We got the first official look at the Xiaomi Redmi 5 and Redmi 5 Plus today, ahead of their official launch on Thursday. Xiaomi spokesman Donovan Sung shared four images that gave fans a sneak preview of the upcoming smartphones. The Redmi 5 and Redmi 5 Plus have 18:9 displays and fingerprint sensors on the back and do not have capacitive hardware buttons. Since the two look almost identical, the differences probably lie in the specs. Leaked specs suggest a 5.7-inch HD+ panel, MIUI 9 software, 1.8GHz octa-core processor, 3200mAh battery, and three variants (2/3/4GB RAM and 16/32/64GB storage). According to leaks from last week, the price of Redmi 5 will be CNY 1,399 (approximately Rs. 13,600).
WhatsApp feature for restricted groups spotted. WhatsApp group admins may soon be given more privileges over members as a new Restricted Groups Setting feature has reportedly been submitted through the Google Play beta program in version 2.17.430 of the app. The quality is currently disabled and may be released in an upcoming app version. It will give WhatsApp group managers the ability to prevent other members from sending text messages, photos, videos, GIFs, documents, or voice messages. Therefore, they can only read the notes and media that the administrator shares. If members want to share something, they have to resort to the Post Manager button; this will share the post with the admin, who must approve it so that other members can see it.
Vodafone unveils new unlimited calling; data plans Vodafone has launched five prepaid plans that offer unlimited calling and data benefits in the Tamil Nadu circle. The Rs. 509 Vodafone Super Plan comes with 1 GB of data per day, unlimited network calls, free outgoing calls via roaming, and 100 text messages per day for 84 days. At Rs. 458, buyers get the same benefits, they are valid for 70 days. Then there is Rs. 347 plan with 1.5 GB data per day, unlimited calls, free national roaming calls, and SMS at 25 paise, valid for 28 days. For those who want to make free calls but are not so concerned about data allocation, Vodafone has charged the Rs. 199 plan with free local and STD calls and no charges for outgoing calls when roaming, and a total of 1 GB of data for 28 days. With the Rs. 79 pack, subscribers get unlimited local and STD calls, 500 MB of data, and local and national text messages for 25 paise, and a validity of 7 days.
OnePlus 5 T’s new variant is coming to India OnePlus 5T Star Wars Limited Edition model will be launched in India on December 15, the same day that Star Wars: The Last Jedi is released in the country. The device was on display at Comic-Con Bengaluru on Saturday. A day before the official release of the upcoming variant, the company will formally launch it; the event will be held at IMAX Wadala in Mumbai, and tickets to the event will be available on December 7 at 10 am – will cost Rs. 999. The OnePlus 5T Star Wars Limited Edition variant has a white back with the Star Wars franchise logo at the bottom, a red-colored Alert Slider, and a white Stormtrooper wallpaper. In terms of specifications and features, the device is expected to be identical to the original OnePlus 5T. The new variant will be available through Amazon India, OnePlusStore. and OnePlus offline experience zones in Bengaluru and Noida.
Nokia 9 and Nokia 8 (2018) reportedly launched on January 19. HMD Global will reportedly host an event in China on January 19, where it plans to unveil the flagship Nokia 9 and the 2018 version of the Nokia 8. on the Chinese market. The report comes with screenshots showing that the Nokia 9 will have 6GB of RAM and 64GB and 128GB of internal storage options, priced at CNY 3,699 (approximately Rs. 36,000) and CNY 4,199 (roughly Rs. 40,900), respectively. It also has a 5.5-inch QHD display and Snapdragon 835 SoC. As for the Nokia 8 (2018), the handset is expected to feature Snapdragon 835 and Android Oreo.
Nokia 3 launched with Android 7.0 Nougat and received the Android 7.1.1 Nougat update in September. Separately, HMD Global Chief Product Officer Juho Sarvikas announced that the Nokia 3 would skip Android 7.1.2 and go straight to Android Oreo. However, there is no official timeline for when the handset will get the latest version of Android.
Asus ZenFone Live gets a price cut Asus ZenFone Live has received a price cut in India, bringing the price down to Rs. 7.999. The handset was launched at Rs. 9,999 but was available for Rs. 8,999, so the effective price cut is Rs. 1,000. The smartphone’s highlight is the ZenFone Live feature, which Asus calls “the world’s first live streaming beautification technology,” powered by the BeautyLive app. Asus ZenFone Live has a 5-inch HD display, Android Marshmallow software, quad-core Qualcomm processor, 2 GB RAM, 16 GB internal storage, support for expansion up to 128 GB, a 13-megapixel rear camera, 5- a megapixel selfie shooter with LED flash, and 2650mAh battery.
The Freedom 251 Dream of Ringing Bells founder is still alive. Freedom 251 Ringing Bells Managing Director Mohit Goel has said he can still deliver the Rs. 251 Freedom 251 smartphone if it receives government support. He said that bigger players – Jio and Karbonn – have adopted his model of cheap smartphone even though the government has not given him any consent despite its efforts to put smartphones in the hands of every Indian. The statements came on the backs of the two individuals by UP Police on Sunday for defrauding Ringing Bells from Rs. 3.5 crores after an FIR from Goel. According to him, the company paid the duo the amount as a prepayment for the Freedom 251 handsets, but they transferred the money without delivering the units.
Micromax Canvas Infinity Pro launched in India Micromax has launched the Canvas Infinity Pro smartphone with a borderless design for Rs. 13,999. The smartphone will be available exclusively through Flipkart from midnight on December 6. Canvas Infinity Pro features a 5.7-inch HD+ display with an 18:9 aspect ratio, Android Nougat software, quad-core Snapdragon 430 processor, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB internal storage, microSD support up to 128 GB, dual front camera setup (20-megapixel + 8-megapixel), 16-megapixel rear camera, fingerprint sensor, and 3000mAh battery.
iOS 11.2 for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch released, the cheapest 9.7-inch iPad possible in 2018. Apple has released the iOS 11.2 update for compatible iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch models. Apple was supposed to release the update in the third week of December but appeared to have it available early to fix the bug that caused several iPhone and iPad models to crash consistently with Springboard. The iOS 11.2 update comes with the Apple Pay Cash feature that allows users to send, request, and receive money from contacts using Apple Pay via message. It also brings faster wireless charging to iPhone X, iPhone 8, and iPhone 8 Plus with compatible third-party accessories.
A new report says the company will launch its most affordable 9.7-inch iPad in 2018, priced at $259 (about Rs. 16,700). It’s not yet clear whether the brand will replace the current 9.7-inch model – the cheapest iPad released to date – with this upcoming one. Apple is aiming for sales volumes with this model; iPad sales have failed to match their 2014 peak.
Samsung W2018 Android flip phone launched, Galaxy A8+ (2018) leaked Samsung has unveiled the W2018 Android flip phone with dual screens and Bixby integration in China in gold and silver colors. It has two 4.2-inch AMOLED displays with full HD resolution, Snapdragon 835 SoC, 6 GB RAM, Android 7.1.1 Nougat software, a 12-megapixel rear camera with f/1.5 aperture, a 5-megapixel front camera, a 2300mAh battery, dual SIM functionality, and 3D glass design. The new Samsung W2018 comes in two storage options, 64 GB and 256 GB, with a dedicated microSD card slot supporting up to 256 GB.
Images of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy A8+ (2018) smartphone have also been leaked today. While the Infinity Display’s design is clear from the leaked images, it’s hard to say whether the aspect ratio is 18:9 or if Samsung is sticking to 18.5:9 (which it used in the Galaxy S8, S8+, and Note 8). Of course, the hardware Home button is gone, while the back panel of the Galaxy A8+ (2018) is rumored to have a dual camera setup and fingerprint sensor.
