News

Only Huawei sees growth as China’s smartphone shipment growth stalls

Everyone else got hit hard

Published

on

Canalys, an independent research company based in Singapore, published the list of smartphone brands that dominated the Chinese market during the fourth quarter of 2017.

Huawei, with its sub-brands Nova and Honor, had their best ever quarter in China with more than 24 million smartphones shipped. Huawei grew by 9 percent in a market that declined by more than 14 percent, effectively outperforming the overall market. Honor, especially, continued to establish its importance for Huawei by contributing more than half of the unit volume or 12 million shipped phones. Honor and Nova gained market share from smaller vendors like Gionee and Meizu.

OPPO shipped 19 million smartphones, a decline of 16 percent, and Vivo shipped 13 million smartphones, which also declined by 7 percent. Even though their shipment volume declined, OPPO and Vivo were able to hold on to their respective second and third spots. The flagship stores both vendors opened in China’s biggest cities allowed them to boost their brands and drive home an image of value for money that Chinese consumers bought into.

Apple was capable of delivering more than 7 million iPhone X into the Chinese market during the fourth quarter of 2017. This, together with the more reasonably priced iPhone SE, 6s, 7, and 8 models, was enough for Apple to secure the fourth spot, pushing Xiaomi to number five overall.

For the first time ever, China saw a decline in year-over-year unit volume shipments for smartphones — down to just 459 million. This was mainly due to a steep decline by 4 percent. Therefore, Canalys predicts a major market shake-up in China in 2018.

Things aren’t looking good for Gionee and Meizu should they not be able to pull off a turnaround, especially as other brands like Lenovo and ZTE refocus on the Chinese market. Lenovo, in particular, has had the advantage of owning Motorola’s smartphone technologies. Bringing all this know-how back to their home country could spell trouble for these smaller companies.

Let’s sit back and enjoy the benefits we as consumers will see from the battle of smartphone vendors in the Chinese market, shall we? Popcorn, anyone?

News

iPhone 17 Pro Max is somehow the most traded-in phone today

All of the recent Pro Max models are sitting at the top, too.

Published

on

For a lot of people, reselling or trading-in is the natural end of their time with an iPhone. After all, an iPhone is too expensive to leave lying stagnant in a drawer. Now, this usually happens years after a phone fully lives out its usefulness. However, the new iPhone 17 Pro Max has somehow claimed the top spot as the most traded-in phone today.

According to reports organized by SellCell, a surprising number of people are reselling their iPhone 17 Pro Max. Today, 11.5 percent of trade-ins are of the current generation’s most premium model. The next models, the iPhone 14 Pro Max to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, all sit between 7.2 percent and 7.3 percent apiece. This is a staggering growth, as the iPhone 17 Pro Max was sitting at only 5.1 percent of trade-ins in late November.

There’s no confirmed reason as to why people are trading their premium models so early into the model’s lifecycle. However, if it’s any indication, the iPhone 17 Pro Max has the lowest depreciation for a premium iPhone model, when compared to its predecessors in the same time frame.

Given that the resale value of a new iPhone 17 Pro Max is still pretty high today, it’s possible that users aren’t completely satisfied with the model and opted to trade in their new phones for something more manageable. After all, the new phone is as premium as they come. It’s also as large as they come.

That said, it’s certainly an odd tidbit that the most premium iPhone is the one that people are dumping the most.

SEE ALSO: Xiaomi 17 Pro Max takes a jab at Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max

Continue Reading

News

vivo V70 launched globally, introduces 4K 60fps, OriginOS 6, more

Comes with powerful ZEISS Super Telephoto Camera

Published

on

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

The vivo V70 has officially been launched globally, and will soon roll out gradually across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and other markets.

The company’s latest V series mid-ranger features helpful tools for travel, concerts, and other occasions, with its familiar 50MP ZEISS Super Telephoto Camera, AI Stage Mode, 4K 60fps video, and AI-powered editing tools.

A refined design also features aerospace-grade aluminum alloy frame, rounded corners, and a flat 6.59-inch 1.5K OLED display in front. The back, meanwhile, has AG glass for scratch resistance.

Available colors are Golden Hour, Alpine Gray, Sandalwood Brown, Canary Yellow, and Authentic Black.

In addition, the vivo V70 debuts the new OriginOS 6 out of the box for enhanced performance and security.

Pro-grade telephoto camera

The vivo V70’s 50MP ZEISS Super Telephoto Camera has a pro-grade, 1/1.95-inch sensor and OIS for sharper shots in low-light and challenging conditions.

Its advanced periscope design also allows for higher zoom levels without adding bulk.

This shooter is coupled with a 1/1.56-inch 50MP ZEISS main camera. There is also an 8MP ZEISS ultra-wide angle camera and a 50MP ZEISS Group Selfie Camera.

The new device comes with a new AI Stage Mode, tuned for stage photography.

Shots are enhanced by AI Image Portrait Enhancement Algorithm and AI Style Portrait Technology.

This way, users can achieve 10x zoom for crisp stage photos.

As with previous iterations of the V series, the latest handset is also equipped with ZEISS Multifocal Portrait, along with options like 85mm ZEISS Sonnar Style Bokeh or 100mm Close-Up Portrait in ZEISS Planar Style.

And for the first time in the V series, the phone introduces 4K 60fps video for cinematic and smooth captures.

AI Audio Noise Eraser, meanwhile, offers an additional layer of creative control fo post-editing.

Other AI-powered editing tools include AI Magic Weather, AI Magic Landscape, AI Retouch, AI Erase, AI Magic Move, AI Image Expander, and AI Color Adjustment.

The cameras are arranged in a flagship metallic camera module for a smooth, clean, and understated look.

Smarter, more intuitive

Powered by OriginOS 6, the V70 brings a smarter performance through deep AI integration.

Along with a fully rebuilt infrastructure and Origin Smooth Engine, the system looks, feels, and stays smooth while allowing multi-scenario connectivity.

The OS also introduces Origin Island, a dynamic capsule at the top of the screen.

The phone also supports cross-device transfer, including with supported iPhone models.

Inside is a 6,500mAh BlueVolt battery with 90W FlashCharge. Other features include Dual-Bridge Signal Concurrency for optimized network even in congested environments.

Continue Reading

Cameras

Osmo Pocket 4 makes a surprising appearance in public

Is the built-in light real?

Published

on

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 might be the most popular camera in recent history. The tiny action camera constantly sells out, thanks to creators and would-be vloggers. Because of the current generation’s popularity, everyone is looking forward to the next-generation Osmo Pocket 4. Though it’s still unannounced, the new camera has suddenly made a surprising appearance out in the wild.

The leak shockingly comes from an authorized DJI retailer in Kuala Lumpur. Supposedly, a customer entered the store with what they claimed was an Osmo Pocket 4. The store, DronesKaki, even shot a now-deleted video of the unannounced camera, rescued by New Camera.

Based solely on the short video, the Osmo Pocket 4 looks and feels very familiar to those who’ve already used the Pocket 3. The three-axis gimbal system still keeps shots in place for taking videos while on the move. The 2-inch rotating screen looks identical to the current one, especially because of intuitive settings and controls.

However, the biggest standout is the built-in LED light sitting atop the camera. Despite how convenient and easy to use it is, the Pocket 3 doesn’t exactly shine in low-light conditions, prompting users to always bring an external flash. If the leak is true, the Osmo Pocket 4 cures this issue to some extent. (Built-in flashes aren’t usually standout solutions, but they can work in a pinch.)

Still, take the leak with a grain of salt. Though the store could have deleted the video because of a request from DJI, they could have also deleted it because it’s not the Osmo Pocket 4. At this point, we won’t know, but current rumors speculate that the camera is launching soon.

SEE ALSO: DJI Osmo Action 6 review: An adventurer’s best friend

Continue Reading

Trending