News on Smartphones, May 2022

iPhone 

Kuo: Apple testing E Ink cover display for foldables

Noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims Cupertino is in the process of testing an E Ink cover display for its foldable device.

Full content and details (external sources): GSMArena

iPhone 14 Max Price, Specifications Leaked; Apple A15 Bionic SoC and 90Hz Display Tipped

iPhone 14 series is expected to include four models — iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Max, and iPhone 14 Pro Max. Specifications of a new variant dubbed iPhone 14 Max along with its price details, have leaked online. The handset is tipped to feature a 90Hz refresh rate display. It could be powered by the A15 Bionic chip coupled with 6GB of RAM and up to 256GB of onboard storage. The iPhone 14 Max could pack dual rear cameras.

Full content and details (external sources): Gadgets

iPhone 14 Series, AirPods Pro 2, 3 Apple Watch Models to Launch at September 13 Event

iPhone 14 series, AirPods Pro 2, and three Apple Watches have been tipped to be launched. In the meanwhile, Apple is all set to host its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) starting June 6.

Full content and details (external sources): Gadgets

Apple begins testing iPhones with USB-C

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that Apple will adopt USB-C on iPhones in 2023, and now Bloomberg reports the Cupertino-based tech giant has already started testing. Additionally, the publication claims that Apple is also working on an adapter that would let future iPhones sporting USB-C work with the accessories designed for the current Lightning connector. 

Full content and details (external sources): GSMArena

iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max Said to Feature Slightly Larger Screen Sizes Than Predecessors

iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max are said to feature slightly larger screen sizes in comparison to the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max. This difference in screen sizes has been apparently caused by Apple's supposed decision to get rid of the notch and add narrow bezels.

Full content and details (external sources): Gadgets

Samsung 

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 surfaces on Geekbench with alleged Snapdragon 8 Gen 1+ chipset

More details about the Galaxy Z Flip4 begin to emerge. The latest ones involve the phone’s chipset and battery capacity which both surfaced in a Geekbench listing for the Samsung SM-F721U believed to be Z Flip4 powered by the yet to be announced Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1+ chipset.

Full content and details (external sources): GSMArena

Samsung Galaxy F23 5G's New Colour

Samsung has introduced a new #Frevolutionary color option for its Galaxy F23 5G smartphone. Earlier, the #Frevolutionary phone was available in two color options – Aqua Blue and Forest Green, but now it will be available in an attractive Copper Blush color option as well. 

Full content and details (external sources): Gadgets

Samsung to deliver custom chipset to Galaxy S series in 2025

Samsung will reportedly design its own custom chipset for the 2025 Galaxy S-series.

Full content and details (external sources): GSMArena

Samsung develops new 200MP sensor, Galaxy S23 Ultra is the likely pioneer

Samsung unveiled its 200MP ISOCELLL HP1 camera last September, but it hasn't used it on any of its smartphones yet. Korean publication ETNews claims that Samsung has finished developing its new 200MP camera sensor, which is expected to be used on next year's Galaxy S23 Ultra.

Full content and details (external sources): GSMArena

Samsung quietly makes the Galaxy M13 official

Samsung quietly announced a new entry-level smartphone and it's not part of the incredibly successful A series. Instead, it's part of the much more confusing and less well defined M family: the Samsung Galaxy M13. 

Full content and details (external sources): GSMArena

Huawei 

Huawei Mate Xs 2 hands-on

The Huawei Mate Xs 2 will come to Europe starting in June. It is a significant departure from its predecessor the Mate Xs in terms of design, but shares a lot of its hardware. The camera setup, for example, is very close in terms of specs, as is the battery.

Full content and details (external sources): GSMArena

Huawei Nova 10 to launch by late June

Huawei Nova 10 series could launch by late June. It is expected to be equipped with a 5G cover to enable 5G network services, with Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G and the new Snapdragon 7 (Snapdragon 7 Gen 1). Additionally, the series of software and camera modules are better tuned.

Full content and details (external sources): HuaweiCentral

Huawei Nova Y70 launched with 6.7′ display, 6000mAh battery, 22.5W supercharge

Huawei has recently launched Nova Y70 smartphone in the global market that brings a high capacity battery and a 8MP front camera. It is equipped with a 6.6-inches display, with a 6000mAh long battery life and 128GB storage.

Full content and details (external sources): HuaweiCentral

The Huawei P50 Pro can gain 5G connectivity via a special case with an eSIM

International politics have cut Huawei off from suppliers of 5G tech, but a workaround has been discovered – a case with a built-in 5G modem can add next-gen connectivity to the phones. Right now only the Huawei P50 Pro is supported. 

Full content and details (external sources): GSMArena

Huawei confirms that its partnership with Leica has ended

Xiaomi announced the end of the partnership with Leica, which started in 2016. The Chinese tech giant wrote “We can confirm that the cooperation between our two companies ended on 31 March.”

Full content and details (external sources): GSMArena

Oppo

Oppo A57 4G announced with Helio G35 SoC and faster charging

Oppo unveiled the A57 in April with Dimensity 810 SoC and 5G connectivity, and now it has announced a 4G-only version powered by the Helio G35 chip. The 4G model packs a 5,000 mAh battery which now charges faster up to 33W instead of 10W, but the screen refresh rate is reduced from 90Hz to 60Hz. It is still a 6.56" LCD having HD+ resolution.

Full content and details (external sources): GSMArena

Oppo Reno8 series unveiled, Pro model pioneers SD 7 Gen 1

Oppo finally unveiled its three-strong Reno8 series of smartphones. Reno8 brings MediaTek’s Dimensity 1300 chipset and 80W charging, the Pro model debuts Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset while the Pro+ gets a Dimensity 8100 Plus. All three phones pack AMOLED displays, 50МP main cams and 4,500 mAh batteries with 80W SuperVOOC flash charging support though the Pro variants add some nifty camera additions and Oppo’s in-house MariSilicon X NPU found in the flagship Oppo Find X5 Pro.

Full content and details (external sources): GSMArena

Oppo F17, A73 Receiving Android 12-Based ColorOS Update

Oppo F17 and Oppo A73 have started receiving the official ColorOS 12 update. However, the users are required to submit an application if they want to receive the ColorOS 12 update during the initial rollout phase, according to the company. 

Full content and details (external sources): Gadgets

Oppo Reno 8 SE Specifications, Said to Feature MediaTek Dimensity 1300, 50-Megapixel Camera

The Reno 8 SE is expected to sport a 6.43-inch full-HD+ display. The smartphone will be equipped with a Mediatek Dimensity 1300 chipset and run on Android 12. The handset from Oppo will come in two storage options and sport a triple rear camera setup. The smartphone is said to pack a 4,500mAh battery with 80W fast charging.

Full content and details (external sources): Gadgets

Xiaomi 

The Xiaomi 12 Ultra will retain the camera specs of its predecessor

Per Digital Chat Station on Weibo, the Xiaomi 12 Ultra will have a 120x, 12-120mm, f/1.95-4.1 camera, which coincides directly with the current Ultra.

Full content and details (external sources): GSMArena

Poco X4 GT Specifications Tipped, Said to Feature MediaTek Dimensity 8100 SoC, 5,000 mAh Battery

Poco X4 GT is said to sport a 6.6-inch LCD panel that offers a full-HD+ resolution and 144Hz refresh rate and a MediaTek Dimensity 8100 SoC and run on Android 12. The handset from Poco is said to come in two storage options and sport a triple rear camera setup. The smartphone is said to pack a 5,000mAh battery with 67W fast charging.

Full content and details (external sources): Gadgets

Xiaomi 12S, 12S Pro Specifications Leaked, May Sport Smaller Displays Than Predecessors

Xiaomi 12S and 12S Pro are reportedly under development and a few key specifications were shared by a reliable tipster. The latest leak also indicated that the flagship smartphones from Xiaomi will hit the markets with smaller displays than other models in the Xiaomi 12 series.

Full content and details (external sources): Gadgets

Xiaomi launches a new Redmi Note 10T in Japan

Xiaomi launched the Redmi Note 10T with 5G capabilities, which is the 10th member of the previous series. It is an entirely different phone from the already known Redmi Note 10T 5G launched in Summer ‘21. This new handset comes with a Snapdragon 480 chipset and a dual-camera setup.

Full content and details (external sources): GSMArena

Redmi Note 11T, Note 11T Pro May Launch in Global Markets With Poco Branding

Poco M4 5G powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 700 SoC was unveiled in India recently and is expected to be launched in the global markets soon. The company is planning to announce two new smartphones: the model numbers indicate that upcoming Poco smartphones could be rebranded versions of the Redmi Note 11T and the Redmi Note 11T Pro. 

Full content and details (external sources): Gadgets