Xiaomi to launch three Redmi 6-series smartphones on September 5: Know more

Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi is gearing up to launch the Redmi 6-series smartphone in India on September 5. The series includes entry-level Redmi 6A, budget-centric Redmi 6 and a premium budget offering the Redmi 6 Pro. Launched earlier this year in China, the Redmi 6A and Redmi 6 sport 18:9 aspect ratio screen. However, the Redmi 6 Pro would be the company’s first budget smartphone with a notch-based screen.

Here are key features and specifications of the Redmi 6-series:

Xiaomi Redmi 6A

This entry-level smartphone sports a 5.45-inch HD+ (1440 x 720) screen stretched in 18:9 aspect ratio. The dualSIM smartphone is powered by MediaTek Helio A22 system-on-chip (SoC), paired with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage, expandable via microSD slot that supports card of up to 256GB capacity. For imaging, the phone features a 13-megapixel primary camera of f/2.2 aperture size on the back and a 5MP lens on the front for selfies. Powering the phone is a 3,000 mAh battery. The phone boots Google Android-based MIUI 9 operating system

Samsung takes on Xiaomi, launches Galaxy J6, J8, A6, A6+: Details here

Samsung, a South Korean electronics manufacturer, on May 21 launched four smartphones – the Galaxy J6, Galaxy J8, Galaxy A6 and Galaxy A6+. The smartphones sport super AMOLED 18.5:9 aspect ratio screen, dubbed as Infinity screen by Samsung, and features utility tools such as chat-over-video, which enables quick reply mode within the video playback screen.

The Galaxy J6 sports a 5.6-inch HD+ 18.5:9 aspect ratio super AMOLED screen. Made of polycarbonate unibody, the Galaxy J6 is the most affordable J-series device in the newly launched smartphones. It is powered by Exynos 7-series octa-core processor, paired with either 3GB/32GB or 4GB/64GB RAM and storage configurations. In terms of imaging, the phone sports 13-megapixel primary camera and 8MP selfie camera, both assisted by LED flash. Powering the device is a 3,000 mAh battery. The phone is priced at Rs 13,990 and Rs 16,490 for 3GB/32GB and 4GB/64GB variants, respectively

Xiaomi Redmi S2 with dual cameras being developed, to come to India: Report

Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi is closely working on a new Redmi device, which is expected to make its way to India – according to a report by online technology-based forum XDA-developers. Touted as the Redmi S2, the budget-centric smartphone is reported to sport dual rear cameras and feature the face-unlock mechanism.

Based on the report, the Xiaomi Redmi S2 would sport an 18:9 aspect ratio screen of HD+ (1440×720) resolution. The phone would be powered by Qualcomm MSM 8953 system-on-chip (SoC), which is a Snapdragon 625 processor. In terms of storage, the phone would have a 16GB variant, though other storage models are also likely, and there would be a microSD card slot for storage extension. As for memory, the phone would likely come in 2GB and 3GB RAM variants.


Talking of imaging, the phone would have a dual-camera set-up on the back, which will either have the 12-megapixel primary sensor of Sony IMX486 or OmniVision OV12A10, and the 5MP Samsung S5K5E8 as the secondary sensor. On the front, there would be a 5MP Samsung S5K5E8 sensor.

Xiaomi rolls out MIUI 9.5 stable ROM for Redmi Note 5: Full changelog here

Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi has started rolling out in India the MIUI 9.5 update for the Redmi Note 5 smartphone. The new operating system update is still based on Google’s Android Nougat operating system, but with some major improvements and customisation.

The MIUI 9.5 is currently rolling out as an over-the-air (OTA) update, and the Redmi Note 5 users can download and install it through the software update option available in the phone’s settings menu. The OTA version installs the update files without deleting the phone’s content and settings.

However, for advance users who want to fresh install the MIUI 9.5 ROM, the full update file is also available and can be downloaded from the official MI forum. You can install it using the fastboot ROM flash option. In fresh install, however, the phone’s storage would be wiped out, so it is advised that you take a full back-up before installing.

Xiaomi Redmi 5 review: Premium-priced all-rounder with a modern 18:9 screen

After a successful run in 2017 with its value-for-money smartphones, Xiaomi started 2018 with the launch of its budget-centric devices. Soon after the launch of the Redmi Note 5 and the Redmi Note 5 Pro, the Chinese mobile phone maker has launched the entry-level Redmi 5 in India at a price of Rs 7,999 for the base model.

Unlike what has been seen in previous-generation devices, the succeeding generation of Redmi-series smartphones costs a tad higher than the predecessor -- be it the Redmi 5 Pro or the Redmi 5. However, the Redmi 5 notches up the smartphone game with its modern 18:9 aspect ratio screen wrapped in a metallic-plastic chassis which looks premium.
The smartphone is built on the blue print of its elder sibling, the Redmi Note 5, which gives it an edge in terms of design. However, the innards have been kept in line with previous generation, besides some minor improvements, to keep the price in check.
Business Standard reviewed the Redmi 5 to test its overall performance. Here are our observations:
Design and display

The Redmi 5 takes design cues from the Redmi Note 5 and, therefore, looks similar. However, the younger sibling has a few elements of difference. The front of the Redmi 5 is dominated by a 5.7-inch HD+ 18:9 aspect ratio screen, covered by a 2.5D glass. It does look plush; but for an 18:9 screen device, the smartphone has huge bezels on the top and bottom.
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Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, Note 5 Pro sale begins today on Flipkart, Mi Store

Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi seems in no mood to slow down. Its latest phones, the Redmi Note 5 and Note 5 Pro, seem similar on the first look but are very different devices. While the Note 5 adds ultra-wide screen along with enhanced camera on the back when compared with the Note 4, the Note 5 Pro is a new package with substantial upgrades.

The Note 5 and Note 5 Pro, launched on February 14, would go on sale today, exclusively on home-grown e-commerce platform Flipkart and Xiaomi’s Mi Store. As for the price and variants, the Redmi Note 5 comes in two storage and RAM combinations – 32GB/3GB and 64GB/4GB – priced at Rs 9,999 and Rs 11,999, respectively. The Redmi Note 5 Pro comes with 64GB internal storage but in two RAM variants – 4GB and 6GB – priced at Rs 13,999 and Rs 16,999, respectively.

Here is a quick comparison review of Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Note 5 Pro:
On the front, the Note 5 and the Pro look similar: Both feature 18:9 screens. On the back, the Note 5 looks similar to the Note 4, but better. The Pro, on the other hand, looks like an iPhone X clone, without the all-glass build. But the vertical dual-camera set-up is a dead ringer.

Xiaomi to launch Flipkart-exclusive Redmi phone on Feb 14; details here

Xiaomi is gearing up to launch the next iteration of Redmi smartphones in India on February 14. The upcoming smartphones are expected to be either the Redmi 5 or Redmi 5 Plus, launched in China last year, or just the Redmi 5 Plus but renamed as the Redmi Note 5 for the Indian smartphone market.

As for the key feature of the smartphones, the Redmi 5 and Redmi 5 Plus sport a futuristic 18:9 ultra-wide screen aspect ratio. The budget smartphones have a metal unibody design and boots Android Nougat-based MIUI 9 operating system out of the box.

In terms of specifications, the Redmi 5 has a 5.7-inch screen of HD+ resolution. The device sports an 18:9 aspect ratio screen, which reduces the bezel size and accommodates larger display in a compact body, with the fingerprint scanner housed at the back. The phone is powered by Snapdragon 450 SoC, an octa-core processor built on the 14nm FinFET technology.
In terms of imaging, the Redmi 5 has a 12-megapixel sensor on the back with a 1.25 micron pixels and a 5MP front-facing camera for selfies.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 might sport 18:9 screen, dual-camera set-up on back

China-based smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi is reportedly working on the Redmi Note 4 successor, according to a news report in Android Crunch. Dubbed Redmi Note 5, the smartphone is said to sport an 18:9 aspect ratio screen and a dual-camera set-up on the back.
According to the report, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 would sport a massive 6-inch fullHD+ 18:9 aspect ratio screen. Earlier reports had suggested the Redmi Note 5 may sport a single camera on the back. However, the report in Android Crunch stated that the smartphone is expected to feature a dual-camera set-up on the back utilising a 16-megapixel and 5 MP lens.

There is a possibility that the phone will see two variants, with the premium variant getting the dual camera lenses on the back.
In terms of specifications, the Redmi Note 5 is reported to be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 processor, coupled with RAM and storage option of 3GB/4GB and 32GB/64GB, respectively. The phone could come equipped with Xiaomi’s latest MIUI 9 operating system, which is based on Android Nougat. Just like Redmi Note 4, the Redmi Note 5 is reported to house a 4,100 mAh battery with support for fast charging.

Xiaomi Redmi 5A review: Hail the new king of the budget smartphone segment

China-based smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi is enjoying quite some success in the price-conscious Indian smartphone market, thanks mainly to its affordable budget smartphone segment, where the company has a stronger hold than competitors.

Xiaomi’s latest offering, the Redmi 5A, is another budget device that comes with best-in-class features and specifications. But it is the subsidised launch price of Rs 4,999 for the first 5 million units – against the actual price of Rs 5,999 – that makes the phone a lot more special.

Business Standard reviewed the Redmi 5A to test its overall performance. Here are our observations:

Design

The Xiaomi Redmi 5A sees no radical change in design over predecessor Redmi 4A. The front side of the device is dominated by a 5-inch HD display covered with flat glass. There is no additional layer to protect the screen from unwanted scratches or survive accidental falls, so users might like to use high-quality tempered glass to protect the screen.

There are three capacitive navigation keys below the display that work like a charm. The earpiece and sensors find their spot along with the front camera at the huge bezel on the top. The ejectable dual-sim tray and dedicated memory card expansion slot are placed at the left side of the device, and both require a pin for ejection. The volume rockers and the power button are placed on the right side.

The 3.5mm headphone jack, along with an infrared blaster and secondary microphone, is placed at the top. The bottom is covered with a micro-USB port and the primary microphone.

Xiaomi Redmi 5A The rear is rather bland, with the primary camera being placed at the top left along with the LED flash. There is no fingerprint scanner, so the back feels a lot emptier. The speaker is mounted on the lower back, which might cause some trouble to people who like to put their phones on a flat surface.

Overall, the device feels light and comfortable in the pocket and in hand. You do not need both your hands to operate it.
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Flipkart ranking: These top smartphones got buyers drooling in 2017

The year 2017 was a great one for the smartphone industry, despite the overall consumer market being somewhat slow in India. While some of the revolutionary features like the 18:9 aspect ratio screens and dual-camera set-ups excited the tech geeks as well as common buyers alike, futuristic technologies like augmented reality, virtual reality and artificial intelligence became mainstream in smartphones.

Simultaneously, there was seen a major shift in users’ preference, too – while buyers earlier were more after devices carrying powerful innards, the year 2017 saw them drifting more towards exciting features – along with top-tier specifications adding value to capable smartphones.

Home-grown e-commerce major on Friday released its pick of best smartphones in various segments, based on the shopping trends seen across online shoppers on its platform. The company claimed to have arrived at its selection “after analysing the shopping carts of over 150 bn shoppers”.

“With the e-commerce landscape drastically growing in India, the smartphone category continues to be a frontrunner among online shoppers. Flipkart flagship sales events, exclusive partnerships and innovative schemes like ‘no-cost EMI’, ‘product exchange offers’ and ‘buy now, pay later’ has exponentially impacted the sales on the online smartphone category, specifically the budget and mid- range segment,” Flipkart said in a statement.

Here is a snapshot of Flipkart’s top picks in various segments:

Flipkart Big Shopping Days Sale: iPhone X deal, Pixel 2 under Rs 30k & more

Flipkart’s three-day Big Shopping Days sale has begun today. Under this, the e-commerce portal is offering discounts, exchange offers and cash back schemes on several products, including mobiles & tablets, electronic items & accessories, large appliances and televisions. The three-day sale currently live would continue until December 9.

The online shopping portal is also offering a 10 per cent discount to State Bank of India (SBI) customers on payments made through their debit and credit cards.

Here are some of the best deals to look out for:

Apple iPhone X sale

iPhone X iPhone X The anniversary-edition iPhone X would go on sale at the online shopping portal starting at 12 noon. The phone would be available in limited numbers only. The e-commerce portal is offering Rs 5,000 instant discount on SBI credit cards.
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Xiaomi Redmi 5, Redmi 5 Plus to launch in China on December 7: Details here

China-based smartphone maker Xiaomi is gearing up to launch the Redmi 5 and Redmi 5 Plus in its home countryon December 7. The entry-level budget-smartphones are getting new colours -- the Redmi 5 would arrive in Black, Pink and Blue and the Redmi 5 Plus in Black and Gold.

The upcoming smartphones are touted to sport 18:9 aspect ratio screen and would boot Xiaomi’s latest MIUI 9 operating system based on Android Nougat 7.1.2 out of the box. The devices would be offered in three different storage and RAM variants – 16GB/2GB, 32GB/3GB and 64GB/4GB. Based on TENAA certification – necessary certification for China-bound devices – the phones would comes with a 12-megapixel camera on the back and a 5 MP selfie camera.

The two smartphones are reported to have Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 SoC or MediaTek Helio P20. The screen size is reported to be 5.7-inch for Redmi 5 and 6-inch for Redmi 5 Plus. The dual-SIM phones would offer a discreet memory card expansion slot and would be powered by 3,200 mAh battery.

The Xiaomi Redmi 5-series smartphones are advertised as ‘a phone for thousand’, suggesting that the phones would carry affordable price tags. However, going by the reports, the phones would see a starting price tag of CNY 999 in China, which hints at sub-Rs 10,000 price in India.

Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 with flagship specs, 18:9 screen launched: Know everything

Xiaomi, a China-based phone maker, has launched its flagship Mi Mix 2 smartphone in India at Rs 35,999. The smartphone will go on sale through online sales partner Flipkart, Mi Store and offline retail stores starting from the first week of November.

Build on the concept of Mi Mix, which was the first bezel-less smartphone and the first to take refugee from 16:9 aspect ratio screens, the Mi Mix 2 brings host of new features along with top-notch specifications under the hood. The smartphone sports 5.99-inch FHD+ screen in 18:9 aspect ratio, which covers almost the entire front with almost no bezels on top and sides. The bottom area also has limited bezel that houses the front camera. With extended screen aspect ratio and minimum bezels, the phone manages to house a larger screen in a frame equal or less than a 5.5-inch screen smartphones.

Xiaomi Mi Mix 2Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 The Mi Mix 2 takes a move from piezoelectric speaker solution, which was used in Mi MIX, and the second-generation uses a hidden speaker that only takes up a thin sliver of space between the top edge of the phone and the screen. The smartphone boasts



For seamless connectivity across the globe, the smartphone supports 43 network bands including CDMA networks. The smartphone is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, which comes coupled with Adreno 540 graphic processor unit (GPU) for immersive graphics. In terms of camera, the phone sports a 12-megapixel rear camera, which utilises Sony IMX386 sensor, assisted with 4-axis optical image stabilisation (OIS) that reduces the effect of handshake or motion, so images and videos remain sharp.

Here are the key features of the smartphone

• 5.99-inch, 18:9 display with custom rounded corners
• 2160 × 1080 resolution (FHD+), 403 PPI
• Corning Gorilla Glass
• DCI-P3 colour gamut, high colour saturation
• Hidden sound guided speaker and ultrasonic proximity sensor
• 7-series aluminium alloy frame, four-sided curved ceramic body
• 18k gold-plated camera rim
• 12MP rear camera
• Sony IMX386 camera sensor
• 4-axis OIS, large 1.25μm pixels
• 5MP front camera with Super black lens coating
• Beautify with 36 smart beauty profiles · 
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, 10nm processor technology (Octa-core, max 2.45GHz)
• 6GB LPDDR4X RAM + 128GB internal storage
• 3400mAh high-capacity battery, full-day usage 
• 9V/2A Quick charge 3.0, USB Type-C
• Rear fingerprint sensor
• Global LTE support, 6 modes 43 bands, Dual SIM
• Bluetooth 5.0
• Multi-function NFC: Read, write, card emulation, and P2P
• Dimensions: 151.8 x 75.5 x 7.7mm
• Weight: 185g
• MIUI 8 based on Android N

Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 launching tomorrow: specifications, features & more

Catching up on the bezel-less screen race in the smartphone domain, China-based smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi is gearing up to launch its flagship bezel-less device Mi Mix 2 in India on October 10.

The smartphone, an improvement on the concept of Mi Mix that was launched in China last year, boasts flagship specifications and features. The device sports a 5.99-inch display in 18:9 aspect ratio and is powered by Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 845 SoC. The curved body of the phone is made from airplane grade 7-series aluminum alloy frame, which helps the phone shed some weight in comparison with Mi Mix.

The smartphone comes with three storage variants and two RAM variants. In China, the phone comes with 64/128/256 GB storage with 6 GB RAM or a 128 GB storage with 8 GB RAM. It is yet to be seen if Xiaomi brings all the storage and RAM variants to India.

Here are the key features of Mi Mix 2:

• 5.99-inch screen in 18:9 aspect ratio
• 12% reduced chin size
• Hidden speaker & proximity sensor
• Snapdragon 835, 6GB RAM
• Sony IMX386 sensor, 1.25μm large pixels
• 4-axis optical image stabilization
• Four-sided curved ceramic body
• 7-series aluminium alloy frame
• Global LTE support, 6 modes 43 bands
• After successful run of Redmi 4 and Mi A1, Xiaomi has once again tied up with Flipkart for online sales of its flagship Mi Mix 2 smartphone in India.

iPhone production: India offers a homemade road map to Apple

India has offered its own electronics manufacturing road map to global tech giant Apple to comply with as it kick-starts local production of its flagship product iPhone and carve up a larger chunk of the country’s fast-growing smartphone market.

“We have drawn a road map of indigenisation, in consultation with the industry over the past two years. We have shared it (with Apple) and asked them to align with it… we don’t need to give them any separate concessions. Apple said they will examine this and get back,” said Aruna Sundararajan, secretary to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

Apple did not comment. It had requested the government to grant it 15 years of duty-free import of components to assemble its iPhones in the country, sharing a road map to slowly indigenise products.

The government has instead chalked out its own National Policy on Electronics to achieve its goal of a $400-billion market in the sector by 2020.

Earlier this month, the Cupertino-headquartered firm conducted a trial run for producing its low-cost iPhone SE at Taiwanese contract manufacturer Wistron’s facility in Bengaluru. Apple in a statement said its “Made in India” iPhones would hit store shelves in late May.

“They have big plans for India and they definitely intend, as they have told us, to make all their products in the next phase, for which they are evaluating various options. The first thing they had requested was 15 years of duty-free imports of their components,” said Sundararajan.

India has maintained that it would not offer any concessions specifically to Apple produce smartphones locally, but would instead come up with concessions that would benefit all smartphone makers looking to set up manufacturing operations in the country. It also rejected Apple’s request to set up local plants to refurbish used iPhones, which it intended to offer to local customers at lower prices.
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Xiaomi launches VoLTE-ready Rs 6,999 Redmi 4 smartphone: Things to know

China-based smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi on Tuesday updated its entry-level Redmi series with the launch of the Redmi 4 smartphone in India. Successor to the already famous Redmi 3S, the latest smartphone carries the legacy forward by offering a very efficient 4100mAh battery in a compact design form. The smartphone, priced at Rs 6,999, will be available from 12 noon on May 23 on Amazon India, Mi.com and Mi home.

Coming to the specifications, the dual-SIM smartphone features a 5-inch HD screen enclosed in a metal body. The screen is covered with a 2.5D curved glass that adds to the overall design language of the smartphone. The device is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 processor, which is an octa-core SoC, coupled with an Adreno 505 GPU. The Redmi 4 supports 4G LTE and VoLTE out of the box, covering all-India LTE bands.

Key features of the Redmi 4:

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 Octa-core processor
• 4100mAh battery that can last for 2 days under regular usage
• 13MP PDAF (phase detection autofocus) camera, 5MP, f/2.0 front with Beautify mode
• 5-inch HD display
• Metal body with fingerprint sensor. 2.5D curved glass
• Dual SIM (3-choose-2 hybrid SIM tray)
• LTE and VoLTE support
• Three variants: 2GB RAM + 16GB Flash, 3GB + 32GB, and 4GB + 64GB
• Up to 128GB microSD expandable storage
• Available in Black and Gold colours
• MIUI 8 based on Android 6.0

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'Made in India' iPhones: Apple to seek incentives at Jan 25 govt meeting

Latets Business News - A team of the US-based iPhone maker Apple will meet a group of senior officials from ministries, including IT and finance, on January 25 to discuss its demands for setting up a manufacturing unit in the country.

Officials from departments of commerce, industrial policy and promotion (DIPP), revenue, environment and forest, electronics and information technology (DeITY) will take part in the deliberations.

In a communication to the government, the Cupertino-based technology major has asked for various incentives including the tax incentives and long-term duty exemptions, to enter the manufacturing sector in India.

However, the sources said the technology major should set up the manufacturing unit in India without seeking additional support.

As many as 42 companies are making mobile phones in India, including Chinese firm Huawei and Xiaomi, and no firm has approached the government for any additional incentives.

Currently, the government provides support by way of benefits under the Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme (MSIPS) to boost electronic manufacturing.(Read More)

Chinese brands takes 50% of India's smartphone market

Latest Business News - Chinese brands took their largest ever slice of the $10-billion Indian smartphone market in late 2016, accounting for more than one in every two phones sold - a growing market share that ate into sales from top-selling Samsung Electronics.

Samsung, the single most popular smartphone brand in India, commanded a roughly 30% market share just over a year ago. That slipped to 21% in November, according to tech research firm Counterpoint, the last month for which data is available.

Meanwhile - thanks to low cost, improved technology and an advertising blitz - Chinese brands like Oppo, Lenovo, OnePlus, Gionee and Xiaomi took a combined share of over 50%, compared to just 19% a year ago.

"Chinese brands are offering quality that is at par with Samsung, at a better price," said Manish Khatri, who owns two multi-brand smartphone outlets in Mumbai. "Of every 10 phones I sell, almost six to seven are now Chinese brands."(Read More)