News on Smartphones, May 2021

iPhone 13 

iPhone 13 series will be slightly thicker and with larger camera bumps

The latest rumor for the iPhone 13 series concerns the phones' physical dimensions. According to schematics obtained by MacRumors, all iPhone 13 models will measure at 7.55mm in thickness compared to 7.4mm on the current 12 series. The resulting 0.15mm change is visualized below though you’d be hard-pressed to actually see it in real life. Then again it will be enough to render a lot of cases and other accessories incompatible with new models.

Full content and details (external sources): GSMArena

Half-size Face ID chip part of secret to smaller notch expected in iPhone 13

The decreased chip will play a key role in shrinking the overall notch size. The same smaller image processing chip will also be used in future iPads with FaceID. With the smaller notch, Apple will also look to move up the speaker grille near the top of the bezel. 

Full content and details (external sources): GSMArena, 9to5Mac

Samsung 

Samsung Galaxy A22 5G and Samsung Galaxy A22 4G

Samsung Galaxy A22 5G and its 4G counterpart's specifications and renders have surfaced online. These two models are expected to be slightly toned-down variants of the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G that was launched earlier. Samsung Galaxy A22 5G and Samsung Galaxy A22 4G have several differences, and while they look almost identical in design, there is a side-mounted fingerprint scanner on the 5G model, whereas the 4G model houses an in-display fingerprint scanner.

Full content and details (external sources): Gadgets

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 will carry a similar array of cameras as its predecessor, if the information of @FrontTron is to be believed. The major innovation here will be the use of an under-display camera for the foldable display - a 16MP Sony IMXx71 with 1μm pixels - allowing for a seamless big display experience. There will be another selfie camera on the cover display - a 10MP Sony IMX374 with 1.22μm pixels - inside a punch-hole cutout.

Full content and details (external sources): GSMArena

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, Galaxy Z Flip 3, Galaxy Z Fold 3

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, Galaxy Z Flip 3, and Galaxy S21 Fan Edition (FE) launch timeline has been tipped by a report. As per the report, the smartphones may be launched in August 2021. The report cites industry insiders to claim the reason for the earlier than their usual launches to make up for the fact the Galaxy Note series is anticipated to be skipped this year, thanks to chip shortages. However, there is no official information from Samsung about the phones or when they would launch.

Full content and details (external sources): Gadgets

Samsung Galaxy A52 5G 

So far, Samsung has only launched one 5G capable mid-range smartphone in India, the Galaxy M42 5G, but that is about to change soon. The Korean company has apparently started working on firmware development for a version of the Galaxy A52 5G that is destined for India. This will have the model number SM-A526B.

Full content and details (external sources): GSMArena

Huawei 

Huawei P50 series

The Huawei P50 has been widely rumored in the last few months and for the most part, we’ve understood that the camera will have a new layout. Two large camera rings are speculated to house four cameras, including one large 1-inch sensor for the main camera. The latest news on the P50 Series is a render posted to Twitter by user @RODENT950. The leaker alleges that these renders are not mockups, but rather actual renders. In these renders, the camera array within the large rings is visible, showing three cameras in the upper cluster and one in the lower one. 

Full content and details (external sources): GSMArena

Huawei Mate 40 Pro Plus 8GB variant is now available

Huawei Mate 40 series smartphone Mate 40 Pro+ 8GB+256GB version is now available on the Huawei Mall. 

Huawei Mate 40 Pro+ was only available in 12GB+256GB versions, priced at 8,999 yuan, and the addition of new versions gave consumers more choices. Huawei Mate 40 Pro+ is equipped with Kirin 9000 chip, eight-core design, including a 3.13GHz A77 core, three 2.54GHz A77 cores, four 2.04GHz A55 small cores, 24-core Mali-G78 GPU, using 6.76-inch 88 Ultra-curve + double-hole type full screen, support 90Hz high refresh rate.

Full content and details (external sources): HuaweiUpdate

Google

Model numbers for future Google Pixels revealed by Android 12 Beta including a foldable Pixel

Following Google’s I/O Keynote on Tuesday, Google released the first Public Beta build for Android 12 and within it, 9to5Google found “numerous” mentions of four unreleased Pixel devices. Even these models’ codenames were also revealed within the code.

The following model numbers are specific to “Japanese variants of the Pixel 6 and other phones."

• G4S1M (Pixel 5a 5G) “Barbet”
• GR1YH (Pixel 6 family) “Oriole”
• GF5KQ (Pixel 6 family) “Raven”
• GPQ72 (Pixel foldable) “Passport”

Full content and details (external sources): GSMArena

Google Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro

Google Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 6 are largely expected to launch sometime in the fall this year and new renders and specifications of the two handsets have leaked online. This comes after FrontPageTech revealed the design of the two phones last week. These new CAD-based renders are identical to the ones leaked earlier and show the Pixel 6 Pro and the Pixel 6 from all angles. Specifications of the two handsets have also leaked with the Pixel 6 seen to have a dual camera setup at the back, whereas the Pro model is expected to integrate three rear cameras.

Full content and details (external sources): Gadgets

Asus

Asus ZenFone 8, ZenFone 8 Flip

Asus ZenFone 8 and Asus ZenFone 8 Flip are powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 888. However, apart from the same chipset, the ZenFone 8 and ZenFone 8 Flip have a list of differences on board. The ZenFone 8 is designed as the Asus' smallest flagship phone since the ZenFone 4 Pro that was launched back in August 2017. In contrast, the ZenFone 8 Flip retains the rotating camera design of the ZenFone 7. 

Full content and details (external sources): Gadgets, GSMArena

Asus ROG Phone 5 

ROG Phone 5 (now available in the US) is the latest iteration in the Asus gaming lineup and features a massive 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, the flagship Snapdragon 888 chipset and a 6,000 mAh battery with 65W charging. You also get mappable pressure sensitive Air Triggers touch areas and an RGB light panel on the back.

Full content and details (external sources): GSMArena

Realme 

Realme Narzo 30

The new Realme phone comes with a 90Hz display and is powered by an octa-core MediaTek Helio G95 SoC. The smartphone also features triple rear cameras and carries a racetrack-inspired chevron stripe at the back. Other highlights of Realme Narzo 30 include a hole-punch display design, 30W fast charging, and 128GB of onboard storage.

Full content and details (external sources): Gadgets

Realme 8 5G

Realme 8 5G is getting a new additional RAM + storage configuration in the Indian market. Earlier in April this year, the phone was launched in 4GB + 128GB and 8GB + 128GB storage options. The company has now added a new 4GB + 64GB storage configuration to the lineup. Apart from the change in storage capacity, the specifications of the phone remain identical. Realme 8 5G is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 700 SoC and features a 6.5-inch display with 90Hz refresh rate.

Full content and details (external sources): Gadgets

Realme C25s

Realme C25s will be launched in India in June and will be made available in two storage versions, as per a report. The Chinese company has already launched the smartphone in Malaysia, and it is a more powerful version of the regular Realme C25 that made its debut in India last month. Furthermore, the handset features a 48-megapixel triple rear camera, and a massive 6,000mAh battery.

Full content and details (external sources): Gadgets

Xiaomi 

Redmi Note 8 2021

The Chinese phone maker announced it will soon launch the Redmi Note 8 2021. While Redmi hasn't revealed the Note 8 2021's unveiling date yet, it took to Twitter to tease the smartphone's design. The poster shared by Redmi reveals the Note 8 2021 will pack a water drop notch display. 

Full content and details (external sources): GSMArena, Gadgets

Redmi Note 10 Pro

It sure took some time but Redmi finally brought the Note 10 Pro to its home market. The big difference with the international variant comes in the chipset department where we find MediaTek’s Dimensity 1100. The Chinese version also offers faster charging and a better-protected display with a slightly altered back design and camera island.

Full content and details (external sources): GSMArena