News on Smartphones, February 2022

iPhone 

Apple-Authorized Technicians Might Soon Be Able to Repair Face ID Without Replacing Entire iPhone

As per a report by MacRumors, the tech giant may soon grant Apple Stores and Apple authorized service providers access to a new TrueDepth Camera service part that consists of Face ID and front camera modules. As a result, stores and authorized providers will be able to repair Face ID without replacing the device.

Full content and details (external sources): Gadgets

Tap to Pay on iPhone announced, coming to the US later this year

Apple is introducing a new Tap to Pay feature on iPhone which will allow merchants to use their iPhones as a point of sales terminal. The new service will support Apple Pay, contactless credit and debit cards and other digital wallets without needing any additional hardware and it will allow payment with contactless credit and debit cards from leading payment networks.

Full content and details (external sources): GSMArena

iPhone 14 Pro Models and first iPhone 12 Pro Max with USB-C port

iPhone 14 Pro could be equipped with up to 8GB of RAM the same amount of RAM as the recently launched Samsung Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22+ smartphones. Meanwhile, Slovakian company DEEP has successfully modified an Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max to fully function with a USB-C port. 

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

Apple's 2022 iPhone SE to start at $300

Apple is rumored to return with the successor of iPhone SE on March 8. Analyst John Donovan says the new iPhone SE could start at $300. 

Full content and details (external sources): GSMArena

Samsung 

Samsung tells the story behind the design of the Galaxy S22 series

From the Samsung marketing team: "Samsung has always aspired to develop a simple and flat form that harmonizes technology and design without exposing the boundary between them. With smooth, beautiful lines that resemble the curvature of sand dunes, moderation and solidity coexist in the Galaxy S series’ simplified form".

Full content and details (external sources): GSMArena

Samsung Galaxy A23 4G Tipped by Alleged Geekbench Listing

Samsung Galaxy A23 was allegedly spotted on a Geekbench listing, suggesting that it may launch sometime soon.

Full content and details (external sources): Gadgets

Samsung Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+

Samsung Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+, and the Galaxy S22 Ultra were launched with a list of upgrades: integrated S Pen support and Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC, but only for the India version.

Full content and details (external sources): Gadgets

A03 With Dual Rear Cameras

Samsung Galaxy also launched the A03. It comes with dual rear cameras and a waterdrop-style display notch, an octa-core SoC and up to 4GB of RAM, and preloaded features. 

Full content and details (external sources): Gadgets

A13 4G

The RAM, storage, and colors of the Samsung Galaxy A13 4G model have leaked online along with its European pricing details.

Full content and details (external sources): Gadgets

Huawei 

Huawei Nova 9 SE 

According to the information coming from Huawei Ailesi, Huawei Nova 9 SE the phone equips a 108MP main camera that has not been used in any smartphone ever before. 

Full content and details (external sources): HuaweiCentral

Mate 40E Pro (5G) and P50E,

Two new phones allegedly called Huawei Mate 40E Pro (5G) and P50E (4G) are reported to launch in March and are rumored to be powered by a Kirin 9000L processor, which has unfortunately not been announced among consumers.

Full content and details (external sources): HuaweiCentral

Mate 50

Huawei Consumer Business Group Strategy Marketing Department Vice President, Li Changzhou chimed in on a community forum recently, kind of confirming that the Huawei Mate 50 family is eventually going to exist. 

Full content and details (external sources): GSMArena

Mate X2

Huawei has now officially confirmed the launch of the Huawei Mate X2 foldable phone with 1TB of storage. A Huawei support staff confirmed that this new version will come only for the official Huawei partners. 

Full content and details (external sources): HuaweiCentral 

Oppo

Oppo Find X5Pro 

The company has introduced a version of the Oppo Find X5 Pro, in China. This model is thicker (8.8mm) yet lighter (195 grams) than the regular versions, and has the same specs.

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

Oppo A76

Oppo A76 was launched and is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 SoC paired with 6GB of RAM and 5GB of extended RAM. It sports a dual rear camera setup and packs a 5,000mAh battery with 33W SuperVOOC fast charging support. 

Full content and details (external sources): Gadgets

Oppo Reno 7Z 5G

Oppo Reno 7Z 5G smartphone will come in two colourways and a single storage option. 

Full content and details (external sources): Gadgets

Nokia

Nokia G11 With Triple Rear Cameras, 90Hz Display Launched

Nokia G11 has been launched. It is promised to deliver up to three days of battery life, feature triple rear cameras and a 90Hz display, a waterdrop-style display notch and a 18W fast charging support.

Full content and details (external sources): Gadgets

Nokia 105 Africa Edition Feature Phone With Unisoc 6531E SoC Launched

Nokia 105 Africa Edition feature phone has been launched in Nigeria. It runs off a Unisoc 6531E SoC and features the S30+ operating system. It is claimed to offer a long-lasting battery, a 1.77-inch color screen display, an island keymat dial pad, and polycarbonate body. 

Full content and details (external sources): Gadgets

Nokia C2 2nd Edition, Nokia C21, Nokia C21 Plus Launched

Nokia C2 2nd Edition, Nokia C21, and Nokia C21 Plus smartphones were launched: the Nokia C21 Plus carries dual rear cameras and a waterdrop-style notch, the latter is featured also in the Nokia C21. 

Full content and details (external sources): Gadgets

Xiaomi 

Xiaomi 12 Lite, Xiaomi 12 Ultra

Sources revealed the launch of another phone in the Xiaomi 12 series: the Xiaomi 12 Lite, codenamed L9 taoyao. The new phone will bring a 6.55” OLED screen.

Digital Chat Station has also revealed that the upcoming Xiaomi 12 Ultra smartphone will run on a still-unannounced Snapdragon 8 Gen 1+. This version though shouldn’t probably be expected before the end of Q3 2022.

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

Xiaomi Redmi K50 Gaming brings SD 8 Gen 1 and 120W charging

Xiaomi announced the Redmi K50 Gaming: the first member of the anticipated Redmi K50 series. The new phone uses Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset and brings blazing-fast 120W charging. 

Full content and details (external sources): GSMArena

Xiaomi Redmi 10 2022, Redmi Note 11S 5G,  Redmi Note 11 Pro, Note 11 Pro+ 5G

Xiaomi re-released its Redmi 10 for 2022 with unchanged specs and it can be had in 4/64GB and 4/128GB trims. Xiaomi will also release another member of the family: the Redmi Note 11S 5G. Additionally, Two more members to the Note 11 lineup were announced: Redmi Note 11 Pro and Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G. 

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