IF / News

Chipsets

Samsung has announced a new Exynos processor with integrated 5G connectivity. The new Exynos 880 is a mid-range chipset. It is built on the 8nm FinFET manufacturing process and employs an octa-core CPU with two Cortex-A77 cores ticking at 2GHz and six smaller Cortex-A55 cores running at 1.8GHz.  (GSM Arena, Samsung, Android Headlines)

ARM has unveiled two new GPUs, the high-performance Mali-G78 and the new sub-premium tier Mali-G68. Both are based on ARM’s Valhall micro-architecture. The Mali-G78 aims to push the performance envelope with support for more cores, up from 16 to 24 this generation. The Mali-G68 is designed to slot right into a gap in the market, providing the same high-end features but with a lower cost and up to just six GPU cores.  (Android Authority, AnandTech, CN Beta, ARM, ARM)

ARM has announced its latest high-end mobile chip design-Cortex-A78 CPU with Mali-G78 GPU, which will be used in the next generation of flagship in 2021 and later. Cortex-A78 is built on 5nm process, the performance is improved by 20%, and the power consumption is reduced by 50%. ARM has also launched the Cortex-X series CPU for the first time. The Cortex-X1 uses a brand-new architecture. It is designed to achieve a substantial increase in performance. Its performance is 30% higher than the previous generation CPU and 22% higher than the Cortex-A78, with machine learning performance is improved by 100%. (Android Authority, AnandTech, CN Beta, CN Beta, CN Beta)

OPPO has begun stepping up efforts to design its own mobile chips in 2019. OPPO has allegedly hired several top executives from MediaTek, as well as many engineers from UNISOC, to create an experienced chip team in Shanghai. OPPO has indicated that that it “already has chip-related capability” and that “any R&D investment is to strengthen its product competitiveness and user experience”, but the company has not responded directly to questions about its recent hires.  (CN Beta, Asia Nikkei)

Samsung has introduced a standalone turnkey security solution comprised of a Secure Element (SE) chip (S3FV9RR) and enhanced security software that offers protection for tasks such as booting, isolated storage, mobile payment and other applications. The latest security chip is Common Criteria Evaluation Assurance Level (CC EAL) 6+ certified, the highest level acquired by a mobile component. Samsung’s S3FV9RR, is expected to be available within 3Q20. (CN Beta, Samsung, Business Wire)

Touch Panel

Samsung’s patent titled “Electronic Device Including Waterproof Structure” suggests the upcoming Galaxy Fold successor will carry an IP-rating. The patent discusses by providing the waterproof structure that could protect the device or more parts disposed in the interior and on the exterior of the device.  (GSM Arena, LetsGoDigital, WIPO, CN Beta)

According to Digitimes, Samsung Display has obtained nearly 80% of the overall panel orders for Apple’s next-generation iPhone series tentatively dubbed ‌iPhone 12‌ slated for launch later in 2020. LG Display and BOE are other panel suppliers for the upcoming iPhones. (Digitimes, CN Beta)

In Nov 2019, Looking Glass, the Brooklyn-based startup showed off an 8K display that used its holographic tech. The system has 33.2M pixels and relies on a 45-element light field to provide a 3D effect. Looking Glass has begun shipping the said 3D holographic system. (TechCrunch, Yivian)

Camera

Digital camera ODM Altek will supply 3D depth-sensing lens modules for use in XRSpace Mova, a 5G-based standalone VR device that XRSpace, with shipments to begin in 3Q20, according to company chairman and CEO Alex Hsia. Altek is promoting application of 3D depth-sensing lens modules to smart home and office devices as well as ADAS. (Digitimes, press, Digitimes)

Biometrics

D-ID (de-identification), the Israeli company that digitally de-identifies faces in videos and still images, raises USD13.5M. D-ID is a service that is masking some highly involved and very advanced technology to blur digital images so they cannot be cross-referenced to determine someone’s identity. (CN Beta, TechCrunch)

Connectivity

T-Mobile and Google partner to allow inter-carrier rich communication services (RCS) messaging. T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile users can use their native smartphone texting app on any of over 40 Android phones and still receive the benefits of RCS texting regardless of which carrier their texting partner uses. (Android Authority, T-Mobile)

From early 2020 till now, Xiaomi has already launched 5 models of 5G phones. Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun has indicated that Xiaomi has cleared its 4G phone line in China to make way for 5G. The company has also started pre-research on 6G along with the development of satellite internet. (GizChina, Xinhuanet, Android Authority)

Phone

South Korean component suppliers to Samsung Electronics are expecting poor scorecards for their 2Q20 earnings due to drastic decline in the production of smartphones by Samsung. Samsung is allegedly doubling its original design manufacturing (ODM) orders from China in 2020 from a year ago. In Apr 2020, Samsung has allegedly reduced its smartphone production rate to 10M units for the month, a sharp fall from its usual 25M a month.  (Laoyaoba, The Elec)

OnePlus CEO Pete Lau has hinted that the company may launch more affordable devices sometime “soon”. He has indicated that “we can look at is as having a more affordable product offering that still remain up to the OnePlus standard”. OnePlus will make an announcement in India and it also hopes to bring its lower-priced products to other markets like North America and Europe. (GSM Arena, Fast Company, Neowin)

vivo Y70s 5G is announced in China – 6.53” 1080×2340 FHD+ IPS HiD, Samsung Exynos 880, rear tri 48MP-8MP ultrawide-2MP depth + front 16MP, 6+128 / 8+128GB, Android 10.0, side fingerprint scanner, 4500mAh 18W, CNY1,998 (USD280) / CNY2,198 (USD308).  (GSM Arena, vivo)

realme 6s is announced in Europe – 6.5” 1080×2400 FHD+ IPS HiD, MediaTek Helio G90T MT6785, rear quad 48MP-8MP ultrawide-2MP macro-2MP depth + front 16MP, 4+64GB, Android 10.0, side fingerprint scanner, 4300mAh 30W, EUR199.  (GSM Arena, NDTV, Gizmo China, realme)

realme X3 SuperZoom is official in Europe – 6.6” 1080×2400 FHD+ IPS 2xHiD, Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+, rear quad 64MP-8MP periscope 5x optical zoom OIS-8MP ultrawide-2MP macro + front dual 32MP-8MP ultrawide, 12+256GB, Android 10.0, side fingerprint scanner, 4200mAh 30W, EUR499. (GSM Arena, The Verge)

Redmi 10X series is official in China: 10X 5G – 6.57” 1080×2400 FHD+ AMOLED u-notch, MediaTek Dimensity 820 MT6875, rear tri 48MP-8MP ultrawide-2MP depth +front 16MP, 6+64 / 6+128 / 8+128GB, Android 10.0, fingerprint on display, 4520mAh 22.5W, CNY1,599 (USD224) / CNY1,799 (USD252) / CNY2,399 (USD336). 10X Pro 5G – 6.57” 1080×2400 FHD+ AMOLED u-notch, MediaTek Dimensity 820 MT6875, rear quad 48MP-8MP telephoto OIS 3x optical zoom-8MP ultrawide-5MP macro + front 20MP, 8+128 / 8+256GB, Android 10.0, fingerprint on display, 4520mAh 33W, CNY2,229 (USD322) / CNY2,599 (USD364). 10X 4G – 6.53” 1080×2340 FHD+ IPS HiD, MediaTek Helio G85, rear quad 48MP-8MP ultrawide-2MP macro-2MP depth + front 13MP, 4+128 / 6+128GB, Android 10.0, rear fingerprint, 5020mAh 18W, 9W reverse charging, CNY999 (USD140) / CNY,1199 (USD168). (GSM Arena, Gizmo China, Gizmo China, GizChina)

Gionee K6 is launched in China – 6.2” HD+ v-notch, MediaTek Helio P60 MT6771, rear dual 16MP-2MP depth + front 13MP, 6+128 / 8+128 / 8+256GB, Android 10.0, rear fingerprint scanner, 4350mAh 10W, CNY799 (USD112) / CNY899 (USD126) / CNY1,099 (USD154). (Sohu, Gizmo China)

Home

Huawei is releasing HoloSens SDC, which is a driving intelligent video surveillance gadget. Huawei HoloSens SDC comes with four ecological cameras as well as a 360º awareness and data intelligence. According to Huawei, in 2020, machine vision will expand the width and depth of AI. HoloSens SDC also adopts a drop-shape design, supports the one-click operation, and easily interconnects with compatible devices. (CN Techpost, GizChina, Huawei, CN Beta, My Drivers, IT Home)