Samsung has released the One UI 7 Beta 2 for Galaxy S24 series in One UI Beta eligible regions including India. One UI 7 Beta was first announced earlier this month with a revamped user interface for quick settings in One UI, new AI features, Now Bar, and much more.
The One UI 7 beta 2 update brings a good amount of bug fixes including those for the Now Bar, the App drawer, DeX, and more. The full changelog of the new update includes:
Numerous other improvements
Fixed continuous display and malfunction after closing Now Bar
Fixed a displaying error of a personal App drawer
Fixed issue of not being able to connect to some TV products wirelessly through Dex
Fixed problem where reminder widget transparency is not applied (app update required)
Improved slow transition between apps on recent screen
Improved entry speed for smart select in EDGE panel
Improved intermittent reset issue when using power saving mode
Added option to set screen Refresh Rate within game booster
Fixed call termination and Samsung message app F/C issue
Fixed background color off issue for weather widget
Fixed Wi-Fi/NFC connection error when setting as routine
The update is rolling out now to Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, and the Galaxy S24 Ultra in regions where the beta program has started.
Aside from the One UI 7 Beta 2 update, a Samsung Community post details the roadmap for the future beta versions that are to be released in India. A chat with Samsung Support suggests that the first beta would release in India on December 16, which is of course true as Beta 2 for other countries has released as Beta 1 in India. Next, the second beta will arrive on December 23, followed by the third beta a week later on December 30.
However, this information should be taken with a pinch of salt considering chats like these have surfaced online in the past before and have turned out to be untrue.
Google has announced the launch of Google Veo 2, the second generation of its video generation model, which it first introduced earlier this year. The new model is claimed to deliver “incredibly high-quality videos in a wide range of subjects and styles.” In head-to-head comparisons judged by human raters, Veo 2 achieved state-of-the-art results against leading models, claims Google.
Google Veo 2 brings an improved understanding of real-world physics and the nuances of human movement and expression, which helps improve its detail and realism overall. “Veo 2 understands the language of cinematography: ask it for a genre, specify a lens, suggest cinematic effects, and Veo 2 will deliver,” said Google.
One can generate videos at up to 4KResolution and extended to minutes in length. Users can into further detailing while asking for the shot, such as a low-angle tracking shot that glides through the middle of a scene, or a close-up shot on the face of a scientist looking through her microscope, and Veo 2 creates it.
One could even suggest “18mm lens” in their prompt and Google Veo 2 knows to craft the wide angle shot that this lens is known for, or blur out the background and focus on your subject by putting “shallow depth of field” in the prompt. Google adds that generally video models often “hallucinate” unwanted details — extra fingers or unexpected objects, for example — and Veo 2 produces these less frequently.
Similar to Google’s other models, Veo 2 outputs include an invisible SynthID watermark that helps identify them as AI-generated, helping reduce the chances of misinformation and misattribution.
Google is bringing Veo 2 capabilities to its Google Labs video generation tool, VideoFX, and expanding the number of users who can access it. Those interested can visit the Google Labs website to sign up for the waitlist. The company also plans to expand Veo 2 to YouTube Shorts and other products next year.
Google Imagen 3 Improvements
Aside from Veo 2, Google has announced improvements to the Imagen 3 model which was rolled out in August. The improvements help Imagen 3 generate brighter, better composed images. It can now render more diverse art styles with greater accuracy — from photorealism to impressionism, from abstract to anime. This upgrade also follows prompts more faithfully, and renders richer details and textures, as per Google. The latest Imagen 3 model is rolling out globally in ImageFX, Google’s image generation tool from Google Labs, to more than 100 countries.
Google Whisk Experiment
Finally, Google also announced a new experiment called Google Whisk. As the newest experiment from Google Labs, Whisk lets you input or create images that convey the subject, scene and style you have in mind. Then, you can bring them together and remix them to create something uniquely your own, from a digital plushie to an enamel PIN or sticker, said Google.
Under the hood, Whisk combines Google’s Imagen 3 model with Gemini’s visual understanding and description capabilities. The Gemini model automatically writes a detailed caption of your images, and it then feeds those descriptions into Imagen 3. This process allows you to easily remix your subjects, scenes and styles in new ways.
HMD has announced a new budget smartphone with a Unisoc chipset, a 5000mAh battery, and more. The device- HMD Arc has been listed on HMD Thailand’s website, but the company has yet to share the pricing details for the device. Here’s everything it has to offer.
HMD Arc: Specifications
The HMD Arc sports a 6.52-inch HD+ (576 x 1280 pixels resolution) LCD screen with a 60Hz refresh rate, a 20:9 aspect ratio, and 460 nits brightness level. The HMD Arc is powered by a Unisoc 9863A processor paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of inbuilt storage which is expandable up to 128GB through microSD card storage expansion.
HMD Arc packs a 13-megapixel primary sensor with Autofocus at the back and a 5-megapixel sensor on the front which handles video calls and selfies. It gets a single speaker and a microphone. The handset will arrive with an IP52 or an IP54 rating based on the region you purchase it in.
The RAM can be virtually extended to up to an additional 4GB. It runs on Android 14 Go Edition. The handset will receive two years of security updates, while an Android OS update remains unconfirmed. The HMD Arc model packs a 5,000mAh battery with support for 10W wired charging. There’s also a side-mounted fingerprint scanner available. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth v5.2, GPS, a 3.5mm Audio Jack and a USB Type-C port for charging.
The device is listed in a single Shadow Black colour variant, and there’s no word on whether it’ll be available outside Thailand.
Looking at the specifications, it is clear that the HMD Arc is an entry-level budget smartphone that not only sports sub-par specifications but also looks similar to the thousands of phones out there without any distinction in design. As we mentioned above, the HMR Arc isn’t a head-turner by any means, and if not priced well in markets where it’s available, it could be demolished by other options.
Lava has announced the launch of Lava Blaze Duo 5G in India. The new device by Lava lies in the budget segment with the standout feature being the secondary AMOLED Display on the back of the phone. The device comes with a Dimensity chip under the hood and here’s everything it has to offer.
Lava Blaze Duo 5G: Price, Availability
The Blaze Duo 5G comes in Celestial Blue and Arctic White. The Blaze Duo 5G sale will begin on December 20th, 2024, exclusively on Amazon, at a starting price of Rs 16,999 for the 6GB + 128GB model and Rs 17,999 for the 8GB + 128GB trim. There’s a Rs 2,000 bank offer applicable on HDFC Bank Credit / Debit Card Transactions from December 20 till December 22.
Lava Blaze Duo 5G: Specifications
The Lava Blaze Duo 5G sports a 6.67-inch FHD+ resolution curved AMOLED screen with a 120 Hz Refresh Rate. The display comes with 1.07 billion color depth, Widevine L1, and supports HDR 10+. It is powered by an octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 7025 SoC, coupled with up to 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 128GB of UFS 3.1 onboard storage.
For optics, the Lava Blaze Duo 5G packs a dual-rear camera unit, headlined by a 64-megapixel Sony primary lens with OIS, accompanied by a 2MP f/2.4 macro sensor. For selfies, it features a 16-megapixel sensor at the front.
It includes an in-display optical fingerprint scanner for Biometrics and a USB Type-C port for connectivity. It packs a 5,000mAh battery with 33W fast wired charging. Lava promises a clean Android 14 experience with no bloatware, no ads, and no unwanted notifications. Connectivity options include 5G, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth v5.2, USB-C port, and GPS.
Additional features include stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, IP64 rating, and a secondary 1.58-inch AMOLED (228 x 460 pixels) screen on the back that can be used for accepting or declining calls, use rear camera for clicking selfies, checking notifications, and much more.
Lava Blaze Duo 5G vs Redmi Note 14 5G: Which One Should You Buy?
Both Lava and Redmi’s smartphones pack the Dimensity 7025 chip but Redmi’s device has the Ultra variant of the chip. However, the difference in performance would be barely noticeable, given brands have optimised their software well. However, Redmi’s device gets a better display in terms of brightness, Dolby Vision support, and Gorillas Glass protection.
Lava’s handset takes the lead in RAM and storage segment with faster versions of both of them compared to what we find in Redmi Note 14 5G. Not only that, but Lava Blaze Duo 5G offers more RAM and storage at a cheaper price tag.
Redmi’s device once again takes the lead when it comes to cameras, battery and charging. The Note 14 5G has a better set of cameras (including an ultra-wide angle sensor), faster 45W charging, and a slightly larger battery as well. Finally, while Lava’s device is upgradeable to Android 15, Redmi’s handset will get updates till Android 16.
Redmi’s device starts at Rs 18,999 for the 6GB + 128GB model and Rs 19,999 for the 8GB + 128GB model and Rs 21,999 for the 8GB + 256GB trim.
We’d say that you could prefer the Redmi handset and pay a thousand bucks more for its base model compared to the top model of Lava’s device if you want longer updates, a better display, a slightly faster chipset, and superior battery and cameras.
You could prefer Lava’s handset for its cheaper price tag (with its tradeoffs), a dual-display design which is quite a unique feature for the price segment, and a similar overall performance as Redmi Note 14 5G.
Motorola announced the launch of Moto G35 5G in India last week, and it competes with the Tecno Spark 30C 5G, which debuted in October in the country. The devices compete in the budget segment, and here’s a specifications comparison between the two to help you make an informed decision about your purchase.
The Spark 30C 5G is priced at Rs 9,999 for the 4GB + 64GB model and Rs 10,499 for the 4GB + 128GB variant. The Moto G35 5G is priced at Rs 9,999 for the 4GB + 128GB combination.
Display
The Tecno Spark 30C 5G sports a 6.6-inch screen with a 120Hz Refresh Rate and an HD+ resolution of 1612 x 720 pixels. The Moto G35 5G sports a 6.72-inch LCD FHD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels) display with a 120Hz refresh rate, 1000 nits peak brightness, HDR 10, 8-bit colours, and a 240Hz touch sampling rate.
Clearly, the Motorola handset sports a far superior panel than Tecno’s device, in terms of resolution and brightness. Not only will the device perform better in outdoor sunlight, but it will also offer a sharper experience when viewing content.
Software & Performance
The MediaTek Dimensity 6300 SoC powers the Tecno device. The device has up to 128GB of in-built storage, which is expandable, and 4GB RAM with additional Virtual RAM support. Moto G35 5G is powered by the Unisoc T760 5G processor coupled with 4GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 128GB of UFS 2.2 storage which is expandable via a hybrid microSD card slot.
Both the chips have similar performance capabilities according to their on-paper specifications. They have identical RAM and storage as well, but the Tecno device has a 64GB storage trim also. Both of them run on Android 14-based skins. Motorola’s handset will get 1 Android OS update to Android 15 and 3 years of security patches. Tecno doesn’t list how many updates its phone will get.
The Motorola device is a better pick over Tecno’s handset due to its software commitment and because it offers higher storage at the same price as Tecno’s base model.
Cameras & Battery
For photos and videos, the Tecno device has a dual rear camera setup which includes a 48-megapixel Sony IMX582 primary sensor, an AI lens, paired with dual LED flash. There is also an 8-megapixel selfie camera sensor at the front with a flash as well.
For optics, the Moto G35 5G offers a dual rear camera setup of a 50-megapixel f/1.8 main camera and an 8-megapixel f/2.2 ultra-wide angle lens. There’s a 16-megapixel f/2.45 front camera.
Even in the camera segment, Motorola’s handset is a superior choice due to its selection of sensors. Real world performance of the two in the camera segment could differ.
Both are backed up by a 5000mAh battery with 18W fast charging, so there’s a tie.
Mahindra and Dolby Laboratories today announced that Mahindra will integrate Dolby Atmos in BE 6 and XEV 9e — Mahindra’s Electric Origin SUVs. This collaboration between the two brands has set a new milestone making Mahindra the first Indian automaker to bring Dolby Atmos to its Electric Origin SUVs.
The brands say that “consumers will be able to experience their favourite songs in Dolby Atmos through Gaana, integrated into the infotainment system on the BE 6 and XEV 9e. Dolby Atmos will deliver an unparalleled auditory journey within the confines of the BE 6 and XEV 9e, equating the experience into a sonic studio experience.”
BE 6 and XEV 9e boast 16 Harman Kardon speakers, which comes as standard with the vehicles. The speakers next to front seats are three-way speakers designed with a tweeter, mid-range, and a woofer. The centre is Harman’s patented Unity Speaker design and rear surround speakers are high fidelity mid-range. There is also a subwoofer and two speaker drivers in the ceiling which will help deliver an enhanced in-cabin audio experience with Dolby Atmos.
Mahindra’s new EVs were launched earlier this month. The BE 6e is priced at ₹18.9 lakh, while the XEV 9e costs ₹21.9 lakh (both ex-showroom and introductory). Additional variant prices will be revealed in January 2025.
Both SUVs offer premium interiors focused on technology and comfort. The BE 6e features dual 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment, while the XEV 9e includes a triple-screen setup across the dashboard. These 12.3-inch displays support multimedia, infotainment, and driver information. The systems are powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 Processor.
The XEV 9e adds ventilated seats with power adjustment for the driver, a panoramic sunroof, and wireless charging. Both models include Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and connected features through Mahindra’s MAIA software.
Google Pixel 10 series is months away at this point but that doesn’t mean we don’t have any information about the devices. A new report has surfaced online, suggesting Google will use a MediaTek Modem in Pixel 10 series smartphones instead of a Samsung modem it has been using since Pixel 6 series.
The report comes from Android Authority, which states that Google considered using Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X75 modem as well, which is the same one used in Apple’s iPhone 16 series, but for one reason or another, ended up finalising that it will employ a MediaTek modem in Pixel 10 series. The model in concern is the T900, which is an unreleased modem by MediaTek.
While not much is known about the modem, the report states that it belongs to MediaTek’s “M85” generation modem IP. “For reference, “M70” supported 3GPP Release 15 5G specification, “M80” upgraded to Release 16, so it’s safe to assume “M85” will support Release 17 or even newer,” the report added.
It’s safe to assume that the modem would perform significantly better than Samsung’s Exynos modems Google has been using in the Pixel series so far if the company has opted for it.
It’s not only the modem where Google is ditching Samsung, but also for the Processor manufacturing, as Google’s Pixel 10 series is rumoured to pack the Tensor G5 chip manufactured by TSMC. While Samsung’s foundry has seen progress, TSMC’s node still remains unmatched in this space.
Google is making these switches in order to improve the thermals on the Pixel 10 series. The company has even internally admitted that the main dissatisfaction amongst consumers (and the primary reason for returns) with Pixel series devices is overheating of the devices, which is due to the Tensor chip that Samsung has been manufacturing for years.
Samsung unveiled LLM Bixby earlier last month with the Samsung W25 and the W25 Flip in China. However, Samsung is planning to expand LLM Bixby access to new regions starting next month when the Samsung Galaxy S25 series launches. Here are all the details about the development.
As per ET News, the new AI-powered Bixby will be going global and won’t be restricted to China with the launch of Galaxy S25 series. The revamped assistant was initially anticipated to debut with the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6. However, reports suggest it was delayed due to scheduling conflicts on Samsung’s part.
The upcoming AI-backed Bixby, set to launch with the Galaxy S25 series, will be powered by a large language model (LLM) similar to ChatGPT or Google Gemini. This upgrade aims to enable more natural interactions with the digital assistant. Additionally, it is expected to retrieve information from apps like Calendar and Samsung Internet, understand on-screen context, and integrate with other apps for tasks such as providing directions and more.
In China, Samsung highlighted four major new capabilities of the next-generation Bixby, including the ability to incorporatevideo into responses. For example, when requesting travel tips, Bixby can now add relevant videos to text replies. Then, another new feature enables Bixby to translate entire web pages, making it easier for users to access information in different languages.
Bixby in China can further capture and process multi-task instructions which the user might incorporate in a sentence. For instance, a user could say, “Turn on the vibration mode and tell me the schedule at 5 p.m. tomorrow,” and Bixby will be able to fulfill both these tasks.
The company notes that the new version will have improved contextual understanding of instructions and can also utilize on-screen content. Finally, one of the biggest new features of the next-generation Bixby is that it can intelligently generate PPT, Word and other document content according to the users’ needs to improve editing efficiency.
It’s unclear whether all these features will make it to global version of LLM Bixby. Whatever the case may be, Bixby is surely going to get a worthy upgrade next month which will finally allow it to match the likes of Gemini on Android devices.
Battery anxiety has been prevalent in smartphones for a while now, but that era is changing as manufacturers adopt new battery technologies, including silicon-carbon batteries, where manufacturers can increase the battery density without compromising the space inside the phone. As new smartphones launch, it could become a little challenging to cope with those models that have batteries made with this technology. Here we are to help you with our list of the top 5 latest smartphones with silicon-carbon batteries.
Lithium Polymer Batteries Vs Silicon-Carbon Batteries
Lithium polymer batteries first appeared in smartphones around the late 1990s, offering a slimmer profile and greater design flexibility compared to older lithium-ion technologies. This was crucial for the increasingly sleek and compact designs that consumers demanded. They quickly became the standard, powering the mobile revolution for over two decades.
However, the demand for longer battery life and faster charging has pushed lithium polymer batteries to their limits. This is where silicon carbon batteries enter the picture. Silicon can store up to 10 times more lithium than the graphite traditionally used in lithium-ion batteries. In other words, this means that silicon-carbon batteries can house significantly higher energy density, meaning smaller batteries can pack a bigger punch.
In practical terms, this means smartphones can offer significantly longer battery life, or maintain current battery life in a much smaller and lighter form factor.
Silicon carbon batteries also offer faster charging capabilities and improved safety. Silicon anodes are less prone to the formation of lithium dendrites, which can cause short circuits and fires in lithium-ion batteries.
Despite their dominance, lithium polymer batteries have some inherent disadvantages:
Limited lifespan: They degrade over time, losing capacity with each charge cycle.
Vulnerable to swelling: Exposure to high temperatures or overcharging can cause them to swell, potentially damaging the device.
Safety concerns: While generally safe, they can pose a fire risk if punctured or mishandled.
Environmental impact: The extraction of lithium and the disposal of these batteries raise environmental concerns.
Silicon-carbon batteries’ potential advantages in energy density, charging speed, and safety make them a promising contender for the future of smartphone batteries. The transition is already underway, with manufacturers shifting to silicon in their battery anodes. As companies continue to invest more in R&D of this technology, we can expect to see silicon carbon batteries playing an increasingly important role in powering smartphones.
Coming back to the top 5 latest smartphones with silicon-carbon batteries in India, here they are:
Redmi Note 14 Pro+
The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ is the most feature-packed device in the Redmi Note 14 series, packing a huge 6200mAh silicon-carbon battery with 90W fast charging. This makes it one of the top 5 latest smartphones with silicon-carbon batteries, and not only that, but it is also the cheapest and the only device to pack such a huge silicon-carbon cell in India.
Redmi guarantees up to 1,600 charging cycles before the battery health drops to 80 per cent capacity. The device delivers a 40% battery life improvement over predecessor as per Redmi’s claims. It packs a 22% bigger battery than its predecessor and that too in a smaller battery size than before. Redmi also says that the device can provide a day’s power with a 15-minute charge.
It sports a 6.67-inch 1.5K ResolutionAMOLED Display with a Refresh Rate of 120Hz, Dolby Vision, 12-bit colours, 3000 nits peak brightness, 240Hz touch sampling rate, 1920Hz PWM dimming, and HDR10+ support. It is protected with Gorilla GlassVictus 2.
The device is equipped with Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 SoC under the hood, with up to 12GB LPDDR4X RAM and up to 512GB UFS 2.2 storage.
The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ features a triple camera setup with a 50MP f/1.6 Light Hunter 800 primary sensor with OIS, an 8MP f/2.2 IMX355 ultra-wide angle sensor, and a 50MP 2.5x telephoto camera. The smartphone also has a 20MP selfie camera. The Note 14 Pro+ packs a 6,200mAh battery with 90W Fast charging support.
Additional features include X-Axis Linear Haptics Motor, IR Blaster, and dual stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6, 5G, Bluetooth 5.4, GPS, NFC and a USB-C port for charging. The device runs on Hyper OS based on Android 14 and will get 3 years of OS updates with 4 years of security patches. There’s an in-display optical fingerprint sensor for security, and the handset is up to IP69 rated.
iQOO 13
The iQOO 13 draws power from a massive 6000mAh battery with 120W fast wired charging. This makes it one of the top 5 latest smartphones with silicon-carbon batteries out there, coupled with the latest chipset from Qualcomm, 120W fast charging, accounting for an all-rounder flagship.
iQOO claims a 19-hour video playback time, 92-hour music playback time, and 6.8 hours heavy-load gaming time. Furthermore, the device can charge from 0 to 100% in 30 minutes and can retain 80% or more battery health even after 1600 charging cycles.
The iQOO 13 5G sports a 6.82-inch 2K 8T LTPO OLED flat display with a 144Hz refresh rate, 1800 nits brightness in HBM mode and 4500 nits peak brightness, 2592Hz PWM dimming, and OLED circular polarized light eye protection technology. The display is made by BOE and is tuned for iQOO. The iQOO 13 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC with up to 16GB LPDDR5x RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 4.1 storage.
For optics, the phone features a triple cam setup on the back, including an OIS-assisted 50MP f/1.88 Sony IMX921 primary camera, a 50MP f/2.0 Samsung JN1 ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 50MP f/1.85 Sony IMX816 2x telephoto sensor with OIS. A 32MP f/2.45 sensor handles the selfies and video calls on the device.
Aside from this, iQOO 13 has a metal middle frame, a Halo light strip, an IP68 + IP69 rated body, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth v5.4, GPS, NFC, IR blaster, stereo speakers, and an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor.
Oppo Find X8 Pro
The Find X8 Pro packs a 5910mAh silicon-carbon battery with 80W fast charging support. Oppo claims up to 7.2h continuous Dolby Vision recording. The device can stream videos for more than 20 hours, which equates to over 30 episodes of your favourite series on a single charge. Oppo claims that even in temperatures up to -20 degrees, the Find X8 Pro can provide a solid 5.3 hours continuous video recording time without faltering.
The battery is paired with MediaTek’s latest chipset and is the first device in the world to get a dual periscope telephoto sensor setup.
The OPPO Find X8 Pro sports a 6.78-inch (2780×1264 pixels) AMOLED Display with a 1 to 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, up to 4500 nits peak brightness, 2160Hz high-frequency PWM dimming, 240Hz touch sampling rate, 2160Hz instant touch sampling rate, Dolby Vision, and OPPO Crystal Shield protection. It packs the latest MediaTek Dimensity 9400 Processor paired with up to 16GB LPDDR5x RAM and 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage. The device gets Hasselblad optics as well.
The setup includes a 50MP primary camera with 1/1.4″ Sony LYT-808 sensor that has f/1.6 aperture, OIS, 10-bit HDR, paired with a 50MP 1/2.75″ Samsung JN5 ultra-wide angle sensor with f/2.0 aperture, 120 FoV, joined further by a 50MP 1/1.95″ Sony LYT-600 3x periscope telephoto sensor with f/2.6 aperture, OIS, and another 50MP 1/2.51″ Sony IMX858 6x periscope telephoto camera with f/4.3 aperture, OIS, up to 120X digital zoom, along with Hasselblad portrait.
At the front, there’s a 32MP Sony IMX615 f/2.4 front camera. The device is backed up by a 5910mAh battery with 80W SuperVOOC fast wired charging and 50W wireless charging. For connectivity, you get 5G SA/NSA, Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), Bluetooth v5.4, Beidou, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), dual-antenna NFC, and a USB Type-C port.
The OPPO Find X8 Pro also features stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, an in-display optical fingerprint sensor, an IP68 + IP69 rating, and an IR blaster as well. The device runs on Android 15-based ColorOS 15 and will get 5 years of OS updates and 6 years of security patches.
Vivo X200 Pro
Similar to the iQOO 13, Vivo X200 Pro also has a huge 6000mAh silicon-carbon battery, making it one of top 5 latest smartphones with silicon-carbon batteries. Aside from 90W fast wired charging, the device also supports 30W fast wireless charging. Vivo claims up to 18-hour continuous video playback time and up to 9.1-hour continuous gaming time.
The Vivo X200 Pro features a 6.78-inch 8T LTPO AMOLED Display with quad-curved edges and a centre-aligned punch-hole cutout. The display on the X200 Pro has a 1.5K pixels resolution, 452 ppi, HDR 10+, a dynamic 0.1Hz to 120Hz Refresh Rate and 4500 nits peak brightness. The device is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 SoC paired with UFS 4.0 storage and LPDDR5x RAM.
The Vivo X200 Pro has a triple-rear camera setup that includes an OIS-assisted 50MP f/1.57 Sony LYT-818 primary camera, a 50MP f/2.0 ultra-wide unit with a 108-degree FOV, and a 200MP Zeiss APO Super periscope Zoom HP9 telephoto camera with an f/2.67 aperture. It offers a 32MP f/2.0 selfie shooter at the front. A Proprietary V3+ imaging chip and Zeiss optics join the optics.
It also features an IP69 rating making it water and dust-resistant. Vivo X200 Pro runs on Android 15-based FunTouch OS 15 and will receive 4 major Android OS updates with 5 years of security patches.
Connectivity options include 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth v5.4, GPS/ A-GPS, Infrared (IR) blaster, NFC, and a USB Type-C port. It also has stereo speakers and an X-axis haptic motor along with an in-display optical fingerprint sensor, unlike the Chinese model which has an ultrasonic fingerprint reader.
Realme GT 7 Pro
Also packing a silicon-carbon battery in India is the Realme GT 7 Pro which features a 5800mAh cell with 120W fast charging support. Realme claims up to 450-hour standby time, 17-hour YouTube playback, 20-hour Instagram browsing time, and up to 68-hour Spotify streaming. Even when at 1%, the device is claimed to provide a 4.5-hour Standby time and 40-minute Spotify streaming. The device is claimed to charge from 0 to 100% in 30 minutes.
The Realme GT 7 Pro sports a 6.78-inch 1.5K Resolution (2780 x 1264 pixels) Eco2 AMOLED Display with a 120Hz refresh rate, 360Hz touch sampling rate, DC dimming, Gorilla Glass 7i protection, 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut, 450 ppi, 10-bit colours, and 6500 nits peak brightness. The Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset powers the handset paired up to 16GB LPDDR5x RAM and up to 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage. The phone runs on Android 15 with Realme UI 6.0 skin on top.
As for the optics, the GT 7 Pro has triple cameras on the back, including a 50-megapixel Sony IMX906 f/1.88 primary sensor with OIS, an 8-megapixel Sony IMX355 f/2.2 ultra-wide angle lens and a 50-megapixel Sony IMX882 f/2.65 2x telephoto sensor, while the front houses a 16-megapixel f/2.45 selfie camera.
Connectivity options include 5G, dual 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, GPS, NFC, and a USB Type-C port for charging. Further, GT 7 Pro packs a 5800mAh battery with 120W Fast charging support in India while the China model gets a 6500mAh cell. Additionally, it includes an in-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor for security, X-axis linear vibration motor, IR blaster, stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, and VC liquid cooling. The device is also IP68 + IP69 rated.
Nothing is now rolling out Nothing OS 3.0 open beta for Nothing Phone (2a) Plus as it promised a couple of months back. Earlier this week, the company also made the same available for the CMF Phone 1, its cheapest smartphone offering under its sub-brand. Here’s everything the update brings.
“We are pleased to share that Phone (2a) Plus users will be able to access the Open Beta starting from today, Thursday December 12th,” said Nothing in a Community post. The full changelog Nothing OS 3.0 Open Beta for Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is as follows:
Shared Widgets
Use widgets to link up with friends and family. See another person’s widgets displayed on your home screen and interact with each other through reactions. A new way to stay connected.
Lock screen
New lock screen customisation page. Access by long-pressing the lock screen or via the Customisation page.
Upgraded clock faces. Choose your favourite style.
Expanded widget space, allowing you to place more widgets on your lock screen.
Smart Drawer
Added AI-powered Smart Drawer feature to automatically categorise your apps into folders. For better organisation and easy access.
For ultimate convenience, you can PIN your favourite apps to the top of the App drawer. No scrolling required.
Quick Settings
Reconsidered Quick Settings design with an optimised editing experience.
Enhanced widget library design.
Updated visuals in Settings including better Network & Internet and Bluetooth options.
Camera improvements
Faster camera launch speed under the Camera Widget.
Reduced HDR scene processing time.
Smoothened user interface after countdown photos
Improved zoom slider display.
Enhanced pop-up view
Movable pop-up view for cleaner and more productive multi-tasking.
Easily resize the pop-up view by dragging the bottom corners.
Pin the pop-up view on the screen EDGE for quick access.
View information without leaving your current app. Simply swipe down on incoming notifications to enter the pop-up view. Enable via Settings > System > Pop-up view.
Other improvements
AI-powered selection and prioritisation of your frequently used apps, keeping them at your fingertips for a more efficient experience
Added support for auto-archive function to automatically free up storage space without removing apps or data from your device.
Partial screen sharing for more efficient and secure screen recording. Record just an app window rather than the entire screen.
Updated setup wizard to version 3.0 for the smoothest introduction to Nothing OS.
Enabled predictive back animations for apps that have opted in.
New fingerprint animation with signature dot matrix styling.
New charging animation with signature dot matrix styling.
How to Install?
Ensure you have installed NOS version 2.6, build number should be PacmanPro-U2.6-240924-2223 or PacmanPro-U2.6-241125-2243
Navigate to Settings > System > Updateto Beta version.
Tap “Check for new version” and follow the steps to get started If you can’t find the new version yet, it means the version is not online yet.
Now, the only smartphone left in the brand’s portfolio to receive Android 15 is Nothing Phone (1), which is also supposed to receive the beta sometime later this month.
