News

motorola launches the world’s first 200MP phone with the moto X30 Pro

Alongside the flagship-killer S30 Pro

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Image by GadgetMatch

Other than the first 144Hz foldable smartphone, motorola also announces two more buzz-worthy smartphones in China.

moto X30 Pro: World’s first 200MP smartphone camera

Another milestone in motorola’s latest August 2022 Chinese launch can be found at the moto X30 Pro’s back. The main shooter is a 200MP Samsung HP1 image sensor with an aperture of f/1.95, sensor size of 1/1.22-inches, and a pixel size of 2.56μm. The moto X30 Pro holds the record for having the first 200MP smartphone camera that can also shoot 8K/30p footages.

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But it doesn’t stop there. The moto X30 Pro also has a 50MP f/2.2 117-degree ultra-wide angle camera as well as a 12MP f/1.6 2x telephoto lens based on a Sony IMX663 sensor. The selfie shooter is also a headliner with a 60MP sensor and an f/2.2 lens opening.

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The moto X30 Pro runs the flagship-grade Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 processor equipped with either 8GB or 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 128/256/512GB of UFS 3.1 storage. It’s also paired with a custom-grade copper block with 11-dimensional VC liquid cooling for better cooling and heat dissipation.

Paired with its 4610mAh battery, another headline feature is the promising 125W GaN (Gallium Nitride) fast flash charger which promises a 50% charge in just seven minutes and 100% under 20 minutes. Moreover, it also supports 50W wireless fast charging as well as 10W reverse charging for hassle-free top-ups.

Image by GadgetMatch

Unlike newer flagships with flat displays, the moto X30 Pro features a 6.67-inch 144Hz IPS Full HD+ display with a curvature of 53-degrees which makes the visual experience seamless. It’s also a color-accurate display with 100% DCI-P3 wide color gamut, 10-bit HDR10+ and 1 Billion Color support.

Touch sampling rate is also bumped up to a whopping 1500Hz. Peak brightness reaches up to 1250nits with SGS dual certification against harmful low-blue light.

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For that full-on entertainment experience, it also has stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support and X-axis linear RichTap motor for better haptic feedback.

moto S30 Pro: A new flagship-killer

Another smartphone in motorola’s new lineup is the moto S30 Pro. It’s a real treat to those who are looking for a flagship-grade smartphone with a midrange-grade price tag.

Image by GadgetMatch

It’s equipped with a Snapdragon 888+ chipset — still a flagship-grade chipset despite being announced last year. It also features either an 8GB or 12GB of RAM with 128/256/512GB of storage selections. Other moto X30 Pro-like features remain like the multi-dimensional VC liquid cooling system as well as the set of speakers that support Dolby Atmos.

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The 6.55 pOLED display is a tad bit smaller and has different a different display tech, but still with 53-degree curvature and a buttery smooth 144Hz refresh rate like its bigger sibling.

Of course, there will be downgrades from its bigger sibling. Unlike the moto X30 Pro’s gigantic 200MP main camera, the moto S30 Pro relies on a 50MP f/1.8 main sensor instead. There’s also a 13MP f/2.2 ultra-wide angle camera with a 123-degree Field of View (FoV) and a bonus portrait sensor. On its front, there’s a 32MP for selfies.

Image by GadgetMatch

It also has a measly 65W fast wired charging — which is still fast in today’s standards. It promises a 50% charge in just ten minutes.

There’s no wireless charging support though as the back relies on a micro velvet glass process with a PU Leather material. It’s front glass is protected by Gorilla Glass 6 and the side railings are all-metal so there’s no need to worry about overall durability.

Pricing and Availability

Currently, the moto X30 Pro and S30 Pro are China-exclusives. The moto X30 Pro is available for pre-orders in Clear Frost White and Ink Rhythm Black finishes while the S30 Pro has Moonlit Night and Spring River Blue colorways.

Image by GadgetMatch

The two devices are pretty affordable for what they offer. Specific Chinese pricing and configuration are as follows:

moto X30 Pro

  • 8GB + 128GB = CNY 3499 (US$ 518 / S$ 713 / ₱28,842)
  • 12GB + 256GB = CNY 3999 (US$ 592 / S$ 815 / ₱32,965)
  • 12GB + 512GB = CNY 4299 (US$ 637 / S$ 876 / ₱35,437)

moto S30 Pro

  • 8GB + 128GB = CNY 1999 (US$ 296 / S$ 407 / ₱16,478)
  • 12GB + 256GB = CNY 2499 (US$ 370 / S$ 509 / ₱20,600)
  • 12GB + 512GB = CNY 2699 (US$ 400 / S$ 550 / ₱22,248)

There’s no word on availability outside China just yet. We have to wait for motorola (or Lenovo) for future announcements.

News

Apple reportedly gives up on the Vision Pro

But Apple will continue to sell the current model.

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When they unveiled the Vision Pro in 2023, Apple touted the wearable as the next big thing after the iPhone. Now, almost three years removed from the launch, the Vision Pro hasn’t really taken over the coveted spot occupied by the iPhone. Apple, according to a report, is allegedly canning the short-lived wearable.

According to MacRumors, Apple has reportedly given up on making the Vision Pro a thing. The team handling the wearable has supposedly been subsumed by other teams within Apple.

If true, the wearable’s end is unfortunate but not surprising. Despite being out for years, the Vision Pro has sold only a little more than half a million units with numerous returns from customers. Most recently, Apple updated the wearable with the M5 chip, but the move hasn’t revitalized the device’s status in Apple’s lineup.

Most of the complaints about the device stem from its exorbitant price or its cumbersome battery pack. Besides costing a whopping US$ 3,499, the Vision Pro is also difficult to move around with, especially because of its total weight and a battery pack that can get in the way.

To be clear, Apple has not officially discontinued the Vision Pro yet. The company continues to sell the version with the M5 chip. Apple can also restart development in the future.

However, the meantime retirement on future development does coincide with the recent restructuring inside the company. Tim Cook recently decided to step down as CEO with John Ternus as his replacement. Canning the Vision Pro might be Ternus’ first step in redefining Apple according to his plans.

SEE ALSO: Apple Vision Pro gets M5 chip upgrade

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Apps

YouTube makes picture-in-picture mode free for everyone globally

The update is rolling out globally now.

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Picture-in-picture (or PiP) mode is a godsend for multitaskers. The feature lets users watch videos in a tiny floating window while doing other tasks. However, the feature isn’t readily available for all users. Or wasn’t, at least. YouTube is now rolling out PiP mode for free globally.

Previously, PiP mode was exclusive to YouTube users who pay for Premium or Premium Lite. It was also exclusive to the United States.

Now, YouTube is making the feature completely free for users all over the globe. It will be available for both iOS and Android versions of the app.

There’s still a catch, though. The free version is available only for “longform, non-music content.” The same goes for Premium Lite subscribers. Music is still an exclusive feature for those who pay for the regular version of Premium. Basically, there is no change for paying users or users in the United States.

Using PiP mode is simple. All you need to do is load up a video you want to watch in the background. Then, just exit the YouTube app and go about your other tasks. The video will be inside a floating, resizable window while you look at other things.

There’s no timeline on when the update will reach your device. However, YouTube has promised that it will roll out globally within the coming months.

SEE ALSO: YouTube remains top PH video platform; advertisers urged to continue investing

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Enterprise

OnePlus has reportedly merged with realme

Both brands were previously rumored for restructuring early this year.

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OnePlus 13

OnePlus has a problem. For a while now, rumors have swirled about the company’s dissolution. For their part, the company has continued to deny the reports, citing business as usual. Likely to their dismay, the reports just keep coming. Today, sources have hinted that OnePlus has merged with realme.

Back in January, it was rumored that OnePlus would be closing up shop this year. Since the company very quickly denied the rumors, the report hardly made waves. However, a suspected merger with realme is more difficult to debunk.

For one, realme is itself in a very interesting position. Also back in January, realme was reportedly moving back into being a sub-brand of OPPO. Coupled together with the OnePlus debacle, all this internal restructuring seems par for the course.

According to Digital Chat Station on Weibo, OnePlus and realme have already concluded the merger. The two brands have reportedly united their Chinese and international operations under one roof. Likewise, their marketing will be the same. Pete Lau will still be the main head for this new division.

As with anything of this nature, take this with a grain of salt. OPPO, OnePlus, and realme have not issued any official statements concerning a merger or a shutdown for any brand.

SEE ALSO: realme is reportedly going back to being an OPPO sub-brand

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