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Category: Electronics

Retail News Asia is committed to providing both local and global retailers with the latest Electronics news throughout the Asian market. This on a daily base.

  • Apple is giving away three free months of Arcade with the purchase of a 5G iPhone 12 handset

    Apple is giving away three free months of Arcade with the purchase of a 5G iPhone 12 handset

    Last year, Apple awarded those purchasing a new iPhone or another Apple product 12-free months of Apple TV+. And while that freebie continues to this day, starting on October 22nd anyone purchasing a new iPhone, iPad, Mac, iPod touch, or Apple TV gets three free months of Apple Arcade. With Arcade, subscribers get to play ad-free games and there are no in-app purchases. And you can start a game on your iPad and take it on the road with your iPhone seamlessly. In fact, you can switch among the aforementioned list of five Apple products and keep your place in a game that you’re currently playing.

    You can also download games to play regardless of whether you are online or offline. And if you’re a parent. you can use Screen Time to make sure that your kids aren’t spending the whole day playing games. After a one month free trial, Arcade costs $4.99 a month. So if you do buy a new Apple device, including one of the new iPhone 12 models, you are getting a bonus worth $14.97.

    Keep in mind that if you don’t cancel the free trial before it expires, you will be billed $4.99 a month. If you happen to enjoy more than one of Apple’s subscription services, you might want to sign up for Apple One. For $14.95 a month you save $6 per month on an Individual Apple One subscription which includes Apple Music, TV+, Arcade, and 50GB of iCloud storage. For $19.95 a month, the Family subscription of Apple One (which saves $8 per month) includes everything in the individual plan except with support for six subscribers and 200GB of iCloud storage. The Premier subscription is priced at $29.95 per month and saves subscribers $25 a month. It comes with Apple Music, TV+, Arcade, 2TB of iCloud storage, News+, and Fitness+ (which starts later this year). Apple One will launch later this year.

    While Apple is handing out nearly $15 in free Arcade subscriptions to those purchasing a device from the 5G iPhone 12 series, it is taking the charging adapter and the wired earpods out of the box. While the company spins this as a move to help cut carbon emissions, some see it as a move by Apple to save money and force customers to buy a new charging brick.

    Apple this fiscal year will hit the $50 billion revenue goal it has for its Services unit right on time. And it hopes to keep this part of its business surging by giving device buyers a little taste of some of the Services it is offering. The tech giant is hoping that its customers enjoy TV+ and Arcade so much over the trial period that they decide to subscribe once the trial period is over.

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  • Samsung Galaxy S20 FE owners are reporting touchscreen issues

    Samsung Galaxy S20 FE owners are reporting touchscreen issues

    Samsung recently launched the Galaxy S20 FE – a watered-down version of the Galaxy S20.  The phone sports a 6.5-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate and it is powered by the Snapdragon 865. It features a triple camera system with a 12MP primary sensor, a 12MP ultrawide unit, and an 8MP telephoto module, and packs a 4,500mAh battery. The handset starts at $699, which makes it much more attractive than the Galaxy S20 which costs $999 in its entry-level configuration. Unfortunately, it seems to have a glaring flaw.

    Many Galaxy S20 FE owners have taken to Reddit and Samsung’s Community Forums to report issues related to the display. The problems differ from person to person but the common theme is that the touch responsiveness is glitchy, as a result of which sometimes the phone takes too long to recognize inputs or it responds to them erroneously. Other times, it ignores touches and swipes altogether or registers ghost touches.

    It is currently not known how widespread the problem is and whether it’s related to the hardware or software, although the latter seems more likely as a factory reset and software update resolved the issue for some people.

    Either way, it’s not a good look for Samsung. The Galaxy S20 FE was launched as a response to lower-than-expected sales of the Galaxy S20 series. It was released only recently and opened mostly to great reviews.

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  • VinSmart produces smartphones for US mobile service provider

    VinSmart produces smartphones for US mobile service provider

    VinSmart, a subsidiary of Vietnam’s largest listed company Vingroup, has received a contract manufacturing order for two million smartphones from a major U.S. carrier.

    Le Thi Thu Thuy, general director of VinSmart, without identifying the U.S. company, said Thursday at a press conference that the first consignment was sent a month ago. The phones carry the American service provider’s logo.

    “This is an important step in understanding the U.S. market… before taking Vsmart phones there in future,” Thuy said.

    The U.S. company has such stringent standards that despite having a team in Vietnam to supervise the VinSmart factory 24/7, it still thoroughly inspects the phones once they reach the U.S.

    The contract is for four models, all of them supporting 4G.

    A confidentiality agreement prohibits VinSmart from disclosing the name of its partner.

    VinSmart has a plant for manufacturing 125 million phones, IoT devices, and other smart devices per year at the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park in Hanoi.

    The brand is currently sold in three countries, Russia, Myanmar, and Spain, but the company expects to sell its Aris 5G in the U.S. by next year.

    VinSmart had a 16.7 percent market share in the first quarter and surpassed Apple to become the third-largest smartphone brand in Vietnam behind Samsung and China’s Oppo.

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  • Apple TV+ free trials are being extended through February 2021

    Apple TV+ free trials are being extended through February 2021

    Buyers of the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV have been entitled to a free year of Apple TV+ since September 2019. The service itself launched in early November, so those trials are now weeks away from ending.

    However, in an unexpected move, Apple has offered an extension to early adopters.

    Apple has announced that it will be extending early Apple TV+ trials through February 2021. If the trial period starting between November 1, 2019 and January 31, 2020 customers will be receiving the extension.

    Users of the service that were paid during those initial months, on the other hand, will be credited for the same amount. That credit is attached to each person’s Apple ID and can be used to pay for Apple services, in the App Stores, or in the iTunes Store.

    Those of you planning to sign up to the Apple One services bundle later this year won’t have to worry either as the credit will still be issued. Again, it can be used to pay for Apple services or other items.

    These account credits will be applied automatically, meaning customers won’t have to do anything. Apple should send out emails to eligible customers over the coming days notifying them of the change.

    Unfortunately, anybody that signed up for Apple TV+ after February 2020 won’t be entitled to an extension of any kind.

  • iPad Pro 2020 to Become More Pro Sooner Than Expected 

    Since the launch of iPad Pro in 201X, it has fast become a viable alternative to a laptop, impressing professionals across many industries as well as casual consumers. The quality of display, processing power, cameras, audio capabilities and all round performance marks a massive step forward for the tablet technology, and the innovative user interface adds to the experience.

    While Apple gave it a refresh in March of this year, they look set to roll out another new version, seeking to further push the envelope for what is possible with a mobile device. But the last time they issued two updates within the space of a year (with the third and fourth generation coming back to back in 2012), the criticism was fierce enough for them not to have attempted anything similar since.

    So, what is the reason for the update, and is it justifiable? Let’s take a closer look at the iPad Pro and the new features rumoured to be coming soon – sooner than anyone expected.

    Current specs

    The iPad Pro that hit the shelves in March 2020 was seen as a step up from previous models. It introduced a new, faster A12Z bionic chip, more responsive than before.

    It features two cameras: a 12 megapixel wide angle and a 10 megapixel ultra wide angle – these feature Smart HDR, Quad-LED True Tone Flash, wide color, and 4K video recording at up to 60fps. A new LiDAR depth scanner uses reflected light to measure the distance of objects in nano-seconds, and combined with the camera data provides an enhanced augmented reality experience.

    Apple launched the Magic Keyboard for iPad at the same time, which differs from the Mac version as it has an inbuilt trackpad. It also features backlit keys, and a charger socket that powers the iPad simultaneously. The Apple Pencil is also supported.

    When it comes to the size, the iPad pro is available in two formats, 11 inches and 12.9 inches, and like its predecessors features Face ID, 10 hour battery life and storage options which range from 128GB up to a massive 1TB.

    Who uses the iPad Pro?

    Marketed as a ‘tablet-computer’ rather than a mobile device, the iPad Pro is aimed at users who require a responsive experience as well as graphical excellence.

    Designers

    The incredibly powerful performance as well as the colour accurate display make the iPad Pro an amazing tool for designers. The larger size is probably preferable, but with True Tone support, a speedy refresh rate and seamless integration into a designer’s workflow, the device is becoming the go-to.

    The Apple Pencil, with its updated stylus is a remarkable tool for design. It feels like drawing with a real pencil, and now Apple have introduced a double-tap feature which eradicates the need to scroll through menus to change brush sizes etc.

    Being able to bring such a powerful tool – essentially your entire studio – with you wherever you go makes the iPad Pro indispensable for designers.

    Gamers

    The standard for mobile gaming has improved drastically over the last few years. Console and arcade favourites have made the migration to iPad, alongside games specifically designed for the format.

    The iPad Pro now supports the Xbox One external controller, negating a criticism that had long been levelled at tablet gaming. Aside from favourites like Call of Duty, Fortnite and Minecraft, Apple has launched their Arcade series, bringing classics to the format that will provide much entertainment on the go.

    Another area of gaming that is benefiting from the improved graphics and faster speeds are gambling games. With cutting-edge iPad slots, or evergreen table games from baccarat to poker and craps, websites such as vegasslotsonline.com will help you step into the realm of fun and learn how to get started playing iPad casino games, where iPad Pro 2020 version comes as the icing on the cake giving an ultimate experience to its players.

    Students

    The iPad Pro is proving popular with students – it basically provides everything that you’ll need for college in one compact, convenient package.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnZeDt2c8Yo

    Much lighter than a laptop (and without the need to search for a power socket everywhere you go) and with dedicated apps available to help with such cutting edge pursuits as 3D modelling, graphic design, music production and video editing. The iPad Pro outperforms most laptops in a similar price range, so it seems like the best choice for budget conscious students – though it is far from the cheapest tablet on the market. And the use of iCloud also ensures you’ll never misplace an essay again.

    So what’s new?

    The new iPad Pro still features much of the same spec, but the display is going to be Mini LED, enabling different brightness levels across the display, and with deeper dark shades and even better colour accuracy. A new A14X chip should provide an even faster, more responsive user experience. The Apple Pencil is rumoured to be in for an update as well, which will be of interest to designers and artists. And 5G implementation is very likely!

    Two iPad Pro launches in a year? It’s always exciting when Apple unveils a new product, but we’ll have to wait a while to see if this update was absolutely essential.

     

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  • Apple AirPods Pro Lite release date, price, features

    Apple AirPods Pro Lite release date, price, features

    The AirPods Pro Lite are rumored to be an upcoming model of truly wireless headphones by Apple. They are expected to be more capable than the regular AirPods, but slightly cheaper than the premium AirPods Pro.

    The original AirPods (late 2016) were among the first truly wireless earphones. They boosted the interest in this fledgling category of tech products and established themselves as undisputed leaders. In early 2019, Apple followed with an upgraded version which added a number of things such as wireless charging, “Hey Siri” and slightly better battery life. In late 2019, Apple released a higher-tier variant called AirPods Pro. The AirPods Pro have been a runaway success – they came at a significantly higher price but introduced an improved design, dramatically better sound quality and active noise cancellation.

    Now, the word is Apple is working on a product that is supposed to slide between the AirPods and the AirPods Pro. The rumor mill is referring to that product as the AirPods Pro Lite, but that is by no means its official name.

    So, when will AirPods Pro Lite come out? We wish we knew! And sadly, it’s not like we’re drowning in leaks right now.

    But we can take a look at the next probable dates when Apple could announce the mysterious earbuds. Naturally, what comes to mind first is Apple’s September event – the company’s flagship event where it always reveals its big iPhone releases. This isn’t at all unlikely, as the original AirPods were unveiled at precisely such an event. So, this year, we might see the new AirPods Pro Lite launch alongside the iPhone 12 series.

    Alternatively, the AirPods Pro got their own “online” release in November last year, which was after the big iPhone event had long finished. So the possibility of Apple launching the new AirPods Pro Lite at any time later this year is also quite real. No single release window currently has any real backing, though. Hopefully, we get more AirPods Pro Lite leaks soon that would narrow the options a bit.

    Ah, this is the other money question: how much are the AirPods Pro Lite going to cost! The only lead we have in terms of pricing is that the Pro Lite are supposed to be positioned between the AirPods and AirPods Pro.

    The basic AirPods cost $159.The same AirPods but with a wireless charging case come in at $199. The premium AirPods Pro cost $249.

    Now, that obviously doesn’t leave much room for the Pro Lite to slot in, does it? The way things stand right now, we can’t really see how the rumored model could squeeze itself into the line-up. That said, the TWS (true wireless stereo) market is beginning to saturate, and, as usual, Apple is starting to feel some pressure from the more affordable segments. With that in mind, Apple might want to push the price of the regular AirPods a bit lower to fend of the players in the low-$100 space.

    A fairly conservative possibility would be to have the AirPods at $149, and then the AirPods Pro Lite at $199, and the Pro at $249. That would make for a nice, even distribution across the TWS price spectrum. But this, of course, is pure speculation. Regardless, the $200 mark is roughly the area we expect Apple to position the Pro Lite in, if the model ever comes to light.

    At this point, there is absolutely no information with regards to the eventual AirPods Pro Lite specs. There is some debate going on around the tech community what the middle-of-the-road earbuds should be like, and while some see active noise cancellation as a must-have feature, we believe it might as well not be present.

    ANC is fairly taxing and makes for a great premium differentiator. On the other hand, the AirPods Pro also brings a superb audio quality enhancement over the regular AirPods. With this in mind, it wouldn’t surprise us if the mythical AirPods Pro Lite keep the same design as the AirPods Pro, and deliver the same superb audio quality, but lose the active noise cancellation. This doesn’t seem so unthinkable if you consider the rubber-tip design of the Pro (and possibly the Pro Lite), which is among the best when it comes to the rubber material, the fit and the comfort. Thus, Apple could easily market the Pro Lite as having passive noise cancellation, and call it a day.

    Aside from all that, as we said, if we can trust that the nickname Pro Lite describes the rumored model accurately enough, we’d expect it to keep the same physical design and audio quality. Also, there will surely be Hey Siri support, as well as the same degree of water-resistance.

  • Apple sues recycling firm seeking $22.7 million for theft of over 100,000 iPhones

    Apple sues recycling firm seeking $22.7 million for theft of over 100,000 iPhones

    Apple is back at its home away from home; in court, we mean. The tech giant is suing a Canadian recycling firm called Geep Canada alleging that the firm stole 100,000 Apple devices including iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches. Apple has been using the firm since 2014 to strip down these devices and recycle them.

    The interesting thing is that Geep Canada doesn’t deny that the devices in question were stolen. But in a countersuit filed by the firm, it claims that three rogue employees were responsible for the thefts which reportedly occurred without the company’s knowledge. Apple says that the three so-called “rogue employees” are actually members of Geep Canada’s senior management.

    The filing that Apple submitted to the court says that between January 2015 and December 2017, the company shipped 531,966 iPhones, 25,673 iPads, and 19,277 Apple Watches to Geep Canada. When Apple visited the recycler’s warehouse to perform an audit, it discovered that some of its devices were being stored separately from devices from other companies. When Apple discovered that there were no security cameras monitoring that gear, the company decided to check the serial numbers of all of the devices it sent to Geep Canada. What it discovered was that 18% of the devices it had sent to Geep to be stripped for parts, a total of 103,845 phones, tablets, and watches, were active on networks belonging to wireless providers. Apple notes that the actual number of stolen devices is higher since the non-cellular iPad and Apple Watch models wouldn’t show up on the carriers’ lists.

    Apple’s lawsuit shows that “At least 11,766 pounds of Apple devices left Geep’s premises without being destroyed – a fact that Geep itself confirmed.” The manufacturer is seeking $22.7 million from Geep Canada. Since someone was able to sell the devices in question, you might wonder why Apple just didn’t decide to sell them itself. But the tech giant told The Verge that “Products sent for recycling are no longer adequate to sell to consumers and if they are rebuilt with counterfeit parts they could cause serious safety issues, including electrical or battery defects.” Selling these devices when they are no longer safe or good to use can not only harm consumers, doing so can also harm Apple’s reputation if these products can’t perform up to par. Apple filed the suit in January 2020 although the thefts were discovered in 2017-2018. Since Apple confronted Geep Canada, it has stopped working with the company.

    At the beginning of this year, we told you that Apple is looking to recycle all of the parts used on its devices and become a closed-loop manufacturer. Apple also relies on robots like Daisy that can strip and keep the parts of 200 iPhone units an hour. But not everyone believes that Apple is best served by recycling old products. Consider Kyle Wiens, the founder of device repair company iFixit. He would prefer that Apple repair older iPhones rather than strip them down and recycle the parts.

    Daisy the robot can disassemble an iPhone (think of it doing the opposite of what Foxconn’s assembly line does) using a blast of freezing cold air weighing in at -176 degrees Fahrenheit. Apple removes and keeps screws and modules and sends some parts to recycling firms tp extract the minerals. Cobalt is removed from the batteries inside these older devices and is used on new batteries. Once Daisy removes an iPhone’s display, sensors, screws, logic boards, and the wireless charging coil, all that is left is an aluminum chassis. The aluminum is reused on newer devices while the solder used to mount components on new devices is produced from 100% recycled tin.

  • Tipster says that Samsung will soon introduce the chips that will power the Galaxy S21 line

    Tipster says that Samsung will soon introduce the chips that will power the Galaxy S21 line

    A tweet disseminated on Saturday by tipster MauriQHD (@MauriQHD) says that the next Exynos chipset will be introduced by Samsung at any moment. According to the tweet, the Exynos 2100 will be the successor to the Exynos 990. A recent Geekbench test of the Exynos 2100 allegedly running on the Galaxy S21+ had a single-core score of 1038 and a multi-core score of 3060. That pales in comparison to the Geekbench results recently posted for the Apple A14 Bionic SoC that will power the iPhone 12 series. That chip, tested while powering an iPad, had single-core and multi-core scores of 1583 and 4198 respectively. At this point, it is possible that the Exynos 2100 score is based on a test using unoptimized firmware so we need to hold off on making any direct comparisons.

    Both the A14 Bionic and the Exynos 2100 will be manufactured using the 5nm process which means that more transistors will fit inside a square mm allowing for greater performance and improved energy consumption. Like the Exynos 2100, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 875 chipset will be manufactured by Samsung Foundry using the 5nm process node. We could see the new Snapdragon flagship chip unveiled in December during the Snapdragon Summit.

    The tipster also said in his tweet that the Exynos 2100 should be “way better” than the Exynos 990. Considering that the latter was manufactured using the 7nm EUV process (EUV is a technique used to mark wafers with very thin ultraviolet beams allowing more transistors to be placed inside a chip) compared to the more powerful and energy-efficient 5nm Exynos 2100, this is pretty much a sure thing.

    The Exynos 2100 and Snapdragon 875 will both be found in consumer devices starting early next year. The A14 Bionic, which Apple already introduced when it unveiled the fourth-generation iPad Air last month, could be in consumers’ hands as soon as later this month as the chip will power both the aforementioned tablet and the 2020 iPhone models, both of which are expected to be released later this month. Another 5nm chip manufactured by TSMC this year is Huawei’s Kirin 9000 chipset. The chip will power the Huawei Mate 40 line and the Huawei Mate X2 foldable model. But due to a change in U.S. export regulations, Huawei can no longer get deliveries of this chip sent to it by the foundry. The Chinese manufacturer has been building up a stockpile of Kirin 9000 chips that it will be able to use until the inventory is all gone.

    So how will the Exynos 2100 compare with the Snapdragon 875? Both 5nm chipsets, as we pointed out, will be manufactured by Samsung, but Twitter tipster Ice Universe said back in August that while Samsung will close the gap, the Snapdragon 875 will still be the superior chip (note that the Exynos 1000 is a rumored name for the same chip that we are calling the Exynos 2100). While Samsung is moving to AMD for the GPU on its new component, Qualcomm is debuting the 7 series for the Adreno GPU found inside the Snapdragon 875.

    The Exynos 2100 SoC will most likely make its debut on the Samsung Galaxy S21 line which will probably include the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and the Galaxy S21 Ultra. If Samsung sticks with tradition, the Exynos 2100 will power the vast majority of Galaxy S21 series models; those in the U.S., China will get the version of the phone powered by the Snapdragon 875. However, for the Galaxy S20 line this year, Samsung equipped all of the units shipped everywhere but Europe with the Snapdragon 865. That humiliated Samsung employees in the company’s home country of South Korea. But the Exynos 990 just did not have the performance capabilities that Sammy’s executives were hoping for. This year, we could see Samsung return to the Exynos chip for its first flagship line of the year in most markets

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  • Monitoring and Controlling Temperature using Wearables

    Monitoring and Controlling Temperature using Wearables

    Regulating body temperature is a problem that humankind has been contending with for millennia. Our physiology adapted to cope with quite a small part of the world, where the climate is a certain way. Once we spread out across the globe, we had to cope with the entire range of weather systems – from hot and humid jungles to icy tundra.

    Of course, when it’s too cold, the technological solution is simple: just wrap up warm. But what happens when it’s too hot? That’s the problem which a new wave of wearable devices aim to solve.

    Perhaps the most eye-catching of these is the Reon Pocket from Sony – a small piece of plastic, chargeable via USB-C, which is built to sit against your skin, and to cool you down via the Peltier effect. Released exclusively in Japan, where the humidity during summer is a problem in some regions, it functions, basically, like a small cold device which sits against the skin, which, while welcome, is a little more local as a cooling effect than some of the marketing material might suggest.

    What’s the Peltier Effect?

    The Peltier Effect is one of three thermoelectric effects, produced by thermocouples of the sort you might find on the RS Components webstore. It allows the creation of solid-state heat pumps. If we take two junctions, and apply a voltage across them to create a current, heat will be removed from one and be deposited at the other. Note that this only works in the case of DC circuits; otherwise you’d have heat being moved rapidly from one junction to the other without any useful effect.

    The traditional means of air conditioning involves pipes of coolant, motors and compressors. Heat is absorbed at one end of a loop and dispersed at the other. This is the function of those big air-conditioning units you might see sprouting from the tops of office buildings. Obviously, this method wouldn’t be practicable in a wearable device. But it’s only very recently that Peltier-based circuitry has gotten small enough that it can be fitted into a wearable device.

    On the other hand, we also have devices powered by another thermoelectric effect – the Seebeck effect – which actually allows for smartwatches which don’t ever need to be charged. Wearable devices like the Matrix Powerwatch can be powered by body heat alone, meaning that you never have to worry about charging them ever again.

    What about the Environment?

    Naturally, a world where we’re all walking around with air-conditioned jackets is sure to impose a cost on the environment, in much the same way that air-conditioned buildings has done. If the Seebeck effect is properly leveraged, however, then the effect might run in the opposite direction – we’ll have wearable devices that never need to be charged again!

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  • Android 11 update roadmap for Nokia smartphones leaks

    Android 11 update roadmap for Nokia smartphones leaks

    HMD Global did a little blunder recently when it decided to tweet the Android 11 update roadmap for Nokia smartphones and then delete it quickly afterward. That usually means that the company is not ready to commit to those dates highlighted in the document, so take the information with a grain of salt even if it comes through official channels.

    As many Nokia fans already know, HMD Global usually updates all its smartphones, regardless of the hardware inside. That being said, it’s no surprise that we’re seeing devices like Nokia 1 Plus and Nokia 1.3 on the list of devices eligible for an Android 11 upgrade.

    You can check the picture above to see when exactly your Nokia smartphone will receive Android 11, or you can read below if what’s in the image isn’t too clear for you. Just like every other year, HMD Global will push Android 11 in waves, so here is a quick rundown of the situation:

    • Nokia 2.2, Nokia 5.3, Nokia 8.1, Nokia 8.3 5G: Q4 2020 and early Q1 2021
    • Nokia 1.3, Nokia 2.3, Nokia 2.4, Nokia 3.4, Nokia 4.2: Q1 2021
    • Nokia 3.2, Nokia 6.2, Nokia 7.2: Q1-Q2 2021
    • Nokia 1 Plus, Nokia 9 PureView: Q2 2021

    Since HMD Global decided to take down the document maybe some of the estimates will be modified. Well, at least we have an idea of what to expect from the Finnish company when it comes to Android 11 updates.

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  • HTC’s foldable smartphone is awkward rather than exciting

    HTC’s foldable smartphone is awkward rather than exciting

    Many companies have already jumped on the foldable phone bandwagon, but it may take years for the market to reach maturity. As such, the first companies to have their own foldable smartphones available on the market have a big advantage over those who didn’t have the courage or resources to come out with such products yet.

    Even though these foldable smartphones are still crazy expensive, there seems to be an audience for these. It remains to be seen how large this audience really is and whether or not foldable smartphones will become a thing, unlike 3D phones that disappeared very fast.

    After Samsung, Motorola, and Huawei, it looks like HTC is readying its own foldable smartphone. Although HTC’s foldable smartphone exists just on paper at the moment, the Taiwanese company seems to be interested in the concept.

    HTC filed a patent for a new foldable smartphone late last year. The patent was published back in August by the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Office) and judging from the sketches, HTC’s device doesn’t look too good. The technology behind it needs to be streamlined, that’s for sure.

    The hinge mechanism is the first weird thing noticeable in the pictures. It protrudes outwards and while it might offer an additional layer of sturdiness to the phone, it’s quite unpleasant for the eyes. But the biggest question mark is that HTC’s device folds outwards, so the display will always be on the outside.

    HTC’s foldable smartphone doesn’t seem to feature a secondary display like Motorola’s new RAZR, but because it folds outwards, it should allow users to operate the phone without having to open it, at least in theory.

    LetsGoDigital made a handful of renders based on the patent drawings filed by HTC, but the final device might not look like what we’re seeing in these images. It’s hard to say if HTC is still determined to launch its own foldable smartphone, but if it does, let’s hope it comes up with a better concept.

  • Snapdragon 875 will likely be followed by Snapdragon 775G, a 6nm flagship-rivaling chip

    Snapdragon 875 will likely be followed by Snapdragon 775G, a 6nm flagship-rivaling chip

    The upcoming Qualcomm Snapdragon 875G will also be available in a Plus variant, claims tipster Roland Quandt. The Snapdragon 875G is apparently codenamed SM8350 and it is internally known as Lahaina. Based on what we know so far, it will be made using Samsung’s 5nm EUV process as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC)’s entire 5nm capacity has been reserved by Apple for the A14 Bionic and other proprietary chips.

    5nm chips are expected to be around 25 percent smaller and 20 percent more power-efficient than 7nm SoCs. And, of course, we can also look forward to performance gains. The Snapdragon 875 will likely feature an Arm Cortex-X1 core, three Cortex-A78 cores, and four Cortex-A55 cores. The X60 5G modem will presumably be embedded within the chip.

    If history is any indication, Qualcomm’s upcoming flagship chip will be unveiled in December.

    It will probably be refreshed in July 2021, and per Quandt, the overclocked version is internally known as Lahaina+. The leaker also mentions the rumored Snapdragon 775G, which will likely succeed the Snapdragon 765G that powers midranges 5G-enabled phones like the OnePlus Nord and LG Velvet. The chip will reportedly not share the stage with the Snapdragon 875, and we can expect it in early 2021.

    The chip is reportedly going to be a massive upgrade over its predecessor, and will probably have more in common with the Snapdragon 875 than its 7-series stablemates. According to today’s leak, it will support 120Hz displays, 12GB LPDDR5 RAM, and 256GB UFS 3.1 storage.

    This chip will reportedly be based on a 6nm architecture and it will have a 40 percent faster CPU and 50 percent better graphics than the Snapdragon 765G. This may make it more power-efficient and faster than the Snapdragon 865.

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  • Qualcomm’s newest 5G chipset is announced

    Qualcomm’s newest 5G chipset is announced

    Qualcomm unveiled a new 5G enabled chipset from the Snapdragon 7-Series. The Snapdragon 750G enables “truly global gaming” according to the San Diego-based company, along with True HDR gaming (with 10x brighter colors), and on-device AI. The chipset supports both sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G; the latter delivers signals that travel far, easily penetrate structures but provide slower 5G download data speeds than what is available from mmWave 5G signals. The Snapdragon 750G chip offers some features from Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Elite Gaming that allow for smooth gameplay with low latency.

    The Snapdragon 750G comes with the Adreno 619 GPU providing users with as much as a 10% hike in graphics rendering compared to the Adreno 618 GPU found on the Snapdragon 730G. Qualcomm states that the new chipset delivers “stunning, life-like imagery” and the 5G support allows users to play multiplayer contests or stream games through their smartphones using 5G cloud gaming platforms.

    AI tasks will be handled by the fifth-generation Qualcomm AI Engine supporting voice translation, smart camera, and video, AI-enhanced gaming experiences and advanced AI-based imaging. The AI Engine handles up to 4.0 Trillion Operations Per Second (TOPS), a 20% improvement compared to Snapdragon 730G. The chip is powered by the Kryo 570 CPU core allowing for a 20% hike in “enhanced user experience,” also compared to the Snapdragon 730G. Integrated into the Snapdragon 750G is an AI-based audio and voice communication suite that allows users to hear speech loud and clear despite dogs barking in the background, the sounds of construction, loud traffic, and more.

    The Qualcomm Spectra 355L Image Signal Processor produces noise-reduced sharp images and 4K HDR videos can be recorded. The chip will work with image sensors supporting a pixel count of up to 192MP.

    The CPU runs at a clock speed as fast as 2.2GHz and works with Bluetooth 5.1. It is Wi-Fi 6 ready and does work with a 120Hz rapid refresh rate on screens with a resolution of FHD+. The maximum display that can be driven by the Snapdragon 750G is QHD (1440p) with a standard 60Hz refresh rate. The chip is manufactured using an 8nm process node and the first devices to be powered by the chip are expected to be commercially available at the end of this year.

    Verizon’s Chris Emmons, executive director device and product marketing, says, “As Verizon continues to lead 5G innovation with 5G Ultra Wideband and our soon-to-be-launched 5G Nationwide network, we know we can count on technology partners like Qualcomm Technologies to provide the superior solutions for sub6 and mmWave spectrum needed to run the next-generation 5G devices our customers rely on.”

    >Andreas Bussmann, program manager 5G Devices Deutsche Telekom, states that “Deutsche Telekom and Qualcomm Technologies have a strong strategic collaboration in driving innovation together. We are excited as this announcement will further help scale 5G for everyone and improve the overall consumer experience.” Lastly, Quanxin Wang, general manager of product and technology, Xiaomi International, said that “Xiaomi is committed to developing cutting-edge devices to address the growing consumer demand for 5G. We are proud to work with Qualcomm Technologies to launch the first commercial smartphone based on the latest Snapdragon 750G to consumers.”

    Speaking of 5G, the Snapdragon 750G offers peak speeds of up to 3.7Gbps (download) and 1.6Gbps (upload) with 5G connectivity. Peak LTE speeds are up to 1.2Gbps (download) and 210Mbps (upload).

    So now we know that a Xiaomi branded 5G handset will be the first powered by the Snapdragon 750G when the integrated circuit is released later this year.

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  • Apple supplier Pegatron to invest $1 bln in Vietnam

    Apple supplier Pegatron to invest $1 bln in Vietnam

    Pegatron, a supplier for Apple, Microsoft, and Sony, plans to invest $1 billion in an electronics manufacturing plant in northern Vietnam. The Taiwanese company will invest $19 million in the first phase at the Dinh Vu Industrial Zone in Hai Phong City to produce computing, communications, and consumer electronics, according to a recent report by the Ministry of Planning and Investment submitted to Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

    It has received licenses for this and is seeking licenses for the $481-million second phase.

    The two phases will create 22,500 direct jobs and contribute around VND100 billion ($4.3 million) annually to the government’s coffers.

    Pegatron would invest another $500 million in the plant in 2026-2027.

    It seeks to move its research and development center from China to Vietnam at a suitable time.

    The ministry said it is working with another Taiwanese company, Universal Global Technology, which produces smartphones and earbuds parts for Lenovo and Sony, to set up a manufacturing plant in Vietnam.

    The company, a subsidiary of semiconductor maker ASE Technology Holding, is considering investing $400 million in two phases.

    These are among major companies seeking to shift production facilities from China to Vietnam as they seek to diversify their supply chains following the huge disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and trade tensions between China and the U.S.

    Apple has begun making its wireless earbuds AirPods Pro in Vietnam, and its contract manufacturer Foxconn said in June that Vietnam was its largest manufacturing hub in Southeast Asia.

    Fifteen Japanese companies, most producers of medical equipment and electronic components, registered in July to move their production from China to Vietnam under a Japanese government-funded scheme.

  • Issues with the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G and other high-end-models are frustrating users

    Issues with the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G and other high-end-models are frustrating users

    Some of the phones in Samsung’s 2019-2020 flagship lineup are experiencing issues with the indicator that shows how much battery life remains on these models. The particular phones affected include those in the Galaxy S10 and S20 families and the Galaxy Note 10 and Note 20 lines. There are two major problems affecting these phones. One is that the battery (and thus the phone) shuts down before the indicator measuring the remaining battery life hits 1% or less. The other problem is that the phone runs through the last 1%-5% of battery life too quickly.

    Several users confirmed that these battery issues are legitimate. One subscriber with the handle of Ldn_brother wrote: “I can confirm this on the s20 ultra. As soon as I get down below 15% the battery magically disappears rapidly. I’ll be on 6% and all of a sudden my phone has turned off after I pick it up 2 mins later. I’ve kind of learned to live with it, although I know its not right. Never had this with the S4 or S7.”

    One Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G user had a suggestion. He posted “Easy solution, charge your phone whenever possible and don’t let it get that low.” This might sound like an impractical fix, but if you don’t mind spending a few bucks for a power bank (one with a 10,000mAh capacity battery or larger), you might be able to try out this bit of advice to see if there is any improvement.

    If you feel like blaming the blazing fast charging capabilities supported by some of these devices, you might be barking up the wrong tree. For example, it is true that the Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G comes with a 25W charger out of the box, and Super Fast Charging 2.0 does support 45W charging,  But one of the devices having battery issues is the Galaxy Tab S5e, and that slate charges at “only” 15W. And this brings us to another point; while we have been focusing on flagship Galaxy phones, other Samsung devices have had these problems as well.

    So far we have yet to hear from Samsung about these battery issues. Owners of Galaxy devices impacted by this problem should keep their fingers and toes crossed hoping that the manufacturer can solve this issue with a simple OTA update. Or you can take matters into your own hands by calling Samsung yourself and alerting them to the problem. In the states, pick up your phone (and assuming that there is enough battery life on the device) and call 1 (800) 726-7864. The company’s online support site can be found by tapping on this link.