IF / News

Chipsets

Samsung and vivo has announced partnership that vivo’s mid-range 5G smartphone powered by Exynos 980 would be launched within 2019. (CN Beta, Gizmo China)

[IFA2019] Qualcomm has revealed that it is expanding 5G capability across its entire family of Snapdragon 8, 7 and 6 series mobile platforms for smartphones and other mobile devices. (Android Authority, Reuters, Forbes, Sina)

[IFA2019] Huawei announces Kirin 990 series with dual SoC approach, one with integrated 5G modem. The Kirin 990 series is built on a 7nm FinFet UEV process. Huawei’s focus on AI continues in the new chipset, with a new big-plus-tiny NPU (neural processing unit) configuration. (Android Central, Android Headlines, AnandTech, Android Central, CN Beta)

[IFA2019] Huawei has introduced the new Kirin A1 co-processor for dealing with Bluetooth connectivity, ultra low-power applications and audio decoding. It is an independent power management unit. (CN Beta, CNBC, Huawei, GSM Arena)

Touch Display

[IFA2019] TCL has several foldable display concepts it is working on, including a clamshell-style folder with a few novel design elements. TCL is experimenting with different exterior designs and materials at the same time it is showing off new foundational technology like hinges and folding screens. (Android Central, CNET)

Biometrics

Apple is allegedly considering including the in-display scanner in a 2020 iPhone if testing is successful, but adds there is a possibility the technology will not be ready until 2021. The upcoming fingerprint reader would be embedded in the display, enabling users to unlock the iPhone by placing a finger almost anywhere on the screen. (Apple Insider, Bloomberg, Engadget, Mac Rumors)

According to TF Securities, Samsung’s smartphone shipment with under display fingerprint scanner would be 100M units in 2019, 180M units in 2020 and 220M units in 2021. One of the Galaxy S11 models in 1Q20 and A90 5G in 2Q20 would begin to adopt Egistec’s ultra-thin under display fingerprint solution. The other two S11 models would have upgraded ultrasonic-based solution. A20e in 2Q/3Q20 would begin to use Egistec’s LCD-based under display fingerprint solution, with partners including BOE and 3M. If LCD-baed solution shipment succeeds in 2020, the shipment expects to grow to 40M units in 2021 (vs. 5M units in 2020). (TF Securities, press)

Phone

Honor is announcing the naming and positioning of its 4 series products: Vera, HONOR, X and Play series. The president Zhao Ming has revealed that Honor is going to use ‘all-in’ strategy to win the 5G competition. In particular, Vera would be the 5G phone series equipped with the pilot technologies. V is roman character 5, representing 5G, E is excellence, R is the reliability, and A represents AI / AR. (CN Beta, Tencent, My Drivers)

Xiaomi vice-president Manu Jain has announced that the company has sold over 100M smartphones in India since its debut in the country 5 years ago. (Android Authority, TechCrunch, GSM Arena, CN Beta)

Huawei has announced that the P30 series hit 16.5M units shipped in six months, adding that it represented global sales growth of 53%. (Android Authority, Huawei Central, My Drivers)

[IFA2019] Motorola One Zoom is announced – 6.39” 1080×2340 FHD+ Super AMOLED, Qualcomm Snapdragon 675, rear quad 48MP-8MP telephoto-16MP ultrawide-5MP depth + front 25MP, 4+128GB, Android 9.0, under display fingerprint, 4000mAh 15W, USD450. (Android Central, GSM Arena, Android Authority)

[IFA2019] Moto E6 Plus is announced – 6.1” 720×1560 HD+ IPS, MediaTek Helio P22, rear dual 13MP-2MP + front 8MP, 3+32 / 4+64GB, Android 9.0, rear fingerprint scanner, 3000mAh, from EUR139. (Android Headlines, GSM Arena)

[IFA2019] Nokia 7.2 and Nokia 6.2 are announced: 7.2 – 6.3” 1080×2280 FHD+ IPS, Qualcomm Snapdragon 660, rear tri 48MP-8MP ultrawide-5MP depth + front 20MP, 4+64 / 6+128GB, Android 9.0, rear fingerprint scanner, 3500mAh 10W, from EUR300. 6.2 – 6.2” 1080×2280 FHD+ IPS, Qualcomm Snapdragon 636, rear tri 16MP-8MP ultrawide-5MP depth + front 8MP, 3+32 / 4+64 / 4+128GB, Android 9.0, rear fingerprint scanner, 3500mAh 10W, from EUR200. (GSM Arena, Android Central)

[IFA2019] Nokia feature phones are announced: 2720 Flip – 2.8” 240×320 TFT + external 1.3” 240×240 TFT, Qualcomm Snapdragon 205, main camera 2MP, 512MB+4GB, KaiOS, 1500mAh, EUR90. 800 Tough – 2.4” 240×320 TFT, Qualcomm Snapdragon 205, main camera 2MP, 512MB+4GB, KaiOS, 2100mAh, IP68 rated, EUR110. (GSM Arena, GSM Arena, Gizmo China)

[IFA2019] TCL PLEX is announced – 6.53” 2340×1080 FHD+ IPS HiD, Qualcomm Snapdragon 675, rear tri 48MP-16MP ultrawide-2MP depth + front 24MP camera on display, 6+128GB, Android 9.0, programmable smart key, 3820mAh 18W, EUR329. (CNET, GSM Arena, Android Headlines, CN Beta)

[IFA2019] LG G8X ThinQ is announced – 6.4” 2340×1080 FHD+ OLED, Qualcomm Snapdragon 855, rear dual 12MP OIS-13MP ultrawide + front 32MP, 6+128GB, Android 9.0, IP68 rated, under display fingerprint scanner, 4000mAh 21W, wireless charging 9W, accessory DualScreen case with 6.4” FHD+ 2340×1080 FHD+ OLED. (Engadget, GSM Arena, The Verge, CNET)

[IFA2019] Alcatel 1V and 3X are announced: 3X – 6.5” 720×1600 HD+ u-notch LCD, MediaTek Helio P23, rear tri 16MP-8MP-5MP ultrawide + front 8MP, 4+64GB, Android 9.0, rear fingerprint scanner, 4000mAh, EUR149. 1V – 5.5” 480×960 WVGA+ LCD, UNISOC SC9863A, rear 5MP + front 5MP, 1+16GB, Android 9.0 (Go Edition), micro USB, rear fingerprint scanner, Google Assistant button, 2460mAh, EUR79. (Gizmo China, GSM Arena, Phone Arena)

PC Tablet

[IFA2019] Alcatel Smart Tab 7 is announced – 7” 600×1024 LCD, MediaTek MT8167B, rear VGA + front 2MP, 1.5+16GB, Android 9.0, 2580mAh, EUR79. (GSM Arena, Gizmo China, Phone Arena)

Wearables

[IFA2019] TCL announces SOCL500TWS and ACTV500TWS true wireless headphones that “use the whole inner ear for a more natural fit”. SOCL500TWS uses 5.8mm drivers and oval, angled acoustic tubes to ensure a better and more comfortable fit with most ears, which costs EUR80. ACTV500TWS uses the same inner ear design, but will come with a pair of Comply eartips to maximize sound blockage. It is priced at EUR100. (Digital Trends, TechRadar, TCL)

[IFA2019] Huawei has announced true wireless headset Freebuds 3 powered by its Kirin A1 processor. It comes with active noise cancelling technology. (Digital Trends, Engadget, CNET, The Verge, TechRadar)

[IFA2019] Emporio Armani and DIESEL announce new high fashion smartwatches powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 3100. Called the Smartwatch 3 and the Axial, both are sold under the Fossil Group brand of connected smartwatches. These watches both come with integrated speakers. (Android Headlines, TechRadar)