Month: September 2020

Lenovo ThinkBook 14 Gen 2 launched with 11th-generation Intel processors, Wi-Fi 6, Thunderbolt 4.0, and more

Lenovo has launched a barrage of notebooks powered by Intel’s 11th-generation Tiger Lake CPUs. The Lenovo ThinkBook 14 Gen 2 comes in a wide range of configurations. There are some AMD variants too for Team Red enthusiasts. It will retail at US$569 for the Intel model and US$549 for the AMD variant. The notebooks will be available for purchase in October 2020.

The Lenovo ThinkBook 14 Gen 2 comes with a 14′ FHD screen. It can be configured with a regular IPS and TN panel. Users looking to do color-sensitive work can also upgrade the IPS panel to cover 100% of the sRGB spectrum. An Intel Iris Xe GPU powers the display, which can be upgraded to an Nvidia GeForce MX450 if needed. Lastly, the notebook’s camera comes with a shutter too.

As mentioned earlier, the Lenovo ThinkBook 14 Gen 2 can be configured with Intel and AMD CPUs. Lenovo will tell us more about the exact CPU models at a later date. It is possible to customize the notebook with up to 40GB of DDR4 memory, coupled with a 1TB NVMe SSD and a 2TB 5400 rpm mechanical hard drive. Depending on the model, the Lenovo ThinkBook 14 Gen 2 comes with either a 45Wh or 60Wh battery that can provide up to six and eight hours of backup, respectively.

Input options on the Lenovo ThinkBook 14 Gen 2 include a Thunderbolt 4.0 port and one USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C port. The latter can charge the laptop with compatible USB PD chargers and even output display to monitors. Other options include two USB 3.2 Type-A ports for peripherals, one RJ45 Ethernet port, a headphone/mic combo jack, and a 4-in-1 card reader.

Some Lenovo ThinkBook 14 models are Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 compatible, while others are restricted to Wi-Fi 5. The notebook weighs 1.4kg (3.1lbs) and has an anodized aluminum body. The hinges allow the laptop to be laid out flat at a 180-degree angle. Lastly, its power button also doubles up as a fingerprint scanner.

The Lenovo ThinkVision T27hv-20 monitor shows remote collaboration potential with USB type C and a 1080p IR webcam

The Lenovo ThinkVision T27hv-20 is this OEM’s latest 27-inch monitor that is ostensibly for the home or remote office, having clearly been designed with such use-cases in mind. It comes in a black chassis with red accents and a 3-side-nearly-bezelless 27-inch 2K panel. This display also comes with “Natural Low Blue Light-Technology”, which helps confer its Eyesafe and TÜV Rheinland Eye Comfort certifications.

The new monitor is also equipped with an obviously business-focused webcam. It has a 1080p resolution, and comes in a barrel-like form-factor, one outer third of which is a grip to change its angle at will. The middle third holds the lens (which can be covered with a privacy shutter if necessary) as well as an in-built microphone.

This camera also has dedicated dual 3 watt (W) speakers, as well as an indicator light that alerts colleagues or family members in the n the vicinity when the T27hv-20 is in web-conferencing use. The unit also benefits from an RJ-45 jack as well as DisplayPorts, an HDMI port and some USB type As – however, Lenovo asserts that its single type C could also handle their functions.

This 3.2 Gen 1 port also supports up to 90W connected devices. The Lenovo ThinkVision T27hv-20 (which also has a headphone jack) is slated to become available at the end of January 2021, and has a current recommended price of €419 (~US$489).

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano: Extremely lightweight 16:10 ThinkPad goes up against Dell XPS 13 9310

Lenovo’s ThinkPad brand has a new flagship model: The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 1 complements the high-end ThinkPad X1 series with a new, much smaller model.

In design, the new ThinkPad X1 Nano is very similar to the existing Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 8. You could call the ThinkPad X1 Nano a smaller brother of this model, as it has the same wedge-design and black Carbon fiber top-cover. The key difference between the two: While the X1 Carbon uses 14 inch displays in the more common 16:9 aspect ratio, the X1 Nano comes with a 13 inch screen in the taller 16:10 ratio. By going this route, the X1 Nano provides the same screen height as the X1 Carbon, but in a much smaller package.

Lenovo Nano: Lighter than X1 Carbon & XPS 13

The chassis is not only smaller, it is also significantly lighter. Lenovo notes that the ThinkPad X1 Nano is the lightest ThinkPad laptop so far, with just 962 g or 2.12 lbs. That is not only lighter than the X1 Carbon (1.09 kg/2.4 lbs), but also significantly lighter than the new Dell XPS 13 9310 (1.2 kg/2.64 lbs).

To make a ThinkPad this small and light, there had to be some compromises. Notably, the X1 Nano does not have the impressive array of ports that the bigger X1 Carbon boasts. Instead, the ThinkPad Nano has just two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a headphone-jack. The battery and the keyboard are also slightly smaller in size compared with the bigger counterpart. 

Of course, Thunderbolt 4 already hints at it: The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano is powered by Intel Tiger Lake, the first ThinkPad X1 to have these newer CPUs. At this stage, it is not clear if it will feature the UP3 or UP4 Tiger Lake models though. Some additional firsts for the ThinkPad X1 line: 5G and LPDDR4X memory (up to 16 GB). The screen will only be offered with a single 2K level resolution (2,160 x 1,350), which has a brightness of 450 cd/m². Both touch and non-touch are available.

ThinkPad X1 Nano: Pricing & availability

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano will be available in December 2020. It will cost at least $1,599. It will ship with either Windows 10 Pro or Ubuntu Linux.

The ThinkBook 13s Gen 2 is Lenovo’s newest Intel Evo certified laptop with a 2K screen

The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s Gen 2 is a part of Lenovo’s new line of ultra-portable laptops powered by Intel’s Tiger Lake and AMD Ryzen 4000U processors. It is Intel Evo (formerly known as Project Athena) certified and will retail at US$829 for the Intel variant and US$729 for the AMD version. The notebook will be available for purchase in October 2020 on all major e-commerce platforms.

One of the key distinguishing factors of the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s Gen 2 is its Dolby Vision certified 13.6-inch WQXGA (2560×1600) IPS panel. It has a peak brightness of 300 nits and covers 100% of the sRGB spectrum. There is also an option to make the display touch-enabled. An Intel Iris Xe iGPU powers it, so its gaming prowess is somewhat limited. At 1.26kg (2.77lb), the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s Gen 2 is quite portable. Its anodized aluminum body ensures structural integrity.

The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s Gen 2 can be configured with up to an Intel Core-i7 CPU. Memory and storage max out at 16GB (LPDDR5x, 4200MHz) and 1TB (NVMe SSD), respectively. The notebook’s 61Wh battery supports fast charging at up to 65W. Connectivity options on the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s Gen 2 include one Thunderbolt 4.0, two USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A, one HDMI 2.0b port, and a combo audio jack. It also supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1.

OnePlus CEO confirms that the OnePlus 8T Pro will not be released this year

Despite OnePlus’s two-pronged smartphone release, the OnePlus 8T Pro’s existence has been questioned several times. Although one report suggested that the smartphone was here to stay, the rumor mill’s overwhelming consensus that the OnePlus 8T would be the only H2 2020 flagship from OnePlus. We now know for sure that the OnePlus 8T Pro will not be released later next month.

The information comes from straight from OnePlus CEO Pete Lau via a Weibo post (via Android Authority). Lau directs users who ‘want a Pro-level experience’ to the OnePlus 8 Pro. Based on what we know about the OnePlus 8T so far, we know that it’ll be closer to the OnePlus 8 Pro than the OnePlus 8. For starters, both phones will use the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 SoC, which is quite surprising, considering that its predecessors almost always used a Plus variant whenever possible.

It’ll be interesting to see what OnePlus will replace the OnePlus 8 Pro with this time. The most likely candidate at this points seems to be the sub-US$200 OnePlus Clover. We could even see the long-awaited OnePlus Watch make its debut. Renowned leaker Ishan Agarwal speculates that there will be a total of five products release on October 14.

Xiaomi Mi 10T and Mi 10T Pro full specs and new renders leak, Mi 10T Lite still expected, and rumored prices for the whole Mi 10T series

Just ahead of launch, the specifications sheets for the Xiaomi Mi 10T and Mi 10T Pro have been seemingly leaked courtesy of tech tipster Sudhanshu Ambhore. It was widely expected the latest Mi 10 smartphones would come with the Snapdragon 865 SoC and a 144 Hz panel, but there is at least one surprise to be found in the datasheets. According to this particular leak, the Mi 10T actually gets 8 GB RAM, when it was widely expected to only get 6 GB. While this is the only version of the regular model mentioned, the Pro variant of the upcoming 5G smartphone will apparently come in two configurations: 8 GB + 128 GB and 8 GB + 256 GB.

The only other differences listed between the Xiaomi Mi 10T and Mi 10T Pro are the main camera sensor (64 MP vs. 108 MP with OIS) and the choice of colors: The Mi 10T comes in silver or black while the Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro can be clad in black, silver, or blue. The tipster has assured followers that the details are accurate, and while someone has mentioned that the dimensions and weight are slightly incorrect, with the Pro model being a bit bigger and heavier, it appears that the two Mi 10T devices are almost identical.

The potential Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite 5G smartphone has kept a much lower profile than the other two Mi 10 devices, but it is also rumored to be coming with a 6.67-inch display. The refresh rate is allegedly lower, at 120 Hz, and a Snapdragon 750G chip has been mentioned. With 6 GB RAM and 64 GB/128 GB storage, 64 MP main camera sensor, and 4,720-mAh battery, the mysterious Mi 10T Lite is nothing to be sniffed at, especially when it is expected to come with a price tag that is under €300 (US$349). Like the Mi 10T and Mi 10T Pro, the Lite variant should have a side-mounted fingerprint reader.

Unsurprisingly, the Xiaomi Mi 10T and Mi 10T Pro will be pricier than their possible Lite relative, but maybe by not as much as some believe. Various price predictions have been bandied around, with about €550 (US$641) suggested for the Mi 10T and €640-€699 (US$745-US$814) for the Pro model. However, other sources have gone with €499 (US$581) and €599 (US$698), respectively, which also falls in line with rumors we have already reported on. These latter price points would be much more welcome for the upcoming Xiaomi smartphones, with the Mi 10T Pro’s price possibly being even lower considering its similarity to the regular model.

Dell XPS 13 9310 2-in-1 gets refreshed to include Intel Tiger Lake, Xe graphics, Evo, and Thunderbolt 4, but RAM and storage continue to be non-upgradeable

The 2019 Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 introduced a much needed design change as well as internal upgrades to Intel Ice Lake and Comet Lake-U processors. This year, the Dell XPS 13 9310 2-in-1 gets refreshed to Intel’s 11th generation Tiger Lake CPUs with Intel Xe graphics. Like its last gen counterpart, the XPS 13 9310 2-in-1 is Intel Evo-compliant for an all-round responsive computing experience.

Dell offers the XPS 13 9310 2-in-1 in two chassis designs — a CNC machined aluminum in platinum silver with black carbon fiber composite palm rest and a CNC machined aluminum in frost with arctic white woven glass palm rest.

The XPS 13 9310 2-in-1 continues to sport a 13.4-inch InfinityEdge 16:10 touch display that is available in FHD+ (1920×1200) and UltraSharp 4K UHD+ (3840×2400) options. The UHD+ display offers a peak brightness of 500 nits and supports HDR400 with 100% sRGB and 90% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage, and a 1500:1 contrast ratio. The FHD+ variant has an 1800:1 contrast ratio, 100% sRGB coverage, and 500 nits brightness. Both display variants are Dolby Vision-certified, have a 0.65% anti-reflective coating, and a 178-degree wide viewing angle. The display is protected with an Edge-to-edge Corning Gorilla Glass 6 covering.

Internally, the 2020 XPS 13 9310 2-in-1 receives the customary upgrade to Intel Tiger Lake CPUs — buyers get to choose from among the Core i3-1115G4, Core i5-1135G7, and Core i7-1165G7 options. RAM options are available from 8 GB to 32 GB LPDDR4X-4267 except for the Core i3 version, which is capped at 3733 MHz memory speed. The storage can be configured with options of 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB PCIe Gen3 NVMe SSDs. The RAM and storage are soldered on-board and cannot be upgraded down the line.

Dell continues to offer the MagLev keyboard, now in the Gen 2 iteration, in the new XPS 13 9310 2-in-1. Whether MagLev would appeal to the user or not purely depends on personal preferences and how quickly one gets used to the shallower key travel. Users can also optionally purchase the Dell Premium Active Pen that offers 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity. The power button doubles-up as a fingerprint reader. The infrared webcam also supports Windows Hello-based facial recognition login as well.

Thermal design is largely unchanged from the 2019 version. There is a dual-fan setup with an ultra-thin vapor chamber. Dell said that the 2020 XPS 13 2-in-1 uses dual carbon liquid crystal polymer fans to maximize airflow rejection with increased number of fan blades and reduced blade thickness.

Port selection is also similar to what we have seen with the 2019 XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 with the 2020 XPS 13 9310 2-in-1 now offering Thunderbolt 4 ports. Dell provides a USB-C to USB-A adapter in the box. A microSD card reader and a 3.5mm combo audio jack are available. The Killer AX1650 Wi-Fi 6 chipset provides wireless networking and Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity. A 51 WHr battery rounds up the specifications.

The Dell XPS 13 9310 2-in-1 will be available in the U.S. and Canada on September 30 with prices starting from US$1,249.99.

The Samsung Galaxy M21 lasts forever

The housing of the Samsung Galaxy M21 is quite plain: Sure, the M21 is well-built for a lower mid-range smartphone, but the design with its smooth, reflective back is not all that exciting.

One can say that with the M21 Samsung focused on the internals: For example, geolocation works very well, the proprietary OneUI launcher makes using the smartphone with smaller hands easier, because it often places intractable elements in the lower half of the screen. The camera system produces passable images with its high-resolution main sensor and its ultra wide-angle lens.

Because the M21 comes with Samsung’s proprietary SoC, which is neither powerful nor energy-efficient, competing smartphones offer a higher level of performance. The Samsung smartphone is able to eke good, but not outstanding, battery runtimes out of its huge 6000-mAh battery. Nevertheless, those who need a long-lasting smartphone cannot go wrong with the M21.

There is an NFC chip for contactless payments and the Wi-Fi module is quite fast. Users should find out what LTE bands are used in each country before traveling there, because the M21 does not support a lot of LTE frequency bands. The microphone has trouble picking up quiet voices, the speaker is not very good and the performance fluctuates under sustained load.

Read our extensive review of the Samsung Galaxy M21 to find out whether it is good enough for gaming and many other things related to it.

Realme’s new Realme Q series of smartphones to be unveiled on October 15

Realme seems to have taken the Xiaomi approach towards product launches by flooding the market with a never-ending barrage of devices ranging from smartphones to suitcases. Not too long ago, Realme unveiled its new V line of smartphones with the Realme V5. Realme’s upcoming Q series will soon join it, according to an industry insider.

Well-known leaker Digital Chat Station (via @stufflistings on Twitter) says that the mystery Realme Q smartphone will be unveiled in China on October 13. It will allegedly run a 5G-ready chipset along with an OLED panel, a hole-punch camera, an under-display fingerprint sensor, and a battery that supports fast charging at 65W. The device will likely serve as an intermediate between Realme’s top-of-the-line X and mid-range V series. Much like the Realme V5, the yet-to-be-named Realme smartphone will remain exclusive to China.

Details about Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 775G leaked not too long ago. We can expect the chip to make its debut alongside the Realme Q phone. However, one cannot rule out the possibility of running a Snapdragon 750G or an upcoming MediaTek Dimensity hardware. The chances of it being the latter are a tad higher, as Dimensity chips tend to debut alongside China-only smartphones.

Samsung may launch the Galaxy W21 premium foldable in China soon

One might be forgiven for having assumed that the launch of the first-gen Samsung foldable would negate the Galaxy W series, made up of flip phones with premium specs that included dual AMOLED displays. However, the OEM proceeded to launch the W20 in this line’s primary market, China. It turned out to be a version of the Fold that mainly distinguished itself with 5G and different rear panels.

Now, it seems this device is getting a successor. 3C has reportedly approved the Samsung SM-W2021 for sale. As the W20 was the SM-W2020, it will probably have Galaxy W21 as a product name. Unfortunately, the new leak can’t tell us much about its specs, besides that it is rated for a maximum charging rate of 25 watts (W).

However, judging by its probable forebear, prospective W21 buyers may be able to expect a folding tablet with a 7.6-inch main AMOLED display with a 120 hertz (Hz) refresh rate; triple main cameras and a new kind of hinge.

Then again, it may also get some kind of elaboration on its specs so as to set it apart from a typical Galaxy Z Fold2. As to its price, the W20 started at 19999 yuan (US$2936) on its launch; the next generation may be no cheaper.