Realme launches first 5G smartphone in India; analysts say no value for users sans 5G connectivity

"For users, I do not see any convincing reason to go for a 5G phone... For Indian users, it will make sense to go for 5G phones in the first half of 2022. Invariable good thing that OEMs (phone makers) will do is that over a period of time, the price will go down," Faisal Kawoosa, founder and chief analyst of market research firm TechARC, said.

from Hardware-Tech-Economic Times https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/hardware/realme-launches-first-5g-smartphone-in-india-analysts-say-no-value-for-users-sans-5g-connectivity/articleshow/74286370.cms
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It's confirmed. Xiaomi Mi Mix Alpha featuring 108 MP camera, full glass body launching soon in India

The Mi MIX Alpha comes with surround display that wraps around the phone and it is an all-glass phone. In terms of specifications, the device features a massive 7.92-inch flexible OLED screen that offers a screen resolution of 2088x2250 pixels. However, There's no selfie camera on the Mi MIX Alpha.

from Hardware-Tech-Economic Times https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/hardware/its-confirmed-xiaomi-mi-mix-alpha-featuring-108-mp-camera-full-glass-body-launching-soon-in-india/articleshow/74278150.cms
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First 5G handset in India likely to be priced at Rs 50,000

The 'realme' that came into existence in 2018 is all set to become the first brand to unveil 5G ready smartphone in India on Febaruary 24, even though the "network is not available in the country", a company official claimed. The company wants to offer future-ready products and people, who travel aboard, can use the handset as technology is available in many countries.

from Hardware-Tech-Economic Times https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/hardware/first-5g-handset-in-india-likely-to-be-priced-at-rs-50000/articleshow/74212242.cms
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China's mobile and digital dominance runs deep into Indian economy

The emerging picture is rather remarkable, considering the geopolitical unease that exists between India and China. The robust $87 billion in trade between the two countries sit sill at ease with a history of aggressive border disputes, memories of a war and China’s open support for Pakistan, including in international fora.

from Hardware-Tech-Economic Times https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/hardware/chinas-mobile-and-digital-dominance-run-deep-into-indian-economy/articleshow/74154017.cms
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Xiaomi increases Redmi Note 8 price

However, its fellow Chinese handset maker and closest competitor in India, Vivo India, said it will not immediately increase prices of its smartphones and will absorb the temporary component cost fluctuation.

from Hardware-Tech-Economic Times https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/hardware/xiaomi-increases-redmi-note-8-price/articleshow/74127456.cms
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India’s computer shipments record 6-year high in 2019

The country witnessed more than 18% year-on-year growth to 11 million units during 2019, according to the data released by IDC. The growth was largely driven by the government-driven education projects and upgrade purchases for Windows 10.

from Hardware-Tech-Economic Times https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/hardware/indias-computer-shipments-record-6-year-high-in-2019/articleshow/74127038.cms
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Traditional PC shipments to India highest in 6 years: IDC

According to the IDC data, the last quarter of the year (Q4) also saw a 16.5% YoY growth with 2.3 million shipments, primarily contributed by the strong growth in the commercial segment. In fact, after a YoY decline for five straight quarters, the consumer segment saw growth shipping close to 9,50,000 units.

from Hardware-Tech-Economic Times https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/hardware/traditional-pc-shipments-to-india-highest-in-6-years-idc/articleshow/74117159.cms
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Parts running out, local handset output may stop

Industry players fear that local production of handsets may come to a complete halt starting next week in the absence of supplies from China. Analysts expect smartphone sales to fall 10-15% in the January-March quarter, but expect a sharper impact in the April-June period, and four to five week delays in new launches.

from Hardware-Tech-Economic Times https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/hardware/parts-running-out-local-handset-output-may-stop/articleshow/74109307.cms
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Smartphone industry feels impact of supply disruption due to coronavirus outbreak in China

Industry watchers admitted that the situation on the ground is bad, as the supply lines for smartphones predominantly come from China. At the same time, they said the market itself is slow and and demand, sluggish. Reports suggest that one of the large contract manufacturers and component suppliers has resumed operations in one of its plants in China, but is operating with only a small fraction of its workforce.

from Hardware-Tech-Economic Times https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/hardware/smartphone-industry-feels-impact-of-supply-disruption-due-to-coronavirus-outbreak-in-china/articleshow/74082836.cms
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Big handset makers may discontinue sub-Rs 5k models

The Chinese handset-maker has around 40% share in the entry-level category, while Indian brands — Lava and Micromax — together hold less than 2%, data from Counterpoint Research showed.

from Hardware-Tech-Economic Times https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/hardware/big-handset-makers-may-discontinue-sub-rs-5k-models/articleshow/74073902.cms
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Samsung withdraws cashback scheme with Amazon Pay after offline retailers protest

According to two senior industry executives, the Korean giant has removed the Amazon Pay promotion from its backend with immediate effect. The company has also informed its shop floor sales executives to inform about other promotional offers to consumers.

from Hardware-Tech-Economic Times https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/hardware/samsung-withdraws-cashback-scheme-with-amazon-pay-after-offline-retailers-protest/articleshow/74060711.cms
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Samsung plans big comeback with premium smartphones in India

Eight years back, Samsung became the leader in the mobile phone industry in India with the roll out of "Galaxy S3" from its Noida facility.

from Hardware-Tech-Economic Times https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/hardware/samsung-plans-big-comeback-with-premium-smartphones-in-india/articleshow/74038943.cms
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Vivo to set up over 250 exclusive stores this year to expand retail network

The company has launched a new experiential flagship store in Thane and plans to have 20 more such stores. On the experiential store, the company said the outlet houses dedicated gaming, virtual reality and customer interaction zones that will allow smartphone enthusiasts to engage with Vivo products and experience cutting-edge technology in an immersive environment.

from Hardware-Tech-Economic Times https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/hardware/vivo-to-set-up-over-250-exclusive-stores-this-year-to-expand-retail-network/articleshow/74028170.cms
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Xiaomi pips Samsung to become India's first choice in handsets

The Chinese phonemaker topped the overall handset market with 16% share in the quarter, trailed by Samsung and Reliance Retail. Samsung also slips behind Apple in premium segment as smartphone shipments fall 2.8% YoY. Samsung’s smartphone shipments fell 2.8% on year — leaving it with 20.3% market share versus Xiaomi’s 28.6% for 2019 — as other Chinese brands, too, grew share.

from Hardware-Tech-Economic Times https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/hardware/xiaomi-pips-samsung-to-become-indias-first-choice-in-handsets/articleshow/74019525.cms
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Xiaomi replaces Samsung as overall market leader in Q4: IDC

Xiaomi also emerged as the market leader registering annual shipments of 43.6 million units in 2019, the highest ever smartphone shipments made by any brand in a year, with a growth of 9.2% on year, IDC said. Samsung, on the other hand fell 2.8% on-year, leaving it with a market share of 20.3% versus Xiaomi’s 28.6%, for 2019.

from Hardware-Tech-Economic Times https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/hardware/xiaomi-replaces-samsung-as-overall-market-leader-in-q4-idc/articleshow/74008717.cms
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Acer postpones Esports tournament in Philippines due to coronavirus concerns

The company said almost 20,000 tickets have already been sold for the tournament. It is being tentatively rescheduled to June or July. Acer said it will continue to closely monitor the coronavirus (2019-nCoV) situation and further announce when an exact date has been determined. Acer has hosted the tournament for two years now.

from Hardware-Tech-Economic Times https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/hardware/acer-postpones-esports-tournament-in-philippines-due-to-coronavirus-concerns/articleshow/73962188.cms
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Import duty hike to drive local handset making

On Saturday, the government proposed increasing the import duty on PCBAs to 20% from 10% and chargers to 20% from 15%, to encourage local manufacturing. This will help increase the local production of PCBAs by more than 100 million and chargers by 50 million units, said the companies for whom these are key inputs.

from Hardware-Tech-Economic Times https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/hardware/import-duty-hike-to-drive-local-handset-making/articleshow/73925704.cms
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Outbreak to hit iPhone output if China extends Foxconn factory halt: Source

Taiwan's Foxconn, which makes smartphones for Apple and other brands, has halted "almost all" of its production in China after companies were told to shut until at least Feb. 10, the source said, adding that an extension of the stoppage could disrupt shipments to clients including Apple.

from Hardware-Tech-Economic Times https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/hardware/outbreak-to-hit-iphone-output-if-china-extends-foxconn-factory-halt-source/articleshow/73909769.cms
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Huawei India tells its Chinese techies to stay back home

Six Huawei India employees, all Indians, underwent tests for coronavirus at the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases in Bengaluru in the last one week. The Huawei spokesperson confirmed that none of the company's employees in India tested positive for coronavirus.

from Hardware-Tech-Economic Times https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/hardware/huawei-india-tells-its-chinese-techies-to-stay-back-home/articleshow/73906507.cms
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MediaTek launches gaming series chipsets: Helio G70 & G80

The Helio G70 and G80 are aimed at new premium smartphone users and gaming enthusiasts who want high-end features at mid-tier price points. The new chipsets will power major smartphone brands that will first hit the market in India, later this month.

from Hardware-Tech-Economic Times https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/hardware/mediatek-launches-gaming-series-chipsets-helio-g70-g80/articleshow/73905376.cms
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