OnePlus downsizes its workforce in UK, France, and Germany by up to 80%, report says

OnePlus is now in a post-launch phase as the company is in the process of fulfilling pre-orders of its latest duo of smartphones: the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro. As reported by Engadget which cites a number of sources "close to the matter", OnePlus has downsized its workforces in the UK, France, and Germany by as much as 90 percent - leaving behind key employees (as little as three) to maintain operation in the respective markets. A OnePlus spokesperson issued a statement to the outlet, explaining that the layoffs are due to a "normal restructuring" phase throughout Europe in order to focus on...

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Facebook makes it official: WhatsApp audio and video calls will soon have up to 8 participants

The rumors were correct, Facebook is indeed upping the maximum limit of people allowed to participate in a group audio or video call on WhatsApp. The current limit is 4, but this will "soon" double to 8 for everyone, the company revealed today. The new functionality has already been spotted in beta versions of the app. As before, these calls, whether audio or video, are end-to-end encrypted, meaning no one else can view or listen to them, not even WhatsApp or Facebook. That's in stark contrast to the also just unveiled Messenger Rooms, which don't come with end-to-end encryption. On...

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Facebook launches Messenger Rooms for unlimited video calls with up to 50 people

Today Facebook has unveiled its response to the crazy growth of Zoom over the past few weeks of the COVID-19 related lockdowns happening pretty much worldwide. Facebook Messenger already had video chat functionality, but it was limited both in the total number of people allowed to participate, and also in its requirement that all of them have a Facebook account. With the new Messenger Rooms, that changes. First up, you can host video chats of up to 50 people, and those who don't have a Facebook account can still join - they'll receive a link to the Room you have created. With one...

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Verizon-exclusive Cloud White Samsung Galaxy S20 gets pictured

So far Verizon hasn't been selling the Samsung Galaxy S20, despite the fact that the carrier offers both the S20+ and the S20 Ultra. This will be rectified soon, and when the carrier nicknamed Big Red will have the S20 on offer, it will also get its own exclusive colorway - Cloud White. Evan Blass has shared these official-looking press renders of the upcoming phone. It's nice to see no trace of Verizon branding anywhere. If you're confused about the color, do note that it should have appeared in other markets, but in the US it will be exclusive to Verizon. Other carriers and retail...

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LG Velvet specs leak

LG's most exciting smartphone in quite a while (at least design-wise) is getting official on May 7. The Velvet should be the first in a line of upper mid-range devices that are meant to replace the now-defunct G series. LG has been teasing bits and pieces about the phone already, including the fact that it will have the Snapdragon 765 chipset at the helm, but now it's time for a good 'ol full specs leak. These cover everything aside from the screen details, weirdly enough. Anyway, let's sift through what we have. The Velvet is said to sport a 48 MP main rear camera with OIS, an 8 MP...

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Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Series to launch globally on April 30

Xiaomi has announced on its global social media channels that it will be launching the Redmi Note 9 Series. The launch will be through an online event, which will take place on April 30, 20:00 GMT. The legend of #RedmiNoteSeries continues! Get ready to meet the newest members of #RedmiNote9Series as well as other great Xiaomi products! #NoMiWithoutYou pic.twitter.com/iWpxwDgCWm— Xiaomi (@Xiaomi) April 24, 2020 The announcement doesn't specify which devices will be launched, just that they will be from the Redmi Note 9 series. Currently, the company sells the Redmi Note 9 Pro and Redmi...

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Our Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro video review is out

Our Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro written review has been out for a few days and now we present you with the video breakdown. This is without a doubt the best flagship Xiaomi has released so far, matching any top of the line offering from other premium smartphone makers. But does it live up to the hype and more importantly is it worth the high asking price? Check out Will's findings in our latest video breakdown A quick glance at the Mi 10 Pro's specs reveals all the essential 2020 flagship tools: a high refresh rate display, Snapdragon 865 chipset and enough cameras to keep even the most...

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OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro have sold out in China, company shifts production to resume sales

The OnePlus 8 phones may be pricey, but they sure are popular - CEO Pete Lau posted that all versions of the 8 series have been sold out in China. The level of demand has surpassed the company's expectations. Even the OnePlus 8 Pro at its CNY 6,000 price tag (close to $800) is all gone. The Pro model with 8/128GB memory proved to be the most sought after version, not that we're surprised by this. And even though it's less eye catching, admits the CEO, the OnePlus 8 has proven quite popular in its own right and is sold out as well. "Thank you for your support and understanding, we...

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Additional issues surface regarding OnePlus 8 Pro display

Yesterday, we reported on the green tint issue on the OnePlus 8 Pro display. Since then, we have noticed several other issues from other OnePlus forum and reddit users. Based on various posts, the issues currently include black crush, image retention and burn-in and green tint at lower brightness levels. The two images below show a OnePlus forum member comparing the displays on their OnePlus 8 Pro and Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ while playing a video on Netflix. The OnePlus device is exhibiting noticeably more black crush in the darker areas. OnePlus 8 Pro • Samsung Galaxy...

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Apple iPhone SE (2020) goes on sale in 40 countries

The iPhone SE (2020) is now officially on sale in the first wave of 40 countries, including the US, the UK, France, Germany, Canada and Taiwan. It's unclear how many units will be available for buyers, but it's likely that there will be limited supply. Those who've pre-ordered on April 17 saw delivery estimates from May 1 to May 5 as the fastests and some going beyond May 6. Here are the prices of the iPhone SE (2020) in some of the major markets. Country 64GB 128GB 256GB US $399 $449 $549 Canada CAD 599 CAD 669 CAD...

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Here WeGo Maps comes to Huawei App Gallery

Since losing its access to Google Mobile Services (GMS) nearly a year ago, Huawei has been looking for ways to expand its app portfolio through the App Gallery store. Now, it got a serious addition with Here WeGo Maps (formerly Here Maps) which is now available for download on the App Gallery. Here WeGo Maps on Huawei App Gallery The app offers full walking, public transport, bike and turn-by-turn driving directions complete with offline maps functionality. It works in over 100 countries with over 1,300 cities. If you have a Huawei or Honor device with the App Gallery, you can head...

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Xiaomi Mi 10 Youth shines on TENAA in all its glory

Xiaomi is launching the Mi 10 Youth on Monday and the phone has finally been listed on TENAA with full specs sheet and images. The is confirmed to come with a Snapdragon 765G, a big OLED of Full HD+ resolution, plenty of memory, and a 48MP main camera. Xiaomi Mi 10 Youth The chipset isn't actually explicitly listed but the 2.4 GHz CPU is and currently, only the SD765G has its top core at that exact speed. The Mi 10 Youth, also expected to appear as Mi 10 SE outside China, will have three RAM options - 4GB, 6GB, 8GB and three storage tiers - 64GB, 128GB, and...

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Kuo: Apple to launch 3rd gen AirPods in Q1 2021

Apple is planning to start mass production of new AirPods at the end of 2020. This was revealed by the analyst Ming-Chi Kuo where he revealed the earphones will arrive in Q1 2021. The note to investors, quoted by Apple Insider, also revealed the second-gen AirPods Pro are not coming any time soon - Cupertino will start mass production at the end of calendar 2021, so they should be out in Q1 2022. According to Kuo, the market might be expecting new AirPods, but will actually get a new Beats model. He also reported a shift in demand from the second-gen basic AirPods to the AirPods...

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Realme X3 SuperZoom clears Bluetooth SIG certification

Realme's X3 has been in our rumor mill since the beginning of the month. We're expecting a vanilla X3 as well as an X3 SuperZoom which was spotted in several listings earlier this month. Now we have yet another sighting of the X3 SuperZoom which was spotted in the database of the Bluetooth SIG. The device was spotted bearing the same RMX2086 model number as in the previous listings. The certification revealed the presence of Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity but not much more. Realme X3 SuperZoom Bluetooth SIG certification From the phone's Geekbench listing we know the X3 SuperZoom...

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Xiaomi Redmi K30i image reveals two fewer cameras than the K30

Xiaomi is expected to launch a Redmi K30i smartphone with a 48MP camera, but keeping the Snapdragon 765G from the Redmi K30. It was said to be the cheapest 5G handset on the market, and thanks to leaked render today, we know where Xiaomi is making cuts. The image of the Redmi K30i reveals two fewer cameras - one on each side. This means the screen will arrive with a single punch hole design. Thanks to the writings in the circular camera setup, the 48MP main camera is confirmed. We expect the other two shooters to be for macro shots and background blur. On the front Xiaomi is most...

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Xiaomi Mi A3 once again is receiving Android 10 update

Nothing in the world is certain except death, taxes and Xiaomi Mi A series phones having troubles with major Android updates. According to users on Reddit, some Xiaomi Mi A3 units are receiving an Android 10 new update, which is different from the previous three, and brings once again all the features the latest Google OS has - dark theme, new gesture navigation and improved privacy controls. The package is just 32 MB in size, which is nothing compared with the 1.33 GB update that arrived the last time and is clearly a hotfix for the last batch of issues discovered. The author of...

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Meizu 17 series confirmed to use Snapdragon 865 and UFS 3.1 storage

The launch the Meizu 17 series if fast approaching - it's coming in two weeks on May 8. We are expecting a vanilla Meizu 17 alongside a Pro model and the company just confirmed both phones will be powered by the Snapdragon 865 chipset and use UFS 3.1 storage. Meanwhile, Meizu also showed out its upcoming collaboration with the PANDAER-Family cartoon series for limited edition cases. They come in four variations each with its unique detailing. We've already come across plenty of leaks and teasers for the new devices which confirmed a 90Hz refresh rate display, 5G connectivity...

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Huawei Y8s leaks with a notch, dual cameras

Thanks to Evan Blass, we got a hold on an official-looking image of the upcoming Huawei Y8s. The phone appears to have a proper notch, a fingerprint scanner on the back and two cameras, lined with the LED flash in a black rectangle, as is the trend now. The Huawei Y-branded smartphones are from the most affordable price range and are often the global counterpart of the Chinese Enjoy lineup (although there are Huawei Y phones in China too). Specs about that phone are yet to appear, but it is interesting to note that Huawei hasn't launched a Y8 smartphone, even if there are at...

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LG Velvet arriving on May 7

LG already made two announcements for its new midranger called Velvet, but we are yet to find out any of the hardware specs. The company now confirmed that the final announcement is coming on May 7 by posting a video on YouTube, dedicated to the design-oriented smartphone with three cameras on the back. The four colorful dots represent the main rear shooter, two auxiliary snappers, and the LED flash. The colors also represent the four paint jobs LG Velvet will arrive in - White, Black, Red, Green. The chipset of the phone will be Snapdragon 765G with the 5G enabled; after all the...

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