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Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 7 is a true bang for the buck smartphone

It has a 48-megapixel camera

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Xiaomi has been known to offer affordable smartphones with great specs and features through its Redmi series. Starting today though, Redmi is now a sub-brand just like Pocophone. The first phone under this new arrangement is the Redmi Note 7.

As the first phone to be part of the Redmi sub-brand, the Note 7 gives it all. It’s got a 48-megapixel camera, Snapdragon 660 processor, big screen, massive battery, and a really attractive price tag.

Image credit: Xiaomi

The Redmi Note 7’s main selling point is its main 48-megapixel Samsung-made sensor. But of course, all those pixels will be used to create a crisper image at 12 megapixels — just like with Huawei flagship phones. It’s paired with a 5-megapixel secondary shooter which is responsible for AI scene recognition and edge detection for creating the bokeh effect. For selfies, there’s a 13-megapixel sensor in front of the phone.

The phone’s display measures 6.3 inches with a small cutout for the selfie camera. It’s protected by Gorilla Glass and has a resolution of Full HD+. Xiaomi claims a screen-to-body ratio of 84 percent and the back panel is also made of premium glass.

Image credit: Xiaomi

The Snapdragon 660 processor may already be old, but it’s still fast and reliable. Also, for a budget phone, a well-known midrange processor is very welcome to join the party.

Keeping the Redmi Note 7 lighted up is a large 4000mAh battery that supports Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 4. Xiaomi finally shifted to USB-C for its Redmi phones and using a fast charging brick, the Note 7 can be fully charged in under two hours.

Image credit: Xiaomi

Price-wise, the Redmi Note 7 is a steal. The base model with 3GB of memory and 32GB of storage starts from CNY 999 or around US$ 150. The 4GB/64GB variant is slightly more expensive at CNY 1,199 (US$ 180), while bumping up the memory to 6GB will jack it up to CNY 1,399 (US$ 210). The available color options are blue, red, and black.

Pre-orders have already started in China, with shipments scheduled for January 15. The phone is only available in China for now, but it’ll be available in other Xiaomi markets very soon.

SEE ALSO: Xiaomi’s AirDots Pro is the latest AirPods copycat

News

vivo X300 Ultra goes global with ZEISS Master Lenses

Pro imaging flagship debuts globally

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vivo has officially announced the global launch of the X300 Ultra, marking the first international debut of its top-tier imaging flagship.

The device introduces the ZEISS Master Lenses Collection, featuring triple prime focal lengths at 14mm, 35mm, and 85mm. It supports up to 200MP output across key focal lengths and can extend reach to 200mm and 400mm using optional telephoto extenders.

A 200MP 85mm telephoto camera with gimbal-level stabilization and 60fps AF tracking enables detailed long-range shots. Meanwhile, the 35mm camera uses a large Sony LYTIA sensor for natural perspective and improved low-light performance.

vivo X300 Ultra

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

For video, the X300 Ultra supports multi-focal 4K 120fps recording in both 10-bit Log and Dolby Vision formats. It also introduces Pro Video mode with LUT support and compatibility with ACES workflows for advanced color grading.

The phone runs on Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, paired with a dedicated imaging chip. It packs a 6600mAh battery with 100W wired and 40W wireless charging.

Other features include a 2K ZEISS Master Color Display, quad-mic audio recording system, IP68/IP69 durability, and up to five years of OS updates.

Pricing and availability will depend on the region.

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Enterprise

Allbirds suddenly turns into an AI company

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Allbirds is an odd shoe company. Though it already enjoyed a cult following in some circles around the world, the brand suddenly expanded its reach everywhere, offering a lighter and more environment-friendly alternative to the usual suspects of the shoe world. Now, getting even odder, Allbirds is ditching the shoes and going barefoot into the world of AI.

It’s one of the oddest transitions in the corporate world. In an official statement, Allbirds has confirmed that it will pivot fully into a “fully integrated GPU-as-a-Service and AI-native cloud solutions provider.” From Allbirds, it will be known as NewBird AI.

It’s not an incredibly abrupt change, though. The shoe brand and its stores won’t disappear overnight. The company will still hold a shareholder vote on May 18. If approved, they will transition into the new brand gradually.

The transition to AI, itself a gremlin of a keyword in today’s financial world, has resulted in the company’s stock value rising up. However, its long-term viability is in question, especially for a company with no experience in a world already drowning in AI.

From last year to today, AI has been the darling child of investors and a plague to consumers. While the former salivates over the short-term gain of AI adoption, the latter ruminates on the technology’s projected effects on the world.

SEE ALSO: Lenovo accelerates production-ready enterprise AI with NVIDIA

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vivo X300 FE launches with ZEISS telephoto system

Compact phone with pro zoom

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vivo X300 FE
Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

vivo has announced the vivo X300 FE, a compact flagship built around pro-grade imaging, long battery life, and extended software support.

The device features a ZEISS co-engineered camera system, led by a 50MP Super Telephoto camera with up to 200mm equivalent focal length via the all-new Telephoto Extender Gen 2. It also includes a 50MP main camera alongside a 110° ultra-wide lens.

This camera system is designed for flexible shooting across travel, concerts, and street photography.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

AI imaging powers much of the experience, with features like AI True Clarity Engine, Stage Mode for low-light concerts, and AI editing tools such as AI Erase and AI Image Expander. Video capabilities go up to 8K at 30fps and 4K at 120fps.

The X300 FE adopts a compact flat design with a 6.31-inch display, weighing 191g and measuring 7.99mm thin. It comes in Mist Purple, Glow White, Luxe Black, and Urban Olive colorways.

vivo X300 FE

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Powering the device is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5. You should not confuse it though with the more superior Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.

Moreover, it has a 6500mAh battery paired with 90W wired charging plus 40W wireless charging that the newer V70 series lacks.. It also features a vapor chamber cooling system for sustained performance.

vivo X300 FE

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

The phone runs OriginOS 6 with cross-device features and promises five years of OS updates, seven years of security patches, and long-term smooth performance.

The vivo X300 FE also carries IP68 and IP69 ratings for dust and water resistance.

Pricing and availability will depend on the region.

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