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Lava Blaze Curve 5G Initial Impression: Another Hit Product?

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Lava has been receiving praise from the Indian consumers forr its last few set of products and even when we reviewed it’s Agni 2 5G and the Storm 5G, we liked the direction the brand was headed in. Now, the Indian brand has come up with a new smartphone, called the Blaze Curve 5G, priced starting at Rs 17,999. Will it be able to recreate the same success its siblings did, or will it fail? We’ll try to answer that question by the end of our initial impression of the Lava Blaze Curve 5G.

Lava Blaze Curve 5G: Price, Availability

The Blaze Curve 5G is priced at Rs 17,999 for the base 8GB + 128GB model and Rs 18,999 for the top-end 8GB + 256GB trim. It will be available starting March 11 from Lava E-store, Amazon, and the Lava retail network. It can be availed in Iron Glass and Viridian Glass shades.

Lava Blaze Curve 5G: In-box contents

While brands like Samsung and Apple believe in providing only the smartphone and a charging cable inside the box, along with some manuals and a ejector tool, brands like Lava believe in giving whatever it can. As a result, here’s what all Lava is providing alongside the Blaze Curve 5G within its box:

  • 33W charging brick
  • USB-C to USB-C cable
  • Manuals
  • SIM ejector tool
  • Silicone phone case
  • USB-C to 3.5mm Jack converter

With all those contents available in the box, there’s actually no need for you to buy anything else from the market.

Lava Blaze Curve 5G: First Impression

The Blaze Curve 5G, as the name suggests, has a curved back panel as well as a curved display, and that’s the USP of the device. With a glass sandwich design, this smartphone doesn’t feel it belongs to it’s segment but at least two above. It’s comfortable to hold in the hand and because of it’s narrower form factor, you can easily reach either of the side with ease.

The design looks attractive in the black shade we got and takes some inspiration from the iPhones as well, but it doesn’t exactly look the same. Coming to the display on the front, it’s quite a vibrant panel and curves extensively at the edges. The bezels aren’t too thick, and the overall experience is immersive and premium at the same time. It also has support for Widevine L1.

The device has a stereo speaker setup, which has Dolby Atmos support. It is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 chipset, paired with 8GB LPDDR5 and up to 256GB of 3.1 storage.

As for the software, the Lava Blaze Curve 5G, Lava has finally made the switch to complete stock from a custom skin that was inconsistent in a lot of areas, as we saw on Storm 5G as well as on the Agni 2 5G. We appreciate the change, as this looks much and feels much better than before. Furthermore, the brand has incorporated some of its custom features within the Stock Android 13 without significantly hampering the experience. The device is set to receive assured updates to Android 14 and Android 15. However, we would have liked it better if it came with Android 14 pre-installed.

blaze curve 5g first impression

A 5000mAh battery with 33W support backs the handset. In addition, the device has triple rear cameras on the back with a 64-megapixel Sony IMX686 primary sensor, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 2-megapixel macro sensor. On the front, the phone features a 16-megapixel shooter for selfies and video calling. 

We’ll talk more about the Lava Blaze Curve 5G in detail in its full review, which is now in the works. Review will inlcude in-depth information about the camera performance, software performance and features, battery backup, speaker and fingerprint performance and a lot more, so stay tuned for that.

New MacBook Air With M3 Chip Now Available In India: Should You Upgrade?

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Apple has announced a MacBook Air refresh, packed with the new M3 chip which we saw in the iMac and the MacBook Pro models back in October of 2023. While the new MacBook Air does sport some changes over the M2 MacBook Air from last year, are they enough to justify an upgrade or even consider buying it over last year’s model? Let’s answer that question and help you in deciding.

MacBook Air M3: Price, Availability

The 13-inch MacBook Air with M3 starts at Rs 1,14,900 and Rs 1,04,900 for education, and the 15‑inch model of the same starts at Rs 1,34,900 and Rs 1,24,900 for education. Both are available in midnight, starlight, silver, and space grey colours. The price for the top-end 13-inch model can go up to Rs 1,54,990 while the same 16GB Unified Memory + 512GB SSD Storage trim for the 15-inch model can cost Rs 1,74,990.

The MacBook Air M3 will be available beginning March 9.

MacBook Air M3: Specifications

Macbook air with m3

With M3, MacBook Air is up to 60 percent faster than the model with the M1 chip and up to 13x faster than the fastest Intel-based MacBook Air. Both the models feature up to 18 hours of battery life, which is up to six hours longer than an Intel-based MacBook Air, also thanks to the new chip.

And with the next-generation of M3, the new MacBook supports hardware-accelerated mesh shading and ray tracing, offering more accurate lighting, reflections, and shadows for realistic gaming experiences. It also includes the latest media engine with support for AV1 decode, providing more efficient and higher-quality video experiences from streaming services.

Similar to last year, the MacBook Air sports a 13.6- or 15.3-inch Liquid with up to 500 nits of brightness, support for 1 billion colours, and up to 2x the of comparable PC laptops. Then, the new MacBook Air now supports up to two external displays when the laptop lid is closed.

In addition, MacBook Air with M3 features 6E, which delivers download speeds that are up to twice as fast as the previous generation. also includes MagSafe charging and two Thunderbolt ports for connecting accessories, along with a 3.5mm jack.

M3 macbook air keyboard

At the front, there’s a 1080p FaceTime camera along with a three-mic array, and support for Spatial Audio along with Dolby Atmos through the speaker system. The Magic Keyboard on the M3 MacBook Air comes with a full-height function row with Touch ID. As for software, it is powered by the MacOS Sonoma.

MacBook Air M3: Should You Upgrade From M2 MacBook Air?

The MacBook Air M3 is definitely a more powerful laptop than the M2 MacBook Air and that seems to be the only major difference between the two. Apart from that, the new MacBook Air gets you a faster Wi-Fi 6E module compared to Wi-Fi 6 on the M2 model and we don’t think that’d make much of a difference in daily use. Further, it supports up to two external displays when the lid is closed while the M2 model supports only one.

What’s slightly disappointing though, is that the new MacBook Air also gets you only 8GB unified memory and 256GB storage in the base model. A comparable Windows laptop could easily offer 1TB storage and around 16GB or even more in some cases.

Long story short, if you have an M2 MacBook Air, we don’t think there’s any need for you to switch to the latest model as your laptop is still quite capable to this date and will remain so for the coming years.

Even if you are a new buyer, you can consider the M2 MacBook Air as it has now been discounted and starts at Rs 99,900 which makes it a much more appealing purchase. You may get the M3 MacBook Air only if you want all that power of the new chip and support for two external displays. If you can make do without it, M2 model of the MacBook Air would be a much better choice even today.

Samsung Galaxy F15 5G Launched In India: Check Price, Specs

Samsung has launched a new Galaxy F-series smartphone in India, called the Galaxy F15 5G. The device is offered in the budget segment and has features like an AMOLED display, a MediaTek Dimensity and more. Here’s every detail you’d want to know about the Samsung Galaxy F15 5G launch in India.

Samsung Galaxy F15 5G: Price

The Galaxy F15 5G is priced at Rs 12,999 for the 4GB + 128GB trim and Rs 14,499 for the 6GB + 128GB model. It can be purchased via Flipkart and Samsung India online store starting from 7PM today as a part of early sale, in Ash Black, Groovy Violet and Jazzy Green shades.

Users can avail a discount of Rs 1,000 by purchasing the handset with an HDFC Bank card. In addition, buyers can get a Samsung charger worth Rs 1299 at Rs 299 for limited period.

Samsung Galaxy F15 5G: Specifications

The Galaxy F15 5G has a 6.5-inch full-HD+ (2,340 x 1,080 pixels) Super AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 90Hz. An octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ SoC and a Mali G57 GPU powers the phone. It comes with a built-in storage of 128GB, which can be expanded to 1TB with a hybrid microSD card slot. The phone comes with One UI 6 pre-loaded, which is based on Android 14.

The triple camera setup on the back comprises of a 50-megapixel primary sensor with 10x magnification, a 5-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 2-megapixel camera with a macro sensor. The front camera has a 13-megapixel sensor. The F15 5G includes a 6000mAh battery that supports 25W wired fast charging. It further gets a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for security.

Connectivity options on the device includes v5.3, Wi-Fi, GPS, 5G, a 3.5mm jack and a USB-C port for charging.

Samsung Galaxy F15 5G: Should You Buy It?

The main competitors of the Galaxy F15 5G include Lava Storm 5G as well as the Moto G34 5G. At Rs 13,499, the Lava handset offers you more and faster charging. As for the Motorola device, it is priced at Rs 10,999 and gets you the same amount of RAM as Galaxy F15 5G, slightly better chipset, and stereo speakers as well, but misses out on a lot when compared to Samsung’s device.

However, if you want a more feature-packed software experience with 4 years of OS upgrades, a better AMOLED display, along with an additional macro camera at the back, then the Galaxy F15 5G stands out in the space. It should definitely be considered in its price range.

India: Tech Firms Must Seek Govt. Nod for Experimental AI Deployments

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued a new advisory that requires digital platforms to seek prior approval from the government before launching any artificial intelligence (AI) product or service in India. The advisory also mandates platforms to label under-trial or unreliable AI models and ensure that they do not host any unlawful or biased content.

The advisory, which was issued on March 1, 2024, is a first-of-its-kind globally and aims to regulate the use and development of AI in the country. Further, the advisory by the govt. states that all AI models, large-language models (LLMs), software using generative AI or any algorithms that are currently being tested, are in the beta stage of development or are unreliable in any form must seek “explicit permission of the government of India” before being deployed for users in India.

In addition, the advisory also directs platforms to ensure that “their computer resources do not permit any bias or discrimination or threaten the integrity of the electoral process” by the use of AI, generative AI, LLMs or any such other algorithm. The platforms are also required to offer their services to Indian users only after “appropriately labelling the possible and inherent fallibility or unreliability of the output generated”.

The advisory warns of penal consequences for non-compliance with the directive and asks platforms to submit a report on the status of their AI products and services within 15 days of the issuance of the advisory.

The advisory comes in the backdrop of a recent controversy over Google’s AI chatbot Gemini, which was accused of being biased and malicious when asked questions about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other prominent global leaders. Google later said it was working to fix the issues and was temporarily stopping Gemini from generating images as well.

The advisory also follows the statement of Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who said that draft laws to regulate the AI space would be issued by June or July this year.

List Of Games Coming To Xbox Platforms By March 8, 2024

Xbox has unveiled 21 new games set to release on platforms like Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows, and Game Pass between March 4 and March 8, 2024. The diverse selection spans arcade, crafting, puzzles, strategy, and more, catering to a range of gaming preferences. One of the major titles coming is ‘Classified: France ’44’.

Beginning with Classified: France ‘44, it is a new turn-based strategy game, set in World War II during the desperate months leading up to the Allied invasion of France in June 1944. Players take charge of a special-ops team of Allied commandos and French resistance fighters. The game is coming to Xbox on March 5.

Next up is Expeditions: A MudRunner Game, coming out on March 5 and currently available on pre-order. In the game, players lead research missions as they drive a variety of all-terrain vehicles through treacherous paths, using advanced technologies and high-tech tools to overcome obstacles. They also have to build and manage their base and equip their vehicles with essential gadgets like drones or scanners.

The whole list of 21 games (excluding the two above) coming to Xbox Platforms during the first week of March 2024 include:

  • Mediterranea Inferno (March 5)
  • The Outlast Trials (March 5)
  • 10 Seconds to Win! (March 6)
  • Cat and the Ghostly Road (March 6)
  • Hex Gambit: Respawned (March 6)
  • Reveil (March 6)
  • ABRISS – build to destroy (March 7)
  • Dungeons of Shalnor (March 7)
  • Greed: The Mad Scientist (March 7)
  • Manic Mechanics (March 7)
  • New Star GP (March 7)
  • Sokobalien (March 7)
  • Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator (March 7)
  • Top Racer Collection (March 7)
  • Horror Gallery (March 7)
  • Stolen Realm (March 7)
  • Perfect Ninja Painter 2 (March 8)
  • WWE 2K24 (March 8)
  • Xatrom Command (March 8)

In the world of gaming, it was recently confirmed that Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile will be launching on iOS and on March 21.

March 2024: Smartwatches Launched In India

Stay updated on the latest smartwatch releases in India with our detailed guide, featuring the newest offerings from renowned brands like Noise. Explore the most recent smartwatches launches and stay informed as of March 2024.

Itel Icon 3

The smartwatch will be available for pre-booking starting March 24 till March 29 at 12 noon at a price of Rs 1,699 on Amazon. Additionally, the brand has announced a special pre-order discount of Rs 100 for the first 500 customers. The features of the watch include:

  • 2.01-inch AMOLED display, 240 x 296 pixels, 150+ watch faces, 2.5D curved glass, 500 nits brightness, Always-on support
  • Functional crown, dual keys
  • Single Chip calling, Bluetooth v5.1
  • 24 x 7 heart rate, SpO2 tracking support, female health tracker
  • 310mAh battery; Up to 7-day runtime
  • Metallic build

Noise ColorFit Icon 3 Plus

The watch is available in a wide range of colours including Jet Black, Midnight Gold, Vintage Brown, Space Blue, Elite Black, and Elite Silver. The product can be availed on Flipkart and gonoise.com at a launch price of Rs 1,999. It’s features include:

  • 2-inch display, 240 x 282 pixels resolution, 150+ watch faces
  • Functional Crown, Metallic Build
  • Bluetooth v5.3, Bluetooth Calling, TruSync technology
  • Access dial pad, recent call logs, save up to 10 contacts
  • Noise health suite: Tracking support for heart rate, SpO2, sleep patterns, stress levels and more
  • Weather forecasts, daily reminders and more
  • IP67 rated
  • 100+ sports modes
  • NoiseFit support
  • Up to 7-day battery life

Cult Ranger XR1

The Cult Ranger XR1 comes at an introductory price of Rs 3,499 in Black, Gray, and Red colors and is available on Amazon.in. It’s features include:

  • 1.43″ HD always-on AMOLED screen, 466 x 466 pixels resolution, 700 nits peak brightness, 200+ watch faces
  • Bluetooth Calling Support, Quick Dial Pad access
  • Built-in Flashlight
  • 100+ sports mode
  • Heart rate and SpO2 monitoring, Step counter, calorie counter, sleep tracker
  • Cultsport Watch App support
  • Live cricket score, Digital calculator, BMI calculator, Social Media QR code
  • 300mAh battery, up to 8 days runtime

Crossbeats Everest

The Crossbeats Everest Smartwatch is priced at Rs 1,999. It comes in Black and Green colours and can be bought via company’s official website and e-commerce sites including Amazon.in and Flipkart.com. It’s features include:

  • 1.43″ AMOLED display, 466 x 466 pixels resolution, 850 nits brightness, 200+ Watch faces
  • Bluetooth v5.3, Bluetooth calling
  • 100+ Sports modes
  • Heart Rate, SpO2, and Blood Pressure tracking, Sleep Monitor, Female Health Tracking, Pedometer
  • Voice Assistance, Find my phone, Camera & Music control, Built-in games, Calculator, Sedentary reminders and more
  • Battery: 320mAh; Up to 7 days runtime
  • Realtek chipset
  • CB SmartFit App
  • IP68 rated

Cult Active TR

The Cult Active TR will be available in three colours: Black, Silver, and Brown leather. It starts at an introductory price of Rs 1,299 and will initially be sold exclusively on Flipkart from March 7th and will later be available on brand’s own website. It’s features include:

  • 1.52″ HD TFT screen, 500 nits peak brightness, 360 x 360 pixels resolution, 100+ Watch Faces
  • Functional Crown, Metal build
  • Bluetooth Calling Support, Quick Dial Pad, Save contacts
  • 100+ sports mode
  • Heart Rate Monitor, Sleep Monitor, SpO2, Women’s Health, Steps & Calorie Tracking
  • AI voice assistant
  • Cult Watch companion app
  • Drink Water Reminder, Live cricket score, BMI calculator, Smart Notifications, Weather Update, In-built Games, Calculator
  • Up to 7 days of runtime, supported

Itel Icon 2

The itel Icon 2 smartwatch is available for purchase at a launch price of Rs 1,099 on Amazon.in and comes in Black, Blue, and Rose Gold colour options. It’s features include:

  • 1.83-inch, 550 nits brightness, 150+ watch faces
  • Functional crown
  • Bluetooth v5.3, Bluetooth calling, quick contacts, dial pad, call history
  • 100+ sports modes
  • 24/7 health tracking: SpO2, heart rate, sleep, and female health measurement
  • AI voice assistant, camera & music control
  • IP68 rated

Pebble Royale

Launched as the world’s slimmest smartwatch, the Pebble Royale is priced at Rs 4,299 and is available via Pebble’s own website for purchase. It’s features include:

  • 1.43-inch AMOLED display, AOD support, Ultra-wide colour gamut
  • Bluetooth calling support
  • Built-in voice assistant
  • Multiple sports modes
  • IP67 rated
  • SpO2, Heart rate, Sleep Monitoring support
  • Alarm, Calendar, Calculator, Step counter, Timer, World Clock, Flash Light, Stopwatch
  • Up to 5-day battery backup

Read More: February 2024: Smartwatches Launched in India

New Apple iPad Air, iPad Pro, MacBook Air, Apple Pencil May Launch This Week But Not Via An Event

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Apple has been long expected to launch a new set of products in March and it seems like that moment is coming soon. Reports suggest that Apple may debut its new products including iPad Air, iPad Pro, MacBook Air, and Apple Pencil (3rd Gen) later this week, but not through a regular launch event like it does for iPhones and its previous generation MacBooks and iPads.

The probability that Apple won’t be holding an event for the launch of its new products comes from Mark Gurman of Bloomberg. Instead, Apple plans to announce the products on its website with a “series of online videos and marketing campaigns”, according to Gurman’s findings.

He says that Apple will launch the following products in March 2024:

  • A new Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro
  • Two new iPad Air models which will further consist of the first-ever 12.9-inch model
  • Two new iPad Pro models featuring the M3 chip, and displays
  • A new Apple Pencil, likely 3rd Generation
  • New 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models with the M3 chip

Read More: Apple Car May Not Hit The Road

Gurman adds that a special version of 17.4 with support for the new hardware is scheduled for the end of the month. “So I’d expect the devices to arrive sometime in March or April”, he says.

On the contrary, MacRumours say that Apple plans to announce new products with press releases on its website this week, citing a proven source familiar with the matter. If that’s the case, we could finally be seeing Apple refreshing the iPad Pro in nearly 6 years, and for the first time a 12.9-inch iPad Air. Both of these developments would be quote significant, along with revamps to the MacBook Air lineup.

Samsung Galaxy M15 5G Design Leaked

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Samsung Galaxy M15 5G has appeared on multiple Samsung support websites including those in Korea and India. Now, a new set of renders have appeared online which show the design of the Galaxy M15 5G while some of the specifications of the device have also been tipped. Here’s all the information about the device combined in one article.

Samsung Galaxy M15 5G: Renders

Shared by tipster Evan Blass, the Galaxy M15 5G renders show us a design that look highly similar to the upcoming Galaxy F15 5G. Blass shared the renders for the three colours of the Galaxy M15 5G, including a dark blue shade, light blue and a gray colour. The device seems to have a triple rear camera setup while on the front, one can notice it has a water-drop notch for the selfie camera. The device may also have a side-facing fingerprint sensor for biometric identification.

Samsung Galaxy M15 5G: Leaked Specifications

The Galaxy M15 5G is rumoured to be a rebranded Galaxy F15 5G. This means it could get a 6.5-inch full-HD+ (2,340 x 1,080 pixels) Super AMOLED Display with a refresh rate of 90Hz. An octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ SoC and a Mali G57 GPU may power the phone.

Read More: Samsung Galaxy S24 FE Rumour Roundup: Will It Beat Galaxy S24?

It may come with a built-in storage of 128GB, which could support expansion. The phone will come with One UI 6 pre-loaded, which is based on Android 14. It should get 4 years of major OS upgrades along with 5 years of security patches.

The triple camera setup on the back may comprise of a 50-megapixel primary sensor with 10x magnification, a 5-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 2-megapixel camera with a macro sensor. The front camera has a 13-megapixel sensor.

The M15 5G will likely include a 6,000mAh battery that supports 25W wired according to the FCC certification listing of the device in the United States. It further will get a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for security. Connectivity options could include Bluetooth v5.1, Wi-Fi 5, 5G, NFC, GPS and a USB-C port for charging.

Samsung Galaxy S24 FE Rumour Roundup: Will It Beat Galaxy S24?

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A lot of Samsung leaks have began coming in regarding its foldables but that doesn’t mean tipsters have forgotten about the cheaper smartphones. A new leak now gives us our first look at the set of specifications Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S24 FE could sport. It suggests that the device may be better than the Galaxy S24 flagship from the company in some areas. Here’s every detail you’d want to know about the device.

Samsung Galaxy S24 FE: Leaked Specifications

Samsung Galaxy FE series devices have been popular for bringing flagship-level specs at a lower price than the flagships. Samsung could repeat the same formula with the Galaxy S24 FE, where the device could be either powered by the Exynos 2400 or the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. This is a major move considering Galaxy S23 FE and past FE series devices have had an inferior chipset compared to the trio of Galaxy S-series flagships.

These are the same chipsets powering the Galaxy S24 in various regions and as we mentioned in our review of the Galaxy S24, the new Exynos 2400 definitely is a capable chipset which doesn’t repeat the history of Exynos chips.

The leaker adds that globally, the Galaxy S24 FE could have the Exynos 2400 chipset, while select markets would get the Snapdragon version. Aside from that, it could sport a 6.1-inch along with 12GB LPDDR5X and two storage variants such as 128GB (UFS 3.1) and 256GB (UFS 4.0). The size of the display remains unconfirmed as of yet.

Read More: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 Design Leaked: Expect A Minor Refresh

This means the device will have more RAM than we get in the Galaxy S24. Moreover, it could sport a 4500mAh battery, which is bigger than the 4000mAh cell in the vanilla Galaxy S24.

Samsung Galaxy S24 FE: Launch Timeframe

Samsung launched the Galaxy S23 FE back in October 2023 in India, and if the brand follows the same pattern, we could see the device in October 2024.

Infinix Smart 8 Plus Debuts In India: All Details

Infinix has launched a new entry-level smartphone in India, called as the Smart 8 Plus. This is thethird smartphone under the Smart 8 series in India, which already includes the Infinix Smart 8 as well as the Smart 8 HD. Here are all the details about the newly launched the Infinix Smart 8 Plus.

Infinix Smart 8 Plus: Price, Availability

The Smart 8 Plus will be available on sale from 9th March 2024 on Flipkart for Rs 6,999 inclusive of the bank offer. The handset can be availed in colour variants namely Galaxy White, Timber Black and Shiny Gold.

Infinix Smart 8 Plus: Specifications

The Smart 8 Plus sports a 6.6-inch IPS LCD with an HD+ resolution of 1612 x 720 pixels and 90Hz refresh rate along with 180Hz touch sampling rate. There is a punch hole at the top for the front camera. The screen offers 500 nits of peak brightness. It is powered by a MediaTek Helio G36 Processor paired with 4GB LPDDR4x RAM and 128GB storage which is expandable up to 2TB.

Read More: Infinix Smart 8 Review

As for the cameras, there is a square-shaped rear camera module for dual cameras. The Infinix handset has a 50-megapixel f/1.8 primary camera sensor and an AI lens with f/2.0 aperture. There is also an LED flash module next to the sensors. The handset has a 8-megapixel f/2.0 front camera sensor.

The Smart 8 Plus packs a 6,000mAh battery with 18W fast charging. It has a side-mounted fingerprint scanner and offers support for AI face unlock. Connectivity options on the device include 5, GPS, Bluetooth v5.0, a USB-C port and a 3.5mm Headphone jack. The handset runs on 13 (Go Edition)-based XOS 13.