has confirmed the imminent launch of its upcoming mid-range phone. The phone is expected to be the OnePlus Z or OnePlus Nord, and will be a spiritual successor to the OnePlus X. Sadly, though, a US release looks to be in doubt.

With a full retail price of US$210, the Wear OS-driven TicWatch C2+ comes with 1 GB of memory, GPS support, 4 GB of internal storage, but uses the rather old Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100. This smartwatch sports Google Pay support via NFC and is compatible with both Android and iOS handsets.

Xiaomi has issued a new update for the Mi A2 Lite. Called V11.0.7.0.QDLMIXM, the new Android 10 promises to reduce system lag and increase system stability for the Android One handset. The update is rolling out now as an OTA and can be download manually.

Early bird backers can get the super-small HTPC for $149 instead. The LarkBox is notable for its lemon-sized dimensions, Celeron J4115 CPU, and wide array of ports.

Rejoice, Redmi Note 7 owners, Android 10 is here for you. Xiaomi has begun rolling out the Android 10 update to the Redmi Note 7 in China, with the build number "MIUI 11.0.2.0.QFQCNXM". A global rollout is expected in the coming weeks.

A brand-new Realme XT smartphone has gone up in flames during charging, leaving the owner with a charred husk of a device. However, Realme believes the phone exploded “due to external force” whereas the user is insistent that the Realme XT had its meltdown while charging overnight.

The eminent Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station has dropped a number of hints as to the launch schedules of what could be the next flagships from Xiaomi and Redmi. The latter may have the MediaTek Dimensity 1000+ SoC and is thought to be the first of these 3 to debut. That leaves what are thought to be the Mi 10 Pro+ and, finally, the next-gen Mi Mix.

Xiaomi has extended the rollout of MIUI 12 for the Redmi K20 Pro, Mi 9T Pro and Mi 9 following the release of the OS update in China. MIUI 12 is now available for the global versions of the Redmi K20 Pro and Mi 9T Pro, along with the European variant of the Mi 9.

In an amusing gaffe at a business presentation, Realme appears to have lifted Huawei’s 1+8+N marketing strategy word for word. Its 1+4+N strategy even features almost the exact same presentation graphics.

Huawei has patented what could be its next-gen mobile-device form-factors. Not only do they have no discernible front-facing cameras, their side-buttons are replaced with what appear to be parts of a flexible display instead. These virtual keys have corresponding cut-outs in the device's frame.

OnePlus is all set to release the affordable OnePlus Z smartphone on July 10th. The information comes via a couple of teasers posted on the phone's newly-created Instagram page. The phone will reportedly be 5G-ready, come with a quad-camera setup, and retail at around $299.

Xiaomi has confirmed that it will be launching the Redmi 9 in China tomorrow. The device, which is already available to purchase in other markets like Spain, will be available to order from 10:00 CST (UTC+08:00). The Chinese edition gets a special 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage SKU too, along with two additional colour options from which to choose.

With Xiaomi set to officially unveil the Redmi 9, the company is pleased to announce that the outgoing generation, the Redmi 8 series, has been a stunning commercial success. The Redmi 8 phones have sold over 19 million units since they were released back in October last year.

According to ASUS's official Weibo handle, the ASUS ROG Phone 3 will be unveiled in China this July. ASUS has partnered with Tencent, allowing the latter to optimize its in-house titles for the smartphone. The phone is also billed to come with a 144Hz OLED screen and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ SoC.

Xiaomi Mi 10 phones in India are now getting a new OTA MIUI 11 update that brings support for ISRO's NavIC navigation system, UI updates, performance enhancements, and the April 2020 security patch. MIUI 12 development for the Mi 10 series is still suspended and there's no word yet on when it would resume.

A TENAA database listing for the upcoming Honor X10 Max offers new details with key specifications. The midranger is expected to feature a 7.1-in display, MediaTek Dimensity 800, and a large 4900 mAh battery with 22.5W fast charging.

Xiaomi has suspended MIUI 12 beta updates for the Xiaomi Mi 10, Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro, and Redmi K30 Pro smartphones because they will be busy adapting to the upcoming Android 11 OS. It’s also possible to get the Android 11 beta firmware for the Poco F2 Pro, as it is just a rebranded Redmi K30 Pro, but it won’t have Google Services at the present.

After months of waiting, the Xiaomi Redmi 7 is finally receiving the stable Android 10 update. The update is rolling out in China and bears the version number "MIUI 11.0.1.0.QFLCNXM". It's obviously based on MIUI 11 and, if the Redmi 7A's rollout was any indication, should get to global units in a few weeks.

The Xiaomi Mi Smart Mouse, which has also been called the Xiaomi XiaoAI Mouse, has been posted on the company’s crowdfunding platform. The computer peripheral can be controlled via voice commands and can also be connected to two devices at a time. The Mi Smart Mouse is priced at 149 yuan (US$21) but is currently on offer for 129 yuan (US$18).

The Lite variant of the Honor 30 series could be a particularly interesting release, as it is touted to rock the Dimensity 800 processor and to have a global launch. A new model number that might correspond to this device has surfaced on Geekbench 4. It runs Android 10 and has 6GB of RAM in addition to the new MediaTek SoC.

Users of Redmi Note 8 Pro, Redmi Note 7 series, and Pocophone F1 in India and other countries are now eligible to participate in Phase 2 testing of the MIUI 12 Global Stable Beta ROM under the Mi Pilot program. There are only limited slots available for each region and enlisting depends on successful verification of eligibility.

The MIUI 12 rollout continues. After sending out the beta stable updates to the Redmi K20 Pro and Redmi K30 5G last week, Xiaomi has also rolled out updates to the Redmi K30 4G, Redmi K30 Pro, and the Mi 10 Lite Zoom.

It has been reported that Xiaomi and Huawei have been replenishing their stocks of ultra-thin glass (UTG), creating speculation of what the Chinese OEMs have in mind for the material. The upcoming Huawei Mate 40 Pro will feature an ultra-thin display, and it is possible Xiaomi will use UTG for a Mi Mix 4 smartphone or a Xiaomi Mi foldable device.

The Realme Watch has a new software update available for it. The firmware update 81 brings a few new features to the popular wearable, with the most likely welcome change being the improved notification management function. Now, Realme Watch users will have access to their last 10 notifications rather than just the most recent one.

Xiaomi may be about to launch a new mouse that is capable of responding to voice commands. This is apparent thanks to new Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) documentation. It approves the Mi Smart Mouse as a device with up-to-date wireless connectivity and a 4000 DPI.

The Redmi 8's long-awaited successor launched in Spain as a device with 3 or 4GB of RAM. However, the noted tipster Ishan Agarwal now claims that some of its China-only SKUs will go up to 6GB. Furthermore, some others will have 128GB of internal storage, whereas its current European units have half that at best.