Leaks are still just starting to trickle on Google’s upcoming mid-range Pixel 4a devices, but a bit of sleuthing by the folks at 9to5Google may have revealed the first few precious details about the Google Pixel 5.
And if those details are accurate, the Pixel 5 may not be what anyone was expecting.
Without getting too deep into the methodology, the rumors come from detailed analysis of a pre-release version of the Google Camera app. The app’s codebase contains hints about what’s to come in future hardware, including the Pixel 5.
The first revelation is that the Pixel 5 lineup will likely have a telephoto lens, which isn’t surprising considering the feature was also present on last year’s Pixel 4 and 4 XL.
More surprising was the processor codenames tied to the presumed Pixel 5 configuration file. According to 9to5Google, Evidence suggests that these codenames (“Bramble” and “Redfin”) refer to Qualcomm’s recently released mid-range Snapdragon 765G chip, and not the more powerful Snapdragon 865 found in other 2020 flagships like the Galaxy S20 Ultra.
If this turns out to be true, the Google Pixel 5 lineup will be even less powerful than the Pixel 4. It would, however, come with 5G support out of the box.
At this point it’s worth pointing out that we are still more than six months away from the release of these devices, so these rumors should be taken with a grain of salt. That said, there is some logic behind the decision to switch to a less powerful processor.
Why dropping a flagship chip might make sense
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 865 processor is its most powerful to date, but it’s also the most expensive by some margin. Flagships prices have ballooned as a result, with smartphones like the Oppo Find X2 Pro and Galaxy S20 Ultra coming in at well over $1300.
The cost of current flagship processors (and prices remaining steady for last year’s Snapdragon 855 and 855 Plus) are also what prevented a true Pocophone F1 successor. Switching to a cheaper chip could keep the Pixel 5 price well under $1000.
Switching to a mid-range processor would keep the Pixel 5 price low and improve battery life.
Another big benefit of mid-range processors over their more powerful counterparts is power efficiency. Battery life has always been the Achilles heel of Pixel devices, and switching to a less power-hungry chipset could extend screen-on time without having to add a bulkier battery (which Google still refuses to do for some reason).
The relative success of the Pixel 3a could also have prompted a change in strategy for Google’s hardware division. Instead of adding gimmicks like Motion Sense, it can provide a great smartphone experience by delivering on the basics: camera, software, and battery life.
What do you make of the latest Pixel 5 rumor? Is cheaper the way to go or are you still hoping for a Pixel Ultra?
The importance of the Note series of phones in Redmi’s lineup cannot be overstated. It is the phone that put the company on the map, and helped Xiaomi gain massive global momentum. The Redmi Note 4 sold over 10 million units over its product cycle, and last year, the Redmi Note 7 Pro was India’s highest-selling phone in the Rs. 10,000 and above category. Suffice it to say, it is critical for the brand to get this product right.
Of course, the competition has been keeping a keen eye on Xiaomi’s rise and has mounted a strong counteroffensive. Realme is its strongest competitor yet and has built a portfolio of truly great products that meet Xiaomi spec-for-spec and sometimes beat it too.
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With that in mind, it is all the more important for Xiaomi to build a product that doesn’t just meet a checklist, but pushes forward. Is the Redmi Note 9 Pro that device? We find out in the Android Authority Redmi Note 9 Pro review.
About this review: I wrote this Redmi Note 9 Pro review after spending five days with the phone as my primary device. Xiaomi India supplied the device, which was running Android 10 with MIUI 11 on board.
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Design: All about balance
Over the last year, Xiaomi has been championing its all-new Aura Balance design direction. The Redmi Note 9 Pro is a direct extension of the design language introduced with the Note 7 Pro, and then further iterated upon with the Note 8 Pro.
The rear panel has a fetching design, but keeping it clean is a chore.
The most distinctive, and different, design element has to be the back panel of the phone. Gone is the gradient and instead, you get a brilliantly glossy pane of Gorilla Glass 5. We have the Aurora Blue variant with us and at the right angle, it could double up as a mirror in a pinch. Of course, this makes it a fingerprint and scuff magnet. Using the included case is almost necessary if you don’t want to constantly clean up smudges. It’s a shame really since the phone somehow manages to stand out despite the myriad iterations on similar design principles.
Like the Redmi Note 8 Pro, the camera module is centrally mounted. However, instead of a vertical arrangement, all four sensors are enclosed in a raised rectangular section with the flash placed below it. The raised module stands proud on the phone, though I found it catching on to the pocket of my jeans.
A big change this time around is the switch to a side-mounted fingerprint reader. It is integrated into the power key and I found it be extremely fast at unlocking the phone. The button is intuitively placed and very easy to reach out, even with a single hand. What is not-so-intuitive, however, is the unsegmented volume rocker. It is placed too far up and reaching out to is nearly impossible without grasping the phone with two hands or awkwardly shuffling it around.
I found the volume keys too unwieldy in daily use.
You will find a USB-C port along the bottom edge as well as a headphone jack. Over on the left is a combined slot for dual nano-SIM cards as well as a microSD card for memory expansion. Yes, the phone retains an IR blaster at the top.
Over at the front, things are less different. Sure, there’s a slightly bigger 6.67-inch display with a taller 20:9 aspect ratio and camera cutout for the front-facing camera. The resolution remains Full HD+ with the panel delivering punchy colors at the default setting. However, compared to stablemate Poco X2 and competitor Realme 6 Pro, the phone doesn’t pack a high refresh rate panel. While the benefits of a 90Hz or even 120Hz panel on a mid-range phone are debatable, there’s no doubt that this is a missed opportunity that puts the Redmi Note 9 Pro on the back foot compared to its peers.
Overall, the Redmi Note 9 Pro is a conservative, but pleasant step forward as far as aesthetics are concerned. I do have an issue with the sheer weight of the phone though. Clocking in at 209g, the Note 9 Pro can get cumbersome to hold over long durations. No, the phone is not waterproof. However, it retains a P2i coating which should offer a degree of splash resistance.
Performance: Perfectly adequate
The Redmi Note 9 Pro has the company returning to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon platform. While the Note 8 Pro used a Mediatek Helio G90T, this time around the phone sports a Snapdragon 720G. The chipset sports a combination of two Kyro 465 Gold cores, as well as six Kryo 465 Silver cores. In addition, there is an Adreno 618 GPU tackling graphics related duties.
As is the case with almost every midranger these days, day-to-day performance is more than satisfactory. MIUI is well mated to the hardware and delivers a polished, slick experience. There is no hint of lag or stutter, and we didn’t expect it either.
Performance is not an issue, but I'd steer clear of the 4GB RAM variant of the Redmi Note 9 Pro.
Depending on the variant you opt for, RAM may or may not be an issue. I’d advise gamers to steer clear of the base version of the phone with just 4GB of RAM. In fact, it wouldn’t be the best choice from a future-proofing point of view either, if you plan to hold on to the phone for a few years.
Despite being a mid-range chipset, the Snapdragon 720G is more than capable of powering through any app or game you throw at it. I was able to test out PUBG with the graphics turned up to maximum without any noticeable stutters.
Big battery, slow charging
Xiaomi pioneered the trend of slapping large 4,000mAh batteries in phones, and the Note 9 Pro takes it a step forward. This time around, the phone has a 5,020mAh cell that is more than enough for a long day of heavy use and then some.
The phone delivered over 6 hours of screen on time in our torture test, but charging the Redmi Note 9 Pro takes time.
Putting the phone through Android Authority‘s very own battery test that runs the SpeedTest G torture test on a loop, the phone delivered a respectable 6 hours and 22 minutes of battery life. Suffice it to say that you won’t be putting the phone through that kind of beating all day long. Unfortunately, charging speeds are limited to 18W and it took the phone a good 140 minutes to top up the battery from scratch.
Software: Same old, same old
Part of the reason Xiaomi manages to keep hardware prices low is its inclusion of software services and ads in the operating system. Now running MIUI 11 based on Android 10, things are the same as they’ve always been, for better or worse.
At its best, MIUI integrates a world of functionality and tweaks right out of the box. From being able to tweak gestures, add themes, set rotating lock-screen wallpapers, to including a competent file manager, software to quickly share files amongst other users, there’s a lot of nice additions here if you are not too fussy about a stock Android-like experience.
The bloatware and constant notification bar spam is irritating to say the least.
However, the sheer amount of third-party apps tossed in remains off-putting. The number of app inclusions seems to be increasing with every successive release and not all of these can be removed. Add to that notification bar spam and it very quickly falls short of the experience you’d want from a new phone. Sure, you can dive into the settings and disable most of these apps, however, this is not something that should be expected from the majority of users.
How’s the camera on the Redmi Note 9 Pro?
The core camera set-up remains consistent between the Redmi Note 8 Pro and the all-new Redmi Note 9 Pro. The quad-camera setup includes an 8MP ultrawide sensor, a 2 MP depth sensor as well as a rather questionable 2MP macro sensor. The primary shooter this time around, however, is a 48MP Samsung GM2 sensor. This is in contrast to the 64MP camera in the previous model. Interestingly enough, Xiaomi has introduced an even higher tier called the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max that sports the 64MP sensor as well as faster charging speeds.
The cameras on the Redmi Note 9 Pro are, for lack of better words, okay. The good news is that Xiaomi has opted for very natural-looking color science here. More often than not, the color temperature and white balance are spot-on which is very good to see. The dynamic range isn’t too bad either with some, but not all details retained in the shadow region. However, there is a certain softness to images captured with the Note 9 Pro. I don’t mind the lack of oversharpening at all, but surface-level detail is missing in a lot of images.
On that note, despite pixel-binning images down to 12MP, there is a lot of grain and noticeable noise when pixel-peeping, no matter the lighting conditions. In most cases, it isn’t really bothersome, but it becomes readily apparent when cropping into the frame.
If you like shooting ultra-wide images, or in portrait mode, the Redmi Note 9 Pro does a good enough job. Dynamic range is a bit limited when shooting with the wide-angle sensor and white balance can be ever-so-slightly off. However, the mode works well to capture a wide frame without much effort. Meanwhile, Xiaomi has done a particularly good job at optimizing the portrait mode and the phone does a fantastic job at edge-detection, creating a natural-looking blur.
There’s a 2-megapixel macro camera tossed into the mix, and it does the job. I’m not a big fan of a dedicated macro lens and would rather have a telephoto shooter instead. Still, if you want to get up-close and personal with your subjects, you have the option. It is a shame though that Xiaomi didn’t up the resolution to 5MP, like the competition.
Regular ModeNight Mode
Night mode is, however, where the Redmi Note 9 Pro really flounders. Using the primary camera, images are horribly grainy with digital artifacts and splotches creating a nearly unusable shot. Things improve by a small degree when using the night mode functionality. Still, the image is far from worth praising and competitor Realme’s hardware blows away the Note 9 Pro in this regard. Elsewhere, the camera does a reasonable job of capturing selfies from the 16MP front-facing camera. Follow along to the link to check out high-resolution Redmi Note 9 Pro camera samples.
Xiaomi has made improvements to the video mode as well. The camera captures crisp footage all the way up to 4K, 30FPS though the exposure levels are consistently just a bit too high. Software additions have been made to appeal to content creators, and include a cinematic 21:9 crop mode as well as built-in filters. In a cool to have, but totally overkill feature, the video camera lets you shoot straight-from-the-sensor log video footage, which should make it much easier to color grade in software like Premiere Pro or Resolve :thinking_face:
Audio
As is the case with mid-range hardware, a headphone jack is part of the package. Audio output from the Redmi Note 9 Pro sounds good enough without any noticeable hiss. I plugged in a pair of 1More Triple Driver earphones and the audio output went loud enough, offered a decent amount of dynamic range. Not the most resolving output, but it should suffice in a pinch if you just want to listen to some tunes on the go. Speaker output is loud, but lacking on bass. Dual stereo speakers would have definitely elevated the experience.
If you are planning to use Bluetooth headphones with the Note 9 Pro, the phone can output over AptX, AptxHD, and LDAC so you are guaranteed to get high-quality audio as long as your headphones support the necessary codec.
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Specifications
Redmi Note Pro
Display
6.67-inch IPS LCD, 20:9 aspect ratio,
camera cut-out,
Full HD+ (1,080 x 2,400) resolution,
84.5% screen-to-body ratio
Chipset
Snapdragon 720G
2 x 2.3GHz Kryo 465 Gold
6 x 1.8GHz Kryo 465 Silver
Adreno 618
RAM/Storage
4GB/64GB
6GB/128GB
microSD expansion
Camera
Rear:
48MP main (Samsung GW2), f/1.8, 0.8-micron pixel size, PDAF
8MP ultra-wide, f/2.2, 120-degree fov, 1.12-micron pixel size, 1/4-inch sensor
2MP macro, f/2.4, 1.75-micron pixel size, 1/5-inch sensor
2MP depth sensor, f/2.4, 1.75-micron pixel size, 1/5-inch sensor
4K video at 30fps, Full HD video at 30/60fps and slo-mo at 120fps, HD video at 30fps and slo-mo at 720p, 960FPS
Front:
16MP, f/2.0, 1.0-micron pixel size, Full HD video at 30fps
Battery
5020mAh
18W charging
Quick Charge 4.0 and USB-PD support
USB-C
Dimensions
165.8 x 76.7 x 8.8 mm
Weight
209g
Colors
Aurora Blue, Glacier White, Interstellar Black
Biometrics
Side-mounted capacitive fingerprint scanner
Face unlock
Value for money is a key selling point for the Redmi Note series of devices. However, for the first time in years, the competition made me really think long and hard if the phone is truly delivering the best value possible. The Redmi Note 9 Pro starts at just Rs. 12,999 (~$177) for the base variant with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage and goes up to Rs. 16,999 (~$232) for the 6GB RAM and 128GB storage version.
If flat-out performance at a low price is what you want, the Redmi Note 9 Pro still delivers the best bang-for-the-buck. The similarly priced Realme 6 saddles you with a Helio G90T chipset, and you’ll have to pay a lot more for the similarly specced Realme 6 Pro.
However, the Realme 6 out-specs the Redmi Note 9 Pro with its high refresh-rate 90Hz display panel, as well as the inclusion of a 64MP camera that genuinely takes better images. Elsewhere, the phone supports faster 30W charging as well.
Meanwhile, the Poco X2 gives you a faster Snapdragon 730 chipset, a 120Hz display panel as well as a 64MP camera. However, for the cost of the 128GB variant of the Redmi Note 9 Pro, you will only get 64GB of storage here. Additionally, in our review, we found the software to be a bit undercooked on the Poco. Something to be aware of.
As is usually the case, the choice of phone really comes down to what your priorities are. The Redmi Note 9 Pro succeeds at delivering value. An above-average camera, class-leading internals and beautiful design for the low price of Rs. 12,999 is certainly tempting.
However, if you have an inclination towards gaming, the Poco X2 with its Snapdragon 730 chipset and 120Hz display would be the better choice for you. Meanwhile, the Realme 6 takes a hit on performance but gives you a superior imaging experience. Along the way, you will also take a hit on battery life, but hey, at least you get to enjoy that gorgeous 90Hz panel.
It looks like the competition has finally, truly caught up to Xiaomi and the options speak for themselves. There’s something for everyone and the Redmi Note 9 Pro finds itself fending for itself against an increasing array of quality mid-range smartphones. Which one will you choose? Let us know in the comments section.
Fighting fake news has become a growing problem in the past few years, and one that begs for a solution involving artificial intelligence. Verifying the near-infinite amount of content being generated on news websites, video streaming services, blogs, social media, etc. is virtually impossible There has been a push to use machine learning in the moderation of online content, but those efforts have only had modest success in finding spam and removing adult content, and to a much lesser extent detecting hate speech. Fighting fake news is a much more complicated challenge. Fact-checking websites such as Snopes, FactCheck.org, and PolitiFact do a…
Using the MediaTek's custom WiFi 6 chipset, MediaTek and Samsung launched the very first 8K QLED TV in the world, the Samsung 8K QLED Y20 model (Q950, Q900).
WiFi 6 ready TV
First 8K QLED T with WiFi 6
According to MediaTek, the flagship TV is currently the only 8K TV in the world with WiFi 6 support. WiFi 6 will enable consumers to enjoy unconstrained internet access for a more seamless entertainment experience. It is for smoother streaming and gaming as well.
How? WiFi 6, the newest wireless standard, comes with higher transmission throughput while saving on power. It could translate to a smoother 8K streaming experience.
Samsung is a long-standing strategic partner of MediaTek, and its consistent drive to innovate has allowed MediaTek to continue to bring industry-leading IC solutions, like our WiFi 6 family to market, said Jerry Yu, MediaTek Corporate Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Intelligent Devices Business Group.
Samsung is driving the growth of the premium smart TV segment and collaborating with them on Wi-Fi 6 and 8K is just the start of strong global demand for advanced connectivity and Wi-Fi 6 solutions
To recall, MediaTek is a longtime innovator in the semiconductor market for wireless home networking and broadband. It has the number one market share globally in smart TVs and routers.
from GIZGUIDE | Your Gadget Coach https://ift.tt/33jd9un
Apple has released a statement addressing their response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic that has been affecting the entire world. The statement details many of the steps Apple has taken in response.
Apple has committed $15 million in donations to the global response
Apple is matching employee donations two-to-one to support COVID-19 response efforts
All Apple retail stores outside of Greater China will close until March 27
Flexible work arrangements available to employees
Extensive, deep cleaning will continue at all sites
All hourly workers will continue to receive pay in alignment with business as usual operations
Apple's online store remains open, and for service and support, they point users to their online support site.
The statement, signed by Tim Cook, closes with the following:
There is no mistaking the challenge of this moment. The entire Apple family is indebted to the heroic first responders, doctors, nurses, researchers, public health experts and public servants globally who have given every ounce of their spirit to help the world meet this moment. We do not yet know with certainty when the greatest risk will be behind us.
And yet I have been inspired by the humanity and determination I have seen from all corners of our global community. As President Lincoln said in a time of great adversity: “The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew.”
That’s always how Apple has chosen to meet big challenges. And it’s how we’ll rise to meet this one, too.
Tim
The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has affected the entire world economy including Apple. Many other companies, organizations, and governments have been closing down activities to promote social distancing, in an attempt to reduce the transmission of the virus.
